Opening deer season (a.k.a. girls weekend)–the time of year where the men (and a few women, too) gather their guns and blaze orange attire to head into the woods. But, besides the hunt itself, there are other reasons to celebrate one of the Iron Range’s favorite time of year:

Reason #1: A much needed break from your mate

Before the stress of the holidays arrives, deer hunting season gives us an opportunity to appreciate some time apart. With the day in and day out, and “Honey this…” and “Did you do that”, who doesn’t crave a weekend of solitude? I know I do. A night without snoring! Hooray! Sleeping in until whenever I want! Hooray! A weekend without the wife nagging, an excuse to get ridiculously drunk and a chance to win some money at poker. Woo hoo!

(I just wish my husband hunted. Damn! I knew I should have married a Ranger.)

Reason #2: It’s good for the economy

Men buy new gear, supplies, maybe a new gun and a ton of food. The city folk drive hundreds of miles to spend their cash right here in northern Minnesota. Certainly iron range bars and restaurants experience a boost in sales. As the season progresses, local butchers gain additional business of preparing the meat into beef sticks, salami, polish, etc.  If the guys are lucky enough to shoot a buck with more than 8 points, they will seek out taxidermists so they may hang their trophy on the living room wall for all eternity.

Left alone, women get their fair share of spending in, too. The ladies will likely go out to eat, buy some new clothes or perhaps pamper themselves with a full-hour massage, a trip to the salon and a pedicure.

Reason #3: An excuse to engage in behavior you normally wouldn’t

Don’t act all innocent with me, I wasn’t born yesterday. Men, if you think us women don’t have a clue about what happens at the shack, think again. I don’t have to say it here, but you know what we know and we know all about it and quite honestly, WE DON’T CARE. Fill your boyish urges up at the shack and then return home rejuvenated, ready to begin working on the next home improvement project.

Ladies, did someone say male strippers? I think that’s self explanatory.

Reason #4: Less Road Kill

Some people protest against hunting. Some people think hunting is cruel.  I disagree. Most Rangers would agree that hunting keeps our natural habitat in sync and controls the natural order of things. The thought of deer starving to death or being smacked continuously by vehicles seems much more harmful than actually making use of nutritious meat to feed our families. Plus, road kill is disgusting.

Reason #5: The Thrill of the Kill

And finally, call it instinct or whatever you want: Men love to kill things. It gives them a sense of power and accomplishment. It satisfies their natural male psychology; that same part which causes them to watch Die Hard 1, 2 3, Terminator 1, 2 3, all the James Bond movies, etc. multiple times. I firmly believe that if men were denied the opportunity to kill things at least once per year, they might lash out in other ways like wanting more ATVs, more tools, more…sex?!. Hunting proves to be a valued event year after year.

Halloween: the time of year where people enjoy becoming someone else. Costumes vary from pumpkins to vampires to men doing very strange things to sheep (Did you guys get that email!). Which brings me to the question: Does a person’s costume choice reflect some deep psychological issues? Do people dress up “for fun” or does that guy really enjoy wearing women’s clothing? Does the choice to NOT dress up in costume communicate insecurity?  Could someone’s costume choice reflect an undiscovered truth, a hidden secret or an unfulfilled passion?

Maybe I’m going a little far. Maybe. But over the years, I’ve made my own observations and I’ve broken down Halloween Costume choices into four categories. I welcome your comments and your own observations.

The “I Have No Balls” Costume

This person wakes up in the morning to take a big risk. His costume consists of one or more of the following:

1. The Headband—Cat ears, alien antennas, or maybe a cowboy hat.  Great. I’m sure this choice will win the big $100 prize at the end of the night. This person is obviously scared Halloween has some correlation with ‘judgment day’. He or she probably lays in bed at night thinking, “I really want to dress up, but I just can’t! What will the boss think? What about the cute computer guy?  I can’t. I just can’t. I’ll just wear…a headband. At least I’m not a TOTAL party pooper.”
2. The $9.99 Halloween T-shirt with matching Socks and plastic blinking Jack-o-lantern necklace-I’m guessing this is a total left-brained person. Without the creativity to become a character of some sort, she thinks it’s just fun to dress up as Halloween itself. Chances are, this person also has a secret compulsion to buy all those cheap little trinkets at the dollar store, clutter his or her office with them and call it “interior design.”

The Halloween Hoochie Mama
Happy Halloween should actually be renamed to Happy Slut-o-ween. Women who work out 3-4 days per week see this as the opportunity to exploit themselves in exchange for free shots and gocks from ghouls.  In a past life, they probably chose different careers involving poles and street corners.  Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think pirates ever wore corsets and mini-skirts.
The Latent Transsexual
Seen as an opportunity to pose as the opposite sex, these men wake up in the morning, turn on their Culture Club Greatest Hits CD,  and are elated to put on pantyhose and bras exposing their hairy chests. They rob their wife’s (or mother’s) make-up and turn their ugly mugs into some sick attempt to look like Cher. High-heels remain a challenge for them; however, the secret pleasure of adding a few inches seems like an every day event. Don’t take my word for it. Observe the over-the-top happiness that radiates from their pretty eyes.

The Shocker*
*(It’s not what you think. Get your mind out of the gutter.)
Finally, I envy those who fall into this category.  The people who possess the talent to create a costume which causes a dropping of the jaw, a scream from the gut or an outburst of laughter are usually the ones who go home with the prize money. These people have been blessed by the true spirit of Halloween.  Just because their costumes make everyone feel like a loser, this doesn’t exclude them from being freaks. I mean, Isn’t that always the case with those creative types?  I’m happy that once a year, people’s sick and disgusting thoughts have a place in this world. And it’s during this wonderful holiday that these weirdoes can feel, well, normal.

One of my favorite holidays, Halloween this year looks like it will be a scary great time! Check out all that’s happening in 2009

Field of Screams
Hope you remembered to go to the bathroom!!! This super scary fun filled event puts the spook in spooky!!
Now through October 31, 2009 at Mn Discovery Center in Chisholm.
VIP admission: $15

Hairball! at Fortune Bay Resort Casino
They will have it all - Food, Drinks, Cash Prize Costume Contests, Rock n Roll and enough fun to raise the dead! Only a $10 cover.

Billy’s Bar in Buhl Rocks Halloween with the Thunderstones.
Come & Dance to the live and entertaining music of the Thunderstones. Halloween Party with “Prizes”

Wooden Table Inn Halloween Party
Music by The Thunder Stones from 9:00pm to 1:00am. Costume judging at Midnight and food out at Midnight! FRIDAY NIGHT.

Start early and head to Tommy’s Rainy Lake Saloon and enjoy the music of
IROMA bands on October 30:

• Dirty Old Soul
• Iron Range Outlaw Brigade
• Four Horse Johnson

Rainy Lake Halloween Party, October 31: Live music by Die Tryin.

Sawmill Saloon Trick or Treat Halloween Ball
More than $1000.00 in CASH and PRIZES to be given out for SEXIEST, SCARIEST, and BEST COSTUME! MONSTER MUSIC will be spinning the best hits all night long. Drinking, Dancing, and real FEAR FACTOR, its gonna be one wild night! Music all weekend from Payback!

REMEDY to play at Snicker’s Bar & Lounge in Eveleth
Celebrate Halloween jammin’ to the great sounds of Remedy! Costume contest and prizes.

Eggy’s Red Garter Lounge
DJ music all night! Costume contest with prizes!

Halloween DJ Party at Brick Yard
Dance to DJ Myth until 2am! Plus, costume contest with CASH prizes.

Vermilion Club Halloween Party with Live Music
Come dressed in your best outfit for the costume contest. Live music at 9:00 with the Elements…newest band out of the twin cities…come check them out!!!

Risky Business Halloween Bash with Bottomline!
Risky Business will be throwing the BEST Halloween party in town! Live music by Bottomline, drink specials and costume contest with CASH prizes.

New bar, Y’OR Mudder’s Place Huge Halloween Party!
Costume Judging every hour! drink ticket drawings for prizes every 1/2 hour! 2 for 1 on all Vodka drinks!$1.00 tappers!

Sofa King Chubby at Mac’s Bar
Spend Halloween rockin’ with the Sofa King! Costume contest, and great music.

Atlantis plays at Jim’s Sports Club
One of the hottest new bands will be playing at Jim’s in Chisholm.

Magic Bar Fortune Telling
An annual tradition, get your fortune told at Magic Bar (for entertainment purposes only).

Flaimers Bar Halloween Party
Come rock out to a D.J. and join the awesome costume contest!!!

B.G.’s Bar Halloween Party
You Karaoke Fool!! Yes.. B.G.’s has karaoke for Halloween! Plus, drink specials, food, costume contest, and more!

Poppers Halloween Party/20th Anniversary Celebration!!
Please come celebrate our 20th Anniversary! With food, Bittersweet playing on Friday from 4pm-8pm with Karaoke to follow. Saturday night The Diva’s are playing from 5pm-9pm with Karaoke to follow! Great food will be served both days, and more!

No One Celebrates ‘The Fourth’ Like Iron Rangers

Everybody has his or her favorite holiday. Like many other Rangers, mine happens to be the Fourth of July. In fact,  MANY non-Rangers have been inducted into Range Fourth of July celebrations; these Independence day evangalists now refuse to celebrate anywhere else. Who would? Who else has a street dance like Eveleth or the Aurora Freedome Fete or the Gilbert Gala Parade ? Where else can you eat Becky’s eggrolls, Barb’s fried bread. barbeques, fireworks, the best parades and TONS of fun!

A time of reunions and friendship at their finest

There is no better time of year to reconnect with old friends, classmates and family. EVERYONE comes home for the Fourth of July on the Range. Seriously, I would give up a party any other day of the year but never the Fourth. Disclaimer: I’ve only had two not-so-fun Fouths and that’s because I was big and pregnant. Oh, and one time I broke my foot by foolishly jumping into a friends arms; you guessed it—he didn’t catch me. Sitting for hours in the ER, I missed the street dance and was immobile for the rest of the summer.  Otherwise, I have never been disappointed.

It’s the pre-celebration that rocks!

Interestingly, Most of the fun doesn’t necessarily take place on “July 4th.” Rangers actually like to extend the entire holiday by starting the party several days ahead—this coming weekend will start it all! In Eveleth, Goodfella’s Bar and The Grille has Sweet Freedom playing Friday and Saturday night from 9:30 pm until 1:30 am. Saturday is Gilbert’s annual street dance featuring the Prodigal Sons Band playing outside Devo’s Sand Bar, the Pat Ram Pub and Jim’s Seldom Inn. This street dance always sets the mood for more fun times ahead! July 2nd through the 4th, the city of Aurora will be whooping it up with the Freedom Fete Music and Pig Roast. Bring the whole family for great roast pork sandwiches and live music.

Now, July 3rd happens to be (in my opinion of course) the MOST FUN NIGHT OF THE YEAR!  Here’s the scoop: most people start the day with a huge barbecue. Then, people either make their way downtown Gilbert for the BIG NIGHT PARADE; this is the Range’s biggest Fourth of July parade and people come from ALL OVER to line the streets and catch souvenirs, candy and of course a BUZZ (no pun intended). The entire town is packed full. If a huge crowd isn’t your deal, Aurora will have a parade at 6pm, which may be smaller, but still a good time. After the parades, some folks hang around to view the fireworks, but most head down the highway to Eveleth for “Thunder over Eveleth” and the famous 3rd of July Street Dance. Most people usually don’t dance here, but rather they listen to good music and meet up with old friends to share laughs, catch up and party down.

Wake up with your party hat still attached

Only on the Iron Range will you find hard-core Fourth of July fans that wake up early on the 4th, get a famous Bloody Mary’s at Eggy’s Red Garter or a Lime Cooler from the Roosevelt and watch yet another parade go by. Here’s a little secret: most parade goers look forward dancing with Eveleth’s famous Clown Band; you’ll never see any better clown attire than here, folks. But if you’re up at the lake, like many are, one of the best-attended parades is Tower’s 4th of July Parade. This parade rocks! Parade participants really go all out attempting to win one of the cash prizes which are awarded for best club, best commercial, best family and Best in Show wins 450 bucks! Tell me that’s not incentive to go a little nuts. These are not the only parades, of course. Check Rangebuzz.com EVENTS for complete information about parades in Ely, 110th Anniversary Calithumpian Parade in Biwabik.

There’s no better place to celebrate our country’s birthday than THE RANGE! Relax, let loose and have an awesome holiday.

Free will donation at the door.

Thursday
July 2, 2009
7:00pm

The First Stage
514 Chestnut Street
Virginia

Water colors and field drawings by artist Bonnie DuFresne.

June 11th thru August 29th

11am-3pm Thrusday-Saturday

Did you know Silver Lake is the home to the World's Largest Floating Loon?

One of my favorite summer events to hit Virginia, Minnesota, is the famous Land of the Loon Festival. Like many Rangers, I see the Land of the Loon as the official beginning of fun and celebration of summer. The festival kicks off Saturday morning with an extravagant parade that travels down 5^th Avenue and Chestnut Street. Then the “Loonies” race to Olcott Park to indulge in a HUGE spread of ethnic foods-Gyros, Italian Sausages and Becky’s Egg Rolls-and to taste the most delicious desserts: sno-cones, cotton candy, funnel cakes and the famous mini-donuts (my son refuses to quit asking, “Can we get mini-donuts? Can we? Can we, Mom?”). The children, with their sticky faces and fingers, gather with their parents near the gazebo to dance and sing with the various entertainers. Talented artists and crafters share the park to sell their unique and beautiful creations year after year. After a day at the park, the nightlife fires up downtown at the Land of the Loon Street Dance; the roads are blocked and people party hearty while they dance in the streets and enjoy more food, drink and entertainment. With smiles and full bellies, Rangers can’t get enough. Most return on Sunday just to do it all over again. Rain or shine, everyone shows up.

Rangebuzz.com fans, let me give you a little inside information about what’s going down at this year’s Land of the Loon Festival. I’ll start with the food (since it’s my FAVORITE part). There’s absolutely no way I can walk by the Gyro stand and not get one. Last year, after standing in line for 20 minutes (it was worth it) my husband says, “Can I have a bite. ” “Ah…NO! Get your own!” was my response. I’m normally a sharing person, I am! But I just love every single bite. That’s not the only tasty treat at the Land of the Loon. I’m talking about the best Italian Sausages ever served up by the Italian American Club (these are my father’s favorites). The Virginia Lion’s Club always serves sarmas, turkey legs and Ukrainian sausage. There’s Pepe’s Mexican food, there are cheese curds, blooming onions, pita sandwiches, corn on the cob, BBQ ribs-the list goes on and on.

Later that evening, I always hit the LOTL Street Dance. There is one stop that’s automatic: I gotta get me some of Barb’s Fried Bread and a Becky’s Egg Roll or I’m not happy. And hundreds of other people share this vow, I’m sure. (I’ve been dieting all week just to gear up for this weekend!) But even better than stuffing my face, I look forward to hearing some great music. Four Horse Johnson and Livin’ Large will be rocking Chestnut Avenue this year. Downtown will certainly really rocking with good tunes, great people, food and drinks.

There’s something for everyone at the Land of the Loon. Here’s the link to the Land of the Loon web site for more information. www.landoftheloonfestival.com Get out there and enjoy! The Land of the Loon only comes once per year.

May 13 through September 7, 2009, Ironworld in Chisholm, Minn., hosts the popular traveling exhibit “The Scoop on Poop: the Science of What Animals Leave Behind.” Created by Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, Penn., “The Scoop” leads visitors on an investigation of what poop is and how animals and humans use it.

“The Scoop on Poop” treats the subject with a tactful blend of good science and fun. Based on a book of the same name, “he Scoop” features large colorful graphic panels, three-dimensional models and fun interactive components.

During the exhibit’s run, Ironworld is partnering with area artists to create a recycling-themed Community Gallery, and will host staff and animals from the Lake Superior Zoo in four programs that focus on waste at the zoo.

The Ironworld showing of “The Scoop” marks the exhibit’s first appearance in Minnesota. It has shown at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa, the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, Exploration Place in Wichita, Kan., and other locations.

View Ironworld hours and admission to the exhibit.

Gilbert and Sullivan’s rollicking, merry romp is brought to life on the HCC Theatre stage in all its pomp and glory. Based on the production made popular by the New York Shakespeare Festival Production starring Kevin Kline as the Pirate King and Linda Ronstadt as Mabel, this fun-filled tale features a band of inept pirates led by their swashbuckling Pirate King, a group of innocent maidens, their father the Major General, and a group of Keystone cops who try to keep the peace. When Mabel (one of the daughters) falls in love with Frederic (a young pirate bound to serve the Pirate King), complications arise and high-spirited antics abound. Don’t miss out on what is sure to become an audience favorite that will be fun for the whole family.

April 23-May 3

For Tickets: