A blossom to the Green County Highway Department >for the outstanding job they did maintaining the roads this past Thursday night/Friday morning (Dec. 18-19). - Greg>
Bushels of blossoms to the Monroe City Band and to the Bel Canto Singers >for their recent excellent Christmas concerts. All their work and dedication were clearly apparent. The selection of the musical pieces and the accomplished performances could not have been better. Each concert was truly inspirational and a tremendous opportunity to reflect on the genuine spirit of Christmas. We are abundantly blessed to have these wonderful groups of people in our community. Thanks to all of you.
A blossom to Leona Lederman >for her unbelievable hard work as a Hospice volunteer. Leona spent many hours working on the Celebration of Lights, which took place on Dec 4. She was involved in organizing everything, soliciting donations, making ornaments, helping set up and clean up, and preparing and serving the refreshments. Plus she kept the rest of us volunteers on the right track by her unfailing support and advice when we had questions and problems. The Celebration of Lights would not have been the meaningful event that it was without Leona.. Thank you. - Patricia Gregory, Monroe>
First, a blossom to the Garden Deli. >Some time ago I forgot my purse in their restaurant. Being from a much larger city, I cursed my negligence and lamented what would surely be my long-gone funds. Luckily, the Deli staff was much more responsible than I. They had turned the purse over to the Monroe Police Department when they had been unable to reach me. Thank you for your honesty and your willingness to look out for others.
Second, a blossom to the Monroe Police Department and the Albany Police Department. >In the instances where we have had to meet, the staff has always been professional and caring. They have treated others with respect. Their job is rarely easy and often thankless, but they still maintain a positive attitude. - Anonymous>
A barb to Dave Searles >for being so negative. For once I would like to see a blossom from you. - Betty>
Blossoms to Mr. Searles >for having the courage to say what he feels regardless of the backlash. Just because Mr. Searles comments are barbs does not make him a negative person. Just like those that only send blossoms are positive people. This is one reason why I feel people don't include a name when giving an opinion. The only time people complain about anonymous writers is when they write a negative comment. What about the positive anonymous writers? I believe that the chronic blossomers just like to see their name in print. - Proudly anonymous>
Huge blossoms to Jim Katzenberger, Jim's Standard>, of Lena, Ill. Jim was the only one available and willing to come to our son Jonathan's rescue early (2 a.m.) Sunday morning, after his car got stuck in a drift on Christian Hollow Road, just south of State Line Road. Mr. Katzenberger assessed the situation and took his plow instead of the tow truck. He actually plowed his way to the scene, then plowed the road to get Jonathan home. They got as close as a half-mile because our road was closed due to huge snow drifts. We could see their headlights over the hill. Dad walked out to meet them. Jonathan suffered mild frostbite on his fingers, but is OK. Jim called to make sure that we got home safe. Thank you Jim Katzenberger - Steve, Kathe and Jonathan Schafehen, Browntown>
A big blossom to the 120 brave souls >who conquered the elements last Sunday to make Monroe Excellence In Education's inaugural Steak'n & Shake'n fundraiser a resounding success. We would like to thank:
Our major sponsors: Duxstad, Vale and Bestul SC; Reffue, Pas, Jacobson & Koster LLP; Babler Associates; Monroe Clinic; Edward Jones Investments; The Swiss Colony; and Wisconsin Community Bank.
Our silent auction donors: Ritch Miller, Kathy King, Eoin Breadon, Scott and Mary Schmidt, Exhale Therapeutic Massage, Monroe Clinic, Monroe Country Club, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers.
Deb Thompson and her team of servers: Liz Dagel, Jill Leuzinger, Jennifer Nuenschwander, Nikki Hahn, Toni Wellman, Sara Bille, Kathy King, Katie Patterson and Sue Patterson.
The band Clear Blue Betty - Beth Kille, Tony Kille, Jim Smith, Rob Koth, Doug Sies, and Dan Catlin, all of whom drove substantial distances to get here - and Hyrum Nielsen, who provided dinner music.
Our amazing team of grillers - Dave Babler, Mark Mayer and Dave Quade - who cooked outside for two hours in a 35-below wind chill; Chet Johnson, from Badger Propane, who helped us keep the grills hot; and Neesvig Purveyors who gave us a great deal on some of the most tender and flavorful steaks you'll ever find.
Steve Flanagan and the staff at Flanagan's Shenanigans for offering a great venue, helping set up, and providing friendly service.
All other volunteers and donors who helped us along the way. - Monroe Excellence in Education Board of Directors>
A barb to WEKZ and Scott Thompson >for their choice of changing their morning news into only 93-second news briefs. I listen to this station in the morning while getting ready for work to listen to the news and now it's barely worth it. You've cut out all the stories you used to have and chopped people's interviews down to five seconds each. What's the point? I can't watch the "local" news and get information about Monroe unless something huge is happening and I can't even get "up to minute" local news from my local radio station. (No offense Times) In my opinion and others I have talked to we'd like to go back to more news and less of Scott Thompson's big mouth. - Mad in Monroe>
A barb to the Times >for its unsigned "Our View" printed Christmas Eve entitled "An Early Moment of Truth for Obama." Nine paragraphs of innuendo contain exactly one statement of fact: "[T]here are no indications that anyone connected to Obama was involved in discussions about selling the Senate seat." What, then, is the so-called "other side" of this story that challenges the manner in which the Obama administration "manages information and questioning?" Here are some additional facts you failed to mention: 1. Illinois has a crooked and delusional governor: check. 2. Obama advisers gave the governor five suggested names for the appointment that Obama would find acceptable: check. 3. The governor on tape calls Obama's people "bleepers" for not offering anything to secure the appointment of Obama's supposed favorite: check. Unless or until some other facts emerge, there is no point to your "View." Please leave the job of fabricating and promoting anti-Obama rumors to Rush and the other pros who get paid millions for doing it. - George Vernon, Monroe>
Editor's Note: >As is noted on each Views page in the print edition, "Our View" is written by the Times editorial board, which currently consists of General Manager Carl Hearing and Editor Jeff Rogers.
