I will most likely just hang out, enjoy the weather, and work on WiPH a little to make it better than ever.

Have a great summer and check us out on occasion, and get ready for complete hockey coverage again starting in the fall.

If you have a story idea, please send it to me at trasher@wctc.net 

Later!!

I haven't really thought that far ahead as I am a big-time hockey addict still following the game on a few levels.

Usually during the summer softball seems to keep me busy for a few weeks. This year I'm sure there will be a summer getaway at some point.

Destination TBD.

I, also like Trasher, still look for ways to make the site better by trying to keep some form of new stories. Not always easy to do but try to keep giving our followers a reason to visit in the off season.

As for the picture of my son Mason. Well, every day is a new adventure to follow with him. His hockey season next year will be his second as a Bantam. The high school years are not far away. Where did the time go?

Got any summer hockey stuff going? Lemme know. Especially a summer tournament or two.

Unlike the elder Berg, Mr. Trzinski and Del my kid isn't grown up yet. He'll be turning three in April and starting his learn-to-skate classes. Before that though, we'll be inviting another one into the house as my wife, Suzanne, is due give birth sometime the week of March 14-18.

So, I'll be spending my time off learning to manage two kids and generally being awesome at it.

The fact that I have young kids means that outside of Wisconsin Prep Hockey I don't have a lot going on. Their activities are my activities, and after they go to bed I vegetate in front of my PC and blow up some bad guys.

One of the things I have learned throughout my life is you have to have things you are passionate about.  I always knew I wanted to be involved in sports.  I loved playing sports even though I may not have been the best.  I enjoyed coaching sports.  One of my best childhood friends, John Dietrich, and I coached T-ball when we were 14.  When I was in the Navy I had the opportunity to coach a women’s softball team and have coached numerous different youth teams (pop warner football, girl’s soccer, hockey, little league and American Legion baseball) as the years have gone by.

Two things which keep me busy during the summer are motorcycle riding and spending time with my family.  Motorcycle riding is something that has led me to a few different events. 

My wife, Amy, and I participate in the Nation of Patriots Flag Tour kick-off ride on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.  The Nation of Patriots Organization started in Beaver Dam and 100% of the donations received in the past have been given to Veterans and their families in need.  The Nation of Patriots Flag Tour has a flag that leaves Beaver Dam on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and that 1 flag will travel through the 48 states over the next 100 days taken by motorcycle from one location to the next.  The flag will finish in Wisconsin on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.  Donations are accepted in every state and stay in that state to be used as necessary.  We are extremely grateful to have been introduced to this organization and have seen the work they do.  A friend of ours in the Beaver Dam area, who was injured overseas, was helped last year from a much needed donation from Nation of Patriots.  You can find out more about the Nation of Patriots Flag Tour at www.nationofpatriots.org, if you wish.

Amy and I both belong to another organization, Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.).  This keeps us busy year round.  It is unfortunate that there is a need for any organization to protect children, but there are people that will hurt them no matter what.  B.A.C.A. exists for one reason, “To empower the child”.  There are currently five patched chapters in Wisconsin and two temp charters.  More information on B.A.C.A. can be found at www.bacaworld.org.

This summer, Amy and I, have one trip planned.  We are going to ride our motorcycles from Reedsburg to Litchfield, Illinois.  Once we get to Litchfield, we plan on riding Route 66 to Amarillo, Texas.  From Amarillo, we will take another road to go to my hometown, Dalhart, Texas for a family reunion.  It should be a fun experience and plan on taking a few pictures along the way.  Amy will be riding her Heritage Softail Classic and I will be on my Road King.  As the saying goes, “Get your kicks on Route 66”.  Route 66 used to be the main route from Chicago to Los Angeles, until the interstates came in and replaced it.

However, if you have a hockey game going on over the summer drop me a line at dalhart1961@gmail.com and I may swing by with my bike and a camera.  Have a great summer and thanks for making my winter go by faster.