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If there is anything better than a day out with grandchildren, I sure don’t know what it would be. This past Saturday we, my sons, their wives, and my grandchildren, ventured to St. Paul to spend time with the one and only “Thomas the Tank Engine” star of videos and more. Just to watch the excitement and joy in the faces of those little people is so very special. It started with a ride on the old restored city bus from the parking area to the Jackson Street Roundhouse and ended with a ride back to the parking lot on a big yellow school bus. When you are 2, 3 and 4-years- old these are pretty big moments.

The folks at the Minnesota Transportation Museum sure have done a great job preserving the old roundhouse and with all of the old engines and train cars. The volunteers were colorful and helpful and the tent full of Thomas merchandise was the perfect ending for a great day. Not only do you get to look at the old trains, you also get to ride in the old train cars, pulled by a diesel engine with help from Thomas. I sure hope my children and grandchildren had as much fun as I did. If you get an opportunity to visit the Jackson Street Roundhouse, don’t miss out––it’s a great trip back to another time when taking a big trip involved train travel.

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Have you applied for your conceal and carry permit yet? And you already know it is now legal in Minnesota to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon. For an issue that raised plenty of hackles when it was proposed, the fury has basically passed from the limelight. Statistics from states that have similar laws show that crimes involving weapons do not increase and in some areas they have even declined, which would be a good thing.

The only fear I have about all of this is that people not used to dealing with firearms will be lulled into a false sense of security and try to do things to protect themselves that they would ordinarily not do. I realize that they will have to take mandatory training that will deal with the emotional part of using a gun and I hope that is enough. I learned many, many years ago that when someone with a gun wants something you have, that it is generally best to give it to them. I also realize that times have changed and that some of these nuts may not be satisfied with just taking your stuff, but I don’t think trying to “outdraw” them is very good advise either. If you get a permit, please be responsible and be sure the weapon is secure when not in your possession and when it is in your possession, be careful and don’t hurt yourself or any innocent people around you.

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This Sunday, May 11 marks the most important non-religious holiday we will ever celebrate. Mother’s Day is the day that is set aside to honor our mothers. It’s the day we attempt to do nice things and say nice things for them and about them. Don’t get me wrong, I think all of that is more than necessary and wonderful. In fact, I have long been an advocate for a national holiday for Mother’s Day. It would be mandatory that mothers could do no work on the holiday, but of course, we know that the world would come to a screeching halt and shut down if all moms took the same day off. This Sunday moms will celebrate “their day” by doing all the things that they normally do, including cleaning up after being treated to breakfast in bed or lunch or dinner and they will not mutter a single complaint, even though it is their special day.

I don’t think there is enough money to fairly pay mothers for all they do, and I know there are not enough hours in a single day to thank them for all they do and will do for us. I would like to wish all mothers, those with us and those in heaven, a very Happy Mother’s day. God bless you for who you are and for all you do to support the rest of us.

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Wow––we made it, it’s now May and we can start thinking about summer. With summer comes the summer celebration season and it’s time to remind all of those involved in putting on those celebrations that we need their help to be able to help promote the celebrations. We are more than happy to help and if we work together, we can get it done painlessly. When submitting your information, please contact us well in advance to be sure that we are clear on the dates you would like it to appear. We need the name and a daytime phone number of a contact person who would be able to answer any questions we may have. We operate with a limited staff and need to depend on you for much of the information. Good luck with your events and we look forward to helping make this year’s events the best ever.

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If you are a current subscriber who has not yet taken the time to mail in your renewal card and payment, I’m sorry to say that we are really going to miss you as you will not receive anymore editions until you do renew. We really appreciate the support of all who have renewed or started new subscriptions and hope that those who have not renewed will do so today.

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