Nov. 11 is the date we Americans formally honor the sacrifice and service of our military veterans. It was originally Armistice Day that marked the end of World War I at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. It's a good and appropriate act for all of us to thank any veterans we know or see for their service to our country at any time, not just on Veterans Day. We have a lot of freedoms here in the U.S., and it's all thanks to a strong emphasis on defense. They keep us safe and deserve our thanks and appreciation.

Packing meals

Volunteer to help to pack meals with Feed My Starving Children by contacting the church office. The Cannon Falls event will be on Saturday, Nov. 12. There will be two packing shifts and a cleanup shift that day. Donations to help to pay for the meals will be accepted at Vasa and other local Cannon Falls churches.

History break

The Goodhue County History Museum in Red Wing invites everyone to learn about disasters in southeast Minnesota at its free November History Break at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Bring a lunch and hear author Steve Gardiner talk about some of the worst disasters that have happened here in Goodhue County. 

Will the 1977 flood on the Belle Creek be mentioned? That was a deadly one that also nearly knocked out the Highway 19 bridge west of Vasa. Repairs took many months before the bridge was reopened late that fall.

That detour shortened the school day and lengthened the bus ride for the Cannon Falls sixth graders who were attending school in Vasa at the time. The buses had to take a detour that took a right turn at "Beissel's Corner" and then a left just after the "plow mailbox." A wrong turn could send a motorist back to the west (still wrong) side of the bridge near where the water ran over the township road except in dry spells. A bridge has since been built at that spot. 

Give blood

There are still appointments available to give blood at the Lutheran Center in Vasa Nov. 22-23. Please note the change of dates. Times are from 1-7 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Looking ahead, the bloodmobile will be in Red Wing at First Lutheran Church Dec. 1-2 and in Cannon Falls at First English Lutheran Church on Dec. 6. Registration is required. Check out the Red Cross website to make an appointment and learn of other upcoming blood donation sites and dates. The need is continuous, since blood products have a limited shelf life. Thank you for doing what you can.

Community dinner

The December free community dinner will be on the 14th, with the deadline to reserve a meal on Dec. 7 at noon. The menu will be Swedish meatballs. Phone or email the church office with a clear message including your name, phone number, and the number of meals requested. Specify in-person dining or pick-up.

A third option is to register on the church's website. Please consider bringing an item for area food shelves when picking up your meal or dining in person. 

To keep informed about happenings in Vasa, check out the church's website. The office phone number is 651-258-4327; be advised that office hours are limited. Please leave a clear message and phone number, and someone will return your call. Email the church at any time: office@vasalutheran.org. Reach Pastor Maureen at: pastor@vasalutheran.org. Masks are optional at all events. And thanks for saving those canceled postage stamps for veterans. To schedule a visit to the museum, contact any member of the museum board or the church office for more information.

We and our pets are still in a bit of a fog over the change in daylight savings time this weekend. The pets expect their food an hour earlier than the clock would indicate, and we are tired – even though we had an extra hour of sleep. Go figure.

Until next week, may your joys be many and your cares be few.