In a previous column I asked, “How well do you know Freeborn County?” Following are the answers to many of the questions you were asked.
The 14 communities outside of Albert Lea are: Alden, Clarks Grove, Conger, Emmons, Freeborn, Geneva, Glenville, Hartland, Hayward, Hollandale, Manchester, Myrtle, Oakland and Twin Lakes.
No community has a grumpy old man as a mayor and some have a pleasant lady as mayor!
Emmons is the community where you are considered a resident even though you live in Iowa.
No community has a fishing bobber water tower.
No community mayor is appointed by a county commissioner.
Geneva and Hartland were the two communities in the NRHEG school district as part of the 2013 and 2014 Minnesota girls’ basketball Class AA state champion teams.
Clarks Grove was named after a group of trees. Conger was named after an Iowan. Hollandale has a Christian School. Oakland was named after seeds dropped by trees. Twin Lakes was named after Upper and Lower Twin Lake. Myrtle was named after a lady. The Bohemians outnumber Lutherans in Myrtle. Alden-Conger school district is known for its super mileage team. Clarks Grove had the first cooperative creamery in Minnesota.
Emmons was named after a Norwegian immigrant who became a Minnesota State legislator and also postmaster. The song, “Born Free,” is a word play on the community of Freeborn. Glenville had the county’s first primary school.
More people live in Albert Lea than in the rest of the county. The “Dead End” sign leading to a cemetery is left off the South Broadway road from Albert Lea just before you must turn left or right.
Last but not least, Twin Lakes Liquor store is where I met Genie. (I was involved in planning a friend’s wedding.)
The older I get, the easier this old Norwegian gets confused. For example: In watching TV regarding the seriousness of the coronavirus in some of the USA cities, it is a matter of life and death. In listening to some of the local grocery store shoppers, the shortage of toilet paper is more serious than the virus. After watching and listening to the college students of the Florida beach, neither the virus nor the toilet paper shortage is any problem. The beach is available to them now, not later.
After analyzing the problem, this is my solution: I can use a soft washcloth in place of toilet paper. The beach at both Beaver and St. Olaf Lakes will be open in 30 days. The coronavirus problem will be solved by my outliving it or it outliving me. In summary: Happy Days are here again!!
Genie and I are on a staycation – that is where you stay home and do your traveling from home. We have traveled to the recycling center and Big Island State Park, plus grocery shopping since Wednesday, March 11. Going to church activities have been watching TV channel 6 out of Austin on Sunday morning. Are you doing your part as asked by Minnesota Governor Walz?
Genie and I are in the process of each phoning five people and asking, “How are you doing?” We ask the person to do the same. Will you please do the same? I know it will make you feel good – it might even result in a call to you as to how you are doing!
Regardless of your coronavirus thoughts remember, “There is always room for God.”
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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.