It's been a busy year for the Guard and Camp Ripley
BIZ BUZZ
Members of the Camp Ripley Citizens Committee traveled to Camp Ripley Thursday for an update on the military post and the National Guard.
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Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard, was in Iraq for Thanksgiving. Shellito said the Minnesota National Guard's men and women, who control the southern third of Iraq, are doing incredible work and making a positive impression on the Iraqi people creating a bond of trust in working together.
Shellito provided an overview of the troops' work this past year with the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, and work to battle fires and the Red River Valley floods, as well as assist in looking for two missing men and providing security support for President Obama's inauguration. Shellito plans to visit the 133rd Airlift Wing in Afghanistan. He said residents here probably heard those troops at work in the past during night training flights at Camp Ripley.
SFC Gregory Jedlenski and 1st Lt. Shaun Meling grab some pepperoni pizza at the Camp Ripley Training and Community Center Drill
Floor Dec. 16. Domino's Pizza of Little Falls and Viking Coca-Cola
Bottling Company donated 460 servings of pizza and soda to the soldiers and civilian employees of Camp Ripley.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson
Shellito also noted the 148th Fighter Wing Minnesota Air National Guard, based in Duluth, was designated this year as the best fighter wing in the Air Force among active units, Guard and Reserve. The 148th reports this is the fourth time an Air National Guard unit received the award and only the second time an F-16 unit took the honor since the award's inception in 1953.
This summer, Shellito said an Iowa brigade will be at Camp Ripley to train to go to Afghanistan. While Camp Ripley won't be a mobilization center, Shellito said it has been offered as an overflow for Wisconsin's Camp McCoy and will pick up Army Reserve unit training for a couple of weeks. Shellito said the training and other endeavors at Camp Ripley brings economic activity to the area. And training needs continue with soldiers serving in 33 countries. The Minnesota National Guard's WMD Civil Support Team was recently put to use at the Mall of America for former Gov. Sarah Palin's book stop.
Shellito said reintegration of troops after deployment continues to be a major focus. Community support has been phenomenal, Shellito said. He noted a fund to help families at home with such things as refilling propane tanks and assistance with budget management. And Shellito said Minnesota pilot programs for reintegration, such as specific timely check-ins with returned troops have been picked up nationally. Even naysayers who questioned the value of reintegration programs now see the value of those efforts, Shellito said.
The work of the Minnesota troops in Iraq has stood out, Shellito said.
"You can be extremely proud of the work your sons and daughters are doing," he said. "The 34th Infantry has a stellar reputation."
As for Camp Ripley, Shellito said he sometimes wishes it would remain a hidden gem but it is steadily being discovered with federal operations, including Homeland Security, seeing its value for operations.
"This is a good news story," Shellito said. "Given all the things that are going on in the world, Camp Ripley is a gem."
Shellito, who's military service began in 1968 when he enlisted in the Army, assumed the duties of adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard on Nov. 3, 2003. He has a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota. Shellito said this time next year he will no longer be the adjutant general, which is a seven-year appointment. Gov. Tim Pawlenty will pick a successor.
Shellito said one of the biggest criticisms over the years was that Camp Ripley was the best kept secret of the nation. The general said he sees it continuing as a major training center and economic engine for the area.
Bearly Used & New, which describes itself as a "community driven thrift store," opened on South Eighth Street in Brainerd next to the Last Turn Saloon.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson
The pressure is on for shoppers as they search for good deals these last few days before Christmas.
Bearly Used & New, which describes itself as a "community driven thrift store" was attracting customers last week to its spot on South Eighth Street next to the Last Turn Saloon. The store features clothing with sections for women and men, housewares, tools, recreational equipment. Everything from ice scrapers to vases. There are books and dolls and a toy area for children. In store specials offer additional bargains off the listed prices. The store had a multi-piece tool set for less than $3.
With the difficult economy, thrift stores have seen a mini-boom as consumers continue to weigh their shopping decisions carefully. Bearly Used & New is by Melody and Greg Smith.
The thrift store opened in space that was formerly a restaurant, or to be more accurate several restaurants have come and gone there in the past.
Leslie's women's fashion store in Pequot Lakes will have a new look and new owner when it re-opens Dec. 26. The store closed in November for remodeling and a change in ownership. Long-time owner Leslie Gravley (left) is passing the ownership to her niece Tara Bunde.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson
Leslie's women's fashion store in Pequot Lakes announced it has new life. The store closed Nov. 15 for remodeling and an ownership transition. Leslie Gravley has owned and operated the store for 28 years and in the past had multiple store locations in Nisswa and Pine River as well as Pequot Lakes.
For the past 10 years, Gravley solely maintained the Pequot Lakes store.
The store will re-open Dec. 26 with new owner Tara Bunde, who is Gravley's niece. Bunde has been a model and flight attendant. Bunde reported she worked at Leslie's for the last year to get experience in buying, merchandising and operations. Leslie's is two blocks east of the stoplights in Pequot Lakes.
RENEE RICHARDSON, senior reporter, may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.