It is sometimes strange how thoughts will enter your mind for some unknown reason and just stick there.

When I heard Kenny Rogers was going to be performing at the Freeborn County Fair, all I could think of was that I wanted to go see him perform in person.

I have always liked his voice and I never had a budget that allowed me to attend any of his big shows. Here was my chance. It was a matter of figuring out how I could accomplish it without spending the bucks for reserved tickets.

Meanwhile I had faith that, yes, I would get there. Then things started piling up and my plans were starting to take a dim view. One leg and crutches have taken me more places, but maybe this was more than I could handle. It went right down to the deadline.

I not only have some stubborn Dane blood in me, but a quantity of Irish as well, and on the morning of the grandstand performance I made up my mind that though it might be tough, I was going to try and do it.

I'll admit to being a little afraid of the situation. I started worrying. What was a good time to arrive, where could I park that would be close enough, and could I do it alone?

God was with me. When I arrived at the gate and explained my situation and asked if there a good place for me to park the gentlemen nicely told me, sure, there was a spot right up by the 4-H building just waiting for me. Hurrah! That was taken care of.

I usually use my crutches to get where I want to go, but I do have a motorized scooter that had been loaded for me, along with ramps, in my van. I got the ramps out of the van and got them lined up, I thought, but found it to be just a bit of a struggle. The scooter just didn't want to come down the way it should and got hung up. Fortunately a friend, Darlyne Paulson, came by and helped me with the situation. She also made the suggestion I should turn my van around, thinking it would be easier to load up again when it came time to do that, which I did. Thanks were in order.

Aha, on my trusty scooter things would be easier and they were for about an hour or so, when I realized the battery should have been recharged. Unfortunately the scooter needs power. By moving in short spurts, which allowed the battery a little bit of time to gain some energy, I was able to get into the 4-H building and aha, there was a plug-in and a park bench. I asked the lady in charge if I might plug my scooter in and she was nice enough to say yes, so I did. I managed to set the bench in front of it so it was not in the way or conspicuous.

I commenced to do some viewing of items at the fair on foot and crutches when I noticed lines were already forming for admission to the grandstand. I suddenly realized the 4-H building closed at 9. Kenny Rogers' program wasn't going to start until 8:30, which meant I had better get my half-charged scooter out of the building and loaded in my van before I went to the concert. Luckily I had enough power for the trip to my van and was able to get out the ramps and was trying to get the scooter lined up so I could get it loaded. 

As luck would have it a gentlemen was walking past and I asked if he would mind helping me. He said sure and proceeded to ask another man who was walking past us to help. They asked if I would mind if they didn't use the ramps, and I said no, do what you would like, and they lifted the machine up and set it in the back of my van. Thank you, gentlemen. Another problem solved.

The line for the grandstand was growing and then I ran into the ideal person — my daughter’s former physical education teacher. If I needed someone to spend time with I couldn't have asked for anyone better. She was looking for some kettle corn to take back with her to the front of the line. Anyone who knows Connie Johnson knows she is a good one to spend time with, much better than the book I had brought along to read while I waited.

We made it through the gate and on up into the grandstand and found a great spot to sit. Connie’s mother had a wheelchair and Connie had brought along a folding chair. I was lucky enough to find one lone folding chair not far from where we planned to sit, and quickly moved it so I could use it.

We were set to sit out the time before the performance would begin, taking in the sights and an incredibly friendly conversation, catching up on what we have been doing. Time went fast and our view, smack dab in front of the stage, couldn't have been better. My dream had come true. I was going to see and hear Kenny Rogers perform.

Many people forgot their diets and were enjoying some great fair food, including us. We reminisced about corn dogs when we saw people walking carrying them to their seats. New to me were the newer ones that are bigger than the originals. We talked about having one to eat before the program began and one fellow heard us talking. He offered to go and get one for us and we took him up on his offer. They were great.

My mother remembers when corn dogs were introduced at the state fair. That is a long time ago. She thinks they were 20 cents and were really a big hit, and still are.

Once we finished our corn dogs, it was time for the show to begin.

Kenny Rogers and his band entertained us with some of his great songs and shared some great stories, too. The program was awesome and Kenny sang some of my favorite songs, including "Daytime Friends," "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town," "Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer,” "You Decorated My Life," and of course, "The Gambler."

Kenny ad-libbed a bit between songs, telling everyone he spotted someone not far from the front of the stage watching through binoculars so they could get a closer look.

Kenny asked, "What are you trying to see with those? I think binoculars in the first 10 rows is an invasion of privacy," which gave the over 9,000 people in attendance a good laugh.

As I said, the grandstand was packed and I enjoyed every minute. Was it worth it? You bet it was. Someone was watching over me, giving me all the perks I needed. It was an evening I will long remember and cherish. 

Thank you Kenny, Connie, Alice, Darlyne and helpful strangers. You made my day!

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. 

If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like include, or news to share please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

This weeks birthdays and anniversaries include:

• Thursday, August 15th: Roger Wayne, Obert Osmundson, Kaye Dee Hanson, Nancy Nelson, Stephanie Peterson, Rhonda Shelton, Cade Shelton, Brian Warnke, Dorrie Horan, Michael Suelter, Kellie Benning, Brian Warnke, Maverick Harold Knutson

• Friday, August 16th: Kavan Dean Vanhal, Haley Deml, Alexander James Dufresne, Mary Lerberg, Shayla Ann Marie Pachoel, Julie Arnold, Wayne & Marie Dobberstein, Harold & Janice Jensen, Mark & Diana Sundwall, Jeff & Julie Schlei, Donny & Gail Turvold

• Saturday, August 17th: Cole Brody Thompson, Katie Klemmensen Knudson, Julie Osmundson, Luke Wiersma, Carol Nelson, Dillon Matthew Kubiatowicz, Abbey Beaber, Jackie DeVrient, Sonya Peterson, Cheryl Spurr, Steve Ladlie, Daniel Whelan, Rod & Cheryl Thompson, Tira & James Smith, Tina & Todd Wangen

• Sunday, August 18th: Donny Bartsch, Ron Johnson, Rick Johnson, John Ross Vermedahl, David Klocek, Michael Ingvaldson, Kelly Schmidt Janning, Connie Robertson, David Rietsema, Gary & Kathy Anderson, Ryan & Jill Hanson, Tamara & David Jepson, Simon & Arlean Lee

• Monday, August 19th: Daxter Carter Lee, Jason Langlie, Michelle Peterson, Jennifer Popiel, Cheri Krejci, Ruth Enzenauer, Cynthia Grubish, Lois Johnson Aitchison, David Cooper, Alyssa Kay Jensen, Larry & Karen Carlson, Jackie & Travis Olson, Andy & Julie Arnold, Larry & Mary Ellen Walton, Kayla & Patrick Krause

• Tuesday, August 20th: Dale Nelson, John Scrabeck, Tammy Bergland Techau, Andy Christensen, Diane Cleven, Delbert Karsjens, Jozie Annamarie Johnson, Kim Jensen, Jamie Nelson, Larry Pierce, Tianna & Joshua Kubicek

• Wednesday, August 21st: Lori Moon, Avery Hullopeter, Abriana Harris, Scott Tracy, Larry Klocek, Viola Klocek, Dawn Dobberstein, Mary Richards, Cindy Anderson, Roger Johnson, Sara Degan Misgen, Jodie Lee, Jaden Jensen, Cody Lembke, Michael Olson, Jasmine Obermoller Evans, David & Cindy Callahan

Wishing you warm friendship and simple joys. Have a wonderful day!