Fact Or Fiction? (175)
Ecclesiastes 3:18: a time to be born a time to die.
Leslie Miller Olson, 8-21-29 born, 2-7-15 died. Per the service at the Hartland Evangelical Church on February 11, 2015, “I have called you by name, Leslie. You are mine,” read the banner on the wall.
One could say Les was a fun loving, grandpa-type, Bible-reading Hartlandite person loved by all who knew him.
“I have loved Ila with an everlasting love,” (Jeremiah 31:3) was the banner at the memorial service for Ila Joan Schmidt on Saturday, February 14 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden.
Ila was one great sweetheart of a lady that one had to love. Most appropriately, her memorial service was held on Sweethearts (Valentine’s) Day. Blessed be the memory of her voice and neat giggle.
A test of intelligence of the local ice fish residents. Where are there a lot of fish houses on St. Olaf Lake and only one or two on Beaver Lake? Where are the crappies biting? Are the crappies in Beaver Lake smarter or dumber than those in St. Olaf Lake? Are the fish house residents at Beaver Lake smarter or dumber than those at St. Olaf Lake? The nice fish house residents at which lake watched the movie, “Dumb and Dumber?”
Per Minnesota Outdoor News, a group of juveniles decided to ram fish houses with their truck. They rammed the first house, but it was a spear house and they ended up dropping the front end of their truk into the spear hole, in the process getting stuck. Several charges are pending, along with a hefty tow bill.
It is rumored that the law enforcement of the above incident has recommended the above juveniles star in the sequel to “Dumb and Dumber.”
The popularity of ice fishing is on the rise. For example, up 12 percent in the last five years. There were more than 11,000 at the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza and Gull Lakes.
The deadline for the removal of fish house is March 2 in Southern Minnesota and March 16 in Northern Minnesota. A word to the wise: the conservation officer just might have marked your fish house location with GPS. If there is trash left on the ice, you are subject to a $1,000 fine.
Genie and I enjoyed this Valentine’s Day a big differently. Not only did we exchange Valentine’s cards, we also enjoyed a DQ Valentine ice cream cake with red X’s and O’s.
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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.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is my favorite part of the Bible. It tells us there is a right time for everything. For example: a time to fish, a time not to fish. A time to be born, a time to die. A time to say hello, a time to say goodbye.
On Thursday, January 22, Ross Heilman, Paul Proft and I decided it was time to go ice fishing. We drove to Ortonville, MN where we rented a fish house from Artie’s Fish House Rental on Big Stone Lake – the hottest perch factory in Minnesota.
The fish house had everything: bunk beds, LP thermostat-controlled heating, indoor toilet, stove and oven, six fish holes, AM-FM radio, generator-powered electricity – the works.
After 24 hours we realized it was not the time to go fishing. We had three bites and caught one sunfish.
Donald K. Batt – a time to be born: January 15, 1933. A time to die: January 13, 2015.
Presiding at the service on January 24, 2015 was Rev. Shawn Stafford. He used Ecclesiastes as part of the service. A banner hung on the wall, stating “I have called you, Donald, and you are Mine.” The American Legion and VFW honor guards honored Don for his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. The Hartland Fire Department was well represented, with members plus a uniform and boots with a ready fire truck in front of the Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church in honor of his 30 years as a volunteer, 25 of those years as Fire Chief.
Donald, at his time to die, was honored not only here on earth but also by the banner on the wall in the church.
A time to say hello, a time to say goodbye.
About eight short years ago I said hello to Captains Jim and Lee Brickson of the Salvation Army when they arrived in Albert Lea.
On Sunday, January 25, 2015 I said goodbye to two of God’s great people, as they are each taking a position in Brooklyn Park. Yes, I will miss talking to the walleye ice fisherman who is just a bit better fisherman than I am.
A time to celebrate my birthday of January 23 was January 27 at the Old Mill Restaurant in Austin. A delicious meal with a birthday sundae and two spoons was enjoyed by Genie and me.
As we were leaving, so were Jerry Olson of Rochester and Virgil Thofson of Hartland (both New Richland High School graduates) and their lovely CEO-spouses. Small world, isn’t it?
This column most certainly proves, as Ecclesiastes states, “There is a right time for everything.”
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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.
View from the Salvation Army Christmas kettle
Written by AdministratorThis will be another one of my hop-scotch articles. (You might call it a running of the words.)
A sure sign of good economic times is when the price per gallon of gas in Hartland is at or a bit less than the population.
I busted a front tooth which required a visit to the local dentist. In looking at the situation, Mary Jo scolded me with these words of wisdom, “Your front teeth are for viewing, not chewing.”
A quote from Nancy Jane to her bakery in New Richland, “Pie fixes everything.”
Smart car license seen in Albert Lea, HI-IQ.
My nephew Brian is a soccer coach at St. Peter. His brother Brad (also my nephew) is a basketball coach at Faribault. In attending the games in Albert Lea, I was criticized for sitting in the wrong fans section. My answer, “Blood runs thicker than residency.”
A flock of mud hens, also known as coots, in migrating south, landed on Lake Geneva to rest before continuing. The air temperature nose dived freezing the water. As you know, coots must have open water as they paddle the surface water on take off. Two pairs of adult bald eagles recognized the coots problem and solved it one coot at a time.
Gary and Cindy Fisher hosted a family noon Christmas Day feast at their farm place. The only requirement was to attend with an empty tummy and an empty plastic food container, which we did. Of course, both tummy and container were full when we left. (Gary is an employee of Gopher Stop in Ellendale.)
How’s this time frame for service? We accidentally break the grill on our microwave oven. December 11 we stop at Sorenson’s Appliance in Geneva with the old grill to order a new grill. We were told they would order a new grill and call us when it was in. Dec. 17 we were called but not home to take the message. Dec. 18 we were called in the a.m. to be home in the p.m. and John would deliver the new grill. John not only delivered the new grill, he also installed it. Guess who gets our vote for the Number One Appliance Area Business?
Some of my great moments while ringing the Salvation Army bell in Albert Lea were:
A lady, after putting money in the kettle, asked if I had lunch yet. The answer was no and she gave me a Snickers candy bar.
A lady asked if I would let her daughter (age 9) ring the bell while she was gone a few minutes. I did and the mom returned with a big smile and whispered to me she didn’t want her daughter to see her Christmas present as they both put money in the kettle.
A lady with 4 young daughters all put money in the kettle. Mom asked if the daughters could sing their favorite Christmas song. They beautifully sang their version of “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
A fellow Hanson, as he put a ten dollar bill in the kettle, stated he always gave a ten toward the end of the campaign.
A farmer friend stopped and asked if I had a bucket list. He explained ringing the bell was on his bucket list. I gave him the bell and said I’m going to the men’s room. When I came back he gave me the bell with a big smile and thanks as he put a twenty in the bucket.
Genie and I said goodbye to 2014 with a toast of Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry. We said hello to 2015 with breakfast from McDonald’s.
May your opportunities in 2015 be greater than you expected.
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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.
Three Wise Men from the East decided to do a three-day pilgrimage to the West and return. (Bob Goete from Austin, Bob Hanson from Albert Lea and Paul Proft from Owatonna were the Three Wise Men.)
After leaving late in the day on a Sunday, they would stay at the halfway point, being Jackpot Junction Hotel in Morton, MN.
They had a holiday coupon that was good for a $45 hotel rate with $10 free play for each plus a B.O.G.O. (Buy One Get One Buffet Dinner Free).
Departure from Jackpot was early Monday morning, to arrive at their destination of Artie’s Fish House Rental on Big Stone Lake in Ortonville, MN by noon. The reason being, Big Stone Lake is the hottest perch fishery in Minnesota.
They had a face fish house reserved from Monday noon until Wednesday noon. The Fish House had bunk beds, LP heat, indoor plumbing, stove for cooking, six holes, TV – you name it. The only thing missing was the Three Wise Men!
The closer the departure date, the more excited the Three Wise Men were to go.
On Friday, before the Sunday departure, Artie called. He wanted to know if the Wise Men could walk on water, as there was about three inches of water on the lake plus the shore ice was gone. Their answer was, they knew a guy who could, but they couldn’t.
Artie volunteered to let them each have a jet ski to go out on the lake fishing. The wise men declined the offer; thus the pilgrimage was cancelled.
The Three Wise Men were certain that the cancellation was due to global warming.
They decided to hold a Global Warming Summit (like the Pheasant Summit held December 13 at Marshall, MN), to make global warming illegal during the hard-water fishing season in Minnesota.
The summit will be held February 29, 2015 at the Holiday Inn of Owatonna. Cabela’s of Owatonna will help host the summit, with Beaver Lake in Steele County the demonstration lake for ice-fishing-related summit programs.
For info and registration go to www.globalwarmingsummit.com.
Your input and donations will be put to the solving of global warming.
Thank you in advance,
The Three Wise Men,
Bob, Bob and Paul.
On a balmy Saturday December 6th with the temperature of 39 degrees, 56 people boarded a coach bus in Albert Lea. With Marilyn Matson at the helm, the bus sponsored by Fully Rely on God (F.R.O.G.) of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, headed south on I-35.
Twelve games of “Deal or No Deal” were played on the bus. Winners were Gene Wangen, Diane Wangen, Betty Gulbrandson, Starr Hanson, Donna Stolaas, Trudy Moberg, Linda Boroff, Darlene Hauge, Diane Elmer, Becky Boelter, Cassandra Johnson, and Dorothy Kirsch.
A Christmas stocking from the Albert Lea Chamber of Commerce shaped like a litter bag was given to each person on the bus. In the bag were coupons from Keith at Slumberland, Jamie at DQ South, Sara and Holly at Perkins and Guyla at KFC.
We reached our destination of “Christmas by the Lake” and Marilyn parked the bus such that we could see the lighted Christmas parade and the fireworks shot over the ice from the bus. We even had about an hour to tour main street with all the Christmas activities.
After the excellent fireworks, with a loud fireball at the end, we headed for KFC. Mari and staff greeted us empty and sent us full back to Albert Lea after an All You Want buffet. They even sent left overs with us!
To show our appreciation Lowell Elmer led us in singing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” as we departed in a bright full moon.
The evening concluded with Marilyn driving the bus through the live nativity at the Christian church on Marshall Street in Albert Lea.
By now most of you have figured out the bus went south of the border to Clear Lake, Iowa. The Chamber of Commerce staff in Clear Lake rate a 12 on a scale of one to ten. Libby helped us with arrangements plus prizes on the bus. Every Chamber has a character on the staff with Clear Lake being no exception. Her name tag, the name plate on her desk, her tattoo plus her Iowa car license all say the same one word, “Kweenbe.”
The Christmas by the Lake bus is planned for December 7, 2015. (It is always the first Saturday in December.)
The next planned F.R.O.G. party is a Valentine’s Day party with pizza and pop followed by 12 games of fast moving Norwegian Bingo and ending with an ice cream buffet at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church on Saturday evening February 7th.
Many, many moons ago at this time, Mary ad Joseph were really in a bind, as she was about ready to deliver a son and they couldn’t find an inn to stay at. The little feller born in a manger was named Jesus. Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.
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Lorraine Haug: I have a room waiting for you. I have called you and now you are mine. GOD
Readers – is there a room waiting for you?
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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.
On Thursday, Nov. 6, Genie and I headed north from Albert Lea on our annual Sabbatical to the North Woods (Genie calls it “extended socializing;” I call it “Deer Hunting.”)
I hunted two to three hours in the morning for six of the 16 mornings. Each morning was plus-or-minus five degrees from zero with 15 to 30 miles per hour wind. No deer seen with one constant, “I was cold each morning as I left the woods.”
Socializing kept us busy. Genie and Sandy Roscoe, formerly of Albert Lea, met Tim and Brenda Bauer, formerly of Clarks Grove, for lunch at Park Rapids. Genie attended the “Does Only” champagne brunch at Patrick’s in Longville with Sandy Roscoe.
We drove to Grand Forks to visit and have lunch with Alex and Jack Knudson, graudates of Albert Lea High School and college students.
We drove to Baudette, Minn. for lunch with Carol Edstrom, and attended the Holiday Craft and Vendor Extravaganza at Lake of the Woods School on the scenic Lady Slipper Highway #11 west of town.
We attended the Veterans Day Breakfast and the evening meal on November 11.
We attended Trinity Lutheran Church on Highway 2 just west of Cass Lake the three Sundays of our Sabbatical. (Genie also attended the Monday activities.) One Sunday, Pastor Janeva announced organist Wayne would be playing a rock version of “This Little Light of Mine.” He did, we tapped our feet, rocked and sang, with a well deserved round of applause for Wayne.
Genie and Grace Nason attended “Fiddler on the Roof” musical in Bemidji. Later Charlie Nason and I joined them for dinner at the Palace in Cass Lake.
By now most of you are aware that this is the 50th anniversary of a national Christmas tree adorning the U.S. capitol building’s West Lawn in D.C. The tree for 2014 is from the Chippewa National Forest east of Cass Lake. I was lucky enough to get to know Reverend George Ross (from Cass Lake) who will be going to D.C. to partake in the lighting ceremonies. Rev. George promised to mouth “Hi, Bob” during the TV newscast.
We stayed at the Palace Hotel in Cass Lake. Genie and I both know a good thing is something to keep returning to, and we do. I guess you could say the ambience and the amenities cause us to keep going back. Putting it another way, it is the ABC’s of the Palace (along with many others) for example: Anita, Alice, Adria, Audrey, Anna, Andrew, Angela, Amy, Andy, Alicia, Ami, Adam and many other A’s. For example: Ben, Bill, Brandi, Brian, Bryan, Brenda, Becky, and many other B’s. For example: Charlee, Casondra, Cliff, Cody, Cassie, Cheryl, Chris, Carol, Clinton, Colleen and many other C’s.
Thanks to Brennon at White Oaks for helping me get registered for the Veterans Day activities.
Thanks to Jordan at White Oaks for correcting a computer glitch.
Janet and Roger at Northern Lights in Walker are most certainly prime examples of Minnesota Nice.
After this trip, I now know two lady CEO’s: Audrey at the Palace, and Genie!
The telephone number for the Young and Young at Heart is 951-262-3062.
Do you know who is the Reason for the Season?
This year’s theme at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota was very interesting to me. In fact, so interesting that I’m donating most of this column to that very theme: “Remember When?” Put those two words in front of each of the following statements as you read this.
• Outdoor toilets weren’t portable.
• Most people failed the driving test to get their driver’s license (there was no driver’s ed.)
• Canadian geese weren’t plentiful.
• You could go to a movie with popcorn for less than five dollars.
• McDonald’s had only one kind of coffee.
• The interstate speed limit was 55.
• A box of crayons was either 8 or 16.
• All barns were red.
• A fish house was heated with wood.
• A windmill was for water, not electricity.
• Helicopters were not used for crop dusting.
• Your fingers did the telephone dialing.
• There wasn’t a computer in your house.
• There was a school in Hartland, Hope, Geneva and Clarks Grove.
• There was a restaurant at the junction of Minn. 30 and I35.
• Highway 14 went through Waseca and Owatonna.
• There was an “Uncle Sam” in every post office, with the words, “wants you.”
• New Richland and Ellendale each had a weekly newspaper.
• Flat tires were very common.
• Pheasants outnumbered turkeys.
• All pickup trucks had 2 doors.
• Your car didn’t shut off the lights if you didn’t.
• There weren’t any coyotes.
• Every Sunday church service began and ended with the ringing of the bell.
• You could drive north through Hope, take a right turn and cross the Straight River while driving east.
• Ellendale and New Richland were separate high schools.
• A rural address was rural route.
• There was a summer drive-in restaurant at the Junction of Minnesota 13 and 30 in New Richland.
• There weren’t any girls’ team sports in high school.
• A phone wasn’t a camera or anything else.
• You could drive the Lemond Road from Pontoppidan Lutheran Church to Owatonna.
• Jack rabbits and red foxes were common.
• Town water towers were silver colored.
• Everyone had a special “go-to” church Sunday outfit.
• Most people smoked cigarettes – especially movie stars.
• Christmas at Grandma’s was a few miles away.
• Your first fishing pole was not a rod and reel.
• You had to have a TV antenna to get a TV reception.
• Most homes had a one car garage.
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Christmas by the Lake is the first Saturday in December yearly at Clear Lake, Iowa.
F.R.O.G. of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church has a bus departing at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 6 from behind Slumberland in Albert Lea to Christmas by the Lake.
You can tour the activities on Main Street, view the lighted Christmas parade followed by fireworks over the lake (the parade and fireworks can be viewed from the bus) and then a KFC buffet meal in Clear Lake.
“Deal or No Deal” will be played on the bus en route to Clear Lake for prizes.
Reservations are needed. Contact Bob or Genie Hanson at 373-8655 or Wayne or Bev Inderlier at 826-3267 to attend. The price is $26 per person, with $5 cash back per person if the 56 passenger coach bus is full.
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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.
Genie and I decided to celebrate the first anniversary of our 50th anniversary.
We were going to celebrate the day (Sunday, Sept. 28) of our anniversary only, but then we decided it was worth at least a week-long celebration. But after second thoughts, we decided a continuous week of celebrating was more than our ages could handle. We decided on a two-week celebration with days of rest within the two weeks.
Following is our two-week celebration:
Saturday, Sept. 27 was the 10th anniversary of my fiftieth graduation from New Richland High School. Lynn (Jeddeloh) Bartness, LaJune (Strand) Hagen, Bill Goette, Bob Hanson, and Dale Newgard were the local organizers (Four of them did such a good job in letting Lynn do most of the work!) of the reunion held at the American Legion in Albert Lea. After an hour of conversation (consisting mainly of trying to remember), an excellent meal was served by the Legion staff.
The after-dinner program was very good. Merlyn Proechel tried to get us to remember our senior year – he was the only one to remember! An anonymous class member gave everyone a present: a five-dollar Minnesota Lottery scratch ticket plus a penny to scratch it. Andy Mucha was the big winner, as he was two cents away from his first million. (Spouse Doreen matched his penny, so he made it!)
Paul Arnfelt asked his fellow classmates, “Would you like to look ten years younger?” He then passed around the class picture of ten years ago! It was decided our next class reunion would be in two years, when we would celebrate our thirtieth year of being age fifty. Darlene (Molkenthin) Johnson agreed to chair the event.
Sunday, Sept. 28, was the actual day of our wedding. We celebrated by serving the coffee hour at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. Pie, ice cream, breakfast rolls, anniversary cake, and other sweets plus beverage was the menu.
Monday, Sept. 29 was a day of rest, with a power nap in the afternoon.
Tuesday, Sept. 30 was a repeat of the previous day.
Wednesday, Oct. 1 was the “Same T’ing” of the previous two days.
Thursday, Oct. 2 we were school guides at the Rendezvous in Albert Lea. My cousin Cheryl (Hanson) Davis from Sacramento, CA arrived for a week in Minnesota.
Friday, Oct. 3 was another “Same T’ing” day of rest.
Saturday, Oct. 4 was another “Same T’ing” day of rest.
Sunday, Oct. 5 was Church Day at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church.
Monday, Oct. 6 was lunch at Trumble’s with cousins Cheryl and Doug Olson.
Tuesday, Oct. 7 was an evening of dinner and dancing at the country club in Austin. (We are members of the Dance Club “Cotillion” in Austin.)
Wednesday, Oct. 8 was lunch at Macy’s in Minnetonka. Aunt Lois (Hanson) Farrell, matriarch of the Hanson Tribe, treated cousin Cheryl, Genie and me. She then took us to her “Eighth Floor Lady Cave” for ice cream and cookies.
Thursday, Oct. 9 we were part of Reader’s Theater at Hawthorne School in Albert Lea.
“Sam T’ing” is our current vocation!
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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.
The Powers That Be (The Church Council) at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church decided to end the summer of 2014 with a bash – namely the annual Soup and Pie Supper the last day of summer, Monday, Sept. 22, 2014. (In many circles, this is also the Social Event of the Year!)
Once again the Church Council proved their prophetic ability. There was no wind, no rain, the sun shone brightly, temperature in the low 70s, even a few summer-ending mosquitoes. It was so nice that some of the attendees enjoyed their meal while sitting on the veranda patio overlooking a beautiful view of the valley.
The parking lot attendants (Bob Hanson, Wayne Indrelie, and Barry Moszer) did an excellent job, as no paperwork was needed for any car insurance company or OSHA. Their motto of, “A full Driver is a Happy Driver,” was also fulfilled (Thanks to their fellows inside, the church workers).
You entered a special door, paid for the meal and decision time began. A gluten-free soup was fixed by Sue. Wild rice soup was fixed by Donna, Mary Lee, and Audrey. Chili was fixed by Kathy and Karen. Potato soup was fixed by Carol and Dianne. Chicken noodle soup was fixed by Evelyn and Mary Ann. After selecting your choice of soup and choice of beverage, a place was found for you to sit down and test the elasticity of your undergarment with more soup or your choice of pie with or without Blue Bunny vanilla.
If you had to wait to be seated to eat, you could wait in the church proper with music provided by Ken Bertelson, Orville and Irene Goskeson or Clarence Heavner. (Clarence even strolled through the dining room with music flowing from his squeeze box.)
Six hundred and 20 people came, got out of their vehicles and walked at a fast pace to get in to eat. The same 620 people left at a much slower pace!
Who were these 620 people? Their ages ranged from very young to very young at heart. Some were making Social Security deposits while others were taking Social Security withdrawals. Their occupations ranged from teachers to preachers to pancake flippers to homemakers to home builders to money lenders to retired money spenders. You name the occupation and it was represented.
The following clans of a town were represented with a VIP: Tesch, Waseca; Olson, Hartland; Tollefson, New Richland; Groskreutz, Wells; Sommers, Ellendale; Langlie, Ellendale; Haug, Clarks Grove; Peterson, Alden; Anderson, Albert Lea; Thompson, Albert Lea, plus many other clans and towns.
I am snowed with the following request I was given: “Please put in your column, ‘Fritz and Snickle-Fritz were here, too.’” (The request is now honored.)
The Freeborn County Historical Museum and the local “Y” were recipients of the net proceeds from this year’s Soup and Pie Supper. They did an outstanding job in greeting people, serving people and cleanup.
A very special thinks to the people at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church for making this event a success. Mary Ann Atchison was the chair with Dianne Thompson, Sharon Johnson, and Sue Mickelson, the three co-chairs. They surrounded themselves with good workers and the results showed it!
Workers and attendees, once again you showed, in person, the true meaning of “Rural America.”
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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.
Labor Day morning, Sept. 1, Genie and I left from Albert Lea for our annual one-week stay at Arrowhead Lodge in the Big Horn Mountains above Sheridan, Wyoming. This tradition began in 1973.
We hopped on I-90 at Albert Lea, set the HHR Chevrolet cruise at 75, and headed west.
Our first major stop was Mitchell, S.D., to look at the new corn theme on the outside of the Corn Palace. This year’s theme is, “Remember When?” with various items done in corn. (For example, an old phone, a horse and wagon, and an outhouse were some of the old items.)
Four hundred and 75 miles later we pulled into Wall, S.D., to eat the evening meal at Wall Drug and say hi to my old buddy T. Rex in the Wall Drug back yard. (This stop is a must-do.) T. Rex eats every 12 minutes, completely devouring every 12th person he sees. (We could see the red hair in between his teeth from his latest entrée!)
Our great place to stay the night in Wall is the Super 8 Motel. All the employees are very friendly except the General Manager Lane O’Rourke. (I even have a business card signed “Unfriendly” by her!)
She is the CEO of their ranch. (I hope she lets her hubby and kids read this column.)
Tuesday morning we are on our way with the cruise set at 80. Crossing into Wyoming, the cruise is set at 85. (Minnesota speed limit is 70 compared to 75 in South Dakota and 80 in Wyoming.)
We arrived at our destination, Arrowhead Lodge, 7700 feet elevation, in the Big Horn Mountains Tuesday evening — 815 miles from Albert Lea. With a welcome and a handshake, Richard checked us into our favorite rustic cabin #3. (Per Richard, this was the 10th year in a row he checked us in.) Yuki, Clay, Mike and Dale, all employees from previous years, found us later with hugs and handshakes.
As usual, two Wyoming mountain brothers (Dan and Fred) were there to greet us with their tales of hunting and fishing. Nate (grandson of Dan) was there so most of their stories were believable.
Jim Palmer, graduate of Albert Lea High School, was there along with two deer hunting buddies all from the Mankato, MN area.
Rustic Cabin #15 had the same banner as last year across the front (“Mule Deer Capital of Arkansas”). There were 16 male Arkansas mule deer bowhunters in five cabins. Thirteen of the 16 got a muley. The other three all had good excuses like “a moving tree got in the way,” “the arrow was bent” or “the altitude gravitation force pulled my arrow downward.”
The hunters have formed an exclusive club called “MAMO” (abbreviation for “Muley Arkansas Men Only”). This elite club even has a mascot. The main duty of the mascot is to keep an ample supply of firewood on hand for the campfire ring. The name of the mascot is Sally (a well-behaved retrieving Black Lab).
Their age ranged from 12 to the right side of 70. Jeffery Beshears, age 12, of Damascus, Ark. was the youngest, and also first-time, deer hunter. (Reader, if you’re a deer hunter, remember your first deer hunt and al the excitement.)
A interesting statistic put out by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was that Arkansas led the U.S. in the percentage increase on credit cards for the Labor Day week. In further analysis it was found that this increase was by “Lady CEOs” who had family members in the MAMO club!
On Sunday morning we attended the Ladies’ Retreat Service at Camp Bethel by Arrrowhead Lodge as guests. Awesome setting, awesome experience. Sunday after dark, Clay and Juki invited us to their fire ring. A full moon, owls hooting, and an occasional bugle from an elk while we were at about 8,000 feet elevation. That was the kind of Sunday that would make an atheist wonder.
When we left Arrowhead Lodge on Tuesday morning, we drove through clouds down the mountain. A snowstorm was predicted for Tuesday evening with up to a foot of snow at Arrowhead lodge. Yes, the prediction came true!
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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.
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F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely On God) is an outreach mission of our church, Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. Genie and I are co-chairs of F.R.O.G. We have a box (as does everybody) with our name on it in church. In our box, in April, was an unopened jar of jam with the label F.R.O.G. The jam is very good, but the problem is, the jar is almost empty. To whomever left the jar – we are ready for another.
Following is the powerful message from the funeral of Jennetta Ann Knudson held at First Baptist Church in Albert Lea: “If the song is to continue, we must all do the singing.” (What a neat way of saying “United we stand, divided we fall.”)
A fancy sign on the front door of a Lutheran church in Garner, Iowa reads: “Please wipe thy feet first before entering.” Just below the fancy sign is a scruffy looking hand-printed sign reading, “Please send thy rain first.” (The rain sign has been removed after the recent rains.)
I let it be known in my neighborhood about my free give-away. The following were the enticing requirements:
1. Could shimmy up a greased clothesline pole.
2. Could jump three feet from a standstill.
3. Could jump five feet from a run.
4. Could walk a tight wire.
5. Could get into any closed container.
6. Could chatter continuously.
(The hawk family sent me a thank you note for the free gray squirrel meal.)
A bit of traveling advice from Genie: fill your room ice bucket with ice the night before. In the morning you will have good tasting cool water.
This will please all you drivers of the green. Crossing over I-74 in Illinois is a well-maintained blacktop road. What is the name of the road? “John Deere Road,” of course! (I wonder if the color of the local water tower is John Deere green?)
Billboard as seen on I-80: “Stop the text and stop the wreck.”
As of this writing there has not been one summer day 90 degrees or warmer in Albert Lea. Starting in mid-July the water temperature on the Gulf side in Florida is 90 degrees!
On Iowa 380 at Cedar Rapids is a big sign: “Photo Enforcement Zone.” So far, I haven’t received a picture of our car license plate. Do you suppose it’s because I was driving Genie’s car when we went through?
Genie is ready for another week-long birthday celebration – next year. This year she received 22 birthday cards, went shopping in two different towns, ate a birthday celebration meal in four different towns at six different restaurants in two states. After 53 birthday celebrations with Genie, I think I will be ready for another one with a great lady – next year!
A reminder: Don’t forget the Soup and Pie Supper at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22.
This will be my last regular column this year. I plan on writing columns on a sporadic basis until back to weekly in April of 2015. Thanks for your faithful readership.
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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.
Central Freeborn fundraiser Sept. 22
Once again, it’s time for one of the two “Must Attend” local social events of the year. There will be handshaking, back patting, and 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! Members of the Freeborn County Historical Museum and the Albert Lea “Y” will be there to greet The Great You at the door.
You are such an important person that they will let you enter through a special door. You will even be just ahead of the person behind you.
This is an eating event, so get those taste buds ready. If you’re a light eater, fast for at least a day before attending. If you’re a heavy eater, fast for at least two days. A word to the wise: “Be sure your undergarment has good elasticity.”
Live background music by local celebrities will be featured prior to your eating.
Wild rice, chili, potato, and chicken noodle soups will be served. Key lime, chocolate, apple and pumpkin are some of the pie choices, along with vanilla ice cream. Norwegian juice (coffee), water and 1919 Root Beer will be available for your beverage choice.
Ah yes, all for your presence, so come on down! Put on your eating shoes and boogie on over. The parking lot attendants (Bob Hanson, Wayne Indrelie, Barry Moszer, and Gene Wangen) are waiting for your vehicle. Their motto is “A full driver is a happy driver.”
Many of you know what I’m referring to; you just don’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 22. 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 the Freeborn County Historical Museum (Debt Reduction) and the Albert Lea Y (Youth Programs) with supplemental funds by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Please bring a non-perishable food item or two to help support the local food shelves.
If you’re unable to attend (you’re in the hospital or at a funeral – your own), a donation would be most appreciated.
Short shorts:
A. This is a food event with no counting of calories allowed.
B. In attendance will be a lot of people whose word you can rely on.
C. Gluten-free food items will be available.
D. A Norwegian two-holer outhouse will be one of the raffle items.
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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.
This week’s column is yet another “Hopscotch” column – meaning it will be about many things of great importance either fact or fiction.
As I was getting ready to mow our lawn of many brown patches, I heard a voice echoing between the dandelions. The voice said, “Keep mowing me high. It will help keep my roots cooler and me a lot happier during the heat.” (I wonder how much the dandelions paid the grass to deliver that message.)
The best thing to come out of Iowa is not I-35, it’s Andrew coming to Sears in Albert Lea from Sears in Osage, Iowa to temporarily help out.
Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees baseball team has announced his retirement at the end of this season. Wearing Number 2, he has become one of the most respected players in baseball. At the 2014 All-Star Game in Minneapolis, there was a billboard, “RES2ECT.” (Yes, you read this right, “respect” was spelled with Jeter’s uniform number to show respect.)
Per Lady Deliverer of Mail in Albert Lea: “Brian Kelly may be the best deliverer of mail in Albert Lea, but I’m a lot prettier!” (Those were the exact words of Chris Carlson.)
The 12th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life held at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds in Albert Lea was awesome.
Reading the story in the Star Eagle about 8-year-old Dacoda Malakowsky was made even better when he told his story in person. Dacoda truly earned a standing ovation at the Relay For Life.
The Hy-Vee stand ran out of food, Madelein’s Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies were all sold, the egg rolls were sold out – all the vendors were busy during Relay For Life. I estimate there were about 4,000 luminary bags with a candle and, when lighting, more than one person did so through tears. The lit spelling of “Hope” in the grandstand was most impressive through misty eyes.
Thanks to Dr. George Lunstrom and staff for purchasing a luminary in my name. Genie and I purchased luminaries in remembrance of family members having cancer.
Genie had Birthday No. Plenty-Nine-and-Holding on August 12. She decided that was the age where birthdays were no longer a one-day event, but rather a week-long celebration.
The week of celebration began with her and Gale Nelson (also an August 12 birthday girl) serving the after-church coffee hour at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. (It was more like a brunch with all the trimmings.)
Monday was an all-day out, with her and Gale Nelson going to St. Ansgar, Iowa for a day of shopping and someone else fixing the meals.
Tuesday (the actual day of her birthday) we went to the Old Mill Restaurant in Austin, for a noon luncheon. The meal was topped off by a free birthday sundae with two spoons. Kim, our server, knew how to treat the VIP of the day (Genie).
Wednesday was a day of celebration at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner, Iowa. The life of Dan Farris was remembered and celebrated. Dan left this world at age 55 because of cancer (he was Genie’s cousin).
Thursday was a day of rest. Remember, even God rested a day of the Great Creation.
Friday was at the Steele County fair in Owatonna, with fair food and dancing on the grass.
Saturday was a repeat of Friday.
All of the week-long celebration was followed by my being tired and weak, with Genie gearing up for next year!
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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.
Driving our HHR Chevrolet, Genie and I left in July and came back in August from Charlotte, North Carolina.
The reason was the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELCA) Convention in Charlotte. Genie attended the meetings and I ran a display booth for Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP). Genie and I have taught summer vacation Bible school a number of years at “First Nation” locations in Northern Canada through LAMP (thus the connection). We were where the ice road truckers go in the winter!
Winston-Salem is where our daughter and son-in-law life. We met them at Applebee’s for a very good evening meal of shrimp. As you entered, the special of the day was, “Buy one beer for the price of two and get the second beer free.” (You might want to re-read the free beer purchase.)
We arrived at our destination early afternoon Wednesday and checked into the Holiday Inn. Genie helped me set up the LAMP display shortly after we got there as the activities started Wednesday evening and ended with Sunday morning church service.
While manning the display, I put about 2,000 red crosses on name badges of the 2500 that attended while giving a very short meeting about LAMP. As a committee of one, I got to give out three awards as follows based on attendance.
The first award was to the best grandmother, Gail Otteson (Nee Sorenson, formerly of Geneva, MN) of Delavan, MN, who brought two granddaughters.
The second award was to the best mother, Marie Tesch of Waseca, MN, who brought two daughters.
The third award was to the best giver of communion at the closing Sunday morning service, Genie Hanson of Albert Lea, MN (How many of you men have received communion from your wife?) Genie and I both choked up as she gave me communion.
We ate most of our breakfast meals at the Caffe Siena Restaurant in the Holiday Inn in Charlotte. Alem or Tomas were our servers. At one time Alem was the teacher and Tomas was the student. Now, both she and him are masters at giving great service.
An exciting 5 a.m. Sunday morning wake-up with bells and whistles followed by a deep male voice, “Emergency, evacuate building immediately. Take the stairs out to the street, cross the street and wait for instructions.” All 15 floor residents followed instructions. Thank goodness, a smoke alarm malfunctioned causing the fire trucks and firemen to arrive. They were glad there wasn’t a fire and so was I!
The convention center could handle up to 5,000 people. In other words, all the people in the NRHEG School District plus empty seats. The convention center was eight warm blocks walking away. Neither the temperature nor the humidity reached 100, but both came close.
Pat Goldman, Bonnie Schneider and Ben Cotter, all of Albert Lea, visited me at the LAMP display booth.
The parking meters in Charlotte are very interesting. There is a box with numbered keys. In front and behind the box are three parallel parking stalls with a four-digit number on the curb for each stall. You park, key in your stall number and pay $1 per hour for up to a maximum of two hours by inserting your credit card. You must watch your time by the parking ticket given after your credit card is accepted.
After leaving Charlotte, we stayed at Augustus T. Zeverly Inn (a bed and breakfast) in “Old Salem.” Daughter deb and son-in-law Roland stayed there too. When they say “old,” it is, with most of the buildings dating back to the 1800s. Well worth the three days we stayed.
Three more days on the road and we were home.
In conclusion, whether you take the road north, south, east or west, the road home is the best.
Thanks to Ken Bertelson for filling in for me at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church as greeter.
Thanks to Shannon and Kent Knudson for house sitting while we were gone.
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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.