Ash Wednesday and a Wind Chill Warning

Sunday, February 22, 2015. Depending on a person counts the days, this is the first Sunday of Lent, the 22nd day of February, or 53rd day of the year, according to the Gregorian calendar.

It's also a day when a wind chill warning became a mere wind chill advisory by evening. Can't say that I'm disappointed.

Wunderground.com reports that "a record low maximum temperature of -2 degrees was recorded today at the St cloud Airport. This easily retires the old record of 1 degree set in 1965."

I stayed inside all day, and plan to do the same tomorrow.


Chaplets, a crucifix and knotted cord worn around the neck, before Ash Wednesday Mass and Our Lady of Angels. (February 18, 2015)


Last year's palm fronds, now ashes. (February 18, 2015)


Chaplets being handed out, after Mass. (February 18, 2015)


And, of course, the ashes. (February 18, 2015)

This week's Sauk Centre Herald reports that Centre Lumber closed its doors for the last time Friday, February 13. The Herald says Phil Pfieffer started Centre Lumber in 1998, and that it was owned more recently by Ken Arens.

Rob Polipnick, who owns Steiner Lumber, bought Centre Lumber, but doesn't plan to move to the Centre Lumber site. We'll see what happens to Centre Lumber's building.

I haven't talked a whole lot about Centre Lumber, but I did take a picture of their sign in August of 2008.


Centre Lumber has a new sign: at least, I hadn't noticed it looking this fresh before. August 21, 2008.

Another, not so happy, time I mentioned that business was in my July 24, 2003, post. Dennis "Whitey" Hoeschen, co-owner of Centre Lumber, had died in a traffic accident.

That's about all I've got this week. Next week, I hope I'll have more. I also hope that I get over the its-not-quite-a-cold I've got by then.