Jackie Hartman Kisses the HOG!

on October 23, 2014
Jackie Hartman cuddles with Hazel.

Meadowlark Hills Foundation board member Jackie Hartman arrived at last week’s HOG & Kisses Contest prepared to give Hazel Hog a big smooch. Wearing jeans, a HOGtoberfest T-shirt and lipstick in a deep pink shade, Jackie was walking across the Cox Bros. BBQ parking lot when she encountered a friend who had contributed to her hog kissing campaign. He pulled a small bottle of mouth wash from his pocket, telling Jackie he wanted her to be ready if she should have the opportunity to pucker up. Laughing about the Listerine, the friends made their way to the front of the restaurant, where Jackie gathered with the other hog kissing candidates and waited to hear the contest totals.

It turns out, the pink lipstick was put to good use.  Jackie was the top vote-getter in the contest, which was held Oct. 16 in conjunction with the first ever HOGtoberfest at Cox Bros. BBQ in Manhattan. Pulling Hazel into her arms, Jackie first kissed Hazel on the top of her head, leaving a bit of lipstick behind, and then after encouragement from the crowd, kissed Hazel on her snout. Jackie was one of five candidates who solicited votes/donations to win the privilege of kissing Hazel Hog at the event. Her candidacy raised $1,930, with the five candidates combining to raise about $3,900. Meadowlark Hills CEO Lonnie Baker placed second in the voting, with Tim Fitzgerald coming in third. The other candidates were Bud Cox and a team of three Q 103.5 DJs.

The HOG & Kisses Contest, along with HOGtoberfest, benefits the Meadowlark Hills Foundation’s Good Samaritan Fund, which assists Meadowlark Hills healthcare residents who have outlived their financial resources. The total net revenue from the event is $5,100, with another $1,500 realized from in-kind donations. 
 

 A pellet grill package was offered for a suggested donation of $1 per chance, and a ticket bearing Rita Harsch’s name was drawn from among hundreds that had been purchased. Rita donated the package, worth $1,100, back to the Foundation so that it may be used for future fundraising efforts. Manhattan resident Clem De La Cruz is the winner of a barbecue meal for 10. Anyone who made a purchase at Cox Bros. during HOGtoberfest was invited to enter a drawing for a door prize, which includes pulled pork, pulled chicken and side dishes.
 
In addition to the Foundation and Cox Bros. BBQ, event sponsors were McCullough Development, Cool Enterprises and The Backyard Kitchen. Hazel Hog was at the event courtesy of Doug and Clara Ebert Farms of St. George. The HOGtoberfest committee, composed of Becky Fitzgerald, Tracy Musselman and Pam Reding, would like to again recognize the hog kissing candidates and say thank you to the event volunteers: Blake Hoffman, Bryan Reding, Sue Hunt, Donna McCallum, Chris Nelson and Kay Shanks. Also, they appreciate those associated with Meadowlark Hills as well as the Manhattan community members who joined to ensure the event’s success.