Membership Sideblog
- The Marcus Welby of law, by Lance Heisler | Lampe Law Group
July 31, 2010 | 7:45 pmGrowing up in North Dakota during the 50s and 60s, I was privileged to experience something that's all too rare now - the old-fashioned family doctor. "Doc" delivered babies, set broken bones, treated pneumonia, and helped Grandpa with his newfangled hearing aid. Doc knew the community, the families, and the individuals whose basic medical needs he treated from birth through the end of life. Some of you who grew up in that time, and perhaps in smaller communities, may remember a Doc of your own. . . . → Read More: The Marcus Welby of law, by Lance Heisler | Lampe Law Group
- Kitty Mania at the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
July 28, 2010 | 10:51 pm
Let’s talk about cats, cats and more cats! Why?? Because Prairie’s Edge Humane Society is full of cats and we have many more arriving daily. As of today, there are 44 cats on the adoption floor with more awaiting their surgeries so they are ready for adoption. There are cats in every corner of the shelter who need homes! We are in desperate need of homes for these cats. We cannot emphasize this enough. So we are having a cat sale and we are calling it Kitty Mania ! Kitty Mania is this weekend, beginning Thursday, July . . . → Read More: Kitty Mania at the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
- On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift
July 12, 2010 | 11:50 am
The free market does many things well, but we know it does not do everything. Even market fundamentalists concede that the public must build roads, put out fires, police streets, and provide national defense. Most people, at least those to the left of the Tea Party edge of political spectrum, accept that the government must also be involved in education, disaster relief, and health care. That is, certain services must be rendered — necessary services, universal services — whether or not those services are financially profitable. If your house is on fire, you do not have time to . . . → Read More: On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift
- Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance, by Dan Bergeson
July 12, 2010 | 10:56 am
Okay, so most of the news about the Vintage Band Festival so far has been about the bands. But there’s a number of other events during the weekend. Like the VBF Contra Dance, for instance. The Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance will feature music by The Dodworth Saxhorn Band of Ann Arbor, Michigan and will be led by dance instructor/caller Robin Nelson. Dancing will begin at 8:30 p.m. with a “Grand March” led by 60 costumed members of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry Brigade, followed by a variety of period dances including polkas, contra dances, schottisches, reels and waltzes. . . . → Read More: Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance, by Dan Bergeson
- The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome, by Tom Swift
June 27, 2010 | 8:00 am
Even before I read the first word of this article I had a visceral reaction to it. The accompanying photographs — my eyes tend to skip over photographs in magazines — affected me in a manner that is difficult to articulate. I knew, immediately I knew, I was not going to like what I was about to read. In fact, for that reason I put the piece aside. Not now, I thought. Maybe tomorrow, I said to myself. But, then, I couldn’t not read it, either. If you have not done so already, I hope you will read . . . → Read More: The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome, by Tom Swift
- Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Kathy Jasnoch
June 27, 2010 | 7:54 am
June may be Adopt A Cat month here at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society and we have lots of wonderful cats, but we also have PUPPIES! We have a male Newfoundland mix named Chong who is 6 months old, he was a stray so we don’t know a lot about him. He loves to play! We also have three Australian Cattle Dog mixes who are two months old. Marcia, Bobby and Cindy were born at the shelter and spent some time in one of our fabulous foster homes. They are now back at the shelter and ready to find . . . → Read More: Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Kathy Jasnoch
- Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl
June 23, 2010 | 9:35 pm
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay for Life, teams of people camp out at local parks or fairgrounds and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events. Relay for Life of Rice . . . → Read More: Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl
- Critter Cam live from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
June 16, 2010 | 9:04 amNow Showing! Live Kittens playing! You can now watch our adoptable animals at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society (PEHS) live 24/7 on the new Critter Cam installed in conjunction with KYMN Radio. Thanks to the fine folks at KYMN radio we now have a live feed of our adoptable animals showing on our website and KYMN’s website, Tim and Jeff are AWESOME! Currently the Critter Cam is featuring kittens available for adoption. Watch them play, sleep, eat, and everything else they do 24 hours a day 7 days a week! It’s better than anything you can see on TV! . . . → Read More: Critter Cam live from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
- Save the Northfield Depot: fundraising help needed. By Lynn Vincent
June 11, 2010 | 11:34 am
A BIG Thanks to all of you who came to last Monday’s Volunteer Organization Meeting, and to those who contacted us saying you wanted to help but could not make the meeting. We have pretty full support for Communications and Design and Build sub-committees, and we got a web graphic designer to help with the site. Alice Thomas is facilitating the Communications group, and Steve Edwins is facilitating the Design and Build group. What we are missing and really need are Fund Raising people. We have two grant writiers, but we need folks who are committed to the . . . → Read More: Save the Northfield Depot: fundraising help needed. By Lynn Vincent
- Photo albums: 2010 Prairie’s Edge Humane Society Walk for the Animals, by Bridgette Hallcock Photography
June 11, 2010 | 8:09 am
Thank you to all of those who came to Alexander Park on a beautiful Saturday morning in May to help support Prairie’s Edge Humane Society! I have placed all of the fun photographs on my Bridgette Hallcock Photography Facebook page so that everyone can see how much fun we had! See the two 2010 Walk for the Animals albums here and here. If you would like a print, please contact me, as the proceeds will benefit the animals at PEHS.
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Remembering: Bob Jacobsen and Jacobsen’s Department Store
By Griff Wigley, on September 12, 2007, 7:19 am
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but I’d have a hard time during the sabbatical not paying attention to see if that was actually the case. I think the more places in Northfield...
Hey Griff, you forgot to post the memorial service details above! From the Northfield News:
Thx, Carol. I did link to that in the earlier comment thread but it’s good to have it again.
Two years ago, I posted a mention of a letter that I’d gotten from Bob on an issue of importance to downtown: http://nddc.org/weblog/post/159/
I truly appreciated that he always kept his eyes open in looking out for us.
Last week, I got a call from a retired downtown business owner who felt that this generation of business owners wasn’t paying enough attention to sidewalk cleanliness. I was talking with Dave Shumway, King of the Downtown Sidewalk Sweepers, about this matter and we both remembered Bob sweeping his sidewalk every morning, greeting people and setting the standard.
Heck, the guy not only swept his sidewalk, on Sunday afternoons, he’d weed and clean the public parking lot behind his building. When I’d wave to him, he’d shout “Don’t you think that City should be doing this?”. Yeah Bob, ever since you retired, it hasn’t looked as good.
My strongest memory of Bob is personal. One time, many years ago, I ran downtown to pick up some items off of a shopping list for Jacobsen’s. I was no more than two steps in the door when Bob shouted from across the store, so that I and the dozen or so other shoppers could clearly hear, “Your wife just called to remind you that you need new underwear”.
Thanks Ross, great chortle! That is SO Bob!
Bob – what a guy! I recall, when planing the move to Northfield back in ‘94/’95… a friend – chef in a cafe in Linden Hills who had grown up on the outskirts of Northfield and still had family ties here, asked if I’d met Bob yet. With a snort and a roll of my critical eyes I basically allowed that I had… and what a character… Little did I know.
Jeff , the Chef, proceeded to tell me of his visits as a young lad to the store with his mother, to purchase blue Jeans… and Bob being the consumers friend… would pour him into a bigger sized pair so that he’d “grow into them” and then proudly displaying the boy to his mother for approval… would gather the excess waistband in a bundle at the rear of the belt line and snug-up the fit so all looked well. Jeff received his first wedgie at the hands of the friendly haberdasher… and of course, wondered around Northfield for a few months with sagging blue jeans… but mom and Bob were happy.
I started off with bob on the left foot, as he was the Chair of the Hwy. 3 Center Section Redesign Committee… devotedly opposed to the MN Dot takeover… but relentlessly polite and protective of those carpetbaggers, and demanded respect for them.. A self anointed parliamentarian, Bob ruled with a friendly but iron hand. I was new and brash back then (hoot hoot!) and began attending meetings with some other rabble… Keith Harrison, Art White, and a few others… with really good ideas and the need to engage MNDot… and assumed, as these were public meetings, taking public comment, ours were welcome. Well they were, but with measured acceptance… and being the newest and the most untested, Bob usually looked and listen to my involvement with critical concern and an eye on the clock. Ultimately, we came around and grew to become good friends. He even invited me to attend those 6:30 A M breakfast club meetings… with uncooked instant oatmeal at the happy Chef… and introduced me around. Relationships began to blossom.
It was about then that Kiffi started shopping at the store with a heart more… and it took Bob only a few visits until he linked her with me… and proceeded to refer to her as Mrs. Victor. Not a good idea… and Kiffi in a good natured way explained the protocol to Bob… who promptly changed his ways and started referring to me as Mr. Kiffi.
He was a joy to jaw with… in the store or at “tea” and I think more than once my antics at City Hall or about City process brought both approval and a good laugh to his day. I’m sure almost everyone in town has silently said to his or her self over the past few days… I wish I had made more effort to seek him out in his retirement. I know I have.
Talking about Bob I’d really be remiss if I didn’t say how wonderful Elaine was – as an influence and silent bulwark for her Bob’s antics. For many months, when I’d walk-in… she was just there working in the store unassuming but always warm. It must have been quite an experience for her to stand on the sidelines for years… taking a major rollin the game’s outcome – but almost like player with no number on her jersey. From the window in Hogan’s sitting around the table having tea, I recall often Elaine’s emerging from Quality Bakery across the street, were she go for her break… only occasionally stopping by the men’s table with a message for Bob.
I guess the real struggle for Elaine was when Bob became handicapped with his leg problems… and she’d spend a lot of time both at Mayo with Bob… and all other time at the store.
I’m so happy that I came to the town with the store with a heart in time to experience their gifts… to each other and all of us. It is truly sad that they have both gone now. I’ll bet Elaine’s been waiting… silently waiting.
I’m sure when Sara called to tell Ross he needed undies… Bob, sitting on the check out counter near the phone, answered using his strong voice of commerce: THIS IS BOB!
On the other hand… Perhaps Sara never called. Bob might have made the call up and sold some undies. Boxers or briefs?
vs
Strib obit: Customers were Bob Jacobsen’s No. 1 concern