As we approach the end of 2009, one of the finest and most in-demand vocal groups in the area wind up their 15th year of singing together. Gospel Express was born at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna and three of the four members of the current group are originals. The musical quartet now consists of Denny Meyer, Paul Hokanson, Charlie Brecht and Jeff Elstad. Deb Brecht is the accompanist, Nancy Busse is the group’s vocal coach and Ron Freiheit is the sound technician.
The original Gospel Express included Gary Ebnet, who left the group in 2005 and was replaced by Elstad.
The beginning of Gospel Express took place on Easter Sunday, 1994 when the foursome gathered to sing an original Easter trilogy sung by The Imperials. The songs included “Rise Again,” “The King is Coming” and “Because He Lives.”
Denny Meyer said, “It was really Gary Ebnet’s idea and we approached Trinity Pastor Orlin Monsager for permission to sing it at Easter services. We got the go-ahead and after our performance we all agreed that we sounded good enough to pursue a ministry of singing together on a regular basis,” Brecht came up with the name Gospel Express of Minnesota. It all started as simply as that.
All four members of Gospel Express are busy with full-time jobs so they limit their appearances to one or two a month. Most of their performances are at churches or nursing homes. Each Christmas season the group makes an appearance at nursing homes and some retirement homes in Owatonna. They did that yesterday. They have also appeared at the Steele County Free Fair.
The making of CDs
Many have suggested to Gospel Express that they should pursue appearing at a big-time theater such as Branson. I certainly agree that they would equal many similar singing groups around the country, but according to Meyer, they haven’t had the desire to travel in the big leagues.
“Our mission is not to pursue this full-time. It’s an important part of our faith to uplift those that listen to our music,” he said. “We’re happy doing what we’re doing right now.”
The quartet has made a total of five CDs, including a Christmas CD which are sold wherever they appear. They are also available at Tone Music in Owatonna or you can mail a request to Paul Hokanson at 4513 S.W. 22nd Ave. in Owatonna. They now have over 100 songs in their repertoire and work up new music each year. The group has also appeared in their non-religious show of ’50s and ’60s music, calling themselves “The Blue Notes.” You can check the schedule for upcoming appearances at www.gospelex.org.
Annual Christmas bird count
Darryl Hill sends me his annual advisory of the Christmas Bird Count scheduled for this Saturday, Dec. 19. The count, held in association with the National Audubon Society, covers a 15 mile diameter circle with Havana as its center point. The City of Owatonna is included in the count area so anyone within the city is eligible to participate.
The count area also includes Claremont, Clinton Falls and Steele Center. This is the 38th year the count has been held in Steele County. Field counts start at 8 a.m. and run till noon. Counts at home feeders are also needed. This means that you can count birds from your own home on this one day.
There is no fee to do home feeder counts, however there is a $5 fee for field counters which is sent to the Audubon Society to help pay for this research. Field counters will also receive the printed CBC issue of “American Birds” with all of the CBC total results. Home counters can also receive this publication if you pay the $5 fee.
Last year
Last year’s bird count resulted in 3421 individual birds counted with 37 different species identified. This total was below the average of 4,602 birds for the Owatonna count. On one of the 37 past count days, 96 different species were counted. Last year’s weather was terrible with heavy snow and increasing winds. Last year there were record numbers of Goldfinch and Cardinals along with a high Woodpecker count. The numbers of the Canada Geese and Mallards were very low at the dam.
How to become involved
If you can join the group of bird counters next Saturday, give Darryl Hill a call at 451-5073. If you wish to do a field count, you will be assigned an area. In the field, counting is done with teams of two people. Special thanks go out to the Owatonna Chapter of the Izaak Walton League who provide financial help for local mailing expenses.
Remembering George Meixner
It seems hard to believe, but this month marks 30 years since the death of my friend, George Meixner. I can still remember the day when I was notified at the radio station that George had suddenly died of a heart attack. He was taken away from us far too early. George was one of my favorite concertina players and he loved his music. I can still see his big smile when he played with the County Farmhands band. As I recall, George always sat down when he played the concertina. He loved to make his audience laugh thanks to his antics with the Ulrich’s. When fall came around, George would host a big gathering on his farm south of Owatonna where he would hold a sling shot tournament and threshing bee. George Ulrich and I made our daily radio shows at these events. George is buried at the Steele Center cemetery with a concertina appropriately placed on his head stone. George’s wife, LaVonne, resides at Cedarview Care Center. George and LaVonne’s family include daughters Sandy (Dan) Janke of Owatonna, Judy who lives in Costa Rica in the winter and in Minnesota in the summer, LisaRae Skalicky (Allan) in Altura, Minn., Pam Kasper (Dave) of Litomysl, and Jody Kaiser (Ron) of Owatonna and son, Mike, who lives on the home farm with wife Denise. George Meixner was certainly one of the most colorful personalities I have met. He brought a smile to everyone’s face.
Snowmobile safety class coming
There will be one more snowmobile safety class offered this coming Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Steele County Trail Association building in Hope. Snowmobile safety training is required for anyone born after Dec. 31, 1976. Students must be at least 12 years of age by March 1, 2010, to take the class and have a parent or guardian’s signature on the registration.
Snowmobiles are furnished for the driving test and students are to be properly dressed for the outdoors. Lunch will be furnished. Registration is at 7:30 a.m., classroom instruction is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the driving test will be given from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration fees are paid by the Allan Radel family in memory of their son, Scot.
Toys for Tots reminder
You’ve all seen the Toys for Tots and Teens boxes in many locations in Owatonna and Steele County. This is the 23rd year that the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots and Teens has operated in Steele County. Toys are collected for kids 18 and younger.
The organization works cooperatively with Steele County Department of Human Services/Family to Family program which provides food cards to needy families who meet Federal Poverty Income guidelines. Family to Family has been in existence for 32 years and also operates Adopt-a-Family. Through this cooperative effort, more families will be served in Steele County by using one application and working from one list.
Applications due this week
You must submit an application to participate in the Toys for Tots and the distribution of toys will take place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17, 18 and 19. Applications are available in Owatonna at the Steele County Clothesline, Steele County Food Shelf, Steele County Human Services, the Salvation Army and all churches within Steele County.
Applications are also available in Blooming Prairie at the city hall, at the post office in Ellendale and at city hall in Medford. Check out the Web site at http://owatonna-mn.toysfortots.org.
After Christmas book sale coming
Here’s a calendar marker item for you. The Owatonna Public Library will hold its annual After Christmas Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26; from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28; and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29. Prices begin at just a dime.
Corks, angels and lighthouses on Christmas trees
Last week I asked for anyone that had unique ways of decorating their Christmas tree to let me know. I wrote about Mert and Irma Grabau who use key chains they have collected as tree decorations.
Jeffrey and Kris Jackson informed me that they decorate their tree with wine corks collected from wine bottles they have drunk. If you have unique decorations, let me know by e-mail, mail or by phone and I’ll share them with readers.
Denny and Pat Engel of Owatonna alternate themes on the Christmas tree every other year. Denny has collected lighthouses for many years and they use those to decorate their tree every other year. On the alternate year, the Engels use angels that they have collected since their daughter, Linda, passed away in 1999 of a brain aneurism. Actually, Linda started Denny’s lighthouse collection by giving him one for a gift.
Hockey notes
A couple of hockey items of note this week. Grant Paulson, a 2008 OHS grad, the son of Craig and Ann Paulson is a defenseman for the Blind River Beavers in Blind River, Ontario. Grant is the grandson of Bob and Ann Hollinger of Owatonna.
A notable former Vikings head coach was at the Express-Northern Iowa game at the Four Seasons arena last Sunday. Jerry Burns was watching his grandson, Connor Gaardner, who is a forward with the Outlaws.
Patrick and Shirley McCarthy honored
Patrick and Shirley McCarthy of Waseca were recently honored with a volunteer award by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill for their roll in the TRIAMI support group the couple started 16 years ago.
Jottings
• The Owatonna Area Chapter of Compassionate Friends will have their Candle Lighting Service tomorrow night (Dec. 14) at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Enter the main door off the parking lot. Please bring a framed photo or remembrance of your loved one.
• The Steele County Free Fair board voted to keep parking and camping rates the same as this year in 2010. The only change is the $50 deposit for camping will not be refunded for cancellations after May 1.
• Johnny Cash fans won’t want to miss opening night of the 2010 Steele County Free Fair. Bill Dewey will be featured in Fair Square Park with his tribute to the country music superstar. The show is being sponsored by Rep. Kory Kath and Sen. Dick Day.
• After knee replacement, former Owatonnan Duffy Hamren has been at a rehab center. He tells me that they are going to transfer him for a time for more rehab to the same facility where his wife Vernita stays. You can mail him a card to 856 Fairway Place, Eugene, Oregon, 97401.
Todd Hale can be reached at thalescff@ll.net or write him at 632 14th St. S.E., Owatonna, MN 55060.
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