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To protect the people involved, I have changed the names of those involved to Tom, Dick, and Harry.  (Consideration was given to Huey, Duey, and Luey, as well as Larry, Curly, and Moe, but in the end, I went with the less insulting route). Last week when touring a...

I don’t like instructions. Don’t get me wrong.  I understand the role of instructions in our world.  I also understand people should use them. I just struggle with them.  But, not in a rebellious way.  It isn’t like I am pining to do things my own way, I just don’t...

In 1972 Stealers Wheel’s Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan wrote, “Stuck in the Middle with You.”  In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, claimed the song was a parody of Bob Dylan paranoia.  The chorus says, “clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, (but) here I...

Later this month, we will cross over the second anniversary of moving into our new house.  We love our new home.  We have loved it since day one. It is located on a local golf course and offers beautiful views of lush green grass and trees. The beautiful view was one...

The best golf advice I ever received was “if you’re a boogie golfer approach each hole with a plan to bogey the hole.” In case you not familiar with the term bogey, it is finishing a hole with one stroke over par.  Once I put this philosophy into place, I started to...

Mike Chapin doesn't need a job!!! (Since 1920) Tomorrow my son, Mike will start as a pre-fab laborer.  He marks the 5th generation to work at Willmar Electric.  But before I go into that story, let me give you some background. I never met my Great Grandfather Sam...

On April 20th Willmar Electric will turn 100 years old.  We had planned several parties to celebrate the milestone and the many people who made it possible. We have no idea how many people have helped us reach this milestone. We know six different Chapins across four...

I can remember when I was young, and the name of the town Abilene, Texas, came up. My Dad would sing this song by Bobby Bare. Abilene, Abilene prettiest town I've ever seen Women there don't treat you, mean in Abilene my Abilene Crowded cities ain't nothing free...

An open letter to all the National and Chapter staff of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). As our country and industry go through these troubling times, I couldn’t be more thankful for my membership in ABC. Our dues investment has paid off several times...