Albin news July 12, 2010

Albin news readers,

As the previous news writer, Norma Jean did a great job of calling and visiting with the folks around Albin to get the inside scoop on societal matters. I've tried to add important community news of this sort, but not to the extent that Norma Jean did. Since I'm a farmer/rancher, I run in different circles then Norma Jean and that effects what gets reported. The fact of the matter is, need a little help in this area. If you have news that normally would've gotten reported by Norma Jean, I hope you will be brave enough to call or email the new Albin news reporter with the scoop! Now for the news.

This week in Albin there were two funerals, two weddings, and now two births! The two funerals were for long time residents Maxine Boyce and Wilma Moore. Maxine's funeral was at the Albin Community Center and was well attended. It was officiated by Pastor Anderson and Pastor Blomberg. Anderson is Maxine's nephew from Kimball, NE.

Wilma Moore's service was held at the Albin Baptist church with Pastor Don Blomberg officiating. Donna Peters, Don Blomberg, Dean Anderson, and Duane Anderson sang a quartet with Nancy Blomberg on piano. Also, a hymn medley was played by Daniel Hyatt. Danial is the husband of Rebecca (Moore) Hyatt.

David and Mary Forrester's daughter Tiffany married Brian Erickson Saturday morning in Cheyenne. A reception was help at the Kiwanis community house in Lion's Park. Brian got a bachelor's degree in horticulture from the University of Wyoming and is currently working in Fort Collins, CO selling hydroponic equipment.

Val and Sherry Eklund's daughter Jenna married Josh Enabolden Saturday evening in La Porte, Colorado. The weather was perfect for an outdoor wedding. The reception was immediately after the wedding. Josh and Jenna plan to live in Kimball, NE where Josh hopes to start an insurance business. Jenna plans to continue teaching at Burns High School.

Dianne Lerwick, wife of Michael Lerwick, gave birth to healthy twins Tuesday, July 6 at the Cheyenne hospital. Anna Marie, and Kenneth Andrew were just over six pounds. They are the fourth and fifth children in Michael and Diane's family after Stewart, Justin and Hattie.

Finally, I need to correct myself from last week's column. Tim Malm is currently in the Craig Hospital in Denver, CO. Not the Memorial hospital in Craig, CO. Craig hospital is an award winning rehabilitation hospital that specializes in traumatic spinal cord and brain injury. Cards and letters may be sent to Tim at the following address:

Tim Malm

c/o Craig Hospital

3425 South Clarkson St

Englewood, CO 80113

Also, the best visiting hours are from 4-9 pm on week days. A good way to follow Tim's recovery is to go to this link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123687394337958&ref=ts. You can also search “Prayers for Tim Malm” in facebook. Cassady, Tim's sister, has been doing a great job of posting updates on Tim's condition.

In Ag news, the fourth of July was full of fireworks for area farmers. A long storm front coming from the West passed over and dumped about two inches of rain. The storm included significant amounts of thunder, lightning, and hail. For the third time this year, many of the county roads were washed out. Part of this is due to the abnormal amounts of moisture, and part of it is due to the amount of CRP that has been plowed up in the last two years. Rain water cannot percolate into plowed soil as fast as it can into an old grass stand. Between the flooding and the hail, more area crops were damaged or destroyed. If we can just get a few more of these storms to clean up the remaining crop, then we can rent a bus and all head up to the mountains for some fishing!

Many who have damaged wheat stands have chosen to make the remaining crop into wheat hay. Given the wheat glut that we currently have, this seems to be a good option.

If you are looking for winter cow hay, now is the time to stock up. The wheat hay combined with extra dryland grass hay has created an excess of good forage.

The current GDUs for April 15 – July 5, baseline 50 degrees F, for 2010 and 2009 are 737.0 and 681.5. In other words, this year has been 0.7 deg F hotter than the same time period last year. For corn growers who saw corn struggle to mature last year, this is welcome news. It helps make up for some of the delays that the hail has caused.