Friday evening July 1st, was a very scary time at Beaver Lake starting at 8 p.m. The sky became dark and looked like last year’s June 17th. There was a high wind of about 70 m.p.h. with the temperature dropping 20 degrees in a few minutes. About one inch of rain with the wind wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Some big trees plus branches down and other minor damage was the result.
I was very concerned that the old adage of “knee high by the fourth” was in trouble this year. I knew that corn grew the most on hot, hot days and nights. The daytime high was 95 on July 1st with 84 at midnight.
That in mind, I took a walk out into Farmer Toft’s cornfield. I could hear whispers and rustling of the leaves. The corn stalks told me to be quiet and just listen so I would hear the corn growing. I did so, and I did hear the corn growing. The morning of July 4th I measured the corn and it was just barely knee high. Just as I got done measuring, the stalks gave each other high fives! (At this time last year, the corn was shoulder high.)
The Tenth Annual Beaver Lake Watercraft Parade in honor of July 4th, was once again a success. There were at least 10 entrants vying for the top prize. The unusual entrant was cabin 66 modeled after the Sheriff’s Water Patrol boat. (It looked like the real thing.)
The same thing was missing this year as the previous nine parades. There wasn’t any candy thrown to the spectators. Bummer, Dude!
Many Beaver Lake residents showed their passion for July 4th fireworks by digging deep in their pockets. The final tally spent was at least $14,376.29. This was the total for July 2-4. Thanks to cell phones, there weren’t any arrests for illegal fireworks being discharged at the lake. The shooters kept in contact with each other as to where the Steele County Deputy Sheriff was at all times.
When the State of Minnesota “bad” politicians couldn’t get a budget agreement, many services were closed. For example, all the Minnesota rest stops had a big “Closed” on the sign. The I-35 rest stop by Faribault was a bit different. Just after the closed sign is a bunch of good-sized oak trees. One tree had a banner saying “His.” Another had a banner saying “Hers.”
Ellendale Days are July 14-17. Contrary to what is printed, Rose Sletten will not be performing at First Lutheran Church, but Ross Sletten will. (Oops, proof reader must have fallen asleep.)
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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 36th 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.