Column: Thanks for Listening, by Scott Schmeltzer

We have been having a lot of fun working on our first edition of Albert Lea Magazine. Our readers and advertisers will see the first edition of Albert Lea Magazine in April.

The goal of this new publication will be to feature more local people and community interests in Albert Lea and Freeborn County. We have our first big event coming up with a local modeling search. On Saturday, March 23, at the Northbridge Mall, we will co-sponsor this event with The Unbridled Boutique, Studio 22 Salon, and Arquette Modeling Agency.

The winner will receive a fashion spread in Albert Lea Magazine plus be chosen as the face of Unbridled Boutique’s advertising campaign. All models will also have a chance to receive a modeling contract with the Arquette Agency.

So if you are a female, ages 15-45, come on down to the mall with fitted clothing, no makeup and natural hair. Along with the main winner, Albert Lea Magazine will be looking for local models for our magazine. We will be doing six issues a year and need you.

Albert Lea Magazine will feature Seen pages, which show local people at area events along with wedding and engagement photos from local couples. We have a Dazzle section with its focus on fashion that will feature local models and style that you can find in our area.

Other features in this enjoyable magazine include Live, for articles and tips on lifestyle and romance, Savor, which features food, drinks and art, which is ample in and around Albert Lea, and finally, we will bring you into area homes and gardens and interview firsthand the creative process and idea people behind the activities featured.

We need you to be a huge part of this magazine, so please call us with any story ideas and thoughts that will make our endeavor even greater. Please email the Albert Lea Magazine editor, Kelli Lageson, at kelli.lageson@albertleatribune.com or give her a call at 379-3439.

 

March Madness

March Madness is right around the corner. The brackets will be filled out soon and everyone will await the first big upset.

I remember when I was in high school watching what I still consider the greatest basketball game ever. The 1985 championship game between Villanova and Georgetown was a lopsided matchup on paper. The Hoyas had future pros in Patrick Ewing, Reggie Williams and David Wingate, and had already defeated Villanova twice in the regular season.

I was watching the game because it was fun to watch Patrick Ewing dominate college basketball. I was also tuned in because starting in 1979 when Magic Johnson and Michigan State beat Larry Bird, it began a great college basketball revival that included Michael Jordan canning a jumper to win in 1982 and Jim Valvano running all around the court in 1983 as his North Carolina State team was that year’s Cinderella story. Ewing was just so much bigger and better than everyone back then. Georgetown was the dominant force with Patrick, and they just seemed so invincible.

Villanova got my attention because of its run to the final game was so impressive. Knocking out Michigan (No. 1 seed) with Roy Tarpley, North Carolina (No. 2 seed) and a Final Four victory over Memphis State with Keith Lee, who went 31-4 and was my pick to win it all that year, was quite the shocker.

Another reason the team got my attention was a funny coach named Rollie Massimino, who led Villanova. He was very active on the sidelines and fun to watch.

The Villanova Wildcats started the game with Dwayne McClain, Harold Pressley, Harold Jensen and Gary McClain not ever missing a shot. It was crazy. The only player I had ever even heard about on Villanova was Ed Pinckney. Every time Georgetown shot, the Wildcats came back and hit another jumper. They also never missed a free throw and at the half led the Hoyas of Georgetown 29-28.

The second half was a standing-in-front-of-the-television, crazy experience as Villanova continued to just hit jumper after jumper and ended the game shooting a remarkable 79 percent from the floor. Villanova was a giant killer on this night as Georgetown and Patrick Ewing lost this spectacular championship game 66-64.

This game was so significant because, for me, only hockey and the Green Bay Packers were games for which I would yell and jump around. Now, I could add college basketball to that list.

So bring on March Madness! I am ready.
Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer’s column appears every Thrusday.