May 16, 2007 - Wednesday - Grafton, ND

Remember the good old days when a husband would walk into the house and
ask, "What's cooking?" These days it's "What's thawing?"
-------------------------
The current temperature is 43 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 66/47
Normal H/L temp for this date is 70/43
It was 97 degrees on this date in 1987.
==============================

====
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
==================================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
---------------------------
Gosh It's a beautiful time of the year. The grass is green, all of our
trees are busy putting on their summer foliage and the flowering trees
and shrubs are nothing short of spectacular.
As I drive through our community I take a tremendous amount of pride in
knowing that even today, many, if not most, of the trees and shrubs
growing vigorously in Grafton started out their life in "our" community
at Grafton Floral and Greenhouse. It pleases me to know that the black
walnut tree, still growing in front of Butch Gillespies former home on
McHugh and twenty three others came to the area in the back of dads 1941
Chevrolet sedan. I am also aware of several trees from that bunch still
growing in the St.Thomas area as well.
As I drive around the area, "our trees", trees and shrubs sold and
planted by Grafton Floral and Greenhouse are evident everywhere.
Literally thousands of them, planted by folks like Ed Ebertowski, Gerome
Dusek, Everett Nelson, Arnold Barclay, Rudy Lopez, Neil McDonald, Warren
Wilson, Milton Madson, Bill & Denton Offutt, Marnell Ringsak, Leroy
Stroh, Pat Devig (Dr.) and me to mention only a few.
As I drive around my wonderful little town I see thousands of
individual living things that began their life on the corner of Summit
Avenue and Tenth Street on the east side of Grafton. I'm proud of the
legacy my father started in this area over sixty years ago. I am humbled
having played a small part in that legacy, and, I am extremely proud of
the way my little brother A.K. is carrying on that legacy.
------------------------
Speaking of the early days of main street. Maryann sent the following.
>>> We moved onto Hill Avenue about 1936 and it was paved and had
sidewalks then and they did not look new=Maryann Blanchard Kennedy <<<>>> Hi Gary, I thought I might
add to the paving story. A large portion of the excess cement from the
48-49 improvements where dumped north of my garage on Cooper Ave. to
help hold the river bank. I believe Bob Barr had allot to do with that
decision, as the fill area went from his house on north Stephen Ave to
the other side of Cooper. Just thinking about Bob Barr brought back many
memories of the blacksmith shop and all the many hours I spent there as
a small child. He was a wonderful man and a great fire-chief.
Have a good day, John Maxwell Maybe some others have a favorite Bob
story. <<<>>> Hi Gary,
I purchased this post card on Ebay awhile ago. Date was estimated at
around 1910, and Main St. was paved then.
Hugs, JoAnn Wentz Beale <<<>overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wally sent the following without even being asked. He wrote. >>> Hi
Gary
Ione and I went to the Marketplace for a great dinner on Mothers Day.
There we met an old friend and his wife, namely Russell
LaFevre, from sunny California. Russells mother was not only a great
employee but a life long friend.
Russel said he keeps up with the happenings in Grafton through the
Gazette. He was very excited that he can get it on a daily basis in
California.
They went to church at the Grafton Lutheran church and after that,
because of the mention of the Country Smoke House in the Gazette, they
stopped to visit it. They were very impressed with it.
It is always so good to see former Graftonites. Grafton
really is home. My fondest hope is that many will be back for the
celebration in Grafton in June. In many cases it takes a lot of extra
effort and planning but it will be worth it. Have a great day
Wally <<<>====
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================
The Gazette works best, when the folks that read it, write it. 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.

Grafton, ND

May 15, 2007 - Tuesday - Grafton, ND

In the business world, an executive knows something about everything, a
technician knows everything about something, and the switchboard
operator knows everything.
------------------------
The current temperature is 48 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 82/49
Normal H/L temp for this date is 70/43
The official Gazette moisture meter has recorded .20 inches of
Aquarium fluid today. Thats a total of 2.60 inches since field work
began this spring.
==============================

====
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
==================================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
-------------------------
Pat and I "dined" at the Westside Drive Inn last night. As usual, the
Wagon Master was fantast as was the Tater Gems, Mac salad and of course
a small glass of ice cold mild. I did take time out half way thru my
Wagon Master to ask Pat how her hamburger was. I think she said
wonderful although I don't always hear well when I'm eating. I know
sometimes she says very good, but this time I'm pretty sure she said
wonderful.
Gosh it's great having a Drive Inn restaurant in Grafton. I am
especially pleased that they serve super food too.
---------------------------
== GRAFTON'S HERITAGE VILLAGE ==
Subject: SUNDAY OPENINGS
Heritage Village plans to be open from 1-4pm beginning Sunday Memorial
Day weekend thru the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Anyone wishing to tour
the buildings at that time may do so. Also, there will be Merry-Go-Round
rides for the kids. The charge for those rides will be $1.00. Please put
this in your Gazette.
Thanks
Verna Sherek
Heritage Village <<<
If it's been awhile since you've ridden on a real honest to goodness
Merry-Go-Round. One of a very few such vintage carousel's in the entire
country. If your coming to Grafton, stop out at the Heritage Village and
go for a ride. Better yet, take your children along, they will enjoy it
ever more than you.
Pack up your picnic basket and enjoy Grafton's beautiful Leistikow
Park. Then head over to Heritage Village, tour the fascinating displays
and take a nostalgic ride on the vintage Merry-Go-Round.
EVERY SUNDAY from 1 to 4 pm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is
like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the
handle.
- Winston Churchill
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am amazed with the number of folks sending compliments the Country
Smokehouse, Graftons newest addition to the downtown business district.
I have received several variations of the following note. >>> Can you
tell us the hours of the County Smoke House. I, too, stopped there on
Friday and was very impressed. <<<
Country Smokehouse at 115 West 5th St. will be open
Monday-thru-Saturday 9 am to 6:30 pm and Sunday's from 10 to 3
--------------------------
I was pretty sure if Wally could get "the question" he would answer it.
And so he did, and so he did. >>> Hi Gary ..
Tom Hart was wondering about the paving on main street. Well I was in
second grade at the time, 1935. I have a picture of main street in 1935
full of cars and it was paved. It was all done by hand.
The big paving job was done in 1948 and 49. New water and
sewer and new storm sewers were installed.
I got out the bible on Grafton, The Centennial book, verse
"City improvements" pages 400 to 405. It's great reading, most of the
workers wore bib overalls and quite a few standing around, resting of
course. The big tractor loading was a 1948 Ford 8 N. Now days that's
a small tractor. I had 2 of them, lots of fun to drive. That small
tractor was loading the old cement pieces in a single axel truck.
When the new street was put in I was told by the city engineer at
the time it was hollow under the pavement from 5th street to 8th street.
Do your self a big favor and read about it in the Centennial
book. If you don't have one, go to the library.
I think the best part of reading your Gazette is learning
about the past. In those days all most people knew was work, work and
more work. But they enjoyed every day of it. They were a great society.
One last thought,... most people brought their car up town
about 4 P M on saturdays and parked them as there was no roomto park
on Saturday nite to visit. I worked for Chris Anholt at the time in the
Fairway store. Most people picked up their groceries after the second
show. They would leave the grocery list with us and we would do it up.
No one complained if we were out of any items. Great memories,
Wally <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Wally.
AND, thanks for telling me where to go. I've been told to go several
place over the years. You are the first one to tell me "to go to the
library." AND, of course, I am assuming you mean the Carnegie Library
and not the one I do most of my research in,.... Right Wally?
I might also add that if you look closely at the top picture on page
403 in the Centennial Book. You will notice Grafton Floral's neon sign
in front of the flower shop. Dad always thought it was a beautiful sign,
(and so did I) and, one of the few, on any business place of the time.
I, too, have a copy of the Centennial Book Wally mentioned.
Unfortunately, my copy is not in very good condition.
==================================
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================
Aren't memories wonderful? Don't you wish everyone would share them?


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

Grafton, ND

May 14, 2007 - Monday - Grafton, ND

People who wonder where the good-for-nothing youngsters are heading
might think twice on where they came from.
-----------------------
The current temperature is 57 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 82/49
Normal H/L temp for this date is 70/43
The high temperature on this date in 1976 was 91 degrees (above).
==============================

====
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
==================================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
------------------------
The rumor that Subway will not be building new facilities on the
intersection of Hill Ave. and Hiway 17 was disappointing to many, if not
most, local residents. It also begs the question. Who will be
responsible for maintaining the vacant property on the busiest
intersection in town?
-------------------------
Crews have started setting out traffic signs along McHugh Avenue. Thank
God for the Federal money assistance to resurface the street I have
recently renamed "Crater Alley". Before anyone starts any serious
reconstruction, I certainly hope they send someone down to the bottom of
the larger holes t makes sure there's no animals or small children down
there.
----------------------------
Speaking of Grafton streets and improvements thereof. I mentioned that
Tom Hart submitted a question about Hill Avenue. I even mentioned that
"maybe" Wally or Norman Russum could answer it for us. Apparently I was
so sure one of them could answer the question, I forgot to include the
question.
Anyway, even without known what the question was, Wally sent the
following note. >>> Hi Gary
Very good column today. What was Toms question? Tom Hart that is.
Many things fascinate me as I move slowly around town. One,... as I go
by Allen Collettes potato house and see all the trucks filled with seed
potatoes I think about the farmers of the past cutting them by hand. I
remember my mother and me and a lot of other people cutting them by
hand. It was a back breaking job and we got very little in pay then.
Then Damas French invented the first machine to cut potatoes. I
remember the day Damas demonstrated it in the building where the Record
is on the south side of the building where his shop was. He truly was a
proud and smart individual. He was also a very gentle man.
I would love to hear some memories of some that did that kind
of work. They could teach us all some lessons in life Best
regards, Wally <<<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Wally. Damas and his family
have contributed much to Grafton's growth.
Anyway, the question I should have included in the last Gazette was,
>>>
Hi Gary,
I have a question that I have been thinking about for many years.
Maybe someone out there can answer it for me.
"Whendid Hill Ave first get paved, and, when where the sidewalks
first put in?
Tom Hart
Ps: Keep up the good work, Grafton needs the Gazette. <<< Thanks a
million for caring and sharing Tom. Now that Wally actually knows the
question, I'm pretty sure he can answer it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to
live at the expense of everybody else.
-Frederic Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Krazy Glue
A fun workshop created to mix art with the "Six Pillars Of Character".
* Trustworthiness * Respect
* Responsibility * Fairness * Caring
* Citizenship
This program is created for ages 4 - 10. We will spend an hour and a
half working on your very own art projects that you can take home and
enjoy. While creating, we will talk about the Pillar that is chosen for
the day. The crafts will range from your very own backpacks to designing
and making your very own watch! Each class will end with a snack!
When: Every Wednesday Starting June 6th through August 8th!
Where: Grafton Federated Church
Cost : $5.00 each class
Who: Ages 4 - 10
*There are only ten slots available for this class so please phone Nanci
at 520-9111 or the Federated church at 352-2644 to reserve your place
today!* <<<<
-----------------------
If your not planning on attending this years 125 year celebration, your
not planning on having as much fun as some folks are. If would would
like a "birds eye view" of this years events. Check out
graftonevents.com
-----------------------
We are pleased to welcome Doug Demers to perch on one of the branches
of the Gazette family tree.
==================================
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================
The Gazette works best, when the folks that read it, write it. 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.

Grafton, ND

May 12, 2007 - Saturday - Grafton, ND

Criticism is something you can avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing
and being nothing.
------------------------
The current temperature is 45 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was N/A
Normal H/L temp for this date is 69/42
==============================

====
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
==================================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
-------------------------
I'm sure you'll notice the improvement to the roadsides and ditches as
you enter or leave Grafton. I certainly did and it looks wonderful. I
wondered who was responsible for improving the looks of the approaches
to town and received the answer in the following note. >>> Please don't
use my name....but wanted to give recognition to the Freshman Class and
our Mayor Todd Burianek.
Yesterday (Thursday), the freshman class of Grafton (along with some
teachers) spent the entire morning cleaning up the ditches around the
highways surrounding Grafton.
The kids actually had a great time, and, what impressed the kids was
that OUR MAYOR made a stop at each group of kids working and thanked
them for helping the community look good.
I think it's fantastic that our mayor took the time to acknowledge
these kids and teachers.... and what a great service our kids have done
to our community. <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing. I too
commend the students along with their instructors. The fact that the
Mayor took time from his busy schedule to show his appreciation to those
involved, also displays his desires to help make our little community as
good as it can be.
----------------------------
I am already on record (no pun intended) with my feelings about the
importance of the news media supporting and promoting "local" business.
I am pleased to share the following message in that regard from the
management of our "local" radio station. >>>
Hello Gary.
Thanks for your mention of our local Radio station KXPO in Grafton a
few weeks back. At KXPO we will continue to push everything local.
We are in the midst of changes at the station. My goal and my wife
Andrea's goal is to really bring a community spirit to the place, we
want area folks to shop local and realize how much the area has to
offer. KXPO is beginning to play the music our listeners want to
hear, we play classic country every saturday from 6-10AM for the
people who love that classic honky tonk. We are also keeping up with
the flashback Friday (60's and 70's) all day. I have had many requests
for 50's music for Friday as well, so we will be adding some of the
golden greats to the line up from now on. All the big FM's are the
same now with trashy music spewing from there towers 24 hours a day.
KXPO is here to offer an alternative to all that "junk." When I say junk
I mean it. Listen to some of the songs out right now and you'll
realize we are really taking a turn for the worse, in both lyrics and
beat.
We now offer the workday retreat from 11-noon on the weekdays.Put
us on at work and call 352-2322 and leave a request after the beep.
If you have an "oldie" on your mind no one else will play, we will find
it, and if we don't have it we'll get it. KXPO is your buddy, and I
want to thank everyone for listening and giving us so much support
lately. Please know, we will do everything in our power to give back
to the area we serve, with our programs and involvement with local
events. PS, during the workday retreat, we will be playing games and
giving you chances to win lunches and other goodies for you and your
co-workers from some of our fine area businesses.
Ryan Johnston (program director)
and, everything I said here comes from my lovely wife Andrea (station
manager) too at 1340 KXPO <<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Ryan. As I mentioned before,
your "shop local" spots are certainly heartwarming. And, it should go
without saying, (in my opinion anyway) your suggestion to "shop local"
goes directly to every person, in every community. I firmly believe it
is best to shop at home, or, as close to home as possible. Or so it
seems to me.
-----------------------
Summerfest 2007, class reunions and the time to share the miracle of
memories is just around the corner.
Gary, the class of '65 is having a gathering to celebrate turning into
our 60's at the Grafton Country Club during the Grafton Fest Days -
Saturday at 4:00. My wife had a surprise 60 party for me and 60 friends
and family showed up. So blessed. Marty Riske turned sixty April 30, as
did Karen (Gilleshammer) Thiel on May 9th. We are not getting older -
not even looking older - at least not in our minds or in "our" mirrors.
Thanks for the Skeeterville - Hope to see you at the Grafton SummerFest
Days.
George Cox / Diane (Rudnik) Cox
Grand Forks <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing George. I am
expecting Grafton's 125 year celebration turns out to be the best
celebration ever.
-------------------------
Tom Hart submitted an interesting question. One I believe better suited
for the "older" citizens of Grafton. Maybe, Wally or Norman Russum could
give us the answer to Tom's question. I think Wally was here before
Grafton even had sidewalks, or darn close to it. Right Wally?
==================================
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================
"If you don't tell me, I won't know. If I don't know, I can't tell
everyone else." That is also true for the Record, KXPO, and the Grand
Forks Herald.


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

Grafton, ND

May 11, 2007 - Friday - Grafton, ND

The only job where you can start at the top is digging a hole.
Then, no matter how hard you work, you still end up in the hole.
-----------------------
The current temperature is 58 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 67/47
Normal H/L temp for this date is 68/42
There's a 60% chance it won't rain today.
==============================

====
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
==================================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
------------------------
The folks at Country Smokehouse tell me they are positively amazed
at the turnout yesterday (Thursday) for their first day in operation.
Pat and I stopped by the Country Smokehouse this morning and the
first thing that came to mind as I entered the Meat Market, was the
feeling I had many years ago when I would walk into Gillespies. Of
course, due to present day rules and regulations. The old butcher block
and saw dust on the floor can't be used. However, with just a bit of
imagination I could 'almost' see Butch Gillespie Sr. standing at one end
of the meat counter, and Butch Jr. standing at the other.
No, The Country Smokehouse isn't Gillespie's Meat Market. Nothing
could ever replace the Gillespie's and their contributions to the
Grafton community. That certainly that isn't the intent of The Country
Smokehouse.
However, working as hard as they can, to be as good as they can,
and to provide products and service to the Grafton area that we can all
be proud of, is the basis upon which the Country Smokehouse business
originated.
Pat and I picked up a wonderful selection of assorted Country
Smokehouse meats for Pats mother this morning, then we went over to
Wallys and picked up several grocery items including things necessary
for her to bake my favorite cake.
I understand the Smokehouse received several orders yesterday by
phone, from folks as far away as 250 miles.
701-352-1122 is The Country Smokehouse number.
-------------------------
Ralph responded to yesterdays comments in the Gazette about
closing gas stations to "teach" the big boys a lesson. He wrote: >>> OK.
Gary, this is the one and only time you won't get charged for this, and
don't tell the Herald who pay me for my opinions. Actually, it is an
easy answer. Both you and Denise are correct in your comments. If you
continue to use the same amount of gas it won't make one bit of
difference to the big guys. It could cost our local people who, as you
say, don't make anymore money off the big price than the smaller price.
The only way to send those big guys a message is to drive less, and as a
nation we are not doing that. As I have been teaching my air base econ
class, it is supply and demand and the equilibrium price. Anything else,
including any thing a politician says, is bogus. If the politicians are
serious they will get serious about promoting alternative energies and
alternative mechanisms to get us around.
p.s. Who's retired? Speak for yourself. It's hard to farm
when it is hard to walk. I am just doing something different. Ralph
Kingsbury <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Ralph. I am
pleased you are able to find time to read The Gazette. If you think
walking is difficult, you should try eating soup with my right arm. Now
that I know you charge to answer questions. From now on I'll be telling
you how you feel, instead of asking you.
p.s. I had an attorney once that charged me for every question
mark I used in our written correspondence. The question, "How's your
wife and kids", cost me $25. The one asking, "is your wife really
pregnant again," only cost me &12.50 because, (as he saw it) I was
telling him something he didn't know,...... yet.
-----------------------
Gary:
Very interesting story about your 40 year old son from a
happy family with the memories of them growing up thru the years. Which
reminds me of the city of Grafton growing as i read an article on
Wal-Mart checking out Grafton. I just wanted to let you know that when
we get traveling thru the old territory that was my stomping grounds up
in northeast n. dak. we stop and shop at the local Pamida store as we
find and buy some better quality and priced items we can't get in the
big city of Fargo. So keep in mind Pamida is a great store to have as
well. Keep up the good work on the Skeeterville as i enjoy every day i
receive it to read it and think back on old memories
sincerely, Thomas Restemayer <<<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Tom. Of course we don't
want to forget about Pamida and Alco, and True Value, and Landowski's
etc, etc, etc. Communities cannot grow without the business community
growing. When the business community stops growing, so to does the
entire community.
Or so it seems to me.
-------------------------
Speaking of new businesses or at least improved business in
Grafton. I received the following note. >>>
I have a little bit of news/rumor to pass on.I was upset
to hear that Subway is being sold and they are no longer building on the
corner of 17 and Hill.I understand they are going to stay at their
current location and remodel the building.I don't know the new owners
name but it is my understanding he is a Canadian that lives in Grand
Forks (if that makes sense). Please don't use my name. <<<
There you have it,.. a brand new rumor. It certainly would
have been nice to have a brand new Subway on the corner of Hill Ave and
Hiway 17. However, it will also be great to see them remodelled and stay
where they are. In my opinion, the present location allows them some
advantages the "new" spot wouldn't.
Or so it seems to me.
==================================
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================
The last time I checked, it seems I'm sending the
Gazette to a lot more folks than I'm hearing from.


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

Grafton, ND

May 10, 2007 - Thursday - Grafton, ND

Everyone knows when two people get married, they become one. The
trouble doesn't begin,... til they try to decide which one.
-----------------------
The current temperature is 66 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 87/50
Normal H/L temp for this date is 68/41
The high temperature on this date in 1987 was 96 degrees. (above zero)
==============================

====
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
------------------------
Grand Forks has one, Fargo has one, I wouldn't even be surprised if
Bismarck and Minot has one too. After several years without, Grafton
once again has one too. Today, at noon, Graftons Country Smokehouse meat
market opens for business. I'm sure many will remember Gillespie's Meat
Market and later becoming McGregers Meat Market operating out of that
same facility. Since the closing of their operations, Grafton has not
had a business establishment dealing primarily in the capacity of a Meat
Market.
Yesterday I mentioned that Country Smokehouse will feature T-Bone
steaks for $5.99 a pound today (Thursday). I received a few e-mails
wondering if that was a "correct" price. I checked again, and, yes it
is. I have also received a couple variations of the following note. >>>
Hey, Gary, can you find out what the telephone number is to the Country
Smokehouse, so we can call in our orders on the way home from work and
pickit up atthe drive up window!!!!<<<
The Country Smokehouse phone number is 352-1122. Of course I would be
less than honest if I didn't tell you that Pat and I have a special
interest in Grafton's new Country Smokehouse. Not only are a couple of
the individuals involved members of our gene pool, all the rest of the
folks involved with Country Smokehouse are very good friends of ours.
CONGRATULATIONS -- From Pat and Gary, to everyone involved with the
Country Smokehouse. Thank you, for investing your trust, time and energy
and, for once again giving me reason to say, ---- Welcome to Grafton,
"Our Growing is Showing."
--------------------------
Several times over the course of the past few weeks, I have received a
suggestion to NOT purchase gas on one specific day. I am, almost, that
certain those sending out that message have only the very best
intentions. I might even go so far as to say that they really believe
there could be a significant value to the practice.
Personally, the only thing I can see if we followed the suggestion is a
negative impact to folks I call my friends. Jim Molde has absolutely
nothing to do with the high price of gas. Dave Schumacher doesn't want
his customers to pay "more than they have to" either. I'm sure the
rising price of gas isn't making Mike at the Grafton Square jump for joy
either. I haven't checked with Simonsons or the BP station but I'm
willing to bet those folks would just as soon be selling gas for a
dollar or two less as well.
Anyway, the bottom line is, my friends, didn't create the high cost of
gasoline. WE DID, those of us that drive way more than we should, with
giant motors eating gas faster than a billy goat on steroids. We, the
people, are creating the issue. WE seem to always want to blame others
for problems WE create.
Or so it seems to me.
++++
This note says almost the same thing, in just a little different way.
>>>>
Gary:
I want to explain why I don't want my name credited to the piece
about boycotting gas pumps. Although I think boycotting the gas pumps
may make a public statement, as a business owner I can't imagine not
having a customer for an entire day. It seems as though the "little
person" would be hurt more than the large producers. It seems there
should be a better way to make a statement and get results. Sounds like
an issue for Ralph Kingsbury (i.e. economics).
Denise Sevigny <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Denise.
You may be putting a lot more responsibility on Ralph than he's willing
to accept. After all, he is retired, you know.
------------------------
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ---- JEFFREY
Today is the day our eldest son Jeff celebrates the anniversary of his
birth. It's hard to believe it was only 40 years ago that I was running
up and down the halls of St. Josephs Hospital here in Grafton, telling
everyone how happy I was to have a little boy that could help me in the
garage.
Five years later I was asking his mother to find him something to do in
the house.
Ten years later I was helping him find the tools he lost in the yard
while working on his bike.
Fifteen years later, he was changing the oil on our cars.
Eighteen years later he was taking large motors and making them even
larger.
Then,... the next thing we knew. He found Yvette, got married and she
has been putting up with him ever since.
==== HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON ====
Your mother and I love you very much,
AND,.... anytime you want to work on ANYTHING we have, with a motor
in it, PLEASE DO!!!!
==================================
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================


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

Grafton, ND

May 9, 2007 - Wednesday - Grafton, ND

One of the biggest problems these days is working out solutions for the
solutions the last generation worked out.
----------------------
The current temperature is 77 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was N/A
Normal H/L temp for this date is N/A
==============================

====
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
==================================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
-----------------------
Today is a relatively slow news day in Skeeterville. Not so much
because nothing is going on, more so, because no-one seems to want to
share what is going on.
Anyway, because it's a slow day anyway, it will be a great time to
"revisit" something that was sent out in a previous Gazette. >>>
Gary,
As a food animal veterinarian I felt compelled to try and clear the
air on some recent misinformation discussed in the Gazette. In the
May 2nd edition Denise stated that "meat raised with antibiotics can
cause the human who consumes it to have antibiotic resistance". Most
drug resistance in bacteria you might face comes from overuse of
antibioticsin people, not animals. If we want toreducethe
prevalence of antibiotic resistance we need look no further
thanour own medicine cabinets. A major cause of antibiotic
resistance occurs when people do not finish the prescriptions their
doctors have prescribed for them. How often have your subscribers
gotten a prescription from their doctor and started feeling better 48
hours laterand saved the rest of the prescription for another illness
at a later date?Every time a personfails to finish a
prescription they leave the illness causing bacteria behind to reproduce
and possibly developresistance. Thisis a much greater cause of
antibiotic resistance thanfood animal antibiotic use hasever
been.Whenyour doctor gives you a prescription for a certain
length oftime they are doing it for a reason.
Another very important cause of antibiotic resistanceis again
in the human medicine area. Too often the newest antibiotics are
prescribed when some older antibiotics would have done just fine.
These new antibiotics take yearsdo develop andthere are fewer and
fewer new antibiotics being developed because ittakes so long todo
research and development as well as jumpingthrough all the FDA hoops.
While it is true that antibiotics are used in the food animal
industry (beef, dairy, swine, poultry), there are very strict guidelines
for their use with regards to milk and slaughter withdrawal times as set
by the Food and Drug Administration.There are feedgrade
antibiotics fed to animals in low doses to prevent infection, but there
is no firm link between antibiotics used in animals
andresistantbacteria in people. Our goal in animal
agricultureis to provide the public with the safestfood supply in
the world.
The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, which
regularly tests bacteria from animals, people, and retail meats for
signs of resistance to 17 common drugs says so far there is no evidence
that drug resistance is spreading from food to people. Antibiotic use
in animal agriculture is a very small problem in the area of antibiotic
resistance and trying to blame it as the main cause ifvery
irresponsible and misguided.
I hopeyou find this acceptable for print in the Gazette.
Respectfully yours,
Dr. Rodney A. Gourde DVM
Albany,MN <<<>====
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================
The Gazette works best, when the folks that read it, write it. 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.

May 8, 2007 - Tuesday - Grafton, ND

Whether a man winds up with a nest egg or a goose egg depends somewhat
on the chick he marries.
-----------------------
The current temperature is 71 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 74/46
Normal H/L temp for this date is 67/41
The high on this date in 1985 was 94. Global warming is going to make
it very difficult to sell snowblowers. Maybe then I'll be able to sell
my 4-wheeler.
==============================

====
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
==================================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
-------------------------
After all the recent rains grass is growing faster than a wart on a
witches nose.
-------------------------
Folks are still talking about the Bertsch's auction sale. Most continue
to be amazed by the incredible amount of items accumulated in one
household. The tremendous amount of items involved in the auction could
only be dwarfed by the effort of those involved with preparing and
moving it to the actual site of the sale.
Several of Herb and Orpha's family members travelled several hundred
miles to help in that process. Many of their local friends also worked
long and hard both preparing for and during the auction. I couldn't
possibly name all those involved. However, I must mention the
herculean efforts of Gil and Elena Mae Herbel. They have stood by the
Bertsch's throughout the entire project, from the very first day Herb
and Orpha decided it was best for them to move, several months ago.
Until the last item was sold on Saturday afternoon.
++++
I received the following note from Mayor Burianek. >>>
Gary
Be sure to thank Rep Gil Herbel for his work in getting the Bertsch's
sale into the Centennial Center. He's the guy that contacted all of us
to get this taken care of.
I hate to see the Bertsch's go. It was Mr. Bertsch, in my Sophomore
Science class who said these words that I shall never forget: "Live each
day like it's your last and one day you'll be right" and "This isn't
your life, it's God's life; you're just borrowing it for awhile."
It was Mrs Bertsch, 7th Grade English Teacher extraordinaire, who taught
me that it wasn't cute to dot my (i) with a smiley face, and I still
have the wonderful thank you card she sent me after I somehow was
elected Junior High Student Council President in 8th grade.
We, in small town North Dakota, are blessed with a lot of things, but
it's the people of great character like the Bertschs that represent who
we really are. The fact that each of them dedicated their lives to
teaching others made Grafton a better place for all.
May God bless them with good health, happiness and peace all the days of
their lives.
Todd Burianek <<<>>>
Gary,
Could you please post this introduction in your online newsletter? We
are very excited to add a new member to the Barnes Family Funeral
Service team and wish to share this information with your readers. Thank
you!
Nanci Gale-Wilson
Funeral Home Secretary
Barnes Family Funeral Service would like to welcome Glenn Ward to the
staff as an associate Funeral Director. Glenn has twenty years of
experience in the funeral business, including serving as an embalmer in
Operation Iraqi freedom at the Dover Air Force Base. He will be
relocating to Grafton with his wife, Amy and three children Ryan (12),
Jillian (9), and Emily (6). The Wards enjoy hockey, gymnastics, golf,
and traveling. Glenn and his family look forward to meeting the members
of the Grafton community and surrounding area.
Conrad and the staff of Barnes Family Funeral Service look forward to
Glenn's start on July 1st. <<<>>>> A Dynasty Hockey
School will be held at the Grafton CentennialCenter in Grafton, North
Dakota starting on July 16 and ending on July 20.
The Gaustad, Knudson and Potulny families are really "pumped
Up" for this event. The coaches for the hockey school will be B.J. &
Paul Gaustad, the offsprings of Tudy Knudson Gaustad and John Gaustad,
and Grant & Ryan Potulny, the offsprings of Beth Gaustad Potulny and Jay
Potulny. Grant plays professional hockey for the Binghampton, New
York Senators, and Grant's brother, Ryan, plays for the Philadelphia
Flyers at Philadelphia, PA. B.J. Gaustad plays for the Prairie
Thunder at Bloomington, Illinois and B.J.'s brother, Paul, plays for the
Buffalo Sabres at Buffalo, New York. The Sabres are one of the
favored teams to possibly win the 2007 Stanley Cup.
Registration can be completed by going to the following website:
www.dynastyhockeyschool. com When you get the site on your monitor
click on the "GraftonNorth DakotaCamp" link and it will take you
right into the registration instructions plus lots of other information
regarding the school.
To add to all this "proud hype" of the Grafton Gaustad Knudson
"gang" it was just announced in the April12 edition of the Grand Forks
Sports Section that the Buffalo Sabres, who Paul plays for, will be
taking on the Minnesota Wild in a preseason game to be held on September
24 at the Engelstad Arena on the campus of the University of North
Dakota in Grand Forks.
A "Hyped-up" Grandma & Grandpa Gaustad <<<>====
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================
The Gazette works best, when the folks that read it, write it. 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.

Grafton, ND

May 7, 2007 - Monday - Grafton, ND

Some people are so busy learning the tricks of the trade that they
don't learn the trade.
------------------------------

------------------------
The current temperature is 61 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 76/52
Normal H/L temp for this date is 67/40
It was 88 degrees on this date in 1953.
The official Gazette moisture meter registered 2.30 inches for the most
recent local rain event.
Global warming won't be all bad. It'll be great for the folks in the
air-conditioner and sump-pump business.
==================================
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
==================================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
------------------------
For most of us, this past weekend was nothing more than wet. Actually
for most of us the rain was everything from OK to fantastic. For Orpha
and Herb Bertsch however, rain prior to, and on the day they planned
their auction sale couldn't have come at a more inopportune time.
Unfortunately weather conditions not only made setting up their auction
sale difficult, it would have been next to impossible to actually hold
the sale outside their home.
Fortunately, they were able to move the sale to the Centennial Center
just down the street from their home. Needless to say, that didn't "just
happen". It happened because several folks in our wonderful little
community were not only able to understand the difficult predicament the
Bertsch's were experiencing, but also because they were willing to put
forth the additional effort required to make arrangements for Orpha and
Herb's auction to be in the Centennial Center even though it had been
previously committed for another community function.
Though the actual list of individuals is long, I think it's especially
fitting to thank our Mayor, our city Administrator, the president of
Grafton's Park & Recreation Department, and, Vic McCarron, Director of
Parks and Recreation. Through their efforts and understanding the
Bertsch auction sale went on as scheduled, leaving Orpha and Herb
Bertsch with one more wonderful memory of the little community they have
spent so many years of their lives in.
----------------------------
David sent the following note. >>>
Hi Gary,
Thanks for stopping by the Country
Smokehouse. We too are excited about opening our Meat Market to the
public!
If anyone has a special request for a specific product or service they
would like from us, we would be more than happy to accommodate them to
the best of our ability. I am pleased that Gary Hajicek will be working
with me in all areas, throughout the entire meat market.
While Mike Misialek, as he has for several years, will be working
along with me in the Smokehouse sausage department among other duties.
Kelly Moe & Joy Latraille will be available to serve all of our Country
Smokehouse patrons with their meat or deli needs, in the store or over
the phone.
Customers will be able to phone in their orders during the day and
pick them up at our convenient drive up window on their way home after
work.
Thanks again,
Dave Moe
++++
Speaking of the Country Smokehouse.
I am pleased to announce the official opening of Grafton New Country
Smokehouse will be this coming Thursday morning.
Actually, as I understand it, this weekend, someone decided they would
open the Smokehouse up a few days early.
Fortunately, thru the magic of modern electronics and photography the
individual was caught trying to enter through a window instead of the
door.
-----------------------
I'm saddened to report the passing of Jarl Pederson. I would like the
extend our most sincere sympathies to Jarl's wife Audrey and to the
entire Pederson family. I'm sure a significant number of our Gazette
family members will remember Jarl so I am including his obituary.
~~~~~~~~~~
Jarl R. Pederson, age 72 of Grand Forks, ND and formerly of Grafton
passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2007 at the Altru Hospital of Grand Forks
surrounded by his family. Jarl R. Pederson was born April 4, 1935 in
Grafton, ND the son of the late Jarl Sr. and Sigrid (Johannesson)
Pederson. He graduated from High School in Grafton and attended Mayville
State College for one year. Jarl returned to Grafton and took over his
fathers'™ business, Jarl Pederson and Son's Painting. Jarl married
Audrey Eng on January 15, 1955 in Grafton, ND. The couple made their
home in Grafton until moving to Grand Forks in 1994.
Jarl's work was his passion. He loved going to the office everyday. He
was a member of the Painters and Decorator's Association. He was the
most generous and kind man. He was always ready to help somebody in
need. He loved sports and was especially fond of the Minnesota Twins and
New York Yankees. He enjoyed traveling and loved spending time with his
grandchildren.
Jarl is survived by his wife Audrey, Grand Forks, ND; children: Tim
(Debbie), Keith and Dan all of Seattle, WA; Nancy, Cincinnati, OH;
Randy, Grafton, ND; Jack (Ruth), Grand Forks, ND; Brad (Paula),
Northwood, ND; 15 grandchildren, one great grandchild and sister Geri
(Art) Bloom of Bismarck, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents,
son Joey on Dec. 29, 1999, brothers: Art, Marvin, Jim and Robert.
Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 1:00 PM at
the Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be
Wednesday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Tollefson
Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday
for one hour prior to the service. Graveside services will be held
Thursday afternoon at 4:30 PM at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in
Grafton.
The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the arrangements.
++++
"They who leave this world, and those they've loved, will surely pass
through the Golden Gates above."
----------------------
Please help me welcome Deb (Torkelson) Dusek and Glen (Gunner)
Gonsorowski to the Gazette family.
Deb is Marlin and Hope Torkelson's wonderful daughter, and, I might
add, is helping Marlin recover from his recent (successful) heart
surgery.
Gunner, is in the contracting business in Grand Forks and spends much
of his summers learning to fish (among other things) at Arnesen's Rocky
Point Resort.
==================================
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================


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

Grafton, ND

May 3, 2007 - Thursday - Grafton, ND

The three inevitables of modern life are death, taxes and hamburgers
the night before payday.
----------------------
The current temperature is 53 degrees.
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 65/38
Normal H/L temp for this date is 64/38
It was 92 on this date in 1959 but by that time the glaciers were
already gone.
==============================

====
"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
==================================
L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
------------------------
Yesterday, I made my first trip of the year past the sugarbeet pile west
of Grafton. For some strange reason, I felt compelled to do so. Even
before I reached the site old memories started returning to me.
In general terms (Ag language) the pile didn't look all that bad.
Except for the trail groomer scraping the top layer of "less than pretty
good beets", and, the small pile of "less than fairly good beets" and
Kringstads sump-pumper sucking up a puddle of dark colored fluid topped
with foam, it didn't look to bad.
However, it would be disingenuous if I didn't admit thinking about some
of the "suggestions" I heard, and overheard, so many times last fall
when the decision was made to leave some of the crop in the field.
"Why 'THEY' should take 'em all and worry about discarding them in the
spring", I heard. "It's stupid to leave perfectly good beets in the
field", I heard. "You can sure tell the 'dummies' that made this
decision doesn't have to pay the bills" I heard. Then of course, there's
the one that really got my fruit-of-the-loomes in a bunch,... "Why in
hell,... just because we lost our butt (I cleaned that up a bit for the
clergy) in 81, doesn't mean it's gonna happen again this year."
Am I ever happy that the folks that made comments like those above in
1981 and again during the fall of 2006, didn't get their way, this time.
During one of the very first presentations I ever heard Al Bloomquist
make shortly after the formation of the co-operative, he said.
"Gentlemen, it's time to take the WE and THEY out of the Sugarbeet
business in the Red River Valley. It's time WE band together, as grower
owners, making this the best sugarbeet company in the country.
Thanks Al, American Crystal Sugar Company has in fact become the
largest sugarbeet company in the US, and, for the most part, the WE and
THEY has, in fact, diminished significantly. It's seems, to me at least,
THEY only show their belligerent ways when things start getting really
tough and WE don't know what to do.
Gosh I'm glad, after visiting the Grafton piling site yesterday, that
THEY knew what THEY were doing last fall. When THEY told us, WE needed
to leave a part of the crop in the field.
Or, so it seems to me.
-------------------------
Erick sent the following. Gary,
After reading about Wal-Mart and Grafton for several days in various
media, I did a little digging.
This read a 10 year study on Wal-Mart's effect on small towns in Iowa.
It shows both pro and con, as well as strategies for existing businesses
in a new Wal-Mart town. I guess to me, the report shows that it is the
communities around the Wal-Mart town that show greater change than the
Wal-Mart community itself. I know as an example, that even though My
Alltel phones and accessories as well as my office supplies are priced
below everyone in Grand Forks, I lose out on some sales because Grand
Forks is a "shopping destination" and it may be an impulse buy brought
on by the barrage of marketing of a bigger town. Perhaps a Wal-Mart
would be a great attraction. It may make Grafton more of a weekend
destination. It would certainly increase traffic. I could see many
businesses in town benefiting from it....sort of that "as long as we are
here, we might as well check out....." train of thought.....especially
for specialty businesses. I know in Oslo, we benefited greatly from
having both the huge assortment of furniture at Landowski's, as well as
Dahlstrom's. People would make Oslo a weekend destination to check out
Landowski's million dollar inventory of furniture, and while they were
there, most of them checked out vehicles at Dahlstroms and vice versa.
At this point, I am neither for, nor against it, but I can definitely
see some positives and not just the negatives that are easy to come up
with. I think in a town this size; we would still have our loyal
customers and regulars that would support their friends and neighbors. I
think we also have to remember that large "discount" stores are some
times higher priced on certain items and a lot of times cannot and will
not stock certain items. I know if I walk into True Value or Golden
Harvest (as examples), I can find some unique and reasonably priced
higher quality alternatives that few of the box stores would offer. It
is an interesting argument either way, and if the decision is made to
build one here, all the business owners can do is to educate themselves
on pricing, merchandising, and marketing strategies and perhaps offer
specials in conjunction with one another. These along with a trained and
helpful staff make a world of difference.
Thanks Erick <<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Erick. I
probably should add that the Landowski's Fabulous Furniture Store has
since moved from Oslo to Grafton. And, they will not only bend over
backwards to serve their customers. They'll turn cartwheels if you ask
them to.
We have all made excuses to shop in the big cities. It's time we start
making excuses to shop at home.
-------------------------
Speaking of shopping at home. It was decided, in our house, that we
were in serious "need" of a specific item. Unfortunately, we were unable
to find it in Grafton. Actually, we even agreed that maybe every
business in every town shouldn't even be expected to handle our
particular item of "need".
Anyway, because we do, for the most part, make a serious effort to shop
locally. We (actually Pat) called Waynes Variety Store in Park River and
wouldn't you know it. Waynes had just what we "needed".
Now that I think about it. That was he very reason I ended up driving
by the sugarbeet pile west of Grafton in the first place.
As a matter of fact, there is a good possibility that the item we
"needed" couldn't be found at Wal-Marts either.
------------------------
I must admit, if I had only eaten the things I should have all my
life. I quite likely wouldn't need to be eating all the medications I do
now. Anyway, this one comes from Denise. She wrote >>> I was reading
your note about the Country Smokehouse and wanted to add my 2 cents.
(There is no bias here.... Dave is only my brother-in-law!). Did you
know that meat (livestock/chicken) that has been raised with antibiotics
can cause the human who consumes it to have antibiotic resistance? That
is pretty serious when you think about how many times in your lifetime
you will need antibiotics. So, in an effort to keep your subscribers
healthy, look for meats that have been raised WITHOUT antibiotics
(whether it be the Smokehouse or not). It's good for your health! Denise
<<< Thanks a million for caring and sharing Denise. Now,.. if I could
could just find someone willing take them dad-burn shots for me.
==================================
GOTTA - GO - WORK - ON - MY - DASH
==================================


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