From a slideshow entitled Vacation '03, Caitlin Keturi caught Mindy napping on the warm sand along Superior's shore. Apparently this year's vacation took the family across the U.P. all the way to Duluth. If my math is correct, Caitlin was 7 years old when Pasty Central began, half a lifetime ago (she's now 14).

Toivo checked in from the west coast with technical difficulties (the pointing device on his keyboard went haywire). Hopefully he'll have it fixed in time to resume weekday Pasty Cam duties tomorrow. Try a little duct tape, Toivo.

Speaking of technical matters, we had a number of reports of image-loading problems in the Pasty Cam archives the last few days. Our Michigan-Tech-trained systems administrator Jonathan Hopper located the server problem last night and restored proper operation. You should find the pages load faster, and the slide shows are smoother. Thanks Jon-boy!

It is plain from viewing this photo that our Creator saw fit to design dogs to be anatomically correct for sleeping.

Hey, Charlie, how's the pasty-makin' going? Any chance you'll start slipping 'em out the door before Labor Day? My freezer's empty! ;-)

Oh, did you folks find any deals on insurance?

Thanks for all the hard work you and everyone at Pasty Central/Pasty.com/Pasty.net puts into this wonderful website, making pastys, running Still Waters, providing 'net access, etc., etc.

Ahh accede somnolent canines remain recumbent, as the famous saying goes. Man's best compatriot appears in complete solace in this view. Something we all must learn to do in this short life, relax indeed.

Wheatman

Frank,

Production is right on schedule to complete the BIG order for the Minnesota State Fair, coming up later this month.

We have not yet found a solution to the insurance crisis the assisted living industry is facing. A number of liability insurers have dropped the state of Michigan due to adverse judgements (or so they say). Even though Still Waters has no liability issues, our rate has skyrocketed. Coupled with the over-supply of assisted living beds currently in the region, it has made life extremely difficult for Still Waters' management.

One thing has become apparent, which we have never publicly discussed here on the website. The Pasty Central project itself must become a separate entity, instead of an integrated fund-raising project of the Home. Here's why: Operational costs, such as liability insurance, is based in part on the gross revenues of any business. The gross sales of pasties contribute a couple hundred thousand dollars of revenue each year to Still Waters' total gross revenues. The bottom line: liability coverage for the pasty operation is costing us *assisted living home* rates, which are many times the rate for a bakery operation. This was not a problem when the pasty sales first began, but now has become prohibitive to continue as part of Still Waters' revenues. If we can decrease the Home's annual revenues, it will decrease the insurance cost.

The most expedient thing would be to simply stop making and shipping pasties. But several full time jobs would then be lost to the local economy, several thousand regular customers would be disappointed, and Still Waters would lose a vital source of support, both monetarily and from a promotional standpoint. Instead, we must convert Pasty Central to a stand-alone baking business, insured as a bakery, not a health care facility, but continuing in its mission to provide support for Still Waters.

Any suggestions from our web visitors would be welcome. Thanks for your support.

thanks for using my photo, charlie. mindy sure loves being in the UP. no leash on the lakeshore..she's free to run and play and do whatever. she seems a bit depressed now that she's back home, on a leash..but now she's a little pasty star! :o)

Charlie,

Your suggestion of breaking out the Pasty business from the Still Waters operation seems like an excellent idea. Based on my limited experience creating corporations and an LLC, it should be a relatively straightforward matter to create a new corporate entity whose primary function is to bake pasties (and/or provide internet services)and has no direct relationship to the assisted living enterprise. The change should be transparent to everyone except the managers of the businesses, the State of Michigan and your insurance provider. Sounds like it may be time to call a lawyer.

I agree with Chris in GR. A few good legal minds can advise and a separation is necessary if on paper only. Still Waters is a vital asset. All arenas, avenues, ideas must be explored to keep it viable and in business.

Could donations be sent on behalf of Stillwaters? And the sender could use this as tax rightoff as well. I think everyone that visits your wonderful site wouldn't mind sending donations for such a worthy cause.

Sure Charlie,
(re:Troll, MI)
How about a PayPal link to a trust fund? with a little rejoinder to support if one wishes.

Kudos to Mindy indeed, note how even in blissful repose upon Superior's sandy blanket man's/woman's best friend minds her master's sandals less some 2 (or 4) legged vandal should decide to slink off with said footwear.

What a beautiful dog....wish I could be up there laying on that beach right along side her!

Ahhh...to lay on the warm sand by Lake Superior. What a joy of life that is. Listening to the waves, children playing, a passing boat. The Upper Michigan sun gently warming your body, as you drink in the serenity that God has provided. Great photo today...what a "lucky dog"!

Caitlin: What breed is your Mindy? My husband and I take our Doberman Pincher and our Scottish Terrier with us when we travel to Duluth, Mn. about 2 to 3 times a year. We always have a great time in Duluth!!

As the human half of a pet therapy team, this picture of Mindy certainly proves to me yet again that pets are good for your health. I feel so much better after gazing at this beautiful, peaceful creature! Good dog, Mindy!! Keep up the good work!

What a great picture. This dog looks so relaxed she brought to mind a phrase my Yoga Teacher uses during final relaxation, "...allow your body to melt down through the earth..." Mindy's giving us all a lesson in melting.
Ahhhh!

I picked up StillWaters pasties at the Hilltop in L'anse a couple weeks ago. I thought they were going to be on the menu, but fortunately I had a cooler with me and bought the frozen pasties to take downstate. Very convenient! I'll do this every time I'm up (monthly May thru October)

The troll's are at work on the Lift Bridge cam.......

Mindy sure looks like our dog Daisy. Are you sure you didn't have her cloned?

mindy is basically just a mutt...her mom was black but with the same white markings, a lot like a border collie. so i'm thinking border collie/golden retriever mix type thing. the vet also said spaniel..but who knows really. she also loved Duluth, lots of attention! :o)

I see a soft place needing some kisses!! Right there on the fluffy part of the ear. I'll leave right now from Colorado to go do that!

Legal split is not a big issue, but saved us a ton on liability insurance. Everything still works and tastes the same, but the audit keeps everything separate. We run a 501 c 3 animal shelter and found that splitting off the "for profit" part and still putting the proceeds in the "not for profit part" kept the bean counters happy and changed us not a whit. Funny how those little "hobbies" can grow and create new businesses. Love those pasties............

Hey Mindy, that stamp sand's better than your
old blue chair anyday, heh?

Some good pictures Caitlin. Wish I could have been there to enjoy the beach with Mindy and the rest of you. Maybe next year. I think you should look into more photography as you seem to have a good sense of getting some good shots. Hope you enjoyed your trip to Duluth. It's a different kind of place all built on the hillside. Enjoyed the pics. I dont know if my first message went through so sent this one.

Our dog Daisy is a spanial mix but I thought she must have some lab in her too. But can't get over how Minday looks like Daisy. If I didn't know better I would think it was her. I put it as my wallpaper.

October, our next trip up, seems so far away.
Got an offer for a free trip to Mexico on a time
share but would have to give up coming up. Nothing
to even THINK about.
Sounds like your plan would work.
Great pic as usual.

Wow, little Mindy is a Pasty star! Who knew she would ever nap either! I bet she sure does miss the lakeshore though. She's soo sweet looking, even though she is in real life. I'm wondering, was this a few days before you left Redridge? She was prolly tuckered out by then I'm guessing. Well, keep taking these great pictures Cait! Love Ya! :)

Mindy is a sweetie. I sure wish our dog had a nice beach to be on. Of course, I sure would like to be by the lakes right now too. Sure miss them.

Hey! I personally know Mindy and she is just the most adorable dog ever!! She has got to be the nicest to! She is just another member of the family and i'm sure she enjoyed the vacation just as much as Caity did! They will both probably count down the days till their next vacation!! The other pictures are fantastic as usual! Don't forget to take those wonderful pictures of your friends!

Hi all,
Does anyone know where FINNFEST is being held this year? Is there a web site? I've been to a couple of them and enjoyed it.

Charlie, thanks for the updates on pasty production, insurance costs, and the situation there at SW.

I'd think that if Pasty Central was split off to solve the insurance problem, it's profits could help fund SW through a foundation or grant.

Keep us "in da loop"!