Well folks, as I watched the Aitkin Gobbler girls basketball team finish up their 51-46 win over Pine City last Friday I realized that was the result all our fans were looking for, the final result. But to get to the final result so much more has to happen and I think we'll examine that process this week because it can be used for any sport or activity. The final result is the end of the game but to get there the players had to go through a lot. They had to go to practice to learn the things they needed to get to the final result. They had to come up through the grades, learning as much as they could to make them better and how to compete against their opponents. They had to make a decision as youngsters that they wanted to play a certain sport and tell their parents that's what they wanted to do. Then there are the coaches. They probably played sports when they were young and then they decided when their playing days were over they wanted to teach others to do the same. They, more than likely went to college and learned as much as they could so they could make a decent living and found they could coach as well. Along the line they learned how to coach the sport and coach life too and maybe a little bit about how to handle adversity. Every coach faces adversity, don't kid yourself. Then here come the parents' and they are also part of the process. They have made more in the way of sacrifice than anyone to get to the final result. They teach their kids early how to play games and eventually how to play sports, usually in the back yard. When their kids decide what sport they want to play the work really begins. They have to make sure their kids have something to eat before games especially if they have to ride the bus to the event and they have to wait in the car, sometimes in bad weather until the bus gets back, sometimes after midnight. They probably went to the event out of town and then drove back to wait. Parent's must find a healthy balance between school work and sports or other activities. Parent's with more than one athlete have it even worse, sometimes having to decide which game to go to or sometimes driving to an away event in the afternoon and then back for a varsity game at 7:00. They are the first ones up in the morning and the last ones to hit the pillow at night. It's a process, sometimes a very difficult process but it's made everyday in this world. But it's a process and sacrifice that must be made as our kids wind their way through this uncertain world. So as you can see we all understand the final result, but perhaps not what it took to get there. Athletes, coaches and parents, they all have their responsibilities and all share in the process that is high school sports. It doesn't happen overnight but when the final result is what happened last Friday night it all seems worth it!

      Well folks, nine months ago I talked about to you about teammates and how good ones will always have your back and take care of you when needed. I am back this week to tell you about the loss of one of those teammates and how tough that loss can be. Since her surgery in February to remove a cancerous leg our little dog has lived her best life. A new fence gave her the freedom to run the yard without fear of getting into the street and her ability to be off her leash most of the time. She chased squirrels and chipmunks and birds, knowing full well she would never catch one and what to do if she did. It was a great life for the little dog and she loved it. She would lay in the backyard for hours and watch the world go by. She didn't seem to lose a step with three legs and people she met on her walks marveled at her love of life and her ability to move around like the little tripod she was. Less than two weeks ago she was still going for her walks everyday and it appeared nothing was wrong. She had never had a seizure before but all of a sudden she had a number in a 24 hour period and we were at a loss at to what was causing them. A visit to the vet brought no answers but with some medication we hoped it would control them until we found out what was wrong. Our little teammate needed our help but we couldn't help her. Then after a four-day period of being lethargic and needing help to go outside once again we knew we were going to have to make another decision. One week ago we were back at the vet and deciding that with so many things going against her we were not going to get our little dog back. There was no guarantee that that would happen even with treatment and so with tears in our eyes we told the doctor that we needed to let Jaz go. Barb held her and for the first time in four days she let us touch her and pet her and comfort her. As the first shot started to take effect she looked at me and said "It's okay Dad, I'm ready to cross the rainbow bridge and meet Malcolm and Echo and say hi to Tigger and Ella." The vet assistant put her on the table and we said our final goodbyes, I told her thank you and I love you and then it was over. Again for the second time we asked ourselves if we had done the right thing but I knew when she looked at me that final time she was ready to say goodbye to the pain. The healing has begun but every day I have to hold Juno, our cat, and try to tell him that it's okay, his buddy was gone but not forgotten. Other pets know, they really do and Juno misses his friend that he has had for over ten years. It's very difficult for Barb since I am gone many nights in the winter covering sports because Jaz was a constant companion. Tough for me because she was always waiting on the couch for me to get home. I will miss my little girl and all the time we spent on the front porch in the summer waving at cars and enjoying people that stopped to say hello. She will most definitely be our last dog but we will remember them all. I have to give a shout-out to Iron Range Veterinary Clinic for all the help they have given us in the past two weeks. They helped make Jaz's journey a little easier and I think they were as sad as we were on that final trip. I knew this day would come but nothing makes it easier or prepares you for it. Another teammate gone and this one really hurts. I know you have all gone through this so you understand. Jaz, you were the best, right there with Echo but each of you had your own special life. God bless you and know that I will always miss you my little girl!

       Well folks, I have seen a lot of Thanksgiving days over the years, almost 75 by the way and I have experienced a lot of different things on those Thanksgiving days. It all started with going to my grandpas house in Hill City where we had dinner, sat around and talked until it was close to dark since we always had to get home before dark. Sometimes my dad went along, some he didn’t depending on how he felt. Then we started going to Grand Rapids to my Aunt and Uncles house on Bluewater Lake. Then my mom hosted a few and finally I had my own family and we started having Thanksgiving at home. That’s when football really started kicking in and it was parades and eating and watching football. I spent one holiday away from home at Fort Ord, California and that was a tough one. I was 20 and in the National Guard and away from home for the first time. That’s when I learned how important it was to spend holidays with your family because so many don’t get to do that. When you think of all the servicemen and servicewomen who are stationed abroad and in war zones and can’t be home it really makes you think. This begins the season where you start thinking about others when actually we should be thinking about them all year long. They are making sacrifices so that the rest of us can celebrate and know they are protecting our freedom to do so. I hope you get a chance to celebrate with your family over Thanksgiving and appreciate those who can’t do that.
     The annual Fishhouse parade is Friday in downtown Aitkin and again the town will be crazy with people. Please celebrate safely and enjoy yourself, the Chamber has done a great job to give you the opportunity.
     One event that I was looking forward to was the Aitkin Alumni Basketball Tournament but unfortunately that will not be happening this year. Gobbler girls coach Kaija Davies reports that not enough teams signed up and the event has been cancelled. They will try again next year.
     Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone and be safe in your travels!

       Well folks, this weekend will mark six years since I had my book published and had a book signing to make it official. It was a labor of love that I had started six months prior with the help of my long-time friend Margie Burman. I decided to write the book on the advice of my wife who knew I had so many stories to tell and after some heart problems she said if you are going to do it you might want to get started. Start I did by writing some of my stories at midnight or later, waking up some times in the middle of the night and jotting things down. I wanted to write this book because I wanted people to know what it was like to grow up in a small town in the 50’s and 60’s and I wanted locals to remember the stores and their owners on Main Street back then. It was wonderful to grow up in Aitkin and I wanted people to know why. The book also was going to be a little history of high school sports from the 50’s on up and gave the athletes from long ago a way for their exploits to never be forgotten. I wanted to showcase many of those athletes and their coaches and their teams and make it possible for the athletes and families of today to learn about those days of yesteryear. In short I wanted to have a way for them to be remembered forever. I wanted to tell the story of “town baseball” in Aitkin and around the county. I grew up and watched many of the greats of that time and I wanted them remembered too. I wanted to tell their story because if I didn’t their outstanding careers and Sunday afternoon exploits would be lost forever. I couldn’t let that happen. So Margie and I combed every Aitkin Independent Age from the 50’s until mid 2015. It took three ours every Wednesday for months but we got it done and we had what we thought were the best stories. Then we added every column I wrote from 1977-2015. We chose the best ones and then sat down to put it all together. That meant help from Matt at the Aitkin County Historical and coordinator Laura Thornbloom and finally proof reader Ruth Lofgren. Then we read it time and time again before it was what we wanted. Jeff Tidholm made sure it got printed and there we were, early November and it was ready for the world. “Well Folks” had become reality and I couldn’t wait for people to get a look at it. I wanted Gobbler alumni to read it and I wanted parents and grandparents to read it, hundreds of them would have their name in the book. The people of Aitkin were a target because I wanted them to read about their parents who had businesses back in the early days and I wanted older town baseball players to read it and know I hadn’t forgotten them and the heroes they had become. I wanted them to remember the days when we had a community Christmas tree in the middle of the intersection between Butlers and Aitkin Furniture. I wanted bowlers and the old timers from the Lanes to read it and remember “pot bowling” on Sunday afternoons. I wanted them to remember Murray Moore and “Pork” Nentl and “Shanks” Davies and Bill Cline and Connie Lueck and Bud Bruss and so many others. I wanted people to know about the ‘56-57 Gobbler football team that was 8-0 and the ‘59 hoops team of Wally and J.J and Alvin and the State Basketball team of 1982 and the State Tourney wrestling team of 1988 Their names and hundreds more will live in infamy and I wanted that to happen for generations to come. I have to say that I think “Well Folks” is a book that will help that happen. I could have mentioned a lot more but if you share my dream, find a copy and read it yourself. I am proud of the work and the people who helped make it happen. I hope you all get it!

     Well, it's been 75 days since woodiessportzone.com became a reality and your reaction has been phenomenal. I have had over 7,300 looks in those 75 days and I couldn't be more excited. You should know that I had 100% support from the Aitkin Junior High and High School coaches this Fall allowing me to get every game or match on the website on the same day or early the next morning. Every single coach made it a priority to get their info to me and that way I was able to get so many more kids names and teams results for you. The decision to include junior high sports was a good one and even better, thanks to my wonderful sponsors the website remains a free one for all to enjoy. As the winter season gets underway I urge you to check the website anytime you want and keep up on all the great winter sports coming up. Hockey has already started, Aitkin Dance Team starts soon, then girls basketball, boys basketball and wrestling. Don't forget every night we update the bowling scores so there is something new almost every day. I thank everyone for taking a look at the website and I hope you'll stay with me. Together we can get more athletes and teams from grades 7-12 the attention they need, and again a huge thank you to all the coaches, you help make this thing happen. If you haven't taken a look yet it's time for you to "get in the zone". 

       Well folks, the 1954-55 Aitkin Gobbler boys basketball team got their drills underway 70 years ago this week and they were hoping to put some big wins up during the new season. Head Coach Herman Woock welcomed a crew that included just three seniors, Tom Finnerty, Greg Murphy and Marv Midthun. They lost the opener 59-58 to Cloquet then won their second game, beating Wadena 57-52. They would ultimately end up with a record of 9-11, winning their first District 24 tourney game 77-58 over Backus before falling to Staples in the semis 51-47. They beat Little Falls in the third place game 77-49. Midthun was the captain and played steady basketball all season long. Finnerty saw little action early on but came on at tournament time and really contributed. Murphy also didn’t play a lot during the season but “had as much fire as anyone on the team.” Those three are all well-remembered but the others on that team became a who’s who of Gobbler athletics in the next couple of years. Stan Doten, Dwayne Peterson, Vern Nelson, Jerry Finnerty, Jack Park, Jim MacDonald, Gordie Forsberg, Verne Butler, Bill Fannemel, John Galarnault, Don Hazelwood, Ray Midthun, Harvey Fairchild, Keith Newstrom, LeRoy Giesler, John Rushenburg, Gary Wagner and Jack Fossen made up the rest of this squad and if you know Gobbler sports at all you recognize most of those guys who through the next two years would win a ton of football games including all eight in the fall of 1956. By the way nine of those eleven losses on the hard court that season were by less than ten points. Getting back to the seniors, Midthun was named best looking and best dressed that year and Murphy had the prettiest hair according to the Hall of Fame of 1955. By the way that class featured my brother Warren who wasn’t an athlete but one heckuva piano player. Basketball practice starts for the present-day Gobblers soon and the game has changed a little in the past 70 years but the aim is the same, ten feet high, 18 inches in diameter, put the ball in there more often than the other team and you win. Simple game isn’t it.

        Well folks, it's that time of year again, next week is Veterans Day and although we honor them every day of the year we try to give them an extra special day every November 11 It's a day to celebrate all those who have served in the armed forces of the United States. It was known as Armistice Day first and is now a federal holiday in our country. Major hostilities of WWI were formally ended on November 11, 1918. It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. I always take this time to honor vets but also to say thank you to the Aitkin Color Guard who make it a point to appear at every home Gobbler event and present our nations colors. The color guard consists of members of the Aitkin American Legion Post 86 and VFW post 1727. Most are known to Aitkin area residents but I think the reaction of those from out of town is equally exciting. So many of them come over prior to the varsity game and shake their hands and tell them how great it is to see them there. This has been a tradition at Gobbler events for decades now and will be long after I'm gone. The game or match officials also make their way over to chat with that night's crew. I am so proud to see them march out and present the colors and I'll admit I always look and make sure everyone has removed their cap, something that the Mayor of Dam Lake (Lois Hagman) always brought to my attention. She told me "When I'm gone you make sure everybody is quiet and takes off their cap." That's one promise I have to keep so if you see me looking around you'll know that I'm checking the crowd. The winter sports season is coming up soon so you will see the Aitkin Color Guard doing their thing. Don't be afraid to say thanks when you have a chance.

        Well folks, it's Halloween this week and as fun as it is for the kids and their parents around the country it reminds me of a very dark day in my life that happened 45 years ago October 30. My good friend Dan Bruss was killed on that day in 1979 and it ended the life of one of the coolest guys I've known. We called him "Big Dan", "Bigbird". "Stretch" and a few other things but he was such a great kid. He was just 22 when he passed and even though I was 29 we became good friends through his parents resort, Edgewater Beach on Cedar Lake. They became my second family over the years and we shared many of the same interests, bowling, softball and good food. As you look at the picture he is on the right alongside his brother Tom. They loved to fish and we loved spending time at the resort, in the "wreck hall" and on the lake. Dan was a special young man and we miss him even after all this time. "I can see Daniel waving goodbye, oh it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes".
     The season has ended for the Aitkin Gobbler football team but the exploits of Jacob Williams will live on for a long time. The senior finished his career with 54 touchdowns, 51 of them rushing which puts him in the top ten all-time in Minnesota history. He rushed for 3,933 yards in his career and when you include his 557 rushing attempts he scored a touchdown on every 7 carries over this four year career at AHS. He was one of the toughest runners I've ever seen at Aitkin and ask any defense that played against him and they will tell you how hard it was to get him to the ground. 

     This seasons sports team were senior heavy with 12 Gobbler football players, 8 volleyball players and 2 tennis players all putting in their final Fall seasons of participation. They were a great bunch right down the line and will be sorely missed in 2025. A big thanks goes out to all the coaches for their help covering the teams in the area. We can't do it without your calling and texting results and stats throughout the season. It isn't always easy I know but it's all about the kids and hopefully the winter season will be a good one as far as getting the info to you every week.
    Earlier this season Gobbler Coach Alan Hills became the all-time leader in wins in football at AHS. He passed Mark Mehr earlier this season and now sits at 46-31 heading into 2025. He has done a great job in his tenure and has become one of the most respected coaches in the area.

       Well folks, imagine this, you're at the ballpark or field or gym watching your young men and women playing their favorite sport. You show up every game ready to support them with banners and voices ready to explode with cheers. Now imagine that you have to keep quiet throughout the game, imagine that there is no noise to speak of, imagine that there is simply the game being played. Then you realize, you've entered the "Silent Zone". I recently read an article from the AYSO that talks about "silent Saturdays" where teams play their games and the fans are required to not yell encouragement during the contest. It's a throwback to the old days when kids would congregate in schoolyards and backyards for a day of playing without outside interruptions. The objectives are to emphasize that the game ais about letting the kids have fun and play the game. It's also meant to help the few parents and coaches who feel they must provide constant direction. It also emphasizes that players can achieve true teamwork as the players must learn to rely on each other and communicate with each other accordingly. It also emphasizes supporting our officials, both youth and adult by eliminating sideline interference and comments. The AYSO, American Youth Soccer Organization put this out there for all to ready and of course it can be used in any sport. You might think that is a little extreme and I do as well but incidents have been happening at an alarming rate in all sports in all locations around the country. It's one of the reasons that the number of sports officials is at an all-time low. We have to do better. I yell at the officials myself so I am no better but I think we can all look at ourselves and know we can do a better job of keeping ourselves under control. Now, that being said, home field or home court advantage is another matter. We depend on our student body to be a force at our events and expect them to keep the crowd fired up. Officials have to know that and as long as kids aren't getting personal with their cheering they have pretty much free reign as far as I'm concerned. We have home games for a reason and defending that home court advantage is not only a privilege it's a duty. Gobbler activities director Jason Cline does a great job of letting the kids out on a leash and reeling it in if he needs to. I love to see a full section of young people at our home games yelling and cheering their lungs out. Keep it up! It's all about respecting our opponents but never fearing them. I never want to see a "silent Saturday" in Aitkin and I'm sure I won't but let's all do a little better and encourage our players from start to finish. Hoarse voices are so much better than a zipped lip. 

                                                 "A promise made, a promise kept
                                                    So many tears we all have wept"

                       Well folks, you will never see a year pass when I do not remember my friend Steve Sandberg who passed away on October 18, 2015. Most of us will never forget the day he was taken and will never forget how the town responded with honor, respect and of course love. The veteran of the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office was more than a peace officer. He was a son, husband, father, brother, uncle, tutor, counselor and of course a friend to so many. As most of you know he was my partner at the Gobblers scoring table for basketball games. The memories we shared at that table as I was announcing will never be forgotten. What a wonderful time that was. I remember after I had hernia surgery and walked up to watch the football team a couple weeks later and when it was time to leave Steve and his brother Brian made sure I didn't need help walking the block home. That's just the kind of guys they were and are. Steve was an outstanding athlete, but he got involved is so much more in his high school years. Aside from football, basketball and baseball in grades 10-12 he was also in band, Student Council, Lettermans Club, Junior Class treasurer, the high school musical as a junior and the senior class play. He was also elected to the National Honor Society. The baseball team of 1973 included a who's who of Gobbler baseball stalwarts. Let's see you had Steve of course, Mark Fowlds, Mike Holder, Tom Shirilla, Steve Bare, John Hegman, Kevin Clapp, Pete Hanlon, Rock LaBounty, Steve Pasell, Ed Hermel, Jim Janzen, Paul Hoge, Dwayne Crowell and Russ Lepisto. They were led by the "legend", Coach Truman Buisman. They lost in the District final to Staples, 3-2, finishing off one of the best Gobbler season records in history. All that of course is not what Steve Sandberg was all about. He was all about helping people and the stories of how he did that his whole life are endless. I admit I think about my friend almost every single day of my life. I would love to be able to say that my goal in life is to be like him but I know that's not possible so I live each day and try to conduct myself like he would want me to. He was never in it for the glory, just to live a life of being happy, being a good investigator, a great husband and father and living each day to it's fullest. I will never forget October 18, 2015 and I will honor my friend every year until the day I die. If there is a Hall of Fame for those who are already Hall of Famers, I know who the head guy is and his name is Steve Sandberg. I love you buddy!
 

       Well folks, a special tradition in the fall has continued and area high schools host a "Beat Cancer" night of something like that. The volleyball and football teams wear lots of pink and collect for area cancer research. It always hits home to me since I've had a number of family members who have passed away or had to fight the dreaded disease, some of them multiple times. I was especially touched this year at Aitkin when the volleyball team hosted such an event. The players wore their pink shorts and when the teams were introduced public address announcer Jason Long also mentioned who the respective player was playing for that night. Both teams supplied the names of family members or friends that they were doing their best for that evening and it was so special. These are high school kids, some just 16 years old or younger yet they know what it's all about and they already have been exposed to cancer at some point in their young life. I have to congratulate them for the maturity that they show every day and the compassion they show to those affected. Aitkin and McGregor has already done their night this season and Hill City/Northland had their night this past Monday. In a world where kids are chastised for some of the things they do I salute them for keeping this tradition going year after year. Well done!
     It seems unbelievable that the fall seasons are quickly moving toward their end. The tennis season is in their Individual Section play next Monday, the volleyball regular season ends next Tuesday night and there are just two games left in the football regular season. Where did that time go. We are sure thankful that the weather has held out for the most part for the outdoor events but before we know it the basketball, wrestling and hockey seasons will be getting underway. I know we have a little time left but you better start thinking about it. 
    I know a lot of baseball fans have their opinions about Pete Rose but the bottom line is that he belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame and now that he has passed away I believe Major League Baseball will finally take the step and allow him to take his place in Cooperstown. You can argue that his gambling has kept him rightfully out but when you look at some of the other members who are in the Hall of Fame and look at their lifestyles you have to wonder how they happened to get enshrined. Maybe the Hall should look at some of the longtime baseball writers and their lives. You think those guys ever bet on the game? If you are someone who chooses to pick baseball players strictly on a performance basis then get him into the Hall, if you are strictly picking on a morality reason then I guess you won't want him in there ever. It's not my call but if I had a vote he'd have been in there long before he passed away. But that's just me!
 

      Well folks, last Thursday afternoon I spent some time getting x-rays on my arthritic knees deciding whether to receive injections of cortisone to alleviate the pain. That pain comes from playing high school baseball, softball for some twenty years and bowling for over fifty seasons. All of that takes its toll on everybody and for some the pain is just too much to take without shots and pain killers. I am not one of those but I figure if I can feel a little more comfortable, why not. This story is not about me however, it's about an older lady and her grandson, two people I had never seen before nor do I know their names. After my x-rays from a young lady named Ava I sat and waited for my consult with my doctor. A nurse wheeled the lady in on what I can only describe as a hospital bed of sorts. The grandson followed and after the nurse left they began to talk. She wanted to know about the whereabouts of her daughter and he replied "She wanted to be here but she is working a 12 hour shift in Woodbury." The talk turned to his job search (he looked about 18). He told her he had a couple of interviews and was waiting to hear back. She asked why he wasn't working on that today and he replied, "I wanted to be with you gramma" It was obvious she would have been alone had not this young man been there. I don't know why his comment hit me so hard but it did and I can only surmise that I thought of how alone I would have felt if I had been this far from home and been alone, not knowing what was going to happen next. I'm also guessing that it was important to me because I have not seen either of my grandmothers in over 60 years and Aaron never knew either of his grandmothers.. When I finished with Dr. Temple they were still waiting so I had to stop. I smiled at the lady and told her, "This is a fine young man here, a kid that really cares about you and is concerned about your health." She smiled back and said "thank you so much". I turned to him and told him how proud I was of him and how he will do well because he has shown already at a young age that he cares about people. I left them and headed to the car happy that I had stopped and talked to them on the way out. I probably will never know how things worked out her but I'm happy in the thought that he will be there with her no matter what. Sometimes we don't give our people enough credit for what they do. We don't always know how they feel but sometimes they surprise us and let us know in a big way. On a day when I was concerned about my own pain he showed me how to be compassionate for others and we all need to be reminded of that from time to time.

      Well folks, it was a chilly October night forty years ago and the Aitkin Gobblers were ready to meet the C-I Rangers in the big game of the football season. Aitkin had opened the season with a 26-0 loss to Monticello and followed that up with a 22-6 loss to Milaca. They lost to Walker 32-8 before finally getting into the win column in week four, a 31-6 win of Wadena. Staples to them to task the next week with a 21-8 win, setting them up for their neighborhood battle with the Rangers. The Rangers got on the board first on a touchdown catch by Steve Stelter. Mike Nagorski ran the PAT and it was 8-0 C-I. The Gobblers would knot it up on a 15 yard scoring strike from John Tibbetts to Phil Jones. That combination turned in the PAT and it was 8-8. Aitkin had a chance before the end of the half but Tibbetts 45 yard field goal came up short. The third period belonged to the Gobblers as Tibbetts scored twice and Alto scored another. The Rangers answered but Alto scored again in the fourth and the Gobblers had the victory. Craig Kennedy, the Homecoming King, led the rushing attack with 84 yards on 16 carries while Alto added 82 yards on 12 carries and Wes Catlin had 48 yards on just 9 carries. Tibbetts was 5-7 in the air for 68 yards with Jones snagging 4 for 51 yards. Aitkin lost 2 of 3 fumbles on the night while the Rangers had five fumbles, losing three of them. The hard-hitting Gobblers had nine penalties for 90 yards in the game. This win was in the middle of a six year run of Gobbler wins over C-I. Tibbetts, Jason Math and Scott Gabrio were all Midstate Conference All-Conference selections. This years Gobbler-Ranger Stump game will be October 4th at C-I, here's hoping the trophy stays with Aitkin. 

       Well folks, Tua Tagovailoa is a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. He is 26 years old and played college ball at Alabama before joining the Dolphins. By that time he had already had a handful of concussions and after a hit this past week against the Bills he is again suffering from a concussion. Before we explore the statistics let’s remind you of what a concussion really is. The brain is suspended in fluid inside the skull. The purpose of this fluid is to create a buffer between the soft brain tissue and the skull. A concussion, also called a mild traumatic brain injury happens when a sudden force causes the brain to crash into the skull. This can be from a direct hit to the head or from a whiplash-type motion (front to back) or (side to side). It can lead to inflammation or bruising inside the brain and cause nerve tissues to stretch. The result is that some areas of the brain might not work as they are supposed to, causing concussion symptoms. 20% of all high school football players will have concussion like symptoms every season. Linebackers and offensive players such as running backs are most likely to be the positions affected. A common misconception is that if you suffer a concussion you lose consciousness but actually 80% do not. Now believe me I am a huge high school football fan but like everyone I would love to see these type of statistics drop down. One of the new concepts is the Guardian cap. You’ve seen them, the Vikings use them in practice and the NFL has actually okayed them for practice and game action. You still don’t see them on Sundays but many teams have brought them out for practices during the week and I guess that’s a start. I asked former Gobbler sideline physician Austin Krohn his opinion about the “cap”, “They look a little goofy but I think they will help. Initial data coming out of camps has shown benefits.” Asked if he thought they would be used by high school teams around the state he replied, “That would be a stretch but who knows, I’m not sure of the price so schools may not be able to afford them.” I did a little research and they can be purchased for under $100 dollars but schools are still looking at thousands of dollars if they were to outfit everybody down to the elementary players. Stats again show that they can reduce impact by 33% so they appear to be effective. Aitkin Gobbler Activities Director Jason Cline hasn’t done a lot of research on them yet but “I know of one kid in our system that has one. We have no plan to bring the “cap” in at this time but who knows about the future.” The future is in question for Tua as well as many players are urging him to retire. It will be tough for the young man to quit the game he loves but one more concussion might really bring an end to his dreams for life after football. He has to think of his family at this point and do the right thing!

        Well folks, the new bowling season is upon us as most leagues get underway next week at AItkin Lanes. This will be the 65th season of sanctioned bowling at the center that was built by the Swanson brothers , all good bowlers in their own right. Kenny was the chosen one to be the first proprietor of Aitkin Lanes along with his wife Millie. They did a great job those early years getting leagues filled and doing most of the work themselves with help from my long time friend Harry Anderson and Annie Shields, who did the cleaning and worked the counter during the day. They were truly pioneers of the bowling alley life and did a wonderful job. Jerry Fridgen worked there early on as did my friend Bill Kast. It was great growing up behind the business and honing my baseball skills off that brick wall in the back. I had a chance to meet and bowl with some of the greats who ever stepped on the lanes at this establishment. I had my favorites of course, one of the greatest lefties ever to throw the ball, Elmer Oltman was at the top of the list. Elmer worked at the municipal but never went home until checking to see if anybody wanted to bowl a game. He was a sweet striker who once shot a 725 three game set back when bowling was a tougher game. He was one of the Sunday pot bowlers, a group that consisted of Chuck Ziske, Don Laird, John Soderquist and Kenny Swanson, among others. They always included a youngster who was still in school and let me play along with them. It was a treat and I learned so much about bowling from these guys and a lot about life as well. I’ve talked about them many times and back when there was nothing to do on a Sunday in the late afternoon it was a tradition that kept us going in the decade of the 60’s. Bowling has changed a lot since Aitkin Lanes first opened it’s doors, mostly equipment wise what with different kinds of bowling balls, the lane surface itself and the ideas among young bowlers who don’t always understand that spares count too. They worry too much about strikes and although strikes lead to big games sometimes spares are what can keep your average up there where you want it. Old school bowlers learned how to actually bowl, not just having the right ball and setting it on the right spot on the lanes. Conditions are a key and although todays bowlers really put up some great scores, I have to wonder how they would have done back in the early days when a lot of us were just getting our start. I have nothing against the bowlers of the 21st century, they have great talent and are fun to watch but some of us were lucky to have grown up with the conventional style of bowling, back when pot games were a Sunday staple and the game took a little more thought. As the season gets underway I look for another great year of outstanding scores. Good luck bowlers and have a fun season!

•     Well folks, it was Sunday afternoon, and it was a beauty, cool breeze and I was enjoying the short walk to deliver some of our garden tomatoes to the neighbor. I looked up at the blue sky and up the block to Veterans Field and the huge sign on the bus garage with its name on it. I remarked to myself how fast the summer had flown by and the afternoons sitting on the front porch feeding chipmunks and squirrels were just about over for another season. Earlier that week the young Gobblers, junior high I presumed started walking past the house shortly after three and I realized their summer was already over and another school year was about to begin. My thoughts went back nearly fifty years when I was still excited about the change of season because soon I would be back on the road every week covering the local sports for KKIN radio. It was different back then because radio was different. Every little town had a station that would soon be broadcasting their games and I knew all of them. We worked together to save money on telephone lines long before cell phones were even invented. I remember the smell of freshly mowed grass on the football field and how I loved to chat with coaches and get lineups before heading to my spot in the press box. God, I loved those days, when I was young and able to go to a game, home or away, four or five times a week. I got home between 11-12 and was up at 5:30 to do the morning show, playing country music and giving the news and sports for the masses of AItkin County. As I walked back toward home my mind took a detour to 2024. I haven’t done a game on the air for a quarter of a century now, save for a pair of games my friend Tom Martin let me do several years ago just for old times sake and a short stint at the State Baseball Tourney with the Gobblers and the late Bill Stimac. It’s so much different now and radio is different and I just wouldn’t have that much fun if I was back in the “game” again. The world is different too and after spending my life basically in a “Mayberry” world I can only look back and smile at the world I have been able to live in for nearly 75 years. I am about to enter the “digital world” this week with the launching of my own website, “woodiessportzone.com” and I invite everyone to give it a look. As I have said since I coined the phrase “Sports Spectrum” on KKIN we will take a total look at the world of sports with a special emphasis on the local sports scene. You can click on the site, get a subscription for $3.00 a month or $30 a year and see updates on a daily basis during the school year and beyond. It’s something I’ve thought about for some times and I hope to be able to give the local teams from grades 7 on up a little extra coverage. Don’t worry, you will still be able to read me in the Aitkin Independent Age every week, this is just something a little extra. As I finished my walk and sat back down in my chair out front the chipmunks came around and reminded me of what keeps me grounded. Life is pretty simple right now and really doesn’t have to be anything else. I can still hear the distant cheering from Veterans Field and hope that the next generation remembers as I do and keep their own memories close. Time marches on way too fast. Enjoy the time you have.