March 20, 2008 - Thursday

Todays Gazette is brought to you, this first day of spring of 2008.
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The current temperature is 15
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 34/20
Normal H/L temp for this date is 36/19
It was 59 degrees on this date in 1946.
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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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After three days of above normal temperatures, there isn't a snowman
left anywhere with a smile big enough to melt the heart of a school
girl.
Much of the snow from our yard is already well on it's way to Hudsons
Bay.
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If a small town is to have any hope of long term viability. It must
have a sucessful hospital and medical staff.
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It's really hard to believe that Easter is only a few days away.
Although Easter traditionally isn't as large a "floral" holiday as
Mothers Day is. It has always been one of Grafton Floral's, "busy enough
for Benny Molde to deliver flowers", busy holidays.
As long as there are holidays, and, as long as I am around to enjoy
them. I will never forgot all the wonderful people that made working
those long hours so enjoyable.
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Speaking of Easter, wonderful people and mountain tops. Dianne sent the
following note. >>>
Hi Gary and Pat.
First of all I want to wish you a very HAPPY EASTER and keep the
Gazette coming. We enjoy it as much as if it started today. Thanks.
I also want to have you say a prayer for my mother as March 20th is
my MOMS birthday. She would have been 87. She was a wonderful MOM, and
we all miss her VERY MUCH. Dianne <<<<
Thanks a million Dianne, for helping all of remember the anniversary
of Mildreds Birth. She truly was a very special lady, married to a
special man. And, together, they raised a fantastic family.
+++++
Dianne also wants to share the following update on Mt. St. Helens from
her Uncle Johnny Burns.
Subject: Mount St. Helens
On February 21st 2008, scientists monitoring Mt. St. Helens strained
to get a pulse from the mountain. Many tries since have resulted in no
pulse. During this time we had a couple of clear days and geologists
were around the mountain. They had stopped going into the crater
because of hazardous conditions, risks, and much snow. From GPS
instruments it was determined that no new growth existed on the dome
although its top was still hot. New warning levels dropped the alert
level from watch to advisory.
{on a scale of 1 to 4 this would be 3. 1 being the highest alert}. The
Aviation alert
went from orange {one step below imminent eruption} to yellow. The
off-limits of Mount St Helens remains. Much snow in the cascades. Mt
Hood Meadows reporting over 500 inches. At Mt St Helens, a report in
December was 8 feet of snow at the 2700 foot level. No report
since. No predictions but this advisory: Stay tuned.
Uncle Johnny. <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Johnny. By
way of reciprocation, I should tell you I had coffee this morning at
Wally's with Gene and Suzanne. I showed Suzanne a copy of a Souvenir
Grafton Parade Band brochure (I believe) from 1956. It includes a
picture of the five La Berge's. The five Anderson brothers, that
together accounted for over 122 years of band experience and a map of
the US showing most of the trips the band had made up to that time. The
pamphlet also features a picture of the Majorettes on that date. Barbara
Lykken was the youngest of the group and the oldest one.... was just a
little older. Of course the folder also included a complete list of the
band members, during that time frame.
Joe, in his infinite wisdom, called the brochure a "souvenir of the
Grafton Parade Band". There is little doubt in my mind it was, and is.
One, I'm certain, many children or grandchildren of those band members
would be very pleased to have as a remembrance. And, to a certain
extent, that just might become possible.
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Plan to attend the 2008 Men World Curling Championships at The Ralph
Engelstad Arena on Grand Forks April 5 thru 13th.
Take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to watch a World
Curling Event at the Ralph.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY - TOM WATKINS
Today is the day that Tom Watkins celebrates the anniversary of his
birth. Over the years I have watched Tom grow from a young lad with red
hair and freckled skin, to a successful businessman who's hair has been
replaced by a suntanned surface the color of caucasian. His skin, for
the most part, has lost possession of it's freckles in favor of "mature"
wrinkles and crows feet.
Besides being a significant member of the nations leading Subaru
Dealership in Monument. Tom heads up a very successful annual golf
tournament for the benefit of worthy causes in his are.
To that end, Tom would like to share the following information.
Subject: 5th Annual Oil Can Open
Dear Friends,
I am pleased to announce our upcoming 5th Annual Oil Can Open golf
tournament. This years tournament will be held at the beautiful Club
at Flying Horse in Colorado Springs, Colorado on May 19th.
Many thanks to everyone for your support last year, together we
raised over $16000 for Lewis-Palmer High School. What a great
success! This years tournament's proceeds will benefit Tri-Lakes
Cares in Monument.
With a scramble format and Flying Horse promising to be in great
shape it should be another great day of golf, food, and fun. If you
cannot attend please consider a donation or hole sponsorship to benefit
Tri-Lakes Cares.
== What: 5th Annual Oil Can Open ==
~~ When: Monday, May 19th ~~
- - Where: Club at Flying Horse - -
~~ Colorado Springs, Colorado ~~
Time: 9:00 am Shotgun Start
Format: Team Scramble
Fee: $125.00 per player. Hole Sponsorships
$100.00
Please send player/team information and payment to: Tom Watkins
250 Wild Duck Lane
Monument, Colorado 80132
Make checks payable to : Tom Watkins (memo: Tri-Lakes
Cares)
I hope you will join me on the 19th.
Tom <<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Tom, and, thank you so much for
everything you do for so many others.
"To many folks think when they're done working at the end of the day,
they are done working." Fortunately, when folks like Tom Watkins get
done working at the end of the day,... they're just beginning to work
for the benefit of others.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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~~~ REMEMBER: ~~~
Each of us is a vital thread in another person's tapestry;
Our lives are woven together for a reason.
One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend.


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