Did Tom enjoy the game? Depends

By Tom Obert
Cub Report
Tonight's game against the Moorhead Spuds was what we in the sports journalism business call a real "pants-wetter."
The Cards finally prevailed, 3 - 1, in a match between two very good teams. The Spuds came out early and rocked the Cards back on their heels - they put 23 shots on goal in the first period, about twice as many as the Cards usually give up in an entire game. Thanks to the stellar play of goalie Danielle Justice, the Cards were only down 1 - 0, a power play goal, after that period.
Danielle, a/k/a Roadblock, continued her great play (she was star of the game) the rest of the game and the Cards gradually worked their way back into it - by the third period it seemed we wore the Spuds down a little bit.
The comeback started with a short-handed goal by Ashley Holmes in the second period, then Abby Williams put the Cards ahead with an unassisted goal. In the third, the Cards scored their final goal on a length of the ice dash from Kat DelZoppo, to Abby, who fed Michelle Anez streaking in on the left side in front of the goal.
The Cards then hung for some anxious moments at the end of the game when the Spuds pulled their goalie (who also made some outstanding saves). Cards coach Mitch Loch said on the radio after the game that the Spuds were the best team they've played - which is kind of frightening for the future because the Spuds are a very young team with only four seniors. The Cards have now finished the first 6 games of their killer opening schedule with an excellent 5 - 1 record. Next they travel to play St. Cloud Tech on the big ice at the National Hockey Center on Tuesday.
The Diehard Fans (who were in attendance in record numbers tonight) plan on a road trip for that game.

HOLY, MOLIE, WHO'S THAT GOALIE? JUSTICE! JUSTICE!

Cubans love Lorlee's polaroid pix

Lorlee Bartos writes: Here's a fun photo from my trip to Cuba. I packed my Polaroid camera as well as my digital camera. The Polaroid was a great hit since Cubans don't seem to have cameras and I could give them a souvenir immediately. My reward was the additional photos I was able to get. First I took a photo of two of these boys, then the boy in the center wanted one for himself. Then they insisted I must take a photo of the little one on the right. Then I said I wanted a photo of all them with my digital camera and they struck this pose.
(Thanks, Lorlee, nice work. Didn't know you'd been to Cuba. TB)

Cards get win, the grandson gets "A"s

By Tom Obert
Cub Reporter
The Alexandria girls hockey team beat the Brainerd Warriors, 5 - 1, last night at the RCC. Abby Williams opened the scoring on a break-away backhand a little over a minute into the game - Roger Riley, new Diehard Fan, was a slightly late arrival and when advised he missed Abby's goal responded with something like, "It figures."

We thought the Cards looked a little tired after their 2-game weekend foray into the Iron Range, but they held a 3 - 0 lead with about 6 minutes left in the game. Then Brainerd scored on a shot that appeared to deflect off a defenseman. Well, you could see that the Cards were really upset about that turn of events - liked somebody kicked their dog - so they turned on the afterburners and scored two more goals before the game ended, a kind of "take that, you dastardly Warriors!" You can tell the team is justly proud of their defense - they prefer shutouts for "Roadblock" Justice - they have only given up three goals in their first five games. Anyway, Abby had two goals for the game, and Ashley Holmes, Kat DelZoppo, and Ally Nielsen (her mom and grandparents sit with the Diehards, yet show no ill effects from doing so) also scored. Next up - this Thursday at home against the mighty Spuds from Moorhead.

The Cardinal boys hockey team also opened the season last night against Brainerd (right after the girls game). The girls basketball team also opened the season last night, at Brainerd - Brainerd was a conference pre-season favorite but the Cards held a slight lead early in the second half (Grace Bruzek, Bud's daughter, is starting this year, so we will have to provide thorough coverage of the roundballers). Further reports on those games will follow as soon as we hear from our stringers.

p.s. In the absence of any photos from last night's event, we decided to send along a picture of our 14-year old grandson, Tom. We are proud to report, of course, that he got straight A's on his last report card.

Margaret Linser's son is married

Hi Stan,
The enclosed picture was snapped at Tony Valkevich's wedding Sept. 28. It is hard to believe that Margaret Linser Valkevich has been gone 3 1/2 years. Pictured are Jim (Margaret's husband), Nicole, Margaret and Jim's son Tony, their daughter Christine and son and grandson Nicholas. Before her sudden death, our classmate met Nicole and enjoyed her relationship with Tony.
Kathy Skadsberg
(Thanks for your thoughtfulness, Kathy. If anyone has pictures or seasons greetings to share, please do what Kathy did and tuck them in an envelope and send them to Stan Rolfsrud, 2355 Abbey Point, Shakopee, MN 55379)

Girls best DL, 7-Zip

By Tom Obert
Cub Reporter

The Cardinal girls hockey team overcame a hot Laker goalie tonight at the RCC and ran away in the 3rd period, defeating Detroit Lakes 7-0.

Youth night

It was a coming out party for many of the younger Cards - both the 2nd and 3rd lines played well and a partial 4th line received some playing time. Several times in the 3rd period the team had two 8th-grade defensemen on the ice at the same time, and sophomore forward Stacey Paulzine had two goals and just missed a hat trick on a late breakaway (Stacey's Mom, Deb, cuts the hair of Diehard Fans Ruthie and Vivian).

The team also got two goals from defensemen, senior Ashley Holmes (player of the game with also two assists) and sophomore Beth Rindy.

When the Oberts entered the arena tonight they caught Sue Justice photographing her daughter, Danielle (who pitched the shutout in goal), with Courtney Walsh's parents receiving the Courtney Walsh Spirit Award (Sue, please correct me if I'm wrong here). See photo.

Later in the game, voice of the Cardinals, Dave Harris (who plugged the Class of '65 blogsite on the air), obviously looking to kill some air time, invited the cub reporter and the cub reporter-in-training, Bob Annen, to join him on KXRA between the 2rd and 3rd periods to talk about the team and the Diehard Fans.

To our knowledge, no FCC rules were violated, and the pair was doubtless hugely entertaining to Radio Dave's ever expanding hockey audience.

The Cards now take off on a tough road trip this weekend.

They will play at Grand Rapids Friday night and then at Hibbing Saturday afternoon. They will be back home next Tuesday to play Brainerd.

Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Cub Reporter hope to be on the road to Indiana by 5 a.m. tomorrow. A Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Peterson, Donley in training room

Vikings rookie sensation Adrian Peterson and former Alexandria Cardinal Paul Donley are in intensive rehab this week as they work to get back into playing shape.

Peterson has a partial tear of his lateral collateral ligament but won't need surgery. Three weeks ago Peterson set an all-time NFL rushing record, then was side-lined with his injury, in possibly the biggest Viking fan disappointment since Herschel Walker.

Meanwhile, Donley had an entire knee replaced and is recuperating at Bethany in Alexandria, with hopes of starting in the Thanksgiving Day Dinner lineup at home.

Artificial knees are sized from "A" to "H." Donley got an "H," most grateful he didn't require an "I." It took 40 staples to zip up the wound.

As soon as the word got out, our classmate and knee replacement veteran Dave Serie offered this advice to Paul.
-
Dave says:
I had one replaced two years ago, Paul. Has been great for me. Toughest rehab I've ever had to do, however, but it paid off.

Stretching and strength and recumbent bike every day for 6-8 weeks. You need to do it, though, especially the stretching part, to get max range of motion/bending. Also, I had a machine initially that I put my leg in and it automatically bent it/stretched it to the limit. That was very helpful getting max ROM.

Good luck.

Dave

The cub took the photo of Donley and got the necessary model release. As his reward, we are publishing another of his fabulous back yard Lake Darling November sunrise photos, below:

John's One-night Stand -- Were you there?

John Herdan writes:
I just purchased a brand new book that should be of interest to JHS Boomers and might make a great Christmas present. However, if you were a part of the history contained in the book, as I was, it is a mandatory purchase.
August 21, 1965
The name of the book is "The Beatles! A One-night Stand In The Heartland." The book is a collection of original photographs all taken on August 21, 1965, the day the Beatles appeared at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota. The book was just released in the last month. The photographer Bill Carlson (no, not that Bill Carlson) and I have two things in common.
We were both 17 years old and we were both there.
Bill was a high school student working in the studio of renowned photographer Merle Morris. Morris was a stringer for AP and when the press passes came through and no one else was interested, Bill Carlson grabbed the passes and two cameras and headed for Bloomington. Most of the pictures were taken at the press conference held at the stadium although there are also pictures from the airport, outside the stadium, and at the concert.
George Harrison
A few familiar faces show up in the book. Phil Spector (yes, that Phil Spector) is shown near the fence getting his credentials. There are also several pictures of Bill Diehl, WDGY disc jockey and master of ceremonies for the concert. There is a great series of pictures of George Harrison receiving a 360/12 Rickenbacker Guitar (serial #2) from the owners of B# Music. Most of these photos have been residing in a file cabinet for the last 40 years.
In case you were wondering, ticket prices were $2.50, $3.50, $4.50, and $5.50. My cousin Jeanne (Franzen) Hilton and I set in the seventh row behind third base. I¹ve looked as hard as I can and can¹t find us in the pictures. However, I did see one time a picture from ³Life² Magazine that I do believe was us.
Second base
The Beatles played on second base and entered from the first base dugout.
Everyone knows that there is a plaque showing where home plate was in the rotunda at the Mall Of America. What is not as well known is that 180 feet in front of that plaque is another one on the exact spot where the Beatles played.
As of this date I only know of three other people that were also there: a social studies teacher from Holdingford, a band director from Maple Grove, and one of my former band parents. Were any of you there? Please blog in if you were or if you know of anyone who was.
The only other time I came close to connecting with the Beatles was when my father-in-law, Bob Murphy, was selected to be the head sauce cook on Linda McCartney¹s line of vegetarian foods. They were manufactured in Fairmont, Minnesota and Bob was Paul and Linda's host every time they came to visit.
He was never allowed to tell us about their visits until after they left.
I purchased my book on-line at Barnes and Noble since I couldn't make the book signing and concert that were held at the mall three weeks ago.
John
(After Wednesday, please send any replies or reactions to jherdan@yahoo.com since I won't be at this e-mail for a few days.)

Did you have Mr. Krump for science?

Charles Krump
Nov. 18, 1928-Nov. 11, 2007
Published Friday, November 16, 2007
Renown schoolteacher Charles “Chuck” Krump, 78, of Alexandria, died on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at his home in Alexandria. Surrounded by loved ones, he ended his year-long battle with cancer with the support of hospice.
Charles, the son of Adolph and Loraine (Witt) Krump, was born on Nov. 18, 1928 in Detroit Lakes. Chuck married Mary Ann Reed of Frazee in 1956. He served in the Air Force for four years, stationed in Cape Canaveral, Fla. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and his Master of Arts degree at the University of West Virginia, Morgantown, W. Va.
Chuck lived his life with a joy for others that endeared him to his loved ones, as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, teacher and friend. In his 41-year career as a chemistry teacher at Alexandria Jefferson High School, and science teacher in Tyler, Minn., his gifts were abundant. Organic chemistry, coaching wrestling and A-Club were just a few ways that he earned the devotion of countless students and the admiration of peers. In 1983, he was honored as Teacher of the Year by the Alexandria Education Association. In 1989, he was also honored by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce.
Chuck was passionate about education, the environment and uplifting the less fortunate. He served the community as a volunteer with the food shelf, disaster planning for the American Red Cross, on the board of directors for MEA and much more.
His passion for the community was only outdone by his love of his family. A love of hunting, fishing and nature; as well as cookie and fudge making was shared with his 15 grandchildren and countless honorary grandchildren.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters Carol (Terry) Bohrer of Castle Rock, Colo., Sharon (Mark) Litch of Parker, Colo., Krista (Joe) Cassidy of Maple Grove, Minn., Diane (Steve) Lange of Parker, Colo., and Laura (Rick) Wagner of Minnetonka, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; siblings, Beatrice (Bill) Manske of Edina, Minn., Bobbie (John) Roberson of Minneapolis, Peter (Joan) Krump of Loveland, Colo., Bill (Lois) Krump of Morris, Minn., and JoAnn (Darrell) Miller of Rapid City, S.D.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Adolph and Loraine Krump; and siblings, Marlys, Lorraine and Norman.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 5 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 5:30 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home, Alexandria, and continues for one hour prior to Tuesday’s services at the church.
A mass of Christian burial is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria.
Memorials are preferred sent to Douglas County Hospice, Douglas County Food Shelf or American Cancer Society. Arrangements are provided by Anderson Funeral Home, http://www.andersonfuneral.net/.
(Thanks to Paul Strandberg for finding this post on DL Online and emailing it to the trailboss@swpub.com)

Bobby Johnson '66 on Almanac

Remember Bob “B.J.” Johnson from the Jefferson High Class of 1966? Well, he's busy organizing for the St. Olaf Music Department. He was on Almanac last night on Twin Cities Public Television.

Check him out by following this link


http://www.tpt.org/almanac/index.shtml

- then click on the St Olaf article. See if you recognize Bob before they introduce him.


Thanks for the tip from Alan J. Grundei,Medina, MN

Cards whip Sartell in hockey opener, 8-1

Indulgence begged, gentle readers.
Cub too emotional to present straight news

Kathryn DelZoppo and Abby Williams

By Tom Obert
Cub Reporter
The 2007-2008 Minnesota Girls High School Hockey season began last night at the Runestone Community Center (RCC ) where the Alexandria Cardinals, seeking a 5th consecutive state tournament berth, defeated Sartell/Sauk Rapids by the score of 8 - 1.

From here on, the cub reporter requests the readers indulgence . . . for this is the senior year of a special group of young women who five years ago began this string of excellence and attracted a group of ever-growing Diehard Fans.

So, in honor of this hallowed occasion, the cub reporter began photographic coverage with the announcement of the game on the RCC marquee several days ago, a pre-game meeting of some of the Diehard Fans at the Sixth Avenue Wine & Ale, Ruthie's arrival at the RCC before the game, entering the arena at the snack bar, and approaching the double red door entry to the rink.

First goal in 14 seconds
The Diehard Fans began settling into their seats, Dave Harris (voice of the Cardinals, black hat, red top) settled into his radio announcing perch, and the team went through their pre-game warm-ups.
After player introductions, the game began - and 14 seconds(!) later Abby Williams scored the first goal of the game.
Abby, the leading scorer in the state last year with 102 points, went on to score three more goals in the game - and with two assists, recorded a 6-point game. Twice she had break-aways, which always bring the crowd to their feet - she scored a beautiful goal the first time, the second time she was tackled from behind which led to a rare penalty shot which she converted with a nifty backhand.
Her talented linemates, Kathryn DelZoppo, who has played on the same line as Abby since the 7th grade (see photo), and sophomore Michelle Anez, each scored on terrific individual moves. Senior defenseman Caitlin Murphy and sophomore forward Allyson Nielsen rounded out the scoring.

Abby obviously was named player-of-the-game and was on the radio with Dave Harris after the game. They both commented on the size of the crowd - the Diehards presented their largest group ever to include the Oberts, the Annens, the Rogosheskes, the Dittberners, Dave Hoyme . . . and newcomers Julie and Mike Shaughnessy and Roger Riley, all of whom are recent retirees to Alex from The Cities, and all indicated they will certainly be attending future games.

The Diehards were delighted to note that this team has more depth than any prior team. Tonight 11 forwards and 7 defenseman all had ice time, and it's incredible the number of players who are still in junior high - a 7th-grader is a starting defenseman (as is the back-up goalie - when the cub reporter was in the 7th grade, his mother had to check him to make sure his shoes were on the right feet).

And this year's team is playing a schedule that includes road trips to Grand Rapids and Hibbing over the Thanksgiving weekend, and to Breck during Christmas week. After that, the team should really be prepared to make a strong run at the state championship - and we'll be with them all the way.
The other seniors besides Abby (going to Mankato State) and Del, are Ashley Holmes (going to North Dakota), Danielle "Roadblock" Justice (another great game in goal, leaning toward Gustavus), Abby Nelson, Nikki Ecklund, Caitlin Murphy, and Lindsey Burow. Incredibly, in addition to the two 7th-graders on the team, there are THIRTEEN 8th-graders, and three freshmen.

Go away, you bother me

Diane Hoffman O'Brien waved off a nosy photographer at the exclusive "Na Na Na" country club in Bermuda last week. JHS grad O'Brien, 45, ramrods a crew of 20 roughnecks at an off-shore oil rig located near there, but still has time to frolic weekends with friends in a palm-thatched beach house, her every need attended by sous chef and pilates coach Bill Jangles, an ex-Chippendale from Baltimore, Maryland.

Well, actually this photo was taken last summer in Alexandria at the Sevey Open and there's no truth in the caption, of course -- other than she's a JHS grad. But it shows what the trailboss may resort to if boomers don't send him material. He's lonesome. Write him a note: trailboss@swpub.com

Dave Dziuk gets a visitor from Dallas

Lorlee Bartos stopped by Knute Nelson today to see her liberal pal, former Jefferson High School History teacher, Dave Dziuk. Known in the 60s in many Alexandria coffee shops as "that communist at the high school," Dziuk continues to follow world events and is ready at any time for a lively discussion on a wide-range of topics.

We'll await Lorlee's report on their visit.

Some class members may remember him for provoking thought by playing devil's advocate. He once challenged a class by stating: "Women aren't creative. Name one well-known female artist. And Grandma Moses doesn't count."

See the man. Mention Mary Cassat.

(Photo credit: Tom Obert, who had been spending the lovely afternoon hanging a couple of stingy strings of Chinese communist Christmas lights that didn't light. He was relieved to get phone call from Lorlee and left Ruthie with the mess.)

Confirmation of sighting needed

Before we report this as fact, can anyone confirm that shadowy personage Jerry D. Deleski was seen purchasing a ticket to "Lions for Lambs" at the Alexandria theater at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon? Tips to trailboss@swpub.com

November mood over Alexandria

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
-- Joyce Kilmer

(Photo credit: Tom Obert, F2 aperature, shutter speed125, while standing in his back yard in slippers and fleur-de-lis dressing gown)

Great idea

That's a great idea, trailboss.
Let's put those old movies on DVD. Put Kathy Aga or some other competent person in charge.
Dave Dziuk filmed not just the sports action but the bands and the audiences as well.
There must be a ton of old Dave Dziuk films stored in vaults somewhere at Jefferson High. It would be lots of fun to see them exhumed for the entertainment of old folks like us.
I can't imagine that anybody would just pitch them out. They must be somewhere. I'd be happy to pay $30 for a copy of a DVD that showed the Cardinal band and cheerleaders from 1964!
Anybody else?
Paul Strandberg,
Class President

Dziuk likes Peterson, remembers Benson

Tom Obert writes: I had an all too infrequent visit (as he is not shy to point out!) with Dave Dziuk today. Aside from our usual mutual liberal political rantings, Dave, a self-proclaimed non-sports fan, initially offered how captivated he has been over Vikings rookie running back, Adrian Peterson. I noted that I too have been similarly captivated - despite the fact the my interest in BIG-time sports has been waning for years.

Dave then recalled that in his teaching days he was tasked by the school to shoot movies of Alexandria Cardinal sporting events - and his strongest memory of those years was Mark Benson's wrestling matches . . . or more specifically, Mark's mom cheering for him during his matches. In fact, he said he often turned his camera away from the inaction on the mat to film the late Mrs. Benson's cheerleading!
Dave is healthy and doing fine - though he is naturally bored with his life in the nursing home. He is always looking for company.

P.S. Sharpen the skates, there's a thin layer of ice at Noonan's Park.

(Tom-- I wonder where all those old films are stored, preserved. Here's an idea for a fundraiser: Put 'em on DVD and sell them at reunions etc. $30 each, proceeds to Alexandria Education Association. Tell Donley to get to work on this.)

Maybe it's not the snow they flee?

Obert's neighbors get out of town.

Tom Obert writes: Our next door neighbors, Jo and Arnie Lee, represent the finest in "snowbirding." Here they are, on November 5, getting ready to head out for Florida in their motorhome, towing their SUV. Their timing is exquisite - if you look closely, you may see the first snow flakes of the year gliding by in 40 mph winds. They leave every year after the first weekend of deer hunting season - this was the first time in 16 years that Arnie got skunked before they left.

Cubbie: I get that Jo and Arnie's timing is exquisite and they're smart and all that, but a caring neighbor would tell Arnie that when it snows and the wind blows at 40 mph, maybe he ought to get some shoes on. -- Trailboss

Volleyball team out of tournament

The Card girl volleyball team lost in the section finals to Albertville/St. Michael . . . or is it St. Michael/Albertville? Just another occasion when we have to take on multiple schools!! But a great season for the team nonetheless - and with many returning players, will be good again next year.

- The Cardinal girls’ volleyball team finished as the Section 8AAA runners-up Friday, falling to St. Michael-Albertville at Sauk Rapids. Members of the team include (back, left to right) Sam Trumm, Jacque Brown, Alicia Montbriand, Angela Christianson, Sam Dale, Nicole Throngard, Ariel Carlson, (front) Emma Sieling, Becca Anderson, Maggie Snyder, Val Smith, Kailynn Strater, Greta Wood, Nicole Nellermoe and Katie Brown.

Shots fired in War of the Roses

This just in from California:

Trailboss:

Hey kiddo, those may be your last roses, but not mine. Today's 11/5 and it's in the low 70's.

Sara Sevey

Roadblock's Mom covers for the Cub

----- Original Message -----
From: Cub REporter
To: Trailboss
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 5:08 AM
Subject: Fw: Scrimmage
The following report on the girls hockey team was submitted by Sue Justice, team photographer and mother of star goalie, Danielle (a/k/a "Roadblock"). Because the cub reporter had other weekend commitments, i.e., covering the Uff-Da Mountain Boys, he could not attend the scrimmage in Eden Prairie . . . so, he requested on-site coverage by his Twin Cities "daughters," Mrs. O'Brien and Mrs. Skadsberg, who both live in the immediate area. I received no report so must assume either a conflict regarding grandchildren or a disdain regarding things athletic.
p.s. The season begins a week from Thursday against Sartell/Sauk Rapids. Now both these schools are individually bigger than Alex - but they still feel the need to gang up on us in multiples!

----- Original Message -----
From: Justice Family
To: Tom & Ruth
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 4:23 PM
Subject: Scrimmage
The Girls Hockey team is having a scrimmage against the North Metro Stars next Saturday, November 10th at noon. The N.M.S. team took second place at state last year so it should be a great game.

Also, we played 3 games in Eden Prairie yesterday. Our first game was against Blaine and we won 2-1, our second game was against #2 rated AA team Shakopee and we won 1-0, and then we played Eden Prairie - the #1 rated AA team and lost 0-1. Great games!

The last rose

English gardeners say you should plant roses near your herb garden because they show well together. This back yard photo taken today, long after a killing frost, demonstrates that rule, with this last rose of summer spread out over a bed of fragrant chives. (Photo by Stan Rolfsrud)

On The Road to Barrett, Minnesota

Minnesota Girls are Halfway Decent
By Tom Obert
Entertainment Reporter
Autumn is the transitional season between summer and winter here in Lake Wobegon - the transition generally begins with boat out in late September or early October, as soon as possible thereafter comes dock and lift out, then lake pump out, then the final lawn mow, and finally, which happened yesterday, rounding up the outdoor furniture, putting it under the deck, and wrapping it in a tarp as protection against the winter weather to come. Oh, and putting the lawn mower away in the garage - which Ruthie later painfully discovered when she forgot it was there and received a major bruise (or owwwie!) on her shin.

We are also moving from the outdoor season to the indoor season. Football, soccer, and cross-country are giving way to basketball, hockey, and wrestling; and I probably played my last round of golf on Thursday - they're talking snow flurries next week. And moving indoor also means the start of the concert/play season - for some reason, Lake Wobegoners seem loathe to go inside for such events in the summer when you have daylight at the lake until 10:00 pm.

So last night, we trundled off for, embarrassingly enough, our first ever visit to Barrett, Minnesota (population 355) to see Skilly & Duff (our friend Mikko is one or the other, can never remember which) and the Uff-Da Mountain Boys at historic Roosevelt Hall, home of the Prairie Winds Theatre, where the Kingston Trio performed about eight years ago. Barrett is about 25 miles directly west of Alex - go another 25 miles and you're in the treeless plains of South Dakota - on County Road 8.

Befitting its status as a county road, Co. Rd. 8 is a country road and driving it at night on the first day of deer hunting season made us nervous wrecks - we drove all the way there at about 10 mph under the speed limit, scanning the shoulders for signs of skittish deer. Once there, however, the packed house was treated to a marvelous 2 1/2 concert by both groups, who combined for a grand finale.
The Uff-Da Mountain "Boys," incidentally, are composed of three older guys . . . and two ladies (one of whom could not be there last night) - their big hit was "Minnesota Girls are Halfway Decent," an homage to the romantical shortcomings Minnesota boys, with their passion-deprived Scandinavian heritage. (Being Lake Wobegoners for some six years now, we have really come to appreciate the local talent around here. Maybe it's because they are friends and "neighbors." It's just comfortable to go to a local venue where you know the performers - and where you can sit close enough to actually see and hear them. At our age, major dinero to see Springsteen from the nosebleed seats isn't as attractive as it used to be - plus it would require a major (over 1/2 hour) road trip!)

Anyway, we picked up a passenger after the concert to guide us to an after concert party at a lovely home (with at least a 1/4 mile long driveway winding through the woods) on Lake Chippewa. She became the third Alexandria metro-area person this week to tell us they were going to Antarctica this winter - apparently the winters really are getting too mild around here!

It's a very interesting world that we live in

I love this picture and want to share it with you. This is Andrew Dang, as American as you or I. His father is a Vietnamese immigrant, now a U.S. citizen, who has worked with the trailboss for 15 years as a problem solver. This vacation photo was transmitted digitally while young Andrew enjoyed two weeks with Dad in his hometown jungle.