Saturday, April 25, 2009

Biz Buzz
Greg Larson Sports is opening a retail outlet store on May 1 in the company's Westport Shopping Center site in Baxter.

Central Lakes College nursing students get taste of hospital work
The Central Lakes College Nursing Program recently conducted a hospital simulation exercise to give 97 students an opportunity to respond to real-life clinical situations.

Forces join to assist small business with grants, loans
Financial assistance is available to help small businesses see their way through the current economic downturn and be poised for recovery.

Street Smarts: Driving school designed for the young
What parent doesn't want to give their teenage driver every advantage on what can be dangerous roads?

Baxter Wal-Mart sets fundraising record
BAXTER - The Wal-Mart Supercenter in Baxter raised more than $51,000 for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare.

Business notes
Olympic team doctor to talk at sports medicine event: An orthopedic surgeon, one of six U.S. Olympic swim team physicians, will speak at the Lakeside Sports Medicine Conference June 4-5 at Breezy Point Resort.

Agendas
Public meeting agendas

What's Doing
The Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity will have an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the fellowship hall at First Congregational Church, 415 Juniper Street, Brainerd.

MnDOT applauds Adopt a Highway volunteers
Now that spring has arrived, thousands of Adopt-a-Highway volunteers across Minnesota are helping to beautify roadsides and save taxpayers the litter removal costs.

SENIOR CALENDAR
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER

Firefighters respond to several calls
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to several calls over the past few days.

Police blotter
Officers were called to the Brainerd High School, 702 Fifth St. S., two times on Thursday to incidents where a student was yelling profanities at staff.

COURTS
Jeffrey Wayne Johnson, 42, Brainerd, was sentenced Tuesday in Morrison County District Court to serve 42 months in prison for first-degree driving under the influence of alcohol, the Morrison County attorney's office said in a news release.

POLICE BLOTTER
BURGLARY - It was reported Thursday that Tires Plus, 14370 Dellwood Drive, had been broken into.

DISSOLUTIONS
Bakke, Kim M. and Craig R. Fink.

'This is one of the homes I've done that sticks out'
A farmhouse built in the 1940s used to sit on 40 acres of land in the Brainerd lakes area.

CenterPoint Energy offers natural gas safety tips
CenterPoint Energy offers the following natural gas safety tips to the public during Minnesota's Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Growing fruit trees can beautify your garden, too
What could be more delightful than to be able to pluck and eat fruit from a tree that you also admire for its beauty?

Betsy is 16 and seeks a partner
Every once in a while we get kids referred to us who are out of our usual age limit of 5-14. We don't want to turn them away without first trying to find a match for them.

Ward's transportation bill signed into law by Pawlenty last week
ST. PAUL - State Rep. John Ward, DFL - Brainerd, welcomed the news that Gov. Pawlenty signed his Type III transportation legislation into law Thursday. As a result, Ward said, transportation costs for Minnesota school districts will be significantly lower.

Zoe's Angels will be in the walk
When Zoe Greig was born 10 weeks early at Lakewood Health System in Staples in 2005, she weighed 2 pounds, 14 ounces and was 15-1/4-inches long.

Overheard
I've said this is the equivalent of a 70-yard field goal.

Why did he cross over the fence?
To get to the other side. In a fantastic feat of fence-jumping, Hunter Wicklund dove headlong over a fence at Don Adamson Field Thursday while high shcool softball and baseball games were played out around him. He and a group of his friends enjoyed playing catch themselves, taking advantage of the year's first 80-degree day. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey

Area tourist industry optimistic about summer season
With gasoline prices cut in half compared to last season and a worry-weary public in need of a break, area tourism professionals see reasons to be optimistic for the summer season.

CORRECTION
The Brainerd Dispatch incorrectly listed the Powerball number in Thursday's paper as 24. The correct Powerball number of Wednesday's lottery was 12.

Weatherization dollars expected to make area economic impact
Sizeable stimulus dollars for weatherization of homes will soon energize the area economy, Tri-County Community Action Inc. reported.

'Miracle' girl is thriving
PIERZ - Spend five minutes with Ella Otremba and it's easy to see why the nearly 2-year-old Pierz girl has captivated the hearts of her parents, Cindy and Wes, and her siblings, Dominique, 11; and Damien, 13.

Class sizes topic of Thursday's forum
As a first in a series, the Brainerd School Board Long Range Planning Committee will host a community forum to discuss class size and its effect on learning, as well as how it relates to long range planning.

Disappearing act
Hunter Wicklund flung himself over a fence and disappeared Thursday at Don Adamson field in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey

Abandoned homes: Concern grows over what could happen to some Brainerd neighborhoods
Shortly after midnight on April 14, Brainerd police officers received information that someone had entered a foreclosed home on the 400 block of North Eighth Street.

Cass Lake shooting leads to prison term
WALKER - The man accused of being involved in a shooting incident at Cass Lake Aug. 30 was sentenced April 20 in Cass County District Court to 60 months in prison for being a felon who illegally possessed a handgun after being convicted of a felony violent crime within the last 10 years.

Nisswa chamber gathering
Ann Warling, Nisswa Chamber of Commerce executive director, greeted Kevin Clarine and Kevin Thesing of Lakes Printing in Brainerd Thursday night before the chamber's spring dinner at the Quarterdeck's Boathouse Eatery on Gull Lake. Brainerd Dispatch/Kathi Nagorski

Correction
Because of incorrect information supplied the Dispatch, the date for the Truth Project leader training at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church was listed incorrectly in Friday's Church News. The training will be 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 2, not May 30.

Doty, Howes, Ward split votes on House education bill
ST. PAUL - Three area Minnesota House members split votes on three education bills that passed the House last week.

Students compete in state Knowledge Bowl
The Brainerd and Little Falls High School Knowledge Bowl teams gave it their best shot this week in the state Knowledge Bowl competition in East Gull Lake.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1989): Overcrowding in the Crow Wing County Jail and annex reached an all-time high over the weekend with 85 inmates. Sheriff Frank Ball expressed concern with where they'll put inmates when they no longer have space.

Ward legislation on literacy collaborative program OK'd
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota House passed legislation Thursday authored by Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, that enables the Brainerd School District to establish a Minnesota literacy collaborative program.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1989) - Officers of American National Bank have served a letter on the city of Brainerd demanding it make good on notes guaranteed by its economic development authority on behalf of TS 2000, Inc., headed by Colin Hall.

Mary M. Prince
BREEZY POINT - Mary Margarette Prince, 89, of Breezy Point, passed away on April 24, 2009, at Carefree Living in Brainerd. She was born on Aug. 29, 1919. She made her home the last few years at Carefree Living.

Ambrose C. Thesing
Ambrose C. Thesing, age 89, resident of Brainerd, died Thursday, April 23, 2009, at Good Samaritan Society-Woodland, surrounded by his wife and four children. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, April 27, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Sunday with parish prayers at 7 p.m. Sunday at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.

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.

Ambrose C. Thesing
Ambrose C. Thesing was born Feb. 26, 1920, in St. Bonifacius, Minn., to John and Lena (Ditsch) Thesing. Ambrose went to be with his Lord Jesus Thursday, April 23, 2009, surrounded by his wife Lee and his four children at his side.

Clinton E. Christensen
PINE RIVER - Clinton E. Christensen, age 59, of Pine River, was born Jan. 22, 1950, at Sebeka, Minn., to Christ and Selma (Zell) Christensen. He graduated from the Pine River High School and was a longtime truck driver.1

Marvin C. Verbeck
STAPLES - Marvin C. Verbeck, age 88, of Staples, Minn., died on April 23, 2009, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. He is survived by five children including Vernon Verbeck, of Motley, Rose Wales, of Staples, Doris Seely and Viola Seeley, both of Deer River, and Mableann Cooper, of Minneapolis.

Tony 'Runt' A. Schilling
FORT RIPLEY - Tony "Runt" Alan Schilling, 26-year-old resident of Fort Ripley, Minn., passed away April 23, 2009, at North Memorial Medical Center in Minneapolis. Funeral services were Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Little Falls, Minn. Burial was in the Freedhem Cemetery in Freedhem, Minn.

Diane M. Adair
CROSSLAKE - Diane Marie Adair, 70, of Crosslake, died Friday, April 24, 2009, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd, Minn. Services for Diane will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, Minn., with the Rev. Bob Twiton officiating. Friends are welcome to visit starting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral chapel. Interment will be at Pinewood Cemetery in Crosslake, Minn.

Charles Burgraff
ROYALTON - Charles Burgraff, 84-year-old resident of Royalton, Minn., passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton, Minn., with Father Laurn Virnig officiating.

Marilyn 'Bunch' R. Davis
DEERWOOD - Marilyn "Bunch" Ruth Davis, age 78, of Deerwood, died Thursday, April 23, 2009, at Aitkin Health Services in Aitkin.

Donald F. Hawks
CROSBY - Donald Freeman Hawks, age 85, of Crosby, died on April 21, 2009, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. He was born on April 27, 1923, in McGrath Minn., to Roy and Joyce (Freeman) Hawks. He served in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. He married Marjorie L. Halverson on July 10, 1946, in McGregor. He worked for 25 years with Hanna Mining Co. Following his employment with Hanna, Don worked for many years as a heavy equipment operator.

Donald Gammon
LITTLE FALLS - Donald Gammon, 79-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., died Friday, April 24, 2009, at his home in Little Falls, Minn., surrounded by his loving family. Arrangements are pending with the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, Minn.

Robert Hankey
STAPLES - Robert Hankey, age 91, of Staples, passed away at the Lakewood Health System Hospital on Thursday, April 23, 2009. A memorial Mass is planned for Sunday, April 26, at 4 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples with Father Scott Wittkop officiating. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples. Burial will be at the Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples.

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.

Lloyt G. Stewart
NISSWA - Lloyt George Stewart, age 77, of Nisswa, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2009, at St. Cloud. He was born July 29, 1931, in Britton, S.D., to Myrven and Jettie (Stocking) Stewart. He attended school at Britton, S.D., and Deer Creek, Minn. George moved to the Twin Cities where he met and married Betty Golberg in 1956.

Managing the presidency
WASHINGTON - As we approach the 100-day mark for the Obama administration, you will hear and see a wide variety of grades for the new president's performance.

Vox Pop
I'm retired and moved here from Iowa. After looking into the retirement situation for area educators, I'm glad we have the newly passed law and I can't believe Sen. Koering isn't also. The obligation is a contractual item. We must honor this agreement, so why not have my seasonal neighbors on the lake help pay for this educational obligation? Thus, we can free up more dollars for the classroom and student needs. This is a no-brainer if you want an opinion of someone who has thoroughly studied this. It simply spreads out the cost we must pay.

Open Forum: Proposed budget cuts will hurt hospitals
Kudos to Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, for his column in Sunday's paper recognizing the potential impact Governor Pawlenty's budget cuts may have on our Minnesota hospitals. His interview with Mr. Thomas Prusak, CEO of Brainerd Lakes Health, was right on. I have been a registered nurse for 33 years and have seen first hand how hospitals need to do more with less reimbursement each year. Health care costs are high, but having been on the receiving end of life-saving technology myself, I am grateful for the excellent quality of medical care we have available in our part of this great country.

Our opinion: Recount
A serious campaign for statewide office begins well before the targeted election year. That's just the reality of perpetual politicking.

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

Open Forum
I may not have had a date to my senior prom in 1962, but I certainly did on Sunday when I escorted my 91-year old mother to the Brainerd High School "Senior" Prom. What a delightful afternoon of wonderful music by the CLC Jazz Band, BHS Windfall and BHS Jazz Band. But the highlight was watching 16- and 17-year-olds dancing with the senior citizens - learning the two-step from those who have been dancing it for 70 years. This event is just another example of the great kids we have in our community. Thanks to them, and their teachers, for a wonderful time....and we didn't even have to worry about a curfew!

Outdoor notes
The Lakeshore Conservation Club kicked off its season Sunday.

Disabled veterans' turkey hunt: Fun and feathers
CAMP RIPLEY - Hank Ebert wore it proudly as he relaxed in the cafeteria following his hunt.

A healthy turkey population - and future
It's early a.m. (4:49) on Thursday and I am working on my first cup of coffee as my daughter, Alex, is about to jump in the shower so she is ready for school after our morning hunt.

Gorron-Hoglin engagement
Lisa Gorron and Tim Hoglin announce their engagement. Parents are Nancy Marchand, East Gull Lake, and Brad Gorron, Brainerd, and Gary and Diane Hoglin, Brainerd. An Aug. 28 wedding is planned in Fort Ripley.

Holden-Nilson engagement
Kathleen Holden and Stephen Nilson announce their engagement. Parents are Tim and Jacque Holden, Baxter, and Bryan and Resa Nilson, Colchester, Vt. A May 20 wedding is planned at Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Huseth 30th anniversary
Larry and Colleen Huseth, Brainerd, will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. They were married May 5, 1979.

CHURCH NEWS
GARRISON - A roast pork dinner will be sponsored by Light of the Cross Lutheran Church, Garrison, from 4-7 p.m. May 2. Cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children 6-12; and free for children 5 and younger. Light of the Cross is located two blocks west of the Super Valu in Garrison.

Hasselberg second at Bemidji
BEMIDJI - Cydney Hasselberg of Staples-Motley led area girls golfers by taking second place at the Bemidji Invite with an 84 Friday.

BOYS' TENNIS
WADENA - Mike Lindaman didn't surrender a point in his No. 2 singles victory as the Staples-Motley Cardinals defeated the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines 5-2 in a Mid-State Conference dual meet Thursday.

Johnson strikes out 14 in Cardinals' win
STAPLES - Gunner Johnson struck out 14 batters and allowed one walk and two hits as the Staples-Motley Cardinals edged Browerville 2-1 in a non-conference game Friday.

Crocker leads Warriors to 10-5 win
PRINCETON - Kyle Crocker got the win and went 3-for-4 with a solo home run as the Brainerd Warriors defeated St. Francis 10-5 in the Tiger Classic Friday.

Bees' opener is Sunday
The Brainerd Bees are scheduled to open Lakewood League play at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Mills Field against St. Cloud Rosters.

Staples-Motley wins Mid-Minn meet
MENAHGA - Michael Strain carded an 80, and Nick Forsberg finished with a 84 to lead the Staples-Motley Cardinals to a first-place finish in Mid-Minnesota Conference action at Blueberry Pines on Friday.

Pierz's versatile Jensen seeks state meet success
Kaari Jensen is a Triple A grade student-athlete.

Warriors outscore Tech 18-8
ST. CLOUD - Five Brainerd players had at least two hits as the Warriors belted the St. Cloud Tech Tigers 18-8 in a five-inning Central Lakes Conference game Thursday night at Faber Field.

Warriors beat the Eagles, rain
From a high of 81 degrees Thursday the temperature tumbled into the 40s Friday .

AREA TRACK and FIELD
WADENA - Andrew Knebel won two events to lead the Pillager boys' team to first and Ashley Lisson also won twice to lead the Staples-Motley girls to first at Thursday's Browne Invite.

Aitkin blanks Crosby-Ironton
AITKIN - Lena Montano went 2-for-2 with a double and knocked in two runs as the Aitkin Gobblers cruised past the Crosby-Ironton Rangers 11-0 in non-conference play Friday.

LOCAL BRIEFS
Sue Coulter, real estate agent with Edina Realty in Crosslake, recently attended a special recognition reception in Minneapolis for the top agents with Edina Realty. She was recognized for outstanding performance, achievement and service.

Raiders split with Itasca
Antonie Vandersteeg's single in the bottom of the seventh scored pinch runner Ryan Pauly as the Central Lakes College Raiders nipped Itasca 7-6 in the second game of a doubleheader Friday at the Findorff Athletic Complex.

Scoreboard
Area events

Thunder blank W-DC
WADENA - The Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Thunder stormed past the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines 7-0 in a non-conference dual meet Friday.

SCOREBOARD
Area events

Local sports shorts
The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department will have its youth baseball draft for Mustang, Bronco and Pony leagues on Monday at the Brainerd Public Utilities building.

Flyers finish 12th
ALEXANDRIA - Izaak Berglund scored an 85 to lead the Little Falls Flyers to 12th at the Alexandria Invitational Thursday.

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
STAPLES - Rachael Hoemberg was 5-for-7 with six runs and seven RBIs as Staples-Motley took both games of a doubleheader against Mid-State Conference rival Pequot Lakes 10-0 and 22-4 Thursday.

Warrior boys' relay wins title
ST. PAUL - The Brainerd Warrior boys' 4x200 relay won the championship at Friday's Hamline Elite meet at Hamline University.

Graham's pitching leads CLC
ELY - Olivia Graham pitched five innings of three-hit softball and struck out seven as the Central Lakes Raiders sailed to a 15-0 Game One win over the Vermilion Ironwomen in Northern Division play Friday.

Brainerd's Halverson in a groove
PEQUOT LAKES - Sean Halverson's first words upon completion of his wind-swept round at Grand View Lodge's Preserve Thursday were, "I left a lot on the course."

AREA GIRLS' GOLF
DEERWOOD - Crosby-Ironton's Jamie Welle took top individual honors carding a nine-hole 44, but the Aitkin Gobblers topped the Rangers 229-240 Thursday in a dual meet at Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge.

Pitching, hitting at best in Warrior triumph
Mike Zauhar has a problem that every fast-pitch softball coach probably wishes they had.

AREA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
PIERZ - Mike Weber went 7-for-8 and drove in seven runs as the Pierz Pioneers demolished the Rockford Rockets in a Central Minnesota Conference doubleheader Thursday.

'Survivor' finalist part of festivities
This weekend the Brainerd Jaycees Run for the Lakes marathon will feature a host of events for individuals of all ages and for families.

LOCAL SHORTS
ST. PAUL - Little Falls High School graduate Alex Farber won the long jump for the North Central University men's track and field team in the Macalester College Twilight Meet on Wednesday.

Pequot's Foster focused on season's final meet
Like his older sister, Clayton Foster has been close to state glory.

Braves to host Cuyuna
The Brainerd Braves are scheduled to open their Victory League season Sunday against the Cuyuna Range Miners at 1:30 p.m. at Adamson Field.

State forecast for S.D.
Today......Breezy and cooler with scattered showers north and west. Rain may mix with snow west. Partly sunny southeast. Highs from the upper 30s far northwest to the lower 70s extreme southeast.

Wisconsin state forecast
Saturday...Much cooler. Numerous showers and thunderstorms central this morning shifting into the south this afternoon. Highs from the mid 40s northwest...To the upper 60s to low 70s far southeast...Then falling afternoon temperatures southeast.

State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Becoming mostly cloudy. A chance of showers north. A chance

State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain or snow. Highs 35 to

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Warm and breezy. Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms north. Partly cloudy south. A few morning showers or storms south central. Areas of fog early far south central. Highs from the 60s far northwest to the low to mid 80s much of central and south.

State forecast for N.D.
Saturday...Mostly sunny. Increasing clouds south late. Highs mainly in

Birds are happy it's spring
Weather drawing by Pierce Solseth in the Baxter third grade of Ms. Hemstad.

State forecast for S.D.
Winter weather advisory black hills tonight to midday sunday...

State forecast for Minnesota
Saturday...Rain southeast this morning...With isolated

Umbrellas are great
Weather drawing by Ellie Hughes in the Baxter third grade of Ms. Hemstad.

State forecast for Iowa
Dense fog advisory for east central and parts of southeast iowa

State forecast for Iowa
Saturday...Showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs 55 to 60