On Sunday morning, Oct. 14, 57 people filled a F.R.O.G. coach bus in front of Wok-N-Roll in Albert Lea. Their destination was a 2 p.m. performance by the church basement ladies in “You Smell Barn” at the Ames Center in Burnsville, MN.
It was thought that there would be lots of pretty fall colors to be seen on the way. The thought came to pass, except the color was white rather than orange. (There was a covering of up to three inches of snow with cars in the ditch.) The bus passengers were instructed to give the driver a round of applause when the bus arrived safely in Burnsville and when the bus returned safely to Wok-N-Roll. Bill, the bus driver, did his part and the bus passengers held up their part of the agreement. (Five cars were seen off the freeway, one being a rollover and another in a deep ravine.)
Bev Indrelie, Wayne Indrelie, Genie Hanson and Bob Hanson were co-hosts of F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely on God), an outreach mission of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, rural Albert Lea, to promote fun, food and fellowship.
“Deal or No Deal” was played for prizes on the way to Burnsville. Each bus passenger was given an Albert Lea Convention and Visitors bag with a number between 1-57. Drawings for a prize were held; if your number was drawn, you decided “deal or no deal.” If you said “deal,” you got the prize. If you said “no deal,” the prize was sold and your number was put back in with the eligible numbers. The money for “no deal” was drawn after all prizes were gone (there were 21 prizes).
Philip Morreim was the lucky recipient of a gourmet candlelight dinner for two—a small candle, a box of macaroni and cheese and a box of Jell-O. Bev Indrelie was very happy as she got the Albert Lea Monopoly game. “No deal” items totaled $40. Marilyn Lewison and Judy Enderson were drawn to share the cash, $20 each.
In each passenger’s Albert Lea Convention and Visitors bag (thanks to Veraline and Susie) were coupons to KFC, Arby’s, DQ, Applebee’s and Cabin Coffee, all in Albert Lea, plus $5 cash back for a full bus. Thanks to Shannon for a Beanie Baby in the bag of each person on the bus—about half of the Beanie Babies were very appropriate for the upcoming election (a donkey or an elephant).
The musical comedy was about the loss of a barn where a gala fest was held and then moving the gala fest to another barn, all in a Lutheran community in the 50s. The cast was excellent.
Many of you have been on a bus or at some event where a “grump” spoiled it. A “grump” award of a small vial of laughing gas was to be administered to the recipient as decided by the bus passengers. Fortunately, no grump—no award.
As usual, Annie and the Wok-N-Roll employees treated the bus passengers like royalty. The food was great, the selection of eight kinds of ice cream for the little spot left in our tummies was even better. The next F.R.O.G. bus trip is Saturday, Dec. 1 leaving from in front of Wok-N-Roll to “Christmas by the Lake” in Clear Lake, IA. “Deal or No Deal” will be played on the way with the meal at Wok-N-Roll upon returning. Price is $30 per person with $5 cash back if the bus is full. Call (507)373-8655 (Bob and Genie Hanson) or (507)826-3267 (Wayne and Bev Indrelie) for a needed reservation with payment in advance.
P.S. The annual F.R.O.G. Valentine’s party will be Saturday evening, Feb. 1, 2019 at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, rural Albert Lea. Details forthcoming.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. 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. Bob says if you enjoy his column, 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.