Swanson nearly misses 77th birthday parade

It definitely was a birthday celebration that she will never forget.
Corinne Swanson nearly missed her 77th birthday celebrated by many of her friends and neighbors on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
Car horns were a-blarin' on her Blooming Prairie street at about 3 p.m. on this day, April 13, but Corinne Swanson did not hear them. She was busy on a sewing project on the lower level of her home.
Corinne's husband Dale did hear the racket outside their house, and he called Corinne to a telephone call. It was friend Linda Christianson who strongly suggested to Corinne: "Go to your front door."
Christianson was the organizer of this special birthday party. She called Corinne's friends and urged them to join a parade on her street south of town.
Corinne followed the instructions to go to the front door and was surprised to see a large group of cars on her street with horns honking.
The motorcade consisted of 15 vehicles. Homemade signs and some balloons made the birthday party somewhat festive.
One of her friends departed her car and walked up to Corinne's front door, keeping a social distance of six feet.
A friend presented Corinne with a homemade angel food cake. Others in the parade got out of their cars, presented Corinne with birthday cards and stood safely in social distance as they sang Corinne "Happy Birthday."
These types of birthday observances are necessary because of the "Stay at Home" order issued by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
"I'll long remember this birthday (No. 77)," said Corinne.