Volunteer workers removed the inner cooking bag and cut the beef and onion mixture into smaller pieces to ready it for serving on buns at the Old Settler’s barbecue in Alexander Saturday. Photo by Roger Riveland. Submitted Photos

ALEXANDER – The Alexander community held its 78th annual Old Settler’s celebration Aug. 31-Sept. 2, honoring locals Walt and Susan Link for 2023.

The Links were Alexander natives who returned in 1972 to operate the Link family farm alongside Walt’s brothers, Marvin and Donald. Susan Link ran a beauty shop for several years, and both were active members of the Lions Club, fire department and Trinity Lutheran Church. Susan had a passion for animals and raised both show-quality Collie dogs and Arabian horses.

Walt Link died September 2012. His grandson, Chris, currently operates the family farm, and Susan Link shares her love of horses with her six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The Old Settler’s celebration included a Color Run/Walk, bonfire, chili cook-off, soap-box derby, parade, vendor and craft booths, barbecue, senior citizen social and Redneck Olympics with horseshoes, slip ‘n’ slide relay and mud volleyball. The event ended with a street dance.