July 10 - 13, 2008

Kent Cornucopia Days 2008 - "The Festival of the Valley" - A community service project of the Kent Lions, Kent WA
 

2008 Old Timer King & Queen

Selected and presented by the Greater Kent Historical Society

This year’s King and Queen are Richard and Stella Land.

Richard and Stella Land have resided in there present home in Kent for over 46 years.  They were both born and raised in Nebraska and first met while attending high school there in Bridgeport. While Stella finished her schooling, Richard served as an Army Infantryman in Europe during WW II. Shortly alter his return they were married and relocated to Colorado followed by moves to numerous locations throughout the country. 

While living in various Nebraska locations, Stella worked as an elementary school teacher in public and parochial schools, as a social services caseworker, and as a county Red Cross chairwoman. In Colorado she had varied experiences including that of junior high school teacher and embarking on a motherhood career. After moving to Kent in addition to being a homemaker, she involved herself with Scenic Hill PTA, Camp Fire Girls leaders association, Jobs Daughters and DeMolay, Auburn School of Dance, and King County election boards.  She is a life member of Eastern Star and belongs to John Knox Presbyterian Church.

Stella is a Master Flower Show Judge and is a past president of the Eastbrook Garden Club and Chinook District Judges Council. She was co-chairman of the Convention of Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs in 7997 . She is a member of the Chinook District Flower Designers and Art and Flower Designers of Tacoma. She is on the Board of Trustees with the Greater Kent Historical Society. She is a life member of the Kent-Meridian VFW Post Auxiliary and member of Lakota Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. In her spare time she attends to care of her home and yard landscaping.

Richard received a degree in engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. He worked on construction projects at locations in Greenland, Minnesota, central Washington, Arizona and Hawaii. He was also employed by several municipal governments in Nebraska. He worked at Boeing in various engineering and management assignments and worked for its construction subsidiary, Boecon for a portion of his 25-year Boeing employment.

At times during Richard's career he held leadership roles with Boy Scouts and DeMolay organizations. He is a former member of a Lions Club and several Rotary Clubs' He served nearly 10 years on the Kent Planning Commission and was a member of the King County Citizens Water Advisory Committee during the early planning for the third wastewater treatment plant. He is a life member of the newly formed Kent Meridian VFW Post and Kent Verity Lodge. He is a member of Alexander Hamilton Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution. In his spare time he attends to his home maintenance and yard landscaping projects.

Stella and Richard are blessed with three children, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Son, Jim, lives in Kent. One daughter, Jennifer, lives in Des Moines, WA and another daughter, Holly, lives in Chattaroy, WA. Stella and Richard celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in July 2006.

Past Old Timer Kings & Queens

2007

2006

Millard & Geraldine Battles to rein as Old Timer King & Queen this year.

As one of the original families in Park Orchard Development, the Battles have been part of the Kent Community for over 45 years where they have raised five children and now enjoy 11 grandchildren.  Millard’s career at the Boeing Company lasted for 35 years where he managed the Hydrofoil, E6, and Navy Programs.  Gerry served as the Director of Religious Education at St Stephen’s Catholic Church for 15 years. 

However, their volunteer work distinguishes them in this community.  Millard was a member of the Kent School Board (11 years) and served on the state school board representing South Puget Sound for 16 years.  He was also involved in the Boy Scouts, Park Orchard community Club founding member; St Stephen’s founding member as well as member of the Washington State University Advisory Committee, Seattle University volunteer, and the Sate Commission of Student Learning.  Gerry Battles was one of the founders of Pregnancy Aid and still serves as chair of its board.  She has been very involved in school volunteering, the Kent PTA, and her church.  She was the Kent Soroptimists Woman of the Year in 1999.  She was a By Scout leader for several years.