Saturday, June 12, 2004
Dream comes true Pequot building transformed into new enterprise
PEQUOT LAKES -- When Deb and Mike Bjerken walked into the former World of Christmas building they knew it was the right place.
Caution: Workers busy
Work is ongoing for attorney Tom Fitzpatrick's new law offices on Front Street next to CAM's downtown Brainerd office. Fitzpatrick, Brainerd city attorney, is losing his office on Laurel Street in the plan will be torn down for the new Crow Wing County government complex. Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson
College's expo provides help
Paul Peterson, from the Isle and Malmo area, attended workshops and sought information from exhibitors at the Minnesota Small Business Resource Fair at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.
Development effort goes regional
A public-private collaborative is promoting a new regional approach to economic development in greater Minnesota.
Business notes
Jason Henke returns to the Brainerd Dispatch as a copy editor. He worked for the Dispatch as a sports writer before attending Bemidji State University and working two years after graduation as an English teacher.
Firms find home in Pequot shop
PEQUOT LAKES -- Two other business opened this month leasing space from Madam Gulleechy's antiques and collectibles.
Cold Stone Creamery set; Just for Kix expanding
Construction is expected to start soon on Cold Stone Creamery, which is one of three new businesses locating in the Grizzly's Center along Highway 371 in Baxter.
Agendas
Meets 6 p.m. Tuesday
Agendas
Meets 1 p.m. Thursday
Births
Douglas and Tracy (VanValkenburg) Reddick, Pine River, a girl, Viola Elizabeth, 9 pounds, 3 ounces, May 24, 2004. Grandparents are Jack and Brenda Reddick, Bagley, Linda and Bob Skillings, Coon Rapids, and Ed and Bonny VanValkenburg, Minneapolis.
Fire
The Brainerd Fire Department was called to the Brainerd Regional Human Services Center Building No. 9, the jail annex, at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.
What about parking lights?
The exception is that local authorities can pass ordinances(local laws) to allow you not to have to use the parking lights if your vehicle is parked in an area that is lighted so it can be seen clearly within a distance of 500 feet upon the highway. Unless such ordinance exists in a particular city or municipality, etc., you are technically in violation of the law if you do not have your parking lights on during the required times as stated above.
How to make your garden rosy
Roses have a reputation of being picky and tough to maintain.
Living Legacy Gardens offers workshop on ornamental grasses
Jason Trites, owner of Sandridge Gardens in Henning, will discuss how to incorporate growing zone ornamental grasses into a home landscape.
Keep kids from 'falling into the river'
One day a man was walking along the riverbank when he heard someone in the water yelling for help. He jumped in and pulled the person to shore safely. But then another person fell in and needed rescuing, and then another and then another. The man soon became exhausted and called out to a passerby for help. The passerby started to run upstream and the man called out again to help. The passerby shouted back that the best way to help is to find out why all these people were falling in the river and prevent that.
Owatonna man drowns in Leech Lake
A 74-year-old Owatonna man died Friday after a fishing boat he was in capsized on Leech Lake in Walker, said the Cass County Sheriff's Department.
Myears back in Brainerd
William Myears was transported back to Brainerd Thursday and it is expected he will be arraigned Friday on two counts of second-degree murder for the death of Erika Dalquist.
Weis ends his House candidacy
William Weis, the DFL-endorsed candidate for the District 4B House seat held by Rep. Larry Howes, has ended his candidacy for the Legislature.
Megan learns a new word
"Parergon" is a word Megan Yontz, 14, Remer, has never heard of before and could not pronounce until recently.
Local briefs
LITTLE FALLS -- City officials will discuss issues created by Minnesota's increasing number of meth labs during a series of meetings slated throughout the state. Those issues include emergency response, safety, cleanup and community partnership.
Life-saving sibling
Isabelle Kretzman may only be 2, but the rural Brainerd girl has saved the lives of her two older siblings.
Overheard
"Isabelle was a true gift from God, sent to save Blake's and Brooke's lives."
Overheard
"He is home now. He is free."
Fitness foundation fires president, says millions were misappropriated
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Cameron J. Lewis, a charity official accused of cheating public schools across the country on sales of fitness gear and who was the focus of a Minnesota investigation, has been fired from his job, The Associated Press has learned.
Brainerd police probe fraud ring
Police, investigating a credit card scam connected with a Brainerd residence, uncovered about $20,000 worth of merchandise Thursday that had been bought with phony and stolen credit cards.
Howes, Blaine get GOP nod for Legislature
Two Republican legislative incumbents, Rep. Larry Howes and Rep. Greg Blaine, were recently endorsed by their GOP colleagues.
This was Brainerd
80 years ago (1924) - Grand View Lodge, located on Gull Lake, will have its formal opening this season on Saturday evening, June 21, when the lodge will be host at a big dance and a dinner will be served. The dancing floor is 6,000 square feet.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1984) - Darlyne Larson and Sharon Simons decided to make their own Cabbage Patch dolls when they couldn't find any to buy for Christmas gifts. The Crosby women successfully made the dolls and had so much fun doing so, they went a step further and started a class in making the dolls.
Myears appears in court here
Murder suspect William Myears entered a quiet courtroom Friday afternoon in Brainerd as the loudest sound may have been the clinking of the manacles he wore over his orange jump suit.
Send us your July 4 events
The Dispatch is compiling a calendar of Fourth of July events to be printed in the June 28 edition. If you have a festival, parade, band or other holiday related event you'd like listed, please e-mail John Hansen at john.hansen@brainerddispatch.com or fax (218) 829-7735.
Whipple Beach plan to be aired
BAXTER -- Residents will get their say on the proposed Whipple Lake Beach improvement project.
Open house set for Highway 371 project
The open house will be hosted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. There will be no formal presentation and people can attend at anytime during the three-hour meeting.
Sykes says he's running as part of 'group effort'
Opening up access to Brainerd city government will be the top priority of Jim Sykes of northeast Brainerd if he's elected to city council this fall. He formally announced his candidacy for the Ward 3 seat held by Gary Scheeler on Friday.
Robert Brand
Robert was born Dec. 16, 1926 to Fred and Ida Brand in Crow Wing County, Minn. After graduating high school, Robert worked at ship yards in Washington. He enlisted in the Navy, and after his honorable discharge he worked for Honeywell in Minneapolis for 37 years. In 1984 he retired and moved to Round Lake, near Nisswa and then to Baxter in 2004. He was united in marriage to Laverne Martineau June 19, 1948. Laverne passed away June 12, 1998. On May 20, 1999, Robert married Dorothy Jones-Lunzer at Zion Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Robert was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and the Brainerd VFW Post 1647. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, yard work and dancing.
Clarence Howard Wilson
MINNEAPOLIS -- Clarence Howard Wilson, age 82, of Minneapolis, died June 9, 2004. Survived by wife of 49 years, Delpha; children, Sylvia, Bruce, Mary, Theresa (Maine) Dunbar, Lillian and Billy; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Lewis and Curtis (Norma); and a sister, Clara. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday with visitation at 10 a.m. at First Memorial Funeral Chapel, 4343 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 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.
Frieda Tank
Frieda Tank, 87, Baxter, died Thursday, June 10, 2004, at her home. Arrangements are with the Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home, Brainerd.
Frieda Tank
Frieda Tank, age 87, of Baxter, died Thursday, June 10, 2004, at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at Zion Lutheran Church in Brainerd, with Pastors Paul Biegner, and Mark Kleckner officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Brainerd. Friends may call on Monday, June 14, 2004, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home in Brainerd and at the church one hour prior to services. Arrangements are with the Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home.
Mathilda D. Miller
LITTLE FALLS -- Mathilda D. Miller, age 98, a resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Thursday, June 10, 2004, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.
Cleon R. Christopherson
IRONTON -- Cleon R. "Chris" Christopherson, age 72, or Ironton, died on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. He was born on July 1, 1931, in Browns Valley, Minn., to Harry and Hilda (Roske) Christopherson.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph.
Minnesota News Council can help readers with complaints
The Minnesota News Council is an independent organization that examines citizens complaints alleging inaccuracy, unfairness or unethical conduct by the media.
OUR OPINION: HIRING A CHIEF
The reason for the delay, a chance to review its options before spending a considerable amount of money, is a sound one. The hiring process, while very important, might not require the services of a professional firm to be effective. It's understandable the Brainerd Police and Fire Civil Service Commission members would request the services of such a firm. They realize how important the selection of a good chief is and they want to do a good job.
Open Forum
Many years ago I was sitting in a one-room country school. Up on the wall was a picture written in blue letters with red capital letters; very pretty. It was the Ten Commandments.
Vox Pop
I can appreciate the need to stop drivers for not wearing their seat belts, a $90 ticket is a wake-up call and saves many lives. But here's a thought. How about a $90 ticket for people and passengers on motorcycles who aren't wearing a helmet? How many lives could we save that way? Fair is fair. Wear a helmet or pay up.
What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail
OUR OPINION: IRAQ
There's been precious little good news coming out of Iraq in recent months. While U.S. efforts to rebuild the infrastructure of the war-torn nation have been ongoing, the good work achieved there has unfortunately paled in comparison to the news of prisoner abuse, car-bombings and assassinations.
Despite choices, two lures are all you will need to catch bass
Walleye may be king here in Minnesota, but across the nation no other fish gets more attention than the largemouth bass. So, naturally, the number of lures that have been invented to catch bass probably equal all the lures for every other fish combined.
If we put it up, will they come?
To the above question, Kelly Applegate replied with an enthusiastic "Yes!" With his help we recently installed a new purple martin house.
Look to the future of fishing
Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame member Randy Amenrud is like the Pied Piper. He's spent much of his life at the head of a parade leading kids to the water's edge and teaching them how to fish. He credits the idea to fellow Freshwater Fishing Hall of Famer Ron Lindner of Lindner Media.
Special regulations might help
Should more of our area lakes have slot limits or other special regulations?
Apple Valley pro wins Cass Lake event
With a final-day catch of 17 pounds on June 4, Dave Anderson, Apple Valley, claimed the $64,000 first-place prize at the PWT's Cass Lake tournament.
NORTH COUNTRY CALENDAR
June 11-13 -- Take A Kid Fishing weekend
DNR names new managers
Four managers who previously had top positions in the DNR have been named to the new Division of Fish and Wildlife management team.
Outdoors notes
Want to teach a youngster how to handle a firearm? Or how about introducing a youth to the shooting sports?
A trout stream in the balance
Just 40 minutes from the asphalt heart of the Twin Cities, big brown trout dart and loiter in the cold quick waters of suburban Dakota County's Vermilion River.
50th Anniversary
Robert and Margery Marsh will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 1 - 4 p.m. June 19 at the VFW Post 1647, 309 South 6th Street. The event will be hosted by their family. No gifts please. They were married June 20, 1954, in Graettinger, Iowa.
Stull-Evans
Melody Stull and Greg Evans announce their engagement. Parents are Paul Stull, Chambersburg, Pa., and the late Barbara Stull and Sonya Evans, Shoreview, and the late Terry Evans. An Aug. 21 wedding is planned at the Remnant Ministry Center in Brainerd.
Baker-Roth
Brianna Baker and Adam Roth were married October 18, 2003, on North Captiva Island off the coast of Florida.
40th Anniversary
Jim and Mary Carper of Merrifield will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. They were married June 14, 1964, in Worthington.
100th Birthday
Helen Parker celebrated her 100th birthday on May 16 with friends and family at Woodland Nursing Home. She was born May 14, 1904.
Fredman-Boswell
Alyssa Fredman and Paul Boswell were married on Dec. 27, 2003, at the Lincoln Evangelical Free Church in Lincoln with the Rev. Robert Osell officiating.
Burgstaler-Collin
Cindy Burgstaler and Gordon Collin Jr. were married on March 27, 2004, at the First Lutheran Church in Aitkin with Pastor Kent Otey of Living Word Christian Center, Brooklyn Park.
50th Anniversary
Raymond and Josephine Czech of Brainerd recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends. There were married June 8, 1954 at Holy Trinity Church in Royalton.
Five Generations
Five generations recently gathered were Breanna Seevers, daughter; Reid Seevers, father; Steve Seevers, grandfather; Barb Seevers, great-grandmother; and Alice Holiday, great-great grandmother.
Church news
"Free Spirit," an eight-piece Worship and Praise group from Duluth will lead the 8:15 and 10 a.m. worship services at First Lutheran Church on Sunday.
Piper Jaffray leads
Piper Jaffray knocked off Deerwood Bank 28.5-15.5 to claim the top spot in the men's golf league at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's Thursday.
Keeping pace with the best
BLAINE -- For much of the track and field season, Justin Grunewald hadn't been challenged.
Brainerd Parks and Recreation
Men's MS1 Softball
Go, team, go
Jake Ellingson (left) let out a yell as he and Dalton Ryberg watched the Brainerd Warriors come to bat in their game against Sartell Thursday at Don Adamson Field in Brainerd. The Warriors lost 8-3. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Upcoming sporting events in the Brainerd Lakes area:
FRIDAY
Slow start dooms Warriors
Two slow starts put an exclamation point on the Brainerd Warriors baseball season.
Cathedral returns to state tournament
ST. CLOUD -- Defending state baseball champion St. Cloud Cathedral nipped the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines 2-1 in the Section 6, Class 2A championship game Thursday at Putz Field.
Aitkin edged in 7th
McGREGOR -- McGregor's Anthony Pierce singled in Tony Novothy in the bottom of the seventh inning to place a 4-3 loss on the Aitkin American Legion baseball team Thursday.
Patriots capture second state title
ONAMIA -- They practiced in rain. They practiced in hail. They practiced a lot and their reward is the Class 1A state girls' golf championship.
Raiders golfers back in pack
CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. -- Central Lakes College golfer Kyle Peterson dropped 22 places and teammate Jeff Grote moved up one spot in the third round of the NJCAA Division III men's golf tournament at Chautauqua Golf Club Thursday.
Grand Casino extends BIR sponsorship through year
Brainerd International Raceway officials announced Wednesday that Grand Casino Mille Lacs has agreed to extend its sponsorship through the 2004 racing season.
Underdogs end Warriors season
Even though many didn't believe Brainerd was capable of reaching the Section 8, Class 3A championship series this season, the Warriors were disappointed to get there and not win it.
Bemidji stings Bees, 1-0
BEMIDJI -- Brainerd Bees starting pitcher Aaron Jenkins suffered his first loss in a disappointing fashion.
Cards improve to end in fifth
ONAMIA -- The Staples-Motley Cardinals boys' golf team improved, but not as much as it would have liked.
Wisconsin racer wins in photo finish
BAXTER -- A change in the configuration of the course for the brainerddispatch.com Online Inline Half Marathon wasn't the only switch in Saturday's third annual event.
Warrior hops to 14th place at state golf tournament
Jared Hoppe shot the exact score he wanted Wednesday.
Upcoming sporting events in the Brainerd Lakes area:
Saturday
Tennis
State tournament
S-M bumped to consolation bracket
MANKATO -- It took 11 innings, but the Annandale Cardinals snuck past the Staples-Motley Cardinals 5-3 in the first-round of the Class 2A state softball tournament Friday.
Sports shorts
Brainerd Community Night is scheduled 7 p.m. July 28 when the Minnesota Lynx play the San Antonio Starzz in a WBA game at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Smith leads S-M relay team to finals
BLAINE -- There wasn't a harder working athlete than Staples-Motley's Josh Smith at Friday's Class 1A state track and field meet at the National Sports Center.
A force to reckon with
Nate Weber's tentative post-high school plan is to become certified in the field of non-destructive testing.
Technology takes late-in-life love to new level
Jack Luizzi guesses he's dated 50 women since his wife died five years ago -- and the retired Sears Roebuck manager considers that a slack pace.
Digital cameras aren't 'snap-and-go' easy on vacation
Looking forward to a nice summer vacation?
Send us your Favorite Vacation Photo
Do you have a favorite vacation photo?
Favorite Vacation Photo
Dan Hegstad, Brainerd, submitted this shot as a Favorite Vacation Photo. He described the Tetons as spectacular, and Jenny Lake, at the base of the mountain, as awesome. He said Jenny Lake has been called one of the 10 most beautiful places in America and the picture shows why. He said it's hard to drive through Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming because the mountains are prominent and ever-changing, making it difficult to remember to look at the road.
Wisconsin's Apostle Islands offer kayaking adventures
If my husband, Brad, and I had the time, we would have packed up our two kids and headed toward Ireland or Malaga, Spain, but, as is usually the case with busy families, finding even a long weekend to travel was nearly impossible.
Color in the garden
Weather drawing by Rachel Lindholm in the Lowell fifth grade of Mrs. Gardner.
Spring is cool
Weather drawing by Kelsey Boyd of Mrs. Ruen's second grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Showers and thunderstorms likely central and south this
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy. Thunderstorms northwest half this
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid to upper 60s north and east...Mid 70s southwest.
State forecast for N.D.
Friday...Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some storms possibly
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy northwest. Partly cloudy elsewhere. A chance of thunderstorms northwest. A chance of afternoon thunderstorms far east. Highs in the mid 60s west to the mid 80s southeast.
SUPPORT
Victims of clergy abuse
What's doing
8 1/2 Table Mitchell Movement. North-South: L. Brown and Bill Black 118.5; Ray and Gladys Norrgard 109; Don Chilgren and Don Rassmussen 105.5, Ann Richardson and Clif Johnson 96. East-West: Chris Leininger and Marion Benest 98.5; Dale and Helen Dickie 96; Mona Gorham and Wayne Gutzman 93.5; Warren and Betty Nelson 89.5.
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Adult Children-Chem.Dep.
Local briefs
The Brainerd Rental Property Owners and Managers will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Brainerd Police Department.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees