---

Boy, my late buddy Mike's wife Florence was sure taken by surprise Wednesday night at the annual Dodgeville Chamber banquet when she received the Lifetime Achievement Award. She wasn't going to go to the banquet, but was lured there under false pretenses and I was watching her when "her" video was starting to be shown on the screen. She was eagerly watching and then all of a sudden her eyes got really big and she realized it was about her and her family. That was worth a lot! Her family who came to surprise her are shown here!
*****i
We received a couple of letters recently I have to share with you. The first came from Rose Martin of Blue Mounds. "Congratulations on your 150h year. I'll celebrate my 96th year on St. Patrick's Day. I remember when I was growing up in Mifflin Kathryn Smith wrote up the Mifflin News. I still manage to take the Chronicle. (she has eye problems and some of her writing I can't read). I have trouble with my vision and numb fingers, but God has blessed me in many ways. I look forward to the Linden and Rewey News. But I don't know many any more. Enclosed is $$$ for another year of your paper. God Bless. P.S. It's hard to write.
Still another read: Please renew us for another year. We really enjoy the Spotlight and people features. The feature on Margaret Disrud was great. We used to go there with my Dad (Joe Sigg) and get cheese. Keep up the good work. Sherry & Scott Pecor - Dekalb, Illinois.
*****
Last Saturday night/Sunday morning the weather people kept saying we were going to get a light dusting of snow. I hope the amount of snow (dust) they were referring to isn't the amount of actual dust they have in their homes because we received anywhere from 1/2 inch to 2". The 1/2 inch plus was around here while the 2" was reported Montfort way.
*****
Temperatures are predicted to reach 46 degrees the middle of this week. I know that won't be a record, but it sure will feel good and with 3-5 days supposed to be above freezing, a lot of the snow that has accumulated should be gone - but more will probably come!
*****
Speaking of snow - Friday night I left Dodgeville to go to the Highland/Juda boys basketball game at Highland. It was snowing a little when I left and it picked up as I was going along. People have told me how treacherous it can be between Cobb and Highland on Highway 80 - now I believe them! I drove around 35 MPH that entire stretch with some white outs and drifts in the roadway. I was glad when I finally arrived at the school - and even more glad when I left and it wasn't snowing anymore!
*****
It was a great day Sunday for the Highland Lions Club's annual fisheree at Blackhawk Lake - between Highland and Cobb. But I didn't think there were very many people attending, at lest out on the ice. I thought ice fisher people would be chomping at the bit to get out on some really nice ice, but...... Anyway, there were a lot of happy kids when they pulled fish out of the lake in the Kid's Fishing Contest and there were a lot of prize winners from the giveaways!