Archive - Aug 14, 2008

Philip Wagner, of International Falls, Minn., died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, at Falls Good Samaritan Center. He was 82 years of age.
Born May 26, 1926, in International Falls to Frank P. and Anna (Ginter) Wagner, Philip was a lifelong resident of the Falls.
He proudly served in the United States Navy on the USS Barnwell during World War II from 1944 to 1946.
He was the manager of the Northern Auto Parts Store and later the Genuine Auto Parts Store.
He was united in marriage to the former Marian Davine Jorgenson Oct. 12, 1949, at St. Thomas Catholic Church.

LeRoy “Patrick” O’Neil, age 78, of Side Lake and formerly of Johannesburg, South Africa, Hibbing and Duluth, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at Solvay Hospice House, Duluth.
He was born Sept. 19, 1929, in Lake City, Minn., the son of LeRoy A. and Helen (Klinnert) O’Neil.
He attended high school in Lake City and Duluth and graduated from Duluth Cathedral Sacred Heart.
On Aug. 7, 1954, he married Rosemary Sullivan at St. Thomas Church in International Falls, Minn.

Local country musician Pat Porter says he feels lucky, and that “life is good, real good.”
Still, the veteran musician favors sad, lonesome country songs.
And he agrees with his favorite country artist, George Strait, when the star sings “Murder on Music Row,” a ballad about how the old authentic country music has become watered down and stripped of its character to make it more palatable to pop culture ...
“For the steel guitars no longer cry
And the fiddles barely play
But drums and rock 'n' roll guitars
Are mixed up in your face
Ol' Hank wouldn’t have a chance

The love of music ties musicians to Ranier

It has been said that when music calls, the heart replies.
For 30 years, the hearts of string musicians from far and wide have been tied to Rainy Lake, and to the music they create there as part of an international orchestra.
And in this 100th year of Ranier’s founding, the players say they are proud to be a part of its history.

Sister of local brothers Pat and Tom Porter, Evelyn Porter Torblaa writes about their childhood

It took some courage for Evelyn Porter Torblaa to write this account of her Borderland childhood entitled “Echoes of Home.”
In the book’s introduction, she writes: You will laugh, weep, feel sorry and even pity a character. You may also experience rage or compassion. As you relate to my stories, your memories will surface, the good and the bad...”

Thumbs down to dog owners
Thumbs down to dog owners who leave their dogs out overnight to bark. At 2 a.m., a bark carries quite a ways in the cool night air.

Thumbs up to Boise tours
Thumbs up to Boise offering tours of the mill.

Thumbs up to volleyball team

Kelly Lucca and Thomas Barg announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage.

Kelly is the daughter of Steve and Kim Lucca, International Falls, and Thomas is the son of Judy Montgomery, the Falls, and Andy Barg, Littlefork.

A 2 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008, wedding is planned at Nelson’s Landing, Birchdale.

The couple will make their home in the Falls.

The summer 2008 Borderland Reads discussion will occur Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. Copies of Cracker: the best dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata are still available for checkout. Join us for a discussion of this terrific story. Discussion is open to anyone and refreshments will be provided.
Summer may be wrapping up for students but that means reading faster to get in plenty of great books before heading back to school. Here are a few late summer titles to keep your child reading.

10 YEARS AGO
City Drug proudly welcomes Tara Braaten, registered pharmacist.
Avon representatives Becky Roeder and Sharie House were recently recognized for top sales achievement.

25 YEARS AGO
The home of Mrs. Alvin B. Glennie, Sunset Cove, was the setting for an Aug. 6 afternoon bridal shower in honor of Robyn Christensen.
After 12 years as pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, Harold Schumacher will be trading his church office for a business office and a new career in investment counseling in the Falls.

40 YEARS AGO

Business network
The Women’s Business Network meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at Thunderbird Lodge is canceled.

Video presentation
Becky and Robin Monaham will feature a video presentation of their canoe trip into Canada at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Refreshments will be served.

Park presentation