Annual Program notes | salem-church

News and notes from the Salem Fests

1970, First Fest after closing of Salem, offering of $161.27

1971, Rev CB Frank was the speaker

1973, Rev Nobel Sack was the guest speaker

1974, 5th Salem Fest

1976, Patriotic decorating, 200th anniversary of Declaration of Independence

1976, September; Gospel 4 sang. The called it Salem Fall Harvest Festival

1978, Rev Roy Heitke spoke

1980, Rev LaVerne Snyder spoke

1985, Ervin Schultz spoke, Ed Heitke played organ, Art Wolverton sang

1986, Esa Heinonen read scripture in Finnish. Quartet: Lon Moon, Tim Gess, Luverne (Butch) Liestman, Lowell Becker

1987, Rev. Leroy Rayson spoke

1989 Art & Doug Voss & Herb Snyder played music. Mike Elmhorst sang

1991, Errol Bluhm - violin solo. Wegner family singers; Vicki, Jean, Laurie

1994 Herb Snyder and Larry played music. Arlette Nelson had a piano solo, 25th Fest.

1998, Hottest day of the year, Lowell Gess speaker

1995, Joshua Tompkins piano concert

1996, Russ & Helen Jones, Jessica & Christopher Miller, Sticks & Stones

1997 Diversity Choir. Gospel music with Kendra Johnson

1997 Marilyn Chiat talked and showed slides, Celebrated the 100th anniversary of the church structure

1998 First ice cream social after 30 years. Art Voss & Northern Lights played music outside. Served grilled hamburgers

1998 2nd Ice Cream social. Had a program afterwards; Bill Holm was on the piano, he spoke and sang. Showed the documentary.

1999 Ice Cream social. Hymns & History hour. Rev. Mike Miller on piano with singing of favorite requested hymns that were mailed in

2000, Maennerchor singers performed after the ice cream social

2001, Rev Dave Kachel spoke on German heritage,

2002, Displayed the American Flag; Remembering 911

8/13/2005, Last ice cream social

8/12/2006 Maennerchor in Concert

2007 Rev. Dave Schneider gave a presentation as Circuit Rider Preacher

2008, Easter Sunrise Service (held inside)

2009, 40th Salem Fest. Robin & Lon Moon sang. Carol Heitke-solo

2010, String of Pearls sang at the Fest program

2011 Program featured Ron & Judy Hedtke, area musicians

2012, Dave Stumo and singers from community had a singing program. Also honored and remembered our sister church Ebenezer.

2013, Russ Svenningsen sang, Dave Lorenz & group (Bethlehem Church Ensemble) had musical numbers

2014 45th Salem Fest, carpet dedication by Robin & Deanna Sack, Piano medley by Arlette Snyder Nelson, reading from the Manz book by Jennie Manz, introduction of the new Salem website by Vicki Jenniges

2015 Music and Message by Kathy Weckwerth, director of Best Life Ministries.

2016 Speaker and song leader: Mike Miller. Handicap ramp and access was completed this year

2017, The Life, Times & Faith of Dr. Lowell Gess; honoring his life's work

2018, ALIVE quartet and a Memorial Candle Lighting for Lon Moon & Willie & Gloria Scheel

2019, 50th Salem Fest, trumpet medley by Pastor Jim Pritchett from Crystal Hills Assembly

2020, Fest is cancelled due to the pandemic. A walk through the cemetery was offered and people were requested to keep their distance and wear masks if they came inside the church. A history table was set up inside.

2021, Bonse Aba, men's quartet from Paynesville Lutheran, recognition of three 100 year olds formerly from the Salem congregation. Lowell Gess, Vernice Heitke Evans & Vivian Heitke.

2022, The Grace Church Singers and a presentation by Linda Liestman titled 'the Glory Days of the Tent Revival Meetings''.

2023, ALIVE quartet and presentation by Linda Liestman titled ' The Pioneering Spirit'

2024, 'A String O' Pearls', talk by Vicki Jenniges about the Salem Band

2025, Fred Walter Ministry, talk by Vicki Jenniges about the Salem Choir

2026, Bonse Aba, recognition of Jeanette Bast on her 100 years of life, talk by Vicki Jenniges about love & marriage at Salem