Todays Gazette is brought to you, by the young men and women that make
up the 2008 Grafton - Park River Spoilers Hockey team. This years North
Dakota State High School Hockey Champions!!!
-----------------------
The current temperature is 18.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 32/2
Normal H/L temp for this date is 26/8
It was 65 degrees on this date in 1958
===========================
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
===========================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
------------------------
Although the Spoilers hockey team certainly has been at, or near, the
top of their game the past few days. Unfortunately, both members of the
Gazette household couldn't say the same. Both Pat and I were looking
forward to attending the State Hockey Tournaments this past weekend, as
we have for the past several years.
As it turned out, sinus infection, a runny nose, swollen hands and
feet, sore joints and muscles, headaches, and, the general feeling of
being hit by a Mack truck made the decision to stay home and listen to
the games on KXPO Radio much easier.
Okay, I'll admit, we actually did "watch" the semi and final game on
television Channel 11. There television coverage of the tournament was
super. I must admit however, at our house at least, while we were
"watching" channel 11, we were "listening" to the voice broadcast on
KXPO. Thanks a million to the KXPO Radio organization for putting
together a fantastic hockey broadcast team.
I won't waste your time with all the specifics of the tournament. The
Grand Forks Herald has already done a fabulous job of that. And, I
suspect the Walsh County Record and Walsh County Press will cover them
in this weeks editions as well.
Let it suffice to say that the Grafton - Park River Spoilers hockey
team, comprised of players and fans from several area communities and
schools, celebrated the 3 to 2 title win Saturday night. It was evident
from the initial face-off that both teams already had one hand on the
first place trophy.
Both teams displayed the kind of spirit, teamwork, and tenacity
required to win a State Championship title.
In the spirit and tradition of high school sportsmanship, I extend my
heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to the members of the
Roughriders and Spoilers teams for providing me one of the best North
Dakota State High School Hockey Tournaments I can remember.
I might also add, it appears - on television anyway - that all of the
Red River Roughrider players could be of Scandinavian decent.
How else, I wonder, could one explain the fact that every single
Roughrider player was blonde?
As always happens, when the youth of our little community excel. We
bring out all the emergency equipment possible to me them and escort
them back to town.
And,.. so it was this year. Pat and I were parked in front of Grafton
Auto Electric along hiway 17 waiting for the team. By 1:15 pm cars were
lined up on both sides of the street for many blocks, some with signs
some flashing lights and many cars packed with school age kids waving
banners while many more were standing on the curb patiently waiting for
"our" team to arrive.
Then,.... we could see flashing lights on the edge of town. At first it
looked like it would be another "normal" hero's welcome. Dozens of
lights flashing, sirens and horns blaring, people waving and
cheering,.... and then,.. then, the bus carrying to hockey team stopped.
At first I wondered why, then I noticed a couple high school students in
the middle of the street. What in the heck are they doing there,??? I
asked Pat. She said can't you see? They're sweeping the street for their
new State Champions.
WOW,... now that's a tender touch if I've ever seen one.
As the boys passed by I was blowing my horn and waving and, and,...
thanking God that everyone in that bus, and everyone waiting for that
bus represents our community in a way that not only makes us proud. They
are showing the men and women in uniform, all around the world, that
their efforts have not been in vain.
--------------------------
Not long ago I wrote about the "little" house on Summit Avenue that was
moved out to make room for additional space for a greenhouse and storage
building. I also mentioned several of it's previous tenants, including
Pat and I. I am really pleased Darlene decided to share the following.
Dear Gary,
I do have to share this with you since your information made more
memories possible for my family. On Groundhog Day we celebrated my mom's
96th birthday. The siblings who lived in our Summit Ave. house in
Grafton gathered in a van to try to locate it. We did find it, and the
owner so kindly let us explore his now home. He is remodelling it, but
there was still enough left of the old rooms to remember what they once
were. I never though I would be in that house again when I said goodbye
to each room at about age 14. Thanks again for making it possible for us
to relive old memories.
Darlene Rogalla Dyrud <<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Darlene. Aren't memories
wonderful?
-----------------------
Speaking of wonderful memories. I enjoyed reading in last weeks edition
of the Record, in the 50 years ago column.
Joe Birkeland, director of the Grafton Parade Band was handed a new
baton at the "Grafton Parade Band Family Night" party held at the social
room of the Grafton Lutheran Church, Leonard DeSautel made the
presentation. The baton was a gift from the chaperones, who accompanied
the band on the trip to Miami, Washington, and New York.
-------------------------
There is activity in and around the former Denny's Food Pride store.
The heat was turned up last week and already a few "service" vehicles
can be seen parked out front. It sure is great seeing the increased
activity at Western Plaza.
The new store Home of Economy is planning in the Western Plaza complex
will almost certainly add value to a persons trip to Grafton. Or so it
seems to me.
--------------------------
I'm not sure how many times I have mentioned the upcoming MEGA RAFFLE.
Graftons Area Youth Hockey Promotion.
However, just in case you did miss it before. Here it is again. {:-)
$32,500 === $32,500 === $32.500
Speaking of benefits. It's that time of the year again when
"everyone" has the opportunity to participate in the Grafton Youth
Hockey "MEGA RAFFLE".
1st prize is a 2008 Harley Davidson.
2nd prize is a 2008 Arctic Cat ATV
(I won the ATV last year)
3rd prize is a John Deere Riding mower. (H. Dale Aasand won the Rider
last year) 4th prize is a Napa Tool Chest.
5th prize is a giant flat screen TV.
++plus 35 additional prizes AND a super dinner is included with every
ticket.
$32.500 in cash and prizes, with 1 chance in 15 to win cash or one
of the prizes. The banquet dinner and drawing will be held on March 15,
2008.
(Need not be present to win.)
AND, for a mere one hundred dollar bill ($100) you have a 100
percent chance of getting a ticket. Simply let me know how many chances
you would like to help Grafton's Youth Hockey organization become the
very best it can be.
Please make checks payable to Grafton Youth Hockey. My address is
764 Birch Court, Grafton, ND 58237
OR you can call 701-520-1804. That's a cell number. I'll be darned
if I know who's, but I am sure of one thing. If you call it, you'll get
a ticket if you want one. That will help our youth hockey program be as
good as it can be. And,... my grandson and I,... will be very pleased as
well.
==========================
GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
==========================
"The key to success is not hearing what you want to hear. It's hearing
what you need to hear."
Write if you can, call if you can't, and, tell your loved ones they
are,..... before it's too late.
No comments:
Post a Comment