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Items included in this column are things that I have heard, seen or have been reported to me. I cannot vouch for their veracity.

Do your eyes look like you’ve been on a six-day bender? Does your nose run faster than a thoroughbred? Does the roof of your mouth feel like you have chronic, terminal Poison Ivy? Do you have an overwhelming desire to run a giant Q-tip in your left ear and out the right? Are you even more tired than usual?

Welcome to fall in the Midwest! As I understand it, ragweed doesn’t compete with other plants very well. It grows in empty lots, along the shoulders and in the ditches and in places where nothing else grows.

This year, when we had an extended drought, many self respecting plants did the same thing we did during the heat of July...They wilted! Meanwhile, the resilient little ragweeds sent their roots deep into the hard-packed, sun-baked soil in search of any hint of moisture.

Those roots apparently did their job. The little ragweeds have grown into healthy, green, shrub-sized growths that adorn our roadsides and ditches. There seem to be even more of them than usual. Please keep your eyes open, if they’re not too swollen, red and running, for these roadside monuments that look more like shade trees than humble weeds.

The midsummer drought resulted in lower lake levels and many fewer small, stagnant bodies of water and a commensurate reduction in the opportunities for insects (especially mosquitoes) with parental intentions.

So, it seems, that nature giveth (the stately ragweed) and taketh away (the mosquitoes). I suppose that, since I failed to complain about the lack of mosquitoes, I have no right to complain about the oversupply of ragweed-generated pollen. As is my custom, I will whine, anyway!

After being in business since 1893, the Latrobe (Pa) Brewing Company has been purchased by Anheuser-Busch (AB). Latrobe is famous for two things....Arnold Palmer and Rolling Rock.

Arnie is still doing pretty well. But, the image, if not the taste, of Rolling Rock will certainly change. There was something enticing about the notion of cold, clear, mountain spring water from the Alleghenies being used as the foundation for the beer in the green bottle. I’m not sure that the makers of Budweiser will be able to sell an equally appealing image for Rolling Rock, now that it will be brewed in the Newark, New Jersey AB plant.

Somehow, the idea of an adult beverage made with water from the cold, crisp, crystal-clear water of the Passaic River doesn’t allure me.

The first Chisago Lakes Triathlon was very impressive. It seemed like the people who organized and directed it really new what they were doing. The people at The Chamber did a great job. The volunteers did a terrific job and the participants seemed to really appreciate the way things went. The fan support along the course was appreciated by the participants and the big turnout for the kids event (over 300) and the adult triathlon (nearly 1000) was great to see. It was inspiring to see that many people get out to compete - mostly against themselves.

In early August, on one of our trips north to mow, we stopped in Bemidji to look at another summer celebration - their Dragon Boat Festival. The dragon boats are wide, long (34 feet) canoe-like vessels powered by 21 paddlers. They had 36 teams competing and thousands of fans sitting on the hillside at the lakefront. The teams competed in three-boat heats, with the winners advancing to the next level of bracket.

I ran into a friend who’s a Bemidji city councilman and was one of the competitors. So, I asked him what level of training he’d completed to prepare himself to help his team (the Draggin’ Tail Enders). “I just got back to town. I’ve never been in one of those things in my life,” was his reply. “But, there’s gonna be 20 other people paddlin’ that thing. How much can I hurt ‘em?”

My favorite team name was “Well Adjusted” which was sponsored by Chiropractic Sport and Spinal Rehab.

The Twins beat Cleveland 7-2 August 16. Over the previous 60 games, the win gave them a 45-15 record. That’s the best 60 game stretch in team history.

“Starbury One” sneakers were scheduled to go on sale Thursday, August 17. The basketball shoes cost $14.98 and are endosed by New York Knick guard Stephon Marbury. The former Timberwolf won’t be paid for endorsing the sneaker, but will be compensated according to sales.

Rumor has it that the new North Branch High School mascot, Thor the Viking, will be seen at athletic events this fall.

You are invited to send interesting, unusual and/or humorous items that could possibly be used in this space. If you choose to do so, please send it to [email protected].

If you prefer, you may send it to

Chisago County Press

Attn: Dave

12631 Lake Blvd.

Lindstrom, Mn 55045

or, you may bring it in to the office.

Sports stuff would be great, but, please do not limit yourselves. Politics, religion, culture (pop or otherwise) are welcomed. Please do not feel offended if your contribution is not included.

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