2007 Winter Carnival
From somewhere deep within the imaginary boundaries of the St MinneSomePlace archipelago, on the banks of the Mississippi River, lies Beautiful Harriet Island, the winter destination for all things Carnival. Even Jimmy Buffett's hand has touched our annual winter tribute this year.  Come to the Island to play on the Snow Slide, get lost in the amazing maze, warm up in the Minnesota Hotdish Tent, or take in the sled dog races and the ice and snow masterpieces.  This year, Jimmy Buffett and Margaritaville are sponsoring the Jamaica Dog Sled Team and a team in the highly competitive Snow Sculpture contest.  The dog race is on Saturday, Feb 3.  As for the snow sculpting, highly skilled sculptors from around the region had 48 hours to create their masterpieces from blocks of snow in a competition for OOOH's and AAAAH's but also for a chance to go on to the national competition. How do you get blocks of snow?  It takes some stompers....see the pictures below for the photographic evidence.  The Margaritaville team is sculpting the Hemisphere Dancer as well as other usual icons of Parrot Headonism.   
The Winter Carnival Closing Night
During the course of the event, we managed to raise over $230 for The Neighborhood House which was Margaritaville's charity of choice for this event.  Over the two evenings during which we participated, we also donated over 188 volunteer hours.  See?  We are able to do more than just write checks!  We were thanked pretty heavily from the people of Margaritaville and even received some donations to the club for upcoming events.
(photos provided by Rob Winters)

For more details, go to: Winter Carnival
Don't Stop the Carnival! 
(Photos below provided by Rob Winters and Jeff Hage)

Hold 'Em Tournament
Just a few aces, with cards up our sleeves
-- Rancho Deluxe

Feb 16  The first Parrot Head Hold 'Em tournament is in the history books.  We had 19 Parrot Heads partake in the event with Jim Hegarty taking home the grand prize (Admission for 2 to THR).  Tamara Boll came in second (2 Margaritaville pilsner glasses) and Dave Appelbaum took third (new CLub t-shirt).  The evening was a huge success for all involved as a few of the novice players were still in the game long after a few of the more experienced ones went down.  The big winners of the evening were the THR charities for whom we raised $255!!  Way to Go Parrot Heads!  Thank you to Clint Pullin and Erik Moe for putting this tournament together and making it the success it was!

THIS HOTEL ROOM PHLOCKING
Photos provided by Brad Swanson and Marilyn Listvan and Mike Grogan
More photos from Randy Baana:  Phlocking Pix

CAJUN MARTINI AND AFTERNOON GOLF

CAJUN MARTINIS & AFTERNOON GOLF X

3-Day Breast Cancer Walk
was Friday August 24-Sunday August 26.  We had 10 members on the St MinneSomePlace Crew Team!  7 of us were on hand Thursday, August 23^rd; yes, crew members have an extra day before walkers show up, to help this great cause!  Our main job was to work in the “kitchen” serving food, breakfast, lunch and dinner (4:30 am until 9pm)!  In between, we did “other duties as assigned:  decorate the mess hall, check in walkers, help at Opening and Closing Ceremonies, clean up camp after ALL walkers and spectators left, and  somewhere in that time, find energy to cheer on the great walkers! We also had time to reflect on what a great experience the weekend was!  I want to thank all of you who supported us not only financially, but spiritually also!  We have heard a lot of great feedback from many of you.  Again, thank you, our Parrot Head PHriends!   the Twin Cities event raised over $7 million for research and our crew of 10 people raised over $3,500!  Thanks to the 3-day crew of  Lynn Appel, Brenda Nygren-Moe, Nancy Nygren, Jen Nolting, Connie Nelson and her daughter Summer, Jean Hummel, Kelli Bechtel, and Daunne Schaller  for raising money for this great purpose!  Julie (Jules) Winters

14th Annual Holiday, 13th Anniversary and
Member Appreciation Phlocking

Marilyn's Photo's

  Wow! What a time this past Saturday Night!  We had more than 130 Parrot Heads join in the phun. I think that may be a new record for the Holiday Party!  Way to go Parrot Heads. It might have have been one of the best HAMA/Holiday Parties we have ever had in St. MinneSomePlace history.  Thank you for coming out!  The drinks were flowing, the music was amazing and the time spent with fellow Parrot Heads was priceless.  Whose Apple Pie was better -- Shaughnessy's or the B's  -- I sampled both a few times, but in the end I just got drunk.  If you didn't try those, I am sure you could have found some of Bernie's famous bird balls or parrot piss.  Or the numerous Jello shots going around that night.  I am sorry if I missed out on anyone else's concoctions - you can catch me at the THR Party coming up. What a night for music.  We had our very own Joe "Jambo" Yira get us warmed up.  Hey, Jambo, you need to go play down at MOTM -- you need to share your musical talents.  Just don’t forget us.  Then we had Scott Kirby's unbelievable talent to entertain us.  His live album "'A Night on the Beach" is a great collection of his songs -- stick that one into the CD rotation.  Then we had Mr. John Iannazzo to entertain us the rest of the night -- our great thanks as well for all his efforts to make the night's music sound great.I would like to take some time to thank everyone who helped plan this event with me.  Together, they set us up for a terrific night: Patrick O'Brien, Jean Hummel, Connie Nelson, Terri Merrigan, Troy Thielman, Bruce Olson, Dave Carlton, John Sherwin and John Iannazzo (our new Island Bartender).  You wouldn't have gotten into the party if it hadn't been for our registration crew -- thank you Dave Appelbaum, John and Carol Sherwin, Stan, Connie, Dave C., Scott and Terri Merrigan, Bernice, Andrew, Brenda, Cheryl, Diane, Bev, Vince and Bridget Smale, Jim and Sue Hegarty, Mike Grogan, Marilyn Listvan, and Jon Gaasedelen (whew!).  Round of applause to everyone who helped set-up a terrific looking place and tore it down so we'll be invited back: Troy, Beck, Connie, Patrick, Jean (high five on the terrific tablescaping!), Terri, Scott Merrigan, John, Bruce, Dave C, Dave A., Jerry Shea, and Tim Wulf.  I know I have missed some and I apologize -- thank you.  Our volunteers  -- our PH members -- make this event happen. And let's not forget about Canterbury Inn - They have been amazing to work with on past, current and future phlockings.Well, all good times come to the end.  But there is always the next phlocking to look forward to.  We can blow out end-of-winter blahs with This Hotel Room on Saturday, April 5, 2008, back at Canterbury Inn.  We have The Cedar Island Band coming up from guess where?  You got it Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Keep an eye out for more information on our next phlocking.   I look forward to seeing everyone again!-Ozzie
ps:  We also raised almost $500 for MAARS, which brings our total donation to MAARS to over $600