Minnesota Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff [Paperback]

Russ Ringsak (Author), Denise Remick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2002 | Series: Curiosities Series

From the pen of a "Prairie Home Companion" writer comes this inspired collection of well-known and not-so-well-known Minnesota oddities. Read about places such as Basshenge in Birchdale and the Home of Swollen Big Toe; events such as the Eelpout Festival; and phenomenon such as the world's largest prairie chicken. Even longtime residents of the Twin Cities may be surprised to discover the No Wake Café, situated on a Mississippi barge, and to learn how Princess Kay of the Milky Way gets sculpted in butter. Don't miss the insightful commentary on the state's most illustrious curiosity--Governor Jesse Ventura.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Minnesota Curiosities is your round-trip ticket to the wildest, wackiest, most outrageous people, places, and things this state has to offer. Humor writer Russ Ringsak and co-author Denise Remick have combed Minnesota for one-of-a-kind gems that make their home state truly unique.
You'll meet the Chainsaw Sisters, the St. Cloud Superman, and the High Priest of Voodoo, locally known as "Fabulous Bob."
You'll go in search of the elusive Lake Wobegon, celebrate your inner nerd at the Geek Prom, and fish for one of the world's ugliest creatures at the Eelpout Festival.
You'll tour the Spam Museum, marvel at the world's only double-decker outhouse, and watch as mass quantities of slimy, smelly fish are consumed at the annual Lutefisk Eating Contest.

About the Author

St. Paul, Minnesota, resident Russ Ringsak has been with PRI's "A Prairie Home Companion" since 1974. When he's not backstage writing up Garrison Keillor's rundown, he can be found behind the wheel of the 48-foot semi-trailer hauling the radio show's equipment between venues. Denise Remick is a freelance researcher and production artist.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 1st edition (December 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076272403X
• ISBN-13: 978-0762724031
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #865,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oofda - Curiosities? Minnesota?, January 2, 2003

By 

"valerie2143" (Houston, Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Minnesota Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff (Paperback)

The quisisential answer to "Everything you ever wanted to know about Minnesota.........but didn't know what to ask". What a delightful journey into some of the most tucked away sights and stories of Minnesota. The author has a style of writing that seems to have that Paul Harvey punchline giving you ..the rest of the story. Tales are spun respectfully no matter how outrageous the oddity. Even life long Minnesota residents will get a knee slap as they are compelled to read a chapter out loud to folks that will just keep saying "Gee, I never knew that"
This book will be our companion for spring travels this year. Our goal is to hit as many of the curiosities as possible and either put a notch in our book or get an autograph! Highly recommended for family gatherings and folks who love to know it all.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the Minnesota Traveler, April 19, 2007

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Poodytat "poodytat" (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Minnesota Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff (Paperback)

This book really is a lot of fun. You'll learn about a family that makes canoes the old-fashioned way, about two chain-sawing sisters that set up a bar, about ice fishing and all the strange things that get found at the bottom of a lake, and lots of interesting characters. The author has written for Prairie Home Companion, so you'll recognize the style. It's fun to read, even if you're not going to visit Minnesota.