Genie Hanson from Central Freeborn, Christie Ness from Salem and also Ascension, Annette Hanson from Trinity with Hill Hagen as the leader from Trinity were the adult representatives from four Lutheran churches that tied everything together for a successful Vacation Bible School. The four ladies even scheduled the VBS inside Trinity Lutheran. Somehow, they knew it would rain!
The VBS was held June 17-20 for grades 1-6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 9-11 a.m. for preschoolers. There was no cost for all attendees. The gala event began June 16 with free pizza and root beer floats. VBS attendees could bring anyone — especially dads — as it was Father’s Day.
The Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp teachers for grades 1-6 attended the gala pizza party, leading the table Grace, plus introducing themselves. Victoria Holliday, Aleia Nelson, Briana Mercurious, Katelynn Skaar, Kendra Schmidt and Gloria McKenney were the team with Gloria, the leader. Christie Ness, with helpers Elica, Betsy and Julie, were preschool teachers. Other teachers and helpers were Steven, Shyanne, Sam, Alexi, Michele and Reverend Eileen. Steve Olson was the solver of maintenance. Bob Hanson was the “go-fer.”
The Okoboji team was housed at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. They were treated to a Kentucky Fried Chicken meal on Monday evening. Tuesday evening was bonding as they prepared their own meal. They were treated to the evening meal at Trinity on Wednesday. Thursday was the final day of teaching. The pot luck meal Thursday evening was followed by the VBS attendees giving a most enjoyable program. T’was then we saw the results of, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
P.S. If you were involved in any way, you earned the title “Minnesota Nice is my Alias.”
P.S.S. As part of VBS, items were collected for the local humane society.
In concluding this column, it is up to you do decide if the following is fact or fiction:
Walter was his name. He lived next door to Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. Walter was a big man, about 6-4, with bright red hair, a well-trimmed salt-and-pepper beard, wore bib overalls and hightop boots that tied on top. As time went by his mind and awareness slipped. Almost every day Walter would walk over to his church, let himself in (He had a key.) and talk to his Lord, help himself to cake or an ice cream treat and leave. This went on for a number of years, during which his mind and awareness slipped even more.
On Nov. 2, 1996, Central (his church) completely burned due to an electrical problem. This was too much for Walter to handle and he passed away in a few days. The printed words at his service read, “I have called you by name, Walter. You are mine to dwell with me in my house forever.”
The decision was made to build a new church on the site of the old church. The first service in the new church was held Sunday, Jan. 24, 1999. Shortly after the first service people reported seeing a shadow of a big man, plus hearing strange noises and cake and or ice cream disappearing, especially on full-moon nights.
This is where the VBS Okoboji team comes in.
They were told the story of Walter and asked during their full-moon five-night stay at Central to prove the story as “fact or fiction.”
They reported: We saw shadows, heard strange noises, some of our ice cream treats disappeared, but no Walter seen.
Readers, you decide. Is Walter fact or fiction?
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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.