2025 Dates: Monday, October 13 – Wednesday, October 15
Description: Our 2nd annual fall retreat for those ages 55+ at Ewalu’s Stone Retreat Center! Join us for a featured speaker, carriage or wagon rides through the fall colors, time for reflection and renewal, optional hiking, and simple relaxation. Meals and lodging (2 nights) included.
Cost: Double occupancy (2 people sharing one room): $175 per person
Single occupancy (1 person in a room): $225
Arrival time: Monday at 4:00 p.m. (supper at 5:30 p.m.)
Departure: Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
Click the button and sign in to your Ewalu Camp Brain account, or create a new account. Then select “2025 Ewalu Events” and then select “Autumn Odyssey 55+ Retreat”
Guest Speaker: Rev. Joan Fumetti, Des Moines
Joan is an ordained United Church of Christ minister with degrees from the University of Iowa and the University of Dubuque seminary. While serving UCC congregations in Fredericksburg and Sumner, Iowa, she became involved with the Foods Resource Bank. In 2008 she became the director of the growing project support for the Foods Resource Bank, based in Western Springs, Illinois, and was one of four full-time staffers for the international nonprofit agency. Now retired, she lives in her hometown of Des Moines and attends Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines.
Her presentation at Autumn Odyssey will use the summer camp theme—”God’s Word Comes Near”—and will incorporate Lectio Divina and other contemplation methods for Scripture.
Guest Speaker: Rev. Larry Trachte, Waverly
Larry is an ordained Lutheran pastor with degrees from Wartburg College and Wartburg Theological Seminary. His first call was at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly in 1970, and in 1974 he started a 35-year call at Wartburg College as campus pastor and professor in the religion department, retiring in 2009. In retirement, he has been a supply pastor in northeast Iowa one of the preaching pastors on staff at St. Paul’s in Waverly. He and his wife Lois raised their 2 children in Waverly and have six grandchildren. Lois passed away in early 2025; the couple were married for 58 years and loved to travel.
At Autumn Odyssey, Larry will lead a session Monday evening on “Celebration of Life” planning.
Tentative schedule for Autumn Odyssey:
Monday, October 13
4:00 pm Appetizers (Elle and Harry Blobaum host)
4:30 pm Optional Stone Center hike with Paul Frantsen
5:15 pm Welcome and Introductions
5:30 pm Dinner
6:30 pm Nature’s Beauty – Dr. Steve Main (and Elaine), retired Wartburg College faculty
7:45 pm Campfire & Singalong – Charlie Rod and Ewalu Program Intern Heather Swartz
8:45 pm Devotion and Daily Life – “A Day at Camp” with Heather Swartz
9:00 pm Late night conversations and/or bedtime
Tuesday, October 14
7:15 am Morning hike with Paul Frantsen (bring your camera)
8:00 am Breakfast
8:30 am Morning Devotions with Pr Margaret Yackel-Juleen
9:00 am Presentation with Pr Joan Fumetti and Deb
11:00 am Chair Yoga with Heather Swartz
12:00 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Nap
1:30 pm Side Trip Options
– Elkader Trip (scenic stops, antique store, Keystone Bridge, quilt store, Ice cream, coffee, Bakery)
– Main Site of Ewalu
– Drive to Communia and Motor Mill (carpool or on your own, no tour scheduled)
5:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm Celebration of Life Planning – Pr Larry Trachte
7:30 pm Worship – Pr Frank Johnson and Elle Blobaum
Wednesday, October 15
8:00 am Breakfast hosted by Dr Jill Davidson
9:00 am Devotions by Pr Kate Johnson
9:30 am St. Sebald tour, CCC Museum tour at Backbone State Park
11:00 am Pack up and be on your way
Location:
This retreat will be held at the Ewalu Stone Center, 35124 Highway 13, Strawberry Point, IA 52076 (2.5 miles north of Strawberry Point). Click here to see photos of the Stone Center.
