Wednesday, September 17, 2008
See it all at Ageless Expo
From the serious side of understanding memory loss to the fun side of listening to a performance from the Vagabonds Music Group from Motley, the 10th annual Ageless Expo Saturday at Forestview Middle School in Baxter should be worth your time.
Deadline is Oct. 15 for economic stimulus funds
Seniors! Veterans! People with disabilities!
Diners Club offered
The Baxter/Brainerd Diners Club is a new concept in senior dining that will offer seniors an alternative to traditional congregate dining.
Library's information desk is just a call away
Do you need a number to call for transportation, prescriptions or do you have other needs?
Seniors will have their own homecoming dance next month
Beyond the walls of the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center center members are active in our community.
More data on the Agless Expo
Ageless Expo Exhibitors
SENIOR PROFILE: Talk about hot fishing
Dennis Trowbridge
Firefighters respond
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a call at 2:07 p.m. Monday to a gas spill at the Holiday station on Dellwood Drive in Baxter.
POLICE BLOTTER
Brainerd police officers received a call from a person believed to have found a human bone by the Mississippi River in southwest Brainerd.
BIRTHS
Emmet and Jenny Smith, Brainerd, a boy, Ashten Emmet, 7 pounds, 13 ounces, Sept. 4, 2008. Grandparents are Brian and Marge Caird, Pillager, Bev Smith, Brainerd, and Lou Smith, Nikiski, Alaska. Great-grandparents are Ida Fuller and Lee and Donna Smith, all of Brainerd.
COURTS
WALKER Ronald David Mann, 51, rural Cass Lake, who killed his father in August 2007, pleaded guilty Sept. 8 in Cass County District Court to felony second-degree murder without intent.
Alum from college's first year proud of education
Central Lakes College roots run deep in Brainerd, where the community's first college classes convened 70 years ago.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
All in the Family
Simon Wagner, age 2, sure did enjoy a family picnic with fresh corn on the cob during a recent family gathering. Submitted by Grandma Carol Cave.
The YMCA's 'Bethie Tree'
The YMCA Y's World of Learning Child Care Center planted a tree with money given in memory of Beth Henderson, a teacher that died suddenly this spring. Yardcreations donated the labor and there were family members and children present to plant the "Bethie Tree" - despite the rain that day. The children enjoy watering it each week and talk about how they miss her. Pictured are children Mallory Anderson and Lance Hastings, Christa Andersen (director) and Adam Dewey from Yardcreations.
AREA SPORTS
Taylor Headlee placed second, Zoe Houle third, Courtney Tusler fifth and Sam Kletscher sixth in the Bemidji Lumberjack Open tennis tournament July 26-27.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement
Peekaboo
"Chipmunk in a Can" taken by Roberta Bisek, Maple Grove, at Grave Lake.
PETS OF THE WEEK
Tessie is a 7-year-old spayed female Chesapeake Bay retriever. She enjoys hunting birds, is house trained and has lived in a home with children, other dogs and cats. Brainerd Dispatch/Heidi Lake
Oxtrot auction raises thousands
The Oxtrot auction attracted about 330 people and raised $7,175.
AREA BRIEFS
CROSSLAKE - The Crosslake Historic Log Village will host its annual Cider and Candlelight Tour from 7-9 p.m. Saturday.
Sept. 9 declared Andy and Dorothy Thomas Day
In recognition of their 75th wedding anniversary, Mayor James Wallin declared Sept. 9, as Andy and Dorothy Thomas Day in Brainerd. The mayor surprised the couple at a special ceremony which took place at Good Samaritan Society-Bethany. Andrew, 94, and Dorothy, 100, were married on Sept. 9, 1933.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Go to Any Length
Brainerd's Moran wins Junior Dragster Challenge
Stephen Moran of Brainerd recently won the O'Reilly Auto Parts Junior Dragster Challenge race at Grove Creek Raceway in Grove City.
AREA BRIEFS
The Fifty Lakes Foundation meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. and speaker WalleyeDan at 7 p.m. at the Fifty Lakes Foundation.
Another 'keeper'
The Brainerd Lakes Fishing Has No Boundaries event provides many participants with a year's worth of highlights.
City council candidate cites many reasons for running
There are many reasons why Howard J. Brewer is seeking the Ward 3 Brainerd City Council seat.
This was Brainerd
SEPTEMBER 17 - 60 years ago (1948) - The enrollment in the Brainerd public schools as of Sept. 9 was 2,896. The enrollment in the Franklin School was 580. The Washington High School was 715 and Junior College 154. Grade school enrollment 1,449.
Nature's painting
Water lilies and reeds were reflected in the calm water Monday of South Long Lake south of Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Libertarian candidate travels state
Charles Aldrich, the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate, is on a two-month trek in which he hopes to visit all 87 Minnesota counties before the Nov. 4 general election.
Gmeinder resigns from school board
Ruth Gmeinder, a 20-year member of the Brainerd School Board, turned in her resignation Wednesday afternoon to board chair Reed Campbell.
Still no increase in wages
The Brainerd School Board Monday stood firm on its previous decision that it wouldn't negotiate for any wage increases for its five non-certified unions for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 contracts.
LOCAL BRIEFS
LITTLE FALLS - The Grand Parade at the Dodge PRCA Rodeo in Little Falls will feature special guests Gov. Al Quie, Pop Wagner and Rob Orr.
Aitkin County shootings may be double murder-suicide
McGREGOR - The Aitkin County shooting deaths of two men and a woman early Saturday morning around a campfire in Shamrock Township, about nine miles north of McGregor, appear to be a double murder-suicide, said Aitkin County Sheriff Scott Turner.
New chief's road to Pierz started in the U.S. military
PIERZ - It was Uncle Sam who led new Pierz Police Chief Kyle Hoehne into a career in law enforcement.
First sign of autumn
Crimson sumac leaves near South Long Lake Park were a first sign of autumn color Monday south of Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Overheard
"Good Midwestern values are serving us well."
Health commissioner Magnan visits county
For what is believed to be the first time in the history of Crow Wing County, a Minnesota health commissioner visited the county's health department.
Baxter plans slight levy hike
BAXTER - Baxter's 2009 preliminary tax levy is a slight increase from 2008.
Overheard
"Quite frankly, we are reaching a health crisis for people who remain on the island."
Woman says family survived Ike
Norma Jean Nelson is living in Brainerd, caring for her 2-year-old grandson, but has spent the past several days thinking and worrying about her entire family from Galveston, Texas, who fortunately survived Hurricane Ike.
Tax levy to keep rate near 2008 level
Based on preliminary estimates, Brainerd residents' tax rates in 2009 could be about the same as in 2008 and may even go down a little.
Chickens issue coming home to roost in city
Brainerd is a step closer to welcoming urban chickens.
This was Brainerd
SEPTEMBER 16 - 100 years ago (1908) - Mrs. F.S. Parker is having a basement and steam heat put into the Fannie Smith residence on North Sixth Street and will make the residence one of the most up to date in the city.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The Brainerd History Group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Kiwanis Park. Anyone interested in Brainerd history is welcome. Topics discussed will be the status of the newly found 1971 plaque installations and a history of the J.J. Howe Lumber Co. and the Brainerd Brewing Co., both located in the general Boom Lake area. Those attending will be locating the brewery bottling house foundation and discuss what might be done with it in the future.
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.
Clyde W. Jones
NISSWA - Clyde W. Jones, 83, Nisswa, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, in Milwaukee, Wis. He was born Nov. 13, 1924, in Osakis to Albert and Mildred (Chapin) Jones. Clyde was a United States veteran who served during World War II. He was employed for 37 years at West Publishing in St. Paul.
Clara M. Johnson
Clara M. Johnson, age 85, resident of Brainerd, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at Edgewood Vista.
Leo J. Zak
HILLMAN - Leo J. Zak, age 98, of Richardson's Corner, Hillman, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, Minn. Arrangements are pending with Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel in Pierz, Minn.
Helen M. Picha
BAY LAKE - Helen Marie Picha, age 98, of Bay Lake and Hopkins, died on Sept. 13, 2008, at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. She was born on May 26, 1910, in Hopkins to Frank F. and Mary (Shenkyr) Bren. She married Richard H. Picha in Hopkins on Sept. 22, 1934.
Lynn H. Anderson
LITTLE FALLS - Lynn H. Anderson, age 53, of Little Falls, Minn., died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at Lake Hills Elderly Care in rural Cushing, Minn.
Mark Root
McGREGOR - Mark Root, 51, of McGregor, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, at his residence.
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.
Ervin E. Lardy
BUCKMAN - Ervin E. Lardy, 73-year-old resident of Buckman, Minn., died Monday, Sept. 15, 2008, at his home. Funeral Mass will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Buckman, Minn., with the Rev. Gerald Dalseth officiating.
What do you think?
The Brainerd Dispatch welcomes letters on recent articles and current issues. Letters should include the writer's full name, city and a phone number (for verification only). Letters are limited to 300 words. Only one letter per person per week.
Common sense on energy
In response to Mr. Westgard's column about the Pickens Plan, I would like to clarify a couple of details, and add a little common sense. Mr. Pickens himself admits that his plan is not the ultimate "silver bullet", and that it is merely a bridge to buy us some time until long-term domestic solutions catch up to our current energy crisis.
Open Forum
Sarah Palin did a masterful job of delivering the text at the RNC that was written for her by John McCain's staff. While she was able to stir up an emotional response from the large choir in the congregation she did nothing to add to her credibility and qualifications as a candidate for vice president of the U.S. From what we have been able to learn about her is that she is clearly both scientifically illiterate and abysmally ignorant about her own religion, which will remove her from consideration as a candidate for public office in the minds of educated, discriminating people. A pretty face, a charming personality, a glib speech devoid of content and five kids are not qualifications for any public office.
Open Forum
Everyday I read the letters here and some I agree with, some I don't. Seems that lately some writers are giving a whole new meaning to the "deep end." Truth seems to have been redefined to mean anything anyone wants to say about any liberal cause or person. Today, liberals were described as causing all the trouble at the RNC in St. Paul.
What do you think?
The Brainerd Dispatch welcomes letters on recent articles and current issues. Letters should include the writer's full name, city and a phone number (for verification only). Letters are limited to 300 words. Only one letter per person per week.
VOX POP
The school board is sending a clear message to the five unions up for negotiations and that message is saying you're not valued in our district! It's time this district starts appreciating the hard work we do in keeping this district going. The only way we're ever going to see significant change in this district is if we start electing some new blood on the board.
AREA GOLF SHORTS
Wendy Shamp sank the longest putt and was closest to the pin on the Par 3 Course during the Sept. 9 women's league at the Legacy Courses at Cragun's.
Tech's second-half scoring punch hurts Little Falls
BELLE PRAIRIE - Flyers' freshman Brittan Conley scored a first-half goal leading to a 1-1 halftime tie, but St. Cloud Tech tallied four goals in the second half for a 5-1 Central Lakes Conference girls' soccer victory over the Little Falls Flyers Tuesday.
LF's Ploof scores in losing effort
WILLMAR- Julia Ploof scored early in Monday's contest for the only goal of the Little Falls Flyers as they lost to Willmar 4-1 in Central Lakes Conference girls' soccer.
Getting in their kicks
BAXTER - After tallying four goals against Bemidji Saturday, the Brainerd Warriors boys' soccer team hoped its scoring troubles were gone.
Correction/clarification
It was incorrectly reported in Tuesday's Dispatch that the Brainerd Bobcats played in the independent Prairie League for three weeks in 1995 before folding.
Bemidji rallies past Warriors
Everything was rolling for the Brainerd Warriors in Game One against the Bemidji Lumberjacks in Section 8-3A volleyball Tuesday night.
Warriors stay perfect with 7-0 win over Flyers
LITTLE FALLS - Courtney Tusler had little trouble winning her No. 3 singles match to help the Brainerd Warriors blank the Little Falls Flyers 7-0 Tuesday in Central Lakes Conference girls' tennis.
Scoreboard
Area events
Cardinals cruise past Foley 7-0
FOLEY - All four Staples-Motley Cardinals singles players won in straight sets resulting in a 7-0 sweep of the Foley Falcons Monday in non-conference girls' tennis.
Balanced Brainerd wins
ALEXANDRIA - Kelly Rosenthal, Britta Nelson and Madison Smith scored goals to give the Brainerd Warriors girls' soccer team a 3-1 Central Lakes Conference victory Monday over Alexandria.
Aitkin captures 3-0 win over Pillager
AITKIN - Emily Mehr, Brittany Bordwell and Shelby Kokesh had 15 digs each for the Aitkin Gobblers in a 3-0 non-conference win over the Pillager Huskies on Tuesday night.
AREA SHORTS
The Brainerd Warriors junior varsity girls' soccer team tied Alexandria 0-0 Monday.
Brainerd blanks Storm, climbs to
7-0 in conference
SAUK RAPIDS - Kelly Rosenthal added to her school-record scoring numbers with four goals in the Brainerd Warriors' 7-0 victory over Sauk Rapids Tuesday in Central Lakes Conference girls' soccer.
LOCAL SPORTS SHORTS
The Central Lakes College Raiders football team has moved from 17th to 16th in the latest NJCAA poll.
Landecker, Foster live up to billing
GRAND RAPIDS - Class 1A's second-ranked girl, Naomi Landecker, finished more than a minute ahead of the second-place girl to lead the Staples-Motley Cardinals to first and Class 1A's top-ranked boy, Clayton Foster, won by 22 seconds to lead Pequot Lakes to victory in the Grand Rapids Class 1A Invite Tuesday.
Raiders sweep the field
HIBBING - Alex Osowski shot a 78 and Tracy Gustafson shot 84 to grab medalist honors and lead the Central Lakes College Raiders men's and women's golf teams to victory Tuesday.
Snowmobile events scheduled in lakes area
A variety of snowmobile events are scheduled to keep area riders busy until the snow flies.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Tigers win in coach's debut
LAPORTE - Kendra Hamilton's nine kills and Scarlett Hamilton's seven kills led the Pine River-Backus Tigers volleyball team past Laporte 3-1 Monday.
S-M closes football press box
The Staples-Motley School District announced Monday it has closed the press boxes at the high school football field.
Gobblers crush the Rangers
AITKIN - Kelsey Klucas remained perfect on the season and was perfect in her No. 1 singles victory over Alice Bertram, winning 6-0, 6-0 to lead the Aitkin Gobblers to a 7-0 sweep of the Crosby-Ironton Rangers Tuesday.
Tech trumps Flyers 4-1
ST. CLOUD - Grant Bell scored in the 22nd minute for the Little Falls Flyers in a 4-1 Central Lakes Conference boys' soccer loss to St. Cloud Tech Tuesday.
Flying Aces split over weekend
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS - Chris Decent's second goal turned out to be the game winner to lead the Minnesota Flying Aces to a 5-4 victory over the St. Paul Lakers in Minnesota Junior Hockey League action Saturday.
Ruttger wins at Stampede
PIERZ - Thomas Ruttger finished the Pierz Stampede in a first-place time of 16:35 to lead the Brainerd Warriors boys' cross country team to second Monday.
Blue Thunder fold after four seasons
Brainerd's fourth wood bat baseball franchise has gone the way of its predecessors.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Sunny and warm. Highs 80 northeast to near 90 westcentral.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Sunny and warm. Highs 70 northeast to 85 southwest.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny south...Partly sunny north. Highs from the mid 60s far north...To the upper 70s southwest. Turning cooler near lake michigan in the late morning and afternoon.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s northeast to mid 80s west.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Sunny. Patchy fog early east. Highs 72 to 83.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Sunny. Cooler northeast. Highs in the mid 70s northeast to near 90 southwest plains.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly cloudy northeast. Sunny elsewhere. Highs in the
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly sunny. Breezy west and south central. Highs from the
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Sunny. Highs in the middle 60s to middle 70s.
New school year
Weather drawing by Sara Kleist of Mr. Meyer's fourth-grade class at Lowell school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs from around 70 far north...To the upper 70s west.
Blue sky
Weather drawing by Nick Berens of Ms. Hemstad's third-grade class at Baxter school.