Bemidji BuyLine | July 29, 2023

Lake George Blueberry Festival

set for July 28-30

LAKE GEORGE — The Lake George Blueberry Festival is set for July 28-30, with activities for all ages along with flea markets, lefse and art for sale by local artists and vendors.

Friday, July 28

Set for 7:30 to 9:30 on Friday, July 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church. There will be a homemade from-scratch pie and ice cream social made by the church ladies.

Saturday, July 29

A full day of events will take place on Saturday, July 29. Starting with a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. A food stand will be outside the church from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A vintage and classic car show will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at Lake George Community Park. Free admission for all.

A free kids carnival with bike drawing will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the town hall,

followed by a fireman’s ham and bean feed from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Firehall, wrapping up with a raffle drawing at 6:30 p.m.

Dance to the Snowmen at the Woodland Store backyard stage from 8 p.m. to midnight, with free admission.

Sunday, July 30

A variety of events are scheduled for Sunday, July 30, starting with a fireman’s blueberry pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Firehall.

A kids pedal tractor pull will take place in front of Tin Lizzie Antiques, registration starts at 11:30 a.m., the pull starts at noon. It is free and open to ages 3-11. Sponsored by Sanford Health, Paul Bunyan Communications and Park Rapids Ford.

A bean bag tournament, sponsored by First National Bank of Bemidji, will be held at Lake George Community Park, registration starts at noon. First place will win $100, second place $50, third and fourth place $25.

Things will wrap up

with a tug-of-war competition at the park. Bring a team of eight to compete. Registration starts at 1:30 p.m., the pull starts at 2 p.m.

Watermark Art Center to resume weekly beading

circle

BEMIDJI — Watermark Art Center will resume its beading circle with bead artist Thomas Stillday on Wednesdays now through the end of July.

All skill levels are welcome to attend the free weekly program. Attendees can learn where to begin or bring supplies

for a project.

Participants can drop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“Stillday has devoted himself to designing, creating, and advancing his skills and visibility for 40 years,” a release said. “While he has developed his own distinct and personal style of work, his art honors the traditional beading techniques, designs and concepts given to him by his elders.”

Watermark galleries are free and open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and located at 505 Bemidji Ave. N.

Governor Tim Walz signed a bill that directs how the state will spend the opioid lawsuit settlement dollars. Beltrami County Public Health, as the Chief Strategists, are committed to preventing and reducing the negative impacts associated with opioid misuse, opioid use disorder, and overdose deaths. To determine how to prioritize use of these funds, Beltrami HHS in collaboration with the Beltrami Sheriff’s Office is establishing a steering committee and seeking community involvement.

This committee serves to prioritize use of settlement funds and the purpose is to advise/ offer guidance on directing settlement funds across broad categories including prevention, criminal justice, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction. The steering committee will include but are not limited to citizens with professional or lived experiences, county staff, and city staff.

If you have a vested interest in joining this solution-based group, we would like to invite you to complete the Application of Interest. The application, directions, and the deadline following this memo below.

Save the date:

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 – Beltrami Electric. Time: TBD (evening)

Monday, October 30, 2023 – Blackduck Golf Course. Time: TBD (evening)

The Steering Committee will be hosting two community learning events. There are three goals for these events: provide opportunities for as many citizens to attend by hosting two sessions, provide the community with education related to the settlement and Beltrami data related to the opioid epidemic, and most importantly gather input from the community of Beltrami County to learn where are our greatest needs.

Information can be found on the Minnesota Attorney Generals website.

Should you have any questions please contact:

Amy Bowles RN, BSN, MSN, PHN Beltrami County Public Health Division Director Community Health Services Administrator 616 America Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601

P: 218-333-8116

Application: Beltrami County Opioid Steering Committee

Directions:

• Please answer all of the following 8 questions. If able, please type your answers.

• All Applications must be received by August 11, 2023

• Mail or deliver your application to: Amy Bowles

• C/O Beltrami County Public Health

• 616 America Ave. NW, Suite 330, Bemidji, MN 56601

1. Name: 2. Organization/Employer associated with:

3. Role/Title:

4. Do you reside or work in Beltrami County?

5. Why are you interested in being on the

Back In The Day

Registration open for Watermark’s Mark Makers Art Camps

BEMIDJI — Registration is now open for Watermark Art Center’s Mark Makers Art Camps, which are held throughout the summer. The camp is divided into three sections defined by grade level and each section consists of five afternoons.

For children in grades 1-6, there is a camper art exhibit and project pickup on day five. The camp for youths in grades 7-12 consists of five 2.5-hour afternoon sessions.

Outdoorsy Art will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on July 31 through Aug. 4. This camp, geared toward students entering grades 1-3, brings the outside in as participants create art inspired by the great outdoors. Campers will work in a variety of mediums including acrylic paint, printmaking, watercolors, clay and more.

Buena Vista to host evening of dinner and music

BEMIDJI — Buena Vista Ski Area will host an evening of dinner, music and relaxation from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, at the ski area, 19600 Irvine Ave. NW.

“Follow the yellow brick road to Buena Vista for an evening of relaxation, dinner, music and a walk to the top of the hill,” a release said. “Music will be provided by Muffy Dickinson, Figuring it Out and Abello Family Group.”

Admission is $6 for ages 13 and older, or $22 for admission and a dinner of grilled chicken breast, au gratin pota-

toes, green beans, dinner roll, dessert and lemonade. Admission is $4 for ages 6-12, or $12 with dinner. Dinner is $8 for those 5 and younger and includes a hotdog, chips, fruit cup and lemonade. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, email tickets@bvskiarea.com. To make a reservation visit bvskiarea.com.

Gallery North to hold Tall Timbers painting class

BEMIDJI — Gallery North is set to host a Tall Timbers acrylic painting class from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, at the gallery, 310 Fourth St. NW in down-

town Bemidji. Instructed by Darcy Brambrink, participants of the class will learn an acrylic technique of negative painting to achieve a finished 11” by 14” by 1.5” wraparound painting.

“Negative painting is a technique that takes thought but can be learned by practice,” a release said. “Students will learn to chisel out pines, sculpt and develop color combinations that will make the painting burst with color.”

Students will be supplied with canvas and acrylic paints but will need to bring No. 1, 6 and 10 flat brushes and at least one No. 6 flatangle brush, as well as

a hair dryer and a paint shirt. Refreshments will be offered.

The class will last approximately three hours but may run as long as four hours, the release said.

The cost to participate is $80 per person and the class size is limited to six participants. The class is geared toward ages 16 and older.

Students can make their payment to Darcy Brambrink at Gallery North Bemidji in the form of cash or a personal check prior to the class.

To register, stop in at Gallery North or call (218) 444-9813.

Mixed Media Madness will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 7-11. Geared toward students entering grades 4-6, the camp will allow participants to discover and be inspired by the variety of mediums artists use to create art.

Campers will draw, paint, sculpt, use clay, make prints, build and more.

Art Exploratory will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 14-18. Geared toward students entering grades 7-12, participants will explore different mediums and techniques while creating art that is relevant to their world.

Projects could include drawing, graphic art, watercolor painting, acrylic painting, mixed media, clay, and more, depending on student interest. This will be a more individualized experience for students.

Watermark’s Art Education Program Director Jill Neumann will be the lead instructor for all the camps. Neumann has taught art for more than 20 years, a release said.

Her experience includes the Rochester Art Center, Crossings in Zumbrota, St. Cloud Public Schools, Theo Art School in Bismarck, Bismarck Public Schools and Bemidji Public Schools. She will also have two artist assistants, as well as guest artists and speakers.

The cost to participate is $120 per member child or $150 per nonmember child.

For more information or to register, visit watermarkcenter.org.

Boys and Girls Club to hold National Night Out event

BEMIDJI — The Boy and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area will host its annual National Night Out event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, in the field next to J.W. Smith Elementary School, 1712 America Ave. NW.

“The purpose of National Night Out is to promote strong policecommunity partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work,” a release said.

“At our event, we invite all our local first responders, sheriff, police, fire, EMS and more, to connect with neighborhood families and friends.”

Community members of all ages are encouraged to come and enjoy a free dinner while supplies last, the release said. The event will also include a community resource fair with area organizations and agencies, as well as games and activities for youth.

Bemidji Airport, early 1950s.

(Beltrami County Historical Society photo)

NEWS BRIEFS 

Bemidji Senior Center to host book club meeting

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center will hold a book club meeting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the senior center, 216 Third St. NW.

The book that will be discussed at the meeting is “Still Life” by Louise Penny, a release said. At the next meeting, set for Tuesday, Sept. 5, members will discuss the book “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann.

All are welcome to participate in the book discussions.

Watermark Art Center presents

‘Close

to the Edge’

StorySLAM event

BEMIDJI — Watermark Art Center’s Spoken Word Series presents “Close to the Edge” as the theme for the Aug. 1 StorySLAM to be held at Bemidji Brewing, 211 America Ave. NW.

Watermark StorySLAM events feature true personal stories, shared live from memory, in a friendly competition where anyone with a tale to tell is invited to take the stage. Performers are encouraged to consider the theme of each event when crafting their story.

StorySLAM events are free to attend and perform at, and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three performers. Storytellers are strongly encouraged to pre-register by calling Watermark at (218)-444-7570. Limited same-day sign-ups may be available but are not guaranteed.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with performances beginning at 7 p.m.

For SLAM rules and class information, visit WatermarkArtCenter.org.

Ardenhurst Township potluck picnic set for Aug. 1

ITASCA COUNTY —

The annual Ardenhurst Township potluck picnic is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the Ardenhurst Community Park, south of Northome.

Everyone is welcome at the event, a release said. Cold drinks, as well as plastic and paper products will be provided.

Ardenhurst Community Park is located on the west shore of Island Lake at 66856 Island Lake Road, 4.1 miles south of Northome.

Bemidji Area Church Musicians recital set for Aug. 2

BEMIDJI — The 36th season of the Bemidji Area Church Musicians Summer Recital Series continues at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 2,

at Church of Christ, 692 Mag Seven Ct. NW.

Performers in this recital are Abbi Cobb on violin and piano and Emily Mathew on piano.

A luncheon will follow the 30-minute recital with a price to be announced.

The event is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be received at the door for the scholarship programs of the BACM.

Donations can also be made by sending a check to the Bemidji Area Church Musicians, 522 15th St. NW, Bemidji, MN 56601.

Trinity Lutheran Church to host chicken dinner

LAPORTE — Trinity Lutheran Church will host a chicken dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the church, 150 Second St. NE

Now Thru July 31! bemidjipioneer.news/bestof2023

in Laporte. A free-will offering will be accepted, and takeout is available. All are welcome to attend.

Bemidji Retired Military Club set to meet Aug. 2

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Retired Military Club will host a meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at a local restaurant for dinner and camaraderie. The next meeting is set for Aug. 2

“If you are a retired military veteran of any branch of service, we would love to have you join us,” a release said. For more information, contact (218) 759-1096 to get the name of the restaurant of the month and leave your name and number to reserve a spot.

25th annual Anishinaabe Spirit Run set for Aug. 2-5

RED LAKE — Red Lake Chemical Health, Leech Lake Chemical Dependency and the Mash-kawisen Treatment Center are hosting the 25th annual Anishinaabe Spirit Run, a 200-mile journey taking place Wednesday, Aug. 2 to Saturday, Aug.

5.

Healing, wellness and recovery are the themes for this year’s run, formerly known as a “sobriety run,” a release said.

“Using the Native American medicine wheel as a guide, this year’s participants will carry a message of running for 25 years to raise awareness of healing, wellness and recovery,” the release said.

The run will kick off with an opening ceremony and remarks at 10 a.m.

on Wednesday at the Red Lake Powwow Grounds, during which registration will also take place. Registration will continue at 10 a.m. on each day of the run at each starting location.

Runners will trek from Red Lake to Cass Lake on Wednesday, Cass Lake to Grand Rapids on Thursday and Grand Rapids to Floodwood on Friday. The run will conclude on Saturday with a stretch from Floodwood to Sawyer where participants will carry eagle staffs into the sobriety powwow arena at the Mash-Ka-Wisen Treatment Center. Those 17 years or younger will need adult accompaniment in order to participate. More information can be found on the Red Lake Chemical Health Programs Facebook page.

Beginning August 1, 2023, Red Lake Nation Chippewa Hemp and Cannabis will offer products from both Cannabis and Hemp in the following forms: flower, oils and tinctures, salves, capsules, and edibles. We also carry accessories and logo items, soap and chap stick. We are the first retail Hemp store in Red Lake and have been offering quality products since June 2020. We are happy and proud to add Cannabis to that list.

A valid ID is required to purchase products from our store so please come prepared.

We can be found on Google maps located at:

Bot Dr., Red Lake, MN | 218-407-3836

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Bemidji Senior Center to hold rummage, bake sale

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center is set to hold a Crazy Daze rummage and bake sale from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5.

The sale will be located at the senior center, 216 Third St. NW in downtown Bemidji.

All proceeds will benefit the Bemidji Senior Center, which is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

Bemidji Area FGBFA set to meet Aug. 5

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Area Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship of America chapter is set to meet at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, in the community room at Beltrami Electric, 4111 Technology Drive NW.

A light breakfast will be served with Eugene Campbell presenting as the keynote speaker.

Campbell was born in Dubuque, Iowa, and his family started attending the Salvation Army Church when he was 5 years old and he got saved at 7. He then served in the U.S. Navy from 197377 as a hospital corpsman before working as an EMT for two years, then

got married and moved to Minnesota, a release said.

He worked for four years at Lampert Lumber in Bemidji, then at Norbord for 36 years before retiring. He’s currently a member of First Baptist Church in Bemidji and regularly volunteers for the Salvation Army.

Watermark to host pop-up artists market Aug. 5

BEMIDJI — Watermark Art Center is set to host an outdoor pop-up artists market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, on the south lawn of Watermark Art Center.

The market will feature local handmade items including ceramics, jewelry, prints, paintings, basketry, glass, woodwork, Indigenous art and more, a release said.

Great River Rescue announces Pet Fixers clinics

BEMIDJI — Great River Rescue will host low-cost spay and neuter clinics through its Pet Fixers program this year.

Qualified pet owners and caretakers can get their pets spayed or neutered and receive other low-cost preventative care services at an upcoming weekend clinic, a release said.

Clinics are typical-

Paid Volunteer Opportunities in your Community Lutheran Social Service of MN is seeking volunteers age 55+ in your area to provide companionship to older adults. Make a difference in someones life by offering support and friendship. Volunteers commit to regular weekly hours for a tax free stipend and mileage reimbursement.

Please contact Gail at 218.220.5572 or gail.ahart@ lssmn.org for more information and to make an impact in your community!

ly held once per month at Great River Rescue, located at 1612 Carr Lake Road SE.

Dates for this year’s clinics are:

► Aug. 5 and 6

► Sept. 9 and 10

► Oct. 7 and 8

► Nov. 4 and 5

Registration for each clinic opens on the first of the month prior to the scheduled clinic. Income qualifications along with all available services and prices can be found on the Pet Fixers page of the Great River Rescue website.

Headwaters Music and Arts to hold summer choir camp

BEMIDJI — Headwaters Music and Arts is set to hold a youth choir camp from Aug. 7-11 at Headwaters, 519 Minnesota Ave. NW.

The program is geared toward youth ages 8-18 who love to sing. This summer day camp, led by vocal instructors Annalise Aakhus and NikkiLee Nolden, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Aug. 7-11.

“Participants will find camaraderie with other young singers while learning new skills such as harmonizing twopart melodies, counting, reading music and learning proper breathing and open singing

techniques,” a release said.

Family, friends and community members are invited to a final performance at noon on Friday, Aug. 11. The cost to attend is $200 per participant. Headwaters offers several scholarship and grant options for all of its youth programming in an effort to make its programming accessible for all, the release said.

Full payment is due on the registration deadline, Aug. 2. To learn more or register, visit headwatersmusicandarts.org.

Bemidji Senior Center to host monthly bingo event

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center will host its monthly bingo event at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the senior center, 216 Third St. NW. The event is free and open to the public. Come and enjoy a great game of bingo, fellowship and prizes. For more information, call (218) 751-8836.

Medicare assistance available from Senior LinkAge Line

BEMIDJI — Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging Senior LinkAge Line staff will provide one-to-one

assistance on Medicare Part D plans and other issues by appointment only from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at Community Resource Connections, 716 Paul Bunyan Drive NW.

Clients must call the Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433 to schedule an appointment for that day.

Senior LinkAge Line staff provide information and assistance with Medicare billing issues, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

Senior LinkAge Line is the State Health Insurance Assistance for Minnesota as designated by the Centers for Medicare Services.

Parkinson’s Support Group set to meet

Aug. 9

BEMIDJI — The Parkinson’s Support Group is set to meet at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Sanford Health Windsong, 1010 Anne St. NW.

The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the same time and location.

For more information, contact (218) 760-8266.

Classic Country Band to play for free dance

BEMIDJI — The Classic

Country Band will perform for a free dance from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the Bemidji Senior Center, 216 Third St. NW.

Open to all ages of the public for your listening and dancing pleasure.

For more information, contact (218) 751-8836. Beltrami Area Service Collaborative sets meetings

BEMIDJI — The Beltrami Area Service Collaborative’s next meeting is set for Aug. 9. All meetings will run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on select Wednesdays and are open to the public.

“For more than 20 years, the Beltrami Area Service Collaborative has successfully partnered with area stakeholders to plan, implement and sustain prevention and early intervention services for the children and families of Beltrami County,” The BASC website reads. “BASC has been recognized as a leader in Minnesota’s Collaborative movement.”

Meetings are also set for Oct. 11 and Dec. 13. Contact the BASC Office at (218) 333-8190 for the Zoom link or location information.

Heartsaver First Aid CPR and AED courses set

BEMIDJI — The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will hold Heartsaver First Aid CPR and AED courses from 5 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 14, Sept. 11, Oct. 9 and Nov. 6, at Bemidji State’s Gillett Wellness Center, 1801 Birch Lane NE.

The class is geared toward anyone with little or no medical training who needs a course completion card for their job, regulatory, or other requirements, or anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency in any setting, a release said.

Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a course completion card, valid for two years.

The course will teach:

► First aid basics.

► Medical emergen-

cies.

► Injury emergencies.

► Environmental emergencies.

► Preventing illness and injury.

► Adult CPR and AED use.

► Opioid-associated life-threatening emergencies.

► Optional modules in child CPR AED and infant CPR.

The cost is $105 per participant. For more information or to register, visit www.ci.bemidji. mn.us or call (218)-3331862.

Defensive Driving Refresher Courses scheduled

BEMIDJI — Defensive Driving Refresher Courses will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 14, and from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, through Zoom.

The four-hour refresher courses are for drivers age 55 and older that have already had an eight-hour beginner’s course and want to continue receiving a discount on their insurance. The instructor for the classes will be retired Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Mike Flatley.

The cost of the course is $14. To pre-register, contact (218) 750-3189 or email mnflats@hotmail. com. For more information on Flatley’s upcoming courses, visit mndefensivedriving.blogspot.com.

Parks and Rec to hold Basic Life Support classes

BEMIDJI — The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will hold Basic Life Support classes from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28,

at the BSU Gillett Wellness Center, 1801 Birch Lane NE. This class is geared toward pre-hospital providers such as EMTs, paramedics, firefighters and in-facility hospital providers. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a course completion card, valid for two years.

During this class participants will learn:

► High-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants

► The AHA Chain of Survival, specifically the BLS components

► Important early use of an AED

► Effective ventilations using a barrier device

► Importance of teams in multi-rescuer resuscitation and performance as an effective team member during multi-rescuer CPR

► Relief of foreign-

body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants

BLS Initial / Renewal Course takes approximately 4.5 hours to complete, course time is based on one instructor, six students and two manikins.

The cost is $125 per participant. Register online at www.ci.bemidji.mn.us or call (218)-333-1857 with any questions.

North Country Food Bank to host mobile food drop

BAGLEY — North Country Food Bank is partnering with the United Way of Bemidji Area and the Clearwater County Food Shelf to offer a mobile food distribution on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the Bagley High School parking lot.

Food will be available from 11 a.m. to noon, or until food runs out.

At the events, people

can drive up and receive food with no questions asked. Everyone is welcome.

Boys and Girls Club offers Summer Food Program

BEMIDJI — The Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area is participating in the Summer Food Service Program, at the club, 1600 Minnesota Ave. NW. Free lunches and afternoon snacks will be provided to all enrolled children Monday-Friday from through Sept. 1. Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m. and snacks will be served from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The program is made possible by The Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Gallery North seeking artists for Summer Sampler

Season

BEMIDJI — Gallery North recently announced its first-ever Summer Sampler Season, a program that will feature artists’ work at the gallery through September. Gallery North is inviting artists who have never shown at the gallery to display and sell their work for the summer.

2D artists will be limited to displaying two works of art at a time, with a size limit of 20 by 16 inches. JPEG images and a description of the medium and size of the artwork can be submitted by emailing deedeeminn@yahoo.com.

3D artists will also be limited to two works of art displayed at a time. Artists can stop in at Gal-

lery North to show samples of their 3D artwork during regular business hours. Pieces sent by artists will be juried. All artists selling at the gallery are required to fill out a W-9 for IRS reporting purposes. Gallery North will keep 20% of the price on sold items. The Summer Sampler Season will run through September. There is no deadline but space is limited so artists are welcome to participate as space allows. To learn more, visit gallerynorthbemidji.com.

Natural Choice Farmers Market open each Saturday BEMIDJI — Bemidji’s Natural Choice Farmer’s Market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through the end of October, in the parking lot in front of Frizzel Furniture at Second Street and Beltrami Avenue in

downtown Bemidji.

The vendors, all from the Bemidji area, offer naturally grown produce and flowers, homemade baked goods, jellies, jams and pickles, meats and a variety of crafts. Local musicians will provide entertainment while customers shop.

Many of the vendors now accept SNAP/EBT payments and the market will match the first $10 of EBT purchases with coupons good for another $20 of produce and food purchases. Follow the market on Facebook for weekly updates on what is happening at the market.

Minnesota Elks Youth Camp raffle tickets available BEMIDJI — Tickets are now available for the once-a-year special Minnesota Elks Youth Camp Raffle opportunity.

The tickets are $100 each, and all funds raised

will go toward sending 20 children from the Bemidji area to spend a week at the Minnesota Elks Youth Camp in Nisswa. Prize money is based on 1,000 tickets sold. The first-place winner will receive $6,000, second will receive $4,000, third will receive $3,000, fourth will receive $2,000, fifth will receive $1,000, and 50 sixthplace prizes of $500 will be awarded along with 45 seventh-place prizes of $200.

Participants must be 18 years and older. The drawing will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 at the camp, participants do not need to be present to win. Contact Bill Batchelder at (218) 751-5166 or bill. batchelder@hotmail.com to purchase tickets.

Senior Center to hold monthly Senior Book Club

BEMIDJI — The Bemi-

dji Senior Center invites the public to join its Senior Book Club at 1 p.m. on the first Monday of each month, at the senior center, 216 Third St. NW.

Come prepared to share impressions of the book and questions.

For more information, contact (218) 751-8836.

Meals on Wheels seeks Bemidji area

volunteers BEMIDJI — The local Meals on Wheels program is seeking volunteers to help deliver meals to seniors in the area who need a hot meal and someone to check up on them.

For more information or to sign up to be a volunteer driver, call Jenny at (218) 444-3987.

Bemidji Duplicate Bridge Club held each Tuesday

BEMIDJI — Bemidji’s

Duplicate Bridge Club has begun for the season and will play each Tuesday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Bemidji Eagles Club, 1270 Neilson Ave. SE. For more information, contact George Zenk at (701) 739-6042.

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The Great Crappie Rampage of 2023

Did you know a lake that used to offer good crappie fishing, but either got “fished out” or just hasn’t been very good lately? Well, if you’re vacationing over the next week or so, and that lake happens to be located nearby, you might want to go check it out.

Last year, during the fall, I wrote about finding large schools of crappies in a variety of “new” lakes that I had been exploring. At the time, I theorized about a great year class of crappies that must have hatched and survived in 2018 or maybe 2019.

No matter where I went, huge schools of small, but catchable 6-, 7- and 8-inch crappies showed up, seemingly out of nowhere. During the winter, I consulted with some DNR fisheries staff who confirmed that many north central Minnesota lakes do have strong populations of these young crappies.

This spring, I revisited some of those lakes, and also visited a few of my former favorites, ones that had been reliable in the past, but disappeared

Bingo scheduled at Blackduck Senior Center

BLACKDUCK — Everyone is invited to play Bingo at the Blackduck Senior Center at 1 p.m. every Thursday. You do not need to be a member of the Senior Center to take part. This is open to the surrounding community.

Rural development loans available from USDA

BEMIDJI — USDA Rural Development is now accepting applications for low- and very lowincome individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area.

The Direct Home Loan program offers financing to qualified very-low and low-income applicants who are unable to qualify for traditional financing, a release said.

No down payment is required, and the interest

JEFF SUNDIN

Fish Report: The Early Bird 

from my radar for one reason or another. The results have been similar on most of them, there are lots of lakes in my region that offer better than average fishing for crappies, and they are biting right now. The good news is that there are a lot of fish, the bad news, if you want to call it that, is most fish are on the small side. The ones we’re catching this summer range in size from about 8 inches up to 10½ inches.

On Saturday, July 1, my second day with Kurt Volkert and his son Kollin left me with a decision to make. With walleyes already in the freezer from day one, where should I take them and what should we fish for? Volkert is not particularly fussy about which species to harvest, but does like to harvest. An action bite, featuring multiple species is perfect for him.

rate could be as low as 1% with a subsidy. Applicants must meet income and credit guidelines and demonstrate repayment ability. The program is available in rural communities of generally 35,000 people or less.

The maximum loan amount is $40,000 at a 1% interest rate, repayable for a 20-year term and can be used to improve or modernize homes and do essential repairs, the release said.

Grants of up to $10,000

Emboldened by that knowledge, I decided to try fishing one of the formerly good crappie lakes, but a lake that I haven’t been on for 25 years at least, maybe more. The plan was to troll spinners until I found something to do, and then zero in on whatever was biting best.

I think you already know where I’m going with this, but I’ll say it anyway, we found crappies, not just a few either, it was more like “CRAPPIES GALORE!” They were not huge ones, like the image at right shows, most were just below 10 inches. What they lacked in size though was made up for by how aggressive they were, active would be an epic understatement. The larder didn’t look that bad either, after a day of catching and sorting, the Volkerts each had their legal limits of 10 crappies and they ranged in size from our “boat minimum”, 10 inches up to 11½ inches. Along the way, we caught quite a few pike too, but most of them were in the protected slot and we only bagged

2 keepers, 27 inches for Kollin, 29 inches for Kurt. Early in the day, I caught a walleye, 23 inches long on the 2 inch white YUM twirl tail too, and the boys caught a couple of smaller walleyes, too. Lots of small perches, way too small to harvest eventually become annoying but were a small price to pay for the overall experience.

I mentioned trolling with spinners, and that is how we started the day. I don’t think it took more than a few minutes to find a small pod of fish along the outer edge of the weeds. As I moved from spot-to-spot, we found other pods of fish too and for a few hours, spinners tipped with minnows was the only presentation we needed. But as the sun got higher in the sky, the action slowed, for a time, we were lucky to catch a crappie every 15 minutes. We returned to one of the weed beds that had offered decent action earlier and rigged up the ultra-light rods with 1/16-ounce jig heads. Plastic tails added to the jigs were

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are available to homeowners 62 and older and must be used to remove health or safety hazards, such as fixing a leaking roof, installing indoor plumbing or replacing a furnace.

Time is limited to receive funds for the current fiscal year. Those interested can contact a USDA Rural Development Housing Specialist to see if they qualify at (218) 751-1942.

USDA Rural Development loans and grants

provide assistance that supports infrastructure improvements, business development, housing, community services such as schools, public safety and health care and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn.

Comedian Jeff Dunham to bring ‘Still Not Canceled’ tour to Bemidji

BEMIDJI — The San-

the main entre’, no live bait was used. You can see in the image of my Humminbird, 10 feet of water, with lots of vegetation under and around the boat; that’s where we fished. Casting our lures toward the shallower weeds and using a “drop-swimhop-drop-swim-hop” motion, we creeped along in the weeds, but near the outer extremities.

My experiment, I hoped, would help revive the action and keep the boys interested. As it happened, jigging is what we should have been doing all along. Yes, trolling the spinners did help me cover the water faster, and spinners did afford us decent action. But to these crappies, the jigs, tipped with plastics were akin to offering milk bone biscuits to my yellow lab; we didn’t need to ask twice! For a couple of hours, one of us had a fish on almost constantly.

The best lures, for us, were 1/16-ounce Lindy Live Bait Jigs tipped with either a YUM 2-inch twirl tail, or a 2-inch Keitech 2-inch sight flasher tail. We didn’t

ford Center is set to host comedian Jeff Dunham on his “Still Not Canceled” tour at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the center, 1111 Event Center Drive NE.

One artist, five characters, Dunham is returning to the Sanford Center after almost a decade.

“With millions of fans, sold-out global tours, ratings-shattering broadcasts, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a few Guinness Book of World Records set for

experiment a lot with colors but of the ones we used, white or chartreuse both worked, this day, red and blue did not. The vegetation was a little different than I’ve seen in most of my other favorite crappie lakes. It resembled flat stemmed pondweed, but was finer, featuring multiple thin, wispy, vertical standing shoots. I used the DNR Lake Finder Page to look up the aquatic vegetation survey and found a variety of similar plants listed. From what I saw, I think it was Potamogeton pusillus, but I can’t be certain. I guess it’s not super important, but I do like to know the names of plants that hold certain species of fish; it helps me get the patterns figured out faster. Will this strong year class of crappies go down in history as one of the best ever? Will we have a story to tell our grandkids about the Great Crappie Rampage of 2023?

good measure, Jeff Dunham is a versatile entertainer globally known, not only for his cadre of characters but also for his ability to connect with his audiences through his comedy regardless of culture, gender, age, or political beliefs,” a release said.

Tickets are on sale now for $59.50 plus applicable fees at the Sanford Center ticket office or on ticketmaster.com.

Jeff Sundin is a full-time professional fishing guide, outdoor writer and photographer.

LOST AND FOUND

Lost Male German Shephard, last seen North of Puposky. Grey tic collar & black training collar. Reward available. 218-368-8940

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HELP WANTED  GENERAL

AGE 55+ Workers Needed For PT Light Custodial work at the Cass Lake rest area. Contact GREEN VIEW 651-639-1913

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