Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Centennial celebration will thank community for years of support
Everly Fire and Rescue will mark its centennial this weekend. Members pictured front row, from left to right: Ray Savage, Tara Patrick, Laura Ashley Van Klompenburg and Lefty Ginger. Back row: Scott Schlichte, Clayton Kahl, Justin Jorgensen and Chief Brian Kahl. Not pictured: Shane Meyer, Shane Stanley, Drew Stanley, Wyatt Glime, Austin Van Klompenburg and Brandon Elliot.
Firefighters Barry Schultz and Ray Savage check out Everly Fire and Rescue's new truck the day it arrived in 2017. Chief Brian Kahl said Saturday's celebration will allow the department to thank local residents for their gratitude and support over the years, which has helped the squad buy new trucks and gear.
The Everly community is gearing up to mark a milestone 100 years in the making.
Residents and visitors will celebrate the fire department's centennial this Saturday, July 31. Chief Brian Kahl said the event will allow firemen to show their appreciation to the community for its 10 decades of support.
"It's been a lot of planning," he said. "We get a lot of support from other departments and the locals, and we wanted everyone to come over to help us celebrate."
Kahl has been on the fire department for 25 years. He said fire fighting is "completely different" compared to when he started, as there have been many breakthroughs in methods to combat blazes. Equipment has also improved tremendously over the years.
"It's a lot better, lighter and more convenient," Kahl said. "What we do at a fire now has completely changed from when we were first trained."
Assistant Chief Lefty Ginger is the squad's longest-serving member, having logged 49 years as a firefighter. He's held nearly every position on the department and has enjoyed it every step of the way.
"It's kind of a hard thing, but it's about dedication to the community. If you're going to be on the fire department, you have to be willing to serve," he said. "It's been a real learning experience. It's nice to meet people and be a part of the community."
Ginger has witnessed even more changes in fire fighting than Kahl.
"We're getting newer and better trucks, and the equipment we have now is just amazing compared to what I started with," he said.
Ginger plans to mark half a century with the fire department next year.
"I was born in 1947 and I thought about coming off when I hit 47 years – 47 and 47. But then I thought nah, I'll go for 50," he said. "Through the years, it's getting harder to find personnel. A lot of us are getting old and can't do it anymore."
Though filling out the roster has been difficult at times, Kahl said the community's support has been the bedrock that keeps the fire department going.
"We've been so overwhelmed. The donations have just been awesome through the years," he said. "They have supported us more than anything I've seen before. Our equipment is all because of them."
• Schedule
The centennial celebration kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday with a flea market and vendor fair. A ping-pong drop, library events, museum open house and Bossy Bingo highlight the rest of the morning schedule.
Mini golf, a horseshoe tournament and bingo will keep visitors busy during the afternoon. A fire truck parade featuring rigs from more than 20 area departments gets rolling at 4 p.m. The route will head north on Main Street before turning east on Third Street at State Bank & Insurance. It will then turn south at Hope Lutheran Church before heading back west towards the fire department on Second Street.
The fire department will host a pork meal from 5-7 p.m., followed by the street dance featuring the band Sinister from 8 p.m.-midnight.
Kahl invited everyone to join in on the fun.
"Come out and have a good time. We just want to show our appreciation," he said.
