MUCH OBLIGED

The Northland Arboretum held its annual Haunted Trail Fundraiser October 25th where we spooked many who walked the haunted woods of the arboretum.

We'd like to thank the businesses and individuals who contributed items and cash donations: Caribbean Tanning, Gull Resort, Mid State Refrigeration, Susan Rogers, Salvation Army and YAR. Special thanks to Ruth Gmeinder for her generous contribution of props. We also want to thank our fun group of volunteers. Malynda Addison, Amanda Albertson, Teresa Atkinson, Paul Augustinak, Steve Augustinak, Noah Bailey, Leslie Baird, John Bennett, Sharon Bodie, Amanda Borg, Nicole Borg, Tina Borgstrom, Sue Braddy, Kay Brausen, Evan Brecht, Tristan Brecht, Michelle Burris, Sean Canfield, Hannah Chock, Jill Cyann, Peter DeBoer, Kayla Demo, Renee Dufresne, Zachary DuRose, Becky Eckelman, Conrad Evarts, Heather Fletcher, Marty Freeman, Austin Froemming, Benjamin Froemming, Ann Geisen, Ruth Gmeinder, Kaycee Goedker, Gretchen Gramer, Kelson Grave, Nathan Gray, Sean Hagen, Paul Heinlen, Noah Hendrickson, Terri Henrikson, Kayla Herubin, Jenna Hiedmann, Morgan Hintz, Megan Hintz, Taiya Holmberg, Shari Holmes, Barb Humphrey, Tyler Jacobs, Becky James, Chelsy James, Jennifer Jedlicka, Brett Jenkins, Emma Kauffman, David Kemling, Jeff Kidder, Kelly Knutson, Bob & Jeanne Larson, Spencer Larson, Zac Lively, Rich Maattala, Roger Macy, Rick & Doreen Mahoney, Tamara Malan, Matthew Maybon, Katie McCarthy, Cassidy McCumsey, Emily Melin, Molly Melin, Terri Melin, Karisa Meyer, Karina Mickelson, Amanda Nichols, Linda Nichols, Libby Peterson, Mitchell Rahn, Annastasia Ramig, Amanda Randall, Jim Randall, Crystal Ranney, Dale Ranney, Joan Ranney, Katie Ranney, Stephanie Ranney, Dale Ranney Jr, Keaton Riley, Kari Roberts, Mark Robideaux, Alycia Robinson, Cody Robinson, Verna Rock, Jaclyn Rosenberg, Austin Rubin, Lori Rubin, Natasha Rubin, Ashley Rugroden, Abby Schreier, Dalton Schreier, Clay Schulte, Kim Schulte, Logan Schweitzberger, Andrew Seglem, Megan Sharockman, Judy Sladek, Kyla Slette, Sarah Smude, Lisa Stawarski, Morgan Steffen, Tom & Patty Steiger, Kathy Stenson, Jessica Sunde, Ellie Thompson, Stafford Thompson, Becka Turner, Tammy Turner, Peg Vanburan, Shayna Vastila, Talan Vastila, Nashya Vesely, Nick Vitale, Linda Walters, Audrey Wanous, Brian Lee Wenstrand, C.J. Wenstrand, Karly Wheeler, Jamie Whitehead, Jessica Williams, Reah Williams, Alexa Wright & Jack Zaczkowski.

It was incredible to watch this broad age range of individuals working together.

Starting with our youth, a group of 6th - 8th graders from Forestview Youth Advisory Council (FYAC), a group of teens from BHS along with a group of transitional students from CLC to retired individuals who continue to give to our community.

Thank you especially to all who supported us by attending the fundraiser.

Women's Center

The Women's Center of Mid-Minnesota was the non-profit beneficiary of Prairie Bay Grill & Catering's final "Second Thursdays" event of 2008. What a way to end the year - tasty food, fabulous wine, and great conversation!

There are many people to thank for making the event successful. Foremost is Prairie Bay for creating and hosting "Second Thursdays" as well as for providing scrumptious hors d'oeuvres. Prairie Bay's partner for the event, CashWise Liquors, supplied delicious wines for tasting and knowledgeable staff to serve and inform. Both businesses donated their services and products, allowing us to keep all of the donations received. Graphic designer Mandi Yliniemi created an eye-catching poster and postcard to advertise the event, and Range Printing donated the printing, Coordinating the event were volunteers Judy Evans and Elissa Rogers, who also worked hard to make sure folks knew about it.

Our final thanks go to the 70 or so people who attended the event, many of whom were new-found friends. We appreciate your support for our work to end violence against women and children.

Julie Guth, M.A.L.P.

Program Developer/Volunteer Coordinator

Mid-Minnesota Women's Center

Baxter School

Regarding Brainerd/Baxter school volunteers -Times Before Television/Families Unplugged, on behalf of the Brainerd School District, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the senior citizens and the parents from the community who volunteered sharing a hobby or craft while sharing their childhood stories with the fifth graders in Team C at Forestview Middle School on November 25th.

They were Bonnie Franzen, Lisa Mars - card making; Kathy Becker, Diane Dickinson, Brenda Johnson, and Kathy Tusa - bead rolling; Eileen Fjeldstad and Connie Murray - butter making; Darrell and Liz Stave - rocks and minerals; Linda Larson-spinning; Bridget Smude-cracker decorating; Walter Fust - spool racers; Dean Makey - checkers; Dan Eigen hunting and fishing talk; Lori Abear, Sonia Busby, Ida MacFarland, Natalie Peterson and Kim Stout -pine cone teddy bears; Sue Krueger, Janet Mayer and Richard Peterson - set and racko card games, and Suzette Jevning - snack mix. Thank you for your vested interest in our kids.

Susan B. Rogers

School Volunteer Coordinator

Brainerd School District