Thursday, November 17, 2005
Body of Baxter woman found in submerged car in Lake Shore
A Baxter woman died after the vehicle she was in appeared to have been driven into the water at the Causeway on Gull boat landing, Cass County authorities reported Wednesday.
It's nicer in Nice, and at PLCT musical
PEQUOT LAKES - "Cartoonish" isn't usually a compliment, except when something is trying to be a cartoon. That's what the cast and crew of Pequot Lakes Community Theater's 1920s-set musical "The Boy Friend" were going for, and that's what they achieved on Friday's opening night.
BEST BETS
FRIDAY: MOVIES
ART SHORTS
Artwork by four printmakers will be on display through Dec. 15 at the "Highpoint Four" exhibit at the Central Lakes College Gallery in Brainerd.
Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music
The write stuff
Healthy eating and exercising are topics often discussed at the dinner table at Tim Lange's home in Brainerd.
Central Lakes College choir concert slated Tuesday
The Central Lakes College music department will present "Concert Concepts" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus.
ENTERTAINMENT SHORTS
The Brainerd High School Ninth Grade Band will present its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Tornstrom Auditorium, Washington Educational Services Building, in Brainerd.
BOOK SHORTS
LITTLE FALLS - Authors Kathleen Eagle and Kate Benson will sign copies of their new books from 1-3 p.m. Sunday at Bookin' It in Little Falls. Eagle will sign her newest historical romance, "A View of the River," which is set in Little Falls. Benson will sign her debut novel, "Two Harbors."
Entertainment shorts
Violinist Janice Martin will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Tornstrom Auditorium, Washington Educational Services Building, in Brainerd, as part of the Lakes Area Concert Association schedule. She'll be accompanied by a pianist.
Riding the 'Rainbow'
Linda Eder has had a fine singing career of her own, but for her eighth album, she is paying tribute to a great singer of years past. For a lot of the tracks on "By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland," the 1979 Brainerd High School graduate stuck to the original arrangement.
'Nutcracker' to be staged
The Stroia Ballet Company will present its 22nd annual production of "The Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. Friday at Tornstrom Auditorium, Washington Educational Services Building, in Brainerd.
Autumn menu enjoyed by all
I prepared a hearty autumn menu over the weekend that was especially welcomed by my sister, LaDonna, and her husband, who spent the weekend with us.
AREA BRIEFS
PILLAGER - The Motley-Pillager Area Northern Lights 4-H Club will sponsor a spaghetti dinner fund-raiser from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pillager Community Center on the Cass County Fairgrounds in Pillager.
Fall kept hanging on
Linda Philp of Brainerd took this photo in her friend's yard last month, when fall was still hanging on. 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.
Forestview fifth-grader wins peace poster contest
Hazel Patel, a fifth-grade student at Forestview Middle School in Baxter, won a peace poster contest sponsored by the Garrison Lions.
Commissioners continue work to balance budget
WALKER - The Cass County Board received the latest budget committee recommendations Tuesday for balancing the 2006 budget. The board expects to take final action on the budget Dec. 13.
CLC to host Engineering Day on Friday
Engineering Day at Central Lakes College will be from 9-11:30 a.m. Friday in the Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus. It is an opportunity for the public to learn more about careers in the engineering field from current professional engineers.
CLC-Staples campus open house slated Sunday
STAPLES - On Sunday, the Staples campus of Central Lakes College will open its doors for a 1-4 p.m. open house so the public and prospective students may witness demonstrations of career education programs and learn about changes ahead at CLC.
Fee charged to refuse haulers to increase
WALKER - The Cass County Board voted Tuesday to increase the fee the county charges garbage haulers to dump loads at the county collection site north of Pine River from $53.56 per ton this year to $61.20 per ton beginning Jan. 1.
Grant approved
for Ah-Gwah-Ching hospital feasibility study
WALKER - The Minnesota Department of Health has approved a $5,000 grant to conduct an Ah-Gwah-Ching hospital feasibility study, a preliminary step to Cass County obtaining a critical access hospital on the site.
Foster moves to rehabilitation center
WALKER - Cass County Commissioner Virgil Foster, who was injured in a farming accident in late August, moved last week from Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis to a rehabilitation center in Duluth to begin physical therapy.
Out-of-home child placement funds used up for 2005
WALKER - Cass County spent all the 2005 county money allocated for out-of- home child placements by the end of October and has two months more to go this year.
Wellness court to focus on alcohol- impaired drivers
WALKER - Cass County is moving toward implementing a wellness court, patterned after drug courts begun around the country, but focusing first on alcohol-impaired drivers.
Inspired by nature - and kids
The work of a stay-at-home mom often is unappreciated. Not so with Mary Tuomi.
Nisswa Area Women of Today donates $6,000 to area groups
NISSWA - The Nisswa Area Women of Today's 2005 Fall Fashion Show raised more than $11,000 in October, prompting donations of $2,000 to each of the group's chosen organizations: the Crisis Line and Referral Service, the Nisswa Park and Recreation Department and the Nisswa First Responders.
Home soon
"In some ways it is hard to believe we are so very close to coming home," Capt. Mike Pazdernik wrote in a recent e-mail from Iraq. "Many of the days and weeks here have been long and difficult. Still, the months seem to have passed quickly and, looking back, everything seems to meld together."
Overheard
"I stole things from him I still use."
Overheard
"I also see men, who despite danger, tragedy, loss and death have never lost their compassion. I take great pride in knowing in a few short weeks we will return to you better soldiers, sons, brothers, fathers and husbands."
CLC on course to fill deficit gap
A multiyear budget deficit at Central Lakes College could be eliminated for the next fiscal year.
Officer praised for helping victims of fire
BAXTER - A Baxter police officer has received praise for his work in helping a Unorganized Territory occupants' escape a house fire Nov. 2.
Board plans public hearing on possible Bear Island cartway
His attorney, Wilbert Hendricks, told the board Tuesday when the property was developed 27 years ago, people used a road on the island from a gradual slope. There are 14 platted lots on the island and another area unplatted. It is this former road over the unplatted lot Hendricks' client wants established as a public cartway.
Baxter close to filling its planner post
BAXTER - After more than a year of searching, the city of Baxter is close to filling its community development director position.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Members of two area peace groups plan to protest against military recruitment of young people from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the recruitment offices at 702 W. Washington St. in Brainerd.
CLC interim president Opatz leaving Legislature
Rep. Joe Opatz, DFL-St. Cloud, the interim president of Central Lakes College, is set to resign from the Legislature effective Dec. 15. Opatz sent his letter to the governor Tuesday.
Chaplain says troops will need help in feeling truly home again
The 152 Minnesota National Guard soldiers in Company A, 1st Battalion, 194th Armor, are expected to be home in early December and they will need support from their communities in Brainerd, Wadena and St. Cloud.
Salvation Army offers Christmas Angel Tree Tags
The Salvation Army has Christmas Angel Tree Tags available throughout the Brainerd-Baxter area.
Woman found dead in submerged car
LAKE SHORE - A Baxter woman was found dead in a submerged car Tuesday at the Causeway on Gull boat landing, Cass County authorities said Wednesday.
State auditor discusses two laws that could save taxpayers money
State procedures include rules requiring a certain color and weight of paper used by local governments in their work.
Point of view
This is a place where you can watch the big screen in Little Falls. What is it? Find the answer Friday.
Speaker to discuss cluster septic systems
Brett Ballavance will discuss the use of cluster septic systems, their performance and their ability to protect the environment from 3:15-4:15 p.m. Thursday at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in Baxter.
Sheriff's department completes investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the shooting of a deer hunter last week in northwestern Crow Wing County.
A night for Dutch and Irma
BAXTER - Down to earth, generous, loving and giving were common words people used Tuesday night to describe Dutch and Irma Cragun.
Salvation Army fund-raiser
Capt. Heidi Reed of the Salvation Army delivered a meal Tuesday to a waiting customer outside of the Culver's Restaurant in Baxter. Culver's gave 10 percent of its proceeds Tuesday to the Salvation Army. The restaurant also gave away free sundaes to those who donated blankets. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Point of view
This is the symbol of a financial institution in Baxter. What is it? Find the answer Thursday.
Vehicles in wrong place at the wrong time
Lizzy Buscher (left) and Meggan Denny of East Gull Lake examined two of the three vehicles that were hit by a falling oak tree early Wednesday as high winds swept the area.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
City to be 642 acres larger
Brainerd will grow by more than 640 acres in the near future.
Winter pays call, but heavy snow holds off for now
Brainerd area residents Wednesday morning likely will be able to dust off their winter driving skills for the first time this season.
This was Brainerd
NOVEMBER 17 - 60 years ago (1945) - George Bates and his new Brainerd Hotel Cafe and Cocktail Lounge are back with us again and with a nice portion of Tom Turkey for Thanksgiving
This was Brainerd
NOVEMBER 16 - 40 years ago (1965) - Employment in Brainerd during the month of October stood at 5,246, an increase of 206 over the number for the same month a year ago.
Psychiatric hospital to become a reality
BAXTER - The way has been cleared for the construction of a state-run psychiatric hospital on Grand Oaks Drive in Baxter.
Little Falls continues search for superintendent
The Little Falls School Board plans to interview five superintendent candidates next month.
Lyman W. Gage
AITKIN - Lyman Warren Gage, age 66, died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, at the Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin. He was the son of Joe and Ruby Gage and was born in McGregor, Minn., on Nov. 17, 1938. He moved with his family from McGregor to Aitkin in 1945. Music was a big part of his life.
Edna S. Johnson
CARLTON - Edna Sophia Marie (Bartels) Johnson, 88, of Carlton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2005, at the Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. She was born on March 26, 1917, in Campbell, Neb., to Frank and Emma (Dunse) Bartels. She was raised in Campbell and attended school there. Later she taught school in a one-room schoolhouse. Edna then moved to Denver where she married Carl Johnson on Nov. 6, 1945. Together they made their home in McGregor from 1946 to 1957 when they moved to Carlton. In 1977 they moved to Partridge Lake and in 1995 to Cloquet. Edna was a member of the VFW Auxiliaries of Garrison and Carlton, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Garrison and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cloquet. She enjoyed crafts, quilting, dancing, cards, cooking and fishing. Edna spent the past five years at Inter-Faith Health Care Center.
Wayne D. Dotten
AITKIN - Wayne D. Dotten, age 86, of Aitkin, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, at his home.
James 'Roy' L. Gard
PINE RIVER - James "Roy" L. Gard, age 87, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, at Willim-St. Onge Family Funeral Homes in Pine River with the Rev. Judith Clark-Bolling, Pine River United Methodist Church, to officiate.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 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.
Donald Narveson
Donald Narveson, age 77, formerly of Crosslake, passed away Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. Memorial services will be Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. at Crosslake Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating.
Evelyn Wiltse Keith
Evelyn Wiltse Keith was born in West Bend, Wis., Dec. 15, 1916, to Bert and Carrie Gaskin. She grew up in the Milwaukee area and graduated from high school there with the class of 1933 as the class salutatorian. Shortly after that she met her future husband, Tracy Wiltse, while they were both working at Allis-Chambers.
Rhoda R. Bohnsack
CROSBY - Rhoda R. Bohnsack, age 86, of Crosby, died Oct. 31, 2005, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. She was born on March 15, 1919, in Minneapolis to Fred and Lillian (Collin) Specht.
Mary Ann Overocker
BAXTER - Mary Ann Overocker, age 59, of Baxter, passed away. Funeral arrangements are pending with the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin.
Lloyd M. Gordon
PEQUOT LAKES - Lloyd M. Gordon, age 82, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. Arrangements are pending with Willim-St. Onge Family Funeral Homes in Pequot Lakes.
Verna (Sally) Mitchell
Verna (Sally) Mitchell, 95, "Grandma Mitchell," died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 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.
Charlene K. Prindle
CROSBY - Charlene K. Prindle, 87, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. She was born Jan. 4, 1918, in Kelliher, Minn., to Charles Homer Whiting and Margaret Isabell (Hubbard) Whiting.
Verna (Sally) Mitchell
Verna (Sally) Mitchell, 95, "Grandma Mitchell," died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Alta Olson Ritchie
Le CENTER - Alta Olson Ritchie, formerly of Pequot Lakes, died Oct. 21, 2005, at her residence in Le Center.
Lloyd M. Gordon
PEQUOT LAKES - Lloyd M. Gordon, age 82, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, 2005, at the Willim-St. Onge Family Funeral Homes in Pequot Lakes with the Rev. Mark Whittemore from Pequot Lakes Baptist Church to officiate. Burial will follow services in Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery, Pequot Lakes. Military honors provided by Pequot Lakes American Legion Post No. 49. Friends may call one hour prior to services.
Roy L. Kramer
KALISPELL, Mont. - Roy L. Kramer, age 90, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Mont. Roy was born on Aug. 8, 1915, in Clements, Minn., to Sebastian and Margaret Mary Kramer. He moved to Fort Ripley, Minn., in 1916. He attended schools in Fort Ripley, Belle Prairie Catholic Academy, Little Falls High School as a freshman and sophomore, then living with his Aunt Annie and Uncle Joe Como during his junior year.
David Evangelist
David Evangelist, age 70, of Nisswa, passed away Sunday morning, Nov. 13, 2005, at his home in Nisswa. A memorial service is planned for Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter with Father Walsh officiating. There will be a visitation one hour before the service.
OUR OPINION: GIVING
Those who bemoan the creeping of the holiday season into mid-November are not only fighting a losing battle - they're missing the point. An extended holiday season is good for just about everyone.
Open Forum
This year School District 181, like most Minnesota districts, faces unimaginable budget cuts. Considering the question of how to serve seven thousand students and still meet the budget is painful. Fuel cost increases just make things more difficult.
What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail
VOX POP
Any superintendent that would allow an elementary school to be run the way Cuyuna Range Elementary School is being run is not the best. It's Linda Lawrie's and the C-I School Board's job to correct the unorganized, untruthful, unprofessional administrative situation at CRES but they continue to look the other way. And anyone who believes that teachers are "in it for the money," must belong to the group of people in C-I that have had it in for teachers for as long as I can remember. They are jealous, critical people who don't have a clue to what teaching is all about.
GUEST COLUMN: CLC fees fund anti-war protests
I am a student at Central Lakes College (CLC) and a member of the Minnesota Air National Guard. I recently had a discussion with a CLC student who is associated with People Uniting for Peace (PUP) about the demonstration they were part of on Oct. 26, 2005, which consisted of a candlelight vigil and a banner marking the 2,000th U.S. service member death, near downtown Brainerd.
What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail
Open Forum
Recently area politicians have had letters reminding people to honor the veterans on Veterans Day for providing them with their freedoms. As a veteran I appreciate this gesture.
SPORTS SHORTS
Bergen Hanson and Kelsey Brodmarkle represented Brainerd schools in the state Special Olympics bowling meet Nov. 11-13 at Brunswick Zone in Eden Prairie.
SCOREBOARD
Football
Lumberjacks cut down Warriors in season opener
BEMIDJI - The Brainerd Warriors girls' hockey team got off to a rough start, losing to the perennial power Bemidji Lumberjacks 10-4 in the season opener Tuesday.
Girls hockey schedules
Brainerd Warriors
BHS is experienced
Brainerd Warrior girls' hockey coach Jim Ernster thought his team was opening the season Thursday at Richmond against River Lakes.
Upcoming sporting events
THURSDAY
Pride of the maroon and white will be missed
After 35 years of coaching cross country at Crosby-Ironton, Roger Twigg still has a smile and a joke to tell.
SCOREBOARD
Transactions
Upcoming sporting events in the Brainerd lakes area:
THURSDAY Nov 17
For Warriors' Elg, there's no crying in swimming
Unlike in baseball, sometimes there's crying in girls' swimming and diving.
LOCAL SPORTS SHORTS
A "Thanksgiving Spectacular" pro wrestling card has been scheduled 8 p.m. Nov. 26 at the Brainerd American post.
Youthful Flyers look for improvement
The Little Falls girls' hockey team will send a young lineup onto the ice with 15 underclassmen and no seniors as the Flyers try to improve on last year's 1-16-1 record and last-place finish in the Central Lakes Conference.
The voice of C-I
Certain people are born with physical or mental gifts they later use to make the world better.
Rangers' Twigg decides it's time to end high school gig
A reporter approached Roger Twigg after his final state cross country meet and asked if he could get a few words from the Crosby-Ironton coach.
Wisconsin state forecast
Winter storm warnings far north central through midday and in the lake superior snow belt of northwest wisconsin through this afternoon...
State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 20s to mid 30s.
Flakes are falling
Weather drawing by Jenna Degen of Ms. Hemstad's third grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for Iowa
Blowing snow advisory until 9 am for central iowa...
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of light snow northwest in
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Cold. Partly cloudy with a few snow flurries early southeast...And snow showers in the lake superior snow belt. Then mostly sunny. Increasing clouds west in the afternoon. Highs in the 20s.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly clear to partly cloudy. Cold. Highs from near 20 northeast to the lower 40s southwest.
State forecast for S.D.
Thursday...Mostly cloudy. A chance of light snow changing over to rain mixed with snow west. Afternoon flurries northeast. Highs from the mid 20s northeast to the lower 40s southwest.
State forecast for Minnesota
Winter weather advisory northeast today and east central through
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of light snow.
It's really coming down
Weather drawing by Damyan Gortes of Mrs. Holbrook's second grade class at Lowell school.
State forecast for N.D.
Winter weather advisory until 6 am cst this morning east...