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Frolic raises money for SVFD
The Fireman's Frolic has been the main fundraiser for the Sealy Volunteer Fire Department for 73 years and since then it has undergone a few changes. The most noticeable of these occurred when the festival was moved from the Liedertafel to the Sealy Knights of Columbus Hall. This year, the Frolic was held Saturday. Throughout the years, Carl Stolarski has watched the event adapt to the changing times, having been attending the Fireman's Frolic since 1949. "There was a lady from Channel 13 back in the 50's who dressed like a black cat and she'd come out here and make appearances," Stolarski said. The reporter is no longer making the rounds and he has seen other changes in the fundraiser as well, including a decrease in attendance. "We used to have 6,000 people," he said. "It was on a Thursday and all the cafes were closed; the stores were closed. The only thing open was the gas station so you could get home at night." Stolarski noticed the drop in attendance when the city instituted a tax that helped support the VFD. "That's how we made all of our money back then, there was no tax base," he said. "When they put in the tax, that's when it got watered down." Pat Schmidt has been volunteering at the Frolic for "at least the last 20 years," manning the cake and dessert table with an army of dedicated volunteers. "It takes a lot of time and effort, and every year, these ladies are always here helping out," she said. Although the cake table was located outside in recent years, she said that business back then was booming. "I think I sold over $400 worth one time and cake was 25 cents a slice," Schmidt said. "People didn't care about the heat. They just enjoyed it." Shortly before volunteers started serving dinner at 5 p.m., two of Schmidt's trusted cake donors, Sam and Dolores Cass, walked over to the table with two cakes. "Every year, they bring two cakes," she said. Along with food and refreshments, the event featured arts and crafts booths, a live auction and games for the kids. For Mildred Ondruch, who regularly attends the annual event, it was a chance to connect with the community. "I come to see old friends and to visit," she said. "The kids' amusements are fun and then I like to support the fire department." Both of Ondruch's grandsons are firefighters: one works with the Sealy VFD and one with the Frydek VFD. "I know what they deal with," she said. "We're just glad to support the fire department, and they'll be there when we need them." Fire fighters can be counted on to not only battle flames, but also to assist citizens in day-to-day life. "One lady told me one time that her husband couldn't get out of the tub, so she called the fire department," Ondruch said. Donnie Streider, who was watching his grandson sit in the passenger seat of the PHI Air Medical helicopter outside, went to the Frolic this year after not attending for the past four or five years. "It's for a good cause," he said. "It's a good chance to see or meet people that you haven't seen in a while. It's been really nice. It's good to get the community together and support local organizations and it's good they have the stuff for the kids." Along with the games and attractions for the kids, arts and crafts vendors lined the edges of the KC Hall, giving adults something to do, as well. Bonny Hilmers was selling her embroidered hats and other collectibles at the Frolic for the first time. "I like doing shows because most of the time, the community will come out to support everyone," she said. Although it got started late, she said the Frolic was the same kind of community-oriented event. The festival also gives her the chance to sell the hats she loves; the kind of hats that got her through her experience surviving cancer. "I'm a cancer survivor, so I have to wear hats and everyone always asked me where I got them, so I started selling them," she said. While some went to the Frolic for the first time, it is a tradition for some like Hellen and Don Euton, who live in Katy. "The last several years we've been here and I came here growing up," Don Euton said. "It's always good." |
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