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To the Editor:

I wanted to touch base with you about the local students who participated in the Minnesota KidWind Challenge. Is this something you are considering featuring in the Gazette? I have been keeping an eye out online. Thanks.

Rachel Ballard

Severna Park, Maryland

EDITOR'S NOTE: Most of the Gazette is not published online. KidWind was in the paper edition of the June issue.

To the Editor:

The fishhook is on page 8 on the polar bear's paw in the Century Wine ad. With the goofy chilly temps this spring and early summer, they -- the polar bears -- probably don't mind it at all. When it's warmer, they'll be at Lake Orsen with their fishing loot, see a few grumpy old men, then off to Century Wine and Spirits for some vino with their catch of the day.

An old timer in Chaska, Bill Laumann, always liked to fish. He lived with his sister Tillie but she didn't care to cook fish or bake pie. Anytime Mom made apple pie from scratch for Swiss Steak dinners at the Chaska Legion, she always froze a baked pie for Bill.

He'd call Mom and say, "Rosie, I got a meal of sunnies." And Mom said, "I have a treat for you." He's at the back door within ten minutes. "Hell of a deal," he'd say.

Mom would get the apples from Dad's sister Ethel Schneider and a paring knife and a five-gallon bucket of apples. She'd add salt to them so they don't brown up as she peels. Dad brings ice from the Legion to keep the slices cold as well. She'd measure out the slices in individual batches and freeze the whole works.

The peels she'd put in the compost pile in the garden. Mom was an organic gardener before it became popular. Coffee grounds, egg shells, anything that would decompose she'd fertilize the garden with. Fish guts she buries by a tree or flowers. Haircut clippings went in the garden to chase out rabbits. She'd go to a barber and get haircut clippings for that.

I'd get garden books at the library and Mom's studying them all, taking notes. We even had a book from Dr. Leon Snyder from the Arboretum. Mom volunteered there when it first opened. I was there on a a field trip in 2nd or 3rd grade, which was about 1972 -1973. The place has "blossomed" since then.

Happy Fourth of July to everyone. Happy 82nd Birthday to my stepmom Helen. Her birthday is July 1st. On her birthday the family is going to the Twins game. For Dad's birthday in March, the kids got him an opportunity to raise the flag at the Twins game on July 1st, Helen's B-Day.

Mine is July 24th. I'll be 48. Almost an antique.

Kay Meuwissen

Chaska, Minnesota

EDITOR'S NOTE: Dear Almost Antique, Maybe some Gazette readers might like to drop you a B-Day card so here's your address for them: Kay Meuwissen, 407 Oak St. North, Apt. #107, Chaska, MN 55318.

To the Editor:

Just read your editorial in the June paper and couldn't wait to say bravo. The first and last paragraphs were outstanding, short, and to the point. Been waiting a long time for you to break the silence in your little paper. I and many others stand by you.

Doug Leibfried

Shakopee, Minnesota

EDITOR'S NOTE: Hi, Doug. The scandalous times we live in today are requiring more boldness and clarity from the little people. Thank you for your support.

To the Editor:

We got the Gazette today. Just started to read it and there was the fishhook on page 8 in the Century Wine ad.

It was fun reading about John Scott in your June issue. I had forgotten he had also worked for the Post Office when I did. John and Al Folden (Victoria Postmaster) used to "visit." John stated in his story that he had 26 years in the USPS and that is exactly what I had in when I retired. He said he started in 1976. When Celeste Aretz retired, Al Folden hired me in January 1980. Those sure were fun times at the Victoria Post Office working for Al, and then Bud Vogel at the Chanhassen Post Office, and then the next 20 years as Loretto Postmaster. Where did the years go?

Marlys Timm

Loretto, Minnesota

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