Halloween is right around the corner. Do you remember when it was a common sight to go down town the morning following Halloween and see many of the business widows with soap smeared all over them? The other day when browsing through The Stanley Republican newspaper dated October 30, 1914, I found the following bit of news: (Stanley) Mayor Grubb has instructed the Chief of Police, and his special assistants for the evening, to arrest all boys and girls, or other persons, caught in an attempt to soap, or mark windows, or doing any other act, to cause trouble or expense to property owners. It has actually been a good number of years, probably since the turn of the century (2000), since I remember seeing downtown Stanley business windows soaped. However, cleaning up soaped windows back then was likely to be the last time the windows were washed until spring. If your going to wash your windows yet this fall, you better get at it!! Time is running short. *** Everyone you talk to is weary from what COVID-19 has restricted them from doing. Unfortunately, at this time Chippewa County is experiencing a surge in the numbers of people testing positive for the virus. And Stanley is having increased numbers of people experiencing the virus. +++ And what are we going to remember from this experience? First, the most immediate things to come to mind – encouragement to use face masks, practice social distancing and use of hand sanitizer. Some of the other secondary things I will remember is that many business places had signs on their doors stating, “Mask required by the order of the governor.” And then no attempt to enforce it. Visiting restaurants that had every other table with an X made out of tape on them in order to space people apart. Product shortages, especially toilet paper and cleaning/sanitizing products. A goodly number of businesses in Eau Claire “go out of business” as a result of the virus. Some were likely on the verge of closing anyhow, but some just were not able to hold on with paying exorbitant rents and only be able to serve a limited number of customers. Restaurants that provided outdoor seating, but that ended with the coming of the colder weather. Businesses that provided wipes with sanitizer to clean off your shopping cart down before using it. And the fact that many folks thought the whole thing was a hoax. I guess we will have a number of remembrances, if and when, we emerge from this dark period of our history. Many churches closed, provided UTubed Services, taped services for distribution, or had radio or TV services available. Our library closed but they still found ways to serve patrons – phoned in orders for books that were then placed in bins outside the front door for pickup. Nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals had reduced or no visitors policies. Family members were often only allowed to enter to say goodbye to their loved one. There is certainly a lot to remember from this pandemic. *** I attended the Stanley Correctional Institution, Community Relations Board Meeting on Wednesday, October 14. Here are a few news items gleamed from that meeting. The new Warden's name is Chris Buesgen. He replaces Warden Reed Richardson, who has retired. +++ A new Armory Building is under construction with completion projected for mid- 2021. Plans for a new Health Services Unit are in process, and as of now is expected to be completed in 2023. +++ The institutions gardens, tended by inmates (who are now called PIOC’s – Person In Our Care), produced 20,284 pounds of fresh vegetables, that were used by the Food Service Department. Training of 18 inmates, and 7 staff, has resulted in having a good work force taking care of 11 bee hives. This year’s honey has not been extracted yet. A while back, 100 apple trees were planted. So far 20-30 trees are still alive. Replanting is planned by the outside group who provided the trees. There are 19 dogs in training to become service dogs. +++ As of the meeting date, no inmate has tested positive for COVID-19. That is quite amazing considering that some of the other correctional facilities in the state have had 200-600 inmates testing positive. No SCI staff are currently working from home. Visitors are not allowed due to COVID. SCI has instituted Zoom Visiting and on average 280 zoom visits occur each week.+++ Lastly, SCI has converted 90 percent of its lighting to LED at a tremendous savings in electrical costs. It was also noted that by composting, the institution saves $20,000 annually. +++ SCI has only nine officer vacancies and seven non-uniformed vacancies. That is noteworthy, because in April there were 34 vacancies for officers. Training for new staff has been taking place in Stanley rather than sending them outside the area because of COVID. +++ Annual Reports were distributed, and in later columns I will be sharing some highlight from SCI’s July 1, 1919 – June 30, 2020 Fiscal Year Report. *** I expect many people are election weary? Here are few things to remember. Abraham Lincoln said, “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the Courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who would pervert the Constitution.” +++ Politicians should wear sponsor jackets like NASCAR drivers, then we would know who owns them. Roger Williams +++ In America we call it “lobbying.” Everywhere else in the world they call it, “Bribery and Corruption.” +++ “When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of losers.” Socrates +++ “Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining.” Teddy Roosevelt. +++ Any fool can know. The point is to understand. Albert Einstein *** Smile time. Bits and Pieces of “Believe it or not?” Stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve a razor blade. +++ If you sit more that 11 hours a day, there’s a 50 percent chance of your demise within the next three years. +++ A human brain has a capacity to store 5 times as much information as Wikipedia. +++ Sleeping without a pillow reduces back pain and keeps your spine stronger. +++ There are at least six people in the world who look exactly like you. There’s a 90% chance that you’ll meet one of them in your lifetime. +++ Putting a tea bag in a gym bag or smelly shoes will absorb the unpleasant odor. +++ There are so many kinds of apples that if you ate a new one each day it would take over 20 years to try them all. +++ A person’s height is determined by their father, and there weight is determined by their mother. +++ A smile is the ultimate antidepressant. +++ There are three things the human brain cannot resist – food, attractive people and danger. +++ Laziness and inactivity kill just as many people as smoking. +++ A body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to boil 1.5 liters of water! +++ People who laugh a lot are healthier than those who don’t. +++ Perhaps a short will would fit your needs? Here it is: