Don’t forget to come out and see the Military Convoy that will be coming through Stanley on Saturday, July 31. They will be welcomed here by the Stanley American Legion and VFW at Soo Park/Veteran’s Memorial, between the hours of 11 am and 2 pm. The Lcgion/VFW have done an admirable job of placing yellow ribbons along the convoy’s route into, through and out of Stanley. In addition to seeing the military vehicles, the local planning group has asked for many other vehicles with wheels to be present for kids to see up close. Congratulations to all those who worked hard to put this event together and welcome the convoy to Stanley.

On Sunday, July 18, we had occasion to travel east on Highway 29. Being just 14 days beyond July 4, when in a good year com is “knee high” by the 4th of July,” the com is now tasseled out and cobs are already evident. Cob silk is also visible. I never personally remember com being this far along before the end of July. The soybeans are also looking mighty good.

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Did you know? The average family of four spends between $1,111 and $1,301 a month on food. That equates to between $13,300 and $15,600 annually. You can reduce your grocery bill 35 to 50 percent by: 1.) Build your weekly menu around what’s on sale; 2.) Join a grocery stores loyalty program (if they have one); 3.) Use coupons; 4.) Ask for rain checks on items you want and are out of stock.

From 1931 to 1951, Carl Halmstad was police chief in Stanley. He is a legend in that he walked his beat and did most of his police work on foot. After Halmstad, Fred Valley was appointed Police Chief. The following are Halmstad’s notes in the Police Record Book on September 1, 1951. 9:30 am – Had 6 people waiting for me. Gave two their driver’s licenses and four papers for transfer car forms. Back from dinner at 12:35 pm. 2 pm another driver’s test. Made my rounds and back. 5:30 pm – back from lunch, made a round. Mr. Painter is here so I will call it a day. +++ Those were definitely simpler days and times!

Here is another installation of notes from early school meetings in Stanley. Last week I reported on the 1892 Annual Meeting, at which the major topic and vote was on installing a furnace in the school. Those in attendance voted 24-3 in favor of a furnace. Subsequently, two Special Meetings, apparently called by those opposed to spending money, were held. The first Special Meeting was held on July 15, 1892, to again vote on if they should install a furnace in the school. And even larger crowd assembled and the vote was 51 for and 17 against the installation of the furnace. The Second Special Meeting was called for on July 25. This meeting dealt with the decision at the annual meeting to hire a male teacher. The issues were if the hiring of the teacher (male or female) should be left to the school board and if the district should provide free books. The voting results were: To rescind the decision at the annual meeting to hire a male teacher. The vote was 8 for and 31 against. So hiring a male teacher was upheld. The motion to furnish free books also carried. Thus, both meetings supported the decisions made at the annual meeting. +++ The 1893 Annual Meeting was held on July 3. F. Rabinstorf was elected treasurer for a three year period. 9 months of school was voted for. Taxes to cover school costs were $1,400 for (3) teachers’ salaries. And $600 for incidentals. Free textbooks adopted. Total budget $2,000. +++ On April 28, 1894 a Special Meeting was called. At that meeting, a vote was taken on a resolution to establish a high school and maintain it in School District No. 11, Town of Edson. There were 11 votes cast and all were in favor. At the Annual Meeting held on July 2, 1894, there were 49 present. 9 months of school and free textbooks were again voted in favor of. $1,200 was voted for teachers’ salaries and $800 for incidental expenses. Another $2,000 budget!! The clerk, L. I Roe, was voted a salary of $12.00 (yes, $12) for his services. To be continued. Do you get the feeling Stanley is growing and its schools need to grow with the community growth?

It has been announced that in October, Citizens State Bank of Cadott will be establishing a Stanley Branch in the former Bank Mutual/Associated Bank Building at 118 N. Broadway. Stanley will again have three financial institutions.

On July 15, when looking over the Stanley Police Report for June, it again occurred to me that our police are called upon to provide, or assist with county police work, from both Clark and Chippewa Counties, quit a few times in a month. I wonder how come someone hasn’t figured out a way that police service for the entire county could be administered out of a central department, with perhaps Stanley, Bloomer and Chippewa Falls serving as anchor stations. Operating separate police departments (and fire departments) are expensive. And property owners in municipalities that have their own police departments are paying twice – for the county sheriff’s department, through county taxes and for city police in their municipalities general budget. Under a centralized department, it would seem that costs would be more equably shared. I’m sure the existing model can be defended.

Are there any county wide police service models in existence?

Just food for thought, I have no ax to grind with the local police.

They do a good job.

Smile time. How do you milk sheep? Bring out a new iPhone and charge $1,000 for it. +++ To get rid of unwanted junk during the holidays… Put it in an Amazon box and leave it on the porch. +++ A married man’s confession. “I always read my wife’s horoscope to see what kind of a day I am going to have..

+++ Interviewer: So tell me about yourself. Me: I’d rather not…

I kinda want this job. +++ Sixty might be the new forty but 9:00 is the new midnight. +++ When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison. +++ For the grand kids: What day of the week do chickens hide? FRY-DAY. +++ Why couldn’t the leopard play hide and seek? Because he was always spotted.

+++ How much money does a skunk have? One scent. +++ Why did the spider eat fireflies every evening? Because he wanted a “light” snack. +++ Why did the fish blush? Because he saw the ocean’s bottom. +++ What did the duck say as he was buying chapstick? Just put it on my bill. +++ Why do cows wear bells?

Because their horns don’t work. +++ Why are ghosts such bad liars? Because you can see right through them +++ Why didn’t the elephant buy a suitcase for his summer vacation? Because he already had a trunk. +++ What did the judge say when the skunk walked into the courtroom? “Odor in the court.”

by David Jankoski