Growing up in the 1980s, most folks had three to five channels to watch on television. There truly weren't as many options as there are now.
I shared a bedroom with my older brother Ben when we were kids. Our most prized possession was a 9-inch black and white TV equipped with enough aluminum foil attached as rabbit ears to mummify the two of us. For years, Ben was an aspiring meteorologist. Because of Ben's aspirations, watching the weather on WDAY was a rite of passage for me every day.
Just like clockwork, our school days began with Al Aamodt's vigor and gusto at 6 a.m. Ben and I gleefully praised Aamodt on those stormy winter days when he would announce, "Hawley School and buses canceled!"
After school and homework were done, it was John Wheeler right before supper time with the whole family on the couch talking about the events of the day. Wheeler's even-keeled demeanor, articulation, and passion for weather was the same back then as today. We are so blessed to still have him on the air!
Who carried the torch on the weekends? It was none other than Jack Sand. His weather reports were direct and informative. I'll never forget the commercials he appeared on. From Country Hearth Bread, Scandia Hotel, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, Muscatell Automotive Group, and for various vacations and cruises he helped lead. He was a stellar pitch man! I'm craving Country Hearth Bread as I write this!
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Another memory that stands out; back in March of 1991 when the Hillcrest boy's basketball team played on WDAY led by Norwegian import Frode Loftesness, Erik Carl, and Richard Risbrudt, sports director Ed Schulz along with then-weekend sports anchor Dana Mogck commented on how Sand gave them the updates about the Comets every Saturday.
It was deeply saddening to hear of the recent passing of Jack Sand. Sand seemed like the type of man you'd see working at the local grocery store helping you find that one item you came for, your next door neighbor, or the first person to greet you at church on a Sunday.
After reading the well-written article about Sand that was in The Forum, his legacy ballooned in my book. I had no idea he was a performer up until a couple of years ago up in Park Rapids. When most people are basking over the fruits of their labor upon retirement, he quietly pursued his passions and talents for God's will all the way to the end.
My condolences to the family, friends, and former colleagues of Jack Sand. Thanks, April Baumgarten, for your well-written article about a man who deserves all of the accolades and more.
Thank you, Jack Sand, for the immeasurable impact you had on the people of the Red River Valley. You were a part of my childhood and will forever be positively etched in my memories.
Beau Lofgren lives in Hawley, Minn.
This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.
