Sunday, October 31, 2004
Gravdahl named Minnesota '04 Resorter of the Year
BREEZY POINT -- Dave Gravdahl, general manager of Breezy Point Resort, Breezy Point, was named 2004 Minnesota Resort & Campground Association Resorter of the Year.
New Green Mill banking on high traffic volume
BAXTER -- New Green Mill franchise owners sought to create a cozy atmosphere and gain from greater weekend traffic with a move to Baxter.
Business news
Bankers gains recognition as occupational therapist
Construction in west Brainerd
The walls are going up quickly as Kuepers Construction is in the process of building North Central Medical Supply behind Colorz for Quilts just off Northwest Fourth Street in west Brainerd. Owners are Dennis and Julie Lavalle. The project, represented in this Kuepers architectural drawing, is expected to be completed in early January.
Automatic 401(k) could prompt more workers to save
The number of those over age 65 will nearly double in three decades, and there won't be enough future workers to support the kind of benefits promised today. Social Security must be changed -- and soon -- to give pending retirees enough time to make adjustments of their own.
FIRES
The fire department reported that the owner, Dusty May, was burned and was treated at the scene by North Ambulance. He was not hospitalized.
Treat them to something new
At the National Confectioners Association All Candy Expo 2004, held in June, nearly 500 candy manufacturers presented America's newest treats at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center.
Let them eat creative cakes
What's in and what's out? The plastic couple on the top of the cake is yesterday's decoration. Fresh or sugar flowers or an icon that reflects the couple's interests top the cake.
CHILD IN NEED
Normally Kinship matches young boys with men and girls with women. We have a special need for a little boy that would benefit having a one-on-one relationship with either. Lenny is 6 years old and loves to be busy. He does not see his mom since she is in treatment for alcohol and drug rehab.
County officials predict high turnout
Voter apathy?
The scary house on Memorywood
BAXTER -- Walking up a long, narrow driveway in the dark you follow the lighted pumpkins, the blinking eyeballs and dancing ghosts before you stumble upon a "Beware" sign attached to a screaming skeleton.
Another long wait feared
WASHINGTON -- After four years of legislation, technology upgrades and other reforms aimed at avoiding a repeat of the hotly contested 2000 elections, a growing number of government officials and voting experts are preparing for the unthinkable.
Highway 371 now open in Morrison County
The detour on Highway 371 between Morrison County Highways 46 and 47 in Fort Ripley is now open, reported the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Is this tornado season still?
Storm clouds passed over Wels Avenue (the former Highway 371) Friday night in Barrows several minutes after funnel clouds were spotted near Little Falls.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1984)-Most of Brainerd went black this morning when a voltage regulator failed. The electricity was shut off for an hour. About 2,500 homes were affected.
Making quick work of blaze
Brainerd firefighters prepared to enter a house Friday on South Seventh Street. The blaze was quickly extinguished.
Bush, Kerry trade jabs over bin Laden tape
After the briefest pause in hostilities, aides to President Bush and Sen. John F. Kerry seized on the re-emergence of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden on Friday to launch a fierce round of attacks -- each accusing the other of exploiting the matter for political gain.
LOCAL BRIEFS
For the first time because of the flu shot shortage, Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd is unable to give flu shots to its 325 employees and volunteer caregivers.
Demographer sees county of 90,000 by '30
People working in the Brainerd lakes area in 10 years will have to be faster and smarter and work with more up-to-date technology.
Polling places
Crow Wing County township polling sites with hours between 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. are as follows:
Politically split family is a microcosm of Wisconsin
BELOIT, Wis. -- There's a house divided, and then there's the Johnson family.
'Sweeney Todd' serves up dark humor (and meat pies) for Halloween
"Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" will cause you to chuckle several times, but not because of slapstick humor or punchlines.
Saturn returns in the evening
After two months during which no bright planets were visible during evening hours, Saturn will return to the evening sky in November. The most exciting action will remain in the predawn sky, however.
Mary Hatfield Sanford
Mary Hatfield Sanford, 94, died Thursday, Oct. 28, 2004, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Stanley L. Piasecki
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Stanley Leonard Piasecki, 67, Lawrence, Kan., died Oct. 26, 2004, at Midland Hospice in Topeka, Kan. He was born Nov. 6, 1936, in Harding, Minn., the son of Stanley and Cecelia Piasecki. He was raised on his parents' dairy farm. Mr. Piasecki served in the Armed Forces as a bandsman stationed in Germany with the 3rd Armored Division. He obtained an accounting degree from St. Cloud University, St. Cloud, Minn., and worked primarily in real estate and government auditing until retirement.
Johanna M. Wise
Johanna M. Wise, age 97, resident of Brainerd, died Friday, Oct. 29, 2004, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Earl C. Lee
LITTLE FALLS -- Earl C. Lee, age 85, a resident of Little Falls, formerly of Long Prairie, Minn., passed away Friday, Oct. 29, 2004, at St. Gabriel's Hospital.
Zelma N. Olson
PEQUOT LAKES -- Zelma N. Olson, age 97, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004, at Bethany Good Samaritan Center in Brainerd. Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Pequot Lakes. The Rev. Dr. David N. Stevens to officiate. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, 2004, at Willim-St.Onge Family Funeral Home in Pequot Lakes. Burial will be in Our Savior's Cemetery in Pequot Lakes.
Ed and Jann Northway
Ed and Jann Northway left our earthy existence together on Oct. 26, 2004. Their sudden passing is a tremendous loss, but their spirit will always remain in the hearts and souls of their family and friends.
OTHER OPINION: VOTING
One of the most disturbing, even destabilizing, aspects of the presidential election is the prospect that partisans on either side will deem the outcome invalid if their candidate doesn't win. Republicans are warning of massive fraud by new registrants not entitled to vote, while Democrats complain of an organized program to intimidate and disenfranchise eligible voters. The tension between preventing fraud and ensuring access is inherent in every election. But the expected closeness of this one, combined with the lingering bruises of the 2000 race, the record number of newly enrolled voters and the added uncertainties posed by a new federal law, have ratcheted that inevitable conflict to a new level. Those factors have produced an avalanche of pre-election litigation, threaten a difficult and perhaps ugly Election Day in the closest states, and raise the possibility that the victor may once again not be known for weeks.
OUR OPINION: ELECTION 2004
The 2004 campaign might not have been the longest political onslaught in American history but there are days when it seems so.
Electoral College is good for democracy
What should an election system for choosing the president attempt to achieve? Certainly one goal is to reflect the popular will, an outcome that might (or might not, depending on how the system is structured) be achieved with a direct popular vote.
OUTDOOR NOTES
About 2,000 firearms deer hunters might notice a small delay in receiving permits for special hunts or to harvest an antlerless deer, the DNR announced earlier this week.
Shining season is over; DNR on the lookout for poachers
Poaching of deer peaks at this time of year, when the animals are on the move during the fall breeding season. The most common method used by poachers is "shining," whereby a light is beamed at the deer, typically causing it to become motionless and vulnerable to a bullet.
Boaters say mandating life ljackets would be going overboard
Hundreds of preventable drownings have prompted federal regulators to consider whether to require boaters to wear life vests, igniting a safety-versus-personal freedom debate akin to the clash over mandatory motorcycle helmets.
When in Camp Ripley, be prepared to do your part
CAMP RIPLEY -- There are two ways to approach the Camp Ripley archery hunt: Get there first or get there later.
Reflections on outdoors heritage
I don't know what I would do with myself if I didn't know how to hunt and fish. Dad was our teacher and my brother and I feel very fortunate that we learned about the outdoors at young ages.
Record harvest at first Camp Ripley bow hunt
Archers took 284 deer during the first two-day hunt at Camp Ripley, a new record.
CALENDAR
Oct. 30-31 -- Camp Ripley archery hunt, second season; mink, muskrat, beaver, otter trapping in south zone opens
Don't need all that venison? Donate it to your local food shelf
Minnesota deer hunters can arrange to donate extra venison to programs that distribute food to the needy.
CWD testing process streamlined, incentives offered to hunters who bring in deer
In the third and final year of statewide surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease in Minnesota's wild deer herd, the DNR is offering incentives and streamlining its collection process for hunters who bring in deer for testing.
Squirrel behavor is reasonably nutty
Those little gray piles of fur, flesh and blood are as numerous on roads this time of year as pumpkins on doorsteps.
60th anniversary - Lester "Buck" and Kay Gakin
Lester "Buck" and Kay Gakin, Brainerd, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with their family. They were married Nov. 4, 1944, in Fort Sill, Okla.
JOHN AND STEPHANIE HULTMAN
Stephanie Wynne and John Hultman were married July 16, 2004, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Edina with the Rev. Mark Kelm and the Rev. Graham Fenton officiating.
SEAN AND KRISTEN NOTTINGHAM
Kristen Ann Borders and Sean Purvis Nottingham were married June 19, 2004, in a lakeside ceremony at Madden's Resort in Brainerd with the Rev. Marya O'Mally officiated.
40th anniversary - Jerry and Marge Backstrom
Jerry and Marge Backstrom will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with a dinner with their local children and grandchildren. They were married Nov. 1, 1964, in Aitkin.
Birthday open house
Florence Hanson will celebrate her birthday with an open house from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Excelsior Place dining room. The event will be hosted by her family. No gifts please.
Engagement announced - Pam Jenc and James Hoglin
Pam Jenc and James Hoglin announce their engagement. Parents are Lenore Jenc, Sauk Centre, and Phil and Paige Jenc, Chippewa Falls, Wis., and Gary and Diane Hoglin, Baxter. A March 11, 2005, wedding is planned in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
All-around ace
Verndale Pirates head volleyball coach Kelly Youngbauer said it best when describing Sami Seaton.
He's never bored on his wakeboard
Colin Ryan loves the water and likes a challenge.
Pierz powers past Lakers in subsection matchup
PIERZ -- Lisa Pohlkamp grabbed 25 kills and 10 digs to lead second-seeded Pierz past No. 7 Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 25-18, 25-17, 28-30, 25-19 in the Subsection 20, Section 5, Class 2A volleyball quarterfinals Friday.
Upcoming sporting events
Saturday
State titles elude area netters
MINNEAPOLIS -- While she's still alive, Jacque Peterson won't have the Class 1A state tennis tournament title she had hoped for.
Zebroski gets job done at back, receiver, linebacker
He's not fast or flashy, but Luke Zebroski gets the job done.
Alexandria eliminates Warriors from playoffs
ALEXANDRIA -- Paige Olson recorded eight digs, seven kills and five blocks for the seventh-seeded Brainerd Warriors volleyball team, which lost to second-seeded Alexandria 25-16, 25-16, 25-20 in the South Subsection 8, Class 3A quarterfinals Friday.
Fauchier up for challenge of Northwoods baseball
Securing a career in baseball, and in Brainerd, has been almost like predestination for Shawndra Fauchier.
Services help social networks get connected
Two new Web services launched last week aim to help people tap their friends for tips about where to eat, shop and play.
Website of the Week Brainerd Floral Gift and Bridal
Are you looking for a way to brighten someone's day?
Deluxe handhelds don't justify the price
When $100 buys a pocket-sized gadget that can store decades' worth of appointments and addresses -- and $200 gets you one that also serves as a digital photo album and MP3 player -- why would anybody want to spend $400 or $500 on a new Palm or Pocket PC handheld?
2004 BHS graduate to recount Peru trip
The most difficult moment for Holly Zelinske during her monthlong excursion to Peru was when she came home.
Favorite Vacation Photo
Do you have a favorite vacation photo?
Olympics judge
WALKER -- Cass County District Court Judge John P. Smith worked as a volunteer for his third Olympics this summer in Athens, Greece, because he likes athletics and loves the Olympic atmosphere.
Favorite Vacation Photo
Favorite Vacation Photo
Wisconsin state forecast
Wind advisories for portions of western and southern wisconsin today...
State forecast for Minnesota
...Wind advisory northwest this morning...
State forecast for South Dakota
High wind warning parts of southeast this morning...
State forecast for North Dakota
...Wind advisory until 1100 am cdt east...
State forecast for Iowa
...High wind warning northwest...Wind advisory elsewhere today...
The pumpkins are in place
Weather drawing by Darren Thramer in the Baxter third grade of Mrs. Surma.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
MUCH OBLIGED
Thank you so much for the wonderful article in the Brainerd Dispatch about the Kiwanis Club of Brainerd regarding their 50th year anniversary. As past president of the club, I know of the big hearts of the men and women in our club and Warren Murphy is our "big hearted" treasure. Thanks Brainerd Dispatch for the help in allowing people to know that the Kiwanis Club of Brainerd has been in Brainerd for 50 years servicing the children of the community.
AGENDAS
Wednesday 8 a.m. Crow Wing County Business Council, Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce, Brainerd office.
WHAT'S DOING
Marland Ronning, State American Legion Commander from Maple Grove, will be the guest speaker at the 75th annual Veterans duck feed dinner Thursday at the American Legion Post No. 255 in Brainerd. Commander Ronning served during the Vietnam War era and served for eight years. He is a member of the Rudolph Priebe Post No. 172, Osseo. He is a 30-year member of the American Legion.
SUPPORT
Infertility support
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Adult Children-Chem.Dep.