Bemidji BuyLine | August 19, 2023

Blackduck Senior Center to serve lunch during Backwoods Bash

BLACKDUCK — The Blackduck Senior Center’s Backwoods Bash parade entry theme is “Forever Young” representing four generations.

“We welcome all generations for events, membership and a time for visiting at the center,” a release said.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, the center will be serving sloppy Joe sandwiches, chips and pickles for $5 and homemade pies and ice cream for $5, or a full meal for $8 with a beverage included.

“Everyone is welcome,” the release said. “Join us in an air condition building, enjoy great homemade food and visit with area friends.”

HRDC to offer homebuyer education workshops

BEMIDJI — The Headwaters Regional Development Commis-

NEWS BRIEFS 

sion will offer two webfacilitated homebuyer education workshops from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 21, and Tuesday, Aug. 22, via Zoom.

The workshop will provide potential home buyers with the information they need to navigate the home buying process with ease. Local experts will present on topics like improving credit, mortgage products, shopping for a home and more. The class is designed for buyers in any stage of the process, a release said.

The cost to attend is $40 per household and registrations will be open until Friday, Aug. 18. To register, call the HRDC at (218) 444-4732 or visit hrdc.org/homestretch.

Frohn Township to host potluck picnic

Aug. 19

FROHN TOWNSHIP — Frohn Township will host a potluck picnic from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, at the

Frohn Town Hall, 8769 Roosevelt Rd. SE.

The event is for all past and present Frohn Township residents. Hot dogs, sloppy Joes and beverages will be provided, but attendees are asked to also bring a dish to share, a release said.

There will be games and prizes for everyone and the Bemidji Fire Department will also be in attendance.

Our Redeemer’s to hold ice cream and pie social PUPOSKY — Our Redeemer’s Lutheran

Church will host its annual ice cream and pie social from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20, at the church, 1214 Durand Drive NW in Puposky.

There will be a freewill offering at the event, and everyone from the community and surrounding areas is welcome to attend.

Worship times will change starting Sept. 3, Our Redeemer’s Puposky will be at 9 a.m. and Debs Trinity Lutheran Church worship time is at 11 a.m. until next September.

Bemidji Senior Center to begin twice-monthly

bingo

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center will host its first twicemonthly bingo event at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 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.

BACM to hold recital Aug. 23

BEMIDJI — The 36th season of the Bemidji Area Church Musicians Summer Recital Series continues at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 23, at Aardahl Lutheran Church, 2920 Van Buren Ave. SE.

Performers in this recital include Wayne Hoff and Carol L. Johnson on piano and organ, with vocalist Jennifer L. Johnson.

A luncheon will follow the 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.

Mask and Rose Theater accepting musical scholarship

applications

PUPOSKY — The Mask and Rose Theater in Puposky is now accepting applications for two $1,000 musical scholarships that will be awarded to up-and-coming female musicians as part of the fourth Sister Song

Celebration Concert. The scholarship can be used for music lessons, recording sessions, website creation or whatever furthers the artist’s musical growth, a release said. The scholarships have been generously donated by Bemidji High School graduate Gerry Cardinal III and his wife, Lena Yoo.

Applications can be obtained by emailing maskrose57@gmail.com and an audition will be also required, the release said. Auditions will be held between 5 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22, at the Wild Rose Theater or with an online submission.

The Sister Song Celebration Concert is set for 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, on the rural stage at Belle Thalia Creative Arts Space, with a community potluck to follow. The scholarship winners will also be featured at the concert with other local female musicians.

For more information on the concert and other events, follow the Mask and Rose Theater or Belle Thalia Creative Arts Space Facebook pages.

For further information or to get an application, contact Cate at maskrose57@gmail.com.

Northern Artist Association to hold monthly meeting

The Northern Artist Association will hold its monthly meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 21, at the Bemidji Eagles Club, 1270 Neilson Ave. SE.

Headwaters Art Camp set for Aug. 21-25

BEMIDJI — Registration is now open for Headwaters Art Camp program, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3

p.m. on Aug. 21-25, at Headwaters Music and Arts, 519 Minnesota Ave. NW.

Art Camp is a weeklong day camp for children ages 9-16. Participants will be divided into two groups based on age but will have many chances to mingle with campers of all ages throughout the week, a release said.

“Registered participants will find themselves immersed in a fast-paced program riffing on the theme of Take Flight,” the release said.

“Art campers will learn about a wide variety of art media from talented area artists. They will have a chance to spread their creative wings with a range of exciting art experiences while creating new connections with other young creatives.”

The program will conclude on Friday, Aug. 25, with an informal art show for friends and family. All materials will be provided, however, participants should plan to bring a bagged lunch each day.

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.

Registration deadline and full payment are due Aug. 16. To register or learn more, visit headwatersmusicandarts.org.

Defensive Driving Refresher Courses scheduled

BEMIDJI — Defensive Driving Refresher Courses will be offered from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, 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.

Dr. Alan Christianson book discussion set for Aug. 24

BEMIDJI — Four Pines Bookstore is set to host New York Times bestselling author Dr. Alan Christianson for a discussion on his newest book, “The Hormone Healing Cookbook,” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24.

The cookbook provides over 75 dietary solutions to hormone imbalances, such as fatigue, insomnia and weight gain, a release said. His other books include “The Adrenal Reset Diet,” “The Metabolism Reset Diet,” and “The Thyroid Reset Diet.”

Christianson, a naturopathic medical doctor, specializes in natural endocrinology and founded Integrative Health, a physician group dedicated to helping those with thyroid disease, the release said.

He has been named Top Doctor in Phoenix Magazine and has appeared in many national TV shows.

The book discussion is free to attend, but attendees are asked to RSVP for a seat at the event. Contact Four Pines Bookstore to RSVP

at (218) 497-2665.

Registration open for 47th North Country Arts and Crafts Workshop

BEMIDJI — Registration is now open for the 47th North Country Arts and Crafts Workshop, set for Sept. 12-14, at the Lesnoe Ozero Russian Language Village, northeast of Bemidji on the north side of Turtle River Lake.

The three-day workshop consists of 40 classes taught by local and regional artists, a release said. Participants can register for one, two or three days of classes and gourmet food. Lodging will also be available.

Classes offered include making bentwood boxes, carving, watercolor and acrylic painting, jewelry making, sewing, basket making and rosemaling.

The 2023 schedule, class offerings, photos and registration information can be found at www.ncacw.com. Participants must pre-register and pay by mail by Aug. 25.

BCHS to host book reading with John Eggers

BEMIDJI — The Beltrami County Historical Society is set to hold a reading for John Eggers’ book, “The Search for Beltrami’s Heart,” at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, at the history center.

At the event, Eggers will read his book and be available after the reading to answer questions and sign copies, a release said. The BCHS will also be giving away free copies of his book to each family attending the program and throughout the day.

After the program, attendees are invited to

stay for a piece of celebration cake and walk through the Beltrami exhibit, which is open through the end of September.

This program is free and registration is not required.

Ada Vox to perform at the Sanford Center Aug. 25

BEMIDJI — In conjunction with Bemidji Pride, drag queen Ada Vox is set to perform at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, at the Sanford Center ballroom.

“Drag queen Ada Vox is known not only for her remarkable performances but also for her voice for LGBTQ+ representation in the media,” a release said. “Adam Sanders, better known as his drag persona, Ada Vox, is an accomplished vocalist, songwriter, and drag queen who found success and pushed boundaries as a contestant on the hit singing competition series ‘American Idol.’”

In addition to her time on “American Idol,” Vox also finished as runnerup on the first season of the TV show, “Queen of the Universe.”

“We are thrilled to have the Sanford Center join our efforts by providing additional entertainment and activities that align with our schedule of events this year,” Matthew DahlWooley, CFO of Bemidji Pride, said in the release. “It’s great to have other area businesses recognize that we uplift everyone in the community when we have events like these that are truly inclusive.”

Tickets are available now on ticketmaster. com for $35 plus applicable fees.

Bemidji Public Library to host Red River Rainbow Seniors presentation

BEMIDJI — The Red River Rainbow Seniors will give their presentation, “Breaking Barriers: Harvesting LGBTQ Stories from the Northern Plains,” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Bemidji Public Library.

During the event, attendees will learn about an oral history project focused on the stories collected from LGBTQ elders in the region, a release said. Part of the Red River Rainbow Seniors’ ongoing project, the three featured interviews vividly recall the challenges and triumphs of this pioneer generation in their own words.

The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required. For further details, contact Larry Peterson at redriverrainboworalhistory@gmail.com.

Bemidji Senior Center offers bus trips to state fair

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center is offering two bus trip options to the Minnesota State Fair on Monday, Aug. 28, and Thursday, Aug. 31.

The cost is $80 for members and $90 for non-members. Those interested can go to the senior center, located at 216 Third St. NW, and sign up for one of the bus trips.

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 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)-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.

‘Friends in the Kitchen’ cooking class set for Aug. 29

BEMIDJI — Lutheran Social Services will hold a “Friends in the Kitchen” cooking class for ages 55 and older from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the Bemidji Community Food Shelf.

The class is geared toward those who have mobility limitations, special dietary needs or want to learn how to eat healthy without spending a lot of money, a release said.

“Each class provides participants with flavorful, healthy meal choices that they can cook at home. During classes, participants taste the food and learn how to make it,” the release said.

“The meals are designed to be both freezer-ready and shareable and avoid using processed ingredients.”

The event is sponsored by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Bemidji Community Food Shelf, Harmony Food Co-Op and Split Oak Farm.

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.

Fuller Farm to host tractor pull, kids pedal pull event

BEMIDJI — Fuller Farm will host a tractor pull and kids pedal pull on Saturday, Sept. 2, with tractor pulling starting at noon, at the farm, 445 Stone Lake Road SW, about three miles west of Bemidji High School.

Olson’s Pedal Pull will host the kid’s pedal pull for ages 4-11, it will be a state-sanctioned pull and children placing in the top three can advance to the state Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull, a release said.

Food and craft vendors will also be on site.

Admission is $10 per person, children 3 and younger are free. The pedal pull is free to all participants with admission into the tractor pull.

More information can be found at fullerfarmbemidji.com and on the Fuller Farm Bemidji Facebook page.

Bemidji Senior Center to host line dancing lessons

BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center will host line dancing lessons at 1 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons in September at the senior center, 216 Third St. NW.

For more information contact, (218) 751-8836. ‘Procla!m’ summer worship event set for Sept. 2

SOLWAY — Solway Bible Chapel is set to hold “Procla!m,” a summer worship event, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Bergamo Campground, 15661 Tom Jefferson Drive NW in Solway.

The event is free to attend and will feature artists Presence Worship, Adelaide and 7eventh Time Down, a release said. Bounce houses, a game area for children and food trucks will also be available.

Attendees are asked to bring a chair or blanket for seating.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.solwaybiblechapel.org.

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.

Remaining clinics for this year are:

► 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.

St. John’s to host annual roast beef dinner

NEBISH — St. John’s Catholic Church will host its annual roast beef dinner from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10, at the church, 27805 Irvine Ave. North in Nebish.

The dinner will include roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, cucumbers, beets and desserts. The cost is $15 for adults, $5 for ages 6 to 12 and free for 5 and younger.

There will also be a craft and bake sale.

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 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)-333-1862.

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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 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 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.

First City Squares set 2023-2024 dance schedule

BEMIDJI — Starting in September, the First City Squares will host dances from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays each month through May at the Bemidji United Methodist Church, 924 Beltrami Ave NW.

Dances are set for the following dates:

► Sept. 17 with Abe Maier calling

► Oct. 15 with Tom Allen calling

► Nov. 19 with Larry Johansen calling

► Dec. 17 with Charlie Huhtala calling

► Jan. 21 with Myron Hollatz calling

► Feb. 18 with Larry Johansen calling

► March 17 with Tom Allen calling

► April 21 with Brian Freed calling

► May 19 with Abe Maier calling

All square dancers, those wishing to dance and spectators are welcome to join the fun. A potluck dinner will follow each dance.

For more information, call Scott in the evenings at (218) 766-3544 or Carole during the day at (218) 766-9346.

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.

Dwight Yoakam to perform at the Sanford Center Oct.

12

BEMIDJI — Country singer-songwriter

Dwight Yoakam, along with special guest band The Mavericks, are set to perform at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Sanford Center.

“Dwight Yoakam has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, and he is a 21-time nominated, multiple Grammy award winner,” a release said. “He has 12 gold albums and nine platinum or multiplatinum albums, with five of those albums topping Billboard’s Country Albums chart and another 14 landing in the top 10.”

Founded in 1989, The Mavericks are a country music band from Miami, Fla., consisting of Raul Malo, Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez and Jerry Dale McFadden.

“Fusing traditional country with a rich variety of rock, pop and Latin influences, The Mavericks became one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful groups of the early ‘90s,” the release said. “The group’s run of hits faded in the 21st century, and they spent most of the 2000s on hiatus, yet they still held on to a loyal fan base who embrace the group’s enthusiastic eclecticism.”

Tickets for the concert start at $39.50 plus applicable fees are on sale now at ticketmaster. com.

Beltrami Area Service Collaborative sets meetings

BEMIDJI — The Beltrami Area Service Collaborative’s next meeting is set for Oct. 11. 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.” A meeting is also set for Dec. 13. Contact the BASC Office at (218) 333-8190 for the Zoom link or location information.

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 Batchel-

der 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.

Rural development loans available from USDA

BEMIDJI — USDA Rural Development is now accepting applications 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.

VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship available

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is kicking off this year’s Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition, offering local high school students the chance to compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Students must write and record a three-tofive-minute essay on the selected theme using an audio CD or flash drive and present their recording, typed essay and completed entry form to their local VFW Post by Oct. 31.

The 2023-24 theme selected is “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?”

Students begin by competing at the local Post level, then Post winners compete at the District level with the winner advancing to the state competition, a release said.

All state first-place winners receive a four day trip to Washington, D.C., and the chance to compete for their share

of more than $150,000 in scholarships. The firstplace winner receives a $30,000 college scholarship. The National Association of Broadcasters started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. The competition was created to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles.

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.

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. Bingo scheduled at Blackduck Senior Center BLACKDUCK —

Never too late to go after your dream JOB!

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.

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The Great Crappie Rampage of

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, 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

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 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?

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

Turn the key to your next vacation rental

Metro Creative Services

Vacation time is included in many fulltime professionals’ benefit packages. Too often, however, employees feel that personal time off is a luxury they cannot afford to use. When looking at vacation as a necessity rather than a luxury, workers may be more inclined to start planning time off.

The Harvard Business Review reports that data supports the notion that those who take more than 10 days of vacation are 30 percent more likely to receive a raise.

Those who vacation often have greater job satisfaction. The World Health Organization found working 55 hours or more per week was associated with a 35 percent higher risk of stroke and a 17 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease than a standard work week. Studies have found that taking regular vacations may help reduce the risk for metabolic syndrome, which raises an individual’s risk for various diseases.

People have different choices when planning vacations, and that includes a bevy of lodging options. The following is a breakdown of the types of properties vacationers can choose from.

► Rental by owner: Various companies facilitate the relationship between rental owner and renter. These include Airbnb, HomeAway and Vrbo, among others. These properties are stand-alone or in shared buildings. They’re frequently large and feature cooking spaces and mul-

tiple bedrooms, and typically do not come with the extra fees that some other vacation accommodations may tack on, such as paid parking.

► Bed and breakfast (B&B): A B&B rental is in a private home or inn. While accommodations may vary, one may get a private bedroom in the residence that may or may not include a private bathroom. B&B accommodations are smaller in scale than hotels, but offer a measure of personalized attention. B&B staff can help plan excursions and give opinions on attractions or restaurants in the area. As the name implies, breakfast is likely included in the stay, but guests may need to ferret out other meals.

► Hotel: A hotel is one of the more familiar vacation rentals that customers may encounter. They tradi-

tionally are large buildings that house many rooms. Shared spaces can include restaurants, gyms, pool areas, bars, and conference spaces. Some meals may be included in a hotel stay, like a continental breakfast. Perks may vary depending on the property.

► Motel: Motels are smaller and tend to be less luxurious than hotels. However, they can include basic accommodations that are perfect for short-term stays or breaks from long drives.

► All-inclusive: Allinclusive rentals generally are housed inside resort facilities. One price tends to cover the room, meals, activities, and sometimes even spirits. All-inclusive properties can cater to adults only or families. If the desire is to drop your bags and relax, an all-

Plan a national park adventure

Metro Creative Services

The National Park Foundation reports that the National Park System spans more than 84 million acres and encompasses 424 sites and units in the United States. In Canada, there are 37 national parks and 10 national park reserves, protecting roughly 336,343 square kilometers of land.

National parks do their part to foster conservation of natural resources and reserve wild land for the scores of animals that call these places home. They’re also enticing places to visit, with their vast vistas and interesting wildlife. Planning ahead can make any trip to a national park even better.

park. Some may need you to reserve space in advance. Permits may be needed for certain activities, such as fishing. Check the park’s website to learn about permits or restrictions that may affect your trip.

inclusive resort may be a place to consider.

► Time share: Technically not a rental, a time share, according to Investopedia, is a shared ownership model of vacation real estate. Multiple purchasers own allotments of usage of a property, which means they are allowed to use the property during certain times of the year — typically one-week stays. Those who purchase a time share may be restricted to one hotel or condominium, or those part of a larger company may be able to mix and match stays among a number of different properties for their designated weeks.

Vacation rentals enable people to get away throughout the year, which is good for individuals’ overall health and can even help them be more productive at work.

► Know when to go. Research the best times of year to visit certain parks. All may not be open year-round. Think about the kind of experience you want to have. Most parks are busiest during the summer. Therefore, if you want to skip the crowds, perhaps visit in a slower season.

► Research environments. With so many parks, it can be challenging to decide where to go. Take into consideration your interests as well as your limitations. Find out which amenities and features each park offers, including shuttles, stores for gear, animal life, terrain, and potential hazards. The more you know about each potential park, the better you can narrow down the place to visit first.

► Know the rules and regulations. Most parks have regulations in place to keep visitors safe. Some parks require reservations to enter or acess certain areas of the

► Choose your accommodations. With their expanse of land and things to see, you’ll likely want to spend more than one day exploring a park. Figure out if the park has accommodations on the property. If not, you’ll need to locate lodging nearby. Camping on the grounds can be a way to enjoy the park more intimately. Look into campsite rentals or whether recreational vehicles can be parked on a campsite in or near the national park. Yellowstone and Yosemite are two national parks that tend to book campsites well in advance, so plan accordingly.

► Pick your priorities.

National parks tend to be massive, so make a list of the must-see attractions this time around (you can always visit again). While you can have an itinerary, you likely will enjoy the trip more if you’re relaxed and get to meander around rather than sticking to a strict schedule.

► Consult the rangers. Make friends with the park rangers. They are experts on the park and can let you know which places to visit or if there are any shortcuts to certain attractions. Utilize their experience and guidance.

National parks are located across the United States and Canada. The parks are wonderful vacation spots, and visitors can plan now for their trips to see these natural wonders.

Metro Creative Services photo

Vacation rentals enable people to get away throughout the year.

Classifieds

Place your ad online at bemidjipioneer.com or contact: service@bemidjipioneer.com Employment ads: call 888-514-4473 or email jobs@jobshq.com

The Bemidji Township Planning and Zoning Commission will hold the scheduled monthly meeting on September 5th, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. at the Bemidji Township Town Hall located at 148 Carr Lake Rd. SE Bemidji, MN 56601. At this time the Commission will commence a Public Hearing for a Variance application that was applied for parcel 03.0001.08 located at 4131 Power Dam Road NE Bemidji, MN 56601.

The Bemidji Township Board of Supervisors will hold the scheduled monthly meeting on September 12th, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. at the Bemidji Township Town Hall located at 148 Carr Lake Rd. SE Bemidji, MN 56601. Brittney Sletten Bemidji Township Clerk

HELP WANTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

HELP WANTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Contract and Procurement Manager

HELP WANTED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Position Purpose: The Contract Manager will be responsible for overseeing contracts and agreements made by the Tribal Government with other entities. The successful candidate will manage the Tribal Government’s contracting with vendors and contracted employees, ensure that contracts are in place when needed, and develop and implement a comprehensive contract development and tracking system to promote Tribal Government compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and procurement policies.

Excellent Benefits:

Medical & Dental- Free

15 paid holidays

• Sick leave

• Annual leave

• Flex plan

• Basic Life Insurance

Voluntary benefits available by payroll deductions

Closes: 09/08/2023

For full job description & to fill out an online application go to: https://boisforte.com/jobs/

EMPLOYMENT WANTED EMPLOYMENT WANTED

North Country Dental in Bemidji, MN is looking for a Licensed Dental Assistant!

We are a team that works well together and has fun while doing it! We offer competitive wages, an excellent benefit package and flexible hours. $1000 sign on bonus available after 2 years!

Apply at ncdds@paulbunyan.net or call 218-751-1111.

First Presbyterian Church, Bemidji

is looking for a full time or part time PIANIST OR ORGANIST

Please call 218-444-5016

• 401k match

• LTD

checked, health certificate, $500. 218-831-7975 (MN#829895)

DOGS

AKC LAB PUPPIES All colors. Call or text: 605-999-7149 Mitchell, SD southdakotayellowlabs.com

German Shorthair Pups AKC, parents health tested, health guarantees. Vet checked, UTD shots. Excellent pedigrees. M/F $800. 320-360-2071

German Wirehaired Pointers NAVDHA, 3M, 1F. Ready now! Tails docked, dews removed. $250. 320-290-6594

Goldendoodle Puppies

Very sweet & good natured!

Many colors. Great with kids! Vet checked, shots, dewormed. $1,200. Call/text: 320-894-5883

Miniature Aussie Pups Shots & wormed, care package. $400. Will meet. Text for pics: 218-851-6219

Registered Lab Puppies Shots, dewormed, vet checked. Black/Yellow. $200

218-536-1613 MN103286

Siberian Husky Puppies Shots, wormed, vet checked, health certificate, $400. 218-831-7975 (MN#829895)

Vizsla Shorthair Pointers Ready to go! M & F, $1,000. Great hunter pointers & great family pets! Call or text: 605-467-1207 NE SD Yellow Lab Puppies Dewormed, current shots, dews removed, health cert. $400. 218-831-7960 (MN#829895)

HOUSES FOR RENT

1 BR Cabin in a serene wooded setting in Turtle River. Approx 1200 sf + bsmt

Don’t wait. Search today.

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