Gully Trail Lutheran Parishes feature authors at their Midwinter Social

At their 2nd annual Midwinter Social, the Gully-Trail Lutheran Parishes hosted an interesting evening program devoted to being part of their mission to serve others.

Held at the Gully Lund Lutheran Church, the program featured a lovely meal catered by Tamera Anderson of Trail,  a skit by confirmation students Christopher Carlson, Cassidy Manecke, Trinity Lee, Jayden Bergerson, Brooklyn Ostenna, Halie Thompson, Frankie Omang, and Maci Wagner, and a guest appearance of authors Jill and Dean Johnson. Special music was provided by Carole Tharaldson and her three granddaughters Cassidy Manecke, Brooklyn Ostenna, and Maci Wagner. Pastor Dawn Hanson assisted with the program and emceed the program.

Jill and Dean Johnson have authored an interesting book titled "Little Minnesota...100 towns Around 100". Their research and photography took them all around Minnesota to find and research 100 small towns that have contributed to the culture of Minnesota. The 100 towns had to be incorporated.  They explained, "When these town were settled, they each featured at least three things-a bar, a church, and a baseball field. Some of them built schools that are now consolidated with larger town schools. In 1948, Viking was given the title of 'Bachelor capital of Minnesota' because the men outnumbered the women by one hundred to one. The building of the Soo Line railroad also helped to establish little towns along its path." Other towns which they mentioned included Strandquist, Funkley, Trail, Gully, Vining, Tintah, and Sunburg. Their book includes many beautiful and interesting pictures of special places in each of these small towns..It is a well written and documented book. 

The book is available at local book stores or can be ordered from area libraries. The authors Jill and Dean Johnson are available to give talks and show slides about their historical project.

The Midwinter Social concluded with a song "Pass It On" about being thankful for food, friends, and mankind.