Business notes

The Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce will host the January CHOW Time South luncheon event from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Paul Bunyan Sports Bar and Grill, Excelsior Road North, Baxter.

The event is sponsored by the MorNorth Mortgage Corp.

The cost to attend is $3 with advance reservations or $5 at the door. For more information, call 829-2838, ext. 801.

Rubado returns to PORT Group Homes

Joe Rubado was named program manager at PORT's Girls Group Home, a group home for girls ages 12-18.

He fills a vacancy created when Jeff Hovdenes, Boys Group Home Program Manager, was activated for duty as a member of the Air Force Reserve.

Rubado returns to PORT from the Central Minnesota Juvenile Center in Brainerd, where he was a detention supervisor. PORT first hired Rubado in 1994 as a primary counselor-at-large. He rose through the ranks, working next as a primary counselor at Girls Group Home, then a house supervisor at Boys Group Home, and finally, as the first program manager at Harbor Home, PORT's 12-bed facility for boys ages 10-14.

A Grand Rapids native, Rubado earned a sociology degree from Winona State University and after that worked as an adventure counselor at St. Croix Camp for Boys in Sandstone.

Northern Pines announces appointment

Northern Pines Mental Health Center Inc. announced the appointment of Paul Springstead as director of clinical services. Springstead joins the agency's executive team.

Godfrey opens business

PILLAGER -- Neal Godfrey recently opened Godfrey Insulation in Pillager.

Godfrey, an insulation specialist, owns the business and works in insulating, waterproofing and metal roof sealing. He previously worked for Tailored Systems, Mid Minnesota Inc.

United Way honors leading companies

The Crow Wing County United Way awarded companies for being "leadership givers" at its victory celebration luncheon earlier this month.

Plaques for donations by employees of $10,000 or more were awarded to:

A-Tek, $10,000; Bremer Bank, $12,000; Clow Stamping, $11,000; Crow Wing Power, $10,000; Potlatch Corp., $44,000; Riverwood International, $15,000; St. Joseph's Medical Center, $21,000; US Bank, $11,000; Brainerd School District, $25,000; Target, $10,000; Wal-Mart, $14,000.

A special gift was given to Mike and Pat Boen for being the 2001 Fund Drive chair. The Pacesetter Award went to Crow Wing Power. The Traveling Trophy goes to the company where employees join together and help raise awareness of the United Way and what it does in the community.

Kummet Larson Bluth & Co. cites peer review

Kummet Larson Bluth & Co., licensed public accountants, Brainerd, announced the completion of its most recent peer review.

The peer review is a quality assurance program governed by the American Institute of certified public accountants. The firm is in compliance with quality control policies and procedures and conforms with professional standards of the AICPA in regard to its accounting and auditing practice.

Brainerd Sports & Marine signs with Yamaha

Brainerd Sports & Marine signed with Yamaha Marine Group to carry Yamaha outboard engines.

AmericInn achieves high rating

JENKINS -- The AmericInn, Jenkins, ranked in the top 10 percent in quality assurance excellence according to the chain's corporate office, AmericInn International.

McCalla appointed to adjunct assistant professor

Dr. Kit C. McCalla, formerly of the Brainerd lakes area, was appointed to the rank of adjunct assistant professor at Midwestern University, Glendale, Ariz.

McCalla, an orthopedic surgeon, graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1987.

McCalla graduated from Brainerd Community College and St. Cloud State University. McCalla graduated from Des Moines University-College of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in 1996.

He completed his post graduate orthopedic surgery residency at Mount Clemens General Hospital, a Michigan State University affiliated training hospital located in Mount Clemens, Mich.

McCalla started a private practice in Phoenix and is currently on staff at Arrowhead Community Hospital, Maryvale Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix Baptist Hospital, Phoenix Memorial Hospital and Healthsouth-Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital all in the Phoenix area.

Bourassa joins Tastefully Simple

Beverly Bourassa, Brainerd, recently became a Tastefully Simple Inc. consultant, a national direct sales company based in Alexandria.

Bourassa conducts in-home presentations of upscale, convenience driven gourmet foods.

Country Power Equipment changes name

Country Power Equipment Inc. is now Brainerd Country Power Equipment Inc.

The name change was effective Jan. 1. Country Power Equipment owners sold their business on Dec. 31 to Gary Scheeler for an undisclosed amount that included all inventory and parts and accounts. Personnel were retained.

Scheeler relocated Country Power Equipment to the intersection of Highway 18 and 25 in Brainerd. Country Power and Equipment will lease space currently in the Greatland Rental Service Building along Highway 25 South in Brainerd until the new structure is constructed in the spring at that same location.

Country Power and Equipment currently employs five people and plans to expand to add three to four more personnel. The business was established in 1997 west of Baxter.