Bemidji BuyLine | August 5, 2023

Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund seeks funding proposals

BEMIDJI — The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund is seeking funding proposals for programs and services that benefit women and girls in northwest Minnesota. Applications are due Sept. 1. The Women’s Fund will consider grant applications for up to $5,000. Grant funds can be, for example, for speakers, educational materials, program delivery expenses, research projects and for

professional development. Grant funds are not available for higher education scholarships, a release said.

Applicants must be 501c3 nonprofits, public agencies and tribal organizations located within the Northwest Minne

sota Foundation service area that includes Red Lake and White Earth Nations, along with Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake Falls and Roseau Counties. The Northwest Minne-

sota Women’s Fund is a component fund of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation and develops resources and serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life for women and girls. The fund envisions a region where women and girls reach their full potential, and they work toward that end through grants, scholarships, education and recognition programs.

To apply, visit form.jotform. com/232057014106139.

Bemidji Area FGBFA set to meet Aug. 5 BEMIDJI — The Bemi-

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dji 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 1973-77 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 Nor-

bord for 36 years before retiring. He’s currently a member of First Baptist Church in Bemidji and regularly volunteers for the Salvation Army.

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 Beltrami County Opioid Settlement Steering Committee?

6. What Skills, experience, and expertise will you bring to this group?

7. How will you be an ambassador and advocate for

Your Northern Minnesota Personal Injury Attorneys

Back In The Day

Logging camp near Bemidji, 1895.

Photo courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society

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.

NEWS BRIEFS 

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 typically 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.

Alaska Township Volunteer Fire Department to hold open house

PUPOSKY — The Alaska Volunteer Fire Department will host an open house and community picnic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6, at 28987 Alaska Lane NW in Puposky.

At the event, community members can view the fire apparatus, participate in fire safety training and enjoy a picnic, a release said. Freewill donations will be accepted.

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.

Parks and Rec to hold ‘Dog Days of Summer’ event

BEMIDJI — The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will hold a “Dog Days of Summer” event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the Nymore Dog Park, 423 Wilson Ave. SE.

Dogs at the event will have the opportunity to make art, enjoy dog treats and play with other dogs, a release said. It is recommended that two people from each household attend the event.

Attendees can drop in anytime between 5 and 7 p.m.

Register online at

www.ci.bemidji.mn.us or call (218) 333-1862.

Bemidji Area Church Musicians recital set for Aug.

9

BEMIDJI — The 36th season of the Bemidji Area Church Musicians Summer Recital Series continues at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at First Presbyterian Church, 501 Minnesota Ave NW.

The featured performer will be Beverly Everett on organ. Dr. Everett is best known in Bemidji as the conductor of the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra. She is a skilled organist and has served several churches as an organist in past years, including St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal in Bemidji, a release said.

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.

Sanford to host Doc Talk about cataract, glaucoma surgeries

BEMIDJI — Sanford Health in Bemidji will host an informational Doc Talk about cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9.

Doc Talk is a free education series where Sanford physicians present and answer your questions on a wide variety of topics, a release said.

“Join Dr. Ashley Lundin, Dr. Tyler Junttila, and Dr. Derek Czywczynski, at Sanford Health, as they discuss cata-

ract surgery, specifically Light Adjustable Lenses and glaucoma surgery,” the release said. “Light Adjustable Lenses (LAL) are the first and only lens for cataract surgery that allows patients to customize their vision after surgery through a series of light adjustments.”

Registration is required. Join in person in conference rooms Education A and B at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, 1300 Anne St. NW or virtually via Webex. Visit sanfordhealth.org/classes-andevents/doc-talk-bemidji to register or learn more.

Parkinson’s Support Group to host family picnic

BEMIDJI — The Parkinson’s Support Group will have a special event for its August meeting, set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

on Thursday, Aug. 10, a potluck and family picnic will be held at the Sapphire Pavillion at Diamond Point Park in Bemidji.

Attendees are asked to bring their own drinks and a dish to share. Brats on a bun and food condiments will be provided along with free musical entertainment.

“Anyone with Parkinson’s disease or who has a family member with Parkinson’s disease, or if you want to find out more about it come join us,” a release said. “If you have a favorite lawn or outdoor game bring it along.”

The group meets typically meets at 2 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at Sanford Health Windsong, 1010 Anne St. NW.

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

Food & Beverage:

Lueken’s Village Foods

Northern Liquor

Cantabria Coffee Co.

Green Mill Restaurant & Bar

Pizza Ranch

Tavern on South Shore

Harmony Food Co-op

Tapatios

Auto/ Transportation:

Bemidji Chrysler Center

Ray’s Sport & Marine

Valvoline Instant Oil Change

Simonson Car Wash

Bemidji CarQuest

Northern Rides

Bob Lowth Ford

Detail Plus

Simonson Market

catEgories

Shopping & Commerce:

Stittsworth Meats

Lueken’s Village Foods

St. Michel Furniture

Nature’s Edge Garden Center

Bemidji Sports Centre

Market Place Foods

Ace on the Lake

Off Grid Armory

Harmony Food Co-op

Pets Plus

Frizzell Furniture Gallery Bemidji

Ken K. Thompson Jewelry Country Inn & Suites

Professionals:

First National Bank Bemidji

Sara Labraaten State Farm Insurance

Choice Therapy

Sanford Health

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union

Community: Headwaters Science Center

Bemidji Symphony Orchestra

Buena Vista Ski Area

Sanford Health

Cornerstone Nursing & Rehabilitation

Home Improvement:

Higgins Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc.

Hirshfield’s Bemidji

Northwoods Lumber Co.

Naylor Heating & Refrigeration

Cabinet Corner

Mr. Moles Painting

Nature’s Edge

Garden Center

Health & Beauty:

Iverson Corner Drug

Snap Fitness Bemidji

Del Sol Tanning

Sanford Health

Choice Therapy

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.

Watermark to host plein air painting class series

BEMIDJI — Watermark

Art Center is set to host three plein air painting classes on Thursdays, Aug. 10, 17 and 24, at a Lake Boulevard home near Watermark.

Classes will be taught by artist Gillian Bedford, a release said. Students will be introduced to fundamentals of landscape painting such as composition, color theory and creating a focal point while enjoying the experience of painting in an outdoor setting.

Each class will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Participants will receive the address of the Lake Boulevard home upon registration.

The cost of the program is $120 per person, which includes all three sessions. To learn more and register, visit watermarkartcenter.org.

Parks and Rec to hold open skate Aug. 11

BEMIDJI — The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will host an open skate event from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Aug. 11, at the Bemidji Community Arena power rink.

Participants can bring their own skates or try out the free rental skates available at the BCA in

limited sizes.

This free program is sponsored by Bernick Family Foundation. For more information, visit www.ci.bemidji.mn.us or call (218) 333-1862.

Watermark to host reception for ‘An Abstract Conversation’ exhibit BEMIDJI — The public is invited to a reception for Eric Lindell and Ralph A. Hanggi Jr.’s exhibit, “An Abstract Conversation,” from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11, at Watermark Art Center, 505 Bemidji Ave. N.

Line, movement, pattern and repetition are all factors in the underlying dialogue that animates the show, a release said. The artists explain that their work comes together as a conversation.

“Both are concerned with basic formal elements,” the release said. “Lindell prefers threedimensional constructions, working with positive and negative space and shadow, in contrast to Hanggi’s attention to space in an illusionistic manner. Both achieve resolution but in different ways.”

The exhibit opens Aug. 11 and runs through Oct. 21.

Watermark galleries are free and open to the public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Satur-

day. For more information, contact (218) 444-7570 or visit WatermarkArtCenter.org.

Bemidji Senior Center to host pancake fundraiser

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center will host its monthly pancake breakfast fundraiser from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12, at the senior center, 216 Third St. NW.

“Come join us for the best hotcakes in the land,” a release said. “People come from miles around to enjoy this wonderful breakfast. This is a great time to get together with friends or stop for a hearty meal before traveling on to other activities.”

The Senior Creation Gift Shop will be open during breakfast. All profits benefit will Bemidji Senior Center.

Annual De-Feet Violence run/walk set for Aug. 12

BEMIDJI — The Northwoods Battered Women’s Shelter will host its eighth annual De-Feet Violence 5K/10K run/walk on Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Rotary Pavilion in Paul Bunyan Park.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. with the racing kicking off at 9 a.m.

The event is the shelter’s annual fundraising

event and all funds will go to help build a new shelter. According to a release, the event is for participants of all ages and abilities and everyone will receive a 2023 “De-Feet” T-shirt.

Participants can register through Aug. 10 for $30 at mnshelter.org. The cost is $35 on race day.

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 emergencies.

► 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.

Cure SMA candle lighting event set for Aug. 12

BEMIDJI — Little Miss Minnesota Princess 2023 and Little Miss Global United Princess 2023 Ariana Wright will host a cure SMA awareness candle lighting event at sunset on Aug. 12 at Candlewood Suites, 401 Paul Bunyan Drive SE.

This will be a public event to raise awareness for curing spinal muscular atrophy in honor of Jane Comfort and PLAA.

Candles will be available or those interested can support this cause by purchasing their own at curesma.org/smaawareness-month.

For more information, visit the Candle Lighting at Candlewood Facebook event page.

Upper/Lower Red Lake Watershed planning meeting set for Aug. 15

KELLIHER — The Beltrami County Soil and Water Conservation District is inviting those who live, work or enjoy the resources in the Upper/Lower Red Lake Watershed to a longterm land use and natural resource protection planning meeting.

The meeting will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15, on the patio of the Kelliher Liquor Store, 247 Clark Ave. S, and appetizers will be provided for attendees.

“The meeting will be an opportunity for the public to have their voice heard and get involved in conservation efforts in the area, meet your local conservation experts and learn about an upcoming effort for restoring and protecting natural resources,” a release said.

Local knowledge empowers the SWCD to

better develop a sensible long-term plan that reflects the real needs and concerns of the people this will impact. The information gained will be used in the planning process by prioritizing and targeting resources and actions. Those who are unable to attend but would like to have input can complete an online survey or contact Zach Gutknecht from the SWCD at (218) 333-4157 or zachrie. gutknecht@co.beltrami. mn.us.

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 mndefen-

sivedriving.blogspot. com.

Yoga at the Beach continues through Aug. 15

BEMIDJI — Yoga at the Beach sessions, hosted by the city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department, continues from 5 to 5:45 p.m. each Tuesday through Aug. 15, at Diamond Point Park, Diamond Building Lakeside Patio, 1710 Birchmont Drive NE.

“Join us for a summer full of Yoga at the Beach, each month there will be a three-week session offered,” a release said.

Remember to bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. The cost is $42 per three-week session Register and find more information at www. ci.bemidji.mn.us or call (218) 333-1862.

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 multirescuer CPR

► Relief of foreignbody 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)-3331857 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 — Gal-

lery North recently announced its first-ever Summer Sampler Season, a program that will feature artists’ work at the gallery through September.

Gallery North is invit-

ing 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 Gallery 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.

JoinDr.Tyler Junt ti la,Dr. DerekCzy wczynsk iand Dr Ashley Lund in at Sanford Health,astheyd iscusscata ract surger y, specifica llyLight Adjustable Lenses andglaucoma surger y. The LightAdjustableLensisthe first andonlylens forcataractsurgery that allowspatientstocustomize theirown vision after surger ythrough aseriesofl ight adjustments.

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 sixth-place prizes of $500 will be awarded along with 45 seventhplace 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 Bemidji 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.

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

BEMIDJI — The Sanford 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 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.

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.

Community Table offers sit-down meals

BEMIDJI — Mt. Zion and United Methodist Churches of Bemidji offers sit-down Community Table meals on Mondays through Thursdays.

The doors open at 4:40 p.m. with meals being served from 5 to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays at Mt. Zion and Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Methodist Church.

The meals are free and open to the public, everyone is welcome.

Rural development loans available from USDA

BEMIDJI — USDA Rural Development is now accepting applica-

tions for low- and very low-income 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 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 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.

Memory of the Great Crappie Rampage of 2023 is definitely a keeper

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 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.

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; most were just below 10 inches. What they lacked in size though was made up for by how aggressive they were. 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.

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. Casting our lures

toward the shallower weeds and using a “drop-swim-hop-dropswim-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,

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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 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. 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?

is

LOST AND FOUND

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GENERAL

Assistant Gambling Mananger North Country Snowmobile Club is seeking a qualified individual to assist the gambling manager. Applicant must be available Wednesdays and Fridays. Applicant can expect 12 to 15 hours per week. Main duties will be to audit closed pull tab games. More responsibilities may be added at a later date. Applicant must be bondable and able to pass a drug test. Starting wage is $13.75 per hour with a raise after the 3 month probationary period is satisfactorily completed. Please apply to ncsclub@paulbunyan.net. North Country Snowmobile Club MN Gambling License #02333

HELP WANTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Northern Engineering & Consulting, Inc. are currently seeking the following:

Engineer In Training (EIT)Bemidji, MN

Survey Crew Member - Bemidji &/or Walker, MN www.neciusa.com

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STYLISTS

We are currently hiring at our Bemidji location. Starting base wage up to $17+/HR. with potential to earn $30+/HR. We offer: Student loan reimbursement up to $150/month; 4 weeks paid maternity leave; medical, dental, vision, short term disability + more; financial wellness program, paid training/room for advancement; all equipment supplied; Immediate clientele; paid vacation & holidays & paid daily commission. Call Michelle Curtiss at 320-360-1195 for more info or apply online at jobs.greatclips.com

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

JEFF SUNDIN Fish Report: The Early Bird 

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