Rachel's Rants: November 2009

The latter half of October brought the snow that will stick around for the rest of the winter. It was in the newspaper not too long ago that Fairbanks is one of the few places that is always 100% guaranteed to have a white Christmas. Somehow when the snow starts falling and the skies get darker and darker, life becomes more social because everyone isn't running in quite as many directions as we do in the summer.

This winter season brought the first ever Sauerkraut Throwdown!! This is a little friendly competition in which one must have grown their own cabbage and then make their own kraut...not so complicated, right? I was honored to be an official judge for the competition.

It was hard to pick a clear winner as we judged each of the krauts on appearance, aroma, taste, and texture. In the end, I would say that all of the competitors were winners although we did have to pick first, second, and third. Congratulations!!

October also brings the start of the hockey season. What would winter be without going to one of the UAF Nanook hockey games?

Between the second and third periods, there is a competition where people throw these tiny frisbee-like things and try to get them into a bin at center ice.

I can't remember what you win if you get one in, but I assume it's a good prize. Speaking of winning, the Nanooks did manage to win that night, putting everyone in a good mood for the ride home.

The end of October is pretty obvious when you look around and see plenty of people in costumes roaming the streets. This year was no exception. My friend Steve had his annual Halloween party, and yet again the costumes did not disappoint. I went as a Death Panel. Get it? It's a play on words!