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.