December 5, 2008 - Friday

Todays Gazette reminds everyone that tonight is "VESSEL of PRAISE"
night at the Grafton Lutheran Church at 7:30. You will not be
disappointed,.. I promise.
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The current temperature is 6 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 15/4
Normal H/L temp for this date is 24/7
It was 52 degrees on this date in 1939
We have a 50 percent chance of receiving a load of snowcat dust
tonight.
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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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A very generous individual donated more than $110,000,000.00 and he
built a facility in which to play hockey. It is in Grand Forks and they
call it The Engelstad Arena. Then, that same very generous individual
donated more than $10,000,000 to build a facility in Thief River Falls
to play hockey in and I believe they also called that facility The
Engelstad. THEN,.. soon after, the same benefactor donated another huge
chunk of money to attach a large addition on to the Ralph so that UND
could play basketball inside during the winter and they called that
facility The Betty.
Not long ago, another generous individual donated a significant amount
of money so that the folks in Minto could enjoy a first class facility
to hold various civic functions in Minto. AND, I believe, they call that
The Koehmstedt Community Center.
A very kind and generous man spent a lifetime acquiring, and building a
entire community of items from the past, and he called his community,
just northeast of Auburn, Jugville. Sig Jagielski, upon his death,
donated his beloved Jugville and all of the items representing his
entire lifes passion to Graftons Heritage Village.
Ironically, a mere handful of individuals, most being volunteers, are
responsible for the care and maintenance of the entire Heritage Village
complex. And,.. they are trying to accomplish that task on a budget
amounting to little more than a pittance.
Members of the Heritage Village organization work diligently holding
regular bingo sessions and pancake and sausage breakfasts among other
functions trying to raise enough money to simply keep the Village
operating.
Now then,... during a recent research session in the Gazette Library a
thought came to mind. (no pun intended) What if,... I thought. What if
some wonderful individual or family of individuals, in the likeness of
the Engelstad's and Koehmstedt's would step forward and donate
sufficient money to replace the antiquated furnace at Heritage Village?
I'm guessing, maybe, if such a donation would happen, and it certainly
could happen, the generous benefactor's name might well go down in the
annals of the Village for future generations to see and appreciate. Or
so it seems to me.
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Speaking of all things old. Just yesterday I became aware of a business
transaction that took place many years ago. It seems a local young (at
the time) boy had his heart and soul set on a particular used bike in
town.
Bert, so the story goes, owned just exactly the kind of bike Don
wanted. Although I actually heard the asking price of the bike
yesterday, for some reason that number escapes me at the present time.
Anyway, as I understand it, after minimal negotiations a fair price was
established. A method of obtaining the funds was secured, and by golly,
Donald LaBerge became the proud new owner of Bert Overlands bike.
Aren't memories wonderful?
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PLEASE - REMEMBER
~~~~~ THIS SATURDAY ~~~~~
Speaking of memories, don't forget the Grafton Federated Church
"Chili-Rama Cook Off" Saturday morning from11 to 2. They will also have
a fantastic bake sale. What a way to get your Christmas baking done.
THEN, "Follow the Stars" Nativities walk thru, beginning in the
fellowship hall and through the sanctuary at the Grafton Federated
Church.
A free will offering will be taken with the benefits going to the local
food pantry.
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I was pleased to hear from the Grafton Chamber of Commerce newest
Executive Vice President Tabatha Widner the other day. Thursday I was
pleased, as well, to hear from Annette Escobar-Skaro our local chambers
former Executive Vice President. Annette has move forty miles south of
Grafton, and presently works in Grand Forks, a city with a daily
newspaper. Annette's new job description is that of Customer Service
Specialist, Job Service North Dakota.
Annette wrote: >>>>
Hi Gary,
Hoping you and yours are all doing well and enjoying this glorious
Christmas season. I would love to subscribe to your ever growing gazette
family. Occasionally, someone will forward it to me but I would like to
make sure I don't miss a thing. Since I'm not working in Grafton anymore
(by the way the new job is GREAT!) I am out of touch with all the local
happenings. Thank you and may you have a Blessed Christmas and enjoy
celebrating our Saviour's birth. Merry Christmas ~~
Annette <<<<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Annette. You will be a super
addition to our family tree. Please feel free, from time to time, to
share a part of your new world with us.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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Not in the Old Testament, not even in the New Testament.... However, I
think, somewhere it is written. "And he so loved the land that he bought
up an entire township,... and,.. continued to want for more."


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