Author: Phill Goldman

Lake Outing 2018

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The Lake Campout is August 17-19, 2 nights. The address is 331 Paulsen Lake lane, Osceola, WI 54020. If you go through Stillwater you will be treated to the new bridge which is quite impressive. There are no known construction issues or detours that we know of at this time. For directions click this link (you must be logged in.)

PORTA POTTY

Since attendance has decreased from the 40 or so in years past, we will forgo the expense of a porta potty. However, we will still have cheap abrasive toilet paper in the guest bathroom.

SLEEPING INSIDE

We have ample room inside for those wimps (including Karen and Mark) wishing to setup cots etc. in the basement. Although some beds are already spoken for, there are a few still open. These are singles. Couches and cots available also. Let us know if you need to reserve a spot. There is a bathroom downstairs.

ARRIVAL TIME

You may arrive at anytime after 1:00 on Friday. Most of you know the dogs. McKenzie still requires a written statement of your intentions, but she has agreed to pass on the certified copy of birth certificates, hall passes, and police records this year. Maggie pretty much just wants nonstop petting. They absolutely hate running as it kicks in some sort of chase instinct. Maggie is the black dog. McKenzie is the black/white dog. Although they’ve been good for the most part, we’ll likely keep them on leashes just in case one of them develops an attitude with a larger group. If it’s not too hot, all are invited to accompany us on a morning walk although McKenzie has slowed down considerably. Maggie is still 11 going on 5. We have new nicknames for them. Maggie is now known as stinkwad. McKenzie is now “her royal smelliness”. I will wash them before the weekend; but, they have been experts at taking approximately 1 minute to “reload”.

BREAKFAST

Mark will provide omelets along with your choice of witty, politically incorrect, inappropriate, or generally disgusting remarks at no charge on Sunday Morning. There should be a pancake station also. Breakfast is chef’s choice on Saturday morning which is code for whatever Mark feels like doing.

SIGNUP SHEET

You can sign up to bring items for Saturday/Sunday breakfast or general supplies. Phill is going to get a version online. We appreciate the donations, but don’t feel obligated. The important piece is to know what essential items are missing so we can fill in the blanks. (for example, we don’t really want to run out of essentials such as tp or beer, or chips, or beer, or cookies, or beer) If you sign up for something and can’t attend, please let us know prior to the campout or arrange for another person to bring the item. If you don’t know what to bring, call Karen at 715-248-3818 (or 612-867-0143 Mark’s cell - better choice). Email . Keep the 715-248-3818 number handy for emergencies as cell phone service can be spotty.

GARBAGE

Although we now have garbage pickup at the lake, we appreciate any help in taking trash and/or recyclables when you leave. It can become a rather large pile. Everything is double bagged. Thanks. Everyone has been super about this in the past.

GRILL, ICE, ETC.

Please have the necessary ice, coolers, food, beverages etc. It’s helpful if you bring your own utensils, needed cookware, bug spray, etc. We will supply several coolers filled with beer and water for use by all. We don’t do pop. Bring what you need in that department. There is a refrigerator/freezer in the garage for the use of all. There will be a table available for general goodies for the group. Veggies are certainly welcome, but we’d rather feel guilty about what we eat on this weekend. Still, anyone bringing kale chips will be subject to severe penalties. Every year we are honored with something left behind and unclaimed. Sometimes it’s something we really like. I have several good knives due to someone’s courtesy or forgetfulness. Again, feel motivated to up the ante! We have been suggesting someone leave a Rolex now for several years. Last time we suggested Swarovski crystals or $100 bills (new design only)? Since you are all smart and no one has fallen for that option, let’s go for broke this year and suggest a genuine Picasso. Original Rembrandt’s also accepted. And, of course, always feel free to forget dove chocolates.

SHORELINE

The waterline remains high but has been up and down depending on the weather. The wildflower restoration is really blooming at the moment but may be drab by mid August. We may have added a new spinner or two since you were last here.

FUN

We will have several large tubes and other water toys available. The float is out. Bring a suit if you are so inclined. There are two paddle boats, (one with a sun cover), and a beat up canoe. The water has been quite comfortable and clean although by mid August dog days may be setting in. The most important aspect is to relax and have an enjoyable weekend.

Friday Night Fish Fry

We are planning on going to Friendly’s Bar and Grill in Star Prairie at 7:00 on Friday. Many of you have been there before. If not, it’s a small local bar with cheap tap beer including Wisconsin’s claim to fame, spotted cow. It’s located on the main drag. They have a fish fry (even frog legs although they’ve been having trouble finding a source) which is usually good along with fine burgers, general bar food, and probably even a vegetarian offering. We will likely make reservations for 15-20. However, it’s really nice to have a more accurate count. It is Mark’s treat, so take this opportunity to watch the moths fly out of his wallet.

As this will be the last lake overnighter due to Karen’s health issues, we hope to see you in August.

Mark and Karen

Looking for the printed directions? Click this LINK for the location details (you must be logged in).

Drinko De Mayo is This Weekend!!!

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Klingon: Some bloodwine to wash it down?
Alexander: Why are you laughing?
Klingon: Or perhaps the son of our illustrious First Officer would prefer an Earth beverage. 
A glass of root beer with a lump of ice cream? Mmm...
Alexander: Are you mocking me?

Seriously, this weekend we try four more great locations for the Drink de Mayo tour.  Join us for one or all of the stop.

 

Location Details
Surly Brewing
MINNEAPOLIS BREWERY, BEER HALL & RESTAURANTS
520 Malcolm Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN, 55414    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM		 The Beer Hall at Surly Brewing serves a full menu and features as many as 24 Surly beers on tap at any given time. Pizza will be added to the Beer Hall in early spring.
Lake Monster Brewing
550 Vandalia St #160
St Paul, MN 55114
(612) 964-6288       1:15 PM - 2:15 PM		 11 Beers always on tap, something for everyone.
 Urban Growler Brewing Company
2325 Endicott St, St Paul, MN 55114
651.340.5793       2:30 PM - 3:30 PM		  Welcome All! Urban Growler® is the first women-owned microbrewery in Minnesota. Join us in our inviting Taproom, Kitchen and Beer Garden (weather permitting) six days a week starting at 11 am – Yep, you can come in for lunch.
BANG Brewing
2320 Capp Road
Saint Paul, MN 55114
651-243-2264    3:31 PM - 4:30 PM

Ample on-street and bike parking available on Capp Road.

The Bin is 100% powered by wind through Xcel Windsource. The Bin is zero waste. If you pack it in, please pack it out.

All Organic Ales

 

Weather Report – No Snow in May

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We're just wrapping up the last days of April, so it might be good to take a look back.  We know what happened for the last meeting, and I hope nobody even ATTEMPTED to drive up and down the hills in Stillwater.  For the record, that was the heaviest snowfall on a club event day in at least 20 years. The only one close to that was one of the All-Ship's Holiday Parties, back in the mid 90's that topped out at 15".    For the record, we were one week short of six months of snow season. The first shoveled snow of the season was back during the week of ZooBoo.

May's forecast is conveniently warm and very likely one of the nicest days we could have.  64 degrees Fahrenheit and mostly sunny was a dream just two weeks ago, enjoy it while we can.

2018 June 2nd Meeting and Anniversary Picnic – A WEEK EARLY this year

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This year’s anniversary picnic will be held West Bush Lake Park in Bloomington. You may remember this as the site of the 2016 All-Ships Picnic, a nice grove tucked in the trees.   The picnic area has close and easy access to Horseshoe Courts, Sand Volleyball, Fishing docs on the lake, and playground for the younglings.   Even more importantly, the site has drinking fountains and a permanent restroom right there.  The street address is 9401 W. Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington MN.

We have plenty of room, so invite anyone from the fan community or families that you meet.  The anniversary picnic will again be a potluck, so please bring something to grill and something to share. It will also be a BYOB event. We’ll be providing plates, napkins, cups, and utensils (of the paper and plastic variety).

Also, feel free to bring along your toys as long as you don’t mind them getting lost in the weeds or the lake.

 

Chuck Wagon Dinner and Auction Fundraiser, 2018

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Chuck Wagon Dinner
and
Auction
Sponsored by
U.S.S. NOKOMIS STAR TREK CLUB

SUNDAY
MARCH 25th, 2018
at the
Dan Patch American Legion – Savage
12375 Princeton Ave
Savage, MN 55378
(Note the new location)

Cost is $12.00 per person

Social Time and Auction Viewing 2:00PM to 2:30PM
Chuck Wagon Chili Dinner Served, plus Fun and Games 2:30PM to 3:15 PM
Silent Auction Closes 4:15 PM
Door Prizes 3:00PM to 4:15PM

We are keeping our Chili menu this year as it was such a success last year!!  Come try mild to spicy and white Chili’s certain one will be your “hearts” desire!!  Along with our auction items the “claw” machine will be back filled with toys and gift cards to some of our favorite restaurants and stores.  Grab your cowboy hats, boots, and your horse (if you have one), spouse, family, friends, quarters for the claw machine and come enjoy lots of fun with us!

Please reserve your spots by MARCH 10th so we can make sure there is plenty of Chili and fixings for everyone!

ZooBoo’s Done! What’s next at the Como Zoo

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Now that we've finished the thirtieth and final ZooBoo, you may be wondering "what's next?"

Sparky is getting a new $18.5 million home! When complete, it'll have a more natural Northwest Pacific coast landscape, a bigger pool with a transparent wall facing the audience and more shade for the public and animals. There will also be a separate, lower level underwater viewing area.

The footprint for the new project will take space where the amphitheater is, and what is currently Seal Island. Seal Island was originally built as Monkey Island, it was a WPA period project and in the late '70s was converted to house these animals. And it really doesn't have the infrastructure needed to house the seals.  Federal regulations for keeping the animals are also changing, requiring more room and salt water pools.

Sneak preview below, get a look at the vision for summer of 2019!

Hats and Mittens – Please help this season

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Nokomis friends,

Some of you may recall the Nokomis helped a charity called Hats and Mittens last year. This is a charity started by Rebecca Jorgenson Sundquist who is on my board at the National Lutheran Choir. Several other NLC members help out with this event and Karen and I attend each year. Hats and Mittens was started by Rebecca when she noticed kids at the bus stop without hats or mittens. People attending the gala bring a set of hats and mittens as a part of the admission. It doesn't stop there. Hats and Mittens also sponsors a youth-oriented organization each year. One year it was cookie cart which employs young people to give them purpose, structure, a place to go, and keep them off the street. A different group receives the donations of the gala each year. There are many worthy applications and the decision about what group to honor is a tough one. This is a worthwhile charity.

This is where you come in. Last year the Nokomis donated 40 sets of hats and mittens, up from 31 the year before. We did GREAT! The demand exceeds the supply and requests come from unexpected places such as Edina. Teen sizes are also needed. You can often find hats and mittens (or gloves as mittens are hard to find) on sale somewhere or on clearance. It doesn’t need to be fancy. Karen and I have a good start with 10 sets. Let’s see if we can break last year’s record. You can bring your contribution to the November meeting or the December Christmas party.

Thanks you for your kind contributions last year and for considering helping again this year.

Mark and Karen Uecker  

http://www.hatsandmittens.org

Mall Scavenger Hunt

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A Mall scavenger hunt is a lot of fun. Each team of 2 or 3 people run around a shopping mall, locating and photographing the answers to clues.  The team with the most completed clues wins.

We've done this event a few times in the past, and we have one scheduled for November 11, 2017.  Sounds good, right?

There's a signup sheet available for you.

We'll let you know the rest of the plans at the October meeting.

Star Trek Discovery Premiere Viewing – September 24th

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Star Trek Discover's first two hours will air on CBS, Sunday the 24th, and we'll be gathering as a group to view the event.

The ideal location has food, drink, and a big TV for us to see the show all the better, and we've found the place.  We'll meet at 6:30PM at the Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery.  You might remember that location as the first stop on our 2017 Journey to Babble.

The main dining room has 35 seats, the side room another 20 or so. The first 35 to sign up get to sit in the main dining room, so don't delay!!  Please don't arrive early in the hopes of scoring a location in the dining room, we don't have the room until 6:30.

The show airs from 7:00 to 9:00 PM over the air.