Saturday, February 16, 2008

Store catering to feathered friends moving
The Wild Bird Store at Little Farm Market is migrating - a little northeast.

BUSINESS NOTES
ONAMIA - Curt Kalk, commissioner of natural resources for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, was elected 2008 chair of the board for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission at its January meeting.

Harness made in Nisswa is going to Disneyland
From Nisswa to Paris.

BRAINERD HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL
The following students have been named to the honor roll at Brainerd High School:

SOUTH CAMPUS HONOR ROLL
The following students have been named to the first semester honor roll at Brainerd High School South Campus:

PEQUOT LAKES HONOR ROLLS
The following students have been named to the honor roll at Pequot Lakes High School:

School menus
What's for lunch?

Brainerd transportation panel meets Tuesday
The Brainerd Transportation Advisory Committee will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Brainerd City Hall.

Nisswa City Council
Meets 7 p.m. Wednesday

Woman injured in mobile home fire
WADENA - A 21-year-old woman suffered burns to her hands and feet in a mobile home fire Wednesday south of Wadena.

Brainerd City Council
Meets 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Building permits
Brainerd building permits

Waking up a bedroom
I hate to admit it, but I have no love for my bedroom. The furniture is dreary and mismatched. The closet is dark and messy. The room lacks light, organization and even a headboard for the bed. It's so uninviting that I use it only for sleeping and paying bills.

Prompt response appreciated
It is true that last week I had some chest pains and other signs that might indicate I had a heart attack. They did take me down to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. They kept me for 24 hours and gave me a lot of good personal and professional care determining that I did not have a heart problem. After adjusting some of my medications they sent me home to my wife, Myrle, where as usual, I am enjoying the best of care 24 hours a day. At this time it looks like everything is going to be O.K.

Heart rehab unit
The residents of our lakes area should be proud of all the amenities available. St. Joseph's Medical Center is rated equal, if not higher, than many centers nationwide.

WHAT'S DOING
There will be a spaghetti supper cancer benefit for Ron Herbote from 4-8 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Waterfall Inn on Hwy. 371 N. Live rock and roll music by the SKATYRS will be from 6-8 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and drawings.

Role model needed
Thanks to a successful "100 Mentors 100 Days" campaign, the Kinship Partners waiting list continues to be whittled down and the average wait time for a child from the Brainerd office has gone from 400 days to 40 days. What an amazing testimony from the Brainerd lakes community that it cares for its youths.

This was Brainerd
60 years ago (1948) Cost of construction of new school buildings in the Garfield and Riverside districts would run over a half million dollars. Because of the high cost of building and bonded indebtedness no definite plans were made.

Technically speaking ...
PEQUOT LAKES - C.J. Anderson has a big laugh, a big sense of humor and a big voice. When he's in the sound and light booth at the top row of the Pequot Lakes High School auditorium, he yells instructions and observations at cast and crew members on the stage.

COMING MONDAY IN EVERYDAY PEOPLE
Deb Garding enjoys cooking but even more so loves to interact with the children who pass through her lunch line at Baxter Elementary School each day.

COMING MONDAY
Deb Garding enjoys cooking, but even more so, loves to interact with the children who pass through her lunch line at Baxter Elementary School each day.

Welcome home planned in Crosby for soldier
CROSBY - Army Sgt. Anthony Koop, a combat medic, will be escorted by the Crosby Police Department to the American Legion in Ironton on Sunday afternoon for a welcome-home event. The escort is expected to arrive at 4 p.m.

15-year-old Staples girl hit by pickup
STAPLES - A 15-year-old Staples girl was taken to Lakewood Health Systems in Staples on Wednesday after being hit by a vehicle when she was trying to cross the road at the 300 block of Fourth Street N.E., in Staples, the Staples Police Department reported.

PROM DRESS SWAP AND SOCIAL
Prom is one of those occasions you remember the rest of your life.

Overheard
"We just have to work a little harder when it's colder."

FROST AND FLAMES
BAXTER - Firefighters Thursday afternoon battled frigid temperatures and flames after a fire broke out a split-level house on Forestview Drive in southeast Baxter.

COMING TUESDAY IN SENIOR CLASS
By 2020, there will be more senior citizens in America than children and Brainerd is working on how it'll address the growing needs of our seniors.

COMING SUNDAY IN NORTH COUNTRY
At Lake of the Woods, winter weighs heavy - even more so during a recent blizzard, which turned the lake into a winter wasteland.

Ward announces wastewater loan approved for Brainerd
Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, announced last week that the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority approved a financing package for Brainerd that will help with plans to expand and upgrade the existing wastewater treatment plant.

Not much snow, but lots of cold
It wasn't the 6 inches that was expected, but Brainerd area residents on Thursday nonetheless found themselves clearing away the first accumulating snowfall since early December.

A long, roundabout journey'
MERRIFIELD - As Minnesota's lawmakers return to the state Capitol to tangle with lobbyists, special interest groups and political opponents, Win Borden is preparing for this spring's garden for his Borden Road Farm Market.

Group seeks return of $3M for development
A group of bondholders is threatening to sue the city of Brainerd; the Brainerd Housing and Redevelopment Authority, its board and executive director; and the estate of the late James H. Bedard, a Brainerd appraiser, among others, seeking the return of $3.3 million for the Brainerd Oaks Development.

SOCIAL CAPITAL SURVEY | FIRST IN A SERIES
What do you know about your neighbors?

Presidents' Day: What's open, closed
In observance of Presidents Day, there will be no mail delivery Monday.

COMING MONDAY IN SPORTS
Find out who won NASCAR's Daytona 500 and how.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1988) - Even with a juggled line-up, the Brainerd Warriors swimming team swamped Cambridge 109-44 in non-conference action.

COMING SUNDAY IN BUSINESS/MONEY
A Brainerd store that caters to bird lovers is taking wing and moving, but not too far.

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.

Donald D. Martin
Donald D. Martin, 70, Brainerd, passed away Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.

Emery Schnoor
PINE RIVER - Emery Schnoor, age 81, of Pine River, passed away Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.

Levin H. Anderson
PINE RIVER - Levin H. Anderson, age 96, of Pine River, passed away Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. He was born Nov. 2, 1911, in Holt, Minn., to Carl L. and Anna Anderson.

Allen W. Koering
LOS ALTOS HILLS, Calif. - Allen Walter Koering, age 80, husband of Saramae Koering, died peacefully at their home in Los Altos Hills, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, following a brief battle with cancer.

Douglas R. Thoms
MERRIFIELD - Douglas R. Thoms, age 79, resident of Merrifield, died Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.

Clinton 'Buster' Borders
BAXTER - Clinton "Buster" Borders, 77, of Baxter, died at his home Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, surrounded by family.

Agnes Rychner
STAPLES - Agnes Rychner, age 89, of Staples, passed away at her home on Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, surrounded by her family. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Ray H. Mulholland
Ray Harold Mulholland, age 90, resident of Brainerd, died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. Ray was born in Brainerd on June 2, 1917, to Edward Carlson and Ruth Mulholland.

OUR OPINION: OUTDOORS
The opening week of the Minnesota Legislature proved true to form. Lawmakers identified a serious need. They assessed their financial resources. They swiftly ran for cover.

Open Forum
I, for one, think we are fortunate to have such an excellent daily paper to keep us informed. I especially enjoy Bob Turcotte's This Was Brainerd and Her Voice magazine. Also Vox Pop and the Open Forum. This newspaper certainly is the voice of the people.

Where will the children go?
The recent decision by the Department of Human Services and State Operated Services to close down the Brainerd Children and Adolescent Behavioral Health Systems is both concerning and frustrating. The health systems program served young people with severe and major mental illness issues. It really helped these young people turn their lives around, and also provided help for the whole family. The question becomes, where will these children and their families go now to get the help they need? While the health systems program in Willmar will remain open and add six more beds to their program capacity, this will in no way take care of the need.

What do you think?
On our Web site, www.brainerddispatch.com, readers may participate in forums at brainerd.dispatch.com/forums.

Open Forum: Mayor Wallin should look in the mirror
Thank you to Congressman Oberstar and his office for making a good decision not only in favor of the environment but in favor of the entire Brainerd lakes area. Mr. Oberstar's office confirmed that federal and local money will not be earmarked for a French Rapids bridge study. The Minnesota Department of Transportation agrees that another bridge is not needed. The news was good for skiers, hikers, hunters, taxpayers, and citizens who want our existing roads and bridges fixed up before starting new projects that we do not need and cannot afford.

VOX POP
Many jobs offer perks not available to everyone. That practice is widely accepted in our society. No one complains that people who work at Herberger's get a discount. Why, then, is it unacceptable for teachers to have their children attend the school at which they teach? It's a perk that benefits all students. Teachers who don't have to be concerned about picking kids up from day care will stay longer to work with students after school, prepare lessons and serve on committees. If we become overly concerned with what's "fair" we miss the big picture of what's common sense.

What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail

Fishing for the ducks - and so much more
There will be the usual challenges for participants in the fourth annual Minnesota state ice fishing tournament.

OUTDOORS NOTES
The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association's 21st annual state habitat banquet is scheduled Saturday at Breezy Point Resort.

MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT
Sunfish and crappies are being found on Lake Mary and Lake Reno in 12 to 15 feet. Reno also has kicked out a few walleyes during the evening hours in 15 to 20 feet. Look to Lake Ida with setlines and small minnows for walleyes in 30 to 35 feet.

REPORTS FROM THE DNR | AREA CONSERVATION OFFICERS
CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) attending training at the St. Paul BCA and Camp Ripley, checked fishing and cross country ski activity, and responded to trespassing complaints. Numerous skiers were checked at the Larson Lake Nordic ski trail complex, where the ski pass compliance rate was found to be 100 percent. An individual was caught in the act of harassing and intimidating a 13-year-old boy who was lawfully trapping red squirrels on his family's private property. The violator, who apparently did not like the sight of a red squirrel caught in a trap, entered the boy's private property to intentionally harass the boy and his father. The individual was charged with violation of Minnesota's HunterTrapper Harassment law, possession of marijuana, and driving after suspension.

LOW PRESSURE
LAKE OF THE WOODS - The tinting on the window was worn and peeled - like looking through a pair of those retro 3-D glasses.

Retirement party for Gene Gangestad
Gene Gangestad, Brainerd, recently retired from Thelen Heating and Roofing after 32 years. There will be a retirement party for him from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Eagles Club in Brainerd. Light snacks will be provided. No gifts please.

60th anniversary - Ivan and Irene Roggenkamp
Ivan and Irene Roggenkamp, Brainerd, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Their family is planning an open house on April 6. They were married Feb. 15, 1948, in Wadena.

Engagement announced - Angie Hoheisel and Jason Anderson
Angie Hoheisel and Jason Anderson announce their engagement. Parents are Rick and Sherri Hoheisel, Pierz, and James Anderson, Brainerd, and Pauline Anderson, Baxter. A Sept. 20 wedding is planned in Little Falls.

ADAM AND MEGAN GOSIAK
Megan Ekstrom and Adam Gosiak were married July 21, 2007, at St. John's Abbey Church in Collegeville with Father Jerome Tupa officiating.

ADAM AND LESLIE ARNOLD
Leslie Demgen and Adam Arnold were married Dec. 31, 2007, at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa with Father Mark Coen and Pastor Chris Meier officiating.

Four generations - Cabral
Four generations recently gathered were Nicole Cabral, daughter; Brandon Cabral, son; Tina Cabral, mother; Donald Kuzyk, grandfather; and Bonnie Kuzyk, great-grandmother.

Engagement announced - Felicia Bickford and Robert Pratt
Felicia Bickford and Robert Pratt announce their engagement. Parents are Chris and Deb Bickford, Crosby, and Bruce and Mandy Pratt, Merrifield. A June wedding is planned at Gregory Park in Brainerd.

Four generations - LeTournea
Four generations recently gathered were Shawntaya LeTournea, daughter, St. Cloud; Crystal LeTournea, mother, St. Cloud; Linda LaFlex-Schlief, grandmother, Brainerd; and Sadie LaFlex, great-grandmother, Brainerd.

Engagement announced - Sarah Thesing and Shane Dorschner
Sarah Thesing and Shane Dorschner announce their engagement. Parents are Lisa Thesing, Brainerd, and Charles and Julie Thesing, Brainerd, and Debora Dorschner, Windom, and Kevin Benes, Jackson. A June 28 wedding is planned at St. Francis Catholic Church.

CORY AND ROBIN TILLERAAS
Robin Olson and Cory Tilleraas were married Aug. 25, 2007, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grand Rapids with Father Thomas Galarneault and Pastor Curtis Tilleraas officiating.

Clergy view: A season of assessment
It seems poetically just and appropriate that the seasons of Lent and tax preparation coincide. Lent is a season we can chose to observe or ignore, depending on our religious sensitivities, but no one escapes tax season.

Church news
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 408 N. 7th St. continues its adult education program at 9 a.m. Sunday with Dr. Carol Schwartzkopf, licensed physiologist, discussing faith, mental illness and mental health.

Flyers' Jackie Thelen shines on big stage
Big events bring out the best in Jackie Thelen.

Nordic skiing: Familiar destination
Two Brainerd Warriors Nordic skiers are quite familiar with the state meet.

14-U-A girls place second
The Brainerd 14-U-A team finished second in the Golden Spike Hockey Challenge at Proctor Feb. 9-10.

Scoreboard
Area events

C-I wins 20th
WADENA - Five 3-pointers by Katie Swanhorst helped the Crosby-Ironton Rangers win their 13th straight in a 65-44 Mid-State Conference victory over the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines Friday.

In the swing of things
Brainerd Warrior seventh-grader Rebecca Westafer scored an 8.800 on the uneven bars to place seventh Friday in the Section 2A gymnastics meet in Brainerd.

Rangers round up Tigers, remain perfect
PINE RIVER - Thirteen different players scored for Class 2A's top-ranked Crosby-Ironton Rangers in a 90-25 non-conference victory over the Pine River-Backus Tigers.

Aitkin making trip back to state
It's back to state for the Aitkin Gobblers wrestling team.

Pointing the way to state
The Brainerd Warriors gymnastics team put on their finest performance of the year Friday and in the process sent two members to the state tournament next weekend.

Area sports shorts
The Brainerd Jaycees are sponsoring a SuperShots basketball competition from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Brainerd Family YMCA.

Brainerd spears Sabres in girls' basketball
A laborious first half wasn't the way six Brainerd Warrior seniors wanted to play in their final regular-season home game.

Motorsports: Sherwood wins King of the Hill
NEW ULM - Jordan Sherwood of Brainerd, on a Ski Doo, won the competition class King of the Hill honors Saturday at the River Valley Dutchmen Snowmobile Club's annual snowmobile hill climb at Golden Gate Campground.

Eagles clip BHS
ST. CLOUD - Kyle Crocker scored 19 points for the Brainerd Warriors in their 72-59 Central Lakes Conference loss to the St. Cloud Apollo Eagles Friday.

Warriors eye Tigers at sections in gymnastics
The Brainerd Warriors will host the Section 8-2A championship meet Friday.

Kite race set in Garrison
The Mille Lacs Kite Crossing is scheduled Feb. 29 through March 2 on Garrison Bay in Garrison.

Brainerd's McAllister shoots up standings
Fifty nine places advanced.

Flyers fall from section tournament
DETROIT LAKES - Two early pins helped the Little Falls Flyers grab a 15-4 lead before the Thief River Falls Prowlers came back to eliminate them 42-24 in Section 8-2A semifinal wrestling Friday.

Flyers take third
Melissa Kempenich saved her best for last and her junior teammates made sure it was worth it.

The puck stops with goalie Michael Sperl
Scoring goals has not been a problem for the Little Falls boys' hockey team.

Area boys' basketball
PEQUOT LAKES - Michael Ward scored 14 points to lead the Pequot Lakes Patriots past the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers 59-56 in non-conference action Thursday.

Selk fields questions on budget crunch
Athletics and activities in School District 181 may never be the same.

Alpine skiing: Lyscio, Ruttger finish well
The Brainerd Warriors Alpine ski team sent a contingent of seven to the state meet Thursday at Giants Ridge in Biwabik.

Ben Hanowski sets LF's all-time mark
LITTLE FALLS - Junior Ben Hanowski became Little Falls' all-time point leader with an assist to his brother, senior Beau Hanowski, on an empty net goal at 16:59 of the third period as the Flyers rallied to beat St. Cloud Tech 9-7 on Thursday.

Area girls' basketball
HOWARD LAKE - Katie Kimman poured in 20 points for the Pierz Pioneers as they edged the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Lakers 62-61 in Central Minnesota Conference play Thursday.

Wrestling: Who wins at sections is anyone's guess
The Gobblers are the deepest of the four teams, with a little wiggle room in the lower to middle weights. And the four senior captains are pretty good.

State forecast for North Dakota
...Freezing rain advisory through noon saturday for northwest and

Wisconsin state forecast
Winter storm watch late tonight into sunday night south and east...

Frosty February
Weather drawing by Joshua Triolo of the Olson/Morgan second-grade class at Garfield school.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Partly to mostly sunny except mostly cloudy far northeast. Highs around 10 northeast to the lower 40s southwest.

State forecast for South Dakota
Wind advisory northwest and west central today through early evening...

State forecast for Minnesota
Wind chill advisory northeast and east central through mid

State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Mostly sunny. Highs around 10 northeast to the lower 20s

State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Warmer. Partly cloudy west and central. Mostly cloudy with

Wisconsin state forecast
Wind chill advisory far northwest this morning...

Ice fishing
Weather drawing by Hannah Veith of Ms. Hemstad's third-grade class at Baxter school.

State forecast for Minnesota
...Winter weather advisory for parts of northwest until noon today...

State forecast for Iowa
...Winter storm watch in effect from midnight tonight through