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91-year Turkey Bowl tradition still going on
It started when Margret Battis wanted some peace and quiet on Thanksgiving.
ST PAUL, Minn. — For over 90 years, two St. Paul families have braved Thanksgiving cold to uphold their football tradition which has become a cherished part of their holiday celebration.
The Battis-Bohen Turkey Bowl, as it’s now known, began in the early 1930s when Margret Battis, seeking peace while preparing Thanksgiving dinner, sent her children out of the house.
The Battis kids were joined by the Bohen kids, and a new tradition was born.
Jim Bohen, a participant who has played for more than 70 years, recalls how his grandparents, Tom and Carmella, grew up across the alley from each other.
“I was 6 or 7 when I started playing,” he said. “I missed it in my 70 years maybe for a sprained ankle and one time I got sick.”
The tradition was solidified when a Battis married a Bohen, intertwining the two families.
The annual game has only been missed twice: Once during World War II when many family members were drafted, and once during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, the event draws participants spanning about five generations, from toddlers to grandparents.
The game has been held in various locations, including Highland Park, under all kinds of weather conditions.
A custom-made trophy, weighing 43 pounds, features the original football and has become a symbol of this enduring tradition. Jim Bohen, now the most senior player, proudly holds the title.
Laura Bohen emphasized the emotional significance of the gathering.
“It’s a nice, sweet time to just get together to find those warm memories,” she said, adding that it’s a moment to remember family members who have passed.
While the game is competitive, no official score is kept. The real victory, participants agree, is in the continuation of a tradition that has spanned nearly a century, bringing together generations of family members each Thanksgiving.
According to Bloomington Police, the vehicle was reportedly on I-494 exiting on Penn Avenue and had been attempting to run other vehicles off the road.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Officers arrested a man after using “chemical agents” following a police pursuit Thursday that started in Bloomington.
The Bloomington Police Department said the pursuit began at around 1:50 p.m. after a vehicle reportedly crashed into two parked vehicles and drove off. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it failed to pull over and a pursuit ensued. Authorities say the pursuit was eventually terminated near 98th Street and Interstate 35W.
According to Bloomington Police, the vehicle was reportedly on I-494 exiting on Penn Avenue and had been attempting to run other vehicles off the road. Officers once again tried to stop the vehicle, but it continued to flee. The pursuit returned to I-35W back into Bloomington when officials used a PIT maneuver and stop sticks to eventually disable the vehicle.
However, police say the driver refused to exit the car and they deployed “chemical agents” into the vehicle. The man eventually got out of the vehicle and officers took him into custody.
The Minnesota Jays have earned a spot in a national championship but are seeking donations to go.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Jays spent part of Thanksgiving Day watching football together and playing some catch themselves.
Just last weekend, the 13U team won big in Louisiana, advancing the boys to D1 Nation’s West Coast National Championship in Las Vegas, happening Dec. 20-22.
“We can eat how we want, but we go to practice and just run it off,” player Deandre Walker said of his upcoming Thanksgiving meal.
In Vegas, they plan to honor their junior coach, Marcell Mitchell.
“He wants us to win all the tournaments,” Marcell’s twin brother, Marqueal Mitchell, said. “He used to get mad at us when we didn’t. He used to punish us for it. He used to make us run for it.”
“He was all in my ear just nagging and nagging, ‘You could have did that. You could have did that,'” fellow teammate Deandre Walker said. “It was like, you can’t do nothing because he’s your coach, but he’s your age!”
This is the first Thanksgiving Marqueal is spending without his twin.
“Now we really gotta do it, win it, for him now,” he said.
Some of the parents explained that while Marqueal is a team captain, Marcell didn’t play due to a heart condition. On May 26, he died at 13 years old.
The Jays are the same team that, four years ago, had to move fields after shots were fired during a practice. A couple of years later, someone they looked up to was killed in another shooting — Deshaun Hill. He used to play for the Jays.
But the Jays are like brothers. They’ve added Marcell’s number, 10, to their jerseys to honor him. Support has been a common theme for this team.
Twice now, the community stepped up to cover travel costs through the team’s in-person and online fundraisers. The Jays returned from both Rantoul, Illinois, in July 2023 and Atlanta in Dec. 2023 as national champs.
Now they’re asking for help in the form of $15,000 for Vegas, as they say, many of their parents are single moms with limited income, and airfare is only part of the expense list.
“We usually do grocery banking at like local Cubs or we do like door knocking,” said Brayden Sjostrand, who joined the team with Drake Betzler last year.
“I don’t wanna just be like, have someone hand everything to me,” teammate Aedyn Levells added. “I wanna be able to work for it.”
The team officially launched their online fundraiser Thursday and shared with KARE a message for anyone who can help:
“Thank you,” Betzler said. “Some people have never been on flights before, so we’re trying to make it a good experience for them.”
“Yeah, I’m really grateful you’re making it possible for the Minnesota Jays,” Sjostrand added.
The 2-mile-long driving course is open everyday from 5-9 P.M. until Christmas.
SHAKOPEE, Minn. — Sever’s winter wonderland light show is back open for the season!
The two-mile-long driving course opened on Thanksgiving, and is open every day until Christmas from 5 to 9 p.m.
The course is packed with more than 2.5 million lights all synced up to holiday music. New this year is a singing chorus vignette. It is located at 3121 W 150th St. in Shakopee.
Tickets can be purchased online here and must be bought in advance.
The ticket prices range from $30-$60 depending on how many passengers are in the car and what day they are purchased for, however, tickets are only $10 on Tuesday except the week of Christmas.
Concession stands serving hot cider and sweet treats are also available, and for those willing to brave the cold, there is a woods walk where the trees come to life with light.
Pets in the car are allowed at the light show.
