What do Cynthia Crabree, Genie Hanson, Paul Hanson, Gale Nelson, Jeff Nelson and Charrie Schiltz all have in common? The answer is Aug. 12, their birthday.
Genie decided her week-long birthday bash would start Aug. 11. Following is her birthday bash. (It got to be the same principle as a baker’s dozen — more than week!)
Sunday: Genie served coffee at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church (Her name was in the church bulletin the next day, the 12th.)
Monday: the day of the birthday bash breakfast at Perkins in Albert Lea with friend Jody. She received a dozen roses (red, yellow and violet) from her secret admirer of many moons (the admirer has a column in the Star Eagle newspaper.). The admirer even gave her a birthday card honoring the year she was born.
The evening meal at Perkins (with her admirer) in Albert Lea of her favorite shrimp was followed by wild berry pie with ice cream (Genie had asked for lemon pie but it was all gone and the waiter — Andrew — popped for the ice cream.
An unexpected surprise was seeing the owners of Addie’s Floral in Albert Lea at Perkins waiting to see if Genie enjoyed the arrangement and card. (Another example of Minnesota nice!)
Tuesday: an appointment in the a.m. at Albert Lea Chiropractic including birthday best wishes. They even mailed a birthday card previously, another example of Minnesota nice. This was followed by coffee and goodies at Green Lea Golf Course restaurant with Dorothy and Agnes. Early evening it was on to a movie, “Driving in the Rain,” with friend Mary. It was a very good movie. It was so good, it continued playing even though tornado sirens could be heard blaring outside the theater. It was an unusual event as it rained outside the theater at North Bridge Mall but not where Genie and I live in Albert Lea.
Wednesday: a meeting with good friends over coffee and goodies. Genie volunteered a 2 ½-hour shift at the hospital. More birthday wishes. On to the Old Mill Restaurant in Austin for the evening meal. Thanks for the good meal served by Keith. (He even brought Genie a complimentary sundae.) We drove down to the dam, where three mama turkeys and their babies sang (clucked) to Genie.
Thursday: going on a bus trip Saturday, this was a good time for a hair cut from Ellie in the a.m. Then it was a planning meeting for Cotelion Dinner-Dance Club. If interested, contact Genie at 507-788-0004.
Friday: getting ready for the “ladies-only” bus trip leaving early in the morning for four days.
Saturday: early-morning bus trip of four days through Four Seasons of Albert Lea. Julie Ehlers and Genie were mystified where they were going. The mystery bus trip ended her week-long birthday bash.
Come to the “big bash” Monday evening, Sept. 22 to find out where she went as Genie will be working the soup and pie supper at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.
In conclusion, Genie says, “This is my week-long birthday celebration, and I’m sticking to it.”
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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.