You can volunteer as little or as much as you want.”

Lion's Club president Juliana Lahner

What’s thick skinned, water bearing, and six percent sugar?

If you said “watermelon,” you’re exactly right!

Taking place July 30 at Chapman Park, the Stanley Lions 49th Annual Watermelon Fest saw guests served with free sugary sweetness, along with a car show, raffle, 5k run, and more!

Starting out in the morning with the 5K run, result saga Reed Anderson take first place both for men and overall with a time of 16:27.6, with second place for the men’s competition going to Breckin Burzynski with a time of 19:36.8, and third place going to Jonathan Delf with a time of 19:46.0

Taking first place in the women’s category, meanwhile, was Alexi Macdonald with a time of 20:36.7, second place going to April Reinart with 23:25.7 and third to Ashley Nickel with a time of 23:57.1.

Coming off the 5k run it was time for vendors and crafts, with entries including rocks, memorabilia, t-shirts, churches, and more.

The library had a booth seeking feedback on the potential addition, with hopes to build by 2025.

With the park filling up as the day went on the car show was a draw, with many impressive entries both two and three pedal. Free watermelon was served by local Lions on the west side of Chapman Park. Current club president Juliana Lahner shared some reasons for why joining is a good idea.

“I feel like I’ve gained a lot of mentors,” she said, also mentioning more experience with helping out the community.

As to time commitment, President Lahner said it was one meeting a month, but not mandatory.

“You can volunteer as little or as much as you want,” she said. Longtime members offered as contact for those interested in joining include Jerry Dirkes, Dave Jankoski, Norm Christianson, and Dave Winkler, with money raised by the Lions going back into the community.

Among the projects the Lions support are parks, the school, scholarships, and money towards Wi-Fi at the Community Center.

There’s also potential raffle and other prizes for attendees to Lions events. With regard to July 30, the Watermelon Raffle Winners are as follows:

1^st drawing—Brendan  Urell - Little Suamico, WI  $500

2^nd drawing—Adam Smit – Stanley  $250

3^rd drawing---Nick Burzynski – Stanley  $100

4^th drawing---Beth Boie – Stanley  $100

5^th drawing---Maggie LcLoone – Chippewa Falls  $50

6^th drawing---Zach Borowski --- Stanley  $50

7^th drawing---Roy Tyznik – Thorp  $50

8^th drawing---Richard Baier --- Menomonie  $25

9^th drawing---Ryan Kroeplin – Stanley  $25

10^th drawing---Michael White – Chippewa Falls  $25

11^th drawing---Angie Kellen – Cadott  $25

Bench---Patti Nesterick – Gilman

Tool Chest---Doug Sharpe – Chippewa Falls

Rocking Horse---Lisa Kroeplin – Stanley

Chair---Linda Klapperich - Stanley

Melwaukee Brewer---Roger Winch

$25 Whispering Pines Golf Card---Tish Schuebel – Boyd

$25 Whispering Pines Golf Card---Donald Loew -Chippewa Falls

$25 Whispering Pines Golf Card---Deb  Starck - Stanley

$25 Whispering Pines Golf Card---Jerry Dirkes - Stanley