Duxbury News

Toni Williamson

DuxburyNews.info

Toni@DuxburyNews.info

I can’t even begin to say how great it is to see our lovely piece of heaven continue to green up.  The lilacs give the air a sweetly wonderful smell and I can no longer see my house from the road!

With the season of summer comes chances of fire.  “Who ya’ gonna call”?  The Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department!  On June 8, a call came from Donna and Bruce Filler from Duxbury about a car on fire, just East of Duxbury on Bjork Rd.  The fire department responded, found a car engulfed in flames and threatening to ignite surrounding brush.  After putting the fire out, it was found that it was a 1996 Buick Sentry stolen that morning from Gregg Yocum of Sandstone.  Pine County Deputy Grice was on the scene to investigate the situation.  We are happy that no one was hurt, but the car was totally destroyed.  Yea Duxbury!!!

Don’t forget Father’s Day on June 21^st.   Dads do a lot and sometimes their deeds go unnoticed.  Showing appreciation does not have to be extravagant; Even if it’s a big kiss and a hug, let them know they are appreciated!  If your dad has passed, look up to heaven and tell him you love him.

June is a traditional month of love and wedding celebration.  It is so wonderful to meet people that have been together for many years, as it is a rare thing.  The stories of how they met can be widespread depending on where they are from.  The experiences they have shared are awe inspiring.  They share joy, happiness, disappointments and sometimes deep sorrow.  I think that when you have someone that loves you, you can weather the storms of life much easier.

We all search for love, to meet the special someone that touches your heart and makes you say “I want to spend the rest of my life with you”.  It is something I wish for each and every one of you.  Love is a continuous celebration.

I love seeing senior couples walking together, holding hands and taking care of each other.  Growing up and seeing our elders, past and present from a child’s eye is a lesson in love.  I remember laughing as we watched how they would sometimes bicker and banter with each other and how my dad would tease my mom.  He would look over at us with a smirk on his face and she would say something like “leave me alone you old fool!”  It provided humongous laughter for us kids.  Even with that, you knew they would still kiss and everyday say to each other “I love you”.

Forgive me for being so sappy, but I met the love of my life when I was twelve years old.  We were best friends for years but did not date.   We would talk for hours at a time.  He’d talk about his girlfriends and me about my boyfriends.  We never talked about us or ever getter together.  At that young age we were just each other’s best friend.

It all changed when I was 17 and he was 18.  I walked up to him on Sunday, May 30, 1976.  He was in the pew at church.  As I got closer, he got up, looked at me and asked “when are we going to get married?”  I immediately without hesitation said “whenever you’re ready!”  He then responded “first you’ve got to get rid of your boyfriend”.

You see, we had never dated.  We had two friendly kisses over the previous years and they were around Christmas, when he placed mistletoe over my head.  Until that moment we had not even talked about marriage.  It was a spontaneous reaction from me, but not a spontaneous question from him.  He had come to church to ask me to marry him.   That Thursday after he asked me to marry him, I called him to ask if he was serious.  He said he was.  We started living together a few weeks later and got married about a year later, on June 18, 1977. We will be married for 32 years on June 18^th.    Glen, you are the love of my life and I continue to enjoy every day loving you!

Thanks for reading and see you in two weeks.

Duxbury News

Toni Williamson

DuxburyNews.info

Toni@DuxburyNews.info

It’s so amazing getting older, I open my eyes take a long stretch and wait and see what part of my body will be stiff.  Then I thank God for another wonderful day.  A wise physical therapist once said that pain is a good thing; it lets you know you are alive!

The Memorial Weekend Annual Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Breakfast (wow, that’s a mouthful) held on May 24^th, was a terrific success!  Almost 400 people were in attendance to sample the succulent flavors of Duxbury and to gather in friendship and camaraderie.  Our pancake chefs were hard at work pumping out pancakes as others delivered hot coffee, milk and juice.  It was a “beautiful day in the neighborhood” and I don’t think you can ask for anything more on a lovely Sunday morning than a Town Hall filled with smiles of family and friends enjoying the day.  Thank you to everyone for coming out and supporting this most worthy cause.  Small town living depends on us all supporting each other!

The Pine County Wanderers as some of you may know is a group of seniors that meet to keep in touch with each other, keep informed on issues that pertain to older citizens and help the community.  They rotate their locations between the townships and their last meeting was held on Wednesday, May 27^th at the home of Patrice Winfield here in good old Wilma Township.  I was excited to attend as it was my first meeting with this group.  My hubby’s parents were visiting us from Florida for the week and as Glen took our dad on a drive, I took our mom to the meeting to meet the Wanderers.   It began with a potluck lunch of various “yummies” with friendly conversation.   Congratulations to Door Prize Winner Evelyn Johnson, she won a lovely hot beverage set which will be sure to keep her innards warm on a cool evening.

The Wanderers are a very friendly group and we immediately felt comfortable and welcome.  During the meeting, which is chaired by Fran Levings of Cloverton, I heard how they help others in the area in various way which means keeping in touch with their neighbors that may be ill or in need of help.  They also keep the Cloverton Cemetery beautiful and much more!  A quick FYI, they are looking for volunteers to help at the Pine County Fair on Thursday July 30^th to Sunday, August 2^nd, so if you are interested, contact Fran at 320-242-3933 or email me at the Duxbury website above.  The Markville Reunion is also planned for Saturday, August 15th so be sure to get in touch with Fran for that also.  Folks, this is how you keep young.  Just because these beautiful people may be retired, they don’t let that stop them from living.  They truly care about each other and where they live.  I breathed in a sense of pride in how organized they were and how appreciated they are.  My mom and I had a fantastic time, met a lot of terrific people and I truly look forward to their future meetings!  Be sure to check DuxburyNews.info to see photos from the gathering.

The Pine County Wanderers next meeting is June 24 at 12 noon at the Cloverton Town Hall.  If you would like to meet a fantastic group of people that love to live, laugh and enjoy life while helping and caring for each other, this is the group for you!  For information you can contact Fran Levings at 320- 242-3933 or send email to me at Toni@Duxburynews.info .

I want to thank everyone for their kind comments of appreciation for these quirky articles I write.  I love this area and have found that living here makes you appreciate everyone.  I am continually meeting some of the nicest people I have met in years and am finding that every day, you can learn something.  I have found pearls of wisdom from ages nine to ninety, and find daily that there are always new things to learn and discover!  Please continue to contact me with comments or if you have any local news you want covered.

Thanks for reading and see you in two weeks.

Duxbury News
Toni Williamson
DuxburyNews.info
Toni@DuxburyNews.info

Shawn and Michael McCullen's Wedding Day

The storm alarm went off last week and we were warned of impending rain and hail in Duxbury.  Yeah Spring!!!  I find storms to be so fascinating; we had dime sized hail, thunder lightening and wind.  The clash of elements all wanting to be in control is beautiful and scary at the same time.

We have known Patrice Winfield for many years since we have been here.  Seeing her happy as she walked down the beautiful roads of Duxbury with a smile, a wave and her doggies is a daily staple in this community.  When the wind whips up something wicked and cold, she is still out there with her happy pooches.  Our thoughts go out to her after hearing of the passing of Puka, one of her dogs that accompany her on her daily stroll.  Many people that do not have pets may not be able to understand the passing of a pet.  So often these dogs or cats have a connection that is on a level that is close, warm and extremely personal.   Our hearts go out to Patrice as she mourns her loss.  Rest well Puka.

For about 30 years the Boy’s Camp, just south of Duxbury was a place they sent young men that needed to understand their wrongs.  It closed up a few years ago.  The State of Minnesota has possession of the property and will be auctioning it off on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 in Baxter, MN.  Paul Raymond, Wilma Township Clerk, and a former employee of the camp, stated that “It helped so many young men that he hates to see it go.”  If you would like more information on the auction, visit DuxburyNews.info for the link.

I hope you have fun plans for Labor Day!  There’s nothing more fun than a three day weekend.  With the many lakes we have in our area, I am sure all you angler’s will be out there looking to bag that big one!  Well on Sunday morning, bring your families and your hearty appetites and come enjoy the Duxbury Volunteer Fire Departments Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 24^th from 6:30am until 1:00pm.  It will be at the Wilma Town Hall located near the junction of County Rd 30 and 141, next to the Duxbury Store.  Enjoy all the light delicious pancakes you can eat with sausage, coffee, milk or juice for $6.00 with eggs extra.  Remember these pancakes can come with the “famous” Duxbury Maple Syrup or Blueberry Sauce.  This is an annual event is to support the Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department, so we urge you all to head out to the metropolis of Duxbury for a delicious breakfast and a fun tradition with lots of old and new friends!  We will definitely be there.

Congratulations go out to Shawn McKeon (Duxbury Fire Department First Responder) and Michael McCullen (Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department Chief) who were married recently in a private ceremony at their home in Duxbury.  The wedding was performed by my husband, Glen who enjoys solemnizing love.  If you interested in a traditional or non-traditional wedding, give him a call at 320-245-6803 or visit ForeverMyLove.info.

Monday, May 11, at 7 p.m., I attended a softball game in Willow River, just under the water tower, next to Interstate 35W.  It was between the Squirrel Cage and ETC.  The players were from all ages and backgrounds.  I saw young men in their late teens to seniors in their 60’s, all playing together.  Even though they were playing against each other, they had a sense of camaraderie that I never saw before.  They were perfect gentlemen, each opposing team, umpiring the other without a bit of dissent. They laughed, joked and drank libation (from soda to beer) as their friends and loved ones cheered them on.

Steve at bat with the Squirrel Cage's Softball Team

The game ended with the Squirrel Cage winning (I don’t remember the exact score), but at the end, they all gave each other “high fives”, and then most hit their respective “watering hole.”  I truly enjoy living in this community.  Even when competing, smiles still abounded.  I look forward to attending more games.

Well, that’s it for now.  Please do say “hello” to me when you see me at the Duxbury Pancake Breakfast this Sunday and for others, thanks for reading and see you in two weeks.