Hello All,
   Well April is winding down. Some snow up here this past weekend, including an insane amount of a foot plus in much of western and parts of northern Minnesota. Some places of western Minnesota have seen over 500% of normal snowfall since March 15th, after having only seen 25-50% of normal November - March 15th.  The storm track that pounded Wisconsin and northern Illinois much of the winter just shifted north.  Still in Minneapolis, we finished below normal for the year.  Or do I dare say "finish"?  Could we have some more snow next weekend, the first weekend of May?!  Some numerical models think so.

   But for that first weekend of May I will not in MinneSOta, but MenDOta.  The sister is getting her senior year groove on with some track meets, a banquet, and last but certainly not least the senior Prom.  It is likely the mustang will be the wheels that night.  Mendota runs an excellent prom for those of you who don't know. It's changed a bit since us '00ers went there, but still pretty similar. On security duty Saturday night will be the likes of Holzner, Sparky, Miles, and myself. We will be primarily watching out for "the Irishman" Luke, but a few others of you are on the watch list as well!

   Speaking of Heather ... as of last week it became official.  Her decision on what institution will further her knowledge.   A bit undecided yet on major, but 100% decided on school.  It was a real challenging decision for her and I know she is glad it is over.

   There were a handful of schools that were in the running, including several of my friend's and my own Alma Mater.  One of the schools was very close to Mendota and one that Miles used to frequently sing the jingle to. I think it began something like this ... "No Matter Who You Are? (Background: Who You Are?)"  Yes, IVCC went down to the wire as a fabulous and convenient option.  But ... my sister decided to pass.

   Then as we head downstate there was an institution known as the U of I that had interest in Heather.  She was impressed last summer by the visit and by such alumni as Wuj and Holzner.  Well, maybe Holzner has not impressed her. But still, the Alma Mater of our father made a nice run.  I have had many a good times down there, which are not done yet.  But in the end, she had to pass on the Illini.

   Illinois State University, the Alma Mater of our Mom, Luke, Sparky, Miles, and 'vis (sorry to group you with them Mom) was a stellar option as well.  Nothing like a Quad that sports every tree type in Illinois.  And the simple fact that Avontti's is right there ... wow.  But Italian Cuisine and the institution of such noteworthies mentioned above could not convince my sister to be a Redbird.

   So after months of debating, and searching, and questioning, and thinking ... and deciding ... she said "Matt .... I want to be ... like Scruff, and Bobby, and Big D Man, and Danno, and ... YOU!"  Clearly, she didn't she say that last part ... or any of it.  But she did say ...

"I AM GOING TO BE A HUSKIE!"

                     

I am extremely proud to announce that this fall my sister will be attending Northern Illinois University!

   Now I know some are saying that I convinced her of this choice, but my influence here was very little.  Nope, she just always has liked NIU and feels that will be her fit.  And I know she is right.  So some day, when she is 25, she will be driving with purple and gold and red and black graduation tassels hanging from her rear-view mirror!  Or maybe she will grow up....

See you Illinoisans soon!  We're going to celebrate!

Heading from the SOTA to the DOTA and saying "mmmbooyah" the whole way!
MTF