Celebrate Mondays, Relay for Life & Otr the Otter
Spiess In The Morning for Monday July 14, 2025.
Happy Monday you beautiful otters, Spiess in the Morning broadcasting and podcasting from the spectacular studios next to the swamp in the heart of the North Star State.
I know, I know. Monday doesn’t always get the warmest welcome.
It’s the soggy cereal of the week—the alarm clock you didn’t ask for.
But I’ve been thinking… Maybe Monday’s just gotten a bad reputation. The low hanging fruit of days of the week to pick on. Maybe we’ve just forgotten how to say hello to it properly.
Because the truth is, Monday doesn’t come with a grudge It comes with opportunity.
It’s the blank page. The fresh start. The big inhale before the next chapter of your story begins.
And yeah, I get it—
The to-do list is already longer than a Dakota sunset.
There’s emails, errands, things that were due last week…
And still, here we are.
You. Me.
Breathing.
Heart ticking.
Sky turning from slate to blue like it always does.
That’s something.
That’s everything.
So what if today… just today…
We kick off Monday not with dread, but with gratitude?
Not with “Ugh,” but with “Okay—let’s see what this one’s got.”
Start small.
Thank your knees for bending.
Your lungs for inflating.
That first sip of coffee? That’s a miracle in a mug.
The way the sunlight sneaks through the blinds just right? That’s nature’s wink.
And if you're heading to work, well—thank you.
The gears don’t turn without people who show up.
If you're home, raising kids, fixing a fence, folding laundry—thank you.
The world doesn’t function without care.
We spend so much time looking toward Friday that we forget:
Monday is where it starts.
Where hope gets dressed.
Where dreams put their boots on.
So here’s a thought—
Today, be someone’s good moment.
Hold a door.
Share a smile.
Send a text that just says “thinking of you.”
Because that ripple, that one act of grace—
Might just be the thing that changes someone’s whole week.
This is Spiess in the Morning,
reminding myself and anyone else listening that Mondays don’t have to be heavy.
They can be holy.
Not because of what you do, but how you begin.
So breathe deep.
Step forward.
And let the week unfold like a map you haven’t read yet—
Full of promise, mystery…
and maybe, just maybe, a little magic.
Today’s sunrise brought a story with it. One of gold, grief, and the shape of fate when it’s wrapped in fur.
Let me take you back—not just a few years, not even a few centuries— but to the time when the Norse gods walked among men and beasts, and the line between man and animal wasn’t so clearly drawn.
This is the tale of Ótr—the Otter. A shapeshifter. A creature of both water and wisdom. He was the son of Hreidmar, a powerful magician, and the brother of Fafnir and Regin—names that, if you know your sagas, will make your stomach twist before this is over.
Ótr had a habit. By day, he took the form of an otter and fished in the river.
Sleek, nimble, content. He would catch salmon and rest on the banks, basking in the cool spray of northern water.
And then, one day— along came Odin, the Allfather, Loki the Trickster, and Hoenir.
Three gods on a journey. They saw the otter, fat with fish and calm with peace.
Loki, never one to let a moment pass without trouble, threw a stone. And killed him.
They skinned the otter, not knowing he was anything more than prey, and later that night, arrived at the home of Hreidmar seeking shelter. They offered the pelt.
But instead of hospitality, they were met with horror. Grief cracked the room like thunder— Because Hreidmar recognized the pelt. It was his son.
The gods were captured and sentenced. Their ransom? To fill the otter’s skin with gold… and cover it completely with more gold—so that not one hair, not one whisker, was left visible.
Loki, ever the schemer, fetched a treasure: Andvari’s gold, cursed and glittering, plucked from a dwarf who’d been hoarding it under a waterfall. And among that treasure was a ring.
The Andvaranaut. A ring that would bring wealth… and ruin.
The gods paid the price. Ótr’s pelt overflowed with gold. Hreidmar took the ransom. But peace didn’t last.
Because cursed gold has a way of turning kin into killers. Fafnir, greedy and poisoned by its power, murdered his own father for the treasure and transformed into a dragon to guard it.
Regin plotted revenge.
And the tale spiraled on, until a boy named Sigurd came along to slay the dragon and carry the curse forward.
So what’s the lesson in all this?
Maybe it's that value can’t be measured in weight or glitter. That vengeance, no matter how righteous, can echo for generations. Or maybe it’s simply this Not all who glide quietly through the water are just animals. Sometimes, they’re someone’s son. Sometimes, they’re part of a story bigger than any of us realize.
Ótr’s story reminds us that sometimes the smallest ripples—the flick of a tail, the throw of a stone— can awaken the deepest consequences.
This is Spiess in the Morning, reminding myself and anyone listening that in a world rushing to measure, own, and take— be the one who watches before they throw.
Who listens before they speak. And who knows: even an otter might carry the weight of a world on its back.
It’s July 14, 2025, and the air hums with fair buzz, ripe berries, and the soft promise of mid-summer. I’m Spiess—a voice by the swamp, wondering whether the loon’s call today is in celebration or contemplation.
🌳 Park Upgrades Shine at Phelps Mill County Park
This week, officials quietly marked the completion of major enhancements at Phelps Mill County Park. Improved trails, new picnic shelter, updated restrooms—it’s all in. Whether you’re hauling flour to the mill or finding shade by the river, the park’s more welcoming than ever.
🚧 Fergus Falls Road Update—Temporary Relief, Work Ahead
Any commuters near Fergus Falls noticed a smoother ride this weekend. On July 11, crews opened a temporary bypass on Friberg Avenue—easing traffic through the Fir/Friberg intersection after a 72-hour closure earlier in the week. Don’t let that smooth pavement fool you though—more resurfacing and realignment work is coming. Stay tuned, and drive safe.
🚔 Sheriff’s Daily Report—Scams & Sheriff Alerts
The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office is warning locals about a new phone scam. A caller is posing as “Sgt. Mekash,” claiming to collect fines or warrants over the phone. If they ring your line, hang up and report it. And yes, sheriff reports continue to arrive daily online, if you’re into dashboards and crime logs.
Regarding the jail roster, a snapshot from July 13 shows the usual mix—DWI’s, domestic incidents, and the occasional trespassing citation. No major surprises, just the county staying on top of public safety.
🎯 Mid-Summer Calm with Community Events
While major fairs are still days away, this week holds its own peaceful rhythm:
Summer outdoor concerts are now underway in Fergus Falls—bring a lawn chair, settle in, and enjoy local tunes under open skies.
Don’t miss Family Day at ABC Brewing in Fergus Falls and Battle Lake this Sunday—yard games, food, and friendly faces at the local taproom..
Next Tuesday (July 15), Vogrin Hall in Parkers Prairie hosts Cards & Games for the 55+ crowd—2–4 pm.
Fall fairs may draw the crowds starting July 16, but these gentle gatherings remind us that summer thrives long before the midway lights ignite.
🌞 Weather Whisper
July 14 brings partly cloudy skies with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Perfect for boating in the morning; better to stay lakeside as clouds gather. Enjoy the warmth, but watch for a flash shower or two .
📻 Final Strum
Otter Tail County—it’s a quieter Monday, but one full of gentle progress and community hum. Trails improved, roads shifting, scam warnings in the air, and the music of summer just beginning.
This is Spiess in the Morning, inviting you to pause for a second. Breathe in the pine, listen for the loons, and know that here—right in this moment—is what life is.
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OTTER TALK COMMUNITY CALENDAR
🎡 West Otter Tail County Fair (Fergus Falls) – July 19–22
Take the West Otter Tail County Fair, just around the corner in Fergus Falls. Four days of agricultural excellence, carnival lights, and the sound of teenagers discovering who they are over a funnel cake and a first kiss on the Ferris wheel. There’s something spiritual about the demo derby too—an existential clash of chrome and chaos. As Camus might say: in the heart of absurdity, we crush the rules of the road and cheer for survival.
👑 East Otter Tail County Fair (Perham) – July 24–27
Head east a few miles and time bends in Perham for the East Otter Tail County Fair. A twin sibling to its western cousin, but like any twin—it’s got its own voice. There’s livestock, sure, but there’s also laughter under the grain bins, and the kind of warmth you can’t program into an app. It’s honest. It’s home.
🤪 Vergas Looney Days – August 11–13
But maybe you’re feeling a little... looney? That’s okay. Embrace it. The folks in Vergas certainly do. Every August, the town throws Looney Days, a celebration that dances joyfully on the fine line between silly and sublime. We’re talking water-ski shows, dachshund races, and street dances where even your uncle who hasn’t moved since ‘84 remembers how to boogie. Vergas isn’t just leaning into the looney—it’s leading the parade.
🦦 OtterFest (Ottertail) – August 12
Then there’s OtterFest in the town of Ottertail. A little quieter. More music than mayhem. It’s the perfect spot to bring a lawn chair, a blanket, and a beer—and just listen. Maybe talk to a stranger. Maybe don’t. OtterFest gives you permission to just... be.
Kate’s Korner Antiques & Collectables is NOW OPEN in Elizabeth! Located across the street from the liquor store on Hwy 59, Kate’s Korner is a must stop and see. If you see the flags flapping in the wind, she’s open and ready to serve your nostalgic needs.
Paul’s Farm Fresh Eggs - $3/dozen - call or text 218-205-7779 (The Greater Elizabeth Area)
Abbie’s Farm Fresh Eggs - $9 for 30 eggs - washed or unwashed - call or text 320-349-0942 (The Greater Morris Area)
IBC Totes for sale - Endless uses for these totes from firewood storage to rainwater catcher to stacking two for an outdoor shower. Pick up encouraged, delivery available. Food grade are $100 each and non-food grade are $65 each. Call 218-639-1116
The Shoreline Bowling Alley in Battle Lake has open bowling All Summer Long. Call 218-864-5265 for more info or stop by 505 N Lake Ave, Battle Lake, MN.
The Bookmobile has books, movies & magazines to check out, but the Bookmobile and member libraries also offer a wide variety of electronic resources including Ebooks, downloadable audiobooks, streaming movies, TV and music, and a wide variety of educational databases and distance learning resources.
The Bookmobile stops across from the Parkers Prairie Post Office every other Wednesday throughout the year. You can find the Bookmobile there from 3 pm to 4 pm.
The Bookmobile stops in Elizabeth, only this stop isn’t at the community center or the public park, rather it’s a private house. Next stop is July 3 in Elizabeth and it’s a block north of the C-Store on the gravel road, or 206 N Pelican Street, for you GPS folk.
Check out more Bookmobile towns by clicking here
If you have a community event for the Community Bulletin Board, email studio@ottertalk.media
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Please tune in tomorrow for more local lakes area tunes, totally tubular tales, and some small-town smiles.
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