Daily hours for the park are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $14 for adults and $11 for children and seniors. The twilight rate, tickets after 4 p.m., is $8.

Raging Rivers is located at 2600 46th Ave. S.E. For more information, call 663-3393.

Submitted photo

Larry Urbanec, of Weigel Funeral Home, was named the president-elect during the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association annual convention, which was held in April.

The following were installed as officers by Charles Childs, NFDA At-Large Policy Board Representative: (l-r) Jeffrey A. Nathan, Treasurer: Nathan Grubb, Northwest District Governor; Jon Stevenson, Immediate Past President; Michael Lerud, President; Charles Childs, installing officer; Larry Urbanec, President-Elect; Troy Senger, Northeast District Governor; Alex Rydell, Southeast District Governor; Paul Sannes, NFDA Policy Board Representative.

The new boutique in Mandan, named Brea. The store will be hosting a grand opening next Thursday to Saturday, May 17 to 19. It is located at 906 Second St. N.W. Brian L. Gray photo

Discover your passion for fashion at Brea (pronounced “bray ah”), Mandan’s new boutique. Three sisters-in-law – Eve Kostelecky-Albrecht, Cassia Albrecht and Kinsey Albrecht – have joined together to bring this unique boutique to Mandan. The store offers a wide selection of unique pieces of apparel, shoes and accessories such as belts, jewelry and handbags.

“I had this idea of opening a boutique on the back burner since I have moved back to the area after grad school,” said Kostelecky-Albrecht. “We had looked at a few properties previous years and it just has never been the right fit or time. But this property was a perfect fit for our plans.”

Eve, a Mandan native, is the owner of Brea. School took her to Southern California for a few years and that is where she “discovered her passion for fashion,” which has become a tagline for the store.

The name Brea comes from a city in Southern California where Eve’s favorite affordable, trendy boutiques are found. Cassia is the owner of Baby Mod Boutique, a spunky infant and children’s line, which is also displayed in Brea. Kinsey is the store manager and head stylist. Other family members, including a banker, and a friend who is an accountant, offered their expertise as well.

“We have had wonderful support from the local community,” Kostelecky noted. “Ellen Huber, Mandan Business Development Director, and Nancy Krogen-Abel with the SBDC have been great resources as we’ve moved from a dream to the opening of Brea.  It’s all been an incredible learning experience.”

A grand opening for the community to see what Brea has to offer is scheduled for Thursday to Saturday, May 17 to 19. There will be daily specials, door prizes, refreshments and extended store hours: Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Located at 906 Second St. N.W., the building is the former home of Toman Engineering and Stepping Stones Daycare. Regular store hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information about what Brea has to offer, visit breafashion.com or call 751-3111.

This annual awareness week, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health, begins each year on Mother’s Day and brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health.

Curves gym will hold weeklong open house events during National Women’s Health Week to encourage interested women to check out their local club, pick up free health information, ask questions, get a free fitness assessment and take advantage of the offer. Visitors may also sign up to attend a special program on National Curves Day, Thursday, May 17, featuring messages from health experts and activities designed to raise awareness of small, practical steps women can take to get healthy.

Curves of Mandan is located at 507 Burlington St. S.E. It can be reached at 667-1326.

Submitted photo

Annette Tomack, left, was honored for 10 years with the NDSU Extension Service at the Extension and Research Extension Center Support Staff Professional Development conference April 26 in Fargo. NDSU Extension Service Interim Director Chris Boerboom presented the award. In addition to awards, the conference included training on a variety of topics for the county, area and state staff.

Tomack serves as the administrative secretary for Morton County Extension Service in Mandan.

Custer Health was named for gold status recognition, meaning that it met at least six criteria in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture enhancements such as on-site walking routes, healthy food choices in cafeterias, annual employee health risk assessments and online tracking tools.

Jeff Campbell

Jeff Campbell will help support enterprise risk management for Starion Financial and all 13 of its bank locations in North Dakota and Wisconsin, effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Campbell will proactively identify opportunities for investment and enterprise growth and help minimize unnecessary exposure for the financial institution. He will help appropriately manage risk tolerance to maintain sound business practices while maximizing profitability. The new position will be based in the Starion audit and compliance division in Mandan.

“Jeff’s extensive knowledge and experience will enhance Starion’s success in our enterprise risk management efforts,” said Craig Larson, Starion Financial president and chief executive officer. “I’m pleased that Jeff has chosen to continue his banking career with our organization.”

Campbell has been market president of Starion Financial branches in Dunseith, Rolla and Bottineau since the company merged with Security State Bank in October 2011. Prior to the merger, he was the chief executive officer and president of Security State Bank.

Campbell has more than 30 years of bank experience. He is a graduate of Minot State University and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Larson Family accepts its Family Business of the Year award during a ceremony in Sioux Falls, S.D., on March 29.

The Prairie Family Business Association, an outreach program of the Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota, recently presented the 2012 Vicki Clarke Prairie Family Business of the Year Award to the Larson family of Starion Financial and announced that the Bismarck-Mandan award will be named after bank founder, Frank Larson.

The PFBA presented the Larson family with the Vicki Clarke award during the 20th annual Prairie Family Business Conference Award Banquet in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Thursday, March 29.

“This award demonstrates the vision and commitment of every member of our organization,” President and CEO Craig Larson said. “Our directors and staff work hard to rise above the competition and contribute to the communities in which we live and work.”

Last summer, the Larsons received the Family Business of the Year Award for Bismarck-Mandan, which made them eligible for the Vicki Clarke award, the top honor from the regional PFBA in this category.

Starion’s roots go back to 1969 when Frank and JoAndrea Larson purchased First National Bank in downtown Oakes, and First National Bank & Trust Company of Ellendale the following year. It began in a small town, and has been shaped with the belief that you are only as good as your reputation, and your reputation is only as good as your actions. In Starion communities, Frank and JoAndrea have been major benefactors to projects ranging from hospitals to libraries, swimming pools and higher education building projects.

Since 1968, Starion has grown to 13 branches in nine markets in  North  Dakota and Madison, Wisc., and $925 million in  assets. Frank Larson continues to serve as chairman of the bank’s board of directors. “It’s been an absolute joy to work with my father for the past 27 years,” Craig Larson said. “I believe Frank truly exemplifies what family business should be about, and it is tremendously meaningful to me, my family and our company that his name will be on this award.”

The Franklin G. Larson Excellence in Family Business Award will be presented on May 14 in conjunction with the Family Business Legacy Tour and Award program at the Radisson Inn in Bismarck.

Sharon Teeples (right) of Phyne Photography received the Professional Photographers of America National Award on March 19. This special honor is in recognition of outstanding service to professional photography performed by an individual.

Teeples recently celebrated 30 years of business in Mandan.

The following employees, listed by their department, received the Mark of Excellence award because of their commitment to excellence, obtaining sales objectives and maintaining superior CSI scores:

Sales department employees – Wade Huber, David Lingen, David Hanson, Keith Feist, Jason Knudson, Gene Van Lishout, David Wald, Al Braun, Shane Hill, Shawn Weekes and Royce Nelson; service department employees – Terry Weszner, Todd Laframboise, Todd Boehm, Shannon Schreiner, Kevin Kautzmann, Keith Hoffert, John Wollschlager, Darrell Bosch, Chris Helbling, Brad Bonogofsky and Billie Leingang.

In 2011, Kupper Chevrolet exceeded Division sales, CSI, RSI and EBE objectives and is recognized as one of the highest performing Dealers in the country. Kupper Chevrolet has also been recognized as a North Dakota’s Top Retail Chevrolet Dealer, according to December 2011 YTD Retail Sales.