Sports : One year milestone: Cross Country teams to paint windows at Ehlinger's Wednesday

A year ago, Mel Davis and her staff welcomed the Vinton-Shellsburg cross country teams to Ehlinger's Express, where the runners were treated to free supper and hot chocolate and painted the windows to celebrate the accomplishment of earning a trip to State. That tradition continued with other VS teams throughout the past year. Bowling, baseball and track team members were among those who brought their celebrations to the convenience store and adjacent McDonald's. The tradition enters its second year at 5:30 p.m. this Wednesday when the Viking and Vikette cross country teams arrive at the business for a meal and window painting. The public is invited to stop by to congratulate the runners and wish them well in their Oct. 31 meet in Fort Dodge. "I can't believe it's been a year already since we started this tradition, says Jamie Stander, one of the Ehlinger's employees. "We are hoping that we can go on like last year and have another year of celebrating many state athletes."