University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Periscope Yearbook (Eau Claire, WI)

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A whirlwind trip 'round the world PRANCE

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Folkfair ... by Rosanne Pfielsticker a Ro sphere at the French sidewalk cafe addins a certain flavor to the crepes The 1981 International Folk Fair gave its participants the opportunity to take a whirlwind trip around the world. About 35 countries were represented and they brought a truly international flavor to the festivities, the 15th in what has become an annual event. The fair was arranged in the form of a bazaar and visitors were invited to move at their own pace, partaking of foods ranging from Chinese egg rolls to Irish desserts. The foods were jourmet's delight, with the atmo-jre ing and the rollicking sounds of an ac-cordian drawing people to sample the Yugoslavian breads. For a more oriental flavor, mixed vegetables and rice balls from Japan and Chinese won ton were also available. The aeblcskiber, a pancake-like food from Scandinavia, proved as popular as the more familiar lefse found at the same display. If they tired of eating, visitors were welcome to have their fortune told by ancient and mysterious ways from the countries of China and Iran, view African native arts and clothes, have their name written in Japanese (a particular favorite of younger visitors), watch several types of folk dancing and view crafts from all countries represented. For the first time, Slovenska, the Slovenian Club of Willard, Wis., participated in the Folk Fair. The Chippewa Valley Gaelic League served Irish tea and a tempting variety of cakes and other desserts. The Italian American Club of the Eau Claire area demonstrated pasta-making and the craft of making Tombolo, or pillow lace. The fingers flew of the woman making the lace while it was difficult to determine if those making the pasta were enjoying practicing their craft or the red wine they fortified themselves with. Money collected from sales by the various groups at the fair is allocated to the International Festival budget and activities sponsored by each group. The International Festival Committee sponsored the fair. Photos by Bill Wicgand

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Eller winning fifth Super Bowl' by Beth Wagner After playing in four Super Bowl games, Carl Eller, former defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks, is competing in his fifth one — and winning. The 39-year-old is recovering from 20 years of alcohol and drug abuse. Speaking about the Fifth Super Bowl before a sparse crowd at the UWEC Arena on Sept. 24, Eller recalled his experiences with alcohol and a $1,000 a week cocaine habit, as part of Chemical Awareness Week. Treatment brought people back into my life, he said. I feel good about myself. Typically, he began to drink in high school, he said, but he wasn't introduced to marijuana until he went to the University of Minnesota. Alcohol was a means of building himself up — just as he built himself up before Super Bowl games, the former All-Pro noted. He had a good time, he was the center of attention and there were no problems, he explained but then he began to rationalize his drinking. I came into my pro career when drugs weren't a very big part of sports, he said. Alcohol was OK but I had to keep my pot use a secret. At this time, he said, he did not associate with team members much and he began to have problems with his marriage. I continued my rationalization, he said. I'm different but there's nothing wrong with me. I wasn't about to admit I couldn't handle my booze. The thing about chemical dependency is denial. I developed the technique as a self-defense mechanism. The point is that rationalization doesn't change the reality of a situation, he said. He had problems with self-esteem, relationships and business, he said. It wasn't that I didn't have the ability to handle all that, he said. It was that drug use had become my main priority. I had to straighten out the real problem — me. Midway through his professional career, Eller began using cocaine, he said. He needed his job as a means of personal security and financial support because much of his income was going towards drugs, he said. Things continued to deteriorate after his retirement in 1979, Eller said. There was nothing left for him to do but pity himself, he said. Referring to the four world championship games he played in with the Vikings, Eller noted that the team went back four times and didn't quit. In terms of failure, losing was hard for him to accept, he said. But, he continued, without failing I wouldn't have tried again. It's OK to fail, but it's not OK to stay there. There's another way to go. I can feel good about myself because I tried. Celebrating six months of sobriety, Eller continues aftercare at St. Mary's Rehabilitation Center in Minneapolis where he went through treatment. i