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The Worthington ALC Insider
Volume 4, Issue 20 May 4, 2007
Cinco De Mayo By Ana and Eddie Cinco de Mayo is coming up, and we were curious how many people know what the day is actually about. To find out we hit the streets. The question that we asked was: What does Cinco de Mayo mean to you? The 1st person we asked was Mr. Hyvari and he said, "Cinco de Mayo is how much mayonnaise I put on my club sandwich, five scoops.” Mr. Lowry set him straight saying “No, it’s the day when the Mexicans defeated the French invaders. The French tried to make the Mexicans eat French fries but it didn't work because the Mexicans had their most famous weapon, the Taco." The rest of the ALC staff had some equally interesting comments. Cec said, "It’s a celebration in the Mexican community when they remember their freedom." Mrs. Lowe said, "It’s not part of my history or heritage, but I think its neat how the Hispanic community comes together to celebrate it.” Mrs. Moser the math teacher commented on the obvious: "Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for the fifth of May, duh.” "It has something to do about freedom,” said Barb, while Mr. Strouth added, “It’s great, but I don't know much about it.” "It’s kind of like the 4th of July for Mexicans," said Craig the custodian. (Continued à)	Mr. Hyvari and Idania celebrate Cinco de Mayo Students had this to say: "It’s the day Mexicans celebrate their independence," said Adrian. "I have no clue what it is, I'm not Mexican," said Toby. "It’s the day when I cry for all the little kids of the world, oops I mean Mexico,” said Juan. Tyler’s comment was “I think it’s the Day of the Dead or something like that,” while Dan said, "It’s hanging out and having a good time with a bunch of Mexicans." Will was clueless, saying "Uhh! I don't know what it means," On the other side of the building, Esmeralda Salas said, "It’s very great and an awesome tradition for Hispanics and everybody in the community," while Carol Coriolan added, "Cinco de Mayo is a celebration when people come together, but I don't know what it’s really about.” For readers who don’t know what Cinco de Mayo is about, read the story on page 2 and find out! Then remember to celebrate on Saturday!

The Insider May 4, 2007 Page 2

What is Cinco de Mayo all about? The Fifth of May is not Mexican Independence Day, and Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday. So, why do people here and in Mexico celebrate Cinco de Mayo? 4,000 Mexican soldiers led by Benito Juarez smashed an invading French army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, on the morning of May 5, 1862. What was the French Army doing in Mexico you might ask? They came to collect debts Mexico supposedly owed France. The French Army had not been defeated in 50 years, and it invaded Mexico with complete confidence. They were not afraid of anyone, especially the United Sates because we were busy fighting our own Civil War at the time. (Continued à)

Tomorrow is May 5^th or Cinco de Mayo But on May 5, 1862, the Mexicans won a surprise victory. Although fighting between the Mexicans and the French continued for another five years, the May Fifth victory was the most important battle. It made Mexicans realize that France could eventually be driven out once and for all. It also kept France from carrying out its plan to re-supply the Confederate Army through Mexico during the U.S. Civil War. When the Union forces defeated the South three years later, Union General Phil Sheridan repaid the debt by making sure Mexico got all the weapons and ammunition it needed to fight the remaining French. In fact, he encouraged newly discharged American soldiers to keep their uniforms and rifles, cross the border, and join the Mexican Army! Many did and they helped Mexico crush the French in 1867. So Mexico helped the Union forces win the U.S. Civil War – even though that was never their intention – and Americans helped the Mexicans kick out the French invaders. Cinco de Mayo is the day to remember all of this. –From our archives

The ALC Insider May 4, 2007 page 3

Warning: the following contains fictional information and should not be taken seriously. By Priscila Garcia I heard from a little birdie who heard it from Jena (Cece’s dog) that Cec is really a billionaire! Well this birdie told me that about ten years ago Cec bought a billion dollar power ball ticket. She decided that the extravagant life was getting too exhausting for her to handle, not to mention people calling her claiming to be her family. I should be one of them. So anyway three years ago she made a choice to come work at the ALC. She uses this job as a charity donation to deduct from her taxes. She also feels that doing a little community service at the ALC will get her in good with the big guy upstairs. On the weekends she drives out to her own private casino. Can you imagine the “dog house” she must have? I’m sure her husband doesn’t really mind getting kicked out there! Virginia? Who is she or what is she? My sources tell me that she is a cardboard cut-out of a woman Mr. Knapp dreams of. I was told that he keeps “her” in a room in his basement on a pedestal. He set up a huge alter where he brings “her” presents on a daily basis. Oh and that picture in the office? Well there’s an explanation for that, too. (Continued à)

Mr. Knapp has a summer part-time job at the photo center in the Spirit Lake Wal-Mart. That’s where he came across this mystery woman. She came in to develop some pictures. Mr. Knapp took the negatives and made his own copies. Then he went and had a cardboard cut-out made. I mean come on, this picture is the only one of the two of them together? Jeez, he could’ve at least had it professionally made!!☺☺ Did you hear about Craig? What? You don’t know who Craig is? Well it doesn’t surprise me. He keeps a pretty low profile. Craig is the head custodian in the old West Elementary building. Did you know he used to be the leader of a huge motorcycle gang? I think it was called the Sweepers, or something, and his gang name was Dustpan. Well the story goes that he and his bikers were at Sturgis. This is back when Sturgis was the real deal. Well there was a big blow with the Moppers. Well, Dustpan barely escaped with his life and took off and headed east. His old’56 Shovelhead only made as far as Worthington. Luckily, Dustpan ran into Mayor Oberloh (himself a biker) who gave him a place to hide out. Dustpan decided to sweep his past behind him and has been here ever since.

The Insider May 4, 2007 Page 4
Mother’s Day is a week from this Sunday, so you better mark May 13^th on your calendar now. The first time mother’s day was celebrated was in springtime of ancient Greece. This honored Rhea, the mother of the Gods. England began to celebrate a day they called “Mothering Sunday” during the 1600’s. “Mothering Sunday” was celebrated on the fourth Sunday of lent. That Sunday was meant to honor the mothers from England. Back in those days women who worked as housekeepers or nannies actually lived with their employers. But mothering Sunday was their day off so they would be able to go home and be with their own families. Later on Europe had a celebration called “Mother Church.” As time went by the “Mother Church” and “Mothering Sunday” celebrations blended together. In 1872 Julia Ward Howe introduced the idea of Mother’s Day in Boston. She organized meetings in Boston every year to remember Mother’s Day. (Continued à)	Mother’s Day founder Ana Jarvis In 1907 Ana Jarvis from Philadelphia wanted everybody in the United States to celebrate Mother’s Day. She convinced her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia, that they should celebrate Mothers Day on the second anniversary of her own mother’s death – a date that coincided with the second Sunday of May. By 1911 Mothers Day was celebrated in almost every state. Three years later President Woodrow Wilson announced that Mother’s Day would become a national holiday celebrated each year on the second Sunday of May. – From our archives
Animation by www.millan.net

The ALC Insider May 4, 2007 page 5

Today is No Pants Day!

Today, May 4, 2007 is celebrated as No Pants Day, we kid you not! This crazy holiday originated in 1985 or 1986 – the origins are a bit unclear. The idea is to walk around without pants on as a means of having fun.

According to Wikipedia, "When large groups of people parade around in public without their pants, amazing things are bound to happen. At the very least, you’ll take your drab, wretched life a little less seriously, at least for one day."

(Continue à)

This holiday appears to have originated as a fraternity prank at the University of Austin in Texas. It was declared the "Best Local Holiday" in a poll taken by the Austin Chronicle in 2003.

No Pants Day doesn't always fall on the 4th of May. Last year it was celebrated on the 5th of May, and in 2008 it will fall on May 2nd. It is celebrated every year on the first Friday in May. You can read more about this amazing holiday on Wikipedia by clicking here.

These ads actually appeared in newspapers throughout the country…

Dinner Special: Turkey $4.50 Chicken or Beef $3.85 Children under ten $2.00	Help Wanted – Cook Must like the food business, be enthusiastic, and willing to get hands dirty	Protect Your Boots Use our amazing spray and make your winter footwear completely repellent.
For Sale Antique desk $250. Suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers	Used Cars Why go elsewhere and be cheated? Come here first!	Ear Piercing Have your ears pierced today and get an extra pair to take home!
Lost Small poodle. Reward. Neutered like one of the family.	Swimwear Superstore Try our exciting bikinis. They are simply the tops!	Cocker Spaniel For Sale $15.00 Eats anything. Particularly fond of children.
Auto Repair Service Try us once and you’ll never go anywhere else again.	Merry Maids Service Tired of cleaning yourself? Let us do it!	Hired Hand Hard-working man. Honest. Will take anything.

The ALC Insider May 4, 2007 page 6

ARIES (MARCH 21- APRIL 19)

Beware of Mexican food restaurants today. They may cause some bad aire to be emited from your cuerpo my amigo.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)

Too bad that the Cenex station still doesn’t have a Taco Bell inside of it. If it did, you could eat there and get gas, too

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20)

Beware of all sombreros. They are so big and weighty that they will crush you into dust if you put one on your head.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22)

It’s not a good day to eat burritos. You know why? Because the Spanish word burrito means “little Donkey. You really want to eat a little donkey?

LEO (JULY 23- AUG 22) 

Where is a lion – or un Leon en espanol – to hang out now that the Lion’s Den has been closed by the City of Worthington?

(Continued à)

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEPT 22)

Today would be a good day to hang out with Virgo the Virgin lady and Our Lady of Guadalupe (the patron saint of Mexico). You’ll stay out of trouble with them…

LIBRA (SEPT 23-OCT 22)

Libra is the Spanish word for “scale.” Don’t step on one today after all the Mexican food you’ve eaten… You might break it.

SCORPIO (OCT 23-NOV 21) 

Beware of all those desert scorpions from Northern Mexico. They’ve got a vicious sting, and they are poisonous.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22-DEC 21)

Eat some rice and beans, rice and beans, rice and beans. When you’re done, eat some more rice and beans

CAPIRCORN (DEC 22- JAN 19)

Eating 10 jars of jalapena peppers daily will keep your stomach in good order. Begin doing so today.

AQUARIUS (JAN 29-FEB 18)

Watch out! Your aquarium is full of hungry piranhas from the jungle rivers of the Yucatan.

PISCES (FEB 19- MARCH 20)

If you go fishing today, don’t do it in the Rio Grade River or you might catch a human.

Separated at Birth Click here to watch the movie….

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