Dream Weaver

I don't really have the normal amount of time to try and find some new music, and there isn't much new that came out this week either, so I decided to go with an old staple that I heard on the radio yesterday. I'm talking about Gary Wright's one hit masterpiece "Dream Weaver." A catchy, well-composed piece of "I just feel like swaying to this" song, which I thoroughly enjoy.

As for work, this past week I did quite a number of stories for the news section and a couple sports stories. It was Gateway to the Northland Festival week in Milaca, so that occupied most of my time. I have a few photos from various events.

I haven't had the time to do another fantasy football mock draft, but I will likely do one next week, and I will share my thoughts on how it went and my updated strategy then.

Anyways, here are a dozen pictures from the events I covered this past 10 days or so.

Milaca High's band director Eric Nelson, who MC'd the Little Miss/Little Mr. event at the Milaca Bandshell, awaits an answer from one of the contestants. 

This young lady from the Milaca 16U softball team, lays down a good bunt. 

Hmm.....

Eventual Little Mr. Eli Nelson answers a question on Tuesday, June 17.

A pair of Turkeys last week in a field just west of Foreston.

Coach and player celebrate as No. 20 advanced to third base,

Milaca's pitcher delivers off the mound on Tuesday, June 17.

Kids at the Mega Sports Camp at Lighthouse Fellowship in Milaca play soccer last Friday.

Before the sports begin the group begins with a song and dance number. 

Many patrons of the carnival rides enjoyed the Merry-Go-Round.

Runners begin the first ever Gateway to the Northland 5k. 

Two kids try and win a fish at the carnival in the parking lot of Teal's Market.

Crazy Like Me

From the first 15 seconds of "Crazy Like Me" I knew I'd like the song. It is off the newest Willie Nelson album "Band of Brothers." Man, Willie can still make a solid album. Country legends tend to do that.

The past 10 days weren't too busy as far as photography. I do have some pictures from a legion ball game on June 10, and a zoo at the library event from that day as well.

I'm extremely happy for the Spurs who won their fifth title in the Tim Duncan era, and what a title win it was against the two-time defending champion HEAT. I feel like the series really slammed home the notion that teamwork and good coaching will beat out even the best of players. Yeah, LeBron might be the best player in the NBA, but he is not on the best team anymore.

Anyways, I have nine pictures to share this week.

Milaca's Legion baseball team has a meeting at the mound on Tuesday, June 10 in a home game against Mora.

Nick Wolbert, the Milaca first baseman, rips a ball down the right field line.

The Milaca second baseman knocks a hard hit ball down with a dive.

Fans came in support of the home team, and even had signs. 

Ian Carpenter fires a ball in from the outfield in the 9-2 loss to Mora.

Brian Kiel rips a base hit to the outfield.

Bob from Cock-A-Doodle Zoo holds a year old Red Kangaroo Joey. 

After the presentation children were able to hold the animals, even the alligator.

This young lady was very excited to touch the kangaroo.

Alone In My Home

The album "Lazaretto" released on June 10 by Jack White is easily one of the best solo rock albums I have heard in awhile.
The bluesy, almost countryness of it can clearly be traced to his new friend Neil Young. It is both catchy and cathartic, and is also a unique blend of songs. I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially "Alone In My Home."

In the past 10 days or so I covered some section golf, state track as well as a few news pieces. I had what will probably be my last big sports section until next fall. This week I have legion baseball from yesterday and anything else I can dig up in the next few days. I'm planning on writing my first column for the Times, but I'm not sure what it will be about yet.

I did my first fantasy football mock draft yesterday. I picked third in a 10-team league standard draft. I took Adrian Peterson third (yeah, I'm a homer, but this is also a great pick). In round two I shored up my backfield with Zac Stacy, who I think is going to burst with a huge year in St. Louis. After that I made sure I got a solid receiver, and took Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown, who I've had success with in the past. I hesitantly took Pierre Garcon in the fourth round, because he was the best option available for wideouts at the time. I know he's going to lose some balls because of DeSean Jackson, but they are different receivers, and maybe Jackson will take some pressure off of Garcon and RGIII.
I nabbed Rashad Jennings, who I believe could be a strong asset in the backfield for the New York Giants, with my fifth-round pick. I picked up the top remaining tight end in Jordan Cameron in the sixth. I had him last year, and he was solid, and had some really good weeks early in the season when the quarterback situation was less murky. I decided that I had waited long enough to take a quarterback and snatched up old reliable Tom Brady in the seventh round. Though he had a rough start, a healthy Shane Vereen and some strong wideouts should help him return to form this year. I went three receivers in a row after that as I was a bit wary of Garcon as my number two. I took a chance on Eric Decker panning out with the Jets, despite not having a quarterback.
I then took a reliable option in Marques Colston. He always puts up solid numbers when healthy. I then took some upside by snatching Mike Evans, the rookie from Texas A&M, who is now with Tampa Bay. I took Russell Wilson in the 11th as a backup to Brady, so I have two really solid quarterbacks, but I bet a lot of teams in the draft could say that. It's a passing league, and there are a lot of good QBs to go around. I then let the computer autodraft the rest of the picks, because, well, they matter about as much as Mario Chalmers matters to the HEAT--not at all.
To summarize, I think I did a fairly good job. In hind sight I kind of wish that I would have taken a higher end receiver in the second round, and then waited until round four or five to take my second back. Running backs spread out some this year, and I think that having a reliable option at wideout on the top-end, might be more valuable than taking some schmuck running back that scores nine points a week. Of course, it's also mid-June, and the real draft's don't happen for at least two more months, but I'm that excited, so I had to at least try my luck. Expect another mock draft summary from me in he near future.

Anyway, I have some pictures to share from last week's adventures. Enjoy.

Milaca senior Sarah Forker clears one of her first attempts at the state pole vault competition in the Hamline Field House last Saturday afternoon. 

Forker takes a run toward the pit. 

Forker again clears another height. 

Forker awaits her next attempt at 10-feet. 

Forker prepares for another run at the vault. She wound up taking seventh place.

All the medalists in the Class A girls pole vault including Forker (second from right). 

Milaca senior Olivia Wolbert watches after she hit a putt on June 2 at Blackberry Ridge in Sartell.

Cole Patten hits a chip from just off the green at the section meet at Blackberry Ridge on June 2.

Milaca's No. 6 golfer Brian Miler hits an approach shot from the fairway on the back nine.

Freshman Haley Hoskins watches her putt roll toward the hole.

Wolbert comes down hard on the ball on the eighth hole.

Senior Jared Gould follows through on a back-nine par three. 

All That's Left

This week I chose the song "All That's Left" by Miranda Lambert off her latest album "Platinum." While all other country artists are pushing the line closer from country to pop, Lambert stays true to her country roots. I like that.

This past week or so I covered section track and a golf tournament. Section 6AA track pictures will be included next week, as will Class A state track.

Keeping it short this week. Enjoy the photos. Follow me on twitter @typhoonater467

Sarah Forker gets emotional after she cleared 8-11 and guaranteed herself a spot at state.

St. Johns' Clemens Stadium played host for the Section 5A Track and Field meet on May 28. 

Freshman Alicia Wolbert strikes the ball on May 28 at Wapicada.

Milaca senior Cameron Sundberg chases eighth-grader Jon Hall in the 1600-meter run.

Wolves junior Josiah Forker clears an early height in the pole vault.

Allie Terpstra, a Milaca junior, leaps into the pit in the prelims of the long jump.

Caitlin Richardson of Milaca (near) prepares to start in the 100-meter hurdles.

Josiah Forker clears another height.