Much Obliged

Thank you to the following for the silent auction for the Women's Shelter that ran in conjunction with the exhibit Power of Presence Gallery 119 at Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd: Grand Casino Lodge at Mille Lacs, Ellie Aarestad, Brainerd; American Legion Post No. 500 Crosslake; Crossing Arts Alliance, Franklin Arts Center, Brainerd; Manhattan's Manhattan Beach, Crosslake Veterinary Clinic, Crosslake; Northern Lakes Nursery, Crosslake; Ralph Blood Silver Bay, The Lodge, Baxter; Riverside Inn, Crosslake; Tara Moghadam, Breath Of Life Yoga and Wellness Merrifield; Peg Boots, Manhattan Beach; E.L. Menk Jewelry, Brainerd; Hairafter Spa Crosslake; Robin Loftis, Baxter; Lakes Area Gallery, Crosslake; Pine River Library, Pine River; Evelyn Matthies Studio II, Franklin Arts Center, Brainerd; William Matthies, Minnesota School of Diving, Brainerd; John Erickson, Franklin Arts Center, Brainerd; Ruth Ann Weaver, Frankie Gumbo Potters, Franklin Art Center, Brainerd.

Women's Shelter

Kid's Kountry

Thank you to Bonnie Hillman, Gwen Pierzinski and thier families for all of the hard work and dedication to make the interactive agricultural learning center, Kid's Kountry, successful once again this year, educating over 3,000 kids and their families about agriculture and where their food and fiber comes from. Thank you to Cub Foods, for thier continued support to help Kid's Kountry provide kids with healthy snacks during thier visit. Thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors, and visitors for your support of this wonderful, agricultural education adventure at the Crow Wing County Fair. Since the projects inception three years ago, over 10,000 kids have learned about agriculture and its importance to our country. If you ate today thank a farmer!

Michael A. Reeser

Brainerd

Bane Park gathering

I would like to thank the neighbors on the south side that came to Bane Park for the first annual National-Night-Out-Get-Together! I would also like to thank the fire department, law enforcement officers, McGruff and the many community leaders who stopped in! A special thanks to Elizabeth Harris for her advice and continued support.

Thank you to the Brainerd Dispatch and the radio stations for plugging the event and for the follow-up coverage!

This night was a great opportunity to meet new neighbors and visit with friends! I hope many more neighbors will join us next year!

Sharon Jendro

Brainerd

Brainerd Public Library

The Brainerd Public Library would like to thank all the area businesses that donated food and prizes to help make our summer reading program a success. Their support and generosity served over 700 children and teens who participated in the programs.

Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, Papa John's, Rafferty's Pizza, Northwest Pizza, Cub Foods, Coca Cola, Rapid River Water Park, Holiday Inn Expres, Arby's, YMCA, Culver's, McDonald's, Dairy Queen, Pirates Cove, Vacationland, Citadel Games, Cold Stone Creamery, Super One, Applebee's, Burger King, Paul Bunyan Bowl, Quizno's and Sports Card Connection.

Special thanks go to Lavonne Danzl for providing books to each of the participants and for their continuing contributions to the children's collection in memory of Robert J. Danzl.

Brainerd Public Library Board and the Friends of the Brainerd Public Library.

Heartwood Senior Living

A very special thank you goes out to Kris Neff and the staff at Heartwood Senior Living Community in Crosby for hosting an intergenerational activity on July 24. They graciously invited Kinship mentors and kids to join in the fun at their beautiful, new facility.

Bingo was the headlining event with exciting rounds and what seemed like an endless supply of prizes. A movie was also viewed in the large conference room on a wide screen with popcorn and refreshments.

Thank you for spending time with our kids and most of all thank you for supporting the mission of Kinship Partners.

Karen Downing

Kinship Partners summer volunteer and activities coordinator

Garden delight

On a Saturday in July the kind owners of "Aksarben" gardens opened it to the public for a day. Not only was admission free, they gave tours and offered free refreshments and desserts. It had been 35 years since I'd been there and I enjoyed visiting it again. Thank you to the owners for doing this. It was a nice thing to do for the public.

Dennis H. Grieser

Brainerd