February 10, 2009- Tuesday

Today we extend our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the
family of Hope Elizabeth (Johnson) Torkelson
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The current temperature is 34 degrees
The "feels like" temperature is 26
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 38/28
Normal H/L temp for this date is 21/2
It was 43 degrees on this date in 1918
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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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Although it hasn't been confirmed, yet, someone reported seeing a man
wearing a long beard with his wife their three sons and their wives
heading for Simonsons Lumber. Evidently the old guy was mumbling
something about building an Ark in the Park.
Unofficially we recorded .34 inches of rainfall so far in this weather
event in Shivercity. According to the "experts" on last nights Channel 8
News, the .34" of moisture was already taken into account in the latest
spring flood forecast. Hence, we can all rest assured,.... Noah's boat
doesn't necessarily have to float.
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Speaking of floods and the protection we are dammed if we do and damned
if we don't. Former City Council member Jack Volk shared the following
thoughts. >>>>
Subject: Flood plan.
I would like to input some thing on the vote in 2004 for the flood
control project. I was on the City Council when we spent many hours
meeting with the Corp of Engineers. If more people would have attended
them meetings they would have known why so many where against their
plan. The money was there from the Government but had to be requested
every year. as you well know the war in Iraq was going and all the money
was being sent over there. I contacted the city of Wahpeton, (they were
in the middle of there flood control), they were about 1/2 complete and
the Government with drew all their funding to support the war. They then
in turn had to go to the citizens and request money from them to finish
the project. It cost the citizens another 2 million dollars that they
did not expect. I asked the Corp if we could get all the money up front
in a fund that could be used as needed, they said no we had to request
they money every year. I could not support that type of a project
knowing that there was a strong possibility that the citizens of Grafton
would have to come up with the money to finish it. I agree that
something had to be done but that was not the way to do it. Jack
Volk
--------- John Maxwell forwards the news letter to me. We moved to Las
Vegas last Dec. so I really enjoy reading about the great people and
news from Grafton. <<<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Jack. After spending a few
hours watching "our" government at work on C-Span I can understand why
folks might feel a bit apprehensive. The fact remains, and the bottom
line of course is. There is absolutely no possible chance for long term
viability of our community, or, for that matter for any community like
ours, to continue to be viable without credible dependable flood
protection.
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Bob rolled his thoughts about heaters and water that runs over river
banks into the following note. >>>>>
Subject: Heat And Water
Hello Gary,
Wow! The Gazette sure had some opinions in it today!
There is a formula for converting Watts to BTUs and it is a standard.
I can't cite it right here, as I don't have it at hand. One can look
it up in an Engineering Text. There are only so many BTUs that can be
gotten from 1,500 Watts and that's that. It's not magic. The
$20.00 Milk House Heater on sale at Home of Economy produces the same
amount of BTUs as the Eden Pure, Hundreds of Dollars heater.
As far as water (flooding) is concerned, I was surprised to see the
Flood Control measure defeated, but I then realized that the good
citizens of Grafton felt like they were already taxed almost to oblivion
and they didn't want higher taxes and the inefficiency that goes with
government projects. "Or so it seems to me."
Blessings Prayed For You And Yours,
Bob Lewis
Pisek <<<<<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Bob. The trouble with us (me
included) is we simply refuse to admit, nor are we willing to accept the
true realities of life.
Smokers refuse to quit because it "may" not kill them.
Speeders refuse to slow down, because, they believe, speed only kills
the other person.
Citizens refuse to protect themselves from the ravages of floods
because, they truly believe, the government will........ after it
happens. ie. Grand Forks, Fargo, Warren, Roseau, Wahpeton and Winnipeg.
To mention only a few.
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I am saddened to share the news of Hope Torkelson's passing. As I
remember it. The first time I met Hope was at her parents neighborhood
grocery store on the east side of town. I'm not sure if she was actually
working there at the time or simply there visiting her mother Lux.
However, I do remember getting a slice of summer sausage and a candy bar
that day and that it was Hope that handed them to me. I remember as I
walked out of the store, I looked at Elmer Sondeland - Elmer and I were
working together that day - and telling Elmer how pretty I thought she
was. Elmer, in his normally gruff voice looked at me and said,
"pretty,.... hell she's beautiful".
If I might be so bold, I'd like to clarify "our" thoughts on that day.
Hope (Johnson) Torkelson was an especially "pretty" lady, that is to
say she was like the most beautiful sunset on a perfect summers eve.
Hope was also a very "beautiful" person, as in satisfying and
gratifying to know and associate with. She has given this world so much
more than she has ever asked for in return, and, she leaves a wonderful
family to carry on her wishes and dreams.
We would like to extend our most sincere sympathies and condolences to
all of Hopes family from all of ours.
Patty & Gary Moe
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Hope Elizabeth Johnson Torkelson, 80, peacefully passed away on February
8, 2009, at the Grafton Lutheran Sunset Home surrounded by her loving
husband and family.
Hope was born on July 7, 1928, at Cavalier, ND, to Alfred N. Johnson and
Elizabeth (Lux) Jackson Johnson. In 1950 she married Marlin W.
Torkelson in Grafton. Hope was first and foremost a loving mother and
devoted wife. Outside the home, she worked at the Grafton State
School hospital and as a dental assistant in Grafton. She and Marlin
were proud parents of a twin son and daughter, Jeffrey and Deborah, and
loving grandparents to five grandchildren, and one great grandson.
Hope is survived by her husband Marlin; her twin son and daughter
Jeffrey (Pam) Torkelson, West Fargo, and Deborah (Len) Dusek, Wahpeton,;
grandchildren Mark Torkelson, West Fargo, Rebecca (Jeremy) Baumgartner,
Valley City, Lynn (Arielle) Dusek, Argusville, and Lee (Teresa) Dusek,
St. Cloud,; great grandson Zachary Baumgartner, Valley City,; and
brother Alfred N. (Eleanor) Johnson, Jr., Chico, CA. She was preceded
in death by granddaughter Tina Torkelson, her parents, two brothers, and
a sister.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Friday, February 13,
2009, at St. John's Catholic Church, Grafton. Visitation is from 5-7
P.M. on Thursday, at the Tollefson Funeral Home in Grafton, with a
rosary at 6:30 and prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Friends may call at
the church on Friday one hour prior to the service. Internment will be
at the Grafton Lutheran Church Cemetery in the spring.
The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the arrangements.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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"Life is to short for long answers." GLM


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