“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet,” says Paul Lammers.

“You ain’t heard nothin’ yet,” says Laura Freund.

They both are speaking the truth.

Lammers is a St. John the Baptist Catholic Church trustee; Freund directs the parish choir with Maureen Noterman.

They are talking about the 2008 Johnsburg Jamboree scheduled Sunday, July 13, but they are also talking about the church sesquicentennial coming in 2009.

First, the Jamboree.

The Stratford Rhythm Ramblers will make their debut at the annual mid-July Johnsburg Jamboree, performing for the 11 a.m. July 13 polka Mass.

According to Lammers, the band is from near Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Immediately following Mass, dinner will be served in the Johnsburg school building, where a bake sale will continue throughout the day and a cake walk will be held.

Once again, there will be two dance floors for fans of old-time music.

The Stratford Rhythm Ramblers will perform for dancing and listening pleasures.

Also performing will be the Blue Banners, one of the legendary groups of old-time music in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota.

The area’s own Big Ben and the Brians, featuring Brian Klouse, will also stir the souls of old-time music fans.

But, there will be something new and different at the 2008 Johnsburg Jamboree: The DJ Bring It Sound will mix tunes for a “younger portion” of the Johnsburg Jamboree crowd.

Mark Beaver, Elkton, has made a name for himself on the entertainment circuit with his creative DJ performances.

This marks the first time, the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Jamboree committee has broken with tradition and had music other than old-time polkas.

Beaver, who also offers listeners the opportunity to play the “Guitar Hero” video game, will take the dance floor beginning at noon July 13. There will also be the usual kids’ games throughout the day, plus bingo and paddlewheel games for adults.

Harvey Heimer will once again bring his popular “Chicken Bingo” game to the Jamboree.

There will be a beer garden, too.

Throughout the day, there will be opportunities to tour the historic St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, which is 149 years old.

Plans are already being made for the church’s sesquicentennial in 2009.

Already, church members, such as John Kloeckner, have pulled a parade entry depicting the three houses of worship in St. John’s church history: a log cabin, a wood frame church and the current house of worship: a brick structure built in 1891.

Gilbert Heimer constructed the original miniatures and his son, Harvey, has restored them for the congregation’s and others’ appreciation in area parades this summer.

“We’re getting ready for the sesquicentennial next year in any way we can,” said Lammers.

Laura (Randy) Freund expects the parish choir’s new CD “How Can I Keep From Singing” to be on sale at the 2008 Johnsburg Jamboree.

“We’re known as a musical church and the music comes from the work done during the liturgy at Masses. It’s really the work of five or six families who perform with the congregation each Sunday,” Freund said.

The 25 parish choir members, senior citizens, adults, teens and children, were recorded June 23. In all nine parish families were represented in the project.

“They’re the hymns we sing each Sunday in church as well as other music,” said Freund, a music and technology specialist for the Southland school district.

The idea for a CD originated by parishioners, who enjoyed the liturgical accompaniment and other music provided by the parish choir.

The CD goes on sale for $20 at the 2008 Johnsburg Jamboree. Copies will also be available at the church.

Legacy Productions, Minneapolis, recorded the parish choir and handled the entire process from start to finish, according to Freund.

For more information, call Laure Freund at (507) 582-3508.