Genie and I were in charge of the program for WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin for their May meeting. Our program featured our teaching in remote First Nation Villages in the far north of Canada.
I let it be known that I’d also be talking about my hair-raising Walleye fishing experiences while at the villages. This caused six men to be WELCA temporary members so they could listen to my fishing tales.
Genie and I have taught through LAMP (Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots) at various villages of roughly 500 people. Genie has clocked in 20 years. I’ve participated for 10 years.
We do the program for any group. The charge is up to the group with any amount up to $100, which we donate to LAMP. Anything over $100 we keep. So far, no keeper! Call us at (507) 373-8655 if you’re looking for a program of this type.
Interesting enough, when I walked in prior to the program, a lady walked up to me with her right hand held out and said, “My name is Vivian Nelson and your talk better be fact or fiction.” I promised it would be and shook her hand. Thanks, Vivian, for the great welcome.
As is the case every spring, the first few early morning walks around Beaver Lake are a bit of a struggle. It takes a little longer to walk the just over two miles than years past. I think it has something to do with age and weight!
I have noticed four for sale signs. There is one new house since this time last year. (Welcome new home owners to the Scott Crabtree family.) The red tail hawk pair are back again this year with their nest high up in a pine tree.
The lake is currently turning over. In plain English, that means the water on the bottom is coming to the top and the water on the top is going to the bottom. This is causing some green globs in greenish-colored water with a slight not so pleasant odor. This should be over after about two weeks.
This month’s issue of Minnesota Volunteer magazine has a more elaborate explanation of lake water turnover. I also learned that subscriptions to Minnesota Volunteer are tax deductible.
The South Beaver Lake Road cabin owners have decided to blacktop their road. The problem is it takes money to do so. After much discussion we have decided on a user fee. We checked with Berlin Township supervisors to see if it was legal.
The answer was as long as it was a private road, we could charge a user fee: A $1 fee to enter, and a $5 fee or a flat tire to leave. The fee would be for four-wheeled non-cabin owner’s vehicles only.
Enforcement is a trail camera taking pictures of every vehicle entering and leaving by the lock box that states the user fee. For those of you who believe this road rage story, please donate $25 to the cause and you may enter and leave South Beaver Lake Road as much as you want in 2012.
Tis’ the season, the crappies and sunfish are biting. Wrens, Baltimore Orioles and Rose Breasted Grosbeaks made their appearance May 4. The first tornado came from the west with the following rain and wind from the east, thus confusing this old Norwegian. (A total of two-plus inches.) Ah yes, Beaver Lake, how sweet it is! Amen.
— — —
Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of Wisdom: There is always room for God.