How Much Do You Really Know About Wally Roundlaker?
In 2007, Mark and Kay Ulm (residents on Round Lake and then owners of Zaisers of Nisswa) decided to sell their store. In the process of this sale and transition a gnome emerged that was looking for a new home. Mark just could'nt quite part with this gnome, so he named him Wally Roundlaker and brought the gnome to our 2007 Round Lake Christmas party. We drew a number to see who would provide the first home for Wally, our new Round Lake gnome.
Chuck, our current Round Lake President, and Marie Jorgensen were the chosen couple. As luck would have it Chuck and Marie were Leaving on December 26th, 2007 for a three month motor home and fifth wheel caravan trip down the Baja penninsula of Mexico. Wally has quite a tale to tell about those three months. Marie and Chuck shared some of those wild escapades with the Nisswa Womens Club last year.
At our Annual Meeting in June 2008 Wally moved in with then Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang and his family. Wow, after all that partying in Mexico it was really tough for Wally to now become a law abiding citizen. But it all worked out and Wally Roundlaker had a great summer vacationing with the Klang family.
In December, at the 2008 Christmas Party, Wally moved on to the home of Pam and Bob Stickler, seasonal residents between Round Lake and West St. Paul. While with the Stickler's, Wally had his first experience with airports, TSA's, and airport security as he tried to fly from Minneapolis to Florida. "Well", Wally says, "YOU try to fly with no passport, no drivers license, no green card... not even a fake social security card!" Eventually Pam vouched for Wally and he made it on the plane to Florida. He even posed for photos with all those cute college kids on spring break at the very most southern point of the continental United States.
Wow! After that excitement, Wally needed a quiet summer incognito with an unnamed family on Round Lake. We thought he was lost but being the party gnome that he is, even though he missed the 2009 Round Lake Christmas Party, he turned up at a candy making party at the home of Mark and Kay Ulm in December of 2009. Mark asked it there was anyone willing to provide a home for Wally from December 2009 until our annual meeting in June of 2010. Marilyn and Dick Sobiech accepted the challenge and took Wally to their home.
Wally enjoyed the Sobiech family Christmas and in March, 2010 tried skiing at Keystone Resort near Dillon, Colorado. Taking a break from skiing, Wally stopped in at the Alpenglow Stube Restaurant where he was mistaken as the Travelocity Gnome. Wally, never known to be camera shy, posed with all the patrons, bartender, and head chef. After imbibing in a little too much food and libation, Wally tried skiing and ended up having a close encounter with the Keystone Ski Patrol. A relaxing soak in the hot tub back at the condo helped to get him back in shape. From Colorado Wally traveled north to Red Lodge, Montana for a little ski racing with the Silver Race Team and two of the Sobiech Grandchildern, Isabelle and Vincent.
Rumor has it that Wally Roundlaker has applied for a passport and will be traveling to Poland and Germany later in May.
Stay tuned for the latest updates and happenings with Wally Roundlaker. Attend the 2010 Annual Round Lake Association Business Meeting and Picnic on Saturday June 26th and you and your family may be chosen to give Wally Roundlaker a home until the Christmas party on December 4th, 2010.
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Wally Roundlaker has spent the last year with the Debra Frazer-Leary family, who adopted him at the last Annual Picnic/Meeting in June of 2010. Wally traveled with Debra to Glen Ellen, CA to attend Debra's nieces wedding. Wally also accompanied Debra and family to a cabin in Finlayson MN. where he stopped off at the Muni Bar for a short one. While at the cabin Wally watched some gnome movies, and made snow angels on the lake. Wally had a great time with the Debra Frazer-Leary family and is looking forward to his next adventure.
If you are lucky, you may have a chance to adopt Wally at our next Annual Meeting/Picnic on June 25, 2011.
