Musician's Diverse Past Brings Eclectic Mix to Lake Scene by Deborah Wolfe

Listening to Lenny Mink's music is akin to packing one's bags and hitting the open road for destinations unknown. Much like the diverse landscapes of his youth, Mink's music takes the listeners through an eclectic mix of genres that defy definition.

With a freedom of style seldom seen in commercial music artists, Mink travels seamlessly between classic rock and roll, blues, jazz, gypsy folk and honky tonk. One wonders how a single musician came to express himself in such a wide range of genres. But a glimpse into Mink's childhood solves the puzzle and leaves the listener longing for more.

The only child of Russian immigrants, his parents packed their belongings and set out to live as refugees in Germany when Mink was only 3 years old. They later followed family members to Israel where they lived for another year and a half before traveling to the United States.

His admiration for his parents' dauntless determination is evident as he recalls transient childhood memories. Taking the chance at a new life in foreign places where they could not speak the language was well worth the opportunity to flourish as artisans and individuals.

Mink vividly remembers sleeping on a mattress on the floor of their one-room apartment in Germany.

"My parents are brave people, they are very courageous," Mink said. "It is part of the culture of being immigrants to roll with the punches. I'm sure that has played a role in my music and the choices I've made in my life."

(Read the full version at http://www.thelaketoday.com/articles/2009/09/30/profile/092profile20mink09.txt)

LOCAL WOMAN TAKES LEAP OF FAITH TO FULFILL HER DREAMS By Deborah Wolfe

Lori Pace's petite frame and gentle demeanor belie a lifetime of struggle and disappointment and a childhood spent as a victim of abuse. Originally from Mississippi, Pace's southern dialect pours over her speech like syrup on pancakes, making her sweet disposition all the more irresistible.

“I grew up in a tiny little town in Mississippi,” Pace said with a shy smile. “You blink your eyes when you're driving through and you'll miss it.”

It is equally hard to believe that this wisp of a woman spent much of her adult life doing the work of big, brawny men. She has worked in the oil fields as a swabber and as a commercial truck driver.

(Read the full version at www.thelaketoday.com)

Lake musician grabs rave reviews for photography by Deborah Wolfe

Published: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:09 PM CDT

Each year, thousands of people visit the Lake for a colorful palette of beautiful landscape, entertaining activities and interesting characters.

Just as the Ozark landscape boasts layer upon layer of stunning hues and textures, when we pull back the layers of a person's life, we find a montage of attributes and accomplishments revealing a depth of character that may have previously gone unnoticed. One local entertainer, best known for his wide-ranging music career and on-stage antics, has a breadth of life experience some would never imagine.

With a decade of performing as the house band for the Horny Toad, Donny Larsen has become a favorite to Lake Area audiences. But his music career spans more than 40 years and includes numerous chart-topping hits and performances alongside industry icons such Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson and Glenn Frye.

Larsen has opened for close to 50 national music acts including Starship, Head East and Brett Michaels. As current entertainment director at the Horny Toad, Larsen takes responsibility for choosing and scheduling the dozens of bands that take the stage at Toad Cove each season.

“One of the reasons I do have a great following is because the Horny Toad is such a great venue,” Larsen stressed. “Merlyn told me I'm like family, and he has backed it up by treating me like family.”

Still, Larsen's favorite task is interacting with and performing for the dedicated fans who become part of his show every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the Toad.

“Merlyn has allowed me to be myself and to keep my individuality,” Larsen said. “That wouldn't happen anywhere else, especially on that grand a scale.”

Larsen's road to the Lake began when he first encountered his one true love while touring the Caribbean with his band. That is when he met a reluctant Lisa Costello and began a single-minded campaign to convince her to take a chance on a first date.

The final push came when Lisa got word Larsen had written a song for her and performed it in concert. At the urging of her friends, she finally caved.

“I chased her all over St. Croix,” Larsen lovingly recalled. “Every week, I would send flowers asking her out. It took nine months, but she finally gave in.”

A San Francisco native, Larsen followed his passion for his future wife to the Lake in 1998; the couple was married on Jan. 24 of that year.

The lifetime entertainer soon found a home among the local music scene.

“I arrived three days before the fall harbor hop and was asked to play a gig at Bayou Bill's,” Larsen said. “From the moment I got here, musicians like Dale Blue and Don and Susie Akers embraced me and supported my efforts as an entertainer.”

Thus began Larsen's career as a Lake Area crowd pleaser. But a hobby he had enjoyed since his youth lay simmering beneath the surface and a recent job change for his wife placed the focus on another side of his artistic talent.

(Read the full version at: http://thelaketoday.com/articles/2009/09/16/profile/106profile01ravereviews09.txt)

COUPLE WORKS TO CLAIM VETERANS' REMAINS By Deborah Wolfe

Couple Works to Claim Veterans’ Remains

By Deborah Wolfe

The Lake Today

 

Published: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 11:19 AM CDT

On a frigid day in January 2008, the mournful cry of bagpipes carried the comforting melody of “Amazing Grace” across the crisp, winter air. Aside from the corps of bagpipers, an array of dignitaries, military veterans and compassionate citizens stood by as a color guard raised their firearms in a 21 gun salute to six of our nation's deceased warriors.

 

The ceremony and fanfare honoring our fallen heroes was not held on behalf of fresh-faced young soldiers, sacrificed to any current conflict. Instead, the remains of these soldiers had languished for decades among the dusty storage shelves of a Missouri funeral home.

 

Major Gen. King E. Sidwell could barely restrain his emotion as he addressed those gathered to pay tribute.

 

“We have an opportunity today to honor six souls who cried out,” Sidwell said, “and I want to express my personal gratitude.”

 

Much of this gratitude is due to a group of dedicated individuals who strived to rectify a wrong that has taken place over the course of more than a century. Redding, Calif., veteran Frank Salanti founded the Missing in America Project (MIAP) in 2005 in an effort to retrieve, identify and properly inter the unclaimed remains of military veterans.

 

Find the full article at: http://thelaketoday.com/articles/2009/09/11/profile/113profile01couple09.txt