Name / Instrument: Jessie Borash, Clarinet        

Hometown: Foley, now living in Little Falls

Family: Married to Paul Borash for 5 years

Pet: My adorable cat Baxter and four dogs (Ali, Shy, Celie and Izzy)

Education: B.S in Information Media from St. Cloud State

Profession: My real job is a Placement Specialist and Case Manager for Productive Alternatives, but I also work part time at Grand Casino Mille Lacs in the Banquets department.

Favorite Saying: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pet Peeves: George W. Bush- (okay, probably not a pet peeve, but he ranks right up there with people who snap their gum, chew with their mouth open and talk on cell phones in the restaurants)

Favorite Movie: I could never pick just one. Some of my favorites are: Return to Me, Twister, Immortal Beloved, Mr. Holland’s Opus, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, West Side Story, Dave, and Dogma

Most memorable moment in band: “This one time, at band camp….” Just kidding. I haven’t really been in the Municipal Band long enough to have memorable moments….unless you count sitting in the hot sun for three hours last summer during the ceremony at Lake George, but we won’t go there. 

Favorite piece of music: The Marriage of Figaro- we played it in high school and it’s still my favorite piece to play.

Most influential teachers: Mary Oliver, Jane (Klassen) Miller, Tim Jarnot, Jim Nathe, and Jeanne (Hites) Anderson

Favorite foods: Chicken Lo-Mein, Tacos, Tuna Salad, KFC Coleslaw

Hobbies: Reading, Playing Dodgeball, Going to Garage Sales, Watching CSI, and playing in the Municipal Band (of course)

Bad habit: Biting my nails

Three things always found in your refrigerator: Baking soda, bottled water, half empty ketchup bottles (usually more than one)

Luxury defined: Having the time to sit in a lawn chair on a sunny day and read a book with nothing else needing to be done

Place you'd most like to be stranded: A library….in a warm and sunny tropical location….next to a pool….with a cute waiter (who looks like George Eads) serving umbrella drinks…ah, paradise…

Last words: Do you have this in a size 6?

Past Featured Members

Name / Instrument: Royce N. Nies / Tenor Sax

Hometown: Richmond, MN

Family: Wife = Bonnie, Children = Jason, Shannon & Tiffany. Jason is married to Kim and has 2 children (McKenzie and T.J.). Tiffany is married to Adam Heathcote and has 1 child (Sophie)

Education: AA @ SCSU and BA @ UofM, Kansas City.

Profession: President of “Nies Financial Group”

Favorite Saying: “What is, is. What’s next?”

Pet Peeves: People who crack their gum.

Favorite Movie(s): Blues Brothers, Caddyshack and Sleepless in Seattle

Most Memorable Moment in Band: Just hanging with band members.

Most Influential Teachers: Bob Harris (HS Band Director)

Favorite Food(s): Chicken and Dumplings

Hobbies: Fishing, Landscaping and music.

Three Things Always Found in Your Refrigerator:   1. Coke, Summer Sausage, Eggs

Luxury Defined: Sitting on a lake, fishing out of my boat.

Place You’d Most Like To Be Stranded: My back yard.