Cities and Townships

Over 1000 people attended Bubba’s funeral service.

Here is the audience singing “I’ll Fly Away” together.

Here is Bubba’s obituary from the Star Tribune:

Bye, Glen “Bubba” age 17, of Zimmerman, passed away unexpectedly as a result of a car accident on August 4, 2010. Preceded in death by his cousin, Breanna Hoffman. Survived by his parents, LeAnne and Terry Bye; brother, Evan; grandparents, Kate Hunter, Rose Bye, Charlie and Mary Bye; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Also survived by special friend, Heather Bean, Coach Kish, Coach Kraus, Coach Hamlin and many teammates and friends. Bubba was blessed by God with family, friends and athletics. He lived life to the fullest with courage, loyalty and was a role model to many. He will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of life 11 AM Monday at Zimmerman High School, 25900 W. 4th St., Zimmerman. Visitation 4-8 PM Sunday at River of Life Evangelical Free Church, 21695 Elk Lake Road, Elk River and one hour prior to service Monday at the High School. Interment Orono Cemetery. Dare’s Funeral Home 763-441-1212

If you wish to sign the Guestbook:
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/startribune/guestbook.aspx?n=glen-bye&pid=144491400&cid=full

Glen was a friend to one of my early morning students, and I know his death has affected her and her family. It’s always sad to lose someone so young. While I didn’t know him, the fact that so many people have such good things to say about him means a lot.

This article appeared in the Elk River Star News today:

Glen Bye, 17, dies in motor vehicle crash

by Elizabeth Nelson
Staff writer

Glen Bye, a 17-year-old Zimmerman High School student, died this morning at the scene of a motor vehicle crash on the 24400 block of Sherburne County Road 75 in Orrock Township north of Big Lake.

Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott said when deputies responded to the report of an accident at 5:33 a.m. and arrived to find a 1999 black Oldsmobile Alero that had left the roadway and struck a tree.

The juvenile could also be seen pinned inside the car.

The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene, Brott said.

There were no other passengers in the vehicle.

Brott said investigators were called to the scene and believe the teen may have fallen asleep while driving.

He was also not seat belted at the time of the crash, Brott said.

Bye, known as Bubba, would have been a senior in high school and a quarterback for the Zimmerman High School football team. He was reportedly on his way to a leadership class at the time of the accident, according to a school official.

The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office will be mapping and reconstructing the crash.

No drug or alcohol use is suspected and the Ramsey County Medical Examiners Office will conduct an autopsy, Brott said.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Big Lake Fire Department and the New River Ambulance Service.

Source: http://erstarnews.com/content/view/13302/94/

My prayers go out for his family and friends.

There is a Facebook page created in his honor:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/RIP-Glen-Bubba-Bye/141700769183974

Here is a YouTube tribute:

More News:

Kare11’s story on Glen

Video from WCCO

Residents of Pine Tree and Pine Cone Manors in Zimmerman gathered in the recreation/dining area  to enjoy coffee and cookies as part of their National Night Out get-together. They welcomed Roxanne Schreder of the Sherburne County Sheriff’s department. Deputy Schreder spoke about safety and ways that they can protect themselves against crime in their area.

Several concerns were addressed, including what to do about intruders in the area, safety while walking outside, how to handle phone call requests for information from strangers, and even tornado safety.

Several informational pamphlets were available on various safety topics as well as whistle key rings and other helpful items.

Fire Chief, Ryan Maloney also met with residents and answered questions. He also passed out fire helmets for the residents’ grandchildren to enjoy. Marge is seen here enjoying her hat!

Ryan Pokorny, of local Boy Scout Troop 99, appeared before the Zimmerman City Council this  evening to give his final Eagle Scout project report.

Ryan, who will be a senior at Zimmerman High School, approached the city in June 2009 regarding a possible Eagle Scout project. The council determined one needed service would be painting the light poles on County Road 4 to improve the appearance of the city’s main thoroughfare.

Upon inspecting the poles, Ryan found that they were faded, peeling and beginning to rust. His goal was to keep the poles from deteriorating any further.

Ryan worked with Dave Horvath, Public Works Director to set up the project. The city provided the necessary paint and Ryan worked several hours to complete the necessary tasks, including edging the tops and bottoms of the pole, the electrical box, and painting the poles themselves.

Safety was an important part of the project. Workers wore safety vests and the roadway was blocked off with cones to alert drivers. The project was successful and Ryan painted 72 light poles in all.

Mayor Dave Earenfight thanked Ryan and his father, Robert, on behalf of the City of Zimmerman, for all of the time and effort donated to complete the project.

Council member Karen Michels asked Ryan to let the council know when his Eagle Scout Court of Honor would be held.

The Bistodeau Family from Princeton, Minnesota performed Sunday evening at Wild West Days to a delighted crowd.

Deena, age 21 and Sedra, age 15 play Bluegrass and Texas Swing music along with their parents, Bob and Deb. The girls are both champion violinists and Deena teaches classes to up-and-coming stars. (She says that she is looking for new students!)

The family performed many familiar and original pieces for almost two hours of foot-stompin’ fun and had their CD’s available for purchase. The family obviously loves and respects one another and they have terrific senses of humor as well, especially dad.

I enjoyed their music very much, but my favorite song of the night was probably when Sedra played the classical Novacek piece entitiled “Perpetuo Mobile” with such depth of emotion – absolutely beautiful!

To view more of their songs, see my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/digitalteardrops.

Come join the fun at the annual Wild West Days event in Zimmerman throughout Memorial Day weekend!

Here is a list of the scheduled activities:

(All these events held at Zimmerman Lions Park unless otherwise noted.)

Thursday May 27th

Carnival (Starting at 6pm Arm band discount day)
Food Vendors
Medallion Hunt (clues posted at City Hall)

Friday – May 28th

Carnival (Starting at 6 pm)
Food Vendors
Softball Tournament
Pony Ring / Camel Rides / Petting Zoo
Street Dance at Participating Business’s
Paintball Course
Lions Beer Garden / Music
Medallion Hunt (clues posted at City Hall)

Saturday – May 29th

Pancake Brothers Breakfast 8:30 – 11:30 am at City Parking Lot Across From Legion
Parade 12:00 noon at Usual Route
Art in the Park 9:00 am – 9:00 pm at The Fremont House / Music In The Evening
Carnival (After Parade)
Paintball Course
Food Vendors
Softball Tournament
Pony Ring / Camel Rides / Petting Zoo
Lions Beer Gardens / Music
Street Dance at Participating Business’s
Medallion Hunt
Vendor Displays
Karaoke Finals at McGuiggan’s
Agate Hunt (located at Reliance Electric, Main Street)

Sunday – May 30th

Carnival (Noon)
Food Vendors
Paintball Course
Pony Ring / Camel Rides / Petting Zoo
Soap Box Derby 11:00 am, At The Corner Of Main Street And Freemont
Softball Tournament
Agate Hunt
Street Dance at Participating Business’s
Bistadeau Family Band & Awards Ceremony 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Fireworks 10:00 pm

Monday – Memorial Day May 31st

Carnival (Arm Band Discount Day, Starting at 1 pm)

Jacobs 5K Run at 8 am Contestants will start and end at Gold’s Gym around Lake Fremont

See the official Wild West Days website for more information.

Do you know who this person is? If so, please tell him to visit here to see the pictures!

On the way home from the Carp Contest, we saw a man kiteboarding or kitesurfing on the lake. We stopped and took some pictures. The wind whipped him around pretty well – I can’t imagine how much strength it takes to maintain control of the sail like that!

Click on the pictures for a larger view:

The first annual Carp Contest was held on Saturday by the Lake Fremont Improvement Association.

Sign up began at 6 am at the boat landing. Coffee and doughnuts were provided.

The blistery wind and foggy weather at daybreak did not bode well for contestants but by day’s end 82 contestants participated in the event.

Here are a few pictures. Notice the beautiful pileated woodpecker who provided a brilliant display for us!

Click on each picture for a larger view:

Zimmerman’s fishing pros at Marv’s are getting ready for the opener in two weeks.

Stop in for bait, tackle, supplies, and some great advice to prepare for the most important day in many Minnesotan’s year.

Heading “up north” for opener is as much a tradition as lutefisk and lefse in Minnesota, and offers so many of us a richly-deserved getaway after a long winter’s cold.