I was personally invited to Coach Rick Ray’s retirement and birthday party over the weekend. Okay, I admit everyone was invited, but it still felt nice to be included. I stopped by for a bit, eager to finally meet him in person after only ever talking over the phone or through media.
The Moose Lodge in Two Harbors was packed — parking lot full, streets lined with cars, the party already in full swing. I recognized people from all over the area, all there to congratulate Rick on 44 years of coaching.
Along one wall, a record of his career stretched from season to season, four decades of faces and teams that told the story better than any speech could.
After a quick visit with Rick and his family, my parents and I headed out to find a place to watch the UMD men’s hockey game. We landed at the Landing, which has quickly become a favorite for my family. Before we even ordered drinks, I asked the bartender if she’d be willing to put the game on for us. She said, “Of course,” and with that, we had found our own watch party for the evening.
A few other Bulldog fans were scattered around the bar, and a couple of gentlemen who’d overheard my request asked about the game and the tournament. It turned out to be an incredible game, not a score I would’ve predicted, but the Bulldogs like to keep us guessing. Five to one against North Dakota. Who saw that coming?
The drinks were good, the bartenders were friendly, and the pizza was solid, which is exactly what you want on a Saturday night. When the final horn sounded, the bartender rang the cowbell to ring in the victory, and our corner of the bar erupted.
Later that night, Rick and his family came into the Landing, and we were able to congratulate him again. When he stepped up to the bar, the bartender gave the cowbell a ring for him, too. It felt like a perfect echo of the celebrations earlier in the night.
It’s a good thing to be part of a community that makes room for you in a crowded lodge, at a bar counter, or anywhere people gather to celebrate what matters to them.
