Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thanksgiving in Ironwood
Thanksgiving was first celebrated in 1621, one year after the Puritans landed, one year after losing about 50% during the previous winter. Yet they gave thanks in the face of another winter. Would modern Americans, who have known plenty, give thanks in similar circumstances?
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
More news about "Occupy Minnesota"
The boys at Bill's Café are closely following the protests in Minneapolis. They hope some of those protesters would come down to Ironwood County and occupy the Hillcrest courthouse lawn. Bill in particular is wondering how he could entice a busload or two. Everyone figures it would be great for local businesses. After all, the news says it's costing the Cities a lot of money, and that money's creating jobs. And those Occupy Minnesota people need to eat and need to buy supplies. That's even better for the local economy.
"Just think of the meals I could cook," Bill said. "I could even name them special. The protester's pie. Main Street meatballs. Wall Street walleye--naw, that'd be too good for them crooks. Maybe Wall Street wieners."
In other news, local author John Schreiber's books are now available in various ebook formats.
"What's an ebook?" Bill asked.
"Just think of the meals I could cook," Bill said. "I could even name them special. The protester's pie. Main Street meatballs. Wall Street walleye--naw, that'd be too good for them crooks. Maybe Wall Street wieners."
In other news, local author John Schreiber's books are now available in various ebook formats.
"What's an ebook?" Bill asked.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Ironwood's Take on "Occupy Wall Street"
The Boys at Bill's Café have been talking a lot about the Wall Street demonstrations and now the Occupy Minnesota demonstrations. Most of them wonder what's taken the unemployed so long to do this.
"It was only a matter of time," Bill commented (and Bill rarely comments). "Taxpayers bail out the banks and Wall Street, the Money Guys then post record earnings, don't add American jobs, pay their CEO's high bonuses--what do you expect? That the unemployed will sit back and vote for tax breaks for the rich?"
Jack Kiln, teacher at Hillcrest, making a rare appearance at the Café, joined in. "It's classic history," he said. "If you don't actively build up the middle class, the poor will rise up. France, Russia, Iran, pick your country, pick your century."
In other news, on the artistic side, "Heartstone Under the Shadow" as well as most of local author John Schreiber's books are now available internationally--not only through Amazon.uk, but now Amazon Germany and Amazon France. The local paper says he has a book signing in Rochester on October 15 from 1 to 3 at the Christian Book and Gift Shop. Few of the Boys will go. Most have never been in a book store in their lives, but, then again, most Americans haven't either.
"It was only a matter of time," Bill commented (and Bill rarely comments). "Taxpayers bail out the banks and Wall Street, the Money Guys then post record earnings, don't add American jobs, pay their CEO's high bonuses--what do you expect? That the unemployed will sit back and vote for tax breaks for the rich?"
Jack Kiln, teacher at Hillcrest, making a rare appearance at the Café, joined in. "It's classic history," he said. "If you don't actively build up the middle class, the poor will rise up. France, Russia, Iran, pick your country, pick your century."
In other news, on the artistic side, "Heartstone Under the Shadow" as well as most of local author John Schreiber's books are now available internationally--not only through Amazon.uk, but now Amazon Germany and Amazon France. The local paper says he has a book signing in Rochester on October 15 from 1 to 3 at the Christian Book and Gift Shop. Few of the Boys will go. Most have never been in a book store in their lives, but, then again, most Americans haven't either.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Class Warfare in Ironwood County
The Boys at Bill's Diner are debating what the Republicans mean by all their talk about "class warfare." George thought they were talking about the juniors and seniors who are planning pranks against each other for next week's homecoming game at Maple Valley. Bill replied, "No, that ain't it at all, George. They're talkin' about the poor goin' after the rich and taxin' them at a higher rate."
"That ain't class warfare," George replied. "That's just class fairness. Don't the rich already benefit from our economic system far more than the poor and middle class?"
The rest of the Boys had to agree. They're not sure why the Republicans are so bent on self-destruction. They know that the big money players will continue to fund anyone in Congress that will keep their money flowing, but at some point Main Street America is going to wake up and see that the rich don't create jobs, businesses do.
"So why don't we give a tax break to companies based on how many Americans they employ on American soil?" George asked. "Penalize those who use phony headquarters overseas?"
Again, the Boys had to agree. They urged George to run for Congress. "Sorry," he said. "You know Mary hates it when a job forces me to walk through [manure]."
"That ain't class warfare," George replied. "That's just class fairness. Don't the rich already benefit from our economic system far more than the poor and middle class?"
The rest of the Boys had to agree. They're not sure why the Republicans are so bent on self-destruction. They know that the big money players will continue to fund anyone in Congress that will keep their money flowing, but at some point Main Street America is going to wake up and see that the rich don't create jobs, businesses do.
"So why don't we give a tax break to companies based on how many Americans they employ on American soil?" George asked. "Penalize those who use phony headquarters overseas?"
Again, the Boys had to agree. They urged George to run for Congress. "Sorry," he said. "You know Mary hates it when a job forces me to walk through [manure]."
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Dry weather in Ironwood County continues; school starts
The Boys at Bill's Diner at now officially complaining about the dry weather. The corn crop isn't filling out as it should with this fall drought and will result in lower yields. Of course, the crop is still great when compared to other parts of the U.S. that have experienced droughts all summer.
Now some of you might be wondering what "officially" complaining means. Complaining is a regular occurrence with the Boys--Congress, the weather, the Vikings, the weather, taxes, the weather, pot holes--you get the idea. To "officially" complain means that they are serious. The Boys are worried.
In education, the Ironwood schools seem to be doing fine. What that means is that they didn't have to make further cuts. Of course, parents are paying more fees for everything that used to be included in a "free education." Sports and other extra-curricular activities were once considered a vital part of a Minnesota education. No longer. Now it's an after school option that parents must pay for if they want their child to participate.
One must wonder how many children over the years were saved by being on the basketball team or helping on a stage crew. They never knew that they would like it, or even be good at it, until they tried. Some just felt part of something special if they could sit on the bench. Now they have to pay to do that.
Minnesota's pot holes aren't just showing up on the highways.
Now some of you might be wondering what "officially" complaining means. Complaining is a regular occurrence with the Boys--Congress, the weather, the Vikings, the weather, taxes, the weather, pot holes--you get the idea. To "officially" complain means that they are serious. The Boys are worried.
In education, the Ironwood schools seem to be doing fine. What that means is that they didn't have to make further cuts. Of course, parents are paying more fees for everything that used to be included in a "free education." Sports and other extra-curricular activities were once considered a vital part of a Minnesota education. No longer. Now it's an after school option that parents must pay for if they want their child to participate.
One must wonder how many children over the years were saved by being on the basketball team or helping on a stage crew. They never knew that they would like it, or even be good at it, until they tried. Some just felt part of something special if they could sit on the bench. Now they have to pay to do that.
Minnesota's pot holes aren't just showing up on the highways.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Corn and books are growing in Ironwood County
As the sweet corn ripens across the county, so do the publishing endeavors of Ironwood County's favorite and best-selling author, John Schreiber. His publisher is bringing out Hillcrest Journal, Tales from 2 A.M., and Passing Through Paradise in eBook format. Of course, those at Bill's Diner don't know what that means, but then they don't read his books anyway.
That's up to the patrons of the local libraries. Miss Agatha, as the children call her, is still adamant in her opposition to his books, calling them immoral and destructive to the local towns. However, she has acquiesced slightly and modified her views because of the business his books have brought to her library in Hillcrest.
What of Schreiber's other books--Life on the Fly and Heartstone? Those are already available for the Kindle (again, the boys at Bill's asked "What?") and may at a later date be converted into the format that will work with BN's Nook. (Bill's boys: "Who?")
According to Schreiber's Facebook-book page, his next epic fantasy, Heartstone: Under the Shadow, will soon be available in both paperback and ebook formats.
That's up to the patrons of the local libraries. Miss Agatha, as the children call her, is still adamant in her opposition to his books, calling them immoral and destructive to the local towns. However, she has acquiesced slightly and modified her views because of the business his books have brought to her library in Hillcrest.
What of Schreiber's other books--Life on the Fly and Heartstone? Those are already available for the Kindle (again, the boys at Bill's asked "What?") and may at a later date be converted into the format that will work with BN's Nook. (Bill's boys: "Who?")
According to Schreiber's Facebook-book page, his next epic fantasy, Heartstone: Under the Shadow, will soon be available in both paperback and ebook formats.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Republicans continue to puzzle those at Bill's Diner
Talk at the Bill's Diner in Hillcrest continues to center around Minnesota's government shutdown. Hillcrest patrons are puzzled most by Minnesota's Republican legislature. Here is a recap of the morning's discussion.
Bill Orland, retired local lawyer, weighed into the discussion. As someone who once advised teachers when they negotiated with school boards, he said that there are four things negotiators always do: make your position and reasons clear; show the other side how your position helps everyone; never stake out a position from which you cannot move; and compromise if you make the other side move closer to your position. That sort of compromise is a victory.
Bob Swanson, local car dealer and real estate agent, who has never sided with Orland or teachers in any local negotiation, agreed with Orland--to the surprise of all those at the cafe. The board, he said, like the Governor, always holds the trump cards in any negotiations, and the Legislature was stupid not to realize it.
Orland added that in the future the Republican legislature may learn what teachers are up against. You can argue ideology all you want, but when it comes time to settle, you either accept the best compromise you can or you go on strike, and a strike means that everyone loses--teachers most of all.
Bob Swanson agreed again. Only this time the losers are the residents of Minnesota.
Bill Orland, retired local lawyer, weighed into the discussion. As someone who once advised teachers when they negotiated with school boards, he said that there are four things negotiators always do: make your position and reasons clear; show the other side how your position helps everyone; never stake out a position from which you cannot move; and compromise if you make the other side move closer to your position. That sort of compromise is a victory.
Bob Swanson, local car dealer and real estate agent, who has never sided with Orland or teachers in any local negotiation, agreed with Orland--to the surprise of all those at the cafe. The board, he said, like the Governor, always holds the trump cards in any negotiations, and the Legislature was stupid not to realize it.
Orland added that in the future the Republican legislature may learn what teachers are up against. You can argue ideology all you want, but when it comes time to settle, you either accept the best compromise you can or you go on strike, and a strike means that everyone loses--teachers most of all.
Bob Swanson agreed again. Only this time the losers are the residents of Minnesota.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Ironwood County July news
Things remain quiet after the July Fourth holiday. People seem settled into their summer routines. Talk at the local diner centers around the bull-headed Republican legislature that can't negotiate its way out of a doorless bathroom in Apache Mall.
There was some talk about Schreiber's new YouTube video promoting his new book coming in the fall. Not that anyone in the diner had seen it, but they'd heard about it. Not that anyone in the diner had read his books, but they'd heard about it. In fact, not anyone in the diner had read any books since high school. That's about par with the rest of Ironwood County.
There was some talk about Schreiber's new YouTube video promoting his new book coming in the fall. Not that anyone in the diner had seen it, but they'd heard about it. Not that anyone in the diner had read his books, but they'd heard about it. In fact, not anyone in the diner had read any books since high school. That's about par with the rest of Ironwood County.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Summer in Ironwood County
Mid-June . . . in Ironwood County, Minnesota, the days alternate between thunderstorms and sun-filled, cooler afternoons with the promise of July's oppressive humidity around the corner.
And speaking of July, the legislature and Governor in Saint Paul still cannot learn the art of compromise. Here in Ironwood, we'd like to throw them all out and start over. So far the Governor has a few points in his favor--he has proven that he is wiling to compromise, but the legislature, dominated by hide-bound, ideologically-driven "no taxes for any reason" politicians, appears unrealistic.
Once the tourism dries up because state services disappear and the media starts shining its spotlight on hurting people, the legislature will look progressively regressive.
And speaking of July, the legislature and Governor in Saint Paul still cannot learn the art of compromise. Here in Ironwood, we'd like to throw them all out and start over. So far the Governor has a few points in his favor--he has proven that he is wiling to compromise, but the legislature, dominated by hide-bound, ideologically-driven "no taxes for any reason" politicians, appears unrealistic.
Once the tourism dries up because state services disappear and the media starts shining its spotlight on hurting people, the legislature will look progressively regressive.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Daily Life in Ironwood County
Life continues pretty much as it has the last ten years in Ironwood County. Some people struggle to find jobs and some that have them wish they worked somewhere else. Talk at the coffee shop revolves around oil prices once again. One diner read a section from the paper regarding subsidies of Big Oil:
“Why are we harming an industry — five large oil and gas companies that work internationally, that employ 9.2 million people in the United States directly?” asked Senator Mary L. Landrieu, Democrat of Louisiana. “Why are we doing it?”
The bigger question is "Why does the U.S. taxpayer subsidize an industry that doesn't need subsidies?"
“Why are we harming an industry — five large oil and gas companies that work internationally, that employ 9.2 million people in the United States directly?” asked Senator Mary L. Landrieu, Democrat of Louisiana. “Why are we doing it?”
The bigger question is "Why does the U.S. taxpayer subsidize an industry that doesn't need subsidies?"
Monday, April 25, 2011
World of Ebooks
As some of you know, Passing Through Paradise and Heartstone are both available as ebooks at Amazon for a small fee (unlike the cheaply written freebies available there). However, for those of you who only want free but also want literary classics, check out this site. It has many of the best of the public domain.
http://www.planetebook.com/
Happy reading.
http://www.planetebook.com/
Happy reading.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Spring comes to County
The spring musical went well--another example how, when students really put their best efforts into something, they can work together to create something of high quality.
I tried to "decompress" a bit and worked on the online class. I developed an experimental video/podcast. I posted it to YouTube (but only viewable if you know the link); I think students would love to create things like this and it has great potential for instruction. At the same time, for a teacher, it takes quite a bit of time to create one. I'm looking forward to trying this method with a lesson that is actually substantial.
Best wishes to anyone who reads this . . . and if you're looking for a good spring or summertime read, check out my novels. The sequel to "Heartstone" is still on track to appear late this fall.
I tried to "decompress" a bit and worked on the online class. I developed an experimental video/podcast. I posted it to YouTube (but only viewable if you know the link); I think students would love to create things like this and it has great potential for instruction. At the same time, for a teacher, it takes quite a bit of time to create one. I'm looking forward to trying this method with a lesson that is actually substantial.
Best wishes to anyone who reads this . . . and if you're looking for a good spring or summertime read, check out my novels. The sequel to "Heartstone" is still on track to appear late this fall.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Musical underway . . . next novel on hold . . . insanity in Saint Paul
The first performance of "Annie" went well by Triton standards, which is to say, by other high school standards, exemplary. The cast should be pleased and ready for the Thurs - Saturday run.
As for the "Heartstone" sequel . . . it's been put on the back burner; however, I still think it will be out by late fall.
Too bad things don't look as good in Saint Paul. I think that we should step aside and let the "reformers" have a go at their educational solutions, but let's have them go farther. Instead of using test scores to evaluate teachers at 50% (whatever that means), make it 100%. That will help you see the strength of their logic.
Now the fun begins. Think about their dream future. My job and salary is now dependent on test scores. In order for this to be fair, the school will need to develop a test for every course. Okay, that can be done at great tax-payer expense; after the five years to develop those tests (are they gender-fair? racially-neutral?), my class sizes must now be identical to anyone else I'm going to be compared to, otherwise you know I'm going to find a lawyer and sue because my working conditions are discriminatory. (Or will the all-wise state develop some formula to adjust for the fact that I'm teaching 30 students but my colleague has 26?) Of course, to be fair we must have an equal number of special education students, equal number of limited English proficiency, and equal ratio of male to females in each classroom.
To be valid, the testing will need to be administered by outside proctors. More tax dollars down the drain. (Can anyone say "Profiles of Learning"?)
And, of course, for this to be a valid test, it must be a high-stakes test for the students as well--otherwise I can claim that they were tired from the basketball game in Winona the night before. So, to make it high-stakes, students must receive valuable credit for passing the test (perhaps failing the class if they fail the test?). Now what happens if they do fail--clearly I'm out of a job, but these students are out of a credit. Will parents want their students to repeat the course? Clearly they will want their students to know the material and insist that they retake the class after the school fires me. Or will they turn their ire upon the school itself?
By now you can see that the devil is in the details, and these details show that the true devil lies in St. Paul where people who know nothing about education are seeking to pass laws to improve education.
This does not even bring up the fact that the state will want to compare teachers across districts with different demographics. Then even more lawyers will be needed.
Hm . . . perhaps that's they are thinking all along. Once they get booted out of office, they have years of litigation to occupy their time and pad their checkbooks.
As for the "Heartstone" sequel . . . it's been put on the back burner; however, I still think it will be out by late fall.
Too bad things don't look as good in Saint Paul. I think that we should step aside and let the "reformers" have a go at their educational solutions, but let's have them go farther. Instead of using test scores to evaluate teachers at 50% (whatever that means), make it 100%. That will help you see the strength of their logic.
Now the fun begins. Think about their dream future. My job and salary is now dependent on test scores. In order for this to be fair, the school will need to develop a test for every course. Okay, that can be done at great tax-payer expense; after the five years to develop those tests (are they gender-fair? racially-neutral?), my class sizes must now be identical to anyone else I'm going to be compared to, otherwise you know I'm going to find a lawyer and sue because my working conditions are discriminatory. (Or will the all-wise state develop some formula to adjust for the fact that I'm teaching 30 students but my colleague has 26?) Of course, to be fair we must have an equal number of special education students, equal number of limited English proficiency, and equal ratio of male to females in each classroom.
To be valid, the testing will need to be administered by outside proctors. More tax dollars down the drain. (Can anyone say "Profiles of Learning"?)
And, of course, for this to be a valid test, it must be a high-stakes test for the students as well--otherwise I can claim that they were tired from the basketball game in Winona the night before. So, to make it high-stakes, students must receive valuable credit for passing the test (perhaps failing the class if they fail the test?). Now what happens if they do fail--clearly I'm out of a job, but these students are out of a credit. Will parents want their students to repeat the course? Clearly they will want their students to know the material and insist that they retake the class after the school fires me. Or will they turn their ire upon the school itself?
By now you can see that the devil is in the details, and these details show that the true devil lies in St. Paul where people who know nothing about education are seeking to pass laws to improve education.
This does not even bring up the fact that the state will want to compare teachers across districts with different demographics. Then even more lawyers will be needed.
Hm . . . perhaps that's they are thinking all along. Once they get booted out of office, they have years of litigation to occupy their time and pad their checkbooks.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ironwood County publishing update
Editing of the Heartstone sequel continues in small increments--a small section here and there in between musical practices. The working title is Heartstone: Under the Shadow.
The Kindle version of Heartstone continues to sell in both the U.S. and U.K. As a special gift to readers who may not be familiar with the Ironwood County Chronicle novels, I've discounted the Kindle version of Passing Through Paradise to $6.95. Unfortunately I have no control over what Amazon (or any other bookseller) charges for the "real books"
For those who would like to follow publication news on Facebook, visit
http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Schreiber-Ironwood-County-Books/166395934472
The Kindle version of Heartstone continues to sell in both the U.S. and U.K. As a special gift to readers who may not be familiar with the Ironwood County Chronicle novels, I've discounted the Kindle version of Passing Through Paradise to $6.95. Unfortunately I have no control over what Amazon (or any other bookseller) charges for the "real books"
For those who would like to follow publication news on Facebook, visit
http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Schreiber-Ironwood-County-Books/166395934472
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Technology continued
I've worked my way through Module 2. Biggest difficulty lay in finding the links! Maybe it's my "Mac" mentality working with a PC template, but I just don't follow the logic of some of the pages and/or links. Fortunately my persistence outweighs my frustration (at least for the present.)
I doubt that I'll be able to keep up this pace with the lessons and/or blogging now that the musical in underway. "Annie" is progressing well but we've also run into some crazy frustrations--the musical went through a "revival" a few years ago so the script I was working with is no longer the script that the students are using.
Now, for anyone wandering here because you want to learn about news from Ironwood County . . .
I worked hard between the one-act and the musical to finish another read-through of the "Heartstone" sequel. Once the musical is over and senior seminar papers are read (at least a few weeks there), I hope to re-read/edit it before it goes to the publisher. So . . . if you haven't read "Heartstone" yet, do so now so that you can be ready for the sequel coming out in the fall. It is also available for the Kindle (along with "Passing Through Paradise"). "Heartstone" has been selling well in the UK as well as the US. For a few weeks it was in their list of Top 100 - selling fantasy Kindle novels in the UK.
I doubt that I'll be able to keep up this pace with the lessons and/or blogging now that the musical in underway. "Annie" is progressing well but we've also run into some crazy frustrations--the musical went through a "revival" a few years ago so the script I was working with is no longer the script that the students are using.
Now, for anyone wandering here because you want to learn about news from Ironwood County . . .
I worked hard between the one-act and the musical to finish another read-through of the "Heartstone" sequel. Once the musical is over and senior seminar papers are read (at least a few weeks there), I hope to re-read/edit it before it goes to the publisher. So . . . if you haven't read "Heartstone" yet, do so now so that you can be ready for the sequel coming out in the fall. It is also available for the Kindle (along with "Passing Through Paradise"). "Heartstone" has been selling well in the UK as well as the US. For a few weeks it was in their list of Top 100 - selling fantasy Kindle novels in the UK.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Beginning with technology (with some Ironwood County news)
educational news from John Schreiber:
I've started this class on online teaching. As a student, I can understand some of the frustrations with technology. I can spend a significant amount of time looking for a link that may or may not be where it's supposed to be (sometimes, I admit, it's user error). Also, I never read well information "on the screen"--I can blame my glasses or just the fact that my eyes are used to the printed page.
At the same time I like some of the things I've discovered--like the Wordle and things like this. Putting this information on a blog isn't new for me since I've used blogging with a class before. I can say that students really enjoy instant blogging back and forth with each other. It is also a way for teachers to get instant feedback to specific questions. I should do this more often with more classes because students certainly are motivated to write in this way.
As far as creating a sense of community, I'm not sure how that can be accomplished as well as in a classroom. I'm not a Ludite, but I do think that posting information is never the same as actually talking face-to-face. It is a challenge, and, from my readings, it is a challenge that many recognize and are trying to solve.
Now, for those who want actual Ironwood County News . . .
Angela Kiln is well into her third year of teaching. Jack, her father, continues to do well in the newly consolidated district. Matt Blake had a winning football season for the first time as a head coach in Hillcrest. Andrew Johanson, the local publisher in Ironwood County, is nearing retirement, and he recently helped local writer John Schreiber to get his supposedly-fictional novel "Passing Through Paradise" on the Kindle. His epic fantasy, "Heartstone" has already been selling well in Kindle form in both the U.S. and the U.K.
I've started this class on online teaching. As a student, I can understand some of the frustrations with technology. I can spend a significant amount of time looking for a link that may or may not be where it's supposed to be (sometimes, I admit, it's user error). Also, I never read well information "on the screen"--I can blame my glasses or just the fact that my eyes are used to the printed page.
At the same time I like some of the things I've discovered--like the Wordle and things like this. Putting this information on a blog isn't new for me since I've used blogging with a class before. I can say that students really enjoy instant blogging back and forth with each other. It is also a way for teachers to get instant feedback to specific questions. I should do this more often with more classes because students certainly are motivated to write in this way.
As far as creating a sense of community, I'm not sure how that can be accomplished as well as in a classroom. I'm not a Ludite, but I do think that posting information is never the same as actually talking face-to-face. It is a challenge, and, from my readings, it is a challenge that many recognize and are trying to solve.
Now, for those who want actual Ironwood County News . . .
Angela Kiln is well into her third year of teaching. Jack, her father, continues to do well in the newly consolidated district. Matt Blake had a winning football season for the first time as a head coach in Hillcrest. Andrew Johanson, the local publisher in Ironwood County, is nearing retirement, and he recently helped local writer John Schreiber to get his supposedly-fictional novel "Passing Through Paradise" on the Kindle. His epic fantasy, "Heartstone" has already been selling well in Kindle form in both the U.S. and the U.K.
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