3/28/00 - There is an interesting discussion going on on a local message board about the right or wrong of toilet papering the schoolyard. Some say it's a lot better than bomb threats or drunken parties, so don't complain. Others say just because nobody gets killed doesn't make it right. Those favoring the toilet papering argue it's just innocent fun and something to do to stay out of trouble. Neither side seems willing to give in. The solution seems simple. If toilet papering a yard is just innocent fun why don't those kids take turns going to each other's houses and papering their own yards. Then they could double their pleasure and their time to keep busy by unpapering each yard the next day. Since this is not being done to anger and upset people I'm sure their parents would approve. They would probably even treat the kids to free pizza to show their appreciation for the pleasure of watching their children have such fun right in their own yard, while spending time with friends and keeping out of trouble.
The kids could even work on methods to do the work better and faster. By the time they graduate they would be writing and selling books on "Easy and Exciting Ways to Paper and Unpaper Your Yard" on their own Internet website. Church groups from all over the country would be contacting them, offering to pay travel expenses to have them come do demonstrations because almost every community has lots of kids looking for fun things to do to stay out of trouble. Sales of toilet paper would double, or triple. Our kids, businessmen by then, could buy up stock at low rates and then just watch their money grow, while they are out socializing with Bill Gates and his crowd. The possibilities are endless, all in the name of innocent fun. Go for it, but start at home.
3/20/00 - Concern and Frustration weren't listed on the agenda for tonight's school board meeting but they were the primary topics of discussion. Teachers, parents and grandparents used the Public Participation portion of the meeting to be sure the Board was aware of their fears and feelings regarding disruptions and threats reportedly made to fourth grade teachers and students in recent months. The two main questions asked were: What is being done about it? What more can we do? Both School Superintendent Kalhoefer and Board President Nuttall assured those present that they were sympathetic and understanding of their concerns and appreciated their willingness to work together to find acceptable solutions to the problems. Kalhoefer noted that policies controlling such circumstances were "not our policy but state law."
In other business the board accepted the resignation of Mr. Greg Dausey, effective June 30, and approved a motion to accept bids for the re-roofing of the Stephenson Elementary School. Curriculum Committee member Mark Nordin reported interest in adding a course on Financial Planning and Management for high school students and provided handouts with additional information about it for board members.
3/18/00 - This e-mail comment was received regarding my 'chuckling horses' item: "Neigh, neigh, neigh, dead horses can't laugh."
3/17/00 - As of March 10 Michiganders can be stopped and issued citations for not wearing a seat belt. (Before that the seat belt law could only be enforced as a secondary acion.) I'll bet there are a lot of horses that worked for U.P. farmers and loggers for years looking down from horse heaven and chuckling about all the humans having to get into their harnesses to go to work, or even on a pleasure outing!
3/14/00 - Moby V, the Menominee County Library's new bookmobile, got rave reviews at the special open house and dedication ceremony in Stephenson on Saturday. At least 130 people stopped by to tour the 28-foot travelling library. Their comments included appreciation for arrangement of books so adults don't have to stoop and kids don't have to climb to find what they want. They were also impressed with safety features like the back-up camera which allows the driver to see if anyone is behind the vehicle. This is especially important since the schedule includes stops at 12 area schools. Additional stops have been added at the senior centers in Daggett and Hermansville, the River's Edge Adult Care Home near Wallace and Gary's Mobil in Powers, bringing the number of sites served each month to 37.
Inside the library members of the Friends of the Library offered coffee, punch and sweets for visitors to enjoy while checking out special displays. Dorothy Phillippo and Marian Koldos gathered clippings and photos from a box of old files found by librarian Pat Cheski to put together a book on the history of our bookmobiles since the first one was acquired in 1957. Former employee Loralee Tessmer provided a collection of thank you letters received from area children from 1986 to 1996. Most of the current staff members were also on hand. In a small community like ours these people know most everyone's name, interests and book preferences. They are also polite, tactful and diplomatic when necessary. One of them slipped me a book called "Nitty-Gritty Grammar - A Not-So-Serious Guide to Clear Communication." (Not that I need it, right?) It uses Beetle Bailey, Dennis the Menace and other cartoons as examples of proper punctuation, etc. It also has little reminders like "Remember, possesive 'its' never splits."
3/11/00 - The not-too-serious horoscope for March. If you were born in March and are Irish it's your month to party. Try and wear something green every day, even if it's just a dollar bill peeking out of a pocket. If you're Hungarian and your grandma was a little old lady like my grandma was a little old lady we are probably related. Welcome to the family! Now try and learn the language. An easy start - ho, ho, ho in Hungarian translates to snow, snow, snow in English, and we got a fresh supply on Thursday. Most of us are thinking " no, no, no, we don't want any more!"
3/10/00 - We've had two more fire calls in the last two days. On Wednesday the Stephenson Department was called to a small grass fire at the Mike Leaveck property on County Road 356 at l:40 p.m. The fire was quickly brought under control and the trucks were back in the garage 20 minutes later.
The fire Thursday morning was also quickly extinguished. It was in two round bales of hay on the Rasmussen property on G12 east of town. Apparently the hay was struck by lightning during the Wednesday evening thunderstorm and smoldered overnight. When winds picked up in the morning they started to burn and the fire department was called out at about 7:15 a.m.
Fires bring out some interesting stories.
Tom Kuntze told how the Daggett fire department had a connection with
the Exxon-Valdez oil spill in Alaska in the late 1980's, as volunteers
stood by while the Tickler building was being demolished after the fire
there on Tuesday. That was the year the department ordered a newportable
holding tank for water brought in by the fire trucks and then pumped
from there to use to put out a fire. The one they hady held about 1200
gallons but the new one would hold 2l00. It was ordered in January and
delivery was scheduled for March. But then the oil spill happened and
the company was supplying equipment to that project. It had a slightly
higher priority than a small town in the U.P. so Daggett didn't get
their new tank until about October of that year. They are still using
it.
3/8/00 - Firemen from the Daggett, Stephenson and Mellen fire departments responded to a call to a fire at a two-story building on U.S. 4l just south of Daggett at ll a.m. on Tuesday. The building was owned by Jim Tickler and contained apartments rented to Kevin Schwartz, Ron Rivard and Mike Finch. It and two small connected garages in the rear were completely destroyed by the fire but there were no personal injuries or damage to other nearby buildings. Traffic was routed around the fire scene on sideroads. Heavy vehicles had to park on the edge of the highway, because of weight restrictions on other roads until it was safe to resume traffic on U.S. 4l. By mid-afternoon only the shell of the building remained and Tom Wangerin was called to come with his excavator and raze the building. By 5 p.m. there was only a small heap of rubble still smoldering.
3/7/00 - They just lost their manager of 15 years to retirement. Their budget has been cut in half. They have many ideas for interesting displays and activities. They just have to figure out how to make them work. They need space, volunteers and support. But they, the Menominee County Fair Board, will put on a fair again this year. You can help. Talk your rich relatives and former area residents into donating $5,000 or $10,000 and/or a chunk of land in or near Stephenson. Go through those bragging form letters you received with you Christmas cards and encourage talented young women to enter the Fair Queen contest. Hurry. The Fair is scheduled for July 28, 29 and 30. That gives the Board only a few short months to get it all together. Some are getting old. Some are getting tired. They have other jobs, other interests, family responsibilities, and not enough time for all they want to do. But they are hanging in there. Pray for them.
3/6/00 - Co-workers presented Shirley Charlier with a "Retired And Enjoying It" sign for her car at her retirement party at the MSU Extension Office in Stephenson today. There was also a plentiful supply of tasty homemade food and other gifts from the many friends who gathered for the occasion. After 22 years as the secretary, l5 of those included Fair Manager responsibilities, at the Extension office Shirley has lots of plans for enjoying the "luxurious, lazy days" of retirement. With seven children, five in the immediate area and two in Wisconsin, she can do a lot of visiting without worrying about wearing out her welcome. Then there is a brother in Arizona and a planned trip to Brnson, Missouri, in a few months. Of course she will continue with her volunteer jobs - at St. Bruno's Catholic Church in Nadeau, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Credit Union, and President of the village of Carney. She enjoys activity and involvement but also likes a little quiet time to catch up on reading and do needlework. She's earned it.
3/2/00 - Go to a City Council meeting in Stephenson and you'll learn there are all kinds of interesting things going on. Mostly good. And the not-so-good things are being looked at, talked about, listened to and worked on, within the rules of responsibility, finace, facilities, etc.
Who should be allowed to advertise what and how often on the city sign by the highway was discussed during the public participation portion of the meeting. City events will have first priority, schools are next and non-profit groups are third. It was decided that non-profit groups would be limited to advertising fund-raisers three times a year per group.
Dale Parrett is still working, and making progress, on getting the necessary property to complete the trail from Erickson Park to Firemen's Park. Floyd Wangerin is doing research on how to best prepare for building a new city garage in the are behind the old one. Law Enforcement Officer Wayne Coleman has been kept busy dealing with drug related problems in the city and reports that he is also starting to get complaints about dogs running loose. Jim Gardiner and Bill Rasner were appointed to the Budget Committee.
A few problems have popped up with the water project update from last summer. Water is bubbling up, like it shouldn't, (in Revall's driveway) and not bubbling down, like it should, (at the corner near Gene Wangerin's house). The council has not given up on looking for funds and/or grants for turning the ice rink into a year-round facility and to get playground equipment for Erickson park.
Earth Tech representatives discussed the advantages of a new sludge
storage tank.
When asked about the possibility of odors from the tank they replied
that at worst there might sometimes be a "wet, earthy smell"....further
descrdibed as similar to that near a farm field that has recently been
spread with natural fertilizer.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please take a minute to write H. Barb Upton.
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