Leader|aug 27|2008

W E D N E S D AY, A U G U S T 2 7 , 2 0 0 8 • V O L U M E 7 6 • N O . 1 • 2 S E C T I O N S • 8 , 0 0 0 C O P I E S • S E C T I O N A

W E E K E N D W AT CH :

• Lions yard sale @ Siren • Town & Country Days @ Shell Lake • Demo derby @ Balsam Lake • Frederic Depot White Elepant Sale • Veterans dinner fundraiser @ Milltown • Pancake breakfast @ The Forts • Interfaith Caregivers sale @ Webster See Coming events and stories

Leader INTER-COUNTY

Serving Northwest Wisconsin

$1

Mother, daughter survive plane crash Amery family loses father, son in Guatemala tragedy that claims 10 lives

Big cuts for highway, human services

PAGE 2

Up clo se an d per son al

Finance backs home health elimination; Polk budget still $254,000 short PAGE 5

Burnett County will cut back senior meals starting in September

Estimated savings of $37,000 in 2009 PAGE 6

Motorcyclist airlifted First accident leads to second PAGE 2

Mosquito-borne encephalitis case confirmed in Polk PAGE 3

SPO RTS Unit y/Luck te nnis off t o s winging s tar t

See SPORTS

Getting up close to a goat gave 2-year-old Jordan Java the giggles last Thursday at the Burnett County fair. Jordan is the daughter of Hank and Kari Java of Grantsburg. More photos in Currents section. - Photo

by Priscilla Bauer

Grantsburg woman survives lightning strike at Great Wall of China Tracy Stewart one of 20 tourists knocked unconscious by strike

CHINA - A 27-year-old teacher from Grantsburg teaching in Suzhou, China - and a friend, were among 20 people rendered unconscious and temporarily paralyzed by a bolt of lightning that struck one of the watchtowers on the Great Wall of China, Thursday, Aug. 14.

Tracy Stewart was among a group of tourists touring the Great Wall when a severe thunderstorm moved in, bringing torrential rains that sent tourists scrambling for cover.

Tracy Stewart Stewart said she and her friend were among 20 people who took shelter in one of the towers. A lightning strike rendered all of them unconscious.

“I vaguely remember the lightning bolt, a bright light, slicing through the window to my right and a deafening loud bang,” noted Stewart. “However, the most horrifying and vivid memory from that day was when I opened my eyes after the building was struck.

Everyone was on the ground scattered about like bowling pins and many motionless.”

Stewart said the lower right quadrant of her

See Lightning strike, page 3

This photo shows the storm on the Great Wall of China, just before the lightning bolt struck at one of the watchtowers - Photo by Tracy Stewart

The Inter-County Leader is a cooperative-owned newspaper

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

Leader

Serving Northwest Wisconsin

A cooperative-owned newspaper, the Inter-County Leader is published every Wednesday by the Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association, Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837. Second Class postage paid at Frederic, WI 54837.

MANAGER Doug Panek dougpanek@centurytel.net EDITOR Gary B. King, Editor gbking@centurytel.net STAFF Nancy Jappe njappe@centurytel.net Tammi Milberg tammi@centurytel.net Marty Seeger mseeger@centurytel.net Brenda Sommerfeld brendals@centurytel.net Sherill Summer the-leader@centurytel.net Gregg Westigard greggw@lakeland.ws Carl Heidel cheidel389@centurytel.net Priscilla Bauer the-leader@centurytel.net EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Raelynn Hunter rael@centurytel.net

HOW TO REACH US

Mother, daughter, survive plane crash in Guatemala Amery family loses father, son in crash

AMERY/GUATEMALA - Two Amery residents were among five Americans killed Sunday, in the crash of a small plane in Guatemala.

Ten people, total, died in the crash and four other Americans were injured, including Sarah Jensen, 19, of Amery, who suffered minor bruises.

Jensen told the Associated Press that her family was headed to a village in El Estor to help build a school for CHOICE Humanitarian, a group based in West Jordan, Utah.

Jensen’s brother and father were killed in the crash, and her mother, April, 41, suffered serious burns and cuts. She underwent surgery Sunday evening and was flown to to a Twin Cities hospital Monday evening. Jessica accompanied her.

Zach, 17, was going into his senior year at Amery High School. Roger Jensen, 48, worked as a maintenance manager for Smyth Companies, a printing company in St. Paul, Minn.

The family was described as good peo-

Roger Jensen and his son, Zach, died in a plane crash Sunday in Guatemala.

Jensen’s wife, April (second from right) and daughter, Sarah, were injured but survived. The family’s neighbor, Evonne Moore, provided this photo to KARE 11 News. – Photo courtesy KARE 11 News ple who kept to themselves but were kind and personable, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Army and aviation officials said the plane crashed in a farm field in eastern Guatemala, 60 miles from Guatemala City. The pilot said the Cessna CE-208 turboprop carrying the humanitarian group developed engine trouble about 45 minutes after takeoff and he attempted to make an emergency landing.

Investigators from the National

SCRMC rooftop helipad nearing completion

Web page: www.the–leader.net E-mail: the-leader@centurytel.net (send all news releases here)

Subscription concerns: subscriptions@centurytel.net Advertisements: addept@centurytel.net Deadline for ads and copy: 10 a.m. Tuesdays

OFFICES Frederic

P.O. Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837 (M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

715-327-4236 Fax - 715-327-4117 (news copy) Fax - 715-327-4870 (ad copy)

Siren

24154 State Road 35, Siren, WI 54872 (M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

715-349-2560 Fax - 715-349-7442

St. Croix Falls

Box 338, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024 (M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

715-483-9008 Fax - 715-483-1420

How to subscribe:

The Inter-County Leader [ISS No. 87509091] is published weekly. Subscription prices are $32/yr. in Polk and Burnett counties; $36/yr. in Barron, Chisago, Washburn, St. Croix counties; $39/yr. anywhere in the United States $22/yr. for servicemen or women; $22/yr. for students or schools (9 months). Payment is needed before we can start the subscription. No refunds on subscriptions. Persons may subscribe online at www.the-leader.net, write us at Inter-County Leader, Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837, or stop by one of our three offices.

Board of directors Vivian Byl, chair Charles Johnson Harvey Stower Merlin Johnson Janet Oachs

An award-winning newspaper Member

• National Newspaper Association • Wisconsin Newspaper Association

The Inter-County Leader is a qualified newspaper for the publication of legal notices, meeting the requirements as set forth in Chapter 985.03 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Every government official or board that handles public money should publish at regular intervals an accounting of it, showing where and how each dollar is spent. We hold this to be a fundamental principle of democratic government. Publisher reserves right to reject any advertisement or news release or letter of opinion at any time.

Transportation Safety Board were on their way Tuesday to Cabanas, Guatemala, to assist in the investigation of the crash.

April Jensen was listed in serious condition Monday at Hennepin County Medical Center’s burn center.

A Roger Jensen Memorial Fund has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank.

Contributions can be mailed or taken to any Wells Fargo bank. – Gary King with information from Associated Press

Workers from FEC Heliports, who have designed, manufactured, and installed more rooftop helipads than any other company worldwide, are pictured here installing a safety screen around the new helipad on the roof of St. Croix Regional Medical Center. – Photo submitted

ST. CROIX FALLS – “In case anyone was wondering why there’s still construction happening at St. Croix Regional Medical Center, and more specifically, why a large crane has been hoisting enormous steel I-beams and other heavy materials to the hospital’s roof, we’re excited to have nearly completed our new helipad,” said Lenny Libis, SCRMC’s CEO. With nearly 80 helicopter transports a year, the medical center’s new helipad will reduce the turnaround time for patients with critical injuries or illnesses that require the services of a trauma or heart center. “One of our goals is to provide excellent physicians in a wide array of specialties to the communities we serve,” explained Libis, “and this helipad will let us give our patients quicker access to critical-care and heart specialists.”

Two very generous grants helped make this life-saving helipad a reality. The Medical Center received a $250,000 grant from the Hardenbergh Foundation of North Oaks, Minn.

According to Jeff Peterson, the foundation’s executive director, the grant was given “based on the extraordinary need and the special service the construction of the helipad will bring to the community.” SCRMC also received a $1 million grant from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation to aid in helipad construction. - submitted

Motorcyclist airlifted following accident near Clam Falls POLK COUNTY – A 52-year-old St. Croix Falls man was airlifted to a Twin Cities hospital early Sunday evening, Aug. 24, for treatment of injuries sustained when he lost control of his motorcycle.

Keith A. Engdahl was one of more than 100 motorcyclists in a group traveling south on CTH I, on a curve approximately a quarter mile north of Clam Falls Drive, approximately seven miles east of Frederic.

Another rider in the group, Brock Tulgren, 33, Osceola, had lost control and went into the ditch, and others in the group began slowing down when Engdahl locked his brakes and lost control, rolling his Harley-Davidson over on the highway and being thrown over it.

Engdahl was airlifted by Life Link Air Ambulance. Tulgren received injuries to his leg.

A report filed by a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy states that there was a presence of alcohol in the Engdahl accident but no test was given at the scene.

The accident occurred around 6 p.m.

No further information on the condition of Engdahl was available at press time. – Gary King with information from Polk County Sheriff’s Department

EMS personnel prepare Keith Engdahl for transport to a Twin Cities hospital, Sunday afternoon. Life Link air ambulance landed near the scene. - Photo from Polk County Sheriff’s Dept.

Briefly Our gratitude to those Leader readers who have subscribed to our e-edition in its first six months of operation. If you’re planning to attend college or head to your winter home down south, don’t forget to give our e-edition a try. You can subscribe at our Web site at www.the-leader.net ••• SIREN - Meghan Baasch, Siren’s First Princess, has been selected to participate in the Miss Teen Wisconsin pageant taking place on Sept. 20-21. - submitted ••• POLK COUNTY - Has the cost of gas left your wallet empty? The Red Cross is offering a chance at winning gas cards worth $250, $500, $750 or $1,000. Tickets are $10. Drawings are: Aug. 30 - 6 p.m. $250 gas card; Oct. 21 - 8 a.m. - $500 gas card; Nov. 18 - 6 p.m. - $750 gas card; and Dec. 16 - 8 a.m. - $1,000 gas card. If you win the Aug. 30 drawing, your name goes back in for all the other drawings. If you’re lucky, you could win all four gas cards.

You can purchase your winning ticket at the Balsam Lake Red Cross office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., MondayFriday. All proceeds benefit programs and services of your local St. Croix Valley Chapter American Red Cross. For tickets or more information contact 715-485-3025.

- from Polk County Chapter of Red Cross ••• OSCEOLA - St. Croix ArtBarn Theatre will hold auditions for the Jeff Daniel’s hunting comedy, “Escanaba in da Moonlight,” Thursday, Sept. 4, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., 1040 Oak Ridge Drive, Osceola, east of the middle and high schools. Five adult men are needed; there is one small female role. Audition materials will be provided. Rehearsals will be in the evening.

Production dates are weekends late October at ArtBarn and then in November at The SPACE in New Richmond. For more information call 715-294-2787 or visit www.stcroixartbarn.com. - submitted ••• MADISON – Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen will be hosting five free seminars across the state of Wisconsin to promote public awareness of and compliance with the state’s open meetings and public records law, including a meeting in Eau Claire, Oct. 10. Each seminar is free and open to the public, though registration is required due to limited seating.

Individuals are invited to register at the Wisconsin Department of Justice Web site at www.doj.state.wi.us. They may also register by submitting an e-mail to registration@doj.state.wi.us or by calling the Department of Justice at 608-267-2220.

Registrants should provide their name, title, organization or agency, and identify the seminar they wish to attend. - from the office of the state attorney general ••• OSCEOLA - Friends of the Osceola Library, Inc., will hold a used book sale at the library, 102 Chieftain St. N, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, in conjunction with the annual Wheels and Wings celebration and the Osceola Community Fair. Books for sale include a wide variety of titles in fiction and nonfiction, hardcover and paperback Look for special deals on quantity purchases to restock your personal library for fall and winter reading enjoyment. Come early for best selection. All proceeds go toward library programs and acquisitions. - from Osceola Public Library ••• LATE OBITUARY NOTICE: Lee O. West, 70, Siren, died Monday, Aug. 25. He is survived by his two children: Annette West of Siren and Todd (Michelle) West of Suamico.

A memorial service is being planned for the future. Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson and Countryside Crematory of Baldwin. 715-386-3725. Full obituary in a later edition. - submitted

E-mail us @ the-leader@centurytel.net

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 3

LaCrosse encephalitis confirmed in Polk County

POLK COUNTY – There have been two confirmed cases of LaCrosse Viral Encephalitis in Polk County this summer. LAC is a mosquito-borne disease of long standing in Wisconsin. This disease has posed lasting health consequences for residents in over 30 states of the eastern and central United States.

Most of the identified clinical cases involve children, although an increasing number of adult cases have been recognized. Symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, lethargy, nausea, muscle ache, vomiting, convulsions and, in some cases, death.

LAC is a severe disease of the brain and spinal cord spread to humans the bite of female through Ochlerotatus triseriatus mosquito, a native mosquito species throughout the United States. This type of mosquito has been identified in Polk County and uses tires and other containers as

habitat.

Eliminating artificial breeding sites is the most effective and economical method of reducing the habitat and lowering the incidence of LAC. Tires and containers should be stored so they do not collect water or be properly disposed of within 10 days. Empty, remove, cover or turn upside down any receptacle that could hold water and keep wanted tires inside or under cover. Holes can be drilled in the bottom and sides of old tires to allow water to drain.

Allowing the collection of water in tree holes, artificial containers and unrimmed tires will act as mosquito habitat.

If you would like more information on this or any other health or environmental concern, please call the Polk County Health Department at 715-4858500. - submitted

Lightning strike/from page 1 back and right foot were numb. She feared the feeling may not return, but her attention was quickly diverted to victims with greater concerns.

“I was able to offer my assistance and comfort to other victims because I was blessed with only temporary impairment,” she said.

A friend traveling with Stewart had all the hair singed off of one of his legs and a hole burned through his sock.

According to The Province (canada.com), Dr. Khati Hendry and Sally Kilburg of Summerland, Canada, were also visiting the Great Wall that day.

Authorities closed the gondola they were traveling in, and they were forced to walk back down the wall in the storm.

“Sheets of rain were coming down – it was torrential,” said Kilburg, 57.

“Then we heard a strike of thunder that sounded really close. It made all of us stop talking. It sounded like an explosion.”

During a slight break in the storm, the pair decided to make a run for the next tower where a shocking scene awaited them.

“It looked like people were napping on the ground, until we saw the Chinese fellow with blood all around his head,” Kilburg said. “Then we real-

ized that the tower, had been hit by lightning with about 20 people inside.”

Family practitioner Hendry, 57, and Kilburg set about helping the injured, many of whom couldn’t stand or were having seizures.

Police with stretchers arrived about 45 minutes after the strike.

Also struck by lightning during the storm were the family of David Florence, Britain’s silver medal-winning canoeist and Darren Wargo, a freelance videographer with NBC. Stewart and her friend were treated and released later that day. She called her parents, Cindy and Brian Stewart of Falun, to tell them she was fine.

“I wanted to call them right away. I didn’t want them to worry,” she said.

“There were a lot of television cameras there, and I thought they (parents) might have seen me being taken to the ambulance on the news.”

Other than feeling “really tired,” Stewart said she and her friends have made a full recovery. “We were lucky really lucky,” she said. “It is still hard to believe I can say I have been struck by lightning and survived!” – Gary King with information form Canada.com.

Priscilla Bauer contributed to this story

Accomplice in bank robbery a high school sports star BURNETT COUNTY - One of the young men charged in connection with the robbery of Bremer Bank in Danbury earlier this month was a high school baseketball star, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Reporter Rhoda Fukishima reports that Anthony Joseph DiLoreto, 18, Minnetonka, Minn. has been charged in DiLoreto Burnett County Circuit Court with robbery of a financial institution as party to a crime and possession of a short-barrel shotgun.

The 7-foot-tall DiLoreto had been starting center for Hopkins and had won a scholarship to a west coast college. He and a 16-year-old "acquaintance" from Hopkins robbed the bank Aug. 16. DiLoreto is accused of being the getaway driver.

DiLoreto was brought to the Burnett County Jail from the Hennepin County Jail this week appeared at a bail hearing, Tuesday. His initial appearance is tentatively set for Sept.

12.

The 16-year-old is at a juvenile detention center in Eau Claire but is set to make an appearance in Burnett County Court next week. It is unknown whether authorities will attampt to waive him into adult court.

DiLoreto told authorities he and the 16-year-old planned the robbery the day before. The 16-year-old said it was his idea, and DiLoreto agreed to it.

DiLoreto would wait in the car while his friend followed employees into the bank, robbed them, herded them into the vault and duct-taped them.

According to the Pioneer Press report, they retrieved DiLoreto's shotgun hidden in some trees at a Minnetonka park. They stuck it behind the back seat of DiLoreto 's car.

Once they got to Danbury, the pair killed time by driving around Danbury and looking at the bank.

They parked at a house, the 16-yearold left the car and told DiLoreto to wait there, and that he would be back.

DiLoreto got worried and walked into the bank and talked to a teller about opening a student account and then left and drove to the Log Cabin Store where he put gas in his car but then drove off without paying.

On his way back to the bank, he saw a squad car with its lights on and decided to flee, driving back to the Cities.

The 16-year-old, who was sitting in some tall grass on the west side of the bank, went ahead with the plan, and was apologetic when he walked into the bank and demanded money while cocking the shotgun.

He walked out with the money, didn’t see the getaway car and began walking west on Hwy. 77 out of Danbury. Police caught up to him about 45 minutes later. - with information from Pioneer Press

Tax credit with STEP

A watchtower on the Great Wall of China, where lightning struck as tourists stood in it to escape a violent storm. - Photo by Tracy Stewart

FREDERIC – Local senior citizens are being invited to take a bite out of their property taxes by taking part in the Senior Tax Exchange Program.

A meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. at the Frederic Elementary School or interested persons may call the school at 327-4221 and ask for Kelly Steen.

The program is for persons who are age 62 or older, on social security and own property in the Frederic School District. Those who qualify could earn a $400 property tax credit. – with submitted information

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

District goals approved at Siren School’s annual meeting

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – At the suggestion of Diane Lund, voters at the Siren School annual meeting Monday, Aug. 25, put adoption of the district’s 2008-2009 goals at the top of the list of resolutions up for approval. “This is our school’s main mission,” Lund commented.

Eight goals have now been set, including: 1) Maintaining the current level of programs and staffing. 2) Emphasizing safety and security of all students and staff. 3) Building a positive school climate. 4) Informing parents and community about school activities.

5) Designating a specific area or grade level each year for additional curriculum funding. 6) Targeting funds to improve educational facilities for a different subject area or grade each year. 7) Providing examples of district finance management to district residents. 8) Emphasizing student achievement and keeping test scores at or above the state average in all areas.

The total tax levy for the 2008-2009 school year of $4,661,587 was approved.

This includes a mill rate of 0.01014953, as opposed to the previous year’s mill rate of .00946604, an increase of 7.27 percent.

The budget for the coming year shows a deficit of $40,006 in Fund 10, the district’s general fund. The fund balance, according to district administrator Scott Johnson, is now within the 21-percent range of the operating budget, which is considered very healthy and significant. Building up that fund balance has taken five years, and Johnson urged the district to work hard to maintain the current level of funding.

Because there have been no increases during the past several years, district voters approved raising the salary for the board president, treasurer and clerk from $45 per meeting to $55, the remaining members from $40 to $50 per meeting, and the daily expense allowance for travel out of the district from $75 to $85. One voter was opposed to this increase.

Resolutions approved by district voters included: Authorizing accident insurance for students, control of legal

Karen Howe was elected to chair the Siren School District annual meeting held Monday, Aug. 25, in the school IMC. District goals for 20082009 were approved as the first resolution to come before district voters, as well as a change in salary payment and out-of-town allowance for school board members. A tax levy of $4,661,587, with mill rate of .01014953, up from last year’s mill rate of .00946604, a 7.27-percent increase, was approved. – Photo by Nancy Jappe proceedings, sale of not-needed school property, providing transportation for students living less than two miles from school, purchase of real estate and designating Community Bank-Siren as the district depository.

Textbooks and school lunches will continue to be provided to Siren students. A district budget of $7,692,430 for 2008-2009 was approved. Jake Mangelsen was appointed as the school board member on the Wall of Honor Committee, and Wayne Koball will continue as 7-12 faculty representative.

The audit report from LarsonAllen LLP was presented with no problems noted. The report will be available in the district office for public review.

The next annual meeting of the district will be held the fourth Monday of August 2009.

Boat theft arranged to collect insurance money

Two Osceola men face charges

POLK COUNTY – Two Osceola men face felony charges of conspiracy to commit theft by fraud after they arranged for a $15,000 boat owned by one of the men to be stolen – so insurance money could be collected.

According to a report filed with the district attorney’s office, Caroll W. Ebert, 60, and Josef W. “Mojo” Jacques, conspired in the crime, and they also face potential charges of theft by fraud and obstructing justice.

A criminal complaint states that Ebert admitted to police he was having a difficult time selling his boat and was approached by his neighbor, Jacques, numerous times with the offer to steal the boat from him so he could collect the insurance money. Ebert’s son was also allegedly involved in the negotiations between Ebert and Jacques in planning the theft.

Police were notified by the son Aug. 17 that his father’s boat – a 2004 Smoker Craft 171 Proangler with a Johnson 115horsepower motor and trailer – was missing. Caroll Ebert then reported the theft to his insurance company, Progressive.

Because the theft appeared suspicious, Osceola officers interviewed Ebert and his son on the morning of Aug. 18. Both denied knowing anything other than the boat had been stolen, but Caroll “looked as though he was thinking very heavily and it was obvious there was something he wanted to say but did not,” the police report stated.

Monday afternoon, police received a tip from an anonymous male who reported that Jacques and another man had taken the boat for an insurance claim scam. The boat was believed to be either in the New Richmond area or in Minnesota.

Police again interviewed Ebert’s son and arrested him for obstructing and took him to the Osceola Police Department for a Mirandized, recorded interview. The son confessed details of the scam to police. He said Jacques called him the day after the boat was stolen and said, “Here’s your kickback for the boat,” holding out a baggy containing meth. He said he told Jacques he did not want the meth but would take $100 to $200. Jacques allegedly told the younger Ebert that the boat had been taken to the Twin Cities. – Gary King with information from Polk County Sheriff’s Dept.

Bloodmobile dates

BALSAM LAKE – Summer is coming to an end, but the need for blood isn’t.

Please donate at one of the following sites.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment you can contact your local Red Cross Office by calling Terry at 715-485-3025.

Friday, Aug. 29 – Wal-Mart, St. Croix Falls, 9 – 2 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 15 – Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Amery, noon – 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 16 – Our Savior’s

Lutheran Church, Amery, noon – 6 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 18 – St. Luke’s Methodist Church, Frederic, 1 – 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 19 – St. Luke’s Methodist Church, Frederic, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 24 – Fristad Lutheran Church, Centuria, noon – 6 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 29 – American Legion Post #143, St. Croix Falls, 12:30 – 6:30 p.m. - submitted

Luck teachers retire

Obey behind Biden

STATEWIDE – Even before Barack Obama announced he had chosen U.S. Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate, Wisconsin Congressman Dave Obey was in support.

When asked by a Wisconsin Public Radio reporter who he felt would make a good running mate for Obama, he said Biden would be a “terrific” choice.

The veteran congressman also said this presidential election will be decided on the issues as much as the candidates.

“Somebody who understands that the

middle class is being squeezed, and it’s about time that we put them at the front of the train,” says Obey. “When you’ve got $51 billion in tax cuts for the millionaires that are going into effect this year, but people can’t afford health care and can’t afford to send their kids to college, something’s screwed up.”

Obey says Biden of Delaware would be “terrific.” – with information from Wisconsin Public Radio

Two injured in boating accident

by Regan Kohler SHELL LAKE – Two people were injured in a boating accident Saturday, Aug. 23, around 7:45 p.m., on the north end of Shell Lake.

Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden Phil Dorn said a boat operated by Peter Turner, Dunn County, collided with a stationary boat occupied by Brendan and Cindy Tupa, Plymouth, Minn. Dorn said Turner and Cindy Tupa sustained injuries and were taken to the Indianhead Medical Center.

Tupa was later transferred to Rice

Lake’s hospital, while Turner was flown to Eau Claire. Tupa’s husband was not injured, according to Dorn. Both Tupa and Turner were discharged from the hospital, he said.

The Cumberland DNR, which is Dorn’s branch, along with the Shell Lake Police Department, the Washburn County Sheriff’s Department and emergency first responders, were on the scene to assist the boaters.

Dorn said the incident is still under investigation.

The 2008 school year was the final one for three Luck teachers who retired with more than a combined total of 100 years in the classroom. The three teachers are shown (L to R): Jackie Cardinal, middle school and elementary reading; Carol Winchell, family and consumer education; and Barbara Petersen, 11th- and 12th-grade English. – Photo by Lori Nelson

Follow the Leader.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 5

Big cuts for highway, human services

Finance backs home health elimination; Polk budget still $254,000 short

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – The Polk County Highway and Human Services departments took the biggest hits last Thursday when the finance committee of the Polk County Board made its first round of recommended adjustments to the 2009 budget requests.

Each of the departments was requested to reduce its budget by $500,000 for a total of half the $2,168,000 adjustments the committee made.

The Aug. 21 meeting, which started at 4 p.m. and ended at 1 a.m., still came up $254,000 short in its effort to create a balanced budget.

Despite discussions about eliminating unmandated services and cutting entire programs rather than making incremental cuts, the finance committee made only scattered suggested adjustments to other departments.

Specific staffing cuts were recommended in the extension, human services, information technology, and land and water resources budgets. Other larger adjustments were suggested in the aging, clerk of courts, public protection, buildings, and regional planning budgets.

Finance supported the personnel committee’s recommendation to eliminate the home health care program in the public health department. That service to homebound residents in need of nursing services is the only entire program targeted to be cut. As the budget now stands, there will be no new positions in any department for 2009. One position in the district attorney’s office will be upgraded.

All the recommendations will be sent to the departments and governing committees. In addition, the personnel com-

mittee will look at new staffing adjustment ideas. Revised budgets will be reviewed in September. Appeals will be heard in early October. The county board approves staffing plans and a preliminary budget in mid-October and the November board meeting adopts a budget and sets the property tax levy.

Highway department The highway department is requested to cut its overall levy request by $500,000, with no suggestions on where to make the cuts. The department had earlier reported that rapidly rising costs for road construction and fuel have eaten into the funds for the five-year road improvement plan.

Human services The human services department was also requested to cut $500,000 in costs.

The committee compared the department’s per capita costs to the costs for comparable counties. Finance also recommended that a position that had been grant funded be eliminated rather than be established as a permanent position. That cut would save an additional $55,000.

Extension department: The suggestion here is to review administrative staffing levels to find a reduction of $51,000.

Information technology: Finance recommends eliminating one Information Specialist due to increased technological efficiencies for a savings of $64,000.

Aging department The aging department is requested to use $50,000 in other revenues and make $16,000 in operating cuts in senior van transportation expenses.

Clerk of court: This department is getting a recommended $113,500 cut in its budget. The funds would come from raising fees and reducing operations costs. Funds for office remodeling are

eliminated and a possible part-time staffing increase will be reviewed.

Land and water resources: A reduction of one staff position is requested, citing contracted services to other counties and the closing of water shed projects.

Law enforcement: The sheriff’s department is asked to cut $171,000 by raising fees, reducing the proposed fuel expense increase and considering staffing vacancies.

Parks and buildings: Finance recommends that the department take another look at selling the “highly valuable” recycling center property and moving that operation. It also recommends setting up a Friends of the Parks group to provide volunteer help. In addition, the

department is asked to revise utility and fuel expenses.

Public health: The elimination of home health is supported with a request to see how quickly the program can be phased out. Only one of two fiscal positions in that program would be retained.

Regional planning: The 2009 funding for the information center and economic development would be reduced and funding for involvement in two regional development programs would be eliminated.

Lime quarry: Finance wants the lime quarry committee to research automating the quarry to maximize efficiency and increase revenue. Sale of the quarry would be the last option.

Faith Kelly and the Stowaway Band at Overlook, Friday Faith Kelly & The Stowaway Band will perform this Friday, Aug. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the scenic Overlook in St. Croix Falls. The performance is free to the public and is the last of the summer series of Music on the Overlook programming.

Faith Kelley and The Stowaway Band are a Twin Cities group who will perform a selection of both country and rock music on Friday evening. The Overlook is located on Washington St., across from the Festival Theatre in downtown St. Croix Falls. Music on the Overlook is organized by the St. Croix Falls Chamber of Commerce and paid for by St. Croix Falls area businesses, the St. Croix Falls BID, and the city of St. Croix Falls. Questions can be directed to Shelley Staeven at the St. Croix Falls Chamber of Commerce: 715-483-3580, or by e-mail: info@scfwi.com. - Special photo

Siren School shows healthy fund balance

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – After five years of building up, the fund balance (financial protection against emergency expenditures) for the Siren School District has reached a healthy level. In the budget hearing prior to the district’s annual meeting Monday, Aug. 25, district administrator Scott Johnson said that the fund balance is within 21 percent of the district’s operating budget, a figure that is considered healthy and very significant.

Johnson urged the district to work hard to maintain that current level of funding.

“We are in the fifth year of referendum for an additional $250,000. These dollars helped us build the fund balance and restore positions in the district to a healthy state, unlike many other districts right now,” Johnson said.

“In the last few years, we have projected a deficit budget,” he continued.

“Our job is to come up with a balanced budget, have money left at the end of the year and try not to end in the red.

The projection for the budget for the end of the 2008-2009 school year shows a deficit of $40,006. Main sources of revenue for the district include 60 percent

Siren School District Administrator Scott Johnson explained the financial situation for the district during the budget hearing held prior to the district annual meeting Monday, Aug. 25. The projection for the budget for 2008-2009 shows a deficit of $40,006 by the end of the year, along with a healthy district fund balance. – Photos by Nancy Jappe from local sources and 26-percent state funding. Over 80 percent of budgetary

This chart shows how the Siren School District fund balance has been built up over the past five years. “We are within the 21-percent range of the operating budget which is considered to be very healthy and very significant,” district administrator Scott Johnson commented. expenses are for staff salaries and benefits.

Johnson’s biggest worry is over declining enrollment, of graduating more people than the district is bringing in. “The long-term forecast shows Siren School will experience a decline in enrollment,” he commented, adding

that this is one of the variables the district must deal with in projecting a budget.

“We need to be in a position to protect ourselves. I think we are doing very well and are where we need to be,” Johnson commented. “The question is how we stay there.”

Siren School to install cameras in all school buses

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – “We are positioned for a good start in 2008-2009,” commented Siren School District Administrator Scott Johnson during the school board meeting Monday, Aug. 25. One of the decisions made at this meeting was to install Advantage Cam cameras in each of its seven school buses at a cost of $12,590.35.

“It is our feeling that bus cameras are very important recommended equipment on all buses,” said Dave McGrane, chair of the budget and finance committee. McGrane’s committee, along with the building, grounds and transporta-

tion committee, had discussed purchasing cameras for all the buses versus manually transferring recording equipment between buses. Both committees recommended fully equipping all seven buses with video-recording capability.

Other actions of the board included approval of the second reading of graduation policy No. 832 with two additions to the old policy; continuing with Community Bank as carrier for the district’s repurchase agreement; adopting district goals for 2008-2009, which were approved by district voters at the annual meeting that followed; and continuing with the 12-hour-per-week school-

nurse agreement with Burnett Medical Center.

The additions to the graduation policy state that a student must attend Siren High School for the entire second semester prior to graduation, and the student must have a senior attendance rate of no less than 85 percent, unless excused by the administration due to medical necessity.

In open session following closed-session discussion, the board approved the resignations of bus driver Sharon Erickson, cook’s helper Linda Bjorn and IMC specialist Bev Carlsen. They approved the hiring of Kelly Pearson as

head varsity volleyball coach, Sheila Dahlberg as early-childhood bus driver, pending background check, and Sheila Staples on a 50-day contract as interim IMC specialist. The latter vacant position has been posted.

Board meetings for Wednesday, Sept.

10, are as follows: personnel and negotiations at 5 p.m.; budget and finance at 6 p.m.; building, grounds and transportation at 7 p.m. and policy, planning and curriculum at 8 p.m. The next school board meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

B U R N E T T

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

County board votes for no new billboards in straw poll

by Sherill Summer SWISS TOWNSHIP – The Burnett County Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting at Camp Burnett, the county-owned youth camp on Lake 26.

Chairman Phil Lindeman called the meeting a wonderful opportunity to see county-run facilities, especially for some supervisors who had never been to the camp before. The meeting was held in the main lodge, a 1930s log building built by the CCC. It was in this rustic setting that supervisors conducted a nonbinding straw poll that could possibly change the look of Burnett County for years to come.

The land use and information committee has been fine tuning a county sign ordinance for several months.

Originally, the committee was going to change a previous Burnett County sign ordinance just enough so that it was constitutional, since a previous sign ordinance did not include a procedure for variance, and was struck down by the court.

The committee then looked at a St. Croix County sign ordinance that was drafted by lawyers specializing in sign ordinances - and took into consideration many aspects that the Burnett County sign ordinance didn’t touch upon.

One aspect of the St. Croix County ordinance that intrigued members of the committee was a ban on all new, permanent off-premise signs in the county that were not directional.

An off-premise sign is any sign that advertises something that is not located, found or sold on the premises where the sign is located.

Usually, off-premise signs are billboards. Garage sale signs and the like are considered temporary signs and are not included in the ban.

Also not included in the ban are signs that give directions, or directional signs.

Pre-existing permanent, off-premise signs are allowed in the St. Croix County sign ordinance as long as they are maintained.

Burnett County Administrator Candace Fitzgerald and supervisor Ed Peterson shown in front of the fireplace at Camp Burnett where the Burnett County Supervisors held their regular August meeting. – Photo by Sherill Summer The rationale for banning billboards in St. Croix County was tourism, and the states of Vermont and Maine also ban billboards for tourism reasons.

The land use and information committee considered creating similar rules for Burnett County, but they didn’t know how much support there was among the supervisors for a ban on new permanent off-premise signs. Three options were presented and voted on to indicate the level of support for various options.

One option was to permit new permanent, off-premise signs (again, usually billboards) on commercial or industrial land. With this option, there would still be regulations on the size of the sign.

This is similar to the language of the previous Burnett County sign ordinance.

Another option was to ban all new permanent off-premise signs, but offpremise signs that are already in existence would be allowed. Signs that give directions would be allowed. This option is like the St. Croix County ordinance.

The third option was to ban all new permanent off-premise signs and gradually eliminate all existing off-premise signs. This option would eliminate all

billboards after a certain date. Again, signs that give directions would be allowed.

The option that had the least amount of support in the straw poll was the first option that allowed new permanent, off-premise signs on land zoned commercial or industrial.

The support for the other two options had equal amount of support.

One drawback of allowing pre-existing off-premise signs, according to some supervisors, was that it tended to reward those who already erected signs.

On the other hand, this option was seen as sort of a stepping stone by some; a start in the direction of banning offpremise signs.

Off-premise signs grandfathered in could be banned at a later date.

Benefit all businesses Much of the discussion surrounding the sign ordinance was different ways the county could help promote local businesses, and it was thought that any resulting business promotion would benefit all businesses, many whom do not currently advertise with billboards.

Wellhead protection vote postponed It took three votes before the county

supervisors could pass a motion for a Swiss Township ordinance protecting the wellhead in Danbury. George Benson, who acts as corporate council for the town of Swiss, felt that the county board had to approve the ordinance after Swiss Township’s approval.

Usually the county board does not approve these types of ordinances, and there was a general question as to why this one was different.

The first vote to approve the ordinance was defeated. The second vote to postpone action on the ordinance was a tie vote. Finally, it was agreed that more information was needed, and another vote to postpone action easily passed.

Raise approved A 2-percent raise, effective Jan. 1, 2008, for nonrepresented employees was approved. Gerry Pardun, who sits on the administration committee, explained that the raise was offered because the county does not want to penalize these employees, who hold leadership positions in the county, again since in the past the county has held back on raises to use as a tool with negotiations with the unions. Pardun said that this raise is very similar to the county’s offer to the union.

There is also a 1-percent across the board raise for nonrepresented staff that is effective July 1, 2008.

Other business • 2007 annual reports were accepted by the register of deeds, veterans service and treasurer’s offices.

• The 2009 forestry work plan was approved. Approval is needed for forestry grants.

• A revised zoning-district map for the town of Grantsburg was approved.

• A farmland preservation agreement application from El Rose Johnson in Trade Lake Township was approved. It is a 25-year contract that will now be forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.

ADRC in Burnett government center to open in Feb. 2009

by Sherill Summer BURNETT COUNTY – Family Care in northwestern Wisconsin is yet another step closer to reality with the decision to place an Aging and Disability Resource Center, ADRC, in the Burnett County Government Center.

The center will open Feb. 1.

Family Care hopes to enable the elderly and adults with physical or developmental disabilities the choice to live at home or in a homelike setting, thus maintaining their independence.

A social worker, nurse(s) and a family member or friend, will team up with the elderly or disabled person, called members, to form a care team which will determine and support health and lifestyle goals.

The members themselves are encour-

aged to set their own goals, and a wide range of social supports and health services will be provided to support member’s goals.

The ADRC is designed to be a welcoming and convenient place to get information, advice and access to a wide variety of service options. It is also the first stop to enroll in Family Care.

Each county will have an ADRC, but some ADRCs will be operated jointly by more than one county. Polk and Burnett counties and the St. Croix Tribe have combined to operate the ADRCs in Polk and Burnett counties.

In an effort to avoid a patchwork of county-run family care services, an 11county long-term care, or TLC district, was created to operate the family care in

northwestern Wisconsin. Each LTC district in the state is a separate unit of government, created by the counties, but operated independently of the counties.

A publicly owned managed care organization will provide the services.

In the same way that county lines are muted within the TLC district, all ADRCs in the district will offer the same services, and the public can visit the ADRC within the district that is convenient.

State funds will operate the ADRCs within the district, and Burnett County’s center is not expected to cost the county anything once it is open.

However, the government center will need to be rearranged to house the new ADRC, and this will be the responsibility of Burnett County.

Exactly where the ADRC will be placed in the government center, and if county programs will also be housed in the ADRC, has not yet been determined.

It is thought that family care in northwestern Wisconsin will grow to serve 3,000 people.

Pilot programs have shown a $400 a month savings per person over existing service. It is also estimated that family care will employ 200 people and contract with 1,000 providers.

Family Care is scheduled to open in Polk and Burnett counties in the beginning of April, two months after the ADRCs open.

Cutbacks on senior meals starting September Estimated savings to county of $37,000 in 2009

by Sherill Summer BURNETT COUNTY - The Burnett County Health and Human Resource Committee reluctantly cut back the delivery days for home meals to three

days a week and will not serve meals at senior centers one day a week.

The cutbacks will start Sept. 1, and will save the county $13,957 this year and $37,266 in 2009.

Currently, meals are delivered to homebound seniors five days a week, but seven-days worth of meals are delivered. The weekend meals are delivered frozen. Under the new system starting in September, the combina-

tion of hot and cold meals will be extended so that each delivery will provide one hot meal and enough meals to be warmed up to last until the next delivery day.

The savings to the county will be in transportation costs, not food costs.

An average of 104 seniors have their meals delivered.

The hot meals at the four senior centers will not be served one day a week.

However, each center will have a different day off, and seniors have the option of using a different center when their usual center is not serving meals. An average of 51 seniors eat meals at senior centers.

Area church and community organizations have been notified of the cutbacks with the hope that they can help fill the void, especially with the homebound since the meal-delivery contact

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 7

Bont Chiropractic and PACE Moving Together for A Healthier Community

Left to right: Kerri Harter, Dr. Steven Bont, Kelli Harter.

by Priscilla Bauer GRANTSBURG - Bont Chiropractic and PACE will be moving together to the former Grantsburg Fitness Center to begin new era of fitness for the Grantsburg community. Grantsburg 24Hour Fitness will open its doors on Sept. 1, offering a wide range of fitness options for its members.

Dr. Steven Bont, who has also operated a clinic in St. Croix Falls for the past 21 years, said he began looking at the empty Grantsburg Fitness Center when he opened his Grantsburg clinic four years ago. “I’ve been looking at the center since I came here, and things just came together this last spring.”

The new center will give members a variety of fitness options. New equipment and space will be available to meet members’ fitness needs including a cardio vascular area with treadmills and bikes, selectorized and free weights areas, the PACE hydraulic circuit equipment, a racquetball and wally ball court and a space for aerobics and classroom instruction on health and nutrition.

Bont also intends to bring other fitness trainers and instructors to the center for classes and services. A cardio kick boxing class is in the works as are plans for step aerobics, Pilates and yoga. Also available to members will be acupuncture and massage therapy services.

The 24-hour center will be staffed during the day, five days a week with members having access to the facility through key cards and codes in the evenings and weekends. Bont has installed cameras and other security measures similar to systems used by other 24-hour fitness centers to ensure the safety of the members.

Bont said his primary goal is to provide the community with a safe and

clean environment to improve people’s quality of life. “My goal is to give people a place to come to get healthy and stay healthy.”

The belief in getting fit and staying fit is what prompted Kelli and Kerri Harter to open PACE in Grantsburg two years ago after the Grantsburg Curves closed it’s doors. “We felt the need to keep a fitness club available to the community,” said the sisters.

The PACE operation has been successful in growing membership much to the credit of the Harters for their ability to make the program fun and inclusive. “Over the past two years we feel we’ve bridged the gap between the ‘women only’ circuit training and the men’s workout regiments when we decided to open PACE as a co-ed facility. Men soon realized that the PACE hydraulic circuit with its adjustable resistance equipment could and does accommodate their workout needs very well.”

The Harters are now ready to take PACE to another level by joining with Bont. “Combining the PACE circuit with Dr. Bont’s 24-hour fitness facility only makes sense. It will benefit everyone involved. After all, serving the community’s fitness needs is what we are both striving to do. Together we can do more in providing for those needs,” said Kerri Harter.

The Harters will continue to provide instruction on the PACE equipment at the new center and are looking forward to working together with Bont. “We are excited about the move and all the possibilities it means for the community,” said Kelli Harter.

There will be an open house at the center on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mailbox damage Former member of state Assembly Mark L. Pettis of LaFollette Township reported his mailbox damaged on Monday, Aug. 18. The police report stated that the mailbox appeared to have been hit with an object similar to a two-by-four, and whoever caused the damage was not in a vehicle when damaging the mailbox. The mailbox had an estimated value of $100.

The incident is under investigation. – Photo submitted

PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

L e a d e r We b Po l l

Last week’s poll results 51% 49%

32 votes 31 votes

Open meetings

Total votes: 63

This week’s question

Do you support lowering drinking age from 21 to 18?

My children are enrolled:

Yes No

To take part in our Web poll, go to www.the-leader.net and scroll down to the lower left hand corner of the screen

F O R U M

1. In our local school district 2. In a neighboring or other district (open enrollment) 3. In college or tech school 4. Home school or virtual school

J o e H e l l e r

If you live long enough, you begin to see patterns in everything.

A candidate runs a campaign based on open government, and after being elected ends up defending him/herself for holding questionable closed meetings.

It happens across the nation and it happens locally.

Whistle-blowers aren't always the local media. Just as often, it's a private citizen or a member of government.

In October, our state’s attorney general, J.B. Van Hollen - like many attorneys general before him, including Gov. Jim Doyle - will host a free, public seminar on the state's open meeting and open records laws (see separate story elsewhere in this issue). Recommended education for every school board, village, city and town official and/or board member.

For those who unknowingly - or knowingly - violate open meeting laws the law provides a slap on the wrist, if there is any prosecution at all. That seems a bit hypocritical for a society that cites open government as its foundation of a democracy.

Closed meetings for public boards should be rare. Headlines about violations should be even less frequent. Yet, that doesn't seem to be the case.

It must be ignorance - or let's hope it's that and not arrogance. Ignorance can be fixed - and that's where the informative meetings by the attorney general being held in Eau Claire - and in other larger cities in the state - can help.

Primary approaches

For the first time in 22 years, northern Burnett County and the rest of the 73rd District, will see a new representative in the state Assembly following the November general election.

But first, the field of candidates will be trimmed. Four - count 'em - four candidates are seeking the right to represent the Democratic party on the November ballot for state Assembly. Voters will give one of the four the nod in the Sept. 9 primary.

The four hoping to succeed Frank Boyle - who announced his retirement earlier this year - are Vern Johnson (vote4vern.com), Bruce Meyers (bdmeyers.com), Nick Milroy (nickmilroy.com) and Mary Tripp (marytripp.com). All four are from Douglas County.

The winner in the primary will face Independent candidate Jeffery Monaghan (monoghan2008.com) in November.

There is no Republican candidate.

The Leader has published basic information about the four primary candidates, and voters are encouraged to check out each candidate’s Web site for further insight.

In Polk County there are just two contests in the Sept. 9 primary - one to narrow the Democratic field of candidates for county clerk (Carole Wondra of McKinley and Lori Lundquist of West Sweden) and one to choose the Democratic candidate for treasurer (incumbent Amanda Nissen of Osceola and David Moore of Balsam Lake).

Wisconsin has no voter registration by party - that means any voter can go to the polls Sept. 9 with the choice of voting in the Democratic primary or writing in a name on the ballot of one of the other parties.

Outlandish or smart?

W h e re t o Wr i t e

President George Bush 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, D.C. 20500 president@whitehouse.gov

Governor Jim Doyle 115 East, State Capitol Bldg.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 7863 Madison, WI 53707 wisgov@mail.state.wi.us Congressman David Obey 7th Congressional District 2462 Rayburn Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20515 or Wisconsin office: Federal Building Wausau, WI 54401 (715) 842-5606 Rep. Ann Hraychuck 28th Assembly District State Capitol, P.O. Box 8942 Madison, WI 53708 Phone: 608-267-2365 Toll free: 888-529-0028 In-District 715-485-3362 rep.hraychuck@legis.state.wi.us

Rep. Frank Boyle 73rd Assembly District Room 221 North State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison 53708 E-mail: Rep.Boyle@legis.state.wi.us

Senator Sheila Harsdorf 10th Senate District State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707 (608) 266-7745 • (715) 2321390 Toll-free - 1-800-862-1092 sen.harsdorf@legis.state.wi.us

Rep. Mary Hubler 75th Assembly District Room 7 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 or 1966 21-7/8 St. (Hawthorne Lane), Rice Lake 54868 (715) 234-7421• (608) 266-2519 rep.hubler@legis.state.wi.us

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold SDB 40, Rm. 1 Washington, D.C. 20510 or 1600 Aspen Commons Middleton, WI 53562-4716 (608) 828-1200 senator@feingold.senate.gov

Senator Robert Jauch 25th Senate District Room 19 South State Capitol P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707 E-mail: Sen.Jauch@legis.state.wi.us

U.S. Senator Herb Kohl 330 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510 senator_kohl@kohl.senate.gov

Local schools open their doors next week for a new year - one that proves to be even more challenging budget-wise, due to rising fuel and energy costs.

As with county governments, the proverbial wolf waits at the door, as one county supervisor noted in a story last week about projected costs versus available income.

With this economy comes expectations by taxpayers for their representatives to not only become frugal-minded, but to become creative. How far you can push the latter is a matter of conjecture and bravery.

The buzz about four-day work weeks, involving 10-hour days, has gained momentum - and in some cases talk has jump-started actual programs.

A four-day week for K-12 is likely too outlandish - but it’s apparently been done successfully in Florida at Brevard Community College. Officials there claim a huge bump in morale on campus along with a savings of $267,000 in heating/cooling costs in one year. Absenteeism is down. Students see a drop in their gas bill with just one less trip to school.

As for state, county and local government offices, there’s a similar savings to be found but some are concerned over the affect it may have on services. And the monitoring of employees - how can you make sure someone is working the entire 10 hours each day?

Some might say that problem exists with eight-hour days.

Services provided by county government, for example, many of which are available online anyway, would be more available to the general public in a 10hour day.

In the state of Utah, the governor instituted the four-day week effective Aug. 4, hoping to save the state an estimated $3 million in energy costs each year along with other benefits.

Can we expect employees to get used to 10-hour days - and can we save money while maintaining the same quality of education and service, while providing even better service and morale?

Congressman Ron Kind 3rd Congressional District 1713 Longwirth Office Bdg. Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-5506 888-442-8040 (toll-free) ron.kind@mail.house.gov

Views expressed on these pages do not necessarily represent those of the Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association management or board

T h e

I n t e r ! C o u n t y

All editorials on this page by Gary King

Cooperative:

an enterprise or organization owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services

L e a d e r

i s

a

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 9

Lundquist I am writing is support of my dear friend, Lori Lundquist, who is running for Polk County clerk. Lori is very well-qualified for this job as she has been the West Sweden town clerk for the past 22 years.

She was attended 312 board meetings, has worked with three different town chairs, three treasurers, three county clerks and 12-15 different supervisors. She is familiar with the state statutes, and has organized countless elections.

I believe she is the right person for this job. She also has worked full time the past 10 years as an office manager and scheduler of a Home Health Care agency for Polk and Burnett counties. She supervises about 60 employees and has worked closely with the human services departments from both counties.

As an office manager, she knows how to run an office. Knowledge and experience are what we taxpayers should be voting for.

So please vote this Sept. 9, vote for experience, vote for knowledge. Most importantly get out and vote.

Suz Thomson Balsam Lake

Five words

I have read that the five most terrifying words in the English language are when a government bureaucrat knocks on your door and says, “I’m here to help you!”

That reminds me of the need for a Paul Revere riding to Concord on his famous midnight ride warning the countryside “the British are coming, the British are coming.”

The knock on my door was a letter from the Burnett County Land and Water Conservation Department pertaining to on-farm compliance with “State Agriculture Performance Standards and Prohibitions as written in administrative rule Chapter NR151.” If all standards are met, I will receive a certificate of compliance. Goody, goody. If not, they will help me get into compliance. Even financial help.

The letter states that certificate of compliance will protect our right to farm. Tell that to the cranberry producer that was sued by our state attorney general when he wasn’t violating any law or regulation.

About all that certificate of compliance does is guarantee positions where it is possible to keep sucking that government teat. When both Polk and Burnett counties are screaming for more money, I believe this is not money well-spent.

According to the letter, Chapter NR151 was adopted in 2002 and it will take a few years for agricultural land and livestock evaluations to be completed. The way things are going, by that time the only people who will be able to afford to farm will be our so-called public servants and then all our problems will be solved. I wonder then what food will cost with a 40-hour workweek, paid holidays, paid vacations, paid days off, paid Social Security taxes, paid retirements, paid health and dental benefits, and only God knows what else. There are few members of Congress who do not retire as millionaires with pensions worth more millions.

How about our state legislators and their (tax free?) per diems? Our Founding Fathers stated all men are created equal; I believe that is so until you start working for the government.

Any good, dedicated, zealous government agent worth his salt can find trouble if they go out looking for it. Does anybody know of a department bureaucrat who states, “I can’t begin to spend that much?”

It seems to me the only time a dollar has any real value is when you have it and the government wants it. I still remember when our Grade A dairy permit was suspended for minor violations. It didn’t make any difference that we had received a quality award from our dairy plant for our milk. Even though the Department of Agriculture was found guilty of violating our constitutional rights, they refused to reinstate our Grade A permit until I went to court and a judge ordered it to be rein-

Letters t o t h e e d i t o r

stated.

Many years ago, I served on the committee that helped draft the Burnett County manure ordinance or nutrient management plan or some such thing – I can’t really remember what it was called – but at that time, my neighbor was identified as the biggest polluter in Burnett County. While she does live on the headwaters of Spirit Creek with a 40-cow herd of milking cows, I believe the amount of pollution that was contributed to Spirit Lake amounted to about as much as passing gas in a whirlwind. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever taken a canoe trip down Spirit Creek to Spirit Lake and only a government agent, or a fool, would attempt it. The cost to her and the taxpayers to correct that polluted runoff from her barnyard was about $27,000. At least her facility is being used.

How many others are out there that cost many times as much and are standing empty or need to be filled in?

The letter gives me the opportunity to volunteer so I can receive “priority for technical service and public cost share grants” and it also requests questions or comments regarding the notification. First of all, I won’t be volunteering, and I would hope that if my farming operations are injuring a neighbor that they would tell me so any problem could be resolved between us. And, secondly, if we can’t resolve it, I would hope the neighbor would have to prove real injury and not just say it could injure, and, I expect the same from the law or rule.

Question No. 1 – How many complaints has the Land and Water Conservation Department had to resolve in the past 10 years concerning polluted runoff and what have they done about it?

Question No. 2 – What was the cost to the taxpayers?

Question No. 3 – What is the proposed cost to implement the evaluation and certification program?

Question No. 4 – What is the proposed cost for the technical assistance and public cost share grants for the next 10 years?

Question No. 5 – Considering the costs and benefits occurring over the next 10 years compared to the costs from the last 10 years, does it make much sense to conduct the evaluation and the compliance certification?

Question No. 6 – Taking into consideration Article I Sections 11 and 14 of the Wisconsin Constitution, what gives you the right to enter my property to conduct the evaluation and tell me what I have to do to continue my “right to farm” as long as you have received no complaints from the public? I trust my neighbors far more than I trust a government agent out looking for trouble.

I would prefer responses be directed to this newspaper.

Walter Lundeen Frederic

Disservice

I was astounded when I read in the newspaper of the Webster Village Board’s decision to abandon the Danbury Ambulance Station.

I think it selfish and a disservice to the northern portion of the county to eliminate a much-needed service in the area.

The town of Swiss voted to leave the service the way it is. But even though the major portion of the voters are in favor of leaving the service the way it is, the pocketbook apparently determines who gets what. So the northern area will be left out again unless you, the people, tell your district supervisors and township supervisors how you feel. Every township has to vote on this.

I worked on the Danbury crew for 22 years, giving up holidays, birthday parties, my kids sporting events and a lot of other things, for the people of the community, including Webster, who, in 1972, voted not to have an ambulance in their area. John O’Konski told them we would take it. I seem to recall that we were told that Danbury could never make it work.

Here we are, 36 years and thousands of ambulance runs later and they want to

eliminate us again.

We used to have an ambulance in Siren, too. Then all of a sudden, North removed the ambulance there and put a permanent ,paid station in Webster. Then complained it cost so much, they had to raise the rates.

Now they have a permanent, half-day paid station (12-hour shift at about $14 an hour) only two blocks from the hospital, and want to eliminate a voluntary station 32 miles from any hospital, and they have to raise the rates. Does that make sense to you? They say they can put a second ambulance in Webster. That would mean another full-time paid crew. Now that really makes sense. How much will they bump the rates then?

Listen, people, they are going to raise the rates whether the Danbury ambulance is there or not. After all, it is a difference between $26 and $34, that is a $7 difference per year. As for myself, I don’t think there is a price that I could put on my family.

The only thing that will happen is the Webster ambulance, who I see in Siren a lot of the time, will get an extremely large area that they won’t be able to give continuous coverage to 24 hours a day.

North promised Trade Lake continuous coverage, too, so they wouldn’t contract to another service. Every time Webster goes on a call, they have to move the Grantsburg ambulance to Falun or Siren for county coverage. Then they have to move the Frederic ambulance over to cover Trade Lake. Does that make sense to you? Sometimes they would send Danbury to Webster if both ambulances were out on a call. Now you have three ambulances getting paid for two runs, does that make sense to you? The A & H ambulance goes to Spooner or Shell Lake for transfers, and that leaves the whole area north with little or no coverage at all.

Over the last week, there have been two accidents that required the helicopter to land in Danbury. A new casino being built and a new sanitary and water district will mean even more people, housing and yes, accidents, injuries, heart attacks and more. Do you really want to remove another ambulance in the county?

Make no mistake, when you need an ambulance, that extra minute, five minutes, 10 minutes may be all it takes to determine the difference between your life - or your death.

Vicki Koenen Danbury

Leadership, part III Candidates talk a lot about “issues.” It’s an empty word without a plan attached to it. Issues are a person’s point of view or stand on a subject. Candidates vocalize their issues often having little background information, plans, timelines or goals in mind. When a candidate changes their point of view they get called “flip floppers;” translating into loss of credibility.

Issues often tend to be short-timeline driven, and tend to reflect the same on voters, so we vote for them. As our nation encounters daily crises, the issues too, seem to change equally as fast.

Issues are easily challenged by anyone, simply by taking an opposite point of view. Where is the subject-matter homework? Do I put more weight on issues or the candidate’s vision and mission/goals?

I wonder what percent of what candidates promise to accomplish is actually achieved?

In my 69 years of experience, this is what I have learned. Values and beliefs drive human behavior. These are developed and modified as we go through life and are usually very important to us. If values and beliefs are important, then we should write them down and share them with others. We need to ask the candidates who want our votes what their values and beliefs are, regardless of the issues and crises of the day. We own the responsibility to ask the candidates.

Issues are like a bunch of items on a sailboat in the middle of Lake Superior, being blown around by the winds of change. It is now time to take control, steer a plan, set the point of destination, look toward

c o o p e r a t i v e ! o w n e d

the goal and produce the desired result.

Vision and mission/goals are the focus, not the issues.

Senators McCain and Obama, in order to get my vote, what are your vision and mission/goals for our U.S.? Also, what are your written values and beliefs?

Homework assignment: Governor, senators, and representatives, what are your vision and mission/goals for Wisconsin, along with your values and beliefs?

Counties, villages, towns and school boards, the same question to you also.

Where is the forward-looking vision and mission/goals with time lines?

Rich Hess Trade Lake

Money tree

It is apparent that this county board continues to view the taxpayers of Polk County as a limitless money tree. Last Tuesday, Aug. 19, Resolution 65-08 was offered by Rediske asking that the county hold an advisory referendum on whether or not the state should provide state-run health care.

Why would the county board allocate tax dollars in the middle of these tight budget discussions to hold a referendum on a state issue? Our state legislators fund their offices with state dollars taken from us in the form of sales taxes and income taxes. They use these dollars to – among other things—send out questionnaires to their constituents. I’ve gotten several from both of my legislators. Why would the county board spend real estate tax dollars to pay for a referendum to provide information to our state legislators, that they already have or can easily get, using tax dollars already allocated to them?

Just as disturbing is the information in the minutes revealing that a member of the public was allowed to advocate for this resolution while it was being discussed. I thought that was what public comments were for. Apparently rules are only followed if they are beneficial to the political views of Chairman Beseler and Vice Chair Rediske.

I certainly hope, in order to avoid questions of discrimination, that, at all future meetings, members of the public are allowed to speak to resolutions that are of interest to them while they are being discussed by the board, as opposed to having to address them during public comments in accordance with the rules.

To Chairman Beseler’s credit, he admonished board members for the wasteful practice of scheduling avoidable meetings and avoidable personal travel situations. However, Beseler is on the finance committee which scheduled several joint meetings with the personnel committee while the personnel committee was reviewing staffing plans. Finance paid themselves to watch personnel do its work. Personnel reviews staffing plans and evaluates the needs outlined therein and forwards those plans to finance to consider funding for the requested positions. They are separate responsibilities.

These meetings served no purpose for the finance committee and should not have been scheduled as joint meetings.

The county board should also put the renewable energy committee out of business. This committee was formed as an ad hoc committee during the last session of the county board to examine the possibility of a garbage-to-energy plant. They correctly concluded that it wasn’t feasible.

The committee was recreated by this board essentially to give former supervisor Jeff Peterson a forum at taxpayer expense for his alternative energy agenda.

This group has some excellent members but has provided nothing of value to the county board and have accomplished nothing that they couldn’t accomplish over coffee at the local coffee shop once a month. This committee should be eliminated.

If the county board is going to demand accountability and savings from departments, they must lead the way by first holding themselves accountable.

Robert A. Blake Frederic

n e w s p a p e r

PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

Letters t o t h e e d i t o r

Highway proposal

I picked up the Inter-County Leader and on the front page reads, “We need to find $3 million.” Polk County looks for ways to cut revenue to balance budget.

You pick up another local paper and on the front page you read, “Board stumbles to resolution on facility plan.”

This sounds to me like a person saying, “I can’t make my monthly payments so now I think I will go build a new house.”

Like the paper said, 80 percent voted “no” on the referendum, but some on the board want to shove it down your throat anyway, because they know how to spend your money better than you do. They went ahead and built the new law enforcement center and are trying to sell Golden Age Manor.

I worked on the highway department for 25-1/2 years. We used to hit the walls with trucks and graders and would hardly chip the walls. The walls of the main building are as solid as any building you will find.

A retired janitor said to mount anything on the walls he had to use a hammer drill, a cement drill would not penetrate the walls, so you know the building is strong.

Mr. Warndahl projected that we might see the end of the public highway system as we know it. Does that mean in five years or 10 years down the road, we will have an empty $15 million highway campus?

All the work will be put out on bids.

There will be no highway employees?

Dennis McKinney Luck

Page One of the most satisfying rewards of becoming a person of a certain age is the opportunity one has of watching the children who caught your eye years ago grow up and become interesting, responsible adults.

I’ve known Alison Haskins Page since she was a smart, earnest child. It was no surprise that she would go on to college to become a nurse, nor that she’d have five children with her husband David and then take on foster children as well.

How she found the energy to go to graduate school for master’s degrees in nursing and hospital administration while rearing the children did amaze me because she was also on the local school board, serving as its president for 11 years.

It’s gratifying to see a young person who had the benefit of a good community grow up and become a benefit and a credit to that community. Now Alison is running for state senate to ensure that other young people have the opportunities she enjoyed here in Wisconsin. I’ve known her for years and am proud to support her.

Donna Mae Smith River Falls

Milroy The most telling development in the Democratic primary race between Nick Milroy and Mary Tripp for Wisconsin’s 73rd District Assembly seat is that the American Federation of TeachersWisconsin, the union to which Tripp belongs, has endorsed...Nick Milroy!

This is a little like running for public office and having your spouse campaign for your opponent. Ouch!

The fact is, Milroy has garnered a host of endorsements backing his campaign including The Superior Federation of Labor, The Northern Wisconsin Building and Trades Council, AFSCME, Progressive Action, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, Wisconsin Education Association Council and Citizen Action of Wisconsin.

Moreover, Milroy has the support of every Democrat in our area including Congressman Dave Obey, state Sen. Bob Jauch, and outgoing 73rd District Assemblyman Frank Boyle, who has called Milroy the only true progressive in the race.

Letters to the editor The Leader welcomes letters to the editor. Diverse and varied opinions are welcomed. Letters are subject to being edited for length, taste and/or clarity, and we urge writers to be brief and limit their letters to 500 words or less. Writers must provide their name and give their complete address and phone number. Content that will cause letters to be rejected include: Crude language, poor taste, disrespectful comments regarding a group’s or individual’s ethnicity, gender, religion, culture, sexual orientation or race; other incendiary language or personal attacks.

P o l i ti c al l e t te rs This is the last issue prior to the Sept. 1 election that the Leader will publish letters to the editor pertaining to candidates. Candidates themselves will be allowed to write a letter for publication next week to respond to any letters published this week or to clarify information pertaining to their candidacy.

If you want a candidate who will represent our district with integrity, and with a strong commitment to progressive values, the choice is clear. Vote for Nick Milroy on Sept. 9.

Steve Carlson Trego

Mielke This year we can elect a great man to represent us in the U.S. House of Representatives who truly shares our values and will reflect those values in Washington: Dan Mielke. Dan shares the great Wisconsin values that for so long have not been heard in Washington.

Who is Dan Mielke? He is an organic, sustainable farmer from Rudolph. He helped create MOSA, an organization which certifies more than 1,000 organic farms and processing plants throughout the Midwest and Canada. As a farmer, he understands the importance of private property rights.

Dan understands that everything we do must be sustainable. We cannot tax citizens into poverty. We cannot tax corporations in bankruptcy. We cannot so regulate business that they move overseas. We cannot allow illegal immigrants to overwhelm our legal system and depress our wages.

Dan is in favor of drilling for more oil in the United States, while we encourage the private sector to develop other sources of energy. Dan argues that it is not environmentally sound to import oil from countries which have no environmental regulations. Rather, it is better environmentally and more sustainable to drill our own oil, with careful environmental oversight.

Dan also supports our soldiers. He believes that great care should be taken before we commit troops to military operations. This is the lives of our sons and grandsons we are putting on the line. But once they are committed and on the battlefield, our Congress must give all support, until the operation is concluded.

Congressmen must not even speak against them, lest his words or actions cause our troops harm. Further, Dan believes that it is imperative that we provide ongoing support for those who fought in defense of our freedom.

Dan stands for us and our values.

Knowing this, it is clear that Dan Mielke is the only choice to represent us in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Richard Hartung, Chairman Polk County Republican Party St. Croix Falls

Cheney, Bush and Habbush House Speaker Nancy found, according to Suskind, Pelosi is on a book tour, where Habbush became “radioacshe is being hounded by tive inside of the White activists and questioned about House ... everyone was terriher pledge that “impeachment fied that Habbush would is off the table.” She respondpop up on the screen during ed on the TV talk show “The that summer of Joe Wilson View,” “If somebody had a and Valerie Plame” — that crime that the president had is, Habbush could exacercommitted, that would be a bate the political problems different story.” the White House was facing Pulitzer Prize-winning jouraround its justification for nalist Ron Suskind may have Amy the war. provided the evidence she Goodman

By September 2003, with doesn’t want to see. Suskind Habbush silenced, the has just published a book scheme was hatched to procalled “The Way of the World.” He vide the letter that would solve all the makes an explosive charge: that the White House’s problems: a letter, Bush administration instructed the backdated to July 2001, written in CIA to forge a letter that would sup- Habbush’s hand, explaining that Sept. port its claims that Iraq had weapons 11 ringleader Mohamed Atta had of mass destruction (WMDs) and was indeed received training in Iraq for the linked to al-Qaida. He also charged hijacking, and that al-Qaida had also that the person whose name is on the been helping Iraq obtain uranium forged letter, the former head of Iraqi from Niger. The letter was faked and intelligence, the man who was the Jack leaked in Baghdad, after which a conof Diamonds in the U.S. military’s servative British pundit, Con “Most Wanted” deck of cards, Tahir Coughlin, broke the story that supJalil Habbush, was given $5 million in ported the Bush administration. It hush money. raged through the international press Suskind has recorded interviews like wildfire. with key U.S. and British intelligence Since Suskind’s book has come out, agents who told him that secret meet- Congressman John Conyers, chair of ings were held with Habbush, who the House Judiciary Committee, has insisted that Iraq had no WMDs, and begun an investigation. I asked that Saddam Hussein’s evasiveness on Conyers if there is talk of a bipartisan WMDs was more to protect Iraq from commission to investigate the charges. its neighbors, principally Iran. The chairman replied, “There are four Suskind interviewed Rob Richer, a committees, and how they relate to career CIA operative (who resigned to each other will come forward very take a top job with the military con- shortly.” Suskind has been told that tractor Blackwater, to head up its new Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s powerful Senate private spy operations). Richer told Select Committee on Intelligence is Suskind how George Tenet, then direc- also investigating. tor of Central Intelligence, handed him Congress should find out: Who the assignment to deal with the fabri- authorized the $5 million payout to cated letter: Habbush? Where is Habbush, and will Richer: “What I remember is George he be brought to Congress to testify? saying, ‘We got this from’ — basically, Who authorized the fabrication of the from what George said was ‘down- letter? What possible reason can there town.’” be for not declassifying the Dearlove Suskind: “Which is the White report, that there were no WMDs in House?”

Iraq, other than for political reasons?

Richer: “Yes. ... I would probably The upcoming presidential convenstand on my, basically, my reputation tions will be filled with vague promisand say it came from the vice presi- es of change. Congress should prove it dent.” and fully investigate Cheney, Bush Suskind: “It just had the White and Habbush.

House stationery.”

••• Richer: “Exactly right.”

Amy Goodman is the host of After Suskind’s book came out earli- “Democracy Now!,” a daily international er this month, Richer issued a careful- TV/radio news hour airing on more than ly phrased “non-denial denial,” which 700 stations in North America. Her colSuskind says reflects the enormous umn’s appearance in the Leader is sponpressure Richer and people like him sored by the local group, The Gathering, are under to keep important truths an informal group of people of diverse quiet. The key points stand: Habbush, ages, experience, and philosophies who in January of 2003, assured British and meet every other week at a member’s home U.S. intelligence that there were no for silent meditation and lively discussions WMDs. This was in time to prevent about peace, justice, spirituality, religion, the invasion. Richard Dearlove, then politics, environment, global cultures and head of British Intelligence (MI6), per- humanity. “We have a deep concern about sonally flew to Washington to deliver how religious ideals affect society. this damning report. Rather than call- Therefore, we are also interested in politics ing off the invasion, the U.S. secretly and in causes and programs, which will relocated Habbush to Jordan and paid benefit our community,” says a spokesperhim $5 million. When no WMDs were son for the group.

The Inter-County Leader: Bringing you the local news for 75 years

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 11

Area Ne ws at a Glance Hay deal went bad BARRON - A felony theft charge has been filed in Barron County Circuit Court against a Montana man accused of swindling a Cumberland dairy farmer out of $18,975 worth of alfalfa.

Madison W. Miner, 36, of Hilger, Mont., faces up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines if convicted of the offense. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 3. According to the criminal complaint: Dan Schullo of Valley View Dairy called authorities in May about a large-scale transaction that apparently went bad. Schullo told police that he had purchased five truckloads, weighing 23 tons each, of dairy-grade alfalfa from Montana Hay Company and sent two people to pick up the hay.

Upon arrival in Lingo, Wyo., the arranged drop-off point, Schullo’s assistants were unable to locate anyone who knew of the company. Some hay was onsite, but it wasn’t there for the Cumberland farmer specifically, and it wasn’t of the right quality level for dairy feed. Schullo called Montana Hay Company back and asked for his money back. Despite receiving assurances that he would get a refund, Schullo said he never actually obtained one. - Barron News-Shield Cycle crash claims woman’s life PIERCE COUNTY - A Minnesota woman died following a motorcycle

Law enforcement round-tables and public safety Public safety is one of the most basic responsibilities of government. Local law enforcement is on the frontlines working to make our neighborhoods safe. The state’s Department of Justice offers support and technical assistance to these local efforts. Bringing these groups together in Northwest Wisconsin to address local issues and discuss suggestions to improve public safety was the goal of recent law enforcement roundtables held recently in Burnett, Pierce and St. Croix counties with Wisconsin Attorney General J.B.

accident in Pierce County Sunday.

Nancy A. Winter, 29, Lino Lakes, Minn., was fatally injured when her cycle left the road on a curve on Hwy. 35 and hit a guardrail on the west side of the road, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. Winter was thrown from the motorcycle. The accident, which occurred near 1220th Street in the town of Oak Grove, was reported at 2:56 p.m.

Aug. 24. Winter was southbound.

Assisting at the scene were the Ellsworth paramedic unit, Prescott Fire and Ambulance and county deputies. rivertowns.net Assault charges against two men BARRON COUNTY - Jeremiah D. Paquin, 23, formerly of Baldwin, now of Amery, and Jeremy D. Fatz, 20, of New Richmond, are in custody on $500 cash bails after an initial hearing Wednesday in Barron County Circuit Court on a total eight counts of felony sexual assault of a child under age 16. Paquin is accused of six counts of sexual assault, and Fatz of two counts of sexual assault of two girls in Barron County in May. Rice Lake Chronotype Officer charged SUPERIOR - A 12-year Superior police officer has been charged with seconddegree assault for allegedly pulling a gun and pointing it at a motorist in the parking lot of a Two Harbors service staVan Hollen.

The roundtables in Burnett, St. Croix and Pierce counties were co-hosted by myself and area state representatives from both political parties. Numerous issues were raised, including funding, programming and successes. It was a great opportunity to get feedback about how state government can better help local law enforcement in protecting our communities. As importantly, it marked an opportunity for Northwest Wisconsin to have direct interaction with state officials.

Common issues raised included financial resources, the need for qualified prosecutors, working across state lines and utilizing shared technology to create efficiencies. The various communities represented raised a variety of

tion in an apparent road rage incident Sunday. Ross W. Magnuson, 45, of Knife River, was also charged Friday with making terroristic threats, recklessly handling a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct. The first two crimes the officer is charged with are felonies.

The other two are misdemeanors.

Magnuson admitted stopping at the Two Harbors Holiday station and said he approached a car and spoke with the driver about his driving conduct. He said when the other driver got out of his car and approached him, he felt threatened and “broke leather” on his firearm.

The Superior Police Department will conduct an internal investigation after the criminal investigation is complete.

Magnuson will be placed on administrative leave pending the investigations.

- Superior Daily Telegram Five-year-old airlifted CUMBERLAND - A 5-year-old male was seriously injured when a fourwheeler struck a tree last Friday in the town of Crystal Lake in Barron County.

The boy was the only occupant of the four-wheeler when the accident occurred. He was flown to North Memorial Medical Center and his condition remained unknown by authorities, Monday. The incident remains under investigation by the Barron County Sheriff’s Dept. - from Barron County Sheriff’s Dept.

Sheila Harsdorf 10th Senate

District

questions and suggestions.

Local involvement and state action are critical to improving public safely. For example, local law enforcement and community leaders deserve great credit for their work in combating meth.

The approach to fighting meth used a variety of tools be it education, enforcement, and rehabilitation measures – that

Jury finds Beaulieu guilty RUSK COUNTY - A Rusk County jury found Roy Beaulieu, 65, guilty of second-degree murder late Wednesday afternoon. The Ladysmith man was charged two years ago with causing the death of Laura Bruce along a railroad track in the city on May 22, 1976. Bruce family members hugged when the verdict was read aloud in the courtroom.

The verdict capped three days of testimony from 15 witnesses, including a forensic pathologist for the state and a self-described “bone collector” for the defense. Testimony focused on Bruce’s hyoid bone in her neck and if strangulation caused it to be broken. Beaulieu originally reported finding the dead body, but changed the story three decades later after the investigation was reopened and Bruce’s body exhumed, to describe a sexual advance gone wrong.

The jury deliberated for three hours before returning with the verdict.

Beaulieu will be sentenced at a court date that has yet to be scheduled. Ladysmith News

Follow the Leader.

required both active state and local involvement. Drug courts, community outreach, and state legislation have all added to the success in fighting meth, with meth cases down 60 percent since 2005 in the seven-county region. We need to replicate these partnerships to ensure safe communities.

I look forward to having Attorney General Van Hollen visit Polk and Dunn counties to hold similar roundtables to hear directly from law enforcement in those communities. I welcome your input of these or other issues.

Please feel free to contact me via e-mail at Sen.Harsdorf@legis.wisconsin.gov or by calling toll-free in Wisconsin 800862-1092.

View from above reveals state of northern Wisconsin forest

ASHLAND - Environmentalists took to the air this week over Ashland to make their case that the ChequamegonNicolet National Forest is one of the country’s most endangered forests from overlogging.

The Environmental Law and Policy Center and the Habitat Education Center say the forest is one of the top 10

most endangered national forests, due to what they call excessive logging.

Resource ecologist Dave Zaber of the HEC says it isn’t only logging disrupting the forest, but it’s also trails, roads and dust.

Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest Supervisor Jeanne Higgins says the U.S. Forest Service understands the con-

cerns, but says the logging that is done in the National Forest is intended to meet the objectives in their forest plan.

“Our forest plan is set up to provide habitat for wildlife species, essential forest products for the communities to contribute to social and economic wellbeing,” she says. Higgins adds that the agency’s biologists believe its practices

are “very consistent with meeting those objectives.”

Even so, the environmental groups say they’ll continue their fight for limited logging in national forests.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest covers about 1.5 million acres in northern Wisconsin. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Vanessa Feltes)

Former Wisconsin judge takes on liquor laws

MADISON - Former State Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler is taking on his first public duties since leaving the bench. He’ll chair a task force that will look at Milwaukee’s system for granting liquor licenses.

The number of taverns in the city has

been dropping over the last two decades, and currently stands at about 950. But there have been some recent controversies about the licensing process. Butler says obtaining a liquor license can still be an important issue for businesses.

Butler says he’s meeting with people about other potential career options. He lost a Supreme Court race in April to Michael Gableman. Butler declined comment about Gableman’s recent announcement that he will participate in cases involving Wisconsin

Manufacturers and Commerce, which paid for many ads supporting the former Burnett County Judge. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Chuck Quirmbach)

SUN PRAIRIE - A Sun Prairie soldier who was seriously injured in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan will soon have a new, wheelchair-accessible home, as part of a unique, home-building campaign based in Massachusetts.

Staff Sergeant Charles Isaacson was just five days from coming home from his eighth tour of duty, when the mishap occurred. He suffered two collapsed lungs, a broken leg, and spinal injuries that left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Wednesday, Aug. 20, Isaacson and his wife, Brenda, appeared for a groundbreaking ceremony, marking where the 37th house sponsored by Homes for Our Troops will be built. The couple was accompanied by relatives, friends, new neighbors and Sun Prairie officials “I just wanna thank everyone for coming out here today,” Isaacson said from his high-tech wheelchair. “This is awesome to see this kind of response from the community is great.”

The house will be mortgage-free

because Homes for Our Troops uses private donations to buy land and materials. The organization also recruits local contractors to donate labor and expertise. Spokesman Tom Benoit says his group believes that the wounded soldier has already paid a very high price for the home they’re being given.

“If we are going to send men and women out there to fight, and they get injured, we have a responsibility that when they come back we do everything we can within our power to make sure

that as much as is possible they get back to a life they had before they were injured,” Benoit says.

Homes for Our Troops was established in 2004. It will be breaking ground on two more houses over the next few weeks. One will be in Denver and the other will be in Minneapolis, to coincide with the Democratic and Republican Party conventions being held in those respective cities. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Gil Halsted)

Soldier to receive more than a Purple Heart

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

S T .

C R O I X

V A L L E Y

Former Chef’s Table to be winery and grille

Indian Creek Orchards to open restaurant

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–Mike Welch, Indian Creek Orchard, presented his plan to use the city’s minipark between the former Chef’s Table restaurant and Video Vault building in downtown St. Croix Falls. Welch said he is looking at a winery concept, and grill serving food inside and out, to compliment the wine.

Welch announced he was closing on the property Aug. 26, and needed to know if the city would approve a liquor license and use of the minipark for outdoor service. Welch explained that this will be a licensed facility for food production to process apple butter, apple syrup in the winter months, when most restaurants in the area seem to be slow in order to keep the business active year-round. He said his son will run it.

The idea is to market the orchard’s wine as well as featured wine from wineries in Wisconsin. Welch said he hoped Troy Chamberlain at Chateau St. Croix, and the Stillwater Vineyards would market with them.

The restaurant will feature more healthy, grilled food. “We want to stay away from fried and typical bar food, and buy local when possible,”Welch said. “We hope to bring in live music; two-piece, jazz, blues, lighter, quieter music Thursdays through Saturdays, eventually.”

They also plan on having classes on wine making in winter months, and wine-tasting events, and be able to keep things moving in the winter.

“We want to get open by Sept. 20, to coincide with our harvest so we can feature our wines, apple cider, cheese, orchard apples. The restaurant will be going right away. We want to market our wine and promote our apples and

The Chef’s Table building in downtown St. Croix Falls has been sold to Mike Welch who will open the business Sept. 20 as Indian Creek Orchard Winery & Grille. apple products and then when people come in, they can see that we have food.”

“I have a concern, are we setting precedent by allowing use of city property for this,” said Arnie Carlson, councilman.

It was explained that the license Welch is requesting is an exception license to have that outdoor space.

“That space is under-utilized, I never see anybody sitting there using it,” said Kuhlmann.

“My concern is not the space, it’s the fact it is public property. It would be easier if we could sell that property to you,” said Carlson to Welch.

“Is there a hold-harmless agreement so the city is not liable for injury?” asked Brian Blesi, councilman.

“The wonderful thing about moving this thing forward is that the BID district has discussed for a number of years how to stimulate activity and vitality in that park,” Ed Emerson, city administrator, said. “This meeting

would not be about selling that property, because that would be an issue for another meeting. The city insurance has a liability that people are responsible for their own actions, for example if someone is hiking in the Wert Nature Preserve and turns an ankle, it’s not the city’s fault. It’s up to council how to proceed.”

Councilman Deb Kravig said, “I am enthusiastic about this project moving forward, but also am concerned about checking with city attorney for the liability issues. I am very pleased you have an interest in the property.”

“I won’t close without knowing we have the liquor license and the property,” Welch said. “If we didn’t have that outdoor area, we wouldn’t be looking at that property. We can’t sell wine without a liquor license. We have a huge insurance policy covering ourselves.

We need the assurance this is going to happen if we are going to do the close tomorrow morning. We can’t afford to wait another month and may have to

Mike Welch, owner of the former Chef’s Table restaurant in St. Croix Falls, presented his idea of a winery and grille with outdoor seating to the city council Monday night, Aug. 25. The council approved a liquor license and the use of the city minipark between the restaurant and Video Vault building. –Photos by Tammi Milberg walk away from the sale. It’s not going to be a place that generates noise. We want this to be in the same spirit of the orchard where you can feel comfortable bringing your family.”

“The land remains the city minipark, it is a privilege for him to use it, but he does not have guaranteed rights to it if the business goes under, the agreement is void,” Emerson explained.

A motion to accept the request from Indian Creek Orchard for use of the mini-park with an agreement and with the city attorney to review it, as well as a liquor license approval was carried with all voting in favor.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 13

S T .

C R O I X

V A L L E Y

Land trust named River Stewards

Library only $220,000 away from $1.6 million goal

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS – The West Wisconsin Land Trust was presented with the St. Croix River Valley Stewardship Award for 2007 for their efforts in helping the city secure and preserve the Simonson Woods property, now known as the Wert Nature Preserve, and the bioBlitz event held this month in which experts classified species in the 450-acre parcel and the public was invited in to tour and enjoy the nature preserve.

Edith Kadlec, associate director, WWLT, said there were 219 species counted, including spiny hornwart and a golden winged warbler.

Mayor Darrell Anderson presented the Stewardship Award to Rick Gauger, executive director WWLT, and Kadlec, who added that there are plans to make the bioBlitz an annual event.

Library project update Sarah Adams, librarian said the library fundraising is about $220,000 away from the goal of $1.6 million. “The last $220,000 is a challenge, but we have a plan to raise more. We’re having a dinner and dance, book and bake sale, tour of homes, haunted bog and more planned,” Adams said.

She added that there are two Andersen Foundation grants out waiting for decisions. One is tabled until Andersen’s fiscal year is over to assess their finances and how much in grants they are giving out. The other, a Fred C.

The West Wisconsin Land Trust was named the St. Croix Falls River Valley Stewardship Award for 2007 at the Aug. 25 city council meeting. Pictured are Edith Kadlec, associate director WWLT, Mayor Darrell Anderson, and Rick Gauger, executive director WWLT. –Photo by Tammi Milberg and Katherine B., is still out, and the library is waiting to hear on that one.

Adams said architect Brent Norsmann is on board to help with the next phase of project with final design specs cost and estimate as well as looking at the roof. “Norsmann is the coordinator between our team and Dr. Uddin’s team. The water is stubbed and the contractor is doing the plaza beginning Wednesday.”

She gave a reminder of the WWII

traveling exhibit of POW from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. this Friday, with a freewill donation at the door. Music on the overlook follows at 6 p.m.

Uddin says the project may have to be put on hold on his portion of the building. He addressed the council as well stating, “Things are coming into the construction site, we have issues with water running off the roof. I’m not sure where things are, but our general contractors need an answer or they will

stop on their construction. I need to know where the roof is so I know whether or not they can proceed.” The council asked Adams to contact Uddin and help get efforts coordinated.

An update on the Washington Street Plaza was provided by Warren White, plan commission member and engineer.

He informed the council that there is a preconstruction meeting and the award would be contracted Aug. 26. He stated that the planting areas have been staked and stringed.

He presented the following where the project is starting: 1. Parking lot extends to the north of the property line…need to verify.

2. Curb cuts on entrance road do not line up with sidewalk…relocate.

3. Regarding the plan, an open trench next to a 4’ sidewalk…could that be extended to 5’ sidewalk to avoid liability?

4. Parking lot lights in the holiday parking lot – will they remain?

No action was taken, and the council thanked White for the update.

Wannigan royalty Susie Jasperson, Miss St. Croix Falls pageant coordinator, was present with the 2007 and 2008 Miss St. Croix Falls royalty to offer thanks and appreciation to the city for their support, dollars, staff, and providing the truck and float.

Plaques and trophies for the best float or other float awards were brought in to show the council and have been displayed in city hall. The council thanked Jasperson for heading up the Miss St. Croix Falls program for 20 years and thanked the past and current royalty for doing a nice job of representing the community.

Taylors Falls moves toward expanding downtown Road construction complete

by Tammi Milberg TAYLORS FALLS, Minn.–The city council for Taylors Falls authorized bids for a storage building and salt shop to be constructed near the city hall on First Street. The city council has been waiting for plans for MNDOT to move their buildings on to First Street from the current Bench Street location since 1999.

This leaves just under two acres of property the city will acquire and can sell right on Bench Street, or Main Street. The council is excited for this

opportunity indicating that the move of the DOT buildings from the downtown adds to the tax base. The city also has control over what development goes in that property to make it contiguous with the downtown.

The council authorized the bidding process for the building and salt shop to be constructed up near city hall from downtown.

The council noted the road construction on Hwy. 8 is completed nearly a week ahead of schedule due to some negotiating with the DOT to have the construction take place seven days a week as opposed to five days as originally scheduled.

Other business The city looked at bids that came in on the water main project. The recommendation from SHE, city engineers, was to table this. Mayor Michael Buchite said, “This may result in the city rejecting all bids because the costs are higher than we were hoping for. SEH wants us to wait on this so they can see what can be done.” The item was tabled.

•In related news the city looked at authorizing SEH to apply for a small cities grant for future water main projects. There are three options to pursue at this time for grants: Army Corps, Rural Development and PFA. The coun-

cil authorized by separate motions the $400 payment to SEH to submit the application, and to publish public notification, with the funds to come out of the water fund. The notice of intent needs to be approved for the water main redundancy loop project. The city is looking at it for 2009.

•A request to close River Street for the chili feed and garage sale as a fundraiser for St. Joseph’s Church Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3 and 4, to a include pie and ice-cream social and craft fair was approved.

Motorcycle accident leaves mino r injuries

A motorcycle accident left only minor injuries on Monday, Aug. 25. The accident took place around 11 a.m. on River Road, north of St. Croix Falls, when a motorcycle group of six bikes from Georgia were traveling north on River Road and the front bikes slowed down looking for a place to pull over and take a photo. One bike in the middle with a couple on it, tried to brake, the trailer on the back of the bike started to swerve and pulled the bike toward the embankment on the opposite side of the road. The female passenger of the bike rolled off when the bike hit the embankment, and was uninjured. The male driver of the bike received scrapes to his forehead. The bike and trailer went down the embankment, coming to a rest just short of the St. Croix River. Pictured is the bike being towed up with a rope to the roadway, and the trailer being pulled up. The bike started up after it was back up on its wheels, the trailer was damaged. The accident was responded to by the National Park Service, St. Croix Falls Police, Polk County Sheriff’s Department and St. Croix Valley Ambulance.

– Photos by Tammi Milberg

PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

P O L K

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

Frederic police chief working on community programs

by Brenda Sommerfeld FREDERIC – RJ Severude, Frederic’s police chief since January of 2007, has been working on developing community programs.

“I’ve offered many programs and many items for the community,” he said. “Whether its doing security checks, Neighborhood Watch programs, or kids and youth programs.”

“This is the misconception,” Severude said during an interview last week. “I hear people say a lot, ‘What’s the village going to do about this? How’s the village going to help build this and do that?’ The question is ‘What can you do to help the village develop our community to grow?’”

Severude said that if anyone has a suggestion for a program, he is willing to help get it started, but he asks for volunteers to help develop and keep programs running.

“I live here. I want to put into it. My door and this department are open to this community,” Severude said. “I’m here to listen, try and help and direct. If I can’t do it, I’ll try to point them in the direction or in contact with the people they need. I’m not perfect, but I try to do the best job I can.”

B.A.C.K. packets The police department received free Becoming a Cheerful Kid packets on Thursday, Aug. 21. The B.A.C.K. program is part of With Wings and a Halo – R.E.A.C.H. a Child.

The Reading Enjoyment Affects Childhood Happiness program delivers

but we try to do the best that we can,” Severude said. “We’re willing to help anyone start a program if they come to us and ask for help.”

Frederic Police Chief RJ Severude researched and found a program called R.E.A.C.H. a Child. The program is about delivering books to children who find themselves in a crisis situation including fires, accidents or other incidents. – Photos by Brenda Sommerfeld books to children who find themselves in a crisis, domestic or tragic situation.

Each B.A.C.K. packet carries 10 to 12 donated children’s books that are distributed to children in these situations by police, sheriff’s officers and emergency medical volunteers.

“A lot of times kids and youth kind of get overlooked during a crisis situation,” Severude commented. “They deal with the actual incident itself and not the recourse of what happens with the

B.A.C.K. packets will be carried by Frederic police officers, fire department members and medical volunteers to distribute to children who find themselves in a crisis situation.

kids. Sometimes programs like this will be very helpful for them.”

Frederic squad cars will now be among the many squads across Wisconsin to carry the B.A.C.K. packets.

The other packs will be given to the ambulance service and fire department to distribute as they see fit.

Other programs for kids “With school starting, we’re trying to become active for fall in what we’re going to do for programs,” Severude stated.

Severude plans on working with the younger children with the K-9 program, Stranger Danger and other safety programs including bike and Halloween safety.

“It’s a matter of looking for volunteers from the community who want to help us with this - parents, teachers and organizations,” said Severude. “We’ll try to reach out to the kids to help them have a better relationship with law enforcement, the community, school and education.”

The church leaders have also had meetings with Severude about starting a community youth center. Many members of the community also have ideas for programs.

“Everybody has their opinions on how things should be run and everything’s different. So its kind of tough to make everyone happy all of the time,

K-9 program After recently losing a dog due to health problems during training, Severude put his own money into the purchase of another dog from Germany.

A K-9 dog can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 for training, equipment, vet costs, etc.

“The reason I put my own money into it is because it’s a worthwhile program,” Severude said.

The dog that will be part of the Frederic Police Department has made its long journey and is here in the States now, but is currently going through training, inoculations and quarantine.

His name has not yet been decided.

With 12 years of being a K-9 officer, Severude plans on doing some training himself and using the dog for police work as needed, kids programs and other personal programs he wants to be a part of.

“I’m hoping to, somewhere around here, start a club for people who want to get into obedience, agility and stuff like that,” Severude mentioned. “So I’m looking to find volunteers that would like to be part of an organization like that to draw the community closer.”

Severude told of a donation to use a cabin and property for get-togethers and the village has also donated some land by the wastewater treatment center.

Neighborhood Watch Residents of the Green Acres mobile home park approached Severude about helping them start up a Neighborhood Watch program. Severude had a meeting with the manager and residents on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

“We’re in the process of developing some procedures,” Severude said.

“We’re in the beginning stages yet. Any program takes time to develop. Once it gets developed, more people find a worthwhile use in it.”

They are looking at lighting, signage and a better cooperative development within the mobile home park to help assist with patrols through the village of Frederic. These are all steps in helping to better the living area.

“It’s just a matter of getting the community to recognize that their participation is needed and wanted in these programs.”

Mishek new Hazelden CEO MINNEAPOLIS – Mark G. Mishek, a Minnesota native with extensive executive-level experience in health care, was named Monday as president and CEO of Hazelden, the national nonprofit organization that helps people reclaim their lives from addiction. The appointment was made by the Hazelden Board of Trustees.

Mishek comes to Hazelden from Allina Hospitals and Clinics, where he was most recently president of United Hospital of St. Paul and an Allina senior

vice president. Mishek succeeds Ellen L. Breyer, who resigned in April.

“Mark Mishek has been a dynamic leader in health care in the Twin Cities for a long time,” said Norb Conzemius, chairman of the Hazelden board. “He has demonstrated his ability to manage complex health care organizations. His contribution and level of commitment to service and quality patient care will provide a valuable asset to Hazelden as we grow and innovate to meet the challenges of treating addiction.”

Mishek’s career in health care spans 30 years. He has held positions with the Allina system since 1981, including executive vice president for law and public affairs and general counsel and corporate secretary for Allina Hospitals and Clinics.

“Hazelden is an outstanding organization with a rich legacy and a bright future,” said Mishek. “I am honored and grateful to have been chosen by the board to lead such a highly respected, mission-driven company. Hazelden

truly is an international leader in helping people sustain lifelong recovery to addiction to alcohol and other drugs.

I’m excited to build upon Hazelden’s strong foundation, started 60 years ago, to assure that its messages of hope and recovery reach the broadest possible audience.”

Mishek is expected to assume his new duties on Nov. 3. - from Hazelden Foundation

POLK COUNTY - A 34-year-old man wanted for threatening another man with a knife was found hiding at a friend’s house by police – which led them to arrest the friend for possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to a Polk County Sheriff’s report, Scott A. Hansen of Balsam Lake is accused of confronting his former girlfriend’s new boyfriend at her home Aug. 21. Hansen allegedly had a knife in his hand and pushed the boyfriend to

the ground, lunged at him and threatening to kill him. When the former girlfriend said she was calling the police, Hansen fled the scene.

The weapon was described as a folding-type knife. Hansen later denied having a knife.

Police spotted Hansen in a vehicle at 3:43 a.m. westbound on 4th Street by the millpond in Balsam Lake.

They attempted to stop Hansen who fled by driving through a yard south of the

highway shop and then bailed out of the vehicle.

At 5 a.m., police located Hansen at 113 3rd Ave. W. and took him into custody.

He faces charges of recklessly endangering safety, domestic disorderly conduct and knowingly fleeing an officer. While locating Hansen, police came into contact with Roger N. Strege, 59, Balsam Lake, who said Hansen was at his residence for only a couple of minutes prior to deputies arriving.

While an officer was speaking to Strege he noticed that Strege kept putting his hands back into his pockets and was acting nervous and would not keep eye contact with the officer. Strege agreed to allow officers to search his pockets, and upon doing so, they found a drug pipe. Strege was taken into custody. – Gary King with information from Polk County Sheriff’s Dept.

Locating suspect leads to second arrest

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 15

B U R N E T T

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

House hired by St. Croix Tribe as director of marketing BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES - The St. Croix Chippewa of Wisconsin have announced the hiring of Robert House as director of marketing for their three casino operations.

A lifelong resident of Minnesota, House holds a degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota. He has many years’ experience in advertising, serving as a copywriter and/or consultant for Colle McVoy and a number of other agencies, most notably Red Circle Agency, a Native Americanowned and operated advertising agency that specializes in Indian gam-

ing marketing. The majority of his professional career has been spent in Native American gaming, beginning with a six-year stint as senior copywriter and creative director for Grand Casinos from 1992 to 1998.

He has also served as a marketer for the Red Lake Tribe in Minnesota.

During his tenure at Red Lake, the tribe unified its three small casinos under one name, the Seven Clans Casinos.

In 2001, House became the director of marketing for the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa. His major responsibility for the Leech Lake Band was the successful

Robert House, new director of marketing for St. Croix Chippewa Casinos. – Photo submitted

opening of their new Northern Lights Casino in September 2001.

As director of marketing for the St. Croix Chippewa of Wisconsin, House will oversee marketing operations at the St. Croix Casino and Hotel in Turtle Lake, the Hole in the Wall Casino and Hotel in Danbury and the Little Turtle Hertel Express in Hertel.

He and his wife, Carol, live in Minnetonka. They have two children, Taylor, 24, and Samantha, 19. - from the St. Croix Tribe

Bee association reports heavy shortages

by Wayne M. Anderson POLK COUNTY – The honey-gathering season is nearly over, and the local crop this year looks bleak.

Members of the Polk-Burnett County Bee Association reported heavy shortages at their August meeting last Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Polk County Government Center.

“Very poor,” said Paul Ekblad, Grantsburg beekeeper. “I’ve never seen it to be this bad in my 60 years of beekeeping.”

The reason for the honey shortage is not clear. Some members said it was the late spring, which hampered the flowers and nectar flow.

“We see plenty of blooming. But there’s no nectar,” said Gary Reuter, club member and bee researcher with the University of Minnesota.

He said the “bees look good.” But they are not producing anywhere near the amount they produced last year.

“I’ll be lucky to get one-third of a

Young bee people Dylan Silvey, Bailey Hansen, Ally Timlin and Kayla Hansen hold bee equipment, in front of members of the Polk-Burnett County Bee Association. – Photo by Wayne Anderson crop,” said Dave Weber, a local commercial beekeeper who operates 300 hives. Last year, Weber gleaned 100 pounds per hive. This year he’ll be lucky to get 35 pounds, he said.

The lack of honey in this area is also seen in the neighboring area in Minnesota, said Reuter. But further south it seems to be better.

Last year, Reuter said he gathered 250

pounds of honey from his 45 hives. This year he will be lucky to get 60 pounds.

“It’s bad,” said Ekblad. “The bees don’t seem to be responding.”

There is no indication that Colony Collapse Disorder is present and causing this honey shortage. CCD is a mysterious disease that is wreaking havoc on bees in many states. There is no report of CCD in Wisconsin yet.

“By and large, the bees look good,” said Reuter.

But the reason for the honey shortage this year is another mystery. The concern now is that the bees might not have enough honey in their hives to eat to carry them through winter. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a severe winter this year.

Polk County sheriff’s report Accidents Aug. 17, 5:13 p.m., Laketown Twp., 240th Avenue, 200’ west of 230th Street, ANDREW L. KING, 30, Dresser, stated he left a driveway and was watching in his rearview mirror for the resident’s dog. He wanted to make sure the dog had not followed him off the property. He accidentally drove too close to the edge of the road and ended up going down a steep embankment where the vehicle struck a group of trees. The vehicle was removed by a family friend.

Aug. 18, 7:39 a.m., St. Croix Falls Twp., 160th Avenue one mile east of Hwy. 87; #1—LISA L. DOLESY, 45, Hixton; #2— TODD R. LESSMAN, 30, St. Croix Falls; Unit 1 was eastbound on 160th Avenue Unit 2 was turning right from his drive-

way to go westbound on 160th Avenue. Operator of unit 1 wrote in her statement that unit 2 did not stop and turned wide.

Operator of unit 2 wrote in his statement that unit 1 was on his side of the road. Visibility was an issue due to sunrise. There was no indication on the roadway of either unit or lane position at impact.

Aug. 19, 1:50 p.m., Apple River Twp., Hwy. 8, .5 mile east of Hwy. 46, ROBERT L. SCOTT, 79, Shoreview, Minn., struck a deer on the roadway.

Accidents Aug. 22: Davin G. Tyler, 42, Webster, was southbound on Hwy. 35 in Blaine Township, slowed to a stop to make a lefthand turn into a private driveway, when southbound Kelly R. Balsley, 37, Danbury, struck Tyler’s vehicle in the rear. There were no skidmarks found at the accident site. Both drivers were

taken by ambulance to the hospital. Balsley admitted drinking prior to the accident and received three citations. Tyler also received two citations for nonregistration of vehicle and OAR. Both vehicles were severely damaged and required towing from the scene of the accident.

Aug. 24: Daniel P.

Other Incidents Aug. 14, DALE DENOTTER and JENNIFER NELSON, both of rural Clayton, reported their mailboxes had been vandalized, along with several other mailboxes located on 45th Street.

Aug. 15, CASSIE PETERSON, Dresser, reported that a storage unit being rented by her mother, ALMA WILLIAM (Fernandino, Fla.), had been broken into and the contents removed (unknown at this time what is missing).

Aug. 15, RONALD CRNOBRNA (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) reported a burglary to his residence in Sterling Township.

Taken were part of a deer cart, Leatherman tool, hatchet, two hurricane lamps, steak knives, three one-pound propane tanks, two new comforters, and a bow/arrow holder.

Aug. 15, acts of vandalism occurred to property owned by DAVID T. LARSON (White Bear Township, Minn.), PHILIP M. HERMAN (New Hope, Minn.) and RICHARD H. COAN

(Stillwater, Minn.) located on Hwy. 8 in St. Croix Falls Township.

Aug. 16, RICHARD DIDDE, Burnsville, Minn., reported that a burglary occurred at his property in rural Frederic. His 11’ Montgomery Ward Sea King aluminum canoe was stolen.

Aug. 17, TAMARA WYMAN reported the theft of 20 to 30 landscaping bricks and 14 bags of Sunset Red mulch from her property located on Jared Road, Osceola.

Aug. 18, a door on a camper owned by JAMES J. LORD, St. Croix Falls Twp., was vandalized.

Aug. 18, JACOB HEYER, RR Clayton, reported the theft of his cooler, fishing rod and a blue Cabela’s-brand tacklebox from the back of his pickup truck.

Aug. 18, ROGER and JOAN WORTH, RR Frederic, reported at burglary to their garage sometime during Saturday evening (16th/17th).

Taken were two folding bicycles, food products, Wen-brand reciprocating saw, Black & Decker saber saw and a Black and Decker circular saw.

Aug. 19, a burglary occurred to a residence on Cherry Drive in Osceola. The owner’s son, TODD TEICH, Turtle Lake, reported the break-in. It does not appear that anything was missing.

A rock had been thrown through a basement door window and a small window next to that door had also been broken out.

Aug. 19, MARK FORSTER, Luck, reported the theft of three aluminum fuel tanks (for diesel),

a Werner-brand, aluminum folding ladder and a cutting torch, hoses and regulators from his property.

Aug. 21, DARLA TRAYNOR reported extension cords and a Matthews MQ1 left-hand compound bow were stolen from her property in rural Star Prairie.

Aug. 21, MARK FORSTER, Luck, reported someone had stolen a Yamaha 4x4 ATV, socket set and ratchet from his property.

Aug. 21, an employee of Super America gas/convenience store located in St. Croix Falls Township reported the theft of a bottle of liquor.

Burnett County warrant.

Aug. 11: Whitney J. Davis, 20, Hayward, and Nicholas B. Williams, 17, Milwaukee, were arrested for underage drinking.

Aug. 20: Robert J. Lenertz, 62, Webster, was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Aug. 22: Michael W. Carpenter, 54, Shell Lake, was arrested for domestic battery.

Other incidents Aug. 6: Tony J. Bentley, Webster, reported a trolling motor and anchor taken from boat. The incident is under investigation.

Aug. 15: Bradley J. Schmitt, Sleepy Hollow, Ill., reported a fish finder, fishing tackle and lures, trolling motor and a fishing net taken from a pontoon docked on Devils Lake. The incident is under investigation.

Aug. 17: Ardis E. Swanson, Webster, reported her mailbox missing from Corcoran Road. It was later found on Fairgrounds Road. The incident is under investigation.

Aug. 20: Diane M. Medaglia, Webster, reported six shrubs

and decorative white-colored lattice work taken from front yard or property she has for sale, The incident is under investigation.

Aug. 20: Darryl J. Schumann, Webster, reported a framing nailer, finishing nailer, stapler, air shears, sawzall, circular saw and hand tools taken from a parked truck at Big Sand Lake landing. The incident is under investigation.

Aug. 22: Christina M. Cherney, Webster, called 911 because Craig A. Stevens, 35, Webster, was breaking the windows of her vehicle with a baseball bat. Reportedly, Stevens was angry because Cherney did not give him a ride. The Burnett County Sheriff’s Department has suggested that Stevens be charged with criminal damage to property and violation of a restraining order.

Maria L. Dearbin, 26, Webster, was with Stevens at the time and a party to a crime charge has been suggested for her. Charges are pending.

Burnett County sheriff’s report McCourtney, 31, Duluth, Minn., and Lisa M. Mauser, 39, Rome, Ohio, were both westbound on Hwy. 70, stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of Hwys.

35 / 70 north of Siren, when Mauser failed to notice that McCourtney had not cleared the intersection before attempting to cross the intersection herself, and rear-ended McCourtney.

Siren police report Aug. 17: A stray black Lab was taken to the Humane Society of Burnett County some time after 1:10 p.m.

Aug. 18: Travis M. Thompson, 25, Trego, was cited for speeding on Hwy. 35/70 and Elizabeth Street at 9:18 p.m.

Aug. 19: An eviction notice was served to a local resident at 9 a.m.

Aug. 20: A Wells Fargo debit card issued to Christopher B. Capwell was given to officers at Crooked Lake Park. A man had pulled the card out of an ATM

machine. No money had been taken out using that card.

Aug. 21: Brian S. Tinkle, 27, Siren, was picked up from a residence on a warrant arrest at 8:03 p.m. The report indicated that he was later released on bond.

Aug. 23: Theft of $5 from a Siren woman the previous day was reported.

Roth GL Trulson, 57, Hudson, was cited for speeding at 7:10 p.m. on Hwy. 35/70 at South Shore Drive.

Accidents Aug. 22: At 1:10 p.m., a vehi-

cle driven by George D. Reynolds, 41, Siren, backed into a legally parked, unoccupied vehicle owned by Lyndsey T. Lee, Siren.

At 3:51 p.m., a vehicle driven

by Bonnie M. Thomas, 78, Siren, ran into the back of a vehicle driven by Jonathan D. Cleveland, 30, Eagan, Minn., as Cleveland was making a left turn into the Best Western parking lot. Thomas said that she took her eyes off the road when a grocery bag fell off the seat in her vehicle.

There were no reported injuries.

Mauser was issued one citation for inattentive driving.

Aug. 24: Anthony S. Wilson, 22, Webster, was northbound on Hwy. 35, stopped to make a left-hand turn into Wayne’s Foods Plus when Charles P. Borash, 52, Eagan, Minn., rear-ended him riding a motorcycle. Borash was issued a citation for inattentive driving.

He was also reportedly injured in the accident with an injury described as non-incapacitating.

Aug. 24: Nathan A. White, 30, Northfield, Minn., was westbound on CTH A when eastbound Aaron M. Stroot, 19, Webster, made a left-hand turn into the path of White. Stroot was issued one citation for failure to yield right of way. There was one reported injury.

Aug. 25: Sandra L. Henkel, 66, Pelkie, Mich., reported hitting a bear while on Hwy. 77.

There were no injuries reported.

Arrests Aug. 11: Jimmie C. Trumbull, 23, Bethel, Minn., was arrested in Polk County on

PAGE 16 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

3 0 t h - a n n u a l T o wn & C o u n tr y D a y s m a r ks c h a i r ’ s l a st y e a r

by Regan Kohler SHELL LAKE — Shell Lake will be celebrating its 30th-annual Town and Country Days Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30-31, and will be under new chairmanship next year.

Town and Country Days Committee Chair Karla Mortensen has overseen the event for the past five years. Before that, she was committee treasurer for two years, and a food vendor chair two years.

On becoming the committee’s chair and sometimes co-chair, she said, “It just happened.”

Mortensen saw some changes over her years as chair, including bringing the event down to two days from three and Friday night. Many people are either going home if they came from out of town, or getting ready for school on Labor Day, she said. Bringing it down to two days also saved money.

The committee consolidated its sponsorship efforts. Before, every event chair would ask for separate donations, making it confusing for businesses. Now, she said, one mailing for the event is sent out to all the area businesses.

“That helped a lot to streamline the whole process,” she said.

Beverage profits increased after the committee began selling them through a tap rather than cases. Mortensen said with cases being stolen, and sometimes running out of drinks, going to a tap process helped them decrease shrinkage.

Beverage choices were also streamlined to save money while helping local businesses, as Mortensen said people will patronize a different venue if they want something the committee doesn’t have on hand.

Town & Country Days began solely as a street dance back in the late 1970s, Mortensen said, and has been growing since then. The Young Citizens Club began running it, and the chamber of commerce has been the umbrella organization since then.

The festival used to be held later in September, Mortensen said, but it was

moved up because the weather didn’t always stay warm.

This year, Mortensen said, the committee created Lilli’s Parking Lot. Former city councilwoman Lilli Bakker had asked the committee to designate a special parking area for disabled people and senior citizens. Unfortunately, Bakker passed away recently, but Mortensen said they are honoring her memory by designating the small lot down by the community center and electric box for seniors and disabled citizens.

Mortensen said the truck pull is back after a few years’ hiatus, and there are three classes: 5,500-pound gas trucks, 6,500-pound gas trucks and diesel trucks.

It starts at noon that Saturday, along with the tractor pull, in the Tiptown Park. Also returning will be Christian music at noon Sunday after the community worship service at the pavilion. All Shell Lake churches are participating in the service.

Mortensen said this event has come back after a few years’ hiatus, too.

The Glenview Golden Rocker Auction, in which handmade rocking chairs will be auctioned off to raise money for the assisted living center, is also new. It begins at noon that Sunday in the Community Center. The events kick off Saturday with the drive-in/fly-in breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the airport. The World War II Army trucks will be on display.

Though the airport is under renovation, the city said the runway may be ready for daytime use for the breakfast.

The 5-kilometer and 15-kilometer Lake Run and children’s 40-yard dash both start at 8 a.m., the run starting in the north parking lot at the beach and the children’s dash at the community center.

The craft fair and flea market will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days in Memorial Park.

The smear and cribbage tournament begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, in the Community Center, and the spelling bee is at 9:30 a.m. in the pavilion. Coed volleyball games start at 10 a.m. at the Tiptown and Becky’s Food & Spirits courts.

The Washburn County Historical Society’s annual Chocolate Festival will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

At noon Saturday, Dean-O-Mite will be in the pavilion with children’s interactive entertainment like singing and dancing.

The mini-rod pull will be in the industrial park at 1 p.m.

Bingo begins at that time in the community center, and the children’s bingo follows at 3 p.m. The Jinx Breakers, a swing and jazz band, will be playing at the pavilion from 3-7 p.m. Rock-and-roll band Left of Centre begins at 8 p.m. on Main Street.

“It is truly a street dance,” Mortensen said, as the Town & Country Days Saturday-night dances have been held at the pavilion in recent years.

Sunday after the worship service and music, the kiddie parade will start at 1:30 p.m. at the Shell Lake State Bank, followed by the grand parade at 2 p.m. going downtown.

The Sailing Club regatta begins at 2 p.m. as well.

The kids’ pedal tractor pull at the parking area by the fish will follow the parade, as will bingo at the community center.

The festivities end with the souvenir button raffle at 4 p.m. This year’s designer was David Granzin, and the buttons can be purchased at area businesses or the Washburn County Information Booth, Spooner. Mortensen said they have many raffle prizes, including carpet cleanings from Chem-Master, a gift certificate for Jean’s Antiques, a golf day at the Clam River course and a gift certificate for Louie’s Finer Meats.

There won’t be a horse pull or a carnival this year, due to scheduling conflicts with the organizations, Mortensen said.

All daytime events are free, though some will have a fee to participate. The street dance is $3 admission, or $1 with a button.

“There is no spectator admission,” she said.

The food and beverage booths will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. At the Community

Center, the United Methodist Church women will have hot beef and turkey sandwiches and pie. The Chamber, Knights of Columbus and eighth-grade basketball team will be selling pulled pork and corn, steak sandwiches and Indian tacos outside the center. The pavilion booths will have the Town & Country Days Committee’s beverage garden and Sam Hick’s Snack Shack, and there will be Mason’s burgers and Lions Club turkey legs where the truck and tractor pulls are.

Mortensen said the iced mocha and Hawaiian shaved ice vendor will be back this year, as well.

Mortensen thanks all this year’s sponsors. She said there have been as many cash donations as there were for last year’s event, and more in-kind donations.

Mortensen said that when she is done, she will miss working with the people in the committee.

“Without all the different chair[s], it couldn’t happen,” she said.

The committee still needs a new chair to take over for Mortensen, and she encourages people to contact her if they are interested. She will give the new chair all her own information, but expects that the person be creative and unafraid to change anything.

“Nothing’s written in stone,” she said.

Mortensen said that it is someone else’s turn to organize the festival and bring forward new ideas. If the same person remains chair for too long, a festival can become stale, she said.

“I’ve taken it as far as I can with the ideas and energy levels that I have,” she said.

Mortensen is also looking forward to spend more time with family once she is done.

Anyone wishing to volunteer for the beverage garden or dance admissions can contact Mortensen at 468-4088, as the committee is looking for more people. The final committee meeting is this Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Americinn.

R and M Foods wins business plan competition Andy and Andrea Fox for Attitudes Dance Academy and William and Karen Holden for Northern Comfort Home Decorating and More.

Salley already has in mind a piece of equipment to purchase with the lowinterest loan, an automatic saucer that will make quick work of putting sauce on pizza crusts.

Salley also described the growth of his business already. He now makes as many pizzas in one day than he did in the first week he owned the business, 21/2 years ago.

R and M Foods is changing its name to Square One Foods.

by Sherill Summer SIREN – Larry Salley, co-owner of R and M Foods, maker of Square One Pizzas and other frozen foods, was one of four business owners to create a business plan in this year’s third-annual BCDA Creating Your Own Business Plan Competition.

He won and received a $2,500 check and a opportunity to take out a lowinterest loan, If it is any consulation to the other three business plans, Ted Gerber, BCDA

Larry Salley and Wendi Harrison, co-owners of R and M Foods, next to the oversized check they get to take home. president, said that all of the plans were excellent this year, and the five judges debated for an hour to pick a winner; there never was a consensus.

BCDA business plan winner Larry Salley applauds BCDA for hosting the competition and thanked them for the support.

Photos by Sherill Summer

“The plans are getting better,” Gerber concluded.

The other contestants were Matthew Hill for Danbury Hardware Hank;

Subscribe to the Leader’s virtual paper @ www.the-leader.net

St. Luke’s to begin church school and souper service FREDERIC – St. Luke United Methodist, Frederic, is about to start Wednesday night church school is and souper service supper, Sept 3.

Church school at 3:35 (bus drops them off) with a 5:15 p.m. souper service. Parents wanting their child to be involved in Christian education who would also like to share a meal together as a family, may attend on Wednesday, Sept. 3. All are welcome. - submitted

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 17

Dam breaks

The dam at the Spooner Fish Hatchery broke during some routine maintenance Wednesday, Aug. 13. According to Mayor Gary Cuskey, there was no emergency, and no evacuations were made. An interesting note, however, was that the divers found license plates from a stolen car recently recovered in the fish hatchery parking lot. The police department said there had been no apprehension of whoever stole the car, which was from Sparta, though the mystery of its missing license plates was solved Wednesday. – Photos by Regan Kohler

Unity FFA events

The Unity FFA Alumni donated their proceeds from the annual 5K Milk Run to the Centuria Neighborhood Watch. Presenting the donation is Jeanne Alling, Unity FFA Alumni member, to Rod Peterson of the Neighborhood Watch program. – Photos submitted

Unity FFA members particpating in this year’s state AgriScience Fair in Madison at the State FFA Convention all received medals. (L to R): Amanda Lefler and Julia Larsen received a silver with their project, “To Dye or Not to Dye” about absorption rates in plants; Jenelle Larsen and Joe Larsen received a silver on their project, “Pumping Iron” about the levels of iron in breakfast cereals; Jena Alling received a silver medal on her project, “Maple Money” about the level of sugar in maple tree sap; and Johanna Alling who received a gold rating on her project “Real or No Deal” about using sugar versus natural sugar substitutes like honey and maple syrup in sugar cookies. This is the fifth year that Julia and Johanna have participated in the State AgriScience Fair.

Roundtable on law enforcement held

by Regan Kohler SHELL LAKE – Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, Sen. Bob Jauch and Rep. Mary Hubler visited the Washburn County Courthouse, Shell Lake, Thursday, Aug. 14, to host a law enforcement roundtable discussion on public safety concerns.

Hubler said the items of concern on the afternoon’s agenda stemmed from correspondence with Washburn County law enforcement officials and community leaders on local areas of concern.

At the beginning of the meeting, Jauch said there are joint responsibilities between the state and local government.

“You’re on the front line,” he said.

“But you cannot, with all your greatest talents … do it alone.”

Van Hollen, a former public defender and district attorney from the Ashland area, and the state’s attorney general since 2006, spoke of some state-level challenges he has dealt with since he’s been in office. One was the crime lab backlog problem with evidence, which he said the state was able to make a dent in. The other issue was Internet crimes against children, on which Van Hollen said the state is doing lots to aid local government. He said the pedophilia problem on the Internet today goes far beyond what most people can fathom.

There have been confidential studies

(L to R) Sen. Bob Jauch, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Rep. Mary Hubler held a roundtable discussion on law enforcement issues at the Washburn County Courthouse Thursday, Aug. 14. – Photo by Regan Kohler done on how many Internet users are willing to pass out child pornography, and Van Hollen said there are thousands out there in Wisconsin alone.

Public safety is the No. 1 priority, and he said children ages 5 and younger are the most at risk for Internet crimes because they are defenseless. Van Hollen said he is providing law enforcement with the resources to investigate these crimes, and formed an Internet Crimes Against Children program to help.

Sentencing disparities The first matter on the agenda was brought forth by District Attorney J. Michael Bitney. Bitney asked about sentencing disparities in the statutes between charges of reckless bodily injury causing great harm to a child, and the same charge for great harm toward adults. Bitney said he was shocked to discover the penalties for causing great bodily harm to a child are less than harm toward adults.

“In my line of thinking, a child is

more vulnerable,” he said.

Bitney said he knows there is a wide range of charges, and there are situations in which harm is unintentional but still reckless. He asked that the state consider gradations in penalties for a person’s age in physical abuse crimes, and said he hopes legislative changes will be proposed.

Bitney said that for sexual assault, the penalty goes by the age of the victim, and the younger they are, the higher the sentence.

PAGE 18 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

Area royalty appear in Rutabaga Festival parade C entu r i a

S t . Cr o i x F a l ls

M i ll t o w n

Lu c k

101 and counting Hazel Bohn, Frederic, celebrated her 101st birthday with friends at St. Luke’s church recently. —Photo submitted

18 months and driving Eighteen-monthold William Lidberg came from Siren with his parents, Joe and Kathy, to see all the tractors at the Grantsburg fair last weekend.

William has a bit of growing to do before he can drive this Farmall tractor, but he was sure having fun trying.

— Photo by Priscilla Bauer

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 19

Interstate Veterinary Hopsital holds open house

The sign on Hwy. 35 announced the Interstate Veterinary open house in Centuria on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Kids participated in an unusual, yet fun game of picking up water balloons with pooper scoopers without popping them. The one who collected the most, won a T-shirt.

Photos by Tammi Milberg LEFT: This bunny, in the petting area, hides inside a log and appears to be camera shy.

RIGHT: Reindeer from Milltown were displayed at the open house.

LEFT: Fawn-Doe-Rosa brought animals to the Interstate Veterinary Hospital in Centuria on Saturday, Aug. 23, for their open house. This goat and other goats were in a petting pen.

Animal lovers from all walks of life attended an open house at the Interstate Veterinary Hospital on Hwy. 35 in Centuria Saturday, Aug. 23, as the business celebrated its 35th year.

In a fog

A foggy morning in Burnett County produces one of the more mysterious faces of the beautiful countryside in our area. — Photo by Raelynn Hunter

PAGE 20 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

S

S

I N T E R! C O U N T Y L E A D E R

P O R T

F R E D E R I C • G R A N T S B U R G • L U C K • S T. C R O I X F A L L S • S I R E N • U N I T Y • W E B S T E R

Unity/Luck Tennis win every match against Barron Kothlow and No. 2 doubles team Jessi Kutina and Katherine Ebensperger won their matches. Kothlow took three sets, winning the first, 6-1, losing the second, 6-4, but coming back and taking the third, 8-6. Kutina and Ebensperger took it in two sets, 6-3 and 6-2.

Christine Franzel defeated her No. 3 singles Osceola opponent Laura Bowitz in two sets, 6-4 and 6-2. Maddie Anderson and Katie Petzel won the No. 3 doubles match, 6-2 and 6-1.

Unity/Luck 1-0 in conference

by Brenda Sommerfeld BALSAM LAKE – Barron tennis players ventured to the courts of the Unity/Luck team on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

The Unity/Luck players took the homecourt advantage, winning all seven varsity matches in which they competed.

“I am really proud of how the girls played,” coach Sarah Schmidt said.

Unity/Luck’s No. 1 singles player, Stephanie Kothlow, defeated her Barron counterpart, Lindsey Lindberg, in two sets. Kothlow won the first set, 6-3, and the second, 6-0. She is still undefeated with a season record of 7-0. The No. 1 doubles, pair Alesa Paulsen and Elizabeth Ebensperger, of the Unity/Luck team, shut out their competition, 6-0 and 6-0, in the first two sets.

On the other half of the court, Lexi Kothlow defeated Barron’s Crystal Hanson, 6-1 and 6-3, in her No. 2 singles match. While Kothlow was winning hers, Unity/Luck’s No. 2 doubles team, Katherine Ebensperger and Jessi Kutina, were winning their first two sets, 6-3 and 6-3.

Christine Franzel, Unity/Luck’s No. 3 singles took her first two sets, 6-0, 6-1.

The No. 3 doubles, Maddie Anderson and Katie Petzel completed two sets, winning 6-0 and 6-1.

Extra Points

Katie Petzel played in the No. 3 doubles with Maddie Anderson for the Unity/Luck team. The pair won their first two sets, 6-0 and 6-1. – Photos by Brenda Sommerfeld Alex Davison competed for Unity/Luck in the No. 4 singles, winning both sets, 6-1.

Osceola match The Unity/Luck varsity tennis team traveled to Osceola on Friday, Aug. 22, winning the match 5-2. It puts them at 1-0 for the Middle Border conference.

“It was a great match despite the rain off and on and a strong wind,” Schmidt said. “The girls needed to adjust to the wind to win their matches.”

Unity/Luck’s No. 4 singles player Alex Davison won both of her sets, 6-1, during the match against Barron on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Stephanie Kothlow won the No. 1 singles for Unity/Luck, 6-0 and 6-2.

The No. 1 doubles pair, Elizabeth Ebensperger and Alesa Paulsen, lost their match, 6-3 and 6-4.

“They did lose their match,” Schmidt said, “but played very well together.”

Both No. 2 singles player Lexie

Maddie Anderson is Katie Petzel’s partner for the Unity/Luck No. 3 doubles team.

Saints golf holding strong near the top Luck/Unity holding their own ST. CROIX FALLS – The Saints girls golf team traveled to Krooked Creek and Bristol Ridge Golf Course on Aug. 18 and 20, along with the Luck/Unity golf team.

After coming off a first-place finish at the Barron Scramble, the Saints placed second at both matches, behind Baldwin Woodville. At Osceola the Saints tallied a 395, with strong efforts from Marissa Campeau (78), and Jenny

Benoy (82). Taylor Stowell (117), and Cortney Rasmussen (118) rounded out the scoring for the Saints. Brittany Buss scored a 131. At difficult Bristol Ridge Golf Course, the Saints again were led

by Benoy’s 84, and Campeau’s 86.

Rasmussen’s 115 and Buss’ 125 rounded out the scoring. Stowell finished with a 137. The Saints next outing is Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Amery Golf Course. The team is looking to improve and working hard.

Luck/Unity golf under way The Luck/Unity girl’s golf team has

gotten under way despite having just four athletes on the roster this season.

On Aug. 18 and 20 at the Krooked Kreek and Bristol Ridge golf courses, the girls placed ninth out of 10 different teams.

They finished with a team score of 608 at Krooked Kreek and a 609 at Bristol Ridge. Coach Ron Steen says the team has made some nice improvements already this early in the season.

St. Croix Falls will be the host of the next match, which will begin at 3 p.m. – Marty Seeger with submitted information

••• LEADERLAND – The Friday, Aug. 29 Amery at Grantsburg High School football game can be heard on WXCX 105.7 FM beginning at 7 p.m. The Thursday, Aug. 28, Clayton vs. Clear Lake at UW-Stout football game can be heard at 7:30 p.m. on 1260 AM. ••• MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Brewers games featured on WXCE 1260 can be heard on the following dates: The Milwaukee at Pittsburgh Pirates games on Aug. 28 and 29 can be heard at 6 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. respectively. The New York Mets at Milwaukee series on Sept. 1, 2 and 3 can be heard at 1 p.m., 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.

••• MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Twins games featured on WLMX 104.9 FM can be heard on the following dates: The Minnesota at Oakland games on Aug. 28 and 29 can be heard after the high school football and Minnesota Viking games, which both begin at 7 p.m.

The Aug 30 and 31 Twins games at Oakland can be heard at 8 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively. The Sept. 2 and 3 Minnesota at Toronto games can be heard at 6 p.m. both nights.

••• GREEN BAY – The Tennessee Titans at Green Bay Packers game featured on WLMX 105.7 FM can be heard on Aug. 28 beginning at 6 p.m.

••• MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys game on WLMX 104.9 can be heard on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.

••• MADISON – The Akron at Wisconsin Badgers football game on WXCE 1260 AM can be heard on Aug. 30 at 11 a.m.

••• LEADER LAND – Local sports tidbits to share? Please contact the Leader by 4 p.m. on Tuesdays to go in Extra Points! – Marty Seeger and Brenda Sommerfeld ••• LEADER LAND – Leader Sports strives to follow the college careers of area athletes. If you know of an athlete who will be playing collegiate sports in 2008 and hasn’t been mentioned, send us an e-mail and we’ll take it from there. – Marty Seeger and Brenda Sommerfeld

SPORTS RESULTS DEADLINES: WEDNESDAY - MONDAY: 1 p.m. the following business day. TUESDAY: 10 p.m. Missed deadlines mean no coverage that week!

S P O R T S N E W S O R S C O R E S T O R E P O R T ? • P H O N E : 7 1 5 - 3 2 7 - 4 2 3 6 • FA X : 7 1 5 - 3 2 7 - 4 1 1 7 • E - M A I L : m s e e g e r @ c e n t u r y t e l . n e t o r b r e n d a l s @ c e n t u r y t e l . n e t

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 21

L

E

A

D

E

R

S

P

O

R

T

S

Take me out to the ball game Knights of Columbus take altar servers to Twins-Yankees game FREDERIC/GRANTSBURG – Knights of Columbus Council 6370 and the Councils of Catholic Women for St. Dominic, Frederic, and Immaculate Conception, Grantsburg, parishes sponsored an appreciation field trip for the altar servers of the two parishes. These young people are a significant part of the worship life of the parishes. They faithfully assist the priest and deacon at the parishes’ liturgical celebrations.

The trip was to the Minnesota TwinsNew York Yankees game in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The group left Frederic in the afternoon and stopped for supper at McDonalds in St. Croix Falls for an “all-you-can-eat” supper.

They arrived at the Metrodome in Minneapolis in time to witness the players warm up; the opening ceremonies, including the presentation of the colors; and the thrill of watching the 12-inning game which followed. At last report, at least three hot dogs and pop were consumed by each attendee during the

Day has his day in Beijing

Mike Day

The excited group of the Knights of Columbus and altar servers from Frederic and Grantsburg arrive at the Metrodome for the game on Tuesday, Aug. 12. – Photos submitted game. Unfortunately, the Twins lost to the Yankees after a valiant effort.

It was an unexpected surprise, for both the altar servers and the Knights of Columbus who accompanied them, to see a Knights of Columbus group in full ceremonial regalia serve as the color guard for presentation of the flag and singing of the national anthem.

The Knights of Columbus who accompanied the servers were Dave Rudolph, Dan Ohnstad, Willis McLain, Scott Hoffman, Peter Lauer, Jerry Spies and Ken Langley.

One of the Knights commented that the young people were, “a great group to travel with—a witness to what makes vibrant parishes.” They’re all looking forward to attending a Twins game again next year. - submitted

Several of the Twins team members and a coach, preparing for the opening ceremonies.

Takes silver in first-time Olympic event BEIJING, China – Mike Day of Clarita, Calif., took a silver medal in the first-ever BMX bike racing event in Olympic history. Day is the son of Siren native Robin Day and grandson of Lois Heffner of Frederic. Day’s grandfather, Bill Heffner, was the former Deacon of the Catholic Church in Webster.

Including Day, three riders from the United States took top spots in the event, with Maris Strombergs of Latvia taking home the first-ever gold medal in the event, and Donny Robinson of Napa Calif., winning the bronze medal for the United States. In the women’s event it was Jill Kintner of Seattle, Wash., who earned the bronze medal.

“Second place, I’m super excited about,” Day told Los Angeles Times staff writer, Kevin Baxter.

“To just be in the final, to be second, I’m excited.” – Marty Seeger

The altar servers who went on the trip were Ben Cole, Cody Hoffman, Jessica Hoffman, William Lauer, Nicholas Lindgren, Brent Myers, David Ohnstad, Jacob Ohnstad, Megan Bartylla, Joe Draxler, Andy Falk, Christopher Feit, Jillian Klatt, Connor McGinnity, Amanda Runnels, Kendra Wells and Emily Wells.

There were 13 altar servers who were unable to attend due to previous commitments.

Knights of Columbus color guard for presentation of flag and national anthem.

Justin Morneau warming up before the game.

Members of the Yankees team, taken during the national anthem.

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

L

E

A

D

E

R

S

P

O

R

T

S

Football teams prepare for opening nights

The Siren Dragons football team went to Unity for their scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 22. They were put up against Cumberland in the first round.

Siren will play Bruce at the UW-Stout field on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 5 p.m. – Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld

Grantsburg’s Thane Larson denies a Northwood receiver during their scrimmage Friday, Aug. 22. The Pirates host Amery on Friday, Aug. 29, in their first game of the 2008 season. – Photo by Larry Samson

Unity hosted a scrimmage for Siren, Washburn and Cumberland on Friday, Aug. 22. Unity will play Spooner on their home field for their first game on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. – Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld

Webster played Shell Lake in one of their scrimmages on Friday, Aug. 22.

The Tigers will be traveling to Cornell on Friday, Aug. 29, in nonconference action. – Photo by Larry Samson Clayton hosted the Frederic Vikings along with others in a scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 22. Frederic plays at Birchwood for their opening game on Friday, Aug. 29. – Photo by Marty Seeger

The St. Croix Falls Saints football team traveled to Clayton on Friday, Aug. 22, to battle Clayton in one of their scrimmages that evening. They will play their first game on Thursday, Aug. 28, at Osceola. – Photo by Marty Seeger

Luck’s football scrimmage took place in Barron on Friday, Aug. 22. They played against Colfax (shown) in one. The Cardinals will open their season in Prairie Farm on Friday, Aug. 29. – Photo courtesy of Barron News Shield

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 23

L

E

A

D

E

R

S

P

O

R

T

S

Unity FFA donkey baseball

Members of the Unity FFA donkey baseball team were (L to R): Dennis McKinney, Mike Johnson, Dustin McKinney, Amy VanDeBrake, Kelsey Jensen, Travis Nelson and Andy Kruse. Missing from the photo were: Alec Carlson and Dan Livingston. The Unity team played 10’ers in the first game, losing the game by only one point.

Ben Lundgren was taking a digger off of “Buckmaster” as CJ Cordell of Dairyland donkeyball looks on at the Unity FFA alumni donkey baseball game Sunday, Aug. 24, in Cushing. – Photos by Jeanne Alling

The 10’ers donkey baseball team took the championship two years in a row for the annual Unity FFA alumni donkey baseball tournament in Cushing.

The Centuria Fire Department came in second to 10’ers in the second game at the annual Unity FFA alumni donkey baseball game Sunday in Cushing.

Kelsey Jensen, Unity FFA senior, showed the crowd, during Sunday’s Unity FFA alumni donkey baseball game at Cushing, that to have fun is more important than winning.

Brett Meyer of the Centuria Fire Department shows his technique as he competed in the Unity FFA Alumni’s annual donkey baseball game on Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Cushing ball field. Proceeds from the event go toward scholarships in the Unity FFA program.

Jim Johnson, member of the 10’ers donkey baseball team, really had the technique down by game two against the Centuria Fire Department.

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

L

E

A

D

E

R

S

P

O

R

T

S

Volleyball teams start season

The Frederic Vikings played Northwood (above) on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

The Webster Tigers also played, traveling to Birchwood where they won in five games, 25-19, 13-25, 10-25, 28-26, 15-9. – Photo by Marty Seeger

The Siren volleyball team started out their season against Weyerhaeuser on Tuesday, Aug. 26. They lost in three games, 25-23, 28-26, 25-20. “We played well, but not well enough,” stand-in coach Ryan Karsten said. – Photo

by Brenda Sommerfeld

Adams, Leer and Richards top Rice Lake open wheel spectacular

by Ed Reichert RICE LAKE – The Open Wheel Spectacular was the featured attraction Saturday night at the Rice Lake Speedway and Cameron’s Billy Balog topped a 31-car field to win the Interstates Racing Association 30-lap main event and please the local openwheel crowd. Two WISSOTA division plus the Rice Lake Pure Stocks also competed, and the winners of those main events were Kevin Adams, Matt Leer and Danny Richards.

Adams won the modified main event after a tough battle with Rich Lofthus and Shaun Kreyer. They flanked the front row in front of Adams on the draw/redraw format used Saturday with Kreyer getting the jump and taking the early lead. Adams was immediately all over Lofthus in the battle for second while Jerry Weigel was on the move too, and Mike Anderson started to work his way up from the fourth row. Adams was able to edge past Lofthus and close on Kreyer, but the top three continued to run in tight formation.

Several times Adams looked to the inside of Kreyer but he was able to hold Adams off and retain the lead. Finally, just at the halfway point, Adams made a strong move off turn four when Kreyer slipped up the track and Kevin took over the top spot. As he put a little distance on the field, Lofthus moved to the inside of Kreyer and took over second, only to loose control two laps later and spin in turn four, collecting Kreyer in the process.

Kreyer was returned to his position as Adams pulled away on the restart and didn’t really get challenged from that point on. He drove on for his seventh win of the year at Rice Lake and 23rd overall, as he continues his pursuit of a

national championship. Weigel made a strong run in the late laps as he took over second from Kreyer with Anderson out battling Dave Mayala to complete the top five.

After Leer got turned around on the first lap by another car, the Midwest modified main event ran nonstop and Matt led all 15 laps. After the near disaster on the opening corner, he settled into the lead ahead of a charging Mark Gerth. Gerth was all over Leer as he continually looked to the bottom of the track in an attempt to sneak into the lead. However, Leer would have nothing of that and continued to hold off the Menomonie charger. The Viltz brothers were locked in combat for the third spot with Ryan coming from behind to motor past Tito and head for the front.

As the laps ran down, Gerth continued his pressure as Leer was under the gun continuously. Ryan Viltz was perhaps the fastest car on the track at this point as he closed in on the leaders.

Gerth made one last attempt on the final lap but Leer slammed the door on him and drove home for his second win of the year here. Viltz ran out of laps and had to settle for third ahead of Tito Vihz and Scott Erickson.

The pure stocks also ran a nonstop main event and Danny Richards, the track champion, wasted no time at all making his move. Although he started sixth on the grid, he made a tremendous move in the first turn, driving high and powering past Zach Manley on the back chute. He completed his first lap advance by driving past Dusty Brown through turn four and by the time the first lap was scored, Richards was the leader. After that, he just kept the field at bay as he ran just fast enough to hold off the competition and not make things

too exciting for himself.

Brown pushed as hard as he could, but he simply couldn’t catch the Mondovi speedster. Darwin Brown made a late move as he got by Manley for third and closed on his nephew, but Brown held him off for the position.

Doug Wojcik completed the top five.

The Rice Lake Speedway will close out the 2008 racing season in a big way this coming weekend. There will be a doubleheader program featuring all classes racing on both Friday and Saturday, Aug. 29 and 30. Friday’s featured event will be the Dart Challenge Series for WISSOTA Late Models event in its next to final event of the 2008 season. Currently, Lance Matthees leads Pat Doar by 10 points going into the final weekend of series events with Cumberland’s Steve Laursen a close third. The late models will be going 40 laps on Friday night with the winner earning $3,000 in what will be the biggest late model event of the year at Rice Lake. Thirty or more late models are expected while all the other classes will be racing for extra money also.

On Saturday, the featured event will be the street stock Little Dream race with the drivers in that class racing for an enhanced purse, much of it provided by the spectators and businesses of the area that add cash to the payoff in interesting and unique ways. Last year’s winner Cory Crapser earned $1,300 for his win. Crapser recently landed a street stock ride and he may be on hand to defend his title while all other classes, including the late models, will again put on a full show with extra money on the line.

Race time is 7 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, check the speedway Web site at

www.rlspeedway.com.

SUMMARY WISSOTA Modifieds: 20-lap feature – Kevin Adams, Cameron; Jerry Weigel, Jim Falls; Shaun Kreyer, Hayward; Mike Anderson, Colfax; Dave Mayala, Barron; Mike Anderson, Dallas; Brandon Kallenbach, Prairie Farm; Tim Shackleton, Dallas; Jed Moore, Marshfield; Don Cimfl, Rice Lake; Cory Karshbaum, Chetek and Rich Lofthus, Bloomer.

10 lap heat 1 – Weigel; Adams; Anderson(Dallas); Kreyer; Anderson(Colfax) and Karshbaurn.

Heat 2 – Lofthus; Kallenbach; Moore; Mayala; Shackleton and Cimfl.

WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds: 15-lap feature – Matt Leer, Bruce; Mark Gerth, Menomonie; Ryan Viltz, Cameron; Tito Viltz, Cameron; Scott Erickson, Barron; Terry Sirek, Rice Lake; Nick Koehler, Bloomer; Tom Johnson, Rice Lake and Grant Southworth, Bloomer.

10-lap Heat – R. Viltz; Erickson; T. Viltz; Leer; Gerth; Southworth; Koehler; Sirek and Johnson.

Pure Stocks: 12-lap feature – Danny Richards, Mondovi; Dusty Brown, Rice Lake; Darwin Brown, Cumberland; Zach Manley, Cameron; Doug Wojcik, Ladysmith; Simon Wahlstrom, Cameron; Adam Delfosse, Cumberland; C.J. Wagner, Hayward; Luke Plank, Eau Claire; Jay Folz, Rice Lake; Randy Connor, Seeley; Bob Wahstrom, Cameron and Nick Wojcik, Ladysmith.

8-lap heat 1 – Dusty. Brown; D. Wojcik; Darwin Brown; Plank; S. Wahlstrom and Connor; B. Wahlstrom.

Heat 2 – Manley; Richards; Delfosse; Wagner; Folz and N. Wojcik.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 25

L

E

A

Broadway Brett is a Jet How exciting it is to see future Hallof-Famer Brett Favre leave the relative obscurity of Green Bay, Wis., for the bright lights of New York City.

Even though many Cheeseheads are still scratching their heads over Packer management’s zeal to make Brett whol- THE SPORTS ly unwelcome back in Title Town, they still wish him well in NYC. “It’s just too bad the Pack didn’t give him his number one wish, which was to be traded to the Minnesota Vikings,” said one Viking fan who was prepared to buy an official, purple and white NFL-licensed number four jersey with Favre’s name on the back. “I’ve always rooted against Favre and the Packers, but would’ve loved to see him in purple, running on to the field as the Viking horn blared over the Metrodome loudspeakers,” said the disappointed fan.

J o h n R y a n

PAGE

Hat’s off to Thee Hat’s off to the movers, shakers, and volunteers who constructed the brand spankin’–new press box/announcer’s booth/assistant coach’s perch at the

D

E

R

Frederic High football field. FHS fans hope the new structure will be the final piece to the puzzle that will catapult the Vikings to that long-awaited conference title. If you check out the impressive Fall Sports Preview section next week, you will note that the Vikes play their first home game next weekend versus Flambeau.

The new booth is a vast improvement over the preceding model, and makes the even-more-ancient version from the 1960s and ‘70s seem evenmore- quaint. (Even though, back then, the old booth seemed to represent the epitome of a big time press box in the eyes of many a wide-eyed young fan.)

The esoteric old announcer’s tower at the old gridiron just north of the old high school was painted a snappy blue and gold on the outside, but apparently was a mere collection of rough boards and steep ladder steps on the inside, at least according to the Town Kids who claimed to have sneaked into the sacred edifice. The only hope for us, of the rustic country ilk, who didn’t have the connections or the audacity to sneak in to such a fortress–was to be satisfied with arriving at the field early enough to be treated to a glimpse of the shadowy and mysterious P.A.Voice (whom my dad claimed was a guy named Tom Lemieux Sr.) open the creaking door at ground level and be swallowed up by the darkness of the tower to be heard, but not seen, through the dura-

LEADER SP ORTS SCOREBOARD SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL

Siren Ballpark Women’s League

Team Chell Trucking/The Beehive Skol Bar Smith Family Eye Care Wizards Coyland Creek Maurer Construction H Town Girls

Overall 11-0 8-4 8-4 6-6 6-6 2-10 1-11

Scores

Monday, Aug. 25 Maurer Power 10, H Town Girls 8 Coyland Creek 14, Wizards 12 Smith Famly Eye Care 8, Skol Bar 6

Siren Ballpark Men’s League

Team Sundown Chell Well Pour House 1 Hole in the Wall Century 21 Church League Team Fur, Fins & Feathers Pour House 2 Gjonnes Construction Da Crew

Overall 14-1 11-4 9-5 10-5 8-7 8-7 6-9 6-8 2-13 0-15

Scores

Wednesday, Aug. 20 Sundown 17, Fur, Fins & Feathers 15 Church League Team 27, Da Crew 8 Hole in the Wall 23, Century 21 19 Pour House 2 22, Gjonnes Construction 18 Chell Well 19, Pour House 1 9

TENNIS

Upcoming

Thursday, Sept. 4 4:15 p.m. Unity/Luck at Baldwin

GIRLS GOLF Upcoming

Thursday, Aug. 28 3 p.m.

Luck/Unity at St. Croix Falls

FOOTBALL Upcoming

Thursday, Aug. 28 5 p.m.

Siren vs Bruce at UW-Stout 7 p.m.

St. Croix Falls at Osceola Spooner at Unity Friday, Aug. 29 7 p.m.

Frederic at Birchwood Amery at Grantsburg Luck at Prairie Farm Webster at Cornell

VOLLEYBALL Scores

Tuesday, Aug. 26 Unity at Rice Lake Northwood at Frederic Webster 3, Birchwood 2 (25-19, 13-25, 10-25, 28-26, 15-9) Weyerhaeuser 3, Siren 0 (25-23, 28-26, 25-20)

Upcoming

Thursday, Aug. 28 3 p.m.

Webster at Unity 4:45 p.m. Luck at Unity Friday & Saturday, Aug. 29 & 30 TBA St. Croix Falls at Menomonie Tuesday, Sept. 2 7:30 p.m. Frederic at Birchwood Luck at Weyerhaeuser Cumberland at Webster Siren at Winter

CROSS COUNTRY

Thursday, Aug. 28 4:30 p.m. Frederic at Grantsburg St. Croix Falls at Grantsburg Webster at Grantsburg Luck/Unity at Grantsburg Tuesday, Sept. 2 4:30 p.m. St. Croix Falls at Frederic Grantsburg at Frederic Luck/Unity at Frederic

S

P

O

tion of the night.

The spine tingles when recalling those cherished Friday nights at the old gridiron back in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

I was but a lower elementary-school pupil at the time (was it first or second grade?) but for some reason I still recall a night when legendary FHS running back Brian Johnson scored a pair of his numerous TDs and one of my classmates and fellow fans, Jim Brekke, made the startling claim that Johnson was his cousin. This was confusing to me, knowing that “cousins” were supposed to be just a bunch of young roughnecks whom were encountered at Christmastime and various other extended family gatherings. Cousins were not blue and gold-clad gladiators who played under the lights on Friday night in front of adoring spectators, cheerleaders and the marching band. So naturally I assumed my classmate had fabricated the tale of an alleged family connection to a local football star.

But further research validated Brekke’s seemingly outrageous claim and I went on to gain new respect for the lad.

Speaking of Brekke His son, David Brekke, is back for another year playing football for the Columbia Lions in the storied Ivy League.

You can follow young Brekke’s progress (and see his photo) if you log onto www.gocolumbialions.com.

R

T

S

Naturally, this week’s trivia exercise focuses on Frederic High School football trivia.

1) What was the brand name of the more streamlined and modern football helmets that began to be phased in in the late 1960s, replacing the old “pumpkin head” style head gear. 2) Name the only head honcho InterCounty Leader Co-op Association publisher to star as quarterback for the Frederic Vikings 3) How many points was a two-point conversion worth in 1975? 4) Venerable Leader sports writer Clyde Kunze informally christened the old football field with this name, though its not clear if that name transferred to the new site. 5) The old concession stand at the old field was in which corner of the gridiron: southwest, northwest, northeast or southeast? 6) True or False—Oldtimers whom we thought were hopelessly old when we overheard them back in the1960s and ‘70s talking about their football days from the 1940s and 1950s were younger then than old-time gridders from the 1960s and ‘70s are today.

Correct answers: 1) Riddell (God forbid to be an upperclassman in the 1970s and still be stuck with a pumpkin head helmet) 2) Doug Panek 3) Two 4) R.P. Glynn Field 5) southwest 6) True ( unfortuntately, true by a long shot) John Ryan may jmr202@yahoo.com

be

reached

at

The Frederic Golf Course held its 2008 Club Tournament Championship recently. FAR LEFT: Jennifer Delozier and Trevor Cogswell were tournament champions. The men's first flight was John Anderson, second flight Randy Reis, third flight Charvey Spencer, fourth flight Colin O'Donovan, fifth flight Bruce Java, sixth flight Tom Wettergren. Women's first flight was jeanne Taylor, championship flight low net was Ginny Clausen and first flight low net belongs to Hope Healy. - Photos submitted It’s a wellknown fact that Green Bay management shunned and rejected Brett Favre when he desired to return to the Packers. Not like the Inter County Leader sports team, who has opted to welcome back the Swami with open arms.

“I enjoyed my THE SWAMI year in North Dakota,” the Swami said, “but frankly, I grew a little jealous when I saw how good the Amazing Bynor did in my absence. So I decided to load up my 1957 pickup and drive back to Wisconsin for good.

They’ll take this column from me again when they pry the keyboard from my cold, dead fingers.” He also said he was grateful to sports editor Marty Seeger for making him feel welcome and wanted. “He treated me just the opposite of the way Ted Thompson treated Brett,” added our hippie friend.

This fall, the Swami says he will predict football only and will confine his predictions to the seven Leader Land schools with an occasional Amery, Osceola, Shell Lake or Clear

The Swami

PREDICTS

Lake prediction thrown in for good measure.

The Swami answers all e-mails and can be reached at predictionking@yahoo.com.

This week’s games: Bruce 24, Siren 6 – The Dragons enjoy the thrill of playing at UW-Stout but come up short versus the Raiders.

Luck 20, Prairie Farm 8 – This was a toughie for the Swami since PF is the alma mater of Marty Seeger, but the Cards have too much speed for the undermanned Panthers.

Webster 19, Cornell 12 – This is my first daring prediction of the year.

Come on, Tigers. Make the ol’ Swami look good.

Amery 36, Grantsburg 14 – Don’t let this game fool you. When it’s all said and done, the Pirates will bounce back from last year’s uncharacteristic performance.

Osceola 34, St. Croix Falls 19 – Some think the Saints will win the Large Lakeland Conference, but they won’t be a match against their old rivals from downstream.

Spooner 40, Unity 12 – The Eagles get railroaded by a Heart O’ the North powerhouse.

Frederic 27, BirchwoodWeyerhaeuser 14 – The Vikes will prevail in this road test.

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

O UTDOORS INTER! COUNTY LEADER

ATVs • BIRDING • BOATING • CAMPING • FISHING • HIKING • HUNTING • RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

What’s it like to be a pro walleye angler? new Ranger boat. That year he cashed over $160,000 in tournament winnings.

To date he’s won two boats, which were valued at about $60,000. In total, he’s made over $500,000 in tournament winnings, which he admits isn’t a lot given the amount of years he’s been fishing, but certainly enough to keep him going throughout the years.

Todd Riley of Amery knows

by Marty Seeger AMERY – He didn’t come from a fishing-oriented family, nor did he start fishing until his late teens. He hadn’t even fished in a boat until he made enough money to purchase one on his own. Yet Todd Riley of Amery finds himself in the midst of his 14th year as a professional walleye angler. He fishes about 12 tournaments per year, and catches anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 walleye per year.

So far this season, he’s completed eight tournaments on both the Professional Walleye Trail and the FLW Wal-Mart walleye tour, and has finished in the top-ten four times, which is a personal best, and still has four more tournaments to go before the year ends.

His last tournament took place Aug. 13-15 in Dryden, Ontario, in the PWT Super Pro Can-Am Tournament, which featured 25 of the top walleye anglers from the United States going up against the top 25 anglers from Canada. The United States lost by nine pounds of fish, but Riley still finished in 10th place.

A good start For Riley, his interest in fishing began sometime during his late teen years. In the late ‘70s he became a self-employed building contractor who specialized in masonry construction, and at that time there wasn’t a whole lot of work to be done in the winter.

“To beat cabin fever, some of my buddies drug me out ice fishing, and that’s basically when it all started,” Riley said.

“I basically lived on the lakes in the winter.”

That lasted a short number of years before he had to get more serious about the business aspect of things in the contracting business. Working winters eventually became more common and as the summer months passed by, the only available times to fish were on days when jobs would get rained out.

He did much of his fishing in the rain.

“I really didn’t know much, but wanted to learn more, and I ended up getting introduced to Lake Mille Lacs,” Riley said. At the introduction of Mille Lacs,

Todd Riley is in his 14th year as a professional walleye angler, and has placed in the top ten four times this season, which is a personal best. – Photos courtesy of walleye.outdoorsfirst.com he basically quit fishing in the areas around home, and during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s started entering himself in various weekend tournaments on Mille Lacs.

“It was more of a recreational type deal,” said Riley, and admits that he misses those days because he could balance his job and enter tournaments on the weekends on Mille Lacs, while also bringing home a few winning checks in the process. But Riley found himself wanting to experience walleye fishing far beyond Mille Lacs, in known walleye producers such as the Oahe reservoir in the Dakotas, Lake Erie and Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. Although he admits that a divorce helped to catapult his desire to go further into fishing more tournaments, he’d always dreamed of angling on some of the greatest walleye fisheries in the world.

Cabela's catalog offering During a slow part of winter in the early ‘90s, Riley stumbled upon an

Another day at the office. Todd Riley hoists up a pair of chunky walleye in one of 12 tournaments over the past year.

offering in his Cabela's catalog for a Pro Am walleye tour. It included four qualifying tournaments with a no-entry-fee championship. One of the qualifying events just happened to be on Lake Mille Lacs, which is one he knew he could do well at. The others on the list were the same ones he had only heard about, but dreamed of fishing one day.

There were qualifying tournaments on Lake Erie out of Toledo, Ohio, Lake Oahe out of Mobridge, S.D., and a championship held on Lake Cumberland in Kentucky.

He eventually took third at Mille Lacs and fifth at Lake Oahe, which qualified him for the championship in Kentucky.

He ended up taking second place at the championship, but would have taken first place had he not been docked points because of a dead fish penalty.

“I didn’t possess the skill or knowledge in that point in time,” Riley said, describing how he might have been able to keep the fish alive had he known about “fizzing,” which is a method tournament anglers use to release air from the air bladder when a walleye is caught in deeper water. If brought to the surface too quickly, a fish can’t adjust the air in its bladder and can die. It cost Riley first place, but it hooked him into a life of tournament fishing as a fulltime job. At that time, Riley told himself he was going to try it full time for about five years, but things changed.

“If it was conceivably possible to make a living at it I would continue, and if I hadn’t, or was unable to, I was just going to chalk it up as another life experience and move on, knowing that I got to go fishing for a few years,” Riley said.

That was 14 years ago, and Riley is still in the world of professional fishing.

There were some lean years however, when Riley felt he should throw in the towel, but it wasn’t long after that that he landed one of the biggest payouts of his career. In 2002, Riley won the WalMart RCL Walleye Circuit tournament which earned him over $90,000 in tournament winnings, as well as a brand-

The fun stops here Fishing tournaments goes beyond just fishing, and Riley admits that it has become a “job.” Some days are better than others, and the last thing he wants to do when he gets home is go walleye fishing after spending 10 days on the road, which is typically how long he’s gone during a tournament.

“I typically roll out of Amery the end March when we’re still socked in with ice and snow,” he said.

Tournament anglers head east to the Detroit River, Lake Erie and the Illinois River. On average Riley has four tournaments under his belt before the season even opens here in Wisconsin.

Sometimes people tell him how great it must be to fish walleye for a living, but Riley replies, “How would you like to have to go fishing every day come he** or high water.”

He’s had several less-than-pleasant experiences, including one tournament on the Great Lakes, where he drove his boat 80 miles in one direction toward Green Bay, just to find fish. His only stop was for fuel.

“It was either that or not catch any fish,” Riley said.

There was also the time on Lake Erie when 12- to 14-foot. swells erupted on the lake, and some boats capsized, while some anglers had to sit it out on an island waiting to be rescued the following day. Riley was fortunate to make it back safely. During a recent spring tournament, he had to fish when the weather didn’t get above the low to mid-20s.

“Nothing works, you can’t get into the compartments, and you have to change the water in the livewell with a bucket that’s froze open,” Riley said.

Walleye and beyond Riley plans to continue fishing as long as he’s able, even if the economy has thrown a curveball in the face of the outdoor industry. One example Riley gave was a tournament he took second place in this year. A few years ago a second place in that particular event would have been a $40,000 payout, but Riley said he only took home $7,000.

However, a big reason for sticking with it all these years is the camaraderie that he’s shared with the hundreds of people he’s met.

Plus, walleye fishing continues to change, and there’s always something new to experience.

“I would never claim to say I know it all, and I also know that no matter how long I do it, there will always be more to learn about,” Riley said. “[Walleyes] continually surprise me with what they do and where they show up.”

The biggest tournaments of the year are yet to come, including a $650,000 walleye tour championship in Bismark, N.D., Sept. 24-27, and a PWT championship on the St. Croix River near Hudson, Oct. 16-19. You can get more information by visiting walleye.outdoorsfirst.com.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 27

L

E

A

D

E

R

O

U

T

D

O

O

R

S

Wild rice harvest predicted to be down again MADISON – Wild rice gathering, a seasonal ritual that typically runs from late August through the first three weeks of September, will likely produce a small harvest in 2008, based on aerial surveys of ricing waters conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.

“Based on our surveys, I’d predict this year will be in the bottom five of the last 20 years or so since we’ve conducted surveys,” says Peter David, wildlife biologist for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission in Odanah.

David says it’s difficult to pinpoint a reason, but he suspects that the cool, late spring in the north may have meant that a lot of the wild rice seed remained dormant in the lake bottoms and did not germinate. Wild rice seed can remain viable for many years and sparse pickings this year is not necessarily a prelude to poorer years in the future. David described some of the traditionally harvested lakes as being “pretty sparse” this year following aerial surveys in northwest and north central Wisconsin that started July 22. He estimates the harvest on river systems will start at least six to eight days later than in typical years with some rice ripe by late August. The harvest on wild rice lakes is predicted to be at least 10 to 14 days later than in normal years and seasons will likely open in September.

“We are generally seeing better rice stands on river systems than on lakes this year, perhaps because the rivers tend to warm up before the larger lakes and more rice may have germinated there,” David speculated.

Wild rice is the seed of a family of aquatic grasses including Zizania

Crex Meadows in Burnett County is one area where an abundance of wild rice can be found, but ricing all across the state is regulated. Be sure to follow the laws before heading out this fall. – Photo by Marty Seeger aquatica and Z. palustris. The rice kernels are nutritious, delicious foodstuff for wildlife and people. The grain grows on tall stalks in shallow lakes, streams and riverbeds throughout the Upper Midwest and Canada. Seed imbedded in lake bottoms for a year or more start to germinate in early spring and send a stem up to the surface of the water.

Given stable water conditions, the rice plants grow into thick beds from June through September. The seed heads start to fill out in late August and mature over a 10-to 14-day period.

Wild rice harvest regulated in Wisconsin In Wisconsin, most of the harvest comes from the northwestern part of the state in Burnett, Washburn and Polk

Area wild rice waters where seasons are date-regulated include: • Barron County: Bear Lake, Beaver Dam Lake and Red Cedar Lake • Burnett County: Bashaw Lake, Big Clam Lake, Big Sand Lake, Briggs Lake, Gaslyn Lake, Long Lake, Mud Lake, town of Oakland, Mud Lake, town of Swiss, Mud Hen Lake, Spencer Lake and Trade Lake.

• Polk County: Balsam Branch, Big Round Lake, East Lake, Glenton Lake, Little Butternut Lake, Nye Lake, Rice Lake and White Ash Lake.

• Washburn County: Bear Lake, Gilmore Lake, Little Mud Lake, Long Lake, Mud Lake, Nancy Lake, Rice Lake, Spring Lake and Tranus Lake.

counties and in Vilas and Oneida counties in north-central Wisconsin.

Additional beds are managed on waters on tribal lands.

On rivers, flowages and some lakes, no formal seasons are established, and these can be harvested whenever ricers determine the rice is ripe, provided they find ripe rice before the ducks, songbirds and mammals who also crave the calorie-rich grains.

On some lakes, however, the season is date-regulated, and wild rice may only be harvested during the open season set cooperatively by Department of Natural Resources staff and tribal rice chiefs.

Notice of season openings and closings are posted at lake landings and at common lake access points at least 24 hours in advance of season openings.

Authorities inspect the rice beds every two to three days or so on larger waters that typically have larger rice beds and are frequented by more harvesters. Smaller beds are inspected less frequently. Wild rice harvesters can find out when prime waters are open for ricing in northwestern Wisconsin by telephoning the DNR’s Spooner Service Center at 715-635-2101 and in northcentral Wisconsin waters by phoning the DNR’s Woodruff Service Center at 715-356-5211.

Lists of open ricing waters are also posted and updated regularly during the harvest season on the wild rice page of the DNR Web site and on the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife

Commission Web site, www.glifwc.org.

Only Wisconsin residents may harvest wild rice in the state. Harvesters age 16 to 65 must purchase and possess a wild rice harvesting license for $8.25 annually. Immediate family members (spouse and minor-age children residing in the same household as the license holder) may harvest rice under the same permit as long as the other family members have received special wild ricing identification. Those buying quantities of wild rice for resale or importation as well as those processing wild rice for others or processing wild rice for sale to others must annually purchase a wild rice buyers license.

Harvesters are limited to gathering wild rice in boats no longer than 17 feet and no wider than 38 inches that must be propelled by muscular power using paddles or push poles. The grain is still harvested by hand using wooden sticks (flails) that bend the tall stalks over the canoe. As the seed heads are tapped, some rice falls in the canoe and some in the water to seed the bed for future years. The flails must be rounded wooden rods or sticks no more than 38 inches long and hand operated. Harvesting should be done gently, so that the stalks and beds can be harvested again as more rice matures, and using a good ricing technique ensures the wild rice stands aren’t damaged.

Industries have developed over the years in communities adjoining the traditionally productive wild rice waters to thresh or “process” the green wild rice which must be gently dried, parched and threshed to separate usable grain from chaff. Moisture, seed coats and chaff often compose more than 60 percent of the green weight harvest, leaving about four pounds of edible rice for every 10 pounds harvested.

The wild rice season typically runs from late August through midSeptember. Wild rice ripens at a gradual rate as the milky starch fills the rice heads and hardens during maturation.

At any given location, rice is harvested over a two- to three-week period.

To further protect the fragile rice beds and to allow waterfowl an undisturbed period to feed, ricers can only collect wild rice during the day from 10 a.m. until sunset. For more information contact Ron Eckstein in Rhinelander at 715365-8999. – from the DNR

Polk County Outdoor experience coming to South Fork

by Marty Seeger LEWIS – The Polk County Outdoor Experience is coming to the South Fork Sporting Club grounds on Saturday, Sept. 6. Events and activities will be targeted toward women and youth with a desire to get more involved in outdoor activities.

The South Fork Sporting Club, Polk County Sportsmen’s Club and the Wisconsin DNR sponsor the outdoor event, and some of the activities include: trap shooting, rifle and .22 shooting, pellet gun shooting, muzzleloader shooting, archery and instruction, outdoor cooking and fly tying and

Hunter safety set in St. Croix Falls ST. CROIX FALLS – As part of community education, St. Croix Falls Post 143 American Legion is offering hunters safety. Classes will start Tuesday, Sept. 9, and be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays for three weeks. Times will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the

American Legion, 807 Pine Street, St. Croix Falls.

Any questions, call Jim Chapin, 715-488-9386. Cost is $10. - submitted

casting. You‘ll also be able to build your own bluebird/wood duck house, and see demonstrations from the Pope and Young club, police dog trackers, shed hunters, trappers and learn how to call and hunt turkeys.

All ages are welcome, and youth who wish to shoot any firearm must be 12

years or older. For more information contact Warden Jesse Ashton at 715-3278879 or Dennis O’Donnell (South Fork) at 715-327-4954.

On track...

Antlerless deer permits for regular deer management units have been on sale since Aug. 23. State park deer hunting access permits have also been on sale since Aug. 23. The mourning dove season also begins on Sept. 1, and will run through Nov. 9.

••• Black bear hunting season opens on Sept. 3 and will run through Oct. 7. On Aug. 31, the bear/dog season closes. Each year, hunters who use hounds for bear hunting, and those who use methods other than hounds for bear hunting such a baiting, alternate who gets the first shot at hunting bears. This year, those who hunt by means other than the use of dogs will get the first chance. That season begins on Sept. 3, while those who hunt with hounds begin their season on Sept 10. - Marty Seeger with information from the DNR

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

Polk County traffic court Jeremy D. Adams, Clayton, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Sharif K. Ahmid, Barron, speeding, $211.20; operating while suspended, $186.00.

Orbell C. Anderson, St. Croix Falls, inattentive driving, $173.40.

John D. Armbruster, Independence, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Jeffrey J. Aronson, Grantsburg, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Bobbi L. Bantz, Luck, storage and parking of recreational vehicles, $249.00.

Kenton M. Baur, Woodbury, Minn., boater speed in excess of limit, $160.80.

Eric R. Bazille, Centuria, issuance of worthless check, motion to dismiss.

Brandon J. Beauvais, Luck, possess open intoxicants in motor vehicle – driver, $249.00.

David W. Becker, Turtle Lake, disorderly conduct, $186.00.

Charles A. Beckman, Cameron, speeding, $160.80.

Bryan E. Bengtson, Wheeler, display unauthorized vehicle registration plate, $223.80, operating while revoked, $249.00, nonregistration of auto., $160.80.

Donald L. Benson, New Richmond, speeding, $186.00.

Luke S. Beresford, St. Paul, Minn., boater speed in excess of limit, $160.80.

Jeremy J. Berg, Centuria, seat belt violation, $10.00.

David M. Berrier, Clayton, issuance of worthless checks, $217.50.

Donald N. Besky, Luck, speeding, $160.80.

Aaron R. Bistram, Cushing, public urination, $138.00.

Alice M. Biver, Rice Lake, speeding, $236.40.

Brock D. Boldt, Baldwin, public urination, $138.00.

Jamie L. Booth, St. Croix Falls, speeding – work area, $299.40.

Jeff C. Brandt, Clear Lake, issuance of worthless checks, $265.50.

Corey A. Brenner, Coon Rapids, Minn., operate without valid license, $186.00.

Morgan M. Bridgeman, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Lauren R. Brin, Oakdale, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Devin E. Bubendorf, Milltown, operating while sus-

pended, $186.00.

Gena B. Bump, Centuria, dog at large, not guilty plea.

Michael St. John BurlenBenj, Katy, Texas, speeding, $160.80.

Robert J. Bushway, Milltown, operating while suspended, $186.00.

Garrett P. Butler, Oakdale, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Mary A. Byers, Amery, operating after rev./susp. of registration, $160.80.

Bryce T. Carlson, Osceola, speeding, $280.50.

Andrew J. Case–Allen, Milltown, operate without valid license, $200.00, nonregistration of auto., $160.80.

Ronald W. Catlin, Comstock, speeding, $160.80.

Michael J. Chelberg, St. Croix Falls, speeding, $160.80.

Brian D. Cleveland, Greer, S.C., speeding, $160.80.

Robert W. Collins, Lake St. Croix Beach, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Daniel P. Coon, Cottage Grove, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Nina F. Cooper, River Falls, speeding, $160.80.

Joseph V. Crimando, Rice Lake, speeding, $160.80.

Richardo A. Cruz, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Leslie J. Davidson, Centuria, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Patrick J. Dayton, La Crosse, operating while under influence, operating with PAC .10 or more, speeding, not guilty pleas.

Michael P. Demarco, Apple Valley, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Kathryn M. DesForge, Spooner, speeding, $160.80.

Matthew J. Dinzeo, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Josiah A. Draves, St. Croix Falls, disorderly conduct, $249.00.

Bryan J. Drentlaw, Northfield, Minn., failure to keep vehicle under control, $198.60.

Peter M. Droher, Osceola, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Michael A. Dunham, Osceola, speeding, $160.80.

Angela C. Edwards, Chetek, speeding, $160.80.

Katherine M. Esparza, Bloomington, Ill., speeding, $186.00.

Jacob M. Farrah, St. Croix Falls, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Janelle L. Farrah, St. Croix

Falls, speeding, $186.00.

Steven J. Finnes, Pine Island, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Dylan J. Fjorden, Luck, speeding, $160.80.

Bobby S. Fouks, Clayton, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Dana T. Franson, Ladysmith, speeding, not guilty plea.

Stephen D. Franzmeier, Osceola, speeding, $160.80; operate motor vehicle without adequate muffle, $160.80.

Scott J. Fredericks, Amery, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Marcia A. Fridland, Bloomington, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Meredith M. Ganley, Amery, speeding, $186.00.

Richard L. Glendening, Barron, speeding, $186.00.

Ashley M. Glover, Clear Lake, failure to yield right of way, $173.40.

Marion A. Graber, Turtle Lake, speeding, $160.80; seat belt violation, $10.00.

Michael A. Graff, Wright, Minn., fail to stop at stop sign, $160.80.

Angela M. Gregersen, Wyoming, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Jon E. Hamel, Bruce, speeding, $211.20.

Tommie L. Hannah, Milltown, reckless driving – endanger safety, $575.00; speeding, $186.00; operate without valid license, $186.00.

Brandon C. Hansen, Dresser, speeding, $160.80; operate motor vehicle without adequate muffler, $160.80.

Jonathan M. Hawkins, Luck, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Joseph G. Haynes, Robbinsdale, Minn., DOC, $249.00.

Susan L. Heinecke, Rice Lake, speeding, $186.00.

Billy E. Heiple, Roseville, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Amy L. Henck, Luck, operating while revoked, $186.00; fail to stop at stop sign, $160.80.

Brian R. Homeier, Kenyon, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Kimberly A. Hoverman, Luck, speeding, $160.80.

Celeste C. Humes, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Penelope A. Hunt, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Kirk L. Hutchinson, Rice Lake, speeding, $168.80.

Jonathan R. Huttner, Centuria, speeding, $160.80.

Burnett County criminal court Lazio Fabian, 44, Portage, Ind., operating a boat towing a skier without an observer, $160.80.

Jordan J. Hengtgen, 18, Hugo, Minn., present another’s ID card as own, $501.00.

Corey W. Buttke, 37, Spring Valley, operate ATV on roadway, $186.00.

Timothy F. Baxter, 47, Shell Lake, speedometer violation, $160.80.

Bradley J. Redman, 54, Apple Valley, Minn., speeding, $113.00.

David G. Wardean, 68, Webster, speeding, $160.80.

Robert G. Nagel, 57, Rosemount, Minn., speeding, $280.50.

Johnathon J. Packard, 18, Webster, speeding, $160.80.

Ryan C. Johnson, 39, Webb Lake, speeding, $186.00.

Cynthia A. Hussain, 49, Grantsburg, speeding, $160.80.

Cowan J. Bruss, 19, Webster, operating while suspended, $186.00.

Richard A. Wycoski, 65, Grantsburg, hit-and-run property

adjacent to highway, $113.00; failure to notify police of accident, $113.00.

Jeremy J. Johnson, 21, Webster, hit-and-run property adjacent to highway, $249.00.

Jonlee J. Goers, 27, South St. Paul, Minn., fraud in obtaining a license, $379.00.

John R. Skeie, 44, White Bear Lake, Minn., OWI, $793.00, license revoked seven months, alcohol assessment.

Elizabeth A. Lemon, 37, Grantsburg, issue worthless check, $249.00.

Timothy J. Vastka, 38, Webster, operate without valid license, $186.00.

Shawn S. Swanson, 33, Webster, disorderly conduct, $302.00.

Bernadette L. Benjamin, 47, Shell Lake, disorderly conduct, $349.00.

Melissa A. Nesgoda, 25, Grantsburg, disorderly conduct, 18-month probation, no use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs, $88.00; disorderly conduct, 18-month probation, alcohol assessment and comply with

Polk County deaths Sheila Dorie Mosay, 43, Aug. 6, Apple River

Orville Kenneth Iverson, 89, Aug. 9, Amery

Polk County divorces Divorces filed Steven E. Phernetton, Osceola, and Lesa M. Phernetton, Osceola. Married 1999. No children.

Wendi M. Kazeks, Osceola, and Robert A. Kazeks, Osceola. Married 1996, one minor child.

any recommended treatment, $88.00.

Mary L. Mendoza, 22, Siren, criminal damage to property, restitution amount to be announced, 10-day jail sentence, Huber release granted at the discretion of jail staff, $88.00.

Cassandra R. Isker, 19, West St. Paul, criminal trespass to dwelling, $249.00.

Billy J. Snyder, 20, Webster, theft, $3.20 restitution, $302.00.

Aimee J. Simon, 21, Siren, theft of movable property, twoyear probation, $59.85 restitution, compliance to any evaluation or treatment recommended by probation agent, $80.00; receiving stolen property, twoyear probation, compliance to any evaluation or treatment recommended by probation agent, $101.99.

Beverly J. Pitts, 59, Grantsburg, battery, one-year probation, prohibited from using alcohol, illegal substances or drugs not prescribed by physician, comply with therapy recommendation and random drug and alcohol testing, alcohol assessment.

Mark C. Lockhart, 49, Grantsburg, battery, two-year probation, 30-day jail sentence, Huber release granted for employment or treatment, prohibited from consuming alcohol, on contact with victim, participate in anger management program, $88.00.

Gail M Bearhart, 24, Danbury, OWI, $957.00, 10-day jail sentence, license revoked 14 months, alcohol assessment.

Dale J. Johnson, Luck, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Michael K. Johnson, Clear Lake, fail to stop at stop sign, $160.80; seat belt violation, $10.00.

Obadiah J. Johnson, Taylors Falls, Minn., speeding, $160.80; operate without valid license, $186.00.

Thomas V. Johnson, Dresser, operate without valid license, $186.00.

Stephanie R. Jordahl, New Richmond, speeding, $160.80.

Cory L. Judd, Fridley, Minn., jet ski – violate slow, no wake requirement, $173.40.

Drew E. Kampmeyer, Sunfish Lake, Minn., operating boat towing skier without observer, $160.80.

Shawn P. Keeley, Glenwood City, operate without valid license, $186.00.

Holly M. Kenall, Richfield, Minn., jet ski – violate slow, no wake requirement, $173.40.

Brett L. Kilmer, St. Croix Falls, display unauthorized vehicle registration plate, $223.80; failure to stop at stop sign, $160.80; operating while revoked, $250.00.

Colin M. Kimball, Greenfield, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Leon C. Kist, Frederic, speeding, $160.80.

Kurt W. Klinkhammer, Lindstrom, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Lisa R. Koepke, Hudson, speeding, $236.40.

Kristine L. Koski, Shoreview, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Kathleen S. Krarup, Amery, speeding, $160.80.

Laura C. Lamb, Eagan, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Brian A. LaPage, Colfax, operating while suspended, $186.00.

Daniel F. Lewis, White Bear Lake, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Jennifer L. Lieffring, Frederic, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Karen L. Lies, Balsam Lake, operate without valid license, $186.00.

Roger L. Loman, North Branch, Minn., disorderly conduct, $249.00.

Roger A. Long, St. Michael, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Gayle M. Longseth, Turtle Lake, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Amy L. Makinen, Osceola, speeding, $160.80.

Sydney E. Malanaphy, Hudson, speeding, not guilty plea.

Karen H. Malocha, Longwood, Fla., speeding, $160.80.

Mark D. Mann, Woodbury, Minn., boater speed in excess of limit, $160.80.

Lawrence H. May, Monticello, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Gerald A. McCartney, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Brandon L. McKinney, Grantsburg, speeding, operating with PAC .10 or more, operating while under influence, not guilty pleas.

Daniel P. Medhorter, North Branch, Minn., operate without

valid license, $186.00; possession of paraphernalia, $249.00.

Rachel J. Meyer, Frederic, speeding, $160.80.

Beci J. Miller-Setzer, Amery, speeding, $160.00.

Haley A. Mills, Edina, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Timothy F. Monio, Clayton, operate while revoked, $249.00; speeding, $160.80.

Andrew C. Monson, Clear Lake, nonregistration of auto, $160.80.

David B. Morris, San Rafael, Calif., jet ski – violate slow, no wake requirement, $173.40.

Ridge D. Mosay, Balsam Lake, operate personal watercraft without valid safety certificate, $148.20.

Richard L. Nash, Siren, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Wayne E. Neely, Luck, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Kevin J. Nelson, Bloomington, Minn., speeding, $236.40.

Polly A. Nelson, St. Croix Falls, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Roy S. Norris, Eden Prairie, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Andrew J. Nystrom, Centuria, disorderly conduct with motor vehicle, $173.00.

Nancy L. O’Brien, Frederic, speeding, $160.80.

James M. Oliver, Winona, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

William C. Oshea, New Richmond, speeding, $160.80.

Krista M. Ostendorf, Maplewood, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Paul. G. Otto, Lester Prairie, Minn., speeding, $168.80.

Courtney A. Payne, Champlin, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Paul A. Plourde, Tucson, Ariz., speeding, $211.20.

Philip D. Points, Dresser, speeding, $160.80.

Ira C. Potaczek, Cornell, speeding, $160.80; seat belt violation, $10.00.

Kittie S. Primer, Milltown, speeding, $211.20.

Kayla M. Pruno, Amery, speeding, $186.00.

Megan M. Pullin, Luck, failure to keep vehicle under control, $198.60; failure to notify police of accident, $249.00.

Luis G. Ramirez Romo, Clear Lake, operating without valid license, $186.00.

James L. Ranstrom Jr., Eagan, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Heather L. Rasmussen, Clayton, permit unauthorized person to drive, $186.00.

Steven E. Rd, Boalsburg, Pa., speeding, $211.20.

Jason P. Rezac, Lakeville, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Joshu J. Richardson, Luck, speeding, $160.80.

James L. Richison, Webster, speeding, $160.80.

Stephen M. Rogers, Plymouth, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Charles L. Rundquist Jr., Balsam Lake, probationary licensee operate vehicle between hours of midnight and 5 a.m., $186.00.

Samuel Sanchez, Plymouth, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Sara A. Schaar, Taylors

Falls, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Eugen A. Schommer, Hugo, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Mitchell L. Sebens, Cumberland, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Gene M. Shefland, New Richmond, issuance or worthless checks, 2 counts, $435.00.

Lori J. Sherrard, Amery, disorderly conduct, $186.00.

Holly J. Shimek, Luck, speeding, $160.80.

Jeffery W. Sjolander, Grantsburg, nonregistration of auto., $160.80.

Kristopher C. Skellenger, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Floyd S. Skogstad, Columbia Heights, Minn., speeding, $168.80.

Bradley G. Sloper, no town given, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Jesse A. Smith, St. Louis, Park, Minn., operating SC greater than no wake in snow, $160.80.

Mark E. Stange, Shoreview, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Gregory J. Steiner, Roseville, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Jesse A. Stenberg, Zimmerman, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Jeffrey P. Stier, Apple Valley, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Donald F. Swanson, Naples, Fla., speeding, $186.00.

William L. Teetzel, Blaine, Minn., jet set – violate slow, no wake requirement, $173.40.

Kelsey J. Thompson, Hastings, Minn., DOC, $249.00.

Pamela A. Thompson, Clayton, operating while under influence, drink open intoxicants in motor vehicle – driver, operating with PAC .10 or more, not guilty pleas.

Doris B. Torgerson, Turtle Lake, speeding, $160.80.

William A. Udelhofen, Mahtomedi, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Ross L. Varga, Flagstaff, Ariz., speeding, $211.20.

Wayne A. Vlasnik, Luck, seat belt violation, $10.00; operate fail to have passenger seat belted, $10.00; nonregistration of auto, $160.80.

David M. Vonrueden, Hinckley, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Eli J. Walker, Frederic, seat belt violation, drink open intoxicants in motor vehicle, operate after rev./susp. of registration, not guilty pleas.

John K. Watkins, Eagan, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Justin B. Will, Clear Lake, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Gregory J. Wolf, Shoreview, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Jody L. Wyman, Luck, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Michael A. Yuhan, Amery, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Randall K. Zanatta, Eden Prairie, Minn., speeding, $236.40.

Samantha A. Zelinksi, Clayton, speeding, $211.20; seat belt violation, $10.00; operate without valid license, $186.00.

Polk County civil court Sandra J. Hansen and Greg Hansen, Osceola vs. Lenz Concrete Solutions and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Blue Cross Shield of Minnesota. Personal injury.

Bremer Bank, N.A. vs.

Daniel N. Johnson and USDA Rural Housing Program.

Foreclosure of mortgage, $31,095.48.

Indymac Federal Bank, FSB vs. Steven R. McLeod and unknown spouse, Deer Park.

Foreclosure of mortgage, $274,775.07.

Graphic Display Systems, Inc., Amery, vs.

TLC Electronics, Inc. Money judgment, $32,144.

Velocity Investments LLC vs. Rachel Peterson, Luck.

Money judgment, $13,303.49.

Asset Acceptance LLC vs.

Michael J. Gilles, Balsam Lake.

Money judgment, $5,332.76.

Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. vs. Gordon A. Bibeau and Joanell K. Bibeau, Luck.

Foreclosure of mortgage, $246,252.13.

U.S. Bank National Association vs. Nancy Chenal, Siren.

Money judgment, $11,750.93.

U.S. Bank National Association vs. Joseph L. Colton and Jessica A. Colton, Balsam Lake. Foreclosure of mortgage, $86,544.79.

James A. Clifton, Frederic vs. Alicia I. Johnson and William Johnson and Lynette Johnson and Farmers Insurance Exchange. Personal injury.

The RiverBank vs. Kim Braman, Luck and Polk County. Foreclosure of mortgage, $109,743.84.

Capital One Bank vs. Judith L. Menke, Frederic. Money judgment, $4,515.35.

Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. vs.

Gerald C. Volgren and Deborah A. Volgren, Balsam Lake and unknown tenants and S & C Bank and Bayfield Financial LLC and U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney. Foreclosure of mortgage, $150,900.50.

Key Community Bank vs.

Pamela J. Smith, Isanti, Minn. and David Faffler, Woodbury, Minn. and Mary Roe and XYZ Company. Foreclosure of mortgage, $5,060.35.

Hopkins Sand & Gravel, Webster vs. Shawn Johnson d/b/a Northwestern Concrete, St. Croix Falls. Money judgment $6,894.17.

HSBC Bank Nevada vs.

Nathan L. Hibbs, Frederic.

Money judgment $5,898.26.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 29

PAGE 30 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 31

Siren police report X

Burnett Co. marriage licenses X

Burnett County criminal court X

PAGE 32 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

Notices / Employment

Polk Co. marriage licenses Carissa Ann DeSantis, Garfield and Brian James Gumbert, Garfield, Aug. 18.

Michelle Marie Hill, Encinitas, Calif., and Robert

Duncan Gilles, Encinitas, Calif., Aug. 20.

Heather Ann Harbeson, Bayport, Minn., and Merlyn Eugene Leslie Jr., New

Richmond, Aug. 20.

Rachel Ann Kobernick, St. Louis Park, Minn., and Ryan Christopher Nuese, Hendricks, Minn., Aug. 22.

Notices / Employment

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 33

Lynnette Dawn Ayde, Bone Lake, and Kevin John Burdick, Bone Lake, Aug. 22.

PAGE 34 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

Notices / Employment

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 35

PAGE 36 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

Notices / Employment

Burnett County warrants Nathan E. Chapman, 34, Minneapolis, Minn., arrest warrant – complaint, Aug. 22.

Amanda L. Goepfert, 24, Luck, warrant – failure to appear, Aug. 21.

Eric P. Knapp, 37, Rhinelander, warrant - failure to appear, Aug. 21.

Christopher L. Martin, 29, Black River Falls, warrant – failure to appear, Aug. 21.

Matthew C. Matrious, 19, Danbury, warrant – failure to appear, Aug. 21.

Anthony W. Pewaush, 39, Webster, warrant – failure to appear, Aug. 21.

Ernest S. Swanson, 37, Grantsburg, warrant – failure to appear, Aug. 21.

Timmothy F. Woelfel, 39, St. Paul, Minn., arrest warrant – complaint, Aug. 22.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 37

Burnett County marriage licenses Michael A. Blatt, Lincoln, and Tanya M. Johnson, Lincoln, Aug. 20.

Tony A. LaPre, Grantsburg, and Nancy L. Rathe, Grantsburg, Aug. 22.

Myron L. Belisle, Webster, and Diana M. Martin, Webster, Aug. 22.

Notices / Employment

PAGE 38 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

Notices / Real Estate Burnett County civil court Target National Bank vs.

Eileen L. Strohbeen, Danbury, $997.41.

Burnett County deaths

Capital One Bank vs.

Irene L. Simonson, 84, Scott, William J. Bartusch, Aug. 12.

Grantsburg, $1,053.20.

Larry H. Hinze, 74, Siren Township, Aug. 7.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 39

Introducing new school staff Gr a n ts b u r g The new teachers at Grantsburg Schools are (L to R) back row: Michael O’Donnell, elementary and Nelson Primary Schools speech and language; Jeremy Tomczak, 9-12 art; Jason Hedrix, elementary physical education; Erik Hall, student teacher in the high school math department and Kelly Olson, middle school special education. Front row: Lucy Hess, elementary counselor; Mary Nelson, middle school grade four; Anna Hedrix, grade three; Nell Amundson, grades two - three multiage; Erin Fox, student teacher in the high school science department and Andrew Schultz, 5-12 band director. – Photo

by Pricilla Bauer

S t . C r o ix F a ll s New teachers at St. Croix Falls reported for their first day on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Pictured are back row (L to R): Stacie Hoff, 4K; Melissa Germain, high school English; Corey Tanton, sixth-grade science; and Robb Randle, long-term substitute for high school history. Front row (L to R): Deb Anderson, Title I; Tammi Hasselquist, kindergarten; Hansi Swanson, first grade; and Anna Parsons, first grade. –Photo by Tammi Milberg

F r e d e r ic

New teachers and staff members at Frederic Area Schools this year are (L to R): Kristi Fenning, special education director; Jill Peterson-Erickson, speech clinician; Lydell Larson, bus driver, custodial; Lucy Hess, elementary guidance counselor; Lynda Paulson, school psychologist; Cara Casey, 7-12 guidance counselor; Ryan Pagenkopf, business education; Kassi Baille, mathematics; and Michelle Manz, kindergarten. – Photo by Gary King

Si ren

Siren School staff gathered for orientation starting Monday, Aug. 25. Among the new faces/new positions were the following (L to R) front row: Gina Ader, Title I; Heather O’Brien, family and consumer education; Beth Proctor, high school English; Kelly Pearson, social worker/head varsity volleyball coach; Cheryl Pippin, grade three; Rick Abrahamzon, at-risk/in-school suspension (two positions made into one). Back row: Skip Nau, high school special education; Becky Leis, grade four; Tina Rudiger, grade four; Jen Sommerfeld, K-12 cognitive disabled; Sheila Staples, 50-day contract to fill vacant position as IMC specialist. – Photo by Nancy Jappe

PAGE 40 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 27, 2008

Introducing new school staff Uni ty

The new school year starts out with a whole new look at Unity School with recent landscaping that has been completed this week. A blend of native prairie grasses and traprock have been added to the entrances of the school.

Unity Elementary School’s staff has many new faces: (L to R): Stephanie Jasper early childhood EEN; Briana Coombe, physical education; Beth Trudeau (back), 4K; Kate Maki, kindergarten; Jim Dubrow (back), psychology; Ashley Ellevold, kindergarten and Deb Paulsen elementary secretary.

Photos by Jeanne Alling

Unity High School also has many new faces this fall. Joining the Eagle staff are: front row (L to R): Jessica Eisenman, math; Julie Bever - guidance; Christine Carlson, language arts; Carol Kline, special education. Back row: Neil Larson, technology education and Jason Cress - principal.

Jacob Meyer (R) originally from Amery, is currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota-Duluth majoring in secondary education with a minor in social studies. He will be working as a student teacher this year at Unity High School, with Sarah Schmidt as his cooperating teacher, in the social studies department.

Luck

The Luck School District is introducing six new teachers for the 2008 school year. Pictured (L to R): Kyle Clemins, 3-12 art; Karl Wicklund, 1112grade English; Renee Gavinski 9-12 Family and Consumer education; Marya Oft, fifth-, seventh- and eighth-grade reading; and Laurelei Esperat, K6 special education. Missing from photo is Nancy Christiansen, secondgrade teacher. - Photo by Marty Seeger

‘Follow the Leader’

Currents N O R T H E R N

Aug us t 2 7, 20 08 2nd Se ct io n B I nt er-C o unt y Lead er

News and views from the Northwest Wisconsin community

The Kalmoe family’s Olympic odyssey

by Mary Martin BEIJING, CHINA - President Tarja Holonen of Finland and her husband, Pentti Arajarvi, were there.

Queen Anne-Marie of Greece was there.

His Royal Highness Prince Frederik of Denmark, along with Danish Minister of Sport Bryan Mikkelsen were there.

Dr. Franz Josef Jung, German federal minister of defense, Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee and Erica Tersptra, president of the Dutch Olympic Committee were there.

And of course, the Kalmoe family— Dean, Mary, Bill and Molly— of St. Croix Falls, was there.

“There” was the Shunyi Olympic Rowing Park, about an hour northeast of central Beijing. It was Aug. 17, the last of eight days of rowing competition at the 2008 Summer Olympics. It was our last day to support Megan Kalmoe and her 44 American rowing teammates.

The Kalmoe family odyssey as Olympic spectators had begun nine days earlier. They arrived in Beijing on Aug. 7, the day before the opening ceremonies. From the breathtaking design of the new airport, to the new freeways, to

Rowers Molly Kalmoe and Ellen Tomek after their last race. the stadiums, to the millions of flowers and colorful Olympic banners everywhere we went, it was clear that China aimed to impress the world during the 2008 Olympic Games with its technological and aesthetic achievements.

Even more impressive was the great sense of national pride the Chinese people took in hosting and participating in the games. The city was filled with Chinese flags, headbands and stickers, Chinese tourists and Chinese volunteers in blue, yellow and white shirts who were always willing to answer questions.

My overwhelming impression of China is of how many people we saw.

About 17-million people live in Beijing, and it felt like we saw each and every one of them during our visit. The streets everywhere were jammed with people.

People would approach us on the street and say, “Welcome to Beijing!” or “Are you enjoying your visit to Beijing?” I kept reminding myself that this was my first visit to a communist nation. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but other than the portrait of Chairman Mao above the entrance to the Forbidden City and a few

Mary, Molly, Bill, Dean and Megan at the Kiss and Cry tent. souvenir shops that sold Mao merchandise, there were few visible reminders of China’s political system. The Chinese head of state is a pretty low-profile sort of guy.

While many rowing families stayed in the Shunyi district near the race course, we opted to stay in central Beijing in a traditional Chinese neighborhood known as a “hutong.” The Chinese hutongs are vanishing because they are being replaced by the thousands of modern high-rise apartment buildings that line the streets of Beijing. We were delighted to get a glimpse into this traditional Chinese way of life. Our hutong had narrow streets lined with shops, restaurants and hotels. The residents live in, behind or above the shops, or in compounds that run along even narrower alleyways that branch off from the main street.

Our hotel was a hostel-type hotel. The air conditioning worked (more or less); the TV worked (sort of) and the hot water in our room worked not at all.

There was a western-style restaurant attached to the hotel, and there was live entertainment every night. I use the word “entertainment” loosely. It was a guy who played the guitar and kazoo, and sang. His style was mix-and-match rock. That is, he’d sing half the lyrics to a Bon Jovi song, followed by half the lyrics to a U2 song; or maybe it was the instrumentals from a Bon Jovi song to the lyrics of a U2 song; or maybe it was vice versa. It was hard to tell. His grand finale was playing the kazoo to the song “Tequila.” Before I went to China, I did not think it was possible to play the kazoo badly; I now know differently.

On our first morning in Beijing, we took a taxi to Megan’s hotel to pick up our Chinese cell phones, and to deliver several bags of M&Ms that Megan had asked us to deliver. The bad news is that the driver did not know where we were going, and had to stop for directions three times. Once we arrived, there was

Photos submitted

Rowers Molly Kalmoe and Ellen Tomek warming up before their last race.

more bad news–Megan was not there, and we were not allowed to even enter the grounds unless she was there. When the guards offered us their seats under an umbrella, I knew we were in for extended negotiations. A half hour and about 20 phone calls later, we were finally able to arrange for hotel staff to bring the cell phones out to us. Then we had to negotiate to get the M&Ms in.

This took another 15 minutes and another dozen phone calls. Finally, security agreed we could leave the M&Ms with them at the gate for Megan to pick up upon her return. The good news is that this three-hour taxi ride (including waiting time) cost us under $50!

Getting to and from the rowing venue proved challenging. To a person, the veteran Olympic spectators we met said that getting to and from the venues in Beijing was much more difficult than at any other Olympics they had attended.

This was despite the fact that holders of Olympic tickets were entitled to free

See Olympic spectators, page 2

Mary Martin’s Chinese physician friend.

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

Olympic spectators/from page 1

Some of the special Olympic landscaping at Tiananmen Square. – Photos submitted public transportation the entire day of the event. When we went to the first day of rowing competition, we took the special Olympic buses, which, from our hotel, required two transfers. It took us more than four hours to get to Shunyi, four hours to watch the races, and just under four hours to get back. The food stands had run out of food before we arrived, so we were pretty tired and hungry by the end of the day. As it turned out, they seemed to run out of food most every day.

On our second day at the rowing venue, we took a taxi to where we caught the third bus on the first day, and this cut our trip to just over two hours each way.

On the last two days of competition, we took the subway (which required two transfers) and then the third bus to Shunyi, which also took about two hours each way. Both the buses and the subway were jammed with Chinese; we were typically the only foreigners on board.

We had terrific food throughout our stay. We watched the opening ceremonies on big screen TVs over a dinner of traditional Peking duck. Peking duck is the Chinese version of a taco: You fill rice paper wrappers with slices of roast duck and top it with sliced vegetables and hoison sauce, and then fold or wrap it. We had a second Peking duck dinner with Megan and her rowing partner, Ellen, and Ellen’s family the night after Megan and Ellen’s last race.

As we approached the concierge desk at their hotel to ask for suggestions on restaurants, the volunteer smiled and said, “You are the woman who brought the chocolates!”

Like people at the Minnesota State Fair, the Chinese are fond of eating foodon-a-stick purchased from street-side vendors. While most of the food-on-astick appeared to be chicken, we did see a few french-fried seahorses on a stick. I asked one of our Chinese guides, a hip, 20-something young woman wearing blue jeans, whether she had tried this delicacy. She made a face and said, “Oh, no! That’s disgusting.” Then without missing a beat, she continued, “but I’ve eaten french-fried cicadas and spiders on a stick, and they are very delicious!”

Our favorite restaurant was run by a fellow we dubbed “Ni Hao Man.” (Ni Hao is ‘hello” in Chinese). He was a portly fellow with salt-and-pepper hair who stood outside and, in the style of a circus barker, yelled in a booming voice, “Hello! Ni Hao!” to encourage the timid passerby to enter. His menus were in Chinese and English and had photographs. Some of the English translations

were amusing to us: They included “pig hoots” and “flying squip to explode.”

Even with the assistance of photographs, it was hard to figure out what this last item was.

Funny English translations were not limited to menus. At the Temple of Heaven, (an ancient temple where the emperors went to pray for good harvests) there was a long list of rules to be followed. These including not picking up litter, no dancing for profit, and no “leaking.” (We think this meant no urinating in public.) These rules also prohibited “Pets, footballs, watermelons, etc.” We were really hoping that we had left all of our “etc.” at home. Just after we read the sign, a very well-dressed older woman, wearing a very nice pearl necklace approached me. “Welcome to Beijing!” she said. I was concerned that she was going to point out an inappropriate “etc.” Fortunately, that was not her mission. She explained that she was a retired physician who enjoyed speaking English, and wondered if I would converse with her a while. We did.

If you studied a foreign language in school, you probably remember choosing a name for yourself in that language.

The Chinese who have studied English all have English names. While most of them are common names like Jennifer, Eugene or Sammy, our tour guide at the Forbidden City (the palace occupied by the last two dynasties of emperors) called himself Aragon, after the warrior in “The Lord of the Rings.” This fellow sported an Obama pin and told us many stories about China, and we suspect, like good patriots everywhere, embellished

the truth from time to time to make a better story. He told us that the under Genghis Khan, the Mongolian Empire extended to Poland and Germany (true); that the Chinese invented spaghetti and that the Italians stole the idea and substituted tomatoes in the sauce (we’re not sure) and that the ancient Chinese had a wooden boat the size of a modern aircraft carrier and used it to sail 30,000 men to the New World before Christopher Columbus (probably not true).

Oddly enough, even though we were at the Olympics, we felt like we didn’t really get to see the Olympics. While we attended rowing events on four days, and women’s volleyball one day, the only footage we saw was a bit here and there on Chinese television, and only raw footage without editing or commentary. If you watched the rowing coverage on television, you probably saw more of the races than we did. We were in the family grandstand, at about the 1,750-meter mark on the racecourse.

Normally, the first part of the race is shown on a JumboTron. But the JumboTron was not very jumbo, and was placed so low relative to the seats that if anyone between you and the JumboTron stood up, they blocked your view.

The JumboTron for the general admission seats blocked part of the view of the race course for the family grandstand.

The view from seats high in the grandstand was partially obstructed by the steel reinforcement beams that held up the canvas roof, while the lower seats got doused with rainwater at random moments when the wind caused the water that collected on the canvas roof to run

off.

No trip to China is complete without a trip to the Great Wall. We visited a restored section of the wall that is about two hours from central Beijing by car.

Our tour group included two women from Singapore and a 16-year-old Christian rapper from Houston and his father/manager.

The rapper had performed at an Olympic event the night before (lip syncing only), and he signed autographs while his father entertained us with stories about the recording industry.

People have asked us who paid for our trip to China. We did! While the athletes’ expenses are paid, ours were not.

Our only “perk” was the opportunity to visit the Bank of America hospitality center near the Workers Stadium as Megan’s guests. The “USA House” as it is called, provided food, beverage, big screen TVs, an Internet café and the opportunity to socialize with other American athletes and their families. One day at lunch, a swimmer nonchalantly passed the silver medal she had won an hour or two before around the table. She seemed completely unfazed, and mostly hungry. We did learn fairly quickly to tune the TVs only to events in which the Chinese were not competing. If an event involving Chinese athletes came on, all service came to a complete stop, as all the workers would gather around the screens to watch their countrymen compete.

All in all, it was a marvelous trip; one that we may get to repeat, after a fashion, in 2012 in London.

Molly, Dean , Megan, Mary and Bill at the Kiss and Cry tent at the Shunyi racecourse. This was the designated area for athletes to meet family and friends.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 3

My Idea of Love

by Boyd Sutton There is considerable debate among linguists regarding whether or not the Inuit language has five, 50, 150, or more words for "snow." But there is no disagreement that "there are huge numbers of basic, unrelated terms for huge numbers of finely differentiated snow types," as one scholarly study notes. The same is true for ice. That's because snow and ice play such a large role in the Inuit's lives, even to the point that their lives depend on precise terminology.

When you consider how important love is in our lives, it's a wonder that we don't have more words in the English language to differentiate different types of love.

We do distinguish among different forms of love by adding adjectives—puppy love, romantic love, filial love, marital love, one-off “love” (an artful term used in England and Australia equivalent to what we would call a one-night stand, which is why I put quotes around the term "love"). Even these additions, however, don't really capture the essence of love in its many permutations. Instead, we need lots of words to get to the heart of the matter (and I hope you enjoy that thoroughly intended pun).

The word "love" is full of meaning and, perhaps more than any other positive word, subject to misinterpretation. If, for example, I were to come up close to my friend, Mary, and say quietly, "I love you," she

PoCo Penners The PoCo Penners meet the second Friday of the month at 2 p.m. at the county boardroom in the government center in Balsam Lake. Contact Brenda Mayer at 715-485-3571 or Iris Holm 715294-3174 for more information. - submitted

Writer’s Corner would raise her eyebrows and probably take a step back. Her defenses would go on high alert. Her mind would race. She would think, "What does he mean?"

If any of you overheard it, you would think, "Oh oh," and then be off to the races with other thoughts, from the curious to the salacious. But I would merely be expressing the love I have for a friend. We do love our friends, don't we?

Now, if I were to come up to my friend, Bill, and say, "I love you," reactions would take another direction.

Bill wouldn't just take a step back, he take a step way back—way, way back. And the rest of you would immediately have a different view of me. One that would likely be inaccurate.

But, if in a moment of maudlin madness I simply said to the entire assembled group of my friends, "I love you guys," your reaction would be entirely different. Some would say, "Aw, isn't that nice." Others would have different reactions. But no one would likely think ill of me, except, perhaps, some alpha males who might think that was pretty sappy.

All of this is to illustrate a simple point. That one word, "love," means so many different things to so many different people in so many different contexts that it's a shame we don't have more words for love.

On the other hand, maybe it's a good thing that there is only one word, because the very basic meaning is really the same in every context. Love just is. It means that I feel a connection with someone, that they mean something special to me, that I would "do for" her or him.

When you think of it, "do for" is the key. It transcends all forms of love, from the love of a father or

mother for their children, husband and wife for each other, friends, even lovers. It's also true of the altruist's love of humanity. He wants to do things for people, things that make their lives better. God's love is a "do for" love as well. After all, he gave his only son for us that we might be saved, and giving is "doing for."

People often confuse the wanting of each other that strongly characterizes romantic love—that physical attraction one sees portrayed in the movies, on television, and in books—as true love. It's not! Certainly that wanting is involved in romantic love. But true romantic love involves wanting to "do for" your partner so badly that you ache inside. You want to give her a home, security, happiness, and safety. You want to take away her pain when she hurts. You want to sustain her joy when she's happy. You would go to any lengths to do for the one you love. If all a person wants is to get something, it's not love. Love is not selfish. Love is wanting to "do for."

The World is Flat

by John Koblas My world went flat The day you sailed For the New World.

Northwest Regional Writers The Northwest Regional Writers meet at 1 p.m. the second Friday of the month either in Frederic or Grantsburg. Each month we have a topic to write about and read to the group. The following writing was read at the last meeting. Call Mary Jacobson at 715-349-2761 for more information about the organization.

Submissions should be typed, double-spaced on one side only of 8 -1/2 x 11 white paper, leaving a minimum of 1-inch margins all around. Handwritten submissions will not be accepted. Submissions should be no more than 800 words.

Submissions may be delivered to The Leader’s offices in Frederic or Siren, mailed to Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837 or e-mailed to the-leader@centurytel.net. We prefer e-mailed copy.

If hand-delivered or mailed, please write "Writers’ Corner" somewhere on the front of the envelope. If e-mailed, please use "Writers’ Corner" as the subject and include the submission as body text of the e-mail. No attachments, please. Your submission to Writers’ Corner grants The Leader one-time rights to publish the item in the weekly newspaper. The author retains the copyright and all future publication rights. The Leader may edit submissions for grammar and punctuation, clarity and length. If you have any questions about this new feature, please contact us at the-leader@centurytel.net or call 715-327-4236. - Editor

Pedals and Forks: Woodlands Grille and Pub, Grantsburg

by John Preissing GRANTSBURG – Have you ever wished that you could take back a single moment, just one or two of those, in your life? In biking there are times when it would be wonderful to have a moment back. That is how I felt as I went soaring over my handlebars late in July while on a trip to the Upper Peninsula with my brother, Paul. I was soaring because somehow I managed to miss seeing an endless row of highway construction barrels placed to warn travelers of upcoming danger. Who would have thought that the barrels themselves would become dangerous for me?

When I hit the pavement at 19 mph my elbow bore the brunt of it, though I did hit my head as well. Fortunately, I was wearing a helmet, so my brain and head were no worse than before the collusion. My elbow, though, was a different story – I had a complete fracture, about an inch below the joint towards my forearm.

I am sharing my mishap up front for two reasons.

First, you should know that the ride described today is based on the keen observations of the bike mates, though I did eat. Second, it’s a chance to repeat the admonition to “wear a helmet.” Enough of preliminaries - on to the biking and review. It was a long loop around Grantsburg and then a new breakfast stop for us, the Woodland’s Sunday buffet. For this trip we had Carl “the Hammer” Lindgren back, Tim Wick, Mike Myers, and of course, Jeff Evenson. It was a simple yet beautiful route, which took the group to Cushing and back to Grantsburg.

Leaving downtown Grantsburg, the group traveled at a brisk pace out on North Fork Road to Williams Road where they turned south, going quite a distance

Woodlands Grille and Pub waitress Ashley Fromader as she prepares to take the groups orders.

Tim Wick, Mike Myers, Carl “the Hammer” Lindgren and Jeff Evenson riding along North Fork Road, Grantsburg.- Photos by Jeff Evenson until it junctures with North Bass Lake Road. From there the group turned to the east, ever so briefly, on CTH O until it met with Cedar Point Road, where they turned south again. They followed this all the way until Cushing, with the important warning that Polk and Burnett counties are not really in sync when it comes to town road names. As it turns out, Cedar Point Road is also 230th Street once one crosses the county line.

According to Jeff, the route was a series of verdant rolling hills. In fact some believe that this undulating landscape of southwestern Burnett County is the loveliest in the area. The Hammer also added that there was a short, but quite steep, hill leading into Cushing. After catching their breath, the assemblage returned by the same route. Riding in and out the same way is often avoided but it does have its advantages. One knows the route, it is easier to calculate the travel time, and it’s an interesting way to learn more about the backside of a hill that one has only known from one perspective.

This 30-mile route took the group about two hours and 20 minutes to complete. Fulfilling my new role, I took some action shots and then arrived with the group at Woodlands, where we partook of the breakfast buffet.

Normally, buffets and restaurant reviewers don’t get along. I think that this is justified, in part, but is also a byproduct of reviewer snobbery. On the one hand, the prospect of food sitting in warmers all morning doesn’t lead to inspiring visions of breakfast. Also, the menu is of necessity short, not tailored to the individual. On the other hand, critics often overlook good food without

the benefit of trying it. And, most importantly, buffets can be an easy, sociable way to feed a large group with little waiting. Since my comrades had just returned from a two-hour-plus bike ride, they were quite open to the possibilities. Lucky for all of us, because the meal was great and it did allow us to have a large group eating together. I say this, because the Myers clan and my family joined us for the breakfast. A final observation on buffets that all the reviewers agreed on; the earlier one dines, the better. We were the first customers of the day.

The Woodlands buffet featured scrambled eggs, a second, spicier scrambled eggs with peppers, fried potatoes, bacon and sausage links, an assortment of fresh fruit, and my personal favorite, biscuits and gravy. The only thing missing to make it perfect was fried eggs to go along with the biscuits and gravy. Tim commented quite favorably on the crispy bacon, again, and Myers’ daughter really appreciated the fresh fruit.

While not something done typically for a bike crew, some of the riders (and a writer) tried Woodland’s spicy tomato-based beverage from the bar side. All we can say is, what a humongous and tasty treat. I would be remiss if we didn’t mention the fruit carvings that have made Woodlands famous. One of the staff, Lynn Skoog, is an artist with fresh-fruit carvings. Don’t forget to see her artwork next time you are there.

Another aspect of any good restaurant, and buffets in particular, is the service. Attending to large groups, who can eat quickly, can challenge the wait staff. But Ashley Fromader handled the group with aplomb. Our drink orders came out with precision and on time.

According to owner Todd Engstrand, the buffet is popular with the Sunday church crowd but starts a bit earlier to accommodate all schedules. The restaurant is open seven days a week and features lunch and dinner choices the other days. There is seating for 60 in the restaurant and another 35 in the bar area. Since opening in January of this year, he has strived to organize a strong staff and kitchen. Lindgren summarized our group’s opinion when he said, “Woodlands offered good food at a good price.” Added Evenson, “nobody notices if you eat a lot.” Our large group gave the Woodland’s buffet four out of five in the forks category.

In spite of my recent injury, the riding goes on. We encourage others who are interested to drop a line and to join in on a morning pedal and fork outing. We hope to ride into September and perhaps a day in October.

See you on the road!

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

A Trade Lake Wedding

by Stanley Selin The wedding of Gust Melin and Adelia Peterson was described in the Burnett County Sentinel as one of the bigger events in the year 1910. Gust Melin was a member of the Trade Lake Cornet Band, which played for his wedding.

The band members rowed across Big Trade Lake in two boats, starting from Manley Davidson’s house and ending at the home of Lars Henrik Peterson on the west side of the lake where the wedding took place. The following account from the Sentinel describes the event.

“One of the prettiest affairs of the season was the marriage of Gust E. Melin to Miss Adelia Peterson which took place Wednesday, July 20, 1910, at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Peterson, Trade Lake.

Shortly after 1 p.m., the service was read by Rev. Herman Bergman. The bridal party stood under an arch of maple leaves and white pond lilies. The wedding march was played by the Trade Lake Cornet Band, which also furnished music throughout the afternoon and evening.

Mrs. Mamie Melin attended the bride as the maid of honor, and Mr. Arthur Peterson acted as best man. The bridesmaids and ushers were Misses Lena and Emma Erickson, Emanuel Peterson and Axel Melin.

The bride wore a white lingerie gown of silk mull. Her tulle veil was held by a spray of lilies of the valley and she car-

Collected by

Russ Hanson

River Road

Ramblings

The wedding party, (L to R): Emanuel Peterson, Axel Melin, Arthur Peterson, Gust Melin, Adelia Peterson, Mamie Melin, Lena Erickson and Emma Erickson. Note: Adelia Peterson died at age 102 in 1989. – Photos from the Selin collection. ried a bouquet of white roses. The service was followed by a sumptuous wedding dinner in a large tent erected on the grounds for the occasion.”

••• Notes from the Rambler. Don’t forget the Cushing Tigers Baseball player and fan reunion Saturday, Aug. 30, at 2 p.m. at the Cushing Community Center. The Tigers made Cushing famous in their heydays of the 1950s and ‘60s with several state championships. The third-annual River Road- Hwy. 87 Ramble is coming up Saturday, Sept. 27. We have picked the peak fall color weekend for the area again! If you live along the loop from St. Croix Falls to Grettum, put out an RRR sign and sell your surplus

The band posed for their picture when crossing the lake. (L to R): Fred A. E. Gustafson, Albert Anderson, Adolph Glander, Axel Lindquist, Walter Melin, Walter Schold*, Fritjof Schold*, Alvin Dahlberg, Andrew Peterson, Oscar Jackson, Raymond Peterson, Gust Melin, Manley Davidson and Peter Schyttner (band leader). * The Schold boys were sons of the Trade Lake Lutheran minister, Erick Schold.

garden, garage and household items, or have a tour of your historic site or business. The Eureka area is going to be busy this year with a tour of the brandnew township garage as well as the historic schoolhouse and town hall. Wolf Creek and Cushing will also have activities. We have about 20 stops on the list so far. George Laier, our Cushing neighbor, is planning a consignment/donation Ramble yard sale where all the proceeds will be split three ways,

Kinship; Interfaith Caregivers; and the local food shelves. If you have items to donate, you can drop them off at his place on Hwy. 87, one mile south of Cushing on Mondays, Sept. 1 or 8. The guidelines: Items that are priced $50 or less will be 100 percent donation. Items that sell for over $50 will be 25-percent donation and 75 percent to the donor.

Only adult clothing that is good and clean with size and price premarked will be accepted. George is going to a lot of work to raise money for these charities, so you should take some nice items there to help out. It is tax deductible. George and Carol live at 3221 Hwy. 87, phone 715-483-3920. Margo has been trying to persuade me to donate an ice-fishing camper, but I think I will find some other items. She is busy getting Ramble, ready-to-sell maple syrup, squash and apples at Mom’s farm on Evergreen Avenue.

The Trade Lake Cornet Band by the Manley Davidson house. Back row, (L to R): Raymond Peterson, Walter Melin, Alvin Dahlberg, Gust Melin and Manley Davidson. Middle row: Walter Schold, Fred A. E. Gustafson, Andrew Peterson, Peter Schyttner (band leader), Albert Anderson, Oscar Jackson and Fritjof Schold. Front row, by drums: Axel Lindquist and Adolph Glander.

Foundation awards nearly $147,000 in scholarships ST. CLOUD, Minn. - The Central Minnesota Community Foundation has awarded $144,600 in academic scholarships for the coming school year to 116 students from around the region. That represents a 12.5-percent increase from the amount awarded last school year.

“These scholarships are providing students the financial resources and com-

munity support they need to attend college and pursue their dreams,” said Susan Lorenz, CMCF program officer.

“By awarding these scholarships, our donors are saying ‘We’re behind you.

We’re rooting for you.’”

CMCF administers 72 separate scholarship funds established by individuals, families and businesses to support area

students reach their educational pursuits.

The Central Minnesota Community Foundation is a $70 million regional foundation based in St. Cloud, and serves Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Kandiyohi, Cass and Crow Wing counties. CMCF provides a wide range of services to donors and nonprofit organi-

zations in the region. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org or by calling 320253-4380.

Area scholarship recipients for the 2008-09 school year include: Bernick Family Scholarship Ausha Arnold of Grantsburg and Cassandra Smith of Amery. – submitted

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 5

Old Tom Sickletail (A Children’s Story) It was George who named the barnyard rooster.

“We’ll call him Old Tom Sickletail,” he told his wife Wilma.

The name was a good one.

The rooster had lived at Bitter- Abrahamzon sweet Ridge Farm for a long, long time, so he was old.

The rooster had glossy black and brown feathers that shone in the sunlight, and a magnificent, long tail, that curved like a sickle in a graceful arc.

He was small, and mean, and scrappy. Because of his size, he was known as a bantam or banty.

Old Tom Sickletail was a real cock-of-the-walk and bossed all his banty hens in his flock. He thought he was their protector, and made sure everything was all right in his chicken coop. That’s what George and Wilma called the chicken house.

In winter the small flock was cooped up, so the chickens were warm and dry.

When one of his hens laid an egg in the nest box along the wall, Old Tom Sickletail ran over there to see what happened. He thought he had to protect the eggs, too. He was so proud of his hens that he crowed and crowed, “Cockle-doodle-do” “ Cockle-doodledo.”

Every day Wilma went out to the chicken coop to pour more water in the water pan, to put more laying mash in the feeder, and to get all the eggs and take them to her kitchen in the house on Bittersweet Ridge Farm.

Old Tom Sickletail thought Wilma was stealing his hens’ eggs, and he didn’t like it one bit. He’d run as fast as he could over to Wilma, fly up in her face, flap his wings, and peck her ankles and legs. Wilma didn’t like that one bit.

She yelled at the angry rooster, “Stop that. Get out of here. Someday I’ll fix you!” And she backed out of the coop, keeping both eyes on the angry rooster.

When he fluffed out his feathers, he looked twice his size. He had a long, sharp spur on the back of each leg, and he’d try to dig those spurs into Wilma’s ankles. She knew better than to turn her back on him.

It got so bad that Wilma hated to take care of the small flock of chickens. She told George, “I don’t like that old rooster. He is so mean...we should get rid of him.”

“Now, now,” said George. “It can’t be that bad.”

“Well it is!” she said as she cleaned the eggs, put them into cartons and then the refrigerator.

In the summer the chickens were set free and could wander all over Bittersweet Ridge Farm. They picked up scattered kernels of corn, ate green grass and

Bernice

Behind the Signpost

found all kinds of delicious bugs to eat.

Old Tom Sickletail ran this way and that, trying to keep track of all his hens.

When he saw Wilma out in the yard, he’d flap his wings and try to peck her legs or dig in his spurs.

“Go away,” she’d yell. “What’s the matter with you?” And she’d back away.

One day Wilma went to town to shop for groceries.

When she got home, she saw the chickens taking dust baths in her garden and had to chase them away.

“Shoo. Get out of there,” she yelled.

Some of the chickens were resting in the shade of the big spruce trees. But Old Tom Sickletail was nowhere in sight. “That’s strange,” Wilma thought to herself.

She looked in the chicken coop with the open door, so the flock could go in and out. She looked in the barn. She looked in the apple orchard, where the grass was long. She looked in the hayfield, but she couldn’t find him.

When George came home from work that night she told him Old Tom Sickletail was missing. George looked, too.

Finally George and Wilma walked out to the machine shed near the end of the driveway.

They found Old Tom Sickletail there. He was all tangled up in a sticky fly strip hanging from the ceiling of the shed. He had flown up there to eat the flies.

“Awk,” he said, and tried to get loose, but he was all wrapped up, and could hardly move.

“Awk,” he said, his beak open and panting, his feathers every which way, one eye open and the other eye shut. What a mess!

“Serves you right,” said Wilma, but she felt sorry for the once proud and beautiful rooster.

George went to the house for a pair of scissors. He had to cut the rooster free, and many of his feathers were bent or broken and had to be cut off, including his beautiful long, graceful sickletail.

The rooster looked terrible, and ran under the tractor to hide.

From that time on, Old Tom Sickletail was a changed rooster. Never again did Old Tom Sickletail go near the machine shed with its sticky fly strips.

Never again did he try to peck Wilma or try to stick his sharp spurs into her legs.

Never again did Old Tom Sickletail get angry when Wilma gathered the eggs.

Never again did Old Tom Sickletail try to hurt the hand that fed him, and Wilma didn’t hate him any more.

Until next week, Bernice

• Audrey Anderson, owner of Fibre Functions near Luck, will also be a speaker. She offers classes and has a wide variety of yarns for sale at her shop.

Other vendors include Burr Oak Farm from Dresser; Mrs. I’s Yarn Parlor from Osceola; Northwind Book & Fiber from Spooner; and The Bamboo Needle Knit Shop from Hinckley, Minn.

Participants may bring up to five skeins of yarn for a yarn swap.

Preregistration is required. A $15 registration fee will include lunch and door prizes. Contact Konnie at 715653-2619 or Lisa at 715-653-2510 by Saturday, Aug. 30, to register. This event is sponsored by area knitters and Frederic Community Education. - submitted

Kids jelly making day set CUSHING – Everyone is welcome to partake in kids jelly making day held Thursday, Aug. 28, at 2396 250th Ave. Cushing, (Morning Glory’s Wellness Center), at 10 a.m. until it’s all done.

Parents should bring jelly jars, a 4-lb. bag of sugar, a box of Sure-Jel and an extra-large spoon or ladle.

Everyone has to stir and fill jars. That’s the joy of the end product.

If anyone has extra jars and lids, bring them along – it would be appreciated. And, if you can’t afford to bring anything, come anyway. We’ll do with what we have – there’s always plenty.

The kids will pick and gather the apples. That’s

Subscribe online!

Compiled by Bernice Abrahamzon

50 Years Ago At Nelson’s Store, Siren, Camay toilet soap was available in a five-bar bundle in a beautiful rainbow pack for 39¢, and Oxydol washing powder (for laundry) was 77¢ for a giant pack.-The former Winberg Grocery Store would be available for rent Oct. 1, located south of Frederic off of Hwy. 35.-Tulip, crocus, narcissus and hyacinth bulbs were available at 59¢ box at Ben Franklin.-Route’s Super Market, Frederic, featured pork sausage demonstrations and sold the product at 49¢ lb., cabbage at 2 lbs. for 9¢, kidney beans at 10¢ can, liquid Vel soap for 89¢.-The grand opening was held of the new highway shop in Burnett County.-Melvin Nack would run for county clerk on Independent ticket.-News came from Pine Grove Home.-The film “Northwest Mounted Police” was running at the Frederic theater.-Stock car races were held every Saturday night at Amery Speedway.Farmway Barn cleaners, advertised as built stronger to last longer, were available from Niles Framstad, Amery; Irving Olson, Cushing and Dahl Bros., Osceola.-A Thursday evening special at the Fish Bowl Inn., Siren, was $1 for corned beef and cabbage (and it wasn’t even St. Pat’s Day but late summer).-A Bull Bazaar was set for Sept. 27, 1958, at the Sales Pavilion in Barron.

40 Years Ago A Lutheran pastor, James Schneider, his wife plus their 11-month-old son, left their church in Frederic to serve a campus ministry in Stevens Point. He had served Immanuel Lutheran Church in Frederic, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Webster and Trinity Lutheran Church in Danbury.-Many deer on highway contribute to traffic toll.-Four Polk County men were in August draft call including Paul Jensen of Balsam Lake (volunteer); Robert Gehrman of Turtle Lake; Larry Sviontek of Osceola; and Kenneth Hansen of Milltown (volunteer).-The Yellow Lake Golf Course was a nine-hole facility with a new clubhouse and club rentals.-A wedding dance was set for Aug. 31 at the Indian Creek Hall for Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Anderson (Jean Mangelson).-Specials at Route’s Super Market, Frederic, included ground beef at 49¢, cube steaks at 79¢, potato chips at 33¢ for 10-oz. pkg., red or green grapes 19¢ lb., bread at four loaves for $1.-Specials at the Frederic Co-op Market included wieners at 49¢ lb., California seedless grapes at 19¢ lbs., carrots at 9¢ lb. pkg., Swanson’s T.V. dinners at 49¢ for 11-oz. pkg. and Ivory soap at 4 bars for 29¢.-Advisory board planned for Webster Head Start program.-Specials at the Frederic Clover Farm Store included catsup at 3 bottles for 69¢, Banquet dinners 39¢ each and 2 lbs. coffee at $1.29.

20 Years Ago

A Knitting Extravaganza to be held FREDERIC – A Knitting Extravaganza will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Frederic Elementary School.

Join knitting enthusiasts for a fun-filled day of knitting. There will be displays, demonstrations, workshops, vendors and plenty of knitting time.

Special speakers include: • Betty Christiansen, author of the book “Knitting for Peace.” Her book offers stories and patterns for various charities. She will have knitted items from her book on display and copies of her book.

• Loretta Pedersen, owner of Blackberry Hills Farm near Eureka, raises sheep, llamas, alpacas and goats.

She will be speaking on the differences in fibers. Pedersen is also a spinner and weaver.

Do you remember ?

probably the most fun. And then, they’ll go through the whole process of making jam.

Gloria Roohr-Hyzer will supervise and teach...and they’ll have fun. The group won’t worry about the mess in the kitchen that day...because it will be a mess.

Kitchen’s are meant to be a place of work...so let it be just that, it can be cleaned up later.

Each child will take a jar of jelly home. I’m sure there’ll be extras as well for all. I know this may be a big gathering, but the more spoons in the pots, the better. We have a big country kitchen.

We’ll have a midday lunch of homemade pancakes with jam. - submitted

www.the-leader.net

Obituaries included Carey Spencer, Esther Nelson, Walter Hall, Byron Nelson, George Dresser, Essie Sahr, Thornton Calvert McCune, Catherine Gruber, Floyd Martin and Dale Berntson.-Ruth Bunker Christiansen wrote a column on “Golden Oaks Folks” while she resided there.-Timber sale proceeds despite tribal member claims.-Burnett County was approved for emergency feed.-An air show July 22-23 at Siren featured Harrier jets.-Loss of revenue for Home Care was examined.-Business of the Week was the Burnett County Abstract office, owned and run by Richard McKeag.-A reward was offered concerning people stealing railroad ties off the track near Danbury.-Siren Methodists observed their 75th anniversary.-Plans were proposed for a new Frederic school.-Bill and Clara Diede of Luck were honored on their 50 years of marriage.-Luck village would negotiate its Industrial Park project.-Obituaries included Morris Spriggs, Alma Davidson, Howard Hawley and Sophie Repetny.-In the Eye to Eye column, Debbie Duncan and her taxidermy were highlighted.-The village of Frederic rejected the latest proposal for new post office site.-Agreement allows expansion of Wayne’s IGA in Webster.-Crooked Lake Beach was closed; other lakes tested for bacteria.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Hi, everybody! Blacky here from Humane Society of Burnett County. I have to begin this week by imparting some bad news: we are in dire straits with our Waggin’ Wagon. You know, our pet taxi that takes us dogs to and fro to doctor’s appointments, fundraisers, and is used for the pick up of stray animals. I’ve been told that the rear end is going out on it. Now, I’m a dog and am not so mechanically inclined, so I don’t know exactly what that means, “rear end is going out on it.” I think of my YAPpenings brother running down the road when it’s slippery outside and his hind end goes out from underneath him, but I’m guessing that’s not the same thing. In any case, we need to either have it fixed or else find a new mode of transportation. It’s kind of scary riding around in a vehicle that shimmies and shakes like a wet dog! I know money’s tight for a lot of folks, and it is the same for us. We rely solely on donations to keep things running because we get no money from the county. So, if any of you out there can help us out with the cost of repairs, or have a line on a different set of wheels for us, can you please get ahold of the shelter?

Thanks!

As long as I’m asking for stuff, I may as well continue on with a few other things that my friends could use. I’ll start small and work my way upwards to the big-ticket items. We still need puppy food for the little guys who are staying at the shelter, as well as some canned dog food - “pill-hiding food,” I call it. Also, our washer and dryer are on their last legs, so we need a good industrial washer and an electric clothes dryer. Our washing machine has been fixed and fixed and fixed some more, but it still leaks pretty badly and likes to migrate across the floor. We can wash blankets and swab the shelter floor at the same time!

Finally, the staff is wanting to update the isolation area of the shelter and is looking for someone talented in the area of masonry to donate some time to help build some new dog runs. That is the area of the shelter that the new arrivals have to stay in for seven days, and right now they have to stay in cages without a lot of room to move around. It gets kind of noisy back there, too, because not everyone likes everyone else yet, so they stare at each other and bark and cause all kinds of commotion. Some new, individual runs would spare a lot of eardrums from further abuse and give the newcomers a little bit nicer accomodations until they’re ready to be moved to the public area of the shelter. If you can help us out with this project, or with any of our other needs, it sure would be appreciated.

Blacky

Shelter

349-2964

Five of my friends have found new homes, and that tickles me. I was especially happy to hear that Tulip, the little girl who had hip surgery recently, has found herself a loving home, and I know she is going to grow up to be a happy, healthy dog. Three new arrivals have joined the ranks at the shelter as well.

Tink is a female black Lab mix and is 1 to 2 years old.

Sunshine is a yellow Lab mix female, about the same age. Butterfly is a German shepherd mix who was found in the Falun area over the weekend. She’s a girl, and it looks like she’s wearing a fur stole around her neck. I wonder where she got that?

I was chewing on some bubble wrap the other evening (no, I didn’t swallow any, I just liked the fun sound it made before it got snatched away from me), and it got me to thinking about other things you shouldn’t feed your dog. Most everyone knows that chocolate is bad for dogs, but there are some other human foods that you might not know about that are toxic to dogs, too. Onions and garlic make the red blood cells break down in a dog’s body and will make him sick and anemic. He’d have to eat a lot more garlic than onions to get sick, but it’s best to avoid them both altogether. I once ran off with a bag of White Castles and, even though they were delicious, I didn’t feel so good afterwards because I didn’t know they had onions on them. Caffeine can zap a dog’s heart and central nervous system, so no coffee, soda or energy drinks for Fido, please. Macadamia nuts can cause muscle tremors and even paralysis in the hind quarters; raisins and grapes are bad, bad, bad - even in small quantities; avocados contain Persin, which can be toxic to a dog; and, finally, certain chewing gum and candy. Who gives their dog gum? Anyway, if it contains an sweetener called Xylitol, it is very harmful and can knock a dog out or give him seizures. That’s not good! This isn‘t on the list, but do you know what else a dog should avoid eating?

Frogs and toads! I don’t know if they can hurt me, but I found out that they taste terrible! I found one in the driveway the other day and picked it up with my chompers. That was a big mistake, and I know I had the “yuck face” going on for at least a good half hour.

Maybe that’s why a dog would chew gum - to get rid of toad aftertaste. Oh yeah, and one more thing - no beer. I know some folks think it’s comical to see us dogs get tipsy, but it’s really not funny if you think of the harm you are doing to your animal. You humans have to be smarter than us hapless critters, because a lot of us will eat or drink darn near anything. It’s your job to make sure we stay away from the wrong stuff - we can’t read labels.

OK, class is dismissed! It’s time to play ball, or twirl sticks, and sniff around outdoors. Thanks for giving me your attention, and I’ll see you here next week.

HSBC is saving lives, one at a time. www.hsburnettcty.org 866-4096.

Siren

It’s been rather quiet in our backyard lately, not even a lot of squirrels show up. My husband, Art, says the reason is probably because the acorns are now falling, so deer and bear, including my little bear Pee Wee, are busy devouring them. I am told acorns help to fatten them up for winter. Can you believe it, Sept. 1 isn’t that far away. Just four months and another year begins, where has this one gone?

There’s a new country singer in the area. He lives out on Waldora Road. Dan Strabel walked away with the first prize at the Granstburg Fair’s open class talent show on Saturday, Aug. 23. He played his guitar and sang “Wagon Wheels.” Mom Peggy Strabel, wife Becky and kids, Alan and Jessy, were really proud of his taking first prize.

It’s here, the biggest event in Siren is coming this Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31. The Siren Lions annual gigantic yard sale held at the Siren Crooked Lake Park. Believe me, if you are looking for something you haven’t been able to find elsewhere, check them out. You

Bev Beckmark

may find it and even some items you didn’t think you needed. See you at the sale.

Sympathy to the family of Arthur P. Branstad, who passed away Aug. 11.

Those of you who love to trap shoot or want to learn, the South Fork Sporting Club will be having a fall trap shooting league starting Sunday, Sept. 7, so stop in after 10 a.m. and see what goes on. There is no preregistration.

This year at the Siren Lions yard sale, the Siren Lionesses will be selling a variety of delicious home-baked cookies. So stop in and pick up a few dozen while you look over things at the yard sale.

The Tammingas, Ted and Nancy, had one of their unwelcome visitors last week while they were out and about.

It must have figured Ted left that little snack just for them, as their bird feeders were all torn down. They have several large bears in their area.

Senior Olympics Whenever my sister and brother-in-law from South Dakota come to visit, we usually manage to go to the Turtle Lake Casino for the buffet.

I have a policy, eat first, then if there’s any money left over, we play the slots on the way out.

I pass out blaze orange caps to our group just in case we get separated. My sister isn’t too excited about the caps and suggested that since we all have white hair, we could just look for white hair. I pointed out that there were only two persons in the entire casino that didn’t have white hair.

If you watch closely, there is some ritual associated with the way some people play the slots. Some tap their canes three times between spinning the wheels.

Some rap on their oxygen tanks and adjust their cannula.

I always plan on losing when I go to a casino, that way I’m never disappointed. Most people talk about how much they won, but never mention they lost three times as much before they won.

Inevitably, a couple of big tour buses roll in when we’re there. Everyone that comes off these buses has some sort of mobility aid: cane, walker or a Hoveround. They amble to the front door like they won’t make it. Once they’re inside, look out! They abandon the props like clothes in a nudist colony. As they pirouette toward the nickel machines it reminds me of the Senior Olympics.

Brooke Biedinger Irregular

Columnist

Dewey - LaFollette 468-2940

Karen Mangelsen

Sympathy is extended to Sandy (Searles) Herzinger and family due to the death of Sandy’s husband, Lee Herzinger.

Hank and Karen Mangelsen visited Roger and Sue Mroszak Tuesday afternoon.

Dick and Shirley Quinton called on Karen and Hank Mangelsen Wednesday evening.

Karen and Hank Mangelsen were lunch guests of Gene and Carlotta Romsas at their home on Long Lake Thursday. They enjoyed an afternoon of visiting.

Lida Nordquist and Donna Hines visited Joleen and Randi Funk Friday.

Gerry and Donna Hines, Don and Lida Nordquist, Hank and Karen Mangelsen and Marlene and Bruce Swearingen went out to eat together Friday night and then they went to Marlene’s home for coffee. Don’s birthday was celebrated.

Nettie, Duane and John Otis were among a number of people who attended the Johnson family reunion held at Coon Lake Park in Frederic Saturday.

Donna Hines, Lida Nordquist, Karen Mangelsen, Marlene Swearingen and Esther Mangelsen attended a bridal shower for Tarah Liljeberg in Frederic Saturday afternoon.

She will marry their great-nephew, Jason Pearson, Sept.

20.

Judy Albee and Don Schleiss visited Dean and Virginia Elken Saturday evening.

Saturday supper guests at the home of Hank and Karen Mangelsen were Larry, Celie, Baxter, Jake, Hannah and Grace Mangelsen and April, Dave, Patty and Mandy Close. Dave’s birthday was celebrated.

Sunday visitors of Don and Lida Nordquist were Jan, Caleb and Hannah Schott. They helped Don celebrate his birthday.

Beverly Brunclik visited Judy Albee Sunday evening.

Clam River Tuesday Club will meet Wednesday, Sept.

3, at 1:30 p.m. at Lakeland Manor. There will be a potluck lunch before the meeting.

Birth announcements Born at Amery Regional Medical Center A boy, Brandon Ross Istel, born Aug. 15, 2008, to Rebecca Istel and Jerome DeVine III, Clear Lake. Brandon weighed 7 lbs., 11 oz.

••• A girl, Michaela Jean Polta, born Aug. 20, 2008, to Tammy and Michael Polta, Amery. Michaela weighed 7 lbs., 10.5 oz.

••• A girl, Emily Ann Zemke, born Aug. 20, 2008, to Rebecca

and Adam Zemke, Clayton. Emily weighed 7 lbs., 3 oz.

••• Born at St. Croix Regional Medical Center: A boy, Drake Daniel Petersen, born Aug. 12, 2008, to Andrea and Trent Petersen, Cushing. Drake weighed 8 lbs.

••• A boy, Joseph Daniel Paro, born Aug. 15, 2008, to Tanya and Daniel Paro, St. Croix Falls. Joseph weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz.

••• A boy, Mason Alexander Zemke, born Aug. 17, 2008, to Ashley Lissick and Daniel Zemke, Almena. Mason weighed 6 lbs., 3 oz.

••• A girl, Isabelle Rene Holden, born Aug. 18, 2008, to Tiffany and Steve Holden, Centuria. Isabelle weighed 6 lbs., 3 oz.

•••

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 7

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Lewis

653-4281 Can you believe how cool it was Sunday morning? Forecast of fall!

Sylvia Schaetzel and Robin Peterson assisted Pastor Tom with Sunday’s worship service at the Lewis church.

Linda and Kerry Cook were ushers. Gloria Chell treated with coffee and doughnuts after the service.

Word was received of the passing of Lorraine (Mrs. Ed) Greinke a week ago Saturday at Vegas. She had spent a number of years in Hawaii after Ed died, with family members, then returned stateside. She was presently in assisted living, then in and out of hospice. She was 89 years old. We shared many experiences together in the Lewis church and working at the Leader together. Sympathy is extended to her extended family. Services are set for Monday in Las Vegas.

LaVonne and John Boyer spent a long weekend in

Orange Fran Krause

LaVonne O’Brien

Congratulations and best wishes to Natalie Bray and Bud Flagstad who were married at their home on Devil’s Lake on Saturday, Aug. 23. Relatives and friends joined them to celebrate the occasion.

Sandy and Lamar Johnson and family, of Cadott, spent the weekend with John and Reeny Neinstadt and attended Natalie’s wedding.

The Orange 4-H Club met at the Orange Community Center Monday night, Aug. 25.

Mark, Deanna, Kathryn, Bryan, Brad and Fran Krause went to Wisconsin Dells and the Lake Delton area to see Allyson perform in two plays, “Footloose” and “The Wizard of Oz,” at the Broadway Dinner Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 20 and 21. She will be returning to UW-Stevens Point for classes beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2, after being in the plays this summer.

Mark and Deanna Krause took Kathryn to UW-Stevens Point on Sunday, Aug. 24. She will be on their cross-country team, and also begin classes on Sept. 2.

Alexandria, Minn., with daughter, Linda and extended family.

Bernice Abrahamzon had a story in last Wednesday’s Yarns of Yesteryear, in The Country Today, Eau Claire. It is titled, “Almost a Princess But Not Quite” and is about a dairy princess competition when she was 16 years old.

Nice to have Debbie Lenz Easton of Hayward visit at church on Sunday.

A yard sale was held at the home of John Glockzin and Mickey over the weekend at Frederic.

The Sunday night schedule at Skonewood is rounding out its season. Next Sunday night is the last program.

The goldenrod is yellow and you know what that means.

Some beautiful flowers in the church sanctuary on Sunday.

Some of us have fried so much zucchini or green toma-

Bernice Abrahamzon toes that we feel like Southerners. That and cooking pattypan summer squash.

Have you checked the number on your Charles E. Lewis Day button? Winners’ names are on doors of Lewis business places plus the Lewis church.

Rick Abrahamzon, Sheila Staples, Clarice Nelson and friend, Linda and Al Andersen and Laurene and Dan Edge attended the retirement dinner and dance for Larry and Sharry Nelson at Explorer’s Point in Ashland on Saturday evening. The Nelsons hosted a brunch at their home on Sunday morning. Sheila and Rick enjoyed a nice, long visit with Bonnie Lundquist Johnson of Madison. The three of them attended elementary and high school together and graduated the same year from Frederic High School.

PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER 866-4334 It was unusually quiet at the center this week, with just the regular diners being there for lunch and no dime Bingo being played on Wednesday. Deb was grateful to have Gladys Packer volunteering on Wednesday in the absence of Carol Berglind, as she had a medical appointment. The new shade was installed on the west window in the dining area and it looks great. Kevin Ernst painted the west wall with a coat of fresh white paint and removed the popcorn ceiling in a circle area around each ceiling fan and then painted it, and this should make the areas easier to clean.

The Webster Lioness Club met at the community center on Thursday evening for their regular monthly dinner meeting that was catered by Marilyn Meyer of Emily’s.

Brittany Flatten appeared as guest speaker and gave a very nice report on her experiences at Badger Girl’s State.

Thursday evening pool players were Harold Peterson, Rod Hopkins, Pat O’Brien, Dave Wardean, Earl Boelter, Gene Johnson, Charles (Scotty) Scott, Chuck Lehman and Ken Hayes. Carol Berglind, Bernie Boelter, Donna Lehman, Margel Ruck and her mother, Olive Gehrke, played cards. Everyone enjoyed the treats furnished by the ladies. Olive was a guest at Margel’s home from Wednesday evening to Sunday afternoon.

Gladys Beers returned home on Thursday evening after having a wonderful time camping with daughters, Bonnie and Bruce Werner of New Richmond, Darlene and Roy Rogers of Menasha, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the Yogi Bear Campground at Fremont.

Deb asked me to let everyone know that the Webster Nutrition Site will be closed for congregate meals every

Webster Senior Center Thursday effective Sept. 11, as per notice from the Burnett County Aging Program. The date for our Dining at Five evening meals has now been changed to be held on the second Tuesday of each month effective Sept. 9. The menu for the Sept. 9 will be roast turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, cranberries, rolls, milk and pumpkin bars for dessert. Call 866-5300 to make your reservation.

Frank Wardean and sister Vicky Haas helped their dad, Dave Wardean, celebrate his birthday on Friday by taking him out to dinner. On Saturday, Vicky and husband Phil, and Frank took Dave out fishing and I know that made him happy. It’s a toss-up as to which Dave likes best, hunting or fishing. Happy birthday, Dave!

On Sunday, my daughter Heather Stahl, Ricky, Gaby and I attended a combined birthday party for Ricky and Sierra Murray, daughter of Van and Crystal Murray, at their Grantsburg home. It was a beautiful day for a party to be held in the backyard with the delicious odor of burgers, brats and hot dogs cooking on the grill. The little children finger painting at the picnic table and then later frosting their own cupcakes.

There will be a lot of garage sales taking place in Webster this coming Labor Day weekend so don’t forget to mark your calendars to attend the Interfaith Caregivers Second-Annual Labor Day Rummage and Bake Sale on Friday, Aug. 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 30, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Webster Community Center.

Gratitude is extended to Margel Ruck for donating cu-

Mary Klar cumbers and green peppers; Charles and Elaine Scott – leaf lettuce for salad; Jack Witzany, Bob Gleason and Tony Saladis – aluminum cans; and Joe Jamison – tomatoes.

Our get-well wishes and prayers continue go to Edna Canfield; Sue Becker; Pete Neubauer who is recovering from a total knee replacement; Antone and Jeremy Gronski; and Lois Taylor who will be having hip replacement surgery on Aug. 25, at the Rice Lake Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the family of Robert Cairns in his recent passing.

I wonder how many people know that the original secret formula WD-40 is in use today, and that it means Water Displacement, 40th attempt. This formula was the result of a small business in 1953, the Rocket Chemical Company, that set out with a small staff of three to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers to be used in the aerospace industry. It took them 40 attempts to perfect their formula. Isn’t that a story of persistence? Another story of persistence is found in the gospel of Matthew and is about a Canaanite woman who had a daughter possessed by a demon. When the mother heard that Jesus was in the region, she came to him with her need because she believed he could help. Jesus commended her for her faith and persistence and healed her daughter. “Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” – Matthew 15:28. “Something happens when we pray, take our place and therein stay, wrestle on till break of day; ever let us pray.” – Anon. Persistence in prayer pleases God. See you at the center!

Cloverton-Markville The annual Markville reunion, held a couple of weeks ago, was very well attended this year. About 50 people came to eat a potluck meal and catch up with old friends.

A highlight of the event was seeing Blanche Howard, who, at the age of 99, was the oldest person to attend. Blanche lives in Mora, Minn.

Frank Schaaf took his wife, Mary, out to dinner at the Grand Casino to celebrate her 75th birthday recently. A couple of trips to Duluth, Minn., by the two of them for shopping and an eye appointment for Frank were rounded off by lunch at the Old Country Buffet.

Cheryl and Gene Wickham observed a turkey vulture right in their street eating the remains of what was probably a raccoon. At first, they thought it was just one of those turkeys we see out here quite frequently. But, Gene researched it on the Internet and learned it was indeed a vulture.

The Wickhams also had weekend visit from their daughter, Diane, and her family from Rosemount, Minn., recently.

Dave Drake, Don Mishler, Al Wolf and Dave Baker spent

last Thursday on four-wheelers exploring some seldomused trails in New Dosey. They stopped for bag lunches and relaxation about midway through the excursion.

Jan Streiff went to the Cities for her three-month checkup with her neurologist, then had lunch with her former supervisor at Target and did some shopping.

That bear that Jan has seen several times this summer was back in full action last week. One day it appeared on her deck, then the next morning it was near her garbage can, then the next day it was back on the deck, eating her new swimsuit.

Patty Koehler took off for Green Bay last weekend to go with her four sisters and mom down to Iowa City to visit the fifth sister, Ann, who lives and works there.

Darlene Merimonti and Mary Pickton, from Dairyland, went up to the fairgrounds in Superior for the annual senior picnic. Darlene said that U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl shook her hand.

To celebrate her 71st birthday, Darlene spent a few hours at the Grand Casino.

Peggy and Ken Coveau have had a couple of enjoyable

Fran Levings activities lately. One of them was a canoe day-trip on the St. Croix River with daughter, Annie, and some of her friends. The time on the river was followed by a hot dog roast on the shore.

Shortly after that, the Coveaus went to Maple Grove, Minn., to help daughter, Alicia, and her husband, Ted, celebrate Alicia’s 28th birthday.

Don Schirmer and his girlfriend, Marge, fixed the pulley on his mom’s birdfeeder the other day. Due to the dry weather, a doe had been coming every evening to drink water from Deloris’ bird bath. She enjoys watching the doe.

On the homefront, when Dave was out four-wheeling, I picked my sister up in Superior and we went to a little reunion of some women we went to high school with. We graduated from Northwestern High School in Maple, in the late 1950s. It was good to see a lot of my former classmates. We had this little get-together at Barker’s Island Inn. Time for a swim, wherever you are.

Amery Senior Center

by Kari Fladwood, director

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Dennis Lutz – he had been an active member of the center and a willing volunteer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kathy and his family, and we wish a speedy recovery for Kathy as well.

Gratitude is extended to Janette Cysewski and the Apple River Orchestra for coming to the potluck on Monday to entertain us. I wasn’t able to be there, but I heard it was wonderful! Carleen from United Way was here, and we appreciate the time she took from her busy schedule to tell us all about United Way and all the good things they are doing. Of course it was all made possible with the help of Lois Lovegren, Wendell Anderson, Judith Alles and Mary Leslie.

It’s almost time to leave for beautiful Door County – we have a few seats still available if you decide at the last minute you want to go. The travelers will be leaving on

Thursday, Sept. 4. The Branson Trip is coming up fast, and we are excited for our first trip there as well. There’s still time to join up, just give us a call!

We are excited to have the Amery Public Library come to the center on Sept. 11, for Fashions of the ‘20s – come join us for a sloppy joe and see the program they have set up! They will also be sponsoring a new book club at the center featuring “The Great Gatsby,” there is no cost and you even get to keep the book! This will be held Monday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m., at Centennial Hall.

On Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. gather with a group of other concerned and interested citizens for a Natural Step Study Circle. Find support among other community members and learn more about such topics as: renewable energy sources, ecological housing, green businesses and buildings, eco-education and economic development, alternatives to fossil-fueled cars, managing waste, protecting biodiversity, sustainable agriculture. It’s still a month away, but it’s something you can start to think about!

Splenda is a 4-month-old, pure-white, female kitten. She is all about playing and having fun. She is anxious to have her own home with multiple rooms to chase and romp and dance in. Splenda would love it if another kitten could join her in her new digs and that is completely possible with the Kitten Season Sale still in play at Arnell Humane Society. Adopt Splenda and take home a second kitty at no cost. What a deal, the kids will squeal.

Last week a number of kittens were lucky enough to find homes, some with a Kitten Season Sale companion.

Others were adopted by caregivers who felt one was enough for now. According to Humane Society of the United States, cats outnumber dogs in the pet category in the United States.

Our September newsletter just went out – thanks to Carl Johnson, Milton Johnson, Ann Wike, Don Waldbilig and Jerry Fisher. Susan always brings donuts for everyone, and it does not take any time to be assembled, even with three full pages this time! There is a LOT going on at the center.

Bonnie Timm was first in Monday Bridge, with Bev Kjeseth in second this week. Carl Johnson won first place at our weekly pool tournament, with Art Butler in second, Virgil Morgan third and Paul Hartung in fourth. Jerry Fisher won first place in the bowling tournament with a score of 604, with Mary Fisher in second and Ed O’Neill third.

Everyone is welcome to play in the pool and bowling tournaments – the cost is $2, with money going back out in prizes. And last but certainly not least, Lila Ward was first in Wednesday Bridge, with Shirley Staebler second, Shirley Turek third and Pete Hanson fourth.

Have a great week, everyone! God bless you all.

Arnell Humane Society Happy Tails

Await

There are approximately 88.3 million cats owned in the U.S., versus 74.8 million dogs.

It is interesting that while 63 percent of households own a dog, only 34 percent own at least one cat. This can be better understood when you realize that 56 percent of cat owners have more than one cat and only 37 percent of American homes have more than one dog.

So you see, cats in number are the way to go. More than one might just be the ticket for you. It seems to work for 38.4 million households. Arnell Memorial Humane Society, 185 Griffin St. East, Amery 715-268-7387 or online: arnellhumane.org.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 9

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Interstate Park news The end of the summer

ST. CROIX FALLS – This is it! Labor Day weekend marks the end of the full summer schedule of naturalist programs at Wisconsin Interstate Park. With the start of school, the fall season, cooler weather and colored leaves, the summer naturalist program will wind to a close along with the summer season. So if you always meant to come to one of the scheduled hikes, activities or evening programs, now is your opportunity to do it. Please check the program schedule in this paper and then join them at the park.

But wait! There’s a lot to do at Interstate Park yearround. Special activities may be scheduled to take advantage of this area’s beautiful fall colors. The dates, times, and meeting places for these nature programs will be announced in this paper. The schedule is also printed on posters that are posted throughout the park, or you can call the park at 715-483-3747.

Exhibits at the Ice Age Interpretive Center can be viewed daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn about the frozen history of Wisconsin and the gifts of the glaciers. In the auditorium a 20-minute film, “Night of the Sun,” is shown daily upon request. The film tells the story of glaciation in Wisconsin and Interstate’s role in the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve.

Take advantage of the opportunities available to you

at Wisconsin Interstate Park. Whether you’re hiking one of Interstate’s nine miles of hiking trails, camping, fishing, or simply enjoying the beautiful scenery of the dalles of the St. Croix, please stop in. The fall season is the perfect time to explore and enjoy Interstate Park.

Naturalist programs at Wisconsin Interstate Park Friday, Aug. 29 3 p.m. – Pet A Pelt. Stop in at the Ice Age Center and chat with the naturalist to learn more about some Wisconsin wildlife. Did you know that deer hair is hollow? What makes the fur of a beaver or otter different?

Come by and learn more!

Saturday, Aug. 30 2 p.m. – Hike to Horizon Rock. Meet naturalist Barb Walker at the Horizon Rock Trail sign across from the Pothole Trail for a short hike to Horizon Rock – appropriately named for the incredible view.

4 p.m. – The Lure of Soft Gold and White Pine.

Travel through history on a hike to the Summit. Meet naturalist Julie Fox at the Summit Rock Trail sign.

7 p.m. – Wisconsin’s Logging Days. Join naturalist Julie Fox for a lively and informative program about some of the colorful people of our past that shaped this area’s future. An illustrated talk presented in the auditorium of the Ice Age Center.

Sunday, Aug. 31 10 a.m. – The Beaver: Nature’s Engineer. Learn about the home, habits and the adaptations of the beaver.

Meet at the camp interstate shelter across from the south campground entrance.

2 p.m. – Watchable Wildlife Around Lake O’ The Dalles. Join the naturalist for a scenic one-mile hike.

Meet on the lake side of the Beach House.

4 p.m. – Pondering the Potholes and Other Glacial Wonders. Join naturalist Julie Fox for a relaxing hike on the Pothole Trail and learn about the unique geology of Interstate Park. Meet at the Pothole Trail sign.

7 p.m. – Up the River … By Kayak. Discover a different way to explore the St. Croix River and its wildlife by experiencing the pace and fun of a kayak! Join St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Park Ranger Linda Krings to explore the basics of this fast-growing sport.

For those interested, an opportunity will be given to paddle a kayak around the Lake O’ the Dalles beach area.

This program is for everyone!

Meet on the lake side of the Beach House.

Interstate Park is located in St. Croix Falls on Hwy. 35, just one-half mile south of Hwy. 8. For more information call Walker or Fox at 715-483-3747. – submitted

St. Croix Valley Senior Center The Tuesday afternoon Domino winners were: Deloris Bensen in first place, Ione White in second place and Donna Schlosser in third place. 500 card winners were: Cliff Qualle in first place, Darlene Knutson in second place, Lonnie Jones in third place, Norm Schmeckpeper in fourth place and Bruce Medchill in fifth place.

Just for today, I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize

not one bit, not find fault with anything and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself. Just for today, I will have a program, I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

We are going to make cards for the Good Sam Health Care Center on the second Thursday of the month at 11 a.m. The fourth Thursday of the month, we will have

speakers for health, such as a dietician, therapist, pharmacist focusing on diabetes one week, and the heart the next. We will be having little tournaments on the second and fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m. each month.

Thursday evening 500 card winners were: Phil Mevissen in first place, Floyd Knutson in second place, Elroy Petzel in third place and Ray Nelson in fourth place.

Have a great week!

Frederic Senior Center Spades was played on Monday, with the following winners: first place, Jim Anderson; second place, Willis Williams; third place, Lillian Murphy and fourth place was Carmen Marek.

Tuesday Whist was enjoyed.

Wednesday, the Pokeno group played. This group playing together is just a joy to see, enjoying the center and each other’s company.

Thursday 500 cards were played at 6:30 p.m. with the

following winners: in first place was Don Weik, second place went to Inez Pearson, third, Myrna Weik and in fourth place, Tim Abrahamzon.

Friday the Pokeno group played together.

Saturday food, fellowship and games were enjoyed. In the coming events to look forward to: Saturday, Aug. 30, the historical society has their hotdish cook-off and we will be going across the street to enjoy this good food and visiting with friends. The society also has a white elephant

Check out the Leader’s new e-edition @ www.the-leader.net

sale, which we enjoy going to. We have a wonderful museum and it is so important to preserve articles of the past.

Be sure and visit this section of town on Saturday.

We will be having our annual Labor Day potluck picnic on Monday at noon. Spades will be played at 1 p.m. We have a good time sharing these special days together.

Executive board meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29.

PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS Luck Public Library Luck Library needs volunteers We are looking for volunteers for several different projects. As most know, we will be moving the library soon and are looking for help with that. We need at least six people who really know the Dewey decimal system to take books off shelves and put them back up in the new library. We need many people with lots of energy to take items from one library to the next and we need 10 or so people with tools to take things apart and load them into trucks to transport.

Our moving date is Saturday, Sept. 6, so far, but may be subject to change. We will start at 9 a.m. and work until it is done. If you have a truck, equipment dolly, muscles and the desire to help, we need you. Please sign up for a team at the library so we know ahead of time how many volunteers we have and how to organize them. Please be aware that while we enjoy children at the library and certainly encourage their love of the library, due to liability issues, children under the age of 12 will not be allowed in the library work area while we are moving.

Even though I hate to think about it, the school year will soon be starting and we are looking for two or three volun-

teers to work with preschool-aged children during Wednesday’s 10 a.m. preschool story hour times and Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. preschool play and learn group. These programs focus on promoting early literacy and social skills as well as fostering a love of books and learning. Retired reading specialists, early childhood teachers, part-time aides or any energetic person who loves children and libraries – we need you.

Please call the library if you are interested, 472-2770.

Teens – We need your input. The Luck Library will be starting up a teen advisory group beginning Sept. 11. The purpose of this focus group will be to discuss teen issues, develop strategy to promote teens in the library, and to become a teen help force in the library and the community. All youths 12 and up are invited to join. We need fun creative and energetic people to help us plan our programs.

Hours Monday 1-5 p.m., Tuesday 1-8 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 18 p.m., Friday 1-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-noon.

Clear Lake Public Library Gratitude is extended to the Clear Lake Area Community Club for providing funding for the following new juvenile nonfiction titles: “How to Draw Dragons,” “Deadly Praying Mantises,” “Dog Scouts of America,” “Hidden Walkingsticks,” “Leaping Grasshoppers,” “Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing,” “Vampires,” “Werewolves,” and “Gymnastics.”

The summer reading program will end on Thursday, Aug. 28, with a magic show by James Inlow. Gratitude is extended to all the children, parents, grandparents and performers who have participated to make this summer’s program our best ever! Best wishes to the children going to school. For those remaining at home, we will have three story times during the week: Wednesday at 7 p.m.; Thursday at 10 a.m. and

Thursday at 11 a.m.

Knitting and crocheting will resume beginning Monday, Sept. 8, 5 p.m.

Classes will also meet Wednesday, Sept.

10, 5 p.m.; Monday, Sept. 22, 5 p.m.; and Wednesday, Sept. 24, 5 p.m.

Monday Movie Madness: Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. Come join us for lemonade and popcorn as we watch “Nim’s Island” (PG).

Regular library hours Monday: Noon - 7 p.m.; Tuesday: noon - 6 p.m.; Wednesday: 3 - 9 p.m.; Thursday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Friday: noon 5 p.m.; and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. We can be reached by phone at 715263-2802 or by e-mail at clearlakepl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Polk County Library Federation September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and the Polk County libraries want to make sure that your child has the smartest card of all – a library card.

Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

For more information on how you can sign up for a library card, visit one of the Polk County libraries or call the Polk County Library Federation at 715-4858680.

Teachers, day-care providers and parents, check out our children’s kits. We

have a wide array of kits that contain print, audio, and video material, as well as puppets. These kits are perfect for story time or as a supplement to your curriculum.

Please call the Polk County Library Federation for more information, 715485-8680.

The director is Colleen Gifford, assistant director/youth services is Molly Kessler and the library clerk is Stephanie Fansler.

The Polk County Library Federation is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Centuria Public Library Regular library hours Monday: Noon - 5 p.m.; Tuesday: noon - 7 p.m.; Wednesday: noon - 5 p.m.;

Thursday: noon - 7 p.m.; Friday: closed; and Saturday: 10 a.m. - noon.

Osceola Public Library

Milltown Public Library Green: It’s not just our awning The Milltown Public Library is the place to go to find resources about making your life more environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, the library has not always been so environmentally friendly – but with your help, we’re going to change that!

Blue recycling bins have been conspicuously placed around the library to catch either paper products, or recyclables such as plastics, tin, or aluminum. We do still have three small garbage cans for the public to use as well. Please help us reduce the library’s impact on the environment by using the proper bins for disposal – or ask if you are unsure!

Parenting discussion group The Milltown library hosts a weekly parenting discussion circle. Each week, this group’s discussions will relate to a different chapter from the book “Parenting for Peace and Justice,” by James and Kathleen McGinnis (1990). This secular discussion circle is free and open to all parents; free, on-site child care will be provided (although the babysitters may appreciate a small tip). The discussion circle will meet every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., through Sept. 30. Parents are encouraged to attend as many of the meetings as possible, but not required to attend every week; likewise, reading the book is encouraged but not required.

Copies of the book will be available at

the Milltown Public Library.

Summer reading program Turn in your reading records up until the grand-prize drawing to earn a free Tshirt and more cool prizes. Make plans to attend the Friday, Aug. 29, grandprize drawing for an iPod touch. Door prizes will be given to those present at the grand prize drawing!

Gamers club Play with the new Wii until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. This is only open to high school and middle school teenagers who have a library card with under $10 in fines. During summer vacation, the Wii will be available from 3:30 until 7 p.m. every Thursday.

Story hour Milltown Public Library offers story time every Tuesday at 10 a.m. yearround. Story times are free and are designed for children under 6 and their caregivers. Each story time lasts 30 to 45 minutes and includes time to browse and check out books.

Hours Library hours are Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed Sunday.

St. Croix Falls Public Library Check it out at the library on Friday, Aug. 29 BUS-eum 3, a traveling “Traces” exhibit – “Held in the Heartland,” German POWs in the Midwest, 1943-46 will be in the Overlook parking lot from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free and open to the public.

“Traces” brings this unusual, rich story to life through the creation of the BUS-eum 3—a 40-foot school bus converted into a mobile classroom and museum. The exhibit consists of 15 narrative display panels illustrated with photographs and documents, audio and DVD documentaries, artifacts and more.

It’s that time again – time to head back to school. Do you have the most important school supply of all? September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, so stop by your library and get the smartest card of all – your library card. You can get access to books, the Internet, DVDs, homework help and more. It’s all at your library. If you already have a library card be sure to bring it with you when you visit the library. During the month of September you will receive $1 off your fines when have your card at check out. If you have no fines, we will donate $1 to our building fund when you have your card at the ready! If you’ve lost your card we will issue a replacement card for free.

Hay - hey! Join us for a Community Harvest Dance hosted by the St. Croix Falls Library Board at the old fire hall downtown, as part of the St. Croix Falls Autumn Fest, Saturday, Sept. 27, 4 - 8 p.m. Bring the family, bring your friends – celebrate the library’s 87th birthday! $5 ticket price includes dancing and dinner, available in advance at the library. Proceeds from the silent auction and ticket sales will go toward building the new li-

Frederic Public Library

brary! Also, watch for the library’s book and bake sale at the Overlook Deck during the Autumn Fest from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

One in a hundred – Win a bagful of Aveda products donated by Menagerie Salon of St Croix Falls! Buy a ticket for a dollar. Only 100 tickets will be sold.

Chances of winning are great! We hope to sell out each month, raising $100 for the new library! Thank you to Menagerie for their generous donation!

Book club current book: “Founding Mothers,” by Cokie Roberts. The book club will be going to downtown St. Paul for dinner and “Talking Volumes,” at the Fitzgerald Theater. Minnesota Public Radio presents Roberts at the Fitzgerald Theater on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m.

Friends of the Library The Friends of the Library will meet Wednesday, Sept. 24, noon, in the library.

Technology Free wireless is available at the library.

Also, visit the library Web site www.stcroixfallslibrary.org, to get information on the building project, programs at the library and much, much more!

Story hour Listen to stories, create great art and have fun with other kids and parents every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Hours, contact The library is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. every day, except Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Closed on Sunday. 715-483-1777.

Check out the library Web site and explore the links – go to www.stcroixfallslibrary.org.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 11

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS Amery Public Library Summer reading has ended as of Aug. 23. High achievers will be notified about photographs. Gratitude is extended to everyone who read to kids, kids who read and adults who hauled them to the library for programs and to pick up materials. You are the best!

The Big Read begins at the Amery Public Library on Monday, Sept. 8, with Prudence Johnson and Dan Chouinard doing a program on music of the 1920s, concluding with desserts of the 1920s.

The program begins at 7 p.m.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens.

The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.

The Big Read this year at the Amery Public Library features “The Great Gatsby,” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a book set in the 1920s.

More Big Read events happening in September include: Thursday, Sept. 11, at 12:30 p.m. Fashions of the 1920s as presented by the Goldstein Museum of Design of the University of Minnesota. Stop in at the Amery Senior Center for this program, which is free to the public.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. David Page, offers a keynote presentation on the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Everyone is welcome. This program is at the Amery Public Library.

The Friends of the Library book group will be reading “The Great Gatsby,” by F. Scott Fitzgerald on Monday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. The Teens Read group will be reading “The Great Gatsby” and meeting on Monday, Sept. 29, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Another connection to the 1920s - the Amery Public Library is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, along with a move to a new location in the West Campus of the Amery Regional Medical Center. Gratitude is extended to everyone who helped at the book sale – those who donated, organized, set up and everyone who purchased books and other materials.

Otaku Club meets every Tuesday at 5 p.m. for teens and older who love manga and anime.

Library hours The library will be closed on Labor Day, Sept. 1. Regular hours are Monday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Frederic Public Library The Tweens group presented three puppet plays to a capacity audience at the Frederic Library on Aug. 19.

Labor Day weekend closure The library will be closed Saturday, Aug. 30, and Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of the Labor Day weekend.

Library board will meet The Frederic Public Library Board will hold its monthly meeting Thursday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. at the library.

Reminder to turn in your summer reading checklists The Frederic Library summer reading program ends Saturday, Aug. 30, and the library will accept completed checklists through Friday, Sept. 5. Kids who turn in eight lists will receive cool T-shirts in mid-September. The library is grateful for the community of volunteers and participants who made this year’s summer reading program such a success.

Story time begins fall schedule Sept.

17 Story time will begin again Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 10:30 a.m. with an hour of stories and activities for preschool children accompanied by their caregivers. If you would like to be a story time volunteer, please contact the library to choose your dates (we will supply the books and crafts).

Book groups will meet together in September As participants in The Big Read program through the Amery Public Library,

the Thursday morning reading group and the evening book group will both read “The Great Gatsby,” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Plans are to hold a joint discussion at the Frederic Library on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. Copies of the book are available at the library, and new members are always welcome.

We’re looking for veggie photo ops If you picked up seed packets from the library as part of the Share the Bounty hunger prevention project and you now have produce to share with the local food shelf, please bring your donations to the library as they are harvested, and be sure to let staff know the produce is from Share the Bounty seeds. We’d also like to take pictures as part of this project, so polish up your tomatoes and zucchini and bring ‘em in!

Free wireless access available The library offers free wireless Internet access for patrons who bring in their laptops installed with wireless cards - no more waiting to use the public access computers.

Hours and information Frederic Public Library, 127 Oak Street West.

715-327-4979, e-mail fredericpl@ifls.lib.wi.us. Regular hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Dresser Public Library Dresser Public Library is located at 117 S. Central Ave., Dresser, WI 54009 Library hours Monday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday noon–5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.–noon and 1–7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Three Internet computers You must physically present a MORE library card to library staff and library fines must be under $10 to use a computer.

Coming up Story time for lap-sitters and preschoolers will resume Thursday, Sept. 11, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Crochet class for beginners is held each Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. New members of all ages are welcome!

Book club will resume, after our summer break, on Sept. 11, from 1-3 p.m. We

will be reading Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.” A novella written in 1902, this is the story of Marlow, the captain of a steamboat in the Congo, far from the safety of civilization. Here he hears rumors of a white man who operates a trading post deep in the wilderness, and there are suggestions the man is seriously ill. After numerous delays, Marlow reaches the man’s station, only to be shocked at how the dying man has been consumed by his inner capacity for savageness.

Contact the library at 715-755-2944, which is our telephone and fax number or e-mail us at www.dresserpl@ifls.lib.wi.us. Our Web site, www.dresserpubliclibrary.org, has information about story times, days closed, reference links, library policy and community information.

Osceola Public Library Book and bird bonanza A book and bird bonanza will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

It’s time once again for the Friends of the Osceola Library to hold their semiannual book sale. Stop in for some great deals on titles for old and young alike.

While you’re here, stick around for the wild family events scheduled throughout the day.

Cleaning out the basement and don’t know where to bring your old books?

Donate your slightly used books to the Osceola Public Library. Anything that’s not added to the collection will be used on the book sale and recycled back into the library.

The raptors are coming, the raptors are coming! Join in the half hour of themed stories, songs and fun, beginning at 11 a.m. The Raptor Center visits at 1 p.m. Flesh-eating birds take over the library in the afternoon. Don’t miss this. (Fear not, folks – they will be tethered.)

Summer reading program: Thursday, Aug. 28 – 7 p.m.: Teen movie night. We’ll view the submission of the film contest and announce the winner.

Friday, Aug. 29 – 3 p.m.: Grand-prize drawing for the iPod. Book discussion Discussion of “Great Gatsby,” by Scott Fitzgerald, will be Tuesday, Sept.

23, 6 p.m. at the library. After attending a lavish but ostentatious party at his neighbor’s estate, Nick Carraway slowly becomes Jim Gatsby’s one true friend. Though life for his circle of friends during the summer of 1922 is bustling with energy and excitement, Nick is disheartened by the emptiness that seems to surround him.

Preschool story time Preschoolers and an accompanying adult are invited to join in the fun and stories every Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m.

Hours, contact Our hours are Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Our phone number is 715-294-2310, and our Web address is www.osceolapubliclibrary.org.

Balsam Lake Public Library Catch the Reading Bug – Our summer reading program ended last week with Amy Kelsey giving a very informative program about water bugs. Children in the summer reading program all received a book and a free one-day pass to any Wisconsin State Park, forest or recreation Area. Our older readers went home with a T-shirt. Gratitude is extended Deanine for lining up performers, speakers and great activities.

Free wireless Internet access – (Wi-Fi) Bring in your own laptop and find out what you need to know to connect.

Story time Please join us for story time at 11 a.m. every Wednesday here at the library. All ages are welcome to join us for stories, crafts, music and snacks.

New books for September “Lucky One,” by Nicholas Sparks, “Heat Lightning,” by John Sandford, “Hot Mahogany,” by Stuart Woods, “Other Queen,” by Gregory Philippa, “Keepsake,” by Tess Gerritsen, “Red Knife,” by Wm. Kent Krueger, “Book of

Lies,” by Brad Meltzer. Nonfiction: “Power of Giving,” by Azim Jamal, “Mistaken Identity,” Don and Susie Van Ryn and “Newell”, Colleen and Whitney Cerak.

Book club September’s selection is “Infidel,” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. “Infidel” is a profound, authentic, and inspiring memoir that lays bare the essential struggles between religion, faith, and freedom that define our turbulent times. It is a brave and urgent call for awakening, and a confident portrayal of one woman’s extraordinary evolution. The book club meets Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Hours Balsam Lake Library, (under the water tower) at 404 Main Street, Balsam Lake.

Hours are Monday 10 a.m. -8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.

– 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. E-mail: balsamlakepl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Web site: http://www.balsamlakepubliclibrary.or g

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

Health care foundation fundraising dinner Sept. 25 ST. CROIX FALLS – Bring your appetite, not for just food and drink, but for excitement, great auction items, trips to wonderful places, and a little mystery (who will be this year’s health-care advocate?). The 13th-annual fundraising dinner will be held at Trollhaugen Convention Center on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m.

Grab-bag items worth up to $25 in value will be available as well as silent auction items like Twins tickets, auto care, jewelry, crystal, artwork and more. Live auction items include tickets to the Vikings-Packers game, the Minnesota Wild, and other professional sports events, plus other special items. Attendees can also purchase a key to win a trip or a travel voucher.

The foundation’s Health Care Advocate award will

also be presented during the evening to a community volunteer who has given generously of time and talents.

The foundation is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions and fundraising events.

Foundation funds support the work of the foundation and St. Croix Regional Medical Center in many ways, including: • Awarding scholarships to encourage young students and adults to pursue careers in health care; • Purchasing vital technology that improves the care the medical center is able to give patients; • Assisting with physical improvements to the facility;

• Providing general information to address health care issues.

Over the years, the foundation has been committed to supporting the health of our community. In the last year, the foundation donated over $50,000 toward patient-related furnishings in the St. Croix Regional Medical Center’s new surgery center.

Space is limited, so reserve the date on your calendar now! Invitations to the 13th-annual fundraising event have been mailed, but call Sandy Williams at 715-4830247 or the education office at 715-483-0579 for more information. There’s something for everyone at this fun event. Semiformal dress is encouraged. Final reservations are needed by Friday, Sept. 19. - submitted

Frederic Elementary open house set FREDERIC – All parents and 4K- through sixth-grade children are invited to the Frederic Elementary School open house. The open house will be on Thursday, Aug. 28, from 5-6:30 p.m. Please come and meet the teacher, find the room, leave your child’s school supplies, pick

up important paperwork and help your sons and daughters get a great start to the school year. Any organizations who would like to get information out to parents of elementary students can call the office, 715327-4221, and set up a table that night, for example,

Boy/Girl Scouts, PTO, etc… Help get this school year off to a great start and attend the open house. – submitted

ArtBarn continues “Ole and Lena's Wedding” OSCEOLA – You’re invited! St. Croix ArtBarn cordially invites you to attend “Ole and Lena’s Wedding,” an interactive audience participation dinner theater celebration. The presentation continues at St. Croix ArtBarn, 1040 Oak Ridge Drive, Osceola, Fridays and Saturdays, Aug. 29, and 30 and Sept. 12 and 13. The pro-

duction will then move to The SPACE, 156 High Street, New Richmond, Sept. 19, 20, 26 and 27. Doors open at both venues at 6 p.m., with the wedding ceremony beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m. Come and be part of the family for the night and enjoy a traditional Scandinavian wedding buffet, and don’t forget the wedding

cake! Dinner theater tickets are $25. Reservations are required as seating at both venues is limited. For ArtBarn dates, please call 715-294-2787 or visit www.stcroixartbarn.com; for The SPACE call 715- 2463180 or visit www.thespaceforcreativity.com. - submitted

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 13

Bernick's creates fund to award grants ST. CLOUD, Minn. - The Central Minnesota Community Foundation and Bernick’s Beverages and Vending Inc. announced plans recently to partner to award community grants through a newly created corporate fund.

The community foundation will provide grant-making services to Bernick’s for the company’s six markets in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including Brainerd, Bemidji, Duluth, St. Cloud and Willmar, all in Minnesota, and Dresser. The community foundation will administer the Bernick’s Beverages and Vending Fund beginning this month.

“Bernick’s is proud to partner with CMCF and we look forward to enhancing our commitment to strengthen the communities we serve,” said Jason Bernick, director of corporate affairs for Bernick’s.

Founded in 1916, Bernick’s is a fourth-generation, family-owned distributor of beverage, food and vending services. The company has a long tradition of in-

Memory Walk set POLK COUNTY – The Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Polk County Memory Walk will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the DD Kennedy Mill Park. Registration will start at 9 a.m. at the park shelter, and the walk will begin at 10 a.m. on the beautiful park trails.

People from Polk County as well as surrounding areas are expected to participate in this year’s event to raise awareness and funds, which will provide education and chapter service to families, caregivers and community service providers. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Champions include those living with the disease, families, caregivers, corporate and community leaders.

Support the vision of the world without Alzheimer’s by starting a team, making a donation or registering for a walk today. For more information, please call or e-mail Denise Olson at 715-2689949 or riverbend@ amerytel.net. To register online, visit the Web site at www.alz.org/gwwi and click on the Memory Walk link. – submitted

American Red Cross CPR course scheduled BALSAM LAKE – The American Red Cross is offering a CPR for the Professional Rescuer Course, two-day course, on Tuesday, Sept. 9 and Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., both days.

This class is for nursing students, CNAs, first responders and anyone else interested. This course will be held at the Polk County Red Cross office located in Balsam Lake. Preregistration is required.

To register call Terry Anderson at 715-485-3025.

Classes may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. - submitted

vesting in its local communities to improve quality of life. Bernick’s continues as a longtime philanthropic leader through financial and in-kind donations to multiple causes each year.

“The foundation is honored to work with Bernick’s as they continue their generosity in our communities and beyond,” said Steve Joul, president of the CMCF. “They are outstanding corporate citizens.”

The Bernick family started the fund to honor the legacy of its founders by continuing the tradition of supporting organizations that reflect the family’s core values, while providing leadership in responding to emerging community needs.

Bernick’s Beverages and Vending Fund will support three key focus areas: youth, education and health and fitness. Funding may go toward capital, strategic investments in operations and programmatic support.

The grant application process will begin immediately.

The fund will award grants to qualifying organizations that are based in at least one of the six markets Bernick’s serves. The deadline for receiving letters of inquiry is Monday, Sept. 15.

Organizations applying for a grant must be nonprofits, schools, government entities, or charitable organizations designated as 501(c) (3) by the IRS. Multiyear requests will be considered. Learn more about the application process at www.CommunityGiving.org.

For more grant information, call Susan Lorenz, program officer, at the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, toll free at 877-253-4380 or 320-253-4380, or e-mail at slorenz@communitygiving.org.

CMCF, based in St. Cloud, is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the residents of various central Minnesota counties. It is one of more than 600 community foundations nationwide and has assets of $70 million. - submitted

PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

Northwest Cleansweep to hold hazardous waste, electronics and prescription medication collections in 2008 The Northwest Cleansweep hazardous waste collection program, a Northwest Regional Planning Commission division that provides collection events to 10 counties in northwestern Wisconsin, will be accepting unwanted or unused medications, free, from household residents along with hazardous wastes and electronics, for a fee, at all of its 10-county Saturday collection events this summer. This program is being made possible through a grant provided by the Rural Utilities Service of the Rural Development Administration, a United States Department of Agriculture unit.

The counties served include Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor and Washburn.

All prescription collections will take place at the Saturday Northwest Cleansweep hazardous waste collections in each county. Iron County will not be hosting a hazardous waste collection in 2008, so a separate date for a prescrip-

tion collection in Iron County will be determined.

Wa s h b u r n County’s scheduled collections for 2008 will be on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site located behind the Washburn County Fairgrounds and near the Washburn County Humane Society and Food Pantry from 10 a.m.

– 2 p.m. Prescription medications and electronics will be collected along with hazardous wastes at this Saturday collection. All residents of the 10-county service region are invited - not just those from the host county, Washburn.

There are several important reasons to bring pharmaceuticals into collection events. Up until now, most people have either thrown medications in the trash, flushed them down the toilet, or burned them with their trash in a burn barrel.

Utilizing these options present several environmental problems. Flushing of medications into the wastewater system means that ultimately these drugs will find their way into our lakes, rivers,

Jen Barton Earth Notes

40 years of St. Croix River protection to be honored STILLWATER, Minn. - The St. Croix River Association will have its annual fall membership dinner and meeting Thursday, Oct. 2, with a gala river cruise aboard the Jubilee II leaving from downtown Stillwater. The date is the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by President Lyndon Johnson, which included the Upper St. Croix and its Namekagon River tributary as one of the original eight rivers designated for long-term protection and enjoyment.

The Lower St. Croix, between St. Croix Falls and Prescott, was added to the system in 1972. The entire 250-mile river park is now managed as the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway by the National Park Service, the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, and scores of local units of government.

The SCRA event will feature a special presentation of river songs by popular musicians Prudence Johnson and Dan Chouinard. Boarding of the chartered Jubilee II will begin at 5 p. m. with departure from the dock at 525 South Main

Street promptly at 5:30 p.m. A short program will follow the onboard dinner and entertainment. The association will then convene a more extensive membership business meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p. m. at Boutwells Landing, 5600 Norwich Parkway, Oak Park Heights, Minn.

The public is invited to attend this celebratory evening as a way of expressing support for wise use and protection of the St. Croix River and interest in SCRA membership. Advance reservations are required for participation in this event along with payment of $38 per person by Sept. 22. The SCRA was founded in 1911, making it the oldest citizen conservation organization in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Membership is open to anyone interested in the protection and enjoyment of the St. Croix River and its watershed.

For information on membership or to make reservations for the Association’s meetings, contact Judy Olson, secretary at 715-386-9264. - from SCRA

Red Hat luncheon set TURTLE LAKE – The Old Bats in Red Hats are holding their annual luncheon Tuesday, Sept. 16, 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the St. Croix Casino in Turtle Lake. There will be a buffet luncheon and a style show of red hats and purple clothing.

Cost is $20 per person. This is a benefit

for the Amery Public Library. Members of other Red Hat chapters are encouraged to attend and the public is welcome. For further information contact: Muriel Pfeifer 715-268-6578. Deadline is Monday, Sept. 8. - submitted

streams and drinking water. Many medications, when introduced into our natural waters, can lead to reproductive and developmental problems in fish and other aquatic wildlife. Studies have been done confirming these results.

Burning medications is illegal according to state law, because of the chemical pollutants that can be emitted from burning. Trashing medications can also ultimately result in water contamination because the chemicals break down when water (rain) percolates through the landfill layers. This liquid, called leachate, is typically pumped out of landfills at some point and treated at wastewater treatment plants.

The chemicals often make it through these wastewater plants and then find their way back into our natural waters.

Besides the environmental effects of improper medication disposal, having these unused or expired medications at home can be a source of accidental ingestion, particularly for kids and pets, which are more susceptible to poisoning. If they are thrown in the trash, there is also the potential that persons may see discarded containers in your trash and use the medications for illegal purposes. If you can’t bring the medications into the collection, the second best option would be to grind up the pills into a powder and mix it with some coffee grounds or something of that nature.

This makes the medication unusable and then it can be thrown into your trash. However the best option still remains dropping it off at a collection where the medications will be handled in a safe and environmentally conscious manner where it will not be reintroduced into our natural environment.

Household pharmaceuticals accepted at the collection events include prescription and over-the-counter medications such as: pills, capsules, ointments, liquids, sprays, creams, inhalers, vials and drops. Please note that no radioactive or chemotherapy medications will be accepted. Also, we cannot accept sharps, syringes, IV bags or tubing.

Please contact your health provider for disposal options for those materials.

Please leave the medications in their original containers so that they can be identified. If you have privacy concerns, simply blacken out your personal information on the container – please leave the drug name on the bottle so it can be properly inventoried. We don’t need your name or other personal information.

Northwest Cleansweep invites all 10county residents to check out your medicine cabinets and drawers and rid your home of old medications. Please call Rick Schneider or Jen Barton with questions on this program at 715-635-2197.

Frederic Legion Auxiliary No. 249 looking for new members FREDERIC – The Frederic Legion Auxiliary #249 is looking for new members to join the American Legion Auxiliary. The organization is one of long standing, honored and dedicated to promoting veterans causes. If you feel some days, that you as a military family are left behind and forgotten, please contact Dorothea M. Jensen, secretary-treasurer, at 715-327-5642. The group is looking forward to working with new members who have a desire to help veterans, their causes and their families. Sadly, as membership has declined, the need continues to grow. It is the group’s plan to reach out to these caring, military families, voicing their concern and to let them know they do care.

Eligibility guidelines for application for membership are as follows: WWI (4/16/17-11/11/18), WWII (12/7/4112/31/46), Merchant Marines (12/7/418/15/45 only), Korea (6/25/50-1/31/55), Vietnam (2/28/615/7/75), Grenada/Lebanon (8/2/827/3/84), Panama (12/20/89-1/31/90) and Persian Gulf War (8/2/90 until cessation of hostilities as determined by the U.S. Government). Applicant’s relationship to the veteran may be as follows: mother, wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, grandmother or self. The auxiliary had 75 members at one time. Now, it seems almost every family among the friends and neighbors have someone who is in the service, leaving for overseas duty or due to come home.

When disasters strike, we have a

proud heritage of helping one another; whether it’s a tornado, accident or fire.

If you are interested in more information or have questions regarding the many benefits of membership, please feel free to contact Jensen. The services of the American Legion Auxiliary, directly and indirectly, touch the lives of all Americans. With the philosophy of “Service, not Self,” the Auxiliary develops a strong spirit of volunteerism in its members, who have joined together in the fellowship of giving to others. If you would like to find out more about what the group does in their meetings during the year, please call 715-327-5642. Jensen has been in the auxiliary for 62 years. submitted

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 15

Ag Society

FAIR

The 4-H clubs were well-represented at this year’s Grantsburg fair with several entries cleverly showing an agricultural theme.

Jade Johnson’s tractor and manure spreader cake was a big hit and was a fitting entry for a fair named the Burnett County Agricultural Society Fair. Johnson won first place for her creative confection in the 4-H Junior Exhibitor class.

The pony pull pulled in horses from near and far to compete in this new event at this year’s fair in Grantsburg last weekend.

Photos by Priscilla Bauer

Vicky and Teddy Vitale enjoyed taking a spin or two high in the sky at the Grantsburg fair Sunday afternoon, Aug. 24, while toddlers Lucy Dahlberg and Greta White liked staying close to the ground riding a train just right for toddlers around the track.

The lights of the Ferris wheel seemed to be saying, “Come take a ride” at the Burnett County Ag Fair last weekend.

PAGE 16 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

Ag Society

FAIR

The Jolly H’s 4-H Club had two proud winners with 10year-old Cassidy Quimby (photo above) winning first place for Junior Showmanship and Anneka Johnson, 11, (photo below) receiving a first place with her purebred black Angus named Betsy Black as overall Grand Champion for beef.

Eight-year-old Rachel Glover gives her rabbit some grooming before the rabbit judging Friday, Aug. 22, at the Grantsburg fair.

Taylor Hackett, 3, loved the horses and wanted to give them each a pat on the nose.

Photos by Priscilla Bauer

The sun is a-shining To welcome the day.

Heigh-ho! Come to the Fair!

- from the song “Come to the Fair” by Helen Taylor

As twilight came to the Grantsburg fair, a girl and her goat await their turn to compete.

Kendra Petersen snuggles with her rabbit, Sven, before she gets ready to show him in the rabbit judging.

Joel Glover takes a step back from milking his goat to let these twins do some double duty. Morgan and Taylor Siem from New Brighton, Minn., came to Grantsburg to visit with grandparents Peggy and Roger Johnson and got a chance to visit the fair and do some goat milking, too.

Animal owners groomed their fair entries prior to judging time.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 17

Ag Society

FAIR

Little Miss Siren and her princesses blew kisses to parade watchers last Sunday afternoon, Aug. 24, as they rode on Siren’s float in the Grantsburg fair parade.

The perfect parade weather had Sweet Tooth the Clown, of the local Shriners, using his umbrella for a bit of shade instead of rain during Grantsburg’s fair parade last Sunday.

William Gerber, 4, and sister Gracie, 7, left the driving to big brother Jackson, 10, as the siblings rode together in a golf cart in Sunday’s fair parade for their dad and mom’s business, Community Bank.

Getting wild on the accordion, this gorilla gave Sunday’s Grantsburg parade-goers a grin or two with his antics.

Photos by Priscilla Bauer

Roger and Mary Danielson were the grand marshals at the Grantsburg fair parade last Sunday.

Gene Gronlund towered over the crowd in his Uncle Sam attire riding on the Grantsburg Chamber float in the fair parade Sunday.

It was a perfect day to take the top down and take a ride. Grantsburg Mayor Mark Dahlberg and his wife, Maude, waved to the crowd as they rode in the Grantsburg fair parade Sunday, Aug. 24.

PAGE 18 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

Rhonda Peterson puts another picture up on the display of nearly 800 photo entries in the open, 4-H, and senior classes during entry day at the Grantsburg fair last Thursday, Åug. 21.

RIGHT: This year’s good growing season was the reason there was a fine display of winning veggies at the Grantsburg fair.

Ag Society

FAIR

Photos by Priscilla Bauer

Even in the warmth of a sunny August day the Burnett County Democrats showed they were looking towards November displaying their choice in this year’s upcoming presidential election.

Rep. Ann Hraychuck waved to her constituents during the Grantsburg fair parade on Sunday, Aug. 24.

The Grantsburg High School Band provided marching music at the Grantsburg fair parade last Sunday, Aug. 24.

RIGHT: Her candy bag in hand, Kylee Lindquist, age 3, eagerly awaits her chance to catch some candy thrown from a passing float during Grantsburg’s fair parade.

Candidate for state Assembly Kent Muchinske showed the Grantsburg parade crowd he was a talented musician as well as a politician last Sunday as he entertained them along the parade route.

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 19

2008 Burnett County Agriculture Society winners announced Grand Champions Category Vet science Plant and soil sciences Flowers and houseplants Natural sciences Family and child development Exploring Cultural arts Computers Photography Woodworking Foods and nutrition Clothing Knitting and crocheting Home furnishings Health science Mechanical projects Booths Youth leadership Animal Rabbits Rabbit showmanship Poultry Poultry showmanship Beef cattle Beef showmanship

Junior Div. Lauren Jewell Essie Mackyol Lauren Jewell Thorvo Lundeen

Open Div.

Senior Citizens

Joel Glover Gaylen Brown

Dorothy Melin Eldora Brown

Kendra Peterson Trent Gustafson Rose Kopecky Caitlyn Klawitter Jillian Schinzing Kody Menke Maddie Bergland Alec Gustafson Kaylynn Anderson Nettis Otis Diana Pope Lois Anderson Rachael Gloodt Kandis Olson Emily Stiemann Melissa McQuay Kendra Peterson Josie Schinzing Girl Scout Troop 3511 Kaylynn Anderson Junior Jacob Glover Kendra Peterson Jessica Glover Majel Schmaltz Anneka Johnson Cassidy Quimby

Intermediate Jeanie Bly Jessica Glover Amanda Cook Jessica Glover Eric Melin Austin Otis

Lillian Anderson Joyce Glover Lillian Anderson Patricia Larson Lillian Anderson

Senior Lauren Jewell

Lauren Jewell

Beef market class Beef dairy cross, Lori Linke Dairy/dairy, Anneka Johnson Beef/beef, Tristan Brewer Dairy cattle Holstein Dairy showmanship Dairy products Goats Goat showmanship Horse showmanship Pony Horse Western horsemanship English equitation Halter Pony Halter Horse Western pleasure pony Western pleasure horse English pleasure Trail class pony Trail class horse Barrels pony Reserve champions Category Plant and soil sciences Flowers and houseplants Cultural arts Vet science Natural science Photography Computers Mechanical projects Booths Woodworking Food and nutrition

Clothing Knitting and crocheting Home furnishings

Junior Austin Otis Thorvo Lundeen

Intermediate Rick Melin Austin Otis

Jessica Glover Lora Glover

Jessica Glover

Jordan Otis Jordan Otis Jordan Otis Jordan Otis Jordan Otis Jordan Otis Jordan Otis Majel Schmaltz Junior Div. Jessica Glover Kendra Peterson Anneka Johnson Lori Linke Austin Otis Jade Johnson Kody Menke Billy Minder Wood Creek 4-H John Dalsveen Joise Schinzing

Chad Doornink holds on tightly to one year-old daughter, Payton, as they get ready to take a horsey ride at the Grantsburg fair Sunday afternoon, Aug. 24.

Senior Lane Anderson

Jaden Cook Jaden Cook Jaden Cook

Lindsey Hedlund Jeanna Columbo

Paige Johnson Jaden Cook Paige Johnson Jaden Cook Jaden Cook Paige Johnson Jaden Cook

Patrick Zehm

Jeanna Colombo Jeanna Colombo

Open Div. Korrine Olson Candie Ruman Ruth Anderson

Senior Citizen Jill Anderson Eldora Brown Mary Johnson

Jessical Olsen

Elsie Johnson

Jeanna Colombo

Harmony Homemakers Rhonda Peterson

Eldora Brown

The demo derby was a smoking good time for spectators watching Friday, Aug. 22, at the Grantsburg fair. Drivers of the steaming cars weren’t quite so thrilled by all the smoke which generally meant their car was out of the competition.

Luke Steiman Rachael Gloodt Kody Menke

Juliette Derouin Carrie Byers

Eldora Brown Patricia Larson Delight McKeag

Friday’s demolition derby 81 entries Compact modified cars: Chris Schroeder in first place, Marty Youngbauer in second place, Mary Jo Youngbauer in third place and Tommy Fleming was the crowd pleaser.

Full-size cars 1979 and older: Sam Bandow in first place, Shawn Johnson in second place, Jason Casey in third place, Jim Johnson in fourth place, Pete Berger in fifth place and Wes Kubat was the crowd pleaser.

Full-size cars 1980 and newer: Ethan Schumacher in first place, Dallas Miller in second place, Joe Kruse in third place, Dylan Miller in fourth place, Jessica Cash in fifth place and Ethan Schumacher was the crowd pleaser.

Powder Puff: Lisa Werner in first place, Annette Vetse in second place, Mary Jo Youngbauer in third place and Tammi Vetse was the crowd pleaser.

Full-size pickup: Jon Mewes in first place, Nick Schumacher in second place, Keith Saumer in third place, Jeremy Adams in fourth place and Nick Schumacher was the crowd pleaser.

Compact pickups: Andy Murphy in first place, Nick Mariette in second place, Jeremy Johnson in third place, Dustin Marek in fourth place, Adam Bistram in fifth place and Adam Bistram was the crowd pleaser.

2008 Top driver awards Full-size cars 1979 and older, Duane Roberts Full-size cars 1980 and newer, Ethan Schumacher Full-size trucks, Jon Mewes Compact trucks, Andy Murphy Mini Mod. Cars, Chris Schroeder Powder puff, Lisa Werner Saturday’s tractor pull 86 pulls Class 4,500# antique 6,500# antique 9,000# classic 3,500# farm stock 5,000# farm stock 7,000# farm stock 9,000# farm stock 10,000# farm stock 12,000# farm stock 15,000# farm stock 18,000# farm stock 3,500# hobby stock 5,000# hobby stock 7,000# hobby stock 9,000# hobby stock 12,000# hobby stock 5,200# modified sgl. engine 5,200# modified 7,000# modified 6,200# open 7,500# open 9,000# open

First place Jordan Koch Greg Gackle Jerry Kozak Dwayne Koch Tim Tomlinson Ryan Brown Paul Furchtnicht Mark Kohnen Dan Kohnen Mark Kohnen John Swanson Rod Mondor Jon Hawkins Bill Meier Bill Meier Al Becker Darren Trusle Darren Trusle Dave Walters Dave Walters Dave Walters Dan Wohlk

Second place David Hausladen Carson Swenson Daniel Wicklund Nick Roth Duane Strom Dennis Segelstrom Travis Schull George Weidendorf Joe Lajeberg Kenneth Wicklund

Third place Tanner Nettestad Ally Woltz Mike Strom Bruce Brown Andy Johnson Dan Kohnen Josh Jones Nathan Koch Craig Furchtnicht Brian Fiedler

Josh Swanson Julian Berthiaume Jim VonWahlede Butch VonWahlede Dan Wohlk

Heidi Jensen Kevin Mielke Kevin Mielke Kevin Mielke

Sunday’s demolition derby 62 entries Compact modified cars: Mary Jo Youngbauer in first place, Chris Schroeder in second place, Mac Johnston in third place and Pete Gustafson was the crowd pleaser.

Full-size cars 1980 and newer: Lisa Werner in first place, Chris Swanson in second place, Casey Smith in third place, Dan Egeland in fourth place, Dallas Miller in fifth place and Lisa Werner was the crowd pleaser.

Full-size pickup: Chad Bartusch in first place, Shane Roatch in second place, Brian Swanson in third place, Jon Mewes in fourth place, Tim Peck in fifth place and Leif Throngard was the crowd pleaser.

Compact pickups: Frank Becvar in first place, Paul Johnson in second place, Andy Murphy in third place, Scott Clifford in fourth place, Chris Fickbohm in fifth place and Frank Becvar was the crowd pleaser.

Full-size cars 1979 and older: Duane Roberts in first place, Wes Kubat in second place, Dan Roberts in third place, Jerry McKenzie in fourth place, Jim Johnson in fifth place and Alicia Gourley was the crowd pleaser.

PAGE 20 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

Autumn Fest in St. Croix Falls

“1963 Black Walnut,” by Aaron Dysart, 2007. – Photos submitted

For the birds

Su bscr ib e t o da y by go in g o nl i n e @ w w w . t h e-l ea de r. net

ST. CROIX FALLS – It will be a bird meal like no other as environmental art takes center stage at Autumn Fest in St. Croix Falls. Throughout the festivities on Saturday, Sept. 27, fest attendees will be invited to participate in a spontaneous community sculpture project, which is sure to bring in the birds. Participants will cast sculptures of small animals out of birdseed. Their work will be put in plaster castings, refrigerated and then placed by artist Aaron Dysart on a steel tree.

Dysart was recently awarded a grant from Public Art St. Paul to explore environmental solutions in art making. In cooperation with Franconia Sculpture Park, he will create a steel armature, a skeletal framework, in the form of a tree for the community sculpture. Interns at Franconia are making small animals out of clay and creating plaster molds for the animal forms that will be used by Autumn Fest-goers.

The spontaneous community sculpture will be set up between the Overlook Deck and the National Park Service Visitors Center, as will many of the Autumn Fest activities. From 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. enjoy a juried arts and crafts fair, chil-

dren’s activities, local art exhibits, farmer’s market, bake sale, Mix105 live broadcast, community booths and information and food.

Just inside the National Park Service Visitors Center will be a children’s art exhibit and a full series of informative workshops on topics to include; Building a Community-Based Food System for Economic Development, Land Stewardship Project, Legacy Solar, Building a Sustainable Community, Green Travel, Renewing the Countryside, Natural Step and more. Classes will run hourly from 10 a.m. – noon and 2– 3 p.m. A schedule with presenters, times and classes is posted at www.scfwi.com.

The events Saturday, Sept. 27, continue with a city 170th settlement celebration and program at 1 p.m., a corn feed at the St. Croix Tavern from 1 – 7 p.m., (don’t miss the corn eating contest from 4-5 p.m.), and the St. Croix Falls Public Library Harvest Dance fundraiser from 4 – 8 p.m.

The spontaneous community sculpture will be around for birds to eat and visitors to view for one week after Autumn Fest.

The entire day is packed with music, events, food and fun. For a complete list of events visit www.scfwi.com. - submitted

Saturday, Sept. 20, Franconia Sculpture Park will host its 12th-annual Arts and Music Festival to celebrate new sculpture created this year by more than 50 local, national and international artists. From noon to 10 p.m., this free, daylong event features artist-led tours of Franconia’s new and current sculpture exhibition, a dynamic lineup of 12 bands, Families Make Sculpture workshop and Mural Painting workshop (both drop in activities), and performances

by Guerillas on a Bike, who play jazz/reggae music on a mobile bike/stage.

The live musical lineup also includes: Tim Kaiser, Squib, Nick Garcia and the Sin Horses, Whoopgnash, Jaysboatcar and Mel Gibson and the Pants. There will be a Tai Chi demonstration, poetry readings, a magician, hula hoop demonstrations, face-painting, chair massage, great food by Asase Yaa (www.asaseyaa.net), and much more. Shown above is Alexa Horochowski, 2008 FSP/Jerome Fellowship Artist. - Photos courtesy Franconia Sculpture Park

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 21

Luhrs-Bjornson

by Joanne Frank - Rose/Dalles visitor Working out of their pottery studio on North Washington (Main) Street in St. Croix Falls, are Meg Luhrs and Leif Bjornson. They live and work in one of the most remarkable buildings in St. Croix Falls, dating to the 1860s on the St.

Croix River bluff.

It was originally used as a granary for pioneer enterprises. Luhrs and Bjornson appreciate the historic significance of their house, moderniz- Rosemarie ing only to the extent necessary. Vezina Much of the interior is exposed, to the sturdy, stacked two-by-fours.

It had been known since 1885 Sponsored by as the Love House, the St. Croix and had many guises (including Falls Historical Society a winery in the 1970s).

After standing empty for years, off and on, Luhrs and Bjornson rescued the building in 1985.

Bjornson was raised on Crocus Hill in St. Paul where his pottery talent emerged. He attended art fairs and began working through high school as

Braatz

A St. Croix

Tale

The building Meg Luhrs and Leif Bjornson live and work in is one of the most remarkable buildings in St. Croix Falls, dating back to the 1860s.

Meg Luhrs and Leif Bjornson at their potttery studio on North Washington (Main) Street in St. Croix Falls. – Photos submitted a potter. His mother, a medical doctor, had family in Sweden, where he visited and had the great fortune to attend notable art schools. He lived for a while on a small island off Sweden, Urlland, where he studied at the Orrefors crystal factory, Capella Garden.

Bjornson first opened a shop in Lind-

strom, as a potter and glassblower.

When he met Luhrs, she was a student at the University of Minnesota, with no plans to become an artist until she met him. She studied in the late 1970s in Sweden, and completed her degree in art, studying with the renowned Malcom Meyer.

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

Museum open house set for Saturday, Sept. 6 BALSAM LAKE - The Polk County Museum in downtown Balsam Lake will hold an open house over the Labor Day weekend.

There will be free admission and re-

freshments.

The new and changed displays at the museum include Winchester’s, Amery Jeweler Equipment, Civil War, Fine Arts, Laundry and Hardware by

Follow the Leader

Judy Wester, Martha Filip, Marilyn Reiten and Rosalie Kittleson. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum will also be open every weekend of September, noon to 4 p.m.

Everyone is invited to attend and to enjoy the new addition and the elevator.

- with submitted informatoin

A Waiting Child Demoris

Feb. 12, 1997

Demoris is a handsome 11-year-old with dark hair and brown eyes. He is a very active young man, who enjoys playing sports. His favorites include football, baseball and basketball. Demoris also enjoys swimming, gardening, cooking and has recently shown interest in karate. He loves animals, and does well with dogs in his current foster home.

Demoris is polite and able to carry on conversations with adults. Teachers describe him as “a bright young man who learns easily.” He often discusses adoption with his case worker, and would be excited to find a forever family.

Demoris would benefit most from a structured family with consistent rules.

He needs a family who can be patient in earning his trust. Demoris wants to feel he belongs to and is loved by his forever family.

For more information about Demoris, or other children waiting for adoptive homes, call Adoption Resources of Wisconsin, 800-762-8063 or visit the Web site at www.wiadopt.org. – submitted

Former Champion Aircraft employee's luncheon held DRESSER – A get-together of 45 former Champion employees and spouses had lunch at Dresser’s Pizzaria on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at noon. Many had not seen each other for up to 43 years.

It was especially great to see and visit

with Molly Brown, wife of Champion’s president, Robert C. Brown.

The group decided to meet annually on the third Wednesday of August. The next luncheon will be Aug. 19, 2009, at noon, at the Pizzaria in Dresser - submitted

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" auditions slated LUCK – Auditions for Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre’s original musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be held on Monday, Sept. 8, at 3:30 p.m., in the Luck School elementary gym.

Up to 70 local young people are needed to play the roles of Buck, Luck, Yuck-Yuck, and the rest of the groundlings; Titania, Oberon, Pease Blossom, Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed, and the rest of the sprites; Quince, Flute, Starveling, Snout, Snug, and the understudies of the acting troupe, the Duke, Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius, Helena and the rest of the noblemen and noblewomen.

Auditions are open to anyone ages 7 through 18. The audition process lasts up to two hours and all auditioners are required to be in attendance the com-

plete time. Rehearsals will be held from 3:30 to 7:45 p.m., the remainder of the week. Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12 and 13, at 7:30 p.m., at Luck School.

Two professional actors/directors from Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre’s staff will direct the production and play the roles of the mischievous sprite, Puck, and the colorful Nick Bottom.

Tickets for the performances are $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens and students, and will be available at the door. This weeklong Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre residency is being sponsored by Luck Community Education and a grant from Polk-Burnett Operation Round-Up. For more information, contact Amy Aguado at 715-472-2152 ext. 103. - submitted

Orchard and gallery announces new hours, festival CENTURIA - The Baker Orchard and Art Gallery will be open Friday, noon – 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., beginning Aug. 29 and ending in mid-November when the apple season is over. The Baker Orchard is located at 1594 Hwy. 35, three miles north of the intersection of Hwys. 8 and 35, half a mile south of Centuria. The orchard features over a dozen varieties of apples, including the world-famous Honeycrisp and hand-pressed cider.

The gallery features the work of dozens of artists in all media including pottery, glass, painting, photography, wood,

metal sculpture and much more. The grounds include a renovated 100-yearold barn, rock and perennial gardens and hiking paths through woods.

The Orchard Arts Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the apples and cider, the festival will feature multiple artists’ booths, demonstrations, live music by Minneapolis band GST, poetry and dancing/drumming with Tribal Spirits of the Sun. For more information, call 715-327-8181. - submitted

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 23

Local orchestra opportunity ST. CROIX FALLS - The St. Croix Valley Orchestra is beginning its 18th season and would like to invite interested musicians to join.

In the years since first getting together for a performance of “The Messiah” in 1991, the orchestra has grown to a fully instrumented chamber orchestra of about 35 players. The musicians come from throughout this area, from Cambridge, Minn., to Turtle Lake and from Marine on St. Croix, Minn., to Grantsburg. Concerts are performed in early December, early April, and mid-June, each at several locations around this same area.

Rehearsals are on Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m., beginning Monday, Sept. 8, at the St Croix Falls High School. Classical music of great variety is played, ranging from serious symphonies and overtures to light-hearted dance music, and sometimes featuring outstanding local musicians as soloists in a concerto. The

summer concerts usually also include lighter music of the theater, Scandinavian folk songs and marches.

The orchestra was formed by people who valued the chance to make an orchestra in our area, and want every orchestral musician to enjoy that opportunity. If you are a brass, woodwind, pitched percussion, or string player, they would like to have you join.

Many members have started with just a few years on their instruments, or were resuming playing after many years.

There is no charge to play—what is wanted are enthusiastic musicians who prepare their parts and enjoy putting them together. With members coming from a wide radius, carpooling is a good possibility. If you are interested, please contact the director, Randolph Elliott, at 651-257-1854 or ttoiller@usfamily.net, and come join the fun! - from SCV Orchestra

Needed: A few good men Local Masonic Lodge to hold open house Sept. 6 FREDERIC - Frederic’s Landmark Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons will be hosting an open house Saturday, Sept. 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The lodge invites any person interested in learning more about its fraternity come and meet with them over a lunch of brats and burgers.

Masonry is a fraternity, which is primarily focused upon helping good men to become better men through the development of moral character. It reinforces and teaches these beliefs by use of symbols and allegory.

Masonry in this area began in Osceola in 1862. As the fraternity grew, new lodges were formed in Clear Lake, 1884; Amery, 1893; Grantsburg, 1890; St. Croix Falls, 1900; and in Frederic, 1913. Membership in Masonry continued to boom up to and after World War II. There are approximately 2.2 million men in the United States who are members of the Masonic fraternity. Wisconsin currently has about 15,000 members in 190 local lodges.

Wisconsin Masons and Masonic lodges participate in and support numerous charitable activities. These include the Wisconsin Masonic Home at Dousman, a public nursing home, the Masonic

Support for Webster Fire Dept.

Medical Foundation of Wisconsin, which provided the Masonic Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Milwaukee, and the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation, from which scholarships are given to students throughout Wisconsin.

In addition to supporting the above charities, Landmark Lodge’s primary charity is funding scholarships to graduating high school seniors from the local area. In 2008, Landmark Lodge was able to provide seven $500 scholarships.

Another important part of our Masonic family in the Frederic area is the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) chapter. The Eastern Star strives to take good people, and through uplifting and elevating associations of love and service, and through precept and example, build an order which is truly dedicated to charity, truth and loving-kindness. The OES is open to both men and women.

Come to the lodge in Frederic Sept. 6 to learn more about Masonry and the Order of the Eastern Star. Landmark Lodge is located on United Way in Frederic, between the Marek Chiropractic office and Northwest Passage (the former hospital). If you are interested, but unable to attend contact Dean Daniels at 715-483-1671 or e-mail them at landmarkmasoniclodge@comcast.net. - submitted

Webster Fire Chief Norm Bickford accepts a check for $350 from Wayne’s Foods Plus manager, Kim Flodin. Money was raised by selling hot dogs at the annual produce tent sale in Webster. – Photo submitted

Health challenge held at Hopkins Hopkins Sand and Gravel held their first health challenge during the month of July.

The contest included partners eating healthy and exercising in order to receive points. The winning team received gift baskets filled with fruit and health snacks.

Shown are Jackie Hills and Tammy Garnett, the winners of the Hopkins Health Challenge, they were presented baskets by Casey Davis. – Photo submitted

The Leader is a cooperative owned newspaper

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

Kinship Friends host luau and silent auction BALSAM LAKE – Paradise Landing Restaurant in Balsam Lake was the site for the Kinship Luau on Thursday, Aug. 7. The event drew a crowd, from all over Polk County, down through Minneapolis and as far away as Texas, as friends gathered for a pig roast provided by the chefs at Paradise Landing, silent auction and raffle, to support the work of Kinship of Polk County. Kinship works to improve the lives of young people by establishing a relationship with a caring mentor who can provide stability, support, friendship and community.

Pete Raye and Gina Sarow emceed the event, with music supplied by the Top Spot Tavern and Grill in Balsam Lake.

Several local businesses, artists, and professional services donated auction packages. Raffle prizes included two round-trip airline tickets, an overnight

Pictured (L to R): Dorrie Raye, Pam Alleva, Bill Alleva, Mike Morris and Pete Raye enjoy good conversation at the Kinship Luau. stay at the Lake Haven Lodge, Three Bears Hotel and Lodge, and flowers for a

year from Pro-Lawn in Balsam Lake.

The major event sponsor, The Balsam Lake Homeowners Association, con-

tributed $2,000 toward the evening’s festivities. Other sponsors included Paradise Landing, Empire Bucket, Inc.-Hudson, Top Spot Tavern and GrillBalsam Lake, Paperworx Design-Amery, Family Eye Clinic-Amery/Luck, University of Minn. Printing and Balsam Lake Pro-Lawn. The first-ever luau raised nearly $10,000 for Kinship services. (See ad elsewhere in this paper for list of auction sponsors.)

The Kinship Luau planning committee included: Pam Alleva, Chrissy Bibeau, Holly Helms, Amanda Hol, Debbie Korsan, Mary Palkovich, Dorrie Raye, Kathy Reed, Nichole Reed, Gina Sarow, Corby Stark, Heather Stark, Ami Stowell, Sue Thomson and Jennifer Reed Williams.

For more information, call the Kinship office, 715-268-7980 or check out the Web at: www.polkkinship.org. - submitted

Teen years can be hard on parents, too Books, movies and TV have all found plenty of material in the challenges faced by teenagers charting a path to adulthood. But we don’t hear as much about the experiences of those accompanying adolescents on the journey through their teen years, parents.

What changes and emotions do parents experience as they guide their children through Kooiker adolescence?

“A growing body of research suggests that the teen years can be a difficult and stressful time for parents – sometimes more than for teens,” says Stephen Small, human development and family relations specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Extension and director of the UW-Madison Center for Excellence in Family Studies.

Over the past two decades, researchers have made some surprising discoveries as they studied parents’ reactions to their child’s teenage years, Small says. Findings demonstrate that a child’s adolescence can lead to change not only on the part of the teenager, but also on the part of parents.

• Certain phases of adolescent development may trigger psychological reactions in parents. For example, parents see that their teen is growing up and beginning a new phase of life, while they themselves are getting older. A teen’s changing physical appearance, stamina and strength may remind parents that they aren’t as young and vigorous as they once were.

• Parents may struggle with feelings of loss as their child becomes increasingly independent. As teens push for more control over decisions affecting them, parents may feel they’re losing authority, thus fueling their own stress and anxieties about midlife changes and losses.

• Teens’ budding sexuality may lead parents to question or worry about their own sexuality and physical attractiveness. In families where parents are married, a teen’s emerging sexuality can even lead to parents becoming dissatisfied with both their spouse and marriage.

• Though the emotional relationship between teens and parents is usually a warm one through the adolescent years, it undergoes a change. Parents may feel hurt or rejected when their teen begins to spend more time on friendships and romantic relationships than at home. And teens often become more private and less willing to share

personal information, so parents can feel left out.

• As teens mature, they become aware that their parents are not perfect and all-knowing. While this realization is a necessary part of growing up, it can have an adverse impact on some parents’ mental health, causing lower self-esteem, depression and more time spent thinking about midlife concerns.

• A child’s capacity to argue improves in the teen years and teens often feel a need to test or practice their new skills, leading to increased conflict between parents and children.

Though the issues teens and parents argue about may seem mundane, curfews, grooming and appearance, keeping one’s room clean – they can be a significant source of stress and strain for parents, even when teens don’t see them as important.

• Parents and teenagers often view issues in completely different ways. To a parent, cleaning a bedroom may be an issue that reflects on observing the rules of the household and in general, taking responsibility. To a teen, keeping the room clean or not is simply a personal choice without any of the larger implications parents might assign to it.

Parents are more likely to be upset over disagreements about such issues because they see them as more complex and a reflection on their teen’s future well-being.

“Parents faced with the unique challenges presented by their child’s adolescence can benefit from new knowledge and learning specific to that age period, as well as support from others experiencing similar issues,” says Rebecca Mather, a UW-Madison graduate student and staff member in the UW Center for Excellence on the Family.

Mather and Small are conducting a study of parents of preteens and teens age 11-16 who are interested in learning more about raising teenagers.

Those who take part in the study will receive a free best-selling parenting book and be asked to respond to a survey about the book and their parenting experience. If you are interested in learning more about this project, contact Rebecca Mather at rmather@wisc.edu or call 608-862-3180.

Marilyn Kooiker, Burnett County Family Living Agent, is offering a Strengthening Families Program for parents and youth 10-14 this fall in Siren. For more information, contact Kooiker at 715-349-2151 or via e-mail at mkooiker@burnettcounty.org.

Marilyn

Guests feasted on a pig roast with all the fixings at the first-ever Kinship Luau and Silent Auction at Paradise Landing Restaurant in Balsam Lake.

Sally K. and G e o r g e Stroebel, Amery, at the K i n s h i p Luau, Thursday, Aug. 7, at Paradise Landing.

– Photo submitted

Focus on Family Living

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 25

Frederic Community Education Knitting Extravaganza. Saturday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Frederic Elementary School. Fee: $15.

Preregistration is required. Contact Konnie 715-6532619 or Lisa 715-653-2510.

“The Natural Step” Study Circle. Tuesdays, Oct. 7 – Nov. 25, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Fee: $15 to purchase book and study guide.

Knitting for all levels. WITC #65091/ #42-815-408.

Mondays, Oct. 6 – 27, 6 – 8 p.m. Instructor: Konnie Didlo. Fee: $23.41/$4 Sr. Tribal Gypsy Dance. WITC: #60-807-630. Mondays, Oct. 6 – 27, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $26.40. Instructor: Jennn Ramautar.

Responsible Beverage Service. WITC #63870/ #47-311-400. Monday, Oct. 13, 6 – 10 p.m. Fee: $20.

Thread Painting-Finishing Your Embroidery. WITC #65093/ #42-815-408. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Instructor: Julie Crabtree. Fee: $13.71/$4 Sr. Thread Painting – Machine Embroidery. A Winter Scene. WITC #65094/ #42-805-408. Thursdays, Oct. 16 – 30. Instructor: Julie Crabtree. Fee: $28.26/$4 Sr. Babysitting Clinic. WITC #65157/ #42-307-495.

Tuesdays, Oct. 14 – Nov. 4, 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. Instructor: Barb Kass. Fee: $18.56.

Knitted Christmas Stocking. WITC #65092/ #42815-408. Tuesdays, Oct. 14 – 28, 6 – 8 p.m. Instructor: Barb Kass. Fee: $18.56.

Computers: Beginner. WITC #65004/ #42-103-470.

Thursdays,, Oct. 16 – Nov. 13, 5 – 7 p.m. (No class on Nov. 6.) Instructor: Melinda Sorensen. Fee: $23.41/$4 Sr. Focus on Photography. WITC #65196/ #60-203600. Thursdays, Oct. 16 – 30, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Facilitated

by Jerry Tischer and Gary King. Fee: $20.80.

Drama in Northwest Wisconsin. WITC #65085/ #42-801-401. Mondays, Oct. 20 – Nov. 24, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Instructor: Carolyn Wedin. Fee: $33.12/$4 Sr. 62+.

Write Right Now! WITC #65084/ #42-801-402. Tuesdays, Oct. 21 – Nov. 25, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Fee: $33.12/$4 Sr. Grant Writing. Tuesdays, Oct. 21 and 28, 6 – 8 p.m.

Instructor: Judy Rommel. Fee: $21.

Woodworking – Making a picture frame. WITC #65182/ #42-815-408. Tuesdays, Oct. 21 & 28, 6 – 8 p.m. Instructor: Darrel Mathieu. Fee: $13.71/ Sr. $4.

Spiritual Balance: Connecting body, mind, spirit through yoga. Saturday, Nov. 1, 9:30 – noon and 1 – 3 p.m. Instructor: Julie Karsky. Fee: $18.56/Sr. $4.

Luck Community Education Emergency Medical Technician, basic. WITC Class #64105/catalog #30-531-301. Mondays and Wednesdays, Aug. 25 – Jan. 7, 2009, 6 – 10 p.m. Fee: $465. Instructor: Greg Carlson.

Romantic Waltz with Rocio Carlson. Wednesdays, Sept. 3 & 10, 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: $20 per couple/$10 single.

Instructor: Rocio Carlson.

Dog Obedience Classes. Thursdays, Sept. 4 – Oct. 16, session 1, 6 – 6:45 p.m.; session 2 7 – 7:45 p.m.

Fee: $35 for either session 1 or 2. Instructor: Shelly Karl.

Cardinal Wall Hanging Quilt. Saturday, Sept. 6, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fee: $18.56/$4 Sr. plus $10 pattern Instructor: Bev Getschel. Class must have a minimum of 8 participants.

Digital Cameras - Intermediate. WITC Class #64996, Catalog #42-103-460. Monday, Sept. 8 – 29, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $23.41/$4 Sr. Instructor: Michael Chalgren. Class size limited to 12.

Computer: Designing with Microsoft Word. WITC Class #65192, Catalog #47-103-438. Thursdays, Sept.

11 – 25, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Fee: $18.56/$4 Sr. Instructor: Christine Seaton. Class size limited to 12.

Survival Spanish for Travel. WITC Class #65193,

Gypsy Dance Exercise. WITC #65169/ #60-807630. Mondays, Nov. 3 – 24, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Instructor: Jenn Ramautar. Fee: $26.40.

Knitting – A Mr. Flurry Snowman. WITC #42-815408. Mondays, Nov. 3 – 10, 6 – 8 p.m. Instructor: Konnie Didlo. Fee: $13.71/$4 Sr. Cooking – Fall Foods. WITC #65158/ #60-308-601.

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 6 – 8 p.m. Instructor: Barb Kass. Fee: $9.60.

The Hows and Whys of Solar Energy. Monday, Nov. 10, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Presenter: Kris Schmid. Fee: $10.

Driver’s Education – Safe Start Driving School.

Monday through Thursday evenings, Nov. 10 – Dec. 10, at the Frederic High School. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 6 – 8 p.m. and Wednesday 5 – 7 p.m. Fee: $75.

Creative Memories Workshops. Check Mimi’s Web site at www.mycmsite.com/mimis for details and additional information.

Walking at the Birch Street Elementary. Monday-Friday, 7-8 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. No fee.

For more information on any class or to register for Frederic Community Education Classes call Ann 715-327-4868 or e-mail Fawver fawvera@frederic.k12.wi.us.

Catalog #42-802-405. Mondays, Sept. 15 – Nov. 3, 6 – 8 p.m. Fee: $42.82/$4 Sr. Instructor: Dean Johansen.

Baby Sitting Clinic. WITC Class #64392, Catalog #47-307-495. Tuesdays, Sept. 16 – Oct. 7, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Fee: $23.41. Instructor: Barb Kass.

Financial Management: First-Time Home Buyers.

Tuesdays, Sept. 16 and 23, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $10.

Instructors: Fred Memmer and Al Nelson.

Gardening: bonsai tree. WITC Class #65194, Catalog #42-001-405. Thursday, Sept. 18 – 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Fee: $13.71/$4 Sr. Instructor: Gary Ganje.

Gardening: Composting Basics and Winterizing.

Thursday, Sept. 18, 6 – 8 p.m. Fee: $10. Instructors: Linda Leef and Susan Armstrong, Master Gardeners.

Genealogy. Tuesday, Sept. 23, 6 – 8 p.m. Fee: $10.

Instructor: Kathy Clark.

Felted Cap. Tuesday, Sept. 23, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $18. Instructor: Audrey Anderson.

Financial Management: Reverse Mortgages.Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $5. Instructors: Fred Memmer and Al Nelson.

Embellishments. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $13. Instructor: Audrey Anderson.

WHAT’S FOR LUNCH???

LOCATION

Menu

FREDERIC GRANTSBURG

MONDAY

TUESDAY

NO SCHOOL

BREAKFAST Combo bar, cereal, juice, milk.

LUNCH Pizza, raw veggies, dip OR beef taco salad.

LUNCH Pizza, whole-kernel corn, sauce.

LABOR DAY

NO SCHOOL

Each building will have their own breakfast menu.

LABOR DAY

LUCK

NO SCHOOL

SIREN ST. CROIX FALLS

SEPTEMBER 2 - SEPTEMBER 5

LABOR DAY

NO SCHOOL LABOR DAY

NO SCHOOL LABOR DAY

UNITY

NO SCHOOL

WEBSTER

NO SCHOOL

LABOR DAY

LABOR DAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

BREAKFAST Breakfast pizza, cereal, juice, milk.

LUNCH Tacos, corn OR tuna salad.

BREAKFAST Breakfast bites, cereal, juice, milk.

LUNCH Mini corn dogs, baked beans, pretzels OR turkey salad.

BREAKFAST Blueberry muffin, cereal, juice, milk.

LUNCH Chicken nuggets, tritaters OR ham salad.

LUNCH Cheeseburger, oven potatoes, peas, mixed fruit.

LUNCH Spaghetti/meat sauce, mozzarella cheese, garlic toast, green beans, peach sauce.

LUNCH Chicken burger, oven potatoes, sliced carrots, pineapple tidbits.

LUNCH Chicken nuggets, rice, green beans, fruit sauce. Alt.: Hot dog, 7-12.

BREAKFAST Cereal/pancakes.

LUNCH Hamburger, french fries, corn, fresh fruit. Alt.: Chicken patty, 7-12.

BREAKFAST Cereal/long john.

LUNCH Mini corn dogs, corn bread, peas, fruit sauce. Alt.: Hamburger, 7-12.

BREAKFAST Cereal/cinnamon roll.

LUNCH Cheese or sausage pizza, juice, winter mix, fresh fruit. Alt.: Chicken nuggets, 7-12.

BREAKFAST Breakfast pizza, juice and milk.

LUNCH Hot dog, tater tots, baked beans, carrots/celery/cauliflower, applesauce, pudding pop. Alt. Diced ham/ cheese wrap.

BREAKFAST Assorted cereal, toast served with peanut butter, juice and milk.

LUNCH Sloppy joes, Tostitos, shredded lettuce, steamed peas, apple and oranges. Alt.: Pita pocket.

BREAKFAST Mini pancakes, juice and milk.

LUNCH Chicken nuggets, rice, green beans, fresh veggies, peaches. Alt.: Cheese brat.

BREAKFAST Assorted cereal, toast served with peanut butter, juice and milk.

LUNCH Whole-grain pizza, lettuce salad, corn, pineapple & mandarin oranges, banana. Alt.: Cook’s choice.

Cereal.

WEDNESDAY

pear

BREAKFAST

NO MENU AVAILABLE

NO MENU AVAILABLE

BREAKFAST French toast.

LUNCH Chicken sandwich and cheesy vegetables.

BREAKFAST Breakfast pizza.

LUNCH Pizza dippers with sauce and green beans.

LUNCH Corn dog, tater tots, green beans, peaches, pears.

LUNCH Chicken patty, bun, scalloped potatoes, carrots, pineapple, tropical fruit.

NO MENU AVAILABLE

Pancakes.

BREAKFAST

LUNCH Tacos or chicken fajitas with fixings, chips or soft shell.

BREAKFAST Breakfast pizza.

LUNCH CheeseNOdogs MENUw/toppings, AVAILABLE baked chips, cinnamon applesauce baked beans. Alt.: Veggie beef barley, turkey sandwich.

Omelets.

BREAKFAST

LUNCH Hamburger and fries.

LUNCH LUNCH Cheese omelet, sausage, hash Pizza, fresh veggies, browns, muffin, mandarin oranges, Shape-Up. applesauce.

fresh

fruit,

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

CHURCH NEWS Remember, What?

My daily checklist

(Part 2)

I’m a list maker from way back.

If I didn’t make lists, I’d get little accomplished.

Sometimes I wonder if God keeps lists. The Bible says that he does have plans for us. “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord … for welfare and peace and not for evil….” (Jeremiah 29:11) And when it comes to his timing, everything is “in good time” or “at his appointed time”—right on Perspectives schedule.

To-do lists are good. But we should consider a more important list—what we say to others.

1. Are our words beneficial to others, or are they damaging? It’s much more uplifting to say, “You did a good job,” than to tell someone they did a rotten job so they’re of no value. Peoples lives have been ruined because parents, teachers, or “friends” have said demeaning words to them as youngsters.

2. Are our words positive or negative? A writer friend, Bernice Abrahamzon, always starts her sentences with a positive statement rather than a negative. She’ll say, “Remember to …” instead of “Don’t forget to …” We have enough don’ts in our lives.

Why not avoid them? Unfortunately, they’re common in conversations between many married couples: “You never do such-and-such” or “You’re never on time.”

3. Are my words wise, or are they foolish, idle, and meaningless? How much time do we waste conversing about nothing over the phone or over a cup of coffee?

4. Are my words encouraging or discouraging?

Recently a woman tried to persuade one of my close relatives not to attend an event in another state. She used several arguments. The traffic would be bad.

The heat outside and the noise inside would be unbearable. The price of gas would make such a trip a financial strain. Fortunately, my relative chose to disregard such discouraging advice and made the trip.

It turned out to be more of a blessing than she had even hoped for.

My new daily checklist has helped me see the importance of speaking positive words inside my home to those closest to me as well as to those I meet outside. I hope you’ll use this checklist, too.

“The tongue is a fire … with it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men … out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing … these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:6, 9-10 in part) Lord, help us control our tongue, speaking only words that are beneficial, positive, wise and encouraging. May our words glorify you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

(Mrs. Bair may be reached at sallybair@gmail.com or http://bairbonesblog.blogspot.com)

Sally Bair Eternal

OBITUARIES Larry Jones

God tells Christians, through the writing of James, not to be forgetful hearers (James 1:23-24), but to “continue in” the “perfect law of liberty.” What are some practical things that can help us to obtain the blessings available in being doers of the Word? (James 1:22,25) Last week we mentioned two different ways this can be accomplished: 1) Repetition of Verse: As the old adage goes, “If at first you Preacher’s don’t succeed, try, try again.” This is helpful with Bible study. It must be read, repeatedly, for as long as it takes to “get it”.

2) Removal of Vice: Adults who did not watch TV in a typical day are 48-percent more likely to be frequent readers (reading from 12 to 49 books each year) than are those who watched one to three hours daily.

When things cause a Christian to become distracted from diligent Bible study, prayer, or meditation, then they become vices and must be put away.

This week we will look at two more ways in which we can help remember and have a better understanding of the Bible, the most important book any of us will ever read.

Read in Volume: Question: “How many books have you read in the last thirty days… the last couple of months… this last year?” If it is as few as the national average says it is (2-3 per year), then that may be a problem which will hinder the memory. If reading is not a habit, then expect to be distracted by virtually everything! However, the more the written page is absorbed and contemplated, the more a Christian will find ease in getting into the Book of books.

Beginning with biblical subjects that stimulate individual interest (i.e., evidences, history, commentaries, application), let these books cultivate and stimulate a desire to learn more about the Lord (And there are also

Garret Derouin The Pen

many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:25) Continue on with easier books and sections of the Bible, then move on to more challenging or unfamiliar writings. (All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable… 2 Timothy 3:16) Be sure not to let some supplemental, stimulating reading become a hindrance like mentioned in the second point, Removing vice. Romance novels and sports illustrated” will not help you in a search for God’s Word! All Scripture is profitable, not all forms of literature.

Respond to Value: In careful reading, there will be those Scriptures that the student will come across that simply “speak” to whatever problems or issues that the reader is dealing with in his life. It does absolutely NO GOOD to let that verse pass by without meditating on it, underlining it, highlighting it, writing it, praying it, and committing it to memory. Recognize those obvious and practical applications that can be made immediately. This will help immensely in seeing and responding to value in all scripture. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22-25) A man can read nothing but the Bible, a dozen times a year, but if he does not respond to what he “reads and learns” it does no good. At the same time the opposite is also true. Without reading and learning God’s Word, the only source of Salvation (Romans 1:16; Ephesians 4:4-6) there is no way for man to know how to properly respond to God’s love. (Adapted from an Article by Andy Baker) If readers have questions or simply wish to know more about the Church of Christ, we would like to invite them to call 715-866-7157 or stop by the church building at 7425 W. Birch St. in Webster. Sunday Bible class begins at 9:30 a.m. and worship begins at 10:30 a.m. We also meet Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. noon.

Local grief support group set SPOONER – Regional Hospice and Spooner Health System are sponsoring a six-week grief support group. The group will meet in the second-floor conference room of the Spooner Hospital, on Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. beginning on Sept. 9. This group is designed to support adults who have recently lost a close family member or friend. There is no charge. To register or to receive more information, contact Mary Lou Gabriel, the group facilitator, at 635-9706 or the Regional Hospice office at 635-9077. submitted

Subscribe online!

w ww. the-leader.ne t

A memorial service for Larry W. Jones will be held at the United Methodist Church in Lewis on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 10 a.m. A luncheon will follow.

Donna Johnson Donna Johnson, age 80, a resident of Webster died Aug. 25, 2008.

Funeral services will be Friday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m., at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Siren Chapel. Visitation will be prior to services at the funeral home from 9 – 11 a.m.

A full obituary will be printed in a following edition.

The SwedbergTaylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.

Subscribe online @ www.the-

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 27

Dorothy Annett Dorothy Eileen Annett died Aug. 18, 2008, at the Pioneer Nursing Home in Luck. She was 94.

Dorothy was born in Shell Lake, on April 5, 1914. She was raised on a small farm on Viola Lake by her widowed mother, Mary Bennett; her three sisters, Harriet (Hanson), Maude (Meyer), Ruth; and her brother, Ernest, all now deceased.

Dorothy attended Webster High School, and after one additional year of Normal School training, began teaching in one-room, grade one through eight, schools. She married Leslie Annett in 1941, and after a brief period of farming near Centuria, they moved to the village of Frederic in 1944.

After raising her family, Dorothy returned to college and to teaching in Frederic where she taught elementary and junior high school until she retired in 1977. northwestern Wisconsin is peppered with her students, who to some degree, owe their grammatical skills to her tireless efforts.

Dorothy was a mainstay of the Trade Lake Baptist Church for over six decades. Her faith and commitment to others was the bedrock of her beliefs.

Dorothy was preceded in death by Leslie, her husband of 57 years.

She is survived by her daughter, Virginia (Lester) Bergstrom of Frederic; her sons, Larry (Linda) of Chippewa Falls and Paul (Deborah) of Wayzata, Minn.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held at the Trade Lake Baptist Church on Thursday, Aug. 21, with the Revs. Cope and McDaniel officiating. Burial was at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Frederic.

The Rowe Funeral Home of Frederic was entrusted with arrangements.

Shirley Ann Schroeder Shirley Ann Schroeder, 76, a resident of Siren, died Aug. 18, 2008, at North Memorial Medical Center.

Shirley was born Sept. 12, 1931, in Phoenix, Ariz.

Shirley married Edward William on Aug. 11, 1956, at Fort Huachuca. She enjoyed bowling, gardening, watching the birds that came to her yard, the Packers and her dogs.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward; son, John; brother, Lloyd; sister, Mary; and sisters-in-law, Betty, Maria Carlson, Seena Albrizio and Irene Greaner; mother-in-law, Marie Schroeder; fatherin-law, John Joseph Schroeder.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Debra Schroeder and Sharon Schroeder; brother, Jack Barnhart; brother-in-law, Al Albrizio; sisters-in-law, Izella Barnhart and Evelyn Brathall.

Graveside services were held Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, with Pastor Will Mowchan officiating.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.

Gary G. Gustafson Gary G. Gustafson of Dresser died suddenly on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the age of 59.

Gary was born Jan. 28, 1949, at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., to Herbert and Joan Gustafson. On Oct. 26, 1996, he married his wife, Kathleen, at Osceola. He served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam.

Due to his health, Gary had not been able to work for several years. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening and fixing miscellaneous projects.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Joan; and numerous other relatives.

He is survived by his wife; sisters, Janet and Judy; stepsons, Ken, Dave, Dan and Tony; grandchildren, Zachary and Emily; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 22, at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in St. Croix Falls with the Rev. Mark Schoen officiating. Interment was in the Pleasant Prairie Cemetery in Osceola.

The Grandstrand Funeral Home, Osceola, was entrusted with arrangements.

OBITUARIES Martin Harold Johnson Jr.

Robert S. Cairns

Martin Harold Johnson Jr., Amery, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, at Willow Ridge. He was 86 years old.

He was born on Sept. 23, 1921, in Amery, the son of Martin and Emma (Ross) Johnson. He was born, went to school and farmed within one mile of Amery. On Oct. 8, 1949, he was united in marriage to Olive I. Johnson, and to this union six children were born. They operated a dairy farm in rural Amery for many years and he loved his cows and horses. He enjoyed going to horse shows and auctions. Visiting with friends over a cup of coffee was always a time he enjoyed. Martin moved to Willow Ridge in Amery in May of this year.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Rod Paulson; and great-granddaughter, Gracie Mae Hush.

He is survived by his wife, Olive; children, Carol Paulson, Jerome (Julie) Johnson, William (Vicki) Johnson, Margery (John) Oman, Linda (Jim) Rubenzer and Douglas (Shari) Johnson; 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He also leaves brothers, Virgil Johnson, Ansel Johnson and Alan Johnson; sisters, Eleanor Buhr, Viola Albertson, June Peterson, and JoAnn Johnson as well as other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Apple River Community Church in rural Amery with Pastor Bruce Tanner officiating. Special music was provided by Glen and Louise Wright. Casket bearers were Dale Rosen, Grey Hush, Andy Oman, Paul Oman, Matt Rubenzer, Joe Rubenzer, Matt Griffin, Cameron Johnson, Adam Johnson, Matt Larson and Michael Ingham.

Honorary casket bearers were Martin’s granddaughters: Nichole Paulson, Lori Paulson, Margo Rosen, Tara Hush, Katie Larson, Jackie Johnson, Andrea Grosskruth, Angela Smith, Afton Johnson-Griffin and Laura Rubenzer. Interment was at the Amery Cemetery.

The Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery was entrusted with arrangements.

Robert S. Cairns of Webster, died Aug. 29, 2008, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minn. Robert was 82 years old.

Robert was born at home in Sand Lake Township, Webster, to Rob and Annie (Mattson) Cairns on June 18, 1926. He spent his whole life within a few miles of where he was born.

He farmed for many of his young years. Later, he did mechanic work, cut pulp, cut and sold firewood, hauled and sold potatoes from Sarona, maintained roads for Sand Lake Township for many years, worked for the Burnett County Highway Department and his last work was for Hopkins Sand and Gravel.

Robert was forced to retire at age 50 due to health reasons, but still kept busy with light jobs around his house. He loved working on cars and tractors and he could weld anything. He loved to be out mowing his lawn or grading his driveway.

Robert married Elizabeth Hoss in 1966 in Pine City, Minn. Robert has two children by a previous marriage.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary (Bert) Knutson, Mabel (Spencer) Knutson; brother, Floyd Cairns; wife, Elizabeth; and son, Duwayne.

He is survived by his daughter, Donna (Vernon) Haaf of Siren; daughter-in-law, Geri Cairns of Webster; grandchildren, Belinda (Steve) McConville of Chisago City, Minn., and Geri Jo Cairns of Superior; greatgrandchildren, Tyler, Sean, and Allison McConville; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Services were held Friday, Aug. 22, at the Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic with Rev. Andy McDaniel officiating. Music was provided by organist Mary Lou Daeffler and soloist Terri Stoner. Pallbearers were Harold Larson, Butch Larson, Larry Larson, Billy Cairns, Bobby Cairns and Jim Shives. Honorary pallbearers were Russell Leef, Tom Ennis, Keith Crosby and Ken Moser. Interment was at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Webster.

The Rowe Funeral home of Frederic, was entrusted with arrangements.

David R. Pennington David R. Pennington, Milltown, died at home on Friday, Aug. 22, at the age of 61.

David was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Ray and Vernie Pennington on July 12, 1947. He was the youngest of five children.

David was an avid outdoorsman, but his main joy was being an owner/operator and driving over the road for a little over 30 years.

During those years he never had an accident, or even a ticket of any kind. He enjoyed all the places and all the states that he had visited, and he loved to meet new people along the way. His greatest joy was his family and his friends. One of his passions was cooking and always trying to come up with a new recipe. His favorite dish, and also one of his family’s, was his homemade chili. During his trucking career he received many awards. The biggest award he received was his 3 Million Miles Safe Driving Award which he received in September of 2001. He loved old Westerns and to be around his family especially around the holidays. He was a husband, father, and a teacher.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents, grandparents, and brother-in-law.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Martha Pennington; and sons, Matthew Pennington and Brian Reese from Iowa; his brother-in-law, Joseph Thompson of Luck; sisters, Glennys (Ralph) Stewart of Branson, Mo,. and Audrey Dooley of Springdale, Ark.; brothers, Charles (Dottie) Pennington of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Daniel Pennington of Springdale, Ark.; also many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Funeral services were held at the Rowe Funeral Home in Luck, on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The Rowe Funeral Home of Luck, was entrusted with arrangements.

Elizabeth J. Feurig Elizabeth J. Feurig, age 94, Danbury, died Aug. 21, 2008.

Graveside services were held Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Calvary Cemetery in Sheboygan.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.

Michelle Ann Mikl Michelle Ann Mikl, 44, of Balsam Lake, died at her home on Aug. 22.

Michelle was born on May 12, 1964 in Merced, Calif.

Michelle graduated from Atwater High in 1982. She moved to Wisconsin in 1986 and graduated from WITC-New Richmond in 1988 with a degree in statistical processing. Michelle enjoyed reading, archery and spending time with her family.

Michelle is survived by her husband, Garrick; children, Amanda Granger of River Falls, Kristy and Jacob Mikl of Balsam Lake; stepdaughter, Jennifer Mikl of Luck; brother, Michael Watkins of Castro Valley, Calif.; parents, Marjorie and Dana Parker of Atwater, Calif. and Butch and Joanne Watkins of Hilmar, Calif.; and mother-in-law, Bonnie Mikl of Dresser.

A memorial service for Michelle Mikl will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Mikl residence at 1228 150th Avenue, Balsam Lake. The gathering will begin at noon and go all day, with a short service at 2 p.m. All who would like to remember Michelle are welcome to attend.

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

CHURCH NEWS Adolescence can be a difficult time for kids, parents Q: My teenage son is becoming increasingly difficult to get along with. Isn't there some way to avoid this blackout period and the other stresses associated with the adolescent voyage?

DR. DOBSON: Not with some teenagers, perhaps not with the majority. Tension occurs in the most loving and intelligent of families. Why? Because it is driven by powerful hormonal forces that overtake and possess boys and girls in the early pubescent years. I believe parents and even some behavioral scientists have underestimated the impact of the biochemical changes occurring in puberty. We can see the effect of these hormones on the physical body, but something equally dynamic is occurring in the brain. How else can we explain why a happy, contented, cooperative 12-year-old suddenly becomes a sullen, angry, depressed 12-year-old? Some authorities would contend that social pressure alone accounts for this transformation. I simply don't believe that.

The emotional characteristics of a suddenly rebellious teenager are rather like the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or severe menopause in women, or perhaps a tumultuous midlife crisis in men. Obviously, dramatic changes are going on inside! Furthermore, if the upheaval were caused entirely by environmental factors, its onset would not be so predictable in puberty. The emotional changes I have described arrive right on schedule, timed to coincide precisely with the arrival of sexual maturation. Both characteristics, I contend, are driven by a common hormonal assault.

Human chemistry apparently goes haywire for a few

years, in some more than others, affecting mind as much as body.

••• Q: I have a 2-year-old boy who is as cute as a bug's ear and I love him dearly, but he nearly drives me crazy. He throws the most violent temper tantrums and gets into everything. Why is he like this, and are other toddlers so difficult?

DR. DOBSON: Your description of your toddler comes right out of the child development textbooks.

That time of life begins with a bang (like the crash of a lamp or a porcelain vase) at about 18 months of age and runs hot and heavy until about the third birthday. A toddler is the most hardnosed opponent of law and order, and he honestly believes the universe circles around him. In his cute little way, he is curious and charming and funny and lovable and exciting and selfish and demanding and rebellious and destructive. Comedian Bill Cosby must have had some personal experience with toddlers. He is quoted as saying, "Give me 200 active 2-year-olds and I could conquer the world."

Children between 15 and 36 months of age do not want to be restricted or inhibited in any manner, nor are they inclined to conceal their opinions. Bedtime becomes an exhausting, dreaded ordeal each night. They want to play with everything in reach, particularly fragile and expensive ornaments. They prefer using their pants rather than the potty, and insist on eating

Dr. James

Dobson Focus on the Family

with their hands. And most of what goes in their mouths is not food. When they break loose in a store, they run as fast as their little legs will carry them. They pick up the kitty by its ears and then scream bloody murder when scratched. They want mommy within three feet of them all day, preferably in the role of their full-time playmate. Truly, the toddler is a tiger ¬but a precious one.

I hope you won't get too distressed by the frustrations of the toddler years. It is a very brief period of development that will be over before you know it.

With all its challenges, it is also a delightful time when your little boy is at his cutest. Approach him with a smile and a hug. But don't fail to establish yourself as the boss during this period. All the years to come will be influenced by the relationship you build during this 18-month window.

••• Dr. Dobson is founder and chairman of the board of the nonprofit organization Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995 (www.family.org). Questions and answers are excerpted f rom "Solid Answers" and "Bringing Up Boys, " both published by Tyndale House.

COPYRIGHT 2008 JAMES DOBSON INC., DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE, 4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; 816-932 6600.

Brought to you by:

Frederic Evangelical Free Church Frederic

Peace Lutheran to host free clothing event DRESSER – Peace Lutheran in Dresser will again host its free clothing event on Monday, Sept. 15, from 2 - 6 p.m. Free clothing, suitable for fall and winter wear, will be available to the general public at this event. All items are clean and in good condition, having been donated by members and friends of the Peace Lutheran congre-

gation. The public is asked to please comply with the hours of the clothing share, and not arrive before 2 p.m., out of respect to the church staff and their working schedule.

The free clothing event is sponsored by the church’s social ministries program, which is designed to reach

out to area residents through various public assistance services and activities. To learn more about the program and how it can help you or people you know, please call the church at 715-755-2515. – from Peace Lutheran Church

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 29

PAGE 30 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

WANT ADS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

ALL CASH CANDY ROUTE Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 30 Machines and Candy All for $9,995. 1888-745-3358 Multi Vend, LLC (CNOW)

FOR SALE - PETS

A.K.C. PUPS: Bassets, Beagles, Cockers, Dachshunds, Labradors, Lhasa Apsos, Pomeranians, Schipperkes, Schnauzers, Springers. Terriers: Cairn, Rat, Scottie, Westie, Yorkies. Gerald Schulz (920)526-3512

HELP WANTED MISCELLANEOUS

POLICE OFFICERS: Earn up to a $20,000 bonus. Train to protect your fellow Soldiers be a leader in the Army National Guard. 1-800-GOGUARD.com/police (CNOW) DELIVER RVS FOR PAY. Deliver “new’ RVs to all 48 states and Canada. Get paid to travel! For details log on to www.RVdeliveryJobs.com

HELP WANTED TRUCK DRIVER

DRIVERS: $1000 + WEEKLY Sign-On Bonus 35-41cpm Earn over $1000 weekly! Excellent Benefits Need CDL-A & 3 mos recent OTR 800635-8669 (CNOW)

Driver - DEDICATED DRIVERS. Average 2,500 miles per week. 40 Hours Weekly Hometime. 99% No Touch Freight. NonHazmat. Call Covenant 866-684-2519.

EOE. (CNOW) CARHAULER OWNER OPERATORS WANTED United Road has opportunities For Experienced Carhaul Owner Operators You must posses a Clean MVR, Clear Criminal Background Pass DOT Physical & Drug Test Call John 800-221-5127 Ext 186 (CNOW) DRIVER-CDL-TRAINING. Company DriversSign on for Exp! Student Grads Welcome, or No CDL? “We can train.”

American Eagle Lines, 8 0 0 - 3 8 7 - 1 0 11 w w w. a e d r i v e r s . c o m (CNOW) ATTN: CO DRIVERS & INDEPENDENT OWNERS. Due To A Surge In Business We Are Taking Calls & Applications For Regional & OTR Drivers.

Willing To Train Right Individual For Their CDL’s.

75+ Yrs In Business Excellent Pay & Benefits.

Home Weekly. Call Today H.O. Wolding Transportation 800-950-0054 EOE (CNOW)

WE HAVE PARTS for tractors, combines, machinery, hay equipment and more.

Used, new, rebuilt, aftermarket. Downing Tractor Parts, Downing, Wis., 877-5301010. www. asapagparts. com 32Ltfc SELLER FINANCING NO QUALIFYING 10 acres Webster/Siren, $20K; Choice PropertY, 715-579-2732.

47Ltfc TILE SETTER: Reasonable rates, free estimates, 651283-2572. 51-2Lp

Follow the Leader

Every photo is in color in our e-edition.

Check it out @ www.theleader.net

AUGUST 27, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 31

The St. Croix Tribe of Chippewa held its yearly celebration in honor of the rice harvest this past weekend just west of Danbury. The Wild Rice Powwow, featuring Native American dancing, food and crafts, drew thousands of spectators to performances Friday, through Sunday, Aug. 22 - 24.

35th annual Wild Rice Powwow

Photos by Gary King

A young dancer held on tight to her mother’s hand while taking part in Saturday’s grand entry at the St. Croix Tribe’s Wild Rice Powwow, held west of Danbury this year due to construction at the Hole In The Wall Casino.

A dancer jokes with members of the Cumberland Singers drum group (photo above) during a break in Saturday’s dance performances beneath a big top tent. Visitors to the powwow were shuttled from the parking area to the tent to watch the performances. Food and craft booths were abundant at this year’s powwow, some featuring colorful flutes and noisemakers (below).

PAGE 32 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - AUGUST 27, 2008

AUGUST

THURSDAY/28 Amery

• Hand & Foot cards at the senior center, 12:30 p.m.

Cushing

• Kids jelly making day at Morning Glory’s Wellness Center, 10 a.m., 715-648-5670.

Coming events

Frederic

Frederic

• Pool Fall Festival Fundraiser by Friends of the Pool- Softball, 8 a.m.-dusk - coed softball tourney; 9 a.m.-noon 3-on-3 basketball tourney; 9 a.m.-dusk coed volleyball tourney; 4-5:30 p.m.

Bill Bitner Memorial Dixieland Band; 5:30-7 p.m.

Local variety show; 7 p.m.- raffle drawing at Coon Lake Park.

• Potluck & celebration of birthdays of the month at the senior center, noon.

• Informational open house at Frederic Eastern Star and Landmark Masonic Lodge, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 715-483-1671 or landmarkmasoniclodge@comcast.net.

• Pig roast fundraiser for Brody Measner at Coon Lake Park, 1-7 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

FRI. & SAT./29 & 30 Osceola

• “Ole & Lena’s Wedding,” audience participation dinner theater at St. Croix ArtBarn, 6 p.m., 715-294-2787, www.stcroixartbarn.com.

Webster

• 2nd-annual Interfaith Caregivers rummage & bake sale at the community center. Fri. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Ladysmith

FRI. - SUN./29 - 31

FRIDAY/29 St. Croix Falls

• Blood drive at Wal-Mart, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 1-800GIVE-LIFE. • “Held in the Heartland,” Bus-eum 3 traveling exhibit on German WWII POWs, in Overlook parking lot across from Festival Theatre/public library, free, 3-6 p.m., 715-4831777.

• Faith Kelley & the Stowaways free country & rock band performance at the Overlook, 69 p.m.

SAT. & SUN./30 & 31 Shell Lake

• Town & Country Days.

Pine City, Minn.

• Championship rodeo, 6 p.m.

Voyager Village

• 31st-annual arts & crafts fair, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the stables, 715-259-3914.

SAT. - MON./30 SEPT. 1 Balsam Lake

• Polk County Museum open house, 10 a.m.4 p.m.

SATURDAY/30 Balsam Lake

• Turtle Crunch Demo Derby behind the fire department, 2 p.m., 715-554-0508.

Cushing

• Cushing Tigers Reunion at the community center, 2 p.m.

Frederic

• Annual White Elephant Sale at the Depot Museum, 8 a.m.-? Grandma’s Favorite Recipe

50 years of cattle This was the 50th consecutive year the Melin family of Grantsburg have entered cattle in the Burnett County Fair. They are (L to R): Travis Nelson, son of Lauri (Melin) Nelson, Lori (Melin) Nelson, Kathy (Melin) Bowers, Patty Melin, Rick Melin and Jim Melin. – Photo submitted

Frederic

SATURDAY/6

• Exercise, 10-11 a.m.; Skipbo, 11 a.m.-noon; 500 cards, 6:30 p.m. at the senior center.

Siren

FRIDAY/5

St. Croix Falls

Luck

• Annual Lion & Lioness yard sale at Crooked Lake Park, 8 a.m.-?, 715-349-5919, 715-3492400.

Amery

• Gun show at the ice arena. Fri. 5-9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 608-7526677.

• Bridge, 11 a.m. and Bingo, 1 p.m., at the senior center.

• Historical Society meeting, open to all, at the museum, 7 p.m.

Cushing

FRI. - SUN./5 - 7

• Frederic Class of 1945 reunion at Countryside Inn, noon.

• Pokeno played at the senior center, 12:30 p.m.; monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m.

• 500 cards at the senior center, 6:30 p.m.

• Support group for people with bipolar disorder and depression at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 7:30 p.m. Call 715-327-4436 for more info.

• Men’s fast-pitch softball tournament.

• American Legion meeting, 8 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m., at the Legion Post 143.

A fine time to stretch. A fox takes a quick break near an archery target before heading through to its next destination. - Photo by Marty Seeger Hotdish Cook-Off Competition, serving at noon.

• Fellowship, cards & Bingo at the senior center, noon.

Osceola

• 2nd-annual Osceola Duathlon training clinic at OMC.

Siren

St. Croix Falls

• Senior center closed for Labor Day.

TUESDAY/2 Amery

• Wii Bowling Tournament at the senior center, 1 p.m.; stamping & scrapbooking, 6 p.m.

Clam Falls

• Arts Alive on 35, presented by Burnett Area Arts Group, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at North Wind Arts, 715-349-8448.

• Coffee hour, 9 a.m., at the Lutheran church.

SUNDAY/31

• Exercise, 10-11 a.m.; Skipbo, 11 a.m.-noon; 500 cards & Dominos, 12:30 p.m. at the senior center.

• American Legion Auxiliary meeting, 6:30 p.m., at the Legion Post 143.

Centuria

• Holy Trinity United Methodist Church hosts pig & turkey roast, noon-4 p.m.

Cushing

• Courier playing at Skonewood Christian Retreat Center, 7 p.m. Also listen to Ann Bell on piano prior to service.

Danbury

• Wild rice pancake breakfast at Forts Folle Avoine, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 715-866-8890.

Milltown

• Spaghetti feed fundraiser to send WWII veterans to D.C. at VFW United Post 6856, 3-7 p.m.

Siren

• Spaghetti dinner benefit for Bernie & Janine Allen at Bobbie’s World, 11 a.m.-3 p.m

SEPTEMBER MONDAY/1 Amery

• Senior center closed for Labor Day.

Frederic

• Spades played at the senior center, 1 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

WEDNESDAY/3 Frederic

• Blood pressure screening at Bremer Bank, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Pokeno played at the senior center, 1 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

• Good Samaritan Society, St. Croix Valley Auxiliary meets, 1:30 p.m., in the community room.

THURSDAY/4 Amery

• Northwest Wisconsin Graziers Network pasture walk at the Svoma Farm, 1-4 p.m., 715-485-8600, 715-268-8778 or 715-635-3506.

Osceola

• 21st-annual Osceola Fun Run & 2-Mile Walk, 6:30-7:30 a.m. check-in for runners, 7:15-8 a.m. for walkers. 715-294-2127, ext. 407.

• Friends of the Osceola Library book sale at the library, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

• The Lovers Show, concert featuring Noni & Jared Mason, at Festival Theatre, 7:30 p.m., 715-483-3387 or 888-887-6002.

Spooner

• Northwest Cleansweep at the HHW Storage Site, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 715-635-2197.

SUNDAY/7 Grantsburg

• Harvest Festival at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Polka Mass 8:30 a.m., dinner 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Shell Lake

• Northwestern Wisconsin K-9 Club hosts Bark in the Park at Memorial Park, 11 a.m., 715-349-8377.

MONDAY/8 Frederic

• Spades played at the senior center, 1 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

• Art group, 9:30 a.m.-noon at the senior center.

• Poker at the senior centery, 1 p.m.; trip to Door County.

TUESDAY/9

Frederic

• Exercise, 10-11 a.m.; Skipbo, 11 a.m.-noon; 500 cards & Dominos, 12:30 p.m. at the senior center.

• 500 cards at the senior center, 6:30 p.m.

• Support group for people with bipolar disorder and depression at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 7:30 p.m. Call 715-327-4436 for more info.

St. Croix Falls

• Exercise, 10-11 a.m.; Skipbo, 11 a.m.-noon; 500 cards, 6:30 p.m. at the senior center.

St. Croix Falls

WEDNESDAY/10 Frederic

• Pokeno played at the senior center, 1 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

• Wii® bowling, 10 a.m. at the senior center.