May-June 2011 Highlights and Links Follow the links for more information about Upper Mississippi stories and news in this issue of Big River. Features: Resurrecting Floating Works of Art Festivals Along the Mississippi Restaurant Review Bombfire Pizza in Sabula, Iowa Florence Bird: Sculptor X Alma:Town Across the River Historical photos by Gerhard Gesell The Mystery  of the Morel By Jim Solberg Flood Watch By Capt. Bob Deck     River news from this issue

Feature Stories

Festivals along the Upper Mississippi

There are summer festivals galore on the Upper Mississippi River. See the list in the May-June issue. Here is a map with a sampling of the events.

Restaurant Review
Bombfire Pizza in Sabula, Iowa

Wood-fired pizza made with fresh ingredients. Comfy and kid-friendly. On an island in the river.

"If these folks make me feel any more comfortable, I'd still be here."

Florence Bird: Sculptor

	Florence Bird Studio Mississippi River Sculpture Park in Prairie du Chien, Wis.
This statue of Emma Big Bear will be installed and dedicated on July 16, 2011.

Alma: Town Across the River

Historical photos by Gerhard Gesell will be on display again this summer. See several photos and information about Gesell in Big River.

Flood Watch
By Capt. Bob Deck

Early in March 2011, the National Weather Service predicted the Mississippi and Minnesoa rivers would combine to break the all-time 1965 record height of 26 feet in St. Paul. The Mississippi eventually crested in St. Paul much short of the record.

Bob Deck, river pilot and writer, gives us a peak at flood forecasting and how river people respond to the uncertainties of a fickle river.

The Mystery  of the Morel
By Jim Solberg

Mmm-mm morels. Do they have secret hiding places? Will the author let us in on his secret?