This has been declared the warmest winter since records were first kept.
I keep a pocket book calendar every year. Looking back in 2022 – Bob Goetz, Paul Prozt and I were ice fishing on Lake of the Woods March 15, 16 and 17. A Bombadier (a vehicle on tracks) took us to and from the fish house out of Zipple bay. We ate walleyes for two meals and brought home 15 walleyes plus a few bigger perch.
The ice went out of Fountain Lake April 6, 2022.
The ice went out of Fountain Lake March 3, 2024.
On Sunday afternoon March 3, 2024, Genie and I were delegates to the annual meeting of Good Earth Village held at the camp outside of Spring Valley, Minnesota.
Saturday, March 2, I came down with a running nose, sneezing, coughing and a temperature. Genie designated me to stay home and be the official dish washer for that Sunday.
We agreed Genie should go alone to the annual meeting as with all her Girl Scout experience this would be reliving some of her great memories.
For example:
Genie has been involved in Girl Scouts since a young girl in Clear Lake, Iowa.
We got married in Clear Lake, Iowa and moved to Rochester, Minnesota, living in the country just outside of Edith Mayo Girl Scout Camp.
On a Saturday morning a car pulls into our driveway, a man gets out and says, “You don't know me, but I know about the two of you.” Looking at Genie, he says “I know you're a registered nurse and your husband is a native of the St Olaf Lake area where my father was pastor of LeSueur River Lutheran Church by St. Olaf Lake. (Rev. Walledom)
I'm in a real bind as I'm head of staffing for Edith Mayo Girl Scout Camp. Our camp nurse has been in a bad accident and can not continue as camp nurse. We must have a camp nurse to stay open. You will start Monday at the going rate of hourly pay as an RN. You may bring your two children. (They were five and six.) We will feed you & the kids and your husband. The family can stay in camp or you can stay in your house.
Genie looked at me and the kids as she replied, “Deal.” This lasted two summers and was the best part of our family growing up.
Later, Good Earth Village found out about Genie and hired her by the week or two weeks to be camp nurse at Good Earth Village.
We moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota. The Girl Scout Leaders in Albert Lea found out about Genie's experience and with a little coaxing Genie was once again involved in Girl Scouts as a leader.
As time went by and Genie's troop increased in size about then, she got a letter from Girl Scouts stating, “You must find a co-leader or reduce the size of your troop.”
Genie tried and tried, but could not find a co-leader.
One day Genie put a piece of paper on the table in front of me and said “Sign here.” I did.
Genie said “Congratulations, you're now my co-Girl Scout Leader.”
I must confess, “Being a co-Girl Scout Leader was most enjoyable.”
And now you know of a male Girl Scout leader!!
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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 New York. 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.