Sunday, October 24, 2004

Wausau Paper reports gain in earnings
Wausau Paper reported a 36 percent gain in third-quarter earnings to $8.1 million from $6 million the year before, which is the company's highest profit in five years.

In a New York minute
Minuteman Press got off to a quick start following its June opening day.

Professionals sought for Rotary-sponsored tour of Lithuania
The Rotary is looking for "enthusiastic, informed and articulate local professionals" for a Rotary-sponsored vocational tour of Lithuania in April.

Patients at Crosby hospital order meals via room service
CROSBY -- Patients at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby, now have the option of ordering their meals via room service.

Politics and the workplace often don't go together
When workers at Columbia, Md.-based Essex Corp. display cards or photos of presidential candidates in their offices, the company's chief executive gently reminds them that they're inviting controversy.

Woodlands National Bank forms partnership
Woodlands National Bank, owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and Native American Bank formed a partnership to open a loan production office in Anchorage, Alaska, the Mille Lacs Band reported.

Conflicting orders: Which way to turn?
Dealing with conflicting orders from bosses at work often leaves workers wondering where to turn.

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.

Business Notes
Gatton joins Nystrom & Associates

BIRTHS
Brett and Traci McKay, Pillager, a boy, Logan Michael, 8 pounds, 2 ounces, Oct. 10, 2004.

Staples City Council
Meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday

Pillager School Board
Meets 7 p.m. Monday

Pequot Lakes School Board
Meets 7p.m. Monday

Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners
Meets 9 a.m. Tuesday

Thirty Lakes/Crow Wing County Joint Powers Board
Meets 11 a.m. Wednesday

PUBLIC MEETINGS
The Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District Personnel Committee will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Ag Service Center, 512 C St., Brainerd, to discuss staffing and other personnel issues.

9-year-old boy anxiously awaits a partner
Summer 2004 was a time of change for 9-year-old Ronald.

Single protein appears to be the key to memory
The preservation of our memories may depend upon the actions of a single protein, according to a new study published in the current issue of the journal Science.

Let them eat creative wedding cakes
West Hartford, Conn., pastry chef Carol Murdock once made a wedding cake in the shape of the Matterhorn and perched a tiny sugar tent on one of the layers. For another bride, whose profession was horse training, Murdock included a horse among the decorations.

Ghost stories, monster tales featured in Halloween books
NEW YORK -- Spider-Man and princess outfits might be the most popular costumes this Halloween, but the authors and illustrators of children's books still prefer ghosts, goblins and witches.

Blood drive
The American Red Cross blood drive held Oct. 4-7 was a huge success, with a collection of 644 units of life-saving blood, because of the many volunteers who worked beside me and because of the generosity of the blood donors who gave their time and blood to help save the lives of many members of our community. If necessary, the 644 units of blood could be divided, helping 1,932 citizens in our area.

Overheard
"If one of them came to Leader I might just vote for them. They come to the big towns."

COMING TUESDAY
Meet the candidates

LOCAL BRIEFS
Halloween party and fall fiesta slated

Leader Amoco patrons talk about presidential race
LEADER -- Like many small-town businesses, those in Leader rely on the support of locals and of travelers who are just passing through on their way to cabins or homes up north.

Welcome center welcomes first glimpse inside
Babe Clifford (left) and Paul Roth talked during an open house Friday at the Brainerd Lakes Area Welcome Center. In the foreground is a design of the new facility and a clay sculpture of a proposed Paul Bunyan statue that may be placed there. The welcome center is being built on the site of the Highway 371 Safety Rest Area. Windseth, Smith, Nolting and Associates Inc. is the project architect.

Emergency loans available to area farmers
The secretary of agriculture has declared a Natural Disaster Determination for 29 counties in Minnesota, including Cass, Crow Wing, and Aitkin, based on the losses caused by frost conditions that occurred Aug. 20 and continuing. Emergency loans are available to eligible farmers.

Leader weighs in on our next leader
LEADER -- Who do the folks in Leader want for their leader?

This was Brainerd
OCTOBER 24 - 40 years ago (1964) - Super Market Specials: Round steak 79 pound; Sirloin or T-Bone Steak 99 pound; Bananas-2 pounds, 25; Hills Bros. Coffee 2 pounds $1.49; Saltine crackers 1 pounds box, 19.

Hollingsworth reported safe
Phillip A. Hollingsworth, 39, a Deerwood man who was missing for a week, was located in Spokane, Wash., the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department reported Friday.

Pillager woman tries to become a millionaire
What does 9-year-old Richard Schultz of Pillager want for Christmas?

Couple embarks on variety of business ventures, like pig racing, to draw people
LEADER -- Although the scale's decidedly different, Gary and Glenda Dauer demonstrate the imagination and energy of New York City's Donald Trump.

COMING MONDAY
Haunted school

Clair 'Bud' W. Young
STAPLES -- Clair "Bud" Walter Young, age 71, of Staples, died Friday morning, Oct. 22, 2004, at the Lakewood Health System-Hospital. Memorial services will be on Monday, Oct. 25, from 2-4 p.m. at Lakewood Pines, Staples, Minn., with the Rev. Stephen Sveom officiating. Bud bequest his body to the University of Minnesota, knowing that by their research, others will live longer and healthier lives. Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association.

Gertrude Kapsner
LASTRUP -- Gertrude Kapsner, 88, of Lastrup, Minn., passed away Friday, Oct. 22, 2004, at the Pierz Villa in Pierz, Minn.

Helen Helgeson Gold
ST. PAUL -- Helen Helgeson Gold died Oct. 19, 2004, in St. Paul, Minn., at the age of 94. She was a longtime Brainerd resident.

Ida M. Malmgren
AITKIN -- Ida Marie Malmgren, age 75, of Aitkin, died on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2004, at the Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the First Lutheran Church in Aitkin with the Rev. Lance Isaacson officiating. Interment will be in the Diamond Lake Cemetery. Friends may call at the church one hour before the services. Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin.

Jean Cronquist
Jean Cronquist, age 85, resident of Brainerd, died Friday, Oct. 22, 2004, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.

Pamela J. Krueger
Pamela J. Krueger, age 60, of Brainerd, died Friday, Oct. 22, 2004, at St. Cloud Hospital. Memorial services will be Monday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church in Brainerd with the Rev. Deb Celley officiating. Private family interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd.

Thomas E. Hembd
PRIOR LAKE -- Thomas E. Hembd, age 83, resident of Prior Lake, Minn., passed away on Oct. 8, 2004.

Lynn S. Clarquist
PEQUOT LAKES -- Lynn S. Clarquist, age 57, died Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2004, at his residence.

Bunny Humphrey
Bunny Humphrey, of Brainerd, died Friday, Oct. 22, 2004, in her home. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.

Time is short to save golf course
It is of interest that a crucial concern faces Baxter, just at election time. The public golf course, which has provided affordable golfing for our area, is up for sale. The Baxter that we know only too well has used such opportunities for new parking lots and large box superstores. A new, more proactive approach is needed, as the possibility of preserving such a large mature green space may never happen again in our lifetime. This could be kept as a municipal course, with the clubhouse shared as a community center/outdoor pool. It could be a beautiful park for countless future generations. (I am sure that the people of Manhattan are forever grateful for the foresight that created Central Park, instead of another grimy residential city neighborhood.)

How can we trust the elite media?
Friday, Oct. 15, there was an event in Washington D.C. that the elite media, (CBS, NBC, ABC) chose not to cover and/or report. This event, Mayday for Marriage, was attended by tens of thousands of Christian and conservative supporters of traditional marriage, some busloads from as far away as Seattle, Wash., and San Francisco, Calif.

VOX POP
As another non-smoker, I, too, am concerned about losing my freedom of choice. Not only my rights but private business owners' rights. There's two groups to satisfy one group. Why? What next? My home? My car? My back yard? Why? Power and control or divide and conquer. On the news now, there's talk of making it a state law again.

Vote for my husband
Please vote on Nov. 2 for my husband Jim Sykes for city council along with Mike Brusseau, Bob Olson And Robert Fitzsimmons. They are honest, friendly and well qualified. I know they will do an excellent job representing the people of Brainerd. I support them 100 percent.

Democrats and economic growth
I purchased my business in 1985, the first year of Reagan's second term with an adjustable rate mortgage commencing at 12.5 percent. By today's rates, this seems outrageous. At the time, it was perceived to be a bargain, as Reagan inherited rates from the Democrats approaching 20 percent.

Sign stealers can make the call
I live along Highway 3 on the south edge of Mission Township. Some of my neighbors have displayed Bush/Cheney signs next to their driveways for several weeks. These signs have remained unmolested. I put 4 Kerry/Edwards signs out at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening. By Thursday morning they were gone! Did I miss something? Do I not have the same right to display my political preferences as my neighbors? Are my opinions less important or less well protected than those of my neighbors? I didn't think so until this morning.

Gazelka taught marriage classes
We have had the privilege of working alongside Paul and Marilee Gazelka teaching marriage classes.

We can do better
While Brainerd struggles with important issues, taxation, annexation, preservation of our neighborhoods and way of life, the discussions at city council meetings and among some of the candidates resembles a bad daytime TV show. Hours have been spent talking about a parking ticket, a council member's dispute with a Brainerd resident, and election year posturing by candidates and incumbents up for re-election. Some incumbents run just on their name, others who are veterans of city government blame the city that they have served for everything that has gone wrong, taking no responsibility for their role on the council. Disputes between council members that seem to have been simmering for years take up time that should go to addressing the real issues we are now facing.

Methamphetamine addiction
It is obvious that Mr. Sluss and I see the methamphetamine problem and the answers through the lenses of our own experiences and biases. I believe the county would be best served to hire two recovering methamphetamine addicts to work with and for the court systems; to intervene early in the lives of addicts, whether it is methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine or alcohol.

Women's Center provides a safe refuge
The Women's Center is a safe refuge for women and their children. Last year we provided physical and emotional safety to 101 women and 126 children who were fleeing domestic violence. This Christmas we will once again be "home" to women and children who are homeless, and "family" to those who have no family. In addition to meeting their immediate needs at the time of their crisis, we try at Christmas time to provide some hope and joy to these families. While we are able to offer than most precious gift of safety, we need your assistance to provide the more tangible signs of sharing.

Gym should have been overflowing
Those who attended the deployment ceremony last Saturday at Brainerd High School for the troops of HHC 1-194th Bn sent a powerful message to these brave young men: We honor and appreciate the great sacrifice you and your families are making for us and for your country, and we will hold you in our hearts.

Baxter voters should vote yes
Taxes are about as popular as the first frost in fall, but proponents of a local option sales tax in Baxter make a strong case for voters who will consider that ballot question Nov. 4.

Trout Unlimited to meet Oct. 26
The Paul Bunyan Chapter of Trout Unlimited will meet at 7 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Northland Arboretum. Non-members are encouraged to attend. Tim Brastrup, DNR area fisheries manager, will report on this year's stream census of Stony Brook and other trout-related management activities.

North Country Calendar
Oct. 23 -- Mink, muskrat, beaver, otter trapping open in north zone

Positive habitat trends noted after fish removal at Lake Christina
One year after the application of a fish-killing agent to Lake Christina, researchers from the Minnesota DNR, North Dakota State University and University of St. Thomas have noted positive trends in water quality and habitat conditions on the lake.

At the end of a long weekend, guide and clients hit rock bottom
When you tell some people that fishing has been tough they really don't feel too sorry for you. I wish I would have had a few of them with me last weekend so they could see what the other side of a guide's job looks like.

Candidates are gutsy by nature
On a quiet, crisp morning in an Iowa field, John F. Kerry wades in the tall grass and lays a shotgun on his shoulder. Clad in forest green and blaze orange, against a patchwork of brown fields, he inspects the neck of a freshly killed pheasant -- while, in turn, a covey of photographers inspects him, and aides jot notes that will become campaign Web site fodder about the senator's love of hunting.

Q &A
"The DNR attempts to ensure that animals taken illegally are not wasted," said Major Al Heidebrink, operations manager at the DNR division of enforcement. "

Pollution fears threaten a way of life in Alaska
CHEVAK, Alaska -- Even maps of Alaska often don't identify Kokechik Bay, a small inlet of the Bering Sea in the vast delta between the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. No one lives there except for half a dozen contractors manning a Cold War-era radar site, still trained on the former Soviet Union.

TWICE TO AFRICA
On Dan Pettit's first African hunt he was so awestruck that one week wasn't enough to absorb it all. So for his second hunt he booked two weeks.

Nobel Peace Prize winner is a fighter for the forests
Who would have thought a baby girl born 64 years ago in Kenya would one day be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? Clearly, in these times of global angst and anguish, we need all the peacemakers we can get.

Hunting has recent success stories, but challenges to the sport loom
Mourning doves and prairie chickens, two birds that were off-limits to Minnesota hunters for many years, are legal game again, a positive sign that in some respects, at least, Minnesota hunting is getting better.

ERIC AND ALYSSA LEMKE
Alyssa Cummings and Eric Lemke were married April 17, 2004, at First Presbyterian Church in Brainerd with Pastor Harold Tongen officiating.

Jessica Collins and Nathan Larson
Jessica Collins and Nathan Larson announce their engagement. Parents are Henry and Shirley Collins, Merrifield, and Dennis and Shirley Larson, Inver Grove Heights. A Dec. 17 wedding is planned in Inver Grove Heights.

JEFF AND KASEY LINDROTH
Kasey Lightner and Jeff Lindroth were married July 31, 2004, at the Camp Ripley Chapel in Fort Ripley with Pastor Bob Twiton officiating.

PETER AND MELODIE FOX
Melodie Sjoblad and Peter Fox were married Aug. 7, 2004, at St. Christopher's Catholic Church in Nisswa with Father George Zeck officiating.

WILLIAM AND AMANDA WOITALLA
Amanda Gilson and William Woitalla were married Aug. 21, 2004, at Holy Cross Church in Harding with Father Roger Thoennes officiating.

DAVID ALLAN AND CAROL ANNE PUNDT
Carol Anne Hales and David Allan Pundt were married Aug. 28, 2004, at the Linden Hills Conference Center in Little Falls with Pastor David Uhrich officiating.

DAVID AND JENI SCHWEGMAN
Jeni Zacher and David Schwegman were married Sept. 17, 2004, at Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge in Deerwood with Darrell Paske officiating.

BRANDON AND KRISTIN THOMAS
Kristin Bayhan and Brandon Thomas were married on July 27, 2004, in Las Vegas.

COMING WEDNESDAY IN SPORTS
Tournament time

Room for improvement
Jacob Mehr knows sports. He plays them. He watches them. He watched his father coach them.

Two Cards are better than one
They didn't start the season together, but Amanda DiGiovanni and Kim Mosack concluded a successful season together.

Scoreboard
Funai Classic at Disney

Pioneers' Solinger wins another CMC title
When Zack Solinger won the Central Minnesota Conference cross country title in 2001, little did he know he had a chance to tie a long-standing school mark.

Sports committee draws negative responses from Aitkin coaches
AITKIN -- Aitkin coaches are feeling more pressure, and many don't like it.

Aitkin forms sports committee to boost athletic programs
AITKIN -- Pride in sports and pride in children. Together there is not a stronger source of passion, emotion and frustration.

Upcoming events
Radio guide

Correction
A Brainerd Warriors football player was incorrectly identified in Thursday's photo.

Hornets fourth at nationals
The Minnesota Hornets finished fourth in the women's Class D ASA national softball tournament Sept. 24-26 in Lawton, Okla.

Upcoming events
SATURDAY

Cell phone jammers: Surreptitiously squelching your handset
In four Monterrey churches, Israeli-made cell phone jammers the size of paperbacks have been tucked unobtrusively among paintings of the Madonna and statues of the saints.

Playing 'Fable' and 'Gradius V'
You're more than welcome to play the good guy in "Fable," slaying beasts and winning the hearts and minds of the people. But it's equally satisfying -- albeit ethically troubling -- to be as wicked as you want.

Sara Hershberger's recipes
ROAST BEEF

Send your Favorite Vacation Photos
Do you have a favorite vacation photo? Send your slides, prints or digital files to:

Favorite Vacation Photo
Marge and George Cook of Fifty Lakes and Mission, Texas, celebrated Christmas in Texas last year with their daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren, Ben, Charlie, Magie and Isabel, who attend school in Pequot Lakes.

Families open homes to let tourists taste their culture
BALTIC, Ohio -- A 2-year-old Amish boy plays on the front lawn with a pinwheel, barely noticing as 40 tourists shuffle past and into his grandparents' home.

Thrill-seekers can take zero-gravity ride for $3,000
ABOARD G-FORCE ONE ABOVE THE GULF OF MEXICO -- Space is the one frontier that's out of reach to the average person. But the feeling of space travel is now a little less elusive.

State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of showers north and

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms this morning... Then partly to mostly cloudy with a chance for showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the 60s to around 70.

The Weather Elsewhere
Saturday

Below-Normal Temperatures Expected East of the Mississippi During 90-Day Period
STATE COLLEGE, PA October 21, 2004 AccuWeather.com meteorologists stated today that the November through January period will be highlighted by colder-than-normal temperatures east of the Mississippi River. This includes high energy use regions in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

State forecast for North Dakota
.Today...Becoming partly sunny west. Cloudy and windy with scattered

State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Mostly cloudy. Morning showers likely west tapering off in The afternoon. Showers likely with isolated thunderstorms in the Morning east with a chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs from The upper 40s northwest to the lower 60s southeast.

Winter Season May Bring Cold Weather to Areas of Highest Energy Use
STATE COLLEGE, PA Oct. 21, 2004 With energy prices remaining high, the weather may not cooperate for residents of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The AccuWeather.com Winter Storm Center's exclusive 2004-2005 Winter Season Forecast includes a cold forecast for the region with the highest heating oil use.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Cloudy with rain tapering off this morning east...Then becoming partly cloudy this afternoon. Partly cloudy early...Then mostly cloudy west. Breezy east. Highs in the mid 50s to lower 60s.

Rain expected across East and central states
Rain was expected to dampen much of the country on Saturday, with parts of the West and the central states getting a break from the drizzle.

Weather drawing
Weather drawing by Craig Collins in the Baxter School third-grade class of Mrs. Brenny.

WHAT'S DOING
The Brainerd Kiwanis Club will celebrate 50 years of service to the Brainerd area Friday at the Timbermist. The evening will honor the original members of 1954 to the present who have devoted their time and talent to improve the Brainerd community and make the area and the world a better place for children.