By: Jim Dittmann
Well here we are…
One year and a thousand fleeting thoughts later, we begin our second year.
The real Leben stories our readers enjoy come from the hearts of our neighbors – our friends and all the wonderful people we have met along the way – truly amazing people we might not have met if it were not for our little magazine – my special thanks to all of you!
I was invited to coffee a couple weeks before Christmas and introduced to a darling woman named Lena. Now into her 90s – born in Yugoslavia just after the First World War, she grew up through depression and a second world war. Winters of her youth she would hike railroad tracks in hopes of finding a few spilled pieces of coal to warm their home – she labored in camps and went eyeball to eyeball with death squads. Lena fills the kitchen with energy – discipline – grace and a marvelous sense of humor. As tears well – she asks if it’s all right to weep when recalling her late husband – after 75 years of marriage – I suggest it is ok… Lena has made available her complete memoirs – look for installments in upcoming issues. Thanks Lena – and the coffee cake (original family recipe), some of the best I have ever known!
Many of you have asked about LocaLeben and its business model. It is pretty straightforward and no big secret – Local advertisers foot the bill. I’ll bet you know many of these business owners by their first name – they bring you quality goods and services everyday. If you enjoy the unique content found only in LocaLeben – thank our advertisers – tell them you saw their ad – do business with them. They will stay in town – and you will be better off because of it – Locally owned business is good for our economy.
Our little town, its history – people – all the important events – past and present – defines who we are. LocaLeben is dedicated to sharing your accomplishments – we enjoy compiling these pages and look forward to learning a whole lot more along the way…
Remember the “Welcome” sign mentioned in our first issue and what a good new years resolution it would be to “turn on the Welcome sign” – I noticed some of the same twigs still hanging on it 🙁 Sometimes resolutions don’t always stick on the first attempt. That may be why there is always a New Year – perhaps in 2013 we will – “Light ‘er up.”
There’s a few shacks on the lake – and I asked about the fishin’ – lot of walleye but still under limit. I wonder how well those caught and released really fare? Big one’s up on Fox Lake they say. But please – no matter where you go – be careful – ice always scares me and especially with this years’ snow – it could be very inconsistent. Stay safe – not a statistic – life is precious and way too short…
Cheers –
