My condolences to all of the Rygaard family for the loss of Grizz. I always felt welcomed out at the Rygaard farm by Janet and Wayne, even though us kids were constantly conniving to do something we shouldn't have been (I just had the remembrance of when Bubba went out and grabbed a boom truck so we could bring a huge tree trunk into the high school to erect our annual bonfire in 1979 during our Senior year) but I digress. It was likely the summer of 1980. We had graduated from high school, and each of us were going to be heading out to various schools and/or jobs. A party was held out at the Rygaard farm, and I don't know what triggered the conversation, but we got to talking about not having been around dynamite. Well, Grizz said he'd be happy to expose us to the wonders of such technology! He got a quarter-stick of the stuff, and placed it in the fork of a small tree (maybe 4-inches diameter or so). Set up the fuse and such, and we all took our places a safe distance away to watch the event unfold. Slim and I were on the upstream side of the dam hunkered down to peer over the dam's crest to watch what was going to happen to the tree. When the explosion occurred - an explosion that none of us expected on just how big it was going to be - I swear that Slim flew in the air and was suspended horizontal for over 10 seconds before finally allowing gravity to pull him back down to earth! It was a sight I will always remember. The tree? Well, it split right down the middle and the top blew off! Fortunately, Allen Ellerman, who was SUPPOSE to be there, had forgotten all about the party.... yet while he was probably 7-miles away as the crow flies, he hears the sound of the explosion, and then noting the direction that the sound came from, said "oh yes - there' a party at Rygaard's today". He showed up late to hear us all talk about the quarter-stick of dynamite. Thank you Grizz for your love, wisdom, and friendly mentorship to us young kids. God Bless you and your Family. John Hollenbeck