The Chequamegon Mob

And original poem by Scott Clements (2013)

Along with other spoken words at The Rivers Eatery Poetry Jam on Saturday April 29, this original historical poem of sorts by Scott Clements brought smiles and cheers from the appreciative audience:

The Chequamegon Mob

By Scott Clements

July 2013

They met Monday Mornings

In the Cable Café

At a table reserved in the rear.

And the locals they say

Knew to stay well away

Lest they learn things they shouldn’t hear.

For the plans and the business

And the secrets they shared

Are those that came with the job.

Of being the Bosses

The Dons, you might say

Of the dreaded Chequamegon Mob.

We don’t know how they teamed up

This Mafia of sorts

Cosa Nostra of the Great North Woods.

But the Brotherhood was strong

‘Cause they knew right from wrong

And they always delivered the goods.

Ned Zuesdorf was in charge

Of the Hayward Command

Ran his crews in the winter on skis.

Made the Birkie race great

But the pace sealed his fate

He’s retired to leisure at ease.

Gary Crandall – The Fatman

Was in charge of the wheels

Laundered bikes in the Fat Tire Fest

Sold the whole shebang

To the Lifetime Gang

But he don’t lord it over the rest.

Yet Crandall and Zuelsdorf

Would have nowhere to go

Their efforts would certainly fail.

Without the guys who worked wonders

In the forest thereunder

The MEN who provided the trail.

Ron Bergin from CAMBA

Plotted a way through the trees

So the riders could see where to go.

And Jack Moin on the bully

Knew cold crystal so fully

Laying corduroy down on the snow.

The Wild Seeley Pair

Of Penman and Kruse

Worked out of the Sawmill Saloon.

Gary, the Mayor

He’s in God’s hands now,

But Dennis still howls at the moon.

Bill King, was the Land Man

Hanging out in his cave.

Worked real estate deals for the folks.

But you had to pay cash

Or your place wouldn’t last

It would explode amongst fire and smoke.

The Ideal Market

A speak easy of sorts

The Rivers you’d find in the rear.

Mick Endersbe rund it

The Mafia fund it

But who cared when its pizza and beer?

Yet there is one man missing

The Godfather of all

None would be here without his first mission.

Papa Tony is his name

And WISE was his game

For he brought all of this to fruition.

Capone and Dillinger

And the rest of those thugs

Tried to rule the North Woods with a gun.

But the Chequamegon Mob

Understood that their job

Was to simply deliver the fun.

The Chequamegon Mob

Did a fabulous job

As they now enjoy life on the run.