Thursday, February 10, 2000

Company recalls car collectibles
WASHINGTON (AP) -- An Arizona company is recalling 1,600 collectible items -- lighted glass panels etched with images of race cars -- because their florescent lights pose a fire hazard.

Classic truck
First, it was one of the first trucks delivered to Lytton, Iowa, after World War II. The original owners and friends of Holden, Lloyd and Hazel Hutchinson, purchased the truck to use on their farm in Lytton.

Three-year-old is a whiz at naming cars
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Andrew Owen Koon picks a packed parking lot for an outing and races from one car to the next identifying the vehicles and models: Ford Taurus, Toyota Avalon, Jaguar, Volvo.

Sauerkraut can be truly satisfying dish
NEW YORK -- Choucroute is a traditional food of the Alsace region of France, up near the border with Germany and Switzerland. It's a French classic that puts off a lot of novice cooks because it seems complicated to prepare.

Chicken Poached in Coconut Curry can be on table in no time
Pick up the ingredients for Chicken Poached in Coconut Curry on your way home from work, or better yet during your weekly grocery shop.

Turn leftover meat into a totally different meal
I like when I have leftover meat from the night before to make a dish that has a totally different flavor for the next evening's meal.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 166, a year ago 154.

How to contact U.S. senators, representatives
Sen. Paul Wellstone

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 68, a year ago 156.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday cattle: 800.

Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Wednesday.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 300.

Accidents
ONAMIA -- The State Patrol reported three people were injured Monday as a result of a two-vehicle accident about a mile south of Onamia on Highway 169.

Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Tuesday.

Cuyuna Country book arrives from printer
CROSBY -- "Cuyuna Country: A Peoples' History" has arrived from Bang Printing in Brainerd and is available at the Jessie F. Hallett Memorial Library in Crosby or by mail order.

Children, seniors bridge generational gaps through volunteer program
WILLMAR (AP) -- Before they meet, many students in Robin Isaacson's second-grade class at Lincoln Elementary School think senior citizens are old, gray and immobile by definition.

It's all about children
CROSSLAKE -- Children have been the driving force in all the work Kathy and Larry Allen have done since July 1998.

Panel formed to study future of senior nutrition program
STAPLES -- The Region 5 Development Commission Area Agency on Aging has formed a nutrition subcommittee made up of county representatives to study the changing needs of senior citizens in the five-county area.

Cuyuna Country Heritage Preservation Society elects officers
Kaye Gillman, president of the Cuyuna Country Heritage Preservation Society for the past two years, turned over the gavel to millennium year president Clem LaVictoire.

Neighbors briefs
WADENA -- A Family Tree Workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Wadena County Historical Society, 603 N. Jefferson, Wadena.

Group works to protect Lake Mille Lacs
Various government and other agencies have come together as the Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Management Group to protect the water quality and economic viability of Lake Mille Lacs.

Artist living her dream
HACKENSACK -- Few people are happily living out their lives in a dream job in a dream environment.

Game spurs Aitkin's Kanz to continue playing hockey
AITKIN -- It's difficult to say that one game can make a season but for Pequot Lakes/Crosby-Ironton/Aitkin goalie Kelly Kanz one game made a season and more.

What is a charter school?
-- A charter school is a public school funded with public money. There is no tuition. It is non-sectarian, non-religious and may not discriminate its students' admissions.

Line change sparks Dobis, other LF hockey players
LITTLE FALLS -- Last week Little Falls Flyers hockey player Chris Dobis found himself with two new linemates and the change paid off.

Racing on ice
World Snowmobile Association Pro Ice co-owner Wally Scheer smiles as he interviews Dan Picht after Picht won the Pro Stock 440-Liquid 10-lap final on his Arctic Cat.

Snowmobile rally in Onamia to help Viking Children's Fund
ONAMIA -- The Arctic Blast, a Minnesota Vikings snowmobile rally and winter party to benefit the Viking Children's Fund, will be held Saturday, Feb. 19, in Onamia.

Students invited to College Experience Day at CLC
Juniors and seniors from area high schools are invited to College Experience Day for a close look at liberal arts and career education available to Minnesota students.

Regional briefs
LONG PRAIRIE -- Project Together will host an afternoon of bowling at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at Long Prairie Lanes in Long Prairie.

Cardinals have something to prove
STAPLES -- Despite a 13-1 record the Staples-Motley Cardinals boys' basketball team still feels it has something to prove.

Lucky survivor
ROBBINSDALE -- Kent Johnson never thought he would wake up in a hospital. Instead, as his vehicle plummeted Friday into Gull Lake, Johnson believed his next destination was a mortuary.

Panel approves tougher registration rules and penalties for sex offenders
ST. PAUL -- Despite a possible strain on prisons, a Senate panel on Wednesday endorsed a minimum two-year prison term for predatory offenders who ignore registration laws, which the bill also enhances.

Murder suspect makes first court appearance
WALKER -- The man accused of murdering 92-year-old Carrie Nagel in her rural Hackensack home made his first court appearance with his attorney Monday.

Ryan: Input needed
Regional jail discussions have not included larger public input.

County rejects worksheet on Upper Whitefish tract
A petition signed by about 30 area residents seeks to address environmental concerns on a portion of land owned by Keith Donaldson on Upper Whitefish Lake. However, the Crow Wing County Board on Tuesday denied the request to have an Environmental Assessment Worksheet conducted.

County gets good news on solid waste
Crow Wing County residents are recycling more and the landfills are being cleaned up.

Pequot condos not anxious to house sex offender So he'll come to Brainerd instead
PEQUOT LAKES -- A 29-year-old convicted sex offender who will be released from prison on Wednesday will no longer be relocating to the Scandia North Condominiums in Pequot Lakes.

Help sought for 371 land use proposal
Volunteers are being sought to participate in the Highway 371 land use plan.

House panel votes to delay new feedlot rules
ST. PAUL -- Proposed changes to Minnesota's 20-year-old feedlot rules are confusing and controversial and should be delayed a year, a House panel unanimously agreed Wednesday.

371 moratorium adjusted to allow signs
On-site signs along Highway 371 are back in business today.

140,000 convictions now in state database
Law enforcement officials, prosecutors and judges throughout the state will have access to 140,000 conviction records that were previously withheld because of incomplete information, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1980) - The mayor's office will remain on the city hall's second floor, but the rest of the offices there will soon shift one floor below. This is the plan worked out last night by the City Building Committee, to be presented to the city council.

Two arrested in meth bust
Two Brainerd people were arrested Wednesday for possession with attempt to deliver more than one-quarter pound of methamphetamines.

Governor criticized in U.S. Senate hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) -- Witnesses told a U.S. Senate panel that part of the problem of preventing suicide are attitudes such as those expressed by Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, who called suicidal people ''feeble'' and ''weak-minded.''

Yes, there will be snow in Brainerd this weekend
Anderson Brothers Co

Judge throws out loggers' lawsuit over timber appeals
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A federal judge this morning threw out a logger lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service and two environmental groups that claimed the Forest Service has buckled to a nature-based religion.

Local briefs
LITTLE FALLS -- The Little Falls School Board will meet in special session at 8 a.m. Thursday to discuss the fairgrounds property. The board will meet at the fairgrounds.

Ventura touring central Minnesota
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- Central Minnesotans prepared to catch a glimpse of Gov. Jesse Ventura and his entourage on a 13-town, two-day tour beginning today.

LF citizens say they can't complain about Ventura
LITTLE FALLS -- Ione Maier, a 30-year volunteer at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, came away with what she wanted from Gov. Jesse Ventura's visit -- an autograph for her grandson's book.

Fifth-grader handcuffed, blindfolded inside school bus by driver, police say
ROCHESTER (AP) -- A school bus driver turned himself in after police accused him of handcuffing a fifth-grade passenger and leaving her blindfolded and gagged in the back of a locked bus.

Focus on fitness program opens Saturday
The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department's Focus on Fitness program kicks off Saturday with an event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brainerd High School gymnasium balcony and weight room.

There was hardly time for a beer
LITTLE FALLS -- Gov. Jesse Ventura talked health Wednesday at St. Gabriel's Hospital, but he started his speech with a confession of sorts.

Brainerd City Council to discuss annexation
The Brainerd City Council will meet Tuesday at city hall to discuss annexation issues.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1980) - A long-awaited milestone is approaching for the Crow Wing County Historical Society. Within days the group will begin work on the old County Jail in the first phase of an overall renovation project that will turn it into a museum.

Landowners put property into trusts
GRAND RAPIDS (AP) -- Pete and Carol Harris like their 100 acres of lake property just the way it is, and they want future generations to be able to enjoy the lake and mixed hardwood forest, too.

Ventura, his top aide considering leaving national Reform Party
ST. PAUL -- Gov. Jesse Ventura and other Minnesota Reform Party leaders are questioning whether remaining affiliated with the battle-torn national party is in their best interest.

Cass County awaits ruling on business
WALKER -- U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson heard arguments Tuesday in the Karyn Brown vs. Cass County case to seek a restraining order to prevent the county from using zoning ordinances to require a conditional use permit for adult entertainment businesses.

Investigation shows shooting by Duluth police officer justified
DULUTH (AP) -- An investigation has found that a Duluth police officer was justified in fatally shooting a man threatening his wife with a kitchen knife.

Activity day
If it wasn't for community members, teachers, staff and students Activity Day at Washington Middle School wouldn't be possible.

Local briefs
The Brainerd City Council and the Brainerd Public Utilities Commission will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in city council chambers at city hall to discuss the extension of public utility services to East Gull Lake.

Hate crimes expansion approved
ST. PAUL (AP) -- After hearing testimony from a survivor of the World War II Nazi death camp at Auschwitz, a panel endorsed the first expansion of Minnesota's hate-crimes law in 11 years.

Bill would curb cheating on hunting applications
ST. PAUL -- The suspected abuse of special deer hunting permits for the disabled spurred a Senate panel's unanimous endorsement Wednesday of tightening application rules.

Brainerd High School may get new greenhouse
A new greenhouse at Brainerd High School is becoming more of a reality each day.

Capitol notebook
A proposal to help mothers drop off newborns without fear of prosecution is becoming a source of tension even before it comes up for a committee hearing.

Fate of multi-county health plan still in air
Two years of discussions went into establishing a multi-county based health plan.

Vandals bring down Web sites
WASHINGTON -- Internet vandals continued an unprecedented campaign of electronic assaults against the biggest names in cyberspace, disrupting access for consumers to the some of the Web's most popular sites.

Hack attacks on Web spur new calls for security
NEW YORK -- An electronic assault on some of the biggest sites in cyberspace is renewing calls for better high-tech security by businesses and government. But even proponents of stricter measures acknowledged there was no ironclad defense.

Study: Defibrillators prevent sudden death in people with heart condition
Kurt Kelsey wondered for years if his defibrillator implant surgery at 35 was a waste.

Boeing engineers go on strike
SEATTLE (AP) -- Engineers and technicians walked off the job today at Boeing Co. after last-ditch talks with a federal mediator failed to produce an agreement on a labor contract.

House opens marriage penalty debate
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Staking election-year strategy on a parade of tax cuts, House Republicans opened debate today on a 10-year, $182 billion income tax cut for millions of married couples.

Pull toys could cause choking hazard, recalled
WASHINGTON (AP) -- About 3,400 children's pull toys are being recalled because some of their smaller parts could pose a choking hazard to young children.

Slowing of productivity surge seen
WASHINGTON -- The current economic expansion, already the longest in U.S. history, will keep going this year and beyond, but the remarkable surge in productivity that has helped to hold down inflation may not last, the Clinton administration said today.

Shaq simply too much for Timberwolves
LOS ANGELES -- For a while on Wednesday, as the Timberwolve frontcourt scattered and shattered, it looked as if Shaquille O'Neal could beat Minnesota by himself.

Services planned for Chiefs' Thomas
MIAMI (AP) -- Derrick Thomas' No. 58 jersey almost certainly will be retired by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tiger makes record seem within reach
One sports records that I don't think will ever be broken is Byron Nelson's 11 consecutive victories on the PGA tour.

DERRICK THOMAS IS DEAD AT 33
MIAMI (AP) -- Nearly 12 hours after Derrick Thomas died, his family and friends remained at Jackson Memorial Hospital, consoling one another and sharing their memories of the nine-time Pro Bowl linebacker.

Tiger's trying to run streak to 7
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The PGA Tour just happens to be stopping at one of Tiger Woods' favorite courses.

Dad would enjoy what Woods has done to improve game
Dear Dad, You won't believe what's going on down here with Tiger Woods.

Griffey may go to Cincy
NEW YORK (AP) -- Ken Griffey Jr. is going to the Cincinnati Reds -- if they can work out a new contract by this weekend.

Bonnie M. Dircks
ST. STEPHEN -- Bonnie M. Dircks, 52, St. Stephen, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at her home.

Jeanne M. (Scavo) Smith
DEERWOOD -- Jeanne M. (Scavo) Smith, 73, Deerwood, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000.

Donald W. LeBlanc
LITTLE FALLS -- Donald W. LeBlanc, 68, Little Falls, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

Bonnie M. Dircks
ST. STEPHEN -- Bonnie M. Dircks, 52, St. Stephen, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at her home.

Edward Shupe
PEQUOT LAKES -- Edward Shupe, 89, Pequot Lakes, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Village of Pine River.

Gladys McAndrews
Gladys McAndrews, 88, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.

Marion M. Lutgen
ONAMIA -- Marion M. Lutgen, 66, Onamia, formerly of Osseo, died Tuesday Feb. 8, 2000, at the Mille Lacs Hospital in Onamia.

Gregory J. Pierson
FORT RIPLEY -- Gregory J. Pierson, 62, Fort Ripley, died Friday, Feb. 4, 2000, in a hospital in Mesa, Ariz.

Valentine 'Val' N. Lindner
WACONIA -- Valentine "Val" N. Lindner, 106, Waconia, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, at Auburn West in Waconia.

Patricia R. Litchy
ONAMIA -- Patricia Ruth Litchy, 89, Onamia, formerly of Pine Center, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at Mille Lacs Nursing Home of Onamia.

John T. Bartz
John T. Bartz, 80, Brainerd, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, in Minneapolis.

Lucille M. Vukelich
CROSBY -- Lucille M. Vukelich, 85, Longwood, Fla., formerly of Crosby, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at the Orlando Regional South Seminole Hospital in Longwood, Fla.

The latest media darling
Just as everybody wants another hero, every campaign needs a media darling. John McCain is this year's model, hands down.

OTHER OPINIONS
As a light rail system in the Twin Cities enters the latest phase of a years-long debate, rural Minnesota may well shrug its shoulders with disinterest.

Open Forum
Last week, the House of Representatives attempted to override a veto by Gov. Jesse Ventura and restore funding for a World War II Memorial on the State Capitol grounds. They came up short, but their point was well taken.

Open Forum
Here we go again -- political action committees with lots of money trying to influence the people of northern Minnesota. Recent newspaper ads by the Sierra Club's political action committee are not only misleading but are simply wrong.

A challenge for education in Mexico
The following editorial appeared in Tuesday's Los Angeles Times:

Decision time - Dispatch Editorial
Proponents for a unicameral or one-house Legislature realize this is crunch time. The measure could go to a vote before a House panel as early as Friday.

Yes on aid to Columbia
The following editorial appeared in today's Washington Post:

The McCain Wave
The John McCain Wave of 2000 can be compared to the popular-wave phenomena in the presidential elections of 1940, 1952, 1972, 1976, 1984 and 1992.

Scoreboard
Boys Hockey

CLC women use outside game to prevail
So far this season, the Central Lakes College Raiders women's basketball team has been beating its opponents by pounding the ball inside.

W-DC scores 6-1 triumph
WADENA -- The Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Thunder boys' hockey team was beaten by the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines 6-1 in non-conference action Tuesday.

Jackowiak, Carlson lead Pillager girls' win
PILLAGER -- Marta Jackowiak and Nacole Carlson had career games to help the Pillager girls' basketball team defeat Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig 85-21 in non-conference action Tuesday.

Gophers stun 10th-ranked Hoosiers
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers won the game but lost their leader.

Warrior grapplers beat Alexandria
ALEXANDRIA -- The Brainerd Warriors snapped a 3-match losing streak with a 52-19 Central Lakes Conference win over the Alexandria Cardinals on Tuesday.

Warrior girls edge W-DC
As of late, the Brainerd Warriors girls' hockey team's biggest problem has been putting the puck in the net.

Staples-Motley gives Pequot girls a scare 57-56
STAPLES -- When you play a No. 1 team you can either be intimidated or you can step it up.

Brainerd nordic skiers grab 2nds
LITTLE FALLS -- The Brainerd Warrior boys' and girls' nordic ski teams each placed second and advanced three individuals to state competition at the Section 8 meet Tuesday.

Staples-Motley gymnasts break school record in beating Frazee
FRAZEE -- The Staples-Motley gymnasts broke their school record on their way to winning the Frazee Invitational Saturday.

WARRIOR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Amanda vaults into the spotlight
Amanda Rau couldn't select a better gymnast to emulate.

Area sports shorts
Central Lakes Conference Raiders basketball players Sarah Nagel and Dwayne Mabon have been named Northern Division Players of the week.

Raider men finally solve Northland's zone
Very few teams want to deal with the athleticism of the Central Lakes College Raiders men's basketball team.

Apollo adds Warriors to list of victims
There is no rest for the weary.

Local shorts
Nisswa resident Lyle Steffenson will be inducted into the Minnesota State Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame on March 11 at the St. Cloud Tennis Center.

Aitkin edges Hinckley-Finlayson in Great River
AITKIN -- The Aitkin Gobblers boys' basketball team edged out the Hinckley-Finlayson Jaguars 56-49 in a Great River Conference game Tuesday night.

Vikings expected to release Randall McDaniel
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings are expected to release Pro Bowl guard Randall McDaniel to help ease the crunch being caused by their estimated $20 million-$25 million salary cap overrun.

Pierz pins Big Lake
PIERZ -- The Pierz Pioneers topped the Big Lake Hornets 33-31 in a Central Minnesota Conference meet Tuesday to clinch the conference championship with a record of 7-0.

Perfect! Warrior gymnasts finish unbeaten season
The Brainerd Warriors gymnastics team completed its first unbeaten season in seven years with a 143.3 to 132.275 non-conference win over the Moorhead Spuds Tuesday.

Warrior boys skate to sixth straight win
LITTLE FALLS -- Shane Medin's hat trick helped the Brainerd Warriors boys' hockey team to a 7-2 Central Lakes Conference win over the Little Falls Flyers on Tuesday.

Scoreboard
Women's College Basketball

Entertainment Calendar
Backus

Is Democracy Fair?
NEW YORK MILLS -- If the pros and cons of democracy stimulate the ol' noodle, then it's time to put your thoughts into words.

Folk singer Suchy to perform in LF
LITTLE FALLS -- Folk singer Chuck Suchy will perform in the latest House Concert at the Black & White Hamburger Shop in Little Falls, starting at 7 p.m. Feb. 17.

Singer/songwriter Reed to give fund-raising concert
ST. CLOUD -- Award-winning singer and songwriter Ann Reed will perform Saturday at St. Cloud State University in a fund-raising concert in celebration of singles, couples and the Women's Center's 10th anniversary.

'Play It to the Bone' fails to ignite with purpose, conviction
Sports-movie fans must be wondering whatever possessed Ron Shelton, the Hollywood expert of the genre, to release his latest creation, "Play It to the Bone," now showing at Brainerd area theaters.

Brainerd orchestra, Aitkin choir to join for concert
AITKIN -- The Aitkin High School Concert Choir and Brainerd High School Orchestra will present a free, joint concert at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Aitkin High School auditorium.

BSU band to perform in Pine River
PINE RIVER -- The Bemidji State University band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pine River-Backus Public School during its 2000 concert tour.

Modine plays another offbeat role in TV update of 'Charly'
LOS ANGELES -- The production notes for the CBS movie ''Flowers for Algernon'' report that it is based on a novel by Daniel Keyes. No mention that the book also provided the basis for ''Charly,'' the film that won Cliff Robertson an Academy Award for best actor.

Uncle Sam scams scammers in Grisham novel 'The Brethren'
What does a mail scam run by prison inmates have to do with a presidential campaign?

Little Falls to host ballet residency
LITTLE FALLS -- One of the constellations in the Twin Cities cultural heavens will cast its light on Little Falls area audiences next week.

Tonic Sol-Fa, a cappella quartet from St. Cloud, to perform in Pequot Lakes
PEQUOT LAKES -- Tonic Sol-Fa, the ever-popular, all-male a cappella quartet from St. Cloud, rolls into town next week with its "little of everything" show for a Greater Lakes Area Performing Arts Theatre audience.

Best videos
Weekly charts for the nation's most popular videos as they appear in next week's issue of Billboard magazine. Reprinted with permission:

Guitarist to open spring Grassroots Concerts series Feb. 18 in Nisswa
NISSWA -- Dean Magraw, the opening act in the spring season of Grassroots Concerts, will perform on the guitar at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Nisswa Community Center.

Best music
Weekly charts for the nation's best-selling recorded music as they appear in next week's issue of Billboard magazine. Reprinted with permission.

Lampa sets sights on journalism or politics
Graham Lampa bears the emphatic demeanor of the deep-thinker-big-talker, a characteristic that attracts the attention of his teachers, as well as the honchos who run the high school.

Smith ditches victim role in Lifetime movie
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Jaclyn Smith isn't the beautiful damsel in distress in her newest television movie.

Best books
Publishers Weekly best selling books

Pine River violinists
Sarah Walker, 13, Pine River, reviews her music while her sister, Rebecca, 7, tunes her violin before facing judges Saturday during the Minnesota Music Teachers Association Preliminary Contest at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph. (AP Photo)

Lamberson to direct 'Bus Stop,' which opens today
The Central Lakes College production of William Inge's "Bus Stop" opens tonight and runs through Feb. 20, with evening and matinee performances in the Bob Dryden Theatre.

'Scream 3' just doesn't measure up
The original ''Scream,'' a taut, exciting slasher flick, sent up horror movies intelligently and thrillingly without becoming a parody. ''Scream 2'' built on that with an even more textured ode to B-movie horror -- and a jab at the Hollywood-as-corrupter-of-youth stereotype.

Tempo tidbits
A limited number of reserved seats are still available for the Sons of San Joaquin concert at 8 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School auditorium, promoters said this week.

Two area authors nominated for book awards
ST. PAUL -- The published works of two lakes area authors have been nominated for a Minnesota Book Award, the Minnesota Center for the Book announced this week.

Heartland Poets to meet Friday at library
Heartland Poets, a local chapter of the League of Minnesota Poets, will meet from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday in the large room of the Brainerd Public Library.

Little Miss Nisswa participants
Second-grade girls in the Little Miss Nisswa Pageant include Amy Depaoli (front row, left), McKenzie Schmitz, Laura Grotti, Tina Thoele, Magan Olson, Taylor Headlee, Samantha Bak (back row, left), Nichole Meier, Katrine Newton, Taylor Ohotto, Melissa Boggs and Colleen Kennedy. Not pictured is Karisa Hayes.

Miss Nisswa Christie Heiling says farewell
Being part of the Nisswa community has made me who I am today. I've grown up loving to go fishing and boating on Gull Lake with my family as well as enjoying the beautiful areas of other surrounding lakes and beaches.

Problems in God's waiting room
Today, we Americans spend a great deal of time anticipating our retirement years, an illusory time when dreams come true. Few of us consider a time when we will need help with the simple, day-to-day tasks until we are no longer able to do them ourselves.

Miss Nisswa candidates profiled
Nicolle Marie Lund is the daughter of Doug and Debbie Lund, Nisswa, and attends Brainerd High School. Her hobbies and interests include snowboarding, being with friends, wakeboarding and skating.

Evening grosbeaks visit each morning
Every morning I'm amazed at their numbers. Dozens arrive to enjoy the backyard tray feeder and nearby bird bath.

Lakes area news
PINE RIVER -- The Pine River Jaycee's One Lunger 100 second annual single cylinder snowmobile race is scheduled Feb. 20.

11 area seniors to seek Miss Nisswa title
NISSWA -- Christie Heiling, 1999 Miss Nisswa, will crown the new Miss Nisswa on Friday.

Best technique for preventing colds? It's all in the wrists
Think Lady Macbeth. Think Howard Hughes. Washing your hands incessantly and thoroughly is probably the most effective way to avoid catching a cold. What happens is that you transmit the disease to yourself by touching a contaminated surface -- a telephone, a doorknob, a keyboard where germs can lurk for hours, if not days. Then you touch your nose or eyes before washing your hands. The damage is done.

Jubilee events
NISSWA -- The Nisswa Jaycees' 28th annual Winter Jubilee will be Feb. 18-20 with the theme "Everybody's Gone Nisswa ... Nisswa U.S.A."

Lakes area events
Miss Nisswa Scholarship Program, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nisswa School. Tickets, $3.

Brainerd forecast
Tonight...Periods of snow with accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Low around 10 above. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Around the region
Alexandria 41 25 .00

Around the nation
Albany,N.Y. 39 33 cdy

Around the region
Alexandria 34 18 .12

Skating pals
Weather drawing byAbbey Buchta of Sharon Jendro's first grade class at Lowell school.

Brainerd forecast
Tonight...Partly cloudy. Low from 10 to 15 below. North wind around 10 mph becoming light and variable.

Around the world
Amsterdam 47 41 cdy

Around the nation
Albany,N.Y. 24 17 cdy

It's snowing
Weather drawing by Chelsea Fullerton of Mrs. Benson's third grade class at Lowell school.

Around the world
Amsterdam 51 42 cdy

What's doing
Heartland Squares will have a Valentine dance from 8-10:30 p.m. Friday at Pequot Lakes Senior Center.

Names and faces
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Being a homemaking guru didn't help Martha Stewart escape a homeowner's tax bill.

Delicious cake from World War II
Dear Heloise: During the war years when many food ingredients were not available, I remember a cake my mother made that I believe was called WAR CAKE.

Foes of product fear kids are waiting to inhale
DEAR ABBY: In a recent column you discussed the subject of inhalant abuse. It incorrectly mentioned a 3M product, Scotchgard Fabric Protector, as one product that is commonly abused.