tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68358239360569574252024-03-13T01:43:27.704-05:00The Monitor ReviewAn 8-page weekly newspaper covering the Adams, Minnesota and Stacyville, Iowa news, including Southland Schools, St. Ansgar Schools, and Sacred Heart School in Adams.The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-17305962795311175292012-01-19T14:43:00.001-06:002012-01-19T14:45:40.404-06:00Sacred Heart Winter Banquet February 11<br />The Sacred Heart Annual Winter Auction and Banquet will be held on February 11 at the Sacred Heart Auditorium in Adams.<br />The day begins with a silent auction from 11-2:30PM. There is free admission. Lunch is available.<br />That evening the banquet and live auction will be held, starting with a 6PM social hour with open bar, a two-meat banquet starting at 7PM, and the live auction, raffle and door prizes beginning at 8PM.<br />Tickets are $45 and are going fast! They are available at Sacred Heart School during school hours.<br />In addition raffle tickets are being sold for $10. There will be six prizes of $500, five prizes of $200 and five prizes of $100.<br />All proceeds will go to Sacred Heart School.<br />For more information call the school at 582-3120.<br /><br />As We See It by Sue and Maureen<br />Farewell Dr. Schindler.<br />We were really glad you were our doctor. However, we and our families stayed pretty healthy so we didn’t see you a lot. We don’t know if that makes us lucky or not!<br />But you were there, back in the day, when all of our babies were born. What a great start to life they each had, having you as their doctor through those first years. You made things easier as you kept things positive and always had us believe that, for the most part, that things would turn out fine.<br />And they did!<br />The legacy you leave is set in our community for years to come. The support and comfort your offered to all will always be remembered. Your sense of humor and caring ways won’t ever be forgotten. You were the one who brought both good news and bad, always with compassion and hope. You have touched the lives of so many of us and we thank you for that.<br />So here’s wishing you fun, relaxation, excitement and joy in your retirement.<br />We are so glad you were here!The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-5359299783010366162011-11-17T19:57:00.002-06:002011-11-17T20:04:12.701-06:00Saints to Class 1A Football State Championship!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eoa_gfP_qgCiy-Rj7YWnnG-caC-PCUhaEmKw6cldd23iMWwh_YKBVci9hlxc2iyWkSqVC4Xmp78fGX3wEw_rxE-bSomaLv-voNuQaa4D5ngsXqIqydMbj1MzNM7SbDriWnW6Jdz8KQ0/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eoa_gfP_qgCiy-Rj7YWnnG-caC-PCUhaEmKw6cldd23iMWwh_YKBVci9hlxc2iyWkSqVC4Xmp78fGX3wEw_rxE-bSomaLv-voNuQaa4D5ngsXqIqydMbj1MzNM7SbDriWnW6Jdz8KQ0/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676150470095440498" /></a>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-8926329574174798612011-11-17T19:49:00.001-06:002011-11-17T19:52:07.071-06:00News from November 10, 2011As We See It by Sue and Maureen<br />What we’re liking at the moment:<br />Our kids. (But then they are always at the top!)<br />Coffee (mint, French vanilla, with hot chocolate mix added or the kind our sister Sharon makes which is basic coffee but with a flair.)<br />Flannel and fleece sheets because baby, it’s cold outside!<br />Some good movies: Moneyball, Ides of March and always Inception, which is best watched with subtitles.<br />Fun TV shows: Walking Dead, X-Factor, Sing Off and Glee.<br />Heated seats in the car.<br />Grilled chicken salads and the pie (of course) at Bubbles.<br />Getting ready to see the sisters really soon!<br />Our faithful subscribers and advertisers. Be sure to take advantage of our subscription deal that runs through December 31! This is for new subscriptions and renewals. See elsewhere in the paper for more information.<br /><br /><br /><br />Celebrating Julia Addington <br />The third annual event honoring Julia Addington was held on November 6 at the Stacyville Community Center. The program was entitled “Julia Addington: In Her Own Words” and was sponsored by the Stacyville Memory Museum and the Mitchell County Historic Preservation Commission.<br />In 1869 Addington was the first women elected to a political office in the United States when she was elected the County Superintendent of Schools.<br />Mary Blake, curator of the museum, welcomed all to the afternoon. She spoke of how Cheryl Mullenbach stumbled upon the story of Addington in her research at the State of Iowa Historical Library. A performance featuring the writings of Addington was presented by Germaine Blake, Lisa Jahn, Beth Lavane, Sister Millie Luenberger and Mary Blake.<br />Janeal Dunn of the Preservation Commission acknowledged the following people: Tom Pitzen for his donation of two show cases for the library which feature memorabilia of Addington; Fred Langrock for the framing of certificates that are in the showcase; the Mitchell County Board of Supervisors; and all involved in the afternoon event. She also presented Mary Blake with a gift for her hard work organizing the afternoon.<br />Musical entertainment was provided by Lisa Heimer and Mark Koenigs. <br />Refreshments, featuring fresh bread made by Mary Bissen of the Chatterbox Cafe and homemade elderberry jam, made from elderberries grown on Albion Street where Addington lived, were served.<br />A free will donation was taken. Proceeds from the event will go toward a flag on Addington’s grave in the Stacyville Cemetery south of Stacyville where she is buried and toward the purchase of banners honoring her to be placed along Broad Street in Stacyville.The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-7818387843267479382011-11-15T22:10:00.003-06:002011-11-15T22:14:03.358-06:00Dark Days AheadIt's not dark when we get home from work yet.<br />We have until about 5PM and then the sun goes down and the world turns black.<br />And this is how it is in November. Gray days. Falling temperatures. Hints of snow.<br />It's almost cold enough - but not quite - to have to warm up the car before heading off to work when it's usually daybreak or a little beyond.<br />Darkness makes you settle in and not want to go anywhere. It provides that nesting feeling. <br />It's time to hunker down.The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-11083602578783049942011-11-10T15:48:00.003-06:002011-11-10T15:53:43.138-06:00Trying This AgainWe write a lot. Most of The Monitor Review is written by Maureen. <br />So why a blog?<br />We started this in December 2009. Sporadic doesn't accurately describe the attempt to keep up with this blog. <br />It's more like a bi-yearly blog.<br />Once again, we're trying to write more often and have this be a more viable blog that is up to date.<br />We will have some articles that were in the paper reprinted here. Maybe we'll have some pictures but you can see them all on facebook as well.<br />This might be for the non-facebook types. We understand why you aren't on there.<br />If you decide to join facebook, be our friend at Sue Maureen.<br />We have read to get a blog going we have to write everyday so that's what we're going to try and do. Once we are able to do that we'll publicize this more. <br />And hopefully you can keep up with us and the happenings around the Adams and Stacyville communities by reading about it on our blog.<br />That is - if we can keep it up!The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-73333169002463917832011-11-10T15:28:00.001-06:002011-11-10T15:30:56.519-06:00News From November 3, 2011As We See It by Sue and Maureen<br />We all know about hand-me-downs. Sue is girl number six in the family so she was probably more well acquainted with this than Maureen (who is girl number two).<br />However, there was a red dress with a rainbow skirt and a sea horse pin that at least four of the six Golombowski girls wore in an elementary school picture. <br />That was a true hand-me-down.<br />Now we, as moms, are getting hand-me-ups. These are things are kids no longer need or want so they give that stuff to us.<br />We’ve gotten hand-me-up shoes, which we have to say are pretty cool. Of course, our kids have moved on to even cooler shoes.<br />Maureen just got a hand-me-up smart phone. The trick is, of course, to be smarter than the phone which is not always that easy to be. <br />Of course, her daughter has move on to an even smarter phone.<br />We’ve had hand-me-up books, specifically The Hunger Games trillogy (highly recommended by us). We were a little surprised when Barnes and Noble told us they were Teen Fantasy (as we are not interested in more Twilight-type books). Luckily, they are fabulous books and one of the best hand-me-ups we could have asked for.<br />Conclusion: Hand-me-ups are a better deal than hand-me-downs as far as we are concerned.<br />And a PS: What a great week for football! Ponder may not win all the games but we are grateful for the hope that he provides for the future - and for the Sunday victory! And for Minnesota Gopher Fans - it was nice to see the win on Saturday. Go Rebels- on to the Section Championship game on Friday night, the first they’ve been in for many years. It’s great to be playing football in November! And how about those Saints! It’s a good time to be a football fan<br /><br /><br /><br />Mr. Kennedy to Leave Sacred Heart School - front page - pic<br />Sacred Heart School principal and middle school social studies teacher, Mr. Shawn Kennedy, has resigned from his position effective November 11.<br />“Sacred Heart School was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said. “However, I am leaving only because there was a better opportunity to provide for my family.”<br />Mr. Kennedy has been at Sacred Heart School for the past nine years. <br />He has accepted a position with the Hormel Company as a production supervisor.<br />“We have come to love Mr. Kennedy,” said Father Tom Loomis. “However, we will look forward to seeing him and his family in the community.”<br />A teacher will be hired and Mrs. Darlene Boe will continue in the position of Sacred Heart School Principal. She and Mr. Kennedy shared the principal job this school year.<br />“I will really, really miss the staff, students and parents. This has been a big part of my life for a long time,” said Mr. Kennedy. “This is an amazing and wonderful school. I know the future is bright.”<br /><br />New Administrator at one of the best nursing homes in Iowa<br />Jordan Wineinger is the new nursing home administrator at Stacyville Community Nursing Home, one of the best nursing homes in the US as rated by US News.<br />Jordan takes the place of Eric Jensen, the previous administrator. Mr. Jensen was employed by Continuum Management who decided to leave the Stacyville home.<br />Jordan was independently hired.<br />“I am a Mason City native and a graduate of Newman High School,” said Jordan. “I was unsure about my career, although I was looking for something medical. I attended NIACC for two years where I played golf. From there I attend UNI, majoring in gerontology and long term health care administration.”<br />Jordan had an internship at Western Home Community in Cedar Falls where he had a wide range of duties. He was then hired as administrator for an independent living community there.<br />“My wife then got a job in Washington, DC with the Farm Bureau so we moved east where I worked at a tax department of a large hotel management company,” he said. “We knew this would be a brief adventure and returned to Iowa after a couple of years. I worked with quality assurance at Main Stream Living in Des Moines in, which helps people with disabilities. This was an area I wanted to explore as I have a brother who is 18 years old with Downs Syndrome so it’s been an area of interest. There I worked with Medicaid quite a bit.”<br />Although he enjoyed his work at Main Stream Living, Jordan decided to go where his passion was, and that is with long term care for the elderly. “I volunteered a lot as a kid at nursing homes and this was where I thought I would best fit,” he said. <br />Jordan began working at the Stacyville Community Nursing Home on October 25. “My wife and I will be moving to Osage which will be near where we both work,” he said. “I have been meeting the residents and staff here so far, and also getting out into the Stacyville community during my first week. I know this will be a rewarding job and I”m looking forward to getting to know everyone better.”The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-62285882733715350982011-07-13T22:37:00.001-05:002011-07-13T22:41:19.898-05:00A few things from July 7, 2011 Paper, including As We See It<div style="background-color: transparent; margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 0px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; ">
<br /><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7695183826144785" style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Relay Pride to Host Relay Ride</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Get ready to ride on July 22!</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">The Cimmiyotti family of Stacyville will have a Relay for Life bicycle ride on Friday July 22 starting at 5:30PM to raise money for cancer research for the American Cancer Society.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">“Our family’s Relay for Life team is named Relay Pride and we decided Relay Ride would involve others while we raise money and have some fun, too,” said Glenn Cimmiyotti.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Registration will begin at 4:30PM, with pre-registration available by picking up a form at Gordy’s Repair or at Bawek’s in Stacyville.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">The cost is $20, which includes a t-shirt, and 100% of the fee will go to Relay for Life.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">There will be a choice of routes, including an 8 mile ride east of Stacyville to the Meyer corner and back, a 10.5 mile ride to Meyer and back and a couple routes west to St. Ansgar.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">“We are doing this in memory of our mom, Sharon, who died of cancer and in honor of our family members who are battling cancer, as well as everyone who is fighting this disease,” said Glenn. “We’ve had a great show of support already. We have been getting sponsors from businesses for $50 and we will have those names on the shirts. In addition, we are in the Osage Fourth of July parade promoting the ride and the sponsors. We’ll also be in the Brat Daze parade with an entry thanking our sponsors as well.”</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Those wishing to sponsor the Relay Ride can contact Glenn or Corky at Gordy’s at 641.710.2289.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">“We are putting this together pretty quickly, but know it will be a way to show support for cancer research as well as help us to celebrate, remember and fight back,” said Glenn.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">As We See It by Sue and Maureen</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">We thought June was busy, but July is jammed packed with plenty of things to do.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">This is what is going on.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">There’s the Shooting Star Trail bike ride on Saturday July 9, starting in Adams. Last year there were hundreds of bikers! You can choose a route, and one is all on the trail. Check it out!</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Rose Creek Fun Days is also this weekend July 9-10, which are some of the best days for kids because they have so many competitions and activities for those ages, like the kick ball tournament, along with some great bands and a great concession stand and even a Windsor chop meal!</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Our church celebration, the Johnsburg Jamboree, is all day long on Sunday, July 9. We’ll have our cakes ready for the cake walk and we’ll be working in the kitchen in the morning (Maureen) and working the card raffle in the afternoon (Sue) while fitting in Bingo, the bake sale, some gaming, some brat eating and beer drinking all while listening to polka music under those tall swaying pine trees on the church grounds. It is one of the nicest places to spend a Sunday in July!</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Also in July will be the expanded version of Brat Daze in Stacyville, which is on July 23 this year (Remember- it’s July 23!). New this year - and quickly being organized - is the Relay Ride on Friday July 22 starting at 5:30PM. This will be a great bicycle ride to Meyer or to St. Ansgar, your choice. Read more about this great fund (and fun) raiser for Relay for Life elsewhere in the paper. On Saturday, July 23 there is the good time THEM golf tournament in Adams to raise money for scholarships in memory of Therese Halbach. And of course, alll day long in Stacyville, starting at 8AM with the famous Brat Trot, will be Brat Daze with food, fun and entertainment. The parade is at 7PM, followed by the crowning of Miss Stacyville and a dance until midnight.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">On Sunday July 24 will be the Meyer Memorial Tractor Ride that brings hundreds of tractors to our rural roads. We love it.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Then July 30 it’s the MFMGTH (that’s the Mike Finbraaten Memorial Golf Tournament and Hootenanny) at Cedar River Country Club. We have info on facebook (be our friend - we are Sue Maureen) or you can contact one of us for more information. There are door prizes for all, one of the best silent auctions anywhere and fun and funny people. We always laugh a lot.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">And then...it’s August!</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Whew!</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 0px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">
<br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 0px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><meta charset="utf-8"><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 0px; font-family: Times; white-space: normal; font-size: medium; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7695183826144785" style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">The Kochs’ Barn Quilts</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Ed and Carol Koch of rural Rose Creek started off with one barn quilt.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">“I like roses, and it took a while to find the one I wanted, which was an applique type which you don’t often see” said Carol. “We used a 4-foot by 4-foot piece of ¾ inch plywood that had a pine strip to cover the edges. We had two coats of primer, 2 coats of white paint and 2 coats of each color and it turned out great.”</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">This first quilt was hung October 26, 2009, in time for Ed’ birthday.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">By the end of November, the Kochs had two more quilts up, with the pattern Bridal Bouquet to the west of the rose and a Liberty Fan to the east.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">“My parents were quilters for years, and I am a quilter, too,” said Carol. “These barn quilts fit right in with our farm and our heritage.”</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Soon the Kochs decided to make a few more. “Ed wanted to choose the colors for the Star and Crown one, which is on the east side of our barn,” said Carol. “Then I added the Color Wheel Windmill with rainbow colors.”</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">The last quilt is a Sunbonnet Sue, which hangs on their machine shed.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">“We used an exterior gloss paint on the quilts that has held up quite well,” said Ed. “It took a while to do each one but they look great today.”</span>
<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">The Kochs’ farm is southeast of Rose Creek on 620th Avenue.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 0px; font-family: Times; white-space: normal; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">
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<br /></span></div></span></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-23283535210162346642011-01-08T18:47:00.004-06:002011-01-08T18:52:18.766-06:00January 8, 2011 - For Something NewSince a year has passed since updating, this blog will be resurrected. However, rather than trying to write more clever things (after having already written a newspaper full of things, some that are indeed clever) we will be posted news from the weekly paper along with tidbits from what is going on. <div>We will post our column each week and then some other stories we have written. And some pictures too since we have thousands.</div><div>So here we go:</div><div><b>As We See It by Sue and Maureen</b><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Welcome to 2011!! </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Now that we are officially in this new year, we hope your - and our! - resolutions are such that we will still stick with them out through this week! We know it is hard to continue to make something new and good into a habit. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">We are really looking forward to every single day and month this year. Right now basketball and wrestling seasons are in full swing, and it is so great to see our kids and your kids participate! It keeps us busy and makes the whole winter a little happier. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Vacations for spring are in planning stages and household changes are being thought about as well. It might be as simple as changing up an end table or painting a wall. With the holiday decorations down the house takes on a new look and new possibilities as well.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Of course we resolve to live healthier, have peaceful relationships with others, lose weight, have fun, be kind and give more like most people - and really hope we stick with some great practices in these areas again.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">At least for the week!</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">One thing we want to do is start the Monitor Review Bike Club (the MRBC). We love our trail and are very hopeful it will be paved all the way to Rose Creek this year. It was one of the best parts for us of 2010, riding the trail often and sometimes every day. We think everyone needs to get out there and experience it, so we are thinking maybe a club of some type might motivate us and maybe you.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">We are still in the preliminary stages of ideas for this - but are excited about something fun and new and motivating. Plus, it’s a nice way to look ahead to warmer weather!</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Like Gretchen Rubin (of the Happiness Project - check her out if you haven’t already) says: the days are long but the years are short. We plan to make this year the best one ever.</span></span></div></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-13252437188632165052010-01-26T21:27:00.003-06:002010-01-26T21:28:44.558-06:00Googling the lyricsSo you hear a new song you really like.<div>What is better than turning it up loud and singing along?<br />Well, you need to know the lyrics.</div><div>So google 'em and the not only sing out loud, but sing the right words too.</div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-28649201262505879612010-01-25T21:10:00.003-06:002010-01-25T21:23:47.730-06:00Slow to Go<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This blog has been slow to go. We thought we'd have photos and lots more. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But we're just starting and hope to post more and maybe get some comments from time to time too.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So for inspiration for this blog.....what turns up but a link to the 2010bloggies.com - a site with blogs that are up for awards for the year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">There are great blogs out there and even more on their list. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">They are inspiring. And fun. And really good.<br />We do have a few blogs we like to read because they are interesting to us.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We already read zenhabits.net that is a self help blog like no other, covering everything possible. We also read www.happiness-project.com and even have the book, which is a pretty happy book with lots of good ideas and stories. <br />We just found www.thepioneerwoman.com which is a great story of a woman marrying a cowboy. The ranch life stories are interesting and so is her love story of meeting her "marlboro man". She's got a great sense of humor. And great recipes and good photography tips, too! All in one blog!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">If you like Project Runway the best blog out there is www.projectrungay.blogspot.com. They write a lot about fashion and are really insightful about the series Mad Men (although that is off season right now). It's funny, too.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We see these blogs and think - well, we think we can blog, too. There is a lot going on in our lives and our communities that we can certainly comment on and that's what we'll be doing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We just are slow to go right now.</span></div><div><br /></div></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-41839984179945570912010-01-24T21:32:00.004-06:002010-01-24T21:40:03.686-06:00Game Week<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This is game week for us. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It's too bad it started off with this big sad dumb Viking loss to the Saints. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Sigh.<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">However, we are happy that we had the Vikings play through the month of January. Wish we were playing in February, though!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But, like we said, that game was just the start of game week.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As we both have boys playing school basketball, we'll be at games Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday this week. Sue gets to add Saturday and Sunday to game week as both her kids have tournaments.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Gotta love high school basketball season - starts in November and ends in March!<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">There are plenty of things we like: the popcorn, the people we sit by, the game itself for the most part, listening to people yell at the refs (we learn a lot and find out we miss a lot) and watching our kids out on the court.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We also like the pep band and halftime shows and three point shots and sitting at the top of the bleachers so we can use the wall as a back rest.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">After this week it'll be February, and even though the Vikes aren't playing, Southland is. All month long.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Every week is game week.</span></div><div><br /></div></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-65955143475579921792010-01-16T22:21:00.003-06:002010-01-16T22:29:42.109-06:00Kids are Doing Well so We're Doing Well<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">When our kids were little and were sick, especially when they were toddlers or younger, it was always so hard. We remember wishing we could be the sick ones instead of them. We would prefer having the stuffy nose, the cough, the fever, and the aches and pains as we knew we would be ok. It was easier for us to be sick rather than see that poor child suffer. They couldn't even tell us what was wrong, but would just cry or lay there.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It's the same with heartbreak or any sadness all during those growing up years, from not getting a main part in a play to sitting on the bench during a sporting event to not being part of the group of friends you'd like to be part of. All of these things are hurtful to kids, and they about kill parents. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It's just hard.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">And we know these are all small slices of life that everyone goes through; but it's still tough when you are living them.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So when the kids are doing well, we're doing well, too.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It could be anything, from getting that job to making some points in a basketball game. It could be your kid getting the invitation to spend the night at a friend's house or getting through a semester of college. It might be getting the driver's license or making it through the piano recital.<br />It's all good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">And our kids are doing well. We're doing well, too.</span></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-19037128562132246402010-01-03T19:06:00.004-06:002010-01-03T19:16:38.830-06:00A movie and some happiness this Sunday!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">First of all, Maureen saw the movie It's Complicated and thought it was pretty good.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Secondly, we just want to draw your attention to the book The Happiness Project. It came out in late December, just in time for New Year's Resolutions. It's a good book. Like the author, we are happy people, but like reading on how to be even happier. We have followed author Gretchen Rubin's blog (www.thehappiness-project.com) for most of the year and her book has a lot of what she writes on the blog in it. So you don't have to buy the book. If you do check out her blog, be sure to watch her one minute video The Years are Short.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It's good to have bought the book, we have to say.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">You know how it is....there is something good about holding a book in your hand while reading. Same with a newspaper (like The Monitor Review!) which is why it is nice to read a real paper than read on line.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Speaking of happiness, though, go Vikings! What a great way to end up Christmas/winter break with a big win and a bye next week. The Wisconsin sisters keep telling us Brett will break our hearts. We hope they are wrong and so far they are!</span></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-9750288445661869532009-12-31T17:36:00.004-06:002009-12-31T17:51:47.497-06:00The Best Year Ever<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Here comes 2010.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Our plans for the upcoming year are simple -have as much fun as possible. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We read the blog zenhabits.net and the guy who writes it wrote in his first sentence that, for the third year in a row, he has once again had the best year of his life.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Wow!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So that is our New Year's Resolution -- that 2010 is the best year of our lives.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We think that will include having a lot of fun.</span></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-65982960203564698972009-12-20T21:09:00.002-06:002009-12-20T21:13:50.382-06:00The Count Down<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">With it being Christmas week, the count down begins.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Along with the count down, the final preparations are being made.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Our family is big on gift giving because it's fun. We love to give each other presents. That means a lot of wrapping and shopping, but not necessarily spending a lot of money.<br />Our family is also big on eating so we are planning just what we'll be making for the end of this week. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We are hoping to play more games and sing more Christmas carols this year. We also are hoping that everyone (mainly the Wisconsin sisters and the Mille Lacs brother and families) make it here as there is now, of course, wintery weather possible during the peak travel time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So we'll see what happens and be ready for anything!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">And - really - even if we're not ready, no one cares. No one will remember.<br />What is important is hanging out together and enjoying our time.We are really good at doing that!</span></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-6044706406903911582009-12-16T19:21:00.000-06:002009-12-16T19:34:42.557-06:00More for our Christmas Letter<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We had our Christmas letter to all in this week's Monitor Review (December 17, 2009).</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It was a quick review of the year and full of good wishes to all.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">A few things were left out that were also very noteworthy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">First of all, the fifth (or maybe the fourth - probably the fourth) Inaugural Mike Finbraaten Memorial Golf Tourney and Hootenanny was held in July. It was again a great success with one of the best silent auctions we've ever seen. There was Alaskan salmon that you could bid on - how often do you see that?!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Also, in July, Maureen's husband Ed placed first in the Johnsburg Beard Growing Contest in the Category Best Goatee. He did look good with it; he looks better without it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We spent the weekend of November 7-8 in the Cities with all of the sisters and sister-in-laws, having a wonderful time at the Mall of America and at our hotel, The Embassy Suites. We like staying there because we had breakfast and happy hour included with the price of the hotel, making it affordable for the eight of us. We had a fine time!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">All in all, we think the past decade was pretty darn good and we think the next one will be even better. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Bring on 2010 and beyond!</span></div><div><br /></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-22393577619286825412009-12-13T09:11:00.000-06:002009-12-14T19:17:48.730-06:00Ole Ole Ole OleThe movie Invictus is pretty good, and besides - Matt Damon is in it.<br />It takes place when Nelson Mandela became president in the early 1990's and the years up to when South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1995.<br />This movie gives a close up view of rugby - a real close up view - and if you don't understand the sport you will be trying to figure it out.<br />But you won't.<br />But you will like the movie.<br />One familiar part of the game is the Ole song, which is familiar to any Southland football fan as it was our team's kick off song this fall.<br />Just hearing it made me want to sing along, and if you know it you'll want to sing along, too.<br />Ole... ole ole ole.....Ole....Ole (and repeat - all together now!)The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-73076076351247571622009-12-10T19:16:00.000-06:002009-12-10T21:30:00.678-06:00Cuss<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox (which looks like a children's movie, but it's really not) every swear word is omitted. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Instead, they say "cuss".</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As in "What the cuss" or "That was cussin' wrong" or "It was like a big cluster cuss" (really - they said that in the children's movie. No wonder some parents took their kids and left).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We have to say we liked the entire movie, but really thought the cuss part was especially clever.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We don't swear much in our every day lives, but if we do we are going to try and say cuss instead.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It's not as offensive.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">And we think it's kind of funny.<br />So what the cuss. We're going to cussin' try and say cuss more often.</span></div></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835823936056957425.post-16675372396141893172009-12-09T08:40:00.000-06:002009-12-09T08:55:43.181-06:00Snow Day!<font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial">Snow days are a wonderful thing!<br />We are in the midst of a blizzard and everything is cancelled. What perfect timing -an early December snowday. When I stopped to get groceries at Heimer Foods on Monday, anticipation was everywhere as the upcoming storm was headline news. Flour, sugar, vanilla, and sprinkles for cookies - as well as bread, milk and eggs - were flying off the shelves. December snow days give some of us a great opportunity to bake, decorate, address Christmas cards and prepare for the holiday ahead. If we want.</font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial">Snow days are also perfect for a nap.<br />Just yesterday the corn dryer at our place was full and now it is finished, just in time for the snowy weather.</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial">Back to the coffee to ensure there is enough caffeine in my system.</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial">I'm not napping. Yet.<br />Written by Maureen.</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial"><br /></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="'trebuchet ms'"><br /></font></div></div>The Monitor Review smhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043569817470461390noreply@blogger.com0