Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 3:33 PM
Subject: THUNDER BAY OVERTAKEN BY .....CORN!!!

ALPENA - The triumphant Yngling fleet ,returning from the North American Championships in Okoboji Iowa, brought with them the makings of an ecological disaster for the waters of Thunder Bay.
The Alpena boats were checked thoroughly in Iowa by Mel Foil , Okoboji Yacht Club Rear Admiral for Vermin and Pest Control, to prevent fouling of the pristine waters of Lake Okoboji. "We were asked to power wash our boats, empty our drain plugs ( we had to fake that one ) and subject ourselves to deep cavity searches before we were allowed on the lake." said the kindly old skipper of GREAT WHITE !!! ( once again Alpena's Most Belove Boat )  "Little did we know we would be bringing the seeds of our own destruction back to our home"
Back from Iowa, the fleet launched their boats upon their return to Alpena and immediately evidence of rampant corn growth began to appear around the harbor and the near shore area. "The stuff is growing like crazy" said limnologist Rocky Shoals "This is what we call an opportunistic plant. There are no known biological competitors to DeKalb #XL 485 , the type of corn taking root in Thunder Bay.
"We are ruined " wailed Alpena Mayor Tyrone Bowline "Now nobody will see our shipwrecks. The bay will look just like....like .....Iowaaaahhhhh !!! " the Mayor collapsed in a heap and required immediate medical attention.
"This is great" said Cletus Vang Director of the Alpena Chamber of Commerce "Now we can grow corn fed salmon the size of Holsteins"
Undaunted, the members of the Yngling fleet fitted the bows of their sturdy craft with stalk choppers in preparation for Sunday's race.