Recently, there has been some sad news out of the north country. The Delta Diner is FOR SALE. The unique diner is about 25 miles west of Ashland and if you have been there you are aware that the nostalgic experience stays with you. We have been there, but not in recent years. The diner will hopefully be sold and purchased by owners that will keep providing a nostalgic experience for visitors to the Northwoods and provide an eatery for locals. *** I recently learned that construction of several new buildings on the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds is under way. The plan is to have them finished for the July 12 opening of the fair, which will also be the 125th Anniversary. Expected to be completed are five new barns, at a cost of $6.035 million. The plans call for two cattle barns, a show area/coliseum, a small animal barn, and a restroom/shower building that is awaiting FEMA approval, as a FEMA Grant could cover a major part of the construction cost, since it would also serve as an emergency storm shelter. To completely cover furnishings, there is still a need to raise $850,000. *** If you have your 2023 calendar ready for marking dates you want to save, and your interested, you can put the 2023 Clark County 13th Annual “Spring into the Arts “Tour down for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 28, 2 pm-6 pm, April 29, 9 am – 5 pm and April 30, 10 am – 3pm. *** If you haven’t ventured around town to see the Christmas lights you are missing some great decorations. A trip on Third Avenue, up Madison Street, North Franklin, North Broadway, Kennedy and North McKenize Streets are especially worth your time. Quite a few businesses have also gotten in the Christmas Spirit and have some very nice decorations too. Our downtown pole decorations still need some work – partial pole wraps with boughs would help. A trip by Soo Park Veteran’s Memorial and through the Chapman Park Campgrounds should also be on your places to visit. The cannon at Soo Park looks terrific! I would hope the Stanley Republican has a photo of the cannon on a colored page so out of town folks can see what it looks like. Thank you to the high school students and any others whose efforts went into those decorations. In my opinion, this year’s decorations top what Stanley residents have ever had across the city. Drive carefully and defensively, as traffic in the decorated areas has been heavy. *** For the 28th Year in a row, the UW-Eau Claire has been listed as a top Midwest public university. The U. S. News & World Report lists UW-Eau Claire as No. 7 among their 2023 Best College list. UW-Eau Claire was the top regional university in Wisconsin. It also ranked No. 9 in “Most Innovative and No. 15 in “Best College for Veterans” among Midwest universities. Out of 34 schools, Eau Claire was No. 8 in “Undergraduate Teaching.” And finally, UW-EC was ranked third by Forbes, among public and private universities in Wisconsin. *** Did you know or have you heard? Wisconsin collected a total of 54,040 pounds of unwanted medications during the fall Drug Take Back Day held on October 29. This earned Wisconsin the number one state throughout the country for the most medications collected that day. * Wisconsin has more than 250 supper clubs, which surpasses any other place in the Midwest. They may be relics of the past but they still provide a nostalgia. Our area is down to only a few authentic supper clubs and we are lucky to have one of them close-by – Kutzee’s Supper Club. Gone are the likes of Reiter’s, The Ranch, Foster’s and Robert’s, the latter three formerly located along Highway 178 fondly known as the River Road, between Chippewa Falls, Jim Falls and Cornell. * Wisconsin has 495 roundabouts only behind Florida, Indiana and Washington. Twenty-five years ago, there were only 300 roundabouts nationally, now the United States has about 9,000. No wonder it seems there are so many of them!! * Coyotes are controversial wherever they may be. In the U. S. coyotes have expanded their range and now are found in 49 of he 50 states. While at least a half million are killed each year, the goal of reducing their numbers usually hasn’t worked. *** We have acquaintances, neighbors and family who are employees by Nestle’s in Eau Claire. Recently, it was announced that Perrigo, a Dubin based company, with headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI, has purchased the Nestle’s Gateway plant in Eau Claire’s Gateway Park, and the formula rights to Good Start formula brand made at that plant. The deal includes a $60 million investment that will be made in the plant that will increase the output of the Eau Claire plant to 36 million pounds per year – a 7 million increase. This deal is part of the $170 million investment that Perrigo is making in its U. S. infant formula manufacturing. Nestle’s is a good place to work, let’s hope Perrigo will be likewise.

*** If you’re looking for something to do over Christmas the Highground near Neillsville has the exhibit “Wisconsin Remembers: A Face for Every Name,” which features a photograph of every Wisconsin resident listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The exhibit was created by Wisconsin Public Radio, PBS Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Wisconsinites from 71 of 72 counties were killed in the war and are featured in the exhibit. This is powerful moving experience that started with a teacher and his students who collected more than 600 of the photos. The traveling exhibit is only at the Highground through December 31. *** Smile time. I’ve learned …. That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss. +++ I’ve learned …. That life is tough, but I’m tougher. +++ I’ve learned …. That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them. +++ I’ve learned …. That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. +++ I’ve learned …. That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it. +++ Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties. C. S. Lewis +++ True Fact: Al Capone’s business card said he was a used furniture dealer. +++ He who enjoys good health is rich, though he knows it not. +++ Did you know? You should eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college student with a maxed out credit card. That is a sure way to lose weight and stay fit in the new year that is coming! * What other people think of you is none of your business. +++ Envy is a waste of time. You truly already have all you need. You just need to open your eyes to see it.

BY DAVID JANKOSKI