Helga, the six-week old baby hog, had a lot to say when Tracy Musselman pulled her from her cage at HOGtoberfest on Oct. 29. During the finale of the HOG & Kisses Contest, Helga’s squeals and grunts grew louder with each candidate I introduced, hogging the spotlight with her oinking and pretty, pink nose. 

I was reminded of a country song called “Shut Up and Kiss Me”! If Helga could talk, would those have been her words? Fortunately, Helga’s cuddle with the contest winner came quickly. Shortly after 6 p.m., I was thrilled to announce to the anxiously awaiting crowd gathered outside Cox Bros BBQ that Meadowlark Hills CEO Lonnie Baker was the top vote-getter in the 2^nd annual contest, as his candidacy raised more than $1000. Lonnie gathered Helga into his arms, and within seconds, she was quiet and appeared content, seeming to enjoy his smooches on the top of her long nose.

The contest, featuring four other candidates – Lori Bishop, Bud Cox, Vern Henricks and Kevin Lull – is a component of HOGtoberfest. All monies raised from the contest and other avenues, such as T-shirt and raffle ticket sales, benefit Meadowlark Hills Foundation’s Good Samaritan Fund. This fund supports residents in Meadowlark Hills healthcare households who have exhausted their financial resources. 

This year’s event netted more than $4300 for the fund, and
in-kind donations totaled an additional $2500. Improvements on last year’s numbers were realized in several categories, including the number of T-shirts sold, the value of the in-kind donations and the size of the contribution from Cox Bros. BBQ. Bud and Bobby Cox had pledged to donate 10% of the day’s proceeds to the fund, and the amount of the donation grew by $100 this year, meaning HOGtoberfest sales increased $1000. It’s HOGtastic that so many hungry folks came to the party!

Two of our prize winners have Meadowlark Hills ties. Sara Snell, Health Information Management leader, won the Louisiana pellet grill package, and Larry Grabinsky, husband of Sloan House LPN Shari Garten, won the K-State Football Experience. A Cox Bros. BBQ patron, Daniel Korp of Milford, won the barbecue meal for 10.

Many share the praise for the success of this event. I sincerely appreciate those of you who made a Cox Bros. purchase, voted for one of the candidates and/or purchased a T-shirt or raffle tickets. Thank you to the aforementioned kissing candidates, who raised awareness for the Good Samaritan Fund as well as dollars, and our event sponsors: Cox Bros. BBQ, McCullough Development, Q Country 103.5 and Flint Hills Beverage. 

I’d like to acknowledge staff members Sarah Duggan, Will Gold, Michelle Haub, Magye Loya, Rhonda Lund, Tracy Musselman, Chris Nelson, and the Hospitality team. Sarah and Magye helped with event publicity; Will served as the event photographer; Michelle and Rhonda greeted Cox Bros. patrons and sold raffle tickets; Chris Nelson counted the kissers’ votes and returned Helga to her farm after the contest, and Tracy helped me plan and execute the event as well as served as “hog wrangler”. The concierges kept track of Lonnie’s jar at the Hospitality Desk and sold raffle tickets.

In addition, resident Pam Oehme watched Helga before she was called to duty. Speaking of Helga, she was loaned to us from Doug and Clara Ebert Farm of St. George. 

Thanks, again, to the many who ensured that HOGtoberfest was a successful FOOD, FRIENDS and FUNdraising event!