(He's actually a very nice neighbor)

Alex Rolfsrud graduates at the U . . .

Alexander Reed Rolfsrud, the youngest son of Virgil and Rebecca Rolfsrud, graduated this weekend at the University of Minnesota. Really, he did.
That's because his high school class at Eden Prairie is so large, it takes the Northrop Auditorium on the U campus to accommodate it.
These photos were taken on the mall just after the event, and painstakingly supplied by Becky. One photo was taken inside the auditorium, from what appears to be way up in the balcony, at the precise moment the man of the hour strode across the stage to accept his diploma on behalf of his Mother and Dad and all the other little people who made this singular achievement possible.
The shot from the balcony (no, this isn't Ford's theater) prompted one family wise-ass to comment: "Geez, Virg, why couldn't you spring for some better seats?"

We're proud of Alex. He's a good kid with great potential and a winning attitude. He'll succeed wherever he goes -- his first stop is Minnesota University in Mankato, where his aunt and uncle can enjoy that success from a close vantage point.
His summer will be spent at Best Buy, working his Geek-Messiah act with confused computer owners.
Best of luck from Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Stan.

A graduation party on Lake Minnetonka

Our friends, Carol and Gary Lussier, gave a party this afternoon for their son, Gary, a graduate of Breck high school in Minneapolis.
Stan and Kathleen enjoyed a fine afternoon with friends, sampled a delicious buffet and teamed up for this photo essay.

Linda and Shana photograph Obama rally

Stan's dear sister Linda advised him many years ago that whenever you are taking a picture, you should always have somebody that you know placed somewhere in it. It adds tons of interest.

Stan had just returned from a North Dakota trip with a roll of tiny black and white pictures showing the barren landscapes and little else. She was not at all impressed by this effort, and, as big sisters do, said so.

This week Linda attended a huge historic occasion, the Obama rally in St. Paul with her daughter, Shana. Photos were taken. Some are posted on the Erik, Shana, Anja blog linked at left. A quick scan of these photos shows pictures of the candidate (we've seen him before) and the huge, impressive crowd. There are no pictures, however, of Stan's sister and Stan's niece taking in this important event.

So now a word of advice from a little brother . . .

Old Harvard Yard scene of Briggs Siitari graduation

By Stephen P. Rolfsrud

Special correspondent

Briggs Rolfsrud Siitari graduated from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. today.

In September 2007, Briggs began her master's degree program at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA.

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Today, June 5, 2008, Steve and Nancy Rolfsrud and Briggs' husband, Bill, celebrated her graduation at the Old Harvard Yard.

During the traditional proceedings, Nancy made friends with the people who were seated adjacent to her, from Leeds, England, as well as the people in front, who were from from Vienna, Austria.

(Editor's note: Steve did not report the name of the gentleman under the umbrella, but we have confirmed that it is not Ben Stein, who wasn't in Boston today, and is pictured at right.)

Briggs and her friends (above) --some of whom were actually from the United States--had a great time celebrating her graduation.

And her Mom and Dad were there along with her husband, Bill Siitari, (photo, right) to make sure that it was a REAL degree in that binder, and not just some blank sheet of paper.

Says Dad, "We are happy to confirm that after all of the hoopla that she now actually owns a masters degree from Harvard University, making the trip out here all worthwhile. Now it's off to Grendel's Den for a celebratory dinner. Hopefully, Briggs will buy."

(Trailboss says: May we add our congratulations to Stan's niece! Thanks for the special report to the family blog, Steve. Nice work, but submitting expense vouchers might be pushing it.)

Beverly Brown Rolfsrud and family

This gorgeous photo of the Brown family arrived today, sent by Stan's cousin, Faith Brown Cole. It is a picture of Stan's mother, Beverly Brown Rolfsrud, with her parents and siblings. Here's Faith's note:

Dear Stan:As I was going through Dad's suitcase of pictures, I found this photo taken in May 1958 at Grandpa and Grandma Brown's 50th Wedding Anniversary. I think it was the final picture of the family together in one place.

Your cousin,
Faith Brown Cole
(She's Richard's daughter)

Dorothy Chase, Kaye Eichenberger, Paul and Jesse Brown, Beverly Rolfsrud.
Back row, Bayard, Richard and Ralph Brown.

Kaye would be in her late 20s. Mom, late 30s; we think the men are in their late 40s. Help.

(If there are any errors in my memory, please let me know immediately at trailboss@swpub.com)

ABC for Emily

Emily was here for the day. It was cold and rainy all morning, a perfect day to curl up with a good book. This afternoon, the sun came out, she napped, and we made this video. Music by Beethoven. Two minutes. Hope you like it.

Linda sees Obama from Xcel suite

Linda Rolfsrud Letnes viewed the Barack Obama nomination event from a private suite last night in the St. Paul Excel Center. The event drew 17,000 cheering Democrats inside and almost that many outside, watching on a jumbotron.
Though she's a faithful loyalist, Linda drew the honored spot through connections made by her daughter's father-in-law, Paul.
Here's her report:
"This is our moment. . .
". . .We hustled to find the end of the line for 15 plus blocks one way and then rewalked them to get in the Xcel. It was a comfortable night outside, so standing out there for three hours was just fine. The people in line were excited and civil. After an hour in line, we got a call from Marilyn. (Shana's mother-in-law) Paul had reserved two seats for us in a lovely suite so we knew we would have no trouble finding seats once we got in. Smooth as butter. We were there just in time to see the Obamas enter the center. And the rest we watched on tv in the suite. Check Shana's blog in the next day or so, she'll probably put a few pictures up."
(Shana's blog, linked below)

Alexander Rolfsrud to graduate June 6

Stan's nephew and Godson, Alexander Reed Rolfsrud, will be graduating from Eden Prairie High School this month. His parents are Virgil and Becky Rolfsrud.

Alex is presently employed at Best Buy in Eden Prairie, reporting there in the classic white shirt and skinny tie Geek uniform, answering questions and helping people with their computers. ("Did you try plugging it in yet?")

He carries a badge.

This fall Alex plans on attending the Minnesota State University in Mankato to study Computer Engineering.

Eden Prairie commencement is on June 6. Send your congratulations to ARRolfsrud@gmail.com or snailmail them to The GEEK, at 13200 Cardinal Creek Rd. Eden Prairie, MN 55346.

Alex is an active young man. Once a kindergarten regional wrestling champ (see photo) he enjoyed baseball, skateboarding, bowling and snowboarding.

Now he tools about in a 1990 Cadillac, purchased with his earnings as a geek at Best Buy. His siblings are Cherice and Aaron Rolfsrud.

Congratulations Alex!