Kalona

For 69 years now, the Pleasantview Benefit Sale has taken place.

For the most part, you can expect many of the same things, such as unique items up for auction and great food. However, in 2026, something quite unique happened.

Prior to the Benefit Sale, Pleasantview Marketing Director Jessica Janecek presented the staff with an unexpected incentive. If they raised over $1,000, CEO Paul Wesser would kiss a pig. Yes, that’s right, an actual pig.

Right before Wesser kissed the pig, Janecek explained to the crowd what had happened the week prior.

“Last week, I challenged our team to raise $1,000 to donate to the Benefit sale, just so that we could also be part of all the fun giving that everybody does in the community. Our team did what they always do — and they went above and beyond. We raised nearly $2,000 for the Benefit sale.”

So, Wesser stayed true to his word and kissed the pig not just once, but twice. Before he did, Janecek brought the young pig inside the Hillcrest gymnasium, wearing a diaper just in case something happened.

When the crowd learned what was about to happen, many were stunned and could not believe it. After Wesser kissed the pig twice, the crowd cheered. Jokingly, Wesser told the crowd, “that was very good.”

Wesser was very proud of the entire Pleasantview staff for reaching their fundraising goal and going beyond it.

During the Benefit Sale, many items were auctioned off, including food, baked goods, baskets, household items, gift cards, subscriptions, quilts and much more.

The night also featured live music early in the sale from Kalona’s own The Great Bluegrass Herons. As guests bid on items, music filled the air alongside the rapid-fire calls of auctioneers plying their trade.

With everything that happened, I am not sure anything can top a CEO kissing a pig.