Picnic 2010
On 6-14-10, we had pleasant duty covering the annual picnic of the First Congregational UCC church, held this year at the country home of Bill and Cleo and Bill Glasenapp near Dousman WI.
The doings began at 11 AM in place of Sunday church worship and continued until late afternoon. An on-site service held before a hay bale altar was conducted with inspiration and verve by interim minister Rev. Deborah Howland.
Then the frolicking ensued. It ended in late afternoon when around 100 attendees pointed their cars down the picturesque drive and sought their respective homes. Most returned to far less idyllic dwelling places after basking in the wide open grassy spaces of the Glasenapp “ranchette” so graciously shared.
The guests, members and friends of the church had it easy compared to Bill and Cleo, who were for many days in the preparation for this gathering on their grounds, and, we dare say, also long in the dismantling. Removal of outdoor bathroom facilities, drying out and deconstruction of the massive tent canopy, and many other duties were before them.
They did it willingly, for it was a gift they could share with loved ones: sitters upon folding lawn chairs, but many of whom had taken on preliminary tasks in the preparation, and some did in the breakdown.
The sun seemed to keep prospective rain at bay until after the picnic, for which all were grateful. A lot of prep work and high hopes were vindicated.
The sun is probably still at work straightening the bent grass of their joyfully -trod grounds. The timely rainfall the next day seemed a coda of blessing for Bill and Cleo. Their children, grandchildren, dogs and horses, even the tested big tree limbs swung from by rambunctious rope-climbing youth must have breathed sighs of contentment.
Pictured below are Cleo and Bill:
Rev. Howland led worship with verve and inspiration
Geri and Dee present 'God Is Still Speaking' caps honoring SS teachers and their assistants
Kathy and Mary
Music for singing
Bill rigs Pinata rope from tree midst high anticipation
Redding twin (Morgan or Thomas) and Tod, roping............
Footnote: Old picnic goers will remember this 1955 film:
