Open Forum

We are distressed and heartbroken over the recent deaths and injuries to children left in unattended motor vehicles. These irresponsible acts by caregivers are tragic examples of how people are dealing with daily life and not setting the right priorities.

We hope the negligence such as this will remind everyone to become more aware of his or her actions while driving a car. How many times have you been driving down the road thinking, "I forgot to pick up the milk; what should I serve for dinner; what should I wear tonight?" Thinking of everything but your driving. We teach everyone not to drink and drive; we tell our children not to play with matches, "they are not a toy;" well a car is not a toy and it deserves our respect. A vehicle is a deadly weapon when not used properly. We must all start taking responsibility for our actions and remember to drive concentrating as hard as that 16-year-old who is trying to pass a driver's license test.

Our organization, Minnesotans for Safe Driving, was founded over a year ago due to the increasing number of deaths on our roadways and the need to help all victims of impaired driving. Impaired doesn't just mean driving drunk. It also means driving inattentively, aggressive driving, combing your hair behind the wheel, speeding, or even planning your agenda for the day. We are not taking driving seriously. How would you feel if you were flying to Florida for vacation and the 757 pilot of your plane was thinking about his new landscaping instead of watching all of the gauges and flying attentively? Why do you think the cockpit door is always locked and all of the pilots' conversations are recorded in the little black box? They are working and keeping their passengers safe; why aren't we doing the same thing?

Let's start acting responsibly. We insist that everyone must keep priorities straight and drive with concentration and consideration.

Sharon Gehrman-Driscoll

Director/Victim Advocate

Minnesotans for Safe Driving

St. Louis Park

Finders keepers -- Not!

There's not much time left -- our daughter is getting married Saturday. I'm appealing to you to turn in the pearl necklace you picked up in Taco John's on Tuesday.

My mom-in-law died in 1990. She left me a beautiful strand of pearls with matching pierced earrings. My son's wife had the honor of wearing the pearls for their wedding five years ago. Then, in 1999 our home was ransacked; my jewelry box was taken, as well as the string of pearls from its nest egg.

In March 2000, our home was vandalized, further destroying most all of our precious keepsakes. As we were cleaning up the mess, I picked up the unbroken bottom half of the nest egg and was thrilled to discover the thief had left behind one pearl earring stuck in the cotton batting. We had it made into the beautiful pendant for our youngest daughter to wear on her wedding day last September.

Knowing our oldest daughter was planning her wedding for this July, I hid the pearl necklace, not wanting to take a chance on it being stolen. Last night I was worried that I would forget the necklace, so while I thought about it I put it in my coin purse. Today at Taco John's, the pearl necklace in its tiny bag must have slipped to the floor. I filled my pop glass and took my tray of food to the table and immediately started to look for the necklace -- it was gone! (My sister recalled seeing a woman with the little bag in her hands waiting for her food order, putting sauce on her tacos, and driving away in her van).

How do I tell my daughter the necklace is gone? We could buy a new necklace for her to wear, but it will never replace the one from her Grandma. Please, I'm begging you to turn it in -- your find is not yours to keep. The staff at Taco John's are great -- they have my name and know how to reach me. It would be so wonderful to have her wear it for her wedding Saturday!

Rose Kramer

Brainerd

Home: 829-8136

Work: 828-0494

Cell: 820-3081

Rhythm of the Rails

Wow! What a treat it was to watch this very special performance on Friday night. Our community is so fortunate to have our area's railroad history and its deep love of music preserved and enhanced in this creative and interesting way. The Rhythm of the Rails led, by Jody Crowe, The Harmony Engineers, and the Golden Spikes is truly a lakes area treasure. This annual event just gets better and better. The performers of all ages were wonderful, a real testament to the quality and exuberance of our local talent. The script was great, especially the melodrama portion; and the set was really enjoyable. If you haven't gone yet, get on board! But this week is the last stop until next year! Be sure to attend July 26, 27, or 28, (Thursday, Friday, or Saturday at 8 p.m.).

Deborah Jacobs

Bill Ribbel

Baxter