Sunday, June 3, 2007

BUSINESS NOTES
A wine-tasting event and silent auction fundraiser at Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge is aimed at helping the Project Play effort in building a playground in Crosby, the Cuyuna Range Chamber reported.

BUSINESS NOTES
Jeff Wig recently was elected chairman of the board of Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union.

Bremer teams with Second Harvest to fight hunger
For the second consecutive year, Bremer Bank is teaming with Second Harvest Heartland to fight hunger and "Make Change" in our communities by raising funds for area food banks.

Wacky sisters thrive in Nisswa
NISSWA - "Sisters, sisters. There were never such devoted sisters."

Learning firm opens office in Little Falls
Last week the owners and employees of Atomic Learning, Web-based software and support, hosted a grand opening reception at their new office on three acres in Little Falls.

Cass County Board
Meets 8:30 a.m. Tuesday

Little Falls School Board
Meets 7 p.m. Monday

Brainerd City Council
Meets 7:30 p.m. Monday

Crow Wing court
The following recently appeared in Crow Wing District Court:

Brainerd Fire
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a call at 9:37 a.m. Friday to Northwest Pizza and Boardwalk Bread and Bagel on Washington Street to a problem with an oven. No fire was reported.

Partner needed to help ease girl's loss of mother
So often we write in this column about the need for a "few good men" to be mentors to the boys on our waiting list. This week, however, we would like to focus on finding a woman to be an adult mentor for a lovely young gal.

WHAT'S DOING
The June Breast Cancer Survivor Support Group will meet at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the Camp Room at St. Joseph's Medical Center. Emily Lanin, Race Director for the Susan G. Komen 2007 Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure, will be the speaker. She will give information about the race and the survivor tent, and other events associated with the race which will be on Saturday, July 7, at the Forestview Middle School. All area breast cancer survivors are invited. Participants may purchase lunch in the cafeteria and proceed to the meeting rooms to the Camp Room for the program and to meet and share with other survivors.

Heather Wicklund
Hometown: Brainerd

Even young kids can have mental health disorders
Beginning as early as infancy, children can and do experience mental health conditions/disorders. Some disorders that occur in young children include adjustment disorders, AD/HD, anxiety disorders, depression, fetal alcohol syndrome disorders, reactive attachment disorder, pervasive developmental disorders (including autistic disorder and Asperger's syndrome), post traumatic stress disorder, regulation disorder of sensory processing, and Tourette syndrome.

Volunteer opportunities for June
AMERICAN RED CROSS Tom Bickford 218-821-3598

Keep the kids busy, have some fun
School's out. They're bored. You're stressed.

Wills, trust agreements are topics that some people find difficult to talk about
Planning for tomorrow is challenge enough. Planning for a tomorrow that doesn't include you is particularly troubling for many people.

St. Joseph's Foundation distributes grants
St. Joseph's Foundation distributed five grants in May totaling $10,126.

This was Brainerd
The flick of a switch Monday night at Don Adamson Park hastened Brainerd's development as one of the state's most attractive baseball cities. Night baseball, absent here since 1973 when it was last played at Memorial Park, returned to rave reviews.

Ironton Fire Department receives $70,000 grant
IRONTON - The Ironton Fire Department received notification Friday from the Department of Homeland Security that it has been awarded a $70,000 grant to be used to purchase a Mobile Fire Safety House.

Crosslake library grand opening
CROSSLAKE - The grand opening of the Crosslake Public Library/Community Center expansion is from 1-3 p.m. this Sunday.

COMING MONDAY IN SPORTS
Sports copy editor Trevor Williams talks about his experience as a fan.

CORRECTION
On Page 6C last Sunday, the Dispatch incorrectly identified the date of the Norwood-Tanner wedding as being April 17.

Diploma fulfills his dream
Bob Bourassa was supposed to graduate with the Class of 1954 from Washington High School - and he did go through the ceremony - but didn't have enough credits to graduate after missing several weeks at the end of his senior year because of a severe burn injury.

Brainerd Jaycees win several state awards
The Brainerd Jaycees received several awards at the Minnesota Jaycees Spring All State Convention.

COMING SUNDAY IN NORTH COUNTRY
Twice each year the Caballeros del Norte gather to ride horses and have fun. This year the club had its annual spring ride in Pillsbury State Forest, which hosted the "Horsemen of the North" for the third time.

Little Falls landscaping business loses sales tax permit
LITTLE FALLS - The Minnesota Department of Revenue recently revoked the sales tax permit of a Little Falls business for failing to pay sales tax to the state.

CAUTION: County commissioners becoming techies
Crow Wing County Board Chairman Dewey Tautges (right) listened to Ted Goggleye, a county information systems employee, as Commissioner Rachel Reabe Nystrom looked on Friday. The county board commissioners, including Paul Thiede and Rosemary Franzen, took part in computer training Friday to learn how to use their new laptops to work on county business in the board room and from home.

Man High celebration events announced
CROSBY - The Man High celebration planned Aug. 17-19 in Crosby will mark the 50th anniversary of the flight of Dr. David Simons from the Portsmouth mine pit in Crosby to the edge of space, launching the space age.

Humor is seen as way for military families to handle hardships
"Military Humor from a Soldier's Wife's Perspective" will be presented at 6 p.m. June 18 for the Brainerd Family Readiness event at the Brainerd Armory.

Diane Lalone
STAPLES - Diane Lalone, age 41, of Staples, passed away Friday evening, June 1, 2007, at Lakewood Health Care Center in Staples.

Richard L. Larson
Richard L. Larson, 77, died April 15, 2007, in Largo, Fla., of cancer.

Leland G. Brill
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Leland G. Brill, age 76, of Knoxville, Tenn., formerly of Freedhem, Minn., passed away May 29 in Tennessee.

Fred J. Casey
SAUK RAPIDS - Fred J. Casey, 83, Sauk Rapids. Jan. 19, 1924-May 31, 2007.

Catherine Vandermey
DELANO - Catherine "Cathy" (Pepin) Vandermey, age 75, of Delano, formerly of St. Paul. Loving wife, mother, grandmother will be missed by all. She passed away unexpectedly, prayerfully surrounded by her family May 30, 2007. She was actively involved in numerous community services in St. Paul, Delano, and Genola.

John Murphy
HARDING - John Murphy, 39 year-old resident of Harding, Minn., died Friday, June 1, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minn. Arrangements for John are pending with the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz, Minn.

Russell A. Sod
LITTLE FALLS - Russell A. Sod, 79 year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Monday, May 28, 2007, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn., with Pastor John Longley officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Little Falls, Minn., and Saturday one hour prior to the service. Military rites will be conducted by the Little Falls American Legion Post No. 46.

Chalmer A. Hagberg
Chalmer A. Hagberg, age 88, of Brainerd, formerly of Duluth, died on May 31, 2007, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. Funeral services will be June 22, 2007. Full obituary to be placed later. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.

William Bill' Johnson
MOTLEY - William "Bill" Johnson, of Motley, died Friday afternoon at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples, Friday, June 1, 2007. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples.

VOX POP - Off-roaders and ATV guys not the same
Off-roaders aren't mud boggers. They ride all-terrain vehicles. We care about the environment, packing more trash out than in. We don't even like mud. Legislation denies OHV access to state forest trails. Spider Lake Recreation Area will soon be closed to trucks while remaining open to ATVs. Lakes Area Wheelers hosted Kinship Partners for riding and a picnic, hoping to make it an annual event. Trail closures make this year the last. We adopted a section of Cass County 2 just outside Spider Lake. If we're not allowed to use the area, why would we clean up the ditches? Who wins really?

OTHER OPINION: World Bank
The tumultuous departure of Paul Wolfowitz from the World Bank has raised reasonable questions about whether the United States should continue to monopolize the nomination of presidents for that global institution. President Bush probably succeeded in curtailing the discussion yesterday by nominating Robert Zoellick for the job. Zoellick, who was U.S. trade representative during Bush's first term and has held senior positions at the Treasury and State departments, is intelligent, experienced and effective; he has managed large bureaucracies and cut deals with governments from Latin America to China. He is a good choice to lead the bank; his American citizenship and identification with the Bush administration certainly should not disqualify him.

Ferns are versatile plants that can also be eaten
I've always been fond of ferns. Their buds pop through the soft soil, then gently unfold as "fiddleheads" and turn quickly into graceful fronds as spring becomes summer.

What do you think of when you think of a bait shop?
Every fisherman has his favorite bait shop. We all have memories of shops we used to go to.

Knock on wood when looking for early-season crappies
Brush piles and fallen shoreline trees are favorite targets of Randy Pope, a four-time Bass Pro Southern Crappie Association champion. Early in the year and again in fall, Pope, 50, follows crappies into feeder creeks and rivers that empty into reservoirs near his home in North Carolina.

Public meeting to discuss county OHV proposals will be June 21
The DNR and Crow Wing County will host a public meeting on June 21 in Baxter to discuss motor vehicle use classification and route designation proposals for state forest lands in Crow Wing County.

Wedding planned - Robin Runia and Jordan Miller
Robin Runia and Jordan Miller announce their engagement. Parents are Allan and Marjorie Runia, Duluth, and James and Deborah Miller, Brainerd. A June 30 wedding is planned at the Duluth Bible Church.

5 generations - Conner
Five generations recently gathered were Fayth Conner (daughter), Amanda (Fox) Conner (mother), Anthony (Tony) Fox ( grandfather), Curtis Fox (great-grandfather), Muriel (Bedal) Fox (great-great-grandmother).

Wedding planned - Stacy Berg and Travis Grossman
Stacy Berg and Travis Grossman announce their engagement. Parents are Ken and Patty Berg, and Steve and Gayle Grossman, all of Staples. An Aug. 18 wedding is planned in Staples.

Wedding planned - Christy Odegaard and Dustin Matson
Christy Odegaard and Dustin Matson announce their engagement. Parents are Lyle and Mary Odegaard, Morris, and Mike and Pam Matson, Baxter. A Sept. 1, 2007, wedding is planned at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris.

4 generations - Tretter
Four generations recently gathered were Chase Owen James Tretter, son; Zachary Tretter, father; James Tretter, grandfather; and Rinehard Tretter, great-grandfather.

35th anniversary - Gerb and Bonnie Devries
Gerb and Bonnie Devries will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary with family. They were married June 3, 1972.

50th anniversary - Frank and Lucy Nesheim
Frank and Lucy Nesheim will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at the Northland Arboretum Visitor Center. The event will be hosted by their children. No gifts, please. They were married June 21, 1957.

4 generations - Sunberg
Four generations recently gathered were Cole Sundberg, son; Matt Sundberg, father; Dick Sundberg, grandfather; and Rich Sundberg, great-grandfather.

Wedding planned - Erica Ogard and Samuel Anderson
Erica Ogard and Samuel Anderson announce their engagement. Parents are Rodney and Laurie Ogard, Deerwood, and Linda Anderson, Crosby, and Don and Jill Anderson, Emily. An Aug. 25 wedding is planned at St. Emily's Catholic Church.

Jason and Maribeth LaDouceur
Maribeth Bobseen and Jason LaDouceur were married May 19, 2007, at Hartley Lake with Pastor Bob Twiton officiating.

Engagement announced - Carime Saxvold and Jonathon Doughty
Carime Saxvold and Jonathon Doughty announce their engagement. Parents are Steve and Kathy Saxvold, Pequot Lakes, the Rev. Daniel and Laurie Doughty, Pequot Lakes, and Judy and Dan Cochran, Wyoming. A July 21 wedding is planned at Grace United Methodist Church in Pequot Lakes.

80th birthday - Leona Palmer
Leona Palmer, Brainerd, will celebrate her 80th birthday from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the Oak Lawn Tavern (Hwy 18 East, Brainerd). No gifts.

Pierz's Woitalla speeds onto sports scene
Matt Woitalla's breakout speed has helped the Pierz Pioneers baseball player to a breakout junior season.

Molly Hoppe has superb freshman season
Molly Hoppe was the No. 1 golfer for the Brainerd Warriors girls' golf team virtually all season and appeared to have a shot to qualify for state.

Pillager's Dixon demolishes opposition
Tiffany Dixon just knows how to play.

Tubby coming to town June 12
As much of a vacation destination as Brainerd is, there are people who still haven't visited the lakes area.

Key plays key Blue Thunder to victory
It took the Brainerd Blue Thunder five innings to finally get a hit, and even then that hit didn't even leave the infield.

Boat and water safety class set for June
The Gull Chain of Lakes Association, in conjunction with the Crow Wing County and Cass County Water Patrol, is sponsoring a boat and water safety class for children ages 14-17.

Area events
SATURDAY

Raider men head to nationals in New York
Other than the challenges of preparing to play the four-day NJCAA Division III national tournament June 4-8 at Chautauqua (N.Y.) Golf Club, an unfamiliar golf course, the Central Lakes College Raiders men's team is faced with another challenge: Playing without one of its top players.

Go fly a kite
Weather drawing by Sophie Stubbs in the Baxter third grade of Ms. Hemstad.

State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Partly cloudy. Scattered showers and isolated

State forecast for North Dakota
.Today...Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms south central

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the 70s to around 80. Cooler near the great lakes.

State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and scattered

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Mostly cloudy. Showers or thunderstorms likely central and northeast. A chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms west and south. Highs in the lower 60s to lower 70s.