KUBB BRINGS PEACE, CHARITABLE DONATIONS
    As some of you might remember, thanks to many people, the inaugural Eau Claire kubb tournament/fundraiser last year was able to accomplish some wonderful things. I just want to take a few lines here and let you know that this year the event doubled in size. Thank you to the sponsors, the 31 teams comprised of 77 participants (which again came from five different states), the several volunteers, and the spectators. Due to all of you, the 2008 U.S. Midwest Kubb Championship was able to raise $1800. With that money, we were able to purchase twelve $100 USA for UNHCR (the UN refugee agency) survival kits for refugee families from the war and atrocity filled Darfur region of Sudan. In addition, the event raised $600 for the Eau Claire County’s Girls on the Run program. Thanks to all that played a role in the success of this community event. I also should note that Eau Claire teams successfully finished third and fourth in the tournament.

    As they say in Sweden, kubb unites people and creates peace on earth.
– Eric Anderson

USE YOUR BEAN, KEEP CEMETERIES GREEN
    When I was young, my mother and father would often tell me to use my “bean.” I have used it in a most intelligent way all of my life. By the way, I am a senior citizen who cares about how others use their “beans” at my, and your, expense.

    The people who make the decision on when to water our parks and schools have a “green bean,” green as defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “untrained, inexperienced.”

    Visiting Carson Park every morning to walk my dogs – notice I said every morning – my “bean” photocopies the Lakeshore School lawn being watered.

    Granted, I know the school has a timed in-ground sprinkler system, but they also have a facility maintenance person who could be monitoring a water-saving “bean decision” to water only when needed. I have seen the school lawn at Lakeshore being watered the mornings after an inch or two of rain the evening before, and during downpours. My “bean” tells me that during hard times for all, those who can make a change with the way they are wasting water at our expense should use their “bean” and water only when needed.

    Many people are not physically able to water the sites of their loved ones at Lakeview or Forest Hill cemeteries because of the new policy, in which someone didn’t use their “bean.” There is only one water source for 40 acres at each, and some 30,000 burial sites. The savings on the water is being wasted at our schools and parks. If they were watered only when needed, it should be enough to turn the water back on at the cemeteries. I’m sure it would make life easier for those who cannot carry water jugs throughout the cemeteries.

    I am sure that with the love and respect we have for the deceased we all know, a usable water source and a green cemetery would be welcomed by all. Eau Claire’s people have the satisfaction of seeing green grass when they attend baseball games and go to the park. But we also have schools with green lawns during the summer, when “no one is home.” Again we have to use our “bean.”
– Ray Dwyer

WEB OF THANKS
    Just a quick note to say thank you and well done! I have only been on the new site about 10 minutes, but my first impression is that it is indeed awesome! And everything we need in a local website. I’ll still pick up my copy of Volume One, but I am sure the website will now become my one stop shop for finding local events and places to go. Thank you Volume One!
– Libby

FISH FRY RECOMMENDATIONS
More readers answer Lauren B.’s call for the tastiest mom-and-pop fish fry in the Valley:

    Without a doubt, ya gotta go to the Boyd American Legion. It’s the best! They take the summer off, ’cause the place isn’t air-conditioned. But they begin their approximately every-other-Friday fish fries near the end of September, and go into April (I think). Hours: 4-8pm.

    You want homemade? Oh, yah! All the tender deep-fried cod you can eat – with all the trimmings, also all fresh and homemade. I mean fries, baked, and scalloped (usually with and without diced ham) potatoes; slaw that’s not too runny, not too tart, not too sweet; big dill pickle wedges; baked beans; dinner rolls (store-bought); milk and coffee. And, if you still have room after that, fresh-from-home pans of frosted cakes and sometimes bars. How “Wisconsin Friday Night” is that?

    They had to raise their price a couple years ago, but for $8 (kids for less), you can’t beat it. If you don’t start seeing their Friday feeds listed in the local papers’ lists of community doings, you could probably call the Legion hall for the next fish fry date: 667-3495. (Please don’t tell your friends; this has got to be one of the best kept secrets in the Valley.)
– Carl Miller, Chippewa Falls

    As a longtime local I would have to say Chick-A-Dee’s, 1928 Third St. Good food, and cheap. For real deep-fried goodness try Chicken Unlimited at 1410 Hastings Way. Both of these places should grease your stomach pretty good.

– Dude

    Harpole’s on Hwy X (Chippewa County). Great fish and the kimchi is fantastic!
– Jon Turner, Chippewa Falls