Nick Helten
Published: April 22, 2009

DUBUQUE - It was Special Olympics Challenge Day at Hills and Dales Community Center last weekend , but it was also a mother-daughter day for Julie Gillitzer.“We are here today to participate in the events with our daughter Paige,” explains Julie.

Paige and others compete in events like basketball, bowling, and darts. The morning long event is a way for those with special needs to compete and have fun as they reach for their goals.

“It comes from that internal desire to participate with your friends and they recognize that when they do a good job they receive applause and accolades at the end of that event,” said Special Olympics organizer Marilyn Althoff.

Even though the athletes are the stars of the day, those on the sidelines find value in the experience as well.

“A lot of them really appreciate it you can tell and after I got to take a picture with one of them athletes and he carried them around all day it was really cute,” said volunteer Jenna Brown.

Those who organize the event love that their volunteers are there to help athletes realize their dreams.

“All of our volunteers I think have an opportunity first hand to participate in assuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as anyone else in the community,” says Marilyn.

Julie loves the support not just for daughter but for her entire family.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to involve yourself with something that is important and meaningful and I know the Dubuque area is excellent for their support and we really appreciate that, it means a lot to my husband and I,” says Julie.

Special Olympics Iowa is holding more challenge days across the state this month.

For locations and times check out www.soiowa.org.

Nick Helten can be contacted at Nicholas.Helten@loras.edu

Nick Helten
Published: April 9, 2009

Dubuque – Tucked in the corner of the Carnegie-Stout Library sits a group of rather focused men. What brings them together this Saturday morning is one of the most storied board games in history, Chess.

Despite playing it for decades now, Dubuque Chess Club organizer Earl Zismer is still excited at the prospect of a new gamer.

“I find it fascinating; no game is ever the same. They start out the same, but after the first three or five moves it is a totally different game every time,” said Zismer.

This fascination brings Earl and others to club meetings four times a month. Though it isn’t the most enthralling for some, it is a game one can learn from.

Longtime participant, Paul Goldstein, hopes some of his younger players find value in the game he did.

“Chess can teach a lot of things I think. It can teach patience, planning ahead, and thinking before you move,” siaid Goldstein.

That kind of diligence is the trait of a Dubuque chess player.

The town was once a well-known hub of chess activity and Earl is more than willing to share his knowledge of the club’s founder Louis Paulsen.

“From the research that I have done, he was one of the great chess theorists, and a player ranking among the world’s best half-dozen in the 1860s,” said Earl.

While none of these dozen men are at Paulsen’s level it doesn’t mean it doesn’t mean that can’t continue to get something out of the game they love.

“That’s one of the things I find fascinating about the game, is that you can always learn. I’ve been learning a little bit year after year,” said Zismer.

“The club has been great. We are supportive of anyone who wants come down and learn to play,” said Goldstein.

The club says there are always different kinds of players at all skill levels of play and offers anyone to come down and learn.

The club meets every third saturday at 9 am and wednesday at 7 pm every month in the Carnegie-Stout library in downtown Dubuque.

Nick Helten can be reached at nick.helten@lctv13.com

Nick Helten
Published: March 25, 2009

Dubuque - Daryl Martin has been doing dog shows for over fifty years.

Today she is bringing her expertise and high expectations to the Tri-States for the Dubuque Kennel Club Dog Show.

“I like competition and like to show good dogs and win with good dogs,” said Daryl Martin, a dog show competitor.

Her dog and over 800 others are in town for the two day event featureing toys and herders, and afghans and retrievers.

Fine canine athletes from across the midwest are here looking to win best in show, but Daryl knows it isn’t just about competition day.

“You have to take care of them during the week as well as giving them baths, blowing the dry, and taking care of their coat as best you can and their health,” said Martin.

Dubuque Kennel Club president Judy Thill knows the importance of a healthy dog and wants the local onlookers to relize the same.

“We are very active in seeing that all dogs are kept healthy, mentally and physically,” said Thill.

One physically fit pooch is Daryl’s prize Maltese, up for competition in the toy division

“She is like the number two Maltese in the country at the moment,” said Martin.

While she has some worthy opponents, is the Maltese’s stunning physique too much for the judge to pass up? Today it is, as she is awarded her with the first place prize.

Today was another successful turn for Daryl and her dog, and another successful competition for the Dubuque Kennel Club.

Nick Helten can be reached at Nick.Helten@lctv13.com

Nick Helten
Published: February 18, 2009

DUBUQUE - Due to the recent economic downturn the Loras athletic department finds finances are anything but well.

Stores are closing, jobs are being cut and it seems no one can escape the current economic downtown. The list even includes the Loras Athletic Department.

Junior tennis player Alesha Espey is one feeling the pinch.

“This year our meet got canceled due to budget cuts so we just kind of aren’t able to travel this spring to play,” said Espey.
The loss of these extra activities is a new philosophy to keep Loras sports within its means.

“Right now we’re just trying to delegate between what are the wants and what are the needs and just deal with the needs,” said interim athletic director, Brad Soderberg.

While a few perks enjoyed in the past will not be seen this year, athletics director Brad Soderberg assures no drastic changes are coming in the near future.

“There are no plans right now to drop any sports or to lay off any people,” said Soderberg.

Next year Loras is raising its tuition by only 3.5%, but it is yet to be seen if this will have any effect on the athletic department’s budget.

Despite the worries and lack of competition, Alesha Espey is hopeful for next fall.

“It’s unfortunate but it’s not going to make or break us this spring. We’re still going to practice and go on with our season,” said Espey.

LCTV13 attempted to contact the Loras financial official for further details on the athletic department’s budget but did not receive a response. Details will be posted to our website as they become available.

Nick Helten can be reached at Nick.Helten@lctv13.com.

Nick Helten
Published: February 18, 2009

Starting the season without a conference win until January twenty-fourth is not great news for a wrestling program, but the Loras wrestlers found a way to turn things around. The Duhawks finished the season four and four in the IIAC Conference and looked to do damage at the conference tournament.

The Duhawk wrestlers were at it again Tuesday at Luther College for the Iowa Conference tournament.

Loras placed seven wrestlers in the top six, Senior Tom Drosopolis (125), Junior Mark Beatty (125), Sophomores Mike Levassaur (174) and Alex Grafft (197).
The two finalists were senior Jordan Loy (141) and junior Erik Hanson (157).

They both went into the tournament as the number two seed and came out as runner-ups.

Loy is currently ranked ninth in the nation while Hanson is ranked third.
Senior Trevor Kaufman (285) took third place which was just enough to get him through to the National tournament.

Final team standings here. Final individual standings here.

Nick Helten can be contacted at Nick.Helten@lctv13.com

Nick Helten
Published: November 20, 2008

DUBUQUE- “You probably realistically aren’t going to get this to happen this smoothly, ok, lets go!” wrestling coach Ricky Casarez told his team at an early season practice.

Words of wisdom in the wrestling world, and something these Duhawks know well. Coming off a rare losing season, they’re ready to turn things around.

“We want to get back on trap, be up to par, do as good as we can and be right there in dual meets,” said an optimistic, and national ranked Erik Hanson.

The track their looking for is a winning one; one Loras wrestlers have grown accustomed to. So what are these guys doing to make that a reality? Senior Tom Drosopoulos thinks it starts with getting back to basics.

“Just concentrate on technique and conditioning and all of those will come together” he claimed.

But the wrestlers also know many of their competitors are thinking the same thing this time of year. The IIAC is once again the top conference in the nation, but the Duhawks aren’t ready to shy away.

“The conference is tough, but we’re right up there, though. We’re tough too.” said Hanson.

Come December fans will get to see if all those hours of sweating in the wrestling room paid off as the conference season gets underway. Loras opens their dual season against Elmhurst November 25.

Nick Helten can be reached at Nick.Helten@loras.edu

Nick Helten
Published: November 6, 2008

DUBUQUE- Thirty wins overall, eight wins in the IIAC, and a conference championship for Loras.
Needless to say, the players are excited.

“Its amazing!” said senior Maggie Hugulet.

The Duhawks have come a long way this years.
Last season the purple and gold limped to a last place finish in the Iowa Conference.
This season, things cleared up, but it wasn’t easy.

“We put in a lot of hard work. All the preseason work, it just really paid off,” Hugulet claimed.

Loras’ amazing turnaround wasn’t all about hard work and skill, it also had to do with atmosphere.
“We worked hard, but it was also about building chemistry, and I think we did that,” said an optimistic Kate Russell.

But work isn’t finished yet.
Loras hosts the conference tournament this weekend, and they know they’ll have to look inside themselves in order to win the tournament.

“We have to stay positive,” Russell said of their attitude, “and take it one game at a time.”

Thirty-two wins overall and An NCAA tournament bid?

We’ll have to see if all that hard work and chemistry can seal the deal for the Duhawks.

Nick Helten
Published: October 8,2008

DUBUQUE-There’s usually not much to look at in the rural Dubuque sky, but today there is a reason for all the craning necks. No, it is not a solar eclipse; it was the third annual Skydive Dubuque Boogie.

People from all across the Midwest descended on the Dubuque Regional Airport for Sunday’s high flying action. Some people such as Dallas Kalmes are already fans of the free fall.

“I’ve done it once and now I’m hooked,” said the Dubuque native.

Newbies, like Jessica Cook, have some apprehension.

“I’m a little neverous, just a little,” she stated as she prepared for her jump.

Event organizer Tonya Tjarks helped bring the boogie to Dubuque in hopes of getting all walks of life out for the day and change people’s minds about skydiving.

“We’re hoping to change that Point Break, fandango image that follows skydivers around and get all kinds of people out for the boogie,” said Tjarks of her mission.

Never the fandango, Jessica has to the face the music and head for the plane. With a kiss for good luck her and the crew are on their way. But the biggest challenge lies ahead.

“I think the hardest part is getting to that open door and looking down toward the ground,” the veteran jumper Kalmes claimed, “but once you’re in the air it’s great, it’s almost like nirvana when you land.”

While Jessica might not have reached nirvana once she reached the ground, she was excited about and well rewarded for her jump. She not only received kudos from her friends, but a certificate of accomplishment from the Dubuque skydivers.

The boogie rolls out of town after today but it will be back in one year in hopes of entertaining young, old, and everyone in between.

Nick Helten can be reached at Nick.Helten@lctv13.com