With the Honorable
Mayor Joel Albrecht conducting the festivities, the 35th Annual
State Mixed Championships started its 7 week competition on April 5, 2008
at Concordia Lanes in New Ulm.
A proclamation decreeing the City of New Ulm and its citizens shall extend
a warm welcome to all the participants and visitors of the event was
presented to Sharon Lang, Tournament Director, by Mayor Albrecht.
Following this official business, a little FUN was had by those in
attendance. Normally, on the Opening Shift “Joe” and “Ethel”
bowlers are selected to compete in a special competition and roll out the
“first” bowling balls to kick off the event.
BUT NOT IN NEW ULM.
With the great German
Heritage of the City, HERMAN and THUSNELDA were selected instead.
“Herman” being the great leader who saved Germany from being over
taken by the Roman Empire back in the Medieval period, is an honored
figure in all German Heritage Communities. “Thusnelda”, supposedly
Herman’s girl friend, has been added to the tradition to further extend
any festivities.
Harvey
Chouanard from Wayzata was selected as “Herman”. Harvey has bowled for 30+
years and has competed in the Mixed Championships for 7 years.
Janice
Erickson from Good Thunder was selected as “Thusnelda”. Janice has bowled for
38 years in league competition. This was Janice’s FIRST year in the
State Mixed Championships. What an inauguration!
Besides being honored as rolling the first ball of the event, they were
given a little challenge. The person knocking down the most pins would
receive a 6 pack of Schells beer – a prize not offered by many other
competitions. The person having the lower pin fall would receive a bottle
of champagne. Again showing the value of that Schells beer!
Janice was only able to knock down 7 pins.
The “prize” was there for the taking for Harvey. BUT he had a little
difficulty as well, by rolling a big split with a 7 pin count also.
A TIE – Both “Herman” and “Thusnelda” received duplicate prizes.
They were also presented with a “Herman” or “Thusnelda” bobble
head doll complements of the City of New Ulm.
To conclude the Opening Festivities, the 5
– 7 – 10 split was set up on each lane, and the “Your Choice” game
was played.
Each team would select A player (Your Choice) to attempt to pick up any
two of the 3 pins (Your Choice)
Two teams were successful – each receiving a Bowlers Basket
appetizer.
Thanks to all involved with the festivities.