When the Saints come crawling in (UUN #10-21)
Dear Readers (and Joke Scanners) —
To say last Saturday’s 37-7 win over Gustavus was “the best of times and the worst of times” would be way too hyperbolic, but some of us felt that way after a tough, closer-than-the-score-indicates game. Yes we won and, looking at the lopsided score, it would seem decisively. Our defense was simply superb and is definitely the real thing, comparable with the best in Division III. Our balanced offense ultimately took over the game after a shaky first half. Individuals, particularly seniors Henry Trost and Ravi Alston, turned in some amazing performances yet again…against one of the top teams in the MIAC. That felt like the best of times, at least on Saturday, against Gustavus.
How would you like to tackle junior tight end #83 Alex Larson [6’7”, 245 pounds] when he’s running with a full head of steam? The Gusties secondary found out — oof!— stopping him after this 25-yard reception and run.
Then why are some of us feeling like some things weren’t so great? To start, fifteen penalties (thirteen of which were accepted) stymied us on both sides of the ball. We have no immediate answer for such poor self- and team discipline, un-Johnnie-like play and lack of concentration repeatedly shown last Saturday. Next, the Gusties’ enthusiasm and aggressive play at first seemed to fluster our lads, making us appear much less adept and more tentative than what we are normally, and leading to thoughtless reactions/payback to all the Gustavus’ hustle, after-play shoving, and questionable behavior such as trash talk, late hits and attempts to injure.
And then, of course, there was the loss for the season of first string quarterback Aaron Syverson. The cause was a broken bone (fibula) in his leg, but without a doubt the Gusties were targeting him for injury or, if not that exactly, then intimidation by hard hitting to “get into his head.” They were literally going for his head a number of times, and at least twice they were caught for fifteen yards and more Johnnie first downs. I haven’t witnessed such a blatant display of poor sportsmanship and thuggery since a game where St. Thomas purposely tried to (and did) get our quarterback, Nick Martin ’16, out of a game. During the play where Syverson was hurt, we fans sitting on top of the play at the 40-yard line were aghast at the forearm smash by Gustie freshman linebacker, #21 William Hawkins of New Orleans, delivered to Aaron’s head as he was already stopped and being brought down by two other Gustavus defensemen. It was not flagged. The photo below, from the Gustavus football site, shows Hawkins preparing to hit, not tackle, Syverson with the aforementioned forearm in an earlier play.
Did Gustavus coach Pete Haugen and his coaching staff tell their players to deliberately injure our players? Most likely not, but they did coach them to be aggressive, dominate physically and intimidate through hard play right through the whistles. The players themselves interpret that to win in any way possible through physicality. The Gusties were called for six penalties Saturday. Of the five accepted, four were personal fouls (two roughing the passer, one face mask and one roughing the kicker).
There is a big difference between aggressive play with hard-hitting tackles and trying to physically injure opponents through cheap shots on defenseless players. We hope there is still time for Gustavus freshman #21 William Hawkins to learn the distinction. Sure hope his coaches and teammates know the difference as well.
Haugen, a ’91 Bethel grad (and we know how dirty the Royals can be), seems to be an effective coach and is able to prepare and psyche up his team to play their best ball against top competition, witness GAC’s upset over then-ranked Wartburg, and initially against us Saturday. But without their injured star QB Michael Veldman the Gusties are a distant third behind SJU and Bethel who beat them about the same score as we did. Would things be different with Veldman healthy for both the Bethel and St. John’s games? They would have been closer scores, but it’s doubtful his presence would have affected the final outcomes. (For those interested, here is a feature story on Veldman that appears in the d3football website earlier in the season: https://d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2021/michael-veldman-long-road )
Senior WR #1 Matt Mohr congratulates senior WR #3 Ravi Alston after a nifty catch for a TD soon after second string senior QB #10 Chris Backes entered the game in the third quarter. Ravi had six catches for 98 yards.
Now for some good news: when Aaron went down senior #10 Chris Backes, the always-a-bridesmaid-never-a-bride QB behind, first Jackson Erdmann for three seasons, and so far this season behind sophomore Syverson, took the reins most admirably. Indeed, the Johnnies seemed to jump into overdrive with Chris at the helm. He only threw four passes, three of them caught, but they were all beauties and very productive. Henry Trost ran for three TDs again, with one for 50 yards that sucked the air out of the by-then flagging Gusties. Ravi Alston made some incredibles catches, including one by Backes that brought the Jays to the Gustavus one-yard line.
Senior WR #1 Matt Mohr congratulates senior WR #3 Ravi Alston after a nifty catch for a TD soon after second string senior QB #10 Chris Backes entered the game in the third quarter. Ravi had six catches for 98 yards.
The Gusties entered the game ninth in NCAA Division III in rushing (260.8 ypg.) and 10th in total offense (511.7 ypg.), but were held to 97 yards on the ground and 183 yards overall. GAC committed two turnovers and gained 39 yards against SJU's starting defense in the second half, while the Johnnies' defense posted 10 tackles for loss, six sacks and held Gustavus to 1-for-12 on third down.
Three of SJU's four starting defensive lineman led the Johnnies in tackles Saturday. Senior DL Metoriah Faoliu led the way with eight tackles (seven solo), including two for a loss and a quarterback sack. Seniors linebacker Seth Morem and DL Michael Wozniak posted three tackles for loss each and combined for five sacks. Senior DL Collin Franz collected two tackles, one for a loss, and a quarterback hurry. And we absolutely cannot forget to mention senior linebacker #43 Kyle Kornovich who broke the backs of the Gusties with his athletic one-handed interception and 50-yard scamper for a delightful pick-six to cap off the afternoon’s scoring.
Senior defensive lineman Seth Morem was named the MIAC Football Defensive Player of the Week after his performance at Gustavus. Morem posted five solo tackles, including three for a loss and three sacks. He currently leads the MIAC in both tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (7.5) this fall.
For a recap of the game and to view the box score, please go here: https://gojohnnies.com/news/2021/10/23/football-backes-leads-second-half-surge-in-no-5-sjus-37-7-road-win.aspx
* * * *
A Weighty Gustie Discussion —
Two Gustavus freshmen recruits were talking about being ready for college football. One asked the other, “How much do you weigh, Dan?”
Dan answered, “198 pounds with my glasses on.”
His teammate then asked, “Well, how much do you weigh without your glasses?”
“I don't know,” Dan replied. “I can't see without them.”
* * * *
The Uncasual Fan —
One sentence summary – “A win is a win is a win.” It took a while and an energetic and enthusiastic Gustavus team kept it close the first half before the guys in white (and red trim) decided to get down to business and pulled away in the second half.
Football is a funny and difficult game and maybe that’s why so many people enjoy it. A team has to get mentally and physically prepared to play a game. You also have to install a game plan to move the ball and score as well as stop the other team. Sometimes the other team’s energy or a quick punch in the mouth throws that preparation out of whack for a while. Sometimes you come out a little flat and people are standing around waiting for someone else to make a play. Sometimes you come out a little undisciplined and it takes a while to straighten the ship and sometimes it is a little bit of everything.
The game was closer than the final 37-7 score indicated. When the offense got going, in sync and forced the Gusties to play catch up, they could not do it because our defense played tough again this week.
I typically do not single out individuals because football is truly a team game and the guys who catch all the headlines can not do much without the linemen leading the way, etc, etc — but #10 QB Chris Backes deserves some individual accolades this week. He entered the game in the 3rd quarter to replace #6 Aaron Syverson (ankle injury) and the team focus, energy and fortunes seemed to change almost immediately. He waited his turn until he was needed and, like a lot of great Johnnies before him, came in and did the job that he had prepared for. The game could have gone in a much different direction at that point but great leadership from Chris on the offensive side of the ball and a much more aggressive defensive mentality helped get things going. We hope for a quick recovery for Aaron but many thanks to Chris for being ready when needed and called upon.
My Summary of the game
The Good:
· The Johnnie defense shutting down the Gusties and their opponents for the 4th week in a row.
· The offense eventually settling down and making some plays.
The Bad:
· 15 Penalties by SJU – the officiating team looked like they were trying to audition for a DII or DI gig and thought that throwing a flag on every other play was what people wanted to see.
The Ugly:
· The two Roughing the Passer calls and one unnecessary roughness penalty by the same for player for Gustavus. He personally kept three drives going for SJU when it looked like we may have to punt or turn the ball over on downs.
· An unnecessary roughness penalty by an SJU player on a hit from behind that was also potentially after the whistle. That is not SJU football.
Looking forward we probably are not going to be too challenged the next couple of weeks, but this is where you work on your focus and perfect your bread and butter plays, techniques and schemes. You also get a chance to maybe heal a little and get some experience for 2nd and 3rd team members as well as look at people that may need to be contributors next year.
So maybe this upcoming Saturday I will focus on my tailgating skills and techniques…And remember to keep hydrated. — The Uncasual Fan
* * * *
Top 10 Signs You Smoke Too Much —
10. In the middle of smoking a cigarette, you pause for a "cigarette break."
9. Your birthday is a state holiday in North Carolina.
8. Your title for the Surgeon General: "Captain Bringdown."
7. Cracking your knuckles leaves you winded.
6. Morning schedule: Wake up, cough for three hours, take nap.
5. In your neighborhood, they give directions by saying, ”Go down to the big pile of cigarette butts..."
4. You get mattress fires more often than haircuts.
3. You smoke during sex.
2. You refer to nonsmokers as "pink-lunged sissy boys."
1. You explain to the nurse that you didn't realize you were in a "nonsmoking" iron lung.
* * * *
More Scenes From Stearns County —
Old Aloys Swartzbauer was very sick. Doctors feared the worst. He was at his home in Holdingford one day, resting in his bed. He looked up and said weakly, "Is Dora here?"
His wife replied, "Yes, dear, I'm here, next to you."
Aloys said, "Are my children here?"
"Yes, Daddy, we are all here," replied the children.
"Are my other relatives also here?"
And they each responded "Yes, we are all here..."
Aloys then sat up and said, "Den why in da world is da light on in da kitchen?”
* * * *
SJU 2021 Football Schedule
(All games are played on Saturdays, beginning at 1 pm)
Date Opponent Location
Sep. 4 Aurora Collegeville W 39-33
Sep. 11 Bye
Sep. 18 Martin Luther Collegeville W 55-7
Sep. 25 Bethel Collegeville W 31-25
Oct. 2 Concordia Moorhead, MN W 49-0
Oct. 9 Augsburg Collegeville W 50-0
Oct. 16 St. Olaf* Collegeville W 56-0
Oct. 23 Gustavus* St. Peter, MN W 37-7
Oct. 30 St. Scholastica* Collegeville
Nov. 6 Carleton* Northfield, MN
Nov. 13 MIAC Championship Week TBD
(* With St. John’s, these teams are also part of the MIAC’s new Northwoods Division.)
* * *
MIAC Standings
MIAC All
Northwoods Division
St. John’s 5-0 7-0
Carleton 4-1 6-1
Gustavus 3-2 5-2
St. Olaf 3-2 4-3
St. Scholastica 0-5 0-5
Skyline Division
Bethel 4-1 6-1
Augsburg 4-1 4-3
Hamline 1-4 3-4
Concordia 1-4 2-5
Macalester 0-5 1-6
* * * *
AROUND THE MIAC —
9th Week, Saturday, October 30
Augsburg at Concordia — Auggies win 34-26, and the world continues to turn upside down for the Cobbers.
Gustavus at Carleton —Carleton’s having a pretty good year but the Gusties are too tough…GAC 28-17.
Bethel at St. Olaf — Bethel will roll over the Oles 37-12. Or more.
Hamline at Macalester — The Pipers should take Mac for a satisfying victory, 40-20.
St. Scholastica at St. John’s — Oh, dear…do we even have to play this game? The biggest challenge will be to keep the score under 60. So, how about 59-0.
Other Games of Interest:
St. Thomas (4-2) hosts Marist College (3-3) this Saturday. Marist is a Catholic college of 5,000 undergraduate men and women in Poughkeepsie, NY, about 1,500 fewer students than U$T. This looks to be a really evenly-matched game as evidenced by the results against two common opponents: Marist beat Valparaiso 27-24 in OT, while the Tommies beat them 20-13. And Marist took Stetson 34-3, while U$T won 38-7. This sure would be a better game to watch than St. John’s against St. Scholastica, but at $17 a seat? Nah…I’ll wait for the Sunday paper. But I’m betting on the Tommies to prevail at home.
(Compliments of Conrad Macina, Landing, NJ)
A Tommie linebacker asked his new girlfriend when her birthday was. She said March First. So he walked around the room and asked again.
Who will #1 North Central kill this week? Millikin University of Decatur, IL. The only suspense is whether the Cardinals will score 50, 60 or 70 points this Saturday evening.
Regarding Aurora University — whom we could conceivably face yet again in the playoffs — they host Benedictine University and that could be as close a game as (or even closer than) the Spartans’ 25-7 victory over St. Norbert last Saturday.
Meanwhile, in the WIAC, the best game this weekend pairs #21 Oshkosh against Stout, which pushed #13 La Crosse before losing 44-38 last weekend. I think Stout’s chances for an upset look pretty promising.
Another possible SJU playoff foe could be Linfield; I’m unsure of the quality of their opponents, but they are compiling a most impressive record of high-scoring wins: https://www.d3football.com/teams/Linfield/2021/index
* * * *
Last Week’s Results —
8th Week, Saturday, Oct. 23
Concordia at Carleton — If it’s closer than Cobbers 28-Knights 15, Concordia has some big problems. Actually Carleton eked out a one point 28-27 victory and yes, it’s now official: Concordia has some big problems.
Hamline at Augsburg— The Auggies, when not playing us, seem to score big. I see them over the Pipers 44-27. Actually the Auggies only scored 38 to Hamline’s 30. Kudos to the Pipers for hanging in there.
Macalester at Bethel — Maybe Bethel will show some charity to visiting Mac, but even with that it’s probably 56-13. Actually 63 to 10.
St. Scholastica at St. Olaf — The Oles will roll over the hapless Saints 46-10. Actually 41-14.
St. John’s at Gustavus — Okay, I know our guys want to do it, so let’s say they will: 42-Zip. Actually the zip would have been nice but we’ll take 37-7.
Other Games of Interest:
St. Thomas — Enjoys a bye week.
Aurora plays St. Norbert and should win fairly big, probably closer to last week’s rather than in the 70s. Actually, Aurora only won by 25-7, thus accounting for their lack of votes in d3football.
#1 North Central is running amok amongst their outclassed competition. See this link for the scores of their games thus far; obviously the coach is not showing Gary’s restraint: https://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/football/schedule/2021 Actually Cardinals 55-7 over Illinois Wesleyan Univ.
By the way, #4 Mount Union has shut out their competition three games in a row too: https://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/football/schedule/2021. Actually the Mount 49-14 over Heidelburg.
* * * *
D3Football Top 25 —
The Week 8 standings shows that things are pretty much the same. Nobody dropped out of the Top 25, and there was no significant changes in the Top Ten. St. John’s remained at #5, although they show we were #6 last week…their mistake because we were #5 then as well. Three WIAC teams remain in the Top 25 and Bethel moved up one spot to #14.
Gustavus, who hadn’t received any votes in the past two weeks suddenly reappeared in that category with 21 votes while Aurora dropped to only 5. I’m surmising GAC got their votes for putting up a good battle with SJU for the first half. Finally, two other WIAC teams are still receiving a few votes, helping to cement the WIAC’s reputation as the toughest conference in D3 football with five of its teams getting some national recognition.
(Speaking of mistakes, I made one last week when I wrote that the Gusties knocked #5 Wartburg out of the Top 25 with their upset; actually Wartburg was #15 at the time…and they have not received any votes lately, so what happened to them to fall so quickly so fast? The Wartburg Knights are 5-2, with their other loss coming from a Top 10 power, #9 Central [IA]. It seems like they should still be in the lower 25 or at least getting some votes. Poor strength of schedule, I guess.)
https://www.d3football.com/top25/2021/week8
* * * *
Pre-Med Corner, Diagnosis Department —
A woman rushes to see her doctor, looking very much worried and all strung out.
She rattles off, "Doctor, take a look at me. When I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my hair all wiry and frazzled up, my skin was all wrinkled and pasty, my eyes were blood-shot and bugging out, and I had this corpse-like look on my face! What's wrong with me, Doctor?"
The doctor looks her over for a couple of minutes, then calmly says, "Well, I can tell you one thing ... there's nothing wrong with your eyesight."
* * * *
Johnnie Radio Network —
Saturday’s game can be heard live on WBHR-660 AM across central Minnesota, KDIZ-1570 AM in the Twin Cities and KOWZ-1170 AM in Waseca, which covers most of southern Minnesota and into western Wisconsin. Mark Lewandowski, Bryan Backes, Mike Carr and Charlie Carr will call all the action, beginning with Johnnies Magazine at 11 a.m. and the pre-game show at 11:30 a.m. The game will also be broadcast on the SJU football website via Stretch Internet. This is the 23rd season SJU football can be heard worldwide over the internet.
* *
Listening via the Internet: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/csbsju/
Viewing via live streaming: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/csbsju/
(NOTE: Although St. John’s shouldn’t charge anything due to the quality of our opponent this week, live stream viewers must pay $10 to watch the unseemly massacre of a fellow Benedictine school.)
* * * *
* * * *
All About St. Scholastica —
Before we talk about St. Scholastica the college, we must talk about St. Scholastica the person…and saint. Said to be the twin sister (whether biologically or spiritually is not known for sure) of St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictines, Scholastica dedicated her life to God as a young woman and eventually founded a house for religious women either within a few miles of her brother’s monastery at Monte Cassino, or in a house at the foot of the mountain, where they lived in accordance with the Gospel and Benedict’s famous Rule. The siblings were very close spiritually and died near each other in 543. St. Scholastica is the founder of the Benedictine nuns and thus their patron saint. She is also patron of education, and convulsive children, and is invoked against storms and rain. Her feast is celebrated on February 10. Saint Scholastica's Day bears special importance in the Benedictine monastic calendar.
So, with that background, you’ll see why this upcoming football battle with the College of St. Scholastica is more than just another gridiron contest — it’s a tilt between spiritual kissing cousins, made all the more poignant because St. Scholastica in Duluth originated from the sisters of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN, who were sent there to establish a school in 1880 at the request of an early bishop. It was in 1912, nearly 110 years ago, that what became the College of St. Scholastica opened “up on the hill” where the monastery and college now reside. This game, then, is between “family.” Let us receive them as such — on the field, at the tailgate and in the stands.
The actual College of St. Scholastica (CSS) grew out of the sisters’ work with young women. In 1924, the college became a four-year liberal arts institute with an enrollment of 68. The school's first baccalaureate degrees were granted in 1926. In 1969 it became a fully coeducational institution. Today CSS has 4,000 students, including about 2,500 undergraduates.
In addition to the main campus in Duluth, St. Scholastica has sites in St. Cloud, St. Paul, and embedded sites in Brainerd, Austin, Cloquet, Inver Grove Heights, Rochester and a virtual campus. The Duluth campus is home to most undergraduate students. The 186-acre campus is set on a hill overlooking Lake Superior.
The college awards bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, and has a student to faculty ratio of 14:1. Undergraduate majors include liberal arts and science programs as well as pre-professional programs. Graduate degrees are offered in health professions, education, technology, business, and social work.
The College of St. Scholastica fields 22 athletic teams, including 11 women's and 11 men's teams. The college's athletic teams are called the Saints, their mascot Storm the St. Bernard. All of the teams, except ice hockey and Nordic skiing, compete in the MIAC beginning this year as part of the NCAA’s Division III. CSS’s move to the MIAC will end its tenure in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, a conference the Saints have dominated since joining in 1995 and a league which includes UW-Superior. St. Scholastica has won the conference’s Jerome Kruse All-Sports Award 16 times, including the last 11. The Saints have won 210 UMAC regular-season championships and 106 UMAC postseason titles, but that success often didn’t translate well outside the conference. Being part of a nationally-regarded conference, such as the MIAC, could help change that and could be attractive to potential recruits. MIAC teams have won 45 team national championships and 245 individual national championships, a much higher profile than the UMAC.
So that sort explains why CSS wanted to join us. Actually they’ve wanted to become part of the MIAC for years but the conference always said “no,” that is until St. Thomas was given the boot last year and an invite was sent up to Duluth. St. Scholastica has been a football power in the UMAC, having won five straight regular-season conference titles from 2011-2015, but the Saints got crushed playing the MIAC’s top teams.
St. Scholastica coach Mike Heffernan knows there is work to be done “We’re excited for the new challenge and are looking forward to the rebuilding phase of our program. I know that the MIAC is good football. I know it’s going to be a great challenge for us. I know our guys are going to work really hard, and we’re going to coach them hard. They’re excited about the new adventure, the new challenge. The bar just keeps getting higher. It might not happen right away, but I’m confident that our guys are going to answer it.”
Gee, looking at their introductory MIAC football season, one might think that Heffernan and CSS may want to reconsider their choice. They are 0-5, having being blown out by the Auggies (54-14) and Gusties (72-7). The Hamline and Carleton losses were a little more tolerable: 34-18 and 30-14. And now they must face the #5 Johnnies at Collegeville. How does Heffernan propose to prepare them for what’s forthcoming? Maybe they’ll be looking past us for their last regular season game against Macalester where they may even have a chance for a win. I’m personally pulling for them.
A look at the small CSS roster was certainly eye-opening. There are only 67 on the team: 4 seniors, 5 juniors, 10 sophomores and 48 freshmen. Currently they are little more than a high school team. Most of the lads come from throughout Minnesota and northern Wisconsin but there are quite a few from Texas, some from Florida. As you can see, about 2/3 of the team are freshmen and many are already starting. Sort of explains a lot…but unlike Macalester, Carleton and Hamline, I think Scholastica has the desire to improve and will put resources toward it. Let’s hope in two or three years all these freshmen, plus incoming future recruits, help CSS become a new power in the conference.
What can we expect this Saturday? Not much…our first string will play a few series, maybe the first half, just to work on timing and stay fresh. I’m not looking for an extensive aerial show. Most if not all members of St. John’s team will get in. Because of that CSS might even score, unless our defensive frosh are better than their offensive frosh. Their quarterback, freshman Byron Bishop from Oregon, was second string until the first string QB, also a freshman, was injured and out for the season during the first series of the opening game! Talk about a Baptism of Fire. They have a senior running back, Bryceton Butkiewicz, who’ll no doubt be the primary rusher. A couple WRs, senior Mitchell Adrian and freshman Ty Givance, will be main targets as well. On defense we’ll most likely hear the names of freshmen Treygan Adams, Jamari Thompson, and Anthony Vo.
Although this game can quickly get out of hand, I’m looking for Gary to really keep the brakes on. Another shut-out would be wonderful, of course, and so would it be nice to keep it under 60 points. But with our talent in RBs running so deep, it’s going to be hard.
* * * *
(Conrad again)
Q: What did the St. Scholastica student say after his team beat the Johnnies?
A: "Dammit, Mom, why'd you wake me up? I was having an amazing dream!"
* * * *
Battle Between the Sexes, Animal Kingdom Version —
“The female praying mantis is known for cannibalistic mating behavior: biting off the head of the male while mating. But not deterred, the male praying mantis brain, located in the head, controls inhibition, and a ganglion in the abdomen controls the motions of copulation. Without his head, the male praying mantis will lose his inhibitions and continue mating, which means he can fertilize more of the female's eggs.”
Hesitant Husband-To-Be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcMd1xAInuI
(Contributed by Joe Mulheran ’64, Moonshine, TN)
* * * *
Odds & Ends —
Hockey Captains Named
Saint John's hockey coach Doug Schueller announced his captains for the 2021-22 season. Junior forward Auggie Moore (middle) will lead the Johnnies as the team's captain and will be joined by a pair of assistants, senior goaltender Mac Berglove (right) and junior forward Henry Enebak (left).
"With 11 new student-athletes on the roster this season, our leadership is going to be key," the coach said. "These three men will help provide great leadership throughout the year in our goal of building team chemistry and a culture that produces success on and off the ice."
SJU's 2021-22 schedule contains 13 home games, including four consecutive to start the season, beginning this Saturday, Oct. 30, against Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Puck-drop is set for 7 p.m. at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. The Johnnies totaled a 6-2-2 record (4-0-1 MIAC) during their shortened, 2021 schedule and aim to defend their 2019-20 MIAC regular-season championship in 2021-22.
* *
SJU Swimmers Wins Four-Team Augsburg Invitational
Saint John's swimming and diving made it a clean sweep for the weekend with a win out of four teams at the Augsburg Invitational on Sunday, Oct. 24, at the University of Minnesota's Jean Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. SJU also defeated Hamline, 232-35, in a dual meet the previous day in St Paul.
The Johnnies posted 10 top-three finishes Sunday, including two individual wins from freshmen, to collect 455 points. Carthage (Wis.) was second (384.5), followed by Carleton (368.5) and St. Olaf (245).
* *
Gagliardi Legacy Fund
Wick, At the risk of being redundant for your readers here is an update. Interest in donating to the Gagliardi Fund continues to be brisk…but we still have a way to go. Because we can’t reach every potential contributor, I’m encouraging everyone reading this to "spread the word.” Time is running out to be part of this great fundraising effort. I’m sensing a lot of people want to participate, but put it on the back burner. Please help to continue to make Johnnie football the best. — Bernie Weber SJP ’63/SJU ’67
(Please Note: Everything given to the Fund is used exclusively for the benefit of the team and its many expenses. Please consider making a tax-exempt contribution by sending a check to St. John’s University in care of St. John’s University, PO Box 7222, Collegeville, MN 56321. Be sure to note in the check memo that your tax-deductible contribution is for the Gagliardi Legacy Fund. If you would prefer to make your contribution via a credit card, please call 320-492-0851. Or go to this link for Giving at St. John’s and put Gagliardi Legacy Fund in the “additional comments” area. Use Pay Pal or credit card. https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1433/gid3/form.aspx?sid=1433&gid=3&pgid=397&cid=1052 )
* *
First & Second Patrick Hall Sexual Competition Scandal
This issue has been addressed immediately from all corners and is receiving sharp attention from top level authorities at the schools, including Interim President Jim Mullen. One of the most important reactions is the peer-to-peer communication from the fifteen members of the SJU Student Senate to St. John’s students in the form of an open letter in the current issue of The Record. Here is the poignant last paragraph that so eloquently sums up what we all are or should be about as Johnnies:
We need to show that being a Johnnie is about respecting others, having a sense of right and wrong, and holding ourselves to high standards of behavior. We need to hold our fellow Johnnies accountable and refuse to be a bystander when we see unacceptable behavior happening, else we become complicit in it ourselves. No excuses can be made for this behavior and mindsets like what we have seen existing among Johnnies. There is a responsibility to basic humanity and the Benedictine Values that must be upheld here. We can and must do better.
* * * *
Saint Unclear on the Concept —
Two Saint Scholastica senior football players were walking back to their dorm after practice.
One noted to the other, “Did you know that Christmas is on Friday this year?.”
His teammate responded, "Let's hope it's not the 13th then."
* * * *
From Our Readers —
From Dan McDermott ’84, Plymouth, MN —
Bob - I've enjoyed reading submissions this year, but haven't written in for a while. Since my subscription renewal was due anyway, I thought 'What the heck?'
I've been corresponding with my east coast friend who's an Ithaca Bomber alum (they moved up one notch to #15 in this week's D3 top 25). He said it's a "slow climb" up the rankings and the alumni chatter there is about having to "run up the score" a bit to get noticed.
I've noticed here in the UUN that there's some talk about NOT running up the score, and well, with St. Scholastica coming up, I thought I'd do a little digging into the last several games.
For the four more recent, post-Bethel games, SJU has outscored opponents 192-7. Only 20 of our 192 came in the 4th quarter; one of those a TD with nearly 13 minutes remaining and another TD was a pick-6 this past weekend at Gustavus. I'm sure the Saints from Scholastica are counting on such mercy… — Dan
P.S. Have you any word about the condition of Aaron Syverson’s injury?
* * * *
From Nellie Klein ’60, St. Cloud, MN —
Rob - Any word on the injury report on Aaron Syverson? Can’t find a word on it. I’m assuming the worst. Have you heard anything? We went to the Gustavus game and saw the hit he took!! Broken bones? Concussion? Oh boy…let me know. — Nell
(Editor’s Reply: Aaron reportedly has a broken fibula, the small bone in the leg. That bone is usually broken in conjunction with a severe twisting of the ankle. He is out for the season and I hear they are trying to determine whether he should have surgery or just clamp his leg/foot in a boot and let it heal that way over a couple of months. That's all I know so far. If someone from the team or his parents would send us an update, that would be most appreciated by all Aaron’s supporters.
You mentioned “concussion” and I really wonder if he was a bit concussed from the beating to his head he was taking, especially when he made that horrible run/incomplete pass far beyond the line of scrimmage instead of simply stepping out of bounds. That was so unlike him that I had to wonder if he was nearly out on his feet.)
* * * *
Follow-Up to the Men’s Chorus Controversy —
From Bob Alpers ’82 to Wayne Hergott ‘57
Hey Wayne, I received this from the Men’s Choir Director:
Can you please let everyone know that these are the same versions that have been sung for decades, with no changes. The problem was this - we only had one first tenor available on game day last week – therefore, the melody was barely present.
So nothing has changed, except the singers…Thanks for the note, Wayne. Bob
* *
From Jim Gagliardi ‘89 to Wayne Hergott
Hello Wayne, Bob Alpers passed on the note you sent and I am sure he will pass on your sentiments to the appropriate folks as he did with me regarding the video board.
We have already discussed the ideas of words being put up on the board for all three Men’s Chorus pieces, and how to do this—love the idea. It is a bit more complicated than one would think. I would be glad to discuss this more if you are interested, please give me a call. However, this will probably need to be a 2022 addition as we attempt to implement many other great ideas.
Each week we add something new to the video board that we can implement—not always an easy task. It is a huge effort from my small team in the preparation, integration and follow through of a good “show” on Saturdays. I have yet to receive an email of positivity that I can share with my video team that I feel they deserve. I know folks typically don’t share positives, which is way different than when I coached. Then I would get many emails on Mondays passing along positive game play.
As for the Men’s Chorus version of the fight song, I wasn’t a fan either, however, it really isn’t my expertise either. I don’t know if they quite understand the importance of tradition to our GameDays or branding from a marketing standpoint. We have been working hard with the Men’s Chorus to overcome our ongoing volume (lack of) from them. We have some ideas on this as well—but again, for 2022. Please give me a call—would love to catch up!
Jim Gagliardi
-Director of Athletic Marketing
-Director Gagliardi Legacy Fund
(Editor’s Suggestion: While the video board crew has been learning on the fly and working out kinks, their early work adds to the GameDay ambience and entertainment of Johnnie football fans. If there are specific parts of their “show” that you’ve enjoyed, why not tell Jim G. at jimmyone@csbsju.edu so he can share your appreciation with his crew. Of course, feel free to send in suggestions for improvement, such as remedies for the video board fiasco that occurred last week during the lacrosse game on the football field. The fact that the stadium restrooms were out of order for the large crowd also was most unseemly…hardly Benedictine hospitality.)
* * * *
From Bob Neis ’65, St. Louis Park, MN —
Was up to SJU today. New baseball scoreboard was on and operators were doing their thing.
(Editor’s Query: To whom do we owe thanks for this latest improvement to the MIAC’s finest baseball field?)
* * * *
From Pat Maxwell ’66, Minnetonka, MN —
Wick, I was very sad to hear of Rich Froehle’s [’61/’65] passing last week. He was a wonderful guy and a great athlete. I am sending you the reminiscences of Rich by his friend Tom Super ’62/'66. Tom lives in Virginia and is a retired speechwriter. In 1968, Tom and I bought an old cabin on Big Watab Lake just south of SJU. I still own it. As you can see he had a very special relationship with Rich. — Pat
Letter from Tom Super:
Sorry I can’t make it back for the Froehle services. I didn’t hear about Rich’s death until Wednesday afternoon, not enough time to make arrangements back here. But I’ll be there in spirit, mourning with the rest of you, who will no doubt be sharing raucous Froehle stories. Rich was an outsized human being with an outsized personality who had an outsized influence on my life.
I first ran into him — literally — when I entered St. John’s Prep School as a freshman in the fall of 1958. Rich was a sophomore then, and his brother Art was a senior. By an odd coincidence, Art had been assigned to be my Big Brother and help me through freshman initiation. So Art was my introduction to both SJP and the Froehle family, I will always be grateful to Art for both.
Like a lot of freshman, I signed up to be considered for the football team. On the last play of my first practice, I was inserted to play linebacker on defense. Rich was in the backfield on offense, and he took the handoff and ran straight at me. I crouched and prepared to tackle him. Afterwards, when I finally got back on my feet, I thought I’d been hit by a truck. That was the end of my football career.
Rich and I had little contact—lucky for me—over the next three years. He was an extremely muscular jock and I was an extremely bookish nerd. Not much in common. Started out that way in college, too, but by then I had played a lot of handball, a sport Rich seemed to love as much as football and hockey. So during the last few years of college we played lots of handball, often in the middle of the night when Rich returned from town and the campus was asleep. He would sneak into my dorm room, grab the back end of my bed, lift it up, and dump me and the mattress on the floor. Despite my protestations he would shepherd me down the silent street, turn on the gym lights, and we would go at it for hours in that old concrete handball court. He never beat me, which drove him nuts, and after our games, when I was exhausted and begging for sleep, he would lie down on the locker room floor and I would sit on his shoulders while he did push ups to tire himself out.
Strange as it may seem, the jock and the nerd became friends, and we spent a lot of time together after graduation—cutting and splitting wood (for 50 years l’ve heated my various homes with wood that I harvest myself, and the first times I ever held a chainsaw and a splitting maul I was standing side by side with Rich Froehle), harvesting wild rice the old Indian way on a northern Minnesota lake, swimming in Big Watab, and once—a memory I will never forget—I spent an afternoon in the St. John’s woods with Froehle and Phil Jackson (a 6’ 10 “ basketball hero from Williston, North Dakota, who at the time was playing pro ball for the New York Knicks). Phil was relaxing at the cabin on Big Watab while on his way back home to Montana after the basketball season ended. One morning Rich bounded up the steps, burst into the room, and announced he needed some help. So off we drove in Rich’s old green pickup. Our task: lifting a huge oak tree trunk up off the ground into the bed of Froehle’s truck. We succeeded using an ingenious combination of levers and rolling pins cut from oak limbs. The tree trunk had been left behind by the logging company St. John’s had hired to selectively harvest the biggest old trees. This one had been left behind because they couldn’t get it up on their flatbed using their logging equipment. It was too big.
Rich drove his groaning pickup to a farm along the road between Big Watab and Avon, where a farmer had a small sawmill set up in his back yard. Over the years he had done a lot of sawmill work for Rich. When the farmer came over to the the truck, I remarked with great pride that he was probably surprised to see that the three of us had been able to load that monster tree trunk by ourselves. The farmer responded without smiling: “The only thing that surprises me is that Rich needed any help from you two.”
Years later while visiting Rich at home, I reminded him of the tree trunk adventure. He remembered Phil, but had no idea who he was. His two boys, who were listening to the story, were going bonkers over the idea that their dad had spent time with the by-then famous Phil Jackson, hauling around the wood that was part of their house. More years later, Phil and John Gagliardi were invited as honored guests and speakers to a high school sports awards ceremony somewhere in the Midwest. When Phil learned Gags was from St. John’s, he told him that he had once worked in the woods at St. John’s with a guy named Rich Froehle. Did Gags know him? You can imagine the Froehle stories the two of them shared.
Several times over the years when I returned to St. John’s, I’d go out for supper with Rich and Eileen. Once they asked me why I always spent that time with them. I told them I had 100 happy, treasured memories of St. John’s, and Rich was in half of them. In my mind I can still hear his cackling laugh. I’ll miss him a lot. — Tom
* * * *
All About Fisher’s Club —
From Jim Conn ’64, Alexandria, MN —
Bob – Every afternoon after the Johnnie football game in Collegeville for years it’s become such a pastime to gravitate to the familiar old watering hole in St. Joe ( the “LA”) that we don’t even need a Google Map to find our way. A stop at the La has always been a relaxing and friendly tradition for those of us with season tickets – to ponder the latest win over a few drinks – and for some of us, a dinner at Fisher’s Club in Avon afterward.
During our “last” visit, the La was beyond noisy with déjà vu kicking in and reminding me of all of us enjoying the La some 60 odd years ago but at the same time feeling very frustrated at not being able to visit and talk in a relaxed environment. So Anita and I have decided to change the venue and tradition by convening after each home game at Fisher’s Club – where a friendly staff awaits and quiet conversation is possible at the bar and dinner thereafter if so desired. So - here’s hoping that some of your UUN readers will join us after the next Johnnie home game at Fisher’s Club situated on the lovely shores of Middle Spunk Lake in downtown Avon, MN! Regards, —Jim
https://www.fishersclub.com
Directions from St. John’s: https://wego.here.com/directions/mix//Fishers-Club,-425-Stratford-St-W,-Avon,-MN-56310,-USA:e-eyJuYW1lIjoiRmlzaGVyJ3MgQ2x1YiIsImFkZHJlc3MiOiI0MjUgU3RyYXRmb3JkIFN0IFcsIEF2b24sIE1OIiwibGF0aXR1ZGUiOjQ1LjYxMTQ4NTU3OSwibG9uZ2l0dWRlIjotOTQuNDU1NDcxMzczMzMzLCJwcm92aWRlck5hbWUiOiJmYWNlYm9vayIsInByb3ZpZGVySWQiOjEwOTczNjc5MjM5MDkyMn0=?map=45.61161,-94.45506,15,normal&fb_locale=en_US
* *
From Bob Wicker SJP ’60/SJU ’64, St. Paul, MN —
A bunch of us "old timers" have had it with the La and the constant loud microphones, the freakin' meat raffles, the blasting country western music, the damn video horse race deals, and the swarm of kids, many of them underage; apparently they must only card at the bar and not to get into the place. I don't blame the management at the La; they have to do what they can to attract and keep the younger crowd in the face of newer competition. So we're moving to Fisher's for drinks after home games. The management said we'd be welcome in their bar area, and not expected to stay for dinner. I don't know how many other regulars will join us but -- after 60 years of loyalty -- some of us are done, regrettably, with the La. — Bob
* *
From Harry Burns ‘SJP ’74/SJU ’78, St Cloud, MN —
I like Fisher’s a lot. One of the pictures my grandpa always had on his desk was one of George "Showboat" Fisher swinging a bat, signed to his pal Harry. But I like it for a place to go for dinner on occasion. If I lived in Avon, I might hang out at their bar once in a while. But I think it is ingrained in most people to turn east, not west, after a Johnnie game. For a quieter’ place in St. Joe, why not the Legion, or even the Middy? Legion probably has plenty of room.
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/showboat-fisher/
(The above link goes to a wonderful biography page on George Fisher, nee Fischer.)
* *
From Thom Woodward ’70, Sartell, MN —
The young owners of Fisher’s are good, hard-working. The walleye is as good as ever. The space by the bar will work very well. Too bad Avon is west of the campus for you Metropolitans. — Thom
* * * *
From Tony Biebl ’71, Brule, WI —
Bob, Good seeing you in St. Peter. I was thinking, at halftime, that your prediction of 42-0 was wildly enthusiastic, but in the end, 37-7 wasn't that far off. Good game, hoping Syverson's injury isn't as bad as it looked and that he'll be back.
Please add Bob Ranweiler, Class of '69, to the mailing list for the UUN. Bob was my brother Andy's business partner for decades, a graduate of New Ulm Cathedral, and all round good guy and loyal Johnnie fan. Best personal regards —Tony
* * * *
Determining The Real Value of Something —
A father said to his daughter “You have graduated with honors, here is a car I bought many years ago. It is pretty old now. But before I give it to you, take it to the used car lot downtown and tell them I want to sell it and see how much they offer you for it.”
The daughter went to the used car lot, returned to her father and said, “They offered me $1,000 because the said it looks pretty worn out.”
The father said, “Now take it to the pawn shop.” The daughter went to the pawn shop, returned to her father and said,”The pawn shop offered only $100 because it is an old car.”
The father asked his daughter to go to a car club now and show them the car. The daughter then took the car to the club, returned and told her father, “Some people in the club offered $100,000 for it because ‘it's an iconic car and sought by many collectors.’”
Now the father said this to his daughter, “The right place values you the right way. If you are not valued, do not be angry, it means you are in the wrong place. Those who know your value are those who appreciate you. Never stay in a place where no one sees your value.
(Contributed by Marilee Giere, St. Paul, MN)
* * * *
From Terry Fruth ’60, Minneapolis, MN —
Wick, there were very few Native Americans at SJU when I was there—maybe just Lee Cook [’57/’61] and Ed McGaa [‘60 ]. Both were very important. Ed was the older and a Marine fighter pilot in Vietnam and later an author of note. As the obit says, Lee was a leader in and out of the Native American setting. Says a lot for SJU. — Terry
* * * *
From John Taylor ’58, SJU I-A Department —
Last weekend, the Fighting Saints Battalion took on D-I and DII schools in the annual Ranger Challenge at Camp Ripley. Our Ranger Challenge 9 Person and 5 Person Teams both took 1st Place and will be off to represent Saint John's, the College of Saint Benedict and St. Cloud State University at the Brigade level.
Schools we beat include the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University, University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. —John
(Editor’s Exclamation: Wow! I don’t know how our little podunk schools in Central Minnesota keep showing up at the top nationally; I especially love it when we push the service academy hot shots to their limits.)
* * * *
From Jim Weiss ’64, Lexington, SC —
Here is the shortest joke ever — 8 seconds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viFcM8fGjv8
* * * *
Battle Between the Sexes, Sartorial Splendor Division —
Earl bought himself an expensive pair of hand-tooled cowboy boots. He proudly put them on and paraded in front of his wife, Edna, hoping she would notice and be impressed. But she was reading the newspaper and hardly even glanced up.
A little miffed, Earl went upstairs and got completely undressed...except for only the new boots.
Dressed only in the new boots, again he paraded in front of her and said, “Well, do you notice anything different?”
She glanced up from the paper, and said, “Yes, you're naked.”
Even more miffed, he said, “You didn’t even notice my new boots. But my ‘Willie’ did. See how he looks down and admires them?”
Edna sniffed, glanced at the new boots, and said, “Shoulda bought a hat, Earl.”
(Contributed by Tommy Cebulla ’58, Andover, MN)
* * * *
Scenes From The Gustavus Game —
Yes, the Johnnie fans do travel well. That was evidenced by the full-house turn-out for the pregame celebration at Minnesota Wing King in St. Peter prior to the Gustavus game across the river and up the hill. Hosting this party were members of the Mankato Chapter of the CSB-SJU Alumni Association, headed by Steve Bennett ’89, who also happens to be employed by Gustavus Adolphus in its Institutional Advancement Department. Steve, by the way, is married to Sarah Welshons Bennett ’89 whom I missed meeting if she was present in the mob. Assisting Steve honcho the gathering was Michael Cummings ’89, also a development officer but for SJU. Everyone present seemed to quite pleased to be among kindred red-clad spirits, the food was good, the service efficient, the noise…well, it was noisy but a happy noise.
Meet our hosts from the Mankato Chapter. In front is Jessica Zellmer Kirschner ’03 and her husband Nathan ’01. At top left is Steve Bennett ’89 and John Benson ’89. They were most pleased with the turnout and hope to host other St. John’s and St. Ben’s events in that same venue. But first we’ve got to get something “red” for Steve to wear in the future.
Meanwhile, up the hill and across from the stadium, Tom and Katie Riitters both ’96, with assistance from Karl and Sara Hemmesch, both ’99, brought a part of the St. John’s tailgate culture (along with a tailgate tent) to Gustavus where they have a junior son enrolled. There was a nice crowd there as well, enjoying the superb fall weather that we’ve had all season thus far. (It is supposed to continue this weekend as well. How lucky can we be? And for how much longer?)
Showing the Gusties how to tailgate are the Riitters from Little Falls. Dad Tom ’96, Eric GAC ’23, and mom Katie ’96.
Katie Riitters goes all out as a proud Johnnie supporter, from her head to her toes; in this case, check out her awesome SJU earrings.
This SJU tailgate tent stands out as a beacon of hope for any Gustavus potential tailgaters who may see the light. If they don’t — oh, well, we don’t care as long as we have some of the famous Johnnie spirit with us.
Here long-suffering Julie Ditzler poses with her man-child husband John SJP ’58/SJU ’62 as he shows off his October-going-to-game pants before entering the stadium. Somehow the hat and blue jacket seemed redundant in the 50º sunny weather. Behind Julie is John’s classmate Frank Ziegler ’62 who, thanks to his thoughtful wife Kathleen, brought organic veggies and homemade health bagels to share at the tailgate.
* * * *
Scenes From Stearns County Meets Battle Between the Sexes —
Homer Wermerskirchen, an elderly farmer, and his wife Ethyl were leaning against the edge of their pig pen on their small farm near St. Wendel when the old woman wistfully recalled that the next week would mark their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
“Let’s have a big party, Homer,” she suggested. “You’ll need to kill a pig.”
The farmer scratched his grizzled head. “Gee, Ethel,” he finally answered, “I don’t see why da pig should take da blame for someting dat happened fifty years ago.”
* * * *
The Reel 2021 | Game #6 | SJU-Gustavus| HIGHLIGHTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8aONcnKpvU
* * * *
School of Theology, Liturgical Renewal Division —
An elderly priest was speaking to a younger priest.
“You had a good idea to replace the first four pews with plush bucket theater seats. It worked like a charm! The front of the church always fills first now.”
As the young priest nodded, the old priest continued, “You also told me to assign a little more beat to the music because it would bring young people back to church. So, I supported you when you bought in that rock ‘n’ roll Gospel choir. Now, our services are consistently packed.”
“Thank you, Father,” answered the young priest. “I am pleased that you are open to the new ideas of youth.”
“All of these ideas have been well and good,” said the elderly priest. “But, I’m afraid you’ve gone too far with the drive-thru confessional.”
“But Father,” protested the young priest. “My confessions and donations have nearly doubled since I began that!”
“Yes,” replied, the elderly priest. “I appreciate that, but the flashing neon sign, ‘Toot ‘n’ Tell or Go to Hell’ cannot stay on the church roof!”
* * * *
Saints Unclear on the Concept —
Two Saint Scholastica senior football players were walking back to their dorm after practice.
One noted to the other, “Did you know that Christmas is on Friday this year?.”
His teammate responded, "Let's hope it's not the 13th then."
* * * *
No Respect —
"You're beautiful and I love you!" I yelled as I stood alone on the cliff.
My echo replied, "I just want to be friends!”
* * *
* * * *
Wicker’s Health Rant, Part 1 —
The Worst Halloween Candy & Why You Can’t Stop Eating It
https://draxe.com/nutrition/worst-halloween-candy/?utm_source=curated&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20211024_curated_rfmmain-site
* * * *
Wicker’s Health Rant, Part 2 —
Real Prevention Against the Variants
Okay Gang — You’ve had your shots, maybe even your booster. Do you think that’s going to keep you coronavirus free? Not with the way that new variations of this and other viruses are and will be developing. While conventional medicine and the avaricious Pharmaceutical industry suggests that we can vaccinate ourselves out of these viruses, the real answer is the same that it’s always been — we need to keep a strong immune system. We have to take responsibility for our own health and realize that, as much as we want it, there is no magic bullet (or pill, or vaccine) that will keep us safe from everything.
Sure, you were extremely wise to get the first jabs, especially if you are frail elderly, overweight, diabetic, immunocompromised, or have other vulnerabilities, since those vaccines have ameliorated the severity of the infections and no doubt saved millions around the world from serious illness and death. However, this virus is always mutating, and new viruses will enter the scene in the future. The first vaccines and subsequent boosters just can’t keep up…just like they can’t keep up with the different kinds of flu that arise each year.
To protect yourself from serious infection in the future start with having your Vitamin D level checked. You need to be between 40 and 70 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Most Americans are deficient. There have been scores of studies around the world about the efficacy of adequate D levels against the worst of Covid-19…studies that have proven that the lower one’s Vitamin D level, the greater the severity of one’s illness. One of the most reassuring studies shows that people who became ill and had a D level of 30 ng/mL and above rarely succumbed to the infection and recovered much faster, while those with low D levels generally didn’t survive. Dr. Fauci hasn’t told you this, to his everlasting shame.
If your health provider doesn’t check for D levels, even on request, Google Vitamin D tests and get it done at home. Until you do that, taking between 2,000 and 4,000 iu a day of Vitamin D3 will be safe. But until you’re tested you won’t know how much you really need to get your D up to safe levels. You might look for a product that contains both D3 and Vitamin K2 (MK-7 form) for most effective absorption. Magnesium is a must for everybody — 500 mg a day at least — and particularly important with D3.
Additionally take 500 to 1,000 mg of Vitamin C a day, and more for a few days if you feel you’re coming down with something. The great companion to this is Zinc, between 25 and 35 mg a day. There is a natural product called Quercetin that works with Zinc that you can take prophylactically or keep on hand until you think you have an infection coming on. The same with another natural product called L-lysine.
OK, what else? Work on getting seven or eight hours of quality sleep a night. Hydrate enough that your urine is colorless or a really pale yellow. Drink a couple cups of organic green tea a day. Get out and exercise somehow — physical exercise is a key determinate of strong immunity.
And, finally, stop drinking soda pop, both regular and diet, as well as any other sugary drinks. Don’t eat fast food…or even a lot of restaurant cooking; avoid fried food; don’t buy processed food/baked goods/meat; don’t cook with or buy products made with “seed oils” such as canola, soybean, corn, sunflower, safflower — use unrefined coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil instead. Choose a good multi-grain or sourdough bread over the white stuff. Start using fruit and vegetables as the new staple of your home cooking; same with organic eggs, milk and butter. And use 100% grass-fed beef, wild caught Alaska salmon, and organic chicken to compliment your meals, not as the main component. Study this stuff: Learn to eat to live, not live to eat.
Then relax, you and your immune system will be a match for the next bad stuff that floats around.
* * * *
THE FINAL WORD —
A farmer stopped by the local mechanic's shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home, he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose.
However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home. While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, 'Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?’
The farmer said, 'Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house. I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot.'
The old lady suggested, 'Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm, and carry the goose in your other hand?'
'Why thank you very much,' he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home.
On the way, he says 'Let's take my shortcut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time.'
The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, 'I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?'
The farmer said, 'Holy smokes, lady! I'm carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?'
The old lady replied, 'Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens.
(Compliments of Joe Ness SJP ’61)
* * * *
Once again it’s time to say goodnight (or good morning, depending upon when you open this)…Remember to be kindly to our cousins, The Saints from up dere in Du-Lute:
GO JOHNNIES ! !
(Martyr the Saints…or something like that.)
* * * *
Submitted while hoping for a merciful shut-out.
R.L. Wicker SJP ’60/SJU ’64, St. Paul, MN
651-699-4697
theowick@aol.com
To subscribe go to this link: https://www.unofficialundergroundnews.com
At the bottom you can subscribe; and you can enter the site and see earlier issues from this year.
* * * *