Chippewa Valley Growers Father's Day Memories

Father’s Day is just around the corner and it has us reminiscing about some of our favorite memories.   

Whether you call him Dad, Father, Grandpa, Uncle or some other term of endearment, most of us are incredibly lucky to have one guy that we point to as a source of wisdom and guidance. Better yet, some of us get to be called Dad too.

Here are a few of our favorite memories about the male role models in our lives and the day marked on the calendar to celebrate them.

John Kelly, Boss / On His Dad and Being a Dad

I am the youngest of six kids. One day out of the blue when I was around eight years old, my dad grabbed my older brother Keith and I and we drove down to County Stadium in Milwaukee for a Brewers game. This was back in the day when Pepsi and Mountain Dew cans had home run totals printed on the inside bottom of the cans – remember those?!?!

We didn’t have tickets when we got there but bought some from a guy in the parking lot and WOW! We ended up 25-30 rows up, right behind home plate! The Brew Crew was playing the Angels that day. The Angels had a pitcher named Jim Abbott who had only one arm (coincidently, he also signed as a free agent with the Brewers in 1999.) It was so amazing to have a great view of Jim pitching and immediately putting his glove on his throwing hand.

I am reminded of Father’s Day with my kids when I look at my office walls. Every year Jess would get pictures of the kids spelling out “DAD” and they would hang them on the wall in my office.

In December 2010, we lost our house to a fire and there wasn’t much left. We did, however, manage to salvage a few pictures that were in my basement office. The Father’s Day one from 2009 is stained with soot as a reminder. I still have them on my office wall today and just smile when I see them.

2009 photos rescued from the house fire

At the time, our son Ben was five years old and Addison was three. The night of the fire we stayed at Jess’s parent’s house and when I got there Ben reminded us all, “Well, at least I still have my BIG 5.” Wondering a bit about what exactly he meant, he clarified – “Mom, Dad, Addison, Me and Abbey (the dog).” This event in our lives really bonded us stronger as a family and helped me focus and realize what is really important in life. Faith, Family, Friends, and having some fun!

Jessica Kelly, Actual Boss / Stupid Human Tricks

My dad has always been my hero. I was the oldest in our family and when my brother was born a year and a half after me, I turned into my dad’s sidekick. Many of my childhood memories are at football practice and the weight room. My dad spent hours teaching me how to do the important things in life; cartwheels, how to throw a spiral and run wide receiver routes – as well as teaching me about places like Timbuktu. I found myself knee-deep in many of his “close enough construction” projects, which made for a lot of memories and a ton of learning!

Not long ago, my parents moved from my childhood home. As I walked through for the last time hundreds of happy memories filled me. Both of my parents created warmth and security. I had a wonderful childhood. And thank you, Dad, for making sure I had a least one stupid human trick to entertain my middle school students with. None of their other teachers can stand on their heads!

We wish you and your’s the best Father’s Day and can’t wait to hear your stories about the one you call “Dad” in your life.


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