Reflections on my columns in 2016

As I look back at what columns I’ve written this past year, I want to stress some actions I hope you will remember.
Remember when we were concerned over what we should do when stopped by a police officer? I had talked with Bloomington Police Chief Jeff Potts who said, when you see a squad car with blue and red lights flashing behind you, pull over to the side of the road – leaving room for the officer – roll down the window, wait and place both hands on the steering wheel.broadstreet.zone(48036);
Immediately tell the officer you have a permit to carry a handgun and, even though you are not legally required, it’s best to tell the officer you have a gun in the car and where it is located, while still keeping both hands on the wheel. Finally, do not reach for the glove compartment or a purse. Follow the officer’s

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Civil War Roundtable to focus on Lincoln letter

A brief letter of condolence allegedly written by Abraham Lincoln to the Widow Bixby is considered in some circles to be one of his most beautiful writings. Civil War scholars rank the so-called Bixby Letter with the Gettysburg and Second Inaugural addresses as Lincoln’s finest written works.
On Jan. 23, Ray Marshall will talk about the Bixby Letter and the controversy that surrounds it. Civil War Roundtable meetings are held at Stillwater’s Lowell Inn and begin at 5:30 p.m. with a buffet dinner served at 6 p.m., and the program starting at 7 p.m.. Make a dinner reservation in advance by mailing a $23 check payable to SCVCWRT to Steve Anderson, 903 Third St., Hudson WI 54016, or by calling Steve at 715-386-1268 with your reservation and pay only $23 at the door, or e-mailing a reservation to rossandhaines@comcast.net and pay $23 at the door. Without a reservation, the cost of

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Raymond “Ray” J. Daninger

Raymond J. Daninger, age 81 of Forest Lake, died peacefully while surrounded by his family on Monday, January 16, 2017.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Geri; children, Scott (special friend, Kari), Denise (John) Becker, Dean (Kim); seven grandchildren, Kelcee (Jeff) Kociemba, Cole Daninger, Nicole Becker, Katy Becker, Luke Becker, Jake Daninger, Joli Daninger; one great-grandson, Jase Kociemba; sister, Diane (Gary) Zak; other family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Church of Saint Peter, 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake. The family will greet friends from 4-8 p.m., Friday at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Private interment at Calvary Cemetery, Forest Lake. Memorials are preferred. Online condolences may be made at www.mattsonfuneralhome.com. Cards and memorials may be directed to Mattson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 343 N. Shore Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025.

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Simonson, Lee thanked for service

Submitted photoIn his last City Council meeting as Scandia’s mayor, Randall Simonson was presented Dec. 20 with an Oscar replica by Scandia Friends of Parks and Trails member Katie O’Connor as a thank you for a film Simonson made about the local butterfly garden.
Terry Traver
Scandia Reporterbroadstreet.zone(48036);
After Randall Simonson’s three terms as mayor and Dan Lee’s four-year term as city councilman for Scandia, both will be moving on from city government in January. Simonson was narrowly defeated by Christine Maefsky in the November election, and Lee, who is retiring from the council, will be replaced by Steve Kronmiller, who won Lee’s council seat.
Both Simonson and Lee received recognition awards at the Dec. 20, 2016, City Council meeting to thank them for the work that they have done on behalf of the residents of Scandia during their tenures. City staff also held a reception for the two. Lee did not attend the

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