It’s nice to see something normal

As I walked around the grounds of Dorchester Days over the weekend I could not help but think what a stark contrast it was to the subdued event last year. A year ago the country was in the grips of the coronavirus, and Dorchester Days was one of the few festivals that chose to go on, albeit in more reserved sort of way.

Gone were the rides and the games and the smells of funnel cake and burgers and cheese curds cooking. The crowds were also gone, save for the diehard fans and yours truly, who was sent out to cover the few tractor pulls and the cornhole tournament.

Jump ahead to one year later and 2020 feels like a bad fever dream. If you look inside these pages you’ll see the sights of children on rides, kids grabbing candy during the Sunday parade and people enjoying food. Above all else, you’ll see just that, crowds of people having fun.

I’ve missed that in the last twelve months, and as more and more Wisconsinites get the COVID- 19 vaccines, the cases continue to fall. As of Tuesday, roughly 50 percent of the state has received at least one jab in the arm.

I myself bit the bullet and got the vaccine about a month or two ago. I am happy to report that I have not grown a tail, nor have I developed super powers, although I was banking on the hope of developing the ability to control dairy and all its by-products.

Don’t worry, I would have used my powers for good. I promise.

It’s not just festivals that are making a comeback, but state tournaments and sports and concerts are being held again. I covered concerts at Abbotsford and Colby last month, and now later this week I will be back in La Crosse to cover the state track and field events.

You can read which athletes made it on through to La Crosse in my sports section. I am happy to tell you right here that Colby senior Chase Oehmichen crushed his personal records in the 800-meters and one mile and is seeded in the top five for both of those races. The top six take the podium.

There’s a lot of pressure on Chase and those Colby and Abbotsford athletes that are headed to state. They have their own hopes resting on their shoulders, but also the hopes of the schools and communities they represent. My advice is simple - live in the moment, soak it all in, and just know that everyone is proud of you no matter what happens this weekend.

Just getting to state is a momentous achievement, and I am glad that this year’s student-athletes will have the chance to compete for state titles. Bit by bit, much like the leaves unfurling from their branches, things are getting back to normal. I pray it stays this way, and take nothing for granted. And while I might be a journalist, you can bet on the inside I’ll be cheering for my Colby and Abbotsford kids.

I’m sure I won’t be alone in this, and that’s a great feeling, isn’t it?

M USINGS AND G RUMBLINGS

ROSS PATTERMANN REPORTER