Mud season is more than just mud and cabin fever. Its birds hanging out in your garage looking for nest-building materials. Its using those huge mud puddles as convenient mini car washes. Its your septic tank overflowing. Its having to wash your shoes in the sink in spite of every effort to step only on rocks. Its the smell of a friendly skunk that has been in the neighborhood.Its also that feverish urge we get to do warm weather stuff even though Mother Earth is not quite ready for us yet. Yes, the lakes are melting rapidly and anyone caught out there on a snowmobile should be shot for being stupid. Dont even go walking on the stuff. Its more slush than ice and could turn liquid in your footsteps. So, in spite of this warm spell weve all been longing for, hiking is a muddy adventure, boating is impossible, fishing is unrewarding, its too early for yard work, too cold for campfires and outdoor picnics. Welcome to Cabin Fever.A bunch of Cabin Fever sufferers are getting together this Saturday, April 26, to put on the Grand Arts Councils Cabin Fever Follies talent show at the Historic Grand Lake Community House. Tickets are now on sale at the Grand Lake Art Gallery or get them at the door for $10/adults and $5/kids under 12. People will actually be on stage doing things (like singing, dancing, playing instruments, reciting, telling jokes) that they otherwise would never get to do in front of a live audience. Since the audience will also most probably be suffering from cabin fever, they will laugh and clap and really enjoy the show. Come early for a good seat this once-a-year show is always a sellout.On Sunday, April 27, we will all be gathering at Pancho & Leftys a 3 p.m. to help out our friend Kristy Hoff. who was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in March. Kristy faces a long recovery along with huge medical bills. There will be a silent auction and live entertainment featuring Peggy Mann, Oly, Steve Cormey, 9-Toed Bob & the Stragglers, and John Brown. Donations may also be made to the Kristy Hoff Fund c/o Grand Mountain Bank, P.O. Box 749, Grand Lake,CO 80447.Here is a sad reminder. A memorial service for Evelyn Schnittker will be held at Stillwater Chapel on Hwy 34 on Wednesday, April 30, at 3 p.m.The days of horse racing in Grand Lake are long gone, but that doesnt mean we cant enjoy a day at the races. Saturday, May 3, is the Kentucky Derby (many miles away) but our party is right here at the Gateway Inn at noon. Ladies are encouraged to wear their most outrageous hat creations and gentlemen should don suitable derby attire (I have no idea what that is) to win prizes, including a suite at the Gateway and other house prizes. Use your derby dollars and step into the winners circle and hobnob with those local celebrities in the Not Quite Millionaires Row. Enjoy an afternoon of Kentucky food and derby drinks. And yes, Kentucky, himself, will be there with his own derby race game. Dont miss it.The Grand Lake Nifty Niners Club is excited to get this 2008 golf season underway. This is a Nine Hole Golf Club open to any woman who would like to play golf on Tuesday mornings at the Grand Lake Golf Course. The season begins May 20, with a couple of Show-n-Go, weather permitting. Annual dues are $50, which includes CWGA fees and handicap fees. For more information, contact Sharon Peterson at (970) 627-8869, or Laura Summers at (970) 887-1281.By now, you may have heard about the Strong Bonds program that arranges for veterans returning from the Iraq war to Fort Carson to spend some needed recreational time in Grand County. There will be different groups on the following weekends: 4/19, 4/26, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31 staying at Snow Mountain Ranch.The program plans several activities for the vets, and they can choose what they want to do and what restaurant they want to have dinner on Saturday nights. Jean Claude Cavalera (owner and chef of Caroline’s Cuisine) has put together a special dinner menu including soup du jour or house salad, choice of three entrees, and dessert for a special price. They are also opening up the opportunity for us to show our appreciation for these individuals service to our country by pre-paying their dinner. For $24, you can sponsor this dinner for a vet. Just call Carolines Cuisine at (970) 627-9404 and it can be charged to your credit card, or mention it while youre there having dinner.Put away the snow shovel and put on your hiking boots.