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Arcola Mills hosts spoon carving class

By The Stillwater Gazette on May 16, 2013 at 10:11 am

The historic Arcola Mills site north of Stillwater off Minnesota 95 hosts a series of summer and fall programs that …
 
Anita Buck, left and Miriam Madsen were honored for their two years of service on the Veterans Memorial Board

Cleaned and honored

By The Stillwater Gazette on May 16, 2013 at 10:09 am

Members of the Oak Park Heights law firm Anastasi Jellum spent part of a windy and cold Saturday helping spruce up …
 
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Civil discourse requires maturity, openness, desire to listen to others

By Guest Columnist on May 16, 2013 at 9:28 am

People are often surprised when they discover that a church sometimes experiences conflict when they first come to a church. …
 
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The Lord listens

By Kate Walsh Soucheray on May 16, 2013 at 9:23 am

“You listen, Lord, to the needs of the poor; you encourage them and hear their prayers.”— Psalms 10:17 We know …
 
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Does God change his mind about moral issues?

By Lenard Huebscher on May 16, 2013 at 9:21 am

The answer is no. In fact, He has written down His laws, we call them the Ten Commandments. Exodus 32:16 …
 
Lakeview Hospital held its annual volunteer recognition luncheon May 8 at Boutwells Landing. The volunteers pictured received pins for 500, 1,000 and 2,000 hours of service. In the last year, 215 volunteers contributed a total of 16,200 hours to the hospital, serving in more than two dozen areas. Among volunteers and hospital staff at the lunch were, front row from left: Don Martin, Linda Gallick, Claire Dunlap, Norma Singer, Lucille Prescott, Dorothy Molstad and Kim Klisch, volunteer coordinator. Back row from left: Vicky Turchiniak, Curt Geissler, Lakeview Hospital president, Mo Stilp, Judi Brandt and RoseMary Schumacher. Not pictured are Ray Dombrowe, Carolyn Denton, Melinda Elledge, Jan Evensen and Anita Buck.(Submitted photo)

Lakeview Hospital volunteers honored

By The Stillwater Gazette on May 15, 2013 at 10:08 am
 
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St. Croix Crossing meetings set

By The Stillwater Gazette on May 15, 2013 at 10:07 am

The Minnesota and Wisconsin transportation departments will host a series of St. Croix Crossing project open houses this month and …
 
BAYTOWN TOWNSHIP — A gusty, cold north wind lashed the Washington County Fairgrounds cattle barn Saturday. In other words, the perfect weather to make the barn’s star attractions feel at home. The fairgrounds hosted the 19th Annual Llama Magic llama and alpaca show Saturday and Sunday. The show is a Mother’s Day weekend tradition that brings St. Croix Valley llama and alpaca breeders together to educate show visitors about the two animals native to South America that are becoming more popular in the Valley. Among the 45 vendors at the show were 15 farms that raise either llamas or alpacas, said organizer Sheila Fugina of New Richmond, Wis. “People really look forward to this event,” she said. “A lot of families come with their kids.” There are several reasons why more Valley families are raising llamas and alpacas, according Fugina. “You don’t need a lot of acreage. They’re very easy animals to be with kids,” she said. And because llama and alpaca fleece are considered among the world’s finest fibers, Fugina said fleece sales can pay for the animals. “They don’t cost anything to keep if you use or sell the fiber,” she said. “They’re great animals to have as pets.” Llamas and alpacas are shorn once a year in the spring like sheep so the animals can stand the hot summer months. The shorn fleece is sold by the ounce or pound, Fugina said. Lorraine Kilmartin of Winona has raised llamas for seven years and works with 4-H youths who show llamas at shows and fairs. “I had a friend that had llamas and I fell in love with them,” she said. “There’s lots you can do with them. They lower your blood pressure.” Kilmartin said llamas can carry roughly two-thirds of their weight, pull carts and guard sheep and goat herds from predators. “They’re very good guard animals. They run toward predators to scare them off,” she said. Tabitha Lunning of Somerset, Wis., has raised alpacas for two years. Alpacas are smaller than llamas. “We have land and we wanted livestock,” she said. “I have an eight-year-old girl and I wanted animals she could handle.” Lunning said she raises alpacas for their fleece, which is denser and softer than llama fleece. And alpacas have another advantage over llamas, she said. “As rule, they’re friendlier. They stay a lot smaller,” Lunning said. Lunning’s alpacas have one other endearing habit, according to Lunning. “They love water. Pools, sprinklers, kiddie pools, they love the water,” she said. “We turn out sprinklers on and they stand under the water.” Contact Erik Sandin at erik.sandin@ecm-inc.com Ryan Knudtson, 11, of Somerset, Wis., watches over a group of alpacas owned by Tabitha Lunning of Somerset at Saturday’s Llama Magic show in the Washington County Fairgrounds cattle barn. (Gazette staff photo by Erik Sandin)

Two beasts that are no burdens

By Erik Sandin on May 15, 2013 at 10:04 am

Llama and alpaca lovers bring annual show to fairgrounds BAYTOWN TOWNSHIP — A gusty, cold north wind lashed the Washington …
 
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Area Briefs 5/15/13

By The Stillwater Gazette on May 15, 2013 at 9:07 am

Four writers to give readings Four area writers will give literary readings at 3 p.m. Sunday at ArtReach St. Croix, …
 
David Peel now has an address. After living in his truck through the recent long winter, Peel will soon move in to a Stillwater apartment with help from service organization Hearth Connection. He found out about the apartment Friday. “It just blows my mind,” Peel said about his new place. “It’s like if you were in a desert without any water and came to an oasis and were fed. I’ve been without a normal way of living for so long that it’s going to be really strange.” Peel survived being homeless using some government support, donating plasma and doing up custodial work when he was able. Peel said he has edema in his legs from living in his truck over the winter and is currently seeking Social Security and disability benefits. When he moves into his new home he hopes that he can heal and find a job. “I’m just gonna have my health recover from edema. It’s not only in my legs now but it’s also moved up to my thighs. The emergency (room) doctors told me I’m holding at least 30 pounds of water weight,” he said. Peel said he’s grateful for the support he received in what he calls his “long, strange journey,” and hopes that taking care of himself will lead to finding a janitorial job. “I would like to get a part-time job because who wants to sit around all the time. I’m still waiting on my Social Security disability and I’m hoping that’s how it pans out,” he said. “Maybe far down the line I can regain what I once had. A house, and if for some reason I found the right lady and settled in, it would probably be possible to settle in and have two people buy a house, but it’s too far out in the forecast for that right now.” Peel said his new second-floor apartment will be a good test for his legs. The apartment is currently being painted and re-carpeted. He will be able to pick up some essentials from other services and move in to his new home May 24. “I knew that one day this was gonna happen. I didn’t know when and how long. But it’s done now, and I’ve put into place support and I realize that a lot of things you have to do yourself. You can’t just sit and wait for them to come. You’ve gotta make things happen for you,” he said. “I’m in my senior years now and it’ll be nice to be back to the normal lifestyle.” Peel added that being homeless this winter was difficult, but not embarrassing. “It’s (homelessness) not something to be embarrassed over. It’s something that happened and can happen to anybody. It’ll take you down and take you for a ride. Be that foreclosure or a domestic situation and you’ve just gotta fight through and keep on keeping on,” he said. Contact Avery Cropp at avery.cropp@ecm-inc.com David Peel stands in front of the truck he lived in for almost a year. He will soon move in to a Stillwater apartment (Gazette staff photo by Avery Cropp)

New address for proud man

By Avery Cropp on May 15, 2013 at 9:03 am

David Peel find a home after long winter living in his truck David Peel now has an address. After living …
 

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