Lumberman’s Day in Catawba

CATAWBA — Lumberman’s Day has a threat of rain almost every year but the clouds always seem to break just in time for the day of fun in Catawba Park. It was a very fun and well-attended event, according to Colin Hoogland, an organizer with the event sponsor Catawba-Kennan Lions Club.

It was no different for the 57th annual Lumberman’s Day celebration on June 7. The rain cleared out just in time for the morning parade with lifelong Catawba resident, Pat Runnheim, serving as the Grand Marshal. The 2023-24 Lumberman’s Day Queen Sarah Hoogland, along with 2024-25 Queen Riley Sidenbender, who both rode in the Lions Club float.

Sidenbender is a senior at Phillips High School and the daughter of Ryan and Nicole Sidenbender. She demonstrated her lumberjack skills by participating in cross cut sawing and popple peeling.

The weekend actually started on Friday evening with a flag retirement ceremony of the American Legion followed by a classic vehicle cruise in at the Catawba Park. After the Saturday morning parade the park filled with people for the annual chicken dinner followed by live music from Loren Wanish, The Bad Ass polka band and Twisted Whisker. Brooke Macholl won the $1,000 grand prize and promptly donated his winnings to the Lions Club.

Several friendly competitions highlighted the day, starting with a great softball game between the Phillips Middle School girls’ softball team and the Lady Lumberjills from Ladysmith. Phillips was able to pull out the 13-3 win with Mel Tingo leading the way with an inside the park home run.

Coaches Blake Edwards and Josh Prohaska arranged the softball game with Ladysmith.

Charlie Williams and Komarek won the cornhole tournament. Jim Walcisak and Jason Tegen were second, with Lisa Walcisak and John Obadal in third.

Kevin Bushman and Terry Peissig were winners of the horse shoe tournament. Chris Smetak and Kai Kelly won second place.

Six co-ed volleyball volleyball teams played a round robin followed by a double elimination tournament that lasted until 9 p.m. Jessie Denny captained the first place volleyball team.

Of course, the sawing competitions were the centerpiece activity with several categories of hand and power saw cutting. Ape Hanger Saloon donated $25 gift certificates for the winners of the open categories. The first and second place winners were:

Open Dueling: Fred Freeman, Tim Novak

Large Dueling: LeRoy Lallemont, Gunard Hoogland

Medium Dueling: Fred Freeman, Gunard Hoogland

Small Dueling: Gunard Hoogland, Axel Hoogland

Open Timed: Troy Jablonsky, Jeremy Koslowski

Large Timed: Fred Freeman, Jim Mabie

Medium Timed: Brooke Macholl, Troy Jablonsky

Small Timed: Colin Hoogland, Troy Jablonsky

Popple Peeling: Tracy Williams, Jeremy Koslowski

Cross Cut saw: Axel and Gunard Hoogland, Jeremy and Trevor Koslowski

Wood Splitting: Max Hoogland, Axel Hoogland