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How Small Towns Saved Americans in the Summer of 2020

The Northern Nerd

Sep 18, 2020
4 min

How Small Towns Saved Americans in the Summer of 2020

You won’t find any skyscrapers when you drive through small town America. The largest structure in town is the water tower and that probably still has some spray paint on it from the class of ‘93. The businesses that line the town are little mom and pop shops with gifts unique to the area. One doesn’t have to look too hard to find the shop owner of the place. They can be found behind the counter doing crossword puzzles from the newspaper or tapping into the local rumor mill t

Why I Almost Walked Away From Hunting, But Didn't

The Northern Nerd

Jul 3, 2019
4 min

Why I Almost Walked Away From Hunting, But Didn't

“The chase is among the best of all national pastimes; it cultivates that vigorous manliness for the lack of which in a nation, as in an individual, the possession of no other qualities can possibly atone.” -Theodore Roosevelt I never thought sighting in my gun would be so difficult to do. I took the time to put the target in my crosshairs, steadied my breathing, but I always flinched whenever I pulled the trigger. Come on, you’ve done this a million times before, I told myse

No Passport Required: Ahlgren's Old World Accents

The Northern Nerd

Apr 13, 2019
3 min

No Passport Required: Ahlgren's Old World Accents

Traveling the world is at the top of many people’s bucket lists as they grow older. College graduates are now taking a year off to travel to far away places as they seek new adventures while filling up their passports with stamps. They want to capture photos, try different foods and meet people from different walks of life. Traveling can be great, but many people don’t have the luxury to travel that often and find themselves living vicariously through friend’s Instagram stori

The Hayward Version of Cheers: The Angry Minnow

The Northern Nerd

Apr 3, 2019
4 min

The Hayward Version of Cheers: The Angry Minnow

I don’t know if it’s allowed or not as a “foodie”, but I have a favorite restaurant. I’ve put off talking about it because I don’t feel like I will be able to do the restaurant justice, or that my words will be able to accurately describe why I love it so much. I don’t even know if there are words to explain the feeling. I have to give it a shot though, so that if you haven’t gone yet, you will just hop in your car and go there and experience for yourself why I love this plac

3-28-2019 - The Whistle Punk Tap List

The Northern Nerd

Mar 29, 2019
4 min

3-28-2019 - The Whistle Punk Tap List

March 28th ------------ Spruce IPA IPA W/ SPRUCE TIPS 7% ABV ALASKAN BREWING CO // JUNEAU, AK Spruce tips are one of my favorite adjuncts (non-essential ingredients used to modify the flavor or body of the beer) used in brewing. Interestingly the tips don’t usually taste “sprucey” in beer, rather contributing bright berries and citrus, with a fresh, lightly evergreen note. Surprisingly I haven’t seen or had the opportunity to try many spruce tip IPAs, but the combination of f

Tastebud Time Travel: Tiny's Diner

The Northern Nerd

Dec 14, 2018
2 min

Tastebud Time Travel: Tiny's Diner

Within the past year, Jon and I have moved out near Spider Lake. We love our new home, and the wonderful nature that surrounds us! However, where there is abundance in wildlife, there is often a lack in quality restaurants. However, we have discovered Tiny’s Diner just down the road, and we may have found our new breakfast hub. Tiny’s Diner is a quaint little diner right off of Hwy 77 about fifteen minutes out from Hayward. It’s got a simple, classic style with checkerboard a

25 Things Only People From Small Towns Will Understand

The Northern Nerd

Oct 18, 2018
3 min

25 Things Only People From Small Towns Will Understand

Sorry big city folks, but there are some things in this world that you won't be able to understand—small town life is one of them. There are many things that make each and every small town unique in their own right, but they all share some of these commonalities. 1. You are more likely to win the lottery, get struck by lightning, defend a small village from a fire breathing dragon with a Nerf gun, or get eaten by a shark, than you are likely to be able to make a left turn dur

Why An Afternoon With Your Grandpa Is Always Worth It

The Northern Nerd

Aug 16, 2018
5 min

Why An Afternoon With Your Grandpa Is Always Worth It

Sitting across from me at the Hayward Family Restaurant was an empty chair with a menu in front of it. I kept looking over my shoulder to see if he had snuck in through the back. The people around me were starting to grow suspicious of my constant scanning of the diner. “Would you like me to take your order, dear?” the waitress asked. “He should be here any minute. Check back in another five minutes, please.” I gave her a halfhearted smile. We had talked on the phone last nig

A Foodie Adventure to Pine Brook Farm

The Northern Nerd

Aug 1, 2018
3 min

A Foodie Adventure to Pine Brook Farm

If you are looking for a destination restaurant, Pine Brook Farms might be the ticket! Located 8 miles from downtown Spooner, it’s nestled in the middle of nowhere in some of the farmland of the north woods. About two years ago, husband and wife team Jason and Michele Martell converted a 65-year-old farmhouse into a charming restaurant located on 85 acres of picturesque farmland. Jon and I turned onto the dirt road that leads to the restaurant and it was as if we were turning

Rusty Hook Saloon & Smokehouse

The Northern Nerd

Jul 26, 2018
3 min

Rusty Hook Saloon & Smokehouse

Being a local, it’s easy to get into a rhythm of favorite places to frequent, especially when it comes to dining out. You hardly need to look at a menu, as you can order, and the waitress or waiter already has your “usual” penned in. Rarely are your taste buds taken on an adventure of new and exciting flavors.Therefore, my husband and I were thrilled when we heard that the Rusty Hook Saloon and Smokehouse opened on County Rd B, just past Robin’s Nest. Smoked meat!? Sign us up

The Busiest Man On Blueberry Lake

The Northern Nerd

Jul 26, 2018
3 min

The Busiest Man On Blueberry Lake

Through winding back country roads that John Denver would blush at, you’ll find the sweet serenade that will lead you to Johnny B’s Lakeshore Grill & Pizza. If the smells radiating from Johnny B’s kitchen don’t bring you back for more, the laughter and conversation with the owner sure will. While he is a fairly busy man, Johnny loves his customers. “I love people. I love people coming in my door and telling me my food is great,” Johnny said. “When people come in here they fee