April 2023

Books to grow on

I certainly hope April showers bring May flowers. I am looking forward to bright colors and lots of green. While I wait to grow things outside I am enjoying “Decorating with Plants” by Baylor Chapman for wonderful ideas about ‘what to choose, ways to style, and how to make them thrive.’ I am looking at doing more of my growing in pots, primarily to be able to bring things inside at night and protect them from deer and rabbits. “Grow Plants in Pots” by Martyn Cox provides lots of suggestions and tips for growing fruits, vegetables and herbs in containers. I am also looking at our selection of books on pruning and getting ready to prune my apple trees. I really like “The Ultimate Practical Guide to pruning and training” by Richard Bird.

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Looking Back

15 years ago The Littlefork-Big Falls school district has hired three new teachers. Approved was the hiring of Nicole Kennedy as a full-time kindergarten teacher; and Jeff Raboin in the position of half-time social studies teacher.

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A little train trip

Spring leaped out at us in New York last week — suddenly one day it was 80, just like me — it sprang at us shang a lang lang as once we’d sung so we were sprung from the steel corset of winter and I took a couple of Londoners to lunch at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station where, when I was 11, I ate my first oyster on a trip from Minnesota with my dad. I saw him eat one and so I ate one and I trace my independence back to that 1953 oyster — when you eagerly devour something that would disgust your beloved aunts, you’ve taken a step toward becoming your own person.

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Good Gunsmoke

Old adventurer here remembers early TV years of ubiquitous weekly western programs. Old age with cable TV makes many early programs available once again; some seem better today.

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Good choices

We can’t stress enough that the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has made good decisions in selecting Lee Grim as Citizen of the Year, Koochiching County Historical Society as Small Business of the Year and Hardee’s as Large Business of the Year.

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FHS prom

The Falls High School Prom committee has been working hard the past few weeks getting everything ready for prom. From decorating, planning, and organizing. The FHS prom committee is advised by Elizabeth Offerdahl. The prom committee consists of juniors and seniors: Lola Valenzuela, Gracie Swenson, Adyson Wallander, Gracie Swenson, Olivia Line, Bella Willie, Madison Willie, Braden Skifstad, Michael Roche, Max Dremmel, Tiermeny Rousseau, Hailey Horne, Savannah Valentine, and Destry Whitbeck.

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FHS updates

The Falls High Knowledge Bowl team finished in seventh place at the Minnesota State Class A Knowledge Bowl meet Friday, April 14. The team of Emma Saxton, Ellen Windels, Nora Sullivan, and Jakob Clifford started Friday in 10th place, fell to 13th, got as high as third before settling for seventh place.

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Windels recognized

The International Falls school board Monday recognized student Ellen Windels, a finalist in the 2023 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards. Superintendent Kevin Grover told the board that it’s a rare achievement to attain, and he congratulated both Ellen and her parents for the accomplishment.

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