John Witte predicts what will happen in the technology world for 2018
COACHES SHOW WITH PAUL RAYMO 12-30-17
Paul Raymo hosts the coaches show this morning and visits with Barry Besonen LQPV BBB, John Nolte LQPV GBB , and Ross Jurgenson Team United wrestling.
RAYMO’S RAMBLINGS – IT WAS A GOOD YEAR!
IT WAS A GOOD YEAR!
I was looking over my Facebook pictures from the past year and reflecting on all the events that I have attended. The family times, sporting events, people I have met and the list goes on. I really had fun this year. I am really blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. It was a good year. It is impossible for me to mention everything that went on in my life this year, but here are just a few.
- Released my first blog in April. Amazing new hobby that I have.
- Covering and watching the LQPV/D/B Shadows win sections and broadcasting state dance from Target Center.
- Interviewed Belinda Jensen from KARE 11 during Severe Weather Awareness Week. Really nice lady.
- My tweet that the D-B concessions stand had the best popcorn was challenged by other schools after seeing my tweet. Most re-tweets and likes ever! Thanks to Missy, I received my own personal D-B popcorn bowl.
- Our church brought in nationally known comedian Ken Davis to the MMN school. Huge event. I was Ken’s personal body guard while he was in Madison. Funny guy!
- I turned 60 years old. Still can’t believe that.
- Covering state volleyball and football with the Minneota Vikings and their fans. Football team won a state championship at US Bank stadium. That was my first time in the new stadium. Volleyball team was state runner-up. Memories made!
- I’m on the Pioneer Public Television board of directors. I enjoy being on that board, some exciting things happening at Pioneer tv. The move into our new television station in Granite Falls. We have been having many meetings this year.
- Attending Bart Hills induction into the Minnesota Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in the cites. Honored to know and work with Bart. Well-deserved and a fun night.
- I really enjoy covering seven county fairs for the radio station. Each county fair is unique and so much fun. Pie judging is my favorite at the Swift County fair in Appleton.
- The Tracy/Milroy/Balaton vs Minneota section volleyball championship match. Wow, the wildest and loudest volleyball match I ever was a part of. Minneota pulling off the upset in five sets to go to state. Very emotional moment for both teams and fans.
- Raymo Cup 2017 was a memorable one. Being with my brothers, sons, nephews and other relatives golfing for the weekend. Fun times.
- Section Cross Country in Madison, both LQPV/D-B teams punched their way to the state cross country meet.
- State golf at Pebble Creek in Becker. LQPV boys finished in 2nd place. Area individuals did great also.
- Family trip to Hawaii for my daughter’s wedding. A trip of a lifetime. So many family members made the trip. The wedding was amazing. Hawaii is amazing.
- First ever state junior legion baseball tournament. Madison Jr. Legion/VFW team made it to state. Exciting baseball in Olivia. My son Brandon was in charge of the state tournament.
- Watched the eclipse and was terribly disappointed. Didn’t even notice it much in Madison.
- Second place in the community Christmas baking contest. I won with my sugar cookies.
- Miss Appleton program in September. I am on the committee and always a fun full day. I’m in charge of finding judges and being with them all day. Program is always stressful but fun. Congrats to Miss Appleton Laura Baldwin
- Being a part of the Appleton Chamber of Commerce and the many actives that the chamber is involved in.
- Fourth of July with my family. Spending the day in Madison watching the parade and fireworks.
- Went to Wichita Kansas to watch my grandson play in a basketball tournament. Beautiful facilities and a fun few days watching him and spending time with family.
- Attended a number of weddings and experienced one wedding that had a Christmas theme in the summer. Which I thought was really cool. Santa even showed up!
- Cheering on JD Struxness at the NFR in Las Vegas on tv and interviewing JD in the studio the next week. He’s a celebrity!!
- I grew my hair out. It was longer than when I was in high school. I had to cut it for my daughter’s wedding! It was a midlife crisis I was told.
That’s it, top 25!
However, not everything went well. My daughter in law, Jen and my sister, Susie were diagnosed with breast cancer. Can’t stop thinking about them. I am struggling with not knowing what to say or do. It’s been very difficult for them and their families. Praying 2018 is better.
Goodbye 2017!!
RAYMO’S RAMBLINGS -A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS
A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS
Whew! I was really worried that I would not get my white Christmas. Christmas Eve day, my yard had absolutely no snow. We need snow! It is not right to live in Minnesota and not have a white Christmas. I thought about this fact most of the day. Actually it was really bothering me; it just was wrong not to have snow on the ground. It didn’t feel right.
Then it happened. About 4:30 in the afternoon, I was taking a nap in my chair when I was awakened with a loud “Hey” from my loving wife. Startled I responded with a resounding “what?” She informed me to look out the window. To my amazement it was snowing really hard and the ground was becoming white! That put a big smile on my face and, like a little boy, I screamed with excitement. I had actually prayed in church Sunday morning for snow. God answered my prayer and I thanked him!
It was a different kind of Christmas for Roxie and me. We changed things up when it came to our family gathering at Christmas. We decided to get together on December 30th this year. That meant that Roxie and I were going to be alone for the first time on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I was pleased with this arrangement and enjoyed a very quiet and peaceful Christmas.
We enjoyed our Christmas Eve candlelight church service at Calvary Baptist, then came home and had a nice candlelight dinner. After supper, we played a few games of Yahtzee, which she won, watched the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, and finished the evening by watching the yule log. Christmas Day was much the same; just quiet, peaceful and relaxing. After thinking about how our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day went, I realized this is exactly what I needed. Quiet and peaceful, it was really refreshing.
Now, I am really looking forward to having the kids and grand-kids at our house this weekend. I Love watching my grand-kids open their presents. Having our family all together is important. Most of them love playing board games; not me. If my grand-kids ask grandpa to play, I will drag myself to the table with a smile on my face. I love them.
When we are together as a family. Laughter, maybe some tears, and lots of love happens. Family time is important to us, I’m sure it is to you. I really enjoyed looking at all the Christmas family gatherings on Facebook. Official family photos, or fun and goofy pictures. Facebook was full of photographs this past weekend.
This Christmas was different for me, and it was all good. The best part was the Christmas Eve snowfall covering the barren ground, giving me a white Christmas.