Rise and shine otters, it’s a beautiful morning, the stars are still showing their glorious selves and the loons are out letting the roosters know it’s time to get up.
Guess what otters, it’s that magical time again, well looney time again—it’s Looney Days 2025 from July 30th through August 3rd, and this year we’re taking it all the way back with the theme: “Many Loons Ago.” History, humor, heart—and probably a few high-flying wiener dogs if we’re lucky!
Now listen, if you’re not from around here, let me paint you a picture. We’re not just tossing bean bags and flipping brats—we’re uniting generations in a celebration so big, it needs five full days and a little extra lake spirit just to contain it.
Let’s start off with Wednesday night, when we knock the dust off the bases with the Old Timers Softball Game and honor our legends at the Vergas Baseball Hall of Fame Dedication. It’s nostalgia in cleats, and I promise, the crack of the bat still echoes through Long Lake.
By Thursday, we’ve got paint and sip at Billy’s, live music and food trucks at the Otter Office, and of course, the little darlings in the Miss Vergas Pageant—because nothing says small-town royalty like a glittery sash and a thousand watts of smile.
Friday’s where things start getting wild. Sidewalk chalk art, kids fishing, petting zoos, brats and beans, and—brace yourselves—an Elvis tribute show by Anthony Shore that’ll have you shaking your hips like it’s 1956. And don’t forget the Loony Lake Boat Parade—you bring the floaties, we’ll bring the cheers.
Now come Saturday, you better carb-load because it’s pedal to the metal from sunrise to fireworks. The 5K Fun Run, waterski show, classic cars, rummage sales, inflatable games, live music, puppy plunge, and yes, the legendary wiener dog races—tiny legs, big dreams. I heard there’s a dark horse dachshund named Pickles this year. Keep your eyes on the track.
Need a break? Hit the beer garden, enter the bean bag tourney, or just people-watch at the street fair with a lemonade in one hand and a brat in the other. And when the sun goes down, it’s all eyes on the Street Dance—where the only cover charge is $10 and a good attitude.
Finally, Sunday is the grand finale. Start the morning with yoga among the flowers, catch some blues by Mona Lavallet, and cap it all off with a parade that’s got more floats than your average county fair and enough candy to send your dentist into early retirement.
And hey—don’t skip town too fast! There’s TP Bingo, raffles, and live music late into the evening at Billy’s Corner Bar & Grill.
🎶 So whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the nachos, the neon shirts, or just the loony love of it all—welcome to Vergas. Welcome to Looney Days. Where tradition flies with feathers, fur, and a whole lot of flair. 🦆🎉
And remember otters… seating is limited, so bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Better yet, bring a friend, a smile, and your most ridiculous sense of humor—because this is where small-town pride goes big.
Here’s one from our good friend and former police chief Tim Eggebraaten who is performing live at Looney Days, this song he performed live in studio about a decade ago with Emma Wood on vocals and Mr. Tim Eggebraaten on guitar and vocals.
Spiess in the Morning broadcasting and podcasting from the spectacular studios next to the swamp where history, heart, and hydration meet over a cup of nostalgia with a splash of coffee.
We’ve got a trio of days today that might seem unrelated at first glance, but give ‘em a stir—kind of like a good chocolate milk—and the blend makes sense.
First up, National Chocolate Milk Day.
Now, let’s be honest—chocolate milk was the original energy drink for a lot of us growing up. That perfect fusion of sweetness and strength, served up in tin lunchboxes and after-school memories.
Whether it came from a school carton, a metal Thermos, or grandma’s mixing spoon, chocolate milk didn’t just taste good—it felt like childhood in a cup.
But while we sip that nostalgia, let’s also take a moment for Buffalo Soldiers Day.
Created by Congress to honor the African American soldiers who served in segregated cavalry and infantry regiments after the Civil War, these were men who faced discrimination in their own country, yet wore the uniform with honor and purpose.
They built roads, guarded the frontier, and fought with dignity—carving out a legacy that still echoes through history, even if it’s too often forgotten.
Today’s a good day to remember that freedom, like chocolate milk, wasn’t handed out equally—but both can leave a lasting impression when you taste the truth.
And if history gets a little heavy, well… there’s always National Waterpark Day.
Because who among us doesn’t need a plunge down a plastic slide or a spin in the lazy river to reset the soul?
Waterparks are where sunscreen mixes with french fries, where first crushes happen on tube rides, and where parents get a front-row seat to the unfiltered joy of cannonballs and chlorine.
It’s American leisure at its loudest—and sometimes, its best.
So today, pour a glass of the past, remember those who paved the road west—and maybe pack a towel if you’re lucky enough to chase joy down a waterslide.
This is Spiess in the Morning, reminding myself and anyone listening that whether it’s history, hydration, or Hershey’s—you’re never too old to appreciate the simple things that shaped you.
Over the weekend, I had a lot of conversations. The kind that start light and end up peeling back some real truths. And do you know what phrase I heard more than once?
“Ugh… Monday’s coming.”
Not just once or twice—just about everyone said it. Like there’s this universal cloud rolling in over Sunday night dinner.
And I get it. I really do.
The weekend gives us a taste of freedom—bonfires, bare feet, sleeping in—and Monday shows up like a group text from reality. The inbox is full, the coffee’s too weak, and you’re already thinking about next weekend before your computer even boots up.
But here’s something I’ve learned: dread is a thief.
It steals your minutes before they’ve even had a chance to bloom into anything meaningful.
So what if, instead of dragging into work like a sleepwalking extra in a zombie flick, we walked in with a little defiance in our step?
A little, “Yeah, it’s Monday—and I’m still standing.”
You don’t have to love your job every day.
But you can love what your job does for others.
You can be the reason someone else’s day isn’t so soul-sucking. You can be the one who holds the door, cracks the joke, refills the coffee pot, or simply chooses to show up with kindness.
Your energy matters—and it’s contagious. Even if you’re just running on fumes and free donuts.
So if today feels heavy, start small. Change the playlist. Compliment a coworker. Send that email with a smile in it. Find the moment—any moment—that reminds you why you started this path in the first place. Or who you're doing it for.
Because even zombies get a second wind. And Mondays don’t have to win.
This is Spiess in the Morning, reminding myself and anyone listening that showing up is half the battle—and your attitude is the sword. Now go slay the day. You’ve got this.
Otter and out.
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Kate’s Korner Antiques & Collectables is open for the season 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
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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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