Our rain gauge showed that a little over five inches of rain fell after midnight and the early hours of Friday, July 15. We must have been in the eye of the rainstorm as TV-13 reported only.36 of an inch of rain was recorded at the Eau Claire airport and there was no other community in the area that reported amounts even close to five inches. Chapman Lake was full to the brim, Wolf River was overflowing, Sawmill Road was covered with water near McDonald's and ditches all around the area were full. Dam – age at the school complex was reported as a great deal of roof is in the process of being replaced and summer school was called ou on Friday. We needed rain but I hope the amount we received didn't do damage to the corn and soybean crops. *** The garden battle with rabbits, Japanese beetles and deer is ongoing this year. The rabbits took care of the first planting of beans and peas and they ate the four egg plants we planted right down to the ground. The hay field in our neighborhood has been cut and deer now have easy going to wonder around the neigh – borhood at night. So far they have only clipped ou our tomato tops. The Japanese beetles have so far only invaded the raspberry bushes and poplar trees. They eat the leaves down to veins and then move on. A new collection device sold at the local hardware store and garden center does wonders in attracting them to their death, but there seems to be mixed reports on the long term suc – cess in the battle to rid them of your yard. The verdict is still out in our neighborhood!

*** This is Wisconsin! The 2022 figures have been released for maple syrup production in Wisconsin. Wisconsin this year came in as the 4th highest producer of maple syrup with 440,000 gal – lons, which is up some 75,000 gallons from 2021. The sap was drawn from 920,000 taps placed in maple trees. That was an in –

crease of around 20,000 taps. The average tap reportedly yield – ed .478 gallons. This year maple trees began producing sap on March 18, compared to March 6th in 2021. The season however, lasted an average of 34 days, up from 25 days in 2021. * Total U. S. maple syrup production was up an amazing 35 percent this year, topping 5 million gallons. Vermont was the top maple syr – up producing state with more than 2.5 million gallons produced. New York was 2nd with 845,000 gallons produced. Coming in 3rd, and just ahead of Wisconsin, was Maine with 672,000 gal –

lons produced.

*** For ardent farmer's market folks there is a new place to buy fresh vegetables in the neighborhood. It's the Cadott Farmers Market and it is open Saturdays 9 am to noon in Riverview Park. * Stanley area folks are fortunate to have Jackie Oemig ouering fruits and vegetables at her stand multiple days of the week. She is located on the site as Oemig's Sports Shop on South Broad – way. Her hours are posted on the front of her sales stand.* And one other close-by source of fresh vegetables is the farm just east of Oriole Park. The past several years they have expanded their gardens and also ouer a variety of in season vegetables. So folks in Stanley are blessed with several vendors and have an opportu –

nity to purchase fresh items almost daily. *** Did you know? The cities of Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and Menomonie and the immediate surrounding areas are refereed to

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as a metro area. The counties of Eau Clarie, Chippewa and Dunn are considered as part of the areas that are auected by the eco –

nomics and culture of these three cities. Interestingly, the Unem – ployment Rate in the Eau Claire Metro was 2.5% in May 2022, compared to 3.5% in May 2021. The Eau Claire Metro is even better than the Wisconsin Unemployment Rate which was 2.9% in May 2022 and the U. S. Unemployment Rate of 3.6%, also in May 2022. The report I read indicates that the Unemployment Rate in the Eau Claire Metro area is the lowest in the past 30 years and that the people with jobs in Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties has climbed towards historic highs. *** Another recent interesting read is that the owner of The View pub/eatery, on small Lake Wissota, is leading an euort to col – lect $286,000 in donations to pay for raising the nearby railroad bridge. The bridge separates large and small Lake Wissota and would be raised up to 18 inches, which would match the clear – ance that the new County Highway X bridge ouers between the large and small lakes.. According to Dave Staber, the Town of Lafayette chairman, the goal is to allow larger boats to safely enter small Lake Wissota. Staber indicates that the project would necessitate raising the bridge in four-inch increments for safety and maintaining stability. The hope is to raise the needed funds by fall. The project will not start until all the needed funds are raised. *** Here is some news that isn't very surprising if you visit, or have a relative in, a long-term care facility. Stau vacancies above 30% exist in 40% of Wisconsin's long-term care provid – ers. It is eye-opening to read that the number of vacant caregiver positions in long term care facilities is 23,165. This has resulted in 43% of Wisconsin's long-term care facilities limiting admis – sions. With the projection that Wisconsin's 85+ population will increase 112% in the next 20 years, where are people going to get care when they need it?

*** Smile time. Kindness and trust are the beginnings of any wor – thy relationship. +++ A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, laugh a lot and realize how blessed you are. +++ I live my life with no regrets. It's one of the bene – fits of not being able to remember things. +++ Yeah, I can relate to pop art. My knees pop, my elbows pop, and my hips pop. +++ My idea of a Super Bowl is a toilet that cleans itself! +++ Scientists say the world is made up of Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons. Hell, they forgot to mention, Morons. +++ Before you decide to go criticizing others… You had better make darned sure that your life is spotless! +++ Apparently it's frowned upon to do your wine testing directly from the bottle. +++ The economy is so bad. Motel 6 won't leave the light on anymore. +++ I don't need to go to the gym. I do lunges toward donuts every chance I get. +++ It's funny how people always notice the change in your attitude towards them but never notice their behavior that made you change! +++ Sometimes you have to burn a few bridges to keep the craziness from following. +++ Does a glass of wine count as a serving of fruit? +++ The biggest lie I tell myself is "I don't need to write that down I'll remember it."

BY DAVID JANKOSKI