One year older...

It's another candle on the birthday cake today for Jennifer (Korkowski) Majhess as she places 44 of them on her cake (or, maybe not with firefighter hubbie around!!).  Happy birthday, Jen....enjoy this special day of your summer vacation.

A work of art...

A high school friend of mine saw this sculpture up in the Battle Lake area last week, and it's made from old silverware...primarily old spoons!  She says it measured about 3 ft. so it's not very small, but how beautiful is that? If I had any artistic ability, it would give me a cause to keep all those silverplated spoons I'm acquiring :)

Planning your week....

Good times, good fun...it's all available this week up in Brandon so make sure to clear your calendar and take in some of the many activities coming up....pork chop feed is coming up on Wednesday, July 31.  Saves you from cooking dinner......

It's a first-time event

Andrew Majhess (Joe & Jennifer Korkowski Majhess) is always trying to catch up with his older brother and sister, and he finally achieved one milestone in that 'chase'...he lost his first tooth on Friday.  Now, the tooth fairy was on 'high alert' because he thought that first tooth was worthy of "a 100, 50 or 5 dollar bill"!   Don't you just love it when kids have high aspirations??

No sharing today....

No doubling up on birthdays today...nope, Lila Murray (Ray & Melissa Korkowski Murray) has the day all to herself as she celebrates her 5th birthday.  Here's to a day of fun in the sun with birthday cake and ice cream on the side!

Two more....just like the ark!

The birthdays are coming two by two these days, and today we have another couple to acknowledge....Hailey Evenson (Tom & Jody Korkowski Evenson) flips to double digits as she turns 10:

while Benton Stadsvold (Cory & Jennae Korkowski Stadsvold) turns 12.  He'll probably be out catching some crawfish and frying them up for dinner, knowing that guy!  

Happy birthday, kids!

Alexandria....we're in the top 10!

Most of you already know this as we like to brag a bit about 'our town' or community, but for those who live away from 'home', you'll be pleased to know that Alexandria MN has been named one of the top 10 best small towns in the US, coming in at #7.  Now, does that mean we'll have more tourists seeking us out??  Here's the scoop on what Livability, America's Best Places to Live and Visit, had to say about us........

Big Ole, a giant viking statue, keeps watch over the town of Alexandria, MN, where preservation efforts and planning helped protect the city's character during a period of rapid growth.

The city's population grew by more than 4 percent between 2010 and 2012, making Alexandria one of the fastest-growing micropolitan areas in the country. The community's active lifestyle, cultural offerings and beautiful scenery continue to attract new residents. A collection of lakes surround the town, creating an island-like atmosphere. It's never a shock to see a "closed" sign in some businesses' windows when the fishing is good. Lush woodlands and parks present opportunities for year-round recreation including fishing, hunting, bicycling and ice skating. Cyclists, runners and inline skaters use the 55-mile Central Lakes Trail, which connects Alexandria to three nearby cities and winds passed parks, farms wetlands and lakes.

Well-preserved buildings dating back to the 1800s line streets in the five-block historic downtown area, which is in the midst of a major improvement project that will reconfigure lanes and provide safer paths for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Enchanting shops, boutiques, a winery, museums, art galleries, theater, and restaurants lure residents and visitors to downtown. Entertainment choices include live shows, car racing, a petting zoo, waterpark, ski areas, bars and more.

Alexandria has 69 commercial and residential structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Carnegie Library, Douglas County Courthouse and historic post office. Housing options range from small single-family homes to expansive lakefront properties and new condos and apartments.

As we sing 'happy birthday' once again....

Two more birthdays today....Nate Zuidema turns the BIG 4-0 today.....

...while Avery Morrissey (Kellen & Felicia Peterson Morrissey), still recovering from her flower girl duties last Saturday, turns 5.  Happy birthday, Nate and Avery!

People you know, as they 'moonlight' in the theater....

Lakes Area Radio Theatre's production for 7-16-13 has some family in it......Joe and Sue Korkowski are in this video multiple times throughout the course of the approximate 12 minutes it runs.  Bob Piotrowski, who is a musician at St. Ann's, can also be seen.    A very keen eye could even pick out Dennis and Chris in the audience.   Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC4b4MMdTuQ&feature=youtu.be

Summertime...and the living is easy

After a busy weekend, it was time for Norb to kick back and enjoy the 'fruits of their labors' from the garden......with a little help from Sr. Cordy.  Snipping fresh beans was in preparation for a bean salad along with new potatoes to go with some of that delicious chicken left over from the church bazaar yesterday (and was that chicken ever good!) It's a perfect way to spend a nice summer day!

Double trouble?

Another two birthdays being celebrated today....Paul Korkowski is 45 (yikes!)....

while Brenda Magnuson Dupont trails behind at age 41.......

Happy birthday, you two...hope you have a great day, work or no work :)

1 + 1 = 2

The Korkowski family tree sprouted a new branch on Saturday afternoon when Caleb Peterson married Jessica (Jess) Benson in a very pretty ceremony at Lake Community Church.  Afterwards, we were treated to a delicious meal and cake, and then after the dancing that followed, they brought out the root beer floats!  What a deal...and so good! There hasn't been a wedding in the family for quite awhile, not like we need an excuse for a get-together, so of course it was time for some pictures, even though not the entire gang was 'in' the picture, but you get the idea of the size of group :)  So, thanks Caleb and Jess for a great party...we wish you the very best as you begin your married life together!

Jess' mom, Frances; the newly married couple, Caleb & Jess

We are strong in the aunts and uncles department!

The "Sisters Five"....Theresa Krentz, Faye Magnuson, Rose Mary Peterson (groom's mom), Annette O'Donnell, and Sr. Cordy Korkowski (groom's godmother)

The 'parents' dance....Bob Peterson w/Jess, Fran Benson w/Caleb, and Rose Mary Peterson w/brother Dennis Korkowski

One more turning 8....

The other day, it was Kelsey turning 8, but today it's Jack Murray (Ray & Melissa Korkowski Murray) who turns 8. He's been busy having vacation fun lately but it won't interfere with any birthday celebration either.  Happy birthday, Jack!

It's a 'big catch' today....

No fishing for Caleb Peterson today....nope, he's going to have the biggest catch of his life this afternoon as he gets married to Jessica Benson.  So, put the fishing rod down and back away....

Birthday time....

It's been almost a two-week stretch without any birthdays or anniversaries, but we do have a birthday today though.....Kelsey Stadsvold (Cory and Jennae Korkowski Stadsvold) turns 8, and nothing spells excitement like an 8-year-old having a birthday!  Happy birthday, Kelsey....

Melted butter??

Heat or no heat, Millerville's Butter Days for 2013 takes place this weekend, so check the calendar of events and make plans to attend one or all of the activities going on in town. The grande finale is the always popular 'full meal deal' dinner at Seven Dolors Church. Delicious chicken and all the trimmings!  See you there.....

Visitors from afar.....

Just after the 4th of July holiday, some of the aunts and uncles came back to the area with a mini reunion of sorts taking place at Norb & Donna Korkowski's home.  Mike & Corrine Povich came in from Arizona, Shirley Kokotovich from the Twin Cities, and Theresa Lehn had just a short drive from Brandon.  Always a good time with lots of laughter and conversations taking place!

Back row, l. to rt:  Judi Korkowski, Corrine Povich, Donna Korkowski, and Faye Magnuson
Front row:  Theresa Lehn, Shirley Kokotovich, Theresa Krentz and Christella Korkowski

No posing for these guys....back row: Dennis and Norb Korkowski
Around the table, in deep conversation no less:  Mike Povich, Derald Krentz, Jim and Mark Korkowski

Girls only......and grandpa too!

It was girls' night out this past Saturday night for Faye Magnuson and her four granddaughters: Kelly, Lexi, Natalie and Courtney, even though Grandpa Ron tagged along as well.  As Faye said, 'we needed someone to take the pictures'!  

The attached picture is of them going to the Town Green Center in Maple Grove to take in a musical by the Splatter Sisters and a movie shown outdoors after dusk. The girls had a great time dancing, entered a hula hoop contest, and ate and drank their way through the movie.   Now isn't that what summer is all about...fun, fun, and more fun?

Left to rt: Natalie, Courtney, Kelly, Grandma Faye and Lexi....looks a bit windy!

And, we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the end of Kelly's fantastic undefeated soccer season. The season ended Sunday in the 3rd game of state quarter finals against St. Cloud. The girls had an awesome year.  Great job, Kelly!

And, from south Florida.....

Not only was the 4th of July celebrated in fine fashion here in Minnesota, but the Majhess' family got together for this festive picture down in Boca Raton Florida as they enjoyed Independence Day, Florida style....

Joseph, Ellie, Jen, Andrew and Joe Majhess

Turtle soup, anyone?

As any good Korkowski knows, a turtle should mean nothing more than 'turtle soup' but Evan, Isaac and dad Shawn weren't having anything to do with that idea!  Instead, after pictures were taken, the little fella was taken back down to the lake and left to swim off into the sunset.....

Memories of Independence Day....

In trying to catch up on the past week after vacation, I thought it worth mentioning (and showing) to you the much talked about 4th of July boat parade on Lake Cowdry.  Since Amy's kids were determined we should participate, we drove back in from the resort near Villard to decorate our pontoon (before we moved it to Lake Villard for the remainder of the week).  The morning was absolutely gorgeous...warm sun, blue skies, and very light breezes.  After stringing crepe paper, adding other decor, and making sure all of us had appropriate holiday wear, the parade started promptly at 11 AM.  This year, we were asked to be the 'grand marshalls' so off we went, with 23 other boats and jet skis behind us.  It was a real hoot!  People on shore were waving as we waved back, and one pontoon behind us held a 7-piece band playing patriotic songs as we wound our way around Lake Cowdry. About 45 minutes later, we pulled into shore where our townhouse association threw a big 4th of July food bash with brats, hot dogs, salads, etc. along with beer and wine for the adults.  It was the epitome of what the 4th of July should be all about!  And, here to prove my point....

Yup, that's Ms Abby at the helm!

Grandpa Cliff decorating...and Isaac, the ham

Evan in red, white and blue!

Cliff and Shawn in the decorating process

Think we're almost ready!

Even Grandpa's steering wheel got the goodies

Abby as flag bearer...until it got too heavy and unwieldy to hold

Some of the 20+ boats behind us....

Post-vacation story.....

Well, what would a vacation be if it didn't produce a funny story?  On Wednesday morning, we wound up a week at the Canary Beach Resort just outside of Villard MN which we spent with Amy, Shawn and the kids.   It was the exact opposite of our 'week from hell' of last year where nothing seemed to go right!  The temps for our week this year were in the mid to upper 80s with rain only one very early morning, the mosquitoes were almost non-existent, and everything from the beach area to the cabin were really good....we even had air conditioning and towel exchange service!!  So, up until we checked out on Wednesday morning, there was really nothing funny or noteworthy to tell you about.   But.....fast forward to breakfast of that morning!

After Cliff did some checking at the resort on whether or not there were any breakfast places in Villard (less than a block of businesses), he was told that "The Office" cafe would be able to provide a breakfast before we split up and went our separate ways.  So, upon our leaving the resort at 8:30 AM, we headed into Villard and entered "The Office".  It is noteworthy that the front part of the building is a sort of 'down and out' bar...the regulars were sitting at the bar, drinking coffee.  In the back, the 'restaurant', was a table of 7-8 elderly ladies who were enjoying coffee.  So, that being said, our party of seven were the only ones who were ordering breakfast!  We should have realized that once we saw the printed menu with the words "offfice" spelled as such that maybe things weren't going to go smoothly :)  There was ONE gal who was everything...waitress, cook, etc.  She provided us coffee as requested, then came back with a bright pink apron wrapped around her and told us she was now our waitress...hmmmm.  She told us of the two specials, and when I pointed out that the one special was the same price as what was on the menu, she told us to simply deduct 50 cents from that price.  Okay...done!  We sat....and sat....and sat.  A half hour later, we still didn't have our breakfast.  Mind you, I did see her go into the bar area and return with a carton of eggs!  As we started grousing about the length of wait, one of the older ladies enjoying coffee got up and found the coffee pot and proceeded to pour everyone a hot cup full.  After about 40 minutes, two plates of breakfast came out....five minutes later, another two came out, and so on.  When we asked for more jelly...there were only two in the basket and seven of us....the waitress said she'd look for more but 'they're hard to find in here'.  Okay, so we'll do without the jelly!  Once we started eating, all of a sudden she shows up with this almost used up 'honey bear' and said that was the best she could do (forget that one of the jellies was sitting in the basket already opened).  By this time, Amy and I were so totally full of the giggles that we couldn't even eat our breakfast.  What a total disaster!!  So, if you're out and about in the Villard area and wanting something to eat, we strongly suggest you keep driving and head to either Alexandria or Glenwood....DO NOT stop in Villard at The Office.  Now don't say you haven't been warned!!

Our 'honey bear' along with an already previously opened jelly!  (Not sure that the food inspectors would like the 'honey bear' idea!)

Remember this sign....DO NOT STOP HERE!!

Recommended summertime reading....

In about 8 days, the following book will be available for your summertime reading pleasure.  The author is a cousin of Cindy Korkowski, so we are spreading the word to help this author reach a wider audience...and what better way than the Korkowski family as we have a lot of readers out there.  It is available now on Amazon.com for pre-order, as well as thru the link as shown below.  I'm guessing it will most certainly be available at the Cherry Street Books in downtown Alexandria.  Hmm...the thought of hot dish is making me hungry!

Pool, anyone?

Minnesota Fats would have had his hands full with these characters, but then, maybe not!  What would a weekend at Two Inlets be without some late night pool games to end the day??

David, Austin, and Mark

David, Cliff, Austin and Mark

Same as above with Ron on the far left!

Isaac in observation mode

Isaac must have liked that shot!!

Once a handyman, always a handyman....

No matter how many tools Cliff sold or got rid of during our packing and moving, he did keep 'just a few things' for projects, so when the board of directors found out that the association's beloved swing was in danger of falling apart due to rot, you know without a doubt who headed up the 'campaign swing set'!  It was just like old times to hear the saw running, the hammers pounding, and a beer or two consumed (only AFTER the saws were no longer in use!).  And, by mid afternoon, here are the results.  Next up, the 'staining committee'....

If you're an avid reader.....

This great tip is for you readers who own a reading device (see those included in the picture below).  Go to www.bookbub.com and sign up with your email.  After that, you will receive a daily email with free and/or reduced prices on books that you can then download to your reading device.  They are most likely not on the New York Times best seller list, but the choices seem quite good, and I've downloaded several myself already.  So, if you're looking for some easy summertime reading...FREE..check it out.  And thanks to either Annette or Mary Lee (can't remember who suggested this...sorry) for the heads-up on this. 

More summer birthdays....

Today we have two more birthday celebrations....there's new mommy Ann O'Donnell (#37) who probably is just wishing for a good night's sleep (!).......

....and then we have little Austin Roers (Kent & Susan Krentz Roers) who gets to blow out 4 candles this year.  Happy birthday to you both!

A grand birthday...

There won't be any complaints from today's birthday boy, Isaac Oxentenko, as he celebrates his 9th birthday swimming, running...and checking out the resort's local bug population!  We wish you the best of birthdays, buddy....

More family fun....kid style!

The kids had a great time at Two Inlets this year, albeit there was a LOT of scratching going on from their mosquito bites, but that didn't slow them down at all.  They played Barbie dolls, picked up snail shells, fished, shot pool, swam and just plain had fun!  

Never a dull moment.....

Logan and Isaac

New best 'buds'...Benton and Evan

And, for entertainer of the year....Abby!