Parades Followup on 7/5/05

07/06/2005

Had a great parade weekend.

July 3rd Diane Hellie joined me in Albert Lea and we showed off the DFL spirit to a huge crowd. A couple of Amy Klobuchar volunteers joined us.  It was a good evening with good response.  We could have used more walkers, but
the float can say it all. 

After Diane helped get the float ready to travel I went to St Peter for a July 4th 10 AM parade. This is a huge DFL town and the response is always very heartwarming.  Tremendous group of walkers came for Walz and a good group for Ruth Johnson.  Ruth wasn’t in the parade because she was at the capital trying to come up with solutions for the state shut down.  She put me up for the night.  (Sparks from Albert Lea area and Welti from SD 30 was
also at the capital working.) Lori Sellner, her sister from Arizona and a couple of nieces helped spread the DFL message.

Also, joining the float was Rebecca Otto, candidate for State Auditor, Mark Richie, candidate for Secretary of State and his volunteer James, and Christian Sande, candidate for Secretary of State.  So it was a very impressive DFL present for a very huge crowd. 

One gentleman came and told me that our float is the most impressive float.  When it comes down the street it is very eye catching.  I thanked him and told him I knew everyone would be very happy to know that all the money and hard work is paying off.  By the way St Peter has reserve the float for next year.  So I know where the float will be next 4th of July.

Leigh Pomproy was a great help getting the float ready to travel and after a wonderful picnic lunch and conversation at the Terry Morrow home (a lot of DFLers hanging around and visiting) it was on the road again to the Stewartville parade.

Again what a great parade.  Diane Hellie and Mark Liebow came and joined the float by handed out information regarding Gil and Social Security.  Two Klobuchar volunteers joined us.  This parade is a fast mover and makes handing out materials a real challenge.  Just ahead of us was the Welti contingent.  He had a wonderful group joining him in handing out Welti information.  Great looking with a sea of yellow Welti shirts ahead of us.  (He worked at the capital in the morning).  For being Kuisle country I believe our DFL group was well received. 

Anyone yelling anything (not many) about the state shut down, I just told them to call Pawlenty.  Diane, Mark and the Klobuchar volunteers helped get the float ready for travel and then we stopped at Judy Hanson’s family home for some refreshments and light talk.  Thank you Judy.  It was very nice and relaxing.

We have the new cover for the float and it really helps putting it away.  Still working out a few bugs on fastening it down but once that is mastered it will really be a tremendous help.  Mark Richie (in Viola) and Leigh Pomproy think it already is because they had the privileged of helping to put the float to bed before.  I got the float over to Spencer and he got our message board updated.  Jim Dahling got the lights reconnected and he also took the float and redid all the bearings so they are in tip top shape and can stand up to all the heavy highway travel.  The float has already done 5 parades.  We’re on a roll.

I thank each and everyone of you that take time to join any of our parades. 

It is very important that we keep the DFL message in front of people.  We must make a strong showing at the parades, our fairs, and other events.  Please keep helping me and our elected legislatures.  We need you and everyone at our upcoming parades.

Happy Summer,
Katherine Speer
SD 30 Chair
Wabasha County Chair