august/september issue of live it! magazine

200142014

Non-traditional

in life

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Stepping out ...Even though it is 2014, there are still some things that are what they are and they will still

take generations to change.Auto racing is a hobby and auctioneering is a profession both of which have long been

associated with men. There are many more, of course, but little by little our greater sex is mov-ing in on the mans world. (I know, Ill be in trouble for that one!)

Dan Burdett met up with a couple of race car drivers, as well asa former driver who works behind-the-scenes at the track. She is aregular track junkie! They have each come at it from varying back-grounds, but all three have experienced some degree of success inthe racing world.

Auctioneer Kristine Fladeboe-Duininck is also finding great suc-cess in what was once considered by many to be a mans profession.Kristine travels the world taking bids, conducting multimillion-dol-lar auctions.

Motorcycles are another thing that have long been associatedwith men. And, not everyone favored them back in the day either.

There was a time growing up when my mother wouldnt allow a motorcycle on the farmyard. AsI recall, my one brother and a friend of my sisters each parked their bike at the edge of thefarmyard and walked up to the yard. When I started dating my husband, however, that allchanged. He was allowed to drive his bike right up to the house. And, as I recall, he even con-vinced my mom to take a short ride with him.

For those who follow Live it!, you may remember that I stepped out of the norm last sum-mer and got my motorcycle license. Nothing new for the female sex by any means, but still notall that familiar for many either. And, it was new for me. I wasnt sure how much Id actuallywant to drive my own bike, but figured it was definitely worth learning in any case.

Well after riding behind my husband most of this summer, I ventured out and bought myown bike as July drew to a close. How much I will actually drive myself remains to be seen, butat least now I have the freedom to do so if I so choose.

We can all be thankful for the freedoms of our generation, thanks in large part to those whohave gone before us to pave the way. I hope you enjoy our look into some of the more non-tradi-tional paths of young women today, and maybe it will encourage others to also take that firststep outside that invisible box of normal.

If you have a topic youd like to see in Live it!, send your story idea to [email protected]. Welove to hear from our readers. You can also like us on Facebook, leave comments atliveit.areavoices.com or send us a tweet @Liveitmag.

Life in west central Minnesota it really is a beautiful thing

Live it! Sharon BomstadLive it! Editor

Via facebook:

I love this magazine. Very informa-tive too.

Carol Simpson Small, via Facebook

On the When A Child You Love Becomes a Memory article: Good article about Stacy. She was a

classmate and friend of mine. We grew uptogether.

Sheila Rohner Quinn, via Facebook

Stacey was my best friend and was themaid of honor in my wedding. There areso many times I think of her and stillmiss her to this day. A few years ago I wasin Minnesota and went to see him (JR)and Linda, but they were not home. Imiss her so much!

Oleta Holcomb, via Facebook

As a parent who has lost a child I cantell you I have experienced no greaterpain! There is not a day that goes by thatyou don't feel the void in your life.

Mike Reynolds, via Facebook

In our email: I am an avid reader of Live it! and espe-

cially enjoyed the issue of two months agowith the gentleman that wrote about hisdiet for a week with fresh fruits andspinach in a blender and made himselfshakes.I did that for a week also and especially

liked some of the combinations. Sharon Dragt

Live it! Magazine 3

Liveit!M A G A Z I N E

CANT 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 BurdettKayla Prasek

Rand Middleton

Marketing consultantsKevin Smith, Director

[email protected]

Jan [email protected]

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Katie [email protected]

Sarah [email protected]

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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 4

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 GauerGregory Harp

Cover Story Cover Story 66Racing is in their bloodRacing is in their blood

14 Money Matters: Saving and investing for the future

12 Q&A: Women infiltrate administrative end of racing

25 Life Happens: Dealing with what life deals us

28 Get it!: Indulge yourself or someone you love

3 Readers mailbag: Share your thoughts with us

Departments

2219 Fitness & Health: Tips to stay in shape

20 Style it!: Time to think about transitioning to fall wardrobe

26 Whats happenin? Check it out here!

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Whats inside

Shes an auctioneer around the world 16

6 Finding success on the track

10 Racing is a family affair for relative newcomer

12 A behind-the-scenes look at women in racing

Features

1916 Life is good for auctioneer and her family

22 Eat it!: Campfire cooking at its best

24 Spirits!: Go ahead, try something new

6 Live it! Magazine

Live it! Magazine 7

JESSICA STRANSKYJESSICA STRANSKYlooks for success in male-dominated sport

BY DAN BURDETTPHOTOGRAPHY BY GREGORY HARP

WWhen Jessica Stransky slowlyclimbs into her car through theglassless drivers side window, con-torting into a seat sandwiched be-tween a mass of steel and protectiverods that resemble jail bars, she isimpassive. Shes not thinking about work,

about boys, about money. Shes not reflecting on the corner

she took too wide the week prior,

that monster wreck a summer past. Shes blind to the faces in the

grandstand, deaf to the anecdotal PAannouncer.She could care less about the stres-

sors of the day, the forming cloudsabove, the drive back home thatnight, the early start in the morning.This is my break away from real-

ity, Jessica says emphatically. Thisis where I tell myself I belong.

Jessica is among a small number of women activein the regional racing circuit, both on the tracksand behind the scenes. She drives Hornets, anentry level class of racing not sanctioned by theWISSOTA Promoters Association, but one de-signed to increase the level of interest in the sport.

WISSOTA is the sanctioning body for KRASpeedway in Willmar and more than 50 other racetracks in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota,South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming, and theCanadian provinces of Ontario, Alberta and Mani-toba.

Currently, about two-dozen women are featured amonga field of hundreds of men who frequent WISSOTAsother regional tracks: Granite City Speedway in St. Cloud,Fiesta City Speedway in Montevideo, Princeton Speed-way, I-94 Speedway in Fergus Falls, Viking Speedway inAlexandria, Madison Speedway and Ogilvie Raceway.Jessica lives in Paynesville but considers KRA Speedway

her home track.For the past three summers, shes enjoyed some of her

best racing there.Last year, she finished fifth overall in the standings for

her class, which boasts more than a dozen drivers.The year prior, she was fourth.Jessica is tall and tan, with piercing blue eyes. Shes only

20, and at first glance appears diffident. But she is steadyand engaging when talking racing.Im out to prove something, she says. A lot of guys

think girls cant do this I just like to sit back and laugh,and say well watch me.

With a little help from friendsWhen mingling around the pits at KRA Speedway, it is

evident racing is a family affair for many of the drivers.Jessicas mom, Karla, attends on occasion, but struggles towatch, fearful for her daughters safety. Last year, Jessica was racing in Fergus Falls when she

wrecked. It was

the type ofwreck thatcould have forced many to consider another venture.Two cars came down and hit my front, and another car

rear-ended mine, she recalls. He then flipped and hitthe top of my car. The back of my car was pushed in,touching my drivers seat. They told me I was lucky to bewalking, that it was a miracle I didnt get injured.

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Live it! Magazine 9

After something like that, do you get scared?No. Never.Why do you think that is?She laughs. I grew up with brothers.There are four boys in the family: the eldest three are

Jessicas step-siblings. Her biological brother, Justin, isthree years her senior. Jessicas father and stepmother ownand operate Ron and Judys Restaurant and Lounge inPaynesville.Racing cars can be expensive and Jessicas hours away

from the track are often protracted. She is employed full-time as a bookkeeper at Paynesville Chevrolet and wait-resses at her familys restaurant to supplement herincome. She has also secured multiple sponsors, some ofwhom provide her parts for her car, others with cash, andhas recruited friends to assist her with the maintenance ofher slimmed down, four-cylinder Ford Focus.She loves the car, a gift from her sponsor at Paynesville

Chevrolet, and claimed second recently in a feature, herbest finish of the year. Shes currently sixth overall in points at KRA Speedway.

Breaking the walls downJessica has never won a heat or a feature. The track of

her choice is Ogilvie Raceway, because of the way itbanks a term referring to the degree of incline on theracing surface, something that varies from track to track.She doesnt race there much, often splitting her time be-tween KRA Speedway and Granite City Speedway.KRA, she says, is a smaller track and can prove chal-

lenging, the dirt often loose.She adores the camaraderie and the buzz of the racing

circuit, and considers the drivers simpatico: Its a com-munity.

But that does little to quell her desire to succeed. Herpassion for racing has never wavered in the years since herstepfather introduced her to the sport when she was 8.Shes been racing five years with a resolute goal to breakdown the barriers in the sport: You dont have to be atomboy to do this. I can be just as good as the boys.She gets irked and purposeful when critics say racing is

merely four left turns: You try it then.And that first checkered flag?Shes adamant it will happen.

Dan Burdett is the lead writer for Live it! and can be reached via email [email protected]. Follow Dan on Twitter @danburdett1

You dont have to be a tomboy to do this. I can be just as good as the boys.

10 Live it! Magazine

ASHLEY MEHRWERTHASHLEY MEHRWERTHIn search of that first win

IIts June 26, 2014.Im at KRA Speedway in Willmar, myfirst night at the races.Im here to meet Ashley Mehrwerth,who is among a growing number ofwomen on the regions racing circuit.Its 5:15 p.m., a little more than an hour

before the scheduled start of the nightsfirst heat, preliminary races for each class.I mill around the entrance of the track

for a few minutes, when I hear a gentlevoice from behind me.

Are you Dan?Yes, I am, I respond, turning to greet

the slender and tan brunette who standsbefore me.Hi, Im Ashley, she says, extending

her hand and a polite smile.We walk to the fenced seating area of the

grandstand. An afternoon rain has mud-ded the track. The surface looks syrupyand the rolling corners uneven. Thegloomy skies hint it may be a quick nightof racing.

As we chat, I learn Ashley is 21 and enjoying her thirdfull season racing Midwest Modifieds. She is here tonightwith her family: dad, mom, grandma, grandpa and 18-year-old brother, Brandon, a rookie driver who will startin the heat scheduled directly before his sisters. Theraces have become a family affair for the Mehrwerths

since Ashley, then 14, stepped in to race for a cousin side-tracked by a two-month wrestling camp.I was instantly hooked, she says, as we settle into the

grandstands airy VIP area, a reprieve from the eveninghumidity. The adrenaline, the rush, the people you meet just being in the car I love it.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Mehrwerth

Ashley has never won a Midwest Modifieds feature, but heryoung career can hardly be classed as dissatisfying. Shes en-joyed multiple top-5 and top-10 finishes. She tells me shesconfident her winless drought will soon end. Shes learningmore about her car, about the tracks and what lines to follow,what angles to take. She knows shes a better driver now thanlast year. That win is just a matter of time. She can taste it.Ashley is from St. Stephen, the Granite City Speedway in

St. Cloud is her home track. She works as a certified nursingassistant by day. At night, she tweaks her car with her father,Dan, tinkering into the late hours. The work is laborious, butworthy.I hope I can inspire other girls who want to do this but

think they cant, she says.She chuckles with humility when discussing her racing fu-

ture and laughs when she hints at one day driving forNASCAR. But the eyes tell a different story. Shes hookedand along for the ride wherever it leads.You should come see my car, she says.We wander down to the track, zigzagging across the mushy

grass and by the countless trucks and trailers that line the pitarea. Its 20 minutes before race time, and the place is abuzzwith banter and the occasional growls of an engine test. Atthe far side of the pit, Dan performs one last check of hisdaughters car, from the tires to the 350 cubic-inch smallblock Chevy engine. Despite the sprinkling of pink in thepaintwork and wheel disks, the car is imposing and Ashleyappears brittle in comparison.Thats one impressive piece of machinery, I remark.Yeah, its an expensive one, too, Dan responds with a

chuckle. But its well worth it.

Race timeAshley is starting in the sixth heat of the night. Brandon

finished third in his heat, leading through the first three lapsbefore surrendering his position after taking a corner toowide.The racers complete their pre-start laps, weaving and

revving, and familiarizing themselves with the surface of thetrack.

Minutes later theyre ready to go.Ashley explodes from the start, leading by two car lengths

before hitting the second corner. She takes the corners tightand bursts through the straights. Four laps into the eight-laprace, her lead grows. I wonder whats going through hermind: If shes nervous or tense, if the adrenaline has kickedin or if shes completely at ease. I wonder what the track lookslike to her as she hits speeds of 60 or 70 mph, if the worldaround her is a blur or if everything slows down, like they sayin the movies. I wonder if she catches a glimpse of her fam-ilys animated cheers from the grandstand as she passes. Iwonder if she senses shes mere moments from winning theheat.An hour later, she claims fourth place in the feature race,

ahead of nine others, including Brandon, who finishes fifth.

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Women leaving their mark

RRacing has long been a sport dominated by men.But in recent years, more women have become active onthe regional circuits, both on the track and behind-the-scenes. Sarah Isdal is one of these women. Introduced to racing as a young girl by her father, him-self a racer, she was riding go-karts and four-wheelers bythe age of 8. By the time she was 14, she had graduated to stock cars

and enjoyed two years of success before a major back in-jury suffered in a wreck at the now defunct Grove CreekRaceway in Grove City ended her racing career.In 2013, Sarah, who lives a stones throw from KRA

Speedway in Willmar, became a board member at the localtrack, while also assuming its promotions and marketingcampaigns.In an interview with Live it!, Sarah, who is employed

full-time in advertising during the day, shared some of herexperiences as a woman working behind-the-scenes andthe changes shes witnessed regarding female participationin the sport.

Live it!: Talk me through the process of planning arace week-to-week and your role in it.

Sarah Isdal: First of all, we start planning the next sea-son in the winter, around November. We need to have ourschedule in to WISSOTA, our sanctioning body, at a pre-determined date prior to the season. That sets the stage forwhat our season will be. Then we approach local and re-gional businesses for sponsorships: from something assimple as a program, to our track billboards and nightlysponsorships. We typically meet every other week in thewinter to plan out the season, develop a staff list, and dis-cuss any changes and/or improvements we can make tothe program.

&QAAQ

Late ModelsThe late models are

full-bodied race carsand the top of the linein terms of speed andtechnology. The rulesallow the cars to have asleek body design and wideHoosier racing tires. The carsare usually equipped with 360cubic-inch engines that can produce 500or more horsepower. The Late Models have largespoilers that can cause the left front tire to rise fromthe surface when the cars come off turns. The chassisare highly tunable and sensitive to adjustments. Vir-tually all Late Model racers burn methanol ratherthan gasoline.

ModifiedsModifieds are high-powered, open-wheeled race

cars. The cars are easily identified by their lack offront fenders or rear spoilers. Drivers can run a specengine of up to 362 cubic inches. Roller rockers androller cam are allowed. A driver may also use a largerengine, up to 410 cubic inches. The chassis and sus-pension are advanced and can be tuned to meet theneeds of the drivers racing style or the track condi-tions. Most of the vehicles run on methane.

Super StocksSuper Stock cars are similar to Late Models but

have thinner tires and no spoiler. The cars areequipped with 360 cubic-inch engines. They are lim-ited to a two-barrel carburetor. There are also chassislimitations with the cars, which makes them lesstunable than Late Models and Modifieds.

Midwest ModifiedsMidwest Modifieds are a limited version of Modi-

fieds. The class was originally conceived by a groupof tracks in central and western Minnesota but thepopulation of Midwest Modifieds has exploded sinceit became a WISSOTA-sanctioned division. The di-vision has a restricted package of engine and suspen-sion rules, and the body lines are a little moreconservative than the full Modifieds.

Street StocksStreet Stocks resemble stock cars. They feature a

steel body that most resembles the Chevrolet MonteCarlo or Grand Prix models of the 1970s and 1980s.The engine size often varies from 307 cubic inches to350 cubic inches. There are limitations, however, onhorsepower.

Mod FoursMod Fours is the only four-cylinder division in

WISSOTA-sanctioned competition. The cars have asimilar appearance to Midwest Modifieds but featuresmaller Hoosier tires.

The cars of theWissota racing divisions

Live it! Magazine 13

We have roughly 40 or so staff members wholl perform a variety oftasks during a night of racing: from the tech inspectors, to the PA an-nouncer, to the staging areas, to those who set up registration for driv-ers. I dont have a specific title on race night, but a majority of what Ido is public relations. But I also like to float. If were missing a scorer,I can score. If were missing a photographer, I can shoot. So, on racenight, I tend to get to the track at 3:30-ish for a 6:30 p.m. race. Regis-tration is at 4 p.m., so that gives me a little cushion time. From four tosix, I help people get parked and answer any questions that may arise.Then, hopefully, from 6:30 p.m. until about 9 p.m., the races go aheadwithout a hitch. Ill then leave the track around 10:30 or 11-ish.

Live it!: What changes have you seen in racing in terms of fe-male participation?

SI: I remember going to the track as a little girl and there was onefemale who raced. It was pretty cool. It was her against the guys. Butnow almost every racing class has female representation. Thats fantas-tic. And in the past, on the promotions end and administration side, itwas nearly all men working. Females played a very small role. Butnow women are on boards. There are women who are promoters ofrace tracks, women who are taking executive roles. So it really ischanging from a male-dominated sport to a sport that features menand women. And I think a big part of that is women are playing a big-ger role in society.

Live it!: Have you experienced any challenges with being awoman in the sport?

SI: Certainly. There are times I feel Im treated differently becauseIm female. But sticking to your guns, showing youve got somethingimportant to add, increases your credibility. Its easier to earn respectby being passionate and sticking to your guns than letting someonewalk all over you. But that conflict is a rare issue though because ofthis integration of women into the sport.

Live it!: What do you foresee for women in racing down the road,and do you think more women will participate and enjoy success?

SI: Absolutely. Like I said, 10 years ago it was pretty rare to seewomen in a promotional or executive role at a racetrack. But I now seethe participation growing every year. As for the racers, we are gettingmore and more females looking to get out of the go-karts and makethe jump to a race car. Women are winning races. Some are just ascompetitive as the next guy. When we have successful female racers Ithink it leads to more of a desire from women in the stands to want todo this. There are men who as they get older and retire, they let theirdaughters race in their place. Thats what happened with me andnow my brother races. Its a family thing, and I think women will con-tinue to grow into this.

Live it!: What piece of advice can you offer for any young girl orwoman looking to get involved in racing?

SI: Dont be shy. You know, if youre looking at maybe just workingat a track, talk to your local board, talk to a promoter. Chances arethere will be someplace you can fill in. Maybe they want to follow apromoter around for a day if that interests them. I think a lot of thefear is that its a male-dominated sport. We need to attract the youngergeneration to help our sport get bigger and better. And women need toknow they are just as valuable at this as anyone else.

KRA Speedway is located at the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds off Seventh Street North-west in Willmar. For more information about racing, call 320-212-5803, or visithttp://www.kraspeedway.com/ or KRA Speedways official Facebook page.


At some point in your married life, you will almost cer-tainly encounter some large expenditures, such as a newhome, your own business, or a college education for yourchildren. Chances are, you wont be able to meet these ex-penditures from your current income. You and your spousemust discipline yourselves to set aside a portion of yourcurrent income for saving and investing your money to en-sure its steady growth or, at the very least, protect it againstloss.Save a percentage of your earningsWhen figuring out your budget, savings should be con-

sidered one of your monthly expenses. Think of savings asa fixed payment (like a car payment) that must be madeevery month. If you dont and you wait until the end ofthe month to save whatever you have not spent, youll findthat nothing ever seems to go into your savings account. Agood rule of thumb is for you and your spouse to save 4 to9 percent of your combined gross earnings while you arein your 20s and then double that savings percentage asyou reach your 30s and 40s. In some cases, a dual-incomecouple may be able to live off one spouses salary and savethe other salary.

Example: Mary and Richard, a married couple in their20s, earn a combined annual gross income of $60,000. To-gether, Mary and Richard save 5 percent of their com-bined gross income each year, or $3,000.

Example: As another example, Christine and Tom, amarried couple in their 30s, earn a combined annual grossincome of $80,000. Together, Christine and Tom save 10percent of their combined gross income each year, or$8,000.Build an emergency cash reserveThe savings that you accumulate can serve as an emer-

gency cash reserve. Ideally, you should have in savings anamount that is comfortable for you to fall back on in caseof an emergency, such as a job loss. A common formulaused for calculating a safe emergency fund amount is tomultiply your total monthly expenses by 6. When deter-mining how much cash should be in your emergency fund,a major factor is your comfort level. If you and your spousefeel secure with your jobs and are confident that if you lostyour current jobs you would be able to find a new onefairly quickly, an emergency fund of three times your

monthly expenses should be sufficient. However, if eitherof you has an unpredictable income, you may want to havean emergency fund that is equal to 12 times your monthlyexpenses.

Example: Christine and Tom, a married couple in their30s, plan to build up an emergency cash reserve. BothChristine and Tom are attorneys and feel quite secure withtheir present jobs. Christine and Tom have monthly ex-penses of $3,000 and plan to build up an emergency cashreserve that is equal to 3 times their monthly expenses, or$9,000 ($3,000 x 3).

Example: As another example, Mary and Richard, amarried couple in their 20s, plan to build up an emergencycash reserve. Both Mary and Richard are employed as free-lance writers and feel that their incomes are at times un-predictable. Mary and Richard have monthly expenses of$1,500 and plan to build up an emergency cash reserve thatis equal to 12 times their monthly expenses, or $18,000($1,500 x 12).

Investing your moneyWhen you have established an emergency cash reserve,

you can begin to invest your money to target your financialgoals. There are three fundamental types of investments:cash and cash alternatives, bonds, and equities. Cash andcash alternatives are relatively low-risk investments thatcan be readily converted into currency, such as moneymarket accounts. Bonds, sometimes called debt instru-ments, are essentially IOUs; when you invest in a bond,youre lending money to the bonds issuer usually a cor-poration or governmental body which pays interest onthat loan. Because bonds make regular payments of inter-est, they are also known as income investments. Equities,or stocks, give you a share of ownership in a company. Youhave the opportunity to share in the companys profits andpotential growth, which is why theyre often viewed asgrowth investments. However, equities involve greater riskthan either cash or income investments. With equities,there is no guarantee you will receive any income or thatyour shares will ever increase in value, and you can loseyour entire investment. In addition to these three basictypes of investments also known as asset classes--thereare so-called alternative investments, such as real estate,commodities, and precious metals.

Saving and investing your money together

- Money Matters -

BY MATTHEW LILLEBERG

No matter what your investment goal, your overall objec-tive is to maximize returns without taking on more risk thanyou can bear. Youll need to choose investments that are con-sistent with your financial goals and time horizon. A finan-cial professional can help you construct an investmentportfolio that takes these factors into account.

Establishing good creditEstablishing good credit is an important step in the path

towards a solid financial future. A good credit history canenable you to make credit purchases for items that youmight not otherwise be able to afford. Most creditors will re-quire a good credit history before extending credit to you. Ifyou do not have a credit history, it is important to establishone as soon as possible. If you have a poor credit history, youshould take steps toward improving it right away.Individual or joint creditMarried couples can either apply for credit individually or

jointly. One of the benefits of applying for joint credit is thatboth you and your spouses income, expenses, and financialstability are considered when a creditor evaluates your over-all financial picture. However, applying for separate credithas its advantages. If you and your spouse ever run into fi-nancial problems (e.g., illness or job layoff), separate creditallows one spouse to risk damaging his or her credit historywhile preserving the other spouses good credit. In addition,separate credit can also protect you and your spouse fromeach other. If you and your spouse cosign a loan or apply fora credit card, you are both responsible for 100 percent repay-ment of the debt. In other words, if your spouse does not payhis or her share, you can get stuck with paying the wholeamount. On the other hand, if your spouse takes out a loanor applies for a credit card on his or her own, generally yourspouse is solely responsible for the debt.

Tip: While the general rule is that spouses are not respon-sible for each others debts, there are exceptions. Many stateswill hold both spouses responsible for a debt incurred byone spouse if the debt constituted a family expense (e.g.,child care or groceries). In addition, in some communityproperty states, both spouses may be responsible for onespouses debts, since both spouses have equal rights to eachothers incomes. You may want to discuss your states lawswith an attorney if you live in a community property state.

Matthew Lilleberg is a financial adviser with C&A FinancialAdvisors in Willmar. Material prepared by Broadridge InvestorCommunication Solutions, Inc. Broadridge Investor Communi-cation Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax or legaladvice. The information presented here is not specific to any in-dividuals personal circumstances.

001108293r1

JUNG TRIO - violin, cello, pianoThe Jung Trio is comprised of sisters Jennie, Ellen

and Julia Jung, and has appeared in concerts all across North America as well as internationally in

Asia, Europe and Africa. Initial successes include top prizes in their native country at the Canadian

Music Competition and CIBC National Music Festival. They have received their degrees from the University of Toronto, New England Conservatory, and all three graduated from Yale University School

of Music. The Jung Trio is currently Trio-in-Residence at Vanguard University of Southern California.

Jungtrio.wordpress.comMonday, November 24, 2014 7:30 pm

BEN GULLEY - tenorMeet Opera award winner and PBS favorite, who sings a program of well known operatic

arias, spirituals and Broadway. Up-and-coming American operatic tenor Ben Gulleys career is growing daily with lead and feature roles in opera, solo engagements, concert work, fi lm

work and nationwide touring as well as prestigious appearances abroad. Ben is also a member of the

SONY/BMG recording group The American Tenors. Not only a fabulous singer but also a personable

young man.Gulleygranner.com/ben-gulley

Friday, March 20, 2015 7:30 pm

THE LIMELITERSFor 50 years the Limeliters have entertained standing-room-only crowds with their incredible musical talent and zany sense of humor. They fi rst made their mark in folk clubs and on college campuses in the early 60sand with their energy and enthusiasm undiminished and undaunted, they remain as exciting as ever today. www.limeliters.comMonday, September 29, 2014 7:30 pm

THE NUTCRACKERWith the New York Theatre BalletThe New York Theatre Ballet returns with the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker. Founded in 1978 by artistic director Diana Byer, the New York Theatre Ballet has a mission to inspire a love of dance and to make its performances accessible to all audiences. They will be bringing the ballet in a 70 minute production of this classic tale. Music by Peter Tchaikovsky, choreography by Keith Michael and costume design by Sylvia Taalsohn Nolan.www.nytb.org/calendar-and-tickets/view/Keith-Michaels-THE-NUTCRACKER/Monday December 8th, 2014 7:30 pm

pp

SIX APPEAL Vocal BandSwearing off instruments, the award-winning vocal band Six Appeal takes you on a journey that spans decades of music, performing classic oldies, current chart toppers, and catchy original tunes, all sung a cappella. With over 70 combined years of musical training and experience, Six Appeal utilizes a diverse arsenal of style and entertainment.www.getsixappeal.comFriday, May 15, 2015 7:30 pm

Complete and return with check made payable to West Central Concert Series.P.O. Box 402, Willmar, MN 56201-0402. Tickets will be mailed in September.

Name _______________________________________________________________________________For sustaining members, please print your name as you wish it to appear in the program.

Phone _________________________ Contact Person _______________________________________ If different than name

Address _____________________________________________________________________________

Email Address _________________________________________________________________________

Regular Memberships: Adult .................... $60 each _____# Tickets Student (K-12) ....... $10 each _____# Tickets

Sustaining Memberships: Co-sponsor ...... $500, 4 adult tickets Gold .................. $325, 4 adult tickets Silver ................. $250, 3 adult tickets Bronze ............. $175, 2 adult tickets

Questions, email [email protected] or leave a message at (320) 584-WCCS.

www.westcentralconcertseries.org-Dates Subject to Change-

Your 2014 2015 Concer_t SeriesSavings should be considered amonthly expense or youll find nothing ever seems to go into

your savings account.


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KRISTINE FLADEBOE-DUININCKAs good as it gets

BY DAN BURDETTPHOTOS COURTESY OF KRISTINE FLADEBOE-DUININCK

WWhen sitting across from Kristine Flade-boe-Duininck, you pay attention.Her every word is punctuated with a flailof her taut and sinewy arms or a hearty guf-faw.She is chic, even now, clad in runninggarb, and wears her 40 years with grace.She hasnt run yet today. A good run, she

says, is the only way to clear her head.She just returned from more than a week

of business in Kentucky to a full inbox onher cell and the paperwork for what mayprove to be one of the biggest ventures ofher professional career. Like most days for Kristine, it has been manic. The phone

hasnt stopped ringing, the appointments and errands seem-ingly endless. Her husband, Jaime, had to pick up the kids,Elsie, 13, and Harris, 10, from their afternoon escapades. Andthen theres this whole interview thing.She calls at 4:44 p.m. to say shes going to be late for our 5 o

clock appointment.She apologizes profusely, offering sympathy for my family,

who may now have to wait a little longer for my return fordinner.I want to be respectful of your time, she implores.


Its OK, I tell her: The job can have a propensity to bean occupational hazard in terms of dinner time. Dontsweat it.But thats not her way: tardiness, in her eyes, has no

place in any equation. Kristine may be the uppermost female auctioneer in the

nation, and its a role that cant be faked. As she explains it, when she walks into a room, empow-

ered to coax an exorbitant amount of money from a bid-der, its all about credence and assurance. Its about trust.Im a big heart person, she says. Im in a business in

which I can make a difference in peoples lives. I want tobe a better person. I want to learn and tweak and grow.To do this, I have to care about people and their lives.They have to trust me.

Family affairKristine is a second-generation auctioneer. The family

business was founded by her father, Dale, in 1978. Today,the business specializes in charity and land auctions. Allthree Fladeboe children are auctioneers: the eldest, Kim-berly, lives in Detroit Lakes and operates the companys

Perham office; the youngest, Glen, is based out of thecompanys Minneapolis office. Kristine lives in Spicerand is based out of Willmar.Kristine became a professional auctioneer in 1996,

when, between her junior and senior years at the Univer-sity of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, she attended theWorld Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City,Iowa. Founded in 1933, the school has long been consid-ered the finest of its kind in the world, its website states.Upon graduation from St. Thomas, where she studied

business and communications, Kristine embarked on acareer in pharmaceutical sales. Unfulfilled, she joined thefamily business in 2000.

Building a brandAs an auctioneer, Kristine has the world at her feet. In

2010 she was named International Auctioneer Championby the National Auctioneers Association, headquarteredin Kansas, edging out auctioneers from across the nationat the associations annual conference in Greensboro,North Carolina. The international competition also in-cluded auctioneers from Canada and South Africa.

Kristine Fladeboe-Duininck and her father, Dale Fladeboe, ride in a parade waving and calling to the crowds.

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During the competition, auctioneers were judged bya panel of peers on interviewing and bid-calling skillsincluding presentation, chant, voice quality, body lan-guage and other elements of effective auctioneering.Her auctions raise millions for more than 125 Min-

nesota nonprofits each year and other clients acrossthe nation. Last year, she showcased her talents on the global

stage, auctioning a fundraiser for International CareMinistries in Hong Kong, which offers programs tohelp those living in poverty in the Philippines. Shehelped bring in more than $1.5 million the mostmoney she has ever raised in an auction, and the mostmoney ICM has raised at its annual fundraiser.At the time we meet, she is planning the final stages

of a major auction to be held during The Experimen-tal Aircraft Associations AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis-consin. The event, which promotes and supportsaviation for thousands of recreational flyers, couldbring in millions of dollars and some heavy hitters.A couple of years back, Harrison Ford was the guest

speaker, she says.

Its a good lifeWhen Kristine was a child, her parents would fret

about her penchant for wandering off in stores to en-gage everyone she came across in small talk. Shesnurtured that innocent curiosity into genuine in-trigue.It seems every time I ask a question, she responds

with one of her own, her eyes fixed on me as she rocksin her chair, soaking in each anecdote. We talk about family. Its clear she cherishes hers.She exudes devotion when the topic turns to faith

and her church.Its so very important to me, she says, beaming

from ear to ear.We talk about the region and the community.Its the best place, she says. Life is so good. We talk about her hobbies and her desire for athlet-

ics, the Boston Marathon she ran earlier this year in3:33:15. What an honor. What a blessing.And with that, another hearty guffaw before she

bounces out of her chair. Ive taken up enough of your time, she says.The pleasantries are brief.She extends her hand, her shake firm. And then shes off. Time for a run.


BY JON HAEFNER, D.C.

The majority of people who exercise, work out allwinter to get in shape for the summer. People hit theygym very hard and often get bored with the same rou-tine. Once boredom sets in, they give up their gymmembership.There are many options to stay in summer shape.

Many different routines can be utilized to break themonotony of your gym. Many of those same routinescan be done in your own home, garage or driveway.The best approach to maintain muscle mass and

strength is simple: resistance exercise. As I have re-viewed in previous Live it! articles HIIT or high in-tensity interval training is king of fat loss and musclegains. You should no longer be running for hours onend or working out for two hours in the gym. Recentstudies show 12 weeks of HIIT not only result in sig-nificant reductions in total abdominal, trunk and vis-ceral fat, it can also give you significant increase infat-free mass and aerobic power.Here a few exercise that you should try to break up

your regular routine:Kettle Bells: They offer a whole body exercise rou-

tine that incorporates cardio vascular,resistance andfull range of motion into one workout. Kettle bells ina HIIT routine can burn more calories per minutesthan just about any other exercise.

Foam Rolling: Foam rolls help warm up and recov-ery. Foam rolling improves circulation, range of mo-tion and balance while reducing pain and muscletightness.

Plyometrics: Exercises that exert maximum force inshort periods of time; explosive-type movements,such as squat jumps, box jumps, plyometric pushups,etc.

Functional Training: Exercises that lead to betterjoint mobility and stability. Those exercises oftenmimic what you would do at home or work; examplesinclude squats, pullups, tire flips, deadlifts etc.The important thing to remember is to change up

your exercise routine often. Try new exercises, try agroup fitness class or change up your current routinealtogether. Willmar has many fitness options, so thereis no excuse to not be in shape. And, therehas never been a better time to get in shape.

Jon Haefner, DC; Meridian Disc Institute; Total Fitness;320-214-0044

- Fitness & Health -

Exercise to stay in summer shape


Style it!Summer transitions

into fall wardrobe

BY KAYLA PRASEK

TThe end of summer means back to school and a majorweather cool down is just around the cor-ner. It also gives you an excuse to goshopping to update your wardrobe withthe current fall trends.One of the top trends for this fall is thekimono. What looks like a house coat atfirst glance is actually a kimono meant tobe worn outside of the house. Kimonoscome in a variation of lightweight fabrics,including silk and satin, and can befound in a wide variety of bold colors andprints. Its a prettier alternative to a falljacket and pairs well with a great skinnyjean and white shirt.This fall, the 60s are back and inspired

by the TV show Mad Men. Miniskirts,knee-high boots, polyester, bold, abstractprints and big, plastic accessories are allthe rage for fall. But the look can be a daunting one to pull

off, especially if you want to still look modern. Choose justone 60s-inspired piece per outfit and youll looktrendy but not over-the-top and out of place.This fall is also all about knit pieces, so dig out

your favorite cozy sweaters, as long as theyre part ofa neutral palette. All styles of white, gray, beige andcharcoal knitted pieces are in, whether big or intri-cate knitting. While all types of sweaters fromlong and short cardigans, tunics, turtlenecks andtank tops are in, knitted pants are also popular.While full knit outfits were all over the fall runways,I suggest subtly enhancing your outfit with the useof knit to keep the look appropriate for the office.Another popular trend for the fall is oversize coats,

dresses, sweaters and pants. This can be a dangeroustrend, however, because it could leave you lookingsloppy and disheveled. To avoid this, look for over-size dresses and coats that are architectural pieces,meaning they have a solid structure to them so you

still look professional while rocking the oversize trend.

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As we head into fall, we have to start thinking about whichouterwear trends were going to follow. One of the more pop-ular options for the fall is the straight jacket, which isnt asterrifying as it may sound. These medium-weight jackets will keep you warm all fall

while also letting you wear a piece of art. These jackets havearchitectural details across the chests that wrap around yourarms, which may leave you with a limited range of move-ment, but youll look incredibly fashionable the whole time.The Fair Isle print makes a comeback this fall, finding a

home on chunky sweaters, oversize hats and other knitpieces. To ensure the print doesnt look cheesy, pair it withdark brown or dark red leather leggings or A-line miniskirtsand a pair of ankle boots.Urban style also comes to the forefront this fall, with metal-

lic and neon dresses and brightly colored oversize sneakersand ankle boots. To make the look comfortable, choose oneurban piece and pair it with dark tights, jacket and acces-sories, which will help tone down the outfit.The Western theme is trendy this fall, but in a subtle, femi-

nine way. Wide-brimmed hats, riding boots, tweed and faux-fur vests and button-up shirts, all in black, make up theWestern trend. Designers paired one or two of these itemswith maxi dresses, pencil skirts or high-waisted A-line skirtsto complete the outfit and keep it professional for the office.The turtleneck has been given a facelift for fall with an ex-

treme neck. The extreme turtleneck has a wide opening thatcomes up almost to the chin and is in chunky oversize knitfabrics. Popular colors lean toward a neutral palette. This up-dated sweater looks best paired with skinny jeans or a slimskirt and a simple ankle boot.Sneakers are also a hot trend for fall. Most popular styles are

brightly-colored options, which pair well with a neutral out-fit. While sneakers may never be office-appropriate, theyreperfect for a casual Saturday shopping. To draw attention toyour trendy sneakers, pair them with a mini skirt or leggings. Remember, theres no need to revamp your entire wardrobe

for fall. Just pick two or three of your favorites and buy a cou-ple pieces that will enhance what you already have.


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Roast BY

MICHELLEGAUER

it!Campfirefood frenzy GGather family and friends around the campfire andenjoy the beautiful summer evenings making memo-ries. Every year we go to the same resort and we havea campfire in the evenings. Weve come up withrecipe ideas to enjoy sitting around the fire. Some ofour cabin neighbors have shown us new ideas

through the years too. The ideas you can create for campfire food are re-

ally endless. There are a number of variations to thecampfire pie iron pizza and/or dessert, using slices ofbread, buttered on the outside (toward the iron).Using pizza sauce and various pizza fixings, createyour own pizza pie over the fire. Or use pie filling ofyour choice, toast over the fire, remove and sprinklewith cinnamon and powdered sugar.

Try even the simplest ideas of changing up yourstandard marshmallow, graham cracker, chocolateSMores ... add sliced banana or strawberries, usecookies instead of graham crackers, try a sliced candybar or a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, or caramel-filledchocolate instead of plain chocolate bars.

Try some of these recipe ideas for your next camp-fire. Invite some friends, build a campfire and makememories with your family. Make It ... Roast it ...Toast it ... Enjoy it!

Campfire Roasted Cinnamon TwistsBy Michelle L. Gauer

1 tube of refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icingSmooth wooden stickThis is so very easy. Build a great campfire, then open the tube of cinnamon

rolls. Gently unroll a cinnamon roll. Starting about 1 inch from the tip of thestick wrap the roll around the stick. Pinch the start and stop of the doughs endson the stick in order to hold them together.

Roast over the campfire, just like you would a marshmallow by turning,turning and turning. Hot coals are the best not a flaming fire. Youll have tobe patient because they take longer to cook than marshmallows. Wait until theyare golden brown and the inside is cooked.

Gently loosen the cooked, twisted roll and slide it off the stick. Drizzle withicing and devour. Or you can eat it right off the stick.


Toasty Banana BoatsBy Michelle L. Gauer

Serving size: 1

1 large ripe banana (unpeeled)1 teaspoon miniature chocolate chips1 tablespoon miniature marshmallows2 teaspoons crushed graham cracker or cookiesFoil (2 heavy duty layers or 4 regular layers)

Stoke up the campfire. Cut banana peel lengthwise about 1/2 inchdeep stopping short of ends with about 1/2 inch to spare. Gently pushdown and inward on ends to open peel wider and form a pocket. Filleach with chocolate chips, marshmallows and graham crackers.Crimp and shape layered foil (about 12-inch square) around banana

with the foil opening at the top, forming a boat. Place in the sidecampfire coals (not directly in the flames) or on a grill set on low forabout 5 to10 minutes until marshmallows melt and are golden brown.Dig in with a spoon you can eat right out of the banana boat.Note: Banana peel will blacken some but banana is perfect inside.

Ham and Cheese Potato BoatBy Michelle L. Gauer

Serving size: 1

1 medium or large baked russet potato (can be leftover)1 slice ham lunch meat sliced into 6 even pieces6 small slices your favorite hard cheese (I like monterey jack, pepper jack or

cheddar)6 1- to 2-inch pieces cooked bacon (can be leftover)1 teaspoon butter, softenedsalt and pepper to tastesour cream, optional toppinggreen onion, optional garnishFoil (double layer)Build a great campfire or light your grill. Place potato in the center of a large

double layer square of foil. Cut 6 slits across the top of the potato through theskin. Cut down about 7/8th of the way, leaving the bottom connected.Gently insert a piece of ham, slice of cheese and piece of bacon between each

cut slit. The meat and cheese can stick out above the potato a little. Divide thebutter out evenly in little dabs across the top of the slits. Add the salt and pepperto taste if desired.Wrap potato in double layer of foil loosely on top. Place on hot campfire coals

or your grill for about 15 minutes or until potato is hot and cheese, ham andbacon have melted together. Top the potato with sour cream and green onionsas desired. Enjoy!

Marshmallow Cream Campfire Strawberries

By Michelle L. Gauer

Fresh strawberriesMarshmallow creamRoasting double-tined forkBuild a cozy campfire. Rinse and dry your strawberries. Place two

strawberries, one on each tine of a roasting fork, side by side, insert-ing into the greens and through the center to the end. (Placing twoon the fork close together helps keep them from spinning.)Using a spoon or a knife, coat the bottom half of the strawberries

with a generous coating of marshmallow cream. Roast over the firejust like you would a marshmallow, gently turning as the marshmal-low cream is melting. It looks like it will drip off but it begins to turngolden brown and stiffens.These are so refreshing. Eat them right off the stick and enjoy.

Creamy Delicious Campfire ConesBy Michelle L. Gauer

Waffle sugar conesMini marshmallowsMini chocolate chipsNutellaChopped nuts or candy bar piecesPeanut butter or butterscotch chipsFoil (heavy duty or 2 layers of regular)Build an amazing campfire. Start with a waffle cone and fill it with a

mixture of your favorite ingredients. I like to put some mini chocolatechips in the very bottom first.Wrap the cone in tin foil and place it in the side campfire coals for about

5 minutes. I like to turn them a few times to make sure they melt evenly.Try to keep the top of the cone tipped upward to keep all the goodies in-side. Remove from campfire, then unwrap and enjoy. You can also makethese treats on your outdoor grill (keep the heat on low).

Y O U R S E L FNew York

BY RON SKJONG

I am a bit of a sentimental realist.One of the bits of wisdom I usually give new parents is this:

You must begin now to let go of your child. Sounds counterintuitive, doesnt it? However, as someone with almost 40years of parenting experience, I have learned that in order foryour child to grow into the person he or she wants to become,we, as parents, have to let go. And invariably, we learn some-thing from our children.Let me tell you a story.When our daughter, Ingrid, was about 3 years old and we

were visiting New York City, she declared that one day shewould live in The Big Apple. No fuss, no discussion, she wasgoing to live in New York. About two years after she gradu-ated from the University of Minnesota and after working at aleading Twin Cities magazine, she told us she was moving toNew York. My wife is from New Jersey so we are acquainted with the

area but ... move there? What part of being a Minnesotan didnt she understand?

The part that this is Gods Country (perpetuated by herborn and raised Minnesota father) or the part that this state isstill a land of opportunity (also perpetuated by the same fa-ther)? Thankfully she is her mothers daughter, too. Her mother

loves to stretch to visit new places, eat new foods and ex-perience new and exciting cultural activities. Ingrid didnt fallvery far from her maternal roots. She was going to the big cityand it was time for me to stretch. And so, on a cold December morning in 2003, I found my-

self driving our daughter to the Humphrey Terminal in Min-neapolis. As she confidently walked to the gate to her waitingplane, she stopped, looked at me, smiled, waved and was onher way. My aching heart learned something that day: Ingridwas stretching more than I was letting go. It was time for meto stretch, to smile back at her and wave. I needed to believein her abilities and the amazing opportunities awaiting her inNew York City.Opportunities present themselves in many ways. Recently,

our family gathered in Minneapolis to celebrate my birthdayand it was a joyous time as we walked, talked, ate and enter-tained ourselves through the weekend. I am usually rather reserved about my birthday but the kids

stretched me and thankfully, they did. At the celebratory

dinner at the Warehouse Districts 112 EateryRestaurant, two bottles of wine appeared. The first was a 1997bottle of California Chardonnay and it was delicious. The sec-ond bottle of wine was a 1957 vintage bottle of AustralianCoonawarra Estate Cabernet. It was a moment I will never for-get and neither will my family because of my enthusiastic re-action. The Cabernet was so different and I found myselfexperiencing tastes I had never tasted. So, as the summer progresses, why not try a different bever-

age stretch yourself a bit. If you are a beer drinker, try aglass of hard cider. Cider is making a heady return to our ta-bles and a welcome return it is. Depending on the apple vari-ety used to make the cider, your cider will taste tart or sweet,have a high or low acidity there is a taste for everyone.Forget the beer glass! Pour your cider into a white wine glassand enjoy the spectacular sight. I would recommend AngryOrchids Green Apple Cider for a tasty thirst quenchingdrink.When did you last taste a ros? At this time of the year, they

offer a bit of color, some sweetness and enough acidity tosoothe your summer parched throat. A reasonably priced bot-tle of Benziger Dry Ros sparkles in the glass and its mintystrawberry taste will do its best to please you.And for a spirit what would the summer be without gin?

Gins versatility whether straight or in a cocktail is a wel-come addition to everyones list of summer beverages. Play-wright Noel Coward famously said: A perfect martini shouldbe made by filling a glass with gin and waving it in the gen-eral direction of Italy. However you drink it and to whatever direction you wave it,

try gin. An Urban Cowboy (basically gin, bitters, a sugar cubeand a maraschino cherry) will lighten your day and be a wel-come cocktail for your guests and family.Yes, our daughter went to live and work in New York City

and she continues to stretch us to this day. She and her hus-band, Noah, are expecting their first child (and, our firstgrandchild) this November.Isnt being stretched grand?As always, eat and drink responsibly but laugh with reckless

abandon.Cheers!Ron Skjong writes primarily about the wonderful world of wine but

likes to explore various spirits and beers, too. He is married and hasfour grown children. While stationed in Germany, he was introducedto German wines and from that introduction, a lifelong pursuit devel-oped to find that perfect bottle of wine.

- Spirits -



BY CLAUDETTE LARSON, LICSW

As a therapist, I spend a lot of time helping people findhealthier ways to manage stress.We all experience stress. You simply cannot escape it no

matter if its day-to-day irritations or major life meltdowns. Ive never met anyone who hasnt succumbed at one time or

another to finding short-term relief by smoking a cigarette oreating half a bag of potato chips in front of the television. Inthe moment, you achieve that instant ah you were desper-ately in need of, but doing this long term sets you up for anaddiction or a larger pant size.Often times, we have to be open-minded and creative to

finding those healthier alternatives.We may have limited time because of work and family de-

mands, or we simply dont have the budget to include weeklymassages or manicures at the local nail salon.

The truth is you dont need a lot of time or money to give

yourself a much needed mental timeout. There are vast op-portunities all around you to explore and experiment withwhat may work for you. I encourage my clients to explore the local library because

its a great place to find books (audio included) and DVDs forfree that can be used as entertainment or as a means of learn-ing about meditation, yoga or other forms of relaxation.Local thrift stores are also creating craft sections where you

can purchase very low-cost materials such as yarn, scrapbook-ing or DIY projects that keep your mind and hands occupiedwhile celebrating your creative side.But the most accessible resource, and one that doesnt cost a

dime, can be found right outside your front or back door thisvery moment a Minnesota fall. Taking 10 minutes at theend of a day to sit quietly and breathe deeply as the end ofsummer plays out around you is strong medicine for stress. I like to take off my shoes and walk barefoot in the cool

grass for a few minutes every night as the sun sets, or throwon a light jacket and go hunting for the brightest hues of redand orange foliage.Theres nothing like experiencing nature to remind you

just how insignificant we humans really are in the wholescheme of things. And nature is the greatest teacher in show-ing us that everything has its cycles and seasons includingthe ebb and flow of lifes joys and sorrows.

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the mostperfect refreshment. ~ Jane Austen

Claudette Larson of New London is a licensed independentclinical social worker with 15 years of experience helping individ-uals, couples and families work on personal growth and positivereal-life solutions.

- Life Happens -

Some things we cannot control

it!out?Check Whats happenin

August - September 2014

City celebrations

New LondonAug. 6-9

28th annual New London to New BrightonAntique Car Run; Saturday run features carsfrom 1915 and earlier; country tours Wednes-day, Thursday and Friday leaving daily fromNew London.

StarbuckAug. 8-9

Dragon Boat Racing, co-ed races on LakeMinnewaska; boats provided.

BelgradeAug. 9-10

Augustfest, grand parade Saturday.

BechynAug. 10

23rd annual Czech Heritage Festival withethnic foods, music, folk dancers, children ac-tivities.

Grove CityAug. 14-17

AugustFest celebration.

MontevideoAug. 15-17

34th annualHeritage HillAntiqueThreshingShow fea-turingMin-neapolis-Molinetractors;HeritageHill, fourmiles east ofMontevideo;

gates open 7a.m. daily.

Forest CityAug. 16-17

Stockade Rendezvous, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.daily.

RaymondAug. 23

Harvest Fest, parade Saturday.

AtwaterSept. 6-8

Threshing Days, experience farm life in theby-gone days; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, east ofAtwater off U.S. Highway 12.

AppletonSept. 20-21

Applefest celebration.

County fairs

WillmarAug. 6-9

Kandiyohi County Fair

MorrisAug. 6-10

Stevens County Fair

GlenwoodAug. 6-10

Pope County Fair

Bird IslandAug. 13-15

Renville County Fair

AppletonAug. 13-17

Swift County Fair

MadisonSept. 4-7

Lac qui Parle County Fair

Music concerts and moreJazz-N-JavaEvery Thursday

Willmar, 6 to 6:45 p.m., Jazz-N-Java, 913Business 71 N.; free music concerts by differ-ent individuals and groups, followed by sing-along with house band.

Glacial Ridge WineryEvery Thursday through Sept. 11

Spicer, 6:30 to 8:30 pm., Glacial Ridge Win-ery, state Highway 23 between New Londonand Spicer; free music concerts by differentindividuals and groups.

Hinterland VineyardsEvery Friday

Clara City, 7 to 9 p.m., Hinterland Vine-yards and Winery, 3060 120th Ave. S.E., freemusic concert by different individuals andgroups.

Music in the ParkAug. 10 and 17

Spicer, 4 to 6 p.m., City Park Deck, freeconcert by various groups.

Music FestivalAug. 16

New London, noon to 7 p.m., Neer Park;family-friendly day of eclectic live music, foodand a kid-zone; www.newlondonmusicfesti-val.com.

DanubeAug. 26

Danube, 7 p.m., bandstand by the watertower; Mikko Cowdery singing good oldtunes of yesteryear and Irish songs; bring alawn chair or blanket; freewill donation,sponsored by the Danube Historical Society.

Terrace MillSept. 28

Terrace, noon Sept. 28, 36th annual FallFestival and Fiddlers contest: gate opens atnoon, contest begins at 1 p.m.; crafts, trollshop, food stands and vendors.



Misc.Little Crow Water Ski ShowAugust

New London, 7 p.m., Neer Park,Aug. 1, 2, 15, 22 and 29; 320-354-5684.

Mid-Week Farmers MarketEvery Wednesday

Willmar, noon to 6 p.m., KEC park-ing lot, 500 19th Ave. S.E.; high-qualityproduce available that is grown within100 miles of Willmar.

Becker MarketEvery Thursday

Willmar, 3 to 6:30 p.m., Becker Av-enue between Fourth and Fifth streetsdowntown; experience Willmars mul-ticultural flavor in an outdoor atmos-phere of farmers, growers, producers,artisans and entertainment.

Farmers MarketEvery Saturday

Willmar, 6:30 a.m. to noon, YMCAparking lot; homegrown produce,farm-raised meat and handmade items.

Sperry HouseAug. 14

Enjoy a summer evening on theSperry House lawn; games, food andfun for all ages to enjoy.

Chairs Gone WildAug. 15

Spicer, 5 p.m., Glacial Ridge Winery;the artist-decorated Adirondack chairsthat spent the summer in Spicer will beauctioned off; music at 5 p.m., auctionat 6 p.m.

Prairie PotholeSept. 6

New London, 32nd Annual PrairiePothole Day outdoor celebration be-ginning at 9 a.m.; Stoney Ridge Farmnear the intersection of state Highway9 and U.S. Highway 71 north of SibleyState Park.

Grape StompSept. 13

Sixth annual event from noon to 8p.m. with wine tasting, stomp contests,food, entertainment and more at Gla-cial Ridge Winery between New Lon-don and Spicer.

Harvest FestSept. 27

A day for kids and families fromnoon to 6 p.m. at Glacial Ridge Winerybetween New London and Spicer.

Arts/DramaBarn TheatreAug. 13-16, 19-22

Willmar, 7:30 p.m., The Barn The-atre, 321 Fourth St. S.W.; performanceof Charleys Aunt; for tickets call320-235-9500.

Little TheatreAug. 22-24, 29-31

New London, Aug. Friday and Sat-urdays, 7:30 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m., Lit-tle Theatre; performance of TheWonderful Toto of Oz; tickets avail-able at Mords Hardware in New Lon-don and Whitney Music in Willmar.

Barn TheatreSept. 10-13, 17-20

Willmar, 7:30 p.m., The Barn The-atre, 321 Fourth St. S.W.; performanceof The Rainmaker; for tickets call320-235-9500.

Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee!Sept. 20

Willmar, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., down-town Willmar; annual festival withdemonstrations by artists, childrenstent activities, juried art exhibition andsale, food court, free coffee and enter-tainment on the outdoor stage.

MeanderOct. 3-5

Five-county Upper Minnesota Riverart crawl, self-guided tour of 42 indi-vidual artist and 34 studios in and nearthe western Minnesota communities ofOrtonville, Appleton, Madison, Milan,Dawson, Montevideo and GraniteFalls.

Dances

Tuxedo JunctionAug. 17

Glenwood, 4 to 8 p.m., LakesideBallroom; summer dances open to all,music by Tuxedo Junction; $15 perperson, $10 ages 17-30; no jeans orshorts.

CosmosAug. 30

Cosmos, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.,Cosmos American Legion; Labor DayStreet Dance featuring Maiden Dixie toraise money for the Cosmos Space Fes-tival Days.

Jerry OHaganSept. 14

Glenwood, 4 to 8 p.m., LakesideBallroom; summer dances open to all,music by the Jerry OHagan Orchestra;$15 per person, $10 ages 17-30; nojeans or shorts.

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DANCE.

august/september issue of live it! magazine

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