September 26, 2006 - Tuesday

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Todays Gazette is brought to you by Ricardo "Dick" Escobar.
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The current temperature is 50 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 66/40
Normal H/L temp for this date is 65/41
The fancy electronic moisture meter outside registered .06 rain
overnight.
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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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It's this time of year, I think, that our trees display their greatest
splendor. A drive down Griggs, Kittson, Western and McHugh Avenues
during a sunny afternoon affords us a most fabulous array of color and
home town charm.
Throughout "our" little community, numerous trees (specimens), and
shrubs cast the spell of fall beauty. It pleases me to know that I
personally planted many of them, and, that most of the mature specimens
in the area displaying their elegant shapes and color were purchased
and/or planted by a member of the W.A. Moe, Grafton Floral and Nursery
organization.
It is, without question, this time of year that Grafton Floral and
Nursery's efforts over the past 60 years of continuous year-round
operation can truly be realized and appreciated.
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Christopher Larson sent the following note.
Subject: GHS Far Off Broadway
Hi Gary, on behalf of the "prop" department at Grafton High School's
FOB production of "Hello Dolly", I am writing to the Gazette to ask if
anybody out there would be willing to lend props for the play. There are
quite frankly just too many to list here. If you would like to help out
by lending props, please get in touch with myself by e-mail
(Christopher.J.Larson.1@sendit.nodak.edu)! Thank you all for your
continuing support of the FOB program in Grafton High School.
Thanks, Chris <<< Not knowing, specifically, the kinds of "props"
required, may give some reason to hesitate to respond. I am also
hesitant to give out "members" e-mail addresses, although in this case
it appears that Chris prefers I do.
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I think it's a fair statement to say that Pat and I are PROUD
grandparents, every day of the year. Then of course there are those days
we are "even prouder" (gosh I hope that's a real word). Anyway, Bev
Demers sent the following note last Saturday >>> Subject:
Congratulations
Congratulations Grandpa Gary and Grandma Patty on your granddaughter's
nomination to the Grafton High School Royal Court!! What an honor for
Jeni to be selected by her peers for such an honor. You must and
should be very proud!!
Bev <<< Of course, we were not home to receive it in a timely
fashion. Monday, I decided I should hold off any serious comments until
I could gather even more facts. After sending out Mondays Gazette
(without mention of Jennies accomplishments) I received the following
note from Bev. She wrote: Gary,
I guess I know where Wendy gets her modesty from. YOU! I can't believe
you didn't include something about Grafton's Homecoming in today's
Gazette. If Grandma and Grandpa can't brag about their beautiful
granddaughter, who can? You should all be very proud of Jeni. She truly
is a beautiful soul.
Bev <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Bev. Jeni truly is a
beautiful young lady. One that makes her grandmother and me very proud.
In my defense, however, I haven't written anything about the designates
to the Royal Court, simply because I haven't received the entire list. I
can, and will however, share the following note that relates to the
subject at hand.
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>>> Hi Gary, I was pleasantly surprised when I drove to work those Sand
Ranchers must have thought G.F. needed a break, gas was $2.07 at the
pump here, maybe it will trickle down (or should I say up) to Grafton,
hopefully before I fill up this week. Hey, did you hear my nephew Jacob
Houska (a summer employee of Sweet Delights) was voted to be on the Home
Coming court we're all so proud of him, it sounds like a great group of
kids will be in the running....I love getting the Gazette, keep it up.
Mary LaHaise <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Mary. I should
add, that Mary called later and said that gas in the big city to the
north has since dropped another nickel to $2.02. Also, for those not
aware. Sweet Delights is the candy and confection operation run by our
Son-in-law and daughter, David and Kelly. Already, many malls,
(including Columbia Mall, West Acres and the Mall of America)
restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, etc, etc across the
entire country feature Sweet Delights candy products.
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Speaking of kids and things they can do. I received the following note
from Tanna at Parks and Recreation. She wrote: >>>
Mr. Moe:
I'm writing on behalf of the Grafton Hockey Association. Every year we
have a major fundraiser by selling tickets and giving away HUGE prizes
(Harley, washer/dryer, groceries, snowblowers, etc... MAJOR PRIZES)...
we'd like to get the word out to everybody who's been associated with
Grafton and Grafton Hockey. We sell tickets and at the end of the hockey
season we draw for about $100,000 in prizes.
Would it be possible that you would be willing to share your email
addresses with us - to be used solely for this purpose for providing
ticket info/fundraising info for Grafton Youth Hockey fundraising
project?
I know your nephew, Casey Moe, is involved in hockey and it's possible
you purchased a ticket for this last year.
We appreciate any assistance you could give us. Thank you.
Tanna
Grafton Youth Hockey Association <<<
Thanks for thinking of me Tanna. I am extremely protective of "our"
membership list, and couldn't even consider it being "used by anyone
else". I would, however, be willing to do as I have in the passed. That
being to "remind" our members of various important functions, and, if
they deem proper. I would act as the middleman, so to speak, as I have
done in the past.
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A number of years ago, while Pat and I were driving around town. I
noticed everytime we past by a certain house on Hill Avenue. That person
would smile and wave. The kind of smile and wave one would use towards
someone you really knew and cared about. Shortly thereafter, every time
we would go for a ride. We would make a special effort to go by the
little pink house on Hill Avenue to smile and wave at our newfound
friend. No matter where we would see him, he would smile and wave.
For those of you that remember Grafton geographically. The little pink
house, that once belonged to Eleanor and Gene Swartz stands directly
accross the street from the old Deacones Hospital. I can't remember
driving down mainstreet and not seeing that friendly gentlman smiling
and waving as we passed by.
It is for those reasons that Pat and I are deeply saddened to share the
following.
Ricardo "Dick" Escobar
(March 15, 1938 - September 22, 2006)
Ricardo "Dick" Escobar, 68, of Grafton, North Dakota died Friday,
September 22, 2006 at Unity Medical Center in Grafton.
Memorial Mass will be 10:30 am, Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at St. John
The Evangelist Catholic Church in Grafton with burial in St. John's
Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Barnes Family Funeral Service,
Henriksen-Kamrowski Chapel on Monday from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm with at
7:30 pm Prayer Service and one hour prior to services in the church.
Ricardo Escobar was born March 15, 1938 in Winter Haven, Texas the son
of Nicholas and Angela (Renteria) Escobar. Through out his childhood he
migrated to North Dakota where they worked for area farmers. On March 5,
1957 he was united in marriage to Delia Uballe at Carrizo Springs,
Texas. They made their home in Carrizo Springs where he worked at the T.
J. Rowe Packing Plant in the winters and then for area farmers during
the summers in Auburn and St. Thomas, North Dakota. In 1975 they moved
to North Dakota and settled near St. Thomas and then moved to Grafton in
1986. He retired in 1994. He was a member of St. John The Evangelist
Catholic Church. Dick enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, loud music,
going to the casino and walking with his "best friend". His greatest joy
was his family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years: Delia; children: Jesse (Marlys)
Escobar of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Anna (Ramiro) Salazar of Grafton,
North Dakota, Mary Escobar of Grafton, North Dakota, Annette (Erling
"Yogi") Skaro of Grafton, North Dakota and Debra (Shane) Miller of
Grafton, North Dakota; ten grandchildren and one great grandchild;
brothers: Jose Luis (Aurora) Escobar of Sunnyside, Washington and Ernie
(Rosa) Aguilar of Grafton, North Dakota; sister: Marie (Gabriel) Rubio
of Carrizo Springs, Texas; sister-in-law: Juanita (Adolfo) Flores of
Grafton, North Dakota; several nieces and nephews also survive. He was
preceded in death by his parents; sister: Rosa Gonzales and nephews,
Nicholas Rubio and Ronald Rubio. The Barnes Family Funeral Service,
Henriksen-Kamrowski Chapel of Grafton is assisting the family with
arrangements.
>>> Unfortunately, it wasn't until I was made aware of his passing
that I learned of so many of Ricardo's virtues. He was a man that made
people smile, feel good about themselves and others. He carried his
pride, outside, where the whole world could see and appreciate it. He
was a humble man, willing to share his being with anyone that could
accept it. Some might have called Ricardo a migrant. I prefer to regard
him as a God fearing individule going where he needed, when he needed,
to raise and feed his family.
Pat and I will miss his friendly smile and his hearty wave as we pass
by. We will miss Ricardo to be sure. One thing is for certain. We will
never forget Ricardo "Dick" Escobar. He will leave this world a better
place. Can anyone ask for more?
Go in peace my fine friend, I know the Lord will use you wisely.
Sincerely, Gary & Patti Moe and family.
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Welcome Jim and Vicky it's great to have you back in the Gazette
family again. We also welcome Louis Kadlec to our midst.
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This weeks Firefighters Calendar Draw winners are:
9/25 Lori Schwandt $20
9/26 Dion Anderson $20
9/27 Geneva Lopez $20
9/28 Michael Blevins $20
9/29 Tom LaHaise * $20
9/30 Tony Badolato $20
10/1 Don Hutson * $20
Congratulations to all of this weeks winners.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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The Gazette works best, when the folks that read it, write it. Or so it
seems to me.


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