Here we are into August, and as of this writing, still no clear announcement on a football season. We have had the decree from the WIAA that there will be a football season, although a shortened version – no games before September 23. Apparently, and understandably, not everyone is happy. So what else is new? *** According to a Zendrive study of more than 100,000 U. S. drivers, from March 16 to April 19, with fewer cars on the road due to the pandemic, dangerous driving behaviors rose on U. S. roadways has risen considerably. Here are the findings: There has been a 27% increase in speeding, a 38% increase in phone uses, and a 25% increases in hard braking. All you have to do is drive at the posted speed limit, or even 3 miles over and it seems like everyone passes you like you’re standing still!! *** Did you know? According to the United Drive-In Theater Association, the U. S., as of last October, was home to 305 outdoor movie facilities with 559 screens. (Better yet Stanley has a modern indoor theater thanks to the Eslinger Family.) +++ How to get urine out of the carpet – Club soda works wonders on pet urine and other tough stains. Blot the offending liquid, then soak the spot with club soda. Bloat again and scrub with diluted carpet shampoo if needed. *** I had an unusual experience this year as a result of changing insurance providers. When Shopko in Stanley closed all prescriptions were transferred to Walgreen’s in Chippewa Falls, unless you asked that they be transferred elsewhere. We left them at Walgreen’s because I can still drive to Chippewa Falls, and do so monthly, for a county committee I still serve on. When working with an insurance agent, it was suggested that we check on the cost of our prescriptions, if we paid for them out of our own pocket vs purchasing a supplemental prescription policy. I had read, and heard from others, that even if you have a supplemental policy, you should check the cost of your paying for the medications. It was worth my paying for my own. Check it out and see what you find out. *** According to a Consumers’ Report study of 2000 Americans, 44% identified fuel economy as being the attribute that most needed to be improved in their vehicle. Next, 32% said it was the purchase price, and lastly, 29% said it was maintenance costs. *** With our 53rd wedding anniversary on the horizon, on Sunday, August 2, we took a ride to the Woodruff-Minocqua area. We had not been there in years. The weather was cool – low 60’s, and it misted nearly all the way to our destination. The corn was beautiful until we got to Price County and from there on the forest was a lush green. Both, I expect were due to the abundant rains we have had all spring and so far this summer. I know in the latter part of the winter and early part of the summer, tourism was reportedly way down due to the pandemic. Well, if what we saw and experienced on this day trip was any indication, tourism must be back up, at least in Vilas County. Traffic was bumper to bumper all the while we were in that area and the streets of Minocqua were full of people. In the shops we visited, I saw very few people not wearing facial coverings. Regarding the traffic situation, we were told that the weekend campers come on Thursday and leave Sunday morning and thus the traffic situation. On our way home, we stopped in Wausau for dinner and I was impressed with the improvisations made in the restaurant we patronized.

*** Speaking of tourism, at the July Clark County Tourism Meeting Jeff Anderson, a regional tourism official was present and reported that in 2019, $32.4 million tourism dollars were spent in Clark County, which was a 5.48 percent increase over 2018. To help one understand the impact of tourism in Wisconsin, he reported that there were 113 million visitors to Wisconsin in 2019. Visitor spending included 14% on recreation, 27% on lodging, 26% on food and beverage, 20% was retail spending and 13% was spent on transportation. Total business sales amounted to $22.2 billion and of that amount $13.7 billion was tourism spending. In 2019, 202,000 plus full-time and part-time jobs were related to tourism. Tourism brought $1.6 billion in state and local taxes and $1.3 billion in federal taxes. These facts speak volumes on the value of tourism to our state. One does wonder what impact COVID-19 is having on the tourism industry in 2020? *** It has been previously announced that Joyce Laurent Norlin, a former Stanley resident, and Class of 1959 graduate from Stanley High School, had passed on June 21, 2020. Word recently reached me that the family had a private memorial service for Joyce at St. Katherine's Episcopal Church in Owen on July 11. She was laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery near Withee. *** Best sign advertising a Thrift Sale during the Stanley citywide sales: “Classy Crap Sale Here.” This sign was on the corner of 6th and Madison. And they did have some very classy stuff, besides a good sense of humor!! *** Smile time. An elderly man drove straight through a blinking red light. A patrol officer saw him and pulled him over. The patrol officer said, “Why did you drive through the flashing red light?” “I didn't,” said the man. “I saw you,” the officer said while shaking his head, The elderly man responded, “I went through between the blinks.” +++ Only in America – do all drug stores make sick people walk to the back to get their prescriptions filled while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front. +++ Only in America – do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke. +++ Only in America – do banks leave vault doors open and then chain pens to the counters. +++ Only in America – do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage. +++ Only in America – do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight. +++ Only in America – do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering?