The annual Valentine’s gala was held in the Fellowship Hall at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, rural Albert Lea on Saturday night, February 1, 2020. Sixty-five people attended with an empty tummy to begin with. Three clans were part of the 65 people. A clan is three or more generations with either the matriarch or patriarch in attendance. The clans of Ackland from Manchester, Hensche from Clarks Grove and Mrotz from Ellendale were represented.
They came to the F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely on God) Valentine’s party with Norwegian Bingo beginning at 6 p.m. The fun, food and fellowship (the F.R.O.G. outreach mission) began after Wayne and Bev Indrelie brought in the Domino’s pizza and Genie Hanson gave the table prayer.
After the pizza, 12 games of Norwegian Bingo were played. The person getting Bingo picked out a free prize from a table of various prizes, then proceeded to the White Elephant table to purchase a prize of their choice for a dollar.
After the last game of Norwegian Bingo, those who didn’t win were permitted to pick a prize from the Bingo table and a prize from the White Elephant table for a dollar. Thus, everyone got a prize to take home. The leftover prizes were combined and sold four for a dollar. It was very interesting to notice all the parents with many dollar bills to begin with and none to end with. (As one parent put it, “I didn’t know we needed so many things we didn’t need!”)
A great example of a random act of kindness was when Brad Bjerke and Wayne Indrelie let a youngster replace them when they got Bingo.
After Bingo, a generous portion of vanilla ice cream with choice of topping (chocolate, butterscotch, strawberries, whipped cream with a cherry on top —wow!) was served to top off guests’ tummies. During the dessert time, door prizes were drawn: Jasmine Hensche—muffins; Bev Indrelie—a pie; Jammi Weatherly—a mama and baby stuffed turtle.
During the evening, each person picked out a Beanie Baby of his or her choice. Valentine’s cards for those not getting around so much were signed by the guests and after church the next day to be mailed on Monday along with food coupons.
Gillian Griggs, a cap that looks like it was made for her; Gerhard Keith, a US Military Veteran cap; Diane Wangen, a light switch when turned on gives off light even though it has no electrical hookup. These were some of the great Bingo prizes of the night.
Food coupons were available for anyone who either had or would visit a shut-in. Sad to say, the next day was Groundhog Day, with a beautiful local sun causing shadows—thus, the groundhog will be sleeping for the next six weeks, meaning six more weeks of winter. Uffda!
Please support the following givers of coupons that helped support the Valentine’s gala: Main Street Family Restaurant, Quality Inn, Ramada Inn, KFC, Dairy Queen, QDOBA, Applebee’s, Arby’s, Perkins, and Genie and Shannon for other prizes.
P.S. F.R.O.G.’s tentatively planned activities are:
• Tuesday, July 28, bus to Lutheran Night at the Twins
• Saturday, December 5, bus to Christmas by the Lake
• Saturday, February 6, Valentine’s party with Norwegian Bingo at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church
• Possibly Church Basement Ladies in the fall of 2020 or early spring of 2021
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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.