History and Helping Hands

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - Following lunch we made our first trip to the town proper of Albion (population approx. 1200), the center axis of our entire journey and the home of Zion Lutheran Church, where Pastor Mike is the assistant pastor (not to be confused with Immanuel-Zion, mentioned earlier). Our first stop was at the Boone County Historical Museum, closed for the winter but opened especially for our group (but not heated for our group – it might have been colder inside than outside). Warmed by his encyclopedic knowledge, local historian Paul Hosford appeared unaffected by the frosty conditions and regaled us with fascinating stories about the Native American tribes from the area, the early European settlers, and several aspects of Albion’s changing social and technological conventions over the decades.

Alpha hasn't found a keyboard yet on this trip that he can't resist, even at the museum.

Lorin inquires about what's for dinner in the museum's kitchen display.

Then it was back into the Mystery Machine for a visit to the Boone County food pantry, impressively well-stocked and skillfully organized and managed by the enthusiastic Nancy Krohn, who explained to us the magnificent support the pantry receives from the churches of the community as it serves the needy of greater Albion (below). May God grant them continued success!