Friday, March 14, 2008

Do you change oil too often?
"Has it been 3,000 miles yet?" asks a banner hanging outside a Southern California quick oil change outlet.

SCHOOL MENUS
Monday B - Muffin and cereal, milk and juice. L - Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, corn, dinner roll.

TELEVISION
Brainerd High School junior Cameron Pedersen doesn't like to watch TV. He's into being behind the scenes of a TV program.

Brainerd woman sings National Anthem
Brainerd resident Sherri Schmidt sang the National Anthem before a recent game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Seattle SuperSonics at the Target Center.

Best bets
The annual Festival of the Arts, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at Pequot Lakes High School, will feature art by students and community members along with performances by PLHS theater students and area dancers. Admission is free.

COMING NEXT WEEK
Singer/songwriter Doug Hoekstra has a new album out, and patrons at Brainerd's Eclectic Cafe will be among the first to get their ears on it. John Hansen reviews "Blooming Roses" in advance of Hoekstra's March 22 show at the E.

THEATER BRIEFS
Illusionist Andre Kole will perform at 7 p.m. March 28 at Tornstrom Auditorium, Washington Educational Services Building, in Brainerd.

Classic country
On "Love & Fear" (2006), Tom Russell shows that tough guys have feelings, too. Throughout the 11 tracks, the singer learns hard lessons about love, from the problems of falling for a gorgeous woman to the realization that no one else can make you happy. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if he hawked into a spittoon after shutting off the recording equipment.

Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music

Completely random slice of pop culture
I'm a big fan of the science fiction books of Philip K. Dick, the late author who will no doubt gain new fans now that Ben is reading a dog-eared copy of "VALIS" on "Lost." The PKD novel most people are familiar with is "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - it's assigned in college classes and the movie "Blade Runner" was made from it.

Slow cooker dish makes for a fast, easy meal
Crockpot meals are so handy to serve during the week when time is short.

AREA ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS
AITKIN - The Ripple River Gallery's new exhibit, "Contemplative Landscapes," features 20 of Kasey Westra's oil paintings. It will be on display through April 13.

Fast Cop Inc. school challenge is June 4
The Fast Cop Inc.'s fifth annual High School Challenge will be at 1 p.m. on June 4 at Brainerd International Raceway.

MARRIAGE LICENSES
Anthony R. Otterson, 21, and Amy E. Wawryzniak, 22, both of Brainerd.

BIRTHS
Grant and Amy Ellingson, Baxter, a boy, Kellen Bernhard, 6 pounds, 12 ounces, Feb. 20, 2008. Grandparents are Dr. Ben and Bette Ellingson, Nisswa, and Dr. Mark and Cathy Gray, Brainerd.

COURTS
The following recently appeared in Crow Wing District Court:

AREA CRIME
Brainerd police

BIRTHS
Robert and Tristen Kircher, Burtrum, a girl, Hanna Joyce, 7 pounds, 8 ounces, Feb. 12, 2008. Grandparents are Robert and Theresa Veldkamp, Burtrum, and Bill and Vickie Schwindle, Sauk Rapids. Great-grandparents are Carl and MaryAnn Butzin, Sebeka, the late Phyllis Rassmassen and the late Bert Veldkamp.

CRIME
CRASHES - No injuries were reported in a two-vehicle collision at 7:38 p.m. Wednesday at West Washington Street and Northwest Fifth Street.

BIRTHS
James and Angie Gehrke, Crosby, a boy, Emerson Lyle, 8 pounds, 9 ounces, Feb. 27, 2008. Grandparents are Donald and Sharon Gehrke, Cushing, and Darlene Christensen, Cloquet, and the late Lyle Christensen.

Embracing growth
With a new location and a new format, the seventh annual Crow Wing County Master Gardener "Ready, Set, Grow!" Garden Expo promises to be better than ever.

LOCAL BRIEFS
BAXTER - Jason Nelson recently joined Countrywide Home Loans in Baxter as a home loan consultant.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER

Randall man is held in death of 2-year-old child
A 36-year-old rural Randall man faces criminal charges following the death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son.

COMING SUNDAY
The lakes area sense of volunteerism and community may have a direct connection to the values of the people who first came to settle Minnesota.

No kidding, we want your pranks
Whoopee cushions. Coins glued to a sidewalk. A rubber banded spray nozzle at the kitchen sink.

CORRECTION
In a local brief on Page 6A Tuesday regarding local senior dances, Frankie Lamb's Frankly Country Band will be playing from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at the Backus American Legion's monthly senior dance, not Jerry B., as was listed.

Osseo School District faces a similar situation
OSSEO - The Osseo School Board on Tuesday voted to reduce its 2008-09 budget by $16 million. The plan calls for nearly 200 jobs to be cut, two elementary schools to be closed, larger class sizes and the elimination of many junior high sports programs. Cuts to athletics and activities were to total $400,000.

CORRECTION
On Page 2A Thursday, the name of the girl pictured on the right in the Ukranian Easter Egg photo was incorrect. Her name is Maddi Gohman.

This was Brainerd
MARCH 13 - 30 years ago (1978) - The return of winter was unmistakable today as about five inches of snow had fallen by noon.

Woman injured in ATV crash by South Long dies
ROBBINSDALE - Sandra Nolan, a 56-year-old rural Brainerd woman who was injured Monday in a four-wheeler crash near her home on Upper South Long Lake, died Tuesday at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, a hospital spokesman said.

Heavy snow causes area woes
Heavy, wet snow created hazardous road conditions Wednesday night for Brainerd area motorists.

Dropping hockey could cost city
Already operating in the red, the city-owned Brainerd Area Civic Center could take a five-figure hit in revenue if the Brainerd School District eliminates its girls' and boys' hockey programs.

Some special eggs
Five of the Ukrainian Easter eggs which were created by Scott Gibson, displayed each student's name with dye into each egg. Karen Schirmer's Riverside third-graders were given their own egg after learning how they were made by school volunteer Alyce Gibson. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

COMING TUESDAY IN NEW HOMES
Learn in the March magazine easy things that you and your family can do within your everyday lifestyle to feel good about.

Coaches look for people to respond
Warrior Way Inc. has until April 2 to raise an additional $100,000 to retain all current Brainerd School District athletic programs and extracurricular activities at the high school and middle school levels.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1988) - Harrison Elementary School's Mary Pat Dobmeier appears to be living up to the school's motto, "Where Everybody is Somebody." Today she was named Brainerd Teacher of the Year for 1988.

Another missing airman identified
The Department of Defense announced Monday it has identified the remains of a World War II airman from Ohio who was a crewmate of Brainerd's Leo Mustonen, The Associated Press reported.

DWI patrols set for St. Patrick's Day weekend
ST. PAUL - Minnesota law enforcement will ramp up DWI patrols in the state's 15 deadliest counties for impaired driving during the St. Patrick's Day weekend.

Jobless rates
The latest jobless numbers from the Department of Employment and Economic Development are for January. Minnesota has an unemployment rate of 5.4 percent.

Walseth hopes boosters can save sports
The informal vote was nearly unanimous - parents and students want Plan B.

Correction
Due to incorrect information provided the Dispatch, the name in a Page 1A Thursday story about a 2-year-old rural Randall boy who died at a Twin Cities hospital Wednesday was listed as Dylan Martin Jr. Junior should not have been listed as part of his name.

WHAT THEY SAID
The following is a sampling of comments made online at www.brainerddispatch.com in reaction to the potential Brainerd School District athletics and activities cuts:

A sense of community - and economy
Understanding the complex national economy may begin at an unexpected place - the mirror.

Koering plans language bill
Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, said Wednesday he will introduce a bill to make English the official language of Minnesota.

COMING SUNDAY IN NORTH COUNTRY
With the recent time change and warm weather, many are looking ahead to spring activities. But for those clinging to winter

Overheard
"We're not giving up by any means."

These chairs' have an air about them
PINE RIVER - Walk into Diane Norlin's fifth-grade classroom at Pine River-Backus Elementary School and you'll find 23 students slightly bouncing up and down while sitting on bright blue and yellow stability balls at their desks.

Probe ends with Pierz police chief's resignation
Details will not be released concerning the investigation and subsequent resignation of Pierz Police Chief Steve Boser.

Listening session planned for superintendent search
The Brainerd School Board has scheduled a superintendent search listening session 5-7 p.m. March 25 at Riverside Elementary School in Brainerd.

Sandra K. Nolan
Sandra Kathleen Nolan, age 56, resident of Brainerd, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale. Sandra was born on Aug. 6, 1951, in Mankato, Minn., to Gilbert and Lucille (Schmidt) Jordan. She retired after 25 years of service from Bell Telephone.

Adeline M. Spilman
STAPLES - Adeline M. Spilman, age 79, of Staples, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2008, at the Bloomington Care Center. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at Balsamland Lutheran Church of rural Aldrich. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call for one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Willard Brown
HILLMAN - Willard Brown, age 104, of Hillman, Minn., passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at the Pierz Villa in Pierz, Minn. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 15, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillman. Friends may call from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church in Hillman.

Andrew Andy' M. Skaj
AITKIN - Andrew "Andy" M. Skaj, age 67, of Aitkin, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at the Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Darlene Goerlich
HACKENSACK - Darlene Goerlich, age 78, of Hackensack, and formerly of Pine River, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2008. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pine River.

Scott R. Winegarner
CROSBY - Scott Robert Winegarner, age 42, of Crosby, died on March 10, 2008, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He was born on Sept. 3, 1965, in Aitkin to Donald LeRoy and Darlene (Isensee) Winegarner. Scottie loved life. He was full of love, kindness, laughter and humor, touching everyone's heart with his presence. He cherished his nieces and nephews. He will be forever missed and his memory will remain in everyone's heart eternally. He could turn a cloudy day into sunshine. He was a member of the operating engineer union local No. 49, currently working in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Alecia L. Simmons
LITTLE FALLS - Alecia L. Simmons, 45-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Saturday, March 8, 2008, at her residence in Little Falls. Arrangements are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.

Mary Deick Newman
ST. PAUL - Mary Deick Newman, age 79, of St. Paul, formerly of Randall and the Lake Alexander area, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at St. Benedict's Senior Community in St. Cloud.

Mildred Hamilton
Mildred Hamilton, 91-year-old resident of Brainerd, Minn., formerly of Onamia, Minn., passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, in Brainerd, Minn. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2008, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Onamia, Minn. Burial will be in Foster Cemetery near Onamia. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at Bethany Lutheran Church in Onamia. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Onamia.

Evan Ryan Spencer
Evan Ryan Spencer, son of Tyrone "Pete" and Bobbie Spencer, of Brainerd, was stillborn at Lakewood Health Systems Hospital in Staples on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Arrangements are pending with Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.

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.

Glenn H. Thelen
RANDALL - Glenn H. Thelen, 92-year-old resident of Randall, Minn., passed away Monday, March 10, 2008, at his residence in Randall, Minn. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 14, at Randall Presbyterian Church in Randall, Minn., with Pastor Rob Bellin officiating.

Mary Deick Newman
RANDALL - Mary Deick Newman, 79, Randall/Lake Alexander area, died March 12, 2008, in St. Cloud. Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. James Catholic Church, Randall, with Father Leo Moenkedick presiding. Burial in St. James Catholic Cemetery. Visitation from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Brenny Funeral Home in Randall with parish prayers at 6:30 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church.

Charles E. Rettke
Charles E. Rettke, 78, Brainerd, passed away Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. He was born in Martin County, Minn., on Jan. 26, 1930, to Charles and Ella (Mitzer) Rettke. He worked as a welder.

John P. Belinski
MINNEAPOLIS - John P. Belinski, age 88, of Minneapolis, formerly of Little Falls, passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at North Ridge Care Center in New Hope, Minn. Funeral services for John P. Belinski will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, at Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Burial will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery in Little Falls. Friends may call from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Sandra Nolan
Sandra Nolan, age 56, resident of Brainerd, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.

OUR OPINION: SESQUICENTENNIAL
Generating excitement for Minnesota's sesquicentennial has been a challenge. Maybe it's because no one can pronounce sesquicentennial without tripping over the word. Nevertheless, news from Duluth that three tall ships will sail into Duluth harbor to celebrate the state's 150th birthday was welcome news.

Open Forum
Recently, several people applied to serve on the library board, including a library volunteer, and a professional librarian with over 20 years of experience. Both of these people were rejected by the mayor in favor of two other applicants. To my knowledge, neither of the two applicants chosen by the mayor have volunteered at the library, or have any library work experience. One is the sister-in-law of a city councilperson; the other works at the radio station where Mrs. Koep has a weekly on-air show. Can Mrs. Koep, the mayor, or anyone else explain how this was a fair selection process? How does this look for those of us who are not relatives or co-workers of current and former local politicians?

Education is not free
I find it very ironic that on the very same day the headline in the Brainerd Dispatch about Gov. Tim Pawlenty's visit reads "Education = Jobs", the headline right next to it reads "Five More Teachers Have to Go". What a sad commentary on the state of public education under this governor.

OUR OPINION: SMOKING
It's unclear who should be more upset about productions of plays such as "The Tobacco Monologues" at Barnacles Resort and Campground near Aitkin - health officials or lovers of good theater.

Wives aren't comfortable in shadows
The Hillary and Michelle comparisons were inevitable: Ivy-educated superlawyers married to dreamy-eyed visionaries who aimed for the White House.

Open Forum: There are plenty of us who still care
It is as a Brainerd High School alumni, speaking in regards to the proposed BHS sports and activities to be cut next fall, that the only word that comes to my mind is: unbelievable. As a product of ISD 181, and a benefactor of the numerous activities and sports that were offered, I cannot begin to fathom the effects that these cuts will have on the quality of education that students receive. It is tremendously unfortunate that the plurality of the ISD 181 community did not find our area's youth, and their futures worth investing in. What many seem to fail to realize, is that learning occurs outside of the classroom; learning that is not possible within the traditional four walls of the school building. To the students, faculty, and staff (and ultimately the community at large) that will all too soon have to deal first hand with these proposed cuts, I wish you the best of luck, and stand to say that though so many others in our "community" seem not to have cared, there are plenty of us that do.

VOX POP
Before you take off for spring break, check the expiration date on your driver's license. When I renewed mine, the state refused to accept a P.O. Box as an address; only a physical address would do. So the renewal reminder was sent to that undeliverable address. Luckily, I noticed my license had expired three days before a trip so I had time to apply for a new one. And it's a good thing I did. When I went through security they noticed my old license had expired and demanded to see the copy of my renewal application.

An important journey for people of God
We know it's true. The people charged with taking care of God's world have used it to take care of themselves. The people who know in their bones that there is such a thing as justice and fairness - that is, the human race, made in God's image - have twisted it so it serves their own ends. Those who know in their heart of hearts that there is such a thing as truth, and that it matters, have spun it the way they want it and haven't cared who gets hurt. And all this is true both in the major tyrannies of our time, tyrannies of East and West, and North and South, and in the smaller but still significant affairs of our national and personal lives. And when, this[coming] week, the church tells the story of how [God] sent his own son, the world looks on with interest; Palm Sunday and Good Friday make a fine tourist attraction, worth taking photographs of; but not worth doing anything about.

CHURCH NEWS
BAXTER -All Saints Catholic Church will break ground at 10 a.m. Monday. The new church will be on Carlson Lake Road, two miles west of Highway 371 north of Baxter.

Area events
College softball

Raider action
Carlos Montiel of the North Lake, Texas, Blazers grabbed a pass as George Washington (right) of the Central Lakes College Raiders and teammate Dustin Monson (45) defended in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division III men's basketball tournament Thursday at State University at Delhi, N.Y.

Warriors keep state streak alive
With just two starters returning from last season, Brainerd Warriors adapted floor hockey coach Bruce Thompson wondered if his team's streak of playing in state tournaments was in jeopardy.

Twins camp to make a visit to Brainerd
The Minnesota Twins will host a youth baseball and softball training camp June 9-10 at Mills Field in Brainerd.

SCOREBOARD
Thursday

March Madness comes early for CLC basketball teams
As conference championship week winds down in the world of Division I basketball to reveal who will be in next week's NCAA tournament, and who's bracket bubble has been burst, the area college sports scene has been privy to its own brand of March Madness as Central Lakes College men's and women's teams each rode historic and somewhat surprising runs to qualify for this week's NJCAA Division III national tournaments.

Rangers round up another victory
BEMIDJI - All five Crosby-Ironton starters reached double diget points leading to a 78-49 East Subsection 8-2A semifinal victory over the Bagley Flyers Thursday at Bemidji State University.

Thesing was point of Warriors' attack
Staying healthy was one thing Emily Thesing had to accomplish this basketball season.

Dismal shooting dooms CLC women
Experience pays dividends in postseason basketball and unfortunately the Central Lakes Raiders women's basketball team didn't have enough as it dropped its first round game of the NJCAA Division III national tournament to host Mohawk Valley Community College 62-40 Thursday.

Warriors fall to defending state champs
Third-seeded Buffalo began its defense of the Class 4A boys' basketball title by defeating the sixth-seeded Brainerd Warriors 59-49 Thursday in the Section 8-4A quarterfinals.

Returning sophs carry Raiders' hopes
Following the highest finish in program history the Central Lakes College Raiders' fast-pitch softball team appears poised for another run to the top.

Raider men drop close opener
Two free throws by Nathan Pratt with just two seconds left lifted North Lake College (Texas) past the Central Lakes College Raiders 62-60 in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division III men's basketball tournament Thursday at State University at Delhi, N.Y.

LOCAL SPORTS SHORTS
Brainerd High School boys' hockey coach Ty Eigner received the Dave Peterson Award at last week's state tournament.

Raiders hope the streak continues
The goal of every basketball team is to be peaking at the right time.

St. Patrick's Day is coming
Weather drawing by Renae Ford of Mr Meyer's fourth-grade class at Lowell Elementary.

State forecast for North Dakota
.Today...Mostly cloudy east. Partly to mostly cloudy west and

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Light snow ending northeast early. Otherwise partly cloudy. Highs in the 40s. Tonight...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower to mid 20s northwest to lower 30s far southeast. Friday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s northwest to the upper 40s far southeast.

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

State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Mostly cloudy north with morning snow showers northeast.

State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy.

Shamrocks are everywhere
Weather drawing by Kamryn Higdem in the Baxter third grade of Ms. Hemstad.

State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy north with a slight chance of rain or snow

State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly sunny west to mostly cloudy northeast. A slight

State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly clear...Then becoming partly to mostly cloudy. A few afternoon sprinkles east. Breezy. Highs from the mid to upper 40s northwest and parts of northeast...To the lower 60s south central.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Scattered light rain and light snow showers south in the morning. A chance of light rain showers in the afternoon far south. Highs from the mid 30s northwest...To the mid 40s far south.

State forecast for South Dakota
Snow advisory today far southwest...