Leader|august 1|2007

Leader

W E D N E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 0 7 • V O L U M E 7 2 • N O . 5 • 8 , 0 0 0 C O P I E S • S E C T I O N A

WEEKEND WATCH: • Harvest Sale & Fall Festival @ SCFalls • Chili Fest @ Taylors Falls • Grand opening ARMC @ Amery • Women of the Moose garage sale @ Siren • FFA corn maze @ Luck • Bazaar @ Milltown See Coming events

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Supervisors approve structure change Number of Burnett County committees will drop from 13 to 6

PAGE 15

Crex convoy

When the photographer first saw these trumpeter swans at Crex Meadows, they were half hidden behind a low rise. Then, almost as if honoring a request, the adults lined up the juveniles and very slowly paraded around in front of the photographer. Proud parents showing off their kids. - Photo by Carl Heidel

St. Croix Falls mayor vetoes hunting in Simonson Woods PAGE 12

CURRENTS

Grantsburg Golf Course gets support from businesses, community PAGE 2

Carol Pool named 2007 Health Care Advocate ST. CROIX FALLS – The St. Croix Valley Health Care Foundation was pleased to present Carol Pool, EMT, its 2007 Health Care Advocate award at the foundation’s annual fundraising dinner and 25thAnniversary Celebration Gala held at the Trollhaugen Conference Center on September 20.

The award, a well-kept secret, is presented each year by the foundation to recognize the efforts of an individual who promotes the ideals of health care as well as contributes countless hours to further the mission of health care in the local community.

Pool has devoted her life to helping people through serving,

Carol Pool, winner of the St. Croix Valley Health Care Foundation’s Health Care Advocate of the Year award. – Photo submitted

organizing and teaching local emergency medical services.

Currently the owner of Unity Area Ambulance, Pool went into the EMS field in 1985.

“I started when my son was ill,” she said. I took a special interest in the medical field then and had always wanted to be a nurse. But I had six kids to raise and couldn’t do that - so I went into EMS.” Pool said the time she has devoted to EMS has become her life but she tells others it’s a worthwhile profession.

“It’s a lot of commitment but that first time you save someone or comfort them or help them breathe, there’s no amount of money that can replace that.”

See Pool, page 3

SCF firefighter praises National Fire Academy

SPORTS

Frederic remains undefeated after 5 weeks

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Grantsburg Golf Course gets support from community

by Priscilla Bauer GRANTSBURG - “This was the largest fundraising event at the golf course this year,” said an elated Dick Anderson, manager of the Grantsburg Golf Course. “We want to thank everyone involved for making this such a huge success.”

The Grantsburg Golf Course, owned by the village of Grantsburg, was in danger of closing last year due to economic and financial concerns relating to the Burnett Medical Center expansion project. The golf course was situated in part on property owned by the medical facility needed for that expansion. The expense of reconstructing the golf course, estimated at over $120,000, was a topic of much debate for months by village officials, village residents and area golfers. In the end, it was determined the village alone could not absorb the cost of the reconstruction, so this past spring, it chose to lease course operations to a private party.

A fundraising committee was established last spring to raise $50,000 for the reconstruction. In addition, Farmers Independent Telephone Co. pledged 50 cents for every dollar raised and Burnett Medical Center pledged $50,000.

On Friday, Sept. 21, the Grantsburg Service and Retail Golf Tournament was held, organized and sponsored by Hummer’s Rendezvous, Darrell’s Hardware, Dale’s Restaurant and PACE of Grantsburg, LLC. Grantsburg businesses were personally invited to participate in the fundraiser to help show support for keeping and improving the golf course.

Eighteen businesses and organizations, more than 80 golfers and 120 diners, including Sen. Sheila Harsdorf and Rep. Ann Hraychuck participated in the four-person, 9-hole scramble which ended with a BBQ rib dinner by Dale’s Restaurant and Kelli’s Kitchen.

“In addition to this being a fundrais-

Nick and Alma Karels, golfing for K-Wood Truss, take a moment to pose for the camera.

Rick Leffelman, golfing for DR Tech, takes a swing. er for the golf course, this tournament was also to recognize how vital service and retail businesses are to the Grantsburg economy,” said Jeff Finch, owner of Darrell’s Hardware and cosponsor of the event.

“Dollars spent local stay local,” said Mike Janke, owner of Hummer’s and co-sponsor.

Rendezvous “Supporting our local businesses promotes the health and well-being of our entire community.”

The tournament raised $1,574 for the Grantsburg Village Improvement Projects Fund helping the golf course fundraising committee reach and exceed their goal of $50,000.

Photos by Priscilla Bauer

First-place winners of the tournament were (L to R): Kevin Swartzbauer, Tom Anderson, Mike Janke and John McNally, golfing for Auto Truck Center and Anderson Graphics.

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Man found guilty of fourth-degree sexual assault SIREN – A 12-person jury trial was held at the Burnett County Courthouse on Tuesday, Sept. 25, for a fourth-degree sexual assault charge.

Fernando J. Estrada, 52, Grantsburg was found to have assaulted a woman at the Wood River Laundromat in Grantsburg on Saturday, July 15, 2006.

Because the charge was a misdemeanor, he was sentenced following the guilty verdict. Estrada was sentenced to two years’ probation and 90 days in jail with the first 30 days of the jail sentence without Huber release. He was also ordered to sex offender evaluation, sex offender registration, enrollment into a program to learn English, and to pay court costs of $88. The state has 30 days to submit a restitution figure.

His jail sentence begins on Jan, 1, 2008. – Sherill Summer

Briefly

NORTHWEST WISCONSIN - Cooler temperatures arrived Tuesday of this week, two days after the official beginning of fall on Sunday and following a week of summerlike weather with temperatures reaching into the 80s in some parts of the area. Wisconsin will start to live up to its reputation soon, with low temperatures later this week dipping into the 30s, according to the weather forecasters.

••• More than 380,000 people have used the “candidate calculator” which can be found at www.vajoe.com/candidate_calculator.html. It’s a brief poll on several national and international issues including questions on whether or not you personally support the war in Iraq or universal health care. Once you’re finished answering the questions, the calculator tells you the candidate you should be supporting in the 2008 presidential election - from among the candidates who are currently in the running.

••• FREDERIC - The Frederic Area Community Association meeting scheduled for this Thursday has been rescheduled for Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at the village hall.

Pool/ from page 1 Pool said she was very honored to be chosen for this award - and very surprised.

“This honor is awesome,” she said. “I just don’t know how they kept it a secret.”

With over 250 people in attendance, the annual foundation gala dinner raises thousands of dollars to benefit patients at St. Croix Regional Medical Center. Funds this year are dedicated to furnishing the waiting areas of the new Lloyd Olson Surgery Center opening in the spring of 2008. Terry Reznicek, a local musician and piano instructor, provided music for the evening, and LeeAnn Vande Kamp, of Vande Kamp Auctioneering of Almelund, volunteered her services for the live auction. “It is always an exciting event full of wonderful silent auction and grab bag items, good food and lots of fun,” said Sandy Williams, SCRMC director of development.

Once again, the Key Raffle culminated the evening’s excitement. Sue Meyers of St. Croix Falls won a one-week trip to Puerto Vallerta and Dennis Raedeke of St. Croix Falls won a $1,500 travel voucher. Honored at the anniversary celebration were special guests who were members of the foundation’s first board: David Ollman, Durand Blanding, Beulah Nelson, Al Berg and Regina Miller. Also present was Gwen Graff Erickson, the former SCRMC administrator who implemented the foundation. Dr. Lester Swanson and his wife, Marian, were named Honorary Couple acknowledging the many hours of service he has given to the foundation board.

The foundation gratefully acknowledges everyone whose contributions helped make this a very successful fundraiser, and especially their many businesses and individuals. “I also want to specifically acknowledge the generosity of our major sponsors, St. Paul Eye Clinic, the Pain Clinic of Northwest Wisconsin, and U.S. Bank,” said Williams.

They also sincerely appreciate the gala table sponsors. The foundation also greatly appreciates Trollhaugen’s generous donation of the champagne reception and its facility for this event. Deane Andrie of Andrie Electric and Lenny Libis sponsored the desserts following dinner. - Gary King with news release from the St. Croix Valley Health Foundation

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 3

Peterson is new Health and Human Services director

Peterson is under no illusion of the problems that face the county, a fact that was brought home within a week after starting her job when Capeside Cove in Siren announced that it was closing.

While she was in Douglas County, a home shut down and was forced to find beds for its patients, just as Capeside Cove is doing now.

Peterson said to herself, “Here we go again.” Still, Peterson is excited about the opportunity here and is enjoying getting to know people of Burnett County. “It is such a beautiful place.” – Sherill Summer

SIREN –The new health and human service director for Burnett County is Kate Peterson.

She comes to Burnett County from Douglas County where she has worked in the Health and Human Service Department for 20 years.

Because she comes to her job from another Wisconsin county, she is familiar with many of the statewide health and human service programs.

However, Burnett County is much smaller than Douglas County. What works in the larger counties may not necessarily work here, and Peterson is careful to seek input on her ideas as she gets to know the County. So far though, Peterson is very impressed with the staff here in Burnett County and with how hard they work to meet the needs of the community. “They do a fabulous job,” Peterson remarked.

LEFT: Kate Peterson is the new health and human service director for Burnett County. - Photo by Sherill Summer

Stoner will face trial in alleged child abuse case He and mother on way to hospital when I-35 bridge collapsed

by Regan Kohler SHELL LAKE — A preliminary hearing was held Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the Washburn County Courthouse, for Michael E. Stoner Jr., 26, Spooner.

Stoner has been a suspect in a case of alleged child abuse regarding Emmaline Manning, 2.

Washburn County Judge Eugene Harrington ruled the hearing Tuesday provided enough evidence to warrant a trial.

According a press release issued in August from the Washburn County

Sheriff's Department, the child was airlifted to the Minneapolis C h i l d r e n ' s Hospital due to severe brain trauma Wednesday, Aug. 1.

The comMichael Stoner plaint filed read that Stoner, who is engaged to the child's mother, Crystal J. Manning, 21, Spooner, was at their residence alone with Emmaline that day when she fell down a flight of stairs. Emmaline was taken to the Indianhead Medical Center, then airlifted to the Children's Hospital after doctors diagnosed the severity of her injuries.

See Stoner, page 4

Osceola man dies in crash ANOKA, Minn. - A 29-year-old Osceola man lost his life in a one-vehicle accident Friday evening.

Bryan White was driving north on 35W in Anoka County when his vehicle left the road, crossed a median and traveled into the southbound lanes.

White was not wearing a seat belt and

was thrown from his vehicle and sustained fatal injuries.

The accident involved alcohol, according to the Minnesota State Patrol, however, toxicology reports are pending and the accident remains under investigation. - with information from Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Clayton man charged with sexual assault POLK COUNTY - A Clayton man was charged last week in Polk County Court with felony sexual assault.

Eucebio Xochicale, 19, was arrested on Sept. 18 after a woman accused Xochicale of sexually assaulting her after she gave him a ride home from a bar in Turtle Lake on Sept. 18.

The woman told police that there was an argument going on at the bar and that she was asked to give Xochicale a ride home. She told authorities that she didn’t know the man on a personal level.

The woman alleged that Xochicale

grabbed her out of her car by the neck when they arrived at his trailer home and that he directed her to the home, where she said he assaulted her even though she fought back and said, “No.” Xochicale told Polk County Sheriff’s deputies through a Spanish interpreter that he didn’t force the woman to have sexual intercourse.

Authorities noted abrasions on both sides of the woman’s neck.

Xochicale was held in Polk County Jail on a $7,500 cash bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27. – Julie Holmquist

SCF man charged with fifth OWI after accident POLK COUNTY - Mike A. Johnson, 65, St. Croix Falls, faces a felony charge of operating while intoxicated in Polk County after being involved in an accident that injured two women.

Johnson was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of injury by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.

Johnson was arrested Sunday at 5:20 p.m. after the Polk County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two-vehicle accident on Hwy. 35 one mile south of Centuria.

Both the driver and passenger in the

other vehicle were injured.

Johnson told authorities that the other car was turning to go in a driveway when he rear-ended the vehicle.

Johnson’s vehicle was not damaged on the front end. The other car was located about 150 yards south of where the initial impact occurred and had damage to the rear end. A preliminary test indicated that Johnson had alcohol content of .12.

Johnson is being held on a $2,500 cash bond. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 22 - Julie Holmquist

Follow the Leader.

State budget in negotiations at governor’s house MADISON - Legislative leaders are now negotiating the state budget at the governor’s house.

Gov. Jim Doyle spoke to reporters from in front of the executive residence Tuesday while flanked by Republican Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson. He indicated that having no budget at all was not an option for him. Even though last year’s budget carries over until there’s a new one in place, Doyle says critical areas of state spending like the University of Wisconsin will run out of money without action.

The governor said he’d do what he could to move talks along, including letting lawmakers know what areas of the budget he can back and what he’ll veto. Those kind of assurances are a big deal to Republicans. He says he thinks it’s appropriate, and will let the leaders know as they’re talking about things and where they’re going about whether that’s something that he’d be willing to sign. He says he’s not in this process “to pull some big surprise on somebody at the end.”

Doyle says he thinks “we ought to get this all out on the table.”

The governor has said repeatedly that nobody would get everything they want in this budget. One of the big questions is what that means for the tax increases Doyle proposed for cigarettes, hospitals and oil companies. Speaker Huebsch wouldn’t speculate much.

His members passed their own version of the budget in July that got rid of those tax increases. He says as that plan is altered and changed, it will of course change the votes. He says the final product will determine whether he needs votes of Democrats in the Assembly and then how many those will be.

Some real deadlines are closing in on these talks. The Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction says she needs to know how much state aid schools are getting by this Friday, so she can figure out how to distribute the money. Without a deal, property taxes could go up by hundreds of millions of dollars. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Shawn Johnson)

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Collaboration committee for 4-year-old kindergarten

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–The school board for St. Croix Falls heard an update on 4year-old kindergarten Tuesday night.

The board’s update from elementary principal Jeff Benoy and director of pupil services John Gyllen indicated that a meeting with Barb Wehman of CESA took place in which Wehman recommended the development of a committee.

The committee will be community based and a collaboration of community members. The committee will be chaired by Virginia Bunker who was selected because of her facilitative skills and previous experience as a school

administrator.

The prospective community members may come from the following list of child care providers in the school district including Big Hugs Day Care, Kids View Day Care, Qualle Bear Day Care, Valley Christian School District, Gene’s Jump Start, Kid’s Corner and Beth Neely.

A meeting with Wehman by Benoy, Gyllen and Bunker will take place Oct. 18 to develop an agenda and committee structure. The first committee meeting will be held Oct. 30.

“At that time we will be talking about curriculum and how the program will work in the community,” Benoy

explained.

In other business, the elementary school landscaping is getting finished up and the gym bleachers are being installed with an anticipation to have them finished next week. The facilities committee recommended a few items for the elementary to the board for purchase including two scoreboards for the gym at $5,500, fencing for three areas at the elementary school at a bid of $12,300 and lighting for the stage at a bid of $40,716.

The motions for the financial items carried.

The board also had a quick update on the band and chorus addition. Board

members Steve Bont and Max Fehrenbacher met with superintendent Glenn Martin and Carolie Gubasta, district secretary and finance advisor. The committee discussed how to scale down the project and to get a plan for financing the addition.

Bont explained, “We met and discussed what we could do to get a plan for how to pay for it and what we want to get out of it. We sent it back to the architect to get a less frills design and we want it to cost less than $1 million.”

More information on that issue will come to the board as it develops.

Aug. 1 about the incident. He said he went with a social worker to the Children's Hospital, he said, and was able to see Emmaline. Parenteau said he took photos of the child, which were presented as exhibits to the court, noting injuries.

"I observed a bite mark on her lower left forearm, a small burn mark on her inside thigh ... and [a burn] on her lower right leg," Parenteau said.

When asked, Parenteau said the child was on a ventilator and life support at the time.

Parenteau told the court that after taking photos, he consulted with the medical and care providers, then interviewed Stoner.

Bitney asked what Stoner said about Emmaline's condition prior to the incident.

"He stated that she was fine," Parenteau replied.

Parenteau said he asked Stoner about the day's events leading up to Emmaline's reported fall. According to Parenteau's testimony, after running some errands, Stoner had been home alone with Emmaline on Aug. 1 while her mother was at work in Barronett.

Parenteau said Stoner told him Emmaline had been upstairs watching television while he was on the computer downstairs, when he heard a series of thumps. Parenteau said Stoner said he found Emmaline on the floor at the bottom of the stairs, and she mumbled that she was OK when he went to pick her up. According to Parenteau's testimony, when Manning called home for a ride from work, Stoner told her what happened, and that he was having a hard time keeping her awake. Parenteau then said Stoner had told her he was afraid to take her to the hospital because he might be suspected of abuse.

Bitney presented exhibits to the court of photos Parenteau took, which showed the stairway, carpeted and padded, at the residence.

Parenteau said that Stoner told him while he was driving to pick up Manning, Emmaline was tensing up, or posturing.

Bitney asked Parenteau if there were any medical facilities along Stoner's route to pick up Manning. Parenteau said there were two, but that they weren't right on the route. Bitney then asked how long Stoner had said it took him to get to Manning's workplace, and Parenteau figured around 12 minutes.

Bitney asked Parenteau how long it took him, and Parenteau said about 28 minutes one way.

Parenteau continued, saying Stoner had told him when Manning saw the child, she said they need to take her to a hospital. They took her to Indianhead Medical Center in Shell Lake, Parenteau said, where she was then airlifted to the Twin Cities. Parenteau said Stoner told him he and Manning went to their home to get ready.

Bitney asked if there was anyone else at their residence at that point, to which Parenteau said he didn't ask. He said

that Stoner told him he hadn't told his parents about the incident at that point.

Parenteau said Stoner then allegedly went to get a travel permit from his probation agent so he could go out of state.

Parenteau said that Stoner allegedly told his agent a different story of the incident, and that on the way down, he "told Crystal that they needed to get their story right." Bitney asked whether Stoner admitted to hurting Emmaline.

"He denied that he harmed her in any way," Parenteau replied.

Bitney asked what Stoner had said were the causes of Emmaline's other injuries. Parenteau said Stoner told him the bump was from a fall on the front steps the previous month, and that the bite mark may have been from another child at a recent party. However, Parenteau said, Stoner told him he hadn't known of burn marks until Manning noticed them, and that she had no idea where they came from.

Bitney presented reports signed by the primary physician and nurse at the Children's Hospital saying they believed the trauma was no accident.

Heit then asked Parenteau where the interview with Stoner took place, which Parenteau said was in the Children's Hospital, but he was unsure what time it was at. He said Stoner was able to answer questions to his ability and didn't appear to be under any medication.

Heit then asked if Stoner said how fast he had driven to get Manning, and Parenteau said he never told him, but Parenteau assumed it was fast.

Bitney briefly questioned Beth Anne Carter, a registered nurse at the Midwest Children's Research Center, via telephone. Carter confirmed that she worked with the doctor mentioned in the report on Emmaline, and after consultation, forwarded the reports to the Washburn County Sheriff's Department and children's services.

When asked, she said she and the doctor signed the diagnosis and summary of Emmaline's injuries and treatment.

Heit had no questions for Carter.

Dr. Margaret Redfall, a family practitioner at IMC, was the final state witness. After stating her credentials for the court, Redfall said she has cared for many children over her years and Emmaline was one of them, on Aug. 1, which she said she recalled "quite vividly."

Redfall said that when she was called to the IMC for Emmaline's injuries, she observed the child posturing, which she said indicates a massive head trauma that could mean imminent death if not treated immediately. When asked, Redfall said Emmaline's injuries were determined to be further than IMC's staff abilities and she was taken to Minneapolis. While waiting for the helicopter, Redfall said, she stabilized Emmaline and worked on reducing her high blood pressure. Redfall told the court she had been notified of the incident beforehand.

Bitney asked if Redfall saw any external trauma, and Redfall said she had

and it was inconsistent with brain trauma injuries. Redfall said she was concerned by this because what she heard of the incident didn't match up with the severity of Emmaline's brain trauma and the external injuries, which seemed older than a day. Redfall said she wrote a report to the sheriff's department, as she is required by law to report any suspicion of child abuse.

Bitney presented to the court an exhibit of Redfall's statement to the department. She was also shown Parenteau's photos of Emmaline's injuries, and said her opinion was that these couldn't have occurred strictly from a fall.

When asked, Redfall said her conclusion that brain trauma like Emmaline's was similar to that of a car accident or the acceleration and deceleration from a large force, similar to shaken baby syndrome. When asked, Redfall said that for shaken baby syndrome, the force would have to be severe, more than a tap on the head.

Redfall said she spoke with the doctor at the Children's Hospital and he agreed with her conclusion on it being more than accidental.

Bitney asked Redfall to give her medical opinion, and she replied, "This child had intentional injuries."

Heit then asked if Redfall had been able to examine Emmaline's eyes for retinal trauma, and she replied that she hadn't been able to at the time, nor was it necessary then. She also said she didn't observe any blood vessel ruptures on the child's neck nor a skull fracture, nor fresh blood on the head. When asked, Redfall said that on the child's right temple there was evidence of blunt trauma that could have been a couple days old.

Heit asked if falling from a long distance could have caused trauma like this, and Redfall said it would be rare and would've left external lacerations.

Redfall added that she had observed the pictures of the stairs in question.

Heit asked Redfall what qualifications she had in which she could come to her conclusion, and Redfall said her experience as a doctor and parent, in addition to viewing various injuries in children, made it easy to recognize how they happen.

There was no testimony for the defense.

Bitney told Judge Eugene Harrington that the state had shown probable cause for more than one felony caused by Stoner and requested they move forward. Harrington replied that there was probable cause found, but the only evidence to support the count of reckless endangerment came from opinions of two physicians only.

A status conference was set for Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 8 a.m. Heit requested that the arraignment be scheduled six weeks out. Stoner was remanded to the Washburn County Jail, and no further motions were made that day.

Stoner/from page 3 According to the complaint, Manning and Stoner drove down to visit the child later that day, and were injured themselves in the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis.

In the complaint, a statement given by a medical director at the Midwest Children's Research Center said they were suspicious of other injuries found on the child's body and felt that the nature of the brain trauma was caused by something other than an accidental fall.

Stoner went into custody two days later due to a travel violation, and at a press conference the following week, Sheriff Terry Dryden expressed the department's sympathies toward the family for all injuries, but said they had reason to believe through evidence that there was physical abuse done to Emmaline and that Stoner may have been guilty of it.

At the press conference, family members and friends of Stoner and Manning gave statements to the media, saying he was a good parent figure and they had never seen any evidence of abuse.

Stoner was charged Friday, Aug. 10, with first-degree reckless endangerment, physical abuse of a child and obstructing an officer; the first two are classified as felonies.

On Aug. 17, Stoner's attorney, Jay Heit, submitted a motion to dismiss the complaint. Heit's reasoning was that there was insufficient evidence given the time frame of the charges, and he said in the motion that the complaint doesn't address all elements of the charges nor provide probable cause. He also said that for reckless endangerment, the evidence didn't match what the charge names as reckless conduct.

Tuesday afternoon, witnesses gave testimonies before the court on the case.

Representing the state was Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Derek Hanson.

While questioned by District Attorney J. Michael Bitney, Hanson said that he specializes in reconstructing traffic incidents and creating diagrams of crime scenes for prosecution assistance.

Hanson said he was called to the Manning and Stoner residence in Evergreen on Aug. 16, where he took measurements of the interior and exterior of the entire house. He said with the assistance of a trooper from Eau Claire, they worked with a laser measuring device and collapsible yardstick.

Hanson was shown four exhibits by Bitney: his report on the diagram he created, and to-scale diagrams of the stairway and the upstairs and downstairs levels of the house.

Heit then asked Hanson how long he had been with the state patrol, to which Hanson answered over 10 years. When asked by Heit, Hanson said that he couldn't get information from his diagrams on the way Emmaline had been injured.

Investigator Austin Parenteau was the state's second witness. Parenteau, an investigator for 12 years, said he was called by the sheriff's department on

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 5

B U R N E T T

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

Webster schools financially sound

by Carl Heidel WEBSTER - Presentations on school financing, millage rates, state aid and fund balances are usually obscure and confusing enough to leave listeners with glazed eyes that just stare blankly at nothing in particular.

Webster Schools District Administrator Jim Erickson, however, somehow managed to run the district’s financial numbers in a way that made sense to his audience and kept their interest at Monday night’s annual district meeting and budget hearing.

According to Erickson, the schools are in sound financial condition after ending the 2006-2007 fiscal year with a fund balance of $279,679. Because the district attempts to run on a budget where revenues and expenditures balance each other out, and as this kind of year-end overage is not expected, the superintendent worked carefully through the revenue items in his budget summary to explain the unexpected final fund

total.

Several factors combined to bring in unexpected revenues. Foremost among them were more dollars in impact aid from the federal government than anticipated. This aid is money the government gives in lieu of local tax money on land that cannot be taxed.

This additional aid generated more money in interest from the banks, and that added to the fund revenues. Then when a teacher took a yearlong leave, unspent salary and benefit money increased the revenue figures still more.

Erickson said that the unexpected additional revenue allowed the schools to pay down the balance owed on the roof on the elementary school building.

It also permitted the schools to pay some unfunded liabilities, and this saved the schools a substantial amount in interest payments.

Because the schools ended the year financially strong, Erickson was able to present a proposed school budget for

2007-2008 that is identical with the previous year’s budget, $3,455,005.

He pointed out that overall the district is operating with a fund balance that is twice the recommended minimum. “We are the envy of other districts,” he said. “This is a very solid financial situation.”

This strength will have an impact on next year’s proposed tax levy and millage rate. Erickson noted that the levy for last year was a total of $7,135,371 and the mill rate was 5.221. This year the tax levy will increase by $349,324 to $7,484,695. And while the coming year’s millage rate has not yet been set, Erickson expects that it will decrease to about 4.8, based on a 10-percent increase in equalized value within the district.

Comparing the Webster district with other area districts, Erickson said that last year’s tax rate was lower than the other county school districts and lower than other area school districts. If the

mill rate drops from 5.221 to 4.8 this year, Webster schools will continue to impose a lower tax rate.

In a related item, although the official enrollment figures from the annual third Friday count are not in, Erickson said he is expecting that the schools will register about 775 students this year as compared to 738 a year ago. Factors in this increase include an increase in enrollment at the high school level and the opening of the 4-year-old kindergarten.

“I’m encouraged by this,” the superintendent said. “People are seeking us out.” He went on to say that with its sound financial base, the district will seek to increase its virtual education offerings and provide more support to parents who are home-schooling their children.

After the budget hearing portion of the meeting was completed, the board adopted routine operating resolutions for the coming year.

Grantsburg School Board plans for the future Post-employment benefit trusts proposed

by Priscilla Bauer GRANTSBURG – Planning for the future, the Grantsburg School Board approved a measure Monday which would establish a post-employment benefit trust.

Post-Employment benefits are retirement benefits other than pensions.

Retiree medical benefits are principally those benefits.

Michael Blackburn, of MidAmerica Actuarial Solutions, presented the board with an explanation of the new accounting standards issued by The Government Accounting Standards Board. The GASB has issued Statement No. 45 which addresses how state and local governments (including school districts) should account for and report their costs and obligations related to post-employment health care and other nonpension benefits. These benefits are known as other post-employment benefits, or OPEB, which the school district provides. They are considered as an unfunded liability, since there is no funding source associated with them.

Most districts in the past have reported the cost of OPEB benefits on a pay-asyou go basis. The GASB 43 and 45 statements will now shift this practice to an accounting and reporting of the OPEB liability that has accrued.

State and local government employers will now have to account for and report the annual cost of OPEB in the same

Board members Russ Erickson, Jim Sundquist, Jason Burkman and David Dahlberg listen intently as David Branback, National Insurance Services, and Michael Blackburn, MidAmerica Actuarial Solutions, presented information on post-employment trusts to the Grantsburg School Board at their regular Monday night meeting. – Photo by Priscilla Bauer way they now do for pensions. Annual OPEB cost for most employers will be based on actuarially determined amounts which, if paid on an ongoing basis, will generally provide sufficient resources to pay benefits as they are due.

The district had the option to continue on a pay-as-you go plan for retiree medical benefits since the district is not required to begin reporting post-retirement benefit costs until 2010, but the board opted to establish the trust now as means of garnering more of the funding pie. The trust will qualify the district for categorical aid in addition to the equalization aid the district already receives.

These funds are not available to districts

which have not established trusts.

David Branback, representing National Insurance Services, addressed the board on the specifics of establishing a post-employment benefit trust.

Branback explained the district’s cost to establish a trust will be $600 for the legal opinion, required by the Department of Public Instruction.

Superintendent Joni Burgin saw the board’s action as “a way to maximize state aid and lower the district’s liability” while ensuring funding for retiree medical benefits in the future.

In other business the board: • Heard Good News in Our Schools reports. Elementary Principal Katie

Coppenbarger introduced elementary teacher Dan Bell to the board. Bell has applied for his administrator license and will take over Coppenbarger’s duties in her absence. Bell gave a report on the Good News in Our Schools.

Elementary students have been busy thanking local businesses and organizations for donations. Bell then thanked the board for their support in enabling him to complete the 320 needed hours for his K-12 principal licensure.

Middle school Principal Brad Jones and high school Principal Stan Marczak reported on the Good News at the middle and high schools. Jones reported the Rendezvous at Kathy and Tom Bowers was a great success. Marczak responded to board member Dahlberg’s comment on all the positive feedback he has heard regarding the start of this school year.

“This is the most positive start of the school year we’ve ever had. It’s exciting,” said Marczak.

• Approved a shared service contract with Frederic School District for the operation of a Cooperative Cognitively Disabled Program. The Polk County Special Education School closed at the end of the last school year and Frederic has agreed to provide a consortium program for their school district, Grantsburg and Luck.

• Approved a second semester youth options request for a student to attend Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Cambridge. The student will receive $1,000 contribution from the district.

• Approved agenda and date of Oct. 22, for annual meeting.

Moose Lodge donates to Webster fire department The Moose Lodge at Siren held a fundraiser on Aug. 24 to raise money for the Webster Fire Department’s first responders. Spaghetti was on the menu for the fundraiser, and 20 pounds of meat and 30 quarts of sauce were needed to feed everyone who attended. It was a successful fundraiser, raising a total of $1,200 from both the Royal Order of the Moose and the women of the Moose. The money will by used for three complete first responder bags. Shown (L to R) are Phylis Gideo, Senior regent; Bob Gideo, cook; Donna Mangelsen, community services chairperson; Norm Bickford, Webster fire chief; Jeremy Hollis, first responder; and Denny Snarski, lieutenant. – Photo/text by Sherill Summer

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

B U R N E T T

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

American Flags retired in Webster

WEBSTER – Once or twice a year the American Legion in Burnett County burns flags that are worn out and no longer should serve as symbols for the United States.

The flags undergo a retirement ceremony to honor them before burning.

June Larson from Webster’s American Legion Auxiliary explained that the flags are always inspected before retiring, since sometimes good flags get mixed up with worn flags.

She happened to have a 5-foot flag in good shape that was salvaged from the

inspection process.

Larson also explains that many times the American Legion colors are placed on each side of the burning flags as they are retired, creating an emotional, moving ceremony.

The flag retirement ceremony at Webster on Wed., Sept. 19 was a modest ceremony in comparison, but it was a ceremony that was much needed, since the flag retirement scheduled for last summer was postponed due to the drought. – Sherill Summer

RIGHT: June Larson presents a flag to be retired to Gary Larson.

A ceremony to dispose of flags no longer fit for service was held in Webster on Sept. 19. The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary conduct the ceremony once or twice a year, as needed.

Rita Petersen and Judee Rother with flags no longer fit for service.

Photos by Sherill Summer

Members of the American Legion from three towns – Post 132 of Siren, Post 96 of Webster and Post 185 of Grantsburg – wait as the worn flags that were retired finish burning.

P O L K C O U N T Y H E A D L I N E S

A photographic gift

Ed Berdal, Frederic’s roving freelance photographer, is shown proudly presenting a framed photo he created to Eunice and Gene Early. The shot was taken at the joint auction held by the owners of the former nursing home, presently the St. Croix Clinic and the Comforts of Home, and the Earlys. It was held on Sunday, Aug. 5, at the former Early Oil Company and the village parking area behind the old service station. Gene’s grandfather, Charles Early, started the first service station in Frederic (Standard Oil Brand) on that site in 1924. It is now part of the new TIF district in downtown Frederic and has been acquired by the village. The Earlys admire the energetic photographic work of Berdel. It’s a real contrast, at nearly 90 years of age, to his long years working as a dairy farmer that owned and loved to operate his John Deere tractors. – Photo

by Gary King

Ninety-one units of blood collected at September drive FREDERIC The September Community Blood Drive, held at the St. Luke’s Methodist Church, was well attended last week.

There were 99 potential donors. From that number, 91 new units were received, 11 donors were deferred, four units were incomplete and nine were first-time donors.

Of the nine first-timers, five donors gave a full unit. They were as follows: Ashley Heine, Georgette Gruel, Nancy Johnson, Meagan Neuman and Erin Schmidt. Fiv- gallon pins were given to Vernon Knauber and Robert Elrod.

The Frederic Legion Auxiliary would like to express gratitude to everyone who makes these drives successful, St. Luke’s Methodist Church for their gen-

erous use of their facility, Bernick Cos. for supplying soft drinks for the recovery table, for all the other churches and other organizations for donations toward the food, the village workers who come to set up and take down, individuals who bake cookies and other food for the meals served and the Red Cross personnel, who guide the drive.

Thirty-eight thousand gallons of blood is needed to be collected each day to keep the supply safe and secure.

Someone in America needs a transfusion every two seconds.

They will be calling on you again next spring. – submitted by American Legion Auxiliary #249, Dorothea Jensen, Sec-Treas.

Donation to Red Cross

Terry Anderson, program assistant for the Balsam Lake office of the American Red Cross, would like to thank the Balsam Lake Homeowner’s Association for their financial donation. They were able to purchase six AED trainer units and a lifeguard training DVD. Training people in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and first aid is a big part of who they are. The American Red Cross provides vital classes, information and services that help people prepare for, prevent and recover from various situations. – Photo submitted

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SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 7

PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

L e a d e r We b Po l l

Last week’s question: Have there been times when you didn’t visit the doctor because you knew you could not afford it?

1. Yes, sometimes 33 votes (30 percent) 2. Yes, often 46 votes (42 percent) 3. No, money has never been a factor 31 votes (28 percent) This week’s question: Who is going to win the border battle this Sunday Vikings or Packers?

You can take part in our 1. I’m a Vikings fan - the Vikings will win weekly Web poll by logging on 2. I’m a Vikings fan - The Packers will win to www.the-leader.net and 3. I’m a Packers fan - The Packers will win scrolling to the lower left-hand 4. I’m a Packers fan - the Vikings will win portion of the home page 5. Who cares?

J o e H e l l e r

Editor’s NOTEBOOK Bucky vs. homeland security

here is little levity in the news today, unless you possess a somewhat T warped view of the world from time to time - and let’s face it - sometimes that’s what it takes.

According to national polls, Americans don’t feel much safer from terrorism these days, and some feel manipulated by the media and government spins when it comes to what we should be afraid of - and when.

This past week, terror took the form of Bucky Beaver. Literally. The furry little creature that - which according to wildlife officials is “second only to humans in their capacity to manipulate the environment” – chewed through a fiber optic cable near Shell Lake.

The criminal act shut down communications - cell phones, landline phone service, the Internet and 911. One of the deputies awoke Sheriff Terry Dryden at 3 a.m. last Friday - not via a pager or radio message - but by banging on his front door.

He explained the situation.

“Well now, isn’t that what I want to hear at 3 a.m.,” Dryden noted in a letter to the Washburn County Register.

Dryden took charge and a radio message was sent to the Burnett County Sheriff’s Department requesting they call CenturyTel. And since CenturyTel had no way to know what was happening, the sheriff went in search of one of CenturyTel’s technicians - John Lechnir. Another early-morning house call.

Lechnir saved the day.

It’s a great story (www.wcregister.net) and one that illustrates how vulnerable we still are. A beaver shut down communications in much of the county for half a day.

Leave it to beaver. It’s funny and a bit unnerving at the same time. Homeland Security? Well, it may depend on your perspective.

All editorials on this page are by editor Gary King unless otherwise noted.

P o s i t i v e Quote o f t h e w e e k

Courage is the greatest of all the virtues. Because if you haven't courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.- Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English Author

Officer fatally shoots man CUMBERLAND - An early-morning shooting in Barron County sent one man to the hospital and put a sheriff’s deputy on administrative leave. The Barron County Sheriff says a deputy from his department shot a 46-year-old man who put the lives of several deputies and a police officer in “imminent danger” during a call Saturday morning. The man killed has been identified as Robert D. Knowlton of Cumberland. The officer who shot him was identified as Barron County Sheriff’s Deputy Vince Graf, a four-year employee of that department. Just before 4 a.m. Saturday, law enforcement officers responded to a situation at the home across the street from the store, on the corner of Jeffrey Boulevard and Hwy. 63 in Cumberland. “A city of Cumberland officer and a number of Barron County Sheriff’s deputies were dealing with a subject that made threats against law enforcement and other individuals,” Barron County Sheriff Tom Richie said. “The situation escalated when the subject exited his house with a long rifle and fired a round from that weapon.” Barron County Sheriff Tom Richie says the man ignored repeated requests from the deputies to surrender his weapon, and that’s when a deputy fired two rounds. Both rounds hit the man, sending him to the hospital. Richie says the deputy involved in the shooting is on administrative leave until the investigation is done. He said the investigation has been turned over to the Polk County Sheriff’s Department.– WEAU.COM and news release from Barron County Sheriff’s Dept.

Freak accident is fatal RICE LAKE - Rice Lake’s superintendent of parks and recreation, Dale Hanson, sustained a serious injury Sept.

12 and later died when a brush cutter propelled a piece of metal in his direc-

Area Ne ws at a Glance tion, penetrating his skull. Hanson and a co-worker were working along Stein Street when the accident occurred. The co-worker was operating a brush cutter along a chain-link fence when the maintenance equipment kicked up a piece of metal that struck his fellow city employee in the head. Hanson, who had been operating a large riding lawn mower at the time, then reportedly said that he’d been hurt and headed for his vehicle before emergency personnel arrived. He was then airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire – Barron NewsShield Part of Hwy. 8 to be resurfaced LADYSMITH - Construction was scheduled to begin next week on a $1.8 million contract to make improvements to Hwy. 8 in Rusk County.

Crews from Monarch paving will resurface 21.8 miles of Hwy. 8 between East 5th Street in Ladysmith and the east county line. Built in 1947 and continued in 1961, the roadway’s last improvements were in 1997. An estimated 4,500 vehicles travel this roadway daily. Construction is scheduled through October. Hwy. 8 traffic will be under flagging operations in one-mile increments. State transportation funds will pay 100 percent of the project costs.

– Ladysmith News Smoking ban PINE CITY, Minn. - Minnesota’s indoor smoking ban begins Oct. 1, but Pine City business owners say they’re unclear of the rules because no information has been sent to them by the state.

“It’s a good thing, but they just need to communicate what’s going on,” said Jeffrey Flaherty, owner of Reddog Billy’s. Flaherty said the bill was signed into law before all questions were answered. For example, he said it’s common in the Iron Range for owners to live above their bars, and it was never

resolved whether or not the owners could smoke in their residences. Jane Leverenz, owner of Froggy’s, said the law is taking away constitutional rights in a state that usually protects rights of its citizens. “You’re not forced to enter a business,” she said. “Smoking in a bar is a freedom, and I don’t like them taking away constitutional rights. When is it going to end?” Leverenz said she always tries to follow the state’s requests, but she just doesn’t agree with this one. She recently purchased an advanced smoking removal system that will now go to waste. Others like Sheri Peil, owner of CG’s in Beroun, aren’t sure if their businesses will survive. “I would like to write to the state of Minnesota and ask them who’s going to support me,” she said. “They are taking my job away from me, and I’m self-supporting.” Peil said she thinks people will eventually be OK with the ban, but she wonders how long she’ll be able to hold on if her business slows down.

“Beer and cigarettes have gone together for 500 years,” she said. “That’s what bars are.” - Pine City Pioneer Fatality on Main Street RICE LAKE - A van driver who sideswiped three cars, hit a curb at high speed and was ejected just before the van hit a building on Rice Lake’s Main Street on Sunday, Sept. 16, was killed. At least eight other people escaped injury.

Jeffery T. Price, 35, Rice Lake, was pronounced dead near the scene of the final crash on the 800 block of South Main Street. Rice Lake Police Department Chief John Sommerfeld said there is a strong possibility that Price had been drinking. Sommerfeld said blood samples were sent to the state crime lab in Madison. “Speed was definitely a factor,” Sommerfeld added. Price was driving in excess of 70 mph in the 30-mph zone. All others in the three crashes involving a total of eight people were

not injured. “It could have been much worse,” said Sommerfeld. Because it was Sunday, motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic wasn’t as heavy as it is on other days. No one was in the front office of the Knudson Insurance Agency building when the van Price was driving crashed into the office. In all three motor vehicle crashes, Price was driving north in the inside lane of South Main Street. The vehicles struck by the 1992 Dodge van Price was driving were also going north in the curb lane of South Main Street. The first crash occurred at 4:20 p.m. Price was driving north when he sideswiped a 1999 Dodge Intrepid driven by Nancy L. Hansen, 59, of Turtle Lake. Three minutes later near Schneider Street, the van sideswiped a 1999 Mercury Mystique driven by Springer I. Paulson, 29, of Birchwood.

And two minutes later, just south of Bracklin Street, the van that Price was driving sideswiped a 1993 Pontiac Bonneville driven by Robert E. Sanderson, 29, Rice Lake. Sanderson’s Pontiac veered into the southbound lanes of Main Street and came to a rest at an angle across both lanes. There was no oncoming traffic at the time. Price continued north when the van again veered right and into the curb at high speed. Price, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle. The van then collided with the Knudson Insurance Agency building at 803 S. Main St., ending up inside the front office. Paulson’s passengers, Cathleen L. Urmanski, 57, of Weyerhaeuser, David E. Paulson, 12, and Joseph S. Paulson, 10, also of Birchwood, were not injured in the crash. Sanderson’s passenger, Tyler J. Sanderson, 4, Rice Lake, was not injured. All vehicles hit by the van Price was driving sustained minor damage except Sanderson’s vehicle, which was severely damaged. The van Price was driving was totaled.- Rice Lake Chronotype

The views on these pages do not necessarily reflect the views of the board members of the Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association

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SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 9

F O R U M f r o m

H e r e

End of story Hindsight of rural Centuria, the P aul only reader who writes me with

any regularity, had this to say about last week’s column on gun violence: “You can’t just rail against a problem without some kind of solution, dear fellow. I didn’t see any specifics - just a lot of blather about children and the future.

My wife carries one of those tiny little Nancy Reagan designer handguns in her purse when she travels to the Cities.

Got a problem with that?”

You want specifics, I’ve got specifics.

You hear a lot about “enforcing existing laws,” but that wasn’t enough in the case of the Virginia Tech shooter who obtained his weapons through legal means.

The three-day waiting period isn’t sufficient time to sift through the maze of a person’s criminal and/or psychiatric background. Gun-show loopholes allow unmonitored, unregulated sales between so-called “private parties” who are really public entities. And, of course, any private individual can sell weapons to any other private individual with no regulation whatsoever. You can’t even do that with a four-wheeler.

It’s a battle between special interests and the public interest, individual rights versus the rights of society as a whole. I think we’re way out of balance as a culture on this one.

‘human interest’ stories.

Frankly, I’m not all that interested in humans a lot of the Susan Polk of St. Croix Falls time. I’d rather be milking my was confused about the On cow or cleaning out the chickthe Road column, written en coop. But this one made me partly to commemorate the think. Some folks really do 50th anniversary of the publigive a you-know-what about cation of the Jack Kerouac other folks. Makes an old fart book of the same name. “Who like me sit up and take notice. or what is this Red Rose anyHer story brought a tear to the way? Did you really take a wife’s eye, I might add.”

Steve riding lawn mower into Brought a tear to mine as downtown St. Paul? I saw Pearson well.

Kind of gives you faith that in a movie once - some in the human race, eh? old guy rode a John Deere like your wife is a speSounds mower across Iowa to make woman as well. cial some kind of point, though I can’t And finally this touching update from remember what it was. I think they took Matt Kramden, he of the formerly itinerthe poor guy’s driver’s license away ant life: “Hey, View from Here Guy, and the lawn tractor was all he had left.

Matt Kramden here. Just wanted to You didn’t lose your license, did you?” update your readers on my lovequest.

No, maybe just my sanity for a couple your last couple columns and judgSaw days. Actually, Rosie and I had a fine from them, you seem to be plumb ing time together in the Big City, and we’ve of ideas.

Thought you might appreout set our sights on bigger things, maybe a ciate a helping hand.

But enough about cross-country tour in the summer of you.

Let’s talk about me.

2008. This was really just a test run to “The good news is I met a gal, got to see what was possible. Turns out you know her and proposed marriage all in can go most anywhere on a 49cc scooter the space of a week. Seems she had if you’re not in a hurry and not afraid to read my appeal in your column, so she humble yourself. took a chance and wrote to my P.O. box Martin Dearsdorf, the northernmost your paper.

We set us up a fishing at year-round resident in Burnett County, at the public dock on Butternut date had this comment on the profile of Jeri is, as they say, history.

Lake and the rest Pearson, the woman of the Committed Or herstory.

So here’s the part where I Life: “Don’t usually go in for those thank you. Guess you getting the word

out about me finally paid off.

“So let me tell you about my gal. Her Christian name is Katie Haney but she goes by Kitty. Anyhow, I call her Miss Kitty. You know, like in Gunsmoke.

That’s because she can be tough when she needs to, but she’s every inch a woman if you know what I mean.

“OK, I’ll admit it was a shocker for her when I popped the question after just five days of knowing me. First she said ‘I doubt it,’ then ‘I’ll think about it,’ then ‘Maybe’ - I knew I was gettin’ close here - and finally, ‘Ah, what the heck.’ I took that for a yes, and the next thing you know, we were setting the date.

So there it is. We’ll be spending summers in my little cabin in the woods, somewhere in Sterling Township, and winters in my ice shack. You notice I didn’t mention my home away from home. That’s because my traveling days are over for now, and the home away from home is up on stilts waiting for another day.

“Like I said, you can go ahead and use this for your column. Don’t take offense, but you could use the help.

And thanks again for your part in bringing my angel to me.”

Sometimes a story comes along that makes all those late-nights trying to squeeze a column out by the deadline all seem worth it. My best to you, Kramden and Miss Kitty.

Fo l l o w t h e L e a d e r.

Letters t o t h e e d i t o r Hraychuck s votes Wisconsin State Rep. Ann Hraychuck introduced Assembly Bill 379 to increase sales tax from 5.5 percent to 6 percent in the city of St. Croix Falls.

She also voted against Assembly Bill 507 which would limit property tax levy increases. Apparently she favors higher taxes.

Remember how she voted when you get your December 2007 property tax bill and also when you vote.

Assembly Bills can be read at http://www.legis.state.wi.us.

Dennis Radcliff Osceola

Government grows

As Mark Pettis asked in a previous letter to the editor, look at our elected officials and see if they want to grow government or our paychecks. On Sept.

18 of this year, (just last week), the Wisconsin Assembly voted to limit what local governments can spend or what they can raise property taxes (AB507).

Every Democrat in the Assembly (except two) voted to let spending or property taxes to increase, and every Republican voted to limit spending or property taxes increases.

The only two Democrats voting with the Republicans were Rep. Gronemus and Rep. Ziegelbauer. Now you know what you need to know about our representative.

Government grows.

Paychecks shrink.

Regards, R J Hartung Dresser

Slogans

In last week’s Leader we read the Polk County Strategic Planning Commission is going to vote on the buzzwords to describe county efforts.

Vision statement: “Improve the quality of life for all who live, work and play in Polk County.” Mission statement: “The mission of Polk County Government is to serve and represent with integrity.”

Polk County Slogan is: “Polk County – Gift of the Glaciers.”

Mrs. Clara Sorenson, my seventhgrade teacher in Cushing, required us to illustrate the then Polk County slogan “Not on the top but climbing!” My picture was an outline map of Wisconsin with a stick figure in the shape of Polk County climbing up over the nose of the Indianhead region on the map. I think I would illustrate “Gift of the Glaciers” with a farmer and his endless job of picking rocks in the field and the nearby huge rock pile.

If the county board continues in its current direction of dumping Golden Age Manor, then the vision statement should read: “Improve the quality of life for all, except older people…”

Most encounters we have with the county are the piles of paperwork needed to do something on our property or the relentless collection of our money for fees and taxes. I wish “efficiency” was somewhere in these statements.

Russ Hanson Cushing

Great experience

We may not have the full correct name, but we wanted to let you and everyone else in Siren know how much we appreciated the help we received from this business.

We were on an extended motorcycle

trip and had a maintenance issue with one of our Harley-Davidson motorcycles. We were in a bind as there were no Harley dealers nearby. We thought we’d take a chance and asked Lee’s Sport and Saw, if they could help us.

Well, they were so accommodating it was unbelievable. Although they were not able to make the actual repair, they offered my husband the necessary tools and assisted him in removing the exhaust system. They then drove him to a gentlemen who did custom exhaust work and that man brazed the hole in the exhaust system. We were able to get back on the road.

We were very impressed and thankful that there are such helpful people left in the world.

We were so happy with the area in general, that we decided to travel back through Siren on our way home. This time we spent the night at the Pine Wood Motel. What a great experience that was. Dave and Mick treated us like family and actually had us join their mini family reunion.

We definitely look forward to visiting Siren again in the very near future.

Jerry and Donna Curiak Johannesburg, Mich.

ATV use of Gandy

I encourage the Burnett County Park, Recreation and Tourism Committee to continue to support the use of the Gandy Dancer Trail as it is intended.

The articles, “Risk of noncompliance by allowing ATVs worth it” (Aug. 15,) and “Koch produces federal support for ATV use on Gandy” (Sept. 19, 2007) demonstrates a movement to a change that violates the purpose of the trail.

The pressure to redefine its purpose in order to increase business interests suggests a value choice that opposes

why the trail was created. I am relatively new to this area and perceive this to be a conflict of values. Personally, I do enjoy the peace, slow pace, quiet beauty, and even the solitude of the Gandy Dancer Trail. I realize that “solitude” means being alone on the trail much of the time, and that may appear to be a waste of a valuable community resource. However, the original designers and supporters did recognize and honor those values, thus preserving them for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

I recall meeting a young family with two children who were on bicycles one day. They were stopped to enjoy and appreciate a family of ducks in Round Lake. The quiet beauty and learning of that moment cannot be measured in dollars and cents. One only has to venture a short distance on the trail north of Danbury to experience the contrasting effect of ATVs! I support the committee and county board to keep the trail as it is.

Arnold R. Enslin Danbury

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, poetry or personal attacks.

PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Giant tomato plant

Ruth Johnson of Siren submitted this photo of her daughter, Georgette Sears, standing next to a tomato plant that is over 12 feet tall, with another one approaching that height. “I have never seen anything like it in my life,” Ruth noted. “My daughter has done nothing special to this plant, just watered it. It is a Cherry 100 plant.” Photo submitted

Harvest breakfast Saturday RURAL LUCK - Anathoth Community Farm is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a harvest breakfast Saturday Sept. 29, from 8 a.m. to noon. The menu includes pancakes and maple syrup, eggs with garden vegetables, roasted potatoes, muffins and coffee or tea. Proceeds from the breakfast will go to the new educational building. Tours of the farm will be available during the morning, which will include The Good Luck Farm Garden, solar homes, straw bale construction, and an 1892 restored Finnish log home.

Each building showcases many cost-effective renewable and energy-saving features.

Anathoth Community Farm began in 1987, as a center for nonviolence, sustainable living and community. Nukewatch moved to the community in 1996 and The Good Luck Farm Community Supported Agriculture Garden began in 2006. The public is welcome to share a hearty, locally grown breakfast, and join the conversation about the future of energy. For more information call 4728721. - submitted

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SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 11

Grantsburg homecoming this week

Grantsburg High School Homecoming King Charlie Falk and Queen Maarja Anderson (center with crowns) greeted the crowd with attendants from their court. The Pirates host Unity this Friday at 7 p.m. for their homecoming game. There will be a homecoming parade at 2:45 p.m., beginning at Memory Lake, a soup and sandwich supper at the middle school from 5 to 7 p.m. and a dance from 9 p.m. to midnight. There will also be a halftime band show and a spirit cup presentation. - Photos by Carl Heidel

Tuesday evening’s events closed with the traditional homecoming bonfire.

Great outfits at the volleyball game.

Unity’s 50th anniversary

Unity Schools celebrated it’s 50th anniversary last Saturday, and during halftime, alumni gathered onto the field. Here the classes of 1977-1986 waved to the crowd after the announcement was made over the loudspeaker. - Photo by Marty Seeger

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

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Mayor vetos hunting in Simonson Woods Council accepts purchase offer

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–The city council for St. Croix Falls took no action to override the mayoral veto of hunting Simonson Woods. Mayor Brad Foss stated that he vetoed the council’s resolution from the last meeting that would have allowed hunting in the Simonson Woods property as part of the deer management controlled deer hunt.

Foss explained that the city is not the owner as a

legal description at this time and for legality purposes, if someone were to get injured during the hunt on that property, the city would not be covered because technically Western Wisconsin Land Trust is the listed owner of the property.

Councilman Darrell Anderson asked when the city will have ownership, and administrator Emerson indicted late November as a target date for that to happen. Discussion was that the area could be hunted in future years, just not this year.

“I don’t know that we can skip a year of hunting,” Anderson said. “With 450 acres, you’re probably looking at a couple hundred deer in there. Can’t we put up some signage that says we are not responsible for accidents?”

Councilman Brian Blesi is on the deer management committee and says from a deer management standpoint, it won’t matter if that area is not hunted this year that much because the take from that area would only be four to six deer at the most.

The council also heard from Foss, “This is not antihunting. It is just a legal issue.”

The council did not override the veto.

In related news, the council considered a resolution to establish a management team for the Simonson Woods property. Suggestions of portions of the property becoming an environmental classroom, learning lab or an area for primitive-type camping have been discussed as possible uses for the property.

The council passed the resolution to form a management team to help determine the best uses for the property and how to manage that property. The management team will consist of members from the Western Wisconsin Land Trust, National Park Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Ice-Age Trail, University of WisconsinRiver Falls, city of St. Croix Falls, town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County Sportsperson Club, St. Croix Falls School District, and ex-officio members of interested organizations or citizens. Persons from these areas to

serve on the management team will be named later.

The resolution was to establish the team.

Dairyland purchases land The city accepted an offer from Dairyland Power Company to purchase 1.43 acres of city property adjacent to their transformer station on 220 Street (Golf Course Road) and E. Pine Street. The offer from Dairyland for the purchase of property for $62,500 was approved by the council. The discussion by the council earlier in the meeting during the library resolution [see separate story] was that the money be used for the library and another suggested use for the money was to help with planning costs of Hwy. 8 for the joint town and city committee.

•The council heard an update on the status of Well 11 near Strauss Knitting Mills. When online, this well will produce 115 gallons per minute. The council voted to authorize Cedar Corp. to get necessary paperwork to the DNR for getting the well online as the work on the well continues to progress. The well is expected to be online in October.

•The council voted to amend a portion of the sign ordinance to allow internally lit signs in the downtown. A request was made by Red Brick Grill for an internally lit exterior sign, but the city’s sign ordinance prohibited those signs. This prompted a discussion by the plan commission last week in which the commission voted to amend the sign ordinance to allow for those types of signs and removed them from the prohibited sign list in the city ordinance. The council passed the recommendation of the plan commission, and they are now allowed.

•The council increased the municipal court warrant fees from $20 to $28. The state receives $5 of every fee collected.

TF Rotary student of the month

ST. CROIX FALLS/TAYLORS FALLS – With the beginning of the fall term at Osceola and St Croix Falls High Schools, The St. Croix Falls/Taylors Falls Rotary Club has resumed the recognition of outstanding students and faculty.

The St. Croix Falls Student is Kelsey DouglassWhite, daughter of Denise and Tom DouglassWhite. Academic and athletic letterer, she has also received the Girl Scouts silver award, and the character student of the month award for consistency and persistence.

Douglass-White chose to recognize Scott Petznick as Outstanding Faculty. He teaches at the St. Croix Falls Elementary and coaches. A leader at his

church, he enjoys playing and singing with his family music group.

Erica Neumann was recognized as the September Outstanding Student at Osceola High School. Also a National Honor Society Member, she is active in Future Educators of America, Spanish Club and Destination ImagiNation. She was Miss Congeniality of the 2006-2007 royalty court. Her parents are Jolaine and David Neumann.

Sara Kreibich was Neumann’s choice for Outstanding Teacher. A teacher of social studies at Osceola High School, she enjoys time spent with her family. She is currently working on a master’s degree in American history. - submitted

Your News on the Web: www.the-leader.net

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 13

Siren Antiques invites public to new store, Oct. 6 SIREN - You may have seen the painting being done, the inventory being moved, or the new sign being put up for the opening of the brand-new store, Siren Antiques Collectibles & Gifts LLC. Siren Antiques is located in the former Siren Now & Then Antiques building just north of Siren near the Dollar Store on Hwys. 35 & 70. This antique mall has space for over 20 antique dealers. The antique mall will be filled with a wide variety of antiques and collectibles. This variety will include antique and vintage kitchenware, furniture, railroad items, vintage airline collectibles, toys, old tools and many more items.

By having many dealers, the owners will have something for everyone.

Siren Antiques is located in the former “Siren Now & Then Antiques” buildAnyone interested in renting a dealer space or cabinet can contact Jilene at: ing just north of Siren near the Dollar Store on Hwys. 35 and 70. – Photo submitted 715-227-6845.

Hospice raffle begins

Kathy Hansen, public relations director for Regional Hospice-Spooner and Grantsburg, chose Saturday, Sept. 22, Siren Area Chamber of Commerce’s Harvestfest celebration, to introduce the Regional Hospice raffle prizes, starting with a four-wheeler as the grand prize. The drawing for the prizes will be done during the group’s annual dinner April 26, 2008.

“There are really great prizes,” Hansen said, adding that the group will be selling 5,500 tickets before the 2008 dinner. – Photo by Nancy Jappe

Speaking historically, we look to a “Don’t Quote Me, But…” column of March 27, 1963, that referred to people and institutions that call up memories for many of us: “Like father, like son,” could be a slogan of St. Croix Falls business and professional people, judging from the number of young men who are following in their fathers’ footsteps. A person returning to St. Croix Falls Main Street after, say, a 30-year absence, might think – from the names on the buildings – that his old friends were still hard at work at their businesses until he stepped inside and found “chips off the old blocks.”

Probably the best-known of the family businesses in St. Croix Falls is Thompson’s Super Market, run by “Young Jim” since his dad’s retirement a year ago. Thompson’s is actually a four-generation enterprise here — it was started in 1866 by T.H. Thompson, taken over by his son, George H. in the 1890s, and then by his son, James M. in ’39. (Jim I and Jim II were known as Big Jim and Little Jim until Little Jim got bigger than his dad.) “So now they call us Young Jim and Old Jim,” the senior Jim Thompson explains.

Then, of course, there’s Clayton’s Hardware, also a family business for three generations. Ben Clayton moved the store to St. Croix Falls from Taylors Falls in 1899. At his retirement, it passed on to Howard Clayton and his sister, Miss Dora Clayton. Several years ago, Howard’s son, John, took it over.

The First National Bank was established in 1919 by Alvin Robertson, whose son-in-law, D.I. Cobb, succeed-

ed him as president of the corporation. A couple of months ago, John Cobb was elected to his late father’s position, making him the third generation of his family in Rosemarie the bank.

Vezina Dr. Fred Riegel Braatz is the second generation of his family to practice medicine in St. Croix Falls. He came here in 1948 after his service with the U.S . Navy.

His father, Dr. Jake Riegel, is now semiretired, having practiced here since shortly after World War I. In H.D. Blanding’s law office, Durand Blanding is carrying on the family tradition in the practice of law.

Judge H.D. Blanding died in 1948, and Durand took up the practice of law in St. Croix Falls in 1956, after his graduation from law school.

The Standard-Press was sold to Howard and Jack Vezina in 1956 by their father, W. R. Vezina, who was editor and publisher since 1928.

Looking down Main Street, there’s Mueller’s Jewelry Store started in 1914

by Emil Mueller, in Centuria. He moved to St. Croix Falls in ’33, and his son, Burdette, took over the business about five years ago.

Pratt’s Men’s and Boy’s Wear is a second generation store, owned and operated now by Gene Pratt. His father, Fred, started the business here in 1912,

A ST. CROIX TALE

This new family business is owned by Jilene Perreten (formerly Jilene Highstrom of Siren), Chuck Toenges and Lance Ramsdell of Siren.

In a time when antique sales are growing nationally and baby boomers are searching for collectibles, furniture, and other keepsakes from their past, this will be a good business to attract people to the area.

The antique mall will be opening Oct. 6. The fall and winter hours are: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In April, the antique mall will be open six days a week.

The owners invite you to stop by Oct. 6 for free coffee and snacks! – from Siren Antiques

Quilt raffle prize shown Anke Olesen held the thirdplace raffle prize that will be offered at the Mixed Sampler Quilt Guild annual show Oct. 6 and 7 at Siren High School. first-place The item, a quilt, is on display at Bremer Bank, Siren, until close to show time. The secondplace quilt will be at the North Wind Arts Center. The raffle items this year are made from 1930s-reproduction fabrics, according to Olesen. – Photo by Nancy Jappe

and Gene succeeded him seven years ago.

The Auditorium Theatre also is a family operation. R.O. Pepper moved the Bide-A-Wee theatre from its original location in the present Oddfellows Hall into the Auditorium building just after World War I. His son, Ken Pepper, took over the theatre after World War II. A father-to-sons business, Tangen’s Drug Store, was established by Martin Tangen in St. Croix Falls in 1933. He had been operating a drug store in Taylors Falls since 1901. His sons, Lu and Bud took over the business in about 1940.

Katz Produce, now run by Leo, was started in about 1921 by Sam Katz. His sons, Marshall and Leo, took over in about 1937, and then Leo continued the business himself since 1955.

Another of the oldest businesses in the county is Baker Land & Title Co., in which Harry Baker follows in his father’s footsteps. Major J.S. Baker came here in 1874 as an agent for the Cushing Land Company. In 1893, his son, Harry, joined him, and five years later, Harry took over the business. At the age of 88, H.D. Baker has carried on the business for 69 years!

Olcott Lumber Company is a family corporation, of which Guy Olcott is president. The company was started in St. Croix Falls in about 1924, by Guy’s father, Frank L. Olcott. Frank had previously established lumberyards in 1900 in Turtle Lake, Clear Lake and Almena. and the yards at Turtle Lake and Almena are also still operating.

Guy came into the business in 1935, two years after his father’s death.

Warren Beyl’s Snow Land Dairy was previously the Springdale Dairy, started by his father, Ernest, 30 years ago.

Warren became associated with his father 19 years ago, and in 1950, they became distributors for the Snow Land Corporation, continuing to work together until Ernest Beyl’s death in 1957.

Edling’s Funeral Home is a third generation business, with a home here and in Luck. Nels Edling established it in 1902, and his sons, Roy and Irvin, joined it in ’28 and ’32, respectively.

Roy Edling died in 1954, and his son John (who started in 1957) and brother, Irvin, now run the business.

St. Croix Plumbing, Heating and Electric Co. was started in ’54 by Ben Yunker, who moved the business here from Dresser. Ben has been joined in the business by sons Bruce and Don. Bruce became associated with his dad in the plumbing and heating end of it about six years ago, and Don bought out the electrical contracting part of the business about five years ago, operating out of his shop.

Bert Fox is another St. Croix Falls father who has been joined by his sons – though all three of them now work independently, in the general construction business. Bert started here in 1928, and is now semi-retired, working some of the time with Dale, some of the time with Gordon.

It seems like quite an imposing list of family operations for a town the size of this one. It shows, we think, that this is one home town the “boys” don’t want to leave. – Sponsored by the St. Croix Falls Historical Society

PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

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Milltown Class of 1951

The Class of 1951 met for a reunion. Those attending were back row (L to R): Stanley Berg, Allan DeWolf, Douglas Voss, Annette Schultz (Johnson), Floyd Novack, Alice Dau (Coen), Gloria Dwire (Nielsen), Gladys Trantow (Nelson) and Darlene Ekstrand (Hopkins). Front row: Charles Turner, Dale Larson, Sylvia Jensen (Mortensen), Cleland Cook, Maxine Hedberg (Blomgren), Jean Tracy (Tendrup), Loretta Larsen (Hutton), Peggy Bengtson (Elliot), Eleanor Mommsen (Nelson) and Arlene Olson (Trantow). – Photo submitted

United Ways of Amery and Polk County join forces POLK COUNTY – The United Ways of Amery and Polk County are pleased to announce the merger of their organizations, effective in September 2007. The combined organizations, known as United Way of Polk County, will conduct a single fundraising campaign this fall to support its 2008 operations.

“We are thrilled to be expanding throughout the county through this merger,” remarks Dan Draxler, board president of the Amery United Fund. “The new organization will be led by volunteers from all areas of Polk County, enabling us to provide more support to a

wider variety of health and human service agencies in our region.”

The Amery United Fund, also called the Amery United Way, has been in existence for over 25 years, and has provided support for more than 40 organizations in the Amery area.

“This merger allows us to launch initiatives and make decisions with all of Polk County’s residents in mind,” continues Steve Snell, board president of the United Way of Polk County. “This merger will also cre-

ate new efficiencies - through a single fundraising campaign and a unified fund distribution process.

The United Way of Polk County was originally formed as the Dresser United Way nearly 18 years ago.

It had supported many of the same organizations as the Amery United Fund, with a stronger regional focus on the Osceola-Dresser area, until recently. In 2000, the Dresser United Way changed its name to the United Way of Polk County and began a more countywide focus.

The United Way of Polk County is just one of 1,300 United Way member organizations across the U.S. These organizations raise money and distribute funds within their communities, customizing their strategies and operations to meet their unique regional needs.

Membership in the United Way system provides them with industry-leading tools for management and accountability.

At this time, the newly merged organization is based in Centuria. Fall campaign activities have already begun and will continue through the fall.

Polk County residents wishing to learn more about their local United Way should visit www.unitedwaypolkcounty.org or call 715-553-0707. - submitted

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 15

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Structure change approved by Burnett County Board

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – The Burnett County Board of Supervisors will have a new organizational structure come November.

Approval of that structure was made during the board’s meeting Thursday, Sept. 20. On recommendation of the personnel committee, the number of board committees will be reduced from 13 to six, with seven supervisors serving on each committees. The new committees are: Administration, community services programs, public safety, land use/zoning, infrastructure and natural resources.

“The county board will be better positioned to focus on policy driven decision making that anticipates and prepares for future challenges. (They) will increase their effectiveness and efficiency by combining committees and increasing the number of supervisors that serve on each committee,” the resolution for approval stated.

Public comment The Sept. 20 board meeting started with a public comment from Judith Poe, Danbury.

“I am anti ATV. I don’t want to see expanded use of ATVs in the county,” Poe said.

She mentioned that there are already at least 55 miles of federally funded ATV trails in Burnett County.

“Many of us who live in Burnett County are silent sports advocates,” Judith Poe, Poe said. We are not organized and represented by a lobbyist, but I believe we should be heard.

ATV use on the Gandy Dancer (Trail) will ruin the limestone trail and make it dangerous to those of us who enjoy biking and walking. It is the only trail in Burnett County dedicated to silent sport use. The only place you can bike or walk without encountering vehicles …

Please leave the Gandy Dancer to the bicyclists and hikers as it was intended.”

Chris Sybers, co-chair of the board’s parks/recreation/tourism committee, explained that any change in ATV use on the Gandy Dancer Trail has to be made on the federal level before anything else can be done. “Our committee discussed what needs to be done. That is it!” he said, adding that no decisions have been made.

Sen. Harsdorf visit Sen. Sheila Harsdorf came to the board meeting to talk about the problem of getting the state budget passed.

“There’s a billion dollars difference (on) the budget. We need both sides to come together,” she said, adding, “That’s where we had a stumbling block.”

According to Harsdorf, the Assembly passed the school-aid portion of the budget as well as continuation of the current property-tax freeze. “That was done because we know you need to know what you are getting to put your budget together,” she commented.

“The school will get an increase if the Department of Public Instruction doesn’t know by Sept. 28.

“What is holding the budget up for

Chris Sybers (L), co-chair of the Burnett County Parks/Recreation/Tourism Committee, answered a comment from Judith Poe, shown here with Bruce Pack, during the Sept. 20 meeting of the Burnett County Board of Supervisors. “We discussed what needs to be done. That is it!” Sybers said, referring to ATV use on the Gandy Dancer Trail.

Charles “Scotty” Scott, president of the Central Burnett County Fair Board, is shown with the plaque he received on behalf of the fair from Sen. Sheila Harsdorf. The 90th year of the fair was celebrated this year in July.

A proposed restructuring of the committees for Burnett County. the Senate is the government-run health-care proposal,” she went on. She told the board that the Senate Democrats are unwilling to back down on that proposal, and that the lawmakers have got to understand its implications. “There has got to be a compromise. There has got to be movement,” the senator commented.

She commended the county for its efforts in combating methamphetamine use and implementing drug court. She urged watching sale of scrap metal because people are doing this to get money for drugs.

County administrator Candace Fitzgerald asked about getting an exception to the county tax levy for its payments to libraries and for county bridges. “That would help us tremendously,” Fitzgerald said, and talked about challenges facing the county as it prepares its 2008 budget.

“The Assembly is facing the same challenges,” Sen. Harsdorf said, mentioning people who are leaving the state, not because they don’t like Wisconsin, but for financial reasons.

“Tight budgets make us all work harder to do our job more efficiently. Asking what is priority is the first thing to do in making things go more efficiently. We want to have quality services, but it does take prioritizing.”

“What will it take to raise money?”

Mary Falk asked. “We were efficient

before the tax freeze. The county is growing at a rapid rate. How can we keep money here? We are a passthrough county. If we could do something … We are really suffering … I don’t know how much more we can squeeze.”

Sen. Harsdorf said she would give consideration to Falk’s concern and get back to her.

Go-ahead for comprehensive planning given Three actions were taken at this meeting in regard to comprehensive planning. The first was for board chairman Larry Main to appoint a comprehensive planning committee. Members of that committee will be: Gary Lundberg, Don Chell, Wayne Burmeister, Maury Miller, Norm Bickford, Mary Falk and Brent Blomberg.

The second action was to approve a resolution allowing application for a grant for the development of a comprehensive plan from the Wisconsin Department of Administration. That grant, if received, would include Burnett County matching funds.

The third action was to approve a public participation plan which would include open discussion, communication programs, information services and public meetings during the preparation of the comprehensive plan.

Five townships have so far passed

LEFT: Sen. Sheila Harsdorf visited the Burnett County Board meeting Thursday, Sept. 20. Sen. Harsdorf talked about the state budget, which has not yet been approved, and the action by the Assembly in passing the school-aid portion of the budget as well as continuation of the current property-tax freeze. – Photos by Nancy Jappe

resolutions to join with the grant.

Under the grant, the county would get $30,000. Each township or village would qualify for $12,000, and they would pay $5,000 to take part.

Townships must submit their request for inclusion by Oct. 1. The grant application must be submitted by Nov. 1.

Phil Lindeman encouraged board members to talk to people in the townships, encouraging them to take part in the process.

Actions taken by the board Approved by the board at the Sept. 20 meeting were resolutions to: Authorize the issuance of a tax deed. Approve the creation of a family care development council, withholding appointments to that council until next month. Approve a lawn fertilizer phosphorus ban.

Under the update of the airport lawsuit, the board was told that the only question the judge has yet to rule on is whether the negotiations were held in good faith. The judge has already voted in favor of the county in allowing the contract to be changed, and that the property committee can negotiate for the county.

Guidelines and ground rules will be put in place before mediation on the lawsuit begins in October.

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New highway building proposed

Recycling center to stay on Hwy. 8 for now

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – Some thought that the county had struck it rich and solved a problem in the process.

The recycling center on Hwy.. 8 is sitting on a corner across from the new Menards. The land must be worth a fortune. The county highway shop had serious problems. Polk County could sell the property and get enough cash to build a new public works campus that would include a new highway building sharing space with a modern recycling center.

In addition, the fairgrounds property in St. Croix Falls might be valuable development land. Maybe the county could move the fair to the new campus and expand the use of the land for yearround use. The county hired a firm to look at needs and options.

The results of the public works and campus study are in and the county is looking at a much less grand plan. The fairgrounds will stay in St. Croix Falls.

The recycling center will stay on Hwy. 8.

And the county may limit its plans to build a new highway department facility. The public works steering committee met Monday to look at the study results and will bring a recommendation to the county board in October.

The study, done by SEH and Gundlach Champion, two engineering firms, presented some interesting information.

First, the land where the recycling center is located is too small, at eight acres, to sell on its own to a developer. It should be worth much more in three to five years when utilities are extended to the area and if the land is sold as a package with the neighboring 19 acres. In addition, the recycling center is doing very well at its present location, generating a large amount of business serving

vacation people and residents heading for the retail stores in the area.

Second, the fairground has a good working relationship with the city of St. Croix Falls and neither the fair board nor the city was pushing for a move.

Both bodies are looking at ways to expand the use of the fairground property.

That left the highway department facility as the issue on the table. (See story below).

The steering committee will recommend that Polk County should build a

new highway department shop on 40 acres of land at a site to be determined.

The property should combine all the buildings now located at two sites in Balsam Lake. The land would have enough space for a future recycling center. The project could cost $10 million, including revenue from the sale of the existing property.

If the county board approves the recommendation, construction could start next spring.

Highway building has many problems

Warndahl says greatest concern is public service

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – “Service to the public is our greatest concern,” Polk County Highway Commissioner Steve Warndahl told the Leader.

“When a storm comes, we want our trucks on the road as soon as possible.

Our present building causes a delay of up to half an hour or more for each truck. Public service and public safety is our first concern.”

Polk County trucks are now housed in an unheated, narrow shop. Plows must be taken off the trucks before they are parked. When a winter storm

comes, each driver must start his cold truck, back it out of the shed, attach his plow blade, and load his salt/sand before heading out on the road. This job is often done in the dark. The time lost is a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes and often more.

While the time delay in getting the trucks out on the highways is a main concern, there are other factors. The Polk County trucks do not thaw out during the winter. Ice and salt build up under the $120,000 trucks causing them to rust out. It is estimated that the county loses from $5,000 to $10,000 per truck on trade-in.

The cold storage shed is not the only problem. The 1930s-era building is not handicap accessible for employees. A ceiling in one work area is failing and is braced by 2 X 4s. The maintenance area

is too small to service the county vehicles. The electrical system is outdated.

There are exhaust problems in the shed.

And some of the foundations are crumbling.

The facility study found that the present four-acre site that houses the highway buildings (the material storage yard across the highway is an additional eight acres) is too small to use as a site for the new building.

A new highway shop would have inside, heated space for the plow trucks with the plows attached. The trucks could get on the highways immediately when a storm comes. The highway department would be able to provide maintenance service for all the county vehicles.

The county board will be asked to approve the new project in October.

Luck school levy to rise Increased property value, enrollment drop, less state aid

by Gregg Westigard LUCK – The Legislature and governor have not reached an agreement on the state budget, including levy limits and education funding amounts for the coming year.

Despite that uncertainty, the Luck School District will see a rise in the property tax levy.

District administrator Rick Palmer told the small gathering at the school district annual meeting Monday night that property values for the district are rising while enrollment is down. That combination leads to the state saying

that more money is available per student under the school aid formula and a drop in state aid.

Palmer said the budgeting process has been difficult. The district has worked hard to maintain programs, he said, and no programs are being cut. But the district is looking at a possible drop in state aid of about $244,000. District program expenses may be down about $92,000 but when all the numbers are put together, the property tax levy may rise about $252,000. In addition, the district’s fund balance or reserve fund may be reduced by $60,000.

The district will continue to make budget adjustments until late October when the final budget must be submitted to the state.

The working budget presented Monday night shows total revenues of

$5,750,133 for the 2007-08 fiscal year which started July 1. That number includes the increased levy. Expenses are projected to be $5,810,212, with the shortfall of $60,079 coming from the fund balance.

Despite increasing costs, the total budgeted district expenses are down $92,000 as of now. The district has cut the staff by one position by not replacing a retiree. Staff salaries will rise 3.8 percent under the current contracts and health insurance cost is up 8 percent, according to Palmer.

The budget was figured using an enrollment figure of 555 students, down nine from last year. However, a preliminary actual count puts the enrollment at 540 students.

The district has about 85 employees, some of whom are part time. That

includes a teaching staff for grades 7-12 of 23 and a staff of 16 for the K-6 program. There are an additional 11 special services teachers. The support staff includes about 30 persons including office workers, bus drivers, cooks and custodians.

There are all or part of nine municipalities in the Luck School District but 90 percent of the levy last year came from four areas. Bone Lake pays the biggest part of the levy, 27 percent.

Laketown and the village of Luck each pay 22 percent, and the town of Luck pays 18 percent of the levy.

The balance comes from small parts of the towns of Eureka, Georgetown, Johnstown, Milltown and McKinley.

Deadly bee virus hits Wisconsin y Wayne M. Anderson STATEWIDE – A deadly bee virus has infected Wisconsin.

The first documented case of Israeli acute paralysis virus was discovered in bees in an apiary in New Richmond this month. It’s cause is still unknown.

IAPV is a deadly virus that is “strongly correlated” with Colony Collapse Disorder, a finding made in a recent research article from Pennsylvania State University.

Liz Meils, Wisconsin state apiarist, said this is the first known case of IAPV in Wisconsin. She said the state is participating in a nationwide fact-finding study with Pennsylvania State University on the extent and cause of IAPV. “The survey will probably take a couple of weeks,” Meils said. A state inspector will collect samples of bees and wax and send them to the university for testing on the virus. The state’s results will be available to the public upon completion.

State officials and researchers at the University of Minnesota, who participated in the research and discovery of IAPV in Wisconsin, stress that the finding of the killer virus does not mean CCD exists here.

“Right,” said Gary Reuter, a scientist at the University of Minnesota’s department of entomology.

“Most of the (CCD) symptoms are there,” in the infected hives from New Richmond, he said. But IAPV is only “a marker” in the broader search for the cause of

Members of the Polk-Burnett Counties Bee Club discuss the first-documented appearance of Israeli acute paralysis virus in Wisconsin, and other matters, at their Thursday evening meeting in the Polk County Government Center.

CCD. At this stage, researchers are not sure if IAPV was the only cause of the destruction of the hives owned by longtime beekeeper, Harlan Vehrs. But they are certain the virus was a contributing factor.

Reuter said they will keep a sharp eye out in the spring for more occurrences of IAPV.

“If it happens in the spring, then hopefully the beekeepers will be more alert and researchers will know what to get samples of, and hopefully we get more data.”

To report or obtain more information on IAPV or CCD, call the Wisconsin state apiarist at 608-224-4572.

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Grantsburg bounces back over Cards Luck homecoming spoiled by Pirates fourth quarter comeback Grantsburg 17, Luck 9

by Marty Seeger LUCK — The Pirates have faced some of the toughest teams in the area over the past four weeks, and their fifth week wasn’t going to get any easier.

Grantsburg’s fifth challenge of the season brought them to Luck for the Cardinals homecoming game last Friday night, and both teams brawled it out until the end.

“It hasn’t been an issue of heart or how hard they battled,” said Pirates coach Keith Lehne. “I think they battled just as hard as we have every game and this week we finally made it pay off.”

On the first play of the game, Pirates running back Lukas Olson opened up a big kickoff return across midfield. But as the Pirates inched toward the 36yard line, Luck lineman Jerod Buck caused a fumble and Jeff Gackle recovered the ball for the Cardinals.

With 6:20 left in the first quarter, Devin Trantanella recovered the ball back for Grantsburg, but again, the Pirates struggled to move the chains, and continued to make the mistakes that had been hurting the team all season. In the first half the Pirates had opportunity, but penalties played a role in keeping them out of the end zone.

Lehne mentioned some of the mistakes made in the first half, including one when too many players were on the field. At one point the Pirates made a big stop on third and eight, but a facemask penalty gave Luck the first down.

The Cardinals eventually scored on a 1-yard touchdown run from Carson Giller at the start of the second quarter.

Then a 32-yard field goal by Kody Erickson gave the Cardinals a 9-0 lead going into halftime.

But then came the second half, which went different ways for both teams.

Lukas Olson had a big game on both offense and defense. He rushed for 115 yards on 12 carries and had five tackles, including a couple of big tackles on special teams. - Photos by Marty Seeger Although the third quarter didn’t produce much in the way of scoring, both teams produced solid defense.

“Hats off to Grantsburg, they didn’t quit and took advantage of our mistakes,” said Cards coach Josh Hetfeld.

In total, the Cardinals had six fumbles and lost three, but kept Grantsburg from scoring at least a touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t execute in the second half, and they did, especially on offense,” said Hetfeld. “We gave them the ball inside our 30 twice, and you just can’t do that to a well-coached, hungry team like Grantsburg.”

The Pirates drive began late in the third, and in the start of the fourth

Grantsburg made it just inside the 5yard line. The Cardinals stopped the Pirates on a fourth and goal, but a field goal might have produced the spark needed to keep Grantsburg in the game.

Zach Corbin hit a 22-yard field goal with 10:33 in the fourth quarter to make it a 9-3 game.

“I think the field goal was a big turning point, and I think we played good defense in the second half,” said Lehne.

“Overall I think we just finally came together.”

As the battle ensued late into the fourth quarter, the Cardinals remained in control. Then with 4:12 left to play Jon Wieser sacked Giller for a loss, which brought up fourth down and 15

The Cards might have suffered a tough loss in their homecoming game, but they still have a chance to break through with a strong finish this season.

for the Cardinals. On about the Cardinal 40-yard line a high snap went over the head of 6’ 9’’ senior Tyler Petersen, which gave Grantsburg a fresh start on the 25-yardline. On the next play Robert Hansen scored on a 14 yard touchdown run to tie the game with 2:27 left in the game. The extra point from Corbin gave the Pirates a 109 lead.

The Cardinals started their next drive on the 26-yard line, but were forced to turn the ball over on downs after Trantanella sacked Giller twice for losses. The Pirates then marched down the field and connected with the end zone again on an 18-yard Olson run, with 56 seconds remaining.

The Cards got one more opportunity on the next kickoff as Landon Strilzuk nearly broke loose for a touchdown across midfield, but was stopped by a Pirate defender. Luck fumbled the ball with 28 seconds remaining to help seal the victory for the Pirates.

On offense, Olson ran for 115 yards on 12 carries, and Brandon Mogel had 118-yards on 24 carries.

“Along with those two guys I thought our offensive line really played well overall,” said Lehne, who added that Wieser had a huge night on defense as well as Mitch Evanson, David Larson, Kevin Berry, Tyler Meyers and Charlie Falk, who had been facing injury during the game.

“The big picture is that we still have a chance to make the playoffs and to do some of the things we set out to do this year,” Lehne said. He added later; “To be shut out and then come back, I was real proud of the way the kids handled it.”

The Pirates face Unity in their homecoming game this Friday, and Luck travels to Webster.

Extra Points ••• MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Brewers hopes are still alive in the National League West, after beating the St. Louis Cardinals 9-1 Tuesday night. The Chicago Cubs lost to the Florida Marlins as well, which brought the Crew back to within two games. If a second-place finish is in the cards this year, Brewer fans should be proud to have been part of such an exciting year. – Marty Seeger ••• LEADER LAND – Local sports tidbits to share? Please contact TheLeader by 4 p.m. on Tuesdays to go in Extra Points! – Marty Seeger ••• 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 2007-08 and hasn’t been mentioned, send us an e-mail and we’ll take it from there. – Marty Seeger

SPORTS RESULTS DEADLINES: WEDNESDAY - MONDAY: 1 p.m. the following business day. TUESDAY: 7 a.m. on Wednesday. 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

PAGE 18 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

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Unity birthday bash ends in victory Tigers play tough, but Eagles stay on top in conference

by Marty Seeger BALSAM LAKE — It couldn’t have worked out better for Unity schools last Saturday, Sept. 22, during their 50thanniversary celebration and homecoming game.

“I’ve been seeing people I haven’t seen in years,” said Unity Athletic Director Dennis Anderson during halftime.

While there was much to do before, after and during the homecoming game, hundreds of people crowded the stands to watch the Eagles try to make it two-straight conference wins against Webster.

“We had a good turnout, the picnic was great, and everything worked out just right,” said Eagles coach Dave Anderson.

What worked right for the Eagles on Saturday, according to Anderson, were fewer mistakes.

“It was good not to have so many mistakes and penalties this week,” Anderson said.

Unity capitalized midway through the first quarter after Chad Strilzuk recovered a fumble on the 36-yard line.

Webster quarterback Chad French scoots past lineman Ridge Mosay for some extra yardage. - Photos by Marty Seeger On fourth and 10, Dustin McKinney broke loose for 20 yards, and Strilzuk scored on a 20-yard touchdown run on the next play.

Zach Quigley picked up a big gain just across midfield on the following kickoff for Webster giving the team good field position. Quigley and half-

Unity's Eric Goulet and Cory Tunheim work to keep the ball out of the hands of Webster's Brad Nutt in the first quarter. The pass was incomplete and the Eagles took over on downs. - Photos by Marty Seeger

back Tony Mensen helped the Tigers creep near the goal line and threaten to score, but the Eagles defense stepped up to keep the Tigers out of the end zone. On fourth and goal from the 6yard line, receiver Brad Nutt nearly caught a pass from Chad French in the end zone, but the Eagles held and took over on downs.

“That was a heartbreaker for us in the first quarter, and definitely I think if we scored we could have swung the momentum back in our favor,” said Webster coach Jeromie Voeltz.

Dan Pope would get the ball back again for Webster on an interception just before the end of the second quarter, but the Eagles managed to hold. So too did the Tigers when Corey Miner picked up a sack for the Tigers for a 6yard loss. But on third and 16, McKinney hauled in a 29-yard pass reception from Strilzuk for the first down. The Eagles again faced a long down late in the second quarter. Facing fourth and 26, Eric Goulet broke loose for a touchdown on a dump pass over the middle. The Eagles ended the first half with a 14-0 lead.

Webster and Unity pounded the ball on the ground in the third quarter.

Strilzuk finally punched one through with 1:48 left in the third to give the Eagles more cushion. Anderson was later impressed with the Tigers’ fight throughout the game.

“Webster was a big, physical team.

We didn’t expect them to be as physical as they were,” Anderson said.

The stands were packed for the entire game on Saturday for Unity's 50th-anniversary celebratation

Corey Tunheim came out with an interception with 8:44 left in the fourth quarter, and Goulet nearly scored on a 41-yard run to the goal line not long after, but Webster’s defense held. From the goal line, Webster marched down the field. Travis Moser made a big catch for the Tigers across midfield and Quigley eventually scored on a 17-yard touchdown run. But the points came too late for the Tigers, and despite losing their fourth-straight, coach Voeltz was happy with the team’s effort.

“I thought it was a great effort on everyone’s part. I would also say this was our offensive line’s best game as well. They opened up some holes for our runners and gave Chad French some time to throw. Despite the loss, I was very happy with each one of our players and the job they did against Unity,” Voeltz said.

On defense, Quigley led the Tigers with nine unassisted tackles and Pope had seven. Moser picked up four tackles and Corey Miner, Adam Eichman and Nick Kriegel had three tackles apiece.

On offense, Quigley picked up 101 yards on 15 carries, and French completed 15 passes for 122 yards.

Strilzuk led the Eagles with 142 yards rushing on 22 attempts with two touchdowns. Goulet ran for 58 yards on eight carries, and McKinney rushed for 33 yards on five carries. On defense, Strilzuk led in tackles with nine, and 10 assists. McKinney six assists and Goulet, Corey Tunheim, Lance Peper, Ridge Mosay, Sam Florer and Jared Peper had four assisted tackles on the day.

Unity will take on the Pirates in Grantsburg’s homecoming game this Friday evening.

“I suspect that we’re going to have our hands full with Grantsburg, its going to be a pretty good game,” said Anderson. From here on out the Eagles will have a tough schedule, but the Eagles will be ready with each game.

“We have a great morale this year.

Eleven seniors that are really leading us well and they’re having fun playing football, and that’s what its all about,” Anderson said.

Webster coach Jeromie Voeltz said that Zach Quigley had one of his best games as a Tiger against Unity. Quigley had 101 yards on 15 carries and five tackles on defense.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 19

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Vikings buzz Evergreens to stay undefeated Ben Anderson runs for 248 yards Frederic 48, Northwood 6

by Gary King FREDERIC — Led by outstanding individual performances on offense and defense, the Frederic Vikings chalked up their fifth -straight victory of the season Friday at home, buzzing the Northwood Evergreens in a lopsided contest, 48-6.

The Vikings will defend their unblemished record this Friday at Flambeau.

Against the last Evergreens Friday, the Vikings dominated the game with the blocking of their offensive line, Ben Anderson which helped senior running back Ben Anderson rack up an unprecedented 248 yards on the night – and on the steady arm of quarterback David Harlander who completed 10 of his 11 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

Overall, the Vikings made up 329 yards rushing, while holding the Evergreens to 186 yards, including a goal-line stand in which they held them on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line.

Fans may not have noticed the slow

Zach Anderson hauls in a pass in the Vikes game against the Evergreens last Friday night. Anderson had three grabs for 46 yards. - Photo by Gary King start for Frederic, but someone did.

“I didn’t feel we played well in the first quarter,” said Viking Coach Ken Belanger. “But then we came alive and basically stopped everything they did.”

Belanger gave credit to both his offense and defense, highlighting Anderson on offense and Nolan

Neumann who spearheaded the defense with six solo tackles and three assists.

Anderson, he said, had a great game, but not just because of the number of yards he gained.

“That’s the best he’s (Ben) run in terms of seeing and making cuts,”

Belanger noted. “I mean – he really had a good game.”

Anderson scored four touchdowns on runs of 4, 19, 38 and 81 yards.

Other scoring for Frederic came on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Harlander to Russ Fjorden just before halftime, and Harlander’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Peter Carlson on the Vikings’ first drive in the third quarter.

Northwood scored their only touchdown in the final quarter on a 1-yard run.

On offense, Frederic’s efficiency was evident by the time-of-possession stats, which show the Vikings had the ball for just 17 minutes of the game on offense – compared to Northwood’s nearly 31 minutes. During those 17 minutes, the Vikings posted 480 yards in total offense. Other running backs for the Vikings Friday were Tony Peterson, Neumann and Dustin Gabrielson each rushing for more than 20 yards during the game.

Belanger says the team will be no doubt ready for Flambeau this Friday, and although he would like go down there and win handily—he knows the team will have a battle on their hands.

“They’re a lot better than what their record says,” Belanger said. “You don’t really know exactly where they’re at, but I do know their quarterback has got to be one of the best players in the league,” said Belanger. “The kids are mentally up for it.”

Siren’s homecoming upset by Falcons Dragons scored two passing touchdowns Flambeau Falcons 30, Siren 14

by Brenda Sommerfeld SIREN – Despite some valiant efforts by the Dragons, they were defeated by the Flambeau Falcons during their homecoming game Friday, Sept. 21.

Flambeau came out to dominate the first half of the football game running touchdowns into the end zone. Falcons had a great rushing game with 155 of their 367 yards putting in four touchdowns ending the first half as a shutout over Siren 24-0.

Siren coach Brian Webster must have inspired his players some during halftime, because they came back out to score two passing touchdowns. Adam Daniels threw a 30-yard pass to Blake Hall in the third quarter to score six.

After making the two-point conversion, the Dragons ended the quarter 24-8.

The fourth quarter gave both teams a

The Dragon players get real low as they line up for one of the defensive plays of the night’s game. - Photos by Brenda Sommerfeld chance to score another touchdown.

Flambeau took a 1-yard run, and Siren scored with a 10-yard pass from Daniels to Vince Nasman.

The Dragons conquered the passing with quarterback Daniels completing

The Siren High School band played during the Dragons’ homecoming halftime, accompanied by the flag girls playing their tambourines.

more than half of his passes for a total of 166 yards, while Flambeau only had a 120-yard passing game.

Hall was Daniels’ main receiver, catching five passes for a total of 79 yards, making his average 15.8. Anoter

receiver, of the night was Christian Hall getting his hands around three for a total of 57 yards and average of 19 per pass.

Siren’s Vince Nasman was all over the field during the night. Nasman was handed the ball 17 times for a total of 56 rushing yards, received two passes for 30 yards, punted four times for 118 yards, kicked off once for 34 yards, and returned all four kickoffs and two punts for a total of 97 yards.

Nasman was also one of the top defensive players with five solo and two assisted tackles including one tackle for a loss to the Falcons.

Nasman was a big help for the defense, but Thad Baasch was the biggest power of that side of the game for the Dragons. Baasch made nine solo tackles while assisting in six others.

Jake Peterson and Travis Freese are also defensive players that deserve to be mentioned. Peterson with five solos, four assists, and Freese with five solos, two assists.

The 2006 homecoming royalty and 2007 royalty candidates were introduced at the beginning of the halftime show.

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Vikings undefeated, three teams remain far. They worked like they were having fun and finished strong,” said Unity coach Kasee Hikock Jennifer Mitchell led Siren with seven kills and Janey Emery had five serving acres.

Frederic 6-0 in conference

by Brenda Sommerfeld FREDERIC – Clear Lake couldn’t keep up with the Vikings energy, losing in three games 25-15, 25-23, 25-16.

Frederic Coach Staci Lemieux had no reason to be nervous and every reason to be excited after the game on Tuesday, Sept. 25, when the team came out with a record of 6-0 in conference, leaving them one of the three teams that are undefeated in the West Lakeland Conference.

“We played especially well as a team,” Lemieux stated. “Everybody did great.”

Lemieux was proud of her team, saying Melanie Chenal was good at the net, Erin Schmidt and Megan Anderson at blocking, Chrissy Chenal hit really well and the team’s sets and hits were good.

Schmidt and M. Chenal were both powers at the net slamming in hit after hit.

Each match looked as if it could go either way at some point. The first match was tied up at nine, but Frederic slipped away making it look easy, with Becca Anderson serving five, until one of the Vikings hit the volleyball too hard, sailing it out-of-bounds and taking the score to 24-15. Clear Lake had the same out of bounds mishap, scoring Frederic’s winning point.

The second match was close for a lot longer, but Clear Lake was only ahead at the beginning. Frederic held their lead with just a few points until Chrissy Chenal nailed one over to win the game for the Vikings.

During the third and final match, the teams stayed pretty close with one slipping ahead every couple of points until Frederic held Clear Lake at 16 with their score at 18. M. Chenal served in the final points, including an ace that slid just right over the net, for the Vikings.

Anderson was the teammate to slap that ball in for the game point, winning Frederic’s sixth conference game.

Freshman Krysta Laqua (3) gets the ball over the net Tuesday night against the Warriors. Melanie Chenal (6) is also pictured. - Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld Saints fall to Clayton 22, 25-15) and then lost the third game CLAYTON — The Saints dropped 33-31. their first conference game to the still Michelle Gibbs and Kendra Spurgeon undefeated Clayton on Tuesday, Sept. led the Tigers in kills with four and Sam 25, in three games (25-15, 25-14, 25-21). Hogle had three on the night. Abby Megan Yunker continued to lead the Ingalls led in assists with eight, while team in kills with seven and Amanda Leah Janssen and Shannon Conroy led Larson had four kills on the night. in digs with four apiece.

Gabby Nuckles led the team in assists with 11, and Jamie Rohm had three Unity rolls through Siren serving aces and Annie Confer and BALSAM LAKE — The Eagles took Yunker led the Saints with six digs care of Business against Siren in three while Nuckles had five kills. The Saints games Tuesday night (25-16, 25-23, 25play at Frederic this Thursday night.

14). Charity Moore led the Eagles with 10 kills and Cailin Turner led with 16 Webster downed by Lakers assists. Taylor Larson had 11 digs, while SHELL LAKE — Webster didn’t go Moore and Tina Edgell had three solo quietly against Shell Lake Tuesday blocks. Brianna Beilmeier had two night despite losing all three games. blocks and Brianna Schmid had one.

Shell Lake won the first two games (25“This was their best hitting game so

Grantsburg's Stephanie Jensen spikes the ball against Luck on Tuesday night. - Photo by Carl Heidel

Grantsburg gals running strong Vikings boys place rst, girls notching top spots

by Marty Seeger CUMBERLAND — Although the weather didn’t hold out for the Webster invite last Thursday, three area schools ran in Cumberland Monday, Sept. 24.

The Grantsburg girls placed first overall, just one point in front of Spooner. Michelle Lund (17:00) led the Pirates on the soft course, which made times slower than usual. Pirates coach Paul Huskamp says that Lund is still trying to catch up with Frederic runner Samantha Nelson (16:46) who finished two seconds ahead of Sarah Knauber.

Lund has finished ahead of Knauber for much of the season.

Ben Anderson

Sarah Knauber

“Those girls are really competitive,” Huskamp said. “They do a good job and keep Michelle working.”

Pirate runner Aimee Van Tatenhove (18:25) dramatically improved her time on the team as the third runner.

Huskamp says she typically runs in the sixth or seventh spot. Huskamp asked how she did it and her reply was that she just felt ready to run.

Angela Gaffney (18:15) filled the second spot on the Pirates team, Jessica Banks (18:59) finished fourth on the team and Justine Diffe (19:02) finished as the fifth qualifier for Grantsburg.

The boys will expect to improve with addition of Sean Kutz this Thursday at the Unity Invitational. Shawn Pavlik is another Grantsburg runner that has been improving greatly over the past few races. He finished third in Cumberland overall, while Steven

Sam Nelson

Ben Anderson

McKinley (20:09) finished 15th. More results from the meet will be featured in next week’s Leader due to deadlines.

Overall, the Pirate boys finished fifth as a team.

Frederic boys and girls The Frederic boys finished in first place, with River Karl (17:44) taking first overall, and 40 second ahead of Frederic’s Ben Anderson (18:24). Ben Nelson (18:44) finished fifth overall, Kyle Swenson (18:54) took ninth, Sam Halverson (19:54) finished 14th and Perry Anderson (20:59) took 22nd.

The Frederic girls team placed third overall, with Samantha Nelson (16:46) winning the overall first place medal (16:46). Sarah Knauber (16:49) finished second overall, while Calla Karl (17:01) took fourth overall. Sage Karl (19:21) placed 16th and Tara Anderson (21:48)

Bailey Bergmann

Trygve Chinander

Michelle Lund

finished 37th.

SCF boys and girls St. Croix Falls has been seeing good things from Trygve Chinander lately.

He finished in fourth place (18:34) overall and Justin Rikkola (18:53) finished eighth. As a team the Saints finished fourth. Jed Gustafson (20:35) took 21st, Kyle Christensen (22:13) took 29th, Joe Thayer (22:19) took 31st and Cory Gebhard (22:29) took 32nd.

The Saints girls finished fourth as a team, with Bailey Bergmann (17:11) taking fifth overall, with Cassie Andrewson (17:30) not far behind with sixth place. Megan Smith (19:58) finished 20th Melinda Beyer (20:25) took 23rd Tashina Martinson (21:19) placed 34th and Kim Culver (21:30) finished 36th.

Shawn Pavlik

Aimee Van Tatenhove

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 21

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Tennis team geared up for conference play Kothlow defeats undefeated Heinz of New Richmond

by Marty Seeger BALSAM LAKE — The Luck/Unity tennis team played Barron last Thursday, Sept. 20, but failed to finish due to lightning. In the singles matches Stephanie Kothlow won over Jessika Warnberg 6-2, 6-1, and Lexie Kothlow beat Sarah Hogan 7-5, 7-5. Jenielle Deiss was down 3-6, 3-0 to Crystal Hanson of Barron before lightning, and Grace Jensen was down 0-3 to Liz Candler.

In the doubles round Elizabeth Ebensperger and Alesa Paulson won 64, 6-4 over Blair Sandmann and Lindsey Lindberg. Angela Berthold and Katie Petzel lost 1-6, 6-7 (5) to Nicole Seitz and Elsa Pedersen and Maddie Anderson and Katherine Ebensperger were up 4-3 against KT McNeil and Nicole Zappatello before the lightning hit.

Kothlow stepping up NEW RICHMOND — On Friday the tennis team traveled to New Richmond and lost 6-1.

“We did not have our full lineup due to injuries and other obligations, then again, New Richmond is the best team we have faced in conference play,” said Jack Sondreal, who volunteers his time to coach the tennis team.

Stephanie Kothlow continued to dominate the competition with a big win (6-2, 6-2) over Molly Heinz of New Richmond, who up until last Friday was undefeated. Kothlow now sports a 13-1 overall record and is 8-0 in the conference.

“Maddie Anderson and Katherine Ebensperger have stepped it up and are playing really good tennis right now,” Sondreal said.

Also stepping up was Katie Petzel who moved up to play doubles with Angela Berthold.

“She worked very hard against Barron and New Richmond,” said coach Tami Peterson.

The team placed fifth in the overall conference standings, but Sondreal said he expects the girls to finish in a strong third in the conference tourney on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Unfortunately, the results were unavailable at press time, so the conference results from Tuesday night will be in next week’s paper.

In other results from New Richmond, Lexie Kothlow lost (1-6, 1-6) to Lauren Kvam, and Jessi Jutina lost (1-6, 2-6) to Alyssa Luther and Alex Davison was defeated 0-6, 0-6 by Maddie Frank. In the doubles matches Elizabeth Ebensperger and Alesa Paulsen lost 1-6, 4-6 to Courntey Kvam and Ashley Peterson. Angela Berthold and Katie Petzel lost 2-6, 1-6 to Luanne Stai and Sami Kleiner. Katherine Ebensperger and Maddie Anderson lost 2-6, 2-6 to Chelsea Ankers and Jenny Hadalla.

Stephanie Kothlow is once again dominating the ranks this season. Photos by Marty Seeger

Katie Petzel has been playing well in the doubles with Angela Berthold.

Saints finish third in Middle Border Benoy, Campeau among top 10 nishers

by Marty Seeger SOMERSET — The St. Croix Falls girls golf team finished in third place at the Middle Border Conference match last Thursday, Sept. 20.

The Saints finished with a score of 386 behind second-place New Richmond who scored 383. Amery finished very strong with a total score of 346. Jenny

Benoy finished fifth overall by shooting an 86, and Marissa Campeau finished in sixth place with a 92.

Luck/Unity girls golf The Luck/Unity team also competed at the Middle Border Conference match in Somerset and placed ninth out of a possible 10 with a total score of 534.

Coach Ron Steen said that the girls didn’t play very well, but Britta Giller improved nine strokes from the week before. He said still that all of the girls have improved.

LEFT: Saints golfer Marissa Campeau in an earlier match this season -Photo by Marty Seeger

Bulldogs upset Saints in overtime St. Croix Falls 14 points in the third quarter not enough Boyceville 20, St. Croix Falls 14

by Marty Seeger ST. CROIX FALLS — The Saints had their hands full with Boyceville last Friday night in a nonconference game.

Boyceville has struggled all season long to get their first win of the season, and did so by shutting out the Saints for three-straight quarters. But it wasn’t for lack of opportunity for the Saints, or stellar defense on the Boyceville side of the ball.

The Saints fumbled twice inside the 25-yard line going in to score in the first quarter, and had two major penalties on two separate incidents inside the 5-yard line. To make matters worse, the Saints were without four starters due to injury.

“It’s the same story that we’ve had all year long…Turnovers and penalties are

killing us right now,” said Saints coach Rod Sempf. “As a team we need to overcome that.”

St. Croix Falls mounted a comeback early in the fourth quarter with 11:51 to go. Chase Walters was responsible for the 43-yard touchdown run, and then ran a two-point conversion in to get the Saints within a touchdown. Walters had a good night for the Saints, rushing for 139 yards on 13 carries. Chase Bushweiler piled on 66 yards for the team on 20 carries, while Nick Johnson rushed for 47 yards on 11 carries.

The Saints tied the game 2:19 left in the game on a 21-yard touchdown run

by Johnson, but failed to execute the two-point conversion to get the lead.

In overtime, Boyceville’s Dylan Iverson scored on a 4-yard touchdown run to win it for the Bulldogs.

Meanwhile the Saints have been working on fixing the mistakes that have been plaguing the team all season long.

“We’ve been working on it over and over in practice, and it doesn’t seem to be taking,” Sampf said.

The Saints will hope to get back on track this weekend against conference

Saints quarterback Josh Yunker (5) waits for the snap from Willie Springer (52) with Gus Koecher (48) in the backfield. - File photo by Marty Seeger contender Clear Lake, a team that has been playing good football lately.

“If we show up, we don’t turn the ball over and stay away from penalties we’ll

be very competitive, and it really comes down to that,” said Sempf.

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

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Grantsburg’s coming together Pirates progressing as conference powerhouse again this year

by Marty Seeger GRANTSBURG — The Pirates powered easily over the Eagles last Thursday, (25-14, 25-10, 25-9) while keeping their undefeated conference record in tact. Despite a couple of its players out on injury, coach Bill Morrin likes what he sees.

“They’re doing a real nice job, I’m happy with them,” Morrin said. “It’s a progression, every time we play we get a little bit better.”

Of course, Morrin says that there is always room for more improvement, but the team is getting close to its full potential.

“We are still just working out some defensive stuff yet, but it’s going well, we’re happy.”

The Pirates replaced an injured setter with freshman Emily Cole, who Morrin said did a nice job filling in.

“We know our setters are starting to feel the game a little bit better, and that’s the other thing that we need to work on is to make sure that they understand where the ball is supposed to go,” Morrin said.

The only other freshman on the team, Kortney Morrin, has done an outstanding job this year as a starter and already shows signs of a future threat to other teams. Against the Eagle’s Morrin posted 10 of the team’s 26 kills, and neither of them came across the net lightly.

Senior leadership has been another strongpoint for the Pirates this season, and Morrin is happy with Emily Prazak, who had seven of the Pirates kills Thursday evening.

“She’s really consistent,” Morrin said.

He also said that junior Ingrid Ames is doing a nice job this season, as well as

Kortney Morrin kills a ball over Unity's Brianna Schmid in last Thursday night's game. - Photo by Marty Seeger seniors Amanda Durand and Nicole Davis.

“Amanda Durand has really improved and Nikki is coming around now and that’s helping a lot,” Morrin said.

Although Morrin is still trying to mold the team to the right positions on the court, he feels that the Pirates are very close to achieving their full potential.

“We’re still trying to feel a few kids out yet, but we’re pretty close,” Morrin said.

The Eagles are starting to come

together as a team as well, and coach Kasee Hickok liked the effort her team gave against Grantsburg.

“Our girls did much better against Grantsburg,” Hickok said. “They are trusting each other more and starting to have more fun. Their consistency is still up and down, regardless, they give so much effort and they try to do everything I ask of them.”

Brianna Schmid and Charity Moore lead the Eagles in attack kills, and Taylor Larson is leading the team in digs.

Vikes take it to five TURTLE LAKE — The Vikings kept their undefeated conference season alive with a win over Turtle Lake last Thursday, Sept. 20, but it wasn’t easy.

The Lakers had yet to win a game this season, and nearly ended their losing streak by winning the second games (25-17, 25-22) after Frederic won the first one, 25-19. The Vikings won the final two games (25-20, 15-13).

“I guess we could have played better,” said coach Staci Lemieux, who said that passing and other errors played a role in the game.

Another challenging aspect of the game in Turtle Lake was getting the team back after going down two games in a row, but they managed to pull it through against a feisty Turtle Lake team.

“Turtle Lake came and played volleyball, I mean, they hit really well,” Lemieux said.

Becca Anderson led the team in serving aces with six and Lisa Chelmo led with 12 assists. Chrissy Chenal led the team in kills with seven, and Erin Schmidt had four kills on the night, but the team contributed a total of 16 attack errors, 12 serving errors and 19 receiving errors. Although Lemeiux thought the girls played a little wobbly in Turtle Lake, she’s been happy with how the team has played up until this point in the season. Their last two wins came over Unity and Webster in three games.

Siren gets close to Clear Lake CLEAR LAKE — Siren played a very close three games (23-25, 20-25, 23-25) against the undefeated Warriors in last Thursday’s game. During the final game, a lightning strike forced the teams to wait 15 minutes for the lights to come back on again, but eventually the games were finished.

“We played really well, but it was just one of those nights we couldn’t pull it out,” said coach Jennie Carlstrom.

Tigers pluck Cardinals that got to serve consecutively. Leah Janssen was another who got to help score six at the beginning of the fourth game.

Luck foreign exchange student, Karen Lund, was quite the powerhouse for the Cardinals throughout the games. Seven was Lund’s lucky number for the night. She Karen Lund nailed the Tigers with seven kills and served seven aces, scoring 14 points, which happens to be her jersey number.

Webster sent a few balls sailing into Luck’s court that fans cheered for because they appeared to be points, but the Cardinals pulled out some great saves including six great digs by Ali Lehmann, while Cardinal senior Jessica Antonson made great assists during the games, setting up 13 of her team’s points.

“We’re dealing with it. We are staying as positive as we possibly can,” Brom said about another loss.

Tigers take rst win of the season

by Brenda Sommerfeld WEBSTER – While a storm was brewing outside, the Webster Tigers swirled the winds around inside their gym, winning their first game of the season against the Luck Cardinals. The Tigers won the last three of their four games played (25-27, 25-18, 25-16, 25-21).

“It’s been a long time coming,” Webster coach Mindy Widiker stated.

“We’re just happy!”

The Cardinals had some trouble getting points tallied up at the beginning of each game. They got stuck between zero and three points while the Tigers raked in nine to 10 points.

Luck coach Sheila Brom said, “It’s hard to come from behind. We have a tendency to do that and it’s just harder to keep going.”

Neither team’s coach wanted to pinpoint any certain players, but both think that their teams have been improving.

Freshman Michelle Gibbs of Webster got to heighten her serving skills during the beginning of the second game when she helped score six points, including one of her two aces of the night, before the Cardinals got their first point on the board. Gibbs was also the top Webster player for digs getting under four.

Gibbs wasn’t the only Webster player

The Webster volleyball team celebrates after a hard-earned victory over the Cardinals last Thursday. - Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 23

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Luck wins own triangular Cards win over Prairie Farm and Ag. Food Science Academy

by Brenda Sommerfeld LUCK – Monday, Sept. 24, turned out to be a winning night for the Luck Cardinals volleyball team when they beat Ag. Food Science Academy and Prairie Farm at their triangular match.

The Cardinals first went up against the Ag. Food Science Academy to overshadow them in two games, 25-6 and 25-5.

It was then Prairie Farm’s chance against the Ag. Food team, an easy win for Prairie Farm, taking them 25-9 and 25-7.

Luck versus Prairie Farm was the last match. Prairie Farm took the first 25-21, but the Cardinals stepped it up to come

back and take the next two, 25-19 and 15-12.

Luck had some top-notch servers in the game against Ag. Food with Karen Lund having 12 ace serves and Ali Lehmann right behind her with seven.

The kills sent into competitor territory were made by Sarah Petersen with five, Morgan Denny with four and Megan Hacker with two, while Ali Lehmann helped with her three assists.

During the Prairie Farm match, Petersen was once again the top hitter, spiking eight over the net. Hacker made half as many, pounding over four more attacks, and was also able to her team by making two solo blocks.

Despite a loss to Webster last Thursday, Luck was able to get back on track in the triangular held Monday evening. - Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld

Webster Tigers defeat two teams at tournament overpowered by them losing 25-4 and 25-5. Gibbs and Torah Pope were the only two with kill hits, each slamming over one.

South Shore was a game that went in favor of the Webster players, winning the first 25-22, losing the second by one point 25-24, and coming back to win the third 15-6. The top hitters during this match were Pope with five and Spurgeon with four.

Bayfield turned out to be a little deja vu-like for the Tigers when they won the first 25-11, lost the second 25-15, and won the third 15-8. The kill shots were more spread out among the team with Gibbs having four, Hogle three, Leah Janssen three, Pope two and Chelsey Bereiter one.

Throughout the games, Nikki Steiner, who was a JV player, stepped up for the team to get over 10 of their 19 digs.

Tigers enjoying more wins after slow start to the season

by Brenda Sommerfeld MAPLE – The Tigers must have taken something with them after winning against Luck when they went to Northwestern for a tournament Saturday, Sept. 22. Webster took victories over two of the four teams they played, sending the Tigers home with even more confidence.

Webster came close to winning the game against Solon Springs, but even with the help of Michelle Gibbs, hitting in six and Sam Hogle knocking in four kills from assists by Abby Ingalls and Becca Schrooten, they couldn’t quite accomplish it, ending the match 25-16, 25-22, 12-15.

Northwestern was a completely different story for the Tigers. Webster was

"Fan" fare in Pirate Land Along with a talented group of volleyball players, Grantsburg has a rowdy section ready and willing to cheer on the Pirates. - Photo by Marty Seeger

Webster's Michelle Gibbs (4) and Becca Schrooten attempt to block in their game against Luck. - File photo by Brenda Sommerfeld

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

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Frederic boosters implore Vikes: “Don’t look ahead” Savvy and soulful football fans from Webster to St. Croix Falls have a special place reserved in their memory bank for the players and coaches who last brought their town and school a conference football title. For Frederic Viking boosters, the wait for a title has been 39 years.

This Friday the Vikes travels to Tony to face the Flambeau Falcons.

Flambeau, of course, is, the alma mater of ex-Wisconsin Badger and current Buffalo Bills player Jim Leonhard. It’s a team Frederic has never beaten on the gridiron. Those who have seen coach Ken Belanger’s minions perform this year have been thoroughly impressed with quarterback David Harlander and his primary offensive cohorts Peter Carlson, Dustin Gabrielson, Ben Anderson and Russ Fjorden. Anderson, incidentally, was one of the marquee players cited on this week’s statewide prep Web page (wisfootball.net) for his eye-popping performance last week versus Northwood-Solon Springs, (see game story elsewhere on these pages). Old-timers who have watched FHS football for decades are saying poised junior signal-caller Harlander might throw the tightest, most accurate spiral since 1970s Vike legend Greg Engelhart. Fjorden, his speedy and sure-handed favorite target, displays a kind of panache and dynamism rarely—if ever—seen in Frederic pass-catching history. Nolan Neumann, Kanan “Vern” Hackett, Zach Anderson, Cody Gruel, Brent Crandell, Ian Anderson, and Andrew Kurkowski are just a few of the others who have contributed mightily to the blue and gold success this season. The Vikes are hopeful they can knock off Flambeau Friday, thus building a head of steam for the homecoming showdown against Siren on on Oct. 5.

The following week it will be yet another battle against Shell Lake with a conference title on the horizon. “It would be great to see a lot of alumni on the sidelines on Oct. 5. But it’ll be even more meaningful if they beat Flambeau first,” said one nervous oldtimer.

Where have all the potholes gone?

Wisconsin’s duck season opened last weekend with local gunners who found water also able to find ducks.

Some hunters who have had great success in recent years employing a skill known as pothole jumping have found most of their private haunts moisture-starved, if not bone dry.

“The four-plus inches of rain we received last week helped some,” said one local, “but we still have a long way to go.”

Goose numbers are gradually increasing locally, with even a few cacklers (i.e. lesser Canadas) showing up in the area. On the last day of the early season, Mr. Walleye had one of those hunts which caused him to be filled

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with self-doubt. It seems that the Leader’s unofficial outdoor informant’s shooting was woefully inaccurate as he downed only one honker out of the dozens that settled into his decoy spread that morning. “I should’ve easily had my five,” he said.

Key Saints cog suffers injury It doesn’t look good for a return to the gridiron for SCF’s Greg Kadrmas.

The senior lineman went down with a serious leg injury in the first half of Friday night’s loss to Boyceville.

Saints basketball fans and teammates are hopeful the rugged frontcourt player will be back for the hoop season. Kadrmas averaged eight points and nearly 6.5 rebounds in West Lakeland play last year.

Workhorse of the airwaves Former Grantsburg Pirate athlete Bob “Briefcase” Rombach has quite the schedule these days, often calling volleyball and football games from fardistant locales on consecutive nights for local WLMX (Mix 105) radio at 104.9 on the dial. (Or is it WXCX 105.7? Either way, the car radio “scan” feature stops at both of those stations and we’re likely to hear either Rombach or former Unity Eagle Kurt Mayer announcing a game.)

The Announcing Andersons Yes, the resonant tones of St. Croix Falls football P.A. announcer Darrell Anderson are still ringing through the valley as they have for decades.

Meanwhile, DA’s younger brothers Dave—who once plied the announcing trade over at Chisago Lakes, and Dennis—who used to be the voice of Unity football have retired from their positions. Nephew and local rock musician Tom Anderson still does some basketball announcing for the Saints.

Trivia returns!

Since it was the Scandinavians who take the blame for the European settlement of much of what we now call Leader Land, this trivia exercise is entitled “Know your Andersons (or Andersens)“.

1) This ex-Siren quarterback led the Dragons to a conference title challenge in 2000 and earned first team all-conference honors.

2) Name the trio of brothers who starred in several sports for the Grantsburg Pirates through the 1970s and were the progeny of basketball scorer extraordinaire Haddon and Pirate superfan Betty.

3) He became a legend as a Unity coach in several sports, most famously for guiding the Eagles to a long string of USCVC conference track titles.

4) He was the feisty center on Frederic’s 5-2 football team in 1973 and that summer he was the catcher and field general who helped lead his team to a plus-.500 conference record and tournament upset of Grantsburg in FHS’s first year of varsity baseball after a five-year absence.

5) A quick and aggressive guard with a knack for driving to the hoop, he led his Luck Cardinals to a near upset of state-bound Frederic back in the 196364 season.

Answers: 1) Joe Anderson 2) Carl, Phil and Jim Anderson 3) Al Andersen 4) John Anderson 5) Linwood Anderson.

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LEADER S P O R T S S C O R E B O A R D Scores

Football

Large Lakeland Conference Conf.

2-1 1-2 2-0 1-1 2-1 1-2 1-2

Team Cameron Luck Unity St. Croix Falls Clear Lake Webster Grantsburg

Small Lakeland Conference

Team Frederic Shell Lake Bruce Flambeau Turtle Lake Birchwood/Weyerhaeuser Northwood/Solon Springs Siren

Conf.

3-0 3-0 2-1 2-1 1-2 1-3 0-3 0-3

Overall 3-2 3-2 2-3 2-2 3-2 1-4 1-4 Overall 5-0 3-1 4-1 2-3 1-4 1-4 1-4 0-5

Scores

Thursday, Sept. 20 Frederic 3, Turtle Lake 2 (25-19, 17-25, 22-25, 25-20, 13-15) Webster 3, Luck 1 (25-27, 25-18, 25-16, 25-21) Grantsburg 3, Unity 0 (25-14, 25-10, 25-9) Clear Lake 3, Siren 0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-23) Saturday Sept. 22 Northwestern Tournament Webster 2, Bayfield 1 (25-11, 15-25, 15-8) Webster 2, South Shore 1 (25-22, 24-25, 15-6) Northwestern 2, Webster 0 (25-4, 24-5) Solon Springs 2, Webster 1 (25-16, 25-22, 15-12) Monday, Sept. 24 Luck 2, Ag Food Science Acadamy 0 Luck 2, Prairie Farm 1 Tuesday, Sept. 25 Unity 3, Siren 0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-14) Frederic 3, Clear Lake 0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-16) Clayton 3, St. Croix Falls 0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-21) Shell Lake 3, Webster 0 (25-22, 25-15, 33-31) Grantsburg 3, Luck 0

Coming up

Friday, Sept. 14 Frederic 48, Northwood 6 Boyceville 20, St. Croix Falls 14 Grantsburg 17, Luck 9 Flambeau 30, Siren 14 Saturday, Sept. 15 Unity 21, Webster 8

Thursday, Sept. 27 Unity at Weyerhaeuser 7:30 p.m.

St. Croix Falls at Frederic 7:30 p.m.

Siren at Webster (Parents night) 7:30 p.m.

Grantsburg at Clear Lake 7:30 p.m.

Clayton at Luck 7:30 p.m.

Saturday Sept. 29 Amery Invitational 9 a.m.

(Unity, Webster) Simley tournament 9 a.m.

(St. Croix Falls) Tuesday, Oct. 2 Webster at Unity 7:30 p.m.

Frederic at Luck 7:30 p.m.

Clear Lake at St. Croix Falls 7:30 p.m.

Clayton at Grantsburg 7:30 p.m.

Turtle Lake at Siren 7:30 p.m.

Coming up

Friday, Sept. 28 Unity at Grantsburg 7 p.m.

Frederic at Flambeau 7 p.m.

Clear Lake at St. Croix Falls 7 p.m.

Luck at Webster 7 p.m.

Siren at Northwood 7 p.m.

GIRLS GOLF Coming up

Wednesday, Sept. 26 Girls golf regionals at Amery 9 a.m.

(Luck/Unity)

GIRLS TENNIS Coming up

Volleyball

West Lakeland Conference

Team Grantsburg Clayton Frederic St. Croix Falls Clear Lake Luck Unity Siren Webster Shell Lake Turtle lake

Conf.

6-0 6-0 6-0 5-1 5-1 1-5 2-3 1-5 1-5 1-5 0-5

Overall 12-1 0-0 4-2 10-9 0-0 1-5 2-3 3-5 1-4 0-0 0-0

Monday, Oct. 1 Osceola subsectional Luck/Unity

BOYS/GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Coming Up

Thursday, Sept. 27 Unity Invitational, 4:30 p.m.

(Luck/Unity, Frederic, Grantsburg, St. Croix Falls, Webster) Tuesday, Oct. 2 Amery Invitational, 4:15 p.m.

(Frederic, St. Croix Falls, Grantsburg, Luck/Unity, Webster)

Sports broadcast schedule

Sept. 27, MLB San Diego at Milwaukee 7 p.m. WXCE 1260 AM Sept. 28, High School football: Amery at Osceola 7 p.m. WXCE 1260 AM High School football: Somerset at Ellsworth 7 p.m. WLMX 104.9 FM High School football: Unity at Grantsburg 7 p.m. WXCX 105.7 M Sept. 29, College Football: Mighigan State at Wisconsin 2:30 p.m. WXCE 1260 AM Sept. 30, NFL football: Green Bay at Minnesota WLMX 104.9 FM and WXCX 105.7 FM 12 p.m.

I dropped to 22-9 (71 percent) with a lousy 4-3 record last week.

The greatest predictors like The Swami have a sixth sense for sniffing out upsets. Until I develop that sixth sense, I will never be as good as he was.

But be patient; God isn’t finished with me yet. I may be reached via e-mail at

The Amazing Bynor THE AMAZING BYNOR

PREDICTS

amazingbynor@yahoo.com Bynor predicts Football Osceola 27, Amery 20—Boy, so-called preseason experts sure oversold the Warriors.

Luck 24, Webster 6—Still licking their wounds from last week, the Cards respond with a badly needed win.

Siren 26, Northwood-Solon Springs 14—The Dragon losing skein ends at 22. The monkey is off their back.

Frederic 28, Flambeau 14—The Falcons are down a bit, but still this will not be easy for the Vikes.

Clear Lake 42, St. Croix Falls 12—No one in the Large Lakeland is playing better than the Warriors right now.

Grantsburg 34, Unity 14—Originally I thought the Eagles might win this one, but last Friday’s Pirate win over Luck made me change my mind.

Packers 37, Vikings 14–The Babe Ruth of quarterbacks, Brett Favre, breaks the record in the Humpty-Dome.

Minnesota don’t stand a chance with who is playing quarterback.

NASCAR LifeLock Kansas 400 Winner: Juan Pablo Montoya— After I ate at Little Mexico last weekend, I had a vision that the dashing Spaniard would win this race.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 25

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NAME: Sarah Knauber SCHOOL: Frederic YEAR: Freshman COMMENTS: Sarah Knauber of the Frederic girls cross-country team has been emerging as one of the strongholds for the team this season.

Knauber (16:49) placed just two seconds behind teammate Samantha Sarah Knauber Nelson, who took the first-place honors at the Cumberland Invitational on Monday, Sept. 24.

– Marty Seeger

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NAME: Devin Trantanella SCHOOL: Grantsburg YEAR: Junior COMMENTS: Devin Trantanella didn't start in the Pirates first game of the year in Amery, but wanted to know what it would take to become a starter. His work ethic payed off in practice, and since Amery, he's been a Devin Trantanella starter ever since. In the Pirates game against Luck last week, Trantanella had 3.5 sacks and excelled in many aspects of the game this year. –Marty Seeger

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White Sox give Washburn third loss in six starts

by Marty Seeger ANAHEIM, Calif. – Webster native Jarrod Washburn celebrated his 10th victory of the season with a win over his former Anaheim Angels team.

Although the Angels clinched the American League West with a win Monday, Sept. 10, Washburn held the Angels to only five hits in seven innings on Friday, Sept. 21.

"It feels good to win anytime, but this one was a little more important because DATE Sept. 21

TEAM Angels

2006 Mariners Mariners 2007 CAREER TOTALS

GS 31

W 1

31 31 245

8 10 93

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4.67 4.36 4.08

. . .

I definitely wanted to knock them off tonight and delay their celebration for at least one more night," Washburn told MLB reporter Jim Street.

Jarrod Washburn Washburn (1015) has struggled to get things going during the second half of the season.

He posted only two wins since the AllStar break, but pitched what he told reporters were his best games ever at Angel stadium. Marty Seeger with info from mlb.com

JARROD WASHBURN STATS: L ERA IP H R 0 4.36 7.0 5 0 14 15 86

S

187.0 187.2 1528.0

198 199 1519

103 100 734

ER 0

HR 0

BB 0

SO 4

97 91 692

25 21 196

55 64 467

103 109 911

LEFT: Sixteen students from Webster participated in the Knights of Columbus sponsored Punt, Pass and Kick competition on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Pictured are the first-place winners who will go on to the next round on Saturday, Sept. 29, in Turtle Lake (L to R): Paige Young, Alex Hopkins, Ryan Curtis, Paul Sargent, Ben Weis, Alex Strang and Jenna Curtis. – Photo submitted

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Sunday Afternoon Mixed Standings: Gems 19, Sandbaggers 13, Hot Shots 11, D&B’s 10, Spare-Us 5, The Hee Haws 5.

Women’s games: Dorothy Barfknecht (Hot Shots) 185, Barb Morgan (D&B’s) 182, Gail LInke (The Hee Haws) 168.

Women’s series: Gail Linke (The Hee Haws) 460, Barb Morgan (D&B’s) 459, Dorothy Barfknecht (Hot Shots) 422.

Men’s games: Bert Meyer (D&B’s) 247, Scott Morrison (Gems) 236, Brian Bistram (D&B’s) 191.

Men’s series: Scott Morrison (Gems) 630, Bert Meyer (D&B’s), Shane Nyland (Gems) 485.

Team games: Gems 870, Hot Shots 831, D&B’s 820.

Team series: Gems 2425, D&B’s 2348, Hot Shots 2294.

Games 50 or more above average: Scott Morrison (+61, +75), Bert Meyer (+79), Brian Bistram (+54).

Series 100 or more above average: Scott Morrison (+147).

Monday Afternoon Seniors Mixed Standings: Bears 6, Badgers 5, Eagles 5, Swans 3, Nite Hawks 2.

Women’s games: Betty Anderson 160, Lila Larson 155, Barb Austad 148.

Women’s series: Betty Anderson 437, Lila Larson 408, Nancy Morten 380.

Men’s games: Jim Morten 196, Dennis Bohn 189, Roger Messar 176.

Men’s series: Jim Morten 531, Dennis Bohn 500, Roger Messar 485.

Team games: Bears 760, Badgers 758, Nite Hawks 718.

Team series: Bears 2247, Badgers 2097, Eagles 2079.

Monday Night Ladies Standings: House of Wood 14, Mane Attractions 14, The Bottle Shop 14, Miller Chicks 14, Radio Shack 13, S & C Bank 11, Hacker’s Lanes 4, BYE 0.

Individual games: JoAnn Pomerleau (MA) 181, Kathy Josephson (S&C) 169, Rhonda Bazey (HW) & Nancy Anderson (HL) 167.

Individual series: JoAnn Pomerleau (MA) 469, Jennifer Renfroe (MC) 465, Nancy Anderson (HL) 457.

Team games: Hacker’s Lanes 626, Radio Shack 580, S & C Bank 555.

Team series: Hacker’s Lanes 1711, S & C Bank 1628, Radio Shack 1617.

Tuesday Youth (2 Games) Standings: Pin Patrol 3, Turkey Hunr

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Girls games: Brandi Bahr 102 & 96, Lexi Domagala 94.

Girls series: Brandi Bahr 198, Lexi Domagala 157, Freyja Vanderpaardt 147.

Boys games: Ben Kurkowski 118, Zack Schmidt 113, Ben Kurkowski 98.

Boys series: Ben Kurkowski 216, Zack Schmidt 193, David Lindberg 173.

Team games: Turkey Hunters 299 & 266, Pin Patrol 245.

Team series: Turkey Hunters 565, Turkey Hunr Hunters 456, Pin Patrol 447.

Tuesday Classic Standings: Yellow Lake Lodge 29, Great Northern Outdoors 28.5, Bottle Shop 25, Hacker’s Lanes 23, Reliables 17, Pioneer Bar 16, Hog Wild 10.5, Oddballs 7.

Individual games: John Bytnar 266, Reed Stevens 252, Jim Sladkey 236.

Individual series: Reed Stevens 662, Jim Sladky 650, Gene Ackland 611.

Team games: Bottle Shop 659, Hacker’s Lanes 635, Yellow Lake Lodge 599.

Team series: Bottle Shop 1844, Yellow Lake Lodge 1700, Hog Wild 1693.

Games 50 or more above average: John Bytnar (+79).

Wednesday Afternoon Ladies Standings: Pioneer Bar 7-17, Frandsen Dairy 7-11, Eggs 0-9, Hacker’s Lanes 0-5.

Individual games: Laur Fisk (PB) 192, Char Sandberg (PB) 168, JoAnn Tyler (FD) 160.

Individual series: Laur Fisk (PB) 466, Julie Young (PB) 452, JoAnn Tyler (FD) 446.

Team games: Frandsen Dairy 604, Pioneer Bar 574 & 572.

Team series: Pioneer Bar 1698, Frandsen Dairy 1610, Hacker’s Lanes 1521.

Wednesday Nite Early Men’s Standings: Pioneer Bar 9, Lewis Silo 8, Larsen Auto Center 8, Team 8 7, Parker 7, A-1 Machine 5, Cummings Lumber 2, Skol Bar 2.

Individual games: Dale Rowell (P) 247, Shawn Olson (LS) 229, Josh Henry (LAC) 228.

Individual series: Dale Rowell (P) 638, Jon Doolittle (LS) 637, Dale Gregory (T8) 633.

Team games: Lewis Silo 1041, A-1 Machine 959, Team 8 951.

Team series: Lewis Silo 2858, Team 8 2790, A-1 Machine 2769.

Thursday Early 3-Man Standings: Full Timers (7) 23, Hell Raisers (12) 22, Frontier Trails (8) 21.5, K-Wood (6)

20, Grindell Law Offices (6) 19.5, Fab Four (7) 19.5, CenturyTel (5) 17, Wikstrom Construction (1) 13.5 Individual games: Lydell Larson (FrT) 248, Blake Douglas (GLO) 240, Brian McBroom (FuT) 222.

Individual series: Lydell Larson (FrT) 619, Dave Grindell (GLO) 571, Ed Bitler (KW) 566.

Team games: Grindell Law Offices 586, Hell Raisers 556, Grindell Law Offices 547.

Team series: Grindell Law Offices 1604, KWood 1534, Full Timers 1527.

Splits converted: 5-10: Dan Carlson, Dave Hall. 2-7: Barry Anderson, Dave Hall. 3-10: Dan Carlson.

Thursday Late Men’s Standings: Hog Wild BBQ & Grill 7.5, Fisk Trucking 7, Hansen Farms Inc. 6.5, Stotz & Co. 6, Johnson Upholstery 4.

Individual games: Gene Wynn Jr. 242, Dale Frandsen 224, Niles Peterson 202.

Individual series: Dale Frandsen 617, Gene Wynn Jr. 583, Gene Wynn Sr. 565.

Team games: Hansen Farms Inc. 861, Stotz & Company 836, Hog Wild BBQ & Grill 758.

Team series: Stotz & Co. 2475, Hansen Farms Inc. 2459, Hog Wild BBQ & Grill 2191.

Friday Night Ladies Standings: Junque Art 19, The Leader 14, Tin Cup Promotions 9.5, Meyer’s Plus 8, Hole in the Wall 8, Skol Bar 4.5.

Individual games: Karen Carlson 224, Missy Hernandez 193, Sandy King 186.

Individual series: Karen Carlson 615, Missy Hernandez 501, Cindy Denn 497.

Team games: Junque Art 646, The Leader 640, Skol Bar 632.

Team series: The Leader 1858, Junque Art 1858, Skol Bar 1716.

Games 50 or more above average: Karen

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Series 100 or more above average: Karen Carlson.

Splits converted: 4-7-10: Karen Carlson.

5-7: Sandy King.

Saturday Night Mixed Standings: Skowl 12, Generation III 11, Handicaps 10, Schmidt House 4 8, X IT 5, Lakers 4, CC Lupinos 4, Dead Eyes 2.

Women’s games: Deb Ingram (SK) 195 & 191, Kathy Java (LA) 178.

Women’s series: Deb Ingram (SK) 550, Kathy Java (LA) 489, Kelly Schmidt (SH) 432.

Men’s games: Ron Skow (SK) 226, Jeb Clarin (DE) 223, Ron Skow (SK) 215.

Men’s series: Ron Skow (SK) 635, Jeb Clarin (DE) 561, Maynard Stevens (GE) 560.

Team games: Skowl 709 & 684, Generation III 679.

Team series: Skowl 2059, Generation III 1903, Handicaps 1839.

Black and Orange Lanes Monday Night Standings: Bruce’s Auto 3-1, Parker 3-1, Vacant 3-1, Larry’s LP 1-3, Pope’s Const. 13, Glass & Mirror 1-3.

Individual games: Curt Phelps 268, Larry Johnson 220, Richard Morse 206.

Individual series: Curt Phelps 629, Larry Johnson 567, Chris Olson 555.

Team games: Bruce’s Auto 938, Larry’s LP 902, Parker 901.

Team series: Bruce’s Auto 2714, Larry’s LP 2665, Parker 2589.

Splits converted: 2-10: Josh Phelps Early Birds Standings: Black & Orange 6-2, 10th Hole 5-3, Gandy Dancer 4-4, Log Cabin Store 17.

Individual games: Alice Henrich 176, Kay Casey & Donna Koon 167, Michell Lysdahl 165.

Individual series: Alice Henrich 462, Kay Casey 426, Jackie Grimes 417.

Team games: Black & Orange 885, 10th Hole 841, Log Cabin Store 823.

Team series: Black & Orange 2521, 10th Hole 2389, Log Cabin Store 2376.

Splits converted: 3-7-10: Kay Casey. 3-10: Jackie Grimes. 5-10: Jackie Grimes.

TNT Ladies Standings: Cashco 7-5, Wild Bill’s 6-6, Larry’s LP 6-6, Flower Power 5-7.

Individual games: Cheryl Hansen 193, Jennifer Kern 170, Robin Willard 164.

Individual series: Cheryl Hansen 519, Jennifer Kern 481, Robin Willard 443.

Team games: Wild Bill’s 891, Flower Power 867, Larry’s LP 843.

Team series: Flower Power 2553, Wild Bill’s 2510, Larry’s LP 2373.

Splits converted: 5-7: Cheryl Hansen, Evelyn Engebretson. 2-7: Carol Phelps.

Wednesday Night Men Standings: Cashco 4-0, Lions 3-1, Northview Drive Inn 3-1, 10th Hole 1-3, Black & Orange 1-3, T & P Tree Service 04.

Individual games: Art Bliven 254, Roger Tollander 199, Monte Rinnman 192.

Individual series: Art Bliven 554, Monte Rinnman 517, Roger Tollander 509.

Team games: Lions 946, Cashco 927, Northview Drive Inn 890.

Team series: Cashco 2650, Lions 2625, 10th Hole 2591.

Early Risers Standings: A+ Sanitation 8-4, 10th Hole 66, Gandy Dancer 6-6, Hole in the Wall 4-8, Individual games: Angel Paulzine 182, Lylah Nelson 180, Donna Crain 172.

Individual series: Donna Crain 480, Lylah Nelson 478, Angel Paulzine 451.

Team games: A+ Sanitation 794, Hole in the Wall 683, Gandy Dancer 643.

Team series: A+ Sanitation 2046, Gandy Dancer 1890, Hole in the Wall 1824.

Splits converted: 5-6-10: Jackie Grimes.

Thursday Night Ladies Standings: Hole in the Wall 6-2, Check Services 5-3, Lipsy’s 5-3, Pour House 3-5, Black & Orange 3-5, Ben Ott Const. 2-6.

Individual games: Audrey Pardun 207, Daphne Churchill 182, Celia Leehe & Angie Olson 173.

Individual series: Audrey Pardun 521, Jennifer Kern 472, Angie Olson 467.

Team games: Hole in the Wall 707, Lipsy’s 702, Check Services 692.

Team series: Check Services 2008, Hole in the Wall 1981, Pour House 1948.

Splits converted: 5-10: Pam McCormick.

O UTDOORS

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

INTER- COUNTY LEADER

ATVs • BIRDING • BOATING • CAMPING • FISHING • HIKING • HUNTING • RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

Long johns and sunscreen Its one of few times I can ever remember being sunburned while wearing long johns, but I guess its to be expected on the first official weekend of Marty the fall season.

Seeger Temperatures were in the mid-40s on both Saturday and The Sunday morning, and it took a little Bottom Line extra layering in the clothing department, but it couldn’t have been better weather for fishing.

I was skeptical about how good the bite would be considering all of the rain we received the week before, but to my surprise the fishing was pretty decent.

It had been awhile since I’d dug out the fishing poles. Much of the past few weeks have been spent getting ready for the bow season, but after going out to the lake last weekend the itch came back again. Now I feel like hitting the lakes hard for a little while longer.

Both mornings brought my fatherin-law, Dennis, and his friend, Bruce,

to the area, specifically for bluegill and perch. Bruce hails from the Chippewa Falls area, and drove the distance both mornings to the Balsam Lake area. It’s a two-hour ordeal, but he’s retired and has the time. While Dennis can only dream of the day when he retires at this point, he’s still been able to get out, even though he probably has 40 cords of wood to cut before the winter.

I try not to remind him of the whole wood-cutting thing. He’s tried enlisting me on a few occasions, and so far I’ve been lucky enough to avoid it.

Although Dennis implied a few times that he could get a lot of wood cut, as opposed to fishing last weekend, I’m pretty convinced that he had more fun on the lake. Actually, we all did, even though the fish weren’t exactly biting like crazy. For the most part the day was filled with a few laughs, and a handful of perch here and there. But the perch that we did manage to catch were good ones. The biggest fish was just over 12 inches.

Hopefully, this is a sneak-peek of what lies ahead. While everyone else is in the woods hunting, I just might be out on the lake catching slab perch.

That is, of course, if Dennis and Bruce invite me again. You see; we may have boated more fish last weekend if I would have tried a little harder. I didn’t want to out-do anyone in the boat by catching more fish, and there were many times when I would purposely

The fishing will certainly get better as we approach the heart of fall.

- Photo by Marty Seeger miss fish just to make my fishing partners feel better.

I wish that were true, but to be honest I think they caught most of the fish, especially Dennis on Sunday morning.

He seemed to be using exactly what the fish wanted on both days. An orange, 1/16-ounce jig tipped with a

small chunk of crawler. On both days, crawlers seemed to be the ticket if tipped with a plain hook or small, orange tube jig.

Since it was so windy on Sunday morning, we used a little heavier weight above the jig to keep it down while we drifted across the lake. At a couple of spots we anchored and tried our hand with slip bobbers and used a vertical jigging technique, which seemed to work well until the fish moved on or quit biting altogether.

The majority of the fish that we found were located right out in the middle of the lake in roughly 15 feet of water. The sonar definitely aided in finding fish, but so did the buoy markers that we threw out when we located an area that seemed to hold fish.

While we were hoping to find more bluegills, they seemed to be turned off altogether. I did manage to land one on Saturday that nearly went a pound. On Sunday, I landed one just over nine inches that looked almost too fat to swim. I can’t remember the last time I caught a bluegill that size.

So given the weather conditions I’d say it was a good couple of mornings on the lake, but next time I think I’ll pack a little sunscreen next to my long johns.

Crex wildlife festival features tours, wildlife programs GRANTSBURG — Bus tours and programs on Wisconsin wildlife highlight the 25th-annual Wildlife Festival at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area on Sunday, Oct. 7, starting at 10 a.m.

Hosted by the Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of Crex, the event is designed to better acquaint the public with the wildlife and management activities in the area. The event is free and open to the public.

“The open house is an opportunity to learn about this unique prairie-wetland environment,” says Jim Hoefler, the area’s interpretive wildlife biologist, “and the vistas afforded by the vast

wetlands and prairies, provide excellent wildlife viewing.” He encourages outdoor enthusiasts to grab family and friends, cameras and binoculars, to join in on the event.

Crex Meadows, a 30,000-acre wildlife area north of Grantsburg, is managed for prairie and wetland wildlife. The open house coincides with the peak migration of thousands of sandhill cranes, ducks and geese. Eagles, hawks, deer and many other kinds of wildlife will also be seen.

The activities take place at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center east of the intersection of

CTH D and F. From the stoplights on Hwy. 70 in Grantsburg, follow the geese painted on the road to the center.

Wildlife programs and demonstrations will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. This year’s programs include: wild edible plants, archery, tomahawk throwing, wild ricing demonstrations, introduction to geocaching, wildlife games and activities, and Wisconsin Wildlife Ecology and Management.

Hoefler encourages everyone to take a guided bus tour of Crex Meadows.

Buses leave the education center parking lot at 11 a.m., 1, 3, and 5 p.m. for a 90-minute tour. While pointing out var-

ious wildlife, Crex staff will explain the history and management of the area.

“Again this year is a special, extralong, bus tour that leaves at 10 a.m. for three hours and a one-hour sunrise tour for sandhill crane viewing at 7 a.m.,” Hoefler said. He advises too to take time to visit the food stand where the Friends of Crex offer brats, burgers and snacks. The Bog Shoe store is open for an assortment of wildlife-related books, gifts and souvenirs. — from WDNR

Eight is enough

Worth the trip

First-timer

Blake Yunker, 16, of St. Croix Falls took his first buck with a bow on Sunday, Sept. 16, in Polk County. The monster 8-pointer sported a 21-inch spread and dressed out at 193.5 pounds. – Photo submitted

Orv Volkmann (R) of Frederic caught and released this 50-inch musky on the weekend of Sept. 15, on a trip to Temple Bay Lodge, Ontario, on Eagle Lake.

Volkmann’s son, John, caught a 41-1/2-inch musky, and the group of five anglers each brought home limits of walleye, lake trout and northern. The two muskies were the only two caught in a camp of about 50 people in two different boats on the same day. – Photo submitted

Michael Runnels, 12, of Frederic shot a nice doe with his bow recently. It was his first deer. – Photo submitted

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 27

Voyager distributes $24,780 in profits from arts and crafts show VOYAGER VILLAGE – Over the past 30 years, the Voyager Village Arts and Crafts Show board has donated over $400,000 back to their local communities and to Voyager Village projects. There have been many recipients of these funds.

The fundraiser, held over Labor Day weekend each year, was set up in 1977 to support special projects. This year, $24,780 was given away, with $16,780 going to projects at Voyager Village and $8,000 to 10 community organizations.

The organizations receiving support include: Alzheimer’s Day Respite Program, Spooner - $500 for daily operating expenses to keep the program affordable. Cub Scout Pack 564 - $500 in funding for the Pinewood Derby race track. Faith’s Lodge - $500 for the new facility for families that have lost a child. The funds are to be used for the playground, deck and basketball hoops.

(L to R) Voyager Village Arts and Crafts Show board members, (L to R) Karen Schmidt, Karen Dietz and Darlene Hallberg, recently distributed $16,780 raised during the show to Voyager Village along with an additional $8,000 to 10 community organizations. – Photos submitted Mark Crowl (L), general manager of Voyager Village, received $16,780 from Karen Dietz for Voyager projects.

Colleen Johnson (R) from the Players Village Theatre Community received $1,000 from Dietz to help pay for new flooring in the theater.

Darlene Hallberg (L), board member of the Voyager Village Arts and Crafts Show, presented a check for $500 to leaders of Cub Scout Pack 564. The money, which came from the profits of the Voyager Labor Day weekend show, will go toward funding the Pinewood Derby race track.

Jackson Volunteer Fire The Department received $1,000 for rescue vehicles. Regional Hospice got $1,000 for its Catch a Dream program. The Scott Volunteer Fire Department was given $1,000 for equipment for its new water-rescue boat. The Village Players Community Theatre got $1,000 to go

toward paying for new theater flooring.

The Webb Lake Area First Responders were given $1,000 for equipment that is needed for a new first responder team.

The Webb Lake Fire and Rescue got $1,000 for a new well. Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity received $500 for materials for home-building projects.

The arts and crafts show has always been a volunteer effort, and has grown from a small fair into one of the best arts and crafts shows in northwestern Wisconsin. This year, over 300 volunteer workers filled over 440 work positions.

The event has always been held over Labor Day weekend. This year, there were 97 juried display booths of handcrafted jewelry, baskets, wood projects, soaps, candies, art and metal works, clothing, quilts and more. A special 30th-anniversary party was held to salute the hundreds of volunteers who have made the show what it is today.

Organizations that are in need of funds are asked to contact the main office at Voyager Village at 715-259-3910 for an application for funding from the 2008 show. – submitted

Representatives of the Jackson, Scott and Webb Lake fire departments accepted $1,000 each from the profits of the Labor Day weekend Voyager Village Arts and Crafts Show. The Jackson Volunteer Fire Department money is earmarked for rescue vehicles. Scott Volunteer Fire Department will use its money to buy equipment for its new water-rescue boat. The money given to the Webb Lake Fire and Rescue will go toward a new well. The Webb Lake Area First Responders also received $1,000 to use for equipment needed for a new first responder team.

Library building purchase approved

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–After months of hashing and rehashing the issue of a new library location for the city, the council unanimously approved purchasing the Holiday grocery building Monday night.

The council discussed the issue at the last council meeting and a resolution was drafted for Sept. 24 to consider purchasing the building as a joint endeavor with Dr. Amin Uddin, who pledged to vest half of the purchase price for 7,000 square-feet of the building for his business and condo development. The city entered into a developer’s agreement with Uddin. Funding for the library was strategized by the city administrator and library board to not use taxpayer dollars for the project.

The library board is planning on fundraising efforts and grant applications as well as in-kind contributions to help them make the building ready. The city is utilizing TIF funds for the building purchase and impact fees to help with roof and parking lot repairs.

Concerns by council members Arne Carlson and Brian Blesi about reimbursement and making sure the library has a schedule to pay for the necessary improvements were raised. Both wanted some type of financial schedule

The old Holiday building will be the future site of the St. Croix Falls Library after the council authorized the purchase Monday night. The library committee will be fundraising and grant writing to pay for the remodeling of the building. Dr. Amin Uddin is a joint purchaser of the building. – Photo by Tammi Milberg included in the resolution. Carlson wanted the city’s income from the sale of land to Dairyland Power in the amount of $62,500 to be pulled from the financing description in the resolution.

Carlson felt that sale of city property and money from that sale should be addressed separately, as it comes into the city, rather than be earmarked for the library.

To that, city administrator Ed

Emerson offered the following words, “Our responsibility is, we bought you a building,” to the library committee in the audience. “You need to come up with the costs to move in and if you can’t, you don’t move in,” he continued, “We don’t need to parent it.”

Councilman Darrell Anderson said he had no problem with putting that money toward the library but said he would be concerned about future city

monies going to the library.

“Dairyland’s money, I see no problem with that,” he said. “We have to be careful of having new money coming in so it isn’t automatically channeled to the library. We need to think about the budget down the road years from now.”

Blesi said the reimbursement is not in writing, and he felt it needed to be.

After further discussion, the council decided to pass the resolution with an amendment removing the $62,500 from the resolution.

The motion to pass the resolution authorizing the city’s purchase of the Holiday building as a partnership with Uddin for the city library was made by Lori Erickson and seconded by Darrell Anderson. All members were polled in a roll call vote and voted unanimously to pass the resolution.

A motion authorizing the city administrator to determine if any issues prior to closing need to come before the council was also passed by the council on the recommendation of the city attorney.

The final motion regarding the library was to authorize an application for a CDBG grant (slum and blight) establishing that a redevelopment area exists in the city (Holiday building).

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

B U R N E T T

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

Wisconsin Art Board visits North Wind Arts in Siren

by Sherill Summer SIREN – The Wisconsin Arts Board held its whirlwind tour of northern Wisconsin Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 20- 22. On Friday, a party of approximately 30 board members and art advocates toured art establishments in three counties, including North Wind Arts in Siren.

Tim and Jenny Goalen, owners of North Wind Arts, and Thom Scott, cofounder of Burnett Area Arts Group, spoke of the emerging art scene in Burnett County and of the difficulties facing local artists. Scott explained B.A.A.G. activities that encourage local art, and answered questions from the Wisconsin Arts Board who fund many

Members of the Wisconsin Arts Board browse through the art gallery at North Wind Arts in Siren. – Photos by Sherill Summer

This sign outside North Wind Arts said it all.

art agencies throughout the state.

The Wisconsin Arts Board held a business meeting at quarterly Heartwood Conference Center and Resort (formerly the Schwan Center) west of Minong on Saturday morning.

Only once a year does the Wisconsin Arts Board hold a business meeting outside of the Madison Area.

The Wisconsin Arts Board is a state

agency that promotes the arts throughout Wisconsin by supporting the arts in education, nurturing creativity and by serving as a resource for people of every culture and heritage. For more information on the Wisconsin Arts Board, visit artsboard.wisconsin.gov.

North Wind Arts had food set out for their special guests, the members of the Wisconsin Arts Board. In the background, Linda Kissane shows off the jewelry she makes from the artist-in-residence space.

Some former co-op buidings will be spared demolition

by Sherill Summer WEBSTER – The Webster Village Board held a special meeting on Wed., Sept. 19. Many of the agenda items of the special meeting were a continuation of business from the regular monthly meeting held a week before, on Sept. 12.

The survey work for Burnett Dairy Cooperative’s former WebsterVillage location will not be approved by the village board until representatives from the co-op describe the cleanup plan for that location. Some of the buildings of the former Webster co-op that the Burnett Dairy Cooperative closed at the end of 2006 are in relatively good condition and will be spared demolition. The south wooden portion of one building, however, is in poor condition, as are a couple of sheds on the property.

Mark Knoepke and Paul Bauer from the co-op told the Webster Village Board that the fiscal year for the co-op begins Oct. 1, and that they will know more about when the site will be cleaned up after that date.

After being reassured that the co-op still has plans to clean up the site, the board approved the survey work, although William Rock abstained from voting.

Rock explained his abstained vote later by saying, “In my abstain vote when approving the new survey map was to hopefully delay any attempt by Burnett Dairy to sell off the only usable part of the property located on Sturgeon and CTH FF in Webster and leaving the village with the dilapidated feed build-

vacating of Apple Street West between Wayne’s Foods Plus and the DNR station. A list of six conditions were discussed before forwarding them to Wayne King, owner of Wayne’s Foods Plus. The DOT will also be contacted to determine if the south entrance to the store can be realigned, so that it is across from Holiday’s north entrance. The DOT has denied the move in the past, but it is hoped that by vacating Apple Street West, the DOT will reconsider.

(L to R) Mark Knoepke and Paul Bauer from the Burnett Dairy Cooperative at the Webster Village special board meeting. – Photo by Sherill Summer ing and garage to deal with. In my opinion, Burnett Dairy bought out the Webster Co-op for the propane business and the Kawasaki franchise, and then allowed the other parts of the business to fail. Now they want to partition the property to allow the sale of the part of the property with the most value. Are they going to use the proceeds of the sale to demolish the fire and safety hazard that exists in close proximity to the Kawasaki building?”

The Burnett Dairy Cooperative split the former location into three lots and has a buyer for the Kawasaki building.

The two other lots are yet to be sold.

Comprehensive planning resolution The board passed the comprehensive planning resolution that was tabled during the regular meeting. By passing

the resolution, Webster Village will join Burnett County, the village of Grantsburg and several townships in pursuing grant money to help pay for comprehensive planning. Because the village will need to provide additional money for the project, money that is yet unbudgeted, the board passed the resolutions with the condition that it can back out of it at a later date if the village so chooses.

Possible vacate of Apple Street West The board considered further the

Other action Dave Danielson was again before the board discussing the property he wishes to purchase from the village. The approximately 12.5-acre portion of the old Blake property is expected to fetch $20,000. Final price will depend on the actual acreage amount of the two lots Danielson wishes to purchase.

The board acted on new business when Janice Miller received permission to ask for a water rate survey. It is likely that the water rates will increase after the survey. The village is considering billing for fire protection on the water bills instead of the property taxes. It has been over 10 years since a full water survey was completed.

Grounded

Community choir rehearsals set to begin SIREN – Rehearsals for the community choir Christmas concert will begin on Thursday, Oct. 4, from 7 – 8:39 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Siren under the direction of James Muus.

Muus, a graduate of St. Olaf College, is the vocal music instructor for the Webster School District.

The group will also rehearse on: Thursday, Oct. 11, Tuesday, Oct. 16,

Tuesday, Oct. 23, Thursday, Oct. 25, Thursday, Nov. 1, Tuesday, Nov. 6, Thursday, Nov. 8, Tuesday, Nov. 13, Monday, Nov. 19, Monday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 30. The tentative dates for the concert will be: Saturday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend. – submitted

These young fans were watching from ground level at Friday evening’s football game at Frederic in which the Vikings defeated the Northwood Evergreens. – Photo by Gary King

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 29

Free Money Smart classes at Unity Schools BALSAM LAKE – Residents of Polk County are invited to attend the first-ever Money Smart programming in Polk County. The Money Smart programming, to be held Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Unity School near Balsam Lake, will consist of two free classes for adults and free programming specifically for children being held simultaneously. Free food will be available.

At 6 p.m., the adult program will be on mortgages and home ownership and will be presented by Bryan Antony of Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. At 7 p.m., the adult program will be on credit reports and personal credit ratings.

This program will be presented by Carl Glocke of WESTconsin Credit Union. Children’s programming will consist of stories and art projects and will be presented by Duana Bremer of the Salvation Army.

Family Means representative, Jennifer Ruhland, will also be in attendance to talk with people about free credit counseling and additional financial management education. Family Means is a nonprofit organization, based in Stillwater, Minn., and serving Polk County.

The current programming is a joint effort of Family Means, North Valley Lutheran Church, Salvation Army, United Way of Polk County, University of Wisconsin Extension, WESTconsin Credit Union, WITC and Workforce Resource Center. Money Smart is a Wisconsin statewide public awareness initiative created by Gov. Doyle’s Council on Financial Literacy.

For more information about this totally free event, call 715-485-8600. - submitted

Frederic Class of 1954

FREDERIC – The Frederic Class of 1954 meet Aug. 25, at the lake home of Pat (Young) Anderson on Big Sand Lake, Webster. Front row (L to R): Pat (LaBrant) Hop, Doris (Chapman) Woodbridge, LaVonne (Mork) Boyer, Barbara (Taylor) Kurtz, Martha (Berglind) Nwaobia, Marlene (Hill) Leiffring and Pat (Young) Anderson. Second row: Muriel (Vangsgard) Anderson, Annette (Borup) Hanson, Selma (Peterson) Christiansen, Carol (Young) Howard, Maxine (Thott) Nolby, Joanne (Johnson) McClay and Janis (Peterson) Bean. Third row: Harry Baker, Alan Sjoberg, Patricia (West) Bergman, Marly (Fulkerson) Spencer, Shirley (Larsen) Kanshaug and Moelette (Olson) Jenson. Fourth row: Richard Erickson, Harlan Funk, Curtis Fleming, Miles Johnson and Gene Shefland. Not pictured Arne Peterson. — Photo submitted

Burnett County sheriff’s report Accidents Town of Blaine, Sept. 17: Timothy T. Fravert, Loyal, was driving a semi truck with a wide load on Hwy. 35 when the track of the excavator he was pulling struck a concrete rail on the bridge over the St. Croix River.

The accident caused minor damage to the concrete rail.

There was no other reported damage. The driver reported seeing a sign posting maximum width of 11 feet, but it was too late for him to stop. His load at the widest point was 12 feet, 41/2 inches.

Town of Rusk, Sept. 15: Dustin W. Reynolds, 31, Shell Lake, was on Hwy. 70 slowing to a stop when Mecaela R. Larsen, 18, Cumberland, rearended him. Larsen left the scene of the accident but later registered a .17 alcohol content.

There were no reported injuries and very minor damages to both vehicles.

Arrests Town of Rusk, Sept. 18: Adam M Swartz, 20, Cumberland, was arrested for possession of a switchblade knife, obstructing an officer and operating after revocation. He also had five felony warrants from St. Croix County and a pro-

bation warrant. In the same incident Michael T. Paffel, 26, Cumberland, was cited for operating while suspended and speeding.

Town of Rusk, Sept. 22: Harold J. Martin, 46, Spooner, was arrested on a warrant from Monroe County.

Village of Grantsburg, Sept.

24: Deanne E. Lang, 38, Grantsburg, was cited for domestic battery.

Other incidents Town of Trade Lake, Sept. 12: David B. Carlson, 67, Grantsburg, reported copper wiring, copper tubing and components from the central air unit taken from his mother’s property. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Trade Lake, Sept. 17: William J. Bartusch, Grantsburg, reported a zero-turn Cub Cadet lawn mower taken from the property of Chris Seidl. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Scott, Sept. 19: Burnett County Sheriff’s Department responded to an alarm at a property owned by Loreen R. Pehl, Centerville, Minn. Two scooters and a chain saw are known to be missing at this time. The incident is under investigation.

Burnett County civil court Bitney Law Firm LTD vs.

Jonathan Oyinloye, Vadnais Heights, Minn., $1,316.76.

Surgery Clinic of Spooner vs. Todd L. Olson, Webster, $1,115.50.

Capital One Bank vs. Tina M. Erickson, Siren, $1,268.60.

Gary L. Kaefer, DDS vs.

Theresa Fochs, Grantsburg, $1,426.29.

Capital One Bank vs.

Donald Kraft, Webster, $4,312.50.

Midland Funding LLC vs.

Christy A. Wilkins, Webster, $2,678.07.

Palisades Collection LLC vs. Alan C. Kirby, Siren, $3,013.75.

Palisades Collection LLC vs. Kathryn K. Kelley, Siren, $1,435.48.

Capital One Bank vs.

Christoph Hurley, Danbury,

$2,175.97.

Mae Swanberg vs. Faith Rairdon, Grantsburg, $1,000.00.

GE Money Bank vs. Lynette Schultz, Webster, $500.68.

Main Store Inc. vs.

Kristopher Hicks, Siren, $1,210.83.

Burnett Medical Center vs.

Kelly Madsen, Grantsburg, $1,769.15.

Burnett Medical Center vs.

Jeanette L. Wehrhan, Grantsburg, $1,993.89.

Arrow Financial Services, LLC vs. Donna M. Coen, Grantsburg, $2,750.51.

LVNV Funding, LLC vs.

Ernest C. Davison, Siren, $3,640.39.

Oliphant Financial Corporation vs.

Melisa Goldman, Grantsburg, $3.095.00.

Burnett County deaths Heidi M. Benoit, 40, Pine Township, Minn., Sept. 7.

Town of Union, Sept. 19: Duane M. Todd, Webster, reported a boat motor taken.

The incident is under investigation.

Town of Webb Lake, Sept. 20: The front door of a cabin owned

by James Ferraro, Lindstrom, Minn., was found pried open. A neighbor saw a suspicious car in the neighborhood and later checked the neighbor’s property. It is unknown at this time if anything was taken. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Lincoln, Sept. 21: Donald H. Brown, New Richmond, complained of ATVs on his private property. He provided photos of the ATVs caught

on a game camera. The incident is under investigation.

Village of Grantsburg, Sept.

21: A toolbox full of tools worth approximately $2,000 was taken from a DNR truck when it was parked in Crex Meadows. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Webb Lake, Sept. 21: Two ATVs were stolen from Four Star Sports. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Meenon, Sept. 21: Kenneth E. Vesledahl, Danbury, reported a boat motor, battery, battery box and 5-gallon gas tank missing. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Oakland, Sept. 22: Several traffic signs were found

at the end of a driveway on Johnson Road and were returned to the Oakland Town chairman. Most of the signs were from an area west of Devils Lake Road. The incident is under investigation.

Town of La Follette, Sept. 22: Georgiana Carson, 24, Hertel, reported a car stolen. The car was later found in Bashaw Lake.

The incident is under investigation.

Town of Swiss, Sept. 23: Julie A. Cairns reported the theft of her dog from the front yard of her property. The dog was tied up. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Union, Sept. 23: Richard C. Ramos, Somonack, Ill., reported a boat motor, battery and gas tank taken from his boat. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Oakland, Sept. 23: Paul W. Yorks, Lakeville, Minn., reported a boat motor taken from his boat that was pulled up on shore in front of his home.

The incident is under investigation.

Town of Dewey, Sept. 23: Laurel J. Sutton, Shell Lake, reported firewood taken from her yard near the road. The incident is under investigation.

Burnett County criminal court Patrick H. Stuart, 31, Danbury, dog running at large, $154.50.

Michael R. Berglund, 61, Eagan, Minn., fish without license, $192.20.

Ashley A. Fallstrom, 18, Grantsburg, unsafe lane deviation, $113.00.

Dylan J. Peters, 23, Spooner, inadequate or defective brakes, $160.80.

Matthew R. Bambery, 17, Webster, operate motorcycle without a valid license, $186.00; fail to stop at stop sign, $160.80.

Richard B. Erickson, 67, Fridley, Minn., operate ATV away from summer ATV trail, $186.00.

Andres H. Valenzuela, 63,

Forest Lake, Minn., operate ATV without NR trail pass, $113.00.

Mark R. Oswald, 30, East Bethel, Minn., ATV operation on roadway, $186.00.

Sherry L. Finch, 36, Webster, fail to stop at a stop sign, $113.00.

Spencer R. Daniels, 26, Webster, speeding, $160.80.

James P. Deanovic, 53, Eden Prairie, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

John R. Casterton, 38, St. Croix Falls, speeding, $211.20.

Joseph W. Klecker, 24, Centerville, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Jason R. Jensen Jr., 16, Grantsburg, speeding, $160.80.

Anthony M. R. Forbes-

Roberts, 38, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Deborah M. Dahlquist, 47, Blaine, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Patrick S. Ryan, 40, Edina, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Katherine A. Kornblum, 43, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Sara J. Bakke, 20, Webster, underage drinking, alcohol assessment, license suspended for 60 days if fail to attend alcohol assessment, $249.00.

Darcy J. Kolander, 18, Grantsburg, underage drinking, alcohol assessment, license suspended for 60 days if fail to attend alcohol assessment, $156.20.

Max C. Gorkiewicz, 33, Grantsburg, OWI, $793.00, alcohol assessment, license revoked eight months.

Randy A. Lindberg, 38, Webster, battery, $249.00.

Greg Hunter, 44, Webster, operate with PAC .08 or more, $876.00, alcohol assessment, five days’ jail time, Huber privileges granted, license revoked 12 months.

Jon K. Culver, 37, Webster, OWI, $1,955.00, two-year probation, license revoked 24 months, 270 days’ jail time, Huber privileges granted, if in full compliance by Jan. 10, 2008, will serve only 80 days, no alcohol or illegal drugs.

Polk County civil court Brooke Davis-Marko and Scott Marko, Amery, plaintiffs.

Crystal Raddatz, Osceola, defendant. Brook Davis-Marko alleges injuries as a result of an auto accident on Jan. 13, 2007, and seeks damages.

World’s Foremost Bank, Ellsworth, plaintiff. Jon Durand, Clear Lake, defendant. Plaintiff alleges default on a Cabela’s Visa account in amount of $8,695.21.

Bank of America, N.A., Getzville, N.Y., plaintiff. Garold Pederson, Comstock, defen-

dant. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure for payment of $72,866.44.

Citi Mortgage Inc. Successor, Coppell, Texas, plaintiff. Daniel K. and Mary B. Johnson, Amery, defendants.

Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure for payment of $176,641.54.

U.S. Bank National Association, Fort Mill, S.C., plaintiff. Todd and Sarah Baillargeon, Amery, defendants. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure for payment of

Polk Co. divorces filed Carlton Cousins Jr., and Alberta Olson, Frederic.

Married 1992. No children.

Darrell Schaar, Luck, and Sarah Schaar, Frederic.

Married 2000. One child.

$231,392.50.

Bank of New York, Cherry Hill, N.J., plaintiff. Steven Schaubschlager, Dresser, defendant. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure for payment of $220,891.65.

Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., plaintiff. Amanda and Samuel

Monson, New Richmond, defendants. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure for payment of $138,000.

Polk County, body corporate, Balsam Lake, defendant. St. Croix Valley Landfill, Inc., Osceola, defendant. Plaintiff alleges unpaid real estate taxes in amount of $13,897.80.

Burnett County warrants Kelvin J. Buskirk, 31, Danbury, arrest warrant – complaint, Sept. 20.

Jody L. Clark, 39, Grantsburg, arrest warrant – complaint, Sept. 20.

Erye J. DeMarre, 29, Grantsburg, arrest warrant – complaint, Sept. 20.

Scott J. Jentink, 44, St. Paul, Minn., arrest warrant – complaint, Sept. 17.

Armand D. Lucas, 48, Webster, arrest warrant – complaint, Sept. 21.

Bruce W. Sunderland, 38, Grantsburg, arrest warrant – complaint, Sept. 20

PAGE 30 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Polk County sheriff’s report Accidents Sept. 1, 12 a.m., Johnstown Twp., Polk-Barron St, .5 mile south of 210th Avenue, MATTHEW M. KROMM, 24, New Richmond, was traveling southbound on Polk-Barron Street. Unit 1 failed to negotiate a curve and entered the south ditch. Unit 1 then struck the driveway to the Staples Lake boat landing. Unit 1 continued across the driveway and struck a tree. Driver was cited for operating after suspension, driving too fast for conditions and failure to notify police of an accident.

Sept. 3, 2:15 a.m., Lincoln Twp., Mains Crossing Avenue at Hwy. 46, #1—LANCE E. LAURITSEN, 23, Balsam Lake; #2— BRANDON L. KOCH, 24, Clayton. Unit 2 stopped at the stop sign. Unit 1 rear-ended unit 2. Driver Lauritsen was

cited for operating after suspension.

Sept. 8, 9:56 a.m., Milltown Twp., CTH G, 1 mile east of CTH GG, #1—BRIAN S. RANDALL, 46, Luck; #2— DOROTHY L. LAURITSEN, 77, Balsam Lake. Unit 1 was traveling west on CTH G. Unit 1 slowed and signaled to turn left into a driveway. Unit 2 began to overtake unit 1 as unit 2 driver did not see unit 1 signaling, unit 1 turned into unit 2, causing unit 2 to turn 95 degrees, coming to a stop facing northeast.

Sept. 8, 2:40 p.m., Black Brook Twp., CTH C at 50th Avenue, WAYNE D. BUSSE, 51, Amery, was northbound on CTH C when the towed trailer axle broke, causing the trailer to come unhitched. The trailer entered the southeast corner of CTH C and 50th Avenue and the

lawn mower on the trailer was

ejected and landed on the north side of 50th Avenue.

Sept. 9, 7:15 a.m., PolkBarron Street, .2 mile north of 41/2 Avenue, KENT R. JORDAN, 28, Clayton, was traveling northbound on Polk-Barron St., towing a tractor on a trailer. As unit 1 began to go down a hill, the trailer began to fish tail. The trailer weaved into the ditch to the east. Upon entering the ditch, the trailer overturned, dumping the tractor. Both the tractor and trailer sustained damage.

Sept. 10, 3:56 p.m., Luck Twp., Hwy. 35, .15 mile south of 260th Avenue, CHARLES W. FORD, 80, Frederic, was northbound on Hwy. 35. Driver of unit 1 admitted to falling asleep.

Unit 1 crossed the southbound lane and entered the west ditch.

Unit 1 struck several mailboxes and a concrete structure. Driver cited for inattentive driving.

Sept. 10, 7:09 p.m., Clam Falls Twp., CTH E, .5 mile east of 90th Street, AARON N. JOHNSON, 22, Shell Lake, was westbound on CTH E. Driver of unit 1 stated he swerved to avoid a deer.

Vehicle entered the north ditch, crossed the driveway and struck a mailbox owned by BEVERLY SEDERLUND, Frederic.

Sept. 11, 11 a.m., Eureka Twp., 240th Avenue, 1 mile east

of Hwy. 87, ANDREA N. CRUSE, 28, St. Croix Falls, was eastbound on 240th Avenue, a dead-end road. Unit failed to stop at the dead-end and struck several trees. Unit 1 was totaled. Driver cited for OMVWI, sustained injuries (transported by EMS/wearing seat belt).

Sept.

14, 4:30 p.m., Georgetown Twp., CTH H at CTH I, #1—SALLY D. ASH, 18, Amery; #2—TODD A. ROMLESKI, 24, Centuria. Unit 1 was southbound on CTH H. Unit 2 was stationary at the stop sign, located at CTH I and CTH H. Unit 2 continued east, pulling out in front of unit 1. The front of unit 2 struck the rear passenger side of unit 1. Unit 1 continued south and entered the west ditch. Unit 1 struck the highway sign and post located in the west ditch before unit 1 made a 180 degree turn, coming to rest.

Unit 2 continued east, coming to rest on 185th Avenue.

Sept. 14, 7:45 a.m., Eureka Twp., River Road, .25 mile south of Nevers Dam Road, MASON M. MILLERMON, 16, St. Croix Falls, was northbound on River Road, one-quarter mile south of Nevers Dam Rd. Driver stated a deer ran west across the River Road in front of him.

Driver states he swerved to miss the deer and lost control.

Vehicle then left the roadway and entered the woods to the west of River Road. Vehicle struck a large downed tree, which caused severe front-end damage. Driver left the scene on foot and was later located at home. Driver found to have

been drinking and was issued a citation.

Sept. 16, 8:30 a.m., Lorain Twp., County Road E/15th Street, 1.1 mile north of 305th Avenue, JESSE G. PEPPENGER, 16, Cumberland, was traveling northbound on CTH E. While traveling, a dog ran out from the yard at 3160 15th Street. Upon observing the dog, the driver of unit 1 pulled to the left to avoid striking the dog.

Driver stated that his left tires hit the soft shoulder and he was pulled into the west ditch. While entering the ditch, the vehicle struck two mailboxes. Unit 1 continued into a field and came to rest. Driver sustained a minor injury (no EMS), wearing seat belt.

Sept. 16, 12:54 p.m., McKinley Twp., Hwy. 48, 10’ west of CTH E, #1—THOMAS L. INGHAM, 52, Turtle Lake; #2SHARON L. WAIGHT, 70, Robbinsdale, Minn.; unit 1 was stopped on CTH E, facing south at Hwy. 48/CTH E intersection.

Unit 2 was traveling eastbound on Hwy. 48. As unit 1 began to travel into the intersection, it traveled into the path of unit 2.

The driver of unit 2 braked hard and pulled to the right but could not avoid unit 1. The front of unit 2, the passenger’s side door, sustained damage. Unit 1 pulled off the road while unit 2 came to rest on the southeast shoulder of the intersection.

Unit 1 did have a stop sign for traffic control at this intersection.

Unit 2 driver, Waight, sustained a minor injury (wearing seat belt/EMS transport). Her passengers, JENNIFER S. CHAWLA, 46, Golden Valley, Minn., and OLIVIA M. RICHARDSON, 8, Golden Valley, Minn., sustained minor injuries (wearing seat belt/transported by EMS).

Sept. 16, 11:50 p.m., Balsam Lake Twp., CTH I at 130th Street, ANTHONY F. GRIMM, 35, Polk County Deputy Sheriff, struck a deer on the roadway while on duty.

Other Incidents Sept. 5, SCOTT D. EDIN, RR Amery, reported the theft of a Triton-brand snowmobile trailer

Notices

from his property.

Sept. 10, a window was broken on a residence owned by ROBERT J. ROLOFF, St. Peter, Minn. It appeared that someone had attempted to burglary the residence located in rural Frederic area.

Sept. 12, TROY STRAND, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., reported that someone had broken into his utility trailer and new home located in rural Balsam Lake. Numerous power tools were stolen, along with electrical wire.

Sept. 12, JANET KINGSBURY, Clear Lake, reported a theft of cash from her residence.

Sept. 12, MICHAEL C. BERG, Golden Valley, Minn., reported the gas had been siphoned from his gas can that was located in his boat, RR Amery area.

Sept. 14, MICHAEL J. FORD of PIPELINE SERVICES OF IOWA, Milford, Iowa, reported that his utility trailer/tools were stolen while they were parked in East Farmington Township.

Sept. 14, LANA J. SWENSON, St. Croix Falls, reported that her vehicle sustained hitand-run damage at an unknown location.

Sept. 14, ALEXANDRIA A. JOHANNSEN, St. Croix Falls, reported the theft of a license plate from a vehicle owned by MICHAEL A. BELL, St. Croix Falls.

Sept. 11, an employee of WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC., Osceola, reported mailbox vandalism.

Siren police report Sept. 7: The Lodge at Crooked Lake lost a $15 service fee for a wire transfer after fulfilling a request from a Dr. Florence Bay, London, England, who wanted to stay at The Lodge.

Other money involved in the transaction was returned to The Lodge. The case involved Ivan Yoder, Columbus, N.C., who was possibly trying to start a business by transferring and being an account holder for money from overseas people.

Sept. 11: Joshua D. Borgqardt, 18, Amery, was cited for reckless driving after he pulled his vehicle into the Holiday Station, squealing his tires by the gas pumps. The incident took place at 10:30 p.m.

Sept. 14: Sonny Tyler, Siren, reported at 10:15 a.m. that his Nokia cell phone had been taken from his truck. The truck was parked on Main Street at the time.

Sept. 17: Jared Stewart, Siren, reported that he had lost his black Motorola V3 Razor cell phone Sept. 4. The phone is hooked up for Alltel service.

Sept. 18: Sharon J. Villebrun, 41, Siren, was cited for nonregistration of a vehicle on Hwy. 35 and Tower Road at 8:30 a.m.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 31

Notices/Employment

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Notices/Employment

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 33

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Notices/Employment

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 35

Down on the farm (at school)

This young boy was happy to be holding a baby chick during his visit to the Farm Day sponsored by the Frederic FFA Alumni.

The 4-year-old kindergarten students are shown standing in front of a tractor with teacher Erin Hanford and aide Amanda Kuechenmeister. They were one of the classes that were able to go see animals and equipment at the FFA Alumni-sponsored Farm Day.

Photos by Brenda Sommerfeld RIGHT: One of the FFA students that helped during the Frederic FFA Alumni Farm Day, Christopher Maslowski, is shown with his sister’s goat, Cocoa.

BELOW: This young colt, Gomer, followed Alicia Johnson around in hopes of getting some food.

These 4K students don’t know how to react as they learn how to pet a hedgehog held by FFA student member, Jeremiah Mesecher.

Grantsburg Festival Music Society concert

Local attorney and noted percussionist Bill Norine got into the swing on the drums as one of the “sidemen” for the Rick Schilling and Rose Jamieson performance sponsored by the Grantsburg Festival Music Society at the Grantsburg High School auditorium Saturday evening, Sept. 22.

Jazz guitarist Rick Schilling and jazz vocalist Rose Jamieson performed at the Grantsburg High School auditorium last Saturday night. The audience enjoyed two sets of American songbook and jazz standards by the husband and wife duo. – Photos by Priscilla Bauer

PAGE 36 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

North Wind Arts’ “Arts Alive on 35”

Barb Swanson, kindergarten teacher at Unity Elementary School and a member of the Burnett Area Arts Group, better known as B.A.A.G., showed Patty and Mandi Close how to do leaf rubbings inside the North Wind Art Gallery. Booths were set up outside the building, in a display which the owners call “Arts Alive on 35.” -Photo by Nancy Jappe

Photos by Sherill Summer except where noted Face painting was one of the activities for children at North Winds Arts during Siren’s Harvestfest

SIREN - North Wind Arts host “Arts Alive on 35” as part of Siren’s Harvestfest activities. An art and finecraft sale, make-and-take activities and B.A.A.G. bake sale were some of the activities at North Wind Arts new locaMandy Trenter, Siren, tion in Siren - Sherill Summer and Alex Sisson, Star Prairie, decorated T-shirts with fish prints. It was just one of the activities outRelaxing was yet another option side of North Wind Arts during Siren’s Harvestfest. Foger during Siren’s Carle from Maplewood, Minn., Harvestfest. found an inviting bench to do just that.

An art and fine craft show was set up outside North Wind Arts during Siren’s Harvestfest.

Fallen

Shadows from blades of grass fall across a leaf that became an early casualty of fall. – Photo by Gary King

‘Follow the Leader’

Currents N O R T H E R N

Sept em ber 26, 2007 2nd Sect i o n B I nt er- C o unt y Leader

News and views from the Northwest Wisconsin community

SCF Firefighter praises academy MC’s 9/11 Program

by Tammi Milberg MARYLAND–St. Croix Falls firefighter Beth Anderson has achieved much in the area of fire and rescue in a short period of time. Anderson was one of the firefighters who went to help Hurricane Katrina victims, and she signed up to fight forest fires out west. Added to the latest of her fire and rescue talents, emceeing the 9/11 program at the National Fire Academy in Maryland.

Anderson attended training at the Homeland Security United States Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy in Maryland from Sept. 8 to 15.

The weeklong course she took was called Challenges for Local Training Officers.

Anderson said the weeklong course was free, and she praised the academy for offering free training to any fire and rescue personnel that applies to attend a course. “You can take as many classes as you want, and your tuition and lodging is paid for,” she said. “I want to emphasize that to other fire and rescue persons that this free training is out there.” Firsttime attendees even get their airfare reimbursed. Any additional training after the first time, requires students to pay their own transportation, but the tuition and lodging remain a free service.

Anderson said she filled out an application to attend the course and that the academy accepts 5,000 students in a year for training, so she considered herself lucky. She put it into perspective saying, “There are 1 million firefighters in the nation. Of that, 800,000 are volunteers.

Only 5,000 a year get to go through training, so I was one of 5,000 of 1 million.”

Anderson said she was taught by the highest caliber of people in the business.

She visited the home of the Fallen Firefighter Memorial while she was there.

She also was studying at the academy, which is across the street from Camp David, and she saw the Black Hawks land because President George Bush was visiting on his way to an appointment.

“Here I was in class and the president was across the street,” she said. “It was pretty cool to see the Black Hawks sweep the area.”

At the academy, Anderson was selected to be the class president. A duty she was not prepared to have placed on her, but one she took up admirably. She knew that the academy would be doing something grand for 9/11, being the

Beth Anderson (right) and Vanda Huish (left) are at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland. Both were students of the National Fire Academy during 9-11 week. – Photos courtesy Beth Anderson home of the fire fighting training for the nation, but was shocked to find out the program was planned each year by the students. As elected class president, she said there was “no pressure there.”

So she and about five other students were at the core of planning the 9-11 program for the whole class, and as prepared as Anderson was for any challenge, she was the only one in the class to bring along her uniform. This preparedness projected her into the role of emcee for the program for over 260 students and faculty.

“I gave a speech and introduced people, like the superintendent or dean of the fire academy Dr. Denis ONieal. She stated that ONieal knew all of the fire chiefs who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks personally as colleagues. She said his speech relived that experience for the students at the academy and, Anderson said the speech was “super powerful.”

A slide show was also part of the program and Anderson read the Fireman’s Prayer. She said that 9/11 is a powerful event as an American, but she said it is

This is the sign outside of the Homeland Security United States Fire Administration National Fire Academy in Maryland.

especially powerful to fire and emergency services personnel.

The Fallen Firefighters Memorial Monument.

See Firefighter, next page

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Firefighter from page 1 She was invited to lunch following the program with Dr. ONieal and Gregory Cade, the FEMA administrator for the U.S. Fire Administration. She said that was an incredible honor.

“Who would have thought someone from little ole’ St. Croix Falls, would be hobnobbing with the head of the entire United States Fire Administration,” she said.

Anderson said being at the academy rejuvenated her enthusiasm in fire and rescue and she said the county should feel good about what the local fire departments in the area have to offer them.

“We are light years ahead, compared to some other states with what the fire departments have accomplished in this area,” she said. Anderson also added that she has made many connections with people across the country, whom she can contact for advice or viceversa.

While at the academy, she also visited the firefighter memorial at Gettysburg (eight miles away), and she saw and photographed the Wisconsin Fallen Firefighters names on the Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Dana Johnson, Grantsburg, was one of the names on the Wisconsin list. Johnson lost his life in the line of duty in 2001.

Beth Anderson of the St. Croix Falls Fire DepartAnderson said she also heard an interesting tidbit from one of her teachers. Instructor Carolyn Smith, who ment is pictured with the Dean of the National Fire has been teaching at the academy for over 20 years, told Academy in Maryland, Denis ONieal. – Photos courAnderson that a poll from her classmates indicated they tesy Beth Anderson felt Anderson would become an icon in fire service. Anand she indicated that applications are being accepted derson said to hear that was very powerful.

She has already decided to go back for another class Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 for classes being held April 1 to Sept.

30. The courses are typically weeklong courses. Anderson said a person can go to the academy as many times as they want to in a year. She said they also provide access to courses online that count as continuing education and offer training aids, published reports and free information.

An instructor of the fire academy for over 20 years, Carolyn Smith is pictured with Beth Anderson.

“If there are any fire and rescue people out there that want to go, they can give me a call or check the Web site,” Anderson said. “I will even help them fill out the application if they need help. It’s an amazing experience. You leave feeling like you can make a difference.”

Beth Anderson can be reached at the St. Croix Falls Fire Department 715-483-3210, leave a message for her and a phone number. The Web site for the academy is www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa.

The Fallen Firefighters Memorial of the United States of America’s dedication plaque.

This is the Wisconsin list on the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland. Anderson took this photo of names from Wisconsin list of firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Included in the list is Dana Johnson, Grantsburg, who lost his life in 2001 fighting a fire.

This is the Firefighters Memorial at Gettysburg.

Anderson described this chapel as one of the most beautiful places on the campus.

These are the dormitories for students at the academy. The training at the academy is free for fire personnel.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 3

The Joy of Writing

by Mary Jacobsen To me, the joy of writing is its limitless possibilities.

To write our life stories we choose events from our long memories, and then choose the words, from an unending supply, to bring to life these events and people of the past. Any subject, all ideas and opinions, no matter how absurd or ridiculous, can be written about. And we don’t need to write only what we know.

Many years ago I saw an old woman talking to her cow as she led it down a dusty, country road in Poland. What was she saying? Some day I’ll discover, through imagination, what an old Polish woman might be telling her cow, and then I’ll write her story.

The joy of writing is also about taking common events and turning them about to render them uncommon. Bake sales, for instance, are ordinary, common events in our lives. Schools and churches sponsor bake sales to raise money for theater curtains, or new hymnals. Communities often sponsor bake sales to help pay the medical expenses of one of its needy citizens. But what if the air force or the navy needed bake sales to raise money? Think of the stories we might write then. How many pies for a fighter plane? Or cakes for a battleship?

In our stories, animals can talk, outwit each other, and teach morals to humans. A tree can flinch every time the woodman’s axe strikes. We move our readers to laughter or tears, and using our imaginations we’re

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 writings were read at the last meeting. Call Mary Jacobson at 715-349-2761 for more information about the organization.

even able to write what an old woman tells her cow.

That’s the joy of writing–all the possibilities.

Joy

The of

Writer’s Corner

by Alice Ford I can not write.

I need to do the dishes I want to write.

If only time were wishes.

While dirty dishes blur my sight I think of all the beautiful things to write.

I dream of writing an exciting fable While clearing off the kitchen table.

Writing

by Carolyn Marquardt A thought swirls in my brain. Where is it going?

What is it accomplishing? Ephemeral, it swirls in my mind like a wisp of smoke curling up from a fire. Will it die like the fire or will it live to express itself?

By itself the thought has no life of its own. But when I start to commit it to paper, its meaning is born. As I continue to write, rewrite, and write again, it becomes a living being to me. And I am its creator, its nourisher.

But then I wonder, “What does it say to a friend, to a stranger?” Does its life have meaning beyond that which I attach to it? Or am I satisfied with the idea, now in black and white. Yes, maybe…. Well, no.

The thought came; I gave it life. Now I need to give it away. So I take it to my friends. What does this say to them? Is it clear? Have I expressed the idea so that they can comprehend what that flicker of an idea became under my nurture?

“Yes and no,” is the response. Words are changed, sentences rearranged, punctuation corrected.

“Now we understand your idea. It is clear.” The paper once black and white is riddled with red. But the red is pleasing. For now the idea is complete— fully understood.

And that is the joy of writing.

The Joy of Writing

I have so many things to write I will put the dishes in the oven out of sight.

Then, you know, I would write all night Until the first sign of daylight.

The amazing stories that come to mind I’d write them down for all mankind.

I will write of love lost and found too late.

Stories of a missing mate.

Now to calm my heart and clear my head Knowing that my husband is happy and well fed I really must get back to dishes.

I win have time to satisfy my wishes.

Hunting story contest It’s contest time – send in your favorite hunting story. We will be printing the three top stories in November. Contest deadline is Sept. 28. In December, we will also be printing favorite Christmas stories. Send in your entries by Oct. 30.

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

Memory Walk in Polk County raises awareness and funds Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk® raises more than $8,600 to fight against Alzheimer’s disease OSCEOLA – More than 46 Polk County residents were on the move to end Alzheimer’s disease at The ArtBarn in Osceola for the annual Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk® on Saturday, Sept. 22, raising more than $8,600. Money raised by local champions of the cause will fund Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

“The Alzheimer’s Association is very encouraged by the number of Polk County residents who turned out to join the fight against Alzheimer’s disease at this year’s Memory Walk,” said Karren Gunderlach, an Alzheimer’s Association spokesperson. “Alzheimer’s disease has touched the lives of many families in this community. With funds raised at this year’s walk, the Alzheimer’s Association will provide much needed care and support to people touched by the disease as well as research to fight Alzheimer’s disease.”

The Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk is nationally presented by Genworth Financial.

Among the walkers who turned out for this year’s event were our 2007 individual award winners. Individuals raising the most money included: First-place winner, Cathy Bollinder, raising $710; second-place winner, Kathy Glunz, raising $636; and third-place winner, JoAnn Stairs, raising $503.

Teams were also formed to raise money for the cause. Team award winners for Memory Walk 2007 are as follows: Team raising the most dollars: First-place Way Out Walkers (led by team captain Kathy Glunz), and second-place- the Stairs Family (led by team captain JoAnn Stairs); Team with most walkers: First-place - Way Out Walkers (led by team captain Kathy Glunz), and second-place - St. Croix Good Samaritan (led by team captain Georgann Gore).

Joining them for the Memory Walk were some very special folks. Several residents from L.O. Simenstad participated in Memory Walk and received purple Memory Walk shoe laces. Other special guests with them were Susan Rupp from the Triumph Team of Creative Memories, and Bart Volkman from the Primerica Seal Team of Genworth Financial. Both Creative Memories and Genworth Financial are national Memory Walk sponsors. Their heartfelt thank-you goes out to the many volunteers who did so much to make the Polk County Memory Walk a successful

event.

According to the 2007 Alzheimer’s Facts & Figures, there are more than 5 million people currently living with the disease in America. With 78 million baby boomers turning 60 last year, it is estimated that someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease every 72 seconds, by midcentury someone will develop Alzheimer’s disease every 33 seconds.

About the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®: Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk® is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research programs. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

About the Alzheimer’s Association: The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support.

Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Their vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information call Karren Gunderlach at 715-835-7050 or visit www.alz.org/gwwi. - submitted

Annual homecoming supper for Grantsburg Dollars for Scholars to feature silent auction GRANTSBURG –The Grantsburg Dollars for Scholars supper will be held Friday, Sept. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Grantsburg middle school. The cost is $6 for adults, $4 for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade and free for children 5 and under.

A new attraction this year is a silent auction to be held during the supper. Over a dozen area businesses have created thematic gift baskets for guests to bid on. All proceeds will benefit Grantsburg Dollars for Scholars.

Grantsburg Dollars for Scholars gives thousands of dollars each year to graduating high school students who attend any kind of postsecondary school including college, junior college or technical school. Last May, over 60 Grantsburg High School graduates received scholarships from Dollars for Scholars. The scholarship

money is provided through fundraising events like the homecoming supper and through generous donations from area residents and graduates of Grantsburg High School who live all over the United States.

All children attending the supper will receive a purple or white Pirates homecoming balloon. Mark your calendar and bring the whole family to this great community event. - submitted

Fall fashions luncheon to be held in Siren SIREN – The Burnett County Home and Community Education is sponsoring a Fabulous Fall Fashions luncheon and trunk show by Peggy’s Fashion Rack and Gifts, Siren, on Saturday, Oct. 13, 11:30 a.m. at the Bethany Lutheran Church, Siren. Tickets may be purchased at Peggy’s Fashion Rack, Siren, or from any Burnett County HCE member. Price of the luncheon is $8.

Proceeds will go toward the HCE scholarship fund for high school seniors.

For more information or to reserve tickets for the luncheon, call the Burnett County UW-Extension office at 349-2151 or Peggy’s Fashion Rack at 349-5000. - submitted

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

River Road Ramblings

collected by Russ Hanson

Adeline's Memories Chapter 3

by Stanley Selin The following stories were written by Adeline Magnuson Peterson to her granddaughter, Heather Unnasch.

These stories describe everyday life in rural Trade Lake during the first decades of the last century, and are told as she remembered them as a young child. Many older people may still recall doing some of these same things.

Although much time has passed, and the world has Adeline Magnuson changed, her experiences Peterson (1908and impressions should still 1991). – Photo courmake interesting reading for tesy of Evangeline anyone, as they have a time- Unnasch less quality about them from a human interest standpoint. These stories have been made available for publication by Adeline Peterson’s daughter, Evangeline Unnasch.

My Grandmother called my We mother mother’s “Mormor” which is Swedish for “Grandmother.” She was a widow and was afraid to live alone, so she came to make her home with us when I was about 7 years old (1915). She lived with us until she died of a stroke at the age of 94.

She was a real good Lovisa Johnson Anderson grandma to us. Al(1846-1940), grandmother to though she lived right Adeline and Jeanette Mag- with us, she still had nuson. - Photo courtesy of her own room upEvangeline Unnasch stairs with her own furniture. We spent many hours up there watching her knitting and making fancy piece quilts.

She had a Swedish paper that came once a week, and there was always a couple of good children’s stories in there to read. The minute that paper came we ran upstairs at once and laid on her bed while she read to us. The last nine years of her life she was blind. Think how terrible that must have been. She never would sew on a sewing machine, so she sewed all the little pieces for her log cabin quilts by hand. The house she lived in before she came to live with us was not very far away from our place, so we kids always felt bad she didn’t stay there awhile so we could have had a grandma to go and visit and stay with.

View of the Grantsburg courthouse and bandstand. - From Selin collection gram and concert on the courthouse lawn around 10 a.m. When we heard the band play, it just sent chills down our back because we never heard music like that very often. After the program, the band marched downtown, as well as the whole audience. Down on Main Street, there were more activities and by the time this was over we were starved. Mother always packed a big dinner so we had a lot of good things to eat. I remember it was potato salad, salmon, rice pudding, homemade biscuits and beet pickles. Coffee was put into fruit jars and wrapped in lots of newspapers to keep it warm. The food was always packed in her large, oblong clothesbasket, and we never worried about food poisoning or got sick, either. Before we went home, we got ice cream and treats, and before we went to bed Dad always set off a lot of fireworks and firecrackers he had bought and hid till that

evening. Some were real pretty, too. When we were small, I’m sure we didn’t get to Grantsburg more than half a dozen times a year.

Afraid of Heights I was always a little sissy, I guess. It seems I wasn’t as daring as Jeanette. Nothing in the world could scare her. I know I was afraid of high places, so if I got up in the hay mow I wouldn’t dare get near the ladder to come down. After Jeanette would coax me awhile to have me come down, she would go off and leave me sitting there crying. I’d always stay there till Dad came to my rescue.

Stork and Babies We were always wondering where babies came from but always got the same answer, that the stork brought them. We would question over and over, how come if he carried them in his beak, he didn’t drop and kill them. We were told that the baby was wrapped in a blanket so secure the stork just couldn’t drop them. That seemed to satisfy us. They never let us near the barn when a cow was to freshen (have a calf) so even that was a secret.

The Fourth of July The Fourth of July was another big day. We looked forward to that for weeks before. They always had a big celebration in Grantsburg. It started with a pro-

Main Street in Grantsburg elaborately decorated for the Fourth of July parade. - From Selin collection

Follow the Leader

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 5

A tribute to teachers

A teacher is a prophet who lays the foundation of tomorrow.

A teacher is an artist who works with the precious clay of unfolding personality.

A teacher is a friend whose heart responds to the faith and devotion of students.

A teacher is a citizen who is selected and licensed for the improvement of society.

A teacher is an interpreter, out of more mature and wider life, seeking to guide the young.

A teacher is a builder who works with the higher and finer values of civilization.

A teacher is a culture-bearer who leads the way toward worthier tastes, saner attitudes, more gracious manners, higher intelligence.

A teacher is a planner, seeing young lives as a part of a great system which shall grow stronger in the light of truth.

A teacher is a reformer who seeks to remove the handicaps that weaken and destroy life.

A teacher is a believer who has abiding faith in the improvement of the race.

– Adapted from the National Education Journal, May, 1932 (My comment: The above definitions of a teacher are idealistic, lofty, and probably outdated. How many teachers go into the profession these days who believe they can make a difference? Today’s teachers need the respect and cooperation of parents in order to work effectively with the children. If parents don’t care, it is reflected in their children’s attitudes.)

The other day I came across the following poem, and I think you will enjoy it as much as I do.

The Co-op Kittens I saw a little boy one day Put kittens in a box That bore the Co-op label; so I, clever as a fox, Said, “My those co-op kittens are As cute as they can be!”

“They ain’t no co-op kittens! Claimed The tyke, indignantly.

“They’re chain store kittens, Mister, and The box don’t change ‘em none!”

I didn’t want to argue, so I left him to his fun.

I looked into the co-op box A few days after that And said, “My goodness, how those chain Store kitten have grown fat!”

The youngster said, “They’re not chain store; They’re co-op now, by gum!”

In great surprise, I then exclaimed, “They’re co-op now! How come?”

He flared right up and said to me, While wrinkling up his brow: “Well, Gee Whiz, Mister, can’t you see?

Their eyes are open now!”

1976 Midland Cooperator, Superior

The other day I also came across a handwritten page given to me years ago by Jerena Baston. I got to know her when she lived in one of the apartments located where Comforts of Home is now in operation. We enjoyed talking about history of this area.

Bernice It’s no secret that I don’t Abrahamzon enjoy sewing or mending or darning or anything done with a needle. Through the years I’ve had some wonderful women do above chores including Marie Schroeder, Edith Anderson, and then Jerena. Of course, I had to take sewing in seventh or eighth grade and it took forever to finish making a dress. By the time it was finished, I’d outgrown it so I never got to wear it, and it certainly wouldn’t have won any prizes at the local fair. You know I like to cook and bake and write.

Jerena’s story is dated 1918, and goes like this: “When my parents quit farming, they had an auction sale. At that time, auction sales started at 10 a.m. and there was free lunch at noon. The auctioneer brought a gunny sack of tin cups.

A few day, before the sale, we boiled a home-cured ham and baked several loaves of bread, and made a lot of doughnuts.

The evening before the sale, the neighbor girls came over to help make sandwiches. A sandwich and a doughnut were put into a small paper bag.

The auctioneer and clerk had their dinner with the family.”

– Written by Jerena Baston

BEHIND THE

SIGNPOST

(My comment: For a few months, members of the Northwest Regional Writers had a weekly column in this newspaper entitled Peeks into the Past. I guess Jerena wrote the above for that column, but it was discontinued and was never printed. Such interesting information in such a few lines! Can you visualize it?)

Good thought When we are right, we credit our judgments. When we are wrong, we blame our luck.

And another It is stooping to serve that we stand tallest with God. – Pastor Berg And finally Wrinkles are hereditary. Parents get them from their children. – Doris Day Until next week, Bernice

Arm yourself against disease STATEWIDE – As influenza season approaches, state health officials are reminding adults to make sure their immunizations are up-to-date. Each year, adults in Wisconsin needlessly suffer from diseases that are easily prevented by safe and effective vaccines.

“All too often, people think immunizations are for children, but the reality is that there are many diseases that affect adults that can be prevented by vaccines,” said Dr. Sheri Johnson, state health officer. “Immunizations are a good investment for everyone. By keeping people from getting or spreading a disease, they help reduce needless suffering with illness, pain and expensive treatments.”

If you have any pre-existing conditions or are considered at-risk, please consult with your health care provider for the appropriate immunization schedule.

For all others adults, the following immunizations are recommended: • Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis Vaccine - revaccina-

Compiled by Bernice Abrahamzon

50 Years Ago The Webster Fire Department had a ball at Pete Boogart’s Resort on Sept. 14 with music by Ted Hunter’s Orchestra.-Basketball and gym shoes were available at Nelson’s Store, Siren.-The grand opening of Harold’s Home Furnishings was held at Siren, Sept. 13 -14 with door prizes, coffee and doughnuts plus candy for the children.-In Frederic, Mert’s Gift Shop and Floyd’s Jewelry moved to Hagberg’s Federated Store.-Specials at Route’s Super Market were celery at 19¢ a stalk, 50 lbs. of potatoes were 95¢ and brown or powdered sugar were 2 lbs. for 25¢.-The Osceola Free Fair was held Sept. 13, 14 and 15 with over $1,000 in prizes given away.-Specials at Route’s Super Market, Frederic, included kidney beans at 3 cans for 35¢, Angel Food cake mix at 39¢ a box and Crisco at 3 lbs. for 89¢.-A Danbury family, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Peterson of rural Danbury, had seven sons in the Armed Forces.-Consignment sales were held at the Clear Lake livestock market every Thursday consisting of cattle, horses, hogs, sheep and machinery.

The contact person was M.J. Hayes.-Peterson Construction Company advertised road building, land clearing, lakefront improvement.

Contact persons were Martin T. Peterson, Lewis, and Philman Berntson, Luck.

40 Years Ago Specials at the Clover Farm Store, Frederic, included run-of-the-pod peas at 5 cans for 89¢, giant box Tide at 79¢ and Butternut coffee at 3 lbs. for $1.89.-Obituaries included Richard Ferdig, Jenny Carlson and Anton Jensen.-Carlson Funeral Home in Frederic was moved to Cedar Avenue.-Specials at the Danbury Super Market over the weekend included round steak at 79¢ lb., sliced bacon at 59¢ lb., milk at 39¢ for half gallon and eggs at 3 dozen for $1.-The film “Doctor: You’ve Got to Be Kidding” was playing at the Frederic Theatre, starring Sandra Dee and George Hamilton.-Specials at the Frederic Coop Store were bananas at 10¢ lb., grapes at 19¢ lb. and ground beef at 4 lbs. for $1.98.-Oren Larson was featured as a Co-op employee at the Frederic Farmers Union Co-op.-The September special at Carlson Hardware, Frederic, was a set of two ironing board covers at 74¢ a pair.-Richard Goodman, Siren, received a safe driving award for 13 years of safe driving.-A smorgasbord was held Sept. 3 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Webster.-A Vietnam missionary was a guest at the Viola Lake Alliance Church.-The Webster branch of the Grantsburg Bank was entered at night, but nothing seemed to be taken or damaged aside from the broken window of entry.

20 Years Ago

(My comment: Remember that the newspaper you are reading is produced by a cooperative publishing association.)

Adult Immunization Week is Sept. 23-29

Do you remember ?

tion is recommended every 10 years. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine - recommended every year.

• Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine - vaccination is recommended for persons over age 65.

• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine - some persons born after 1956 may require a second measles vaccination.

• Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccine - those born after 1980 may require a second vaccination.

• Meningococcal Vaccine - recommended for college freshman living in dormitories.

Vaccines are among the safest medical products available. Some common side effects are a sore arm or low grade fever. As with any medicine, there are very small risks that serious problems could occur after getting a vaccine. However, the potential risks associated with the diseases these vaccines prevent are much greater than the potential risks associated with the vaccines themselves.

For more information regarding immunizations for adults, children and adolescents, go to dhfs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/index.htm. - submitted

Subscribe online at www.the-leader.net

The 25th Uff-Da Days were held at Carlyle’s, Grantsburg.-A Peterson-Okerstrom reunion drew many.-Ted Johnson celebrated his 102nd birthday on Aug. 2.-The Milltown Gas Company was showcased as the Business of the Week.-Helen Malmberg was featured as a woman who spent a lifetime helping others.-Fire destroyed the home of Eldora “Buddy” Bruce located north of Hwy. 48.-The Frederic Class of 1962 held a 25th reunion at the Frederic Country Club.-Obituaries included Matthew Briesmeister, Alma Creuzer, Orren Larson, Francis Tucker, Dewey Paulsen, Alex Crandell Damman, Robert Johnson, Edwin Christiansen, Jennie Johnson, Clara Olson Wollum, Peter Augustine and Marshall Battig.-The Siren queen pageant in August drew eight candidates including Wendy Boatman, Kimberly Voss, Jodi Yourchuck, Jennifer Dykstra, Bonnie Peterson, Melissa Lund, Tracy Bucher and Meredith Geske.Unattended fishing lines were killing area loons.-Little Miss Siren candidates were Marci Johnson, Rachel Anderson, Tiffany Jonasen, Mandi Wondra, Sarah Thomas, Rhyan Richison, Julia Havlovic and Amy Swanson.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Hello, Fritz here! Although, the good news is that I’m not here at the shelter anymore! I write this final news column from my new home in Minnesota. I admit it is not without shedding a tear or two for all my good friends and the angels I leave behind. These past two years I’ve had so many of my furry friends come in hungry, injured, bug ridden, sick and lonely and then sent them off to a new family with tail wags and tongue licks, but I never thought it would happen to me. Arrroooo! It has!

I have been adopted by a wonderful couple who have a few other special-needs dogs. I have furry friends to play with, a fenced-in yard, a full food bowl, soft bed and two loving humans who give me lots of attention. It’s a dream come true!

I can’t wag enough thank-yous to everyone who took care of me and never gave up on me at the shelter for over two years. Thanks to everyone who donates and keeps the lights on and the food bowl full.

Especially for all the angels that care for each one of

653-4281

us who come to the shelter with an array of needs and troubles. These angels patch us up, feed our bellies, love our hearts and send us off to new, good homes and a new life.

The angels at the shelter will find a new author for the news column. I’m not sure who the talented canine will Fritz be, but don’t worry, the column will come out!

NEWS FROM still It’s a bittersweet farewell I’m howling! Thank you to the Humane Society of Burnett County and all the angels who support it for my chance at a new life with my very own furever family! Arrrrrrrooooooo!

With your help, HSBC is saving lives, one at a time. www.hsburnettcty.org, 715-866-4096.

YOUR SHELTER

Lewis

Saturday was a busy day with the turkey supper Saturday night, but Sunday’s turnout for the regular church service was reassuring. The choir summoned enough energy to sing a special number. LaVonne Boyer assisted Pastor Mike with the service, along with LouAnn Gackle who gave the children’s message and also read scripture.

Coffee and cupboard cookies were served after the service.

Sunday school classes are back in session with additional staff volunteering.

Summer’s last roses were on the altar from the bushes so well-loved by Dorothy Glockzin. Robin Peterson also found some buttersweet, and Sylvia Schaetzel brought dahlias. The entryway and sanctuary were also decorated for fall.

The monthly board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. this Wednesday at church preceded by a potluck at 6 p.m.

Since there are “glorious leftovers” of extra turkey, potatoes, etc. The menu will be a rerun. Desserts are welcome however. Important to be there.

A very important meeting will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Webster. Supt. Moffat will be there to broach the subject of possible realignment due to the anticipated shortage of United Methodist ministers in 2008 with so many retirements taking place. There is a possibility of carpooling. Please check with others who plan to attend Thursday’s meeting at the Webster United Methodist Church.

Barbara and Dick Olinger came to work in the pie room for Saturday’s supper. Barb is familiar with the routine as she often worked there with her mother, Esther Schallenberger. Pies ranged from pumpkins to apple to blueberry and a lone lemon pie.

Glad to report that LaVerne Leep is finally feeling better.

She had enjoyed a two-week trip to Seattle with her daughter, Diane, and several others. They intended to drive but changed their minds and flew instead. They vis-

St. Croix Valley Senior Center We had our general meeting on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Twenty-seven members attended. We have 85 members as of our meeting. Those who did not attend must have been very busy. You all missed a very good potluck and a fun time.

The Tuesday afternoon domino winners were: Don Anderson in first place, Donna Schlosser in second place, Jean McIntyre in third place. 500 card winners were Artis Brown in first place, Mildred Lindberg in second place, Elaine Edlund in third place, Dave Anderson in fourth place and Pete Schlosser in fifth place.

Ole Goes to Heaven But first he had to answer three questions before St. Peter will let him through the gate.

1) Name two days out of the week that start with the letter T? 2) How many seconds in a year?

3) What is God’s name?

Answers next week.

Thursday evening 500 winners were: Carol VanBuskirk in first place, Arlis Rosen in second place, Leone Montgomery in third place.

Exercise will be starting up on Oct. 4. Come and join in on the light exercise.

Our garage sale is Friday, Oct. 12, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 13, 8 a.m. until noon.

Coffee and treats are always available. Come sit a spell and have coffee with your friends and or make new friends. Everyone is welcome.

Have a great day!

Bernice Abrahamzon

ited Verla there, plus many interesting places. The night of LaVerne’s return home, she had the misfortune of falling and injuring her back, so she has been doctoring, staying home trying to recover. It is turning into a long process.

Best wishes, too, to June Moline at Continuing Care, Grantsburg. Friends still enjoying playing 500 with her on Thursdays.

Best wishes, too, to Esther Schallenberger and Emma Jensen at the Frederic Care Center and to Ernie Bengtson at the United Pioneer Home at Luck. (Ernie, there will soon be a brand new house in your big field fronting 115th Street. Can you visualize that?)

Friends were congratulating Ethan Cook on bagging a deer with bow and arrow. This is not the first time he has been that lucky, either.

The Thursday morning book club met last week at the Frederic Library and had a lively discussion on the book “The Red Tent.” October’s book has the long title of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” by Mark Haddon. The 15-year-old main character has a condition similar to autism.

Bernice Abrahamzon had an essay about an old oak table in Yarns of Yesteryear, The Country Today, published in Eau Claire. What a surprise to receive a letter from a lawyer in Phillips, saying he once had a teacher by the name of Abrahamzon in Ashland in the early 50s.

Bernice wrote back to him, saying yes she had been the teacher’s wife and is now his widow. What a surprise to receive such a letter. Feedback is what writers really appreciate! Letters, phone calls, sincere compliments are day-brighteners. Writers need readers and encouragement!

The Indianhead Rock and Mineral Society will meet Monday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. at the Luck Senior Citizen Center with the meeting at 7:30 p.m. It will be a silent auction and a chance to do a little early Christmas shopping.

Potluck lunch as usual.

If you look at the Indianhead Advertiser, you will notice picture of two homes for sale in Lewis. One is the onetime bank building described as a 2-BR rambler. The other is the one-time home of the late Emma Bengtson. It has been extensively remodeled since them.

There are several other homes for sale in Lewis, also.

Births Born at Burnett Medical Center: A boy, Brett William Bartlett, born Sept. 11, 2007, to Chris and Beth Bartlett, Luck. Brett weighed 9 lbs., 2 oz. and was 21 inches long.

Brett’s sisters are Kaitlin and Karli. Grandparents are Connie and Kenny Knauber of Frederic and Sandy and Bill Bartlett of Luck. Great-grandparents are LaVerne Scheider of Grantsburg, Gerald Knauber of Frederic, Arlene Johnson of Frederic and Geneva Bartlett of New Mexico.

••• Born at St. Croix Regional Medical Center: A girl, Ava Ann Nunez, born Sept. 9, 2007, to Claudio and Wendy Nunez, St. Croix Falls. Ava weighed 8 lbs., 11 oz.

••• A boy, Afton Hayes Bank, born Sept. 11, 2007, to Stacia and Christian Bank, Minneapolis. Afton weighed 9 lbs.

••• A boy, Levi Clarence Worrell, born Sept. 11, 2007, to Karolyn and Tony Worrell, Milltown. Levi weighed 6 lb.

11 oz.

•••

349-2964

Siren

Bev Beckmark

Have you taken a look at the gorgeous colors Jack Frost has painted on some of the trees in our area? His little bit of devilment with his paintbrush sure left us with some beautiful painted trees to see. If you plan on taking a trip to view the fall colors this year, the next couple of weeks will probably be a good time to do so. Mother Nature usually gives us a few nice warm, sunny days after Jack Frost visits. It won’t be long though before Old Man Winter shows up on our doorsteps for his long visit.

Those of you who know and have visited Orvie Hanson at Capeside, she will be moving to New Richmond to be closer to her daughter. Harry Rudisell will be moving to Grantsburg’s Extended Care so if you have visited him at Capeside, stop over in Grantsburg to see him.

The Mixed Sampler Quilt Guild will present a “Through the Years” on Saturday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 7, at the Siren School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fees are adults, $3 with children 12 and under free.

Art and Bev Beckmark attended the 50th wedding anniversary party of Morris and Pat Peterson on Saturday, Sept. 22. The happy couple got a big surprise when friends of theirs from Canada arrived to help them celebrate their special day. Many more happy yeaRs to the two of you.

Late Saturday afternoon, Art and Bev Beckmark attended the wedding of Tom Cole and Kara Neskota in a beautiful outside wedding south of Grantsburg.

Don’t forget, even though it is still rather warm some days, winter will be here before we know it and many will need warm hats, mittens or scarves. The Lioness keep a good supply of yarn in at the Siren U.S. Bank for knitting or crocheting into these items for their mitten tree. So stop in and get some, let’s fill that tree again this year.

Dewey - LaFollette 468-2940

Karen Mangelsen

Mary Jane Dunn, Ruth Rydberg, Marlene Swearingen, Lorri McQuade, Lida Nordquist, Karen Mangelsen and Nina Hines were Tuesday afternoon visitors of Donna Hines.

Marlene and Bruce Swearingen took Hank and Karen Mangelsen out to eat Friday night. Later Nina and Lawrence Hines joined them at Hank’s home for cake and coffee to celebrate Hank’s birthday.

Don and Lida Nordquist went to the Phipps Theater in Hudson on Friday and attended the play “Let’s Murder Marsha.” Their daughters and sons-in-law went with them.

Congratulations to Lawrence Hines who shot a hole-inone at the Frederic Golf Course Saturday. This was his first.

Donna Hines, Lida Nordquist and Marlene Swearingen went to Eagan, Minn., Saturday. They attended a baby shower for Dianne Hines, Gerry and Donna’s granddaughter.

Saturday visitors of Hank and Karen Mangelsen were Roger and Sue Mroszak, Larry, Celie, Baxter, Jake, Hannah and Grace Mangelsen, April, Dave, Patty and Mandy Close, Don Nordquist, Nick and Esther Mangelsen, Nicholas and Alex Brustad and Jerry Sexton. Hank‘s birthday was celebrated.

Weekend guests of Nina and Lawrence Hines were Chad, Jenny and Aubrey Harrison and Chris Harrison.

Sue and Roger Mroszak were supper guests in Lisa and Dan Pederson in Cottage Grove, Minn., Saturday. They helped granddaughter Amanda celebrate her 21st birthday.

Sunday visitors of Lida and Don Nordquist were Jan, Jim, Caleb and Hannah Schott.

Roger and Sue Mroszak visited Dixie and Chuck Andrea Sunday afternoon.

Clam River Tuesday Club will meet Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m. at the home of Beth Crosby.

Please remember the Clam River Tuesday Club fundriaser at the American Legion Hall at Indian Creek on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission to the dance is $3. There will also be a silent auction, quilt raffle, regular auction, door prizes and lunch served with a freewill offering. All are welcome to come and enjoy the evening.

Happy Corners

Mardel Barnette

Gene Doster, Vern Catlin, Mardel Barnette and Shawn attended Irvie Ranallo’s reviewal on Tuesday evening in Turtle Lake. Mardel Barnette and Shawn attended Irvie Ranallo’s funeral on Wednesday forenoon. Sympathy is extended to the family of Irvie Ranallo.

Mardel Barnette and Shawn had lunch in Rice Lake on Tuesday afternoon.

Vern Catlin visited his granddaughter in Spooner on Sunday afternoon.

Mardel Barnette and Shawn played bingo in Turtle Lake on Sunday afternoon.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 7

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Webster Senior Center

866-4334 We held our monthly senior meeting on Monday afternoon with six people attending. The update on the status of the removal of the popcorn ceiling was given, in addition to the Bremer Foundation grant applied for. President Mary Klar will be supplying Bremer with additional information requested.

We only had nine players for dime bingo on Wednesday afternoon, but they still had a good time. Mary Klar furnished the refreshments. We have a system of putting the names of all of the regular players in a container and then drawing a name out at refreshment time for the next week’s volunteer to furnish goodies.

Some of our seniors attended Earl Heier’s funeral on Thursday at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home representing the Otis Taylor Post 96 American Legion – Webster, the Legion Auxiliary, and the Webster Lioness Club. Following his graveside service, the Lioness Club furnished and served the meal for family and friends at the Webster Community Center.

There were five men playing pool and five ladies playing cards on Thursday evening, and they all had a great time playing and munching on goodies provided by the ladies.

The Webster Lioness Club had their September dinner meeting at the community center on Thursday evening and enjoyed the meal catered by Marilyn Meyer of Emily’s Luncheon, Antiques and Crafts. They made plans for their children’s Halloween party, and discussed the fact that the Oct. 6, luncheon and bingo/card party is cancelled due to

Cloverton - Markville

320-242-3933 Rainy, chilly and windy days have set the background for activities out here in the little townships of Arna and New Dosey.

Sandi Drake, Pam Ellwein and Clara Lilly attended the funeral service for Peter Merimonte in White Bear Lake, Minn. It was a sad occasion and we continue to think of Darlene and the family.

Pam and Pete Ellwein picked Clara Lilly up shortly after that and took her to the 19th birthday party for Tom Ellwein. The party was held at the home of Pam’s brother and his wife, Dale and Jody Dorenburg, in Webster. Tom works for his uncle, Dale, down there.

Bob Brewster and Patty Koehler had Fran and Dave Baker over for dinner on Friday evening. Patty had made two huge homemade pizzas which were delicious, then the four of them watched the German film “The Lives of Others.”

Shirley Blokzyl returned last week from New York where

Fran Krause

the Webster Community Center kitchen renovation taking place at the same time.

Deb served chocolate cake with seven-minute frosting on Friday to honor those with September birthdays.

Happy birthday to Betty Trudeau, Eldon Arneson, Dorothy Smith and Abby Brand!

Shaun and Brenda Rachner, Lynda Mosher and Kurt Anderson chaperoned a group of seven area youths on Saturday to a corn maze at a farm across from the racetrack at Shakopee, Minn.

Our thanks to Leland “Bud” Martin and Don and Esther Carlson for their donation of tomatoes; and Gladys Packer for donating carrots, cauliflower and dip, in addition to her assistance in the kitchen on Monday.

Mr. A. D. Mayer, Altoona will be conducting a health market seminar for senior citizens at the center of Tuesday, Oct. 9. If you plan on attending, why not call Deb at 8665300 to make a reservation to eat with the nutrition diners before the meeting starts.

Burnett County Benefit Specialist Connie Crosby will be having her first Energy Assistance program for senior citizens at our Webster center on Thursday, Oct. 18, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Call Connie at 349-7600, extension 1239 for an appointment. You could plan on joining the diners on that day, too.

Our get-well wishes and prayers continue to go out to Laura Cornelison; Nick Doriott; Antone Gronski; Bernice Burnett; Mary Poretti who is recovering from shoulder joint replacement surgery; and Jonathan and Lynda Mosher’s

Orange

LaVonne O’Brien

Dee Krause attended a tax listers conference from Tuesday through Friday.

Evelyn Mueller, former resident now of Moundsview, visited Fran Krause on Saturday.

Maxine Stone was one of 10 who attended the annual Danish dinner at the home of Elaine and Charles Scott.

Congratulations to Tim O’Brien and Vikki Swenson who were married Saturday in the Sacred Heart Center in Duluth, Minn., with the reception in Bennets at Fitgers Inn. Jack O’Brien was best man. Other attendants were Bob, Mike and Tom O’Brien, and Tylyn O’Brien was the greeter.

Pat and Nancy O’Brien were among the many friends and relatives who attended the wedding.

Academic news ST. PAUL, Minn. – The College of St. Catherine is pleased to announce the names of students who were awarded degrees during commencement ceremonies May 19 and 20 on the college’s St. Paul campus.

Among the honoress were: Kristina Nicole Fjellman, who majored in MAED in theater and art education. Fjellman is the daughter of Kay Rosenthal and Kirk Fjellman of Frederic, and is a 2000 graduate of Frederic High School in Frederic.

Jeniffer Feuerhake, who is majoring in speech communication. Feuerhake is the daughter of Dean and Jody Feuerhake of Webster. Feuerhake is a graduate of Webster High School. - submitted •••

she had spent a week with her daughter, Janis, and family. While Jerry was “batching” it, his friend Mark Loe came up from St. Paul, Minn., to visit him.

Frank Schaaf took his truck over to Mora for some servicing one day, then a few days later, he and Mary did their monthly shopping tour in Duluth. Of course, they ate at what Mary refers to as “the only restaurant in town” - the Old Country Buffet.

A rather slow week for Deloris Schirmer had her going to the bookmobile on Wednesday, then taking her truck to Sebald’s in Askov to be serviced.

Pam and Leon Berg very much enjoyed the afternoon they spent in Rice Lake, attending the football game of grandson Derrick. Derrick is 15 years old and plays for the junior varsity team of Hudson High School. His team lost in the last few seconds, by the way.

I finally caught up with Boots Raboin and he says it was a working summer for him. All the usual stuff, yard and gar-

Mary Klar nephew, Caleb Lythander, of Dayton, Ohio, who is recovering from surgery for serious injuries obtained in a motorcycle accident. Our sympathy and prayers also go out to the family of Earl Heier, Webster, who passed away this week.

A man who loved old books met a friend who had just thrown away a Bible that had been stored in his attic for generations. “I couldn’t read it,” the man explained.

“Somebody named Guten-something had printed it.” “Not Gutenberg!” the book lover exclaimed in horror. “That Bible was one of the first books ever printed. A copy just sold for over $2,000,000!” His friend was unimpressed.

Mine wouldn’t have brought a dollar. Some fellow named Martin Luther had scribbled all over it in German.” This story shows that some people can treat as worthless that which is valuable. That is what Esau did. Although he was a nice man, Esau was a “profane” man because he sold his spiritual birthright “for one morsel of food.” Hebrews 12:16. Only when it was too late to undo his terrible bargain did he realize that he had sacrificed the permanent on the altar of the immediate. We must be careful of the “bargains” we make in life. Our culture places a high price on what is worthless and throws away as worthless what is of eternal value. Why pay the high price for this world’s bargains when eternal life is free. “The little choices we must make, will chart the course of life we take; we either choose the path of light, or wander off in darkest night.”H.Robinson.

See you at the center!

Fran Levings den work. His son, Dan, came up recently to help his dad stain the house and garage. Neither of them got their bear this year.

Longtime friend, Dave Anderson, Coon Rapids, Minn., came up and spent a few days with Ed and Jan Proffit. He and Ed worked around the homestead, got in a few goose hunting excursions, and just generally had a good time.

We also have had out-of-state guests recently. My husband’s brother, Don Baker, and his girlfriend visited us awhile back. We spent a wonderful afternoon catching up.

Don lives in Spirit Lake, Idaho.

My sister, Jane, and her husband from Klamath Falls visited in the area also. The four of us toured the train museum in Duluth and had lunch at the Pickwick one day.

The next day, they came to our home for lunch. It is always good to have visits from family and friends.

Deadhead those flowers, wherever you are.

Frederic Senior News from the Service Ardyce Center Knauber

Jon W. Wikstrom has entered basic cadet training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., Spades were played Monday with the following winners: in preparation to enter the first academic year at the Hazel Hoffman in first place, Lloyd Nelson in second place, academy. The six-week, two-phased orientation proEleanor Bonneville in third place and Lola Hinschberger in gram must be successfully completed by the cadets fourth place. prior to entering their freshman year. The training preTuesday the United Aging meeting was held at the Luck pares men and women to meet the rigorous mental Senior Citizen Center. Our Polk County sheriff, Tim Moore, and physical challenges experienced by new cadets. gave the presentation and the topic was scams and idenPhase one involves personal in-processing, orientatity theft. We seniors must be aware of this problem and tion and training in the fundamentals of being a cadet. notify authorities so the criminals can be properly punished Cadet trainees are prepared to adjust from civilian to and save another elderly person all the terrible anxiety that military life and disciplines, and learn proper wear of these scams can produce.

All seniors should be aware of our Polk County Aging De- the uniform, saluting policies and procedures, drill and partment and the help they can give you in the problems ceremony, marching, and living quarters standards.

During phase two, cadets train outdoors living in facing our elderly population.

Pokeno was played at 1 p.m. Wednesday. 500 cards was tents while learning to function in field conditions. played at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with the following winners: Cadets apply and practice team work, cohesion and Nina Voltz in first place, Shirley Sandquist in second place, learn to deal with physically and mentally demanding Marlyce Borchert in third place and Willis Williams in fourth situations. They complete the obstacle, confidence, assault, and leadership reaction courses and participate place.

Our executive meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, in a rescue mission termed Operation Warrior.

Sept. 28.

He is the son of Jon and Jeanne Wikstrom of Eagan, Our October monthly meeting will be held Friday, Oct. 5, Minn. His grandparents are Jim and Flo Wikstrom of at 1:30 p.m. We urge our members to attend our monthly Frederic. Wikstrom is a 2007 graduate of Cretin-Dermeetings. ham Hall High School, St. Paul, Minn. - submitted ••• Army Pvt. Adam K. Java has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.

He is the son of JoAnn Java of Grantsburg. Java is a 2006 graduate of the Blackwell Job Corps Center, Laona. - submitted

PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER HAPPY TAILS

Gordon is a 10-week-old Border collie mix. He is smart, playful and ready to learn. Gordon came to the shelter as a 6-week-old pup who had made his way through a thick woods and to the house of a Good Samaritan. He was full of ticks, hungry and dehydrated. He has made a full recovery at the shelter and is looking for another start.

Arnell His Good Samaritan named him Gordon Lightfoot because he has a Humane small amount of grey and white on Society his front paws.

Briggs, our poster dog last week, found a great home within a day of his picture appearing in the paper.

Briggs is a great dog that had been at our shelter for a month. It is amazing what a little advertising can do. Now he has a home complete with another black Lab to play with. Remember to think of our shelter dogs when thinking of another pet. They are all here, waiting for you to find them.

Another longtime resident, Lady, also found a loving home. Lady came to the shelter with all of her ribs showing. She quickly became a staff and dog-

walker favorite with her sweet disposition. She had everything going for her, a gentle nature, a blonde coat and an undying adoration for humans of all sizes and shapes. And yet, Lady stayed at our shelter for over a month.

She went home last week to live with a recent widower. She is a perfect companion for an aching

AWAIT

472-8285

heart.

Arnell Memorial Humane Society, 715-268-7387 (PETS) or visit our adoptable pets online at: www.amhs.petfinder.com

Luck Senior Center

Hi from Luck Senior Center!

Last Monday, Ellen, Edna, Silpa, Olivia and I had a very nice time at Inez Haltner’s cottage.

Tuesday, Sheriff Tim Moore was at the center in the afternoon giving a presentation on scams and identity theft.

Friday afternoon the foot ladies treated five people.

The foot ladies will be at the center the third Friday of every month. Be sure to call the center for reservations.

This Friday, Sept. 28, is our monthly potluck/birthday meeting. The program is going to be a surprise. Everyone welcome.

Tuesday, Oct. 2, will be our first game day. We will have tables set up for cards, card games or whatever.

NW Cleansweep announces fall hazardous waste collections The Northwest Cleansweep hazardous waste milk run program, which is designed to accept hazardous wastes from municipalities, businesses and schools from our 10-county region, announces registration for the fall 2007 collection. Items being accepted are: fluorescent bulbs, computers, oil-based paint, solvents or adhesives, antifreeze, corrosives, aerosols, batteries (button or rechargeable), PCBs (liquid), poison solids, pesticides (solid or liquid), ballasts and mercury.

This year, special emphasis will continue to be placed on the collection of mercury-containing items.

Today, we know that even low concentrations of mercury in the environment may lead to elevated methylmercury levels on fish; levels that present a real risk to individuals that consume fish regularly.

This knowledge and concern has led the Northwest

Engagement

Shirley Lund

We need ideas. Won’t you help us out?

There is going to be some changes made at the center, so be sure to come on in and see what’s going on.

Coffee is always on and I still have Amish starter.

Before I forget, thanks to Marge Everson for the watermelon, Edna Lawson for the buns and summer sausage and Marilyn Hubenette for the Rice Krispie bars and sandwiches. All food donations are greatly appreciated.

Remember, the center is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Keep on smiling’ – see you at the center!

Cleansweep Program to place a special emphasis to phase out mercury use in Northwest Wisconsin. Mercury is a poison that affects the central nervous system and may cause dermatitis, tremors and mental disturbances. Mercury is especially Jen Barton harmful to infants, children and the elderly.

The Northwest Cleansweep milk run program invites any municipality, school or business wishing to participate in the fall 2007 collection to call Reycling and schedule a pickup. RegisControl trations due by Oct. 10. PreregCommission istration is required and should be done now to assure a spot in this year’s collection schedule. Be responsible with hazardous waste. To register or inquire about prices, please feel free to call Bill Welter at 715520-7214.

EARTH NOTES

Holm/Stephens Brian Holm and Sharon Christensen along with Roger and Linda Stephens announce the engagement of their children, Jeremy Holm and Sara Stephens, both of Racine.

Jeremy is a 1995 graduate of Luck High School. He graduated from Fox Valley Tech in 2002 in fire science and is employed by Greenfield Fire Department. He is also attending paramedic school at Gateway Tech.

Sara is a 2001 graduate of Racine Lutheran High School and is employed at St. Luke’s South Shore E.R. as a ER tech and health unit coordinator. She is also attending nursing school.

An April 2008 ceremony is planned in Racine. – submitted

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 9

Taking Stock I’ve had some readers ask me why they haven’t seen my column in the Leader since June, to which I replied, “I didn’t know what to write because I couldn’t think of anything worth writing about.” I’ve sat down to the computer many times and waited for something bright and inspiring to fall out on to the blank pages before me, but alas, nothing appeared.

Since my mother died in April, near as I can tell from my vantage point now, I apparently have been on what I call an existential sabbatical. I felt overtaken and quieted by something bigger than I. One of the definitions Webster gives of the word”overtake” is: “To come upon

I love beautiful sunsets, dragging my feet through autumn’s leaves (you can’t really walk, you must drag your feet), Lily of the Valley, the smell of baby powder and speaking of babies, I love babies’ hands. The short, chubby fingers and dimples at the knuckles. I love the way they grab things and don’t have total control or the way they hold on to something as if it were for dear life.

As I was sitting with one of my elderly friends the other day, I realized how much older hands are like babies’ hands. Not so chubby, not so dimpled, maybe wrinkled or bent this way or that, but they grab things and don’t have total control or they hold on to something as if it were for dear life.

I remember one day looking at my own hands and wondering how my mother’s hand got to the end of my arm. Where did those spots come from and the skin was looser than I remembered. Lately I have been focusing on how I hold things. A tea cup must be held with only two or three fingers and yes, I extend my pinky. Who would have thought. I hold my knitting needles with a firm grasp for fear of losing a stitch. I no longer stir daintily as I use to, but now I grab the spoon and grind ingredients with a force I did not know I was capable of. When I read a book, I lick my finger when I turn the page, and I rattle the newspaper as I hold it. Occasionally my hand shakes when I am holding a cup of tea or cocoa, ( I don’t drink coffee, but I am sure it would have the same effect). My hands respond with a grasp and not a light touch unless I am touching something very soft.

When I was young, I remember my grandmother’s hands and how I loved

unexpectedly; take by surprise.”

That certainly seemed a fitting description for what I was experiencing.

Jane F. Meinz My mothers’ death was not only about grief, which itself is a winding road to maneuver, but her death also required me to reflect upon my own life in a deeper way. For me, it was about evaluating the biggies like, what is the

Sky’s the Limit

to hold them because they were so soft. My father’s hands had calluses from doing home projects and still, holding his hand made me feel safe.

I guess I have alBarb ways been very Blodgett aware of hands.

Some people notice your eyes when they meet you and some notice your smile, but I always notice hands.

They usually tell me a story. This lady has hands that play a musical instrument or this man has hands that work on cars or maybe this man is a farmer and this lady is a seamstress. Of course I am seldom right about the lives those hands lead, but as a child, I made up stories about people based on what their hands looked like.

I am sure there must be a name for my obsession with hands, especially today when there is a name for everything we do or say. It must be a phobia of some sort, but I like to think of it as a hobby.

Regardless of how people’s hands look, I can always put stories together about them. Strange, maybe, but the next time you meet someone look at their hands.

You will see things about the person you never saw before. Especially, look at baby’s hands. There is nothing sweeter in the whole world.

Caregiver’s GIFTS

See you next month.

God Bless, Barb

meaning of life? What happens when I die? It was also about the often overlooked day-to-days like, am I following my heart, am I living consciously, am I living passionately, did I really want to do that?

I think that there are events in our lives, sometimes big, sometimes small, that gives to us the gracious invitation for pausing, moving inward and reflecting. It’s human to be lulled into complacency in our lives, continuing to do the same things, think the same thoughts, and respond in the same ways without pausing to reflect on whether that really suits us anymore….or not.

In my months of reflection one of the many things I realized was that I was not the physically strong 32-year-old I used to be when it came to projects on the farm like fencing, lifting bales of hay,

repairing buildings, or training 2-yearold horses. At 48, not only had it become more difficult, it had also stopped being any fun for me. I decided I could let go of the belief, “I can do this all myself!” and still enjoy a modified version of the farm lifestyle that I love so much. Hard work was a motto in my life that I redefined to include cutting back, asking for more help, saying “no,” and hiring strapping, young men that were easy on the eyes.

Sttatus quo is very comfortable, safe and familiar, but is it where your heart is? Are you actively living the life you want, doing the things you want to do, saying what’s on your mind, following a wild hunch, sticking to your guns, sticking your neck out? If not, why not?

To pause and reflect on this is well worth your time and effort.

PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS Amery Public Library “Dairy Queen” and “The Off Season” by Catherine Gilbert Murdoch These two young adult novels set in Wisconsin will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Engaging coming-of-age stories, they feature D.J. Schwenk, a farmer’s daughter blessed with an athlete’s body, college football star brothers, a younger brother who doesn’t speak and a father with a broken hip. D. J. has taken on a lot of responsibility for the farm work and even given up basketball to keep the farm going. In order to help the farm survive, a neighboring coach sends his quarterback to train with the Schwenks who have muscles and work ethic. D.J. helps Brian Nelson train the way she saw her brothers train, and in the process, she gets in fantastic shape as well. She loves football and decides to go out for it too. In the meantime, Brian starts to look pretty good to her as well.

“In The Off Season,” D.J.’s brother is seriously hurt in a football game and D. J. must make decisions for herself and her whole family.

These are very good novels, and it is hoped there will be a third as some things are left up in the air. Although these are young adult novels, they would be enjoyed by adults as well. We have “Dairy Queen” on CD as well as in book form. Stop in and check them out Library notes Story time will be held every Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. open to any age from babies on up. We do songs and

Frederic Public Library

stories. On Oct. 17, join us for Fire Safety with Lora and Rick Van Blaricom at 10:30 a.m.

The Friends of the Library meet on Oct. 15, at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome as we need friends for the upcoming expansion. Friends of the Library book group meets again on Oct. 17, to discuss “The Lake of Dead Languages,”

by Carol Goodman at 7 p.m., Pick up a book at the circulation desk and join us.

The Amery Public Library Board will meet on Oct. 1, at 6:15 p.m. at the Amery Public Library. The Otaku Club meets every Tuesday at 5 p.m. for teens who love manga and anime. The Friends of the Library will be having a book sale on Nov. 9 and 10, so we are accepting donations of items for that sale. We will take books, tapes, CDs and videos in good condition. Please leave the items when the library is open.

The Great Stories Group meets on Oct. 8, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. to discuss “The Outsiders,” by S. E. Hinton.

Along with the Great Read in St. Croix Falls, the Amery Public Library will lead a book group at Golden Age Manor. The residents are reading and listening to “My Antonia,” by Willa Cather. We will meet in October to discuss the book when everyone has finished it.

Banned Book Week Sept. 29 – Oct. 6 What do The Bible, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” have in common? They have all been banned at one time or another for religious, social or political reasons. The library will observe Banned Books Week Sept. 29 – Oct. 6 with a display of some of the most frequently challenged books, including diverse titles like “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee and “In the Night Kitchen,” by Maurice Sendak.

Celebrate your right of choice by visiting a public library and making your own decisions in what you wish to read and view. In the words of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, “Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions.

It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.”

Library hours 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.

Book groups choose October titles The Thursday morning reading group will meet Oct. 18, at 10 a.m. to discuss “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” by Mark Haddon. The book tells the story of Christopher, a mathematically gifted autistic teen who

Please join us for story time Oct. 3 Preschool children and their caregivers are invited to Wednesday morning story time Oct. 3, at 10:30 a.m. for stories and activities all about pizza!

Our preschoolers enjoy music, fingerplays, puppets, flannel board activities and crafts in addition to listening to the best of children’s books, read by a devoted group of volunteers.

decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor’s dog and uncovers secret information about his mother.

The evening book group also meets Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. to talk about “Death Comes for the Archbishop,” by Willa Cather, the novel of a French clergyman assigned to 19th-century New Mexico territory just after its annexation to the United States.

Copies of the books are available at the library, and new readers are always welcome.

Let’s talk about The Big Read Oct. 2 The Frederic Public Library community is participating in the Big Read initiative sponsored by the NEA and hosted by the St. Croix Falls Public Library and the Festival Theatre. The Big Read program asks communities to come together to read and talk about a single book, and “My Antonia” by Willa Cather has been chosen. The library will host a discussion of “My Antonia” on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m., and welcomes anyone who has read the book – or anyone who is curious about The Big Read program. Let’s talk about it!

Library hours at a glance Regular library hours are Monday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The library is closed on Tuesdays.

How to contact the library Frederic Public Library, 127 Oak Street West.

715-327-4979, e-mail fredericpl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

St. Croix Falls Public Library Saturday talk about the book club The book club meets the third Saturday of the month, 9:30 a.m., at Goochie Noochie’s in downtown St. Croix Falls.

This month’s selection is “The Tale of Despereaux: Being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread,” by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated

by Timothy Basil Ering.

Technology Free wireless access is available at the library. Also, visit the library’s revamped Web site to find out what’s happening at the library. www.stcroixfallslibrary.org.

The Big Read Pick up a copy of “My Antonia,” by Willa Cather and join your neighbors in the Big Read. Copies are available at local libraries and businesses in Polk, Burnett and Chisago counties. Mark your calendars for Big Read events on

Oct. 6 and 14. Call the library or visit our Web site for more information, 715483-1777.

New titles Kids just getting into chapter books will love Dan Gutman’s series “My Weird School.” With titles like “Miss Daisy is Crazy!” And “Mr. Docker is Off His Rocker!” Gutman gets to the hearts and funny bones of elementary school students. Narrated by second-grader A.J. who hates school, the stories in the series will seem a bit familiar to young readers.

Hours, contact Our hours are Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The hours will change beginning Nov. 5. The library will be open from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. everyday except Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Osceola Public Library Book discussion “My Antonia,” by Willa Cather. Join the hundreds of readers in Polk County that are reading “My Antonia,” by Willa Cather. Osceola Public Library will host a book discussion on Thursday, Sept. 27, 5:30 p.m. “My Antonia” is a soulful and rich portrait of a pioneer Woman’s simple yet heroic life.

American Girl Tea Party!

Any young ladies (ages 5 and up) who might care to join in the fun must pay a small fee of $2.50 and preregister,

as seating is limited. Registrants are encouraged to “dress for tea” and to bring along their favorite American Girl or other doll.

Hours, contact Our hours are Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our phone number is 715-294-2310, and our Web address is www.osceolapubliclibrary.org.

Amery Public Library

Kids and caregivers enjoy working on craft projects during story time at the Frederic Public Library. – Photo submitted

Dresser Public Library 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.

Contact Contact the library at 715-755-2944

which is our telephone and FAX number or e-mail us at www.dresser pl@ifls.lib.wi.us. Our Web site, www.dresserpubliclibrary.org. also has information about story times, days closed, reference links, library policy and much more.

Balsam Lake Public Library

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 11

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS Balsam Lake Public Library Story time Story time is at 11 a.m. every Wednesday here at the library. All ages are welcome to join us for stories, crafts, music and snacks. We also have many new puppets that can be checked out for home use.

New books for October “Murder on K Street: A Capital Crimes Novel” by Margaret Truman, “Book of Dead” by Patricia Cornwell, “Almost Moon” by Alice Sebold, “Playing for Pizza” by John Grisham, “Protect and Defend” by Vince Flynn, “Sure Fire” by Jack Higgins. Nonfiction - “Prophet from Plains: Jimmy Carter and His Legacy” by Frye Gillard,” Forgotten Ellis Island: The Extraordinary Story of America’s Immigrant Hospital” by Lorie Conway, “Lost Worlds: Vikings” by J.M. Clements.

Book club October’s choice is “Dear John” by Nicholas Sparks. An extraordinary, moving story, “Dear John” explores the complexities of love - how it survives time and heartbreak, and how it transforms us forever. Book club meets Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m.

Knitting group Knitting group will be starting again soon, looking for more information the first part of October.

Balsam Lake Library, (under the water tower) at 404 Main St., Balsam Lake.

Hours are Monday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m.-2 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 www.balsamlakepubliclibrary.org.

Clear Lake Public Library New young adult books on CD “Artemis Fowl,” by Eoin Colfer “Artemis Fowl 2: The Arctic Incident” “Artemis Fowl 3: The Eternity Code” “Artemis Fowl 4: Opal Deception” “Artemis Fowl 5: The Lost Colony” “Inkheart,” by Cornelia Funke “Dragon Rider” “Inkspell” “The Amulet of Samarkand,” by Jonathan Stroud “The Golem’s Eye” “Ptolemy’s Gate” “Here Lies the Librarian,” by Richard Peck New fiction arrivals “Bone Garden,” by Tess Gerritsen “Choice,” by Nicholas Sparks “Echoes,” by Kristen Heitzman “Frill Kill,” by Laura Childs “Tell Tale Horse,” by Rita Mae Brown New nonfiction arrivals “What on Earth Have I Done,” by Robert Fulghum “Fishing Knots Proven to Work for Light Tackle and Fly Fishing”

Story time We host three story times during the week here a the library. Every Wednesday at 7 p.m.; Thursday at 10 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. Come and hear a wonderful book and enjoy coloring and word puzzles afterwards.

Teen movie night Every fourth Monday of the month we host a movie night for teens. Come join us for some popcorn and lemonade with a movie.

Knitting and crocheting group Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month we host a group for knitters and crocheters or those who want to be. All levels are welcome. We supply the materials for a beginner project.

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.

Luck Public Library Luck Public Library will be holding computer classes for seniors during the month of October. These classes will be held from 11 a.m. to noon every Tuesday in October. The classes are not designed to follow each other so feel free to stop in and sign up for whichever classes fit your schedule. We will be covering topics such as e-mail, Internet searching, creating documents and exploring several informational Web sites.

We will also have time to design lessons around what you specifically want to learn.

The Big Read is in full swing and Luck Public Library will be holding it’s Big Read book discussion Thursday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. at the library. If you have not picked up a copy of “My Antonia” yet, we still have copies available.

We also have several audio versions if you’d rather listen to the book. This is a rich and colorful novel depicting small town life and its hardworking people.

This promises to be a great discussion.

Join us. We’d love to have you.

Are you putting the garden to bed?

The Luck Public Library will be holding it’s annual perennial swap Oct. 19.

Bring your extra perennials and sell or swap with friends. This is a great time to add that new color for next spring as well as to network and talk gardens and gardening ideas. The swap will be held Friday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library.

For more details call the library.

Preschool story hour has begun at the Luck Public Library. Join us Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. for stories, crafts and games to encourage and enhance literacy and prereading skills. This is an active and busy time, so parental supervision is required. We are also looking for volunteers who would like to do the preschool story hour programs at the library. Are children your passion? Do finger puppets and action songs really get you going? Do you have a lot of creative ideas on what to do with paper plates and glue? Can’t commit to every week? We can still use you. Call the Luck Public Library for more information.

Centuria Public Library New books, audio books and DVDs Throughout the summer, the Centuria Public Library has been adding all the lastest new books, audio books, and DVDs for patrons to enjoy. Come in and check out our new items - browse the shelves and look for all items that have an orange dot on the spine. The orange dot indicates that the item is a recently purchased item or a new item in 2007.

New items are added to the collection every week.

Hours The Centuria Public Library is open Monday from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., closed Friday, and open 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Milltown Public Library 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.

We are wireless Bring your laptops to the Milltown Public Library and enjoy our free, fast wireless Internet access. No more waiting for an open computer! Surf the net from a comfortable chair! No time limits!

T-shirts The library’s awesome Summer Reading Program T-shirts are now for sale at

the rock-bottom price of $5. Get yours today!

Mark your calendars Lois Walfrid Johnson will visit the library on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m. for a free presentation titled “The Story Behind the Story.” She will talk about her books for young people, like the popular series “Adventures of the Northwoods,” and “Viking Quest.”

Hours Library hours are Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Leader is a cooperative-owned newspaper

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Rotary seeks business/professional people for exchange with Peru and Brazil ST. CROIX FALLS – A once in a lifetime opportunity! Too good to be true! A life-changing learning experience! These are phrases past participants have used to describe Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange program.

Group Study Exchange is a unique educational experience that furthers international understanding by providing an opportunity for outstanding business and professional people to study another country, its people, its culture and its institutions. Each GSE team visits a Rotary district in another country for four weeks. Team members stay in the homes of Rotarians, if possible, and follow an

itinerary of educational and cultural points of interest.

A Rotary District 5960 GSE team will visit Peru, from April 5 - May 5, 2008. A second Rotary District 5960 GSE team will visit Brazil leaving April 29 - May 28, 2008. Rotary offers this opportunity to spend a month living with local Rotarians and seeing the country in a way few will ever experience.

The teams will consist of four non-Rotarian professional or business people and a Rotarian team leader. Candidates must be engaged in a recognized business or profession on a full-time basis for at least the past two years. Employers

must give permission for the candidate to participate before the interview process. Candidates must be between the ages of 25-40 years and must live or work within the limits of Rotary District 5960 and its clubs (St. Paul, southeastern and central Minnesota, parts of western Wisconsin). Applicants cannot be spouses or lineal descendants of current Rotary members. Applicants must be citizens of the United States of America. All applications must be received by the St. Croix Falls Rotary, Franny Kerber, 715294-2759, by Sept. 29.

District level interviews will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, for candidates apply-

ing for Peru and Saturday, Oct. 27, for those applying for Brazil. Applicants must be available all day, starting at 9 a.m. for interviews which will be held at the Northern Star Boy Scout Council’s Hulings Scout Service Center, 393 Marshall Ave., St Paul, Minn.

For an application form and/or local Rotary club information and contact person, please call Jingle Mahan at 651-6369054 or jingle@rotary5960.org. GSE applications are available for downloading at www.rotary.org/newsandinfo/downloadcenter/foundation/educational.htm l. - submitted

Are you at risk?

Learn how to play it safe!

ST. CROIX FALLS – Will you be one of the 1.5 million this year who will suffer a bone fracture from osteoporosis: Weak bones?

Almost half of all Americans over age 50 will have this serious health risk by 2020 according to the Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health. Just as termites weaken your house, osteoporosis weakens your bones.

Polk County Association for Home and Community Education invites you to hear Dr. Marsha Beyer from St. Croix Valley Medical Center discuss all aspects of osteoporosis, from causes to prevention, Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 5:30 p.m. The program will be held at Polk County Government Center, lower level conference room in Balsam Lake. There is no charge and the public is invited. A sandwich luncheon will precede the program. Bring your own sandwich and drinks and bars will be supplied gratis.

There are many risks for weak bones from poor diet to medications to various chronic deficiencies and health problems. Find out what these red flags are, and what you and your doctor can do to prevent the fallout from not doing anything, which can lead to such things as fractures, hospitalizations, nursing homes (one in five hip fractures ends up here).

There are many ways to safeguard your bone health!

They urge you to consider coming Oct. 10. Your future is at stake! - submit-

The Leader is a cooperativeowned newspaper

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 13

Unity Homecoming 2007

The Unity cheerleaders held signs for Unity alumni to stand behind during the homecoming halftime festivities. Holding the posters: Stephane Lobert, Sadie Bengtson, Jessica Larson, Amanda Langermann and Alicia Milander.

Fear Factor, homecoming-style found the following wondering why they participated: Briana Bielmeier, Katie Radke, Jason Coen and Seth McKenzie. Lance Peper, in back, cheers on the participants.

Christian Brown, Unity junior, was a performer in Unity’s homecoming American Idol competition.

Ms. Cara Holicky’s kindergarten class won the homecoming kindergarten rope pull.

Photos courtesy Jeanne Alling

2007 Unity homecoming King Aaron Schmidt and Queen Brianna Schmid.

The winning wagon for Unity’s homecoming was displayed by the senior class.

The Unity junior class pulled to a second-place finish, behind the seniors during the homecoming activities.

Unity homecoming court included front: Cassie Fox, King Aaron Schmidt, Queen Brianna Schmid and Jim Moore. Back: Dani Martin, Ridge Mosay, Bryn Vollrath, and Dave Hraychuck.

The Unity cross-country team had a ceremonial football signed in Webster Friday morning, then ran the ball back to Unity - 35 miles! The team was welcomed with a standing ovation from the Unity fans as they entered the gym during the morning pep fest.

Several of the Unity elementary classes made homecoming hats to wear during Friday’s pep fest.

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Luck Homecoming 2007

Freshman Curtis Donald uses his bongo drum to keep the beat while singing, and then leading the student body in singing “The ABC Song” during the talent contest.

The homecoming royalty during the parade, featuring homecoming King Nate Nelson and Queen Missy Erickson.

Seniors Casey Hatten and Justin Eley flip for their class during the talent contest.

Photos courtesy Lori Nelson

As classmates yell encouragement, sophomore Bailee Swenson races to finish eating her bowl of ice cream while senior Travis Close reacts to his brain-freeze headache.

After getting verbal instructions from members of the football team, freshman Ashlyn Petersen, senior Emily Smith, junior Ali Lehmann, and sophomore Amanda Shannon struggle to correctly put on the pads, jersey and helmet of a football player. INSET - Before being added to the senior’s float, a former Pirate watched the action during the intramural volleyball tournament.

Dressed in their appropriate class colors and patterns, Jessica Antonson and the rest of the volleyball team finish talking during Thursday’s pep fest.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 15

Siren Homecoming 2007

Siren band member Aaron Engstrand was chosen as Mr. Siren, after competition with several classmates, before the start of the homecoming pep fest in the school gym Friday, Sept. 21.

The 2007 Siren homecoming court rode the homecoming parade route on a Siren fire truck driven by firefighter Greg Hunter. The court, stopping for a photo before they climbed aboard, included (L to R), front: Mikayla Moody.

Long row: Adam Daniels, Blake Hall, Jennifer Mitchell, Alysha Alden, Travis Freese and Lynette Renberg. Back: Thad Baasch.

Thad Baasch and Alysha Alden were crowned as the Siren Homecoming royalty at the homecoming dance at the school Friday, Sept. 21.

The 2007 Siren Homecoming court included (L to R) front row: Crownbearers Andrew Berglind, Justine and Shawnee Phernetton and Jordan Webster. Back row: Queen Alysha Alden, Travis Freese, Mikayla Moody, King Thad Baasch, Jennifer Mitchell, Adam Daniels, Lynette Renberg, Blake Hall, 2006 Queen Lauren Howe and 2006 King John Anderson.

Elementary students watched, behind the fence, for the homecoming parade to pass by Friday afternoon, Sept. 21. In this photo, (L to R) Ben Kopecky, Devin Rand and Austyn Morse practiced their parade wave to cheer on the older kids.

Standing behind them were teachers Chad Gibson and Dave Smith.

Photos by Nancy Jappe

The Siren sophomore class chose Flambe Flambeau as the theme for their float in this year’s homecoming parade. The float included an 8-foot dragon.

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Siren Harvestfest

Carl “Gator” Nelson from Duluth signed copies of his book, “Packers Verses Vikings, A Poetic Perspective,” at Peggy’s Fashion Rack & Gifts Saturday, Sept. 22. Nelson grew up in Dairyland, and graduated from Webster High School. He has been writing poems as a hobby for 20 years, writes a column once a week and is a big Packer fan. His wife is a Viking fan.

“This makes for pretty interesting discussion at times,” Nelson commented.

Kelly Siebenaler (L), who entered chili No. 4, was the winner of the Siren Harvestfest chili competition. Her mother, Laurie Moritz, took second place with chili No. 5. Members of the Siren/Webster Rotary Club, took third place for chili No. 1, which ran out long before any of the other entries. The club later brought in a second entry, chili No. 7, which got some votes in the competition. The proceeds from the competition have been designated for the Rotary club’s band-shell project.

The staff at Adventures Restaurant & Pub won the nod of the judges as the best live scarecrows at Harvestfest in Siren Saturday, Sept. 22, sponsored by the Siren Area Chamber of Commerce. The scarecrows shown here by the booya fire, which later became a fish-boil fire, included (L to R): Kim Boyd, Sandy Traaseth, Mary Robinson and Tara Siebenthal. Adventures also took first place for their outside scarecrow display.

This amphibian vehicle was registered in 1968 and is owned by Squeak Skogen of Webster. The amphibian was built in West Germany in the early 1960s, and there are about 1,200 of them left. It was made to go in the water, and is still floatable.

The vehicle has a 40-horsepower Triumph engine and is water cooled. — Special photo

Photos by Nancy Jappe except where noted This 1951 Chevrolet is owned by George Hirsch of Oakdale, Minn.

It’s roof was chopped down by 4 inches. It has a DeSoto grill and Oldsmobile tail lights.

The car includes air conditioning and a six-cylinder engine from a 1958 Chevrolet.

— Special photo

This lineup shows only some of the cars that entered the Harvest of Cars Show at Yourchuck’s Hardware/Video Market Saturday, Sept. 22. The store’s parking lot was full of cars of various makes, models and years. The proceeds from the show were designated for the Siren/Webster Rotary Club’s band-shell project at Crooked Lake Park. — Special photo

Syren General Store came in on top in the Homecoming Window Display competition with its jab at the Flambeau Falcons, Siren’s competitor in the homecoming game Friday, Sept. 21. Adventures, U.S. Bank and Fourwinds Market also put up homecoming displays.

Live scarecrows from Peggy’s Fashion Rack took third place in competition this year. The “fashionable” scarecrows, who were having fun in their outfits, were (L to R): Kay Mansfield, Sue Warn, owner Peggy Strabel and Connie McKenzie.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 17

Syren Garden Club adds paths and benches SIREN – On a very hot day in July, garden club volunteers and workers from the Burnett County Restorative Justice Program installed paths around the plantings in the Lilac Memory Garden in Siren. Dean Roland, Shelly Roland, Allan Waldorf and Carla Phillips dug right in helping the workers haul and spread a

huge load of crushed limestone. Wheelbarrows and shovels were used and the job was finished in one very long day.

The paths are an intricate part of the garden club’s overall landscape design. A beautiful redwood bench built and donated by Allan Waldorf and and Jack Elliot has been added and soon a second

Volunteers installing paths around the plantings in the Lilac Memory Garden. – Photos submitted

Shelly Roland helps spread a huge load of crushed limestone.

bench, donated through the WebsterSiren Rotary Club, will be installed.

The Lilac Memory Garden is a special

project of the Syren Area Garden Club.

Members have volunteered many hours planting, watering, weeding and fertilizing the plants and shrubs.

Many people have donated plants in memory of loved ones who have died, in honor of special events in the families of friends and relatives, i.e., wedding, anniversary, birthday, etc.

Memory plaques honoring the deceased and acknowledging the donor are placed next to each plant.

The ceramic plaques are created and donated by artist and garden club member, Carla Phillips.

Future fundraising efforts by the garden club will be used to purchase a picnic table, arbor, sundial, and other ornamental items and plants. The garden is located at the northwest comer of Main Street by the Gandy Dancer Trail. It is there for everyone to enjoy.

If you wish to donate a plant in memory or honor of someone, you may contact Carla Phillips at 715349-8386 or Joan Jendro at 715-653-4242. - submitted

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New PA joins Osceola Medical Center OSCEOLA - Nicole Johnson of Hudson has joined the medical staff at Osceola Medical Center as a physician assistant. She will be seeing patients at the Osceola Clinic and Weekend Clinic.

Johnson recently completed her physician assistant studies at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She will work closely with the family medicine physicians at OMC, and has interests in women’s health, children’s health and preventive care.

“I can hardly wait to get started at Osceola,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to help care for people of all ages.

My philosophy is to treat every patient as if he or she is a member of my own family.”

Rob Dybvig, MD, OMC’s chief medical officer, said, “We are excited to welcome Nicole to our practice.

Nicole’s skills and pleasant personality will help us expand our ability to provide high-quality routine and ur-

Nicole Johnson

gent health care to our patients.”

Johnson is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, where she studied vocal music and pre-physician assistant medicine.

She has a master’s in physician assistant studies from King’s College.

Her medical experience includes being an EMT in Collegeville and

working in the cardiac care unit at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

A resident of Hudson, she plans to move to Osceola with her kitten, Tigger.

Johnson, PA-C, joins family medicine providers Rob Dybvig, MD; Kevin Klein, MD; Kari Smith, MD; Greg Mattson, MD; Arnold Potek, MD; Bonnie Rohr, MD; and Paul Sletten, MD. The clinic provides the convenience of same-day appointments and is open five days a week with extended hours Monday through Thursday. A weekend clinic is open Saturday and Sunday. – from OMC

Oak Forest Center to host conference, barbecue FREDERIC – Oak Forest Center will host a one-day conference and barbecue Saturday, Oct. 6.

The theme of the conference is God’s Heart and Vision for our Personal Growth. It is for men and women, single or married. The fee is $23 per person.

The keynote speaker will be Jeff

Hagen, president of Hill Cities ministry and businessman. Workshop leaders are Michael Haase: business owner, entrepreneur - topic: Discipleship; Brent Johnson: directory of communications, Christian camping - topic: Personal Growth; Mike Rusten, Ph.D: INSIGHT director, professor - topic: Church His-

tory; and John Zimmer, PhD: pastor, Christian counselor - topic: Personality Traits.

The conference is sponsored by Growth Ministries Inc., a discipleship ministry blending both passion and precision in seeking personal and ministry growth in Christ.

For more information and registration contact Pete Katzung at 651-210-6303 or e-mail: katzungp@msn.com Oak Forest Center is located at 2824 130th Street, Frederic. – with submitted information

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SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 19

Marching band clinic presented at Frederic FREDERIC - On Friday, Sept. 21, members of the Frederic High School marching band participated in a marching band clinic with Dr. Jeffrey Crowell of the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire music department.

Dr. Crowell is an assistant music professor at UW-Eau Claire where he teaches applied percussion, percussion techniques, directs the UW-Eau Claire percussion ensemble and directs the Jazz III band. In addition to adjudicating numerous marching competitions throughout the Midwest, Dr. Crowell has marched with the Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, and has taught on the staffs of numerous award-winning groups including the Tournament of Roses Marching Honor Band. Dr. Crowell is an artist/clinician for Pearl Drums and Percussion and Adams Musical Instruments, Sabian Cymbals, REMO drumheads, and Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets.

During the clinic students worked with Dr. Crowell on aspects of marching including: marching fundamentals, basic commands, developing technique

Dr. Crowell is an assistant music professor at UW-Eau Claire for marching percussion, horn position, developing uniform marching style, and how to learn and read drill charts. The

Dr. Crowell demonstrated a marching style to the Frederic band students. – Photos by Brenda Sommerfeld clinic was organized by band director Patti Burns in preparation for the homecoming marching field show “Super-

heroes” to be presented at halftime of the homecoming game versus Siren on Friday, Oct. 5. - submitted

Teeing off on Diabetes Annual Turtle Cup raises $5,000 for ADA TURTLE LAKE – The St. Croix Casino & Hotel’s annual Turtle Cup is a long, straight drive down the middle of the fairway in the fight against diabetes, a disease that poses a significant health threat to all Americans but presents an even greater risk for the Native American population. Diabetes strikes Native Americans at twice the rate as the rest of the population. “It’s important that we do what we can to fight this threatening disease,” said Dino Oustigoff, St. Croix Casino & Hotel general manager.

“Thanks to everyone’s efforts in the annual Turtle Cup, we’re able to do just that.”

This year’s Turtle Cup, the 13th annual, was held at Turtleback Golf & Country Club in Rice Lake on Sept. 13.

In spite of the less-than-perfect weather—the shotgun start was delayed two hours because of rain, lightning and wind—34 foursomes were able to get in 18 holes of golf. At the end of the day, when all of the pars and birdies—and more than a few bogeys and double bo-

geys—had been scored, when the dinner had been eaten, and when the prizes had been awarded, the annual Turtle Cup had raised $5,000 for the American Diabetes Association’s Wisconsin affiliate.

The Turtle Cup is an invitation-only event: St. Croix Casino & Hotel vendors are invited to golf, to sponsor a hole or to donate prizes for the golf outing’s fundraising raffle. In after-dinner remarks, Oustigoff thanked the vendors for their support and the casino employee volunteers for their hard work and dedication. “The Turtle Cup wouldn’t happen without the generosity of our vendors and the dedication and commitment of our employees,” he said. “Thank you.” - submitted

Ryann Rathman of the ADA’s Wisconsin Affiliate accepted this year’s Turtle Cup donation check from casino general manager, Dino Oustigoff. Over its 13-year history, the Turtle Cup has raised $65,000 for the American Diabetes Association’s research programs. – Photo submitted

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PAGE 20 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Trade River Winery announce first release of Trade River Wines Locally produced wines long awaited GRANTSBURG – Trade River Winery announced the immediate availability of the Trade River Wines, enabling consumers to enjoy premium wines in an eco-friendly, 100-percent recyclable bagin-box system. Consumers responded

instantly to the concept, and the bag-inbox wine has become the winery’s most popular selling wine. One three-liter bag (equal to four bottles) can be surrounded by a beautiful wooden sleeve which provides an elegant, efficient and easy to decorate display on any bar or table.

Trade River Wines are available in eight different varietals from world-renowned winemaker Fernando Festa. - submitted

Lions install playground equipment

The Taylors Falls Lions Club held a party for the employees at the city offices of Oakdale, Minn. The city of Oakdale donated their playground equipment to the Taylors Falls Lions, who in turn installed in the Lions Park along the St. Croix River. Shown are (left side): Orval Curley, Andy Swenson, Bill Davids, Bob Anderson, Larry Julik-Heine, Eric Garner, Bill Neska and Don Lawrence. Right side: John Schultz, Dan, Tyler, Nick, Jeff from Oakdale; Randy Bastyr, Wayne Breeden and Kevin Schumann. – Photo submitted

TOPS fall walk

Some of the members of the Osceola TOPS Club enjoyed a fall walk exploring the new Dr. John Simonstad Memorial Trail which is located behind the BP Station in downtown Osceola. Pictured from (L to R) are Marian Madsen, Mary LaMere, Norma Kretzschmar, LaVonne Getschel, Pat Bemis, Constance Uhlig and Mary Drinkwine. Take Off Pounds Sensibly offers a healthy and supportive approach to weight loss at an affordable price. To learn more visit www.tops.org. – Photo submitted

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 21

Webster Chamber recognizes area businesses On Friday, Sept. 21, Steve and Amanda Yantes, the owners of the Yellow River Saloon and Eatery, were given an official welcome to the area by the Webster Area Chamber of Commerce. The bar and restaurant have been operated by its new owners since November 2006, and they celebrated their grand reopening this past Labor Day weekend. They open their doors at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. They offer a full lunch and dinner menu daily with specials offered on Friday and Saturday nights, and their kitchen stays open until 10 p.m. The Yellow River Saloon and Eatery is located at 27043 Hwy. 35, Webster, and their phone number is 715-866-7473. Pictured (L to R) are Amanda and Steve Yantes with chamber board member and representative Matt Swenson. – Photos and information by Jeanne Daniels

Gunner’s Cycle Shop, owned jointly by Terry Spears and Gerry and Kim Trepczyk, opened its doors to the public on Sept. 1 and was also welcomed by the chamber last Friday, Sept. 21.

The cycle shop is a full-service custom motorcycle and repair facility including a machine shop, repair area and parts stock. The shop also features a store which carries HarleyDavidson and other brand merchandise. Eventually, the shop will expand into more clothing, a leather sewing service and a wider variety of gifts. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. More hours will be available in the summer months and a grand-opening celebration is being planned for next spring.

Gunner’s Cycle Shop is located at 7390 Poplar Street East, Webster, and they can be reached by phone at 715-866-5152. Pictured (L to R) are owner Terry Spears, Jenn Brown, owners Kim and Gerry Trepczyk, and chamber board member and represenatative Matt Swenson.

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

OBITUARIES Earl N. Heier

John I. Nelson

Lena Glenna

Earl N. Heier, age 64, a resident of Webster, died Sept.

16, 2007, at Burnett Medical Center.

Earl was born July 24, 1943, in Webster to Earl T. and Martha Heier. Earl was in the United States military for 20 years, with tours in Germany and Vietnam. Earl returned to the Webster area in 1984. He ran residential services where he was an electrician, plumber and handyman. Earl was very active in the Boy Scouts for 44 years. He was Scout Master and held other leadership positions during that time. Earl was also active with the Otis Taylor American Legion Post 96, where he was past post commander. In his free time, Earl enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Erickson and Carol; and son Teddy.

Earl is survived by his wife, Mary of Webster; children, Heidi Nelson of Luck, Norman (Kelly) Heier of Coon Rapids, Minn., Martha Heier of Balsam Lake, Ben Heier of Grantsburg, Misty Heier of Trade Lake, Earl Dru Heier of Webster and Matthew Covey of Webster; grandchildren, Mandi (Eric) Lewis of Bloomington, Minn., Nick Duncan of Bloomington, Minn., Amber Duncan, Jason Nelson, Tara Heier, Shane Heier and Jacob Heier; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Effie Wester of Webster and Fay Ann Nagel of Delano, Minn.; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home with Brian Snow officiating. Music was provided by organist Fran McBroom and soloist Jan Larson. Interment followed at Oak Grove Cemetery, Webster. Casket bearers were Shane Heier, Matt Bobowski, Jim Petrangelo, Jake Petrangelo, Dan Ries, Jake Benton and Joe Kouba. Military honors were provided by Otis Taylor American Legion Post 96 and the Spooner Honor Guard, Spooner Detachment.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.

John I. Nelson, age 67, a resident of Superior died Sept. 16, at Middle River Health and Rehab in South Range.

John was born Dec. 4, 1939, to John and Ethel Nelson. John enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and working on cars.

John was preceded in death by his parents; half-brother Kenneth; nieces Elizabeth and Nicole.

John is survived by his longtime companion, Rose Michele Nelson of Superior; children, Dixie (Ron) Hess of Superior, Susan Nelson-Sandlin (Christopher Sr.) of Superior, Walter Nelson of Superior and Mickeal (Patty) Nelson of Minneapolis, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sisters, Deanna (Eric) Enequist of Douglasville, Ga., Sharon (Jack) Eastman of Bakersfield, Calif., and Jeanette (Kenneth) Kurschner of Barron; brothers, Leo (Agnus) Nelson of Webster and David Nelson of Phoenix, Ariz.; half-brother Jackie Nelson, along with nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Memorial services were held Friday, Sept. 21, at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.

Lena Glenna, a resident of the United Pioneer Home in Luck, died Sunday, Sept. 16, at the age of 87.

She was born Nov. 22, 1919, in Colburn Township of Chippewa County, to Alex and Mary Pleska. On Oct. 2, 1939, she was united in marriage to Otis Glenna. They settled in Colburn Township, and four boys were born: Everett, Jerry, Robert and Dennis.

In 1947, the family moved to the farm on Blake Lake in Georgetown Township in Polk County, where sons Ronald, Donald and Jim were born. Otis and Lena operated the dairy farm until they retired in 1990. Besides farming, Lena was an avid baker, gardener and loved to crochet.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and three sons, Everett, Ronald and Donald.

She is survived by her husband, Otis; sons, Jerry (Julie) of White Bear Lake, Minn., Robert (Rita) of Amery, Dennis (Carol) of Balsam Lake an Jim (Judy) of St. Croix Falls; sister, Ann Etten of Chippewa Falls; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren as well as other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Georgetown Lutheran Church with Pastor Neal Weltzin officiating. Soloist was Andy Mangelsen. Organist was Dorothea Beecroft. Casket bearers were Rick Glenna, Randy Glenna, Marvin Glenna, Jamey Glenna, Chad Glenna, Tony Glenna, Missi Grindell and Jodi Fero. Interment was at the Georgetown Lutheran Cemetery.

The Williamson Funeral Home, Amery, was entrusted with arrangements.

Stephen Lee Quimby Stephen Lee Quimby, 54 of Mountain Home, Idaho, died due to injuries received in an automobile accident on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007.

Steve was born on Dec. 5, 1952, at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Ala., to Vernon and Betty Quimby. He graduated from Grantsburg High School, then attended Rice Lake votech school for carpentry.

After vo-tech he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and traveled the world before retiring in 1997.

Steve loved being in the outdoors, including camping and fishing. He had a special love for animals. He also enjoyed dancing. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. Steve moved to Mountain Home on Dec. 8, 2006, and worked as a contractor for longtime friend Bill Ennis, formerly of Frederic.

Steve is survived by daughters, Karey Fletcher and Jenny (Bobby) Devries; grandchildren, Gavin, Nate and Amber, all of Nebraska; sister, Judy Olsen; brother, Thomas (Joan) Quimby, both of Grantsburg; sister, Kim vanBommel (Harry), California; extended family Bill and Mone Ennis of Idaho, numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by both his parents and one niece.

Memorial service will be held at Swedish Mission Church in Trade Lake, on Sept. 29, at 11 a.m. Military rights by Brask-Janke-Fossum Legion Honor Guard.

Joseph J. Dominas Joseph J. Dominas, 78, a resident of Meenon Township, died Sept. 15, 2007, at Burnett Medical Center.

Joseph was born Aug. 30, 1929, in Chicago, Ill., to Joseph and Bessie Dominas. Joseph was a past member of Ducks Unlimited and worked 12 years as a mold maker at Baxter in Round Lake, Ill. Joseph enjoyed golfing league at Fox Run. He also enjoyed winters in Gulf Shores, Ala., where he enjoyed golfing. He enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Connie; sons, Mike (Gayle) Dominas and Mark Dominas; daughter, Cindy (Bob) Clark; grandsons, Shawn and Brett Clark; greatgranddaughter, Caydence Clark; sister, Alice; brother and sister-in-law, Rich and Gay; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home with Pastor Cindy Glocke officiating. Interment followed at Oak Grove Cemetery, Webster. Casket bearers were Brett Clark, Shawn Clark, Bob Clark, Dave Wojick, Terry Coleman and Rick Ferree.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.

Ragtimist to perform OSCEOLA - Ragtimist Bob Milne, the top ragtime/boogiewoogie/gospel pianist in the country, will perform his fifth-annual concert at the Osceola United Methodist Church in Osceola at the corner of Third and River Street on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 pm.

“Unbelievable,” “intoxicating” and “virtuoso” are words critics have applied to the music of ragtimist Bob Milne. The Guadalajara Reporter said, “His dazzling piano playing leaves no white keys, black keys or even cracks untouched.” The El Dorado Gazette, in Georgetown, Calif., reported: “Bob Milne wowed the audience. Wild and spectacular and got thunderous applause.”

Although he refers to himself as a “saloon piano player,” Bob Milne receives rave reviews wherever he tours, all over the U.S. and Canada, and for three special performances for President George Bush, Sr. President Bush Sr. has called Bob’s music “enchanting” and he feels that Melne is one of the best musicians he has ever heard.

In October 2004, the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., interviewed Milne about his unique playing style and how it developed from a very colorful, full-time saloon piano-playing career spanning more than 25 years. The interview is now part of the permanent record of the library’s American folk life division, “I Hear America Singing.”

Tickets are $15 and are available by calling 715-755-2275, or by e-mail at oumc@centurytel.net or by mail at the Osceola UMC, P.O. Box 447, Osceola, WI 54020. Early reservations are suggested. - submitted

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 23

CHURCH NEWS Sunny summer faces Sunflower fields in full bloom are a sight to behold. This summer several fields of sunflowers graced the land in my county, and how I enjoyed seeing them—hundreds of beautiful, yellow faces turned to the sun in unison.

Sally Bair Sunflowers grow tall, seemingly trying to reach the sun itself for warmth and sustenance. In order PERSPECTIVES to grow well, they need full sun.

As if in thanks to their creator, they offer us many benefits—oil and seed and sun butter, medicine and pollination, nectar for the bees and biofuel.

We also need the sun, to help keep our bodies and minds healthy. And we need the Son of God in order to grow well spiritually. Like the sunflower, we need to turn our faces to him throughout each day. Not just on Sunday morning or when sitting peacefully on a mountain rock or in a boat. But from sunrise to sunset—and even during the night. When our lives are sunny or when they’re cloudy and stormy. Always reaching for God’s life-giving peace of mind, joy, and righteousness. Always taking in the truth, the strength, and the power from his word.

In the sunflower fields, as in all fields, there are plants that do not grow, and become stunted and pale and crowded out, and blinded to the light. That’s how it is with people who refuse to accept the truth of Jesus’ great love and salvation for them. They may look healthy and happy outwardly, but their “minds the god of this age (Satan) has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) At the beginning of time God commanded the light to shine in the darkness of creation. Today he “turns on” the light in our hearts so we can “see” him and the light of his grace and mercy.

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6) Lord, may we be like the sunflowers, always reaching for Jesus, the Son of God, who gives life, sustenance, and peace.

In his holy name, amen.

(Mrs. Bair may be reached at sallybair@gmail.com)

ETERNAL

will be loss. There will be sorrow. But in the face of these hardships we must have great trust in our Father in heaven. Let One dark and stormy night in a fishHim hold the rope! ing town on the coast of Maine, a little The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he boy wandered away from his house. He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my climbed to the top of a steep cliff overhigh tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou hanging a pounding surf. At the cliff’s savest me from violence. (2Samuel 22:3) edge, he slipped and fell to a tiny ledge Garret Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put 15 feet down the rocks. Some men and boys, searching for the lost child, saw his Derouin your trust in the LORD. (Psalm 4:5) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the unconscious form on the ledge. “We shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou need someone who is strong but lightTHE weight,” one of the men said. “We can PREACHER’S art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) lower him by rope until he reaches the PEN Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; child.” All of the boys in the group and lean not unto thine own understanding. looked over the edge of the cliff. They (Proverbs 3:5) saw the raging ocean a hundred feet And again, I will put my trust in him. And below. They felt the fury of the northeastern wind tear at their clothes. Finally, one boy again, Behold I and the children which God hath given stepped forward. “I will try,” he said, “if you let me. (Hebrews 2:13) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome my Dad hold the rope.” (Story by Tom Moore) Where the risks are great, the trust must be them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that greater. Where the trust required is great, the im- is in the world. (1John 4:4) If readers have questions or simply wish to portance of where that trust is laid is greater still.

Jesus called on His disciples to risk everything, know more about the Church of Christ, we to leave all that they held dear, and follow Him. would like to invite them to call 715-866-7157 or “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, stop by the church building at 7425 W. Birch St. in and I will make you to become fishers of men. Webster. Sunday Bible class begins at 9:30 a.m.

And straightway they forsook their nets, and and worship begins at 10:30 a.m. We also meet Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Office hours are followed him.” (Mark 1:17-18) There will be many difficulties in this life that Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. - noon. we will have to face. There will be risks. There

Trust…

Bethany hosts breakfast and craft sale

Interfaith Caregivers fundraiser set FREDERIC – The public is invited to a concert at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Frederic, Sunday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 p.m.

Performers from Frederic churches will be doing a variety of religious and contemporary music. The concert is provided free to the public with only a goodwill donation for the Interfaith Caregivers program. Supplemental funding is provided by the Polk Burnett Chapter of Thrivent.

Bring your friends for this delightful evening of music.

Delicious homemade desserts will be shared at the end of the concert.

Interfaith Caregivers coordinate volunteers to help senior citizens and adults with disabilities to stay within their homes and communities. Their services are provided at no charge. Gifts from the public help Interfaith continue to coordinate services, including rides, visits, yard work and more.

Help give the gift of independence. Come to the concert or send a tax deductible donation to Interfaith Caregivers P.O. Box 338 St. Croix Falls, WI 54024. Contact 715-483-9263 or www.interfaithpolk.org for more info. submitted

AWANA begins at Eureka Baptist Church Oct. 3 ST. CROIX FALLS – AWANA for boys and girls ages 3 to sixth-grade will begin Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. The Bible-based program for children includes handbooks, fun games, stories and songs. In addition, youth group for ages seventh to 12th grades will be held two Wednesdays per month. All area boys and girls are welcome to this fun-filled program at Eureka Baptist Church, 2393 210th Ave., St. Croix Falls, WI 54024. Call 825-3697 for more information. - submitted

Bethany Lutheran Church held a community breakfast and craft sale during Siren’s Harvestfest weekend Saturday, Sept. 22. Flipping flapjacks were L to R: Mahriyah McKenzie, Ben Clasen, Rose Kopecky and Dana Carlson. Other menu items included an egg bake, sausage links, orange juice and coffee. Proceeds from the event will benefit Bethany youth activities. Alter flowers on Sunday, Sept. 23, were given in celebration of Jerry and Shirley Anderson’s 58th wedding anniversary. The Gospel for the day was from Luke 16:1-13, the Psalm reading was 113, and a noisy offering was collected for the Community Good Samaritan Fund. Next week’s Sept. 30 service will include a reception for new members and a performance by the children’s bell choir at both services. Bethany Lutheran holds Sunday worship services at 8 and 10:30 a.m., and Sunday school at 9 a.m. Wednesday night pit stops offer food and fellowship for all ages beginning at 5:45 p.m., and the church’s annual meeting is scheduled for Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, call 349-5280. – from Bethany Lutheran Church, Siren

Art Matson, Bethany member, modeled merchandise from the craft sale. Hats and scarves, mittens and sweaters, rugs and quilts, Christmas decorations, jams and jellies, and home-baked goodies were just some of the items offered for sale at Bethany during Harvestfest Saturday, Sept. 22. – Photo submitted

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

CHURCH NEWS People have the responsibility to monitor television Q: I am very irritated by all the sex and violence on television night after night. The movies are bad enough, but now the sitcoms are just as bad. Is there any way we can influence the networks to be more responsible in their programming?

DR. DOBSON: We have more power to influence television programming than we think. I'm told that every letter received is estimated to represent 40,000 viewers who didn't take time to write. It's important to know, however, where those letters should be sent.

In earlier days, I wrote directors, producers and other executives at the television networks. My complaints either received rude replies or were largely ignored. I've since learned it's more beneficial to write the sponsors – the people who pay the bills. They have better reason to care what I think.

Witness the success of Fort Worth, Texas, dentist Dr. Richard Neill, who became upset with the kind of filthy programming aired regularly on the Phil Donahue show during hours when children could have been watching. He began writing the commercial sponsors and informing them of what their money was supporting. One after another, more than 100 of these advertisers began dropping the show. By 1996, the Donahue program was no longer viable, and it went off the air. Almost single-handedly, Dr. Neill took on a media giant – an icon – and put an end to the junk he was producing. This kind of effort can and should be duplicated all over the country. It is the only way we will clean up the tube.

Advertisers are very responsive to the opinions of

viewers because they are spending millions of dollars to promote their products. We can bring pressure on them by letting them know how we feel – positively and negatively. And indeed, we must do this.

••• Q: What can we as parents do to improve public schools in our area? Dr. James DR. DOBSON: Most educators Dobson know that parental involvement is absolutely critical to what public schools are trying to do. Others, (fortunately not the majority) see themselves as professionals who resent parental interference. We should never accede to that idea. Parents are ultimately responsible for the education of their kids, and they should not surrender that authority. Educators are their employees, paid with tax dollars, and are accountable to the school board members whom parents elect. The best schools are those with the greatest parental involvement and support.

With that understanding, let me urge you to visit your child's school to answer questions of interest to you. Does the staff understand the necessity for structure, respect and discipline in the classroom? If so, call your child's teacher and the principal to express your appreciation. They could use a pat on the back. Tell them you stand ready to assist in carrying out their important mission.

If your school system is not so oriented, get involved to help turn the tide. Meet with parent groups. Join the PTA. Review the textbooks. Work for the election of school board members who believe in traditional val-

FOCUS ON THE

FAMILY

ues and academic excellence. Let me say it again: Schools function best when the time honored principle of local control by parents prevails. I believe it is making a comeback!

••• Q: Is depression more common among men or women?

DR. DOBSON: Depression occurs in both sexes but is less frequent in men. It is also more crisis oriented.

In other words, men get depressed over specific problems such as a business setback or an illness. Typically, however, they are less likely to experience the vague, generalized, almost indefinable feeling of discouragement that some women encounter on a regular basis.

Even a cloudy day may be enough to bring on a physical and emotional slowdown, known as the "blahs," for those who are particularly vulnerable to depression. That kind of emotional fluctuation is more common in women.

••• Dr. Dobson is founder and chairman of the board of the nonprofit organization Focus on the Family, P.O. Box 444, Colorado Springs, CO. 80903; or www.family.org. Questions and answers are excerpted from "The Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide" and "Bringing Up Boys," both published by Tyndale House.

COPYRIGHT 2007 JAMES DOBSON INC.,DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE 4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; 816-932 6600.

Brought to you by:

Zion Lutheran Church Bone Lake

Swedish Club to meet AMERY - The Swedish Club meets on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Amery.

JoAnn Clark and Kathie Cellotti are organizing a 100th

birthday celebration for the Swedish author, Astrid Lindgren. She wrote several books about Pippi Longstocking and other stories for young readers. The re-

freshments include birthday cake. The public is welcome and further information is available at 269-5307 or 268-2151. - submitted

Swiss steak dinner at St. Luke's Methodist Church FREDERIC – St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Frederic is holding their annual Swiss steak supper Friday, Sept.

28, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Menu includes Swiss steak,

mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, beans, tomatoes, roll, pie and beverage. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children under 8. Pianist Ann Bell will perform from 5

– 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome. - submitted

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 25

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ALL CASH CANDY ROUTE. Do you earn $800 in a day?

Your own local candy route.

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LAND AND ACREAGE FOR SALE: 40 partially wooded acres with stream near town of Kennan in Price County, Wisconsin. Excellent hunting. $65,000. Call 608-792-6933. Lynne.

SPECTACULAR LAKE PEPIN VIEW! 5 blufftop acres with lots of room to build and great views over 20+ mile long lake! $69,900.

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REAL ESTATE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 2 turn-key restaurants, appliance business, w/ showroom and storage, commercial buildings. CENTRAL WISCONSIN. KramerSchiferl Realty, Abbotsford 866-279-4068 k-srealty.com (CNOW) MONTANA ELK CABIN — FOR SALE 40 Acres with Cabin — $99,900. Trophy class elk, great deer and bird hunting. Full porch, loft and nice views included with cabin. Also 160 Acres with cabin — $189,900. Financing Available. Call Western Skies Land Co. Anytime 888361-3006.

Or visit www.WesternSkiesLand.co m (CNOW) NO DOWNPAYMENT? PROBLEM CREDIT? If you’re motivated and follow our proven, no-nonsense program, we’ll get you into a NEW HOME. Call 1-800830-2006 or visit www.AmericanHomePartners.com.

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Paid orientation. BCBS insurance, low premiums.

Class A CDL required. (866) 483-3608. www.transportamerica.com (CNOW) MECHANICS: UP TO $20,000 bonus. Keep the Army National Guard Rolling.

Fix Humvees, Strykers, etc.

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1-800-GO-GUARD.com/mechanic (CNOW)

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Late model equipment! Liberal home time! Outstanding benefits! Regional and OTR opportunities! Must be 21, good MVR 800-314-5350 www.whtrans.com (CNOW)

MERCHANDISE $500! POLICE IMPOUNDS! Hondas, Chevys, Fords, Jeeps, Toyotas, More! Cars, Trucks, SUVs from $500!

For listings call 1-800-5462991, ext. V513. Bargain Network. (CNOW)

PETS A.K.C. PUPS: Bassets, Beagles, Cockers, Dachshunds, Labradors, Lhasas, Pomeranians, Schipperkes, Schnauzers, Springers, Weimaraners.

Terriers: Cairn, Wire Fox, Rat, Westie & Yorkie. Gerald Schulz.

(920) 526-3512. (CNOW)

TRAVEL/TOURISM COME FALL IN LOVE with Rockport and Fullton, Texas!

You’ll enjoy Seafood, Friendly People, History, Birds, Fishing, and More!

Call for free Winter Texan Coupon Booklet. 1-800-2420071 or www.rockport-fulton.org (CNOW) UP-TOWN-RV Birchwood, WI. Weekly, Monthly, Seasonal. Village Water, Sewer, Cable TV, 50 Amp. Tuscobia Trail.

Golfing, Boating, Shopping, Dining, Casinos all close. Bluegill Festival.

(715) 651-2961 or (321) 4121086 (CNOW)

The Leader is a cooperativeowned newspaper

WANT ADS 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

TO GIVE AWAY: Gas grill, Hoover upright vacuum and a garden hose. 715-8252220. 5Lp

PUMPKINS ETC., Oct. 5, 6 & 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., next to the Siren Dairy Queen. Selling pumpkins, apples, Halloween crafts, harvest recipes and more. 4-5Lp

FOR SALE: 1995 Ford Taurus, well cared for, good runner, high mileage, $1,200.

Call 715-349-5168. 5Lp

FREE KITTENS, su-purr puss-onalities, 715-7553434. 4-5Lp

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 27

Turkey shoot a blast for all ages GRANTSBURG - The Grantsburg Rod and Gun Club held its fall turkey shoot Sunday, Sept. 23. Events included a pistol shoot, splatter board, moving target, trap, skeet and sporting clays. In every five- or seven- person squad, a winner was determined.

Participants were able to take in several events during the day and win as often as their luck or skill allowed. They chose from either a frozen turkey from Russ’ Meats, a 3-pound gift box of Burnett Dairy cheese or a $10 gift certificate from Russ’ Meats with each win.

A Red Rider BB gun shoot was also held for the kids. The top shooter in each of the two age groups won the BB guns.

Winners of the events were Abigail Engelstad, age 9, Hinckley, Minn., and Cooper Podvin, age 4, Grantsburg.

Photos by Priscilla Bauer

Floyd Drohman, Grantsburg, tries his luck at the pistol shoot.

The Bjorklund brothers make a haul at the turkey shoot. Pictured are (L to R): Brad, Webster; Bryan, Grantsburg and Bruce, Columbia Heights, Minn.

Winners of the kids BB gun shoot were Abigail Engelstad, age 9, Hinckley, Minn. (right) and Cooper Podvin, age 4, Grantsburg.

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

SEPTEMBER THURSDAY/27 Amery

• Men’s pool, 9:30 a.m., at the senior center.

Balsam Lake • Girl Scout registration, 6:30 p.m., at the Unity School lunchroom. Call Pat Davis at 715485-3526 or e-mail patdavisbl@centurytel.net for more info.

Coming events

Frederic

Osceola

• 500 cards, 6:30 p.m., at the senior center.

• West Immanuel Lutheran Church Fall Bazaar, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Arts, crafts, bake sale, Scandanavian foods.

St. Croix Falls • Red Cross blood drive at the American Legion Post 143. Call 715-485-3025 for info.

• Exercise by YMCA, 10-11 a.m.; Skipbo, 11 a.m.-noon; crafts, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 500 cards, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the senior center.

St. Croix Falls • “Talley’s Folly,” performance at 7:30 p.m., at the Festival Theatre.

SUNDAY/7

Siren

Atlas

• Ruby’s Pantry, at the Lodge Center Arena.

Sign up 4:30 p.m. Bring own boxes/baskets.

Questions call 715-349-7773.

• UMC Pig Roast, noon-2 p.m. Featuring The Wilson Family Singers. Worship at 11 a.m.

FRI. - SUN./28 - 30

Grantsburg • Crex Wildlife Festival and tour, 10 a.m., at the Crex Meadows Education and Vistor Center.

New Richmond

• Heritage Weekend, Fri., Spaghetti dinner, Sat., Fall 5K Run, Health Walk & Kids Race, Flea & Farmers Markets. Sun. Heritage Festival. Call 715-246-3276 for more info.

St. Croix Falls • “Talley’s Folly,” performance at 2 p.m., at the Festival Theatre.

• Tater Tot Dinner and Games, 12:30 p.m. at the senior center.

FRI.-SAT./28-29 Siren

• Garage and Bake Sale at the Moose Lodge, sponsored by the Women of the Moose Lodge, Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. noon.

MONDAY/8 Amery

• Cribbage at the senior center, 1:30 p.m.

FRIDAY/28

Siren

Amery

• Bingo, 1 p.m., at the senior center.

Frederic • Pokeno played, 12:30 p.m., at the senior center.

• Swiss Steak Dinner, 4:30-7 p.m., at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. .

Luck

• FFA Alumni Corn Maze at the school soccer field, 4 - 7:30 p.m.

Grantsburg • Dollars for Scholars supper at the middle school, 5 - 7 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

Fall colors in Northwest Wisconsin are nearing their peak this week. – Photo

by Gary King

SUNDAY/30 Luck

• Dixie Land Gospel worship service, at Bone Lake Lutheran Church, 10:30 a.m. Call 715472-2535 for more info.

• FFA Alumni Corn Maze at the school soccer field, 1 - 5 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

• Medica Insurance meeting, 10 a.m.-noon, at the senior center.

• “Talley’s Folly,” performance at 7:30 p.m., at the Festival Theatre.

• Fall Festival at the Overlook Deck, noon - 3 p.m.

Siren

• Music by the Abrahamson Sisters at Trade Lake Swedish Mission Church, 1:30 p.m.

• Spades cards, 1 p.m, at the senior center.

SAT.-SUN./29 & 30 St. Croix Falls

• Butch Thompson concert at Festival Theatre. Saturday 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 3 p.m.

715-483-3387 for info.

SATURDAY/29 Amery

• Respect Life Workshop at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Call 715-2685699 for more info.

• Kids craft day, 1-3 p.m., at the senior center.

Call 715-269-6605 for more info.

Balsam Lake • Rifle range youth .22 shoot at the gun club, 11 a.m. Call 715-296-8959 or 715-554-0878 for more info.

Clam Falls • Ice Age Trail work day on the north McKenzie Creek segment. Meet at 10 a.m.at the trail head on 60th St. Call Dean at 715-472-2248 for more info.

Frederic • Card games & bingo followed by coffee hour at the senior center.

Indian Creek • Clam River Tuesday Club Fall Fundraising Night, 6-10 p.m., at the American Legion Hall.

Old-time music by Mr. Morgan.

Milltown

Trade Lake

OCTOBER MONDAY/1 Amery

• Cribbage played, 1:30 p.m., at the senior center.

• DivorceCare divorce recovery seminar meets at 7 p.m. at Apple River Community Church located on Hwy. 8. Call Bruce Tanner for information 715-268-8360 or Gary Alexander at 715-268-2724.

Luck • Meeting of the Indianhead Rock and Mineral Society, gather at 7 p.m., meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Luck Senior Citizens Center. Program: Silent auction. Bring items to sell and money to buy. Potluck.

Siren • The Burnett County Family Resource Center is hosting a playgroup for families with children birth - age 6, 10 - 11:30 a.m., in the Restorative Justice office at Southwinds Plaza.

Questions call 715-349-2922.

TUESDAY/2 Amery

• Bridge lessons, 7 p.m., at the senior center.

• Swedish Club to meet, 7 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. For information 715-2695307 or 715-268-2151.

Clam Falls

• Blood pressure screening at Bremer Bank, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., sponsored by Bremer Bank.

THURSDAY/4 Amery

• Hand & Foot cards, 12:30 p.m., at the senior center.

Balsam Lake

• Ellis Hagler #278 Legion and Auxiliary will meet at 7 p.m. in the Legion Hall.

St. Croix Falls • “Talley’s Folly,” performance at 2 p.m., at the Festival Theatre.

• Exercise by YMCA, 10 - 11 a.m., Skipbo 11 a.m. - noon, crafts 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 500 cards, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., at the senior center.

Siren • Dining at Five, 5 p.m, at the senior center.

FRIDAY/5 Balsam Lake

• Holy Trinity United Methodist Church annual Harvest Supper, 4 to 7 p.m. with takeouts available at 715-485-3363. Church is located between Balsam Lake and Centuria on CTH I.

St. Croix Falls • “Talley’s Folly,” performance at 7:30 p.m., at the Festival Theatre.

• Bingo, 1 - 3 p.m. at the senior center.

Webster • Annual Webster Dollars for Scholars Homecoming Spaghetti Dinner, 5 - 7 p.m. at the high school cafetorium.

SAT. & SUN./6 & 7 Siren

• Through the Years Mixed Sampler Annual Quilt Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the school.

SATURDAY/6 Amery

• Lyme Disease Action/Support group is meeting. They meet the first Saturday of every month at 9:30 a.m. downstairs, southside of Amery Bremer Bank. More information, call Tanya Carlson, 715-268-6228.

• 1st-annual Oktoberfest, featuring German food, beer tent & live music. At the senior center, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Annual Bazaar, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Church.

• Coffee Hour, 9 a.m. at the Lutheran Church.

Siren

Cushing

St. Croix Falls

• Burnett County VFW Post 1256 meeting, 7:30 p.m., at the VFW Hall.

• Laketown Lutheran Church annual bazaar, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Supplemental funds by Thrivent Financial. Between Cushing and Atlas on 220th St.

• Annual St. Croix Falls United Methodist Church Harvest Sale. Baked goods, white elephants, crafts, produce and more. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Church is located at the corner of Maryland and Adams Street.

Taylors Falls • Chili Fest at St. Joseph's Church, 10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Luck • The Gift of Warm Clothes at Bone Lake Lutheran Church, 8 a.m. - noon. Giving away gently used winter coats, snowpants, boots, hats and mittens. All items are free.715-4722535.

• Ice Age Trail Fall Colors Hike through Straight Lake State Park. Meet at 2 p.m. at the IAT parking area on CTH I, one mile north of Hwy. 48. End-of-the-end fish boil at Dversdalls will follow the hike. Call Dean, 715-472-2248, for info.

• Hog Wild BBQ and Grill Fall Expo and Craft Fair, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 715-472-4884.

St. Croix Falls • Exercise by YMCA, 10 - 11 a.m., Skipbo 11 a.m. - noon, 500 cards and dominos, 12:30 - 4 p.m. at the senior center.

WEDNESDAY/3 Frederic

Indian Creek • American Legion Post #396 Turkey Shoot, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. For info call 715-556-1078.

• Fourth-grade visit, 12:15 p.m., at the senior center.

• The Burnett County Family Resource Center is hosting a playgroup for families with children birth - age 6, 10 - 11:30 a.m., in the Restorative Justice office at Southwinds Plaza.

Questiions call 715-349-2922.

TUESDAY/9 Amery

• 500 Cards at the senior center, 6:45 p.m.

Balsam Lake • Money Smart classes at Unity School, 6 p.m.

715-485-8600.

Clam Falls • Coffee Hour, 9 a.m., at the Lutheran Church.

WEDNESDAY/10 Webster

• Passport Fair at the post office, noon - 4 p.m.

THURSDAY/11 Amery

• Monthly birthday party, 11:45 a.m., at the senior center. RSVP 715-268-6605, one day ahead.

FRI.-SAT./12 & 13 St. Croix Falls

• Garage sale, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, at the senior center.

FRIDAY/12 Amery

• Tiny Tot Clogging, 10 a.m., adult clogging, 10:30 a.m., Bingo, 1 p.m. at the senior center.

SATURDAY/13 Balsam Lake

• Annual arts & crafts bazaar, 9 a.m.-3 p.m, at Faith Lutheran Church. Call 715-485-3355 or 715-405-3354 for more info.

• 49th-annual “Harvest of Harmony” by Indianhead Barbershop Chorus at Unity High School, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

Jackson • Firefighter’s Chili Cook-off, 6-10 p.m., at the fire hall.

Luck • Chili cook-off & craft fair, at St. Croix Valley Hardwoods.

Call 715-472-4909 or www.scvh.com.

Siren • Mixed Sampler Quilt Guild meeting, 9 a.m., at the senior center. Call Betty at 715-472-4117 for more info.

• Fabulous Fall Fashions luncheon and trunk show by Peggy's Fashion Rack and Gifts, 11:30 a.m., Bethany Lutheran Church. Contact Peggy's Fashions at 715-349-5000 or the UWExtension Office at 715-349-2151.

SUNDAY/14 Osceola

• Duathlon, at Oakey Park. For more info, go to midwestsprtsevents.com.

THIS WEEKEND:

BANDSHELL FUNDRAISER AT SIREN - FRIDAY • SIREN SUMMERFEST - FRIDAY-SUNDAY SEE STORIES/ADS

INTER-COUNTY

August 1, 2007 2 sections • Vol. 71 • No. 49 8,000 copies

the-leader

.net

Serving Northwest Wisconsin

Young lives lost

$ SECTION A

1

Reliable shoulder harness

Fireworks injury Friday claims life of 15-year-old; two-vehicle crash Tuesday claims lives of 18-yearold from Amery, 27-year-old of Frederic Pages 2 & 3 Fairest of the Fair

“He had a heart as big as the township” Death of Bill Klugow leaves hole in Danbury Page 2

Carole Peper of Centuria, daughter of Greg and Karen Peper, was crowned this year’s Fairest of the Fair at the Polk County Fair on Sunday.

More coverage in Currents section –Photo by Gary King

GAM The latest on the Polk County-owned nursing home issue Page 14

CRP questioned at county level Where does CRP stand in Polk and other counties?

See Outdoors in this section

Kevin Klucas relocating to Florida Burnett County Historical Society director and wife ready for new adventure Page 5

History mystery Part II Currents feature

Nuto Band returns to Siren Page 2

Dad’s arm became a shoulder harness during the monster truck ride at the Polk County Fair. It was an added feature to the usual midway rides at this year’s fair. More coverage in Currents section. - Photo by Gary King

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 1, 2007

Death of Bill Klugow leaves hole in Danbury

“He had a heart as big as the township”

vidual who never wanted any help. He had a heart as big as the township.”

Klugow not only had been the Danbury fire chief since 1991, but he was also the current chairman of the town of Swiss as well as president of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters’ Association.

“He was so involved in everything,” Morehouse said, adding that Klugow had been doing some DNR training on bear-hunting techniques.

Morehouse used the words friend, mentor, educator and my chief to talk about Bill Klugow. “You couldn’t get any closer than that. He will be deeply missed,” Morehouse added.

Klugow has two daughters and a son.

The family was having a family reunion during the weekend of July 28 and 29, and the family was home. “That’s the bright side, if there is a bright side with a death.

Everyone was here,” Morehouse commented. “He left the world doing the things he loved the most, hunting and being with his grand-

- Bob Morehouse

by Nancy Jappe DANBURY – “He was like the hub of a wheel, with so many spokes going out from his life,” commented Danbury firefighter Bob Morehouse about the death of his fire chief, Bill Klugow. “I don’t know how he will be replaced.”

Klugow died suddenly Saturday, July 28, while he was out with two of his grandchildren, practicing with the dogs for the upcoming bear-hunting season.

The grandchildren were faced with the task of calling for help when Klugow collapsed.

“He was born with an enlarged heart,” Morehouse went on to say. “He was feeling sick on the Fourth of July.

He then had some tests, but hadn’t told us the test results. He was a quiet indi-

Feelin’ blue

Bill Klugow

Two lives lost in accident RURAL AMERY - Two Polk County residents lost their lives and others were injured in a two-vehicle accident on CTH F and 138th Street early Tuesday afternoon, July 31.

The victims were identified as Matt A. McClintock, 27, of Frederic and Jordan M. Handrahan, 18, of Amery.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Department, McClintock was driving a 1993 Ford F150 pickup north on 138th Street when it entered the path of a 1991 Ford Explorer eastbound on CTH F and driven by Matthew R. Hancock, 19, of rural Amery.

McClintock was pronounced dead at the scene and his passengers, Serena A. Baugh, 38, Frederic and Brittany M. Mortensen, 16, Frederic, were taken to the Amery Hospital and later trans-

ferred to Regions Hospital in St. Paul as was Hancock.

Handrahan, a passenger in the Hancock vehicle, was flown directly from the scene to Regions Hospital where he died of his injuries at approximately 4 p.m.

Multiple helicopters landed at the scene, according to a sheriff’s news release. Also responding were Garfield Fire Rescue, Amery Fire Rescue, Amery Police Department, Amery Ambulance and St. Croix Falls ambulance.

The accident remains under investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Department.

Funeral services for Matt McClintock have been set for this Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in West Sweden. See obituary, page 5.

Obey applauds minimum wage hike

A booth was set up at the Polk County Fair for those in the mood to change their hair color. - Photo by Gary King INTER-COUNTY

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.

How to subscribe:

The Inter-County Leader [ISS No. 8750-9091] is published weekly. Subscription prices are $30/yr. in Polk and Burnett counties $34/yr. in Barron, Chisago, Washburn, St. Croix counties; $37/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.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Seventh District Congressman Dave Obey this week applauded the first increase of the federal minimum wage in a decade. As the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Obey was a leader in the effort to pass the minimum wage increase earlier this year.

“When an average CEO earns more before lunchtime in one day than a minimum wage worker earns all year, you know there’s something wrong,” Obey said. “So I’m glad that beginning today, millions of Americans earning the minimum wage will bring home a bigger paycheck to help them keep up with the rising cost of living .”

“Nobody who works 40 hours a week ought to go home at the end of that Manager Doug Panek dougpanek@centurytel.net Editor Gary B. King, Editor gbking@centurytel.net Staff writers/contributors Matt Blumkin mblumkin@centurytel.net Marty Seeger mseeger@centurytel.net Tammi Milberg tammi@centurytel.net Nancy Jappe njappe@centurytel.net Sherill Summer the-leader@centurytel.net Gregg Westigard greggw@lakeland.ws Julie Holmquist the-leader@centurytel.net Editorial assistant Raelynn Hunter rael@centurytel.net Composition Raelynn Hunter Jackie Thorwick

week still in poverty.”

Obey added, noting that before today’s increase, the purchasing power of the minimum wage was at its lowest level since 1955.

Today’s increase from $5.15 to $5.85 per hour ends the longest span without a federal minimum wage increase since the pay floor was established nearly 70 years ago. The federal minimum wage will continue to rise incrementally over the next two years until it reaches $7.25 per hour. The Wisconsin state minimum wage is currently $6.50 an hour.

Raising the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour will result in an additional $4,400 per year for a minimum wage worker. - from the office of Congressman Obey

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.

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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-W, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Thurs. & Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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

St. Croix Falls

Box 338, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024 (M-W, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thurs. & Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

715-483-9008 • Fax - 715-483-1420

children.”

Firefighter Steve Wierschem has been designated as the Danbury Fire Department’s liaison with the Klugow family. “Bill was probably the most community-oriented person I have ever dealt with. When he got involved, he got involved 100 percent. He wouldn’t quit. If he got into something, he went all the way,” Wierschem said.

Wierschem stressed that the Klugow family has asked that gifts of money be given in lieu of flowers. The money will go to the Wisconsin Bear Hunters’ Association for projects or to the fire department’s scholarship program. Bill Klugow was a founding father of that scholarship program.

Bill Klugow’s funeral was held at Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park between Webster and Danbury Wednesday, Aug. 1.

Nuto Band returns to Siren this Friday SIREN – The Nuto Band led by Bruce King, Spooner, will play a return engagement Friday, Aug. 3, in the Lakeview Event Center, the old Yourchuck store building, on Hwy. 35/70 north of Siren.

The band will be on stage from 7-10 p.m. The cost will be $20 a person, with appetizers provided along with a cash bar. The band was in Siren in May to play for a fundraiser sponsored by Burnett County Interfaith Caregivers.

Most of the players in the Nuto Band are over the age of 80. All of them have had many years’ experience in bringing forth the sounds of the big band era and music that will tempt anyone who loves to dance or to listen to some of this country’s greatest music.

Siren High School graduate Amanda Yourchuck is putting on the dance as a benefit for the Siren/Webster Rotary Club’s band-shell project. All of the proceeds will go to the band shell.

The band shell was the idea of former Siren/Webster Rotary president Joe Wacek as the club’s project for the 100th anniversary of Rotary, the nation’s first service club, in 2005. The architectural work was done by Craig Selander, Grantsburg. The location chosen is at the north end of Crooked Lake Park.

Enough money has now been raised to pour the foundation for the band shell. Siren/Webster Rotarians are collecting money from the sale of engraved bricks to give the entrance area special community and personalized emphasis.

Brick donation forms will be available Aug. 3.

Siren/Webster Rotary Club was chartered in March 2003, with the Grantsburg Rotary Club as its sponsor.

Kelly Hibbs from Bremer Bank took over as club president July 1, following in the footsteps of Rob Rudiger, Greg Hunter, Joe Wacek and Pat Taylor.

Current membership is at 22, and new members are always welcome. The club meets every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Pour House, Siren. Each meeting has a short program planned by one of the members. The sale of roses in September is the club’s big fundraiser during the year.

The band shell is the biggest undertaking for the club thus far in its history.

Support has come in from members of the area music community, and club members are hoping that bringing in big band music for dancing will result in more support. Tickets for the Aug. 3 appearance of the Nuto Band are available at U.S. Bank, Bremer Bank, Yourchuck’s Hardware and other local merchants. - Nancy Jappe

Briefly

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 3

ST. CROIX FALLS - Farmers attending the pig judging event at the Polk County Fair on Thursday afternoon broke into applause when it began to rain, showing how much a little moisture means in this dry, hot summer. The judge, a bit startled, said he hoped the applause was for the rain - and not for him.

••• SUPERIOR – As part of his work with the Superior Police Department, Chad Lalor, son of Bill and Georgia Lalor, Webster, helped to solve the 1986 murder of Lynnea Gran in Les’s Grocery in Billings Park. The story of the solving of that case will be broadcast on Court TV, Channel 50, Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 8 p.m.

In February, producers of the show came to Superior to interview the officers who were involved in both the initial investigation and the investigation that solved the case in 2004. In 2005, Gran’s son, Rodger Allen Gran, was arrested for her murder.

He pled guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder. – from The Daily Telegram, Superior ••• POLK COUNTY – Need a new exercise set to music and a chance to meet new people? Try square dancing. Come one, come all over the age of 10, single and couples; and if your partner doesn’t want to take lessons, come alone. Friendly Twirlers are starting lessons on Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Unity School, 1908 Hwy. 46, Balsam Lake (two miles north of Balsam Lake).

Classes will be held from 7 to about 9 p.m.

For more information call 715-483-9140 or 715-268-7512.

••• RICE LAKE - If square dancing doesn’t do it, what about curling? WITC Rice Lake continuing education is offering introductory and advanced curling classes. Classes meet from 6 – 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday evenings at the Rice Lake Curling Club. Introductory classes which run Sept. 17 – Oct. 4 will include: rules of the game, delivery of rock, sweeping techniques, and game etiquette. Advanced classes meet Oct. 8 – Oct. 25 and will cover game strategies and situations as well as being a team member. Preregistration is required. For more information, call WITC Rice Lake at 715-234-7082, ext. 5230.

••• ST. CROIX FALLS - Receipts are good to keep unless it’s for a typewriter you purchased to type up your husband’s last will and testament - after you killed him. That was part of the message on the Oxygen Network’s profile of Mary Krueger, who remains in a Florida prison for the 1999 shooting death of her husband, Roland.

“Snapped” featured interviews with Mary Krueger herself and Mark Biller and Ann Hraychuck, who were the district attorney and sheriff, respectively, when the murder occurred. Also interviewed were family members and local reporters Greg Marsten and Tammi Milberg. If you missed the episode it airs again this Sunday, Aug. 5, at 9:30 p.m.

••• CORRECTION: The person in the photo given to the Frederic Historical Society from the SNOWS Frederic Watercross was Frederic Village President Phil Knuf, getting a ride at the Frederic Watercross event, not Arlen Peterson. We regret the error.

Comprehensive planning begins Polk County hires lead planner

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – Its called comprehensive planning or Smart Growth.

By 2010 every town, village, city, and county in Wisconsin will have a community profile and a direction for its future.

The plans will let each part of our state identify its good points, look at any weaknesses, and decide what residents want their community to look like in the future. Smart Growth, mandated by the state, will mean growth by design, not by chance.

Last Wednesday night, local officials from Burnett, Polk, and St. Croix counties gathered in Balsam Lake for the second of four learning sessions sponsored by UW Extension.

As an added bonus, the Polk County officials had their first chance to meet Sarah Rollmann, the newly hired county planner who will lead the planning process for the county and many local municipalities.

Rollmann, a Shawano native, received a degree in architectural

Sarah Rollmann is the new Polk County planner, just hired to help the county and local governments develop their Smart Growth Comprehensive Plans. Rollmann, a Shawano native, is moving here from the Madison area. She has a degree from the U of M and a master’s from Columbia University in New York City. She will be working in the land information office with Sara McCurdy, a fellow marathon runner. – Photo by Gregg Westigard

design at the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in planning at Columbia University in New York City. She is moving to the county from Middleton, near Madison, where she has worked as a city planner.

Rollmann is getting settled now and will be on the job permanently starting 13.

Aug. The theme of the session last Wednesday was public participation.

A key part of the comprehensive planning process is making sure that the residents “own” the plan and are active in every step of its creation. This process will start with public meetings to let people know what the plan is all about. Public members will also form the planning groups that will direct the plan creation in each community.

The goal is to have a comprehensive plan in place by 2010 that reflects the future of every town, village, and city in our area and the state.

There are 45 towns and 15 villages or cities in Burnett and Polk counties.

Each of them is now starting the Smart Growth comprehensive planning process. Residents are urged to watch for notices of the first meetings in their communities.

Madsen found guilty in first meth for sex trial

by Julie Holmquist POLK COUNTY - After a three-day trial that ended last Thursday afternoon, a Polk County jury found Kevin D. Madsen, 46, of Amery, guilty of four felonies, including two counts of sexually assaulting a child under 16.

After deliberating for more than two hours, the jury also found Madsen guilty of soliciting a child for prostitution and child enticement.

The guilty verdicts stemmed from charges filed last April after a 15-yearold Polk County girl told police she’d been sexually assaulted twice over a period of three weeks in a Nye meth house as a trade for methamphetamine.

“I’m very proud of this girl,” said Polk County District Attorney Dan Steffen. “You’ve got to have a witness strong enough to be willing to tell their story multiple times and be willing to have their life opened up. Not a lot of people want to go through that.

“I hope she continues to get healthy.”

It’s the policy of the Inter-County Leader to not name victims of sex crimes.

The girl was on the stand for about four hours on the second day of the trial, at times tearful and shaken as she described two different sexual assaults.

The girl admitted she was a meth addict who started using at age 13, that she ran away from home many times, and that she had been a juvenile delinquent. She said she’s been off meth for four months.

The girl testified that Madsen gave a gembag of meth to Daniel E. Owens, who owned the house in Nye, where the girl ran to in March. She testified that Madsen said the meth was “collateral” and that he would later give Owens seven grams of meth. The girl said that Owens then told Madsen that he could sexually assault the girl.

“He (Madsen) put my hands behind my back and forced me downstairs,”

she said on the stand.

The girl to admitted meth using daily while she was at the house in Nye, as well as alcohol and a prescription drug.

She said that Owens, who is Madsen in a wheelchair, carried a handgun all the times, had knives and “was scary.” She testified that Owens burned her with a meth torch and a meth pipe, hit her, threw an ashtray at her, stabbed her with a screwdriver and trapped her in a bathtub for a day.

During the closing arguments of defense attorney Aaron Nelson of Doar, Drill & Skow of New Richmond, the girl, who was sitting by her parents, left the courtroom for a time.

“This has been hard for us all,” Nelson said to the jury as he paused and then continued his closing arguments.

Nelson argued that the state had provided no real evidence and that there was no witness to an assault. He also argued that the girl’s testimony could not be trusted because she was a meth addict and had lied in the past.

“She lied in the past, she lied to her mom, she lied to get out of trouble, she lied to get drugs,” Nelson said. “Will you rely on her words beyond a reasonable doubt?”

Nelson also argued that girl made up the assault story as a way to gain love from her parents.

“Sexual assault is an easy crime to accuse someone of,” he told the jury.

Steffen argued for the state, telling the jury that the girl could have backed out of her accusation at any time, and that the accusation did not save her

from trouble.

“She hasn’t gotten out of trouble,” Steffen told the jury. Whether or not she made the allegations, he said, she would have ended up at the same place: in treatment and in a juvenile detention center.

“The defense theory is that she is lying,” Steffen said in his closing argument to the jury. “That she made all this up. I want you to consider what this child did when she got up here and admitted she was prostituted, sexually assaulted… Let’s think of what she had to go through: a pregnancy test, a sexually transmitted disease test, interviewed twice by an investigator.

She had to tell all these graphic things to her mom. She had to sit here for four hours or so and face you people.”

Steffen also told the jury that many of the details the girl described are not the details of “a whopper.”

People testifying during the trial included an expert witness for the state, Dr. Bradley Nevins, a clinical psychologist from Hudson. Nevins answered questions about the general state of people on meth and victims of sexual assault.

Nevins answered questions about the statistics on reporting of sexual assault. He said that 90 percent of sexual assaults are never reported to law officials. Generic reasons for that, he said, could include embarrassment, shame, threats, protection of self from stigma, feeling of responsibility, concern about not being believed, pressures from others not to report it and lack of legal resources.

When asked why she didn’t report the assault right away, the girl said she didn’t think it was necessary.

“But then I thought of my sister,” she said, “She’s only 11 and looks my age, and I could see her walking down the street and she’d be gone.”

See Madsen, page 4

Local teen dies from fireworks injury POLK COUNTY - A 15-year-old Turtle Lake boy died last Friday after being injured by a makeshift bottle rocket.

Emergency personnel from the Turtle Amery Lake First Responders, Ambulance and Life-Link Helicopter responded around 8 a.m., July 27 to the rural home of Susan Lamettry located in

Beaver Township of Polk County. Turtle Lake Police also responded.

Despite rescue efforts, Michael Joseph Lamettry suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

Preliminary investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Department indicates that the boy and a friend had recently been experimenting with fireworks.

Lamettry was alone in a wooded area when he apparently ignited a makeshift bottle rocket that exploded unexpectedly, causing his injuries.

The boy managed to make his way into the nearby house where his friend discovered his injuries and called for help.

Lamettry was student at Turtle Lake

High School.

The Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office has ordered an autopsy that will be conducted by Midwest Forensic Pathology in Coon Rapids, Minn.

The incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. - Julie Holmquist

k a lt

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 1, 2007

Meeting set to discuss Hwy. 77 project in Burnett County WEBB LAKE — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will hold a public informational meeting on Friday, Aug. 10, from 4-7 p.m. at the Webb Lake Town Hall, located at the junction of Hwy. 77 and Namekagon Trail to discuss improvement plans to Hwy. 77 in Burnett County.

Proposed improvements would be made to Hwy. 77 from the Deer Lake Road intersection to the Washburn County line. Plans call for reconstructing Hwy. 77 to eliminate some hills,

replace pavement and replace the Webb Lake Narrows Bridge. Purchase of additional right of way will be required. The proposed project is five to six miles in length and is currently slated for construction in 2010.

During construction, Hwy. 77 would be closed to through traffic. Local traffic and emergency vehicles would have access at all times. The proposed detour route uses Hwy. 35, Hwy. 70 and Hwy. 53. Freight trucks will be allowed to use this detour.

Persons with a concern for or knowledge about local drainage patterns are encouraged to attend. In addition, property owners who rent to other parties are asked to notify their renters about the meeting.

This meeting will follow an informal open house format. Concepts for the project will presented in an effort to solicit public input for DOT to consider as it begins preliminary design efforts.

Project staff will be on hand to answer questions and discuss approximate

right-of-way impacts to adjacent residents and properties. Detour specifics and route maps will be on display.

For information about the project or the informational meeting, contact DOT’s project leader, Dan Anderson, at 715-635-5059.

The meeting site is handicapped accessible. Hearing impaired individuals may request special accommodations by calling Wisconsin Telecommunication Relay System at 800-947-3529. — from DOT

Northern Wisconsin – Upper Peninsula receives $5.7 million boost EAU CLAIRE - The Northwoods— Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula Regional Financial Office of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Eau Claire, together with its 72,539 local members and the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation generated an estimated $5.7 million impact in northern Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula communities during 2006 through fundraising, community-based service, granting and other charitable activities.

“It’s all about people helping people,” said Troy Lorenz, managing partner of the regional financial office. “Thrivent Financial and our members recognize the importance of giving back to our communities. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of others.”

As a faith-based membership organization, Thrivent Financial creates, manages and funds outreach programs that support congregations, schools, nonprofits and individuals in need.

Each Thrivent Financial member is a member of a local chapter though which

Madsen/

the member may join a variety of volunteer efforts, fundraising activities and educational programs. During 2006, Thrivent Financial members in the region’s 12 chapters gave more than 531,000 volunteer hours and participated in 2,126 service and fundraising activities.

In addition to contributing their time, local Thrivent Financial members also donated and raised funds that were supplemented by Thrivent Financial for a total impact of nearly $4.4 million.

Lutheran organizations received more than $361,000 from Thrivent Financial and its Northwoods—Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula members in 2006.

Through Thrivent Financial’s Giving Plus Program, members can give to Lutheran educational institutions or outreach ministry organizations and have those financial gifts matched, in part, by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and two of its Asset subsidiaries, Thrivent Management, LLC and Thrivent Life Insurance Company.

Through its alliance with Habitat for

Humanity, Thrivent Financial contributed more than $371,000 to support the construction of six Habitat homes in the region. Local Thrivent Financial members raised an additional $44,000 and committed more than 9,100 volunteer hours to help build the homes.

Thrivent Financial awarded regional grants totaling more than $261,000 to Lutheran and community organizations.

The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, supported by Thrivent Financial and its subsidiaries, awarded 123 grants totaling nearly $286,000 to organizations in the Northwoods— Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula Region.

Nationally during 2006, Thrivent Financial contributed $138.4 million to communities across the country through its charitable outreach programs.

Through their participation in those programs, Thrivent Financial members raised and donated an additional $177.8 million to help not-for-profit organizations, individuals in need and Lutheran congregations. In addition, through

Catching a hood

from page 3 Others testifying during the trial included a Polk County investigator, the girl’s parents and a 21-year-old woman who told the jury that she met Madsen when she was 19 and in outpatient treatment for drug use.

The 21-year-old told the jury that she was with Madsen in her apartment after doing meth together and asked him for the rest of the “crank” (a form of meth). She said that Madsen had told her he would give the crank to her in exchange for sexual favors. She testified that she said refused the exchange and then drove him home.

The 21-year-old witness said she has been off of meth for one year and three months.

Steffen said that the woman called the police voluntarily to tell them about the incident after she read about the case in the newspaper. Nelson argued that her testimony was unreliable.

Nelson declined to comment on the case following the verdict.

Each of Madsen’s sexual assault convictions is punishable by fines up to $100,000 and 40 years in prison. The soliciting prostitution and child enticement convictions are punishable by fines up to $100,000 and 25 years in prison.

Madsen remains in Polk County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled following a court process that could take up to three months.

Owens’ trial on charges of soliciting a child for prostitution and the other four felonies was delayed due to his medical condition. Before a trial is rescheduled, a Regions Hospital physician has to declare him fit to sit for up to eight hours a day while on trial.

In 2004 during the watercross race on Coon Lake, Matt Ledin No. 78 from Luck crashed and lost his lightweight hood for his watercross sled. This week while fishing off the dock on the west side of Coon Lake, Ruth Cockerham, the park caretaker, thought she had a big fish on her Daredevil lure for awhile. When she finally got the line reeled in, she found Ledin’s hood hooked to her line and no fish. Ledin say’s he is going to put Cockerham’s name on the hood for next year when he returns to Frederic.

- submitted

Thrivent Financial-sponsored programs, the organization’s members contributed 21.7 million volunteer hours in 2006.

Nearly 100,000 volunteers participated in Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity last year, giving 549,388 hours of their time to build more than 300 homes in the United States with families in need.

The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation is a private foundation funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

As a 501(c)(3) organization with its own board of trustees, the foundation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, scientific, literary and educational purposes and makes grants and gifts to 501(c)(3) exempt organizations. The foundation does not provide grants to individuals. To learn more about the foundation and its programs, visit: www.thrivent.com/foundations. - submitted

Star Prairie man charged with sexual assault, kidnapping POLK COUNTY - A Star Prairie man is being held on a $20,000 cash bond in the Polk County Jail after being charged with felony sexual assault and kidnapping.

Andrew Haynie, 29, was arrested July 28 after Amery Police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department interviewed the alleged victim and Haynie.

Haynie has been charged with second-degree sexual assault, sexual assault of a mentally ill person and kidnapping.

A woman reported to police that she had allegedly been taken against her will from her home by Haynie and taken to his home outside Star Prairie.

She accused Haynie of threatening “to kill her” if she did not come with him. She told authorities that she was afraid of what he might do.

She told police that Haynie threatened her and forced her to have sexual intercourse in the basement of a relative’s house, and that Haynie did not leave her alone over the next 24 hours.

She alleges that he made threats against her.

A caseworker for Polk County Mental Health told authorities that the woman is not mentally competent. She reported that the woman had the function of a 13- or 14-year-old and that her parents still have legal custody of her.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 2, at 2:30 p.m. in Polk County Circuit Court. – Julie Holmquist

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AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 5

House approves $1 million to help establish a pictometry system To benefit Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas and Washburn counties WASHINGTON, D.C. - Seventh District Congressman Dave Obey, DWI, announced this week that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved his request for $1 million in next year’s commerce, justice, state appropriations bill to help Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, and Washburn counties establish a pictometry system - a database of high-resolution, full-color, digital aerial photos of the region to aid in emergency response and county planning.

“Speed is of the essence for emergency responders, and the more information they have about where they’re going and what they’re going to encounter, the better they can do their jobs,” said Obey, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

“That’s why I requested these funds to help set up this system. I hope it will really help emergency responders and county planners in Northwest Wisconsin.”

With its digital database of high-resolution photographs of a region, the pictometry system is intended to enable fast and easy reference for both emergency response and county planning.

For emergency responders, the system

is intended to provide enough information to quickly and more effectively react to any given situation - for law enforcement that may mean knowing what a building’s measurements are during a hostage situation; for fire officials, the images can be used to measure the height of an elevator shaft for placement of ladders and hoses; for search and rescue or medical response units, the images may help locate and measure a ravine where an accident has taken place. For county and local planners, the system provides easy access to accurate geographic information that can save time and resources as decisions are being made.

The U.S. Capitol Police, the Federal

Fact-finding hearing set by judge

by Regan Kohler WASHBURN COUNTY – A fact-finding and waiver hearing was set for a 14year-old female accused of causing the vehicular accident that killed Mary Sienko, 55, Spooner, in late June.

Thursday, July 26, an open hearing was held in the Washburn County Courthouse on the matter. Burnett Circuit Judge Michael County Gableman presided, as Washburn County Circuit Judge Eugene Harrington recused himself at the last hearing due to conflict of interest.

District Attorney J. Michael Bitney requested that the fact-finding hearing be pushed to a later date, an adjournment, so all parties can be well-pre-

pared. He said he spoke with the Sienko family and that they indicated an adjournment would be best until the case is fully developed.

The female minor’s representative, Owen Williams, said this would be to his client’s advantage, as well.

Gableman granted a continuance, and the attorneys later scheduled the hearing for Friday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m. This will also see a waiver petition to try the minor as an adult for second-degree reckless homicide and second-degree reckless injury. The accident occurred Thursday, June 28, at the intersection of CTH A and Dock Lake Road, Evergreen, when the minor in question allegedly crashed the vehicle into

Sienko’s. The minor pled denial at the last hearing, on Tuesday, July 10; juveniles can only admit or deny a charge.

The female will remain in secure custody at the Northwest Regional Detention Center, Eau Claire.

The hearing had been closed, but was open according to the juvenile justice code in the Wisconsin state statutes. The code reads that “the general public may attend any hearing under this chapter relating to a juvenile who has been alleged to be delinquent for committing a violation that would be a felony if committed by an adult if the juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent previously.” This code also reads that the juvenile must be 14 or older.

Duo arrested after foiled home robbery WOOD RIVER TOWNSHIP – Dean Norenburg pulled into his home property on Saturday, July 21, and found a truck at the end of his driveway.

Kevin H. Hass, 43, Siren, told Norenburg that his truck was not running and that he was parked in the driveway to get off the road. He also said that his friend had gone down the driveway to get help. Norenburg went down the driveway to his home, but didn’t see the friend that was supposed to be getting help. He did see the truck at the end of the driveway flash his lights.

Suspicious, he looked around to see if anything was missing and discovered that two chain saws, a bike and gas cans were missing. Norenburg called the Burnett County Sheriff’s Department.

According to police reports, authorities found both Hass and his friend, David A. Miller, 53, St. Paul, Minn., with the disabled truck. Both men denied taking Norenburg’s missing items. But when pressed, revealed that the items were nearby in the tall grass. Hass was arrested for nonregistration, operating without a valid license, theft – party to a crime and criminal trespassing. Miller

was arrested for theft, criminal trespassing and could face burglary charges.

Later, a further explanation was given. Miller really did go for help for the disabled truck. When he saw the bike, he took it for parts to fix his own bike and the gas cans.

When Norenburg came home, Miller was going back for the chain saws because they were too good to leave there.

The disabled truck was towed away. – Sherill Summer with information from Burnett County Sheriff’s Department

Services Saturday for Matt McClintock Matt Arnold McClintock Matt Arnold McClintock was born Oct. 12, 1979, in Madison, and died in an auto accident on July 31, 2007.

He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Frederic. He attended Frederic Schools and achieved a GED. He grew up in Madison, Liberty, Texas, and Frederic.

Matt worked in building construction and loved his job. He was injured in an accident in 2003 and was no longer able to consistently work. His last construction job was helping best friend Serena Baugh’s parents build a deck in Montana. He

enjoyed mowing lawns, shoveling snow and working with his uncle, Terry, on the farm and at the feed mill. He learned to enjoy cooking for himself and Serena. He liked to watch wrestling, drive his truck and listen to loud music.

He is preceded in death by his grandpa, Arnold, his uncle, Lyle, and his cousin, Brandon. He leaves his mom, Trudy, sister, Sally, best friend, Serena Baugh, grandma Gladys Benson, uncle Allen (Barb) Benson, aunt Jane (Terry) Taylor and cousins Kim (Jeff) Shoquist, Kerri (Chad) Oachs, Ryan (Michelle) Taylor and Dustin Taylor.

Services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in West Sweden on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. Visitation is one hour prior to service.

Wisconsin astronaut: allegations hard to believe WINTER - An astronaut hailing from northwestern Wisconsin says it’s hard to believe any of his fellow astronauts were ever drunk before blasting off into space. An independent panel report claims NASA allowed two astronauts to fly drunk.

Astronaut Jeffrey Williams of Winter returned from a sixmonth space mission last summer onboard the International Space Station. He says he’s surprised to hear news of scandal plaguing NASA and finds the allegations hard to believe. He says “many of us are scratching our heads about this because it’s so foreign to what we see.” He says it’s obviously difficult to respond because if there is something there, people would just suspect that they’re covering something up, but he says “there’s nothing I’ve ever seen to cover up.”

Williams says it just doesn’t make sense. He says astronauts are a pretty close-knit community in that they all work together, all know each other and all live in the same community together at Johnson Space Center. He says there are people around all the time when a crew is in quarantine and other astronauts that support the launch countdown, and he says there are management personnel close by all the time.

Williams hopes NASA will not be distracted from its space missions. He says the news report is a “blemish,” but they will work through it. He says they will continue to send people to the space station, continue the assembly and do it safely. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Danielle Kaeding)

Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and over 200 counties across the country currently use pictometry.

However, Obey noted that the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill must still be approved by the Senate and signed by the president before it becomes law.

“But having these funds included in the House passed bill means that a major hurdle has been cleared,” he concluded.

- from the office of Congressman Obey

Historical society director to relocate in Florida

by Nancy Jappe DANBURY – Burnett County Historical Society Director Kevin Klucas and his wife, artist Karen Nichols, are leaving Burnett County for the Gulf Coast side of Florida some in time September.

“We are totally excited about the trip and getting on the road,” Klucas said in a telephone interKlucas view Tuesday, July 31. “We view it as being upstream from the site of rapids in the river, one foot in the canoe, ready to push off and go.”

Klucas has been the society’s director for the past 7-1/2 years, and said he would miss the Forts and all the people he has met during those years. He went on to comment that the society is in really good shape right now, and that a new director with creativity can spin off on all the positive things that have been accomplished.

Kevin and Karen have been down to Florida during the winter, and plan to look for a home south of Tampa. Karen is an artist whose business is mounting butterflies in acrylic panels and who works with other art projects. Kevin plans to look for work somewhere in the tourist industry. “We’re going off on a great adventure,” he said.

“We are really sorry to see him leave,” commented Dianne Gravesen, chair of the society’s board of directors. “He has done a wonderful job, but times change and people move on.”

According to Gravesen, the society’s executive committee will meet Wednesday, Aug. 8, and the full board’s next meeting will be Wednesday, Aug. 29. At the time this article was printed, the society had not yet received Klucas’ formal resignation, and the board will issue a press release when that resignation is received. The annual meeting of the historical society will be held Wednesday, Sept. 12.

“I have worked closely with Kevin during his seven years as director of the Forts,” said Dottie Gooding, a member of the historical society’s executive board. “I have appreciated all the skills and activities he brought to his position. His decision to relocate is a loss for the society and for the community. We send our good wishes to Kevin and Karen in their new home.”

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Staff hires made after closed-session discussion

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – In open session following closed-session discussion Monday, July 30, the Siren School Board took action to: 1) Hire Karl Ader, a Wisconsin native who has been teaching in Montana for the past four years, as the second K-12 guidance counselor. 2) Hire Nathaniel Wilson, who taught in Frederic during the past year, as the 7-12 LD/ED (special-education) teacher. 3) Increase Christy Garibaldi’s hours to full time by transferring additional classes to her teaching load.

During the regular school board meeting that preceded the closed session, the board approved the resignation of Carla Vinci, the current K-12 guidance counselor, pursuant to the district’s collective-bargaining agreement.

In other action, the board approved the 2007-2008 transportation contract with Siren Bus Service. This is a one-year-only contract, and any services performed for the district outside of this contract period must be negotiated separately with the school board.

The board approved the middle school/high school handbook. They accepted, with appreciation, the donation of two sets of reference books for the library from Donna Friel and her sons, Ryan (11th-grader) and Jason (9th-grader). The books include one set of Child Craft and another set of United States history reference books. The books are valued at approximately $600, and were given by the Friels in memory of the boys’ grandmother.

The donation of $1,000 worth of Dragon playground equipment from Moms For Kids was gratefully accepted. The school board renewed the contract for student insurance with Student Assurance Services, Inc. for the coming year.

The board accepted the preliminary budget for fiscal year 2007-2008. This budget shows the total revenues and other financing sources for the year at $6,123,523, and the total expenditures and other financing uses at $6,263,646.

Discussion on the budget will come during the budget hearing that precedes the school district annual meeting starting at 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27. The monthly meeting of the school board will be held at 6:30 p.m. that evening.

Meetings of school board committees for the month include: Budget and finance Monday, Aug. 20, at 5 p.m., followed by personnel and negotiations at 6:30 p.m. Building and grounds will be held Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m., followed by policy, planning and curriculum at 7 p.m.

Public comments During the public comments section of the meeting, Bert Lund relayed a comment he had heard from a gifted-and-talented student. The student said that more attention is given in the district to at-risk students than to gifted-and-talented students.

Siren student Jacob Stiemann gave a presentation on his family’s recent trip to New York City at the Monday, July 30, school board meeting. For the second year in a row, Jacob won the trip to New York as a result of a Scholastic Art and Writers Award competition. He was presented with three gold medals at the award ceremony in Carnegie Hall for essays he wrote – one on feral pigs, one about the use of ADD and ADHD drugs to help college students and the third on whether having guns in school would make schools safer.

– Photo by Nancy Jappe Mike Swanson expressed his disappointment that the graduation date in 2008 was not pushed closer to the end of the school year. He mentioned WIAA tournaments as one of the reasons.

“That wasn’t the only reason the graduation date was not moved. There were other reasons,” answered school board President Dayton Daniels. Daniels mentioned the late notice for the board committee to understand the why of the change or have time to contact parents for their reaction to moving the date.

The need was expressed for a newspaper article on the free-lunch program for all schools was mentioned, the suggestion was made for a town-meeting-type format meeting on the collective bargaining agreement and the need for tapping into available grant monies, having personnel at the school who can do the grant writing.

Reports District Administrator Scott Johnson told the board that no decision has been made on the state budget regarding the per-student amount that will be avail-

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able to school districts for the next two years. He said that the Senate and the Assembly are far apart in their budget positions, with the Senate in favor of $264 per student in 2007-2008 and $270 per student in 20082009, and the Assembly wanting to go down from $264 per student to $200 per student. “If (the latter) happens, it would result in big changes across the board in public schools,” Johnson said.

As to general aid for schools, Johnson said the Senate favors increasing the aid by $235 million, while the Assembly favors reducing the aid by $85.4 million.

There’s also the question of repealing the Qualified Economic Offer. “We are on hold, sitting and waiting,” Johnson said, adding that he encourages people to contact their legislators to support public education.

“Any time public funding is in jeopardy, it is important to express your opinion,” he stressed.

Johnson told the board he is going to authorize giving sixth-grade football players the option of playing flag or tackle football. “We have a small seventh grade and a large sixth grade,” he explained. “The sixth- and seventh-graders would be combined in a team. There would be a very minimal cost, only about $10 per game for one more official.”

In her report, elementary Principal Jennifer Vogler told the board that a team of teachers will be going with her to a Response to Intervention training session in River Falls July 31-Aug. 3. Teacher in-services will be held Aug. 28-30, and students will return to school Tuesday, Sept. 4. Student class lists will be posted on the elementary entrance doors Tuesday, Aug. 28.

C O U N T Y B U R N E T T H E A D L I N E S

Alion-McNally Center for Production Technologies hires deputy production manager

Dr. David Crowther joined A-M CPT in April, deepening the group’s expertise in engineering and physics. – Photo courtesy A-M CPT. GRANTSBURG – The Alion-McNally Center for Production Technologies announced the addition of Dr. David Crowther to its management staff.

Crowther has assumed a newly created position of deputy program manager and will delve into the project management aspects of A-M CPT’s engineering group.

Crowther has an extensive educational and professional background in physics and engineering.

He has worked for the past 15 years in technical leadership positions, most recently in Michigan as a chief engineer and engineering manager.

Crowther has relocated to Grantsburg to begin his new position and has made his home here as well. He is anxious to enjoy the outdoor life that this locale has to offer. “I love to do things outdoors, so I am excited to explore this area,” he commented.

A-M CPT has harnessed an impressive collection of scientists and engineers, and Crowther bolsters the group’s repertoire of experience and advanced technical degrees even further. He is, in fact, the fifth Ph.D. engineer working with the A-M CPT program, along with several others who have master’s-level technical degrees.

But accepting a job in management doesn’t shelter him from actual engineering duties, as he has design and research projects on his desk just like the rest of the team.

Program manager Eric Peterson, who values real-life technical ability even more than educational achievement, is quick to point out that Crowther is more than an accumulation of degrees. “It takes more than the piece of paper to work on the kind of projects we take on,” he said, adding, “His technical and leadership style compliments the culture that we have established here already.” Peterson employed Crowther previously in Michigan and is delighted to have added him to A-M CPT’s team.

“David is bright, tough and aggressive, and I couldn’t wait to have him on

board. We are stepping it up about three notches here, and David’s contributions will be key to our ability to do that,” Peterson said.

Crowther has twin sons who graduated from high school this spring. When asked if either of his sons is interested in following Dad’s footsteps into science or engineering, he paused, giving the question some thought, “No, I don’t think so.

They each have their own interests that they will pursue.” Pursuit of his passion for science lead Crowther to Grantsburg, and he has immersed in a new position that he seems to love.

Perhaps in a few years, when the younger Crowthers are happily imbedded in career paths of their own choosing, their father may see the resemblance after all.

About A-M CPT The Alion-McNally Center for Production Technologies is a strategic partnership between Alion Science and Technology (www.alionscience.com) and McNally Industries, providing a full range of advanced engineering solutions and precision manufacturing services to support the United States Armed Forces. The center specializes in expedited development, prototyping and manufacturing to meet the rigorous scheduling requirements of the military.

A-M CPT is headquartered in Grantsburg, Wis. For more information go to www.a-mcpt.com.

Property statements Alion and Alion Science and Technology are the registered trademarks of Alion Science and Technology Corporation. McNally and McNally Industries are the property of McNally Industries. All other trademarks, copyrights and patents referenced or unreferenced are the rights of their respective holders.

Your News on the Web: www.the-leader.net

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 7

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Last week’s question: Do you think it’s time to bring the troops home from Iraq?

1. Yes 67 votes (67 percent) 2. No 37 votes (36 percent) This week’s question: Do you support the proposed bill to quadruple the maximum penalties for first- and second-time OWI? 1. No, that’s too harsh 2. Yes, it could deter road deaths You can take part in our weekly Web poll by logging on to www.the-leader.net and scrolling to the lower left hand portion of the home page

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Editor’s NOTEBOOK

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Remembrance and inspiration

riend. Mentor. Educator. Communty-oriented.

Those are some of the words being used to describe Bill Klugow of Danbury this week following his unexpected death Saturday at the age of 58.

Not a bad way to be remembered. Klugow went further than most of us to make his impact on the community at large. He stepped up to make things happen and when he got involved, according to one friend, “he got involved 100 percent.”

You need to believe that people like Bill Klugow get back - in various ways - what they give. His funeral today will likely reflect that.

A newspaper story is also a small reflection - but a reflection nonetheless - of how we lived and makes a small statement that we were here. From the simple obituary to the front page story, no words can ever truly reflect the person or the contributions he or she made sometimes more behind the scenes than not.

Last week a physician, Dr. William Petit, got up the strength and courage to speak at the funeral of his wife and two daughters, 17 and 11, all of whom were assaulted and killed by two armed robbers at their home in Connecticut. Petit was the lone survivor of the assault which ended with the assailants setting the Petits’ home on fire.

Dr. Petit was not only calm, he was graceful in his words and tribute to his lost loved ones as he spoke in front of 1,800 people gathered for the memorial.

"I guess if there is anything to be gained from the senseless deaths of my beautiful family, it's for us all to go forward with the inclination to live with a faith that embodies action, help a neighbor, fight for a cause, love your family." Live well, he told them. And, he said, "spread the work of these three wonderful women."

So goes the cycle of life and the inspiration someone can give to someone else - knowingly or not. We’re sure Bill Klugow’s life and now, death, will in various ways be inspirational - as we can only hope our own lives will be.

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4-H still here, still strong

nyone who has been part of a committee to plan a fair or big event knows the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into it.

Each year the Polk County Fair is a success - and it’s not because it goes off without a hitch - we’re sure there are hitches at every turn - it’s that the general public for the most part doesn’t see those hitches - and only enjoys the experience.

And for all the entertainment value the fair offers, the heart of the fair still remains the youth involvement, mostly through 4-H. There are more than two dozen active 4-H groups in Polk County and behind each group is an adult leader and volunteers who work throughout the year to get things done - teaching and doing good things with our youth.

The culmination for many 4-H members, of course, is the fair.

Exhibits this year again ranged from science projects to photography skills to giant airplane models to animals 4-H members have cared for throughout the year.

Standing for Head, Heart, Hands and Health, 4-H aimes to develop leadership and life skills through various programs - not just ag-related but through other programs dealing with leadership such as public speaking and youth-adult partnerships.

The fair shows a strong 4-H presence still exists in Polk County and the area - a good thing.

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) 232-1390 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 8383 Greenway Blvd.

Middleton, WI 53562 (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

All editorials on this page by editor Gary King

P o s i t i v e Quote o f t h e w e e k

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

— George Eliot (1819-1880) English Novelist

E-mail preferred The Leader welcomes submitted letters, photos and articles each week and encourages everyone to submit them via e-mail, if possible, rather than typed or hand-written copy.

Our e-mail address is theleader@centurytel.net. Thank you.

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

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

The views expressed on these pages do not necessarily represent the views of ICPPA board members or employees

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hard life was in the bad old days before the uprising, when they had to leave their The Mexican army allows the homes to work for low wages Zapatistas to work toward on distant plantations. these demands, in effect, to The Zapatistas also give replace the government in medical care to their people, much of Chiapas, partially mixing traditional indigenous because of the great outpouring herbal remedies inherited of support their struggle has from their ancestors with Andrew attracted both from within what modern medicine they Jensen Mexico and from around the can afford. world. To thank and to educate I’ve come to Chiapas in the their sympathizers and suphope of volunteering with porters, the Zapatistas occasionally community health promoters who invite them to come to Chiapas for a practice medicine in poverty with total gathering they call an encuentro, respect for their patients. I’ll be here Spanish for “encounter.” until mid-April of 2008.

At the encuentro I met people from These sorts of services are very Chiapas, India, Oregon, Chihuahua, admirable to José Garcia Lopez, 52, Spain, France, New York City, from the city of Comitán, Chiapas. He Denmark, Mexico City, England, is president of a Chiapan organization Austria, Italy and Guadalajara. I met called Education for Peace, which George Naylor, a tall, gray-haired works for the development of Chiapan farmer of corn and soybeans from families. Garcia Lopez said that the Churdan, Iowa, who walks with an most impressive thing about the easy rolling gait and chooses his words Zapatistas is their unity, the coordinaslowly. Naylor, 59, is president of the tion with which they undertake collecNational Family Farm Coalition, which tive works like the construction of lobbies for family agriculture and schools and clinics. He said that for against corporate agribusiness. him the Zapatistas are a source of hope.

Asked what he’d learned at the They also give hope to Clelia encuentro, Naylor summed up the rea- Aubague, a genius and anarchist from son for the Zapatista uprising, saying, Guadalajara, Mexico, who belongs to “A regular society that’s dominated by an organization that fights for the freethe market economy has never taken dom of political prisoners in into account the health and welfare of Guadalajara and is called the M-28 the indigenous people, so it’s necessary Collective. Aubague, 24, said the for them to set up their own institutions Zapatistas inspire her because they to get land to farm.” show that another, better world is posThe Zapatistas have set up institu- sible. The Zapatistas are totally poor tions to do more than farm the land. and isolated, a movement in one little They run schools where their children part of Mexico, but they are constructare taught not only in Spanish but also ing a world with dignity for all, she in the indigenous Mayan languages said. that they speak in their homes. For hisIn listening to the Zapatistas´ presentory lessons, the children’s grandpar- tations about their work and in talking ents sometimes come in to tell how with their sympathizers from around

Land, freedom and dignity

dozen pickup trucks roll through the town, swaying on uneven streets and covered with dirty gringos.

The pickups have metal bars enclosing their boxes, and many of us are perched atop these to get a better view of the Mexican town, Altamirano, and its people, who have come out of their houses to watch and wave to the caravan. This scene, a line of trucks with grimy outsiders clinging precariously to their tops and sides, waving to townspeople who grin and return the greeting, calls to mind the arrival of a liberating army.

But the appearance is misleading.

The place we’re going has already been liberated. Since 1994 it’s been the territory of a union of Mayan fighters and dreamers who call themselves the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

Commonly known by the Spanish abbreviation EZLN, they take their name from Emiliano Zapata, a Mexican revolutionary of the 1910s who fought to get land for landless peasants.

On the first day of 1994, when the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect, the Zapatistas came out of the jungle with guns and caught the Mexican army by surprise. They seized control of most of Chiapas, their country’s southernmost, poorest and most heavily indigenous province.

The EZLN eventually settled into an unfriendly standoff with the Mexican government, losing control of the cities of Chiapas but still holding much of the countryside. There the Zapatistas struggle to achieve the simple 11-point platform that they announced on that first of January: “work, land, housing, food, health, education, autonomy, liberty, democracy, justice and peace.”

the world, I heard the Spanish word for dignity over and over again. Mayans in Chiapas haven’t always been allowed to have dignity. Until the 1950s, Chiapan law required Indians to step aside into the gutter when a white person approached on the sidewalk.

But now in liberated territory, indigenous people have a dignity that’s easy to see and inspiring to witness.

According to Pablo Nava, 23, this dignity is the best example of zapatismo, the sometimes unclear ideology that guides the work of the EZLN. Nava is a fifth-year student of sociology in Mexico City at UNAM, the second oldest university in the Western Hemisphere and the largest in Latin America. For his undergraduate thesis Nava is comparing the grand political rhetoric of the Zapatistas with their daily administrative practice. He’s found the two to be quite similar.

The soldiers of the EZLN are regular members of their communities, not professional soldiers. They receive no salary, only their uniforms, weapons and food, Nava said. The different parts of Zapatista territory are administered by bodies called good government juntas. Their members are democratically elected from the communities and also receive no salary, he said.

Overall, Nava concluded that the Zapatistas have lived up to the famous slogan with which they first burst on the scene 13 years ago: ´´Everything for everyone and nothing for ourselves.´´ A graduate of Unity High School and New York University, Andrew Jensen is taking a year off before medical school to volunteer with the Chiapas Support Committee. This organization works in solidarity with the autonomous Zapatista municipality of San Manuel, and donations to it can be sent to P.O. Box 3421, Oakland, CA 94609.

Fo l l o w t h e L e a d e r.

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Technology: The person behind it

arrived home yesterday ready to hop on the computer and write this column, when suddenly a friend walked by said, "Hey, want to go for a walk?"

I felt this tension inside. I wanted to get on the computer, get this column done, check my e-mail, call some friends on my cell and call it night. I felt more pulled toward using technology than getting excercise, enjoying a beautiful evening and conversing with another person in person. I chose to go for a walk with him anyway.

This seems to be a common experience today. We're somewhere in public and the cell phone rings. We're near a library or some place with a computer – time to check e-mail. You're getting into an activity or good conversation when suddenly that Palm Pilot starts beeping.

We could go help someone, but that TV show just came on. Time for something else.

Technology can interrupt us from many important things in life, and we're becoming increasingly desensitized to it everyday. However, technology is good and greatly benefits society, but it must be used in moderation and right order.

C O R N E R

Moderation so we don't use it too much TVs, and I'm speaking to myself just as much as I am writing this in and right order so we don't general. replace real important things Developing relationships with technology. through e-mail, chat rooms and No matter how advanced our phones is good objectively, but technology becomes, the expethere's always certain elements rience it provides for personal lacking. Even though many contact can never replace the relationships for the average in-person encounter with person are a mixture of both in another person. Unfortunately, person and through a phone or our society has lost a sense of computer, too much use of value of that in-person Matt technology leads to isolation. encounter. That's why I'm Blumkin Someone who spends hours in emphasizing a right ordered front of a TV, online or on chat use of technology. rooms is spending that time All kinds of relationships are priceless because each person is price- much more alone than in contact with less – especially in person. You can see, another person.

Alone time is great and necessary, but hear and touch that person. You can be fully present to another person. only to a point. Aristotle did say, "withEveryone needs that, and I'm not being out friends, no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods." sentimental by saying that.

We need other people to live full lives, Technology pulls away at that experience. With phones, we only hear a voice. to learn who we are, to become what we With e-mails or chat rooms, we only can are meant to become. We need to be read the words of another. Even the real- accountable to others. Without that, it's time video image on a computer screen easy to just waddle through life without falls short. You cannot give the person thinking twice about our purpose.

Aristotle wisely said, "the unexamined on the other end a handshake or hug.

Phones and the computer can pull life is not worth living."

I find the happiest people have strong away at social settings, school, business and most importantly – the family. relationships. I also find it especially People can spend too much time on true with those who have strong friendtheir cell phones, computers or with ships of the same sex, strong marriages

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

and strong relationships with their children and extended families. It's difficult to achieve all of that today because you have to face yourself to do so, but it's worth it.

None of those relationships could be developed just on the phone or computer. Neither could those relationships grow strong if one person or the other spent way too much time on the phone, computer or in front of a TV. Summer's a great time to toss aside the technology and enjoy time with family friends.

Here's some tips I have found helpful: • Set limits on use of TV, computer and phone • Establish priorities • Set goals for building relationships with family, friends and others • Use the more personal means communication when possible (call someone instead of e-mailing for example) I know I got much more out of my walk with my friend than I would have gotten out of time checking e-mail and calling another friend. I enjoyed the weather, talking about the world, being men. It gave me courage to keep striving to be the best man I can be even I don't feel like it.

It gave me inspiration to write this column.

n e w s p a p e r

PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 1, 2007

L e a d e r F O R U M Letters t o t h e e d i t o r Our own Joe BTFSPLK Those of you old enough to remember the poor guy in Al Capp’s comic strip with the black cloud over his head “Joe BTFSPLK.” This poor character had enough bad luck come his way to make every comic strip reader in the country feel sorry for him. I never thought that I would read of a real-life character that would make poor Joe BTFSPLK’S bad luck seem like a walk in the park.

That is until I starting reading the daily life of Bradley Ayers in the editorial section of the Leader. This poor chap has lived a chapter all his own on the Bay of Pigs, high profile involvement in the Kennedy assassination, mystery people taking pot shots at him in his woods, arson at his business, now messing up the lake he lives on. I have forgot some of the other dilemmas he has brought to my attention in writings over the years. I know from his writings Bradley is in his 70s, and from what I have read in his editorials, he has never had a happy day in his life.

I am hoping if he can get it together for just one day, I would suggest he take a neighbor kid fishing, go watch some kids play ball, maybe go to a swimming pool and watch the kids at play or just set back and read a funny book. There are some good things in life, Bradley, but you may have to go out of your way a little to find them.

Good luck in the future, Bradley.

Jerry Willits St Croix Falls

Get out now

Withdrawing U.S troops from Iraq now won’t end the civil war going on over there. But if it is done right, it will save American lives and restore U.S. ratings in the Mideast. It is past the time for American troops to leave.

The best thing now is for the U.S. to pull our troops out as quickly as possible and force the Iraqis to take control of their own country and compel the oil rich gulf states to get off their backsides and help Iraq. Along the way, the U.S. could save billions that it is spending on the war and rescue the Army and Marines before they both break down completely. Work our way out, cut our losses and salvage what we can from a mission gone bad.

A good portion of our tanks, personnel carriers, helicopters, etc. are spread out across 15 bases. Much of this equipment can be used to take our troops out of Iraq to Jordan, Turkey, Kuwait, etc.

What equipment is left should be blown up or handed over to the Iraqi forces.

Experts believe the Iraqis, after some violence, would gain control of their country. Most Iraqis want us out now as we are considered occupiers of their country and believe that we are causing all the problems.

Get our troops out now and let the Iraqis take over control of their own country. Yes, we are going to have some troops killed/wounded in this withdrawal, but this will be nothing compared to the losses we will suffer if we keep our troops over there any longer.

We don’t need any more American blood spilled over there.

President Bush, Vice President Cheney, the Pentagon, generals, senators, congressmen wake up and work together to get things rolling to bring our troops home now. It can be done with the cooperation of all.

Jack Rued Balsam Lake

Agree 100 percent I would like to publicly thank Mary Bingham for so eloquently stating her opinion of the fireworks situation in Northwest Wisconsin.

I know of no one that could have said it better and I agree with her 100 percent. I hope the folks with eyes to see and ears to hear take heart. You should run for governor.

As far as Mr. Stackhouse is concerned, his cruel comment about those who fought for our country and are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder well, deplorable just isn’t a strong enough word. Despicable would be more accurate.

Jody Pearson Siren

Magic night Kudos to the Gandy Dancer Bookstore for a special late-night opening for the release of the latest Harry Potter book.

How much fun the fans must have had to join all the other Harry Potter readers around the world at that magic midnight hour and begin reading the last installment of the Rowling series.

This was an occasion that those readers pass on to their children and grandchildren as encouragement to reading for entertainment.

Thanks also to the parents for their part...staying up late and joining in on the fun.

Steve Flattem Burnsville, Minn. and often Burnett County visitor

Act of kindness My wife and I are full-time RV-ers, and are spending a month near your town, staying at Wildwood Campgrounds.

Last Saturday we were in town to visit our daughter and attend the Wannigan Days festivities and parade and were the grateful recipients of a random act of kindness by a stranger.

We were standing in the sun beside the post office watching the parade when a gentleman offered us two extra chairs that he had brought and did not have a use for.

My wife and I are both in our mid-60s and while we were not uncomfortable standing, sitting in the shade, with a pleasant breeze made the parade immeasurably more fun.

We thanked our benefactor, but I did not want to let his kind act go without additional notice and another sincere “thank you!”

What a neat event you have, and what nice folks attend.

Andy and Linda Blum No address given

Contributions appreciated

Back in the portion of the July 25 Leader that few people read – page 26 – I found the minutes of the Frederic Board of Education for June 12, 2007.

Within those minutes I learned that the Frederic Board of Education had reluctantly accepted the resignation of Steve Jensen, who has taught school at Frederic for 32 years, and Dave Dopkins, who has taught at Frederic for 30 years.

A combined total of 62 years of service educating the children of Frederic is truly a wonderful accomplishment.

While I am willing to engage in a discussion about the failures of the public school system nationally, none should question the dedication of those who show up for work for so long without ever once demanding that their picture be taken accepting or giving a plaque in order to get their picture in the paper, unless it was to celebrate the successes of their students.

I would like to thank Mr. Jensen and Mr. Dopkins for their long careers educating the young people of the Frederic School District.

They have earned a long and comfortable retirement.

While their careers went relatively unnoticed to those seeking headlines, their contributions to educating our children have been appreciated by those of us whose children benefited from their efforts. Thank you, Mr. Jensen and Mr. Dopkins.

Robert A. Blake Clam Falls

Fair taxation

Let’s say that you wanted to pay $1 for a gallon of gasoline. You would contact your congressmen, Dave Obey, Herb Kohl, and Russ Feingold. You would ask them to help develop America’s resources by drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, the outer continental shelf and ANWR. You would ask them to assist in the building of new oil refineries and nuclear power plants.

America would not need to import any foreign oil.

Something else you might tell them is that you’re tired of filling out tax forms year after year. Tell them you want the Fair Tax rebate of $392 for a couple, or $525 for a family of four. Perhaps you have eight in your family and would like the monthly rebate of $792. Inform them that you would like to take home your gross pay minus Wisconsin state income taxes. Let them know that you consider paying your accountant every year as just another tax.

We had roughly 9,000 people attend the first “Dare to be Fair” rally in Columbia, S.C. It was on May 15 directly across the street from the presidential candidates’ debates. Our next one is Aug. 11 in Ames, Iowa. Contact www.fairtax.org for more information or call 1-800-FAIRTAX. The Fair Tax Act of 2007 now has 66 congressional cosponsors.

Al Ose Regional Director Americans for Fair Taxation Wisconsin Rapids

Aid to the enemy

Today it was announced that our fearless leader and principal fear-mongerer, George W. Bush, wants to send money to the already incredibly wealthy nation of Saudi Arabia, so they can buy - get this - weapons.

Yes, the nation that gave us 14 of the 19 Sept. 11 highjackers needs for us Americans to give them money so that they can buy means for killing people.

This despite the Sunday L.A. Times revelation that nearly half of all foreign militants targeting our troops in Iraq come from our dear “ally,” Saudi Arabia.

This nation has also refused to formally denounce terrorism, yet all we hear about is the threat from Iran. So exactly how does Bush giving Saudi Arabia guns and money improve our security or safety of our troops? Seems like giving aid and comfort to the enemy to me.

Kathleen Snyder St. Croix Falls

Tug-o- war How can we ever express our gratitude to so many who helped make our first-annual Wannigan Days tug-of-war such a success! Gratitude is extended to the Taylors Falls Fire Department for winning the first tug and also for their help with testing the rope prior to the pull.

Gratitude is extended to Wild Mountain for not only loaning the rope for the pull, but on the day of the pull, they donated the rope for future pulls!

And to Sig Rimsted for firing his cannon for the start of the pulls.

And to the Almelund Lions for serving food and beverages.

Gratitude too, to all of the Taylors Falls Lions Club members, and wives, for all of the help in getting the park ready and all of the help the day of the tug-of-war.

Our gratitude to Don Lawrence for pulling the rope across the river at the start and also for keeping an eye on all of the supplies the night before the event. What a great job everyone did!

Gratitude is extended to the following who furnished pontoons and their time to shuttle people across the river: Bill Davids, Curt Liljenberg, Tom Flom, Jeff Spooley, Mark Posey, Les Smith and Wayne Breeden, (Don Grover pilot) anonymous boat from St. Croix Falls. If we have left anyone out, it was not intentional, and we sincerely thank everyone who helped and contributed.

Sponsors were: S&C Bank, Eagle Valley Bank, River Bank, St. Croix Valley Graphics, Romayne’s On Main, Wild Mountain, Wild River Construction, Rowe Sewer Service, Shafer One Stop, Cross Roads Bar, Old Jail Bed and Breakfast and the Drive-In Restaurant.

All proceeds from the event are going to Lions International for Sight 1st II. We are already in the process of making plans for next year’s tug-of-war. Watch your local newspaper after the first of the year!

Wayne Breeden, president Taylors Falls Lions Club Taylors Falls

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, poetry or personal attacks.

E-mailed letters are preferred and may be sent to: the-leader@centurytel.net Letters may also be sent to: Inter-County Leader, Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837 or faxed to 715.327.4117.

Community news...community views

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 11

L e a d e r

F O R U M

T h e Vi e w f ro m He re Blood for water Try this: Imagine for a moment that the unthinkable happens. A foreign power - insert your favorite enemy here - overwhelms the U.S., topples our government and occupies the homeland. An insurgency springs up, one that is split into Red states and Blue states. This insurgency fights the occupying power to a stalemate, but they also fight among themselves, weakening their resolve. The occupiers, who did great damage to the U.S. infrastructure during the actual invasion, tie any help with reconstruction to a list of demands, called “benchmarks,” which they will use to measure progress.

One of these benchmarks, the most controversial among U.S. citizens, is the “water law” benchmark, one that would require the newly formed U.S. government to pass water-sharing legislation. The occupiers tout it as a water-sharing measure, one that would require water-rich regions, mostly Blue states, to guarantee their water resources would be shared with, say, the desert southwest, mostly Red states, in the event that the region was unable to access enough water to meet basic needs. Just looking out for the public good and mending old rifts, or so the occupiers would have us believe.

But a closer reading reveals that the law has two highly controversial measures. One would take the entire water resource of the U.S., heretofore a public resource, and privatize it. Public waterworks, lakes, rivers, even aquifers, would suddenly belong to private corporations. The other would mandate that the occupying country or countries would control two-thirds of

the water resource and would retain 30-year contracts to develop the resource. And if our new government refused to pass a law accepting those stipulations, the occupiers would not Steve any help Pearson provide with reconstruction.

Substitute oil for water and this is what the U.S. and the British are demanding of the Iraqis. So was it really all about the oil, as many asserted, from the beginning?

Last week’s status report on “benchmark progress” in Iraq, like much of what passes for coverage in the mainstream media, was a mile wide and an inch deep and was quickly forgotten by the major news outlets. What most who were paying attention gleaned from the coverage was that some of the benchmarks were met and some weren’t and that Democrats and Republicans disagreed on the importance of which were and which weren’t.

But the big, largely unreported, story was the refusal of the Iraqi Parliament to take up the oil law, euphemistically referred to by the White House as the “Revenue Sharing” benchmark.

Recall that last spring’s debate over establishing a timetable for withdrawal of the troops ended with the Bush administration buying more time for their war effort, and Democrats, who were less than unified, bought the “benchmark” language as a way of monitoring the progress of the Iraqi government as they approved a supplemental spending bill to fund the

war through the summer. As a condition, Congress required the administration to report back on the status of the benchmarks by July 15.

Turns out that the Iraqis didn’t much care for the so-called “oil-law benchmark” that both Republicans and Democrats voted for in the supplemental spending bill. Seems that your average Iraqi pays attention and didn’t like the sound of turning over a large portion of their oil resources to the occupiers.

Iraq’s oil industry was nationalized in the 1960s, like that of every other country in the Middle East. The oillaw benchmark would change all that, privatizing Iraq’s oil and turning control of two-thirds of it over to the occupiers. Iraqis took to the streets of Basra in large numbers last month to protest the proposed change. As a result, the Iraqi Parliament has thus far refused to take up debate on the measure.

On June 19, five Nobel Peace Prize winners issued a statement condemning the Iraq oil law and denouncing U.S. pressure on the Iraqi government to pass it. The statement, sent to every member of the U.S. Congress, says “the U.S. government should leave the matter of how Iraq will address the future of its oil system to the Iraqi people to be dealt with at a time when they are free from occupation and more able to engage in truly democratic decisionmaking. It is immoral and illegal to use war and invasion as mechanisms for robbing a people of their vital natural resources.”

You can join Iraqi and American activists in a petition drive to stop the pressure by the U.S. on the Iraqi government to pass the “oil law” by going to petitiononline.com/iraqoil/petition.html. It is our water, right?

Area Ne ws at a Glance

Arrested for stabbing RUSH CITY, MINN. - A Rush City man was arrested in Cambridge Thursday afternoon, July 26, about 11 hours after he stabbed his girlfriend.

According to the Chisago County Sheriff’s Department, Steven David Pawliszko, 46, first crashed his pickup truck into the garage at a residence along North Eliot Avenue in Rush City.

He then entered the home and stabbed a 45-year-old woman eight to 10 times.

Pawliszko fled the scene. His girlfriend was able to get to a neighbor’s home and ask for help. The neighbor called 911 at 2:38 a.m. No weapon was found at the scene, but Pawliszko used a knife, according to the victim. Later that morning, Pawliszko’s black 2002 Chevy Silverado pickup truck was located at Cambridge Medical Center. He was being treated for injuries he sustained during the stabbing. Pawliszko was taken into custody shortly after noon.

Aggravated assault and possible attempted murder charges were expected to be filed. The victim is listed in stable condition at North Memorial Medical Center. Pawliszko has a long history of domestic abuse, both in Chisago County and his former place of residence in Anoka County. Prior to this incident he was already facing a fifth-degree misdemeanor domestic assault charge and a felony seconddegree assault charge in Chisago County. An order for protection had been in place. - Cambridge Star

Woman’s death brings jail term BARRON COUNTY - A prison sentence was stayed, and probation with jail ordered Thursday, July 19, for a man convicted of negligent homicide in the death of his 19-year old ex-girlfriend.

Nicholas F. Larkin, 21, of St. Cloud, Minn., and formerly of Cumberland, appeared in Barron County Circuit Court for sentencing after he pled no contest in May to felony homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle and first-offense operating while intoxicated. The felony was amended from a charge of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. Judge James Babler imposed and stayed a 1-1/2-year prison sentence and placed Larkin on five years of probation with one year in jail with work release. Also imposed and stayed were 3-1/2 years on extended supervision, which would follow Larkin’s prison term should he violate the terms of his probation. The spectator benches in the Barron County circuit courtroom, which provide seating for about 50 people, weren’t room enough for all the family and friends who came on behalf of Krista Schiebel. Larkin fatally struck Schiebel, of Cumberland, with his pickup truck as she walked home from a party that he had also been at in the Town of Clinton on June 28, 2006. Larkin later told authorities that he was driving down the road when he felt like he struck something, backed up and saw that he had hit Schiebel. He admitted to drinking 10 beers. - Rice Lake Chronotype

Two new world records set at Lumberjack World Championships HAYWARD - Two new world records were set in the semfinals of the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward Saturday evening. Nancy Zalewski, a Hayward native now living in Manitowoc, set a new record in the women's underhand chop, chopping through a 14-inch block of aspen in 29.29 seconds. She broke the record of 29.68 set last year by Erin LaVoie of Spokane, Wash. David Bolstad of New Zealand set a new record in the hot saw event, slicing three round slices from a 20-inch-thick block of white pine in 5.5 seconds. He broke his own record of 5.98 seconds set last year. In the pro open logrolling, Jamie Fischer of Stillwater, Minn. and Darren Hudson of Nova Scotia advanced to the finals in the men's division, while Shana Martin of Madison and Jenny Atkinson of Grand Marais, Minn., will compete in the women's birling finals. The Lumberjack World Championships as well as the DockDogs World Championships concluded this week at Lumberjack Bowl in Hayward. - Sawyer County Record

F o l l o w t h e L e a d e r.

28th Assembly Veterans education benefits in jeopardy new The Wisconsin G.I. Bill that was signed into law last year is under attack. The Joint Finance Committee, the Senate, and the have Assembly made several revisions to the goverAnn nor’s 2007-09 Budget (SB-40) Hraychuck which include the slashing of veterState ans benefits. I am w h o l e h e a r t e d l y Representative disappointed with the amendments made to the Wisconsin G.I. Bill, and I vow to fight for the return of these benefits.

Wisconsin is one of the leading veteran states in the nation because of these benefits. As passed last spring, the Wisconsin G.I. Bill waives tuition for eligible veterans and their dependents for up to eight full-time semesters or 128 credits at any school in the University of Wisconsin System or Wisconsin Technical College System.

There is no time limit on the use or completion of this service. Dependents of the veteran who qualify as well for this benefit under the bill are spouses, an un-remarried surviving spouse, or a child between the ages of 18-25. Also, if a veteran is disabled (30 percent or greater) the dependents can be eligible to receive a remission of tuition.

Although this highly beneficial program has only been around for a short time, the Joint Finance Committee, the Senate, and the Assembly have gone to great lengths to strip it down to pinch pennies. Now veterans must complete their degree within 10 years of returning from active duty, and they can only get an undergraduate degree if they do not already have one. Not only that, but they also aimed to restrict graduate study by lowering the amount of graduate credits eligible for a tuition waiver and eliminating graduate study for a veteran who already received an undergraduate degree under the program.

There are many scenarios in which a soldier left their career to go and serve their country, and then post-duty needed to change careers, which could demand a different degree.

This is an issue that is especially important to me and hits very close to home. I have had several family members serve in the military including my dad, my brother, and my husband. I find it crucial that we protect and take care of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation.

To my dismay, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are trying to cut corners and save money wherever they can. I was hoping that the Assembly would restore these benefits in their version of the budget; however, this was not the case. We must now focus our attention on the Conference Committee, which will try to create a budget that both the Assembly and the Senate can compromise on. I will not stop fighting for veterans. I’m grateful to live in a nation where men and women are willing to give their lives in the name of freedom and I think it is just plain wrong that we are attempting to balance the budget on the backs of veterans.

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 1, 2007

High Tea at Grace United Methodist Church in Webster

Jeanne Wagner’s granddaughters, (L to R) Elena and Isabelle Wagner from Woodbury, Minn., and Sophie, Emma and Margaret Kleindl, Highland Park, Minn., were their grandmother’s guests at the High Tea in Webster July 28. All came wearing fancy headdresses.

Wearing a hat, as many attendees did, Dianne Gravesen poured cups of party slush at the High Tea. LEFT -Sharon (L), Boatman head of the High Tea Committee at Grace United M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h , Webster, welcomed Elaine Wilson, one of the 95 women who came for afternoon tea at the church Saturday, July 28.

Each year, a committee meets two weeks prior to the High Tea to plan recipes and divide up purchasing of the ingredients. This year’s committee included (L to R): Sharon Boatman, Pam Rosequist, Brenda Christianson, Angie and Marge Swedberg, Dianne Gravesen, Audrey Auer and Liz Saugestad.

Each year, different recipes are considered, and each attendee is given a booklet containing the recipes.

RIGHT - Sarah Kelby, a part of Hands to the Plow, Siren, provided the music for the High Tea, singing a selection prior to the tea and two as part of the program afterward.

The money raised through the tea, an annual event, is used for kitchen and other special projects.

NARFE to meet AMERY - The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1581 will hold a dinner meeting at noon on Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Tac Nite Club, Amery.

All federal and retired employees are welcome.

Reservations may be made by calling 268-8618 by Monday noon, Aug. 6. - submitted

Bike rodeo in Siren Saturday SIREN – The Siren Police Department will sponsor a bike rodeo Saturday, Aug. 4, from 9-11 a.m. in The Experience parking lot at the intersection of Hwys. 35 and 70. Bikers should bring their own helmets. The department will be testing biking skills, and doing some education on biking. Goodie bags will be given out.

State Farm Insurance, Frederic; Tom’s Bar and Jed’s Laker Lounge are sponsoring the rodeo in addition to the Siren Police Department. – Siren Police Chief Chris Sybers

Men of the church, (L to R) Dan Brown, Randy Klink, Tom Auer, Jerry Wilson, Ed Weber, Nate Collins, Paul Saugestad, Dave Boatman, Roy Rockvam and Wes Blake, served green salad, scones with cream, chicken salad, pastry puffs with egg salad and frozen chocolate soufflé during the High Tea at Grace United Methodist Church, Webster, Saturday, July 28. The men had been carefully trained for the job, in keeping with the elegant theme of the afternoon.

Photos by Nancy Jappe

RIGHT - Dolls from Sharon Boatman’s collection were used as decoration for the High Tea at Grace United Methodist Church, Webster, Saturday, July 28.

Swedish Club meets Aug. 6 MILLTOWN - The Swedish Club meets Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m., for a picnic and a visit with reindeer and Fjord horses. Stanley and Donna Berg are hosting the group at their home, 1824 220th Ave. (CTH G), near Milltown. The club will visit the reindeer and horses at a neighboring farm and return to the Berg farm for potluck at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

The hosts are supplying utensils, plates and refreshments. Further information is available at 825-2312 and at 268-2151. - submitted

S T .

C R O I X

V A L L E Y

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 13

H E A D L I N E S

TF development moratorium extended

by Julie Holmquist TAYLORS FALLS - In a five-minute special meeting, the Taylors Falls City Council voted Monday night to extend the moratorium on development in Taylors Falls.

The extension officially could last until Feb. 21, 2008, but the council is

confident that it will be lifted prior to that.

The moratorium was put in place so that the city would not have to consider new developments until the city’s new zoning ordinances were revised.

Since April, the Taylors Falls Planning Commission has been meeting regularly

Eagle Valley Bank announces newly achievd status ST. CROIX FALLS – Eagle Valley Bank announces its newly achieved status as an SBA (Small Business Administration) Preferred Lender effective July 2007.

Eagle Valley Bank is the 29th Preferred Lender in the state of Minnesota and the 27th in Wisconsin. Preferred lenders are chosen from among the SBA’s best lenders and account for nearly a third of all SBA business loan guaranties in Minnesota. This accomplishment can be

to work on writing zoning ordinances that match the new comprehensive plan.

The commission has created zoning districts to mirror the vision of the comprehensive plan and its distinctive zoning areas.

Those zoning districts are: rural countryside, residential transitional, core neighborhood, historic preservation district overlay, core downtown commercial district, business and industrial district and a slope ordinance to compen-

sate for the “river zone.”

The resignation of a former city planner had slowed the completion process, but Taylors Falls Vice Mayor Ross Rivard, who is also on the planning commission, said at a recent council meeting that work on the ordinances is now going smoothly.

Larry Phillips, zoning administratorcoordinator, said earlier that he did not anticipate that the entire six months would be needed to complete the zoning ordinance revisions.

Osceola man arrested for marijuana possession

credited to Eagle Valley Bank’s increased commitment to SBA loan programs and their highly experienced and dedicated SBA team, Greg Kennedy – vice president SBA lender, and Ev Sanders – SBA administrator.

POLK COUNTY - An Osceola man Eagle Valley Bank serves business and was arrested on suspicion of possession consumer clients in Apple Valley and of marijuana last week.

Stillwater, Minn., and in Hudson and St. A Polk County deputy made a traffic Croix Falls. – submitted stop after seeing a vehicle driving through the Wal-Mart parking lot sever-

al times at 3 a.m. on July 24.

Police arrested Jacob Hobbs, 18, after finding marijuana in the vehicle.

Hobbs has a criminal history of retail theft, truancy and a drug charge. – Julie Holmquist

PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 1, 2007

P O L K

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

Long GAM meeting delays action Closed session report, public arguments, divided votes NOTE: The Golden Age Manor, the Polk County owned nursing home in Amery, has been a financial issue for several years. The home was financially self-supporting for most of the years from its opening in 1958.

Debts started arising in the late 1990s. The county paid $625,000 in 2001 to cover past losses and another $856,570 in 2005 to cover more past losses. The GAM has never been part of the county budget, and deficits have been paid from the county’s reserves after they have occurred.

This may change for 2008. The county board, by a 14 to 9 vote, has directed that the GAM board assure that there is no operating loss for 2007. The GAM board has hired the consultant company Ecumen to find ways to make GAM self-supporting.

In addition, the county’s executive committee and the finance committee are talking about adding a possible GAM deficit to the 2008 budget, making the nursing home losses a budgeted item for the first time. With a levy cap in place, the addition to the budget of a possible loss of $200,000 for the year, based on past averages, would mean budget cuts elsewhere in the county budget.

The following stories relate to the Golden Age Manor finances and their relationship to the funding of Polk County services. Gregg Westigard

by Gregg Westigard AMERY – It took the Golden Age Manor a half hour to approve its agenda last Thursday, July 26. A consultant’s report, delivered to the committee chair the previous day, was ruled a closedsession item that could not be distributed to the other board members. The board decided to delay action on recommendations for changes until the end of August. The social services director reported on an “altercation” between a

member of the public and a board member that occurred in the lobby after the last board meeting. The monthly meeting of the county nursing home’s board, which started at 2 p.m., reached its first item of business at 4:15 p.m. It was a full meeting.

The agenda delay related to how a status report from the board’s consultant should be handled. Last fall, the GAM board hired Ecumen, a nursing home management and consulting group, to conduct a comprehensive operational assessment of the nursing home. That study is in three phases. Phase 1, completed in December, studied operations and made recommendations. In phase 2, the board directed Ecumen to assist the GAM leadership in implementing those recommendations. Phase 3 would have Ecumen monitor the implementation of the changes to make sure the recommendations were in place.

0Sue Schwartz-Nelson, Ecumen’s director of consulting, delivered a phase 2 status report March 26. That report said that Ecumen feels GAM could succeed. But it said that the leadership of GAM was not “entirely supportive of the process” and that there are individuals who are “not willing or able to make the changes required.” The GAM board, by a three to two vote, delayed action on phase 3, and instructed Ecumen and GAM management to continue working on making changes for three months. That new status report was due in June and was delayed until July.

Last Wednesday, the day before the GAM board meeting, Schwartz-Nelson held a meeting in Amery with GAM management. She then met with Gary Bergstrom, chair of the GAM board.

Also present at that meeting, held at the government center in Balsam Lake, was Jeff Fuge, the county’s corporation counsel.

Fuge told Bergstrom that the report

should be seen by the board in closed session only and should not be distributed to the other board members beforehand. At the start of the board meeting, Fuge stated that the two-page document was a sensitive report that will not be open to the public. He said the board could review the report in closed session and would be required to return all copies of it.

Board members Wayne Tomfohrde and Eugene Sollman objected to the report not being distributed before the meeting. Sollman said that the board had agreed to share all the information coming from Ecumen. Tomfohrde said he objected to another last-minute action with no time to study the issue.

The board finally agreed to include a review of the report in closed session at the end of the meeting, with action delayed until Aug. 29 when SchwartzNelson would be present.

The agenda was approved at that point, and the meeting got under way.

The “altercation” reported by the social service director took place in the front lobby and entryway of the nursing home after the end of the June 28 board meeting. She said a member of the public, who she said had a family member in GAM, had a loud discussion with board member Rodney Littlefield as he was leaving the building. She said that people could not get into or out of the building and added that board members and family members “can’t fight in the hallway.” Littlefield called the incident a personal attack over a difference of opinion. Board member Art Gamache suggested that the board might need to consider holding board meetings at another location.

All but one of the department heads were present at the meeting and updated the board on what actions they were taking to control costs in their departments. The eight people each addressed staffing decisions including control of

overtime and explained their dealings with vendors to get good prices. The reports gave a detailed picture of the operations of each department from the 72-person nursing unit to the two-person maintenance crew. This was the first meeting where the management group met with the GAM board.

GAM administrator Gary Taxdahl reported that revenues through June 30 are better than expected and expenses are down. He said there an increase in private pay residents. Revenue through June 30 was $3,479,732, an increase of $347,523 over the first six months of last year. This figure excludes a transfer from the county general fund. Expenses are down $37,548 for the same period, leaving GAM with a six-month net income of $340,000 for 2007, compared with a $100,000 six-month loss in 2006.

Taxdahl also presented a 2008 staffing plan that reduces the total personnel cost despite a 3-percent raise in pay under the labor contracts (see attached story).

The Golden Age Manor board may change the qualifications for choosing one of its two public members if the county board in August approves a resolution adopted by a split vote. The resolution, drafted by Bergstrom, would require that one of those members would have expertise in the field of nursing home care and services. The resolution notes that the Board of Health and the Council on Aging have experts on their boards. Bergstrom said the GAM board needs the input and said that he was relied heavily on Ecumen for information about changes.

The resolution would go into effect in April 2008 when the seat now held by Sollman opens up.

The meeting, which started at 2 p.m., went into closed session at 5:30 p.m., after dealing with the six business items on its agenda.

Golden Age Manor cuts 2008 staff costs

Retirements, duty changes offset 3-percent raises

by Gregg Westigard AMERY – Polk County is planning a 3-percent rise in personnel costs for 2008, a projection based on 3-percent pay increases granted in union contracts and with no increase projected for health insurance. Golden Age Manor, the county-owned nursing home in Amery, has submitted a staffing plan for 2008 that actually lowers total personnel costs from 2007. The 2008 staffing plan was presented to the GAM board at the monthly meeting Thursday, July 26.

The GAM personnel budget for 2007 is $5,686,780 for 106 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. The home is request-

ing a personnel budget of $5,667,726 for 2008, a decrease of $19,054. A 3-percent increase in personnel costs would have been $5,857,783. That would have been $189,657 more than the staffing plan request.

The biggest cost reductions are in the nursing and maintenance departments, each of which project total personnel expenses over $27,000 less than for 2007.

Several other departments show slight decreases for the coming year. Only, one department, administration, shows a 2008 budget increase above 3 percent. A spokesperson for GAM says the budget reductions come from the retirement of some longtime employees and some reorganization of duties.

Most of the GAM employees are in the nursing department. There are 71.78 FTE nurses and aides of all classifications to serve the 114 residents. That

includes about nine registered nurses, about 10 licensed practical nurses, and about 50 aides. (The numbers do not relate to the actual numbers of persons on staff since many employees work part-time or limited shifts. The nursing staff is on duty at all hours. Staffing may vary with occupancy, but GAM has few vacant beds.)

The 2008 requested nursing budget is $3,900,820, a reduction of $27,529.

Nursing is 69 percent of the staffing costs for the home. The other departments that it takes to operate the home include dietary, medical records, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, social service, activities, and administration.

Each of these departments has less than 10 employees.

Personnel costs account for a major part of the total GAM expense, but the full 2008 budget is still being prepared.

A major item in the budget is the revenues received from the state and federal governments to pay for patient care.

GAM Administrator Gary Taxdahl points out that the reimbursement rates for many classes of service are not established until well into the next year. He will not know a large portion of the actual GAM 2008 revenues until the fall of 2008.

The 2008 staffing plan shows three funding sources. Medicaid, a federal program, pays 71 percent, Medicare pays 6 percent and private pay patients pay 23 percent. Reimbursements and other payments have not covered the total GAM costs for a number of years, and the Polk County has been covering an average deficit of $200,000.

GAM board making their voices heard GAM board members not shy with opinions

by Gregg Westigard AMERY – The members of the Golden Age Manor board are often vocal with their views. Several of them expressed their opinions at the nursing home board meeting Thursday. The statements came near the end of the meeting during a discussion on the composition of the board but related to GAM opera-

tions in general and the process the board has been going through since April 2006.

“This is a vindictive thing,” Wayne Tomfohrde said referring to the resolution to add a person experienced in nursing homes to the board. “It was brought up to make Gary (Taxdahl) look bad. Where would you find anyone as knowledgeable as Gary. He is respected statewide. Do you want two nursing home directors, one on the board and one in the office? If you want someone who is highly qualified, listen to Gary.”

“The resolution is an insult to the

county board chair,” Eugene Sollman said. “He is the person who makes the decision on who has the qualifications to sit on the board. It is also an insult to Wayne [At the time, the new member would be taking Tomfohrde’s seat.] He has years of experience including representing the county on the Northern Pines board. You say the new person will enhance the board. We had a nurse on the board, and she was green. It is an insult to past appointees to this board. I personally feel insulted. We are not here to micromanage. We have identified ourselves as a three-to-two board. We

are doing everything we can to get rid of a good manager.”

Tomfohrde also expressed his thoughts on labor costs.

“We have cut many expenses,” he said. “But the county board gave raises to the nurses. The county board has more to do with GAM than we do. This board has done a good job in making cuts. It is a tough row to hoe. It is not accurate to say that Gary (Taxdahl) has not done anything. Why is the county board saddling us with these labor costs?”

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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

2007 All-Leader Baseball Team

by Marty Seeger and Matt Blumkin LEADER LAND – Time to honor the best on the diamond in the Leader Land area.

These players made a difference on their teams this season whether spring or summer. They showed consistent play, sportsmanship, talent and the

ability to make their team better.

Brandon Kaiser of Grantsburg put together an MVP season with incredible play on both the pitcher’s mound and at the plate. He and the other seniors recognized below will be missed by their teams as they go off to college.

Several young players jumped on the scene this season. St. Croix Falls had a

plethera of them. Frederic had freshman Ethan Cook, who stepped up and had a good season.

We also say goodbye to one skipper who has lead his team to the heights of a state title in 1992 during his many years of coaching. Mike Morris closed out a successful coaching career at Unity with a trip to the sectionals. He

will coach track in the spring while the baseball team moves to spring ball in 2008.

Cliché, but true, there were other players deserving of recognition. Yet, a baseball team has only so many spots.

Congratulations to all who made this a good season of high school baseball in the area!

First team pitchers, infield, outfield, coach, and most improved

Brandon Kaiser Grantsburg / Senior First pitcher • MVP

Ryan Flaherty Unity / Junior Second pitcher

Jake Larcom St. Croix Falls / Junior Catcher

Gus Koecher St. Croix Falls / Freshman Outfield

Chad Stilzuk Unity / Junior Outfield

Josh Meyer Grantsburg / Sophomore Outfield

Mike Morris Unity Coach

Michael Lamirande St. Croix Falls / Senior Infield

Matt Goulet Unity / Senior Infield

Travis Pilz Luck / Senior Infield

Trent Bonneville Grantsburg / Junior Infield

Ben Larson Grantsburg / Junior Most Improved

Second team pitchers, infield, outfield, coach, and rookie

Bobby Smith Siren / Senior First pitcher

Trygve Chinander St. Croix Falls / Junior Second pitcher

Mike Schmidt Unity / Senior Catcher

Luke Zibell Webster / Junior Outfield

Jordan Potvin Siren / Junior Outfield

Aaron Schmidt Unity / Junior Outfield

Pete Johnson Grantsburg Coach

Jake Schmidt Frederic / Senior Infield

Mitchell Klatt Luck / Junior Infield

Curtis Nelson Unity / Senior Infield

Cameron Hughes Webster / Senior Infield

Ethan Cook Frederic / Freshman Rookie of the Year

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 b l u m k i n @ c e n t u r y t e l . n e t o r m s e e g e r @ c e n t u r y t e l . n e t

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Grantsburg Honkers make playoff push The St. Croix River Bandits and Osceola Braves face off in their season series finale Friday night at Oakey Park.

Ironically, both teams are at home there since the Bandits have played a handful of their home games there.

Jay Gagner, a former Minnesota Golden Gopher, will start the game for the Bandits. It will give them their best opportunity yet to win a contest against the Braves. They have lost all four previous contests, but they played shorthanded in each one. Bandits coach Scott Lindholm said he anticipates having everyone there.

“Our worst three games were all against Osceola,” said Lindholm. “I think that’ll change with Jay on the mound.”

Gagner, who joined the team late in the season, has struck out 23 batters so far in 17 innings of pitching. He has a 20 record with an 1.59 ERA.

Honkers trounce Weyerhaeuser to make tournament bid Grantsburg 10, Weyerhaeuser 2

by Matt Blumkin WEYERHAEUSER – “Every game counts.”

These Grantsburg Honkers know how true that is following their 10-2 win over Weyerhaeuser on Sunday, July 29.

They needed the win to ensure any hope of a Wisconsin Baseball Association tournament bid.

The 2006 state runner-up sat on the bubble in a three-way tie at 7-5 in the Independent League standings.

Unfortunately for the Honkers, they were the odd team out for the sixth and final spot guaranteed by the WBA. Cumberland (7-5) beat the Honkers 2-0

Bryan Vilstrup heading to first at the All-Star game on July 3. earlier in the season, and Hayward (7-5) hosts a WBA semifinal game. Yet, the WBA could take an additional team from the Independent depending on the other leagues.

Despite their slim tournament hopes, they came out and muddied the Weyerhaeuser Black Hens anyway.

Ben Peterson stepped up big, driving in three runs for the Honkers. He brought home two in a hit with two outs in the first inning, and he had an RBI single during a four-run fifth inning.

They took a 3-0 lead in the first inning after an RBI single by Travis Chell, but the Hens gave Vilstrup trouble and scored two unearned runs to make it 3-

Grantsburg’s Ted Gerber at catcher earlier in the season. Gerber knocked home a single to drive in two runs against Weyerhaeuser, which put the Honkers up 7-2. They went on to win 10-2. – Photos by Matt Blumkin 2. Yet, Vilstrup took control against the Hens throwing seven strikeouts and allowing seven hits. No Hen passed second base after the fourth inning.

He also got the offense going in the fifth with a double, and Ted Gerber put the game out when he singled to bring home two base runners. That made the score 7-2, and Honkers ran from there to score double digits for the third time in four games.

WBA or no WBA, they open the Independent League tournament next on Saturday, Aug. 4. As the No. 6 seed, they will face the Seeley Mudpuppies first.

Hayward 13, Webster 4 WEBSTER – A dismal season for the Orioles ended Sunday, July 29, with a 13-4 loss to Hayward.

They had not won a game since their opener against Siren, when pitcher Matt Helland no-hit the Steelers. Yet, he left the team to take an engineering job in Milwaukee.

“That has been the story of our year – we don’t have quality pitching,” said Orioles player Tim Widiker. “We really

miss Matt Helland’s pitching.”

No only that, the Webster nine (literally) played shorthanded and banged up in their final contest. Dan Ries endured a torn hamstring, and Seth Pearson played despite a broken hand.

“So we had nine players, but one that really couldn’t swing the bat and another that couldn’t run,” exclaimed Widiker.

The Hawks jumped on the wounded O’s with eight runs in the first inning against pitcher Chad Carlson. Cameron Hughes and Widiker finished the game for the O’s as the Hawks added another five runs. Due to injuries and player shortage, the O’s won’t participate in the league tournament Aug. 3-5.

Widiker hopes next year will go better with high school players, such as Hughes, being more available for the O’s.

“The high school team going to spring baseball is good for the Orioles,” said Widiker.

Bandits vs. Braves part IV OSCEOLA – A new rivalry in amateur baseball will have its fourth edition already on August 3.

Extra Points ••• GRANTSBURG – The official Wisconsin Baseball Association playoff pairings were not available at press time. For an update on the Honkers’ post season status, go to www.the-leader.net. – Matt Blumkin

••• YAKIMA, WASH. – Mark Hallberg, a former Unity Little Leaguer, has been making a name for himself in the minor leagues this summer. His .346 batting average with the single A Yakima, Wash., Bears ranks third among batters in the Northwest League as of July 30. Teammate Clayton Conner holds a slightly stronger average at .350. Hallberg recently had a 2-4 performance with two runs scored, two RBIs and a home run on July 28. In 34 games this season, Hallberg has four homers, 20 RBIs and eight stolen bases. – Matt Blumkin ••• LEADER LAND – Local sports tidbits to share? Please contact us by noon on Tuesdays to go in Extra Points! – Matt Blumkin and Marty Seeger

Youth baseball update

The St. Croix Falls 10-under traveling baseball team ended their perfect 140 season by taking a first-place finish at the Wannigan Days Tournament held in St. Croix Falls on July 21. The team notched victories over Unity (18-6), Amery (13-3) and Clear Lake (14-6) to win the championship. Pictured back row (L to R) are coaches Troy DeSmet, Brian Jacobson and Mike Leahy.

Middle row (L to R): Brendan Sheehan, Chase Belisle, Angus Koschmeder, Jesse Loen, Connor Olson and Alex Johnson. Front row (L to R) are Caleb Hastings, Jake Johnson, Brady Leahy, Jonah DeSmet and Jacob Jacobson.

Not pictured: Niko Neumann, Mitchell Gjovig, Henry Klein and Isaiah Jones.

– Photo submitted

The Unity team pictured above took third place at the Wannigan Days tournament held in St. Croix Falls on July 21. Pictured back row (L to R): Coach Chad Stenberg, Phillip Sorenson, Wyatt Stenberg, Nathan Heimstead, Login Bader, Eric Peterson, Cole Garvey, Jesse Vlasnik and Paul Heimstead. Front row (L to R): Marcus Qualle, Hunter Olsen, Dylan Stenberg, Brett Nelson, Matt Volgren and Jarett Davison. – Photo submitted

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Frederic Golf Course celebrates 50 years Course still going strong with rich traditions

by Matt Blumkin FREDERIC – Tom Funne of Frederic knows about small beginings.

“It seemed like it was never ending, but it turned out wonderful,” said Funne of the building of the Frederic Golf Course, which turns 50 this year.

As the groundskeeper, he would go with his family each night at 10 p.m. during the first summer to move the course’s sprinkler system pipes. The sprinklers could only get three to four greens at a time. The sprinkler pipes fed from two water wells on the course. His wife, Joan, and 3-year-old child would come along, so she could have the car headlights lighting up his work area on the course.

“And that didn’t work,” said Funne.

So the village helped with the watering issues at the course by connecting the course with their water source.

Tom Funne had kind words to say at the start of the Frederic Golf Course’s celebration on Saturday, July 28.

The late Clifford Erickson of Frederic putting at the Frederic Golf Course in 1958. Erickson initiated the building of the Frederic Golf Course in the 1950s. The course has its 50th anniversary this year. - Photos submitted

“We got village water out there,” Funne said.

The village contributed immensely for the golf course to get under way.

Volunteers would come out to the new course to work on it, and shareholders would help cover the cost.

“When we were first building it, we had many people; sometimes 30, 40, 50 people; to pick rocks,” said Funne.

The late Clifford Erickson of Frederic had the vision to start the golf course in town when he purchased land in 1954.

Work proceeded on the course with cutting down trees and developing the land in 1956 and 1957. Gordon Emerson designed the original nine holes of the course.

Volunteers would go door-to-door to find potential shareholders for funding the course. The course has been privately owned by shareholders ever since.

In 1958, the course opened to the public, and the village showcased it during Frederic Fun Days in July of that summer. The village’s pool opened and was showcased that summer too.

Lucile Fisher ran the first clubhouse at the course in a house near the course.

The current clubhouse went up in the early 1970s and opened in 1973, the last year Erickson served as president of the golf course.

Dr. H.E. Whitte became the next president for the course, and Gordon Johnson also served as president during the course’s history. Many others have put in time and energy to help the golf course run.

In 1998, the shareholders voted to have nine more holes added to the course. The back nine opened in July 2000 though new greens had taken a beating from the rains during the spring. Ray Amundson keeps the grounds at the course today, a course double the size Tom Funne had to in 1958.

“We’re fortunate to have the greenskeeper we have out there now,” said Funne.

A celebration for the Frederic Golf Course’s 50th year was held Saturday and Sunday. July 28 and 29.

The current clubhouse at the Frederic Golf Course went under construction in 1971. The late Clifford Erickson is pictured here at the front of the clubhouse.

B R E W E R S -T W I N S

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Next: vs. Mets, vs. Phillies Milwaukee dropped its third-straight game against the Cardinals on Sunday, extending their disappointing road record to 21-32. In their Saturday and Sunday games, the Crew posted a commanding lead but struggled to close both. While limping back to Milwaukee the Brewers must face the Mets (59-46) and the Phillies (55-49) from the National League East. Fortunately for the Brewers, both games are at Miller Park, where they have a 36-17 home record. They’ll need these wins desperately as red-hot Chicago closes the gap. Don’t be surprised to see the Cubs take first place in the National League Central in the coming weeks. On a brighter note, the Brewers strengthened their bullpen by acquiring Scott Linebrink from the Padres last Wednesday. He pitched out of a basesloaded jam shortly after Yovani Gallardo gave up four runs in the fifth inning. Gallardo had been pitching well through four innings.

Derrick Turnbow tried to work the eighth inning but gave up four consecutive singles, which set up what turned out as a 9-5 victory for the Cardinals. I gues we’ll just have to wait and see how the Brewers manage against some tough competition in the next two

homestands. – Marty Seeger Next: vs. Royals, Indians, @ Royals Lesser-sung heroes of the Twins provided the spark needed to get a once-dismal stretch turned around. Brian Buscher of the Twins delivered an RBI on a fielder’s choice in the ninth to secure at 3-2 win. That snapped a five-game losing streak by the Twins. Jason Tyner recorded his first career home run in the July 29 win. Johan Santana ended his two-game skid on the mound too. Santana had been rocked by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the week with four home runs – a sight Minnesota can’t afford to see again. The Twins continued to reverse their fortunes against the Indians on July 30 with pitcher Matt Garza firing 11 strikeouts in their 4-1 win. Mike Redmond came up big in the eighth inning for Minnesota as he drove in the tying run. It had been an ugly week after a 30 sweep by the Blue Jays where the Twins were humiliated 26-5 by the Canadian club.

Fortunately, Minnesota’s back-to-back wins over the Tribe keep them within striking distance of Detroit for the AL Central race. With the Royals and Indians coming to the Dome, the Twins have an opportunity to gain more ground. Will they? – Matt Blumkin

OAPBOX

Next: Packers preseason in full swing Green Bay signed first-round draft choice, and former Tennessee defensive tackle Justin Harrell on Friday afternoon, just one day prior to the preseason opener in Green Bay on Saturday. Harrell will be competing for the position against Corey Williams who posted seven sacks last season. Donald Driver is still feeling effects from his shoulder injury from last December, but is expected to return to camp in a few days. Brett Favre will miss out on three days of minicamp due to a death in the family, but was able to throw a few passes during the opener on Saturday, but he didn’t look too sharp. On Sunday it was Aaron Rodgers who took to the field for a couple of strong passes in practice. Last year Rodgers ended his season with a broken foot in November, but showed some promising strength on Sunday. The Packers ended their season last year with an 8-8 record, but found strength with four-straight wins before missing the playoffs for the second season in a row. It will be an interesting season, to say the least, but the Packers have no good excuses to finish .500 for the second season in a row. Look for the Pack to improve this sesaon.– Marty Seeger

Next: More training camp Two big questions loom as the Minnesota Vikings begin their 2007 season with training camp under way in Mankato, Minn. Who will be the starting quarterback – Tavarias Jackson or Brooks Bollinger? Secondly, can the Vikes make the playoffs with two running backs, Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson, carrying the load? While much of the media has favored Jackson, Vikings coach Brad Childress has remained clear that the job is still up for grabs. In addition, either of the two will need another 1,000-yard season by Taylor and a great rookie season

by Peterson to get the job done. Aside from the offense, look for 2006 top pick Chad Greenway to bounce back from injury and contribute big at linebacker. Defensive end Erasmus James should be returning from injury too, but rookie Brian Robinson could fill that hole too at DE. Sidney Rice may jump in on the scene at wide receiver, which would compliment Troy Williamson and Bobby Wade nicely. These young Vikings overall will have questions to answer too.

Can this edition of the purple and white excel in 2007? – Matt Blumkin

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One for the thumb ST. CROIX FALLS — What a difference a week makes. On July 13, Kopellah Speedway crowned three firsttime winners. A week later, trophies were awarded to repeat winners in all six racing divisions. Amazingly, four of the six winners were visiting Victory Lane for the fifth time this season.

Sparks were flying in the WISSOTA AMSOIL Dirt Track Series Super Stock main event. Tony Gates and Tim Baxter led a group of 19 racers to the green flag and Baxter had his # x6 to the front quickly. On lap two, Joe Nelson and Dan Gullikson slipped past Gates for second and third, and Nelson immediately went to work on Baxter for the lead. Back in the back, for the fourth consecutive week, the big mover was Cory Davis. After staring ninth, Davis broke into the top five on lap six. While Nelson was still pestering Baxter for the lead, Davis began hounding Gullikson for third. Contact between the leaders brought out the caution. Nelson was charged with the yellow and was unable to continue, moving the Gullikson/Davis duel to the rear bumper of Baxter. On the restart, Baxter pushed up the track in turn two as he fell back to third place. Now the battle for second became a battle for the win.

Still seemingly the only Super Stock driver able to run the lowest line at the Speedway, Davis was showing some fender to the inside of Gullikson at the exit of every turn. Gullikson held off each advance until they came to the white flag, by then, Davis could nearly pull even with the leader. On the last set of turns, Davis was too hot to hold the low groove and he drifted into Gullikson in the middle of turn four.

Hard contact sent the # 00x of Gullikson broadside into the concrete wall. Both drivers were still hard on the throttle, and with sparks spraying from the rear quarter of Gullikson’s hot rod, the duo drag raced to the checkers. By a fender, the track point leader edged the hardcharging Davis for his first victory since May 25, relegating Davis to runner-up for the second week in a row. Baxter kept his hold on third to the end ahead of Luke Strandlund, with Gates completing the top five.

Randy Grams and Jim Schulz comprised the front row of the 18-car WISSOTA Midwest Modified feature race.

Schulz held the point until lap five, when sixth-starting Frank Soucek slipped by and into the lead. One lap later, the freshly re-tinned #01 of Bryce Johnson got by Schulz as well. Making his first visit to the track this summer, Jimmy Latvala spent the middle laps slicing and dicing with Michael Haseltine and last week’s winner, Tim

Swanson. Up front, Johnson searched high and low for a path around Soucek.

The break Johnson needed came on lap 12 as Johnson squirted below Soucek and into the lead. Once in front, Johnson stretched his lead to a comfortable margin over the last three laps on his way to a clean-sweep victory.

Soucek crossed the line in second, and Latvala was third ahead of Swanson and John Remington.

Jason VandeKamp made quick work of the front two rows in the WISSOTA Street Stock feature. Already the winner of over 15 events this summer, VandeKamp rocketed from sixth to first on the opening circuit. Following him to the front was a gaggle of heavy hitters.

Jimmy Randall, Chanda Fjorden Nord and Jeff Heintz all started mid-pack with VandeKamp, but that group occupied the top four positions by lap four.

VandeKamp was alone and comfortable out front while Fjorden Nord and Randall were wrestling for second. Just past halfway, Fjorden Nord finally got

by Randall and into to second place, but only for a few laps. A flat tire on Fjorden Nord’s #5 brought out the caution on lap 12. The Fjorden Nord crew replaced the deflated shoe and she rejoined the back of what was a 10-car field at that point. The caution didn’t affect the #16 at all and VandeKamp quickly took off again on the restart and picked up his second consecutive win and fifth this season at the Speedway. After temporarily falling back to third on the restart, Randall recovered to finish second ahead of Heintz and Shane Kisling.

Fjorden Nord charged back through the field for a top-five finish.

Mike Mueller was the early leader in the WISSOTA Modified main event.

Starting alongside of Dave Siercks in the front row, Mueller showed the fast way around the track for the first six laps.

Unfortunately, sliding high coming out of turn two resulted in the leader drifting up into the backstretch retaining wall. That handed the lead over to track point leader Jason Schill. Schill dominated the heat race earlier in the evening, winning by almost half a lap.

Once he was in front, Schill repeated his feat via an ultrafast and ultrasmooth clean-sweep victory. In the pits afterwards, Schill was equally as proud of his celebratory figure-8 burn out as he was the win as he stretched his lead in the division by winning for the third time in four weeks. Tim VanMeter turned in his best performance of the season with a strong second-place finish ahead of Mike Kelley Jr., Speed Shop North’s Tim Alexander, and Scott Splittstoesser.

Rookie Pure Stocker TJ LaMere led most of his feature race in picking up his

second career win. LaMere started on the outside of the front row and held off the advances of Jarred Amundson for the first several laps. At about the halfway point, Josh Bazey joined the lead group to make it a three-car battle for the lead. With just four laps remaining, Amundson grabbed the point.

Coming to the white flag, LaMere pulled back into the lead, this time for good.

Bazey slipped by Amundson on the final circuit for third to reclaim the lead in his championship points battle with Nathan Fisk. Dustin Scheuer came home fourth ahead of Fisk.

The heavy rains on Thursday meant a heavier and rougher than normal track for the Hornets. Ben Johnson and Jason English each lost air in their right front tires during the Hornet main event.

With the top two point earners limping, the D-9 Honda Civic of Ryan McKenzie cruised to an easy clean-sweep victory, his fifth of the summer. Newcomer Duane Vadner crossed the line second ahead of Steven Johnson and Krysta Swearingen.

In addition to the regular events, Kopellah Speedway also hosted three mechanics races. Kyle Filip won in the Hornets, Tommy Brewer won the Pure Stocks and Roger Spofford was the fastest in Street Stocks.

The speedway also hosted a benefit raffle for WISSOTA Modified driver Brett Johnson. Johnson suffered a pair of heart attacks on July 21, and is recovering in a St. Cloud, Minn., hospital.

Friends and members of Speed Shop North, the tightly knit group of racers based in Milaca, Minn., organized the raffle to raise funds for Johnson’s recovery – Johnson is the Speed Shop’s “captain.”

Strandlund Racing, Troupe Advertising, Haseltine Racing, Kopellah Speedway, Dyrdahl Racing, Jehlicka Racing/Mora Motorworks, Speed Shop North, Fry Pan Productions, and Just for Paws Pet Grooming all generously donated items for the raffle. Monies collected in a Pass-the-Helmet in addition to the raffle totaled over $900 for the Johnson family. The latest report from members of Speed Shop North who were on hand was that Johnson is recovering nicely; he is up and walking for short periods without assistance. Speed Shop North also relayed that Johnson’s incredibly ambitious goal is to recover quickly enough to compete in the annual WISSOTA 100 race, held in midSeptember!

Coming up on Friday, Aug. 6, is Kids Night, everyone under 18 will be admitted free, plus lots of prizes for the kids.

Racing is scheduled to begin 7:30 p.m., with competition in all six regular classes. For directions to the speedway, race-

W a t e r c r o s s With the next race in Ely, Minn., next weekend, most drivers had one last chance at last weekend’s practice to figure out any problems like clutching or water leaks. This next race is the midpoint of the season and most of the drivers are still having some issues with the way the sleds are handling and the way they are driving the sleds.

So far this year the winners have not been consistent from race to race, so it will be real exciting to see who comes out on top the next two races. After Ely, the IWA drivers go to Wausau for the first race ever in that town in September. Be sure to check back after that race as I will post the season points to show who is out on top. Will this

day weather updates, current point standings and other track information, please visit the track’s Web site at www.KopellahSpeedway.NET Race summary WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds – Feature – Bryce Johnson, Frank Soucek, Jimmy Latvala, Tim Swanson, John Remington, Tim Siercks, Shane Kisling, Morgan Crotteau, Jim Schulz, Joe Olson, Sam Nelson, Steve Strandlund, Randy Grams, Myles McEvers, Michael Haseltine, Kyle Matuska, Bob Englund and Dan Larson Heat 1 – Haseltine, Grams, Schulz, Matuska, Larson, McEvers Heat 2 – Remington, Swanson, Nelson, Siercks, Englund, Crotteau Heat 3 – Johnson, Soucek, Latvala, Kisling, Olson, Strandlund WISSOTA Street Stock – Feature Jason VandeKamp, Jim Randall, Jeff Heintz, Shane Kisling, Chanda Fjorden Nord, Andy Spofford, Robert Lowe, Chad Spofford, Eric Berg, Kyle Howland, Trisha Nyren, Skip Lutgen, Lance Halverson and Paul Cornelison Heat 1 – Randall, VandeKamp, Heintz, Fjorden Nord, Kisling, Lowe, C. Spofford Heat 2 – Berg, Howland, Nyren, A. Spofford, Cornelison, Halverson, Lutgen WISSOTA Super Stocks – Feature – Dan Gullikson, Cory Davis, Tim Baxter, Luke Strandlund, Tony Gates, John Remington, Ted Marrs, Mike Bruggeman, Chris Gorka, Ed Markel, Greg Alling, Harvey Fjorden, Cody Campeau, John Meeds, Dave Flynn, Todd Nelson, Doug Fisk, Joe Nelson and Doug Merrill Heat 1 – Baxter, Fisk, Gullikson, Markel, Fjorden, Campeau, Meeds Heat 2 – Nelson, Gates, Davis, Marrs, Flynn, Merrill Heat 3 – Remington, Bruggeman, Strandlund, Gorka, Alling, Nelson WISSOTA Modifieds – Feature – Jason Schill, Tim VanMeter, Mike Kelly Jr., Tim Alexander, Scott Splittstoesser, Dave Siercks, Mike Mueller, Ted Marrs and Kevin Adams Heat 1 – Schill, Adams, Mueller, Siercks, Kelly, Splittstoesser, Marrs, Alexander, VanMeter Pure Stocks – Feature – TJ LaMere, Josh Bazey, Jarred Amundson, Dustin Scheuer, Nathan Fisk, Dusty Brown, Michael Dyrdahl, Sampson Haseltine, Jon Harer, Gordon Hibbs, Steve Baker, Matt Larson, Jesse Lutgen, Amanda Merrill, Shawn Willis and Travis Jehlicka Heat 1 – Amundson, Fisk, Scheuer, Fisk, Scheuer, LaMere, Dyrdahl, Merrill, Larson, Lutgen

T h o u g h t s year’s top drivers be from the Frederic and Grantsburg area? We hope so!

For more information about this wild and crazy sport you can go to any of the following four Web sites to see photos, information and a short video about watercross racing. www.snowsclub.com - www.kmaracing.org - www.iwausa.org www.grantsburgwatercross.com See you all at the races,

During race finals, flagman Danny Carlson gets help from other drivers to make sure all drivers complete the entire course per the IWA rules.

Pictured (L to R): Chad Maki, Alex Nelson, Danny Carlson and Travis Nelson. – Photo submitted

Arlen Peterson #449 Retired 2006 Pro Vet World Champion

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 19

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Mr. Unity to step down The man known in some circles as “Mr. Unity,” Mike Morris, has apparently decided to end his tenure as the Eagles’ head baseball coach.

Morris leaves the fraternity with an array of championships and a career victory mark near 300. Be sure to read Leader sports scribe Matt “Hello C o u n t r y ” Blumkin’s chronicle of the Eagles 1992 state championship in an upcoming issue. Was there ever a better one-two, left-right combination on a local high school pitching staff than renowned ex-Eagles Ryan Fisher and Mark Ince?

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River rivals to clash Friday night.

The St. Croix River Bandits float down the St. Croix to face the Osceola Braves Friday night at Oakey Park. Former Cumberland great and Minnesota Gopher southpaw hurler Jay Gagner is expected to get the start for the Bandits. In other town ball news, insiders say the Grantsburg Honkers will likely open their playoff run against a team from La Crosse.

Area hippie prognosticator has plenty of sweet corn The Swami had his first sweet corn on July 16 and has eaten, sold, and given away bushels since then. “We had nearly four and a half inches of rain in July, so things look really good in my neck of the woods. Very lush and green,” he said. His first installment of predictions for the 2007 football season will appear in exactly three weeks.

Last year the clever fraud had a success rate of only 69 percent, but aims to improve on that this year. “But I predict actual scores, not just point spread,” he pointed out.

Area teams ranked in football polls A preseason poll posted on the Wisconsin sports network has coach Keith Lehne’s Grantsburg Pirates ranked 14th in Division 5, and Josh Hetfeld’s Luck Cardinals in the 13th spot in Division 6. Fringe Leader Land teams Amery, Shell Lake and Turtle Lake are also ranked in their respective divisions. Most sports fans are more than ready to spend a cool late-summer evening at their local gridiron.

To paraphrase Carole King: “It’s too late, hunters, now it’s too late.”

Yes, you blew it once again. You missed the Aug. 1 deadline for submitting your Wisconsin fall wild turkey Thumbs down on Garnett trade A summer full of trade rumors came to fruition on July 31.

Kevin Garnett is no longer a M i n n e s o t a Timberwolf.

The franchise has Matt waived the white flag Blumkin on building a contender around the T H E best player it may ever have.

It makes the Boston Celtics at least a playoff team for next season.

Remember the Celtics did lose 17 in a row during the

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hunting application. With this year’s season running from Sept. 15 to Nov. 15, a myriad of hunting opportunities await those who applied on time.

Some local hunters claim that in recent years they’ve seen more turkeys than anything else while bow hunting or chasing squirrels, grouse, pheasants or ducks (while pothole jumping for ducks, that is. Not many turkeys in the marsh).

Dark day for baseball A scant few Leader readers will be cheering when Barry Bonds breaks Henry Aaron’s 31-year-old home-run record. No doubt Bonds certainly deserves all the booing and derision he’s brought upon himself. But in a way it’s too bad it came to this, considering Bonds would’ve easily had hallof-fame numbers and credentials even if he hadn’t chosen to reinvent himself as a mega-power hitter late in his career.

Mammoth blast adds rosy glow to Oriole finale Officials measured last Sunday’s massive home run off the bat of Webster Oriole Tim Widiker at 385 feet. The ninth-inning blast down the left-field line put smiles on the faces of the Orioles who were in the process of enduring another one-sided loss, this time at the hands of Hayward.

Widiker, who toils during the week as a no-nonsense Webster school principal, was once a star town ball player over in the Rice Lake area. The exBirchwood Bobcat made his triumphant return to the diamond this summer after several years away from playing the game.

This week’s trivia exercise is called “How well do you now your Webster sports celebrities?”

All of the father-son combinations named below are well-known to Leader Land sports fans. In some of the combinations cited, both the father and offspring were Webster High School athletes. However, in other cases pa played his high school sports elsewhere while sonny was a Webster athlete. Contestants are to identify with a W those combinations that are 100-percent Webster, and an N for those which are not.

1) Steve and Brett Ammend 2) Tim and Brian Maloney 3) Brian and Greg Sears 4) Jeff and Chad Roberts 5) Rusty, Travis and Matt Helland 6) Bob, Aaron and Chad Carlson 7) Dan, Brian and Kent Thill 8) Randy and Wes Hedrick 9) Kevin and Brian Gibbs 10) George Weir I and George Weir II 11) Steve and Seth Pearson 12) Brad and Spencer Peterson Correct answers: 1) N 2) W 3) W 4) N 5) N 6) W 7) N 8) W 9) W 10) N 11) N 12) W

season and 58 games overall. One player can turn that around, but it’s not automatic.

As for the Wolves, they’ll be building for the future. They aquired young talent from the Celts in Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green and Al Jefferson. All have average above 10 points per game in the last year except for Telfair. The Celts’ top pick in 2009 will also go to the Wolves, but it probably won’t be a lottery pick.

Veteran Theo Ratliff also comes to the Wolves, which will give them some leadership. Yet, the Wolves are now in major rebuilding mode.

They’ll need to make some great strides to be a playoff team again. Too bad the organization wasn’t more willing to make great strides to build around Garnett.

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LEADER S P O R T S S C O R E B O A R D AMATEUR BASEBALL

SLOWPITCH SOFTBALL

Independent League Standings

Team Haugen Knights-y Brill Millers-x St. Croix Ravens-x Haugen Hornets-x Hayward Hawks-x Cumberland Islanders-x Grantsburg Honkers Stanberry Giants Spooner Cardinals Weyerhaeuser Black Hens Seeley Mudpuppies Webster Orioles Siren Steelers y-league champion x-clinched playoff berth

League 11-1 10-2 9-3 7-4 7-5 7-5 7-5 6-6 4-6 5-7 2-9 1-11 0-12

Overall 11-1 10-2 17-8 7-4 7-5 7-5 8-7 5-5 8-11 5-7 2-9 1-11 0-14

Eastern Minny League Standings Central Division

Team Chisago Lakes, Minn., Bulldogs-y Pine City, Minn., Pirates St. Croix River Bandits Braham, Minn., Stars y-division champs

League 15-7 10-10 8-14 5-16

Overall 17-8 12-10 11-19 5-16

Scores

Saturday, July 28 Grantsburg 10, Weyerhaeuser 2 Sunday, July 29 Hayward 13, Webster 4

Coming Up

Friday, August 3 St. Croix River Bandits at Osceola, 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 4 Independent League Tournament Grantsburg vs. Seeley, 11 a.m. (at Haugen) Sunday, August 5 Independent League Tournament, TBA

Falun Church League Standings

Team Trade Lake Baptist Falun Churches Webster Baptist Siren Covenant-Bethany Siren Assembly Trade River Free Calvary Covenant Frederic Free West Sweden-Zion Lutheran Faith Lutheran Living Hope-Grace

Overall 9-0 7-2 6-3 6-4 4-4 4-5 4-5 3-5 3-6 2-7 1-8

Area Scores

Wednesday, July 25 Siren Men’s League Century 21 15, Gjonnes Construction 0 Sundown 19, Pour House 6 Hap’s Landing 13, Jed’s 9 Hole in Wall 29, TNJ 6 Thursday, July 26 Falun Church League Calvary Covenant 11, West Sweden-Zion Lutheran 4 Trade Lake Baptist 13, Falun Churches 6 Trade River Free 14, Faith Lutheran 11 Friday, July 27 Falun Church League Webster Baptist 15, Siren Covenant-Bethany 13 Frederic Free 14, Living Hope-Grace 5 Monday, July 30 Siren Women’s League Coyland 14, T&T Logging 5 Chell Trucking 19, Maurer Construction 4 Skol Bar 15, Hightown Girls 6

Leader Sports: Giving you access to your hometown team!

St. Croix Falls and Grantsburg faced off in a summer hoops contest at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Friday, July 27. The Pirates edged the Saints 37-36 prior to the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx contest with the Los Angeles Sparks. – Photo submitted

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Another no decision for Washburn

by Matt Blumkin SEATTLE – Webster native and Seattle Mariners pitcher Jarrod Washburn has roamed the land of no decision in July.

After starting the month hot with a shutout win over the Kansas City Royals on July 4, he has cooled off with three no decisions and one loss.

Washburn (8-7) went with a no decision for his third-consecutive outing on July 30 when the Mariners came back from a 10-7 hole to beat the Oakland A’s 1410.

DATE

TEAM

July 29 Athletics Mariners 2006 2007 Mariners CAREER TOTALS

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1 31 21 235

0 8 8 91

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Wa s h b u r n allowed three earned runs on five hits over five innings of pitching against the A’s.

Washburn also had trouble walking three batters while Jarrod Washburn striking out only two. He saw a 6-0 M’s lead dwindle to nothing, as he left after the fifth inning.

The A’s brought his ERA up to 4.11, which has continually climbed during the month. Washburn has allowed three or more earned runs in every start this month except his shutout over KC. He hasn’t gone beyond six innings in any other contest except for that win. –

JARROD WASHBURN STATS: L ERA IP H R 0 14 7 78

4.11 4.67 4.11 4.04

. . .

5.0 187.0 129.1 1469.2

5 198 137 1457

5 103 66 700

ER

HR

BB

SO

3 97 59 660

1 25 10 185

3 55 42 445

2 103 69 871

PAGE 20 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 1, 2007

O UTDOORS INTER- COUNTY LEADER

ATVs • BIRDING • BOATING • CAMPING • FISHING • HIKING • HUNTING • RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

CRP questioned at the county level

CRP land and other conservation programs listed under the nation’s Farm Bill play an important role in the well-being of our natural resources.

Pheasants are a good example of the success of these programs. - Photo by Marty Seeger

tion plan to make it as nonerosive as possible.”

Some hunting, conservation and wildlife groups are pushing for an “Open Fields” bill. In a nutshell, the government would subsidize private landowners who voluntarily allow access to their private lands, which might open up more hunting grounds in the future.

On Sept. 30 this year, Polk County will have 1,339 acres coming out of CRP and another 1,719 acres coming out on Sept. 30, 2008. Whether or not those lands turn into cropland, enter into a conservation program or sit idle remains to be seen.

Recently, Polk County raised its CRP rental rates. Any land enrolled in CRP in the future will fit the new rates, which will range in price of $35 to $75 an acre.

This could help keep interest in CRP enrollments, but other rental rates could change during the 10-year minimum required to keep land in a CRP contract.

The CRP program and other conservation programs have come a long way over the past 20 years. How we got to this point of success in Polk and its surrounding counties is something that will be explored further in next week’s Leader. For more information on CRP and other conservation programs, contact your local NRCS or FSA office, or visit USDA Web site at www.usda.gov.

“It’s getting tougher and tougher to find a place to hunt anymore,” Hraychuck said.

District conservationist Keith Zygowicz said that the property mentioned had been enrolled in CRP at one time, but the land has been sitting idle for the past two or three years.

So do incidents such as these raise concerns with Zygowicz and other departments associated with CRP enrollments and conservation programs? Not entirely.

“We’re kind of wondering what’s going to happen,” said Zygowicz.

Last year and the year before, Zygowicz explained, the FSA was offering re-enrollments to landowners from one to five years, and roughly half of those who had contracts took advantage of it.

“To me it’s the other 50 percent that I’m kind of worried about. Is that going to turn into corn and soybeans? If it does, hopefully they follow a conserva-

This topographic map of Polk County highlights a smattering of black dots that represent the 12,582 acres of CRP in Polk County. - Photo courtesy of the USDA

Where does CRP stand in Polk and other counties?

by Marty Seeger POLK COUNTY — The future of our natural resources has been in great discussion over the past year. That’s because at the end of the fiscal year 2007, many of the programs listed under the Farm Bill are set to expire.

Programs of specific interest to sportsmen are those listed under the conservation title. Within that title are several popular programs that many residents of Polk, Burnett and its surrounding counties are familiar with or enlisted in.

Some of those include the Conservation Reserve Program, Grassland Reserve Environmental Quality Program, Incentives Program, Wetlands Reserve Program and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program just to name a few.

Among those listed, CRP stands out as the largest and most successful. The program encompasses 36 million acres nationwide, and since 1986 it has helped to improve our natural resources for increasing wildlife and habitat, water quality, and protection from erosion.

“That is one of the most popular programs—politically, environmentally and from a conservationist standpoint, it’s very popular,” said Bob Forrest, Polk County Executive Director at the Farm Service Agency in Balsam Lake.

Currently, Polk County has roughly 135,000 acres of cropland, and 12,582 acres are enrolled in the CRP program.

While Burnett County has only 250 acres of enrollment, only 98,000 acres are considered cropland. Burnett County is also physically smaller, and has less eligible cropland available for CRP. Plus, much of its land is county or state owned. As it stands today, no county can enroll more than 25 percent of its cropland into CRP, and according to Forrest, only a few counties in the nation have met that cap.

Approximately 10 percent of Polk County cropland is enrolled in CRP, which is about average when compared to some of the surrounding counties. St. Croix County has about 30,000 acres in CRP, but has around 200,000 acres of cropland. Barron County has roughly 190,000 acres of cropland, with 10,000, or, 5 percent of its cropland in CRP. For the past year, rising corn prices and the push for ethanol-based fuels has some wondering what will become of CRP land and other set-aside lands in the future.

“That’s crossing a lot of people’s minds right now,” said Forrest, who added that much of the concern is centered on high commodity prices. But those prices that made good press earlier in the spring are now on their way down.

“A lot of the air has come out of the balloon already,” Forrest said.

Forrest believes that most people will ride out the balance of their CRP contracts when they expire over the next few years, but said that if the demand is there, someone could outbid the government and put corn in, instead of leaving it in CRP, or letting it sit idle.

But the price of corn isn’t the only factor that could contribute to CRP losses.

About a year ago, Forrest explained that

the FSA caught heat from various wildlife groups. They argued that the FSA was not properly enforcing compliance on CRP acres.

“If the CRP conservation plan called for a grass or vegetative cover, we shouldn’t be finding unwanted woody vegetation such as box elder trees on these CRP fields,” stated Forrest.

As a result, the FSA visited many CRP fields and forced contract holders to “clean up” CRP fields in a way to comply with the regulations involved with the program. Forrest said that many landowners were unhappy with the requirements and extra work needed to keep their land in CRP, but most of them complied with the regulations.

Unfortunately, Forrest believes that it may have left many CRP participants bitter, which might lead to fewer enrollments in the future.

Since the majority of the CRP participants in Polk County are not farmers, but hobby farmers or absentee owners, this could have impact on Polk County’s CRP enrollment directly, but not immediately.

The immediate effects are more noticeable when a set-aside field gets put back into production. One example can be found just east of Balsam Lake, where a patch of set-aside land was planted in corn earlier this spring.

Dave Hraychuck, Polk County Sportsmen’s Club president commented on how he used to hunt the same field for pheasants just last season. But he feels that farm production isn’t the only cause for concern. Speaking as a hunter and sportsman, Hraychuck says that a big problem is the large tracts of land that have been breaking into smaller parcels over the years. In short, it makes it more difficult for hunters to gain access on private lands, and CRP land doesn’t guarantee hunting, fishing or other rights to those who desire access to the property. Uncle Sam might rent it, but Uncle Sam doesn’t own it.

On

track...

The weather lately has been constant throughout much of Northwest Wisconsin, which is helping the bite on many area lakes in all fish categories. A handful of informants have hinted that they’ve all been very successful over the past few days.

On Monday evening, three of my close friends were out on one of the local lakes, trolling along the weedlines with Lindy rigs. Two 10-pound northerns were hauled in, as well as a mess of pansfish and four keeper-sized walleye. One of my friends deemed it as “One of the best nights of fishing all year.”

Of course, nobody informed me that they were going fishing on Monday night, but a plan is in the works for Thursday morning or evening.

Another informant described a splended trip on Balsam Lake, where a handful of one-pound gills were boated. Both parties had good luck in 10 to 15 feet of water for every species.

Perhaps Monday’s full moon had a hand in the success of both parties that fished on Monday, but a prediction of thunderstorms are possible for Saturday.

The next storm front that will push through the area will likely have an effect on the success of your next outing. Get out on that lake before the storm hits, and you’ll likely find hungry fish. – Marty Seeger

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 21

Gem and Mineral Show held at Frederic

Vernon Peterson, Daniels, has been a rock collector and historian for most of his 89 years.

Dan and Evie Beal of rural Frederic wait on customers at this year’s gem and mineral show at Frederic. Photo by Gary King

This hook was used to give messages about railroad track conditions to passing trains. The engineer would hook his arm through the loop as the train rushed past the station, detatch a message, and toss the hook out the window, ready for the next train. Messages would warn of poor track conditions ahead and give the engineer his train speeds.

Photos by Gregg Westigaard

Walking the shores of Lake Superior looking for agates is a popular hobby. This collector has had a lot of sucess over the years.

SNOWs contribute to visitor’s guide pages for Frederic

These native tools were found on the site of the Luck school. The collection is being donated to the new Luck Museum by Daniels native Vernon Peterson.

St. Croix Falls Legion Baseball

“Lessons of Legion”

The Snow Neighbors Of West Sweden, title sponsors of the Frederic Watercross, are making a contribution to help Frederic purchase extra space in the Polk County visitor’s guidebook.

The guidebook, published and distributed by the Polk County Information Center, is the premier promotional tool used to attract visitors to Polk County.

35,000 guidebooks are printed each year, and are made available at 15 or more trade, travel and sport shows in the Midwest, as well as by mail or online. Polk County guidebooks are sent to all 50 states and many foreign countries.

Cities and villages are offered one free page to advertise on, and have the option to purchase extra space. Frederic has purchased extra pages and has one of the best-looking sections in the book. The contribution from the SNOWs will make Frederic look that much better in the 2008 addition that will be coming out in January.

For more information, 800-222-POLK or www.polkcountytourism.com – Photo submitted

ST. CROIX FALLS - As we start to approach the infamous “dog-days” of summer, one can’t help but to stop and reminisce of years gone by. I am sure that everyone has had the experience of a part-time job, and those grueling cross-country family vacations.

These are all great fun, but what are kids today fulfilling their summers with? Many have little to do but stay at home in front of the television, or play in the backyard with a baby sitter until parents return home.

Fortunately, the town of St. Croix Falls provides an alternative for young men interested in high school baseball. Since 2002, there has been an American Legion Baseball team, which gives athletes who are incoming freshman and going-to-be seniors the chance to stay out of basements and out in the sun with friends.

This team was created by members of Lion Post #143, located just off Hwy. 8 in St. Croix Falls and gives numerous students the most essential part of any activity by giving them the opportunity to play and learn. Unlike varsity sports where winning is the most noted records, Legion Baseball focuses on next year, giving new players chances to play and gain experience that only benefits them in varsity programs later. Legion isn’t just about experiences,

this is one of the quirky games that has been invented.

As coaches and parents, we always look for those “lessons of life” to pass on to teens, and baseball has every single one of the bases covered. Legion is all about patience, commitment, discipline, hard work, teamwork and strength, but this is taught in a much more relaxed environment. Even for the most rigorous programs, it is tough to not throw a lot of fun and entertainment into the mix, it is still summer break, of course.

Baseball is the American pastime, and this year’s team has had a plethora of sound victories, not only on score sheets but also in general abilities. I am privileged to have been able to work with these athletes and see them become better baseball players and see them grow up a bit on the way.

Legion baseball is a great opportunity for any skill-level player, the point isn’t how good you are, but how hard you want to try to become better. Of course, this program never would have received recognition if it wasn’t for American Legion Post #143 members by creating this great chance for athletes.

On behalf of all parents, coaches and players of the past, present and future, I would like to extend gratitude for their never-waving support of this great venture.- submiited by Zachary Whittenberger

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 1, 2007

Great Summer Sport Whether you’re biking with family and/or friends this summer, you’re sure to enjoy a little cyber biking, too.

Tips and techniques. Improve your riding skills with the information available at this site. From road riding to cornering to shifting gears, enjoy your rides more with these pointers. http://www.star-touring.com/roadriding/roadskills/ roadskillhome.html Start to finish. Make sure you and your bike are ready to ride.

This site from the Illinois State Police gives information on dos and don’ts, helmets and how to keep your bike in shape, and provides a form for you to rate your bike’s safety. http://www.state.il.us/kids/isp/bikes/ Bicycling magazine. On-line articles from the magazine, Bicycling. Answer some biking questions to find the ideal bike for you, and compare one bike to another. The site includes safety information, too. http://www.bicyclingmagazine.com/ Bike safety and more. Download a PDF file with information on bike safety. If you have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader on your computer, it will launch when you double-click on the bike safety file. That way, you’ll be able to read all about bike safety by using the arrows at the top of the screen to page through the document.

If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, with an adult’s help, you may follow the directions to download it from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html The bike site also has tips on helmet safety and a link to Cranium Canyon, which has stories from kids who did and did not wear helmets and a helmet quiz. http://www.cpsc.gov/kids/kids.html Last G.A.S.P. Follow Gary Nero as he bikes to every national park in the United States. See which parks he visited from May 1999 to May 2000, and check out the photos section. http://wneo.org/gasp/ The Bike Gallery. This Oregon bike store’s site has information on getting the right size of bike, making sure you have the right seat and more. http://www.amz.com/BikeGallery/ Bike league. Learn about the history of the League of American Bicyclists, why it was established and what programs it has. The site includes a calendar of biking events put on by local clubs. http://www.bikeleague.org/index.html Schwinn Cycling & Fitness. The bike company that is more than 100 years old has a Web site that includes information on its teams and team members, the history of the company and all kinds of bikes, including kids’ bikes. http://www.schwinn.com/ BikeAbout. To increase awareness of people around the world, this group bikes around and through countries. The site includes information about the Mediterranean trip. Click on a country’s flag to find out what the group discussed, ate and learned. http://www.bikeabout.org/ BMX racing. The American Bike Association’s site includes the history of the organization, BMX team information, finding a track in your area and joining the ABA. http://www.ababmx.com/ Biking helmets. How do you choose the right bicycling helmet?

This site gives you information on what you need. http://www.bhsi.org/index.htm Bicycle museum. Take a look at bikes from as far back as 1810.

The Bicycle Museum of America site includes photos of displays on all types of bikes. (Note: Some of the internal links do not work well.) http://www.bicyclemuseum.com/ Please note: This list only applies to the sites listed, not to any sites that may be linked. Web sites change constantly. At the time this article was written, these Web addresses worked. Some of the sites may call for software you do not have. You can still look at much of the information on the site, but you may need the software for movies.

If you do need software, be sure to have your parent(s) read any software agreements before you download it.

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 23

Polk County Fair • 2007

Eureka, Sterling and Laketown historical societies were hosts of the Red School during this year’s Polk County Fair. Historical displays and demonstrations of historical arts and crafts were part of the four-day schedule at the school (shown lower right). Displays of old photos, like the one at lower left, labeled “The Hello Girls of the 1900s” were part of the fun. Russ Hanson, who writes the Leader’s featured column, River Road Ramblings, along with Stan Selin, coordinated this year’s displays. - Photos by Gary King

Building communities with people power BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES – Interested in developing your leadership skills or networking with important people from Burnett and Polk counties?

The third year of the program begins in September and applications are being accepted through Aug. 15.

Interested applicants should contact Mike Kornmann at 715-349-2151, Bob Kazmierski at 715-485-8500 or visit http://burnett.uwex.edu. The goal of the innovative Polk Burnett Leadership Academy is to develop

Participants work on a land-use exercise.

leaders to strengthen communities. In order to meet Marilyn Sederlund, Kristi Vossen, Mark Miller, Vicky, community challenges and recognize opportunities, Cichon, Sara McCurdy, Dianne Connor, Todd Cichon, our communities need leaders who show initiative, lis- Michael Schaar, Sue Mathews, Gerry Boucher, Amy ten intently, understand the breadth of perspective on Kelsey, Greg Marsten, Tim Gerber, Jeff Bush, Kelly issues, assume responsibility and exercise sound deci- Gross and Bob Zank. – submitted sion-making. UW-Extension Burnett and Polk counties developed this program to provide communities, businesses and organizations with leaders; leaders who have a broader vision, an understanding of themselves and their communities, as well as a clearer appreciation of the interdependence of issues that impact them.

Over nine months, participants will meet once a month. Topics titles are: Understanding Yourself and Others, Civic Engagement and Leadership, Organizational Development, Conflict Resolution, Local Government Finance, Economic Development, Community Development and Planning and Natural Resources. Each person will also work in a group on a community service project. Past projects have focused on affordable housing, intergenerational education, exotic species, the arts and many others. Graduate Greg Marsten (Group I) said, “A person very rarely gets the opportunity to be a member of a program that brings together so many resources, from the county and state level, to facilitate the process of learning about Polk and Burnett counties, how it functions and what roles we might be able to play in its future.”

Bill Ryan from UW Extension’s Center for Graduates of the Polk Burnett Leadership Academy Community and Economic Development talks include Coleen Gifford, Erick Wojchik, Jennifer about downtown revitalization.

Bergmann-Mortel, Bryan Beseler, Karla Brunberg,

Showing no signs of VHS disease Bayfield Hatchery resumes stocking BAYFIELD - Fish hatcheries postponed stocking fish across Wisconsin while state fisheries officials determined whether they could be spreading a deadly fish virus. They’ve been given the OK to go ahead, so hatcheries will resume stocking with stricter guidelines than before.

After more than a month of waiting, the Les Voight State Fish Hatchery in Bayfield will resume stocking fish. Hatchery Foreman Mike Rackouski says the hatchery tested negative for the fish virus viral hemor-

rhagic septicemia or VHS. Still, Rackouski says it’s only a matter of time before VHS is found in Lake Superior. He says it will affect the way they raise fish locally, and they will have to shut their lake water line down. Also, he says whenever they stock fish out, they’re going to have to use strictly well water. He says they almost have to treat the water as a toxic substance basically.

Rackouski says the hatchery will do what it can to avoid spreading the virus. He says the thing they have to do is to take a closer look at and be a lot more careful with disinfecting of eggs. He says they used to disinfect eggs when they brought them into their egg room, but now they’re going to have disinfect the eggs before they even bring them into the facility.

Rackouski says the virus isn’t just a problem for fish hatcheries. It’s a problem for anglers as well. He says everyone is going to have to “chip in” with this problem, and he says there’s probably going to be another problem down the road. He says fisherman going from lake to lake need to make sure that they’re disinfecting their boats and to ensure they’re not carrying water from one lake to another or fish from one lake to another.

Rackouski says so far, the hatchery has stocked over 200,000 chinook salmon into the lake. He says VHS could affect the number of fish the hatchery will raise in the future. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Danielle Kaeding)

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 1, 2007

Anderson addresses Rotary Club

Donation for crosswalk signs

Wayne Anderson, columnist with the Inter-County Leader, addressed the Grantsburg Rotary Club last Tuesday. He spoke and answered questions about the war in Iraq, where he was an embedded reporter with Wisconsin’s 1157th Transportation Company for a month at Army camps Taji and Liberty. Also shown are Rotary officers Merlin Johnson and Greg Peer. – Photo submitted Frederic Police Chief R.J. Severude (L) accepts a donation of $300 from Arlen Peterson, representing the SNOWS group. The money is earmarked to be used for crosswalk signs. - Photo submitted

Burnett County civil court Gary Kaefer, DDS vs.

Brandon Hopkins, Webster, $148.91.

Gary Kaefer, DDS vs. Pam Smith, Danbury, $481.05.

Gary Kaefer, DDS vs. James Espeseth, Danbury, $161.37.

Gary Kaefer, DDS vs. Keith Johnson, Shell Lake, $513.34.

Gary Kaefer, DDS vs.

Angela Johnson, Webster, $192.29.

MRC Receivables Corp. vs.

Lynn Blakey, Spooner, $1,197.67.

Larry’s LP Inc. vs. Patricia Burns, Webster, $377.37.

Larry’s LP Inc. vs. Delayne “Tooter” Barnes, Siren, $1,377.95.

Voyager Enterprises Inc. vs.

Joel Gadboif, Rosemount, Minn., $1,598.06.

Capital One Bank vs. Joann R. Berg, Danbury, $1070.45.

Gary Kaefer, DDS vs.

Patrick Henderson, Webster, $439.30.

Burnett Medical Center vs.

Audrey M. Anderson-Rud,

Grantsburg, $1,756.18.

Spooner Health System vs.

Jeremy M. Hollis, Webster, $1,124.31.

Grindell Law Offices, SC vs.

Benjamin D. Harris, Danbury, $1,087.00.

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AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 25

Siren police report July 23: Paula K. Spafford, 35, Siren, was stopped on Hwy. 35/70 and Parks West Street at 10:21 p.m. because the Siren officer on duty noted that her vehicle had no taillights.

Spafford was charged with operating after revocation and possession of drug paraphernalia (a marijuana pipe that tested positive for marijuana).

July 25: At 6:30 p.m., Morris J. Peterson, Danbury, notified the officer on duty that he had found a motorcycle helmet in the

lane of traffic on Hwy. 70 by the Siren Fire Hall. The helmet is a THH, silver with purple and white flames and a front hood visor. The helmet is being held by the Siren Police Department.

July 26: The Siren officer was notified at 5:56 p.m. that a girl had been bitten in the thigh

by Molly, a golden Lab retriever owned by Peggy Stager, Siren.

The girl had been riding her bike past Stager’s home at the time of the attack. The dog was not tied up, and had a muzzle

Civil Ford Motor Credit Co., Mesa, Ariz., plaintiff. Thomas Huffman, Osceola, defendant.

Plaintiff alleges default on payments for 1999 Chevrolet Suburban and seeks $7,809.19.

Fia Card Services, Wilmington, Del., plaintiff.

Norma Hoelscher, Star Prairie, defendant. Plaintiff alleges default on credit card payments of $5,889.97.

Pam Oil, Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D., plaintiff. Ed Page, dba 35 Auto Sales & Services,Osceola, defendant.

Plaintiff alleges unpaid balance on purchased goods and services in amount of $5,489.54.

Fia Card Services, Wilmington, Del., plaintiff. Lisa

Butterfield, Osceola, defendant. Plaintiff alleges default on credit card payments in amount of $7,149.24.

U.S. Bank National Association, Ft. Mill, S.C., plaintiff. Joseph and Sarah Harrington, Osceola, defendants. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure for payments of $159,776.76.

Corey MacKenzie, Balsam Lake, plaintiff.

Barb Geissinger, Balsam Lake, defendant. MacKenzie alleges being attacked by Geissinger’s Australian Shepherd dog because of negligence of Geissinger. MacKenzie seeks damages for loss of work, future plastic surgery and other losses.

CACH LLC, Denver, Colo.,

around the neck but not around the mouth. Stager was told she needs to quarantine the dog for 10 days.

July 27: The Siren officer was notified at 4:17 a.m. that someone had tried to enter a Siren residence by reaching around an air-conditioner in an attempt to unlock a porch door.

A two-vehicle accident took place at 4:42 p.m. at the intersection of Lake Street and First Avenue. Amanda L. Boyd, 22, Webster, driver of one of the

vehicles, told the officer that she didn’t see the stop sign, drove through the intersection and collided with a vehicle driven by Jodi Ann Dean, 39, Anthony, Minn.

Two passengers in Dean’s vehicle were injured, and were taken to Burnett Medical Center for treatment.

Boyd was cited for failure to stop at the stop sign.

At 8:12 p.m., Chelsey N. Ophus, 17, Somerset, was cited for speeding on Hwy. 35/70 at Parks West Street.

July 28: At 2:38 a.m., Darryl R. Moose, 40, Hertel, was cited for operating after suspension and operating without lights (both headlights and taillights).

Moose had pulled out of the Pour House parking lot, and was stopped at South Shore Drive and Spruce Lane.

At 8:12 a.m., Rick E. Voss, Siren, reported damage to his tractor trailer that had been parked in front of his Siren home since 8 p.m. the preceding day.

The officer found two scratches

Polk County civil court plaintiff. Carol Donovan, Clear Lake, defendant.

Plaintiff alleges default on credit card payments in amount of $23,843.57.

CACV Colorado, Denver, Colo., plaintiff.

Carolyn Nowling, Amery, defendant.

Plaintiff alleges default on credit card payments in amount of $12,323.71.

Fia Card Services, Wilmington, Del., plaintiff. Kelly Baker, Centuria, defendant.

Plaintiff alleges default on credit card payments in amount of $13,296.89.

Citibank, Sioux Falls, S.D., plaintiff. Lester Kurtz, St. Croix Falls. Plaintiff alleges default on credit card payments in amount of $11,813.95.

U.S. Bank N.A., St. Louis, Mo., plaintiff. Larry Glenn, Luck, defendant. Plaintiff alleges default on credit card payments in amount of $10,077.38.

David Skylora, Deer Park, plaintiff. Travelers Home & Marine Insurance Co., Madison, GEICO General Insurance Co., Milwaukee, WEA Insurance Corp., Madison, defendants. Plaintiff seeks damages for injuries related to a March 1 auto accident.

Capital One Bank, Glen Allen, Va., plaintiff. Stephen Tollifson, Frederic, defendant.

Plaintiff alleges default on credit card payments in amount of $16,489.90.

Burnett County sheriff’s report Accidents Town of Blaine, July 20: Jeremy B. Nelson, 26, Fridley, Minn., reported hitting a deer while northbound on Hwy. 35.

There were no reported injuries.

Town of Siren, July 22: Evan P. Eid, 20, Arden Hills, Minn., was eastbound on Herman Johnson Road when he lost control negotiating when he drove into loose sand. The driver was transported to Burnett Medical Center with lacerations to the face.

Arrests Town of Swiss, July 26: Conrad L. Rainey, 32, Danbury, was cited and arrested for domestic battery.

Town of Meenon, July 26: Kyle D. Kastner, 22, Eagan, Minn., was cited and arrested for possession of paraphernalia.

Beau E. Vasas, 22, Webster, was also cited for possession of paraphernalia and operating after suspension.

Town of Meenon, July 29: Nicholas B. Arcand, 19, Webster, was cited and arrested for domestic disorderly conduct and underage drinking. Carl J. Zappa, 18, Webster, was cited and arrested for battery and underage drinking. Jules J. Zappa, 17, Webster, was cited and arrested for battery and underage drinking.

Town of Meenon, July 30: Donnell C. Wilson, 48, Siren, was cited and arrested for THC. Other incidents Town of Siren, July 21: Randy Brockman, 45, Webster reported two motorcycles, a leaf blower, chain saw, power tools, lawn mower and two bicycles

taken from a residence. The incident is under investigation.

Town of West Marshland, July 23: Terry Belland, North Hudson, reported the theft of a gas grill. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Jackson, July 23: Dana A. Wayne, 35, Antioch, Ill., reported two rifles, a bow and cash missing from a cabin. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Lincoln, July 25: Matthew J. Brown, 36, Webster, reported his vehicle severely damaged by Gerard L. McKee Jr., 27, Webster.

Town of Sand Lake, July 27: Jeff A. Lewis, 44, Siren, reported tampering with his boat and pontoon. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Daniels, July 28: Bradley S. Viebrock, 50,

Osceola, reported a lawn ornament, a cooler, gas and a battery charger taken from a cabin.

The incident is under investigation.

Town of Sand Lake, July 28: Steve R. Eddy, 48, Black River Falls, reported a 12-foot boat taken from a cabin. He also reported that the cabin next to him was also broken into. It is unknown at this time if anything is missing. The incidents are under investigation.

Town of Wood River, July 28: Roger D. Carlson, 75, reported copper lightning rods and copper wire taken from a farm. The incident is under investigation.

Town Anderson, July 30: Shawn D. Jorgensen, 25, Grantsburg, was cited for battery. He has a warrant out for his arrest.

Polk County criminal court Felony Kyle Nyquist, 21, Amery, bail jumping. Adjourned initial hearing scheduled for Aug. 27.

Khambay Kounniyom, 50, Osceola, possession with intent, marijuana, manufacture, deliver marijuana. Signature bond set of $10,000. Adjourned initial hearing set for Aug. 20.

Misdemeanor Michael Dagostino, 25, Balsam Lake, pleaded not guilty to battery, disorderly conduct.

Signature bond set of $1,000.

Court review set for Sept. 25.

Elizabeth Hays, 30, Cushing, pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct. Signature bond set of

$1,000.

Honesty Houle, 27, Big Lake, Minn., pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct. Court review set for Aug. 31.

Jaqualyne Tretsven, 17, Dresser, pleaded not guilty to battery, criminal damage to property. Review set for Aug. 31.

Zachary Weber, 22, Amery, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia.

Signature bond set of $1,000.

Review set for Aug. 21.

Nichole Polze, 27, Spooner, pleaded not guilty to obstructing/resisting an officer.

Jeremy Feiertag, 22, Cumberland, pleaded not guilty

to resisting/obstructing an officer. Review set for Sept. 28.

Robert D. Carlson, 44, Dresser, pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct, violating a harassment restraining order.

Review set for Aug. 31.

Jacob Wilson, 17, Deer Park, pleaded not guilty to resisting/obstructing an officer.

Review set for Aug. 24.

Daryl Merrill, 18, Luck, pleaded not guilty to battery, disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property. Signature bond set of $1,000.

Kelly Klingelhoets, 21, Turtle Lake, battery. Signature bond set of $1,000. Adjourned

initial hearing set for Aug. 27.

Traffic Katrina Weinhardt, 38, St. Croix Falls, pleaded not guilty to OWI, operating with PAC of .08 or more. Court review Sept. 25.

James Wallace, 54, Cushing, OWI, operating with PAC .08 or more. Court review Sept. 25.

Donald Stahl, 35, Virginia, Minn., pleaded not guilty to OWI, operating with PAC .08 or more, operating a vehicle while revoked. Review set for Sept.

25.

Kyle McCarty, 19, Amery, OAR, dismissed.

Burnett County warrants Travis G. Anderson, 23, Little Falls, Minn., arrest warrant – complaint, July 27.

Brandon S. Bearheart, 22, Webster, warrant – failure to appear, July 23.

Brianna L. Bearheart, 17, Shell Lake, warrant – failure to appear, July 25.

James B. Dortch, 39, arrest warrant – complaint, July 27.

Jesse R. Hess, 26, Spooner, commitment, July 27.

Shawn D. Jorgensen, 25, St. Croix Falls, warrant – failure to appear, July 25.

Ashanti J. Letch, 20, Grantsburg, warrant – failure to appear, July 25.

Teresa A. Menard, 41,

Danbury, arrest warrant – complaint, July 25.

Joshua W. Moore, 22, Frederic, commitment, July 24.

Michael A. Neumann, 46, Webster, commitment, July 27.

Mark E. Schultz, 51, St. Paul, Minn., warrant – failure to appear, July 25.

Bernard A. Taylor, 34, Hayward, warrant – failure to appear, July 23.

James K. Taylor, 35, Frederic, commitment, July 23.

Sherri A. Taylor, 30, Danbury, commitment, July 23.

Gary M. Thomas, 46, Danbury, commitment, July 23.

Andrianus J. Vandervelden, 58, Colorado Springs, Colo.,

Burnett County deaths Arther R. Bruce, 82, Blaine, July 23.

commitment, July 23.

Johnathon M. Vogel, 23, Danbury, commitment, July 23.

Monica A. WalkerMorris, 22, Duluth, Minn., commitment, July 23.

Karma D. Wessels, 23, Colombia Heights, Minn., commitment, July 24.

Hans Z. Willis, 21, Grantsburg, commitment, July 23.

Carrie J. Wolfe, 36, Couderay, commitment, July 23.

Shawn M. Wood, 26, Maplewood, Minn., commitment, July 23.

Richard A. Wycoski, 63, Grantsburg, commitment, July 23.

Paul W. Yambrick, 26, Siren, commitment, July 24.

Paul L. Zilly, 39, Shell Lake, commitment, July 23.

Polk County divorces filed Rita and Richard Lowney, Osceola. Married 1988. Ten minor children.

Rebecca Himlie, Osceola and Lowell Himlie II, New Richmond.

Married 2000. Four children.

Dawnae Holten, Amery and Steven Holten, Dresser. No children.

Lori and Michael Wear Sr., Frederic. Married 1998. No children.

Julie and Michael Goodrum, Amery. Married 1991. Three children.

Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., plaintiff.

Lynn A. Peterson, St. Croix Falls, and John and Michelle Andrewson, Danbury, defendants. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure for payments of $89,131.

in the paint, a long scratch on the stainless-steel portion of the trailer, a scratch on the driver’s side fender of the tractor and one on the sleeper portion of the tractor.

At 12:26 p.m., Donald Charles Lindvall, 77, Edina, Minn., was cited for operating after suspension on Hwy. 35/70 and South Shore Drive.

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 1, 2007

Burnett Co. marriage licenses

Burnett County criminal court Kristopher R. Hicks, 36, Frederic, issue worthless check, $119.27 restitution, $249.00.

Marvin L. Staples, 24, Danbury, disorderly conduct, one-year probation, alcohol assessment, $163.00.

Dionne M. Johnson, 36, Siren, disorderly conduct, $249.00.

Tanya M. Krause, 21, Shell Lake, disorderly conduct, 30 days’ jail time, Huber release for employment, $88.00.

Adam M. Evans, 18, Webster, possession of drug paraphernalia, $249.00.

LaVonne K. Myrvold, 48, Webster, possession of THC, one-year probation, license suspended six months, alcohol assessment, $88.00.

Chad A. Jones, 34, Hayward, theft, $249.00.

Michael G. Gotwald, 59, Lino

Lakes, Minn., OWI, $894.00, alcohol assessment, five days’ jail time, work release after 48 hours, license revoked 12 months.

Jose H. Gallegos, 23, Webster, possession of cocaine with intent to sell – < one to five grams, four-year probation, license suspended six months, nine months’ jail time, Huber privileges granted, provide DNA sample, alcohol assessment, $363.00.

Samuel J. Carlson, Wood River, and Dayna M. Shaffer, Wood River, July 23.

Jason L. Gannon, Augusta, Kan., and Alexia C. Walters, Shell Lake, July 23.

Paul D. Koerper, Roy, Utah, and Leandra E. Rose, Boynton Beach, Fla., July 24.

David L. Carder, Meenon, and Kathryn A. Jackson, Meenon, July 26.

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Notices / Real Estate

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 27

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Notices/ Employment

Subscribe online today! www.the-leader.net

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 29

Notices/ Employment

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Notices/ Employment

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 31

Great Forts Rendezvous â&#x20AC;˘ 2007

The Great Fur Trade Rendezvous held Aug. 28 and 29 at the Forts was well-attended.

Many traders, campers and spectators attended this annual event.

Signs pointed the way to various activities that were going out around the Forts.

ABOVE: This youngster was curious to get a close-up look at the bear outside one of the lodges.

Reniah Rainbow Waters from Viroqua was one of many traders at the Rendezvous this past weekend, July 28 and 29, at Forts Folle Avoine.

Photos by Raelynn Hunter

LEFT: Children shared offered to share their candy after the candy cannon was fired.

These scupltures and this cannon were among the many items that traders had for sale

Forts director Kevin Klucas and interpretor Willie Annis were out and about at the Rendezvous. Klucas has announced heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moving to Florida. (See story elsewhere in this issue).

PAGE 32 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 1, 2007

Polk County Fair • 2007

Volunteers for hypnosis under the big top at the Polk County Fair show their enthusiasm over holding the winning Powerball ticket (a tissue they were given and told was a ticket). The volunteers were hypnotized into thinking they each had the winning ticket and became more and more excited as the hypnotist announced each number. The volunteers were told to hide their ticket after finding out they won because there was a “thief on the loose.” This was part of the hypnotist act which included being on a beach fanning themselves and eating ice cream, to being in the cold and huddling together to keep warm, and winning the million dollar jackpot.

RIGHT: Roping by the Ranger was a crowd attraction during the fair.

Photos by Tammi Milberg

A young puller on an old tractor was a unique sight at the tractor pull at the fairgrounds grandstand Saturday evening.

Several rabbit divisions were judged Saturday. These 4-H exhibitors anxiously await the announcement of grand champion and reserve grand champion.

Jacob Meier, Frederic, poses with his steer prior to the quality meat auction held at the Polk County Fairgrounds Saturday, July 28. Meier has been avid in West Sweden’s 4-H and was hopeful for a good sale on his steer.

‘Follow the Leader’

Currents N O R T H E R N

Aug ust 1, 2007 2nd Sect i o n B I nt er- C o unt y Leader

News and views from the Northwest Wisconsin community

History mystery, part II

by Gary King FREDERIC - Six months ago, local historian Ken Java asked the public to help him answer a few questions about a site that had all the markings of being the original lumber camp that started the Frederic community more than 100 years ago.

The site is located on property owned

by Dennis and Linda O’Donnell, south of the village in the middle of Section 35 of the town of West Sweden.

A logging trail, which can still be traced, ran from the Straight River to Coon Lake. There were saw mills at each end of the trail.

Java, the president of the Frederic Area Historical Society, was fascinated and curious after walking the old lumber camp site with O’Donnell.

“The thing that struck me is when you walk out through the woods at the site it’s like stepping back in time - all the signs of what was once there 100 years ago are still there...and it amazes me,” Java said.

There is a raised outline of the foundation of a 32- by 108-foot building that would have housed the bunks for the lumberjacks, a dining hall, a kitchen, a place for a blacksmith and, according to Java, a place for the saw filer who was as important as any member of the lumberjack crew.

“If their saws weren’t sharp, productivity went down real fast,” Java noted.

One of the more striking features of the site is a clearing – approximately 200 by 400 feet – where, Java notes, nothing has grown for more than a century.

He wondered why - and asked questions of people with forestry degrees and other historians.

Theories for why the land was barren for so long included the possibility that horses were corralled at the site and the concentration of ammonia from horse urine might have played a factor.

There is no sign of plant life or root residue at the site.

However, one agronomist dispelled the urine theory, saying the ammonia would have turned to gas and dissipated within a few days.

But another local historian, Clayton Jorgensen of Grantsburg, said he knew of a dozen other logging sites - some as old as 150 years - with the same phenomenon - a clearing where nothing has grown.

••• Fast forward to two weeks ago when Java’s inquiries resulted in a visit from Dr. Gary Petersen of UW-Madison, who was brought into the investigation by Keith Zygowicz, conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Polk County.

Dr. Petersen, who grew up on CTH B in the town of Luck and still owns his family’s farmstead, graduated from Luck High School and went on to earn a doctorate at UW-Madison, later joining the faculty at Penn State where he is a professor of soil science.

He walked the site with Zygowicz, O’Donnell and local resident John Boyer.

Java was away on vacation and missed the gathering.

Dr. Petersen said soil analysis showed that the land stayed clear of trees because of the soil composition, giving a techni-

Dennis O' Donnell points where the ox trail led through the woods to the mill at Coon Lake, the future location of Frederic. He was joined in his explorations by John Boyer, Frederic, Keith Zygowicz, USDA Conservationist, and Luck native Dr. Gary Peterson, now a soil science professor at Penn State University. - Photos by Gregg Westigard cal explanation.

That provides one of the pieces to the puzzle, but likely Java will continue in his search to find out more about the site and the phenomenon of barren pieces of land at other lumber camp sites.

The site at the O’Donnell property is likely the first enterprise in the immediate Frederic area operated by non-Native Americans.

It existed before the railroad came to town and lumber baron William J. Starr began selling off lots to people who wanted to settle a town.

O’Donnell said there is a ditch from the area of his farm to Coon Lake, and when the land was taken from West Sweden to establish Frederic, an agreement was made that the village would keep the ditch open for 100 years. That ditch feeds Coon Lake, which might be dry otherwise, because if the ditch wasn’t there, water from the area would drain south to the Trade River.

Java hopes that someone has a letter that referred to the lumberjacks at some point in time or someone who remembers hearing tales of the camp handed down from earlier generations.

If so, they can give him a call at 715327-8445.

RIGHT: This spot, deep in the woods of West Sweden, was the site of a logging camp about 1900. The remains of a large bunkhouse and blacksmith shop are still visible. Ox trails led from here to mills at Coon Lake and the Straight River.

West Sweden native Dennis O' Donnell has found an impressive collection of old logging tools at the site deep in the woods.

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

Circus comes to Frederic

by Brenda Sommerfeld FREDERIC – The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus made it to Frederic again this year. They travel from Hugo, Okla., “Circus City, USA”, all around the country to perform. Many families were able to enjoy watching as they showed their skills in two shows at 5:30 and 7 p.m. under their big top in the high school field, on Wednesday, July 25.

They had several different acts while playing original music produced just for this circus. There were several other things for the children to do before, during intermission, and after the shows.

They had a slide, a moonwalk, pony rides and face painting.

Photos by Brenda Sommerfeld

Miss Simone was hanging by her neck from this trapeze bar without a net under her.

Miss Paulette and her birds of paradise had many tricks to show off during her act in the show.

Chico the Clown was seen many times during the two performances of the circus under the big top.

ABOVE: Miss Karina showed off her hula-hoop skills, by getting all of these to go around her at the same time.

LEFT: This tightrope walker risked going across without being able to see where he was stepping.

RIGHT: There were many things for kids to get as souvenirs at the circus. This little girl, Heather Struck, got her face painted and a stuffed pony to take home with her afterward.

One of the four Bengal tigers jumped through a fiery hoop that the trainer was holding, during the opening act.

Miss Simone and Chico raced to two dollars sitting on the edge of the ring while balancing bottles on their sticks.

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 3

A Long-Long Ride

by Bob MacKean In 1954, I was a junior at Vocational High School in downtown Minneapolis. One Friday evening in September as I sat watching TV in our apartment, I became bored and restless. A very bad combination for a teenager. My usual cure for this condition was to jump in my car and go for a spin around town.

Somehow I ended up in St. Paul about to cross a bridge that had a sign that read, “Chicago 490 miles.” I pulled over as a wave of excitement hit my brain.

Chicago, wow! Now that’s a BIG city.

The Chicago fire, the Bears, the Cubs, the Lincoln Park Zoo. Could I really drive to Chicago?

I quickly inventoried the situation.

No school tomorrow, 24 bucks in the billfold, the old Ford was running good.

I figured I would need four tanks of gas, some food, and a couple dollars for an emergency. No problem.

I took off across the bridge over the Mississippi and watched the city disappear in the rear-view mirror. It was good that the highway went through many small towns; it helped keep me awake as I drove through the night. As the sky brightened ahead of me, so did my spirits.

When I entered Arlington Heights, I

realized I had driven across Wisconsin and part of Illinois. I drove past the horse-racing track and thought I must be getting close, but it was another hour before I actually got to see Lake Michigan. I was on a road called North Shore Drive.

Being a city kid, I thought I could handle traffic. I was badly mistaken. At 9 a.m. on a Saturday morning I felt I was on an eight-lane racetrack. After five minutes I couldn’t handle it anymore. I spotted an emergency stopping area just ahead and barely made it in. I took several deep breaths and noticed what looked like a Lincoln Park sign a quarter mile away. I made some drivers mad by pulling out in front of them— they sure love their horns down there— but there was no other way to get back into the race.

At the next exit I didn’t care where I was. I pulled off, drove down a oneway street the wrong way, and parked at a yacht club. I needed a break from driving so I spent half an hour walking around looking at the pretty boats and the city skyline, then decided I’d had enough. I managed to get back to Highway 12 using side streets to avoid the racetrack.

I wasn’t a bit disappointed over not seeing more of the city, just tired and glad to be heading home. When I was

still 150 miles from Minneapolis, I started to cramp up from sitting on that hard Ford seat for 20 hours, so I tried some odd driving positions to keep going. I pulled up behind our apartment about the same time in the evening that I had left the day before.

Now, I had to face my mother. I reminded myself that I was her firstborn, her only little boy and she never seemed to stay mad at me for very long.

I decided to go with the truth.

“Robert, where were you last night, why didn’t you call? I was worried sick.” When I told her where I had been, her answer surprised me. She said that, if I had told her where I was going, she would have gone along; she had never been to Chicago.

I was out of trouble again, but not for long. I was already wondering if I drove to Kansas City in the winter, would it be a lot warmer? Later that year I would find out.

Daylight-Saving Time

by Delores Sandberg

Writer’s Corner

The label daylight-saving time, a misnomer quite clever.

Man couldn’t save a daylight hour if he should live forever.

I grant you he can regulate the daylight hours given, By heading early off to work like ten over eleven.

And there are side effects involved, the clock within our head The one that tells us when to rise and when to go to bed.

You can’t be messing with its’ hands, it finds it rather strange To make abrupt adjustments. It doesn’t take to change.

So call it saving daylight but I cannot agree.

You’ve made the clock a liar, believing what you see.

They call it daylight-saving time but this is what I see.

They’re merely messing with the clock to change reality.

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

Giving Gifts This story is taken from something that was sent to me via e-mail. The comment at the bottom is my own.

The Tomato Company

An unemployed man is desperate to support his family of a wife and three kids.

He applies for a janitor’s job at a large firm and easily passes an aptitude test.

The human resources manager tells him, “You will be hired at minimum wage of $5.35 an hour. Let me have your e-mail address so that we can get you in the loop. Our system will automatically email you all of the forms and advise you when to start and where to report on your first day.”

Taken back, the man protests that he is poor and has neither a computer nor an e-mail address. To this the manager replies, “You must understand that to a company like ours that means that you virtually do not exist. Without an e-mail address you can hardly expect to be employed by a high-tech firm. Good day.”

Stunned, the man leaves not knowing

where to turn and having $10 in his wallet, he walks past a farmers market and sees a stand selling 25-lb. crates of beautiful red tomatoes. He buys a crate, carries it to a busy corner and displays the tomatoes. In less than two hours he sells all of the tomatoes and makes 100 percent profit.

Repeating the process several times more that day, he ends up with almost $100 and arrives home that night with several bags of groceries for his family.

During the night he decides to repeat the tomato business the next day. By the end of the week he is getting up early every day and working into the night.

He multiplies his profits quickly.

Early in the second week he acquires a cart to transport several boxes of tomatoes at a time, but before a month is up he sells the cart to buy a broken-down pickup truck.

At the end of a year he owns three old trucks. His two sons have left their neighborhood gangs to help him with the tomato business, his wife is buying the tomatoes, and his daughter is taking night courses at the community college so she can keep books for him.

By the end of the second year he has a

dozen very nice used trucks and employs 15 previously unemployed people, all selling tomatoes. He continues to work hard.

Time passes and at the end of the fifth year he owns a fleet of nice trucks and a warehouse that his wife supervises, plus two tomato farms that the boys manage.

The tomato company’s payroll has put hundreds of homeless and jobless people to work. His daughter reports that the business grossed over one million dollars.

Planning for the future, he decides to buy some life insurance. Consulting with an insurance adviser, he picks an insurance plan to fit his new circumstances. The adviser asks him for his email address in order to send the final documents electronically. When the man replies that he doesn’t have time to mess with a computer and has no e-mail address, the insurance man is stunned, “What, you don’t have e-mail? No computer? No Internet? Just think where you would be today if you had all of that five years ago!”

“Ha!” snorts the man. “If I’d had email five years ago I would be sweeping floors at Microsoft and making $5.35 an

hour.”

Which brings us to the moral of the story: Although e-mail is the thing these days, it could keep you from becoming a millionaire and you would be a janitor.

I have seen this story before, but it always make perfect sense to me and so I send it on. I have a computer and here I am running a volunteer organization.

Maybe I should buy and sell tomatoes so Interfaith Caregivers can survive. Donations are not coming in and I am scared to death we may have to end our volunteer service, which helps so many people.

Yup!!! It is off to the tomato stand with me. Wish me luck, I need it. Oh, and I will have tomatoes for sale if anyone should need some or in the case that you may have a few dollars to spare, we do accept donations at PO Box 676, Webster, WI 54893.

God Bless, Barb Blodgett Director of Interfaith Caregivers of Burnett County

Union Day Camp set for Aug. 10 CHIPPEWA FALLS – Rural and nonrural school-age youth from all over Polk and Burnett counties are invited to participate in a Farmers Union Day Camp from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 10, at Unity School in Balsam Lake. Parents are invited to join their children at 2:30 p.m. for the day camp’s concluding program.

According to Cathy Statz, WFU Education Director and Camp Director, “Campers will have a great time having fun while learning about cooperation, leadership, rural heritage and the importance of family farm agriculture.” Activities will include teamwork activities, crafts, fun songs and games, and work-

shops on cooperation and issues relating to rural life.

There is no charge for the Farmers Union Day Camp. Lunch, beverages and snacks will be provided. Participants will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a free camp session for the winner and a friend to attend WFU Kamp Ken-

wood in the summer of 2008.

To register for the Polk-Burnett County Farmers Union Day Camp, call any of the following: Christine at 715-268-9416, Ardyce at 715-327-4960 or Bruce at 715825-3596. - submitted

Strengthening Families programs offered in Burnett County BURNETT COUNTY – Parents, are you worried about the changes your children are going through in middle school and how to stay involved with your youth? Kids, do you want to have fun with your family? Attend Strengthening Families to help your family improve communication, grow together and have fun.

Parents will build strengths in showing love and setting limits. Youth will develop skills to deal

with peer pressure and set goals for a positive future.

The Strengthening Families program is being offered through a joint effort of UW-Extension, Burnett County Health and Human Services, and St. Croix Tribe.

Programs will be located in Hertel at the St. Croix Tribal Youth Building on seven consecutive Mondays beginning Sept. 10 and ending on Oct. 22. A light supper will be offered at 5:30 p.m., with the pro-

gram from 6 – 8 p.m. Child care will be provided. Transportation may be provided if needed. This is a free program open to all families (parents, grandparents, caregivers, youth ages 10-14).

Facilitators for the Strengthening Families program will include Lisa Johnson, Restorative Justice director, Mandi Amundson, counselor, Kelly VanGuilder, case manager, Mark Hayman, social worker, and Marilyn Kooiker, UW-Ex-

tension Family Living agent. Erin Dahlberg, tribal parenting coordinator, and others will assist with the program.

For more information or to register, contact Marilyn Kooiker, Burnett County Family Living Agent, 715-349-2151 or by e-mail marilyn.kooiker@ces.uwex.edu.

Please register by the Sept. 4 deadline.

The first 10 families who register will be guaranteed enrollment. Space is limited.

- submitted

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

River Road Ramblings Early Steam Power in Trade Lake

by Stanley Selin August Magnuson and Per Adolf Peterson owned a steam-powered threshing machine in 1887.

The 8-HP stationary engine was mounted on four wheels and pulled between jobs by oxen or horses. The threshing machine was built of wood and metal parts and

collected by Russ Hanson

had a cross conveyor straw stacker. In addition to threshing, the engine supplied power in later years for other tasks, such as shredding corn and sawing wood. The last person to operate the engine was Hardy Lindblad. He kept it in the northeast corner of his machine shop and used it to drive a direct current arc welder and for powering a shingle mill. Photos from the Selin collection unless otherwise indicated.

Threshing with a portable steam engine on the John Davidson farm by Little Trade Lake in 1890. The adults and children standing in a row in the foreground are identified as follows, starting on the left: Augusta (Mrs. Willie) Melin, David Melin (son of Willie), J. O. (Johan Olaf) Akerlind, Hannah Davidson, Matilda (Mrs. John) Davidson, Anna Akerlind, Vera Sundquist, Manley Davidson, Eddie Johnson, George Johnson, Eddie Wilson, Grace Wilson.

Note: Augusta Melin and Matilda Davidson were daughters of J. O. Akerlind. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Photo courtesy of Don Davidson.

Making cedar shingles on the east side of Hardy Lindbladâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s machine shop, date unknown. The shingle mill is being powered by the 8-HP steam engine which had been fitted with a tall smokestack. A north wind was blowing that day.

Photograph taken in 1887 of the Magnuson-Peterson threshing machine.

It required a big crew to operate it. Several men were needed to feed the hand-tied bundles into the machine, and to stack the straw coming out of the rear conveyor. Water for the engine had to be transported to the site in barrels and wood needed to be gathered for the firebox. Left to right in the foreground: Per Adolf Peterson, Ed Estenson, Willie Dahl, August Magnuson and three of his children, Oscar (1883-1962), Charles (1879-1965), and Jennie (Mrs. Oscar Selander) (1881-1967).

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 5

Charles E. Lewis died at Minneapolis home Monday The Luck Enterprise – March 17, 1932 Owner of Seven Pines and assisted greatly in the development of community buried Wednesday Charles E. Lewis, owner of Seven Pines estate near Lewis and for many years prominent in this community and head of Charles E. Lewis and Company, investment and brokerage house in Minneapolis, and one of the pioneer grain commission men of Minneapolis, died late Monday at his home in Minneapolis after a week’s illness with pneumonia.

Mr. Lewis suffered a heart attack last fall and had been confined at his home since. He had rallied and his condition seemed to be considerably improved when pneumonia developed and he passed away Monday.

Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday at his home in Minneapolis with interment in Lakewood Cemetery there. A memorial was held in the Lewis Church Wednesday afternoon with Dr. R.G. Arveson of Frederic giving the principal talk.

Came to Lewis 30 years ago C.E. Lewis became identified with the Lewis community more than 30 years ago, although he had been a frequent visitor in this country before that time.

Coming to Minneapolis in the early ‘80s he soon started hunting and fishing on the grounds that are now included in the Seven Pines estate and more than 30 years ago he purchased the 1,500 acres that comprise the estate and built the log cottage, the fish hatchery, and other buildings there, devoting a great deal of time and attention to this estate, which became his principal hobby.

Lewis named after him When the railroad was built north from Frederic and the town of Lewis founded and was named after him and he became very much interested and also built up a fine herd of Holstein dairy cattle on Seven Pines Farm. The herd, while not large, was recognized as of high quality and the herd sire was widely known.

Mr. Lewis also built the church in the town named after him with the idea that it would be undenominational and a church for all of the community. The building and furnishings were very attractive and a credit to the community and Mr. Lewis always continued to take an interest in it.

Tried to sell Seven Pines Several years ago, Mr. Lewis decided that he wanted Seven Pines persevered as it was after his death and entered into negotiations with the state to purchase it as a state park and fish hatchery. The Legislature passed both bills to purchase the property on two occasions only to have them vetoed by the governor. The estate received nationwide publicity the summer that President Coolidge spent his vacation on the Brule. He made a special trip from there to Lewis to enjoy the trout fishing at Seven Pines as the guest of Mr. Lewis.

Was telegraph operator Mr. Lewis was born in Edgerton, Ohio, Nov. 11, 1858, and after attending the public schools became a telegraph operator at the age of 12 years. He came to Minneapolis in the early ‘80s and was employed

first by the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad, later becoming a telegrapher for the Western Union and then for the Associated Press. From the Associated Press, he went to a newspaper and from there to a brokerage firm, Press, Wheeler and Co., as manager.

Bernice At the time of his death, his Abrahamzon activities were mostly concerned outside of the grain market. He was a personal friend of many of the nation’s largest grain traders. In the market Mr. Lewis was noted for his optimistic attitude and became known as a bull trader in the parlance of the market.

This was agreeable to him and in his office he had hanging a picture of himself astride the prize bull of Seven Pines Farm as the bull trader.

Mr. Lewis was married in 1884 to Mary E. Norris of Harmbul, Mo., who survives him. He was a Republican and took a keen interest in politics, although never aspiring to public office.

One of the features of his Seven Pines home was a telegraph wire in his office there so he could get the market quotations and other news. On occasion he operated the key there himself.

BEHIND THE

SIGNPOST

V.R. Jensen, local editor: A reader sent me several pages of the Luck Enterprise (1932) with the story of the death of Charles E. Lewis. It is yellow with age, very fragile, torn and faded but I managed to copy most of the article above. What a treasure!

I found it very interesting that Charles E. Lewis became a telegraph agent at the age of 12 years. He didn’t inherit his wealth, but worked hard all his life and died at 74 years. The article mentioned his office and I believe it was located in what was once known as the gatehouse with telegraph facilities.

The article didn’t say, but it was in 1928 that President Coolidge visited Seven Pines. Actually the article did not mention the outdoor swimming pool with glass ceiling, the marl digger in the marsh, and the Knapp Creek. The lodge is called a cottage, but that is what rich people called their summer homes, even if they were 20-25 rooms or more. Today we smile at that.

The estate is considerably smaller now in 2007 than it was when it included 1,500 acres. Time brings changes. Charles E. Lewis Day no longer focuses on our town’s benefactor although we are well aware, had there been no Lewis church, there would have been no building to insure, and no second church after the 1986 fire. Whether we recognize it or not, we should be grateful to the man who gave us a place of worship with imported windows in memory and honor of his and his wife’s family. Interesting, too, that Dr. Arveson was the main speaker at the memorial service in 1932 in Lewis. Is there anyone still living today who remembers that?

Until next week, Bernice

Do you remember ?

Compiled by Bernice Abrahamzon

50 Years Ago Specials at Route’s Super Market at Frederic included Hormel bacon at 59¢ lb., turkey or chicken pot pies at 4 for 97¢ and bulk rice at 2 lbs. for 25¢.-Everything was set for the Siren Jubilee beginning July 20.A girl, Debra Ann, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Marek Jr. of Grantsburg on July 13, at the Siren Community Hospital.-The Siren Phone Co. planned to install a dial system.-Ebba Launsby had an auction on July 20, in Luck, and the listing included a set of Cherrytree furniture with pink brocade, a secretary desk, Chinese silk pictures, Baldwin spinet piano and bench, antique Danish carved oak chest, etc.-The film “Bernardine” was playing at the Auditorium Theatre, St. Croix Falls, starring Pat Boone, Terry Moore, Janet Gaynor and Dean Jager.The 2nd-annual World Championship Rodeo came to Luck July 27-28.-A pink and blue shower was held at the home of Olaf Hammers, for Mrs. Donald Miller, Lewis.The Ray Hackett family, Lewis, moved to their farm in Lorain.-Frederic Community Motors invited buyers to stop in to see their used cars before you purchased elsewhere.-Ladies’ haircuts were $1 on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday at Larry’s Barber Shop, Frederic.-John Surbaugh advertised bulldozing with land clearing a speciality. His phone number was 17F2.

40 Years Ago Specials at the Frederic Clover Farm Store included 4 lbs. of margarine at $1, bread at 4 loaves for $1 and ketchup at 3 bottles for 69¢.-Janet Ditlefsen, Centuria, graduated from the Lutheran Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing on June 25, 1967.-A shortage of foster homes was noted in an eight-county area.-Gunmen robbed the North Star Station, Trade River.-High building costs concern Frederic School District.-The Fire Department at Milltown razed the old Stella Cheese Plant.-Shell Lake Board voted to build a hospital.-Specials at Route’s Super Market, Frederic, included beef pot roast at 39¢ lb., lettuce at 2 heads for 39¢ and tomato soup at 8 cans for $1.-Specials at the Frederic Co-op Store included sugar at 10 lbs. for 88¢, bananas at 11¢ lb. and Vets dog food at 12 cans for $1.-Elvis in “Double Trouble” was playing at the Frederic Theatre.-Cummings Lumber Company in Frederic was closed July 1523.-Miss Siren would be crowned at the Saturday night pageant, and the 11 candidates included Carolyn Ann Marlow, LuAnn Maier, Deborah Jo Dversdall, Wendy Carol Pautsch, Paula Marie Daniels, Norma Jean Yourchuck, Catherine Ann Schonebaum, Jackie Kay Reynolds, Jill Ann Ramsdell, Carol Diane Johnson and Barbara Alice Trott.-The Webster Fire Department was called to Herzl Camp on Devils Lake when the pontoon tipped, toppling 42 boys into the lake.

20 Years Ago Little Miss Danbury was Tracy Lynn Smiley, with princesses, Melissa Ann Bearhart and Mandie Mari Rixman.-Candidates for the Webster queen included Heidi Gustafson, Tracy Stanchfield, Angela Koerper, Sheila Rachner, Lisa Daniels and Michelle Halseth.-Little Miss Webster candidates were Stacy Spafford, Nicole Nefs, Jennifer Humphrey, Jamie Engebretson, Shawn Miller, Stephanie Burhans, Heidi Stromberg and Jillian Hoel.Bob Becker, Spooner columnists, featured Warden of the Year, Joe Davidowski, DNR Warden at Superior.-Donations received during the Danbury Days 75th anniversary kickoff celebration brought in exactly $19.12, a coincidence as that’s the day the town was founded in 1912, but the total collection (before expenses) came to $1,912.87. What a coincidence!-The marriage of Randy Surbaugh and Susan Wicklund on May 2, 1987, was announced along with the graduation of Susan from the UM Medical School on June 5, 1987.-Webster ranger Phil Stromberg was a guest lecturer at the University of Minnesota, College of Forestry in St. Paul.-Debra Allaman, UW-Eau Claire, was initiated into Alpha Lambda Delta, a national scholastic honor society.-Polk ATV ordinance was put on hold.-A 67-year-old Star Prairie man was struck and killed while on riding lawn mower on a town road.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Cloverton - Markville

320-242-3933

Although attendance was down at the July meeting of the East Pine County Wanderers, the group did have a quorum and the election of officers was held. Ruth Ament was elected as vice president, while Mary Schaaf retained her job as secretary. Maria Starowoitow and Evelyn Johnson were elected to three-year terms on the board of directors. Sandi and Dave Drake brought the cake and door prize, a set of three lovely tea towels, which were won by Fran Levings.

Member Rosie Yaekel brought two guests to the meeting with her as she had company from Waterloo, Ill., up for a week.

Allen Wolf spent three days last weekend at the Minnesota Honey Producers Convention in Walker. With over 200 beekeepers in attendance, he had a good time talking about his bee enterprise.

Upon returning home, they learned that his brother, Hap, had died at age 77 in Cottage Grove. Hap had been ill for several months. Our sympathy to his family.

On a hot Tuesday recently, Evelyn Johnson, Pam Ellwein, Vicki Elliott, Marit Heidbrenner and Clint Elliott enjoyed a day of tubing on the St. Croix River in Wisconsin.

Evelyn and a friend went to the Martina McBride Concert at the Grand Casino the other evening.

Julie and Wes Black Elk hosted a sweat lodge ceremony at their home on Saturday. Eleven people took part in the event.

Their daughter, Cheyenne, attended once again the premed summer program at UMD this summer. Cheyenne will be a senior at East Central High School this fall.

In addition to their big moving sale, a highlight of the month for Esther and Jim Vink was the pleasant evening they spent at the Yaekel summer home when they redeemed the gift certificate for a meal that Esther had won last month. Rosie and Jim served pork loin roast, dressing, new potatoes, corn on the cob, maple-oatmeal bread and strawberry pie and a blackberry dessert.

Esther said that not only was the meal delicious, but the place where Rosie and Jim have their summer home is a beautiful spot.

Weekenders Mary and Ron Mosser will be butchering their second batch of chickens this week. On Monday, Mary and Mariene Mishler went shopping in Pine City, then met Evelyn for lunch at Kitty’s Corner Cafe.

Eleanor Elliott reports that she and Melvin have been trying to keep up with the haying and he has had a couple of trips to the dentist lately.

After five years of living in the Tony and Doris Fornengo home, Carol and Gordy Hasledalen are moving to Eau Claire. Gordy has a steady job with Carol’s brother Dan. They will be leaving the community the weekend of Aug. 4 and we wish them the best of luck A camping trip up to Ely for Pam and Leon Berg provided a few enjoyable days for them. A special thing that they did was visit the new Bear Center up there. Pam commented that she thinks it is an excellent place to tour and is perhaps more relevant to our area than the Wolf Center.

The Bergs had a visit the other day from Earl Nordstrand. Earl now lives in California, but was raised in McGregor where he was a classmate of Shirley Blokzyl.

Jan Streiff was very surprised to receive a UPS shipment the other day of a 16-lb. salmon shipped overnight from Alaska. It was a birthday gift to Jan from the friend that she became reacquainted with last summer. Jan took it to Chris’ Food Center in Sandstone and they are cutting it into steaks for her.

Jan took 21.5 hours over the weekend to read “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

While my husband Dave Baker was in the Cities last weekend enjoying some time with his daughter Leda and her husband, and his son Nic, I took the day to start reading the final Harry Potter book. What a treat!

Dave and I met my son Chuck and his family at Pattison Park on a recent Monday for a day of picnicking, viewing big Manitou Falls, and swimming. It was a trip down memory lane for me because when I was a single mom in Superior raising my kids in the ‘70s, we spent 4-5 days a week at Pattison Park.

Go take a swim, wherever you are.

Dewey - LaFollette

468-2940

Donna and Gerry Hines hosted a cookout at their home Wednesday evening.

Guests were Brian, Jane, Jenny, Justin and Bryton Hines, Nina and Lawrence Hines, Don and Lida Nordquist, Karen and Hank Mangelsen and Patty and Mandy Close.

Judy Albee visited Charlene and Don Strabel Wednesday evening.

Dixie and Chuck Andrea returned Thursday from a trip to Texas. They attended the funeral of their niece, Colleen Rocha.

Hank and Karen Mangelsen and Mandy and Patty Close visited Bruce and Marlene Swearingen Thursday afternoon.

That evening Karen and Hank called on Roger and Sue Mroszak.

Beth Crosby and Judy Albee visited Sandra Toews in Altoona Thursday evening.

Sue Mroszak, Karen Mangelsen, Lida Nordquist and Nina Hines went to the pie

Karen Mangelsen and ice-cream social/fundraiser at the Spooner Nursing Home Friday afternoon.

Judy Albee called on Rudy and Sharon Kessler Saturday afternoon.

Dick and Phyllis Ehlers visited Roger and Sue Mroszak Saturday. They all went to a movie in Siren and then enjoyed a meal out together.

A large number of people attended the grand-opening celebration at the Watering Hole in Hertel Saturday. Owners, Marsha and John Lawson Jr., celebrated their birthdays also.

Lawrence and Nina Hines and Lida and Don Nordquist went to the chicken supper at the Frederic Country Club Saturday evening. This was to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the club.

Visitors of Hank and Karen Mangelsen during the week were Dick and Shirley Quinton, April, Dave, Patty and Mandy Close, Don Nordquist and Roger Mroszak.

Wedding

Fran Levings

The Leader is a cooperative-owned newspaper

Ruck/Campeau Mr. and Mrs. John Ruck of Balsam Lake and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Campeau of Star Prairie are delighted to announce the engagement of their children, AnnMarie Ruck and Matthew Campeau.

AnnMarie is a 2002 graduate of Unity High School and a 2007 graduate of St. Cloud State University with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics education.

She will begin teaching this fall at Turtle Lake High School.

Matthew is a 1998 graduate of Osceola High School and a 2003 graduate of Century College. He is currently employed at Key Automotive in Hugo, Minn.

The two will be residing in Milltown. They are planning an Aug. 4 wedding in Balsam Lake. – submitted

Hello, Fritz here! Woof, welcome to the dog days of summer! I’m not sure why they’re called “dog days” though, it’s hot and I don’t like it! Good thing the angels here at the shelter give us hounds a cool home and lots of water.

Please take care of yourself and all your loved ones, furred, feathered, bald or otherwise during this hot weather.

Heat like this can kill a person or dog, cat, bird, horse or other.

Staying cool with me in the shelter are Sandy, the 2-year-old yellow Lab, Skylor, the yellow Lab mix and Gordy, the tiger-striped boxer. They’ve been with me for a few weeks now and sure would like a good home. New to the gang is Jesse, the female hound. Jesse is about a year old and was starving when she first came in. She’s still thin but filling out a little bit more every day.

Money is a tan colored Staffordshire terrier, about 6 years old. He’s a quiet and distinguished gentleman of a dog with a sniff and back-end wiggle for everyone.

For strays turned in this week we have two male golden retriever-type dogs. Both seem pretty friendly and are about 2 to 3 years old. We also have a 4year-old black Lab male that likes to

bark. Has anyone lost a dog? Sometimes we get the same dogs over and over again turned in as strays. Did you know you can be ticketed by the local police officers for not keeping Fritz your dog under conIt’s true. So beNEWS FROM trol? sides being dangerous for your dog to be out running the roads and fields, it’s illegal!

Come visit us during Gandy Dancer Days! The angels say they are going to bring some of us out to meet folks and get some good ear scratches during the festivities. Be sure to look for us, stop by and say hello.

Arooo, it’s time to go cool off in the kiddie pool, but before I go I need to ask for a few things. The angels could really use dog food, bleach, puppy food and trash bags. Woof, especially the dog food! I don’t like the idea of an empty food bowl! Thank you and stay cool!

With your help HSBC is saving lives, one at a time. www.hsburnettcty.org,

YOUR SHELTER

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AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 7

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Engagement

Lewis

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Big plans are under way for Charles E. Lewis Days and the Tent Revival the second weekend in August, Aug. 10, 11 and 12. Watch for the front page of the Indianhead Advertiser, posters all over town, coming events, etc.

On the agenda are special speakers, singing groups, silent auction, two-day flea market (Sat. and Sun.), Little Miss and Little Mr. Lewis, parade, etc.

One thing about Lewis is if the parade is considered small, it’s perfectly OK to go around the block twice!

Also, it has been confirmed that this year there will be two grand marshals. (Two for the price of one, there’s safety in numbers, they’ll give each other courage, etc.)

You’ll be surprised!

Sunday dawned bright and beautiful and the golf links were calling, the Indian Taco treat, the annual Rock and Minneral Show, the fair, one thing or another, so church attendance was down a bit. The weather was so beautiful!

At the Lewis Church, Sylvia Schaetzel and Marlene Nelson helped with the service. Hot and cold beverages and cupboard cookies were served after the service.

Wickstrom/Shaffer

Until a future correspondent can be found, I feel I should notify the seniors at Siren that I will no longer be writing A dinner reception for 250 guests was held June 16, at this column. A bulletin will be posted at the center every

the home of Barry and Debbie Wickstrom in honor of their daughter, Jamie Lee’s marriage to Jamie Shaffer, son of Dave and Debi Stouffer of Cumberland. The couple were recently married on Casperson Beach in Florida with family and friends in attendance. The couple continues to reside in Venice, Fla. – Photo submitted

United Way seeks additional corporate community leaders CENTURIA – The United Way of Polk County, based in Centuria, is looking to increase its roll of Corporate Community Leaders. “Polk County has been largely ignored,” said Carleen Matosky, regional director of the United Way Polk County, when she spoke of the lack of United Way workplace campaigns in the area. “Those previously responsible for creating campaigns in Polk County were more interested in other areas of their territory than in developing this community,” she added.

Matosky hopes that will change, and that Polk County will see a significant increase in the numbers of workplace campaigns this year.

Currently, there are only two United Way workplace campaigns in Polk county: Wal-Mart, located in St. Croix Falls and UFE, located in Dresser. “We have been blessed by their dedication to the entire Polk County community,” said Matosky. The United Way of Polk County plans to recognize these two companies, along with any others who do corporate workplace campaigns, through citing the companies as corporate community leaders and providing several local publicity opportunities.

United Way corporate workplace campaigns do more than raise contributions; they raise awareness of the health and human service resources available in the area.

The campaigns are designed to help employees learn of services that my benefit their personal lives and thereby strengthen their professional lives. Workplace campaigns are also used to increase morale and build team skills within companies through activities designed to raise contributions.

Matosky’s background includes three years as a corporate fundraiser for the Greater Twin Cities United Way. Her nickname, given by a division director of the United Way, was “Miracle Grow.”

Asked why she was given that name, Matosky said, “I worked hard to help companies do campaigns that, first of all, benefited the companies and employees. When the companies were successful at helping their own, I became successful at raising contributions for the United Way.” It’s that kind of successful strategy that Matosky hopes to employ in Polk County, as well.

Companies and organizations of all sizes in Polk County are invited to contact Matosky at the United Way Polk County to learn more about having a corporate workplace campaign. ”I’m happy to sit down and walk people through the process. I’m there to help them improve their companies and thereby the entire Polk County community that we all share,” said Matosky. For more information on joining the United Way Polk County’s roll of corporate community leaders by running a workplace campaign, Matosky can be reached by calling 715-553-0707 or by e-mailing carleen@unitedwaypolkcounty.org. – submitted

Good news is that LouAnn Gackle is now home recuperating from knee surgery. Arlene Jones is also home recuperating from hip surgery. They both face the rigors of therapy. Wishing them well!

The Frederic Scrabble Club enjoyed a noon lunch on Monday at Sunrise Apartments, to celebrate the birthdays of Darlene Jensen and Glenna Hauger.

Nolan and Sarah Imhoff enjoyed the Polk County Fair on Friday, with their mom, Suzanne, and Sheila Staples.

Sheila visited with long-ago Indian Creek residents Carl Rasmussen and wife and Wealthy Marshall.

Do you enjoy flowers? Do you like to admire beautiful gardens? You have your chance this Sunday, Aug. 5, to tour 10 exceptional gardens at the low fee of $3 for the entire tour. Two of the gardens are in the Lewis area on the Elbow Lake Road, including Greg Miller and Cindy Vilstrup and at the former Carl Johnson strawberry patch, a site now owned by Dave and Joan Jendro. Hope it’s a nice day for a walk.

Happy Birthday to Rick Abrahamzon on Aug. 2.

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Wow! What a steam bath. Last week’s weather sure made me feel like I was living in a sauna. Now don’t get me wrong, I love all the bright sunny days Mother Nature wants to throw my way, but she can forget all that humidity. After last week’s temps I sure could have used a day like we have in December or January. Sounds like we will be right back in the frying pan, so to speak, again this week, and it doesn’t sound like we will be getting much relief anytime soon.

Peggy Strabel out on Waldora Road got a call from her brother, Carl Langland of Clanton, Ala., saying he was going to be in the Cities visiting his son this week and would be stopping by to see her and the other relatives before heading back home.

Tuesday, Aug. 7, will be America’s night out against crime at the Crooked Lake Park starting at 5 p.m. Come enjoy a picnic supper plus sign up for door prizes. This event welcomes everyone, so stop in, your neighbors and friends will probably be there and you can get a lot of information on how to fight crime.

Coming up on Saturday, Aug. 4, is a great event for all you ladies. The fifth-annual Women’s Expo will be held at the Northwoods Crossing Event Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event has lots of exhibits that cater to women

Orange Fran Krause

LaVonne O’Brien

Granddaughter Brittany is spending time with John and Reeny Neinstadt.

Harmony H.C.E. met last Tuesday at Diane Medaglia’s.

The Mark Krauses helped Naomi Glover celebrate her birthday on Sunday.

Nancy Krause spent Thursday through Tuesday with her daughter, Leslie, in Marquette, Mich.

LaVonne O’Brien attended a summer daze party at Heather Wade’s in Danbury on Thursday.

Teresa Childers and family spent the weekend at their camper. They, along with Mike and Tylyn O’Brien, Bob O’Brien, the Tom O’Briens and Sharon and Anita O’Brien enjoyed a picnic Sunday at Jack and LaVonne O’Brien’s.

Visitors at Maxine Stone’s were Doris Schauers and daughter Jean, Elaine and Charles Scott and Kent Krause.

Edna Greeson returned to her home in Waco, Texas, after attending the Webster all-school reunion and visiting friends and relatives and shopping.

Elaine Scott and Ethel Daniels attended a wedding in Baraboo on Saturday.

The Connor family reunion is Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Dawn Green home. Margaret Connor is celebrating her 90th birthday.

Barb Munger

week with all the coming events and other pertinent information. Thank you for all of your support these last seven years.

Siren

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Bernice Abrahamzon

Bev Beckmark

alone. This event is free so take some time, gals, to pamper yourselves.

Don’t forget people, this weekend is Siren’s fun-filled Summerfest with lots of sidewalk sales Friday and Saturday. The Bethany Lutheran Church has a yummy pie social from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Plus you baseball enthusiasts, there’s games all weekend. Stop in and cheer for your favorite teams. There’s an art festival, a coin show, a pie eating contest at the shops, a water-ski show, a huge flea market at the hockey rink, plus, you can stop at the farmers market at the senior center and pick up a lot of fresh goodies. There’s even a concert being held on Sunday at the Siren Covenant Church at 3 p.m. This weekend has something for everyone to enjoy, see you there.

Art and Bev Beckmark spent Sunday afternoon in Hinckley, Minn., having lunch with her brother, Bob, and his girlfriend, Jan, at Tobies restaurant.

Coming up this Friday, Aug. 3, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Yourchuck’s old building is a benefit for the Lakeview Event Center/Band Shell for Crooked Lake Park. Music will be by the Nuto Band with Bruce King playing music from the big band era.

The Siren Methodist church will be holding Siren’s all church Bible school on Aug. 6 through the 10th for kids through sixth grade. Everyone is welcome.

There’s been a change for the annual Lions BBQ in the park, it won’t be held during the Summerfest this year but on Saturday, Aug. 11, at the park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with music and games all day long. Come spend the day and enjoy the fun.

St. Croix Valley Senior Center

Dottie Adams

Another Polk County Fair has come and gone. Very nice weather for all the fair-goers. Hope everyone who went had a good time.

The Tuesday afternoon domino winners were: Don Anderson in first place, Donna Schlosser in second place and Deloris Benson in third place. 500 card winners were: Vern Lundstrom in first place, Dave Anderson in second place, Emma Klawitter in third place, Ruth Flosstrand in fourth place and Bruce Medchill in fifth place.

How you can tell when it’s going to be a rotten day: Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles! Your twin sister forgot your birthday! The bird singing outside your window is a buzzard. You call your answering service and they tell you it’s none of your business! Your blind date turns out to be your ex-wife. Your tax check bounces. Your pet rock snaps at you.

Thursday evening 500 card winners were Cliff Qualle in first place, Arliss Rosen in second place, Olga Young in third place and Jeannette Berquam in fourth place.

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PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Webster Senior Center Monday and Tuesday were a little quiet at the center with only Bobby Gleason and Chuck “Scotty” Scott stopping in for coffee and conversation, and Bruce Behrens and Harold Peterson playing a few games of pool. And of course, the regular diners were there for Deb’s homecooked meals.

Margel Ruck attended the funeral of her friend and former classmate, Lynn Cauldwell, on Tuesday at Amery.

Burnett County Extension nutrition representative Julie Yezek joined the diners for lunch on Wednesday and then had the diners play a Jeopardy game regarding nutrition and exercise. Gladys Packer was back doing her wonderful job of volunteering with the daily nutrition meals after being absent for several days due to a funeral. Jerry Vogel has taken over Leon Mansfield’s home-delivered meal route as Leon has been spending time with wife, Gladys, during her hospital stay for surgery. There were 13 people playing dime bingo after lunch, and they greatly enjoyed the refreshments furnished by Iva Leef.

Mert Kisselburg and five other friends enjoyed having lunch together on Wednesday at Adventures Restaurant, Siren, and celebrating Mert’s birthday.

Our site manager/cook Deb Korhonen was very appreciative to have our friends, Don and Abby Brand, deliver four cases of home-delivered meal trays from the Siren Senior Center on Thursday and have them stay and visit for awhile. The electricity went off for a short time about 45 minutes before the Dining at Five evening meal, and it was a big relief to have it come back on so that the 25 hungry diners could enjoy their hot meal. The regular group of guys and gals played pool and cards afterward.

Dorothy Bothman joined the ladies for Golf cards for the first time and seemed to enjoy herself, so I hope she will come back again.

Gladys Beers returned home on Thursday after taking a trip with brother Edward Kraft and niece Sharon Koenigs of Waupaca and daughter Darlene and Roy Rogers of Menasha. She also visited granson Cory Rogers of Green Bay. The Webster Lions Club has taken on the project of stripping and sealing the exterior of our center and they had a crew there this week power washing the cement blocks as part of the preliminary work. It will look nice again after it is finished and repainted. Thank you Lions Club for taking over and paying for this project. It is greatly appreciated.

Frederic Senior Center Ardyce Knauber Monday spades winners were: Eleanor Bonneville in first place, Marlys Borchert in second place, Don Heavey in third place and Lillian Murphy in fourth place.

Wednesday pokeno players as always have a good time playing together.

Thursday we had our executive meeting at 9 a.m.

Thursday night 500 winners were: Arvid Pearson in first place, Norma Nelson in second place, Duane Roufs in third place and Willis Williams in fourth place.

Friday we took care of the senior building from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sarah Knauber made our Blue Ribbon Affair display board. We appreciate having assistance from the younger generation. Pokeno was played and enjoyed at the center.

If the hot weather and trips to the fair got your feet sore, and you need a lift, Friday’s foot and nail care can make you feel better. Call Trudy at 715-327-4423.

We had a wonderful share-a-lunch meal Saturday with bingo and cards following dinner and afternoon lunch.

Several of our members have had medical problems.

We wish Vi Luke a speedy recovery.

There will be no Saturday share-a-lunch for the months of August and September. The center will open and bingo and cards will be played with 3 p.m. coffee lunch time.

Come into the center and enjoy the company of others in our air-conditioned facility. We are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Be careful in the severely hot weather. See you at our cool center.

Mary Klar

Congratulations to Paul Koerper and Leandra Rose who were married on Friday evening at the First Baptist Church, Webster, with a reception following at the Webster Community Center. After a honeymoon in Greece, Leandra will fly to London, England, where she is stationed at a U.S. Air Force Base there, and Paul will fly to Utah where he also is serving in the U.S. Air Force. We hope it won’t be too long before they get stationed together at the same place. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but this is stretching it a bit.

Well, Grace United Methodist Church, Webster, did it again with a wonderful High Tea on Saturday that suited everyone to a “T.” Sharon Boatman did a great job of coordinating it all. The food was delicious and it was great to have it served by gentlemen from the church. Sarah Kelly sang three songs with her beautiful voice, and Marilyn Lemieux won the Bitsy Baby doll, clothes and crib.

Many of the ladies wore hats in all shapes, styles and colors, and three Red Hatters were dressed in purple and wore their red hat.

Congratulations to Maynard and Cora DeJong who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday at the Experience Restaurant, Siren.

Salle Bachman, RN, and Marcia Spies, LPN, will have their next Feet First clinic at our center on Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. They will be providing therapeutic foot wrap, diabetes foot exam, nail trim, corn and callus debridement, foot care instruction and massage. The signup sheet is at the center, or you can call Salle at 715-259-7106.

The Friends of Burnett Community Library will be having their next book sale on Saturday, Aug. 11, at the east side of the Burnett Community Library from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In last week’s column I stated that it was the fourth, but I was given the wrong information.

Our get-well wishes and prayers continue to go out to Tony Gronski, Nick Doriott, Norma Martin, Kathy Beyer and Gladys Mansfield. Our sympathy and prayers also go out to Thelma Klugow and family in the passing of her son, Billy, from Danbury.

Special gratitude is extended to Pat and Nancy O’Brien for donating a bag of cucumbers; Gladys Packer – homemade cookies and bars; Theresa Gloege - candy; and Lily Gleason – bag of zucchini.

See you at the center!

Carlee is an eight-week-old chocolate, buff and white Lab hound-mix puppy. She is gentle and loving. Carlee and her sisters, Cricket, Cookie, Camille and Candy are family-raised pups, waiting for forever homes at Arnell. Their breeding and temperament suggest they will make excellent family pets.

Their Arnell adorable faces will bring a smile to all they meet. A recent study in Humane the Journal of the American VeteriSociety nary Medical Association says that lost dogs and cats wearing identification tags are recovered more often by their owners than those who are naked. This seems like a no-brainer, but the study also highlighted some other interesting facts about lost pet recovery.

The findings of the study seem to support the back-to-basics approach to recovering a lost pet. It found that dog owners who contacted shelters in search of their animals had the greatest success rates.

Successful pet-finding owners also called or visited an animal services agency sooner and more often than those who did not get their dogs back. The median recovery time for dogs in the study was the same as for dogs recovered from the Arnell shelter; two days. The likelihood increased if the dogs wore current licenses and ID tags.

Neighborhood signs posted by owners proved effective, helping 15 percent of recovered dogs to go home. Most dogs were found within a mile of

HAPPY TAILS

AWAIT

Engagement

Sahr/Zaloudek Tyrone Sahr and Mary Zaloudek, Spooner, are pleased to announce their engagement. Tyrone is the son of Chuck and Sandie Sahr, Frederic, and Kathleen Sandberg also of Frederic. Mary is the daughter of Edward and Eileen Zaloudek, Sarona.

The groom is employed by Precision Countertops in Spooner, and the bride is employed by The St. Croix Tribal Clinic in Hertel.

The couple is planning an Oct. 6 wedding at Forts Folle Avoine near Webster. A reception and dance will follow in the visitor center. — Photo submitted

home, although at least 7 percent had wandered more than five miles away. Interestingly, high-tech methods of recovery proved less useful. Web sites had little or no role in pet recovery and the use of the popular identification microchip had a negligible effect on dog recovery. These insights validate the popular belief that a lost pet has a much greater chance of being returned to their owner when wearing current licenses and ID tags. Microchips are helpful, but they should not replace standard ID. These findings mirror successful owner-pet reunions at Arnell Humane Society. Arnell is the designated holding facility for stray dogs in Polk County. If you have lost your pet in Polk County, your first call should be to the shelter. Even if we aren’t holding your pet, we may know where it is, or receive it as a stray in the coming days. The Arnell shelter was designated to be a central location for stray animals. This central location streamlines the recovery process, but only if it is utilized.

After calling the shelter, always call your town chair or village clerk. These local entities are responsible for the public safety in their municipality and should provide physical or informational assistance in the recovery of your pet. It is important for them to know that someone cares about and is looking for that stray black Lab mix they heard about this morning.

Thank you to all who stopped by the Arnell Humane Society booth at the Polk County Fair. A special thank-you goes out to Kirsten Hassel, Janet Burhop and Marsha Hart for manning that booth and offering their considerable knowledge and understanding of all things relating to pets.

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 9

Free speech: Half truths and half lies WHITEWATER—A chilly night of controversy heated up at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in March 2005. Professor Ward Churchill, a fiery guest speaker at the UW-Whitewater, came to town to advance his incendiary teachings about America.

Churchill gained national attention by labeling the people killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11 as Nazi “little Eichmanns” who got what they deserved.

He teaches what happened on 9/11 is a natural response from our enemies for the crimes America has committed upon the world. He sees it as an eyefor-an-eye.

Professor Churchill was a guest of the Wisconsin taxpayers at UW-Whitewater for their third-annual Native Pride Week. Churchill used to teach ethnic studies at the University of Colorado-Boulder.

But that university finally fired him last week for research misconduct, plagiarism, fabrication and record falsification. He also claims to be an American Indian. There is no proof of that. The list goes on.

When I heard Churchill was coming to Wisconsin, the little woman and I hopped in our Honda minivan and drove to Whitewater to hear his articu-

late condemnations of America.

This was a national happening. And our Wisconsin university was one of the last bastions in America Wayne still willing to Anderson host this outrageous educator of hate.

In Whitewater, held students big stretched-out banners in support of him. Meandering about, I was afraid I’d get conked on the head with a peace sign. But being 6 feet, 4 inches and 250 pounds assured my well-being. Size matters at a peace demonstration.

Before Churchill said one word in Wisconsin, our Sen. Sheila Harsdorf cosponsored a resolution condemning Churchill’s “hateful remarks regarding the victims of the 9/11 attack.”

She asked the university to cancel his speech. No doing they said. Whitewater was holding its water.

“I do not share the fear of words that is becoming more prevalent in our society,” declared university Chancellor Jack Miller on stage with Churchill.

But this chancellor forgot that words

WRITE FROM

West SWEDEN

can create reality. And words have consequences. There are lots of words we avoid, like words which call for violence and bigotry and treason and bad manners.

The little Eichmanns got what they deserved, Churchill wrote on 9/11.

These are lying words. And why should taxpayers pay for them? The truth is, more than 3,000 innocent people were killed on 9/11. Words have consequences. Choose and pay for them well.

“The revolution’s at hand,” Churchill yelled to the standing-roomonly crowd of 400 professors and students. “It’s almost Biblical. Break it down: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! OK?” The faculty and student body went wild when they heard that.

After the lecture students were allowed to ask questions. The press was not permitted to ask questions. That’s asking too much of the First Amendment.

One student concerned about the turmoil in the Middle East stepped up and asked, “What can I do?” Churchill barked, “Stop killing other people’s babies!”

The student was stunned. He assured Churchill that he’s never killed a baby.

“Yes you did,” Churchill snapped.

He said the student killed babies vicariously by paying taxes to the U.S. gov-

ernment who kills babies in his stead.

This kind of illogic is academic fraud.

Yet no faculty member corrected him.

Rather, they all sat in reverent silence.

Outside, folks were yelling that Churchill had a right to speak his mind. I agree. Churchill has a right to his say. But there is an obligation to expose it for what it is: academic fraud.

Students are impressionable young people with open, eager minds. They revere professors with a Ph.D. And this was the perfect time for some adult guidance. This was a golden time to advance scholastic balance and critical thinking.

It never happened.

The argument of free speech is old and strong in this country. We constantly fight for it and tread lightly with it. Pray it continues.

Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas said, “Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.”

These words are not just a protection for Churchill’s words; they are also a battle cry for us to challenge the half truths and half lies that are presented to us—and paid for by our tax dollars.

You can e-mail your free speech to Wayne Anderson at: wayneanderson@centurytel.net

PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS Amery Public Library Library Notes: Summer Reading cruises along with 293 children participating in Get a Clue at Your Library.

There is still time to sign up and keep your children reading through the rest of the hot days of summer.

We will be going on until the end of August. At story time on Aug. 1, the Circus Minimus Puppetry Group will be performing. This performance will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Everyone is welcome for the programs.

Story time on the Road with Christinia and Kaitlyn will be happening at 5 p.m. on Monday nights behind the Twin Pines Apartments on Minneapolis Avenue. Stop in for stories and crafts.

The new Harry Potter book will be arriving on the 21st, so get your name on the reserve list if you need to read it soon.

Teens Read Book Group stop in and pick up your James Bond books, we are reading Diamonds are Forever by Ian Fleming on July 30, at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. If you need to go to the school sports meeting just come for one-half hour and get

your next book. Books are available at the circulation desk.

Friends of the Library book group meets on Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. to discuss “The Pearl Diver” by Jeff Tallarigo. Pick up a copy at the circulation desk and join us and invite a friend to join, too.

Otaku Club meets every Tuesday for teens who love manga and anime. Stop in and check it out if you are a teen.

Thanks to everyone who has given the Amery Public Library donations to help us move and to extend our services. We will need funds to help with the move and improvements in our new space. If you are interested in helping fundraise, contact the library or the Friends of the Library or join the Friends and help us make dreams come true.

Library hours 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.

Centuria Public Library Real life adventures Are you a reader that likes to read about true tales of survival? The Centuria Public Library has just received a set of new books written for the young adult reader but exciting for everyone to read that features true stories of survival. Come to the Centuria Public Library and check out all six books. You will find them to be incredible stories of courage and determination that show the human will to survive. The titles are: 1. “Disaster in the Mountains,” Colby Coombs' story of survival.

2. “Lost at Sea,” Tami Oldham Ashcraft's story of survival.

3. “Shark Attack,” Bethany Hamil-

ton's story of survival.

4. “Stranded in the Snow,” Eric LeMarque's story of survival.

5. “Trapped in a Canyon,” Aron Ralston's story of survival.

6. “Volcanic Eruption,” Susan Ruff and Bruce Nelson's story of survival.

Hours The Centuria Public Library is open Monday from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., closed Friday, and open 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Polk County Library Federation We at the Polk County Library Federation are wrapping up our Books-by-Mail summer reading program. We had a good turnout this year. Thank you to all who participated!

Special thanks go to Nate Dorrance.

Nate is one of the teens who met his goal by reading 600 pages. Nate also reviewed four of the books he read.

“Scorpia” by Anthony Horowitz earned five out of five of Nate’s points.

Nate had this to say about “Scorpia,” “This book is really exciting! There is lots of fighting and Alex Rider (the main character) switches sides. Overall this book is excellent.”

Summer Ball by Mike Lupica earned four out of five points and Nate said, “This book is really good if you like basketball. It isn’t big-worded so anyone could understand it and kids my age can relate to this book.”

“Guys Write for Guys Read” edited by Jon Scieszka also earned four out of five points. “This is a very good book for guys. It talks about subjects guys like to talk about, like sports. This book has

plenty of humor. My favorite funny story is by Anthony Horowitz called “My French Teacher Tried to Kill Me.” Want to read any of the books Nate reviewed. Visit your local library. If you are a teen who reads and would like to review books for us give us, a call at 4858680 or e-mail us at kessler@ifls.lib.wi.us Gratitude is extended to all who helped with another successful Polk County Library Federation fair booth.

Debbie Peterson, director of Polk County Parks, Buildings and Solid Waste and her staff for transporting the contents of the booth. The volunteers who helped run the booth were; Friends of the Polk County Library Federation; Betty Patterson, Pat Schmidt, Virginia ZonckiBunker, and Kathy Kienholz, Jill Glover, director of Luck Public Library, Sarah Adams, director of St. Croix Falls Public Library, Nate DePrey, director of Osceola Public Library and Susan Willis and Evy Podeszwa of Osceola Public Library.

Clear Lake Public Library

Dresser Public Library 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.

Story time Summer reading begins June 12. Registration for Get a Clue…at Your Library will be required this year. Summer reading will be Tuesday mornings at 10-11 a.m., for children, 3 to first grade. Chil-

dren entering third grade this fall and older, may participate in the independent reading portion of summer reading.

Contact the library at 715-755-2944 which is our telephone and FAX number or e-mail us at www.dresser pl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Our Web site, www.dresserpubliclibrary.org. also has information about story times, days closed, reference links, library policy and much more.

Balsam Lake Public Library We have air conditioning!! Get out of the heat and grab a book.

Story time Story time is at 11 a.m. every Wednesday here at the library. All ages are welcome to join us for stories, crafts, music and snacks. We also have many new puppets that can be checked out for home use.

Books on the Beach Books on the Beach are back-with something for every reader’s taste. Read at the beach or bring the books home.

Return to the beach when you’re finished if you’re able. Read, swim, sunbathe - what a way to spend a lazy summer afternoon.

Tales with tails Children read aloud to Ruby, a service dog, and her owner, Carolyn Peterson.

This will be every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. starting June 20. Ruby loves to listen to stories. Sometimes her eyes close, but she is listening. Please call and sign up for a time 485-3215.

New books Some of our new books for July are “Quickie” by James Patterson, “Tin Roof Blowdown” by James Lee Burke, “Thunder Bay” by William Kent Kreuger, “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini. Many new board books, children and young adult for those lazy summer nights.

Book club Meets Wednesday, Aug. 18, at 3 p.m.

Everyone welcome.

“Stones from the River” by Ursula Hegi. ”Stones from the River” is a daring, dramatic and complex novel of life in

Germany. It is set in Burgdorf, a small fictional German town, between 1915 and 1951. The protagonist is Trudi Montag, a Zwerg — the German word for dwarf woman. As a dwarf she is set apart, the outsider whose physical “otherness” has a corollary in her refusal to be a part of Burgdorf’s silent complicity during and after World War II. Trudi establishes her status and power, not through beauty, marriage, or motherhood, but rather as the town’s librarian and relentless collector of stories.

Through Trudi’s unblinking eyes, we witness the growing impact of Nazism on the ordinary townsfolk of Burgdorf as they are thrust on to a larger moral stage and forced to make choices that will forever mark their lives. “Stones from the River” is a story of secrets, parceled out masterfully by Trudi — and

by Ursula Hegi — as they reveal the truth about living through unspeakable times.

Events Saturday, Aug. 4, from 10:30 a.m. noon. Live Bearded Dragons with Merilee. All ages invited to learn about bearded dragons.

Friends Group Friend’s group will meet Wednesday Aug. 29, at 3 p.m. here at the library.

Balsam Lake Library, (under the water tower) at 404 Main St., Balsam Lake. Hours are Monday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m.-2 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

St. Croix Falls Public Library Saturday talk about the book club The book club meets the second Saturday of the month, 1:30 p.m. at Goochie Noochie’s in downtown St Croix Falls.

Call if you have any questions 483-1777.

Story hour Listen to stories, create great art and have fun with other kids and parents every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. at St. Croix Falls Public Library story hour!

Did I read this already?

Now you can track what you have read through the MORE system’s My History. Check it out on the Web site.

Hours, contact Our hours are Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Story hour friends at the St. Croix Falls Library. Some Good Samaritan Rresidents joined the story hour gang for books about colors, face painting by Dotty and fun art activities.

Technology Free wireless access is available at the library. Also, visit the library’s revamped Web site to find out what’s happening at the Library. www.stcroixfallslibrary.org.

Frederic Public Library

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 11

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS Frederic Public Library Reading program ends Aug. 10 Frederic kids have been busy reading and attending special events as the summer reading program enters its last two weeks. Now is a good time to catch up on goals and bring the reading lists to the library to be counted. Everyone who meets their weekly reading goals or attends special activities can enter their names for great prizes at the end of the program.

Library’s special programs Come to the library Thursday evening, Aug. 2, at 7 p.m. for an evening of fun and games when we host the annual summer reading pajama party/game night. The library has many card and board games on hand, including Clue (of course!) and there will be snacks and door prizes. The summer reading program finale will be Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. at the library with entertainment from magician Magical Paul. Mark your calendars and make plans to attend with family and friends.

Monday movie time The library will show the movie “Night at the Museum” Monday, Aug. 6, at 2 p.m. This film is rated PG and lasts 110 minutes.

New teen CSI book group A new reading group for teens met July 30 to talk about “Life as We Knew It” by Beth Pfeffer. The next meeting of the CSI group is set for Friday, Aug. 17, at 4 p.m. to discuss “The Traitors’ Gate”

by Avi. When his father is arrested as a

debtor in 1849 London, 14-year-old John Huffman must take on unexpected responsibilities, from asking a distant relative for help to determining why people are spying on him and his family.

Copies of the book are available at the library, and we invite all teens for talk and snacks.

Reading groups meet in August The Thursday morning reading group will meet Aug. 16, at 10 a.m. (note time change) to discuss “For One More Day”

by Mitch Albom. The evening book group will meet Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. to talk about “Wish You Well” by David Baldacci. Copies of the books are available at the library, and new members are always welcome.

Frederic movie theater Photos?

The library is looking for photographs of the library building when it was the village’s movie theater. If you have some old photos of the theater, please share them with us and we will make copies of the prints.

Library hours at a glance Regular library hours are Monday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The library is closed on Tuesdays.

How to contact the library Frederic Public Library, 127 Oak Street West. (phone) 715-327-4979 (e-mail) fredericpl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Luck Public Library Magical Paul will be coming to the Luck Library Thursday, Aug. 9, at 4 p.m.

Be sure to mark your calendars and come early for a great seat. The show is free to the public. Family friendly and appealing for all ages, Magical Paul will entertain and amaze you. His show is a unique blend of lively music, comedy, mystery, and audience participation honed by 25 years of experience. The 45minute show featuring beautiful, live doves is a perfect addition to our Summer Reading Program. This show should not be missed.

Luck Book Group will be meeting Monday Aug. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. This month they will be reading and discussing “Infidel” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Books are available through the MORE system. All are encouraged to read this eye–opening book and join the discussion. This promises to be a stimulating book.

From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. Readers with an eye on European politics will recognize Ali as the Somali-born member of the Dutch parliament who faced death threats after collaborating on a film about domestic violence against Muslim women with controversial director Theo van Gogh (who was himself assassinated). Even before then, her attacks on Islamic culture as “brutal, bigoted, [and] fixated on controlling women” had generated much controversy. In this suspenseful

account of her life and her internal struggle with her Muslim faith, she discusses how these views were shaped by her experiences amid the political chaos of Somalia and other African nations, where she was subjected to genital mutilation and later forced into an unwanted marriage. While in transit to her husband in Canada, she decided to seek asylum in the Netherlands, where she marveled at the polite policemen and government bureaucrats. Ali is up-front about having lied about her background in order to obtain her citizenship, which led to further controversy in early 2006, when an immigration official sought to deport her and triggered the collapse of the Dutch coalition government. Apart from feelings of guilt over van Gogh’s death, her voice is forceful and unbowed—like Irshad Manji, she delivers a powerful feminist critique of Islam informed by a genuine understanding of the religion.

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Get a Clue At the Library – Luck Library Summer Reading Program meets Thursdays at 5 p.m. Lets get a clue how recycling works. This week during crafts with Alyssa, we will be making paper.

Be sure to wear old clothes as you will probably get wet and maybe a little sticky. Join us for good fun and great stories.

Osceola Public Library Be a Kid Detective!

Thursday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m. Presented

by Marilyn Duerst of New Richmond, Professor of Chemistry; University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Gather the clues, perform experiments, and use your thinking skills to decide the possible criminal in a fictitious crime! Presenter is co-author of “The Crimecracker Kids and the BakeShop Break-in.” Books will also be for

sale for $8, with book-signing.

Hours, contact Our hours are Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our phone number is 715-294-2310, and our Web address is www.osceolapubliclibrary.org.

Clear Lake Public Library New Arrivals Nonfiction: • “The Complete Guide to Attics and Basements.”

• “The Complete Idiots Guide to Solar Power for Your Home.”

• “Psychic Children: Revealing the Intuitive Gifts and Hidden Abilities of Boys and Girls.”

• “24 Weekend Projects for Pets: Dog Houses, Cat Trees, Rabbit Hutches and More.”

• “The Complete Idiots Guide to Pizza and Panini.”

Is your garden overflowing with produce? The library has many books on preserving your harvest. Also, don’t forget the senior citizens in your area or your local food shelf, both of whom would appreciate donations of fresh produce.

August Summer Reading programs at the Library: • Aug. 1 and 2: The Definition of Magic with James Inlow (Amateur magic show) • Aug. 8 and 9: Codes, Ciphers and Puzzles • Aug. 15 and 16: Inlowsfarm Crazy Critters (Pet show) • Aug. 22 and 23: Animal Tracks • Aug. 29 and 30: Mysteries of Ancient Egypt Wednesday story times are at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday story times are at 10 a.m.

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 715-263-2802 or by e-mail at clearlakepl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Milltown Public Library Puppet workshop Renowned puppeteers from Twin Cities-based Circus Minimus will help children bring puppets to life in the library on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m. This event is free and open to children ages 7 through 12 and their adult caregivers.

The librarian will offer a special puppet program for children under 7 years of age during this same time. Workshop participants must register by Aug. 25.

Register online at www.milltownpubliclibrary.org or by calling 715-825-2313.

Summer Reading Program Register for the Summer Reading Program at the Milltown Library front desk, then bring home your reading record sheets and start reading! You increase your chances to win one of the many weekly prize drawings, or even the grand prize iPod, by completing and turning in as many reading record sheets as possible. We will draw for prizes every Friday at 5 p.m. and will notify the winners. The Summer Reading Program is open to everyone – kids and adults.

We are Wireless Bring your laptops to the Milltown Public Library and enjoy our free, fast wireless Internet access. No more waiting for an open computer! Surf the net from a comfortable chair! No time limits!

Story hour: Milltown Public Library offers two story times every Tuesday. The morning story time begins at 10 a.m. Can’t make it in the morning? We will repeat the program at 6:30 p.m. 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. There will be no story times on Aug. 28 in lieu of the puppet workshop at 1 p.m.

Hours Library hours are Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Questions answered about the Big Read ST. CROIX FALLS - As partner recipients of an NEA Big Read grant, St. Croix Falls Public Library and Festival Theatre have been responding to many questions.

Their project focuses on the Willa Cather novel “My Antonia” and includes the St. Croix River Valley counties of Polk, Burnett and Chisago. The most frequently asked questions are listed below.

FAQ #1 - How do I get a copy of this book that everyone is talking about and going to read?

First, each library in the three counties has up to 20 copies of “My Antonia,” which you can take out on loan right now. Prior to the official kickoff event of the Big Read on Sept. 8, it is anticipated that each library will have one large-print copy, one unabridged audio cassette set, and one CD set.

Second, at the Prairie Festival kickoff event at Overlook Park in St. Croix Falls on Saturday, Sept. 8, copies of the novel will be available for free in a colorful little book bag which will also have some prairie seeds for you to plant. This event takes place from 2-4 p.m. and includes many family activities.

Third, you can purchase a copy of the edition being used for the Big Read (published by Mariner Books, with a Foreword by Kathleen Norris). This edition is a nice trade paperback in very readable print with a lovely prairie picture on the cover. Though it has a retail price of $6.95, you can purchase it for only $5 through Sarah Adams at the St. Croix Public Library. In Polk County, the books on sale can be shipped to local libraries. Adams can be reached at 715-483-1777.

Fourth, you can come to a free workshop for discussion leaders on Aug. 28, 7-9 p.m. at the St. Croix Public Library. Anyone willing or interested in leading a discussion of “My Antonia” can pick up a book from Adams at the St. Croix Public Library, or can pick up their copy on Aug. 28 at the workshop.

Fifth, before and into September, there will be many copies of “My Antonia” floating around the restaurants and bars and banks of the three counties. They will have a bookplate inside which says “Read and Release,” and the plan is for you to read, enjoy, and as you digest, let the book go for someone else to savor.

FAQ #2 - I already have a copy of Willa Cather’s “My Antonia”—is it all right if I read or re-read that?

Yes! Definitely! The reason we have chosen one edition is simply to make it easier to discuss, with easy reference to page numbers.

FAQ #3 - I really like this whole idea and would be happy to contribute to the Read and Release program—

would that be ok?

Yes again! Through a matching grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, if you contribute $50, we can buy 25 book copies to swim around our area! Contact Amy Klein for all the details.

FAQ #4 - My children are quite young, and I wonder if this book would be good for them.

Probably someone age 13 and above would appreciate “My Antonia” the most. But at our kickoff event, and at the libraries, there will be a companion book list with activities available for younger children. Also, each school in the three-county area will get a feed sack full of activity ideas and resource materials for younger children. Younger children will also fully enjoy the activities of the kickoff event on Sept. 8, and the Homesteaders’ Picnic on Oct. 6, with circle dancing to the music of Duck for the Oyster. The Homesteaders’ Picnic will take place at the D.D. Kennedy Park south of Balsam Lake.

FAQ #5 - I have read the book and would love to start talking about it right now, and not wait for September!

What can I do? Talk it up! Loan it out! Start a readaloud! Gather friends together to read together. Become a discussion leader! Write down your thoughts about the book! Publish them!

FAQ #6 - I’ve been out of town and have no idea what this whole “Big Read” thing is all about - Please fill me in!

The Big Read was launched nationally in 2006 by the NEA, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. The program encourages literary reading by asking communities to come together to read and discuss a single book. The organizations selected to participate in the Big Read receive grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to promote and carry out community-based programs. The Big Read in the Upper St. Croix Valley will take place Sept.

7, through Oct. 15, and will focus on a Willa Cather novel, “My Antonia.”

If you didn’t find your questions or answered in the FAQs above, please contact Project Director Amy Klein at 715-483-3387 or by e-mail groups@festivaltheatre.org.

The Big Read is funded in part by the National Endowment of the Arts and administered by Arts Midwest. Local funding assistance is still needed to reach the maximum number of families in the three-county area. Please consider becoming a Big Read donor.

For a complete list of communities participating in

the Big Read, a list of the Big Read novels, program application guidelines, or more information on the program, please visit www.neabigread.org. Contact Amy Klein at 715-483-3387 for more information on events, educational activities, to become a reading group leader, or to become involved with the Big Read in the upper St. Croix Valley. - submitted

Wisconsin humanities council to support The Big Read BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES - The NEA Big Read program for Polk, Burnett and Chisago counties has received funding from the Wisconsin Humanities Council. The local Big Read committee received word July 27 that a $1,000 grant will enable the committee to double the number of Read and Release copies of the novel “My Antonia” which will be made available in area restaurants, banks, bars and workplaces in September.

“The Read and Release concept is just like it sounds,” said Amy Klein, project director of the St. Croix Valley Big Read. “We will distribute small stacks of the novel in dozens of locations throughout Polk, Burnett and Chisago counties. These copies will have a unique bookplate on the inside cover that identifies them as Read and Release books. Once a reader has completed the novel, they are urged to drop off the book in a public place or give it to someone who hasn’t yet read the book. We’d even like readers to sign the inside cover, so the journey of each book is recorded.”

The WHC award is a matching grant, so local donors are needed to ensure receipt of the full $1,000. Donations to the Read and Release program will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the WHC up to $1,000. For every $50 donated, the matching grant will allow approximately 25 additional copies of the novel to be purchased for distribution, which will encourage the reading of great literature.

Donations for the Read and Release program should be sent to The Big Read, Attn: Amy Klein-Project Director, P.O. Box 801, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024.

For additional questions about becoming a Read and Release donor or to request a set of books for distribution at your favorite public location, call Amy Klein at 715-483-3387. - submitted

SCRMC marks World Breastfeeding week with open house ST. CROIX FALLS – In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week 2007, St. Croix Regional Medical Center’s Obstetrics Department, The Birth Place, is honoring pregnant and nursing mothers for their loving commitment to breastfeed their babies.

Highlighting the importance of protecting breastfeeding, especially in the first hour after birth, is the theme for the 2007 World Breastfeeding Week, Aug. 1-7.

Research is clear that breastfeeding is the perfect, lifesustaining food for babies. Breastfeeding provides nutritional and health advantages that last far beyond infancy, and offers health benefits for mothers, as well.

Breastfeeding in the first hour or so after birth has been linked to more positive health outcomes, including immediate protection from bacteria and viruses the baby is exposed to, less risk of jaundice, and improved milk production and less blood loss in the mother. A recent study showed that 41 percent of infants worldwide who die between 2-28 days of life could be saved by this simple intervention of breastfeeding in the first hour.

You are invited to join them Monday, Aug. 6, for an open house from 2 – 4 p.m.

• Register to win a free newborn session with JB Studios Photography ($59 value; visit www.jbstudios.info)

• A small gift for every pregnant or nursing mother that comes!

• Free refreshments!

• Free breastfeeding support and counseling!

• Meet their new breastfeeding counselor/health educator!

• Receive their new breastfeeding support group hours!

• Babies are welcome! – submitted

Last chance to see “Barefoot in the Park” ST. CROIX FALLS - Festival Theatre’s production of “Barefoot in the Park” has two performances remaining before it closes on Aug. 5. Theatre-goers have the opportunity to see two different plays during the first weekend in August with “Moonlight & Magnolias” on Thursday and Friday, while “Barefoot in the Park” is performed on Saturday and Sunday.

Festival Theatre’s repertory weekend begins with a 2 p.m. matinee of “Moonlight & Magnolias” on Thursday, Aug. 2, as well as a 7:30 p.m. performance that evening and Friday night. Technical Director Jeff Johnson and crew will then transform the stage in less than 24 hours for the final two performances of “Barefoot in the Park” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday when it closes for the season.

There are six plays in the 2007 Theatre Series plus one children’s holiday production. Season ticket prices start at $105 for six economy tickets (Thursday and Sunday shows). Single ticket prices are $22.50 for adults and $12.50 for youth. Five concerts remain within the 2007 Music Series. To learn more about the plays and concerts at Festival Theatre, visit www.festivaltheatre.org or call the box office at 715-483-3387 or 888-887-6002.

Festival Theatre is located in downtown St. Croix Falls, at 210 North Washington Street. - from Festival Theatre

Brittany Engler and Jim Halloran as newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter in Festival Theatre’s production of “Barefoot in the Park.” – Photo submitted

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 13

Fifth-annual pottery tour features three Danbury area potters

by Sherill Summer DANBURY – The fifth-annual Northwestern Wisconsin Pottery Tour was held this past weekend, July 27 – 29. Six studios in northwestern Wisconsin were open to the public, three of them are located in and around Danbury. Each of the potters have developed unique styles.

Marty Pearson, a former Webster art teacher, works in the far corner of Blaine Township. He first experimented with local clay when attempting to make traditional Sioux pottery using traditional methods with his students at Webster

High School. His first experiments failed, but he kept at it through the years until he found a way to use the clay from the Webster area mixed with firing clay and local sand, fired with local wood.

Pearson decorates his pottery with pictograph-type drawings of things he saw when he was making the pottery.

Jim McCaul is a master furniture maker. Laura McCaul creates dark, luminescent tiles called blackware. Often Jim will create custom furniture using Laura’s tiles, although Laura also sells her tiles separately. The relief on her tiles is higher than usually found in tiles.

There is no grog added to her clay, making the clay very smooth.

The slips and are glazes rubbed in and each tile undergoes additional carving making each tile unique.

The tiles are fired in a bar-

Jim McCaul’s woodworking shop was open for visitors during the pottery tour.

Shown are visitors c r o w d e d around a piece of his furniture incorporating Laura McCaul’s blackware tiles.

Laura McCaul is in the foreground.

rel kiln with two smaller barrels mounted inside each other. Hardwood and sawdust are used in the firing process. Once the fire is hot enough, a lid is placed over the barrels, capturing the smoke. The captured carbon in the smoke is what gives the tiles their unusual color. The McCauls work out of a

lake home-studio on Ham Lake. The studio’s name is Earth, Wood and Fire.

Contrasting McCaul’s and Pearson’s earthy pottery, Judith Poe’s porcelain and stoneware pottery sparkles with brilliant color. Colorful fish, especially, can be found on a variety of functional pottery and on tiles. Wind chimes and small figurines are also available and murals made of tile can be custom ordered. Poe opened Cabin Fever Pottery with her partner, Bruce Peck in downtown Danbury that carries her own pottery as well as work from other American artisans. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Photos by Sherill Summer

LEFT - A view of Judith Poe and Bruce Pack’s Cabin Fever Pottery in downtown Danbury. The gallery offers pottery and work from other American artisans. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday.

On the radio Two outdoor kilns at Marty Pearson’s studio in Blaine Township. The round kiln in the foreground is for firing raku pottery, and the larger kiln in the background is a woodburning kiln.

Beekeepers at fair

Beekeepers Dick and Esther Nelson, of Amery, operated the bee information booth at the Polk County Fair. Beekeeping and foods made with honey are a growing interest in the inter counties. Wisconsin has not yet been affected by disappearing bees, or Colony Collapse Disorder. The Polk and Burnett County Beekeeper’s Club meets every third Thursday of the month in Balsam Lake. For more information on bees and beekeeping, call 715-327-5525. – Photo by Wayne Anderson

Wayne and Bonnie Anderson, of Frederic, joined talk-show host John Hines (far right) at studio KTLK 100.3 FM in St. Paul, Minn., last Thursday. Wayne, a columnist with the Inter-County Leader, and his wife Bonnie, were guests on the John Hines Show to talk about his recent trip and reporting on the good work the soldiers are doing in Iraq. Several Wisconsin troops stationed in Iraq called into the show, as well as listeners from the inter-county area. – Photo submitted

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The Granary opens in Webster WEBSTER – The Granary has opened in what was formerlly Scotty’s Hardware Hank in Webster.

Despite the name, The Granary is still primarily a hardware store, will still carry the Hardware Hank brand and have everything expected in a hardware store. The business will also carry feed, seed, fencing, tack, animal health and other supplies needed around a farm.

Brian, an employee with 30 years in the animal health industry, can answer a wide variety of animal health questions.

A drive-thru feed and seed shed has been built for ease of loading. Cabin décor and gifts are available as well.

Owner Alan Schillerberg has a history

well suited for The Granary. He grew up in the largest dairy farm in western Iowa.

He has worked in farm industry sales before working in large hardware box stores in the Twin Cities area.

Schillerberg wants The Granary to be especially for the hobby farmer who may need a lot of individual help answering a wide variety of questions, but also be able to fill the specific needs of working farms.

Schillerberg is confident that he can order in anything that he does not carry, in any amounts. Organic feeds and ingredients for those who wish to mix their own feed are also available. – Sherill Summer

A drive-thru feed and seed shed has been built at The Granary in Webster.

RIGHT: Owner Alan Schillerberg’s granddaughters pose under The Granary sign. – Photos by Sherill Summer (L to R) Paul Schillerberg and owner Alan Schillerberg amongst the hardware in The Granary in Webster.

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 15

PAGE 16 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

Johnsons celebrate 50th anniversary

by Wayne M. Anderson GRANTSBURG—Merlin and Carol Johnson turned a golden corner last Sunday by celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

The blessed occasion and festivities were held at the Bethany Lutheran Church of Grantsburg, where both are longtime members.

Merlin recalled how their semicentennial union began.

“Early on in our courtship Carol said to one of her woman friends, ‘I’ve half a mind to marry that man,’ referring to me,” he said. “And then the one she was talking to said—that’s about what it would take to marry him.”

And in 1957 she did just that. They were married at Bethany Lutheran Church of Grantsburg. And subsequently, Carol “stuck” with Merlin for 50 years.

That’s quite an accomplishment for her, “because I probably haven’t been the easiest one to live with,” he said. But his wife disagrees. “I think he’s been pretty good,” Carol said.

Before they were married, Carol worked for at Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Company in Grantsburg. In all, she worked there about 13 years in the office, she said. After marrying, she devoted her life to her family, raising two children: Allan, born in 1962 and Janet, born in 1965.

Their children now live in Minnesota and have five children between them.

Merlin has had a long and distinguished career in the inter-county area. He grew up on a farm in the town of Falun. “I used to love to milk cows,” he said. “But I found out that they don’t stay milked.”

When the area schools consolidated, the Falun “farm kids” were assigned to attend Grantsburg High School.

As fate would have it, “that’s where I met Carol,” Merlin said.

“She was the homecoming queen as a freshman,” Merlin recalled. “And she chose me as the king. And that’s what started it all.”

It was a royal inception.

“Yes, it was. To say the least,” Carol remembers. “I

Carol and Merlin Johnson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Betany Lutheran Church in Grantsburg. – Photo by Wayne M. Anderson couldn’t help but laugh,” she said. “But don’t put that in the paper.”

After graduating high school and college, he served as the principal at Danbury Elementary School from 1951 to 1952.

The U.S. Army then called him to Korea, where he served two years in the war.

Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he returned home and taught math at Siren High School and Grantsburg High School and was married in 1957.

After a few years teaching math, he was promoted to school superintendent, where students loved and feared him for 29 years. He retired in 1991 with the thanks and admiration of several generations.

Retirement did not end his work. He served as vice chairman on the Burnett County Board of Supervisors for 10 years.

He was first elected in 2003 to the board of directors of the Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association, which oversees the Inter-County Leader. He is presently serving his second term.

“I’ve been richly blessed with family, and richly blessed with church support and richly blessed with my occupation,” he said. “I’ve loved my job very much and I had good people working with me and for me.

And, boy, that means a lot.”

And after 50 years of marriage and career, what words of wisdom does he have to share? He has two axioms.

First, “I learned that life is a lot simpler when you plow around the stumps.” And lastly, “Don’t wrestle with pigs. You get all muddy, and the pigs will love it.”

That is what 50 golden years of marriage, farm life and the halls of academia will teach you.

Siren woman joins Tastefully Simple SIREN - Cindy Savage, of Siren, has become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc., a national direct-sales company featuring easy-to-prepare gourmet products.

As a consultant, Savage offers the company’s gourmet foods and beverages to guests at home taste-testing

parties. Guests receive samples, easy meal ideas, recipes and serving suggestions.

“The Tastefully Simple opportunity is designed to be life friendly,” says Jill Blashack Strahan, Tastefully Simple Inc. founder and CEO. “Consultants find a great deal of satisfaction through its fun nature, flexibility,

Blood drive a success MILLTOWN – The Milltown Blood drive on Thursday, July 26, was actually successful, even though they had to shut down only three hours into the drive. Their goal was 50, and 44 presented themselves.

The Red Cross manager decided that when inside temperatures reach 85 degrees it puts their equipment and the blood in danger. Management closed them down at 3:30 p.m.

They do apologize to the donors with appointments after 3:30 p.m. and also to the many walk-ins.

The next draws in local areas are in September. Watch for posters and news items.

There were three first-time donors: Alisa Huss, Patrick Jones and Cathy Miles.

The Red Cross staff was thankful for the units collected.

So much credit goes to the donors, callers and all the volunteers. They make a successful drive. – submitted

by Milltown coordinator Jo Bille

unlimited earning potential and top-notch products.”

For more information about Tastefully Simple products, taste-testing parties or the business opportunity, contact Cindy Savage at 715-866-5410. - submitted

Retired educatorsto meet CENTURIA - The Polk-Burnett Retired educators invite all retired school personnel to attend an upcoming meeting to be held Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Fristad Lutheran Church in Centuria located on Hwy. 35.

Entertainment will follow the noon meal. Members are encouraged to bring school supply items as listed or a monetary gift to be sent to schoolchildren in Iraq.

Muriel Pfeifer at 268-6578 is in charge of the arrangements. Please make reservations with your contact person by Monday, Aug. 6. - submitted

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 17

Sabien and McMullin play in Grantsburg GRANTSBURG – The Grantsburg Music Society held an event at Memory Lake Park in Grantsburg this past Sunday, July 29, another of Anna Olivia Fremstad Memorial music events.

Two well-known area musicians, jazz violinist, Randy Sabien and folkmeister, Kevin McMullin, teamed up to play fiddle tunes, blues covers, topical songs and poignant jazz-folk songs, many from a CD the two col-

Kevin McMullin and Randy Sabien play under the Lions Pavilion in Memory Lake Park in downtown Grantsburg, Sunday, July 29. – Photos by Sherill Summer Randy Sabien and Kevin McMullin played several traditional fiddle tunes. Both musicians play a variety of instruments.

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laborated on titled, “Cap a Cup of Dreams.”

The next music in Memory Lake Park is Saturday, Aug. 28, 5 – 7 p.m. Refreshments will be available.

Bring your own chair. Memory Lake Park is located in downtown Grantsburg. – Sherill Summer

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AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 19

Polk County Fair • 2007 • Fairest of the Fair The new Polk County Fairest of the Fair royalty lined up for photographs following the coronation Sunday at the Expo Tent on the fairgounds at St. Croix Falls. New Fairest of the Fair Carole Peper (L) is shown with runner-up Lisa Depprey and Miss Congeniality Katie Warner. This year marked the 20th year the fair has held a Fairest of the Fair competition. The winner represents the Polk County Fair at area events and will participate in the State Fairest of the Fair contest at the Wisconsin Association of Fairs convention in Green Bay in January. She also becomes a full-time 2008 summer employee of the public relations department of the Wisconsin State Fair.

All contestants received a plaque and the winner and runner-up receive cash prizes.

- Photos by Gary King

Last year’s Fairest of the Fair Theresa Piemonte and runner-up Kaydi Peterson gave their farewell speeches prior to their relinquishing of their titles. Both expressed appreciation to family and friends and to the Fairest of the Fair committee members who supported them during their travels this past year, representing the Polk County Fair. They also shared a few stories about their year.

Carol Peper realizes she’s being crowned the new Polk County Fairest of the Fair by last year’s Fairest of the Fair, as contestants Tina Larson (L) and Samantha Suckut (R) look on.

Fairest of the Fair contestants wait for the crowning of new royalty Sunday. Shown (L to R) are Lisa Dipprey, Jessica Fouks, Tina Larson, Carole Peper, Samantha Suckut and Katie Warner.

Fair board member Vivian Byl presented each contestant with a rose as they were introduced, Sunday.

Contestants were escorted to the stage by their parents as they were introduced to the audience.

Emcee Sid Bjorkman has been a part of every Fairest of the Fair contest for the past 20 years. He acknowledged fair volunteers and others for making the contest possible.

PAGE 20 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

Polk County Fair • 2007 • Truck pull

Friday night’s truck pull at the grandstand drew hundreds of spectators eager to see which trucks had the horsepower to pull tons of weight the longest distance.

It’s one of the loudest events at the fair and requires ear protection whether via headgear or manual (placing fingers in the ears). Below, Bill Sears’ entry, Moonlight Special, driven by Rob Johnson of Webster, led off the action.

- Photos by Gary King

Along with its usual thrills, the fair’s midway this year offered rides in the back of a monster truck, aptly titled Kickin’ N Screamin’ (photos at left and below). At right, two fair-goers find themselves upside down on one of the more popular midway rides. - Photos by Gary King

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 21

Polk County Fair • 2007 • Horse shows Horse shows were held at the fairgrounds arena throughout the fourday Polk County Fair with competitors judged on how well they controlled their horses. Below, AmySue Greiff of rural Webster competes with her horse Flyte. - Photos by Gary King

Polk County Fair • 2007 • Dairy judging

Quiet descended on the dairy barn as judge Chuck Krushke of New Richmond eyed the entrants in this year’s 4-H and FFA Dairy Show on Sunday. Junior exhibitors waited anxiously for the judge’s decision. - Photos by Gary King

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

Polk County Fair • 2007

Summer fairs can bring on the heat, and it was obvious this year’s Polk County Fair was no exception. A young man takes a break on one of the fair benches along the midway on Friday afternoon (left) as one of the 4-H dairy cattle exhibitors takes a siesta during all the excitement of the day. Above, one of the rabbits being shown in one of the exhibition buildings takes a long drink from its water bottle as fairgoers walk by.

Animals and produce make up the sights and sounds of a county fair. Above, a 4-H member and his rooster wait for a judge’s decision.

At left, a 2-week-old goat was among animals at the H barn.

Above, right, a face from Friday evening’s llama show. At right, Sharon Doolittle of Cushing won a blue ribbon for her colorful corn, one of hundreds of such displays at the Polk County Fair. - Photos by Gary King

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 23

Baptisms held at Assembly of God

Braeden Christian, 1-1/2, and Ian Burkman, 9 months, were dedicated to the Lord and Christian community last Sunday at the Assembly of God Church in Siren. With the toddlers are their family: (L to R) Josh Christian, of Woodbury, Minn., formerly of Grantsburg; Ethan Christian; Braeden Christian; Lindsey Christian; Aidan Burkman; Trisha Burkman, of Grantsburg; Aaron Burkman; Ian Burkman and Jason Burkman, of Grantsburg. – Photo

by Wayne M. Anderson

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

Bethany holds polka service

SIREN – Bethany Lutheran Church in Siren held its annual polka worship service July 29. Guest musicians were (L to R): Ed Schmidt, guitar, from Balsam Lake; Bonnie Fehrenbacher, accordion, from St. Croix Falls; Loren Nelson, vocals, from Cushing; and Steve Schmidt, bass guitar, from Webster.

Pastor John Clasen’s sermon for the day was taken from the first lesson, Genesis 18:20-32, where Abraham pleads for Sodom. The gospel was Luke 11: 113, Jesus’ teaching on prayer. Alter flowers were from the July 28 wedding of Adam Imme and Nicole Morse. The community is invited to Bethany’s pie and ice-cream social Friday, Aug. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m. Bethany Lutheran holds Sunday services at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, call 715-349-5280. – Bethany Lutheran Church

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News from the Service SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Air National Guard Airman Jason P. McConnell has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. McConnell earned distinction as an honor graduate.

He is the son of Douglas and Suzanne McConnell of Grantsburg. The airman is a 2006 graduate of Grantsburg High School. – submitted

Academic news ST. PAUL, Minn. – The spring class of the University of St. Thomas announces graduates from this area: Kelly Hopkins, Frederic, received a master of arts degree in educational leadership and administration. – submitted

Interstate Park Nature Story Time at Interstate Park Join naturalists Julie Fox or Barb Walker at Wisconsin Interstate Park at 10 a.m. every Thursday through August for a story and activity for younger children and their parents. The short activity following the story will reinforce the story’s nature-related theme. Nature Story Time will generally last between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants.

Please check at the park office upon ar-

Hazardous waste, electronics and lead fishing tackle collection event Almost every home and farm contains hazardous products, or products that can harm human and animal health or the environment if improperly handled. Such products include those used in cleaning, home improvements, lawn and garden care, farming, automotive care and hobbies.

Each year, exposure or accidents involving hazardous household products injure thousands of people. Because of the dangers they pose, these products require special awareness, handling and disposal. In order to protect our health and the environment, every consumer should know how to properly use, store, and dispose of hazardous household products.

The Northwest Cleansweep program promotes the safe use, storage and dis-

rival for the program location.

Interstate Park is located in St. Croix Falls, on Hwy. 35 just one-half mile south of Hwy. 8. Nature Story Time is free of charge, but a state park sticker is required to enter the park. For more information call Julie or Barb at 715-483-3747.

consin wildlife. Did you know that deer hair is hollow? What makes the fur of a beaver or otter different than that of other animals? Stop by to learn more!

Friday, Aug. 3 3 p.m. – Pet A Pelt. Meet naturalist Julie Fox at the Ice Age Center between 3 and 4 p.m., and learn about some Wis-

Saturday, Aug. 4 Daytime program schedule to be announced. Check at the park office or call 715-483-3747.

7 p.m. – A River on Every Page. Rivers are a reflection of who we are and where we are from: to hear the stories of a river is to learn of its people and history.

Flowing through the St. Croix are the lives of fur trading voyageurs, log-run-

posal of hazardous materials by educating consumers to: • identify and avoid potentially hazardous products • buy only what Jen Barton is needed, use it completely or share leftovers with someone who can use it • recycle those Reycling materials that can Control be recycled Commission • dispose of leftover or unwanted products through hazardous waste collection facilities • choose to buy the least hazardous product to get the job done Burnett County will be hosting the last special mobile hazardous waste collection of the summer and all area residents are encouraged to participate.

The products being accepted free of charge to households are: oil-based

paint, antifreeze, pesticides and herbicides, batteries (all types except regular alkaline and vehicle), household cleaners, old gasoline, cell phones and aerosols. There will be a nominal charge for items such as fluorescent and high-density light bulbs, and oil filters.

Businesses and farmers are also encouraged to participate in these summer events. The service is free to farmers wishing to dispose of agricultural related chemicals, with a nominal fee imposed for businesses. Registration is strongly encouraged for both businesses and farmers. Please call Bill at 715-6352197 to register.

The event is on Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Burnett County Highway Shop on Hwy. 70 in Siren. The collection will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Items not accepted at this event: latex paint (nonhazardous and must be dried out and disposed of with regular garbage), waste oil, ammunition and explosives, medical and radioactive wastes, automotive batteries, appliances and tires; please call Jen for locations in Burnett and Washburn counties.

Naturalist programs at Wisconsin Interstate Park

EARTH NOTES

ning river pigs, steamboat excursionists, and recreators of today. Everyone has a story to share. What is yours? Join National Park Service Ranger Nikki Hinds in sharing old and new stories at the Amphitheater located behind the beach parking lot.

Wednesday, Aug. 8 10 a.m. – The Secrets of Eagle Peak.

Join naturalist Julie Fox for a short walk on Eagle Peak Trail to learn the secrets of the Peak. Meet at the Eagle Peak Trail sign in the Pines Group Camp.

At this Saturday collection event electronic items will also be collected for recycling. However, there is a charge for this service. Items include televisions, VCRs, computers and selected miscellaneous items. This is an absolutely wonderful opportunity for area residents to get rid of old equipment for a small fee, while keeping it out of our landfill.

There will also be a lead tackle collection held at the event. Loon Watch’s Get the Lead Out program has partnered with NW Cleansweep to help eliminate harmful lead tackle from our lakes and rivers. Loon Watch has agreed to not only recycle the lead to keep it out of our environment, but also exchange the tackle you bring in for nontoxic alternative fishing tackle. This is a free collection, and another excellent opportunity for residents to help protect the environment. So go through your old tackle box and bring any lead tackle in for a safer alternative. Please call Jen with any questions on the above collection event, and for prices on fee items; her number is 715-635-2197.

Births Born at Amery Regional Medical Center: A girl, Luciana Holmes Aizpurua, born June 17, 2007, to Amanda and Troy Aizpurua, Amery. Luciana weighed 6 lbs.

••• A girl, Katelin Olivia Graski, born June 17, 2007, to Mary and Andrew Graski, Amery. Katelin weighed 7 lbs., 13 oz.

••• A girl, Deziree Evelyn Rose Manning, born June 19, 2007, to Ashley James and Russell Manning, Barron. Deziree weighed 6 lbs., 13-1/2 oz.

••• A girl, Hadassah Ruby Johnson, born June 20, 2007, to Jamie and Andrew Johnson, Amery. Hadassah weighed 8 lbs., 6 oz.

••• A boy, Logan Charles Holtz, born June 25, 2007, to Nicole and David Holtz, Amery. Logan weighed 8 lbs., 13 oz.

••• A boy, Drayken Michael Sullivan, born June 25, 2007, to Sherri and Daniel Sullivan, Centuria. Drayken weighed 6 lbs., 13 oz.

••• A girl, Kaitlynn Louise Ouellette, born June 26, 2007, to Anayansi Rideout, Luck. Kaitlynn weighed 10 lbs., 10 oz.

••• A girl, Summer Rae Dahlberg, born June 29, 2007, to Caitlyn Donahue and Brent Dahlberg, Amery. Summer weighed 8 lbs., 5 oz.

••• A girl, Katelyn Doris Roessler, born July 3, 2007, to Melissa and Thomas Roessler, Clear Lake. Katelyn weighed 6 lbs., 9 oz.

••• A girl, Olivia Rae Ricci, born July 8, 2007, to Sharon and Teddy Ricci Jr., Spooner. Olivia weighed 6 lbs., 5 oz.

••• A girl, Melissa Ann Riebe, born July 10, 2007, to Kendra Gifford and Kenneth Riebe II, Glenwood City. Melissa weighed 6 lbs., 10 oz.

••• A girl, Torree Rose McDowell, born July 10, 2007, to Julie Beach and Jeremy McDowell, Amery. Torree weighed 6 lbs., 11 oz.

•••

A boy, Michael Dean Wade Jr., born July 10, 2007, to Wendy and Michael Wade, Amery. Michael weighed 7 lbs., 3 oz.

••• A girl, Kate Olivia Torgerson, born July 19, 2007, to Sandra and Jamie Torgerson, Turtle Lake. Kate weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz.

••• A boy, Travis Andrew Vierkandt, born July 21, 2007, to Melissa and William Vierkandt, Amery. Travis weighed 6 lbs., 10 oz.

••• A girl, Kora Rose Zebro, born July 22, 2007, to Danielle and Jerry Zebro, Ridgeland. Kora weighed 8 lbs., 5-1/2 oz.

••• A boy, Zak Wayne Walters, born July 23, 2007, to Ronnette and Todd Walters, Luck. Zak weighed 7 lbs., 13-1/2 oz.

••• Born at St. Croix Regional Medical Center: A girl, Mattea Elizabeth Jacobson, born July 18, 2007, to Shannon and Jon Jacobson, Osceola. Mattea weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz.

•••

A girl, Alayna Jane Sirovatka, born July 17, 2007, to Tom and Moria Sirovatka, Osceola. Alayna weighed 8 lbs., 8 oz.

••• A boy, Caydon Jae Cox, born July 18, 2007, to Melissa and Coy Cox, Taylors Falls, Minn. Caydon weighed 5 lbs., 11 oz.

••• A boy, Zachary Wade Stewart Wambolt, born July 18, 2007, to Wade and Kimberly Wambolt, Siren. Zachary weighed 8 lbs., 7 oz.

••• A girl, Bailey Jo Olson, born July 17, 2007, to Shawn and Carrie Olson, Centuria. Bailey weighed 7 lbs., 10 oz.

••• A girl, Morgan Belle Appel, born July 21, 2007, to Jeffrey and Naomi Appel, Eureka. Morgan weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz.

•••

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 25

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

OBITUARIES Esther Lisk

William "Bill" Klugow

Daniel L. Miller

Esther Lisk, age 93, a resident of Grantsburg, died July 29, 2007, at Burnett Medical Center Continuing Care Center. Services are pending at this time. A full obituary will follow at a later date. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with the arrangements.

William “Bill” Klugow, age 58, a resident of Swiss Township, Danbury, died suddenly Saturday, July 28, 2007. Visitation was held Tuesday, July 31, at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Aug. 1, at Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park, Danbury. Interment followed at Swiss Cemetery.

A full obituary will follow at a later time.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.

Daniel L. Miller, 63, of Balsam Lake, died on July 30, 2007, in his home surrounded by his family.

Dan was born on May 25, 1944, in Danville, Ill., to Daniel B. and Georgia (Hibler) Miller.

Daniel attended Fhorton High School in Harvy, Ill. He joined the Army in 1961.

Daniel was a police officer for East Hazel Crest Police Department for 10 years. He also managed a men’s clothing store for five years. He worked as a brakeman, switchman and rail test operator for Illinios Central and Rock Island Railroad. He drove truck for 19 years for Lenerts Trucking Lines and worked surveillance for St. Croix Casino in Turtle Lake for five years. He also worked for Bishops Fixture and Millwork for 12 years as a cabinet maker/installer.

Daniel married Wendy Louise (Rundhaug) Johnson on July 27, 1996, at their home in Balsam Lake.

Daniel loved to play the guitar, he participated in a band with Carl Peters, and the band the Studebakers.

He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and just being outdoors. Daniel and Wendy showed their love of family with many foster children.

He is survived by his wife, Wendy; his father, Daniel B. Miller of Ill.; children, Mark (Jolene) Miller, Daniella Miller, Laura Miller and Jason Miller; sisters, Connie (Dennis) Kolodize and Theresa (Paul) Deem; brother, James Milller; brothers-in-law, Sever (Judy) Rundhaug, Bruce (Wendy) Rundhaug and Brad (Kay) Rundhaug; stepchildren, Joshua, Zachary and Toya Johnson; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother.

Funeral services for Daniel will be held on Thursday, Aug. 2, at 11 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake. Visitation will be on Wednesday at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria from 4 - 7 p.m. and again at the church one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Bunyan Cemetery in Georgetown.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria was entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Michael Steven Piel Michael Steven Piel, 20, St. Croix Falls, died July 27, 2007.

Michael was born at St. Croix Falls Hospital in Wisconsin on June 4, 1987, to Joe and Kelly Piel. He was welcomed home by his four siblings; Tracy, Sarah, Jody and Jay. Michael began school at Taylors Falls in 1992 and transferred to Unity Elementary soon after. During his elementary and junior high school years, he enjoyed wrestling, swimming, playing football, learning French, and began his love for the outdoors. Michael graduated in May of 2005 from Unity High School.

Mike is survived by parents, Joe and Kelly Piel of Milltown; siblings, Tracy and Brandon Johnson of Shafer, Minn., Sarah and Jason Nelson of Chisago City, Minn., Jody Piel and Patrick Banford of Palm Springs, Calif., and Jay and Kelley Piel of Sioux Falls, S.D.; seven nieces and nephews, Tony, Thomasia, Alex, Bailee, Morgan, Jasmine and Trae.

Michael was working at Dressel Construction running the rock crusher. He loved the outdoors. His contagious smile and laughter filled a room.

His love for life was reflected whether he was hunting and fishing with his dad, his nephew Tony, and friends; golfing with his mom; playing with his younger nieces and nephews; getting a free meal from his older sisters Tracy and Sarah; visiting his sister Jody in California; or wrestling around with his Dad and his brother Jay. Visitation was held on Tuesday, July 31, at Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria. The funeral service was at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake on Wednesday, Aug. 1.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria was entrusted with the funeral arrangements

Beulah A. Volker Beulah A. Volker, age 103, a resident of Thayer, Mo., formerly of Siren, died July 28, 2007. Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 3, at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Siren Chapel, at 11 a.m. A visitation will be held prior to services from 10-11 a.m. interment will follow at Siren Lakeview Cemetery.

Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Siren, was entrusted with the arrangements.

Muriel E. Fossum Muriel E. Fossum, age 86, a resident of Rice Lake, died July 29, 2007, at Heritage Manor in Rice Lake. Services are pending at this time. A full obituary will follow at a later date. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with the arrangements.

Arthur Bruce Arthur Bruce died on July 23, 2007.

He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; children, Kenneth (Patricia) Bruce, Susan (Richard) Bauer, Sherree (Ronald) Nordin and Jeffrey (Cindy) Bruce. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service for Arthur Bruce, 82, of Eau Claire, formerly of Danbury and Stillwater, Minn., will be Sunday 2 p.m. at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center in Stillwater, Minn. Private interment was at Fairview Cemetery.

The Bradshaw Celebration of the Life Center, Stillwater, was entrusted with arrangements.

William Kenneth Hodapp Jr. William “Bill” Kenneth Hodapp Jr., died unexpectedly on July 20, 2007, at Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park, Kan. He was 55 years old.

William Kenneth Hodapp Jr. was born Sept. 2, 1951. Bill was a devoted husband and father.

He is survived by his wife, Mickie; and three sons, Ryan, Pat and Tom. His boyhood adventures were in Spotswood, N.J., with his mom and dad, Helen (Kolb) and William Kenneth Hodapp Sr. “Skip” learned his ABCs-123s at Birchall Elementary School in Spotswood and graduated from South River High School in 1969. He furthered his education at Newark College of Engineering and RCA Institutes.

On a jaunt to Wisconsin, “Skip” fell in love, and on Aug. 30, 1975, married Michele “ Mickie” Ryan. He was never one to miss an anniversary, birthday, Scout activity, recital, school function or ballgame. Bill made sure his family had the husband and father he was denied at the age of 10.

Bill shared his wit, wisdom, time and talents with his sons and youth across the community as Scoutmaster for Troop 282, Leawood United Methodist Church and Acolyte Master of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

In the Grantsburg area, Skip will be missed especially by mother-in law, Virginia Ryan, and Ryan brothersand sisters-in-law, Mitch and Sherry, Murray, Marshall and Beth, as well as Mike and Marilee in Anchorage, Alaska, Mark and Brenda in Christainburg, Va., and Matt and Maureen in Prescott, in addition to 33 nieces and nephews. Condolences may be addressed to Michele Hodapp Family at 4016 W. 100th Place, Overland Park, Kansas, 66207. Michele is a niece of Jim and Marge Ryan in Frederic, and cousin to their children.

Memorial services will be held at Leawood United Methodist Church, 2915 W. 95th Street, Leawood, KS on Thursday Aug. 2, 2007.

In lieu of flowers, consider contributions to the Phil Bergman Award, Troop 282, Leawood United Methodist Church, Leawood, Kan., the American Heart Association or a charity of personal choice.

The D. W. Newcomers and Sons/Johnson County

Verna E. Smith Verna E. Smith, 94, formerly of Clam Falls, died Friday, June 29, 2007, at the Molalla Manor, a high-skilled nursing center in Molalla, Ore. Verna was born on Jan. 7, 1913, to William and Louise Grummons, in White Rock, Roberts County, S.D. They moved from there to Grantsburg and then to Clam Falls in 1920. She attended Shady Dell School in Lorain Township. She married Kenneth Smith in 1935. They made their home in Minneapolis for a while before moving onto a farm southeast of Clam Falls.

To this union three children were born: Gerald, Ila and Joel.

Kenneth passed away in 1951 and Verna continued to farm and raise her family there. After her children were grown and on their own, she worked in Minneapolis for several years for the Caterpillar Co., just coming home weekends and rented her farmland out. After retirement, she returned to the farm and stayed there until her health wouldn’t allow her to stay by herself any longer. About 14 years ago she went to Oregon, where several of her family lived.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; daughter, Ila Jorde; grandson Steven Jorde; daughter-in-law Barbara (Bobbie) Smith; brothers, Lloyd and George Grummons and sisters, Velva White and Vernell Johnson.

She is survived by sons, Gerald (Deborah) Smith of Oregon, Joel (Barbara) Smith of Texas; eight grandchildren; 13 greatgrandchildren; four greatgreat-grandchildren; sister Valoris Strenge of Kansas City, Mo., and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her remains were cremated and a memorial service was held at Lorain Cemetery near Indian Creek on July 2, where her ashes will be buried in her family plot.

The Rowe Funeral Home of Frederic assisted the family with arrangements.

AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 27

CHURCH NEWS UWM of Siren treated those over 75

Let it rain I spent some hot days near Phoenix recently, just as the area approached its “monsoon” season. But monsoon or not, they’ve experienced record-breaking heat and dryness for months.

The land is parched here in the upper Midwest, too. Even with the recent rain, we’re still considered in a drought.

The creek on my property is bone dry, and every morning, my garden fountain is down a couple inches so I know PERSPECTIVES the raccoons and other critters have come to drink during the night. Distressed trees are losing some of their chlorophyll so some of the leaves, now red, are falling. Wild berries are drying on the vine and that means hungry bears. Lawns are becoming brittle to the touch. Hay is turning yellow. Vegetables are withering, reluctant to mature. And we can water only so long and so much before wells go dry and reservoirs are depleted.

Drought affects everything. It affects the quality and quantity of food for humans and animals alike. It affects our finances. It affects our health and our emotional well-being.

Our spiritual lives are affected, too, because drought comes not only in the physical form, but the spiritual. When we are not watered by the Word of God and his presence, we can become dry as dead bones. A speaker once said that we often hold figurative umbrellas over our heads that prevent the rain of God’s blessings to fall upon us. Our umbrellas may consist of fear, anger, unbelief, or the unwillingness to move out of our comfortable situations. We may hold our umbrellas tightly, afraid that change will disrupt our lives.

We may move them just enough to feel a mist of God’s goodness even while content to keep our lives on the same keel.

But eventually, we’ll dry up—becoming either droopy in languor or brittle in bitterness. Then we’ll cry out for water—the water of God’s Word. Eventually, the drought must end or we will die.

God wants us to cry out for his Living Water, Jesus Christ.

He wants us to close our self-imposed umbrellas so he can freely, abundantly, pour down his love and blessings upon us. Not in a trickle, but in a waterfall, for he is “abundant in mercy to all those who call upon (him).” (Psalm 86:5) His blessings of love, peace, righteousness, and joy are guaranteed to refresh anyone who is spiritually wilted, brittle, or bone dry.

Lord, we believe that the rain of your Word and presence can refresh us. Make us so thirsty for it that we will be compelled to drink it in every day and be revived. In the name of Jesus, our Living Water. Amen.

(Mrs. Bair may be reached at sallybair@gmail.com)

Sally Bair

ETERNAL

News from the pews at Pilgrim Lutheran Church FREDERIC – This past Sunday, the Klawitter family brought their special music for Sunday morning worship service. Randy on the guitar and singing along with his wife, Renee, on the mandolin and singing along with daughter, Caitlyn, sang a wonderful song about God’s love for us. The whole family, including Ethan, Brianna and Caleb joined in on the last song entitled “The Sweet Bye and Bye.” Pastor Catherine had been on vacation for a week while her parents were here visiting. She introduced our new director of music, Joshua Rau to the congregation. Rau married his high school sweetheart, Ami, and they have a daughter Olivia. Before moving to Frederic, they lived in St. Paul, Minn., where he was Director of music at Knox Presbyterian Church. We welcome them into the community. More information will be coming as to when choir rehearsal will begin, and anyone who loves to sing is more than welcome to join.

Vacation Bible school started Sunday evening with registration and a family campfire complete with s’mores. VBS will continue every afternoon from noon till 4 p.m., the last day will be Thursday, Aug. 2. The theme is The Great Bible Reef which will have the children swimming with delight as they explore all of God’s creation under the sea! Many members of the congregation have volunteered to be teachers and Pastor Catherine will be the deep sea storyteller. The students will create cool crafts, sing fun songs and play zany games.

Many members will be attending the 19th-annual Quilt and Craft Auction at Luther Point Bible Camp on Sunday, Aug. 12. Worship service at 11 a.m., pig roast will be served about noon and the auction starts at 1:15 p.m. Several ladies have been working hard on various items to be donated to the auction, including a twin-size quilt just right for someone going off to school.

Mark your calendar to attend the harvest dinner on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. The menu includes roast pork loin, bread stuffing and applesauce, whipped potatoes and gravy, buttered corn, coleslaw, tomatoes and cucumbers, assorted pickles, buns and homemade apple or pumpkin pie.

The members of Pilgrim are excited about this communitybuilding project for the church. The proceeds from the event will be applied to the line of credit that the church has with Bremer Bank and there will be matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Pilgrim invites all to attend Sunday morning worship service at 9 a.m. For more information call the church office at 715-327-8012 or go to their Web site www.pilgrim lutheran.org. - submitted

The United Methodist Women of Siren United Methodist Church treated its over 75 age members to a luncheon at the church Tuesday, July 31. The mystery devotion leader for the program after lunch turned out to be Gail Ward, wife of the church’s previous pastor, Steve Ward. Ward asked those attending to pick which grape they feel themselves to be, a behind-the-scenes green grape or a leader-in-the-forefront red grape, and to write the fruit they wish to dedicate to God or write a prayer request for God to reveal what he might ask them to do to bear fruit for him. – Photo by Nancy Jappe

Children’s Remembrance Service set MILLTOWN - North Valley Lutheran Church of rural Milltown on CTH G by 200th Street is hosting its second-annual Children’s Remembrance Service on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 4 p.m. The featured speaker will be The Rev. Ida Iverson of Iron River, whose son, Lars, was killed in an accident when he was 3 years old. The Rev. Iverson previously lived in Balsam Lake.

Pastor Maggie Isaacson of North Valley had a nephew die in 2002 when he was 16 years old. Since then, she has been acutely aware of many people whose child has died, and how this death impacts the entire family. The Remembrance Service provides a way to remember your loved one. A mother who at-

tended last year said it felt comfortable and supportive to be there, because everyone attended for the same reason...to remember a child dear to you.

Those attending are encouraged to bring a flower to add to a bouquet of remembrance. A freewill offering will be taken for Faith’s Lodge, opening Aug. 1 in Webster. Faith’s Lodge serves couples and families who have a child with a life-limiting condition or have experienced the loss of a child within the past three years.

Please attend this service for a worship opportunity to pay tribute to your loved one. For further information, please contact Pastor Maggie at North Valley at 825-3559. – submitted by Mary Krull

VBS set at Frederic Evangelical Free Church FREDERIC – Frederic Evangelical Free Church wants to invite children of all ages to this year’s Vacation Bible School, Aug. 5-10, 6-8 p.m. The theme of the week is SonForce Kids: Special Agents. They will explore out-of-this-world adventures while enjoying Bible stories, lively songs, hilarious skits, creative crafts and more! The children will also learn how to have

courage to serve as God’s special agents! Classes are available for prekindergarten through sixth grade.

There is also a sports camp for grades 7-12. Register on Sunday night at the church. Call the church for more information at 715-327-8767. Frederic Evangelical Free Church is located at 505 Old CTH W, Frederic. – submitted

Community Bible School starts Monday in Siren SIREN – Each year, for about the past 20 years, children in the Siren community have gathered at one of the four churches for a week of summer vacation Bible school. This year’s school starts Monday, Aug. 6, and runs through Friday, Aug. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon each day. A program will be held on the last day, starting at 11:30 a.m.

The sessions will be held at Siren United Methodist Church on First Avenue, Siren, between Bradley and Johnson streets.

The theme for this year is Lift Off, soaring to new heights with God. “Everything will look different

come Monday morning,” director Mary Yambrick told the staff as they gathered for a planning session at the church Monday, July 30.

According to Yambrick, there will be at least 20-25 staff members, coming from all four community churches. Attendance for the school is expected to be between 75 and 100, with the average being 98 in past years.

“There will be snack people, craft people, teaching staff and recreational staff,” Yambrick said. “It takes a lot of people to do this.” – Nancy Jappe

Staff of the Siren Community Vacation Bible school met for a planning session Monday morning, July 30, at Siren United Methodist Church, the location of this year’s Bible school. The staff includes (L to R): Evelyn Weber, Gayle Nielsen, Joyce Highstrom, Judy Roe, Andy Bollant, Mary Carlson, Sharon Marz, Maddie Berglund, Mary Yambrick (director), Kathy Drinkerd and Mary Stewart. Judy Aadalen, seated between Drinkerd and Stewart, cannot be seen in the photo. Not pictured: Bonnie Cain, Angie Chelmo and Kristin Koslowski. – Photo by Nancy Jappe.

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

CHURCH NEWS Pointing out other parents’ faults is risky proposition Q: I have a friend whose children drive me crazy.

They are the most undisciplined brats I've ever seen.

We can't even talk when they are around. I would love to help my friend with a few disciplinary tips.

How can I do this without offending her?

DR. DOBSON: When you want to point out a flaw or shortcoming in someone else's behavior or character, you do it the way porcupines make love: very, very carefully. Otherwise, you're likely to lose a friend.

Pointing out parenting mistakes in others is even riskier. You're liable to get your ears pinned back for trying it even when your motives are honorable and you have a child's interest at heart. That's why I never offer unsolicited advice about other people's children, no matter how badly I think it is needed.

If you insist on telling the other mother what she doesn't want to hear, let me suggest that you first invest some time and effort in your friend. When a relationship of confidence has been carefully constructed, you'll have earned the right to offer her some gentle advice.

There are no shortcuts to this process.

••• Q: If it is natural for a toddler to break all the rules, should he be disciplined for routine misbehavior?

DR. DOBSON: Everything depends on how misbehavior is defined. Toddlers get in trouble most frequently because of their natural desire to touch, bite,

taste, smell and break everything within their grasp. However, this "reaching out" behavior is a valuable means of learning and should not be inhibited.

I have seen parents punish their 2 year olds throughout the day for simply investigating their world. This squelching of normal curiosity is not Dr. James fair to the youngster. It seems foolish Dobson to leave an expensive trinket where it will tempt him, and then scold him for taking the bait. If "little fat fingers" insists on handling the china cups on the lower shelf, it is much wiser to distract him with something else than to discipline him for his persistence. Toddlers can't resist the offer of a new plaything. They are easy to interest in less fragile toys, and parents should keep a few alternatives available for use when needed.

When, then, should the toddler be subjected to mild discipline? When he openly defies his parents' very clear commands! If he runs the other way when called, purposely slams his milk glass on the floor, dashes in the street when being told to stop, screams and throws a tantrum at bedtime, hits his friends these behavior patterns should be discouraged. Even in these situations, however, harsh punishment is unwarranted. It is never appropriate! A few minutes sitting on a chair will usually convey the same message as convincingly.

Without watering down anything I have written

FOCUS ON THE

FAMILY

about discipline, it should also be understood that I am a firm believer in the judicious use of grace (and humor) in parent child relationships. In a world in which children are often pushed to grow up too fast, their spirits can dry out like prunes beneath the constant gaze of critical eyes. It is refreshing to see parents temper their harshness with a measure of "unmerited favor." Likewise, there's nothing that buoys every member of a family quite like when laughter and a light hearted spirit pervades the home.

••• Dr. Dobson is founder and chairman of the board of the nonprofit organization Focus on the Family, P.O. Box 444, Colorado Springs, CO. 80903; or www.family.org. Questions and answers are excerpted from "The Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide" and "Bringing Up Boys," both published by Tyndale House.

COPYRIGHT 2007 JAMES DOBSON INC., DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE 4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; 816-932 6600.

Brought to you by:

Luck and St. Peter’s Lutheran Churches Luck

Summerfest events at Siren Covenant Church SIREN – Saturday, Aug. 4, the men of the Siren Covenant Church will sponsor a food booth at the Siren Crooked Lake Park during the Summerfest Art Show.

Brats and hot dogs will be on the grill and tacos in a bag and homemade goodies will be available. They will be at the park early and invite you to stop by for a refreshing drink, snack or a noon meal.

Saturday evening at 7:07 p.m., the worship team of

Siren Covenant will host PM Praise. Powerful praise, powerful music, powerful message, pleasing the Master. Everyone is welcome to a night of contemporary praise.

Sunday, Aug. 5, the church will host their third-annual Summerfest Concert at 3 p.m. Hometown talent from Siren will feature the popular men’s quartet, Harmonic Balance; and family quartet, The Daniels Four. A

varied program to inspire with and gospel and traditional music will be presented. Also from Siren, John “Babe” Anderson will entertain with original humor, bound to make people laugh and be glad they came. A freewill offering will be taken for the building fund.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Salad and pie supper to follow. – submitted

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AUGUST 1, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 39

Polk County Fair • 2007

As the sun began to set, the lights began to come on at the midway at this year’s Polk County Fair, also marking a drop in temperature. It was sunny and hot for all four days of this year’s fair.

- Photo by Gary King

Watching the llama show from above.

BELOW: Terry Davolt, known as T-Texas Terry, brought his wild and wacky family humor to the Redwood Deck on Friday and Saturday. - Photos by Gary King

ABOVE: The 4-H St. Croix County Youth Choir performed at the fair Friday. The choir is also open to interested Polk County youth.

LEFT: Even the tiniest Polk County resident gave the pedal tractor pull a try on Friday. - Photos by Julie Holmquist

County fairs are for the young and young at heart - and scenes like this remind older fair-goers of their younger days, when a fair meant an opportunity to enjoy the final days of summer vacation with friends and family. This group of young people were waiting for the tractor pull event to begin. Above, center, the roaming fair clown chats with visitors near the administration building. - Photos by Gary King

PAGE 40 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- AUGUST 1, 2007

AUGUST

WEDNESDAY/1 Amery

• Senior Center potluck at 6 p.m. in North Park pavilion. Bring a dish to pass. Entertainment by the “Fourtunes.”

THURS. - SUN./2 - 5

Coming events

Spooner

St. Croix Falls

• Extra Sunday morning breakfast, at the American Legion Post 143, 7 to 11 a.m.

• “Barefoot in the Park” by Neil Simon, 2 p.m., at the Festival Theatre.

Voyager Village

Siren • Lions Club BBQ, beginning at 11 a.m., Crooked Lake Park. Call 715-349-7399 for more info.

• Syren Area Garden Club 2nd-annual garden tour, noon-4 p.m. Call 715-349-8386 for more info.

• Annual Summerfest Concert, at Siren Covenant Church, 3 p.m.

THURSDAY/2 Amery

• Senior Center poker at 1 p.m.

Balsam Lake • American Legion Post #278 & Auxiliary meet, 7 p.m., at the hall in Pine Park.

MON. - FRI./6-10 St. Croix Falls

Frederic

• Kid’s Summer Art Camp at Lamar. 715-8254599 or 715-825-2101, ext. 3510 for information.

• 500 cards, 6:30 p.m., at the senior center.

St. Croix Falls

Siren

• Bloodmobile, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the SC Regional Medical Center. Call 651-465-5543.

• Senior Center, exercise by YMCA 10-11 a.m.; Skipbo at 11 a.m.; crafts at 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 500 cards at 6:30 p.m.

• “Moonlight & Magnolias” comedy by Ron Hutchinson, 2 and 7:30 p.m. performances at the Festival Theatre.

• Vacation Bible school 9 a.m.-noon, at the United Methodist Church, for pre-K to sixthgraders. Contact the church at 715-349-2204 or Mary Yambrick at 715-349-5660 for info.

MONDAY/6 Frederic

• Spades, 1:30 p.m., at the senior center.

Spooner

Lewis

• Alternative Cash Grain Crops Field Day 10:30 a.m.-noon, at the Ag. Research Station.

Call 715-635-3735 for more info.

• Wisconsin Hunter Education course starts at South Fork Sporting Club. Call 715-653-4253 for more info.

FRI. - SUN./3 - 5 Amery

Milltown Seeds project from the center of a dandelion plant. - Photo by Mary Hedlund

Siren

FRIDAY/3 Amery

• Senior Center birthday party at 11 a.m.

RSVP at 715-268-6605.

St. Croix Falls • Senior Center bingo, 1-3 p.m.

• “Moonlight & Magnolias” comedy by Ron Hutchinson, 7:30 p.m., at the Festival Theatre.

Siren • Nuto Band performance, 7-10 p.m. in the Lakeview Event Center. Fundraiser for the band shell in Crooked Lake Park.

SAT. & SUN./4-5 Luck

Comstock • Northwest Wisconsin Graziers Network, sponsored pasture walk, 1-3 p.m. Call 715-6353506 or 715-485-8600 for more info.

Cumberland • Dale’s Twin Pines Tractor Pull, 11 a.m. Call 715-822-2554.

Danbury • BBQ Fest, at Forts Folle Avoine, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 715-866-8890 for more info.

Dresser • 10th-annual Pig Roast, 4:30-7 p.m. rain or shine at the Bethesda Lutheran Church.

Frederic

SATURDAY/4 • An Evening of Chamber Music, 7:30 p.m. at The Northern Lakes Center for the Arts.

Grantsburg

Amery Atlas

• Bake & Thrift Sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the United Methodist Church.

• 3rd-annual Cushing American Legion Post

• Swedish Club Picnic at Stanley & Donna Berg residence, 6 p.m. For details call 715-8252312 or 715-268-2151.

St. Croix Falls #269 Kids Day, Atlas Park, noon.

• Cards & bingo, 1 p.m., at the senior center.

No share-a-lunch.

• Class of 1967 reunion, at Coon Lake Park, potluck at 1 p.m. Call 763-862-7609 or 715-6434420 for more info.

• 100th Anniversary Celebration for Zion Lutheran Church. 715-472-8066.

Dresser • All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast, 8 a.m.-noon, at the VFW Hall. Sponsored by Dresser & St. Croix Falls Area VFW Post #4186.

• New Dawn and afternoon program, 9 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Followed by potluck.

• Village Players Community Theatre, at the Village Stables, Thurs. & Sat. dinner theatre and Sun. is matinee. Contact Colleen Johnson, 715635-2501 for more info. .

• Summerfest Days, Crazy Days, sidewalk sales, arts & crafts, queen pageant. Call 715349-7399 for more info.

Cushing

• Heartsong Quartet, 7 p.m., at Skonewood Christian Retreat Center.

Falun

• Jack Pine Savage Days, music, food, games, rides, sales, farmers market, etc. More info call chamber of commerce 715-635-2168 or www.jackpinesavagedays.com.

• Bluegrass/Gospel Fest, at the high school, Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.

Call 715-268-7486.

SUNDAY/5

• Women of the ELCA, Apple River Conference Annual Retreat, at Luther Point Bible Camp, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Make reservations with Mary Nelson, 715-825-2239.

• Senior Center art group, 9:30 a.m.

Osceola • NRA Safety & Firearm Educaton Camp, hosted by Osceola Rod & Gun Club, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 715-294-4112 for more info.

• Songs I Want Played at My Funeral program, 7:30 p.m., at the ArtBarn. For more info, 715-294-2787 or www.stcroixartbarn.com.

St. Croix Falls • “Barefoot in the Park” by Neil Simon, 7:30 p.m., at the Festival Theatre.

Siren • Annual Coin Show, sponsored by Fishbowl Wooden Nickel Coin Club, at the senior center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Contact John Biver 715-468-2012 for details.

• 2nd-annual Youth in the Outdoors, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Coyland Creek.

• 5th-annual Women’s Expo, at Northwoods Crossing Event Center, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 715472-9569 for more info.

• Class of 1977 Reunion, at Coyland Creek, 5 p.m. Call 715-349-8190.

SUN. - THURS./5 - 9 Luck

• Bone Lake Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School, 5-8:30 p.m. For ages 3-103. For more info call 715-472-2535 or e-mail bllcoffice@lakeland.ws.

TUESDAY/7 Clam Falls

• Coffee hour 9 a.m., at Clam Falls Lutheran Church.

Dresser

• National Night Out potluck, 6 p.m., sponsored by the Neighborhood Watch Group, at the community hall. Call 715-294-2005.

St. Croix Falls • Senior Center, exercise by YMCA 10-11 a.m.; Skipbo at 11 a.m. and 500 cards and dominos at 12:30 p.m.

Siren • National Night Out free picnic at Crooked Lake Park, 5 p.m.

WED. - SUN./8 - 12 Rice Lake

• “The King & I”, at Northern Star Theatre Co. Wed.-Sat, 7 p.m. and Sun., 2 p.m. Call 715-7364444 for more info.

WEDNESDAY/8 Frederic

• Outdoor Mass St. Dominic and Immaculate Conception Catholic Churches at the Coon Lake Park, 6 p.m. Call 715-755-3627 for more info.

Follow the Leader.

A field of sunflowers provides for a picturesque setting at this rural Frederic farm. - Photo by Gregg Westigard