A Great School System

I have 5 grandchildren who live in the Evansville, Wisconsin school district. Over the years my wife and I have had many opportunities to attend musical and drama events at the grade, middle and high schools. What an impressive program! A high percentage of their student body is involved in either the concert band, jazz band, choral groups or plays. And believe it or not; they still have a Christmas program!

If our entire education system had the leadership and parental involvement that Evansville experiences, we would have a lot fewer problems in this great country.

Indy 500

I spent the Memorial Day weekend in Indianapolis visiting my sister and her family. While there, we also took in the Indy 500. Now I am not a big race fan. But this was some spectacle. Over 250,000 at one event! The crowd was definitely supportive of Danica Patrick and Sarah Fisher's attempt to win it. Neither finished. The 33 cars that started the race use 100% ethanol.

It is good to see patriotism in action. Prior to the race, members of our armed services are motored around the track in slick Chevy pick ups. As they went around everyone stood and applauded. Very touching.

We Need To Remember

I have quite a few pictures, plaques and framed certificates hanging on my walls in my office. The one I am most proud of is my Honorable Discharge certificate from the U. S. Army. I served in Missouri, Korea and Texas from May 1959 to May 1962. And yet, I know I take for granted the freedoms I have because of the sacrifice of lives by many, many men and women who have served this great country. Let us all pause and reflect on the positives of living in this great land. There is too much negativity in the media.

Thank God for America!!

Morels & More

I've had my first taste of morels for this year! Two of our clients who know of my love of these tasty morsels brought me a mess. I love to pick morels but have a problem finding them. People who know where to find them protect the location like a trout fisherman protects his favorite trout hole!

I'm off to Hayward this afternoon. Our Zor Shrine has a big event there over the weekend. I have been thru Hayward, but have never spent any time getting to know the area. Perhaps this weekend.......

Our thoughts and prayers include the families who have lost loved ones in the med flight crash.

Housing Boom & Other

On May 6 an article in "The Wall Street Journal" claims the housing crisis is over. The article stated that April 2008 will mark the bottom of the U.S. housing market.

I just returned from 3 days in the Eagle River area. It is a very beautiful area. On Saturday morning we couldn't get off the first tee on time due to frost on the greens. But it warmed up and we had a beautiful day. We saw a pileated woodpecker which are pretty rare. A magnificent bird!

I kind of think we have seen the last drop in interest rates by the Fed. As gas and food prices trend upward, it is going to be interesting to watch inflation numbers. Any show of an increase in the CPI could well lead to increases in rates late this year (after the election) or early next.

Annual Shareholders' Meeting

Tonight is our 8th annual Shareholders' Meeting. It will be held at Promega in Fitchburg's research park. My comments to the shareholders' present will stress that the current economic news is reminiscent of previous challenges to the community banking industry. In the 70's we had the real estate problems; in the 80's the ag crisis and another commercial real estate downturn.

The banks who focus on sound credit principals during good times will survive the bad. The FDIC is predicting about 100 bank failures as a result of the home mortgage situation. Those 100 banks probably did not ever think the business cycle is a cycle. What goes up, must come down.

Been A While

Wow, almost a month since last posting. People who periodically look at my blog tell me I'm too brief and don't post often enough. Brevity is part of my nature, I guess.

Last night Carol and I were honored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. There are a lot of more deserving supporters of that great organization, but we are proud nevertheless. I was surprised by having my sister, Sandi, from Indianapolis, and her daughter, Susan, from the Washington, D.C. area, show up for the occasion. It was a marvelous evening during which over $350,000 was raised for diabetes research. I just have a feeling we are not far from a cure for this "silent" disease. In fact, Dr. Hans Sollinger, noted transplant specialist at UW, told Carol and me last night that he also feels we are not far from a cure. Let's pray.

Yesterday was also the funeral for Jodi Lou Barlow Rickert, a former personal banker here. It was a sad day. Our Jim McNulty did a wonderful talk on his reflections about Jodi. Jodi was only 36 years old and leaves a infant daughter, Sophie, husband Ray and parents. Knowing we will all be together again gives us hope, doesn't it?

Well, a little longer than usual. Life is good!

Taking A Break

I don't know about you but I am ready for some warm weather! One of the fun things to do this time of year is drive or bike on the back roads of Dane County. If you have an interest in copies of six articles written by former Dane Co Exec Rick Phelps on neat drives in Dane County, e-mail me at rgorsuch@oakbankonline.com.

Another Opener

I've been going to Brewer openers for 33 years. I recall that two of those 33 were "nice" days for baseball. Today would have been another. But with the roof, weather is not near the factor it used to be.

Economic news continues to dominate the airwaves. We are fortunate to live in a community that is somewhat economic downturn resistant. If one listens or reads about all the economic woes that presumedly exist, it is difficult to not find yourself putting off purchasing decisions, isn't it?

Badgers

With new milestones being reached in snowfall and deaths in Iraq, we should be thankful for the Badger men's basketball success! It certainly helps us keep a positive attitude, doesn't it?

Interest Rates Keep Falling

One has to ask if more interest rates are coming. Probably yes, but my guess is not many. With inflation running higher than the Fed wants it to be, two of the Board of Governors voted against the recent 75 basis point drop. I'm not sure lower rates is the answer. While we are not one, many banks are unwilling to take on credit risk due to a lack of confidence in the economy. No amount of rate cutting will change that.

My Take On Spitzer

All I can say about about the Spitzer ordeal is people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Bill Wineke's column in this morning's edition of "The Wisconsin State Journal" left me a little confused.

On another matter, I hear that another bank is considering entering the Madison area market. I fail to understand why outside banks want to enter a market where the margins are already so thin. Maybe it is because the new banks have done so well during the past decade.

A Beautiful State

With all the negative vibes we continually get through the media outlets, one tends to forget the beauty of the creation that surrounds us! As I drove to and from Eau Claire this past weekend I could not help but be taken in by the beauty of our state. One of the joys of road biking is watching the countryside change from winter to spring to summer to autumn.

A Tear Is Shed

Like many watching yesterday's Brett Favre press conference I shed a tear. He just gets it, doesn't he? Be it the game of football or the game of life, he gets it.

Another Farewell

The media is fixed on Brett's retirement. And why shouldn't they? I have witnessed the retirement of Al Kaline of the Tigers; Robin Yount of the Brewers; Ted Williams of the Red Sox; Mickey Mantle of the Yankees; Bart Starr of the Packers, among others. But none of these were felt with the emotion that I am experiencing now. Over the last 16 years there have been lots of ups and downs in Wisconsin and the U.S.A. But the one constant has been # 4. God bless him and his family.

Mortgage Woes

I am often asked if Oak Bank is being impacted by the sub-prime mess. A short answer: No. We service over a thousand mortgages and not a one is past due.

Special Places

I have a series of articles written by former Dane County Exec Rick Phelps in which he details day trips within Dane County that are off the beaten path. If anyone wants a set of those, e-mail me at rgorsuch@oakbankonline.com.

Think Positive

This weather can turn the most optimistic personality toward negativity. But hang in there. The sun will come out; the snow will melt away; and we will be enjoying warm weather. It will happen!

Brrrr

Looks like we set a new seasonal snowfall record tonight. This is the kind of winter I grew up with in the U.P. of Michigan. Even they, though, got tired of shoveling and snow blowing by the first of March.

Super Tuesday After Super Bowl

I looked forward to last Sunday's Super Bowl football game a lot more than I look forward to today's Super Tuesday. When the final whistle blew on Sunday, I knew the outcome of the game. After today, I will still be doubtful about any of the candidates being able to deliver on all their promises.