Herald Journal,
June 30, 2003
St. Mary's Church trying its luck with car raffle
By Lynda Jensen
For the first time ever, St. Mary's Church in Waverly is trying its luck with a car raffle.
Car raffles are familiar in the area, since both the Cokato Corn Carnival and Silver Lake Pola Czesky Days committees have raffled cars in recent years.
St. Mary's Church is selling tickets now and intends to add a new dimension to the Fall Festival in September with the raffle drawing.
Those who are interested may purchase a ticket for $100 for a chance to win a silver sports package 2003 Chevy Cavalier LS.
There are only 300 tickets for the car and six other prizes, which include one $500 cash prize and five $100 cash prizes, said church administrator Mary Pettit.
The tickets went on sale May 17, with about half the tickets sold so far, she said.
The car was displayed during three area parades, and will be shown again during Waverly Daze.
The Chevy Cavalier is an upgraded LS edition with air condition, CD player and other accessories.
Organizers are expecting record crowds for Waverly Daze this year, and a big parade, which should help to sell tickets, parishioner Dan Kelleher said.
With seven prizes and only 300 raffle tickets available, the odds of winning any prize are better than 1:43 better odds than winning the lottery, Kelleher said.
The St. Mary's Car Raffle Team includes Dr. Mike Thoennes, Duane Janikula, Mike Gagnon, Larry Mader, Ken Loebertmann, Ken Borrell, Irene Woitalla, Dave Perry, Joe Campbell, Chris Kittock, Jay and Mary Pettit, John Peterson, and Dan Kelleher.
The winner does not need to be present to win and is responsible for tax, license, and registration.
Those interested in purchasing tickets may stop at the concession stand during Waverly Daze or send a check payable to the St. Mary's Car Raffle to PO Box 278, Waverly.
Those with questions may call Mary at (763) 658-4319, extension 21.
St. Mary's Fall Festival is Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6 through 7.
Tim LePage organizes the Sunday events and conducts an auction that lasts all afternoon.
The bazaar has grown into a craft, produce, and bakery extravaganza, church deacon Thoennes said.
The noon chicken dinner is so popular that some people drive more than 100 miles each year to attend, he said.
Mary Pettit and others began the Saturday Night Fiesta three years ago, which kicks off with a Mariachi Mass followed by dancers, games, a live band, and authentic Mexican food made on site by Joe Minjares and Laurie Senkyr from Pepitos Restaurant in Minneapolis.
Minjares and Senkyr are related to members of the parish.
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