Oktoberfest-geist celebrated by all: It was party time on the weekend as about 8,000 people converged on Ladysmith for the 14th annual Oktoberfest.

From the giant pumpkin contest to the parade, party-goers, some dressed in the traditional leiderhausen, enjoyed themselves. The strong, varied music lineup lifted the spirits of the throngs who filled the newly minted Clarence Bretzlaff Building.

Despite Saturday’s wet, miserable offering which caused the cancellation of the Northern Truck Pullers’ final season pull, Oktoberfest officials say everything else went well.

“It went reasonably well despite the weather,” said Lorraine Cluff, Oktoberfest president.

“Saturday was a disappointment, but all-in-all, it was a great success. There was great music for all ages,” said Cluff.

Rodgers cracks Detroit lineup: After seven long years of hard work in the minor leagues, Bryson native Marc Rodgers has jumped to the NHL.

The 27-year-old Rodgers, who led the Adirondack Red Wings in scoring last year (19 goals, 38 assists, 57 points) is still with the Detroit Red Wings after having a strong training camp.

“It feels pretty good,” says Rodgers in a telephone interview Monday from his Detroit hotel room. “Ive waited a long time for this.”

Rodgers paid his dues in the IHL and AHL, playing for teams in West Virginia, Utah and Quebec City before landing a spot with the Red Wings’ Adirondack farm team after the Wings signed him to a two-way contract in 1998.

Up in Bryson, Rodgers’ mother, Paulette Rodgers, says Marc has fulfilled a dream.
“We’re real proud of him,” she says. “That’s all he ever wanted to do. He stuck with it. We don’t know how long he’ll stay with the team, but he made it.”