Friday, May 29, 2009
Nuts & bolts: 2010 Honda Insight
Complaints: The rear cabin is tight. Also, like other small Honda cars, road noise in the Insight can be a tad disturbing.
Biggest Mercedes SUV is a fuel sipper
2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
2010 Honda Insight: A more affordable way to go green
WASHINGTON - The environmental route has been a road most often taken by the rich because only the rich could afford to go that way - until now.
Upcoming entertainment calendar
Live music
Tradition excellence
PEQUOT LAKES - After nearly four years, the Lonesome Tradition bluegrass band is making its way back to Pequot Lakes.
LOCAL BRIEFS
NEW YORK MILLS - The Wadena Area Community Band, under the direction of John Lindlief, will present a concert of marches and concert band music at 7 p.m. June 4 at the opening of the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall at VFW Post No. 3289 in New York Mills.
Enjoying the picnic season
The picnic season is said to begin with the Memorial Day weekend, and from that time on, summertime activities accelerate.
POLICE BLOTTER
CRASH - No injuries were reported in a two-vehicle collision at 1:33 p.m. Tuesday at Highway 371 and Excelsior Road.
SENIOR CALENDAR
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER
POLICE BLOTTER
THEFT - Trig Bagan, 400 block of First Avenue Northeast, Wednesday reported a theft.
Housing briefs
Lisa Fletcher of Brainerd recently joined Weichert Realtors-Tower Properties as a specialist in residential sales.
Edina Realty challenges mayors in contest
The Edina Realty Foundation recently held a fundraising contest in which it challenged Brainerd Mayor James Wallin and Baxter Mayor Darrel Olson to see which city could bring in the most food items.
Brainerd speller misses semifinals
Forestview Middle School eighth-grader Audrey Lothspeich Wednesday made it past Round 3 in the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., but she didn't make the cut as a semifinalist.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The Brainerd Family YMCA will host the last Teen Scene for this school year from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday for fifth- and sixth-graders.
Board to save taxpayers 3.1 percent
In a special board meeting Thursday, the Brainerd School Board awarded the sale of its general obligation taxable bonds to fund Other Post-Employment Benefits, or OPEB.
A 'Killer' of an opener
Optimism ran high with the near-capacity crowd at the first Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers game Thursday night at Mills Field.
Overheard
The unemployment claims have turned the corner.
This was Brainerd
MAY 28 - 80 years ago (1929) - (Adv.) 4 Forward Speeds (Silent Third - Double High), Thrilling Acceleration. If sluggish traffic slows you down you slip quickly and quietly into third gear, and glide away. The Durant - A Good Car. Derosier & Magnan, 416 S. 6th Street.
Overheard
It's been a long time a comin'. I never thought I'd get this.
Lunkers luncheon a hit
Judging by the turnout at the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers Home Opener Luncheon Thursday at the Legacy at Cragun's the first-year Northwoods League franchise is going to be a hit.
Man arrested after chase of 'around 100 mph'
A 22-year-old Little Falls man was arrested Thursday morning after leading Crow Wing County sheriff's deputies on a chase through southern Crow Wing and Morrison counties.
LOCAL BRIEFS
PILLAGER - Speaker of the Minnesota House Margaret Anderson Kelliher will travel to the Brainerd area this week to address seniors and their families at the 100th high school graduation ceremony Friday at Pillager High School.
This was Brainerd
MAY 29 - 80 years ago (1929) - Thousands of people, young and old, will unite in paying homage to the memories of the nation's war dead tomorrow. Albert Fox, one of seven living Civil War veterans in Brainerd, will deliver the proclamation.
'Quite an accomplishment'
STAPLES - Among the list of names for the 2009 Staples-Motley High School graduation were four men whose high school days passed by decades ago.
A ray of hope in tourism industry
BAXTER - A roomful of Brainerd lakes area resort, hotel and hospitality business owners Wednesday were given a ray of hope when it comes to the tourism industry in today's tough economic times.
A day with Harmon
Janet and Marc Jerzak positioned a jersey Thursday for Harmon Killebrew to sign after the luncheon at the Legacy at Cragun's. Marc is vice president of the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers baseball team. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
LeRoy 'Corky' Seefeldt
STAPLES - LeRoy "Corky" Seefeldt, age 75, of Staples, passed away at the Lakewood Hospital on Saturday, May 23, 2009. Services were planned Wednesday, May 27, at Faith Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve Sveom officiating. Burial was to be at 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.
Jack E. Jelacie
Jack Edward Jelacie, age 83, resident of Brainerd, died Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at Good Samaritan Society-Pine River, Minn.
Mildred Howell Blake
Mildred Howell Blake was born to Ruel Harvey Howell and Mary Elcesta Russell on April 12, 1921, in Aberdeen, S.D. Mildred was a graduate of Central High School and Aberdeen Business College.
Jack E. Jelacie
Jack Edward Jelacie, age 83, resident of Brainerd, died Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at Good Samaritan Society-Pine River, Minn. Jack was born on May 25, 1926, in Brainerd to Adolph and Mabel (Peterson) Jelacie.
Merlyn Brandanger
PEQUOT LAKES - Merlyn Brandanger, age 86, of Pequot Lakes, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2009. He was born April 1, 1923, in Roberts, Wis., to Berntine and Grace Brandanger. Merlyn was a decorated veteran serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
William H. Wiessner
CROSSLAKE - William "Bill" Herbert Wiessner, 80, of Crosslake, died Monday, May 25, 2009, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. Services for Bill are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at Crosslake Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Kate Stangl officiating. Friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services. Interment will be at the Pinewood Cemetery in Crosslake, Minn.
Allyn H. Nelson
Allyn H. Nelson, age 80, resident of Brainerd, died Thursday, May 28, 2009.
Blanche Swift
PINE RIVER - Blanche Swift, age 93, of Pine River, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2009. She was born July 14, 1915, in Pine River to Andrew and Agnes McAllister. She married Wayne Swift in Pequot Lakes on June 11, 1939.
Norvin 'Bud' Norwood Jr.
LITTLE FALLS - Norvin "Bud" Norwood Jr., 85-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Monday, May 25, 2009, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living facility in Little Falls. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 1, at the Living Hope Assembly of God Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Keith Thompson officiating.
Alice A. Smude
Alice Anna Smude, age 81, resident of Brainerd, died Thursday, May 28, 2009, at Edgewood Vista Senior Living.
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.
Write your lawmaker
Sen. Paul Koering
Justice Souter's 'safe place'
On those rare occasions when someone in Washington voluntarily cedes power, the normal reaction from everyone else - perhaps to avoid any potentially dangerous moments of self-reflection - is to assume that the departee must be not quite well.
VOX POP
Wow, was there police presence around Crow Wing County last weekend! Way to go police chiefs and Sheriff Dahl for getting your folks out on the road instead of the office.
Open Forum
Before the Gold Medal Arena could be approved by Brainerd officials, they faced a state statute requirement stating:
Open forum
There comes a time when you have to say Yahoo!
OUR OPINION: GRASS
Critics may call it government intrusion but we find nothing onerous with the Baxter City Council's recent edict grass must not exceed 7 inches in length with certain exceptions.
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.
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.
Arenas should be properly managed
Readers of the Brainerd Dispatch were misled by the Dispatch editorial on May 24 Civic Center. Dispatch opinion stated, The two ice arenas were built without any initial investment by the city of Brainerd.
OUR OPINION: BASEBALL
Since that grand gentleman of baseball, Harmon Killebrew graced us with his presence this week at the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers season opener it seems appropriate to turn our attention to a current Minnesota Twin who is tearing up the league - Joe Mauer.
Court choice a delicate matter
WASHINGTON - It is as close to certain as anything gets in Washington that Judge Sonia Sotomayor is on her way to the Supreme Court. What impact she will have there is far harder to predict.
CHURCH NEWS
BAXTER - The Todd Allen family will present a concert at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, 7398 Fairview Road, Baxter.
UCC confirmands
The Rite of Confirmation was celebrated recently at First Congregational United Church of Christ. Members of the class were Matt Erickson (front, left), Jennifer Celley, Samantha Bertram, Molly Palm and Louis Grabowski. Their mentors are Gary Whiteman (back, left), Itty Newgord, Kaylo Brooks, Ann Turnbull and Joe Stattine. The red stoles were made by members of the church knitting ministry and presented to the confirmands as gifts.
Brainerd lakes area churches
Brainerd
Reach out to help the undernourished
What does it really feel like to be hungry? Not just "my stomach is rumbling, it must be time for a snack," but "I'm really, truly hungry, and I don't think that I will find the resources to eat lunch today, maybe not even dinner." What does it feel like to be chronically hungry or in need of good, nutritional food to make you feel full and nourished? I don't know what it feels like. Do you?
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Cardinal girls win Section 6-1A championship
MOORHEAD - Staples-Motley's Ashley Lisson won the 100- and 200-meter dashes and eighth-grader Kelly Pearson won the 100 hurdles to help the Cardinals girls' team win the Section 6-1A meet Thursday.
Brainerd's Larson 3rd in section singles
ST. CLOUD - Devin Larson had a long Wednesday.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Area baseball scores
PEQUOT LAKES - Jake Serfling and Jacob Box highlighted Thursday's 14-9 victory over Frazee with solo home runs as the third-seeded Pequot Lakes Patriots advanced to the next round of the South Subsection 8-2A playoffs.
Lunkers are in season
Ryan Levendoski believes the first Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers edition is capable of contending for a Northwoods League championship.
Monster truck shows coming to NCS
Officials from North Central Speedway and AMP Live events have reached an agreement to bring two Monster Truck shows to the Brainerd Lakes area June 26 and 28.
Northern exposure: Lumberjacks eye first road win
The season of firsts continues for the Brainerd Lumberjacks, who will look to tally their first road win of the 2009 semi-pro football season.
Pierz sends four to state
COLLEGEVILLE - Anchored by Jake Nelson, John Omann, and Shane Gall the Pierz Pioneers claimed the boys' Section 5-1A Championship at St. John's University Wednesday.
River Bats spoil Lunkers' opener
Seventy-plus degrees and sunny at gametime.
LOCAL SHORTS
Brainerd Warriors boys' tennis coaches Bruce Thompson and Chuck Whalen were honored by their peers following the Section 8-2A tournament.
Top-seeded Warriors eliminated
Two plays in Wednesday's North Subsection 8-3A tournament game against the Moorhead Spuds epitomized the Brainerd Warriors' luck.
Flyers stay alive with victory
ST. CLOUD - Rookie shortstop Mitch Dorn played like a varsity veteran as he helped the fourth-seeded Little Falls Flyers eliminate third-seeded Albany 6-0 Wednesday in the East Subsection 6-2A elimination game at Putz Field.
Outlaw Drag Racing Series to debut at BIR
Brainerd International Raceway unveils a new event this weekend that features Outlaw Drag Racing, which has been a popular attraction during the annual Show and Go and Coca-Cola Muscle Car Shootout events at BIR.
BHS's Sam Smith advances to state
ALEXANDRIA - Brainerd's Sam Smith is headed to the Class 2A state tournament with her second-place long jump in the Section 8-2A meet Wednesday.
LOCAL SHORTS
The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department reminds parents to register children for 2009 summer recreation programs.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly sunny. Patchy dense fog west central this morning.
May flowers
Weather drawing by Jillian Merten of Mrs. Meyer's third-grade class at Harrison school.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Patchy dense
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Isolated showers and a slight
State forecast for Wisconsin
Today...Scattered light rain showers far northeast this morning. Patchy drizzle south this morning. Patchy fog northwest this morning. Becoming partly to mostly sunny northwest to southeast. Highs from the upper 50s across door county...To the mid 70s far west.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy.
The rising sun
Weather drawing by Jillian Ewald of Mr. Meyer's fourth-grade class at Lowell Elementary.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly sunny. Isolated morning rain showers...Then a chance
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Areas of fog east early...Some fog dense in the southeast. Otherwise mostly sunny statewide but with a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms southwest to north central. Highs 75 to 85.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. A slight chance of showers along
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Partly cloudy. Slight chance of morning thunderstorms north central...And a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms west... Central and north. Highs 75 to 85.
State forecast for Wisconsin
Today...Partly sunny. A slight chance of showers south in the morning...Then a chance of showers and thunderstorms northwest in the afternoon. Highs from the mid 60s north...To the low 70s south. Cooler near lake michigan in the afternoon.