Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
August 8, 1996

Sunday was your last chance to shop at the Beaconsfield Hy-Vee.

The town of Beaconsfield, which is currently the smallest in Iowa, was host to more than 425 people Sunday, Aug. 4 [1996], at their Sesquicentennial Food Festival included the opportunity to "pick up a few items" at the old first Hy-Vee store on Main Street.

The day started out with a welcomed rain shower that moved the church service from the park to the basement of the Beaconsfield United Methodist Church. The service was led by Pastor Wendi GILLAN and special music was proved by Rose McALEXANDER and former members of the Beaconsfield church choir. A lightlight of the service was an impromptu singing of Sunday School songs by former Beaconsfield Sunday School kids of all ages.

A variety of entertainment was held after the church service in the basement. Those who provided the special music were: Junior and Bertha JEZEK of Diagonal, Amy and April MOHLER of Lamoni, Lindsay and Aaron COMER of Mount Ayr, and Joe HYNEK of rural Beaconsfield.

By noon the sun was shining and festival goers enjoyed a barbecue dinner served by the Beaconsfield United Methodist Church women. Children's shopping cart relays were sponsored by the Mount Ayr Hy-Vee.

There were many festivities in the park. A Sesquicentennial Sack Off constest was sponsored by the Mount Ayr Hy-Vee. The contest was divided into two categories: political and community. The winner of the political contest was Cecil DOLECHECK of Kellerton and Mary Jane THOMPSON of Kellerton won second place. Other participants were Lloyd BEDIER of Ellston, Jim GOINS of Diagonal, and Ethel CAMPBELL of Shannon City.

The community contest consisted of participants representing Beaconsfield families. Elsa McALEXANDER SCHMIDT of Kalona won first place; Dawn SMITH of Durant, second place; and Joe HYNEK, third place. Others competing were Jack MANNING, Jeremy REASONER and Dan REASONER. Participants were judged on the quality of sacking, the eveness of weight between bags, their appearance and attitude, and the fastness of sacking. Prizes were awarded to the winners courtest of the Mount Ayr Hy-Vee.

Area farmers and gardeners entered their tallest corn stalk, most beans on a plant, and weirdest garden vegetable. Entries were judged and prizes were awarded by local Pioneer Seed dealers: Curt LININGER of Shannon City, Monte AKERS of Kellerton, and Ronnie BINNING of Grand River. Lloyd BEDIER had the tallest corn stalk with an 11' 7" entry and the second place entry of 10' 11" belonged to Roger DOLECHECK. In most beans on a plant contest, Ann WALTERS won first with 73 beans and Jim SMITH won second place with 50 beans. Paula FARDY had the weirdest vegetable with two cucumbers grown together. Matthew WEEDA showed the second place vegetable with multiple connected carrots.

Thirty-two antique and classic tractors, trucks, and cars were displayed up and down Main Street in Beaconsfield. Sesquicentennial belt buckles were awarded by the committee to Harold FROST, who had the oldest tractor with a 1927 Farmall Regular and Kevin CREVELING for the oldest car or truck with a 1928 Model A. Special Coupe.

A show of 120 quilts were on display in the sanctuary of the Beaconsfield United Methodist Church. Of those quilts, 110were registered with the Ringgold County Sesquicentennial committee's quilt registry. Festival goers voted for their favorite quilt of the show. Receiving the viewer's choice award was Sandy PIERSCHBACHER of Mount Ayr.

The Beaconsfield Community quilt was on display as well, and is permanented in the church. Quilt blocks were constructed by a member of each family in the community, and a quilt block contest was held.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010