He's never worked on a vehicle in his entire life -- "I've never changed my own oil," he said.
And though he's not even quite sure he understands how it works, using information taken off the Internet, Robert Fitzgerald needed only a few days to convert a 20-year-old school bus running on diesel fuel into one that runs on grease.
Look in the archives for my year-end posting on December 26, 2004:
2005: We are waiting for Jimmy to deliver..............his first pizza. Is there a Family Dollar in our future? Can 56572 support three full service banks? Blandin looking for leaders. When will the Mean Caffeine open? Where will the new PRHS be located? When can we vote on it? Sale pending on Johnson's Furniture?
The old news on the street is that the old Merlin Rieman house (SW corner of Broadway & 10th Ave SW) was sold this week and all the trees on the lot will make way for a Family Dollar store:
Welcome to Family Dollar Online! Family Dollar is one of the fastest growing discount store chains in the United States. With more than 5,600 stores in 44 states from Maine to Arizona and 45 years of experience, our success always has been based on helping value-conscious families meet their basic shopping needs. Check out what's new, tour a store and see how we're providing great value through everyday low prices and convenience.
I'm going to miss the trees. Time will tell if we need yet another dollar store.
A carload of Pelican Rapids Tigers got lost on their way to the game in Bemidji last night. By the time they arrived, about twenty minutes late, their team trailed 0-2. The Tigers recovered to 2-2 before allowing a late second half goal. Mario Diaz played his usual strong game in midfield rocking the right goal post twice with long range shots. The Tigers looked flat after five matches in six days. The desire to win seemed fatigued as well. After a stop at at the Park Rapids BK there was an intense desire to get home as soon as possible resulting in a much deserved speeding ticket, was it for number 6? The Tigers lost by the same 2-3 score to Alexandria at home on Monday night. Next game is next Monday night at 7:00 p.m. at Tiger Field.
Which benefits society more?
| Cooperation |  62.3% |
| Competition |  37.7% |
The Pelican Tigers drew 1-1 with the Fergus Falls Cyclones in an 8:00 a.m. makeup game this morning. Early this afternoon they lost 0-3 to Moorhead. Next match is 7:00 p.m. Monday night at Tiger Field just west of Carr Field. (Old football field)
Fargo Forum
Jessica Garrett is going home happy. In her second season on the track team and the first competing in the high jump, the Pelican Rapids senior finished fourth in the event at 5-5. The 5-foot-10 basketball standout didn’t miss an attempt until being eliminated at 5-6. Prior to last week’s section meet, she hadn’t cleared higher than 5-2. Right behind her in fifth place, also at 5-5, was senior teammate Melissa Seifert, who improved on an eighth place showing last spring. It took a Class 1A meet-record jump of 5-9 by Caledonia/ Spring Grove/Mabel-Canton senior Brianna Polus to best the likes of the two Vikings and Lake Park-Audubon’s Toni Tollefson, who came in eighth at 5-2.
“I just had the confidence,” Garrett said. “It kept me going.”
Miguel Diaz' ball skills proved too much for the Bemidji defense and Porfirio Diaz played a strong game in goal for the Tigers tonight as they defeated Bemidji 3-1 in the opening U19 game of the Moorhead Invitational tournament. Next up is Fergus Falls tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. on Field 24. Fergus defeated the Tigers 0-8 last Monday.
A few weeks I ago I wrote about how Lindsey Nettestad was ranked fifth best Class A golfer in Minnesota. After thity-six holes on a swamped Sanctuary Course at Izaty's on Mille Lacs she proved that today. Her scores were 78-80. After four trips to State Golf her career is over. A photo or two will follow shortly...perhaps one too of the Pretty in Pink sophomore phenom who won.
Russell Crowe and Paul Giamatti were worth the price of admission in Cinderella Man.
Anthony Lane writes the best review.
Through the wonders of modern technology here is a photo, less than an hour old, of Garrison Keillor and his Prairie Home Companion Show from the Hollywood Bowl. Looks like the photographer expected better seating than he got or else he forgot his zoom lens at home in Long Beach.
I grew up in a small prairie town not unlike Lake Wobegon. Over the last 20 years, many Mexicans have relocated to my little community. Long time residents (mostly Norwegian and German) didn't (and still don't) know just how to react to this huge influx of foreign speaking residents. When traveling throughout rural Minnesota, I find that many of the small towns on the prairie have also experienced a major immigration of Mexicans. In the 50's and 60's there were no minorities in my small town. In fact, I didn't meet a black person until I joined the Army in 1970. These Mexican folks are very hard working, religious, and good family-oriented people. Yet, sometimes they are viewed as unwelcome strangers who somehow haven't earned the right to settle here. People should remember that a short few decades ago, their ancestors were strange, foreign speaking visitors to these parts too. I wonder what Lake Wobegon residents might say about their new Mexican neighbors at the Chatter Box Cafe?
David Weber
Monticello, Minnesota
Thanks for a thoughtful letter, David. I'd guess that Lake Wobegon residents would try to ignore any new Mexican neighbors. Lack of language is a real barrier in a small town — I know from having traveled around Denmark when I lived there — it makes you an outsider and in a small town outsiders are viewed with suspicion. Bilingualism may work well in Miami or L.A., but not in a small town in Minnesota. The Norwegian and German ancestors met terrific bias from the Anglo-Americans who were here (I'd argue that there is still bias against Norwegian and German surnames) and they mostly shed their languages in a couple generations and took up English. Which Hispanic folks in Minnesota will do, too.
The artist is Josh Johnson. Yes, the 56572 Josh Johnson we all know and love, PRHS Class of '99, son of Steve and Vicki, uncle is artist Paul.
Those who knew Josh as a kid aren't surprised by his latest creations. They are selling as fast as he can make them. Three of his works are camping out in the Library this month. There are a few sharp and protruding edges. At least they are out of the rain. Comment below if you care to see more. Josh will be in the Library on June 25th (Friendship Festival Saturday) at 10:30 a.m.
