Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Shane Wyzlic, a retired firefighter with the Saxon-Gurney Fire Department, places some roast beef on a plate before handing it to Karl Krall, assistant chief, at right, during Sunday's roast beef dinner fundraiser at the Saxon Community Center.
By TOM LAVENTURE
SAXON, Wis. - The turnout was very good for the Saxon-Gurney Fire Department's largest fundraiser event on Sunday, according to Fire Chief Stacy Ofstad.
The annual roast beef dinner at the Saxon Community Center had a steady stream of guests coming from surrounding communities for the painstakingly prepared dinner and a bar, but also for a gun auction, raffle and door prizes.
"We usually do about 260 (people) but I think we're going to be over that today," Ofstad said, noting the feedback on the meal was excellent. "I see people here who come back every year and I see a lot of new people this year."
The SGFD has had fundraiser dinners going back for decades, he said. Previous events included a spaghetti feed on the last Saturday of deer season, then a steak feed and a prime rib event, he said.
"I think about 14 years ago we started with the roast beef and it's been working good," Ofstad said.
The supplies come from local venders including 10 beef roasts.
Ofstad and Karl Krall, the assistant chief, start the pre-cook work to a medium rare on Friday evening and then cool them overnight. Two other firemen come in Saturday to slice up the roasts and then Ofstad and Krall have them prepped and in the ovens again by 6 a.m. Sunday.
"It's a process to cook it," Ofstad said.
Other firefighters prepare the mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, coleslaw and dessert. Others work the serving line or ticket desk.
Shane Wyzlic, a retired firefighter, returns each year to help out in the kitchen.
"I just help out with the fundraiser," he said.
One guest from Hurley, who said she asked her family to join her for the dinner for her birthday, said she had been meaning to attend for years. She said it's important to support the local fire departments because they all support each other on the various fire calls.
"It's good to support them all," she said. "And the roast beef; it's a beautiful dinner."
Kristin Wozniak, a first responder for the Saxon-Gurney Fire Department, was put in charge of the bucket raffle in just her second year with the department.
"There are all kinds of different sponsors from the local ones all the way to Washburn," Wozniak said.
Wozniak came to the dinner with her parents, Bruce and Nancy Pikka, of Ironwood.
Ofstad said proceeds from the dinner and events go to the SGFD equipment fund. It helps to purchase priority equipment each year.
This year the department aims to replace turnout gear, the outer garments worn to the fire call to include the bumper pants, jackets, helmets, boots and gloves. There are mandates for some pieces of equipment to be replaced after so many years of service, he said.
"Some of ours are reaching the end of life cycles," Ofstad said. "You don't replace everything but definitely the pants and jackets."
That will be pricey as costs range from $1,700 to $2,000 per firefighter, he said.
The SGFD currently has a roster of 18 volunteer firefighters and with 25 firefighters allowed it is considered under strength, he said. It is more difficult now to find volunteers who can put in the hours that are required, he said.
The recruiting is assisted by the county fire association and scholarships to attend junior firefighting programs at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, he said. The department sent a Mercer resident last summer with some interest from Mercer and a Hurley residents for this summer.
