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News from the week of May 9, 2001 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

FFA brings wagonload of awards back from state convention

A banner year for the Tracy FFA Chapter came to a climax at the state FFA convention on the University of Minnesota campus.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Tracy FFA was recognized as the outstanding chapter out of 22 Region 6 chapters. Six Tracy FFA members received the prestigious State FFA Degree. Ten local FFA teams—the most in the history of the chapter—competed in state contests. Three teams finished in the Top Ten.

As if that wasn't enough, six FFA members won top state proficiency awards.

Dan Vogel headlined Tracy's proficiency projects as the state winner in Ag Production. Other Tracy state proficiency recipients were: Katie Lanoue, second, Agricultural Processing; Stephanie Carter, third, Home/Community Development; Rhonda Bitker, second, Agricultural Communications; Sam Jens, second, Equine Science Placement; Alison Tanghe, second, Horticulture.

Sam Jens, Dan Vogel, Alison Tanghe, Sarah Pamp, Travis Bitker, and Matt Knott received the Minnesota State FFA Degree.

Both the poultry and meats evaluation teams finished fourth in state. The meats team is comprised of. Rhonda Bitker, Tony Lanoue, Jake Gervais, and Mark Gervais. Poultry team members are: Emily Vandendriessche, Katie Lanoue, and Laura Zwach.


Volunteers sought for Special Olympics May 19

About 150 volunteers are needed for next weekend's Special Olympics in Tracy.

Many of the volunteers will work directly with the Special Olympics participants.

Two volunteers are needed for every kid participating in the Special Olympics, and there are about 100 kids participating, according to co-chair Darrell Christian. Volunteers are needed to cheer the kids on, help them get to their events, and record times, since parents and coaches are not allowed on the field. Volunteers are also needed to help serve meals and direct parking.

All told, 200 volunteers will be helping with the event, sponsored by the Tracy Lion's Club, on Saturday, May 19. “People have been very, very good about volunteering,” said co-chair LeRoy Johnson. Volunteers signed up so far include members of area churches, the Panther track team, 4-H clubs, boy and girl scouts, and individuals. “We will not turn away any volunteers,” Johnson added.

People interested in volunteering may call LeRoy Johnson at 629-3341, Darrell Christian at 629-3862, or any Lion's Club member.


Nashville recording session boosts Baumann Brothers

It was a quiet autumn evening at the Karl and Gloria Baumann home. The cornfields along the Airport Road were as high as, well, the eyes of Roy Bjorklund's quarter horses just down the road. The air space over the nearby Tracy airport was as tranquil as a lullaby.

Inside their split-level house, the Baumann kids caught up on their homework. The night was comfortably routine.

Then the telephone rang.

“Hi, this is Dennis Morgan calling from Nashville,” the voice said.

Karl Baumann's first thought was: “Yeh, right.”

The voice continued.

“I just finished listening to your music and I love it! I'd like you guys to come down to Nashville and record a CD with me.”

So began a saga, that led Karl and three of his brothers to ten days of recording sessions at Morgan's Dreamstreet Studios in Nashville. The result was “Close to You,” a 12-song compact disc of Contemporary Christian and country music.


May 18-19 swimming lesson sign-up offers $10 savings

Registrations for summer swimming lessons at the Tracy Community Pool begin next week. Cost during the early sign-up is $10 a lesson less than what will be charged later.

The swimming lesson sign-up is Friday and Saturday, May 18-19, at Tracy City Hall. Pool staff will be available to take registrations from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days.

After May 18-19, swimming lesson registration won't be available again until June 1 at the pool office. A $10 late fee will be added for all lesson sign-ups after May 19.

The city hall registration is a change from past practice. Previously, the Tracy Community Education office handled the swimming lesson registrations. The expanded hours offered at city hall are an effort to make the registration more convenient.

Two swimming lessons sessions are offered: June 11-22, with weather make-up dates June 25-29; and July 9-20, with a July 23-27 make-up week.

Sioux Valley commits $50,000 to aquatic center

Plans for the new Tracy Family Aquatic Center have been bolstered by several larger donations.

The Sioux Valley Regional Health System has pledged $50,000 over the next 20 years. In exchange for the $2,500 annual commitment, pool time will be available for therapeutic services for Tracy Area Medical Services.

Other large pool donations include: Schwan's Sales Enterprises of Marshall, $2,500; Ed and Jan McFarlane, $500; Glenn and Virginia Surprenant, $500.


Tropical Enchantment

The spotlight was on friendships, fashion and fun as Tracy Area High School students put on the Ritz for prom Saturday night. a 30-minute grand march with 67 couples kicked off the festivities with a gym full of spectators looking on. The prom dance and after-prom party both followed the theme "Tropical Enchantment."


Teachers get flowery kudos in children's essay contest

Two special teachers were recognized this week in Tracy as part of Teacher's Week.

Tracy Floral sponsored an essay contest to honor Tracy's teachers. About 10-15 entries were received from kids at St. Mary's and Tracy Elementary. A name was randomly drawn at each school to select a winner.

St. Mary's third grader Meridith Hicks chose to write about Lisa Schaar. “I think you're a wonderful teacher,” Hicks wrote. “Thank you for being such a great teacher!”

At Tracy Elementary, second grader John Boit's letter, entitled “Why I think Mrs. Stobb is special,” about teacher Sandy Stobb was chosen.