Thursday, May 22, 2008
Ford cuts truck production, plans smaller pickup
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it will further cut production of its pickups and large sport utility vehicles, which have seen sales plummet due to high gas prices and the slump in housing construction.
ART SHORTS
NISSWA - Western artist Don Hansell will show his new work from 4-6 p.m. Friday at the Path Less Traveled Gallery in Nisswa. Hansell is a self-taught painter of oil on canvas with a western flare.
Completely random slice of pop culture
This is going to sound kind of random, but I don't think I've mentioned lately that "Dumb & Dumber" is my all-time favorite comedy. It still holds that spot after a 2007 where my top four movies were comedies (a fifth, "Juno," can be retroactively added to that bunch) and a 2008 that has already served up "Forgetting Sarah Marshall."
Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music
BOOKS SHORTS
The Brown Bag Speakers Series will be at noon Mondays June 2-July 28 at the Brainerd Public Library. Authors, magazine editors and a musician are scheduled to discuss their work.
MUSIC SHORTS
MANHATTAN BEACH - Glenn Frey of the Eagles will perform a solo show June 14 at Manhattan Beach Lodge. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the opening acts will begin at 4:30 p.m.
Studio racks up awards
MINNEAPOLIS - The Music General Intensive Line dancers earned 16 Double Platinum awards and 11 Platinum awards at the Showstoppers American Dance Championships April 11-13 at the University of Minnesota.
Best bets
Scott Lloyd Anderson will be "On Location" to discuss his Plein Air artwork from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Jaques Art Center in Aitkin. Anderson's work is currently featured in the gallery. Admission is free.
Searching for QUALITY TV
The other night, my DVR let me down by not recording "Medium" as I had asked it to. ("Failed: No signal," is hardly comforting.) But nbc.com came through for me by streaming the episode.
THEATER SHORTS
Ben Knebel, portrayed by Pequot Lakes actor Daren Blanck, will tell his "Mail Boat Stories" this summer. Blanck and the By-the-Way Players will present music and stories about the area served by Knebel, who delivered mail to the Whitefish Chain from 1930-1969.
Some picnic favorites to remember
Memorial Day is associated with the official kickoff of the summer grilling season, yet it is a holiday that arose out of appreciation for and remembrance of those who gave their lives defending our nation.
BIRTHS
Justin and Sarah Good, Merrifield, a boy, Hudson Grady, 8 pounds, 2 ounces, May 1, 2008. Grandparents are Brad and Gail Burgoyne, Pequot Lakes, Steve and Deb Good, Cresco, Iowa, and Tim and Rhonda Manka, Black Creek, Wis.
Girl injured in ATV crash is critical
A 15-year-old girl who suffered severe head injuries after the ATV she was on rolled Tuesday was reported in critical condition Wednesday at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.
Magoffin brothers all served in combat
In addition to Morton Magoffin, there were three more brothers who had admirable records during their years in service.
Coming up aces
Crow Wing County has its share of war heroes, with a few who are virtually unknown by residents.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement
LOCAL BRIEFS
The Nisswa Area Historical Society will open the History Center, Pioneer Village and historic depot site on Main Street in Nisswa on Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
Brainerd freshmen win softball title
The Brainerd freshmen softball team won the Central Lakes Conference championship Saturday.
'Frozen in flight'
Do you have a recent scenic picture that shows the beauty of the lakes area? Send it to photos@brainerddispatch.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.
The Magoffin family
Morton Magoffin said he owed part of his success in combat to his upbringing in Deerwood and the surrounding area, according to family. His father was an avid small game hunter in addition to big game in the U.S. and abroad. Morton followed his footsteps from the time he was a small child.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
923 Oak Street Temple Baptist Church (Soup Kitchen)
PETS OF THE WEEK
Kaydin is a 1-year-old male yellow Lab mix. He's energetic and loves playing fetch with tennis balls. Brainerd Dispatch/Heidi Lake
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.
C-I competes
Crosby-Ironton athletes competed in a Special Olympics event May 15 at Pillager. Front row: Courtney Goshey (left), Seth Larson, Dennis Johnson. Back row: Nathan Drake (left), Cassy Sewell-Nelson, Ryan Witthuhn, Jason Peterson, Jason Kile, Abby Gibson, Andrew Starry, Amber Johnson.
New snowmobile trail is approved
BOY RIVER - Cass County Board approved a new grant-in-aid snowmobile trail Tuesday for a connecting route running across mostly county land north from Pillsbury State Forest between six and seven miles to Snoway I.
LOCAL BRIEFS
A breakfast benefit is planned for 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at the American Legion in Brainerd for Corey and Emma, son and daughter of Margo Curren, who were both diagnosed with mitochondrial disease and neuromuscular disease.
Charity is the name of that tune
Luke Swanson played his guitar as Rebecca Yeh accompanied on her violin with the rest of the Brainerd Chamber Orchestra's Acoustic Guitar Ensemble on Tuesday night during the orchestra's Habitat for Humanity benefit concert at Tornstrom Auditorium.
Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Pop tab collections benefit classmate
Several students on Tuesday in Lisa Jelinski's third-grade class at Harrison Elementary School in Brainerd lifted a large pile of pop tabs they and the Harrison community collected in support of classmate Zeffen Thurow (center), who was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor in February and underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments in March and April. While receiving treatment, Zeffen and his father stayed at the Ronald McDonald house in Minneapolis, which is supported by the money from recycled can tabs. A benefit for the family is planned from 4 until 11 p.m. July 12, at the Green Lantern east of Brainerd on Highway 18.
Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Four finalists named for Crow Wing County administrator
Four finalists were named for Crow Wing County administrator's post.
FUEL CHALLENGE
Brainerd International Raceway's track was busy Monday and Tuesday, but not with the usual dragsters.
Much-criticized CMCC director produces plan
Central Minnesota Community Corrections accepted a written plan by its director aimed at answering critics and heard potential plans for a future juvenile detention center in Brainerd hit a dead end.
This was Brainerd
MAY 22 - 60 years ago (1948) - Judge Richard C. Ebert, Brainerd, was elected a national director of the Junior Chamber of Commerce at the Jaycee convention in Duluth this weekend.
Rarely seen bird resides in Chippewa
BOY RIVER - What started out 24 years ago as a means to diminish forest fire damage in and around Chippewa National Forest has turned out to provide the best habitat for a small, rarely seen bird.
This was Brainerd
MAY 21 - 60 years ago (1948) - A special meeting of the Brainerd Board of Education last night resulted in the appointment of Fred Kellett as head basketball coach and assistant football coach at Washington High School.
Correction
A Page 1A story on Wednesday's Dispatch should have referred to 11-year-old Brexten Shae Pearl, who was injured in an all-terrain vehicle crash Tuesday in Long Lake Township, as a girl.
Girl, 15, severely injured in ATV crash
A 15-year-old girl suffered a severe head injury Tuesday afternoon after the four-wheeler she was on flipped on Crow Wing County Road 9, near 70th Street, in Long Lake Township southeast of Brainerd.
Dad's night
Justin Jansen of Brainerd held his son, Connor, as they were being photographed by family members Wednesday night after the Central Lakes College Staples Campus graduation ceremonies in the Staples-Motley High School Centennial Auditorium. Jansen graduated with a Manufacturing Welding Technician diploma of occupational proficiency and a Machine Tool Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Correction
A story on Page 1A of Tuesday's Dispatch should have stated Brainerd City Council member Bob Olson requested the Brainerd Mobil revolving loan fund issue be placed on the full council's Monday agenda, not the Personnel and Finance Committee's Monday agenda.
Demolition contracts awarded for Ah-Gwah-Ching structures
BOY RIVER - Cass County Board awarded demolition contracts Tuesday night for existing structures at Ah-Gwah-Ching, contingent upon completing the county property purchase from the state.
Suspect shoots at Cass homeowner
EAST GULL LAKE - Cass County Sheriff's Department authorities are searching for a burglary suspect who fired a gun at a homeowner Monday afternoon.
Meeting minutes scanned onto computer disks
BOY RIVER - Cass County administrator's office has been scanning onto computer disks all the county commissioner meeting minutes back to February 1889.
A measure of justice
For three years, the parents of Joseph "Joey" Jordan have waited for a measure of justice against the man accused of killing their 16-year-old son in a car crash in 2005.
Solar panel installed at school
A solar panel was installed at the Cuyuna Range Elementary School. The panel is a result of applied learning in Jeff Sipper's fifth-grade class through the Polar Husky program that students study in conjunction with the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development.
Bertelt's last commencement
Manfred "Fritz" Bertelt, Central Lakes College instructor, spoke at the CLC employee recognition event recently with a 40-year retrospective on service to higher education in Minnesota. He is retiring. On Thursday, as the senior faculty member, he will lead the Brainerd commencement procession one last time as grand marshal. Graduation ceremonies will be at 7 p.m. in the Brainerd High School gymnasium. Staples campus graduation ceremonies are 7 p.m. today in Centennial Auditorium at Staples-Motley High School.
Senate Republicans tour state to warn about the next budget
ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota Senate Republicans are hitting the road to offer a different take on the just-concluded legislative session.
Many to stay home this Memorial Day weekend
Highways leading out of Brainerd could be the roads less traveled this Memorial Day weekend.
Higher still
A gallon of unleaded gasoline hit a record-high $3.79 at most stations Wednesday in Brainerd.
James Moore
PEQUOT LAKES - James Moore, of Pequot Lakes, died Sunday, May 18, 2008. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Pequot Lakes.
Peter A. Nelson
MINNEAPOLIS - Peter Andrew Nelson, age 33, a resident of Minneapolis, died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at his home.
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.
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.
Myrtle Hines
Myrtle Hines, 86, of Woodland Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Brainerd, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2008, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Martha Shequen
STAPLES - Martha Shequen, of Staples, died at her home Wednesday morning, May 21, 2008. Arrangements are pending with Brenny Funeral Home of Staples.
Mildred M. Knutson
Mildred Mae Knutson, age 90, of Brainerd, died Monday, May 19, 2008, at Diamond Willow in Baxter. She was born on May 1, 1918, in Brainerd. She worked at the state hospital and garment factory in her early years.
James D. Moore Sr.
LONGVILLE - James Daniel Moore Sr., 74, of Longville, died Sunday, May 18, 2008. Funeral services for James will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2008, at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter with the Rev. Mike Dancheko officiating. Friends are welcome to visit one hour prior to services.
Let's hear it for the red, white and blue
America has a lot of soldiers. Each of those soldiers has a mother somewhere. As a mother of one of those soldiers I was in need of support.
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.
VOX POP
How disappointed I was at the Brainerd City Council meeting of May 19. Upon walking out I made the comment to my friend that a couple of the aldermen were acting like children, laughing, sneering, passing notes, all while a presentation was being made. Then I stopped myself and realized that was inaccurate. That was an insult to my own child, who would never be that disrespectful. What a sad representation for the citizens of Brainerd.
Will puck stop with the citizens?
About a year ago, there were council members willing to approve a $6.5 million tax increment financing to bail Brainerd Oaks out of their financial crisis. The taxpayers of Brainerd became involved, didn't want their money spent that way and this plan was defeated on a 4-3 council vote.
OPEN FORUM
More evidence that Brainerd is falling behind, we have only 5 miles of paved bike and walking trails, our neighbor Baxter has 16, and is looking to build more.
OPEN FORUM
I understand that people want to voice their opinions in the Vox Pop section, but must we put down a well known, community-oriented person such as Walleye Dan?
A Kennedy in the spotlight again
WASHINGTON -Not since the day almost 45 years ago, when word reached Washington that his brother John had been cut down in Dallas, has there been news about an individual that struck so deep a blow to so many in this capital. The medical bulletin from Massachusetts General Hospital about Sen. Ted Kennedy was at once a personal tragedy and a political cataclysm.
OUR OPINION: Cyber-tragedy
What happened to Megan Meier, a girl in a small Missouri town west of St. Louis, was a 21st century parent's nightmare. Befriended by a stranger online who purported to be a handsome 16-year-old boy, Megan wound up being rejected and abused in a heated exchange of messages on MySpace.com.
A golden opportunity for Koski
FIFTY LAKES - Kyle Koski's involvement in one sport opened doors for him in another.
Aitkin doubles team advances
DULUTH - The Aitkin doubles team of Adam Cook-Dan Burke advanced to the semifinals of the Section 7-1A individual tennis tournament following the opening rounds Tuesday.
Warriors take 5th
ST. CLOUD - The Brainerd Warriors finished fifth in the Central Lakes Conference boys' golf championship meet Tuesday at Territory Golf Club.
W-DC tennis season ends
CROOKSTON - Wadena-Deer Creek's Justin Tucker and Jason Hall both were eliminated from the Section 8-1A individual boys' tennis tournament Wednesday as were both Wolverine doubles teams.
Pillager 7th at Elbow Lake
ELBOW LAKE - Mike Pettit shot a 90 for the Pillager Huskies as they placed seventh in the Quad County Conference boys' golf meet Monday at Tipsinah Mounds.
Tennis history for Aitkin
DULUTH - Adam Cook and Dan Burke are singles players posing as a doubles team.
Brainerd wins first step in journey
A 6-1 victory over the Fergus Falls Otters in the North Subsection 8-2A boys' tennis tournament Tuesday was the first step in what the Brainerd Warriors hope will be a successful journey.
4 Warriors advance
After two impressive wins and a disappointing loss, an exhausted Morgan Salo limped onto the tennis court one more time.
GOLF SHORTS
The 13th annual Mille Lacs Academy charity golf tournament is scheduled for 11 a.m. June 16 at the Mille Lacs Golf Resort and Marina.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Lucas Oil drag racing series at BIR this weekend
The NHRA West Central Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will be at Brainerd International Raceway and Resort Friday through Sunday.
With record in hand, Barnes sets sights higher
Ryan Barnes has had a spring in his step during a spring of snow, cold, wind and rain.
Rydeen, Flyers blank Albany
ST. MARTIN - Joe Rydeen pitched a three-hit shutout and Ben Hanowski drove in four runs to lead the Little Falls Flyers past Albany 10-0 in a six-inning high school baseball game Tuesday.
Two from Aitkin, one from C-I advance
BIWABIK - Aitkin's Sam Dally and Matt Dragovich and Crosby-Ironton's Eric Steuck qualified for the Section 7-2A golf championship meet following Tuesday's first round at the Quarry.
Area teams, individuals advance to final round
ST. CLOUD - Cydney Hasselberg carded a 79 to lead the Staples-Motley Cardinals to the second round of the Section 6-2A girls' golf tournament at Territory Golf Club on Tuesday.
Gobblers, Rangers gain spot in finals
BIWABIK - Three girls from Aitkin and three from Crosby-Ironton advanced to the Section 7-2A golf championship meet following Tuesday's first round at the Quarry.
Warriors edge Storm
SAUK RAPIDS - Nick Anderson pitched two stellar innings in relief and had two hits and two RBIs as the Brainerd Warriors remained unbeaten in Central Lakes Conference play with a 4-3 victory over the Sauk Rapids Storm on Tuesday.
Becker racer wins BIR bracket opener
As Brainerd International Raceway kicked off its drag racing season with the first of five O'Reilly Auto Parts/Snap-On Tools Bracket Drag Racing Series events May 10-11, the race served as deja vu for Dan Hyttsten of Becker.
W-DC's Askew throws no-hitter
WADENA - Hannah Askew pitched a seven-inning no-hitter with seven strikeouts as the No. 1-seeded Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines blanked No. 8 seed Frazee 3-0 in the South Subsection 8-2A quarterfinals Tuesday.
Warriors stay alive after beating Spuds
ALEXANDRIA - The Brainerd Warriors remained alive in the North Subsection 8-3A softball tournament by crushing No. 4 Moorhead 14-0 in five innings Tuesday.
Eller named outstanding player in NCAA Division III regional baseball tourney
College of St. Scholastica outfielder Blake Eller of Brainerd was named the most outstanding player in the NCAA Division III-Oshkosh, Wis., Regional baseball tournament May 14-17.
A 39 leads Legacy women
Angela Sandelin, Becky Butcher and Robyn Hinson teamed to shoot a winning best ball score of 39 during the May 13 women's league at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's.
Conference honors Flyer as softball player of the week
Marissa Gessell of Little Falls was named the Central Lakes Conference softball player of the week ending May 17.
Pierz girls 2nd, boys 3rd
PIERZ - Pierz's Kaari Jensen placed in the top four in the 200-meter dash, 100 and 300 hurdles and the long jump to help the Pioneers to a second-place finish in the Subsection 19, Section 5-1A track and field meet Tuesday.
Boosters' annual meeting Thursday at Moose Lodge
The Brainerd Sports Boosters annual meeting and final meeting of the 2007-08 school year is scheduled at noon Thursday at the Moose Lodge.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
State forecast for S.D.
Wind advisory west today and this evening...
State forecast for N.D.
Wind advisory southwest from 9 am mdt today through midnight
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy. Isolated afternoon showers southeast. Highs in the upper 50s far north to low to mid 60s southwest. Cooler near the great lakes.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the mid to upper 50s near the great lakes to around 70 near the mississippi river.
State forecast for N.D.
Wind advisory southwest today...
State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s northeast to
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Considerable clouds. Showers and thunderstorms likely west through south...With a chance of showers and thunderstorms except far northeast. Windy...Especially central and west. Highs from the mid 50s west to near 70 extreme northeast.
School's almost out
Weather drawing by Noah Hendrickson of Mr. Meyer's fourth-grade class at Lowell school.
Spring has sprung
Weather drawing by Caelan Johnson of Mr. Edinger's fifth-grade class at Forestview school.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy to cloudy. Scattered
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs 65 to 75.