This column is of a busy week ahead:
June 14: Please show your respect for Old Glory on Flag Day. Be happy for your flag as a sign of a great country you’re living in.
June 16: Whether living or deceased, remember your Dad on his day Sunday, June 16th.
June 17: Daughter Deb’s birthday. Wishing you a great day in North Carolina.
June 20: The first day of summer. Great!!
Please support your home town activities this summer. Remember how your home town supported you in your growing to those adult years and being out in the world on your own.
It hurts when your home town church community declines - I’m referring to Congregational church in New Richland closing.
The number of NRHEG High School graduates in 2024 was 57. When Ellendale and New Richland had separate graduating classes, the total for the two schools was more than 57 many years.
I decided to drive slowly thru the main drag of Ellendale and New Richland while noticing the store fronts. It was very interesting to compare how these two town look now, versus how they looked in the late '50s and early '60s.
Previously - Now
3 Hardware Stores 0
4 Restaurants 2
2 Barber Shops 0
1 Movie Theater 0
1 American Legion 0
1 Gas Station 0
2 Post Office 2
1 Drug Store 0
2 Bank 2
2 Liquor Store 2
2 Newspaper 1
I know I missed a few, but the comparison is valid: The main drags have fewer business stores.
What I have noticed is definitely more sports in the combination of the schools to become NRHEG.
Girls are participating in more sports. For example: Trap Shooting. When a girl or a boy makes a hit 25 in a row, that is shooting! (I remember one time I hit 10 rooster pheasants in 10 shots with my 16 gauge shotgun and I thought I was good!!)
It’s Lutheran Night at the Twins Monday, August 12, 2024 at 6:40 p.m.
The cost is $60 per person paid in advance - no refunds.
The price includes a coach bus leaving from behind Hy-Vee in Albert Lea at 4 p.m.
Home plate view tickets with eight bus people who want to go out to center field to help lead in singing the national anthem.
Deal or no deal prizes on the way to the game, plus coupons for all.
Your name on the score board if your birthday is August 12th.
The bus is parked nearby.
Cash back of $10.00 per bus person after 57 tickets are sold (a full bus).
For reservations call: Bob and Genie Hanson at 507-373-8655 or Wayne and Bev Indrelie at 507-286-3267
— — —
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.