What did 472 people come to? The came to the area social event of the year held at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, rural Albert Lea, on Monday, September 18, 2023.
The attendees all had one thing in common – an empty tummy. They all left with one thing in common – a full tummy.
Men, women, kids, old people, young people, in-between ages, tall, short, slim, not so slim, farmers, hourly workers, salaried workers, social security recipients, present social security payers into the fund, they all came.
They came from the east, they came from the west, they came from the north, they came from the south. They came from Alden, Hartland, Waseca, Otisco, New Richland, Owatonna, Hope, Ellendale, Geneva, Beaver Lake, Wells, Austin. Albert Lea, Blooming Prairie, Conger, Twin Lakes and points in between with license plates from Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
They came by car, by truck, by van, by motorcycle, even neighbors walking. You name it; every occupation was well represented.
As you arrived you were greeted by parking lot attendants Mark Ackland, Wayne Indrelie, Barry Moszer and Gene Wangen.
You proceeded to a door with a big sign stating “entrance.” As you got to the door, you were greeted and thanked for coming by the benefit recipient, namely, “The Albert Lea Inclusive Playground and Miracle Field.”
Once inside you left your non-perishable food items to support the local food shelves with Cheyenne Griggs.
On to Roger Thomson who asked if you were or weren’t a Thrivent member as Thrivent provided supplemental funds for the benefit. (Thrivent also furnished for the volunteer workers to wear and keep.)
On to Becky and Alert Thofson to purchase a ticket to satisfy your empty tummy feeling.
Depending on your timing, you went directly into the homemade soup line or drooled in the church proper listening to the playing of Ken Bertelson or Wendy Moszer, waiting for your ticket number to be called to get in line for soup.
Rev. Matt Greggs would call numbers as openings for seating became available in either the Fellowship Hall or under the big tent on the patio.
With ticket in hand, giving you your choice of soup (wild rice, chili, potato or chicken noodle - refills were allowed of any soup), on to the dessert table with or without ice cream plus beverage – even gluten free items!!
After the tummy was full and the elastic was holding your undergarment, it was time to enjoy the musical talent in the church proper.
SHORT SHORTS:
A. All the workers were paid the same for their labor, namely, the feeling of accomplishment.
B. The parking lot attendees were happy to report no insurance claims were filed.
C. Thanks to Gale Nelson for the beautiful table decorations.
D. Conversation came in a close second to food in the importance of the supper.
E. How members of Central were involved? They all were, especially in the W.O.M. Advertising
F. The makers of the soup are keeping themselves and their recipes secret!!
G. Mark September 16, 2024 for the next Social Event of the year.
H. As one of the attenders said, “It was the workers plus the ambiance of the church that made the event so successful.”
P.S. Orange was the fall color. “Orange” you glad?
In summary, a big Thank You, a job well done to Mary Ann Atchinson at the Helm with Gary Goette, Cathy Legreid, Alissa Stevens and Connie Williams, her hard working assistants.
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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 New York. 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.