Hunsader will be on the minds of many at festival

Connie and Jim Hunsader were married 55 years.

When Manatee County farming patriarch Jim Hunsader passed last Saturday, Marie Gentle reminisced about good times shared by their families.
Especially the annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival.
“Cathy (Hunsader) Raye was our neighbor whose boys grew up with ours until high school,” Marie wrote. “I always knew it was festival time when I saw Cathy and the boys crossing the yard with poster board and markers for me to draw all the signs to sell Coke and bakery items. I even drew the logo for the tomato boxes. That was way, way back in the day.
“That festival has exploded over the years. I’m sure the Hunsader brothers were always so proud. Jim will be missed, but I’m sure (he) will still be seen in the eyes of many — riding his tractor-cart hauling his grandsons and one lanky neighbor kid across the fields!”
• That’s 70 years of wedded bliss for Bill and Dot Nuttle. They moved to Bradenton in 1947 from Baltimore and still live in the house he built on Riverview Boulevard.
• The Carl Weeks Farewell Tour stops 5-7 p.m., Aug. 30 at Pier 22, 1200 First Ave. W, Bradenton, for a retirement social.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee chief is retiring this fall.
Call Valerie Nelson at 941-761-2582 for details. Or email valerie.nelson@bgcmanatee.org.
Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.