February 26, 2008 - Tuesday

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Todays Gazette is brought to you, with highest regards to all the
unfortunate individuals charge with the responsibility of officiating
high school sports.
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The current temperature is 6
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 21/7
Normal H/L temp for this date is 26/9
We haven't received quite enough snow to make snow cones for a
small picnic.
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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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Even though the Grand Forks Herald, and other area news media, "appear"
to be doing everything in their power to diminish the actual end result
of last weekends North Dakota High School State Hockey Tournament by
"fostering the fodder" of a group of frustrated athletic supporters. I
truly do not believe it is the personal intention of those reporters to
denigrate the members of either team involved.
Unfortunately, by allowing such fodder to fester, I suspect in the
interest of news, that is precisely what is happening.
The facts will, first and foremost,... final and forever, remain the
same. The world of could'a, would'a should'a individuals is best suited
to the tournaments of chess and checkers.
The officials that were given the responsibility to officiate the game,
did so to the very best of their ability. Although most would agree that
throughout the entire game, various infractions, on both sides, were
intentionally "overlooked". All in the interest, I'm told, of letting
the players decide the outcome of the championship event.
Unfortunately, these facts, left to the pessimist's and those suffering
from paranoia will continue to churn negativity into frustration for
several years to come.
Everyone seems to agree that the two teams fighting for this years
title did in fact belong there. The contest was played in the exact same
manner (some would argue even better) than any of there early season
encounters.
So,... one final time. I would like to extend my sincere
congratulations to the Red River High School "Roughriders" Organization
for their truly outstanding performance, throughout the season and
especially during the Championship game. AND, my heartfelt
congratulations goes out to the Grafton - Park River High School
"Spoilers".
The 2008 State Hockey Champions.
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One of our Gazette Family members shared the following
"tongue-in-cheek", comment on the final game. >>>>
"I still think it was a Norwegian power play." It was a great game!
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The mention of hockey gave Lloyd reason to share the following
thoughts. >>>>
Gary:
Thanks, as always, for the Gazette. I know few of the souls in Grafton
but your writing about them makes them real. As a married-into-member of
Roseau I know of the thrill of the hockey tournaments and the wonder of
winning. Brother-in-law Bob (Harris) who helped make a name for Roseau
in their first Minnesota state championship in 1946 and his sister Nancy
who developed the concept of Power Skating for hockey players attest to
the involvement of my wife's family in the the American version of the
Canadian sport. And here is a modest North Dakota community making its
presence felt in a greater part of the state.
My hat is off to you. May you continue to prosper and win.
Lloyd W. Hanson <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Lloyd. As
often as not, the true "contest" in high school sports takes place,
after the events are over.
Or so it seems to me.
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I am deeply saddened to report the passing of Ann (Mrs. Iver)
Egeland 93. Funeral arrangements are pending.
I will share those arrangements as soon as they become available.
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$32,500 === $32,500 === $32.500
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.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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"When memories are never shared, history has no meaning."
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.