It was a big day yesterday for Natalie Zuidema (Nate & Andrea Magnuson Zuidema) as she made her First Communion.  She was pretty as a princess...and the rest of the family looked pretty darn good as well! 
Congratulations, Natalie.....

On this last day of April...

One more April birthday before we flip the calendar....Kristen Korkowski (#22) (Joe & Sue) is celebrating today.  Happy birthday, Kristen, and keep on singing!

Kristen

It was a good day to be married....

A couple of anniversaries to celebrate today....Tom & Jody (Korkowski) Evenson are celebrating their 8th anniversary, while Cory & Jennae (Korkowski) Stadsvold are celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary.  Congratulations to all of you!

Tom & Jody

Cory & Jennae

More Minnesota trivia....

Next time you play Trivial Pursuit, hopefully one of these details will pop up as a question.....

• The Name - Minnesota is derived from the Dakota Indian word, minisota, meaning sky-tinted waters
• Organized as Territory - March 3, 1849
• Entered Union - May 11, 1858; 19th state to join the union after the original 13
• Largest cities - Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Duluth and Rochester
• Geography Location - lying near the geographic center of North America, the tip of Minnesota's Northwest Angle is the northernmost point in the continental US
• Area - 84,068 square miles (12th largest state)
• Land Area - 79,616.6 square miles
• Width - 385 miles
• Length - 405 miles

Come back in the near future for more of this trivia!

For a good cause....

For those who may be so inclined to help....he's reached 2/3 of his $3000 goal!  More endurance than his mama has....

For those of you who know me, you know that I am a very, very avid biker.  What many of you do not know is that my late Mother-in-Law, Norita Breckenridge suffered with Multiple Sclerosis for over 30 years, finally losing her battle in October of 2007.

While it is too late to help Norita, I can use my legs and biking abilities to help raise money to help try and find a cure for this terrible affliction.  I provide all of the energy for the ride, you just need to click on the link towards the bottom of this e-mail to help out.

This year marks the first time in 3 years I am able to ride the MS 150, but my goals on the bike are the same as that achieved in 2009 when I last rode it.  In 2009 my goal was to start at the official start time, and still cross the line first on both Saturday and Sunday.  This year I plan on crossing the line first both days, as well as riding up the 150+ miles on Friday.

Please take a few minutes to donate what you can, and on behalf of my family and Norita, I greatly appreciate your time and apologize again for the personal spam.

Paul Korkowski

Click here to visit my personal page.

A decade already....

Time flies when you're having fun, and ten years can go by in the snap of fingers; and so it probably did for Ray & Melissa (Korkowski) Murray, who have reached the milestone of their 10th wedding anniversary.  Happy anniversary, you two...hope you have a great day of celebration!

Ray and Melissa

The following entry was 'stolen', with permission, from my friend Stan (a high school classmate) who is sort of a Korkowski by proxy. He runs a blog as well, and we keep an eye on each other. This story was so cute that I had to have it for the Kork blog as well.

The following entry was 'stolen', with permission, from my friend Stan (a high school classmate) who is sort of a Korkowski by proxy.  He runs a blog as well, and we keep an eye on each other.  This story was so cute that I had to have it for the Kork blog as well.

Attn Mrs. Mallard: One of your eggs will never make it

We counted nine eggs -- and a mulligan.

The Abbey Point Homeowners Association Grounds Crew was busy spreading bags of cypress chips around the pond this fine Monday afternoon when the head bagman, John Gerken, startled a nesting mallard. From a safe distance, the mother duck stared down Association President Bud Osmundson as he took full charge of the situation. A cautious investigation eventually revealed a clutch of nine smooth-shelled hopefuls, plus one outsider with dimples, a Stratus logo and absolutely no chance whatsoever of hatching.
Association biologists aren't sure if the mother duck was inspired by the presence of the golf ball to make her nest in that location, or if she had carried the orphan in from the adjacent No. 14 rough out of a sense of decency.  Whatever the case, the association members backed off, to let Mrs. Mallard get back to her business.
We'll observe the progress of the nest, bid the new chicks good luck, and hope there's no disappointment over the little dimpled one who didn't make it.

Things to reflect on.....

These images were taken (thru glass, thus a bit of reflection) at the American History building in EPCOT, and they had great thought-provoking material, especially true of the one from Walt Disney himself.  Be inspired!

Hello, Medicare!!

Back in high school, the thought of anyone we knew being 65 screamed 'old person' in every way.  Well, here we are...or should I say, "here I am!".  Good grief, how in the world did I get here so fast??!!  The picture says it all....have no idea what in the world I was reacting to when this was taken, but it certainly expresses my feelings about turning 65!  Glass of white wine, anybody?!

Party on.....

Back to another birthday...this time it's Al O'Donnell (#58) who is the 'guest of honor' today.  Happy birthday, Al; maybe Annette will whip you up a special dinner for tonight!

Mother Earth

Back in 1970, the majority of people didn't think too much about Mother Earth, other than we lived on the planet, but thankfully there were enough people who were concerned about things like recycling, beach erosion, noxious gas emissions, etc. that April 22 was dedicated to being Earth Day from then on.  So, we are thankful for this wonderful place we live, and it's up to all of us to do our part in keeping it a great place for all future generations.  Happy Earth Day, everyone!

Get the calendar back out...

I was so sure that this information had been posted to the blog earlier, but apparently it was just a big lapse in memory!  Some have questioned the 'if' and 'when' of the annual gathering at Two Inlets this year...and there is indeed going to be the annual festivity.  The weekend is June 29, at David & Cindy's lake home, and all are invited.  Still haven't heard from anyone who is willing to take lots of pictures for me since we can't be there. :)

...and the streak is over for now

Now, this is the last of our birthday streak for a bit...and today's birthday people are Joseph Majhess (Joe & Jennifer Korkowski Majhess) who is 11, and then there's Joe Korkowski (#44) celebrating as well.  Happy birthday, fellas...have a great day!

Joseph M.

Joe K.

...and again today.....

We're not done with the birthday streak just yet....today it is Gavin Nicholas (Bill & Megan Korkowski Nicholas) who celebrates his 5th birthday.  Hopefully it will be a nice warm spring day to enjoy your special day...happy birthday, Gavin.

Gavin 

...and another one.....

Another birthday today....this time it's Adam Korkowski (Paul & Sue Korkowski) who turns 8.  Happy birthday, Adam....Chuck E Cheese for dinner tonight?  Happy birthday, wherever you go!

Adam

Especially for all the baby boomers out there.....

As you all have heard by now, an American legend in the person of Dick Clark passed away this morning.....now, how many of you remember getting home from school so you could turn on the TV to watch American Bandstand and see the latest talent and the latest dance steps?  He was a true icon of rock 'n roll without ever singing a note!  
Did you know he has a very good connection to Alexandria Minnesota?  His wife's sister and family lived in Alexandria thru the late 1980s (not sure where they are now).  His nephew was a classmate and marching band member with daughter Jen.  We heard periodically that Dick and his family would come to Alexandria occasionally but it was always very low-key and quietly done.  
So, dig out your rock and roll music and take a 'stroll' down memory lane tonight, remembering this legend!

Lots of birthdays.....

Starting today, we have a run of birthdays so there will be LOTS of celebrating going on in the family.....we have three of them today....Abby Oxentenko (Shawn & Amy Korkowski Oxentenko) turns 6; Jim Korkowski is a bit older at 71; and Zachary Stark (Mike & Lisa Krentz Stark) turns 3 today.  Happy birthday everyone!

Abby O.

Zachary S.

Jim 

How well do you know Minnesota?

We all know the loon is the state bird of Minnesota, but how about some of these symbols of our state?

Bird - common loon

Tree - Norway pine

Gemstone - Lake Superior agate

Fish - walleye

Flower - pink & white lady slipper

Mushroom - morel

Grain - wild rice

Muffin - blueberry

Drink - milk

Any surprises?  Did you know we had a 'state muffin'?  Not me!

Easter greetings from Florida

Joe and Jennifer (Korkowski) Majhess, along with Joseph, Ellie, and Andrew sent a couple pictures my way to show us what Easter looked like in Boca Raton.  I'd say it (and they) looked mighty fine!

The Majhess' family

Jen and Andrew

Joseph, Ellie and Andrew

More smiles for you...

Finally.............

After 12 days!!, we have a celebration, and today it will be Haley Korkowski (Nate and Edith Korkowski) who has a birthday with six candles on her cake.  We hope you have a really fun birthday, Haley, and that your day is very special.

Another 'mark your calendar' event.....

The following note from Sr. Cordy.... I have 36 tickets that I am committed to selling, and I have sold 6 so I am on my selling wagon today.  You can see the brochure.  If you make checks payable to Franciscan Sisters and send to me, I will make sure you get the tickets ahead of time, OR if you want to  do the online purchasing, you can do that too. Those tickets will be held for you at the door. I know that May 7  is a work day for some of you, and I do understand, but I just wanted everyone to see this.  I would love if you could come.  It is a very fun event, with lots of food and fun. If you want to see more, go to www.fslf.org   Thank you, thank you.

Smiles for today.....

My sister sent me a recent email with the following pictures/sayings, and I think there is something to be gained by reading...and thinking...about each one.  Will share some today, and again in the near future....guaranteed to make you smile and to also think about what it says....

Dates to keep in mind...and a request

The following email is from Mark, and he asked that it be put on the Kork blog:

As Edith's benefit draws nearer, our planning committee would like to put together a list of all silent auction items to be donated; whether people would be able to bring bars in a disposable pan; and if anyone would be able to volunteer some time:  to help set up, act as greeters, or whatever comes up.  There will be a silent auction, live auction and raffle tickets being sold for various items so a lot of activities needing to be covered.  Should be a fun and entertaining evening.  I'd like to thank you all in advance for all the thoughts and prayers being sent Edith's way.

P.S. SAVE THE DATE of June 2nd from 1-4 pm for Austin's graduation party.  Details to follow. Should be a fun and busy 7 weeks to follow.    Mark

Easter bunny and friends....

Yesterday, it was the beauty of flowers and church, but what would Easter be without the Easter bunny and candy?  Rick & Deize Korkowski's girls, Hannah and Kiatta, enjoyed a bit of fellowship with the bunny himself, perhaps not 100% sure if he was the 'real' thing!  

Hannah & Kiatta

The beauty of Easter and flowers

These pictures are courtesy of Donna Korkowski who snapped these at the 'home' parish of Seven Dolors in Millerville over the weekend.  They represent the resurrection garden, with each flower having a special meaning.  There were three flowers especially in memory of Aloys & Grace Korkowski; Jerry Korkowski; and Donna's mom Barbara Buse.  It would be worth a little drive up that direction to see for yourselves what they look like in person...absolutely beautiful in the pictures...and I'm sure even better in person.