If you have a question, ask Sue

Waseca graduated 142 seniors this year: Having taught in Waseca my entire career, I know they are well prepared for college, work, or whatever they choose to do at the beginning of life's journey. My wife and I, she also having been a teacher, were invited to our record 60 graduation receptions one year. I was coaching three sports back then, so many of the invitations were from graduating athletes. The late John Bendix, a high school teacher, never missed a graduation during his long career; to me, that’s some kind of record. A special congrats to graduating senior Cecelia Huttemier who received the Katie Zika Memorial scholarship offered by our family.

When I’m driving down old Highway 14 past the former high school, I really enjoy seeing the pictures of all the graduates hanging on the fence. Heading east on 14 this morning, I observed that only a handful of the pictures are still there. Guess that students, or parents, have taken them for graduation parties or forever keepsakes. The posters are the graduates’ yearbook photos, and were reproduced on a durable canvas. The tradition began during Covid and was sponsored by PTO and the Waseca Area Foundation. I really hope it continues.

Two teachers are retiring this year after long histories of service to our school and students. Sue McKay and Becky Ferch made a big difference to so many students in a positive, life-growing way. Becky’s biggest challenge in retirement will be spending 24 hours a day with husband Jim making sure he completes his “honey-do” lists.

Sue has dedicated herself to students, Waseca Public Schools, the community and friends her entire tenure. She is an avid Twins fan and can share a surprising number of stories and secrets about the Twins team and management.

If you have questions about Minnesota Gopher basketball or football, Sue can give you the answer. If you have questions about any Waseca Bluejay game encounter, Sue can give you the play by play.

One of the best gifts I will ever receive came from Sue McKay. My son Marc graduated from college and would receive a great graduation present. Sue invited us to Alaska and we could stay with brother Pat and bride Patty just outside of Palmer, AK. Sue and Patti picked us up at the Anchorage airport and the week of a lifetime began. Halibut and salmon fishing along with a float down a river for trout. Homer, Seward, and Denali; glaciers and breathtaking mountains, all visited within the week. Sue was our tour guide and treated us every minute of the trip like family.

It was a long, long, long trip to Alaska. Lisa booked a flight that saved us $400 each. The only problem was a layover in Dallas, TX. I believe that’s in the wrong direction for travel to the north. Sue, please drop off some of your fantastic Chex Mix when you have time. Don’t forget about David Z. in retirement.

I now reside in a twin home surrounded by wonderful senior citizens like myself. Our mailman or mail lady is very unpredictable. Mail cones somewhat late in the afternoon or even early in the evening. No big deal to me, but a few of my neighbors must sit watching for the mail. Some of them step out to the mailboxes the minute the mail arrives.

I enjoy cleaning out the box and looking for Outdoor News, the Pioneer, coupons from the Dairy Queen, Subway, Pizza Ranch, etc. I read Fleet Farm ads as well as Bomgaars and Menard’s where everything is always an 11 percent rebate. The rest of the mail is all trash; example, the gutter guys who are giving a big discount to everyone in the neighborhood or info on hearing aids, which I should probably consider investigating. The bills we receive in the mail could just as well blow away in the wind.

A few days back there was a letter from Bob Hoffman. Everyone who’s lived in Waseca knows Bob. Bob was superintendent of Waseca Public Schools during my early years of teaching. He went on to hold many high positions in the field; a leader in education, a leader in many Waseca sports associations and a true ambassador for the Waseca community. I opened the letter with great anticipation; could it be an invitation to a luncheon with his friend Glen Taylor? It was better!

Bob ran into my old friend and roommate Tom West at the Pheasant Cafe. I believe Tom is still in Duluth, editor of a newspaper. Tom asked Bob to give me an old newspaper clipping from 3-16-77.

The title read “Dairy Queen wins city basketball playoffs,” and included a picture of the team. It brought back wonderful memories from the past. A couple of the players have passed on, a few are in the Cities, and I believe Denny Roesler is still on a farm outside of New Richland. Tink Larson and Bill Walter still reside in Waseca and are very active in the community.

Tink is still “Mr. Baseball in Waseca” and was once a skilled, COMPETITIVE basketball player. Tink will tell you he still is!

Bill taught and coached in Waseca and took on a career with Ameriprise Financial. He was a wonderful pheasant hunting partner and when I headed to the field with Bill, I knew there would always be rooster roasting in the oven. His son Kevin now carries on the pheasant hunting tradition and is in charge at the financial office. At least I think he is? If you’d like to talk to Bill, call him at the office. Thanks, Bill. I see that I was the leading scorer with 20 points. You were the only one who would pass this gunner the basketball.

We came home from the cabin and there was a pot of flowers next to our front door. Still trying to find out who delivered the great gift. I have been watering the plants and they are alive and well. We used to throw coaching party get-togethers and we’d find empty beverage cans hidden in cupboards, closets, and drawers. We’ll never find out who that was. Enjoy your summer!