---

Resort race winner...

Nine year old Everly Hemmer from St. Louis, Missouri walked away with the big W this week representing Diamond Crest Resort. She is photographed with Angela Sawyer of All Season’s Resort Photos submitted.

   There is nothing like “going up to the lake”. Many of us living here now grew up each Friday eve being a part of the caravan exiting the city to “go up to the lake”. It’s like turning off the news and watching an old movie if you have to stay behind. But, here we are, loving life and living the dream. And, us old fogies are so delighted with all these young folks who are establishing new businesses in town. They are carrying on the tradition that we all inherited from our folks. And, how delighted we all are !! Longville will continue to be that “destination” town, not served by a major road running through it . It’s the place we all wanted to come to after a hard week’s work  in the cities...that escape to the great “up North”...where life is like living in a bubble. 

Turtle race champion

This week’s Grand Winner was two year old Tulsa Robinson from Sioux Center, IA. 

Generation after generation makes this happen. And, speaking of young people carrying on the old traditions, I would like to introduce you to the team of youngsters we have this season to help at the Turtle Races. They are growing up straight and strong, volunteering of themselves to make others happy ! And they in turn get wonderful feelings of accomplishment for being part of what brings so much joy to a great group of people. First of all, we have our Turtle Wranglers, Emery and Sawyer Hanson. They are in charge of getting the turtles out to the racers , collecting them after each race , getting them back into the boat and getting the next group ready. If that process doesn’t go right...we are in a lot of trouble.  They might do that 25 times each Wednesday. They are assisted by Dawson Weaver, Josephine Johnson and Grayson Ferris. Sadie Crowe oversees the races, making sure everyone has their stickers on their turtles and identifying the Fastest turtle at each race. She was assisted by her sister Cora this last race. Addie Weaver, assisted by Emory Ferris, is in charge of the Slow Poke race winner...just as important as the fastest...mind you.  Hunter keeps the ribbons and coupons straight so we can move fast race after race. There you go. Here is the junior team, the next generation who will take over things for us . And so it goes...on and on.  2 down 8 to go...for those counting.  

Slow Poke champion

This week’s Grand Slowpoke Winner was nine year old Riley Zoske of Hubbard, IA. 

---