March 6, 2008 - Thursday

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Todays Gazette is brought to you by the 2008 World Curling
Championships at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks.
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The current temperature is -16
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 11/-11
Normal H/L temp for this date is 29/12
It's going to be 97 degrees COLDER outside in the morning, than it will
be in my living room. Tell that to Al Gore the next time you see him.
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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 most significant rumor in Grafton lately, is about a grocery store
in Roseau. Much like the rumor of a few weeks ago. It continues to
appear as though we will be able to stop in Roseau and pick up a bag of
Doug's donut holes on the way to Rocky Point.
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Loren sent the following about Elton Ringsak. >>>> Gary:
If the-often-in error memory serves, Elton was part of the
landings in North Africa; was this where he sustained his injuries, or
was it Sicily/Italy?
I also remember that a fire destroyed many of Elton's medals and
citations - were they successful in getting "re-issues"? If they were,
perhaps the citations should be made part of the Gazette, if only to
remind those other sterling individuals who served in Korea, Vietnam, et
al, of what they gave up for the rest of us and at what cost.
With our family's proximity to his house and knowing the story,
the repeated observation of him walking to the office and clutching his
towel was ALWAYS a reminder of where he had been, and what he had given
on behalf of his country - and he always had time to say "Hello",
perhaps in appreciation for his escape from the alternative. Go with
God. <<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Loren. I'm not sure what the
actual status of Eltons medals are. With luck we may here more from one
of Elton's family members. I will include the following information
taken from the 1982 Grafton Centennial book.
As a soldier, Ringsak has the distinction of being one of the most
decorated veterans to serve in World War ll. He has received five purple
hearts the bronze Star, the Silver Star, Two Distinguished Service
Crosses, the French Croix de Guerre, the Italian Military Valor Cross,
the Presidential Citation, the White Legion of Honor, and four European
Theatre Operations medals.
On May 1st, 1975 President Gerald Ford presented Elton Woodrow Ringsak
with the Handicapped American of the year President's Trophy.
Elton W. Ringsak
Nov. 18, 1915 ---------- May 17, 1982
There just about nobody else in the whole wide world with a longer dash
than that.
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Rock Tweten shared his memories.
Hi Gary,
Speaking of Elton and Ruthy Ringsak.... Elton and Ruthy were friends of
my mom and dad, Milt and Olive. They would come over to our house when I
was little, and I remember sitting next to him on the couch and talking
to him. He was a great guy. A couple of years ago Garrison Keillor was
at the Chester Fritz Auditorium for a show, I had to take pictures of
him for the wall there, so I went early to talk to Russ Ringsak for a
while. We talked about our parents and the get togethers at the Ringsak
and Tweten house. Russ Ringsak is Garrisons road manager, driver, and
many other things. He was also Garrisons best man at his wedding. Just
thought I would share.
Rock <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Rock. The way it looks
to me, you have photograph of famous people hanging on walls all over
the country. Pretty significant accomplishment for a small town
shutter-bug. I'd say.
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Speaking of small town folks doing some pretty significant "stuff". I
received a call from Traie Dockter, Director of Marketing
Ralph Engelstad Arena & Fighting Sioux Sports Properties and we talked
about the upcoming World Curling Championships coming to the Engelstad
Arena in April. Shortly after our telephone conversation, I received the
following email.
Traie wrote: >>>>
Gary: It was a real pleasure to talk with you this morning. Following
is some information about our opening banquet and John's involvement
with the event. Thank you for your help in getting out the word. We
truly appreciate it!
Traie
Mr. John Aasand of Grafton has accepted a role to be the Master of
Ceremonies for the Opening Banquet of the 2008 World Curling
Championships April 5-13 in Grand Forks. John will bring his
entertaining talents — derived from decades of curling knowledge and
championship experiences — to the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center for the
Opening Banquet on Friday, April 4 at 7 PM. Tickets are $50 each or
$400 for a table of 8. Visit with John at the Extra End Bar in Grafton
to learn more about it or contact Sara Ingeman with the event at
701.777.6635 or sarai@theralph.com to get your tickets today!
The 2008 World Men's Curling Championships (April 5-13)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY NIGHT,.. HERITAGE VILLAGE
===== WALLEYE FISH FRY =====
~~ FRIDAY -- MARCH 7, 2008 ~~
- SERVING FROM 5PM UNTIL 8PM -
FOR TAKE OUT ORDERS CALL THE VILLAGE AT 701-352-3280 ADULTS $10.00
CHILDREN UNDER 10 $5.00
This is as close to fresh caught fish as it gets in Shivercity.
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Ronald Sando once played Altos in the Nationally known Grafton Parade
Band,
and Edith Hart played the Clarinet.
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$32,500 === $32,500 === $32.500
Grafton Youth Hockey "MEGA RAFFLE".
1st prize is a 2008 Harley Davidson.
2nd prize is a 2008 Arctic Cat ATV
3rd prize is a John Deere Riding mower. 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 one of the
prizes.
The banquet dinner and drawing will be held on March 15, 2008.
(Need not be present to win.)
Please make checks payable to Grafton Youth Hockey. My address is
764 Birch Court, Grafton, ND 58237
You have a 1 in 15 chance of getting your money back,... OR MORE.
{:-)
Maybe you can split a ticket with a friend, or friends and draw straws
for the dinner.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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"You haven't really cared, until you've really shared." 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.