So, have you done the ALS ice bucket challenge yet?
The sports editor has. So have members of the Forestburg High School football team. And so has professional wrestler Johnny Mantell, aka, “The Pride of Montague County.”
The ice bucket challenge has become one of the biggest phenomena ever on social media, especially on Facebook. Left and right, Facebook friends of mine have accepted the challenge, and so should YOU.
The ice bucket challenge is an activity involving dumping a bucket of ice water on one’s head or donating money to ALS research or both.
It’s a modern version of truth or dare.
Typically the person who sends out the challenge gives nominated participants anywhere from 24 to 36 hours to complete it, or make a charitable financial donation.
ALS is the shortened name for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It’s also referred to by several more names, Motor Neuron Disease, Charcot Disease and Lou Gehrig’s Disease, named for the famous baseball player who was a member of the New York Yankees during the 1920s and 1930s.
ALS is a neurodegenerative disease caused by rapid progressive muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, swallowing and breathing. ALS is the most common of five motor neuron diseases. Read more of this column in the weekend edition of The Bowie News.

Johnny Mantell is doused with ice water on Wednesday in front of the Montague County Courthouse as part of the ALS ice bucket challenge. (News photo by Eric Viccar0)