September 2008 Archives

Just FYI for those of you looking for some place to get rid of those old cell phones in the junk drawer . . . or is that just at my house?

Morris Community High School is accepting old cell phones, ink cartridges and
laptop computers. But no phone accessories please.

The items can be dropped off at the main office or room 121 of the school at 1000 Union Street in Morris.

The items will be recycled and the funds raised will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Oh how I love pork chops on a stick. . .

No no...not like this.

This is Morris Patrolman Steve Huettemann, also known as Hooty. He is not only a friendly man, but he is also one of Morris police's finer officers.

He goes beyond his required duties as a police officer and serves as one of the "public relations" officers by running events such as Run the Beat and last Saturday's child safety checkpoint.

If it sounds like I am sucking up a bit it is because I am. No I'm not trying to get out of a speeding ticket. I'm just trying to make up for some "hard feelings" I may have caused.

I'm not sure if it is just that love is in the air or because I'm getting older and people tend to get married in their late 20s . . but whatever the reason it has been the year for people to get engaged.

I have been to at least seven weddings this year and I have two more next week. And yesterday a friend, who many of you may know, emailed and said she is engaged and planning to tie the knot in November 2009.

Christine Demma, former Southwest Weekly editor, got engaged Sunday. Now our former editor and current editor, Mallory Medved, will become "Mrs."

This now leaves me as the only single lady writing for Southwest Weekly.

I took this picture Monday while out and about in Morris getting flood coverage.

The man driving this truck was driving out of the water in effort to turn around and gain speed to push the blue pick up truck behind him out.

What you don't see is me almost being submerged by the trucks waves as he drives toward me.

The Morris High School student council is hosting a blood drive from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Please note that the hours go into the evening. This was done in effort to allow community members to participate after work hours, said Amy Matteson, a junior council member at Monday's school board meeting.

If the school is going through the extra effort to man this event into the evening than the least we can do is help their cause and go give some blood.

If a pregnant woman on bed rest can fight for our state parks, we all can.

While doing interviews for today's story on Morris officials fighting our Governor's attempt to close 11 state parks, I spoke with the woman who started the online petition.

The petition, which can be accessed here, currently has almost 1,500 signatures and has been posted for less than two full days. I am writing this on Wednesday so by the time you read this I'm betting it has over 2,000 signatures.

I usually love long drives, especially when I am alone in the car. I get to do things like blast music and have my own American Idol tryout in the front seat, or allow my mind to wonder to places that my daily schedule doesn't allow.

But most importantly it is just some me time where I can enjoy the scenery and my air conditioning. Yes I said air conditioning, not the wind in my face.

I am not an open window driver. Sure it is ok for short drives, but not for road trips. It is too hot outside and the wind is too loud and I can't hear my self sing.

But on this trip I wasn't in my little modern Scion TC. No I had to take my boyfriend's 13-year-old, loud, Dodge Dakota because I had to bring up a piece of furniture.

No Scion meant no air conditioning, which was OK for the ride up because it was night time. But horrible for the ride home during the day Monday when it was in the high 80s.

My boyfriend on the other hand had my car Monday and didn't put the air on once. He tells me I am spoiled. Which may I add was the wrong thing to say since I was extremely crabby because I was covered in sweat and smelled from my five-hour car ride.

In addition I received a speeding ticket when I was driving too fast in effort to bring more wind through the windows. Yes, this is the excuse I am sticking with.

So, is this a spoiled girl thing, as my boyfriend puts it, or is this a normal person thing?

I maintain anyone in their right mind prefers air conditioning over windows. Please share your thoughts, but please note this does not include convertibles or nice, COOL days.

Your input will be very helpful in my attempt to prove to my boyfriend that his lovely girlfriend is not spoiled. And that we must replace his truck with a newer vehicle that has working air conditioning.