Thursday, November 13, 2008
Honda Fit fits pared-down budgets
Here's an easy way to remember the 2009 Honda Fit. It's a Frugal, Intelligent Traveler, especially for today's pared-down households.
How dignified work was run into a ditch
WASHINGTON - I'm often chided for my passionate support of the domestic automobile industry. But I don't mind the ribbing.
Time to change gears for a fuel-efficient future
WASHINGTON - We have the chance to remake the automobile industry, to strengthen America's technological muscle. But we are frittering away the opportunity.
Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music
Best bets
It's an annual tradition: Stroia Ballet and its ageless patriarch, Carlos Stroia, will stage "The Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. Friday at Tornstrom Auditorium, Washington Educational Services Building, in Brainerd. Admission is $8-$12.
The mainstream's positive bank
This is going to sound kind of random, but 2008 has been a bad year for people who like good writing. Visionary science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke died on March 19, Minnesota's favorite son Jon Hassler died on March 20, comedian/wordsmith George Carlin died on June 22 and mainstream master Michael Crichton died on Nov. 4.
AREA SHORTS
STAPLES - Singer Michael Johnson will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at Centennial Auditorium in Staples.
FINE ARTS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Laura Pfeifer
MELODIC MELANCHOLY
Does music make us sad, or do we listen to sad music because it matches how we feel? When John Cusack put forth this question in "High Fidelity," he was talking about pop music, but it could also apply to folk and blues, two stereotypically downbeat genres.
Homemade ice cream still a scream
When I was a child, my dad would occasionally make homemade ice cream as a special treat for the seven kids. Nothing tasted better than licking the homemade ice cream from the paddles of our hand-cranked ice cream maker.
Hunter who shot himself in foot identified
The hunter who shot himself in the foot Saturday near Hackensack was identified as Allen Richard Prosch, 67.
POLICE BLOTTER
CRASHES - No injuries were reported in a two-vehicle crash at 6:08 p.m. Tuesday at Northwest Fourth and West Washington streets.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Arlo Biermaier, who is almost 2, enjoyed a recent day in the leaves in rural Brainerd.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Professor John Moncrief of the University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water and Climate will present a interim review of the Bungo Watershed Water Testing Project to the public from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday during the Pine River Watershed Alliance meeting at the Warehouse, located one block south of Barclay Avenue in Pine River.
Busy beavers
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.
Nisswa Women's Club officers
New officers of the Nisswa Women's Club were named at the October meeting, held at the Quarterdeck Boathouse. Jane Gunsbury (left) is president-elect and will serve in 2009 as chairperson for the NWC Fashion Show and in 2010 will take over as president. Kate Carlson is director-membership and Suzanne Sunquist will serve as treasurer. Not present were Becky Stover, who will serve as president for 2009, and Lois I. Jensen, who will serve as director-at-large. All were to be installed at the club's November meeting.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement
PETS OF THE WEEK
Thomas (left), 12, and Buddy, 14, are neutered cats surrendered to Heartland Animal Rescue Team by an owner who could no longer keep them. They're friendly, mellow cats in need of a new home. Brainerd Dispatch/Heidi Lake
On track
The snow came late in the morning Tuesday and accumulated quickly.
CLC students assist in fisher research project
Pine martens and fishers have all but disappeared in Minnesota, but respectful harvesting and diligent monitoring could save both.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
DNR NOTEBOOK
The DNR has released a report documenting public input that will aid in the creation of new standards for lake and river conservation.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Go to Any Length
LOCAL BRIEFS
Good Samaritan Society-Woodland in Brainerd is hosting free memory screenings Nov. 18.
Dispatch phones out
Because of upgrades to its telephone system, phones may be out of service between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Brainerd Dispatch.
Overheard
"Today we send a clear message to all who have worn the uniform: Thank you for your courage, thank you for your sacrifice, and thank you for standing up when your nation needed you most."
This was Brainerd
NOVEMBER 13 - 100 years ago (1908) - West Brainerd lots for sale. We have 19 50-foot lots in west Brainerd for sale to close them out at $7.50 each cash. Smith Bros. Sleeper Block.
This was Brainerd
NOVEMBER 12 - 60 years ago (1948) - One inch of snow fell in Brainerd and vicinity late yesterday in the wake of a temperature drop that plunged the mercury to 7 degrees.
Open to all ages
PEQUOT LAKES - Mitchell Dallman has won singing contests in the area; Judy Larsen doesn't sing at all.
School bus driver arrested, fired
A 44-year-old school bus driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated Wednesday after he failed to drop a 5-year-old kindergarten student off at Family of Christ Lutheran School in Baxter.
Deer harvest down on opening weekend
Dan Coffel's deer stand rocked back and forth in the cold November wind. But that's about all that was moving in this part of Ideal Township over the weekend.
What makes you thankful?
A job. A home. A soulmate.
Brainerd man nabbed visiting jail inmate
What started out as a jail visit turned into plans to stay awhile.
5 WORDS
Five words: "Thank you for your service."
Overheard
"It will be nice to finally have everything over."
Two students hurt after van hits bus
Two students were transported to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd for possible minor injuries Tuesday after the school bus they were riding in was hit by a van at the intersection of J Street and Seventh Avenue in northeast Brainerd, Brainerd Police Sgt. Mike Bestul said.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The Brainerd Kiwanis Club recently announced its officers who will serve through 2009: Mike Lambert, president; Mike Dillon, president-elect; Jim Tousignant, sergeant at arms; Andrew Miles, secretary; and Steve Dickinson, treasurer.
BALANCING ACT
BAXTER - Balancing on your tip-toes is a key to ballet, so it's good that Mackenzie Ross of Brainerd is experienced with balancing acts.
You don't need spring to swing
Three-year-old Ella Ternus was bundled against the weather as her grandfather Ken Anakkala pushed her on a swing Wednesday at the Gull Dam Recreation Area. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Boy left on bus, driver arrested for DWI
Police are investigating why a 5-year-old kindergarten student at Family of Christ Lutheran School in Baxter was left on his bus and not dropped off at the school Wednesday morning.
Pequot's Birdie
Mitchell Dallman plays Conrad Birdie and Judy Larsen plays Mae Peterson in the Pequot Lakes Community Theatre musical "Bye Bye Birdie," which opens Friday at the Pequot Lakes High School auditorium. The show features a wide age range: Mitchell turned 15 on Wednesday and Larsen will be 70 on Sunday. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
Recount for Doty-LeMieur House race starts on Nov. 20
The recount for the House District 12B race between Rep. Al Doty, DFL-Royalton, and Republican Mike LeMieur starts next week.
William E. Clark Sr.
CROSBY - William Edward Clark Sr., age 84, of Crosby, died on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at Golden Horizons in Crosslake. He was born on March 30, 1924, in Baltimore. He is a retired employee of NSA. He was a life member of the Pine River VFW and a member of the Crosslake American Legion Post.
Delmo C. Kompelien
CROSBY - Delmo Chester Kompelien, age 85, of Crosby, died on Nov. 11, 2008, at St. Cloud Hospital. He was born on July 5, 1923, in Swede Prairie Township to Oscar and Vendla (Lindstrom) Kompelien. He is a WWII Army veteran serving in Sendai, Japan, as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver. He received a victory medal and an Army of Occupation Medal, Japan.
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.
Julia B. Reser
McGREGOR - Julia B. Reser, age 89, of McGregor, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, at the Aitkin Health Services in Aitkin, Minn.
Russell C. McMenimen
Apache Junction, Ariz. - Russell Charles McMenimen, 93, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, at his home in Apache Junction, Ariz. Graveside services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City with Pastor Kathy Graves of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will be held 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Memorials may be directed to the Russell C. McMenimen memorial fund in care of the family.
Christopher Stirewalt
Christopher James Stirewalt, age 25, of Brainerd, died on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, as a result of a hunting accident. He was born on June 7, 1983, in Crosby.
Aage E. Arndtsen Jr.
ALEXANDRIA - Aage E. Arndtsen Jr., beloved husband, father and grandfather, age 72, of Alexandria, died Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.
Dorothy Galarneault
HOPKINS - Dorothy Galarneault, age 95, longtime resident of Aitkin and recent resident at the Terraces of St. Therese in Hopkins, passed away Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, at the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn.
Keith H. Anderson
NISSWA - Keith H. Anderson, 81, of Nisswa, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes.
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.
Loren 'Joe' Strom
PINE RIVER - Loren "Joe" Strom, age 84, of Pine River, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008. He was born Oct. 23, 1924, in Brandon, Colo., to Victor and Anna Strom.
Margene Compton
McGREGOR - Margene "Midge" Compton, age 62, of McGregor, formerly of Minneapolis, life companion of Vernon Kleve, died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at her home.
Charlotte A. Hagberg
Charlotte "Lottie" A. Hagberg, age 78, of Brainerd, died peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 10, 2008. She was born to James and Martha (Foy) Knudsen on June 22, 1930, in Minneapolis. She was a Crosby-Ironton High School graduate. Lottie worked many years as a caregiver at a boys' ranch and at several nursing homes.
Robert R. Sack
PINE RIVER - Robert R. Sack, age 82, of Pine River, passed away Monday evening, Nov. 10, 2008, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. Arrangements are pending with Brenny Funeral Chapel of Pequot Lakes.
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.
Lessons for the Republicans
WASHINGTON - After the celebrations of the success of Barack Obama, Joe Biden and the congressional Democrats, it is time to tip the hat to some other people - with names such as John Hoeven, Jon Huntsman, Jim Douglas and Mitch Daniels. They are Republicans re-elected Tuesday as governors of North Dakota, Utah, Vermont and Indiana.
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.
OUR OPINION: VETERANS
Veterans Day 2008 fell only a few short days after a momentous election and many of us will plead that a "politics hangover" temporarily distracted us from noting its hasty arrival.
VOX POP
In response to a Vox Pop item in Tuesday's paper regarding Warrior Robotics, Brainerd High School Principal Andrea Rusk stated, "The BHS Robotics team was formed in the fall of 2007. BHS was the fortunate recipient of funding in order to create a robotics team.
OUR OPINION: POLITICS
Yet another sign that this just wasn't the Republican Party's year came in the form of a taped phone message or "robo-call" to a Brainerd home.
Open Forum
I keep hearing celebrity interviews where they say things like "from now on when I am abroad I can be proud of being an American." I would ask them "why" weren't they already? After the euphoric buzz fades and people finally realize that Obama is not qualified for the job...what then? Just another "intern" in the White House.
Why Whittier School matters
I ask you for one moment to open your minds to the reality of this school. Is Whittier Elementary really "too expensive," serving only a small group of "elite" students as stated in a recent Vox Pop? Is the district saving money by not using Whittier? Are the students of the district being well served since its closure? The answers are no.
Something different in the air
WASHINGTON - 'Fess up. You wept.
Open Forum
To President-elect Obama:
Troubled times call for a change
As we pass through troubled times, with the sharp winds of economic collapse and international erosion, let us not forget that good things can be improved. The great work of our founding fathers has endured, persisted and succeeded, in many ways.
Hanowski makes it official
It was just a matter of time.
LOCAL SPORTS SHORTS
Thomas Ruttger and Megan Holmes were named the most valuable runners on the Brainerd Warriors cross country team at Monday's banquet.
Olejnicak, St. Scholastica in NCAA meet
Brainerd High School graduate Erin Olejnicak and the College of St. Scholastica women's soccer team have received a bid to their first NCAA Division III tournament.
Hoffman named Aitkin baseball coach
AITKIN - Kevin Hoffman has been named the head baseball coach for the Aitkin High School Gobblers.
LOCAL SPORTS SHORTS
Six Central Lakes College football players have been named to the All-South Division first team in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference.
SCOREBOARD
TV and radio
SCOREBOARD
TV-Radio
'Kid in Florida' got his start in Brainerd
Score pitched for the Braves just one season and signed the next year with the Cleveland Indians. The New York native compiled a 12-4 record for the Braves, who won 28 of 37 games against the best opposition they could schedule that season.
Indians great Herb Score dies
CLEVELAND (AP) - Herb Score, the Cleveland Indians pitcher and former broadcaster whose promise on the mound was shattered by a line drive, died Tuesday. He was 75.
The Rookie
Dan Ebert must be getting conditioned to being named rookie of the year.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Becoming windy west and central. A
State forecast for Minnesota
Winter weather advisory until 10 am for northern minnesota...
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Rain developing and spreading from west to east. Mild with highs from the mid 40s northwest...To the mid 50s southeast.
State forecast for Iowa
Dense fog advisory for much of central and northern and parts of
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy. A chance of light rain west and light rain
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy. Areas of morning fog south...Central and
State forecast for S.D.
High wind watch west tonight into friday...
Last of the leaves
Weather drawing by Zach Storm of Ms. Marks' third-grade class at Baxter school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Winter weather advisory portions of northwest wisconsin until 10 am today...
State forecast for S.D.
Dense fog advisory southeast until 10 am cst...
It's hunting time
Weather drawing by Jeb Duininck of Mrs. Larson's
second-grade class at Lowell school.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Cloudy...Rain. Highs in the mid 40s north to the upper