I want to send a big, big blossom to Mr. Marty and the highway department for putting up the snow fence on the first curve coming out of New Glarus on Wisconsin 39. This big storm we had sure held back a lot of snow and it helped us who travel on it. I want to send a huge barb to the person who thought I should move to Florida or get some exercise and shovel. This is a blossom to the nice person who wrote on my behalf to Anonymous. Thank you for showing this person that their sarcastic attitude was uncalled for. They think they know the situation and don't. I had ankle surgery and am limited on what all I can do physically. Now I'm looking at ankle replacement and this person thinks I should exercise or move to Florida. I don't know your name, a big thank you to you and Merry Christmas to you and your family. - Sherrie Benson
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A blossom to the children and young adults of the Monroe Theatre Guild Choirs and their fearless leader Cindy Blanc. What a wonderful concert on Friday, Dec. 10. What a wonderful way to bring the Christmas spirit to everyone one who attended. All of the soloists in between the choir performances were fantastic. Keep up the good work. - Theresa
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A multi-headed barb to Monroe City Council for wanting to do away with a parking lot in return for a nonessential housing development. There are numerous questions that need to be answered: One: Why would you want the elderly living downtown where there are no grocery stores? So you're expecting me to believe that elderly drivers want to drive from downtown to the westside of town every time they need something? Two: Why would you want to create more traffic problems downtown than there already is? There are enough problems with traffic on the 8th and 9th street corridor as it is and now you want to add to the problem. Three: Aren't there enough houses sitting empty in and around Monroe and not enough people who can afford to live in them? And you want to add to that? Four: Why would you want to do away with a parking area that is used every day and during downtown festivals? Are there not parking issues already with the downtown and you want to add to this by subtracting parking spaces? That makes no sense at all. Five: Are there enough elderly people who want or care to live in a multi-floor building? In my opinion, more elderly would rather live in single-floor housing than multi-floor due to the fact that most of our elderly have ambulatory issues. I'm sure there are more questions but let's start with these. Obviously government grant money is more important to our Council than the people who live here. There are other important issues that need to be addressed than "Elderly Housing." Is this just a money thing? In my opinion it is. - Kurt A. Mueller
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This is a barb to the Times who always seem to censor people's comments. This is why I will never buy your paper. - Why
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A bouquet of blossoms to Stan and Donna Oxenreider for providing Christmas trees and the Monroe Lions Club for cutting the trees into boughs for the planters on and off the Square. A special thanks to the Monroe Woman's Club and friends for installing them on a cold and very rainy day. A thank you to Nancy Maliszewski and Judy Henke for securing garlands, wreathes and bows for the lampposts and arranging for their installation by the City of Monroe, shopkeepers and many volunteers. And, last but not least, appreciation to Doc and Sharon Riese for storing the park benches in a store basement for the winter. As you can see, it truly takes a village to make things happen. - Monroe Main Street Design Committee
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I would also like to give a barb on the new format 93.7FM WEKZ has. I have to listen to it at work and it is also our phone on-hold music and have gotten negative comments from callers on the music selection. Before I and our callers enjoyed the variety they played and also when this time of year came around, listening to the Christmas music. This new format is awful and I'm not even sure where they are getting some of these oldies from. Please go back to the old format and play some Christmas music. - Concerned Listener
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A blossom to all the firefighters, EMS, police, doctors on call, tow truck drivers, milk haulers, snowplow drivers, and anyone else who has to go out on dangerous roads to rescue those who get themselves in a bad situation or to battle the blazes that occur when its windy and we have subzero temperatures.
A blossom to all the people working with the Green County Homeless coalition to help our residents who are losing their homes in this troubled economy.
A blossom to the Apparitions, ABATE, The Roller Den and everyone involved with Toys for Tots. I hear you folks had a record year again. And let us not forget the people who donated.
A blossom to the little girl who told Santa all she wanted for Christmas was for her Grandma to be able to get out of her wheelchair so they could play catch and play in the park again. The world needs a million more people like you. Rumor has it you even made Santa tear up a little.
A blossom to all who have donated to the many food pantries, and clothing and toiletry drives in the area. Green County residents have some really big hearts.
And finally, a blossom and also a reminder, for this time of year, to the drivers that clean off their lights on their vehicles before they leave when the rest of the vehicle is covered in snow. Don't forget to throw extra safety kits and washer fluid, blankets, and maybe some non perishable snacks in your vehicles just in case. - Jeff Ditzenberger
• • •
A barb to the person who hit my cat on 5th Street on Wednesday morning. The very least you could have done is come to my door and tell me so I could have removed her body. Someone was home all morning, so I know that no attempt was made. Accidents happen, and she normally does not cross the street, so I am only blaming you for the fact that you just left her laying there. Luckily I found her before she was run over again and again, and before the kids at Parkside were released from school to see her laying there. Shame on you, and I hope if this ever happens to one of your pets, someone is more considerate to you. - Barbara Falk
• • •
A blossom to the two fellows who were picking up recyclables Tuesday and took time to move a big frozen chunk of snow away at the end of the driveway so now I can get out. They saw a need and met it. Thanks fellows. God Bless. Merry Christmas, too. - Ida Gerber
• • •
A blossom to the children and young adults of the Monroe Theatre Guild Choirs and their fearless leader Cindy Blanc. What a wonderful concert on Friday, Dec. 10. What a wonderful way to bring the Christmas spirit to everyone one who attended. All of the soloists in between the choir performances were fantastic. Keep up the good work. - Theresa
• • •
A multi-headed barb to Monroe City Council for wanting to do away with a parking lot in return for a nonessential housing development. There are numerous questions that need to be answered: One: Why would you want the elderly living downtown where there are no grocery stores? So you're expecting me to believe that elderly drivers want to drive from downtown to the westside of town every time they need something? Two: Why would you want to create more traffic problems downtown than there already is? There are enough problems with traffic on the 8th and 9th street corridor as it is and now you want to add to the problem. Three: Aren't there enough houses sitting empty in and around Monroe and not enough people who can afford to live in them? And you want to add to that? Four: Why would you want to do away with a parking area that is used every day and during downtown festivals? Are there not parking issues already with the downtown and you want to add to this by subtracting parking spaces? That makes no sense at all. Five: Are there enough elderly people who want or care to live in a multi-floor building? In my opinion, more elderly would rather live in single-floor housing than multi-floor due to the fact that most of our elderly have ambulatory issues. I'm sure there are more questions but let's start with these. Obviously government grant money is more important to our Council than the people who live here. There are other important issues that need to be addressed than "Elderly Housing." Is this just a money thing? In my opinion it is. - Kurt A. Mueller
• • •
This is a barb to the Times who always seem to censor people's comments. This is why I will never buy your paper. - Why
• • •
A bouquet of blossoms to Stan and Donna Oxenreider for providing Christmas trees and the Monroe Lions Club for cutting the trees into boughs for the planters on and off the Square. A special thanks to the Monroe Woman's Club and friends for installing them on a cold and very rainy day. A thank you to Nancy Maliszewski and Judy Henke for securing garlands, wreathes and bows for the lampposts and arranging for their installation by the City of Monroe, shopkeepers and many volunteers. And, last but not least, appreciation to Doc and Sharon Riese for storing the park benches in a store basement for the winter. As you can see, it truly takes a village to make things happen. - Monroe Main Street Design Committee
• • •
I would also like to give a barb on the new format 93.7FM WEKZ has. I have to listen to it at work and it is also our phone on-hold music and have gotten negative comments from callers on the music selection. Before I and our callers enjoyed the variety they played and also when this time of year came around, listening to the Christmas music. This new format is awful and I'm not even sure where they are getting some of these oldies from. Please go back to the old format and play some Christmas music. - Concerned Listener
• • •
A blossom to all the firefighters, EMS, police, doctors on call, tow truck drivers, milk haulers, snowplow drivers, and anyone else who has to go out on dangerous roads to rescue those who get themselves in a bad situation or to battle the blazes that occur when its windy and we have subzero temperatures.
A blossom to all the people working with the Green County Homeless coalition to help our residents who are losing their homes in this troubled economy.
A blossom to the Apparitions, ABATE, The Roller Den and everyone involved with Toys for Tots. I hear you folks had a record year again. And let us not forget the people who donated.
A blossom to the little girl who told Santa all she wanted for Christmas was for her Grandma to be able to get out of her wheelchair so they could play catch and play in the park again. The world needs a million more people like you. Rumor has it you even made Santa tear up a little.
A blossom to all who have donated to the many food pantries, and clothing and toiletry drives in the area. Green County residents have some really big hearts.
And finally, a blossom and also a reminder, for this time of year, to the drivers that clean off their lights on their vehicles before they leave when the rest of the vehicle is covered in snow. Don't forget to throw extra safety kits and washer fluid, blankets, and maybe some non perishable snacks in your vehicles just in case. - Jeff Ditzenberger
• • •
A barb to the person who hit my cat on 5th Street on Wednesday morning. The very least you could have done is come to my door and tell me so I could have removed her body. Someone was home all morning, so I know that no attempt was made. Accidents happen, and she normally does not cross the street, so I am only blaming you for the fact that you just left her laying there. Luckily I found her before she was run over again and again, and before the kids at Parkside were released from school to see her laying there. Shame on you, and I hope if this ever happens to one of your pets, someone is more considerate to you. - Barbara Falk
• • •
A blossom to the two fellows who were picking up recyclables Tuesday and took time to move a big frozen chunk of snow away at the end of the driveway so now I can get out. They saw a need and met it. Thanks fellows. God Bless. Merry Christmas, too. - Ida Gerber
