On Saturday, Dec. 2, with the sun shining, 50 people boarded a coach bus in Albert Lea with Marilyn Matson at the helm. The bus, sponsored by F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely on God) of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church headed south of the border on I-35 to Clear Lake, Iowa.
Twelve games of Deal or No Deal were played on the bus for prizes. Winners were: Darlene Muilenberg, Roger Jemming, Carol Bertelson, Donna Stolaas, Dick Haug, Don Hernes, Elaine Wach, Dorothy Kirsch, Angie Bernal, Jeremy Reitsema, Theresa Pederson, Darlene Johnson and Richard Frydenlund winning the cash from No Deal.
Prizes were from the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Dorothy, Genie, and F.R.O.G. A Christmas stocking from the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce shaped like a litter bag was given to each person on the bus. In the bags were coupons for KFC, Arby’s, Trumble’s, Applebee’s, plus a Christmas Beanie Baby from Shannon.
We reached our destination and Marilyn parked the bus in the space reserved for us where we could see the lighted Christmas parade, plus the excellent fireworks with fireballs (a one-word description: “Wow.”).
Then it was all aboard and back to Wok-N-Roll in Albert Lea. After the tummy gauge showed full, we sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to the great staff at Wok-N-Roll (Bruce Stolaas and Bob Hanson led the singing). Annie and other employees presented Chinese New Year gifts to all.
An interesting weather situation of low fifties plus a full moon helped make the event a memorable trip. There were people in the lighted parade in shorts, straw hats, flip-flops—unbelievable, and a record high for the parade.
The next F.R.O.G. party will be a Valentine’s Day event on Feb. 3 at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church beginning at 6 p.m. There will be pizza, pop, 12 games of Norwegian Bingo followed by an ice cream buffet. Reservations are needed. Cost is $5/person or $10/family of mom, dad and school-age children.
P.S. At the David Johnson benefit in New Richland on Sunday, Dec. 3, Genie and I heard an older Lion member state, “We take care of the members of our community, but sometimes we need help. Today is one of those ‘sometimes.’”
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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.