A couple weeks ago now I noticed water on the floor in the basement. I opened the door to another room, and the water literally rushed out. I had a good three to four inches of standing water in the basement.

We vacuumed for days and nights, but it seemed useless, as the more me vacuumed, the more that came in. With fans and dehumidifiers going night and day, it eventually got to the point of being somewhat dry.

Many things were ruined, carpeting, furniture, electrical equipment, washer & dryer, and many rock and roll items friends in the music business have given me over the years. That’s what bothered me the most I think, because they’re irreplaceable.

We needed to get the leaks repaired correctly, so I called my son-in law who owns Judd Kern Construction and together with Tim harvey Construction, the whole gang got busy on the job.

I’m pleased that the foundation was fine, however the drain pipes were broken , which caused the water to back up in to the house. New pipes were installed, and everything that goes with it, so now I’ll probably have the driest house in town. Mrs. Rayman and I were fortunate to have family and friends who earn their living in construction, and are top notch. We’re thankful they helped us when we needed it most.

The project is almost done. Our front yard was pretty much gone, so today one of the Harvey boys graded the yard, and this afternoon  we’ll get a truckload or two of good black dirt spread, so all that remains is seeding and watering. It could have been a lot worse.

The largest wildfire in Wisconsin in 33 years has been 100% contained, according to fire officials battling the Germann Road Fire near Barnes, Wisconsin. While the fire is fully contained, crews still face several days of work, putting out small hotspots including piles of smoldering debris and stumps that could otherwise rekindle.

The fire, which started southwest of Barnes earlier this week, and has burned over 9,000 acres of land including 47 structures. Of those 47 structures, 17 were homes, 15 garages, and the remainder are various outbuildings. Fire crews have managed to save 77 additional buildings that were threatened by the fire. Some of those buildings saved were a matter of mere feet from burn lines in surrounding grass.

The Wisconsin DNR has set up a hotline which residents potentially impacted by the Germann Road Fire in Douglas County can call to learn about the status of their homes and property. The phone number, 715-376-4185, will connect residents directly to Incident Command where staff are prepared to help update them regarding the status of buildings on their property. The hotline is staffed from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

As crews continue to work on extinguishing hotspots, the investigation of what started the blaze will begin. As of right now, the official cause is undetermined. Below we have a map of the impacted area, as well as photos from around the perimeter of the fire.

UPDATE: 05/16/13 12:18 pm – Cause of the fire determined and confirmed – (Click here for details).

Map of Barnes, WI Wildfire After Containment (05/16/13)

Full-size PDF map (here)

Other wildfires are burning in various places in Minnesota, including one near Red Lake, Camp Ripley, Virginia, Salo, Sturgeon Lake, and Hinckley. Fire danger levels are still high across Minnesota and Wisconsin, and extra care is urged. Many places have total burning bans, while others have restrictions. Before any sort of planned fire, people are asked to check the latest restrictions. You can see the latest Minnesota information here, and the latest Wisconsin information here.

Current Fire Danger Map (05/16/13)

MYNX was at the Sports Garden Rockin’ and I captured these great moments while they were on stage. The band was phenomenal as usual and every song was perfect. They even did a version of “Thriller” with the Vincent Price voice over on the end.

Entering the game, both teams had made offensive statements in their previous section playoff games. The Lumberjacks skated past Forest Lake in a 6-2 victory on February 19, while the Greyhounds had a 15-0 lights-out shutout over St. Michael-Albertville on the same night.

After a scoreless first period, Ryan Lundgren netted a power play goal for the Greyhounds early in the second. From there, there was no looking back for the Greyhounds, as they continued to pressure the offensive zone and outshoot CEC.

Lundgren struck again shortly after opening the third period of play, assisted by Meirs Moore and Alex Toscano. With a 2-0 lead and the clock running into the final minutes of regulation, Ryan Lundgren hit the net for the third time for the Greyhounds with help from Moore and Toscano again.

CEC closed the game being outshot 30-15 by East. Penalties proved to be the biggest problem for the Lumberjacks through the course of the game. The Jacks served two more penalty minutes than East (10 minutes to 8 minutes) and the Greyhounds power play unit took advantage, scoring all three of their goals on the advantage.

Ryan Lundgren’s hat trick adds to his four-goal night against St. Michael-Albertville for a total of 7 goals so far in the section playoffs. Through the course of the regular season, Lundgren netted a total of 17 goals (tied for 3rd on for the Greyhounds).

The Greyhounds go on to face Grand Rapids, who beat Elk River 2-1 after 2 overtime periods of play in the other Section 7AA semifinal game. The Section Championship between Duluth East and Grand Rapids will be at Amsoil Arena in Duluth Thursday, February 28 at 7:30 pm.

Section 7AA Semifinals Photos – Duluth East vs. C-E-C

Source: Superior Police Department Facebook Page

The Superior Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding the persons responsible for vandalism around the city and the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Superior.  These vandals spray-painted graffiti on buildings and other structures.

If anyone has information regarding the graffiti, vandalism, or any crimes in the City of Superior, they’re asked to contact the police department at 715-395-7234 or online at their website.

There are ugly sweater contests, sweater day at work, people take pride is wearing them when I just wanted to drop in a hole to disappear before my friends saw me in one. Well, my wife Laurie takes pride in her ugly sweaters and for a week wore a different one every day.

check these out and tell me your favorite, or your least favorite.

Last week I attended a meeting with my digital staff and our Digital Content Manager Stephanie who came in from New York. After going over figures and stats we took a quick break in the meeting and just kicked back for a few moments. In conversation with Stephanie, she happened to mention how much she enjoyed books as opposed to e-books.

She described the many benefits of books, (actually holding the book, its heaviness, the fact a person can dogear the pages, underline, etc. etc.) Then she said something that really hit home with me. She said she loved “the smell” of a book. Immediately, my mind went back to the very first book I ever got. I was 8 years old, and some friends of my mom gave me a book about Pinocchio. I opened the book, and the first thing I noticed was the smell. I really enjoyed it, maybe even more than the book itself.

After all the moves I’ve made in my lifetime, I’m pleased to say I still have the book. I found it in my home library last night, and guess what the first thing I did was? Right. I smelled it. I know to some it might sound crazy, but it felt comforting as my mind filled with memories of my childhood.

I’ve taken a few photos of the book to show you. To me a book is a treasure, something to enjoy and pass on to future generations. It’s pretty tough to do that with an e-book.

We have Pugs in our home, three to be exact. Baby was our first, then came  Ozzie (the crazy one), and Dolly, Ozzie’s sister. They very protective, a little stubborn, and need to be with one of us all the time. It’s funny, they can hear a leaf fall outside the house, but fall asleep when I’m blasting rock n roll throughout the house. I’ve included some history on the pug for those who are looking for pet. Pugs are great companions, great with kids too.

The breed is often summarized as multum in parvo (“much in little”), describing the pug’s remarkable personality despite its small size. While the pugs appearing in eighteenth century prints tended to be long and lean, modern breed preferences are for a square,  body, a compact form, a deep chest, and well-developed muscle. Pugs have two distinct shapes for their ears, “rose” and “button”. “Rose” ears are smaller than the standard style “button” and are folded with the front edge against the side of the head.  The legs are very strong, straight, of moderate length, and are set well under. The shoulders are moderately laid back. The feet are neither so long as the foot of the hare, nor so round as that of the cat; well split-up toes, and the nails black. The lower teeth normally protrude further than their upper, meeting in an under-bite.

Coat and color

Their smooth, glossy coats can be fawn, apricot fawn, silver fawn, or black. The markings are clearly defined. The tail normally curls tightly over the hip.

Temperament

Strong willed but rarely aggressive, the pug is suitable for families with children. The majority of the breed is very fond of children and sturdy enough to properly play with them. They can be quiet and docile but also vivacious and teasing depending on their owner’s mood.

Around 11 am reports started rolling in that a waterspout was spotted about 2 miles off Park Point over Lake Superior. Tied to these reports is another report of a funnel cloud spotted moving over Barker’s Island around the time of the incident. Since then, photos have surfaced showing that the waterspout had moved into the harbor.

The National Weather Service has acknowledged the sighting and is looking into it. In the meantime, the questions “What is a waterspout” and “What causes waterspouts?” have been getting asked on social media.

Waterspouts come in two different types: fair weather, and tornadic waterspouts. As the name suggests, fair weather waterspouts are not severe and are not caused by thunderstorm activity. Fair weather waterspouts form at the water’s surface due to light, circulating wind conditions. This type of waterspout usually doesn’t extend from the water surface to the clouds, and they generally don’t move very much before disappearing. While this type of waterspout is an interesting spectacle, they tend to be much weaker than a tornado.

Tornadic waterspouts, basically speaking, are tornadoes on water. This type of waterspout forms with a severe thunderstorm, extending from the sky downward toward the water surface, similar to it’s land relative. This type of waterspout has the potential to be far more violent and severe than the fair weather type, and can move onto land along with the storm causing it.

The National Weather Service is looking into the waterspout. At the time of the waterspout, there was a thunderstorm moving through the area. Also, the gusty wind conditions along the shoreline could be the cause of the spectacle. The NWS does have a small craft advisory active along the shoreline due to gusty wind and large waves. If the report of a funnel cloud is indeed true, this may have been a tornadic waterspout.

Here are some photos of the waterspout from earlier today. If you have any of your own you’d like to share with us, email them to nickstoltman@townsquaremedia.com

UPDATE: The National Weather Service has preliminarily confirmed there was a funnel cloud that dissipated after passing over Barker’s Island at 11:20 this morning. The report comes from a trained spotter in the area.

I suppose you may find it odd that I collect trolls of all things…I don’t blame you. I’ll tell you the story behind it.

Many years ago, I casually mentioned on my show,  that I liked trolls. I can’t even remember how I got on that subject now that I think of it. A few days later, I received a box at the radio station. To my amazement, I found the box packed with trolls. On my show that afternoon, I thanked the listener, and things just snowballed after that. On my birthday, people would send me a troll or two, Holidays too, and some just for no special reason other than they knew I like them.

Over the years, my collection grew of course, and it’s now to the point that “if you want to get Rayman something, get him a troll.”  I save everyone I’ve ever received, and I enjoy them too. Not only the gift itself, but the wonderful people who send them to me.

I’ll share a secret with you that I’ve never told anyone, except Mrs. Rayman. Every time I go to a concert, every time I go on stage, I have a troll with me. Sometimes, in my pocket, my jacket, in my back pocket, around my neck…somewhere. You can call it good luck or even superstition. It’s a habit I picked up from musicians. I would honestly guesstimate 99 % of the artists you see at a concert, have some sort of  a “good luck charm” with them during each show. Entertainers are very superstitious people. I guess I am too.

That’s the story of how it all began, and continues to this day. Thanks to all who have been so kind to me. I’ll give them all a good home, I promise you that.

According to the blueberry expert of Lake Nebagamon there are no wild blueberries this year due to the excessive rain followed by the excessive heat.  The blueberry expert knows all the best spots for wild blueberries in the area and was disappointed not to find her annual crop.

There are, however, a good crop of cultivated berries available at Bayfield berry patches.  Cultivated berries are large (almost the size of small grapes) and while tasty they do not have the intensive flavor of the wild blueberries.

We were delighted to find among the cultivated berries small lighter blue blueberries that are very similar to wild berries.  Many pickers pass up the smaller berries because it is faster to pick the larger less flavorful berries.  According to one of the berry patches these smaller berries are  Northcountry variety and are very similar to the wild lowbush blueberries.  With irrigation and lots of sunshine the cultivated berries of all variety are bountiful.

Fresh fruit berry pie recipe from a local grower

1 cup crushed berries

2 cups whole berries

2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 cup cold water

1 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

combine sugar, alt and cornstarch.  Add water and crushed berries.  Mix well.  Cook until thick and clear stirring constantly.  Cool.

Combine with the whole berries and spread in a baked pie shell.  Cool for several  hours and serve with whipped cream.

I want to say thanks to Faith and Ashley for stopping by this morning as the newly crowned Miss Hermantown and Ambassador. Thanks to Rhonda for inviting me, I met with past Miss Hermantowns and the Ambassadors too. I didn’t realize how tough it is to be a judge in something like that.  One thing I have to say is that when you are judge you aren’t judging the negative aspects of these young women, you are judging the positive.

One thing the parents and ladies that were in the competition last Friday, is not that you don’t have it, it’s that we found more aspects of what we thought would make a good Miss Hermantown.  The ladies that didn’t make it to the winning circle, you are wonderful young women and should try again. If you don’t ever try again, you will be great people in society.

I would encourage more young ladies in Hermantown to be a part of this next year, just for the learning experience of it.

Here are pictures from Crusie-a-Palooza 2012 and we’ll see you next year!

Here is a taste of the damage seen around the Twin Ports, with more photos being added as they come in.

Mrs. Rayman was doing some yard work, and decided to cut the lawn. A truck pulls up and the dude tells her not to start the mower because there is a gas leak. It seems there was one outside my house, and one more at another location in Lake Nebagamon. They have this thing called a “snooper” that goes bonkers if it detects a leak.

Early the next morning, they arrived and repaired the defective pipe. Thanks guys, and hurray for the “snooper”!

How can you tell if your a redneck? Do you enjoy mud pot-belly flops, bobbing for pigs’ feet, watermelon seed spitting, armpit serenades, and the ever-popular redneck horseshoes — where toilet seats are the items catapulted.

Here’s some shots from the Redneck Olympics. One of the event’s most famous moments came in 2000, when a 12-year-old boy played the Southern anthem “Dixie” using his armpit and palm.

Saturday I did a remote broadcast at Lake Superior College. The car show was a memorial to Dennis Godfrey. Dennis was an Auto Service Technology Instructor for the past ten years. He died unexpectedly in October of 2009.

A scholarship established in his name is open to any student enrolled in the program who is planning to earn a two year diploma or AAS degree. Dennis was an avid classic car owner and attendee at hundreds of car shows over the years, my Cruise-A-Palooza being one of them. He will be missed.

I have a unique grill. It was originally made by a man named Hilton Meigs. Hilton was among other things, an inventor, contractor, designer, and a businessman in Beaumont Texas. He had a little P.T. Barnum thrown in for good measure.

Hilton loved barbeque as most Texans do, however, he had a dream of  manufacturing  “the perfect barbeque pit.” He wanted the grill to last almost forever, and it must be portable.  In 1952, he manufactured the first “Portable Kitchen” cast aluminum grill.

The portable kitchen became so popular, he moved operations to Tyler Texas, where he and his son would load as many grills as possible into his 1954 Chevy, (with the back seat removed), and sell them all across Texas. Retail stores sold them here in America as well as overseas. Sales increased so much, he was forced to acquire larger space in Little Rock Arkansas.

With the advent of stamped metal charcoal grills, and gas grills in the 80′s, he retired..the end of the “Portable Kitchen” he thought. Good fortune came to him through a couple who were tired of the rusted out, cheaply constructed charcoal grills, and weren’t convinced a propane flame could produce the flavor of charcoal fed hickory smoke. They retrieved a Portable Kitchen at a garage sale one day, and the rest is history. Just think, it all started in Hilton Meigs mind, with some help from a 1954 Chevy.