Vander Stelt Gazette 2008

volume 2 issue 9 December 2008 19th

mas t s i r Ch ition!

Ed Our

A Family on the Move

The Vander Stelt family poses for a family photo in the Metrodome, prior to the Vikings vs. Panthers contest in Minneapolis

The editors of the travel and leisure section of the Gazette were victims of budget cuts and $4.00 gas and thus limited their coverage this past year. That is not to say they did not find time and money to do some exploring of new horizons and re-visiting old favorites.

Joe Vander Stelt joined a large group of middle school students on a trip to Washington DC in April of ‘08. The group saw many historic sites and Joe was privileged to participate in a wreath ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

In June the Vander Stelt family traveled to Wisconsin Dells, in conjunction with the summer meeting for Pizza Ranch. The Kalahari Resort was the perfect location for fun, complete with a huge indoor water park. There was time for family fun and for a great time with the Pizza Ranch family.

August of course sent the Vander Stelts on their yearly voyage to Okoboji for the week. Enough said.

In September the family piled into the van and headed North to the Twin Cities for a weekend of twin cities fun and saw the Vikings defeat the Carolina Panthers.

Another year of fun outings and memorable events.

Gazette Office Busy Movie Star

Maurice Woman is viable Candidate for Mom of the Year

After a heated political season in 2008, the country seems ready to have a break from the endless political commercials and the posturing that was so much a part of the year. News bloggers and political pundits are already strategizing about the GOP potential candidates for 2012, but the coming year has a new campaign being waged.

Joe and Jack Vander Stelt are the head strategists in a new campaign to elect their mother as Mother of the Year for 2009. The savvy politicos have ripped a page from the Obama playbook and are well on their way to attaining success in getting their Mom, Denise Vander Stelt, elected to the position of top Mom. “We truly believe our Mom will bring change to the role of Mother. We’re tired of the same old insiders running the show. Our Mom will bring change that we can believe in.” says Jack Vander Stelt while out on the stump for his candidate.

“Other Moms are fine, and we know that folks have loyalties to their own Moms, but we feel our Mom represents the best characteristics found in all the Moms in America and will represent all those other Moms with the grace, dignity and hard work that Moms are known for.” says Joe Vander Stelt.

When asked by Gazette reporters whether they can get their Mom elected amongst a competitive group of other candidates, the Vander Stelt brothers answered in a familiar phrase, “Yes we can!”

2008 was a busy and exciting year at the branch office of the Gazette in Orange City. Andy and Becky Riskedahl had some major changes take place.

Andy quit his job working for Bonnema Farms and went back to school full-time this fall. He is enjoying being part of the nursing school at St. Lukes Hospital in Sioux City.

Becky continues to be on staff at Maurice Reformed working with the childrens ministry which she loves. She also is working as a waitress at the Blue Mountain Restaurant in Orange City on a regular basis.

The bright lights of Hollywood may be on the horizon for a Maurice youth. Jack Vander Stelt (10) landed a role in the new movie Winning Favor. Jack auditioned for a part and was given a small speaking role in the flick by Orange City filmmaker Jamie Durham.

The film is about basketball and Jack plays an opposing team player. Stay tuned and next year’s Gazette may have ratings for the film after it is released in theaters.

Praise God

In March of 2008, Joe Vander Stelt went before the elders of Maurice Reformed Church and made profession of faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Vander Stelt and his family were excited about this life changing moment and celebrated with family and friends after his public profession in church.

The small group at Maurice Reformed that the Vander Stelts are a part of, created a barn quilt together in 2008.

The quilt can be seen by drivers traveling southbound on highway 75 near Maurice. The quilt is based on Psalm 23 and features a cross and four sheep. Pictured are Joe, Jack, Denise Vander Stelt and Lori & Corey Van Gorp

Sporting Activities keep Family Busy in 2008 The Gazette sports reporters were out in force this year, covering a wide variety of sporting events, primarily those involving the two young athletes from Maurice. Two brothers, Joe and Jack Vander Stelt, were the focus of coverage for the sports reporters.

Jack Vander Stelt started the year off with a new sporting endeavor.

With the popularity of NASCAR, the 10 year old decided to cash in on the fervor and invest his time in auto racing. The church Pioneer Club Pinewood Derby was his first attempt on the racing circuit and after an initial loss on his first run, and a controversial tune-up by his pit crew following that, the

young driver won every race following that to end up in a respectable second place finish overall.

The racer’s older brother, 14 year old Joe Vander Stelt, competed throughout the year in a variety of endeavors. Summer was filled with a smaller schedule of baseball games, but his team completed an undefeated season on the diamond.

Fall brought 8th grade football into the picture and the team also went unbeaten on the gridiron.

Jack also completed a winning run on the soccer field this fall going 5-0 for the season.

Currently Joe is on the hardwood once again and about to wrap up another season of basketball.

The Gazette Sports staff will remain on the beat for all the exciting sports news that develops in 2009.

Jack Vander Stelt and his sleek racing machine

Hard Days Work not too Hard for Maurice Youth Joe Vander Stelt turned 14 this summer, and along with getting The Whipping Shed is complete with kitchen, his driving permit, he also took on a number of jobs. Joe and bathroom (camping toilet), living room with tv, friend Branson De Weerd started a business called J&B Handymen and a ladder that leads to a sleeping area above. and went out looking for odd jobs to do. The duo were fortunate The threesome spent a few overnights in the building after to get jobs that ran the gamut. They mowed lawns, worked on completion this summer. an interior of a hog building, did work on a new home being Following the Whipping Shed completion, the boys took on constructed in Maurice and watered flowers on a regular basis. Joe an even more challenging task. An area of pasture that has also detasseled corn for the flooded in the past, was the site for the first time. boys to start excavating, creating the new The young men, and friend Maurice Municipal Swimming Pool. They Caleb Mulder also spent hope the area floods next spring to create countless hours renovating a swimming hole for the guys. A bridge an old granary building into was built to span the water as well. Only a guys retreat. They officially time will tell... dubbed the building “the Whipping Shed” as they thought it could have been The Vander Stelt family has developed used for getting a whipping a true devotion to the Minnesota back in the olden days. A Twins and decided to follow thousands Joe, Branson and Caleb hosted an open house for the Whipping Shed memorable name. of fans to the Dome in January to

Twins Fest Fun

At the Movies

Another year at the movies and the Vander Stelts were back in action to check them out. We're happy to welcome Jack Vander Stelt to the critics corner this year. As always, movies are rated on a scale of 1-10 popcorns.

Jack Joe Denise John I am Legend. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71/2. . . . . . 61/2. . . . . . . 7 Indiana Jones - Crystal Skull . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31/2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Dark Knight - Batman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81/2. . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . 8 Kung Fu Panda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9. . . . . . . . 7. . . . . . . 8 . . . . . . . 8 Alvin & the Chipmunks . . . . . . . . . . 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Wall-E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . 4 Mamma Mia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. . . . . . . . 1. . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . 3 Ironman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8. . . . . . . 8 . . . . . . 71/2 Get Smart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61/2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 High School Musical 3. . . . . . . . . . . 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Express. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Fireproof. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 10. . . . . . . 4 Quantum of Solace - James Bond . . . 8. . . . . . . 71/2. . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . 7

celebrate Twins Fest, a celebration of all things Twins. The family had fun seeing many players, getting numerous autographs and touring the Twins locker room, clubhouse and press box.

In May the Maurice fans once again headed to the Twin Cities to see their team in action for a couple of games against the New York Yankees. The Twins did not win those games, but went on to nearly win their division in ‘08.

The Vander Stelt boys are currently in negotiations with their upper management (aka Dad) to get tickets for opening day of 2010 when the new Twins Stadium makes its debut.

Our Dining Picks for 2008

A new feature of the Gazette in 2008 is the addition of a dining section. The Vander Stelts enjoy dining at a variety of restaurants and decided to share some of their favorites with their readers.

Please note that the Pizza Ranch is absent from the list as it would most surely always be rated at the top of any yearly listing of dining experiences. Thus, here are some choices that are less obvious (in no particular order): The Nook - Located in St. Paul MN and featured on the Food Network, the neighborhood bar and grill features the best burgers we ate all year. Get the Juicy Lucy. Cheese on the inside of the burger itself.

Paul Bunyans - We ate here while in the Wisconsin Dells and recommend this breakfast “logging camp” style to anyone. A buffet of hearty lumberjack food.

Bamboo Garden - Everyone has their favorite local Chinese place, and our is this one in Sioux Center. The place could use some sprucing up and a thorough Dutch cleaning, but the food is consistently good.

Buffalo Phils - Another Dells favorite.

Big western food and flair. Joe highly recommends the ribs.

Al’s Breakfast - Winner of numerous awards for best breakfast in the Twin Cities. This place has a total of 14 stools. Be ready to wait to sit down, but the wait is worth it. And the atmosphere is one of a kind.

Ye Ohl Coffee Shoppe - Located in Archer, this is one victory for small towns like Maurice. A renovated 1907 building is the home to a great little cafe. Good cafe sandwich food.

Grandma’s Sunday Dinner - Dinner at Grandma Wilma in Maurice is a treat every single time (and also is a perennial #1 in our hearts). We love the food and we love the cook even more.

Dining by invitation only.

Merry Christmas