Friday, December 14, 2007

Ford Taurus X gives new identity to brand
The 2008 Ford Taurus X is a tall wagon. No, it's a mild version of a sport utility vehicle.

Just For Kix to perform at Outback Bowl
Twenty-three area Just For Kix ninth-grade dancers and 18 family members will travel to Tampa, Fla., to perform pre-game and halftime shows at the Outback Bowl at 10 a.m. Jan. 1.

Crazy Christmas
If your idea of a good Christmas marathon is "Prancer" followed by "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause," you might want to stay away from Central Lakes College this weekend. CLC Theatre's spin on the season doesn't exactly go with the mainstream flow.

COMING NEXT WEEK
Despite the writers' strike, there was still plenty of great TV in 2007 - and with the emergence of the Internet, not all great TV was actually found on a TV.

BEST BETS
The 16th annual Tuba Christmas - featuring seasonal songs played exclusively on low brass instruments - will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the Westgate Mall in Baxter. Admission is free.

Neugebauer has an eye for design
Brainerd High School senior Stephanie Neugebauer has been told that she's a quick learner. Neugebauer, who participates in sports, said her coaches told her that she catches on quick. Now her yearbook adviser is saying the same thing.

Spring slate to begin with The Second City
Central Lakes College's spring Cultural Arts Series will begin with The Second City at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus.

Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music

MUSIC SHORTS
The annual Tuba Christmas will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Westgate Mall in Baxter.

Finding some solace in the bread of winter
I don't particularly love snow or cold weather, but it is sheer excitement for me each year when the Christmas season is here.

BIRTHS
Mark and Terri Verkuilen, Little Falls, a girl, Greta Ruth, 7 pounds, 13 ounces, Dec. 4, 2007. Grandparents are Bob and Helen Verkuilen, Little Falls, and Dave and Shirley Trickle, Glyndon. Great-grandparents are Ruby Verkuilen, Thorp, Wis.

SCHOOL MENUS
Brainerd

Crow Wing court
The following recently appeared in Crow Wing District Court:

Tasteful decor
The houses that Bob Schuld of Pillager constructs, most people could just eat up.

CORRECTION
Due to incorrect information provided the Dispatch, the starting time for the plays at Central Lakes College was listed incorrectly in Thursday's Entertainment section. "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday on the Brainerd campus. "Santaland Diaries will follow at 9 p.m.

WINTER GLOWS
You can tell there is something special going on even when you're still blocks away from the Sertoma Winter Wonderland. The glow from the lighted displays illuminates the evening sky five nights a week along Jackson Street, between Super One and the Brainerd Area Civic Center.

Nativity scene
This nativity scene is in the Sertoma Winter Wonderland at the Northland Arboretum. The event continues Wednesdays through Sundays until Dec. 30. Brainerd Dispatch/ Clint Wood

COLLECTING CHILD SUPPORT
Crow Wing County ranks at or above average in most categories when compared to other Minnesota counties in collecting child support, according to a state report.

LOCAL BRIEFS
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is urging people to use caution this holiday season when using candles, fireplaces and space heaters.

This was Brainerd
DECEMBER 14 - 80 years ago (1927) - The American Legion team came through their first league game of the season with a decisive victory over the Cold Springs five by a score of 32-24.

100 mentors goal is met
More than 100 mentors - and just in time.

Kettle cause
Volunteer hours and donations for this year's Brainerd Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign are down from last year, but organizers believe they will meet their goals before the end of the holiday season.

This was Brainerd
DECEMBER 13 - 100 years ago (1907) - The merchants of Brainerd are making some handsome displays in their show windows of articles suitable for holiday gifts. There are a great variety shown and they are handsomely arranged in most instances.

LOCAL BRIEFS
LITTLE FALLS - An 18-year-old Roseville man was arrested after stealing a vehicle and leading law enforcement on a chase from Little Falls to Royalton, the Little Falls Police Department reported.

Overheard
"I'm not worried."

Dance team 4th in high kick, 7th in jazz
The Brainerd Warrior dance team took fourth place in high kick and seventh in jazz Saturday at the Eastview High School invitational.

Overheard
"I know what I am in my heart. And I know regardless of what I've done, good and bad, it took it all to make me what I am today."

Rural Minnesota CEP funds available for school employees
Rural Minnesota CEP Inc. has funds and services available for school district employees through the Minnesota Dislocated Workers Program. The program is designed to help people who have lost their jobs find new employment.

Heirs of inmate file wrongful death suit against Cass County
WALKER - The heirs of a jail inmate who hanged himself in the county jail in 2004 have filed a wrongful death lawsuit signed Dec. 6 in Cass County District Court against the county.

Breakfast for a cause
The Sigma Delta Law Enforcement Club at Central Lakes College recently cooked and served a $5 breakfast in the Brainerd campus cafeteria as a fundraiser. Club members plan to attend the American Criminal Justice Association conference April 6-11 in Kansas City, Mo. Serving a plate to CLC staffer Wendy Adamson were Tyler Rosnau (left) of Brainerd and Bryan Hutchison of Motley.

Emie Hippe
Emie Hippe, 104-year-old resident of Upsala, Minn., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, Minn. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, at Community Covenant Church in Upsala with the Rev. Craig Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the East Swanville Cemetery, Morrison County, Minnesota. A visitation will be held from 9-10 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Virgil P. Speed
Virgil P. Speed, 78, Brainerd, passed away on Dec. 11, 2007, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.

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.

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.

Kirk E. Larson
PEQUOT LAKES - Kirk E. Larson, 53, of Pequot Lakes, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, Minn. Services for Kirk will be 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at Grace Free Lutheran Church in Valley City, N.D.

Charles 'Chuck' Lange
FLENSBURG - Charles "Chuck" Lange, 59-year-old resident of Flensburg, Minn., passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, in Flensburg, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Dec. 15, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Leo Moendick officiating.

Gladys A. Motl
LONG PRAIRIE - Gladys A. Motl, age 90, formerly of Staples, passed away late Tuesday evening, Dec. 11, 2007, at the Long Prairie Memorial Hospital in Long Prairie. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, at the Motley Free Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Johnson officiating. Interment will be in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in Moran Township.

Kirk Larson
PEQUOT LAKES - Kirk Larson, 53, of Pequot Lakes, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel.

Beatrice M. Thurber
LITTLE FALLS - Beatrice M. Thurber, 86, of Little Falls, Minn., formerly of South St. Paul, died Dec. 11, 2007, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, Minn.

Robert G. Fleischhacker
Robert G. Fleischhacker, 77, a resident of Brainerd, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at his home. With respect to Robert's wishes there will be no public funeral, only a private family viewing.

Brig. Louise Elcombe
HIBBING - Brigadier Louise Avis Elcombe, age 89, of Hibbing, and formerly of East Round Lake, near Brainerd, Minn., was promoted to glory on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Louise was born March 30, 1918, in Valley City, N.D., and graduated from Duluth, Minn., High School in 1937. She then attended the Salvation Army Training College in Chicago.

Virgil P. Speed
Virgil P. Speed, 78, Brainerd, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. He was born in Brainerd on Oct. 22, 1929, to Oliver and Lillian (Miller) Speed. He attended Brainerd High School.

Mae E. Schrankel
PILLAGER - Mae E. Schrankel, 86, of Pillager, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd, Minn. Services for Mae will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at the First Lutheran Church in Pillager. There will be a visitation Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Interment will follow services at Wildwood Cemetery in Pillager.

Sound off to your elected officials in Washington, D.C.
Sen. Norm Coleman

Open Forum
Recently we've been reminded what a serious problem we have in our area with drinking and driving fatalities. For the last few years I have been speaking about my experiences with an alcohol-related crash.

OUR OPINION: WASTEWATER
Unless you're in the retail business things often slow down during the holiday season. Employees take vacation time. Distractions abound. Projects get put on the shelf until after the new year.

Back-patting instead of substance
In D.C. and various state capitols, legislative backs are sore, made so by aggressive back patting kudos for passing "tough" new energy bills which respond in part to the president's command to produce 35 billion gallons of ethanol fuel. Other political leaders like Democratic House Speaker Pelosi and Minnesota Republican Governor Pawlenty also had urged action on alternative energy.

VOX POP
Fifty-seven probationary teachers to lose their jobs. Every few years we hear the same thing but after retirements, early retirements with taxpayer paid incentives, all or nearly all of these teachers are called back to work.

Open Forum
My dog encountered a leg hold trap one mile south of Nisswa right off the Paul Bunyan Trail. This occurred on Oct. 30, 2007. The double coil spring trap was placed at the water's edge, and was baited with a fish scent to attract animals. Of course, my 20-pound dachshund was also attracted to this trap.

The new 'Night Before Christmas'
Submitted by Pastor Bob Kemper, South Long Lake Presbyterian Church

CHURCH NEWS
BAXTER - Lord of Life Lutheran church Teens Upstream will present "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services Sunday and 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Brainerd evens conference mark
SARTELL - Jessica Bye turned Elle Adams' passes into goals twice in less than three minutes in the third period of Brainerd's 4-2 victory over Sartell-Sauk Rapids in Central Lakes Conference girls' hockey Thursday.

Owatonna eliminates Warriors
Brainerd competed in the state tournament Saturday at Earl Brown Bowl in Brooklyn Center.

Brainerd's Smith sets school record
SAUK RAPIDS - Sam Smith set a school record in floor exercise as the Brainerd Warriors defeated Sauk Rapids 138.025 to 128.525 in Central Lakes Conference gymnastics Thursday.

14-U girls play four games
The Brainerd girls' hockey 14-U A team played Warroad, Thief River Falls and Roseau last weekend.

BHS boys fourth, girls fifth
BIWABIK - Zach Skogen and Taryn Ruttger were the fastest Brainerd skiers as the Warriors' Alpine team opened its season Thursday in the Virginia Invite at Giants Ridge.

Beau Hanowski leads Flyers past Willmar
LITTLE FALLS - Beau Hanowski scored four goals, including a hat trick in a span of four minutes, in a 7-1 Little Falls Central Lakes Conference victory over Willmar on Thursday.

Willmar freezes Flyers
WILLMAR - C.J. Arndt scored the lone Little Falls goal on an assist from Lisa Orth in an 8-1 Flyer loss to Willmar in Central Lakes Conference girls' hockey Thursday.

Crosby-Ironton ranked No. 1 in state
The Crosby-Ironton Rangers are the No. 1-ranked Class 2A boys' basketball team in the state.

Big first period lifts BHS
The Sartell Sabres got in the way of a Brainerd Warrior boys' hockey team that was ready to vent some frustration Thursday night at Brainerd Area Civic Center.

Ring named football MVP
Running back-linebacker Colby Ring was named the most valuable player of the Brainerd Warriors football team at its banquet Monday.

Warriors sink Willmar
The Brainerd Warrior boys' swimming and diving team picked up where it left off last season and in some cases was even better.

LOCAL SHORTS
Equipment for players registered in the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department's pond hockey program will be distributed at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Mill Avenue warming house.

Warriors win in final seconds
ALEXANDRIA - A Ben Gervais layup with seven seconds remaining helped the Brainerd Warriors come from behind to defeat the Alexandria Cardinals 71-70 Thursday.

Patriots prevail over Pine River-Backus
PEQUOT LAKES - Mindy Howard scored 17 points and Emily Lueck added 14 for the Pequot Lakes Patriots in their 52-47 girls' basketball victory over rival Pine River-Backus Thursday.

Ninth-ranked Alex edges Warriors
Going into its dual meet against Class 3A's ninth-ranked Alexandria Cardinals, the Brainerd Warriors wrestling team knew it would be spotting its opponent 12 points with forfeits at 189 and 215 pounds.

Scoreboard
Area events

Balanced Rangers run record to 4-0
PIERZ - Four Crosby-Ironton wrestlers won both of their matches at the Pierz triangular Thursday as the Rangers raised their dual meet record to 4-0.

Flying along
Brainerd junior Michael Ruen won the 100-yard butterfly event in Thursday's meet against Willmar at Brainerd High School. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood

Warriors search for inside game
If the Brainerd High School boys' basketball team can develop an inside game to complement its outside threats, the Warriors could thrive this winter.

Kornbaum tallies 22 in Flyer loss
LITTLE FALLS - Ronnie Kornbaum poured in 22 points for the Little Falls Flyers boys' basketball team in its 68-58 season opening loss to Fergus Falls Thursday.

Sam Smith hasn't missed a beat
After finishing 14th in the Class 2A state diving meet this fall, Sam Smith took a week off before starting to practice with her Brainerd Warriors gymnastics teammates.

Area boys' basketball capsules
Aitkin Gobblers

Scoreboard
Area events

Rising above the tide
There is not a better way to build a swimming and diving team for a season than to have a returning state champion on the roster.

New section challenges Warriors
After countless years of skiing in Section 7, the Brainerd Warriors have been assigned to Section 5, which features many metro powerhouse programs.

Area boys' basketball schedules
Aitkin Gobblers

LOCAL SHORTS
Fourth- and fifth-grade boys' and girls' tryouts for traveling basketball teams sponsored by the Brainerd Basketball Association are scheduled Saturday at Forestview Middle School in Baxter.

State forecast for N.D.
Blowing snow advisory today for the north central and eastern

State forecast for S.D.
Today...Considerable clouds...But becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon northwest. Widespread light snow this morning southwest... With a chance of snow south central. Highs from 5 to 15 northeast and east central...To near 30 northwest.

State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy. Scattered flurries possible far northeast. Highs

State forecast for Minnesota
Wind chill warnings and advisories northeast minnesota through

State forecast for Minnesota
Blowing snow advisory today for portions of the northwest...

State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy. Highs in the teens north and 20s south.

State forecast for S.D.
Wind advisory north central and northeast today...

Christmas is coming
Weather drawing by Hannah True of Mrs. Meyer's third-grade class at Riverside school.

Top of the hill
Weather drawing by Oliver Knudson of Miss Des Marais' first-grade class at St. Francis school.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...A chance of snow showers far north. Mostly cloudy with highs from around 10 above zero northwest...To the lower 20s far east.

State forecast for N.D.
Today...Variable cloudiness. Isolated flurries northwest and

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Cloudy. Scattered light snow showers...And a chance of light freezing drizzle north in the morning. Scattered light snow showers and flurries south early in the morning. A chance of snow showers and flurries in the afternoon. Highs from the mid 20s northwest...To the mid 30s far southeast.