Grateful for all the conversations

After I wrote last week about the carpal tunnel in my hands, my father reminded me that my column is not a diary. Sometimes I start writing and I forget to edit out things like that. Such is life. 

So how was my week of newsing? 

Ed Frederick called to tell me what a great job we did last week with the coverage of the Farm and City Luncheon. That made my day. 

While I was making phone calls to get sponsors for our spring sports preview this past week, another individual made my day: Kevin Walter.

Kevin, for those who don’t know, owns Ameriprise Financial. If I remember correctly he took over the business/purchased it from his father and operates two locations, one in Waseca and another in Wells. Kevin has a son, Jacob, who is the same age as I am, and a daughter who is a dance major. She’s graduating from the University of Minnesota this year. 

I mention this because I reminded Kevin he should send me a photo from her upcoming graduation to put in the paper. Graduations, birth announcements, church confirmations, anything like that is free, and folks are encouraged to submit them. 

Speaking with Kevin, I could tell he’s really proud of his kids. Throughout the football season he and I would occasionally chat on the sidelines as he helped with defensive stats. His son Jacob graduated, oh about 7 years ago. When I was asking Kevin about how his kids were doing I remembered a story he told me about Jacob playing football and how it seemed he didn’t catch many passes, but when he did, they were touchdowns. I’m kind of botching the story, horribly, but it made me chuckle when I remembered it. 

Kevin will also be helping out with, don’t quote me, announcing baseball this season. Baseball, of course, is my favorite sport. I’ve kind of worked my schedule out now to be able to go to sporting events in Waseca two, sometimes three times a week. Needless to say, I'm really excited about this upcoming season. 

What other adventures did I have this week? 

Well, I wrote about Waldorf some more. I spent all of Wednesday, it felt, calling folks and tracking down additional information for stories. I had a very pleasant conversation with mayor Randy Zimmerman. By some colossal coincidence, I have been absent from every Waseca City Council session where the Gaiter Lake Development has been discussed. So, when I had questions, I called Randy. I chuckle as I type, because sometimes people get a little uptight talking to the press, but when I told Randy I wasn’t looking for a quote, just somebody to explain some of the intricacies of what’s going on out there, he relaxed and we had a pleasant conversation. 

Thinking back to the conversation I’m reminded how important it is to ask questions, even those one might feel are “dumb.” Twice during that conversation, Randy made mention of something I didn’t understand, but felt as if I should. So I asked him. They say you only ask a dumb question once. Because, after you ask it, you never have to ask it again. 

I continued newsing this Monday afternoon at Waseca High School. Michael and I finished taking the last of our sports preview photos of the high school kids and I must report some of my findings.

I got there early and was treated to a home-baked dessert from Mr. Ted Hammond. I can’t pronounce what it was called, so I’m not going to try putting it in print. 

So what did we do with our time? Talk about Tink Larson of course. 

Apparently Tink believed he would never marry again after his first wife died. Turns out his second wife had the same belief. The couple were together some time, which softened this believe. During a trip to Las Vegas where Tink was competing in a national baseball tournament it really softened. After they won their title (of course) Tink and his wife were married on the baseball diamond at home plate of all places. Talk about a memorable wedding. 

In other conversations, I learned that Jodie Thompson, mother of the Thompson twins (Isaac and Noah) who are juniors at Waseca, is the daughter of Charlie Priebe. That was a pleasant conversation. Every time I have a conversation with Charlie, I leave telling myself, “I’m glad I talked to him.” 

Here’s to another week of newsing. 

If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success. -James Cameron