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JANUARY 30, 2010
I can see now why the Limo Service will be a great combination to Joy Haven. Meeting people, helping people and provide a need to people. My first "road trip" to the Mandan ND Veteran's Cemetary, the final resting place for a very special person.
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February 09, 2010
Can you feel it, the time is moving, the days are getting longer and my mind is buzzing.
I contacted MidWest Doors to look at installing a 10' x 18" overhead door on the east side of the Pole Barn(yes it was a barn) which will become the home for the limo's during the summer and upcoming winter. Lot's of work, concrete, insulation, power. Who would of thought? I have been working on increasing the storage inside the main building for tables (under the stage). The internet service is working good in both buildings.
We should be receiving our 6 pass. Yamaha golf cart (elec) sometime this month, watch for the pics,. This will be used to transport people from the back parking spaces. I have another Limo Christmas party this weekend, another company showing that they care for the employees they have. DUI's ****.
I will be starting to clean out the area for the Limo's starting Wed. and will have to have fill hauled in and cement coming when it warms up. If you have any question where your money is going, see above. 
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FEBRUARY 27, 2010
Made a trip to Menards for items for Joy Haven and while loading I saw something, a Cedar Gazebo display setting in the bargain section. Not that I am a impulse buyer but something about that did not want to let go. I want to thank Brett and the others at Menards for the help with the measuring and loading of the Gazebo. We want at least 4 to 6 spots for pictures in the yard and this will becoming one of those spots.
PS: I will unload it from the truck
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April 18, 2010
Wow the time is flying, well we had our first Joy Haven Wedding for 2010 this past saturday. Really, really cool, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Ihli were married inside the main bulding. His wife, Elena is from Russia and the wedding was put together with this in mind. We had the wedding and then after that we took the White Limo and we had to cross 7 bridges but before I cross the 7th bridge the Groom got out of the car and carried his new bride across the 7th bridge. During the ride to the 7th bridge a bottle of Chapagne was drunk and and after the bride was carried acroos the bridge the bottle was broke (inside of a plastic bag) to seal this experience. Back to Joy Haven and the supper lasted two hours with games and dancing between the servings of the meal. Really neat.
The yard looks great and we are getting ready for this Saturday April 24, 2010 for Special Guest Speaker Dr. Joe Guarnera. He is flying in from I believe Florida and will be speaking on exfuze, a product that helps with migraines, brain energy mental focus and much more. Insideout Wellness is presenting this speaker (701.483.0808) This is going to be Joy Havens first main speaker event.
One cabin is complete and the second is waiting for 2 feet of snow to go away. check out the new pics and the new toys we added. Remember your date is going to come fast and don't worry, be happy because before you know it we will be looking back at another year. The Limo's are a very positive addition to Joy Haven.
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MAY 01, 2010
Yes they are talking about snow and wind and cold temps. but the feeling I have is hot, The time is going to go so fast and before you know it all the dates that we have will be gone. Time moves so fast and as we wait it goes. I got the building permit for Cabin #2 and will be working on that this May. The Limo's are going to get what is needed to make sure that that special day goes by with only the best of memories. For the brides to be and the grooms remember that the special day is for both of you, This is your day that starts the first day of the rest of your lives. Yes times will be tough, times will be good, but the times will move along.
My Credit Card is working overtime to make sure we have what will make that day special,.
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June 01, 2010
The First summer celebration is gone and clean up and set up for the second event is coming. You will see how fast time goes, you may worry and wonder but really all you have to do is hang on for the ride and Yes, everything will work out. We got in the DR chipper which will cover the walking trail with chips and give our guest and yours another venue to get away and discover themselves and others, we are so busy in life we need to stop, and smell the roses ( we still don't have any roses but in time) The last wedding reception went really well, everybody had a great time and as the temps warm up, the out side will become even more used buy the guests. I will leave you with this thought " if our life is but one then what are we suppose to do with it, breath in, breath out, enjoy with others and help others"
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JUNE 13, 2010
We had our first outdoor wedding for 2010, the wind was calm, the temp was nice with a overcast that helped with the comfort level. The Bride was beautiful and the Groom was waiting and handsome. As we were playing the music for the Bride our system decided to make a sound that was not right. I ended up disconnecting the cordless mic due to a weak battery. As I walked back to the Reception building to get a new battery I was rather upset knowing the importance of everything. I got a new battery and walked back and replaced the battery on the cordless mic while trying not to draw to much attention, (good luck) and resumed back to the ceremony for the pastor to be heard.
Sometimes in life we want everything to be perfect, family, job, children. Well this does not always happen but life goes on. Same with marriage, when it does not work, you stop, you fix the problem, you go on. I know, easy said but this is life. The rest of the evening had a few bumps but overall everything went on and yes, everything turned out great. We decided to use a corded mic for all future outdoor and indoor weddings eliminating the risk of this happening again.
Our first back to back reception is coming this weekend which my wife Monica and I plan to bartend which we did the last wedding and did ok. The White Limo came into play at the end of the night and we took 18 people back to Dickinson. Everybody made it home safe and that is good to know. As our Bar Room 911, responsible drinking is what it is all about and the Sam Spady Foundation is a force behind that thought plus others we all have lost.
The cabins should also help with choices with upcoming events, both are ready to be rented out.
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JUNE 21, 2010
We had our first back to back reception and I am still tired. On Friday night after the bar closed with took two trips to Dickinson with the Limo for guest, by 2 a.m. I was back and we worked(monica and I ) till 5:30 a.m. getting the floors mopped and cleaned. Got up at 7 a.m. and started setting up for the second event with the couple showing up at 9 a.m. Got in an hour of sleep and back at it again. Trained in three more bar tenders for upcoming events. Long Day. We have a outdoor wedding coming up this weekend with the couple having the reception in Dickinson, rest time. Cabin 3 will be down at the Pond which is this weeks project.
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July 27, 2010
Cabins are ready to be rented out, two have power and heat the Pond cabin is run off of battery/solar but the view is fantastic. One of the benefits of running a business like Joy Haven is the people you meet, yes some may make you question why but chances are we have a story behind most people. The yard is looking good and now that the new projects are completed till we look at fall our main focus is taking care of the Brides and Grooms special day. Again we encourage all to sign the guest book and give alittle feedback for those interested in Joy Haven. Pictures are updated and the Past Wedding tab has new additions which also help promote the photographers. Looks like the road to the north of Joy Haven should be completed by this weekend and we can allow the flow of traffic out that way instead of crossing back into the main yard.
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08.08. (2008) 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOY HAVEN
Two years ago on this date Joy Haven (not formally named yet) celebrated the marriage of Holly Joy and Jason Polanchek.
Alot has happened since that special day. We have had over 25 couples haven been married at Joy Haven with many in the works. Two Limosines have been added along with cabins and patio areas.
We have experienced many different vendors who helped with providing the services needed for your special day.
So to Holly and Jason we say Thank You but most of all we wish you a very Happy Anniversary.
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August 20, 2010
Today I met an older gentleman and he asked why do we do what we do? He used to be a banker and our numbers would no way qualify us for a loan and the time we put in does not make any sense. My answer, we do it for the couples, the young people who are trying to start out with a life and helping them control some of the cost. Last weekend we saw a couple of newly weds come out of the gazebo with a smile. We do it for them and all those we feel we helped out.
Our insurance cost is over $10000 year, unities run around $3000/year. I work for free but we do pay our bartenders. Everything at Joy Haven has to pass all local inspections including the North Dakota Fire Marshal which our liner from New Zealand is fire retardant. We are licensed for sale of alcohol from Dunn County, North Dakota and we do cooperate with all local law enforcement. Our whole focus is that couple, from the time they check out Joy Haven to the time the DJ or Band shuts down for the night and they have a safe trip back. People helping People, simple enough.
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August 31, 2010
The Rest of the Story
Many of you know how Joy Haven came about, for those who do not know, I will bring you up to speed. In 2008 our daugher Holly Joy was looking for a place to have their wedding. They wanted an outdoor wedding in an outdoor tent. So we checked out the pricing and places,. The cost would have been around $18000 to have a tent set up from Billings MT. Places for this next to the water etc.and not all would allow alcohol so that narrowed it. As the time crept up, we talked the couple into having it at the farm, not really that cool. We contacted the company that makes tent linings and had a custom-made tent lining for the quonset. The liner came from New Zealand and took about two months which arrived one week before the wedding date of 08.08.08. The dance floor was put in a couple of days before the wedding and now the wedding day.
Now for the rest of the story;
For those who also do not know, Monica and I have been married for 34 years in November and both of our children are adopted. We adopted Holly in 1985 through catholic services of Bismarck. We never met the birth monther but we were on the waiting list for 7 years. When we got the call Monica was excited. We drove down to Fargo, North Dakota to pick up our 6 week old child. Tears and all. It really did not matter as long as Monica was happy. So our first child we adopted was a girl named Holly Joy. As we fast forward in time, this child had a very strong affect on Ken (dad). We have gone through times which opened the eyes of Ken of things that needed to be done. Kids need venues to be themselves and loud music which most cities do not understand. Music Mart opened the doors to giving kids opportunities to be them selves.
http://www.joyhaven.com/lookingback.html
The thing is this, if the mother would have not decided to give her child to a couple this would of never happened.
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September 21, 2010
Where did the summer go? We are now in the Fall mode which means we are looking at finishing up the summer projects and planning what will be next year. With three wedding receptions planned yet for 2010 along with a business seminar, the time is going to go fast. The bookings are starting to fill in and by spring, "here we go again". This past summer we have received alot of items that can be used for FREE, centerpieces, flowers, silverware, alot of items, so check with us before you go out and purchase items for your wedding. The HoneyMoon Bin, as far out as that sounds, is now insulated and SEC is working on the liner for the inside. Again this tent liner will come out of New Zealand and custom made for this building. Outside will look like a bin but watchout, the inside will be a WOW effect. We want to thank everyone to allow us to be part of your special day and we are honored to meet you and your family.
Join out facebook at Joy Haven and don't forget to sign our guestbook.
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October 09, 2010
Our Bin is done, I mean our Master Suite is done. After showing the suite to several people I think it will be a success and blend into Joy Haven. When you come up to the bin you will see a "grain bin". As the door opens you will see a fancier door which leads to the main room. Fancy lights, king size bed, love seat. Who would suspect this from the outside which is a grain bin. Now for the story: How many times do we come across a person who we judge by what we see, rough or wild person who we really do not know or want to know. Now open the door the inside of the person, you may be surprised by who is inside of this person, open the door and get to know the real person inside.
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