Thursday, June 25, 2009

June 25, 2009 - Thursday

Today is the first day of the annual Celebration of SummerFest in
Grafton.
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The current temperature is 81 degrees.
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"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
==========================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
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If someone were to ask me how the fishing has been, I would have to
say. "The fishing has been absolutely fantastic, AND, the catching has
been wonderful as well." Of course, I have only been fishing out of
Arnesen's Rocky Point Resort on the south shore of Minnesota's beautiful
Lake of the Woods.
It's a fabulous place to spend a day, a week, a summer, or the rest of
your life. So far,... I've covered the first three and now I'm working
on the forth.
--------------------------
Those that say nothing ever happens in a small town almost certainly
couldn't have been thinking of Grafton, North Dakota.
The folks from Storage Pro's have given the building the Hvidsten
family constructed to house their Implement Dealership a well deserved
face lift.
Mike DeSautel's Storage Pro's organization should be commended for
resurrecting and significantly improving two of our "innercity" eye
sores. Thanks to Storage Pro's the former Robertson Lumber Company
property and the former Hvidsten Implement facilities have been returned
to aesthetically pleasing and beneficial components of Grafton's
downtown business district.
Speaking of changing the downtown facade, and adding value to
Grafton's downtown business district. The former Nelson Drug Store
building may well earn the distinction of one of downtowns more stately
buildings.
The folks who operated the former Shananigan's Pizza Place will become
the old drug stores anchor business establishment. The building also has
lots of additional space available for private offices as well, and, all
behind beautiful new windows, doors and a wonderful brand new paint job.
Contractors are also in the process of resurfacing a significant amount
of our communities streets making the drive around town much more
enjoyable..
Speaking of streets. A drive thru Leistikow Park is more enjoyable than
ever. The Frisbee Golf course that runs throughout the park is becoming
more and more popular by the day. It is not unusual to see three or four
groups "golfing" at the same time.
The crew at the park has also opened up, or cleaned, the river bank
from the area that the old dock was to a point just past the former
dressing facilities to the north. That project makes for another
beautiful scenic addition to the park this year.
Rock Twetens Photography facility is also getting a new face lift, (of
sorts) for this years SummerFest Festivities. A painter high up in the
giant SOS Tree Service boom truck is painting the original skyline of
Grafton's oldest Brick Structure. The building was constructed in 1893
to house the Bank of Grafton and was later used by the Walsh County
Record, Wilfred Sevigny's Grafton Appliance, Marvel Argue's Fashion
Shoppe which was later sold to Jay Seeger and then to the Herbel's for a
shoe store and finally to Rock Tweten for his Photography business.
It sure is great to see so many of Grafton's business establishments
investing in the future of Grafton. It would be absolutely fantastic to
have the residents of the area reciprocate by supporting the local
business community as well. Or so it seems to me.
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Please plan to attend the 2009 Grafton area SummerFest Celebration.
It'll be fun for everyone.
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The folks at Heritage Village would like to share the following
information.
Summerfest at Heritage Village Sat, June 27th, serving lunch after
the parade 11am til1pm
Treasure Hunt for ages 3-6—7-9—10-12 year olds starting at 12:30pm
with drawing for prizes at 1pm.
"Free Merry-Go-Round rides, open tour of buildings.
Lunch menu is Roast Turkey on a bun, macaroni salad, baked beans, chips,
lemonade, coffee for $8.00 per plate. For the kids—BBQ, chips,
lemonade $3.00.
-----------------------------
It been several years since I shared the following thoughts in the
Gazette. However, they are just as important to me now, as they were so
long ago and I would like to share them with everyone again today.
--------------
"I know my Fathers with me each time I see a tree. You see my Father
taught me, the value they could be. He said if planted properly, with
care and love I'd see. That tree would grow and help me, and always be
with me. That tree would give me shelter and protect me from the Sun. It
would calm the winds and clean the air, and, climbing it is fun.
I remember my Father with me, when I planted my first tree, and
now I know he's with me, every time I see a tree.
Happy Fathers Day Dad, you mean the world to me, and, thanks a
million also, for helping me plant that tree.
I'm proud to say my dad, had one of the longest dashes
around and every time I see a tree, I believe it's planted in my Dad's
hallowed ground.
===========================
GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
===========================
"Life is to short for long answers."


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

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

June 10, 2009 - Wednesday

Todays Gazette is brought to you by all of the wonderful people
that work very hard to support their local business community.
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The current temperature is 61 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 58/41
Normal H/L temp on this date is 77/52
It was 99 degrees on this date in 1999
If you think global warming is an issue. What do you think
about all the hot air coming out of Washington, D.C.? AND,.. would a 98
million dollar increase in your net worth help you think differently?
One thing is for certain, it wasn't global cooling that started
melting the glaciers on the north American continent 12,000 years ago.
===========================
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
===========================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
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Simonson's are at it again. This time they are tearing up the
concrete around the gas pumps in front of the Simonson Gas Station and
Convenience Store just across the "former" alley from their new Subway
Sandwich, Gasoline and Convenience Store.
I could hardly believe my eyes Tuesday when I passed by and saw
all of the activity going on in front of Simonson's Station Store. Not
only a large assortment of equipment was evident on site, a whole covey
of people could be seen scurrying around the new job site as well. It
appears the folks at Simonson's didn't think the cement on the south
side of the stations pumps would pass the "good enough" test.
Yup,.... Simonson's are doing it again,.... they are spending
another very significant amount of money upgrading and improving another
one of their Grafton facilities. I'm not sure what the new facade will
look like, I haven't seen the drawings. However, one thing is almost
absolutely certain. Whatever the Simonson's are planning to do, the end
result will be a wonderful improvement to the overall appearance of the
Grafton Business Community.
Unfortunately,...... once again, as was the case with the
Simonson's Subway project just across the "former" alley. The absence of
any local contractors is painfully evident as one drives by their latest
project.
Evidently the management or driving force behind Simonson's latest
project has found a way to garner our areas monetary assets while
circumventing the old adage, what goes around comes around,... you
scratch my back and I'll scratch yours,... what's good for the goose is
good for the gander,...
AND,... perhaps the old adage I like best of all. If you don't buy
local, there soon won't be a local to buy from you.
Or so it seems to me.
-----------------------------------
Have you noticed how many things a fellow named OBO is
offering for sale lately?
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Rumor has it the giant boom truck hoisting junk up and down from
the roof of the former Grafton National Bank building is part of the
Skinner Roofing operation. Evidently, some of the light coming
thru the roof of that building wasn't coming thru skylights.
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Speaking of sales, and all things that are. I noticed another SOLD
sign on the top of one of Country Realty's House for sale signs. (It's
buying local and selling local, that keeps local,....... local.
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==== SPRING / SUMMER SALE ====
=- SAMPLING SUMMER GRILLING -=
This Thursday, June 11th with Extended Hours 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Mary's Ladies' Fashions & Gifts and the Country Smokehouse will join
forces offering Grafton area residents super spring and summer savings
in every department of Mary's Ladies' Fashions and Gifts. AND, between
the hours of 4 to 6 pm residents will have the opportunity to sample a
wide variety of the taste tantalizing tidbits the Country Smokehouse has
available for your summer grilling enjoyment. Prepared on site by David
Moe, one of Grafton's very finest Bar-B-Que chefs from the Country
Smokehouse in Grafton. (One would almost think we were related.)
Speaking of summer grilling, don't forget to pick up plenty of
PaPa Lou's Bar-B-Que sauce. "Use Lou on your Bar-B-Que."
-------------------------------
Grafton a fortunate to have two (2) absolutely fantastic clothing
stores. Mary's Ladies Fashion and Gifts and The Squire Shop. Both stores
are located on Hill Avenue (main street in downtown Grafton) Both stores
offer top brand, large town selections without the large town traffic.
---------------------------------
=== MARK YOUR CALENDAR ===
On Sunday, June 14th, 2009, Pastor Deborah Troester and her
husband Joseph will make a presentation at Our Saviours Lutheran Church
in Grafton. The Troesters are currently serving as Missionaries in
the Central African Republic. They work with the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Central African Republic to develop appropriate and practical
ways to provide safe water sources in rural villages. Coffee and bars
will be served following the presentation.
=========================
GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
=========================
"Life is to short for long answers."


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

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

June 9, 2009 - Tuesday

Todays Gazette comes to you in memory and respect for, Wenzl J. ( Wen)
Kennedy
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The current temperature is 49 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 55/43
Normal H/L temp for this date is 76/51
It was 96 degrees on this date in 1956.
So much for Al's global warming warning.
======================
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
======================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
--------------------------------
It's been several days since the last Gazette and I don't even have a
real good excuse. I have spent a few days at the lake and that was
great. The "Walleye Combine" is still sitting on the trailer on shore so
I am unable to provide a true and "factual" fishing report.
I can tell you that the people and the food at Arnesen's Rocky Point
Resort are still fantastic and I am looking forward to spending as much
of this summer there as I can. I'm not sure if it's the people, the
water, or simply just the resort surroundings in general, however, what
ever it is I always seem to feel a whole lot better when I'm at
Arnesen's Rocky Point.
The other day a fellow asked me how I felt and I told him "like I was
driving 55 on the interstate" to which he replied, "not feeling the best
ah?" to which I replied, "what do you mean, I'm not THAT bad, after all,
55 is the speed limit on most roads in Minnesota anyway,...... Right."
---- Or so it seems to mean. ----
It is the time of the year when those that are able spend time
harvesting Walleye's.
From time to time I will share the adventures of this summers Walleye
harvest, or probably more accurately, of my fish feeding trips out of
Arnesen's Rocky Point Resort on the south shore of Minnesota's beautiful
Lake of the Woods.
==== I pray that I may live to fish
Until my dying day.
And when it comes to my last cast,
I then most humbly pray,
When in the Lord's great landing net
I'm peacefully asleep
That in His mercy I be judged
Good enough to keep.
--------------------------------
I have borrowed the following information from KXPO Radio's Walsh
County Daily News.com site.
++++++++
The Grafton City Council has a new council member.
Don Hutson was appointed last night to serve in Ward Four.
Hutson replaces Mary Stark, who resigned because she moved out of
her ward.
The Grafton City Council also approved three storefront improvement
projects for Grafton Curlers, Golden Harvest Jewelers, and Storage Pros.
It also approved a Renaissance Zone Project for Golden Harvest Jewelers.
The contractors have removed dikes that protected the town from this
spring's flood.
Mayor Todd Burianek appointed Denise Moe to the Grafton Planning and
Zoning Commission to replace Judi Evens.
The Grafton City Council also approved two federal stimulus projects.
One,... to mill and overlay Fifth Street from McHugh Avenue to Burgamott
Avenue.
Mayo Construction of Cavalier will do the
work very soon. The other project is to
sealcoat about 54-blocks in town, Morris Seal Coat of Morris, Minnesota
will do the work.
Grafton Mayor Todd Burianek also handed out the Volunteer Awards.
The short term volunteer awards went to Don and Laura Manney for
coordinating
the volunteer program for this spring's flood. The long-term volunteer
of the year
award was given to Melinda Severson. She works at the State
Developmental
Center. Congratulations to her and the Manneys.
-----------------------------------
On Sunday, June 14th, 2009, Pastor Deborah Troester and her husband
Joseph will make a presentation at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in
Grafton. The Troesters are currently serving as Missionaries in the
Central African Republic. They work with the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Central African Republic to develop appropriate and practical
ways to provide safe water sources in rural villages.
Coffee and bars will be served following the presentation.
--------------------------------------
I am saddened to report the passing of my friend and former area Beta
Beet Seed representative, Wenzl J. Kennedy. Wen once told me that he
never gave away a cap or jacket that couldn't tear the patch off of. He
was the most aggressive beet seed salesman I have ever known. His word
was his bond, and, his bond was as solid as a rock. Much of what I
learned about "handling" beet seed I learned from Wen Kennedy.
Pat and I extend our deepest and most sincere sympathies to the
Kennedy family. The loss of one we've walked with, often hurts more than
we know. Just knowing others feels the same, can sometimes soften as we
go.
----
Wen, 78, died on June 2, 2009 in Sun City West, Arizona.
He was born in Voss, North Dakota to John Alexander Kennedy and
Elizabeth (Paur) Kennedy on August 17, 1930. He married Mary Ebertowski
on September 20, 1930. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War
and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 201 in Minto,
North Dakota.
Wen lived and worked most of his life in the Minto area where he grew
up, attended area schools and worked in farming and agriculture related
businesses.
==========================
GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
==========================
"Life is to short for long answers."


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