BUSINESS NOTES
Sleep Center of Central Minnesota granted accreditation
BAXTER - The Sleep Center of Central Minnesota in Baxter, under the direction of Dr. Todd Greatens, was granted accreditation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
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After several months of preparation, the process concluded with a comprehensive site visit in April 2009 and finally receipt of the certificate of accreditation in July 2009.
The Sleep Center is a state-of-the-art sleep facility. Greatens is a board-certified physician in both sleep medicine and pulmonology.
Kush, Buria join Wells Fargo client services
Wells Fargo Private Client Services announced the addition of Tim Kush and Michelle Buria as financial consultants with Wells Fargo Investments LLC.
Kush and Buria will be handling the investment needs for clients throughout northern Minnesota.
Kush earned a degree in finance from St. Cloud State University and Buria received a degree in financial management from the University of St. Thomas. Together they have nearly 25 years of experience in financial services.
Wayne Carner
Carner returns to Tanner Nissan sales team
Wayne Carner returned to the Tanner Nissan sales team recently.
Carner has 24 years experience in the auto sales industry and previously was in sales at Tanner Nissan for 18 years.
New counselor begins work at CLC
Sarah Rach-Sovich of Barnesville recently began work as a counselor at Central Lakes College in Brainerd and Staples.
She fills a one-year counselor position created by the interim re-assignment of Rick Kangas as college registrar. Rach-Sovich was previously employed at Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Fergus Falls.
Sarah Rach-Sovich
She attended St. Cloud State University, earning her bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology. Her B.S. degree came with honors, and her M.S. in counseling psychology was accompanied by the SCSU Excellence in Leadership Award.
Rach-Sovich earned her associate in arts degree from Fergus Falls Community College in May of 2003 and had an emphasis in accounting and business. She was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Her work experience includes not only the counseling at MSCTC but also supervision of the ACT testing site from October 2006 to July 2008 and graduate teaching assistant duties at SCSU from September 2005 to July 2006.
She was a counseling intern at Neighborhood Counseling Center, Wadena, and has also been a behavior therapist intern at the Wadena Day Treatment Center.
Pearson named August employee of the month
LITTLE FALLS - Richard Pearson, Little Falls, was named the August employee of the month by the Chamber of Commerce in Little Falls.
Pearson has worked for Gas Service Co. for 44 years as a customer service representative. In his employer's comments, Pearson was described as a dedicated employee and a good person who was eager to learn new things.
Joe Vreeland
Vreeland named president of United Way Board
United Way of Crow Wing & Southern Cass Counties Board of Directors named Joe Vreeland of Aflac board president for 2009-2010.
Vreeland has more than two years of experience with United Way. His involvement includes leadership in the Safe Ride Home and Lakes Area Team Challenge initiative programs. As board president, Vreeland plans to invest time in strengthening the United Way Community Campaign and building relationships with businesses.
MPCA announces enforcement actions
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded 77 enforcement cases totaling $501,842 in penalties during the second quarter of 2009. The cases occurred at facilities in 36 counties throughout Minnesota.
Area cases included: $7,500 - Superior Auto Auction, for stormwater violations at Pine River; $7,500 - Rybak Excavating Inc., for stormwater violations at Pine River; $3,850 - Gary Peterson, for stormwater violations at Pequot Lakes; $2,000 - Horseshoe Septic Service, for individual septic treatment system violations in Leslie Township in Todd County.
A complete summary of environmental enforcement actions and news releases may be found on the MPCA's News Media Center Web page at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/newscenter/index.html.
Lakes Vybe Luncheon planned Aug. 20
A Lakes Vybe Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Northland Arboretum is planned to learn more about volunteer opportunities in the community.
Event host is Grand Casino Mille Lacs.
Speakers from the following nonprofit organizations: Girl Scouts on Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines, Lakes Area Habitat For Humanity, Bridges of Hope, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, Crisis Line & Referral Service, United Way of Crow Wing & Southern Cass Counties, Confidence Learning Center (Camp Confidence) and Kinship Partners Inc. plan to explain what their organizations have to offer and what volunteer opportunities exist.
Lunch will be provided. Lakes Vybe is a Brainerd Lakes Chamber networking group for individuals age 21-40. Cost is $10, pre-registration is requested.
For more information, go online to www.explorebrainerdlakes.com.
Business After Hours planned Tuesday
Fit Quest Athletic Club and Chrysalis are co-hosting the Brainerd Lakes Chamber's networking event Business After Hours from 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday at 15840 Audubon Way in Baxter in the former Reed's building.
Brainerd Lakes Chamber members are invited to attend this free event with beverages, appetizers and prizes. Advanced registration is recommended. For more information, go online to explorebrainerdlakes.com or call (218) 829-2838 or (800) 450-2838.
Dine and Discover session discusses diabetes
PIERZ - Faith in Action, a division of Horizon Health and Home Savings of America, is announcing their next Dine and Discover session, entitled "Realistically Living with Diabetes."
This free event provides an opportunity to ask questions, express frustration and get new ideas on how to live with diabetes from people who are going through the same thing. The session is planned from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Wednesday in the Community Room in Pierz.
A meal is included in this free Dine and Discover event, but registration is required. For more information, call Doreen at Horizon Health at (320) 468-6451 or (800) 227-6451.
Nisswa Women's Club meeting planned Aug. 20
NISSWA - The Nisswa Women's Club will host its monthly membership meeting at noon Aug. 20, with a social time from 11:30 a.m. to noon, at Cragun's Legacy clubhouse, Brainerd.
The program topic will be "Surgery in India," presented by Linda Tyner.
Hostesses for the meeting are Darlene Anderson, Chair, Linda Youngs, Kris McGrath, Ruth Palmer, and Emilie Augustine. The inspirational will be given by Joan Lofgren.
The women's club will be collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations for the Lakes Area Food Shelf at this meeting.
Lakes Vybe After Hours Social planned
A Lakes Vybe After Hours Social is planned from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 27 on the Mississippi Belle, the paddle-wheel boat built on the shores of Rice Lake.
Lakes Vybe is a networking group with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber for individuals age 21-40.
Coming from Brainerd; take Highway 210 East, go 3/4 mile past Highway 25 intersection, turn left of Wonderland Park Road, then left at the end of the road. Early boarding is from 5-5:30 p.m. The cruise starts at 5:30 p.m. and will conclude at 7:30 p.m.
Cost is $14; this includes a picnic dinner, along with lemonade and water. Participants are able to bring a beverage of their choice. Pre-registration is requested. For more information, go online to www.explorebrainerdlakes.com or call 829-2838.
Mille Lacs Academy hosts event
ONAMIA - Mille Lacs Academy will host an open house from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 15 at its new facility in Onamia.
David Hutchinson
The built-to-purpose, 40-acre campus includes a school, gymnasium, dormitories, kitchen, cafeteria, and program and office space. The open house invites area residents to tour the new facility, meet program staff and take part in complimentary food and beverages. Music will be provided by Soundtrax, and a moonwalk and obstacle course will be set up for children.
Paul Smith, Mille Lacs executive director, said in a news release he hoped people would take advantage of seeing the facilities, gaining information on the program and having their questions answered.
For the past 17 years, Mille Lacs Academy has leased space at the Crosier facility in Onamia. But, in 2007, Nexus began looking into building a new facility to better meet the needs of its children. Nexus chose the property in Onamia for several reasons, including privacy, a sense of security and peace.
David Hutchinson is Nexus chief executive officer.
Business After Hours planned Tuesday
CROSSLAKE - Business After Hours, a Brainerd Lakes Chamber networking event, is planned from 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday at Moonlite Square, 37735 County Road 66, Crosslake.
For more information, go online to explorebrainerdlakes.com or call 829-2838 or e-mail info@explorebrainerdlakes.com.
Russell Herder wins Beacon Awards
Russell Herder was recently presented with six Beacon Awards for the agency's latest work in healthcare marketing communication in the annual competition from the Minnesota Health Strategy & Communications Network.
Designed to promote effective communication in the field of healthcare, the awards were announced at this year's MHSCN summer conference in Chaska.
Russell Herder earned five Admiral's and one Captain's Award across a wide variety of categories on behalf of its clients Hennepin County Medical Center, Meeker Memorial Hospital and the Minnesota Department of Health. Admiral's Awards denote excellence and Captain's signal merit.
RH and their clients were honored with the following: Integrated Marketing Campaign, Admiral's Award for Hennepin County Medical Center's "Save This Brain"; Integrated Marketing Campaign, Captain's Award for Meeker Memorial Hospital's New Brand Campaign; Print Advertising, Admiral's Award for Hennepin County Medical Center's "Save This Brain" Sports Jersey Campaign; Public Relations Project or Challenge, Admiral's Award for Minnesota Department of Health's "Say No Mas to HIV/STDs"; Public Relations Project or Challenge, Admiral's Award for Hennepin County Medical Center's "Save This Brain" Bathtub Event; Internal or External Web Page Design and Development, Admiral's Award for Hennepin County Medical Center's SaveThisBrain.org.
"We all know healthcare can be very complex," MHSCN Award's Chairwoman Martha Parsons said in a news release. "Even so, the winners managed to convey their message clearly and compellingly to achieve enviable results."
Grant research and writing workshop planned
LITTLE FALLS - A grant research and writing workshop is planned from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls.
The workshop is for those who have little or no grant writing experience or for those interested in a refresher course. For more information, contact the foundation at (320) 632-9255.
OFF THE WIRE
Pawlenty announces farmer assistance network
REDWOOD FALLS (AP) - Gov. Tim Pawlenty is announcing a program to help Minnesota farmers now in crisis.
Pawlenty announced Thursday at the annual Farmfest near Redwood Falls that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will launch a network soon to help farmers find resources in a one-stop site.
The Minnesota Farmer Assistance Network, or MFAN, will provide mentoring, technical assistance and financial guidance to farm families facing financial hardships.