About Crow Wing County, MN

Today for the first time since 9-11, you can go to the top of the Statue of Liberty. "On that fateful day in 2001, she held her head high as she witnessed with her own eyes the horrors that took place just across from her watery home. Symbolism and sentimentality can be infinitely applid to her place in it all." I have never been up in the Statue but hope to at some point. There are lots of others who want to enjoy the "view from the crown" and tickets are sold out until November. Carefully planned down to the smallest detail- the statue looks out on the ocean and on to France.

Located on a 12 acre island, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4,1996.

The seven sharp spikes on her crown represent the seven continents and seas. Her torch is a symbol of enlightenment.

Security improvements include additional rangers stationed throughout the statue itself, new handrails and a trained medical technician on site.

Already a symbol of hope and strength, many visitors see the re-opening of the crown as a symbol of America's resiliency.

"I think it had to happen. [September 11] was a terrible tragedy, but getting this reopened shows our experience and rejuvenation," said tourist Steve Sardinia, Jr., who was visiting from Long Island. "I think it shows the ability of America to come back."

photo:FLICKR

• When shipped from France to New York, she came in 350 pieces.
• Once delivered, it took four months to put her together, and was completed on October 28, 1886.

Facts from the Fact Monster

The statue was designed by Fredéric Auguste Bartholdi of Alsace as a gift to the United States from the people of France to memorialize the alliance of the two countries in the American Revolution and their abiding friendship. The French people contributed the $250,000 cost.

The 150-foot pedestal was designed by Richard M. Hunt and built by Gen. Charles P. Stone, both Americans. It contains steel underpinnings designed by Alexander Eiffel of France to support the statue. The $270,000 cost was borne by popular subscription in this country. President Grover Cleveland accepted the statue for the United States on Oct. 28, 1886.

The Statue of Liberty was designated a National Monument in 1924 and a World Heritage Site in 1984.

Have a great 4th of July enjoying the liberty that so many sacrificed for and others are continuing that sacrifice.

I will be saluting the flag and cheering on the military marching in my hometown.

Brainerd,MN ~Minnesota's Fourth of July Capital

Despite the economy, the 4th of July Celebration and the jaw dropping fireworks display will continue, at least for this year. This is mainly due to the efforts of some dedicated volunteers and Nancy Cross , Drector of Brainerd Community Action. There will be 100 parade units down only 20 from last year. The weather is predicted to be sunny with temperatures around 77 degrees and a small chance of rain.

The festivites on the Fourth will start with the Annual Brainerd Jaycees Corn Feed on the Adamson Ball Field at noon. If you like sweet corn roasted in the husks and dipped in butter, you will love this. A little sprinkle of salt and pepper and plenty of napkins will do. The American Celebration parade will start at 4 PM and the musical entertainmetn brgins at 6 PM. Be to see Elvis live on stage with the Blues Brothers Revue. The year's Battle of the Bands winner will perform and the night has only just begun. A fly over is traditionally held at 8 PM and music contiues until the fireworks at 10:15. If you have not witnessed the musically choreographed presentation of oooohs and aahhhhs- you are really depriving yourself and your family of a specatular event.

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Brainerd Lakes REALTOR/Staging Specialist

licensed in MN

Complimentary staging consultations for all my signed listings

Complimentary virtual tours with wide angle lens and edited phtotos

~ Not your ordinary REALTOR, producing extra ordianary results~

Homes are selling but they are not selling for as high a price nor are they selling as quickly. Does that sound familiar in your area?

As a REALTOR/Staging Specialist home stager with Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes, I know at least a partial solution to the problem. In order for your home to sell better and faster than those of the competitions', it needs to be properly presented and be priced competitively, from the start. A home that shows well both outside and inside is going to get offers. When prospective buyers make an emotional connection with the home - they want it!

I keep hearing from Realtors "home staging - we do that". Then I look at their MLS photos. Home staging is more than cleaning and decluttering (although a lot of the photos were also missing that element). Color, traffic flow, highlighting focal elements, curb appeal, up grades that pay back - are those being addressed? Do you understand what they are and how they come into play for the appeal of a home? If this is not your thing - then have your homeowners hire a stager. Even a consultation and subsequent following the plan - will make a major difference for a small investment.

Price is crucial but is not the only element. Marketing - yes by all means - and that is so much more than sticking a sign in the yard and listing with a multiple listing service.

The above listing was on the market for 4 days. It is only a 2 bedroom. 2 3/4 bath home. Not your typical 3 bedroom. 2 bath. They walked in and fell in love. It is ready to move into, clean, freshly painted, all repairs done - no problems. Every room staged and looking good!

Kathleen Lordbock

Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes

Re$ale Desing & Home Staging

licensed to sell in MN

218-829-4664

resaledesign@gmail.com

Top Brainerd Agent

Emily will be performing her talent and showing off her Miss Minnesota pageant wardrobe tonight June 11th. 2009. This will be held in the cafeteria on the South Campus of the Brainerd, Minnesota High School at 6 PM.. Also performing their Talent pieces will be two of our area's Minnesota's Outstanding Teen Contestants. They are Bailey Wachholtz and Emma Hilgart. Everyone is invited to come and ask these young women some tough questions about life, about their platforms, about anything. They will all soon be standing before a panel of judges doing the same thing and the more experience they get - the better.

We wish them well in their endeavors and want to give them a great send off into this adventure. It will be stressful, it will be fun, it will be challenging.

"Go Brainerd Lakes"

A few short weeks ago my husband went in for back surgery. It was to be rather intense as he was having fusion, had a tumor on his spine and a disc that was protruding. They were to take bone from his hip to use in the back and that was to give him some pain during the proposed 5 months of recovery. We are both self employed and his part of that is roofing. So it is no small matter to take off another 5 months(he hasn't been able to work with the pain for 5 months). The doctors have varying opinions as to whether he will even be able to roof again.

There was really no choice as to having surgery so off we went to Minneapolis. He was overdosed with narcotics during surgery and that shut his systems down. They could not wake him up and his bodily systems then stopped. He has had people from all over the world praying and after 3 days he woke up, kind of. When he would fall asleep then he would stop breathing again. It has been a long hard battle but he is making progress. There is a nasty tube running through his nose to pump out his stomach as that is where everything that they pump in by IVs seems to be staying. He has some problems with chemical balances and all that stuff but as they tell me the actual surgery went well.

You just do not know what will happen at any point in time but God is a big God and a good God. God's people responded and two Master's programs of young people went to their knees. Missionaries in Lebanon roused their underground churches and they prayed. Russians were praying in their Christian school. The women and young girls who have been rescued from slavery & prostitution who live in the home that Art helped build prayed. Teens from Art's Evergreen group and Sundy School classes prayed for their mentor's survival and then recovery. Our local Teen Challenge group started talking to the God that they just recently committed the bablance of thieir lives to. He has been involved with many groups and many lives through the years

If things progress, I may be bringing him back home in the near future - first he has to be able to eat by mouth. He can walk a short distance and it is not far to get him in to our home.

UPDATE

ART IS HOME!

HE HAS VERY LITTLE RECOLLECTION OF WHAT TOOK PLACE IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND HIS MEMORY IS STILL NOT THE BEST FROM DAY TO DAY. HE EATS BUT SAYS THAT HOW FOOD TASTES HAS CHANGED. MOST FOOD HOLDS LITTLE APPEAL TO HIM AT THIS TIME. HE HAS ALSO DEVELOPED A BETTER SENSE OF SMELL ODDLY ENOUGH AND NOW LIKES THE SMELL OF ORIENTAL LILIES. HE HAS A NICE WALKER WITH A SEAT BUT IS DOING WELL WALKING A SHORT SPAN. HE TIRES EASILY AND SLEEPS OFTEN. HE IS VERY HAPPY TO BE HOME AND SAYS HE KNOWS THAT GOD STILL HAS WORK FOR HIM TO DO HERE.

We are grateful for your prayers.

~God is Amazing~