Record number attends Akeley fishing tourney

Akeley’s Answer to Cancer, Audrey’s Purple Dream, drew a record number of fisherfolk – 239 dropped lines – and the highest total donations to date for the Purple Plunge – the daring sea creatures raising $7,605.

By: Jean Ruzicka, Park Rapids Enterprise

Akeley’s Answer to Cancer, Audrey’s Purple Dream, drew a record number of fisherfolk – 239 dropped lines – and the highest total donations to date for the Purple Plunge – the daring sea creatures raising $7,605.

A grand total of $14,275 was raised at the 6th annual event held Saturday on 11th Crow Wing Lake. Proceeds are disbursed to area residents battling cancer, “so they can live out a dream.”

Twenty-five took the plunge, balmy weather contributing to the turnout. Ten children jumped in, with Kaia Dunham, 8, the youngest.

Plunger Rita Holland raised the most money, $3,071, breaking a previous record set by Steve Kacienda, who brought in $3,060 in 2005.

Fans’ Favorite Award was claimed by Laura Powers, who hopped in wearing alpine apparel.

The top three fishing tourney winners were Neil Lockwood, first, who claimed a Clam Kenie fish house; Josh Surber, a Tom Tom GPS, and Jerry Ammerman, $1,000 cash.

The grand prize winners of the 42-inch flat screen TV were Duane and Cina Pidde.

A complete list of button prize and fishing tournament winners can be found on the Audrey’s Purple Dream website by week’s end.

021211 APD Brandy Vredenburg

A flyin’ Purple Plunger, Brandy Vredenburg of Akeley, celebrated her birthday with a dip in 11th Crow Wing Lake Saturday. (Jean Ruzicka / Enterprise)

 

 

 

 

21211 APD roger geimer

Roger Geimer, decked out in his purple finest, took the challenge in honor of friends and family who have battled cancer. (Jean Ruzicka / Enterprise)

 

 

 

 

021211 APD Laura Powers

A cause to yodel, Laura Powers’ expression is one of a veteran in the event, knowing what she’s about to endure. She arrives each year in costume for the chiller to raise money to assist those battling cancer, this year named “Fans’ Favorite.” Both the fishing tourney and plungers set new records. (Jean Ruzicka / Enterprise)

 

 

 

 

021211 APD shannah geimer

Shannah Geimer was among the daring divas who jumped in 11th Crow Wing Lake Saturday, the event in honor of her late mother, Audrey Pidde. She said the warm weather, which drew more plungers, actually made the dip more drastic. (Jean Ruzicka / Enterprise)

 

 

 

 

021211 APD gavin hitchcock

Gavin Hitchcock, 14, rose (fell) to the challenge in honor of his grandmother, who’s battling cancer. (Jean Ruzicka / Enterprise)

 

 

 

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APD this Saturday
Written by Bob Guelker
Thursday, 10 February 2011

   The sixth annual Audrey’s Purple Dream “Answer to Cancer” fundraiser is in Akeley this Saturday, February 12.
     Last year $10,000 was raised through button sales, raffles, food and merchandise sales, the fishing tournament and the ever-popular “Purple Plunge” into 11th Crow Wing Lake, which begins at 2 p.m. The lake events are near the city park and a road will be plowed onto the lake.
     Over 40 prizes will be given away at the fishing tournament, including a portable fish house, gas ice auger, a depth finder and cash prizes.
     Check out the creative costumes of many of the Purple Plungers, see who the crowd favorites are and who raised the most money in pledges.
     Food will be served by Boy Scout Troop 56 for breakfast at the Methodist church, on the ice by the Hubbard County Explorers, and after the fishing tournament at the VFW.
     Fishing tournament awards are at the VFW at 4:30 p.m. and button raffle drawing follows at 6 p.m.
     The night will be topped-off at the VFW with live music by MESH from 8-12 p.m.
     The money stays local and has been given out for a variety of expenses, from gas money to medical appointments, for medical equipment, to a plane ticket to see relatives living far away - for anything a cancer victim or their family can use to make their lives a little better.