A Column Jim Lundstrom

THINK

We hunt the deer, so are we not men?

Editor’s note: An old friend recently brought my attention to this column I did in another time and place, and I thought since it ‘tis the A COLUMN The dull thud of deer rifles resound on this dying autumnal day. before leaving us in utter darkness. Starless and Bible black, as Dylan once wrote – Thomas, that is. The guns are silent now. The hunters continue their tribal rituals around event brings to the men and women who participate in it. I even broke my decade-old meat fast for them. Wanting to dispense of my “snooty” image, I ate from the commuseason, I would resurrect the It started out a glisten- campfires and beer coolers and bottles nal venison. piece here. Even though The Reader is not as priggish as JIM ing, 10-degree morning, cold as dead of winter, a of brown liquor. They talk loudly of conquests and Several had suggested that I’d want to find something else to eat that the daily newspaper where this first appeared, in two LUNDSTROM thin coat of frost on everything. misses. Some wonder if the missus went to the male strip show, then try night, but when it came time to chow down, I had already decided what I cases I have left out the vulgar The day never got to forget the image of her stuffing bills would do. words as was required by that conglomer- warmer than 24 degrees, though the into some sweaty beefcake’s jockstrap. “You won’t want to eat this,” the ate-owned daily. sun gave promise before dying out in Others suggest taking the 40-mile cook said as she pulled from the oven late afternoon, splashing the steel blue drive to the Northpoint “gentleman’s” several casserole dishes full of steamhorizon with pale pinks and oranges club to visit the “exotic” dancers. ing Swiss steak-style venison, stewed in But that turns out to be too much of tomatoes from her own garden. an effort. It’s gonna be another long “Sure I will,” I said, heaping a big day in the bushes tomorrow, waiting spoonful of meat and red juices onto a with murderous intent. pile of mashed potatoes. The meat fell So crack another beer. Have another apart with a plastic fork. Yum! shot. Have two. Later, when everyone was as well Talk louder. Have another drink. Talk stewed as the meat, one of my camp louder. Slam another drink. Talk louder. partners asked if I liked them. Pass out. Do it all again the next day. Before I could answer, she locked Ah, my first time at deer camp in what I had previously thought of as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. hard green eyes on mine. Those eyes I started out on shaky ground by grew soft, doey. bringing my own beverages, strange “We’re not all a bunch of bumpkins,” brews from such exotic places as St. she said. “Some of us have money and Paul, Minn., and New Glarus, Wis. lives beyond this.” “Snooty” they thought of me and my Yes, I thought. Yes, I know. fancy beer. Then, with her husband sitting not They don’t mince words in the U.P. 10 feet away from us, she winked and As one popular bumper sticker pro- grabbed my (vulgar term for posterior), claims: “If you ain’t yooper you ain’t hard. (vulgar term for excrement), EH” I suddenly felt like Edward Pendrick Life as we know it stops in the U.P. on the island of Dr. Moreau, surroundfor deer hunting season. ed by strange experiments in humanIt’s more than hunting. It’s tradition. ity, “unstable phenomenon.” It’s camaraderie. I survived to tell the tale, but I could It’s a test of endurance – how many not help thinking: nights can you drink from the giant “Not go on all fours: that is the Law. stockpile of Busch Light and still take Are we not Men? to the woods bright and early every Not to suck up Drink: that is the Law. morning with the presence of mind Are we not Men? and steeled nerves it takes to hold your “Not to eat Flesh nor Fish: that is the gun steady should an unsuspecting Law. Are we not Men?” deer cross your path? I don’t know. I didn’t hunt. I was there simply as an observer. I did not pass judgments. I tried to understand the pleasure this annual

A shortage of bell ringers

The Salvation Army needs some secret Santas to help with annual fundraiser

Concerns centered around the COVID-19 pandemic may be the cause behind shortfalls in volunteer registrations at the Duluth Salvation Army.

Three programs are particularly impacted by these shortfalls: the Christmas distribution, gift wrapping, and the iconic Red Kettle bell-ringing initiative.

For the Duluth Salvation Army, the pandemic has served as somewhat of a double-edged sword. The economic fallout of the pandemic has led to unprecedented increases in demand for services.

Nationwide, The Salvation Army has seen a 155% increase in the number of people served since March. At the same time, pandemic concerns have reduced volunteer registrations and will likely mean significant shortfalls in funds raised through its iconic Red Kettle initiative.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in ways we never imagined – and that includes the Duluth Salvation Army,” said Captain Teri Ellison. “Increased demand for services and a reduction in volunteer numbers is creating enormous challenges for us.”

The Red Kettle campaign is the annual Christmas initiative that helps to fund The Salvation Army programs year-round.

This year’s initiative is called Rescue Christmas for the most vulnerable.

Red kettles will start appearing in Duluth on Saturday, Nov. 14, and will wrap up Thursday, Dec. 24.

The Duluth Salvation Army kettle goal this year is $215,000 and more bell-ringing volunteers are needed in order to meet this goal.

Volunteer bell-ringers raise, on average, $59 per hour in their red kettle. With that amount, the Duluth Salvation Army can feed 24 people with a daily lunch.

With 17 kettle locations, there are 2,753 two-hours shifts for volunteer bell-ringers. As of now, more than 2,300 two-hour shifts remain open.

“Bell-ringing is a safe and fun activity for individuals and families, and companies could consider manning a kettle for a day or perhaps longer,” said Ellison. “Every kettle is outfitted with contactless digital payment options, and a single shift is just a two-hour commitment.”

Groups, businesses, civic organizations, families and churches are encouraged to participate.

No more than two volunteers can be at a kettle, unless from the same household, where up to four are allowed.

Volunteer gift wrappers are needed between Dec. 1–24 at Miller Hill Mall. Shoppers can bring their purchases for gift wrapping services. All donations for wrapping services go toward helping people from the greater Duluth area at Christmas and throughout the year.

The Duluth Salvation Army is also asking for volunteers during Distribution Week, Dec. 14-18. Food will be distributed on Monday, Dec. 14. Food boxes and toys will be distributed Tuesday, Dec. 15, through Friday, Dec. 18. Volunteers are needed to assist the Duluth Salvation Army staff with distribution during the hours of 9 am and 4 pm with appropriate safety protocols followed.

Jersey Mike’s, Little Caesar’s, Texas Roadhouse, Duluth Grill, OMC Smokehouse, Corktown Deli and Brews, and Toppers Pizza are generously donating lunch to the volunteers and staff that are part of Distribution Week.

“We fully understand the concerns people are having about volunteering,” said Ellison. “We want everyone to know that masks, distancing, sanitizing, and gloves, when needed, are standard protocol for all volunteers.”

Those interested in volunteering can visit DuluthSA/Volunteer for more

information or call 218-722-7934.