Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED CIRCLE PINES, MN
Wet & Dry
Fun for Everyone!
Waterpark • Alpine Slides • Go-Karts • Freefall XP www.wildmountain.com - Taylors Falls, MN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 VOL. 34 NO. 48 www.presspubs.com $1.00
SIGNS AROUND TOWN: Thank local police PAGE 20
Local faces make up the Minnesota Viking Cheerleaders BY SHANNON GRANHOLM STAFF WRITER
Many dancers dream that one day they will dance on a professional platform. For two local young women, that dream has come true as they cheer on the Minnesota Vikings in the new US Bank Stadium. This season's team has 42 members; 28 of them are dancers who perform on the field during the game and the other 14 are ambassadors who make appearances throughout the stadium during the game. All of the cheerleaders had to go through an intense monthlong tryout process before they were selected to carry the title of a Minnesota Viking Cheerleader (MVC). The first part of the process is open auditions, where anyone can try out for the team. During the process, participants form groups of four and learn a routine and perform for judges. Some are then cut. The women who make it through this stage learn another routine, and the process continues until an ideal number of participants is reached. Then comes the training camp in which the future cheerleaders have to participate in an interview with representatives from the Vikings organization and a photo shoot, then a swim suit and black dress competition. The final step in the process is a public performance at the Mall of America. “It is very long and stressful, but it goes so fast and it is so fun,” Mariah said. Mariah, 25, Lino Lakes For Mariah, being an MVC has been a lifelong goal. Her aunt, owner of Lorenz Dance & Tumbling Studio in Lino Lakes, was a MVC in the ’80s. “I just always SEE VIKING CHEERLEADERS, PAGE 11
SUBMITTED
Seven of the 42 Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders. There are 28 dancers who perform on the field during the game, and 14 ambassadors who make appearances around the stadium during the game.
Lexington’s first Fall Festival
Community food shelf hopes to kick off new program by 2017 BY SHANNON GRANHOLM STAFF WRITER
SUBMITTED
Payton, 4, of Lexington, holds a snake during Lexington's first Fall Festival Saturday, Sept. 17. See more photos on page 11.
For over 60 years the Centennial Community Food Shelf (CCFS) has served the community to provide nourishment to people. By 2017, the organization hopes to reach more people through a brand new countywide program. “On a monthly basis, the heads of each of the food shelves (within Anoka County) get together and look at how we can network together and what they can provide by working together,” said CCFS President Ron Koon. The five area food shelves, including Southern Anoka County Assistance (SACA), Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP), Anoka County Brotherhood Council (ACBC), North Anoka County Emergency Food Shelf (NACE) and CCFS, received a grant from Hunger Solutions. After receiving the grant, the five organizations formed a consortium, Anoka CAN (Connect and Nourish) and started a new program, Anoka CAN Deliver in January 2016. The food delivery program provides food and resources to homebound seniors (62 and over who meet specific income guidelines), and works to build SEE COMMUNITY FOOD SHELF, PAGE 3
about C e m k “As nace & A/ ur our F pecials” s
In your neighborhood for 70 years
Gas Furnace Tune Up
$89.00 Includes CO Check EXP.9-30-16
NEWS 651-407-1230 quadnews@presspubs.com
ADVERTISING 651-407-1200 marketing@presspubs.com
CIRCULATION 651-407-1234 ppcirc@presspubs.com
CLASSIFIED 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com
PRODUCTION 651-407-1239 ppcomp@presspubs.com