DOLLY'S IN AUSTRIA

Dolly has returned to Laxenburg, Austria for a 7-week stint continuing her research summer project she started here last June. While at IIASA (more specifically in the Evolution and Ecology Program at IIASA), Dolly is collaborating with Dr. Ulf Dieckmann on a paper about the quantification and integration of stakeholder-defined utility for various fisheries management regimes.While away, Dolly hopes that Josefine is able to make Simon feel at home when he comes home from a hard day at the molecular biology lab doing all sorts of important experiments to find out why some people get obese. Dolly has a newfound four legged friend in her apartment in Austria in which she rents a bedroom. Schweisie is a token symbol of Josefine while away.

www.jaerandlucretia.com

Lucy & Jaer have a website! Check it out for all the latest. On second thought, give Lucy a call for ALL THE LATEST!!

Remember to check out the wedding poll on the right ---->

DOLLY NAMED EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF WKN!!

(AP) BERGEN/WASHINGTON D.C.

After a long period of internal meetings and negotiations between Norway and USA, Dorothy J. Dankel, Msc. (also known as Dolly Housholder) has been named Editor-in-Chief of Witwer Kids Now! This news came as a surprise as WKN! founder and publisher, Peter Stolz, turned over the daily tasks to his oldest cousin Mrs. Dankel. In an exclusive interview from his office in downtown D.C., Mr. Stolz commented: "I think that Dolly has better blog skills than I do. We've negotiated a deal where we will be co-editors of WKN! instead of just me. We need to spice it up and I think if Dolly is one of the editors the credibility will be better and we will be the authority on all things Witwer from now on!"

Mrs. Dankel's (to be Dr. Dankel in March 2009) agent was avaiable for comment in the wee hours of Monday morning. "I've been in touch with my client Dolly and she reports that she looks forward to collaborating with Peter to make WKN! credible and innovative to meet future family needs."

AUNT GRACE WEIGHS IN ON ENERGY INDEPENDENCE!!

Dear Good Kids!
Last week after I asked Peter to develop an e-mail alert system so that we would know when he updates WKN!, Peter asked me to submit something. I was working on deadline so I asked him if I could submit something I had written in the past. He said, “Absolutely not. WKN! must only carry exclusive journalism. Your editorial should be in my inbox no later than 1:00 pm today.”
We all know Peter is a softie at heart. He really meant, “Awesome Aunt Grace, I value your input — write when you can!” :-)
So here I am. I am writing to share with you wonderful kids something I am thinking about for an editorial for next Sunday. Maybe you can help me.
The idea got started last night when I was listening to the book show on CSPAN. It was around 11 p.m. So obviously I wasn’t watching the show I was lying in bed listening with my eyes closed. The authors of the new book “Break Through” were talking about how only about 65 percent of people surveyed “believe” in global warming. This figure hasn’t budged over the years. They feel it is fruitless to try to convince everyone about the dire consequences of not doing something about global warming. They also pointed out that computers were not developed by limiting the number of typewriters people could buy. This represents my basic philosophy about life — you don’t say “no” to negative things... You say “YES!” to positive things... But I digress.
The headline of my editorial will be “Limits don’t/help nation/be smarter.” The basic idea is that our national security depends on energy independence and we can gain energy independence only be moving forward with alternative forms of energy such as solar, wind power, nuclear, etc.
On our Dec. 25, 2007 Chicago-Miami flight (first leg of Chile trip) I sat by a fascinating young man whose father is a genetics professor at the University of Wisconsin. The boy was about Catherine’s age and getting a master’s in a couple of science areas. I brought up the topic of global warming. (It was a 3 hour flight!) He said a friend of his had done research at a beautiful facility in California completely funded by oil companies. But he said the oil companies control the results of the research and hold all the patents for everything developed. So some good ideas don’t get pursued if they would negatively impact the oil companies. I was incensed, but he didn’t seem to be bothered. I think his basic idea was that scientists love to be paid well to do research so why not do it for the oil companies, even if nothing comes of it? Because it was in the evening and our main topic was Chile (his girlfriend is Chilean) I didn’t take notes. I certainly wish I had. I should have at least gotten the name of the facility.
Anyway, I think energy independence should be a key focus of the 2008 presidential campaign. And I think the candidates should talk about all the positive things that can come from investment in research of alternative forms of energy. But we can’t just do the research. We need follow through on things that can be viable, even if they may negatively impact oil company profits. Our dependence on foreign oil makes our nation extremely vulnerable. In addition, our oil dollars help to support some unsavory regimes. Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar has written and spoken extensively on this topic. Lugar is a close friend of Obama’s... I hope Obama and some of the Republicans pick up on this!
Maybe you good and smart kids all over the U.S. and the globe can give me more information to flesh out this idea.

PAUL IS A "HAPPY CAMPER!"

WKN!: How was your new years and what did you do?

Paul: This new year was the best one of my life! Robbie, Jessie, Liz and I went to Duval street and walked around for awhile. Liz found a bar she really liked and we went in. There was live music and all of the songs were good. Jessie sat the bar said to Robbie at the bar that she was dancing with some guy at the bar and she was actually dancing with Robbie!!! LOL Then We went to see Sushie drop down from a big bright red shoe. Liz gets interviewed by a CNN reporter and makes a fool of herself which you can find on you tube!!! LOL Then When we counted the new year down I got on CNN! I was throwing all this confetti because it was so much fun. Then we started to walk down Duval street and Robbie and I were giving out high fives to anyone that would give them to us and saying to them "Happy New Year, Its 2008!" We had so much fun and I will never forget it.

WKN!: Wow…why would you want to stare at a bunch of men who look like hot girls? I’ve always found that confusing. Maybe we should call you RuPaul…Moving on….is it hard having three older sibblings that are all female?

RuPaul: I wouldn't say that it is hard because it is the only thing that I am used to. It had its advantages and disadvantages. Advantages: I learn much about how girls live and act in their every day life. The DISADVANTAGES are when I was little and they would play with me:(

WKN!: What should WKN! readers know about Paul Housholder that we don't?

Paul: That I have a new goal in my life! It is to do well in school so that I can go to IU next year.

WKN! wow it sounds like your in a really good place in life. Who is your favorite presidential candidate?

Paul: Obama for sure. He will definately get my vote. But I just heard steve colbert talk to MIke Huckuby and they were talking about colbert being Vis President if Huckuby wins. If that happens I would have something to think about!

WKN! what do you want to do with your life?

Paul: I have no idea what I want to do with my life I have so many ideas I do not know which one to chose.

WKN! have you ever had a philosphical conversation with Corky and if so what was it about?

Paul: I just finished a Ethics class the last semester and I got a A n it! Anyways I told Corky that and he was telling me things that I never heard of and it was way over my head, but I listened and nodded my head like a good grandson.

WKN!: I've always thought of Paul Housholder as a guy that marches to a different tune. I was really proud of you when you started skateboarding and got so damn good! How would you characterize your creative side?

Paul: I was not as creative when I was in high school because I think I was into sports a lot and didn't know who I was fully yet. Ever since I have went to college I have thought about who I am and what my views are because when I went to Chicago no one knew me. How I would characterize my creative side?.... I don't know.

WKN!: Tell our readers about your athletic accomplishments

Paul: In tennis, my biggest accomplishment was being honoral mention all state my senior year by going 15-7. In soccer when I was eight I scored nine goals in one game! In skateboarding I ollied nose manualed an eight foot box and nollie shuvit out clean! In baseball I hit my first home run when I was a fershmen in high school in to straight center field which was the last part of the field. Thats about it for my athletic career.

WKN! Finally, use this last section to spit out whatever's on your mind..

Paul: I am a happy camper right now and hope if any cousin sees this…make sure you write what you feel on this because that is what I want to hear!

WKN! Thanks RuPaul.

Paul: What is RuPaul?

SGT. STOLZ GOES ON THE RECORD!!!

WKN!: Are you ready to go ON THE RECORD with Witwer Kids Now?

Robbie: ERRR! Let's git-r-done!!

WKN!: So Robbie, Tell us a little bit about what you’ve been up to the past few years?

Robbie: Well, about 1 year ago I was discharged from the Marines, and since then I’ve been working towards my degree.

WKN: You’ve been doing that at the University of MD and this year you are studying at the American University in Cairo. What are you studying and what’s Egypt like?

Robbie: I study Arabic and political science. Living in Egypt is very interesting. Everyday you just never know what will happen or what you will see.

WKN: Tell me about your Military service? What’s it like being a Marine? When exactly did you join the marines and why?

Robbie: I stepped on the Yellow Footprints March 23 2003. The next three months I could never forget. Everyday was hard and everyday was harder than the last. My drill instructors were some mean SOBs but I learned a lot from them. Over the next four years there would be good times and bad but looking back we had a lot of fun. It was an awesome experience and I grew tremendously from it. The Marines challenged me in every way because everything you did had to be done to Marine standards, which is pretty high. From this experience I took a way an attitude that I can get through anything and accomplish whatever I choose too.

WKN: What was it like serving in Iraq? Do you think you were serving for a good cause?

Robbie: Yes, don’t you?

WKN: Do you think invading Iraq was a good decision? What do you think we should do now with Iraq? Do you think we should start bringing back our units?

Robbie: We need to keep the pressure on the enemy, keep training Iraqis, and do more to get the Iraqi economy going.

WKN: What is your opinion of George W. Bush? Who is your favorite presidential candidate so far? What national issues need to be addressed in your opinion?

Robbie: Bush is Bush, I have not been very impressed lately. For the next president, I want someone who can inspire Americans to make sacrifices for the common good. I guess if I was forced to vote today I would go with John McCain.

WKN: Why? He's publicly stated that he wants to continue the war in Iraq

Robbie: McCain has served honorbly in the military and made huge sacrifices. He understands the military, talks straight and doesn't make false promises or give false hope.

WKN: What is your happiest moment hanging out with Witwer cousins? What was the funniest?

Robbie: Gee, so many memories it's pretty tough to pick. I guess whenever we were all together those were the best times. It hasn’t happened in a while so we should make a point to all be at Thanksgiving next year! Also our summer vacation in Hilton Head, North Carolina.

WKN: What are some of your goals in the coming years?

Robbie: I want to meet a nice girl, buy a farm and become a falconer.

WKN: What do you see as being your role in this complicated world?

Robbie: I would like to keep learning about the world, and if I think I can make an impact then I would like to contribute in some way to making a more peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world.

WKN: Do you have a girlfriend?

Robbie: No

WKN: Who have been some of your biggest influences in life besides me?

Robbie: Well, Peter no one has really topped your influence in my life.

WKN: Thats what I thought. Do you have any closing thoughts or want to touch on anything I may have left out?

Robbie: No, thanks Pete.

DOLLY IMPARTS WISDOM ON COUSINS!!!

Peter has cordially asked me to write an editorial for Witwer Kids Now! My only guidelines were that it should be inspiring and thought-provoking. I told Peter that I’m good at provoking. I decided that I should not go the easy way and write about polarizing issues, like politics and religion (man’s interpretation of spirituality) but instead provoke in a more substantial, more important and more difficult way. I want to provoke you into being yourself.

People may casually say “be yourself”. But have you actually thought about what that means? Some people may live their whole lives without being themselves. Others may have a clear idea of who they are, but are afraid of showing it. Some might take 50 years to find themselves. Others may have had it all along. What does it mean to find yourself? In lieu of a polarizing one sentence answer, let me give you some of my personal thoughts.

For me, finding yourself starts with knowing your roots. We share half this common thread by being part of the Witwer family. Our great-grandparents Gaga and Mohler and Grandmother and Grandfather Booth were wonderful people. I remember Grandmother and Grandfather Booth as the most affectionate old people I ever saw. I remember one night in Kendallville at Lee and Corky’s house at a cocktail party and Grandmother and Grandfather Booth kept kissing each other. I had never seen old people kiss! Today I love the fact that a couple can be just as in love as old people as they were when they were young. I also remember visits to Gaga’s house in South Bend. Corky would sit by Gaga’s side in the sitting room and reminisce about Higgins Lake in Michigan when she taught Corky how to sail on a little wooden boat. After sometime talking together, usually quietly and alone, Corky and Gaga would give each other a kiss. A wonderful show of love between mother and son, bound not only by blood but also by fond memories made together in the simplest of fashions.

When you know your roots, you have the makings of yourself. From here you need to find your own independence. I don’t think you can find yourself if other people are telling you what to do. This is not to undermine discipline. On the contrary, I think discipline is the best way to learn good suggestions on going about things. But it is only when you can think for yourself that you start to earn independence.

Once you have achieved some independence, you can start thinking about the way you want to do things and form some opinions on various spiritual, social or political ideas. The best way, I think, to go about this is to first work hard towards a thorough and solid education and while doing so, try to keep an open mind. An open mind does not mean you should try everything life has to offer, but incorporates an attitude that other people are different than you and that’s one of life’s larger acknowledgements. Some may claim that people come and go, but it’s the ideas that stay. I think that ideas come and go, that’s what makes it an idea, while people are the substance behind the idea. In other words, don’t be afraid to think a new idea, judge it, and decide if it’s good for you.

As the years go by, life has a way of presenting us a lot of mysteries, tragedies and wonderful things. Life is life. But it’s the way you respond to it that makes you YOU. Be inspired by your roots. Surround yourself with people that love you, that inspire you and who provoke you to make yourself and your community better. This will give you confidence to be yourself.

LUCY UNDERGOES "SHUT UP" INTERVENTION!

We all know Lucy is talkative...but an anonymous source tells WKN! that Lucy's mouth had to be taped shut by fiance Jaer after binges of incessent blabbering.

"she's...ah...rather talkative ... and some might say a bit volumous...or loud!" our source revealed...

CATHERINE TALKS WITH WITWER KIDS NOW EDITOR!

Cuz Catherine chatted live on GMAIL with Pedro, the maestro behind Witwer Kids Now! Read on to get to know the man behind the curtain's ever-evolving worldview.

Catherine: So first, tell me about your crazy work life.
Peter: I work as a video editor for the local news department of ABC News in Washington
Catherine: Oh exciting! What some of the ups and downs of this kind of high-pressure job?
Peter: well...It's basically an easy job for me because I enjoy video editing. It can get crazy if you have a lot of work though
Catherine : When does life get craziest for you?
Peter: when I don't pray
Catherine : Mmmm. So does that mean you pray a lot?
Peter: yes
Catherine : Very cool. It sounds like you have a new-found stability because of your spiritual relationship with God. Would you mind tellling us more about this?
Peter: well, without going into too many details I've gotten in some trouble over the years and I believe God has helped me get out of it and stay out. But staying out is contingent on me really trusting him to work in my life and follow HIS plan
Catherine : That's exciting that you feel that way. Congratulations.
So what is life like for Peter Stolz outside of work?
Peter: ?
Catherine : What do you like to do for fun? Anything? Or do you have a sleep-eat-work-eat-sleep-work-eat-sleep-work routine?
Peter: I exercise, write poetry, watch movies that I get from Netflix, try to write my novel etc...
Catherine : Wow! Poet, novelist and journalist! Do you ever get tired of words?
Peter: not really
Catherine : Tell me about your poetry. What inspires you to write?
Peter: I think that it's just another way to express oneself creatively without being confined in style. I have feelings and I channel them out through metaphor and prose.
Catherine : Will you be posting any exclusive excepts on Witwer Kids Now?
Peter: no
Catherine : Darn. How about excerpts from your pre-novel manuscript?
Peter: not the appropriate place for that even if I wanted to which I don't
Catherine : OK, I guess we will just have to wait until it gets published. Would you mind giving us a taste of your novel? What is it about? The family is dying to know ...
Peter: obsession, conquest, man vs. technology, man vs. himself. the internet, a bizarre set of scenarios and characters who have to reconcile an absurd reality
Catherine : Wow. Do you think we can make a movie adaptation of it next Thanksgiving?
Peter: haha. I doubt it
Catherine : Darn again. I was hoping to bring back my hick girl accent and my rain dance. OK, Pedro, I have to go food shopping now. I ran out of chili..

Dolly: "Explore the Other Side"....

Dolly has it rough. A whole family full of "awesome people" and no one to share in her borderline-radical political beliefs. WKN! caught up with our beloved Dorkafish to explore the intricacies of Fish, Culture, Norway and of course politics.


WKN!: So Dorkafish...why do you like Norway so much? What does Norway have to offer that the good old U.S. of A don't?

Dorothy: aren't you going to ask me if I'm ready to go on the record with WKN??!

WKN!: well are you because the first question is on the record Dorothy: ok Norway has m any things that the US doesn't have and vice versa, but the most important to me is Simon and his family

WKN!: yes but what about your family here rumor has it we're not important anymore.

Dorothy: yes, I miss my family but luckily I got shipped off to summer camp so I learned from an early age to survive without my family and meet others and have a fun time me: But the indirect psychological support I get from family members who think it's a positive thing that I live in Norway is priceless and necessary for me to live happily this far away

WKN! So anyways do you think you can beat me in Basketball? because you can't why do people call you Dorkafish?

Dorothy: I'd rather coach you than play against you. But if I was to play you I'd beat you. There's only one person who would call me such a terrible name, and I don't like it!! me: what do your friends call you?

Dorothy: (what's with you and unflattering names!!?)here the Norwegians at work call me "D-o-r-o-tee" cause they can't say the "th" sound and they enunciate every letter as in Norwegianin Indiana most people say my name "Dorthy" instead of "DorOthy" like Lee says it

WKN! what do you think about Chuck (and soon Jeff) going to Hillsdale? you're a trend-setter?

Dorothy: I'm very pleased because Hillsdale is a very fine institution. I'm afraid though of the ultra-conservatives there and explicit lack of "the other side" meaning the views of the Left...I think college should expose students to many different views. This is why I think Hillsdale was very good for me (because I have LEft tendancies but went to an ultra-conservative school) and why Cahtherine did so well at Smith (cause she has conservative tendancies but went to an ultra-liberal school) I don't like the political polarization that is so prevalent in the US. Very different from Europe where it'snormal to have 7 or 9 different parties in a country...Sorry I got political on you! Let's change the subject!

WKN! well why is Norway lagging behind the US in terms of culture...etc?

Dorothy: ?

WKN! You don't even like Norwegian soccer...you watch English soccer and listen to American music and whatnot

Dorothy: I don't understand your question "why isn't there any culture in Norway...

WKN!: I know why Norway IS a great country but we're talking about America

Dorothy: Norway has it's own football (soccer) and own artists (A-ha, September When and a 1000 others) but other larger countries like USA and England have popularized some of their best exports like music and sports around the world.The US listens to the Beatles and The Police and the Smiths and other non-American bands too!

WKN! And we love Daft Punk and Air from France

Dorothy: right

WKN!: well anyways dorkafish can you give your fans some adivce to close out this interview

Dorothy: Wow, I have fans! OK, some advice....get to know the other side

WKN! Please elaborate for dummies like meyou mean Europe?

Dorothy: "the other side" is a metaphor for many things like the other side of the coin, the opposing view, the path less taken....confidence is key in life and I think you get confidence from studying "the other side" in order to be firmer in your own beliefs and convictions. Did you get that?

WKN! thank you for your time

Dorothy: thanks for creating WKN!

Liz is holding down the Fort in Key West!

Elizabeth: her name alone invokes an aura of spirited joy. So WKN! was delighted when, after numerous phone calls, “Fizz” agreed to go ON THE RECORD live from KEY WEST!

WKN! Liz are you ready to go on the record with WKN!?
Liz: Oh yeah! Bring it on baby!
WKN! So why do people call you fizz? Is it because you’re so happy and bubbly?
Liz: You’d have to ask yourself or Catherine that question because you guys are the only ones who call me that.
WKN!: Oh. Well, I’m sure more will follow suit. But I want to ask you about your new outlook on life that you told me about earlier? What brought that about?
Liz: I’ve adopted a chaos theory approach to life, and am striving to be more in the present moment hoping to manifest love to others
WKN! What is yourideal for a gentlemen caller?
Liz: Well, he should be intelligent, honest, loving, funny, attractive, etc..d
WKN! Do you understand that you are speaking with Witwer Kids Now and that you need to be articulate and thorough. Witwer Kids Now is fair and balanced.
Liz: Okay good. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
WKN! Okay. So now what about Fizz’s professional life and studies?
Liz: Well I feel lucky because I feel like I know what I am called to do. I want to help foster college students’ holistic development and develop them as leaders, and soon I’ll earn my master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Miami University. All is welcome to come!
WKN! They actually pay people to do that?
Liz: Yes – isn’t it great! I had an interview at a small liberal arts school in Colorado this past month. I think it was a great educational experience but I’m not quite sure if it is the perfect fit for me location-wise. I want to be confident in my job search decision.
Liz: Well, I’m actually in Key West with Paul, visiting Lee, Corky, Robbie, and his friend Jessie. It’s been a blast! We saw “The Shoe” drop and Paul made it on CNN and I was interviewed by the CNN reporter (well, sort of!). It was all SO much fun! Robbie and his sous chef Jessie made dinner for us last night and Robbie used eight whole garlics, an entire bottle of olive oil, and 15 onions. It was delicious and we definitely have enough for dinner tonight.
WKN! That sounds disgusting.
Liz: Oh, and one more thing. Upon reflection and a conversation with Lee and Jessie I’m considering to wanting to be addressed “Elizabeth” instead of “Liz.” We think it might be better-suited for me at this stage of my life…Peter, do you think you could poll your viewers and see if they agree? This is such a crucial decision!
WKN! No and your name is Fizz
Liz: Haha. Okay. I guess your right!