Tuesday, December 25, 2007
EXTRA CREDIT
The following students were named Students of the Month for November at Riverside Elementary School: Alyssa Carner, Eric Martin, Tyler Hines, Taylor Cummings, Trey Castillo, Caitlin Brooks, Isabella Morrow-Reusch, Madisyn Norton, Jacob Bradford, Claire McQuiston, Shelby Augustine, Danielle Parks, Kylee Heurung, Nikolas Speliopoulos, Venessa Britton, Hunter Brown, Kelsey Koupal, Kylee McLean, Faith Bohnenstingl.
Birthday gifts for Jesus
Two years ago, when my oldest granddaughter Madison was four years old, a few days before Christmas, we were talking about trimming a tree, giving gifts and I shared with her that the true meaning of Christmas is Jesus' birthday. I then asked her what she thought we should give Jesus for His birthday and she said, "I know, Gramma, let's give Jesus our hearts!"
A tradition that is centuries old
The bright moon cast shadows into my bedroom. It was Christmas Eve night and Santa would be creeping into our dark living room and stuffing our stockings with presents.
Our first Minnesota Christmas
This Christmas is going to be a most special one for my family because it's our first Minnesota Christmas in our new home.
My best present ever
It all began on Christmas Eve. My mom, brothers and I went for a ride around town looking at all the colorful Christmas lights. We drove downtown and through some side streets and almost everybody had Christmas lights up. Our Christmas ride lasted about 25 minutes. When our ride was over, we drove into our driveway.
Why kids don't believe in Santa Claus
Every year you are going to hear, "I don't believe in Santa Claus," and I always wonder why they say that.
I believe in Santa
One Christmas everyone was out having a party, but there was one little boy who wasn't at a party. His name was Nick and he lived in a small home. He believed in Santa but his friends didn't. He wanted to know if Santa was really real. On Christmas Eve he stayed by the window to look for Santa. He became very tired waiting and he accidentally fell asleep. In his dream it seemed as if he was awake. It was Christmas day and he rushed downstairs to look under the tree. There was a present for him and a note attached to it that read:
The Christmas choir
Once every year, my 24 aunts and uncles and my 60 cousins (about) come into St. Francis Church.
The Stories of Christmas - A GIFT OF READING
The Brainerd Dispatch received more than 180 stories for the Brainerd Dispatch Stories of Christmas contest this year. The numerous entries prove why the contest has been a Dispatch favorite for so long.
A flash of red shoots up the chimney
Triumphant is the night on Christmas Eve. The trees shimmer with the dazzling tinsel. The radiant ornaments glisten through my eyes. My heart is racing like a thousand horses trying to win the World Cup. I stop as I hear tiny grains of rock tumbling down my chimney. I suddenly see part of a leathery red jacket and a tiny bell strews with white fur. I gasp.
A path to the stable
Who hasn't experienced plans gone awry and circumstances not turning out as planned? One needs only consider that advertising has done to Christmas. Surely, our Creator shakes a head and winces at holiday opulence in goods-filled aisles at malls and stores. Even if we don't hear the word Christmas uttered as much as we used to - there are those generic substitutes: Yuletide Festival, Season's Greetings, Happy Holidays - most of us still know that the celebration of Christmas is Christ's birthday, a joyous advent season that brings us more than a child wrapped in swaddling clothes, but rather "a Savior who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
Racing into Christmas
Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!
The X-mas men and one girl
The X-mas men and one girl came to be when four colleagues went missing in a tragic plane accident. The plane went down over a radiation field called the Missile Toe Field. The four survivors were rescued unharmed from the crash but soon realized the exposure to the radiation had changed them.
The evil Eve
I, Lola Juna Johnson, am 9 years, 2 months and 15 days old.
Relf and the reindeer
On Dec. 18, a little elf named Relf was getting ready for Christmas. He was a very hard working elf. He was getting ready to go to sleep when he saw Santa's reindeer. Relf said to himself, "Santa won't mind if I go for a little ride."
CRIME
BURGLARY - North Central Speedway Thursday reported copper cooling fins were stolen from an industrial air conditioning unit on the 9600 block of Business Highway 371. Suspect footprints were found and what appeared to be bicycle tracks.
A look back at the year that was
Dispatch staff members review the top stories of 2007 in a special edition of Neighbors.
BIRTHS
Markus and Jody Giza, Brainerd, a boy, Will Marek, 5 pounds, 10 ounces, Dec. 10, 2007.
Spur of the moment wedding
Chuck and Doris Ulrich of Baxter faced a few obstacles when they planned a last-minute wedding for Christmas Day, 1957.
Cass court
WALKER - The following appeared recently in Cass County District Court:
Anglers struck by ATV
About 6 p.m. Friday the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department responded to a report of an ATV striking two people while they were walking on Round Lake near the Gull Lake channel and pulling an portable fish house.
A thankful family
A Brainerd single mom and her family who lost all their belongings in a Thanksgiving apartment building fire feels blessed that they are all well and together this Christmas.
Police investigate domestic assault
BAXTER - The Baxter Police Department investigated a domestic assault about 6:15 p.m. Monday at a residence on Clearwater Road in that resulted in injuries that required hospitalization, the Baxter Police Department reported.
BIRTHS
Russell and Amber Woitalla, Pierz, a boy, Nicholas James, 7 pounds, 14 ounces, Nov. 27, 2007. Grandparents are Dale and Lori Thompson, Brainerd, and Ed and Gloria Woitalla, Pierz.
The holiday season's darkest myth
It was Christmas Eve when George Bailey stared into the black depths of the river beneath the bridge in Bedford Falls, convinced that the world would be better off without him. That scene from the 1946 movie classic "It's a Wonderful Life" could well have given birth to the media myth that Christmas is a trigger for increased suicides and episodes of depression.
Reminders of mortality bring out the charitable side
Scrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and following the finger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name, Ebenezer Scrooge ... "Spirit!" he cried, tight clutching at its robe, "hear me! I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been ... "
This was Brainerd
100 years ago (1907) - We wish you one and all a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1987) - The Paul Bunyan Arboretum is open for skating on the pond near its entrance and for cross country skiing on its ground trails.
Ho, ho heart attack?
The good side of holiday hoopla - increased camaraderie, generosity of spirit - can help ease depression for some. But what is balm for the mind can be bad news for the ticker.
LOCAL BRIEFS
LITTLE FALLS - A $219,675 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program helped the Mid-State Education District in Little Falls continue its groundbreaking Interactive Television program.
This picture only had to say a single word - Christmas
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
Missing ring story ends happily
A Brainerd woman opened up her Sunday edition of the Brainerd Dispatch and couldn't believe her eyes - on Page 2A was a photograph of her missing wedding ring.
What's opened, what's closed
The Brainerd Dispatch will publish on Monday and Tuesday but the business office will close at 3 p.m. Monday and be closed Tuesday.
Making it a 'marry' Christmas wasn't easy
Chuck and Doris Ulrich will celebrate both Christmas and their 50th wedding anniversary in the comfort of their Baxter home Tuesday. The celebration is bound to be more relaxed than their hastily arranged wedding day of Dec. 25, 1957.
Looking for Christmas lights?
Homes and businesses in the Brainerd lakes area are decorated for the holiday season. Hop in the car, take a drive and enjoy some sights of Christmas.
Overheard
I dont feel what was lost was more important than what was saved,
Slick roads cited in fatality
Friday night's rain combined with Saturday's plummeting temperatures and Sunday's wind and snow to make treacherous traveling conditions throughout the Brainerd area.
Kettles filled, but not to brims
Early estimates put The Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign about $3,700 shy of its $100,000 goal.
ALL NOT LOST
On Thanksgiving Day, Ramona Harrold and her sons watched all their belongings go up in flames in an apartment building fire in northeast Brainerd.
Breezy Point woman's pickup breaks through ice in shallow water
A Breezy Point woman's fishing trip Monday morning was cut short after her pickup broke through the ice on Pelican Lake.
Friendly bell-ringer is there for those in need
Eighty-one-year-old John Johnson of Brainerd could have used a little help when he was a young father of five children and only making $45 a week.
Brother Theodore Kappel
ONAMIA - Brother Theodore Kappel, OSC, age 73, of the Crosier Priory of the Holy Cross in Onamia, Minn., passed away Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Virginia Day
Mary "Virginia" Day, 80, died Dec. 21, 2007, at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, Dec. 26, 11 a.m. at St. Andrew's Catholic Church. Friends may visit at the church during the hour prior to services. Interment will be at Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery.
Eugene 'Gene' Segler
Eugene "Gene" Segler, age 87, resident of Nokay Lake Township, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007.
Frederick 'Fritz' Casey
Frederick J. "Fritz" Casey, Jr., 88, Brainerd, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd with Pastor David Holte officiating. Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Internment will be in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens with military rites provided by American Legion Post #255.
Mary 'Virginia' Day
Mary "Virginia" Day, 80, died Dec. 21, 2007, at her home.
Eugene A. Segler
Eugene A. Segler, age 87, resident of rural Brainerd, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007, as the result of a car accident.
Opal M. Dechaine
Opal Mae (Bollinger) Dechaine, 84, Brainerd, passed away Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007, at the St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Leo Boog
CROSSLAKE - Leo Boog, 50, died Monday, Dec. 24, 2007, at his father's home in Crosslake. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel.
Rose Schlichting
LITTLE FALLS - Rose Schlichting, 96-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, Minn.
Lucille R. Query
Lucille R. Query, age 97, resident of Brainerd, died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, at Bethany Good Samaritan village in Brainerd.
Florence E. Burlingame
AITKIN - Florence E. Burlingame, 99, of Aitkin, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007, at Aicota Health Care Center, Aitkin.
Fredrick J. 'Fritz' Casey
Fredrick J. "Fritz" Casey Jr., 88, Brainerd, passed away at his residence on Dec. 23, 2007.
Dorothy Carter
Dorothy Carter (Anderson) "...Now she can see clearly, face to face..." 1 Cor. 13:12, age 81 of Motley, Minn., formerly of Bloomington, passed away Dec. 18, 2007.
Charles Holmgren
UPSALA - Charles Holmgren, age 72, of Upsala, Minn., passed away Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, in Alamo, Texas. Funeral arrangements for Charles Holmgren are pending with the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls.
Open Forum: God is still in control
People lament that we, meaning the media, the commercial interests and the politically correct, have to put Christ back into Christmas. The implication by those making these charges is that God is being defiled and they are going to take it upon themselves to be Gods advocate. Having judged society as being implicit in this anti-God activity they have decided, because God has not done these godless entities himself, that they have to, and will be at some future time rewarded.
OTHER OPINION: FAITH
Religious liberty is, as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney declared Thursday, fundamental to Americas greatness. With religious division inciting violence across the globe, he is right to celebrate Americas tradition of religious tolerance. Hes right, too, that no one should vote against him, or for him, because he is a Mormon. We only wish his empathy for religious minorities such as his own extended a bit further, to those who do not believe in God.
Open Forum: May your Christmas be a special one
It is the season to be joyful and thankful. There are too many negative things going on in the news and in our paper. Every year that I can I take a few hours to ring the bell and what a great reward that brings to my life. I get to say thank you and Merry Christmas to people I do not know and may never see again.
Scoreboard
Area events
Matchup of titans at Ranger Classic
Get ready for No. 1 vs. No. 1.
Brainerd's Nathan Scott a winner
WADENA - Boxers from Brainerd, Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes and St. Cloud competed at the Wadena Armory Saturday.
Ranger Classic schedule
Thursday, Dec. 27
Sterling scores two, Lightning win
MOOSE LAKE - Brandon Sterling scored two of the Northern Lakes Lightning boys' hockey team's goals in its 3-2 victory over Moose Lake Area Saturday.
Warriors finish third at Brainerd invite
It wasn't a perfect outing, but the Brainerd Warriors gymnastics team still managed a third-place finish against a tough field Saturday at its home meet.
Brown, Ring shine at Brainerd Invitational
The Warriors' Kelsi Ring smiled at coach Dave Maras after her vault routine Saturday during the Brainerd Gymnastics Holiday Invitational.
Crosby-Ironton wins two at triangular
NASHWAUK - Four Crosby-Ironton Rangers wrestlers picked up two pins apiece at the Nashwauk Triangular Saturday.
Who is affected by shutdown
Carriers will start shutting down the country's oldest cellular network, for analog devices, in February.
VUDU'S HOODOO
NEW YORK - For a few years, technology companies have been racing to find a way to get movies from the Internet to the living-room TV in a way that will get consumers excited.
Cellular sunset
NEW YORK - The network that launched the U.S. wireless industry with brick-sized - and brick-heavy - cell phones 24 years ago will switch off in most of the country next year, leaving a surprising number of users in the lurch.
Call of Duty 4 an awesome gaming experience
NEW YORK - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the latest in the celebrated series of first-person shooters, has some pretty big shoes to fill. The fact that it must compete with the much-hyped Halo 3 and Bioshock doesn't make things any easier.
The Nation's Weather
After a weekend of wild weather, the nation got a break Monday with a mostly precipitation-free day.
Wisconsin state forecast
Christmas day...Mostly cloudy. Light snow likely northwest half. Highs from the mid 20s northwest to the mid 30s southeast.
State forecast for Iowa
Christmas day...Partly to mostly cloudy. Chance of snow northwest. Highs
Santa drops in
Weather drawing by Sam Larson of Mrs. Meyers third-grade class at Riverside school.
State forecast for Minnesota
...Winter storm warning for far northeast tonight...
The Nation's Weather
A snowstorm that blasted the Plains states moved across the Midwest Sunday, while rain fell across much of the East.
Joy to the world
Weather drawing by Caleb Meyer of Mr. Meyers fourth-grade class at Lowell school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Winter storm warning northwest tonight...
State forecast for South Dakota
Christmas day...Cloudy with a chance of light snow. Windy northwest. Highs in the upper 20s to mid 30s.
State forecast for Iowa
...Winter storm warning far northeast iowa until midnight...
State forecast for Minnesota
.Christmas day...Cloudy. Snow likely east with a chance of snow
State forecast for South Dakota
Tonight...Clear to partly cloudy west and central. Mostly cloudy with a few flurries east then decreasing clouds late. Lows 5 below northeast to the teens west.
State forecast for North Dakota
Christmas day...Cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Brisk. Highs