June 5, 2006 - Monday

06/05/06 MONDAY grp 3 of 20
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Todays Gazette is brought to you by The Fashion Shop.
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The current temperature is 78 degrees.
I was surprised to get home and find that my fancy new electronic rain
gauge hadn't recorded a drop of rain since we left.
There is a 50 percent chance Mother Nature will be watering the garden
today.
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Profanity makes ignorance audible."
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L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
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The person that said nothing ever happens in a small town, has never
been to Grafton.
Much that goes on in a small town finds it way to fact, or fiction, by
way of the rumor mill. For instance. Rumor has it Ekatta's, Grafton
newest entertainment complex, has decided to streamline there operation
in the former Nelson Drug store building. They are turning their lower
level restaurant and upper level Cigar Bar into a more compact complex
all on the main floor. That's super news for folks like me that have
trouble with stairs anyway.
I haven't heard what's going to fill the upper level. Perhaps that area
will remain storage area for former drug store memories. I also
understand the new menu will feature more peanuts and chips than Ribs
and Lasagna.
(We DIDN'T USE IT - SO - We LOSE IT.)
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I was also saddened to hear that Harts Machine will be redirecting
their energies as well. Harts has made numerous, significant,
contributions to the agricultural community in the Grafton area over the
years.
(We DIDN'T USE IT - SO - We LOST IT.)
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Rumors have already been be circulating about the "possible sale" of
Reds sports bar and Grill.
(We can,.. USE IT - OR - LOSE IT)
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On the positive side. Colleen and Donald LaBerge will be turning over
their home at 906 Western Avenue to new owners soon. The LaBerge's have
maintained the home in immaculate condition. That, along with the help
of local real estate agents from Country Realty, I believe, contributed
to the relatively quick sale. "Rumor" has it that someone from
California will be moving into the 906 Western address shortly.
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FISHING REPORT.
Fishing out of Arnesen's Rocky Pont Resort on the south shores of
Minnesota's Lake of the Woods has been absolutely FANTASTIC, and,...
catching fish there has been pretty good as well.
The daily limit is four Walleye's each and everything over 19 ½
inches must be returned to be caught another day. I was able to come in
every time I went out with a limit of "good eaters". Last Wednesday, I
came in with three Walleye's in the 18" to 18½" range and one that
measured 19 and fifteen thirtyseconds inches. I must admit I did have to
"arch" it's back, just a bit, to make it legal.
ANYWAY, the fishing and the food is always fabulous at Arnesen's Rocky
Point Resort,... and most of the time the catching is too.
I was surprised to look out the windshield of the motorhome the other
day just in time to catch Jay Seeger running into my dock. Literally,
running into my dock. Jay, it seems, had just purchased the new 25
footer from a dealer in Grand Forks. According to him, they told him
everything there was to know about the boat,... except how to run it.
Anyway, some might remember that the Seegers ran The Fashion Shop in
Grafton for many years. 28 years according to Jay. He also told me that
he always believed Grafton was one of the better business communities in
the state.
The Fashion Shop was just north of the Strand Theater on main street.
The Seegers, currently living in Grand Forks, have recently purchased a
place at Arnesen's Rocky Point.
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I received the following "message" from Wally, while I was gone
fishing. >>>
Hi Gary ..... Put that fishing rod down and get back to work.
EKATTA'S closed and Hart's Machine will close on Wednesday of this week.
...Don't you have any responsibility for this old town???? You leave
and it goes to pot. You should come back and let me fish and use your
RV. When I leave, it doesn't make any difference.
POOR OLD WALLY <<< Thanks a million for the note Wally. I thought
"our" town was in capable hands when I left.
Anyway, Wally also forwarded the following message he received from
Peggy Dahl-Bartunek. She wrote. >>>
Hi Wally,
Could you please forward this request to Gary Moe so he can include it
in his newsletter? I don't have his E-mail address:
This November Grafton High School will be presenting the musical
"Hello Dolly." The musical takes place in the 1890's and the women's
costumes will require very elaborate hats. We have all sorts of hats
in our costume room but we would like to "build" them up so they look
like they are from that period. Anybody who would like to donate
"fake" flowers, ribbons, chiffon scarves, or any other item that might
be useful to decorate the hats is invited to drop off the items this
summer at Valley Music. Also, if anybody has real clothes from that
period and would be comfortable loaning them, please call me at
360-0167. Thank you! Peggy Dahl-Bartunek
Thanks Wally!
Peggy <<<< Thanks to both Wally and Peggy for caring and sharing. I'd
be surprised if Wally doesn't have clothes from that era hanging in his
closet. If someone can remember to remind me, I would be happy to remind
"us" about the event in the future as well.
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Speaking of not having my e-mail address. I received the following
request from Gina. She wrote. >>> Hi Gary,
My dad, Michael Leighton, forwarded me one of your Skeeterville
Gazette's and I was wondering if I could get on your mailing list.
Its nice to see what everyone is up to in Grafton.
As for me - I was Gina Leighton and married Eric Rypkema from
Bemidji. We reside in Bemidji and have 2 kids. Eric is a
police officer and I am a financial advisor and work mainly in Bemidji
and Park Rapids, but I do have clients in Langdon and Cavalier as
well. So I get up to Grafton one day a week right now. I can
not wait for Summerfest this summer!
Thanks Gary for putting this paper together,
Gina (Leighton) Rypkema <<<
Thanks a million Gina and welcome to the Gazette family. The intent of
the Gazette is the exchange of information between "people". I still
believe the Walsh County Record (weekly) and the Grand Forks Herald
(daily) are the best printed, local, news vehicles we have.
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HOUSE KEEPING NOTE:
From time to time I receive a request to discontinue, or hold, sending
out the Gazette to subscribers going on vacation t their summer or
winter homes. I am able to stop sending relatively easily. I can do that
when I receive the note. Unfortunately, the Gazette staff (me) doesn't
always have the wear-with-all to remember to startup the subscription
again. For that reason, and some I can't think of, I must ask those
wanting the Gazette to start up again to please let me know at that
time. The calendar on my wall is already full of anniversaries and
birthdays.
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Some days your the bug. Some days your the windshield.
And.......
Only female Skeeters bite.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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If your not in Grafton for the Summerfest, your going to be missing a
good time.


Write if you can, call if you can't, and, tell your loved ones they are,
before it's too late.