Thirty years ago, Ken Baldwin made his first Orchestra Hall appearance, playing string bass.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the Sept. 11 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

Thirty years ago, the rural Jordan home of Bob Pexa went up in flames. Laverne Schaak, soon to be married to Tim Verhoeven, lived in one of the house's apartments, which was gutted by flames and the couple lost most of their shower gifts.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the Sept. 4 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

This is episode 4 of the wedding planner, in which Jordan Independent Staff Writer Brandon Otte describes a pressing disagreement with his fiancee about whether to include the word vomit in their wedding program:

Announcement is made of the engagement and upcoming wedding of Melissa Marie Beckrich and Michael John Breeggemann of Belle Plaine.

Melissa is the daughter of Bob and Colleen Beckrich of Shakopee. She is a 2000 graduate of Shakopee High School and graduated from Minnesota State University in Mankato with a degree in elementary education. She is a teacher at Minnesota Montessori Accelerated Learning Center in Shakopee.

Maria Anne Witt and Jes Anthony Schwingler of Belle Plaine announce their engagement and upcoming wedding.

Witt is the daughter of Gary and Susie Witt of Le Sueur. She attended Belle Plaine High School and the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities and is an auditor at Eide Bailly.

Schwingler, originally from Jordan, is the son of Jim and Chris Schwingler of Jordan. He attended Jordan High School and Dunwoody Institute and is an electrician at Master Electric.

A wedding is planned for Sept. 6, 2008.

Jennifer Lynn and David Allen Strack of Belle Plaine announce their engagement and wedding.

Jennifer Lynn is the daughter of Harlen and Barb Krueger of Arlington. She attended Sibley East High School and Oliver Thein Beauty School & Rasmussen College and is a stylist.

David Allen Strack is the son of Dennis and Jean Strack of Jordan. He attended Jordan High School and Itasca College and is a mason and independent contractor.

A wedding was planned for June 7, 2008.

This is episode 3 of the wedding planner, in which Brandon Otte describes the funny-photo booth he is constructing from scratch for use during his wedding to Molly Engstrom:

Tina M. Sivilay and Robert K. Davis of Jordan announce their engagement and upcoming wedding.

Sivilay is the daughter of Jerrold L. Irby of Garrison, N.D., and Teima Nagel of Sioux City, Iowa. She attended South Sioux City Senior High School and is a vice president and private banking officer after 11 years at Wells Fargo Bank in Bloomington.

Davis is the son of Robert and Lois Davis of Belle Plaine. He attended Belle Plaine High School and trained with the U.S. Marines. He has been a laser service engineer for eight years at Amada America.

Katie Ege and Josh Kreuser of New Prague announce their engagement and upcoming wedding.

Katie Ege is the daughter of Terry and Marlene Ege of Shakopee. She graduated from Shakopee High School and Central Beauty School in 2001 and is a nail technician at Cole's Salon in Savage.

Josh Kreuser is the son of Donny and Lorrie Kreuser of New Prague. He graduated from New Prague High School in 2000 and is a self-employed construction worker.