Sunfield Community Foundation Journal - 8/27/2026

Sunfield Community Foundation Journal

Issue #13

(8/27/26)

2026 Farmer’s Picnic Report #1

• The 2026 Sunfield Farmers Picnic kicked off Friday, August 14^th, with a half chicken dinner cooked by High’s Rotary Grill and sponsored by the Sunfield United Brethren Church.

• The 2025 Princess Aurora McDiarmid crowned the 2026 Princess Sophia Cole, daughter of Andrew & Kayla Cole.  Their son Brooks Cole was crowned the 2026 Prince.  Their Royal Court includes Dixie Gibbs, Lily England, Braxton Kyle, Zander Robins, Jezakiah Rodriguez, Everett Thompson and Malakai Vasquez. Each child was all smiles to receive a big bag of surprises and a T-shirt commemorating the event. 

Prince Brooks Cole, Princess Sophia Cole and 2025 Princess Aurora McDiarmid.

• Two military veterans were honored with a Quilt of Valor for their service.  The Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 with a dream awarding its first Quilt of Valor in November 2003 at Walter Reed Medical Center. This year’s recipients included Marine Veteran Art Meade, who served from 1957-1959, and active Air Force officer Ben Best, who enlisted in 2009 and is still in the Reserves. 

• Children of all ages had fun with the Theis’ Peddle Pull, sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions. Winners for five years and under were Scarlett McNess, Marshall Peabody and Array Benedict; 6-7 year olds were Addilynn Brummette, Norah McNees and Maizie Benedict; 8-9 year olds were Avery Brown, Lucas Coffman and Preston Benedict;10-12 year olds were Gage Steele, Wesley Brummette and Camden Carpenter; 13-17 year olds were Rachel Jones, Liliana Jones and Brian Schultz and 18 years old and Up were Gerald Jones, Joseph Benedict and Brian Benedict. Each winning child under 12 received a trophy.  

• The grand marshal reception honoring Kevin & Lesia Brummette concluded the Friday evening’s honors with a tribute presented by State Representative Gina Johnsen.

There were many volunteers in addition to the members of the Board that helped make this event a memorable one.  But, additional committed individuals would help make lighter work for this successful community event. Please contact the Board at sunfieldfarmerspicnic@gmail.com to offer any future assistance, ideas or to find out more about the event scheduled for August 20-22, 2027.  Please visit the Sunfield Farmers Picnic Inc Facebook page to see ALL the photos.

2026 Farmer’s Picnic Report #2

1. On Saturday, the seventh Classic Car, Truck, Tractor, and Bike Show organized by Paul & Linda Campbell and the Charlotte Cruisers Club took place on Main Street with 118 registered vehicles on display, with 21 veterans using their free admission, and 12 lady-owned vehicles.  It was the biggest and best show to date!  Doughnuts, coffee and water were available for a donation which was then donated to the Charlotte VFW and the Sunfield Fire Department Auxiliary. Once again, special trophies were designed and made by Ron & Teresa Kruger of Sunfield. 

Renee Strimback & Alisha Galloway, at the VFW in Charlotte during a Cruise-In accepting the Sunfield Fireman’s Auxiliary donation of $700.00 with the Charlotte Cruisers.

The New Sunfield Chamber of Commerce awarded Darwin Kosbar, from Hastings, the Sunfield Chamber Choice Award for his 1959 Edsel Corsair. Original Truck award went to Keith Atherton, Nashville, 1978 Ford F-150; Best Rat Rod award went to Brandon Floyd, Vermontville, 1977 Pontiac Firebird; Best Tractor award went to Dustin & Leslie Cook, Vermontville, 1953 John Deere; Original Car award went to Dan Vandemooretel, Ionia, 1964 Chevy Nova and the Original Patina award went to Tony Jackson, Lake Odessa, for his1933 Ford PickupOn Saturday, the Grand Parade kicked off at noon, themed “America 250! Red, White Remember” and honoring Grand Marshal Kevin & Lesia Brummette.  Eaton County Sheriff Officer Keast followed two fire trucks from the Sunfield Fire District, the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War float presented America’s colors. Floats included the 2026 Prince Brooks Cole and Princess Sophia Cole and their royal court, the Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival Queen McKenzie Soper and her royal court Aubree Roth and Kiylee Kirbyu, Sunfield District Library’s summer reading program “Sunfield Jurassic Games” float, Sunfield Historical Society King & Queen Ken Lyons & Claryce Sayer and Klotz Family Farms. The Lakewood Marching Band was present and sounded great.  There were dozens of antique cars, trucks and antique tractors and fire engines from Campbell Township, Woodland Twp., Roxand Twp., City of Olivet/Walton Twp., Portland Area and Vermontville Twp. Fire Departments. Children lining the Village streets scooped up lots of candy.

• The Sunfield Historical Society “Our King & Queen” float took first place. Featuring Ken Lyons & Claryce Sayer.

1. The Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth (SPY’s) Dime Pitch booth, Daughters of the Union Veterans Lava Floor and Pluck-a-Duck Pond, Disc Drop game sponsored by Gizzy Downing and Mason Rail Time Adventures provided games and rides for children of all ages as well as BINGO for the adults provided by the Portland Area Service Group.  Ming the Magician entertained children of all ages under the Big Tent.  Marbles The Clown created balloon animals for the children.  Twenty crafters and/or independent vendors gave the attendees plenty to peruse and nine food vendors including Joe’s Gizzard Wagon, Lakewood Youth Wrestling Club, the Sunfield United Methodist Mint, Mitten Made Lemonade, Sugar Babies Cotton Candy, Front Yard BBQ and Mobile Family Concession including the annual Sebewa Church of God Pancake Breakfast, and historic Ox Roast, sponsored by the Sunfield Farmers Picnic, took care of everyone’s enjoyment needs. 

• The twelfth annual Sunfield Farmers Picnic & Roundhead Cornhole Tournament got underway at 9 a.m.  Tier 1 winners: 1^st – Marshall Kiester & Tyler Stratton, 2^nd – Adam Rairigh & Tom Smith and 3^rd – Caden Byrum & Brady Payne. Tier 2 winners: 1^st – Dana Stott & Charlie Scavardac, 2^nd – Bryce Schelter & Drake Mitchell and 3^rd – Timmy Hubert & Dayton VanderMoere. 

Lakewood Lions BBQ Chicken Dinner Coming Saturday September 5th

 (Flyer with details is attached below)

Contributions

·      John & Sandra Fisher made donations to the Sunfield Foundation’s Scholarship Fund in memory of Phil Grimwood and Allen Hamp.

Parting Comments

·      Deep Thought of the Week: The person who cannot see the ultimate becomes a slave to the immediate.

·      Notable Quote:  “Politicians “manipulate” others when they move them for their own advantage.  Leaders “motivate” others when they move them for everyone’s advantage.”

·      That's Puny Department:  “Did you hear about the snake that slithered into the Backwoods Bar the other day?”  “The bartender took one look at him and said, ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t serve you.’  ‘Why not?’ asks the snake.  The bartender says, ‘Because you can’t hold your liquor.

·      Did You Know Section:  Who invented Nachos?  This sports bar staple originated in Mexico in 1943. Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya García was a maître d’ at Club Victoria in Piedras Negras, which hosted American soldiers from Fort Duncan, just over the border in Texas. One day, Ignacio had to serve a group of military wives, but the cook was out, so he quickly whipped up a simple dish: He cut tortillas into triangles, covered them in cheese and jalapenos, and served them to the group to share. Today, game-day parties are forever in debt to “Nacho”.

·      NOTE:  If you know of anyone who would like to receive these “Sunfield Community Foundation Journals”, just send me an email at john.sandrafisher@gmail.com with their email address and we will take care of it.