™ We are into the Year 2021!!! Take a few minutes and checkout these reflections on 2020 that recently came across my computer. 1.) The dumbest thing I ever bought was a 2020 planner. 2.) I was so bored I called Jake from State Farm just to talk to someone. 3.) 2019: Stay away from negative people. 2020: Stay away from positive people. 4.) The world has turned upside down. Old folks were sneaking out of the house and their kids were yelling at them to stay indoors. 5.) This morning I saw my neighbor talking to her dog. It was obvious she thought her dog understood her. I came home and told my cat. We laughed a lot. 6.) Does anyone know if we can take showers yet or should we just keep washing our hands? 7.) This virus has done what no woman has been able to do. Cancel sports, shut down bars and keep men at home! 8.) I never thought the comment, “I wouldn’t touch him/her with a 6-foot pole” would become a national policy, but here we are! 9.) I need to practice social distancing from the refrigerator. 10.) I hope the weather is good tomorrow for my trip to the backyard. I’m getting tired of the living room.

Did you know? UW-Eau Claire had a total of 517 students study abroad in 2018-19, ranking it 18th among public and private master’s level schools in the number of students sent abroad. +++ Back in October there was a great deal of publicity on the establishment of a National Guard Hospital on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis (Milwaukee). I did a little research and found that this field hospital actually opened October 14, with the intent to serve the overflow of COVID patients from hospitals from across the state. The report I read indicated that the highest number of patients per day ever served were 23 and the census was 23 on both November 17 and 20. November was the most heavily used month with the census being 11 to 23 per day.

A recent mailing from the Wisconsin Historical Society indicates that in the Fiscal Year 2020, 390 buildings in Wisconsin were rehabilitated using the Wisconsin Tax Credit Programs. I wonder if the gentleman from Augusta, who purchased the former City Hall and is converting it to two apartments, was informed of this program by the city clerk’s office? If not, he should be advised of the program as reportedly he is committed to preserving the buildings exterior and the clock tower. *** On January 6, the WIAA Conference Realignment Task Force met and was faced with decisions that will affect a goodly number of 8-man football teams in our area. Among the schools affected are Thorp, Owen-Withee, Greenwood, Cornell, Holcombe, and Gilman. What could emerge is a Central Wisconsin East Conference that would include Gilman, Athens, Greenwood, Owen-Withee, Thorp and Alma Center. And a Central Wisconsin West Conference could include Bruce, New Auburn, Mc-Donnell, Lake Holcombe, Prairie Farm, and Cornell.

For those wondering, the new Dollar General Store in Stanley opened Saturday, December 19, at 4 pm. We visited the new store on Sunday and encountered a full parking lot and a store generally stocked well with the exception of a few empty shelf spaces..There were no cluttered aisles yet, which has been a common compliant at other similar type stores.

Winters snow has been slow in coming this year. When will the snowmobilers get enough snow for them to operate their vehicles? Here are the safety rules the DNR reminds snowmobilers to practice: Don’t drink and ride. * Stay on marked trails and routes. * Always wear your helmet and safety gear. * Slow down and use caution at night. * Travel with a friend, carry a cell phone and let people know where you are going and when you’ll return home. * Dress properly, carry a first aid kit and navigation tools. * Take a snowmobile safety course. You are reminded to carry your required Snowmobile Safety Certificate when operating a snowmobile. *** We managed to drive through Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls only a few days before the Christmas Village was closed for the season. We have not been through that Christmas Village for several years. We were taken back by the spectacular display of lights. Publications indicated that the village had 100,000 lights that illuminated the park. And to think the village is put up, and taken down, by more than 200 volunteers. What an undertaking! This was the 33rd Annual Irvine Park Christmas Village.

Smile time. Here are some smile time entries borrowed from The Bloomer Advances Bloom’s in Bloomer columns. +++ My kids are like inmates at a jail… They eat for free, they claim they are innocent and they don’t like the warden. +++ I trained my dog to fetch me beer. It may not sound too impressive but he gets them from the neighbor’s fridge! +++ My mother, a master of guilt trips, showed me a photo of herself waiting by the phone that never rings. Mom, I call all the time,” I said. “If you had voicemail, you’d know.” Soon after, my brother installed it for her. When I called the next time, I got her message: “If you are a salesperson, press one. If you ‘re a friend press two. If you’re my daughter who never calls, press 911 because the shock will probably give me a heart attack.” +++ A woman is getting lunch ready when the phone rings. 'This is the middle school calling about your son Johnny. He’s been caught telling unbelievable lies.” “I’ll say he has, “the woman replies, “I don’t have a son,” +++ At my granddaughter’s wedding reception the DJ polled the guests to see who had been married the longest. It turned out to be my husband and me. The DJ asked us “What advice would you give to the newly married couple?” I said, 'The three most important words in a marriage are, “You’re probably right.” Everyone looked at my husband. He said, “She’s probably right.”