The 3rd annual Cam Shaft Special is coming up on Saturday, June 13th, from 10-to-1 in the Litchfield Civic Arena. It’s a free event for participants and spectators.
Mitch Simmons says it’s sponsored by Miller Automotive, Simms Napa Auto Parts of Litchfield and Cokato, along with Litchfield Auto Body, Ramsey Printing and Farm Bureau Insurance. He says it rained both of the first two years that they had the Cam Shaft Special so they’re hoping for better weather this year, and it’s a fun event.
Simmons says motorcycles are also welcome to the Cam Shaft Special and if you’re working on a car and it’s not finished, bring it on a trailer so people can see your progress. He says awards will be handed out for best of show, driver’s choice and peoples’ choice.
Andy Miller says they cut back the hours a bit this year compared to the previous two years and the concession stand will be open at the Litchfield Civic Arena along with Herradura’s food truck. He says it’s fun to hear the stories that people share about their cars.
Miller says they had 60 cars the first year that they held the Cam Shaft Special, but the rain deterred participation. Anyone is welcome to just show up with their car, but if you want to preregister or get more information, go to camshaftspecial.com.
June is Dairy Month and an annual observance is taking place to celebrate in Litchfield today and tomorrow. Cheeseburger Days takes place at the Fieldgate Cheese Store parking lot Thursday and Friday from 11-to-1 each day.
Meeker County Dairy Princess Claudia Frenchick says you can get a cheeseburger, chips, cookie and milk for just $5. She says she and the other dairy princesses and ambassadors will be participating in all kinds of parades and other events throughout the summer to promote the dairy industry.
Frenchick is one of the ten finalists for Princess Kay of the Milky Way and the pageant will be held at the Minnesota State Fair on August 26th. Whether or not she receives the title, she will have a likeness of her head carved out of a 90-pound block of butter. Her cousin, Paige Frenchick, was one of the 10 finalists last year for Princess Kay.
Claudia says she’s going to be a sophomore at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and is studying animal science. She says her goal is to become a large animal veterinarian and she’s in an accelerated program.
Frenchick says there aren’t as many students wanting to be large animal veterinarians which is why they offer an accelerated program. She says she used to show horses so she’s used to dealing with large animals.
Frenchick says she will be going to Princess Kay orientation in July and then there are several days of judging-related activities leading up to the pageant in late August. She says she’s hoping to gain professional development skills from her participation in the Princess Kay program.
The Minnesota State Patrol responded to a one-vehicle crash on Wednesday evening at 7:33 on Highway 15 at 30th Street in Penn Township in McLeod County. A 2010 Chevy Equinox was northbound on Highway 15 when it collided with a construction sign at 30th Street. The Equinox was driven by 64-year-old Laurie Kim Slater of Hutchinson. She was taken to the Glencoe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Also responding to the scene were the Brownton Fire Dept., McLeod County Sheriff’s Office and Glencoe Ambulance.
The Litchfield City Council had a rather lengthy meeting Monday evening which began with the annual audit report presented by Justin McGraw of Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing. The Council also had a lengthy work session earlier in the day.
Mayor Ron Dingmann says the Council met on Monday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to talk about future projects and to get them on a priority list. He says, during the regular meeting Monday evening, the Council approved of a pavement replacement project for the trails at Anderson Gardens. He says Diversified Paving of St. Augusta was awarded a bid of $29,644.24 and that money will come from the Anderson Gardens trust fund. The work is expected to be completed before the Watercade celebration.
Mayor Dingmann says the Council again discussed the state flag and decided to take no formal action – leaving the 1983 flags in place; and had more discussion about the parking ordinance and also took no action as the City will try to communicate more with the public about the need to get vehicles off of the streets when there is one inch or more of snowfall. He says Council member Darlene Kotelnicki also brought up some concerns about the Litchfield Area Recreation Center.
Mayor Dingmann says the administration will look into the issues raised by Kotelnicki and provide more information. He says the Council also heard a report from intern Lydia Asmus about what she’s hoping to accomplish as she works alongside City Administrator Dave Czoik this summer.