RIVERS, RAILS & TRAILS
2003 STEVNE
July 10 - 12 WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY

ENTERTAINMENT INFORMATION

"Tina & Lena" - Singing Comedians (picture)

High energy! Musical excellence! Contagious enthusiasm! That's Tina & Lena! Why you won't be able to get the grin off your face! They'll be signin' Shania Twain's hit song "Up" and servin' Up NEW knee slappin' jokes with more of their guitar pickin', banjo strummin', hip shakin' piano playin' FUN. Whew! All that commotion while singin' songs that are a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll with a rousing patriotic medley that makes ya proud to be an American!

For a warm-up act to this wild, wacky & wonderful entertainment team, visit their website: www.tina-lena.com. These two ladies with lots of laugh lines, spout off about everything from woodstoves to websites. And just when you think you can't laugh any longer, their beautiful blend of two-part harmony brings a smile of sweet moose-ic to your ears.

Lena (Annette Hustad) has degrees in Music Therapy from Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI, and Music Education from Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN and the University of Minnesota, Morris. She taught K-12 public school music for ten years and has four daughters and two sons-in-love. Lena lives in Glenwood, MN.

Tina (Susan Edwards) taught K-12 physical education and health, K-6 music and coached after receiving her degree from the University of Minnesota, Morris. She also worked in radio and advertising for 15 years and has three daughters, one son-in-love. She now lives in Alexandria, MN.

JANET LETNES MARTIN (picture)

Janet Letnes Martin, a native of Hillsboro, ND lives in Hastings, MN with her husband Neil. She grew up in a rural setting where both her maternal and paternal grandparents - immigrants from Norway - had settled. Janet received a BA degree from Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, and furthered her studies at the University of Minnesota.

Her writing career started in 1983 with, Reiste Til Amerika, which was a family history book. She went on to co-author three bestsellers with Allen Todnem of Hastings, MN - Cream and Bread, Second Helpings of Cream and Bread, and Lutheran Church Basement Women which was nominated for a Minnesota book award in 1993. In 1994 Janet and her college friend, Suzann Nelson of Grand Rapids, MN teamed up and have since co-authored 9 books. In 1998 Janet and Suzann teamed up to perform stand-up comedy routines.

Janet is also in business with her daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Steve Green, running a mail order catalog and a Scandinavian retail stores, Scandinavian Marketplace, in Hasting, and Northfield, MN

Janet promotes the healing gifts of humor and laughter, and she is now trying to perfect her role as a non-interfering mother-in-law and grandmother.

Pastor Ron Nowland

Vikings in Istanbul This slide show explains how Turkey plays a very important role between East and West. It will show how the Vikings came down the rivers of Russia. They were called Rus for their red beards and left their name on Russia and their runic writing on Haggia Sophia church in Istanbul.

Ron Nowland graduated from Luther College and Luther Seminary. Ordained in 1958, he has served over 25 years in churches in South Dakota and Wisconsin. He also trained as a Chaplain and served 18 years in a care center. He is married and has 4 children. His wife, Frieda, owns and operates the Lutheran Bookstore in La Crosse, WI. Between them they do a dozen different programs.

He has "sort of " retired. He presently serves Bells Coulee Lutheran Church near Bangor, WI, as his "hobby" church. He is serving them as an Interim Pastor. In other words just temporarily. He has been there 16 years.

When he was confirmed as a teenager his parents gave him a used camera. Ever since he has taken pictures. He has roamed to Norway and Ireland, Madagascar and Turkey, Israel and Egypt. And lately to Auschwitz Concentration camp outside Krakow, Poland. His motto is "Have slides, will travel." Some of the slide programs are inspirational while some are educational. Some involve his ethnic background of Viking and Irish. And one program (Outhouses) is just for fun.

Once he overheard someone praising his programs. The person said, "Ron has some terrific programs. I would rather watch Ron do one of his programs than eat." After a pause the man said, "I've seen him eat."

Julia Belle Swain Steamship Cruise (picture)

Board at 9:30 AM Levee Park Cruise 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Step Back in Time. Capture the spirit of a bygone era-experience the sounds and excitement of an authentic steamboat cruise on the legendary Mississippi River! The Julia Belle Swain is one of only 5 authentic steam-powered passenger vessels still in operation on the Mississippi River system. Her steam propulsion system with vintage reciprocating engines was manufactured by the Gillett & Eaton Co of Lake City, Minnesota in 1915.
A buffet is available to you shortly after departure, offering a variety of delicious foods prepared by the Chef and his staff. Full service bar available. Relax to a background of live music from talented performers. Hear the calliope concert. Visit their web site at www.juliabelle.com.

Golf Outing Drugan's Castle Mound Golf & Supper Club

Drugan's Supper Club welcomed its first guests in 1970. The family purchased Castle Mound in 1973, then a 9-hole golf facility and expanded it to a challenging 18-hole course in 1981. Keeping with its Scandinavian heritage, the dinner menu features such specialties as Norwegian Salmon, Norsk Torsk, homemade lefse and Aquavit. Riding carts and clubs are available. Green fees are $25 and a cart is $12. Enjoy a round of golf followed by a fine meal. Visit their web site at www.drugans.com

Winona City tour (map)

Because the Mississippi brought great wealth to Winona early, its commercial and residential building are of an opulent style not common in Minnesota. Many also boast fabulous interiors and stained glass windows made by Tiffany and other famous studios. Writers have called Winona the "Stained Glass Capital of the United States." There are over 100 sites on the National Register in Historic downtown Winona. Possible tour stops may include:
Watkins Heritage Museum: Watkins memorabilia are displayed as well as the opportunity to purchase current Watkins products. The flooring in the museum is make of wooden blocks because this was the main printing plant for many years.

Polish Cultural Institute and St. Stanislaus Church: Founded in 1976 to preserve the rich Polish history of Winona, the Institute houses Kashubian artifacts, family heirlooms, religious articles, folk art and more. This museum is the former office building of one of Winona's early lumber companies.
Conway Universal Studios of Stained Glass or Cathedral Crafts: What does "mudding" have to do with stained glass windows? You'll find out during the tour of either stained glass facility. Watch artists create and manufacture stained glass windows from initial sketches, cutting glass, painting, firing in a kiln and leading the glass into a window. Or see how older stained glass windows are repaired.

Stained Glass Tour of Winona: See the beauty of Winona'a amazing stained glass - both manufactured in town and installed in churches and commercial buildings from other designers. There's the Tiffany windows at Winona National and Savings Bank, over 100 windows in the Winona County Courthouse, the faceted glass in windows of Central United Methodist Church.

Wergeland Dancers

The Sons of Norway Wergeland Dancers are a volunteer youth group, sponsored by the S/S Wergeland Lodge, La Crosse, Wisconsin. The group began in 1971 to spread Norwegian culture and provide a community service. For 32 years, the dancers have entertained throughout the Coulee Region at churches, schools, clubs, and community events. In celebration of their 20th year in 1991, they entertained at Disney World in Florida.

The group now includes youth, and adults. Performances feature authentic folk dances from various Norwegian counties, along with dances and songs from the Scandinavian countries. Long-term volunteers include Sandra Kawatski - accordionist and director - 32 years and Betty Posaas - language instructor and assistant director - close to 30 years.

RURAL TOUR FRIDAY

This tour will be a two-hour tour of the Amish farm area around Lanesboro. You will see examples of their simpler, more primitive lives. The tour will also include a stop at the Fillmore County Historical Center at Fountain, MN. This is a six building complex that includes the old school house, Pietenpol Airport hanger, old windmill and wood silo. Of special interest may be the genealogy room and a large collection of old newspapers printed in Fillmore County and an obituary index card file, which cross-references obituaries that appeared in the old newspapers and a cemetery monument index. Lunch is included.

SATURDAY TOUR

This tour will include the Peterson Museum and a visit to several of the early Norwegian Lutheran Churches. These include the two oldest Lutheran churches in Minnesota, Highland Prairie and Elstad, which will be celebrating their 150-year anniversaries in 2004. Also on the tour will be the Old Stone Church at Houston and North Prairie Church at Arendahl. Lunch will be at Highland Prairie.