alexandriacardinals

Now that I am officially less than one year from signing up for Medicare, I’m in the protected age group that looks forward to a visit to Lowry.  Winding down from the excitement of the holiday-birthday three-day weekend, the supervisor and I determined a road trip was required because it is (and will be for the next week!) another beautiful day here in Vacationland USA.  Some people go to Venice, some to the Greek Islands – we go to Lowry.  Lowry is more convenient.  I had never been to Lowry before – it’ really not that far away, maybe 15 miles south and a little west of here.  It has a population of about 250.  The following photo pretty much captures the downtown – their grocery store on the main street is closed, meaning they probably go to Starbuck for food.  But I captured another watertower in the state of Minnesota, meaning I only have several thousand to go.

[Our first view of Lake Minnewaska, as we came into Starbuck (pop. 1,300) on the west side of the lake.]

The Starbuck waterfront has a nice beach, a big park, and a band shell.  Considering it was a beautiful day and a national holiday, we were amazed at the total lack of activity?

[A view of Lake Minnewaska from the south side – 270th street (or avenue) as I recall.]

[The southside of Minnewaska, heading east past Peter’s Sunset Beach Resort, toward Glenwood.  A bad storm hit this area about a month ago – lots of trees down, lots of damage.  The clean-up is pretty much complete.  The above photo is the reincarnation of the world-famous Lakeside Ballroom.]

[Also world-famous – the lone stoplight in Pope County, at the main intersection in Glenwood.]

[We noshed on DQ BBQ at a public access – Torgie’s Restaurant across the way.]

[New (to me) – a statue of a Native American of the feminine gland, as Col. Sherm Potter would say.  Just up from the Lakeside Ballroom – no indication of who she is or who the sculptor is?]

The Salty Dogs took SAWA by storm last night.  OK, maybe not by storm – I believe the proprietors just opened the door for them.  Anyway, they attracted a good crowd – a sure sign that summer is ending and people are willing to leave the lake and come into town at night.  They are the first of what will be two more music venues over the holiday weekend – a weekend in which your cub reporter will pass another life milestone and ease ever closer to the protected age group!  The Dogs (that’s shorthand for The Salty Dogs) on this night consisted of Erik Schultz on guitar, Bill Riggs on trumpet, and Tom Mulder on voice and shakey thing – in different venues they also include Annie O’Flynn and Bruce Kelly of Skilly & Duff fame.

“White Sandy Beach of Hawai’i”:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/3/2dNBkxQi9nw

You will note on this video, and those following, that they were using mood lighting . . . or they decided the boys looked better in the dark.

“If I Had a Million Dollars”:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/2/0PJtJBX6LIw

“Wagon Wheel”:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/1/7gRCdEPSuhM

“The No No Song”:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/0/4q8tvYBV9tY

Saturday at the winery, Patchouli had to set up at the end of the patio – a bit of a breeze:

“Teenage”:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/a/u/1/TgxTgdyOyLk

“Walking to Wyoming”:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/a/u/0/9SrPuQDfGHc

That evening:  Tom & Pam Kiehne are in town from Austin, Texas – though they haven’t been there much this summer.  Tom was “on loan” to NASA in Huntsville, Alabama for 9 weeks.  Then he and Pam went to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.  They came over for dinner last night, with Tom’s dad, Merill, and Merill’s friend, Myrtle.  Then we watched a slide show of their trip.  Today we’re all going to the winery to celebrate someone’s 64th.

Sunday, yup, my 64th:

[From the supervisor, for friends and performers at the winery.]

[But first we had early morning present opening – I have no idea how my sister discovered the card for which I modeled for the cover?]

[Then came the present from sister-in-law Rita, you know, one of The Biddies.  What a scamp!  But it is a serious piece of art – and will be only for display purposes – by Kim Anderson (a lady), as noted in the following site.]

http://www.gordyframing.com/kim_anderson.php

And although we saw them later in the day, it seems appropriate to stick Bruce Kelly’s poem here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/a/u/2/ScaU-THO_kE

[Then, a fine assortment of reading material from Roy-san.]

[The notebook computer from the supervisor – OK, it’s in the mail!]

[Then it was on to the winery and Skilly & Duff & Annie.] 

[Joined by the Kiehnes.]

[ . . . then the Annens.]

And the group did “When I’m Sixty-Four” – many thanks again for that guys!:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/a/u/1/7yPKrPB6yLE

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThL5F_zfsAA&feature=related]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ01HKIaaJc&feature=relmfu]

And the equally appropriate, “Big Strong Man”!  😉  :

http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/a/u/0/f_KeVwNgq9E  

And finally (I think), thanks to Stephanie and Pat Osterberg for the beautiful “Happy Birthday to you” phone call, and the cake!:

To Rita, for the artwork; to Roy-san, for the books; to the Kiehnes, for the wine and slide show; to all for your cards and letters; and to the supervisor for arranging the whole thing!

[Well, Leslie’s her guy!]

[An aside:  An e-mail exchange with Minneapolis StarTribune sports columnist, Jim Souhan, regarding the blog story on Basketball Dan:

August 31:  Thanks for today’s column.  It’s nice to hear other fans have the same appreciation for women’s sports.  We have a bunch of retired folks here in Alex (those who don’t snowbird) called the Super Fans who follow our high school sports teams – mostly the girls.  We caught a lot of grief about it at first, but people are catching on.  Our girls’ basketball team last year was probably the most athletic in the state – it was great fun watching firehouse basketball.

Regarding your comments on Lindsay Whelan – precisely.  I have thought since her senior year that she is the most important athlete in the U’s history.

Thanks again,  Tom Obert, Alex

Thank you, Tom. We’re obliged to cover the big stories and the most prominent teams, but I have found the Lynx to be very entertaining this year.  –   Jim

September 4:  Jim, Hi, sorry to bother you again.  It’s just that this is a sports accomplishment I can’t believe has been replicated by anyone else!  He seeks no notoriety –  enjoy.  – Tom

https://alexandriacardinals.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/basketball-dan/

Tom: Very interesting. Let me know if he’d ever be interested in talking about this for a column. I’d love to write it.  –  Jim

Thank you.  I will forward this to “The Great One.” Maybe he would consent if he could wear a paper bag over his head.  Ha!  –  Tom

I’ll wear one, too.  –  Jim

Just returned home after dodging floods in NJ…was able to get to 3 of my 4 scheduled tennis days at the Open [US tennis].   Re the interview: not going to happen.  –  Basketball Dan [Party Poop]]

The first reported upon game of the 2011 fall season.  Well, the staff photographer was there on Saturday – I was probably at some music event.  Our Cards won – and, based on the score, in rather convincing fashion.  So, here are the photographer’s photos – like me, he expresses little knowledge about the game of soccer, but I do enjoy following the World Cup every four years.  I do know that if you kick a ball, or hit it with your head, and it goes in the goal, it’s a point for your team.  Yay, team!  I only recognize a few of our players – from other teams last year – but I will try to catch up as the season progresses and I get a roster.

[The field behind Lincoln Elementary School – we need a new high school.]

[The on-site restaurant – we need a new high school.]

[A shot on the DL goal – I know because that is not “Baby Bruiser” defending the net.]

[The above 3-photo sequence appears to have occurred after a Cardinal goal (do I know soccer, or what?)]

[“Well, it’s another year.  Have you paid your activity fees yet?”]

[“Kick it in the goal!”]

[No. 11 is Becca Illies (from hockey, track) – now that her sister Claire has graduated, I shouldn’t get them confused any more.]

[I would not want to be that ball!]

[These are called throw-ins.  They happen when the other team does something illegal (though only a misdemeanor) like kicking the ball out of bounds.]

[This is a penalty kick.  Again, this happens when the other team does something illegal.  As punishment for the illegality, they have to stand in front of the kicker and hope they don’t get hurt.]

[This is the next photo in the sequence.  The penalty kick was successful?]

[This is Jess Syvrud (basketball, softball) – also No. 11?]

[“Lauren, your dad’s taking pictures!”]

[You’re doing good!”]

[Future Cardinal?]

[GOOOAAALLLLLLLL!!!]

[“Baby Bruiser” (No. 33) – the goalie.]

We won!

[Postscript:  The power of the international blog elicited commentary all the way from our nation’s capital:

I applaud your efforts to learn the finer points of soccer (futbol), but I think you really need to try something more challenging like field hockey.  Field hockey may be more of an eastern sport (although it is an Olympic sport even for men), but Cari played it for a year and after watching a number of games I was more confused than when I started.  I got the idea of putting the ball in the goal, but I couldn’t understand why the referee was always blowing the whistle.  Did the player raise the stick too high, did she hit the ball too high, did she use the wrong side of the stick (no backhands in field hockey)?  Nobody on the sidelines, even the supposed knowledgeable fans, had any idea.  The only halfway confusing part of soccer is offsides and that isn’t too hard to explain. 

– Bill]

 

[* a/k/a,  An opportunity for the supervisor to experience different outfits.]

Again, as it can only happen in Entertainment Capital USA.  Finestra got the ball rolling Thursday night – a perfect group for an evening at SAWA.  And a warm-up for Saturday when they backed Christine Rosholt there.  Friday afternoon featured the entire Veline family, and extras, at the winery.  They began with just Tommy and Matt.  They were later joined by Julie, and then even later the Veline “orchestra” performed at the winery’s wedding du jour.  We were joined there by Ruthie’s morning golf partners, Diane and Linda – Diane is local, Linda is from New Mexico, and they made cameo appearances during the coverage.  I’m sure when they see this they’ll wish they would have joined us for the remaining four events!  😉  We stopped at home for a quick wardrobe change and then it was on to Bug-A-Boo Bay to see Lisa Lynn.  To our surprise, the “Robos,” Joyce and Dave, were already there with a front row table.  They had just finished golfing with Marlene and Rich Braun.  They couldn’t stay long – dog issues at home – so while they enjoyed what they saw and heard of Lisa, they did miss the naughty song (available upon request).  It was a perfect evening for sitting outside and listening to music on the shores of Lake Le Homme Dieu.  Then Satuday afternoon it was back to the winery again.  For Skilly & Duff,  the group totally responsible for our current tendency to OD on local music performances.  It’s always great to see and hear Annie – and it’s nice she brings the boys along with her.  Then home again for another quick wardrobe change and off to SAWA for Christine Rosholt.  Christine is from the Cities and generally plays the Dakota there – so it’s always great when she’s able to pay a visit to outstate Minnesota! 🙂

[“Dangerous” Dan and the supervisor w/Finestra.]

[Diane w/Tommy and Matt Veline @ CCW.]

In Dreams (I got a late start):  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/6/myPB447qq8Q

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald:   http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/5/Yoq6qTgB24w

Fire Lake:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/3/7RF1nkZVtgE

Wondering Where the Lions Are:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/4/giXPK4lCZrI

Angel (Julie joins):  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/2/irFDrZeqnnA

Let Freedom Ring:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/1/jUvcXfqURxQ

You’re Not the One for Me (Ran out of memory, again):  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/0/kkh7YsytTxU

[w/Linda, I believe right after she requested Fire Lake.]

 

[Bug-A-Boo Bay, Lake Le Homme Dieu, and Lisa’s work station.]

The Law and The Lonesome:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/a/u/1/30OZINpLpMo

[Skilly & Duff @ CCW:  Annie O’Flynn, Bruce Kelly, and Mikko Cowdery.  Oh, regarding the young couple on stage – well, he used the microphone to make a marriage proposal that was accepted.  The supervisor, of course, became “Little Miss Waterworks” over the whole event.  😉 ]

Cerrickfergus:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/a/u/0/AoiX1_twAl8

[Christine @ SAWA.]

Small Day Tomorrow:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/a/u/1/x3G5aVHmolY

I’m Through With Love:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/a/u/0/qPKDGTPsJFI

[With Jim “Prinderella” Lien – educator, bartender, and bon vivant.]  

[Bonus coverage of Patchouli in Rochester – courtesy Sue Elliot.]

You’re Welcome!