Thursday, April 28, 2005
Distinct characteristics set 1928 Hudson Phaeton apart
Gary Evenson happened to have a sales catalog that identified last week's mystery vehicle.
Entertainment shorts
ONAMIA -- Because of an injury to Harvey Korman, his and Tim Conway's Thursday comedy show at Grand Casino Mille Lacs north of Onamia has been canceled.
Working-class idol
CROSSLAKE -- The reigning Crosslake Idol will put the finishing touches on his debut album next month and then face the toughest task an independent musician faces: Getting the masses to hear his music.
Best bets
Rande Erickson of Baxter plays a cocky Chicago thug. 'Nuff said. Central Lakes College's theater-noir "Earth and Sky" continues 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at the Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus. Admission is $5 for the public and free for CLC students.
Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music
Entertainment shorts
Latin American dances will be introduced and demonstrated, with audience participation encouraged, noon May 5 in the Chalberg Theatre on Central Lakes College's Brainerd campus.
Grassroots features silent auction, artistic director in concert
NISSWA -- The Grassroots Concerts series will host its 200th concert 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Nisswa Community Center. Ron Miles, the series' artistic director and co-founder, will perform and a silent auction will be held.
Meet your area Idols
Briana Otto
Actors sink teeth into meaty 'Earth and Sky'
If the current theatrical success of "Sin City" sets off a new wave of film noir in Hollywood, someone should give playwright Douglas Post a buzz. His murder-mystery "Earth and Sky," written in the late-1980s, would make a great flick. In fact, during its staging Friday at Central Lakes College, I felt like hitting the rewind button a few times, just to mull over a line of dialogue or study a character's expression.
Idol events competitive, but it's all in good fun
It's not just the "Idol" name that area karaoke competitions share with the popular Fox TV show, but also the spirit of friendly competition.
COMING NEXT WEEK
It turns out there are other films opening besides "Star Wars." But I'm planning to see "Revenge of the Sith" 17 times anyway.
Savor time with family by preparing meals ahead of visit
I'm excited because my mom and dad plan to come from Fargo, N.D., to our house over the weekend. Unfortunately, they don't get the chance to come all that often so I'm really looking forward to their visit.
ACCIDENT
Injured were Jerome Diederich, 70, and his passenger, Carol Diederich, 59, both of Pine River. Both were treated at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls and released.
ACCIDENT
MINNEAPOLIS -- Michael Stohr, the 29-year-old Baxter man who was seriously injured in a vehicle accident April 18 near Pillager, remains in serious condition at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, a hospital spokeswoman reported Tuesday.
Area briefs
BAXTER -- The Baxter Lions Club will host an open house and yard sale 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at Camp Vanasek, 14307 Oakwood Drive on Whipple Lake, Baxter.
Franklin service class helps spruce up Camp Confidence
Rosemarie Woodall, intern at Confidence Learning Center, had a chance Friday to see the Franklin Junior High School service class in action.
CLC students earn art design, photo awards
STAPLES -- Thirteen Central Lakes College students received awards for creative designs and photographs entered in district competition.
Man with vision takes over at Northland Arboretum
On a recent morning a bus pulled into the Northland Arboretum and unloaded a class of fourth-graders on a field trip from an area school. Dale Braddy watched the kids march past his office window and into the woods and said, "This is how it should be every day."
Aitkin students receive awards at annual BPA program
AITKIN -- The Business Professionals of America Awards Breakfast and Program was held earlier this month in the Aitkin High School Media Center.
Sprucing up Camp Confidence
Zach Doud (left) and Mike Swartout of the Franklin Junior High School service class worked with Al Johnson splitting wood at Camp Confidence.
Scholarship available for female high school students
The National Rifle Association and the National Foundation for Women Legislators are co-sponsoring their eighth annual Bill of Rights Essay Contest, which this year will be titled Champions of Liberty.
Student wins SUV
Derek Frame, Sebeka, won the 1998 Chevrolet Suburban Tahoe offered in a scholarship fund-raiser at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Frame is a student in the Automotive Technology program. The fund-raiser was arranged to provide scholarships to Auto Tech students at CLC.
Jaques Art Center to host pie, plant social
AITKIN -- The Jaques Art Center in Aitkin will host a pie and plant sale 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 21.
'The Hallett Story' to be told in Crosby
CROSBY -- The story behind the name "Hallett," a name that is intertwined with Cuyuna Range history, will be shared at an Unlimited Learning session 1:30 p.m. May 10 at the Hallett Community Center in Crosby.
Psychology honor society inducts members at CLC
Four Central Lakes College students were inducted into Psi Beta, a national honor society for psychology in two-year colleges.
Staples campus of CLC awards bestowed
STAPLES -- The Staples campus of Central Lakes College held its annual Awards Day last Thursday.
Taxing luncheon
District Coordinator Patty Herheim treated her Tax Counseling for the Elderly tax preparers to a luncheon last week at the Up North Cafe in Hackensack. Her TCE tax preparers prepared more than 1,000 tax returns for residents from Akeley, Cass Lake, Walker, Remer, Woman Lake area, Hackensack, Longville, Backus, Pine River, Emily/Outing and Pillager.
Senior living center in Brainerd to host events
Edgewood Vista Senior Living, Inc., will host the following free events at its facility on Beaver Dam Road in Brainerd:
S-M speech team holds awards banquet
STAPLES -- The Staples Motley speech season ended with an annual awards banquet, where three speeches were given for the last time.
Arts fair, women's expo planned in Crosby
CROSBY -- Hallett Community Center's fourth annual Arts and Crafts Fair and Women's Expo will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 7. The event will feature arts and crafts, women in home businesses, gift baskets and one-of-a-kind items.
It's been a long year for seniors
It was supposed to be their best year ever, but the seniors at Brainerd High School have had few breaks.
Pawlenty: Get specific
STAPLES -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty Wednesday criticized the DFL-controlled Senate for recently proposing a budget plan that didn't specify its revenue sources. His comments were made at a noon Staples-Motley Chamber of Commerce luncheon at T. Maxwell's.
Drowned boy's family receives $167,500 settlement from YMCA
The family of Devin Turner has been awarded a $167,500 settlement stemming from a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the boy's family after his 2002 drowning at the Brainerd Family YMCA.
County health care plan dies
The prognosis for a multi-county health care plan became terminal Tuesday.
Community service opportunities offered
Through a partnership with the AmeriCorps Volunteers In Service To America program, the Initiative Foundation will offer 19 paid community service opportunities in central Minnesota.
Ground broken for downtown jail
The golden shovels that have tossed symbolic dirt clumps at two other major Crow Wing County building projects got another workout Tuesday.
Little Falls students view mock disaster based on real-life road tragedy
Teamed with the Morrison County Seat Belt Challenge, currently under way at the school, the mock disaster was based on a true story to remind Little Falls juniors and seniors about the dangers of drunken driving and no seat belt use.
Wastewater plant financing options aired
BAXTER -- Brainerd Public Utilities Commission members heard finance options for a planned $20 million expansion of its wastewater treatment plant Tuesday but took no action on the draft report.
Pierz students compete in seat belt challenges
PIERZ -- The Pierz Students Against Destructive Decisions has been participating this month in the Morrison County Public Health Seat Belt Challenge.
This was Brainerd
APRIL 27 - 30 years ago (1975) - National Volunteer Week was marked April 20-26 across the country and nowhere more appreciatively than at Brainerd State Hospital where some 3,000 and more hours are averaged monthly by over 300 volunteers.
This was Brainerd
APRIL 28 - 30 years ago (1975) - A predicted river crest at Aitkin of 17.5 feet was passed this morning and a new crest of 18 feet is now being anticipated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Flood stage at Aitkin is 15 feet.
Overheard
"I feel like someone who was suffocated and jailed and has finally emerged from jail."
Bethany hopes to raise money to spare
Nearly 300 bowlers of all ages will take to the bowling lanes Monday at Jack's House for Good Samaritan SuperBowl II, also known as Bowling for Bethany.
BHS economics team will compete for national title
For the first time in school history, Brainerd High School is sending its Economics Challenge team to New York City to compete for the National Economics Challenge title May 21-23.
School emergency drills planned
Drills to test emergency lockdown procedures in area schools will take place in May.
Local briefs
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota Department of Transportation employees will observe a moment of silence at 2 p.m. today to remember colleagues who have been injured or killed on the job.
Eagles, ospreys thriving in area
In a presentation Tuesday night to the Crow Wing County Historical Society, Pam Perry, DNR nongame wildlife specialist, told the story about how Ben Franklin wanted the wild turkey, rather than the bald eagle, to be our national symbol.
Petals & Patchwork spring luncheon set
Area residents are encouraged to help fund a cure for breast cancer while enjoying an afternoon with family and friends at the Petals & Patchwork spring luncheon May 14 at Cragun's Legacy Pavilion in East Gull Lake.
Day-care dilemma revisited
A day-care dilemma, pitting potential liability against emotional appeals by parents of school-age children, had the Crow Wing County Board reversing itself Tuesday.
Overheard
"Now shareholders can sleep better at night."
LOCAL BRIEFS
STAPLES -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty is scheduled to speak at noon Wednesday at the Staples-Motley Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at T. Maxwell's Supper Club.
All area Vietnam vets invited to a dinner in their honor
They are now doctors, lawyers, business owners, mechanics and teachers.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The second annual Bowling for Bethany event will be Monday at Jack's House in Brainerd. For every meal sold, Bethany Good Samaritan Center in Brainerd will earn $1.
Ella S. Jouppe
HANCOCK, Mich. -- Ella Sophia Jouppe, 90, died March 26, 2005, in Hancock, Mich.
Florence S. Sobiech
FLENSBURG -- Florence S. Sobiech, age 86, of Flensburg, Minn., passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at the Lutheran Care Center.
Ronald Coats
VERNDALE -- Ronald Coats, age 86, of Verndale, died Sunday, April 24, 2005, at the Elders Home in New York Mills. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena on Saturday, April 30. Arrangements are with the Bielema Family Funeral Home in Verndale and Wadena.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 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.
John A. Benson
John Albert Benson, age 78, resident of Brainerd, died Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. He was born on Aug. 21, 1926, in Twin Valley, Minn., to John and Katherine (Engelke) Benson.
Manney L. Anderson
Manney L. Anderson, 21, Brainerd, Minn., formerly St. Paul, died Sunday, April 24, 2005, in Frankfurt, Germany.
Neil Adamek
RANDALL -- Neil Adamek, 82-year-old resident of Randall, Minn., died Tuesday, April 26, 2005, near Randall, Minn. Funeral services for Neil are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn.
Neil Adamek
RANDALL -- Neil Adamek, 82-year-old resident of Randall, Minn., died Tuesday, April 26, 2005, in Randall, Minn. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 29, at 11 a.m. at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls with the Rev. Juli Sutton-Deem officiating. Burial will be in the Randall City Cemetery in Randall, Minn. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn., and from 10-11 a.m. on Friday.
Rosella M. Taylor
CORONA, Calif. -- Rosella Myrtle Taylor, age 93, of Corona, Calif., formerly of Crosby, died on March 25, 2005, at the Life Care Center of Corona. She was born on Sept. 15, 1911, in Aitkin to Frank and Stella (Rundshausen) Hinman. She is a member of the Bible Baptist Church, Crosby.
William 'Red' Unruh Jr.
GARRISON -- William "Bill" "Red" F. Unruh Jr., 76, of Garrison, died April 26, 2005, at his home. He was born on Oct. 2, 1928, in Minneapolis to William F. and Nellie M. (McKeen) Unruh Sr. He married Doraldina M. Stahlberg on Sept. 8, 1956, in Mason City, Iowa. He was a WWII Navy veteran.
William 'Red' F. Unruh
GARRISON -- William "Red" F. Unruh, age 76, of Garrison, died on April 26, 2005, at his home.
Blanche M. Jorgensen
LITTLE FALLS -- Blanche M. Jorgensen, 87-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Monday, April 25, 2005, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2005, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Little Falls.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 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.
Charles Otteson
STAPLES -- Charles Otteson, age 107, of Staples, died late Tuesday evening, April 26, 2005, at the Staples Care Center. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Home of Staples.
Open Forum
I'm a little confused about the "moral values" of Governor Pawlenty and President GW Bush. They claim to be Christians, while supporting the right of citizens and corporations to have reduced taxes. As a result, funding for education and health care (including mental health), as well as other public programs have been cut again and again.
Vox Pop
Thank you, BHS, for believing in your educators to know their jobs enough to grade their students. Thank you for knowing they will be lenient when students' lives are challenging. Thank you for making my child earn his grade. Thank you for believing in hard work by both your professional staff and your students through the entire school year. Too bad our neighbors have an administration that doesn't care enough about their students to teach them true life lessons.
Guest Column: Classical music inspired column
In the past two-plus years in which I have served on the citizens' advisory board of the Brainerd Dispatch -- serving happily and cheerfully, I might add -- Roy Miller, our distinguished editor and resident wit, has suggested on numerous occasions -- suggested, not demanded or insisted upon -- a guest column from the board members. I am of the opinion that, in order to write an effective column, one must write about a topic one finds interesting or feels at least moderately passionate about.
What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail
Open Forum
The senior class at Brainerd High School recently received word that our graduation will most likely be held inside the gymnasium due to construction being done on the Don Adamson Field.
Wolverines top Aitkin in non-conference play
WADENA -- A clean sweep in doubles, highlighted by Derek Blazek and Chad Peterson's 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 1 doubles, pushed the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines to a 4-3 non-conference boys' tennis victory over the Aitkin Gobblers Monday.
Johnson powers Pirates past Pillager
VERNDALE -- Isaac Johnson smacked two doubles and a three-run homer, scored three runs and had five RBI as the Verndale Pirates defeated the Pillager Huskies 15-2 in a five-inning Park Region Conference baseball game Tuesday.
Branstner, Seaton pace Verndale
PILLAGER -- Courtney Branstner went 5-for-7 with six RBI and three runs and Sami Seaton was 4-7 with seven RBI and four runs for the Verndale Pirates in a 29-16 Park Region Conference softball victory over the Pillager Huskies Tuesday.
Hits rain down on Alex
While Adian Kummet flirted with a no-hitter the Brainerd Warriors continued to crank out home runs.
Cardinals take down Warriors
ALEXANDRIA -- For the second time in four days the Brainerd Warriors softball team forced the Alexandria Cardinals into extra innings only to fall short.
Sports shorts
The fourth annual Sour Grapes Run at Northland Arboretum in Brainerd is scheduled June 11.
Pole vaulter Edwards soars to new heights
Nick Edwards soared over one of the oldest records in Brainerd High School track and field history.
Welshons, Aitkin win Deerwood meet
DEERWOOD -- Aitkin's Melissa Welshons was medalist and the Gobblers won a Great River Conference dual meet Tuesday against Isle at Cuyuna Country Club.
Renneke's college career comes to an end
Lipscomb University senior and former Brainerd Warrior Lisa Renneke played her last competitive round of golf in the Atlantic Sun Conference championship April 11-13 at Victoria Hills Golf Course in Deland, Fla.
Scoreboard
Baseball
Sports shorts
The Staples Softball Association will meet 7 p.m. Friday in the basement of Twisted Sisters Bar and Grill on Highway 10 in Staples.
Helbling, Pequot brave cold, win
PINE RIVER -- Aitkin Gobblers' Jesse Helbling shot a 3-over-par 39 to take individual honors, but it was the Pequot Lakes Patriots that had the dominate sticks in the Mid-Minn Conference boys' golf meet Wednesday at Pine River Country Club.
CLC splits with Itasca
Even though its record doesn't show it, the Itasca College Vikings softball team is a squad to be reckoned with. Central Lakes College learned that lesson Wednesday as the Raiders split a Northern Division doubleheader with the Vikings, winning game one 4-0 and dropping the second 5-3.
Raiders earn third-straight twinbill sweep
ST. CLOUD -- The hits and wins just keep on coming for the Central Lakes College Raiders baseball team as it swept the St. Cloud Tech Cyclones Wednesday 7-4 and 7-4 in a Central Division showdown.
Nornberg, PHS compete in Quad meet
UNDERWOOD -- Kate Nornberg's 111 was the low score for the Pillager girls' golf team in a Quad County Conference meet Tuesday.
Wintry weather buries BHS
NISSWA -- The Brainerd Warriors boys' golf team doesn't mix well with snow, 33-degree temperatures and gusty wind.
Brainerd girls make honor roll
SAUK RAPIDS -- Five honor roll performances (top 15 in school history) were turned in by Brainerd Warrior girls in Monday's Central Lakes Conference track and field dual meet against Sauk Rapids.
Upcoming sporting events in the Brainerd lakes area:
THURSDAY
Heggem's 45 helps Aitkin to win
DEERWOOD -- Nathan Heggem's 45 helped the Aitkin Gobblers to a Great River Conference boys' golf dual meet victory Tuesday against Isle at Cuyuna Country Club.
BIR hires GM
Rodney G. Wolter has been hired as general manager of Brainerd International Raceway.
Scoreboard
Baseball
Upcoming sporting events in the Brainerd lakes area:
WEDNESDAY
Changes abound at NCS track this year
The addition of the fast Wissota Modified open wheel class isn't the only change for North Central Speedway when it opens its season Saturday.
Thunder, lightning and rain
Weather drawing by Sam Nesheim of Mrs. Dunphy's kindergarten class at Baxter school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy. A chance for showers. Rain may be mixed with snow or sleet in the north. Highs from the mid 40s north to the lower 50s southwest.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly sunny. A slight chance of afternoon rain or snow
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain or snow showers...Mainly
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain or snow showers.
More April showers
Weather drawing by Hunter Yliniemi of Mrs. Brenny's third grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy north. Mostly cloudy south with chance of
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Cloudy with rain likely southwest. Mostly cloudy north and east. A slight chance of showers. Rain may be mixed with snow early in the west. Highs from around 40 northwest...To the mid 50s southeast.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy. Scattered snow showers or flurries far north. Highs from the low 40s north to the mid 50s southwest.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy west...Partly to mostly cloudy east. Chance
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...A chance of flurries northwest. A chance of rain and snow
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Snow likely extreme southwest. Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy east. A slight chance of afternoon rain or snow showers west. Highs in the 40s west to the 50s east.