Swine Song Commune

Western Cowboy Singer and Yodeler, Lonesome Ron, Buys Cabin in Exchange for Giving Guitar Lessons

2011-08-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

Lonesome Ron, well-known singer/songwriter who presents western music in story and song has acquired a summer home in the Swine Song Commune in the woods outside the town of Swine Lake. Lonesome Ron purchased the cabin from owner Ronny P. Silage in exchange for giving him guitar lessons for life. Silage said, "I didn't want to sell the fixer-upper, but I really wanted to learn to play the guitar!" The property includes the cabin on a 13 x 13 lot in an ideal location along the path one mile north of Swine Lake.

Lonesome Ron hails from Mankato, Minnesota and travels the Midwest entertaining folks with his irregular vocal techniques while accompanying himself on the guitar and banjo. He sticks a lot of fine country yodeling into his entertainments, too.

About his purchase, Lonesome Ron told Sweet Swine Scoop, "I sure am looking forward to kicking back near Swine Lake with a fishing pole and a cold drink, once I get some repairs made to the cabin."

Lonesome Ron has performed with some of the top names in country music such as Jean Shepard (the Queen of Country Music), Donna Douglas of the "Beverly Hillbillies," and Les Gilliam. We kid you not!

Lonesome has also shared venues with acts like Jan & Dean, Marie Osmond, Boxcar Willie, the Kingsmen and Gary Lewis.
To learn more about Lonesome Ron, click on his image.

Swine Song Commune's New Resident Composes Theme-Song for Sweet Swine County!

2011-08-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

Bruce Bednarchuk--a Redwood Falls, MN composer, arranger, singer and instrumentalist--is a new citizen of Swine Song Commune! Bruce told the The Daily Boar, "After I got to know all the crazy 'characters' in Sweet Swine County, I couldn't help but write this song about them! My song, 'Sanity Said Goodbye To Sweet Swine County,' is a perfect reflection of life in the county! Fortunately, Earl Silo agreed to "host" the music video. Earl's THE MAN!"

What do Bob Dylan and Earl Silo have in common? Find out by watching their videos here!

Click here to learn more about Bruce Bednarchuk and New Prairie Music

Inspired by Swine Song, plans are being made for Eggstock: A Music and Exotic Chicken Festival

2011-08-26T16:34:00.000-07:00

This event is to be held at Cousin John’s chicken farm outside the rural town of Split Hoof in Sweet Swine County. When asked about the festival coming to Split Hoof, local resident Aunt Minnie said, “I can’t think of anything more exciting than a festival combining music and chickens. Cousin John is a genius!”

Though the dates of the festival have not been determined, Cousin John has begun contacting musical and exotic chicken acts from all over Sweet Swine County and beyond. We at Sweet Swine Scoop well be posting updates on all the acts as they are booked. To date, Cousin John has not booked any acts. Most are saying, "Don't call us, we will call you!"

Story provided by The Daily Boar Newspaper

Fairies Seen Flittering Around in Swine Song Commune

2011-08-24T16:11:00.000-07:00

A unnamed photographer traveling through Sweet Swine County claims he came upon a real, live fairy ball in Swine Song Commune. However, the photos supplied to Sweet Swine Scoop seem to be of Sweet Swine County residents dressed up like fairies, not those of actual real, live fairies at all! Sweet Swine Scoop noticed Betty Thompson, Prairie Ann, Urban Katie, and even Reverend Bill, pictured as fairies in what looks to be a Phony Fairy Ball. Reports later surfaced that the unnamed photographer had been seen munching on mushrooms by Swine Lake Pond. That might explain things.

Story provided by The Daily Boar Newspaper

Eager Citizen-Wannabees Arriving Daily to Take Up Residence at New "Swine Song Commune"

2011-08-22T20:01:00.001-07:00

Sweet Swine County resident, Willow Brooks, is elated that bohemian artist-types from around the country are arriving daily to take up residence in her newly formed Swine Song Commune! Willow also heads up the Citizen-Wannabee Committee for the commune. She and a gaggle of commune artists help determine the suitability of wannabee citizens. Brooks said, "Pretty much we're open to anyone who wants to join our community, as long as they are free spirits and into doing their own thing and loving one another and hugging trees and growing herbs. So far, we've had some real winners join us here!"

Sweet Swine Scoop interviewed one of the winners who is:

Lonesome Ron, who recently purchased a cabin on Swine Lake but now has moved it to the Commune. He told Sweet Swine Scoop, "I see this as a great opportunity to work with other believers in the art of yodeling and who like to do it around a campfire!"

Although Sweet Swine County's Poet Lariat, Ronnie Silage, hasn't yet actually moved into Swine Song Commune, when we asked him about having a commune in the county, he told us, "Well, I think it's OK. My grandmother sold her house and moved into a commune -- oh, no, wait! -- that was a condominium. But she loves it. I'll probably love it there, too. If I do move in, my hope is to start up poetry readings where people can be real intelligent and read and write. It wouldn't hurt if they were good at rhyming words, either!"

Look for updates in the The Daily Boar Newspaper and here on the Sweet Swine Scoop about artists moving to Swine Song Commune!

Swine Song Commune's Famous Band "The Lip-Synchers" Begins 5-Town Reunion Tour

2011-08-21T11:45:00.001-07:00

Swine Song Commune's most successful band, The Lip-Synchers, is departing on a five-town reunion tour. The band that took Sweet Swine County by storm in the mid-1980s broke up when lead lip-syncher, Buster Jones (The Big Porker), insisted that fellow bandmates accept his girlfriend (Betty Thompson) into the band. After a much-publicized fight ensued over the choice of lip-synching song titles, The Big Porker left the band in a lippy huff to pursue a solo career in Europe. Differences have been ironed out, and all the original Lip-Synchers, including Betty Thompson, are reuniting for this tour. At a recent rehearsal Sweet Swine Scoop noticed that the band members' lips seem to be looser than ever. Tickets at all 5-town venues are selling like hotcakes.

Story provided by The Daily Boar Newspaper

Chad Elliott Singer/Songwriter & Artist, while appearing on The Cocklebur Morning Show shares he will become the newest citizen of Swine Song Commune

2011-08-20T16:27:00.001-07:00

Chad Elliott, while touring through Sweet Swine County, discovered why Swine Song Commune is becoming home for the arts! Chad tells the hosts of The Cocklebur Morning Show about how he found Swine Song Commune and his life on the road!

Chad Elliott is the 2009 Woody Guthrie Festival Songwriting Contest Winner with his song, "Same Old Way." He has recently recorded this song and plans to release it on his much anticipated album, "Redemption Man," in the fall of 2009. After winning FolkAlley.com’s Open Mic Finals with his song “Bluebird Creek,” songwriter Elliott earned a spot on stage with Odetta. Odetta is just one on a long list of prolific folk artists he has shared the stage with including Tom Paxton, Loudon Wainwright III, Eric Taylor, Buddy Mondlock, Dan Zanes, R.L. Burnside and Storyhill. Also, Elliott’s song, “How’s the Weather?” was chosen out of 300,000 folk songs as an award nominee for the Top 20 New Folk Songs on Just Plain Folks. Elliott was recognized as a 2008 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Finalist. He was one of 32 finalists, chosen from 800 applicants, who competed during the 2008 Kerrville Folk Festival. Above all the Iowa songwriter’s music slips messages about life as he has experienced it through living with the homeless, love, divorce, fatherhood and discovering inspiration in a modern world through strong lyrics and guitar.

His paintings and ceramics reflect his earthy intonations and carry a feeling of finding place without placement and home where no house stands. Elliott is a monument to the proverb, “All those who wander are not lost.”

Click here to see Chads appearance on The Cocklebur Morning Show!

To learn more about Chad, click on his photo!

Famous Country Artist Billy Kruse Sings New #1 Hit "As the Corn Grows" on TV's "Women of Sweet Swine County"

2011-08-19T16:18:00.000-07:00

Billy Kruse--the first super famous country singer to take up residency at Swine Song Commune--wrote "AS THE CORN GROWS"--now a #1 hit on the country chart in Sweet Swine County! You've got to hear it!

5-City Sweet Swine County Tour Announced by Belly-Dancing Troupe, "The Navel Academy"

2011-08-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

The Navel Academy, Sweet Swine County's infamous belly-dancing troupe, has announced its imminent departure on a 5-city tour throughout Sweet Swine County. After performing at Swine Song Commune this Belly-Dancing Troup are slated to perform in the towns of Spit Hoof, Swine Lake, Cow Pie Ridge, Corn Row and High Horse. This exotic group of colorful jigglements is sure to wow the citizens of Sweet Swine! The Navel Academy calls Fairmont, Minnesota in Martin County (next county over from Sweet Swine) their main base of operations, where they have been performing together for over four years.

Story provided by The Daily Boar Newspaper

Singer/Songwriter Alan Morphew & Photographer Sarah Morphew tell about their plans to summer at "SWINE SONG COMMUNE" on The Cocklebur Morning Show

2011-08-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

After hearing about what was happening at the SWINE SONG COMMUNE located one mile north of Swine Lake, Singer/Songwriter Alan Morphew & his wife, Photographer Sarah Morphew have decided to summer at the newly formed commune! Morphew told to Daily Boar Newspaper "Swine Song Commune is truly the place to be, a place were musicians and artists can live and share their passion for the arts.

Alan Morphew is a Modern Folk Rock singer / songwriter from Los Angeles. After years of studying voice he is an incredibly powerful vocalist, ranging from sweet falsettos to emotional power vocals. His songs are catchy and melodic with strong choruses and meaningful lyrics. Alan's music has been compared to Jeff Buckley, The Beatles, Rob Thomas, Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens.

Sarah Morphew is an experienced professional photographer. A Los Angeles native, she now lives in Estherville, Iowa with her husband Alan. Sarah is L.A.-trained, with over ten years' experience in digital photography, mainly in weddings, portraits and commercial photography. In Los Angeles Sarah worked for several studios, including L.A. Color Studio. There she worked for seven years as a photographer and office manager, specializing in high-end weddings and portrait photography.

Click on the photo of Alan & Sarah to see Alan on The Cockelbur Morning Show

To learn more about Alan's music, click here

To learn more about Sarah's photography, click here

Singer/Songwriter David Stoddard tells why he became a citizen of "SWINE SONG COMMUNE"

2011-08-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

Singer/Songwriter David Stoddard from Fergus Falls, MN, who recently visited Swine Song Commune, told The Daily Boar Newspaper: " I was performing in the town of Spit Hoof and decided while I was in Sweet Swine County, I would visit Swine Song Commune. Wow, I was so impressed! There are cabins and tents spread out all over ten acres of rolling hills. So I have decided to become a citizen and I am looking forward to learning about all the artists that have become citizens!"

David Stoddard who has been called "the George Carlin of Folk Music" for his ability to zero in on and expose the foibles and inanities that make us who we are................. He's won a bunch of awards including Kerrville New Folk, Minnesota New Folk, and the South Florida Folk Festival song contest.................. He's been on the radio all over the globe and shared the stage with people like Leon Russell, Iris Dement, Rik Emmett, and Robin and Linda Williams, which means he's played for a ton of people without actually having to do much................. When he enters a room, it suddenly smells like fresh-baked cookies.

To learn more about David and his music, click on his photo!

Sally Sue Co-host of the The Cocklebur Morning Show, told the Daily Boar Newspaper: "Mr. Stoddard is a personal favorite of mine and we hope to have him as a guest this fall!

Swine Song is makes plans to relocate to the I-90 Expo Center

2011-08-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

Swine Song's offers something for everyone, spend the day or the weekend. Three days of music, food and pigs.

The Music: 18 of the best musicians competing (over three days) for the best of Swine Song!

The Food: Throughout the event, pork products will be made available from Minnesota

The Pigs: Special programs will be held throughout the weekend, including--The Running of the Pigs and a Pig Calling Contest!

Swine Song was to be held in Sweet Swine County, at the Swine Song Commune that is located on the north side of Swine Lake. But due to a prairie fire that swept through the commune, the entire commune of Swine Song is making plans to relocated temporarily in The I-90 Expo Center

The I-90 Expo Center located 1010 70th Ave. County Rd. 13 Sherburn MN. is equipped to host all types of events and offers a large number of amenities, some of which include…
A large riding arena
A sale barn with a large ring
Indoor stalls and wash bay
Concession stand and fully equipped commercial kitchen
A large banquet area
A huge parking lot

The date and details of this event will be announced soon!

To learn more about the I 90 Expo, click on their photo!

Story provided by the Daily Boar Newspaper

Ozark Ball Museum makes plans to open a temporary exhibit in Swine Song Commune

2011-08-02T16:37:00.000-07:00

Commune citizens Kelly & Donna are making plans to open a temporary exhibit from their ball museum.

The Ozarkian duo of Kelly Mulhollan and Donna Stjerna "known as Still on the Hill" have toured steadily and produced six CDs. Both Kelly and Donna are accomplished songwriters and play a plethora of acoustic instruments including acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and harmonica. The group's repertoire is primarily their own original, roots-based compositions (a genre hybrid they term "folkgrass") interspersed with new arrangements of traditional songs. The twosome has also created several very popular children's shows and educational workshops which they perform under the name Toucan Jam.

When asked about the Ozark Ball Museum exhibit Kelly told the Daily Boar Newspaper; "Our pride and joy is our growing Ball Museum. We has been collecting unusual balls (spheres) for over 10 years now and we have finally began the task of displaying them properly. The Ozark Ball Museum is intended to be our 'retirement' business."

To learn more about Still on the Hill, click here!

To learn more about the Ozark Ball Museum, click here!

Medievalist Bart Saxton makes plans to form Medieval Swine (a pre-17th-century reenactment group) in Sweet Swine County

2011-07-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Bart Saxton who is a medievalist from Rutland Township in Martin County MN was the guest on The Cocklebur Morning Show. Bart who is dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe is making plans to form Medieval Swine! This group dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance will hold events which feature tournaments, royal courts, feasts, dancing, various classes & workshops, and more.”

Medievalist Bart who lives in his parents basement told the Daily Boar Newspaper " After I talked Lonesome Ron into letting me spend the summer months in his basement, located in Swine Song Commune. I discovered if I stood on a box I could see out the window of my (summer basement) home and what I saw was the beautiful rolling hills of the Sweet Swine County and thought this would be a great spot to hold our reenactment events." When asked to comment about allowing Medieval Swine to hold their events at the Swine Song Commune founder Willow Brooks told the Daily Boar Newspaper "Everyone is welcome to become a citizen of our commune, we welcome people from every century!"

Click on the photo of Bart to see his appearance on the Cocklebur Morning Show

Lonesome Ron, King of Valley Yodelers who appeared this month on The Cocklebur Morning Show anounced he will be moving his cabin to Swine Song Commune

2011-07-25T16:30:00.000-07:00

King of Valley Yodelers, Lonesome Ron is the featured guest on the Cocklebur Morning show.

Lonesome Ron who is well known for his cowboy songs and western yodeling. Lonesome Ron has performed with top names like Jean Shepard the Queen of Country Music, Donna Douglas of the Beverly Hillbillies and Les Gilliam. He has also shared the same stage with Jan & Dean, Marie Osmond, Boxcar Willie, the Kingsmen and Gary Lewis.

Currently, he's appearing in the cable soap opera, "As The Corn Grows." and has moved a cabin he acquired on Swine Lake in Sweet Swine County to the newly formed SWINE SONG COMMUNE. Lonesome told the Daily Boar Newspaper " I am excited about moving my cabin to the center of the action, the Swine Song Communue has become a perfect location for musicians and artists!"

Click on the logo of The Cocklebur Morning Show to see Lonesome's apperence on Sweet Swine's #1 morning show.

Click here to learn more about Lonesome Ron

Jim & Veronica Austerman from Sandcastle Music make plans to open a Surf Shop south of Swine Song Commune, on beautiful Swine Lake

2011-04-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

It was announced today that a couple, Veronica & Jim Austerman from Kimball Township, MN will be opening a Surf Shop south of Swine Song Commune, on beautiful Swine Lake. Jim, a piano, accordion, and keyboard musician, originally from Southern California, said in an interview with the Daily Boar Newspaper "Ever since my wife brought me here to Sweet Swine County, I’ve always wanted to open a Surf Shop here on Swine Lake.” Jim recalls, “To be cool in SoCal, (The hip name for Southern California) meant you had to listen to the Beach Boys, Dick Dale & the Deltones, and be a surfer dude to impress the chicks when we were teenagers. So, a couple of friends and I bought some righteous looking surf boards, put em’ on top of our car, tuned-in to radio station KRLA that always played the most popular surfing music, and went cruising around the Huntington and Seal Beach areas every weekend.” “How did that work out for you guys?” our Daily Boar Newspaper interviewer inquired. “Truthfully,” Jim laughs, “Not that good once the beach bunnies found out that we were just surfer dude wannabes too afraid to get in the water with those huge Pacific Ocean waves... However, now that I’ve seen the much smaller waves that the boats make here on Swine Lake, I figured they were more in my comfort level, so I decided that this would be a perfect place for Surfing!” Jim said The Surf Shop will have limited hours, because he and Veronica travel extensively performing and promoting his CDs.
Jim has been a piano and accordion player since he was five years old. He was raised by his grandparents Harvey & Ruth Headley of Dyess, Arkansas, the birthplace of Johnny Cash. Jim’s great grandfather and Johnny Cash’s grandfather had a blacksmith’s shop in Dyess. Jim recalls that he never did get the opportunity to personally meet Johnny Cash, but he did develop his love for guitar music from listening to Johnny Cash records.

Jim learned many of his accordion techniques from the world famous accordion player Myron Floren of the Lawrence Welk Show. Jim says that his most treasured piece of musical history is his personally signed photograph of Mr. Floren that he keeps in his music room. Jim also took accordion lessons for many years from the very accomplished accordion player Larry Malmberg of Richfield, MN. Larry was the original accordionist for the very popular polka band leader Whoopie John.

To read the rest of Jim & Veronica's story click here!

(Coming Soon) Click on the photo of the Surf Shop to see Veronica & Jim on The Cocklebur Morning Show

Click here to learn more about Jims music!

"Larry the Canary" the original one man band, brings polka to Swine Song Commune

2011-04-08T16:38:00.000-07:00

Larry Novotny becomes the first polka artist to become a citizen of Swine Song Commune. Larry told the Daily Boar Newspaper " I am excited about the commune and that all types of musicians are welcome!" Larry was the featured guest on the Cocklebur Morning Show and preformed two of his favorite tunes.

Larry Novotny may very well be the 8th Wonder of the World!! Larry plays the concertina, high hat cymbal, bass drum and tuba during his intriguing performance in which he also sings a large variety of old time and country music songs. The ONE MAN BAND & the NOVOTNY TRIO BAND have played at venues in North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska and Larry has performed on radio and television stations in Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Additionally Larry Novotny was recently inducted into Montgomery-Lonsdale High School's "Wall of Fame" in the "Fine Arts" category, is an inductee into the WORLD CONCERTINA CONGRESS HALL OF FAME.

(Coming Soon) Click on Larry's photos to see his performance on The Cocklebur Morning Show

To learn more about "Larry the Canary" click here!

Betsy Landsteiner becomes the youngest citizen in Swine Song Commune

2011-04-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

Betsy Landsteiner who was preforming in the town of Spit Hoof visited Swine Song Commune and became the youngest singer to become a citizen of the commune. Betsy told the Daily Boar "The Commune is not only beautiful but is a place were musicians can share their talents!

Betsy recently appeared on the hit show The Women of Sweet Swine County, the hosts interview Betsy who is originally from Martin County, she tells the ladies about her future plans and sings one of her catchy tunes.

Click on the Women of Sweet Swine County logo to see and hear Betsy

Willow Brooks Forms the Artsy-Fartsy "Swine Song Commune"

2010-07-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

Willow Brooks recently came across a ten-acre parcel of land one mile north of Swine Lake where she plans to form a commune. Willow told The Daily Boar Newspaper, "I have always dreamed about a place were musicians, artists and cool people could live together and share their passions--for the arts. Swine Song Commune is the answer to my dream! Artists have already started to arrive. All artists are welcome to join us at the commune where we can sing and dance and be cool together! It's all very exciting!"

Willow presented her idea to start this commune to the attendees (pictured above) at Sweet Swine's annual Aunt Ella Memorial Picnic. The picnic-goers were somewhat shocked at the idea at first, but are determined to be neighborly as long as those in the commune "don't go off the deep end or do weird things."

Willow Brooks first arrived in Sweet Swine County with the One-Ring Circus Troupe. Willow grew up in the circus with her illustrious parents--mother (the Bearded Lady) and father (the Elephant Pooper-Scooper). After a unfortunate poop-scooping incident, Willow left the circus for the green pastures of Sweet Swine. But she has never stopped loving tents and outrageous clothes. As for elephants, well that's a different matter.

When asked about having a commune in Sweet Swine County, Ronnie Silage (local college man, farm-hand and Poet Lariat) said, "Well, I think it's OK. My grandmother sold her house and moved into a commune -- oh, no, wait! -- that was a condominium. But she loved it! Anyway, I wouldn't mind doing poetry readings at this new commune, if they'll have me."

Local Citizen Comments on Swine Song Commune

Veronica & Jim, the rest of the story!

2009-08-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

Veronica & Jim now live in an old Victorian house built in 1915. Veronica, who was born and raised in Mitchell, South Dakota, home of the world famous Corn Palace, likes to point out that she is most likely living in the wrong era because her entire life revolves around everything Victorian from the clothes she wears to the furnishings and knick-knacks in their home. On-the-other-hand, Jim likes to kid-around with Veronica and say that they actually do live right in the middle of the cornfields, and he knows now where all that corn goes: The Corn Palace...

Jim is a member of ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) as a composer and songwriter, and he’s been a professional musician for many years. He says that he enjoys playing all types of music, as well as playing the harmonica with some of his musician friends that play Country and Blues.

Jim learned many of his accordion techniques from the world famous accordion player Myron Floren of the Lawrence Welk Show. Jim says that his most treasured piece of musical history is his personally signed photograph of Mr. Floren that he keeps in his music room. Jim also took accordion lessons for many years from the very accomplished accordion player Larry Malmberg of Richfield, MN. Larry was the original accordionist for the very popular polka band leader Whoopie John.

Composing and arranging music scores encompasses a great deal of Jim’s time. He also writes original melodies for Music Boxes, as well as original Polyphon Music. Polyphons were large music boxes that played their melodies on large flat metal discs that were very popular during the 1800’s. You can hear samples of Jim’s Polyphon tunes on his music website SandcastleMusic.com under the heading “CD Samples.” There you will find a listing for a CD titled, “A Polyphon Christmas” that features a song that Jim wrote for the City of Windom, MN called “The Christmas Bells of Windom” as well as 17 other traditional Christmas favorites.

Veronica and Jim are two completely different persons from two different parts of the country. Jim, a city slicker from Los Angeles, and Veronica, a small-town rural girl from South Dakota. Nonetheless, it has been said that opposites do attract, and that shows by their 23 years of marriage, and Jim also points out that his many years with a rural girl has rubbed off on him because he’s traded in his city clothes for western apparel and cowboy boots.

Veronica is the owner of Sandcastle Music Box, an ASCAP affiliated record producer and publishing company. She produces and publishes all of Jim’s music. In addition, Veronica is also Jim’s manager for his live performances, radio station contacts, and keeping both of Jim’s feet on the ground. “Some musicians, like Jim, have a tendency to be a little flighty and scatter brained,” Veronica laughs. “He’s an excellent composer and musician, but someone has to make sure that the business side of his music is handled professionally.”

Besides Jim’s music website SandcastleMusic.com, you can hear his music on the Internet at a number of radio stations around the country including “WTKM” in Hartford, Wisconsin, “KCTI” in Gonzales, Texas, “KCAA” in San Bernardino, California, and “WVTL” in Amsterdam, New York, and of course “The Treasure Chest of Old-Tyme Music” programs that air of “KDHL” in Faribault, Minnesota, “KOWZ” in Waseca, Minnesota, and “KATE” out of Albert Lea, Minnesota that are hosted by Jim’s friend Tom Goetzinger that hosts the television program “Bandwagon” that airs on “KEYC” in Mankato, Minnesota.

“In the end,” Jim says, “Now that I’ve survived enough 40 below zero winters, I’m pretty sure I can call myself a true “Minne-snow-tan.” And, living here on Swine Lake gave me the opportunity to open a nice Surf Shop. I hope to see all you surfer dudes out here on the lake catching those waves and impressing the ladies of Sweet Swine County with my new line of “Hog-Fried Surfboards” and surfing shorts. Here’s our motto for The Surf Shop:

“You may not know how to surf, but you’ll look real keen walking around Swine Lake with your nifty shorts and surfboards....”