SATURDAY, WHAT A DAY
September 29, 2012

Clay County Medical Center was represented in the Piotique Parade on September 29, 2012 with this year’s float theme, “Happy Days!”

In keeping with the parade theme of “Family Reunion”, Planning & Development Director Marcia Newell said she wanted to choose a sitcom representing a famous family.  

After Cruise Night was organized, the Cunningham Family from the 50’s sitcom was chosen and “Happy Days” was selected as the theme for the float. Mary & Greg Jensen donated the trailer and Ron Bender, CEO and Justin Begnoche framed the back and sides of the trailer for the stage. Tyce Young donated original bar stools and a Coca-Cola ice box.

Inspired by the Happy Days sitcom set in the 1950’s, Lori Beikman designed pendants for the float representing the different entities like Meadowlark Hospice; Clay Center Family Physicians; Special Delivery, LLC; Mark A. Chapman Wellness Center and the Clay County Hospital  Foundation - all are crucial to Clay County Medical Center. Beikman also designed the menu boards and decorations for Wayne Young’s car, which was driven by Tyce Young, IT and his son Luke. Gail Hileman and Mary Jensen rode a tandem bicycle and threw candy to those watching the parade.

The music system is installed every year by Jim Seley, IT Director. The Happy Days song by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox was played on the float. Those riding the float included The Fonz (Justin Begnoche, Director of Radiology) with his wife, Jennifer and two daughters, Joni, age 5 and Jenette age 2. Joni and Jenette were wearing skirts made by their mother. The girls got to watch their parents dance and pose on a Harley Davidson donated by Royce Rasmussen, Engineering.

Suzanne Ahlberg, Director of Nursing enjoyed an ice cold Coca-Cola with Jenette at the soda fountain bar. Donna Taphorn, Director of Cardiac Rehab and Alice Christiansen, Director of Dietary danced to the Rock & Roll music as someone from the crowd yelled, "Swing It!" Loren Craig, patron of the wellness center joined the fun in a Daniel Boone hat made famous in the 50's. Ron Bender, CEO drove the pickup that pulled the float.

Many thanks to the employees and family members who have been a Rockin’ and Rollin all week long with community spirit!

More photos»

Happy Days theme (long version)
by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days.
Thursday, Friday, Happy Days.
The weekend comes,
My cycle hums,
Ready to race to you.

These days are all,
Happy and Free. (Those Happy Days)
These days are all,
Share them with me. (oh baby)
Goodbye grey sky, hello blue.
There's nothing can hold me when I hold you.
Feels so right, it can't be wrong.
Rockin' and rollin' all week long.

Saturday, What a day,
Groovin' all week with you.

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days.
Thursday, Friday, Happy Days.
The weekend comes,
My cycle hums,
Ready to race to you.

These days are all,
Happy and Free. (Those Happy Days)
These days are all,
Share them with me. (oh baby)
Goodbye grey sky, hello blue.
There's nothing can hold me when I hold you.
Feels so right, it can't be wrong.
Rockin' and rollin' all week long.

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days.
Thursday, Friday, Happy Days.
Saturday, What a day,
Groovin' all week with you.

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days.
Thursday, Friday, Happy Days.
Saturday, What a day,
Groovin' all week with you.

These days are all,
Share them with me. (Those Happy Days)
These days are all,
Happy and Free. (oh baby)
These Happy Days are your's and mine.
These Happy Days are your's and mine, Happy Days.