Reader pens thanks to Jim Jorgensen’s vision for ice cream stand at Franklin County Fair

To the editor:

Thank you so much for the article about Jim Jorgensen and his impact on the Franklin County Fair. Ever since my daughter Robyn Hill-Kofoot and her husband Marcus–a fair board member–began working as volunteers in the ice cream shop, we had discussed that somehow the history of the shop should be documented. We knew that my family’s long-time friend Jim started it, but not much more. Eventually my grandson Peyton, who was also helping his parents make ice cream, decided to do a 4-H project about this history. He interviewed Jim while I took video of their chat at the 2017 fair. By the 2018 fair the story, with a photo of Jim, was ready. The judge knew I’d helped with this project as Peyton explained how it had come about. We were thrilled to later show the completed story to Jim along with the purple ribbon that meant it was going to the state fair! The smile on his face was memorable.

Many times in life I’ve neglected to do things I should have, like send a card, make a call, or visit a friend, until it was too late. However, in this instance we did something right, and as it turned out, just in the nick of time. We knew Jim’s health was not the best. We wanted him to know that his story and efforts to support the fair were important and worthy of recognition. He was an amazing example of how one person’s ideas and initiative can contribute to the greater good. The ice cream stand story is one of luck, vision, and perseverance. When you visit the 2020 fair, take a moment while you’re eating some of that delicious ice cream to read this history, now in a frame on the side of the shop, and remember Jim.

Kathy Hotchkiss,

Moline, Illinois