Saturday, June 20, 2009
Biz Buzz
The Department of Veterans Affairs hosted the dedication for the Brainerd Community Based Outpatient Clinic Monday with ceremony, flags, song and speeches. Veterans were on hand for the event, including Henry Peck, Bataan survivor.
Business notes
Chuck Brasel recently joined Aflac as an independent sales agent in the Brainerd lakes area.
Nurse at veterans clinic honored
Penny Long, registered nurse, nurse manager at the Brainerd Community Based Outpatient Clinic was recently honored as the outstanding RN in a non-traditional nursing role.
Marine business hopes to calm waters
NISSWA - Boats are in the showroom and Nisswa Marine is open for business as usual.
Morrison County Board of Commissioners
Meets 9 a.m. Tuesday
Theft charges pending against Little Falls woman
LITTLE FALLS - Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel recently announced that charges are pending against a 30-year-old Little Falls woman in connection with the theft of money from the Country Nursery and Garden Center in Little Falls Township.
POLICE BLOTTER
PROPERTY DAMAGE - Hal Leland on Wednesday reported vandalism to the slalom course on White Sand Lake. The course had been cut in two places.
Police blotter
INVESTIGATIONS - An intoxicated male was cited about 12:16 a.m. Friday on the 600 block of Front Street for indecent exposure and violation of parole for Mille Lacs County.
BIRTHS
Gerald and Stacy Hayes, Pierz, a girl, Mariah Lee, 7 pounds, 13 ounces, June 9, 2009. Grandparents are William and Nancy Rudolph, Pierz, and Jerry and Cindy Hayes, Pierz. Great-grandmother is Louise Maleski, Pierz.
Pequot Lakes School Board
Meets 5 p.m. Tuesday
City of Brainerd meetings
Meets 4:30 p.m. Monday
Crow Wing County Board
Meets 9 a.m. Tuesday
SENIOR CALENDAR
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER
LOCAL BRIEFS
Nor-Son Inc. recently received the Safety Training and Evaluation Process Platinum Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors. Donny Hines, Nor-Son safety director, accepted the award at the quarterly ABC safety committee meeting.
MAKING WATER SENSE
Over the course of a lifetime, you will flush the toilet nearly 140,000 times.
Much obliged
Thank you to the volunteers from First Lutheran Church.
What's Doing
The Brainerd American Legion will have a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon June 28. Cost: $6.
Big fine could lead to big trouble in downloading case
MINNEAPOLIS - The $1.92 million verdict against a Minnesota woman accused of sharing 24 songs over the Internet could ratchet up the pressure on other defendants to settle with the recording industry - if the big fine can withstand an appeal.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The Brainerd Family YMCA invites area older adults to Mills Ford for a free outdoor class "under the big top" showcasing the Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program. This free class will be conducted from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Local briefs
The reconstruction of a major runway at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport has finished ahead of schedule and under budget, Airport Commission Brad Davis said late last week.
Overheard
There are Wall Street executives who defraud thousands of people and either don't get fined at all or at the amount she was fined.
This was Brainerd
80 years ago (1929): W. R. Hiller, manager of the local theater has brought back plans for a new, modern facility to be built on the site of the Park Theatre. It will be equipped to handle the rapidly advancing progress in sound.
Billy Bye's death ruled accidental drowning
An autopsy has determined that former Gophers football great Billy Bye died as a result of freshwater drowning Saturday on Bay Lake, the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department reported Thursday.
Initiative Foundation announces community investments
The Initiative Foundation announced that it has awarded 10 community grants totaling $31,000.
Carrying the torch for Special Olympics
Brainerd area law enforcement officers ran Thursday in the annual Torch Run in support of the Special Olympics. For more photos, check out the Spotted gallery at www.brainerddispatch.com. Brainerd Dispatch/Sara Gardner
Correction
A Page 1A story in Tuesday's Dispatch attributing comments to Brainerd City Council member Kelly Bevans concerning the need to convince the council for a city contribution to the Brainerd Area Civic Center if managed by an outside agency should have included that Bevans said the council had for years been told that arenas were to be operated without taxpayer subsidy, a sentiment he didn't necessarily agree with.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1989) - 80 years ago (1929) - A check-up with local lumber companies reveals that over $100,000 has been spent so far this summer on the construction of lake homes. Many are being built on concrete foundations with all modern conveniences at up to $5,000 each. Many are on Gull Lake.
Overheard
"We need to step out of our own heads and tune in. We need to turn off the television and start talking with our kids, and listenting to them, and understanding what's going on in their lives."
Attention bargain shoppers
BAXTER - In a tough economy, bargains tend to matter even more.
Jury: Brainerd woman must face $1.92 million worth of music
MINNEAPOLIS - A replay of the nation's only file-sharing case to go to trial has ended with the same result, finding a Brainerd woman to have violated music copyrights and ordering her to pay hefty damages to the recording industry.
District proposes partnering with YMCA on lot
The Brainerd School Board Facilities Committee Thursday recommended board approval to pursue a partnership with the Brainerd Family YMCA to create a joint parking lot near the Washington Educational Services Building.
Life without Kelly
BAXTER - It's been more than six months since his wife, Kelly, died, but there are days when Shawn Long of Baxter doesn't feel it's hit him yet.
Annual fiesta has camp buzzing
Camp Confidence was abuzz with activity Friday night, hosting the annual Mariucci Fiesta in partnership with the Brainerd Area Sertoma Club.
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.
Milo J. Ustipak
WHITE BEAR LAKE - Milo James Ustipak passed away on June 18, 2009, surrounded by family throughout his final days after a courageous 10-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Agnes M. (LeDoux) Alholm
Agnes Mae (LeDoux) Alholm, age 85, resident of Brainerd, died Thursday, June 18, 2009, at Good Samaritan Village-Woodland in Brainerd.
Donald W. Barthel
LITTLE FALLS - Donald W. Barthel, 49-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., died Thursday, June 18, 2009, at his home in Little Falls, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2009, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls with Father Mark Innocenti officiating. Burial will follow at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.
John 'Jack' K. Bostrom
DEL RIO, Texas - John K. "Jack" Bostrom, 75, of Del Rio, Texas, died at home Jan. 22, 2009, after a long battle with cancer.
Robert L. Swanstrom
NISSWA - Robert L. Swanstrom, 81, of Nisswa, died at his home Wednesday, June 17, 2009. Services for Robert will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter.
Blanche (Chambers) Sticha
Blanche A. (Chambers) Sticha passed away on June 17, 2009, at the home of her daughter, Janice Hyatt, of Baxter, Minn., at age 94. She was born March 8, 1915, in Underwood, Minn., to Walter and Minnie Chambers.
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.
Agnes M. (LeDoux) Alholm
Agnes Mae (LeDoux) Alholm, age 85, resident of Brainerd, died Thursday, June 18, 2009, at Good Samaritan Village-Woodland in Brainerd.
Walter Larson
Walter Larson, 88, of Brainerd, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2009, at St. Joseph's Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.
Richard Hennes
HILLMAN - Richard Hennes, 78-year-old resident of Hillman, Minn., passed away on June 17, 2009, at the Mille Lacs Hospital in Onamia, Minn. A visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. with a service at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 22, 2009, at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Onamia, Minn.
Guest column: Man up at boot camp for dads
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to observe a new program in our community, Boot Camp for New Dads. This monthly event is an international program sponsored locally by the Brainerd Lakes Area Early Childhood Coalition and St. Joseph's Medical Center. The purpose of Boot Camp for New Dads is to help expectant dads prepare for the arrival of their new baby. Not only was Boot Camp educational, it was fun, and very manly!
Vox Pop
A heartfelt thank you to Cragun's security. You brought much relief when we heard you found the wandering 5-year-old who was in search of the "treat cart." Forever grateful.
Open Forum: Compassionate conservatives?
As the heartlessness of the congressional Republicans becomes more and more evident, one has to wonder if anything is compassionate in that party if it isn't politically advantageous for them. As the broken health care system, which leaves tens of millions of people with no insurance, raises the cost for insurance every year, increases the out of pocket expenses continuously and contributes huge amounts of money to the Republican politicians coffers, is worked on in Congress, I don't see any Republicans in the Congress willing to do anything to jeopardize their position in the pockets of the health care and pharmaceutical companies.
The GOP's Sarah problem
WASHINGTON - Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska and GOP It girl, can warm up the Republican base like a hot toddy in a duck blind. But further inside the party organization, the air is a little nippy.
Open Forum
Crow Wing County has requested help from local municipalities in planning for a new ATV trail. Before decision makers commit, they may want to consider the following.
Our opinion: Environment
Camp Ripley made a lot of noise this summer - and we don't just mean the artillery that rattled area windows.
In the loop
EAST GULL LAKE - The stop sign appears quickly as you make the sharp turn.
Outdoors notes
Deep Portage Learning Center near Hackensack has scheduled numerous weekday naturalist programs throughout the summer.
Walleye chop? Whatever makes walleye chomp
What is it about the walleye chop?
Mogensen 80th birthday
Come and help Deloris Mogensen celebrate her 80th birthday, from 1-4 p.m. June 27 at the Brainerd. The event will be hosted by her family.
Adams 60th anniversary
Earl (Scotty) and Loretta Adams were married 60 years ago on June 25, 1949, in Cincinnati. There will be a celebration at their home on July 11, hosted by their children.
Hines 80th birthday
Join us in honoring Agnes (Aggie) Hines on her 80th birthday, from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at her home, 14919 Woodrow Road, Brainerd. All relatives and friends are invited. The event will be hosted by her husband and children.
Stanek-Balk engagement
Amy Stanek and Jaret C. Balk announce their engagement. Parents are Dennis and Elaine Stanek, Motley, and Chuck and Kathy Balk, Brainerd. An Oct. 17 wedding is being planned.
Erickson-Hutchison engagement
Cary Erickson and Wesley Hutchison Jr. announce their engagement. Parents are Lary and Patty Erickson, Cambridge, and Ken and Carla LaPorte, Pillager, and Wesley Sr. and Shannon Hutchison, Lytle Creek, Calif. An Aug. 1 wedding is being planned.
Leverington 90th birthday
Glen Leverington will celebrate his 90th birthday with an open house from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at First Lutheran Church in Pine River. Everyone is welcome. Glen was born June 26, 1919. No gifts please.
Faacks 20th anniversary
Lonnie and Colleen (Houlihan) Faacks celebrated their 20th anniversary with their three children. They were married on June 17, 1989, in Savage, Minn.
Brainerd lakes area churches
Brainerd
CHURCH NEWS
HACKENSACK - Marty Mann, parish nurse at Union Church, has been practicing therapeutic touch since becoming certified in the four levels of therapeutic touch in 1996. She will be the featured speaker during a special forum at Union Church in Hackensack at 10:30 a.m. June 28. A mini-brunch will begin at 10 a.m. There are no fees for the event, but donations to cover the cost of the brunch are welcome.
Aitkin sweeps Pierz
AITKIN - Dan Landrus went a combined 5-for-7 with two home runs and six RBIs and pitched the Aitkin Legion to a 8-3 Game One win over Pierz Thursday.
Scoreboard
Area events
Jensen, Crapsner pick up victories
Joey Jensen won the A-Modified feature event Wednesday at North Central Speedway followed by Rick Jacobson in second and Dustin Nelson third.
Beetles snap Lunkers' 4-game win streak
The Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers have gotten off to a nice start this season.
Bendzick, Nisswa strong arm Brainerd
Dan Bendzick has been hitting up a storm early in the American Legion baseball season.
A dream, a pillow and a cup
Chuck Grillo didn't jump from his seat, he didn't high five those sitting around him, he didn't yell. As Grillo watched the arena's clock strike zero - and signify the fulfillment of his life's dream - his mind wandered.
Brainerd sweeps Sartell
The Brainerd VFW team defeated Sartell 11-7 and 5-4 Thursday.
LOCAL SPORTS SHORTS
As part of its fundraising efforts the Brainerd Warriors football team will be selling 40-pound bags of Diamond Crystal Water Softener Salt until June 25.
Valesente's blast squashes Beetles
ALEXANDRIA - With dark clouds rolling over Knute Nelson Park, David Valesente corked a Chase Porch offering over the center field wall for a solo home run that broke a 2-2 tie and lifted the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers to a 5-2 victory over the Alexandria Beetles Thursday.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Spots remain in Booster tourney
A few spots are still available for the Brainerd Sports Boosters golf tournament noon Friday at Breezy Point Resort's Whitebirch Golf Course.
Brainerd ready for league playoffs
The last time the Brainerd Lumberjacks faced the Northern Terror of New Brighton it was a regular-season game.
State forecast for Minnesota
Saturday...Sunny. Highs in the 80s.
State forecast for Iowa
Severe thunderstorm watch for much of central and southern iowa
State forecast for N.D.
Saturday...Breezy west with increasing clouds. A chance of afternoon
State forecast for Minnesota
Dense fog advisory far southeast until 9 am...
State forecast for S.D.
Saturday...Mostly sunny east. Partly sunny west and becoming windy. A chance of thunderstorms far west in the afternoon. Highs 80 to 90.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Clear to partly cloudy west to mostly cloudy east. A chance
State forecast for Iowa
Saturday...Mostly sunny. Highs 83 to 88.
Storm stories
Weather drawing by Brittny Eisel in the Harrison third grade of Mrs. Meyer.
State forecast for Wisconsin
Saturday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the 80s.
State forecast for Wisconsin
Today...Warm and humid. Thunderstorms likely west and south. Scattered thunderstorms northeast. Chance of thunderstorms northwest. Some storms may be severe south. Highs mainly in the 80s. Cooler at times near the great lakes.
At last
Weather drawing by Jenna Meyer in the Lowell second grade of Mrs. Larson.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly sunny west. Decreasing clouds east with a chance of thunderstorms far east. Highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s.