Fact Or Fiction? (175)
On Friday, November 2, Genie and I left Albert Lea and headed north on our annual fall sabbatical (I refer to this as “Deer Hunting,” Genie refers to it as “Extended Socializing”).
The sabbatical was from November 2 through November 19, with deer hunting allowed 16 of those 18 days. I hunted two to three hours in the morning for nine of the 16 mornings. Thus, you can see we did some extended socializing.
We stayed at the Palace Hotel outside of Cass Lake, Minnesota (325 miles from Albert Lea). The facility has a snack bar, a non-smoking dining room, a smaller casino with both fast and regular Bingo, and an 80-room hotel with a swimming pool, all under one roof.
The rates are very reasonable. The food is excellent with good-sized portions. The employees all have that ability to make your stay enjoyable and they shine in doing just that.
Genie attended the Saturday “Does Only” Champagne brunch at Patrick’s in Longville with Sandy Roscoe, a former resident of Albert Lea.
We drove to Grand Forks, North Dakota to visit with Alex and Jack Knudson and had lunch with them at Perkins. They are both graduates of Albert Lea High School and students at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
We visited the Heidi DeBois (nee Morreim) family in Moorhead for lunch. (Hubby Isaac was at work and daughter Alianna was in school). Son Hutton showed us his new sister of eight months, Lainey, plus their well-mannered dog, “Bob.”
We drove to Baudette, Minn. for lunch with Carol Edstrom and attended the Holiday Craft and Vendor Extravaganza at Lake of the Woods School where she is a teacher. We brought her snacks to feed all the deer in her front yard at night. (Thanks to farmer Tim Toft of Beaver Lake for the corn on the cob deer food.)
We attended some of the Cass Lake Veterans Day November 11th activities. While in Cass Lake we attended the Lions Dinner at the Senior Center. The motto of “Land of the Free, Because of the Brave” gave this old veteran water in his eyes.
We attended Trinity Lutheran Church on Highway 2 just west of Cass Lake. They are most certainly a TLC church (Tender Loving Care). Wayne, the great organist, just before one service, played “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” A member of the congregation, in a loud voice, said “Play ball!” and the service started. If you want to visit a non-stoic Lutheran church, Trinity is a must.
Mom and Dad members of TLC asked us if we knew their VIP wrestling coach son at NRHEG High School living in Ellendale. Shawn Larson, we look forward to the complimentary passes to a wrestling match this season.
Grace and Charlie, TLC members, invited us to go along with them for dinner at the Big Fish Supper Club on Highway 2 by Bena, Minn. The food was excellent and it turned out that I knew the hubby owner from years of deer hunting in the area. (He is part of the gang from Sleepy Eye, Minn. who helped us out of the woods during a blizzard.)
Charlie and I enjoyed reminiscing about the Big Fish back in the 1950s and 1960s. Did you know that Genie and I are stars on the Ron Schara TV show about the Big Fish?
Tom and Heidi in Housekeeping; Vernae in Bingo; Toni at the Gift Shop; Bill the casino tech; Rodney the casino floater; Becky the casino host; Christopher the casino cashier; Rickey in Guest Services; Kristin in Security; Josh, Robert, Reggie, and Sheryl in the Dining Room; Jason, Rebecca, Karin in the Snack Bar; Charlie, Jessica, Chris, Betsy, Kelly and Kortney at the hotel desk. Who are the aforementioned people? They are some of the many Palace employees who are all encompassing, providing courtesy to all the guests. I guess you could say they are the ambience and the amenities of the Palace.
A summary of the deer hunt is “no deer.” My little buddy Fritz visited me while at my deer stand. He sat up, talked to me in his squeaky voice, and enjoyed the birdseed I fed him. Fritz is a small mouse about the size of the end of my thumb. In conclusion, “One year closer to getting a deer.”
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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.
According to the dictionary, a “vagabond” is a person who wanders from place to place without visible means of support. Genie and I wander from place to place without working for our automatic five times a month deposit into our bank account. I guess that makes us full fledged vagabonds.
Our most recent wandering was to Lee Summit, Mo. to visit Marv and Leona Wagner. Many moons ago, they lived in Rochester, Minn.
And so did Genie and I. Their children, Terri, Craig and Brett, attended Harriet Bishop Elementary School in Country Club Manor along with our children, Deb and Dan. We were all members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rochester.
We went out for pizza, toured their town of about 150,000 people, and did a lot of reminiscing. Marv and Leona have their birthdays within a few days of each other around the first of November. This year they were each a perfect ten for the seventh time (10 x 7).
Some of the interesting things we observed on the drive over I-35 (about 365 miles each way) were:
Red Tail Hawks faked out mice by pretending to watch traffic drive by.
Some deer slept with their feet up in the air. Also, some of the deer resting in the ditch must have stomach problems, as their tummies were quite swollen. Some of those with big tummies had bad B.O.
Starting about 50 miles south of Des Moines, Ia., the farmers have corn stalks but no, or very few, ears of corn on the stalk. Also the soybean fields are of the miniature size, both in height of the plant and size of the bean.
The people in Holt, Mo., didn’t have any idea what the show “Peace and Power” is on Sunday morning TV. In fact, they didn’t have a clue as to who that Lutheran Pastor Holt is, or that he looks like six-foot ten.
The mile markers on I-35 in Missouri are every two-tenths of a mile. Why? I have no idea.
By the time you read this, Genie and I will be off on another vagabond adventure called “Deer Hunting.” I have been known to come down with a fever in this type of adventure (Buck Fever, that is).
Speaking of hunting, how do you catch a unique rabbit? Unique up on it. How do you catch a tame rabbit? Tame way, unique up on it.
Did you know that Virginia Plantage of Albert Lea is a faithful reader of this column? Virginia and hubby Ed are fellow hospital auxilians and also deer hunters.
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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.
Board a coach bus behind Slumberland in Albert Lea for a neat Christmas activity on Saturday, December 1 at 3 p.m.
The bus is going to Clear Lake, Iowa for Christmas activities. You can tour Main Street with a petting zoo, Santa Claus, strolling Dickens characters, carriage rides, antique shopping, plus many other Christmas-related activities.
A lighted Christmas parade at 4 p.m. is followed by fireworks over the lake (the parade and fireworks can be viewed from the bus).
All this fresh air should make you hungry. This problem will be solved by the bus taking us to KFC in Clear Lake for a chicken buffet.
Once you’re full of chicken, you can nap on the way back to Albert Lea. “Rudolph’s Retirement Community” can be viewed if you can keep one eye open. Expect to be back home about 9 p.m.
“Deal or No Deal” will be played on the bus en route to Clear Lake for prizes. Reservations are required.
Contact Bob or Genie Hanson at 373-8655 or Wayne or Bev Indrelie at 826-3267 (If you plan to attend, dress warmly). This event is sponsored by F.R.O.G. (“Fully Rely On God”) of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church (my church). The price is $25 per person, with $5 cash back per person if the 55-passenger coach bus is filled.
Paul and Paula, Beaver Lake summer residents from Owatonna, both retired at the same time. At their retirement party they received a “throne” to be shared. The throne, with embedded fish flies, fits any standard size toilet. Would you call this a fishy seater?
Roger and Linda Worrell were the 2012 Beaver Lake Random Act of Kindness award winners. As Beaver Lake summer residents, they keep a rusted old F-150 Ford truck at Beaver Lake year round.
They decided to do something outside the box (the box of the truck, that is). Prior to leaving the lake for their home in Ohio, they washed and hand waxed the F-150!
Ecclesiastes is my favorite book in the Bible (namely, a time for everything). After 37 summers, Genie and I have decided it is time to say goodbye to cabin 67 at Beaver Lake.
I will continue writing this article, with a slight name change to “Fact or Fiction.”
We will have more time to be “vagabonds.” This writing will be about our travels October through April, and then weekly the rest of the year.
Genie will be working on her Doctorate in Volunteering, while I will be working on my Masters in Volunteering.
By the time you read this, we have gone south – to Albert Lea.
In closing this article: Thanks, cabin 67, for the memories.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
The speed limit is 5 miles per hour on North Beaver Lake Road. The speed limit is 10 miles per hour on South Beaver Lake Road.
Why the difference? Do you suppose it is because the people on the South side of Beaver Lake live at a faster pace than those on the north side?
Other than a few people, there are four kinds of fishers at Beaver Lake this fall: 1. Three eagles. 2. Two osprey. 3. Five kingfishers. 4. 11 diving gulls. I guess you could say fishing is for the birds at Beaver Lake this fall!
Minnesota has the second highest percentage of people who fish, hunt or both, of all fifty states. The percentage is almost 33 percent, or in other words, one out of three (Alaska has the highest percentage).
An interesting thing is that, while on vacation in Minnesota, more people play golf than fish.
Since 1949, 100 percent of Minnesota’s governors have either hunted or fished, or both.
What does all this prove? It proves that if you want to be in the political arena in Minnesota, you had better hunt, fish, play golf or even better, all three. It also proves skydiving is not a political necessity!
As a young boy, I rode my bicycle from my parents’ farm north of St. Olaf Lake to my grandparents’ farm, the Henry and Elsie McFarland farm, just east of Hope on the Straight River. It was a distance of about 12 miles.
Their farm buildings (house, barn, chicken coop, hog house, pump house, garage, granary, machine shed, etc.) were in the middle of the section. The only way to get there by vehicle was from the east, by crossing a bridge on the Straight River.
I decided to do some reminiscing of my boyhood. I drove down the road from the east, but the bridge across the Straight River is there no longer.
There are a lot of gravel pits on their former farm, with the road from the north chain padlocked so that direction was out. The freeway (I-35) is on the west side with no access to their former farm. That left only the south as a possibility to get to their farmstead.
I drove south on Steele County Road #3 until I found a dead-end road going west. That put me south of their farmstead.
I drove into the last farm place on the north side of the road, and noticed the name “Kubicek” as I was driving up to the house. I introduced myself, and asked the man if I could walk across his land to visit my grandparents’ old farmstead.
He informed me his name was Bruce Kubicek. I could drive north on his field driveway and then across his combined field of beans and I would end up right next to the old building site. He even offered to let me use his four-wheeler (I declined).
I told Bruce that I know a great lady from my writing this column for the Star Eagle, and her name is Rose Ann Kubicek. ‘Twas then he told me it has been a pleasure being my County Commissioner for 12 years, and he agreed his wife Rose Ann is a great lady.
I enjoyed walking around my grandparents’ old farmstead. Thanks, Bruce, for letting me cross your land to get there. (Readers, did you know Minnesota Nice also applies to County Commissioners?)
Bruce says if I write anything about this, I must end with “I’m County Commissioner Bruce Kubicek, and I approve this message.”
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
Summer is gone. As of September 22, fall arrived. Orange you glad?
The sumac turns red first, then the tree leaves turn. The leaves are such a pretty yellow and orange.
They are so enjoyable until they decide to rest on the ground (hand-held rakes are then the tool of attack weaponry).
In looking back at our lake calendar, this enjoyable (and then unenjoyable) time of the year is about October 2 through 16 (later if you’re a slow raker).
Please don’t rake or blow your leaves into Beaver Lake. Be nice to the lake; it is nice to you.
September is the month when many of the docks are taken in. October is the month when most of the rest of the docks are taken in. November is the month when the last few “narrative” docks are taken in.
For the first time in 37 summers, we were the first to have our dock out of the lake (probably because we never put the dock in, due to the lake being low).
Beaver Lake water level is about three feet below normal spring water level. All docks are on dry land for the first one fourth to one half of their length. On a more positive note, you’re getting more beach for your money when you pay your real estate taxes.
The low lake level is both good and bad for the fishermen. Good because there is less water in which the fish can hide; bad because all of the boat ramp is on dry land, thus making it harder to get your boat in and out of the water.
Wanted: A person with a small game hunting license. Stop by cabin 67 on Beaver Lake. You furnish the license; I’ll furnish the gun, ammo and gray squirrels. You may keep the limit of seven.
On four consecutive mornings, we saw about 4,000 pelicans, 1,000 geese, and 500 ducks fly over our cabin headed for Lonergan Lake (just west of Beaver Lake). We think they came from Lake Geneva.
Duck hunting season began on Saturday, Sept. 2, which was also the first day of fall. If you found water, you found ducks.
The flight of pelicans, geese, and ducks over our cabin ended with the opening of duck hunting season. Where did they go?
By the way, pelicans are protected. (Did you know they taste a lot like bald eagles?)
If you like to walk, follow the trail at the end of Beaver Lake Park. This is the time of the year when it is most beautiful, with no bugs. Your chance of seeing deer or turkeys is very good. Contrary to popular rumor, there are no bears! (Pheasant sighting is a rarity.)
Are you an ex-Twins fan who is now a Detroit Tigers fan? I am. Maybe I should just say “Anybody but the Yankees.”
Are the Vikings for real or just a flash in the pan?
Genie and I are now Forty-Niners! To celebrate, we went to the Old Mill in Austin for lunch. Food was good; service from Ellie was excellent. While in Austin, going to the Spam Museum gift shop for Christmas presents was a must!
In honor of now being a Forty-Niner, Mark Sorenson gave me a ride in his ultra-light. We flew over Beaver Lake (it was most enjoyable). Genie’s turn was next, as there is only room for one passenger at a time.
Genie and I became Forty-Niners on September 28, 2012. When you have been married 49 years, you are a Forty-Niner for one year.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
Rural Minnesota converges on Central Freeborn
Written by Jim LutgensAn Indian summer is defined as any fall day of 70 degrees or better after a killing frost of 26 degrees or less.
Fall started Saturday, Sept. 22. The temp was 26 degrees or less in many area locations Sunday morning Sept. 23. The temp was in the mid-70s Monday, Sept. 24. Thus, Monday was the first day of Indian summer. Indian summer can last until the end of October, or even the first part of November!
A very special thanks to the people of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church for selecting the first day of Indian summer to host their annual Fall Soup and Pie Supper.
Mary Ann Atchison was the chair, with Lettie Ann Anderson, Linda Anderson and Ruth Thompson, as the three co-chairs. They surrounded themselves with very good workers and the results showed it!
Workers and attendees, once again you showed in person the true meaning of Rural America. Six hundred forty-nine people purchased the meal and all of them were pleased and plan on attending next year (tentatively Monday, Sept. 23).
They came from Waseca, Meriden, Owatonna, Ellendale, Austin, Blooming Prairie, Lerdal, Albert Lea, Lansing Corners, Red Oak Grove, Wells, Matawan, Otisco, Lemond, Vista, Glenville, Gordonsville, Freeborn, Alden, Faribault, Janesville, Hope Northwood, Clear Lake Mason City, Waldorf – plus other area locations. Patrick of Golden, Colo. came from the farthest away.
There were nurses, doctors, bankers, farmers, lawyers, politicians, city government officials, both current and former Twins fans, John Deere personnel, wannabe politicians, firemen, Auxiliarians – and the list goes on and on.
For example: the chief of the Norwegian LeSueur River Tribe, Bud Tollefson, and the lovely Princess Katheryn; She Who Must Be Obeyed along with her obedient spouse Al Batt; The famous Tesch duo from Waseca, Russ and Marie; The Sommers’ spouses with their pancake-flipping husbands; Violet Hanssen and her professional KFC eater, Ed, from Glenville; Arlen, the professional house builder, and Coleen Brekke, who sells them, from Ellendale; my neighbors from Albert Lea; fellow Lions members – and the list goes on and on.
You name the town or occupation and it was represented by at least one of the 649 attendees who entered Central Freeborn Lutheran Church’s VIP entry door.
I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people attending who took the time to visit the gravesite of a friend or relative.
NOTE: In putting something in print, using the name of a person, one must be sure you don’t offend. In a recent article, I didn’t verify before printing. I blew it. To you whom I offended, please accept my apology.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
Labor Day morning, Sept. 3, Genie and I left from Beaver Lake for our annual one week stay at Arrowhead Lodge in the Big Horn Mountains above Sheridan, Wyo. Our first year of doing this was 1973.
We hopped on I-90 at Albert Lea, set the HHR Chevrolet cruise on 75 and headed west. Our first major stop was Mitchell, South Dakota, to look at the new corn theme on the outside of the Corn Palace. This year’s theme is sports, which features different colors of corn to form participants in different sports.
Our stop for the night was in the Super 8 Motel in Wall, South Dakota. The evening meal at Wall Drug, plus saying “Hi” to T-Rex in the Wall Drug back yard, is a “must-do.” Genie and I were so happy to see T-Rex that we danced to the music in the back yard!
We stayed at the Super 8 in Wall on our way out and way back. When in Wall, you must say hi to a great lady named Donna at the Super 8.
The next morning, Tuesday, we set the cruise control at 80 and headed west on I-90 (South Dakota and Wyoming speed limits are 75 versus 70 in Minnesota). We arrived at our destination, Arrowhead Lodge in the Big Horn Mountains (832 miles from Beaver Lake), Tuesday evening. Richard, a familiar employee of about nine years, with his big black cowboy hat, gave me a big “Howdy, welcome back,” and checked us into our favorite rustic Cabin 3.
Wednesday was a day of rest, to let our bodies get used to the high altitude of 7,700 feet.
Thursday was Porch Day, so we just goofed off around the lodge.
On Friday, we hiked up Black Mountain, an elevation of 9,500 feet. On the way up, it started to thunder and rain, so Genie went as far as the sign that says the top is one more mile, and returned to the car. I continued on to the top, where I performed a random act of kindness by leaving two rolls of T.P. in the outhouse at the top (I did get a little wet).
On Sunday, we attended the Ladies’ Retreat Service at Camp Bethel By Arrowhead Lodge (Genie and I were guests). Most inspiring in a casual setting.
All the Arrowhead employees know how to give Mountain Hospitality: Melissa and Matt as cooks, Karen and Dave in general maintenance, Clay and Pat as waiters, Yuki in housekeeping, Louise as the Older, Keep Things Organized Person and Richard as check-in plus bartender. We thought we could find a bad-service employee, but once again we were wrong.
Arrowhead Lodge is also known as “The Mule Deer Capital of Arkansas.” All the Arkansas Mule Deer male hunters were successful. Their female significant others were successful also, as the balance of every credit card went up while the men were gone.
There were even three non-hunters from Arkansas (Clayton, Wanda and Kristi). They did confess their credit card balances also went up.
As usual the three Wyoming Mountain Brothers (Dan, Frank, and Fred) were at Arrowhead. They fish a lot but never have any fish to prove it.
We watched a huge bull moose rubbing the velvet off his antlers while demolishing an eight-foot pine tree. A man walked up to our car to watch.
‘Twas then we met Richard and Betty Schroeder from Waseca, Minnesota. Small world, isn’t it, when you’re 832 miles from home and you meet people from 20 miles away!
When the urge hits you, while outdoors, you must know how to construct a “cat-hole.”
There are both black bears and grizzly bears in the Big Horn Mountains. It is strongly urged that when out walking, you carry a can of pepper spray and attach small bells to your clothing. By doing this you can tell the difference between the two, as black bear dung contains nut hulls, berry seeds and other plant residue, while grizzly bear dung contains tiny bells and cans of pepper spray!
Stacey from Belvidere, Vermont, who was celebrating her 45th birthday, and her two friends Tara and Adrianne from Florida, knew the above bear story.
To solve the potential problem, they bought a wooden baseball bat. When a bear was encountered, the one who ran the slowest got the bat!
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
Once again, it is time for one of the two “must attend” social events of the year. There will be hand shaking, back patting, a friendly “How are you?” along with “It’s good to see you.” All this will accompany a pleasant smile at the same time.
There will be old and young and in-between ages of males and females. All those attending are in the VIP classification – including you!
This is an eating event, so get those taste buds ready. Maybe even starve for a day!
Wild rice, chili, potato and chicken noodle soups will be served. Key lime, chocolate, apple and pumpkin are some of the pie choices, with vanilla ice cream!
Ah, yes, all for your presence, so come on down. Put on your eating shoes and boogie on over; I’ll be waiting at the side door to greet you.
Many of you know what I’m referring to; you just didn’t know when. This year, the Soup and Pie Supper at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church (just north of Albert Lea) will be from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, September 24.
Be one of the first 700 and you won’t have to worry about running out of food, as we’re planning on 700 plus.
The net proceeds of the Soup and Pie Supper will benefit “Youth For Christ” and “Children’s Vision International.” Please bring a non-perishable food item or two to help support the local food shelves.
Jerry Heideman and auctioneer Orville Johnson are the nominees for Best Worker As a Slacker. Please let me know as you leave who you think slacked off the most. I will publish the name of the runner-up in a future article.
This is the time of year to buy a cabin on a lake in Minnesota. It is definitely a buyer’s market until next spring. There are four with “For Sale” signs and at least three more for sale on the quiet side. There is even a “Lots For Sale” sign.
What lake? Beaver Lake.
There are currently 12 homes on Beaver Lake occupied the year around. Ten of the twelve go to work daily; the other two just go.
The average age of the cabin owners is 59, with most owners being retired. Very few of the cabin owners have school age children (under 21).
Ole and I were fishing off the DNR Dock on the east end of Beaver Lake. We grew tired of all the catch-and-release bass, so we decided to yack a while. (Ole is a very good yacker and I can hold my own.)
The conversation turned to wedding anniversaries. I remarked that his 50th was in June of 2013. He went on to say that he married into money, as Lena was from a well-to-do Norwegian family. For their 40th, Lena wanted to go to Norway, so they did.
Ole remarked it was the best anniversary that he ever had. After the anniversary in Norway, he had plenty of money and could spend it any way he wanted. He could go hunting, fishing, gambling, buy a new car or motorcycle – just live it up.
I asked Ole if he had any plans for his 50th. Ole replied as to how he was slowing down with age and he was short of money. He would be returning to Norway for his 50th. I asked why. Ole replied, “To get Lena.”
‘Twas then we went back to bass fishing!
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
A major event was held at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church (just west of Lemond, Minn. on the Lemond Road) on Saturday afternoon, August 15. This great event was the marriage of Lindsey Lee Schlueter and Nathan Lee Hanson.
An unseen guest was present whom I knew would be there. This unseen guest was Nathan’s grandfather, Harold Hanson (my father).
You see, when Pontoppidan Lutheran Church was rebuilt in 1963 (with Grandpa as one of the main members of the church leading the volunteer workers), Grandpa had a wish. He wanted to see a Hanson offspring married in Pontoppidan.
Nathan and Lindsey, you made this wish come true. Grandpa says, “Thanks.”
The Monday after the wedding, some of the nephews and nieces visited with Lois Farrell (nee Hanson) in Plymouth, Minn. Lois is the matriarch of the Hanson family. As matriarch, she gave each of us a hat of her many Norwegian travels and memories.
Sunday, September 9 is Grandparents Day. I know you had grandparents because without them, who would you be? Try “nobody” for the answer. Living or deceased, known or unknown, give thanks to your grandparents.
Arnold (formerly from this area) and Penny Kent invite you readers to stop in at “their” Hy-Vee store in Rochester. Rumor has it that they originated the slogan, “A Smile in Every Aisle.”
As wheels, they want to show you their smile. Arnold is at one Hy-Vee and Penny is at another. By the way, readers, giving a smile is even more enjoyable than receiving a smile.
There is a “By Invitation Only” restaurant in Waseca named “Teschies,” owned by Russ and Marie Tesch. As a Lutheran church lady officer, Genie was invited to a meeting held there and I got to go along. The restaurant food specialty is Dunkable Cookies (I had four!).
Many thanks to the Random Acts Of Kindness people who left three white plastic lawn chairs for anybody to use at the sandbar on the west side of Beaver Lake.
With Beaver Lake being so low, the sandbar was a gathering place for fishing, swimming, sunbathing, etc., during the hot days this summer. Once again, thanks.
I wrote about the “Genie Bra” last week. Genie showed me the package it came in, a major “No-No” as it said “Made in China.” Guess I’ll have to forward this info on to “Good Morning America” as they are pushing to buy only Made in the USA.
The Lady is back on the dock at cabin 74. She returned to Hawaii for a new hairdo, new skirt and some other cosmetic changes.
After being gone for a month, she plans on being here about a month, then back to Hawaii until returning to Beaver Lake next summer. Lady, you are beautiful.
At the annual Beaver Lake Cabin Owners’ Meeting, the two main items discussed were: 1. mosquito control, and 2. the possibility of opening the channel from Toft’s Creek to Beaver Lake to help maintain the water level in Beaver Lake. There was some discussion regarding the motorized traffic and how to solve the problem on the non-motorized path between Valhalla and the South Side.
I predict the price of sugar will go down, due to a sudden decrease in demand. The Baltimore Orioles left our feeder as of Tuesday, August 28 for their winter home.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
It’s an honor to have a celebrity spouse, especially when the spouse is named Genie.
The mechanical hoist is named “The Genie.” The new bra is named “The Genie Bra.” The best thing to come out of Iowa is not I-35, it is “Genie” from Clear Lake, Iowa.
In honor of the Seventh Decade of her life, Genie was treated to seven meals at seven different locations plus one coffee hour. She received thirty birthday cards plus numerous well-wishes over the phone and in person.
The Hanson relatives’ birthday celebration for Genie was held at Olivia’s Restaurant in Owatonna. Olivia most certainly knows how to get repeat business.
We were most blessed in having Olivia as our waitress. The coffee cup was never empty, she provided crayons and coloring books for the youngsters, the portions were man-sized, and the food and service were excellent. She made Genie feel like the queen of the occasion too. It may be a bit tricky to drive into, but all 14 of us from St Peter, Minnesota to Sacramento, California were very please with Olivia’s.
For your information, I tried to collect a royalty fee for using the name “Genie” for the hoist and the bra. No luck.
The copyright judge threw my case out by stating, “A copyright only lasts five decades, and Genie is in her seventh decade. Therefore, your claim is frivolous and Genie is most certainly not frivolous.”
We have a Cooper’s Hawk here at Beaver Lake with a connoisseur’s taste in food. The entrees that we have seen eaten are a “Sparrow on the Sand” and a “Blue Jay in the Grass.”
Fair Fact or Fiction – You Decide: 1. Two 70-plus-year-olds danced to the White Sidewalls at the Steele County Fair. 2. Genie and I were the dancing couple. 3. One of the singing Ebnets family from New Richland did not perform on stage at the Steele County Fair (the one who brings home his fishing catch via the local grocery store).
Many mornings you can see an old green Ford pickup with a boat trailer in the Beaver Lake parking lot. The old guy driver will be out on the lake water skiing. The green Ford and the guy are both in fantastic looking shape. Who is the older? Only Joel of the Blooming Prairie area knows!
Birds are flocking, leaves are turning, corn is dented, apples are ripe, night time temperature is fit for open window sleeping, the pollen count is high, and two beavers have made a year-round home in a tree at cabin 22 for themselves. (You must see the change in the former elm tree.) What do you think all this means? Someone is going to be the “Fall” guy for them.
How about that? A blue moon in August (The first was Aug. 1, the second Aug. 31).
The three baby ducks visit us every day for corn and bread crumbs. They have gotten a lot bigger and we know they are wood ducks. We can tell one is a female, one is a male, and the third one is questionable.
For the man who has everything, an excellent Christmas present could be: a mankini, and a murse. Yes, there is now a male bikini and a male purse. I wonder if Genie will give me a mankini and a murse for Christmas?
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
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For some reason, the acorn harvest is almost nothing at Beaver Lake this year. I think it is because of one or all four of the following: 1. A late frost this spring. 2. Lack of rain. 3. Weather too hot. 4. This is the year of a natural smaller crop (every other year’s crop is less than the previous year).
Kayla Bruder is a 14-year-old young lady bored with summer, loves school and is a very good fisherlady. Genie and I promised to take her fishing at Beaver Lake to see if she is really that good or if she just talks a good talk!
Kayla lucked out, as it was windy with black clouds and forecast rain, so she didn’t have to prove herself.
The three of us decided to go to the Spam Museum in Austin instead of chancing the weather fishing. The museum was very interesting.
We hadn’t seen everything by 1 p.m., so we decided to go to Johnny’s Restaurant in Austin for lunch. It was a very nice, clean place with a pleasant waitress. The main reason we went to Johnny’s was because Spam items are featured on their menu.
After lunch, we toured the rest of the museum, including the many Spam items for sale in the gift shop (clothing caps, earrings, you name it). A tired Kayla was home napping by 3:30 p.m.
Genie had a very busy 70th birthday. She celebrated with family at the Willows in New Richland for lunch. She was the reader at our church the day of her birthday, plus she served birthday cake at the coffee hour in church.
We also went to Trumble’s in Albert Lea for lunch on her birthday. She received many telephone calls, birthday cards, presents, and well wishes. Our children sent cards and presents plus telephone calls. As Genie said, it was a lot of work to turn 70, but it was very enjoyable.
Three summer residents of Beaver Lake have joined the latest trend. Susan DenHerder, Paula Hanson and Paul Hanson are the trendy residents. Their vocation and avocation are one and the same: namely, grandchildren. This trend is called “Retirement” by some!
Technology has caused many changes here at Beaver Lake. It used to be that I just put a chalk “X” on the side of the boat to mark the spot where I caught all the fish. Now GPS takes me right to the hot fishing spot.
Another change is how I fix pizza when fishing. It used to be that I had to quit fishing, go up to the cabin, fix it, eat it, and then go back to fishing on Beaver Lake. Now, I just use my cell phone to order a pizza, which is delivered to me at the boat landing. This way, I only miss about 15 minutes of fishing.
It used to be that when I caught a big fish and wanted to take a picture, I did so and hoped it would turn out okay after getting the film developed. Now, I take the picture on my smart phone, instantly look at it and decide whether or not it’s O.K.
An interesting use of the smart phone was when I was watching two bass fishermen taking pictures of a nice bass they caught. A motorized boat of water skiers drove through the lily pads close to them. Then, the bass fishermen started taking pictures of them on their smart phones.
Assuming the bass fishermen forwarded the pictures onto the DNR, some boat owner is going to be in for a surprise, as the boat license will show on the pictures. Because going through the lily pads in their motorized boat is breaking the law, this could be a prime example of that old song, “I Fought The Law and the Law Won.”
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
Grace Lutheran Church of Albert Lea and F.R.O.G. of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church Rural Albert Lea sponsored a bus for Lutheran Night at the Twins both Monday and Tuesday night.
Both games were exciting, as the Twins won by one run on Monday night and lost by one run on Tuesday night against the division-leading Chicago White Sox.
A total of 112 Twins tickets were purchased, with 111 sold. The Monday night bus was full while the Tuesday night bus had one vacancy.
The Twins bus fans were from Ellendale, Geneva, Waseca, Rochester, Alden, Hartland, New Richland, Emmons, Clarks Grove, Otisco, Glenville, Albert Lea, Northwood, Clear Lake, and Blooming Prairie, plus other area towns. Surprisingly, neither the town of Lemond nor the town of Steele Center was represented.
Nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, grandkids, sons, daughters, cousins, spouses, brothers, sisters – only area dignitaries were allowed on the buses.
A sister from the Hartland area brought a sister from Waseca. A sister from the Otisco area brought a sister and her children from Lake Mills. Two families had their adult children meet them at the ball park.
Darin Passer of Albert Lea celebrated his birthday by going to the game Tuesday night. His name and a “Happy Birthday” was on the Twins scoreboard (Yes, he got a picture of it!). The bus people also sang “Happy Birthday” to Darin.
Three generations of the Shultz family were on the bus. It was decided that fourth generation Kayla Lou, born May 7, 2012, was a bit too young to enjoy the Twins (those attending on the bus ranged in age from four to 84).
All Lutheran Church bodies were represented by dignitaries. The opening pitch at each game was thrown out by the hefty lady from the Church Basement Ladies (The baseball was thrown about halfway to Home Plate). The ladies also helped lead in singing the National Anthem.
There were even people from the bus who had their names drawn. Nathan Rork of Clear Lake, Iowa was drawn to be part of the group in Center Field leading in singing the National Anthem on Monday night. Genie Hanson, with her “Circle Me, Bert, I’m Almost 70,” was drawn to lead Tuesday night.
The other ten prizes on each bus were Twins-related items, for example: 2012 Yearbook, fishing lure, Rubber Duck baseball cap, 1987 and 1991 World Series ice cream bucket, coke can, etc.
Thanks to Dairy Queen in Waseca and Dairy Queen North in Albert Lea for giving coupons as prizes on each Twins bus. Stop in at Waseca or Albert Lea, mention this article to Katie or Pat in Waseca or Le Ann or Genesis in Albert Lea, and you will be given a coupon for your next purchase. This is in addition to a Senior Discount if you qualify. Katie, Pat, Le Ann, Genesis, you’re great!
The next F.R.O.G. bus trip will be leaving Albert Lea at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 1 to Clear Lake, Iowa for Christmas by the Lake. This includes the lit Christmas parade, fireworks over the lake, KFC buffet, drive through a live Nativity scene, and back to Albert Lea by 9 p.m. Details and cost later.
The Historical Society meeting at the Old Boat House Saturday morning, August 4, was most interesting. See Chuck Crabtree for the info on the twitching of cows’ tails in Beaver Lake. See Barb Mrotz for the proper apparel when you went to Beaver Lake in the Old Days.
A reminder to Beaver Lake cabin occupants of the Annual Association Meeting Sunday, August 26 at 1 p.m. in the Beaver Lake Park Pavilion. Be sure to have lunch before attending, as these will be “No Free Lunch.”
If you were a teacher and your wife was a homemaker, and you had sons Chris and Erik with a doggie named Meeko – would you like to spend part of your summer vacation at a cabin on a lake? Even if it meant driving 2,000 miles one way? The answer was a definitive “yes” to the Todd and Renee Olson family of California staying in their cabin on Beaver Lake.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
There is a sign on a pole just across the boat ramp at Bever Lake. I think maybe it has something to do with the hot, hot, hot weather. It reads, “Snowmobile Trail Closed.”
The lack of rain, plus the hot weather, has caused the lake level to drop about 10 inches since the 1st of July.
The warmest lake temperature close to the surface was 86 degrees with may days in the low 80s. This caused all the fish to be in deeper water (2 feet or more).
As of this writing, there have been four mornings with the air temperature in the high 50s or low 60s. This has caused Beaver Lake to look like a sauna with all the steam coming off the water. I’ve seen lot of sunnies plus some nice size bass in less than a foot of water in the lily pads.
Rembmer the one about the two Canadian honkers with five baby geese that I wrote about July 26? Something has happened to the leader of the seven as it can’t fly. This has caused utter chaos as some will want to fly but the leader can’t fly. The leader will honk, splash the water, swim in circles, anything to get the group back in line when they swim from one place to another.
We have three idential baby wild ducks that are orphans. Why no parents? We don’t know. The abies can’t fly as their wings aren’t fully developed. they visit us every day for shelled corn and small hunks of bread. Their names are Curly, Shemp and Moe. Which one is Curly? Only they know. We think they are all blue-winged teal.
Beaver Lake was visited by several dignitaries on a beautiful coolish Friday. They went around Beaver Lake several times on two differece pontoons, followed by lunch at Beaver Lake Park. Where were these dignitaries from? The place where more VIPs go in and out every day than any other area business (Whispering Oak).
Hustle on over this Saturday, August 11 to North Waseca Lutheran Church. Be there at 7 p.m. with your animal for Blessing of the Animals by Pastor Nancy Hansen. All animals with their humans are welcomed. Pastor Nancy is the daughter-in-law of Philip and Verdelle Hansen of Clarks Grove.
Sunday, August 12 is a national holiday. Genie is honoring that day by being the reader at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. She is also passing a milestone in her life by going from one decade to another. You go, girl go! (By the way, Paul Hanson of Beaver Lake is celebrating that day too).
A reminder to all you readers of one of the two must-attend social events of the year, Monday, September 24 at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, where Wayne “Soup” Indrelie and Bob “Pie” Hanson plan on greeting you at the door.
What do two bored male lifeguards do at the Beaver Lake beach? They build an English castle complete with a moat, drawbridge, turret, flags, etc. The whole show out of dampened sand! I would guess they are majoring in sand castle architecture. An excellent building feat. Good show, guys.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.
What are you doing this Saturday morning, August 4th? Be at the Old Boathouse on Beaver Lake for interesting stories about the history of Beaver Lake. This is the yearly August Ellendale Historical Society meeting about Beaver Lake. Get there early so you don’t miss out on the breakfast goodies! Many of the stories will be fact; some might be fiction. Welcome all – no admission fee.
Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five – but six water skiers behind one boat at the same time was seen last week on Beaver Lake.
The TV Channel 6 weatherman said it was a good night to possibly see Northern Lights. He said to find a flat, level area where you could get a good view of the north horizon. I did this by walking south from our cabin on the South Beaver Lake Road. I turned around and looked north, and the weatherman was right. I saw one Northern Light – our neighbors in cabin 68 had left their outside light on. I unscrewed the light bulb. That ended the Northern Light display, so I went to bed a bit disgusted.
In Southern Minnesota the hottest days of summer are referred to as “dog days.” Dog days are always in August. August is the time of many area fairs. Do you suppose we haven’t had the hottest days yet in the summer of 2012?
Genie and I met them at the North DQ in Albert Lea. We noticed they were driving a pickup truck and new trailer licensed in South Dakota. In visiting with them, he said they had spent all their cash on the new trailer and her shopping at Northbridge Mall.
Why am I telling you all this? Because we like to eat pheasants. Their business is called Double D Pheasants at Corsica, South Dakota, phone 605-946-5826 (Dave Bultje). Dave does guiding with dogs and lodging of pheasant hunters. If you call and use his service, Dave promises to deliver two rooster pheasants, ready for the oven, to us. Please mention this article when you call and he will give you a special Minnesota rate.
What local business has more VIPs go through their door in a single day than any other business in the area? If you said “Whispering Oak” of Ellendale, you’re right on.
Did you know that a well-known lady from East Freeborn Lutheran Church takes time out of her busy schedule to faithfully read this article every week? Janet Jerdee, I didn’t know this until your hubby Odean spilled the beans (and now, readers, you know, too).
Once again a Beaver Lake resident charmed then with her musical ability. She was the Music Director for “Oliver!” put on by the Albert Lea Community Theatre. Norrine Jensen, you have brought sweet music to many an ear with your musical ability. Thanks. (Thanks to Hubby Ed for his great support in Norrine’s endeavors.)
According to Ecclesiastes Chap. 3 in that best selling book, there is a time for everything. A time to be born (06-12-1920), a time to be an usher at our wedding (09-28-1963). A time to die (07-22-2012).
I don’t know who coined the phrase “Minnesota nice,” but you certainly were, in all your contacts with people. Vernon Moe, “you da man!”
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. 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. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, 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.