6/4/2008 – News
Volume 125, Number 18
Racehorse owned by Minnewaukan native does well
On Dec. 21, 2004, Sheryle King of Minnewaukan was on her way to the hospital with her husband, Gary. She looked over at her husband of 36 years from her side of the pickup truck, smiled and died suddenly.
She was 58. On Sunday, May 11, 2008 — Mother’s Day at Assiniboia Downs — Sheryle’s lone surviving son, Mitchell King, won his first race as a trainer at a recognized racetrack with 12-year-old Latter Day Ace, owned by him and Loving Memory Stable.
"The race lasted one minute," said Mitchell, 29. "It sent chills down my spine. I gave ‘Ace’ a big kiss in the winner’s circle for my Mom and my brother. I know they were both watching the race from heaven."
Mitchell and his brother, Dustin had originally claimed Latter Day Ace, currently the oldest horse at the Downs, through trainer Carren Wedge on July 6, 2006.
"Dustin thought it would be great to get 20 wins with him," said Mitchell, 29. "But he never made it."
The brothers recorded their first win with Latter Day Ace on May 13, 2007, also on Mother’s Day, at Assiniboia Downs, on the same day their broodmare had become a mom, producing her first colt. "Dustin was not a picture person," said Mitchell. "So I thought it was a little odd when he called me that morning at 4:30 a.m. and said he wanted to take pictures of me and him and Dad with the mare and foal. We took the photos, cleaned up and drove to Winnipeg for the race.
"It was an exciting win and Carren Wedge’s first as a licensed trainer. It was a total team effort. Darlene Wedge groomed him and Rohan Singh rode him. The Wedge family was really good to us. We celebrated in the winner’s circle, handed out win pictures in the barn. "Driving back from the race on the Interstate, Dustin said another strange thing to me. He was never one to be emotional or talkative, but out of the blue he just turned to me and said ‘That was a great day!’ "
Nine days later on May 22, 2007, Mitchell got a call from the hospital. Dustin had been diagnosed with diabetes and had a blood-glucose level that was off the scale. His sugar levels were so high that three separate medical opinions were sought.
The doctors couldn’t believe anyone with blood-glucose levels that high could still be alive. Dustin said he felt OK, but the doctors knew his kidneys were beginning to fail. A decision was made to immediately transfer him to the hospital in Grand Forks. "I was supposed to meet them there at 11 p.m.," said Mitchell, "to donate one of my kidneys for a transplant, but six miles out of Devils Lake his kidneys failed. They lost him in the ambulance."
Survived by Mitchell, his sister Darcie and their father, Gary, the King family remained a close-knit unit in their time of mourning.
Tragedy had also struck their father earlier in his life when he had been hit by three drunken teenagers while driving a semi. Trapped under the burning cab, a passerby pulled him to safety. He escaped with third degree burns on his arms and back.
Gary had also trained horses at the bush tracks in Fessenden and Rugby while Sheryle worked at the library and the bank. Mitchell quit a good job at Bobcat to follow in his father’s footsteps and work with racehorses at Adena Springs and Mountaineer Park in 2004.
"This is what I love," said Mitchell. "I don’t drink or smoke. I have no girlfriends. I just work seven days a week with the horses and I love it. I have a lot of people to thank for the gifts I’ve been given.
"Marty Drexler, who I work for now, the Wedge family, Jack Robertson, Gordie Marsh, Chad Torevell, Gary Danelson, Clayton Gray, John Locke, Tony Cizik, Rohan Singh, my sister’s boyfriend, Phil, who groomed Latter Day Ace when he won at Fargo, and my parents, who I owe everything to for bringing me up right and teaching me manners and a good work ethic."
Mitchell’s sister, Darcie, whose nine-month-old son was named after their brother, Cole Dustin, couldn’t be at Assiniboia Downs for this year’s Mother’s Day win, but Dad was.
"I made sure he had the most important spot in the win picture, on the horse’s hip," said Mitchell.
"He tried to shake my hand, but I just wouldn’t have it. I was just too emotional. I gave him a big hug."
It’s been said that the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man, that a genuine horse just has a way of soothing the soul. Latter Day Ace is that kind of horse.
He’s won races every season since he began his career as a two-year-old on Dec. 5, 1998 at Golden Gate in California.
He now sports a career record of 19-19-19 in 101 starts for earnings of $214,872. But he’s won only a single race at Assiniboia Downs in each of his last three seasons.
In 2006, he also won at Assiniboia Downs.
On Mother’s Day. ? 2008 Winnipeg Free Press. All rights reserved.
This article appeared in the May 15, 2008 issue of the Winnipeg Free Press.
Mitchell King is pictured with Latter Day Ace at the Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Winnipeg Free Press photo)
Latter Day Ace, the horse that won the Mother’s Day race at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg two years in a row, is pictured with his owners and handlers. This photo was taken May 13, 2007 after the first Mother’s Day win. Left to right are Minnewaukan natives Mitchell and Dustin King, owners; trainer Darlene Wedge; jockey Rohan Singh; and trainer Carren Wedge. The extraordinary horse has run 101 races with 19 wins, 19 seconds and 19 thirds. His winnings top $214,000.
Spring brings new life
A mother robin looks over her chicks, who stretch their hungry little beaks to her, begging for food. (Photo by Trish McQuoid, Minnewaukan)
Students visit zoo
Leeds Elementary School students enjoyed a trip to the Minot Zoo on one of the last days of school this year. Left to right, are the first graders, front row, Nathan Elverud, Hailey Gunderson, Keaton Nelsen, Callie Lawrence, Evan Follman and Luke Pepple. Back row: Caitlyn Blazer, Ashley Thayne, Declan Ritterman, Kimberly Nelsen, Kurtis Nelsen (visitor), Camee Wangler and Reganne Ritterman.
Study of new process will affect semiconductors
The following article concerns Andrew J. Wagner, son of Dr. James S. Wagner of Fargo. Grandparents are Gerald and Audrey (Newcomb) Wagner of Roseville, Minn., formerly of Maddock. The Wagners attended the graduation ceremony at the Rochester (NY) Institute of Technology May 22, during which Andrew received a microelectronic degree with honors.
BY WILL DUBE
R.I.T. News & Events
In a lab in the James E. Gleason Building, Andrew Wagner, a senior microelectronic engineering major, is conducting an experiment that could come right out of Star Wars. Wagner throws a switch on his testing device and a beam that looks eerily like a light saber can be seen through a small window as it is applied to a silicon chip.
The process, known as atmospheric plasma application, utilizes low temperature beams of plasma, the ionized gas state of an element, in applying different materials to silicon chips for use in microprocessor production, energy applications and nanofabrication. The technique is more efficient than other types of materials processing and could have a major impact on the development of the semiconductor industry, new-energy development and nanoelectronics.
"Low-temperature plasma application is currently used in a number of areas within microelectronics, but this process requires operation in a vacuum, which is very expensive to set up and maintain," notes Wagner. "By enhancing the use of atmospheric plasma, we hope to reduce the cost and enhance the uses for this technology."
To conduct the experiment a gas is "excited" using electromagnetic fields, creating a reaction that is similar to what occurs when lightning forms. Researchers then vary the energy, geometry and elements of the plasma beam to produce different properties in the material.
Davide Mariotti, visiting assistant professor of microelectronic engineering, who is conducting the research with Wagner, notes that the project is not only adding to the overall understanding of the technique, but also providing an excellent training and education vehicle for RIT students.
"We strive to provide hands-on, real-world training and access to cutting-edge technologies that allow our students to be engaged in leading research activities," Mariotti adds.
Mariotti and Wagner hope to soon publish their findings and will submit their work for presentation at several national science and engineering conferences. Mariotti also plans to utilize the technique developed in the project in additional research involving the growth of carbon nanotubes. The project is being funded by Applied Materials Inc.
This article appeared in the May 22 issue of Rochester Institute of Technology News & Events.
Andrew J. Wagner with his plasma machine.
Young woman with area roots to study in China
The following article concerns Sarah Anderson, a senior at Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is the daughter of Dean and Robyn Anderson of Cedar Falls. She is the granddaughter of Warren and Lucille Anderson of Devils Lake and Donna Sogge of Cedar Falls, formerly of Leeds, and the late Roy Sogge.
BY ARLENE FRUDENBERG
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
Norman Borlaug is a farm boy from Cresco, IA who became a world renowned scientist and received the Nobel Peace Prize. He sparked what is today known as the "Green Revolution" and has been credited with saving more lives than any other person who has ever lived. He describes the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship program as his "single greatest legacy."
Senior Sarah Anderson of Cedar Falls is leaving for an internship to do agricultural research with Borlaug-Ruan in Beijing, China as a part of the World Food Prize Foundation. Anderson will leave June 6 and will not be returning until August 4. She will conduct her research in the Laboratory for Functional Genomics and Bioinfor-matics at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) Graduate School. Anderson first heard about the World Food Prize Foundation from science teacher Jeff Hartman. She quickly found there was a lot of work with becoming an intern for the organization.
"To qualify for this internship, I had to participate in the World Food Prize Youth Institute October 18-20. For the Institute, I had to write a paper discussing the global challenges of biofuels in a country or region of my choice. In my paper, I proposed that the African country of Mali turn to Jatropha seeds as a source of biofuel so that the production of fuel would not interfere with the already limited food supply. At the symposium, I presented my paper in front of top researchers in agriculture including Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug. On the last day of the symposium, we listened to former interns describe their summers and received applications if we were interested. I had to fill out the application, which included an essay, letters of recommendations and a transcript. Next, the top applicants were interviewed, and the interns were selected from there," Anderson said. Anderson is excited about her trip and has been ever since she heard about her good news.
"I have already had one vaccine, and I will need at least one more before I leave. The whole time I’m gone, I will take pills to prevent malaria. I filed for a visa to China and received that already, so I can officially go there now. I have read lots of literature about China and Beijing, and I’ve read all the papers written by the past interns at CAAS at www.worldfoodprize.org. I have attempted to learn Mandarin, but I haven’t had much success thus far," Anderson said.
Anderson plans to study genetics at Iowa State University in the fall, and the projects for her internship will help her because they are related to genetics.
"The neat thing about this internship is that I will not only be able to see the problems with agriculture in China, but I will also be able to do something to change things. Most other study abroad opportunities do not provide this kind of opportunity to work with graduate students and do actual research," Anderson said.
Sarah Anderson is pictured in a forest scene. She will travel to China to study agricultural genetics. She has roots in the Leeds community and lives with her parents in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Volleyball camp
Kids Volleyball Camp was held at the Maddock School May 27-28 for girls entering grades 3-7. Athletes attending the camp came from Leeds, Harvey and Maddock. Coaches were JoLynn Fautsch and Bridget Lunde. Bobcats volleyball players also helping with the camp were Mackenzie Bullinger and Ashley Foss. Due to the increasing attendance at the camp each year, it has had to be split into two sessions to allow for more one-on-one assistance and court time. Members of Camp 1 were, left to right, front row, Becca Johnson, Claire Keller, Keringten Lee, Savanna Anderson, Karlie Dockter and Lindsey English.
Middle row: Mackenzie Bullinger, Brianna Johnson, Faith Dosch, LinElla Pistol, Emily Sears, Riley Daeley, Rylee Heil and Ashley Foss. Back row: Coach Lunde, Hannah Pierson, Kari Wolfe, Courtney Lauinger, Taylor Foss, Christyn Knudtson, Kristi Medalen and Coach Fautsch.
The camp focused on basic volleyball skills, volleyball vocabulary, drills, games, teamwork and sportsmanship. Members of Camp 2 are pictured, left to right, front row, Kenadi Lee, Alyssa Armentrout, Kaylee Tollerud, Shelby Jorgenson, Renae Lauinger and Kali Weinmann. Middle row: Mackenzie Bullinger, Katelyn Greene, Mylie Herman, Ashley Risovi, Megan Olson, Santana Schneider and Ashley Foss. Back row: Coach Lunde, Alexis Gigstad, Hailey Kallenbach, Jaime Buckmier, Maria Sears, Kaylin Corrington and Coach Fautsch.
Activities for young and old at the Minnewaukan Library
On Thursday, May 29 registration began for the Minnewaukan Summer Reading Program. An ice cream social was held at 6:30 p.m. Sixteen children and 13 adults attended. The theme of the summer is "Catch the Reading Bug."
Registration for the summer reading program continues through June 7 at the Minnewaukan Library.
Between rain showers the children used sidewalk chalk to draw pictures of bugs, write their names and decorate the sidewalk with other designs.
Story times will be presented on Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the library. The programs are free of charge and open to all ages.
Story time themes are June 4, ladybugs; June 11, honeybees; June 18, spiders; June 25, fireflies; July 2, no story time; July 9, butterflies and July 16, awards and wrap-up party.
During summer, when children complete a book, they can come to the library and get a bug sticker to add to their "Bug Jar." If children can’t attend story time, there will be activity sheets available in the library each week.
Adults are encouraged to fill out a Summer Reading Book Review when they complete a book. These will be posted in the library so others may get ideas on what to read next.
Adults may also sign up to participate in a book discussion group beginning in September. The books, titles from the North Dakota Reads program, have a common theme: Life on the Plains. Three books will be read and discussed during fall. Anyone interested should sign up by the end of July so an appropriate number of books can be ordered.
Minnewaukan librarian Cathy Burkhardsmeier is pictured behind her desk during the ice cream social at the library.
Children examine some of the books in the library. Left to right are Evan Thompson, Brett O’Connell, Emma Thompson and Eric Thompson.
Children write on the sidewalk with chalk in front of the library.
Showers caused the artistic endeavors to be intermittent. Left to right are Emma Thompson, Evan Thompson, Sydney Every and Parker Sagsveen.
Children enjoy their ice cream sundaes. In the front is Reese Brown.
Wildcats girls tie for 3rd at state despite wind, rain, lightening and sirens
Looks like Mother Nature tried her best to give the state track athletes a rest Saturday, but forgot to turn off the rain. Between weather sirens and lightening strikes, the 2008 ND State Track & Field Meet was delayed three times with evacuations out of the Community Bowl in Bismarck.
North Dakota athletes and fans are a hardy bunch, though, and are used to weather variations.
At the end of the day, the Benson County Wildcats girls’ track team tied with Griggs County Central for third place with 50 points each. The girls’ added 21 points to their Friday total (and lead) of 29, but Bowman County compiled a whopping 54 points Saturday to blow by Benson County, Griggs County Central and Rugby and take home the state team title.
The seven-member Wildcats girls’ team, comprised of seniors Lindsay Anderson, Jordan Callahan, Jessie Schwanke and Katrece Thompson, sophomores Erin Leier and Sharisa Yri and seventh grader Sara Schwanke, competed in eight events. Their stats are as follows:
Friday, May 23
1600 meter run: Lindsay Anderson 5:12.39, 1st; Sara Schwanke 5:53.56, 14th.
100 meter high hurdles prelim: Jessie Schwanke 17.40, 15th.
300 meter low hurdles prelim: Jessie Schwanke 51.0, 16th.
4×800 meter relay: BC (Sara Schwanke, Erin Leier, Katrece Thompson, Lindsay Anderson) 10:01.82, 1st.
High jump: Jordan Callahan 5’1", 5th.
Long jump: Sharisa Yri 17’8", 4th; Jessie Schwanke 15’4.75", 22nd.
Saturday, May 24
800 meter run: Lindsay Anderson 2:19.36, 1st.
3200 meter run: Lindsay Anderson 11:05.90, 1st; Katrece Thompson 12:21.49, 12th; Sara Schwanke 12:22.25, 13th.
Triple jump: Sharisa Yri 34’10.75", 8th; Jordan Callahan 32’8", 17th; Erin Leier 31’11", 19th.
The boys’ team also consisted of seven student athletes. Seniors Andy Bergrud, Colton Bullinger and Paul Rice, juniors Daniel Luhman, Beau Buehler and Andy Backstrom, sophomore Derek Engh and freshman JD Schmid.
Even though things were rough at state, the boys had a good season and have many up and coming athletes.
Andy Bergrud scored the only points for the boys placing seventh in the long jump on Friday with a distance of 20’6" and eighth in triple jump on Saturday with a distance of 41’5".
Colton Bullinger was the 17th place winner in the 1600 meter run Friday, finishing in 5:24.82. Saturday he was 20th in the 3200 meter run with a time of 11:16.62, followed by teammate Andy Backstrom who had a time of 11:28.85 and a 21st place finish.
Colton and Andy were also members of the 4×800 meter relay team that finished 14th overall. Team members Derek Engh and Beau Buehler joined in the 9:11.22 finish.
Paul Rice qualified for state in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles. He came in 18th in the preliminaries at a time of 51.53.
Members of the boys’ 4×100 meter relay team were JD Schmid, Paul Rice, Daniel Luhman and Andy Bergrud. A nasty spill by Paul in the preliminaries on Friday disqualified them from the finals held Saturday.
Watch for more state track meet pictures and the Benson County Wildcats season best efforts in next week’s issue.
Wildcats girls 3rd at state
Though they were unable to defend their 2007 title, the girls held tough and tied with Griggs County Central for 3rd place at the 2008 ND State Class B Track Meet held May 23 and 24 at the Community Bowl in Bismarck. Pictured with their 3rd place plaque are, left to right, Katrece Thompson of Minnewaukan, Jessie Schwanke and Sharisa Yri of Maddock, Jordan Callahan of Minnewaukan, Lindsay Anderson of Leeds and Sara Schwanke and Erin Leier of Maddock.
Awarded top honor
Each delay on Saturday affected performances, but very possibly gave Lindsay Anderson more time to mentally prepare for the one event she had to work harder to win. "There were so many fast girls in that event," she said. "I tried to get out fast and keep up that pace."
A little under three seconds was the gap between Lindsay and the second place finisher, Jessica Shanilec of Midway-Minto, in the 800 meter run.
The 2008 Leeds High School graduate completes her Class B career with 11 individual state titles and three relay state titles. She also holds the state record in the 1600 meter run with a time of 4:56.96 set in 2005.
All those accomplishments did not go unnoticed. Lindsay was named the 2008 Class B Girls’ Senior Athlete of the Year, a nice compliment for a deserving young woman.
A representative of the North Dakota National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association presents Katrece Thompson of Minnewaukan with a plaque honoring her as a winner of the 2008 student athlete essay scholarship they sponsor.
The girls’ 4×800 meter relay team relaxes and enjoys the moment on the winners stand. Their first place finish added 10 points to the team total. Members are, on the top from the right, Katrece Thompson and Lindsay Anderson. On the bottom from the right are Sara Schwanke and Erin Leier.
Andy Bergrud leapt into the long jump pit and recorded a jump distance of 20’6"on Friday. Here he accepts the award for his seventh place finish.
Jordan Callahan launched herself into the air and sailed over the high jump bar set at 5’1" earning her a fifth place finish at the state track meet Friday. She is shown on the winners stand.
