Friday, June 26, 2009
Minivan struggles to top its Chrysler cousins
CORNWALL, N.Y. - It is the only Chrysler minivan in North America with a Volkswagen badge - the 2009 Volkswagen Routan.
Just another station wagon
Automobile manufacturers and card-carrying members of the Nuts and Bolts Club are sticklers for accuracy. They insist on comparing cars and trucks using identical platforms, such as those with rear-wheel drive with other real-wheel-drive models of in-kind layout and dimension. Theirs is an apples-to-apples reality.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Bill Matthies, owner of a local diving business, is the fifth author in the Brown Bag Lunch Summer Speakers' Series from noon to 1 p.m. Monday at the Brainerd Public Library.
Up with 'perfect plan'
BAXTER - Anna Struss' "perfect plan for her future" was crushed when she graduated from Brainerd High School in 2000.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Live music
Upward Bound
Central Lakes College graduate Susan Roering recently participated in a dance workshop that was part of the college's Upward Bound Community Service Day - a day to relocate theater department props and costumes to campus storage from off-campus facilities. Fifty students learned the "Willy Wonka" Oompa-Loompa moves from choreographer Joe Wall. Roering is a mentor for Upward Bound, which provides educational services to low-income and first-generation high school students to equip them in graduating from high school, enrolling in a college or university and completing their post-secondary education.
Snack mix: No mixed reviews
This week's recipe for Caramel Chex Mix is an easy, delicious, crowd-pleaser that I had never tasted before I got the recipe.
POLICE BLOTTER
THEFTS - Andrea Lamke, 700 block of Fifth Avenue Northeast, Wednesday reported the theft of two pair of sunglasses, CDs and change from her unlocked vehicle.
LOCAL BRIEFS
A motorcyclist injured in a May crash remains hospitalized.
Births
Travis and Kelsey Steffensen, Spicer, a girl, Aubrey Dru, 9 pounds, 9 ounces, June 10, 2009.
Senior calendar
Lakes Area Senior Activity Center
Police blotter
ANIMAL COMPLAINT - Received a report of a bear in a tree at 6:48 p.m. Wednesday at Olivewood Drive and Deerwood Road.
BIRTH
Steven and Stephanie Daas, Wichita, Kan., a girl, Carley Lynn, 8 pounds, 10 ounces, April 10, 2009. Grandparents are Joseph and Karen Daas, Brainerd, and Doug and Jenine Wright, Wichita, Kan.
Local housing briefs
CROSSLAKE - The National Association of Realtors recently announced that Judy Hansen, a member of the Up North Properties Marketing Team with Edina Realty in Crosslake, has earned the Certified Residential Specialists designation.
CenterPoint Energy urges qualified customers to apply for energy assistance dollars
CenterPoint Energy urges its customers who need energy assistance to apply as the deadline is nearing.
Center of attention
DEERWOOD - Handcrafted rock sculptures, a waterfall bird pond and plenty of colorful flowers will be on display July 12 in the third annual Hallett Community Center Foundation Garden Tour.
Overheard
"It's like when Kennedy was assassinated. I wll always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died."
Taking the high road
Crew members explained the rules of safety Thursday before taking off on a 45-minute ride on one of two Chinook helicopters destined for Camp Ripley.
Little Falls man sentenced for stabbing
LITTLE FALLS - Justin Scott Prozinski was sentenced Wednesday to 34 months in prison for second-degree and third-degree assault.
MnDOT plans fall fix on problem intersection
BAXTER - Motorists using the Elder Drive and Highway 210 intersection near Home Depot could be in for a change this fall.
Ty Pennington and crew want to bring their bus to state
Do you know a family whose home deserves an Extreme Makeover? If so, the producers of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" want to hear from you.
This was Brainerd
JUNE 25 - 40 years ago (1969) - The new high-rise building for senior citizens is taking final shape as workmen put the brick facing on the building. Plans call for having the project completed by December.
Carlson named head of reconnaissance office
Retired Air Force Gen. Bruce Carlson was appointed the 17th director of the National Reconnaissance Office, the Defense Department announced as reported on the Web site of Air Force Times.
Tribal police probe baby's death
The Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department is investigating the death of an infant who died on Father's Day.
Robjent takes post in Carver County
Crow Wing County Highway Engineer Lyndon Robjent announced Wednesday he was resigning from his position to take a similar job in Carver County.
Overheard
Doing nothing is not acceptable.
Fundraiser to benefit Race for the Cure
The "Hog Wild for a Cure" raffle - with a grand prize of a 2009 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail motorcycle - is raising funds for the Brainerd Lakes Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Confidence Learning Center.
Athletic rivals bond as cardiac arrest victims
They were rivals on the basketball court - Michael Ward, No. 54 for the Pequot Lakes Patriots, and Kyle Bednar, No. 13 for the Pierz Pioneers.
Chase covers 26 miles, ends in Little Falls
A 23-year-old Clarissa man is in custody after leading law enforcement officers on a 26-mile chase late Wednesday through Todd and Morrison counties.
This was Brainerd
100 years ago (1909): Four trains, comprising the Barnum and Bailey Circus, passed through Brainerd yesterday evening en route from Little Falls to Duluth. There were many people along the tracks watching to see them go through.
Sheriff's office details earlier incident involving baby
More details have emerged in the death investigation of Tila Friend-Ballinger, a 9-month-old girl who was pronounced dead Sunday at the Onamia hospital.
Job loss, health care topics of LF meeting
LITTLE FALLS - Have you recently lost your job and your health insurance?
Educators educated about base
CAMP RIPLEY - The thumping sound from the rotor blades of two Chinook helicopters over Brainerd Thursday brought Camp Ripley's military presence a little closer to home for residents.
Theresa Kaste
STAPLES - Theresa Kaste, age 50, of Staples, passed away at the Lakewood Health System Hospital on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. A funeral service is planned for Saturday, June 27, at 11 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church in Staples.
William D. Widman Jr.
STURGEON LAKE - William Daniel Widman Jr., 65, of Sturgeon Lake, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in Mercy Hospital, Moose Lake.
Harietta M. Kile
CROSBY - Harrietta Maude Kile, age 51, of Crosby, died on June 23, 2009, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. She was born on June 28, 1957, in Crosby to William and Melba (Moritz) Chatfield.
H. Irene Rasmussen
AITKIN - H. Irene Rasmussen, age 91, of Aitkin, formerly of the Twin Cities, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at the Aitkin Health Services in Aitkin.
Galen Struthers
BAXTER - Galen Struthers, age 69, of Baxter, passed away at his home on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
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.
Richard A. Klingen
NISSWA - Richard Allen Klingen, 76, of Nisswa, did Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at his home. Services for Richard will be 3 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at the Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minn. Friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.
Marcia Macomber
FORT WORTH, Texas - Marcia Macomber, 73, of Fort Worth, Texas, died at her summer home in Baxter, Minn., Wednesday, June 24, 2009.
Loyd E. Holtslander
LITTLE FALS - Loyd E. Holtslander, 56-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Monday, June 22, 2009, near Little Falls as a result of a motorcycle accident. Funeral services for Loyd Holtslander will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Visitation will be Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the Shelley Funeral Chapel.
Walter R. Larson
Wallie Larson, age 88, of Edgewood Vista in Brainerd, passed away early Saturday morning, June 20, 2009, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter. Friends are invited to gather beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Marcia Macomber
BAXTER - Marcia Macomber, 78, of Baxter, died at her home Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Services are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.
William D. Hanson
IRONTON - William Donald Hanson, age 75, of Ironton, died on June 24, 2009, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Fred C. Kellerman
AITKIN - Fred C. Kellerman, age 95, of Aitkin, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.
Ruth M. (Teare) Loftus
McGREGOR - Ruth Margarette (Teare) Loftus, age 84, of McGregor, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at the Northland Assisted Living Center in McGregor.
Margaret B. Osell
BLOOMINGTON - Margaret B. Osell, 90, Bloomington, formerly of Brainerd, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2009.
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.
Fred J. Pessek
Fred J. Pessek, 91, Brainerd, died Sunday, June 21, 2009. Fred was born in Hutchinson on Dec. 3, 1917, to Frank and Rose (Zak) Pessek. Fred married Neida L. Vorlicek on Sept. 17, 1943, at the Evangelical and Reformed Church of Peace in Glencoe by the Rev. Elmer Broetzmann.
Gloria Pritchett
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, dear friend
VOX POP
Brainerd hosted a very successful 48-team youth baseball tournament the other weekend. Nearly every team that attended the Brainerd tournament stayed in Baxter hotels, spent money in Baxter shops and ate in Baxter restaurants.
Other opinion: Brett Favre
Brett Favre has signed with the Vikings. Or almost signed. Or he's about to.
Let's get it right this time
As the politicians get together with the financial community to decide what to do about the financial sector, we should be clear both about what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again.
Open Forum
Sen. Bakk stated in the article in the paper that studies show counties and cities generally levy back two-thirds of the amount of state cuts. Well, simple math tells you that the taxpayer is still one-third ahead.
Paradise, now
"See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!" II Corinthians 6:2
Church news
MALMO - The Malmo Free Church will present The Hawkinson Friends in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Jacks need 3-point victory at Duluth
Time off will be one of the incentives for the Brainerd Lumberjacks if they can defeat the Duluth-Superior Shoremen by at least three points Saturday.
Sign of things to come?
Did a fan at Saturday's Minnesota Twins-Houston Astros game at the Metrodome have an early heads-up on the Minnesota Vikings-Brett Favre situation? According to several media outlets in recent days, Favre is set to play for the Vikings this season. But there has been no official report of the signing from the Vikings or any of the major media groups. So the question remains: Will Favre Vikings jerseys be the fad this season?
Lakes area runners compete in Grandma's
Runners from the following lakes area communities competed in Grandma's Marathon, Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and the William A. Irvin 5K June 13 in Duluth.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Brainerd wins two over Alexandria
The sophomore Brainerd VFW team swept a doubleheader from Alexandria 10-9 and 4-2 Wednesday at Adamson Field.
Thunderslam Monster Truck event this weekend at NCS
The wait is almost over, Brainerd lakes area.
Ex-Mighty Gull pitches against Twins
MILWAUKEE - Former Brainerd Mighty Gulls pitcher Mike Burns took the loss Thursday as the Minnesota Twins beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-4 at County Stadium.
Ironton sweeps doubleheader against Aitkin
IRONTON - Brett Arneson went 4-for-5, drove in two runs and scored three all while tossing a seven-inning complete game to pick up the win as the Ironton Legion team defeated Aitkin 17-6 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday.
Promising Lunker start turns into Green Bay victory
GREEN BAY, Wis. Mike Kvasnicka got the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers off to a good start with an RBI single in the first inning that scored fellow University of Minnesota Gopher Justin Gominsky.
Smolke's two homers spark Brainerd
Nate Smolke finished 2-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs to lead the Brainerd Legion team to a 9-4 victory over Bemidji to save a split in the second game of a doubleheader Thursday.
Little Falls, Tech split
ST. CLOUD - Kara Kempenich, Anna Peterson and Carmen Backowski drove in runs for Little Falls in a 4-1 second-game victory over St. Cloud Tech in St. Cloud League play Tuesday.
Mini Cooper Can-Am Challenge at BIR
This year is the 50th anniversary of the Mini Cooper and Brainerd International Raceway will be part of the festivities when it hosts the Mini Cooper Can-Am Challenge Saturday and Sunday.
O'Grady picks up shutout triumph
Riding a three-game losing streak, the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers sent Dennis O'Grady to the mound in the second game of a two-game home set against the Thunder Bay Border Cats Wednesday night.
Scoreboard
Area events
Nisswa, Staples-Motley trade twinbill triumphs
NISSWA - Zac Voels outdueled Staples-Motley's Gunner Johnson as Nisswa scored a 2-0 victory in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday.
Playing catch under the hot sun
Weather drawing by Victoria Narlock in the Lowell first grade of Mrs. Hermanson.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly cloudy. Slight chance of thunderstorms west in the
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Sunny and very warm. Slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms west. Highs from the mid to upper 80s northeast and the black hills to the mid to upper 90s western plains.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs 85 to 95.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly sunny. An isolated shower or thunderstorm south
Friday will be a scorcher
Hot weather drawing by Ashlee Carter in the Baxter third grade of Mrs. Surma.
State forecast for Wisconsin
Today...Decreasing clouds. Scattered showers and thunderstorms in the morning. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon southeast. Warm with highs from the mid 80s north...To the upper 80s south. Cooler at times near the great lakes in the afternoon.
State forecast for N.D.
Flash flood watch part of central north dakota this afternoon
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Scattered
State forecast for S.D.
Flash flood watch west through northcentral this afternoon and evening...
State forecast for N.D.
.Rest of tonight...Mostly clear central and west. Variable
State forecast for Wisconsin
Today...Mostly sunny and warm. Highs in the mid to upper 80s...Cooler near the great lakes. Tonight...Increasing clouds. A chance of thunderstorms west half after midnight. Lows from around 60 north...To the mid 60s south and west.