Sunday, February 25, 2007

She's happy to be back in Little Falls
LITTLE FALLS - When Cathy Norgren returned home to Little Falls, she brought a little of Alaska with her.

Aitkin forestry work pays
AITKIN - For the Aitkin County Land Department, a forest management certification gained in 1997 was an investment in forestry. And now the county reports that same investment is translating into local business opportunities as well.

BBB announces 'Top 10' lists, predicts scams
The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota is releasing its list of top 10 complaints and inquiries, as well as a prediction for scams in 2007.

South from Alaska
LITTLE FALLS - Crackling sounds, not unlike the snap of heated popcorn, grew more intense as the coffee beans neared the end of their roasting time.

Deerwood bank seeks student for business venture in summer
First National Bank of Deerwood is seeking a student from Brainerd to sponsor at BestPrep's Minnesota Business Venture program this summer.

BIZ BUZZ
A Pequot Lakes fitness business has undergone a transformation into a 24-hour center.

Business Notes
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' North Central regional financial office announced Brian Lemieux, financial consultant, was named the regional office's top producer for 2006.

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

FORESTVIEW HONOR ROLL
The following students have been named to the second quarter honor roll at Forestview Middle School.

LAKE REGION CHRISTIAN HONOR ROLL
The following students were named to the honor roll at Lake Region Christian School:

CLC DEANS' LIST
The following students were named to the first semester dean's list at Central Lakes College:

PILLAGER HONOR ROLL
The following students have been named to the honor roll at Pillager Public Schools.

CLC PRESIDENT'S LIST
The following students were named to the first semester president's list at Central Lakes College:

SENIOR CALENDAR
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER

Crow Wing County Board
Meets 8:30 a.m. Tuesday

Van burns
The Brainerd Fire Department was called at 3:28 p.m. Thursday to 1528 Timber Lane for a Ford van that caught fire.

BIRTHS
Reed and Tanya Reinbold, Henning, a boy, Jack Robert, 7 pounds, 6.5 ounces, Feb. 18, 2007.

MENUS
Monday B Breakfast bagel pizza, fruit, milk. L Mini corn dogs, tater tot potatoes, fresh veggies, pears.

Special Crosslake council meeting planned Tuesday
CROSSLAKE - The Crosslake City Council will meet in a special session at 3 p.m. Tuesday at city hall.

Snowmobile burns in Baxter
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a call at 8:20 a.m. Saturday to a snowmobile that caught on fire at a home on Birch Drive in Baxter .

Rash of vehicle break-ins in Baxter
BAXTER - There's been a rash of vehicle break-ins in Baxter in the past two weeks, Baxter Police Chief Jim Exsted said Friday.

ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees

ASK A TROOPER: Volunteer fire/EMS lights on a private vehicle
Question: I am a volunteer fireman, and I have friends who are with EMS. Please tell us what the law is, on getting and using a red light on our own vehicle when we are responding to fire/EMS calls. Thanks!

MUCH OBLIGED
The 2007 School District Spelling Bees were recently held during January and February. I would like to thank the following people for helping me:

SUPPORT
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement

An anxious dozen: They still await adult partners
Just about a year ago, the Brainerd Dispatch did a feature article about Kinship Partners and listed the names, ages and interests of all 53 children who were on our waiting list at that time. We received an outpouring of phone calls from people who were interested in becoming partnered with one of the children.

WHAT'S DOING
The Bethany Good Samaritan Auxiliary will hold its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday in the classrooms. Special guest will be Carrie Nelson from Home Health Care. The Gift and Goodies gift shop meeting is held at 9:30 a.m., prior to the Auxiliary meeting.

CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Brainerd Alateen

This was Brainerd
FEBRUARY 25 - 40 years ago (1967 - Fritz Loven, a longtime resident of Lake Shore Village was honored recently by the Lake Shore Rod and Gun Club for his outstanding service in conservation. He was presented a plaque in "grateful appreciation for a lifetime of conserving nature's wonders."

Team captain meeting set for Relay for Life
The team captain kickoff meeting for the Relay For Life will be 6 p.m. Monday at the Brainerd Public Library. Anyone interested in learning more about the Relay for Life is welcome to attend. For more information, call Sue Tiegs at 828-8882.

City's 'hoop houses' must go by June 1
For Brainerd residents who have put up a temporary structure, commonly called a "hoop house", on their property, more than likely it will have to be removed by June 1.

Man was visiting at a cabin up north
The 24-year-old Nisswa man who has been missing for a week was found alive Friday in northeastern Minnesota, Lake County Sheriff Carey Johnson said Saturday.

20 years later, the memories burn brightly
Today, the south side of the 600 block of Laurel Street includes a city-owned parking lot flanked by the Blue Ox Bar and the Downtown Art and Frame Co.

Area organizations receive grants
LITTLE FALLS - The Initiative Foundation recently awarded 24 community grants totaling $114,900.

She talks and walks Spanish
There's more behind the woman than what people see in Jan Kurtz of rural Fort Ripley.

Overheard
"I'm grateful to reporters for bringing this to our attention, but thoroughly disappointed we did not identify it ourselves."

Lakes area remains under winter storm warning
It looks like Minnesotans will have to get their driveways and sidewalks plowed and get their boots dusted off to get to work Monday.

Product Recall Information
These recalls were issued from February 18 to February 22 by various Federal and State agencies.

Ruth Babcock
Ruth Babcock, age 96, of Brainerd, passed away Friday evening, Feb. 23, 2007, at the Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter.

Randal Ruesken
AITKIN - Randal Ruesken, age 44, resident of Aitkin, died Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, at his home. Arrangements are with Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.

Sister Mary Theresa Kimlinger
LITTLE FALLS - Sister Mary Theresa Kimlinger, 89-year-old resident of St. Francis Convent in Little Falls, Minn., passed away on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, at her residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007, at the St. Francis Convent Chapel in Little Falls, Minn.

David A. Mogensen
BRANSON WEST, Mo. - Funeral services for David A. Mogensen, 63, Branson West, Mo., former owner and operator of a fishing resort in Backus, will be Monday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, Branson.

Leona L. Meyer
VERNDALE - Leona L. Meyer, age 83, resident of Verndale, formerly of Brainerd, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, at the Lakewood Health System in Staples. Leona was born on Sept. 26, 1923, in Pierz, Minn., to Anton and Clara (Tschida) Veith.

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.

Mary Marshik
PIERZ - Mary Marshik, age 97, of Pierz, Minn., passed away today, Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, at the North Ridge Care Center in New Hope, Minn. Funeral arrangements are pending with the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz, Minn.

Bernadette Tschida
Bernadette Tschida, age 59, resident of rural Brainerd, died Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.

Robert Chase
Robert Chase, of Brainerd, died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, in Denver. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.

Arthur D. Burt
DULUTH - Arthur D. Burt, age 78, resident of Duluth, died Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007, at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth.

Lisa A. Banks
AITKIN - Lisa Ann Banks, age 59, of Aitkin and Apache Junction, Ariz., formerly of Eveleth, Minn., died Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, at the Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix.

George W. Hart
George W. Hart, age 79, lost his battle with heart disease on Feb. 14, 2007. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; and his three sisters, Elma, Ruth and Mary.

OUR OPINION: TREES
For the record, this newspaper is in favor of trees. It's also in favor of motherhood, baseball and apple pie, but that's beside the point.

Open Forum
In response to the Open Forum letter on Feb. 20.

VOX POP
When young athletes are taken out of school, such as the Brainerd Squirts were on Thursday and Friday to attend a tournament in Fargo, N.D., I question the wisdom of the hockey association, parents and coaches. Young people should be students first and athletes second and wonder if teachers and administrators are complacent by looking the other way? What message are these adults communicating to kids? To me, it seems like hockey is more important than school. I know there are tournaments closer to home and just on weekends and that Brainerd should only attend these events.

Guest column: A school district's 'unsung heroes'
Members of a district's school board are oftentimes the "unsung heroes" of education. These citizen leaders, with regular "9 to 5" jobs outside of our schools, have chosen to dedicate their free time to ensure students receive a top-notch education and that staff receives the support essential in providing quality instruction.

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

Red-bellied woodpeckers becoming more common in the Brainerd lakes area
Nothing brings our house to life faster than spotting a bird or animal in the yard. We keep binoculars on the dining table and we're forever peeking out the window at the wildlife outside.

As ice fishing season nears an end, thoughts of gobbles enter the mind
A week on a secluded island in the Caribbean would be great right now, but after that I could spend the rest of the spring chasing wild turkeys.

OUTDOOR NOTES
When walleye season opens on Lake Mille Lacs on May 12 anglers can keep four walleyes measuring up to 20 inches, including one over 28 inches in the four-fish limit. Anglers must release all walleyes measuring from 20 to 28 inches.

Class of '95 lives on
WASKISH - The voice on the phone was familiar, but its urgency was not.

Pfeiffer-Bedard
Angela Pfeiffer and Louis Bedard announce their engagement. Parents are Morty and Brenda Hahn, Colman, S.D., Jim and Pam Pfeiffer, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Jim and Caren Bedard, Brainerd. A wedding is planned for 2008.

Nelson-Musel
Teresa Nelson and Nicholas Musel announce their engagement. Parents are Judy and William Nelson, Duluth, and Geralyn Musel, Brainerd. A March 3 wedding is planned at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Johnson-Ketchum
Sara Johnson and Jon Ketchum announce their engagement. Parents are Jill and Dan Johnson, Coon Rapids, and Patricia and George Ketchum, Baxter. A June 23 wedding is planned in Coon Rapids.

Endrizzi-Roux
Corrina Endrizzi and Staff Sgt. Mark Roux, who is currently stationed in Iraq, announce their engagement. Parents are Bob and Bonnie Endrizzi, Ironton, and Greg and Karen Roux, Barron, Wis. A private wedding is being planned when Mark comes home on leave with a reception to follow in December.

Barten-Cibuzar
Gina Barten and Greg Cibuzar announce their engagement. Parents are Fran Barten, New Prague, and the late Roman Barten, and Alan and Shellie Cibuzar, Brainerd. A May 11 wedding is planned in New Prague.

80th birthday
Lucille Schellin, Brainerd, will celebrate her 80th birthday with her family. She was born Feb. 25, 1927, in Brainerd.

Shatka-Borders
Serena Shatka and Eric Borders announce their engagement. Parents are Richard and Judy Shatka, Brainerd, and Tim and Naomi Borders, Pillager. A May 19 wedding is planned at Northland Arboretum in Baxter.

25th anniversary
Dwight and Barb Soderman, Brainerd, will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with an open house from 1-5 p.m. March 3 at Oak Lawn. The event will be hosted by their children.

Kasperson-Skaff
Christine Kasperson and Nathan Skaff announce their engagement. Parents are Dean and Lois (Gaalswyk) Kasperson, Willmar, and Sam and Laneil Skaff, Moorhead. A June 29 wedding is planned at Willmar Assembly of God.

Hensel-Radniecki
Laura Kathleen Hensel and Matthew Ryan Radniecki announce their engagement. Parents are John and Kathy Hensel, Brainerd, and Mick and Sheila Miller, Baxter, and Curt and Lori Davis, Penryn, Calif. A winter wedding is planned in Brainerd.

Knudsen-Schmitz
Kelli Knudsen and Jason Schmitz announce their engagement. Parents are Jim and Sue Knudsen, Brainerd, and Allen and Sharon Schmitz, Belle Plaine. An Aug. 18 wedding is planned in Brainerd.

Badger-Caughey
Mary Badger and Curtis Caughey announce their engagement. Parents are Rob and Celeste Badger, Baxter, and Mike and Bunny Caughey, Brainerd. A June 30 wedding is planned at St. Francis.

Five generations
Five generations recently gathered were Reese Molby, son; Aaron Franzen, father; John Franzen, grandfather; Jack Franzen, great-grandfather; and Vivian Franzen, great-great-grandmother.

Fox-Stangl
Katie Fox and Michael Stangl announce their engagement. Parents are Richard and Doreen Fox, Pequot Lakes, and Clyde and Marlene Stangl, St. Cloud. A June 2 wedding is planned in Nisswa.

Landborg-Schmitz
Stacy Jo Landborg and Joseph Mark Schmitz announce their engagement. Parents are Dennis and Merlynn Landborg, Aitkin, and Clarence Schmitz and Martha Schmitz, Roscoe. An April 28 wedding is planned at Paynesville Lutheran Church in Paynesville.

Cardinals fly past W-DC
MOTLEY - Caleb Nurnberger exploded for 30 points, including five 3-point baskets, as the Staples-Motley Cardinals rolled past the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines 81-61 in Mid-State Conference boys' basketball Friday.

LOCAL SHORTS
The Brainerd Warriors junior varsity girls' basketball team lost to the Alexandria Cardinals 33-32 Friday.

Fisher's play pleases fans
With a forceful dunk or an embarrassing rejection, Jesse Fisher causes crowds to go crazy.

CLC loses, but still alive
WILLMAR - Megan Meyer scored 10 points, had six steals and pulled down five rebounds for the Central Lakes College Raiders as they were downed by the Anoka-Ramsey Golden Rams 62-35 in the quarterfinals of the Minnesota Community College Conference state tournament Friday.

Media may focus on wrestling for wrong reason
Minnesota's biggest, and one of its most unheralded, high school state tournaments becomes more expansive this week.

Scoreboard
Bowling

Raiders snap state tourney curse
MINNEAPOLIS - Seven really is a lucky number.

Katie Kimman, Pierz easily rack up conference win
BELGRADE - Katie Kimman scored a game-high 27 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Pierz Pioneers to a 54-45 Central Minnesota Conference girls' basketball victory over Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Friday.

UMD Alpine team qualifies for nationals
The University of Minnesota-Duluth Alpine ski team, which includes former Brainerd skier Kaitlyn Ziebell and three coaches from Brainerd, has qualified for the United States Collegiate Snowsports Association's National Championships.

Brainerd prepped for playoffs
The Brainerd Warriors head into the Section 8-3A girls' basketball playoffs well tested.

Adams has post prominence
In what could be a preview of the Section 7-2A girls' basketball final, Annie Adams made her presence felt.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST FOR BRAINERD
Winter storm warning in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday.

State forecast for Minnesota
Winter storm warning in effect for the southern half of

At least the kids like the snow
Weather drawing by Megan Lewis in the Lowell second grade of Mrs. Larson.

State forecast for N.D.
Winter weather advisory for all of the central this afternoon...

State forecast for S.D.
Winter storm warning central and east through sunday evening...

Wisconsin state forecast
Variety of winter storm watches and warnings this weekend...

State forecast for Iowa
Blizzard warning portions of east central iowa today and