Germania

Germania

With all the rain we have received this spring and summer, the raspberry bushes are bearing heartily. I can find some black raspberries that are bigger than a nickel in circumference, nice and juicy for turning into jelly. The only obstacle I face is the swarm of hungry mosquitoes that find me the moment the screen door opens. Uggghh! The deerfly and horsefly population is next in line to take a bite. I really enjoy making jelly but have to wonder if it is worth the fight with the bugs? I gotta get me a beekeeper’s suit of armor.

Since we live in a nice clean and quiet area, we sometimes take for granted the serenity of our neighborhoods. Until we are faced with the danger of child abduction or other such crimes, we don’t figure it could happen in our small community. A very good friend of mine faced this fear head on this past week. Her daughter and her friend were approached by a strange man in their own semi-rural yard. The girls had the sense to get inside the house quickly and lock the doors. The man lingered in the driveway and reappeared the following day, this time ringing the doorbell. He was definitely on a mission to get closer and thankfully was deterred by the proper authorities before he could do any harm. Don’t forget to teach your children the dangers of encountering a stranger. We have to trust our instincts, be a good judge of character and always be aware that it can happen to you. It’s better to be safe than sorry where kids are concerned. Many thanks to the great officers at the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department for their efforts in keeping our neighborhoods safe.

Congratulations to fisherwoman Sue Ann Patrouille of Silver Springs Lake near Neshkoro. Sue Ann practically lives on the water in summertime so it’s no surprise she could land a 21 inch, 4 1/2 lb. bass. It may have taken a few friends to help her bring it in and cook it up but she always comes out with the better tan. Sue, can I get your autograph?

Sandy and Bill Redding of Newton fame are having a very busy summer. They were entertaining company from Mad City this weekend. Sandy tells me the only thing that’s been in their swimming pool so far this season is a bunch of leaves. She tells me I should stop on over and give her a push into the water. If we both drown, who is Bill going to rescue first? We better just dip our toes instead.

Happy birthday wishes are sent to Phyllis Murdock, my Mom #2, of Westfield who celebrates on July 20th. Tom and Phyllis Murdock enjoyed the Fond du Lac fair with their daughter Vicki Zajda and my self. We listened to Little Big Town perform and ate our favorite fair foods. The humidity was even greater as we neared Fondy so we welcomed the cooling raindrops late in the show.

Josh Hawkins, Marabeth Hoffman and their daughter Sarabeth of Princeton went to the Fond du Lac fair last Thursday. Sarabeth was having fun looking at all the animals in the barns. There was a butterfly habitat you could enter and feed the beautiful creatures from a nectar wand. They headed back home before the concert as Sarabeth was getting sleepy.

Happy birthday wishes are sent to my nephew Avery Snyder of Sherwood, AR as he turns 15 on July 24th. He will no longer match his shoe size and will have to choose to act his age instead. Happy birthday to Ben Knoch of Montello on July 27th. Delores Bau of Westfield deserves a cake full of candles on July 28th. My cousin Shelly Spatz of Westfield will be partying for her July 29th birthday. Cheers to you! John Weckwerth of Green Lake has a July 30th birthday. He shares that day with celebrity Neal McCoy, Diane Mike formerly of Westfield and ME. But only one of us is 21 with 19 years of experience. Guess who?

Nicholas and Beth Goldsmith of Edgerton spent the weekend in Wautoma with their grandparents Donna and Jerry Goldsmith. The kids have a new puppy following them around named Jingles. Jing is a Yorkie Poo and only 7 lbs. so it has to stay out of footpath of the grandparents. Auntie Linda Lindell stopped to visit with the family and see the dog. I had a nice chat with Auntie on Sunday. Fred J. Lindell was barking in the background at his neighborhood so Dayne sent a few woofs back at him.

Happy birthday on July 24th to Michelle Hoffman of Neshkoro and to Mike Gartland of Waupun. Dave Hutchinson of Hancock will celebrate his special day on July 29th. He is still just a spring chicken flapping through life. Best wishes to you all.

Tuesday, Don Heller was busy pouring concrete at his mom’s house in Germania. Don and Missy were able to stop by the Wenzel hangar party on Saturday in Wautoma at the municipal airport. It sounded like a busy day at the airport as 5 or 6 different planes took to the air, most of them regulars at the airport. The runway will soon be repaired at that location.

Glen and Jean Tagatz of Germania enjoyed lunch at the Longbranch Saloon on Tuesday. Lori Lane was busy cooking her buns off that day. Marlene Weiss had stopped to visit with the crew that day too. What in the world is going on at your mailbox? It seems that a cast of Toon characters has moved into your neighborhood. Very entertaining display!

Thanks to the queen of country designs “Marffa” for taming my long tresses and giving me a great haircut. Marffa also captured some great photos for Mike and me at my li’l sister’s recent wedding. Thank you so much.

Mike Ostovich and I were able to spend our 4 month anniversary together on Tuesday as he drove back home from Oconomowoc. We thought about dinner out but opted for the cool central air of home. Happy 127 days together, sweet man of mine. They have all been wonderful and I love you more each day. Dayne says thank you for the treats and beef jerky and for always being patient with him.

I have no sports report this week as The Cabin team had to reschedule their game. If the other teams want to let me know how they are doing, feel free to share your summer adventures with us. Email to HYPERLINK "mailto:smudgeg@hotmail.com" smudgeg@hotmail.com, thanks much.

The St. John’s Lutheran Church picnic was held on Sunday at the Harrisville park. The weather was gorgeous for the occasion and it was a really nice time. Good food, good fellowship.

From the top of the hill on 9th Drive we could see only the top of Howard Rosanske’s tractor as he circled the field cutting hay. Can’t you afford a full size machine? Hod called Deb on his US Cellular phone to let her know he was giving free tractor rides. Howard waved a few times on his trip by the Westfield Machining Shop and eventually stopped for a sec to see if I’d swap jobs for the day. I offered Howard my pliers and gloves, he told me the tractor was gassed up, air was on and radio blasting my favorite tunes. Please see your daughter Deb to fill out your application for employment.

The Newton naughty Redhead Ken Hell dined at the Longbranch Sunday night while his lovely wife Bets was working. Ken was able to visit with fellow farmers before enjoying his meal. Jon Heller cooked his own food at the Longbranch in between doing a few errands for his sister Elizabeth.

Bob and Kay Christensen of Westfield headed out east (to Germania) for supper on Sunday. They were joined by a handsome bunch of fair-haired folks. A special hello goes out to Bruce and Joe in Arizona, with love from central Wisconsin. Is it hot enough for you?

Pizza Pat Acker of Baraboo drove his motorcycle out to the marsh Sunday. He made it there just in time for a special thin crust pizza. Pat has finally sold his Rio home and hopes to park a camper in Germania soon. Then he can be Pat of less than 100 feet rather than miles.

Many thanks to Plumber Mike Ostovich for doing some dirty outdoors work at my house. The washing of septic filters takes a strong stomach and latex gloves. He tells me it’s not a biggie for a plumber, but did claim to be too old to lift the cement lid. C’mon Sweetheart, we have a lot of memories yet to make, don’t get decrepit on me.

Marabeth Hoffman and Josh Hawkins took part in a bowling tourney Saturday. The VFW sponsored the challenge at Stars and Strikes Lanes in Princeton. The group raised money for postage on packages to our troops. Sunday, Josh Hawkins played in the VFW of Princeton horseshoe tournament. Josh’s partner for the event was Jerry Abood. It was double elimination and the team made it into the championship round to finish in 2nd place.

Dawn and Michael Smith and their 3 children of Ozark, AR. spent the weekend with Kathy Goldsmith in Ward, AR. When the Smiths returned to Ozark it was 95° and unbearable according to Dawn so they headed for the city pool. Dawn has received new orders to return to an Army base in Mississippi in August then onto Iraq for a 6 month term. I thank you kindly for the great package of goodies you sent. It was hanging from my mailbox on Monday.

Monday the Wollert family of Budsin was able to watch Molly’s men’s softball team win their game in Oshkosh. This is the other team that Casey Wollert plays for. Tuesday the Nappy’s men team had a make-up game and won that. Way to go! Thursday was a repeat of glory. Friday night Terry and Chris attended the Fondy fair and truly enjoyed the REO Speedwagon show in the grandstands. Saturday, Terry and Chris and Gloria Schubert of Budsin attended the wedding of Shaun and Cassie Wollert. It was nice to see some cool relatives that are not often able to get together. The ceremony was wonderful and they are such a happy couple. They are wished all the best in their future. Saturday night both Tyler and Casey Wollert made it home to Budsin. Fred dog and guest enjoyed a walk down the drive with Chris. Dayne watched them from his porch.

Sunday, Don and Shirley Bethke of Germania enjoyed some bird watching from the comforts of their deck. The bird family is on their second batch of babies and make for some CHEEP entertainment. Tuesday, Don and Shirley wanted a change of pace and decided to have dinner at Blader’s Dakota Inn, aka South Dakota. John the wonder bartender was at it again. Thursday, Shirley and Ruth Scalessi took part in a bible study group in Princeton.

Scott Delfosse and friend AJ of Oshkosh were in Germania to check out the activity in the woods. They were sent home with fresh produce form Grandpa’s garden. Friday, Ron and Ruth Dyboll joined Shirley and Don Bethke for dinner at South Dakota. They enjoyed a great evening together. Saturday, the Bethke’s dropped in at the Wenzel hangar party at the Wautoma Municipal airport. Don and Missy Heller were in the crowd as was Dough Bethke and Lori Lane of Germania. A few folks took airplane rides over Waushara County. Sunday was laid back day on the prairie. Lillie Mae was bathing on the deck and splashing the raindrops all over the house. Don and Shirley visited with John Weckwerth and Debbie Dahnke of Green Lake at the Longbranch Saloon. They did some reminiscing of family and days past.

We saw a baby walking stick at work and were informed by smart guy Joe that it was merely a twig. A good sense of humor goes a long way to making a day go by quickly. A few nasty storms blew into town and we feared Pete Vitands would be swept away on his golf cart just like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. His trusty dog was at his side along for the ride.