By Elaine Rassel
We experienced 50 degree temperatures this week and a lot of rain! Farmers were busy getting their crops out but the rain put a halt to this. MMCRU football boys played their last home game on Friday, October 13 against Alta-Aurelia Warriors. At the beginning of the game, it was raining but that didn’t stop the game from being played. MMCRU won the game.
District Football Rankings were Akron-Westfield (we lost to them by one point!) had a 6-1 rank in 1st place; MMCRU had 5-2 (2nd place); Gehlen catholic had 3-4 (3rd place); Alta-Aurelia had 3-4 (4th place); Sibley-Ocheyedan had 2-5 (5th place); Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn had 1-6 (6th place) and South O’Brien had 1-6 (last place). MMCRU will play in play-offs at Marcus on Friday, October 20 against River Valley. Steve and I took our picnic lunch out to the game while we watched MMCRU win.
We went to Bentlee Buren’s ONE-der the SEA to celebrate his first birthday at his home of his parents, Caleb and Shania (Rassel) Buren at Granville. There were many people there and not a one of them had a phone in their hands! There was conversation that was unusual. Bentlee probably was confused by all that was going on as this wasn’t something that happened everyday!
I went to get him a book that was suitable for his age and found Walmart did not have a good selection. The book might have to wait a year. I only hope that my card and the wrapped up book didn’t get separated so that no one knows who the book was from. I usually tape the two together but didn’t this time.
We were to be there at 11:30 for lunch which meant I missed out on the 9-1 o’clock Marcus Holiday Festival on Saturday. There were trucks out on the closed street but I don’t know how many vendors were inside the Marcus Community Center. At the time of their Festival, it was cold but hadn’t started to rain. This was nothing like the 3-day Festival held in 1910. People back then had time to plan and come to this Festival that was 3 days in the making. Times have changed and now a Festival had to be just a few hours. I guess if there is something you want, it can be gotten in a short time.
Faith Lutheran Church has Meals on Wheels (Mon., Wed., Fri.) for 2 weeks. It only takes 20 minutes to deliver these and the people are so thankful for the delivery. But, to find someone who will deliver has been a problem. I really cannot do anything with my left hand so if 2 hands are required, then I’m not able. Therapy is helping get the left arm back to normal but it is taking awhile.
School Board meeting on Monday night—not sure which town it is in. MMCRU us looking for a replacement for Joe Mohning who after 15 years with us, has gone to Le Mars to work for their city. The replacement we hired in his place is no longer with us. Joe is helping with pay roll for November and is being paid an hourly fee. We are thankful that he is helping out. Replacement or replacements ads have been placed in looking for another one/two. We might have to have one for each school.
The water is safe to drink after the episode on Saturday, Sept. 30. We know we will have to update the 70 year old water plant and this will be discussed at future meetings.
Open burning is from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. No times to burn were mentioned. However, people don’t heed any time limit as they don’t seem to know when the sun rises or the sun sets and therefore burn all night with a smothering smell all over. Last fall, there was no burning as it was too dry. That was fine for me. I just cannot stand the smell of smoke and once it gets in the house, it is hard to get out. I only wish there was NO burning like other towns have an ordinance for. There is the place west of the town where people can take their yard wastes or have someone take them out for you. That way there would be no smoke and people who have a hard time breathing can go outside and enjoy the fall weather before winter hits.
I am so behind on many things that I hope I have thanked those who worked on the 65th Class Reunion. Also, thanks goes to Sandra Johnson for her follow-up packet. She really does keep track of our class! Another member of the class, Jerry DeVries, has passed away. I think his dad had the Ford car dealership that was in the building next to Jeff’s Foods, at one time. As members, we are getting less and less.
We don’t know when we will be called Home. If there has been any trouble anywhere, please try and solve it before it is too late.
Remember in your thoughts and prayers those who have lost friends/family to death, have had their lives changed, have a health problem some of which are terminal, are struggling to make ends meet even though they have a job, help those who desire “wants” are more important than “needs” that prestige isn’t everything and be with those who are still trying to shorten the distance between family/friends to build a bridge instead of a wall. Count your blessings!
I will close with this advice from the Happy Siesta Cookbook (1989): Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought or sold. But its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold. So when you ask God for a gift, be thankful if He sends—Not diamonds, pearls or riches, But the love of real true friends.