alexandriacardinals

[Hi!  We’re old!]

OK, a few other things went on this week.  Uncle Willie’s Gut Bucket Blues were at SAWA on Tuesday before a small, but elite, audience.  They’re still looking for someone who can play a really good washboard.  The Salty Dogs were at SAWA on Thursday (Erik, Tom, and Bill) and at the winery on Saturday (Erik & Tom) – Bruce and Annie haven’t been able to rejoin the team since Bruce’s health “incident” so I haven’t taken any photos or videos, absent Annie.  We didn’t make the classic boat show at Arrowwood this weekend because – well, it was just too hot . . . and we’ve been to the Maritime Museum a couple times recently, including Monday:

[We were there for the Gar Wood exhibition.  But first a little nosh and beverage on the “cottage porch.”]

[Mr. Wood put four of these 1,800 hp puppies (aircraft engines) in his boat to reach speeds over 120 mph.  I think the Moby Obie could take him!]

[Known Alexandria golfer, bon vivant, and spouse to a 65er.]

[I think the supervisor always wanted to be a boat model?]

[Outside, work continues on the grounds and gardens.  The “roof” is now up for the stage.  There will be a performance here next month.]

[It’s been tough because too wet has run into too hot.]

[OK, I did pull the camera out Thursday night.  But not for the boys.]

[The camera was for the girls – “Dangerous” Dan’s daughters:  Julie (from Mahtomedi), Kris (from Oregon), and Marty (from California).]

[Sunday our boys played outside at the winery – in 92 degree weather.  OK, we didn’t suffer – there was shade and a breeze.  But it was too hot for photos?]

OK, maybe not the most exciting topic, but she’d rather piddle around here than go golfing.  All the neighbors’ kids and grandkids have gone home now after a couple of weeks’ play on beautiful Lake Darling.  So, there’s not a lot going on – the 4th is over and done, but summer swelters on.  I did manage to golf twice last week after a month on injured reserve with a sore butt, bringing me to 15 rounds for the year – club board member Mike Rosenwald already has 90!  We, like many places, are pretty much setting heat indice records on a daily basis.  And after a wet spring, we haven’t had rain in weeks.  Thus, the yard is a story.  I hate heat, I hate humidity, I hate yardwork – give me 2 hours of snow shoveling anytime, no bugs, no sweat, no filth.  But the drought forced me out onto the property this day – and I spent 2 1/2 hours moving hoses around as I hand watered every one of the supervisor’s plants, from flowers, to bushes, to small trees.

To spice up the yardwork story, the blog takes this opportunity to share comments which continue to trickle in.  You will note they are to person positive – because you hardly ever see bad reviews on a bookliner.  The one thing we will continue to work on is readership.  We have yet to go viral.  In fact, our best day is 254 hits, the game Lauren Trumm scored her 1,000th point.  The last time I checked,  254 is just a tad short of viral.  But Lauren gave it a good run!  😉

[Signs of the drought in the browning grass.]

Holy cow!! ~ Jami

Wow, Tom. This is pretty cool. You two are the best fans! Ever! ~lisa lynn

Thank you for the musical tour. You are right! We have access to great music in our little city and you two are remarkable ambassadors for our area. ~ Barb B.

Thanks so much for sharing.  You do such a great job of documenting Alexandria!  ~ Chuck & Mandy

Great pictures!!!  ~ SAWA

Good morning Tom!  Pray tell what does Tom Kiehne do and live in Austin?  Since I have lived here or hereabouts for now some 57 years after leaving Alex I see from time to time Alexandrians and former Alex students of mine when they come south for the winter!  Seemingly most go to Arizona but some do come to South Texas usually heading for the Gulf.  Still always think fondly of my days with John and “Tommy” when we were young and starving in Alex!  ~ Vince, Director of University Bands Emeritus

I often wonder how you both have time to do what you do and then put this blog together . . . ~ Marcus

Gosh you do an excellent job. Ever considered being a reporter????  ~ Kathy A. L.

You didn’t take any of the Grain Belt Brewery or Gluek Brewery in North East Mpls.  ~ Rosie

[Our basswood – the tallest tree on the lake.]

Very Nice ….the shag carpet, rabbit ears, pretty classy dishes for guys…color coordinated decor…the macrame hanging plant (needs water)… and looks like you may be trying to grow a pineapple.. And is that a list of Watergate conspirators??? ~ Diane O’

You have the Cathedral on the right and the Basilica just out of the trees on the left.  I don’t remember the Sears building.  Oh, maybe it was on Lake.   In ’66, I lived near the Honeywell…the old house was torn down for 35W. ~ Diane O’

Please God tell where you accumulate all this past history? You are amazing!!! ~ Crazy D

Wow, what a happy ending to an unsolved mystery as to whatever happened to Brad.  ~ Gretchen

I think I was around Brad only 3 or 4 times ever….but I do remember watching the Providence-Maryland regional final in ‘73 at your Stevens Ave. apt. (along with T ).  ~ B’ball Dan

Thanks for getting us caught up on these classmates who were always some of my favorites.  Brad has had a rough go of it and I know he appreciated your visit. ~ Judy B.

Two thumbs up!  ~ Diane O’

Nice story. ~ The Nanner

[“Dangerous” Dan’s – now sans kids and grandkids.]

Both you and Ruth are, off the chart, the best!!! What a great story. I’m so happy we are close friends after reading this missive. You’re both the best. ~ Regards, Crazy D

Very nice story!  Glad you were able to reconnect! ~ Marnee’

Good story!  ~ Rita

What a great get together 🙂 ~ The HQ

I remember going to Pearl and Mayo’s when I was a little kid, and they had a monkey in their kitchen.  I loved monkeys.  Not something you see in Alexandria very often.  Was it Greg’s? ~ Taryn

I’m saddened to learn of Art’s suffering and challenges. ~ Hans

Like the poetry    nice touch     road trip too. ~ Diane O’

Love your photos. A good Minnesota potluck is the best.  ~ Taryn

[Oh, our dying elm!  😦  ]

Love this.  Do you ever sleep?  I have a new name for you “Tom 24/7.”  “Are you listening?” ~ Diane O’

Very Very KOOL  🙂  The HQ

Tom, Thanks for sharing. ~ Joe D.

Tom – Thanks very much for sending this. I was not even aware of the organization or the magazine !! ~ KBT

Looks good.  Thanks for keeping me on the list. ~ Judy B.

I should have known better than to question the dates of the JHS historian.  A recalculation of my memories says you’re right.  We were juniors at the time of the assassination. I was selling candy bars with Ted Ording at the Student Council snack bar when we got word that Kennedy had been shot.  I was in Mr. Reuter’s class when his death was announced. ~ Judy B.

Hooray for Elrosa, my Sauk Centre BFF from 1950-55 lives on a beautiful farm
there , raising gorgeous shires.  🙂  ~ The HQ

No worries… the Hopkins girls did great.  Will was mumbling something about drinking, kids, sports, grrrrrrr during the boys game…. a shame but it happens!  ~ The HQ

Hurrah for Brooten!!..my dads home town! He would be proud. Also congrats to Osseo our conference rep (second best recruiting school next to Hopkins..boys and girls).. sorry Kathy S. Both teams very good and well coached..coach Theisen coached my two older boys at Osseo. Enjoy your trip Tom. Go Gophs!! ~ Dave S.

You are definitely too busy to work.  🙂   And the courtyard does look different.. even b4 color photographs.  Hahahahaha!  ~ The HQ

Love the news, period. Thank you so much. And, as a photographer, I get a big kick out of the photos that you post. Now, captioning is another thing. Well, not really, but there is one photo 3-1-12-4 of the Super Fans at the recent blow out. If you look to your left, the gentleman seems to be asleep! Was that indicative of: 1. Older age; 2. Great meal before hand; or, 3. A darn boring game? Thanks, Tom. And it was good to see your smiling face; or at least what’s behind the camera that we can see.  ~ Terry L.

So, you were just testing me to see if I really read your blog???? ~ The HQ

Great pictures Tom and comments!!  Thanks ~ Dave S.

Thanks Tom .. my Sarah was a lot like Bud’s Sarah..JV MVP two years running .. has been starting last two years..she is the best athlete in the family .. my 3 boys reluctantly acknowledge! 8 time letter winner .. Softball is her best sport .. scholarship may be in offing…between Duluth or Eau Claire I think.  Those Trumms must be great players .. been reading about them in the Echo and your stuff for a while!! Good to see Alex girls sports thriving.  ~ Dave S.

I met Matt’s [Veline] father Bill years ago, when I was still a teen. He was as nice as could be to me and encouraged me to stick with the guitar. ~ KBT

So stinky!  ~  The HQ [Re: girls’ hockey uniforms]

Tom, you forgot to put Tissue Alert in the subject box!! What a wonderful tribute!!   Thanks for the memories. ~ Love, k [The HQ]

That was great!!!   I loved Dick, and haven’t thought about him in a long time.  What a guy!  I remember he stayed overnight at our house on Bryant street – not sure why he was there overnight.  But he had loud nightmares during the night.  And every time we went to his apartment downtown he had cold water in the tub, with Pepsi, I think, being cooled.  Lots of memories! ~ Lil Mayo

Tom: thanks again for all the great emails; both Rita and I love to hear about Alex. I know Ruth is on Facebook and I should send her a “Friends” message. ~ Terry L.

Your photos are pretty darn good for a writer…Loved the ones from the trip north with all the fall foliage. Rita and I went out last Saturday on a photo expedition to the Mountain Loop Highway that is about 35 miles north of us. Then, on Tuesday, I took a trip to a US Navy station which is in the mountains and has cabins and campsites to rent. I had never been there but was looking for fall foliage. We have had such a weird weather year that the leaves aren’t turning like most years. And, I couldn’t see any eagles. ~ Terry L.

[Cardinal fans are all alike under the skin.]

Were you out cruising the lakes in the beautiful fall weather?  On your party barge?  And from the air …. on my way out last Sunday.  Thanks ~ Bob L.   P.S. Visiting with you guys was a highlight of my reunion weekend.

The hair and face coloring is similar but your Uncle Ted has a much better nose!!! ~ Sara

Elkhart Lake Wisconsin?  Did you get to Siebken’s?  I worked at Road America many times.  Made my first trip there in about 1968.  Lots of memories including the last time I was there as a guest of a racing team and I tried to climb the fence to help out with an accident. ~ John H.  [And we’re off again to Elkhart Lake in a couple weeks.]

[It’s still their fault!  😉  ]

Love the photos! We sure had a great trip and really enjoyed seeing you… even though the trip was so short. Soon enough, we’ll be up there for good! ~ Jami [the supervisor’s daughter]

Love the EcoHome tour! Can’t wait to get up there and see if we can find the cordwood people at home. ~ Jami

Love the EcoHome tour! Beautiful!  Thank you for preserving my peonies to enjoy another day.  ~ Ruthie

Love!!! The photos of the trees! Can’t wait to be a Minnesotan!! ~ Jami

[OK, and his fault, too!]

People tell me they love Tom’s blog. I love to hear this so please leave a comment. You will make his and my day.  ~ Ruthie [Always listen to your supervisor!]

I think this blogsite is AWESOME. Really fun to see all the goings on from up North – can’t wait until I too am a Minnesotan! I’m starting to feel like a local! And even though I don’t know a lot of these ’65ers, it’s fun to see their high school photos compared to today (and I even recognize a few of them now!). But I will say we need more photos of the Supervisor – she is my favorite. ~ The Supervisor’s Biggest Fan [Always listen to your supervisor’s daughter!]

[June 1965:  Brad Anderson, Greg Johnson, Tom Kiehne, Tom Obert]

The morning of July 5th turned out to be a pretty big day for those of us now on Medicare.  The boys in the above photo were high school buds.  We were math geeks.  Unlike most geeks, however, we liked and played sports.  And it wasn’t that we weren’t interested in girls – it’s just that we didn’t know what to do about it.

Over the years, we had varying degrees of contact.  Greg and I always had a connection.  We re-united with Tom in 1990 for our 25th class reunion.  But we all lost track of Brad around 1974.  We had heard some time ago that he had been in a car accident that caused serious brain injuries.  We had brief contact with him a few years ago – he was living in Fargo and confirmed the injuries, then we “lost” him again.  During the holiday week, Brad found Greg, who lives in Burnsville, on Facebook – he was still living in Fargo.  Tom, who lives in Austin, Texas, just happened to be in Alex visiting his dad that week.  We decided to meet Brad for lunch in Fargo.

[Preparing to leave for Fargo that morning . . .]

[Tom’s wife, Pam; the supervisor; and “Dad” Merill Keihne were there at the send-off.]

[Brad meets Greg and Tom for the first time in almost 40 years.]

[Brad has been on disability for 22 years.  He has PTSD, depression, and agoraphobia, and prefers not to travel.  He carries his medications on the lanyard around his neck.  His long term memory is good, so we had a great time talking about the “good ole days.”  He hasn’t been to Alex since ’91 – but would like to again some day.  We told him if he’s up to it, we’ll come and get him for the 50th class reunion in three years.  In his heyday, he was a computer programmer who did contract work all over the country – and one time owned his own software company.  Greg was a programmer for Honeywell for almost 40 years.  Tom is still a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Texas.  I, of course, became a blogger.]

[Our photographer – because it’s what I do.  p.s.  Many of you may remember Brad’s younger brother Barry, now 61.  Barry was a very good ball player for Alex and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.  I don’t know if he ever pursued that option.  He is a teacher and coach at Fargo Shanley high school.]

[Then we had to hustle back to Alex for the Red Willow Arts Coalition’s Tribute to Mel Lamar on the courthouse lawn.  Mel is noted for having taught every guitar player in the county over the last something, something years.]

[Spencer Christensen and Adam Aastrup, both standing, two young students of Mel’s.]

[Mikko Cowdery, local guitar player of some repute, whose grandson, Brett, is a student of Mel’s.]

[Red Willows host, Chuck Wencl, who I believe plays everything except guitar?  😉 ]

[Michelle [nee] Wencl and young Mr. Aastrup (13, I believe).]

[Mel Lamar, on the right, with his son Bruce.]

[Joined by Bill Engebretson, drummer and founder of Funky Gumbo Trio.]

[Joined by Bill Riggs, trumpeter and retired history teacher.]

[Good Crowd, Nice Night!]

[The it was off to SAWA where Finestra was performing.  A packed house made on-site reporting impossible!]

You’re a grand old elm, You’re a high flying elm.

[Returned from the gym on Friday to find the tree trimmers had been here.  Dead branches had been culled from our westside protector.  It has “the disease,” so all we can hope is that by removing the dead branches we can keep it alive for a while longer.]

Friday afternoon began the glut of weekend entertainment.  Matt Veline was at the winery Friday through Sunday – we were there Friday and Saturday (more later).  Then Dan Mahar highlighted the weekend of the 6th anniversary of Sixth Avenue Wine & Ale:

[Many videos of Dan are scattered throughout this blog.]

[And the Kiehnes were there.]

[Back to winery for Matt Veline on Saturday.]

Video of Matt Veline’s “Walking in Memphis”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QJ1TbDJH8Q

[And the Annens were there.]

[Then back to SAWA with Mr. Mahar.]

[Recently discovered, SAWA was originally a bar in 1904 – with the bar in the same location it is today!  😉 ]

[Fans taking photos – and Vicky, on the right, who has taken care of us for the entire 6 years!]

[Late in the performance, Dan was joined by Terry Kennedy and Al Lieffort and, to the delight of the music fans, played on into the night!]

Also on this day, Patchouli, regularly featured in this blog, performed in Wisconsin and blog contributor Sue Elliot submitted these photos:

On Sunday, the supervisor suggested a trip on the Moby Obie would be nice:

[Arnie!]

[I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now . . .]

[Yup, over a 100 in the sun.  But the heat wave broke that day.]

[Works for me!]

[Beefcake??? ]

This is from the 4th through . . . whatever day this is.  It’s been busy so blogging has been an afterthought.  Plus, it’s been just too darn hot!  [Time to start revisting those real estate ads in Pickle Lake, Ontario?]

The kids went home to Indiana on the 3rd.  100-degree heat indices were responsible for that.  So, on the morning of the 4th, the supervisor and I, knowing that the show (and its coverage) must go on, ventured out into a dewpoint-induced white-out to watch the annual Lake Carlos Boat Parade.  So, into the Moby Obie for our 2nd lake venture of the year – absent regular use, the Moby was a bit grumpy about getting started and we drifted past several of our neighbors until the 16-year old 50 hp Yamaha finally fired up.

[On the way, a rare sight on beautiful Lake Darling – a stand-up surfboard paddler along the reed line between Camp Ballentine and the golf course.]

[Then a Sopwith Camel came by . . .]

[Into Lake Carlos, the meandering prior to parade commencement had begun.]

Video of the parade (OK, it’s really more of a meander):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Ag8-d_SjE

[As you can see, the perspiration-enhancing humidity had turned both the water and the air into a lovely shade of pale.]

[Several thought the participation, and the audience, were down this year – but I didn’t think by much.]

[I believe the bucket of balloons represented some sort of KFC product.]

[Ted Haar?]

[Blakes by the Lakes – always a good audience.]

[And, of course, the theme is always red, white, and blue!  🙂  ]

[Start ’em young and they’ll be paraders for life.]

[Then came the beefcake.  I believe the supervisor mumbled something about that being her favorite.]

[The color scheme was perfect . . .]

[It was so hot, even the dogs had to take a dip.]

[We could relate – hippies!]

[The space shuttle? 😉 ]

[And past the Donley’s . . .]

[Where our past club president paid due homage to the red, white, and blue – bikinis!]

[Contrary to reports at the time, I was not wearing a thong.  It’s just that my swimsuit seems to be shrinking over time?]

[Fellow Darlingites, Russ and Jean Bey.]

[Getting ready for the fireworks.  We decided against the Moby Obie – too hot and buggy – so were delighted by the invite to the Fieldhammer’s.]

[And here we all are!  ;-0 ]

[OK, let’s try it with a flash.]

[Boom!]

[It’s over!  Mad dash to the cars – the mosquitos were ravenous!!!!]