FROM THE CORNER

BY DAVID JANKOSKI

The place to have been on Saturday, October 30, was once again Stanley. It was another one of those days that Stanley was brimming with activity. On the south end of town, there was nice crowd attending an Andrew's Auction. +++ The free Halloween movies at the Stanley Theater had N. Broadway lacking parking places during the 10:30 am and 1:30 pm mov – ies. I was told the 10:30 am movie had to have kids turned away and the 1:30 pm movie had one seat empty. +++ And then, I tried to see the activity out at Courtesy Ford, where the Trunk or Treat event was taking place. I approached the site by going east on Pine Street, only to be slowed by cars parked on both sides of the street, nearly back to property line of the local hospital. After I reached Junction Avenue it was even worse, as cars lined both sides of the street all the way to County Highway X and the street was crowded with little ghosts, goblins, and parents pushing strollers, as all moved south an – ticipating the goodies being given away by the 30 businesses and organizations distributing treats. It was a sight to see!! With an estimated 800 -1,000 attendees, a number of the participates ran out of candy and other goodies, long before the announced ending of the event. At any rate, it was an amazing success for the organizers and participants. *** How nice to have another bank in town that wants the com munity to know they are here. That bank is Citizen’s State Bank. They were the sponsors of the free movies at the the ater on Saturday, October 30. They join Forward Bank, whose presence has been evident since they located a branch in Stan ley and certainly in a gigantic way with their donation to Oriole Park, where the football field bares their name – Forward Field.

*** A drive through the countryside this past week indicates the fall harvest is progressing nicely. Many corn and soybean fields have already been harvested. It seems as though it is mostly corn remaining. The weather has treated the farmers in our area kindly this year. *** Good news, I think, for those on Social Security? The Social Security Administration has announced that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for approximate ly 70 million Americans will increase 5.9 percent. Increases to 64 million Social Security beneficiaries begin in January 2022, while 8 million SSI beneficiaries will have their increas es begin December 30, 2021. Increases in the Consumer Price Index, as determined by the Department of Labor Statistics, determines the annual COLA. Parallel to these increases is an increase in the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) that will go from $142,000 to $147.000 of income. Look to receive your increase notice statement by mail in early December. *** As the holidays approach memories of some of the nicest places we have ever visited flood back. As we bring out our Christmas decorations, I can visualize our visit to Rothenburg, Germany, which is known for its Christmas Market held each year between November 26 and December 24. However, whenever you visit Rothenburg, you find store after store filled with Christmas decor. It was an adult equivalent of a child in a candy store. Well, recently I learned that Stillwater, MN has a Kathe Wohlfahrt Store, which is the premier store in Rothenburg for Christmas decorations, especially tree trimmings. A peek at the store through the Internet seems to indicate that the store in Stillwater is stocked with the same items that would be found in their German store. While Stillwater, on weekends is a nightmare traffic wise, I am looking forward to making a trip there on a weekday, sometime this month, hopefully before the weather turns to winter. *** Here is some not so good news. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the expected longevity for Americans fell by almost 18 months in 2020, the largest drop since World War II. COVID-19 caused approximately three-quarters of the plunge; drug deaths also played a big role. For older Americans, the news was better. A 60 year-old man can expect to live nearly 23 more years and a 65 year-old wom an about 20, almost no change since 2019. So how long are Americans expected to live? Overall, in 2019 life expectancy was 78.8 years and in 2020 it was 77.3 years. For men in 2019, life expectancy was 76.3 years and in 2020 it went down to 74.5 years. For women, life expectancy in 2019 was 81.4 years and in 2020 it went down to 80.2 years. *** According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency in a May 2021 report, the average cost of a house in the U. S. rose 12.6 percent in the past year, thanks to low interest rates, low inven tory, and pandemic buyers. The biggest jump in housing prices was in the state of Idaho where prices increased 23.7 percent and the lowest price increases came in Hawaii where house prices raised only 4.7 percent. In Wisconsin housing costs increased 10.9 percent.

*** Smile time. Hearing old music you used to love, is like get – ting in touch with an old friend. +++ The following will help you with a venture back to the 1950's. Some of the artists from the 50's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accom modate baby boomers. The following are a few. 1.) Herman’s Hermits – Mrs. Brown you've got a lovely walker. 2.) The Bee Gees – How can you mend a broken hip. 3.) Bobby Darin – Splish Splash I was having a flash.. 4.) Ringo Star – I'll get by with the help from Depends. 5.) The Commodores – Once, twice, three times to the bathroom. 6.) Marvin Gaye – Heard it from the Grape Nuts. 7.) Leo Sayer – You make me feel like napping. 8.) Willie Nelson – On the commode again. 9.) Procol Harem – A whiter shade of hair. 10.) Johnny Nash – I can't see clearly now. 11.) Helen Reddy – I am woman hear me snore. 12.) Abba – Denture Queen. +++ Brenda, pregnant with her first child, was paying a visit to her obstetrician's office. When the exam was over, she shyly began, "My husband wants me to ask you…” “I know, I know” the doctor said., placing his hand on her shoulder. "I get asked all the time. Sex is fine until late in the pregnancy.” “No, that’s not it at all.” Brenda confessed. "He wants to know if I can still mow the lawn." +++ A Dutch – man was explaining the red, white and blue Netherlands flag to an American. "Our flag is symbolic of our taxes. We get red when we talk about them, white when we get out tax bills, and blue after we pay them.” The American nodded. “It’s the same in the USA only we see stars too!"