However, after a few practices we nixed the idea; we needed help!  Bob knew a few musicians who might help us out.  Enter Mike Haight, Jimmy Conrad, Dana Erickson, Mike (“Biggs”),  Bob and myself.  They played in bands, were professionals and could hit the ground running.   The band formed and was known as the “DOWGS”, an acronym for “Drunken Old White Guys”!  Various other members came and went through the years.  The stage was set for a number of local singers/musicians to join us on stage; it wasn’t going to be a karaoke song jest; they were screened first. Again this year, Bob brought up local talent to sing and perform in between sets.  Ron Asp and Todd Yancy among them.

I felt that as long as we were going through all the work, including advertising and promoting the event, why not include a charity.  Through those years we hosted fund raisers for cancer patients and charitable organizations, including my favorite, “WorryFree InHome Care”—helping keep people in their own homes around our county, rather than assistant living or nursing homes.

Well, here we are 15 years later and older.  I had taken a sabbatical from the stage for four years.  Bob had carried the dance on, but thought this would be the last one.  Since this might be the last dance, he approached me to play a couple songs:  My signature song (first song I learned on guitar at age 15) “Last Kiss”; played it at every dance, and “House of the Rising Sun”; two songs  I was featured playing and singing.  I usually played  rhythm guitar and back ground singer.  Bob played guitar, bass and vocals.  It felt good being on stage again, or at least one more time!

It had been a fun-loving 15 years performing and reliving the ol’ days laughing and dancing at the Holiday Inn in the late 50s and 60s.  This time we were the entertainment!  I want to make special mention of Romy and all he’s done for the dance and the charities; his helpfulness, contributions to the fund raisers and donation of the hall through all these years.  Thanks, Romy.  To the guys in the band?  It was a blast!    Go to “Links” in the right column and click on “Kelly Lake VIDEO Cam” for a short clip of the band.Roger

Area residents were honored with the “Kelly Lake Community Service Award” (see below).

(Note:  Shirley’s exceptional photography suffered when her personal high resolution camera died; it lasted 8 years with thousands of pics taken; served her well.  She ended up using my spare drop-in-your-pocket camera; quality just doesn’t compare.  Meanwhile, we’ve ordered out another even better Fujifilm digital cam).

The “DOWGS”!

Mike (“Bubs”) Haight, Sound Mixer”, asked if I had a pic of him.  Yup, though the quality is poor, Shirley got a shot—Bubs is far left.

Rick and Chderyl Hansen.

Heather Hansen and me.

Gary, Terry Natski, Peter and Dianne Hansen.

Larry Stephens, Earl and Nancy Macha.

Clare McQuire and Elizabeth Piontek.

Bob Piontek and Ron Asp.

Jeff, Greg and Juli Levar.

Rita Day.

Todd Yancy on stage.

Ron Asp singing.

Pete and Dianne Hansen.

Gary and Terry Natski.

Tom, Vicki, Tyson, TJ Pitch, and Tyson’s girlfriend(?).

Max, Leslie and Todd Yancy receiving Award.  They are very active and ambitious in the community.  Todd is willing to lend a hand whenever asked.

Gary Vizelka receives a Community Service Award for his contribution in many ways to the lake.  May I note Gary was a big asset in helping me raise money by hosting fund rasiers at his bar.  He and his boys would go around selling tickets and collecting donations when we held the benefits there.

Biner hand out Award to Marge Keshemberg for her service, especially with the KL Sportsmens Club. Marge is a familiar face around the lake, and lend a hand wherever needed.

The Kelly Lake community honored both Shirley and I with one of the “Community Service Awards”.  Shirley and I were on stage at the time, hence no photo; that’s me singing.  Bob recognized Shirley and my achievements which we are proud of:  The Natural Gas Project that I spearheaded (it took two years from sending out surveys and newsletters to hook-up with natural gas; an alternative source of energy; competition among suppliers), the original ‘79 Naiad Water Ski Club (social gathering for the youth; many from all corners of the lake got to meet each other and show their wares), my involvement with WorryFree InHome Care (assisting the elderly and disabled), the “I Love Kelly Lake Dance” (a fun night with fund raiser), and keeping the web site up (it’s a hobby of mine; I try to keep people posted of events and interests).   Shirley and I both thank you for the Awards.

I know his first name is Nick; didn’t catch the last.  But, Nick finished the night with a couple songs; a last minute spur of entertainment.  Nick sang and played like a professional!

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NorthernDestinations.com is a directory of web sites that we have written for area businesses. There is a great selection of places to eat, drink, camp, stay, raft, fish, golf, snowmobile, and get supplies. Hopefully this will help to introduce you to good local businesses and help you plan your time here. We now have a growing list of trusted contractors to help you build, decorate, heat, and outfit your home.

Please explore our web site and visit the northwoods from the comfort of your computer!

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We arrived at the festivity typical of a holiday celebration; DJ, corn roasting, people (and kids) laughing, mingling, drinking, eating.  First venue?  Belly-up to the bar for some bravado; courage; guts…  Suffice it to say, this macho image portrayed by the patrons—some leather garbed—purporting to have the b____ to eat gonads didn’t impress me!  Mothers and children were eating them, too; women and children first… please!

Well (not actually so ‘well’, thinking about it), we slugged down the beer; ordered another to slug down the slug we were about to feast on, and made our way to the gourmet grill.  Nothing what I thought.  The testicles were sliced thin, breaded and deep fried.  This was NUTS!  They were serving them up as fast as they could fry them!  One could hardly taste anything but salt and batter.  Tasted almost like chicken   Actually they were good!  I wonder who came up with this nutty idea!  Roger

HEY!  Kelly Lakes Sam Rothermel joined us for the first Test Fest; he’s is in the pic!  See him?

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NO ADMISSION or DONATIONS—FREE! Come out for an evening of dancing with one of the best classic rock bands in Green Bay; brought to you right here at Kelly Lake by Kelly Lake’s Bob Piontek and his band! End a fantastic summer with a blast! See you there! Roger

Sunday, September 5, 2010 8:00 p.m. Holiday Inn
music by: the DOWGS

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The Packer Organization  sponsored the Luncheon; most of the members were there including the Packers themselves.  Jarius Wynn was picked as Lou’s personal guest.  In his second year, Jarius plays as Defensive End; is 6′3″; 285 pounds; 24 years old; number 94; graduated from Georgia University.  Jarius is a pleasant, personable, congenial titan who speaks modestly of his life and family; he noted that his mother and father talk about his achievements and the Packers daily!   His eighth-grade brother, also proud of him, boasts his Packer-player status!  Jarius’ wide-smile brightens when asked about his wife, three-year-old daughter and a son due in February!  For a quiet man, he’s quick to fill us in–and express his love and pride–for his family.  Jarius’ proudest football play was blocking the field goal attempt in the Seattle game last year, saving the game!

Drew Smith from Fox 11 was MC at the event.  Coach Mike McCarthy gave the address, promising “we’ll meet any team, anytime, even right out here in the parking lot!”, or as best as I can remember, but CLOSE!  .  Nick Barnett was recognized, selected and awarded for his generous outstanding contribution to the community by his teammates.

Leu is a remarkable, pretty young lady with a pleasant, pleasing smile, healthy look and positive attitude.  She will be attending NWTC this year.  Her ultimate goal is to be a radiation therapist.  Her determination seems evident as she deals with her daily course of treatment, normal studies and plans for the future; we all admired her charm through all her challenges; she’s an inspiration for us all.

I would like to take liberty to express my admiration for Gary Clevers.  I hope he doesn’t mind that I mention his involvement with kids who have cancer.  Gary told me about two years ago he wanted to do something for the ‘kids’.  He proposed  an idea to his Board of Directors to raise money—serious money.  With the economy as it is, the Board didn’t think it advisable at the time, at least a goal of $1 million dollars.  In spite of, or despite the economy, Gary set out on a mission to help the ‘kids’.  The Angel Fund Board agreed and together met the challenge.

We’re proud to know you, Gary, and thanks for inviting us to meet remarkable kids, and benevolent people who set aside their lives for such a worthy and noble cause.  And Gary’s wife, Kathy, is also very active in the community, volunteering her time and energy helping others. Two great people we’re honored to share our friendships.  Roger and Shirley

Bill, Gary, Shirley, Leu, Anitta, myself.

Gary and Kathy’s daughter, Jenna, and her friend, Barb.

I ran into a long time friend from the original Naiad Ski Club ‘79, Brad Hansen!  We still get together at Kelly Lake; his dad has a cottage on White Lake.

Former Packer star, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila mingled through the group, stopping to pose with us.  Kabeer retired due to injury.  A very pleasant and outgoing gentleman.  Attendees were asked not to take pictures during the dinner.

Our table’s guest, Darius Wynn!

What a grand time we had with some fine folks!

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Warm and friendly, they are a welcome addition to our neighborhood! Roger

Cheryl Hansen, Shirley Birr and  Hansen Heather Hansen (daughter).

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Kelly Lake’s Jack Peterson was eager to plunge into Kelly Lake using a Snuba diving unit he spotted in our garage. ‘Snuba’ is a term used for snorkel/scuba diving; air pumped from the surface to the divers.

Back in the late 60s a couple friends and myself had scuba tanks for a short time until I ran across the ’snuba’ system.  With tanks, we found we had to to drive to Marinette for “dive air” to fill them; 45 minutes one-way for air that lasted about a half hour.  The Johnson “Airbuoy” I found runs 45 minutes on a quart of regular gas—just need to keep filling it up.  There are two 25′ hoses and masks/harnesses.  The principal is positive pressure to the mask; self-purging; no regulator to control or worry about.  25′ feet is plenty deep for most areas around Kelly Lake, and the “buddy system” applies perfectly.  Besides, below 40′ you have to worry about decompressing while surfacing.  You don’t have to be certified to use a snuba diving unit.  May I note that the Airbuoy is about 40 years old; still runs like new!  It has a 2 hp Lawn Boy 2-cycle engine, and pumps 2.5 cf/m; parts are still available!

Well, anyway, I gave Jack some instruction on clearing his ears and technique on breathing using the positive-pressure mask.  I told Jack that we’d just swim along the surface (like snorkeling) until he felt comfortable.  We  no more than started out when Jack made a dive for the bottom!  Following him to watch his progress, and when from about 10′ down, he voluntarily headed for the surface to catch his breath; or so one thinks; it’s easy to hyperventilate sucking in more air than you need.  Your body gets too much oxygen and thinks it carbon dioxide!

Taking his time now, Jack grew more accustom to swimming slowly without exertion.  Under the  sunny ski and under the warm water, Jack and I entered the water world.

I’ve dove much of Kelly Lake, and, yes, I’ve seen some spectacular fish—BIG ones!  Also, large bass around the cribs; northern pike; and a variety of pan fish.  They’re usually located just off the weed beds.  Diving deeper—and I have gone completely across the lake underwater—it’s like a vast inundated desert; no plant-life only thing to see is a blanket of silt with numerous snails crossing to-and-fro every few feet, leaving the snail-trails behind like parched cracks in the desert sand.

I’ve been called upon to search for outboards that fell off; propellers; chairs, etc.  Thirty-some years ago the Constable approached me to see if I would dive for the 19-year-old boy who drowned while skiing.  My long-time friend, Kelly Lake’s Greg Levar, said he’d go along; we were the only divers there at sunrise on Saturday; the boy drowned on Tuesday.  Perhaps some of you can recall how they banned any boating on the lake for those 5 days—again, that was over 30 years ago; mid-70s?

We were waiting and ready to go Saturday sunrise.  The Sheriff came over and told us they were going to do one more fly-over before we would go diving.  Both Greg and I were eager to help, but apprehensive about what we would find.  Back then, for those who remember, Earnie Chadwik had an airstrip running adjacent to St. Bernadette Road (there’s a corn field there now).  The plane took off, circled and returned for a landing.  They came running back to where we were standing and said they spotted the body floating about a hundred yards off the southeast shore—a body will usually surface in 3 to 5 days..

Bernard Van (Van, as more popularly known) and another person set off in Van’s 16′ Boston Whaler.  We watched as they pulled the body back to the landing where Greg and I stood; the undertaker was standing behind us; Van and his partner had done a noble job, but needed a break from the scene.  I won’t go into detail, but it was sad to see the boy, the condition he was in and the tragedy of drowning.  Together Greg and I had to muster-up our reserve to get his body on the gurney; the undertaker handed us a blanket to cover the boy first. Greg and I were just talking about this the other day.  We were in our twenties and never before had witnessed a drowning—something we’ll never forget.  Greg and I both agree, that being in our early twenties, we were fortunate we didn’t have to dive and find the young man; not knowing what to expect.

Well, back to more pleasant memories and diving.  Here are some pics of Jack and I venturing out into the lake.  It’s been a few years since I’ve had the unit out; it was fun and refreshing going back down-under!  Roger

“Nexus basically means a bridge. Therefore Snuba acts as a bridge between the surface and the underwater world.

Snuba is also a portmanteau word which combines the words scuba and snorkel.”

For more info about “SNUBA” diving, see http://www.phuket-diver.com/Snuba_diving_information.html

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I feebly attempted to video Jeff from our pontoon boat anchored off. Jeff threatened to spray me… I took little heed; he wouldn’t take advantage of an old-guys vulnerability; where’s the respect?! He drenched me in a wall of water, me covering up nearly in a fetal position to protect/guard the cam—ya, it’s a cheaper one I took out just in case….

You can click on “Kelly Lake VIDEO Cam” under “Links”.  Videos are not great.  The second one wasn’t focused, but captured the last moment when the pontoon was inundated with wall of water; see Jeff’s dastardly look on the last frame!  The cam is small and only had an LCD monitor; focus was difficult as well as my aim trying to see it through a sun reflected lens.  On the other hand, Shirley got some great shots in the moving boat, trying to hit a moving target.  Good job, Shirley and nice form, Jeff!Roger

Just call me Roger Dangerfield; I get no respect!

Kelly Lake’s Jeff Levar.

Driver and dad, Greg Levar.

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