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The Worthington ALC Insider
Volume 3, Issue 2 September 15, 2005
65 Years of Turkey Days In the old days, Americans raised their own chickens and turkeys on their own farms. But by 1920s, Americans by the millions moved off of farms and into the growing towns and cities. Suddenly there was a huge market for store-bought poultry. Here in Worthington, two men named E.O. Olson and J.C. Boote began exploiting that market. Soon, turkey production was big business in Worthington. Local farmers raised the birds by the thousands, and hundreds of folks in town were employed by Olson and Boote to work in their poultry processing plants. A “turkey festival” was organized in 1939 after Olson told of a similar festival held in Cuero, Texas. The small festival was a gigantic hit, so in 1940 a huge parade was organized and “King Turkey Day” was proclaimed an annual event. Ever since, Worthington has celebrated a special autumn Saturday when “King Turkey rules for a day.” . In 1972, people in Worthington learned that Cuero, Texas, celebrated their Turkey Day by holding a live turkey race. A Worthington vs. (Continued à)	Animation by animationlibrary.com Cuero race was proposed and has been part of “King Turkey Day” since 1973. There has always been disagreement over whether the small1939 Turkey Festival, or the 1940 “First Annual King Turkey Day” event was the very first Turkey Day. What is undisputed is that Turkey Day is a day everyone enjoys. The Insider has obtained vintage newsreel footage of the 1940 “First Annual King Turkey Day” parade. You can view this footage on-line by clicking on the turkey below. If you’re on a dail-up connection, be patient. The 6.9 MB file may take a moment or two to load…. Click here to watch video

The ALC Insider September 15, 2005 page 2

“Owl Pellets” as an educational tool… By Amanda Mejia Students in Mrs. Screiber’s Wildlife class had the opportunity to dissect “owl pellets” last week. So what in the heck are “owl pellets?” Well, “owl pellets” might also be called “owl droppings.” If we want to be crude, we could just say “owl poo.” So why would anyone dissect owl poo? To see what owls eat, of course. Students found numerous mouse bones within their individual portions of poo. You see, owls devour mice without chewing them. Their digestive systems digest the mouse meat, but the mouse bones get expelled out the bowel. Students were able to construct entire mouse skeletons from the material expelled from the owls’ bowels. (Continued à) Students reconstruct the bones of a mouse skeleton found within an “owl pellet”

Allie Paine and Rodney Birgoltz dissect an “owl pellet”in their ALC science class Students found the exercise rather disgusting, yet interesting. “There’s a lot of bones in this stuff,” said Allie Paine. “It’s weird, but kinda interesting.” So where does the school get owl poo? Mrs. Schreiber says she orders it from a science catalogue. “We get it from the Kentec, Gateway to Knowledge biolab,” she said. If combing through owl poo sounds like a fascinating activity, then you definitely should sign up for Mrs. Schreiber’s Wildlife class next semester. Justin Alm, Daniel Sihavong and Jon Melendez examine the contents of an owl’s bowel.

The ALC Insider September 15, 2005 page 3

ALC Mythbuster: Is the new watertower a leaning tower? The latest “urban legend” to sweep through Worthington is that the new watertower is leaning. If something is not done soon, the entire thing will fall over, or so goes the story. So where does this crazy myth come from? The tower was built on land that was once a swamp. The swamp was drained when Whiskey Ditch was dug. Those who tell this crazy tale say the tower is sinking into the unstable ground, just like West Elementary did. The photograph to the right seems to support this tale. But is any of it true? The original part of West Elementary built back in 1956 did sink a few inches into the unstable ground. The 1965 addition to West – site of the present-day ALC – was built on pilings driven far into the ground. That portion of West did not sink into the ground. The new watertower was also built on pilings driven 85 feet into the ground. “It’s straight,” Worthington Public Utilities Director Don Habicht told the Worthington Daily Globe earlier in the summer. “That thing is well supported.” But what about the photograph showing the leaning watertower? It’s an optical illusion. It’s the trees in the area that actually lean. (Continued à)

The new watertower clearly seems to lean in the photograph above. Constant prairie winds blowing from the west force trees in this area to grow bent slightly toward the east. The eye makes one think the trees grow straight. And if the trees are straight, then the tower must be leaning. But as you can see below, it is the trees – and Amanda – that are leaning, not the new watertower. This myth is busted. In reality, the tower is straight, but the trees – and Amanda – lean…

The ALC Insider September 15, 2005 page 4

This Week’s Student Profile: Javier Esqueda By Idania Lopez The person I interviewed was Javier Esqueda. He just turned 18 on September fifth. He was born in Torreon, Mexico. He moved to the United States when he was only five years old. He came to Minnesota and has lived here ever since. For Javier, his pet-peeve is cutting his hair because he never likes how it turns out. He likes to listen to Rap music and loves to dance to it, too. He also told me that he loves to eat enchiladas, and loves to go to the Panda House Restaurant to eat Chinese food which he likes. Javier lives in Worthington, Minnesota, with his Mom and Dad. He has two sisters and two brothers. He comes from a Catholic family and they like to go to church every Sunday. Javier is currently attending the ALC in Worthington and is in Twelfth grade. He will be graduating this year. (Continued à)

After Javier graduates from high school he plans to go to college here in Worthington. He wants to study computer graphics and have a good job in the future. After he graduates from college, he plans to travel different places he hasn’t been before. He plans to settle down and start a family around the age of 25. It was nice interviewing Javier and getting to know him better and I hope you have too. Leticia wins first SOTW Something that is new at the ALC this year is a weekly “Student of the Week” award, or SOTW. Each teacher nominates a student who has done an outstanding job for the past week. Mr. Knapp then selects one of the nominees to receive the SOTW award. Leticia Heredia-Murillo received the first award last week. Student of the Week Leticia Heredia-Murillo

The Insider September 15, 2005 Page 5

Tanisha Tanisha Tall, loud, krazy, honest Sister of Danika Lover of friends, parties, shopping Who feels stress at home Who needs to move out and make money Who fears that she might end up alone Who would like to see Paris and London Resident of Bigelow Martins Ryan Ryan Tired, slow, lazy, happy Brother of Sarah Lover of music Who feels tired of life Who needs to feel safe Who fears duckies Who would like to see Rome? Resident of my own little world White

Animation by www.animationlibrary.com Walking Around the Block By Shanna Dehning Wet pavement Glossy leaves Fall sporadically On the spring-rain fresh ground Slimy earthworms wriggling Across Kentucky Blue Grass Lawns searching for shelter. Still sprinkling I finally feel the sun Shining on my wind blown, Tear streaked face. I feel the blunt burning Of the unmerciful sun Come open itself on my Already rosy cheeks. People opening shutters Breathing in the fresh air. Cars starting, waiting for work To consume the rest of their owners’ day. And yet I walk…

ALC Insider September 15, 2004 Page 6

The Biography of Sing Phady

By: Annie Keosaksith

Sing Phady was born in Thailand on September 25, 1989. He came to America around 1990 after his family ran from the Communists. They lived in Sacramento, California for at least a year, before Sing, his mom, grandma, grandpa and oldest sister decided to move to Fresno, California. Ten years later he now lives in Worthington, Minnesota, but he says he doesn’t really like Worthington. He said California is better.

Sing lives with his mom and his four sisters, Imphaeng is the oldest, next is Khanya, then Monica, and Melissa is the youngest. They live in a big pink house on Smith Avenue.

Some of the things that Mr. Phady enjoys are listening to music such as slow jams, hip hop, trance and many more, but when it comes to food he doesn’t have just one favorite. He will eat just about anything: Asian, Mexican, and American, he doesn’t have any particular favorite food.

(Continued à)

Sing and his pal Annie

Sing Phady is a funny person. Sing and I always clown on my little sister Jennie, or on each other. Whenever we get together, there’s never a boring moment, because we are continually laughing and having a good time. One thing that Sing Phady likes to do is to do hair and make-up for people and make them look very nice.

A big belief of Sing’s is Buddhism. Buddha was a monk who wore orange robes and lived in a temple and only ate once a day. When it comes to spirits and ghosts, Sing is really scared. He believes in all of the spirits that Buddha believed in.

Sing Phady is a very interesting person to talk to but I’m done talking today, so this interview is over.

This Week’s Separated-at-Birth

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