Thursday, December 23, 2004
Corvette hit major milestone in 1957
In 1957, Chevrolet hit a milestone: Building an engine that achieved one horsepower per cubic inch.
Longevity
Motorists are known not to change their vehicle's oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles as their manuals state.
Little Falls school to consider modifying Mid-State Education District contract
LITTLE FALLS -- The Little Falls School Board may withdraw from its contract with Mid-State Education District as of July 1, 2006.
The week's top TV shows
1. "Desperate Housewives," ABC, 22.3 million viewers.
Entertainment shorts
Central Lakes College is one of two Minnesota schools invited to stage a production as part of January's Region V Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in St. Louis.
'Flight of the Phoenix' breaks old ground
Finally, a blockbuster movie has come along that brings back the meat-and-potatoes adventure missing from so many of today's big-budget films. Of course, "Flight of the Phoenix" is a remake of a 1965 Jimmy Stewart flick, but since I haven't seen the original, I won't complain that the special effects budget should've been spent on a fresh idea.
The week's top movies
1. "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," Paramount, $30,061,756.
(Garden) State of the Movies address
Sports movies, supernatural suspense dramas and animated kids' flicks ruled the multiplex in 2004, but as usual, the best films were hiding in big-city arthouse theaters, rarely venturing to our neck of the woods ("Napoleon Dynamite" and "Shaun of the Dead" were notable exceptions, but I would've loved to have seen "Sideways").
Upcoming entertainment events
BRAINERD
Christmas is a time to reflect on traditions
The Christmas season in our household has both traditional and non-traditional elements to it.
Plan a party
"My father only drank Champagne and my mom loved caviar, so I was off to a good start," she tells participants at her "Bubbles and Bites" workshop at a food and wine festival here.
ADOPTION
Brian and Angela (Collins) Smolke, Burnsville, a son, Collin Edward Lee, born Feb. 20, 2004, in Seoul, Korea. Grandparents are Mary Collins, Morris, and the late Terry Collins, and Edward and Nancy Smolke, Brainerd.
Ski Gull
Monday night snowfall improved conditions at Ski Gull in Cass County.
BIRTHS
David and Jaclyn (Huls) Sarff, Baxter, a boy, Nathan David, 9 pounds, 10 ounces, Dec. 1, 2004.
CRIME
THEFT -- Holly Breen, 500 block of Northeast Fourth Avenue, reported a credit card stolen and $2,000 charged on it.
BIRTHS
Andrew and Ellie Conrad, Faribault, a boy, Hunter Joseph, 7 pounds, 8 ounces, Nov. 30, 2004. Grandparents are Thomas and Diane Segler, Brainerd, and Joseph and Kathy Conrad, Faribault. Great-grandparents are Ray and Jean Segler, Brainerd, the late Lenny Meier, Helen Conrad, Faribault, the late Roger Conrad, and the late Kenneth and Joyce Roschen.
Clubs at CLC elect officers
Psi Beta Psychology Club -- Jessica Spring, Brainerd, president; Quincy Vincent, Brainerd, vice president; Amanda Arneman Bakken, Baxter, secretary; Ashley Hofius, Perham, treasurer.
Area brief
The class will run six weeks. Cost is $28. Call (218) 894-2497 to register.
Holiday math lesson
Backus Elementary School students in Diane Doss' first-grade class decorated their own gingerbread houses last week.
Precious gift
BACKUS -- Mortimer the Christmas Elf traveled all the way from the North Pole to Backus, just to deliver a little Christmas cheer and help the kindergarten class make gifts for their parents.
Emily students get into the holiday spirit
Melissa Hagelie's grades 3-4 class and Kimberly Opay's grades 5-6 class at Emily Charter School, including Alyssa Dunbar (front, left), Cathy Kile, Brett Eckert, Isaac Allen (back, left) and Ashley McCapes, worked together to make homemade baked ornaments.
Robbery suspect still hospitalized from shooting
Luke Daniel Johnson was shot at least once in the torso by an unidentified officer.
COMING FRIDAY IN HOUSING
Christmas at the Lyscios
Come here, kitty, kitty
A Mills Ford employee performing an oil change on a truck Tuesday in Brainerd was in for a surprise when a large tabby cat suddenly began hissing back at him from atop the gas tank.
League of Women Voters to sponsor CLC student at St. Paul seminar
The League of Women Voters of the Brainerd Lakes Area will sponsor Jackie Fogel, a Central Lakes College student, at the Leaders of Today and Tomorrow seminar Jan. 13-15 in St. Paul.
Correction
A story on Page 1A of Sunday's Dispatch should have stated in 1999 Brainerd wasn't the first city in Minnesota to consider a mobile home park closing ordinance.
How to develop Pine Meadows site discussed
BAXTER -- Before submitting a specific plan to the city of Baxter, the groups behind the purchase of Pine Meadows Golf Course sought the city council's opinion Tuesday on a conceptual idea for commercial development.
This was Brainerd
DECEMBER 23 - 40 years ago (1964) - Merry Christmas! Sincere good wishes for Christmas and the New Year. May happiness abound in your home Christmas Day and throughout the New Year.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Brainerd Postmaster Warren D. McQuay said the post office will be closed Saturday. Usual post office lobby services will not be available, with the exception of post office lock box service.
Overheard
"It's a good thing nobody was hurt. Everybody's safe, we're happy about that."
Downtown redevelopment project gains tax-increment financing district status
A downtown Brainerd redevelopment project gained Brainerd City Council approval Monday.
Bank robbed, suspect caught
A 41-year-old Ironton man is in custody after allegedly robbing a Pine River bank and leading officers on a pursuit Wednesday through Crow Wing and Cass counties.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1984) - Ron Stolski, Brainerd High School athletic director, was master of ceremonies a the 1984 Minnesota State High School Athletic Directors Association Conference.
Nisswa officer shot armed robbery suspect
Cass County Sheriff Randy Fisher Wednesday identified the officer who shot an armed robbery suspect on Monday after the suspect led law officers on a 45-minute chase.
Homage to 194th
Devin Horn. Conrad Binsfeld. Christopher Ziebell. Christopher Kraus.
Brainerd Mayor Wallin crosses boundary to honor Baxter mayor
BAXTER -- Brainerd Mayor James Wallin crossed city boundaries Tuesday to pay tribute to a fellow mayor who will be leaving his position in January.
Overheard
"It is indeed a very, very sad day."
LOCAL BRIEFS
The Brainerd American Legion will have a pancake breakfast 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at the American Legion, 708 Front St.
William Banks
AITKIN -- William Banks, age 83, of Aitkin, died Monday, Dec. 20, 2004, at his home.
Albert A. Wippler
DARLING TOWNSHIP -- Albert Anthony Wippler, 83, died Monday, Dec. 20, 2004, at his home in Darling Township. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, Dec. 23, 10:30 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Randall with Father Leo Moenkedick officiating.
Edward B. Marks
Edward B. Marks, age 56, of Brainerd, died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004, at his home in rural Brainerd. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004, at First Lutheran Church of Brainerd with the Rev. Kristin Kelsey officiating. Interment will be in the Dykeman Union Cemetery of rural Brainerd.
Gaylord Dabill
PINE RIVER -- Gaylord Dabill, age 89, of Pine River, passed away Dec. 22, 2004, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River.
Caroline V. Zittlow
Caroline V. Zittlow, age 86, resident of Brainerd, died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Robert Nelson
Robert Nelson, 81, Brainerd, died Monday, Dec. 20, 2004, at the Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
James W. Pearson
UPSALA -- James W. Pearson, 88-year-old resident of Upsala, Minn., passed away Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004, at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 27, 2004, at the Community Covenant Church in Upsala. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday at the church. Military rites will be conducted by the Upsala American Legion.
Orda F. Sullivan
LITTLE FALLS -- Orda F. Sullivan, age 91, of Little Falls, Minn., and formerly of Randall, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls, Minn. Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 27, at 1:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls with the Pastor Bobbie Loukin officiating.
Ernest Sarkela
BROWERVILLE -- Ernest Sarkela, 58, died Monday, Dec. 20, 2004, in Browerville. Funeral services will be Thursday, Dec. 23, 1 p.m. at Bethany Free Lutheran Church in Bluegrass with Pastor Stephen Papillon officiating. Friends may visit at the church during the hour before services Thursday. Interment will be at West Lyons Cemetery with full military honors.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 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.
OTHER OPINION: HEALTH CARE
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's recent proposal for an alliance of state, labor and business groups to leverage health care purchasing power for cost control is the kind of proposal necessary to address out-of-control medical costs.
VOX POP
I can't tell you how proud I am of our country for voting their values at the presidential election (nationally) and now voting against the beer policy at the Crow Wing County Fair (locally). There really is hope out there even if Minnesota voted Democrat. It was close and even if the editor of the Dispatch is for the beer. We must not give up or give in to the liberals but keep on praying that they will see the light soon.
Open Forum: Oil conspiracy is behind high gas prices
Get all you can get, that seems to be the goal with our gasoline prices. I don't know who or why they think the prices must be so high. The lowest reported price today in Minnesota is $1.56. Why must our prices fluctuate so much? All the way from $1.72 to $1.79.
Open Forum
Friday afternoon I was shopping at one of the "big" stores in town. As I was leaving the store, I pushed my cart out into the parking lot and turned to unlock my vehicle when out of nowhere, a guy grabbed my purse and started running away with it. I left my cart with all of my bags in it and ran after the thief, shouting, "Hey, he stole my purse!"
Grapplers hang on against Storm to remain unbeaten
After watching the Brainerd wrestling team hang on for a 34-26 victory over the Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm it's probably a good thing Warriors coach Bob Brakke has a razor cut.
Brainerd skates to tie with Lakers
When the Brainerd Warriors girls' hockey team is firing on all cylinders, it can give opponents fits.
Spuds squash unbeaten season
MOORHEAD -- Chris VandeVelde registered three goals and three assists to lead Class 2A's top-ranked and unbeaten Moorhead Spuds (7-0) past the previously unbeaten Brainerd Warriors 6-1 in non-conference boys' hockey Tuesday.
Nearly perfect
Many coaches' motto is "Practice makes perfect."
Mosack, Cardinals corral C-I
STAPLES -- Kim Mosack connected on three 3-pointers to finish with 15 points and Jackie Peterson added 13 points to lead the Staples-Motley Cardinals to a 56-42 Mid-State Conference girls' basketball triumph over the Crosby-Ironton Rangers Tuesday.
Scoreboard
Thursday
Sports shorts
Three area athletes have been honored as Central Lakes Conference performers of the week ending Dec. 18.
From Artest to Sprewell, Sports Santa offers advice
As Axel used to say from his WCCO-TV treehouse, with accompanying sound effects, "And down the 'shimney' came Santa Claus."
Chisholm Bluestreaks defeat C-I/A Grizzlies
CHISHOLM -- Crosby-Ironton/Aitkin scored the first and last goals but was outscored 7-1 in between as it lost to Chisholm in non-conference boys' hockey Tuesday.
COMING SUNDAY IN SPORTS
Recruiting Raiders
Brainerd snaps losing streak against Storm
SAUK RAPIDS -- Lindsey Jourdan led the Brainerd Warriors with 13 points and Danielle Uphoff added 12 as they defeated the Sauk Rapids Storm 50-45 Tuesday in Central Lakes Conference girls' basketball.
COMING FRIDAY IN SPORTS
Holiday cheer
Rangers win at Staples
STAPLES -- In 27 years of coaching Crosby-Ironton Rangers boys' basketball coach Dave Galovich accumulated 386 wins, but there was one that had eluded him until now.
Pioneers win pair
ROCKFORD -- Hank Virnig had two pins as the Pierz Pioneers won a pair of Central Minnesota Conference wrestling meets Tuesday, first defeating Rockford 53-24 before pounding Eden Valley-Watkins 54-12.
Mehr, Collins continue winning ways
Andrew Mehr and Josiah Collins are two of many reasons why the Brainerd Warrior boys' swimming and diving team is unbeaten after three meets.
Woodard leads boys' at Grand Rapids Invite
Titus Goodew finished 11th, Nick Mangan 12th and Justin Tyner 13th for the Brainerd boys.
Greyhounds outrun Warriors
DULUTH -- Playing back-to-back road games took its toll on the Brainerd Warriors boys' basketball team, which suffered an 82-47 loss to the Duluth East Greyhounds Tuesday.
Scoreboard
Area events
Santa: Send more coal for Christmas
Bundle up, Brainerd and Baxter. High temperatures aren't expected to top zero degrees until Christmas Day.
State forecast for Minnesota
Wind chill advisory this morning statewide...
State forecast for S.D.
Wind chill advisory northeast this morning...
Merry Christmas
Weather drawing by Elizabeth Rueger of Mrs. Brenny's third grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for Iowa
Wind chill advisory portions of the north until mid morning...
State forecast for N.D.
Wind chill advisory far east until 600 am cst...
Nice reindeer
Weather drawing by Morgan Steffen of Mr. Meyer's fourth grade class at Lowell school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Wind advisory this morning for much of northwest wisconsin...