From readers

HELP APPRECIATED

Rave: Dave Eimermann of Prior Lake writes: “I’ve been going via bus to Village Market each Wednesday from Prior Manor. I’d like to say a big ‘thanks’ to the staff, mainly the carry-out gentlemen. They know our names, are very polite and make sure all bags are on the bus. I think they go out of their way for the seniors here every Wednesday. I wonder if anyone else has recognized their work. We are very thankful for this service.”

WELCOME, NEIGHBORS

Rave: A reader writes: “My family and I moved to Prior Lake from Michigan during a snow storm this past December. My first hint that this is a special place with special people was when our next-door neighbor plowed out the driveway so the moving van could deliver our stuff. And the great experience continues. Our neighbors on Stonegate Drive have been helpful and have provided numerous hints and tips to the area. The people who work at the local stores and libraries and public utilities have been friendly. And to top it all off, it looks like spring really has sprung. Thanks, everyone, for making us feel welcome.”

ARTS RECOGNITION

Rave: A reader contributes: “Over the past few months, I have seen articles on the PLHS speech team.  I am thrilled to see this group of kids getting the recognition they deserve. As a former speech team member in high school and college, I think it’s very encouraging to these kids to see their names in the paper for their achievements. In a sports-filled world where athletes get a couple of pages in the paper every week, it’s fabulous to see that academic activities are getting the acknowledgment they deserve.”

From staff

SEXY WATER?

Rant: We’ve all heard the slogan “sex sells,” but I was surprised to see the marketing strategy applied to water. Since I was coming down with a cold, I grabbed a couple of bottles of Vitaminwater at the store to stay hydrated. I noted the acai-blueberry-pomegranate mix sounds like a healthy combo, and some extra vitamins couldn’t hurt, I figured. Then, I noticed it said “XXX” in the print above the “triple antioxidant” note. The advertising copy reads like a singles ad: “Single serve, big bottled, nutrient-enhanced water seeks companion for healthy hydration. Must have a great sense of humor, a thirst for life and a love for all things XXX…” Gee, I didn’t know wanting to stay hydrated was sexy, or x-rated. Whatever. – Joanna Miller

SUMMER DREAMS

Rave: Ah, those summer nights. The Guthrie staging of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” looks to be a nine-week run of brilliant costuming and a glimpse into love and a dream fairyland. New and different interpretations and set design add life to this Shakespeare classic, and Shakespeare himself apologizes if you don’t take to the interweaving plot of lovers missing the mark: “If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumbered here, While these visions did appear.” – Joanna Miller

TWIN TURNAROUND

Rave: Hats off to the Minnesota Twins. After losing Johan Santana and Torii Hunter in the off season, who would’ve thought the boys of spring would be in first place? All the Twins do is win close games. I don’t know that they can keep this up all year long, but it will be fun to watch them try. Go Twins. – Shawn Hogendorf

SINGING PRAISE

Rave: Last weekend, I stopped at the Prior Lake High School choir concert to shoot some photos for the paper. My initial plan was to get in, take a couple pictures and be on my way. That didn’t happen. I found the choir concert so entertaining that I stayed and watched the entire event. I have to give it to the performing arts at the high school. Every event I have been to in the last two years (and it’s been a quite a few) has entertained me and made me want to come back for more. When I was in high school, I remember our choir concerts as an event where we stood on risers and sung our songs. To be honest it wasn’t all that exciting. That’s not the case with the Prior Lake High School choir. These kids sang and danced with so many costume changes I couldn’t keep up. I would just like to give a big old rave to the members of the choir and their directors, Thomas Hassig and Josh Shank, for all the great work they do. Go check them out some time. – Shawn Hogendorf  

Do you have a rant or a rave? Send us your musings:

E-mail: rantsandraves@swpub.com

Address: Prior Lake American, Attn: Rants and Raves, P.O. Box 538, Prior Lake, MN, 55372

Guidelines: Reader rants and raves must be no more than 100 words. The deadline is noon each Wednesday.

Rants and raves that are potentially libelous will not be printed or will be edited.

Submissions will not be refused because staff disagrees with their content. Anonymous submissions are acceptable; however, including a contact name and/or phone number is helpful for staff, who may have questions about the submission.

Rants and raves may be edited as space requires. All publication decisions will be made by the editor.