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.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
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?"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)