Julie Rae Pennertz of Litchfield has published a book featuring quilt patterns that she has created. “Quilts for Daily Living” is available at DeAnn’s Country Village Shoppe in downtown Litchfield.
Pennertz says her faith is a huge part of her life and the book has reflections of who she is. She says the patterns are called blessings creations and each section of her book includes a scripture verse, story, pattern and a recipe.
Pennertz says she first got into quilting in 2005 and credits Sharon Detert with being her inspiration. She says she’s created hundreds of quilts and gives them to family members and friends.
Pennertz says she hopes her book inspires other people and she will likely have an event to promote it at one of the future quilt shop hops at DeAnn’s. She says she will be at the quilt shop in Hutchinson on May 30th promoting her new book.
Ten young women were named as finalists for the 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way this past weekend as dairy princesses from across the state gathered for the annual May Leadership event at the Delta Hotel in Minneapolis. Another Meeker County Dairy Princess is in the competition this year.
Claudia Frenchick of St. Martin – daughter of Amanda Frenchick – will be representing Meeker County in the Princess Kay pageant. The new Princess Kay will be crowned on the eve of the Minnesota State Fair in August. The other candidates include:
Kalley Christen of Lester Prairie – daughter of Keith and Angela Christen – representing McLeod County; Isabella Schiffler of Albany – daughter of John and Kristie Schiffler, Jaiden Smith of Melrose – daughter of Jeremey and Emily Smith, and Daisy Zimmermann of Sauk Centre – daughter of Mike and Lori Zimmermann – all representing Stearns County; Elizabeth Coudron of Milroy – daughter of Ron and Jennifer Coudron – representing Redwood County;
Stephanie Dykstra of Bigelow – daughter of Steve and Esther Dykstra – representing Nobles County; Jena Hanson of Owatonna – daughter of Steve and Suzie Hanson – representing Steele County; Morgan Morrow of Princeton – daughter of Jim and Tina Morrow – representing Benton County; and Gracie Sellner of Sleepy Eye – daughter of Loran and Heidi Sellner – representing Brown County
To compete to be a finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, each princess submitted an application, participated in a professional interview, prepared and delivered a speech and participated in a mock media interview. Princess Kay candidates are judged on their general knowledge of the dairy industry, communication skills and enthusiasm for promoting dairy.
The new Princess Kay of the Milky Way and the other 9 finalists will all have their likenesses carved in butter during the 2026 Minnesota State Fair. Midwest Dairy sponsors the Princess Kay of the Milky Way program, which is funded by dairy farmers through their promotion checkoff.
The Peanut Butter & Milk Festival Committee met on Tuesday evening. Delegates for the annual sister-city exchange trip to Hartford, Alabama in November have all been selected.
Joe Barka, Desirae Polzin and Carson Cervin were selected as the student delegates from the Litchfield High School FFA Chapter to travel to Alabama November 7th through the 14th. PB&M President Terri Anderson, Litchfield High School instructor Tyler Burgess, Meeker County Dairy Princess Claudia Frenchick and her chaperone – Amy Frenchick – will also be traveling to Alabama in November.
Members of the Peanut Butter & Milk Festival Committee helped with last evening’s Meeker Energy supper, and will be helping with the Center Bank Brat Feed on July 9th; and with the Moo Booth at the Meeker County Fair. The next meeting of the Peanut Butter & Milk Festival Committee will be on Tuesday, September 15th at 7 p.m. in the Litchfield High School Ag Room. Everyone’s welcome.
