BRAHAM
SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 VOL. 4 NO. 7
KICK-OFF: Braham Bombers eager, ready to start fall sports season. P6-7
Candidates prepare for local elections Mayor uncontested; 4 vie for 2 seats on council; school board looks to fill 1 seat BY KIRSTEN FAURIE EDITOR@MORAMINN.COM
Four candidates have filed for candidacy to fill two seats on the Braham City Council in the Nov. 6, 2018 general election. The two seats are currently held by Vicky Ethen and Lowell Jaques. While Ethen is seeking re-election for her seat, Jaques is not seeking re-election. Those who filed for candidacy with the Minnesota Secretary of State are: • Ross Benzen • Ryan Davis • Vicky Ethen (incumbent) Mayor Tish Carlson • Robert “Bob” Knowles
JUDY HEGSTROM | BRAHAM JOURNAL
Scrumptiously sweet, Braham celebrates pie day Caroline Lind takes a big bite of pie and ice cream during Braham’s annual pie day celebrations on Aug. 3. See more photos of the event on page 11.
MAYOR Braham’s mayor, Tish Carlson, filed for re-election and is the only person who filed for candidacy in the race for mayor. SCHOOL BOARD On the Braham School Board, two individuals, Catherine Kunshier and David Shockman, filed to fill the open seat previously held by board member John Paitl.
When NASA calls, Braham students answer BY LINDA GALLAGHER NEWS@BRAHAMJOURNAL.COM
It’s a memorable day when you receive an email from NASA asking for a little help, and that’s exactly what happened to Braham High School, Agricultural, Science and Technology teacher Luke Becker. A University of Minnesota graduate, energetic 33-year-old Becker has been teaching for six years. He also advises the Braham FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapter as well as the Braham HS Super Mileage Team. He was asked to have his
students participate in NASA’s HUNCH program or High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware. The program is in its 13th year and was created to give students hands-on educational experience working with NASA projects. Braham HS will be one of about 150 schools nationwide to have the opportunity to participate in HUNCH by producing hardware for flight and training for the International Space Station. The program not only encourages students to produce hardware, as Becker’s students will be working on, but it also
gives students the chance to design and sew ISS gear using industrial sewing machines for flight and training purposes. They also offer the astronaut culinary challenge where students create a meal. The ultimate goal for NASA is to produce products to improve the lives of the Space Station crew. Through STEM education, (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Becker has made Braham HS one of the top schools in the National Super SEE NASA, PAGE 5
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The students get ready to test one of their Super Mileage cars at Brainerd International Raceway.
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
School ups security BY SCOTT MCKINNEY NEWS@BRAHAMJOURNAL.COM
The Braham School Board has taken steps to increase security on school grounds including the addition of police presence and is currently seeking a school safety upgrade grant. Safety improvements were a focal point at the regular meeting of the Braham Area School Board on Monday, Aug. 20. Earlier this summer the Braham Police Department established an office in the high school building, staffed by Detective Kevin Stahl. He will provide support for school officials as requested, while promoting positive connections with students and staff. The school district will apply to the Minnesota Department of Education for a school safety upgrade grant. The grant allocates $25 million dollars for state schools to increase violence prevention and facility security. Braham Schools will use grant funds to upgrade building communication, make entryways more secure, and improve visual notification systems. The district will submit its application on Wednesday, Aug. 29. SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS In other board action, the filing period for Braham Area School Board elections has closed. Two individuals, Catherine Kunshier and David Shockman, filed to fill the open seat previously held by Board member John Paitl. Voting for the school board will take place during the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The next school board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17 at Braham Area High School.
Library welcomes Minnesota children’s author Laura Purdie Salas to visit Cambridge Public Library Sept. 19 BY JON TATTING EAST CENTRAL REGIONAL LIBRARY
Join award-winning, Minnesota author Laura Purdie Salas during children’s storytime at the Cambridge Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 19, starting at 10:30 a.m. Salas has written more than 125 books for kids, including “Meet My Family!,” “If You Were the Moon,” “Water Can Be…” and “BookSpeak!” Growing up in Florida, she now lives and writes in Minnesota. She loves
to get kids excited about reading and writing. “When I taught eighth-grade, I wanted to make kids fall in love with reading and writing,” Salas says. “I still do. I use humor, stories about my writing journey, props, interactive reading and group writing to engage kids. I like to make them think about our cool world and the power of reading and writing in new ways.” East Central Regional Library also is excited to present Laura Purdie Salas at the Chisago Lakes Area Library on Monday, Sept. 24 at 10:30 a.m. and at the Pine City Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. This project was funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For more information, visit ecrlib.org.
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Children’s Author Laura Purdie Salas will lead story time at the Cambridge Public Library at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 19.
Opportunities abound at Braham schools HS students earn college credit; Study Lounge offers homework help
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n behalf of the staff at Braham Area Schools, I am happy to welcome you to the 2018-19 school year. Although the summer has flown by, I am excited to be writing to you today as we gear up for another successful school year. We are committed to providing service and excellence to all and look forward to anothSchool er fantastic year. Scoop I would like to also share some exciting Shawn Kuhnke information, 42 percent of Braham juniors and seniors from this last school year earned college credit (free)! Students may earn an Associates Degree without leaving the building AND this degree is transferable to all public colleges in Minnesota. This has been accomplished through our East Central MN College Options program, which gives our qualifying students an opportuni-
ty to earn these credits while taking online college courses from the comfort of being right here at Braham Area Schools. What an awesome opportunity. I am also excited to announce that we will once again be offering the After School Study Lounge every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for grades 7-12 from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. in the High School Media Center. The study lounge will start on Tuesday, Sept. 18 and run through the rest of this school year. This is an excellent opportunity for students to work on homework, get homework help, study, etc. Licensed high school teachers will be in attendance each day. Come and check it out! Our fall activities started practices on Monday, Aug. 13. The coaches are excited about how much effort the students have been giving during practices to this point of the season. Cross country began their competitions in Milaca on Monday, Aug. 27. The volleyball team began their schedule with an earlybird tournament
at Albany on Friday, Aug. 24. The seventh and eighth-grade volleyball players will begin practice on Monday, Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. Football began regular season play with a home game versus Ada-Borup/ Norman County West on Thursday, Aug. 30. Also to note, the seventh and eighthgrade football players will began practice on Monday, Aug. 27. The fall musical participants have also been hard at work in preparation for their performance of “The Addams Family” in early November. Stay tuned for results to all seasons in future articles. Most importantly, I am excited about the opportunities of our students returning to the classroom. I cannot wait for the first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 4. I am excited to see all of our students in action and preparing themselves for a bright future. SHAWN KUHNKE is the Braham Area High School principal and district athletic director.
Water restrictions make a splash with City Council BY SCOTT MCKINNEY NEWS@BRAHAMJOURNAL.COM
Emergency water restrictions like limits on lawn watering or car washing are getting a closer look as the Braham City Council works to comply with a statewide water safety plan. During the Braham City Council’s Aug. 8 meeting, City Administrator Sally Hoy introduced a possible adoption of water use restrictions. As part of its Water Safety Plan due in October, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requires an ordinance restricting water usage if the Governor declares a critical statewide water deficiency. The city’s current Water/ Sewer Ordinance 265 grants the Council authority to limit or forbid lawn sprinkling, but does not provide more specific detail.
Terry Turnquist Owner terry.turnquist@yahoo.com
A model ordinance from the League of Minnesota Cities recommended emergency water conservation measures, including restrictions on: • Irrigation of yards, gardens, golf courses and other non-agricultural lands. • Washing automobiles, trucks or other mobile equipment: except at facilities equipped to recirculate wash water, or if vehicles require frequent washing to protect public health. • Washing or spraying of sidewalks and parking areas, except to alleviate health or safety hazards. • Use of water-based play apparatus connected to a pressurized source. • Serving water to restaurant and food-service customers, unless specifically requested.
Located: Broadway Avenue, Braham
• Filling swimming pools, fountains or other exterior water features. Hoy used the LMC template to draft Ordinance 282 for the city. She said if the Council approved the draft ordinance it will be posted in City Hall and on the city website for the remainder of August, and will appear on the September agenda for adoption. The Council voted unanimously to begin the adoption process. IMPOUND CHARGES In other council action, Police Chief Eric Baumgart recommended that the Council increase the city’s storage fees for confiscated vehicles. Currently the city assesses a $10 impound charge plus towing fees; Baumgart recommended a fee of $25 per day for outdoor storage, and $35 per day for indoor storage. He
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216 South Main Street Braham, MN 55006
explained that newer confiscated vehicles need to be stored indoors, and that there is a cost for storing vehicles on city property. The council unanimously approved the request. STREET IMPROVEMENT The City approved a final payment of $16,393.39 to contractor Knife River Corporation for completion of the 2016 street improvement project. Administrator Hoy reminded the council that the project experienced cost overruns of nearly $25,000 due to improvements added after the bond was issued. The city will transfer funds from the General Fund to cover the deficit. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10 at City Hall.
CUSTOM WELDED HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS 220 S. W. 8th Street P.O. Box 508 Braham, MN 55006 Phone: (320) 396-3343 Fax: (320) 396-3346 AURELIUS-MFG.COM
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The VFW will be serving breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Braham Event Center, 655 8th Street S.W., Braham.
SEPT. 4 Friends of the Library The Friends of the Library group will meet at 2 p.m. in the library. Help to plan events for the library. The meeting is open to anyone, and the group is always looking for new members who care about reading and the library.
invited to the monthly meeting of Blue Star Moms Pine City Chapter 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pine City VFW, 305 8th St. SW. Open to those in area cities and counties. For more info, call Tish at (763) 244-0450.
Grandy Lions The Grandy Lions Club will meet at 7 p.m. at 2749 County Road 6 NE, Grandy.
Braham Elementary Parent Organization The BEPO will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Braham High School media center, 531 Elmhurst Ave. S., Braham.
Braham City Council The Braham City Council meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Braham City Hall, 201 Broadway Ave. S., Braham
SEPT. 8 North Country Hillbillys Car and Truck Show The 13th annual North Country Hillbillys Car and Truck Show will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Braham Covenant Church, Co. Hwy. 4 and State Hwy. 107, Braham. This is a free event but you are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the local food shelf. Register at www.theNCH.com or call 320492-4579 for more information.
Central Minnesota DFL Fall Festival The Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine County DFL Fall Festival will be from 3- 7:00 p.m. at 1753 200th Ave, Mora. Barbecue, live music, silent auction, book sale and bake Sale. Opportunity to meet DFL candidates and legislators. Freewill donation. All are welcome. For more information, call 320-272-4593.
SEPT. 10
SEPT. 11 Braham Area Chamber of Commerce The Braham Area Camber of Commerce will meet at 6 p.m. at the Braham Community Event Center, 655 8th St. W.
Adult Day Break Adult Day Break respite events offers social gatherings for seniors with mild memory loss a chance to interact in activities, play games, reminisce, enjoy music and a meal while family caregivers take a needed break. Meeting takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Braham Evangelical Covenant Church For more information call 1-877-321-7100
SEPT. 15 Fall Festival and Auction The 10th annual Fall Festival and Auction will be held from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 1050 Southview Ave., Braham, with derby racing, food, music and kids activities. For more information call 320 396-3105.
SEPT. 17 Braham Area School Board
SEPT. 12 Senior Social Join Friends of the Alice Studt Library at 2 p.m. at the Braham Event Center, 655 8th St. SW, for great discussion, a special program and socializing. Refreshments will be served. Call 320-396-3177 for more information.
Senior Citizens Dance There will be a senior citizens dance at the Fish Lake Resort (674 Fish Lake Drive, Mora) from 1-4 p.m. Marie and the Good Ole’ Boys will provide the music. Lunch will be served.
SEPT. 13
The Braham Area School Board meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Braham Area High School Community Room, 531 Elmhurst Avenue South.
SEPT. 20 Compassionate Friends The Compassionate Friends is a support group for families who have lost a child, and meets from 7-9 p.m. at Sts Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, Braham. For more info, call Carol Peterson at (320) 396-3496.
Blue Star Moms
Isanti County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Community Center, 505 Spirit River Dr. S., Cambridge.
SEPT. 21 Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Golf Tournament The Isanti County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon annual Golf Tournament will be held at the
Mothers with sons or daughters serving in the military are
SEPT. 24 Garden Club The Braham Garden Club will meet at 7 p.m. at the Braham Event Center.
Book Club Book club meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Braham Event Center, 655 8th Street S.W., Braham. Join in for interesting books, great discussion, refreshments and fellowship.
SEPT. 25 The Braham Jam The Braham Jam and various musical friends play at 11:30 a.m. at Braham Country Floral, 128 Central Dr. W. Call (320) 396-2188 for info.
SEPT. 26 Senior LinkAge Line, a free informational service for adults and veterans, those with disabilities and their families, is offering a class at 5-7 p.m. at the Braham Event Center, 655 8th Street S.W., Braham. Call 1-800-333-2433 to register.
SEPT. 27 Adult Day Break respite events offers social gatherings for seniors with mild memory loss a chance to interact in activities, play games, reminisce, enjoy music and a meal while family caregivers take a needed break. Meeting takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Braham Evangelical Covenant Church For more information call 1-877-321-7100.
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Flames of Discontent won the 2018 Hognander Minnesota History Award.
Gary Kaunonen, Braham graduate, historian and filmmaker has a new book which recently won the 2018 Hognander Minnesota History Award. His book, Flames of Discontent: The 1916 Minnesota Iron Ore Strike is a working-class history of the 1916 miners’ strike in northern Minnesota. On June 2, 1916, 40 mineworkers in Aurora walked off the job, causing a labor disturbance that became one of the most important events in organized labor in the early 20th Century. Kaunonen examines what this strike meant for workers, immigrants, mining and labor in Minnesota and the nation. Gary Kaunonen is an independent historian of labor and immigration and a documentary filmmaker based in International Falls, Minnesota.
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STAFF REPORT NEWS@MORAMINN.COM
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Braham graduate writes award winning book
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ONGOING EVENTS Library Open - Monday
The library room at the Event Center is open Mondays, from 12:30-4:30 p.m. (ECR Library Link Site) and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to noon with a wide selection of books, audiobooks and DVDs for children and adults. Bring your laptop and use the free Wi-Fi or use the library computers for internet or printing. Call (320) 396-3177 for more info.
Monday/Wednesday Bingo
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 290 will host bingo at the Braham Event Center, 655 8th St. W. Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. There will be food, coffee and water available to purchase. Call (320) 396-3177 for more info.
Monday Al-Anon
Al-Anon meets every Monday at 6 p.m. at the County Courthouse, Mora.
Thursday Food Shelf
Medicare 101- Medicare Basics
Adult Day Break Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
VFW Meeting The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1731 meets at the Braham Event Center, 655 8th St. SW, at 7 p.m.
Purple Hawk, 36300 Hwy. 65 NE, Cambridge. A short program at 12 p.m. will begin the event with a 12:30 p.m. tee off to follow. The public is welcome to watch the tournament.
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SEPT. 1 VFW Pancake Breakfast
BRAHAM JOURNAL
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
The Braham Area Food Shelf is open each Thursday 8 a.m. to noon. It is located on the south side of the Event Center.
Thursday Farmers Market
Farmers Market featuring home-grown produce and hand-made goods runs every Thursday from 3-6 p.m. in Freedom Park. If you’re interested in selling, call Dan or Jean Loerzel at (320) 396-3855.
Thursday NAMI Connection
National Alliance on Mental Illness, a peer support group for adults recovering from mental illness meets every Thursday from 6:30- 8 p.m., at the Cambridge Medical Center in the Harbor Room.
BRAHAM EVENT CENTER Owned & Operated by Tusen Tack
655 8th Street • Braham, MN
Library Link Mondays 12:30-4:30 pm Thursdays Open 8am-Noon FREE Wi-Fi & Computers during library hours Weddings/Receptions • Class Reunions • Graduation Parties • Family Events Meetings/Clubs • Seminars/Classes • Concerts/Trade Shows • Senior/Youth Events Memorial Services/Celebration of Life • Auctions • Parties for all Occasions
320-396-3177…call for reservations
WE HAVE 2 WEEKENDS OPEN IN SEPTEMBER Book Your Wedding, Reunion, Birthday Party or ? Now! FOOD SHELF – Thursdays 8am-Noon
VFW Pancake Breakfast Sept 1 7-11am
Senior Social Wed. Sept 12 2pm
BINGO • 6pm Monday & Wednesday
Garden Club 4th Monday of month 7pm
brahamcenter.org…for Upcoming Events & Classes Email for Reservations…info@brahamcenter.org
READ A NEWSPAPER IT’S A SMART MOVE!
KANABEC COUNTY
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BRAHAM JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
Garbage in, garbage out
‘Enemies of the people?’ Simply, plainly – ‘no.’
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here are times I step back, and really look at my own home. I envision what an outsider would learn or assume of me based on the items I have chosen to surround myself with. I imagine Dr. Spencer Reed from the TV show, Criminal Minds, examining the books on my shelf and saying things like, “The literary works placed at eye level are heavily focused on horticulture. Five are specific to compost and three to cultivation of Allium sativum; yet, Editor evidence from the garden shows Kirsten Faurie a poor garlic crop.” Maybe I am spending too h time ti t much watching crime-dramas and not enough time in the garden or reading my books on garlic. My husband and I recently took a trip to Duluth where we visited the Glensheen Mansion. Built by Chester and Clara Congdon in 1908, it is a phenomenal building with a fascinating backstory. We found ourselves most fascinated with the family’s library. We scoured the book shelves identifying subjects and titles, trying to figure out what kind of people the Congdon’s were based on what they read. The library itself held books read by Chester, a member of the Minnesota legislature. Many of the titles examined economic issues, taxation theories, law and travel. The Twilight series hadn’t been written yet, but The Secret Garden was published in 1911 and lay on a desk in one of the daughter’s rooms. I admired the notes he wrote in the books. In a book about Egypt, Chester noted that the piece was “not worth reading” and had some heavy criticisms of the author’s writing style. Throughout the home we noticed how worldly it was. The family chose to include pieces of art or decoration from around the world in their home such as sculptures of Greek and Norse gods, furniture fashioned in a traditional Japanese style and paintings of great cultural and artistic variety. They displayed tokens of their travel including musical instruments from Italy and cave stones from Arizona. As we drove home that evening, I thought about how the things we choose to bring into our lives and surround ourselves with shapes our outputs, the things we think and the things we do. It changed how I look at my home, and caused me to re-evaluate what I have chosen as my inputs. A computer programming phrase “garbage in, garbage out” describes that faulty or incorrect data into the system will turn out a faulty result. But the phrase can apply to more than just computer science. The same could be said of our diet and the media we consume. Perhaps I really do watch too much TV.
s plainly and clearly as one can say or write this: Journalism and journalists are not “enemies of the people.” A free press brings us the news of the day, from weather to Wall Street, and when done properly functions as a “watchdog on government.” The First public expects that Amendment first part, and the First Amendment Center — on behalf of all us — protects Gene Policinski of that last part. Today, at many small town publications and major metropolitan dailies and broadcast outlets big and small, something extraordinary is happening: News outlets are publishing editorials defending a free and independent press, pushing back against those who have attacked them as “enemies,” “despicable people” and purveyors of “fake news.” “Enemies of the people?” Don’t make me laugh — though, if the implications were not so serious, we probably should. The reality: Most journalists put their personal preferences aside in doing their job, looking for a good story regardless of political implications. “Fake news?” The term has been diluted to a current definition of news and information that some don’t want to see or hear, rather than an earlier association with factual error or deliberate misinformation. The slander that may sting the most, the “enemies” tag, is centuries old, even appearing in a Shakespearean tragedy, but is most often associated with despots of a modern time, Stalin and Hitler. The charge simply has no place in a debate over the role, performance or ethics of a free press. It also ignores what is plain for all to see: journalists are “the people.” Reporters and editors and broadcasters and online journalists throughout the nation live in the very same communities on which they report. Their children attend the same schools as everyone else’s. They shop in the same stores, and worship in the same places. Most journalists work on topics like local school board policies, track government programs and officials, and report on the joys and tragedies of everyday life. Even the select group of professionals who track events in Washington or Wall Street or Silicon Valley
The things we choose to bring into our lives and surround ourselves with shapes our outputs
KIRSTEN FAURIE is the editor of the Braham Journal. She can be contacted at editor@moraminn.com or by calling 320-225-5128.
Braham Journal is published every month by Northstar Media, Inc., 930 Cleveland St. S., Cambridge, MN 55008. Periodicals postage paid at Cambridge, MN 55008. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Braham Journal, 930 Cleveland St. S., Cambridge, MN 55008
Editor
Kirsten Faurie
go home at night to families and friends, just as we all do. Yes, there are errors made in what is now journalism’s “24/7” world. There are cable TV pundits paid to pontificate, not report. The web and social media have brought us “stuff and fluff” that pretends often to be journalism but in reality is just political messaging and social posturing from those on the right and left wings of partisan debate. A real worry is that there are just fewer journalists and fewer news outlets around to do the job — in newspapers alone, there are less than 25,000 when in 1990 there were more than 65,000. The amount of news to be reported has not shrunk accordingly. But that does not mean the remaining staffers are any less committed to clear and accurate journalism. “We are not the enemy of the people,” Marjorie Pritchard, deputy managing editor for the editorial page of The Boston Globe, told The Associated Press earlier this week. As of Tuesday, Aug. 14, more than 350 newspapers and broadcast outlets said they would join in the one-day commentary combine suggested by the Globe. Pritchard said she expects differing views from the editorials, all written locally, “but the same sentiment: the importance of a free and independent press.” No doubt some will slam President Trump for his frequent attacks on “the media,” as if there were one, monolithic news machine rather than the diverse, independent news sources that collectively make up the nation’s news outlets. But vitriolic attacks on the press began long before Trump found ways to exploit those terms in what he told CBS’s Leslie Stahl in 2016, as his presidential campaign began, was a deliberate tactic to “discredit you all and demean you all so when you write negative stories about me no one will believe you.” Congress tried jailing journalists it didn’t like only a few years after the Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791 — and failed soon after. Not that many years ago, President Nixon had a news media “enemies list” of those to be targeted by government agencies and deployed Vice President Spiro Agnew to call journalists “nattering nabobs of negativity,” among other things. We know who, by virtue of relentless, solid reporting, was proven right in that dispute. Today’s unprecedented editorial blitz is prompted in large degree by the perceived effectiveness
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A real worry is that there are just fewer journalists and fewer news outlets around to do the job of Trump and other politicians having found a new, direct way to deliver the “enemies” tag on a near-constant basis via social media — combined with the self-awareness of a news industry that knows it has been severely weakened by the web’s negative impact on both audience and advertising income. There is some risk in today’s editorial effort: Trump may just use it as populist evidence that “the media” really is against him. Of course, he makes that case in many ways on most other days. And the 2018 State of the First Amendment survey, released in late June, clearly shows most Americans could use a reminder about the value of a free press. For those willing to look, journalists print, broadcast and post stories each day that make our lives better, expose waste, fraud and abuse, and celebrate the good in our collective lives. For those not willing to look, and all too willing to just parrot the glib lines of leaders more interested in political traction than accurate criticism — well, no editorial is likely to change those minds. Whatever the reason behind editorial writers nationwide making their case today in defense of good journalism, the ultimate — and effective — response in defense of a free press is in the work that simply proves the critics wrong. GENE POLICINSKI is president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. He can be reached at gpolicinski@freedomforum.org, or follow him on Twitter at @genefac.
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
BRAHAM JOURNAL
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Educators bring enthusiasm for another year
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few weeks ago I attended what I would call an ‘oldies’ concert at Target Field Cheap Trick, Def Leppard, and Journey. While this was my first time seeing Journey I did see both Cheap Trick and Def Leppard in the 1980’s and have to say I enjoyed this concert every bit as much School as when I was just Scoop a wee bit younger. What impresses Ken Gagner me most about these groups is how well they still perform, and we all know how hard it is to act enthusiastically when it’s something we’ve done all our adult lives. There are two points which come to mind as I reflect on that point. First, consider yourself blessed if you truly love what you do for a living. I’m one of those fortunate people who are in this lucky group but that doesn’t mean it didn’t take some work, one example is going back to college for a third time at age 44 when I transitioned from teacher to administrator. The plus side was that I got to stay in the field I enjoy and yet learn/utilize new skills as a principal and now superintendent. We are never too
old to start anew. Secondly, as adults starting a ‘new’ school year - which may be our 10th or 30th ‘new’ year - it’s still a new experience for those students and parents showing up on Sept. 4. If Def Leppard can belt out the lyrics to, “Pour Some Sugar on Me” for the 10,000th time and get the audience on their feet, we certainly can do the same. WORLD’S BEST WORKFORCE ISD No. 314 is looking for interested community members to serve on the World’s Best Workforce planning team. We will be meeting Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. Please contact Nickie at the district office (320-396-5199) if you are willing to serve. SCHOOL OFFICER ISD No. 314 is thrilled to announce the strengthened partnership between the Braham Police Department and Braham School District as we work together to enhance school safety for the 20182019 school year. The police department will have an office in the 5-12 building to conduct routine desk work and offer support as requested by school officials while at the same time building positive relationships with students and staff. Braham Police Detective Kevin Shahl will staff this office.
A special thanks to Chief Eric Baumgart and the city of Braham for their leadership and support.
NEW TEACHERS WELCOMED
REFERENDUM INFORMATION
FOOTBALL GAME BURGERS BENEFIT EDUCATION FOUNDATION The Braham Education Foundation will be serving grilled hamburgers (free-will offering) at the stadium complex starting at 6:00 p.m. during home football games Sept. 7 and 21, (games start at 7 p.m.) Come early and enjoy some tailgating. Many of you know the Braham Education Foundation is a community group formed with the sole purpose of enhancing the educational opportunities of Braham Area School students. The group set a first-year fundraising goal of $100,000 which will allow the group to give $5,000 each and every year for special projects benefiting our students. The $100,000 raised is never spent, and as that amount increases, so will the amount available to be gifted back to the district. Visit the school website of contact chair Tim Nelson (timothy.c.nelson@gmail.com) for more information.
Braham Area Schools welcomes several new staff members (name/college/ position): Sarah Johnston Hamline University HS Math Per Gulbranson Winona State University HS Art Marissa Stolan University of Minnesota Duluth Elementary Special Education Wendy Kiewel St. Cloud State University Early Childhood Teacher / English Learner Teacher Brady Yrjo University of Jamestown Long-term substitute teacher in PE/Health (Sept. - May) Deb Thompson Minnesota State University, Mankato Long-term substitute teacher in Elem. Sp. Ed. (Sept. - Nov.) Lauren Kiesz University of California, Davis Long term substitute teacher in grade three (Sept. - Nov.)
If you live in the Braham Area School District please take advantage of upcoming opportunities to learn about the Operating Levy referendum which will be on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Give us a call at 320-396-5199 to visit directly with Ken Gagner or to set up a presentation, visit our school website, or show up at one of the following presentations: • Sept. 10 Elmhurst Commons / 2:30 p.m. • Sept. 10 BEPO / 6:30 p.m. at HS Media Center • Sept. 12 Senior Social / 2:00 p.m. at BEC • Sept. 25 Grasston Senior Dining / 11:00 a.m. at Grasston Hope Lutheran • Oct. 2 Braham Senior Dining / 11:00 a.m. at Park Manor • Oct. 5 ISD No. 314 retirement group / 9:00 a.m. at B100 • Oct. 8 Braham Area High School / 6:30 p.m. at C100 • Oct. 16 Braham Area High School / 6:30 p.m. at C100
KEN GAGNER is the Braham Area Schools superintendent. He can be contacted at 320-396-5199 or kgagner@braham.k12.mn.us. Follow the school district on Twitter at @Braham_Schools or Ken’s feed @Supt_Gagner.
NASA: Tech education gives students chance to work with space station FROM PAGE 1
Mileage competition for the last four years, where the objective is for a vehicle to go the farthest on the least amount of fuel. When asked to describe the Super Mileage cars the students have built, (some of the first cars hang from the walls in his workshop classroom, others are scattered around the large shop area) Becker’s eyes light up and his grin is wide. It’s clear he has well-deserved pride in all his students have accomplished. According to Becker, “in Minnesota, we took first overall, first in Stock - fifth in Modified, and won the Quality of Craftsmanship award. On the international level, in April of this year in Sonoma, California for the Shell Eco Marathon, we took sixth overall in the internal combustion category for North and South America, third in gas, second in the ethanol division, which is against colleges and high schools.” Funding for the Braham Super Mileage program by donations from the community as well as businesses. When asked about Becker and the opportunities he’s giving his students in agriculture and science, Braham Superintendent Ken Gagner said, “We are very proud of the work Mr. Becker does with our Career and Technical Education De-
LINDA GALLAGHER | BRAHAM JOURNAL
Braham teacher Luke Becker recounts his students successes sitting in the workshop, surrounded by various Super Mileage cars built over the years.
partment. Super-mileage, the greenhouse, FFA, - you name it - our students have so many opportunities to shine and most of this is due to the time and effort Luke has put into
building this program.” Becker and his students have a lot to look forward to, especially on the morning of Oct. 22. That’s when a representative from NASA will come
to Braham HS to speak with Becker and his class about their upcoming project for the ISS. NASA provides the opportunity as well as the materials
and guidance, Becker and his students will provide their problem-solving skills and no lack of energy and enthusiasm.
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6
2018 FALL BRAHAM JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
DARWIN NELSON | SUBMITTED
Experienced players and coach will make crucial contributions to the Bombers varsity volleyball team.
Volleyball team reunites with former head coach BY SCOTT MCKINNEY NEWS@BRAHAMJOURNAL.COM
The Braham Bombers volleyball team begins the 2018 season with an experienced head coach and a group of veteran players, ready to give their all in every match. “I’ve been with the Bombers volleyball program for many years and served as head coach from 2006 to 2008,” said returning coach Tammi Johnson. “Recently I coached at the junior varsity level, and 10 years later I’m stepping back in as the head coach. But knowing these girls for all these years, I know they’ll work hard this season.” The Bombers wrapped up
the 2017 season with an overall record of 16-13, third place in both Section 5 A North A and the Great River Conference. The team defeated Hinckley-Finlayson 3-0 in the first round of Section play, but were eliminated with a 3-0 loss to Onamia. Experience was key to the Bombers’ success last fall, said Johnson. “Last year’s roster consisted of nine seniors who had been with the program for many years. Having that level of experience on the court was beneficial, and extremely fun to watch.” This fall the Braham roster features six seniors: Emma Downing. Sierra Giffrow, McKenna Grams, Maddie
Nelson, Abby Olson and Kate Tomlinson. “I expect all six to play a crucial role within our team,” said Johnson. “Returning varsity players Maddie, Kenna, and sophomore Adelia Pierson should bring the biggest impact. Their experience and leadership on the court will be extremely helpful and beneficial this season.” “As a new head coach I expect each team to be a challenge, and we’ll go into each game as such. But after our summer league I know Rush City will be a tough competitor.” Johnson is assisted by junior varsity coach Sarah Johnston and C-team coach Karen Leniz.
‘I expect the team to work hard, have fun, learn and give it their all each and every game.’ Tammi Johnson Head Coach “I appreciate all they do,” she said. “The three of us spend quite a bit of time together organizing and planning our season. Karen and I have been part of the volleyball program for many years, and were able to hit the ground running. Sarah is new as a coach, but
as a Braham graduate and a former volleyball player her comfort level has been very helpful. We make a good team, and I look forward to coaching with them.” “I expect the team to work hard, have fun, learn and give it their all each and every game. Though our numbers are down this year, the 27 players I have from grades 9-12 are a dedicated group who will work together and push to the end.” The Bombers opened the season on Friday Aug. 24 with a tournament in Albany, followed by a game in Royalton on Tuesday, Aug. 28. Their first home match is Tuesday, Sept. 4 when they host Onamia.
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2018 FALL SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
BRAHAM JOURNAL
7
Football looks to build on unbeaten regular season BY SCOTT MCKINNEY NEWS@BRAHAMJOURNAL.COM
The Braham Bombers football team finished 2017 with an undefeated regular-season record, and carried a section championship to a sixth State Tournament appearance. They begin the 2018 season with a core of talented veterans and the goal of greater progress. Braham carried a perfect 8-0 record into the postseason, finishing first in both Section 7A and the Northeast Silver District. In the postseason they beat East Central 50-19 and Hinckley-Finlayson 32-6 to advance to the Class A State Tournament, losing 29-20 to Ada-Borup/Norman County West. “Our most memorable moments from last season were winning the district and section, and advancing to the State Tournament for the sixth time in seven years,” said head coach Shawn Kuhnke. “We had great senior leadership.” Returning this year for the
DARWIN NELSON | SUBMITTED
The Braham varsity football team and it’s coaches are striving for a sixth State Tournament appearance in their 2018 season.
Bombers are senior Ryan Roslin (running back and defensive lineman), senior Devin Shellito (offensive and defensive lineman), junior Luke Bendickson (wide receiver), junior Ben Carlson (offensive and defensive lineman), junior
Jacob Johnson (defensive lineman) and junior Michael Tilkens-Rogstad (offensive lineman). “Each player plays a key role on our team,” Kuhnke said. Braham’s coaching staff includes Kuhnke, Chris Grote,
Brady Yrjo and Per Gulbranson. “We’ve worked very hard over the off-season,” said Kuhnke, “with team camps in Braham and at University of Minnesota-Duluth, a passing league and a blocking camp.” “We look at each of our oppo-
nents as a very big challenge. Our goal this season is to give our full effort, and grow and improve as a team.” The Bombers opened the season on Thursday, Aug. 30 at Chisholm.
Cross-country teams build on personal bests BY SCOTT MCKINNEY NEWS@BRAHAMJOURNAL.COM
With a dozen returning runners, many having set personal records last year, the Braham Bombers boys and girls cross-country teams look to improve and qualify for recognition in 2018. “We’re a very young team this fall,” said head coach Joe Rajkowski.“We’ll try to have fun, stay healthy and improve greatly through the season.” The Bombers return 12 runners from last year’s teams: one junior, seven sophomores and four ninth graders. The team’s only senior is first-year runner Sarah Erbstoesser. Rajkowski sees her taking on a leadership role, along with returning sophomore Kevin Laman and junior Brody Newton. In 2017 the Braham boys team took third place in the Great River Conference, and the girls finished 20th in Section 5 A. “Pine City will be the team to beat in the GRC, with Mora and Annandale in Section 5 A,” Rajkowski said. Last fall, several returning Bombers runners reached individual achieve-
DARWIN NELSON | SUBMITTED
The Braham varsity cross-country running team is young with only one senior on the team, still, the runners have high hopes of setting personal records throughout the season.
ments. Personal records were set in the 5K run by Newton; sophomores Laman, Garrett Engberg, Cody Hanson and Isaiah Lancrain; and ninth grader Madison Stone. Milestones were reached in
the 3200 meter run by Stone and fellow ninth grader Ed Oquist. Rajkowski said the team has set goals for the new season. “We hope to have two or three runners qualify as all-con-
ference in the GRC, and another one or two as honorable mention.” The Bombers began their season on Monday, Aug. 27 at the Milaca Early Bird Invitational.
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8
AND OUTDOORS BRAHAM JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
ALLISON LONDGREN | SUBMITTED
Braham Youth Wrestling Summer Camp draws from surrounding cities During the first three days of August the gym at Braham Area High School was full of excitement as kids ages Pre-K through sixth grade from Cambridge, North Branch, Pine City, Rush City, Ogilvie and host Braham gathered to learn some wrestling moves and have fun. Two Minnesota Gopher wrestlers attended the camp: brothers David and Danny Zilverberg provided excellent guidance and skill in teaching the young wrestlers some new moves and new tricks on old moves. Braham Warriors Wrestling would like to thank the Zilverbergs and all the parents that helped with the camp.
Snappers wrap up the season at Region 1C BY ANDY BECKSTROM NEWS@BRAHAMJOURNAL.COM
The Braham Snappers finished their season the weekend of the Region 1C tournament. After an opening game loss to North Branch on July 28, the Snappers started to build momentum in a win over Nowthen on July 29. That momentum was short lived, as they fell to East Bethel on Aug. 4 to finish their season. NORTH BRANCH Braham had lost both regular season matchups with North Branch during the regular season. The Snappers felt good about the matchup, as the first game was an uncharacteristically offensive one for North Branch. They put up 12 runs (averaging three runs per game to that point) on the Snapper ace Mike Strelow. At the time, Strelow was leading the league in ERA. Game two was a makeup game played
after the regular season was over, an 8-3 loss by a shorthanded Snapper squad. In the regional tournament, it was more of the same. Braham never got their offense going, as pitcher Jimmy Skroch limited them to just two hits on the afternoon in an 11-0 game. TRIUMPH OVER NOWTHEN Braham had a much better game in the second game of the tournament on July 29, as they defeated the Nowthen Knights 6-0. Offensively, Jesse Johnson led the attack from the leadoff position, reaching in three of his four at bats, and scoring twice. The biggest hit of the game came in the fifth inning. The Snappers had put up one run in each of the first three innings, and it seemed as if the bases might be left loaded, before left fielder Corbin Peters smacked a bases clearing double to the gap. That turned out to be all the offense they needed for pitcher Jake Johnson. John-
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ANDY BECKSTROM | SUBMITTED
Jack Karas (right) holds a Nowthen runner at first base during their July 29 game in Hinckley.
son had a tremendous performance on the mound, going the full nine innings, scattering six hits and three walks, while
striking out 10. ENDING WITH EAST BETHEL The Snapper season came to
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an end as the bracket led to a matchup against East Bethel, who they had split games with during the year. 8-3 loss in a game plagued by errors, and then an 11-1 victory in Braham. East Bethel brought their A-game, defeating the Snappers 11-0, ending their season. The Snappers finish their season 8-10 in Eastern Minny play, 10-12 overall. Braham had taken a nice step forward in their fifth year, and thanked all of their fans and supporters throughout the year. The Snappers also wished to give a special “thank you” to all those who attended the fundraiser at the Pizza Pub in June. The Snappers are putting together plans for fundraisers and games for next year. For more information contact the Braham Snappers via Twitter or Facebook. For game summaries, stats and other information, go to hometeamsonline. com, keyword search Braham Snappers.
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
BRAHAM JOURNAL
9
Orphaned horse gives rider new opportunities BY MELONIE SHIPMAN NEWS@MORAMINN.COM
DAWN TSCHUMPER | SUBMITTED
Emma Tschumper guides her horse, Chance, who has guided Emma into the world of pleasure riding.
‘My family has given me a lot of support. They put up a barn. They bought a horse trailer. They support me at the competitions.’ Emma Tschumper DAWN TSCHUMPER | SUBMITTED
Fifteen-year-old Emma Tschumper’s adventure in horsemanship started with a simple enough question: “What if I buy your horse?” Emma asked her best friend after hearing their family was thinking of selling their horse, Roy. Emma asked her parents that night. Her birthday surprise was Roy. Then came Luke. Then came Chance. With each horse the family’s lifestyle changed. With each horse Emma became involved in another area of horsemanship. Roy’s family lent him to Emma’s family, the Tschumpers, so they could adjust to the logistical and financial changes before making a full commitment. The Tschumpers had raised stock animals, but were completely unfamiliar with how to manage a horse. A barn was added to their property. Roy stayed. Emma went trail riding with Roy, now 23 years old. She began gaming events such as barrel racing when Luke, now 19 years old, joined the family. In May 2018, Emma’s father, Eric, asked if she would like to ride Chance. Eric had gone to school with Julie Johnson, whose daughter Bobbi was Chance’s first rider. Dawn, Emma’s mother, said, “The Johnson’s have been amazing. They let Emma ride Chance. They taught her how to do pleasure riding. They lent her the necessary outfits to compete in horse shows. It’s a big time commitment.” “Pleasure riding was very different. I had to put my legs into it. It was hard for me to steer. I was really surprised at how physical it is,” said Emma. In pleasure riding the horse should appear to be a “pleasure” to ride and very comfortable, while being very smooth. Emma said, “Chance is my rock out of the three horses. Riding Chance transfers to how I ride Roy and how I ride Luke. I ride them more respectfully now.” There are three stages to pleasure riding competition. In all phases the judges look for appearance, smooth action and responsiveness between the horse and rider. “I love how much focus I can put into it. It is my thing in the family. Now I am teaching my mom to ride and she loves it, too. My family has given me a lot of support. They put up a barn. They bought a horse trailer. They support me at the competitions. There is a lot of driving around,” Emma said. Dawn said that as soon as Emma has her driver’s license she will be learning how to tow a horse trailer. When Emma’s brothers, age 18 and 20, come to shows, Emma said, “They seem taken aback by how much skill and focus it takes, but also how much fun it is.” Emma, now 15 and starting 10th grade at Braham High School, joined 4-H and started riding Chance in May, 2018. She rides three to four times a week and works with a professional trainer two to three times a month. Chance and Emma have been in three horse shows together. After their win in the Kanabec County Fair, they will compete in the State Horse Show, Sept. 14-17. “A lot of the credit goes to Chance because he is such a great horse,” Emma said. Chance will be in his third state competition. Emma said, “The difference with Chance and my other horses is he is not my own horse. Me, Chance, Bobbi and Beth Johnson are a team. I don’t have to ride. I want to ride.” Ten years ago Bobbi won an essay-writing contest at the fair. Her prize was an orphaned foal whose mother died when he was two hours old. The foal, “A Chance at Life,” went on to earn several titles with Bobbi. When Bobbi was done with 4-H she passed that learning on to Jenna Mankie. Now, Jenna is passing showing Chance on to Emma. Bobbi hopes her two-year old daughter’s first 4-H horse experience will be on Chance. “Bobbi’s knowledge passed on to me. I look forward to passing it on to another young person someday,” Emma said. From a young age, Emma has wanted to be a livestock veterinarian and working with Chance has strengthened her desire for that goal.
Emma Tschumper will begin her sophomore year at Braham High School this September. She and her horse, Chance, will compete at the State Horse Show Sept. 14-17.
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10 BRAHAM JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
Family leaps from California to start Braham farm
just didn’t have the small town feel anymore. “I wanted my children to grow up with space, quiet, ride bikes and climb trees,” said Lauren. Her girls are doing all that and more as they take rides on four-wheelers and care for the chickens.
BY KIRSTEN FAURIE EDITOR@MORAMINN.COM
“Why Braham?” It’s a question Lauren Kiesz hears often, to which she replies, “Because this was absolutely the best place for us to be.” Lauren (age 34), her husband Chris Kiesz (35) and their three young daughters Olivia (8), Audrey (5) and Nora (2) packed up and moved from their home in California to a strange and distant land by the name of “Braham.” BOLD BEGINNINGS Neither Chris nor Lauren had farmed before. They were both born and raised in the city of Woodland, California, in Yolo County. The city has roots in agriculture and a population of about 55,000 — a size the couple considered “small-ish.” Lauren worked as a teacher and Chris worked in construction. They owned a home, had their daughters and good jobs. But Lauren recalled some things just didn’t seem right — as if some part of their life was unfulfilled. They discussed changing careers or going back to school. Then, one evening Chris shared something he had never shared with Lauren before: “I’ve never said this to anyone out loud,” he said “...but I have always wanted to be a farmer.” Over time, what first seemed like a wild-idea eventually became a plan for a grass-based farm where they would raise pastured poultry, pork and grass-fed beef. California land prices stood in the way. Knowing they would have to move to afford a farm, the Kiesz decided their new farm would do best in the mid-west —preferably within a 1.5 hour drive from a major airport. Circles were drawn on maps surrounding Des Moines, Milwaukee and Minneapolis/ St. Paul. After touring seven farms across three states within three days, the couple fell in love with Braham. “Minnesota nice is a real thing,” said Lauren. The Kiesz purchased their new 80-acre farm in September 2017. After living there only a few months, Lauren said the Braham community had been incredibly welcoming.
KIRSTEN FAURIE | TIMES
The Kiesz stand with the yellow hutch that became the namesake of their farm and life in Braham.
‘We are just so happy to be here It has been such a blessing.’ Lauren Kiesz They were able to purchase their Braham home and farm for approximately $400,000; they estimated similar property in California could have cost as much as $2.5 million. UNCERTAINTY OF THE YELLOW HUTCH Friends and family told them their plan to move to a new town was ill-advised for a variety of reasons: It snows — a lot. It’s far away. It’s new. It’s uncertain. You might not like it, then what? It was a big risk. When the Kiesz moved into their new home, they brought their great-great-aunt’s hutch with them. Lauren decided she wanted to paint it yellow; Chris doubted her decision, telling her she might not like it. She painted it anyway and loved it — just
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The Kiesz daughters explore their new farm and new life in rural Braham.
like the Kiesz have loved their decision to begin farming in Braham The yellow hutch became a whimsical symbol of their decision to move to the farm: even though others may have
doubted the plan, they ended up overjoyed with the choice they made. They decided to name their farm, “Yellow Hutch Farm.” Lauren said California had gotten expensive, crowded and
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A GROWING FARM One year since they purchased the farm, Yellow Hutch Farm consistently sells out of their fresh chicken at the Cambridge Farmers Market. The farm recently held an open house and is taking orders for fall beef while making plans to sell pork in the 2019 season. Chris lamented over the current state of some large enterprises that he said lead to debt-laden farmers and impoverished land. When he learned about a grass-based system of farming, “it really spoke to me,” he said. Chris touted grass-based farming as a low-input system of farming that produces a premium product that some consumers are willing to pay premium prices for. “If we do our job properly, we will be able to support our family on an 80-acre farm and contribute to the rural economy,” he said. “It’s an integrity product and we want to be a resource for the community.” Lauren said grass-raised animals create a better quality meat; she was proud knowing it provided a full life for the animals themselves. “The animals here will have one bad day,” she said. Their farm gives them a good life, raised with space to graze and exercise. At the end of their life, the animals are sent to “freezer camp.” As the farm gets underway, Lauren has occasionally worked as a substitute teacher and hopes to earn a permanent teaching position in a nearby school district in the future. “We are just so happy to be here,” Lauren said. “It has been such a blessing.” For more information about the farm, their products and the family’s transition to Minnesota, visit www.yellowhutchfarm.com. Yellow Hutch Farm is located at 1341 Quail Street, Braham, MN 55006. The Kiesz can be reached at 320-496-9154.
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11
SARA ANDERSON | BRAHAM JOURNAL
Wayne Seiberlich shows off his empty pie tin as he wins the pie eating contest—adult division. The win was enough to earn a kiss from his wife, Ryan.
Pie Day Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 Rainy skies couldn’t dampen local enthusiasm for the Braham’s annual Pie Day celebrations. The event attracts thousands of visitors to downtown Braham for music, dancing, car show, contests, craft vendors, polka, prizes, auctions and of course — lots and lots of homemade pie.
JUDY HEGSTROM | BRAHAM JOURNAL
In His Steps Ballet performs on stage.
JUDY HEGSTROM | BRAHAM JOURNAL
Kori Olson, 1st prize winner in Children’s division. Shown with judge Rose McGee.
SARA ANDERSON | BRAHAM JOURNAL
Car show entries line the streets, offering interest for auto lovers.
JUDY HEGSTROM | BRAHAM JOURNAL
Seth Zeltinger and his beverage serving helpers.
Your Own Newspaper is Here! BRAHAM
JUDY HEGSTROM | BRAHAM JOURNAL
Little Miss Braham Ayla Edwards and Ambassador Maddy Kreyer didn’t win the pie eating contest but had fun.
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BRAHAM JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
Swatting skeeters counts as aerobics in Minnesota THE GUY FROM JUST DOWN THE ROAD My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. My yard is filled with attack mosquitoes. I try to take down two of them for each one that bites me. Swatting skeeters is Minnesota aerobics. Still Bill gets winded while getting a haircut. He’s a little overweight. It’s probably the result of eating all those raccoon livers when he was a boy. His annual physical includes a parallel parking test. He and Pop play cribbage each day. They play cribAl’s World bage because Pop isn’t on Facebook. The closest he comes is when he falls Al Batt asleep face down on one of those mystery novels he likes. Without Faceb k tto keep k book up with family members, he is forced to use a police scanner to do that. If you ask Pop how his family is, he replies, ‘Well, no one is in jail.’”
because of their pale color. Cicadas sang. In ancient Greek myth, Tithonus turned into a cicada after being granted immortality, but not eternal youth by Zeus. It was bird-melting hot. A robin made a small sound of the first bird to see the sun. The only bird singing was an indigo bunting. The mnemonic device used to remember the bunting’s song goes like this: “Sweet, sweet, chew, chew, see-it, see-it” or like this: “Fire, fire. Where, where? Here, Here. Put-it-out, put-it-out.” The neighbors’ lawn bloomed in turkey hens and poults. When poults are about three weeks old, several family groups may merge to form a flock.
I happened upon a common milkweed plant that had survived the mowing of a roadside. The plant had a monarch caterpillar on it. One milkweed makes a difference. Honeybees are fond of the fragrant milkweed blossoms and the plants provide a good nectar flow. THANKS FOR STOPPING BY “When eating a fruit, think of the person who planted the tree.” —Vietnamese proverb AL BATT is a syndicated columnist. For questions or comments about this article, contact Al at allenbatt@msn.com.
Fall is Time to Clean up Your Cars & Pets!
S ’ E K MI
ODS
NATURALLY The weather had been unseasonably something or another. I knew that because the weather is always unseasonable. The night had brought sounds with it. Fireflies lit the way for buzzing mosquitoes working the graveyard shift. I enjoyed the sounds of katydids singing, “Katy did. Katy didn’t.” Snowy tree crickets chirped “tree, tree, tree” in a way that the temperature could be estimated. Count the number of songs in 13 seconds and add 40 to yield the temperature. It’s “snowy”
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