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This Saturday is "Small Business Saturday". In an effort to try and keep
people shopping locally, the Dodgeville Chronicle has spearheaded a little
"Kick-off to Christmas" that day. The Dodge Theatre has graciously agreed
to host a FREE movie "Polar Express" a 10:30 a.m. Admission is zero, but
a non-perishable food item is urged to be brought and placed in a container
there that will be given to the Iowa County Food Pantry - it is much needed
especially this time of year. Santa will be at the theatre to greet the
youngsters too! He will have a Culver's token for each youngster in attendance
that will give them a FREE cone! There will be some carolers,
Christmas music will be played through the outdoor speakers and Elves will
be around to help shoppers take packages to their vehicles. Also, from 1:00
to 2:30 p.m. Santa will be at the downtown Senior Center to have his photo
taken with the youngsters. Again, there will be no charge for the photos, but
a non-perishable food item would be a very appreciated donation.
*****
The Wisconsin Badgers football team always has a rough time playing at
Iowa and Saturday was no exception. Their national #1 defense pretty much
got dismantled by the passing of an "usually not so productive" Iowa team.
They came away with a 26-24 win, almost the smallest of margins - but a
win is a win! Melvin Gordon, who set the NCAA single game rushing
record last week only to have it broken this week, was again the saviour. He
picked up 200 yards on the ground and caught four passes for 64 yards - not
a bad day. Two big plays were made, however, by two quarterbacks. Tanner
McEvoy ran 45 yards for a touchdown and Joel Stave ran 12 yards for a key
first down as time was winding down. There were also some huge defensive
plays, like a knocked down pass on a two-point conversion attempt by
Iowa that would've tied the game and a fumble recovery on Iowa's opening
drive that led to the Badgers first field goal. Next Saturday the Badgers host
Minnesota at 3:30 p.m. for a chance to win the Big 10 West Division championship.
They would then play Ohio State, the East Division champion, the
next Saturday for the Big 10 overall crown.
*****
This Thursday is Thanksgiving and we have a lot to be thankful for. Our
health is a big thing while having family and friends is definitely number
one! We live in the United States in an area where major crime is pretty
much at a minimum. We can walk the streets at any time of the day or night
without fear and we help out the unfortunate as much as we can!
*****
By the time you read this (Tuesday due to an early deadline in an effort to
reach people before Thanksgiving) Wednesday or Friday at the most part,
there will be only 26 more shopping days before Christmas. Boy, it's hard
to believe that the year has gone by that fast! I probably should start
THINKING about figuring out what I should buy my family for the big day
- on know it's way too early!
*****
Did you know that Wisconsin is ranked #2 in the U.S. for love of greenbean
casserole, according to the Del Monte Green Bean Index? To conduct
this study, bean counters at Del Monte -- the country's prominent grower,
distributor, and marketer of green beans and many other delicious vegetables
-- asked 1,500 Americans to "go green bean" and rate their fondness for
the classic green-bean casserole side dish. Here are the top 20 US states that
love freen bean casserole: #1: Kentucky (78% of residents 'really like or
love the dish'), #2: Wisconsin (77%), #3: Missouri (76%), #4: Iowa (75%),
#5: Maine (74%), #6: New Hampshire (73%), #7: Florida (72%), #8:
Colorado (71%), #9: California (69%), #10: Mississippi (68%), #11:
Oklahoma (67%), #12: Utah (66%), #13: Kansas (66%), #14: Texas (65%),
#15: Maryland (64%), #16: Ohio (63%), #17: Massachusetts (62%), #18:
Illinois (61%), #19: Michigan (60%), #20: New York (60%)!
*****
Even though it's not in color - check out Dodgeville's new Christmas
lights that run along US 23! (Above photo)