International Falls Journal - Coca-Cola Bottling spans three generations, By Tom LaVenture, Staff Writer - Comments

Fine story. There are so

Thomas L. Johnson — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:12:09 -0500

Fine story. There are so many fine stories in the Falls business community; maybe this can become a series.
Those of us from the past remember with sadness yet joy the shorter life of Randy Bartkowski. A drummer for the Dirty Dozen, Irving Peterson's band and groups, Randy died accidentally on the lake road during a summer vacation from his studies in Bemidji. When I think of Randy I see a diminutive guy of incredible energy who would have become a significant part of this community in his adult life.
I've always hated Bob Dylan's song "Forever Young" because it showed up in too many premature funerals. Randy predates this song but is clearly one of those who is forever young in the minds of those of us who are getting ever older. Thanks DJ for being more than a weekly newspaper just reporting church basement breakfasts and obituaries.

Tom Laventure is doing a

Jackpine04 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:28:02 -0500

Tom Laventure is doing a fine job. But when people who want divorces and causes of death and American Idol finalists in the paper get uppity about some minor specifics in some random article, the quality of the writing is somehow suddenly unimportant.

You're an asset to the Daily Journal, Tom, and you're a benefit to everyone in the Falls. I'd shake your hand if I hadn't already.

Yes, James and Joyce are

Laurel Beager — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:04:32 -0500

Yes, James and Joyce are siblings. A correction was made in the print edition and should have been made in the Web edition once we knew about it.

Thank you, I agree with you

Doorsman 54 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:57:14 -0500

Thank you, I agree with you that this family has been good for this community.

I think this was an

kay — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:45:15 -0500

I think this was an excellent article about a well respected and great members of the community. My comment was about some information I felt was incorrect.

I am not sure why you are

Doorsman 54 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:08:41 -0500

I am not sure why you are confused Kay, this is a good article, not confusing as I read it,and I also disagree with your admiration of the editorial written on Monday. I am afraid it was three peoples opinion instead of just one editor or publisher as it should be, or whoever struck the pen, key or goofy button. If you build it, they will come, works in the real world too, not just the movies, like someones idea of building an amusement park in a swamp(Disney World), not that the FTZ is Disney World but someone took a chance and it worked. I quess the city and county should not take chances and keep the status quo, sitting on their collective ------- as is has been for years. Yes I know I am off subject but I needed to kill two birds with one stone. Sorry Kay, you are off on these two blogs.

I am confused with this

kay — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 07:10:26 -0500

I am confused with this article. I thought James and Louise were Jays parents and Joyce was a sister of James. Anyway welcome back to the community you are taking over a long running excellent business.

Coca-Cola Bottling spans three generations, By Tom LaVenture, Staff Writer

Tom LaVenture — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:32:00 -0500

Jay Bartkowski takes 74-year-old business with father and grandfather still on board
The International Falls Coca-Cola Bottling Company Inc. is a family owned business that spans more than seven decades and three generations.
Jay Bartkowski, the son of owner James Bartkowski, and grandson of founding owner John Bartkowski, ended a 20-year accounting career to take over the business this past July.
"We're excited to come back and are hoping to help the town grow," said Jay Bartkowski. "That is a strategy for us as well."