Saturday, January 26, 2008

BUSINESS NOTES
Kristi Westbrock-Bjerkness joined Consolidated Telecommunications Co. as director of human resources.

Things are happening downtown
If awards are icing on the cake, people behind work to renovate and revitalize downtown Brainerd will be deep in frosting.

Lakewood honored with MHA Award
STAPLES - The Minnesota Hospital Association has recently recognized Lakewood Health System, a member of the Health Care and Education Consortium, as the winner of the Health-Care Career Promotion award for 2007. The Health-Care Career Promotion award is designed to honor hospitals that demonstrate excellence in promoting health careers to students and those considering a career change.

Community Foundation to recognize philanthropic leader
The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation is seeking to recognize an area person who has shown a commitment to philanthropy.

Safe patient-handling grants received here
St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd and Good Samaritan Society Bethany in Brainerd each received a grant of nearly $7,700 from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Workplace Safety Consultation unit to help purchase equipment that will allow employees to safely handle physically challenged patients while lifting or moving them.

Here are the awards to be presented at downtown awards dinner
- Store front renovation - Main Street: The Bead Box.

BIZ BUZZ
The Grab-a-Java shop in Pillager closed earlier this month.

CLC FALL HONORS
The following students have been named to the fall semester president's list at Central Lakes College:

School menus
What's for lunch?

Crimes
The Brainerd Police Department is investigating two incident of vandalism reported early Thursday, including one instance where items were stolen.

Firefighters respond
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a call at 7:14 a.m. Saturday at Excelsior Place, 14211 Firewood Dr. in Baxter, to what turned out to be a false alarm.

BIRTHS
Paul and Tanya (Bjorge) Ruth, St. Cloud, a girl, Kaylin Marie, 7 pounds, 6 ounces, Jan. 12, 2008. Grandparents are Bob and Helen Bjorge, Baxter, Peter Ruth and Mary Bayerl, St. Cloud, Amy Ruth, Savannah, Ga.

Senior calendar
Weekly activities

Crow Wing County meetings
The following includes Crow Wing County meetings that may be attended by one or more members of the Crow Wing County Board:

Local brief
NISSWA - Cindy Holden, a real estate agent with Positive NORTH GMAC in Nisswa, was named 2007 Realtor of the Year.

Building permits
Brainerd permits

Your rights during the redemption period
Redemption period is the period of time after a foreclosure sale has been conducted. For residential property in Minnesota, this is typically six months, but in some cases 12 months. The period allowed for redemption is listed on the sheriff's sale notice.

'I fear that this has just begun'
Each year more Brainerd lakes area residents are discovering financial hardship because of home foreclosure or bankruptcy.

The four-year wait is over
Very exciting things are happening here at Kinship Partners.

MUCH OBLIGED
My thanks to the Human Rights Commission for the special award presented to me on Monday at Central Lakes College. I send very special thanks to the person who nominated me. I don't know who you are but I know you must be my friend.

WHAT'S DOING
The Good Samaritan Society-Woodland Campus is in need of hosts to facilitate Senior College. Classes start Feb. 11 for six weeks. To find out more about how you can help, contact Kris Matich, activity director, at 855-6618.

Kicking high
The Brainerd High School Warriors dance team performed high kicks as part of their routine during Friday's halftime of the Brainerd-Willmar girls basketball game at the BHS gymnasium.

Senate candidate Franken plans events in northern Minnesota
Al Franken, a DFL candidate for the U.S. Senate, has scheduled a house party and meet and greet sessions in Walker, Baxter, Wadena and Little Falls.

Local briefs
Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, has scheduled town meetings in Brainerd, Crosby and Nisswa in preparation for the start of the 2008 legislative session.

COMING THURSDAY IN ENTERTAINMENT
No new episodes? No problem. Columnist John Hansen unveils his annual list of the best characters on television.

Fifth annual Crosslake Winterfest planned for Feb. 8-10
CROSSLAKE - Crosslake is gearing up for an abundance of wintertime fun during their fifth annual Winterfest, Feb. 8-10.

Crosby's own Scorpions will be on display
History and the preservation of a dream will be on display in Crosby next Saturday.

They don't have ice like this back home in Indiana
This year, they weren't messing around.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1988) - Brainerd VFW Commander Roy Schellin sampled a doughnut at the Senior Citizens Center. The doughnuts were made with an automatic doughnut-maker purchased with funds from the VFW Club and the accessories were purchased with a contribution from the VFW auxiliary.

Doty unveils Pregnant Women and Parent Support Act for next session
Rep. Al Doty, DFL-Royalton, and fellow pro-life DFL House members unveiled a package of legislative proposals they feel offers solutions to the challenges women experience when faced with an unwanted pregnancy. Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie, is chief author of the bill. The proposals include:

COMING WEDNESDAY
The Community Behavioral Health Hospital in Baxter began serving people with mental illnesses in January 2007.

Cass County studies solid waste options
BACKUS - Cass County commissioners expect to look at a variety of options before the county's solid waste disposal contracts run out in 2012.

BHS sees St. Cloud Tech as chief foe in dance event
The Brainerd Warrior dance team will compete for the Central Lakes Conference title Saturday at Sartell High School.

This was Brainerd
100 years ago (1908) Ole Peterson, the farmer who runs a meat wagon around the city, had the misfortune to have a wheel taken off the wagon in swinging around a corner on North Fourth Street.

Panel OKs reductions for 5th, 6th grades
The Brainerd School Board Curriculum Committee recommended board approval Thursday of the program reductions for fifth- and sixth-grades.

What it takes to be a big winner
Jay Chaney won't fish the Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza without it.

Brainerd Dispatch: News | Brainerd, Minnesota | Brainerd Lakes Area News on brainerddispatch.com
The Brainerd Dispatch incorrectly listed several governmental meetings as ones that he would attend in a Page 6A story in Friday's paper. With the exception of a Feb. 6 Trommald City Council meeting, they were all meetings that he has attended during the legislative interim.

Correction
The Brainerd Dispatch incorrectly stated that presidential preference balloting for the Morrison County DFL precinct caucuses would begin at 8 p.m. Feb. 5. The caucuses begin at 7 p.m. and the presidential balloting will conclude at 8 p.m.

Ebert third, LaVallee fourth at X-Games
Lakeshore's Dan Ebert placed third in the Snocross final of the Winter X Games at Buttermilk, Mountain in Aspen, Colo., on Saturday.

Hamilton feels warmly about lakes area
Bone chilling to balmy.

CORRECTION
In a Page 1A story in Friday's Dispatch about school attendance boundaries, the number of classroom sections proposed for each elementary school next year was incorrect. The proposed plan retains the current number of classroom sections with four at Baxter and Riverside, three at Garfield and Lowell and two at Harrison and Nisswa.

Redrawing the district boundaries
Elementary school attendance boundaries haven't meant much in recent years since Brainerd parents could choose the schools they wanted their children to attend.

LOCAL BRIEFS
PALISADE - The 20th annual Midwinter Festival is planned in Palisade with events from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 2.

Landfill stink blamed on inversion
A stinky situation along Highway 210 comes with a science lesson.

Angler troops ready for battle
Indiana anglers Kevin Geise (left), Clay Finnegan, Bruce Van Houten, Josh Traxler, Shane Mills, Kurt Downing, Chad Downing and Jon Pettigrew walked Saturday morning to the site of the 18th annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza.

Overheard
"I would like to go on the record that it was said in 2008 on this particular day that this district, like all districts, is not out of the woods."

County fair board members attend convention
Members of the Crow Wing County Fair Board attended the Minnesota State Fair convention Jan. 18-20.

Crosslake sled mishap kills man
CROSSLAKE - A 33-year-old Henning man was killed Friday night after the snowmobile he was operating crashed into trees on the south shoreline of Big Pine Lake in Crosslake, the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department reporfted.

Joel E. Swedberg
McGREGOR - Joel E. Swedberg, age 89, of McGregor, died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.

Willmar 'Bill' Holmquist
LITTLE FALLS - Willmar "Bill" L. Holmquist, 90-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at the Colonia Acres Nursing Home in Golden Valley.

Chuck S. DeZurik
LITTLE FALLS - Chuck S. DeZurik, 46-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Jan. 24, 2008, at his residence in Little Falls, Minn. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 28 at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn., with Father Nicholas Landsberger officiating.

Eldon Macrunnels
STAPLES - Eldon Macrunnels, age 75, of Staples, passed away at the Lakewood Health System Hospital early Saturday morning, Jan. 26, 2008. Arrangements are pending and entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 40 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph. To place an obituary in the Dispatch, consult the funeral home handling arrangements.

Loren F. Peterson
CROSBY - Loren Frank Peterson, age 64, of Crosby, died on Jan. 22, 2008, at St. Cloud Hospital.

Donald W. Wasson
Donald W. Wasson, 73, resident of Brainerd, died Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, at St. Cloud Hospital. Arrangements are with Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.

Merry Mary' D. Hakes
AITKIN - Merry "Mary" D. Hakes, age 98, of Aitkin and formerly of Springfield, Minn., died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.

Joseph J. Wolfe
Joseph James Wolfe, age 95, resident of Brainerd, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2008, at his home. Memorials services will be held at a later date.

Frank C. Schloemer
HILL CITY - Frank C. Schloemer, age 77, of Hill City, formerly of Sartell and Big Fish Lake near Cold Spring, Minn., died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at his home.

William M. Smithburg
William M. Smithburg, age 86, of Rosemount, formerly of Brainerd, Minn., passed away Jan. 19, 2008.

Robert C. Moberg
PINE CENTER - Robert C. Moberg, 85, of Pine Center, died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at the Veterans Administration Care Center in St. Cloud, Minn. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at Holy Family Catholic Church at Bulldog Lake near Hillman, Minn., with Father Paul Fruth officiating. Friends are welcome to visit after 9:30 a.m. Interment will be at a later date at Dykeman Union Cemetery in Pine Center. Memorials are preferred.

Jeanette M. Grubb
AITKIN - Jeanette M. Grubb, age 85, of Aitkin, died Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, at the Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin.

Vina Gilmer
Vina Gilmer, age 94, a long-time Brainerd resident, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village.

Chuck DeZurik
LITTLE FALLS - Chuck DeZurik, age 46, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at his residence. Arrangements are pending with Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.

Open Forum: Let's give George W. Bush a third term
I believe President Bush should be allowed a third term so he can complete his programs and agenda. A constitutional amendment will have to be voted on.

OTHER OPINION: DONATIONS
There's an old saying about no good deed going unpunished. However, what about a clumsy, but well-intentioned one?

VOX POP
I apologize. I was inconsiderate and rude. I didn't know it was grant money that purchased the clickers in math class. Thank you to all involved for getting them in our classrooms! You did explain to me how valuable they are.

Guest column
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, we will all have the opportunity to come together to discuss and vote on political issues which affect all of us including taxes, government spending, education, health care, legal and civil rights, family security, defense of life, property rights, the environment and foreign affairs.

An American Classic
ST. PAUL - Pheasants Forever dubbed it National Pheasant Fest 2008. But the organization's 25th anniversary convention could just as easily have been called Dog Fest.

Pheasants Forever banquet scheduled
The North Country chapter of Pheasants Forever will hold its 10th anniversary banquet Feb. 23 at the Timbermist banquet hall in Brainerd.

Time to think about open water -and getting in shape
Where has the time gone?

FISHING REPORT
A few walleyes are being taken during the evening hours on Lake Miltona in 25 feet and on lakes Carlos and Ida in 32 to 37 feet. Reno Lake is kicking out crappies in six to 10 feet and walleyes in 12 to 15 feet during low-light periods. Lake Victoria and Smith Lake are the area's best sunfish options in less than 12 feet of water.

Engagement announced - Veronica Addison and Daryl Sanford
Veronica Addison and Daryl Sanford announce their engagement. Parents are the late Carole Hinckley and Ronald and Barbara Sanford, Welch. A June 21 wedding is planned in Red Wing.

Wedding planned - Katie McCarthy and Randy Lee
Katie McCarthy and Randy Lee announce their engagement. Parents are Rose McCarthy, Brainerd, and Art and Vicki Lee, Benson. A March 29 wedding is planned at St. Francis in Brainerd.

100th birthday - Dorothy Thomas
Dorothy Thomas will celebrate her 100th birthday with a party from 2-4 p.m. Thursday in the Community Room at Good Samaritan Society, Bethany, 804 Wright Street, Brainerd. No gifts please.

WITH THE MILLITARY
Pfc. Geoffry S.C. Roberts, 20, of Nisswa, graduated Jan. 4 from United States Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Roberts successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD San Diego and Camp Pendleton as one of 78 recruits in Training Platoon 3215. While in basic training, Roberts served as platoon scribe, squad leader and guide, and was meritoriously promoted to private first class. Following 10 days home leave and 10 days recruiter assistance, he will report to Camp Pendleton for two months at Infantry Training Battalion.

Four generations
Four generations recently gathered were Addison Hemquist, daughter, Little Canada; Arik Hemquist, father, Little Canada; Hank Hemquist, grandfather, Baxter; and Arlene Hemquist, great-grandmother, Parkers Prairie.

Four generations
Four generations recently gathered were newborn son, Eric Duy; Nathan Duy, son; Heather (Nelson) Duy, mother; Roxanne Nelson, grandmother; and Mavis Galligher, great-grandmother.

99th birthday - Pearl Burnard
Pearl Burnard, Nisswa, recently celebrated her 99th birthday. She was born Jan. 26, 1909.

WITH THE MILITARY
Navy Seaman Apprentice Robert A. Juaire, son of Lesly L. Juaire, Brainerd, and Mark A. Mankowski, Brainerd, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

Wedding planned - Jessica Fischer and Sam Brandl
Jessica Fischer and Sam Brandl announce their engagement. Parents are Dave and Laure Fischer, Pierz, and Mark and Debra Brandl, Brainerd. An April 19 wedding is planned at St. Joseph's Church in Pierz with a reception at The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes.

50th anniversary -Marilyn and Jay Brutsman
Marilyn and Jay Brutsman recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Jan. 16, 1958, in Aberdeen, S.D.

Wedding planned - Judy Stiner and Bruce Dutcher
Judy Stiner and Bruce Dutcher announce their engagement. A Feb. 23 wedding is planned at Emily Wesleyan Church with Pastor Jeff Drake and Pastor Barry Hite officiating.

Cold, penguins and the power of community
One night a couple of weeks ago I was watching a program on Lakeland Public Television about the amazing Emperor Penguins that make a remote part of Antarctica their winter home.

Church news
GARRISON - The Men's Crew at Light of the Cross Lutheran Church, Garrison, is sponsoring a free bird feeder building project from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 9. Free to all kids.

BHS happy to take charity
Nearly every shot from the field was heavily contested Friday. But it was the uncontested ones that made all the difference in the Brainerd Warriors girls' basketball team's 40-36 victory over the Willmar Cardinals.

Little Falls edges Alexandria
ALEXANDRIA - Teri Stein captured first place on the balance beam and placed second in the all-around for the Little Falls Flyers gymnastics team in its closely fought 125.45 to 124.55 Central Lakes Conference victory over Alexandria Thursday.

Ebert, Abrahamson, Thomsen win features
WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. - Dan Ebert of Lake Shore on an Arctic Cat, Kylie Abrahamson of Merrifield on a Polaris and Cody Thomsen of Baxter on an Arctic Cat each won feature races last weekend in the third round of the WPSA National Snowmobile Tour.

Aitkin's Andrew Hallberg gobbles up the opposition
Like a go-to player in hockey or basketball, Andrew Hallberg can be relied on for extra points.

AREA SHORTS
Brainerd High School graduate Blake Eller of the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth has earned preseason All-American baseball honors.

Willmar edges Flyers
LITTLE FALLS - Kaitlyn Gerads scored a goal and assisted on two others for the Little Falls Flyers as they were handed a 5-3 Central Lakes Conference loss at the hands of the Willmar Cardinals Friday in girls' hockey.

Zillmer scores 22 in C-I win
CROSBY - Megan Zillmer scored 22 points, 15 coming on free-throws, to lead the Crosby-Ironton Rangers past the Detroit Lakes Lakers 67-64 in overtime in Mid-State Conference basketball Friday.

BHS girls second, boys fourth
ALEXANDRIA - Hannah McAllister finished third with a time of 16:28 in skate to help lead the Brainerd Warrior girls' Nordic skiing team to a runner-up finish in the Central Lakes Conference meet Thursday.

Lepper scores 41 for W-DC
STAPLES - Matt Lepper poured in 41 points to lead the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines to a 90-87 win over the Staples-Motley Cardinals in Mid-State Conference basketball Friday.

BHS spears Sabres
SARTELL - Christian Engel and Bren Smith each had a goal and assist to help the Brainerd Warriors past the Sartell Sabres 3-2 in Central Lakes Conference boys' hockey Thursday.

Savaloja, Wegscheid lead W-DC
WADENA - The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines earned a split in their triangular meet Thursday by falling to Wheaton-Herman-Norcross 43-30 and beating Breckenridge 46-33.

Pickar ranked fourth, Mavericks No. 1
MANKATO - Brainerd High School graduate Andy Pickar of Minnesota State Mankato is the fourth-ranked individual at 165 pounds in this week's NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association poll.

Brainerd swamps Cardinals
It was supposed to be a close meet. There was nothing close about it.

Scoreboard
Area events

Hanowski leads Flyers past Cards
WILLMAR - Beau Hanowski scored two goals and had one assist for the Little Falls Flyers as they defeated the Willmar Cardinals 5-2 in Central Lakes Conference boys' hockey Friday.

Wyman nets 2 in BHS win
Emily Wyman scored two goals to help lead the Brainerd Warriors girls' hockey team past the Sartell/Sauk Rapids Sabres 4-2 Thursday night at Brainerd Area Civic Center.

Pioneers go 2-for-3 at quadrangular
PIERZ - Clint Poster, Corey Egan, Sean Huls and Alex Huls all went undefeated for the Pierz Pioneers at the Pierz Quadangular Friday.

Kempenich, LF girls win
ALEXANDRIA - Melissa Kempenich finished first in skate skiing with a time of 16:07 to help the Little Falls Flyers girls' Nordic ski team to its second consecutive Central Lakes Conference championship Thursday.

Verndale's Alicia Johnson a double threat on hardwood
While temperatures in January have fluctuated, Alicia Johnson has remained consistent - consistently good.

Late run lifts BHS
Even the fans at Brainerd High School were tired.

YOUTH HOCKEY
Austen Anderson is the 2008 recipient of the Jason Fitterer Memorial Award.

Warriors are runners-up at Moose Mountain meet
LUTSEN - Both Brainerd Alpine skiing teams finished second and five Warrior individuals placed in the top 10 on Thursday in the Moose Mountain Slalom meet.

Pequot, Pierz lose
MOOSE LAKE - Michael Ward scored 15 points as Pequot Lakes could not survive a second-half defensive breakdown and lost to non-conference opponent Moose Lake-Willow River 72-54 Thursday.

Pioneer posts overpower PL
PEQUOT LAKES - Katie Kimman scored a game-high 25 points and Gabrielle Boser had 17 to lead the Pierz Pioneers past the Pequot Lakes Patriots 60-56 in non-conference girls' basketball Thursday.

State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Becoming mostly cloudy. A chance of snow south...Mainly

The one that got away on Gull Lake
Weather drawing by Maddison Beach in the Riverside third grade of Mrs. Meyer.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Increasing clouds. Snow developing southwest in the afternoon with a chance of light snow central and northwest. Highs in the teens. Tonight...Snow central and south with a chance of light snow north. Lows 5 to 10 north...To teens south. Saturday...Snow likely far northeast with a chance of light snow or flurries elsewhere. Highs in the mid to upper 20s.

State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Mostly cloudy. Patchy light freezing drizzle or snow

State forecast for North Dakota
.Today...Increasing clouds. Slight chance of light snow far

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Snow likely far northeast in the morning...Then patchy freezing drizzle in the afternoon. A chance of mainly morning light snow or flurries with patchy freezing drizzle elsewhere. Highs in the mid to upper 20s.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. A slight chance of light snow far east. Highs around 20 northeast to the 30s southwest.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs near 30 east to around 40 west.

The anglers are coming
Extravaganza weather drawing by Cody James Christensen in the Baxter third grade of Ms. Hemstad.

State forecast for North Dakota
.Today...Mostly sunny and warmer. Highs from 20 northeast to the mid

State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Mostly cloudy. Snow likely central and north through

State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly sunny.