The Pequot Lakes class of 2016.
BY ALEXANDER BECKER, SYDNEY HOLT, BARBARA MILLER & LEVI PALMER
Pequot Lakes High School valedictorians
First we would like to start off by saying thank you all for coming to support us on this special night, but most importantly seniors, we made it. The four of us honestly couldn’t be prouder of the things our class was able to accomplish and the amazing people we have all grown to be. The four of us decided to do something a little different this year for our commencement
address, so instead of the typical valedictorian speech we decided to connect our senior class to our senior class song. The song is entitled “Good Riddance” by Green Day, but we must remember that tonight is not a goodbye to this wonderful class but a see you later. So because of that we will use its more commonly known and more applicable name of “Time of Your Life.” The first line reads: Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
A turning point is defined by Merriam-Webster as a time when an important change happens. We are at an amazing time in our lives that, although the end of high school is here, the beginning of a whole new life experience is ahead for all of us, which brings us to make a lot of choices. The fork stuck in the road is simply the decisions in life we must make. Whether it be little things like what we are going to caption the latest Instagram picture we want to post or choosing
what career we will have the rest of our life, there are an endless amount of choices to make. Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go As many seniors can probably agree, the end of the year crept up fast. It seems like just yesterday we were walking into these halls as scared little freshmen, but time has its way of ticking away. But I would say when time really directed us where to go was when some of us waited to turn in an online assignment at 11:58
BY TROY FETTER
Pine River-Backus Valedictorian
Good evening, friends and family, ladies and gentlemen, administrators and teachers. Before I get started, I would like to thank you all for giving me this opportunity to speak in front of you on this momentous day. I have long awaited the day that I could be here with my fellow classmates, for it was only four short years ago that we started high school. Now, it is our time to leave. How did the time fly? It seems like only yesterday that we were young freshman looking at our upperclassmen for guidance. Now, we are the upperclassmen, the seniors who stand here ready to graduate and move out into the big wide world, yet we can’t help
when the assignment was due at midnight, or squeaking into class right about 5 seconds before the bell. Time never stopped for any of us. And time will continue to fly as we grow older, and that means we must make the most of the time we all still have left and make the best of it. So make the best of this test and don’t ask why “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more See PL VALEDICTORIANS, Page S6
but to look back. How will we remember this time that we have spent here? When we were freshmen, we did it in class periods. We would count down until the hour we were freed. As weeks of school passed, we measured time in semesters, and later in years as we went from being naive freshmen to being “sophisticated” sophomores. By the time we reached our junior year, we were prepared to take over for the seniors. And now here we stand. Our time as upperclassmen is over and it is up to the next class to fill our shoes and take over. I know that as I look out to all of you, I will measure my time a little differently. I will measure it in all the friendships that I have made over the past four years. Some may not be as strong as others, but I will always remember each one tenderly, as I’m sure all of you will too. And when our memories of high school begin to fade, that is how we will measure our time spent here, not in class periods or semesters, but in the friendships that we have made See PR-B FETTER, Page S7
The Pine River-Backus class of 2016.
Pine River-Backus valedictorian and class president Troy Fetter makes air quotes when talking about being “sophisticated” sophomores during his senior class welcome speech at the commencement ceremony Friday, May 27.
PHOTO BY NANCY VOGT
S2
June 2, 2016
Graduation
Isabella Abear
Alyse Anderson
Montanna Aragon
Allison Aydelotte
Alexander Becker
Lauren Bengtson
Timothy Biscoe
Britta Bittner
Catherine Blaeser
Chase Blaeser
Cameron Boller
Carl Borleis
Hannah Brandanger
Maria Brown
Joshua Buell
Brittny Bzdok
Caitlyn Carkhuff
Mathias Carlson
Katie Casanova
Cortney Chambers
Devin Cheek
Dominic Cheek
Cameron Christiansen
Chad Christianson
Sarah Ciesluk
Samuel Clement
Emily Cressman
Cabe Cruikshank
Connor Dale
Alexandra Dischinger
Macy Dotty
Payton Edevold
Dr. Jaime L. Preble, DDS
Jeff and Reneé Stranne, Owners 2876 28th Ave. SW, Pine River, MN 56474 (218) 587-3396
001419701r1
www.SchruppExcavating.com
218-587-4038
Congratulations CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2016 to all area graduates!
COUNTRY DOC VETERINARY CLINIC
Open Mon-Fri. 9-5:30, Sat. 9-1
001419534r1
Dr. Kyle Adkins, DVM 5508 County Road 1 Pine River, MN 56474 Phone: 218-587-4196 Fax: 218-587-2491 www.veterinariancountrydocpineriver.com
Crosslake Town Square 218-692-2502
218-692-2777
GOOD LUCK GRADUATES!
Congratulations to the Class of 2016 & Best of Luck
Congratulations Class of 2016!
Rough Sawn
HENRY’S WOODWORKING
Brainerd BN Credit Union
Lakes Area Pharmacy 568-5884
804 Laurel Street, Brainerd 829-9065
417 Barclay Ave., Downtown Pine River
587-3222
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2016!
001428576r1
YOUR FULL SERVICE PHARMACY!
“Serving our members since 1940”
Steve Kappes Registered Pharmacist
Celebrate
• Kitchen & Bath Cabinets • Custom Small Batch Interior Pine Doors • Furniture
M-F 7:30-4:30, Sat By Appointment Only, Closed Sun 4 miles N on Cass Cty 42, Pine River
218-587-4899
001419264r1
Best of Luck Seniors
Inside SuperValu, Hwy 371, Pequot Lakes
218-587-4437
P.O. Box 650 • 203 Park Ave, Pine River, MN 56474
001430657r1
Pine River Mini Storage
33 Years & Still Digging It Right!
001419703r1
2016
www.henryswoodworking.com • henryswoodworking@tds.net
Congratulations Graduates!
We can help with all your party needs!
Metal Stamping • Fabrication • Weldments & Assemblies 23103 County Rd. 3 Merrifield, MN Phone (218) 765-3111 Fax (218) 765-3904
14133 Edgewood Dr N Baxter, MN (218) 828-4601
Congratulations Class of 2015! 001414351r1
001429397r1
001426371r1
CLOW STAMPING COMPANY
Brainerd Mall Shopping Center 417 8th Ave NE Brainerd, MN (218) 828-1816
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CCBoatWorks www.ccboatworks.com 36448 County Road 66 Crosslake MN, 56442
S3
June 2, 2016
Graduation
Jessica Faacks
Avory Ford
Jack Friday
Jack Gangl
Jacob Giedd
Anna Glover
Hunter Goerges
Allison Gudahl
Angela Gudahl
Jordan Hall
Natalie Halverson
Logan Hansen
John Harguth
Joseph Harrison
Sydney Hartman
Michael Hemmerich
Samuel Hendrickson
Keagan Herman
Jarad Holm
Sydney Holt
Mikayla Horgan
Kody Kettleson
Brittney Knox
Noah Kronstedt
Hunter Larson
Riley Larson
Dustin Leslie
Daniel Light
001428566r1
Car Wash Snacks • Food Bait • Kerosene On-Off Road Diesel Now Serving Espresso Coffee!
Laurie Hall 326 W. Laurel St.
218-587-4700
Brainerd & Baxter • 218-270-3100 | Pequot Lakes 218-568-4898
Brainerd, MN (3 blocks South of Walgreens)
Hwy. 371 • Pine River
001419484r1
3 Proud Locations to Serve You!
828-0460
One block south of the stoplights
Monday-Saturday 6am-10pm • Sunday 7am - 10pm
BREAKFAST SERVED ALL DAY Terry & Kim’s
Way to go Grads!
Cottage Cafe “The Best Little
DOWNTOWN PINE RIVER
Place Around.”
Independent Insurance Association
Mon.-Sat. 5am-3pm • Sunday 6:30am-1:30pm
001428321r1
CASS COMPANY INSURANCE
“Serving All Your Insurance Needs”
Hackensack 218-675-6610
Dan Meier, CIC Lic #1009084
Pine River 218-587-2374 001419529r1
Congratulations Class of 2016!
001429391r1
Ad:SUPN15253170; Format(134.92mm x 76.19mm) Date: 06/22/2015 13:25 EST
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!
Dairy Queen
Located next to Reed’s Market in Crosslake
218-692-BEER
218-568-5440 • PEQUOT LAKES PINE RIVER • NISSWA
lations!
Kris Barchus Lic. #40410775
Best Wishes 2016 Grads!
Congratu
001429387r1
218-568-4929
CONGRATULATIONS!
001419532r1
218-587-2588 • 2 Blocks Off Hwy. 371, Downtown Pine River
31009 Front Street Pequot Lakes, MN
And next to Crosby SuperOne in Crosby
218-545-3004
001427694r1
Karl F. Skog
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING “Serving The Area Since 1974”
692-2177 1-800-692-2177 South Hwy. 3 • Crosslake
Way to Go Graduates!
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2016!
001420143r1
14466 Dellwood Dr., Baxter, MN
(Next to Kentucky Fried Chicken)
829-3080
Congratulations!
W�� t� g� Clas� � 2016!
Congratulations to all 2016 Graduates!
Jordan Geschwill
001414404r1
Josie Florell
Ethan Gibbs
Brady Evenson
218-587-2900 • Hwy 371 • Pine River
001428579r1
PINE RIVER
AMERICAN LEGION
5! 2016
www.BlackBear GolfComplex.com 218-587-8800 001420145r1
Congratulations Class of 2016! Wishing You a Bright & Successful Future!!
FRASER – NELSON POST 613 218-587-9151 • Hwy. 371, Pine River • Bar Open at Noon Mon-Sun
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES OF
001426387r1
16
David M. Ude, DDS | Cassandra J. Spitzley, DDS | Jeffrey E. Olson, DDS | Sam C. Hennies, DDS
SERVING THE LAKES AREA FOR 30 YEARS 31052 Government Dr. | Pequot Lakes | 218-568-5011
001419253r1
Cynthia Rieck, P.T. Carrie Taylor, P.T. Kelly Wulf Brenda Pitan 001426374r1
218-568-5666 • www.pequotlakesphysicaltherapy.com
June 2, 2016
Graduation
Morgan Lohmiller
Tori Long
Sharee Loyd
Lark Luchka
Erick Marks
Michael Mathis
Addison McGuire
Abigail Meister
Barbara Miller
Kathryn Miska
Megan Morgan
Abrielle Mumm
Caitlin Murray
Maclean Nagy
Alexandra Nelson
Meghan Nelson
Christopher Newton
Amanda Nies
Jordan Oaks
Alexandra Olson
Logan Olson
Levi Palmer
Emma Pitzl
Nicholas Reed
Graedon Rohr
Jacob Roubal
Nicholas Salvevold
Skylar Salvevold
Ireland Schindel
Josh Senst
Jared Sewall
Paul Sipper
001414338r1
s Congratulation 829-2020
Congratulations 2016 Graduates!
GR 2016!
31073 Front Street Pequot Lakes
s n o i t a l u t a Congr 16!
tions Grad a l uat atu r es! g
ss of 20 ClaWishing you happiness in
Insurance Services
The Protection You Need, Service You Deserve. COUNTY RD. 3, CROSSLAKE
& SAT. RS. • 7AM - 10PM FRI. DAY 7AM - 9PM SUN. - THU , CLOSED CHRISTMAS 3PM CHRISTMAS EVE AT SING CLO , DAY NKSGIVING THA 3PM AT SING CLO 11
218-692-27
001429396r1
Cash-N-Carry Superstore
Proud Sponsor & Supporter of All Area Students, Teachers & Athletes
218-568-5800
Pequot Lakes • 218-568-5025
BEST OF LUCK GRADS! 001419463r1
s • Meat Gift Boxe Sausages de ma me • Our Ho pplies • All Your Party Su
001426385r1
your journey through life and a successful tomorrow.
& • Meat, Cheeserty ys Vegetable Pa Tra s Pie & s ke Ca , • Cookies
Chad Nelson Agency, Inc
218-568-4620
001426366r1
Co n
2020 South 6th Street Brainerd, MN
OB J T A E R G ADS OF
001429380r1
to the Class of 2016!
001427802r1
S4
Improving the way you look at life!
Auto • Home • Business • Life • Health BAXTER (218) 822-4480
PEQUOT LAKES (218) 568-4473
CROSSLAKE (218) 692-4472
218.829.1789
BACKUS 218-947-3111
14453 Edgewood Dr. • Baxter
218.963.2020
CONGRATS GRADS!
5457 City Hall St. • Nisswa
218.587.2020
424 Barclay Ave. • Pine River
www.AssociatesInEyeCareMN.com
CONGRATS GRADS! Shop & Save for All Graduation Party Supplies All Local School Imprinted Mylar Balloons Yard Signs, Graduation Cap Danglers Pennant Banners And Matching School Color Napkins,Plastic Cutlery, Serving Ware And MUCH MORE Large Selection of Candy Buffet Items
MOVING JUNE 1ST 119 WASHINGTON ST. NE
EdinaRealty.com
Mick Justin, CPA Christopher Clasen, CPA • Stephanie Murray, CPA Susan Schiessl, CPA • Jane Erickson, CPA
218-568-5242 office@lakesareacpas.com • www.lakesareacpas.com 4325 W. Woodman St. | P.O. Box 90 Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
001427674r1
415 Front St., Brainerd. • 218-825-1070 Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM • Sat 10AM-1PM
Visit Edin for all you
001428442r1
A Whole Lot More Than A Candy Store Public Welcome!
June 2, 2016
Graduation
BY DAVE GUENTHER
Good evening! Well, it looks like you’re gonna make it! And I have the honor of joining you. This is going to be an interesting time in your life, with all of the excitement of knowing each of you are going to be going in different directions from here. It is going to be fun, hard work and even a little scary at times. We really don’t know what the future may bring us! When many of you came to me asking about speaking tonight, I really didn’t know if I could do it. It’s a challenge I accepted because of all the times and memories we have had together and I guess I just couldn’t say no! I know I talked to a lot of you about “what should I talk about.” Memories are something that will stay with us until we die. Time in the art room, learning, creating, making art, making mistakes, problem solving, going back, doing it again, failing at something, taking risks. In today’s society so many people are afraid of failing. In my class you learned that failing was part of learning, and you learned from that experience. Again, memories. Sharing recipes, grilling out behind the art room, having fish frys (OSHA story). The Festival of the Arts, track meets, homecoming, snowmobile training and lending a hand or advice when you came to me with a class project that needed some artistic direction. … I’ve been there for you and you have been there for me. I think back when I sat where you are tonight. School for me was … OK. OK grades. I grew up on a dairy farm, the oldest of six kids. I had a lot of responsibilities, worked hard and I learned the importance of hard work. I also learned the feeling of accomplishment and felt good about doing the best I could no matter what it was. My folks had a big influence on me. My dad gave me the advice, “Do something you enjoy and you will never go to work a day in your life.” Dad had an eighth-grade education, was a Korean vet and could build anything. He was concerned about me being a teacher. “How you gonna make it? Those teachers don’t get paid enough for what they do.” Well, if you like it, do it and if you make a lot teaching, when you retire you can come back and farm until you run out of money. My mom was big on education, “because it is something that no one can take away from you.” When you learn something it will stay with you for the rest of your life. In high school I had two teachers that influenced me a lot - my art teacher, Ken Kylmanen, and my wrestling coach, Ray Thorkildson (Tork). These guys had faith in me, and saw the potential even I didn’t think I had. I had a counselor and English teacher in school who told me that college would be a waste of time for me and that I was not suited for it. I told them I might be interested in an art field. I ended up going to school for commercial and graphic design, then went into education.
PL VALEDICTORIAN,
Donning his ever-present apron, Pequot Lakes High School art teacher Dave Guenther gives the commencement address Friday, May 27, encouraging students to find out what they love to do. PHOTO BY DAN DETERMAN
For some people, hearing from your counselor or a teacher that you could not make it ... well, for some people it would become an excuse not to pursue what you want to do. For me, if someone says I can’t do something, it’s just the incentive I need to prove them wrong. That was the motivation I gained, being told I could not do something. Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do! As I said, I grew up on a farm. I thought about a farm-related career because that was all I knew and I wanted to experience more in life. I could always go back and farm, which I love also. I loved art, all types of it - printing, painting, pottery, airbrushing. I wanted to share my love of this with others. So while in college, along with art I became more involved with sports - cross country, wrestling and track and field. That ‘s when the coaching part of it came along. I had a teacher in college who had a saying, “A specialist is a person that knows more about less.” To be a full person I feel you have to experience everything in life that it has to offer. That’s why I have taught and coached the way I have all these years. To share what I have learned and pass it on to all of you. After college I worked for a huge construction company making great money, and left a $500 a week job for a $600 a month job teaching. What was wrong with me??? I taught for six years in a small school district in Karlstad, Minn. I drove a bus route, taught drivers ed, coached track, football and, of course, art. At the end of my first year I never wanted to teach again. Dad was right. I could make a lot more money for the time I was giving. A good friend of mine told me, “give it one more year.” And so I did and 36 years later, here I
am! I came here 30 years ago. What drew me here was the fact that the administration that was in place then held the academics, arts and athletic all at equal levels of importance. I hoped that for what I was hired to do here, that I have done what was asked of me. As I have said before, I work at this school, I was hired by the administration that was here at the time, but I work for the taxpayers, community, parents and all of the students. I must say that in order to live in a community you have to be involved. “It’s not about you, it’s about what you do,” what makes you feel good about where you live. You can be involved in so many ways. All of you have great things you can offer to make your community better. I have enjoyed being a part of this community and will continue to be here for all of you. That’s what makes it feel like home for me. Now, some advice to you seniors. Some of you are familiar with the sign in my art room. My ABC’s to go through life and this is coming from me personally and it has to go in this order: A - Ambition Without ambition what good are you to yourself or others around you? Getting up in the morning and making the most of each day. Doing the best that you can do. Feeling good at the end of the day because you accomplished something. Having the drive to make this world a better place for yourself or others. There are three kinds of people. 1. There are people that make things happen. 2. People that watch things happen. 3. People that wonder what’s happening. B - Behavior How you conduct yourself and treat others - be courteous, helpful, give of yourself, treat others as you would want to be treated. It’s not to hard to figure out. Be a good person, be positive! C - Common Sense Oh boy, man, do we need more of that! Doing what’s right, thinking things through, asking for input from others, asking for advice. A comment from a former student who said to me, “Common sense is not as common as it once was.” D - Discipline I think this word gets used the wrong way too much. Discipline is when you come up to a challenge in your life and you push yourself to get through mentally and physically. Don’t take the easy way out; anyone can do that. Don’t give up on yourself; don’t quit. We all have mountains to climb, never say never, if you want something bad enough you will persevere. E - Education As an educator, I feel the first four need to come first, then education. The one quote I love is, “It’s not how smart you are, it’s how you are smart.” Each of you has a gift and a talent. Make the most of what you have and search for more of the passion you have. You never stop learning. It takes all of us doing what we are good at to make life happen.
S5
The example I love is, “You may be a doctor, but you need a good mechanic to be sure that ambulance makes it to the hospital.” We all need to pursue further education beyond today. Whether in college, technical school, military or learning from others through apprenticeship in your area where your interests are. As Abe Lincoln said, “Whatever you are, be a good one.” Pride, Patriot Pride. Carry that with you the rest of your life! F - Fun Fun! Yeah, you gotta have fun, enjoy time with your family and friends. A quote from a great family friend, Harvey Roggenkamp, said, “We are all on this earth for a visit. Some may just be longer than others. Enjoy each day as if it was your last.” Take the time to watch the sunrise and the sunset … and appreciate it, as no two are the same. I could go on with the alphabet, but you get the idea. If I could ever change one thing in my life I would have spent time in the military and served my country. We would not have the freedom of doing what we want without our brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for us. Always take the time to thank a veteran. Be there for them. They were there for us. “I can grow old, but I don’t have to grow up.” I think of all the great people I have had in my time here at Pequot Lakes High School. Teachers, students, parents, former students who are now parents. I believe that because I have had to work around young people my whole life is the reason why I still feel young, because really, I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up! It’s been a great experience. We live in a small community, and I like that. The fact that we spend time together at school activities, life’s celebrations like weddings, baby showers, funerals, being here for one another, make a community. A good school is the number one asset for a community. I would like to take a moment for those no longer with us - my former students like Dru, Kia, Joey, Marcy, Annie and others, teachers and friends. I am honored to have known them and had them as part of my life. That’s what makes us a community and a family. Because we are a family, we look out for one another, help and support each other. My own family - Barb, my wife - for putting up with the long hours I put into this place because she knows this is my other love. My son, Jacob, for which so many teachers have helped him to where he is today in his life and career. You all have had teachers here who have helped you to where you are tonight. I’m proud to be a part of this group of educators that has given you the experience you have had here in PLHS. To be honest, I would rather be sitting up in the bleachers tonight, watching ... but it’s been an honor. To the senior class of 2016, parents, staff and administration, congratulations! You made it. And, hey, you better stay in touch with me.
From Page S1
important than any one thing.” - Abraham Lincoln If you have the determination to do well you can achieve anything you desire. I wish for all of you to do your best and trust in yourself and your goals. Things will surely get tough, but all of you can stick it through. Remember that each morning is a brand new day to try again and to go further. It’s not a question but a lesson learned in time. It’s something unpredictable but in the end is right. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” - Abraham Lincoln This is something we can all take to heart. This world is ours, and we should make the best of it. If we only live once, let’s live it to the fullest. Strive for infinity and don’t let anything hold you back. We’re on a one way trip to the rest of our lives and it ought to be outstanding. I hope you had the time of your life This is probably the best line in the song because it couldn’t hold to be more true. I sure hope you loved your time here at Pequot Lakes. The amazing teachers we have, the opportunities we have been granted, and the wonderful people we have met along the way are just a few of the things we should all be grateful for. We know that we will leave our mark on this school but more importantly we hope this school has made an impact in your lives. So take the photographs and still frames in your mind Look back on what you have seen the past 13 years of your education. Remember what we have accomplished as a class, and keep your mind open for what is to come. Each of us has a personal story that reflects who we are. Now, I challenge each and every one of you to take your “photographs” and memories and share them with your future peers, bosses and co-workers. Oftentimes, success is not achieved by your
awards or accomplishments; it is achieved by the way you communicate with others and share your personal story. You have a chance to be amazing, so take the chance. Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time Whenever something in your life isn’t going your way, trust in the fact that times will look up. In the end, we all have potholes in our roads to success. However, if you save the best memories on your shelf, you can quickly reference them for some extra joy. Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial Although your memories typically define you by sticking to you like a tattoo, wear your best skin. Show people that you will be trustworthy and reliable and that you enjoy what you are doing. Additionally, love what you have done because it sticks with you for years to come, so you might as well have no regrets. For what it’s worth, it was worth all the while All of our time at Pequot Lakes was worth it, and I’m happy I got to spend it with you. Still, continue to have fun and grow as an individual. Continue to take chances that you are afraid to take, and continue to make the best of what you are given. Because, if you don’t, you will miss out on the little time you have. In the next few years, take each opportunity with the goal to look back on your time so that you can say, “Dude, that was so worth it.” Truly, I can say the time I spent here, with all of you, was worth it. And the song ends with the chorus. The first phrase in the chorus is … It’s something unpredictable but in the end is right Life often follows Murphy’s Law. Whatever can happen, will happen. The one thing that is certain about life is the fact that life is always unpredictable. For a moment, your life can
Pequot Lakes High School valedictorians Alexander Becker, Sydney Holt, Levi Palmer and Barbara Miller give a joint speech incorporating the class song, “Good Riddance” (or “Time of Your Life”) by Green Day.
PHOTO BY DAN DETERMAN
seem to settle, but then life always finds a way to throw in a curve ball. However, unpredictable is not always bad. Four years ago, I would have never guessed that I would be standing here now about to become a graduate of Pequot Lakes High School. Sometimes, the most unpredictable things that happen are blessings in disguise. However, these blessings are only unveiled if you accept the fact that you are not in the driver’s seat. Initially, it might be scary or overwhelming, but if you take a deep breath and remember that a predictable life would be a boring one, then you will lead a life knowing that the path you are on is the right one. I hope you had the time of your life Finally, I would like to make a small edit to the end of our senior song. Instead of the song
ending with, “I hope you had the time of your life,” I want to change it to, “I hope you have the time of your life.” As the path we have been walking together for the past four years is quickly coming to an end, I hope that our experiences together in high school have been the best time of your life thus far. Meaning, I hope as we all take different paths in life that we continue having the time of our lives. As much as I wish that we could all continue tackling life together as one class, I think it is time that we move on to the next chapter of our lives. However, remember to look back on the memories you have made in this little town with a bobber as its water tower. So, Class of 2016, we hope you have the time of your lives. Thank you.
S6
June 2, 2016
Graduation
BY ANGELA GUDAHL
Pequot Lakes High School senior
My name is Angela Gudahl, and I am a student of the graduating class of 2016. And before I start, I would just like to give a quick but important disclaimer. Underclassmen: In case it has not already begun, you will find that it will be instilled in you to never cite your research papers and/or public speeches from any website, unless it is .org, .edu or . gov. That one was for you, Mrs. Klein. However, given these dire circumstances of a plague that has affected the majority of seniors nationwide, I have made a difficult and reluctant exception. So according to urban dictionary. com, “senioritis” is defined as the following: Noun. A crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, walking profoundly slower to all or selected classes; an increase in sporadic absences, which may or may not include a breakfast at the Commander; an increased confidence in test taking skills when textbook has not been taken; counting in math class, but only if it means counting down the slides of the day’s lesson; desire to test work ethic under intense pressure by choosing to write an 8-page research paper the night before it is due, even though adequate time was given during class period in the weeks prior. Side note: Adequate class period or open hours may or may not have included searching cooking videos or googling political memes. Symptoms may also include one tear drop of genuine and desperate joy being shed when said 8-page research paper’s due date was pushed back a day due to schedule change. In my specific and personal experience, senioritis came in the form of trying to write a graduation speech, but instead staring at a wall for two hours, wondering why on earth did someone decide that a piece of square cardboard balancing on a swimming cap and covered in blue fabric was a good idea for a hat to graduate in? Yep. Senioritis. I have always thought the class speech should be one of sentimental words and endearing memories, of the good times shared in the past. So I began to try to reminisce on the beautiful days of middle school ... but I had noth-
Angela Gudahl’s senior address drew several laughs from the 110 Pequot Lakes graduating seniors. PHOTO BY DAN DETERMAN
ing. My subconscious seemed to be blocking out memories, and I can only assume it was some sort of coping mechanism for my own personal well being. But I did recall one phrase repeating in my head. It was Mrs. Fisher’s voice. From eighth grade. “Shhhhhhh. You guys, quiet down. Your hormones are raging.” Fortunately, this lovely group of millennials standing before me all seemed to be aboard the Facebook fad as early as 2009. And so with signed permission, I thought perhaps we could dig up the heart and soul of this class via Facebook posts from our prepubescent selves. I discovered some of us found it necessary to share our personal electrolyte intake, as Lauren Bengtson posted in 2011 for the world to see: “I drank a quart of gatorade today.” I also discovered many of us were in awe of the pop culture of our generation, when I read Maria Brown’s Facebook status from 2011: “Why does selena have to date justin? its gross … sorta.” I also was reminded of our growing observation of the animals of the sky, and the law of physics, when I saw Erick Marks posted in 2009: “I love it when birds hit the window! THUD.” Along with the financial sacrifices we had to make when we did not have our own summer job
income yet, as Erick also proclaimed in 2009: “I feel good i just gave the salvation army .65 cents.” We also seemed to be very inquisitive thinkers, in awe of science and new discoveries. I realized this when I saw Graedon Rohr’s post from 2011: “scientists have discovered a new earth like planet. I wonder if we get the technology to go to light speed, that the government would want to take the planet’s resources graedon 2011.” Mac Nagys post on Christmas day on Dec. 25, 2010, made me realize we also were dreamers. It stated: “this summer i had a dream the rapture would happen on december 26, 2010. let’s find out if its true.” We also didn’t let the dangers of the world stop us from diving into the saltwater trenches. Levi Palmer posted in 2011: “Ooowweeeee just ripped off my fingernail while swimming in the ocean …” But most of all, I saw on my own personal Facebook page that I was quite observant of both my sleeping cycle and my blood circulation. As I found it important to post a status saying: “goin to bed ... fingers are cold lol” Angela Gudahl But perhaps Allison said it best on behalf of our whole grade even to this day, when she posted in
Pequot Lakes graduating seniors laugh and reminisce during the senior address.
2011: “I wish someone would rob my house and take my social homework with them.” All joking aside, it is absolutely remarkable to see how far we have all come. And regardless of the rest, regardless of the classes we took or the grades we got in them, we are all here with the same exact goal completed. The antidote to our senioritis. We did it, we are all graduating. From the bottom of my heart on behalf of this class, thank you to the teachers who encouraged us. Thank you to the teachers who put countless extra hours into helping us reach our goals. Thank you for the teachers who challenged us even when we did not want to be challenged. Thank you for Mr. Rankin for having high expectations of us to amount to the achievements we are capable of. Thank you Mrs. Stampe for kicking cancer’s butt. Thank you Mr. Guenther for who you have been to so many students. Thank you to all the faculty. Thank you parents, for being alongside of us and equipping us with skills that will last a lifetime. Thank you for adults in the community who have mentored students and been an advocate for those of us who needed it. The paraprofessionals who have told students that they believe in them. Thank you.
Graduating class of 2016, never forget the people here who have encouraged you. Never forget the encouraging smile your peer gave you when you were having a hard day, the one encouraging text that kept you from falling apart, or the one hug that comforted you amongst whatever trial was going on in your life. Never forget the person who told you they were proud of you, and never forget the teachers, parents, adults or friends that made this life a little bit easier to breathe in. But most of all, never forget to be that person to someone else. There are a lot of things that we have grown out of since middle school, just look at your old Facebook posts. And I know none of us can look into the future, but there is one thing I am positive none of us will ever grow out of. We will always be impacted by the power encouragement has on ourselves and the world around us. If there is one thing in the world you can be, no matter your occupation, no matter your salary, no matter the circumstances in your life, be an encourager. The world may continue advancing technology, it may continue pushing you to work harder and do more and go amazing places, but despite what Devin and Dominic Cheek may invent 20 years from now, I will always argue nothing will ever compare to human empathy and encouragement. Everyone, we did it. And we are about to start another huge chapter in our life. And it will not be easy. It will be another adventure. With both trials and goodness. In the commonly quoted, but always wise words of Dr. Seuss: You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join the high fliers Who soar to high heights... You’ll get mixed up, of course, As you already know, You’ll get mixed up With many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A great balancing act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3⁄4 percent guaranteed.) KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
PHOTO BY DAN DETERMAN
June 2, 2016
Graduation
S7
The Pine River-Backus High School class of 2016 tosses caps in the air at the end of the graduation ceremony Friday, May 27, in the school gym.
PHOTO BY NANCY VOGT
BY KRISTIN LINDHOLM & JANICE OAKLEY Pine River-Backus teachers
Good evening parents, teachers, administrators, friends and neighbors. What an honor it is to speak tonight on behalf of this amazing senior class. My name is Kristin Lindholm. I teach English. And I am Janice Oakley and I teach math. Look at this crew. They sure clean up nice, don’t they Mrs. Lindholm? It is hard to believe that we are already here at this moment. I’m not sure I’m ready to let these guys leave yet. Do they have any idea how hard it is to let them go? Do they have any idea how proud we are of them? Tonight, Mrs. Oakley and I thought we’d start by letting you know the top five things we’ve learned from you during your high school career … and just so you know, it was really hard to stop at five - but we don’t have all night. Are you ready Mrs. Oakley? Here we go. 5. Seniors think that teachers can’t dab. 4. Seniors can spend the entire hour on their cell phone (while pretending to pay attention). 3. Some seniors have miraculously discovered that pancakes stick to the ceiling when a particular teacher is out of the room. Miraculously, pancakes are easy to remove, and a few seniors have been pleasantly surprised to learn that Mrs. Lindholm’s lavender lotion, made with essential oils, covers up the pancake stain lickety-split. 2. Seniors think that ANSWERS WILL VARY is an acceptable math response. 1. Seniors ROCK. Seriously. And oh how you will be remembered! And now, as you get ready to
close this chapter of your educational career, we’d like to share with you the top five things we’d like you to remember as you leave this place. 5. First and foremost, Be YOU! Or as William Shakespeare once said, “To thine own self be true!” You all know that I love quotes and my most favorite is “Whatever you are, be a good one,” by Abraham Lincoln. The only way to be good is to be honest, humble and happy. And the only way to achieve these things is to be entirely, unashamedly, all out YOU! Like some anonymous person brilliantly said, “You have to be odd to be number one.” How about that math teacher Mrs. Oakley? Get it, odd to be #1? For real, YOU make the best you. 4. Numbers are your friend. Life can be like the quadratic formula - first you need to know what the variables are and how to find them - like life, you need to know who you will be working with and who you will be working for. You also must do things in the correct order. Most jobs require you to do your job step-by-step and there are jobs that can be completed various ways - like solving a quadratic equation. You can factor it, you can complete the square, you can graph it, or you can use the quadratic formula. All of these will give you the same answer, but sometimes one way is better than the others - just like life! In addition, sometimes you get an answer that is a whole number, a nice even number that makes sense. But sometimes you get a double root - or an irrational root it’s not so pretty and easy, but still the answer. Again, life is like that.
Pine River-Backus seniors Troy Fetter, left, and Kyle Tschida sing the national anthem at commencement.
PHOTO BY NANCY VOGT
Pine River-Backus math teacher Janice Oakley, left, and English teacher Kristin Lindholm give the faculty address Friday, May 27, at the Pine River-Backus graduation ceremony.
PHOTO BY NANCY VOGT
Sometimes your life runs along smoothly with whole number answers, and sometimes life gives you irrational answers that you just have to deal with. In a quadratic equation, and in life, there can be more than one solution. A wrong solution can have lasting effects, so you should always check to make sure the solution works. 3. Words can change the world. Many people have said words that are permanently ingrained in our minds - that is part of the power of words. But YOU have the power to change the world with words too. Please remember that words that are spoken (or texted) are forever. Use that power to do good. Be sure that what comes out of your mouth is something worth repeating. Your words have the power to heal, support, cheer, encourage, create, solve and honor.
Use them with thoughtful intention and the results will be positive. It’s like this poem titled: “DROP A PEBBLE IN THE WATER,” by James W. Foley Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone; But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on, Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea. And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be. Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone, But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on, Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave. Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;
and all of the time that we have spent together. As we begin to go our separate ways this summer, remember that communication with one another will play an important role in maintaining our friendships. The way that we follow through with staying in contact will really prove how strong we are as a class. When we move forward, there will be bumps along the road, but we will always have each other to confide in. With this in mind, we should leave high school not worrying about being on our own, but instead we should leave with confidence for we know that we will have many other people to support us along the way. So, while we travel down these unknown roads, I want each of you to be strong. Not only for your friends around you, but also for the people in the community that have worked very hard to get us to where we are now. Without their help, we would not have been able to grow and learn as much as we have. For that, I want to thank all of you for the time and effort you have put into pushing us to reach our goals. Some of you might have played a greater role in our lives than others, but each of you has had an impact on us in one way or another Well, class of 2016, I want to wish you all the best of luck as you move on and hopefully you all remember that graduation is just the beginning.
But there’s gladness still a-swelling, and there’s joy a-circling yet. And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard Over miles and miles of water just dropping one kind word. You will never regret speaking kind words. 2. Don’t forget to call home. 1. Know that your teachers are your No. 1 fans. We know that you are our future, and we are completely confident that you will make a difference in this world. We see movers and shakers; we see problem solvers; we see healers; we see thinkers; and we see doers. We see courageous individuals who are all ready to soar off and change this world for the better in so many ways. Just because you leave this place today with a funny looking hat on your head and a diploma in your hand, doesn’t mean that we say goodbye. The hardest part of being an educator is letting you go. We care about you. We will always remember you - so don’t forget that you are always welcome here. We love to know how you are doing, we love to see your faces. You are the reason we signed up for this gig - and the reason we are here today. It is now time for you to spread your wings and fly. Just be sure to come back to the nest every once in awhile - OK? Like Orrin Hatch once stated, “There is a good reason they call these ceremonies “commencement exercises.” Graduation is not the end; it’s the beginning.” “May the force be with you graduates.” You are loved beyond measure. Go out into this world and make a difference!
Pine River-Backus senior Austin McAllister opened his envelope to pose with his diploma. PHOTO BY NANCY VOGT
S8
June 2, 2016
Graduation
WRITTEN BY WIZ KHALIFA (FEAT. CHARLIE PUTH) Class Song
[Charlie Puth:] It’s been a long day without you, my friend And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again We’ve come a long way from where we began Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again When I see you again (Hey) [Wiz Khalifa:] Damn, who knew? All the planes we flew Good things we’ve been through That I’ll be standing right here talking to you ‘Bout another path I know we loved to hit the road and laugh But something told me that it wouldn’t last Had to switch up Look at things different, see the bigger picture Those were the days Hard work forever pays Now I see you in a better place (see you in a better place) Uh How can we not talk about family when family’s all that we got? Everything I went through you were standing there by my side And now you gon’ be with me for the last ride [Charlie Puth:] It’s been a long day without you, my friend And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again (I see you again) We’ve come a long way (yeah, we came a long way) from where we began (you know we started) Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again (let me tell you) When I see you again (Aah oh, aah oh Wooooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) Yeah [Wiz Khalifa:] First you both go out your way And the vibe is feeling strong And what’s small turn to a friendship A friendship turn to a bond And that bond will never be broken The love will never get lost (and the love will never get lost) And when brotherhood come first Then the line will never be crossed Established it on our own When that line had to be drawn And that line is what we reach So remember me when I’m gone (remember me when I’m gone) How can we not talk about family when family’s all that we got? Everything I went through you were standing there by my side And now you gon’ be with me for the last ride [Charlie Puth:] So let the light guide your way, yeah Hold every memory as you go And every road you take, will always lead you home, home It’s been a long day without you, my friend And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again We’ve come a long way from where we began Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again When I see you again
Pine River-Backus co-salutatorians Alexus Reddick and Zachary Struss talk about Struss being “a star singer with a sore throat” during their speech Friday, May 27, at the graduation ceremony.
PHOTO BY NANCY VOGT
BY ALEXUS REDDICK & ZACHARY STRUSS
Pine River-Backus Salutatorians
Welcome parents, family, friends, teachers and community members. Thank you for joining us today, because without you, we would have no one to deliver our speech to. We are here to speak on behalf of the Class of 2016. From the moment we knew that we tied for salutatorian, we weren’t exactly sure how we were going to go about our speech. We thought about having a rap battle, but I knew that I would easily win, so we threw that idea out. Then, we were going to throw together a musical number, but our star singer has a sore throat. After much thought, we finally decided that we would stay in the spirit of high school and just wing it. So here goes nothing. A lot of you have already probably heard many speeches like this. Ones where the nervous boy or girl stands up here at the podium hoping he/she doesn’t slip up and say the wrong thing or stutter. Speeches where no one understands the humor and the audience has to force a laugh. Speeches that are complete and utter flops, maybe something like this one, but you know what? That’s OK. Regardless of what we do, we know that the people here will love us. We are so grateful for the true community here at PR-B.
Remember when we had track and field day in elementary? It was always one day of the year that we looked forward to. We all got together and not only competed against each other, but also worked as a team. I don’t know about you, but the tug-of-war was always one of my favorite events. As classmates, we worked together and leaned on each other to reach success. Coming from a small school, we can sometimes take this for granted. We don’t realize that not everyone gets the chance to have such a strong bond with their peers. They don’t get to know their classmates on such a personal level, or even know the names of everyone in their graduating class. That is only one of the special things about PR-B. We all know that one teacher or coach who has made the biggest impact on our lives.They are very understanding, caring, and maybe even push us to our limits sometimes, but we know that they will always have our back. They want to see us succeed. I think that every student behind us, or even former students from PR-B can think of that one teacher that has made a difference in their lives. The teachers and coaches that we have here at Pine River-Backus are ones that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Our parents have also made a huge
impact on our lives. We’re not just talking about our biological parents, but also adults in our community who are giving us support and love. We know that no matter what, you will always love us the same, even if we don’t always make the best choices. At the end of the day, we know that you are always there for us. Sometimes around the time of graduation, we focus too much on who we are becoming and where we are going, and forget to remember where we came from and the people who have made us who we are. Without the people of PR-B, we wouldn’t have all of the opportunities that we have now. We just wanted to take this time to truly thank the place and the people that have made this all possible. We will miss you all. There absolutely will be times where we will long to have this place back, but I think that’s just what happens when you love something. When you’re going to class every day, as cliche as it is, you don’t realize that. You’re too busy moaning and groaning about that test coming up or that assignment you missed. You don’t realize that these teachers have become more than just teachers and your classmates are not just another average acquaintance. They really are like family. And I will carry this family with me forever.
The Pine River-Backus High School senior choir members sing “Omnia Sol” at their graduation ceremony. PHOTO BY NANCY VOGT
Pine River-Backus senior Kyle Renwick poses after receiving his diploma. PHOTO BY NANCY VOGT
June 2, 2016
Graduation
S9
“Mighty and Mean, So Fresh and So Clean, We’re the Class of Twenty Sixteen”
Candyce Spielman
Laura Squires
Brooke Swenson
Zachary Vanlue
Julia Teich
Cody Walton
Richard Welliver
Quinten Thrun
Christofer Trana
Brady Wickham
Haley Wiebolt
Aaron Trees
Jenna Urseth
Griffin Wolf
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) BY GREEN DAY Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go So make the best of this test and don’t ask why
6!
218-587-2043
Tim Sweet 218-587-5050 218-820-3159 Cell
CHARLIE SWENSON
Congratulations Graduates!
L
Of course -- Great Coffee, Lattes, and Frappes!!
001428352r1
Great Gourmet Foods Selection, Quick & Easy Dip Mixes And So Much More.
ew Tree Co L LC eVi k a
112 Front St. N. Pine River, MN buyasweetcar@gmail.com
Good Luck Grads!
JASON PREBLE Pine River, MN CELL 218-838-7798
18 Years Experience • Fully Insured • Quality Work At Reasonable Prices
31039 Cty Rd 112 Pequot • 218-568-5550
Stonemark Land Surveying, Inc. | 30176 Old Hwy 371, Suite 2 | Pequot Lakes, MN
Congratulations Graduates Class of 2016!
Tree Removal Tree Trimming Stump Grinding Lot Clearing Landscaping
Fresh Baked Goodies as well.
Toll free: 888-866-4940 | Office: 218-568-4940 | stonemarksurvey.com
001419252r1
Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
001419700r1
001420228r1
New or Used I have a solution for You! Easy, Honest & Fun!
001427332r1
a
Cl
Good Luck Grads!
201
692-5447 9:30am-5pm Mon.-Sat. Crosslake Town Square www.lakesareagallery.com 001429373r1
WAY TO GO GRADUATES!
Sewer Service
001419615r1
toll free
CONGRATS GRADS!
Owner Backus, MN
CLASS OF 2016! 218-947-3139
218-947-4220 ~ www.backuslocker.com
Monday-Saturday 8am - 5pm • Dave & Jan Schmid 218-947-4960
JASON DAY
SEPTIC MAINTENANCE
888-370-3010
001420893r1
587-2558
1361 St 84 SW, Pine River
Backus, MN 56435 www.scamptrailers.com 218-947-4932
001419729r1
001426379r1
2 0 1 6
DAY’S
Terry Aleckson and Denny Aleckson
001419542r1
A
DOUBLE AUTOMOTIVE
Congratulations Graduates!
001420140r1
f
o ss
It’s something unpredictable but in the end is right I hope you had the time of your life It’s something unpredictable but in the end is right I hope you had the time of your life It’s something unpredictable but in the end is right I hope you had the time of your life
It’s not a question but a lesson learned in time It’s something unpredictable but in the end is right I hope you had the time of your life So take the photographs and still frames in your mind Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial For what it’s worth, it was worth all the while
Class Song
Hwy 371, Pine River, MN
587-2476 866-324-2476
WAY TO GO GRADUATES!
OASIS LIQUOR of PEQUOT 001259301r1
See us for your
GRAD PARTY
Congratulations
BEVERAGES
3855 Independence Rd, Baxter | 218-829-5798 37568 County Road 66, Crosslake | 218-692-3101
www.simonson-lumber.com
001414396r1
Oasis Shopping Center Hwy 371, Pequot Lakes
218-568-8640
Bait • Tackle • Laundromat Liquor Store • Sports Shop
Hwy 371, Jenkins
218-568-7272 Great Up North Bait & Tackle Selection
001430365r1
001426534r1
2016 Graduates!
S10
June 2, 2016
Graduation
Nathaniel Adkins
Elijah Albrecht
Allison Anderson
Ashley Anderson
Jeremy Bielefeld
Dexter Briceno
Nikoa Cooper
Jauss Egberts
Troy Fetter
Christopher Geschwill
Christopher Haman
Brady Hamilton
Kaitlyn Hanson
Jennifer Holm
Sky Kukuk
Christopher Lefebvre
Stephanie Malecha
Austin McAllister
Summer Merritt
Alexis Orth
Angela Pederson
Anthony Pederson
Samantha Peterson
Gretta Norton
Congratulations
Congratulations to all area graduates!
Class of 2016!
B&L
Pine River » 218-587-2232
Catering Available Crosslake
692-4800
Congratulations Graduates!
Class of 2016
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE of Backus Open Monday - Friday
218-947-4911 • Located in Backus
Merry Congrats Christmas Graduates!
2016
001429653r1
GARDINER’S HARDWARE & FURNITURE 587-2585 Downtown Pine River
22 assisted living apartments 13 specialty/memory care suites 16631 East Shore Rd | Crosslake, MN | 218-692-6650
Congrats Graduates!
from Beau && Bud! from Beau Bud!
C
Auto Repair, Tires, Alignments
001421038r1
Best Wishes Seniors
001419702r1
001429378r1
Foreign & Domestic • Engines • Transmissions Brakes • Tires • Air Conditioning
001419554r1
Great Northern O P T I C I A N S
2020 S. 6th St., Brainerd 829-1335
001414339r1
GRATULATION N O Class of 2016 S
Congratulations!
Congratulations Class of 2016! 218-829-1491
Everything you need. So close to home. Conveniently Located 1 Mile East of Hwy. 371 on the North Side of Hwy. 210, on Baxter Drive 218.828.1668 • www.thewestgatemall.com
1717 13th St. SE • Brainerd, MN www.thelenheating.com
001414349r1
001421291r1
HVAC - Residential/Commercial Roofing - Commercial/Industrial
Residential Garbage Collection & Commercial Waste Collection 866-602-8727 Toll Free • 218-824-8727 Brainerd Area 218-587-8727 Pine River Area • 218-692-8727 Crosslake Area See us at: www.wastepartnersinc.com 001419639r1
Congrats Graduates! l your l a h t i w u lp yo We can he
Baxter 218.828.9545 TOLL FREE 877.338.3937
Staples
TOLL FREE 866.894.5455
Your source for Echoland-Piper Shopper & the Echo Journal
001426489r1
lass o C s n o i t a l Congratu
001416923r1
! s d e e N y t r a Graduation P f 2016!
30503 State Highway 371 • 218-568-5001 • www.pequotlakessupervalu.com
Auctions Farm • Gun • Estate
June 2, 2016
Graduation
S11
Jorden Phillipson
Henry Raph
Alexus Reddick
Benjamin Remington
Kade Renwick
Julia Schaefer
Nicholas Schelde
Brittany Schmid
Zachary Semmler
Cedar Shamp
Nathan Shetka
Dillon Silcox
Sophia Stewart
Zachary Struss
Cheyenne Swenson
Jesse Sympson
Micheal Titman
Kyle Tschida
Taina Williams
Eric Winch
DOWNTOWN PINE RIVER
Traditional & Cremation Services
Pine River 587-2067 | Pequot Lakes 568-7353 www.klinefuneralhome.com
a salute to the class of
2016
Congratulations
Class of 2016
HARDWARE & LUMBER
Chris Hanneken, Agent
001419561r1
Competitive Rates • Superior Service Pine River Community Resource Center
218-587-2722
Backus Lumber & Supply
Hackensack Lumber & Hardware
218-947-3456
218-675-6188
Backus, MN
CONGRATULATIONS
Pine River-Backus Class of 2016 2012 May God Be With You On Your Journey
Hackensack, MN
218-818-4419 • www.houstonford.com
BOWL ‘EM OVER Congratulations CLASS OF 2016! Class of 2016!
• Homemade Pizza • Cosmic Bowling • Group Rates • Automatic Scoring
“A Lakes Area Top Ten Restaurant” — Midwest Weekends.com
PINE RIVER COMMUNITY
CLASS OF 2016
Serving Dinner at 4:00 pm White Board Specials, Thu-Fri-Sat Serving Breakfast Fri-Sat-Sun 6:30am - 11am Sunday Brunch 11-2pm Serving Prime Rib - Thu-Fri-Sat
218-829-4759•7669 College Road, Baxter w w w. h o l d e n e l e c t r i c . c o m
Congrats 2016 Grads!
On 371 & the Paul Bunyan Trail a mile south of the light in Pine River
Mon-Tue-Wed-Thur Open at 11 am, Open Fri-Sat-Sun at 6:30am • 218-587-2564
Bill, Tyler & Justin Sawyer
Congrats 2016 Graduates!!
Backus, MN
218-947-4032
001422152r1
… s n o i t a l u t a r g n o C
301 N.W. 6th St. • Brainerd 218-829-4721
001414394r1
TO ALL THE GRADUATES!
001419502r1
001419487r1
Stop In and Enjoy Our New Outdoor Patio’s! $6 Lunch Specials Mon-Fri Happy Hour 4-6 pm Mon-Fri 001419491r1
Downtown Pine River • 218-587-3100
001419508r1
Member of MN and National Pawn Brokers’ Association LOCALLY LICENSED
001419683r1
829-1345 855-0680
Hours: Mon.- Fri. 10 am - 5 pm Sat. 10 am - 2 pm
001421176r1
001428578r1
001419579r1
(218) 587-3373
Hwy. 371 North 522 C Street Baxter, MN Brainerd, MN
Bowl
Samantha Zollner
Best of Luck in the Future!
Kentucky Fried Chicken
CONGRATS & BEST WISHES GRADUATES
001419569r1
Hunter Tulenchik
GAS rds
Rewa
HWY 371 SOUTH PINE RIVER, MN 56474
218-587-2488
www.pineriverfamilymarket.com
S12
June 2, 2016
Graduation
Pequot Lakes High School senior Barbara Miller flips the tassel on Levi Palmer’s cap after Palmer received his diploma Friday, May 27.
PHOTO BY DAN DETERMAN
Michael Mathis, left, and Jack Harguth pose for a selfie after the Pequot Lakes High School graduation ceremony Friday, May 27.
001426390r1
Congratulations Graduates!
CONGRATS GRADS! 218-568-8448 PO Box 396 29279 State Hwy 371 Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
36184 County #66, Suite 211
Across from Zorbaz in Crosslake
(218) 692-2411 or cell (218) 830-9475 (can text too!)
Congratulations to the PLHS Graduates of 2016! Best of luck in your future! Congratulations Pequot Lakes and Pine River Graduates!
Wishing you success, Graduates of 2016!
Pequot Lakes: 30960 Government Dr.
Crosslake: 35280 County Rd 3
Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm
Mon.-Thurs. 9am-5pm
568-5555
001414355r2
218-568-8295
001428092r1
30957 Old Highway 371 Pequot Lakes, MN www.pequotlakesdentalcenter.com
were you
klicked?
692-4700
Best of Luck Graduates! 001419480r1
www.mikehamadupholstery.com
Mark Sherman, DDS and Matthew Rindal, DDS
001426383r1
001429393r1
PHOTO BY DAN DETERMAN
Grads are important members of our cooperative
Call For Appointment 218-587-2290 Open: Mon. - Fri. 8 am to 5 pm Hwy 371 S. (1 mi. So. of Pine River)
Congrats!! Best of Luck!
001414354r1
WWW.HYTECCONSTRUCTION.COM (218) 829-8529 • BRAINERD
15175 Edgewood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425
001414408r2
Congratulations Class of 2016! 001428572r1
218-828-1971
512 C Street, Unit B Brainerd, MN 56401 512 C Street NE 218-454-7267 Monday - Friday 9 AM to 8 PM Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM Sunday 11 AM to 4 PM
pineandlakes. Adult Haircut Partial Foils Haircut & Brow mycapture.com $11.99 $29.99 Shampoo Wax $10.99 $5.99 Includes Shampoo, Conditioning & Blow Dry Not valid with any other offer.
Not valid with any other offers or coupons. Expires: 6/30/16
218-454-7267
Fantastic Sams of Baxter
Partial Highlight
Not valid with any other offer.
Not valid with any other offers or coupons. 6/30/16
15175 Edgewood Dr 218-828-1971 www.fantasticsams.com M - F 9am - 8pm Sat. 9am - 5pm Sun. 11am - 4pm
Chelating Treatment
Baxter Super One Foods 7895 Excelsior Rd. Baxter MN. 56425 (218) 828-2160 Walker Super One Foods 701 Michigan Ave. Walker, MN 56484 (218) 547-1624
7 Foil
$9.99 Highlight
$19.99
Conditioning Treatment
Additional foils & colors extra Not valid with any other offers or coupons. 6/30/16
Most salons independently owned and operated. ©2014 Fantastic Sams Franchise Corporation
www.FantasticSams.com
h media and Dispatct lists to the The Echo important staffs at both ation project.adjusting their accoun 2012. More was dedicated the consolid with the ing l budget in employees. become more h soon be r, I thank thesacrifices made When the medallion is found, the winner its financia per consultants will specialization and Echo Publish the As publishe and Dispatc staff is about and reached and advertisers, a small-town newspa Dispatch forh Echo Publishing’s e. The Echo should bring the medallion to Lake Country and online promote industry we still Echo and communities. for our readers n its standard as both print DE Althoug territory coverag years ago, lakes area changes in and Cones on County Road 66 in efficient in will be cross-sellingwill work together as each week. consolidation.it was just seven able to maintai represents our ionsCrafts some key 2006, we that sales staffs combined staffs half the sizeproduce quality publicat Crosslake for a prize package worth hun-r of the operation In The ing has made and membe of directors, I s to offer with products. continue to Echo Publish an eye on the future. s with the ch/Echo). dreds from these e journalist I merchants; 66 Marine board ng service and total with the our product Media (Dispat Association ns around the state. As a longtim ed marketi m website s recent years the distribution of conversion, expand North, BlackRidge Bank, Crosslake ging lakes.co Newspaper have We pineand al product Minnesota the newspaper operatio nity newspapers. was a challend are now at an consolidated designed s. Our tradition Although it s, featureSchool, Crosslake Drug, our newly without commu Community support all ing service especially the popular of Dispatch. complaints per thousan Publishing become nity imagine life on government activitie ful, Echo Crosslake Goodwill, Crosslake/Fifty Lakes average commu carrier media consult an for couldn’t e mail, success n circulation rate. It also helped be report reaches tion betwee continue to Who would provide coverag American Legion, Judy’s House of Gifts, Shopper that admirable lities and teams? with its distribu Echoland-Pipereach week. area persona Lake Country Crafts & Cones, Lakes Area more diverse store dealer copies. Hub” in 2009 by local athletic ota 21,000 homes events and delivery andcreated a “Minnes h graphic arts Gallery & Frame Shoppe, Manhattan’s, website was lakes.com improvement We also jobs while and Dispatc Online for Maucieri’s, Moonlite Bay, Moonlite Square, the Echo . n of our pineand to save local to design combining The redesig ted. The update allows g news updates The goal was similar work Riverside Inn, Seaberg Motorsports, ents. breakin taking lly departm especia recently comple pers were . Whitefish Lodge and Suites, Zorbaz and l coverage, many newspa parts of the country departments at Echo in editoria for key ers: hubs in other is an update readers and advertis g Followin our Crosslake WinterFest will also feature a that affect Publishing
worth it ping: it's Winter cam
S ATION Kids Coloring Contest. Participants may
PERKOL
Writer
Dan Determan
COVERING THE NEWS OF
• 8 p.m.: Fireworks display. • 6-8 p.m.: Meat raffle and food specials at Crosslake/Fifty Lakes American Legion. • 8 p.m.: Live comedy, “Peter Hefty & Friends,” at Pine Peaks Retreat and Event Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with Maucieri’s food buffet. • 8-10 p.m.: Trivia contest at Zorbaz. • 10 p.m.: Close DJ “JP” of PremierPartyEntertainment.com at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant. Saturday, Feb. 2 • 7:30 a.m.-noon: Crosslake Firefighters Pancake Breakfast at Crosslake Lutheran Church. • 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Trivia contest at Andy’s Liquor, Bar and Restaurant.
• Staff Kate Perkins a sweating before a sauna inside. hard and my exhaustion life back into g it can be also bring I was working despite stove crankin stove will that was whenstuck with me, and falling asleep. brand of A warm woodwinter campers. fun. It sounds I should have bed. The chillfor a long time before sound like There’s the most popular of weary warm that g doesn’t I’ll say it again, cold. is perhaps only ones out there. ing the e group I lay awaketechnique to staying have changed all my an absolut and, Winter campin the Snowtrekker dry; they miserable camping is they’re not your own and purchas should There’s completely eating situation. I cold, snowy,the right gear, winter hot tent, but of sewing that used in that to ensure they were is nt piece But with also heard also the option on the ice and the most importa clothes again barely damp. I’ve help to stay warm crisp night stove. just f, perhaps of a cold, sky just seems clearer for very lowg pad were only sleeping peanuts, can enjoy yoursel g bag that’s rated the The stillness like To warm sleepin ow, a in good snacks, up Someh many other a sleepin some a really and sing, to get a worth the unmatched. night. of gear is brighter. Bundledto the ice shift coupled with opinion, it’s good least 20 or ice. through the night of cold was well else. listening In my the stars shine can the snow temperatures, ture at anywhere cold nose, The one a couple). camping ongetting the right stuff My for a tempera in. maybe g bag with a peace I’ve never felting I ever thought I (or enjoyed rated (and that’s be sleepin , I’ll nights I’ve special. It’s I gave it good gear is a sort of sleeping bag than what you’llrated for 0 degrees g isn’t someth ing before camping is nearly guarantee If you have h), winter four-season bag is Winter campin I can a lot of convinc degrees colder g was in a not far some researc is that if the ever done. and it took you never and higher. some take ing nce campin you’ve g ears degrees would do, someth experie night winter give you you’re with our able at 20 unlike anythinsee or experience pads) will If a go. My first Lacs, and we slept be comfort Don’t g pad (or your bag. we that you will out there. The sleepin n the snow and night, but tent on Mille d to one filled car and get inside that betwee have before. tures s (as oppose h foam pad pack up the from the ice.the option of going insulation out tempera air mattres half-inc Bundle up, you. day I found slept warm and cozy We had stop add anotherce when it comes to using a simple to. The next but I or down), let the cold didn’t need to 8 below zero, with foam make a big differen in. and It’ll held it. had dropped camping, heat the tent son tent, below . while winter all night. warmth a four-sea d at how much cold once I was surpriseto go a step up fromhave canvas walls I’ve only been want lly these with the But, if you outside, but great. Genera hot tents are stove. It can be frigid and a wood
Not valid with any other offer.
001428618r1
Fantastic Sam's of Brainerd
January
Pequot Lakes High School one-act play, “Any Suspicious Activity,” 7 p.m., PLHS auditorium Back to Hack, Hackensack PAMDA Penguin Plunge, noon, Birch Lake, Hackensack
PTA preparing for March 1 carnival; donations sought for silent auction; button sales start Feb. 1
middle school and renova /high school additio Hirsch for GLAPA. ns board approvtions project, • Appro and routine constred $1,284,868.3 the Peterson, ved the contract for Teri 7 in a speech uction bond ment. disburse- student need; andpathologist, due to Carl Borlei the In other s, Adult Basiccontract for business board: teache Monday, Education the with r, for up to four • Agreed hour per additional to meet at week a future date and funding. hours based on need • Hired Courtn ey Barnet t, para
From Pag e 3A
resignation Board and from the Library Ander son appointed David Mark Hallan and Orasko Longnecker and John Comm vich to the PlanniJim commission for three-y terms to ng and ission. ear that board his input with Hallan Akerson was valuab to expire said Hallan Akers served previo had appoin on opposed le. • Appointed the tments Cheri Seils, preferred to usly and he • Reapp . Oraskovich appoint Seils, ointed Jurchen and Mark Allen to keep diversi Steven Develo to the Econo pment Comm mic ty. Mayor ission said Hallan Nancy Adams through Dec. 31, 2015. brings an • Appoi engi nted Cathy Malecha and three-year Craig Nagel to terms on the Park Commission through 31, 2015, Dec. and Bonicatto’s accepted Patti resignation that comm from ission. Pete
CROSSLAKE, BREEZY POINT & PEQUOT LAKES
Schools PTA Spring Carnival.
Elementary School will transform into an “Under the Sea” adventure. The PTA is working hard to make a big splash for the entire family to enjoy a full night of games, crafts, food, raffle baskets, face painting, crazy hair, silent auction and the entertainment corner. Childhood Family Education group for the school of little fish.
door. They are being sold at Lakes Latté (Pequot Lakes), Super America (Pequot Lakes), Little People Learning Center (Breezy Point) or Eagle View Elementary School/ECFE. opportunity to win a free book, participate in