#39 SCSU

I had the pleasure of advising Keith Christensen's design systems class at St. Cloud State University this past spring. Keith is an amazing designer and thinker with a passion for game systems and social change. It shows in the thinking of his students which is very beautiful and very conscious. Keith brought this arrow over for me as a bit of a souvenir of my time at the school. Thanks, sir.

#44 Bernier's Rink

According to DropYourGloves.com, an online hockey fights database, John T. Bernier is loved by none and hated by none. Although that seems a pretty sweet spot to be in, the lone rogue, unattached, the stats are inaccurate. I love the dude.

The stats, however, do tell one truth: During his one season with the Rochester Mustangs (91-92) and two with the Sioux City Musketeers (92-94), he never got in a fight. That doesn't mean he couldn't have. It's a good thing John packs one huge heart.

Aside from making this brute of a polycarbonate arrow, John has built a backyard rink for 'his kids' and also a penalty box full of picture frames out of recycled, busted hockey sticks.

This arrow has been pro-numbered to #44, one of the numbers John wore in his semi-pro days. Thanks, buddy.

 UPDATE!!!! I knew the DropYourGloves.com stats were bunk. Here's John (#14) clocking a couple of knuckleheads back in '93.

#27 On Assignment - Walker Art Center Open Field Arrow Exchange

I've been working on a project for Walker Open Field exploring the trading of arrows. The first workshop was in July. Arrow #27 is heading to Philadelphia as part of the exchange.

The last arrow workshop is tonight (Thursday August 4th, 2011). Come to the Walker Art Center tonight and bring or make an arrow to exchange. Maybe you will get #28.

Here is the website for more information on the project W*A*L*K*E*R Pole.

#24 Bonetown

Dear Dickweeds,

I present to you my Mount Holly M.A.S.H. pole offering. I think most of us “adults” know what the little berg known as Bonetown is all about, but let me pollinate your memories a bit for shits and giggles.

The origin of the term Bonetown stems from the BMX track behind the St. Mary’s Point Ice Arena. That’s where my gang of pre-pubed misfits used to shred. It’s also where Stip and Fish used to smoke ditch weed. They were the older dudes.[1]

On occasion, Stip would bring girls to Bonetown. Literally and figuratively. I didn’t think much of the steamed up Camaro at the time, but I do recall being a bit perturbed that girls were on the premises harshin’ our tabletop sessions.

The familiar term of Bonetown popped into my head years later­­­--when I popped my cherry. Instead of a word used to describe the down-and-out thrasher days of yore, Bonetown was now secret code for carnal. A one-horse town comprised solely of pre-mature groping, French kissin’, and acid-washed zipper fiddlin’. If you made it to Bonetown, you were sure to get high-fives from the bros.

I’m 35 years old and I still describe sex this way.

May the Bonetown arrow always point straight to bedazzled asses, inebriated nymphs, and the rockabilly chick with the incurable case of daddy issues.

Thanks,

Casey Brewer

[1] Context: I first heard Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" blaring out of Stip's 1979 Camaro.

#23 H. H. Hideout

This beautifully crafted arrow (durable, brilliant yellow traffic paint, the information painted on both sides commanding a new perpendicular mounting technique.) was crafted by Cam Gross in the fine workshop known as The H. H. Hideout. Not, however, the original H. H. Homestead.

The original 'hideout' was the workshop of Cam's grandfather, Harry Heinz Gross. I've listened to the descriptions of Harry's shop and the fine woodwork created there. The original shop is gone, however, Harry's original shop sign and his passion for building things for the people one loves have been passed on to his grandson, Cam. I have no doubt to be passed along yet again.

I'm envious of Cam's well-stocked workbench. Is that a Snap-on or a
Craftsman brand stogie? I've personally always opted for the cheap
brush cleaner, but I've heard Knob Creek does a spectacular job.

Thanks Cam. And, thanks, Harry.

#22 Hoodoo Pt.

A few years back, my pal, Jen Helm invited my family and I to visit her family's 100+ year-old homestead.

Alone, on a road out of town, stands two well-maintained yet never modernized buildings. One, a home heated by an old wood cooking stove and ancient fuel oil salon heater. The other, an outhouse. That road is Hoodoo Point Road.

It's truly amazing to find a family who has held onto their humble family home over generations and generations; sleeping on the same ancient lumpy farm beds in the same heavy hand-made bedding in amazing comfort as their grandparents had decades ago and making the 'midnight run' down the same path, enjoying the same view that their own parents enjoyed when they were just kids. These are good things.

Thanks for the great experience and the great arrow, Jen.

#16 Marla

Marla makes her third appearance on the blog and her second on the pole with this awesome metal patina arrow featuring more goodies from the Shakopee Trading Post: watch faces and clock hands pointing the way to her house! This one is sure to keep looking better with age.

Thanks, again and again, Marla.

#15 Shakopee Trading Post

Marla swung by tonight and swapped this amazing buffalo shoulder blade arrow for one of my little red ones. This arrow features some excellent hand lettering and even a little good luck horseshoe hand bent to fit by Marla's father Marlon.

The Estenson family run trading post is a secret treasure a mere .64 miles from the Mt. Holly city limits, jam-packed with beautiful vintage and modern Native American crafts and jewelry.

Shakopee Trading Post

#10 Minnehaha Falls

Made a trek into the big city to exchange arrows with David Annis who I introduced too many times as sharing my same geek kinks. Mr. Annis lives just down the road from Minnehaha Falls in South Minneapolis. He is determined to hide his Mt. Holly arrow somewhere near the falls. See if you can find it.

This is another hard working arrow - painted on both sides, including mileage and lovingly painted spray on the subtle hint of the falls.

David said he was inspired by the brown and yellow signs put up by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas. "Did you know those are all made by one man?" asked David. No. No, I did not.

#7 One Glove Saloon

I hate golf, but I love to drink and I also love Arron Purmort. I look forward to tippling with Aaron someday soon at the One Glove Saloon. Thanks for the beautiful arrow with the nice touch of leather.