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I didn't get to see any of the Badgers football game with Ohio State Saturday night because I was attending brother Pat's 50th class reunion that was held at the Quality Inn in Mineral Point. I was considered a "special guest"! I think I know a lot of the people in that class better than many in my own. The majority of them used to hang out at our farm and sometimes I was the 10th man on the basketball team when they practiced during the summer at our farm - when they were a player short! Oh, and that team was state runner-up in 1963, before any class systems were in effect.
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Speaking of that class reunion, I think they had about 60 attending out of 84 in the class and there are 12 who are deceased. That's a pretty good turnout with people coming from as far away as Florida, Texas and California. Among those I don't think I had seen since they graduated in 1963 were: Linda Severson, Ron Maines, Bob Nagel, Steve Wolonec and Judy Anderson. I don't think any of them have changed. I didn't wear a name tag as was not a member of that class, but I think all except a couple attending knew me on sight. Many said I hadn't changed in those 50 - years. I answered, "Yeah, right!"
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The meal was catered to Quality Inn by (nearly) next door neighbor Point Foods - good job Jeff!
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Before the rains came Saturday I made a stop at the Otter Creek Lutheran Church's annual fall festival and auction. They had a pretty good crowd bidding on the items auctioneer Larry Springer was taking care of. He donates his time to a lot of area festivals like that one!
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Sunday was the OCTOBERFEST in Highland at Ss. Antony and Philip Church. There were some pretty good size pumpkins and gourds on display and there was good German music by Dan Roble's German Band (see above photo). Also, the German food and beverage was top notch! Always a good kick-off to events following the meal is the pie eating contest that features some local dignitaries. It's a fun-filled day!
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This Friday night is Dodgeville's homecoming football game with Platteville. At halftime there will be inductions into the Dodgeville High School Hall of Fame (see sports page) with the 1963 undefeated football team being one of those inducted. That was the year that also had undefeated state basketball champions (1964) and was also unbeaten in baseball (regular season) - the only year in DHS history that happened! I was a manager on that team and taped up a lot of ankles and other wounds. Maybe I should've gone into sports medicine, but I don't recall there being such a thing back in "the dark ages"!
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Friday night is also Mineral Point's homecoming while the Highland homecoming festivities take place on Saturday. The highways should be pretty busy over the weekend!