The Freeborn County GOP had its annual picnic on Aug. 19 at Edgewater Park in Albert Lea. More than 100 area Republicans attended the event. Jerrold Dettle, the Freeborn County GOP chairman, guided the night’s activities as candidates for election and other speakers were given the stage. Speakers included Andrew Hasek, chairman of college Republicans, Rep. Mike Benson, District 26B and candidate for United States House, and Rep. Jim Abeler, District 35A and candidate for the United States Senate. The picnic also featured food, entertainment and collective singinig of patriotic tunes such as “God Bless America.” –Submitted