In this week’s election, some estimated that backers of Mark Begich or Dan Sullivan spent $50 million on the U.S. Senate race. That’s about $200 a voter, or the price of a 23-year-old Highland Park single-malt Scotch whisky. More practically, $50 million is Homer’s general budget for five years or the cost of five HERC buildings.

Holy Democracy! Thousands of veterans have paid the highest price to protect our way of government, so in that respect anything less is cheap. Given the pile of campaign fliers the Betster tossed into the recycling bin, one suspects candidates didn’t get a lot of bang for their buck.

And what did we get? Did anyone vote a complete winning ballot? If you voted Republican, well, the race for governor is still too close to call. Voted Democrat? You might be needing that bottle of Highland Park, although maybe Democrat Byron Mallot will emerge victorious on the unity ticket with Independent Bill Walker. No statewide candidates got more votes than the “yes” vote to legalize pot — not even Don Young.

Dude. The election of 2014 will go down in history as one strange trip. Hopefully we’ll come together and unite on the issues that matter: keeping warm, taking care of our neighbors and figuring out what to do for the weekend. Fortunately, the Betster has you covered there, like with these Best Bets:

BEST BOOTS ON THE GROUND BET: If you’re a veteran or family of a veteran, thanks for your service. Show that you care in Veterans Day ceremonies starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Homer Emblem Club memorial at Lake Street and Pioneer Avenue. 

The parade goes west on Pioneer to Main Street, down the hill and then east on the Sterling Highway to the Veterans Memorial at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. Attend the ceremonies or cheer on the parade.

BEST SPICK AND SPAN BET: You might have seen the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hickory all spooked up in its haunted mode, but here’s a chance to see her in all her glory. For Veterans Day, the Hickory crew holds tours from noon-3 p.m. at the Pioneer Dock on the Spit. It’s also a benefit for South Peninsula Haven House, so bring canned food or other products as a suggested donation. See Town Crier for a list of suggested items.

BEST ON THE AVENUE BET: Stroll the streets for First Friday with art openings on Pioneer Avenue, Bartlett Street and in Old Town. There are some stand-out shows this month — well, every month. See story, page 12.

BEST SHOUT OUT BET: Award winning poet John Morgan has risen to the pantheon of Alaska masters. He does a reading at 7 p.m. Friday at the Kachemak Bay Campus and then a workshop 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Sign up for the workshop by Friday if it’s not already filled.