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April showers... bring all kinds of fl owers, and who doesn't like a lovely bouquet of fl owers? And just ... bring all kinds of fl owers, and who doesn't like a lovely bouquet of fl owers? And just

in time for Mother's Day too! Mother's Day accounts for one-fourth of the fl oral purchases in time for Mother's Day too! Mother's Day accounts for one-fourth of the fl oral purchases made for holidays, according to aboutfl owers.com. About a third (31 percent) of adults made for holidays, according to aboutfl owers.com. About a third (31 percent) of adults bought fl owers or plants as gifts for Mother's Day 2014. Based on consumer purchases of bought fl owers or plants as gifts for Mother's Day 2014. Based on consumer purchases of fresh fl owers and plants for holidays at all outlets, Mother's Day falls second only to Christ-fresh fl owers and plants for holidays at all outlets, Mother's Day falls second only to Christ-mas, and is followed closely by Valentine's Day. According to smartasset.com, 69 percent mas, and is followed closely by Valentine's Day. According to smartasset.com, 69 percent

of gifts for Mother's Day are fl owers; an estimated $1.9 billion of gifts for Mother's Day are fl owers; an estimated $1.9 billion was spent on fl owers in 2014.was spent on fl owers in 2014.

Flowers are a rite of passage into spring. A time when we 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 can get back outside and dig in the dirt, attending to our own fl ower gardens. I have a lily garden that is among my favorites, fl ower gardens. I have a lily garden that is among my favorites, along with my rose garden. And while I'm no master gardener along with my rose garden. And while I'm no master gardener by any stretch, some years these gardens near the road make 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 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 grandson last summer sitting on a bench among the lilies in bloom. He seemed to really enjoy the fl owers.bloom. He seemed to really enjoy the fl owers.

In addition to my lily and rose gardens, I've started a pe-In addition to my lily and rose gardens, I've started a pe-rennial bed rennial bed but that has a long way to go. I have to admit, 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 fi nd I like. We'll see how it looks this I'm not very dutiful at planning; I just stick in what I fi nd 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 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. last long once the winds start blowing.

I also have a number of fl ower baskets each year, as well as some fl owers around the I also have a number of fl ower baskets each year, as well as some fl owers around the house. I've basically turned the vegetable gardening over to my husband, although I still 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.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 fl owers for indoor bou-Carol gives us a look at how we can easily arrange our outdoor fl owers for indoor bou-quets, and her sources offer a few tips on what types of fl owers make good cuttings.quets, and her sources offer a few tips on what types of fl owers make good cuttings.

Foodie Michelle gives us some refreshing ideas on lemon desserts, just in time for 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 spring, and our spirits guy gives us some food for thought for transitioning from winter into spring and summer drinks .into spring and summer drinks .

I was fortunate to get an early jump on spring this year as I attended Twins spring 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 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. and sisters, we left when the weather was nice, and returned in time for more snow.

Oh, well. That's spring in Minnesota.Oh, well. That's spring in Minnesota.If you have a topic youd like to see in Live it!, send your story idea to [email protected] 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 com. We love to hear from our readers. You can also like us on Facebook or send us a tweet @Liveitmag.tweet @Liveitmag.

Life in west central Minnesota Life in west central Minnesota it really is a beautiful thing it really is a beautiful thing

Live it! Sharon BomstadLive it! Editor

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 some-thing 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 ap-pointment at Family Practice Friday! Cant wait to try a couple of them! Thank you Michelle!

Lori Peterson, via Facebook

Reader feedback:I happened to pick up Live It! this win-

ter 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

Cover Story 14Flower arrangements made easy

StaffSHARON BOMSTAD

MAGAZINE EDITOR

DAN BURDETTMAGAZINE WRITER/SOCIAL MEDIA

To contact Live it! call 320-235-1150 or email [email protected]

Writing & photographyDan Burdett

Nicole HovatterCarol Seavey

Marketing consultantsKevin Smith, Director

[email protected]

Jan [email protected]

Sarah [email protected]

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Amy [email protected]

Katie [email protected]

To advertise, call 320-214-4317 fax 320-235-6769

or email a listed consultant.

AdministrationSteven Ammermann, Publisher

Kelly Boldan, EditorTimothy Bailey, Business Manager

2208 W. Trott Ave., Willmar MN 56201

Volume 4, Issue 2

Liveit!M A G A Z I N E

CANT Live WITHOUT it!A PUBLICATION OF THE WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE

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.

Michelle GauerGary Miller

Gregory Harp

23 Eat it!: Enjoy the refreshing taste of lemons

28 Life Happens: Conversing with teens

21 Style it!: Accessorize for spring

31 Whats happenin? Mark your calendars now!

3 Readers mailbag: What we hear from readers

Departments

19

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

26 Spirits!: Time to favor spring taste buds

19 Read it!: Celebrating poetry

DistributionWest Central Tribune

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Become a distributor, call 320-235-1150.

Whats inside

More women getting permits to carry 6

23

6 Permit-to-carry numbers continue to climb

12 Q&A: Why gun training?

14 Tips for creating your own fl oral bouquet

Features

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

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

6 Live it! Magazine

STORY & PHOTOS BY DAN BURDETT

BB is nervous, so much so she re-quested her name not be published in full for this piece.She has a 1-year-old daughter. The childs father is presently incarcer-ated for the injuries he infl icted 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

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 fi rearm in the home. Shell then be tasked to demonstrate she can duly maintain and discharge the weapon.

INTEREST IN PERMITS TO CARRY GROWS AMONG WOMEN FOR A MYRIAD OF REASONS

Its part of a Great Lakes Training Group course, among numerous of its kind in the area, and a prerequisite for fi ling an application for a permit to carry a concealed fi re-arm.

Eric Holien is Bs instructor.A deputy with the Kandiyohi County Sheriffs Offi ce,

his career in law enforcement began 15 years ago, when he was 22.

In recent years, he has witnessed an infl ux of women taking the course, estimating 40 to 60 percent female par-ticipation.

Some, he says, attend simply for the education; some so they can share in the voguish excursions of their gun-tot-ing 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, gunsAmerica 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 defi ned objective criteria from being refused a permit to carry a concealed fi rearm.

Prior to that time, a may issue system was common-place, 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 appear-ance.

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 affi liation, have been declared mentally ill or are seeking treatment for chemical dependency are ineligible to obtain any fi rearm 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 applica-tions 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 infl uenced in part by ge-ography and population density, Eric says the numbers also offer a snapshot into the psychology of the gun culture.

Live it! Magazine 7

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8 Live it! Magazine

Youre obviously going to fi nd more permits in areas where people hunt, he says. But theres also a high number of permits for those who live in areas we con-sider 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 Associa-tion of Defensive Firearm Instructors says 1,647 per-mits 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 neighbor-ing counties and one, Eric believes, is infl uenced by so-cioeconomics and a defl ated law enforcement personnel roster, a consequence of budgetary cuts and an exodus of retiring offi cers.

Kandiyohi County presents an interesting dynamic, he says. And in Willmar, there are some chal-lenges. 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 knifi ngs going on in Willmar over the last year. Some pretty violent stuff. With the PD (police de-partment) 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 offi cers are get-ting there within a minute of the violence ending. But in Kandiyohi County, it depends where the offi cers are at. It could be as long as 15 or 20 minutes after the calls placed before were on scene. Obviously, thats going to infl uence 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 fl ip side, is there some trepidation on your part as a law enforcement offi cer 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 train-ing. 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 fi ne line between taking action and recognizing the need to take action. Its understanding this thats key.

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

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Live it! Magazine 9

Education and empowerment Lisa Kompelien is completing the course with her

husband, Chad.Despite the biting air, she seems excited as they un-

load 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 Os-car-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 fi rearms stems from a devotion to hunting, something she doesnt share with Chad, but shes working on him.

She lives in the fl atlands beyond Willmars city limits and deems the community safe.

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 fi rearm is conspicuous in her slight hands.

She holds it delicately, her eyes transfi xed on the tar-get 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, fi ring off a half-dozen rounds. The shell casings pepper the air, smacking the dirt below.

Then, at Erics behest, the fi ring ceases.

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

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 per-

cent of the nations 318.9 million residents, have permits to carry a concealed weapon, ac-cording 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.

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 Instruc-tors says 1,647 permits to carry were issued through January of this year, more than 39 permits to every 1,000 residents.

10 Live it! Magazine

Contacts for other permit to carry courses There are a number of private companies or individuals in the Willmar area who have been ap-

proved 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 [email protected]. 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.

Live it! Magazine 11

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; me-chanical knowledge of handguns; safe practices in shooting, loading, unloading and clearing fi rearm malfunctions; how to safely store and care for a fi rearm; and the legal aspects of pistol possession, carry and use.

Participants will also learn about self-defense and the restric-tions on the use of deadly force. In addition there is training on psychological and physiological effects of a violent threat en-counter and simple weapon retention techniques.

Participants will also be evaluated on their shooting profi -ciency and safe weapon handling skills during a shooting ex-ercise.

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 intersec-tion 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 Offi ce 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


&

BY DAN BURDETT PHOTOGRAPHY BY

DAN BURDETT & GREGORY HARP

You have a choiceGGary Peterson had little interest in guns until the mas-sacre 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 pur-chased two guns.

In the years since, he immersed himself in courses to include sessions with SWAT team members on how to safely operate fi rearms in self-defense settings.

Two years ago, he became a United States Concealed Carry Association certifi ed instructor and, away from Maracom, a Willmar-based specialty printing company

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 ex-perience with fi rearms 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.

&Q AAQ

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


Live it!: Permits to carry have been issued at an ex-ponential 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 fi rst time, I didnt shoot for a year, because there was no ammunition. Everybody goes out and stocks up on guns and ammuni-tion, 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 hus-bands. But there are a lot of single women, too. The rea-son is sometimes people will say if youve got a problem, call the police. Well, the average response time for a po-lice 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 fi rst place. So in my class, we spend the fi rst 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 aware-ness: 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 surround-ings. 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 circum-stances. Now will you have avoided a dangerous

situation? Youll never know. Now, in condition red, things can happen instantly and you suddenly fi nd yourself in a situation where things have gone bad. The fi rst 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 justifi ed you were in pulling the trigger. You never, ever, ever, want to take out a gun unless your life de-pends on it. Its the absolute last resort.

Live it!: Do you think theres an issue with the acces-sibility of fi rearms 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 confi s-cate 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 signifi cant amount of training, I beg you, please do not carry a handgun. You have a choice.

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Tips to brighten any roomBY CAROL SEAVEY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY MILLER

TThere used to be a lot of entries in the fl oral 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 fl ower arrang-ing is a skill of bygone days, plenty of

fl owers are purchased at fl oral shops and supermarkets. The Society of American Florists estimates $7 billion to $8 billion worth of cut fl owers are sold in the U.S. each year.

When you take a bunch of cut fl ow-ers 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 fl oral arrangement that will last from a couple days to a couple weeks.


Be creativeFlower 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-west-ern lifestyle might slide a vase into an old cowboy boot and fi ll 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 fl owers stand up straight and a wide opening will allow them to rest out and around.

Make em lastWith a bit of attention every few days, cut fl owers 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 cov-

ered with water. It makes the water cloudy and makes the stems leak, Swenson said. Its OK to leave the leaves up by the fl ower they add some body.

If you receive fl ower food with the fl owers, follow the instructions on the package. Dont hesitate to ask the fl orist if you have questions about how to care for the fl owers.

Soak the stems in lukewarm water for about a half an hour, suggests Mike Gaffney, director of the Minne-apolis 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 fl owers.

Cover fl owers when transporting them on cold days. Freezing temperatures will ruin them, according to Stacey Johnson, fl oral manager at Cash Wise Foods in Willmar. A couple layers of tissue paper is usually enough to keep out the cold.


How to make a simple, yet lovely, fl ower arrangementStacey Johnson, fl oral manager at Cash Wise Foods in Willmar, recently

demonstrated with Live It! Magazine how to make easy fl oral arrange-ments.

She chose roses and tulips for their bright colors and built-in foliage; additional fi ller is not necessary.

Johnson suggests beginners start with a rounded arrangement in a wide-mouthed vase.

If youve never designed before, cut the fl owers all one length, John-son 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 tu-

lips. While both options bring a little spring indoors, tulips are especially affordable and have less scent.

What youll need a vase with a wide opening water scissors or fl oral shears roses and alstroemeria or three

bunches of tulips ribbon (optional)

1. Prepare the waterFollow the instructions on the

fl ower food that comes with the roses. Do not use fl ower food for tulips, as they dont like it, Johnson said.

4. Arrange the fl owersPlace the fl owers 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 fl owers are in place. If using tulips, create a pattern with the colors. Finish the look with a bow, if desired.

5. CareRecut 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.

2. Prepare the fl owersRemove 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 usu-ally about three. 3. Cut the fl owers

Line up the fl owers 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 de-sired 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, John-son said.

To achieve the look seen in the rose arrangement, cut the alstro-emeria a bit shorter than the roses.

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Grow your ownFor those who would like to enjoy fl owers both in-

side 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 fl owers that grow well in Minnesota and are lovely in the ground or a vase:

zinnia strawfl owers sunfl owers rudbeckia snap dragons tulips iris peoniesHer favorite annual is the lisianthus. It can be

hard to fi nd, 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

fl oral arrangements, such as hasta, ferns or red Dog-wood.

Morning is the best time to cut fresh fl owers, be-cause that's when the stems are fully hydrated, Sw-enson 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 fl owers 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 fl owers right away, just put the stems in lukewarm water in a cool, dark place until there is.

Carol Seavey


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 desig-nated as National Poetry Month in order to bring attention to the impor-tance of poetry both in history and in contempo-rary 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 com-pleted poem, it is quite rewarding. To help you get started, pick up How to Write Poetry by Paul B. Janeczko. This comprehen-sive guide will help you write your next great poetic masterpiece, whether you want to rhyme, write in free verse or use a prede-termined 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, fi ve syllables, line two, seven syl-lables and line three, fi ve 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 Muske-Dukes, 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 trans-formation 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.

- Read it! -

Join in celebration of poetry

Annice Sevett is Adult Services Librarian at the Willmar Public Li-brary. For more information on these books swing by the Willmar Public Library. The librarians are there to help you fi nd your new favorite author. Check out the librarys blog at turningpages.areavoices.com.

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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.320.235.20531605 1st St. S., Willmarwww.riddlesjewelry.com

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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.

The Barn Theatre

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Come and find the beautiful ring that she wants at the price you want to pay. Elmquist Jewelers, where your best memories ever begin! Across from Home Depot in Willmar. Open Mon.-Thurs. 9:30-7, Fri. 9:30-5:30, Sat. 9:30-3:30.

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to life, and products mix and mingle. Stock up on our Spring crafts and handmade craft material directly via our online store. IHeart works to inspire your fun craft projects

to brighten up every season. Be sure to visit out website for new ideas for birthday cards, holiday crafts and so much more.

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SBY 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 outfi t 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 fl oral 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.

Infi nity 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 fl ats 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 spar-kle.

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.

AccessorizeTry a little subtle

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Time for Gen-Xers to put IRAs to work

SUBMITTED BY JEANNE ASHBURN

- Money Matters -

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 re-sources for the retirement lifestyle youve envisioned?

Besides having time on your side, youve got another key advantage in saving for retirement specifi cally, 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 re-tirement 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 fi ve 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 modifi ed 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 fi ling 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

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 ac-count 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 at-tractive 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 retire-ment 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 tradi-tional-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 con-

sistently in an IRA and other tax-advantaged re-tirement 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 fi nancial adviser with Edward Jones in Willmar.

ABY

MICHELLE GAUER

is lusciouslyIt!

lemon

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 fi rst); if you go deeper to the white (pith) it can be bitter.

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 fl avors. 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 fl avors 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 fl avor 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 dif-ferent fl avors 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! Face-book site. Wed love to hear from you.

Bon Appetit!



Lemon Crinkle KissesBy Michelle L. Gauer, adapted from The Pampered Chef

Makes: 3 dozen

Cookies1 package (18-19 oz) lemon cake mix1 large egg, slightly beaten1/3 cup canola oil (or coconut butter)3 tablespoons water1/3 cup pecans, chopped (optional)

Glaze1/2 cup powdered sugar1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice1 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 thick-ness to frost the cookies. However, it is nice to have a light scattered style icing on it also. It is fun to add fi nely 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 fl avor 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 frost-ing and sprinkle with almonds. Try your own combination.

Lemon Angel DessertBy Michelle L. Gauer, adapted from Grandma Edna

Serving size: 12

Meringue Crust8 large egg whites2 cups sugar1/4 teaspoon salt2 teaspoons cream of tartar1 teaspoon vanilla

Lemon Filling8 large egg yolks1 cup sugar 1/3 cup lemon juice

Whipped Cream Topping1 pint heavy whipping cream1 tablespoon sugar1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.Meringue crust: In a clean metal or glass bowl, beat egg whites with elec-

tric 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 fi lling: 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 fi llings). Next, spread cooled lemon fi lling evenly and top with remaining whipped cream.

Refrigerate at least one hour for best fl avor. 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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Luscious Lemon SconesBy Michelle L. Gauer

Serving size: 10

Scones2 cups all-purpose fl our1/4 cup granulated sugar1 tablespoon baking powder2 teaspoons lemon zest, fi nely grated1/2 teaspoon salt1 cups heavy whipping cream2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice3/4 cup fresh blueberries (optional)

Lemon Icing2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice2 cups powdered sugar

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 fl our, 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 fl oured work surface, gently knead the dough (with fl oured 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 fi rm 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 serv-ing. 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 fl avor profi les.

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 encour-ages 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, pota-toes, 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 fi rst time we had tasted pizza from a box and my life transitioned to include the lus-cious sensory world of ... taste!

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 fi rst 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 blos-somed like the crocuses of spring.

Our craft breweries give us multiple chances to taste beers differ-ently. 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 fl avor 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 Cop-polas Sofi a 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 transi-tions.

This spring, walk a different path, fi sh a new lake or sit and view nature from a new vantage point. Who knows what you might see and fi nd 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!


- Spirits! -

Transitions ...

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 fi nd that perfect bottle of wine.

Hit!-yourself

Do-

Jewelry organizersHave 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 refur-

bished machinists tool box. It keeps all her valuable and heirloom jewelry tucked away for safe keeping and away from collecting dust but keeps it eas-ily accessible and easy to fi nd when she wants it.

Other ideas shared around the offi ce include ant-lers to hold your small pieces of jewelry, such as rings and bracelets; or hang the antlers to hold neck-laces.

An old family heirloom candy dish can also work to hold a few special pieces of jewelry, and old pic-ture or mirror frames can be strung to hold neck-laces, 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 suffi ce.

The possibilities are endless.Follow Live it! on Pinterest.com/liveitmag to see

more creative ideas.And most of all, have fun with it!

BY SHARON BOMSTAD


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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 teen-ager 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 defi ne 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 bond-ing experience. And it may not seem as intrusive or time consum-ing to them. One writes before bed and the other gets to fi nd it in the morning. Make it fun and positive; defi nitely 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 inten-sity level and run at the fi rst 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.

- Life Happens -

A challenge conversing with teens?

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


it!outCheck Whats happenin April 2015 - June 2015

?

Jazz-N-JavaEvery 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.

Glacial Ridge WineryEvery 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 indi-viduals and groups.

Hinterland VineyardsEvery 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 HaasApril 10

St. Joseph, 7:30 p.m., Escher Auditorium, College of St. Benedict; Alas-dair Fraser long regarded as Scotlands premier fi ddle 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/fi ne-arts.

Jazz FestivalApril 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 320-589-6077 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

The Glass MenagerieApril 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 offi ce at 320-235-9500, 321 Fourth St. S.W. downtown.

Two Men TalkingApril 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.

Jerry OHagan OrchestraApril 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.

Woodbury ChorusApril 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.

Matt HaimovitzApril 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 concertApril 28

Willmar, 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church; Ridgewater College con-cert by the choirs from Willmar and Hutchinson; free admission.

Picasso at the Lapin AgileApril 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.

Willmar Area Symphonic OrchestraMay 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.

West Central Concert SeriesMay 15

Willmar, 7:30 p.m., WEAC; the West Central Concert series presents the vocal band Six Appeal; for more information email [email protected]; $20 at the door.

Fiddler on the RoofJune 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 offi ce at 320-235-9500, 321 Fourth St. S.W. downtown.

To list your summer event email [email protected]

Call our Welcome Center today:

320.214.5643

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

A new place to call home.

Offering a full continuum of care for seniors in our community:

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We look forward to meeting you.

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Documents

April/May issue of Live it! Magazine