A New Day Dawns on Fewer Ash Trees

July 31, 2014

It's Here:  Invasive Beatle [sic] Found in the City of Middleton.  (Middleton Times-Tribune, 6/1/2014)

July 10, 2014

All that's left is the remains of 3 ground-out stumps.

And this chunk of trunk.

This ash tree must be on the neighbor's property.

Related posts: 
Ash Trees on Cooper Avenue in Middleton: Going......going.....  (7/10/2014)
Emerald Ash  Borer's impact on Middleton.  (7/5/2014)

Following Up on the Demise and Demolition of Mirro (Part 5)

Timeline:  Mirro history, 1895-2014.  (Green Bay Press-Gazette, 4/4/2014)

May 2010.  Still exhibiting its architectural majesty (manufacturing division).

July 2014. Hollowed out

Photos by Retiring Guy

Timeline elements with which you're probably familiar.

1945.  The Mirro-Matic pressure pan introduced.  1,000,000 sold within 2 years.

We called it a pressure cooker in the Nelson household, although Mom rarely used it.

1961.  Mirro starts to manufacture aluminum Christmas trees.

Hey, Blockhead! Aluminum Christmas trees regain their shine — at least for a while. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/25/2013). 

Aluminum Christmas trees ($75 for a 4-foot tree) were introduced by a Chicago company in 1958, but the market took off the following year when Manitowoc's Aluminum Specialty Company offered a series of Evergleam models for as low as $10.

The Wisconsin State Historical Society started collecting aluminum trees in 2004.  This was the 2nd time they featured this exhibit.  For those of you who were unable to see it, here's a sample.

Pink Evergleam Aluminum Christmas Tree.   Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story .

Obviously, some folks still love' em.

Scott Walker Overshadows Mary Burke in Big Campaign Contributions

Source:  Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Follow the Money

During the first 6 months of 2014, Scott Walker received 322 contribution of $5,000 or more totaling $2,207,955.  Of this amount, $1,500,000, or 67%, was from out-of-state donors.

During the first 6 months of 2014, Mary Burke received 80 contributions of $5,000 or more totaling $527,850.  Of this amount, $184,050, or 35%, was from out-of-state donors. 

And how has Scott Walker benefited from this big-money advantage?

Related posts:
Scott Walker shines in big-money, out-of-state campaign contributions.  (7/24/2014)
In latest Marquette Law School poll, Mary Burke Has a slight advantage among likely voters  (7/24/2014)
If that's the case, Walker should immediately announce that he's not a candidate for the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination.  (5/23/2014)
Lock the doors!! Hide the kids!!  (4/21/2014)
States where Scott Walker will be spending a lot of time in 2015 (Not Wisconsin).  (4/17/2014)
Rasmussen poll: Mary Burke tied with Scott Walker.  (3/12/2014)
Joe and Jennifer Korb struggle to get by in their $800,000 home.  (3/10/2014)
Sounds to me like plenty of Wisconsin voters are content to have Scott Walker be a one-term Governor.  (10/2/2013)
Walker's approval numbers slip in polling NOT conducted by a "Democrat leaning firm".  (9/19/2013)
Four words to Wisconsin Democrats in 2014: Get out the vote.  (4/25/2013)