Welcome, Katherine Summer White!

On 24 August 2010, Jacob White's wife, Heather, gave birth to their second daughter, Katherine Summer, in Blaine, Minnesota. Kate weighed 7lbs. 7oz. and measured 20.5" long.

Jake, Heather, big sister, Clara, and Kate are home in Blaine and enjoying their sweet little family. Please join me in congratulating Jake and his family on this amazing event!

Jason Kluver gets married!

On Saturday 28 August 2010, Jason and Lori Kluver were united in marriage at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria, witnessed by the two most important people in their lives, son, Aidan and daughter, Savannah. A reception followed at the Broadway Ballroom.  The couple are also settled into their brand new home near Garfield.  Congratulations, Jason and Lori!

Welcome, Jay Harley Thompson!

On 12 August 2010, Stef (Lenz) Thompson gave birth to her second child, son, Jay Harley, in Chicago, Illinois. Jay weighed 8lbs. 7oz. and measured 21.25" long.

Stef, Joe, big sister, Maddie, and Jay are home in Chicago where Maddie is being a HUGE help to both her new baby brother and her parents. Please join me in congratulating Stef and her family on this amazing event!

Welcome, Riley James Schoenecker!

On 31 August 2010, Jenny Zuel gave birth to her second son, Riley James, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Riley weighed 8lbs. 9z. and measured 20.5" long.

Jenny, her fiancee, Chad Schoenecker, big brother Austin, and Riley are home in Cold Spring and enjoying their blessed little family. Please join me in congratulating Jenny and her family on this wonderful event!

Sabrina (Skillings) Hertel and Derrick Anderson get married!

After a nearly nine-year courtship, on 30 June 2010, Sabrina (Skillings) Hertel and Derrick Anderson were married in a very private ceremony, surrounded by their three children and a small gathering of close personal friends and family, in Alexandria.  Congratulations, Sabrina and Derrick!

Support Ethan Rittmiller

Lori (Lotthammer) Wallin and her husband, Carl, are organizing a 5K fun run and walk for their nephew, Ethan Rittmiller, who is in need of a new heart. Ethan was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy in March 2010. In late April, Ethan was selected as a heart transplant candidate. He is on the Mayo Clinic's donor list and could be the recipient any day a heart becomes available.

Event highlights:
Date: Saturday 25 September 3010
Location: Sucker Lake Park, 4520 Rice Street, Vadnais Heights, MN
Time: 8:00am start (rain or shine)
Prizes will be awarded for the top three in each category (men, women, youth under 14)
Refreshments will be served post-race
Questions? Please contact: newheart4ethan@gmail.com

Registration:
Race Day Registration will be held from 7:00-7:45am
Cost: $25
Or, register online: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/cota_events

If you're unable to race but would like to help with funding Ethan's medical bills, please visit: http://www.cotaforethanr.com/

Welcome, Isabella Rose Clitty!

On 11 September 2010, Jeremy Clitty's wife, Erica, gave birth to their third child, daughter, Isabella Rose, in Alexandria, Minnesota. Isabella weighed 7lbs. 10z. and measured 21.5" long.

Jeremy, Erica, big brother Austin, big sister Hailey, and Isabella are home in Kensignton, Minnesota. Please join me in congratulating Jeremy and his family on this wonderful event!

Welcome, Josie Francine Betterman!

On 30 July 2010, Angie (Kalina) Betterman, gave birth to her second daughter, Josie Francine, in Alexandria, Minnesota. Josie weighed 10lbs. 6z. and measured 21" long.

Angie, Robbie, big sister Ellie, and Josie are home in Alexandria where Ellie currently LOVES the title of "big sister!". Please join me in congratulating Angie and her family on this amazing event!

Justin Williams gets married!

On 14 July 2010, Justin Williams and his long-time girlfriend, Meghan Cronin, hiked several miles to an area on Diamond Lake, Colorado near Nederland, where the two joined hands in marriage very privately. The couple solemnized their own vows, just the two of them and the nature surrounding them, in their very intimate ceremony.

Calling many areas of the US home, Justin and Meghan own a music business, Spice Traders Music, which sets up shop a Renaissance Festivals all across the country, and move to the newest area every couple of months.

Congratulations, Justin and Meghan!

Tammy Lee gets married!

On Saturday 17 July 2010, Tammy Lee wed her long-time love, Steve Morell, in a lakeside ceremony at the Lee House, overlooking Lake Geneva. An outdoor reception followed, complete with a performance by the groom's funk band. Congratulations, Tammy and Steve!

Support the Diaper Drive

Not long ago, Kristen (Wiener) Grode saw a need and wanted to fill the void.  The need: clean, dry diapers for infants and toddlers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.  So rather than sit idly by, she decided to do something about it, creating the first charity of its type, The Diaper Drive www.thediaperdrive.com.

The purpose of the Diaper Drive is four-fold - to help prevent health and neglect issues for children by giving low-income families access to fresh, properly fitting diapers; to partner with the community, collecting diapers and/or funds to purchase diapers; to act as a vendor to public service agencies with diaper needs; and to advocate, through the use of technology and social media, that "basic human needs" include diapers and that these needs are not being met for many children and adults.

Since beginning the Diaper Drive, Kristen has been featured in various media - a front-page article in the Star Tribune (http://www.startribune.com/local/99177504.html), Twin Cities Live (http://twincitieslive.com/article/stories/s1645700.shtml?cat=10698), and the Minnesota Sun (http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2010/07/15/news/fw/fw15diapers.txt) as well as getting other publicity through things like Yoga Nights.

On Thursday night - 29 July 2010 - the Diaper Drive, along with Families Moving Forward, will host Dinner for Diapers ... a night of music by Glen Everhart (remember when he used to sing on the Deck Bar with his partner, Fyder?), silent auction bidding, and noshing on great food!  If you live in the metro, or will be in the metro area on Thursday night, please consider attending.  For a small $5 donation (suggested), you too can help make a difference in the lives of the diaper-wearers and their caretakers. The event will be held at 1808 North Emerson Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55411 and will begin at 6:30pm.

In the meantime, check out the Diaper Drive's website and consider donating any unused, spare diapers you may have toward Kristen's efforts.  Andria (Fisher) Kvitek has also started a branch of the Diaper Drive in the Duluth area.

Welcome, Liam Douglas Kohn!

On 15 July 2010, Sara (Baustian) Kohn gave birth to her third son, Liam Douglas, in Sartell, Minnesota. Liam weighed 6lbs. 10oz. and measured 19" long.

Sara, Eric, big brothers Jackson and Brady, and Liam are home in Sartell. Please join me in congratulating Sara and her family on this fabulous event!

Welcome, Olivia Grace Pearson!

On 8 May 2010, Jeff Pearson's wife, Sarah, gave birth to their second daughter, Olivia Grace, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Olivia weighed 8lbs. 13oz. and measured 21.75" long.

Jeff, Sarah, big sister Emilia, and Olivia are home in Richfield. Please join me in congratulating Jeff and his family on this amazing event!

Art in the Park is Next Weekend

The annual Art in the Park, now in its 35th year, will be held at Alexandria City Park next weekend, Saturday and Sunday 24-25 July.

Get your Kettle Korn, City Park, windy weekend, and art fixes all in one weekend!

Art of the Lakes Studio Tour is This Weekend

This year’s annual Art of the Lakes Studio Tour has been set for this weekend. The tour will take place Friday 16 July 16 from 9:00am to 5:00pm; Saturday 17 July from 9:00am to 5:00pm and on Sunday 18 July from 12:00noon to 5:00pm.

Some studios, however, will not be open on Sunday. Check the Art of the Lakes website – http://www.artofthelakes.org/ – for detailed information.

Participants in this free event can visit with a number of artists in many different studio locations and visit the Art of the Lakes Gallery in Battle Lake.

View artworks in progress, watch demonstrations, ask questions, buy art direct from the artists and enjoy refreshments. Purchases made on the tour will help fund children’s art programs.

Meet John Hawkes next Friday!

The Alexandria Area Arts Association and Midway Mall Cinema 9 are excited to announce an event scheduled for Friday 23 July.

John Hawkes, who was known as John Perkins when he graduated from Jefferson High School in 1977, is the star of the newly released movie, Winter’s Bone.  You probably last remember seeing Hawkes in the movie, A Perfect Storm, in which he played the character, Bugsy.

Hawkes will be on hand at an exclusive showing of the movie at noon on Friday 23 July.

The downtown arts theater and Cinema 9 are partnering together for a light lunch, movie premiere and a meet and greet with Hawkes.

The proceeds from the event are being donated to the AAAA Theatre.

There are only 250 tickets available and the cost is $10 per ticket.

Tickets are available at the AAAA box office from 11:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. Either call the office at 320.762.8300 or stop by at 618 Broadway.

Welcome, Brett Tyler Orpen!

On 8 May 2010, Angie (Skramstad) Orpen gave birth to her second son, Bretty Tyler, in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Brett weighed in at 8lbs. 10oz. and measured 21" long. He's already sleeping through the night, giving his mom so many more opportunities to love him!

Angie, big brother Tate, and husband Scott are back home in Spirit Lake, and getting lots of family adventures in already! Please join me in congratulating Angie and her family on this beautiful, blessed event!

Shawn Nelson is Back in Action on the Field

Shawn Nelson, as I'm sure many of you will remember, was a standout on the Jefferson High School Cardinal football team.

Last year, after taking six years off, he once again laced up his cleats and hit the field, this time as a multi-functional player for the semi-pro team, the Brainerd Lumberjacks. Finding a deep-rooted drive to play football once again after the passing of his mother, Shawn has rediscovered his love for playing the game,

The Lumberjacks are made up of many former high school and college players, though I'm told the hitting and level of play are much stronger than back in the glory days.

Similar to the Alexandria Mustangs from a few years back, the Lumberjacks play teams from the upper Midwest. Last year, they claimed the championship in their division.

Since joining the Lumberjacks, Shawn has played running back, wide receiver, and line backer ... and is now settling into his favorite role, defensive end.

The Lumberjacks are in action this Saturday in Forest Lake, as they open the playoff season against the Northern Terror. At this time, it's looking like the game will kickoff at 3:00pm.

Watch for Shawn wearing #31 for the 'Jacks!

Beth (Abbott) Rogers' Sister is Omaha-bound!

Brandi - Corinne (coach) - Sara

Sara Abbott, sister of our classmate Beth (Abbott) Rogers, is headed to Omaha this weekend to compete in the National Special Olympics.

Sara qualified in January as one of two athletes representing Minnesota at the national level .  She'll be competing in gymnastics events.

The entire Abbott clan is caravaning to Nebraska this weekend to watch Sara perform!

Make the Bride Money is Open for Business!

Our classmate, Krista Senesac, has opened a business aimed at helping a bride-to-be make money at her bachelorette party or other special event.

Bouquets made out of lollipops, more commonly known as "suck for a buck" bouquets, are Krista's specialty. Each bouquet is handmade and custom-designed by Krista, and combines both lollipops and silk flowers. Various sizes and colors are available.

For more information, or to order, please visit Krista's website: www.makethebridemoney.com or her dedicated Facebook page: www.facebook.com/makethebridemoney.