Day 8 Mall of America and New Ulm, MN

On Saturday, June 16 we traveled from Burnsville to New Ulm with a side trip to the Mall of America. The ringers got to spend 3 hours in the mall, which is 4 stories tall with an amusement park in the middle of it. Then we went to New Ulm, which is where Matt Wieben’s family comes from.  We arrived in New Ulm in time to visit the Hermann Monument and the Glockenspiel in downtown New Ulm. That night we played a concert at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Brenda Barta, a WBR alumnus, came to the concert along with Tom and Sally Loken, former bell ringer parents.  Matt's dad Ralph, brother Luke (a WBR alum) and dog came from Salt Lake to hear the concert and visit with family. The chaperones were treated to yummy walleye fish from Tracy,  Matt's aunt.

Thoughts from the ringers...

We went to the Mall of America yesterday where I met up with some old friends who live in Minnesota on a Youth Works mission trip. It had been about four years since the last time I had seen them so it was a great experience.

                The best decision I ever made was joining the choir. Being a member of the Bell choir for the past 5 years has been very rewarding in many ways. I’ve traveled to most of the states in the US, been out of the country, learned a sense of leadership and teamwork, and met some of the best friends I have and will ever have. It’s going to be different not being in the choir, and I’ll miss it more than I can explain, but this choir has taught me lessons and morals that I can take with me when I go. I’ll miss playing with my friends in later years, but I’ll be there watching them as they keep going.
 –  Mike

The Mall of America’s huge!  And then we went to New Ulm.  Pretty town and there was a giant carillon glockenspiel thingy.  We heard that play and then we went to the church, which was really cool!  The concert was great too!  The host was awesome, though his cat loved to attack my toes…I walked into the kitchen and the first thing the kitty did was fly at my foot and grab the toe, flipping over my foot and then just flopping there.  But then it kept at it, and I told the kitten, “Stop attacking my piggies!” –Tristan

Day 7 Fond du Lac, WI to Burnsville, MN

On Friday, we traveled from Fond du Lac, WI to Burnsville, MN. On the way, we went to Wisconsin Dells, which appears to be the water park mecca of the Midwest. We went on a duck boat ride. These boats were used during World War II. Our “boat” went on land and in water (the Wisconsin River). We then drove onto River Hills United Methodist Church in Burnsville, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis, MN. There were several alumni of the WBR in the audience including Brenda Barta, who played in the 1970’s. Brenda played with the choir Thursday night on Celtic Farewell. Other alumni in attendance included Kathy Chojnacki, and Brian Kuyat. Also in the audience were Jake Mangelson’s aunt, KC Chojnacki (a tink bell master who played with apPRAISEation this past year), and Chuck and Bev Mittelstadt (Alec’s grandparents). We continue to enjoy and appreciate the audience’s reactions to our music. It is very rewarding.

Ed and Emma conduct the usual morning bank business with Austin.

  

Burnsville, MN

WBR Alumnus Brenda Barta

Day 6 - Fond du Lac, WI

On Thursday, we left Illinois for the state of Wisconsin. There were lots of cows, dairy farms, and cheese stores! We were treated to an afternoon at House on the Rock, an unforgettable experience. Did you know Frank Lloyd Wright was born in Wisconsin? We arrived at Jake Mangleson’s grandmother’s church, Holy Family Catholic Church in Fond du Lac, WI. Fond du Lac means “foot of the lake.” The town is on the south end of Lake Winnebago. Some of the ringers even stayed at host homes on the lake. Tomorrow we are going on the duck boats at Wisconsin Dells before playing a concert in Burnsville, MN.

 Hello Salt Lake! It has been a while since we last talked so let me update you on myself. I am doing great, the bus is fun, the adventures we take every day are exciting and the churches we have been playing in are breathtakingly beautiful. Last night we got the opportunity to play in a Catholic church, which was pretty special to me being Catholic and all, the member were all welcoming and EARLY!! They made us a potluck dinner and we got to mingle with our hosts before the concert. The host home I stayed in last night was the home of the amazing Bev! She lived on the edge of the lake where the sunsets, so I’m told, are inspiring. Bev’s house was also located right next door to another host home, one holding four other girls from the choir! All in all, this was one of the best host homes I have ever had. Bev was one of the sweetest ladies I had ever met; she even made us a lunch for the next day. It included HOMEMADE CARAMEL! Anyway, I have got to go Salt Lake. I guess I’ll see ya when I see ya.

                Morgan Ryan

It was very nice to have a meal on tour that was almost entirely made by your grandma or my Nana! It was nice because I felt right at home. We saw the House on the Rock yesterday which was probably one of the coolest places I have ever been. I’ll have to go back some day to see it all.

                 Jake Mangelsen

Well…so far the Midwest has been pretty awesome apart from the countless miles of driving through corn. At first I was skeptical about journeying to the Midwest, but I can say that the Midwest truly has more to offer than what I thought at first. The great windy city was like a beacon in a sea of waving green grasses and all of the little attractions we have visited are oases in this green ocean. The people here are genuine, proud, and happy people who have made the midwest a place that rivals southern hospitality. All in all so far I am happy to be traveling and here’s to some more grand adventures.

                Bryce Pulver

House on the Rock, need we say more?

Holy Family Catholic Church, Fond du Lac, WI

At each church, we are fed a delicious dinner, and we get to get to know the folks who prepare the dinner.

Love the cheese curds!

Jake Mangelson with his grandmother, Barb

Wednesday, June 13, Chicago

Wednesday was a really fun day as the choir got to tour Chicago. We did an architectural boat ride on the Chicago River, along with a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry. Then we had time on Michigan Avenue to check out all the stores and the big city. We walked over to Navy Pier where we spent the evening, then headed to our hotel for our first hotel night.

Chicago, here we come!

Parents - ask your kids about the boat ride!

At the Museum of Science and Industry

Michigan Avenue will never be the same.

After a little shopping at Forever XXI.

Too bad you have to have a permit to perform. They would have been rich!

Austin, the man!

The Tribune Building has pieces of rocks from all over the world embedded in the wall. We found one from Salt Lake City.

Tuesday, June 12, Iowa to St. Charles, IL

Since we only had a 5 hour bus ride Tuesday, we stopped off at the Amana Colonies in Iowa, one of America’s longest-lived communal societies which began in 1714. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965.  We got to spend some time at the shops.  Then we drove a little further and made it to the largest truck stop in the world. Jill Herman had actually been here before during her family travels!

Ruby and Jim, our hosts at Baker Memorial UMC

On Tuesday night we played at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles, IL, a town about 40 miles from Chicago. The church was built in the 1950’s and had awesome acoustics. Two members of the church, Ruby and Jim Madole, used to attend Christ UMC in Salt Lake City and their two kids were in the choir with some of our bell choir parents.  Ruby and Claudia EerNissie made the first set of blue table covers that were used to cover the bell tables in the 1980’s. What a labor of love! The table covers were so durable that they had to be replaced only last year!  The audience seemed to really enjoy the concert, as we often heard “amen” and exclamations of joy after each song.  Wednesday we have a big day planned in Chicago: an architectural boat ride, the Museum of Science and Industry, Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier.

Our church last night in St. Charles was beautiful! We saw amazing stain glass windows.  Tour is so much fun so far. We are all like a great big family!  Are host homes are great! They are so nice to let us stay with them!  We went to a little German village on the way to the church.  The best part of tour so far was Adventure Land.  It was a blast!  Every day is a blast with the people on this bus!

-          Cassie

The church we played at last night was incredible! It looked like a small catholic cathedral complete with intricate stone and woodwork and incredibly complex stained glass windows! It was by far the most beautiful church I’ve ever played in on tour! I also had the coolest host! He was a French Moroccan with the coolest stories, including a myriad of skiing escapades! Yesterday has been my favorite day so far!

-          Nick

Last night the church that we played at was absolutely gorgeous! The architecture looked like a classic European cathedral. The people were very kind, except when one thought I was a woman…My hosts were very kind and there home was very welcoming. I love meeting all these new people and seeing these beautiful churches.

-          Matthew Wieben

      Here's a cool host story. We were having breakfasts with our host this morning, and he told us about his elementary basketball team and how they had been beat by a team of 2 boys and 3 girls (5th graders). Turns out the two boys were Jerry Sloan and his brother :)

         - Emma, Larni and Gina

  

Main Street in Amana, Iowa

There is lots of time to visit with friends on the bus.

We've now crossed the Mississippi River.

There is also time to sleep on the bus.

There are jam sessions in the back of the bus.

Practicing walking in

Every day we learn about a different Christian symbol when we are on the bus.

It is nice to see the symbols in the churches that we visit.