The Rev. David Hoyme

Photo by Tom Obert

Pastor David Hoyme, 78, remembered here for his work at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria in the 60s, passed away yesterday after a lengthy illness.
Memorial services will be held Monday, August 20 at 1 p.m. at First Lutheran.
Visitation is Sunday, August 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.
We'll post an obituary when it's available.

She'll be searching for Peewee Maynard photos

That's Ardis on the bass, playing guitar

Stan stopped by to see legendary "Baby Doll" girl band lead singer and professional wrestler Ardis Wells yesterday during his visit to see his mother at the Edgewater Vista in Alexandria. We posted a note here recently from Elizabeth in Owatanna who said her Dad played steel guitar in a band with Ardis back in the 50s.
The band was called "The Dakota Roundup Gang" and she was hoping to get find pictures of her Dad -- now 84 -- back in his scuffling youth.
Ardis is 95 now. She's laid up with a bum leg at the moment, but, sure enough, she recalled Pee Wee Maynard without prompting, and promised to look through her stuff for a nice photograph, as soon as she's mended and back in her own room.
Use this blog's search box to find the original 2008 post about Ardis and a video with her singing.

A gathering of Cardinals. . .

This is for Lorlee who thinks she recognizes everybody but isn't sure:
Seated: Marlene Zimmel, Sue Graves, Patty Collins, Bob Watson, Sara Smith,
Maryanne Hibbard, Kathy Sherry, Billie Jo Jones.
Back: Stan Rolfsrud, John Herdan, Bev Roers, Charlie Olson, Tom Obert
Gary Ekdahl, Betty Larson. (Don't ask for all the married names, please.)

Tom Obert built his career in D.C.
Built retirement home in Alex.

15 Mighty Mighty Cardinals from the Jefferson Senior High Class of 1965 gathered this afternoon at the Bug-a-Boo Bay in Alexandria for an unofficial mini-reunion. Despite the fact that this is the year that the 65ers turned 65, remarkably little time was spent discussing Medicare.

Big topic: Would you sell your home and retire in Alexandria? Some would, some wouldn't. Some have.

Bob Watson was obscured in the group photo.
So here he is again. Still good-looking. Charming.

Announcing an important software upgrade. . .

One of the most important reasons to upgrade your operating system is that you get a new version of Photo Booth with special effects. This important educational software enhancement provides critical research material for young and old alike while Mom runs her errands. This is the "alien" feature, judged better than the "dizzy" or "bug eye" option.

After watermelon, an easy puzzle and a hard-fought chutes-and-ladders battle.

Rays 7; Twins 3

We called the balls and strikes

Seated in their usual blue collar section at Target Field, Kathleen and Stan have often looked over and wondered just what kind of people sit up in that exclusive Legends club area, high over the home plate action. Today they found out as guests of Bud and Paula, their neighbors with access to some fine cushioned seats just below Bert and Dick in the press box.
They all had a great time, despite the Twins refusal to accept victory from three golden offerings. The Twins eventually lost in the 10th, allowing the Tampa Bay Rays to complete a 3-game sweep.
It was a perfect day for baseball, they thought, temperatures in the 60s, overcast and the sprinkles held off until the last inning --- and then nobody cared anymore.

10 mile shot down the Cannon

Taking full advantage of her new home in Northfield (a river runs through it), Jennifer tossed our kayak into the pristine Cannon for a 10-mile discovery tour -- just going with the flow -- yesterday. No details given on her recon yet, but please note her sweatshirt. The weather cooled nicely for a sunrise glide on a gentle current.

Meanwhile, Stan and Kathleen will join Bud and Paula cheering the tottering Twins against the mighty Rays at Target Field this afternoon. Scattered showers won't scatter us. Bud advises packing ponchos.

There goes the neighborhood. . .

If their front yard condition provides a clue, it appears the little Hobbits next door have left town with no forwarding address. We're sad to report that this is the present sorry shape of their storied pond-side residence. Some say they are still at home, but, like everyone else, have lost all ambition to the constant and oppressive heat.

Once Upon a Time. . .

We hope the present cooling Canada air mass will coax them out, and we see them busy with tiny trimmers and paint brushes in their precious little hands.

Breakfast flakes

Maybe it was all the excitement of trying out the new tropical fruit blend smoothie package (peach slices, mango chunks, pineapple chunks, banana slices) purchased yesterday from Target, which we hoped would relieve the boredom of our usual morning mix; or maybe it was the excitement of seeing the big Mitt Romney running mate announcement aboard the battleship Wisconsin, we don't know. But for some reason this morning we were so completely distracted that we somehow forgot to insert the black plastic tamper through the hole on the lid of our Vita-Mix blender before stomping down on some uncooperative frozen fruit pieces.
This momentary oversight caused an immediate and unfortunate blending of black plastic with mango, peach and pineapple chunks.
A crisis over morning coffee can be most unpleasant, but the incident was quickly smoothed by the friendly Vita-Mix people at the other end of an 800 number that was answered immediately.
We read the serial number off the bottom of the blender and the young man said they would Fed-Ex a replacement tamper to us immediately. However, this mishap will have to go on our permanent record and we'll need to pay a fee next time.
Wow. They have a frequent manglers policy. So this has happened to other distracted operators.
Kind of exciting, makes you feel like a part of a wide unfocused community.

Rookie

Meanwhile, 3:10 at the Archer House River Inn, Northfield. . .