Saturday, July 3, 2004
Decision on merger of Brainerd, Pequot/Breezy chambers expected by next month
By August, a decision on the potential merger between area chambers is expected.
Business notes
BAXTER Stefanie Gordon joined Young & Co. Salon in Baxter.
She recently relocated to the area from Florida. Gordon has four years of experience, including one year as a cosmetology instructor.
BIZ BUZZ
Lou's is back in business.
Job Skills Partnership awards $4.2 million for training
Thousands of workers from businesses throughout Minnesota will receive career-enhancing training from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program.
Down under
Technical advances make underground fiber optic installation more precise with less disruption.
Accident
MOTLEY -- A 20-year-old Motley man died Thursday as a result of a single-vehicle accident on Highway 10, 10 miles south of Motley.
Birth
Chad and Shari (Cline) Turcotte, Brainerd, a boy, Noah Michael, 7 pounds, 7 ounces, June 21, 2004. Grandparents are Derenda Jones, Baxter, Floyd Cline, Portales, N.M., Cheryl Turcotte, Brainerd, and Dean Turcotte, Detroit Lakes.
BIRTHS
Charli Renollet and Dustin Strobel, Bertha, a girl, Amelia Florence, 6 pounds, June 20, 2004. Grandparents are David and Lois Strobel, Bertha. Great-grandparent is Florence Mudek.
Crime
Law enforcement officials are still looking for the third man who might have been involved in a methamphetamine lab that was shut down by Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division Wednesday.
Agendas
Meets 9 a.m. Tuesday
Crime
Kristofer Edward Penny, 18, Loretto, was fined $100 in Crow Wing District Court for misdemeanor underage consumption.
AGENDAS
Monday Offices closed in observance of Independence Day
ACCIDENTS
BOY RIVER -- The Cass County Sheriff's Department announced a car, believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run accident that injured a Boy River girl, was identified and seized.
Fire
The Brainerd Fire Department was called at 5:49 a.m. Thursday to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd for what turned out to be a false alarm.
Take care of outdoor furniture
Some of us just don't put forth the same effort into cleaning and preserving our outdoor furniture as we do with our indoor furniture.
Anticipation
CROSSLAKE -- The locations are kept secret.
Nice and shiny
LeRoy Albertson wiped rain from his 1941 Chevy as fellow South Long Lake resident Howie Lee wiped off his 1935 Dodge during the annual Show & Shine Car Show Friday at the Body Works parking lot in Baxter. Hundreds of cars were on display. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Candidates can file for elected office beginning Tuesday
Filings for county offices, judgeships and Minnesota House of Representatives open Tuesday. Filings remain open through July 20.
Area Fourth of July events
Show & Go, featuring drag racing, live music, car show and fireworks, times TBA, Brainerd International Raceway.
Filings for school board seats also open Tuesday
Filings for area school board elections also open Tuesday.
No regular postal deliveries on Monday
The Brainerd Post Office will operate on a holiday schedule Monday in observance of Independence Day.
This was Brainerd
40 years ago (1964) - Madden's Inn and Pine Beach on Gull Lake burned to the ground early Saturday morning, but already plans are being made for a new building.
Stigma happens, and it hurts children
"A mark of shame or discredit" is a standard definition of stigma. "Brand or disgrace" is what stigmatizing does to a person -- by others who often are unaware they're even doing it. Stigma is discrimination.
Parade may feature replica of steam locomotive
What do you get when you combine the tail end of a farm tractor, the front of a 1963 Ford pickup and a Chevy engine?
Fourth of July fun
Josiah Dietrich cut loose on his guitar as he and his band, Victims of the Fall, performed Friday at the Battle of the Bands on Don Adamson Field at Brainerd High School as part of Fourth of July festivities. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Lack of recent rain brings back wildfire potential
Fire restrictions were lifted some time ago, but lack of significant rain the past two weeks has again raised the potential for fire, the DNR said.
CenterPoint Energy budget customers will see increase
CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco announced higher natural gas prices are resulting in increased payment amounts for budget plan customers.
United Way allocates $212,689
The Crow Wing County United Way Board last month approved total allocations of $212,689 to be distributed to 54 local nonprofit human services programs.
Pequot man says religious freedom rights denied
Claiming his rights to free speech and free exercise of religion were denied, Alan Blackburn, 48, of Pequot Lakes, filed suit last week against the Minnesota Department of Revenue after he was banned from parking his sign-decorated, blue Chevy Cavalier in the employee lot in Brainerd.
CHILD IN NEED
Think back to your childhood. What do you remember most?
Overheard
"I tried not to dwell on it. Of course now that they're home they say, 'Ma, I got shot at.' Of course they don't tell you that when they're over there."
Race for the Cure
Runners sprinted off the starting line Saturday morning at the fifth annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K at Don Adamson Field in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Perching for Partners
Whipped by wind gusts, Gary Walters stood at the edge of a 3-foot wide platform and looked down nearly 90 feet to the ground below.
Local briefs
A fund has been set up for the family of Dakota Zak to help pay for travel expenses to Virginia for the trial of Stephanie Zak, Dakota's stepmother who is accused of felony child neglect in connection with Dakota's death.
Arts in the Park
Cindy Williams of Brainerd tried on a necklace from the Blue Sol jewelry booth at Arts in the Park Saturday in Gregory Park in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
An all right picnic
Jerry Barthel, Brainerd, worked his way under a limbo bar at The Right Friends picnic Thursday at Camp Confidence. Benefactor of the group, Jack Mehaffey, recognized the need for a support program for developmentally disabled adults and has hosted the event since 1996. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1984) - Mark Vanek hurled his fifth win in six outings for Brainerd's American Legion nine, checking Hill City 11-3 on a four- hitter while fanning five and issuing only one pass.
Dedication with Jim
On each end of the tunnel is a plaque stating the tunnel is dedicated to the Minnesota congressman. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Brothers are parade grand marshals
Linda Parker of Brainerd is proud of her two sons, Jon Nelson and Jeremy Lanning.
Fourth of July events
July 2-4
Overheard
"I'm estimating between eight and 10 days up here. If we get 20 people in five days I'll stay up for the full 10 days anyway."
Ervin H. Joseph
SANTA YNEZ, Calif. -- Ervin H. Joseph, 82-year-old resident of Santa Ynez, Calif., formerly of the Swanville, Minn., area, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at his home. Funeral arrangements for Ervin H. Joseph are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.
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.
LeRoy Flor
CHANDLER, Ariz. -- LeRoy Flor, 69, born Nov. 4, 1934, of Chandler, Ariz., (formerly of Aitkin) went suddenly to be with the Lord, on June 29, 2004.
Darlene 'Sandee' Ostendorf
WAITE PARK -- Darlene Sandra "Sandee" Ostendorf, age 58, of Waite Park, went to be with the angels June 30, 2004, after a long battle with lung disease. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in St. Cloud.
William A. Smith
William Arnold Smith was born Aug. 16, 1928, to Fred William and Oleta Faye (Welsh) Smith in Sioux City, Iowa. The family moved to North Platte, Neb., in 1930, and lived there until 1936 when they moved to Pine River and later to Leader, Minn. Bill attended elementary school in a one-room school in the Pine River area and high school in Motley.
Greg F. Birkholtz
MONTICELLO -- Greg F. Birkholtz, 20, of Monticello, Minn., formerly of the Lincoln, Minn. area, died as a result of an automobile accident near Lincoln, Minn. Funeral services for Greg Birkholtz will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls with the Rev. Nicholas Landsberger officiating.
Walter 'Gary' Danielson
CROSBY -- Walter "Gary" Gerhardt Danielson, 56, Crosby, died June 30, 2004, at Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
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.
Lois F. Will
AITKIN -- Lois F. (Lafferty) Will, age 79, of Aitkin, died Thursday, July 1, 2004, at the Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin.
Gary R. Spicer
Gary Robert Spicer, 61, Brainerd, died Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at the Kavanagh Hospice House in Des Moines, Iowa.
Ervin H. Joseph
Ervin H. Joseph, 82-year-old resident of Santa Ynez, Calif., formerly of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Wednesday, June 30, at his home. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Nicholas Landsberger officiating.
OUR OPINION: FOURTH OF JULY
The trouble with free speech is that it makes everyone uncomfortable. It's disconcerting and disagreeable. Sometimes it's offensive or vulgar. Still, there it is: American citizens expressing their opinions.
Vox Pop
Jet fighters will roar over Brainerd this weekend as they did in a past Fourth over Pequot Lakes to illustrate our "shock and awe" or blitzkrieg mentality. It's important to remember the Iraqi people were subjected to 250,000 of these during 12 years between Gulf wars, about 68 per day. In our quest for cheap oil at any price, we may have put an entire country into post-traumatic stress disorder. What better way to create future terrorists. Thanks a lot politicians and Halliburton. Parents, please shelter young children/babies' very sensitive ears from this and the obnoxiously loud fireworks.
Our Opinion: Parades
It's one of Minnesotans' favorite holidays, in part because the weather is often the best summer has to offer. It's also one of the noisiest holidays with fireworks, flyovers, screaming kids and blaring music. Today is the day to make a ruckus.
Open Forum
It's a well known fact, that during the Vietnam conflict, every time there was a large anti-war demonstration in the U.S., American casualties rose significantly. This is not just a coincidence. I know that some of you young people in the BACP will not believe this because you weren't even born yet, and your radical leaders will deny it. Just look back in some of the newspapers from 1965-1975. (Have you ever noticed how that peace sign resemble the footprint of the American chicken?)
Open Forum
An interesting analogy can be drawn between those choosing to turn their back on the BACP float and those in our society who blindly assume that what is being done by our government is in the best interest of all. In any democratic society, it is a moral obligation to demand rational explanation for national policy. I'm old enough to know that our leaders are not infallible. They need our input and they deserve our respect as long as they are listening and respecting all people's voices. There's a certain degree of trust we award our leaders; however this can not and should not be blind trust. We need to keep our eyes wide open, especially in today's world.
It's our Fourth of July parade
As one of the participants in the mediation that successfully resolved the legal issues between the Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace (BACP), the city of Brainerd and Brainerd Community Action, I was proud to be part of a process that settled an important disagreement without a costly and difficult court battle.
We welcome all parade participants
As the coordinators of the Fourth of July parade, our decisions about participants and their message have remained "content neutral." We have welcomed all participants who completed applications to march in the parade prior to June 25.
What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail
Marchel wins three awards at conference
Outdoor photographer/writer Bill Marchel, a frequent contributor to the Brainerd Dispatch, received national recognition by winning three photography awards at the recent 2004 annual conference of the Outdoor Writers Association of America in Spokane, Wash.
Outdoors notes
The Pelican Lakes Conservation Club seeks items for its annual Auction for Conservation, scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 17 at the Pelican Lakes Conservation Club and Community Center.
Anglers can get the lead out at exchange event at Reed's
The Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance and the DNR are partnering with retailers to offer lead tackle exchanges across Minnesota this summer. Thirty exchanges are scheduled this month, including July 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the new Reed's Sporting Goods in Baxter.
CALENDAR
July 15 -- Crow hunting opens
A fishing guide's top 10 list
Like most fishing guides, I get asked a lot of questions when I take people fishing. Recently I was thinking about which questions I get asked most, leading me to compile a top 10. I've ranked them in order of least-asked to most-asked. So without further ado, let's get to the list.....
How to get a tiger by the tail
When Tom Keenan, the 2003 RCL Walleye Tour champion, isn't fishing a walleye tournament he loves chasing smallmouth bass in the natural lakes of Wisconsin's north woods. Using tactics that can be employed anywhere in the Upper Midwest and Canada, Keenan caught 14 smallmouth over 20 inches, including a 6.5-pounder, over one weekend in early June.
Dosh-Rosekrans
Sarah Dosh and Paul Rosekrans announce their engagement. Parents are Sharon Dosh, Brainerd, and Gloria Rosekrans, Fort Ripley, and Virgil Rosekrans, Brainerd. An Aug. 7 wedding is planned at St. Mathias Park.
July 2004 Youth Volunteer of the Month
Volunteer of the Month: Scott Meyer
101st birthday
Adeline Hanson, resident of Whispering Pines Village in Pine River, recently celebrated her 101st birthday with friends and family, including her two sisters, 92-year-old Norraine Boeder and 90-year-old Florella Workman. She was born May 29, 1903, in Ortonville.
Haapajoki-Hahn
Amber Haapajoki and Travis Hahn announce their engagement. Parents are Rosalind Haapajoki, Baxter, and the late Jon Haapajoki, and Kathy Hahn, Brainerd, and Kirby and Sally Hahn, Wahpeton, N.D. An Aug. 7 wedding is planned at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd.
75th birthday
Charlotte Anderson, Brainerd, recently celebrated her 75th birthday with her family.
LaPorte-Heisserer
Kasandra LaPorte and Nicholas Heisserer announce their engagement. Parents are Pat and Laurie Humphrey, Pillager, and Ken and Carla LaPorte, Pillager, and Ted and Holly Heisserer, Detroit Lakes. An Aug. 20 wedding is planned at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter.
MUCH OBLIGED
Behind every successful organization there are many people that give of their time and talents and expect nothing in return. To those people we are forever grateful.
Holden-Sonnek
Christina Kathleen Holden and Jason David Sonnek announce their engagement. Parents are Tim and Jacque Holden, Baxter, and Chris and Nancy Sonnek, St. Paul. A wedding is planned Saturday at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd.
Welch-Schultz
Kari Welch and Dave Schultz announce their engagement. Parents are Jon Welch, Enderlin, N.D., and the late Elaine Welch, and Russ Schultz and Elaine Schultz, Brainerd. An Aug. 20 wedding is planned.
Hartman-Nelson
Jennifer Hartman and Brian Nelson announce their engagement. Parents are James and Judy Hartman, Baxter, and Rick and Myra Nelson, Brainerd. A Sept. 18 wedding is planned at Camp Ripley Memorial Chapel in Little Falls.
Frost-Kretsch
Jennifer Frost and David Kretsch announce their engagement. Parents are LeRoy and Lorraine Frost, Pillager, and Gary and Sandie Kretsch, North Mankato. An Aug. 21 wedding is planned at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter.
Isle-Anderson
Teri Isle and Jon Anderson announce their engagement. Parents are Diane and Al Eksten, Brainerd, and Jim and Barb Anderson, White Bear Lake. A July 24 wedding is planned in White Bear Lake.
Adrian-Dumpprope
Sherry Adrian and Darrin Dumpprope were married May 15, 2004, at the Legacy Patio at Cragun's Resort with the Rev. Douglas Ellis officiating.
VanVickle-Nornberg
Jessica VanVickle and Matthew Nornberg announce their engagement. Parents are Becky VanVickle, Pine River, and LeRoy and Marianne VanVickle, Pillager, and Ken and Kathy Nornberg, Pillager. A July 24 wedding is planned at the Northland Arboretum.
Six generations
Six generations recently gathered were Jack Wasmund, son; Krystle Wold, mother; Ranae Breon, grandmother; Mark and Lyn Winson, great-grandparents; Marvin and Geraldine Winson, great-great-grandparents; and Dorothy Winson, great-great-great-grandparent.
Five generations
Five generations recently gathered were Katie Hutton, daughter, Grantsburg, Wis.; Janel Hutton, mother, Grantsburg, Wis.; Laura Hane, grandmother, Grantsburg, Wis.; Judy (Lyonais) Jackson, great-grandmother, Newport; and Delphine Lyonais, great-great-grandmother, Brainerd.
July 2004 Adult Volunteer of the Month
Volunteer of the Month: Margaret Schrader
Brausen-Gross
Stacie Brausen and Jim Gross announce their engagement. Parents are Gary and Janet Brausen, Pierz, and Ronald and Joanne Gross, Harding. An Aug. 14 wedding is planned at St. Joseph's Church in Pierz.
Danielson-Goble
Sara Danielson and Joshua Goble announce their engagement. Parents are Gary and Helen Danielson, Baxter, and Natalie and Tony Goble, Baxter. A July 17 wedding is planned at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Powers-Locke
Amy Marie Powers and Dirk James Locke announce their engagement. Parents are Randy and Bonnie Powers, Brainerd, and James and Claudinette Locke, Richardson, Texas. A Sept. 18 wedding is planned at the home of the bride's parents.
Preaching forgiveness continues today
Today as I write this, it is John the Baptist's day, one of a few special Christian holidays in the summer.
Spiritual nutrition
LAKE SHORE -- After suffering two heart attacks in one week, the Rev. Bob Cheney was forced to make changes in his life.
Church news
"In His Name," a local country gospel group, will be in concert at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Community Church of the Nazarene. The group will perform gospel and patriotic music. The church is in Merrifield at 21704 County Road 3. A freewill offering will be received. For more information, call 829-7536.
Racing for the Cure
Justin Grunewald rounded a corner in the The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K Saturday on his way to winning the event. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Baxter Parks & Recreation scoreboard
BAXTER PETITE SOFTBALL
Brainerd Parks & Recreation scoreboard
Men's MS1 Softball
Burman's 6 RBI lead Aitkin
NISSWA -- Brian Burman's three-run home run highlighted a seven-run second inning as the Aitkin Legion baseball team cruised to a 14-4 win over Nisswa Thursday.
Belts earned at dojo
Earning new belts from the Koumi Dojo were Chondra Arntz (front row, left) - new student, Megan Nelson - black strip, Sarah Fransen - blackstrip, Dave Larson - gold, Aron Arntz - new student, Zarissa Arntz - new student, Bridjet Larson (back row, left) - gold, Michelle Picknar - gold, Eugene Everson - gold, Cameron Close - gold, Noah Scanlon - gold, Casey Biever - orange, Jared Feierabend - instructor.
Upcoming sporting events in the Brainerd lakes area:
Saturday
Aiming for the top
The cards were stacked against all the other competitors. It was unfair, really.
She's on a roll
CROSBY -- Kim Hawkins-Pankratz first picked up a bowling ball when she was 9.
VFW team wins again
The Brainerd VFW baseball team came from behind to beat St. Cloud Apollo 12-10 in the first game and won game two 8-2 Thursday at Faber Field in St. Cloud.
Brainerd wins one, ties another
GRAND RAPIDS -- Hilary Smith pitched a three-hit shutout to lead the Brainerd 18 and under fast-pitch softball team to a 15-0 win over Bemidji No. 2 Wednesday in Arrowhead Fast-Pitch Softball League play.
Szymanski powers Crosslake
MCGREGOR -- Led by Todd Szymanski's pitching and hitting, the Crosslake Legion baseball team made short work of McGregor winning 22-5 and 10-0 Thursday.
Winged Warriors
For the first time this season, the "Winged Warriors," or Wissota Championship Sprint cars, will race Saturday at North Central Speedway.
CLC to add women's soccer
For the past three years, the Central Lakes College administration has talked about adding a sport, something that hasn't been done since the 1970s.
Tower Mortgage owns large Legacy lead
Tower Mortgage pounded American National 30-14 Thursday for a 6.5-point lead over Insane Logic in the men's golf league at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's.
Brainerd drops two in Alexandria
ALEXANDRIA -- A full early schedule caught up to the Brainerd American Legion baseball team as only 10 players were healthy for Thursday's doubleheader with Alexandria.
Upcoming sporting events in the Brainerd lakes area:
Friday
Favorite Vacation Photo
Pat Ryle, Staples, submitted this photo of Mt. Rundle in Banff, Canadian Rockies. Ryle said, "It was a memorable trip with my mom and a good friend. We spent hours enjoying this view from the shore or from a canoe. The weather was perfect that July, and the day this was taken, the sun and wind behaved for the photo."
Send us your Favorite Vacation Photo
Do you have a favorite vacation photo? Send your slides, prints or digital files to:
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Partly cloudy west with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy east with a chance of showers and thunderstorms northeast. Scattered showers and thunderstorms southeast...With showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon far southeast. Highs from the upper 70s far southeast...To near 90 parts of west into central.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy with isolated early morning showers or thunderstorms north central...Northeast...And far southeast. Otherwise...Becoming partly cloudy with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Highs from the mid 80s to lower 90s.
Fishing fun
Weather drawing by Madison Uselman of Mrs. Gessell's first grade class at Riverside school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Showers and thunderstorms developing south. A chance for afternoon for showers and thunderstorms north. Highs mainly in the 70s. Cooler near the great lakes.
Let freedom ring
Weather drawing by Emily W. in the Garfield School third-grade class of Mrs. Wig.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Showers and thunderstorms likely northwest and southeast.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...A chance of showers and thunderstorms...Mainly in the
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the upper 70s to
State forecast for Iowa
Rest of today...Showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the mid
State forecast for N.D.
This morning...Patchy fog west...Scattered morning showers and
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy. A chance for afternoon thunderstorms northwest. Highs from the mid 70s to the low 80s...But cooler near the great lakes.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly sunny. Scattered thunderstorms east early this
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
MONDAY
Local briefs
A Senior Driver Improvement Program will be offered throughout July in Brainerd.
List your volunteer opportunities
PLEASE CONTACT: Mike Koecheler or Mari Jo Renstrom at: RSVP Volunteer Services 312 Front Street Brainerd, MN 56401 218-824-1345 (Office) 218-824-1346 (Fax) rsvp@co.crow-wing.mn.us
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Adult Children-Chem.Dep.
SUPPORT
Celebrate Recovery
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY Marcie Larsen 829-6212, marcie.larsen@cancer.org
What's doing
The WHS Class of 1955, spouses and friends will meet for a potluck lunch at 11 a.m. Monday at the Ramada Inn Meeting Room 1.