Germania

 

Every once in awhile you need a busy weekend with friends to remind you of how precious time really is. I got such a good reminder this past weekend, I just hated to see it end. If you can laugh with your best fiend until tears roll down your face, it can erase a full weeks worth of stress.

Farmer Fudd Albright of the ranch is celebrating a birthday February 22nd. His grandma, Shirley wants him to know she loves him very much. Of course grandpa Howard does too, but he wasn’t the one on the phone. A baler twine belt is being woven for Farmer Fudd with an extra notch for the future.

Shirley and Don Bethke of Germania were just full of pep Sunday eve. They spent time this week watching DVD movies from the library. Sunday they were halfway through the DaVinci Code. Although it requires 3 remotes to run their equipment, they finally had the process figured out, thanks in part to their son Doug. The Bethke’s daughter Roxanne and her husband John Delfosse of Oshkosh returned from a Jamaica vacation last Sunday, just what they needed. Tuesday, Shirley and Don had appointments in Oshkosh and took time to meet their former neighbors Ray and Marie Garret for lunch at “Brothers” Restaurant. The Garret’s brought along some home canned pears and plums for the Bethke’s to enjoy. Thursday, Shirley made it to bible study at church in Princeton. Friday the church dining group got together for dinner at the “City Inn” of Berlin. On the drive the Bethkes saw an eagle swoop down in front of their car nearly smashing into the windshield. It was a sight to behold to bewilder. Sunday, grandson Brett Delfosse dropped by to visit with his two daughters Maddie and Molly. The girls provided great afternoon entertainment. Harry Treder of rural Princeton predicts we will have 6 more snowfalls before winter ends this year. The amounts may not be great in measure so if you can track a cat in the snow that counts.

I received a package from my sister Dawn Smith in Kuwait Saturday. What a nice surprise! Dawn did some shopping while stationed there and has been sharing her finds. Vicki Zajda and I both are carrying Coach purses now, thanks to Dawnie Marie, mine of course being lilac and my favorite color. Dawn had used pages from a Stars and Stripes newspaper so I enjoyed going through that too. Dawn is counting down the days until her return home. She says her bags were packed 3 weeks ago. Cannot wait to see you again sister dear, I will be praying for your safe return.

Happy birthday to my Uncle Dean Goldsmith of Dakota on Feb. 27th. Randy Reetz of Princeton celebrates Feb. 28th. Pam Mohr, Jeff Bohnsack and Tom Gaulke all celebrate on March 1. March 3rd belongs to Spencer Loughead of Mishicot, Lois Marshall of Plainfield, Ray Washkovick of Timbuktu and John Marotz of Harrisville. Randy Thielke celebrates on March 4th as do Korey and Marci Drew with their 8th wedding anniversary. Congrats to you all!

Mitzy dog must have been mad at Howard Rosanske of the ranch, as she wandered off to sniff the neighbor’s tires on Thursday. Mitzy and Howard usually go everywhere together and she did not like being left behind. Maybe Howard had a safety meting to attend or an outhouse to inspect.

Julie Snyder of Sherwood, AR spent the week on Sabbatical in Branson, MO at her timeshare. Julie’s hubby Gary and son Avery have been busy remodeling their church. I just wish my nephew wouldn’t use his head as a hammer. Monday I finally received my postcard Julie had sent from Africa - how cool! Thank you.

Mike Ostovich of Newton was able to chat with his neighbors Bill and Sandy Redding during the week. After establishing that everyone was healthy and doing well, a visit is still in the works.

Rich Otterson Sr. made the trip to Wisconsin from Cape Girardeau, MO to meet his new granddaughter in Oshkosh. Rich also spent time with his dear friends Mike and Carol of the Saxeville area. Rich spent a bit of time in Wild Rose before heading south to see the rest of his grandkids and managed to beat most of their snow so he could return to work Monday.

Oh Mommy Dearest, my supper tonight was terrific, so sorry you missed it. I bought a ring of Mettwrust from StoneRidge of Wautoma and it was juicy and wonderfully seasoned. I added cheddar broccoli rice to the side, but there was no dessert. Too many winter pounds have found me hiding in the woods.

A rousing day of ice golf may have helped to melt a few pounds. The 22nd annual Harrisville ice golf tournament was held at the Harrisville Community Center Sunday with a terrific turnout. Many thanks to all the volunteers that worked so hard to put the event together. Cheffette Angie Walters outdid herself with the food. Thanks also to all who made desserts to give us such a nice variety. Thanks to Bucky Walters and the duct tape for giving Sandi Zelenski a safe golf club to use for her first trip around the course. Big John of Princeton finally broke his trusty camcorder so he could only take stationary pictures this year, thank goodness.

My wonderful partners Matt and Nick Kronschnabel of Harrisville made sure the course was easy to navigate. The brothers tied with a score of 56. I did okay with a 65. A group behind us was new to the event and we are so glad they came to join the fun. Marci Drew and her “Montello Lakeside Crew,” including Cortney Oakes, Amanda Zuehls, and Marty Klausen, shot a game of best ball, then Marty reshot his game. This year’s trophies were presented as follows: Men’s 1st – Marty Klausen with a fabulous score of 34; 2nd – Roland Edwards; mule’s behind – Markie Hillstek. Women’s division 1st – Michelle VanderWerff; 2nd – Jane Fuller and cutie patootie – Petra Gottschalk. Steve Kjell of Harrisville was the winner of a shotgun and graciously donated his prize to Abbey Gottschalk of Newton. A great day was had by all.

Congrats to Glen Buchholz of Montello who won a poker tourney at the Princeton VFW Saturday. Glen’s adorable brother Warren was busy sucker fishing on ice, but with the help of GT the GPS navigator, the men made their way home safely.

Saturday the annual Longbranch Saloon scotch doubles pool tourney took place in Germania. This year’s theme was the Wild West with lots of hats, boots and horsies showing up to play. Germania’s doctor Joel Voight was in town doing rounds to make sure all the pool shooters were not over doing it. The games finished off around 8 p.m. leaving Mike and Mary Dahl as the winners. Al Hoffman and Pat T. came in 2nd and 3rd place belonged to Sarah and Delores. Great shots were made all around the tables. The Waukesha ladies were also celebrating Lydia’s birthday with a cake made by Pat. Another successful year of memories made by the wild men and women of the west.

Angie Hoffman of Grand Marsh says, “Tough times are coming, squirrel away your nuts while you are able.” She is happy that her eyebrows have grown back after her hair-raising experience lighting the grill at the Chateau.