Thursday, August 9, 2007
Working more at home could reduce congestion, pollution
WASHINGTON - My mornings begin with reading online editions of Automotive News (www.autonews.com), one of the nation's top automotive industry trade journals.
Lamplighter to present murder mystery at T Maxwell's
STAPLES - Lamplighter Community Theatre will stage "My Fatal Valentine," an audience participation murder mystery dinner theater, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22-23 at T Maxwell's Restaurant in Staples. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music
DANCE SHORTS
Sixty-seven dancers and parents from Brainerd's Music General attended the Hall of Fame Nationals June 24-28 at Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas.
Deerwood Summerfest this weekend
DEERWOOD - Deerwood Summerfest is scheduled for Friday and Saturday throughout Deerwood.
Talented teen
Mitchell Dallman, 13, Jenkins, took first place last week in the teen division of the Crow Wing County Fair Talent Contest. He advanced to the Aug. 23 Minnesota State Fair Talent Contest.
MUSIC SHORTS
STAPLES - Connie Hill Etzler will present a concert in the Staples Music in the Park series at 7 p.m. Sunday at Northern Pacific Park.
Art & Book Festival slated in Hackensack
HACKENSACK - The 12th annual Northwoods Art & Book Festival will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Hackensack Community Center and on the building's grounds.
Unique knitting project to make Baxter visit
"NetWorking" started as an excuse to meet new people. Now the interactive red yarn-knit piece has become a bizarre work of art itself.
COMING NEXT WEEK
One young Brainerd band hasn't wasted any energy in its climb to local stardom. The Dispatch chats with the members of Wasted Energy about their success so far and their plans for the future.
ART SHORTS
CROSSLAKE - The Crosslake Art Club's 23rd annual Art Show will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at the Crosslake Community Center.
SQUEEZING out a living
Jason Webley gets funny looks on the highway when he drives around in his red Toyota with green hubcaps that he has redubbed "Tomato."
BEST BETS
Young thespians in Morrison County will have their heads in the game when they stage Disney's "High School Musical" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at Martin Auditorium in Little Falls High School. Tickets are $6-$10.
The thrill of chicken on the grill
My daughter-in-law, Pam, recently taught me a tasty way of preparing chicken on the grill.
MEETINGS
The Fifty Lakes Foundation board meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 17 with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. and a speaker at 7 p.m. at the Fifty Lakes Foundation, Crow Wing County Road 1 and South Eagle Lake Road, in Fifty Lakes.
Summer sunset on Smith
Sue Stebbins submitted this photograph of a beautiful summer sunset on Smith Lake near Garrison.
Deerwood to celebrate Summerfest
DEERWOOD - Deerwood will celebrate Summerfest Friday and Saturday as crafters line the city streets. Also included will be games, fireworks, music and food.
Burden weighs heavy on Mille Lacs
Eerie is the word to describe Mille Lacs last week.
Patches of history
CROSSLAKE - While those attending the 21st annual Camp Knutson Quilt Auction on Saturday are sure to be impressed by the 160 new quilts up for auction this year, there are some unusual vintage quilts that antique collectors may find intriguing.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Central Lakes College in Brainerd hosted a week-long Camp Invention July 30-Aug. 3, which drew 68 students from 13 central Minnesota communities.
In the grand scheme, pound gained no big loss
Sitting on the beach on the Outer Banks of North Carolina is a wonderful place to write my article for the Kinship Fitness Challenge.
PETS OF THE WEEK
Violet is a 2-year-old female Shepherd mix. She came to Heartland Animal Rescue Team as a stray and is now looking for a permanent home. Violet is a calm, good listening dog.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Rick Disterhaupt, 5, and Tiffany and Tasha Achermann, 5, all of Motley, enjoyed Vacation Bible School at St. John's Lutheran Church in Motley. Parents are Albert and Karen Disterhaupt and Dave and Kathy Achermann.
The champions
The Darlys Every Dodgers won the Colt League baseball playoffs over the Greater Lakes Sewing and Screen Printing Athletics.
SUPPORT
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Brainerd Alateen
City finds a possible source of PFOS
The city of Brainerd has located one possible source of a pollutant found in elevated levels this past spring in the city's wastewater.
Chef Morse fuels team JEGS
The aroma of simmering sauces and chopped spices mixed well with the animated conversations in Nicky Morse's childhood kitchen.
Overheard
"My thinking is we know it's there, we don't want to hide it. We want to be proactive and get rid of it as soon as possible."
Overheard
"I know what I did was wrong.,"
Council studying city hall locations
Baxter will be looking at what can and can't be done at the sites of its current and future city hall locations.
Meth lab seized, 2 arrested in rural Fort Ripley
FORT RIPLEY - Two people were arrested Tuesday night after authorities seized a meth lab at their rural Fort Ripley home.
This was Brainerd
AUGUST 8 - 40 years ago (1967) - Opening day attendance at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds today topped last year by about 900. An estimated 5,000 were on hand yesterday for the 31st annual county fair.
Woman found dead in Backus
BACKUS - The body of an unidentified woman was found about 8 p.m. Wednesday near Pine Mountain Lake in rural Backus, the Cass County Sheriff's Department reported.
Fire leaves salvaged cars beyond salvage
A Brainerd firefighter moved hoses into position Tuesday at the scene of a fire at Kohls Auto Salvage on Sleepy Hollow Road south of Brainerd. The fire, reported at 5:31 p.m., was believed to have been started by sparks from a saw used to cut parts at the salvage yard, the fire department reported. About 10 salvaged cars were damaged, but no injuries were reported. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
LOCAL BRIEFS
Highway 210 will open to four lanes of traffic Friday through the city of Brainerd to accommodate visitors to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at the Brainerd International Raceway, the Minnesota Department of Transportation reported.
Board OKs policy on managing trespassing
WALKER - The Cass County Board on Tuesday approved a policy on how to manage trespasses on county land and recommended the policy be incorporated into the county's land use ordinance and comprehensive plan.
Voters faced with 'monumental decision'
The news was grim.
County pushes for road around Boy Lake
WALKER - The Cass County Board asked County Engineer David Enblom Tuesday to meet with Rogers Township and Leech Lake Reservation officials to consider a way to trade road mileage among jurisdictions so that the road around Boy Lake can become a county road.
This was Brainerd
AUGUST 9 - 60 years ago (1947) - Winds of tornadic velocity destroyed at least three buildings, disrupted power and telephone lines and ripped and smashed numerous large trees in Riverton early this morning.
CASS COUNTY BRIEFS
WALKER - North Memorial Ambulance Service representatives Michael Parrish and Gary Pearson reported to Cass County commissioners Tuesday that the Longville Ambulance Service area had a better than expected second quarter during this first year of operation.
Baxter man a hometown racer
For Murray Hebert, it's all about giving the local fans somebody to follow and support at the 26th annual Lucas Oils NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway this weekend.
Highway 10 lane shifts set north of Little Falls
Motorists traveling Highway 10 north of Little Falls will encounter the first of several traffic shifts beginning on Friday as work continues on a $4.2 million bridge rehabilitation project in Morrison County.
Bellecourt plea deal reached
Darrick James Bellecourt will not be retried for the 2002 murder of 15-year-old Zack Peterson.
This recipe is a real winner for racers
Hoisin Glazed Pork Loin
Girl hurt in tubing accident on Gull Lake
EAST GULL LAKE - A 16-year-old girl was injured in a water tubing accident at about 1:24 p.m. Wednesday on Gull Lake, the Cass County Sheriff's Department reported.
Weyerhaeuser Museum hosts reception for student exhibit
LITTLE FALLS - The goal was easily stated - teach students how to mount a museum exhibit.
Federal help coming for drought-stricken Minnesota counties
ST. PAUL (AP) - A federal disaster declaration came through Tuesday for two dozen Minnesota counties suffering from drought, including Crow Wing County and several surrounding counties.
New neighbors in one of city's newest neighborhoods meet
They arrived two-by-two, mostly walking from their nearby homes with babies and small children in tow.
Judge reports wellness court success stories
WALKER - District Court Judge John P. Smith reported Tuesday to the Cass County Board that the wellness court being run jointly with Leech Lake Reservation has successfully worked with nine people in the first year of operation.
Leonard J. Maciej Sr.
ELMDALE - Leonard J. Maciej Sr., 70-year-old resident of Elmdale, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, at his residence. Funeral arrangements for Leonard J. Maciej Sr. are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.
Ralph E. Avery
Ralph E. Avery, 85, Brainerd, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Catherine Pettey
HILLMAN - Catherine Pettey, 77-year-old resident of Hillman, Minn., passed away on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Hillman, Minn.
JoAnne Hojem
PINE RIVER - JoAnne Hojem, of Pine River, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, at her home.
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.
Lynn Olson
MISSION - Lynn Olson, 79, of Mission Township, died Monday Aug. 6, 2007, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at the Crosslake Lutheran Church in Crosslake with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Interment will be in Estherville, Iowa, on Wednesday. Relatives will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements are with the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake.
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.
Alphonse Welle
MOTLEY - Alphonse Welle, of Motley, passed away suddenly Wednesday morning, Aug. 8, 2007, at Lakewood Health System in Staples. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples.
Lynn Olson
CROSSLAKE - Lynn Olson, age 79, of Crosslake, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. Arrangements are pending with Brenny Funeral Chapel of Crosslake.
Pat Kehr
Pat Kehr, 60, of Brainerd, died Aug. 8, 2007, at the Fairview Riverside Hospital in Minneapolis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at the St. Francis Church in Brainerd with Pat's brother, Father Dick Bresnahan, officiating.
JoAnne Hojem
PINE RIVER - JoAnne Hojem, age 77, of Pine River, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, at her home. She was born June 1, 1930, in Luverne, Minn., to Loy and Lillian (Lund) Pfeiffer.
What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail
VOX POP
If the person who moved from the smoke at the fairgrounds is the same person who moved in front of me, I would prefer the smell of the smoke. The soap or perfume this person had on was overpowering. No, I did not move and that was my choice. Perhaps "No soap or perfume" should be on that sign also.
Open Forum
There are, understandably, passionate voices on both sides of the school district's referendum issue. Unfortunately, many begin with the false assumption that ISD 181 is poorly managed or wasteful. In reality, the Brainerd School District has made exhaustive efforts to cut waste and bureaucracy and is one of only 10 Minnesota school districts recognized by Standard & Poor's for outstanding financial management.
Open Forum
When a Pillager resident recently spewed many negative comments about the Pillager Fair Board and its "shocking" mismanagement of the Pillager Community Center, board members were sadly reminded that the inability to please everyone - all the time - sometimes goes with the territory of doing community work.
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Thursday, Aug. 9
Muesings, Bzdoks sweep junior league
Andy Muesing, Brittny Bzdok, Mitchell Bzdok and Jennifer Muesing won their respective divisions Aug. 1 in the Legacy Courses at Cragun's junior golf championship.
St. Cloud River Bats pitcher dies
ST. CLOUD - The Northwoods League announced Wednesday that St. Cloud River Bats pitcher Richie Gargel died after 2 p.m. Wednesday at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Return of the King - Bernstein's back
The King of Speed is back on his throne.
Scoreboard
Area events
Duffers claim top spot
Despite tying Ocelco Inc. 22-22, Dutch's Duffers claimed the top spot Aug. 2 in the men's golf league at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's.
Brainerd bounces Wisconsin 7-2
WAUSAU, Wis. - The Brainerd Blue Thunder may have eliminated the Wisconsin Woodchucks from playoff contention with Tuesday's 7-2 Northwoods League baseball win.
Northwoods League player severely injured in swimming incident
SARTELL (AP) - A pitcher for the St. Cloud River Bats was severely injured Monday while swimming, authorities said.
Todd one of Top Fuel's rising stars
Sitting in fifth place in Top Fuel points and having clinched a spot in the Countdown to the Championship, J.R. Todd, driving in the SKULL Shine dragster, is one of the rising stars in the NHRA.
Scoreboard
Area events
Wisconsin beats Brainerd
WAUSAU, Wis. - Brent Weaver hit a two-out grand slam and Willy Kesler pitched seven strong innings to lead the Wisconsin Woodchucks to a 6-1 Northwoods League baseball victory over the Brainerd Blue Thunder Wednesday.
Halverson captures Resorters title
Two days after defeating Lucas Gervais, Sean Halverson opened his home to him.
GOLF SHORTS
Nine more players secured spots for the $10,000 Pine Beach Shootout to be played Sept. 16 at Madden's Resort in East Gull Lake.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Patchy dense fog in the morning east...Otherwise mostly
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy in the morning...Becoming partly cloudy in
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms...Ending south and central by afternoon. Highs in the 80s. Cooler near the great lakes.
Out in nature
Weather drawing by Kylee McLean of Mrs. Meyer's third-grade class at Riverside school.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Fair to partly cloudy. Areas of morning fog east...And a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms west. Highs in the mid 80s far northeast to around 100 southwest.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Increasing clouds with scattered thunderstorms developing east...Becoming more numerous southeast in the afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms west. Highs in the 80s east...90s central and west.
State forecast for Iowa
Heat advisory for far southeast iowa through this evening...
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms...
State forecast for Minnesota
Flash flood watch far southeast tonight...
Wisconsin state forecast
Flash flood watch in effect tonight into thursday morning for portions of western and southern wisconsin...
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Patchy
Racing turtles
Weather drawing by Austin Olson of Mrs. Lykins' kindergarten class at Nisswa school.