MUCH OBLIGED

From the family of Jack Daniel Larson who was killed by a motorist passing on the right shoulder (speeding) in Merrifield on May 9, 2009.

We would like to thank everyone who has brought our magnetic bumper stickers. We appreciate your help and it means so much to us every time we see a sticker on a car. Our hope is to save some lives by making people more aware of the danger of passing on the right. Many of you have talked to us and told us it has made you more aware of the danger.

The money raised has been used to pay for highway signs and making some improvements at the Merrifield Lions park where Jack loved to play, and in fact, is where he was playing just before the accident. We plan to build a memorial garden there next summer.

We are still awaiting trial. It has been postponed several times. Next trial is set for Feb. 22, 2011, to start picking jurors. Our goal is to get this over and move forward. Our loss cannot be put into words, for everyday is hard and we miss our little Jack very much. The community support has helped more than we can say.

Thank you! Bumper stickers are available at SuperAmerica in Merrifield, Bremer Banks, Family Chiropractic Clinic, Raboin Law Firm, Shwiky Meats and Easy Riders in Brainerd and Reed's Market in Crosslake.

Donna Larson

Merrifield

The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for contributing to our free Youth Fishing Clinic:

Viking Coca Cola for beverage products for the shore lunch.

Brainerd Lakes Lion's Club, Eagles Club, Nisswa Women of Today, Bremer Banks, Brainerd Rotary Foundation, Brainerd Jaycees, Senior Center Activity Center, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union for cash donations.

Brainerd Dispatch, Carlson Machine and Tool Inc, Bill Lewis Lures, Bullet Weights, StrikeMaster Corporation, Baxter Bass Snatchers, Mepp's, In-Fisherman, Walmart and Muskies Inc. who provided press releases, prizes and tackle. Mill Avenue Holiday Station Store for providing bait.

A big thanks to the Brainerd Lakes Muskies Inc. for fundraising to provide prizes for children and the use of rods and reels at the clinic.

Many rods and reels or other nice prizes, plus a bag of tackle, was given to each child that participated.

A huge special thanks to the volunteers who made the event run smoothly: Brian Ray, Carl Mills from DNR Fisheries, Mary Kay Larson, Kelsey Olson and Brian Turner from the Corp of Engineers, U.S. Army, Nikki Shoutz with DNR Law Enforcement, John Ray with the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department, and Dawn, Donny and Kaitlyn Hines, Derek Johnson, Jodi and Jeff Young and Greg Babineau with the Brainerd Lakes Muskie's Inc., Wayne Harting with Walleye alliance and his staff for cooking and supplying the fish and Pam and Jerry Loeffelbein for cooking the shore lunch. Thank you Tony Sailer with Brainerd Parks and Recreation for covering the program for me while I was in the hospital. If I missed anyone, I am truly sorry.

The children had a great day of instruction and fishing. We caught and released over 250 fish at Lum Park.

We are much obliged. Thank you!

Bonnie Muzik, Recreation Coordinator

Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department