07 | March | 2025 | Plaid Line + PRIZM + Scottie News

By: Alice Rapacz

As I step off the shuttle bus into a bright February morning, it is like something I have never seen before. A vast starting line with giant ribbons hanging across a span of 75 meters. Beyond that, crowds of racers decked out in race suits, buffs, and shiny glasses. They are all getting ready to head off on the journey to Hayward.

I was one of the 12,000 skiers to cross the finish line on Main Street in Hayward, Wisconsin over the weekend of February 19 to 22nd for the 51st annual American Birkebeiner cross country ski race.

But, before getting to Hayward, there were nerves to calm and kilometers to ski. People stand around helping each other put on glitter and fill the space with excitement.

As it gets closer and closer to the race starting, people begin to take off their warmups and head over near the race start. We all get lined up, then, boom! We’re off! The crowd erupts and the skiers emerge from the startline on their journey to Hayward. There are so many people that poles are being stepped on and people are tripping and falling over.

Once we found our rhythm, we were left in the calm and beautiful forest with 28 kilometers ahead of us. The sound of the poles digging into the snow flows as we all move up and down the hills. The thing about the race course is it is not just flat, it’s constantly rolling, with steep ups and sharp turns on the downs.

The quiet breaks when I make it to the first water stop. The crowd lines the course handing out water, energy drinks, and snacks.

The American Birkiebiner weekend started in 1973 and has continued until today. It is a yearly event that many skiers look forward to each year. There are a number of different races such as The Prince Haakon 15k, Korte 29k, and Birkie 50-53k depending on if you’re doing classic or skate. Each race has an eye-catching finish through Main Street Hayward.

After 15 miles of treacherous climbs and scary descents the course opened up onto frozen Lake Hayward. The lake stretches far ahead as you make your way closer and closer to Main Street Hayward. Fans lined the course as I finally made my way out onto the infamous Main Street. Cow bells ring and the much awaited finish is finally here.

Once the race was finished I was greeted with chocolate milk and warm soup back at the tents. Friends reconnect as they all come into the finish line. No frowns around; all smiles and excitement.

After a day of fun at the Korte, I went to the Birkie race the following day. There were many spots to cheer, such as OO Trailhead, Boedecker rest stop, and Mosquito Brook rest stop, as well as the finish on Main Street Hayward. This was such a fun and exciting weekend, and I am already looking forward to next year.

By: Jooney Freddieson & Aalovely Lor

Planning on getting a cat? Here are some important things you should know before adopting.

Before owning a cat there are several things you should consider like: financial cost, health care, environment, and whether you want to keep it indoors or outdoors.

Initial Cost

First you should consider adopting from a local shelter or a rescue organization instead of choosing a breeder which costs a lot more money.

When adopting from a shelter there are options for vaccinations, microchips, and spaying/neutering.

The average cost of vaccinations for cats usually falls under 10$-50$ per shot depending on what type of vaccines.

Microchips are a small device that’s injected into a cat’s skin that links to their owners. This helps you identify where your cat might be if they get lost or run away from home. These usually cost 20$.

Spaying/Neutering is a surgical procedure that removes a female cat’s uterus and a male cat’s testicles to prevent them from reproducing. When I (Jooney) got my male cat neutered the cost came to about 115$. It depends on what clinic/vet you go to but the average cost falls between 100$-200$.

This is useful if you don’t plan on having more cats or to prevent your male cats from aggression and female cats from mammary cancer.

Initial Needs

Cats require essential needs like food, water, litter box, toys, and scratching posts. This is an ongoing cost and a financial investment that is required when owning a cat.

Since cats are independent they often require lots of space. They need room for their food/water bowls, litter box, and vertical space for them to climb.

According to Cats.org.uk, it’s important for cats to have something to scratch. Scratching is natural behavior, so they’ll consistently need a place to go to when they need to get their claws into something. This could be a scratch post or allowing them to go outside and cling onto trees.

You should be committed, having time dedicated out of your day to tend to them. Despite their independence, they still require interaction and attention daily.

Another thing to take into consideration about commitment is that healthy cats live up to 12-18 years, some even go up to 20. If you’re only willing to dedicate 3 years or less to that cat you should rethink your decision.

Indoor Cat vs Outdoor Cat

Indoor cats and outdoor cats each have their own pros and cons.

Indoor cats have a longer lifespan than outdoor cats. Their lifespan is around 12-18 years while outdoor cats fall between 5-10 years, which is a huge difference.

Another thing to consider with indoor cats, according to Sfspca.org, they could suffer from boredom which leads to stress and behavioral problems. Cats need to be able to roam around and consistently have things to do or focus on.

Although outdoor cats have their freedom, this allows them to be at a higher risk for diseases, injuries, and getting lost.

Vaccinations play an important role in your cat’s life, whether they’re an indoor or outdoor cat. If your cat is actively outside, you’ll want to go into the vet for regular deworming and checkups.

If you’re planning on allowing your cat to be an outdoor cat, it’s important to consider installing a fence in which they can’t escape your area and other cats can’t roam in.

If you’re planning on keeping an indoors cat, offer them plenty of enrichment and play time. It’s important to make sure your cat stays healthy by keeping them stimulated and going.

In the end, your cat could be an indoor cat who loves going outside. It’s up to you to decide whether or not it’s what you want.

Final decision

After reading this article and you feel positive about your decision, go for it! There are many cats looking for a place to call home and that could be yours.

If you’re having doubts, take more time to think about it. Not everything listed should affect your decision, but they’re important things to consider.