Download - LIFE - Yankton Press & Dakotan

Transcript
Page 1: LIFE - Yankton Press & Dakotan

dating in September, and theylearned about their mutual love offootball. They enjoy spendingSundays with friends, relaxing andwatching football.

Having both of their teams reachthe Super Bowl has made this sea-son more special. And they haveattracted attention during the pasttwo weeks by wearing their differingteams’ jackets and sweatshirts whilein public.

Last Saturday, they received reac-tions from passersby during break-fast at a Yankton restaurant. Theattention ratcheted up later in theday when they went to a Sioux Fallsmall and restaurant. The couplewere approached by strangers wher-ever they went. Most of themencouraged her as a Packers fan,while others gave him a hard time asa Steelers fan.

“There were three little old ladiesthat just stared at him,” Snyder saidwith a laugh.

Despite such grief, Mehlhaff saidhe’s proud to be part of SteelerNation and believes his team hasmany more area fans than peoplerealize.

Mehlhaff, a Scotland native, grewup enjoying pro football. His fatherwas a Steelers fan in the 1970s, butMehlhaff didn’t start following theteam until the 1990s. He likes theblue-collar work ethic of theSteelers.

“I watched them because I likedtheir style. They were a pretty goodteam for several years,” he said.“They are family owned and havebeen owned by the same family foryears. They also keep their headcoaches.”

Snyder, who grew up inWashington State, took a differentroute to her Packer loyalty. Ratherthan cheer for the Seattle Seahawks,she became a fan of the SanFrancisco 49ers and quarterback JoeMontana. When Montana left the49ers, she was about 11 years oldand became a fan of Green Bay andthen-Packer quarterback Brett Favre.

She still likes Favre, even thoughhe has since played for the rivalMinnesota Vikings. “I wish him well— except when he plays against thePackers,” she said.

Ironically, Snyder hasn’t visitedLambeau Field in Green Bay, butMehlhaff stopped at the stadiumduring a motorcycle trip withfriends.

Both Snyder and Mehlhaff feelfortunate that their teams made theSuper Bowl, particularly after win-ning tough playoff games.

“I knew his team was going to theSuper Bowl, but my team barelymade it,” Snyder said. “Halfwaythrough the season, I didn’t think wewould make it to the Super Bowl. Wehad to fight just to make it into thewild card game.”

Mehlhaff said he didn’t share hisgirlfriend’s total confidence in theSteelers.

“I thought there was a chance wemight be going to the Super Bowl,but I hadn’t gotten my hopes toohigh,” he said. “The Patriots andRavens are two teams that alwaysplay hard. If there’s someone who’sgoing to beat the Steelers, it’s them.”

The Steelers’ key to a Super Bowlwin lies in whether the offensive linecan provide adequate time for quar-terback Ben Roethlisberger, Mehlhaffsaid.

Both Snyder and Mehlhaff thinkthe two-week preparation for theSuper Bowl will benefit both teams.The Packers have played on theroad for the entire playoffs, whilethe Steelers have been banged up allyear, they said.

Mehlhaff and Snyder firmlybelieve Sunday’s game will be one ofthe highest-watched Super Bowls inhistory. The Packers and Steelersare fan-favorite teams who don’tmeet often, they said.

Backing up their prediction of ahuge television audience, the couplepoint to the heavy demand for theteams’ memorabilia and Super Bowlitems.

“The stores have been justpacked with fans all over the place,”Snyder said. “It’s really hard to findthings for the game.”

Snyder said she won’t wear aCheese Head or paint her face forSunday’s game, but she might weara Packers cap. Mehlhaff will likelydon his Steelers garb.

The couple have agreed that theloser will buy a championship sweat-shirt for the winner.

“We have already bought thingsfor each other, for birthdays andChristmas,” Snyder said. “But havingto buy the (Super Bowl) sweatshirtfor the other person will be a toughpill (to swallow).”

For Mehlhaff and Snyder, allthat’s left is kicking back and watch-ing the Super Bowl with somerefreshments. But just in caseSunday’s contest gets out of hand,the couple have their own gameplan.

“We have talked about havingone television upstairs and one tele-vision downstairs, in case the gamegets bad. Then we can watch it ondifferent levels (of the house),”Snyder said with a laugh.

Yankton Youth SoccerAssociation for its Lewis andClark Complex of fields and theHaas Building.

Neither bill has yet been con-sidered by the House Committeeon State Affairs, which includesDistrict 18 Reps. Bernie Hunhoffand Nick Moser. However, bothsaid they are inclined to supportgiving the governor discretion tosell the Human Services Centerproperty.

“While we've benefited inYankton from the soccer park, itmay be hard for us to justify whywe should continue to enjoy thefree space at state expense,”Hunhoff said.

Moser admitted he has a softspot for the soccer complex.

“I played there. I coachedthere. I have often been a specta-tor there,” he said. “However, Icannot allow that emotional tieto cloud my judgment of what isbest. This is not just a Yanktonissue; it is a fundamental princi-ple that land is usually better offbeing used for economic devel-

opment, especially in the casethat it is not being used for avital governmental function.Yankton needs to grow, and thatproperty is in a great location foreconomic development. I hopewe can find a way for the soccercomplex to be purchased andremain where it is. That will be adecision that will ultimately bemade locally.”

Jim Seward, Daugaard’s legalcounsel, told the Press &Dakotan that if granted permis-sion by the Legislature, the gov-ernor would like to move aheadwith selling the property thisyear. It would be sold in accor-dance with South Dakota law bythe Commissioner of School andPublic Lands, which would meanthe property would be appraisedand sold at a public auction. Nosale would be allowed below theappraisal price, Sewardexplained.

“The governor believes that,if we have unused resources, itis best to put them to use for theentire state population,” he said.“We have land in the state that isnot being actively used by thestate and, if we can sell the landand put the money to work forthe state, he believes that makesbetter use of our resources.”

Yankton City Manager Doug

Russell said the municipality iskeeping an eye on the legislationbut feels it is too early to take ahard position on it.

“Just because there is a billenabling the appraisal and thegovernor to sell the land, it does-n’t mean there aren’t going to befurther discussions or communi-ty interests taken into account,”he said.

Yankton Youth SoccerAssociation President Deb Lilliesaid her organization is still try-ing to gather the facts regardingthe legislation.

“We haven’t been contacteddirectly and told it would involvethe land that is currently devel-

oped as soccer fields,” she said.The organization has four reg-

ulation-size fields, two smallerfields and a third field that is uti-lized during tournaments on theproperty described in the bill.Six of them have irrigation, andone of them has lights.

If the land was sold to anoth-er entity and could no longer beused by the soccer association,Lillie said she does not knowhow the organization wouldcope with the blow.

“It takes years to develop soc-cer fields,” she said. “They’re notsomething you can just put upovernight. I don’t know wherewe would re-locate to.”

BY KEITH A. BROCKBERGP&D Correspondent

The Yankton Baseball Association’s firstfundraiser in five years is shaping up to be agala event.

In 2005, 300 attendees helped defray thecost of the vast improvements to theRiverside Field grandstand and pressbox.This year’s event, slated for 7 p.m. tonight atMinerva’s, will direct funds to the installationof field turf at Riverside.

Not only will three initial members beinducted into the YBA Hall of Fame, butthere will also be a silent auction and the fea-turing of former Major League catcher EdHearn, who will tell his inspiring story aboutthe game of life.

Romain “Red” Loecker, Daryl Bernard andBob “Spud” Grosshuesch are the first mem-bers of the YBA Hall of Fame to be inducted.

Loecker is already a member of the SouthDakota Sports Hall of Fame and is recognizedas one of the best amateur players in thestate’s history.

His long and still-continuing career beganover 50 years ago, with his first big splashcoming as a 14 year-old playing for a Yanktonteener team that finished fourth in a Nationaltournament.

“To me, it’s special and a privilege and anhonor being part of the first class,” saidLoecker of the induction.

Loecker, a shortstop and a pitcher, wasthe MVP of the 1969 South Dakota StateAmateur Tournament and was a 3-time bat-ting champion of the tourney.

One of Loecker’s fondest tournamentmemories happened in a mid-70’s tourna-ment.

“I was pitching and beat one of the bestpitchers in the state, Doug Stanford, 3-1,”said Loecker. “I even hit a home run in thegame.”

As part of the South Dakota Pheasantssenior baseball team, Loecker still competesnationally on the diamond — 15 years afterbeing named the MVP of Senior World Serieschampionship game while playing for theover-50 South Dakota Rushmores team.

Last year, the Pheasants competed in theRoy Hobbs World Series in Florida.

“I’ve been playing baseball for 50 years onand off,” said Loecker. “It got in my blood ata young age and I’ve been fortunate to con-tinue doing it.

“I’ve made more friends playing baseball,it’s been unbelievable,” added Loecker.

Grosshuesch, a lanky, left-handed pitcher,created the stuff of folklore when he was onthe mound.

“I never got a chance to see Spud playbecause he was older than I was, but hisname is always popping up as one of thegreatest players in South Dakota history,”said Loecker of his Hall classmate.

One year, Grosshuesch averaged a tall-taleish 19 strikeouts a game.

“I asked him once if that was true, and hesaid ‘aw shucks, that was just for one sea-son,’” said Grosshuesch’s son-in-law SteveMurray. “He was quite a pitcher, but he was amuch better person, very humble like that.”

Another Grosshuesch legend was that hethrew so hard, he would end up needing twoor three catchers throughout a gamebecause their hands would end up hurting.

The greatest Grosshuesch story is the onein which he struck out 62 batters in onegame.

Grosshuesch made the feat possible whileplaying for a Bonesteel team in the early1950s and pitching to a 1-1 tie one Saturdayagainst Platte. The game was played out tothe tune of 15 more innings the followingSaturday to a 5-4 Bonesteel win. When thebook was tallied, Grosshuesch pitched 28innings for the win and the 62 strikeoutswere counted.

Grosshuesch was drafted by the St. LouisCardinals, but during the tryout, he threw sohard that day that he felt like he was neverable to throw the same again.

Now suffering from Alzheimer’s,Grosshuesch will be represented tonight byhis family.

“He was the kindest, neatest man in theworld and everybody loved him,” saidMurray. “He had more common sense thananybody I’ve ever met.”

Bernard’s election is based on his serviceover the years to the game of baseball inYankton. Bernard has been involved withYankton teener baseball through the VFW for45 years.

“I’ve known him for over forty years, andit always seemed like he was raising money,organizing, or taking tickets at the park,” saidLoecker of Bernard. “It seemed like he wasdoing something every year to help out.

“He still helps out anytime he can; doingthings at 80 and still getting up and outthere,” added Loecker.

“I felt honored; it’s quite an award,” saidBernard of the induction. “I didn’t expect itat all; it’s the first award I’ve gotten for it.”

The evening will then be turned toHearn’s story.

Hearn played 46 games for the 1986 WorldSeries Champion New York Mets, hitting four

homers and driving in 10 runs.Hearn combined to play 13 games for the

Kansas City Royals in 1987 and 1989 after ashoulder injury derailed his promising base-ball career.

The catcher, however, found life to be high-er-stakes game after his playing days weredone.

Hearn has battled through three life-savingkidney transplants, has beaten a bout withcancer successfully and endured a regimen inwhich he had to take 50 pills a day and a cost-ly monthly IV treatment.

Since, Hearn has become a highly soughtafter motivational speaker, and in 2001,received the Certified Speaking Professiondesignation, from the National SpeakersAssociation, the only professional athlete everhonored so.

While in the area, Hearn will face three dif-ferent audiences. He spoke to a group of col-lege students at the University of SouthDakota Thursday night and will speak for theVermillion School District Friday.

“My life is my life, and that’s the premise ofevery speech I give, but with three differentaudiences, each could be very different,” saidHearn. “I will be drawing out certain nuggetsor principles that I think are important foreach audience.”

Hearn began public speaking after he wasasked by a Kansas City Chiefs player to speakat a Rotary Club event.

“I had done a lot of talking in front ofgroups — mostly in front of kids when I was aplayer,” said Hearn. “I believe I was meant todo this; my biggest purpose in life beside myfamily and my faith is to guide the peoplearound me through their journey.

“I need to feel all that I went through hap-pened for a purpose,” added Hearn. “I will feelthat it all didn’t happen for naught and that ithappened to be something more significant.”

Not only does Hearn attempt to inspire hisaudiences, he also wants to entertain as well.Will entertainment include stories of the ‘86Mets, noted as one of the most colorful teamsin baseball history?

“That’s a possibility Friday night; thatdepends on what I sense from the audienceand what I feel is appropriate; I may get asense of what the audience will be like duringthe social hour.”

Kids are also invited by Hearn to attend.“Friday night, I would encourage folks to

bring their kids and make it a good familyevening,” said Hearn. “I feel like I’m a goodpositive role model and I will be available forpictures.”

A social hour at 5:30 p.m. will open thenight. Following will be the Hall of Fameinductees and Hearn. A live auction featuringlimited items will conclude the event.

www.yankton.net PAGE 5AYankton Daily Press & Dakotan ■ LIFE ■ Saturday, February 5, 2011

Neurologists can help treat a variety of different conditions,

ranging from minor aches and pains to serious illness.

Neurologists often deal with patients suffering from:

• headaches • facial pain

• head injury • stroke or tumors

• Parkinson’s Disease • epilepsy

• Multiple Sclerosis and • Carpal Tunnelother muscle diseases Syndrome

• tremors • dementia

• neuropathy • neck and back pain

If you have chronic pain, or concerns about yourmuscles, nerves, or spine that need to be addressedby a specialist, call 605-665-1082 for an appointmentwith Board Eligible Neurologist, Dr. Raval today.

See aNeurologist?

So Much Care, So Close to Home.®

1104 West 8th Street • Yankton, SD 57078605-665-1082 • www.yanktonmedicalclinic.com

Why

VFW Post 79 1209 Cedar, Yankton • 665-3562

Children 4-10 $3.00 • Under 3 free

$6.00 All You Can Eat

Pancake Breakfass t

Sunday, Feb. 6th • 8- 12:30

Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, or Biscuits & Gravy

Ron & Linda Zimmerman of Yankton, SD, will celebrate

their 45th wedding anniversary on Friday, Feb. 11th.

Cards may be sent to: 502 Linn St., Yankton SD 57078.

45th Wedding

Anniversary

Love from your 7 children: Sandra & Craig Jaton, Irene, SD; Kris & Gary Huchtmeier, Debora & David Schmidt, Traci & Shannon Drobny, and

Ron & Sara Zimmerman, all of Yankton, SD; Julie & Todd Gunderson, Robyn & Jeremy Ball, all of Brookings, SD;

and 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren

Harry LaneElectrical

Contractor

•Commercial •Residential •Farm Wiring•Prompt Service •Quality Work •Competitive Prices

New Construction or RemodelingHome: 665-6612 Mobile: 661-1040

Up to 300 sq. ft.Not good with any other offer.

Must present coupon. Expires 3/15/11

665-57001-800-529-2450

Room2Carpet Cleaning

Special$7595

Travis WishonIICRC Certified

Technician

Please sort your

recyclables.Questions about sorting?

Call 668-5211

Y.B.A. Opens Hall Of Fame With A BangEDITOR’S NOTE: This is a reprint of an article

that ran in Friday’s Press and Dakotan. We apolo-gize that the conclusion of the story was omitted.

SALEFrom Page 1A

BOWLFrom Page 1A

BY TOM AND RAY MAGLIOZZI

Dear Tom and Ray:My 17-year-old niece is inter-

ested in a 2007 Toyota Matrix,but it does not have antilockbrakes (ABS). She may be head-ing to college in a place where itsnows. Is it critical to have ABSbrakes? Should this be a deal-breaker on the purchase of thiscar? -- Carol Lee

TOM: I think so. I’d scratch itoff the list.

RAY: When you’re dealingwith a young driver, you want togive him or her every possiblesafety advantage, because weknow what young people tend todo with cars, right? Drive themtoo fast, get distracted, make mis-takes due to inexperience andcrash into things.

TOM: The purpose of ABS isto allow the driver to keep steer-ing the car during an emergencystop. Without ABS, often thewheels lock up, the car skids andturns sideways and the driverloses control. With ABS, evenwhile slamming on the brakes,you still can steer, so you have achance to direct the car awayfrom an oncoming cliff or LaysPotato Chips van.

RAY: And that’s an option youwant your niece to have, right?

TOM: These days, only thecheapest cars, or the cheapestversions of cars, come withoutABS. And you guys found one.Congratulations! Now keep look-ing.

What’s the best way to warmup your engine in the morning?Find out by ordering Tom andRay’s pamphlet “Ten Ways YouMay Be Ruining Your Car WithoutEven Knowing It!” Send $4.75(check or money order) to Ruin,P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475.

Got a question about cars?Write to Click and Clack in careof this newspaper, or e-mailthem by visiting the Car TalkWeb site at www.cartalk.com.

© 2011, King Features Syndicate, Inc.

CCLLIICCKK && CCLLAACCKK

ABS A Must ForYounger Drivers