What is the good news of the area? Remember when I wrote about the two pelicans migrating from their home on a lake in Canada going south to their winter home? They got caught in an early snowstorm and had to pull in to Albert Lea to wait for the storm to end. Flying was a problem and resulted in one of them being in an accident and unable to fly. As with many creatures, pelicans mate for life. Thus, they spent the winter of 2022-2023 in Albert Lea, mostly along the channel beside the China Buffet in Albert Lea.
Things didn’t improve much as the injured pelican couldn’t fly. Thus, they spent the winter of 2023-2024 beside the China Buffet along the channel.
To verify this story, talk to the employees at China Buffet as they have seen the two pelicans together this spring. They think the pelican unable to fly is the female.
The employees and I are wondering if maybe we’ll see baby pelicans this spring!!
The Albert Lea Tribune gave front page news of the new restaurant that just opened in Lake Mills, Iowa. The article told how busy they have been as the crumble burger and malts have been instant customer pleasers. (*A crumble burger is a loose meat sandwich - like a Maid-Rite.)
Genie has relatives in Clear Lake and her right lung surgery was done robotically at Mercy Hospital in Mason City, so we have reason to be in the Lake Mills area at least every other month. (The cancer results were: Genie is cancer free.)
We were in Mason City on Friday, April 12, so we decided to try out the new restaurant “Grothe’s Diner” on our way home.
Lake Mills isn’t that big of a town, so I figured we would just drive thru town on the main drag and we would find it. I was wrong; we didn’t see it!!
I spotted a public car with an occupant sitting behind the wheel, so I pulled alongside. (I have learned small town police officers are usually very friendly.) I rolled down the window. He rolled down his window. I said, “I see your vehicle says “information” on the side. With a big grin and a smile the officer replies, “Yes, I’m a giver of info.” He directs us to the restaurant as he says. “Tell Kevin, the owner, 'Hi.'”
Genie and I find the restaurant and have a great crumble meal. Genie has coffee and I have an excellent vanilla malt. The price was right, the food was good. We even got to say, “Hi,” to Kevin based on the information from the police officer.
As we leave a man asks me if I want to be in the pool. He explains the business community is weighing Kevin every Wednesday morning. The difference each Wednesday is put on a piece of paper to be tallied with the last tally December 31, 2024. The person guessing the correct total or closest gets 1/2 of the total collected. Kevin gets 1/4 and the Lake Mills Business Association gets 1/4. Any prize not collected stays with the business association. Each raffle guess is $10.00 in advance. The guessing ends 12-31-24. Genie and I each enter the pool.
It’s time for a few short shorts:
Thanks to those sending “A” Happy 102 birthday card to Lupe Gasca. Lupe says thanks for the 104 cards received. People like you make this country, the United States, the best country in the world. We are blessed to live here.
Thank you, Donna Stolaas, for your easygoing outlook on life. It was my pleasure to get to know you and Bruce.
Doreen, Jane and Genie attended the 15th annual “Day for Women” as presented by Kinship Radio in Mankato on Saturday, April 13, 2024. *Genie came home just bubbling as to how great the program was.)
And now for the bad news:
1. Albert Lea July Fourth Fireworks has been moved to property west of the Blazing Star land.
2. Anglers on Mille Lacs Lake can’t keep any walleyes until August 16, 2024. That’s right!! NONE. NADA.
— — —
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.