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Guns and Hoses

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There nothing wrong with a little healthy competition. Creaking
bones, aging tendons and sore muscles are probably not the picture of
health, however the spirit of competition was strong and vibrant
Wednesday night. It was the child born of softball and benevolence,
“Guns and Hoses”.

Guns and Hoses is a yearly softball game that pits Law Enforcement in
Thief River Falls, Minnesota and Pennington County (the Guns) versus the Thief
River Falls Fire Department (the Hoses.) The name takes a spin on the
nineties rock group, “Guns and Roses.” It started a few years back as
a good way join these groups together in an evening of fun instead of
an evening of fire or car accidents. Guns and Hoses grew to become a
way to benefit a group or person through the sale of
concessions-namely brats and buns.

I had never attended this joining of first responders to breath life
into softball until this year. I felt I was a poor excuse for a
softball player until I found out they needed people to watch, eats
brats and drink beer; all activities which are really in my
wheelhouse. The beneficiary of this year’s concessions is my buddy,
Adam Tongen, so that was also a good reason to attend. Several people
donated baked goods and produce so we had a little sale during the
game which did well, as did the sale of brats and “Guns and Hoses”
t-shirts. I would also like to mention that Adam is still in
Rochester and will start intense chemotherapy again this Saturday.
Many of you have helped support Adam and I want you to know it has
made a big difference.

Okay, let’s play ball. Wednesday night was beautiful and
well-attended by players, friends and family. I was surprised at the
level of play-most of those on the field were REALLY bad. Seriously,
the game was pretty well-played and fun to watch. Each side had
stand-outs however everyone really enjoyed themselves. Several of the
players hit opposite field and the base running was surprisingly
disciplined. The Guns almost turned a traditional double play (6-4-3)
which is pretty difficult. The Hoses were stronger at bat but I think
the Guns get my nod for Cy Young of the night. Two standouts that
come to mind are Terry Adam who is apparently a softball-playing
cyborg from the future and Evan Bruggeman who almost lost an elbow
side-arming a shot to third to the Big Bird on first for the out. I’d
tell you who won but really, when your doing good for someone else,
everybody wins. (don’t you hate when people do that?)

After the game we retired to the bleachers (I had retired there when
I arrived) and talked about everything except the game. Mark Bieganek
also taught us several words of Polish. Mark is sincerely convinced
he’s faithfully speaking this language however I suspect it is the
same kind of gibberish John Cleese used on “Monte Python’s Flying
Circus.” Anyway, Mark is entertaining and a good guy-he’s also Polish
or Czech or Swede depending upon the night.

I will have good memories of a night in which old men and young
women, (can’t call women old-ever) competed under blue skies and in
temperate air during which all players made up for the bad they did
to the game of softball with the good they did for one person through
the same act; playing the game. Good job Guns, good job Hoses.

The Rapid Rebounder; in five acts

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Act I Background

Adam Tongen is one of my friends-we also work together. He fits in
well with our group at work and has become an important part of the
office. I liked him right from the start; he is a fellow former radio
broadcaster and likes beer, which are two of my main talking points.
Lisa and I knew he was a good man and were very happy when he married
Ana (Hibbert)-who is also a good friend. They were wedded last October and are
expecting this August. They are what people mean when they try to
describe “a nice young couple.”

Act II A Diagnosis of Cancer

Adam Tongen got sick a few week’s prior to Christmas of 2011. Adam
was freshly married and expecting a child-it should have been the
best of times. Unfortunately, he was eventually diagnosed with
Germ-cell cancer and began his treatment with surgery, soon followed
by four separate five-day sessions of chemotherapy. Adam’s last
chemotherapy treatment was followed by staph infection. The infection
forced him back into the hospital for a stay which included four days
in which he was anesthetized to keep him unconscious while he
received intravenous antibiotics. This was followed by six weeks of
antibiotic infusion therapy which finally ended this week. He was at
the Mayo Hospital Friday to discuss the possibility of
another surgery after a blood test recently revealed bad news.
(note Adam must have another surgery May 11th, the day of his benefit)
Act III Cancer Sucks

I’ve have only watched cancer from the outside. It seems to me that
this disease is unique in that it carries such fear. So much legend
has been built around it that a cure is mostly medical but also
emotional. I catch myself editing out the word “cancer” when I talk
to Adam. Chemotherapy seems most similar to a war of attrition in
which you hope to wear the enemy down and bring him to the table and
eventual armistice. Surgery seems more aggressive with a goal of
cancer’s unconditional surrender. No matter what, I think there is a
horrible vulnerability that comes with the disease, no one is safe.

Act IV What we can do

Friends and family of Adam Tongen have planned a benefit in his
honor. May 11th from 5-9 pm, we will gather at the Eagles Club in Thief River Falls, Minnesota for a free-will pulled-pork meal, silent (and not so silent) auction, bake
sale, cash bar and sale of “the Rapid Rebounder” wrist bands. “The
Rapid Rebounder” is the nickname given Adam by his doctor because he
has typically rebounded strongly after numerous, invasive medical
treatments. Local businesses have responded to our requests of items
for the silent auction with great generosity so there will be a
fantastic selection of items on which to bid. We hope Adam will be
able to attend but if not we’ll just have to take a few pictures to
document this night held in his honor.

Act V Thank-you

So many have acted to our call to help Adam. Some have acted
anonymously and have given in ways I find quite touching. All we can
offer for all of your help is to tell you simply, deeply; thank-you.

For those who would like to donate to the Adam Tongen benefit, please mail your check to:

Pennington County Sheriff’s Office

Attn: Wendy Mattson

Po Box 484

Thief River Falls, Mn   56701

If you have any questions, please leave it in the form of a comment on this blog and I will get right back to you-GN.