by Joni Astrup Associate editor Wish started out life as a racing greyhound, but these days she’s content to lounge on the couch at the Smith home in Elk River. The Smiths — Kristi, Pat and their daughter, Ashley —adopted Wish six years ago through Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption. They describe her as an easy-going [...]
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Widowed no more
by Jim Boyle Editor Bob and Corrine Jones both have celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary, but not with each other. These two love birds have only been together for the last decade. They will celebrate their 10th anniversary in August. They were Elk River neighbors in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Bob, now [...]
Life is like a box of (Valentine’s Day) chocolates
by Jim Boyle Editor Robert Koehler and Virginia Shapley graduated from Elk River High School in 1949. They were not high school sweethearts. They barely knew each other. But something clicked when the widow Virginia Barnier and widower Koehler connected at their 55-year class reunion in the summer of 2004. “I knew him, but he [...]
Camp Elk River helps kick off 100 years of Girl Scouting
by Jim Boyle Editor Girl Scout Camp Elk River helped kick off what will be a yearlong celebration of Girl Scouting’s 100th anniversary. More than 200 area scouts from 24 troops took a “Step Back in Time” at the winter encampment in Zimmerman that was designed to bring the girls back to the early days [...]
Young Hype: Youth achieving success and blazing trails
Ivan Sand Community High School senior Jonathan (Jon) Ellis is one of six state officers serving on the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs (MAAP) STARS board. He is the second Ivan Sand student in three years to be selected to the prestigious student board. As an officer, Ellis is assuming leadership responsibilities, including speaking at [...]
Faith in God, humor and ability to manage money keys to marriage success
by Jim Boyle Editor Orie and Nellie Sachs had no idea they would be married for 61 years when they said “I do.” They just knew they would be married forever. “We’re thankful for each day,” Nellie said. “God has given us so many blessings.” Those blessings include five healthy children, 15 grandchildren and now [...]
Following her bliss
by Bruce Strand Arts editor Constance Gabriel’s life was proceeding unsteadily into its seventh decade, with storm clouds gathering. The longtime Rogers pharmacist was divorced for 10 years. Her two kids were on their own. The older generation of her family was dying off, and her mother had just been diagnosed with leukemia. That was [...]
The Art of Compromise
by Britt Aamodt Contributing writer If only high school could be like a season of “Glee.” Every troubled teen romance summed up in a musical number. Bad grades, acne and a cheerleading coach about as charming as an army drill sergeant just grist for the next song-and-dance number. But high school, however it’s packaged by [...]
When life itself is a gift
by Nathan Warner Contributing writer Christmas Day means something extra special to Erin Mathison of Zimmerman and her son, Jason, who will turn 7 years old this Christmas. The young boy is a cancer survivor. Erin Mathison was a junior at Elk River High School when her life was turned upside down after she discovered [...]
Pedaling For Pennies
- The Pan American Highway August 29, 2011The start of a new fundraiser The Pan American Cancer Tour I have been back in Minnesota for little over 2 weeks now and I’m missing the life on the road. It feels like the road is where I belong. On June 15th, 2013 I will be taking on the Pan American Highway, the world’s … Continue reading » […]
