Remember, whether this column is about one thing or many things, it’s still “fact or fiction.” You decide.

The Star Eagle newspaper arrives in the mailbox. I bring it inside and start to read it. Just then, an earwig crawls out of the paper. I hope he got to read it before his expiration.

Have you, as a senior citizen, stopped in at the new location of Senior Resources on South Broadway in Albert Lea? 

Why are Albert Lea student test scores below the state average in too many circumstances?

The Freeborn County Cancer Society Relay for Life was held Friday, July 29 at the fairgrounds in Albert Lea from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday. There is something about all the lit luminaries, especially when they spell “Hope” under the grandstand roof. Lisa Vogelsang, Honorary Survivor, you are one great lady spokesperson for Relay for Life and God.

“Mama” hummingbird visits our colored sugar water roughly every half hour during daylight hours. I’m sure she is filling up on the sugar water to regurgitate it to her babies. I’ve tried to follow her to her nest and babies, but no luck so far.

I know Mickelson is the last name of the wife and husband that are the new owners of the hardware store in Clarks Grove. I know her first name is Sue. Do you know what his first name is? The picture in the Albert Lea Tribune article looks like hubby Jon, but the article has a different first name. (How many hardware stores do you know that sell caramel corn and popcorn balls? The Mickelsons do!)

Who, over the years, has gained recognition for wearing many hats in the Ellendale area? She wore a crown as Homecoming Queen at Ellendale High School. She wore a crown as Grand Marshal in the Ellendale Days parade. She wears the presidential hat as President of the Ellendale Area Heritage Society. She wore the cap of school bus driver for handicapped children for about 20 years. She literally moved an old gas station from Ellendale to the Village of Yesteryear in Owatonna. Who? Barb Mrotz, fellow Star Eagle newspaper writer, that’s who is the Steele County Senior Citizen of the Year for 2016.

Have you seen one of the area tractor parades this summer? Dale Grotsun, Wayne Indrelie and Nordean Krueger are three of the local contacts. Dale and Wayne can usually be reached by phone and they will talk about anything to do with tractors and tractor parades. Nordean can be reached at McDonald’s in Albert Lea Monday-Saturday before 9 a.m. (the one by Walgreens). Nordean will talk only about John Deere. The three wives can be found involved in the tractor parade when a shopping center is part of the parade route.

If you are questioning the truth of an area tractor parade, I refer you to any entrant in one of the area tractor parades.

In doing the research on tractor parades, I found out from Nordean that, “On the eighth day, God created John Deeres.”

———

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.