Thursday, June 12, 2008
Mercedes adds high-powered sedan
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG shows why shoppers can't tell just by the size of a car whether it's a high-mileage vehicle or a gas guzzler.
It's not the greens, it's the greenbacks
WASHINGTON - U.S. auto executives are crunching numbers, trying to figure out which trucks to keep and which to junk. Their counterparts in Europe and Asia are reviewing product plans, looking at the possibility that North America might now be hospitable to micro-cars that have long been popular overseas.
Completely random slice of pop culture
This is going to sound kind of random, but I sometimes wish I grew up in the 1960s. My parents, who actually did grow up in the '60s, caution me that the idealized parts of the era - the neighborliness, the sense of possibility, oldies music - were balanced out by not-so-great stuff like the Vietnam War.
Best bets
The Brown Bag Speakers Series will take a one-week break from books to focus on another type of writing. Minnesota songwriter Ann Reed (left) will perform and discuss her work at noon Monday at the Brainerd Public Library. Admission is free.
Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music
Art matters to these grads
The arts have made an impact on at least two recent high school graduates from the area.
SHORTS
Contrafair to feature 14 Minnesota bands
YOUR GUIDE TO THE SUMMERTIME BLUES ... and rock, country, reggae, folk, bluegrass and polka
Sure, summer's technically nine days away, but it's never too early to make your summer music festival plans.
Grandma's sloppy Joes 'Oh so good'
When my Grandmother passed away a number of years ago, I inherited her tried and true recipe box with notes on the recipe and how she rated each one. This week's recipe for Pleasing Sloppy Joes had a notation - "Oh so good!"
Victims in train, vehicle collision identified
BENA - The husband and wife who died in a collision Monday between a train and an automobile in northern Cass County have been identified as David J. Brost, 56, and Judy M. Brost, 56, of Brooklyn Park, the Cass County Sheriff's Department reported.
POLICE BLOTTER
VANDALISM - Glen Niles, 500 block of League Avenue, Sunday reported the window in his front door broken out.
POLICE BLOTTER
INVESTIGATIONS - Received a report Wednesday of an intoxicated man on East River Road and Laurel Street. The man was unable to make it home without assistance and was transported to detox.
BIRTH
James and Lindsay Freese, Deerwood, a boy, Carson James, 7 pounds, 7 ounces, June 6, 2008. Grandparents are Laverne and Jody Booth, Deerwood, and Steve and Marian Freese, Deerwood.
PETS OF THE WEEK
Heartland Animal Rescue Team has many male kittens to choose from, including 8-week-old Morrie (left) and Tiger. They're playful and full of energy. Brainerd Dispatch/Heidi Lake
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Rocco J. Harrison of Brainerd was excited about more than a diaper change. Though not yet able to take footsteps, he leans in the same direction as his godfather and uncle, Dmitri Morris, who shook hands with Barack Obama and attended the rally at the Xcel Energy Center on June 3 in St. Paul. Photo courtesy of his mother, Acala Morris.
Reflecting on a summer past
Sue Ready of Baby Lake near Hackensack submitted this photograph last summer. At that time, she wrote, "I captured this lake image in the early evening. As I was sitting on the dock, I noticed how the calm lake waters seemed to mirror the beautiful evening sky. The reflection of the clouds in the water is what really captured my interest. It seemed like a picture postcard to me."
Soccer champs
The Lakes Area Youth Soccer Association Lakers U-9 team won the Maple Brook tournament May 31-June 1 in Maple Grove with a 2-0-1 record: Mara Roberts (front left), Tyler Ogren, Jack Quaal, Seth Desrocher, Zeffen Thurow, Dustin Nelson (middle left), Jordan Decora, Ian Foster, Levi Jensen, Walker Grausam, Ally Smith, coach Terry Decora (back left) and coach Tom Grausam.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
923 Oak Street Temple Baptist Church (Soup Kitchen)
SUPPORT GROUPS
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement
Mail call
Ben is back.
Dairy baby
June is Dairy Month. Each year the Crow Wing County American Dairy Association begins the month by honoring the first baby born in the month with a $50 savings bond and a basket of dairy products for his or her family.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
Second-place Warriors
The Brainerd High School 4x800-meter relay team placed second Saturday in the state track and field meet. Pictured are coach Dave Herath (left), Luke Delaney, Mitch Lorenz, Thomas Ruttger, Tyler Rose and coach Carl Schirmer.
LOCAL BRIEFS
CROSSLAKE - Ray Nelson, park director at the Corps of Engineers Campground and Recreation Area, will present a program at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Crosslake Historic Log Village.
LOCAL BRIEFS
An open house will be held from 6-8 p.m. on June 18 at the Salvation Army offices, 208 S. Fifth St., for Salvation Army Captains Brian and Heidi Reed, who after five years of serving in the Brainerd area are being transferred to Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Houle is new administrator
It's official: Tim Houle is the next Crow Wing County administrator.
Mill Avenue project ahead of schedule
The Mill Avenue project may be completed by Labor Day, which is about a month-and-a-half ahead of schedule.
Chief of band is re-elected
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin was re-elected to a third four-year term Tuesday night, defeating former Chief Executive Marge Anderson 634-412. There were three blank ballots.
OBEY SIREN CALL
Hot summer afternoons, though a welcome relief from cool spring days, can come with a downside - violent weather.
PICNIC PICKING
Summer often conjures a picturesque image of Dad standing at the grill, spatula in hand. But this Father's Day, the kids could give Dad a day off from the grill, and give him a special, personal gift: a picnic.
Have plan ready
Families are advised to review plans in case of severe weather so everyone knows where to go and how to get in touch with each other after the storm has passed.
Correction
In a June 11 Page 6A Crow Wing County Board story, an item about the Thirty Lakes Watershed District could have included information that the two resignations in the district were from the advisory board.
Overheard
"There are a ton of challenges, not the least of which is financial."
This was Brainerd
JUNE 11 - 100 years ago (1908) - Lots for sale: $25 each for finest residence lots in the Chippewa Addition to the city of Brainerd. $5 down and $5 monthly.
This was Brainerd
JUNE 12 - 80 years ago (1928) - The need of additional public tennis courts in the city has become so apparent that several Parent Teachers Associations are making plans to install courts on their respective school grounds.
Nystrom says county is in hiring 'chill'
Crow Wing County is in a hiring chill.
Overheard
"I guess the people spoke, loud and clear." -Marge Anderson, after losing in her bid to again become chief of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
Five honored by Girl Scouts at program
Marissa Archie, a 2008 Brainerd High School graduate, was taught to always do her best and to stand up for what she believes in.
Area Republicans endorse Pundt, LeMieur for House
Republicans from House Districts 12A and 12B Tuesday night endorsed one state legislative candidate unanimously and the other by a margin that was just short of that mark.
More cuts, no referendum anticipated
Brainerd School District administrators told board members Tuesday that they wouldn't recommend that the district seek another levy referendum until 2011, when the existing $199-per-pupil operating levy expires.
LOCAL BRIEFS
NISSWA - A benefit is planned Saturday at the Nisswa American Legion for a Pequot Lakes boy who is suffering from a chronic health condition.
Doris M. LeBlanc
EMILY - Doris M. LeBlanc, age 79, of Emily, died on June 10, 2008, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. She was born on July 18, 1928, in Millersburg, Minn., to Charles and Evelyn (Pettersen) Clover.
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.
Marie T. Kraklau
Marie Theresa Kraklau, age 94, Brainerd area resident since 1945, died Monday, June 9, 2008, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. Marie was born on March 15, 1914, in Minneapolis to Michael and Katherine (Kirschbaum) Wally. She was a member of St. Mathias Catholic Church, Christian Mother's and C.C.W. of St. Mathias Church. She was united in marriage to Clifford Kraklau on Sept. 21, 1942, in Minneapolis.
Marie T. Kraklau
Marie Theresa Kraklau, age 94, Brainerd area resident since 1945, died Monday, June 9, 2008, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Marlys O'Brien
PINE RIVER - Marlys O'Brien, age 70, of Pine River, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Verna C. Christensen
Verna C. Christensen, 92, St. Cloud
Rosina G. Searles
DEERWOOD - Rosina Gertrude Searles, age 91, of Deerwood, died Monday, June 9, 2008, at the Cuyuna Care Center in Crosby. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, June 20, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Deerwood with the Rev. Fr. Howard Eisel officiating. Interment will be at a later date.
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.
Alice R. Weiss
HARDING - Alice R. Weiss, 78-year-old resident of Harding, Minn., passed away Saturday, June 7, 2008, at St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday (June 11) at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding, Minn., with Fr. Skarias Johnus Cherunilath officiating.
Edgar Kingsley
PRINCETON - Edgar Kingsley, 54, Princeton, Minn., died Tuesday, June 9, 2008, at his home north of Princeton, Minn.
Rosina Searles
DEERWOOD - Rosina Searles, age 91, of Deerwood, died Monday, June 9, 2008, at the Cuyuna Care Center in Crosby. Arrangements are pending with Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.
Stay in touch with U.S. senators, representatives
Sen. Norm Coleman
You can have an impact on new shoreland rules
Look around at developments on our lakes, rivers and streams. Ask yourself, "Have things changed in the past 20 years?"
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
The community needs to stop whining about the school district and find something else to crusade about. How about all the overstaffed police officers we have on every corner of this town? Why don't we complain about all the money that is spent on their fancy cars or buildings? Come on, is our town that dangerous that we need so many of them everywhere you go? Why doesn't Marv (Begin) and his small posse chew on that one for a while?
Open Forum
Our beautiful township is being annexed to Pequot Lakes. Only the Jenkins Township supervisors and a few Jenkins Township citizens wanted to annex. The benefits to Jenkins Township with annexation are zilch.
Open Forum
Memorial Day was cold and windy but it did not stop the remembrance of our veterans. Thanks so much to all who helped with the many committees before, during and after the services, for those who died at sea, at the bridge; all veterans at the All Vets Memorial; the Bataan veterans at the Armory; and the program at the cemetery. Thanks to the spectators who braved the weather at all these places and especially those who watched the parade.
GOLF SHORTS
The fourth annual MAO (Mark Anthony Ocel) Scramble is scheduled for 3 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Brainerd falters
in season opener
SARTELL - Rob Veith was 4-for-5 with two runs scored, but seven Brainerd errors led to a 12-8 loss to Sartell Tuesday in American Legion baseball.
LOCAL SPORTS SHORTS
Heavy rain forced the postponement of the Wednesday's Brainerd Blue Thunder vs. Thunder Bay Border Cats Northwoods League baseball game at Mills Field.
Crosslake rallies past Aitkin
CROSSLAKE - A wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh allowed the Crosslake American Legion baseball team to knock off Aitkin 4-3 Tuesday.
Scoreboard
Area events
Nisswa sweeps Bemidji
NISSWA - One took longer than the other, but the results were the same as the Nisswa Legion team swept Bemidji 3-2, 3-2 Monday in a baseball doubleheader.
Wawro moves to top of alphabet
PEQUOT LAKES - Jack Wawro has always had the game and the title, now he's got the classification to go with it.
After eight years, Holm still enjoys event
Entering the eighth year, Terry Holm still faces an endless list of preparations for the Baxter Inline Marathon.
Brainerd sophomores gain split
Kyle Crocker finished 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs and also pitched the Brainerd sophomore VFW baseball team to an 8-1 game one victory Tuesday.
Winners abound at Breezy Point
Martha Polsfuss, Ruth Tiedeman, Jan Benson, Barb Owens, Joi Brandt, Phyllis Struthers, Jean Engfer, Ellie Aarrestad, Sandy O'Day, Sue Adamson and Judy Thomas each recorded a bingo to win the "Bingo" event June 5 on the Traditional Course at Breezy Point Resort.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly cloudy west while mostly cloudy east. Areas of
The buzz
Weather drawing by Teya Lee Witthuhn of Ms. Hemstad's third-grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for Iowa
Flash flood watch for central iowa until 1 pm and for eastern
State forecast for N.D.
Urban and small stream flood advisory until 800 am cdt or
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms west in the morning and statewide this afternoon. Becoming windy west. Highs in the 50s northwest to the 70s southeast.
Green tree
Weather drawing by Makayla Snow of Mrs. Swanson's kindergarten class at Lincoln school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Flash flood watch for much of western wisconsin this morning...
State forecast for S.D.
Severe thunderstorm watch until 8 am cdt central and northeast...
State forecast for Iowa
Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for a portion of northwest
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. Numerous
Wisconsin state forecast
Flash flood watch today through tomorrow for much of western wisconsin...
State forecast for Minnesota
Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for portions of western and