Grand marshals
|
| With the Homestead Festival headed into Bureau County this upcoming weekend, Princeton residents and educators Gary and Bea Coates are gearing up for the annual Homestead Festival parade, where they will serve as grand marshals of the event. |
| Buy Bureau County Republican Photos » |
PRINCETON — Longtime Princeton residents and educators Gary and Bea Coates will serve as grand marshals for Saturday’s Homestead Festival parade.
The theme for this year’s parade is “Star Spangled Spectacular.” The Homestead Festival Committee said the Coateses were selected for their community leadership and representation of patriotism.
“We were humbled and shocked when Jeff Fiegenschuh called to ask if we would be the grand marshals,” Gary said. “It took me by so much surprise; I told him I’d have to call him back.”
Serving as grand marshals for the Homestead Festival parade is a great honor, the Coates agreed.
In a recent interview, the Coateses talked about their life in Princeton, patriotism and the freedoms they appreciate the most.
When she thinks of patriotic people in Bureau County, Bea said she thinks of people like Harold and Marge Steele, Roger and Joanne Swan, and others who have served their country and their community for so many years.
For the couple, one of the most visible displays of their patriotism has been their annual red, white and blue decorating of the big evergreen tree in their front yard on each Fourth of July. They also hosted regular Fourth of July picnics for their neighbors. The Coateses also dress out their tree, yard and house for other holidays and seasons.
When it comes to patriotism, Gary said he’s seen a change in the display of patriotism through the years. There have been times when patriotism was more obvious, like during and after World War II, after the start of the Iraqi war, and especially after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Though that patriotic display has dwindled a bit now, it’s still greater than what it was probably 20 years ago, Gary said.
For Bea, patriotism goes along with an appreciation of what living in America can mean for people.
“This country is based on hard work and accomplishments, on setting goals and working for them,” Bea said. “I think that’s the American dream, the freedom to become whatever you want. You can actually do that here.”
That sense of accomplishment and reaching goals goes along with a sense of patriotism, Bea said.
Gary agreed, saying people still want to come to America. They are even sneaking into the country.
“We has some values and some freedoms that people aspire to have,” Gary said.
When asked what two freedoms they most appreciate as Americans, Bea said she would choose the freedom to worship as a person wants and the freedom of speech.
For Gary, he most appreciates the freedom of speech and the freedom to choose what path they want to follow in life.
Looking at their years in Princeton, Bea said she and Gary first met in 1968 when they were first-year teachers at Princeton High School. Gary taught social studies, and Bea taught physical education. PHS administrator Roger Swan takes credit for getting Bea and Gary together, Gary said. However, Bea said some of her senior girls also took credit for the pairing. Whoever gets the final credit, Bea and Gary were married two years later in 1970.
Gary continued his teaching and coaching career at PHS until his retirement in 2002. Bea taught for several years at PHS before leaving to stay home with the couple’s children, Nicole and Ryan. She later volunteered and served at St. Louis Catholic School and worked as the gifted education coordinator for the Bureau County Regional Office of Education, before returning to teach physical education at Logan Junior High School, retiring in 2000.
Among their other community involvements, Gary has served on the Owen Lovejoy Board of Trustees, Princeton Chamber of Commerce, and the PHS Board of Education. He has volunteered with building Habitat for Humanity homes in Bureau County and is owner of C&S Roofing.
Bea has been active in the Perry Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Bureau County Extension 4-H Committee, Bureau County Red Cross, Bureau County Retired Teachers Association, Princeton Rotary and as a docent for Lovejoy Homestead. Gary and Bea have also been active in their churches, the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and St. Louis Catholic Church, respectively.
The community of Princeton has been a good place to live, raise their family and build friendships, the Coateses agreed. Princeton people are caring and compassionate. The community is steeped in a structure and tradition, which she likes, Bea said.
Since both he and his wife were raised in rural communities (Neponset for Gary and Kewanee for Bea), they like the rural setting of Princeton, Gary said.
“We felt comfortable here in Princeton from the beginning, and we still do,” Gary said.
Looking ahead to the Homestead Festival weekend, the couple said they’re hoping for good weather, getting some of their favorite pork chop sandwiches, and of course, riding in Saturday’s parade.
Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.
