The three inches of rain received in the past several weeks has done wonders for the gardens and field crops in our area. Warm humid nights have helped the corn to achieve beyond “knee high by the 4th of July” status and the soybeans are also looking good. I often hear people comment on the Mennonite gardens seen throughout the countryside. In particular, I have heard comments on the gardens located just east of the Oriole Park Complex. I was out that way last week and I couldn’t believe my eyes. While they have a produce stand operated at the family farm, they must be planning on selling at the Withee Mennonite Auction too. Stanley residents are fortunate to have Oemig’s Produce and Fruit Stand, available multiple days a week during the season, and to be able to drive out in the countryside and have multiple fresh vegetable sales’ outlets to stop at too. We have Farmer’s Markets available at least 6 days a week!! *** Excitement grows as the 2021 Farm Technology Days approaches. This year’s event is scheduled for July 20-22 and will be hosted by Huntsinger Farms in Eau Claire County. While this event is not even here yet, the 2022 Farm Technology Days is being planned for Clark County. The 2022 event will be hosted by Roehl Acres and Rustic Occasions in rural Loyal. So those interested in attending this major agricultural event will have two years in a row of having it nearby. *** On Tuesday, June 15, the former Yellowstone Garage had a couple of men loading items being removed from the former Shock Family business. This will end another era of a long standing business in our community. I hope there is someone who will see to it that the “Yellowstone Garage” sign is donated to the local museum, unless someone is going to be running the business under that name. Amazingly, each year there are still followers of the Yellowstone Trail who stop and take phonographs of that building. *** Rodeo leftovers: Another Stanley Rodeo Days is in the books and will go down in history as being very successful. Rodeo attendance, at both the Friday and Saturday performances were likely record numbers of attendees. The crowds were happy, the food offerings were outstanding and the music kept people around after the performances. Rodeo mania is over for another year!! *** While working the gate at the Friday night rodeo performance, I was handed a ticket. When I checked it later, it was for a ½ price drink at the former American Pride Bar, now reopened and called Reclaimed Tavern. Check out the outside of the bar the next time you go by and you’ll see a number of signs decorating the Broadway Street entrance. I am also told that there are some unique decorations in the interior. *** If you have recently traveled out to the east end of Pine Street, you have seen the huge piles of earth and the bulldozers making way for the SCS (S.C.Swiderski) Apartment complex that will result in Stanley having 48 new 1, 2 and 3 bedroom rental units. There will be three buildings with 16 units (apartments). The development will cover 27.98 acres. The Preliminary Project Schedule was mass excavation, roads and site utilities late summer 2021, buildings started in the fall, with the first building to open in the spring of 2022 and the project competed in the fall 2022. My sense is they are a little ahead of the announced schedule of work on this project. *** With June still fresh in our minds, it is only appropriate to salute the dairy industry in our area. The following information comes from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection and the University of Extension Office – Clark County Wisconsin. Clark County is promoted as the “The Heart of America’s Dairy Land.” and the fact is that the dairy industry in Clark County accounts for 8,450 jobs. +++ Over 1,800 people are employed on dairy farms in Clark County. +++ Dairy processing plants in Clark County employee an additional 3,100 people making world class cheese and butter. +++ Dairy in Clark County contributes $339.3 million dollars to the $581 million dollar agriculture economy within Clark County. +++ Dairy farmers and crop growers tend and care for more than 458,221 acres of land. *** Getting to know Clark County farm families: 92% of Clark County’s 650 plus Dairy Farms are still family owned and operated. +++ The average herd size is roughly 80 cows per farm, much lower than national and state averages. +++ Seven breeds of cows produce the volume of milk that goes to area factories for processing. +++ Fourteen world class processing plants convert milk from Clark County farms into wholesome products for people countrywide to enjoy. +++ Dairy farming contributes roughly 24.1 million dollars in tax revenues to Clark County every year. +++ Dairy farming is a tradition that is passed down from generation to generation. *** Here is a list of Clark County dairy processors and packaging companies that make delectable dairy products. Lynn Dairy Cheese Factory and Store; Grassland Butter and Dairy Products; Maul’s Ice Cream, Owen; Nasonville Dairy with stores in the Marshfield and Curtiss areas; La Grander’s Cheese Factory and Store in rural Stanley; Marieke Gouda, Factory and Store in Thorp; Kerry Ingredients, Owen. You will notice that the four major cheese producers have outlet stores selling their products and more. *** Smile time. Make each day your masterpiece. +++ Tell me, and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me, and I learn. +++ I’m at that delusional age when I think everyone my age looks way older than I do. +++ Remember when we had to smack the TV because the channel wasn’t coming in clearly? I feel that way about far to many people. +++ My kids will never know the joy of finding a quarter in an outdoor phone booth coin return. +++ The older you get the more you appreciate canceled plans, early nights, thunderstorms and alcohol that is on sale. +++ Not to brag but I just went into another room and actually remembered why I went in there. It was the bathroom, but still … +++ When I finish eating something I have to show my hands to the dog like I’m a blackjack dealer …. +++ Some people won’t admit their faults. I would if I had any. +++ Why don’t I have any tattoos? For the same reason you don’t put a bumper sticker on your Ferrari. +++ I might wake up early and go running. I also might wake up and win the lottery. The odds are about the same. +++ Accidentally went shopping on an empty stomach and now I’m the owner of Aisle 4. +++ I wonder why we are so obsessed with finding life on other planets, when we can’t even find intelligent life here? +++ I got pulled over by the cop. He said “I can smell alcohol.” I told him that’s because your not respecting social distancing. +++ In my dream world books are free, chocolate is healthy, and reading makes you thin. All that sounds good to me!