Paddling the Lower Mississippi River

Instead of trombones and tubas, lightning flashed, thunder boomed and rain fell. Lots of rain.

"That's part of the adventure, you have to accept what Mother Nature throws at you," said Ruskey, shrugging off the storm. "That becomes part of the stories that come off the river with you."

Ruskey, 50, owns Quapaw Canoe Co. in Clarksdale, Miss., which made the handsome cypress strip canoe, dubbed "the Grasshopper," that the travelers arrived in. The "voyageur canoe" is similar to the big boats paddled by early explorers and pioneers.

Ruskey also is director of the Lower Mississippi River Foundation, which he founded in 2011. The foundation's mission is to spread the word about the beauty of floating the stretch of the Mississippi from its confluence with the Missouri north of St. Louis to the Gulf of Mexico.

Over the last two years, Ruskey has gathered information for his Rivergator, a paddler's guide to the Lower Mississippi; it's available free online at RiverGator.org. The website currently has stories, photos, maps and information on the stretch from Caruthersville to Vicksburg, Miss.

"Most people only experience the Mississippi from a bridge, which always goes over an industrial area that is not attractive," Ruskey said. "And the locals will tell you, 'Don't get on the river; it's ugly.'

"People just don't think of the Mississippi as a place to go and enjoy the outdoors. But the fishermen know. It's like a greatly held secret."
Ruskey and his crew now have traveled the Mississippi from St. Louis to Baton Rouge, La., a total of almost 1,000 miles. Along the way, they've accumulated data on camping spots, points of interest and potential obstacles, all of which will be posted online by Oct. 15. In 2015, they'll add 235 miles through New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico to complete their Lower Mississippi Water Trail.

"We want to share the wild aspects of the Lower Mississippi River for paddlers," Ruskey said.
"Primarily this is for advanced paddlers in expedition-style canoes or sea kayaks. Those are made for long-distance travel and are capable in all the challenges the Mississippi presents - waves, winds, long crossings, quick crossings in between towboats."

Their argument, that much of the Lower Mississippi is wild and scenic, was evident in the 307-mile stretch from St. Louis to Caruthersville, Ruskey said.

"For about half the way, all you see is big trees, big bluffs, big islands thriving with wildlife and the big river that ties them all together," he said.

"The bluffs below St. Louis were just spectacular, particularly around Herculaneum and Crystal City," he added. "In the back chutes, behind the islands, we saw deer, coyotes, bald eagles, numerous songbirds. At Osborne Chute, below Crystal City, we saw three eagles feasting on a gar. Sunrise on the limestone cliffs at Trail of Tears State Park was beautiful."

Paddlers will share the river with towboats and barges, but Ruskey said that was not a problem.

"The towboats are slow-moving and very predictable," he said. "Normally, on any stretch of the river, you'll see them about an hour before they actually pass. That gives any perceptive paddler time to predict where they'll go, and how to maneuver around them."

Getting more paddlers out on the Lower Mississippi will have a beneficial impact by making more people conscious of the landscape of the river's flood plain, Ruskey said.

"Not only do paddlers clean up places they camp, but they also become impassioned users of the river," he said. "That leads to more public land along the river and better decisions about its use."

As far as the occasional thunderstorm, that is just part of life on the Mississippi, Ruskey said.

"You might be slightly uncomfortable, like getting mud between your toes or sunburn," he said. "But these are things that make you remember the experience and what wilderness is all about."

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DES MOINES, IA (06/18/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair has named five finalists in the New Food Contest. Fairgoers will vote during the Fair to determine the winner. The value-priced offerings along with countless other foods will be available August 7-17.

The Brownie Blitz offers a delicious combination of cream cheese brownie bits, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and coconut. This sweet treat is available at Bauders Ice Cream on the southwest side of the Agriculture Building.

The new Caprese Salad On-a-Stick offers a snack that is both tasty and healthy. The mouthwatering skewer of cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinaigrette is available at all Salad Bowl locations.

The Rib Shack's new Smoked Brisket and Bacon Mac N Cheese, available in Walnut Square, is topped with chunks of smoked brisket and apple wood smoked bacon and tossed in a creamy three cheese sauce.

The Three Buck Bowl features two crispy potato skins filled with fluffy scrambled eggs, fresh salsa and shredded cheddar cheese and is available at Steer N Stein located on the Grand Concourse.

Funnel Cake Sticks made with vanilla, chocolate or strawberry funnel cake batter, served on-a-stick and topped with icing, can be found at Arnold's Concessions on Rock Island Avenue across from the Livestock Pavilion.

Other value-priced contest entries included Zombie Cones in six sour flavors, homemade vanilla bean, caramel, chocolate or maple bacon Jumbo Toasted Marshmallows On-a-stick and a Red Velvet Flurry ice cream treat. Fairgoers can try each of these offerings for just $3.

Concessionaires were asked to submit a new value-priced item for $3 or less. The food entries were judged based on taste/flavor, presentation/appearance, value and creativity/originality. Fairgoers will be able to try each new food during the Fair and vote for their favorite finalist. The winning item will be announced during the Fair.

Other new foods this year include Pineapple Inside Out Funnel Cake, Chicken Fried Bacon, Chocolate Covered Bacon Nougat On-a-stick, Chocolate Covered Cookies N Cream On-a-stick, Mexican Grilled Corn On-the-cob and Tater Dogs On-a-stick. In addition, this year's newest Fair Square, Fair-berry, a tasty blend of crisped rice cereal, strawberry puree and melted marshmallow, will debut for just $2. For a complete list of new foods including descriptions and locations, visit iowastatefair.org.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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"Go for the Gold" Ticket Proceeds Expected to Raise Nearly $700,000 for Illinois' Athletes

NORMAL - Governor Pat Quinn today will visit the 2014 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games Opening Ceremonies to sign legislation that creates a "Go for the Gold" Lottery ticket to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Proceeds from this new scratch-off game will provide funding for increased opportunities for Special Olympics athletes across the state. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all people have the opportunity to follow their dreams and reach their full potential.

"Special Olympics Illinois is a treasure to our state and to the many Illinois residents who benefit from their spirit of giving," Governor Quinn said. "We are so proud of our athletes and their determination both on and off the playing field. With this new Lottery ticket, we can help Special Olympics Illinois ensure more of our competitors are able to 'Go for the Gold.'"

"We are incredibly grateful for this new initiative that will allow Special Olympics Illinois to continue transforming the lives of both current and future generations of Special Olympics Athletes," Special Olympics Illinois President and CEO Dave Breen said. "Funds raised from this game will lead to further innovation and program growth, and expand opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families and volunteers throughout Illinois."

Senate Bill 219, sponsored by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) and State Representative Frances Ann Hurley (D-Chicago), creates the new $2 "Go for the Gold" scratch-off instant ticket. The ticket will be available early next year at 8,200 Lottery retailers across Illinois and is expected to raise nearly $700,000 in its first year for Special Olympics athletes and events across Illinois. The revenue will be used to support athlete training, competitions and programs for present and future Special Olympic athletes. It cannot be used for institutional, organization, or community-based overhead, indirect costs or levies. The new law takes effect immediately.

"Today we are honoring our Special Olympic Athletes by creating the 'Go for the Gold' lottery ticket," Senator Hunter said. "This ticket will raise much-needed dollars to fund statewide training programs and competitions. Some of the money will also help our next generation of Olympians by supporting the Special Children's Charities Fund."

"Go for the Gold" joins the ranks of other Lottery specialty games that raise money for specific causes like Illinois Veterans, the fight against breast cancer, MS research and assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS. "Go for the Gold" tickets have potential prizes of up $20,000, and overall odds of winning a prize will be about 1 in 4.65 tickets.

"Specialty instant games like 'Go for the Gold' are what the Lottery is all about," Lottery Director Michael Jones said. "I'm confident that once this game becomes available, thousands of people will ask for it by name as a way to provide valuable funding for Special Olympics athletes across Illinois. It is a great cause that the Lottery is proud to be supporting it."

A number of the athletes gathered in Normal for this year's statewide Special Olympics competition are leaving this weekend to attend the 2014 USA Games, along with over 3,000 Special Olympics athletes from around the country.

Special Olympics Illinois provides opportunities for more than 21,000 athletes, 40,000 volunteers and thousands more people statewide through 18 Area programs in all 102 counties of the state. Special Olympics began in Illinois with the first games at Chicago's Soldier Field in July 1968. There are now more than four million Special Olympic athletes in 170 countries.

The Special Olympics mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Governor Quinn has been recognized both nationally and locally as a champion for people with disabilities. Two years ago, the Governor launched his Rebalancing Initiative to improve the state's system of caring for those with disabilities and mental health challenges. The initiative has successfully moved hundreds of people with disabilities out of institutions and into community-based care. The Governor has also introduced, fought for and signed the Employment First law that breaks down barriers for people with developmental disabilities to increase opportunities for employment. Just last week, the Governor signed an Executive Order creating the Employment First Liaison who will work with state agencies to develop a five-year plan to improve community integrated private employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

Quad Cities falls behind Burlington in Wild Card race with 5-4 loss

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (June 11, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits scored three runs in the top of the ninth, putting the tying and lead runs on-base before ultimately succumbing Wednesday to the Cedar Rapids Kernels 5-4 at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Cedar Rapids led 5-1 going to the top of the ninth with Hudson Boyd on the mound for his second inning of relief. Boyd gave up a leadoff single to Chase McDonald, who went 2-for-4, walked Ronnie Mitchell and then plunked Tyler White with a fastball to load the bases. However, after falling behind 3-1 in the count on Jon Kemmer, he struck out the Bandits left fielder before getting Brett Booth to fly to shallow left, holding the runners at their stations. Austin Elkins was able to chop a single to right field to score McDonald and Mitchell while putting the tying run on base. After Brett Phillips singled home White to make the score 5-4 and put the lead run on first, Cedar Rapids turned to Todd Van Steensel, who got Chan-Jong Moon to fly out to left to end the ballgame for his sixth save.

The Kernels were able to extend a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning off of Quad Cities reliever Edison Frias. Engelb Vielma and Tanner Vavra each singled to lead off the frame and scored when Chad Christensen pelted a two-run triple to left-center. Mitch Garver, who was 3-for-4 in extending his team-best on-base streak to 20 games, singled to bring in Christensen and make the score 5-1.

Frias came into the game for starter Evan Grills after five innings. Grills (2-2) gave up two runs, one earned, on eight hits in his five frames, scattering eight hits thanks to six strikeouts and no walks.

The two teams began trading runs in the bottom of the first, when Christensen, who finished 1-for-4 with three RBIs, hit a fielder's choice to score a run and give Cedar Rapids the initial 1-0 lead. However, in the top of the second, McDonald, Mitchell and White each singled consecutively, with the latter plating McDonald to tie the game at one. But Jason Kanzler's home run off of Grills to lead off the last of the second gave the Kernels a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.

Brandon Bixler (4-3) earned the win with three perfect innings in relief of Cedar Rapids starter Fernando Romero, who gave up a run on five hits with two walks and a strikeout in four innings.

The loss dropped Quad Cities to 34-31 and into a three-way tie with Peoria and Wisconsin for third place in the Western Division, a game behind Burlington with four games to play in the first half of the season. Cedar Rapids improved to 28-37 and will start Ryan Eades (3-7, 7.07 ERA) tomorrow against Quad Cities' Adrian Houser (4-1, 3.91) in the rubber game of their three-game series.

UP NEXT: The annual Father's Day Cookout at Modern Woodmen Park is open for reservations until Wednesday, June 11. The package includes a game ticket and all-you-can-eat menu in the Budweiser Champions Club Sunday, June 15. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.