2017 Grygla Centennial Celebration

Greetings past or present Grygla area residents, members of the Grygla School Alumni and businesses that support our community. In case you are unaware, the Grygla Centennial celebration is currently being planned for August 25-27, 2017 to commemorate the city of Grygla turning 100! The first round of centennial letters went out in the mail on July 1st. Perhaps you’ve seen the information below already, but for those of you who haven’t, bits and pieces of the letter are being published for your convenience.

A committee was started last year that has been busy making plans for a fun-filled weekend. Sub-committees have also been formed and include entertainment, fundraising, reunion, history and beautification. Included for your reference, and, again, in case you didn’t receive a packet in the mail, is a brief summary from each committee so that you know what’s being planned for the big event.

Entertainment: The Entertainment Committee has many fun events planned for the Centennial. Of course they are in the very preliminary stages of their planning, but are looking forward to a fun-filled weekend for the whole family. Some events that they are currently working on include a parade, street dances, old time music, classic car show, demolition derby, inflatable games for the kids, 5k run/walk, volleyball & horseshoe tournaments, petting zoo, Ecumenical church service, dedication of the Veteran’s Memorial, as well as shuttle services, food vendors and a big tent on the street.

Fundraising: The Fundraising Committee has been busy this last year and they’re off to a great start! Fundraisers have included an all-city basketball challenge, gun raffle, chili feed, Bingo and Christmas cash raffle. Upcoming events include a centennial gun & quilt raffle, fall gun raffle, calendar cash raffle, volleyball & softball tournaments, a pig roast and a community rummage sale where items can be donated and sold to raise money. The committee is also working on obtaining grant money. A big thanks to the community; they have been great supporters of the fundraisers thus far and it’s truly appreciated. If any individuals, businesses or organizations wish to support the Centennial, donations are always welcome and appreciated. Donations can be mailed to: Grygla Centennial, PO Box 222, Grygla, MN 56727. Thank you for your consideration and here’s to a successful 2016!

Reunion: The Reunion Committee has been very busy compiling addresses and class lists from the Grygla High School. Tentative plans for that weekend will include an All-School Reunion program and school tour. Classes are also welcome to enter a float into the parade that weekend! More information to come as the committee is in the early stages of planning this exciting event. If you have Facebook, consider liking the ‘Grygla All-School Reunion’ page, as well as the “Grygla Centennial 2017” page.

History: A new Grygla History book is being worked on by members of the History Committee. Family histories, photos, historical elements and informative articles about our town are currently being compiled. Joy Nordby, who worked on the history book for Grygla’s 75th anniversary, says, “So far, we have gone through a wealth of material and loads of interesting facts and photos!” The History book (as well as a Centennial Cookbook) will be available on a pre-order basis with order information being included in this article.

Beautification: The Beautification Committee has started the task of doing exactly what its name suggests. Actually, the committee is made up of members of the newly formed Grygla Garden Club! By the time the Centennial celebration comes around, you will notice many new flower beds and shrubs planted in and around the city; members also hope to purchase beautiful hanging baskets for our city light poles.

2016 Grygla Merchants

Because the Grygla Centennial will also be celebrating the present, here is a list of the 2016 Grygla Merchants: American State Bank, American State Agency, Sue’s Beauty Shop, Grygla Trailer Court, Northwest Grain, Grygla Eagle Newspaper, Farmer’s Union Oil Company, Lion’s Club of Grygla, Grygla/Gatzke Jaycee’s Club, Fourtown-Grygla Sportsman’s Club, Machinewell Inc., Grygla Seed LLC, VFW Post #3858, Monson Electric Services Inc., Motel 89, Garden Valley Telephone, Diamond’s Bar & Grill, Yo-Hawn’s Bar & Grill, Grain Bin Café, Grygla Coop Store, Thief River Falls Radio, Saurdiff Trucking, Satre Farms and Stanley Farms.

Lifetime Faux Wood Convertible Bench

The Centennial Committee is offering the opportunity to buy a bench for the weekend of August 25-27, 2017. The ordering and assembly of the benches will be conducted by the Grygla Fire & Rescue Department. Benches will be set up around the city of Grygla during the Centennial. Your bench can be taken home after the event or you’re more than welcome to donate it to the city.

The Convertible Bench functions as a bench with a back or a bench with a table. Beautiful simulated wood will not fade, warp or rot from weather exposure like real wood and it required no special maintenance to look as good as new for many years. Bench seat and tabletop are designed with slats that allow for quick drainage of rain and snow. A one-hand latch mechanism easily converts the back of the bench to a handy table with easy access to bench in just seconds. Convertible benches are very sturdy and stable. Buy one convertible bench to create a handy space saving table, or buy two convertible benches and put them together to form a full-size picnic table. Each will include a Commemorative Engraved Centennial Sponsor Nameplate on the backrest of the bench. 

The cost of the bench is $225.00. A Commemorative Engraved Centennial Sponsor Nameplate will be included on the backrest. The engraving can include one of the following options: Individual, Business, In Memory, Anonymous or Other.

Order forms were included in the packets that went out in the mail, but if you are interested in a bench, please send your request to: Grygla Fire & Rescue, Attn: Grygla Centennial, PO Box 136, Grygla, MN 56727. Make checks payable to Grygla Centennial for $225/each.

Please include your name, address, city, state, zip, email, quantity, imprint for the name plate on the bench and specify if it’s individual, business, in memory or other. Also, please include if you would be picking up your bench after or leaving it in Grygla after the celebration.

Recipes, old & new, needed for Centennial Cookbook

The Grygla area church women’s groups are working together to create a custom cookbook featuring old proven recipes, along with new recipes, for the Grygla Centennial Celebration, which will be held August 25-27, 2017. These cookbooks will be professionally published and are sure to be a treasured keepsake for all. Money raised will be donated to the Grygla Centennial Committee.

Please submit 5-7 of your favorite recipes, or those of your ancestors, to be represented in this cookbook. Many recipes from all residents will ensure that this cookbook is a success.  

For your convenience, you have the option of entering your recipes online or completing a ‘Recipe Collection Sheet’.

The group is anticipating a great demand for this cookbook and want to be certain to order enough. To reserve your copy please email Laurie Polansky at laurie.polansky@asbgrygla.com, or send a request to her at PO Box 78, Grygla, MN 56727. You can also call 218-294-6111. 

The expected cost of the cookbooks will be $20-$25 per book depending on the quantity ordered and how many recipes are published.

Recipes need to be collected by October 15th, 2016 so publishing deadlines can be met.

To submit recipes online, go to:

- www.typensave.com and click “login”

- Enter the user name: Grygla

- Enter the password: granola657 and click ‘submit’

- Enter your name and click ‘continue’

- Review ‘Recipe Writing Tips’

- Click ‘Add Recipes’ to begin adding your recipes

To submit recipes by hardcopy, please see contact information above.

Hand-made ceramics by local potter Betsy Saurdiff

Pottery will be available in a mug or cup (with or without handle) and will have Grygla Centennial logo stamped into the clay. Pottery is dishwasher and microwave safe. Preorders are encouraged; there is an EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $13 or $15 (for name stamped on backside, up to 8 letters). Early Bird prices end on Labor Day 2016. After September 5th, 2016, prices will be $15 or $17 w/name stamped.

Orders can be made directly from the Betts Pottery website: bettspottery.wordpress.com 

There you will see color choices, sample photos and payment methods. 

Buy in person a year early – available at the 2016 Grygla Fall Fest!

Grygla Centennial 

History Book

Pre-Order Information - A hardcover book is being made that your family will cherish for years to come. It contains fun facts about the town, businesses, school and surrounding areas, as well as many family histories and interesting photos.

Grygla Centennial History Books are on a pre-order basis  costing $45.00 each. Please send your history book pre-order request to: Grygla Centennial, PO Box 222, Grygla, MN 56727. Your history book will be available for pick-up at the 2017 Grygla Centennial. If books are not picked up at the Centennial, please make arrangements to have your book picked up or mailed to you. (Shipping will be at each owns cost.)

Make checks payable to: GRYGLA 

CENTENNIAL $45.00/each 

*If ordering a book and a bench, and/or donations, you may combine the cost in the check made payable to Grygla Centennial. 

Please remember to include name, quantity, amount enclosed and if you’ll be picking up the book at the Grygla Centennial or making arrangements with a committee member to mail it to you after the celebration. (If so, please email a committee member at grygla.centennial@gmail.com)

2017 Grygla 

Centennial Donations

The Grygla Centennial is made possible by your generous support. Donations are still being accepted and can be made out and mailed to: Grygla Centennial, PO Box 222, Grygla, MN 56727.

Once again, the committee says if you are ordering a book and a bench, and/or donations, you may combine the amount in the check made payable to Grygla Centennial.

Your continued support is appreciated to make it a successful 100 year celebration of Grygla! Watch for more updates in the near future!