By Eileen Persike
Editor

For one summer day every year, Rhinelander District Library becomes Worm Race Central. With 31 of these competitive events in the books, the staff at the library was not about to let the coronavirus break the streak, so the Worm Race went the way of many races this year – virtually.

This year the race was streamed live on Facebook Tuesday afternoon, to the delight of the young library patrons watching. Though admittedly it wasn’t as boisterous and exciting as having a yard full of 120 lively children and countless family members cheering them on, four staff members enthusiastically raced four worms outside on the library lawn. Competition was tough and the races were neck-and-neck. In the end, Children’s Librarian Denise Chojnacki coached her worm, Mr. Tom, to victory in the 32^nd Annual Worm Race.

Second place went to Captain Crawly Von Wiggle Dirt, coached by Elisha Sheffer. The other participants were Cindy Weddle’s There Are Some Who Call Me Tim, and Slimey, coached by Katie Kubisiak.

Chojnacki told viewers she hoped this year was the first and only livestreamed worm race. Watch for the 33^rd annual race next summer.

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Elisha Sheffer, center, feels the thrill of victory over Cindy Weddle. Sheffer coached Captain Crawly Von Wiggle Dirt to a win in the first heat of the races, over Weddle's worm, Tim.