Eric Dregni

Since hitting the road in 1946, eighteen million Vespa motor scooters have buzzed the Earth. Vespa's success lies in the uniqueness of its design -- in the unmistakable sheet metal skin that, over the span of decades, has defined the concept of "motor scooter."  The Life Vespa celebrates all aspects of the scooters and the thriving culture that surrounds them. Since Vespa is affordable and in high-style, the life Vespa encompasses all walks of life,...

Explores Minnesota's Scandinavian roots, tracing the arrival of Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish immigrants to Minnesota, and how their desires for better lives for their children manifested in traditions, foods, and institutions that still exist for their descendants.

The William Marvy Company's barber poles, encased swirls of red and blue above a rounded stainless-steel base, hang on street corners around the country. The company began creating the vibrant signposts in St. Paul three generations ago. Modern versions of the bloody rags used by surgeon-barbers in the Middle Ages, barber poles are well-known icons, but the Marvy family story is largely unknown. From his humble beginnings as the son of a Latvian émigré...

"A celebration of the sport in the land of 10,000 lakes and beyond, where the fish fry is a near-holy Friday ritual, the running of smelt heralds spring, and a village of ice-fishing huts springs up on every frozen lake, this irresistible book tells the full story from trivia to sacred tradition. Eric Dregni, who has entertained countless readers with enlightening tales of Midwest marvels, here shows his considerable skills as a raconteur and cultural...

Welcome! Benvenuti! Its summertime in northern Minnesota and a bus full of kids is about to arrive at the Italian Concordia Language Village, better known as camp. Inexplicably the chief lifeguard has chosen this moment to conduct a {28}missing villager drill,