ALPENA - The mood was electric as a huge crowd gathered at the Brown Trout Convention Center. It was freezing inside the Convention Center because the solar heating system had failed due to a lack of sunlight. Nevertheless, spirits were bright and hearts were warm as Mayor Tyrone Bowline took the stage to make the long awaited announcement.

"I am proud to announce that Alpena will host the 2010 Yngling North American Championships !!! "

The Convention Center absolutely erupted as the crowd reacted to the good news. The fog of hundreds of frozen cheers filled the hall.

" it was a close vote" said the Mayor "Wilcox Arizona and Kearney Nebraska put in last minute bids,but we prevailed by a narrow margin" 

Again,  the crowd responded with triumphant cheers and thunderous applause. 

Individual voices called out 

"Our economy will be stimulated !" said one

"People will come here from Rhode Island, Minnesota and even Iowa !" said another 

Yet another  yelled "Our hotels will be filled and or restaurants will be busy ! "

Mayor Bowline tried to quiet the happy throng.

"Please, Please people  quiet down"

When order was restored the Mayor began:

"In the interest of transparency I must tell you that we don't expect much economic stimulus from the event"

The crowd grew silent

"You see the Yngling racers stay in each others houses so we won't fill any hotel rooms. They eat communal meals so our restaurants won't be busy. The folks from Iowa never come to Alpena...and sometimes the Race Committee holds the races so far out in the bay that you can't even see them"

A collective groan rose from the crowd.

"So what do we get out of this ? " someone from the crowd hollered

"Well the Yngling folks are really nice people" responded the Mayor

"Nice people ???  Nice People ???  Alpena is full of nice people !!!"

an angry voice replied

"We don't need any more %$#% nice people !!! What does it get us??? A crappy economy and some stupid solar powered heating system "

It was pandemonium as the nice people of Alpena directed their frustration at the Mayor.

Eventually it all quieted down and the somber crowd left the freezing gray Convention Center and shuffled out into the freezing gray night.

One dejected citizen said " I was really hoping to see the folks from Iowa "