Pat Martin was the 79th Lord’s Acre Festival Parade Grand Marshal Saturday, October 12, 2019, in Westboro, Missouri.

Ace Quimby is a pro at riding in parades and added another to his resume by participating in the 79th Lord’s Acre Parade with his “dad,” Rob Quimby, Saturday, October 12, 2019, in Westboro, Missouri.

The Tarkio Junior High and High School bands marched in the 79th Lord’s Acre Parade Saturday, October 12, 2019, in Westboro, Missouri.

Cathy and Justin Riggins helped plant “Seeds of Hope” in this year’s Lord’s Acre Parade Saturday, October 12, 2019, in Westboro, Missouri.

Many people, including Ben and Mike Rolf, braved the cold temps Saturday morning to enjoy the 79th Lord’s Acre Parade.

Keaton and Cohen Lundquist had a bird’s eye view while riding in the 79th Lord’s Acre Parade Saturday, October 12, 2019, in Westboro, Missouri.

We hope Sharon Nelson won the cake decorating contest as this masterpiece was quite the sight to see Saturday morning at the 79th Lord’s Acre Festival Cake Contest in the Westboro United Methodist Church.

By Beverly Clinkingbeard

Pat Hamilton Martin, who began life on a farm east of Tarkio, was loved and reared by Zema and Levi Riggin. She rode like a Grand Marshal that she was in a convertible leading the 79th Lord’s Acre Day Parade at Westboro. After cloudy and windy days, Saturday morning began with the touch of Jack Frost and sunshine. It’s always ‘wait and see what the weather will be’ for the Lord’s Acre Day celebration.

Pat attended Tarkio School and married Maurice K. Martin of Westboro. At the time he farmed and worked at Blanchard Elevator. Later, he would become a bulldozer operator and for years shoved Atchison County dirt.

Two children, Jerry and Tammy, were born to Maurice K. and Pat and now there are eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They moved to Westboro in 1971 and she remarks, “It’s been a nice community to live in.”

Pat is probably best recognized from her job of 23 years at Hy-Vee checking out groceries. The changes went from punching in price numbers to the upward trend of grocery prices. But most of all she liked the job, “. . . because of the many friends I made and the people I came in contact with.” She took retirement when Maurice K. became ill and needed her care.

One of the highlights of the Lord’s Acre celebration is the auction. Times have changed. No longer do the wagon loads of ear corn make up the parade to be sold, but instead items are donated for the sale. Here is where we learn that Pat is quite the baker. Her cinnamon rolls, pecan and apple pies were popular sells at the auction.

Way to go Pat! ’Til next time!