I took a couple of days off from work to take in the 14th Annual Fargo Film Festival. Margie Bailly began the event in 2000 with Emily Beck doing a magnificent job the last couple of years. This event has grown from just 40 or so entries its first year to over 300 films this year and since the addition of the off-Broadway screen a couple of years ago you can only expect the event to grow. Directors, actors, producers and writers appear for Q & A sessions, pre-parties and seminars. It’s almost like the big events at Sundance, Tribeka, or Cannes,…it’s got to be close.

Besides the Coen Brothers film “Fargo” and the success of NDSU’s Football team, this theater, the Fargo Theatre, is one of the greatest ambassadors a town could ask for when it comes to tourism. From Babe Ruth appearing on stage, (I hear he did a little comedy and talked baseball) to “Corso” the buffalo coming out the front door during ESPN’s “Gameday,” that building has literally become known worldwide.

I’ve been to films, concerts, plays and yes even a wedding at the Fargo Theatre. When I was a little boy, I was a big Elvis Presley, not necessarily his music but I loved his films. I really did! I know the scripts were bad, and the plot was always “corny”, but boy did he ever get the girls. I once sat through “Harem Scarem” twice without having to pay another admission at the Fargo Theater. You could get away with that back in those days. By the way, anybody know what ever happened to Elvis’s Co-star Michelle Carey?

Then there’s the Mighty Wurlitzer organ. When that baby comes rising up from in front of the stage and screen you kind of feel like you’re back in the silent movies days. And the Fargo Theatre has those once in a while too.

There’s too many people to thank for keeping that building alive over the years. It’s a true love for the arts, history and yes, tourism.

Little help folks! If you could check my blog at KFGO.com or my Facebook page I posted something that may take you fishermen down memory lane. I found a small, old wicker-type basket and in it were three fishing lures that belonged to my Grandfather. A large wooden one, painted with three treble hooks and a small wooden “minnow-sized” lure with a red tipped head. And a clear lure with 2 treble hooks, and on this one, you can unscrew the lure in the middle and put something inside. What, I’m not sure. If you know, help me out with an e-mail. A secret message maybe? Instead of a message in a bottle…message in a lure! Hold down the laughter, I’m trying to write!

And finally, I am so antsy to get my bike out and start peddling. I love riding my bike and I get the urge every time I open the garage door and see it standing there. But a bike means almost nothing without an odometer. Man, you have got to know how far you’ve peddled so you can brag about it. I’m far from being a candidate for the Tour de France but I can put 600 miles a year on it. Riding is healthy for the body, but knowing how far you rode is healthy for the mind.