Former First Lutheran Church pastor's work published in series of books

Book signing for "Shining through the Darkness: Sermons for the Winter Season" by Michael D. Wuchter

Book signing by the late author's wife, Shirley Dryer Wuchter at
Northern Lights Books and Gifts
Saturday, Dec. 1 from 1-2 p.m.
307 Canal Park Drive,
Duluth, MN 55802

From the website: CSS Publishing Company :

With their recurrent themes of "waiting" and "traveling on a journey," these 12 imaginative messages are especially appropriate for the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons -- yet their ecumenically oriented expressions of Christian faith, hope, and love also make them relevant for any time of the year. Wuchter's keen eye for the telling detail and his ability to connect scripture with familiar things in our lives make Shining Through the Darkness compelling reading for anyone who wants a deeper appreciation of God's grace and the Gospel of Christ.

Michael Wuchter's sermons weave together the ancient texts of the Bible with modern insights. His careful historical research and winsome stories combine for a rich tapestry of gospel proclamation. These sermons stretching from Advent through Epiphany form a sort of mosaic for the beginning of the church year -- each story, each illustration, each wonderful tangent serving as tiles for a larger, clearer view for the one who came among us as the Word Made Flesh.
John D. Morris, Pastor
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Dublin, Ohio

Michael Wuchter was a master of the English language and an excellent, excellent preacher.
Jerry L. Schmalenberger, Former President
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

In this remarkable collection of sermons, Wuchter fully acknowledges a world rampant with violence and injustice that millions experience today. Against this backdrop of pain, he weaves with poetic creativity and sensitivity the acts of waiting, grieving, and hoping within and among personal, familial, and communal relationships. Long, cold winters are made shorter and warmer with these Christ-centered sermons in hand.
Daniel F. Martensen, Ecumenical Research Fellow
Washington (D.C.) Theological Consortium
Former Director, Dept. of Ecumenical Affairs, ELCA

Michael D. Wuchter is the author of Uplifting Christ Through Autumn (CSS). He served as the senior pastor of First Lutheran Church in Duluth, Minnesota, as university pastor at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and as the pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Hamilton Square, New Jersey.


Powered by WebRing.

Bohren Named WLSSD Successor

The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Marianne E. Bohren as Assistant Director and designated her as the successor to the position of Executive Director of the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District. Bohren will succeed Kurt N.W. Soderberg, who has announced his intent to retire in June 2008. The WLSSD Board unanimously approved the appointment at its regular Board meeting this evening.

Bohren, 44, is a native of Cloquet, MN and has been with the District since 2004 serving as Manager of Business Services and Director of Organizational Development. Bohren will assume the role of Assistant Director effective immediately.

“We are pleased that Marianne brings with her a strong balance of environmental responsibility and business experience,” said Rob Prusak, WLSSD Board Chair. “We are confident that Marianne’s diverse background, personal skills and qualifications will allow for continued strong leadership to carry out the District’s mission and will allow for transition to occur as seamlessly as possible.”

“Marianne was identified as a leader in the organization early on,” continued Prusak. “She was one of the candidates recommended through a succession plan presented to us by Mr. Soderberg earlier this year. WLSSD is committed to developing leadership from within the organization. It’s gratifying to know that this process is working well.”

Prior to joining WLSSD, Bohren served as Vice President of Marketing and Services for Potlatch Corporation in Cloquet, MN. Bohren also has extensive background in industry, previously holding positions at Potlatch as Process Engineer, Manager of Environmental Engineering, Division Manager of Business Planning, and Director of Customer Service. She also served a three-year term as a member of the WLSSD Board of Directors, representing the City of Cloquet. Bohren has a B.S. in Chemistry from University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), also from UMD, graduating with honors in 2005.

Bohren is married to her husband Scott and resides in Cloquet, MN. The couple has two daughters.

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides award-winning wastewater and solid waste services to residents, businesses and industries within its 500 square mile legislative boundaries in Southern St. Louis and northern Carlton counties, and is a nationally recognized leader in pollution prevention.





Powered by WebRing.

Turkey Bingo Tradition Continues in Lincoln Park!

The Lincoln Park Business Group’s 59th Annual Turkey Bingo and Dinner is scheduled for November 15, 2007 at the V.F.W Post 137.

Duluth, MN, November 5, 2007 – The Lincoln Park Business Group will host its 59th Annual Turkey Bingo and Dinner on Thursday, November 15, 2007. The event will begin at 5 pm with a social/networking hour which will then be followed by dinner at 6 pm. The event will take place at the V.F.W Post 137 located on 2024 West Superior Street in Lincoln Park.

The cost for each ticket is only $25.00 and includes dinner, 15 games of bingo, and an entry to win one of three great door prizes. You’ll have a chance to win 30 turkeys, 6 hams, and many other prizes playing bingo. There is limited seating available and tickets are selling fast so call Heath today at 218-727-6573 or email him at heathhickok@lpbg.org for your tickets.

Heath Hickok, executive director of the Lincoln Park Business Group, wants everyone to come and experience for themselves how much fun this event is. “There are people from all walks of life that enjoy attending the Turkey Bingo event every year,” said Hickok. “Many people bring their families and coworkers to let them experience the joy of winning a turkey or other great prizes from playing bingo,” continued Hickok.

The Lincoln Park Business Group is a non-profit organization 501 (C)3 whose mission is to assist and promote the growth of the Lincoln Park community through business and economic development. They are leading the efforts to improve Lincoln Park’s image by working with businesses, residents, and other city organizations to reduce crime, develop new business opportunities, and improve the streetscapes of the great Lincoln Park District.





Powered by WebRing.

Mn/Tips on how to handle "black ice" DOT warns motorists to watch out for black ice

DULUTH, Minn. - With below freezing temperatures just around the corner
in northeastern Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Transportation strongly urges drivers to be especially alert for a phenomenon commonly called "black ice," which can rapidly develop during extremely cold temperatures.

Black ice is almost invisible and can easily catch drivers off guard. It quickly forms in extremely cold weather when the air temperature is just slightly warmer than the pavement, which causes moisture to rapidly freeze, creating a very thin and almost transparent layer of ice on the roadway.

Black ice can form on heavily congested highways from auto exhaust emissions, tire friction and moisture vapors given off by industries located adjacent to the highway. In addition, black ice often forms on roadways in shaded areas, near lakes and rivers, in tunnels and on overpasses.

Although salt and sand can help minimize the effects of black ice,road salt loses its effectiveness at temperatures lower than 15 degrees.

According to Mn/DOT, motorists can increase their safety by observing the following tips:

1. Be aware that black ice is almost invisible. It can form on asphalt or concrete pavements.

2. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and tunnels and in the early morning when the air temperature is rising faster than the pavement temperature.

3. Use extreme care while driving on suspicious roadways. Applying pressure to your brakes while on ice can easily cause a vehicle to skid. Do not use cruise control during winter driving conditions.

4. Use an appropriate safe speed for the existing driving conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit.

5. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

6. Remember: common sense is the best rule to follow when driving in inclement conditions.
Powered by WebRing.

AIDS Memorial Quilt coming to UMD

Free and Open to the Public
Hours: December 5,6,7th Quilt is open from Noon -7pm, and Saturday December 8th 9 am - 5pm.
Contact Angie Nichols, GLBT Services Director 218-726-7300
anichols AT d.umn.edu






Powered by WebRing.

Alexis Livadaros appointed to DTA Board of Directors

Alexis Livadaros has recently been appointed to the Duluth Transit Authority Board of Directors as an “At Large” representative.

Livadaros was born in Greece and after earning a 4-year degree as a Mercantile Marine Engineer from the Piraeus Mercantile Marine Academy, spent 15 years working for Orion & Global of New York. In 1985 he permanently moved to U.S. as a resident and became a U.S. citizen in 1989.

He has been employed by the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District since 1986 and is currently a Senior Waste Water Treatment Operator at their Process Control System facility. Livadaros holds a Class A Chief Engineers License, a Class B Waste Water Treatment Operators License, and has studied business management at the College of St. Scholastica.

Livadaros is a member of AFSCME / Local 66 and member of their Executive Board. He is also a delegate to the Duluth Central Labor Body.

Livadaros is a member of the Twelve Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church and has served on its Parish Council. He is a member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association and served on the local chapter of the Sam G. Solon, Duluth #267 as a president for five consecutive years.

Livadaros and his wife Debra Ann live in East Hillside and have three children - two living and working in Duluth, and one in Milwaukee.

Livadaros says he was inspired to serve on the DTA Board in memory of his late mother, who was an avid bus rider and loved to talk about her experiences riding the DTA.






Powered by WebRing.

City’s Veterans’ Day event scheduled for Sunday, November 11

Captain John P. Dorin, USA, an Afghanistan veteran who is currently serving as Officer-in-Charge of the Duluth-based 2nd Squadron, 194th Cavalry, will serve as guest speaker for the City of Duluth’s Veterans’ Day observation on Sunday, November 11.

Captain Dorin was raised in Superior and graduated from Superior Senior High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.

Captain Dorin began his military career when he commissioned into the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1997. His assignments have taken him to Cloquet, Roseville, and Moorhead, where he earned his first assignment as a company commander.

He is an Afghanistan veteran, serving as a Company Advisor/Mentor, and won the Bronze Star. His civic affiliations include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Guard Association of Minnesota, and the National Guard Association of the United States.

Powered by WebRing.