FROM THE CORNER

BY DAVID JANKOSKI

Did you catch any of the Ryder Cup, that was held this year at Whistling Straits golf course near Sheboygan, from Friday, September 24 through Sunday, September 26. This is one of golf’s preeminent events that was attended by a team of the best professional golfers from the United States and Europe. Not that I am any big golf fan, far from it, but I did check it out on TV due to reading several articles about the prestige of this competition being held in Wisconsin. What astounded me was the difficult course Whistling Straits is, and the skill of the competitors in getting the golf balls out of what seemed to me impossible sand dunes, grassy areas on hillsides and other longer grass areas in the courses confines. What a beautiful setting. *** Recently, I have had several people ask me about the results of the 2020 census. Specifically, they were wondering what the population count was locally. So I did a little research and this is what I found from preliminary U. S. Census 2020 Data. First I will discuss Stanley and then provide information on area wide results. Stanley’s population was 3,610 in 2010 and in 2020 it is listed as 3,804, so Stanley’s population increased by 194. That compares with the census showing 2,054 in 1990 and 1,908 in 2000. Remember, the big jump in population in 2010 was mainly due to the opening of the Stanley Correctional Institution, which has a census of around 1500 (rated capacity). So if you want to be a critic and deduct the 1500 at SCI, the city of Stanley has population of 2,304. The population of Chippewa County was 62,415 in 2010 and has grown to 66,297 in 2020 an increase of 3,882. *** The following is census data from the cities, villages and designated places in Chippewa County. Bloomer went from a population of 3,541 in 2010 to 3,683 in 2020, an increase of 142. Boyd was 552 in 2010 and is 605 in 2020, an increase of 53. Cadott went from 1,438 to 1,498, an increase of 60. Chippewa Falls went from 13,721 in 2010 to 14,731 in 2020, an increase of 1,010. Cornell went from 1460 in 2010 to 1453 in 2020, a decrease of 7. The portion of the City of Eau Claire that is in Chippewa County went from 66,237 in 2010 to 69,421 in 2010, an increase of 3,184. Holcombe – Designated Place was 267 in 2010 and in 2020 is 239, a decrease of 28. Jim Falls – Designated Place was 237 in 2010 and is 231 in 2020, a decrease of 6. The Village of Lake Hallie was 6,482 in 2010 and is 7,170 in 2020, an increase of 688. Lake Wissota – Designated Place was 2,738 in 2010 and is 2,830 in 2020, an increase of 92. New Auburn was 554 in 2010 and is 562 in 2020, an increase of 8. Stanley was 3,610 in 2010 and is 3,804 in 2020, an increase of 194. *** Here is what I gleamed on our neighbors to the East in Clark County. Thorp in 2010 had a population of 1,621 and in 2020 has 1,597, a decrease of 24. Withee was 487 in 2010 and in 2020 has 506, an increase of 19. Owen was at 937 in 2010 and is at 916 in 2020, a decrease of 21. Abbotsford was 2,310 in 2010 and is 2,193 in 2020, a decrease of 117. Colby in 2010 was 1,862 and in 2020 is 1,952, an increase of 910. Neillsville in 2010 had a population of 2,461 and in 2020 has 2,384, a decrease of 77. Gilman in Taylor County was also looked at. Gilman in 2010 had a population of 410 and ins 2020 is listed at 378, a decrease of 32. *** Something to believe: In a world that can be cold, harsh, violent and at times brutal, kindness proves our humanity has a better side, a side that can rise above almost anything. *** I liked this advice from AARP– The Worst Habits for Your Brain by Nicole Pajer (August/September 2021) If you didn’t catch these, it’s worth a read, even in summary form. Bad Habit 1.) You accentuate the negative. A decline in cognition and memory have been linked to carrying old grudges, resentments and negative thoughts. Bad Habit 2.) You skip your vaccines. Not to expound, but research says influenza vaccination was found to be associated with a reduced likelihood of developing Alzheimers. But your best source of advice regarding vaccines is your own personal physician. If you don’t trust he/she, who do you trust regarding medical advice? Bad Habit 3.) Drinking sugary drinks. Eat whole fruits, for juice and fiber. Bad Habit 4.) You Have Unhealthy Sleep Habits. A cool dark room is most conducive to good sleep, along with consistency in going to bed and rising. More easily said than done for many older folk! Bad Habit 5.) You Crank Up Your Headphones. If it’s bad for your ears, it could be bad for your brain. Bad Habit 6.) You Regularly Take This Type of Medicine. Talk to your doctor before taking a number of tricyclic anti-depressants, some over active bladder medications and some over the counter antihistamines in combinations. Bad Habit 7.) You Don’t Have A Sense Of Purpose. “Having a reason to get up in the morning, knowing that people are depending upon you, feeling that you are making important contributions can contribute to healthy aging. If you don't have a purpose related to these, find a new opportunity by using your time and energy with a pet, volunteer, or travel. *** Smile time. Old Farmers Advice: “Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.” * “Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.” * “Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.” * “A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.” * “Forgive your enemies: it messes up their heads.” * “Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.” * “It doesn’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.” * “If you get to thinking you’re a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around." Those farmers were smart guys!!