---

Actually, some 55 years ago when I had my first taste of doing any type of job here at the Dodgeville Chronicle, this scene wasn't too far off! This is a Norman Rockwell painting of a newspaper probably back in the 1900s about the time when my uncle Russell Kessler bought the Chronicle and took over as the owner (1930s). He had people who probably resembled those above working setting type, composing and out on the beat getting stories. I never knew my uncle Russell - he died before either ether Pat or I was born. I was about eight years old when I swept up lead deposited on the floor from the linotype machine, put away hand type into the correct style type drawers and did whatever odd job needed to be done that a guy of my age could do. That was how I got started here. I wrote a column when I was in middle school as well as school news and sports in high school.
*****
This Thursday night (tonight), we are holding a reception for our "Best OF" recipients at  Tony's Tap in Mineral Point. This is the third year of this contest that the winners of are voted on by our readers. We carryover several categories and this year there were some new winners. Don't forget to take a look at the special section in this week's Chronicle. You'll get to know the area and businesses a little better! Thank you to all who voted and congratulations to the businesses that won and also were mentioned - they are all very important to us and the community!
*****
What can you say about the Dodgeville-Mineral Point girls cross country team - 17 years in making an appearance at state. That's this Saturday at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. A win will give them back-to-back-to-back state titles. Great job by the team of seven girls - Anna Eisenzimmer, Mairin Cahill, Hannah Owens, Brittany Rhyner, Mary Hanson, Megan Hottmann and Kylie Greenheck. Anna was the individual champ Saturday, Monroe too! Good Luck Girls!
*****
The boys team, will be making their third straight trip to state, where they finished second last year!  Good luck to the team of Trevor Wunnicke, Ian Ewers, Josef Frank, Jack Schickel, Tyler Wunnicke, Tannler Ames and Payton Grunow! Trevor was state runner-up individually last year too!
*****
In our immediate coverage area, too, we have several football teams playing in Level 2 games this weekend. Good luck to Highland, Iowa-Grant, Mount Horeb-Barneveld and River Valley!
*****
Also, Good Luck to Iowa-Grant/Highland cross country runner Jordan Jenks at state in Division 3 boys race!
*****
This Saturday afternoon in downtown Dodgeville will be the Lands' End, Dodgeville Chamber of Commerce and Dodgeville business sponsored Halloween Festival. There will be plenty of games for youngsters to play and win prizes, along with some haunted spots to visit, a haunted hayride and more fun! The weather sounds like it will be great and so will the fun for the whole family! There's also an Optimist Club sponsored FREE movie earlier in the day.