Hate to say it, but St. Croix County — and sorry as we’re talking mostly about hoidy toidy Hudson here — has developed, or maintains, a corporate-like culture of control, that permeates various departments, and it really shown in the late night when I cover elections as a reporting stringer. In one fast but I am afraid not last gasp, two different departments at play.
The unfortunate uptake: We are a bunch of Barney Fife’s who think they are Andy Griffith. Just not quite, in general, as gentle or gentile.
So screw the first amendment. It is considered only a “courtesy.” More on that below.

— But first, Scotty doesn’t know, but now you do and so does your/their favorite uncle. Movie and music themes abound here.
Leading off at the GasLite in Ellsworth on Saturday is Scotty’s Run, one of those mega-motorcycle rallies that attract thousands to roam the highways and byways of western and even west-central Wisconsin, all on the same trip. And all those miles go to a good cause. Then when back, the music takes center stage …
This via rockers Uncle Chunk, who have been cranking it out since the previous Millennium, and these guys have the rough-edged look that goes with ramming out riffs since the years of grunge and before. And they mix in dance tunes also. Godfathers of classic rock? So yes Jimi, these men are experienced. So, so many pieces of eight when they come on at 8 p.m. —

Everyone was cordial at first when I was calling in recent election results to Associated Press, but then the ball dropped in my gig at the county government center. The latest in what has been an escalating trend.
The last voting results came in late, in a couple of big batches, so there was a lot to transcribe on much more than one page, then quickly call it in on my lifeline that is a call-center 800 number.
But so, its time to go. Now, a sheriff’s deputy and county clerk said.
Can you give me five more minutes? We’ve been here so long anyway — I was a Joe come lately, as the clerk and crew had been on duty since 7 a.m. — and I do know we’d all like to go home. But my bosses require certain things before I can go.
No on that request, the deputy said. I am immediately closing up shop.
My bosses require, as one of their stipulations, that a copy on the results be faxed to them before the whole place is under lock and key and we’ve all left. Again, the annual conflict.
I’ll do it, she said, if you pay the faxing cost. I’m assuming it would have to come out of my pocket, and I don’t have much of an expense account, if any. And I’d dropped my last buck for a two-buck soda when hitting the vending machine, early when nothing much was happening. And you can just get all the results off the internet site anyway, she said. (My bosses have always held the position that you must report in person, and then report results by phone. What if that one web site goes down?)
But out the door now, or apparently it was implied, I was going to be arrested for what, civil disobedience?
It is only a courtesy that we provide this room, open for your use, I was told.
It was implied that this courtesy could be withdrawn at will, at any time.
So I grabbed my writing stuff on the fly and was out the door, which was quickly locked behind me. They all left behind me and lights out. I had to make the call from my car — actually that of my driver and he had to walk me through the process of actually finding the county web site.
And then explaining to my bosses what had happened yet again.

— Another look at a dark scene.
Lets look at actress Anne Hecht. And give her some slack, (I can’t bring myself to use the word cut), because she was doing the best she could with a very difficult life, and then there came for her a one instance that may come to define her life — and death. None of us should be a slave to one bad decision. At first blush, the press was clamoring around her burn-unit bed and passing judgment on the admittedly awful circumstances brought by her erratic driving, as their are many victims if you look closely, but now that the remembrances from all around are filtering in and given a new course of marketable story material to grind out (word chosen if you are familiar with grindcore metal music). Sometimes I am not proud to be part of that profession.
In our sex-driven culture, my first exposure to Hecht’s work — maybe not her best but very tasteful — was an iconic and artsy love scene between her and Joan Chen (yes a woman) that was staple Cimemax material. It should be noted that Chen went on to a much more highbrow career and you don’t hear much about her role in that scene. I have to say Christopher Walken is the perfect choice to play an amoral-sliding-into-evil role.
I could pontificate so much on these themes, such as the need for our adults to be much more responsible for the treatment of our youth and form them much better, but that would only give these more credence as I’d be called a bleeding heart — is that so bad — I’m afraid. But a takeaway: Despite the fact that she was once named one of the 50 most beautiful women, you could see the wear on her face. So who among us is responsible, to a greater or lesser degree, for those deeply-carved lines on the sides of her face? Think about this key line from the Rolling Stones, quoting Satan’s role in the transformation of the world, and often repeated in song: “I shouted out who killed the Kennedys, when after all it was you and me.” —

I see the following in-office local observation as a separate but related facet, as it too reflects the lets-climb-the-ladder mentality — that starts when putting on your makeup in the morning. Yes, style choices. A majority of women tend to dress too-hot-for-the-office. Like they would if going clubbing. Granted, there is a bit of flashy flair involved, so kudos, but it does not stop there. A friend of mine showed up for such office work one day with that kind of attire, and she got written up. But that was across the river.
I see our beloved county as being a starter place for most government officials.
And then a place to get out of and head for the warmer climes of The Twin Cities.
And if you can’t make that graduation …
(I did like this style vehicle: One woman left her Covid mask dangle from her ear (singular) when talking to co-workers. Choice of which ear?)

On a lighter note. Enough seriousness. Let’s get silly. With Barfy the poodle.
I may have been premature with my statement that I was forced out, by the deputy of the day, of the One Medium Size Room reserved for us media types racing to scrawl out our notes on paper — all two of us. And that such action again almost kept me from fulfilling my appointed rounds (OK just one) for AP on this yet, another election.
It was actually that damn poodle.
And his insatiable appetite for paper, matched openly by a termite’s lust for the wood it came from.
Yes, as far as my term paper going into the night to write about those looking for re-election to their next term.
Yes the dog ate it.
And there were so many pages, with so many races. That the poodle got very sick because the printer’s ink used on behalf of AP, which had the ironic goal of being wholesomely organic, was actually quite toxic. So I was almost late to show up at my post, a chair and small table, cuz I had to rush the dog to the vet. No antibiotics, supply shortages. Like mortgages, takes much more time. So much more because all such poodles across our great land got together and tried to plot a class action suit. But they spent all the time yipping at each other, and used up all 57 minutes of their free consultation for naught.
So on the other end — no multi-page paper list of candidates to refer to, and write numbers of top of numbers, with seconds ticking before they closed up the government center in Hudson. But who showed up to save the day, where so many of their ancestors had gone before, to cross many miles and find their way home, or to where they are needed.
My poodle, having barfed up the last and final candidate page where the ending vote tallies could now be registered.
So let it be written … And will be in future posts.

Youth will be served, as well as a foursome who have aged like fine wine and not embodying a fifth, in the band lineup at this weekend’s Heartland Days in Hammond.
There’s Hailey James at 8:30 p.m. Friday as a prelude to the men of 8 Foot 4 at — what else? — 8 p.m. Saturday. They are smack in the center of both The Heartland and St. Croix County.
First a bit about Hailey: The Midwest Country Music Organization, through its artist of the year and song of the year award-winner for “Wide Awake,” has recognized Hailey as a four-faceted singer/songwriter/performer/recording artist. She went from playing shows in her hometown to reaching audiences all over the Twin Cities, western Wisconsin, and even into Nashville. Hailey took the stage as a weekly featured artist in summer 2018 at Country Nites Saloon in Hastings — at age 14! Since then, she has joined the Midwest Country Music Organization, Songtown, and the Minnesota Music Coalition. Musical inspiration comes from artists such as Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini and Lauren Alaina. This young musician has an ear for music and first learned to play guitar by watching YouTube videos. It is Hailey’s dream to share her original songs and be part of the singer/songwriter scene in Nashville. Hailey is writing songs for up-and-comers, chart-topping Nashville songwriters, and all between. Her songs can be heard on radio stations across the Midwest.
Hailey has an appealing appearance and style of onstage dress that is retro come back again. (Sorry about that redundancy, but we have to underscore her diverse styles). She looks a bit like a hippy chick, (or these days a hipster), but branches out to many more forms of music than were present beyond just the 60s and 70s. People no doubt have noticed, because despite her youth, she quickly has come to be playing return gigs at the best clubs locally and around the Midwest and beyond.
Then more by the numbers: You gotta love a band that on its alphabetical play list has two numeral entries before even getting to the letter A. So even though their name leads with two numbers in its three words, 8 Foot 4 are some of the local A Listers for a dance and party and funky band. So there is not only 24 Karat Magic and 3 a.m. on the list, but Play that Funky Music in the same breath as Enter Sandman in the form of a Metallica cover.
In case you’ve been in a cave away from music for the past years that run into decades, the band name draws on the fact that such a four-piece outfit has indeed, eight feet. What if 8 Foot 4 was to add a guitarist and become a five-some, not that its needed as their sound carries the day anyway. That addition would really mess with their creative name, and 10 Foot 5 would just not sound as cool. But in that vein, you just might hear some topical Beatles, as for example at least one reference, “He’s got feet down below his knees … one and one and one is three.” And with feet there are shoes, and for the ladies that love them, this band does has had its share of heart-throbs, so if you missed out on a recent dollars-off offer that was snail-mailed to the “current resident and/or shoe enthusiast,” here’s one of those second chances, musically, that you don’t always get in life. Ask Al Bundy about that one.
And he just might like this offering, as well, and we’re not pulling your leg.
Rather machines pulling a load. And they start with the garden variety, as in garden tractor, at 7 p.m. on Friday, right before the Hailey show. Then at 5 p.m. on Saturday there is the full-fledged truck and tractor pull. After all, there is room for the Justin Bieber-aged crowd, not just those like Ozzy. Four on the floor?
Over in New Richmond, the hockey arena is hosting a mega fish sale through Sunday, and ice fishing thus will be part of the picture. As methinks could be tips on catching those killer and therefore mega catfish below the St. Croix, or lunkers in waters forward the east. Directions are shown via a big arrow on signs around the downtown, looking oddly like a big-headed fish.
Also on a topic that can pull off evoking a particular theme, moreso than just having another band put at the back of a bar, is Saturday’s annual China Beach event to both aid veterans and educate and entertain as they engage you, all of these facets done via — thematically and providentially named — the Gaslite venue that sprawls over acres outside of Ellsworth. There’s music and such in the offing, like at most events, but this one ventures outdoors as well, and boasts some seriously high-powered gear and that’s not just the sound speakers. Now we don’t really think you’ll be able to make a siting of soldier Sigourney Weaver like in the movie, but still a cool all-day event.

Upon further review(s), this recommended show now can be a combo of acid jazz, funk and tribal music and more, with a bit of Beatles thrown in. With that said, showing diversity, there’s just got to be a cover of Soulfly meets SevenDust, as spirituality prominently weighs in with he and his, penning some of these songs himself … Dennis Nolan is on top of all of these themes.

To wit: If you need to check this out for yourself, there is a local gig in our plans — as a lead-in to branch out to further ventures — since a collaboration is in the works. And he’s looking for a new band to play with, so if you can shred the guitar … Or just drop in with him, to jam in his studio at 368 E. Second Street, Apt. 2, in New Richmond. And yes, it is just an apartment but he has found room for a full studio. Nolan can also be found at: (715) 338-2116.
And where you can reach him through his manager, Rick Ruben. OK its actually me: Singer and writer Joe Winter, joewint52@gmail.com. (715) 821-9630.

While writing this — and also pondering his great and perfect song-voice on People Are Strange — I listen to the marching band play across the way with their big bass drums, reminded of the deaths recently of the drummer from the band Yes, and longer ago those from The Who and Led Zeppelin, and in-between Ginger Baker.
But drumming lives on from one of their contemporaries, even using a double bass set-up. And he’ll do full-length performances and not spontaneously combust, even after banging the skins for a uninterrupted half-hour.
Nolan, now of New Richmond, has resided and played in the likes of Maui and Hawaii with the likes of Jimmy Buffett, (OK I’m not sure about that last part but I am sure Dennis would find a laugh at the gag). His actual gigs have included many years of multi-state, full-on tours, and found him going all across the country and beyond. Like that massive Euro-tour with a name band, hitting the majority of the countries on that continent, with stops that found them riding routes and regaling those on multi-level bus, and going forward with such.
These open doors, which is what music does anyway, Dennis says. As a versatile jazz and rock and more drummer, his fave of all is the Doors, although he’s been very acquainted with various Beatles tribute bands, and that group covers almost all the genres you’d want to hear. So go for it Dennis! As you have since the heyday of rock ‘n’ roll. This was shown way back, when Dennis toured with The Coasters in their prime, and The Drifters and The Platters, two of them in back to back years. You can also check him out acoustic at The Smilin’ Moose in Hudson.
And these days with the virus no longer quite going viral and the itch to play again taking its inevitable root, he notes, he’s looking for ongoing, paid gigs, as he is a professional, either local or travel needed, doesn’t matter.
He has auditioned for Ozzy — and even got a handwritten note back as he has much the same look down to the glasses! — drummed for so many big names it bogs down the mind, and loves all from Alice In Chains to Supertramp with their power chords and of course likeminded drumming. Dennis has done a fulltime equivalent of 26 years of touring while playing for 60, starting when a “wee” lad — and yes he’s Irish.
Join him soon for a local Feast of Friends show, starting with 15 minutes of vocals, as yes, he sings too, and an
instrumental interlude that leads into 30 straight minutes of drum solo taking the form of jazz, and big harmony and finally really rocking out and coming to an eventual conclusion. Part is a 15 minute rendition of the Beatles’ Rubber Soul album.
And what about that touring Japan fascination?!?

Don’t retire your tractor just because it is at retirement age. (And this is just the opening event to an August-full of occurrences gassing up Ellsworth).
If it is a 1957 model or older, you can run it at the antique part of the tractor pull at The GasLite bar and grill in Ellsworth.
There is also, as a part of the show, a farm stock pull at Saturday’s event, making for a total of 15 categories that carry on. Music later is the third portion this variety show. Hard to say which pumps the most volume.
This is not NASCAR, but there are some specific and interesting rules, well over a dozen of them, many in common to both classes that pull. So drivers need to pay attention to details.
There is a 4-5 mph speed limit enforced, so don’t get ahead of yourself too fast while pulling.
A 200-pound grace period exists, and you are not allowed to “lose weight,” to boot.
No reckless driving is allowed, including “digging holes.”
The tractor will be stopped if the wheel rises much over a foot, or in the other class 18 inches, above ground.
So get that great big ol’ tractor out of its great big ol’ machine shed, if you think its up to snuff.
And then stay for the band Hitchville starting at 7 p.m. Their look fits the theme of the day and night, even if their main guy does not look out-and-out groomed for country. Still rugged enough to rock.

This broccoli salad, twice over, could be just the trick for using up almost any leftovers you might have in your refrigerator/freezer, and the adventuresome could even fry up very lightly in a pan this veggie, and maybe add some cauliflower for the green and light-white to get more traditional, that remains behind with various types of breading and zesty Asian sauce — topped with melted cheese of many sorts? — to be a mocktail of bar comfort food. (Use lots of the many types of veggie oil in the pan, and be careful not to over-sear the crowns, is that redundant?) Thus it becomes your own recipe, although not as proprietary as BWW, so you can share it with your friends. The best and cheapest comfort food is a subject that’s on my to-do list to delve into, and it may end up being a bucket list, as there are so many things ahead of it on my Must Publish Soon rankings.
Who among you knew that broccoli could be so bountiful? (We knew it is healthy). Great for vegetarians, and if they skimp on the sauces, their time will not come as soon as when my bucket list is flagged, by myself, as urgent.

— Now you can add to their staging problem. By showing up at the middle of the first set. Oh do you see what I mean? You will understand this and more, young grasshopper, by checking out events on Picks Of The Week. As a preview, but not a full-fledged spoiler alert, see related information several posts beforehand on this home page. —

So here goes. Another list, this time on broccoli at its best. I told the woman behind the deli counter that I’d try to get around to posting this. She was “B” curious.
I advise starting with two different but closely related deli items at Dick’s Market. Broccoli and bacon salad, and cheesy broccoli pasta. Mix the two, half and half, and you have the start of a party. And add in on your own, any of those makings that you happen to have around your kitchen.
And buy more broccoli, or add what’s in the crisper. And add more in as you go about eating it, filling the gap on the side of the bowl caused by what wound up in your stomach, and bringing back freshness. You can get a broccoli crown for under two bucks a pound when on special at places like Dick’s.
Add in any of the following: Sweet peas or whole pea pods sliced smaller, chopped bell peppers, onions, celery, any white meat or ham, and lesser amounts of (various?) minced hot peppers starting with the standard green, brussels sprouts, spinach, raisins … Some of that pepper juice could be sprinkled on top, and/or be part of a marinade for grilled chicken breast, any form of horseradish and even used as a drizzle that sizzles, sour cream and also mayo if you must. And just a bit of cole slaw dressing and the cabbage greens and purples that make it up. A touch of ranch, but leave it at that amount. It can be served cold (a bit of lettuce as a bed?) although you may want to boil the broccoli until just a bit tender. That goes for small amounts of rice also as an underlay.
One other tip of homespun wisdom: Do you find that its very hard to cut celery into pieces, without the strings of it dragging along behind and not severed? Try using not a knife a good scissors to avoid such residue, just cut slowly so not to wear out the blades. And if the crown is used up, I make use of the upper part of the broccoli stem, just don’t go too far down, but you can cut it short wherever you want, to your taste. The texture is a bit rubbery but hard, so when slicing you might invoke again, your scissors, taking a bit of broccoli in small pieces kitty-corner off the side.

Almost to the day when Danyiel was bartending and I ordered a first drink from her, when I could squeeze in time during her quite busy early-evening shift, she considered me a best friend. We really didn’t spend that much time together — again busy period in both of our lives — but when we did we were inseparable, one might say linked at the hip, although hers were much smaller than mine, and her blonde hair a bit bigger. Those were the days my friend …
Notice the past tense. Danyiel died exactly one year ago. She did not believe in an afterlife, but she has been proven wrong, as I know she is in a good place.
For family reasons she needed to move away from the Hudson area several years ago. Complex situation. Both Danyiel and I discussed the last time we had met up after her 10 p.m. shift ended, that this “separation anxiety,” to use the medical term, would be gut-wrenching. She died on her birthday — it was her 46th and last — a day we normally got together and exchanged greetings and maybe a sentimental but not too mushy card. But importantly, even after an autopsy, the coroner could not explain her cause of death in any medical terms. All I know is that she left this earth way too soon.
She had an uncommon beauty and although a very pleasant demeanor, possessed a slightly rough-edged charm, and was loyal to a fault, to me and others. You didn’t mess with Joe when Danyiel was around. One of the last times I saw her she was in a long flowing gown, on a dress-up holiday.
I had not seen Danyiel for the unusually long time of two weeks when she suddenly went into labor, and the birth was touch and go. The umbilical cord was wrapped around the child’s neck. I was alone at home, then suddenly overcome by a sense of urgent need. During the delivery, I was frozen in place for hours while lying in my bed, with moving muscles hardly possible. But I did not have fear, as I knew my trooper friend would pull through. And at that point, when all was saved and mom mother and child were OK, my spell lifted and I got back on my feet.
A time afterward, a co-worker and I discussed the timing of her situation, and my understanding of the time of birth proved more accurate.
Earlier, a dental procedure had been scheduled. It would be very painful, and considering the fact she was with child, could not have standard anesthesia. I told her the night before that since I was on deadline, and would have to sleep in, and the extraction was set for a ungodly early hour, this would be a great time to prove out my dream and premonition theory. Her response: “You do not need to sell me on this. We both know it occurs.”
Danyiel would on multiple occasions arrive back at home and before the day of cell phones, when land lines where the thing, make the pronouncement: I hurried to get back here, since I know and feel that Joe is going to call very soon. Then two minutes later, I would phone her and she would take my call.
One of those times was on MY birthday, surprise, and the result was Danyiel taking me out for dinner. It was a nice place with great food, but since it was Stillwater Tex-Mex, quite affordable.
Maybe not so much, the vehicle with which she pulled into the driveway, a small and cute and bright red sports car. With plenty of white trim inside, I recall. Danyiel being Danyiel, she had on a bit of a peekaboo top at its bottom end (this was the 1990s). Later, when she stretched to pick up the check, you couldn’t help but notice a bit of bellybutton glancing through. When I saw her and her ride pull up, I chuckled to myself, what would the neighbors think?
Like that matters to me now that she’s gone.
(P.S). The night before I posted this already-set copy, I had a dream about things that include the mortality of another person, which is fitting considering the anniversary that is today. Do readers see a pattern? So here we go again …
A relative, who is a bit older, and I had not seen in years shown forth at length in a dream, in part questioning a series of life choices that could be seen as questionable but in the along haul turned out OK, and where I was along that path. Let’s get together was the message, as all the scenarios involved much earlier times spent with me that even at the golf course, were great fun — like with Danyiel — but also could have transferred into more bittersweet, if fate would have taken the wrong turn. I awoke wondering if sis had reached out about it, concerning someone who upon further review, is like me and deals with things by being introspective and ruminating.
She had late the previous night, and the person was in a serious medical situation. It could cause a demise, although more medically explainable. There you go again and here I go.
Again, on such topics and many other facets of the journey, more in coming posts.

We will be groovin’ with golden oldies come the St. Croix County Fair “standards” time, in a classic way, with shows that at times run concurrently, give or take an hour or so of the starting time the evening presents, at different stages very near to each other, and thus could be considered the epitome of having a prime “opening act.”
So you have the good thing of in-concert choices, like between turning your ears, in turns, for and aft to listen to tunes of The Beatles and Elvis, at a pair of pavilions and hopefully alternating encores. Boots were maybe made for just a wee bit of walking, but will be sonically rewarded if only you Gimme A Few Steps at the fair’s intimate music setting in Glenwood City.
The Weekenders, on both weekend nights, will excel at doing “nothing anybody can’t do but you’re dumb enough to do it in front of everyone.” That’s more wit like that of the below Poppa Bear Norton, but this coming from a bunch of older rock and country tuners. (Have come a long way since those behavior styles). A first gig was eight songs and they now have four hour’s worth and more than 50 songs on their set list. And growing. There shirts proclaim everything from Cheap Trick (most likely) to Volbeat. And they have a mouth organ player that’s said to rock the whole show! That comes from a post by tommy gunn. Dare I invoke Metallica? And what is a “weekender?” Said to be someone who lives to party for four hours on a Friday night come what may … and then do it again on Saturday?
And what is a Whitesidewall, as in the band? More than just a bit of doo-wop and rockabilly, from the golden age of rock and roll, and times when there could be a roller girl cruising by with “platters” and spinning (mostly FM?) radio. They in their bio reference taking it one step or digit farther, with Love Potion No. 10.
Celebrating their 50th year in 2022, The Memories have entertained across the country. With telltale harmonies and subtle but still classic songs, this Wisconsin-based duo is made up of Warren Petryk and Tim Stevens, spinning tunes at fairs such as this one — going back for much of its history — and festivals, community concerts and the often prized corporate events well before U.S. culture truly went corporate. The Memories continue, therefore, to deliver “music, laughter and wonderful times,” from a musician or two who have the great coifed hair of not aging rock stars but The World’s Most Interesting Man, as their bio info and photo will attest.
And thus to repeat the wear and when, also listed quite a ways below, you can see this is a longer form of the story than a newspaper, and spins golden oldies not Yellow Journalism, as in the sidewalls that are also bright white and not off-color: (Most acts start at 7 p.m. or a bit after. Admission to the fair is always free).
So this is a white wall and weekender of a weekend at the fair.
With music highlights that are: Whitesidewalls (Friday evening), The Memories (Saturday evening), Poppa Bear Norton (new) and local group The Weekenders (two weekend nights).
Th Memories have been dishing out distinctive ditties for decades as a duo. So catch them crooning before they are just … a memory. Timeless music. Then to wrap up the weekend … Its The Weekenders. Twice.
And the Whitesidewalls, they have been around cranking oldies rock about as long as both it and those type of tires have been around. Poppa Bear Norton pontificates in the separate (earlier) post below:

Massive kudos for the St. Croix County Fair as among the first to bring royalty into our presence, if such a term befits Waylon, Willie and Haggard and the boys, and they are not even the weeklong event’s headliners! So you can catch them early on, on Thursday evening. Poppa Bear Norton proclaim themselves to be “America’s #1 Daredevil Country Duo!”, and note that they are in fact “America’s Only Daredevil Country Duo.” They have also been described as Train Wreck Country, (we all know such songs and this reminds one of the Garth Brooks classic), The Funniest Frickin’ Country Band Around, one bar manager and we guess booze slinger — and maybe more — even described them as the “Penn & Teller of Country Music.”
“The Singer” and “The Slinger,” again that term, are a two-man duo — hey I guess that considering the territory, redundancy will get a pass — that plays original country and western style music that harkens back to the good ol’ days of Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, Roger Miller and Hank Sr., as well as the outlaw era. A time when a song was written like a well-crafted story (of Hatfields and McCoys?) and told with passion and muster, theatrics and musical skill on the instruments and vocals. Sure this high octane two-man band hit the stage and play their music as if they don’t realize they are not a full band — a shot of liquid courage, should that even be needed, will do that for you — and yes, sometimes it feels as though it could come off the rails at any moment, but that is what makes them “Country Daredevils.” They’re not just a band, Poppa Bear Norton is an all-out musical act and their musical style, funny stage banter and finely crafted songs will have you laughing one minute and tearing up the next, their bio poignantly puts it. The singer is like Charlie Daniels with an even puffier face (cool). Poppa Bear Norton hails from The Land Of Sky Blue Waters aka Minnesota and the land of Babe the Blue Ox, so OK, not parts unknown. All the way now to the hallowed halls of country, as it plays to the fair crowd, smack dab in Glenwood City.
Now straight to their bio: “The youngsters love them because they look wild, play fast and perform a style of country music they may have never heard before, in a way which they may have never seen. Older folks love them because their energy, music, and stage banter reminds them of something familiar, yet at the same time completely new and different and that’s exactly what American Daredevil Country is.” Well said.
And there’s more!
This is a white wall and weekender of a weekend at the fair.
Music highlights are: Whitesidewalls (Friday evening), The Memories (Saturday evening), Poppa Bear Norton (new and described above) and local group The Weekenders (two weekend nights).
Th Memories have been dishing out distinctive ditties for decades as a duo. So catch them crooning before they are just … a memory. Timeless music.
Then to wrap up the weekend … Its The Weekenders. Twice.
And the Whitesidewalls, they have been around cranking oldies rock about as long as both it and those type of tires have been around.
More on this, the rest of the fair music, in a followup post soon.

Don’t feel blue and head down the river — Huck Finn if lower than the Upper Midwest? — if you did not catch Blue Dream at the Willow River Inn earlier in July, as they are again in the Hudson area on July 22. Catch them at Ziggy’s. And down a few blocks by the waterside, other river-based events wait throughout the week.
And there is a lot more going around that time. Nextdoor, a full five-person comedy lineup is at Hop & Barrel.
Down in Milwaukee, the Brewers are known for themed baseball nights, and this one is at once a bit controversial and welcoming. It is Christian night at the ballpark. On a possibly different end of things is the Korn Ferry golf tour. Cross that black underworld river anyone?
Must mention also the Trump International Scotland tourney. Politically speaking, that just has to be on the Saudi-sponsored LIV tour. Does that stand for Likely Instigating Violence?
Back to locally, karaoke is or was Thursday through Saturday every weekend in downtown NR. The Wild Badger has axed its offering that used to start it rolling, but it remains on the weekend across the street. And now Thursday is the only non-event day or night of the week at Gathering Games. So there is a void right after hump day. (Can the Games Gap be filled with that cool hipster clerk who grabs a smoke on the sidewalk between the gigs?)
Just to the north, the Wild Badger on Friday has a band, returning, with one of the best names I’ve encountered for a long time, Two Right Brains. No word if the copyright bug has been bitten when it comes to Iron Maiden drummer Nico McBrain, and if he has gone the route of metal acts like Black Sabbath, who have blocked some of their songs from being played, at least in full form, by online first-reaction reviewers. And I have to make this joke: What is the consequence if someone is not in their right mind? What’s left? Is this a non-sequiter?
The next day, the Octagon House in Hudson has, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to name times that span both the morning and afternoon, an event that mixes get this — a pie social and Civil War Day.
Also on history, and this one is the most current as far as when it will be reinacted, the River Fest in Lake Front Park from July 19 — gee that’s today — to the 23rd has the usual things but also a Native American Celebration, river cleanup recognition and The Longer Table picnic.
For more on any of these events, see their websites, which are not bowing to the space constraints of my profit driven website. After all, I am as Vin says of Sori, a filthy capitalist among reactors.

Enuf said, as the Fun Fest in New Richmond was down on that rager, like a Wild Badger. Or Mallard’s, so to speak.
They again, as I understand in most years even before the introduction of the band at that venue, poured through the hundreds and hundreds of patrons. Or one only pales about the number at River Falls Days on their same Saturday, as I do compare, with their new grant.

— But there is a big fest across the St. Croix this weekend also, and it has more to do with Lumberjacks, rather than what’s to be found on Paperjack Street in New Richmond. See the Uncategorized Department. —

So here’s how it goes: The biggest Fun Fest of the bunch was the (new) band at Mallard’s, as if the Fun Fest needed more traction. Everyone was congregated around the stage, and I engaged the person selling beer tickets, who said it was a bit hit and miss, as everyone would like steady, and appeared bored (as servers sometimes do, as she looked for someone from my past) for the moment.
There was the guy selling festive glowing sticks who was wearing such that included devil horns, (and there is that Ronnie James Dio thing that is a misunderstood urban myth thingee, actually part of his Italian matriarch roots). And over at Bobcats, there was no karaoke as a part of the usual all-weekend deejay mix, only requests for this particular evening(s). A thousand points of light? They could be seen glittering on the sidewalks, speck by speck.
But Sunday’s parade, that was moved up a half-hour to noon this year, missed the rain on the parade, I assume if it it was like most of the experience around the area, by just a tad. Psst. A cabbie verified it on Monday, after a weekend that was filled, in part, with going around parade detours. And back to River Falls, they were back to a standard parade format, not the walk by, that being done by the viewers of last year — social distancing benefits have gotten mixed reviews.