He hopes to use the film to raise money for orphans in Uganda

By Forrest Adams

Orphans in Africa are the subject line of countless fundraisers, the images of many infomercials, the topics of many church missions. Alex Fournier, 30, of Eden Prairie decided to take a few steps further, traveling to Africa to spend times in a boys' home that's sponsored by his church.

Are you interested in reading the public notices published in the July 24, 2008 print edition of the Chaska Herald newspaper? The page or pages on which those notices were printed are attached to this item, in the form of .pdf’s that can be opened with Adobe Acrobat.

For organizer Tim Sebenaler, planning Chaska River City Days is like putting together 10 weddings. And yet, year after year, he finds himself back in the fray. And this year is no exception. River City Days starts Friday and runs through Sunday. (For expanded information, pick up a print edition of this week's Chaska Herald, or visit the River City Days Web site.)

“The best reward for doing it is to see others do well,” said Sebenaler.

As part of Guardian Angels Church and School’s 150th anniversary celebration, all G.A. School alumni and students are invited to their alma mater for a special celebration on Aug. 2 and 3.

Alumni are encouraged to bring mementoes of their school years, and place them on the two side altars for blessing.

Twin Cities residents are invited to bring their plant health questions to a event with plant disease experts on Saturday, July 26, at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 

Sponsored by The American Phytopathological Society, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the University of Minnesota Extension, this event is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the arboretum’s Oswald Visitor Center and is free with Arboretum admission, according to an Arboretum press release.

Gary Van Eyll will seek a fourth term as mayor of Chaska. He announced his bid for re-election last week. He will face Chaska City Councilor Jay Rohe, who announced his candidacy in April.

Van Eyll, 57, said he hope his re-election would “keep stability” in the city. He has served as mayor of Chaska for the last six years. Prior to that, he spent four years on the council and was a member of the Chaska Fire Department for 20 years, including several years as Fire Chief.

Chester “Chet” Lobitz, 88, of Chaska, has passed away.

Funeral service is Friday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 23290 Highway 7, Excelsior, with visitation Thursday from 5-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service, all at the church. Prayer service is Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Johnson Funeral Home, Waconia, 952-442-2121. www.johnsonfh.com

The following obituaries are from the July 24, 2008 print edition of the Chaska Herald newspaper:

The Chaska River City Days Triathlon attracted nearly 300 athletes to Firemans Park in Chaska on Saturday, July 19, 2008.

Enjoy this selection of photos from the event.

Catie Ladner and Danielle Williams