| Raspberry
Festival wrapup
The 21st Annual Raspberry Festival began in full sun and mild air refreshed by recent rain. Nearly a hundred runners and walkers took the 8 a.m. course toward Keuterville and back in the Fun Run & Walk. Sister Miriam Mendez’ grandson, 4-year-old Noah, was the youngest runner and the oldest runner was seventy years older. The Fun Run & Walk was followed by a pancake breakfast and the opening of the vendor booths in the Arts & Crafts Fair. The tents were arrayed this year on the lower lawn of the Monastery. Dining took place on the upper lawn, near the front steps. With music throughout the morning, it was common to see a festival-goer breaking out in dance after returning from the food tents with a hamburger, hot dog, or raspberry shortcake. With all the activities taking place on the Monastery campus – including a quilt show at Spirit Center – guests enjoyed a festival that was mostly outdoors in the day’s generous sun. Sister Angela Uhlorn led tours in the chapel, describing the over one hundred years of history the Benedictine Sisters have in Cottonwood. Sister Carlotta Maria Fontes directed the Kids’ Carnival that resounded with children and families all day. Other Sisters served raspberry lemonade, raspberry shortcake, and generally welcomed the thousands of the guests that came to the Monastery for Raspberry Festival. A vigorous volunteer corps led by Festival Chairperson Carolyn Radakovich and Oblate Lisa Radakovich helped set up, cook and serve food, and sell raspberry products. The Sisters and the planning team are especially grateful to the festival sponsors: Forsmann Accounting Services, Gehring Electric, Idaho County Light & Power, Idaho County Propane, Bryan Petersen, DDS, Cottonwood Community Credit Union, Riener Concrete, Keuterville Pub & Grub, Bud’s Saw Service, Camas Prairie Angus, Sonnen Meats, The Hangout, Rogers Motors, Mountain View Dentistry, Avista Utilities, Cash and Carry Market, Arnzen Super Drug, St. Mary’s Hospital, Arnzen Building Construction, Kings Thrones, Idaho County Sheriff’s Posse, Cottonwood Foods, and Prairie High School. “This was a great day,” exclaimed Carolyn Radakovich, the chair of the festival. “It was a day for community. The community of Sisters shared their home and hospitality with the community of Cottonwood and beyond. Thank you to all who came and supported us.” The Raspberry Festival is an annual benefit for the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude, preserving regional history for the generations to come. Learn more at www.HistoricalMuseumatStGertrude.org. 
The face painting booth at the Raspberry Festival Kids Carnival was a popular site. Kenzie Rieman, shown, and Andrea Kaschmitter painted quite a few youngsters during the day. 
The raspberry lemonade booth did good business during the day at the Raspberry Festival. 
4-year old Noah, grandson of Sister Miriam Mendez, was the youngest competitor in the Raspberry Festival Fun Run/Walk. Photo provided by Monastery of St. Gertrude. 
Many people checked out the quilt show which, as usual, was located in the Spirit Center. 
This year’s giant raspberries at the Raspberry Festival were Emily McHugh and Beth Dinning. 
The vendor booths were located on the front lawn this year just below the outside eating area. Shown is just a small portion of the booths as they wound around through the trees. 
Sr. Corinne serves a customer some raspberry shortcake. Photo provided by Monastery of St. Gertrude. 
A young lady tries her luck at the ring toss in the kids carnival area. 
The treasure dig was another kids carnival game. |
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