"Hamline Alumni Weekend"

This week happens to be alumni week at my alma matter, Hamline Univiersity which is located in St. Paul Minnesota. While there are many activities and get-togethers planned, what is really special is that our beloved tennis coach, Dr. Benjamin Lewis is going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this Friday, October the 5th.

Coming from long distances, many of  my old team members  will  attend this event. Together we will all be one in recognizing 'Doc' who touched so many of us in a profound and wonderful way.

Dr. Benjamin Lewis ('Doc')

What many do not realize is that Hamline University was the first institution of higher learning established in the Minnesota Territory way back in 1854, even earlier than the University of Minnesota. Its first home was to the south of the Twin Cities in the river community of Red Wing, but was later moved to St. Paul where the campus is today. The school was named after Bishop Leonidas Hamline, a Methodist minister, who donated the funds as a benefactor for Hamline's beginnings.
 

In 2004, Hamline celebrated its 150th birthday. Today the guiding principles for the University, the faculty and the student body remain the same. Those principles are:

 

Do all the good you can do.

By all the means you can.

Picture of First Graduating Class

In all the ways you can.

In all the places you can.

At all the places you can.

To all the people you can.

As long as ever you can

Old Main

Photo of Bishop Hamline

 

"Coaches can make a difference"

Bruce is on the right

This past Monday and Tuesday, my good friend and tennis partner from college, Bruce McKinnon and I  spent two fantastic days visiting Steve Wilkinson at his home in St. Peter, Minnesota, which is the  home of Gustavus college.

Steve arrived at Gustavus as a religion professor in 1970 and was asked if he would be willing to voluntarily coach the tennis team. Steve already had the background of playing at the University of Iowa where he finished second in #1 doubles at the Big Ten Championships his senior year.

When Steve said yes, the rest is history as Steve became the winningest coach in the history of collegiate men's tennis. Playing in the MIAC which consisted of NCAA 3 schools Steve's teams compiled a 334-1 record. Not content to play only division 3 schools, Steve's teams played division NCAA 2 and 1 teams as well, thus compiling an over all recorded of 929-260.

Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Wilkinson picked up a racket at age 3 and according to an article in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune he would throw a fit until his parents would throw him tennis balls.  His favorite book was reported to be"The Little Engine That Could," which taught him to "never give up. Give your full effort." Later on Steve was also touched and influenced by the sportsmanship and court demeanor of his contemporary and good friend Arthur Ashe.

What is especially significant, is the philosophy and values that Steve came to embrace, pass on and teach at Gustavus with his players and through his clinics. With time his teams came to excel, courts were built, and with time Tennis and Life clinics were developed and a state of the art tennis center was created with 22 courts. Some of his guiding principals were as follows:

Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.

My Cup is Half Full: Life is like a cup of water half filled. For some their cup is half empty. The level is the same, but I view it makes a huge difference.

Treat Others Fairly: I do not expect everything to work our fairly for me. Nevertheless, I promise to treat others fairly. I do to others as I would have them do to me. This the ultimate principle of fairness.

God Comes First: I believe that God comes first, others second, and myself third. I know that God's blessings and gifts stand behind every accomplishment for which I take credit.

Thus, in summary, Steve's focus has been on a few important points which center on making a full effort, always giving your best, having a positive attitude, showing good sportmanship and taking resonsibility for those things you can control and approaching all situations with confidence and a sense of optimism. As you may glean, these are also important life lessons.



Coach Steve Wilkinson

"Welcome to Mai Village"

Had the pleasure of taking a few friends to the Mai Village Vietnamese restaurant this past Saturday night. When we entered the restaurant there was a koi pond, bridge, and  many different pieces of Indochina art. We were all favorably surprised and impressed.


Mai Thai is located at 394 W. University just west of the state capitol and is on the SW corner of Western and University.

The dense, crispy fried spring rolls at Mai Village passed with flying colors and best of all, we each received our very own dipping sauce which is rare at most places. We also enjoyed our respective entre orders ranging from Vietnamese noodle salads to stir fry. Photos of some are included with this blog.

While dining at our table, we were introduced to the owner of Mai Village and his daughter. They were most gracious and inquired how we liked our dinner choices. While doing so, we discoverd how adversely this restaurant has been affected with the construction of the light rail, which runs along the University corridor, and does make access to the restaurant quite difficult and as a result patronage has slipped and business has decreased.

Given our excellent dining experience, I would encourage readers to give this restaurant a try.

CONSTRUCTION OF LIGHT RAIL ALONG  UNIVERSITY AVE.

Took a Saint Paul friend here for lunch today and must say the koi pond, bridge and Indochine decor is quite a surprise...very thoughtful and high kudos for atmosphere. Now I don't get over to Saint Paul much but when I have I've rarely been disappointed by the city's Asian food offerings and I wasn't this time either. There are plenty of Vietnamese restaurants toward the capital without a hint of romance but each with something special to look forward to. The dense, crispy fried spring rolls at Mai Village passed with flying colors and best of all, we each received our very own dipping sauce which is rare at most places. It wasn't very crowded but I'd have to say the service was a bit aloof and surprisingly slow but certainly not rude. All of us ordered "safe" choices and the portions were just satisfying enough. The curry beef was delicately scented and perfectly citrusy/spicy (perfect for a hot afternoon). The sweet and sour chicken could have used some extra vegetables but overall was well balanced in flavor and as thoughtfully presented as the restaurant itself. Our friend had the hot and spicy chicken and again the flavors were out of the park BUT the chicken could've been fresher. Overall, we all enjoyed the place and would definitely go back. This place just screams for a dinner party with maybe a larger group of friends on a cold night

 

Took a Saint Paul friend here for lunch today and must say the koi pond, bridge and Indochine decor is quite a surprise...very thoughtful and high kudos for atmosphere. Now I don't get over to Saint Paul much but when I have I've rarely been disappointed by the city's Asian food offerings and I wasn't this time either. There are plenty of Vietnamese restaurants toward the capital without a hint of romance but each with something special to look forward to. The dense, crispy fried spring rolls at Mai Village passed with flying colors and best of all, we each received our very own dipping sauce which is rare at most places. It wasn't very crowded but I'd have to say the service was a bit aloof and surprisingly slow but certainly not rude. All of us ordered "safe" choices and the portions were just satisfying enough. The curry beef was delicately scented and perfectly citrusy/spicy (perfect for a hot afternoon). The sweet and sour chicken could have used some extra vegetables but overall was well balanced in flavor and as thoughtfully presented as the restaurant itself. Our friend had the hot and spicy chicken and again the flavors were out of the park BUT the chicken could've been fresher. Overall, we all enjoyed the place and would definitely go back. This place just screams for a dinner party with maybe a larger group of friends on a

The owner and his daughter

"An Enchanted Garden"

Upon my visit to the St. Paul Conservatory, I came upon a beautiful garden of autumn plants and  floweres and nearby there was a sign titled "Enchanted Gardens' with these words scribed the most delicate of creatures, the butterfly. Beyond the garden, there was much more and many more beautiful flowers as you can see.


Like flying flowers-
Like delicate structures of stained glass
Beauty takes wings in the butterfly
With their their stunning colors
and graceful presence.

Butterflies add a magical touch to the landscape.

Endeaour flies over Tucson!

 

 

Today was the final flight of space shuttle Endeavour on its way from Texas to a retirement home at the California Institute of Science in Los Angeles where it will placed on permanent display. 

 

What was really exciting was that this flight flew right over my home at 11:15 AM this morning. There for my eyes to behold was the Endeavour atop a modified 747 transport plane right, so close, and and not so far from my rooftop. What a sight and what an experience! 

 

Thursday's flyover of Tucson, gave NASA a chance to honor former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords legacy as a longtime advocate for American human spaceflight. Her husband, Mark Kelly, now retired, was the last person to command an Endeavour mission. 

The Photo above is Gabby leading the Pledge of Allegiance at the recent 2012 Democratic Convention.

 

The couple recently moved back to Tucson from Houston, where Giffords was recovering from serious injuries she suffered in a 2011 attack in which a gunman killed six people and wounded Giffords and 12 others.

Autumn is around the corner!

Today, I spent time filling up the hummingbird feeders, decorating the front and placing my favorite scarcrows around the yard, and as you can see they are a friendly group. My grandchildren just love them!

"What's Bloom'n in Tucson-Month of August"

Tohono Chul Park is located in northwest Tucson and their mission is to enrich people's lives by connecting them with the works of nature and native art and culture of the Sonoran Desert region and aspiring wise stewardship of the natural world. Here are some of the flowers that will be blooming this month, the month of August.