Because of their replacing a worn out parking lot, customers shopping at Hansen’s IGA in Stanley were inconvenienced for a few days back in late September. To my way of thinking, the inconvenience was well worth it, as a nice new parking lot has been developed. And during the first snow the parking lot melted as soon as the sun hit the blacktop. It is also nice that they designated a few more handicap spots close to the front door. I don’t have a handicap parking permit yet but the day is probably coming. *** North Broadway, in downtown Stanley, will be seeing more changes. The building at 117 N. Broadway has been sold and I am told is destined to be a Mexican Restaurant. Some entrepreneurs from Black River Falls have reportedly purchased the building and intend to establish a restaurant in the lower level, and develop livable apartments on the second floor. This is in the former Dale Johnson Accounting building. +++ Moving up the street to 200 N. Broadway, Stanley Area Dance, is going to be making that address their new location. They formerly were located upstairs of the old city hall, which is being converted into apartments. 200 N. Broadway was last occupied by a bookstore. +++ In case you haven't noticed the recently sold Don Smith Building has already had a few positive changes that are visible. The east front window has been redressed and currently has two Christmas trees decorating it. The outside of the building is also showing that the new owners do have an intent to clear up around the building. So lets hope the improvements keep coming. +++ Then up at the Halterman Building (the former Studebaker Garage back in the 50’s and 60’s) the newly purchased property to the south, sold to them by the City of Stanley, is being used as a sale’s lot for used vehicles and a parking space for vehicles waiting for repairs. *** While it is understandable, one of the restrictions due to the virus, that is distressing, is the strict limitations on the number of attendees allowed at Oriole Park football games. The stands appear to have less that 150 on the home side and even fewer on the visitor’s side. And that is at a field with a seating capacity of nearly 3,000. The main thing is that parents, and immediate family, still have a chance to see their kids play. Fortunately, the public had access to home games through live streaming and that was certainly appreciated. Kudos also to the Stanley Theater for showing the home games on their big screen. *** The reports on the various area football games on WEAU TV 13 on Friday, October 23 showed another oddity of the year 2020. Pictures indicated that many of the football fields had been plowed and had snow banks beyond the end zone. *** Did you know? From the October 2020 issue of Fortune Magazine – According to the International Energy Agency, electric vehicles makeup only 3.2 percent of the overall car market. +++ The World Steel Association states that 1.9 tons of carbon dioxide is emitted for every ton of steel produced. +++ The number of customers powered by renewable energy is estimated at 15 million. +++ The Total Assets in U. S. Banks, as of 6/30/2020, was $21.1 trillion. Total Assets in Black-owned Banks, as of 6/30/2020, was $5.5 billion. Assets in Blackowned Banks have decreased 20.2 percent since 2008. +++ Over the past 20 years, personal financial wealth has nearly tripled, rising from $80 trillion to $226 trillion. (I would guess much of this is due to inflation and tax changes for people with the upper incomes.) *** A thought to consider. True PEACE is not merely the absence of war, it is the presence of JUSTICE. – Jane Addams. *** In case you missed these recent reads, they may be worth knowing in case you are ever a contestant on Jeopardy, or some other quiz program. +++ 32 million Americans have reportedly read Agatha Christie novels. 2 billion copies of her books have been printed, only to be out sold by Shakespeare and the Bible. +++ Among the best quotes I have read on what others think they would do if they were President. Kristen Bell, Actress-Author says: “I would make a few children’s books required reading for Congress, because a refresher on how to work together would be nice. We teach kids the right way to do it, but as adults I think we often fall out of practice.” *** Farm Facts: He who plows can produce anything, including health and happiness. * The magic influence of the plow will make a desert bloom and blossom. * The problems of farming are as serious as the multiplication tables. * Successful farming and marketing are the basis of all human progress. * Good roads make for less distance and increase our usefulness. * It’ s the human person who really counts in farming. Fertile land is necessary, but a master mind must solve the problems of production and marketing. (The Stanley Republican – October 9, 1914). I suspect most of this is wisdom continues to apply to this day. *** From the November 6, 1914, issue of the The Stanley Republican: The people of St. Mary’s, under the direction of Fr. Quinn, are making extensive improvements to the interior of their church. Walls are being refinished, the wood work painted, the floor carpeted and a beautiful and expensive altar installed. +++ I think you can tell from the various snippets I have provided in this column the past several months, I enjoyed reading the 1914 fall issues of The Stanley Republican's. You can easily spend hours sifting through old newspapers, as they tell you a lot of what life was like in a community at the time. *** Smile time. A psychology professor had just finished a presentation on mental health and was randomly questioning his students. His focus had been on manic depression and he asked, “How would you diagnose a person who walks back and forth screaming one minute and then sits weeping uncontrollably the next?” He calls on a young man in the rear of the room who has his hand up and answered, “A basketball coach.” +++ Don’t blame a clown for acting like a clown. Blame yourself for going to the circus. +++ No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all. +++ If a man expects a woman to be an angel in his life, he must first create heaven for her. Angels don’t live in hell! +++ In life, it’s important to know where to stop arguing with people and simply let them be wrong. +++ A smart person knows what to say. A wise person knows when to say it or not. +++ A saint was asked, “What is anger?” He gave a beautiful answer, “It is a punishment we give to ourselves, for a mistake somebody else makes.”