Sunday, December 03, 2006

December 3, 2006 - Sunday

===== REALLY EARLY EDITION =====
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Todays Gazette is being brought to you, in part, by Andy's Food Market.
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The current temperature is 2 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 28/9
Normal H/L temp for this date is 25/9
We continue to experience "winter like" weather. After all, it is
winter you know.
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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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Funny how things go in a small town. For several years, the business
community of Grafton seem stagnant, if not in decline. Then a man named
Allen Taylor appeared and suddenly several of our sailboat fuel storage
facilities took on a new life and the relatively negative attitude
turned positive. The old building the Getz family "gave" to the city
instead of taxes came alive again. The former Penney's building has been
converted into a computer mecca, of sorts. Louie Reglstads former City
Service station is now a working office. The former Robertson / Holiday
Gas station is home to a new local railroad operation and several new
units for the Storage Pro's dynasty.
THEN, almost like someone somewhere thought "we" might be growing to
fast. Our bustling little community was hit with several new business
closing. The entire community was stunned to learn of the closing of the
Heritage Ford, Chrysler dealership, followed by the end of the Hart
Machine business, Johnsons Used Car Sales as well as another used car
dealership on the south end of town.
Without question, it seemed for awhile like Grafton was on another
downhill spiral to Tiny Town USA.
THEN, just recently, it's looking like more folks want to move to town
than we have housing for. Just like when Allen Taylor was pumping the
sailboat fuel out of the buildings he was dealing with.
Yes, it may be still a bit of a rumor. Like the one that said Blake
Swanson was moving to town and no-one believed it,.... til he did.
Anyway, rumor has it the south building of the Heritage Ford operation
(formerly Wilson Bros, the building Russel Lykken started his dealership
in) has been given a new lease on life. The former Stenso Motors / B & W
Motors and later LaBerge & Stenso Motors building on main street also
has brand new owners (oops, that's a rumor yet) and, the latest rumor
has a brand new (maybe from Grand Forks) used car dealer moving into the
Johnson Used Car dealership on the west side of Grafton.
Added to that is the fact that several homes have also been, sold just
recently, AND, Jeanie and Alberts house has lights in it again too. It's
getting so we won't have anyplace to store sailboat fuel in town. Now
isn't that just a wonderful turn of events?
The only downside to Graftons economy this week, other than the
increase in snowblower propellent to $2.25, is that the Simonson family
has decided that "their" BP gas station shouldn't handle E-85 gas any
longer. Rats!!!
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On one of the coldest days we've had so far this winter. A member of
the United States Postal Service knocked on our door and handed us a
whole box full of Florida Sunshine. What a fabulous surprise!! Thanks a
million Marjorie, for a whole holidays supply of vitamin C.
We received your wonderful Christmas card today, including your check
for this years firefighters calendar draw. That too, is a most gracious
gesture. As per your instructions, the ticket will be purchased in the
name of Valley Ambulance & Rescue, courtesy of Marjorie. Thank you so
much for caring and sharing.
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Norman (Nip) Lykken is burning another candle today (Sunday Dec. 3).
According to Billy D. Nip could heat a fairly good sized home with the
candles on his birthday cake. Happy Birthday Nip, from the gang at
Granny's. We shook for you yesterday,.... and you lost. You can send the
cash along when you send you check for the firefighters drawing tickets.
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We mentioned Irene's Beauty Shop the other day and it generated several
memories. The closest one to home came from Dale as he wrote. >>>
My cousin, Larry Collette, forwarded your latest articles about my
mother and her boys. The home, which also housed Irene's Beauty Shop,
was at 819 Hill Ave and is now occupied by the Social Security
office. My dad, Andy Trudeau also for a time owned Andy's Food Market
on the corner which later became Kings Grocery.
Lynn Thompson's mother worked for a time at Irene's as well as Carol
Moe. After retirement, from 43 yrs in the insurance business we moved
to Redding to be close to the grandkids.
Please include me on future articles.
Dale Trudeau <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Dale. The
building you mentioned that housed the SS office has since been
purchased by the West family and now is home to a couple insurance
offices, among other things. The SS office is in a new facility on the
west end of town.
We will be pleased to add you to "our Gazette family.
Aren't memories wonderful?
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I am saddened to report the passing of Howard Wendelbo. The Wendelbo's
have been friends of our family for a good number of years. Howard will
be missed by many in my family, especially Denise and Brad's twins Jade
& Ty and their younger brother Trevor.
>>> Howard L. Wendelbo, age 69
of Grafton, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2006 at his home in
Grafton. Howard L. Wendelbo was born February 18, 1937 in Grafton, ND
the son of the late Carl and Lillian (Sondeland) Wendelbo. He worked
for Joe Anderson farms and the Boone Farms. In 1958 he was as a salesman
for Grafton Equipment. He later worked at Dryden Implement in Drayton
and Hart Machine in Grafton. He then went to work for Hanson's Auto and
Implement until retiring in 1999. Howard married Rosalee Coulthart on
October 5, 1958 at St. Thomas, ND. The couple made their home in
Grafton.
Howard enjoyed woodworking. He was an accomplished cabinet and furniture
maker. He loved fishing with his twin grandsons.
He is survived by his wife Rosalee; daughter Julie (Chad) Sundby, Park
River; grandsons: Dylan and Derek Sundby, Park River; brother Carl
(Polly) Wendelbo, Fargo. He was preceded in death by his parents, three
grandchildren, brother Leroy and sister Carol.
Funeral services will be Monday, December 4th at 11:00 A.M. at the Zion
English Lutheran Church, Grafton. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-7 PM
at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton with a prayer service at 7:00
PM. Interment will be at the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery.
The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the
arrangements.
friends are encouraged to sign the on-line guest book at
tollefsonfuneralhome.com
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Not long ago I received the following quote from Howard. I find it
most appropriate to share it again today.
EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY;
OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.
One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend.
My friend Howard has taken up residence in a greater place, tho he
will never leave our soul. He has left our world a better place, and
that surely was his goal.
God speed my friend Howard, save a place for me.
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GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
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Write if you can, call if you can't, and, tell your loved ones they are,
before it's too late.

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