Maple Syrup - - mmmmm!

The kids were sad to hear we missed Maple Syrup Fest last weekend in Vergas. The in-law's cabin is located about 6 miles from Vergas, so we spend a lot of time in Vergas in the summer months.

New this year was a 5K run happily dubbed the "FlapJack". Runners began registration at 9:00 a.m. and began the race at 10. Overall men's winner was Ken Hammer, 52, of Frazee with a time of 18 minutes and seven seconds. Heather Smith, 24, of Audubon led the women at 20 minutes, nine seconds. Hammer says he runs about 20 miles a week. He runs for the competition and "for today". "I need races that challenge," he says.

Man - - 18:07 - The Hobbled Runner wishes he could have been there. Perhaps he could have given Ken a run for his money.

Other events included Charlie Kirchenwitz of Dent demonstrating chain saw carving and Vergas merchants offering special maple goodies: maple frosted kuchen at Goodman's, maple brats and maple malts at Vergas 66, maple syrup sundaes at the Loon's Nest, maple popcorn at Vergas Ace Hardware, maple syrup frosted treats and Jake's maple syrup at the Quiet Cricket, and maple glazed chicken dinner at Spanky's. The day ended with "dancing the night away" at Billy's Corner Bar.

The day always ends at Billy's.