Not once have I ever thought of sending a sainted note to acknowledge the goodness of the many saints who have crossed my path. However, one family has changed that.
The Engs (Johnie, Kim, Krista, David and Michael) stand out. They have gone beyond what anyone has done for me before. They came to my rescue and took me in without hesitation when they heard I lost my brother, my job and rented house — all at the same time. It felt like I was stranded on the freeway with a stalled car during a blizzard.
They remind me we still have angels among us and — as Viktor Frankl said in his book “Man’s Search for Meaning” — “The salvation of man is through love and in love.”
To the Engs: May God reward you for your hospitality, generosity and kindness. I promise to pay it forward.
David Singh, St. Paul
Broadway, smack dab in the wilderness
SAINTED
It was the last weekend in January and we decided, against all common sense, to drive north and look winter in the eye at the Edge of the Wilderness — smack dab in Marcell, Minn.
The plan was to go ice-fishing with a friend, but he had a surprise for us — live theater!
With much eye-rolling, we drove 10 miles farther north to Bigfork and the Edge Theatre. Now our eyes were popping. Here in this remote setting of low population and even lower temperatures was a fabulous, beautifully designed theater.
The play, “Wit,” starred Patricia Feld and was directed by Linda Kelsey of St. Paul/Hollywood. Supporting roles were aptly done by locals. It was a moving, mature rendition of the Broadway hit. No. It was better than that.
Later we joined several of the audience at the Pizza Palace in downtown Bigfork for some of the best pizza ever. What a night.
Is Minnesota still alive? Is America?
Both were doing very nicely on the last weekend of January at the Edge of the Wilderness.
Sarah Kinney, St. Paul
SAINTED
Back on Dec. 10, the carrier who delivers our mail came to our house, knocked on the door and told my husband that he smelled gas coming from the house next door. Because Tom informed us about the gas smell, I was able to call Xcel, which, in a matter of minutes, had the police and the fire department at the house.
Tom took the time to tell someone that he smelled gas coming from the house, which is vacant. Because of Tom, the fire department found that someone had cut the copper pipes and left the gas on in the house.
Can you imagine what could have happened if Tom did not inform us of the gas smell? We really appreciate the customer service that he provides every day. Tom, thank you so much for all that you do.
The person who owns that house also should thank you.
Diana Vidal, St. Paul
SAINTED
Thanks to the 2011 Winter Carnival royalty and Vulcans as they portray and represent good will, friendship and fun. They make an impact on our community and at events they attend throughout the United States and Canada. They also visit nursing homes, hospitals and schools during their reign, plus are a part of charitable events. They certainly represent St. Paul in a positive way. Long live the Carnival!
Joan Kelly and Jane Lonergan,
“The Carnival Twins,” Mendota Heights
SAINTED
Sainted to the trash collector from GarbageMan who respectfully stopped his truck while I was raising the American flag on its staff one morning.
When the flag was fully raised, he continued on his way. Certainly, this man was in a hurry to get his route completed; however, that did not hinder him from being a respectful American.
Leslie Henschel, Apple Valley
SAINTED
The two guys from Gambia in a rusting Cadillac who spent 15 minutes helping me push and pull my truck from an icy parking lot on Jan. 15 near Highway 7 and Louisiana Avenue in St. Louis Park.
It was horribly cold and slippery. After the three of us couldn’t push my truck out, one suggested we tie a rope to his car: “I have V-eight,” he said twice. It worked.
Before leaving, one proudly mentioned, “We’re Muslims.”
They were the only people who offered to help me out — everyone else pretended not to see me or walked by with their hands over their ears.
Thanks again, and “masalama” (go in peace) to both of you.
Craig Wood, Minneapolis
TAINTED
A double tainting to the snowmobiler who crossed posted private property to gain access to a private pond in Dellwood where I feed 100 trumpeter swans per day.
You buzzed this pond startling all these birds. In their panic to escape, they crashed into each other and low hanging tree branches. Learn to respect private property and wildlife.
Deborah Zuehlke, Dellwood
SAINTED/TAINTED
I frequent the St. John’s hospital cafeteria on a regular basis — thankfully, not because I am sick or someone I am close to is sick — but because my wife works there and I work nearby and have the opportunity to go to lunch with my wife on occasion.
My wife and I choose to eat at the hospital cafeteria, not because we have to, because we love it. We could easily go out to one of the many fast food or sit-down restaurants close by, but the food at St. John’s cafeteria is as good as, if not better, than anything else. On top of that, the staff at the cafeteria Denise, Bruce, Tammy and Julie, along with Jack Walsingham (director of ancillary services) are absolutely awesome.
I have been frequenting the cafeteria now for going on five years, and I have eaten just about everything they offer. One of the best meals I have had in a long time was the ham fettuccine alfredo, stir-fried to order. I have yet to receive a meal that was bad.
I found it upsetting that a critic recently visited the St. John’s cafeteria and gave them a bad review (“Feel-good food,” Jan. 27). This is not “hospital food”; it is a hospital that serves “great food.”
I hope you print this so people can see the real St. John’s Hospital cafeteria for what it is, great.
Chad Smith, Cottage Grove
SAINTED
Erik Brand is a wonderful neighbor who has helped us out throughout the winter.
After the big storm in December, I attempted to shovel my driveway and sidewalk but gave up after a difficult attempt. Later, Erik, who lives on the corner, came with his snowblower and cleaned my driveway and sidewalk and those of my neighbor. My husband had been out of town, and when he came home late at night, he was able to pull into our cleared driveway. Thank you, Erik.
Judith Ann Hansen, Stillwater
SAINTED
As a recent patient in the Heart Center at Regions Hospital, I would be remiss not sharing what I experienced. From the physicians, nurses and technicians to the transport personnel who make sure you’re on time for scheduled procedures, each and every one displayed a high level of professionalism, efficiency and personal care that in the past was quite rare throughout the industry.
Everyone was working off the same page and, at times, made me think that I was the only patient, when, in fact, the unit was near 100 percent capacity.
I also found this high level of professionalism extended beyond the hospital complex to Regions Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation facility. Now, just imagine if all employers held their employees to the same standard as Regions — quite possibly a good start to a return to workplace civility.
Donald Cavanaugh, South St. Paul
SAINTED
On Jan. 22, I had lunch with my grandson at Culver’s in Vadnais Heights. After returning home, I realized that I didn’t have my cell phone. After searching my car and all my jacket pockets and not having any luck finding my phone, I called my number and it was ringing somewhere.
A few minutes later, I received a call from a young lady telling me that she found my phone. She went out of her way to deliver it to my home. She would not accept any compensation for her effort. Thank you, Kathryn Boland, for your thoughtfulness.
Don Gabrielli, St. Paul
SAINTED
In December, my wife and I needed to call 911 on three occasions. On two of these calls, police and ambulance crews responded, and on the third, a fire crew also came. Upon our departure for the hospital, we tried to express our gratitude, to which several replied, “That’s what we are paid to do.”
Oh, yes, part of that is true, but each of these men and women took time for the extensive training and then, in the case of the volunteer fire department, made themselves available day or night. All of us in the Apple Valley area should stop and thank these fine people for a job well done. We owe them so very much.
Then, later in December, a young man stopped at our home and asked if my wife was Virginia. She said yes, and he announced he was delivering “gifts” from an organization of anonymous donors to people whose names were provided as potential recipients.
Having gone through the three recent hospitalizations, to have our names submitted certainly lifts our spirits and morale.
God bless the donors and givers.
Ginny and Bill Hayman, Apple Valley
Copyright 2011 Pioneer Press.