Lifestyle

On Thursdays they're out there, somewhere in the city of Duluth. The Cigar Club from the University of Minnesota, Duluth meets once a week. The club members can't smoke inside on campus, so they take their meetings on the road. Each week, they choose a different outdoor spot to light up and just hang around. The club is an official student organization, but the rules are few, and the meetings are mellow.
Homebuilt aircraft enthusiasts often cite the Wright brothers as their role models. One hundred years ago the Wright brothers designed, built and flew the first homebuilt aircraft. These days there are more than 23,000 homebuilts licensed by the federal government, with 1,000 more being assembled every year. A Wisconsin man's homebuilt aircraft is the focus of a new children's book on aviation, timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of flight.
Author and avid food reviewer David Rosengarten has a new cookbook on the best ways to cook regional favorites. The book is It's All American Food: The Best Recipes for More than 400 New American Classics.
The season's first frost is on its way. Deb Brown, Midmorning's Garden Guru has ideas for covering your garden and other winter preparations.
The peak of bird migrating season is here, but what can you see and where? DNR nongame wildlife supervisor Carrol Henderson has some ideas for viewing hawks and warblers. If you would like to help in the bird count, call the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union, 763-780-8890 and in Duluth call 218-728-5030.
Flying a hot air balloon can be a time consuming and expensive hobby. The colorful balloons cost tens of thousands of dollars. You can only fly when the weather is good, and you go where the wind takes you. But for a Fargo attorney it's an avocation that's allowed him to meet interesting people around the world.
Later this week, about 30 vintage airplanes from the 1920s and '30s will be roaring in the skies above the Twin Cities. Celebrating that time, known as the Golden Age of aviation, is the point behind the 2003 National Air Tour which comes through the Anoka County Airport on Wednesday. About 30 vintage airplanes are being flown on the tour, which begins in Detroit, Michigan. They'll make their way through Illinois, Wisconsin, and arrive at the Anoka County Airport on Wednesday.
The lack of rain means regular watering is a must for lawns and outdoor plants. Midmorning's garden guru, Deb Brown has more tips for late summer growing.