Sunday, March 27, 2005
Business Notes
Clyde Wilson is being recognized in March for 35 years of service with the National Bushing Parts Co./Auto Value Parts Stores.
Home sellers fret as mortgage rates rise
MARIETTA, Ga. -- A four-bedroom ranch home with a finished basement and swimming pool overlooking a golf course fairway in one of Georgia's top school districts should be a steal for $309,000.
Tips to protect, improve personal finances as interest rates rise
Q. Is there anything I can do with my personal finances to blunt the impact -- or take advantage -- of rising interest rates?
Ending myths and mystery about tax extensions
NEW YORK -- At this point in the tax season, small business owners who aren't well along in the process might want to get an extension of the April 15 deadline to file their returns.
Job fair at CLC
Christina Menk of Brainerd (left) talked with Melissa Kramer, staffing coordinator for Bethany Good Samaritan Village, Tuesday at the annual Central Lakes College Job Fair in Brainerd.
Gander Mountain expected to open in early July
Gander Mountain is expected to hire 100 people, with about 30 percent as full-time jobs, before it opens in early July.
Retail shopping -- with a twist
For months the sign along the highway announced a Baxter Village project and additional details were hard to come by.
Region Five Development Commission elects members
STAPLES -- The Region Five Development Commission announced six newly elected members to the North Central Economic Development Association full corporation.
Improve your credit score by following these tips
Many of us still don't understand credit scores, that abstruse number between 300 and 850 that lenders assign to us based on our credit histories.
Out of town births
Shawn and Rebekah (Ulm) Rohde, Merrifield, a girl, Genevieve Violet Louise, 7 pounds, March 13, 2005. Grandparents are Kurt and Darla Ulm and Gary and Joan Rohde. Great-grandparents are Kenneth and Esther Pikula and Lois Ulm.
BIRTHS
Rebecca Blume and Reid Seevers, Baxter, a girl, Lindsay Catherine Seevers, 7 pounds, 11 ounces, March 15, 2005. Grandparents are Bill and Jane Clarken, Brainerd, the late Franklin J. Blume, and Steve and Colleen Seevers, Fort Ripley.
Car fire
The Brainerd Fire Department was called at 12:42 p.m. Friday to a car fire on Highway 371, south of Green Gables Road.
Advisory council to meet Monday
The Brainerd Community Education Advisory Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the community education meeting room at Forestview Middle School in Baxter.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
Dylan A. Liane, 21, and Christina J. Nickels, 18, both of Pine River.
New face for seniors
There's a new face at the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center in Brainerd keeping the programs hopping.
Pillager School Board Activities Committee
Meets 7 a.m. Tuesday
Talking to strangers can lead to love
Are you single and miserable?
'Good father' is one who is both authoritative and nurturing
NEW YORK (AP) -- As mothers and fathers, psychologists and academics debate what the role of a father should be, children are getting mixed signals about masculinity and discipline, according to psychologist Mark O'Connell.
Living wills may bring peace of mind
Then again, knowing that you will be able to control this critical decision -- and, perhaps more important, to spare your loved ones from arguing about it -- is one of the last gifts you can bequeath to your family, estate planners say.
Chocolate candy sales near peak at Easter
This Easter, as in Easters past, everything's coming up chocolate.
For crying out loud
The mother stomps off to the counter to order her fancy coffee beverage.
Kinship Partners still has 54 youths on waiting list
Do you like kids? Do you want to make a difference in the life of a child? Are you involved in activities or have a special skill or hobby you would want to share with a child? Have you thought about being a Kinship Partner?
C-I's Easter hope
Hope and healing.
Overheard
"We have great hopes there will be a settlement and we can start working on the hard work of forgiving."
Local briefs
Central Lakes College was among six northern Minnesota colleges to receive U.S. Department of Education grants under its TRIO Student Support Services Program.
Howes bill would allow sleds on either side of the road with local OK
ST. PAUL -- Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, has introduced legislation for a two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of local right-of-ways when permission is granted by local governments.
NRA leader sounds off
PHOENIX (AP) -- All options should be considered to help prevent rampages like the Minnesota school shooting that took 10 lives, including discussions about whether guns should be available to teachers, a top National Rifle Association leader said Friday.
Bush praises heroic act of guard
WACO, Texas (AP) -- President Bush on Saturday praised Minnesota high school security guard Derrick Brun for saving countless students by bravely confronting the teenage gunman who shot and killed him.
Critically wounded student is a survivor, father says
FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- Doctors say a Red Lake, Minn., student critically injured in a school shooting is holding his own, which comes as no surprise to his father.
Friend says gunman was on Prozac
BEMIDJI (AP) -- Less than three weeks before Jeff Weise went on a shooting rampage at Red Lake High School, he joined friends to watch a movie about a Columbine-style school massacre,
This was Brainerd
MARCH 27 - 60 years ago (1945) - Easter Food Surprises. Assorted eggs 33 a dozen, Co-op creamery butter 41 pound, Hills Bros. Coffee 31 pound, California oranges, 39 for 2 dozen.
School shooting victims being laid to rest
BEMIDJI (AP) -- Three victims of the Red Lake High School shooting will have traditional Ojibwe funeral, intended to prepare the soul for a four-day journey into the afterlife.
Lightsaber rattling
Dispatch columnist and admitted "Star Wars" geek John Hansen gives 10 reasons why "Revenge of the Sith" will be an awesome final chapter to George Lucas' saga.
Union calls meeting with business community
Members from the business community met with striking Crosby-Ironton teachers Friday morning in a question and answer session.
Stephanie Clavin
BAXTER -- Stephanie JoAnn (Spaid) Clavin, 52, Baxter, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. She was born on March 28, 1952, in Aitkin, Minn., to Kenneth and Louise (Mishler) Spaid.
Lillian Fish
AITKIN -- Lillian Fish, age 87, of Aitkin, died on Thursday, March 24, 2005, at the Cuyuna Health Care Center in Crosby. Funeral arrangements are pending at the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin.
Donald E. Kivisto
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Donald E. Kivisto, 75, Green Bay, Wis., died Wednesday, March 23, 2005. He was born Oct. 27, 1929, in Crosby, Minn., to the late Matti and Elvira Kivisto. Donald married Anita M. Best on Nov. 24, 1951. They enjoyed 54 years of togetherness and love. He worked for many years with International Harvester selling trucks and he enjoyed getting together with all of his former co-workers after retirement. Don served in the U.S. Army as a company clerk during the Korean conflict, serving from 1948 to 1951. Don was a gentle man and a gentleman. Even though he suffered from a stroke in 2002 and continued to have circulatory problems, he never complained.
Richard Roubal
PINE RIVER -- Richard Roubal, age 76, of Pine River, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. He was born Feb. 6, 1929, in St. Paul to Raymond and Myrtle Roubal.
Guy A. Christiansen
Guy A. Christiansen, 88, Brainerd, passed away Friday, March 25, 2005, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Marvin E. Robertson
Marvin E. Robertson, age 89, former Brainerd resident, died Friday, March 25, 2005, in Ogilvie. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at the Community Alliance Church in Garrison with the Rev. Peter Dorn officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Monday at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd and at the church Tuesday the hour before services.
Neva J. Rogers
SHEVLIN -- Neva J. Rogers, 62, of Shevlin, Minn., died Monday, March 21, 2005 at Red Lake. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 28, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Bemidji. The Rev. Genelle Netland will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday, March 27, 5-8 p.m. at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Bemidji. A Neva Rogers Memorial Fund is to be established at Security Bank in Bemidji.
Lillian A. Herget
OWATONNA -- Lillian A. Herget, 80, of rural Owatonna, went to her heavenly home on March 23, 2005. Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate her life is set for Monday, March 28, 2005, at 11 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna. Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Medford. Friends may greet the family on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna. There will be a 5 p.m. Parish Rosary at the funeral home on Sunday. The visitation will continue one hour before the time of service at the church on Monday.
VOX POP
If the author of Tuesday's Vox Pop is interested, the Koeps have had special requests honored. The city left the trees on their boulevard and nowhere else on Laurel Street, even though the county engineer objected. The Koeps got special two-hour parking with signs along their street with active enforcement by Brainerd Police; a special parking permit for their family members so the family members don't have to abide by the two hour limit; and the city engineer going out at 3 a.m. Saturday checking noise levels. Just to mention a few. Who pays for this? Brainerd taxpayers.
OUR OPINION: C-I STRIKE
The Crosby-Ironton teachers' strike has taken on qualities of a paralyzing sameness as it stretches to its 47th day this Easter Sunday.
Open Forum: Liberals don't hate America
Liberals do not hate America. I know, because I am a liberal and I love America. It's just that liberals feel that it is their job to point it out when we can and should do even better for each other than we are already doing.
Outdoors Notes
The Paul Bunyan Chapter of Trout Unlimited and School District 181's First Cast program will jointly present a Fly Fishing Expo on April 9 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. in the Forestview Middle School Cafetorium.
An alternative to Twin Cities sport shows
As we approach the end of March and get a little closer to opening day of the fishing season, a lot of us head for Minneapolis and the annual Northwest Sport Show.
Money from 'Chickadee Checkoff' counts
Let's see, my desk is covered with bills, wrinkled receipts, tax forms and folders. It's that time of year when I gather together the slips of paper that remind me I haven't taken in enough money to cover the bills.
A bright outing to Lake of the Woods
BAUDETTE -- On a recent ice fishing trip to Lake of the Woods I packed two sets of thermal underwear, insulated sweatshirt jacket, hooded parka, flannel-lined jeans, Pac boots, wool socks, Thinsulate-lined gloves and two stocking caps, one with cutouts for the mouth and eyes.
Catrina Burke and Colin Ryan
Catrina Burke and Colin Ryan announce their engagement. Parents are Tim and Connie Burke, North St. Paul, and Dan and Mary Claire Ryan, Brainerd. A July 16 wedding is planned at the Church of St. Louis in St. Paul.
Kay and Don Robinson
Kay and Don Robinson, Pine River, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from noon-4 p.m. April 3 at the Church of the Nazarene in Backus. No gifts please. They were married in April 1955.
Leland and Judy Foy
Leland and Judy Foy, Pillager, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with their family. They were married March 26, 1955.
MICHAEL AND TINA GANGESTAD
Tina Bourassa and Michael Gangestad were married July 24, 2005, at the groom's parents' home in Fort Ripley with Darrell Paske officiating.
Barbara Cullett and Craig Richards
Barbara Cullett and Craig Richards announce their engagement. Parents are John and Elaine Cullett, Brainerd, and Raymond and Margie Richards, Staples. A private wedding is planned for April 30 with a reception at the Pine River Legion to follow.
CASEY AND SULASTRI (LILY) WAGNER
Sulastri (Lily) and Casey Wagner were married Nov. 18, 2004, in Bangkok, Thailand. A traditional Javanese wedding ceremony took place in Java, Indonesia.
Fallace and Laila Mead
Fallace and Laila Mead, Brainerd, will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary with an open house from 1-3 p.m. April 3 at the Front Street Cafe, 616 Front St., Brainerd. They were married April 4, 1938, in Brainerd.
Harvey and Rachel Wing
Harvey and Rachel Wing will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house from 1-4 p.m. April 2 at Bethel Lutheran Church. The event will be hosted by their children.
Catherine Aulie and Richard Lacerte
Catherine Aulie and Richard Lacerte announce their engagement. Parents are Michael and Roxanne Aulie, Deerwood, and Arthur and Susan Lacerte, Pasadena, Calif. A May 14 wedding is planned in Pasadena. A Minnesota reception is planned for June 19 in Deerwood.
Norman Caughey
Norman Caughey, Brainerd, will celebrate his 80th birthday with an open house from 1-4 p.m. April 3 at St. Mathias Park. No gifts please. He was born March 31, 1925, in Daggett Brook Township.
Rachel Schreiber and Luke Hamilton
Rachel Schreiber and Luke Hamilton announce their engagement. Parents are Pamela and Paul Schreiber, Brainerd, and Michael and Theresa Hamilton, Brainerd. A March 25, 2006, wedding is planned.
Mary Verville and Todd Doroff
Mary Verville and Todd Doroff announce their engagement. Parents are James and Mavis Verville, Baxter, and Robert Doroff, Little Falls. A June 18 wedding is planned at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Minneapolis.
Kristi Stumvoll and Reid Nelson
Kristi Stumvoll and Reid Nelson announce their engagement. Parents are Terry and Sue Stumvoll, Pequot Lakes, and John and Linda Nelson, Canton, Ohio. A June 4 wedding is planned in Belgrade, Mont.
Donations making life easier for troops in Iraq
A goal to make daily life a little easier for area soldiers serving in Iraq is nearly complete.
Individual statistics
Joe Stoll, Pill 468
Dickie led Rangers through tough times
Statistically speaking, other basketball players had better numbers. Aitkin's John Holder owned the Brainerd lakes area's sweetest shot. Pillager's Joe Kavanaugh was the most versatile player and no player dished out more assists in the last four years than the 464 by Verndale's Isaac Johnson.
Racing off the track
Kurt Loftis of Pillager steered his Wissota Super Stocker as his friends pushed it Thursday night into the Westgate Mall in Brainerd/Baxter. Loftis was among about 20 North Central Speedway racers participating in the 16th-annual NCS Car Show Friday and Saturday at the mall.
On Radio and TV
Radio guide
Final conference standings
Team Conference Overall
Dispatch All-Area Boys' Basketball Team
Players for the 2004-05 Brainerd Dispatch All-Area Boys' Basketball Team are nominated by their coach and selected by the Dispatch sports staff.
Grand Rapids senior dies after collapsing
DULUTH (AP) -- A high school basketball player collapsed during halftime of an all-star game and later died, just a week after experiencing difficulty breathing in a game at the state tournament.
In the Brainerd lakes area
Monday
PlayStation Portable is simply overpowering
Handheld video game machines have finally grown up with the PlayStation Portable from Sony Corp.
Photo apps grow up, but are not picture perfect
Digital cameras have made it simple and inexpensive enough to capture practically every moment in life but they also generate mounds of pictures that need to be fixed, organized and shared in one form or another.
Video game designers hesitate over violence
TUCSON, Ariz. -- In the original Postal video game, you play a man gone berserk, beating up innocent bystanders just because you've had a bad day. In the second version, you attack a Middle Eastern shop owner, dancers at a gay club and a marching band. In the latest iteration, due out this spring, you mistakenly set off a nuclear explosion, killing everyone in town.
New movement on campus: Get legal music
WASHINGTON -- Universities, caught in the crossfire between litigation-crazy record companies and music-swapping students, are seeking to appease both by rolling out a bevy of new, legal file-sharing services.
Bezo's spaceport
VAN HORN, Texas -- Even skeptical locals, who've become wary over the years of city slickers with big ideas for their town, perked up when Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos made his pitch -- a spaceport for commercial travel into the beyond.
Favorite Vacation Photo
Daniel Dix, Backus, took this photo of a house on a tiny island while adventuring around the Central American country of Belize. "There isn't much of a lawn to mow," Dix said.
Challenging adventure in Utah canyon wilderness
ESCALANTE, Utah -- The layered red sandstone of the canyon walls tower above us. The waters in and under our boots are murky and cold. The March sun has poured out its fleeting warmth and dipped behind the cliffs, leaving us shivering in sodden clothes and looming shadows.
Tips on hiking Death Hollow
With its ruggedness, remoteness and stark beauty, Death Hollow is one of the more challenging and rewarding hikes in the vicinity of Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. Only experienced, strong and well-prepared hikers should consider it.
The bunny was here
Weather drawing by Angela Sausen in the Lowell School fourth-grade class of Mr. Meyer.
State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Partly sunny north and central. Mostly cloudy south. Highs
Snow in the Rockies, thunderstorms and gusty wind in northern Texas
Snow was expected to fall across the Rockies on Saturday, with mountainous areas getting up to 10 inches, while thunderstorms and gusty wind threatened northern Texas.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs 45 to 55.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy...Except mostly cloudy far south. Highs 40 to 45...Except 35 to 40 near lake michigan.
State forecast for North Dakota
.Today...Mostly sunny and a little warmer. Highs from the lower 30s
State forecast for Minnesota
.This afternoon...Partly cloudy far north...Otherwise sunny. Highs
Much Obliged
The American Cancer Society would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who helped to make Crow Wing County Daffodil Days a success. Thanks to the help of volunteers and local businesses we were able to raise almost $20,000 to support cancer research, education, services and advocacy.
What's Doing
Crow Wing County Genealogy Society to meet from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the Family History Center, 101 Buffalo Hills Lane W., Brainerd. Program: Using the Digital Camera in Genealogy by Art Brown. For more information, call 825-7825 or 828-9178.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees