VOICES

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Voices is a month-long art exhibit and cultural event located in a re-purposed 15,000 square foot gallery space within Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District.  Voices began as a way for the artist’s voice to be heard, and quickly gathered support from the Dubuque community now in its ninth year. 

 

 

Last Saturday night was opening night.

 

 

18 different artists displayed work for this years show 

 

 

 

 

 

The artwork is as varied as the artists who created it.  It speaks to big issues in a variety of ways. And, just as important, it holds up in the warehouse space, with its patched-up floor and huge, battered pillars.

 

 Our friend Stephanie created an installation of four beautifully tiled pillars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music was provided by the Dubuque symphony orchestra and a huge  table provided hors d'oeuvers for the over 1000 attendants.

I did my part as one of the guest bartenders along with our friend Shane.

At the bar we did over $9.000.00 worth of business and a little quality control work too.








All photos were taken by our firend

Peter Fraterdeus

Shared publicly  -  Sep 9, 2013

A lovely, sweltering, time was had by all.
More photos of the art to come! #voicesgallery   #dubuque 

2013 Roly Rally

 We've had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

Festivities kicked off Friday afternoon.

After a week of temperatures in the mid to upper 90*F, school once again let out early because of the heat and the teachers got to cut out an hour early.

A dip in the pond and a cool refreshing beverage or two later found us with friends and family.

Most of the regular suspects were present along with a few special guests.  Beau has been gearing up for his relocation trip to Denver.  Joan and Marts boy JJ was back from Denver and our Gladstone buddy Steve came up for the weekend from KC.

Friday nights entertainment  was brought to us by "The Matriachs"





Sunday was the ROLY RALLY
a fundraiser for the use of this special place.  Thanks Steve & Peg





It was tougher than a TOUGH MUDDER and more colorful than a COLOR RUN.

The event was scheduled to start at high noon and many participants were well hydrated.

With a blast on the air horn the race was started.

First, a run to the top of the World to retrieve a three gallon jug of water.

Bob Playtex and I led the masses across the trout stream, past Chappy land and up the old logging road.

So, the old man was first to the top and made the turn back to the check in station by the swimming pond.

Second event, string up an old fishing pole and catch fish...  Right in my wheel house.  It wasn't long before I caught what I believe to be a state record size blue gill.   Verification of the catch, kiss the fish and Susie and I discover we've got an added challenge of locating the names of the 5 Spice Girls in a concentration game.  Susie made quick work of it and it was on to the long pond for kayaking.


 
A sprint down to the other end of the pond and we're still in the lead as Jojo and KC put there yak in the pond.




On to the cabin to assemble a kids puzzle then we were on to brush clearing with a slight lead.

On our way to the kitchen event we discover that we've lost a puzzle piece.  So, as Susie drew the melon slicing card I retraced our steps looking for a bambi puzzle piece. With no luck!









Back at the kitchen Coco is at it slicing tators.  When Bob Playtex and Mary show up with a switch places card.

Now, we've got to go back and clear more brush but, thankfully on our return trip Susie found bambi flipped face down in the dirt.  Task completed.






On the the last event. The egg sprint.
With my arms duct taped to my side Cowboy Curtas and I took off to get the eggs while Susie and Lisa went to the tree house for red solo cups.





Curt and Lisa took the lead on the return trip  and into the clubhouse  turn...

But kicking on the after burners Susie and I beat them out at the tape to secure Third Place.





By the way where did Mike and Audrey come from any way???????







Here's a shot to the winning team.  Way to go!

KICKING IT AROUND BELLEVUE and THE BELLEVUE WAR.

S

 When I take the time to look back at what we've been up to since my last post, we've really been quite busy.  I'm a sucker for any C00L and unusual ride and I had to stop and admire this Smiths Ferry Fire Truck /Party Truck.

 Last weekend was the yearly Fishtival here along the Mighty Mississippi.  Once again Susie and I participated in the Bellevue War Portrayal, with a bonus Becker.   Beau jumped in at the last minute as one of the members of the Brown Gang.







While Susie and I, Mr and Mrs Bates, were among the good citizens of Bellevue.

 In the Spring of 1840 between January to April.
The war started when Sheriff Warren strode down the fledgling town’s main street with 40 citizens toward the Bellevue Hotel for the purpose of arresting the owner, William Brown, and his band of hardened criminals. A gun battle and hand-to-hand fighting broke out. When the smoke cleared, seven men, including Brown, lay dead or dying; seven had escaped; and 13 had been captured.
The next day, the prisoners faced an angry mob who would decide between hanging them or whipping them. Colored beans were used to count votes, and their lives were spared. The prisoners were whipped and put on a makeshift skiff in the Mississippi River with a warning never to return to Bellevue.




 After the war they unveiled  a huge mural depicting the history of Bellevue from the Native American tribes, the Sac and Fox in 1833 to the morning of April 2, 1840 the morning of the Bellevue war.

Enjoying a cone from Grandpas Parlor after the reenactment.

 After the unveiling of  the mural the kids got out and danced at the street dance.  I think Susie picked up a few new moves.

 
 Curt and the Fast Clides played up in DBQ.



















 Just hanging out after hitting the Bronco.




















 a couple of dummies.

A fresh batch of compost in the hoop house as we get ready for the fall/winter garden


















And a fresh layer of mulch as the new plants start to come up.





















A few zuc plants and lots of spinach

 radishes, carrots and some beans

And finally a picture of one of our biological pest control methods under some chives.

BACK TO SCHOOL / BACK TO THE BACKBONE

  All good thing must come to an end but not without a fight.


With the start of school just around corner, Beau an I set out for a day of fishing.


 Once again, my buddy Steve was the man to turn to if you want to catch fish on the Big River.

Steve always has the boat loaded and hooked up to his VW just minutes from the boat ramp at lock and dam #12.

 We boated across to the rip rap on just below the dam.





I had no problem catching more than a dozen small, Large mouth bass and lots of small Stripers.


After hitting the rocks we went across to the sea wall along the lock and dam to try to locate some larger Stripers.  After talking to another young fisherman, Jesse.  We managed to find a school of 10 - 14 inch fish.

Jesse is another guy who grew up on the Mississippi who knows what it takes to catch fish.

Often the pelicans will school up the Shad and trigger the stripers.

 For the afternoon session we ventured north for our annual fishing trip to the Devils Backbone.

Beau had already caught a small pan fish before I had even entered the water.  He didn't stop there.

 Beau had the touch and he caught bass after bass.  Most were in the 8 - 10 inch range but he also caught several larger fish with the biggest topping the 15 inch mark.

Beau is gearing up to make the move west to Denver, Colorado.  I know it's a good move to get out and explore and experience a new part of the country.  But, the selfish side of  me wishes he would stay close to home, because I will miss having him around.



I'll be looking forward to the next time we make the run up north the the Backbone.

What Ya Been Up To?

 So what have we been up to? 




Well you know that window trim that I've thought about fixing for the last 18 years.

 Not a big job and I had the red paint out to do some touch ups here and there.

 The window trim is done.

We've gotten a little time in on the bikes.

Maxine and Ace are always ready for a run back to the barn.

 Susie and I took the bikes down to Sabula to tool around the Island.  We hit a beautiful day and had a blast!

 We spotted a Uncle Pie sticker in the window of one of the bars. 

 This morning we were up in Milwaukee visiting Kendo.

We got up early to make a run down to the lake shore and worked on our cartwheel skills.

 Susie's form was a little better than mine

 We gathered up some rounded wave tumbled stones and a few nice pieces of sea glass.

 A little yoga and back to  Iowa.