Induction, scholarships are among '22 Beef Banquet events

     A Hall of Fame Induction, scholarships, a “Let’s Make a Deal” offshoot game, the annual auction, and a ribeye steak meal were all part of the Jones County Beef Banquet Saturday, March 20 at the Berndes Center in Monticello.

     Tony Knipper of Castle Grove was inducted into the Jones County Cattlemen (JCC) Hall of Fame.

     Knipper and his wife Carol were married in 1968 and moved to Castle Grove. They and their family formed Knipper Farms Corporation, and set up a fully-automated cattle feeding operation with a capacity of 200 to 250 head. They also started a farrow-to-finish hog operation, and raised corn, soybeans and hay.

     Knipper joined the JCC in 1985, and later served two years as JCC president. Carol has served as Cattlewomen’s president, and their oldest daughter, Terri, served as Beef Princess and Beef Queen for the county.

     Receiving Al Lubben Memorial Scholarship awards were Grahm Humpal of Anamosa, $1,000; Callie Lynch of Cascade, $500; and Willy Lynch of Cascade, $250.

     For the entertainment, a “Let’s Make A Deal” event was held in which four coolers full of beef and other goods were brought to the stage, and randomly-drawn participants got to choose whether to take one of the coolers or an envelope of beef certificates.

     The Jones County Cattlemen also held their annual live auction, featuring 24 auction items, with Ivan Kurt serving as auctioneer. Ralph Hosch provided the invocation. A silent auction and door prize drawings were conducted as well.               

     Andy Petersen of WMT Radio served as Master of ceremonies.