Harvest Moon Ball Saturday

The sixth annual Harvest Moon Ball is set for Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Hot Springs County Fair Building. The ball is open to the public and features dancing, food and will honor local ag citizens.

The 2016 Century Ranch Award will be presented to the Grobowski/Beltz family. John Grobowski first purchased 112 acres of land on the upper owl creek to raise cows and put up hay. Today, Grobowski’s granddaughter Norma Beltz and husband, Rick, currently live on the ranch. They run a few head of cows but mostly enjoy the quiet country life.

Ag Citizens of the Year, Sonja Becker and Brad Lofink will be recognized.

Becker Family Stock Farm is a family owned and run, better than organic, homestead style farm. Featured in the June issue of Acres magazine Sonja Becker is the first in her family to make a living solely from their land.

Brad Lofink grew up in Worland helping his dad with farming and the auction business. In 1989 they moved to Thermopolis and although Brad has added a few things to his repertoire he is heavily involved in the ag community.

Former Ag teacher and FFA advisor, Duane Watkins, will be honored for his service to the ag community for over 50 years. His former students are invited to come and share some of their “Duane” stories.

Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. featuring beef brisket and pork loin prepared by Ray DeVries. Dance to live music by The Sundowners. Tickets to the Harvest Moon Ball are $10 for adult, $15 for a couple, $6 for kids 4-12, with three and under free.

Advanced tickets may be purchased at the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, Storyteller, White Horse Country Store, any Thermopolis FFA Alumni member or by contacting FFA advisor Britton Van Heule at 864-6501. Tickets will also be sold at the door. You must attend the dinner in order to be admitted to the dance.

Proceeds from the ball will benefit the local FFA members offering scholarships to graduating seniors, attendance to leadership camp, travel expeses to competitions and many other things to help broaden their horizons.