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• Sunday kickoff for River Falls veterans memorial
• Free ACT, SAT practice test offered Saturday

By Phil Pfuehler, RiverTown Staff

Sunday afternoon marks the official launch for building a memorial site at Greenwood Cemetery in the coming year.

The kickoff ceremony starts at 1 p.m. and should run just over an hour.

Bernie Abrahamson, a veterans memorial project organizer, said people those attending should find the occasion compelling.

"It looks like it will be a lively, colorful and dramatic program," Abrahamson said. "It should get people's attention and, more important, some of the veterans' stories will be very meaningful. I expect the whole experience to be very emotional and moving."

The veterans memorial will be built on open green space at the front of Greenwood Cemetery. It will consist of various stone markers, flags, pathway, lights, rocks, flowers and commemorative pavers.

Mock-up, enlarged designs of the memorial are on display at local banks. Local architect Neil Anderson created the concept.

Among highlights for the 1 p.m. Sunday program, which also starts the fundraising drive, are:

Consecration of the memorial site by the Rev. Jerry Harris of St. Bridget Catholic Church.

A "combat flag drop and presentation" to local American Legion Commander Howie Nelson. Parachutist Kerry McCauley of Menomonie will land with the flag on the Greenwood School grounds.

Welcoming comments by local attorney and veteran Keith Rodli.

Veteran and project organizer Ed Miller's views on building the memorial.

A possible flyover of Navy planes

Playing of patriotic songs by the River Falls High School Band.

Reflective comments by a number of local veterans from World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the mother of a wounded Iraq War veteran.

Get more on this story in this week's print edition of the River Falls Journal or on the River Falls Journal Web site at www.riverfallsjournal.com

By Debbie Griffin, RiverTown Staff

The nationwide organization College Nannies & Tutors offers college-bound 11th graders a chance to practice taking ACT and SAT tests Saturday beginning 8:45 a.m., enabling students "to gauge current achievement levels and readiness for college entrance exams."

Although not offered in Wisconsin, students can register for and take the practice tests in Woodbury, St. Paul and five other Minnesota locations in the Twin Cities. Students must register before 3 p.m. Friday in order to reserve a spot.

Testing begins at 8:45 Saturday; the ACT ends at 12:30 p.m., and the SAT concludes at 12:45 p.m.

Students choose which test to take and grade it immediately afterward. Parents must attend a 15-minute information session at 12:30 p.m.

Contact the Woodbury franchise at 651-209-8759 or woodbury@collegetutors.com or the St. Paul franchise at 651-209-3095 or stpaumn@collegetutors.com.

Get more information about College Nannies & Tutors at www.collegetutors.com.