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Bob, Terry, Dewey, Dave and I made a trip to the southeast Saturday and had breakfast at a new place - The Viking Cafe in Blanchardville. When we arrived we sat at a table to the left and at a table to the right I spotted one of our employees, Paula Frederickson of the Pecatonica Valley Leader. She was with the owner of The Viking Cafe, several other women and her husband Rick, all having breakfast. What are the chances that the time we go there (for the first time) that Paula would be there? Our waitress was a sophomore in high school at Pecatonica. She said that I may know her grandfather, Dale Lawinger - who is a former WDMP/99.3 radio employee. The other waitstaff person was someone I recognized from sports at Pecatonica. They were not real busy and both girls said that was unusual for a Saturday. I said that people probably knew we were coming so they stayed away!
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The drive to Blanchardville is a pretty one going down 191 to County F. We saw a lot of colors in the trees that are constantly changing at this time of the year. We spotted some new buildings that had gone up on the route, both along the highway and on farms.
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Saturday was a busy one after we got back. Trunk or Treat was going to be held at the courthouse parking lot from 1-3 that afternoon. People were starting to set up by the time we got back from Blanchardville. I stopped to talk with them to see if they needed anything and then went into the office to do some work. A little later I took my vehicle a few parking spaces to the west to start getting set up with the Chronicle's Trunk or Treat exhibit. I don't think I've seen so many kids and families out for quite some time. They came from all over too! I had over 900 pieces of candy and brother Pat brought some more with about a half hour to go. There wasn't much left for this weekend and Halloween either!
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Thanks to help from Langdon and Garrison Judd (in costume), Levi Zimmerman and brother Pat!
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Then that evening was the Dodgeville Lions Club held their annual "Fun Night" drawing where a good amount of money was won by area people. It went fast as there wasn't any dinner or raffle prizes or much socializing! There wasn't any "Fun Night" held in 2020 due to COVID.
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The Highland football team is still rolling along in playoff play. They beat Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca for the second straight week to advance to Level 2 in Division 7. There are five levels with the state tournament being the final one. Both Mineral Point and River Valley had very close losses. Good luck to the Cardinals as they seek a trip to state!
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In talking about Highland, the volleyball team won their Division 4 Regional Championship and are heading to Sectionals, two matches from reaching state. The same is happening to River Valley in Division 2. Good luck to both of these area teams!
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And I can't forget to tell congratulations and wish good luck to the Dodgeville-Mineral Point Cross Country teams as both the boys and girls took first at Sectionals Saturday. They will both be looking for great finishes at the state meet his Saturday in Wisconsin Rapids in Division 2!
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This Sunday is Halloween so Trick or Treat until your hearts content!