| Land of lakes
Thanks to its location far from Interstate highways and sizable cities, this little town in western Maine has stayed much the same for decades. The biggest news in the past couple of years has been about the expanded and relocated IGA supermarket, the addition of a Thai restaurant, and a new ski lodge at Saddleback Maine. The region known as Rangeley Lakes has 110 lakes, ponds, and streams, and it includes the small village of Oquossoc 7 miles west. Surrounded by mountains, the area is largely undeveloped, though more and more houses are being built along winding dirt roads in the woods. While Rangeley became legendary as a hunting and fishing mecca, now it attracts nature lovers year-round. RestIf you want to stay "downtown," you can't beat The Rangeley Inn and Motor Lodge (2443 Main St., 800-666-3687, rangeleyinn.com).
Military-themed phone charity makes bold goal - Army News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - ...
NORWELL, Mass. — At the holidays, for a service member at war, there's nothing like a phone call home. Brittany and Robbie Bergquist have provided more than $1.4 million worth of them — 24 million precious minutes. The Bergquists are teenage siblings who didn't even own a cell phone in 2004, when they heard that an Army reservist faced a $7,600 bill for making calls home from Iraq. They founded Cell Phones for Soldiers based on three ideas: Most people have an old, inactive cell phone lying around; they'd probably donate it to the right cause; and they'd probably agree that, as Brittany puts it, "Everyone has a right to call home." In three years, an effort that began with a piggybank raid and a car wash has turned into a booming home front charity — one that has turned its founders' lives upside down and won them devoted friends throughout the military and beyond.
Back In The New York Groove; Vikings Thrash Giants
"New York Groove" is a song performed by legendary Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley on his self-titled 1978 album. It also happens to be the ditty that the New York Giants used to play after they scored a touchdown at Giants Stadium. The Minnesota Vikings defense may just claim the song as their own. Two years ago in North Jersey, Vikings safety Darren Sharper picked off Eli Manning three times, returning one for a touchdown in a 24-21 Minnesota win. And, while it didn't count, the Vikings trashed the New York Jets, 37-20, during a preseason game at the stadium in August, when both Sharper and linebacker Chad Greenway returned interceptions for touchdowns. Fast forward to this past Sunday when Sharper, safety Dwight Smith and Greenway all returned Manning interceptions for touchdowns as Minnesota stunned the New York Giants again, 41-17.
Monday Sports In Brief
COLLEGE FOOTBALL - The same day Texas A&M entrusted its program to one former NFL head coach, Georgia Tech decided to end the tenure of another.Coaches were coming and going around college football as each school searched for a winning formula. Georgia Tech fired Chan Gailey, the ex-Dallas Cowboys coach, while Texas A&M hired Mike Sherman, the ex-Green Bay Packers coach.Indiana gave interim coach Bill Lynch a four-year contract after he led the Hoosiers to their most successful season in 14 years. Duke fired Ted Roof, who went 2-3 as an interim coach in 2003 to earn the full-time job then won just four more games the next four seasons.At Southern Mississippi and Colorado State, two longtime, successful coaches were on their way out after disappointing years. Southern Miss’ Jeff Bower resigned after 14 straight winning seasons and 10 bowl invitations in 11 years.
Cuddly toys turn Internet pied piper for kids
Seven-year-old Ashling Cannon poses 29 October 2007 next to a computer screen displaying the Webkinz website and her webkinz cuddly toys in Washington. An array of cuddly toys is invading US shops, attracting an army of young fans onto an Internet networking site designed for children, many of whom are not even yet in school. .
USC gaining recruits from the state of Alabama
The state of Alabama continues to be fertile recruiting territory for South Carolina. Last week, DB Jarrett Burns (6-3, 186) of Huntsville committed to the Gamecocks after getting an official offer from recruiter Ron Cooper and head coach Steve Spurrier. "It was a comfort level," Burns said. "I talked to coach Cooper all the time. He showed me he could be there for me if I need something. That was a big thing to me." Burns is viewed as a big corner by the Gamecocks and had 79 tackles with one interception this season. "My advantage is my height," he said. "And I like to beat up the receiver. I like to come up and hit. And I roam the field well." Burns had an offer from Louisiana Tech and said he was getting strong interest from Clemson, Auburn, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisville and Mississippi State.
Generosity makes wishes come true
Christmas Wish volunteers are gearing up for the hard task of filling wishes for hundreds of Twin Lakes Area families. The ability to fill these wishes is dependent on the generosity of area residents who unselfishly donate toys, clothing, decorations, household goods and money year-after-year to make the program successful. In the past 18 years, Christmas Wish has not failed to provide a better holiday season for thousands of children by supplying nice toys, warm clothing and food to make Christmas brighter.How to donate .
GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: O-K Gold
Things are looking good for this year's Bulldogs. Coming off of a 16-7 season, Byron Center returns four starters, including a couple of four-year and three-year starters. "We have a lot of experience on the varsity this year, and we're returning a lot of talent," said Bulldogs coach Glenn Davis. Headlining the returning players is fourth-year starter Logan Marsh. Marsh, a point guard, sets the tone for the offense with her quickness and ability see the floor in the transition game. Four other seniors also figure to play a big role in things this year for the Bulldogs. Lindsey Karsten and Ashley Wightman, a pair of starting senior forwards, can play down low and run the floor on the break. Lindsi Russo, another senior who comes off the bench, is a lock-down defender.
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