I'm actually rather envious of a lot of you this upcoming Halloween. There
is so much going on in town, so many reasons to dress up and go have fun,
and instead of being able to enjoy this time with all of you, I'll be at a
friend's wedding. Still fun, but I'll miss being able to wear a proper
costume.
Katie O'Leary's is going to start the party early, and will have the band
Side F/X playing on Friday, October 30th. There will be a costume party
with prizes, so be sure to wear your most creative costume! They're the
only place in town that will be having costume contests on Friday and
Saturday, so if you're going trick-or-treating with the kids on Halloween,
you still have an opportunity to go out with your friends. Also on Friday,
PJs Tavern is going to have their "DJ at PJs" night, and the band Dr.
Salty will be playing at Club 57. Dr. Salty touts themselves as an
"American Rock & Roll Band" and they actually play (mostly) original
songs. The vocalist is clear and pleasant, and the music has a good beat.
They have a classic, maybe Aerosmith-esque sound.
On to Saturday, October 31st, which we all affectionately know as
Halloween. Frankie's Boys will be playing at Katie O'Leary's, and they
will be having another costume contest, with prizes! I hear that Frankie's
Boys play bluegrass/blues, and are a local favorite. I have yet to hear
them, but I'm interested. Also on Saturday is PJs Halloween Bash at PJs
Tavern with DJ Screammin' Productions and a costume contest with CASH
PRIZES, their website declares. Finally Club 57 will be hosting their
Halloween party (Costumes? Prizes? Their website doesn't say, but I'd
assume as much) and the band 6 Wheel Drive will be playing. They describe
themselves as "modern country rock," which to me does not sound all that
promising. Then seeing that they cover artists like Keith Urban and Little
Big Town made me lose interest completely. Still, I thought I would take a
listen to some of their tunes, and clicked on their myspace link.
Unfortunately, there were no tracks uploaded. So you'll have to use your
best judgment and imagination on that one.
Also on Saturday, the Schmoejoes will be playing at Barden's Bar. Their
website claims that they will be having "Spooky Shot specials, and
Terrifying Tap beer." Barden's has a costume contest as well, and they say
that their prizes are the best in town, but without knowing what those
are, how can we tell? I guess we just have to take their word for it.
Still, it's good to support the Schmoejoe's as they are an exciting,
local, original band. They have a great stage presence, and their banter
with the crowd is witty and original.
Thanks to everyone who has given me feedback and kept in contact with me,
so I can keep my updates as info-filled and accurate as possible!
One last question for you: What costume will you be wearing this weekend?
If I were able to, I'd be dressed as Alice from the game Shadow Hearts. If
you don't know what that is, feel free to do a google "image" search and
you'll see what I mean. So what/who will you be for Halloween?
Remember when Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer lyric said, “You’ll go down in his-tor-y!” Didn’t that sound strange to us as children, what did it mean? Well, in the history business it means you only have to live here to be part of the history of a place. You don’t have to be famous, or infamous, or have accomplished great feats to be part of Waseca County’s history. But what is the evidence of your existence? Think about your photographs, stories, objects and documents. How do we remember what happens in this place called Waseca County, if the stories aren’t written down or recorded, the facts aren’t verified, the photographs not taken, the information isn’t made available to our children’s children, and their grandchildren’s grandchildren? My point is--care about the history of your place in time, here in Waseca County, and all the parts of it—the towns, the farms, the townships, the businesses, the organizations, the objects, the stories, and especially the people. It’s all information and it’s all going to be history . . . some day. Care about it now.
Are you paying too much for ............. This is a question asked about everything these days! When it is tourney time , cost go out the window when you continue to win!
Teams are excited to get to the playoffs and each win bring more excitement for the coaches, fans and families! I notice over the years that success takes the sting out of the dollars spent in the off season for lessons or clinics, the extra gas and meals as we follow our team, the extra pasta party, the extra racquet stringing, the warmer jacket and gloves, the hotel room at STATE!
We all love a winner! The coach gets smarter, the cheerleaders are prettier, the team has more unity, and the parents actually start to like each other! Playoffs and winning are great, Good Luck to all this fall 2009 season! I hope we all go to State and win!
I normally avoid being a cut and paste type contributor but sometimes the words of another are so spot on that they bear repeating – in this case I feel this article is worth repeating in its entirety.
The reason this article seems important to me is that healthcare and education are both on the same treacherous path – in so many places you can replace the term healthcare with education and the statement rings just as true. So do I advocate privatization of education? 100%! You should never be forced via taxation to pay to educate my children. I choose to have children and thereby accept the responsibility to pay for them. While that is an easy academic conclusion to come to we are stuck with our decidedly non-academic real world where you do pay for my children’s education (not really, they attend Sacred Heart…but they will graduate into the Public School System), and I pay for yours. So until we break free from socialized education we still have a responsibility to make it the best that we can. To that end I support the referendum and the opportunity it brings for reform
STEWART W. PETERSON, what a great guy! Stew was an original! A lineman in college, Stew had the idea that life was fun and should be lived to the fullest!
My first experience with Stew was in summer baseball: the Sacred Heart guys were always told by the Public school guys that we were not good enough to play sports with them! We knew better and Stew knew better! Stew made sure the SH guys were on the VFW baseball squad, he knew we would make the team better and also we deserved the opportunity!
I never forgot Stew for that, he had remained a friend of mine for the 40 plus years since those baseball days!
God Bless Joe Lynch , Stew Peterson, Lee Storby, Manny Beckmann, John Bendix, Dean Means , Paul Andrejewski, Roger Nelson, Tony Sybilrud, and Jack Murphy: these were Public School guys or summer baseball guys who treated the big kid from Sacred Heart with class! Thanks!
I wonder if there are any venues in Waseca, or in Waseca County for that
matter, that would be willing to have an open mic night. Would you attend?
Would you have something to offer? What if it started, say, 7:00p.m. and
went to 10:00p.m., with a half-hour time limit for each person who signs
up. That's a limit of six people per night, doing what they love to do,
with plenty of time afterward for drinks and chatter. Just an idea - feel
free to post your ideas in the handy comment box below.
Now, on to the weekend. On the night of Friday, October 23rd there's a DJ
playing at PJs Tavern, and Club 57 will be hosting the band Good for Gary.
A peek at their myspace page revealed another Twin Cities cover band. They
are pretty well organized, with a nice variety of tunes. One thing made me
particularly happy - the fact that they specifically posted "We don't do
Nickelback." But then, I was saddened again by the appearance of All
American Rejects in their song list. Oh well, you can't win them all. They
have an entertaining cover of "Pinball Number Count" on their myspace
page. You remember that song, don't you? From Sesame Street? Sing with me,
"One-two-three-FOUR FIVE, six-seven-eight-NINE TEN, ELEVEN TWELVE!" That
may just be enough reason for me to see this band, All American Rejects
covers aside.
Then on Saturday, October 24th, PJs and Club 57 switch off again. A DJ
will be mixing up some tunes at Club 57, and at PJ's Tavern you can go
listen to more live covers from The Foolish Mortals. They are not, as one
would assume from their band name, a strictly metal cover band. Their song
list includes a plethora of singles from the 50's onward, songs that we
all know the lyrics to, but I have to question some of the choices again.
My Sharona? Really? I listened to the sampler available on their myspace
page and wasn't too impressed with what they had to offer, but it could
just be that the recording quality wasn't very good. The lead vocalist
grated on me, I'm sorry to say.
That is all that I was able to find for this weekend. There is a live band
playing at Katie O'Leary's on Friday night, but their name is not posted
on the Katie's website, and I don't have time to run by and look at the
poster on the door before I submit this blog. I'll put it up in the
comments as soon as I can.
Cheers everyone! I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has to offer
Halloween weekend! It should be a nice mix of music, contests, prizes, and
specials!
Shane Streich won the SCC Cross Country title this past week as a 7th grader, Micci O'Grady did the same in 1984 as a 8th grader and the Coach is the same guy? 25 years ago the area was amazed at a young Waseca runner, many have the same feeling today! Good luck to all athletes this week, no matter the sport!
1984/ O'Grady becomes youngest-ever SCC champ
On a scale of one to 10, Mici O'Grady has been a 10.
O'Grady, Waseca's eighth-grade running wonder, won her 10th race without a loss on Thursday, becoming the youngest Wasecan ever to win the South Central Conference cross country championship [or any SCC conference title].
"Mici was certainly the heavy favorite going into the race," coach Gary Meurer said. "And she went out and showed everyone they were right."
O'Grady, running with a bothersome back on a hazy Fairmont Country Club course, battled early with runner-up Beth Hoffman of St. James before opening a big lead and winning going away. O'Grady clocked 11:30, Hoffman 11:48.
- 25 years ago, October 16, 1984, Waseca County News
Well, it’s October and we’re watching baseball play-offs without the Twins—there’s always next year; but here’s a little Waseca baseball history about a winning team:
EACO’S 1901 winning baseball team
Waseca's famous baseball team of 1900 and 1901 was sponsored by the EACO Flour Mill (Everett & Aughenbaugh Mill). W. J. Armstrong (who built and operated the Southern Minnesota Grocery warehouse, now the Miller-Armstrong building) was their manager, R.P. Ward, president and L.W. Sterling, treasurer. They won the state amateur championship!
Fifty-seven games were played that season and they lost only fifteen. They players were Bob Foote (catcher), Theodore Snyder (right field), Bill Joiner (short stop), C.R. Wattles (first base), S. Foster (left field), Bob Mackey (third base), William Foster (center field), W. J. Armstrong (manager), William Vernon (second base), William Brisbane (pitcher) and Ed Woods (pitcher). They played the best clubs in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, and even journeyed to Chicago to play the Flandreau Indians and the Chicago Marquettes. In 1901 the team reached the peak of its fame, winning the amateur titles in Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota.
Rivalry between Waseca and Litchfield that year made the State Championship Series the greatest attraction before or since. The owner of the Lexington Park in St.Paul was offered a percentage to host the game there. He refused because he said he couldn't afford to pay the ushers out of what the gate would bring. So Waseca and Litchfield rented the grounds for a flat $50 to the everlasting sorrow of the St. Paul management. Special trains were run and the game drew over 10,000 people! And best of all, Waseca won the game by a score of 9-2!
I know the St. Louis Rams of the NFL are struggling this season: did you know they have 4 Minnesota guys on their roster? Minnesota FB is soft huh? James Laurinaitis from Wayzata, Adam Goldberg from Edina, Mark Setterstrom from Northfield, and Craig Dahl from Mankato East are the Minnesota born players! Just think Waseca played against Setterstrom and Dahl in the sporting season, they made it big so can you!
College rosters are sprinkled with Waseca area athletes in all sports! I know the Northern Sun and MIAC conferences have people on their rosters in many of the sports whether fall ,winter or spring seasons. How about Rick Jeddeloh coaching basketball at Bethany College, Mike Wobshall writing for Vikings .com, Phil Driscoll Jr. works for the Gophers in management of the FB stadium, Williams arena, and Hockey facilities, Eric Overland is one of the strength coaches for Notre Dame, there are many more people dreaming big in athletics!
So HS athletes in Waseca Area, DREAM BIG and work hard to excel! You will have fun and enjoyment beyond your wildest dreams! Good Luck!
This last week in Afghanistan has been one of sadness and time of reflection. We started out our week with news that we lost one of our fellow brothers. I say brother because after experiences like this you all form a special bond. It amazes me that a group of people from all over the state and some from other states, can come together and become so close. That is one of the main reasons I love the military.
We all joined together and have been looking out for each other. We have all reflected on what is important to us and all seem to have a different outlook on what it is we are doing here. Our memorial service for SPC George Cauley was a great tribute to his service and to the spirit of what kind of person he was. It was a time to remember what he did to defend freedom for his country and people from other countries. I thought about what he did for me and my family and how I will teach my kids that he is a true American hero.
After the service we had a grill out. I brought the ladder golf game that my mom had sent and few guys brought their bean bag board game. Other activities included cribbage, Frisbee, touch football, and some good old socializing. It was a great time to decompress and be with people.
We started our day today by being presented with our “combat patch”. This is a tradition that has been around since the Revolutionary War, started by General George Washington. The Army is the only branch that is authorized to wear a patch on their right sleeve and our unit is the first ones to be authorized to wear our particular patch. (I like history) We were also able to promote some well deserving Soldiers. Again it was nice to be together, to go through an experience with a group of people.
Deployments are hard on a Soldier, their family, their friends, and even the community especially when there is a loss. After the events of this last week I understand a little more about what it means to be in the military. Although many of our experiences are different and we have had different things happen, I know that when I meet someone that has served I always have a friend and something to talk about. There are so many interesting stories out there, I encourage anyone to sit and listen to a Veteran tell them.
After all of this reflection a great thing did happen today. The people from the Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill came to our camp and cooked us one of the most delicious meals that I have eaten since I left the States. It is amazing what one event can do to change the morale of the troops. Everyone in the chow hall was full of smiles and talking about how awesome it was that they did that for us.
This morning, I got up at 4 AM. This afternoon, I decided to take a nap with my children. It was wonderful. Except the part where my four year old got up before me. I know, you are thinking he made some terrible mess. Nope. But he was kind enough to answer the door for a salesperson, since mommy was in bed, he was thoughtful enough to bring the business representative right upstairs into my bedroom. I thought that might be the strangest thing I have woken up to (a stranger in my bedroom with me and my son) a bit awkward as well.
This got me thinking, for all the times my children say I have embarrassed them, I have never been so embarrassed in my life as I have since becoming a mom. Thought it might be fun to cover some of these, and I would love to hear your red-faced stories as well. I will do my best to protect my children's identity, (or those of their friends) but for those of you who know some of my children, identification could come easily......
When one of my children was 3, we were visiting Grandma, who lived quite a ways away. She alway gave the children a juice box or soda as we left "for the road" as my daughter was given her sugary beverage by her grandmother, my daughter said "can Daddy have a beer for the road, Grandma?"
Same daughter, fast forward six years. She fell of her bike. Her wrist hurt, but not terribly, not a lot of swelling. I explained to her since it was late afternoon, we would keep an eye on it and see if she should see the Dr in the morning. She did go in the morning, and had a broken wrist. Of course, everyone wanted to know when she broke it. She politely informed them "I broke it on Wednesday, but Mom didn't take me to the doctor until Thursday."
One of my older daughters continued to hear me tell the little ones that the crab apples from the tree in the back yard would make them sick. This older daughter was babysitting her then two-year-old brother. She found he had consumed a crab apple. Apparently not realizing by "sick" I meant tummy ache, she proceeded to do what any responsible babysitter would do, she dialed 9-1-1.
My children say the way I dress embarrasses them. Apparently they have short term memory problems. One of my older sons went one entire year of preschool wearing nothing but Superman pajamas, day and night, complete with velcro-on cape.
Some of my daughters (when they were small) insisted that dance costumes left over from recitals DID count as clothing, and wore them everywhere.
One of my younger daughters used to chronically answer the door naked, this was how I met one of our neighbors for the first time when we moved in, as well as how she once greeted the pastor when he stopped by. Need I say more? Another daughter TODAY left the house in a denim skirt, petticoat and striped tights, and she is NOT five. I embarrass them? I just don't think I can compete with this!
While I could go on for days on this topic regarding my own children, there have been some fun ones lately with my children's friends as well.....
One of my favorites, one of my older daughters called from a freinds house. They were cooking and her friend had cut her hand. They wanted to know what to do. I walked them through some basic first aid and asked when the friend's parents would be home. The girls sweetly informed me they wouldn't be home for a while as they were "at the bar". (Turns out they are in a card group that MEETS at a bar.)
Last week I was watching a friend's children. As pre-teens will, they eat a lot. They did make sure I understood though, that it was due to the fact that all of the food in their house is expired. (I knew this not to be true, of course, one of my children had babysat them the night before, and they had found ONE expired food item.)
I certainly have learned over the years that children take things out of context. I do now get to giggle when my children's friends say such things, but I DO worry about what my kids say when they are at their friends houses!
Please do send me your finest "Mommy Moments" I would love to hear them!
While this seems like a fundamentally simple concept, apparently very few places in our little town are able to offer it. Apparently El Molino is a favorite, and I have to agree. It is nice to walk in, sit down, and immediately have complimentary chips and salsa placed on the table in front of you. Orders are filled quickly, the food is good, and drinks are refilled before you even have the chance to ask for it. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the mood is relaxed. So why do other venues seem to struggle in meeting these same standards?
My guess would be the economy. These difficult economic times have forced places to cut back on staff, on how long they're open and on what days, on paid training. The uneasiness of business owners have also cultivated an uneasiness in the staff, which is then passed on to the customer. The customers leave, the business owners panic and raise prices, and sometimes even charge staff for things that were once free (like coffee and doughnuts), and as a result, the talented staff leave, and the customers either have to deal with raised prices and poor staff, or, like so many of us do, go elsewhere. This is mostly speculation, but some of it I have seen first hand. It seems like Waseca businesses, particularly those that deal in entertainment, are spiraling downward.
There are things that I would like to see here in town, and I think they would be easy enough to pull off. I believe what we are lacking entertainment-wise is variety. I would like to see poetry readings, live musicians with something new to offer, and most of all, live theater. The
problem becomes finding a venue where different artists can perform. The community auditorium is too full of school activities for the odd community theater troop to compete, and the outdoor stages are only useful in the summer months. Waseca could really use its own specific place for members of the community to express themselves. Minnesota is one of the
highest arts-centered states in the country, with Minneapolis ranking in the top ten, so why do we have so little available for our own community?
Why should I have to drive to Mankato or Northfield to share my latest short story or poem? Why does my husband's band make $100 a night in Minneapolis, but can't find a place to play here? Why, when Waseca loves its marching classic and celebrates Leroy Shield at every opportunity?
Well, enough of that. I hope someone with the means to create a place that artists of all kinds can congregate will read this and think its a good idea, because this is what I'd like to see in our community.
So, on to the weekend. Since everything seems to start at 9:00p.m., I'm not going to clutter up my blog with stating when bands are playing anymore. Friday the 16th has a DJ at Katie O'Leary's, Bad Habits at PJs Tavern (I couldn't find any information on this band, sorry), and Dazy Head Mazy at Club 57. Dazy Head Mazy is a pop band with a lot of commercial and radio appeal. My husband said when I mentioned them "Hey, I know them - I've seen them in the City Pages since I was a teenager." They offer simple tunes with catchy lyrics,which are mostly acoustic. They remind me of Dave Matthews or Hootie and the Blowfish, and are definitely worth a listen if you like that early 90‚s, Cities 97 sound.
Then we've got Saturday, October 17th. The Tex Pistols Band are playing at Katie O'Leary's (not to be confused with Tex Pistols, which is a different band, as I discovered upon my Google search). They seem to have a pretty high ego, claiming that their "Fully Loaded" album as "one the most talked about recordings in the Twin Cities in years." Note - just because an album is "talked about" doesn't mean the talk is all good. A listen to some of the tracks showed the same tired country chords and slide guitar that you always hear when you turn on the radio, with nothing really new to offer.
I also find their "Come see the Tex Pistols, or the drummer gets it" picture childish and off-putting. Still, they seem to pull a bit of weight here in Waseca, but I can't imagine how they'd appeal to anyone under 50. My apologies to their faithful fans, and bless this band for
having a real website, not just a Myspace or Facebook page.
Also playing on Saturday is the band 69 Cents, and they'll be at Club 57. They are a cover/party band that are popular for playing a wide variety of genres, as well as requests from the audience. They were once voted "Favorite Local Band" in the Mankato Free Press Reader's Choice Awards. Pictures of them reveal an exciting, high-energy stage presence.
Finally, at PJs Tavern, DJ Kozy will be throwing out his hits Saturday night. If you don't know Kozy, then you haven't really been introduced to the Waseca music scene. He has a lot to say about all of it, and a lot to offer. Stop in at Waseca Music Company and chat with him if you have the time, he's an entertaining guy.
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Keep out of the rain and/or snow, and enjoy the last little bits of fall we have before we're engulfed in Minnesota winter.
Blogger Jenny Hughes can be reached at thejuniperjourney@hotmail.com.
October is a magic month in HS sports: the last regular season events are here, some have started or will start playoffs soon! Girls tennis will pick state tourney team entrants this week, Thursday is a big day for No. One seed Waseca girls at the friendly confines of the Gutavus Tennis Bubble!
Waseca use to own that place with many great victories and great individual efforts! State tourney individuals will be picked next week!
Football goes into the traditional Wednesday game with MEA weekend, next weeks game will be the last regular season : then seeding for the playoffs! Volleyball is approaching the last games and Cross Country has the conference meets this week!
Area teams want to be healthy and playing at their best this time of the year; conference titles are great but the chance to advance to the state tourney is the real deal! Good luck to all area teams and give it a little extra to achieve greatness! Communities always remember the teams that made it to state! Be one of those memories!
I think I’m on board with what is probably a universally accepted belief in America this week: President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize was premature, possibly even undeserved. I’m not on board, however, with those who would tout this as an embarrassment for the president. If anything, it’s an embarrassment for the Nobel committee, because of their puzzling choice, and Obama is essentially a bystander.
An embarrassment is that our previous president had eight full years to earn himself a Peace Prize and couldn’t do it. He wasn’t prematurely awarded such recognition, but he did prematurely declare an end to major combat in Iraq. That was in 2003.
When our current president is considering a troop increase in Afghanistan, 8 years into the war, he’s not a peacemaker. When he gives speeches on the national stage, reaching out to those with whom our relationship has been strained it’s commendable, but it ain’t peace. When he’s got 3 years (maybe 7) to screw things up, it’s not time to dole out the Peace Prize.
At the same time, you can’t blame Obama. He didn’t lobby for this. He was probably more surprised than anyone to have gotten it! His critics will argue that he’s being recognized by a group of wimpy Europeans who have just bought into Obama-mania. Here in America, though, it’s safe to say the honeymoon is over. The Obama aura is pretty much gone, and we’re back to scratching each other’s eyes out. If Europe still has a crush on him, honestly, who cares? It could be worse (see: the past 8 years).
I think our president has the potential to achieve meaningful peace. He just hasn’t done it yet. After all, he’s still the new guy.
In the end, I think Obama’s undeserved win last Friday is less consequential than the Yankees’ undeserved win! I, personally, have spent more time agonizing over the fact that The Dark Knight didn’t receive the Best Picture nomination (and win) that it did deserve, than I care to spend on the Peace Prize our president got and didn’t deserve.
There’s my two cents
Marcus
I suggested the Nobel Peace Prize as a topic thinking that Marcus and I might have differing views. Evidently, not. But let me elaborate anyway.
The following is a listing of some of the previous Peace Prize recipients:
President Theodore Roosevelt for brokering a peace agreement between Japan and Russia.
President Woodrow Wilson for the Versailles Treaty after WWI and for promoting the League of Nations.
General George C. Marshall for efforts to rebuild war torn Europe after WWII (the Marshall Plan).
Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. for leading the American Civil Rights movement.
Dr. Norman Borlaug (University of Minnesota) for crop research that led to the “green revolution” in developing nations.
Secretary of State Henry Kissinger for negotiating a peace treaty with Vietnam.
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin for reaching the first treaty between an Arab nation and Israel.
Lech Walesa for organizing and leading a workers union and advancing democratic reforms in communist-controlled Poland. Remember “solidarnosc?”
President Mikhail Gorbachev for instituting “glasnost” and “perestroika” – democratic reforms in the former Soviet Union.
Nelson Mandela for leading reconciliation after years of apartheid in South Africa.
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for beginning the process toward peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.
President Barrack Obama. For what?
To borrow a phrase from the children’s program Sesame Street, “One of these names doesn’t belong with the others.”
Last week WCHS was host to regional ghost hunter, Kathy Machowski. We were contacted by Machowski last summer. She was initially interested in investigating the Bailey-Lewer House, our research library located across the street from the museum. We visited her webpage, “Minnesota’s Beyond the Veil” and read testimonials of other cases she investigated. We thought it would be advantageous to investigate a building known for mysterious activity--the Waseca County Courthouse was the obvious choice. With permission and an escort, we met for the investigation. It was a lovely Saturday afternoon (not a dark and stormy night). The team of five consisted of Kathy, a nurse from Albertville, MN, a psychic from Owatonna, a courthouse employee, and myself. The first thing Kathy did when we entered was take pictures of the area where we were setting up. The equipment used was an infrared camera, digital cameras, digital sound recorders and a set of divining rods. Kathy continued taking pictures in the lower level hall. We were handed digital recorders and the others digital cameras. We explored all floors, courtroom, waiting rooms, vaults and hallways--even the bell tower. The investigation took approximately three hours. For those of us new to the experience--let’s say we weren’t introduced to anyone or anything thought to have gone before us. We felt, heard, smelled and saw absolutely nothing.
The next day Kathy contacted me with some interesting data. That data was presented last Wednesday evening. Captured were electronic voice phenomena (EVPs), and three images. Using audio software, Kathy played the recorded voices. We were instructed to talk normally during the investigation, not whisper. The voices she presented were imbedded in our conversations. The images were--a mist, several turned chairs in the courtroom, and a face in the glass of a door. H-m-m-m. Seeing and hearing is believing, I guess. After the presentation the audience was invited to the Bailey-Lewer House. Guests explored the premises with their cameras and her equipment as well. It was loud and crowded. The brief investigation yielded no results, which is fine with me. We did, however, hear many stories from our visitors. We have a “Ghost File” in the library, and we welcome additions. Kathy offers classes in “ghost hunting.” She can be contacted through her website, just Google “Minnesota’s Beyond the Veil”. I have asked Kathy to post the results so all can see and hear. What paranormal experiences have you had? Will you share?
Last week I attended a couple events in the area. I helped out at the Waseca Cross Country meet at Lakeside Golf course on Thursday, nice crowd of fans on a very nice Minnesota fall day! Saw many of the area schools run, saw familiar faces from other schools enjoying the competition. Over the years some people just attend for the fun of it, they are fans! I am one of them!
I attended the Bluejay FB game Friday night, I expected a blowout but saw a massacre! Brutal game for the Jimmies: I counted 32 freshman and sophomores on the roster with a real lack of size and ability! The Bluejays came out smokin' and dominated on both sides of the ball! I always stand on the visitors sideline and visit with the opposition fans, they were stunned by the lopsided score and wanted to retire for the night early in the 2nd half! Very small crowd from Waseca at the game, where were you?
Saturday I went to the Gopher game: had breakfast on campus, saw Goldy Gopher, Joe Maturi without a warm jacket, shook hands with the U of M President Brunick, watched the team parade into the stadium surrounded by a few hundred fans, lots of sun and a big wind from the NW, visited with former great Bobby Bell, and then went to Stubb and Herbs restaurant and watched the first half: it was great! We left at half time jumped on the free shuttle back to our $10 parking spot on west bank and visited with hundreds of frozen Gophers fans! We drove home listening to the second half of a Gopher victory on the radio!
So, you think sports are taking the majority of you social life now? What about the article below from 1959? It my be popular to be a soccer Mom now days: I wonder how many parents in the Waseca of 1959 would believe all the action in 2009?
1959/ School Board Members Feel Athletics at Central Being Overstressed; May Cut Back
Members of the District 829 school board indicated Tuesday night that they would take some action in the future regarding what was termed "the overstressing of athletics" at Central high school.
It was pointed out that this condition exists not only at Central but at all schools in the state and that Central officials have to "go along" with the trend.
The matter came up at the regular school board meeting held Tuesday night at Central. The action is likely to take the form of a suggestion to the meeting of the District School Board Association, that the entire conference cut back its athletic schedule.
- 50 years ago, September 16, 1959, Waseca Journal
Congratulations to Larry on being chosen for the open Council seat. He was a great person to work with while I served with him and will be a great advocate for Ward 1, business owners and fiscal conservatives. I admire his knowledge, savvy and communication skills. And for those who conjectured that this will bring about a new era of water skiing on Loon Lake I suspect that you have not really paid that close of attention to how Larry works on the council.
Thank you to all who wished me well and supported me. I appreciate your support and am glad that I was able to earn your trust. A couple of people have given me the "sorry that you lost" speech and while I appreciate the consideration I really don't feel bad about not being chosen. Sure I would be happier to have been selected but I did not run to win or to beat Larry, I ran because it is something I enjoy doing. You never feel bad for a fellow who went fishing all day and didn't catch anything. He spent his day doing what he loved. Win, lose or draw I enjoyed being part of the political process. There will be many more opportunities, whether it be attending rallies, writing a blog or running for office at some other time.
On to other items - Clear Lake - Gaiter Lake diversion project. I wish the council wisdom on the process. I think that if the project would have moved at a normal speed when it was introduced several years back it would have passed and been implemented with strong support. Any project that sits on the table for too long begins to die for lack of momentum, that has nothing to do with the merits of the project just a fact of political life. For a much more dramatic example see the financial regulation overhaul bill that looked inevitable in the face of the crisis but is all but dead in the water now.
Health care reform - see here for the implications of earning money under the Baucus bill. In a nutshell for a family at the poverty line there is almost no incentive to make more money as the reduction in benefits and tax breaks takes 70 cents of each additional dollar you make.
Have you been following the Pvt Hafterson ordeal? A young Marine from Minnesota deserted his unit claiming post traumatic stress disorder from the atrocities he saw in the war. He was then taken into custody by the Marine Corps, the latest is that he never experienced the horrors that he claimed caused the PTSD. It has been an amazing trip through what war can do to a person. A firm salute to all the folks serving (and backing them up from home) and salute to all those trying to bring them home. 8 years in Afghanistan and still so much to be done.
But hey - Obama has won the Nobel Peace prize! I am sure that it is because he ended the two wars we are in...eh?...whats that?...still going strong in both?...expanding one of them?...okay, it must be for closing Gitmo...oh, not quite done with that yet...what do you mean he has not even started yet?...okay it is because he is backing away from Bush's bellicose nature...oh, I see he is sabre rattling with Iran again. Why not give him the Nobel prize for medicine and economics as well?
I've decided to make a quick change for this week, just to do something
more fun and interactive. As much as I love to throw out my opinions and
impressions on the local "scene," thus far I haven't had much feedback on
what you, the readers, think about entertainment in Waseca. Feel free to
give me a general overview, or you can answer one or more of the following
questions. Please don't be afraid of being honest. Higher-ups may find
your input helpful. I'll give my own thoughts next week, just so you all
can compare. So here are a few questions you can think about:
What is your favorite venue in Waseca County to visit, and why?
What venue(s) do you generally avoid, and why?
What sort of live bands/DJs do you like most?
What other kinds of entertainment would best benefit this area?
Is there a venue or band that you would like me to further look into?
I look forward to reading your responses, and seeing how they compare with
my own.
Now, I'm not sure if PJs Tavern and Club 57 talk, or if they just sort of
pay attention to one another, because they alternate their DJs and live
music almost flawlessly. Club 57 will host their DJ on Friday, October 9th
at 9:00p.m., and PJs has their DJ on Saturday, October 10th at 9:00p.m.
Coincidence?
Then there are the live musicians. First up at PJs Tavern the band
Flashback will play on Friday, October 9th at 9:00p.m. The only
information that I could find on them is that they cover hit songs from
the 50's onward. Then on Saturday, October 10th at 9:00p.m. (why does
everything start at 9:00p.m. in this town?) you've got a couple of
options. At Katie O'Leary's you could hear the I Got Issues Band (or IGI,
as I've seen it posted). A quick peek at their myspace page simply listed
their band members and their upcoming shows. They have six friends on
myspace, apparently. Your other option is Stand By, and they'll be playing
at Club 57. Their myspace page revealed a band of relative youngesters,
and a really long historical timeline of the band's creation and
accomplishments that I didn't feel like reading in its entirety. They're a
cover band that plays chart-topping singles from the 70's to the
present... you know, stand bys.
That's all I have for today. Look forward to a long, opinionated rant from
me next week, and until then enjoy your weekend!
Money: It now takes at least a million dollars to wage a campaign for Congress (several millions to run for the Senate). Those who do run have to spend more time raising money than they spend meeting with voters. Most people – though highly qualified and perhaps better qualified – decide the money chase just isn’t worth it.
Interest Groups: Both parties are dominated by interest groups that are outside the mainstream. These groups are not looking for common ground or common sense. Yet, candidates must cater to these groups because they are often the key to getting a party’s endorsement (and, not incidentally, campaign money).
Seniority: In Congress (especially the House) seniority rules. That means that committee chairs (who wield inordinate power) are often legislators who came to Washington three, four or five decades ago. They are still trying to enact yesterday’s agenda. And, they use (sometimes abuse) their power to get what they want.
Gerrymandering: Most sates draw legislative districts in order to create safe districts for the political party in power. As a result, few districts in America are any longer truly competitive. That often means that the winner of a party’s primary is almost assuredly going to win the general election. Ultimately, that leads to a Congress with fewer moderates – and more partisanship.
Careerism: Too many politicians have made a career of politics. That means we do not have enough legislators today who have had real experience in the private sector that could help to inform their public policy decisions. It also means that they are constantly in campaign mode because they want to keep their jobs. Instead, what we as a nation need are legislators who will do their jobs.
That is my two cents.
Tim
Five Things Wrong with the Rightwing Opposition to the President
1. The Socialism Charge. This is something John McCain started about a year ago, and it’s sort of taken on a life of its own. Since then those on the far right haven’t ever really stopped calling the president a socialist – somehow forgetting that it was their own Republican President, George Bush, who abandoned free market principles when he bailed out the banks.
2. Tea baggers. These activists have organized anti-tax rallies across the nation - called TEA Parties – meant to echo the famous Boston Tea Party that preceded the American Revolution. T.E.A. stands for Taxed Enough Already, which is a valid point of view. But there’s one problem – for a lot of these people, and for most Americans - President Obama actually reduced their tax burden with a middle class tax cut as part of the economic stimulus bill.
3. The Nazism Charge. Unless someone is committing genocide or invading countries, as a good rule of thumb, you’d better not be comparing anyone to the Nazis. This goes for everyone, not just those on the political right. Nazism is truly evil, and the more you throw the term around in a cavalier fashion, the less it means.
4. Glenn Beck. He is an inconsistent, hypocritical, bitter fool. He’s a professional sensationalist, who has been elevated by unwarranted media coverage. He enjoys the puzzling adoration of a select few. Listen to him all you like, just remember he is a raving lunatic.
5. The Olympics. Right-wingers jumped for joy at the news that the president failed to bring the Olympics to his hometown of Chicago, citing it as evidence of his ineffectiveness. However, if the president had succeeded in getting the games, you would’ve heard cries that Obama is only paying back his moneyed friends back in Chicago. In fact, right wing radio was already singing that song when it seemed like Chicago was a lock. This hypocrisy belies opposition for opposition’s sake. Enough already!!
Hartley Elementary School is 50 years old this year!
Did you attend that first year 1959, in the brand new school?
What do you remember about going to school at Hartley?
“Are you smarter than a fifth-grader?”
Who is this lady?
The level of play! Waseca area is blessed to have a number of options for sports viewing. The 1 A level with the smallest Gopher conference schools: the 2A schools like Waterville and NHREG: the 3A Waseca Bluejays: the larger schools of Mankato and Owatonna are in 4A or 5A. The idea is to allow each level to participate against equal size and therefore to have a competitive contest.
Usually the case but sometimes not the result! I remember Waseca competing on equal footing with Faribault for 1/2 of a football game but too many big kids and higher quality subs can make for a long evening and lots of injury! Waterville seems to just win no matter what size school they play: but a entire season with bigger schools could be a painful equalizer with exhaustion and injury. Are there too many classes? Should schools be allowed to play who ever they can schedule and get back to a few "David vs Goliath contests! When is the last time you watched Big Nine football and compared it with your teams level of play? What do you think?
Today I wanted to take a more lighthearted approach to the blog...although please remember the Gleason family as well as the Shackle family. Prayers are much needed for these very hurting families. We tend to think of people in the immediate after a tragedy, but both families have a long road ahead. You don't have to know them....a card means so much.
Anyway, like I said, I thought it would be nice to take a more lighthearted approach this week, so I thought I would answer some of the more commonly asked questions about how to manage the logistics of running such a large household....
How much laundry do you do/how does it all get done?
We are blessed to have an extra capacity front loading washer and dryer. It runs early in the morning until very late at night. (today I started laundry at 2:45 AM) Typically I do nine loads a day, which would equate to about 14.5 typical loads. I do not typically put away the children's' laundry. Nor do I fold it. I have shelves above the washer and dryer, each child has a laundry basket with their name on it on the shelves, as clothing comes out of the dryer, it goes directly into each child's basket, they are responsible for emptying it. I DO wish I had implemented this with child #2 as it REALLY simplifies laundry. I do have a separate basket for the rare item in need of ironing. (although to be frank, the ironing rarely gets done) With the store opening soon, thus less time for laundry, I am considering a second washer and dryer to push laundry through faster. How do you cook for such a large family? We buy almost everything in bulk, flour, sugar, baking soda, etc. We stock up on foods on sale each week, my motto is "never pay retail!". Almost all foods are made from scratch due to expense and nutrition, but you can find us on a busy night eating take out pizza. I also buy pans and baking sheets at the restaurant supply store (the only place I can get big enough pans, and the prices are GREAT! I also bought a kitchen-aid mixer that was actually manufactured for a small restaurant. It gets used almost daily, sometimes several times a day....this is probably the wisest purchase I have made for the kitchen.
How do you clean for such a large family? Well, if you have been to my house lately, you know that I don't...just kidding. Right now the house is so full of equipment and merchandise for the new store....it's hard to move around.
I used to have a housekeeper that took care of bathrooms and floors 3x per week. That is no longer a luxury I have. I do my best like everyone else to keep my head above water. My kids have the same struggles as yours at cleaning up their possessions, just a bigger problem with 10 children.....I DO find children to be very motivated if they are told a meal will be served when all of their toys and personal items are removed from the main floor of the house. You would be AMAZED at how quickly they can work then!
What do you drive? I am sure most of you have seen the green shuttle bus around town. Yes, that's me, and no, I don't drive it to be stylish, but have been very surprised at how cool the local school age children and teenagers think it is, LOL! It seats 15 people, and allows my 6 foot tall teenagers the space they need. It also allows us to carry home enough groceries or pack for a weekend out of town (something not possible with a 15 passenger van) When we first got the bus, I chronically had people asking me things like "where is this bus headed" or "what company do you drive for, I would like to arrange a ride to school for my children" When we lived in the metro, I actually had people try to get on the bus at stoplights. We have had fun joking about getting a toll box for the front of the bus, and making some extra cash while running errands :0)
How many bedrooms do you have? We actually have 8, which I am sure makes my home sound like a sprawling mansion. Not so, many of you know where I live (the bus gives me away) it is a modest turn of the century home built by a well to do large family at the time. While it is large to a family with two children, it can still feel crowded on any given day.
I think that covers the majority of commonly asked questions (well, at least the questions that are in good taste) I also get lots of questions about adoption, and may post those in a future blog entry. Feel free to comment with any questions you have about adoption and/or large families as well as anything YOU would find interesting as a blog entry. Believe it or not, all of this feels very typical to me!
First of all, today is October 1st, and if you didn't read my blog last week, I'm going to remind everyone that today is Beer and Brats day in Waseca! If you haven't taken part in these festivities before, it is basically a day where every bar in town offers up cheap brats and beer, starting at 3:30p.m. until all of the brats are gone. I have been told that these brats are specially made for this occasion, so if you can get out of the house tonight, I would definately grab a few friends and check this out!
As for live entertainment this weekend, Friday night from 9p.m.-close PJs Tavern will be hosting the classic rock cover band High Adventure. Also Friday, at Club 57 you can check out the tunes of the 80's hair-metal cover band Sinister, also at 9p.m. I feel like I'm sensing a trend here with Club 57, and I'm starting to be tempted to say simply "Club 57 = 80's covers" and just get it over with. Anyhow, Sinister admits to being a "party band," though they take their music very seriously, and apparently they offer a stellar light show and sound system that should be pretty exciting.
Then Saturday PJs Tavern will have their live DJ session from 9p.m. - close, and Katie O'Leary's will have a live band called Main Street at 9p.m. as well, with drink specials in the hour preceeding. I tried to look up some info on the band, but as there are so many with the same name, I gave up trying. Finally, Club 57 will have yet another live band from 9p.m. to close called Free Fallin which is, you guessed it, a Tom Petty tribute band. I gave some of their covers a listen on their myspace page, and I gotta say, they sound pretty spot on. Even the lead singer seems to have embraced his inner "Petty-ness" in his appearance and wardrobe - long blonde hair, big black top hat, and round frame sunglasses. If I really liked Tom Petty songs (which I do like some, but not enough to sit through a whole night of them) this would be the show to check out this weekend.
I hope you all have a fantastic week, and as they say, eat, drink, and be merry!
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