Off the Publisher’s Desk 5-1-24

Birthday Party!

It’s always great when family and friends can get together and celebrate a family members birthday. It is especially great when that celebration is for a young member of the family.

It was so on Saturday; I first traveled to the Klatt Family Farm in Stanton Township to enjoy their annual pancake breakfast topped with the maple syrup that was made right in their facility along 890th Avenue.

Then along with sister-in-law Missy and grandson, Zack, we drove to Portage, Wisconsin for the birthday party for my two-year old great-granddaughter, Paula. Opening presents was the event of the afternoon and several pair of new shoes that were her delight as she tried on each pair, but then she was more interested in the other gifts that she opened with the help of her big sister, Stella.

I bring up this event so I can write about the weather in the central part of our state.

The hay fields had at lease eight inches of growth and crops were being planted and one could see the dust following the planters. As we arrived at our destination, son Alex was busy mowing his lawn on this sunny day. We sat outside as we visited before all members of the family showed up to enjoy the day and lunch.

As we left in mid afternoon, the temperature showed at 83 under sunny open skies and we had to start the air conditioning to cool down the car, but as we traveled west and north the clouds rolled in and the temperature dropped and soon the air was turned off.

Also on that day was the retirement party for Norm Hagen who hung up his scissors after 72 years of barbering in downtown Glenwood City.

Norm was featured on KARE, Chanel 11, on Boyd Huppert’s “Land of Ten Thousand Stories,” Monday evening, April 22.

While visiting in Portage, I learned that Norm’s Story was re-broadcasted over a television station in Madison and several other stations throughout the country. So, Norm, you are a nationwide celebrity now, congratulations!

Thanks for reading!     ~Carlton