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News from the week of November 1, 2000 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

Panthers advance in play-offs

Panther sport fans have plenty to roar about this week.

Both the Tracy/Milroy/Balaton volleyball and football teams advanced in Section 3 tournament play with winning weeks.

The Panther volley ball team is within two match victories of earning a berth in the state volleyball tournament. The spikers face state ranked Renville County West Thursday night at Southwest State University. (Match time is 25 minutes after the conclusion of a 6pm match). A victory over the Jaguars would propel TMB into the Section 3A championship match 7:30pm Saturday at SSU, possible against state-ranked Windom.

Meanwhile the Panther football team is preparing for the Section 3AA championship game with Canby Friday night. Kick-off time is 7pm on the Canby field. A victory over Canby would avance the Panthers into a Nov. 10 state quarterfinal game against the Section 1AA champion, St. Charles or Byron.

Friday's game marks the third time in four years that the Panther football team has advanced to the section football finals. Last year, the Panthers were eliminated by Minnewaska in the Section 3AAA tourney.


Veterans' monument dedication set Nov. 11

Plans are shaping up for special Veterans' Day programs in Tracy next week.

The Saturday, Nov. 11 program will be highlighted by the dedication of a new Veterans monument erected recently by the Tracy American Legion at the Wheels Across the Prairie Museum.

The memorial dedication is set for 11:11 a.m. The timing is a tribute to the first Armistice Day, when World War I ended on Nov. 11, 1918.

The dedication service will honor all American servicemen from all wars. The full military honors ceremony includes the raising of the colors at 11:11 a.m. It is suggested that people arrive no later than 10:50 a.m. for the program.

The monument dedication will be preceded by a Veterans Day program at the Tracy Prairie Pavilion beginning at 9 a.m. Art Marben, retired Tracy High School principal and former Marines Corps officer, is the keynote speaker.


Voters have final word Tuesday

A host of area legislative and county races wil be decided by voters in Tuesday's general election.

Locally, Cottonwood Mayor Tim Fruin and rural Tracy farmer Phil Nelson of Tracy are vying for the Lyon County Commissioner spot being vacated by Jasper Vandelanotte. Jerry Gladis is running unopposed in District 4, as is Mark Goodenow in District 3.

All told, Minnesota voters will elect eight U.S. Representatives, 67 State Senators, 134 State Representatiaves, many judges and over 200 county commissioners, in addition to numerous mayors, city council members and school board members.

Voting hours are from 7am-8pm on Tuesday, November 7. Some townships open for voting at 10am.


Master plan cited as key to redevelopment grant hopes

Community support, hard work and a master redevelopment plan are three essential ingredients for improving small-town business districts, an Eagan consultant told a gathering of Tracy leaders Monday night.

“There are no guarantees,” said Fred Sabongi of Sabongi Consulting Group, Inc “But if you work hard, if people communicate with one another and you develop a good plan, then you have a chance of getting some (state grant) money. If you don't, your chances are zero.”

Sabongi said that business “revitalization” projects need to be looked upon as comprehensive, long-term endeavors. A development plan is mapped only after assessing a community's opportunities and challenges, strengths and weaknesses, he said.


Tracy FFA returns from Kentucky

The Tracy FFA family has a lot to be proud of this week.

Nine FFA members returned from the National FFA convention in Louisvile, Kentucky as recipients of the American Degree. The American Degree is the highest honor that an FFA member can earn. Statewide, only 74 Minnesota FFA members qualified for the award. Minnesota has 187 FFA chapters.

Tracy American degree recipients are: Layne Arnold, Paul Lanoue, Mike Erbes, John Lanoue, Brian Buysse, Jared Johnson, Mandi Skoglund, Trevor Humphrey, Justin Lessman. Prior to last week, the Tracy FFA had 13 American Degree recipients. Five sets of parents went along: Randy and Patty Lessman, Steve and Pam Johnson, Greg and Karen Lanoue, Dan and Deb Buysse, George and Lori Erbes. Randy Lessman and Greg Lanoue served as national profieciency award judges.

Highlights of the trip included tours of Churchill Downs, the Indianapolis 500 Speedway and the National FFA Center in Indianapolis, IN.


Science Museum artifacts provide lesson on traditional Hmong culture

Tracy Elementary students got a fresh perspective on Hmong culture and history, thanks to a traveling exhibit from the Science Museum of Minnesota last week.

The Science Museum's "Hmong Culture and History Trunk" was packed with traditional Hmong handicrafts and items of daily living. Embroidery and Batik, Hmong games, story cloth picture quilts, story books and traditional tales. The program was led by Title 1 teacher, Kelly McConnell, and Yer Vue and Mai Thor.

District 417's student populoation has 117 students with a Hmong background. The Science Museum of Minnesota's Trunk Program provides teachers and students with artifacts, specimens, replicas, background info, audiovisual materials, activities, resource materials and operators manuals. Trunks are rented by the week with delivery and pickup included.