Thursday, May 8, 2008
After binging on oil, the country has a hangover
WASHINGTON - It's morning after in America. Our bacchanal affair with oil has ended. But too many of us are too dazed to clean up the mess.
Infiniti's FX SUV emphasizes sport
Most sport utility vehicles emphasize utility. But Infiniti's FX SUV is all about sport, edgy style and technology.
Put an ear to the TOP 20
Every once in awhile, a music snob should dip a toe (or better yet, an ear) into the mainstream, just to see if there's anything decent that snuck in. With that philosophy in mind, I tuned in to the latest "Top 20 Video Countdown" on VH1.
ART SHORTS
NISSWA - Work by Mike Sedivy of Aardvark Artwork will be on display from 4-6 p.m. Friday at The Path Less Traveled gallery in Nisswa.
CLC to debut Holsapple composition
The Central Lakes College Music Department will perform a composition by Los Angeles film scorer Russell Holsapple at its concert, "Music with Some Spring in It," at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus.
BOOK SHORTS
STAPLES - Children ages 3-10 are invited to a Hawaiian luau from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Staples Public Library.
Completely random slice of pop culture
I'm always up for a TV show about newspapers, even though most of them don't get it exactly right. (For example, the cubicle walls were way too high in the Stamford Gazette newsroom on "Gilmore Girls").
Best bets
The monthly open house at Brainerd's Franklin Arts Center will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Galleries and studios will be open, and the Flipside children's activity, "Haiku Watercolors for Mom," will be from 10 a.m.-noon in the Crossing Arts Alliance room. Admission is free.
MUSIC SHORTS
CROSBY - The Crosby-Ironton Junior High School Choirs will present their annual spring concert, "Pop to Rock!," at 7 p.m. Thursday in C-I High School's Mayberry Auditorium. Wayne Ellingsen will direct the Seventh Grade Choir, the Eighth Grade Choir and soloists.
BHS defends title at Choirs of Note
The Brainerd High School A Cappella Choir, under the direction of Brian Stubbs, took first place for the second-straight year at the Choirs of Note competition Saturday in Marshall.
Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music
Relishing rhubarb recipes
I get excited when I see the first signs of rhubarb. Did you know that rhubarb is not a fruit - it's a vegetable. Most vegetables are annuals, but not rhubarb.
BIRTHS
Alan and Brandi (Stimac) Mahowald, Deerwood, a boy, Brady Alan, 7 pounds, 9 ounces, April 29, 2008. Grandparents are Jim and Karla Beehler, Onamia, Kim LaSart, Crosby, and Jim and Rose Stimac, Brainerd. Great-grandparents are George and Darlene Mahowald, Minneapolis.
POLICE BLOTTER
THEFT - Melissa Born, 500 block of South Fifth Street, Monday reported the theft of $100 from her apartment.
POLICE BLOTTER
VANDALISM - It was reported Wednesday that a window, 4 feet by 9 feet, had been broken out of the store front at 721 Laurel St.
Cass court
WALKER - Michael Warren Rice, 30, Walker, was ordered recently in Cass County District Court to serve 120 days on sentence to serve for violating probation he is serving for felony second-degree burglary. He also will be allowed to work on sentence to serve in lieu of paying fines.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement
CLC wins softball titles
The Central Lakes College softball team posed with its championship trophies after winning the Northern Division title and Minnesota Community College Conference state tournament. CLC plays Northland for the Region 13B championship Friday at Grand Rapids.
San Jose in bloom
Do you have a recent scenic picture that shows the beauty of the lakes area? Send it to photos@brainerd dispatch.com for possible publication in the Neighbors section. Be sure to include your name, where you are from, a brief description of the photo and when and where it was taken.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
923 Oak Street Temple Baptist Church (Soup Kitchen)
Vacation photos wanted
Do you have a favorite vacation photo? Send your slides, prints or digital files to: DeLynn Howard, Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN 56401 or e-mail photos to photos@brainerd dispatch.com. Along with the photo, tell us what it shows and why it's your favorite vacation photo. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope to get your photo mailed back to you. Please submit just one favorite photo.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Do you have a treasured photo? Send us your favorite family photographs, including a brief description of the photo and when it was taken, for possible publication in the Neighbors section. Submit your recent photos to: kathi.nagorski@brainerddispatch.com or drop them off at the Dispatch.
In its sixth decade, celebration returns to Breezy Point, Pelican Lake
The big 6-0.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The North Central Lakes Collaborative presented Cass County Environmental Services Director John Sumption with its spring 2008 Lake Stewardship Award during a recent community meeting in Hackensack.
National Nurse's Week
In recognition of National Nurse's Week, Michael Johnson, director of nursing at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living (left), talked with LPN's Barb Ondris, Maxine Fromm, Cindy Stanich and Kim Hippert and volunteer Carly Johnson on Tuesday. Reminiscent of the 1980s, female nurses were to wear hats until Monday - Florence Nightingale's birthday. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Prepping for the opener
Crow Wing Parks Supervisor Mark Rudningen donned a wet suit Tuesday as he guided the bucket of an excavator into position to lift a 10x20-foot piece of cement from the water of Jones Bay on Pelican lake. The lake is the site of Saturday's Governor's Fishing Opener. Two cement planks have been underwater at the access for the last 25 years and are now a hazard to boats. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
PETS OF THE WEEK
Tia is a 7-year-old purebred Manx cat. She was used for breeding until recently, when she was rescued from her breeder and brought to Heartland Animal Rescue Team. Tia is a quiet indoor cat who would do best in a home without children or other pets. Tia has been spayed and is ready to be adopted into a loving home. Brainerd Dispatch/Heidi Lake
Gas tax hike brings more money to Cass
WALKER - Minnesota's higher gas tax approved this legislative session is expected to bring Cass County about $500,000 more each year by 2013 if motorists' gas usage remains about the same as this year.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Area law enforcement officers were kept busy during the latest Safe and Sober Speed project, the State Patrol reported.
Tell us your financial concerns
Looking to avoid foreclosure? Wondering how you can wean yourself from debit or credit card spending? Need advice on how to set up a budget? Want to find a way to build a savings account?
This was Brainerd
MAY 8 - 40 years ago (1968) - Rocky Gosse and Sue Koering were the first-place winners in Saturday's Jaycee sponsored Road-E-O contest. They will now advance to state competition on June 8. They are both students at Washington High School.
Board sets June 3 for second reading of revised zoning map
WALKER - The Cass County Board on Tuesday set June 3 for a second public hearing and to consider adopting a revised countywide zoning map and proposed new development section for the Land Use Zoning Ordinance.
Road projects announced
WALKER - Cass County Engineer David Enblom has announced the 2008 county road construction program.
News both good and bad on land values
WALKER - The bad news is the number of property sales have dropped significantly the last year in Cass County. The good news is properties being sold are still appreciating in price when they do sell.
CLC graduation ceremonies set for May 21-22
More than 450 of the 800 Central Lakes College graduating students have registered to participate in the 2008 spring commencement ceremonies in Staples and Brainerd.
Downtown Motel closed down
n Thursday, Sheryl Engen and her disabled 16-year-old daughter will be homeless.
Going green brings in the green for office park
BAXTER - When the people behind the Fairview Office Park decided to incorporate it as a green building project, they didn't expect greenbacks to be adding up as a result.
This was Brainerd
MAY 7 - 100 years ago (1908) - E.S. Houghton and Henry Rosko arrived Tuesday night from the Twin Cities with their big new Touring Car. They left Minneapolis at 1 o'clock in the afternoon and reached here at 9:40 that evening. The roads were very muddy.
So how's business?
Determining whether the current economy makes for tough sledding or thriving business conditions depends on which industry is represented.
Board approves agreements paving way for Ah-Gwah-Ching funds
WALKER - Cass County Board approved a deed and easement agreement and a grant agreement with the state Tuesday, paving the way to receive more than $6 million from two state funds to cover Ah-Gwah-Ching expenses.
Babe watch in the lakes area
Doc Ox wears scrubs, a stethoscope and a detailed identification badge with his own horned mug gracing the photo.
Cass family centers struggling to stay open
WALKER - Cass County Family Centers are struggling to stay open, because funding sources have reduced or phased out payments. Grants are hard to find these days.
Township board rejects beer at fair
Beer won't be sold this year at the Crow Wing County Fair.
LOCAL BRIEFS
A caregiver workshop is planned for 12:30-4:30 p.m. May 14 at Carefree Living, formerly called Brainerd Manor, 2723 Oak St., Brainerd.
Accounting for the cost savings at Fairview Office Park
Counted in the more than $459,715 in savings for the first 10 years of operations at the Fairview Office Park in Baxter are recycling, heating and cooling and stormwater management. Janelle Riley, Syvantis Technologies president, said the savings took into account any upfront costs that went into the buildings.
An everlasting gift
PINE RIVER - The late Dennis Heemstra of Backus will never be forgotten.
Overheard
"It's very emotional to know that there's a reason for this."
Cass looking into effects of adopting state building code
WALKER - Following a recent Cass County-Crow Wing County joint board meeting, Cass officials began researching state laws to learn what the state requires of counties once they adopt the state building code.
Overheard
"We're all scared, all walking on eggshells."
Jack Lerew
AITKIN - Jack Lerew, 75, of Aitkin, passed away May 5, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. Memorials services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2008, at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Interment will take place at a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minn.
Duane L. Fowler
PEQUOT LAKES - Duane LeRoy Fowler, 78, of Pequot Lakes, died May 3, 2008. Funeral services for Duane will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 9, 2008, at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter.
Irene 'Inie' Johnson
Irene "Inie" Johnson, 90, Brainerd, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, May 4, 2008. She was born July 20, 1917, in Browerville to Agnes and Louis Tepley. On Sept. 11, 1940, she married Jim Johnson and they lived on Rice Lake in Brainerd since 1954. She loved her family, enjoyed traveling, sewing, square dancing and raising plants and flowers.
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.
Amelia Taszarek
LITTLE FALLS - Amelia Taszarek, 89-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., formerly of Edgeley, N.D., passed away Sunday, May 4, 2008, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, Minn. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, Minn., with the Rev. Robert A. Frank officiating.
Dale E. Anderson
PUKWANA, S.D. - Funeral services for Dale E. Anderson, 87, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2008, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Chamberlain, S.D., with burial in the Pukwana Cemetery at Pukwana, S.D. Visitation will be Friday, May 9, from 1-5 p.m. at the Hickey-Wevik Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at the Zion Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. in Chamberlain, S.D.
Elvera Petrich
LITTLE FALLS - Elvera Petrich, 92-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., formerly of Randall, Minn., passed away Sunday, May 4, 2008, at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls, Minn. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 9, at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn., with Pastor Linde Wendzel officiating.
John W. Turcotte
LAKE HUBERT - John W. Turcotte, age 86, of Lake Hubert, Minn., died peacefully surrounded by his family Monday, May 5, 2008, at his home.
Betty I. Johnson
HILL CITY - Betty I. Johnson, age 79, of Hill City, died peacefully at her home in Hill City on Monday, May 5, 2008.
Edna M. Fageroos
CROSBY - Edna May Fageroos, age 79, of Crosby, died on May 6, 2008, at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. She was born on Jan. 5, 1929, in Coldwater, Mich., to Iven and Gertrude (Frederickson) Hearld. She married Richard R. Fageroos Sr., on Dec. 1, 1951, in Angola, Ind. She is a member of the Walter Scott Erickson American Legion Auxiliary No. 557, Deerwood.
Lois Hayes
HILLMAN - Lois Hayes, 84-year-old resident of Hillman, Minn., passed away on Monday, May 5, 2008, at her residence in Hillman, Minn. Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at Lakeview Community Church in Hillman. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.
Stanley R. Green
ELK RIVER - Stanley Robert Green, age 86, of Elk River, formerly of Deerwood, died on May 7, 2008, at the Guardian Angels Care Center in Elk River. He was born on July 22, 1921, in Horrinck, Iowa, to Robert and Alice (Stataler) Green. He married Sylvia Francis Molacek on Oct. 19, 1946, in Schuyler, Neb. He was a WWII Army veteran.
Isadore Kessler
MERRIFIELD - Isadore Kessler, 94, Merrifield, formerly of Maple Plain, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Bethany Good Samaritan in Brainerd. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Florence (Peterson); and 13 siblings.
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.
John W. Turcotte
LAKE HUBERT - John W. Turcotte, age 86, resident of Lake Hubert, died peacefully surrounded by his family Monday, May 5, 2008, at his home.
Irene Nienaber
PLYMOUTH - Irene Nienaber, of Plymouth, died May 5, 2008, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. She was born in Minneapolis, married Jack Nienaber in 1948 and raised a family in Edina before spending some years with him in California and Oregon. They returned to the Twin Cities before his death in 1985.
George Gwost
LITTLE FALLS - George Gwost, age 91, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at his home.
Clinton continues to morph
All politicians adapt and mold themselves to fit their audience, but Hillary Clinton has elevated the art of identity politics to a science of morphology.
Open Forum
Every year we look forward to the smells and sounds of spring, but then we remember we live in Baxter and the smell of smoke will arrive first. Today (Tuesday), we had to shut my windows and turn off the air exchanger in our home due to the wafting smell from someone burning at 2 p.m.
VOX POP
For those of you who are cutting through the 13th Avenue area of northeast Brainerd due to the bridge construction, be courteous and remember this is a residential area where people walk every day and kids are playing.
OUR OPINION: HISTORY WALKS
Maybe it's a case of nostalgia or next week's celebration of Minnesota's sesquicentennial. Whatever the reason, the idea of history walks in downtown Brainerd is sure to appeal to area history buffs.
Open Forum
A certain letter writer has been lamenting the fact that a portion of the gas tax money has been allocated for ATV trails and wonders why Sen. Paul Koering voted for the bill. Another letter writer mentioned that only .0026 of the total gas tax fund will go for ATV trails.
What do you think?
The Brainerd Dispatch welcomes letters on recent articles and current issues. Letters should include the writer's full name, city and a phone number (for verification only). Letters are limited to 300 words. Only one letter per person per week.
Forsberg, Cardinals win twice
MENAHGA - Nick Forsberg's 75 landed him in the medalist position and the Staples-Motley Cardinals in first place in the Warrior Invitational Tuesday at Blueberry Pines.
Vikings Community Tour to stop in Brainerd
Rookie of the year running back Adrian Peterson and owner Zygi Wilf are scheduled to participate in the Minnesota Vikings Community Tour that will stop in the lakes area May 15.
Warriors silence Sabres 4-3
Morgan Salo battled back from a first set loss and captured the Brainerd Warriors lone singles victory Tuesday in a 4-3 Central Lakes Conference victory over Sartell in Brainerd.
Tigers roar past Red Lake
PINE RIVER - The Pine River-Backus Tigers scored 13 runs and pounded out 14 hits in a 13-6 Northland Conference victory over Red Lake Wednesday.
Cardinals, PR-B, Flyers sweep
PERHAM - The Staples-Motley Cardinals took both games of a doubleheader from Mid-State Conference opponent Perham on Tuesday, winning 3-1 and 6-2.
Monda weathers unpredictable spring
Tyler Monda played on one of the most successful teams in Brainerd Warrior boys' golf history.
Aitkin captures triangular
AITKIN - Melissa Welshons carded a 50 to lead the Aitkin Gobblers past the Hinckley-Finlayson Jaguars and Braham Bombers in Great River Conference girls' golf Tuesday.
Brainerd frosh softsball team pulls sweep
The Brainerd freshman softball team swept Alexandria 13-1 and 12-3 on Tuesday.
W-DC sixth, BH/V eighth in girls' meet
WADENA - The Wadena-Deer Creek girls' track and field team captured victories in the 4x100 and 4x800 relays to finish sixth in the Section 6-1A True Team meet Tuesday.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Familiar face welcomes Madden's golfers
EAST GULL LAKE - Tom Kientzle chopped down the first tree that started it all.
Pierz, S-M second in True Team
PILLAGER - The Pierz Pioneers boys' and Staples-Motley Cardinals girls' track and field teams must wait.
Foster wins three events, Noska sets record
PEQUOT LAKES - Clayton Foster changed shoes and went from distance events to sprints and swept the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes and Kirsten Noska set the Pequot Lakes school record with a 60.79 in the 400 as Patriots boys' and girls' track and field teams won the TDS meet Tuesday.
LOCAL SPORTS SHORTS
Brainerd Warrior boys' golf coach Brian Wallace and girls' golf coach Brian Stark will be the speakers at the Brainerd Sports Boosters Club meeting, which begins at noon Thursday at the Moose Lodge.
Duffers grab
early lead
Dutch's Duffers' 36.5-7.5 victory over Mar-Jons/MJ's May 1 on Bobby's Legacy planted it on top of the leaderboard of the men's league at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's.
Monda second again
FERGUS FALLS - Tyler Monda peppered his scorecard with five birdies to tie for second with a 1-under-par 71 in Wednesday's Fergus Falls Invite at Pebble Lake Golf Course.
BHS wins opener; darkness halts nightcap
ALEXANDRIA - Steph Neugebauer went 3-for-4 with a double and Tika Klauck and Anna Tadych were 2-3 as the Brainerd Warriors topped the Alexandria Cardinals 5-3 in Game One of a Central Lakes Conference doubleheader Tuesday.
Gobblers compete in Mora
MORA - Aitkin's Dana Weizenegger and Molly Burman teamed to shot an 86 in the Mora best-ball girls' golf tournament Wednesday.
Pitching helps Warriors sweep Alex
Pitching was projected to be a strength of the Brainerd Warriors baseball team.
Community education to offer basketball camps this summer
Brainerd Community Education will host a series of boys' basketball camps this summer.
Monda second, Warriors sixth in meet
LITTLE FALLS - Tyler Monda continued his streak of top two finishes as the Brainerd Warriors senior carded a 76 Tuesday in the Central Lakes Conference meet at Little Falls Country Club.
Aitkin's Hoge
no-hits C-I
AITKIN - Sara Hoge struck out three, walked five and allowed no hits and no runs as she pitched the Aitkin Gobblers to an 8-0 victory over the Crosby-Ironton Rangers Wednesday in non-conference softball.
Verndale's Bart sits down Bears
BERTHA - Nicole Bart struck out eight and allowed two hits and no earned runs in Verndale's 5-2 Park Region Conference victory over Bertha-Hewitt Tuesday.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
GOLF SHORTS
PGA and LPGA professionals at Grand View Lodge's Pines and Preserve courses will offer free 10-minute lessons throughout the month of May.
Heidmann, Jorges all-state
Central Lakes College baseball players Zach Heidmann and Andy Jorges have been named to the Minnesota Community College Conference all-state team.
LOCAL SPORTS SHORTS
Beau Hanowski and Melissa Kempenich were named male and female athletes of the year at the Little Falls Activities Banquet Monday.
It's in the hole
Staples-Motley eighth grader Nick Forsberg watched his putt on the sixth hole fall during Wednesday's Pequot Lakes Invite at Grand View Lodge's The Preserve. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Thorson, Graham all-state
Central Lakes College softball players Brittany Thorson and Olivia Graham have been named to the Minnesota Community College Conference all-state softball team.
Eighth-grader leads field in Pequot Invite
PEQUOT LAKES - Nick Forsberg topped Class 2A top golfer and the rest of the field in Wednesday's Pequot Lakes Invitational at Grand View Lodge's The Preserve.
Perham knocks off Staples-Motley 4-3
PERHAM - The Staples-Motley Cardinals swept the doubles, but the Perham Yellowjackets swept the singles leading to their 4-3 boys' tennis victory Tuesday.
State forecast for N.D.
This morning...Partly to mostly cloudy. Patchy morning fog south
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly sunny northeast. Increasing cloudiness elsewhere.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy west with a chance of showers. Partly cloudy east. Highs in the 60s.
State forecast for N.D.
This morning...Occasional showers southwest and south central...A
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers. Highs 50 to 60.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly or mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms east and south. Highs from upper 50s far north...To the lower 70s south.
No bites
Weather drawing by Audriana Cockman of Mrs. Larson's fifth-grade class at Forestview school.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy early in the morning...Becoming mostly
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs from the upper 50s to mid 60s. Cooler near lake michigan and lake superior.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy. Highs 61 to 71.
Fishing time
Weather drawing by Joey Sauer of Mrs. Gessell's first-grade class at Riverside school.