News : Sanders Family to hold Auction

Circa 2014 Dwight, Big Bird and Bonnie Sanders on the farm we've all grown to enjoy...ending an era

The Sanders Family has been known in our community for decades.

In 2014 Dwight and Bonnie Sanders were honored as the Grand Marshalls kicking off Party in the Park that year. The couple has one child, Jason and he and his wife Angie have four children. Jason was the first Jr. Grand Marshal back in 1999 when the tradition started.

For years Dwight would grow produce and enter it in the State Fair, often placing, and Bonnie hosted school children each year at the farm for tours visiting Big Bird, the family's ostrich and other animals. Following the tour, children would be allowed to visit the pumpkin patch and leave with a small pumpkin and an ear of Indian corn to take home. But in 2014 the Sanders had to discontinue growing the pumpkins and the Kacena family took over on their farm north of town.

Verle and Culah Sanders, Dwights parents, started the light display 70 years before with a string of lights in honor of the birth of their son. The display grew each year. For Dwight that was the only Christmas that he knew. Many of us would load up our cars to see the decorations, either before or after we took a trip past the Kirsten light display. If you were fortunate like my family was, four generations got to see the displays. 2017 was the last year to see the lights.

Unfortunately, Bonnie lost Dwight in 2018 and will be holding a farm equipment auction on Friday, March 27. "The auction was to be held live here on our farm where farmers, neighbors, friends & family would gather. We would support each other as another life-changing event would take place. Then the Coronavirus struck and like so many people, our plans were changed." said Bonnie.

With restrictions put in place by the Governor, the sale will have to be held online. Another downside to the pandemic that we are all fighting against are things like this. There won't be the chance to make a trip to the farm, to watch, to bid, to give a hug.

The family has given to the community in so many ways over the years. If you are a farmer and need some more equipment, the information from the website can be seen if you click here. According to the site it says that bidding will begin on Thursday, March 26, at 8:00 a.m.

We can't all gather and give Bonnie a hug, but for all of the decades that you've given to our community, and for sharing your farm with all of us, thank you.

Pop into the auction and see if you might be able to send her some love this way as well!