Outside the Lines

Last thoughts of winter
Although the weather may not be conducive to moving on to a new season, some last thoughts from the winter sports are still in order. I was sad to see the girls lose to Goodhue in the sub-section semi-finals, as I have followed the team closely all season and had hopes, like the team had, that this might have been their year. But it just wasn’t to be.
This is certainly not disparaging to the other girls, but the team had to put too much dependence on seniors Taylor Hagen and Madison Worke. Both girls scored over 1,000 points in their careers, both were multiple year starters on the team, and the two were good enough athletes to earn college scholarships in basketball. But the team needed a little more help from the other players to be a truly great team. I am confident that the underclassmen will improve over the year and make the Blossoms another respectable squad next season, and this year’s team can be very, very proud of the gaudy record compiled. It is just a little disappointing that it couldn’t have advanced further in the playoffs
The basketball boys picked up the pace over the last four or five games, and they played some very good ball over that stretch. The sub-section second place was well-deserved, and if their shooting percentage could have been better in the final game, things may have turned out differently.  
As it was, the team deserves a big tip of the hat for the success, and a complete summary of the season will be forthcoming in the next few weeks. Certainly, the team will miss the seniors, as players like John Rumpza move into a different career.  As I have stated before, Rumpza will go down in BPHS history as one of the greatest athletes and students to attend the local school, and he deserves all the accolades that have been piling up around him this senior year. It has been a real privilege to follow his career.
In wrestling, the young Blossoms also had some good individual results, such as Ethan Arett’s path all the way to the state tournament. Zach Nirk reached his long-time goal of the state tournament, and a couple of younger matmen offer real hope for the future. Now, if only the numbers out for the sport would rise.
What’s up
For those readers who surf the internet, they would be interested in a 10-minute interview on Owatonna Live’s Stories of Steele last week. The program’s moderator, native Booming Prairie resident and former BPHS student, Lonna Lysne, had local businessman Aaron Ressler as her subject.
Ressler recently purchased the bowling alley from his brother, after working at and managing golf courses around the country and also teaching the game for the past 19 years. Besides the bowling alley, he has installed a virtual golf course and can teach his great love of golf to any interested persons, young or old.
The interview provided several interesting facts about Ressler and his personal history in starting up a new business in the west end of Main Street, but he also recounted little-known facts about that little section of the town. The stone barn behind the bowling alley, for example, has some intriguing items, which would be a veritable wonderland to explore. Ressler has visions of doing just that in the future.Surprisingly, very little discussion ensued about his virtual golf setup, which was the big reason for the interview, but the sidebar information was equally worthwhile. One can watch the interview on Owatonna Live.com and click on Stories of Steele. A good feature, for sure.
I have passed the time for participation in competitive sports, but I understand that the first annual broomball tournament drew spirited rivalries in its inception. I hope that this can become an annual event and expand each year. It sounds like a lot of fun.
Another event that sounds intriguing is the murder mystery at the Servicemen’s Club this coming Saturday. It is a fundraiser for the Club, and it will be directed by Kari Bottin. “Murphy’s Wake” will depend on the audience to help determine the killer, and it also sounds like a very entertaining evening. Call Carol Holman or stop in at the Club for tickets, as the hosts would like a number for which to plan.
Two other events are on tap for residents who are looking for fun. This coming Thursday is a ham bingo night at the Pizza Cellar, starting at 7 p.m. Twenty-five bingo games will be played, with 25 hams given to the winners. Minimizer donates the hams and the BP Cancer Group is sponsoring the evening’s program; some surprise prizes will also be offered.
The FFA sponsored 12th Annual Toy Show is scheduled for next Saturday, March 14, at the local high school. Express Pressure Washer is the event sponsor and hundreds of toys, both new and used, will be up for sale. This show continues to grow each year, and is a very fun day for kids of all ages. Admission is only $2.
Finally, it isn’t too early to make plans to attend the annual Education Foundation live and silent auctions on Saturday, March 28, at the Pizza Cellar and Cue Company. This event last year raised almost $80,000, and a large crowd is expected again. Plan these events, and we’ll talk again.