Celebrating 100 Years of Progress 1907 - 2007
Granville Centennial Report By Pat and Sherie Heine
Centennial “Kick Off”
On Friday June 29th, Granville’s Centennial Celebration officially began. After three years of fund raising, planning, and preparation, “The Friendly City” was ready to welcome everyone. The McGillicuddy Center on Main Street was the site of registration. Approximately 600 people took the time to register and visit with old friends.
The McGillicuddy Center was also the location of The Souvenir Shop, Silent Auction, and a scale model of early Granville on display. Visitors were able to purchase a variety of shirts, grain elevator salt and pepper shakers, note cards, history books, pictures, and cookbooks.
Bidding Wars at Silent Auction
Beginning on Friday afternoon, Centennial visitors had the opportunity to view and begin bidding on a wide variety of items during a silent auction. All items for the auction were donated by various individuals and groups. Items included: early Granville memorabilia, North Dakota wine and tote bags bearing the Centennial logo, saw blades painted with rural scenes, an electric grill, a Bob Gray print, and numerous other items that were generously donated. 
The auction concluded Sunday afternoon with the bidding frantic and competitive during the ticking of the final minutes. The total amount raised was $1,130.25.
Centennial Park “Springs” Up 
Visitors to Granville and traffic through our fair city have probably noticed a new park on the northeast corner of Main Street. This new “ Centennial Park” was made possible through grant dollars and individual contributions. Jeff Smette designed the park and the labor donated by community members.
The park is home to a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers. In addition, the city now has flags and benches. Eventually, Centennial Park will be home to the Centennial Time Capsule. The park is a beautiful place to enjoy a North Dakota day!
I Love a Parade! 
Saturday morning found Granville’s main thorough fare teeming with folks of all ages enjoying the Centennial Parade. Blanche Miller, long time Granville resident, was the parade’s Grand Marshall riding in a buggy driven by Terry Tonnessen.
The parade consisting of 66 entries included fire engines (old and new), floats by various civic groups and families, vintage tractors, horses, the Minot Shrine Clowns and calliope, and the Polkateers (who danced their way down the street). Children (young and experienced) enjoyed the treats tossed by the parade participants! And... just in case you missed something the first time down the street, the parade wound its way around for a second look! 
“Did You Hear What I Heard?”
The park, tents, and churches were “alive with the sounds of music” and more during the Centennial! Entertainers - from a magician to musicians - were on stage throughout the festivities to entertain the attendees. 
Marty Malechowski lead a sing-a-long in the park, while local group, “Jack and the Boys” also performed. Under the tent, Blake Krabseth entertained all with his magic tricks and comedy. Hope Congregational Church was filled with stories and tales of Granville’s early days as told by JoAnn Johnson Buriak. First Lutheran Church was the site of musical performances by the “Hattitudes”, “The Prairie Gospel Quartet”, Gordy “Crazy Fingers” Lindquist, and Deb Hoskins. Granville’s Fire Hall was the place to be to hear and dance to the music of Billy Merck and the Polkateers on Saturday. Eric Olsen and Friends entertained in Granville’s City Park Sunday evening.
The Centennial’s entertainment concluded with a “bang” at sundown Sunday evening! The City Park and surrounding area was “lit up” by a fabulous fireworks display!
Giving Thanks 
Sunday morning the two remaining active congregations in Granville welcomed members and visitors to worship services at 9:00 AM. Hope Congregational Church’s worship service was lead by Pastor Frank Picard with special music by former members in Granville for the Centennial Celebration. First Lutheran Church celebrated their 80th Anniversary in conjunction with the Centennial. Worship was lead by Sherie Heine and former organists were invited to participate in the music.
Come and Get It!
While in Granville for the Centennial, people were given many opportunities to enjoy delicious food! Several vendors were contracted to sell concessions during the weekend, but some local groups also served meals and snacks. Special meals were served each of the three days. Friday evening interested individuals were able to partake in an elk rib barbecue served at the City Park. The Congregational Church women let you feast on a Potato Bar at noon on Saturday. In the evening the McHenry County Saddle Club served a steak dinner near the roping arena north of the City Park. On Sunday morning the Granville Masonic Lodge served a breakfast at the school; money raised from this event is used to provide scholarships for graduating seniors. During the day, a pie and ice cream social was available at the Senior Citizens Center. Finally, Pitchfork Fondue was on the menu Sunday evening in the park for those staying for the final concert and fireworks.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! 
Three busy years culminating in three busy days would not have been possible with all of those individuals and groups that made Granville’s Centennial a HUGE success!
To all the individuals who gave of their time to serve on committees and those who painted, mowed, planted, cooked, and cleaned... our community was both welcoming and beautiful...
To all of those - of all ages - who worked both in and out of sight to make the celebration interesting and fun...
To the businesses, organizations, families, and individuals that supported the Centennial financially...
To you - each and every one of you and all of you - we extend 100 cheers of THANK YOU!
Things to Do! Places to Be! People to See!
“All Aboard!” was heard once again on the streets in Granville as the Christianson Family provided a train - complete with an engineer in striped bibs - to shuttle visitors around town. Destinations worth seeing during the Centennial were numerous!
The old schoolhouse and log cabin were open for viewing in an area near the city park. While in that area, visitors were invited to stop and watch a Rendezvous group demonstrate a variety of skills. After boarding the train and heading east from the park, Centennial goers could next stop at the Hanks house.
Upon entering the Hanks house, visitors couldn’t help but take a step back in time with a display of piano and drums. Who didn’t remember Al and the Hot Sox playing at nearly every dance in the area!? While in the Hanks house, one could view photography equipment from a variety of eras. Hat/glove boxes and curling irons were also on display. The phone company, SRT, generously provided a display of antique phones and other telephone equipment. One room of the house had iPods available for people to listen to oral histories provided by a number of long-time Granville residents. 
Next stop... the old Fire Hall and a display of vintage post office furniture and a historical railroad display courtesy of the Railroad Museum of Minot. A few steps north on Main and one found the Tailor Shop complete with garments and equipment from various eras.
Just across the street in the Masonic Lodge the Centennial Art Exhibit was held. Viewers had the opportunity to see approximately forty works of art from fifteen artists from or with ties to the community of Granville. The artists’ work included pencil, watercolor, oils, and acrylics.
Centennial visitors also had the chance to see the inside of the old Bank building on the west side of Main. 
While currently vacant, all had the chance to see the future plans for this community landmark.
Just one block east of Main Street, attendees were able to visit the home and workshop of watchmaker/repairman Sever Nesheim. Inside this building, a collection of clocks and repair tools could be seen. Vintage filling station memorabilia was on display just across the street to the north.
Visitors’ train trip also included viewing the outside of a number of original homes in the city. These homes were easily identified by signs posted in the front yards listing the original owners, date of construction, and current owners.
As passengers on the train witnessed, the railroad town of Granville, has a rich history.
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Limited Centennial Souvenirs Available! |
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