Bingo FUN!

Baked, Mashed or Fried

Scritchem, scritchem, scritchem...this is the sound my thrift store shoes made on the gravelly paved streets early Sunday morning as I went for a slow jog. It was the morning after the SpudFest and I was still sorting out all my grievances of the previous day as my tired feet pounded the blacktop. Was it a success? How can we improve? Did we accomplish our goals? These questions were tearing at me as I warmed up taking loud steps along the street.

I decided to take the mile route from yesterday's SpudFest to help me visit my thoughts instead of my normal route this morning. I started up the hill and went as far as Church street goes north and then rounded the corner thinking about how my Maleah ran half the 5k yesterday in the sweltering heat and finished strong thinking she was done.

She was thirsty and tired and I couldn't bear to tell her she only did half, so I didn't. I knew that this morning when I returned home she would no doubt say her legs are sore as she also rode her bike all afternoon and played on the inflatables.

My brain flicked to memories of my dear cancer survivor friend Denise who one year ago was recovering from a chemotherapy treatment and just yesterday completed a 5k. I hugged her at the finish line and with tears in both of our eyes felt. so. wonderfully. proud. of. her. and so thankful for this life that I have been given. Trying not to slip on the stones down the hill I remembered the 1st SpudFest. My one year anniversary from the cancer diagnosis. How far I have come now. How blessed I am and continue to be. How wonderful and amazing our Lord is.

Scritchem, scritchem, scritchem...My ipod lays forgotten and abandoned on top of the piano at home so my brain continues to wander through these still vivid short term memories. After the 5k Main Street was flooded with kids on bikes and lawnmowers for the kids poker run. The vendors, with their bright booths and attractive wares, were set up. The fragrant smell from the concessions was wafting through the air. The heat was thick and chewy and stagnant but the kids were not letting it get them down. The kiddie train with its' loud and headache creating bike horns was running at full capacity for hours. The driver had placed a plastic bag chock full of potatoes on the hood of his lawn mower engine and every time he passed me I smiled wondering if he would bake them or mash them or fry them or grate them for browns. Potatoes are one versatile vegetable:)

The route was flattening out now as I neared the pool and the sand volleyball courts. Yesterday there were tons of people watching and playing and whooping it up. The swimming pool was packed. My heart panged a bit, sharply, when I realized, again, that I didn't make it down to this spot once the day before to play or watch a match, something I had really looked forward to accomplishing. I rounded the corner and noticed the campground was at maximum capacity but at this hour was completely quiet and all I could hear was my feet again, scratching on the street.
Turning up the road I glanced over to the softball park and the garden and thought of how much fun the kids had digging up potatoes Friday night. It was a dirty job. The bugs chewed on us. But bugs can't eat away the memory of the forks digging the black earth and the brown water bath for the 'taters and the interesting spinning barrel we used to get them clean. I wondered what kind of memories others might have of yesterdays big party. The tractors and trucks throwing candy in the parade kind of memories. The cotton candy, kettle corn, or funnel cake kind of memories. The getting hosed down by the fire truck (please tell me someone got a photo of that) watching the horses, or jumping and sliding on the inflatables kind of memories.

As I neared Main St. and saw the road blocks pushed up onto the sidewalks and the overflowing trash cans I thought of the music and supper and silent auction that ended the evening. My cheeks rose into a smile when I thought of Mike and his wife, the t-shirt designer, who showed up in the late afternoon to check things out. It was good to see you, Mike, hope you enjoyed our little town, I am kicking myself for not giving you a tour. Sorry, have no idea where my brain was :(

I jogged past the deflated but brightly colored inflatables and the big tent and the last few scraps of what was left of our annual event. I huffed and puffed up the hill wondering how well attended today's worship service would be. I thought about all the people I wanted to thank for their hard work and dedication to making this event happen. I wondered if they knew all the memories they were helping to create. I hoped they did.

My heart surged and I half sprinted the last block home. The blood pumped in my veins and my heart was filled. The blessings that we have are too numerous to be counted. The overflowing of support from our community year after year after year has to be noted. It takes a village to have a SpudFest.

The worship service was AMAZING. What a perfect end to the weekend. Over 50 people sang, praised, and thanked the Lord for his ultimate sacrifice. The message was wonderful. I wish you all could have heard it. Pastor applied the Scripture to our lives and it fit like the last puzzle piece in the cause of our celebration. Everyone broke out in applause after his sermon and I am positive it had nothing to do with the joke he made earlier about not getting recognition like the soloist.

We were blessed with some AMAZING music, too. Thanks for the great praise music, Vicki, Pastor, Betsy, kids, Stephanie and Lenice, and Pastor Jerry and I can't forget the percussionist, Isaac...Jesus is the rock and he rolled my sins away!

Afterwards as we sat at the table and took care of all the loose ends I felt compelled to voice my opinion. I was frustrated with some lack of communication. I felt that there were some people who did not value and work towards the true mission of the SpudFest. I focused on the negative, got caught up in the little things and forgot to look at the big picture. I didn't even thank the people I wanted to for all their volunteer hard work. I crumbled and fell apart. I put in my notice. I retired. The earth still is still turning.

With or without me, I hope that there will be many more memory making SpudFests. I can't wait to see what's in store for number 5:)

One week to Spudtacular FUN!

THE SPUDFEST WILL BE LOCATED ON MAIN STREET THIS YEAR
(bugs and mud have encouraged us to relocate our celebration for 2010)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20
POTATO DIGGING……............................................7:00 PM
COMMUNITY GARDEN

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21
5K RUN OR 1 MILE RUN WALK……………............9:00 AM
LAWN MOWER AND BIKE POKER RUN….........10:00 AM
PARADE…(30+entrants including pipes and drums)…11:00 AM
BEAN BAG TOURNEY…………………………............12:00 PM
TATOR TOT (KIDS) GAMES PLUS INFLATABLES.....1-5:00 PM
POTATO TOSS……………………………….........…….1-4:00 PM
COW PIE BINGO …………………………….........……3-6:00 PM
SAND VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT…….…2:00 PM
(courts located just east of the pool)
SILENT AUCTION ……………………………........….4-7:00 PM
TREFOIL CELTIC LIVE MUSIC.......……….........5-7:00 PM
SUPPER…………………………………………….................6:00 PM
BRATS, BURGERS, POTATO SALAD, WATERMELON and DRINK
$7.00 AGE 13 THRU 64 $5.00 AGE 12 AND UNDER AND 65 AND OVER
CARMAN KAROKE…………………………...........……9PM-1AM
BEER GARDEN AT THE OFFICE BAR-MAIN STREET

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22
COMMUNITY WORSHIP SERVICE...............12:00 NOON
special music guests include the debut of the Montrose Community Children's Choir (practice is at 11:30 am everyone is welcome), Pastor Jerry Stolp and more...
POTLUCK IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SERVICE
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
208 W CLARK STREET

Community Garden Featured

on PBS tonight 7pm. Check your local tv station for listings!

Montrose's community garden a part of Aug. 3 "Garden Line" program.

The live video stream is available only during the live television broadcast Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. CDT. The stream will become available at the beginning of the live broadcast. Previous episodes are available as podcasts and can be found through Garden Line's iTunes University site.

SpudFest 2010

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20
POTATO DIGGING…….7:00 PM
COMMUNITY GARDEN

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21
5K RUN OR 1 MILE RUN WALK……………....9:00 AM
LAWN MOWER AND BIKE POKER RUN….10:00 AM
PARADE……………………………………………..11:00 AM
VENDORS in the Park..................................11:00 AM
BEAN BAG TOURNEY…………………………..12:00 PM
TATOR TOT (KIDS) GAMES,
PLUS INFLATABLES .........................1-5:00 PM
POTATO TOSS…………………………………….1-4:00 PM
COW PIE BINGO …………………………………3-6:00 PM
KICKBALL TOURNAMENT……….……………3:00 PM
SILENT AUCTION ……………………………….4-7:00 PM
TREFOIL
CELTIC LIVE MUSIC …………………….5-7:00 PM
SUPPER……………………………………………..6:00 PM
BRATS, BURGERS, POTATO SALAD, WATERMELON and DRINK
$7.00 AGE 13 THRU 64 $5.00 AGE 12 AND UNDER AND 65 AND OVER
CARMAN KAROKE………………………………9PM-1AM
BEER GARDEN AT THE OFFICE BAR-MAIN STREET

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22
COMMUNITY WORSHIP SERVICE
AND POTLUCK ………. 12:00 NOON
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
208 W CLARK STREET

5k shirts are in

get 'em b4 they're gone...

8.21.2010

Parade Entrants needed!

For the 4th annual SPUD FEST in Montrose

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21st, 2010

*We would love for you to write up a short bio about your entry (who is riding, what is your business, perhaps a little history) when you register. That way, the MC can talk about you a bit when you are on Main St.

SpudFest 2010 is guaranteed to be SPUDTASTIC or your potatoes are FREE

Peter Rabbit, eat your heart out.

We put up 18 quarts and 6 pints of community garden carrots. I had to borrow not one but two pressure cookers from my neighbor. It takes a village to put up carrots.

It's Spudtastic!

WANTED

Parade Entrants

for the 3rd annual SPUD FEST in Montrose

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22nd

comment on this post

by August 15th to register!

*We would love for you to write a sentence or two about your entry (who is riding, what is your business, perhaps a little history) when you register. That way, the MC can talk about you a bit when you are on Main St.

Thanks for making 2009 the BEST parade, yet!

Fiskars Blog

Up and running...

The Montrose Community Garden Fiskars Blog!

Check out that beautiful banner, baby!

Add her to your favorites or put her in your reader. I will be blogging twice a month.

Garden Goodness!

Community Garden Receives Fiskars Grant

Montrose Community Garden volunteers will be using $1,500 worth of high-quality Fiskars gardening tools in the community garden this year. They will also be able to spend $1,000 on garden-related materials (i.e. green goods) for use in the garden or other beautification projects in Montrose.

Since 2003, Project Orange ThumbSM has funded over 100 community projects with more than $200,000. Project Orange ThumbSM is a grant program that provides community garden groups with the tools and materials they need to reach their goals for neighborhood beautification and horticulture education. This year there were over 1,000 applicants.

Montrose was one of 20 recipients selected nationwide. The application process included a written portion submitted online, and a creative element. Volunteers worked together to submit a quilt wall hanging. Some of the quilt’s squares were made from photos of the town’s community gardeners either working in the garden or distributing vegetables from the garden to Montrose-area residents. It was felt that the photo quilt strongly represented the sense of community we experience while gardening together.

The Fiskars organization will, in the upcoming months, organize a ribbon-cutting ceremony. They will also ask recipients to participate in a blog with photos and updates.
A list of the recipients from 2009 and previous years is available at the Project Orange ThumbSM web site www.fiskars.com. The Montrose Community garden was started in 2007 as part of our town’s participation in the Horizon’s program. Located just east of the Central Farmers elevator in town, numerous residents volunteer their time and sweat planting, weeding, and picking produce which they make available to the community for free-will donations during the growing season.

pretty much almost done

Sneak peek

This is my creative submission for the grant I am applying for. It is a rotten photo, and it's not quite finished. I am hoping to complete this by Friday! Thanks to Kris and Doris for helping me out on this one...

a God stop

I've been working on this grant. My brain loves to wrap itself around these things. Get into it and get it done. I emailed and researched and wrote and emailed and re sized photos and networked. Then I went to submit and realized that I had neglected to complete the second half of the project.

Curse, curse, cursity, curse, curse! I volunteered for this project and now I am going to have to go back and tell everyone I failed because I am forgetful and my brain cannot do things that require anything more than changing diapers, filling bottles and helping a first grader do homework.

Then I see it.

On the page where you are supposed to submit your completed application there is a text box that reads, "Canada and U.S. application deadline has been EXTENDED!" Then I check my email and get a message from the company with the details.

PRAISE THE LORD! I am really sorry for cursing. PRAISE THE LORD!

I have one more week to procrastinate.

BONUS! I have a super awesome friend and a super awesome neighbor that are helping me create one super awesome creative submission. If we don't get this grant I will eat a banana... and I HATE bananas.

Mr. Mom (and oh my it's been awhile since I've posted)

Alas, my friends. The moon has turned ago many too times, Ay, I have neglected to post. Parting has been no sweet sorrow. The calling of myself and my employment has left my plate too heavily burdened to accomplish much ado about anything else.

The sophomores are studying William Shakespeare. Did you know that there are only 5 known authentic signatures of the man and each is worth 5 million dollars? That's something to put on your thrift list. I would research it first, though, because I would never have guessed his signature read his name it looks more like chicken scratch. Believe or not I learned this from my husband who is currently reading the kids encyclopedia.

Last week at a Horizons committee meeting I told the school superintendent that I would like to be put back on the sub list. I've been at the school three days this week. Guess the education market is pretty solid.

My husband and I had the discussion about me subbing back in August when he had to make a decision to take the weekend job or not. We determined, together, that is would be good for both of us. I would 'get out' per say and we wouldn't need childcare for the day as he would be home. I am not sure he realized what he was getting himself into. Luckily the Lord planned for us to be weaned into it.

The first day I was scheduled to sub, the weather got nasty real fast and I only had to be away for an hour. The second day was pretty tough on all of us. When I was able to find a free moment to come home and feed her she was in her daddy's arms screaming while Addison was taking the aluminum cans out of the recycle bin and playing kick the can in the kitchen. Dad had his hands full. We had planned to attend a basketball game that evening but by 730 pm we were all snoozing on the couches and chairs in the living room.

Yesterday went much better. I was able to come home and pump during a prep period. When I arrived home the living room and kitchen were neat and tidy, the dishes were done and the girls were both sleeping soundly. Dad (aka Mr. Mom) was just sitting down to a hot egg sandwich and a steaming cup of java.

I have to be honest and tell ya, at that moment I was more in love with him than I have ever been before. I sat at the table and had an adult conversation with him about something and it was perhaps the most enjoyable moment of our entire married lives as of yet. What kind of man can do all the things a man usually does (ie outside chores and mr fixit) and can still maintain a house? I am the happiest girl in the world. So what if the poor bloke used laundry detergent in the softener dispenser and didn't know whose sock was whose. Oh, and he learned the hard way that diapers go on immediately after the bath. Thank goodness for solid toddler poopies! This morning Gavin came out of the bathroom and said, matter of factly, to his father, "Dad, this bathroom needs to be cleaned, too." You can add bathroom cleaning to his list of mastered household duties. I am telling you he must be ill, and I hope it's chronic and contagious.

School was late this morning, it is currently something like 25 degrees below zero. During the breakfast routine dad starting speaking in another language. I think his exact words were, "Do we have any other kind of cleaner? That bleach is really hard on my hands." I almost choked on my eggs.

The kids had time to play this morning together before the day had drained their politeness and made them baby lions and tigers. Maleah set up her 'throne' in the hallway and gave specific instructions that in her absence (school) Addison would be the replacement and we had to obey her every command.

So, it's gonna be a pretty normal day around here I think.

Stay warm!

a GREAT day in the village...

Dancing in the dark.


Two years ago this month I had just started chemotherapy and was recovering from a major surgery. I felt extremely blessed to be alive but afraid that my life may be cut short by cancer.

For one beautiful sunny day in August all my fears were put on the back burner when my village came together like they had never done before. It was amazing. I cannot use words to describe what those 9 hours on August, 26, 2006 meant to my family.

Last year, the event continued with a new respect for the beautiful richness and amazing benefit of togetherness that we received from just spending the day together with our neighbors. It was wonderful. Instead of one family, the whole community reaped the rewards.

This year at the 2nd annual Spud Fest, we actually improved upon a good thing. I didn't think that was even possible.

It began early in the morning with a good healthy run/walk and some potato digging. The kids rode bikes and lawnmowers for prizes and the parade entertained us and satisfied our sweet tooth beyond belief. There was a horse drawn trailer and kiddie train rides all afternoon. There was inflatables and cotton candy. The kids could bob for potatoes, get temporary tattoos or toss a potato in a bucket for prizes. There was a bean bag tourney and kickball games. There was a concession stand with yummies and booths selling treasures and a silent auction to peruse. There was a dunk tank and a cow pie bingo game. There was an evening catered meal, car show and live band. There was enough to keep a family busy all day and into the night dancing and singing and eating and drinking to our soul's delight. All these amazing coordinated events couldn't even touch the most amazing part of the whole day. Fellowship with your neighbors, family and friends. You can't put a price on the value of that. I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Did you miss out? Put it on your calendar for next year.com Last weekend in August, 2009. Come on over, we'd love to have you. It is too valuable an experience to miss. Maybe next year I won't be pregnant or going through chemotherapy. I can't even imagine how much more fun it could possibly be.
Daddy in the dunk tank.Taking a chance to dunk daddy.
BULLSEYE!

August 2008 - cancer free and two babies later WE are the ones who are ridiculously blessed.

Thank you, GOD!

It's okay...my letter to the editor

One of my favorite pieces of children’s literature I actually first read when I was an adult. The Okay Book was written by Todd Parr and embraces all kinds of human differences. His words speak to children about acceptance of everyone even those people who have freckles or wear two different kinds of socks. The world is a diverse place but there is room for all of us, every one.

Diversity probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you think of our little village. But, I believe my town has a wonderful mosaic of people with a treasure chest of awesome talents.

Through my recent experience with the Horizons group I have come to realize that we have some amazing people who call this place home. I am not just talking about the successful, educated professionals, either. I know that our poverty level is only judged by our pocket books, because we are rich in quality of life.

This little corner of the universe can certainly count it’s blessings; there’s the store owner who spends more time at the store than she does at home, the mechanic who (if you ask him to) will pick up your car at your home to service it, the busy farmer who (on his way home from a 12 hour day) will stop long enough to scoop out your driveway, the beauty salon that cuts hair way past my bedtime, the cafe that doubles as a provider of hot meals to those of us who can’t get up or out to feed ourselves, and the list goes on and on. Our community not only supports an elementary school and a high school, but a preschool, child care center, swimming pool, city park and campground, two ball fields and a watering hole. How many other communities with a similar population can say the same?

The outpouring of kindness and generosity that my family experienced during my recent illness is hard to describe in words. Not a day goes by without an encouraging word from someone, not to mention the countless amounts of meals, care and financial support that came for us with perfect miraculous timing. This is an excellent example of the richness that is found in our community. Genuine care and compassion is just another normal day in the life here in my town.

It goes without saying that I have a tremendous amount of appreciation for every single unique person in this community. Collectively we form a beautiful, special life for each other. I joyfully celebrate the love that my neighbor has for me. I make every effort to teach my children that same unconditional love, which isn’t too difficult because all they have to do is call this town home.

I failed cheerleading tryouts in the 7^th grade, but that can’t stop me from shouting from the top of my roof. “I LOVE MY TOWN!”. You may even see me do a cartwheel or a somersault. (I would if I could) This is the best little village in the whole wide world. All our unique talents and character traits make up one enormous and wonderfully magnificent collage. It wouldn’t be the same without your piece. Kindness is beautiful, isn’t it?

It's great to skate...

Montrose Ice Rink Now Open!

Ice Skates Available For Check-Out At Montrose General Store

For Immediate Release—The outdoor ice rink located just south of the Montrose Softball Complex is frozen and ready for action! The rink is one of the only outdoor facilities available outside of Sioux Falls, and is being maintained by community volunteers.

A variety of ice skates, hockey-style and figure, is available for check-out at the Montrose General Store. The used skates were purchased using funds available to Montrose through the Horizon’s Community Leadership to Reduce Poverty Program. Montrose was chosen to participate in the program in the fall of 2006, and is now in the action phase of the Horizon’s process. The ice rink is just one of the many projects being tackled by volunteer committees. The committees were formed during the Montrose Vision Plan meeting, held December 2.

“Getting more people involved in a healthy activity like ice skating is exactly the type of thing Horizon’s is here to promote,” said Horizon’s Community Coordinator, Martha Landes. “One of the goals was to provide more opportunities for area residents. Hopefully people of all ages will take advantage of this great asset to the Montrose community.”

Plans to improve the ice rink include bringing in some picnic tables for sitting, and possibly building some benches for changing into and out of skates. The ice skating rink committee is also looking into future plans for a winter shelter near the rink, installing an overhead light and other enhancements.

Skate donations—especially very small and larger sizes-- are also being accepted at the General Store, in addition to the twenty pairs already available. Use of the ice skates is free to the public, but the ice rink committee asks that the skates be returned immediately after use so others can enjoy them.

For more information on the ice skating rink or to volunteer your time in maintaining the rink, building benches or teaching others to skate, contact Jamie Grosdidier at 605-363-3927.

I like to move it, move it...

On Sunday, December 2nd at 12:00pm, we will be getting together to celebrate the completion of the Planning/Visioning process to help reduce poverty in our community. EVERYONE is invited to come to the school common’s area for a FREE meal, fellowship, and to find out what plans and changes are in store for Montrose. SANTA will be there to hand out special Montrose prizes to both kids and adults. Free childcare will be available after the meal so your kids can play while you learn how you can become involved in any of the following four goals that will keep Montrose on the Move:

1. To improve the appearance of Montrose

2. The encourage the growth of Montrose

3. To provide more opportunities for all Montrose-area residents

4. To promote community spirit

All who attend will be able to take home their own copy of “Montrose on the Move - A Strategic Plan for the Future”. This manual contains the above goals for the future of Montrose, as well as the implementation processes for achieving those goals.

Come and enjoy an afternoon of fun and fellowship, and get involved with the future of Montrose. Our community needs YOU!

You Can’t Put A Name On This Much Fun.

Or Can You?

Celebrate With Montrose During Our
First Annual Montrose Event on August 25th!

Event to be held at the Terry Donelan Softball Complex.

Proceeds from the event go toward helping those in need in the Montrose community. Bring the family and invite your friends! Bring a lawnchair! All registration is on Main Street.

(Oh, and suggest a name for the event and WIN).

5K Run 8:30 am
(Registration begins at 8 am)
1 Mile Walk 9:30 am
(Registration begins at 8 am)
Potato Digging Contest 8 am
Lawn Mower Poker Run 9 am
Parade 10 am (line up near the school at 930 am)
Motorcycle Poker Run Register 8-10 am
(Run starts after Parade)
Potato Salad Contest 11 am
Potluck Lunch 11:30 am
Bean Bag Tournament 12 pm
(Registration at 11:00 am)
Tator Tot Kids Games 1–4 pm
PLUS Inflatables, Bingo, Dunk Tank,
Greased Watermelon Races
Cow Pie Bingo 3–6 pm
Kickball Tournament 4 pm
Potato Bar Supper 6 pm
Music by Dakota Gaels
Music by Neo Johnsons 8 pm-Midnight