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We've got a couple of Fisherees coming up in the area the next two weeks. The annual Avoca & Rural Fire Department Fisheree, its 40th, is on a new day this year. It will be held on Saturday (instead of the usual Sunday), February 8. There's a lot of fishing that goes on, but there is a lot of action at the Avoca Community Building too. There will be plenty of auction items and raffle prizes plus a food stand all day long. Of course there are fish catching prizes too. Then, on Saturday, February 15 the Arena Fisheree takes place at Trader's Bar & Grill just west of Arena. It's a Kid's Fishing Contest that runs from 9-noon. It's a great little spot for the youngsters to enjoy fishing, some for their first time!
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Well, we got past the traditional Groundhog Day (Sunday) and the groundhog saw its shadow. By tradition that means that the little fellow retreated into winter hibernation for six more weeks of winter. I remember Groundhog Day in 2019 when he appeared and didn't see his shadow. What happened. No it wasn't an early spring. In fact that's when the "Polar Vortex" hit its hardest. We were still having snow into the first week of May!
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The good news is that Major League Baseball spring training (for all the baseball fanatics) begins in about two weeks out west and down south. I don't know why they can't have "Spring Training" in the domes up north too! Oh, I guess the players like to be able to be outside in the sun and warm weather when they're not playing! They also like to play some golf too! Anyway there will be baseball on the television sets again soon.
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The warmth on Sunday (high 40's) got rid of a lot of snow. We could get some snow this week from Wednesday through Friday and then maybe a bit more on Sunday. Temperatures are supposed to be around freezing mainly, so that's not too bad at all!
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The Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball team pulled off a huge win Saturday when they took down #14 Michigan State, the Big 10 leader at the time. They led by as many as 18 points in the second half, but then they went on a scoring drought. They made just enough free throws (missed too many too) to hold on for the one-point win. They sure have had a "Jekyll & Hyde" season so far. They have a good shot to make it to the NCAA tournament though!
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The high school winter sports seasons are beginning to wind down as conference tournament wrestling is on this Saturday. Mineral Point, Iowa-Grant/Highland and Dodgeville meet in the CLASH at Mineral Point. Pecatonica/Argyle is at Necedah for their conference tournament. Then comes reginoals, sectionals and state!