It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Day

We will once again be continuing the tradition of rotating happy hour hosts at this year's Doughty 500. Since Paul and Bernice are the official tour planners, they get a day of their choice. I also understand that one happy hour will be used to celebrate this year's graduates (alcohol free those under twenty-one of course).

That leaves two openings, which will be determined by a drawing. If you want your name in the hat, drop me an e-mail. The drawing will take place in mid-June and results announced shortly thereafter.

Banner Day

Bernie is planning to use some of the funds raised from last year's auction to purchase official Doughty 500 banners. Unless anyone has serious objections (no Dave, we can't use ALL the money for beer) twenty-five such banners will be ordered at $6.25 each and distributed at this year's tour. That is all.

Ambulance Chaser

We are happy to report that Brendan is out of the hospital and at home recovering as well as can be expected under the circumstances.

If you see him at this year's 500, be sure to ask him about his excellent ambulance adventures. It turns out he would have arrived at the hospital much sooner in the back of a 'T' or hitching a ride on a horse and buggy. The journey only seemed like five hundred miles.

Get Well

Brendan Doughty was hospitalized last Friday and remains at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

His daughter Molly provided this update yesterday:

He is in St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield and will probably be there for another week at least. He was taken by ambulance on Friday and had to have surgery on his "innards" and he had a temporary pacemaker put in. He is doing O.K. now, but he gave us a scare.

And a follow-up today:

He had a rough night last night and was moved back to the cardiac floor, so I am not sure of his room number. The hospital is 611 St. Joseph Avenue, Marshfield, WI, 54449. We appreciate any thoughts and prayers.

Please direct those thoughts, prayers, well-wishes, cards, flowers, etc. to Brendan's attention.

Raising The Bar

Bill Moen, co-author of Badger Bars & Tavern Tales: An Illustrated History of Wisconsin Saloons, offers a list of local shows featuring bar paraphernalia:

LaCrosse, WI--HEILEMAN/CITY BREWERY SHOW Sat. May 3--9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
North Star Chapter's and Heileman At Large Chapter's show at the former G. Heileman brewery in LaCrosse, next to the brewery's gift shop. A fun time for all! Contact Dave Wendl, 651-731-9573 for details.

St. Paul,MN--SUMMIT BREWERY SHOW Sat. May 17--9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NSC's annual show in the parking lot of the great Summit Brewery. Located at 910 Montreal Circle. Contact Dave Wendl, 651-731-9573.

Dubuque, IA--EAGLE POINT PARK SHOW-Sat June 6-7
NSC's and Hawkeye Chapter's annual funfest. Friday night room-to-room at the hotel, Saturday show at Eagle Point Park. Contact Dave Wendl, 651-731-9573

Cloquet, MN--NORDLAGER SHOW AT THE NORTHEASTER HOTEL Fri-Sat July 11-12
NSC's and Nordlager Chapter's 3rd annual show at the grand and glorious and newly restored Northeaster Hotel, 115 St. Louis Avenue in Cloquet, MN. Can't miss this one. Contact Bert at 218-393-0657 or Dave, 651-731-9573

Cold Spring, MN--GLUEK BREWERY SHOW Sat. July 26
NSC's annual show at the former Cold Spring brewery in conjunction with Old Days town celebration. Contact Joe Wendl, 651-731-9573 for info.

Chippewa Falls, WI--JACOB LEINENKUGEL BREWERY SHOW Sat. Aug. 9
NSC's annual show in conjunction with Pure Water Days town celebration. Contact Dave Wendl, 651-731-9573 for info.

Maplewood, MN--NSC's GUZZLE 'N' TWIRL Fri-Sat. Oct. 10-11
Our big annual show will be at Aldrich Arena and at the Holiday Inn Maplewood again this year. Stay tuned for further details or contact Dave Wendl at 651-731-9573.