By Penny Leuthard, Staff Writer
The second annual Clear Lake reunion drew a good crowd at Goenner Park last Saturday. Everyone who has ever been affiliated with the area was invited to attend.
Before the first reunion last year, residents had held a couple Clear Lake friends’ reunions, but as they were before social media it was difficult to get the word out. People talked about expanding it to encompass everyone who has ever been affiliated with the area, but it never went any further until Dave McDonald took the reins.
“I started this [reunion] last year because my wife, Karen, and my sister wanted to have a party and see everyone,” said McDonald. “It was a success so we decided to do it again.”
A small group of people planned and organized the event, using a Facebook page and word-of-mouth to get the message out.
Many of the people attending the reunion were “lake people” who used to meet and hang out at the Briggs’ Lake hardware store.
“My family spent three months every summer at a cabin on Briggs Lake in the 1960s,” said Bob Zins, who lives in Edina. “We got to meet so many of these people that are still life-long friends.”
A potluck meal, old Clear Lake school photos, and Clear Lake trivia and prizes were highlights of the day.
Clear Lake Mayor Tim Goenner surprised resident Bud Stimmler with a token of appreciation from the Clear Lake area thanking him for all his hard work and dedication on the Clear Lake area history book.
Organizers requested attendees fill out a questionnaire asking when they would like to see upcoming reunions held in order to time them so as many people as possible can attend.
“We’re really trying to get people who grew up together,” said McDonald.
