FROM THE CORNER

As most have heard Stanley was hit by a tornado on Wednesday, December 15. A good number of our residents will not be having a very Merry Christmas as a result of the total destruction of their property, or heavy damage to it. However, at the same time we are thankful for no loss of life. Much of the property damaged can be rebuilt, but a life lost is forever. Another thing to be thankful for is the responsiveness of friends, families, and strangers who came to volunteer their help with cleanup. On Thursday, the town was teeming with man-power that came from near and far to help cut up downed trees, clear roadways, clean properties of scattered debris and restore power. Perhaps the three worst losses were the historic properties known as the Stanley Depot, the old Ford Garage, and Kelley’s Place that in year’s past was known as the Harless and Dixon Saloon and in my younger years Bemmann’s Bar. The largest business buildings destroyed, were at Chwala Construction, out on Industrial Park Road, where two large buildings housing their office, equipment, materials and workshop space are gone. A drive through town reveals many properties with boarded up windows and yards denuded of their trees, both signs of the velocity of the wind that accompanied the storm. Also noteworthy was the response of area businesses, churches, and individuals who provided food, water and cleaning supplies for those in need. The new Stanley Community Building served as the storm command center and really served its purpose beautifully. We were personally edified by a knock on our door by volunteers who brought us hot food for two days. A shoutout and personal thank you to those businesses and the volunteers who helped prepare the food and the folks who delivered it. Without power, a hot meal with coffee was an unexpected gift from very thoughtful people. Similar stories were repeatedly heard from those who took displaced folks into their home or offered assistance in many ways. The community and area well wishers certainly showed their Christianity towards lots of folks in need. *** Would you believe this? 120 years ago the Stanley City Council passed Ordinance No.28. Here is what it said: “An ordinance repealing ordinance No. 23 providing for the assessment and collection of a poll tax. The Common Council of the City of Stanley do ordain as follows Section 1. Ordinance No.23 entitled “An ordinance providing for the assessment and collection of a poll tax” is hereby repealed. Section 2. This ordinance shall take affect and be in force from and after its passage and publication.” Who would have ever thought Stanley at one time had a poll tax? *** As I have reported previously I am a big fan and supporter of Feed My People, which in 2022 will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary. The program has great support from many area people and businesses. It is interesting to note that the organization’s largest fundraiser, Empty Bowls, raised over $125,000 for their programs in 2021, and a big part of these funds came from event sponsors. *** Have you experienced a local restaurant where tipping is no longer required? Tipping is not a thing in Europe as food prices reflect a living wage for waiters and waitresses. No tipping has come to a number of Eau Claire restaurants. To name a few –The Informalist, The Nucleus, The Fire House, The Lakely at the Oxbow Hotel, Mona Lisa and The Livery. I wonder if this will spread to other area restaurants? Some are predicting it will be a turn-off for customers and they will go elsewhere, either because of the higher menu prices or because they might like to leave a big tip to show-off. I wonder!! Certainly, the latter reason will not be me. +++ Tipping is a big thing in America. It is estimated that $36.4 billion annually is left as tips, about three-quarters of which occur in restaurants and other food related jobs. *** Did you know? Stanley Correctional Institution hosts a Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program. Loads of eyeglasses are brought to SCI where two or three inmates sort, clean and read the prescriptions. The sorted glasses are then packaged and returned to the Lions Camp at Rosholt (WI) for distribution worldwide to countries in need. Any remaining glasses that do not meet prescription requirements are recycled by the Wisconsin Lions for metals and plastics. What a service these men are providing for humanity. In 2020, 45,200 pairs of glasses went through the hands of SCI inmates. The Stanley Lions collect used eyeglasses locally at City Hall, Forward Bank, Marine Credit Union, Sunset Homes and Hansen’s IGA. *** How You Can Tell When It’s Going To Be A Rotten Day: Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles.* You call Suicide Prevention and they put you on hold. * You put your bra on backward and it fits better. * You wake up face down on the pavement. * You see a "60 Minutes" news team in your office. * You want to put on the clothes you wore home from the party and there aren’t any. * Your twin sister forgot your birthday. * You wake up and discover your waterbed broke and then realize you don’t have a waterbed. * Your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell’s Angels on the freeway. * Your wife wakes up feeling amorous and you have a headache. * Your boss tells you not to bother to take off your coat. * The bird singing outside your window is a buzzard. * You wake up and your braces are locked together. * You walk to work and find your dress is stuck in the back of your pantyhose. * You call your answering service and they tell you it’s none of your business. * Your blind date turns out to be your ex-wife. * Your income tax check bounces. * You put both contact lenses in the same eye. * Your pet rock snaps at you. * Your wife say “Good Morning, Bill” and your name is George. Author Unknown….. But Troubled. *** Smile time. If your feeling good about yourself – have a kid draw a picture of you! +++ You know you’re old when you clean to the music you used to drink to. +++ Irony is when someone writes “You’re an idiot.” +++ If there was a pill to cure procrastination I’d take it tomorrow. +++ Six out of seven dwarf’s aren’t happy. +++ A balanced diet is a taco in each hand. +++ Just remember … someone out there is quarantined with your ex. +++ Always remember you’re unique like everyone else. +++ Let children believe in Santa. You believe in essential oils and no one's ruining that for you. +++ Last name hungry, first name always. +++ Multitasking is screwing up several things at once. +++ Tweet others how you want to be tweeted. +++ We don’t suffer from insanity, we love every minute of it. +++ The rotation of the earth really makes my day! +++ My body has absorbed so much sanitizer that when I pee it cleans the toilet. +++ Everyone brings joy? Some when they enter, some when they leave. +++ We all think we’re smart until we try to turn on someone else’s shower.+++ You either get bitter or you get better. It’s that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you. *** Merry Christmas

BY DAVID JANKOSKI