"Community" in My City

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I spent the bulk of Thursday this week volunteering at an outdoor community fundraiser.


Don't'cha know it was the COLDEST day since the day we had nine inches of snow back in May. It was cold enough that I sat huddled under a blanket for most of the time. It was so cold it gave a whole new meaning to the term "cold cash." (I was collecting and organizing the money.)


The event was a brat fry.

Oh, we had hot dogs and hamburgers too, but the STARS of the show were the brats. They were mouth-watering good!

Wisconsin is all about brats.

Brat is the shortened form of bratwurst. Brats are fat, succulent, German sausages that are "to die for yummy" when grilled.

Brats are the soul food of Wisconsin. ( I didn't make that up - - - I'm not smart enough. I FOUND it over on bratwurst pages dot com.)


Our brat fry was a fundraiser for National Night Out, which will be held in our church parking lot on August 2, 2011.

National Night Out is a national (DUH) event designed to strengthen neighborhoods by engaging in stronger relationships within the community and with local law enforcement.

Here in Wisconsin Rapids, our church partners with law enforcement to sponsor a huge community "block party" complete with emergency vehicle displays, creation of free safe-assured IDs for kids and a potluck dinner on the grounds.

So, grab your lawn chair, a covered dish, and join us!


Since the brat fry was for a community event, two of the players from our Northwoods League baseball team, The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, came to help "drive" in business.

Meet Jordan and Nestor. What great young men.

Jordan is from the DC area and Nestor hails from New York City. Both are using their summer, between two years of college, to play ball. Jordan will be a Junior, possibly at William and Mary, next fall. Nestor will be a sophomore at Ball State, where our own College-Boy son Kyle will be a senior.

No - - - Kyle and Nestor don't know each other, I asked - - - even though Ball State is a BIG place and I knew the chances were slim to nothing.


The team mascot, Rosco P. Rafter came along too.

Unlike Mike Wilbon, I LOVE mascots. Rosco is hands (paws?) down the cutest and most fun River Rat I've ever met.



Take a peek at him in action.

Of course I had to pose with the Rafters. Rosco gave me rat ears.

It was a great day for a little "community" in my community.

Thanks to Unknown Mami for hosting
"Sundays in My City"
To which I am linking this post
My city is Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Photo Credit: Brats from grilldecency.com

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