10th annual Audrey’s Purple Dream breaks records

By Jean Ruzickajruzicka@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Plummeting temperatures did nothing to dissuade hearty fisherfolk and plungers from heading out on the ice Saturday for the 10th annual Audrey’s Purple Dream. Akeley’s Answer to Cancer smashed previous records, earning a grand total of $33,626. The highest total to date was 2013’s $18,000-plus. More money will be going into the endowment fund and more money will be given as gifts, Shannah Pidde Geimer (daughter of the event’s namesake) reports. The fish house raffle played a big role, she said of $19,885 in ticket sales for the 2013 Ice Castle valued at $8,900. Marion Schloegl, a truck driver from Waite Park who makes regular stops in Akeley on her journey to Roseau, was the winner. “I’m still in shock,” she said Monday of the phone call from Geimer. “And so excited.” But parking it may be a problem, the townhouse resident admits. Twenty Purple Plungers (along with three non-plunger fundraisers) brought in $9,702, the biggest plunge total to date. Geimer, who’d once again signed up to plunge, was “on the fence” about jumping into the frigid water. She contacted the sheriff and First Responders for advice. When she learned Gretta Hjelseth’s sisters were determined to hop in, Geimer decided to proceed. Hjelseth, a beneficiary of APD, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in late June. She underwent surgery at the Mayo and is now back at work in Grand Rapids as a speech pathologist. A “generous gift” from APD buoyed her spirts. “It was amazing,” said Hjelseth. Hjelseth’s sisters, Bettsy and Mattie, signed up to take the plunge to honor their sister. Mom Jodi sold raffle tickets for a custom-made afghan to raise funds. “I had every intention to cancel,” Geimer admits. “It was the coldest I’ve ever plunged. But 10 seconds out, it was fine – a rush, as always.” [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"1535522","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"320"}}]]A record 319 people sent lines down with Marlan Fickle of Nevis pulling up the 10th largest fish, a 10-ounce perch, to win the $1,000 prize. Austin Serber of Walker caught the biggest fish, a 3-pound-, 6.5-ounce- northern, and claimed an ice auger. Paint the Town Purple home decorating winners were first place – Willy and Shelly Krotzer, second – Chris Powers and Chelsea Buck and third – Cindy Lecy and Julia Schwartz. Levon Voshell of Akeley was the grand prize button drawing winner, claiming $1,000. Dottie Lanning of Akeley claimed the clock; Peggy Geimer of Akeley won the mystery box. Jon Dobson (address unknown) won the $100 vest. The silent auction raised $1,839, Geimer reports. “So many people come back every year,” she said of participants from the Twin Cities as well as area towns. “We’ll be back,” they promise of the event, organized by 20-plus volunteers with a core committee of 10.By Jean Ruzickajruzicka@parkrapidsenterprise.com [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"1535524","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"320","title":"","width":"480"}}]]Plummeting temperatures did nothing to dissuade hearty fisherfolk and plungers from heading out on the ice Saturday for the 10th annual Audrey’s Purple Dream. Akeley’s Answer to Cancer smashed previous records, earning a grand total of $33,626. The highest total to date was 2013’s $18,000-plus. More money will be going into the endowment fund and more money will be given as gifts, Shannah Pidde Geimer (daughter of the event’s namesake) reports. The fish house raffle played a big role, she said of $19,885 in ticket sales for the 2013 Ice Castle valued at $8,900. Marion Schloegl, a truck driver from Waite Park who makes regular stops in Akeley on her journey to Roseau, was the winner. “I’m still in shock,” she said Monday of the phone call from Geimer. “And so excited.” But parking it may be a problem, the townhouse resident admits. Twenty Purple Plungers (along with three non-plunger fundraisers) brought in $9,702, the biggest plunge total to date. Geimer, who’d once again signed up to plunge, was “on the fence” about jumping into the frigid water. She contacted the sheriff and First Responders for advice. When she learned Gretta Hjelseth’s sisters were determined to hop in, Geimer decided to proceed. Hjelseth, a beneficiary of APD, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in late June. She underwent surgery at the Mayo and is now back at work in Grand Rapids as a speech pathologist. A “generous gift” from APD buoyed her spirts. “It was amazing,” said Hjelseth. Hjelseth’s sisters, Bettsy and Mattie, signed up to take the plunge to honor their sister. Mom Jodi sold raffle tickets for a custom-made afghan to raise funds. “I had every intention to cancel,” Geimer admits. “It was the coldest I’ve ever plunged. But 10 seconds out, it was fine – a rush, as always.”
A record 319 people sent lines down with Marlan Fickle of Nevis pulling up the 10th largest fish, a 10-ounce perch, to win the $1,000 prize. Austin Serber of Walker caught the biggest fish, a 3-pound-, 6.5-ounce- northern, and claimed an ice auger. Paint the Town Purple home decorating winners were first place – Willy and Shelly Krotzer, second – Chris Powers and Chelsea Buck and third – Cindy Lecy and Julia Schwartz. Levon Voshell of Akeley was the grand prize button drawing winner, claiming $1,000. Dottie Lanning of Akeley claimed the clock; Peggy Geimer of Akeley won the mystery box. Jon Dobson (address unknown) won the $100 vest. The silent auction raised $1,839, Geimer reports. “So many people come back every year,” she said of participants from the Twin Cities as well as area towns. “We’ll be back,” they promise of the event, organized by 20-plus volunteers with a core committee of 10.By Jean Ruzickajruzicka@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Plummeting temperatures did nothing to dissuade hearty fisherfolk and plungers from heading out on the ice Saturday for the 10th annual Audrey’s Purple Dream.Akeley’s Answer to Cancer smashed previous records, earning a grand total of $33,626. The highest total to date was 2013’s $18,000-plus.More money will be going into the endowment fund and more money will be given as gifts, Shannah Pidde Geimer (daughter of the event’s namesake) reports.The fish house raffle played a big role, she said of $19,885 in ticket sales for the 2013 Ice Castle valued at $8,900. Marion Schloegl, a truck driver from Waite Park who makes regular stops in Akeley on her journey to Roseau, was the winner.“I’m still in shock,” she said Monday of the phone call from Geimer. “And so excited.” But parking it may be a problem, the townhouse resident admits.Twenty Purple Plungers (along with three non-plunger fundraisers) brought in $9,702, the biggest plunge total to date.Geimer, who’d once again signed up to plunge, was “on the fence” about jumping into the frigid water. She contacted the sheriff and First Responders for advice.When she learned Gretta Hjelseth’s sisters were determined to hop in, Geimer decided to proceed. Hjelseth, a beneficiary of APD, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in late June. She underwent surgery at the Mayo and is now back at work in Grand Rapids as a speech pathologist.A “generous gift” from APD buoyed her spirts. “It was amazing,” said Hjelseth.Hjelseth’s sisters, Bettsy and Mattie, signed up to take the plunge to honor their sister. Mom Jodi sold raffle tickets for a custom-made afghan to raise funds.“I had every intention to cancel,” Geimer admits. “It was the coldest I’ve ever plunged. But 10 seconds out, it was fine – a rush, as always.”[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"1535522","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"320"}}]]A record 319 people sent lines down with Marlan Fickle of Nevis pulling up the 10th largest fish, a 10-ounce perch, to win the $1,000 prize. Austin Serber of Walker caught the biggest fish, a 3-pound-, 6.5-ounce- northern, and claimed an ice auger.Paint the Town Purple home decorating winners were first place – Willy and Shelly Krotzer, second – Chris Powers and Chelsea Buck and third – Cindy Lecy and Julia Schwartz.Levon Voshell of Akeley was the grand prize button drawing winner, claiming $1,000. Dottie Lanning of Akeley claimed the clock; Peggy Geimer of Akeley won the mystery box. Jon Dobson (address unknown) won the $100 vest.The silent auction raised $1,839, Geimer reports.“So many people come back every year,” she said of participants from the Twin Cities as well as area towns.“We’ll be back,” they promise of the event, organized by 20-plus volunteers with a core committee of 10.By Jean Ruzickajruzicka@parkrapidsenterprise.com[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"1535524","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"320","title":"","width":"480"}}]]Plummeting temperatures did nothing to dissuade hearty fisherfolk and plungers from heading out on the ice Saturday for the 10th annual Audrey’s Purple Dream.Akeley’s Answer to Cancer smashed previous records, earning a grand total of $33,626. The highest total to date was 2013’s $18,000-plus.More money will be going into the endowment fund and more money will be given as gifts, Shannah Pidde Geimer (daughter of the event’s namesake) reports.The fish house raffle played a big role, she said of $19,885 in ticket sales for the 2013 Ice Castle valued at $8,900. Marion Schloegl, a truck driver from Waite Park who makes regular stops in Akeley on her journey to Roseau, was the winner.“I’m still in shock,” she said Monday of the phone call from Geimer. “And so excited.” But parking it may be a problem, the townhouse resident admits.Twenty Purple Plungers (along with three non-plunger fundraisers) brought in $9,702, the biggest plunge total to date.Geimer, who’d once again signed up to plunge, was “on the fence” about jumping into the frigid water. She contacted the sheriff and First Responders for advice.When she learned Gretta Hjelseth’s sisters were determined to hop in, Geimer decided to proceed. Hjelseth, a beneficiary of APD, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in late June. She underwent surgery at the Mayo and is now back at work in Grand Rapids as a speech pathologist.A “generous gift” from APD buoyed her spirts. “It was amazing,” said Hjelseth.Hjelseth’s sisters, Bettsy and Mattie, signed up to take the plunge to honor their sister. Mom Jodi sold raffle tickets for a custom-made afghan to raise funds.“I had every intention to cancel,” Geimer admits. “It was the coldest I’ve ever plunged. But 10 seconds out, it was fine – a rush, as always.”
A record 319 people sent lines down with Marlan Fickle of Nevis pulling up the 10th largest fish, a 10-ounce perch, to win the $1,000 prize. Austin Serber of Walker caught the biggest fish, a 3-pound-, 6.5-ounce- northern, and claimed an ice auger.Paint the Town Purple home decorating winners were first place – Willy and Shelly Krotzer, second – Chris Powers and Chelsea Buck and third – Cindy Lecy and Julia Schwartz.Levon Voshell of Akeley was the grand prize button drawing winner, claiming $1,000. Dottie Lanning of Akeley claimed the clock; Peggy Geimer of Akeley won the mystery box. Jon Dobson (address unknown) won the $100 vest.The silent auction raised $1,839, Geimer reports.“So many people come back every year,” she said of participants from the Twin Cities as well as area towns.“We’ll be back,” they promise of the event, organized by 20-plus volunteers with a core committee of 10.