Do you know that the cottage at Edgewater Park will not be available for rental in 2013? The cottage will be missed! This was our eighth year of having Vacation Bible School at Edgewater Park with the Okoboji Bible Camp leading the week. Vacation Bible School at Edgewater Park has been a shared ministry with several churches over the years. This year the churches sharing were Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, Salem Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran.

What will we do for next year? The Edgewater Park area with the cottage, big pavilion and bandshell surrounded by all the beautiful trees and view of the lake has been a perfect setting for children to learn about God’s love. As of now we’ve rented the new pavilion for next year.

But I have some reservations about the facility and our use of it. I attended some graduation open houses held at the new pavilion and it’s spacious and very beautiful. While I was there I tried to imagine the space filled with 50 to 60 children and leaders chattering, singing and playing. Although the new pavilion is gorgeous, the acoustics are horrible. So our church leaders have some things to think about.

But what is going to happen with the cottage? I wonder how long it has been in Edgewater Park. I was told that it needs $60,000 worth of repairs. I don’t know what is on the list of repairs. I was told there has been no decision about what to do with the cottage, only that it will not be available for rental. What do you think the people in the Albert Lea community and surrounding area would say, if they had a say in the decision making? Do you fix it up or tear it down?

Coreen Johnson

Youth and Family Ministry

Trinity Lutheran Church

Albert Lea