Cascarelli’s of Albion and other local restaurants served a few more guests from out of state this past weekend,
Cascarelli’s of Albion and other local restaurants served a few more guests from out of state this past weekend, including some guests who stayed downtown at the Courtyard by Marriott. Visitors were in Albion for more than one reason, but several of them came from Wisconsin for a cross-country race to qualify for a national Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) meet. One couple visiting town with six children, had a story to tell.
Jim Cascarelli, longtime owner of Cascarelli’s Restaurant, was greeting guests when he noticed a couple with six children at a big round table.
Jim Cascarelli, longtime owner of Cascarelli’s Restaurant, was greeting guests when he noticed a couple with six children at a big round table. Carrie and Paul Miller were visiting Albion from Green Bay, Wisconsin and they were staying at the hotel next door. Five of their kids were there to participate in the AAU District Youth Cross-Country Meet taking place in Victory Park the next day.
Their 8-month-old baby, Allie, did not participate in the meet, but all the rest of their children did.
Their 8-month-old baby, Allie, did not participate in the meet, but all the rest of their children did. At the cross-country meet, the Millers were happy to share the news that their children ran so well that they qualified for the national AAU meet.
Since qualifying for the nationals, the Miller family is now planning to participate in the national AAU cross-country meet in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 4th. The Millers explained that meets with children in the younger age groups are rare. This made the event in Albion that much more important, and they were pleased to come to visit the Albion community and move on to the nationals in two weeks.
The Millers are also in Wisconsin news for their entrepreneurial idea to help runners meet their goals with the use of volunteer pacer runners. Carrie shared, “We are the founders of a company called On Pace. We pace races across the U.S. We are also putting on a half marathon/5k next weekend (Nov. 27) in De Pere, WI. It’s our first time putting on a race.” Pacers run a specific pace in a race/even splits for the whole race and finish within one minute of their goal time.
“For example, many times I am the 4-hour full marathon pacer for 26.2 miles. I hold a sign with my pace time and wear a special ‘pacer’ shirt. Anyone who wants to run about a 4-hour marathon can run with me. I make sure that I run an even 9:09-mile pace for the whole race and motivate/encourage/talk to the runners the whole way helping them through the race. It’s almost like in-race coaching.”
The Millers shared how much they enjoyed their time in Albion – both being in Victory Park as much as their time at Cascarelli’s the night before. The AAU nationals-qualifying cross-country meet in Victory Park was organized in part by Mike Jurasek, who was once a teacher and cross-country coach for Albion Public Schools.
Photo by Melissa Lisa Major, mother of one of the players, Jeremiah Major #0.
Photo used with permission.
More visitors from out of state were also in Albion as the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse Eagles duked it out with the Albion College Britons for a NCAA Division III first-round game at Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium. Despite a comeback in the third quarter, the Brits suffered a defeat; the final score was Wisconsin-LaCrosse 58 – Albion 23. Keeping in mind that UW-LaCrosse has a total enrollment of 10,000 students and Albion College has an enrollment of 1,500, it was exciting for Albion’s team to be in the running – a feat not seen in over 20 years.
Nearby, the Serra-Dow Fitness Center hosted a men’s invitational wrestling tournament. The event was streamed live on FloWrestling for those who chose to subscribe. There were nine teams in the tournament and each team was only allowed 15 spectators.
With the cross-country meet, the football game including a tail-gate party before the game, and the wrestling tournament, there was a lot of foot traffic near Victory Park and the Albion College football stadium.
Yet that wasn’t all that happened this Saturday in Albion; additional events include
Yet that wasn’t all that happened this Saturday in Albion; additional events include
The Play Right Sports Academy basketball tournament for boys and girls from 3rd through 12th grade. Through the Play Right Sports Academy, Coaches Milton Barnes and Mike Turner work with youth and volunteers to develop a variety of skills through mentorship of young people.
A Thanksgiving Turkey-Giveaway was also provided for the community at College Chevrolet. There were 400 frozen turkeys given away by noon on Saturday. Sponsors for this charitable event include Play Right Sports Academy, Albion College, Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital, College Chevy, Albion Area Philanthropic Women, and the Albion-Homer United Way. It was a time of thankfulness for everyone involved.
Meanwhile, in downtown Albion, the first Annual Harvest & Gospel Fest took place on Saturday afternoon at the Bohm Theatre. Performers included Janet Lowe, Abriana Armstrong, Jalen Bell, Emanuelle Jacob, Matthew Kay, and Faith Ann and Friends.
Performers included Janet Lowe, Abriana Armstrong, Jalen Bell, Emanuelle Jacob, Matthew Kay, and Faith Ann and Friends.
The Albion Health Care Alliance was also present to share information about the Community Table of Albion – Food Distribution and Covid vaccinations. The food distribution takes place on the second, third and fourth Tuesdays of the month on Monroe Street at 4 p.m.
The food distribution takes place on the second, third and fourth Tuesdays of the month on Monroe Street at 4 p.m.
Other vendors for the event included Dennis Reid II caricatures, Sarah Dilyard photography, and Summit Pointe, which provided information about their behavioral health services in Calhoun County. The City of Albion’s Downtown Development Authority sponsored Albion’s first Annual Harvest & Gospel Fest, and Kelly Kidder of Dickerson’s Music provided the sound, and along with some musical accompaniment.
Overall, the day was a good example of how our community can bring together a wide variety of people.
Overall, the day was a good example of how our community can bring together a wide variety of people. There were opportunities to meet people, participate in athletics, food, music, and fun. Each event presented learning opportunities for future activities to improve how our community welcomes and serves visitors and residents alike.