Donations for the Silent Auction, at the Chuckwagon Dinner, March 31, 2019

Now that you have collected all those cool items that we need to auction, what do you do next?

You can wrap or carefully package the item and set it aside to bring to the auction itself (remember to buy your dinner ticket by the March general membership meeting).  If you are not able to come to the dinner but still have a super cool something to add to the inventory you can bring it to the March USS Nokomis meeting on March 9, 2019.  If you can't get to our meeting you can make arrangements with me to deliver it to my house  before Saturday, March 30.

No matter when or how the item gets to the auction site, I need specific information to print the bidding sheets, sale tags and prize tags. Please mail the following info to me at Roxanne Hill, 2301 Pearson Parkway, Brooklyn Park, MN. 55444,  or email it to me at , or text me at 763-222-8234 (because of my weird work schedule my phone is almost never answered but a text with your name on it is GREAT), or write it down and give it to me at MARScon, at dinner, or take me out for beer and give it to me then (really I'm not picky so long as I can read the writing!)

Thank you in advance for both your auction donations and your help getting this put together. Trust me, no one wants to read my personal handwriting/printing on 50 bid slips.

The following info is needed before March 28 (I have to type and print everything before the dinner!):

  1. Item's name and description
  2. Item's donator
  3. Item's purpose-1,2, and 3 should always be listed, 4 and 5 are 'as needed' info
    1. auction item,
      1. provide the general value of item
      2. suggested minimum bid (unless forbidden we may drop it towards end of auction)
      3. quick sale price (not all items require them, but we will occasionally assign one unless forbidden)
      4. note any special handling required i.e. refrigeration, scheduling or details to be provided
      5. please note if this requires a legal adult only purchaser for any:
        1. alcohol included in item
        2. firearms involved in activity for the item
    2. cash'n'carry (or sale item)
      1. provide general value of item
      2. any necessary directions for handling
      3. adult only purchaser notices as noted above
    3. door prize
      1. provide general value of item
      2. any necessary directions for handling.

Hats and Mittens – Please Help This Season

Nokomis friends,

The annual Hats and Mittens Winter Ball fundraiser is on December 30. It was started by a board member and friend of Mark's from the National Lutheran Choir when she noticed kids at the bus stop without hats or mittens. We attend the gala where one on the entrance requirements is to bring at least one set of hats and mittens. Karen and I usually have at least a dozen as demand exceeds supply. Gloves are fine and larger teenager sizes are needed as much as those for younger children. Nokomis members have been generous in the past in supplying hats and mittens for this worthwhile cause. Each year the hats and mittens committee chooses a worthwhile youth based organization as the recipient of the galas fundraiser. It has included a group for dental health, an organization that brings fine music into the schools, a canoe and boat builder, and a cookie cart which gave kids somewhere to go after school while learning various skills and staying off the streets. It’s a worthwhile cause.

Please consider bringing a set of hats and mittens to the Holiday Party as you are able.

Thanks, Mark and Karen

Hats and Mittens Logo

Hats and Mittens Logo

Lake Outing 2018

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).

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

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.

 

Star Trek Discovery Premiere Viewing – September 24th

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.

ZooBoo’s Finale Time is Here!

Celebrate Halloween without the Fright

All proceeds support the plants and animals of the Como Zoo and Conservatory.  The Nokomis has been helping out with this event since 1994 (this is our 23rd year).  We really want to help keep one of America's last free-admission zoos free.

Como Zoo will be transformed for Zoo Boo October 21st, 22nd and October 28th, 29th. Gates Open: 4:30-7:30 p.m. We're just four nights this year, so let's make them count.

Volunteering

Como Friends are starting to gear up for our annual Como Friends ZooBoo at Como Zoo event and hope that you can join us again!  Even returning volunteers need to fill out the Zoo's signup online - it just takes a minute.  You can find it here. Sign up to let the Nokomis know you're coming - all of the dates are on one online signup sheet.

Prep

The week before the event we have a workday set to break down product and kick off the event.  Consider taking on a station leader's role and join us October 14th.

On the morning of the first event night, Saturday October 21st, we'll be in full-on work to complete setups before the event.  We start at 9AM and hopefully we'll be done before the gates open.

Event

Our folks will be heading up the new Halloween station, just inside the front gate.  We need to get there early (3PM), but we get done first.    Be sure to sign in up on the second floor of the Big Zoo Building - there are goodies for you there, and perhaps a surprise coupon.

Dinner

Be sure to check with our folks at the first station, we'll get details there about the night's repast!  Hope to see you all there, all the time!

June Meeting and Anniversary Picnic 2017

This year’s anniversary picnic (and camp out) will be held at Loren and Carol Evers’ property. We own approximately 11 acres about 10 miles north of Stillwater (about 10 miles northeast of the old Madline farm). So there is plenty of room for all the fun-filled activities people would like to participate in.

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 don’t have an extra refrigerator, but we’ll have cooler(s) available with plenty of ice. If anyone has a large cooler they can loan to the cause, please bring that along as well. 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.

For those of you who want to know where you will be headed, our address is: 11357 142nd St. N, Stillwater, MN 55082. We are exactly 8.5 miles north off 36 off of Manning Ave/Trail.

Loren and Carol Evers

View Larger Map

The Journey was Sweet – and Hoppy – and Wonderful

Journey to Babble 3 - The Search for Snacks was our latest trip through the Twin Towns looking for good food and fun.  In the past the trip has been from brewery to brewery, but this time I planned a more varied trip.  We started after the May 13th meeting in Mounds View and made three stops.

First was Town Hall Brewpub in Minneapolis right near Seven Corners.  This place has both outdoor and indoor seating; the staff went all out to get us our table for 20 inside and take good care of us.  The beers were house-made and tasty, and the food menu will certainly send us back there.   Both our server and the chef were great people, welcoming and friendly, and I dropped a note of thanks to the managers.  I got back a personal note from one of the co-founders who was grateful for the positive feedback, and confirmed the menu is here to stay, at least for the season.

Second was Tattersall Distillery, our very first non-brewery stop on our Journeys. They distill their own liquors and aperitifs, all tasty and all very old-school classic.  The place was hoppin' busy on a nice day like we had.   I don't know about you but I could have stayed for another round.

Finally was Can Can Wonderland - a mix of drinks, ice cream, artist-designed mini golf, and a lot of classic treasures like 30-40 year old pinball machines and everything from Gramma's living room.  Hard to describe, but a nice long evening of food and fun.

The folks I've talked to afterwards liked the variety and the locations.  The Nokomis will certainly do this again on the next year's calendar.  I'm not the only one who can plan these things either - if you have ideas for a 3-4 stop tour of food, drink, and fun then please get it on the calendar!   We can even do more than one each year.

  • Phill

You might notice we have SOME photos of Nokomis folks, and some of these are stock shots from the various locations' web sites.  Send any photos you'd like to share to Phill and we'll get them into the photo gallery.   Click the photos to enlarge or start the slide show.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id="9" gal_title="Journey to Babble 3 - The Search for Snack"]

 

Looking for the Journey to Babble? It’s a week later.

Well, it's the weekend of the 6th of May, and you're expecting the Journey to Babble Tour.  You might have also figured that we've moved it to one week later, after the meeting on the 13th.

This is the third year of the Journey to Babble Tour.  The third installment is just a little different than the first two.  First, we’re having after the General Membership meeting, so we’re reducing it from four stops to three.   Second, Babble isn’t just for beer any more.

We’re starting with a food and brew at a brewpub, next cocktails at a local distillery, and then creative drinks and fun at an artist-drive venue with more than just food and drink.    Enjoy!

The monthly meeting is at the Mounds View Public Library, where we'll start out at around 2:00PM if all goes well.

 

Town Hall Brewery
1430 S. Washington Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: (612) 339-8696
www.townhallbrewery.com
Cozy, brick-walled brewpub & restaurant with house &
guest taps, patio seating and eclectic bar bites.
2:30 PM - 4: 00 PM
Tattersall Distilling
1620 Central Ave NE #150
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: (612) 584-4152
tattersalldistilling.com
Located in the Historic Thorp Building. Built in 1902, the Thorp Building
was originally home to Thorp Doors. During World War II, General Mills
Mechanical Division occupied the building to secretly manufacture
highly classified military equipment — namely the Norden Bomb Sight.
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Can Can Wonderland
755 Prior Ave N
St Paul, MN 55104
Phone: (651) 925-2261
cancanwonderland.com
We offer a truly unique, 18-hole artist designed, indoor mini golf course.
We have a couple bars…we might have a secret bar! We have noshes! We even have
a few unicorns. Try cocktails named  “Old Fashioned Mastadon”,
“Wonder Mary”, ”Strip & Go Naked”, and of course, “That Carrot Drink”Mini golf is $12 for 18 really creative holes.
6:00 PM - whenever

The January Dance Returns in 2017

After taking a break for the Trek 50 year, we'll be back on January 28th for our 15th January Dance event! Save the date for this evening, which will include dinner, dancing to our favorite DJ, socializing and fun. The cost remains $35, even after all these years! You must sign up in advance for us to plan our catered food. We will begin accepting payments at the November meeting, and everyone must be signed up and paid by the January meeting. Keep your eyes open for this year's theme, which will include costumes...

Mary