On August 15, Patrick Ragsdale and his wife Lorraine welcomed their daughter, Iris Mae Ragsdale. The newest addition to the Ragsdale family arrived at 10:11 am, weighing 7lb., 11oz. and measuring 19 inches long. True to his role as Hammock's Director of IT, Patrick twittered the news of Iris' birth via his iPhone. And yes, Iris does already have her own blog, one she shares one with her big brother Isaac. How cool is that! (Disclaimer: Mom Lorraine is the current Webmaster, but if Iris and Isaac are as bright their parents, we expect the precocious siblings to bump their mom out of her role in a few short weeks.)

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Earlier this week we had a few very special guests in our offices: Hammock writer Shannon McRae and her six-month adorable son Wills. Shannon and her husband William recently relocated from Portland, Ore., back to their southern rootsﾑto Dothan, Ala. Seeing Shannon was a treat but we were even more excited to meet sweet Wills for the first time. We think you'll agreeﾑhe's a cutie!

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For the fifth consecutive year, American Spirit, the magazine we publish for the Daughters of the American Revolution, has been honored with a Grand Award of Excellence from the APEX Awards organization. In making the award, the judges commented: ﾒSpectacular photo spreads, beautifully written, compelling stories, and appealing use of spot color, sidebars and functional captionsﾑall contribute to an enjoyable, absorbing read. Stuck in an elevator? This is the one you want.ﾓ We, of course, recommend reading American Spirit anywhere, especially in locations more comfortable than an elevator; still, the judges' comments definitely "lifted" our spirits. Seriously, it has been a distinct honor to be afforded the chance to work with DAR and help carry out its programs of preservation, patriotism and education, and we look forward to each issue with great enthusiasm.

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Among the intense debate over the war in Iraq, one salient point is agreed upon by nearly all sides: Troops need more protection from roadside explosive devices. Help is on the way, in the shape of heavily armored, specially constructed MRAP - Mine Resistant Ambush Protected - vehicles, which will replace many of the Humvees now in use for patrol. The Marine Corps is selecting several companies to rush-produce MRAPs and get them into the field to protect the troops. This issue of Semper Fi, the Magazine of the Marine Corps League, which we publish for the Marine Corps League, reports on the vehicles under consideration and how they work.

Also in this issue, Semper Fi commemorates Camp Pendleton's 65th anniversary as a Marine Corps base by looking at its colorful history as a Spanish-owned rancho that covered more than a quarter-million acres. As in every issue, Semper Fi also reports on the activities of the Marine Corps League in supporting the elite fighting force and its veterans.

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From Sea to Shining Sea, it's summertime in America, and even with new mid-year series and episodes on cable, there's only so much TV you can watch. Instead of working on your monitor tan, check out the July/August issue of Ride Personal Watercraft Magazine, which we publish for the the American Watercraft Association for some ideas on how to cure your summertime blues.

Ride visits a couple of kick-back spots, that welcome PWC. Lake Norris in East Tennessee is a deep, clean lake formed behind a TVA dam, offering not just house boats, but floating houses for visitors to rent. Just toodle up in your PWC, tie off and step into your kitchen for a snack. Or, roll out of bed and onto your craft for an early morning ride.

For the more adveturous, join a group of somersaulting, high-flying riders who gather annually in Georgia - this year at Lake Allatoona - for three days of trick riding and festivities.

For those living on the ocean, tag along on a sojurn out from Southern California to Catalina Island - just remember that the ocean can change fast!

This issue of Ride also includes a visit with the "Dean of the PWC Nation," John Donaldson. A longtime rider, industry executive and now member of Kawasaki's PR agency, John has forgotten more about PWC than most of us will ever learn. And he spends every day fighting the good fight to secure your riding privileges.

Also, each issue of Ride also features great places to take your PWC, new products for the water sports fan and information on PWC racing.

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