Big Lake

Last night was Jared and Aimee’s choir concert at BL Middle School.

Here is Aimee’s choir performing “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

Jared is rockin’ out with the Swing Choir, taking advantage of dancing with some cute girls!

Big Lake and Princeton Chambers of Commerce will both be having their Business Expos on Saturday, March 6.

Princeton Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
Saturday, March 6, 2010
9a – 2p
Princeton High School
http://www.princetonmnchamber.org/
25th Annual Expo

Big Lake Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
Saturday, March 6, 2010
11a – 3p
Big Lake High School
http://www.biglakechamber.com/

Hope to see you there!

I have the first of my four children home from school today:

• 102.7 temperature
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Chills
• Coughing
• Stuffy nose
• Achy muscles

Any guesses as to what she has? Classic influenza symptoms, wouldn’t you say?

I called the school to let them know. I also asked the nurse what the percentage of children out sick is. She told me that she wasn’t sure that she was allowed to give me that information and she forwarded me to the district nurse, who was not at her desk.

I would like to get an idea of how prevalent the disease is in the schools my children attend. I personally wish the school districts would post their numbers on their websites.

I would prefer that we were given more details about the local area and our current pandemic situation. The hospitals do not even test unless the patient is hospitalized, so we have know clue what the real numbers of affected people are. I know that there was a student in my son’s class who was hospitalized for Swine flu and another on the children’s bus that was.

Remember–cough in your sleeve and wash your hands!

I can’t wait to see which child is next.

Addendum:

Nadynne Dzuira, the District Nurse returned my call. She was very helpful in explaining the procedures the schools go by. She said that there are definitely H1N1 cases in our schools as well as in all of the surrounding areas, but they have been told by the epidemiologists that they do not recommend closing schools as a disease-preventing measure. Schools should function if they can, but close if there are too many students and faculty out sick.

The schools are asking parents to keep their children home until they have been symptom-free, not just fever-free, for at least 24 hours.

Dave and I visited the Big Lake Spud Fest today. We watched the parade, which had over 90 entries. We thought we were going to be rained out, but the wind and overcast sky was actually pretty nice. We watched the Big Lake Police K9 demonstration, had some cotton candy, and did some people watching. Here are some pictures:

(Click on the picture to see a larger version)

(Click on the picture to see a larger version)

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

Big Lake High School held their annual Spring Choir Concert this evening. Mr. James Fiskum is the choir director and has done a wonderful job with the students. This year has not been easy for him because he has had to take on choir classes for the Middle School students in addition to his classes at the high school. My daughter, Annika, is in the second row, below the young man in the blue-and-white-striped shirt.

Mr. James Fiskum, Big Lake High School Choir Director

Big Lake High School Choir Concert

The winner of April’s photo contest is Emily Otto, a 14-year old 9th grader from Big Lake, Minnesota.

Here is her winning entry:

(Click on the image for a larger view)

Congratulations, Emily!