Camp I

[Actually, the supervisor’s heat shield did withstand re-entry.  However, she was out of the car before it came to a complete stop and was mowing the lawn before I had completed downloading the luggage.]

We’re home from camp now (see previous post).  Now it’s time to get back to work – or in this instance, blog what just happened.  We had a lovely week with family and friends – and I didn’t even suffer that much from the lack of A/C.  There were really only a couple of afternoons where I felt like I needed another shower shortly after just completing one!  So, for as long as it takes, this post, and probably a couple more, will highlight our week.  And, yes, I realize these will be mostly for those family and friends.

Breaking News:  In keeping with the main blog subject matter, for Cardinal fans I can report that on my first day back with the Fat Boys Walking Club at the Y this morning, “Weakie” Annen and I, the original Super Fans, came face-to-face with none other than “The Abster.”  Abby Williams and mom Martha were there for their morning workout so we had a few minutes to talk about her upcoming final hockey season with Bemidji State.

[The Line.  The last we heard was Michelle was at Wisconsin, River Falls; Abby; and Kat was at St. Cloud State.  Ashley has probably graduated from North Dakota – and on to medical school? But it gets hard to keep track after they leave the nest.]

[Women’s boxing may have just made its Olympic debut, but here is the original 1-2 punch!]

[And now Danielle “Roadblock” has graduated from Gustavus and has moved on to . . . New Zealand!]

[We told Abby we hope to make a couple of road trips to Bemidji this fall to see her play – hopefully to coincide when the kids are here to check on their property (about 30 miles west of Bemidji).]

[ . . . she promised us ice cream if we did!  🙂 ]

Back to camp . . .

[We were greeted by a turkey family upon entry into town.]

[ . . . past the golf club (no, I don’t play at camp anymore) and the water tower.]

[We were actually a day early for camp, but that was part of the supervisor’s master plan.  We would spend our first night downtown – at Siebken’s, a classic 100-year old inn.]

[The supervisor checks in – this was no routine matter.  We had our usual difficulties in trying to figure out where we were suppose to go.  Siebken’s is now a series of buildings and we kept driving around the block, down alleys, looking for “the front door.”]

[Back outside the office – now where do we go?]

[Here?]

[Or here?  We were lost again!  We parked at a yellow-lined intersection, put the flashers on, and began carrying luggage up some tall stairs on the building on the left.  People sitting outside asked if we were looking for the office (an ominous question).  We said no, we were just taking our luggage up to our room.  They told us we were going into the gift shop.  Oy!  We were actually suppose to go to the building in the left background.]

[Comfy room, tho.]

[Then we wandered down the street seeking sustenance and happened upon the Midwest Acoustic Music Festival (see previous post).]

[So we ambled into the Lake City Cafe – Elkhart Lake (home of Road America) is such that visitors are either driving high end roadsters . . . or the like across the street.  🙂  The supervisor’s review of her Bloody Mary prompted others to try them on a later visit.]

[Boy, I could get used to this life style.  Oh, that’s right – I already lead it.]

[The supervisor liked it too!]

[The beach at the Osthoff, the huge next door resort.]

[From Siebken’s dock shooting back at the Osthoff.]

[“Our” dock.]

[Uffda!  Lakeside steps everywhere we go.]

[Past Siebken’s . . .]

[. . . and back to the music festival.]

[Local “product” on the fence.  The supervisor did try Spotted Cow.  I was too embarrassed to ask for Totally Naked.]

[Benson Klemme, from Sheboygan.  They were OK – great groupies, tho.  😉  ]

[Chelsea Z followed Benson Klemme – her we like a lot.]

[I took this Chelsea Z photo.  I did not take the other two.]

[Victorian Village Resort]

[Again, the most important sign you will find anywhere.]

[Because of continuing problems associated with the aging process, we totally forgot to return here the following night for a music . . . of a type I have now also forgotten.]

[Great party deck!]

[No, I did not pose for this!]

[Theatre is my life . . .]

[Morning walk beginning at the Osthoff.]

[B & B for sale.  Word is she’s a Siebken, and he once finished 2nd in the Indy 500?]

[Hey, we did find the way back to our room!]

[Artsy shot of the supervisor – shopping.]

[Shopping with Beth & Rita.]

[Lake Street Cafe]

[Arrival at Camp Brosius – this is our cottage, Rappaport.  Major renovations since last year.  Woo-woo!]

[The center of our universe for the week.]

[Living room . . . well, napping room.]

[And this is our room.]

[And this is our new sink.]

[This is my same sister-in-law and niece, but the kitchen appliances are new.]

[Aforementioned “new” kitchen.]

[New railings and stairs to the neighboring Annex, where we have stayed in the past.  Host to gabfests and euchre tournaments.]

[From the Annex shooting back to our Rappaport cottage.]

[Our first view of Elkhart Lake through the trees.]

[Student staffers greet the week’s guests as they arrive.]

[The Annex stampede for dinner the first night.  We feel right at home here – we have 76 steps down to beautiful Lake Darling; at camp we have 74 steps down to Elkhart Lake!  Oy, the stairs, THE STAIRS!]

[At lake level, guests are greeted by and introduced to staff on the patio by the dining hall.]

Congratulations.  You have just completed Day One!

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“Hi! We’re at Camp!”

[Me, the supervisor, niece Beth (Rita’s daughter), Katie (Rita’s “unofficial” granddaughter), and Rita (the supervisor’s sister).  This is at the Indiana University (IU) alumni camp, Camp Brosius, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.  Once again I am badly outnumbered!]

Note:  The publisher, editor, and staff of this blog would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have continued to visit the site over the past week even in the absence of anything new.  How sweet!  The supervisor and I traveled the long, lonely highway from western Minnesota to eastern Wisconsin, where we can sit and enjoy the same bugs and humidity that we do back home.  Nevertheless, this annual adventure is a family reunion of sorts – even with those who aren’t family.  The set-up here is very similar to what I believe they do at the Minnesouri Club on Lake Miltona.  Camp is open for 8 weeks every summer, the guests turnover weekly (about 100 each week), and most folks get the same week every year – for us, it’s the 8th and last.  The lake is smallish by our home standards, but its 300+ acres of spring-fed, crystal clear waters attracts a large audience from the nearby population centers of Sheboygan, Milwaukee, Chicago,, et al.

[We arrived last Saturday in this delightful lilttle village.  We have been coming here since I had hair.  Rita and family have been coming for 34 years!  (And, of course, any reference to girls basketball.)]

[First we checked into Siebken’s, a 100-year old inn downtown.  Then we went to the Lake Street Cafe for a nosh and a brew where we watched the USA women’s volleyball team beat Korea.  Pretty much was the one and only Olympic event we have seen.]

[There was a mermaid in our pool!  I did not file a complaint.  😉 ]

[Little did we know Elkhart Lake was hosting the annual Midwest Acoustic Music Festival.  Music all day (and night) long under a tent next to the Lake Street Cafe.  We pretty much spent the evening there.  Became a fan of Chelsea Z.]

[Chelsea Z (from Madison).  Not my photo.]

[ . . . and they lived happily ever after.]

[Always travel by rail!  Downtown Elkhart Lake hard ahead.]

[And this is our room.]

[His dad and I worked in the same agency at the Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., 7o’s to early 80’s.  We just discovered that this year.]

[The classic, and annual, Camp Brosius photo.]

[Our first morning the supervisor and I took a pedal boat out for photos from lakeside.]

[Classic morning waiting-for-breakfast photo.]

[The supervisor says, “I’m in!”]

[And then she Zumbaed!]

[Camp always has Euchre tournaments!]

[Why don’t you just go away and take pictures of yourself?  So I did.  In lieu of air conditioning, wet washcloths rotated through the freezer seemed to help.]

[Beth & I are usually first ones down in the morning.  She is a computer professor at the University of California, San Diego – in a field I can’t possibly comprehend.]

[I have a stick in my chin?]

[The Biddies with a statue at Abler Art Glass in Kiel.  German seems to be the prevalent language here.]

[We went by this on the way to Kiel.  I wanted a photo.  The Biddies said on the way home.  We took a wrong turn on the way home.  I had to drop off The Biddies and go back to capture this magnificent scene.]

[Rita called “Bingo” for the designated drivers.]

[The lake walk.  You can walk the shoreline most of the way around Elkhart Lake, on paths that cut through private property.  Really neat that we can do this.  It’s a little over 4 miles around the lake and takes about and hour and half, depending on how many photo and potty stops one takes.]

[A reader along the lake walk path.]

[The Indiana University tree (at least I dubbed it such), on the lake walk.]

[The IU logo.]

[On the far side of the lake, a champagne drinker.  This was in front of the Johnsonville Brat house.]

[The Johnsonville Brat house.]

[Camp Brosius from the far side of the lake.]

[Without looking, over the back of my head, at the horseshoe tournament.]

[The supervisor fires a shot in the cornhole tournament.  We were upset by ringers from Ft. Wayne!]

[Scott, a/k/a DOM, fires an unattached horseshoe into your living room!]

[“Friends of the Blog” will recognize Karina.  She and grandson Tom were partners in many events last year.  This year Tom is in summer school at Purdue and had to miss camp.  And he and Karina miss each other.  😦 ]

[In the adult games, 12 “adults” allegedly made it over this wall.  Rita and I, being of sound mind, stayed home and sipped chardonnay.]

[Full moon over Elkhart Lake last night.  For the 2nd year in a row, we could have enjoyed a full moon on the Thursday evening pontoon ride.  It will be clouded out tonight.  😦 ]

[My adopted “personal valet” for the week.  Kailyn Goeglein will be a sophomore at IU.  She is from Noblesville, Indiana, which you will recall from your past readings, is the home of our grandson (and, thus, his parents).  She did not go to Noblesville High School, however; she lived on the city boundary and went to the school on the other side of the border.  I think she had a green card.]

[Today – our first rainy day.  We have had nighttime thunderstorms which helped cool things off.]

[And a BIG Happy Birthday to the HQ (on this day)!  Long may she reign!  🙂 ]

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I Can See Music

When was the last time you jumped? ~ The Editor

This officially piggybacks on the previous post whereas on the very same night the Red Willow Arts Coalition (RWAC) was presenting Skilly & Duff, probably the longest running music affiliation for the supervisor and me since returning to God’s country.  It was also a chance to see Bruce Kelly for the first time since his “health incident” – he looks and feels fine, didn’t sound bad either.  It was finally a beautiful day – I was able to walk the golf course for the first time this month (and played as well as I can, thank you very much) – the temperature gradients did throw in an occasional shower from time to time, including a short one during the performance – and it made for a great evening.  Roy Wicken, a RWAC founding father, estimated the crowd at 800.  Fortunately, with the supervisor’s connections, we were able to reserve box seats.

[Annie, Bruce, and Mikko had the audience eating out of their hands – which I believe is a health code violation.]

[A grandson, as I recall.  Annie’s beaming face would seem to indicate such.]

[Two photos were very similar.  You’ll have to let me know if I chose the right one.]

[The group was introduced by Sandy Susag (of the RWAC).  Sandy received at least county-wide recognition for her hilarious performance in ‘A’ My Name is Alice a few years back.]

[The excitement in a Minnesota crowd is always palpable.]

Their signature parting song, The Parting Glass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsBemjQotUM

Oh, and blog contributor, Al Grundei, captured the supervisor “acting out” The Black Velvet Band:

Her eyes they shone like diamonds, I thought her the queen of the land, And her hair it hung over her shoulder, Tied up with a black velvet band.

[Doesn’t really fit here – found rummaging for something else.  Taken in the backyard on beautiful Lake Darling several years ago.]

[Proof that yesterday was indeed a beautiful day.  Sam Joy dressed in full winter attire for morning golf.]

Patchouli correspondent, Sue Elliot, submitted the following from a rainy night performance at Minnehaha Falls on Wednesday.  Thanks, Sue:

[Julie]

[Bruce and Julie (nice back lighting, Sue)]

Their new, untitled, song written just 24 hours prior to this performance:

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=ycsS8XrmIBc&feature=em-share_video_user

Look for Patchouli again this weekend at Art in the Park!  And say “hi” to them, and to the other performers, as the supervisor whisks me off to Wisconsin.

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Alexandria’s Magical Musical Tour!

Bob and Pat Peterson, of Alexandria Golf Club and Macalester choir fame, just happened to mention today that they were taking 20 friends to Forada tonight to see Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys.  Which reminded me, Rev & the Boys were sent out on a e-mail list of videos a few weeks ago – they (No. 35) opened “Awake the Lakes” on May 28, 2010.  Included also are a few stills of that event.

[Spencer Christensen, in the foreground, went on to become lead guitar for Funky Gumbo Trio and is now at guitar college!  🙂 ]

[Noted Alexandria music fans, Paul & Deb Trumm, on the right.]

[Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys]

[Spencer’s means of transportation is deemed energy efficient.]

[A visit with fellow guitar player, Al Lieffort.]

[Echo Press editor, Al Edenloff, snaps stage-side photos.]

[Stars of the 1968 Gopher baseball team, Bob Micheletti (catcher) and Rusty Rolandson (shortstop) were on hand.]

This holiday week our friends’ son was in town visiting for several days.  He is a big city guy whose job requires much travel to other big cities.  He was not raised in Alexandria.  He had a cast on one hand, which limited his physical activities.  So, he joined his folks (a/k/a, our friends) at several music venues this week.  He was quite impressed – he did not expect such from Greater Minnesota (the polite term by some for small town in the boonies).  I know that’s still the case for people who actually live in the boonies.  So, here is a working list, a compendium if you will, of the entertainment available within minutes of your front door.  These songs were chosen chronologically, at random, but most were within the last year. The number 47 was also at random, but it is the year of my birth, so it fits.  The last (first) song we put on YouTube was Tom Mulder’s What’ll I Do?, always played for Ruthie.  The next time you want to send your mother-in-law for a night out with the girls, just consult this list.  Chances are one of them is playing in the 5-township area that very night.  And the best thing – to date these people seem to not be aware they can change admission for this stuff?  I feel like I’m stealing!!  With already plenty of adieu, here are videos of the talent that regularly visit our fair city: 

1)   “Walking in Memphis”  – Matt Veline:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QJ1TbDJH8Q

2)  “Galway Girl” – Skilly & Duff:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qdj856RwWY

3)  “Sweet Home Chicago” – Funky Gumbo Trio:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdr_ioui2Uk

4)  “Hey Pocky Way” – Funky Gumbo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kxw-wUTI-U

5)  “Jump Jive an’ Wail” – Funky Gumbo:   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EmEVOdVts4

6)  “Wagon Wheel” – The Velines: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQbYnWez98g

7)  “If I Had a Million Dollars” – Salty Dogs:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZm1wydspOw

8)  “Cannibals” – Salty Dogs:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x-NFQORWgw&feature=relmfu

 9)  “Yakety Axe” – Kevin Klimek:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3-aigsshM0

10) “Classical Gas” – Kevin Klimek:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmTnPgFljps&list=UUK-k-D4lV7DWBiHTrlFvnsQ&index=1&feature=plcp

11) “Forever Young” – Tuckered Out:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXbKNA_-9-w&list=UUK-k-D4lV7DWBiHTrlFvnsQ&index=2&feature=plcp  

12) “Wagon Wheel” – Salty Dogs:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MBXqS1j53A&list=UUK-k-D4lV7DWBiHTrlFvnsQ&index=4&feature=plcp

13) “Hallelujah” – Salty Dogs:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP7Pe15Hts4&list=UUK-k-D4lV7DWBiHTrlFvnsQ&index=7&feature=plcp

14) “Teenage” – Patchouli:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgxTgdyOyLk&list=UUK-k-D4lV7DWBiHTrlFvnsQ&index=2&feature=plcp

15) “Cerrickfergus” – Skilly & Duff:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoiX1_twAl8&list=UUK-k-D4lV7DWBiHTrlFvnsQ&index=10&feature=plcp

16) “The Law and the Lonesome” – Lisa Lynn:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30OZINpLpMo&list=UUK-k-D4lV7DWBiHTrlFvnsQ&index=2&feature=plcp

17) “You’re Not the One For Me” – The Velines:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkh7YsytTxU&list=UUK-k-D4lV7DWBiHTrlFvnsQ&index=3&feature=plcp

18) “In Dreams” – Matt and Tommy Veline: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myPB447qq8Q&feature=plcp

19) “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” – Hot Dishes:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UREwKFX3cs&feature=plcp

20) “The Woodlands” – Patchouli: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx4rzEibnaU&feature=plcp

21) Emergency Stop w/ Sami Steidl:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oggj50J7Fic&feature=plcp

22) “The Puzzle” – Patchouli:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dkvx_XEyfc&feature=plcp

23) “Harvest Moon” – Emergency Stop:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwJn_eATWXY&feature=plcp

24) “Best in Me” – Patchouli:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwalfsvrHu0&feature=plcp

25) “SAM-A-RAMA” – Sami Steidl:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI8mtd0IEgE&feature=plcp

26) “Hallelujah” – Lisa Lynn:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kyWhzDZH3M&feature=plcp

27) Sami Steidl w/ friends:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGXYAbaXD0E&feature=plcp

28) “Vincent” – Lisa Lynn:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQMPxy2PSww&feature=plcp

29) “String of Pearls” – Doc’s All-Stars:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a13Ic66bcEs&feature=plcp

30) “Hallelujah” – Dan Mahar:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJX7rcDeo2g&feature=plcp

31) “Parting Glass” – Skilly & Duff:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WXqDQU5O7M&feature=plcp

32) “Sweet Melissa” – Dan Mahar:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_e45VFfTjc&feature=plcp

33) “When Annie Took Me Home” – Skilly & Duff:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c0Czjf3_o0&feature=plcp

34) The late, great Christine Rosholt:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYU9bxDPN78&feature=plcp

35) Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bMyYwz5Zxo&feature=plcp

36)  Doc’s All-Stars:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyZuKPH_qmg&feature=plcp

37) Skilly & Duff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rADlh3CzAQI&feature=plcp

38) “Happy Birthday, Gretchen” – Girls’ Hockey Fans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHfttesQpM8&feature=plcp

39) “Perfidia” – Kevin Klimek: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADs0WQwWDiI&feature=plcp

40) “Rocky Road to Dublin” – Skilly & Duff:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgoOfhuZhzs&feature=plcp

41) “Tears in Heaven” – Dan Mahar:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr8KbR2-eB8&feature=plcp

42) “Layla” – Dan Mahar:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADOTIIQjNKQ&feature=plcp

43) “All Shook Up/Ain’t That a Shame” – 57 Chevy: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9ZlvI6Ckk0&feature=plcp

44) “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Djangleville: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6MEYGwNkEg&feature=plcp

45) “Volcano/Mercury Blues” – Dennis Murphy: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BicqR45kr4&feature=plcp

46) “From Clare to Here” – Skilly & Duff: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW4ZZE1umNQ&feature=plcp

47) “What’ll I Do?” – Djangelville: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DcYL1tnLm0&feature=plcp

You could do worse than putting these on the ole Victrola and hitting the ‘play all’ button!  🙂

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