<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0tpDjD_0vk7rLcK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0tpDjD_0vk7rLcK00" width="1000" height="694" ></figure>As a teacher, I always had mixed feelings about homecoming week. I liked it in some ways, but did not in others. As I had no control over whether we had homecoming or not, I made the best of it and slid the misgivings to the back of my brain for storage.Thankfully, my brain had plenty of empty space perfect for storage. Well, storage of everything except knowledge.My big complaint about homecoming was the timing. Just when I would have my students whipped into shape — well not whipped; maybe molded — it was time for homecoming.Every school year, the first two, three weeks were used to get my classes into shape. One piece of advice I was given at the onset of my career was to never smile during the first three weeks of school.I was to show them who was boss first, and then I could show them I was not a monster, but somewhat of a human. Three weeks is a long time not to smile. Even for a guy who does not smile a whole lot.Why three weeks? Three weeks of a certain behavior becomes a habit. No, it was not to make me not smile, even though I am not too much of one, but for the kids to behave the way I wanted them to. I wanted them to know just who was in charge. And our classroom routine.And so, just as I would have the kids’ classroom habits formed and the routine set, homecoming would step in and throw it all askew. The week after, I would have to start over.Yet, parts of homecoming week were fun. A great diversion from our studies. The pep fests, student contests and the parades were always fun and worth a few broken habits.For the second year in a row, I was able to take part in one of those fun activities, the homecoming parade. I, along with Holly Rademacher, Rachel Kruger, Mike Felber, Mitch Macek, Matt Aden and Roger Pohlman, represented the city of Lakefield in the parade.It was a lot of fun handing out candy to the youngsters. But all was not golden. I have noticed the further along I get toward my golden years, the more huffing and puffing I do just trying to keep up with the pace of the parade. I was glad Police Chief Pohlman was up to date with his CPR training. It was a nice comforting thought between huffs and puffs.Walking the parade was not the only sweet thing I was able to do last week. This past Friday, I attended an Acolyte Mass at St. Joseph’s. The Rite of Acolyte is one of the steps toward priesthood.As one of the four candidates, John Vrchota, was a member of our parish, we were selected to host. Bishop Robert Barron presided over the mass. If meeting and listening to Bishop Barron was not enough, seeing all of the seminarians and other parish priests in attendance surely was.The most moving religious ceremony I have ever been to was the ordination of my cousin, Father Todd Peterson. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the cathedral.It was pain I felt last week when I received my COVID-19 and flu shot. No, even though I have no love for needles, the actual shot was not painful. It was after.After receiving the shots in the morning, I felt fine until after supper. That is when I started feeling both injection sites. That was followed by the shakes and a slight raunchy feeling.Thankfully, as with past vaccinations, it did not last long. Except for the soreness at the scene of the shot. Those hurt throughout the night and well past the next day.The next morning, I felt more aches and kinks — especially in my back — than normal. But that too, thanks to Tylenol Arthritis, went away.So, of the three events, the parade, Acolyte Mass and the shots, two were painless. I can live with that. In the words sang by Meatloaf in a song of the same name, “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad.”Now that fall is here and homecoming is over, the Jackson County Central Middle School students can fall back into their learning routine. Same with the athletes.On Sept. 26, the football team will host Adrian-Ellsworth, while volleyball is away at Worthington. On Oct. 1, the volleyball team will host Worthington, while the football team hosts Fairmont. And on Oct. 3, the football team will be at St. James Area.In recent action, on Sept. 17, the volleyball team played St. James Area, with the eighth-graders winning their sets and the seventh-graders winning three-of-four sets. The girls played well together as a team in their win.On Sept. 19, the eighth-graders won all three while the seventh-graders won two-of-three sets against Blue Earth Area. For the seventh-graders, the two teams were evenly matched, which was reflected by the close scores in each set. There were several good rallies during the afternoon.And now, as I have the onset of fall to enjoy, I close for this week. Until next week, enjoy the fall weather as you fall into your seat to help cheer on our athletes. Go, Huskies!</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Two out of three ain’t bad

As a teacher, I always had mixed feelings about homecoming week. I liked it in some ways, but did not in others. As I had no control over whether we had homecoming or not, I made the best of it and slid the misgivings to the back of my brain for storage.