Sunday, February 15, 2009
Initiative Foundation announces recent investments in central Minnesota
LITTLE FALLS - The Initiative Foundation, based in Little Falls, announced that it has awarded 27 community grants totaling $165,275.
BUSINESS NOTES
Another group of 10 students is heading to the Pierz Villa for the clinical part of their Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Class.
BIZ BUZZ
Joel Meyer, owner of Papa Murphy's in Baxter, has purchased the building that houses his take-and-bake pizza business.
Hands-on training for future builders
Ethan Barthel took at turn with a heavy equipment simulator as CLC students in Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance supervised hands-on opportunities with simulators and actual operation of machinery.
BUSINESS NOTES
Kavanaugh joins CLC as admissions representative
Foundation focuses on economic recovery
LITTLE FALLS - With the nation in a deep recession, the Little Falls-based Initiative Foundation announced it was focusing efforts at economic recovery with more than $3.1 million earmarked for jobs, workers and families.
AGENDAS
Crow Wing County Board Committee of the Whole
Laughton remains in critical condition
Austin Laughton, 18, Brainerd, who was injured Thursday in a single-vehicle rollover crash, remained in critical condition Saturday at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.
BIRTHS
Jesse Goben and Cassy Berndt, Motley, a girl, Eliana Lynn, 7 pounds, 10 ounces, Feb. 4, 2009.
POLICE BLOTTER
CRASH - Rolan Epsen Friday reported hitting a deer with a company vehicle and damaging the front end at county roads 1 and 66 in Manhattan Beach.
WHAT'S DOING
The Good Samaritan Society-Woodland fourth annual spaghetti supper will be 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday at 200 Buffalo Hills Lane.
MUCH OBLIGED
On behalf of the Kinship kids and the staff we would like to say thank you to Al and Linda Larson and their dogs and also Cragun's for a wonderful afternoon of dog sled rides. There were 15 kids who enjoyed getting to know and pet the dogs, rides, hotdogs, marshmallows and hot chocolate. This was a great experience for the kids and we appreciate your support of Kinship.
Nate the dancer is looking for a partner
We never know when the perfect match will occur. We are continually enrolling kids and adults in our program. And then,almost like magic, it becomes apparent that the adult we just interviewed is the perfect partner for one of the kids who have been waiting.
What is normal anyway?
As normality is often hard to define, a case study was done in 2008 in which students at Woodvale Senior High School, specifically students in the music program, were exposed to a certain kind of abnormalality, or as it was described at the time by Dr. Summerville, "weirdness." The aim was to see what adolescents perceived as normal, or "average," and what they thought would be abstract, or as many of the participants described it, "weird." Test subjects were asked to have a "normal conversation" with their peers. It soon became apparent that discussions between close, or even "best" friends, was defined as weird by others with whom they were engaging in conversation. The conclusions of the study were that normalness is not an entirely flawed concept, rather it is simply defined as what the majority perceives as the mean, or average.
Three area airports get grants
Three area airports are among eight airports in northeast Minnesota that will receive federal grants to make improvements and plan for future expansion.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Central Lakes College, Brainerd, will host a free Senior Safety Day March 7.
Overheard
This historic step won't be the end of what we do to turn our economy around, but rather the beginning.
Plots really move in these books
NISSWA - Growing up in Nisswa, Heather Stephens remembers how fun it was to hop aboard the bookmobile to pick out some library books.
This was Brainerd
FEBRUARY 15 - 80 years ago (1929) - A 19-year-old International Falls youth, who tramped the 130 miles from Brainerd to St. Paul over snow covered roads, and then collapsed, was arraigned on a vagrancy charge. He is being held in jail pending the arrival of his parents.
Bone Builder program is 'building' statewide
Horizon Health's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Bone Builders Program is now training groups statewide.
Gladys Martinson
RANDALL - Gladys L. Martinson, age 82, of Randall, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at Amazing Days ElderCare in Randall. Funeral services will be held at Randall Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Robb Bellin officiating.
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.
Roy Erbele
FORT RIPLEY - Roy J. Erbele (the Harmonica Man) passed away on Feb. 1, 2009, at his home from cancer. Roy was born on Nov. 14, 1937, in Jamestown, N.D., to Jacob and Paulina (Harter) Erbele. LaMoure, N.D., was his boyhood home and where he attended school.
Daryl Torgerson
CROSBY - Daryl Robert Torgerson, age 66, of Crosby, died on Feb. 6, 2009, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. He was born on Feb. 27, 1942, to Henry and Marie (LaVictoire) Torgerson Sr. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the Myrin-James American Legion Post No. 443, Ironton.
James Urban
NISSWA - James Louis Urban, age 72, of Nisswa, died on Feb. 6, 2009, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. Jim lived courageously the past 10 years with many challenging medical problems, now he is in God's house at peace and free of pain.
Elizabeth Andolshek
CROSBY - Elizabeth Ann "Libby" Andolshek, age 88, of Crosby, formerly Crosslake, died on Feb. 12, 2009, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. She was born on Sept. 20, 1920, in Minneapolis to Harry and Anna (Chapman) Goodwin.
Lucas Ewertsen
LONG PRAIRIE - Lucas J. Ewertsen, age 3, of Long Prairie, Minn., passed away Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at his residence. A memorial service for Lucas will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2009, at Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn., with Chaplain Dave Greaver officiating. Friends may call on the family from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the chapel.
Carl Dagen
MOUNTAIN IRON - Carl James Dagen, age 44, of Mountain Iron, died unexpectedly Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009.
Martin Rutz
LITTLE FALLS - Martin Rutz, age 92 of Flensburg, Minn. passed away today, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls.
Brian Johnson
LITTLE FALLS - Brian C. Johnson, age 35, resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at his home in Little Falls. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel.
Robert Busching
Robert "B.J." Busching, 60, of Breezy Point, died Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
What do you think?
The Brainerd Dispatch welcomes letters on recent articles and current issues. Letters should include the writer's full name, city and a phone number (for verification only). Letters are limited to 300 words. Only one letter per person per week.
A letter from the publisher
Dear Reader,
Open Forum
Even since the Iowa Caucus was held all we have heard is A change you can believe in. I had assumed President Obama's meaning of the phrase was for a better way of running the government.Since his election:
OUR OPINION: SALMONELLA SCARE
Officials of the Peanut Corp. of America will have their day in court, but if the allegations of their actions regarding the massive salmonella scare are true, they're guilty of gross negligence and deplorable criminal behavior.
VOX POP
I am perplexed. Our county operating with a $10,694 "permit to carry" account deficit? In these times of absurd government bailout spending the public is, and should be, opposed to careless spending.
'It's a very popular area'
Some summer, the Brainerd lakes area is where it's at for watercraft fun.
Seeing Red - and crappies and walleyes?
The coffee is on and I am just starting to come to my senses. It will be a while before I can get some of that coffee flowing through the veins.
Local chapter of Muskies, Inc., to host banquet
The Brainerd Lakes Chapter of Muskies, Inc., Sportsman's Banquet is scheduled Feb. 28 in the Sports Centre at Cragun's Resort. The banquet starts at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m.
90th birthday
Eunice Longanecker, Baxter, will celebrate her 90th birthday from 1:30-4 p.m. Feb. 22 at Excelsior Place, 14211 Firewood Dr., Baxter, located one-half mile west of Cub Foods in Baxter on Excelsior Road and then one-fourth mile north on Firewood Drive. No gifts please. She was born Feb. 23, 1938.
90th birthday
Mardelle Bahma, Baxter, will celebrate her 90th birthday from 2-5 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Fireside Room at the Heritage Assembly Church in Baxter. No gifts please. She was born Feb. 19, 1919, in Brainerd.
Ness-Jendro
Amy Etta Ness and Matthew John Jendro announce their engagement. Parents are Jeanette Ness and Micheal Rouse, Waukesha, Wis., and John Jendro and Trish Young, St. Cloud. A June 6 wedding is planned at the Northland Arboretum.
90th birthday
Marie Smith will celebrate her 90th birthday with an open house from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Pine River American Legion. No gifts please. The event is hosted by her two sons.
Hayes-Norling
Jessica Rae Hayes and Christopher Jon Norling announce their engagement. Parents are Bruce Hayes and Curt and Kim Pavison, all of Brainerd, and Mike Norling, Brainerd, and Gordon and Nancy Hawks, Idaho. An April 25 wedding is planned at St. Francis Church in Brainerd.
Hasse-Campbell
Laura Hasse and Andrew Campbell were married Sept. 27, 2008, at Lord Of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter with Pastor Erika Nilsen officiating.
Carner-Leeman
Rae Carner and Greggory Leeman announce their engagement. Parents are Thomas and Debra Carner, Pequot Lakes, and Kim Amiot and special friend, Dave Hall, Buffalo. A March 14 wedding is planned in Pillager.
Brandt-Nelson
Kristin Brandt and Magnus Nelson were married Nov. 22, 2008, at St. Francis Church in Brainerd with Father Gabriel Waweru and Deacon Roger Marks officiating.
Allord-Smith
Jody Allord and Ryan Smith were married Feb. 4, 2009, in a private ceremony in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pirates victorious over Pillager
VERNDALE - Daniel Weiher's 16 points and 15 rebounds helped the Verndale Pirates snap a four-game losing streak with a 57-52 Park Region Conference victory over the Pillager Huskies Friday.
Brainerd to host Special Olympics basketball competition
Brainerd High School will host the Special Olympics Minnesota Area 5 basketball competition March 11.
Stanfield steps up for Rangers
Randy Swanhorst described Sam Stanfield as an asset to any and all groups or organizations she belongs to.
Cardinals cruise past Rangers
STAPLES - Trent Carlson, Taylor Bendson and Ryan Detloff each recorded pins for the Staples-Motley Cardinals in a 45-15 Mid-State Conference victory over the Crosby-Ironton Rangers Friday.
S-M's Bendson is old-fashioned good
Jordan Bendson showed just how far he's willing to go to help the Staples-Motley Cardinals wrestling team.
Nelson reaches milestone, Hanowski inches closer
LITTLE FALLS - Ben Nelson reached 100 career points with two goals in the second period to help the Little Fall Flyers clinch the Central Lakes Conference title with Friday's 5-2 win over River Lakes.
Gobblers secure at least share of Great River title
HINCKLEY - With a decisive 62-44 win over the Hinckley-Finlayson Jaguars, the Aitkin Gobblers extended their winning streak to 16 games and clinched at least a tie for the Great River Conference title Friday.
Thelen all-state, Flyers fifth
As she cruised toward the finish line, Jackie Thelen's regret and disappointment disappeared.
Warriors make Wieses proud
Bruce and Carol Wiese had to be proud of their "boys" on parents' night Friday.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy. Highs 24 to 34.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly cloudy northeast with a few flurries. Mostly
Putting display away for now
Weather drawing by Blake Forsythe in the Baxter third grade of Ms. Hemstad.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Decreasing clouds. Scattered light snow showers northeast in the morning. A chance of lake effect snow showers near the lake superior snowbelt. Highs from the lower 20s northwest...To the lower 30s southeast.
State forecast for N.D.
.Today...Cloudy west. Partly cloudy central and mostly sunny
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Considerably cloudy from the west...Central...To extreme southeast. Mostly sunny northeast. Chance of light snow west to south central...And some patchy fog early west. Highs from the teens northeast...To lower 20s to lower 30s elsewhere.