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.”
———
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.