GaryOsberg.com

Good morning from Collegeville,

We’ve all heard the expression you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Well, I can confirm that is true. I was recently at my son Erik’s house for a hog roast. And although it was a glorious party, good food and great people, there was something missing…. trees. As you may recall, Wadena was devastated by an EF-4 tornado this summer. In fact, the actual funnel missed my son’s house by a mere block and a half. Even though his house escaped with only some exterior damage, his trees did not fare so well. He used to have beautiful white pines that towered 40 or 50 feet in the air. There was a majestic maple that looked like it had been there for a century. His back yard used to have shade all day long. But not anymore. It’s estimated that Wadena lost over 10,000 trees that day. And now, the wind seems to blow a little harder, the sun seems a little hotter, and the train seems a little louder.

Wadena has done a wonderful job picking up the pieces from the storm. But there is still work that needs to be done. I know I’ve already mentioned this but, there is an organized effort to try and replant some of the trees that were lost in the storm. The group has a goal of raising $100,000 so they can replant 10,000 trees. A lofty goal, but if you think about it, $100,000 could maybe rebuild one house, or it could change the landscape of a community forever.

If you haven’t already, please check out their website @ www.treesforwadena.com Donate if you can, or pass it on to someone else. So far, they’ve raised over $15,000, and it would be great if we could help them along.

The show this week is about and for Lutherans with the St. Olaf Choir singing “The Choral Blues”, VocalEssence singing “Sign Up For Church Work” and a celebration of Elim Lutheran Church’s 150th anniversary plus Dan Newton with the “Lutheran Polka”. The great actor Charles Keating is in a sketch called “Iniquity on the Tundra” Enjoy the show.

“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.” Garrison Keillor