It will be “Another Day in Paradise” at For Peetz Sake Days this weekend.
Events will include recognition of Dennis and Ann Roelle, who have been selected as this year’s parade marshals. They have lived all of their married life in the Peetz Community for over 46 years.
Dennis was born and raised in Peetz and graduated from Peetz High School. All of Dennis and Ann’s children graduated from Peetz as well as two grandchildren. Ann was born in Sterling. Her family moved to Greeley when she was a sophomore in high school and she graduated from University High.
After high school, Ann began working as a telephone operator at Mountain Bell. She transferred to the Sterling office and through a co-worker met Dennis at a softball game. They dated three weeks and became engaged.
After they were married in January of 1975 at St. Anthony’s Church they moved to the Hans Struve farm which lies on the state line. This farm has been called home except for temporarily moving to Idaho in 1976. Dennis and Ann enjoyed their time in Idaho raising potatoes, but when Dennis had the opportunity in the spring of 1978 to run his own farm, cattle and hog operation, they decided to move back home.
Dennis and Ann raised six children, Mark, JaNae, Jason, Jerod, Sarah and Chris. They credit their close family ties to living in their two-bedroom house.
Ann kept busy raising their family and after their kids were older, she took on the job of cook at Lorenzo School. Dennis was a bus driver for Lorenzo and Ann was his sub. When the school lunch program was dropped at Lorenzo, Ann became a janitor and bus driver.
Sidney hired her as bus driver when Lorenzo students started to go to Sidney to school. She drove the bus for 26 years. Later on, she started working for House of Flowers where she worked for 14 years.
Dennis also drove a school bus for over 30 years enjoying taking the activity bus and following the kids’ sports events. He also assisted in coaching the baseball team for a few years. Dennis has served in the Lions Club, Holy Name, Farmers’ Union. Through Farmers Union, Dennis and Ann helped with the American Farm Project which was a program developing young leaders. Ann has been in the Altar Society, Hill Toppers and taught religion class.
When they could find time, the couple enjoyed the family camping and boating trips to Jumbo Reservoir as well as their honeymoon in Hawaii and family trips to Mexico. Later on, they purchased a trailer on the south side of Lake McConaughy. After 10 years of summer fun there, they decided to purchase a house on the south side. They have been enjoying their summer home for nine years.
Dennis and Ann’s family has grown to 13 grandchildren ranging from 1 ½ years to 22 years. The three oldest are in Oregon, Michigan and Missouri. They say with a laugh, “We are still hoping for more grandkids – No pressure!”
The two-day fall festival kicks off Friday with a horseshoe tournament at 4 p.m. and a bake sale/craft sale from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Old Fire Hall. For information on the sale contact Michele Gentry at 970-301-5158. The sale will be followed by the third and fourth grade South Platte Youth Football League game at the big football field starting at 6:30 p.m.
Friday’s events will also include a community hog roast/potluck from 5:30 to 7 p.m. sponsored by the Lions Club, with Cub Scouts assisting. The hog roast dinner will be served at the community center. Please bring a side or dessert.
Rounding out the evening will be a community pep rally in Carlie Gym at Peetz School starting at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s events will start with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Fire Hall. There will also be a bake sale/craft sale from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Old Fire Hall and the DC Club will hold a garage sale from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Old Bus Barn.
One of the highlights of the day, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Main Street. Following the parade, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., tours of Peetz School and a question and answer will be offered with Neenan and NV5. Peetz School District is asking voters to approve a bond measure in the November election to either construct a new school or do a major remodel of the existing school.
Additionally, games and activities will be offered from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the practice field for children in preschool through 12 years old, including a Money Scramble sponsored by the Lions Club.
If you’re hungry, head to the school commons for a hamburger fry beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Later, the Peetz Bulldogs will take on Prairie in the homecoming football game at 1 p.m. Homecoming royalty will be crowned at halftime and the Roelles will be recognized. This will be followed by the Lady Bulldogs volleyball game against Prairie at 3:30 p.m.
Rounding out the day will be the homecoming dance at Peetz School from 9 to 11 p.m.