Goodhue County Senior Citizens of Year are Revealed

Pat Redfield of Zumbrota and Ray Sands of Wanamingo were named Goodhue County Senior Citizens of the Year on Friday night during the Goodhue County Fair in Zumbrota.

Past Fair Board President Jim Foss did the honor of making the presentations in the Beer Garden on the fairgrounds.

They used the excuse they needed Ray's sound system from the Polka Dots to move the ceremony into the Beer Garden from the Entertainment Tent to make it a surprise.

Redfield was honored first and has been very active in the V.F.W Auxiliary and her church. She became active in the nursing home when her parents were there and has been volunteering ever since.

The 75-year-old told those gathered in the Beer Garden she also works with the bloodmobile on a regular basis and meals on wheels.

Foss asked which of her volunteer efforts she enjoyed the most and Redfield replied probably the nursing home, saying it was "very rewarding."

Then Foss asked his neighbor of more than 50 years, Ray Sands, to step forward and receive the male Senior Citizen of the Year in Goodhue County award. Sands said he was truly surprised and added he is not a senior.

The 85-year-old recalled starting his musical career with his siblings in his teens. Sands has enjoyed playing for nursing homes in recent years and has volunteered his time sharing his music with other organizations.

Sands said it's been a fulfilling life and being able to perform with his wife and daughters has been a highlight, and now one of his grandsons is showing an interest in playing the accordion, which gives him great pleasure.

The two will represent Goodhue County at the State Fair in a couple weeks when senior citizens from across the state will be attending and a outstanding senior female and male will be chosen to represent the state.