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Terry, Bob and I went to Stroz Inn in Hollandale Saturday and for the second time in three weeks our empty chair (table of 4) was occupied by a Whitford. Three weeks ago when we were at Jimmy's in Dodgeville Jerry Whitford came in and joined us. This week, in Hollandale, it was his brother Bill. Bill is a former Iowa County Sheriff. He caught us up on some Hollandale history and some new businesses that have started up there. He talked about his son Gary buying the "old" Whitford farm that is located about 4 1/2 miles wet of Hollandale on Highway 39. It's always interesting talking with a Whitford!
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Saturday was my great-niece Danielle Roh's graduation party. Even tough it was very hot, it was standable outside as long as you weren't in the sun too long. I got a chance to see several friends and relatives I hadn't seen in quite some time. This COVID-19 thing has put a crimp in a lot of socializing. it was good to chat for a few minutes with Mary Ellen Ladd who was leaving as I was arriving! She would be Danielle's great-aunt.
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This year's Dodgeville Area Scholarship Foundation (DASFI) Golf Tournament has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This is the event that funds a good share of the scholarships for Dodgeville High School graduates that the group gives out. This past year the foundation provided $42,250 in scholarships for 47 recipients. In lieu of not having the golf tournament, the group is asking for donations to be sent to them. There is more information on the DASFI website. (See above photo) Also due to the pandemic and school situations the group has decided to extend the redemption time for those who received scholarships in 2020 for an extra year as the thought was some students may decide to take a year off due to the circumstances.
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This is the last week of July. That means one more month of summer before schools are supposed to start. August is usually filled with a lot of events around the area, but not so much his year. Two such events that take place in early August are the Rewey Corn Boil and the Cobb Corn Roast. Both of these have been put by the wayside this year. The DodgeFest in Dodgeville is another one. Each one of these brings a lot of people to the area!
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The summer baseball season is winding down fast. There were games every night this week at Centennial Park in Dodgeville, but only a few scheduled in August. Tonight (Thursday the 30th) the Senior Babe Ruth Team plays a doubleheader starting at 5:30. Then they play another pair of games Friday night starting at 6:00. The Home Talent plays Wiota Sunday, August 2 at 1:00. Then the 14 year old Babe Ruth team plays Monday the 3rd at 6:00. There may be more games in August and, who knows, with a questionable fall sports season, baseball around here may be played into September and October!
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I received a thank you note from Esther Hill, whose photo we put on the front page of the Chronicle last week with her T-shirt business. She was happy especially since it is a new business. She asked me to relay that the business name is actually "Happy Harbor T-shirt Co." and not happy harbor tees. I took the business name off the business card she gave me.
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Oh, and the Major League baseball teams are playing their abbreviated schedule without fans. Some teams are piping fan noise into their stadiums. That reminds me of some of the TV shows in the 50's and 60's!