A blossom to Dave Searles >for always pointing out all that is bad in Brodhead. You are helping keep the population steady. After all, who wants to move to a place that is so awful? - Population Control>
A barb to the Times >for refusing to come and do a story on the miniature White House built by John Zwiefiel and his family. This was an educational viewing for young and old. For those that missed it, you may not get to see it again in Monroe for a long time. The Times did not feel it was newsworth, or was a waste of their time. The miniature White House was built for all the people of this great country. So to the Times people who felt this was not worthy of their time, I hope you can have good reason to tell your children and grandchildren as to why they were not informed of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that one family spent most of their lives giving this great gift to the of this city and country. I am disappointed in your choice. - Asking Why to the Times >
Editor's Note: >The Monroe Times publicized the miniature White House in three different editions - first a front-page news story, then a story in the Cheese Days preview special section, and finally a front-page photo when the miniature White House arrived in Monroe.
A barb to the Times >for putting up online a slanderous comment - that I put down small-schools. Jeff Rogers, you know the nature of your "comments" area is now more like a discussion board, with people like Jeff D., Wondering, Band Camp, myself, etc. responding to each other's comments, rather than solely commenting on the original blossoms and barbs. I'm not saying that I should be protected from response, but why wasn't my (original) post also posted to offer some context to Proud Resident's barb? People deserve the whole truth, not just the scandalous, negative one that gets you more readers. - Josh Boll>
I want to send a heartfelt blossom to Phillips Furniture. >I teach seventh-grade English at the Monroe Middle School, and Phillips Furniture donated almost 25 carpet squares to be used in my classroom for soft spots around the room so students can independently read and work. The students love them! Thank you so much for making our classroom more inviting! - Stephanie Wiegel>
A barb to everyone who is being so downright mean >to the MHS band and its students. I am not a band member, but I am in that band hall very often in the mornings. I hear the pep band practicing for upcoming events and they are wonderful! They practiced so hard for that Cheese Days Parade. Citizens of Green County should not be putting them down for all of their hard work ... they should be commended. Just because they did not march does not mean that they were any less good or are any better than other schools. As a senior at MHS, I am very disappointed in you all. I never would have thought the citizens of Green County would be so rude to one of its youth organizations.
And another barb to the Monroe Times >for publishing these hurtful things day in and day out. I feel that a newspaper should publish good things about its youth, not hurtful things. Again, I never would have thought Green County's citizens could have been so mean. You all should be ashamed! - Proud MHS Student >
A huge thornbush of barbs to Brett Davis >for the mailer I received from him. In it he criticizes John Waelti for pushing a heath care package for all that would cost me $510 per year more in taxes. Makes me want to say, "Gee Brett, I pay $248 per month out of pocket now for insurance. The way I see it that makes Mr. Waelti's plan about 80 percent cheaper per year for me." - What About My Kids? >
Editor's Note: >As was pointed out in a news story this week, the ads referred to came from a third party group, All Children Matter, from Grand Rapids, Mich., not Rep. Davis' campaign. Rep. Davis spoke out against all special interest advertising in the campaign this week.
A blossom to The Monroe Times. >Next Monday marks the 110th birthday of The Monroe Times; it was founded and first published by Emery Odell on Oct. 13, 1898. It is quite extraordinary that a city the size of Monroe still has a daily newspaper. The Times continues to be very effective in identifying and promoting discussion of important city and county issues, fostering debate and keeping citizens apprised of local government and community happenings. Keep up the good work! Your readers appreciate it. - J & D Glynn >
A big barb to radio station WEKZ >for airing ads from this same organization. WEKZ must really be desperate for ad revenue. - Mike Furgal>
A huge Woman's Club Federation Red Rose >to all 200-plus ladies from the community who attended the Monroe Woman's Club Fall Social at the Peppercorn! As a Woman's Club, we are thankful for the tremendous support of our own members and the tremendous support we receive from the ladies that attend our Fall Socials. Your generosity allows us to continue to support the community though a variety of projects. Thank you to the committee members, models and businesses owners who gave of their time, talents and donations to make this event happen. - Mary Schmidt, GFWC Monroe Woman's Club>
A barb goes out to Tammy Baldwin. >She was quoted in the Monroe Times saying, "I have heard from thousands of consitituents. I have heard both anger and fear," yet she still chose to vote yes for the economic stimulus plan. You are hired by the people to represent the people. If "thousands" of your constituents say no, then your vote needs to be no. Period. - No means no>
I'm just not sure how many types or colors of roses there are but, I'd like to send a bouquet of each in the form of Times Blossoms out to Arlene Huffman >for having the courage to say what the silent majority isn't saying. Folks, if you care one thing about this great country of ours, listen to Arlene like she is your mom, your grandma, or the wisest school teacher you ever had. Because with Obama in the White House this country will go to hell in a hurry. Quite simply, he and his friends hate this country. John McCain embodies all that is good about it and gave the best years of his life in a rat hole in Hanoi for you and me. He will do what is right for America and for those of us out here in the heartland every single day of the rest of his life. And, I hope it is a long one. - Roses to Arlene>
A blossom to the churches >for birthday cakes, and Betty Heer and the VFW Cooties >for providing prizes for our Bingo parties at Pleasant View. - L.M.>
