Brenton’s tweets and blog posts are personable, often opinionated, and cover many different topics but nearly always linked somehow to Northfield and his life as a husband, dad, rink rat, store manager, part-time preacher, kids baseball coach, and many other roles. He’s an occasional commenter here on LoGro and his blog posts often appear on Northfield Patch.
WCCO News recently aired a Good Question segment about breastfeeding in public as a result of a Texas woman’s nationwide call to for a "nurse-in" at Target stores after she said she was humiliated by Target employees.
The segment reminded me of a blog post I wrote in July 2006 (Pornography yes – Breastfeeding no – Are We Serious?) on the hypocrisy and idiocy of the fact that our nation accepts and promotes the normalcy and legitimacy of pornography, and yet demands nursing mothers sit in dirty bathrooms and closet spaces to feed their infants just so passerby’s aren’t exposed to the slightest embarrassment of having to see a sliver of a breast performing its most natural function.
A simple mantra has guided me through the darkest bouts of autocerebral asphyxiation: You don’t have to believe everything you think. I know, right??
If you are having trouble uploading positive images to your ego satellites, here is a great tactic: Ignore your fucking brain altogether.
It doesn’t mean to lead you in bad directions! It’s just that, unless properly trained, it usually takes into account only your short-term happiness. “Get drunk in the morning!” “Eat 50 Chocodiles” “Instead of working, you could masturbate!”
These are all examples of things that will bring you only microbursts of temporary happiness but could have negative long-term effects. You can simply say to yourself, “I hear what you’re saying, brain, but I choose to ignore you.”
If your brain rages beyond that, you can diffuse it by acknowledging its request and explaining in detail why it could be devastating were you to honor it. Be smarter than your brain.
That’s not only hilarious, it’s psychologically and spiritually brilliant.
Are there therapists in Northfield who would agree? Are there members of Northfield’s clergy who would agree?
Last week I met up with them at GBM because Leslie has just had her middle grade novel, The Howling Vowels, published by the Do Life Right publishing house. Description:
Welcome to Sundog, Minnesota! When homeschooled, Norse-myth-obsessed Alexa Stevens moves from New York City, she doesn’t know what to expect. What is a small town like? Explore a new landscape with Alexa as she observes wolves in the wild and forms a close pack of friends.
Leslie will be doing a reading/book signing on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Northfield Public Library.
And you can buy the book right in downtown Northfield at Monkey See Monkey Read. I stopped by to make sure proprietor Jerry Bilek has the book in stock. Proof:
Northfielder Gene Ganske has been a GBM regular for many years. He and his wife Roberta were treated to a breakfast send-off last week (quiche courtesy of Maggie O’Dell), as they’re departing Northfield for Mankato to be closer to family.
As it turned out, we didn’t even talk religion so violence wasn’t an issue. We kept to non-controversial topics, like politics. We had fun, as you can see. So no worries. Move along now. Nothing to see here.
Today was Abby Benson’s last day at Goodbye Blue Monday where she’s worked for over three years. Proprietors Dan Riggins and Katherine Dominguez along with several of her co-workers gave her a little send-off this morning. The 2011 St. Olaf grad is also known to the Northfield community for her work with STOGROW and the SEEDS Farms (see this Relish.com article about her). She’s heading to Portland, OR for a life of quiet desperation productive and satisfying experience doing who-knows-what.
I know her dad, Marty Benson, from playing racquetball and her mom, Jean Callister-Benson from way back when she worked at the Y in Faribault. As parents, they are reportedly thrilled that they no longer have Abby’s expensive mouth to feed proud that Abby’s launching her life as a full-fledged adult.
Northfielders Jeff and Leanne Stremcha have created a legacy fund in honor of their son Shea who would have turned 26 years old today. This flyer, Honoring Shea Stremcha: a Lasting Legacy (PDF), has the details:
The fund will support community building with emphases on improving financial literacy and support for the arts—goals that were important to Shea. We hope the fund can become a permanent legacy of Shea’s generous spirit.
We would be especially honored to have family and friends consider making contributions to Shea’s Legacy Fund as part of their annual charitable giving as a way to help remember Shea.
Jeff and Leanne also want to make available the text of the eulogy (PDF) delivered by Shea’s brother Jesse.
To help mark the occasion of our beloved Shea’s 26th birthday this Friday, his parents and siblings invite all of Shea’s family and friends to reflect, in some personal way, on how he touched their lives.
To help us remember and honor him, we have decided to publish the eulogy delivered by his brother, Jesse, at Shea’s remembrance and burial service on July 26.
Special thanks for including photos of our friend, Bob Lampe, a soldier who went through hell in WW ll. How many times Lampe told me about the horrors of the Battle of the Bulge. He is in very poor health nowadays, as you know, so it was endearing to see the proud old soldier, one who surely deserves our honor and gratitude.
I confirmed with Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 4393 Commander Bill Murphy that it was Pete Grossman with Bob Lampe in the series of photos. I also spoke with Bob’s son Robbie Lampe and his wife Lynne Lampe who are staying with Bob at his house here in Northfield.
See also the Wikipedia entry on the Battle of the Bulge: "For the Americans, with about 500,000 to 840,000 men committed and some 70,000 to 89,000 casualties, including 19,000 killed,the Battle of the Bulge was the largest and bloodiest battle that they fought in World War II."
I’m trying to find a copy of an article about Bob’s WW II experiences that appeared in a regional publication a couple of years ago. I’ll post it here when I find it.
Former Northfielders (and country singer-songwriters) Johnny Western and Marilyn Sellars came back to their hometown last Sunday night to join the community in a celebration of Maggie Lee’s 90th birthday.
Scott Richardson composed the words to "The Ballad of Maggie Lee," (sung to the tune of Rawhide):
Rolling, Rolling, Rolling Keep those presses rolling Keep those presses rolling Maggie
News and information Your readers are waiting Hungry for what you’ve got to say.
City Council’s steaming School board is dreaming Opinion is what is you try to sway.
Get the news, make it sing, type it up, paste it up Turn the press, hit the street, Maggie Eat a bite, check the mail, pet the cat, get some sleep Back to work Back to work, Maggie
Clicken, clicken, clicken Keep those keyboards clicken Keep those keyboards clicken, Maggie
Always deadlines loomin’ No time for snoozin’ PMTs are still an hour away
That waxer is cloggin’ Photon lens is foggin’ Why can’t those writers make some hay!
Get the news, make it sing, type it up, paste it up Turn the press, hit the street, Maggie Eat a bite, check the mail, pet the cat, get some sleep Back to work Back to work, Maggie
Strolling, Strolling, Strolling Division she is strolling Division she is strolling, Maggie
Broomball shoes protect her The cart is her collector Gathering news and goods she finds on sale.
Shops and keepers need her Her stories they are feeders She never tires of telling Northfield’s tales
Get the news, make it sing, type it up, paste it up Turn the press, hit the street, Maggie Eat a bite, check the mail, pet the cat, get some sleep Back to work Back to work, Maggie
Purple, purple, purple What’s the deal with purple? Why’s it always purple, Maggie
First a fashion respite, Now her fans expect it. Regal in every swish and sway.
Accessorizin’s easy Oft’ a wee bit cheesy Now you know the secret so they say.
Get the news, make it sing, type it up, paste it up Turn the press, hit the street, Maggie Eat a bite, check the mail, pet the cat, get some sleep Back to work Back to work, Maggie
When he gets back home, I typically see him early Sunday mornings at the GBM where he grabs some grub with his daughter Abbi. Since I sign about as well as I speak Chinese, we have to write notes back and forth.
But last Sunday, when he and Abbi cruised into town on his BMW G 650 Xcountry, I discovered that Abbi could interpret. I’ve never had the experience of an extended one-to-one conversation before with someone who’s deaf. What a treat to have an interpreter and an excellent one at that.
About half way into our conversation, it occurred to me that I was talking to and looking at Abbi even though I was trying to interact with Sean. I stopped and asked for the correct protocol. Sean whacked me upside the head politely and said that it’s best to look at/talk to him. Duh.
Sean and his wife Anna own and operate Northfield’s first bicycle company, Rawland Cycles.
A Norwegian TV crew was in Northfield last week, doing a background piece on former Northfielder and Ole Bjorn Carlson. Bjorn was one of four Norwegian American singles selected for a new Norwegian reality TV series about single Norwegian-Americans "looking for love." I got alerted to this by a buddy of mine, Bjorn’s dad Barry Carlson, who works as a Senior Development Officer at St. Olaf.
The four Norwegian American singles will be presented on Norwegian TV in an episode this May. Norwegian singles looking for love can then log on to the show website and send a date-request to one of the Norwegian Americans, and write a little bit about why they want to date this person or upload a video of themselves.
The single Norwegian Americans will then each select eight single Norwegians they want to get to know better. Those Norwegian singles will be flown to the U.S and will go on dates in the Norwegian Americans’ hometowns. The Norwegian singles will the be voted off, one by one. Finally, the Norwegian Americans will have to choose which of the singles they want to be with. Will they find true love?
The Fond Farewell Party for Patsy Dew at the Arts Guild this past Friday night (9-22) was great fun. Patsy has left her position of Program Director at the Guild, and after 15 years of her work you can bet there were lots of people with stories to share and tributes to make. Some theater folks did a surprise reprise of one of Patsy’s theater roles, and another group put together a slide show of some of her moments on stage as actor or director. There were dance performances, limericks and poetry, lots of good food and fun. Here are some pics!
This morning I got a call from one of my sources that Leif Knecht, co-owner of Knecht’s Nurseries and Landscaping, was going apeshit while celebrating his 60th birthday today. ‘Tis pretty much true, as you can see from the above photos of Leif dressed up as Elmer Fudd in his normal spring attire, but there’s more to the story.
He was actually just excited about the complementary Northern Red Oak trees that the boys from Bailey Nurseries in St. Paul, (L) Hans Ostergaard and (R) Dan Bailey, were making available to anyone who stops by today in honor of Leif’s BD.
If you get out there, grab some free coffee and a cupcake while you sign the big birthday card in the retail greenhouse. In the meantime, mouseover the ‘child of the ’60s’ card for a special message, given to Leif by one their long time employees, Heidi Brosseau.
Ole Gus DeMann, one of the early morning baristas at GBM, ran the Boston Marathon last week. Unfortunately, he lost. Big time.
Not only did he not finish in the top ten, he got beat by 372 other runners, finishing at 2:45.46. To put that in perspective, that’s nearly 3/4 of an hour behind the winner, which is about the time it would take me to leisurely stroll from downtown Northfield to his hometown of Dundas and back.
The Northfield VFW hosts a benefit for the family of Don Mills this Saturday. Don passed away in February after battling cancer, leaving behind wife Shannon and three children, Taylor, Christopher and Landon…
Saturday’s benefit will feature a variety of activities, including a spaghetti dinner at 5:00, a beer bash at 6:00 and a Texas Hold ‘em tournament that begins at 8:00. There will also be a silent auction starting at 4:00. If you’d like to make a cash donation to the family, you can do so at the First National Bank of Northfield. The benefit gets underway Saturday at the Northfield VFW.
23-year old Northfielder Max Henson died last week from injuries sustained at work the week before. The Benson & Langehough obituary includes this:
He attended Northfield Schools, graduating in 2008. Most recently he was working at Drink Restaurant in the Uptown area of Minneapolis, where on March 23rd, he sustained a traumatic brain injury while protecting a co-worker with an unruly patron. Max was loving, helpful, caring and strong. He enjoyed his friends and was an avid football fan.
He recently moved home to help care for his mother. Max was active in helping people recover from addiction. Max was a longtime member of the Youth Board and The Key (Northfield Union of Youth) and was attending Minneapolis Community Technical College (MCTC) – studying economics and photography.
At no time was his loving, caring nature more apparent than when he reached out to those who were trying to kick their opiate addiction. His mother, Sarah Henson, takes great pride in knowing that her son was responsible for getting others into treatment.
Max Henson’s willingness to give extended even after his death Tuesday. As an organ donor, doctors have told the family he can help 40 to 60 others.
I got to know David in the 90s while working at Utne Reader, as he was a frequent contributor to the magazine and a regular at our staff salons. Soren’s dad, Jay Walljasper, was the magazine’s editor during that time. Jay has been frequent presenter here in Northfield (see these Locally Grown blog posts tagged with his name).
Jay has a new book out titled All That We Share: A Field Guide to the Commons ("How to Save the Economy, the Environment, the Internet, Democracy, Our Communities and Everything Else that Belongs to All of Us").
Another of the stories in the book is about a guy named Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, who lives down in Northfield. He’s an entrepreneur, one of the founders of Peace Coffee, and a Guatemalan immigrant. He wondered what he could create to boost the prospects of immigrants in Northfield, and also show other people that immigrants aren’t taking something away from the community, they’re contributing something. What he came up with was a chicken co-op.
Everybody understands that local food is healthier for people and for the economy, but local food is also really expensive. Yet here are all these immigrants who were farmers back home, working in jobs that don’t use those skills. So he created this co-op where they raise delicious chickens that are less expensive than the local, organically raised chickens you find in the grocery store. The community benefits and the immigrants benefit. And it’s a cooperative, so there’s not a single owner; but it’s part of the market economy and it’s not getting government funds.
Long-time Transformation Northfield member John George and I met yesterday morning in my corner office at the GBM in an attempt to reconcile our differences since the big discussion about TN.
We were making considerable progress towards détente but in the end, we could not come to agreement as to who should pay for coffee. A summit is scheduled for April 14 at the next TN breakfast where John is a presenter.
Update 3/21: David Koenig was kind enough to take the photo. He then told us to keep it down as we were disturbing him and other patrons.
Proprietor Norman Butler got a belated birthday surprise from friends, staff, and patrons last night at the Contented Cow.
See the album of 6 party photos (with more photos of the exterior of the Cow bathed in snow at dusk), the large slideshow (recommended), or this small slideshow:
Northland College students learned that their friend and fellow classmate passed away this weekend as a result of being hit by a vehicle while skiing on frozen Chequamegon Bay.
In an email to the college community, Northland College President Michael Miller informed all faculty members, staff members, and students that Spring 2010 Northland College graduate Bjorn Norgaard will be remembered at a prayer service tonight at the college.
The body of a young man was discovered by a snowmobiler early Sunday morning adjacent to an ice trail between Washburn and Ashland. The trail was designated for the “Book Across the Bay” ski race on Saturday evening. Bayfield County Sheriff’s Investigators believe the deceased left Washburn sometime after the race ended and was skiing to Ashland. There was substantial evidence collected near the body to indicate the man was struck by a vehicle traveling on the ice trail toward Ashland. The skier is believed to have traveled the Book Across the Bay route Saturday evening but did not actually take part in the race. The race begins in Ashland and ends in Washburn. He remained in Washburn until race festivities ended and planned to ski back to Ashland via the race route.
On Sunday afternoon an Ashland man reported in person with his father to the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office identifying himself as the suspect vehicle driver. He has been cooperating with the investigation. There was also a passenger in the vehicle who witnessed the event. The vehicle involved in this incident is being processed for evidence.
I asked regular LoGro commenter John George to send me pictures of his fancy snow blower. He finally complied and wrote:
It takes a 30" swath and is powered by a 357 cc engine. That is about the same size as the old 11 1/2 HP engines. Someone checked an engine a couple years ago and discovered it didn’t quite put out the HP it claimed, so there was a big lawsuit. Now, the engines are just rated by cylinder displacement.
The picture of the wires going into the handle grip show how they are heated. That is the best invention since sliced bread. No more cold, numb hands. I don’t have a way to haul it, or I would bring it over to your place for a demonstration. Aw shucks!
The Winona County Board approved hiring an outside consultant to examine potential collaboration and consolidation between the Planning Department and other county departments and outside agencies, as well as assist Planning Department staff in preparing to administer the newly-approved zoning ordinance.
Al Roder, former Northfield, Minn., city manager, who has also held posts in Becker County, Minn., and Norfolk, Neb., will assume the job for $40 an hour, a savings over the Planning Director position left unfilled after Brian Bender resigned in October. According to the agreement, Roder should make no more than $6,400 per month, he will not be eligible for benefits, and the County Board asked for a review or update of his work within three months.
kiffi summa: Our mothers consider the ‘bunched panties’ remark too squalid to pass either their sainted lips, or those of their darling daughters… and seriously doubt whether it was said during your father’s time!
Jane Moline: Griff: you really didn’t know my mother and how do you even know if I wear panties?
Griff Wigley: Jane/Kiffi, I did some family of origin research and it turns out your mothers actually said “A stitch in time saves nine” and “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” about 3-4 times more often than...
kiffi summa: Jane: Both our Mom’s were smart, and they knew about the problems with “borrowing trouble” i.e don’t stir up problems that are non existent; there’s enough current problems to deal with, and even some of...
Jane Moline: I can’t believe I have to bring up my mother’s advice: DON’T GO BORROWING TROUBLE! If some women want to join the fire department in Northfield, we must be afraid that our fire department MIGHT respond like North...
Vicki Dilley: How many lives can we even begin to count that have touched by the Youth Exchange program? Northfield has been involved in Youth Exchange since 1969 when we hosted our first student…since then 100′s of High School...
Tom Durkin: This event supports one of the crown jewels of the Northfield Rotary Club – the Youth Exchange Program. Northfield can be proud that we send out more than fifteen students annually for year abroad study programs. We also host several...
john george: Kathie- I knew I was sticking my neck out on that one!
Kathie Galotti: Geez John. Don’t get Griff restarted on the geese!
john george: Yes, more beaches would certainly accomodate more geese. We have to remember to be waterfowl friendly.
Susan Hvistendahl: I totally agree with you re the need for more beaches in Northfield, having just returned from a week in Puerto Vallarta. Could have had rum punches there but….well, after we visited a local tequila distillery and got to...
Bright Spencer: Oh, you both look so happy! Thanks for sharing. More pics please!
kiffi summa: Griff: whither goest thy right arm if it starts to “whither” (sic) ? sorry; couldn’t resist… stuck at home with a bad knee provides way too much time on computer!
Bright Spencer: i’ve been looking thru a site, crazyguyonabike.com that has lots of journals and photos from around the world.
jane fenton: Congrats, Griff! That’s my son Cliff in the orange hat. He’s revamped the recycling bin prototype. You should see it!
Griff Wigley: Don, I’ll keep ping pong in mind. I’d hate to have my right arm start to whither from a lack of racquetball. In the meantime, I’m trying to excite as many Northfielders as I can about mountain biking. I’ll...
john george: Griff- Iris will have to work real hard to keep you in focus on everything else. I shutter to think where this could go.
Griff Wigley: Name: The Local Joint Description: A handmade and vintage collective in Northfield, MN. COLLECTING.CREATING.COLLABORAT ING. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheLoc alJoint Nfld News: Store to open in former ‘digs’ space
David Beimers: Hmmm… fans? air conditioners? ice cream?
Jessica Paxton: I know. But I don’t wanna spill the (cool) beans!
Megan Tsui: Edward, Sorry you weren’t able to attend. We’ll be posting notes from the meeting on the NEC website and if you send me your email, I’ll make sure you get a copy! If you (or anyone else!) would like to chat about it...
Edward Smith: I wanted to attend this, but was unable. Does anyone know if there will be a summary posted anywhere?
Kathie Galotti: My kid had a pretty decent AP Environmental Science class 2 years ago….he’s not a great math/science student, but this one got him interested in at least knowing enough science to create good policies. I remember...
Paul Zorn: A few years ago one of my daughters spent a year working in Copenhagen, largely in an office setting. All desks in her office could be raised or lowered to permit either standing or sitting positions. I have no idea whether such...
Griff Wigley: In today’s Strib: Office-dwellers stand up to ‘sitting disease’ Dr. James Levine has reviewed the statistics: One in three Minnesota adults is either diabetic or pre-diabetic, and one in four is obese. And he thinks...
Bright Spencer: The All Pro Game last Sunday between the AFC and the NFC was so enjoyable. The stess, the anger, the anxiety all gone…well I didn’t watch all of it, as I rarely do watch an entire game, usually just the beginning and...
Griff Wigley: Today’s Strib: Hockey safety goal expanded to youth In an unprecedented mid-year change, Minnesota Hockey is toughening the penalties for checking from behind and boarding. The change will affect 40,000 hockey players in the...
Bright Spencer: I like hockey and all sports very much. I was a star basketball player in my day. I don’t remember anyone suffering any major injuries in all my hs and college days. I feel certain that coach’s know who does what and...
john george: You are correct. That is why I didn’t allow my children to attack the character of their siblings just to support their position. There do need to be some kind of ground rules in any discussion so as to keep individual...
kiffi summa: The issue could be considered to be: what is “conflict”, and what are two sides of a discussion… see #33 re: the Mayor’s admonition to Peter Dahlen at the joint Council/ChartComm meeting. I don’t see how...
john george: Kiffi- This is a good article, and I agree with most of it. Just thinking about my kids in their youth, there was always some conflict between them, but our goal as parents wasn’t to force them into some weiner form but to help...
kiffi summa: A very interesting article in the Jan.30th New Yorker magazine on the nature of the dynamics of creative discussion; it’s entitled “Groupthink; the brainstorming myth”. Based on studies done by a psych professor at...
Griff Wigley: Kiffi/Kathie, I didn’t have that reaction. But I’ve put up a new blog post to discuss it and everything else related to the Fire Department so let’s shift the discussion there.
Kathie Galotti: I read Betsey’s blog and, like most of Betsey’s blog entries, found it well-written and making a very good point. Though I agree that geographic districts aren’t the only way to represent different constituencies,...
john george: Griff- The NN editorial presents the difference between geographic representation and ideological representation. Right now, the wards establish geographic representation. With this approach, depending upon the voter turnout, a person...
kiffi summa: I hope that people will use the link here on LG to read the current posting by Councilor Buckheit on her blog, re: wards versus all at-large, and take the opportunity to comment. Once again, the NFNews has not given a very well...
Griff Wigley: Nfld News editorial: Keep the current ward system intact
Sean Hayford Oleary: In any case, this issue doesn’t seem like it needs to be another opportunity to dis/agree with the current council. Regardless of how focused on the downtown (or not) they are, it’s clear this change would not...
Griff Wigley: In today’s NY Times: Turning to Kettlebells to Ease Back Pain Kettlebells, cast-iron weights that have been used for centuries to train Russian soldiers and athletes, appear to be a promising therapy for back and neck pain, new...
Sandy Vesledahl: UPDATE ON RHONDA: We are very happy to report that Rhonda was adopted over the weekend by a local family. Rhonda’s new mom is a Family Counselor and Rhonda will be going to her office with her and helping with her clients. So...
Megan Tsui: Griff, The NEC is moving forward with the idea of a non-profit Coworking Incubator/Accelerator space. Megan
Megan Tsui: What do you think? Come to the Community Dialogue and tell us! January 31st from 2 to 4 pm at the Archer House lower level conference room. Share your ideas, thoughts, and dreams about a Coworking Incubator/Accelerator space in...
kiffi summa: I would hope the City’s Historic Preservation Commission would explore this option, and the appropriateness/allowability for use on properties within the Historic District. Thanks, Jim.
Jim Haas: I was reading a story by Porter Fox about his visit to Copenhagen. He mentioned in passing that the city is vigilant about removing graffiti using high-pressure washers with ice crystals as a mild abrasive. I did a little rudimentary...
kiffi summa: The LWV observer reports are meant to be a summary of actions taken, not a ‘blow by blow’ transcript. This is the reason that anyone deeply interested should watch the meeting for themself, if they want a full...
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