Chocolate ails

Greetings, fellow followers of the "W"! The mayor has been away far too long! But now he's back where he belongs -- on Woodland and IN CHARGE!!!

Where to begin . . . Wickie's summer calendar was booked solid. This last campaign season was the most contentious ever. Our lad pounded the pavement, pressed the flesh, sniffed under every bush for votes. It turns out the Sheriff had become more popular than ever (in a more-to-love sort of way). But the mayor, being the veteran warrior that he is, took nothing for granted. Mr. Wick reached out to all by greeting the people at the video store, bat-dogging up and down every avenue, sharing ice cream with his people on summer evenings and face-barking every night at twilight.

At the end of the summer, the election was by won two votes. Your mayor remains the mayor! He couldn't have done it without his faithful followers, the believers in his message: "A Boulevard Wheat in every beer fridge, and a peach cobbler in every pie freezer!" It turns out two of the cats next door defected from the feline ranks and to this day howl at his Honor's door.

With autumn came the change of the season, and moderation to our hero's demeanor. It was time to put away Wink-Monster-Flea and return to collegial Mister. The fur-osity of the contest had brought out the worst in our brave hound. So a change was was called in from the pen. First a much deserved trip to the spa. Finally, three growlers of his favorite ale were delivered on Halloween. Ah yes, 2010 was the year of the perfect autumn -- warm sunny afternoons, the smell of turning leaves and (ahem) SeeYouLator dopplebock, cool crisp evenings around the fire pit, roasting hot dogs and melting S'mores. Wickie wished these days would never end.

The holidays rolled through with much ado. He had visitors to meet and greet, a young rogue runaway to track down, a surprise appearance by Grandma, and a Christmas tree that refused to remain vertical. As promised in the campaign, Santa delivered and Wickie's people were all filled with the joy and hope of the season. Surrounded by his people, the Mayor's year had ended as his best ever.

What was a glorious and beautiful 2010, quickly chilled at the dawn of 2011. Wickie's beat, the Avenue of the Woodland, suddenly snapped into a frozen tundra. Day after day of sub-freezing temps, week after week of a sort-of-dry-snow-not-suitable-for-making-snowmen had soured our leader. His golf game suffered.

Then, miracle of miracles . . . Boulevard came through on their greatest of all Smokestack Series -- Chocolate Ale!!! Tremendous ale, infused with Elbow chocolate turned out to be seriously good. Our boy was once again young. As you can see, our beloved Junior Burger got his groove back and is scratchin' at the door.

Lemme at you spring!!!

P.S. Stay tuned for the next blog which will list every known alias Wickie has used in the last five years. You won't want to miss it.