Sports Section by Kirk Beitz
Saturday, the big event on the sports docket was the Double Disc Court finale between the team of Chris Campbell & Becca Watriss versus the team of Kirk Beitz versus Bill Gajewski .
Played on the upper field in front of an audience of just 59,998 under 60,000 wild screaming fans, the back and forth action was something to behold.
Once all the participants were clear on the rules (see box), play commenced.
The battle was spirited and the scoring went back and forth. Neither team could seem to break out to more than a 3 point lead at any point during the game without the other team roaring back to even the match. The competition reached a fever pitch as night started to fall and the MSF torches were lit around the edge of the field.
Fending off darkness and a late 17-19 deficit, Bill & Kirk rallied to a 20-19 lead.
"I was still mindful that they could steal it from us in just one round if we weren't careful," remarked team captain Kirk (no relation).
Using a high throw-in that floated long in the air, Bill & Kirk got Becca & Chris concentrating on making the catch of the first disc, and while they were able to catch and release before being caught with 2 in their own box, they were unable to snag the incoming return before it hit the ground, and the 20th anniversary 1st possibly-annual Double Disc Court championship was awarded to the wily veteran and his rookie sidekick.
"No matter if there's never another championship, this is something that can never be taken away from us!"

Double Disc Court rules
- each team occupies its own 13'x13' box
- the 2 boxes are separated by 17'
- each team starts in possession of one disc
- play for a round starts by both teams simultaneously throwing their disc
to the other team
- a round ceases when a point-scoring event occurs and both discs have come
to rest (either on the ground or held by one of the participants)
- if one disc hits the ground and the other is still in the air, the round
does not end until the second disc is caught or hits the ground
- point scoring events include
- the disc hitting the ground in the opponent's box [1 point per disc
landing in the box to the thrower; can result in 1 point for either
team, 2 points if both discs land in opponents box, or 1 point for
each team if a thrown disc lands in each team's box without being
caught]
- a disc landing out of bounds [1 point per disc out of bounds to the
receiver; can result in 1 point for one team, 2 points for one team,
or 1 point for each team]
- both discs in possession by one team simultaneously [2 points to the
other team]
- the first and second point-scoring events can end up being combined to
result in 2 points for one team or 1 point for both teams.
- first team to 21 wins.

A Newbie's MidSummerFest Tale by Jacqueline Taylor

Once upon a time, I went on a journey to a magical place in Royalton, Vermont called the "100 Aker Wood." All sorts of people were gathering to celebrate the 20th Annual Mid Summer Fest. What you ask is Mid Summer Fest (henceforth MSF)? I feel well qualified to answer that question, at least from the perspective of a "newbie." You'll have to converse with Uncle Fester and his cohorts if you want the historical view.

I was told that it was fun to arrive early to MSF to be part of Thursday Night Club, (TNC). This is a thinly veiled guise to help Uncle Fester do the grocery shopping for 25 people, 9 meals, and the GORP bucket. But I'll do many things for chocolate and TNCer's were promised chocolate fondue, so I was game. The chocolate fondue was delicious, especially after we remembered to put in the kirsch. To know just how good it was, you would have to ask Steve Dubin who made contented noises after every bite.
A second attraction for TNCers is the Friday morning rafting trip on the local river. We weren't sure if the weather was going to cooperate, but the sun did shine for our wet adventure. Being a fair skinned and cancer wary sort myself, I was sure to put on sunscreen. Being a helpful sort, I also offered to rub sunscreen on the backs of Steve M., Anne S. and Kirk. In retrospect that was a huge mistake! More later.
After transportation logistics, both vehicular and inner tubular were completed, we six intrepid river goers floated along with the current. It was relaxing, beautiful and then very, very cold. Some of us had chattering teeth, and blue lips, fingers and toes by the end. Fortunately various gallant gentlemen lent their towels and clothes and essential body heat was restored. We feasted on picnic sandwiches and headed back to the "100 Aker Wood."

Throughout the day more celebrants arrived to be greeted with hugs and nostalgic stories regarding former MSF's. Not long into the Festivities, the two other "newbies" and I were told of some mysterious naming ceremony that was to take place after dinner. In the dark. (Newbies, as you may have guessed, have never been to MSF before.) I wasn't sure why I needed a new name, since I already had one that seemed to work just fine. It seemed, however, that I was lacking a MSF name. Not to worry, one would be provided! So Beth, Becca and I good naturedly bore all the ribbing for being newbies and patiently awaited whatever was to befall us.

We all gathered for dinner on the Deck that overlooks the Upper Pond and a large open field. Fireflies flitted, torches flickered, and stars shone over the crowd. Soft music and the murmur of conversation were punctuated by laughter and an occasional guffaw as yet another hilarious adventure was recounted. Eventually, a mysterious man wearing a black cape led Beth, Becca and me away from the group. He instructed us to line up one behind the other, place a hand on the shoulder ahead of us and close our eyes. We complied with this strange request with nervous giggles while he tied bandanas around our heads to ensure secrecy.

The stranger guided us along a serpentine trail with only a shoulder and his quiet utterances to lead us. "Duck now, step down, stop talking, step up, go faster, turn around, slow down and finally, stop." We could hear voices as we stopped and then were allowed to remove the bandanas. Clustered around us in a semi circle on the Field was the whole dinner group. Uncle Fester (in a cape, of course) and his henchman stood in front ready to proclaim our MSF monikers. Beth was called to the center first. She was aptly given the title Rapunzel on account of her thigh length braid. During the rest of MSF she had to respond to anyone who called her Rapunzel by saying, " Let me rescue you from _____ with my long hair." After practicing her response to the crowds' cheers she received a special MSF sweet, (otherwise known as a M&M) from the ritual dispenser. When Becca was called, she, in the guise of The Amazing Festo, had to spin around three times and then offer to rescue people from their calamities with her amazing super powers. After some reluctant spinning to prompts from the crowd, she satisfied the naming ceremony requirements and got her ritual treat.

Remember I said I would tell you more about the river trip later? Well, later has arrived. It was now my turn to receive a MSF name. I stepped forward to hear Uncle Fester declaim that I would be called SPF (for sun protection factor). Anytime someone yelled, "SPF," I was to respond, "Let me lather sunscreen on your _______." I was embarrassed, everyone laughed, I repeated my response as instructed by Uncle Fester and then I too, got my M&M, I mean, ritual sweet. I told you I would do most things for chocolate.

The rest of the weekend unfolded with a variety of events including a woodland Adventure and water fight modeled on the "Lord of the Rings," more Feasting, a hilarious talent show called, "The Travesty," a Bonfire party with s'mores, breakfast blueberry pancakes, a group photograph and ClosingCceremonies. All in all, it was a grand adventure and I recommend it highly.