Gordy Spends Father’s Day in Stanton

I spent Father's Day morning at the Stanton Airfield indulging in delicious Cannon Falls Lions pancakes, sausage and eggs and attending church.

The food was very good, especially the sausages from Hampton Meats, and the Lions did a little maneuvering so people didn't have to wait in line in the sun as long and spent most of their line time in the hangar where the food was dished out.

I had a nice visit with a pilot who drove down from South St. Paul because it was quicker.

He pointed out by the time he drove to his hangar at Flying Cloud Airport near Lakeville and got the plane out of the hangar and flew to Stanton, then flew back to the airport and drove home it was much faster just to drive to Stanton.

I didn't count the planes but there were many and someone was selling helicopter rides and was very busy.

After the great food I walked to the hangar where church was being conducted by the Stanton United Mentodist Church. The church began when Minnesota became a state.

I spoke with one of the parishioners, who told me it's a struggle these days with 94 members total in their church. "Not many young people," he said.

The "2 Copper Coins" performed and in no time I was tapping my toes and singing with the rest of the Father's Day congregation. The 2 Copper Coins are a terrific group of musicians from Cannon Falls, Dennison and Kenyon. They sing rich harmonies and asked the congregation to join in many of the songs.

The service finished with "I'll Fly Away." Perfect for the airfield and one of my favorites.

During the service the group performed Marilyn Sellers' big hit "One Day At A Time."

Reverend Arthur Hill was a delightful speaker and kept the message light. His sermon was titled "Celebrating Three Great Gifts." Those gifts were pancakes, religion and airplanes and Hill talked about the senses God gave were tremendous gifts - the taste and smell of pancakes, how religion can arouse the senses and the sight and sound of airplanes.

We had all those in Stanton on Father's Day.

I am not a father and at my age probably never will be. It is one of my greatest life regrets but there really is nothing I can do about it. Life just worked out that way.

It was so awesome seeing little children with their parents marveling at the airplanes. There were scores of those.

Cessnas and Pipers and kits put together and experimental aircraft. Gliders and Biplanes. Vintage and newly built by hand.

I couldn't help but think of my dad, who didn't like to fly. Then again he only flew during World War II and as I often told him planes have changed a lot since then.