Wannigan Days :: 50th Anniversary

This years Wannigan Days looks to be the best in many years. www.wannigandays.com

There is a 50's Theme with live music, great food, a hot rod car show, and YES ~ fireworks.

For a complete schedule, visit: www.wannigandays.com.

New Mayor in St. Croix Falls

With the dawn of a new election, I am excited to see new leadership in St. Croix Falls, WI! We have a new Mayor. Good Luck to Mr. Foss, but I am happy to see new leadership in our fair City.

However, I am sad to say that our County is home to some seriously liberal and socially scary folks. While doing some research I came across this bitter diatribe: http://polk-county-board.blogspot.com.

If you want to understand the rational of environmental socialists, read Jeff Peterson's blog. He was on the Polk County Board representing District 5. He has a lot of opinions to share. Mostly about how everyone is doing it wrong, except him.

What do you think?

Yea, I know what some of you are thinking, but I want you to know. I don't dump oil in the sewers, lakes, or rivers...actually I am an avid hunter and fisherman. I love the environment, but I don't worship it and I certainly believe that God's green earth is here for us and not us for it. Although you won't find me hugging a tree in the woods, you may find me sitting in one with a bow or gun.

The real issue is whether we are making a big deal out of nothing and ruining our world in the process. Do we really want to be like Europe? Hello, Europe Sucks!

I don't want to speak Arabic and I don't want to pay $6.50 for a gallon of gas. But we are making more rules that we know what to do with and our liberal leaders are trying to save the earth, which doesn't need saving.

The de-greening of Polk County, as written on: http://polk-county-board.blogspot.com/2008/04/osceola-sun-opinion-piece.html

Check out my opinon: http://www.junkscience.com/

Good Luck,

Concerned Citizen of SCF

The Gratitude Campaign

Ok, I have a brother in Iraq, on his second tour of duty, who is totally in support of what he is doing. I also have a brother-in-law, who was away from his family for over 24 months (including training, but mostly in Iraq). He came back with some pretty bad scars on the inside. Would he do it again, yes. He said we are going to fight them over there or over here...it is our choice.

Wow, how crazy is that! Do we realize the mentality of the men and women who strap on the boots and put themselves in the way of terrorist? Have you thanked a soldier today, this week, this month, or not at all? Read the following and watch the video!

As Quoted from www.gratitudecampaign.org

For the past several years as I've been traveling around the country, I've been approaching soldiers in the airports and thanking them for serving for us. On several occasions I have noticed that it felt a little awkward for both of us. There are several reasons, some of which I am even just now learning as I produce this film and talk to more soldiers. But they have always appreciated being thanked, and I have always felt better having expressed my gratitude.
I started to think that it would be nice if civilians had a gesture or sign that they could use to say "thank you" quickly and easily without even having to approach. I did some research and found the sign that we are now using.

Is this limited to the military? Not at all. If you look around you I'm sure that you'll find lots of people who are serving their communities, from local to global. If you appreciate their service, give them a sign. Say "thank you."

Christmas Light Gone Wild

Here is a display of some Christmas lights that have made their way around the internet for a couple of years. They still are a lot of fun to watch. If you haven't seen them, here you go:

Is there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Christmas. Commonly confused with getting gifts, eating too much, and spending more that you make is really not about Santa Clause, Christmas Trees, and Shopping Malls. Does anyone remember what Christmas is really about? Charlie Brown reminds us. Worth taking a look!

Security Guard at the Church was Former Minneapolis Cop

Ok, the Minnesota ties to this case are crazy. Not only were 2 the victims from Minnesota, but the security guard who saved the lives of so many was a former Minneapolis Police Officer. She has been so humble. As things continue to be sorted out, it is amazing to see the out pouring of support by everyone, even the media.

Security guard who stopped shooter credits God

Jeanne Assam, the female congregant who shot a gunman who entered New Life Church Sunday, said she felt weak as she approached him because she had been fasting. "I prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide me, for the Holy Spirit to be with me," she said. "My hands weren't even shaking. I knew what I had to do." developing story

Wow, I am totally amazed by this story. What is going on it this country? Thank God for this lady who was packing heat and had the sense to do something when it counted most. Not Stand there and let more people get killed.

Having just killed 2 and injuring 2 more - at YWAM - Youth With a Mission, Matthew Murray, at 24 year old, burst into the church with the intent of killing many people in a blaze of gun fire. Carrying more than 500 rounds, Murry got only a few feet into the lobby when Assam confronted him and took him down. Way-to-go!

Here you have a perfect example of a legal, gun carrying, permit holding member of society who used a GUN to save lives. As long as there are criminals, Liberals need to remember who truely are going to protect the people. It is not the government. It is the law abiding citizens united.

Concealed Weapons Permit Badges

New Life Church

New Life shooting 11th church-related shooting in recent US history

A look at victims in the Colo. church shootings

Man injured in New Life Church shooting says he tried to distract ...

Global Warming :: Real or Hoax

I have heard so much about Global Warming these days that I am wondering who is pushing all this stuff. I mean, I honestly don't believe it ~ not for a second. It is obvious to me that there are some serious political and social powers working behind the scenes. Doesn't anybody ready these days?

For instance, visit: www.friendsofscience.org and see for yourself what real scientist who have real experience with science have to say about the whole global warming debate. You will never hear a commentator on the news talk about them, nor will you ever here them ask the people they interview to actually provide proof for their statements. No, it is always emotions and hypothesis.

I am sitting here in St. Croix Falls, WI freezing my butt off because the earth is warming? Huh? The latest news on channel 11 ~ www.kare11.com ~ is that Global Warming is causing it to snow more. What? Does anyone believe this? It is freezing outside and getting colder.

Al Gore has made it popular to be Green, but he is not the example of what Green is. His fictional "carbon footprint", which isn't real, is huge because of all the SUV's, Planes, and Secret Service guys that he drives around with. He has a mansion that is like a castle and uses energy like it is free. And he lectures us about warming the planet? Yea, that might be effective.

Now City Hall is looking to mandate Green Building Initiatives and Sustainable Design, etc. That all sounds good, but what it really does is raise the cost of everything you want to build. You will be paying higher prices for all the materials, for the guy that has to certify your building, the guy who checks up on the paperwork for your building, and the materials are worthless. They are made out of recycled crap materials that will fall apart if they get wet.

All the while, we are trying to save the earth, but China is allowed to drill for oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Ok, that is just stupid. We won't, but they can ~ so we can depend on all our friends in Venezuela and the Middle East. Perfect. Way to go Congress.

Wake up people of the world. Global Warming is a hoax. It is socialist behavior modification. It is a tool for the socialist Democrats to impose their views on your behaviors and make you do what they say. Don't fall for it!

Silo crash almost deadly

Ok, this is really weird. We were driving down to New Richmond on Tuesday morning and drove up on the scene of what looked like a horrific accident. All we saw was the remains of the van below being pulled from the rubble of a toppled silo. I thought that someone had died.

When we got home, we saw the following story on the Leader website http://www.the-leader.com/. That girl is so lucky to be alive! I also noticed that her last name is Baillargeon. Apparently she is related to the teacher that was accused of having sex with the teenager from Amery. What a coincidence.

Sarah Baillargeon, a 28-year-old Amery woman was injured when her vehicle collided with a silo Monday evening and she is "lucky to be alive," according to Polk County Sheriff Tim Moore.

The accident occurred at the Kieckhoefer farm on Hwy. 65, two miles south of Hwy. 8 at Kennedy Mill Avenue. According to a sheriff's report Sarah Baillargeon was driving south on 65 and approaching a sharp curve when she said she became disoriented due to heavy fog and failed to negotiate the curve.

She exited the road and struck a 50-foot cement silo and came to rest in the silo pit. The vehicle was left in the silo pit until Tuesday morning due to severe damage caused to the silo, rendering it unstable. - Photo from Polk County Sheriff's Department




Van plows into silo; driver escapes before structure topples
Silo collision blamed on fog
Woman crashed into silo; cell phone camera captures fall

Teacher's aide accused sexual assult

Brenda K. Baillargeon of Amery, WI was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with one of her students. This is another unfortunate situation where an adult made some obviously horrible choices and yet others will ultimately pay the consequences. Pending a divorce from her husband, Ms. Baillargeon sits in jail, unable to post bail. Her kids, the male student, the families, and even Ms. Baillargeon will continue to suffer.

A teen, a tutor, a tale of child sexual abuse (11/16/07)
Teacher accused of having sex with student (11/15/07)
Female Wisconsin teacher’s aide accused of sex with teen boy (11/15/07)
Former Teacher’s Aide Faces Sex Charges (11/15/07)

Bigfoot at Interstate Park?

Has anyone seen the video of "bigfoot" at Interstate Park in St. Croix Falls, WI. I personally don't believe in bigfoot, but I think that someone went to a lot of creative filming to make it look real. I don't know much about this film, I just saw it on www.youtube.com.

If you have any information about who filmed it and when, leave me a comment.

December 1, 2007 Snow Storm

Happy winter! We got our first significant snow yesterday. It was awesome. We got maybe a few inches, but it of course drifted like crazy right on our door step.

Ok, it wasn't this bad, but did have a lot of fun driving in the white out conditions down in Hudson for an impromtu shopping trip and sliding that night at our Friends house on their backyard hill.

The best part was coming home to a nice warm house since we left the woodburning stove (Vermont Casting - Encore) burning while we were gone. We watched a Christmas Little House on the Prairie (my wife's choice) and snuggled in front of the fire.

DEER Sighting or Sitting...

Ok, so I just said how so many deer were killed this last week from hunting. Well, apparently not enough were taken. As we got onto the on ramp at Hwy 8 & 35S we passed 2 huge does standing on the side of the road. They had a blanket of snow on them and they looked at us as if to say, "what, you never seen a deer before?" Anyways, it was pretty funny.

2007 Deer Season

November 17-25, 2007
This year was a big year for me and for Polk County and St. Croix Falls, WI. We have so many deer that they were practically giving tags away. Just $2 would get you an additional doe tag. What a deal.

I got my first deer on opening day at 7:40 a.m. He came out of the woods after using my doe bleat can at about 30 yards. I took aim with my 1936 Marlin 30-30 and dropped him. After cleaning him and then cleaning up, our group walked the woods until lunch. No one else shot anything.

After lunch, I traded guns with my Brother-in-law so he could use the rifle. I took his 12 gauge shot gun. Walking back to a double stand with my nephew, we saw a large doe bolt out of the woods going full speed. At 75 yards I blasted her with the shot gun and she disapeard. I thought I missed her by a mile, but we walked the field to see where she went. Unbeliveably she was down only running 3-4 yards. That was the last deer of the day.

On the Saturday before the season ended, I managed to get out one more time. After a disapointing morning of freezing in a stand and walking fields, we decided to walk the woods across from our house. Nine guys - 3 posted at one end, 5 walk the 50 acre woods and 1 stand on 30 yards ahead and to the side to keep the deer from running accross the street. Get ready for WWIII.

Once everyone was in position, the walkers immediatly spotted over a dozen deer which ran right towards the posters. In a matter of 3 minutes everyone was spotting an shooting at deer. This can be dangerous, so you have to know where everyone in your party is at at all times.
At the end of the push we had shot 5 deer. I got my first Big Buck (picture below). I have to share the credit with a fellow hunter who shot it after it got back up. I was busy shooting at a doe that was following the buck. I never found the doe, which is always a bummer.

In all we shot 5 deer and havested 4 total that day. For the total season we harvested over 14 between the 9 hunters.

Not only does this clear the road of all the deer, but I was able to give 3 deer away to people who struggle to provide food for their families. It is a great way to enjoy nature, take care of the enviornment, and bless others.

Fall in St. Croix

It had starting to get cold in St. Croix Falls, but the weather is supposed to be in the 60's for the next couple of days. It is tough to get up in the morning for work when it is completely dark the whole way there. I do love the Fall, but the down side is that it is ALWAYS dark. Typically it is dark when I leave and when I come home. Weekends are my only hope.

So, what is your favorite time of the year? Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter? Mine is the Fall. Not just because it is hunting season, but because there is nothing like fresh pop-corn and a warm fire on a chilly night.

Welcome to St. Croix Falls, WI

Hi Everyone. This is the first post on this NEW blog. I wanted to start off by saying that I Love St. Croix Falls. However, there are a few things that I just don't understand...

Our location is beautiful and the people are very nice; you should come and visit us sometime. We are right on the boarder of Wisconsin and Minnesota with the St. Croix River down the middle. You can see the cliffs perfectly from either side and walk along the trails into Interstate Park. Actually, September and October are usually the best time to see the leaves change color, but this year it really happened too fast with the dry weather.

We have a small town - and yes, we have a Super-Walmart and a New Menards. These two stores seem to make us a popular destination for all the smaller communities to visit. Many people own a small business, work as an employee, or travel to the Twin Cities (MN) to work.

However, one of our best resources has been tourism. We get a lot of visitors from all over the country. Many people have cabins in or around St. Croix Falls and stop by Wal-Mart on their way up to the many lakes.

So, what confuses me about St. Croix Falls?
It is the small town government. Ever since the last election, it seems that the City government is moved farther and farther left. I don't know much about our mayor or elected officials and the City website http://www.cityofstcroixfalls.com/ doesn't give any updates on City meetings, so it is hard to know exactly what is going on until after the paper comes out.
http://www.the-leader.net/

I remember thinking in the last election that it was strange, the Mayoral Candidates were not affiliated with either party, but because the former Mayor got such a bad reputation from the City Administrator, anyone “else” could have won the race. Perhaps the City would have voted differently if they would have known how they were affiliated. I guess in small town politices they don't disclose that information.

So what is Mayor Foss' political position? Is he a Liberal Democrat that wants to socialize the city and turn it in to a Art Convention with street vendors and free socialized internet access? Have we elected City Counsel who are only concerned about being "eco-sensitve" and politically correct?

I don't know. However, I will continue to look and uncover the truth. If you know, let others know by leaving a comment or sending a factual article that I will post here for you.

Rumors are never good, but what I have heard concerns me. Where do we get the whole story in St. Croix Falls? Are we building low income housing, are we creating subsidized housing for "starving artists" on Main Street, are we pushing out businesses downtown and using “environmental impact” as an excuse for voiding private business rights?

Other things that I have noticed and would like your input on are: the new "GREEN/Sustainable" mandates for home building - raising the cost of affordable housing, rising property taxes, new "stick it to the tourist" sales tax hike - what about the rest of us that shop at Wal-mart, the Spirit Statue downtown St. Croix Falls - what is that all about?

If you would like to submit an article about St. Croix Falls, please let me know.
If you would like to comment on the blog, feel free to do so at any time.