Racoon Canoe Club Memories

For those of us huddled in our cozy homes remembering warmer times on the lake here are some articles that Woody BayBridge wrote about the Racoon Canoe Club in the Ortonville Independent.

The Racoon Canoe Club was a summertime get together for the entire community hosted by Woody BayBridge.

There were many people who enjoyed coming down to the lake and jumping in one of the free canoes and paddling around. For those of us who just liked to visit there was a warm fire and smores.

Enjoy the memories as you read again of the many adventures of the Racoon Canoe Club of Big Stone Lake.



Young Racoon Canoe Club member writes to Santa.
Woody’s Wit-lin’s
By Norwood BayBridge
 
Dear Santa or Elfin Staff Reader:
 
I am six years old. Last Thursday at the meetin’ of the Wacoon Canoe Cwub I gib’d my wacoon canoe hat to da cannon team so dey could test fire da cannon.
Dey shoot my wittle hat all de way up into de cottonwood twee wite befoe de weguwar fwag  waising ceremony. Can u git me anoder wacoon canoe hat . . .  pweese . . ?
 
Yor fwend,  A.G.  Big Stone City, SD
 
It’s true, on Thursday, August 12th, the hat of a generous, if naïve and easily enticed, youngster was fired from the cannon prior to the regular flag raising ceremony of the Racoon Canoe Club. And, indeed, it did get caught about 60 feet up in a cottonwood tree. The actual CABOOM Team (Cannon and Ballistic Ordinance Operations Majorettes) was not in attendance, and the janitorial staff that substituted got a little enthusiastic with that first initial charge of the cannon which led to the whole fiasco. All responsible were reprimanded and demoted to the rank of junior custodial aids. After the flag raising, everybody canoed blissfully till dark, when the whole gang roasted marsh mellows and made smores by the fireside.
 
The legitimate and original CABOOM team will perform the ceremonial flag raising Thursday, August 19th, at the Big Stone City Park; and Monday, August 23rd, at the Primitive Campground on the Dike Road. Both rendezvous’ start at 6:30 PM and go till we run out of marsh mellows. There ain’t no Santy Clause there, but there are free canoe rides for whoever shows up. Colorful, festive and alcohol-free; Happy Holidays!
 
 

More fun from the Racoon Canoe Files. It gives us something to chuckle about as we are huddled inside while the temperatures continue to hold us hostage.



Elite reserve members of PAPAPA Paddle Team called to duty
 Dateline: Ortonville . . . On Sunday, Jun 27th, 2004, Reserve Members of the elite Racoon Canoe Club PAPAPA Paddle Team (Provide All People A Pleasant Afternoon) were called to duty and furnished free canoe tours of mysterious Turtle Creek and it’s environs to scores of willing pic-nic goers who attended the 2nd Annual Citizens for Big Stone Lake Convocation at Lakeside Park. This unusual reserve unit, affectionately called the “Stutterin’ Paddle Team” (for no known reason), is comprised of volunteers from the ranks of the Racoon Club’s general membership, it’s Regional Capsize Committee and the Supreme Ringtailed Paddle Dippers Council. Noticeably absent from it's roster is any canoeierre associated with the celebrated Assorted Nut Committee; the delegation whose chief responsibility is to provide a variety of nuts and condiments, served in paper dental spit cups, at Racoon Canoe Club meetings. Even without this additional manpower though, it is a versatile, resourceful and multi-faceted team that may be counted upon to respond to any water-related civic event where food is served cheap; or better still, free.
 
The Monday and Thursday meetings of the Racoon Canoe Club were held last week with many out-of-town visitors taking advantage of the free canoe rides. These guests came from as far away as Blaine, Minnesota; and from the nearby cities of Graceville and Milbank. All commented on the wealth of activities that abound for tourists, families and sightseers in the Ortonville/Big Stone City metro area. Many of those who took part in the canoe tours with their families remarked on the aqua-wizardry of the team. “Pretty good”, “Not bad”, and “I’ve seen worse”, were among the plethora of laudatory comments eventually extracted from those involved who made it back to shore dry or nearly so. The PAPAPA Paddle Team wishes to express its sincere apologies to the Minneapolis woman visiting our area who’s Chapstick and Yosemite Sam PEZ dispenser has yet to be recovered. The leopard-skin compact washed ashore last night and will be returned by priority mail.
 
 
A noted member of the Racoon Canoe Club has made a bird feeder from parts of his old, broken canoe paddles. Two paddle blades were attached horizontally to the shaft of an electric motor. Bird seed was then placed on the blades for the birds to eat. Should, however, a squirrel climb onto one of the paddle blades, his additional weight actuates a tension switch. This turns on the electric motor, which spins the blades at an ever increasing rate until the squirrel eventually flies off. The bird seed flies off, too, so the engineering has to be fine-tuned a little in order to somewhat moderate this wasteful condition. However, actual testing with, as yet, gullible and unsuspecting bushy-tailed marauders, has produced some remarkable results; and some incredible distances have been achieved after they finally lose grip. One determined little fellow showed considerable spunk and an amazing grasp for his diminutive size. The neighbor's dog was surprised when the furry, bird-seed thief finally flew past him sideways at ear level, still holding a sunflower seed in his teeth. When this particular squirrel finally landed on terra-firma, his continued comic retreat on foot reminded one of the machine-gun-fire avoiding sprint of a zig-zagging soldier on the run in a B movie.  Quite an invention, and a real treat to see in operation.  Remember, don't throw out those old canoe paddles.
 
The next meeting of the Racoon Canoe Club will be held on Monday, July 5th, at the Primitive Campground Park on the Dike Road from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. It is open to members and non-members alike with or without a canoe or kayak, who would like to revive their senses and explore the river. Those wishing to satisfy their hunger for adventure, or have their children get in on the fun will be provided the opportunity to canoe. There is no cost involved, and in addition, it’s free. A similar get-together will be held again for those wishing to participate, at the Lakeside Park in Big Stone City on Thursday, July 8th, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
Take a giant step and do something extraordinary. The Racoon Canoe Club, fast becoming America’s most inviting canoe organization, is dedicated to extending the joys of amazingly simple voyages to those who wish to float-away those anxieties of modern living. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed, since July is celebrated by some as National Poodle Month, so don’t even ask.
 
 
Los Racoonos Canoenos esta mucho loco.
Woody’s Wit-lin’s
By Norwood BayBridge