june 2014 edition of live it!
DESCRIPTION
This is the June 2014 edition of Live it!, a regional lifestyle magazine highlighting the people, places and things that make west central Minnesota a great place to live.TRANSCRIPT
JUNE / JULY 2014
F O R T H E GARDENWORKS OF ART
VersatileSUMMER SALADS
LOSS OF A CHILD
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Summer is family time ...The kids are out of school and there are any number of reasons for a family to gather to
celebrate. We just celebrated Mother’s Day a couple of weeks ago and Father’s Day is comingup in another week or so. There are family graduations, family reunions and summer camp-ing trips or other vacations. There are city celebrations, parades, days spent at the lake and
backyard barbecues. But, for some, those gatherings can be bittersweet. In earlier
talks of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day coming up, we wondered... what is it like for those parents who have lost a child? How dothey move on?
I had an aunt and uncle once tell me, following the death oftheir adult daughter: “A parent should NEVER have to bury theirchild.”
The Compassionate Friends organization is one place whereparents can turn for support. Paulette Wiley shares the mission ofthat organization with us through our question and answer seg-ment in today’s issue, and two parents who have experienced loss
firsthand share their poignant stories as well. While their stories are heartbreaking, it never hurts for all of us to take a step back and
think about the harsh realities of life, and to be forever thankful for what we have. Family isNo. 1.
With that, our “Life Happens” column addresses life situations and the notion thatthere are some things that are simply beyond our control. We must all allow ourselves tofeel, but find ways to move on through acceptance.
Our “Spirits” segment suggests that we “slow down and see” the things around us.One way to do just that is through gardening or spending time outdoors this summer.
Gardening these days isn’t just about the green plants, it has become so much more. Gar-den art is a way of dressing up our gardens and letting our personalities shine through.That’s why my gardens are filled with frogs. Someone once shared with me this frog phrase:Fully Rely On God.
Garden pieces, particularly angels, can also be a way of honoring the loss of a loved one.So, this summer, take a step back. Remember what is important in your life, and cher-
ish your time spent with loved ones. But, most of all ... Enjoy!If you have a topic you’d like to see in Live it!, send your story idea to [email protected].
We love to hear from our readers. You can also “like” us on Facebook, leave comments atliveit.areavoices.com or send us a tweet @Liveitmag.
Summer in west central Minnesota … it really is a beautiful thing …
Live it! Sharon BomstadLive it! Editor
On the “Hunger Game” juicing article:
Right on. That’s awesome!— Sadie Vlaminck, via Facebook
Dan, your story was awesome! It *al-most* makes me want to try juicing. Al-most.
— Ashley White, via Facebook
Via Twitter: Great article in Live it!
— Jeanne Ashburn, via Twitter
Misc. feedback we’ve received: � The articles are of interest to me with
the personal one on one touch.� Like that it features local people
doing local things.� I like the different columns and
recipes.� I like hearing about local businesses
and also reading the articles. I also likeknowing what is going on around townevents and such.
Editor’s note:We love to hear from our readers.
“Like” us on Facebook, send us a tweetwith your comments or even a new storyidea, or email us at [email protected].
Watch for the next issue due out Aug. 8.To be sure and get future copies of Live
it! magazine mailed directly to you, call320-235-1150; cost is $15 annually.
Live it! Magazine 3
Liveit!M A G A Z I N E
CAN’T Live WITHOUT it!A PUBLICATION OF THE WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE
StaffSHARON BOMSTAD
MAGAZINE EDITOR
DAN BURDETTMAGAZINE WRITER/SOCIAL MEDIA
To contact Live it! call 320-235-1150 or email [email protected]
Writing & photographyDan BurdettAshley WhiteKayla Prasek
Marketing consultantsKevin Smith, Director
Tamara [email protected]
Katie [email protected]
Sarah [email protected]
Christie [email protected]
To advertise, call 320-214-4317, fax 320-235-6769
or email a listed consultant.
AdministrationSteven Ammermann, Publisher
Kelly Boldan, EditorTimothy Bailey, Business Manager
2208 W. Trott Ave., Willmar MN 56201
Volume 3, Issue 3
Copyright © 2014 West Central TribuneLive it! magazine
All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained.
Michelle GauerRon Adams
Dennis Benson
Cover Story Cover Story 77Dealing with their lossesDealing with their losses
Gregory Harp
14 Style it!: Must-have shoes for your summer look
12 Q&A: Support through The Compassionate Friends
25 Life Happens: Letting it go and moving on
29 Get it!: New ideas for summer
3 Reader’s mailbag: Share your thoughts with us
Departments
2219 Read it!: Graphic novels offer a change of pace
21 Fitness & Health: Do you lift weights?
26 What’s happenin’? Summer celebrations are a blast!
DistributionWest Central Tribune
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WillmarCash Wise Foods
Cub FoodsCaribou Coffee
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some carrier delivery, as well.Become a distributor, call 320-235-1150.
What’s inside
Do you decorate your garden or yard? 16
7 J.R. shares the sorrow of losing a daughter
10 More than her share of crosses to bear
16 Works of art: Repurposing items for the garden
Features
1818 A variety of garden art
22 Eat it!: Capture summer with a variety of salads
24 Spirits!: Slow down, see the colors
Live it! Magazine 7
you
love
When a
child
becomes a
memoryBY DAN BURDETTPHOTOGRAPHY BY GREGORY HARP
JJames “J.R.” Radabaugh was bruisedwhen he returned home from Vietnam in1971.
He’d seen things no man should see, es-pecially one so young.
And then he saw her.Amid a sea of uniforms and proud fa-
thers and tearful mothers, she worked theroom.
He wondered from where she found herboundless energy. He couldn’t help butsmile.
Her eyes were a brilliant blue, and shedanced with the ebullience only a childknows.
Her name was Stacy. She was a mere 18months, there to meet her dad.
Stacy always stood out. She loved tolaugh, and J.R. recalls his daughter as asocial butterfly.
Blonde and blessed with an infectioussmile, crowned with the smallest of dim-ples, Stacy “always made people feel atease,” J.R. says.
8 Live it! Magazine
By her 30th birthday, Stacy was a married mother oftwo. She had secured a job as a teacher’s aide at New Lon-don-Spicer High School and was attending St. CouldState University, with the hopes of becoming a special ed-ucation teacher upon graduation.
Everything was in place. And then it all fell apart.J.R. was listening to music in the basement of the Rad-
abaughs’ rural New London home during the early hoursof July 11, 2001, when his wife, Linda, rushed into theroom. She had just received a phone call from Stacy’s hus-band, Scott Jones.
Stacy had been rushed to Paynesville Area Hospital. J.R. and Linda knew few details as they made the 15-
mile journey north, but they knew the situation was dire.They arrived too late.Stacy was dead.An autopsy revealed little. It was just one of those dole-
ful things you sometimes hear about: a beautiful youngwoman goes to sleep and doesn’t wake up. Natural causes,the doctors said.
She was 31.
A life forceJ.R. knows the pitfalls of life: he knows how quickly
things can change. The Willmar native was 19 when heshipped out to Vietnam. He’d received his draft noticefour days after marrying Linda in July 1969. While “incountry,” he retrieved the bodies of the dead to be shippedhome for burial.
At 21, he returned home, hardened, and a father to adaughter he didn’t know.
He went into law enforcement, spending the next 28years as a corrections officer and then as a sheriff ’s deputywith the Kandiyohi County Sheriff ’s Office.
He’s seen young men spend their best years behind bars.He’s witnessed the aftermath of fatal traffic accidents.He’s been there when a law enforcement officer hasknocked on the door of a residence to inform the parentsinside their son or daughter won’t ever be coming home.
“But none of it prepares you. None of it can prepare youfor the loss of your own child,” J.R. says.
He’s retired now, going on four years. And, at 64, he en-joys the peace and quiet of country life.
The day we meet, J.R. sits in a wooden rocking chair ina four-season extension to the Radabaughs’ spacious, im-maculate and comfy split-level home. The room is cappedwith an arresting pine finish that covers the walls andceiling. Oversized dark leather couches fill the amplespace. The natural light is breathtaking, and more than 5acres of trees dot the horizon. It’s a sanctuary of tranquil-ity. A picture of Stacy rests on a shelf opposite, as do pho-tos of the Radabaughs’ two sons: Jeremy and Garret. Bothare married with families.
J.R. is of medium build, but he is broad, barrel chestedand has large digits. His hair is white and thinning, andhe has a moustache that’s trimmed in the way only a for-mer cop or military man trims such things. Everythingappears in order. But it’s really not.
“You never get over it,” J.R. says, as he fidgets nervouslyin his chair. “When she died, I thought why her? Why doI have some 50 years and she gets nothing?”
Items at the Radabaugh home in rural New London honortheir daughter Stacy’s memory.
Live it! Magazine 9
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You must really miss her?“Oh, yeah.” His voice breaks and he glances at the photo
on the wall of a young woman with her whole life ahead ofher. He fumbles for the words, fingering his moustache.“You think about it every day.”
How do you cope?“Family,” J.R. says. “My family.”The Radabaughs have six grandchildren. Stacy’s —
Kayla and Jacob — are 19 and 15 respectively. Jacob was 2at the time of his mother’s death, and Stacy’s memory hasbeen kept alive by anecdotes and family photos. ForKayla, her memories are half memories and fragments.J.R. sees a lot of his daughter in his eldest grandchild, andher resemblance to her mother is uncanny.
“She’s the spitting image of her,” J.R. says. “Smart, too.Like her mom.”
After Stacy’s death, Linda struggled. She was emotion-ally akin with her daughter. But she was always there forher husband.
“I think I’m guilty of hardening up on some thingsemotionally,” J.R. says. “Linda took it hard. But the fam-ily is real close. My grandkids are always around. Everyday, someone’s here. They’ll all be here tonight.”
Putting it to restAt some point, when the grief was impregnable, the
Radabaughs learned of The Compassionate Friends, a na-tional nonprofit, self-help organization with more than600 chapters across the nation. The west central Min-nesota chapter is located in Willmar. Through meetingsthe third Tuesday of each month — conducted by parentswho have lost children — the chapter looks to provideother parents of a dead child or children an outlet to re-solve their grief.
“We’re here to let people know it’s OK to grieve,” saysPaulette Wiley, a representative from the local chapter.
Paulette lost her 1-year-old grandson, Tayib, on Oct. 6,1994, and her only son, Mason, six months later, on April8, 1995.
The Radabaughs began attending meetings in the base-ment of Lakeland Health Center, located at 502 SecondStreet S.W., and continue to do so. None of the narrativesof loss make sense. But the grief is shared and it helpsbring about closure.
“I can’t say enough about those people,” J.R. says.“They’re super people. Those meetings have helped uskeep our heads on.”
But moments of solitude also remain for J.R.There have been sleepless nights and occasional night-
mares.There are times he still feels the immense shock of that
July day more than a decade past. He’ll be outside when
his daughter’s image floats through his mind. It flawshim, but he’s learned to embrace some semblance ofpeace. Mostly, he seems to contemplate the lost years. Hewonders what Stacy would have been if she was alivetoday, the mother she could have become. The teacher shemight have been. The minds she could have helped shape.
“It’s still devastating,” he says. “For a time, me and Godweren’t the best of friends. As young as she was. Why?Why would this happen to someone young? It’s not thenatural order of things to bury your child.”
It’s all about memories now, and sometimes J.R. castshis mind back to that March day in 1971, when he re-turned home from Vietnam — a man before his time —and met those dancing blue eyes, those dimples.
“There she was. She lit everyone up,” he says.Is that your most cherished memory?“That’s the one,” J.R. says. “… from when I came back
to the world. That little girl. Not knowing who she wasbut wondering who was going to scoop her up and grabhold.”
“None of it can prepare you for the loss of your own child. You never get over it.”
10 Live it! Magazine
BY DAN BURDETTPHOTOGRAPHY BY GREGORY HARP
‘Wehave to
move on’
GGloria Schultz sits at the dining room table in her Spicer home, nursing a cup ofcoffee.
Her eyes are heavy and teary.She fingers the top of her cup, moving it in a circular motion against the grain of
the wood, carefully weighing her words.He voice is soft, gentle and deliberate.“Sometimes,” she says, “… sometimes a loss becomes a blessing.” Gloria isn’t one to dwell on the past. That’s a card she’ll never play.She lives alone since the death nearly eight years ago of her husband, Vernon, of
complications from Parkinson’s and a bout with cancer.She has five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, and counts her blessings.She’s profoundly religious, casting daily benedictions to a God she believes guides
her every thought. She considers herself fortunate.Many wouldn’t.
Live it! Magazine 11
‘Faith takes you through’Gloria and Vernon moved to west central Minnesota in the
early 2000s after decades of farm life in Britton, S.D.Gloria was a teacher. Vernon tended to the land.They shared the farm with his family, and the relationship
was a close one.In 1961, both families learned they were to become parents.Gloria gave birth to a son, Marshall, on Nov. 30, 1961. Marshall would never leave the hospital, dying 18 hours
later due to complications from a congenital disorder.“They didn’t have groups then to talk about this type of
loss,” Gloria recounts. “That’s when faith takes you through.” She recalls lying in her hospital bed when the mortician
walked past her room with a shoe box to place her son’s bodyin.
“You’d have thought they’d have more class,” she says.Ten days later, Gloria’s brother- and sister in-law welcomed
a healthy baby girl.Gloria did her part, embracing her niece as her own. But
the loss of her son hounded her, and she buried the griefwithin.
“We learned to love that child (the niece), and we tried to goon with life,” Gloria says.
A year-and-a-half later, Gloria learned she was once againpregnant.
She gave birth to a second son on Oct. 3, 1963. His name was Thomas.He experienced life for a mere five hours. The doctors
linked his death to a respiratory issue.“It was one of those things they could probably fix today,”
Gloria says. “But it was different back then.”Guilt-stricken and grieving, Gloria and Vernon quickly
made the decision to adopt. In 1964, they learned of twin baby girls who were in need of
a home. That September, they adopted Sonja and Signe. Two years
later, Gloria and Vernon adopted another daughter: Marcy.And in October 1976, they were selected to adopt a 2½-month-old boy. They named him Matthew.
Gloria was 40 and finally at peace.
The long and winding roadGloria is a proud mom. She raised her four adopted chil-
dren with an abiding faith, and while transparent about theiradoptions, she shared few details with her children on the lossof the boys who came before them.
There were scares along the way, notably with the twins,who were both diagnosed with Lupus.
A chronic inflammatory disease, Lupus occurs when thebody’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, ac-cording to the Mayo Clinic. Inflammation caused by the dis-ease can affect different systems in the body — including thejoints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Bothgirls at times experienced considerable pain and Sonja recalls
feeling depleted of energy for days at a time. The discomfort,Sonja recounts, hit Signe particularly hard. But she coped.
Unlike her twin, Signe settled down, married and began afamily, giving birth to three boys and a girl.
On Feb. 22, 2003, Sonja dreamed her sister was standing atthe foot of her bed holding a cup of coffee and smoking a cig-arette. Sonja recalls that during the dream, Signe turned andsat on the bed, telling her sibling “everything was going to befine. Don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine.”
But it wasn’t. That night, Signe was driving home when the weather
turned. She took a country road, but a pounding snow madethe drive treacherous. Eventually, Signe lost control of the ve-hicle and she wound up in a ditch. Gloria believes her daugh-ter began to walk northward in the direction of a farmhousewhose lights would likely have been visible on the horizon.At some point, however, it’s thought Signe turned aroundand headed in the opposite direction.
The authorities discovered her frozen body the next day ina corn field.
She was 38.
A helping handGloria and Vernon were distraught. Unlike the aftermath of
their sons’ deaths, the couple immediately sought assistanceand support.
They began attending The Compassionate Friends, a groupoffering friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved par-ents. Gloria rarely misses a meeting.
“I learned I could have done things differently through oth-ers who’ve lost a child,” Gloria says of the group that meetson the third Tuesday of each month in the lower level ofLakeland Health Center, 502 Second Street S.W., in Willmar.
Gloria also attends a bereavement class conducted by theRev. Dean Johnson of Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar.Johnson, a former state legislator, lost his wife to cancer nineyears ago.
“I’ve found God takes care of me,” Gloria says. She takes a moment to reflect. Her eyes dart back and forth
behind the thin-rimmed glasses that rest on the bridge of hernose. She blinks wildly. Her hands move back to the coffeecup. Then, softly, gently and deliberately, she mutters: “Wehave to bury our dead and move on. We can’t ever forget. Butwe have to move on.”
Sonja calls her mother, now 78, remarkable and marvels ather resiliency.
“She’s the best mom in the world.”Gloria scoffs at the notion.“She is,” Sonja sternly responds. “What she’s been through
… a lot of people look at mom and talk about the cross she’shad to bear. Well she’s had to bear a lot of crosses, but shedoesn’t carry that weight with her. She’s an inspiration.”
Dan Burdett is the lead writer for Live it! and can be reached via email at [email protected]. Follow Dan on Twitter @danburdett1
12 Live it! Magazine
& BY DAN BURDETTPHOTOGRAPHY BY RON ADAMS
Compassion and friendship
TThe loss of a child is likely the most devastatingexperience a parent can face.
It’s a pain Paulette Wiley has wrestled with fordecades.
During a six-month period in the mid-1990s,Paulette lost her 1-year-old grandson and 23-year-old son. Devastated and seeking a medium to grieveopenly, Paulette began volunteering through thewest central Minnesota chapter of The Compassion-ate Friends, a nonprofit, self-help organization that
was founded in England in 1969 by Simon Stephens,a chaplain.
Since that time, the organization has grown to 600-plus chapters across the U.S, Puerto Rico and Guam.According to its website, The CompassionateFriends assists families toward the positive resolu-tion of the grief associated with losing a child of anyage.
In an interview with Live it!, Paulette shared howthe local chapter accomplishes its mission.
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Live it!: How does The Compassionate Friends work? Paulette Wiley: It’s a safe place for people to be able to talk
about their feelings, to talk about their children. It’s notjudgmental. We’re not grief experts by any means. We try toshare what we’ve learned and be supportive. One of thethings we recognize is that grief is a very personal journeyand what works for one person doesn’t always work for an-other. I see it as a safe place. For those who aren’t comfort-able coming to group, we provide a newsletter and websitewith information.Live it!: How do you get parents to open up and trust
the other members of the group? PW: I think it’s by showing your own vulnerabilities and
struggles. We have members who don’t talk for months oreven years. There’s a mother who has been coming for threeyears now, and she seldom talks. But she’s there every singlemonth. She can’t not come, she says. We want to talk aboutour kids; I think that’s the biggest thing. And a lot of timeswhen people progress along in their grief journey, they findother people don’t want to hear them talk about their kidsanymore. The group offers an alternative to that: they’re en-couraged to talk about their kids.Live it!: How important is a sense of community for
someone attending the group? PW: This is different for everyone. I’m a dual person.
There’s a part of my grief that’s so personal and intense, thatI need to do it alone. But I also need other people to love me,to support me and to let me know I’m OK. I always tell onelady at group that she must think I’m crazy when I cry. Andshe always tells me that she thinks it would be awful if I quitcrying because that would be like saying their deaths reallydidn’t matter. That’s extremely validating for me.Live it!: How does someone get involved with the chap-
ter? PW: In Compassionate Friends, we say we’re the most ex-
clusive club there is: the dues are the highest you’ll ever payand nobody wants to be a member. Everyone involved haslost a child or children. We use word of mouth and try toreach out to as many people as we can. We also monitor theobituaries for children and try to contact those parents. Live it!: How important is a sense of a higher power for
those who attend the group? PW:That also is a personal thing and it’s different for
everyone. Some people have a looser faith. Others, the onlyway they can survive is by having a sense of a higher power.Myself, I tend to be a higher-power person. One of thethings that hit me was that I can’t be mad at God becausethat would be like being mad at my son for dying. I can’tblame God for what happened because I think it’s just lifehappening. Some people say God never gives you more thanyou can handle; I always say ‘excuse me, I don’t think thiswas God.’ To me, this was life happening.
The West Central Minnesota Chapter of The Compassionate Friends meets at7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month in the lower level of LakelandHealth Center, 502 2nd Street SW in Willmar. For more information, callPaulette Wiley at 320-273-2237 or visit www.compassionatefriends.org. The or-ganization can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TCFUSA.
14 Live it! Magazine
Style it!
Step into summer Fashionable summer shoes complete the outfit
BY KAYLA PRASEK
AAs we head into the summer months, many of the fash-ion trends that were popular during the spring will con-tinue to be fashionable. So don’t worry about buying awhole new wardrobe, as your maxi skirts, boxy tops andlightweight jackets are all still trendy.
Summer shoes, on the other hand, are always a welcomeaddition to any fashionista’s closet, so let’s look at some of
the top shoe trends for summer 2014.One of the major trends this summer is the mid-heel
shoe. These are generally a one- to two-inch heel, but thecurrent trends aren’t your average pump. When looking fora new mid-heel, look for different textures, color blockingor open-toe booties. The mid-heel is perfect for work andboth day and night events.
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Another trend this summer in the footwear department iscolorful, artsy kitten heels. This style of pump usually has apointy toe. Whether it be a bright floral print, a gold bejew-eled option or a bold sculptural shape, have fun with your kit-ten heels but don’t overdo it. Use this fun style to liven up anoutfit, not overpower.
On the opposite end of the spectrumfrom the pretty pointy kitten heels are theplatform and block-heeled shoes. Blockheels and platforms are reminiscent of the’90s, but have been updated with colorblocking or textures. Block heels andplatforms are a bold choice and need to becarefully paired with your outfit.
On the flat shoe side of the closet, oneof the top trends this summer is anklestrap sandals. Ankle straps aren’t the easi-
est trend for everyone as they tend to shorten legs, but theycan instantly make any outfit edgy and fashionable. Anklestrap sandals range from pretty gold gladiators to animalprints and bold colors.
The colorful, artsy trend has also found a place on flat san-dals. These are perfect for adding a pop of color to any outfitand can range anywhere from animal prints, color blocking,chains, faux snakeskin, stripes and polka dots.
Loafers and tuxedo-style shoes have recently found a placein women’s closets and are making the transition to the sum-mer months, as well. These casual but funky shoes give youroutfits a casually chic touch and may even add an element ofsurprise to an otherwise simple outfit. Loafers come in funkyand cool patterns and colors, while the biggest trend fortuxedo-style shoes is metallic colors.
Finally, pointy flats are back. You can still wear yourbeloved round ballerina flats, but if you want to add an ele-ment of hip and current to your outfit, opt for a pointy op-tion. For the summer, look for pointy flats in brightly-coloredtextures, floral prints, stripes and color blocked leather.
Summer is the time to have fun with fashion, but don’t for-get about your feet. A fun shoe can take any outfit from bor-ing to fashionable instantly.
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16 Live it! Magazine
Repurposed items can become ‘conversation piece’
BY ASHLEY WHITEPHOTOGRAPHY BY RON ADAMS & VAL AKERSON
SSome people consider a gardento be a work of art on its own.
But for people like Val Akerson,owner of Val’s Garden Creationsin Willmar, even the most beauti-ful flowers can always use a littleextra embellishment.
Val creates garden art, an in-creasingly popular form of art-work designed specifically forgardens and outdoor spaces. Thistype of art can include sculptures,wind chimes, fountains and more.
Live it! Magazine 17
Ashley White is a freelance writer for Live it! magazine
An avid thrift shopper, Val makes all of her garden art fromrepurposed and recycled materials. She regularlyscours garage sales for items that might proveuseful – anything from plates to vases to lamps.
“I go to every garage sale I can,” Val said.“There are so many things that can be reused. Itjust means looking at an old piece and trying to fig-ure out what you can do to make it fun instead ofthrowing it in the garbage.”
Once, Val made a farming-themed piece from a JohnDeere cookie jar she found at a sale and a planter shealready owned. She then attached some mini corncobsand pitchforks to continue the agricultural theme.
“I’m really proud of that piece,” Val said. “I couldhave sold it 40 times over.”
Like the John Deere piece, most of Val’s garden art fol-lows a theme. One of her favorite themes is wildlife.Much of her work includes animals such as fish, bearsand dogs. She also finishes each piece with extraadornments.
“I like to embellish my art with pine trees andbirds and pine cones, to make it a little earthy,”Val says. “If I do a frog, I have to add a bug ormaybe lily pads to it. It gives it life and charac-ter.”
Val started making this type of art four yearsago as Christmas presents for her co-workers.Now retired, she has started to create more ofthese pieces and hopes to sell them at events andsales around the Willmar area.
“I’m a crafty person, but I had never done any-thing like this before,” she said. “It’s been a lot ofexperimenting and learning as I go.”
All of Val’s pieces are waterproof and built to lastoutdoors, even in the unpredictable Minnesota sum-mers. Some people, however, choose to display herpieces inside, which is “perfectly fine,” she said.
“Some people say they’re too nice to put in a gar-den,” she said. “If people are concerned about rain or
wind, I have stakes that I give them.” While the artwork can brighten an interior area, they
really shine when placed outside. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and meant to bring enjoyment to both the gar-
dener and passersby. “If people are putting them in their garden or
patio, I think it’s a conversation piece,” Val said.“It’s something that nobody else will have intheir garden.” For more information on Val’s Garden Creations,
call Val at 320-894-7082.
“It gives it life and character.”
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At Stacy’s Nursery & Floral in Willmar, garden art inall of its forms – from stakes to obelisks to large cementstatues – is a big seller in the spring and summermonths.
“Gardening art is always popular, especially duringcold, wet springs,” Angela Fladeboe Doyle, managerand horticulturist at Stacy’s, said earlier this spring.“People can’t put flowers out yet but are anxious to getinto the garden, so we are noticing a lot of people in thenursery right now buying garden art.”
Not sure which type of garden art would look best inyour outdoor space? Here, Angela breaks down severaltypes of art and how each type can be used most effec-tively.
Garden stakesIf you’re looking for color and
movement in your garden, stakesmay be the way to go.
“This year we are seeing a lot ofmovement: garden stakes thatspin, twirl and dance in the wind,”Angela said. “Considering in ourlovely state we always have wind,these stakes are always moving.”
These stakes come in every colorof the rainbow and can be large orsmall.
ObelisksFor a more natural-looking piece, try the classic
obelisk.
Obelisks come inheights as tall as 75inches or as short as24 inches, Angelasaid. These pieceshave been around for years, buthave recently seen an upswing in popularity.
“They add a lot of interest to a garden, plus beingable to grow something on them is always fun,” Angelasaid.
Metal sculptures Metal sculptures, which can include anything from
baskets to benches to trellises, are a no-fail option. “People just love adding a little surprise to the garden
or landscape,” Angela said. Metal sculptures also work in a contemporary or rus-
tic setting. In particular, large metal stakes that resem-ble daisies and tulips can bring a touch of whimsy to atraditional garden.
“They add a fun height to a garden,” Angela said.
Cement statues Like the obelisk, a cement statue adds a classic, tradi-
tional feel to any outdoor space. A small statue can be tucked next to a plant or a bed
of flowers, while a larger statue can make a statementall on its own.
For many people, a statue in the garden can symbol-ize something much greater than a piece of artwork.
“A large angel in the front and center of a garden”often symbolizes a lost loved one, Angela said.
18 Live it! Magazine
Types of garden artFile photos by Dennis Benson
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The arrival of summer often brings an explo-sion of reading due to an increase in leisuretime. For some, this means finding new summerreads or catching up on old favorites.
For those who continue to have busy schedules,there is a new way to relive your old favorites ingraphic novel adaptations. The popularity ofgraphic novels has exploded in recent years, leadingto many popular books being adapted into this excit-ing format. Whether you want to relive your favoritebooks in a day, share these stories with someone whomay not read the original or just try a new format forreading, graphic novels might be the choice for you.
“Game of Thrones” is all therave these days, from the books tothe HBO series. Don’t have time toread the entire book? Try “A Gameof Thrones: The Graphic Novel”adapted by Daniel Abraham and il-lustrated by Tommy Patterson. Sep-arated into volumes, this graphicnovel uses intricate illustrations totranslate the action-filled“Game of Thrones” plot intoa much shorter graphic novel
format. For true fans, don’t worry, George R.R. Mar-tin approves how his characters look before the is-sues are published.
Along the same lines is “The Hobbit: An IllustratedEdition of the Fantasy Classic.” A classic series for al-most everyone, this adaptation makes the story comealive. Great for those wanting a shorter way to enjoythis story, one must keep in mind the limitations of thegraphic novel format, most notably the length. The storyis abridged for sake of length and real hobbit fans may be
disappointed. Heavy on the dialogue, pickup this adaptation to relive the major partsof this story.
Loved the “Dragon Tattoo” series but themovies didn’t satisfy your imagination?Pick up “The Girl with the Dragon Tat-too” graphic novel, adapted by DeniseMina. Published in two volumes, the first
book of this trilogy explores the complicated story of aninvestigation by Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander.
- Read it! -
Change up your summer reading habitsGive graphic novel adaptations a try
Live it! Magazine 19
Given the nature of the original story, this adaptationmisses a lot of the back story presented by Stieg Larssonand can be quite violent in nature. If you are a true fan ofthe original series and movies, this is a must and a good wayto jog your memory about the story. The last two books willbe adapted into this format as well.
If science fiction and mystery aren’t your genres, fret not.The modern classic “The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel”may be for you. Prefaced with a note from Paulo Coelho, theoriginal author, the story focuses on Santiago, a shepherdboy, who goes in search of a treasure but discovers moreabout himself during the journey. This adaptation by DerekRuiz stays true to the original story and, while some is leftout for the sake of length, the visuals enhance the story andthe original themes Coelho explored in the book.
If these suggestions aren’t your cup of tea, there are manymore graphic novel adaptations to explore. Many classicshave been written in this format for children and, whilethese do a great job introducing younger generations toclassic stories, adults familiar with the full version willenjoy them also. If these don’t peak your interest, librarystaff are more than willing to help you find your next greatread, graphic novel or otherwise.
Annice Sevett is Adult Services Librarian at the Willmar PublicLibrary. For more information on these, and hundreds of other ti-tles, swing by the Willmar Public Library. The librarians are there tohelp you find your new favorite author. Check out the library’s blogat turningpages.areavoices.com.
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Live it! Magazine 21
BY AMY ERICKSON
“Oh – I don’t lift weights – I only do cardio. Liftingweights makes women look bulky.”
How many times have you heard that while at the gym?The truth is – that statement is not true at all. In fact, lift-ing weights has many benefits for men and women. It isnearly impossible for the average woman to get “bulky”from adding weights to their workout program.
It will, however, have a lot of positive benefits.Did you know that muscle actually burns fat? That’s
right – the more muscle you gain, the more fat you burn.As women, we actually begin losing our muscle mass aswe age. This is another reason why it is a great idea to addweights to your workout regimen. You need to lift weightsin order to maintain the muscle that you currently have.Not to mention, it will greatly increase your metabolism.
Lifting weights will kick start your metabolism and itwill keep you burning calories a couple hours after yourworkout as well.
What will lifting weight help with?Lifting weights will help you tighten and tone your
body. Have you ever had a pair of skinny jeans that youwant to fit into? Your first thought may be that youshould head to the gym and spend countless hours on thetreadmill to get rid of those extra few pounds, right?Wrong!
Yes, it may work over time, but you are much better offhitting the gym, picking up that barbell, and strengthen-ing and toning those muscles. One pound of fat takes upmuch more space than one pound of muscle. It is true thatmuscle weighs more than fat, but what would you want allover your body? Something that is bulky, like body fat, or
something that is lean and takes up less space, like mus-cle?
Don’t let the scale fool you. Although it is a somewhataccurate way of seeing where you are at – it cannot tellyour muscle to fat ratio.
What are you gaining from lifting?A lot of women get discouraged when they start a
weight-training program because they see the number goup on the scale and think that it is a terrible thing.
No. It isn’t. You are gaining muscle and your body will thank you
for it. A great way to see if you are on track is to takemeasurements of your body before you start your newweight-training program, and track your progress thisway. Think it takes too much time and effort to take allthose measurements? Simple! Just go by how your clothesfit, and how you feel. Lifting weights is a great way toboost your confidence.
As if there aren’t enough benefits listed already, anothergreat perk of lifting weights is that you can do it anytime,anywhere. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you needto have weights in order to work out. Your own bodyweight works as great resistance. You can squat, pushup,sit-up, lunge, plank and dip your way to a new you – with-out using anything but your own body weight. How neatis that?
If you do better in a group exercise scene, check out oneof the local fitness facilities in your area or get a group ofindividuals together and go through a work-out routine.
P.S. Bodypump class is coming to the area;check it out!
Amy Erickson is the Health and Wellness Coordinator at theKandiyohi County Area Family YMCA in Willmar; 320-222-9622;[email protected]; www.kandiymca.org
- Fitness & Health -
The wonder of lifting for women
22 Live it! Magazine
BYMICHELLEGAUER
It!Summercapture with salads
WWhen summer is at its peak, a simple salad can be mag-ical. Salads are so versatile with unlimited ingredient andflavor choices. As we roll into summer it’s easy to turn asalad into a complete meal just by adding a source of pro-tein.
Salads are a great way to use leftover BBQ meat, steak,tuna, salami, turkey, chicken, shrimp, crab, fish, hardboiled eggs or lunchmeat. If you want to keep it meatless,open up a can of beans – kidney, cannellini, garbanzo,pinto or black beans.
It doesn’t need to be leafy and green to be called a salad.Try a creamy pesto-based salad with tortellini, peppersand black olives, or a Mediterranean with fresh chunkyvegetables, cucumbers, peppers and parmesan cheese.
Sweet salads are a special treat, too, with strawberries,raspberries or blueberries topped with poppy seed dress-ing, sweet onion, a dash of balsamic vinegar and finishedoff with candied nuts. Grains like quinoa, farro, bulgur,brown and wild rice add a new dimension to fantasticsummer salads that are chewy and nutty.
Try some of these tempting toppings in your nextsalad:
� cherry or grape tomatoes� olives, banana or jalapeno peppers� feta cheese, blue cheese, pepper jack cheese or queso
cheese� corn kernels, green cut beans, asparagus, carrots, avo-
cado, zucchini or any canned beans� French fried onions, craisins, raisins, dried cherries,
sun dried tomato� roasted walnuts, pecans or pine nuts – candied nuts� grapes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries,
peaches, pineappleDon’t be afraid to mix sweet with savory. Also, garnish
your salad with some of the ingredients in your salad,such as black olives, basil or spinach leaves, parsley,strawberry slices, red or green bell pepper slices. Manysalads are also delicious on a croissant or bed of lettuce.Create, garnish, enjoy and capture It! … with summersalads.
Elegant Chicken-Grape Salad with Candied Almonds
By Michelle L. GauerServing size: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes
1 (10.75 ounce) can premium white chicken, or leftoverchicken or turkey1/8 cup olive oil mayonnaise2 tablespoons ranch salad dressing (I use Hidden Valley)1 tablespoon sweet onion, chopped fine1 tablespoon celery, chopped fine1/8 teaspoon white pepper1/4 teaspoon garlic salt2 teaspoons granulated sugar3/4 cup red grapes, seedless, cut in half2 teaspoons butter1/4 cup slivered almonds1 tablespoon brown sugar
In a medium bowl use a fork to shred the chicken. Add themayonnaise, ranch dressing, onion, celery, pepper, salt and sugar.Mix well. Fold in the grapes, reserving 6 grape halves for garnish-ing. Refrigerate.In a small heavy frying pan melt 2 teaspoons butter on
medium heat. Add the almonds and brown sugar. Stir constantlyover medium heat being careful not to burn. Whencandied/brown (approximately 2 minutes) remove from heat andturn out onto waxed paper or foil to cool. Break apart.Stir in all but 1 tablespoon of the candied almonds into the
chicken mixture before serving. Serve on a lettuce leaf or crois-sant. Garnish with the remaining candied almonds and grapehalves.Notes: Entered in Pillsbury Million Dollar Bake-Off 2009. I also make
just the filling for crescents or serve on a leaf of lettuce. Great for graduations orshower luncheons.
Cucumber, Tomato, Feta, Turkey Salad
By Michelle L. GauerServing size: 8
Preparation time: 15 minutes Total time: 20 minutes
6 cups coarsely chopped English hothouse cucumbers (about 2pounds)1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half, save three for garnish1 bunch scallions, sliced thin1 cup assorted pitted olives (such as Kalamata or Gaeta)1 (17-ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled, divided1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves, save two leaves for garnish2 cups turkey or chicken breast, cut into 1 inch by ½-inch strips
Dressing: (or use Zesty Italian Dressing, 1/3 cup)6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil1/4 cup fresh lemon juicesea salt and freshly ground black pepper1/4 cup shaved parmesan cheese, if desired
In a large bowl gently toss the cucumbers, tomatoes, scallions, olives,half of the feta and the chopped basil. Set aside.In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. Season
to taste with the salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over salad; toss tocoat. (If you prefer use the Zesty Italian bottled dressing.) Sprinkle re-maining half of feta over the top, garnish with two basil leaves andthree cherry or grape tomatoes. Sprinkle with shaved parmesan cheeseif desired. Serve immediately. To make a day in advance wait to add thedressing until just before serving.Notes: This salad is also good with grated carrots. You can make with or without
the meat.
Tortellini-Veggie Pesto SaladBy Michelle L. Gauer; adapted from Jody Ammerman
Serving size: 10Preparation time: 30 minutes Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes
2 (9 ounce) packages fresh or frozen 3-cheese spinach or tri-colortortellini1 cup red bell pepper, cut into ½-inch pieces, cut 3 full slices for gar-
nish1 cup fresh broccoli florets, cut in half3/4 cup fresh small carrots, cut into ¼-inch coins1 (5.5 ounce) can ripe black pitted olives, drained and sliced, keep 3
full olives for garnish
Dressing: 1 cup olive oil mayonnaise1/2 cup prepared basil pesto1 teaspoon white vinegar2 teaspoons granulated sugar2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Prepare tortellini according to package directions (Do not overcook.)Rinse with cool water. Toss very lightly with a little olive oil to preventsticking together, if desired. Set aside.In a large bowl combine the red pepper, broccoli, carrots, olives and
cooked tortellini. Gently toss to mix. Set aside.In a medium bowl whisk together the dressing ingredients. Fold the
dressing into the tortellini mixture until coated.Garnish with 3 slices of red pepper and three black olives. For best
flavor cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours.Notes: Wonderful salad for ladies lunch, bridal shower, Italian-themed party or
graduations.
Peppercorn Spinach-Cranberry Pasta SaladBy Michelle L. Gauer; adapted from Jody Ammerman
Serving size: 8 Preparation time: 30 minutes Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes
1 (12 oz.) package bow tie pasta, cooked according to package4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, torn, keep 3 whole leaves for
garnish
Dressing: 3/4 cup thinly sliced celery3/4 cup onion, chopped fine1½ cups dried cranberries (Craisins) 1¼ cups olive oil mayonnaise1¼ cups peppercorn dressing (I use Hidden Valley or
Merzetti)1/2 teaspoon garlic salt1 tablespoon granulated sugar1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
In a large bowl, combine the dressing in-gredients and the cooked pasta. Gently tosstogether to coat. DO NOT add thespinach yet. Refrigerate for a couple hours or best if
overnight for the best flavor. Just beforeserving add the torn spinach and toss tocoat. Add a little more salad dressing if youwould like. Wonderful on a bed of lettuce or gar-
nished in a big bowl. To garnish place 3spinach leaves together at the stems andplace the dried cranberries at the base ofthe stems.
24 Live it! Magazine
BY RON SKJONG
Have you ever really looked at a blade of grass? Do you re-ally “see” your spouse, your friend, that tree or the sky?
Have you ever really looked at the variety and vibrancy ofthe color of life surrounding you?
I expect some of us would answer these questions with a re-sounding “Yes, of course!” Yet, some of us would reply: “Areyou kidding? I am too busy!”
May I suggest something for all of us?Remember the phrase “the eyes are the window to the
soul?” OK, I can hear your thoughts: “Oh Lord, he’s getting
philosophical on me.” And, in a way, I am. What I am suggesting is that we take time to really see
things around us because actually seeing something helps usto slow down. At a slower pace, we can more completely andsatisfyingly enjoy the wonders of everything around us.
In my family, we used the phrase “stop and smell the roses.” We all knew what that phrase meant but, darn, life got in
the way. There were chores to do, field work to complete,homework to finish, sports to play, friends to talk with (andflirt with) – all things that were part of growing up.
Then, after high school, life got hectic. There was college toattend, a stint in the military, the start of one’s working life,relationships to savor, marriage, children – well, you get theidea.
When can we possibly find the time to “stop and smell theroses” much less take time to “see?”
I would suggest we slow down and take time now. Wenortherners know our winters are long and hard and oftenfollowed by cool, wet springs. We need to really enjoy oursummer by “seeing” it.
So let’s take time now to see the colors that surround us –the glimmering green of the grass, the robust red of the roses,the blazing blue of the sky and vibrant violet of the irisflower. And now that you are going to slow down a bit(right?), how about including some beautifully colored bever-ages in your slower lifestyle?
Have you ever noticed the different colors of beer? From apale amber color to deep browns, beers can amaze you withtheir beautiful and diverse colors. Place a light amber-coloredMiller High Life beside a rich, dark brown Irish Stout and
you can see the wonder of the brew master’s artistry. Then grab a medium brown Summit Saja IPA (my favorite)
and set it beside a nearly black Summit Great NorthernPorter – amazing colors! First you “see” the beer and thenyou taste the beer. The drinking of it becomes more of a com-plete sensory experience.
The world of spirits gives us an abundance of colors. Sitdown and pour a shot of bourbon and compare it to a glass ofscotch or vodka and you will see colors range from deepbrown to pale amber to crystal clear. Enjoy the colors as youlook at that beautiful brown bourbon (Bulleit is my favorite)and compare it to the light amber hue of Dewar’s WhiteLabel Blended Scotch, or to the clearness of Reyka IcelandicVodka.
The colors tell you a story – a story of what to expect ofthem when you take that first sip.
In the world of wines, seeing the wine gives us the first clueto where the wine’s grapes were grown. A dark red colormeans a warmer climate, and white wines are usually grownin a cooler climate. The color of wine crosses the spectrumfrom a pale straw color to light reds and dark burgundy.
Lighter colored wines include Sauvignon Blanc (Blackstoneis a good choice) and Rieslings (Chateau St. Michelle is an ex-cellent choice).
The lighter reds include Lillet (try this one, it is very satis-fying) and White Zinfandel (Barefoot – an easy drinkingwine).
The majestic reds include a Malbec (Catena is so drinkable)or a Cabernet Sauvignon (Edna Valley is my favorite). Andlet’s not forget Minnesota’s own developed and grown wines.I recommend Clara City’s Hinterland Winery’s MarquetteReserve – it is aged and absolutely delicious.
Whatever your choice of beverage, try to fully enjoy it by“seeing” it first. I predict that what is pleasing to your eyeswill be pleasing to your taste buds, too. So, slow down and“see.”
As always, eat and drink responsibly but laugh with reck-less abandon.
Cheers!
Ron Skjong is a lay minister at the Church of St. Mary in Will-mar, is married and has four grown children. During the time hewas stationed in Germany, he was introduced to the wonderfulworld of German wines and from that introduction, a lifelong pur-suit developed to find that perfect bottle of wine.
Slow down and ‘see’ what’s there- Spirits -
BY CLAUDETTE LARSON, LICSW
This morning, I ran in the pouring rain from the houseto my car, jumped in the front seat, turned the key in theignition and guess what? I got nothing. Not exactly what aperson running late wants to experience on a Mondaymorning.
Determined not to be a victimof bad luck, I tried again, thistime pumping the gas sev-eral times. I still gotnothing.
Sometimes life justdoes that to you. Likea big ol’ reminderthat you are not theboss.
I like to say thatlife happens.Sometimes goodlife happens andsometimes not-so-good life happens.What is that saying:“When we make plans,God laughs?”
Dealing with thingsoutside of our controlis tough. These in-clude most thingsin life, really, when youthink about. This morning, my car was a very good exam-ple for me. Yet, what is probably the hardest thing to dealwith for most of us are things happening outside of ourcontrol involving the people we love.
Talk about draining and a true exercise in frustration. We are fixers by nature and when we see something
broke, we know exactly what should be done to fix it. Thething is, can we fix people?
We can’t make people think, feel or behave the way wewould. Oh, we might try to persuade (convince), stronglyencourage (threaten) or help (manipulate) so things go theway we think they should. Does it work most of the time?No.
The truth is no matter how we try, we cannot controlanything outside of ourselves. It’s completely useless tobelieve that we can. The only thing we can control is how
we react and how much power we give to situations andpeople outside of our control.
All of the energy spent persuading, strongly encourag-ing, helping or even wringing our hands with anxiety doesnothing but leave less energy for us to invest in the thingsin life we can control.
When you are faced with difficulty outside of your con-trol, allow yourself to feel the emotions that come to
you because of it. Tell yourself that the emotionsyou feel are okay in this moment because you
are human and you care. Remind yourself that you cannot control
the outcome but that you have a choice inhow much you let it affect you and your
behavior. Give your wishes up to the universe
for what you would like to have hap-pen like a balloon you’ve let go so itcan float up to the clouds. Then im-mediately distract yourself with some-thing you can busy your mind with.
And if you feel yourself coming backto that hamster wheel in your mind,
agree to let that poor hamster out andstart this process all over again until youracceptance finally takes hold and you putthat energy into what you know best:yourself.
Claudette Larson of New London is a li-censed independent clinical social worker
with 15 years of experience helping individu-als, couples and families work on personal growth and positivereal-life solutions.
Live it! Magazine 25
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PaynesvilleJune 7-12Town and Country Days, grand parade Wednes-
day.
MontevideoJune 8-15Fiesta Days, grand day parade Sunday.
RenvilleJune 11-15Sugar Beet Days, grand parade Saturday.
Bird IslandJune 11-15Island Days, regatta parade Saturday.
KandiyohiJune 13-14Kandi Is Dandy Days, grand parade Saturday.
WillmarJune 17-21Willmar Fests, grand day parade Saturday.
Granite FallsJune 18-21Western Fest, grand parade Saturday.
AtwaterJune 18-22Festival Days, grand parade Saturday.
DawsonJune 26-29Riverfest, grand parade Sunday.
MaynardJune 29-July 4Fourth of July, parade at 11 a.m. and fireworks at
dusk on Friday.
MadisonJune 30-July 4Summerfest, parade Friday with fireworks at dusk.
Prairie’s Edge CasinoJuly 3Family Fun Night, begins at 6 p.m. with food,
music and fireworks show at dusk.
PrinsburgJuly 3-4Fourth of July, kiddie parade at 6 p.m. followed by
main parade.
SpicerJuly 3-6Independence Day Celebration, grand parade
10a.m. Friday with fireworks at dusk.
StarbuckJuly 3-6Heritage Days, grand parade Saturday.
DanubeJuly 9-13Fun Days, grand parade Saturday.
Clara CityJuly 11-12Prairie Fest Days, grand parade Saturday.
LitchfieldJuly 11-13Watercade, grand parade Saturday.
BrootenJuly 11-13Bonanza Valley Days, grand parade Sunday.
BlomkestJuly 12Appreciation Day
New LondonJuly 18-20Water Days, grand parade Saturday.
Sacred HeartJuly 18-20Summer Fest, parade Friday.
CosmosJuly 18-2046th Space Festival, parade Sunday.
BensonJuly 19-20Kid Day Celebration, parade Saturday.
GlenwoodJuly 22-27Waterama, lighted pontoon parade at dusk Satur-
day, parade Sunday.
OliviaJuly 24-27Corn Capital Days, grand parade Saturday.
KerkhovenJuly 25-27Town and Country Days, parade Saturday.
PennockAug. 1-2Pennock Fun Days, parade Saturday.
Lake LillianAug. 1-3Fun Days, grand parade Saturday.
New LondonAug. 6-928th annual New London to New Brighton An-
tique Car Run Saturday features cars from 1915 andearlier; country tours Wednesday, Thursday and Fri-day leaving from New London daily; run to NewBrighton on Saturday.
StarbuckAug. 8-9Dragon Boat Racing, co-ed races on Lake Min-
newaska; boats provided.
BelgradeAug. 9-10Augustfest, grand parade Saturday.
Grove CityAug. 14-17AugustFest
Forest CityAug. 16-17Stockade Rendezvous, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
RaymondAug. 23Harvest Fest, parade Saturday.
it!out?Check What’s happenin’
June - July - August 2014
26 Live it! Magazine
Live it! Magazine 27
Music concertsand more
Jazz-N-JavaEvery ThursdayWillmar, 6 to 6:45 p.m., Jazz –N-Java; 913
Business 71 N.; free music concert by dif-ferent individuals and groups, followed bysing-along with house band.
Glacial Ridge WineryEvery ThursdaySpicer, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Glacial Ridge
Winery, state Highway 23 between NewLondon and Spicer; free music concert bydifferent individuals and groups.
Hinterland VineyardsEvery FridayClara City, 7 to 9 p.m., Hinterland Vine-
yards and Winery, 3060 120th Ave. S.E.; freemusic concert by different individuals andgroups; no concert July 4.
Pioneerland Band FestivalJune 14Benson, 6:30 p.m.; 27th annual Flag Day
parade with 15 high school marching bands.
Prairie Winds BandJune and JulyWillmar, 7:30 p.m., Rice Park, Kandiyohi
Ave. and Second St. S.W., June 11, 18 and25, July 2 and 9; free concert by communityband.
Music in the ParkJuly and AugustSpicer, 4 to 6 p.m., City Park Deck, July
13, 20 and 27, Aug. 3, 10 and 17; free con-cert by various groups.
Dance
Summer DancesJune 22, July 13Glenwood, 4 to 8 p.m., Lakeside Ball-
room; summer dances open to all, music byMyron Sommerfeld on June 22; VelvetBrass on July 13.
Polka FestJuly 4-6Bird Island, Island Ballroom; 28 hours of
dancing on large wooden dance floor; 320-365-9997.
WacipiAug. 1-3 Granite Falls, Upper Sioux Community;
Pezihutazizi Oyate Traditional Wacipi,warm-up dances 7 p.m. Friday; grand en-tries at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m.Sunday.
Arts/Drama
Studio HopJune 13-14Local artists will have their studios open 3
to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Satur-day in the Willmar, Spicer and New Londonareas; www.studiohop.org.
The Laramie ProjectJune 5, 19 and 26Willmar, 5 and 8 p.m. June 5, 5:30 p.m.
June 19 and 26, 414 Becker Ave; local pro-duction of “The Laramie Project” about theMatthew Shepard murder/hate crime in1998 in Laramie, Wyoming; free, rated R.
‘Gypsy’June 16-17, 19-24, 26-28Willmar, 7:30 p.m., 1 p.m. Sunday, The
Barn Theatre; 321 Fourth St. S.W.; per-formances of the musical “Gypsy”; 320-235-9500.
Misc.Little Crow Water Ski ShowMay, June and JulyNew London, 7:30 p.m., Neer Park, May
30, June 6, 13, 20, 27 and July 4, 5, 11 and18; 320-354-5684.
AugustNew London, 7 p.m., Neer Park, Aug. 1,
2, 15, 22 and 29; 320-354-5684.
Becker MarketEvery ThursdayWillmar, 2 to 5:30 p.m., June through
September, 414 Becker Square parking lotbetween Fourth and Fifth streets down-town; experience Willmar’s multiculturalflavor in an outdoor atmosphere of farmers,growers, producers, artisans and entertain-ment.
Garden TourJune 24Atwater area, 4 to 8 p.m., Kandiyohi
County Horticultural Society annual openhouse garden tour in the Atwater area, free.
To list your fall event email [email protected]
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Live it! Magazine 29
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