Dennis Benson

Anniversary trip to Hawaii

2011-03-06T09:19:00.003-06:00

My wife Darlene and I had a wonderful 40th Anniversary trip to Hawaii. We were gone 10 days and visited all four main islands. This is such a wonderful place to visit. Some of the trip involved a cruise ship which was a 1st for us.

Music Night at LuLu Beans Tonight

2010-03-27T00:13:00.003-05:00

The Concert by Becca and her dad was fun tonight. It was held at LuLu Beans Coffee House in Willmar and drew quite a crowd.. See a photo gallery of the event at the LuLu Beans Gallery.

Willmar Middle School Musical a success.

2010-03-06T22:34:00.002-06:00

I just attended the production of Suesical Jr. Everything was great including the costumes, set, choreography, singing, acting and music. It was another example of the value of music in our schools.

LuLu Beans coffee time

2010-02-11T11:40:00.002-06:00

Sitting in LuLu Beans talking to a new web site customer about his new web site.

New photo venture

2009-08-09T15:06:00.002-05:00

I have decided to create a new web site which will hae the ability to sell my photos online. www.DennisBensonPhotos.com. My first entries were taken at the Kandiyohi County Fair horse judging competition. I've used the Smugmug site for processing the payment and photofinishing.

Family Reunion 2009

2009-06-18T00:17:00.003-05:00

We had a wonderful family reunion at the Oak Hills Christian College Retreat Center. All from our families were there except 2 spouses. We were able to play, work on crafts with the kids, fish, play volleyball, catch up on visiting, visit Itasca State park and walk across the Mississippi headwaters, eat at Dave's pizza, visit Bemidji University, have a smore building bonfire, hear the Loons call, and more.

Prairie Winds band 1st concert of 2009

2009-06-11T17:38:00.002-05:00

Our first community band concert in the park went well last night. We had about 230 in attendance. Besides the free popcorn and water we were able to meet the new Dairy Princeses. They also brought free ice cream bars for everyone.

Next week we will be meeting the cast from the upcoming ANNIE production as well as playing a selection for the show.

Summer is Here, band concert in the park

2009-04-25T23:27:00.004-05:00

I will be directing our Prairie Winds Summer band this summer. We will have 4 concerts in Rice park here in Willmar on June 10,17,24, and July 1.

Come and join us in the park on Wednesday evenings for FREE popcorn, water, and a wonderful band concert. Bring your lawn chair. The concerts start at 7:30pm.

Brian's Great Progress

2009-02-28T23:21:00.002-06:00

Brian is making wonderful progress. When one remembers that he was given the option of amputation twice and now can move like this.

Technology Seminar

2009-02-19T00:21:00.003-06:00

On February 17th I was honored to be part of a technology presentation at Ridgewater College here in Willmar. It was put on by Ridgewater College and the Economic Development Council and was intended to educate businesses on the value of having a web site. I spoke basic web design and the questions one might ask before starting the development process. Chris and Nick Davis spoke about using the web site to market one's business, and Justin Mattern gave a very thorough talk on e-commerce and search engine optimization.

The attendance was pretty slim this year but many of them said it was valuable.

Benson Christmas 2008

2009-01-05T15:09:00.002-06:00

We had a wonderful time this year in spite of being in the hospital over Christmas. Our son Mark and his wife Mandy had their first baby on the 28th of December. They named him Niles Wallace.

Our Christmas was held on New Year's day at our daughter Heidi's house. She is such a great hostess. Our son Brian and his wife Jill were there with 2yr old Bode and 7 month old Haley. Our daughter Heidi and her husband Jason have 4 year old twin boys and 8 year old Madeline.

One special thing happened when the twins were bowling on their WII. Watson rolled a perfect game. Watson bowling a 300 game on You Tube.

News from the HOSPITAL

2008-12-23T17:08:00.002-06:00

I'm currently recovering from a hip replacement in the Douglas County Hospital, Alexandria. The surgery went well though I'm still suffering from considerable pain resulting from the surgery. The plan to to get out on Christmas day but we'll see.

I should be able to get back to piano tuning in several weeks. Web design work can resume as soon as I get home. I appologize to those of you who have had to wait. Life has been very hectic.

Brian's colorful NEW cast

2008-12-11T23:08:00.003-06:00

I went with Brian to the Dr. today and watched as a new cast was put on. This one makes his foot officially at 90 degrees. We're hoping that at the Jan 6th appointment he will be given a walking boot so he can start therapy to learn how to walk again with his left foot. The foot looks good. The cast is ugly but who says "cast technician" are artists.

Brian's latest surgery - GOOD NEWS

2008-11-16T22:29:00.003-06:00

Our son Brian, who has a motorcycle accident 3 1/2 years ago, has not had good news lately concerning his left foot ... until now. He has recently been referred to a new Dr. at Fairview Hospital. He diagnosed his ankle as "frozen" due to scar tissue and other physical conditions leaving his left his left ankle unable to move.

He had surgery on Nov 12 to free up the ankle and get it back to a 90 degree angle. The goal is walking with a NORMAL WALKING MOTION. He still has to go through significant therapy but we're thrilled for him to be at this point.

High School Musical, Beauty and the Beast

2008-11-10T23:13:00.005-06:00

I recently attended the Willmar High School's production of Beauty and the Beast. I was very well done. The set, costumes, stage crew, orchestra, sound technicians, directors, and cast can be very proud of their efforts.

I was asked to photograph and video the event. To see some of my photographs got here.

Oct 31, 2008 at Brian's

2008-10-31T20:19:00.004-05:00

We are spending the weekend at Brian's helping with their 2 kids, Bode and Haley. Since it is Oct 31 we got to see them in their costumes.

Costello buys a Computer

2008-10-26T23:22:00.003-05:00

Costello calls to buy a computer from Abbott

Abbott: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

Costello: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.

Abbott: Mac?

Costello: No, the name's Lou.

Abbott: Your computer?

Costello: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.

Abbott: Mac?

Costello: I told you, my name's Lou.

Abbott: What about Windows?

Costello: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

Abbott: Do you want a computer with Windows?

Costello: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

Abbott: Wallpaper.

Costello: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

Abbott: Software for Windows?

Costello: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

Abbott: Office.

Costello: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

Abbott: I just did.

Costello: You just did what?

Abbott: Recommend something.

Costello: You recommended something?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: For my office?

Abbott: Yes

Costello: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

Abbott: Office.

Costello: Yes, for my office!

Abbott: I recommend Office with Window's.

Costello: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

Abbott: Word.

Costello: What word?

Abbott: Word in Office.

Costello: The only word in office is office.

Abbott: The Word in Office for Windows.

Costello: Which word in office for windows?

Abbott: The Word you get when you click the blue 'W'.

Costello: I'm going to click your blue 'W' if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?

Abbott: Money.

Costello: That's right. What do you have?

Abbott: Money.

Costello: I need money to track my money?

Abbott: It comes bundled with your computer.

Costello: What's bundled with my computer?

Abbott: Money.

Costello: Money comes with my computer?

Abbott: Yes. No extra charge.

Costello: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

Abbott: One copy.

Costello: Isn't it illegal to copy money?

Abbott: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

Costello: They can give you a license to copy money?

Abbott: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

(A few days later) ...

Abbott: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

Costello: How do I turn my new computer off?

Abbott: Click on 'START'

Mill Pond Jazz Orchestra tonight

2008-10-26T15:16:00.005-05:00

The Mill Pond Jazz Orchestra will be playing tonight in Litchfield at Zion Lutheran Church. The Orchestra is a 16 piece adult big band which plays songs from the big band era as well as christian hymns arranged in big band style. At Christmas time we have some arrangements of traditional Christmas carols arranged in big band style.

I'm trying again

2008-10-25T17:05:00.005-05:00

I hope this time around I can keep up better with this blog. I always encourage others to do so. I figured I better practice what I teach.

I'll include posts about piano technology, photography, and web design. As I've grown older these are the 3 main directions I have chosen. i hope those of you who stumble on this blog find something of interest.

Our American Flag in Winter Snow

2006-01-31T00:09:00.001-06:00

Madeline at the indoor park

2006-01-29T21:15:00.000-06:00

Watson likes to wear things on his head.

2006-01-29T21:10:00.002-06:00

Esther Peterson towards 25 pts

2006-01-29T20:58:00.000-06:00

Polar Plunge

2006-01-29T20:42:00.001-06:00

frozen lake

2006-01-29T00:34:00.000-06:00

It can be lonely in a fish house but is the preferred way to spend an afternoon for many.

snow boarding

2006-01-29T00:33:00.001-06:00

This look a little icy for good snow boarding but he had fun anyway.

sledding is fun

2006-01-29T00:32:00.000-06:00

...especially when you're out of control

large crack in the ice

2006-01-29T00:31:00.000-06:00

This is NOT safe.

This guy is from California

2006-01-29T00:30:00.000-06:00

What's he thinking?

Taking the plunge

2006-01-29T00:25:00.000-06:00

Alex is doing this for Special Olympics but I still think he's crazy.

Here we go!!

2006-01-29T00:24:00.000-06:00

That water looks and is COLD.

He-man Alex ready for the Polar Plunge

2006-01-29T00:23:00.000-06:00

2006-01-29T00:17:00.000-06:00

Nephew Alex Benson and 2 friends ready to take the Polar Plunge for special olympics. Jan 2006

Our beautiful city park, Robbins Island

2005-05-25T00:48:00.001-05:00

Robins Island

first pictures put up

2005-05-25T00:31:00.000-05:00

This is my first attempt at a Blog so hang in there with me.