I don’t know about you, but I’ve been having a hard time wearing anything other than pajama pants lately. Part of it is the cold and dreary weather, but mostly the onslaught of Valentines goodies (I’m a teacher, so I feel obliged to try any cookies or cakes made by tiny hands) have made any other type of clothing feel very, um, restrictive. Not to mention the fact that every time I turn around this month, someone is having a birthday and I never met a birthday cake I didn’t like.

J.C. Hilbig celebrated his 75th birthday at the Rockne Museum and Hilbig Park on Saturday. J.C. is the brother of Marion Nelson and she, along with several friends and family members turned out to mark the occasion. J.C. was also very close friends with my father, Leon Goertz, and has many stories about their days riding motorcycles together and getting into mischief that I am still waiting to hear!

In other landmark birthday news, Jeremy Tucker turned the “big 3-0″ on Feb. 11 and his wife Susie threw him a surprise party Saturday night at Jackass Hill. It was cold, but a huge fire in the wood stove, plus dancing to the Logan Tucker Band kept party-goers warm. I danced all night, and have to say it was the first time I’ve seen a conga line start up to Hank Williams’ “Kaw-liga.”

Upcoming Events

The Rockne-String Prairie Knights of Columbus Council is having a fish fry on Friday, Feb. 26, in the Old Parish Hall of Sacred Heart Church in Rockne. Serving will be from 5-8 p.m. The fish fry is all-you-can-eat (not including take-out plates). Adult plates are $8 and children’s plates are $5. Take out plates are $7.

There will be a benefit for Hayden and Marie Harberer, who lost their house in a fire, at Watterson Hall on Sunday, Feb. 28. Barbecue plates will be sold starting at 11 a.m. and a live auction will start at 2 p.m.

Anyone who has auction items to donate may bring them to Watterson Hall beginning at 10 a.m.