Around 30 people gathered at Rejoice Lutheran Church Thurs., Jan. 21 to talk, play cards, share a meal and learn about local history. 

 

The occasion was Young at Heart, a monthly event that began in October as a spin off of the church’s outreach program. The group meets at Rejoice on the third Thursday of each month, with card playing starting at 10:30 and lunch at noon, followed by a program.

 

Young at Heart was started by Kay Krogstad and Karolyn Boucher. The church was already open to seniors as a place to walk in the winter months and they sponsor a senior yoga class twice a week, but Krogstad and Boucher wanted to do more. 

 

“We were looking for a way to get people of the community together to have fun on a regular basis,” explains Boucher. “Young at Heart grew from this and today we have people from all over attending and helping out.”

 

Members of the community have worked together to make the monthly event a success, including members of the local Methodist and Catholic churches. 

 

“We’re trying to offer a variety of programs to see what people like,” said Boucher. “We’ve had music and grocery bingo, which Coborn’s and the Travel Plaza donated prizes for. Next month Terry Nelson, a guitar player and vocalist from Glenwood will be here, in March we’ll be playing traditional bingo, and in April Wright County Health Services is coming to talk about issues seniors face.”

 

January’s program was a talk on local history, focusing on area trading posts. Local historian Elaine Paumen, whose grandfather was on the Clearwater Council in 1905, spoke first, followed by Clear Lake resident Bud Stimmler, who has been researching the area for the upcoming Clear Lake history book. Mike Hoffman, dressed in Metis (person of mixed Native American and Euro-American ancestry in the 19th century) period clothing, displayed and talked about items that were common in trading posts of the area. He also played traditional flutes from the time period.

 

“What you see in movies and on television isn’t usually accurate,” Hoffman said. “Movies have done a lot to destroy history.”

 

Hoffman is a member of the Rendezvous Group that meets at Riverside Park during Heritage Days. His talks are a living history show as he not only teaches people about the past, but also demonstrates the knowledge and skills of the era. 

 

Jon and Kristy Bigalk of Just North of Memphis Barbeque in Clearwater have catered the Young at Heart lunches. Boucher said they’ve been very generous with the group, donating the meal at Christmas and sharing leftovers they have from other catering jobs. 

 

Annandale resident Cathy Brutger has attended the events from the beginning. 

 

“I saw an article in the Clearwater Tribune and decided to check it out and meet some new friends. I’ve learned to play 500 a lot better!” she laughed.

 

Rick Bender and his wife, Pam, were first time attendees. 

 

“We just heard about it and decided to try it out.” Bender said. “It’s something to do when you’re retired. It gets you out of the house and meeting with people.”

 

Although the monthly event is proving successful there are still challenges.

 

“We don’t receive any money from Rejoice’s general budget,” said Boucher, “so our biggest challenge is funding.”

 

They’ve received money from Thrivent Financial and Stearns Electric and have applied for Wright-Hennepin’s Operation Round Up, but they may need to have a fundraiser in the future.

 

Keeping the community up to date on what’s happening is another challenge, as well as getting people to sign up so they know how many to expect for the catering. Attendees should call Rejoice at 320-558-6851 or visit their website at rejoice@rejoicelutheranchurch.org to do so.

 

“We also need more help from the community with things such as serving lunch,” Boucher said. “Many hands make light work.”