Archive for May, 2009

Wild West Days was a great success. We got back into town about 3 pm on Monday, so we saw things winding down.

Here are some pictures that Rhonda Murray sent me–many thanks to her.

I am sooooo disappointed. We are going to Dave’s family’s cabin up by Brainerd this weekend. I look forward to that, but I am going to miss Wild West Days. Since going to the cabin is our family Memorial Day tradition, it appears that I have a problem!

I found a terrific website for information: http://www.gowildwestdays.com/

According to their site, here is the schedule of events:

Thursday May 21
Carnival (after school, Arm Band discount day, starting at 6:00 pm)
Food Vendors

Friday May 22
Carnival (after school lets out)
Food Vendors
Softball Tournament
Paintball Course

Saturday May 23
Pancake Breakfast 8:30 am – 11:30 am @ City Parking Lot across from Legion
Parade 12:00
Carnival (after Parade)
Food Vendors
Softball Tournament
Paintball Course
Pony Rides
Camel Rides
Art in the Park
Beer Gardens

Sunday May 24
Carnival (noon)
Food Vendors
Softball Tournament
Paintball Course
Soap Box Derby 11:00am on Main Street
Fireworks 10:00pm sponsored by American Legion and Aux. and the Bank of Elk River
Pony Rides
Beer Gardens

Monday May 25
Softball Tournament Championship Games
Carnival (through morning, Arm Band discount day, starting at 1:00 pm)
Jacobs 5K Run @ 8:00am start/end Gold’s Gym, around Lake Fremont

If you get any good pictures, please send them to me and I will give you credit on the blog!

We’ve broken record highs two days in a row and the wind was blowing so hard that all you could see of in the distance was brown sky. On the way home from church tonight the Fire Danger sign in Zimmerman was at Extreme. No wonder the DNR fire trucks are out.

Here is a cool refreshing rainbow picture I took several days ago. Enjoy!

(Click for a larger view)

I received this information in an email from Laurie Krisko:

Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation (MHARF)
Garage Sale Fundraiser

WHEN: July 2-4th
WHERE: Princeton Civic Center

Donations Greatly Appreciated & Tax Deductable

Assistance is setting up & organizing items would also greatly be appreciated!!

We will accept donations starting May 1st of any household items or tack. No TV’s or electronics of any kind will be accepted, however.

Please contact:

Deb Farm – dfarm@sherbtel.net and 763-856-4475 or
Deb Anderson- darkanderson1960@yahoo.com and 763-389-9185

See the MHARF site at: http://www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/

My brother-in-law lives near the township hall, so we took this picture on the way to his home:

Active Youth Day will be held on May 16, 2009 in Elk River, Minnesota from 1 pm to 5 pm at Salk Middle School.

Yesterday was our last Citizen Academy class. I’ve learned a lot about the Sherburne County Sheriff’s department over the last eight weeks.

Deputy Roxanne Schreder, one of the Citizen Academy hosts, told us about the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and how to set up a Neighborhood Watch.

We learned about local fraud schemes that have been committed in Sherburne County. Fraud investigator Pam Weber presented things we should look for so that we can avoid being scammed.

The Sherburne County Drug and Gang Task Force members spoke to us about drug usage. We saw samples are different drugs, including heroine, cocaine, marijuana, khat, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and methamphetamine. Meth labs in the area have been reduced, in large part due to the limits of pseudoephedrine that have been imposed on pharmacies.

We also heard from William Jones, the Reserve Captain for the Sheriff’s department. They are always looking for qualified people to join the reserves and serve the community.

After receiving our graduation certificates and a goody bag with a Sheriff’s mug, we enjoyed a pizza party and had delicious cake. I appreciate all of the efforts that have gone into putting this Citizen’s Academy together, especially by Deputies Roxanne Schreder and Renee Brandt, and I encourage everyone to take the class when it becomes available later this year!

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge sponsored Migratory Bird Day and a plant sale along with the Friends of Sherburne NWR.

I didn’t make it in time for the birding tour at 7:00 am. The next group at 8:30 am started out with a meeting at the Old School House on County Road 9, led by Nancy Haugen. Groups then went out to drive through the refuge looking for birds. The day was windy and chilly, but the turnout was pretty good. A Cub Scout Pack from Big Lake even joined in on the fun!

The Friends had a plant sale at 10 am. Members of the group donate plants from their property to help raise money for the organization. I missed getting the rhubarb and dogwood plants, but I purchased some columbine, a few herbs, and some dahlia and onion bulbs.

Today is National Train Day. Back in May 10, 1869, East and West were joined together when the “golden spike” was driven into the last railroad tie. Promontory Summit, Utah was the site of the event that changed America.  Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways joined 1,776 miles which created our nation?s first transcontinental railroad.

Trains transport much of America’s goods. Take a few moments to remember the people behind this industry!

Here are a couple of photos from the railroad crossing on County Road 15:

County Road 15 Railroad Crossing in Big Lake, Minnesota

The Holker Family performed a concert at St. Benedict’s Senior Community in Monticello this afternoon. Lou Holker, father of the eight performers, called me to videotape the concert and put it on DVD. The performance which was given in honor of Mr. Holker’s mom, a resident of St. Benedicts for Mother’s Day. There are actually nine children who perform, but the eldest is currently living in Arkansas with her husband and two children.

The concert was wonderful and everyone there seemed to enjoy themselves immensely. One of my favorite numbers was “Rocky Top” which brought back memories of my home in Tennessee!

Click on the picture to see a larger version.