Just My Opinion - By Mary Kilen
It’s Tournament Time
I spent from Wednesday through Saturday in Fargo last week for State Wrestling. I took off on Wednesday morning after the pep rally, getting to Fargo in time to call in for the school board meeting.
Thursday morning started bright and early as I got up in time to run to Starbucks for my morning coffee before heading to the Fargodome for the first round of wrestling. There is nothing like walking into the dome that first morning. The atmosphere is so electric as wrestlers and their coaches are getting ready to start the day. The fans are settling into their seats. There is a buzz that fills the air as you wait for the first wrestlers to the hit the mat. Thursday was a long day, going into the evening through semifinals.
Friday started early again with another trip to Starbucks before heading to the dome to start the day with rounds that would determine whether or not a wrestler would reach their goal of making the placing rounds. The day ends with finals, an experience that is like none other. Watching wrestlers be introduced, one by one with their opponent as they prepare to battle for a state title, is exciting.
Congratulations to the Blue Jay wrestlers that qualified for state and our four wrestlers, Cohen Bell, Trey Bohmbach, Griffin Wilhelmi and Levi Uran for earning placings at the tournament.
I’m always proud to be a Blue Jay and that is never more true than when I watch our students shine on postseason stages.
Meanwhile, the postseason continues. Unfortunately, our girls’ basketball season ended earlier than they would have liked. The boys’ basketball team, however, is getting ready for their regional tournament which kicks off on March 10 at Minot State University.
Lucky To Spend A Little Time Together
Usually, I get to spend some time with Amanda, Zach and the kids during State Wrestling. I usually drive home on Saturday and stop in Bismarck for lunch and some visiting.
This year, though, they were headed to Fargo as well. Unfortunately, they were coming for a funeral. The trip itself was not guaranteed because the kids had also been battling the flu before they came.
Amanda sent me a text on Friday asking if I wanted to meet them for supper. Of course, I said yes. We met at Granite City and spent some time just talking about everything and anything.
It was great to spend some time together. Life gets busy for all of us and we don’t get to be together as often as we would all like.
Then Came Saturday
Then came Saturday morning. I got up and took my shower and then realized I hadn’t turned off the alarm on my phone. I reached for it and saw a text from Dale.
My heart dropped into my stomach as I saw the pictures of the building on fire on Main Street. I called him and we talked about what was going on.
Fortunately, everyone in the building was okay. The renters were able to get out safely.
That’s the good news. The bad news is they lost everything. The businesses on the main level lost everything. The building is obviously a total loss.
It amazed me how quickly the community came together to support those that were hard hit by this fire. That is life in a small town. We want to support those among us when they need that help.
I was also amazed at how many fire departments joined with Stanley Fire to get that fire out while trying to protect the buildings around it. The mutual aid from those departments and our own spectacular fire department kept it from becoming even more disastrous.
As we move through the coming weeks, I hope we can remember to support all of those who have lost their homes or livelihoods in this fire. The businesses in the buildings around them will face their own challenges as they deal with the impacts from the smoke and water damages. They may need our help and support as well. We can show why it is so great to live in a small town by helping all of these in need. There are so many that are stepping up already, but there will be more to do in the coming months.