12th annual Harley raffle

This year will likely mark a milestone for the annual Harley raffle, which donates all its donations to the Lyle Area Cancer Auction.

In its 12th year, organizers are expected to surpass the $250,000 mark for total money raised.

“It’s been a wonderful event for LAC,” said Gary Ziegler, one of the raffle’s organizers and a former LAC co-chair.

The raffle raised $238,000 in its first 11 years, and 2,200 raffle tickets are on sale this year for $20.

Ziegler said a lot of people take on the same mantra when buying tickets: “I don’t care if I win, I’m helping cancer.”

Sheriff Terese Amazi is again slated to draw the names for the winners of the raffle, as she’s done every raffle except for one.

Aside from the winner receiving the raffle, second place gets $400 and third receives $200.

Ziegler said sponsors are very important, and he thanked First Farmers and Merchant Bank of Austin, J&R Ransom Trucking, Agri-Steel of Lyle, McKinley Auto and RV of St. Ansgar, ACME Bail Bonds and Rochester Harley Davidson.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Larry Ricke at 507-438-7984, Russ Slowinski at 507-440-3793, Teresa Slowinski at 507-440-0314 or Gary Ziegler at 438-0642. People can also stop at the Lyle American Legion for tickets.

 13th annual Lucille Johnson Pool Tournament

Before people head to Lyle to make bids for a cure, Carpenter, Iowa, will have its shot at raising money for a cure.

The 13th annual Lucille Johnson Pool Tournament, part of the Lyle Area Cancer Auction, will be held at the Carpenter Community Center Jan. 11 to 13.

After a 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. check in, the tournament starts at 7 p.m. Friday, resuming at 10 a.m. Saturday and then 11 a.m. Sunday. The youth tournament is held at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Ninety-six two-person teams are open for the pool tournament on a first come, first serve basis.

All proceeds are given to the Lyle Area Cancer Auction.