Albin new Sep 6, 2010

Albin News Readers,

I've been humbled by the number of people who have reached out to encourage Megan and I during this time, none more than our closest friends and family. Megan and I would like to say thank you to everyone who has asked how we are, visited us, written a letter, emailed, posted a comment on the blog, given a gift, or even just sent kind thoughts our way. We are very happy. We are happy in spite of the fact that Milo came out squalling and kept us up for the first 72 hours of his new little life.

In recent months, there have also been those good-hearted souls who have taken it upon themselves to temper my sunny outlook on life. I've gotten numerous renditions of the following statement: “having a baby is really going to rock your world, I hope you can handle the sleepless nights with a screaming baby!” This isn't the first time this has happened. When facing marriage, I was bombarded with great little insights like “you're never complete until you're married – and then you're finished!”

I can only assume these people harbor nothing but good will and in their own special way are trying to lend a helping hand. Their underlying belief may be that one should go into an uncertain situation expecting the worst. That way when life dishes out its worst, a guy will at least be spared the sting of bitter disappointment. I would like to say thank you to those people as well for their tireless efforts. I commend the spirit of thoughtfulness and brotherly kindness that has motivated you to do this!

In community news, Pat Palm hosted a “673” party for neighbors with phone numbers having that prefix. They played a game where they told a story about a neighbor (good, bad, or otherwise).

A group of would-be cow pokes traveled to the Iron Mountain area (Tom Horn country) to help Ron Lerwick gather his cows off summer pasture. They traveled up the mountain Friday night, grilled burgers for supper, camped under the stars, then gathered the pasture at daylight. They drove the cows six miles off the mountain to a set of corrals on the Iron Mountain road. The Sorenson's Cattle Cruisers hauled the cattle back to the Ron's house in three pot loads. The weather was perfect and the scenery was beautiful beyond words. A good time was had by the cows and the cowboys. The crew consisted of Ron Lerwick, Betty Lu Lerwick, Monte Lerwick, Cord Willert, Koir Hunt, Jared Oedekoven, Steven Schmidt, Paul Schwieger, Beverly Schwieger, Danette Eastman, Brian Eastman, Colby Eastman, Amanda Hensley (DVM). Amanda is a recent hire of the Bluffs Vet Clinic.

Here is the latest update on Tim Malm from Dixie:

“Isaiah 12:2  "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid: For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."  I want to share the words of one of the songs I sang at the church service at the Tim Malm Benefit Roping and want to thank the group (or person) Kutless who sings this popular song--What Faith Can Do

Everybody fall sometimes   Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache You think it's more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know
Don't give up now, the sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds to find the silver lining

It doesn't matter what you've heard Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death When they decide to take that step
Out of the water, but it'll be alright
Life is so much more than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way if you keep believing

Overcome the odds  When you don't have a chance
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
That's what faith can do

Enough said!  Tim had a good day with us and we are looking forward to a full week of progress!! 

“

In ag news, this is an extremely critical week in Albin area agriculture. Several things are happening all at once. Like the forces of a gathering storm, the amount of variables in play can sometimes act in harmony to create abnormal conditions. What I'm talking about is the collision of an early bean harvest, high wheat prices putting pressure on wheat planting, corn harvest nearing, a sudden spike in the corn price, two very critical NASS reports (crop progress on Tuesday and Crop Production on Friday), third cutting of hay, pre-conditioning of cattle, as well as critical decisions about when to turn irrigation wells off. How this will all play out over the next three weeks will be very interesting.

One of the challenges about this time of year is finding people to fill all the tractor seats. All of the part time summer help has gone back to school. If you or anyone you know is out or work and can be trusted to drive a tractor, give me a call! There's no sense in heading into the winter hungry.

Pinto bean harvest is underway and yields are nothing to write about in the Albin news. We've had good heat and moisture for growing beans but the great white combine took the goody out of most of the acres.

Corn harvest is underway in the southern corn belt and yields have been lower than forecasted. It seems the corn South of I-80 is below average and the corn North of I-80 is above average. The corn market is streaking towards $5.00/bu because of this. However, it may correct in late September as the harvest moves into Iowa and Minnesota and yields improve.

Heat units for 2009 and 2010, May 15 – Sep 6 (baseline 50 deg F) are 1789.0 and 2020.0. We are two to three weeks ahead of last year. This means the beans are getting harvested earlier and the irrigated wheat farmers are getting their wheat planted in a timely manner. With strong wheat prices, wheat farmers are feeling optimistic!

Albin News Aug 30, 2010

Albin News Readers,

I was disappointed that no one had any information concerning the story of the old log cabin North and West of Albin (story printed in the Aug 19^th Albin News). If you know anything about Andrew Cunningham, his wife Mary (Rabou), children Mick and Viola, sister Nora Capitola, cousin Mr. Stevens, brother Clarence (a.k.a Ben Grant), or the events surrounding Andrew's death, please call or email me. I can put you in direct touch with the sisters and won't report anything you don't want me to. Has anyone else heard Florence Anderson's account of the killing first hand? Did your parents or grandparents mention anything? What was the Cunningham's connection to the Hull Cemetery on the Stegall road? The three sisters (Dixie, Mary Sue, and Rebecca ) would be elated if you could share even menial details about these events. Besides that, it's an interesting piece of local history worth saving. On behalf of the sisters, I'll say thank you in advance!

In local news, Milo Neil Lerwick was born 1:15 am Monday Aug 30 to Monte and Megan Lerwick of the Albin area. Milo was 7 lbs 15 oz and 21.5 in long. Grandparents are Ron and Bette Lu Lerwick of the Albin area and Neil and Debra Olsen of Cheyenne. Great-Grandparents are Phyllis Lerwick of the Albin area, Duane and Carol Johnson of Cheyenne, and Harold and Dorothy Olsen of El Dorado, Kansas.

Because the above news item pretty knocked the stuffing out of my week, my grasp on Albin news is a little thin this week.

The benefit dinner for Tim Malm last Saturday was an huge success. A crowd of 425 people showed up to eat dinner, take in the local music scene, and bid on the more than 200 items donated for silent and live auction. Brian Jacobsen did a fine job being the auctioneer for the live auction. The local musicians did not disappoint Rachael Schmidt brought a group of friends from the University of Wyoming to perform several a capella songs. After that, local musicians, Dean and Duane Anderson, Nancy Blomberg, Ron Rabou, Caleb Anderson, and others played everything from classic rock tunes to popular hymns. A special thank you to Brenda and Tednetta Anderson for getting the ball rolling on this one.

Here is Dixie's latest update on Tim's condition:

“3 John 2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be  in health, even as thy soul prospereth.  We had some "prosperin'" today with the relaxation pretest shot---Tim' right leg didn't jerk and kick as much because his left leg relaxed with no muscular spasms and the knee bending a bit more.  He was able to have some therapy sessions in the afternoon and did well with them.  One of the therapists asked Tim the names of his three sisters and he named all of them--then she asked if he were to have a wrestling match with one of them, which one might win?  I'm sure most of y'all can guess what Tim said---Jessica!  He is getting a massage tonight from one of the therapists so we are hurrying to get back over to his room.  Pray for another night of 'progress' (5 nights in a row without any medicine help!)  He has been sleeping well so continue to pray for his restful nights!  Until tomorrow...Howard and Dixie “

Amanda (Peters) and Jeremy Busch hosted a wedding reception two weeks ago at the home of Marvin and Donna Peters. It was a pleasant outdoor affair with good food and good company. Jeremy seemed remarkably at home with the local flavor given the fact that it was his first visit to the Albin area. Maybe Amanda will be brave enough to bring him to Albin Day next year. A good time was had by all.

My apologies to Amanda and Jeremy for forgetting to report this earlier! Finally, here is a reprint of Giffin's birth announcement with the correct spelling of his last name.

Griffin James Rundell was born August fifth to Jeff and Dawn Rundell of Lincoln, NE. Griffin was 7 lbs 14 oz and 21 in long. Grandparents are Ligie and Jan Rundell of the Albin area and Jim and Sheri Cauble of Scottsbluff, NE.

Master Gardner Ann Sanchez had this to say about raccoons:

“This year I planted three different varieties of sweet corn to space out the maturity dates. The early variety was just about mature when the crop was hit by raccoons. It was depressing to see the damage each morning and clean up the residue. I considered fencing, but I thought using a radio on a timer was much easier. I was elated to come out in the morning to find no damage. I felt very pleased with myself. After two weeks, the damage began nightly despite the blaring radio. My husband told me that the raccoons were enjoying the music while they ate the corn! Tonight I am staying out at my garden on a cot to protect what is left of the corn crop, and in the morning I’m putting up a three strand electric fence.”

In Ag news, all of the springs crops are several weeks ahead of the 2009 growing year. Harvest has already started for dry bean harvest and much of the corn is dented. Michael Lerwick reported 85% of his corn to be in the dent stage (the end of the kernels are starting to dent in).

The heat units for 2009 and 2010 May 15 – August 30 (Baseline 50 deg F) are 1678.0 and 1930.5! At this point, we are way ahead of last year's heat units, largely because of the last two weeks.