APRIL / MAY 2015

April showers
... bring all kinds of flowers, and who doesn't like a lovely bouquet of flowers? And just
in time for Mother's Day too! Mother's Day accounts for one-fourth of the floral purchases
made for holidays, according to aboutflowers.com. About a third (31 percent) of adults
bought flowers or plants as gifts for Mother's Day 2014. Based on consumer purchases of
fresh flowers and plants for holidays at all outlets, Mother's Day falls second only to Christmas, and is followed closely by Valentine's Day. According to smartasset.com, 69 percent
of gifts for Mother's Day are flowers; an estimated $1.9 billion
was spent on flowers in 2014.
Flowers are a rite of passage into spring. A time when we
can get back outside and dig in the dirt, attending to our own
flower gardens. I have a lily garden that is among my favorites,
along with my rose garden. And while I'm no master gardener
by any stretch, some years these gardens near the road make
the yard look pretty nice. On the cover is a photo I took of my
grandson last summer sitting on a bench among the lilies in
bloom. He seemed to really enjoy the flowers.
In addition to my lily and rose gardens, I've started a perennial bed but that has a long way to go. I have to admit,
I'm not very dutiful at planning; I just stick in what I find I like. We'll see how it looks this
year. Last year I had a nice sprinkling of tulips in the early spring, but they don't generally
last long once the winds start blowing.
I also have a number of flower baskets each year, as well as some flowers around the
house. I've basically turned the vegetable gardening over to my husband, although I still
help there as well. I suppose it's time to start planning that too.
Carol gives us a look at how we can easily arrange our outdoor flowers for indoor bouquets, and her sources offer a few tips on what types of flowers make good cuttings.
Foodie Michelle gives us some refreshing ideas on lemon desserts, just in time for
spring, and our spirits guy gives us some food for thought for transitioning from winter
into spring and summer drinks .
I was fortunate to get an early jump on spring this year as I attended Twins spring
training in Fort Myers, Florida, last month. What a great time! Traveling with my mother
and sisters, we left when the weather was nice, and returned in time for more snow.
Oh, well. That's spring in Minnesota.
If you have a topic youd like to see in Live it!, send your story idea to liveit@wctrib.
com. We love to hear from our readers. You can also like us on Facebook or send us a
tweet @Liveitmag.
Life in west central Minnesota
it really is a beautiful thing

Live it!

Sharon Bomstad
Live it! Editor

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Manat tio lhbearaivfreoitmmyaogu.

We w et us @l trib.com
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We w ments and
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Watch for
our next issue,
out June 12, 2015
May we
publish your letter?

On The Great Outdoors:

The article and pics are awesome in the
Live it! magazine!
Lara Dahl, via email

Great article.
Sarah Doscher Kader, via Facebook

How cool is that. They are adorable.

Danelle Hanson, via Facebook

Great article on my daughter!!!!!!!!

Stephanie Marie Mead, via Facebook

I love this Lara! Youre a GREAT mom

to all of your boys :) So fun making those
memories!!!!
Michelle Buboltz Thorstad, via Facebook

Thank you :) It is! So many adventures

with these boys! There is always something to do :)
Lara Dahl, via Facebook

On Bringing back bread pudding:

I picked up a copy and read your
yummy article while waiting for an appointment at Family Practice Friday!
Cant wait to try a couple of them! Thank
you Michelle!
Lori Peterson, via Facebook

Reader feedback:
Tweet with Live it! on Twitter:
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I happened to pick up Live It! this winter in Willmar, and was impressed by the
interesting local stories, as well as excellent
photography. Thanks for sharing them.
Sarah Brouwer, via email

Live it! Magazine 3

Live it!
MAGAZINE

CANT Live WITHOUT it!

A PUBLICATION OF THE WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE

Staff
SHARON BOMSTAD
MAGAZINE EDITOR

DAN BURDETT
MAGAZINE WRITER/SOCIAL MEDIA
To contact Live it! call 320-235-1150
or email liveit@wctrib.com

Writing & photography

Dan Burdett
Nicole Hovatter
Carol Seavey

Michelle Gauer
Gary Miller
Gregory Harp

Marketing consultants
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ksmith@wctrib.com

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jqueenan@wctrib.com

Sarah Isdal

sisdal@wctrib.com

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To advertise,
call 320-214-4317
fax 320-235-6769
or email a listed consultant.

Administration
Steven Ammermann, Publisher
Kelly Boldan, Editor
Timothy Bailey, Business Manager

2208 W. Trott Ave., Willmar MN 56201

Volume 4, Issue 2

Copyright 2015 West Central Tribune

Live it! magazine
All rights reserved. Although some parts of this
publication may be reproduced and reprinted,
we require that prior permission be obtained.

Cover Story

14

Flower arrangements made easy

Whats inside

Distribution
West Central Tribune

2208 W. Trott Ave, Willmar

Willmar
Cash Wise Foods
Cub Foods
Caribou Coffee
Cornerstone Coffee
Deidras  To Your Health
Dunn Bros.  Civic Center
Jazz-n-Java
LuLu Beans
New 2 You
Ridgewater College
Bethesda Pleasantview
Chamber office
EDC
Oaks at Eagle Creek
The Barn Theatre
Kandi Mall
Public Library

Spicer
Spicer Super Stop
Mels Sport Shop
Zorbaz  Bello Cucina
Kandi Power Cooperative

New London

More women getting permits to carry

Features

Olivia
Home Town Bank
F & M Bank Minnesota
Cenex
Caseys
B&D Market

6 Permit-to-carry numbers continue to climb

Danube

12 Q&A: Why gun training?

212-1-Stop

Renville

14 Tips for creating your own floral bouquet

27 Do-it-yourself: How do you store your jewelry?

Country Stop
Happy Sol  Jacks
McKales
Skindeliens  New London Bakery
Three Sisters Furnishings

Handi Stop
Maynards

23

Departments

Granite Falls
Caseys
Super America
Willies
Cenex
Prairies Edge

Benson
Bugs n Flowers
Benson Bakery
Glacial Plains C-Store

3 Readers mailbag: What we hear from readers

19 Read it!: Celebrating poetry

Kandiyohi
Fattys Kandi Quick Stop
Harvest State Bank

20 Get it!: Must-have items for spring and summer

21 Style it!: Accessorize for spring

Atwater

19

Schmidtys
Verns Town & Country

Grove City

22 Money Matters: Gen-Xers put IRAs to work for them

23 Eat it!: Enjoy the refreshing taste of lemons
26 Spirits!: Time to favor spring taste buds
28 Life Happens: Conversing with teens
31 Whats happenin? Mark your calendars now!

Schmidtys

Litchfield
Holiday
Super America
Cenex
Econo Foods
Also distributed at various banks, offices and
lobbies throughout west central Minnesota;
some carrier delivery, as well.

Become a distributor, call 320-235-1150.

INTEREST IN PERMITS TO CARRY GROWS AMONG

WOMEN FOR A MYRIAD OF REASONS
STORY & PHOTOS

BY DAN BURDETT

B is nervous, so much so she requested her name not be published in

full for this piece.
She has a 1-year-old daughter. The
childs father is presently incarcerated for the injuries he inflicted on B
during an altercation. Hes scheduled
to be released this month.
The idea of him soon walking the
streets in the amiable west central
Minnesota community B calls home
feeds a deep malaise.
Im anxious, she says, her voice

6 Live it! Magazine

subtle, almost a broken whisper. Hes

dangerous. Thats why Im here. I
need peace of mind. What if he comes
back? I have to know my daughter
will be safe.
Its mid-morning on a Saturday in
late January, and for the next four
hours B will absorb the legalities
of gun ownership, what constitutes
deadly force and how to safely store
a firearm in the home. Shell then be
tasked to demonstrate she can duly
maintain and discharge the weapon.

Its part of a Great Lakes Training Group course, among

numerous of its kind in the area, and a prerequisite for
filing an application for a permit to carry a concealed firearm.
Eric Holien is Bs instructor.
A deputy with the Kandiyohi County Sheriffs Office,
his career in law enforcement began 15 years ago, when he
was 22.
In recent years, he has witnessed an influx of women
taking the course, estimating 40 to 60 percent female participation.
Some, he says, attend simply for the education; some so
they can share in the voguish excursions of their gun-toting beaus.
Others are like B, young and spooked.

Eric Holien, an instructor with the Great Lakes Training

Group, prepares the targets before the shooting range
portion of a class in January. Holien estimates 40 to
60 percent female participation in his classes.

Guns, guns, guns

America is a society of guns: 350 million of them, per
CNN, give or take a million or two.
A report from the Crime Prevention Research Center
shows at least 11 million Americans, or 4.8 percent of the
nations 318.9 million residents, have permits to carry a
concealed weapon. The true number of concealed weapons,
however, is unknown: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Vermont
and Wyoming do not require a concealment permit.
Conceal and carry numbers changed immensely following
Floridas 1987 incorporation of a shall issue system, thus
preventing a person who meets a defined objective criteria
from being refused a permit
to carry a concealed firearm.
Prior to that time, a may
issue system was commonplace, granting authorities
full discretion in issuing or
denying permits to carry.
It wasnt unheard of, Eric
says, for permits to be denied
solely on a persons appearance.
In the years since Floridas
enactment, a shall issue
system has been adopted by 36 states, including Minnesota,
where the Personal Protection Act took effect in 2003.
Under this law, sheriffs are required to issue permits to
carry to any Minnesota resident 21 years of age or older who
possesses a permit to purchase a handgun and has completed
handgun safety training.
Those with felony criminal convictions or known gang
affiliation, have been declared mentally ill or are seeking
treatment for chemical dependency are ineligible to obtain
any firearm permit.
A recent Minnesota Public Radio report proclaims the
number of permits to carry in the state topped 100,000 in
2012 and 125,000 a year later. That number rose to more
than 183,000 by the end of last year, some 34 permits to carry
per every 1,000 residents. While the onslaught of applications is clear, distribution of permits is far from even.
The highest rate of permits to carry per capita is in Cook
County, a sprawling wilderness in the far eastern corner of
the state that borders Lake Superior. The county has a mere
5,000 residents, but 352 of them have permits to carry; a
ratio of more than 70 permits for every 1,000 residents.
Contrastingly, Rock County, which borders eastern South
Dakota and northern Iowa, has twice the residents of Cook
County but just 203 permits: a rate of 20.3 permits for every
1,000 residents.
While the disparity in numbers is influenced in part by geography and population density, Eric says the numbers also
offer a snapshot into the psychology of the gun culture.

Live it! Magazine 7

The reasons why more women are taking the gun-training course are many. For some, it coincides with their
interest in hunting, for others it is a matter of protection.

Youre obviously going to find more permits in areas

where people hunt, he says. But theres also a high
number of permits for those who live in areas we consider sparsely populated. In some of these areas, people
may not have neighbors for miles around. For them,
guns offer a sense of security.
Here in Kandiyohi County, the Minnesota Association of Defensive Firearm Instructors says 1,647 permits to carry were issued through January of this year,
more than 39 permits to every 1,000 of the regions
42,000-plus residents.

Its a number per capita that tops any of the neighboring counties and one, Eric believes, is influenced by socioeconomics and a deflated law enforcement personnel
roster, a consequence of budgetary cuts and an exodus
of retiring officers.
Kandiyohi County presents an interesting dynamic,
he says. And in Willmar, there are some challenges. The crime rate seems like its dropping overall,
but its the violent crimes that trend higher over other
communities this size. Youre seeing more crimes with
bats, chains, sharp objects. Weve had an unbelievable
number of knifings going on in Willmar over the last
year. Some pretty violent stuff. With the PD (police department) and given the size of the city, youre looking
at a 4-minute response time to a call. Violent incidences
are usually over in about 3 minutes, so officers are getting there within a minute of the violence ending. But
in Kandiyohi County, it depends where the officers are
at. It could be as long as 15 or 20 minutes after the calls
placed before were on scene. Obviously, thats going to
influence people feeling the need to protect themselves.
How are you going to defend your home or yourself if
law enforcement cant arrive in time?
On the flip side, is there some trepidation on your part as a
law enforcement officer that youre putting guns in the hands
of people you may not necessarily want to be armed?
No. The reality is that you cant legally own or carry
a gun in this state if youre not a law-abiding citizen,
Eric says. Look, guns arent a cure all. But they are a
real part of our society. I look at it as when you have
more concealed weapon permits, a person is less apt to
target someone else.
And part of the training we offer is situational training. Being aware of your surroundings. Criminals are
opportunists and theyre looking for opportunities to
target someone. If you take away that opportunity, it
makes their plan tougher. Theres a fine line between
taking action and recognizing the need to take action.
Its understanding this thats key.

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8 Live it! Magazine

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By the numbers:
There are an estimated 350 million guns
in America, according to a CNN report.
At least 11 million Americans, or 4.8 percent of the nations 318.9 million residents,
have permits to carry a concealed weapon, according to a report from the Crime Prevention
Research Center.
A shall issue system has been adopted
by 36 states since 1987, including Minnesota,
where the Personal Protection Act took effect
in 2003.

Education and empowerment

Lisa Kompelien is completing the course with her
husband, Chad.
Despite the biting air, she seems excited as they unload their kit at the outdoor range near Eagle Lake.
She carries a Walther P99 commando model, which
she holsters to a combat belt.
Her gun pack boasts a photo of Chris Kyle, the late
Navy Seal on whose book American Sniper, the Oscar-nominated movie of the same name, is based.
Kyle was credited with the most sniper kills in U.S.
history, and was slain in February 2013 at a gun range
in Texas by a former Marine with post-traumatic stress
disorder he was attempting to help.
Lisa confesses her fancy for firearms stems from a
devotion to hunting, something she doesnt share with
Chad, but shes working on him.
She lives in the flatlands beyond Willmars city limits
and deems the community safe.

The number of permits to carry in the

state of Minnesota topped 100,000 in 2012
and 125,000 a year later. By the end of 2014 it
rose to more than 183,000, some 34 permits to
carry per every 1,000 residents, says a recent
Minnesota Public Radio report.
In Kandiyohi County, the Minnesota
Association of Defensive Firearm Instructors says 1,647 permits to carry were issued
through January of this year, more than 39
permits to every 1,000 residents.

But, as a mother of two, she takes nothing for granted.

I want to be prepared, she declares, easing each
round of ammunition into the magazine. And this
course provides me an avenue to be educated and gain
the knowledge of just how to handle myself if ever the
situation calls for it. Its important to me to know I can
protect not just myself but also my family.
B stands next to Lisa, a SCCY CPX2 9 mm in her
grasp. The firearm is conspicuous in her slight hands.
She holds it delicately, her eyes transfixed on the target ahead, her disposition goosey.
Eric senses her unease, rapidly quelling it.
He stands by her side, gauging her every move.
He tells her to take a deep breath and counsels her on
posture and positioning.
On his command, she gently squeezes the trigger. And
again. And again, firing off a half-dozen rounds. The
shell casings pepper the air, smacking the dirt below.
Then, at Erics behest, the firing ceases.

Dan Burdett is the lead writer for Live it! Magazine. He can be reached via email at dburdett@wctrib.com or on Twitter @danburdett1

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Live it! Magazine 9

Contacts for other permit to carry courses

There are a number of private companies or individuals in the Willmar area who have been approved to provide the training to help people obtain a conceal and carry permit. They are:
Minnesota Gun Class, call 320-235-9445 or visit www.minngunclass.com.
Peart & Associates, call 320-235-1137 or visit 500 Industrial Drive, S.W., Willmar.
Elite Protective Services Inc., call 320-354-4196 or email keckhoff@tds.net.
Alpha Training & Tactics, call 320-894-3385 or visit www.alphatrainingtactics.com.
Lamppost CCW, call 320-212-7460 or visit www.LamppostCCW.com.
Great Lakes Training Group, call 320-226-3225 or visit www.greatlakestraininggroup.com.

10 Live it! Magazine

About the course

Great Lakes Training Group is approved by the Minnesota
Department of Public Safety to instruct Minnesota permit to
carry courses.
Instruction includes the fundamentals of pistol use; mechanical knowledge of handguns; safe practices in shooting,
loading, unloading and clearing firearm malfunctions; how to
safely store and care for a firearm; and the legal aspects of pistol
possession, carry and use.
Participants will also learn about self-defense and the restrictions on the use of deadly force. In addition there is training on
psychological and physiological effects of a violent threat encounter and simple weapon retention techniques.
Participants will also be evaluated on their shooting proficiency and safe weapon handling skills during a shooting exercise.
The classroom session of the course is taught at the senior
center at 217 Hillcrest Ave. in Spicer.

The practical portion of the course takes place at the outdoor

gun range on the east side of Eagle Lake, south of the intersection to Kandiyohi County roads 9 and 26.
The course is held on the last Saturday of the month and costs
$80.
Call 320-226-3225 or visit www.greatlakestraininggroup.com
for more information.
Upon completion of the course, you can apply for the actual
conceal and carry permit. To obtain a permit application form
visit www.willmarmn.gov. Once the website opens, type gun
permits into the search area to access the permits page.
Download the Permit to Carry application form.
Once the form is complete, drop it off at the Kandiyohi
County Sheriffs Office records unit at 2201 23rd St. N.E. in
Willmar between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
For more information, call 320-214-6700 ext. 3500.

Classroom and range instruction

Live it! Magazine 11

In my classes I ask

why are you here?

The answer is always
because I want to keep
my family safe.
Having a gun is one way
to do that.
Is it the best way?
No

Q&A
G

BY DAN BURDETT
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
DAN BURDETT & GREGORY HARP

You have a choice

Gary Peterson had little interest in guns until the massacre at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.
On that day, two seniors entered the school located
in a suburb of Denver and gunned down more than 30
people, killing a dozen students and one teacher, before
taking their own lives.
Spooked, Peterson drove north to St. Cloud and purchased two guns.
In the years since, he immersed himself in courses
to include sessions with SWAT team members on
how to safely operate firearms in self-defense settings.
Two years ago, he became a United States Concealed
Carry Association certified instructor and, away from
Maracom, a Willmar-based specialty printing company

12 Live it! Magazine

he owns, he oversees Minnesota Gun Class, a program

comprised of three handgun courses in Willmar: Permit
to Carry, designed for those looking to secure a permit
to carry a handgun in Minnesota or Florida; NRA Basic
Training, designed for those who have little or no experience with firearms or need a basic refresher; and a
skills class, designed to take the next step in developing
handgun competence.
About one-third of those who complete Petersons
classes are women, the NRA Basic Training proving
most popular among them.
Live it! sat down with Gary to discuss the gun culture
and why handguns have become more popular in recent
years with women.

Live it!: Permits to carry have been issued at an exponential rate since the Personal Protection Act took
effect in 2003. Why?
Gary Peterson: Every time theres a terrible mass
shooting and the politicians start talking over and over
about gun control, theres a spike in the interest in guns.
This happens every time.
The politicians who
want gun control, the
worst thing they can do
for their cause is to keep
talking about it, because
it spurs people on and
renews the interest in
guns. For instance, after
(President) Obama got
elected for the first time,
I didnt shoot for a year,
because there was no
ammunition. Everybody
goes out and stocks up
on guns and ammunition, and takes classes.
Its the natural response
to people wanting to keep themselves safe and they want
to get it all in place while they can.
Live it!: Why do you think there is greater interest
from women seeking permits?
GP: About a third of the people in my classes are
women, and a number of them come with their husbands. But there are a lot of single women, too. The reason is sometimes people will say if youve got a problem,
call the police. Well, the average response time for a police call in the United States in 11 minutes. Whats going
to happen to you in that 11 minutes until the police get
there? Well its going to be over. Police dont get there
to prevent something from happening; they get there to
clean up after the mess. Men and women are realizing
that self-defense is up to us as individuals. We cannot
just rely on the police because they arent with us all
the time. Theyre not going to be able to protect you at
the moment something may happen unless they happen
to be there. We are responsible for that. In my classes I
ask why are you here? The answer is always because I
want to keep my family safe. Having a gun is one way to
do that. Is it the best way? No its probably the worst
way. There are much better ways to keep yourself safe.
For instance: stay out of trouble in the first place. So in
my class, we spend the first hour developing a personal
protection plan on how to keep yourself safe and stay
out of situations where you might become the victim of
a violent attack. The reality is, if you have a gun to keep
your family safe but are untrained, youre less safe.

Live it!: How do you teach women to read a situation

so if they pull a weapon they know its the right course of
action?
GP: There are differing degrees, each based on time. In
World War II the Marines developed a color code of awareness: white, yellow, orange and red. In condition white,
youre oblivious to whats
going on around you, like
when youre watching
TV. Now when people
are in public, they should
be in condition yellow.
They should always be
aware of their surroundings. So then you have
condition orange, which
means something is
happening around you
thats not right. In that
situation, you have lots
of time to gauge what to
do based on the circumstances. Now will you
have avoided a dangerous
situation? Youll never know. Now, in condition red, things
can happen instantly and you suddenly find yourself in a
situation where things have gone bad. The first thing you
need to do is try to get out of that situation. If that doesnt
work, there are less than lethal things you can try to do to
protect yourself: you can go for the eyes, the throat. The
very last thing you ever want to do is to take out your gun.
I emphasize that over and over again. If you ever use a gun
in a violent encounter, your life as you know it is over no
matter how justified you were in pulling the trigger. You
never, ever, ever, want to take out a gun unless your life depends on it. Its the absolute last resort.
Live it!: Do you think theres an issue with the accessibility of firearms in this country?
GP: People can talk about gun control all they want,
but the reality is that guns are here. The fact is there are
300-some million guns in the U.S. If you tried to confiscate every gun in the country, youd still have 100 million
guns because the criminals are not going to turn in theirs,
just the law-abiding citizens, who themselves are now left
defenseless against the bad guys who still have the guns.
Ive heard people say we should legislate guns like we do
other things like heroin and meth. Well there are severe
penalties for those, too, but has that made those go away?
No, absolutely not. So the reality is that guns are here.
It comes down to this: If you dont have the proper
attitude, if youre not willing to adjust your lifestyle and
you dont have a significant amount of training, I beg you,
please do not carry a handgun. You have a choice.

Live it! Magazine 13

Floral
arrangements made easy

14 Live it! Magazine

Tips to brighten any room

BY CAROL SEAVEY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY MILLER

T
001226238r1

There used to be a lot of entries in

the floral arrangement categories at the
Kandiyohi County Fair.
These days, its mostly 4-H kids and
maybe a few seniors.
In the open class, its really spotty,
said Bonnie Swenson, co-superintendent
of the fair in Willmar. People are just
scared to try it.
While it may seem as if flower arranging is a skill of bygone days, plenty of

flowers are purchased at floral shops and

supermarkets. The Society of American
Florists estimates $7 billion to $8 billion
worth of cut flowers are sold in the U.S.
each year.
When you take a bunch of cut flowers from the grocery or drug store
home, dont just stuff them in a vase. In
just a few minutes, you can design an
eye-catching floral arrangement that will
last from a couple days to a couple weeks.

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Live it! Magazine 15

Be creative
Flower arranging is art, said Swenson, who is a master
gardener herself.
Its really what you like, she said. Its a creative
way to express yourself.
For starters, she suggests using something unique or
an unusual as a vase. Anything repurposed, from an old
paint can (cleaned and sterilized) to a beer glass, can
add character to your arrangement.
She also suggests letting your taste and personality
shine through the creations.
Add that creativity into what you are arranging,
Swenson said.
For example, someone who is into the country-western lifestyle might slide a vase into an old cowboy boot
and fill it with daisies.
Pretty much anything that holds water will do, but
keep in mind that a container with a narrow opening
will make the flowers stand up straight and a wide
opening will allow them to rest out and around.

Make em last
With a bit of attention every few days, cut flowers can
last up to two weeks. When they start to droop, its time
to recut the stems and get fresh water.
Also:
Remove any leaves or other foliage that will be covered with water. It makes the water cloudy and makes
the stems leak, Swenson said. Its OK to leave the
leaves up by the flower they add some body.
If you receive flower food with the flowers, follow
the instructions on the package. Dont hesitate to ask
the florist if you have questions about how to care for
the flowers.
Soak the stems in lukewarm water for about a half
an hour, suggests Mike Gaffney, director of the Minneapolis School of Flower Design and author of Design
Star. He also recommends using a wax sealant like
Crowning Glory, along with a drop of bleach to help
preserve flowers.
Cover flowers when transporting them on cold
days. Freezing temperatures will ruin them, according
to Stacey Johnson, floral manager at Cash Wise Foods
in Willmar. A couple layers of tissue paper is usually
enough to keep out the cold.

16 Live it! Magazine

How to make a simple, yet lovely, flower arrangement

Stacey Johnson, floral manager at Cash Wise Foods in Willmar, recently
What youll need
demonstrated with Live It! Magazine how to make easy floral arrange a vase with a wide opening
ments.
water
She chose roses and tulips for their bright colors and built-in foliage;
scissors or floral shears
additional filler is not necessary.
roses and alstroemeria or three
Johnson suggests beginners start with a rounded arrangement in a widebunches of tulips
mouthed vase.
ribbon (optional)
If youve never designed before, cut the flowers all one length, Johnson said. You can kind of go around in your vase and not worry about
going up and down.
They will appear to be different lengths when youre done.
Below are Johnsons instructions for a round arrangement. She designed one using roses and the other using tulips. While both options bring a little spring indoors, tulips are especially affordable and have less scent.

1. Prepare the water

Follow the instructions on the
flower food that comes with the
roses. Do not use flower food for
tulips, as they dont like it, Johnson
said.

4. Arrange the flowers

Place the flowers in the vase one
at a time, working your way around
the vase in a circle. Stagger the next
layer, and so on, until all the flowers
are in place. If using tulips, create a
pattern with the colors. Finish the
look with a bow, if desired.

2. Prepare the flowers

Remove foliage from the part of
the stem that will be in the water. If
using roses, peel the outer petals
or guard petals off. There are usually about three.

5. Care
Recut the stems and switch out
the water about every two days.
(Dont forget the food for the roses.)
Tulips grow fairly quickly, so
you may need to take off a decent
amount of the stems.
Gently pull off any wilted parts.

3. Cut the flowers

Line up the flowers on a table so
they are level. Grab the stems in a
bunch, and hold it next to the vase,
with the stems dropping below the
edge of the table. Adjust to the desired height, and cut the stems at
the appropriate spot.
There is no need to cut them at an
angle.
As long as youre giving them a
fresh cut, it doesnt matter, Johnson said.
To achieve the look seen in the
rose arrangement, cut the alstroemeria a bit shorter than the roses.

Live it! Magazine 17

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For those who would like to enjoy flowers both inside and out, the options are endless.
We asked Bonnie Swenson, master gardener and
co-superintendent of the Kandiyohi County Fair, to
help us narrow it down a bit.
Here are a few of her suggestions for flowers that
grow well in Minnesota and are lovely in the ground
or a vase:
zinnia
strawflowers
sunflowers
rudbeckia
snap dragons
tulips
iris
peonies
Her favorite annual is the lisianthus. It can be
hard to find, but is well-worth the effort.
Its sort of a poor mans rose, Swenson said. Its
just beautiful.
Also, consider planting some foliage to use in
floral arrangements, such as hasta, ferns or red Dogwood.
Morning is the best time to cut fresh flowers, because that's when the stems are fully hydrated, Swenson said. Bring a vase of water to the garden and
snip the stems long.
You can always cut the stems, but you can't make
them longer, she said.
Pick flowers that aren't fully opened. They will last
a little longer, and will likely open by the time they
are arranged.
If there isnt time to arrange the flowers right
away, just put the stems in lukewarm water in a
cool, dark place until there is.
Carol Seavey

- Read it! -

Join in celebration of poetry

BY ANNICE SEVETT
Poetry is one of the oldest art forms. First transmitted orally,
the style was used to aid in memorization and oral transmission.
As the art of writing developed, poetry became the predominate
written form of literature
think Homers epic
poems, The Odyssey and
The Iliad. As societies
developed, poetry gave
rise to hymns and other
musical styles. In this
sense, poetry can be said
to be the origin of oral and
written stories.
April has been designated as National Poetry
Month in order to bring
attention to the importance of poetry both in
history and in contemporary literature. As winter
attempts to stick around
for a while longer and spring peeks from behind its shadow, take
time this month and join in the celebration by writing your own
or reading some poetry.
Poetry can be challenging to write, but once you have a completed poem, it is quite rewarding. To help you get started, pick
up How to Write Poetry by Paul B. Janeczko. This comprehensive guide will help you write your next great poetic masterpiece,
whether you want to rhyme, write in free verse or use a predetermined structure such as a haiku. A haiku is a Japanese poem
which consists of three lines and 17 syllables. Each line has a set

number of syllables, ie: line one, five syllables, line two, seven syllables and line three, five syllables.
If writing poetry isnt your forte, we have a diverse collection
of poems for you to read. For a good laugh, try Silly Verse (And
Even Worse) by Joseph Rosenbloom or The Oxford Book
of Comic Verse edited
by John Gross. On the
more serious side is the
widely popular collection
for colored girls who
have considered suicide/
when the rainbow is
enuf by Ntozake Shange.
Hitting closer to home
is the collection Twin
Cities by Carol MuskeDukes, which takes you
on a journey around the
country starting with the
Twin Cities. Finally, take
a look at The Spoken
Word Revolution, edited
by Mark Eleveld. If you
think poetry is dying, this book will enlighten you to the transformation of this art form into modern day culture with poetry
slams and hip-hop music.
By writing a poem or picking up a poetry book during this
month, you may just discover a new found love for this old art
form that is present today in more ways than you may think.
Annice Sevett is Adult Services Librarian at the Willmar Public Library. For more information on these books swing by the Willmar Public
Library. The librarians are there to help you find your new favorite author.
Check out the librarys blog at turningpages.areavoices.com.

Live it! Magazine 19

Elmquist Jewelers

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Come and find the beautiful ring that she wants at the price
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Open Mon.-Thurs. 9:30-7, Fri. 9:30-5:30, Sat. 9:30-3:30.
320.235.5267
101 28th Ave. SE, Willmar
www.elmquistjewelers.com

The Barn Theatre

Wrapping up our winter season is The Glass

MenagerieApril 16-18 & 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. and
April 19 & 26 at 1 p.m. Our exciting summer season
includes, The Fiddler on the Roof, Come Blow Your
Horn and Out Town. Summer season tickets are
currently on sale. Please contact the box office for
production dates and availability.
320.235.9500
321 4th St. SW, Willmar
www.TheBarnTheatre.com

Riddles

Riddles signature Noventa Diamond gets

royal treatment in this Twinkling Diamond
setting that will dance and sparkle with
every beat of her heart. See more Twinkling
pendants at our store in the Kandi Mall.
320.235.2053
1605 1st St. S., Willmar
www.riddlesjewelry.com

Restaurant Hours: Spring Tues-Sat 4-8 pm

Summer Tues-Sun 11 am 9 pm
Happy Hour 4-6 pm

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The most versatile cooking device ever. Is it a

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20 Live it! Magazine

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Fri & Sat Murder

Mystery Dinners

Accessorize
Try a little subtle
!
spring sparkle
t
i
Style

BY NICOLE HOVATTER

Sunny skies, fresh air and new life everywhere.

Welcome to spring!
The warmer temperatures and vibrant colors outside
make for perfect inspiration to add a little pizazz to
your wardrobe.

Freshly picked pastels

Pastels can turn a drab outfit into something more
cheerful. Teal, coral, pink, yellow or green; whatever
color you choose, its easy to score a stellar spring look
with just a few accessories.
Accessories with subtle floral and pastel accents are
a great go-to anytime of the year and bring a special
breath of life to a spring wardrobe.
Dangly charm necklaces are popular this spring. Try
layering multiple simple necklaces together for another
cute look.
A bold statement necklace, like the one pictured here,
looks great with a solid-colored dress or blouse.
Infinity scarves are another popular trend right now.
The one pictured below is threaded with sparkly fabric.

Fancy footwear, jewelry

Shimmer, shine and step out in style. Simple heels
and flats look better when theyre accented with lace or
rhinestones.
Take the plunge and choose a pair of lacy, black
pumps to dress up jeans.
Feel uneasy in heels? Flats are a comfortable solution.
The ones pictured here have a little shimmer and sparkle.
Finish the look with some jewelry.
Why just wear one bracelet or ring? How about two,
three or four?
The bracelet pictured here is weaved with metal and
jewels. Its sure to make a statement.

Nicole Hovatter is a staff writer for the West Central Tribune

and Live it! Magazine. Follow Nicole on Twitter @publicsafetywct.

Live it! Magazine 21

- Money Matters -

Time for Gen-Xers

to put IRAs to work
SUBMITTED BY JEANNE ASHBURN
If youre a Gen-Xer, born between 1965 and 1980,
youve still got many years to go until you retire. At
this stage of your life, what can you do to help build resources for the retirement lifestyle youve envisioned?
Besides having time on your side, youve got another
key advantage in saving for retirement specifically,
you probably havent reached your peak earning years.
This helps you in at least two ways. First, of course, it
means you should be able to increase your retirement
savings in the future. And second, it might mean youre
still eligible to contribute to one of the most effective retirement accounts available the Roth IRA.
When you invest in a Roth IRA, your earnings are
distributed tax free, provided youve had your account
at least five years and you dont start taking withdrawals
until youre at least 59. For the 2015 tax year, you can
put in up to $5,500 to a Roth IRA; when you reach 50,
youll also be able to make catch-up contributions.
(Currently, the catch-up limit is $1,000.)
However, the ability to make Roth IRA contributions
is limited by income. For 2015, you can make the full
contribution to a Roth IRA if you are single and your
modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than
$116,000. Above this amount, your contribution limit
will be gradually reduced; if your MAGI reaches
$131,000, you wont be able to contribute at all. If
youre married and filing jointly, the lower limit
is $183,000 and the cutoff amount is $193,000.
Of course, if you have to consider these income
limits, youre making a reasonably good living,
and you may well be on a career path that will
take you to even greater earnings
which is why you should think

22 Live it! Magazine

about putting as much as possible in to a Roth IRA while

youre eligible.
If your earnings are already over the limit for the Roth
IRA, you can still contribute to a traditional IRA. Your
contributions can grow tax deferred, which means your
money can accumulate faster than it would on an account on which you paid taxes every single year. Taxes
are due upon withdrawal, and withdrawals prior to age
59 may be subject to a 10 percent IRS penalty.
But what if your income level is such that you could
contribute to either a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA?
Which one should you choose?
Theres no right answer for everyone. On the one
hand, the Roths tax-free distributions may be more attractive to you than the tax-deferred growth potential of
a traditional IRA if you expect your tax rate to be higher
in the future. However, depending on your income level
and whether you have access to a 401(k) or other retirement plan at work, your traditional IRA contributions
may be fully or partially tax-deductible. But these types
of calculations are not easy, so before making the traditional-or-Roth choice, youll need to consult with your
tax adviser.
In any case, now is the time to capitalize on your
Gen-X status and use the years ahead to invest consistently in an IRA and other tax-advantaged retirement accounts. As an investor, time is your
greatest ally so take advantage of it.
This article was written by
Edward Jones for use by your
local Edward Jones Financial
Adviser. Jeanne Ashburn is a
financial adviser with Edward Jones in Willmar.

It!
is lusciously
n
o
lem
BY

MICHELLE
GAUER

A luscious lemon treat is a great way to put a little

skip in your step this spring.
I have fond memories of lemons from the farm,
one of my grandmothers favorite flavors. It is
Grandma Ednas recipe for the Angel Dessert,
which to her was Angel Pie. As our family increased
in size, I started doubling the recipe and making the
9-by-13 pan size, thus calling it dessert. You could
also make individual ramekins if you wanted.
Grandma liked to pair up this refreshing treat
with a tall icy glass of homemade lemonade. Start
a tradition with your children or grandchildren,
make the recipe your own and have them remember
something that you make and eat with them often.
I have a passion for scones so many flavors
and varieties to develop. This recipe for Luscious

Lemon Scones is very adaptable to add blueberries

(our favorite), dried ginger, Craisins, etc., or just
have them simply lemon. What a fresh flavor that is
perfect with your morning cup of coffee or afternoon
iced lemon tea. Enjoy this recipe and make it your
own.
One of the easiest cookies to make are these
Lemon Crinkle Kisses. All it takes is a cake mix
with a few more ingredients, then stir, form and
bake. Its fun for kids to make and decorate. Try different flavors of cake mix and frostings for fun, it is
very interchangeable.
Let us know what you like to do with lemons or
share a favorite lemon recipe on the Live It! Facebook site. Wed love to hear from you.
Bon Appetit!

Lemon tips
Did you know that if you apply gentle pressure with the
palm of your hand, on a hard surface such as a counter, to a
whole lemon (before cutting it) and roll it back and
forth about seven to 10 times, it releases its juices
inside so when you cut it open it will juice very
easy.
Juice lemons that are
at room temperature for best
results.
When zesting a lemon
only grate the outer yellow
skin (be sure to wash it first);
if you go deeper to the white
(pith) it can be bitter.

Live it! Magazine 23

Lemon Angel Dessert

By Michelle L. Gauer, adapted from Grandma Edna
Serving size: 12

Meringue Crust
8 large egg whites
2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Lemon Filling
8 large egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice

Whipped Cream Topping

1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Lemon Crinkle Kisses

By Michelle L. Gauer, adapted from The Pampered Chef
Makes: 3 dozen

Cookies
1 package (18-19 oz) lemon cake mix
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1/3 cup canola oil (or coconut butter)
3 tablespoons water
1/3 cup pecans, chopped (optional)

Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In large bowl combine cake mix, egg, oil, water and pecans
(if desired). Stir with large mixing spoon until ingredients are
combined; mixture will be dry. Using a small stainless steel
scoop or about 1 tablespoon of dough form a ball and place on
baking sheets, lightly greased or lined with parchment paper,
about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes or until lightly
browned. Cool a couple minutes on the pan and transfer to a
cooling rack. Cool completely.
In a small bowl combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice
and lemon zest with a spoon until smooth. Add more juice if
you want it thinner. I like it to be more of a light frosting thickness to frost the cookies. However, it is nice to have a light
scattered style icing on it also. It is fun to add finely chopped
pecans or sprinkles to icing before it dries for a fun, festive look.
We love these cookies any time of the year. They are great
for spring with their cheery yellow appearance. I also make
them for Christmas to brighten up the cookie plate.
You can follow the concept of this recipe and sub the cake
mix flavor and combination, such as chocolate fudge cake mix
with a Hersheys Kiss in the middle when they come out of
the oven or frost with chocolate frosting or Almond Joy frosting and sprinkle with almonds. Try your own combination.

24 Live it! Magazine

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.

Meringue crust: In a clean metal or glass bowl, beat egg whites with electric mixer until stiff but not dry. Gradually add 2 cups of sugar, salt, cream of
tartar and vanilla. Pour into a greased 9-by-13 pan (glass or ceramic) and bake
at 275 degrees F for 1 hour. Turn off oven and leave in an additional
15 minutes. Remove and cool (the meringue will fall).
Lemon filling: In a double boiler, whisk together the egg yolks, 1 cup
sugar and lemon juice. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture becomes thick
and reaches 160 degrees F. Cool.
Whipped cream topping: Whip the whipping cream, sugar and vanilla
in a large metal or glass bowl with electric mixer until thick and stiffened.
Spread approximately one-quarter of the whipped cream mixture on top
of the cooled crust layer (if the crust is standing up high still, gently push it
down so you have room for your fillings). Next, spread cooled lemon filling
evenly and top with remaining whipped cream.
Refrigerate at least one hour for best flavor. You can make this up to a day
ahead of time. Refrigerate leftovers, if there are any. Garnish with cut lemon
slices or lemon zest right before serving.
My grandmother made this dessert, mostly in the heat of the summer. It was and is still
so very light and refreshing. I served it occasionally on the Ladies Sunset Cruise when
we owned the resort.
You can also make this in two 8-inch pie pans. Divide amounts evenly between the
two pans. Bake only for 30 minutes, turn off oven and leave in an additional 15 minutes.
Should be lightly golden.

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Interior Design
Where Your Dreams Come To Life
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Carla Kahle Miller, Interior Designer

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(across from Home Depot)

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Luscious Lemon Scones

New Business Hours:

Mon.-Thurs. 9:30am- 7:00pm,
Fri. 9:30am 5:30pm,
Sat. 9:30am 3:30 pm

By Michelle L. Gauer
Serving size: 10

Scones

Where the best memories ever begin!

www.elmquistjewelers.com

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons lemon zest, finely grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cups heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup fresh blueberries (optional)

Lemon Icing
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups powdered sugar

Wild Hare Floral

& Garden Center
320-847-2411
Hwy 23 & Co. Rd. 2
Clara City, MN 56222
R002986574

Greater Minnesota

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WHERE

We embrace all
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MEET AND GROW

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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (if you have it,
or lightly grease pan). In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar,
baking powder, lemon zest and salt. Using a large spoon, stir
in the cream, lemon juice and blueberries (if desired). Gently
fold and mix ingredients together until the wet and dry are
incorporated.
On a lightly floured work surface, gently knead the dough
(with floured hands) just until it comes together. Pat into a
9-inch round, slightly less than one-half inch thick. Cut the
dough into 10 wedges and arrange them 1 inch apart on the
prepared baking sheet. Bake the scones for 20 to 25 minutes,
until slightly firm and lightly browned on the bottom, pale on
top. Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and
powdered sugar until the glaze is smooth. Drizzle the lemon
glaze over the scones and let stand for 15 minutes before serving. If you want a fast, no fuss drizzle, put one-half cup good
quality white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and set
for 1 minute, stir until completely melted, apply with spoon as
drizzle.
Instead of the Blueberry option, feel free to add dried ginger,
dried pineapple or Craisins for different flavor profiles.

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2320 E Hwy 12 Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-0114

- Spirits! -

Transitions ...
BY RON SKJONG
Sometimes I get tired of the same old, same
old.
For instance, doesnt following the same old
route to work every day get old? How about
falling into the habit of eating the same old food
every day? I expect you can name many more
same olds because they are what we get used to
and they make us feel comfortable.
So, I challenge you to do something different
today and that is to transition from a predictable
person to a less predictable person. In his book
Oh, The Places Youll Go!, Dr. Seuss encourages us to let go of the ordinary and to grab for
the extraordinary to explore life. To accept
transitions as normal and not as something
abnormal.
Theres that word again transitions.
Growing up on the farm, our dinners
always (always!) consisted of meat, potatoes, a vegetable (usually corn), white
bread and milk. Now I enjoyed
that same old meal, but after a few
thousand of them, I yearned for
something different. One day my
eldest sister, Maren, brought
home a box of Chef Boyardee
pizza and the world changed
forever at our dinner table. It
was the first time we had tasted
pizza from a box and my life
transitioned to include the luscious sensory world of ... taste!

26 Live it! Magazine

My eating habits began to include the different tastes brought

to me by peppers, balsamic vinegar and olive oil to name just
a few. These were exciting times, and when I enjoyed my first
bottle of wine it was a transitional moment, too. Here was a taste I
didnt know, and my taste buds jumped for joy. Likewise, with the
growth of the craft brewing industry, new beer tastes have blossomed like the crocuses of spring.
Our craft breweries give us multiple chances to taste beers differently. Summit Brewing Companys Frost Line Rye Ale is a perfect
example of a seasonal beer that helps us transition to our summer
brews. This between-the-seasons ale has great citrus flavor and the
rye provides a spiciness that is wonderful.
As you transition from your winter wine to your summer wine,
consider trying a nice ros. I would suggest Francis Ford Coppolas Sofia Ros. Coming to you in a really cool stylized bottle,
this wines aroma reminds us of raspberries and the body is full
enough to give us tastes of strawberries and cloves. Served chilled,
this is an excellent sipping and dinner wine.
Our four seasons give us an excellent opportunity to do things
differently. From the warm promise of spring, to the comforting
green of summer, to the refreshing temperatures and colors of fall
and to the crispness of winter, our seasons give us natural transitions.
This spring, walk a different path, fish a new lake or sit and view
nature from a new vantage point. Who knows what you might see
and find perhaps a new friend, a new sense of place or maybe
just some peace.
As always, eat and drink in moderation 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 has four grown children. While stationed in Germany, he was
introduced to German wines and from that introduction, a lifelong
pursuit developed to find that perfect bottle of wine.

!
t
i
Do

yourself

Jewelry organizers

BY SHARON BOMSTAD

Have you ever wondered where or how to store

your jewelry so it doesnt clutters up your dresser?
Briana, a co-worker, has a clever way, using a refurbished machinists tool box. It keeps all her valuable
and heirloom jewelry tucked away for safe keeping
and away from collecting dust but keeps it easily accessible and easy to find when she wants it.
Other ideas shared around the office include antlers to hold your small pieces of jewelry, such as
rings and bracelets; or hang the antlers to hold necklaces.

An old family heirloom candy dish can also work

to hold a few special pieces of jewelry, and old picture or mirror frames can be strung to hold necklaces, or add a few hooks to the frame and hang your
necklaces over the mirror.
Even a small old chest of drawers with a few trays
placed strategically throughout will suffice.
The possibilities are endless.
Follow Live it! on Pinterest.com/liveitmag to see
more creative ideas.
And most of all, have fun with it!

Live it! Magazine 27

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For the
Re-purposing Junkie
in You!

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WHEN IT COMES TO FINDING THE PERFECT PROPERTY,

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT REALTORS ON DECK.

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since 2000

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320.235.0675
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Next to Caseys

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28 Live it! Magazine

Halvorson Co.
of Spicer Inc.

138 Lake Ave N

Spicer, MN 56288

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- Life Happens -

A challenge conversing with teens?

BY CLAUDETTE LARSON, LICSW
Recently Ive been asked to give some insight into how to spark
communication between parents and teens.
How many of you try to start a conversation with your teenager by asking, How was your day?, only to get a short reply of
Fine or I dont know. Not much to work with, is there? It
can be extremely frustrating. Sometimes you will feel as if there
isnt anything you can say or do, short of pulling out your wallet,
that will spark any amount of emotion or interest from your teen
in spending time with you. Although you can remember being a
teen, you cant remember being quite this hard to approach.
The truth is, you probably were. We dont tend to remember
the things that didnt affect us very much. You might want to call
your mother and get some feedback. I bet shell get a chuckle out
of your dilemma and may even throw a little compassion your
way.
Then, may I suggest to you that this is actually a period of time
in which your child is working through a developmental stage in
which they are identifying their independence and struggling to
define themselves and who they are outside of their parents. As
much as it may appear, you arent the enemy. In fact, you arent

on their minds nearly as much as you think you are. Its pretty
much an all about me phase they need to work out in order to
become the young adult they are destined to be.
Sometimes I suggest that instead of trying to engage in verbal
communication, you try a little writing. Getting a notebook in
which you and your teenager can leave messages back and forth
to one another as a sort of end-of-the-night pen pal can be a bonding experience. And it may not seem as intrusive or time consuming to them. One writes before bed and the other gets to find it in
the morning. Make it fun and positive; definitely not about doing
chores or asking nosy questions.
Sharing games by phone such as Trivia Crack, Words with
Friends or sharing funny pictures back and forth on Snapchat
can also draw them in. Keep it light. Teens can sense our intensity level and run at the first sign of neediness and dependence
upon them to quell our anxiety about the relationship.
Remember, this too shall pass. Someday they will be looking to
reconnect in new and more mature ways.
Claudette Larson of New London is a licensed independent
clinical social worker with 15 years of experience helping individuals, couples and families work on personal growth and positive
real-life solutions.

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Whats happenin ?
April 2015 - June 2015
Jazz-N-Java

Woodbury Chorus

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

April 19
Willmar, 4 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar; the Woodbury
Chorus and Orchestra present a concert sponsored by Calvary, Vinje and
Bethel Lutheran churches; freewill donation for the Willmar Area Food
Shelf.

Glacial Ridge Winery

Every Friday
Spicer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Glacial Ridge Winery, state Highway 23
between New London and Spicer; free music concert by different individuals and groups.

Hinterland Vineyards
Every Friday
Clara City, 7 to 9 p.m., Hinterland Vineyards and Winery, 3060 120th
Ave. S.E.; free music concert by different individuals and groups.

Fraser and Haas

April 10
St. Joseph, 7:30 p.m., Escher Auditorium, College of St. Benedict; Alasdair Fraser long regarded as Scotlands premier fiddle ambassador and
Natalie Haas share the stage with the full CSB/SJU Orchestra for an upbeat
evening of Celtic music; call 320-363-5777 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Monday through Saturday or online at www.csbsju.edu/fine-arts.

Matt Haimovitz
April 25
Collegeville, 7:30 p.m., Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, St. Johns
University; as a musical pioneer who has inspired classical music lovers
and countless new listeners, cellist Matt Haimovitz is bringing his artistry
for a passionate musical performance.

Ridgewater College concert

April 28
Willmar, 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church; Ridgewater College concert by the choirs from Willmar and Hutchinson; free admission.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile

April 29-May 2
Willmar, 7:30 p.m., Ridgewater College Theatre; production of
Picasso at the Lapin Agile; $5 general admission, for reservations call
320-222-7605.

Jazz Festival

Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra

April 10-11
Morris, 7:30 p.m., Edson Auditorium, University of Minnesota; 37th
annual Jazz Festival with guest artists Rob Haight on saxophone, Scott
Hesse on guitar, Chris Bates on bass and Phil Hey on drums. Tickets for
the concerts are available online at tickets.umm.edu or by phone at 320589-6077 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

May 10
Willmar, 3 p.m., WEAC; the Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra
presents a spring concert Sounds From the New World, along with the
young artist competition winners.

The Glass Menagerie

April 16-19, 23-26
Willmar, 7:30 p.m. April 16-18, 23-25 and 1 p.m. April 19 and 26, The
Barn Theatre; The Barn Theatre presents The Glass Menagerie; adults
$20, 18 and younger $10; contact the box office at 320-235-9500, 321
Fourth St. S.W. downtown.

Two Men Talking

April 18
St. Joseph, 7:30 p.m., Gorecki Family Theater, College of St. Benedict; a
live, unscripted performance in which two men weave their life stories into
a production that captivates.

West Central Concert Series

May 15
Willmar, 7:30 p.m., WEAC; the West Central Concert series presents
the vocal band Six Appeal; for more information email wcconcerts@
gmail.com; $20 at the door.

Fiddler on the Roof

June 11-16, 18-21
Willmar, 7:30 p.m. June 11-13, 15-16, 18-20 and 1 p.m. June 14 and
21, The Barn Theatre; The Barn Theatre presents Fiddler on the Roof;
adults $20, 18 and younger $10; contact the box office at 320-235-9500,
321 Fourth St. S.W. downtown.

Jerry OHagan Orchestra

April 19
Glenwood, 3 to 7 p.m., Lakeside Ballroom; winter dances open to all,
music by the Jerry OHagan Orchestra; $10 per person, $5 ages 17-30; no
jeans or shorts. Basic dance lessons at 2 p.m. included with admission.

To list your summer event

email liveit@wctrib.com

Live it! Magazine 31

A new
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www.bethesdawillmar.com | 901 Willmar Avenue SE, Willmar, MN 56201