Grilling steaks in Tigerton

Steaks were sizzling at the Tigerton Community Center on the evening of May 8.

Dozens of Tigerton residents filled the Community Center for a dinner of boneless ribeye steaks, potatoes, vegetables, desert and water, soda, beer, or mixed drinks. The event was put on by the Tigerton Lions Club. The steak fry was ran in conjunction with a raffle for prizes, as well as a 50/50 raffle.

The money that was raised, from visitors eating and entering raffles, will go to the Tigerton Lions Club.

“We are holding this event for the Tigerton Lions Club — to donate to local organizations,” said Lions Club Vice President Steve Reinert.

Reinert said that the Lions was hoping to see around 100 visitors at the event.

“You always want to see 100-120 people come,” said Reinert.

There are usually two steak frys scheduled during the year, with one in spring and one in fall.

“All of these community events have brought a good public reaction,” said Reinert.

Along with the steak fry, hunting items were raffled off. Things like a crossbow, pop up blind, fishing poles and a camera were won by residents who entered tickets. A cooler of alcohol was also available to be won.

“We bought some of this stuff, but it is all mostly donated,” said Lions Club President Kevin Willman. “For our cooler, I go around to local businesses and ask if they want to donate.”

Raffle tickets for the prizes were on sale for $20.

Willman said that the money that is raised for the Tigerton Lions Club goes toward projects in the community, scholarships, and organizations within the community, like the food pantry.

With the COVID-19 pandemic going and affecting a couple events, Willman said that he enjoys seeing community members coming out again.

“There have been a lot of faces that we haven’t seen for a while because of COVID-19,” said Willman. “People are starting to get vaccinated and coming out a little bit more to socialize in the community.”

Willman said that, due to COVID-19, they had to cancel their 2020 spring steak fry, but they still provided take out.

“As you see today, it doesn’t look like COVID-19 is affecting us much right now,” said Willman.

He also said that the general consensus for the events have been positive.

“Last year, we voted not to have this event, but the year before, there were no complaints,” said Willman. “It’s all been positive.”

According to those who attended the event, having a community gathering is a bright spot for its residents.

“This is an event that brings the community together to socialize and raise money for a good cause,” said Dave Freitag, a Tigerton resident.

Another Tigerton resident enjoyed his experience at the event.

“It went really well tonight,” said Tyler Schulke. “This is a great community with great people — this event is a good help to the community.”

Willman said that the money raised is a good support to the community that helps a lot of people out.

“It goes to organizations that need help, and it also goes to our Lions foundation that always needs some money,” said Willman. “We support our local businesses, our parties that we have for the elderly and the fire department.”

All together, around 100 people showed up and enjoyed an evening of eating, socializing and support their community.