The Thanksgiving Vigil

We suspect everyone has gotten back to their normal schedule after Thanksgiving (and a GREAT Chiefs Victory!). As promised, we’re back to more regular posting!

A great tradition over the years (as we’re sure it is in other areas) is the “Thanksgiving Vigil.” The Thanksgiving Vigil is when everyone who has come home for Turkey Day gathers up at a local watering hole and catch up with former classmates and relatives the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.

The Board of Governors at Stanhope State sent out their photographer and correspondents to one of the more happening spots last Wednesday, the NEW Jewell Golf & Country Clubhouse. There we found a couple hundred people getting an early start on spreading some holiday cheer and jamming on the karaoke machine. In attendance were old classmates, cousins, former teachers and members of our favorite rock ‘n roll band, 2 Feet Deep!

Our photographer and correspondents reported a lot of Stanhope State fans who have visited our humble site, and to them we give you all a huge Watermelon Warrior shout out.

A special thanks to Stanhope State Board Member, Garren Zanker, for getting this great pic of the scene last Wednesday night.

WEEKEND SLICES

Alright we know, we know. It’s been a little… um, a long while since we have updated the site here at Stanhope State. Most of the Stanhope State team has been a little busy with their regular jobs. And yes, we promise to do a better job proof reading, ect… yeah, yeah, yeah.

So, to get caught up, we introduce a new feature for the Watermelon Warrior Nation, “Weekend Slices.” Its stories and sites we’ve found since our hiatus. We’ll return to regular posts and stories next week, until then grab a fork, a salt shaker and enjoy today’s slices.

SLICE 1: WATERMELON WARRIOR LOCAL MUSIC ALERTS

The administration office at Stanhope State received an email from our favorite rock ‘n roll band, 2 Feet Deep. They will be playing at Story City American Legion on Friday, December 8th. The first set starts at 9:00pm.

Newly appointed member of the Board of Governors at Stanhope State, Garren Zanker, has recently joined a great band call Blue Island Tribe out of Cedar Falls. This Watermelon Warrior has seen ‘em twice! They have a great island/reggae sound and are a fun band to watch They have a big gig coming up this Saturday at the 4th and Main in Cedar Falls. Check out their site to learn more.

At Stanhope State, we love great local and live music, if you don’t have any plans, get out and support these great bands and tell them the folks at Stanhope State sent you!

SLICE 2: TAKE A COUPLE OF GOOD JOURNEYS

Towards the end of this summer we came across a story in the Des Moines Register about South High alum, Adam Brooks. The story was about his lifelong dream of kayaking down the whole Mississippi River. Along the way he reflects about his hard times growing up. He updated his site with his thoughts and experiences through out his trip. This is a must read and great story of tragedy, triumph, and personal growth. Check it out his site and support the sponsors that helped make Adam’s dream come true.

A good buddy and former room mate of this Watermelon Warrior, Scott Stanzel, recently took a job as the Deputy White House Press Secretary. He’s an avid blogger and supporter of what we do here at Stanhope State (thanks again for the link man). He has a fun read at his site this week about his cross country trip from Washington State to his new gig in Washington DC. Check out here.

SLICE 3: ONE YEAR LATER

A year ago this week Southeastern Hamilton County was hit by November tornados. The Webster City Daily Freeman Journal, or the “Screamin’ Freeman” as we affectionately call it, tells the stories of recovery and rememberence this week in Stratford. Check out the stories from the Screamin’ Freeman here. You can still send donations to the Stratford Tornado Relief Fund, Box 200, Stratford, IA 50249.

SLICE 4: HOOK A BROTHER UP!

Avid Stanhope State reader and current Sailor Brian Rash was back for a 2 week break from freedom fighting in Iraq. He’s back there now and here’s his update:

Hey everyone!
I just wanted to send a quick email out and let you know all is well here in cold, damp Iraq! Yeah, I bet most of you weren’t aware of the cold and rainy season they have here, but we are smack dab in the middle of it now. Lows in the 40’s, highs around 60. It’s not bad, but I thought it was all sand and sun here!

Stanhope State University is asking all of you in the Watermelon Warrior Nation to “Hook a brother up!” Send Brian a care package or two. Here’s his address:

CTT1 Brian Rash
HHC, DSTB, 1CD G-7 EWO
Unit # 43207
APO AE 09344

LAST SLICE: LINKS! WE GOTS MORE LINKS

Check out our new links. Mostly links from today slices. You have any other cool local sites? Email us at stanhopestate@yahoo.com. 5 slices is enough for today.