Saturday, October 9, 2004
September sales at Target stores beat retail average
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- While other retailers struggled with a sluggish back-to-school season, Target Corp. reported same-store sales well above the industry average.
Peers recognize CTC employee with human resources award
Kris Nelson's desire to improve business for the company and employees led to her involvement in human resources duties at Consolidated Telephone Co. before she was even in a formal HR role.
BISYS to reclaim its downtown office building
BISYS is moving 27 employees back into its downtown Brainerd office building.
Future of Keewatin Taconite brightens
KEEWATIN (AP) -- U.S. Steel will proceed with a $24 million investment in environmental technology at its Keewatin Taconite plan, which could help ensure long-term operation of the 38-year-old facility.
Business notes
The Minnesota Medical Association House of Delegates re-elected Dr. James J. Dehen Jr. as speaker of the House. He was elected speaker in 2003.
How to submit Business Notes
Business Notes submissions may be addressed to Renee Richardson, Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN 56401; faxed to 829-0211; or e-mailed to renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com.
Fun for the family
The Holiday Inn Express Three Bear Lodge & Water Park is expected to open in June in Baxter.
AREA SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS
Brainerd
Nominations being taken for Minnesota Teacher of the Year
Nominations for Minnesota Teacher of the Year are open through Nov. 15. Nominations can be submitted online by accessing the nominations form at www.educationminnesota.org.
Dru's mother warns college students of violence
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) -- The mother of slain college student Dru Sjodin is honoring her daughter's memory by reminding other young women that violence can happen to anyone.
Brainerd School Board
Meets 7 p.m.
BIRTHS
Larry and Kristin Geschwill, Breezy Point, a girl, Kaitlyn Ann, 5 pounds, 5 ounces, Sept. 14, 2004.
Pequot Lakes School Board
Meets 7 p.m. Monday
Staples City Council
Meets 7 p.m. Tuesday
Crow Wing County
Meets 9 a.m. Tuesday
Do-it-yourselfers can learn from TV shows
* Grounds for Improvement covers do-it-yourself landscaping projects on Tuesdays.
Build a compost bin for fall leaves
Build a compost bin in advance of leaf-drop season.
Forces of nature
WASHINGTON -- What goes on inside a bland brown building in an Upper Marlboro, Md., office park makes a big difference in what goes into constructing your home.
Building permits
Evangelical Lutheran Church, 800 block of Wright Street, addition, $45,920.
These rugs are multi-functional
Call it contemporary folk art. Call it decoration. Or just call it a comfy rug.
Housing briefs
Welcome Home Management announced the national certification of Joyce Frid by the Assisted Living Federation of America in its National Administrator Certification Program.
Make family room warm and inviting
A modern family room is not complete without a fireplace and built-in cabinets.
Training a new firefighter at an early age
Brainerd firefighter Jeff Schellin turned up the pressure of water on a fire hose nozzle as Nicholas Bisek held the nozzle Thursday during the Brainerd Fire Department's annual open house.
There's plenty to do
Do you have time to walk your dog, go shopping, bake cookies or go for a bike ride? Do you think you could do those things with a Kinship Partner? It is not important what you do but how you do it. When something is done together you can make a difference. Adult Kinship Partners are ordinary people just like you. They come from all walks of life. The one thing they have in common is that they want to make the world a better place for children by getting involved. We currently have 48 children in need of a partner.
Much obliged
The Lakes Area Senior Activity Center wishes to thank their members and the public for donating items and attending the annual garage sale, making it a huge success.
Patriotism down on the farm
An antique tractor serves as a foreground for American flags on top of several fence posts at this rural residence south of Brainerd.
Autumn rider
Sharon Rasmussen (left), led her horse Shugar around Fritz Loven Park in Lake Shore with 4-year-old Janey riding. Fall colors in the area are nearing their peak.
Caution: Another detour
Work was in full swing Thursday on the widening of Industrial Park Road in Brainerd. The road is closed to through traffic.
COMING WEDNESDAY IN NEIGHBORS
Get in shape, Nisswa
SENIOR CALENDAR
NUTRITION SERVICES
Life with fewer possessions is finding followers
WASHINGTON -- Lia Kent, raised with what she calls a "Depression mentality," always found it hard to throw things away. Her North Potomac, Md., home was filled with clothes that no longer fit, piles of magazines she never read and gifts from relatives she never used.
COMING THURSDAY IN ENTERTAINMENT
Flower power
COMING SUNDAY IN BUSINESS/MONEY
Wild water ride
Little Falls candidate forums scheduled
LITTLE FALLS -- The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring candidate forums for Little Falls City Council and Morrison County Board seats.
Local briefs
Adult CPR/first aid; infant and child CPR/first aid; basic first aid; baby-sitter training; AED essentials; preventing disease transmission; and CPR for the professional rescuer.
Rock the Rez Vote event set in Onamia
ONAMIA -- The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will host Rock the Rez Vote Campaign Tour 2004, a free public concert and get-out-the-vote event that will visit Indian reservations Oct. 15.
This was Brainerd
OCTOBER 8 - 20 years ago (1984) - The Manhattan Beach Club, a 1939 landmark that has been home for everything from a grocery store and bowling alley to a post office and barbershop burned down early this morning.
Production's music has a good sound to it here
With 20 songs, a cast of nearly 40, numerous set changes and a running time that flirts with the three-hour mark, "The Sound of Music" is by definition an extravagant play. But in order to pull it off, you need a good actress in the lead role of Maria.
Overheard
"Are we going to work with people? Of course. School people are not unreasonable people. We'll work with you."
School absences: excused or unexcused?
If a student in Crow Wing County -- has three unexcused absences during one school year he or she is considered to be truant. A seventh-12th grade student is considered to be habitually truant if he or she has unexcused absences for one or more school periods on seven or more days and a truancy petition may be filed requiring them to appear in court. In addition, BHS students have a five-day absence limit on nine-week term courses and 10-day absence limit for 18-week semester courses and won't receive credit for the course. Students can appeal to school administrators if they have valid reasons why they missed so much school.
Cosmic dream From Brainerd to the stars
When Branelle Cibuzar was a young girl, she would sit outside her home on Round Lake and stare out at the stars, intrigued with the idea of space exploration.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The Brainerd Post Office will operate on a holiday schedule Monday in observance of Columbus Day.
Why do firemen wear suspenders?
As it is every year, this year's Brainerd Fire Department open house was a showcase of fire safety for children.
Districts in county united on policy
To area school administrators, it's simple.
Police getting tougher on parking laws
Brainerd police in the last year have been stepping up enforcement of parking violations.
BHS students feel penned in
Like many of their classmates, Mike Germain and Shane Hager were annoyed that the Brainerd School District decided to close the high school campus this year. They felt it limited their freedom they'd earned by being seniors.
COMING MONDAY
Help for Haiti
This was Brainerd
OCTOBER 10 - 80 years ago (1924) - Herman Marohn, residing in Roosevelt Township brought to the Dispatch office three big potatoes which averaged one and a half pound each.
Paul R. Patnode
Paul Robert Patnode, 90, of Bemidji, Minn., died Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004, at Havenwood Care Center in Bemidji, Minn.
Ruth M. Osell
MONTICELLO -- Ruth Marie Osell, age 83, of Monticello, passed away on Tuesday evening, Oct. 5, 2004, at the Monticello-Big Lake Nursing Home of Monticello. Memorial services will be Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church of Monticello. The Rev. Bruce Miller will officiate. Private interment will be at Riverside Cemetery of Monticello. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Saturday. Funeral arrangements are with the Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel of Monticello.
Dene G. (Jim) Olson
Dene G. (Jim) Olson, age 71, of Pine River, passed away Friday, Oct. 8, 2004, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. He was born on Feb. 27, 1933, in Lyons Township, Lyon County, Minn., to Glenn and Dorothy (Weaver) Olson.
Magda Knapp
Magda Knapp, age 96, of Pequot Lakes, passed away Friday, Oct. 8, 2004, at Lakeview Commons Assisted Living Center in Maplewood.
David J. Keppers
OWATONNA -- David Justin Keppers, age 39, of Owatonna, Minn., died at Lakewood Health System-Hospital on Sept. 29, 2004. Memorial service will be in Owatonna on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, at the Christian Family Church at 5:30 p.m. with Pastor Cherrie Peterson officiating and Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004, at 2 p.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church, Motley, Minn., with Father Peter Kirchner officiating. Interment will be in Scandia Valley Cemetery, Cushing, Minn. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Home, Staples.
Josephine W. Kukowski
GREENBUSH -- Josephine W. Kukowski, the daughter of August and Teckla (Hamernick) Mrozek, was born Aug. 10, 1911, in Morrison County near Flensburg, Minn. She grew up and attended school in the Flensburg area and was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Following school she worked in the Morrison county area for a number of years before moving to the Greenbush, Minn. area. She was united in marriage to August A. Kukowksi on October 17, 1934, in Flensburg and the two made their home and farmed in Barto Twp., near Greenbush until moving into Greenbush in 1973. August passed away on September 9, 1975, and Josephine continued to make her home in Greenbush and work at the Greenbush Hospital until her retirement at the age of 70. Josephine passed away peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004 at the Greenbush Community Nursing Home.
Noah Wolters
LITTLE FALLS Noah Wolters, 82 year old resident of Little Falls, Minn., died Wednesday, Oct. 6 at his home in Little Falls.
Ruth T. Fields
CROSBY -- Ruth Thelma Fields, age 96, of Crosby, died on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004, at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. She was born on Sept. 15, 1908 in Sweet Township, Minn., to John and Clara (Paulson) Lessin. She was a retired nurse at the Aitkin Hospital, Member of the Cascade United Methodist Church, Deerwood, the Degree of Honor, and RSVP programs in Brainerd.
John Kordich
LITTLE FALLS -- John Kordich, age 90, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004, at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud, Minn. Funeral services are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn.
John J. Kordich
ST. CLOUD -- John J. Kordich, of St. Cloud, Minn., and formerly of Ely, Minn., passed away Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004, at the Veterans Medical Center in St. Cloud. Graveside services will be held Monday, Oct. 11, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Browerville, Minn. Friends may call from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.
Helene W. Halverson
Helene W. Halverson, age 86, lifetime Brainerd area resident, died Friday, Oct. 8, 2004, at the St. Benedict's Senior Community in St. Cloud.
Mary Anne Haglin
Mary Anne Haglin, 77, of rural Brainerd, died Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004. She was born July 30, 1927, in Minneapolis to Leonard and Margaret (Suel) Meskan.
John C. Kelm
John C. Kelm, 51, of Vancouver, Wash., formerly of Brainerd, died Friday, Oct. 8, 2004 at the Evergreen Terrace Nursing Home in Grand Rapids. John was born on June 28, 1953 in St. Paul, Minn. to Gerald and Caroline (Monosso) Kelm.
OTHER OPINION: ETHANOL
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has laid out a proposal to make Minnesota the "renewable fuel capital of America" -- a plan calling for more ethanol in gasoline and less gasoline use in government vehicles. While Pawlenty's heart is in the right place, his efforts to appear "green friendly" overshadow some important considerations, both economic and environmental.
Time to do our civic duty and vote
It's that time of year. The leaves are changing colors and my television is filled with more political ads than reality shows. Personally, I can't stand either one, so I click around a lot and I use the mute button more than John Kerry uses his hair dryer, and more than George W. mispronounces the word "nuclear." The political ads, as mind numbing as they are, do serve a purpose: they remind us that it's time to do our civic duty and get out and vote for the candidate whose ads upset us the least amount.
An inmate's view on meth
Last week I had the opportunity to read the articles concerning Crow Wing County jail inmates and their meth use.
Open Forum: America is a secular nation
A recent contributor to this feature opined that he lives in a Christian country. Since he cited his residence as Baxter I can only assume that he is referring to the USA. He is egregiously wrong. We can only wonder where, and from whom, he got this outrageous idea.
Debate rules are silly
I have a few comments to make about the VP debate. First I'd like to commend VP Cheney on his performance. His ability to argue his points exceeded my expectations. He certainly out shined the president from last week's debate. Unfortunately, he got some of his facts wrong, as was pointed out by the news media. Although he did a better job of stating his case than Bush did, I still don't like what he had to say, nor the manner in which it was said. Cheney seemed unemotional, like a robot, regurgitating rehearsed material. There was no passion and I didn't feel like he cared about the problems facing me or my family.
Contact your lawmakers
Sen. Norm Coleman
'God is pro-life' so get out and vote
As a very concerned citizen of our great nation I would urge all of you to get out and vote.
Morality in elections
Many people are apparently going to vote for Bush because he is a church-going, moral person.
Missing girl
A St. Louis County commissioner came up with a good idea for getting the word out about a missing girl from Chisholm.
Editorial board members
Terry McCollough
Bush and economic terrorism
Bush and his allies insist this country is in great shape. The Iraq War is over (it really is not), the rest of the world loves us (not true), and the economy is improving (false--the debt load is horrendous).
Ed Shaw and public service
Knowing he's a dedicated, honest citizen not driven by mean-spirited or selfish motives, I just wish Ed Shaw could hold office in my community. His devotion to common good and long-range, community-wide sensibility is all too rare at all levels of government. Ed Shaw is a public servant.
Ed Shaw for Brainerd City Council
Brainerd will be well served by Ed Shaw. Ed will work toward creating and maintaining a healthy Brainerd community. That includes a healthy business climate, healthy education climate, healthy neighborhoods, healthy environment, sensible land use, and true democracy which is government for the people, by the people.
Methamphetamine prevention
I applaud Terry Sluss for bringing the methamphetamine problem to the attention of the general public. His pursuit of grants and tax payer dollars seems to be driven by the need to make people more aware of the problems associated with this drug. His Web site is very informative as far as showing charts and grafts on exactly where the money is spent.
Citizen scientists are key to understanding the decline of the monarch butterfly
Monarch butterflies remain on my mind. This year I've noticed a lack of migrating monarchs bobbing on breezes that would take them to their wintering grounds in the Sierra Madre Mountains of central Mexico.
Nice catch
Brad Basinger caught this 2-pound walleye Sunday on Gull Lake. Basinger and his partner caught six walleyes for the day.
October -- what's not to like about it?
October isn't my birth month, but I like almost everything else about it. What I don't like is how fast it goes.
Wild horses find new homes
Elaine Eggink knew exactly which horse she wanted. She had spent about eight hours looking over a herd of 117 wild horses being put up for adoption by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management. And she arrived at the auction in Lorton, Va. bright and early last weekend to make sure she got it.
Tournament winners
Rich Boggs (left), Nisswa fishing guide and professional walleye angler, guided Mark Steineker, Wentzville, Mo., to first place in the first annual Optima Batteries Reel Dreams fishing tournament Sept. 24 on Gull Lake.
Boomerang bears:
Troublesome black bears exiled to backwoods areas return home or die trying, a recent study finds, and some wildlife biologists say bear-resistant trash containers -- not relocation -- may be the only cure for a growing problem.
It's easy to get away from the office around Brainerd
A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at the office.
Outdoors calendar
Oct. 13 -- First fall turkey hunting season opens
Outdoors notes
Jim Severson, Breezy Point, Bill Ludenia, Brainerd, and Chuck Steinbauer, Brainerd, all have advanced to the B.A.S.S. Northern Division tournament next summer on Lake Patokah in Indiana. The three anglers advanced by placing among the top 13 at the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation's Tournament of Champions Sept. 9-10 on the Whitefish chain of lakes.
Dean Prushek
Dean Prushek, Brainerd, will celebrate his 80th birthday with a party from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 16 at Park United Methodist Church, 315 N. Sixth St., Brainerd. If you are unable to attend, cards may be sent to Dean Prushek, Brainerd Manor, 2723 E. Oak St., Brainerd, MN 56401.
Robert and Helen Schlegel
Robert and Helen Schlegel will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with an open house at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Holy Family Activity Center, Bulldog Lake, with dinner served 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and a dance from 8 p.m. to midnight. The event will be hosted by their 10 children, spouses and grandchildren. They were married Oct. 17, 1964, in Hillman.
Aaron and Angela Wallace
Angela Swanson and Aaron Wallace were married Sept. 4, 2004, in Stillwater with Judge Tom Armstrong officiating.
Miranda Frayseth and Marcus Aulie
Miranda Frayseth and Marcus Aulie announce their engagement. Parents are Doug and Clare Frayseth, Redwood Falls, and Richard Aulie, Crosby, and Marci Mehr, Brainerd. A Dec. 18 wedding is planned at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd.
Lyla Erickson
Lyla Erickson, Brainerd, will celebrate her 90th birthday 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Brainerd Manor, 2723 Oak St., Brainerd. She was born Oct. 12, 1914, in Walker.
Dave and Penny Bottorff
Penny Anderson and Dave Bottorff were married Aug. 14, 2004, at Pine Meadows County Club with Gary Peterson officiating.
Kathryn Bradow and Adam Bitzer
Kathryn Bradow and Adam Bitzer announce their engagement. Parents are Carol and Carl Bradow, Pine River, and Jim and Charity Bitzer, Brainerd. An Aug. 27, 2005, wedding is planned at the Bradow residence.
Nomnae Pikula and Jason DeRosier
Jolene Pfingsten and Greg Parks were married June 19, 2004, at Zion Lutheran Church in Brainerd with the Rev. Mitchell Krog officiating.
KYLE AND JENNIFER KELBERT
Dr. Jennifer Person and Dr. Kyle Kelbert were married on July 31, 2004, at the Antler's Pavilion of Breezy Point Resort with Pastor Kurt Wied officiating.
BRYAN AND JAMIE ANDERSON
Jamie Vande Brake and Bryan Anderson were married July 24, 2004, at First Presbyterian Church in Brainerd with the Rev. Harold Preston of Edgerton officiating.
Steve and Suzanne Krueger
Steve and Suzanne Krueger, Brainerd, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by taking a trip to Glacier and Yellowstone national parks. They were married May 26, 1979, in Brainerd.
Minerva Kay
Minerva Kay, Pine River, recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a surprise party given by her family. She was born Sept. 29, 1914.
Nomnae Pikula and Jason DeRosier
Nomnae Pikula and Jason DeRosier announce their engagement. Parents are Jerry and Carol Pikula, Brainerd, and Bruce and Candy DeRosier, Fort Ripley. A Nov. 20 wedding is planned at St. Francis Church.
Religious groups left and right compete to mobilize voters
In voter registration drives, sermons and voter guides, religious groups from across the ideological spectrum have intensified the level of their political activity this year, prompted in part by right-left culture clashes and the legacy of the tight presidential race in 2000.
The kingdom of God
The kingdom has been here from the beginning of time. After the fall into sin, the Father needed to prepare a way for man to be saved. He gave His Son to suffer and die for the sins of the whole world. This He did loving us and all people.
Churches
Crosby-Ironton Presbyterian Church will hold an installation service for Pastor Norma Spurgin 3 p.m. Sunday at the church, 48 First St. S.E., Crosby. A reception will follow the service.
Sports shorts
Brainerd Youth Athletic Association night football games have been rescheduled for Monday on Brainerd High School's varsity field.
Huskies fall to OTC
PILLAGER -- The Pillager Huskies fell to Ottertail Central 48-6 in Prairie North Conference football Friday.
Upcoming sporting events
Radio guide
Brainerd at St. Cloud Apollo, 7 p.m. Friday
Lineups
COMING SUNDAY IN NORTH COUNTRY
Why he loves October
Stoy's goal lifts Flyers
BELLE PRAIRIE -- Paddy Stoy scored the game winning goal just over two minutes into the final overtime to give the Little Falls Flyers a 3-2 win over the Alexandria Cardinals in Central Lakes Conference play Thursday.
Schuety's hat trick leads Hornets
BAXTER -- Lake Region Christian's Jesse Schuety recorded a hat trick to lead the Hornets to a 4-2 win over Chisago Baptist in boys' soccer Friday.
Warriors tripped up by Sartell
BAXTER -- In the last four games the Brainerd Warriors boys' soccer team has been missing something.
Braham bombs Gobblers
AITKIN -- The Aitkin Gobblers dropped their second straight Great River Conference football game, 58-24, Friday to the Braham Bombers.
Upcoming sporting events
FRIDAY
Lumberjacks outlast Warriors in non-conference match
The Brainerd Warriors dug.
Beaman, Severson lead C-I
BAY LAKE -- Kim Beaman and McLean Severson ran away from the field, grabbing individual honors and helping the Crosby-Ironton Rangers boys' and girls' cross-country teams to first place Thursday at the Ranger Invitational.
Baseball Postseason
DIVISION SERIES
Storm rattles Brainerd
SAUK RAPIDS -- The Brainerd Warriors swimming and diving team found themselves in the eye of the storm as the Sauk Rapids Storm cruised to a 114-72 Central Lakes Conference victory Thursday night.
Verndale, B-H might meet again
VERNDALE -- Make your reservations now.
Upcoming sporting events
Radio guide
Gall makes a habit of crossing goals off his list
As a sophomore wrestler for the Pierz Pioneers, Warren Gall had two goals he wanted to accomplish.
Sports shorts
The Brainerd Warriors junior varsity bowling team defeated St. Cloud Cathedral 4-1 and St. Cloud Tech 5-0 Saturday to remain unbeaten in the Central Minnesota Conference.
Raiders roll on the Range
VIRGINIA -- Courtney Stach hammered 16 kills and added two ace serves, five digs and four blocks to help the Central Lakes College Raiders roll past the Mesabi Range Norsewomen 3-0 in Northern Division volleyball Friday.
Cardinals light up Crookston defense
STAPLES -- The Staples-Motley Cardinals' offense was so electric Friday it caused two power outages that knocked out the lights on two towers.
EGF defeats Pequot Lakes
EAST GRAND FORKS -- Kris Durham threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to put the Pequot Lakes Patriots on the board but they fell 46-13 to East Grand Forks in Northern Lakes Conference football Friday.
Rangers swat Hornets
CROSBY -- Chelsea Lundgren pounded out 16 kills and had six blocks to lead the Crosby-Ironton Rangers to a 25-17, 17-25, 25-19, 25-23 win over the Hill City Hornets in a non-conference volleyball matchup Thursday.
Warriors survive tough test
ST. CLOUD -- For one half the St. Cloud Apollo Eagles found a way to stick with the Brainerd Warriors.
Fantastic freshmen
A year ago, five Brainerd lakes area athletes were the stars on their teams in high school. They were the leaders, the go-to players, the ones people pointed to.
Brainerd finishes regular season 12-1-4
SARTELL -- Brainerd's Sam Smith scored two goals in the first half and teammate Kelly Rosenthal added a goal in the second half in a 3-1 Warriors triumph over the Sartell Sabres in Central Lakes Conference play Thursday.
BHS back racks up a Prince-ly sum of 110 yards
ST. CLOUD -- With two regular-season games remaining, and one playoff game at a minimum, Brady Prince has already surpassed what he accomplished all of last season.
COMING SUNDAY IN SPORTS
Taking it to another level
Gall, Even power Pioneers
HOWARD LAKE -- Warren Gall rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns and Christian Even rushed for 117 yards and returned a punt 55 yards for a score to lead the Pierz Pioneers to a 38-20 Central Minnesota Conference football triumph Friday.
Warriors make strides
For a program that hasn't had a winning record for five years the 2004 season may be remembered as the year when it began to come back.
Baxter's Martin hopes to win big in Las Vegas
For the first time in his drag racing career, Baxter's Ken Martin will be able to just worry about going from point A to B.
PR-B topples Blackduck
PINE RIVER -- Casey Stark connected with wide receiver Micah Eveland for two scores as the Pine River-Backus Tigers defeated the Blackduck Drakes 20-7 in North Star Conference football Friday.
Upcoming sporting events
SATURDAY
Cannon makes noise
VERNDALE -- It was a game almost too big for both schools.
Opposite ends of the spectrum
Brainerd's Brady Prince returned the opening kickoff against St. Cloud Tech as James Strand blocked last week. The Warriors are at St. Cloud Apollo Friday night.
Patriots' Meschke wins her 149th match
WADENA -- Val Meschke recorded her 149th career victory as Pequot Lakes edged the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines 4-3 in Mid-State Conference tennis Thursday.
Wadena-Deer Creek secures first win
PARK RAPIDS -- With a 20-19 victory over Park Rapids in Northern Lakes Conference football Friday, the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines won their first game of the season.
Schoon has found her groove for Pirates
Stacey Schoon has found a comfort zone on the volleyball court.
Cardinals shoot down Flyers
WILLMAR -- The Willmar Cardinals ended the Little Falls Flyers tennis season with a 7-0 victory Friday in the South Subsection 8, Class 2A team tennis tournament.
Sauer spoils Flyers' night
COLD SPRING -- David Sauer threw for 326 yards and seven touchdowns on 18-of-27 passing to lead the unbeaten Rocori Spartans past the Little Falls Flyers 57-22 in Central Lakes Conference football Friday.
Hockey
Friday's Scores
Baseball
American League
Driving takes back seat to crashing
Blending high velocities with jarring crashes, this new title from Electronic Arts offers a variety of racing styles on courses spanning the United States, Europe and Asia.
ServiceMaster Brainerd Lakes
Whatever kind of mess you've got, the trained cleaning people at ServiceMaster guarantee that they'll get the job done to your satisfaction or they'll do it again.
Pointlessly, imperfectly portable
The Portable Media Center -- a new, Microsoft-conceived handheld device that presents video and photos as well as music -- would be a decent idea if there weren't such a thing as lampposts. Or street signs. Or trees. Or other cars.
Web future depends on standards
The obstacles impeding Web development are as much social as technological, and industry players must avoid the temptation to stymie key technologies by demanding royalty payments, Berners-Lee said Wednesday at a technology conference sponsored by MIT Technology Review magazine.
Quicken, Money duel to a draw
The Intuit-Microsoft battle for supremacy in the personal-finance software market is as long-running as some sports rivalries -- except that few users seem to care all that much about the outcome of this contest.
When CDs go bad they might be fixable
About 15 minutes into the movie "Twisted," the lovely face of Ashley Judd dissolved into a blob of pixels on our TV screen and froze.
Mobile prepares for cruise crowds
MOBILE, Ala. -- This Alabama port city is getting ready for a big influx of visitors as the new homeport for a 726-cabin cruise ship, Carnival's Holiday.
Favorite Vacation Photo
This was the view outside Chuck Schroeders cabin north of Lutsen on the North Shore.
There's something corny about these designs
CORINNA, Maine -- This time of year, farms around the country advertise hayrides, pumpkin- and apple-picking, and mazes made from corn grown as high as an elephant's eye.
Brainerd woman wins cruise contest
A northeast Brainerd woman, who has taught private piano lessons for 66 years, won a talent contest on a recent cruise after playing her own original arrangement.
The latest options in the hunt for bargain rooms
a) Surfing Web discounters.
Send in your Favorite Vacation Photo
Do you have a favorite vacation photo? Send your slides, prints or digital files to:
Scattered showers expected in the Southeast, Pacific Northwest
Rainy conditions were forecast in parts of the Southeast early Saturday as Tropical Storm Matthew stirred in the Gulf Coast.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy with scattered showers or isolated thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s to lower 70s.
State forecast for Iowa
...Dense fog advisory far northwest until 9 am...
State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s.
The Weather Elsewhere
Saturday
Upcoming Weekend Probably Best Chance to View Fall Foliage
STATE COLLEGE, PA October 7, 2004 AccuWeather.com meteorologists believe this weekend may be one of the best of the fall season for outdoor activities, including viewing fall foliage.
State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Mostly sunny. Highs from the upper 50s northeast to around 70 west.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Mostly clear west...Becoming mostly clear east. Areas of morning fog southeast. Highs in the mid 60s northeast to mid 70s west.
State forecast for North Dakota
.Today...Mostly sunny west and central. Partly cloudy and windy east
A nice weekend ahead?
Weather drawing by Megan Noakes in the Riverside third grade of Mrs. Meyer.
State forecast for Minnesota
...Dense fog advisory southwest minnesota through 9 am...
Rain and thunder forecast in much of the East
Rain and thunder were forecast for the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley on Friday, while the Plains were expected to stay dry and fair.
Forecast: Pumpkins will abound
Weather drawing by Dyllan Vanek in the Whittier first grade of Mrs. Staples.
State forecast for North Dakota
.Today...Mostly sunny and windy. Highs from around 70 east to The mid 80s west.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the 60s.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Sunny. Highs from the lower 70s east to the mid 80s far west.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
What's doing
Family Safety Network will hold a fish fry at Union Congregational Church, Hackensack, from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 17. This is a fundraising event for Family Safety Network, a non-profit organization providing services to victims of domestic violence in all of Cass County. Because it is "Domestic Violence Awareness Month," there will be informational displays and empty place settings. A silent auction will also be held. For tickets and more information call (218) 547-1636.