Georgetown parish to celebrate God’s Portion Day

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By Sharon Crall

Maggie Carr, 3, shows off her corn husking skills at the annual “corn freeze” in preparation for God’s Portion Day at St. Patrick’s in Georgetown.

All roads will seem to lead to St. Patrick Parish in Georgetown Aug.31-Sept. 1 as the rural church and community celebrate the annual homecoming and fundraiser called God’s Portion Day Weekend.
With a couple of family reunions being held in conjunction with the event, attendees will travel to Georgetown from Connecticut, California, Alaska, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Arizona, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The weekend’s events begin Saturday, with the Fourth Annual Georgetown Open Golf Tournament at the Albia Country Club. Check-in is 8:45 a.m. with shotgun start at 9:30 a.m.
Early Sunday morning, the chicken-frying crews arrive to prepare 1,200 pieces of chicken and more than 200 pounds of sweet corn off the cob. George Teno, who planted and donated the sweet corn for many years, died in November. His family is carrying on the tradition for the parish, which has created a display to honor his memory at the dinner.
In addition to fried chicken and sweet corn, Sunday’s menu includes roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad bar, rolls and a choice of homemade pie or other desserts. Dinner will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parish hall. Cost is $8 for individuals 12 years and older and $3 for children younger than 12. Carry-outs may be ordered until 5 p.m. Saturday by calling Linda Marquesen (641) 932-2372 or (641) 931-0085 or Tiffany DeMoss (641) 932-2139 or (641) 777-9513. Delivery will be available for those unable to pick up their meal.
Prior to dinner, Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Returning for their class anniversaries will be graduates of Georgetown High School or their representatives from the years 1923, 1933, 1943 and 1953. Georgetown natives who graduated from Albia Community High School in 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993 or 2003 will also be honored.
Children’s games begin at 12:30 p.m. and adults can visit the country store. A silent auction will be held from noon to 4 p.m. and a Grand Auction (live) begins at 1:30 p.m. on the south lawn of the church. Judge Curran and Greg Morehead auctioneered the Grand Auction for many years. Curran, who died in 2006, gave generously of his Labor Day Weekend even though he had an annual large auction at his own business the next day. Morehead called part of the auction for over 30 years and would bring his equipment and auction topper. In 2012, while recovering from surgery, Morehead conducted the first 45 minutes of the auction because he did not want to break the tradition. He died a few weeks later. St. Patrick’s Georgetown wishes to honor these men and present their families with a recognition plaque during a presentation at 1:20 p.m.
A variety of auction items will be available, such as:
• A 1951 church centennial picture of the church and surrounding parish buildings framed with woodwork from the old rectory building.
• Tickets to sporting events, overnight stays at the Riverside Casino and Lakeside Casino, Irish items and religious articles, certificates from merchants, and items donated by parishioners, friends and natives.
• Souvenir items will also be sold. “Recipes, Remembrances, Traditions,” a Heritage Cookbook produced by St. Patrick’s last year, was a sellout and an additional shipment was ordered for this year’s event.  Georgetown windbreakers in green or navy blue appear this year at the souvenir stand and other new items are a St. Patrick’s Church porcelain Christmas ornament, key tags, and coin purses.  Also available are sweatshirts, T-shirts and scarves and a wide array of Irish and religious souvenirs.
The Lawn Social will follow the auction. Pork and roast beef sandwiches and brats will be sold as visitors await the lucky raffle drawing. Grounds close at 9 p.m.
For any questions or concerns, contact Sharon Crall at (641) 932-5589 or (641) 932-5961.


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