Broadway shows ‘Lion King,’ ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Wicked’ set reopening dates

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Broadway hit musicals “Hamilton,” “Wicked,” and “Lion King” have announced they will be returning to the stage on Sept. 14. The news was announced on Tuesday during Good Morning America by cast members Alexandra Billings, who plays Madame Morrible in “Wicked,” Krystal Joy Brown, who plays Eliza in “Hamilton,” and L. Steven Taylor, who plays Mufasa in “The Lion King.”

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that beginning later this month, capacity restrictions will be lifted. Broadway theatres had closed on Mar. 12, 2020, and have been shutdown for well over a year.

Broadway shows set reopening dates

Via rss.cnn.com
 

Editorial credit: H.J. Herrera / Shutterstock.com

Demi Lovato to host UFO Investigation series ‘Unidentified’ on Peacock

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Demi Lovato will investigate UFO reports in a new four-part limited series on Peacock titled Unidentified With Demi Lovato. Lovato will star in the unscripted series with her best friend Matthew Scott Montgomery, and her sister, Dallas.  According to a statement, the three will “investigate recent eyewitness encounters, uncover secret government reports, and conduct tests at known UFO hot spots” as they attempt to uncover the truth about the out-of-this-world phenomena.

Lovato shared the new on social media: “SURPRISEEEEE!!! I’m hitting the road for an out-of-this-world adventure for my new show Unidentified & I’m taking you guys along for the ride. Coming soon to @peacockTV!! I can’t wait to share more”

Unidentified With Demi Lovato is executive produced by Lovato, Scooter Braun, Scott Manson, Allison Kaye, JD Roth, Adam Greener, Sara Hansemann and Andrew Nick.

Demi Lovato To Host UFO Series On Peacock With Matthew Scott Montgomery & Dallas Lovato

Via www.justjaredjr.com
 

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

FORMER UMC HOCKEY PLAYER BROCK ANUNDSON NAME ALASKA NANOOKS A.D.

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Former University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Hockey player and graduate, Brock Anundson has been named the new Athletic Director for the Alaska Nanooks. 

Anundson is a 2005 graduate of UMC and most recently was Assistant Athletic Director at Black Hills State University.  The following is a press release from the Alaska Nanooks.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Dan White has named Brock Anundson to serve as the next director of athletics for the Alaska Nanooks.

Anundson was selected from a pool of four finalists after a national search led by Athletics Staffing and Consultants. He will start his new position on July 12.

“I want to thank the search committee for their efforts and the staff, faculty, students and community members who provided feedback on each of the candidates throughout the hiring process. I heard from many in the UAF and Fairbanks communities that Brock was the right leader for UAF’s athletics moving forward,” White said. “Brock has the experience and vision to lead our programs and to reignite the passion in the Fairbanks and UAF communities for your Alaska Nanooks.”

Anundson currently is the assistant director of athletics for internal operations and events at Black Hills State University in South Dakota, where he is responsible for overseeing administrative operations and multiple athletic facilities on the campus. He previously served as the program coordinator for the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and worked for four seasons in stadium operations for the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium.

Anundson is a former hockey student-athlete, playing four seasons with the University of Minnesota Crookston, where he still holds the record for career scoring. He signed with the Colorado Eagles of the ECHL for the 2005-2006 season before beginning his professional career in athletics administration. He has a bachelor’s degree in sport and recreation management from the University of Minnesota, an MBA from the University of Colorado, and a doctorate in education leadership and innovation from Arizona State University.

Anundson said that UAF and Fairbanks are a great fit for him and his family.

“I want to thank Chancellor White, the head of the search committee, coaches, administrators, donors, the Fairbanks community and, of course, the student-athletes for the opportunity,” he said. “I am incredibly excited and honored to join the University of Alaska Fairbanks family and humbled to serve as the next director of athletics. Nanook athletics has a rich history and tradition and I look forward to the success that lies ahead.”

UAF is an NCAA Division II institution that sponsors 10 varsity sports. Men’s and women’s cross-country running, men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball all compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Men’s ice hockey is the only Division I sport. Women’s swimming, men’s and women’s skiing, and coed rifle all compete at a multidivisional level through the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference, the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association, and the Patriot Rifle Conference, respectively.

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DRAFTS ADDING TO OUTDOOR PATIO SETUP

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Drafts Sports Bar and Grill is updating its outdoor patio setup with a new roof and wind protection, said owner Brent Melsa. “We are enhancing our outdoor seating. We are putting a roof over the west side closest to the arena. We are enclosing the roof and then putting windscreens up with some fencing toward the back to block the wind and get out of the sun in the summertime. We did qualify for the restaurant revitalization fund, so we’re using some of that money to upgrade our outdoor seating. So, people that are still a little leery about coming inside and easting, we’ll have some nice outdoor seating for people that would rather sit outside and eat.”

The enhanced seating results from both the success of last year’s outdoor seating and remaining COVID-19 concerns. “We had a decent area outside last summer that was utilized quite a bit,” said Melsa. “After talking with a lot of people, some of them still feel a little uncomfortable coming inside. We decided since that was one thing we could use those funds for, it would be nice to have a nice outdoor seating environment for people to enjoy the weather and stay outside to eat and drink. And not have to worry so much about COVID and being indoors.”

Melsa said the new outdoor patio should be ready for guests in a couple of weeks.

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BENEDICTINE LIVING COMMUNITY CROOKSTON FEATURED TENANT IS MARIE HEINITZ

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Article submitted by Benedictine Living Community-Crookston with the assistance of Marie’s daughter Jan Aamoth.  During the month of May, The SUMMIT AL is highlighting tenants who have children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren who work at Benedictine.

Marie grew up in a small town in southwestern Minnesota called Mt. Lake on a farm and went to country school.  Marie’s lifelong love of coffee began at age 5 thanks to the family rule that you had to “milk cows to enjoy coffee”.  Needless to say, Marie started milking very early on.  

After 8th-grade country school many kids during the era were done with formal education.  Marie’s father didn’t want her to go to the 4-5 miles to town to high school thinking it was a waste of time.  But Marie looked at it differently.  She either walked or rode a horse to make the daily journey. In her last two years of school they started a bus service so it was much easier.

Marie worked at a creamery in high school that served ice cream.  Marie recalls the best part of that job was a free daily dish of the treat.

Marie married shortly after high school, the “most handsome boy from her church, Jack Heinitz”.  They started a family shortly after and had 2 boys and 2 girls.  Marie was a mom and housewife while her kids were growing up.  She started her work life when her youngest daughter Jan (Aamoth) was in 1st grade.  Marie loved working with numbers and was a bookkeeper first for the telephone company and later for a manufacturing company.  Marie truly enjoyed having a career.

Marie is a devoted Mom and Grandma. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.  She has a selfless love that shines to all her family, friends, and even strangers.  Healthy living is a priority for Marie.  She is an exerciser and walked 2-3 miles a day until she was 90.  One of her favorite SUMMIT activities is the exercise class.

The most important thing in Marie’s life has been her relationship with Jesus. Daughter Jan stated, “My mom has been a faithful servant and student to her Savior.  She taught Sunday School and Adult Bible classes. She took the training of the Bethel Series of Bible Study and devoted hundreds of hours of study and teaching of the Bible to others. She has always been an inspiration, we are so very proud of her!”  

Marie has found the Summit to be a place of friendship with many tenants and staff.  Jan noted, “She is particularly lucky to be with her granddaughter who is the SUMMIT Housing Manager, Cassie (Rudie).  One can often find Marie with her friends in the lounge area just in view of Cassie working at her desk.” Jan assists in the Activity Department and great-granddaughter Mackenzie was a summer student volunteer.  Marie is very well known for her beautiful smile and concern for others, “I have had life quite good” she assuredly stated as she made her way with friends to the café.

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MNDOT’S JOE MCKINNON RETIRES AFTER 31 YEARS OF PUBLIC SSERVICE

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Joe McKinnon, Project Manager, plans to retire from the Minnesota Department of Transportation on June 8, 2021, after 31 years of state service.

In 1984, McKinnon began his career as a Project Engineer for Polk County. He has spent almost all his career at MnDOT Bemidji headquarters. Throughout his career, he has worked in the areas of traffic, design, land management, planning, and project management.

“In my 31 years at MnDOT, I have had the opportunity to be involved with a project in almost every city in Northwestern Minnesota. I was involved in the design of large reconstruction projects of state highways in Crookston, Thief River Falls, Park Rapids and Bemidji,” said McKinnon.

McKinnon also helped manage the development of replacing the Baudette/Rainy River International Bridge on Hwy 72 in the City of Baudette, Minn. and Hwy 11 in the Town of Rainy River, Ontario. This project was a collaboration between MnDOT and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

“Over the years at MnDOT, there have been many changes I have encountered. Most notably, projects have developed with more input from local governments and the public. MnDOT has also increased emphasis in designing projects for safety and increased accommodations for pedestrians with disabilities,” added McKinnon.

He will enjoy his retirement by spending more time traveling, biking, hiking, and skiing with his wife and family.

District 2 comprises over 1,800 miles of state highways across 14 counties and employs approximately 270 people to handle snow and ice control, roadway construction, traffic, land acquisition, business operations, planning, design and other transportation-related duties.

District 2 is grateful to have had the leadership, mentorship and friendship of Joe McKinnon. MnDOT wishes him well in his retirement. You can learn more about MnDOT District 2, at www.mndot.gov/d2.

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DRIVER HITS GAS INSTEAD OF BRAKES STRIKING BUILDING IN GRAND FORKS

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On Tuesday, May 11 at approximately 2:25 p.m., officers of the Grand Forks Police Department responded to a one-vehicle accident that had struck the building at 1719 South Washington St. Upon arrival, it was determined the 2013 Honda Santa Fe Sport had hit the exterior wall and partially entered the building causing significant damage to the West wall of the business.

The driver was identified as 72-year-old Grand Forks resident Gerald Frohlich, who mistakenly accelerated instead of braking which caused the vehicle to hit the building.  No injuries were reported in either the building or vehicle. 

Frohlich was cited for failure to have the vehicle under control. The Grand Forks Police Department was assisted Grand Forks Fire Department and Altru paramedics.  If anyone has any additional information in relation to this incident, please call the Police Department at (701) 787-8000.

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Koda Anton Hegreberg- Obit

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The exciting moments of pregnancy turned to sorrow for Amanda Marquardt and Kodey Hegreberg of Perley, MN, on Friday, May 7, 2021, with the death of their precious baby boy, Koda Anton Hegreberg.

Funeral: 1:00 PM, Monday, May 17, 2021, at Halstad Lutheran Church, Halstad, MN, following all of the Minnesota and CDC COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. All must wear a mask to attend.

Visitation: A walk-through visitation will take place two hours before the funeral at the church.

Interment: East Marsh River Lutheran Cemetery, rural Halstad, MN.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.fredriksonfh.com

Arrangements with Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes
Ada & Halstad, Minnesota

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TRAVIS OWEN STEPS DOWN AS GOLDEN EAGLES SOFTBALL COACH

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The University of Minnesota Crookston has announced Head Softball Coach Travis Owen has stepped down from his position to pursue other career opportunities. The change is effective at the end of Owen’s contract.

This past season, the Golden Eagles finished 10-32 on the season and 6-22 in the NSIC.

In his three years at the helm of the Golden Eagles, Owen amassed 29 wins and in his first season in 2019, his Golden Eagles set the school record for most wins in a season with 13 victories. In 2019, the Golden Eagles also set the school record for most non-conference wins with 11.

Owen also helped develop two of the best pitchers in program history in Paige Pitlick and Katie Humhej. In two seasons under Owen, Pitlick struck out 161 hitters, including 61 in just 43.2 innings of work in 2020. In 2020, Pitlick had an ERA of 2.24, which is a school record in a season. Humhej, a transfer from LIU-Post for the 2021 season finished her career with a 6-14 record and a 3.13 ERA, and a school-record 131 strikeouts this season.

“We appreciate the job Coach Owen has done over the past three seasons,” Director of Athletics Stephanie Helgeson said. “He chose to pursue different opportunities at this time and we respect his decision. We will begin a search at the end of Coach Owen’s contract for the next head coach of the softball program.”

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Ferne E. Thorson- Obit

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Ferne E. Thorson, 94, West Fargo, ND, formerly of Ada, MN, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021, at Sheyenne Crossing Care Center in West Fargo.

Funeral: 11:00 AM, Friday, May 14, 2021, at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN, following all of the Minnesota and CDC COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. All must wear a mask to attend.

Visitation: Two hours before the funeral at the church.

Interment: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.fredriksonfh.com
Arrangements with Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes
Ada & Halstad, Minnesota

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