A big barb to the Green County Fair.> Look at the negative comments in this paper about it! The only people who said good things are people who had stands there or people who work for local organizations. The rides were broke, admission is outrageous, and it was a dirty, nasty place again. It gets smaller every year and more expensive. The fair board doesn't care, and yet they seem to be surprised that the attendance goes down. Hello! Interestingly enough, you can go to the State Fair for $8 or you can go to the Stoughton Fair for free! And they are both much better fairs. These fair people want us to support local organizations, but why would we want to be at a place that is dirty, expensive and our kids could get hurt? - Tracy (submitted and posted online at www.themonroetimes.com)>
A blossom to Culver's of Monroe> for its donation of 2 gallons of frozen custard for the lunch served Saturday, Aug 2, to Habitat for Humanity volunteers in Browntown. A blossom also goes to Ivan and Marlene Gobeli>for donating a large cheese tray to the same Habitat lunch and work day. A blossom to Green County Habitat for Humanity> for building two homes in Browntown this year, and to all the awesome volunteer builders from the area churches and other civic organizations who are donating their time and talents to build these two homes. The roofs are now complete on both homes and construction will continue throughout the summer and fall. - The Mission Committee of St John's UCC, Monroe (submitted and posted online at www.themonroetimes.com)>
A huge blossom to the Green County Harmony Chorus> for their half-hour performance July 31 at St. John's UCC's ice cream social. They certainly made the entire evening a success. Blossoms also to everyone who organized and worked> that evening to make things run so smoothly, and to all of you who attended and enjoyed the food, songs and fellowship. - Ice Cream Social Committee, St. John's UCC, Monroe (submitted and posted online at www.themonroetimes.com)>
A huge blossom to all the street crews in Monroe> getting our streets back to normal. From tearing out blacktop, to putting in new, to painting lines, we will all be glad when it is done and it is already improving the looks of our great city. A blossom to all the Habitat for Humanity volunteers> building the house not only in Green County but in other parts of the state and country, too. A blossom to the city council> for changing the policy regarding alcohol beverages on the sidewalk and street for Cheese Days. That in mind, let's all remember that when Cheese Days rolls around to have fun and drink responsibly. A blossom to all the area youth and adults> who walk dogs and help take care of the animals at the Humane Society. I think the people enjoy it as much as the animals do. A blossom to a good friend of mine near Argyle>, whose name I won't mention, but I know he knows who he is, who turned 80 years old this year and still takes the time when he comes in the shop to share a good story and laugh and takes the time to listen to a young punk like myself. Our conversation on the 7th of August, my good sir, was much appreciated. We all could learn a lot from your generation. And finally, a blossom to my anonymous letter writer> for bringing it to my attention that I have a few more thistles to mow down on the farm. I would love to answer more of your interesting questions, but unfortunately, you not only forgot to put a return address label on the envelope again, you forgot to sign your very colorful letter. By the way, the computer has spell check. - Jeff "Ditz" Ditzenberger, Monticello>
I give The Monroe Times a bouquet of blossoms> for writing the article "Are bank ratings reliable" by Mary Jane Grenzow about the conditions of our local banks and the information that can be found out by anyone using a computer and going on the Web. If they couldn't afford a computer, they can go down to the Monroe Public Library and use theirs to check out what's going on in your commercial banks in this area. Banks are so important to working people whenever they make a loan or buy a C.D. While The Monroe Times gets a bouquet, our politicians get a barb>, though, on a state level and even worse on a federal level. If that wasn't so, you wouldn't have the FBI investigating more than 90 banks - and some say that's a low estimate. While our politicians were paid off by corporations to look the other way while this was taking place. Otherwise, you explain on a state level, how the Las Vegas Loophole ever got started on a state level to duck state income taxes and the hedge fund dealers and other corporations go offshore down in Bermuda and the Cayman Island to escape paying federal income tax. If you went down there, you wouldn't even find the building. It's just a mail drop. Disgusting, isn't it? - La Vern F. Iseley, Monroe>
A blossom to Brian Gray> for his clever jabs toward McCain. He's very on target and precise. He used mannerism and sarcasm very well. - Shelley M. Zimmerman>
