Friday, June 8, 2007
Fuel cells for the future
VANCOUVER, B.C. - The buzz quieted more than a decade ago. But John Sheridan, president, chief executive and director of Ballard Power Systems, remembers it fondly ... and ironically.
MUSIC SHORTS
STAPLES - The Central Minnesota Boys' Choir will perform its Welcome Home Concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples.
ART SHORTS
AITKIN - The Jaques Art Center will host a Minnesota sports exhibit from Saturday-July 14. It will feature the art of Barry Woolery and memorabilia from the collections of Mark Lueck, Bill Cline and Maurice Olson.
Area filmmakers awarded
Area filmmakers Jonathan Davis (Baxter), Jeremy Moulton (Motley) and Jeremy Doyle (Brainerd) won five awards for their film "The Deputy" last month at the Fargo 48 Hour Film Project.
THEATER SHORTS
Central Lakes College Theatre will open its summer season with "Perfect Wedding" at 7:30 p.m. June 20-23 and 27-30 in the Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus.
Gilbertson next Brown Bag speaker
Author Jay Gilbertson will speak at noon Monday at the Brainerd Public Library as part of the Brown Bag Speakers' Series.
Judd Apatow knocks out another hit movie
Judd Apatow makes it look easy. For the second summer in three years, he has delivered a comedy that knows how people talk, understands the dynamics of friendships and is willing to break from the romantic comedy formula.
COMING NEXT WEEK
The Crossing Arts Alliance's quarterly feature takes a look at the photography career of area resident Jim Whiting.
DANCE SHORTS
Brainerd's Music General dancers will perform their 28th annual Spring Dance Review at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at Tornstrom Auditorium, Washington Educational Services Building, in Brainerd.
BEST BETS
Two area dance bands will perform the inaugural show at 5 p.m. Friday on the New Mills Stage at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds in Brainerd. Old-time band Country Thyme will start things off, followed by country band Alan Godage & Sundown. Admission is $5.
Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music
Great Danes
It took eight years, but Denmark will finally be represented at this weekend's Nisswa-stämman. The annual Scandinavian music festival seems to have chosen well: The fiddle-and-guitar duo Haugaard & Høirup, in its 10th year, has been racking up accolades in traditional Scandinavian music circles.
Fruit salad, cake make the party
Last weekend we were invited to a college graduation for Shawna O'Brien. Her aunt, Tina, and her mom, Karla, hosted a party honoring her.
CRIME
PROPERTY DAMAGE - Vandalism was reported Wednesday at Star Lake Camp in Ideal Township. Damage was reported to screens, trees, signs and tables made by an ax.
FIRES
The Brainerd Fire Department Wednesday responded to a cut gas line at North 10th Street and Grove Street in Brainerd.
SENIOR CALENDAR
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER
CRIME
BURGLARY - Andrea Martino Monday reported a vehicle stolen with the suspect using house keys to enter a residence on the 2400 block of Oak Street to steal a laptop computer, digital camera, DVDs and clothing.
BUILDING PERMITS
Residential
Fan favorites
The mark of a quality ceiling fan is often in what you don't see - and don't hear.
BRIEFS
Edwyna "Winnie" Wayne of Breezy Point recently joined Century 21 Brainerd Realty as a real estate agent.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to several calls Thursday, starting at 9:22 a.m. with a smoke detector that went off at Washington Educational Services Building in Brainerd. It turned out to be a false alarm.
Board seeks collaboration on proposed power line
BACKUS - The Cass County Board voted Tuesday to ask the land and environmental services departments to work with Great River Energy officials to find the power line route across county-administered land where the least environmental impact will occur.
It's that time of year
Emily Pavelka, Omaha, Neb., took a close look at her turtle before a heat race Wednesday in Nisswa. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
St. Gabriel's remodeling, expansion
Construction continued Wednesday on the remodeling and expansion project at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
4 Cass Lake men sentenced for Littlewolf murder
WALKER - Four Cass Lake men were sentenced May 31 in Cass County District Court for the Nov. 5, 2005, murder of Michael James Littlewolf in Cass Lake.
This was Brainerd
JUNE 7 - 20 years ago (1987) - Two moose surprised northeast Brainerd residents this morning when they lumbered through city streets for about a half hour before disappearing into woods near Lum Park.
Overheard
"House arrest is nothing. She can have friends over, she can party all night long."
A foot forward to fund the 4th
Nancy Cross needs your help.
Spring Dance Revue rehearsal
Music General dance instructor Amy Borash rehearsed with second- and third-grade dancers Wednesday. The group will perform its 28th annual Spring Dance Revue at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at Tornstrom Auditorium, Washington Educational Services Building, in Brainerd.
Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
Commissioners OK construction payment
BACKUS - Cass County commissioners approved final payment to Kuepers Inc. for construction of the $1.2 million land department building at Backus.
Overheard
"The Fourth of July celebration is the biggest event in Brainerd ... All donations, no matter the size, are important, because without this support, this celebration could not happen."
County eyes more information on prescription drug program
BACKUS - Cass County will seek more information about a prescription drug discount program available through the National Association of Counties that could save all the county's residents an average of 20 percent.
The drive to survive
Taking a road trip with my 5-1/2-year-old daughter and 2-1/2-year-old son is not my cup of tea.
LOCAL BRIEFS: Passenger not allowed on plane after shotgun shells found in pocket
A man going through airport security at 10:40 a.m. Tuesday at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport was not allowed to get on the flight after two Winchester shotgun shells were found in his front pocket.
Scrap at the top of the heap
The junk metal that formerly occupied backyards is now bringing in solid money as the rise in scrap metal demand and prices rapidly draws area people to their local metal recycling yards.
2007-08 budget gets committee's approval
The Brainerd School Board Finance Committee recommended board approval Thursday of the 2007-08 budget.
Committee moves to approve contracts
Despite protests from a few school board members and other school administrators Thursday, Brainerd Superintendent Jerry Walseth refused to accept any salary increase for his 2007-09 superintendent's contract.
This was Brainerd
JUNE 8 - 30 years ago (1977) - About 300 elementary physical education specialists from throughout the United States and four foreign countries will be in Brainerd for a five-day workshop.
And they're off
Race fans cheered on their turtles Wednesday in Nisswa - the first of weekly races held throughout the summer. Brainerd Dispatch/ Nels Norquist
All fired up
Don't be alarmed if you happen to spot dozens of fire trucks in the Brainerd/Baxter area this weekend.
Jacqulyn L. Fradet
BAXTER - Jacqulyn L. Fradet, Baxter, 63, passed away March 20, 2007, in her home in Baxter. She was born on Dec. 30, 1943, in Brainerd to Donald and Lorraine Fradet.
Bernadine Miller
Bernadine Miller, age 91, resident of Brainerd, died Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village. Bernadine was born in St. Anthony, Minn., Feb. 11, 1916, to Jacob and Mary (Cremers) Welters. She married Robert P. Miller Sr. on June 7, 1937. Mrs. Miller was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church.
Marjorie Kessel
Marjorie Kessel, loving mother, grandma, great-grandma and sister, age 79, of the St. Paul Midway Area, formerly of Brainerd, went to be with Jesus on June 1, 2007. Preceded in death by husband, Donald; son, Ricky; sister, Fern; and brother, Darrell.
Ray L. Fornshell
Ray L. Fornshell was born Nov. 17, 1919, in Woodworth, N.D., to James and Johanna (Buckness) Fornshell. He passed away May 30, 2007, in Bethany, Ore. He moved to Minnesota as a young child where he attended Pillager grade school.
Gary F. Caswell
Gary F. Caswell, 63, of Brainerd and Elk River, Minn., passed away of a heart attack at his lake home on June 4, 2007. Funeral services for Gary are planned at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2007, at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. There will be a visitation prior to services, from 1-3 p.m. at the funeral chapel.
Louis J. Magnan
FORT RIPLEY - Louis J. Magnan, Fort Ripley, 67, passed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at his home. He was born on June 11, 1939, in Los Angeles to Maurice and Alice (Kraklau) Magnan.
Doris Plettl
LITTLE FALLS - Doris Plettl, 83-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at Minnesota Masonic North Ridge Nursing Home in New Hope, Minn. Funeral arrangements for Doris are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.
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 A. Gross
John A. Gross, 42, Pillager, Minn.
Dennis Halverson
NISSWA - Dennis Halverson of Nisswa passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2007. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Pequot Lakes.
John A. Gross
John A. Gross, 42, Pillager, Minn.
David 'Dave' Bussman
ST. PETER - David (Dave) F. Bussman, age 80, of St. Peter, died on June 6, 2007, after a battle with cancer.
Donald Caughey
SOUTH LONG LAKE - Donald Caughey, 91, of South Long Lake, left to be with his heavenly family Tuesday, June 5, 2007. He went peacefully at his home where he and his loving wife, Evelyn, have lived since 1941. Donald was born on Feb. 23, 1916, in Daggett Brook Township to Walter and Rose (Brusseau) Caughey. He married Evelyn Stuck on June 17, 1939. They lived and raised their family on their farm by South Long Lake.
Marie M. Posch
LITTLE FALLS - Marie M. Posch, age 81, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Thursday, June 7, 2007, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, Minn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, June 12, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday from 8-10 a.m. at the Emblom-Brenny, East Chapel, in Little Falls. Parish prayers will be said at 5:30 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral chapel.
Marvin Gravdahl
WARREN, Mich. - Marvin Osae Gravdahl, age 81, formerly of Pequot Lakes, died Sunday, June 3, 2007, in Warren, Mich. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Pequot Lakes, Minn.
Jeff Lowe
LITTLE FALLS - Jeff Lowe, 55-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., died Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minn. Memorial service will be held Monday, June 11, 2007, at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service, East Chapel, in Little Falls, Minn., with Pastor Hal Spann officiating. Burial will be private at a later date. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. on Monday, June 11, at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service, East Chapel, in Little Falls.
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.
Harvey F. Fuhrmann
Harvey Frank Fuhrmann, age 85, resident of Brainerd, died Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. Harvey was born May 31, 1922, in Pierz to Frank and Katherine (Rahlf) Fuhrmann. He married Doris Ryan on June 14, 1947.
Doris A. Nisle
EAGAN - Doris A. Nisle, age 80, of Eagan, formerly of Baxter, passed away peacefully at her home from complications of Parkinson's disease on June 4, 2007. Doris graduated from St. Anthony's Hospital School of Nursing in 1948 in the last Cadet Nurse Corps class. She lived and worked briefly in hospitals in Colorado, Washington and Montana.
OTHER OPINION: LEADERSHIP
We don't always take notice of this day (June 6) on the editorial pages, and every time we fail to do so we hear about it from people who have the date - June 6, 1944 - burned into their memories and who believe that what Americans and their allies did on D-Day must never be forgotten. They're right, of course, and in these times it seems particularly appropriate to recall one act that would serve today's leaders in every branch of government as lesson and example.
VOX POP
I drive Beaver Dam Road nearly every day and am very impressed and pleased with how the road construction turned out. It's a great road. However, why are there no speed limit signs, besides the single one as you turn onto Beaver Dam from Riverside Drive? The road would be much safer if we could get some speed signs. Thanks.
Graduates will play the game of life
When my family first moved to Brainerd back in 1999, it took us a month and a half to get our television set put up and cable installed. As a fifth-grader, trying to avoid my 8-year-old brother, this of course meant total life devastation. At one point, my mother actually agreed to pay me to play board games with him, just to get me to quit complaining about it. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time that summer playing board games.
OUR OPINION: LIBBY
The National Review made up its mind about an hour after former White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby was sentenced to prison for lying and obstruction of justice in a CIA leak investigation. Arguing that Libby had been "found guilty of process crimes" the headline on its Web site editorial urged President Bush to "Pardon him."
Myths about that $3.18 per gallon
Whew, gas prices are high. Higher than they've ever been. During the week of May 21, the Lundberg Survey, a biweekly gas price tracking service, put the average cost of a gallon of unleaded at $3.18. Adjusted for inflation, that topped the 1981 price spike that had held the record for 26 years. Prices have since slipped a bit, but many predict they'll stay up near the stratosphere all summer. Wondering why? The answers may not be what you think. Here are common myths about why we're paying so much at the pump.
Do nothing in haste
Nearly every graduation speaker talks about how we should "make the most out of our lives," "do what we want," and "shoot for the stars." Some even go as far as to use the clichd Lord Chesterfield quote that says that "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."
Step into the future with courage
To paraphrase Henry Ford: "Life is a series of experiences in a world built to develop character in which the celebrations and challenges we endure help us in our marching onward."
What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail
There's no vacation from God
"One of the most privileged and peculiarly human tasks we have inherited is that of recognizing and naming God's presence in life." - Marjorie Thompson, from Family, the Forming Center
CHURCH NEWS
MALMO - Malmo Free Church will present The Hawkinson Friends in concert at 7 p.m. Friday. The group consists of Duane and Deb Hawkinson from Aitkin joined by Vern and Cindy Hawkinson from Bovey and Bill Hawkinson from Apache Junction, Ariz. The group plays country and bluegrass gospel music.
First Lutheran confirmands
First Lutheran Church in Brainerd recently celebrated the Affirmation of Baptism with 11 youth including Pastor Kristin Kelsey (front, left), Matt Sell, Adam Tautges, Katie Southard, Ben Leland, Pastor Andrew Smith, Devin Janousek (back, left), Tyler Senn, Chad Edelman, Brad Wolhart, Sean Bevans, Theo Erickson, Youth Director Lori Hall and Chase Grondin.
Raiders 18 strokes off pace
CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. - The Central Lakes College Raiders are currently in sixth place, 18 strokes behind leader Montgomery Community College, after a third-round 314 at the NJCAA Division III national men's golf tournament at Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua , N.Y.
Scoreboard
Area events
Bell grinds to second
ONAMIA - Robert Bell was a Class 1A state boys' golf tournament rookie for all of five holes.
Smith runs for Peter
When you're out running you usually have nothing but time to think. Did I turn off the coffee pot? What's the Twins' magic number? Can I get 18 holes in today?
River Bats thunder past Brainerd
Menacing clouds hung overhead and the wind howled. Rain began to fall midway through the contest. And the temperature plummeted into the 50s.
St. Cloud River Bats beat Blue Thunder 4-3
ST. CLOUD - Third baseman Adam Kampsen knocked in two runs and then scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to lead the St. Cloud River Bats to a 4-3 victory over the Brainerd Blue Thunder Wednesday in Northwoods League baseball.
Bell in contention after 1st round
The youth of today do listen to what adults say.
S-M's Edin eliminated
BURNSVILLE - Staples-Motley senior Matt Edin lost both of his matches in the Class 1A boys' state singles tournament Thursday at Life Time Fitness.
Brainerd sophomores split
Sauk Rapids - The sophomore Brainerd VFW baseball team and Sauk Rapids split a doubleheader Thursday.
BHS looks to medal
One thing is on the minds of Brainerd Warrior boys' and girls' track and field athletes as they prepare for the Class 2A state meet Friday and Saturday at Hamline University.
Klecatsky, Legacy take top team honors
PEQUOT LAKES - The team of PGA professional Chuck Klecatsky and amateurs Terry Smith, Shane Eastman and Rick Sorenson captured the inaugural Preserve pro-am Monday at Grand View Lodge's Preserve Golf Course.
New crop of 1A athletes hopes to carry on success
For the lakes area, the past three Class 1A state track and field meets were dominated by former Pillager and Wadena-Deer Creek hurdlers Laura Pace and Eric Asfeld, who won a combined nine state championships
Carlson falls two spots to finish 45th
On Tuesday it was his putter. Wednesday Curt Carlson couldn't get off the tee box.
Ruhl family ready to run again
For the Ruhl family, the bright summer months mean one thing: Getting out and getting active as a family.
Ready, set, go for Hannah McAllister
Brainerd's Hannah McAllister and Sartell's Sarah Schellinger should duel once again, only this time the stakes would be the highest they've ever been.
Hasselberg cruises back to the pack
ONAMIA - Embarrassment can be great motivation.
Aitkin routs Braham in victory
AITKIN - Mitch Hodgman was 4-for-4 with three doubles and a RBI to help the Aitkin American Legion baseball team defeat Braham 15-5 in seven innings Wednesday.
Scoreboard
Area events
S-M's Edin confident before state
When the season began, Matt Edin figured he had a shot at advancing to the Class 1A state boys' tennis tournament.
Flyers sweep Holdingford
Little Falls swept Holdingford in St. Cloud Junior Olympic League fast-pitch softball Tuesday.
Bees fall 2-1 to Mudcats
BEMIDJI - The Bemidji Mudcats nipped the Brainerd Bees 2-1 in an amateur baseball exhibition game Wednesday.
On the lake
Weather drawing by Eric Stout of Ms. Hemstad's third-grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for Minnesota
.Windy advisory southern and east central minnesota today...
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s to mid 70s.
State forecast for S.D.
Flash flood watch black hills today...
Wisconsin state forecast
Wind advisory for entire state through 7 pm...
State forecast for Iowa
Wind advisory for much of the state from mid day into this
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly sunny and breezy. A slight chance of afternoon
State forecast for N.D.
Flood watch for part of central north dakota until early
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s to lower 70s.
Flower weather
Weather drawing by Angela Lacy of Ms. Hemstad's third-grade class at Baxter school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy in the morning with a chance of showers far north...Then clearing. Cooler. Highs from the mid 60s north...To the lower 70s southeast. Tonight...Partly cloudy northwest...Mostly clear elsewhere. Lows from the mid 40s north...To the lower 50s south.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Sunny. Highs in the 70s.