Late May in Ironwood

Graduations are taking place throughout Ironwood County schools. Maple Valley and Hillcrest High Schools have the largest classes at 124 and 98 respectively. In neighboring Dodge County, Triton High School require that their seniors finish presentations on their individual projects before graduating. Though teachers in Ironwood County laud Triton for this excellent educational process, administrators in Maple Valley and Hillcrest fail to grasp the vision for educational improvement.

In other Ironwood County news, the early warm weather and heavy rains have turned plants, gardens, and trees into a lush vision suitable for Country magazine. However, the boys at Bill's Café worry that this much rain means drought later in the summer. "It's the law of averages," most say.

Apple trees budding already

The strange non-winter in Ironwood County has slid into an early spring. Some over at Bill's Café believe we'll have a wet April, some a dry, and a few think we'll yet have a wet, heavy snow before we see summer.

The apple trees are also showing signs of life early. Coddling moths will be out in force, along with other insects such as apple maggots. Local author John Schreiber swears by the old farmers' coddling moth trap: a banana peel, a cup of sugar, and a cup of apple vinegar poured into a gallon milk jug and filled with water. Hang it from the tree and you'll get rid of coddling moths. He's experimented with a half-recipe and a half-gallon and says it works just as well. He also says the best thing for apple maggots are "footies" or apple maggot barriers. Combining the traps and the footies ensures completely organic and quality apples.

Vikings are always a gamble!

The boys at Bills Café were puzzled by the Minnesota Legislature--again. "Why would conservative Republicans want to expand gambling?" Bill asked as he brought over the coffee. "That ain't conservative. I remember in the old days when people got arrested for running a poker game. Conservative means you don't do something new."

"Times 're changing, Bill," George Wilson answered. "Conservative isn't the issue any more. It's all about not raising taxes."

"But who are you getting to gamble?" Bill replied. "It's not the rich who'll be losing that money. It'll be the people who can least afford it."

George just smiled. "Now you understand."

Ironwood County enters new year

Ironwood County remains calm after the holidays. Most residents are discouraged with the weak winter--those same people are the ones who complained about last year's interminable winter.

Unlike citizens in Iowa or New Hampshire, no one in Ironwood County has been particularly excited about any of the Republicans. Or any Democrat for that matter. Most wish that politicians would quit worrying about holding their jobs and focus on strengthening the infrastructure of the country--and all that entails.

Local author John Schreiber's internet sales of his books continue strong--especially "Life on the Fly" and "Heartstone," and, at the same time, he has received good reviews lately for his overlooked "Passing Through Paradise." Asked if he was planning a sequel on either "Life" or "Heartstone," his cryptic reply was "Yes."

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?

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.

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.