Posted: 4/24/02

Benefit shows area's true spirit

As a community, the Forest Lake area sometimes takes its lumps for how the city and town came together, how the schools functions and how the business community should or should not change and evolve.

But the one fiber of this community that should not take hits is the spirit of those people who live here and those who grew up here or worked here, and still have ties to the Forest Lake area.

If spirit is a true definer of what this area is truly about, no better example could be found than the Motschenbacher benefit at the Forest Lake VFW on April 13. What started out as an idea for a small gathering to raise a few dollars for a Forest Lake High School graduate who is fighting cancer turned out to be something rather special.

The VFW Post on April 13 was like old home week.

In some sense it was like an all-school reunion. Some put the evening in terms of the local Fourth of July celebration when reunions take place at American Legion Post 225.

It was the above for sure and more. Lots more.

While it was a night to see old friends, it was also an opportunity to lend a hand to someone special and to tell Lori Florhaug Motschenbacherís family they were something special.

The evening was truly unbelievable as hundreds upon hundreds of people packed the VFW hall. How packed was it? Letís just say the fire marshal didnít want to be on hand.

Editorial writers and pundits can sometimes take a community apart for its failings. But when events like the Motschenbacher benefit take place, there is a need to say something about the positive.

Lori has been a friend since high school when she was the sparkplug on various teams and an early trailblazer for womenís athletics at the school. She is easily one of the best athletes I had the pleasure of covering over the years.

Today she is a wife, mother and popular school teacher who continues to call this area home. In her adult years, she has continued to give back to her hometown as a good citizen and a coach of young girls who look up to her with deep respect.

As she continues her fight against a tough foe, her spirits and determination have been given a big boost by the show of love here on April 13. Friends everywhere are with the family in prayer.

How such a benefit could be formed is something that is amazing in its own right.

All too often today teachers in the public school system are attacked simply because they are public employees. If one teacher messes up somehow, the blame seems to filter back to the rest. This area has been no different at times in being overly harsh on the teaching profession.

It is safe to say the April 13 benefit would not have happened without our local teaching staff.

Mike Altavilla, a math teacher at the high school, deserves credit as the ringleader who helped start the ball rolling. But it was countless other volunteers both from the teacher side and the general public who stepped up to take on the many duties that were necessary to make the evening take place.

From the ticket sellers to the food servers and on to those who put up decorations and hauled out the garbage, there were many jobs that needed to be done.

But the event would not have been a success without the liberal pocketbooks of many.

One such individual is John Milbauer of Forest Lake. He was instrumental in many ways and is an example of those willing to help.

From the opening bell on April 13, John was at the front table selling tickets and helping run the front booth. Heís a banker so the duty fit well.

Prior to the event, Milbauer donated $1000 to the benefit. The money was used to buy a shotgun and art prints that were put for up auction to help raise additional funds. We would bet the $1000 was increased three or four times, thanks in part to the skill of auctioneer Steve Elkins who worked the crowd well for the good cause.

But like those who drove hours to be at the benefit, Milbauer didnít stop there. When the bidding ended on a beautiful framed Terry Redlin print, Milbauer had spent another $2100.

Itís just an example of why and how this event was so successful.

The next time we stop to measure the pros and cons of our area we should temper our criticism a bit. While there are improvements that can be made, we need not worry about the spirit and caring of the people who still call Forest Lake home.

This a good community with good people and the April 13 benefit is a positive statement about us all.

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