Duluth named "Best Town 2007"

Our Beautiful City. Duluth bayfront on a summer night.

Duluth Named Best Town in a National Magazine!

Wow... Duluth, MN got another plug this month, to let people outside of Minnesota know about our city. The "Outside Magazine" this month named Duluth one of the best towns! (Just what I've been telling you!) Anyone visiting Duluth today or tomorrow and maybe this weekend, (if today and tomorrow's weather holds out) will agree. The weather today was 70'ish, sunny, slight breeze to make for the most delightful day, and the kind of day that you've heard me refer to as "The Perfect Duluth Day", the reason we all live here! It was so perfect today, that instead of going to the fitness center after work for a water aerobics class as I had planned, I went to the Rose Garden. I walked in the garden and down to Leif Erickson Park, along the lake, and just enjoyed the breeze, the perfect temperature, the beautiful blue, blue lake and the smell of the roses! It was the perfect thing to do after a day at work, inside. I loved it. Click on the link below if you would like to read what the magazine says about our fair city!

"Best Towns 2007 Duluth, Minnesota Great Lakes" By Stephanie Pearson

http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200708/best-towns-2007-duluth.html

Progress in Fight Against Cancer

From Your American Cancer Society Minnesota Advocacy Team:
As you know, passing a smoke free law at the state level is not the only area that we are making progress in the fight against cancer. A few of our other current federal legislative priorities include the following:
1) ensuring adequate funding for cancer research,
2) providing increased access to care through life-saving mammograms
3) granting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the long overdue authority to regulate tobacco products and protect public health, and
4) increasing access to screening and treatment for uninsured and medically underserved men and women who are disproportionately affected by colorectal cancer.For more information and details on our legislative priorities, please visit our website at: http://www.acscan.org/

Mission News

Hot Mission News From The American Cancer Society
Bush Has Five Polyps Removed in Colon Cancer Test
Doctors found and removed five small polyps from President Bush’s colon during a cancer screening.
The five polyps, or growths, measured less than a centimeter in diameter each, and were later found to be benign, or non-cancerous.
A White House spokesman said President Bush, 61, would have a follow-up colonoscopy in three years, rather than waiting longer, because polyps were discovered.
It was the second cancer screening of Mr. Bush’s presidency. During the first, in 2002, doctors found no polyps. But doctors did find and remove benign polyps from Mr. Bush’s colon during exams in 1998 and 1999, when he was the governor of Texas.
The polyps were of a type called adenomatous, which arise out of glandular tissue. In such cases, doctors recommend follow-up examinations every few years to search for new polyps and to check for smaller polyps that may have escaped notice in earlier colonoscopies.

ABC’s Robin Roberts Has Breast Cancer
ABC's "Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts discovered she had breast cancer after following her own advice about early detection in a story about former colleague Joel Siegel’s cancer death. Roberts, who announced her diagnosis on the show, has since undergone surgery and returned to work.
“Hearing the words and saying it and seeing - it’s surreal,” Roberts, 46, told viewers in an on-air conversation with co-anchor Diane Sawyer.
Siegel, the ABC morning show’s longtime film critic, died of colon cancer earlier this summer. During an ABC tribute to him, Roberts did a story about how early detection is key to surviving cancer. She went home that night and examined her breasts.
She found a lump. Roberts went in for follow-up tests and the cancer was discovered not in a mammogram, but in a more advanced ultrasound test and later biopsy.

Royal Caribbean to Ban Smoking in Cabins
Royal Caribbean became the latest—and by far the biggest—liner to say it’ll ban smoking in cruise ship cabins, following in the footsteps of Disney, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas. The ban will take effect on most ships in January 2008.
Royal Caribbean says that, unlike on Oceania and Regent, its customers still will be able to light up on cabin balconies. It’s a notable compromise in the wake of last year’s deadly fire aboard the Star Princess, which some officials suspect was the result of a careless smoker who flung a cigarette off a balcony.

Cookbook For A Cure

I’ve been busy a few evenings this week typing recipes for a cookbook. Our Duluth and Superior Relay Committees for The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life have decided to put together a cookbook, that we will then sell as a fundraiser. It will be titled “The Twin Ports Recipes for a Cure”. Each recipe will be dedicated in memory or in honor of a person that has dealt with cancer. The recipes are due next week, so I’ve been busy. We want to print it in early Sept. and we have a printing company who will donate a portion of the printing, if not all of it, as a donation. We plan to have lots of photos, and stories along with the recipes.

I think we should have a variety of recipes from other areas of the country, other than Minnesota, so I requested recipes in honor or memory of, from my relatives and friends from PA, and other states. The recipes are coming in, so I’ve been typing them onto the donation form. I’ve also added a few of my own Pennsylvania Dutch recipes that I grew up with, in memory of my Dad (a 5 yr cancer survivor) and my brother, who we lost to cancer at age 52. Then I have many friends, who I am also putting in recipes for. One friend, a survivor, has the best Rhubarb bars I’ve ever tasted, and I have asked her permission to put her recipe in. We are hoping to have a variety, so that the cookbook will be a bit different than the usual cookbooks that are printed for fundraisers.

Late Bloomers

I spoke on the phone with one of my friends last evening from my high school class. It occurred to me after, that she is very much like me. When we were in school, neither of us talked much, we were both very shy and not “out-going”. Now, that we are grown up, (yes, by quite a few years now) we are both very out-going and very talkative. I think our classmates that we went to school with would find it hard to believe that we both finally “bloomed”. I know I did start coming out more in my senior year, but it wasn’t until reaching my 19th or 20th birthday that I became more like the classmates I went to school with were during school days. I we could say that she and I were “late bloomers”.

This leads me to the fact that our middle child has been out of high school 10 years this past May. While I find it hard to believe that he’s been out of school that long, I have observed that he was like me, a “late bloomer”. He was very shy and quiet in school.
He would say he wasn’t a happy boy, going through his middle and high school years,
and that middle school and high school were not good experiences for him. His younger brother had sports, so his experience was totally different. If you were in sports at East H. S. you were a “jock” and were accepted. If you were an “A” student, you were, I forget the word now, but you know what I mean, you were accepted also. Our son was in between, and anyone that went to East H. S. knows that if you were in-between, you fell through the cracks, and were “unknown”. That is how our son felt. That is why our son does not want to go to his high school reunion next month. He has a friend, who was very much like him, they did not become acquainted until the last half of his senior year. This friend wants to go to the reunion, because he feels he is a different person than he was then. He was also a “late bloomer”. Both of them have grown into wonderful men, and have some successes to show for their life. His Dad and I and his friend have been trying to convince Rob that he really should go to his reunion to give his classmates the opportunity to see that he isn’t the same as he was, and that he has “bloomed.” We do hope that he will decide to go.

I was only able to get to two of my reunions, my 30th and my 40th, since I grew up in PA. I’m sure my classmates were surprised to see how sociable and talkative I had become!
I know how much I enjoyed those two reunions and enjoyed talking with classmates that I never felt comfortable talking with back then. People here in Duluth can’t believe when I tell them there was a time when I didn’t talk much…they really think that I’m joking. But it’s true. And, Rob takes after his Mother!

Beautiful But Dry

What a beautiful day we had again. The last few days have been 70'ish, and low humidity. Yeah! My kind of weather. A sad thing though, is the drought we are having. It is so very dry, of course not just here in Duluth, but most of Minnesota. There is a fire ban everywhere, including the the city, no open fires, bon fires, or even grilling. Everyone who does not water their lawn has brown and yellow lawns. The weatherman last night commented that he went in his backyard barefoot and the grass was so dry that it "chrunched" and "hurt" his feet. We really need rain badly.

I don't know why, but my husband has been watering our lawn. I know that he wanted to do it so it would look nice for our party 2 weeks ago, and he said after that he wouldn't water anymore. However, he has been still been watering everyday. The last two years he as really been taking pride in how the lawn looks...prior to the last two years, he could have cared less if the grass was green or full of weeds. I don't know what happened to change his attitude about the lawn, maybe its because he's retired now and is around the house more and "notices" things more. But, I feel guilty that we are using so much water each day, and I can't convince him that we shouldn't be watering. I see most people on my drive to and from work, are not watering, and many in our neighborhood aren't either. (He would be mad, if he knew I was writing this about him..that's ok....he never reads my posts and you won't tell him, right?!)

In my younger days, and before my full time employment I took real good care of our flower beds around our house, and was ambitious about making them bigger, and now I wish I hadn't made them so big, and so many of them, because I really have trouble keeping after them now.
I used to try to get my husband interested in helping with the flower beds and he always said
"I'm not a farmer"...his favorite words when I would talk about the flower beds. He wasn't concerned about the lawn then either. This spring and early summer when I said I wanted to work on my flower beds to have them look nice for the party, we made that statement again.
Well, maybe in another year or so he'll take interest in the flowers too...I can hope can't I?

7 Years Already!

Where does the time go? We all ask this. We all remember when we were growing up our Mother's telling us that the older you get the faster time goes. Of course, if you were like me, you didn't believe that! But, oh, once again my Mother was right! I can't believe that next week our Granddaughter turns 7, and that in October our Grandson turns 18. How can that be?

Tomorrow we are going to Hudson to celebrate Madelyn's 7th Birthday. Tomorrow evening we are going to go to dinner with Skylar, our soon to be 18 year old. His Mom, Dad and sister will be at a wedding, but he will miss it, as he has to work. So, when he gets home from work and they are at the wedding reception, we will go to dinner with Skylar to our favorite Italian Restaurant in Hudson "Mama Maria's". Skylar wasn't able to come up for the family party when the relatives were here, because he was working. So, it will be great to spend some time with him. Sunday, the party will include a boat ride up and down the St. Croix river. They are just about 2 blocks from the river, so it wasn't long after they purchased their home there, that they got their boat. We haven't had our boat ride yet this summer, so that will be fun.

You won't hear from me probably until Monday, so I'm wishing you a great weekend!

44 MILLION

Dollars? Nope – this isn’t the jackpot for the next Mega Millions Jackpot, Powerball or Superball Lottery. This is the number of Americans considered obese.

Fact: Maintaining a healthy weight and adopting healthy eating habits can reduce your cancer risk.

Today is the Great American Eat Right Challenge, the day the American Cancer Society is encouraging all Americans to adopt healthy eating habits to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce cancer risk. Uncertain where to start? Try our suggested first step: watch your portion and serving sizes (especially foods and drinks that are high in calories, fat or sugar); it’s one way to eat fewer calories and control your weight.

Take the Great American Eat Right Challenge today at:
http://www.cancer.org/greatamericans

Great American Eat Right Challenge

Great American Eat Right Challenge
Fact: Maintaining a healthy weight and adopting healthy eating habits can reduce your cancer risk.

--Lack of physical activity during the day – including the workday – is just one of many factors related to obesity.

--“Super-size” portions, high-calorie diets, heredity and environmental factors all play a role.

The good news is these are all things we can control. Consider the following:

--Bigger isn’t better. The focus of eating should be on portion control, especially when eating foods high in fat and added sugars.

--Eat your fruits and veggies. Consider replacing high calorie foods with fruits and vegetables. Aim to eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables every day.

--Make time for breakfast. Studies show that people who eat breakfast tend to eat fewer calories throughout the day. Breakfast will also help you function more effectively and make you less irritable.

--Smarter food choices. Prepare whole-grain pasta in place of white flour pasta and try low-fat or fat-free dairy products.

--Drink water. Did you know thirst is often mistaken for hunger? If you think you’re hungry, try drinking a glass of water before you head for a snack.

--Get moving! Strive to be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day on five or more days each week.

Another Successful Relay Season

Haven't written much about our Duluth Relay this summer. Here are some excerpts from a newsletter our Community Coordinator has sent to all participants.

2006-2007 Duluth Community Relay For Life Successes

--Rain... what rain? Cancer survivors streamed out to the Survivor's Lap doning umbrellas and HUGE grins.
--The first Survivorship Reunion was held successfully. This was also the first partnership between a community event and a chapter of the Colleges Against Cancer in the Twin Ports area. (Duluth Community and CSS chapter of the Colleges Against Cancer).
--This season possessed a strong local volunteer presence at the Day at the Capital and tons of local involvement in the email and writing campaigns that led to MN becoming SMOKE FREE.
--This year was also marked by an increase in caregiver recognition and support.
--This year's Relay season recognized the courageous cancer journey of a grandmother and her grandson, Barbara and Austin Beier, the successful treatment of a strong willed little Julia Dahl, the lost battle of a breathtakingly beautiful young lady Agne Kelly. It also possessed luminaria that recognized the cancer journeys of thousands more.
--This year marked new business involvement and a deeper commitment from current businesses both in team support and sponsorship.
--This year also possessed one of the most beautiful survivorship tents I have seen at any Relay.
--The Duluth Community Relay For Life possessed a night that really reflected the unity of the teams through a theme that "built" the bonds between both the teams and the survivors.
Look at this photo... I think it shows the greatest accomplishment of all... SURVIVORSHIP... Survivors... coming together, walking alongside one another and sharing their personal battles with cancer as one united front. Know that the years we exceed our financial goals we will celebrate and the years we come short we will celebrate because Relay is much, much more...
Relay is about raising monies to provide research grants, educational programming and patient services...ACCOMPLISHED!
Relay is about connecting with community survivors, their caregivers and families providing them with cancer information, hugs and HOPE...ACCOMPLISHED!
Relay is about connecting with local residents and our community YOUTH and sharing all that they can do to reduce their cancer risks, find cancer early and get support...ACCOMPLISHED!
Relay is about recognizing all of those who have won their battle to cancer, and those who we've lost to the disease...ACCOMPLISHED.Relay is about bringing one person together with another and another and another and another to create a united front to combat cancer...ACCOMPLISHED.

PS - My Relay Team "Hope UMC" raised almost $5,000! Thank you to all who helped us!

The Country's Heat Wave

Gee, after hearing the news again this morning about the extreme high temperatures in other parts of the U.S., I feel really silly complaining about 85 - 95 degree temperatures here in Duluth! I will not write again this summer about being miserable with the heat and humidity in Duluth, Minnesota!

Pink Ribbon

You didn't see a post from me on Sunday or last night because Sunday the temperature and humidity cooled down so that I finally felt like doing some work around the house! I was busy, busy on Sunday!

Then last night, after work I went to Nemadji Golf Course for our ACS's 9th Annual Pink Ribbon Golf Tournament. We have this every year and the funds are restricted to Breast Cancer Research. My husband, son Rob, and two of Bob's golfing buddies golfed in the tournament. I joined them for the dinner and program that started at 5. The guys all had a wonderful time. We try to grow this event each year, (this year was a bit smaller than last, but next year will be better)...however, those that participated really enjoyed it. The dinner was delicious, and the Silent Auction was fun. For the program we had two Breast Cancer survivors speak, and they did a wonderful job. The program also educated everyone on what the donor's dollar goes to, and to let them know that by donating to ACS, they are helping not only to fund breast cancer research, but also programs that help those that are going through this horrible disease, like "I Can Cope" and "Reach to Recovery" programs and our "Navigator" program.

This event is the last one for this fiscal year for one of the Community Coordinators that I support at my job. Her relays are done also. Now, we will start all over working on 2008 events! But, she and I will be able to breathe for at least a week or two before starting on them!
The other Community Coordinator that I support has her Ely Relay For Life this coming Friday,
and she starts the '08 season with Moose Lake's Relay the first Friday of Sept. So, life is still hectic for her.

For more information on Breast Cancer and The American Cancer Society, go to http://www.cancer.org/

Christmas City and Merv

In Memory of Merv Griffin

Let's think of snow and Christmas, on this very warm Duluth day.

Merv Griffin passed away this week. Merv Griffin, creator of Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, talk show host and the singer of "Christmas City". What is "Christmas City", my out of state readers may ask? The "Christmas City" song is one that we hear every November during the promotions of our "Christmas City of The North" Parade and during the parade itself. The parade started in 1958 and is a tradition to kicking off the holiday season here every November. The song was written in 1962 by Hibbing native and New York songwriter Don Peterson. Merv Griffin lived in Ironwood, Michigan at one time and he was friends with the manager of the radio station that sponsored the parade. He recorded the song, as a favor (and for free), in a Duluth radio station. This was all before he was a big star and before his game shows. He had a talk show on TV in the 70's that I used to watch every day when I was home with our daughter, before the days of employment. I always enjoyed watching him along with another talk show, Mike Douglas. (Is Mike Douglas still living, never hear anything about him)?Merv will always be remembered by Duluthians for his "Christmas City" song, and every November when we hear it, we will think of Merv. (Sadly, he lost his battle with Prostate Cancer).

"Christmas City, Wonderful City, all dressed up in snow and mistletoe. Christmas City wonderful City, come this Christmas, to the Christmas City, I'll go...."

Duluth Gets the Blues

This past weekend Duluth had it's 19th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival. Four days of the blues, at beautiful Bayfront Park, over 300 acts. 20,000 people come to Duluth for this event! The weather was hot, as it usually is for the festival. Although, Sunday the temperature and humidity went down, and it was one of Duluth's most perfect days. Nice for those out of town to see our great city and weather! This event just grows and grows. The newspaper interviewed many out of town people that come here every year. They like the Aerial Lift Bridge, the ore carriers and the cool breezes off of Lake Superior as the backdrop for listening to the blues. There is talk about the festival being moved from Bayfront, but according to the interviews, most said they wouldn't come if it were held at another site. There is discord between the festival owner and the city. Let's hope that things are worked out between them before next year. I think it's the perfect spot, and I would hate to see it moved. (This of the impact on the economy that 20,000 visitors to our city makes!)

Family Party - Fun Time

I just realized it's been a week since I have written. On Monday, our cousins from Arizona went back home and on Tuesday, my sister in law and her husband went back to California. We sure did have a lovely visit with them all. This is the first time since they have all been gone from Minnesota that they have been home at the same time, so it really was special. We had a fun party on Sunday, and I made it through the day, feeding everyone a good luncheon, and munchies all afternoon. We counted after, that we had 27 people, and most of them came at noon and stayed till almost 5. (When the honored guests had to leave for their HS Reunion gathering). I was busy on Satuday, shopping and cooking. I prepared mostly salads, and summer type fare, since I knew it would be hot, I didn't want to be cooking over a hot stove or oven. We had a good day weather-wise. It was hot, but the humidity wasn't as high, so it was bearable. We were able to be on the deck and in the house and be comfortable.

Our Granddaughter was lucky, Dawn's second cousin, who is about the same age as Dawn, has two little girls around Madelyn's age, they live in St. Paul. They came up for the party, they were here for the last family get together we had, so it's nice Maddy is getting to know them. Then our neighbor's grandchildren were visiting them and they have 3 granddaughters, ages 4 - 10, and so the girls all got together and played back and forth between the two yards and houses all afternoon. That was great fun for them all. It was also fun to have children running around the party. There was a period of time when there were no little ones around. The cousin from St. Paul's sister, Sienna, from Maryland, was visiting her parents (alone) so she was able to be there too. Great for Dawn that the three girls could be together. Sienna was wishing her two little girls were in town to add two more to the girls group!

Our daughter, Dawn, was a big help to me in getting things ready for the party. She questioned whether I had enough food, and I knew I did. In fact I had left-overs of everything. We would have been eating them all week, but on Sunday evening around 7 pm, my friend called. She had been on call for the weekend, she is a social worker. Knowing she was working, earlier I had invited her and her husband to stop over in the evening to eat supper. Anyhow, when she called on her way home, she told me that also her son, girlfriend and niece were at their house. I had her stop and I gave her some of everything I had for the party, except for the Italian Cream Cake I had as one of the desserts (that was gone). I didn't want her to have to cook at 7 pm at night. So, that helped her, and it helped us, not to be eating the food all week. I am so glad that I could help in that way!

We could have had 10-15 more there if the other cousins would have shown up. Part of Bob's relatives are family oriented and the other part are not. We always wish the others would come, but I'm finally starting to realize that maybe "family" is not as important to them, as it is for us. We feel badly not to see them, but I guess it's something we have to "get over", and realize that it's their loss, all we can do is invite and encourage them to attend family get togethers. It's their loss. We missed them, we had fun, and they missed the fun!

The cousins from AZ and CA sure did enjoy the party and they really appreciated that we had the get together. Bob and I were happy that we were able to do it. We had fun too! I told Frank there was no way that we wouldn't have had a get together for them, it was a natural things for me to do. When I go home to PA, someone always hosts a family gathering for me. It's a good way for me to see everyone at once, and spend the day visiting, and I always love those family gatherings. And, the family that attends always loves the get together too. I really appreciate the ones that put the party together for me, because I know it is a lot of work. So, of course I'm going to do the same for family that comes to Duluth to visit!

PS - got some great photos of the family, but don't want to post them, until I ask permission.

Perfect Duluth Day

I must get moving today, lots to do, need to grocery shop for my party tomorrow and last minute cleaning, but I just had to log and write about our "Perfect Duluth Day" weather Thursday and yesterday! It was one of those days that we here in Duluth live for! Low humidity, temps in between 70 and 80 and sunny, clear and the lake was a beautiful, beautiful blue. I'm glad that our family from AZ and CA could witness it, and hopefully bring back memories of those perfect weather days when they lived here! It is appreciated even more by us Duluthians, when a day or two like this is followed after the unbearable heat and humdity we had earlier in the week!

I took my sister in law and her husband to the Radisson's Top of the Harbor Restuarant for lunch yesterday, since that is the hotel they are in, and then they could sleep late. Since the day was so perfect, you can imagine how lovely the view was from the revolving restaurant at the top. We were there for the whole hour it takes to revolve around for sites of the harbor and the hillside. While we were there we saw a ship come into the harbor, through the bridge. The bridge went up for it to go under (they couldn't get over how fast the ship actually seemed to go, from watching it from afar). What a beautiful site!

We topped the day off with a comfortable evening at our house and Sammy's Pizza for supper.

You can't get "Sammy's" in CA or AZ, so it is a must when they visit. Frank went to the Friday evening mixer for the reunion but Carmella didn't. I picked them up after work and brought them here, and they stayed until 11. What a nice evening of visiting we had. That on top of the wonderful evening out at Belliosios the night before.

Today our daughter and family are coming to town, Dawn is picking them up for lunch, that will give me time at home here to prepare food for tomorrow's party. I was planning to get up at 6 am this morning to get a jump on the day, but something happened, didn't get up till closer to

8! So, I better get going! Must have been the last two late nights!

"Functionally Deficient!"

I watched the NBC news, live from Minneapolis, reporting about last nights bridge collapse. 13 % of all bridges in the US are said to be "functionally deficient". This I-35 bridge was not due to be replaced until 2020. "Corrosion and fatigue", two main reasons a bridge is determined to be "functionally deficient". How scary!

There are 4 confirmed dead, and 30 missing, imagine if it were one of your loved ones was "missing". How awful. I feel for those families and friends, and I pray for them.

So, when you cross a bridge over water in your car, do you ever think about the bridge falling down? MPR listeners were asked that question today and most of them that called in said they don't. As one person said, that bridge with it being part of I-35, she doesn't even think that it is a bridge, as she's driving over it...most of them are high so that you don't even see the water. I have to agree that when driving around the metro area of the twin cities, even though you go over many, many bridges, you usually aren't aware of it.

The bridges that I really am aware of and have worried about when driving or riding over, are those I've crossed when traveling, the unusually high or unusally long bridges, for example, the ones I've always worried about are the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan and the Sunshine Bridge we went over in Florida in April. Sometimes. though, I do think about our two major bridges here in the twin ports, over Lake Superior, but that's usually only when the weather is bad. But, boy, after last night I realize that it's not just these unusually high or long bridges we should be worried about. Especially hearing tonight's report! So many bridges in America are 40 years or older and weren't built for the traffic volume we have in 2007! Also, most of these bridges that should be replaced, often are delayed due to not enough money. Safety shouldn't depend on money! One Senator said that "Bridges in America shouldn't just fall down"! Amen to that! Let the bridge inspections begin and let's get some transportation money into the federal funds to help repair and replace these "functionally deficient bridges!" Continue to pray for those missing, and all those involved in yesterday's tragedy!

Beautiful Day

What a beautiful day... the temperature is lower, there is a breeze and it's not a hot breeze and the humidity is down. A good day for golf. My husband, his cousin and our two sons are golfing this afternoon. I just called the hotel to see if my sister in law and her husband arrived safely and they did, about 4:00. Later tonight we will all be going to the elegant Italian Restaurant "Bellisios". Bob and I rarely go there because it's quite pricey, but it we took Carmella and Masa there the last time they were here and they loved it, so thought we'd go again, and Frank hasn't been there before. It will be a treat for all of us.

All of us here in Duluth have those affected by the collasped bridge last evening in Minneapolis, in our thoughts and prayers today. Many of my co/workers have children living down there, as do we, and it was good to hear this morning that they are all fine and weren't anywhere near the bridge at the time. Although, many of them could have been. Freda's son lives just blocks from the bridge by the University and he called her this morning to tell her that Brian Williams and Matt Laurey from NBC's today show were in his front yard. They will be broadcasting tonight's NBC news from their apartment roof.

Disaster in Minneapolis

An I-35 bridge in downtown Minneapolis collapsed tonight at 6 pm, during rush hour traffic, plunging at least 50 cars into the Mississippi River. There are three known dead so far, there is search and rescue going on, many casualties taken to local hospitals. 200,000 vehicles cross this bridge every day. It is a steel bridge, 40 years old, it passed inspection 3 years ago. What a nightmare! Prayers for all those involved!

"Pretty Much Useless"

I'm in agreement with a friend who wrote on her blog this morning:

"I'm a cool weather person. That's why I live in Northern Minnesota (or maybe it's because I live here). Anyway, when it's 90 and humid, I'm pretty much useless."

We've had another couple of hot days here again, the humidity I believe is lower today, so that helps, but yesterday and today there is a hot breeze! Usually we have a "cool breeze"! And I'm pretty much "useless in this weather." It's a good thing that I work in an office that has air condition, or I'd really be in trouble! The last two nights I have slept with a fan blowing over me, and our house feels like an oven. I've been pretty miserable the last few evenings.

Bob's cousin, Frank got into town yesterday afternoon from Arizona, he was missing a piece of luggage. It did get to him this morning, so at least they didn't lose it! He's not minding the heat.
He is staying at the Inn on Lake Superior in Canal Park, with a view of the lake. He said the room is nice, but not all that special, considering what he's paying for it. Tourist season in Duluth, I'm sure the hotel/motel rates are very high. His wife is joining him on Friday. Bob's sister and her husband come to town tomorrow. They will be staying at the Radisson. Let's see if Northwest gets them here on time and with all their luggage.

I do hope it cools off because we're having a family get together at our house on Sunday and I need not to be "useless" on that day!

PLAYFRONT - 17 Years Old

The other day I wrote about Playfront Park, that our Grandson wanted to go there on his visit to town. His Mother and I used to take him to Playfront a lot when he was a toddler and he remembers how he used to play there. He always loved going there and playing. Skylar is 17 years old. I didn't realize until I read the morning newspaper that Playfront Park is the same age as Skylar! It is 17 years old. I remember when it was built, by 3,000 volunteers. The Duluth Junior League planned it and paid for the materials. They organized volunteers to build it. The city gave them the land, and the city maintains it. The league made sure it was upgraded and refurbished in 2002-03. The park's lifespan has almost been reached because it's equipment is made of wood, the league would like to have a new plan for it before it wears out or presents hazards. They have a committee that is looking into whether it should be rebuilt where it is or at another location. Playfront,according to City Gardner, Tom Kasper, who is overseeing the future for Playfront, says "It's an incredibly heavily used play structure. It is by far our busiest playground out of all 46 playgrounds we have."

Thank you Junior League for giving our children Playfront and thank you for planning for its future! Our children thank you too!