Thursday, August 30, 2007

Battery-run, full-size scooter
With interest in alternative-energy vehicles reaching an unprecedented fever pitch, Vectrix couldn't have timed its arrival more perfectly. Its new Vectrix Maxi Scooter, which has been in the works for more than 10 years, was approved for sale in California just last week and is now officially on the market.

Less fuel at the pump with hot gasoline?
It was another toasty day on June 19, when representatives for the California Division of Measurement Standards showed up at a gas station in Riverside to check the temperature of the gasoline in the tanks.

Fall Grassroots Concerts slated
NISSWA - Five performances are scheduled in the fall Grassroots Concerts series. All shows will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Nisswa Community Center.

Little Falls' Kathy Braud featured at State Fair
LITTLE FALLS - Kathy Braud's "Park Trails" took third place in the watercolor category at the State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, which runs through Monday at the fairgrounds in St. Paul.

MUSIC SHORTS
ONAMIA - Country newcomer Keith Anderson will take the stage with country legend John Anderson at 4 and 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs Events & Convention Center north of Onamia.

How 'bout them Cowboy & Hobo Days
On the continuum of music festivals, Cowboy & Hobo Days will be closer to a flea market than to WE Fest. That's the way the organizers, the performers, and the fans (if all goes well) want it.

Films for the thinking moviegoer
For those of you who like to take your brains into the theater with you, take heart that the summer blockbuster season is coming to an end. In its place we have the deeper, more daring movies of fall - theoretically, anyway.

Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music

Best bets
Minneapolis folk group Painted Saints and Duluth blues man Steve Johnson will take the stage at 9 p.m. Friday at the Eclectic Cafe in downtown Brainerd. At 7 p.m. Saturday, five bands - Menage-a-Bation, Phat Sack, Captain 6 Pack, Some People's Kids and The Mechanical Asparagus Project - will join forces. Admission is $5 on Friday and $10 on Saturday.

BOOK SHORTS
LITTLE FALLS - Bookin' It will feature book signings and readings by three Minnesota suspense authors Sept. 8-9 as part of the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair.

Kickin' into Disney World
Just For Kix dancers from five states, including dancers from Brainerd's studio, performed Aug. 9-12 at Disney Magic Music Days at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

THEATER SHORTS
PEQUOT LAKES - Pequot Lakes Community Theatre will hold auditions for its fall production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical "Oklahoma!," to be directed by Michael Sander.

Music General hosts dance workshop
Music General dancers attended a Summer Dance Workshop July 16-19 in the Brainerd studio. Tap instructor Mike Minery of New Jersey posed with the teen group.

Tasty bars perfect for any potluck
There's no doubt about it - we love to eat at CTC.

BIRTHS
Sara Gehrke and Doug Batt, Crosby, a girl, Kristina Jean Batt, 6 pounds, 6.9 ounces, Aug. 3, 2007. Grandparents are Dave and Linda Gehrke, Crosby, and Bob and Sharon Batt, Canada. Great-grandparents are Marjorie Kreller, Pine River, and John Batt, Canada, and Ina Haigh, Canada.

Lots of pain and no gain, but still a lot to lose
"This week was like the book - a "Tale of Two Cities." It was the best of times and the worst of times.

PETS OF THE WEEK
Tango is a 2-year-old male Shepherd who came to Heartland Animal Rescue Team as a stray. Tango loves to play, especially with stuffed toys.

LOCAL BRIEFS
GARRISON - The Wild and Free Rehabilitation Program will host a pig roast from 4-6 p.m. Saturday at the Garrison VFW.

Honduras featured in CLC Cultural Thursday program
The first Cultural Thursday program of the Central Lakes College academic year will feature Honduras at noon Sept. 6 in the Chalberg Theatre.

CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Brainerd Alateen

Reflections on Bay
Do you have a recent scenic picture that shows the beauty of the lakes area? Send it to photos@brainerddispatch.com for possible publication in the Neighbors section. Be sure to include your name, where you are from, a brief description of the photo and when and where it was taken.

ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees

SUPPORT
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement

ALL IN THE FAMILY
Do you have a treasured photo? Send us your favorite family photographs, including a brief description of the photo and when it was taken, for possible publication in the Neighbors section. Submit your recent photos to: kathi.nagorski@brainerddispatch.com or drop them off at the Dispatch.

HOPE FLOATS
EAST GULL LAKE - Scott Roesner fishes in numerous tournaments, has done some professional guiding and enjoys being in a boat, fishing with family and friends.

Grand day at Grand Marais
Do you have a favorite vacation photo? Send your slides, prints or digital files to:

BHS grad proud of role with Mars lander
As NASA's Mars Phoenix Lander hurtles toward Earth's neighbor away from the sun, the work of a Brainerd native goes with it.

Bikers to roll for good cause
If you have an interest in motorcycles or want to support Confidence Learning Center, the fifth annual Rally Up North event is the place to be Friday and Saturday.

This was Brainerd
AUGUST 29 - 60 years ago (1947) - Approximately $2,800 in new equipment, including Dictaphones for the commercial department, have been added at Brainerd Junior College. Approximately 150 students had enrolled at the college as of today.

Crosslake frets over lack of state building code
CROSSLAKE - Building a home in Crosslake could cost more in permit fees if the city adopts the state's building code, but Wednesday city officials wondered if they weren't already paying in terms of safety and environmental issues without it.

4 percent levy increase considered
CROSSLAKE - Crosslake city officials expect to make more cuts as the city's 2008 budget is refined.

If levy fails, C-I schools looking at deep cuts
If taxpayers in the Crosby-Ironton School District don't approve the district's Nov. 6 operating levy referendum, deep budget cuts will need to be made next year, said C-I Superintendent Jamie Skjeveland.

Tax impact of C-I referendum
Crosby-Ironton School District residents will head to the polls Nov. 6 to vote on a two-question operating levy referendum.

Paul is ready for winter
Local artist Josh Porter and his daughters, Grace (left) and Abby, owner of Avalon Studios, talked Tuesday about the restoration he completed on the Paul Bunyan statue next to the historic Brainerd water tower. The statue has been moved and renovated over the years, but was in need of an extensive renovation to survive the weather. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist

Heavy weather dents drought
The parched Brainerd area was greeted with a round of heavy rain, hail and strong winds Monday night as a severe thunderstorm rolled over central and northern Minnesota.

Board proceeds with juvenile center analysis
Crow Wing County is proceeding with an analysis in regard to opening a juvenile detention center here.

Planning and zoning changes approved
Crow Wing County's planning and zoning office is one of the county's departments with the greatest degree of public interaction and one of the areas that generates the most service-based complaints.

Overheard
"This is one more headache that Republicans don't need."

LOCAL BRIEFS
A Sept. 11 memorial service is planned at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 11 at the Carl Sydney Hanson American Legion Post No. 255 in Brainerd.

This was Brainerd
AUGUST 30 - 80 years ago (1927) - The Brainerd Country Club is preparing for the big event of the season, the Cup Tournament, next Saturday and Monday. An entrance fee of 50 cents will be charged and the money will be used for prizes.

Senior center looking for woodworkers
Calling all members of the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center in Brainerd and other senior citizens who are interested in creating a woodworking project or want to learn more about the hobby.

Department heads explain budget expenditures
One by one Crow Wing County department heads took the proverbial hot seat Tuesday as they sat before the board and talked about money.

Overheard
"New Orleans, better days are ahead."

LOCAL BRIEFS
LAKE SHORE - The Lakeshore Conservation Club will host a Labor Day Shoot and potluck from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday to celebrate a successful year. There will be many prizes given away and fun shoots throughout the day.

Ronald Mann is charged in father's death
Ronald David Mann, a 50-year-old Cass Lake resident arrested following his father's death, has been charged with murder.

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.

Doris E. Aldous
Doris E. Aldous, 77, Brainerd, passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2007. She was born on Nov. 25, 1929, in Peterson, Minn., to Ernest and Anna (Bendixen) Johnson.

Lillian E. Theien
CROSBY - Lillian E. Theien, 88, Crosby, passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. She was born on Oct. 24, 1918, in Valley Spring, S.D., to Michael and Katrina (Nielsen) Rasmussen.

Doris E. Aldous
Doris E. Aldous, 77, Brainerd, passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2007.

Derald 'Chub' Anderson
PILLAGER - Derald "Chub" E. Anderson, a resident of West Gull River Road, Pillager, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at his home at Diamond Willow in Baxter with his family at his side.

Nels Monson
RANDALL - Nels Monson, 83-year-old resident of Randall, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, Minn., with Father Leo Moenkedick and Pastor Blaine MacNeil officiating.

Hal Hefti
Hal Hefti died Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at his home with family at his side.

Hazel L. Nelson
STAPLES - Hazel L. Nelson, age 99, of Staples, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at the Lakewood Health System Care Center. Services are planned for Friday, Aug. 31, at 11 a.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples with the Rev. Robin Collins officiating. There will be a time to visit with the family one hour prior to the service.

Stanley E. Novick Jr.
Stanley E. "Jack" Novick Jr., age 74, resident of Brainerd, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village.

JoAnn Southerling
MERRIFIELD - JoAnn Southerling, Merrifield, Minn., and Yuma, Ariz., passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at her home in Merrifield.

Regina 'Jean' Tuller
Regina "Jean" Tuller, 97-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Aug. 28, 2007, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, Minn. Burial will be in St. Mary's Church Cemetery.

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.

Lillian E. Theien
CROSBY - Lillian E. Theien, 88, Crosby, passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. She was born on Oct. 24, 1918, in Valley Spring, S.D., to Michael and Katrina (Nielsen) Rasmussen.

Armas Alexander Aho
MENAHGA - Armas Alexander Aho, age 79, resident of Menahga, Minn., died there Monday, Aug. 27, 2007. Armas was born April 2, 1928, in Ulster Park, N.Y., to Elias and Aini (Ora) Aho.

Erling A. Willprecht
AITKIN - Erling A. "Will" Willprecht, 61, of Aitkin, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at his residence.

Theodore B. Voss
SAN DIEGO - Ted B. Voss, of San Diego, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, after a short illness.

Janice A. Norton
Janice A. Norton, 61, Brainerd, passed away on Aug. 27, 2007, at her home in Brainerd. Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at 1 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Brainerd with Pastor James Goodew officiating. Friends may call two hours prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Garden Cemetery in Brainerd.

Lori J. (Soderberg) Lee
BAXTER - Lori Jean (Soderberg) Lee, 39, of Baxter, formerly of Hermantown, died as a result of an automobile accident on Aug. 24, 2007. She was a caring daughter, wonderful wife and devoted mother.

Darald Anderson
BAXTER - Darald Anderson, 77, of Baxter, died at his home Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.

Janice A. Norton
Janice A. Norton, 61, Brainerd, passed away on Aug. 27, 2007, at her home in Brainerd. She was born on April 24, 1946, in Stockton, Calif., to LeRoy and Joyce (Craig) Mose.

Stanley Novick Jr.
Stanley E. "Jack" Novick Jr., age 74, resident of Brainerd, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village. He was born Aug. 5, 1933, in Brainerd to Stanley and Mary (Sullivan) Novick.

Patricia M. Keller
MINNEAPOLIS - Patricia M. Keller, age 63, of northeast Minneapolis.

Open Forum
I see that a group of anarchists will be holding a series of meetings over the Labor Day weekend, complete with workshops, bus tours and a private strategy meeting for the purpose of mapping out their strategy for disrupting the Republican National Convention. (Brainerd Dispatch, August 28, 2007) According to the American Heritage College dictionary, the definition of anarchy is "Absence of any cohesive principle, such as a common purpose." Too bad their meeting will be held in private. It should be interesting. At least we can watch their Monday news conference. If they show up.

Open Forum
A recent commentary in the local, liberal newspaper, reprinted from the L.A. Times, stated that Sen. Clinton is "not merely acceptable to many right-wingers, but possibly even their candidate of choice." Is this guy dreaming? Nothing could be further from the truth.

Stay in touch with state legislators
Rep. John Ward

OUR OPINION: MEDICAID
It's amazing what a little sunshine will do.

What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail

VOX POP
Now that it's rained, the Franklin parking lot is a mess. The company that tore it up should be responsible for fixing it, at least as good as it was. The church, the arts patrons and the Geritol Frolics need a useable lot for parking not to mention the Farmer's Market and the bus company for loading excursion buses. How many of us could get away with wrecking something and not fixing it?

Mareck, Wisniewski double winners
Rhonda Mareck used her closest to the pin proximity to help her shoot 41 and grab the low score for the women's championship league at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's.

Friday night lights this season in Verndale
The Verndale Pirates football program owns a storied past.

Warriors blank Flyers
BAXTER - After dropping two tightly-knit contests to top-notch metro opponents last week, the Brainerd Warrior girls' soccer team was looking for a breakout game.

Muscle Car Shootout this weekend at BIR
Labor Day weekend wouldn't be the same without muscle cars slugging it out for prize money and bragging rights on Brainerd International Raceway's quarter-mile drag strip.

Pine River-Backus Tigers sweep Staples-Motley
STAPLES - Naomi Anderson pounded out 13 kills and also had an ace serve for Pine River-Backus in a three-game sweep of Staples-Motley on Tuesday.

CLC sweeps Spartans
It wasn't always pretty, but the Central Lakes College Raiders volleyball team escaped Wednesday night with a three-match sweep and its first conference victory.

Pierz girls win HL-W-W Invite
HOWARD LAKE - The Pierz girls' team score of 44 points earned the Pioneers first place at the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted cross country invite Tuesday.

Baxter woman Imsande excels at triathlons
It's hard to imagine, but Jennifer Imsande of Baxter has participated in just two triathlons in her life.

Line key to Warriors' success
Last fall the Brainerd Warriors football team returned only two starters and finished 6-3 after a last-second loss to St. Cloud Tech in the Section 8-5A semifinals.

Time to shine for Warriors
For the first time in years the Brainerd Warrior boys' cross country team may not have a clear-cut No. 1 runner.

Area football capsules
Aitkin Gobblers

Warriors set to make big impression
With its top seven runners returning from last season, the Brainerd Warrior girls' cross country team has an opportunity to better its eighth-place finish in the Class 2A state meet.

LOCAL SHORTS
The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department will host a Frisbee disc golf tournament at 10 a.m. Saturday at its Lum Park course.

LOCAL SHORTS
The Mac Carkhuff Foundation is hosting the third annual Mac Carkhuff Memorial Golf Classic on Oct. 6 at the Mille Lacs Golf Club on Highway 169, north of Garrison.

GOLF SHORTS
Brainerd's Mitch Means shot 79 to win the Legacy Courses Club Championship Aug. 26 at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's in East Gull Lake.

Area cross country schedules
Crosby-Ironton Rangers

Raiders' expectations remain high
The expectations at Central Lakes College are high for this year's volleyball team. For those who know the program, this should come as no surprise.

Area girls' cross country capsules
Crosby-Ironton Rangers

Tree golf: 'Golfing for the rest of us'
DEERWOOD - John See is a creative and organized man.

Scoreboard
Area events

Scoreboard
Area events

Cards not planning to slow down
Five top-five state finishes in the last five seasons. This is Staples-Motley girls' cross country.

Warriors edge Flyers in opener 3-2
BELLE PRAIRIE - Jake Williams' second goal of the game, in the 71st minute, snapped a 2-2 tie and helped the Brainerd Warriors to a 3-2 victory over the Little Falls Flyers in a Central Lakes Conference boys' soccer opener Tuesday.

'Bullet' Bonsante bounces back with 30th win of career
Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante didn't realize he had attained a milestone Friday when he defeated Kendall Gould at Grand Casino Hinckley.

Staples-Motley sweeps pair
DETROIT LAKES - Hallie Denning's win at No. 3 singles broke a 3-3 deadlock and helped the Staples-Motley Cardinals defeat Moorhead 4-3 on Tuesday. The Cardinals also defeated Detroit Lakes 4-3.

Pierz blanks W-DC
PIERZ - The Pierz Pioneers blanked the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines 7-0 in non-conference girls' tennis Wednesday.

Foster, Patriots aim for state
The Pequot Lakes boys' cross country team missed out on a trip to the 2006 state meet by one place.

Galovich among five to be inducted
Dave Galovich of Crosby-Ironton is one of five men who will be inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in October.

Warriors open with victory
BEMIDJI - Jessica Reese won two individual events and was on two first-place relays as the Brainerd Warriors opened the girls' swimming and diving season Tuesday with an 111-75 victory over the Bemidji Lumberjacks.

State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly sunny north and east to partly sunny southwest and far south. Slight chance of light showers or an afternoon thunderstorm far southwest. Highs in the 70s.

State forecast for N.D.
Today...Sunny. Highs 80 to 90.

State forecast for N.D.
Today...Patchy morning fog east...South central...And

State forecast for S.D.
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. A slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms over the black hills. Highs in the upper 70s east to the mid 90s southwest.

Colorful rainbow
Weather drawing by Autumn Hedges of Jan Wilcox's kindergarten class at Lowell school.

Swinging into school days
Weather drawing by Morgan Gilbert in the Lowell kindergarten of Jan Wilcox.

State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Mostly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the

State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs 74 to 82.

State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy.

State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s to lower 80s.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Not as warm. A chance of showers and thunderstorms south and east central. Highs in the 70s.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the 70s.