alexandriacardinals

November 17

Friday Night

[Photos from Echo Press]

[This was a home run from the beginning.  Outstanding performances from everyone involved!  Included herein are various quotes stolen from FB attendees . . . ]

 If you miss this, you will have missed one of the best performances -bar none- in Alexandria this year.

The end numbers were especially moving!

We went tonight. What a talented bunch!🎶 I was especially impressed with the dance ensemble.

 Minnesota humor escapes me.  (OK, that one concerns my reporting . . .) 

Ditto!!! Amazing, we have such talent in this community…and soooo professional. Congratulations!

It was absolutely great!

Bravo!!

November 18

Saturday Morning

[Back to the high school for more student talent entertainment.  This is a real transition year for the Cardinal girls’ basketball braintrust of Coaches Kohler and Wrobel.  We graduated 11 seniors from last year, all the starters, on a team that went to the state tournament without our leading scorer and point guard, who was injured before the tournament started.]

[So, we jumped into it early – starting with scrimmages against 2 class AAAA teams (we’re class AAA) . . . ]

[Farmington proved to be too big and too good in the first game – they had several good shooters.  At this point it’s hard to tell who will be our go to players, who will be the shooters?  It’s early, but after that first scrimmage Kohler was not happy with the performance.]

[It’s teaching time . . . ]

[Minnetonka was next, an even bigger school than Farmington (I think?).  We played much better, and looked to take advantage of areas where we had advantages . . . ]

[This is Ella Grove, a sophomore wing guard – you may recognize her brother as the star of “Tuck Everlasting”?]

[Box out, box out!]

[Here is a strength we can take advantage of – there will be few people on the court this year as fast as Kaye Paschka, junior guard.  If she can get a steal or otherwise a breakout, she’ll do this . . . ]

[McKenzie Duwenhoegger, a junor center, is coming off an excellent volleyball season.]

[Emma Schmidt is the most experienced returnee.  The 5’11” senior provides height and athleticism.  And she got extra coverage here because I was sitting with her parents.]

[Ella, Kaye, and McKenzie . . . ]

[Dee-fence!  Kohler will demand it.]

[OK, I think it’s getting better . . . ]

[Some JVers came out to lengthen the bench.]

[Emma getting signals from dad?]

[McKenzie sets a screen.  We will be a work in progress.]

November 18

Satuday Afternoon

[From the high school to RCC, to a team that also went to the state tournament last year – but had a large corps coming back. This team has high expectations.]

[Sophomore goalie Amanda Bittman (33) would be making her home debut . . . ]

[Against a storied hockey program from So. St. Paul.]

[The pre-game chat undoubtedly covering such issues as the change at the head of the Federal Reserve Board.]

[It was parents’ night – one of the few times during the season when the whole family can actually be together.]

[Then the family photo with the goal by the Amazing Mr. Ripley.]

[A legend in the State of Hockey.  Dave Palmquist has guided the Packers since before the Crusades and, I believe, has won more state championships than anyone else. This is the first time in my recollection that the Packers have played here.]

 

[We are the Cardinals – mighty, mighty CARDINALS!]

[The Packers came in with a 3 – 0 record, all on the road.  So, they are obviously good again.  And we could tell from the start of the game this was going to be fun!  Bottom to top, we have our veteran line of junior McKenna Ellingson (24), junior Alexis Heckert (20), and senior Kristin Trosvig (15).]

[And away we go . . . ]

[Alexis in on goal . . . ]

[As the Packer goalie, by far the tallest player on the ice, smothered a shot.]

[Face-off in the Packer zone.]

[It’s either Kaci Trosvig (25) or older sister Kristin (15), I just see the “5” . . . ]

[And here’s our latest wunderkind, 8th-grader Kaci . . . ]

[In the Cardinal zone . . . ]

[The “Wunderkind” line of freshman Marki Oberg (10), Kaci (senior defense Talia Olson (27) behind her), and not pictured here, freshman Anna Doherty (7).  This was the key line in the game for us as what usually happens in games between two good teams happened, the 1st lines canceled each other.]

[And speaking of Anna, here she is scoring the first goal off the game on a breakaway in the 1st period . . . ]

[And I got it!]

[Back to center ice for the next jump ball . . . ]

[The line of sophomore Hadley Hansen (18), junior Erin O’Kane (26), and senior Calley Richardson (19), who missed the home opener with injury.  Sophomore Mayson Toft (14) is on defense.]

[1st period in the books.]

[Period 2 – I can tell because we’re going the other way.]

[Anna gets off a shot . . . ]

[As the rest of the posse arrives . . . ]

[Kaci’s in the goal . . . but where’s the puck?]

[GOOOAAALLLLL!  Anna again, from a scrum in front of the net . . . ]

[Marki and Kaci lead another charge into the zone . . . ]

[Whooaaaa!  Dunno?  The “Wunderkind” line joined by senior defense Allison O’Kane (36).]

[Marki swoops in – the Wunderkinds are quite speedy.]

[2nd period over – a really good game.]

[The 3rd period begins with 6 forwards crashing into each other . . . ]

[And an immediate score by McKenna!!  Woo-woo!]

[Just 12 seconds into the period . . . ]

[Both teams continued the good play through the end of the game.  A nice win by the Cards against a quality opponent.  (The reported shot count was the reverse of what’s on the scoreboard?]

Saturday Afternoon (Later)

[And then it was on to Anthony at the winery.  Another Saturday full house – we were joined eventually by the Crown Prince and Princess of Ashby.]

[Under the full house syndrome, background noise makes videos impossible.  But let’s post one anyway . . . of Anthony’s nephew, Sam Miltich.  I think Anthony would approve.]

In keeping with the spirit of the season, I was thankful for a wonderful 24 hours in our Alexandria cocoon, a respite from the ongoing chaos all around us!

True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.  ~  Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

[Alex, c. 1960, Historical Society]

Up Next:  Thanksgiving?

November 14

And the winter sports season has begun . . . 

[When last we left you, our stalwarts were wrapping up the state consolation title in Ridder Arena on the U of M campus.  And although some key players on that team have graduated, we (well, certainly me) looked forward to this coming year knowing that most of the team would be back, that the youngsters would have a year of experience under their belts, and there would be a continuation of a talented youth movement.]

[Always great to be back in the RCC again.  Our season opener hosting the Spuds from Moorhead . . . ]

[Introducing a brand new goalie, sophomore Sydney Wiseman (30) . . . ]

[Senior defenseman Allison O’Kane (36) brings many years of experience and was named player of the game . . . ]

[Sophomore defenseman Mayson Toft (14), a raising star who was terrific as a freshman last year . . . ]

[Senior forward Kristin Trosvig (15), who I thought should have made the state all-tournament team last year . . . ]

[Junior forward McKenna Ellison (24), brings outside speed and now several years of experience . . . ]

[Junior forward Alexis Heckert (20), who with McKenna formed a dynamic duo when they came up together.]

[Ladies and gentlemen . . . ]

[Your 2017-18 Alexandria Cardinals girls hockey team!]

[OK, let’s go team . . . ]

[Or words to that effect.]

[And we’re off and skating!  I missed the opening face-off because I forgot to turn the camera on – a regular and recurring issue.]

[Anyway, above and here, Kristin, Alexis, and McKenna charge into the Spud zone.]

[The Spud bench appears well-behaved in spite of all the excitement in front of them.]

[This is the “Not Driving Yet” line – well, I’m open to snappier suggestions?  They’re really fun to watch because they’re really speedy – freshman Marki Oberg (10), freshman Anna Doherty (9), and 8th-grader Kaci Trosvig (25) (yes, Kristin’s sister).]

[Big sister Kristin back on the ice again . . . ]

[McKenna trying a swan dive on hard water . . . ]

[Once she’s up, she’ll have an open shot . . . ]

[Until a Spud got in her way . . . ]

[Please, go away!]

[I can only see the “2” . . . ]

[Kristin attacking from the right flank . . . ]

[And the shot!  Not yet.]

[McKenna!  Right behind you!]

[Spuds clog the net.]

[State of period 2 – I have the camera turned on.  We were behind 2 – 0 after the first period.  We were a little shakey and the new goalie was just getting her water wings.  We had a teritorial and shots on goal advantage, so we weren’t worried yet.]

[I see it!]

[Alexis is after it . . . ]

[The Spuds scored early in period for a 3 – 0 lead – OK, Cards, time to start rolling!]

[Alexis takes a couple stabs at it . . . ]

[And finally Kristin scored a couple minutes after the Spuds goal to get us back in the game at 3 – 1.]

[Group hug!]

[The Heckert line is back in on goal again . . . ]

[They’re buzzing . . . ]

[The “Not Driving Yet” line keeps the pressure on . . . ]

[GOOAAALLLL!  Late in the period Anna scored to make it a 3 – 2 game – we were now confidant we could catch them in the 3rd period.]

[The puck is in the goal!]

[The Voices of the Cardinals . . . ]

[Along with the Emeritus Voice in the booth.]

[Final period . . . ]

[I have now moved down to take a seat with some alumni parents and grandparents . . . ]

[The activity seems to indicate the puck is in the right hand corner . . . ]

[Up close with Marki and Kaci . . . ]

[They break away . . . ]

[Kaci chases into the Spuds’ zone, backed by senior defense Taylor Breitkreutz (34) . . . ]

[GOOOAAAALLLL!  Mayson on a long shot from the blue line, through traffic!  The game is now tied halfway through the 3rd period . . . ]

[And a couple minutes later, McKenna got the winning goal on a beautiful wrister flying down the right side and putting it into the upper left corner.  I had a perfect angle on the play taking shape, a great view of the shot, but didn’t get the camera up on time . . . ]

[OK, let’s play it out and get the win . . . ]

[Ooops, somehow put ourselves in a 5-on-3 hole – but we did a great job killing them both off . . . ]

[Now . . . let’s just keep it in their end . . . ]

[A nice opening win . . . ]

[We’ll be fun to watch all year.  We’ll get an idea early – we go to Brainerd-Little Falls (they were 25-3 last year) Friday, host So. St. Paul (a perennial power) Saturday, and then follow with a 3-game road trip beginning with Sartell-Sauk Rapids Rice (an 18-win team last year.]

[The final shots were 34 – 11, indicative of our control of the game.]

Half the game is mental; the other half is being mental.  ~  Ex-Maple Leaf Jim Kenny

Up Next:  Likely . . . more hockey

October 30

Celebrate Planned Parenthood

Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel

The Depot

Guest Speaker:  Dr. Willie Parker

[As people who prefer not to inflict night driving upon ourselves, we decided to stay the night.  Right there at The Depot.  Really nice place and our room came with a view of the Federal Office Building right across the street – the very place at which some 48 years ago I entered, with much trepidation, the United States Army (or maybe it was at the Post Office . . . who remembers such things?]

[As usual, we first check the place for bugs . . . ]

[Then check to see if the wifi works . . . ]

[Then let’s go check in . . . ]

[Maybe I should get a shine?]

[A little “Hi, how are you” briefing from Dr. Parker . . . ]

[Then on the silent auction room where I was immediately intrigued by the condom purse . . . ]

[The room ultimately filled to elbow-to-elbow density, so I looked for an escape from the now tropical room temperature . . . ]

[Lead on, McDuff!]

[I eventually made it to the hallway, which was only slightly less packed . . . ]

[Then it was on to fine dining with 1,200 of my closest friends.  I don’t recall ever dining with a larger crowd?]

[Samples of the various cocktail napkins . . . ]

[Let the festivities begin . . . ]

[Well, wait for all the tables to fill – as I recall, we were Table 38 (or 36?) . . . ]

[Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of PPMN & Dakotas, addresses the audience . . . ]

[The Alex chapter . . . ]

[And representing Alex, our tablemates Rita Koll and Sylvia Luetmer take the stage . . . ]

[Rita gave a terrific acceptance speech, sans the aid of notes or teleprompter, thus setting the stage . . . ]

[For some sort of elective office in the future (or so we hope) . . . ]

[The Super displays the award . . . ]

[As do Rita and Jon . . . ]

[And now it’s time for Dr. Parker . . . ]

The underlying assumption of all the new laws is that women can’t be trusted to make their own health decisions; their doctors can’t be trusted to tell them the truth; and scientific knowledge must be subverted in the name of religious truth.  ~  Dr. Willie Parker

Now I see the Bible as it was written: the inspired word of God, but also a historical document preserving the ancient hegemony of men; starting with Eve, women are always thrown under the bus when it suits the men in power to do so.  ~  Dr. Willie Parker

[Submitted photos of Rita and Sylvia . . . ]

[The following morning, an “ornament” by our elevator . . . ]

[Time for another shine . . . ]

[After breakfast at the hotel, it was homeward bound.]

I stand with Planned Parenthood because every woman deserves to be the architect of her own destiny.  ~  Aisha Tyler

Up Next:  Class of ’65 mini-reunion?

October 26

[Halloweenie??]

[The preliminaries, a Class of ’65 reunion lunch at Angelina’s.]

[Did someone mention, Halloweenie?]

October 27

[The event . . . ]

Musician and songwriter, Bill Staines, has 26 recordings to his credit and has written over 300 songs, many of which have been recorded by the likes of Peter, Paul, and Mary, Makem and Clancy, Nanci Griffith, Glen Yarborough, and Jerry Jeff Walker.

Staines came on the folk scene in the early 1960s and has toured extensively over the past five decades, playing over 175 shows a year. During his early years, Bill was a frequent performer on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” radio show. ~ The Museum

[The Super arrives at the front door – no knocking necessary . . . ]

[The venue . . . ]

[Years on the road . . . ]

[The crowd gathers beneatch the ice boat . . . ]

[And a rowing shell . . . ]

[At last, Mr. Staines . . . ]

[A favorite he sang that night.]

October 28

[Did someone mention Halloweenie?  Actually, I believe I called this the visualization of an Edgar Allan Poe poem.]

[The Cub Reporter (how 3rd person Trumpian of me) is in his hockey sweatshirt making the first batch of chili to commemorate the first chill. The sky is bright and sunny, it’s a gorgeous 36 degrees, the trees are bare and the grass is still green. Enjoy!]

There are two kinds of artists left: those who endorse Pepsi and those who simply won’t.  ~  Annie Lennox

Up Next:  No idea?