Much obliged

Thank you to all who helped make the Christmas party at the Brainerd Armory for the National Guard soldiers and their families a huge success. It was wonderful to have so many businesses and people backing the effort of our soldiers.

Your support was greatly felt by all. Thank you to Raboin & Aakhus Law Firm, Culligan Water, Bremer Bank, KLIZ Radio Station, Brainerd Dispatch, Focus Clu Karin and Tony Nelson, Norberg Construction, Mid-Town Flora, Brennan Construction, Majka Construction, Randy Militmore--GM Wadena, Ski Gull, Comfort Suites Rapid River Lodge & Waterpark, Renee Erickson, World on Wheels, Bethany Book Store, Brainerd Jaycees, Schroeder's TV & Appliance, Movie 10 at Westgate, Cub Foods, Baxter, Paul Bunyan Bowl, Godfather's Pizza, Giovanni's Pizza, Black Bear Lodge and Saloon, Christina Lundberg, HillCrest Resort, American Legion Post #255, Cafe' Giardino's.

Jennifer Towne

CPT Troutner

SFC Michael Worden

The Family Readiness Group

The MN National Guard, HHC 1-194th AR, Brainerd TACC (Armory)

Smokeout

The Great American Smoke Out is a nationally recognized even which challenges smokers to stop smoking for the day. It was observed this year on Nov. 20.

This is a letter of appreciation and thanks to all who helped promote the message of the Great American Smoke Out. The Crow Wing County Health Department staff is to be acknowledged for their help and support of the project. The American Cancer Society provided a banner and luminaries for the event. Lakeland News, The Brainerd Daily Dispatch, and radio station KLKS deserve recognition for the media coverage. The city of Brainerd is to be thanked for allowing the use of the City Hall grounds for the luminary lighting ceremony. The donation from Grab-a-Java was much appreciated. A special thanks goes to Dr. Dianne Kendall for her time and willingness to be the guest speaker and to Leon Keppel for being the honorary "spokesman" for the day.

Anyone who would like information on how to quit smoking may contact the Crow Wing County Health Department at (218) 824-1079.

Stephanie Kubas, PHN

Crow Wing County Health Department

Winter Wonderland

Thank you to all the families, volunteers and staff who helped make our 2003 Winter Wonderland a great success for our residents. We could not have done it without you.

Winter Wonderland Committee

& Volunteer Coordinator

Woodland Good Samaritan Village

A nice concert

Thank you Heartland Symphony and Legacy Chorale for the beautiful concert Saturday evening. What a way to welcome the Christmas season! Happy holidays.

Vera Johnson

Brainerd

Helping hands

As the holidays and the New Year are quickly approaching we would like, again, to thank our friends, family and community for the wonderful support we have received following Joel's cancer diagnosis last April.

As we reflect over the past year and all the unexpected changes we have experienced, we know we could not have endured it all without the care and support of each and every person who has helped us through it. The encouragement we felt at Joel's benefit in October, along with the daily thoughts and prayers of so many supportive friends, continues to get us through each new phase toward recovery.

Thank you all so very much and may God bless you with a wonderful holiday season and a very happy New Year.

The Soukup Family

Verdale, Kathy, Joel, Jake, Danny and Lacey

Backus

A superb program

Sincere thanks to the extremely gifted Legacy Chorale and the equally talented Heartland Symphony Orchestra for a superb musical program celebrating the birth of the Christ Child. Beautifully and professionally preformed top to bottom. Special thanks for the concluding Carol Festival featuring seven sacred Christmas songs. How enjoyable to have an evening without Rudolph, Frosty or Homer Simpson.

Thanks again and Merry Christmas.

Steve & Rita Busch

Pequot Lakes

Dorcas closing

Thank you to each one who has donated clothing, bedding, and miscellaneous items to the center to help those in need, and thanks to tTe Dispatch for carrying our weekly notice.

We will be closed January and February of 2004. Please do not leave any donations at the center during that time. For emergencies, call 829-6530.

Dorcas Community Services

Birthright

Birthright, Inc. of Brainerd recently held its annual drawing for the quilted wall hanging created and donated by Darla Sathre and Diane Koch. This years' winner was Rachel Lachinski of Andover, Minnesota. The boom box displayed at the Crow Wing County Fair was won by Levi Stevens of Brainerd.

Birthright expresses much appreciation to those who participated and for the generous and continued support of our local Birthright crisis pregnancy center.

Ms. Brenda DeWitt