I and many other concerned area citizens attended the “open-to-the public” allegations presented by the Ellendale City Council to Roger Swearingen, city maintenance man. In my opinion, the three following suggestions would make life easier for the council and Roger plus others:
• A salary for Roger.
• A city maintenance vehicle at Roger’s discretion with limited usage outside of Steele County.
• Head apparel especially for Roger that features big, highly visible three letters “NMS” (no more swearing).
If all or any of the three suggestions are put in play, I expect to be Grand Marshal of the Beaver Lake Watercraft July 4th Parade!
Congratulations to Officer Scott Hanson on being named “Peace Officer of the Year” by the Owatonna Exchange Club. Scott started his law enforcement career as a policeman in New Richland. (This does not mean diplomatic immunity from speeding in Steele County for Momma Paula of Beaver Lake).
How strong was the easterly wind at Beaver Lake the weekend of April 27? It was so strong it moved the water in Beaver Lake two feet west. Look at the shoreline by the boat landing and you will see it’s at least two feet to the west of the normal landing.
Another wind measurement was the underground river flowing from St. Olaf Lake to Beaver Lake reversed direction for about 48 hours.
The below are weather happenings since we have had a cabin at the lake:
• June 9, 1985 — High of 102.
• 1987 — 24 days in a row of 90-plus highs.
• April 26, 1988 — Nine inches of snow.
• June 22, 1988 — High of 102.
• June 19, 1989 — Frost.
• October 31, 1991 — Bad ice storm, below-zero snowstorm.
• May 1992 — snow on Memorial Day.
• June 21, 1992 — Frost.
• February 2, 1996 — Low of minus 33.
• February 3, 1996 — Low of minus 32.
• September 15, 2004 — Seven inches of rain.
• March 2, 2007 — 12 inches of snow.
•June 17, 2010 — Many tornadoes.
• September 23, 2010 — 11 inches of rain.
Does the above verify global warming? I don’t think so. It does go along with that old saying, “Weather will be weather, whether you like it or not.”
An interesting thing was the picture of the tractor and corn planter (taken along highway 13 at the Greg and Cindy Recknor farm) out in the field after the nine-inch snowfall April 26, 1988. The photo even showed snowmobile tracks around the planter!
After high school, I joined the Navy where I learned the tough game of Pinochle. Upon completion of my enlistment, I enrolled at Mankato State College where I met Milan Bergein, whose life history was similar to mine. We were both very good Pinochle players and as partners, we rarely lost a game.
After college, Milan became an appliance salesman and called on Warren Sorenson’s Appliance and T.V. in Geneva. He found out that Warren, Mayor Elwood Jensen and Reverend Huber from Community Lutheran Church all like to play Pinochle. Many a night Milan and I would travel to Geneva to play the two of them partners against us. The result was almost always the same — we lost 2 out of 2 and once in a while 2 out of 3.
Warren Sorenson, thanks for the memories.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. This is the Hanson’s 37th summer at Beaver Lake. They leave the lake in mid-October to go south — to Albert Lea — and return in April. Bob says if you enjoy his article, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of Wisdom: There is always room for God.