alexandriacardinals

The Game.  The Cards came into the game with an 0-3 record – but they had been competitive in every game.  They were probably the favorite, however, against the St. Cloud Apollo Eagles.  The scoreboard above pretty much tells the tale.  The Cards are still trying to find an identity on offense, but their defense has played pretty well in every game.  This game was pretty sloppy – there must have been close to 10 turnovers between the two teams.  The Cards got the majority of theirs in the 2nd half and were able to capitalize on them – turning a 6-0 halftime time lead into an easy 26-0 victory.  Now they have to go on the road against an undefeated Bemidji team.

 [The supervisor waits for me at the gate, getting ready to shed our shoes and go through the full body scanner (just kidding!).]

[We joined the overflow crowd for “tailgating” in the end zone where we shared our burgers and pop with the ever present bees.]

[Just so we could remember where we were.]

[The Cards warm up in the backyard.]

[The Cards warm up again on the field.]

[The choir director searches for his uniformed son.]

[The Voice of the Cardinals searches for the press box.]

[The staff photographer says must have “lens envy” for those with the white lens.]

[The band was moved to the end zone – in anticipation of the overflow crowd?]

[The Cards either won the toss or they were exchanging Facebook addresses.]

[This was the best I could do – attempting to capture it led to hoots from those in the immediate neighborhood.  When the wind would totally unfurl it, someone would walk in front of me.]

[I believe they are known as “cheerleaders.”]

[Whom amongst us doesn’t like to photograph photographers?]

[Team introductions and those on the IR.]

[Another photographer!]

[The Cardinal]

[Double white lens envy!]

[The Eagles kick-off – at this point you can tell I’m having fun with my new “Greg Trumm” camera with the telephoto lens from the top row on the 40-yard line.]

[“Boom, Dynamite” – well, it’s the supervisor’s favorite cheer!]

[Nick Knoblauch fields a punt.  A 5’9″ junior, he’s one of those guys who seems to play everywhere on both sides of the ball.]

[Back to the athletes – for Harry’s sake.]

[Knoblauch fields another punt.]

[Homecoming King Gideon Hartsell]

http://www.echopress.com/event/article/id/88136/

[Homecoming royalty]

[Lauren Trumm and Will Sieling]

[King Gideon and Queen Lisa Klinkner]

[The IR expands 😦  ]

[Still tailgating.]

[Back to the athletes.]

[Touchdown!]

As a writer with a fragile ego (but then that’s redundent), I generally only publish the good reviews:

Tom:  What would we do without you? You are simply amazing. ~ Crazy Dave

How come no pictures of the great class of 1973? ~ Cam Obert, class of ’73

Hey Tommy..Thanks for the updates, I enjoy.  ~ Dave Serie

Great pictures! What a relaxing retirement you have in a beautiful place! ~ Linda Zambanini (OK, that was on the vacation blogs)

I find it so interesting you weren’t interested in us younger girls in high school and then you went and married someone, what is she, 25 years younger than you?….She looks more lovely every time we see her.  🙂  This is a great photo.  ~ Patty Wicken

Nice picture of the two of you.  ~ Gretchen Obert

Good morning Tom,  Thanks for sending all the great pics from Hall of Fame, Jeans & Jewels and the homecoming parade! These will be wonderful for the website and future publications – much appreciated! ~ Jill Johnson

You’ll really be important looking with a Greg Trumm camera! 🙂  I missed you on open line this AM.  Customers interrupted my listening time!  ~ Marnee’ Herd

You are REALLY getting serious as the Cub Reporter. ~ Crazy Dave

Pathetic. ~ The Nanner

In spite of your political leanings what’s not to like about Tom Obert?  ~ Pat Osterberg

The Parade.  I believe the consensus of opinion was that this was the 4th year in a row of absolutely beautiful weather for homecoming (unlike the star-crossed Grape Stomp).  The Class of ’66 held their reunion to coincide with homecoming, possibly for that reason.  😉  OK, I understand it was to avoid the usual summer scheduling problems with family and other activities – and to be part of all the homecoming events.  I’d be interested to hear if they thought it was good idea?

Parade participants gathered at the Catholic church parking lot, carefully made their way to Broadway at 5th, and then proceeded the 27.2 miles to the high school through crowds that rivaled those of the Band Festival!  The Hall of Fame inductees led the parade as grand marshals, now a new tradition (is that a contradicition in terms?), followed by the homecoming court.

[Proud “Grease” parents?]

[A happy Mary Berglin Oorlog represented the Class of ’63.  To the best of my limited knowledge, I was the sole (again) representative from the Class of ’65.]

[The team]

[The mascot]

[The band]

[The cheerleaders]

[The fire truck – once again, providing complete and total coverage!]

[The future]

[My alum walking compadres – a wild and crazy group!]

[John and Ann Heydt direct the column on Broadway.]

[“Hi, Trumm family.”]

[“Hi, Dave (Class of ’60) Schultz, and grandson.”]

[“Hi, Ron and Jenna Rebrovich.”]

[Demanded I take their picture – future hockey defensemen?]

[“Hi, supervisor!”]

[The tradition continues – Al Grundei (’67) drives his and Joe Drexler’s mom (’38)]

[“Hi, Linnsey and Paul Fieldhammer” – with no Legion behind them]

[“Hi, Tom Anderson and Ed Christopherson.”]

[We arrive at the high school – blistered feet and oxygen tanks in tow.]

[The homecoming king and queen were there to greet all.]

[Mary Oorlog (’63) and Patty Wicken (’67) and golf cart of indeterminative origin.]

[Santa?]

[Sam and Val Trumm apparently took a wrong turn out of the County Market parking lot.]

Up Next:  The Game

[Wall of Wine, sponsored by Westside Liquor and Coborn’s Cashwise.]

After the Hall of Fame luncheon on Friday afternoon, all went home, changed attire to something allegedly 50’s-retro, and came back to the Ballroom that evening to celebrate the 3rd annual  Jeans and Jewels event for members of the Education Foundation’s (EF) 206 Club (for School District 206 – one can be a member for an annual contribution of a mere $206 (or more) – come on, you can do it!).  There were many silent auctions and several lotteries.  Our unofficial crowd estimator thought we had over 150 attendees, which would have been a new record, but we’d like to increase that by 100 per year!

[Marlene Braun represented our table well by winning an opal ring!]

[I can say without fear of retribution that I was able to attract 5 new members (I think) to the 206 Club this year – many were even at this table!]

[Jill Wagner (daughter of the internationally-known, Flying Finn, and EF board member) and Judy Backhaus (EF board member) did a great job hosting Jeans & Jewels – kudos to them and the whole committee – Lori Canavati, Christine Reilly, Amy Wensman (EF board member), and Maureen Winger – for the event.]

[All the jewelry winners! (Sponsored by Diekman’s Jewelry)]

[The Marlenes, Lorsung and Braun.]

[The supervisor shows Deb and Paul Trumm her non-winning bottle from the Wall of Wine.]

[Joni Jacobson had the winner!]

(Deb Trumm hopes her password wins the computer under the watchful eye of EF board member, Macaille Hafner.]

[Jill attempts her password.]

[EF Chair, Heidi Ryan, attempts her password.]

[And the winner is . . . Mike Scarborough! (Sponsored by Walmart, State Farm Insurance and Supt. Terry Quist)]

[And all the winners, including Kyle Diekman for a 42″ flatscreen TV sponsored by Cullen’s Home Center.]

The Education Foundation’s activities were the opening acts for the long homecoming weekend.  Thursday night at Woodland Elementary, two of the new Hall of Fame inductees treated their audiences to presentations in their respective fields – Dr. Patrick Redig on raptors and the establishment of the raptor center at the University of Minnesota; and Jodi Hills on writing and illustrating.  We found them to be informative and entertaining.  Between “acts” we were treated to cupcakes and punch!  We had planned on going to the volleyball game afterwards, but the Cards had dispatched Apollo in 3-straight, so it was over before we could get there.  (The Cards had previously defeated undefeated conference leader Brainerd, ending their mini-losing streak.  We were not there either.  Dave Harris, Voice of the Cardinals, suggested we no longer attend games for the sake of their winning streak.)

The following afternoon the Hall of Fame luncheon and ceremony were held for the new inductees at Broadway Ballroom.  As I recall, turnout was around 140, slightly down from the previous year.  You’re all coming next year though, right?

[The high school’s Rainbow Strings performed for us again.  Thank you!]

[Can you find your reporter?]

[I had the honor of introducing Rod Nordell.  I asked the audience to smile for a photo as I told them I was covering the event as well.  Mr. Nordell’s daughter, Elizabeth, was there to accept on his behalf.]

[The inductees – Elizabeth Nordell (for Rod), her son, Jodi Hills, and Pat Redig.]

[Delighted attendees.]