Leader|jan 16|2008

W E D N E S D AY, J A N U A RY 1 6 , 2 0 0 8 • V O L U M E 7 5 • N O . 2 1 • 8 , 0 0 0 C O P I E S • S E C T I O N A

• Sleigh parade @ Frederic • Snowshoe hike @ Grantsburg • Military family event @ Spooner • Chili fundraiser @ Frederic • Prayer vigil @ Webster • Chili cookoff & silent auction @ SCFalls • See Coming events and stories

Leader INTER-COUNTY

WEEKEND WATCH:

Serving Northwest Wisconsin

Underage party reported to police

the-leader

.net

$1

The scoop

Allegation of rape made

PAGE 2

Man caught in act of making meth

Webster meth lab bust results in arrest of two men PAGE 15

Grantsburg Legionnaire loses battle with cancer

Bill Janson joined the local Legion post in 1958 PAGE 2

County considers GAM sale Tuesday

Special county board meeting called to consider offer to buy nursing home PAGE 6

Five years in prison for Siren man

Doug Nyren sentenced for second-degree sexual assault of child PAGE 3

Mosay’s insanity plea rejected

Two-and-a-half-year old homicide case nears resolution; sentencing scheduled PAGE 5

Mason Beltrand takes a break from shoveling snow to watch his older brother, Ethan, take part in the WSA Kids Pro Ice Racing event held on Clam Lake this past Saturday. More photos in Currents section. - Photo by Raelynn Hunter

I N S I D E Memories live on for Siren man

Lila turns 100

Currents feature

Currents Page 14

Webster’s Thill sets school scoring record!

SPORTS Page 17

The Inter-County Leader is a cooperative-owned newspaper

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

Leader

Serving Northwest Wisconsin

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

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

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Grantsburg Legionnaire loses battle with cancer Bill Janson joined Grantsburg Legion post in 1958

by Nancy Jappe GRANTSBURG – Death came Sunday afternoon, Jan. 13, for Bill Janson, a resident of Grantsburg and a 49-year active member of the Brask-FossumJanke American Legion Post 185.

According to his daughter, Kathy Josephson, Janson had been battling cancer for over a year.

“He gave a good fight,” Josephson said.

Bill Janson funeral The service for Janson will be held Friday, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Grantsburg. Visitation will be at Edling Funeral Home, Grantsburg, Thursday, Jan. 17, from 5-8 p.m.

Josephson described her dad as a “kidder” and “someone who would do anything for anyone.” Janson and his wife, Gayle, grew up in southwestern Minnesota; he in Janesville near Mankato; Gayle in Albert Lea. They met after Gayle became good friends with

Janson’s sister, married and had eight children, five boys and three girls. Two of the boys have died.

Janson’s American Legion activities included membership in the legendary 40 & 8, where he served for three years as district cheminot; Post 185 commander in 1981 and 1982 and life member of the Post Commanders Club; Post 185 adjutant/financial officer for eight years; county adjutant for several years; District 12 adjutant from 1983-85; district chaplain for eight years; and sergeant-atarms at the state level.

“He was a very dedicated and longtime American Legion member,” commented past state Commander Bob Thomas, member of the Lund-Brown American Legion Post 132 in Siren.

“He was a good Legionnaire,” said fellow Post 185 member Andy Anderson.

“We always got along good. There was a gang of us who always went to state and district conventions and county meetings.”

According to Anderson, Janson was working as a machinist for World Aerospace in Minneapolis, before he and Anderson were employed at the same company, D. W. Onan, in St. Paul, Minn.

The two were among five men from the Grantsburg area who rode back and forth to work together, 80 miles each way, sharing the driving responsibilities.

Anderson joined Post 185 in 1958, and signed Janson up as a member the following year. “We always did things

A little time and a shovel

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Underage party reported to police; rape alleged ST. CROIX FALLS–A party involving approximately a dozen juveniles in St. Croix Falls is being investigated. It took place on New Year’s Eve, and the police department was called a week after the fact to investigate for possible citations of underage drinking.

An allegation of rape at this party was also made to the St. Croix Falls Police Department.

At this time, Police Chief Jack Rydeen stated the sheriff’s department is helping the police department with the investigation, which could take a couple of weeks to do backtracking since it was reported after the fact. Rydeen said at this time, the juvenile party, “Is not a rumor, there was a party,” and that is all he can confirm at this point until the investigation is complete.

–Tammi Milberg

Sloper nominated to return to vacated trustee seat

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together. He was always there to help,” Anderson said. The two men, along with fellow Legionnaire John Bruzek, had charge of the Legion ham dinner each year. Janson also helped with Legion fishing contests.

Gayle Janson’s goal is to become commander of the Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary. She is already in the chain of command, with about two years remaining before she would fill that top position. “I think that will keep her going,” Josephson said.

In addition to his dedication to the American Legion, Bill Janson was a lover of model trains. His train layouts took up all of the family home’s basement except for Gayle’s laundry area.

Every year for the past 10 years, he invited kindergartners from Grantsburg Elementary School in to watch the trains in action.

“I regret I wasn’t there to see the trains,” said Myrna Leef, employee in the Leader’s Siren office. “He is going to be missed.”

A handmade slide graces the yard at this home on Vincent Street in St. Croix Falls. It is located on the big corner before the St. Croix Regional Medical Center, heading toward downtown. This slide is constructed out of snow and will be around as long as the cold temperatures will allow. – Photo by Tammi Milberg

VILLAGE OF MILLTOWN – Les Sloper, one of two trustees who resigned last October in wake of controversy over questionable comments made at a public village board meeting, was nominated to appear on the April ballot during the village’s caucus, Monday evening.

Sloper and Joe Castellano, both 18year board members, resigned but later apologized for the comments, some of which included the use of profanity.

Their seats, along with the one now held by trustee Dawn Ferguson, are up for election this year. Ferguson was not nominated at Monday’s caucus.

Those nominated along with Sloper were Ted Michaelson, Pay Hyden, Bob Jones, Pete Peterson and Paul Bainbridge.

Persons nominated have five days from the time of the caucus to accept or decline the nomination. Clerk Joyce Steiner said four of the five nominated – including Sloper – have agreed to have their names on the ballot. One candidate had not yet been contacted as of Tuesday morning. – Gary King and Erik Barstow

You can subscribe to the Leader online @ www.the-leader.net

Briefly

Most of us will be indoors Sunday for one of two reasons - the cold weather headed our way - and the NFC championship game between the Packers and Giants. Two questions loom. Can Brett lead the Packers to another shot at the Lombardi trophy ... and does Styrofoam cheese freeze?

••• FREDERIC – The public is invited to hear a presentation on the Kinship program at the regular meeting of the Lions Club to be held Monday, Jan. 21, at 6:45 p.m. at the senior citizens center in Frederic. A representative from Kinship of Polk County will be giving a talk on the importance of Kinship, a mentoring program that recruits and matches adult mentors with young people to offer friendship, guidance and encouragement. The meeting is open to all. For more information on the program or to become a mentor call Kinship of Polk County at 268-7980. – with submitted information ••• SPOONER - For those of you interested in taking belly dancing classes, they have come to Spooner. Joan Jakobowski is teaching belly dancing every Tuesday at the Spooner Dance Studio from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Classes are under way. It is for six sessions, and it is $60 due at the first class or $12 per individual class. Call Joan at 634-2576. - submitted ••• FREDERIC - The Star Fest 2008 Telethon to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, live from the L.E. Phillips Senior Center, and broadcasted from noon - 6 p.m on WEAU-TV. This annual event is celebrating its 28th-consecutive year of raising funds for UCP of West Central Wisconsin. The agency’s mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of more than 600 families with cerebral palsy and other neuromotor disabilities throughout a 12-county area of west central Wisconsin.

UCP of West Central Wisconsin is celebrating its 54th anniversary this year. People wishing to make a pledge to UCP who live in the Polk County area, please call volunteers from the Frederic Lions Club at 715-327-4256. – with information from UCP

Business owner is healing after snowmobile injury SIREN – Lee Helene, owner of Lee’s Sports, was involved in a snowmobile accident on Elbow Lake between 1 and 2 p.m. New Year’s Day. He is currently hospitalized at St. Luke’s Hospital, Duluth, Minn. “He is going to make it through,” was the word from his son, Mark, Tuesday morning, Jan. 15.

According to earlier information from Mark, Helene’s machine went front up, flipped over and landed on top of him.

Helene walked away from the machine, went home, and was taken by ambulance to Spooner Hospital to be checked out.

A couple days later, blood clots developed, and Helene had trouble breathing.

He went back to Spooner Hospital, and went from there to St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.

He was placed in a drug-induced coma and was on a respirator. His condition has been improving every day but, according to Mark, Helene will be in the hospital for a while yet. – Nancy Jappe

Correction:

In the election update for filings last week, it was printed that Patricia Schmidt was the single candidate on the ballot for St. Croix Falls School Board. That information should have read Patricia Mitchell. Mitchell is seeking the one vacant seat on the board currently held by Steven Bont. Mitchell is running unopposed for the seat. The Leader regrets the error and any confusion it may have caused.

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 3

Five years in prison for Siren man

Sentencing of Doug Nyren includes four years’ extended supervision following prison time for seconddegree sexual assault

by Sherill Summer SIREN – The Burnett County was crowded on Courthouse Thursday, Jan. 10, for the sentencing of Doug Nyren, 26, Siren, who had pled guilty to second-degree sexual assault of a child.

Judge Michael Gableman sentenced Nyren to five years’ in state prison.

Nyren is not eligible for earned release or the Challenge Incarceration Program. Following the five-year incarceration is a four-year extended supervision for a total of nine years.

Nyren is also to have no contact with the victim or the victim’s family. He is to provide a DNA sample, register as a sex offender and obtain sex-offender treatment.

According to the police report, during the nearly four-year time span between May 2003 and March 2007, Nyren and the now-16-year-old male

victim were engaged in multiple sexual acts. Nyren admitted in the police report that he knew he could get into a lot of trouble if they were discovered, and discovered they eventually were. Upon discovery, Nyren was Doug Nyren charged with repeated first-degree sexual assault of the same child, A felony. This charge was reduced in a plea agreement to a second-degree sexual assault of a child, Felony C, in October 2007. Nyren pled guilty to the charge at the same time.

In a case that Judge Gableman called “tragic in many respects,” both the defendant’s attorney, Adam Benson, and the district attorney, Kenneth Kutz, described Nyren as a model citizen except for this crime, and both attorneys agreed that the crime was very serious.

The victim’s mother read a statement to the court pointing out all the ways that lives of the victim and the whole family will never be the same as a result of this crime.

What Benson and Kutz did not agree on was whether or not Nyren took

responsibility for his crime and showed remorse. Benson argued that Nyren did take responsibility for the crime, never denying what happened at the time of his arrest and not dragging the case out, which would hurt the victim further. The defense asked the judge for probation with sexoffender treatment. Nyren himself read a statement, apologizing to all the people involved saying what he did was wrong. He also asked for forgiveness.

Kutz, on the other hand, pointed to a presentence evaluation conducted by the department of corrections that determined that Nyren did not show empathy for the victim or remorse for his actions. Kutz argued that because of this, Nyren was a risk to the public if he was not incarcerated.

Judge Gableman sided with the prosecution’s argument in his sentencing, calling the crime a grave offense because of the youth and vulnerability of the victim, and because Nyren obtained a position of trust in the victim’s family and then used that trust improperly for his own sexual gratification. This, Gableman concluded, spoke to Nyren’s character and resulted in a need for the protection of the public.

Siren couple stranded in midst of deadly fog, accidents

by Nancy Jappe SIREN - Howard and Phyllis Kopecky, Siren, were on their way home from visiting his mother in Illinois about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6.

The highways were in good driving condition until the Kopeckys crossed over the border into Wisconsin.

Thick fog suddenly materialized.

Phyllis, who was driving, came up behind a black car, a car she didn’t see until nearly the last minute. She was frightened because the fog was so thick, and she hadn’t realized that another car was there.

They were amazed that, even in that dense fog, when traffic resumed, people went back to driving 65 miles an hour or more. Phyllis was only going 35 mph, and didn’t feel comfortable going any faster than that. She still can’t figure out why others were taking such chances in those foggy conditions.

Feeling uneasy about the traffic ahead in her lane, Phyllis was able to move over to the next lane, following a big unmarked truck, the driver of which helped her to pull in behind him. She figured that the truck, with its big red taillights and all, would give her a better idea of what was ahead.

Then traffic on Interstate 90 stopped because of a 100-car pileup ahead. The Kopeckys were stranded in their car, on the roadway, for the next nine hours. They did have blankets and some food and water, along with opera music to listen to. There was plenty of gas in the tank, and they ran the motor from time to time to warm up.

The temperature outside was about 45 degrees. Every once in awhile, someone would come by and give them a progress report. The Salvation Army set up trucks with hot food, coffee, sodas, water, etc., for the stranded

motorists. People tried to make the best of a bad situation.

The fog was still around when traffic finally began to move again, still limiting visibility. The Kopeckys pulled into a motel for the night. They were amazed that, even in that dense fog, when traffic resumed, people went back to driving 65 miles an hour or more. Phyllis was only going 35 mph, and didn’t feel comfortable going any faster than that. According to news reports, two traffic pileups occurred that day, three miles apart. Two people were killed, and a number of people injured. The Kopeckys were in the middle of the two pileups.

Speed, not the fog, was blamed for the pileups, with drivers going 65-75 miles an hour, even with such poor visibility.

Emergency rooms seeing more who can’t afford doctor’s visit Editor’s note: This article is part of a series on Wisconsin’s working poor, produced by Wisconsin Public Radio.

STATEWIDE - Wisconsin’s emergency rooms are seeing more people who can’t afford a regular doctor’s visit. The state’s rural and urban clinics are providing care to those without enough insurance, or none at all.

The need for affordable health care in rural Wisconsin is starkly apparent at a nondescript building on Dodgeville’s main drag. Doors are open at the Community Connections Free Clinic.

The doctor hasn’t arrived, but patients from around Iowa County are already lining up.

It’s first come, first served: there are no appointments; and no guarantee the doctor will get to everyone who comes through the door. Patients of all ages wait to be seen. Fifty-six-year-old Sandra Denman can’t get Medicare yet, and next to her is a young woman who is no longer on her parents insurance.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates 30 percent of young adults ages 18 and 24 have no health insurance.

Eighteen-year-old Pam Hogan of Hollendale is one of them; she needs expensive medication for seizures.

She says she goes to school at Southwest Tech and only works once a week, if that. She says she only makes $300 a week, and her medicines cost at least $350.

W i s c o n s i n ’s Wo r k i n g P o o r The clinic depends heavily on discounts and donations. Drug makers and local pharmacies provide a small stock of common medications and limited testing can be done at a nearby hospital. Clinic director Dr. Aaron Dunn sees patients in the evening, after already working a full day at a private clinic. He says he’s not the only one. He says there are eight providers that volunteer their time and come once or twice a month. He notes that only one of the physicians participating is retired.

Community support means a lot to “Shorty” Denman. He knows what it’s like to go without the basics: he once lived in his car for six months. His health care has been sporadic, partly because he felt ill at ease in big, urban health facilities. He says he feels more comfortable in this whole area; he says of everybody one encounters in the area, “you feel like they’re human and you’re human.”

The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services estimates 7 percent of the residents in Iowa County do not have health insurance, and 18 percent have not seen a dentist in the past year.

The situation mirrors problems for those in Madison. People from many

different walks of life in the city use the federally funded Access Community Health Center health clinic. Twenty years ago, the facility used to serve many patients from southeast Asia. CEO Barbara Snell says now the new immigration wave is Hispanic. The Community Health Centers provide mental and dental services in addition to general health care. Snell says combining mental and physical services under one roof makes sense. She says often times there may be a stigma that may be attached to mental issues. She says people are more comfortable talking to their family physician than they are a mental health counselor. She says it may also be easier to tell one’s boss that they have a doctor’s appointment rather than a therapist’s appointment.

Snell says the need for free or reduced health care exceeds resources available. That’s especially true in Milwaukee, where the Wisconsin Hospital Association estimates half of all emergency room visits are not true emergencies, but preventive care.

The association’s Bill Bazan says it’s not only the poor seeking help in the ER instead of a clinic. He says people with adequate insurance come to the emergency rooms when they don’t want to schedule a clinic visit for which they’d have to wait. – Wisconsin Public Radio

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

P O L K

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

Check counterfeiter gets 31 months in prison

MADISON – A Forest Lake man who used a hotel room in Polk County as his base of operation to create counterfeit checks, was sentenced Monday to 31 months in federal prison.

Stephen J. Barthold, 44, obtained checks that had been stolen from the mail and used account information from some of the stolen checks to create falsely made and counterfeit checks.

Barthold pleaded guilty in October to conspiring to “transport interstate commerce falsely made, forged, altered and counterfeited securities.” He would travel from Minnesota to Wisconsin to pass some of the stolen checks.

He also created false identification documents in the names of the drawers of the checks to facilitate his negotiation of the counterfeit checks. He then used

the stolen checks and counterfeit checks to purchase goods and services from merchants. He passed forged checks at businesses in Polk, Barron and Marathon counties and elsewhere.

All of this took place within a onemonth period, from Aug. 17, 2005, to Sept. 27, 2005, with a Balsam Lake hotel room as his base of operation.

The charges against Barthold were the

Luck to hire administrator

New person should start in July

by Gregg Westigard LUCK – The village of Luck will be the latest local community to have a full-time administrator.

The new position, which was explained to residents in a brochure mailed to all residents, should be filled

by July. The village also holds a community meeting this evening, Jan. 16, to explain the idea.

The new administrator would be responsible for day-to-day village operations while working on long-term planning for the village. A major portion of the duties would involve attracting new businesses to the village and securing grants and other money to help the village meet its present needs and grow.

The brochure says that the village has a deteriorating street system with needs that exceed the amount that can be raised from property taxes. The administrator would seek funds for road repairs and work on projects like Main Street updating, a new industrial park, and programs to help upgrade the older homes in the community. It notes that an engineering firm secured a $500,000 grant for the village last year of which $65,000 went to the firm to administer the grant. Those funds could have stayed in the community if an administrator had been on staff to make the application, the village suggests.?

It is also stated that last summer the village lost a new firm that would have built a factory to turn wood waste from the local industry into compressed wood pellets. That business, which went to Chetek, might have come to

Luck. An administrator would work on making the village inviting to new employers.

Luck has not seen a growth in its industrial park while, over the past 10 years, neighbors including Milltown, Centuria, Siren, St. Croix Falls, Amery, and Turtle Lake have added businesses and jobs. During that time, Luck has lost Shafer Welding, Studio Works and Market Graphics.

An administrator would work to attract new employers.

The village started looking at the administrator position last summer and hired William Bell, Turtle Lake administrator, as a consultant. He delivered an extensive study of Luck’s administration and needs and was then contracted to start a hiring search for an administrator.

The administrator will not replace the

result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Polk County Sheriff’s Department and the St. Croix Falls Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attoney Robert A. Anderson. – Gary King with information from Erik C. Peterson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin

jobs done by the clerk/treasurer Kathy Hansen or the director of public works Roger Giller, each of whom is stated to have jobs with growing responsibilities and time demands. But it is projected that by shifting some responsibilities to the new position, the village could lower its overtime costs.

The administrator’s salary is projected at about $55,000 a year. With fringe benefits added, the cost to the village would be about $78,000 a year. That expense would be spread between the village general budget and the budgets of the water and sewer utilities, with each paying a third of the cost. The 2008 budget adopted last fall includes the administrator’s salary for half of the year plus the expense of hiring the person and setting up an office.

Full slate of candidates for Luck village board

Library construction proceeding on schedule

by Gregg Westigard LUCK – Residents actually showed up for the Luck Village caucus last Wednesday, Jan. 9, to help nominated candidates for the village board to run in the April 1 election.

This year, all incumbents were willing to run for re-election, and all were nominated. The April ballot will include the names of Eugene Cooper, Marsha

Jensen and Lori Pardun for the three open trustee spots. Luck had had a recent history of board retirements with new candidates not willing to step forward and accept ballot positions.

In 2006, a blank spot on the ballot resulted in a write-in candidate who refused the council seat which remained vacant for six months until Pardun accepted the office.

The council meeting took place after the caucus. Cedar Corp., the project manager for the new library, reported that work is proceeding rapidly and within budget. Don Clark was praised

by Cedar Corp. for the work he is doing

as general contractor. It was noted that the project is saving the expense of sales tax by buying building materials directly from local suppliers rather than through the project firm. In addition, the supplier, Luck Lumber, has offered a discount on materials as a donation to the library.

The village may have a new business soon. The computer firm Bri-Bri, now located in Milltown, is buying the old Market Graphics building, which was once the village theater, and plans to move the business to Luck once remodeling is completed.

Library circulation was up for 2007.

Total circulation was 32,701 compared to 25,472 for 2006. The 2007 library use is more than double the 2003 circulation count of 15,037. The village will be loosing the rent from a communications tower that possible few even noticed. A small tower on village land at the corner of 260th Avenue and 150th Street is owned by Northwestern Electric and has sat unused for two years. The company, which paid the village $500 a year in rent, has sold the tower which will be removed this spring.

POLK COUNTY – Two men face drug charges stemming from the execution of a search warrant at the house where they lived in the city of Amery.

Albert T. Schmidt, 42, and Thomas E. Humphrey, 19, were taken into custody Jan. 10 by Polk County Sheriff’s deputies after evidence found in the search of the residence at 138 Fay Street corroborated evidence obtained in undercover cocaine buys that were controlled using a confidential informant.

Schmidt faces charges of delivery of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Humphrey faces charges of delivery of cocaine, possession with intent marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia

and possession of marijuana.

Heidi A. Hecht, 18, Amery, faces a charge of possession of marijuana when police stopped a vehicle leaving the home prior to the execution of the search warrant and the driver –

Hecht – admitted to having marijuana in the vehicle.

According to a police report, the apartment they searched was being rented by Schmidt to H u m p h r e y.

During the arrests of Schmidt and Thomas E. Humphrey Humphrey

police found a vial on Schmidt that had a white residue which tested positive for cocaine. They also found 128.8 grams of marijuana in Schmidt’s dresser. Searching Humphrey’s apartment they found 212 grams of marijuana, individually bagged for sale in a shoe box along with drug debit sheets and $203 in cash. A digital scale and assorted drug paraphernalia were also taken as evidence.

On Jan. 3, a controlled cocaine buy, using a confidential informant, occurred at the residence with 3.6 grams of suspect cocaine obtained from Humphrey.

– with information from Polk County Sheriff’s Department

Men face charge of selling drugs

Albert T. Schmidt

Discipline problem on Frederic bus leads to delay

by Gregg Westigard FREDERIC – A problem on a Frederic school bus last Wednesday, Jan. 9, led to a delay in some students getting home.

School administrator Jerry Tischer gave the following statement to the Leader about the event: “On Wednesday, Jan. 9, there was an

incident that caused a delay of a bus route for approximately an hour. The driver of the bus had to deal with a situation on the bus before he could continue the route.

“The Frederic police did offer assistance to the driver, however, no laws were broken and no further law enforce-

ment action was taken. The school district is very sorry for the delay and difficulty it caused parents of the children riding the bus. The incident was investigated, and school policy was referenced and followed.”

The incident apparently grew a bit more complex because a student on the

bus used his cell phone to call a woman who lived near where the bus was parked and told her his version of what was happening. The woman called the school and then called 911. The dispatcher sent the Frederic police to the scene.

Centuria may allow ATVs on some village streets

CENTURIA – Trustees were in agreement at their regular monthly meeting Monday to allow ATVs to use some village streets – perhaps on a trial basis at

first.

The village’s street committee will be meeting to discuss the issue and will come back to the full village board at its

Feb. 11 meeting to make a recommendation.

It was noted at Monday’s meeting that Balsam Lake is allowing ATVs on

some of its streets on a trial basis. – Gary King

JANUARY 16, 2008 - 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

Three nominated to fill seats on Siren Village Board

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – Three Siren residents, Luanne Swanson, Rudy Mothes and Dave Doty, have been nominated to fill three seats on the Siren Village Board.

Swanson and Mothes are incumbents seeking another term on the board.

Doty, president of the Siren Area Lions Club, was nominated for a first term by village president Janet Hunter.

Paul Riemer declined to seek re-election to the position he currently holds on the board.

Local elections will be held Tuesday, April 1.

The monthly meeting of the village board followed the caucus. During that meeting, the board approved a public safety committee recommendation to hire Rick Lindner and Timothy Imrick as part-time police officers. “We’re not increasing the force, just replacing officers,” Police Chief Chris Sybers assured the board.

Lindner is a retired Minneapolis officer who is now living in Milltown. He has a lot of police experience but, according to Sybers, needs some training to be certified in Wisconsin.

Imrick recently graduated from school, and is certified in Wisconsin. He currently works part time for Frederic and at two other jobs. To reach his goal of being a police officer, he needs to get experience.

Three Siren residents, Dave Doty, Luanne Swanson and Rudy Mothes, were nominated at caucus Thursday, Jan. 10, to fill three open seats on the Siren Village Board. Local elections will be held Tuesday, April 1, with the presidential primary election to be held Tuesday, Feb. 19. – Photos by Nancy Jappe The board reviewed the leave agreement with police officer Andy Savage.

“I’m waiting to hear on the go. It’s been scheduled but, if there are any more delays, I am not going,” Savage said.

His leave, allowing him to work for a year as a police trainer overseas, is to start in February.

The board made a motion to accept new dates in the leave-of-absence agreement, and acknowledged that there may be a need to do an agreement with one of the other officers, depending on what Savage’s arrangements turn out to be.

Three-percent salary increases for

part-time police officers and the parttime public works employee were approved. This was inadvertently not done at the board’s December meeting, when other staff increases were approved.

The board voted to approve the recommendation from the plan commission for the industrial park street and lift station certified survey map. The board also, by roll-call vote, approved dedicating street right of way and life station property meeting property restrictions in the certified survey map.

According to Village Administrator Randy Surbaugh, “By adopting this

lage trustee, Paul Berg, were nominated for three trustee positions. Incumbent municipal judge Brian Sears was the lone candidate nominated for that position.

Unless candidates decline, their names will appear on the April 1 ballot.

With the caucus nominations com-

plete, the trustees completed the January agenda in record time. A conditional-use permit was issued to Christine Arntson for a licensed day care for four to six children. The business will be located on Sturgeon Avenue near the fairgrounds.

It was noted that the community ice

CSM and dedicating the right of way and lift-station lot, the rest of the industrial park property will not be encumbered if the village should decide to sell one of the lots.”

A motion approving Hunter, Surbaugh and Ann Peterson as village officials authorized to access the village’s $250,000 certificate of deposit with Community Bank was made. This action was required by Community Bank auditors.

The board approved the proposed wastewater treatment operating budget.

The proposed budget doesn’t include when or how rates will be raised. This is to be considered by the roads, streets and utility committee before coming to the board for action.

Cleanup of village properties is proceeding. “This year we have gotten quite a few cleaned up,” Sybers commented.

Meeting schedules for village board committees were set for: roads, streets and utilities committee – Thursday, Jan. 17, 5:30 p.m.; public safety – Thursday, Jan. 24, 4:30 p.m.; personnel and finance – Thursday, Jan. 24, 5:30 p.m.; buildings, grounds and parks committee – Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 4:30 p.m.; plan commission and board of appeals – date to be set later.

Four on ballot for 3 positions at Webster

by Sherill Summer WEBSTER – The Webster Village caucus held Wednesday, Jan. 9, produced four names for three open trustee positions and one name for the municipal judge.

Incumbents Kelsey Gustafson, Norm Bickford, Reuben Ruiz and former vil-

rink is open for use. The rink is located west of Wayne’s Foods Plus in Webster, near the ballpark. The rink is open to the public and free to use. Lights are provided for nighttime use until 10 p.m.

Judge Harrington denies Mosay’s insanity plea

by Sherill Summer SIREN – Two-and-a-half years after 41-year-old Ranell M. Johnson, Hertel, was stabbed to death in Roosevelt Township, the case surrounding the incident is nearing resolution.

Judge Eugene Harrington last week denied a plea entered on behalf of the man who stabbed Johnson – Clint S. Mosay, 22, Webster. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for March 14.

Mosay and his mother, Renee L. Mosay, were passengers in a van driven by the victim, when the stabbing occurred. Mosay, who had a history of methamphetamine use, stabbed both Johnson and his mother because they would not stop the van. After the stabbing Mosay took the van which was later recovered near Hayward. Mosay’s mother was stabbed in the neck, but survived. Johnson died at the scene, bleeding to death from eight stab wounds. Mosay was apprehended by

Hayward police near the recovered van about eight hours later.

Mosay was charged with fi r s t - d e g r e e reckless homicide, Felony B. He pleaded not guilty due to mental Clint S. Mosay disease or defect in August of 2006. The state, however, still had to prove that Mosay committed the stabbing before the “not guilty due to insanity” plea could be considered. He was deemed competent to stand trial in June of 2007, and two months later he pled guilty to the crime.

Once it was established that Mosay

did commit the crime, the court had to decide if the insanity plea would stand.

Doctors weigh in Several doctors agreed that Mosay was in the midst of a psychotic episode during the course of the stabbing that was largely due to a history of methamphetamine use. At the time of the stabbing, however, there was no recent use of methamphetamine. Mosay was released from Polk County Jail two days before the stabbing and admitted using marijuana about 25 hours before the stabbing, but not methamphetamine.

Drug testing at the time of Mosay’s apprehension confirmed this, showing traces of THC, but no methamphetamine in his system. Since a crime committed during a psychotic episode resulting from voluntary drug use does not qualify for the insanity plea, it was thought that Judge Harrington had to decide if voluntary drug use meant only

when a drug considered the cause of the psychosis is in the body or if it applied to behavior that was a result of a history of voluntary drug use as well.

Judge Harrington sidestepped the effects of methamphetamine in his ruling and concerned himself only with the marijuana use. He noted that there was no witness of psychosis apparent in Mosay until he voluntarily consumed the marijuana about 25 hours before the stabbing. After this drug use, several witnesses described him as paranoid and delusional up until the time of the stabbing. Harrington concluded that the voluntary use of marijuana caused the onset or paranoia, and he is therefore not entitled to be relieved of responsibility of his crime since his psychosis was temporary and the product of voluntary ingestion of drugs.

Mosay faces up to 60 years in prison.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

S T .

C R O I X

V A L L E Y

H E A D L I N E S

Council divided on cooperative boundary planning

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–The city has had representation in meetings with the town of St. Croix Falls regarding the cooperative boundary agreement, and annexation and future development along the Hwy. 8 corridor.

Councilman Arne Carlson, of the city of St. Croix Falls, attends the cooperative boundary agreement meetings with town representatives. The consensus of those in the cooperative boundary joint planning committee is that assistance from a professional agency is needed for actual planning to take place.

It was noted that the city and town could both use the same planning agency to accomplish this task. At the

town board’s Dec. 19 meeting, the board approved contributing $4,600 toward the cost of a planning agreement with West Central Regional Planning.

The matter came before the city to decide Jan. 14.

Discussion took place in which two council members, Darrell Anderson and Bryan Blesi, felt they needed more information before agreeing to anything and contributing funds. There were questions raised about how things would be distributed, divided and handled once the agreement and planning was in place. Carlson, who attends the meetings and reports to the council, has more information on the issue than the rest of the council, but did not have

answers to the questions Jan. 14.

Because of uncertainty, a motion by Anderson was made to deny consideration of an agreement with West Central Regional Planning. Blesi seconded the motion to deny. Anderson and Blesi voted in favor of the motion, Carlson opposed the motion and councilperson Lori Erickson abstained, without giving a reason for doing so. The motion to deny was carried 2-1.

No one from the town was present at the time this issue was discussed. The next joint committee meeting for the cooperative boundary agreement is Jan. 17.

In other business, the council approved an asbestos removal bid from

Asbestos Removal Services in Frederic for $9,152, as the low bid for the library [former Holiday building].

• Approved a topography survey by Cedar Corp for the library public plaza.

• Approved tuition reimbursement for library management, which will be determined upon completion of coursework.

• Heard the presentation from the medical center on the progress of the Lloyd Olson Surgery Center.

• Considered final design plans for State Street improvement construction and levied special assessments.

• Considered adoption of a well head protection plan.

Water main leak empties tower

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–Most St. Croix Falls residents and visitors noticed a lack of water Saturday afternoon when a watermain leak drained the water tower in a matter of minutes.

Mike Bryant, water works director, said that the city lost approximately 150,000 to 160,000 gallons of water in a matter of 40 minutes. The origin of the leak was a stubbed 8-inch line that was not properly capped. The end shot off resulting in free-flowing water until the emergency shutoff was reached. By then, Bryant said, the tower was empty.

The stubbed line is located on Pine Street by the new fire hall. It took hours for the public works crew to find the source of the leak and cap it back up securely.

“It was stubbed for future development expansion in the 1980s and looks like it was never closed off properly,”

Bryant reported. “It won’t come out of there again.”

Within a matter of a couple of hours, those who experienced their drop in pressure or no water at all, were able to have some water coming through.

Crews worked on the scene to restore the situation past 9:30 p.m.

Wrestlers at the school for a tournament were informed not to use the showers and the trickle-down effect of water loss and communication was effectively carried out according to reports at the Monday night city council meeting.

The city crew as well as Bryant was commended for their handling of the situation during the meeting when Bryant gave the council his report for the month.

Also providing the report for the council was officer Erin Murphy, who gave the police report in the absence of

Chief Jack Rydeen, who is attending training this week. Murphy presented the annual police report for 2007, which indicated that with squad car computers, officers were able to increase patrol time, arrests and citations. Citations as a rule were up from 2006 with the exception of municipal citations being down.

This was explained as being due to a change in Wal-Mart’s shoplifting policy and thefts that resulted in arrests versus citations. Traffic citations were up 45 percent as well as stops being up 28 percent. Warnings were down 11 percent.

Parking citations were up 52 percent.

Murphy also explained the department’s need for upgrades to their computer systems in the squad cars. The department earned a grant that allowed them to purchase two computers, leaving one vehicle without that capability.

However, the department is looking at a new squad to replace the 2004 Ford as

part of the department vehicle replacement program and a package for new squad computers was also discussed.

The department says the county’s system is not compatible with the city’s because the city’s equipment is outdated. It was estimated it would cost $20,000 to equip all three squads with the proper computers and it is not a budgeted item.

The council considered bids for a new police vehicle later in the agenda. The bid for Amery Ford was approved at $20,462 including the trade of the ‘04 Ford. Also included was $7,000 for equipping the new vehicle with one computer. The matter of new computers for the other two squads was not an agenda item and will come back to the council.

by Tammi Milberg TAYLORS FALLS, Minn. –A public hearing was held on the city’s proposed draft development code and draft zoning map Jan. 14 at the Taylors Falls council meeting.

The city is under a moratorium on development and since the city’s comprehensive plan was updated in 2006, the city has been working on revisions to a development code and zoning map to match the new comp plan.

After comments aired at the public hearing, it would seem that while a draft of these documents is available, the inconsistency with the comprehensive plan is still evident. The city has changed planning firms and zoning administrators during this process, which also could explain some of the bumps outlined by residents during the public hearing with respect in particular to the development code.

The council will be discussing and may take action on the code and zoning map at the Jan. 23 meeting, but legally, they could only listen to public comments Monday night without inserting an opinion or responding to any comments made.

“We will be deliberating on this Jan. 23, and we will not be getting into deliberations tonight,” explained Mayor Michael Buchite at the opening of the

public hearing.

Comments were given in general favor or as comments in general as well as those opposed to the presented drafts. Those opposed outnumbered the other comments. Clarence Nelson, resident, said he was not in favor of the development code document. Nelson said he served at several planning meetings in the beginning of the process before things were turned over to other individuals to complete. Nelson stated that from what he read in the draft development code, it should be named the Taylors Falls conservation and development code. “I take the position that the code is not ready for approval.

It should be turned down and sent back for corrections,” Nelson said. “The zoning map shows serious problems in terms of consistency with the comp plan.”

Nelson said he submitted in writing a detailed analysis for the council to review and added, “If this map were approved as it stands, it would directly undermine the core concept of the comprehensive plan.”

Others in attendance shared the sentiment that the code does not match the comp plan. Most of the positive comments were for the comprehensive plan and how well that was done.

Arguments were that most of the origi-

nal ideas and visions of the comprehensive plan were not carried out in the development code and zoning map.

One resident argued the beginning introduction paragraph of the comprehensive plan should match the beginning paragraph of the development code and it did not. A concern of the cemetery property being described as a transitional residential area with respect to the zoning map was also discussed.

Barb Young commented that she was part of the design team and involved in the very beginning of the process before it changed hands. “I think many of us who were part of this from the beginning never envisioned that area [north of the cemetery] as anything other than RC, rural countryside. You’re kind of putting those original intents ka-put.”

Young added that the downtown and preservation of what the city has there should also be looked at as well in terms of this development code and the zoning map.

Another comment from cemetery board member Diane Dedon, Shafer, was presented to the council. The concern was the north property of the cemetery on Hwy. 95 having a buffer from the cemetery. The cemetery has existed since 1854 and the historical significance as well as the privacy factor was stressed indicating that the ceme-

tery board should have been asked to provide input, whether they are from the city or not. Councilman John Tangen, who sits on the cemetery board for the council/city, stated that he recused himself from any discussion regarding the cemetery on the advice of the city attorney so he did not have any involvement in that area.

The council closed the hearing after all comment was received. A second public hearing on the zoning fees was held. This hearing had no comments in favor or against as most persons cleared the room following the close of the first hearing. The highlights of the zoning fees were two park and rec fees that are new and include park fees the city can collect in the amount of $1,450 per dwelling unit for a newly created lot, and $350 trail fees per dwelling unit for a newly created lot. These fees are collected from developers, and are used to help in costs associated with developing different types of parks and trails in the city. Many communities have park and rec fees or impact fees collected from developers in place, including St. Croix Falls across the river, who has a park and rec fee for new development in which the money collected is used strictly for parks and recreation improvements to the city.

Public hearing on code airs disapproval from some

SCF Chamber elects new board members Thursday

ST. CROIX FALLS–Thursday, Jan. 17, the St. Croix Falls Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting at Trollhaugen. At that time, chamber members will be selecting their new board members.

Leaving the board is: Kris McCormack, McCormack Dental; Karen Sciacca, Eagle Valley Bank; and Leif Bjornson, LB Artworks. There is also one vacant position open, making four seats available.

Five candidates are on the ballot.

They include: Jerry Boucher, Schoolhouse Productions; Jennifer Foster, currently of Valley Graphics, starting at Schoolhouse Productions next week; Justin Swanson, St. Croix

Floral; Teresa Jerrick, The RiverBank, and Anne Rolling, Simpler Times Ceramics. – from the St. Croix Falls Chamber

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 7

B U R N E T T

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

Grantsburg School District awaits outcome of virtual school legislation

Legislative remedy eyed

by Priscilla Bauer GRANTSBURG - The Grantsburg School Board met in closed session with legal counsel after their regular monthly board meeting Monday night to discuss and then approve joining with other districts operating online schools in filing a friends-of-the-court Amicus Brief.

The brief would lend support to the Northern Ozaukee School District’s appeal to the Wisconsin State Supreme Court on the recent ruling against the district’s virtual school, the Wisconsin Virtual Academy. Insight School, Grantsburg’s online charter school and other virtual schools could lose funding depending on the outcome of two proposed bills in the state Legislature and the court’s decision in the Ozaukee case.

The legislative action comes as a result of a complaint filed in 2004 by the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the state’s largest teacher’s union and the Department of Public Instruction against the Northern Ozaukee School District and its public charter school, the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, in an effort to shut down WIVA. Although students at WIVA are taught by licensed teachers, the complaint argued parental participation was too significant at the charter school. In March of 2006 the WEAC and DPI com-

plaint was rejected by Ozaukee County District Judge McCormack but in October of 2007 the district court decided in WEAC and DPI’s favor on appeal.

Wisconsin lawmakers will be looking at the current laws and policies which were not designed with virtual education in mind. Two bills have been introduced in the Legislature, one in the assembly and one in the senate.

Wisconsin State Rep. Luke Davis, chairman of the Assembly Education Committee and Rep. Dan LeMahieu are co-sponsoring Assembly Bill LRB 3684/5 to protect Wisconsin’s virtual charter schools. Davis said Monday if a legislative remedy is not passed into law; virtual schools will be shut down.

In a letter to all state assembly and senate members Davis stressed the important role virtual schools play in the education of students who learn better outside a traditional school setting. Davis said virtual schools provide a high quality and cost-saving alternative to parents.

The Davis and LeMahieu Bill addresses three issues raised by the court of appeals decision: Definitions regarding where the school is located, if the students are attending the school district and the role of parent involvement.

In a Jan. 10 Wisconsin State Legislature press release Davis said

New bill would keep virtual schools open MADISON - Last week, state education officials applauded a new bill that would keep virtual schools open. But the principal of Wisconsin’s largest virtual school says state Sen. John Lehman’s measure would “destroy” online learning across the state.

If made into law, the legislation would let virtual schools continue enrolling students from all over Wisconsin, but with a reduced amount of state money per student. The status of virtual schools has been uncertain after an appeals court ruling last month which said that the state’s largest one, the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, was operating illegally.

Kurt Bergland is the academy’s principal. He says right now they receive

$6,000 per enrolled student. Bergland says Lehman’s bill cuts that funding in half. He says while Lehman has the “rhetorical ability” to say that what this really does is protect online learning in Wisconsin, the effect is that it would protect online learning at a funding level where no one can afford to do an online school.

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster backs Lehman’s bill, saying it provides a solution that’s good for students, parents and taxpayers.

Bergland and the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families support a rival bill drafted by Assemblyman Brett Davis of Oregon that keeps the current funding levels. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Brian Bull)

Burnett County using new committee structure

SIREN – After months of planning the new committee structure so that the number of standing committee would be reduced, but the number of Burnett County supervisors on each committee would be increased, the new committees met this past week.

The meeting length for these new committees ran about two to 2-1/2 hours long as new chairmen and vice chairmen were chosen in each committee, and new committee members were introduced to the department heads within the committee. This is the last month that committees will approve vouchers. Instead, the committees will be presented with an overview of the various departments spending each month.

Because the committee spent much of the meeting with orientation, little action was taken. However, there were a few noteworthy items to come from this past weeks committees.

Burnett County Sheriff’s Department released 2007 numbers. Calls for service and complaints were up in 2007.

Average daily inmates were down substantially in 2007.

The land use and zoning committee plans to look again at a Burnett County sign ordinance.

Information on 2007 Burnett County health ranking was given.

2007 wildlife damage crop reimbursement rates were set.

Committee approval was given to update a runoff conservation guide and to apply for grants to publish the guide professionally.

Ro Endresen was chosen to be Burnett County’s representative to form a new multicounty association to further develop an areawide recreational-trail system. The association will develop regional trail maps and attempt to coordinate each county’s trail development with other counties. – Sherill Summer

“Virtual schools are a great educational opportunity for students in Wisconsin.

They need to remain an option for parents and students. These innovative schools are an important part of a bright future in Wisconsin’s education system.” The release goes on to outline the difference between the Davis LeMahieu Bill and the Senate bill introduced by Sen. John Lehman stating the Davis-LeMahieu Bill takes a much different approach in addressing virtual schools than the Senate’s. The DavisLeMahieu Bill focuses on correcting the issues outlined by the court of appeals decision, thereby allowing the virtual schools to remain open. Davis and LeMahieu state that Lehman’s Bill goes beyond the scope of the court decision and creates arbitrary funding levels and enrollment caps which would cripple virtual schools to the point they would be unable to function.

According to the Davis and LeMahieu release, the Lehman Bill would cut funding for virtual schools by 50 percent. Current law has virtual schools receiving only half the funding brick and mortar schools do. Davis points out a national study that shows costs to educate students similar for both virtual and brick and mortar schools.

Grantsburg Superintendent Joni Burgin will be testifying on both bills Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Burgin supports the Davis-LeMahieu Bill and looks to its passage as a way to keep the Insight School and other Wisconsin online schools operating and providing the needed learning opportunities to students for years to come. A vote is expected on the floor on Jan. 29.

The Grantsburg School District started their statewide, online charter high school several years ago with funding from a DPI grant. The Insight School of Wisconsin now serves 240 students and is projected to grow to 1,000 by the fall of 2008.

Current law bans a district from operating a charter school outside the district boundaries.

Grantsburg’s charter school, Insight School of Wisconsin, has offices in Grantsburg in the Gateway Plaza located across from the district’s elementary school.

While the Insight School enrolls students from across the state, under an agreement with Insight School, Grantsburg does not enroll students from the 39 district CESA 11 region but instead provides those students with Insight School courses at cost, allowing those students to have a virtual school experience on their own.

Burgin, Insight School Executive Director Jeff Bush and Insight School Principal Billy Beesley also plan to attend a rally sponsored by the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families in support of the DavisLeMahieu Bill. Up to 1,500 virtual school parents, students and staff from Wisconsin’s 12 virtual schools are expected to attend the rally on the capitol steps.

Both Bush and Burgin expressed their desire to keep the focus on helping students besuccessful. “The focus needs to be on the kids, giving them options to be successful. That’s what it’s all about.

They need flexibility to be able to achieve their goals,” said Bush.

Meth lab discovered in Webster Charges against two local men pending

by Sherill Summer WEBSTER – Burnett County Sheriff Dean Roland can’t remember exactly the last time the sheriff’s department has found an active methamphetamine lab in Burnett County, “It’s been years,” he said.

That changed on Tuesday night, Jan. 8, when, acting on an anonymous tip, officers would possibly find a methamphetamine lab in a garage, the Webster Police Department and Burnett County Sheriff’s Department visited a residence outside of the village limits. Sheriff Roland explained that the officers did not have enough information for a search warrant, so they performed what is called a “knock and talk,” which is when the officers come right out and say why they are there and what they are looking for.

Once at the at the residence, the officers made contact with Kelly R. Hanson, 39, Danbury, in the yard and learned that the owner of the residence, Robert A. Edwards, 51, Webster, was inside. The officers could see that there was a methamphetamine lab in the garage.

No one answered the door when the officers attempted to make contact with Edwards inside the house. However, the officers were able to see what was preoccupying Edwards. He was in the process of cooking down the pseudoephedrine needed in the manufacture of methamphetamine. In the process of viewing the activity from the outside, one officer was injured when

he inhaled the noxious fumes b l o w i n g through a fan in the window.

He was taken to the hospital in Spooner for observation.

Meanwhile, now that the officers had Kelly R. Hanson more than enough information for a search warrant, the site was secured while the search warrant was obtained.

It took about two hours to secure the warrant.

At this point, the Wisconsin Robert A. Edwards Department of Criminal Investigation took over the investigation. Burnett County does not know how much methamphetamine was recovered as of yet. Edwards and Hanson remain in custody, and charges against them are pending.

Sheriff Roland complimented everyone by saying, “It was a nice job by everyone and good coordination between the DCI, Webster Police Department, Burnett County Sheriff’s Department, St. Croix Tribal Police and the Webster ambulance and fire department.”

PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

L e a d e r

Editor’s NOTEBOOK

We b Po l l

Last week’s poll results

Total votes: 189

Who is your favorite candidate for president so far?

25%

47 votes Barack Obama

16%

30 votes John McCain

4%

7 votes Mitt Romney

29%

55 votes Hillary Clinton

26%

50 votes Other or none of above

F O R U M

How would you characterize your retirement fund?:

1. Fairly strong 2. Very strong 3. Not strong 4. Weak 5. Unless I win the lottery, I won’t have one

To take part in the poll go to www.the-leader.net and scroll to the lower left portion of page.

J o e H e l l e r

Our voting mind

t’s been an interesting presidential election so far, and some might say it’s I because of the dismal performance by one of any election’s key players.

The poll.

Election forecasts have been wrong in nearly every one of the caucuses and primaries thus far, including this week’s primary in Michigan, where Republican John McCain was supposed to defeat Mitt Romney, according to at least two different polls quoted by large media organizations.

Before that, the story in New Hampshire turned into the investigation as to how the polls could have been so wrong - off by at least 10 points - in mistakenly forecasting Obama the winner over Clinton.

Ya gotta love it. People hate being told who they are going to vote for.

And what happens in the final hours and minutes to make voters decide who to vote for, if they haven’t made up their mind already?

Did Clinton’s emotional words in New Hampshire catapult her ahead of Obama?

The psychology of voting has become a fascinating sidebar to national elections and it creates a landslide of questions.

Do we gravitate toward the underdog or go for the good looks? Do we really vote straight party lines today?

Is Oprah’s endorsement good enough for you?

Many of us will say we support candidates who reflect our values and support our stances on issues.

And some of us are one-issue voters.

Bottom-line question - can we explain our voting minds?

Some of the best writers today are average Joes who blog their way through life, sometimes commenting on the rest of us and our woes and weaknesses.

It sometimes makes for interesting reading.

A young man in his 20s recently questioned our nation’s voting mentality, asking why anyone would support a candidate simply because of their sex or color or religious ideology.

He summed that kind of thinking up as “embarrassing,” reducing the choosing of a president to a “popularity contest.”

A bit cliche, but he gets more passionate if not mundane.

“How about voting for someone who defends the Constitution?” he asks.

“How about someone with a proven track record for never raising taxes? How about voting on principle rather than emotions fueled by media human drama stories?”

“It’s time for a person of honor and trust to be president,” he wrote. “And if that person is a woman and a minority, then great!”

To those voting on shallow merits he proclaims, “I love you, man. But please don’t vote!”

Locally we notice people who get elected are usually sincere, well-meaning and brave. Tackling a truly thankless and oftentimes controversial job without the ability to be insulated from the voters like a president, for example, is courageous. Local office holders truly face their electorate on a regular basis - at the grocery store, the school music program and the post office.

And while people get elected through large family support, or perhaps the “nice guy” image and the usual “keep my taxes down” platform, there’s more of a genuine feel to local elections than the national contests.

Some may argue the right to vote comes with the right to vote for any reason at all - or for no reason at all.

That nonsensical approach is part of the excitement and drama of our present democracy.

But it never hurts to ask yourself that question of why you chose the candidate you did.

Enjoying the ride

can visualize pro football players looking a bit arthritic this Sunday Y ouafternoon at Lambeau Field where temperatures in the single digits - or

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

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 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

Senator Sheila Harsdorf 10th Senate District State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707 (608) 266-7745 • (715) 2321390 Toll-free - 1-800-862-1092 sen.harsdorf@legis.state.wi.us 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 U.S. Senator Herb Kohl 330 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510 senator_kohl@kohl.senate.gov Congressman Ron Kind 3rd Congressional District 1713 Longwirth Office Bdg. Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-5506 888-442-8040 (toll-free)

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

T h e

lower - are forecast as the Packers take on the Giants for the NFC Championship game.

These days are historic for Packer fans and Wisconsin in general - even if you simply don’t give a rip about football or who wins the Lombardi trophy a few weeks from now.

Those who indulge the sport will be subjected to countless comparisons to the Ice Bowl of ‘67 during media coverage this week. But Packer fans - young and old - won’t mind. They are relishing these days - with visions of footballs arching through the snowflakes from last weekend’s contest at Lambeau - still blitzing their brains.

They see the look of envy on the faces of those unfortunate Viking fans as frosting laces on a big chocolate football.

And pinch us all - Brett Favre is still playing.

It may not be the best team who wins Sunday, but perhaps the team with the most players who can stay limber after 10 minutes in subhuman temps. Some Packer fans are even uttering the “S word,” but most know not to count their Lombardi trophies until they hatch.

Regardless - may we all enjoy these days as a Packer fan - or just as a person who lives in Wisconsin.

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 Judgment comes from experience, and great judgment comes from bad experience.-- Robert Packwood

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JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 9

L e a d e r F O R U M Letters t o t h e e d i t o r

Your choice A recent article in a local newspaper quoted Polk County Finance Director Tonya Weinert as stating, “We’re in a situation financially where we have to be prudent and careful.” I am confused. Some members of the county board do not seem to have a problem spending taxpayer money. I know, because I attended the county board meetings in October and November.

By now everyone has received their real estate tax statements and once again, our taxes have increased. With this year’s 13percent increase in the county levy, it is bound to. But some members of the county board continue to push a new $10 million highway department building on the taxpayers. This certainly does not sound very prudent and careful to me. The only good thing about this is that this issue is going to referendum on Feb. 19, for the public to decide, thanks to the efforts of other members of the county board.

Polk County is now $49 million in debt.

The most recent $4 million came from the last budget meeting where the county board couldn’t balance the budget so they borrowed it. An additional $10 million borrowed for a new highway shop would put the county at $59 million in debt. The county has not paid anything on the principal of the loans taken out for the new jail, justice center, school and the addition on the old government center. The county board is not being very prudent and careful in this financial situation. Bonds have to be repaid, my friends. And we, the taxpayers, have to pay for them.

A clear solution to this problem is to be more fiscally responsible. I don’t understand why we need a Taj Mahal for a bunch of dump trucks. Why was the existing shop not maintained? Surely, repairs could have been budgeted, but yet, the building has fallen into disarray. Surely there is a better alternative than spending $10 million.

If you, the public, are concerned at all about your taxes and the consistent, yearly increases created by the outrageous spending habits of certain members of the county board, then you must vote on Feb. 19 to stop the county board and vote no

on the $10 million dump truck garage referendum. The spending won’t stop there, if this referendum passes.

People are losing their homes. People are losing their jobs. Businesses are closing up. Health care costs continue to skyrocket. Gasoline prices are high. Do you feel as though you are getting taxed out of Polk County due to ridiculous, unnecessary government spending? If the finance director feels we are in a situation financially where we have to be prudent and careful, then the county board should start listening to her. And you, the public, need to vote. It’s your choice. You can stop this spending. Mark Feb. 19 on your calendars and get out there and vote. Surely there is a better alternative than spending $10 million.

Bryce Thomson Balsam Lake

Kathleen Coughlin Frederic

Where will they go?

Enjoy tea now This is in response to Ms. Deziel’s letter in the Jan. 2, issue of the Leader.

I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of your letter; however, I would like to correct one thing that you said. You stated that you still own property in Polk County. That is not correct. You rent property from the county and the rent increases have been burdensome to say the least.

I don’t think that we can blame just the elected officials, however. I think part of the blame should go to the apathetic electorate. The people of Polk County keep electing board members who have a taxand-spend mentality. I guess the populace of Polk County likes paying more property taxes and fees. This problem does not exist solely at the county level. It is prevalent at the township level, the school district level, the state level and, here is a big surprise, even the federal level.

Just yesterday, our illustrious president finally conceded that the economy does have its problems. He thought that was news. Just ask any small-business owner or senior citizen or middle-class taxpayer, and they will tell you that the economic problems started quite awhile ago. Our tax and spenders are putting people out of

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business and out of their homes. But, like I said, I guess the majority of people like how things are going, maybe they are benefiting from a government handout. I don’t know why these people keep getting elected.

As for the invitation to your tea party, I would like to attend, and I think we should invite a lot of people. We better make it soon though. Someone (probably a politician), somewhere, may decide that tea is illegal. It may be a drug, it may cause global warming, it may cause injury to the children, or it may be taxed to the level where we can no longer enjoy any tea.

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I have no doubt that the Polk County Board of Supervisors are sincere in their efforts to serve the better interests of Polk county citizens.

I fully understand their reasoning for the sale of Golden Age Manor. However, my question is this, what happens to the elderly Polk County population in the future? There can not possibly be a 100percent guarantee that things will stay the same if GAM is sold. Down the line if the new owner decides to convert some rooms to private and sells the extra beds where will we be?

It is my understanding that Wisconsin has a moratorium, so that once beds are sold we lose that many in our county.

With the large elderly population and baby boomers at retirement age where will they go?

Marjorie Yager Amery

More letters, next page

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want to believe this stuff.

Y Soou don’t you push it away, just beyond

the periphery of your vision. You hope that we’ve evolved beyond racial politics, that we’ve become a color-blind society that will judge an individual not by skin color but, in the words of Martin Luther King, “by the content of their character.” But then it happens one day, out of the blue, the race card rears its ugly head.

A disclaimer is in order here - I’m neither a Barack Obama nor a Hillary Clinton supporter. They’ve staked out positions that, under close scrutiny, aren’t far from those of the Bush administration, especially regarding foreign policy. I could vote for either one down the line if the choice were limited, but I could say the same about Mike Huckabee, too. In this primary season, I’ll vote my conscience and entertain compromise later.

That being said, I’m intrigued by this political season. History has already been made twice - a woman won a presidential primary and a black man won a statewide presidential caucus. I had high hopes - maybe we’d moved

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

“Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” - A Chinese Proverb Early-evening passersby on Hwy. 35 through Webster may have noticed a small group of persons holding candles each Wednesday beside a sign that reads Pray for Peace.

The light-bearers gather Wednesdays between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. in the Grace United Methodist Church parking lot in Webster to pray for peace in the world, peace in our communities and families and peace within ourselves. The prayers are silent and are offered as each person believes.

While this vigil is in response to the United Methodist Council of Bishops Resolution on the Iraq War, the participants are members of a variety of denominations, churches, and individual belief systems who believe that by praying together, peace will prevail. We invite others to join us. Candles are available inside the church. You may stand outside for all or part of the hour, pray at a prayer table inside the church, or offer a prayer for peace as you pass by.

A vigil is a watch. While there is much in the world that threatens and divides us, together we believe that this effort lightens the darkness and brings us closer together. Join us in this humble effort to watch and pray.

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.

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said. It got worse - lies, innuendo, scurrilous gossip, all sent her way in a forwarded e-mail beyond the -isms; maybe, as a making the rounds. And, it society, we’d evolved. I was turns out, being transmitted on enjoying it all from the sidethe school e-mail network by lines, believing that by the another school employee. I was time Wisconsin’s primary dumbfounded.

I felt my rolled around in late cheeks flush and a wave of February, my vote wouldn’t anger swept through my matter much. body. Damn that right-wing Then one day last week, smear machine! I thought. Or Steve just an hour after I’d taught were the Clintons and their Pearson my students about Dr. King’s odious ways behind this? I dream, a Republican colwondered, and I considered league at work asked me the possibility that this sort of defamaabout Obama. This co-worker and I tory garbage explained the huge gap had been exchanging good-natured between the polling data just days earjibes over the past several weeks as the lier and the actual election results in political season kicked into high gear. New Hampshire. I wanted somebody We’d found a way to talk about the to check this out. Did a vicious smear issues and the candidates without per- campaign make the rounds online in sonalizing things.

So when she New Hampshire the weekend before approached me and asked, “What’s the the election? deal with this stuff about Obama,” I Of course, this brand of wedge polihad a smile on my face. “Which stuff?” tics has been a staple of political camI shot back. paigns since the Civil Rights legislation “They say when he hears the Pledge of the 1960s which sounded the death of Allegiance, he turns his back to the knell for the Democrats in the south. flag. And he’s really a Muslim. He just Thinly veiled racism, elevated to a kind joined the United Church of Christ a of perverse art by the likes of the late few months ago to cover that up,” she Lee Atwater and, later Karl Rove.

He had a dream

Vigil

Willie Horton, the specter of Bush Sr.’s 1988 campaign against Michael Dukakis, to be followed 12 years later

by John McCain’s black love child, conceived just in time for the 2000 South Carolina primary by W’s handlers.

So we’ll never know, I suppose, who cooks up these internet schemes.

Tracing them back to the source has become an exercise in futility. Better to gird yourself, to acknowledge their existence and refuse their twisted message. I still believe in Martin Luther King’s dream. But I hold no illusions about racism ever being totally eliminated from our political discourse or our national life.

If “Super Duper Tuesday” on Feb. 5, doesn’t produce a likely nominee, Wisconsin’s primary will suddenly be thrust into the limelight. We’re sure to see an infusion of campaign ads, many containing half-truths and distortions.

“A lie cannot live,” Martin Luther King once said. But even lies have a life span. And those that seek to capitalize on long-held prejudices can bring ruin if not quickly countered. May the better angels of our nature rise up to challenge them in the spirit of Dr. King.

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PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

Letters t o t h e e d i t o r The future of Ruby’s Pantry Our gratitude to the communities who work so hard at making Ruby’s Pantry such a successful program.

It is very heartwarming to see 50 to 100 volunteers in each community we serve working side by side to help their neighbors by unloading trucks, setting up tables, chairs and food, passing food out, tearing everything down and cleaning up.

This is hard work by many caring hands and tender hearts. However, from time to time we find ourselves dealing with issues that I think can be cleared up with a little better understanding of who Ruby’s Pantry is and how our programs function.

Ruby’s Pantry is a community outreach program of Home and Away Ministries, a faith based 501 C 3 nonprofit corporation similar to the Salvation Army.

Ruby’s Pantry has been functioning for almost five years starting in a single garage stall, then a small corner section in a church and a commercial garage stall in Pine City, Minn. Our present offices are in Pine City and in North Branch, Minn., where our 11,000-square-foot distribution center is located in the industrial park. We purchased the facility in North Branch almost three years ago and we are presently looking at the possibility of a facility in Wisconsin to help better serve that area.

Home and Away Ministries started as a missions organization in 2003 and serves approximately 130 churches in Monterrey, Mexico. Home and Away Ministries and its Ruby’s Pantry program receive no government funding. Ruby’s Pantry is supported through the generous donations of individuals, organizations, businesses and corporations. But even then it has operated with a large deficit over its years of existence. It hasn’t been easy with basic overhead, repairs and fuel costs increasing dramatically.

Ruby’s Pantry presently distributes food monthly in North Branch, Moose Lake, Hinckley, Forest Lake and we contribute food to the Feed My Sheep Program in Grantsburg. These distributions provide supplementary food to about 1,100-1,200 families per month equating to about 4400 individuals. All of these Minnesota community distributions ask for a donation of $12 per household with 40 percent of the donations being given to the local sponsoring church or organization to be used for benevolence in the local community.

The Ruby’s Pantry distributions in Polk and Burnett counties and occasional distributions in other areas are partnered with Second Harvest Heartland. These distributions are funded by local sponsorship and no fees or donations are accepted

by the participants. The sponsorship fee is divided between the trucking company and Second Harvest Heartland. Ruby’s Pantry has never received its first dollar of the sponsorship fees from any of these distributions in our targeted area.

However, there is an obligation that is immeasurable and requires mentioning.

That is the obligation of being honest, decent and appreciative of and to the volunteers, the hosting facility owners and the sponsoring organization.

Unfortunately, in recent months we have experienced disappointing behavior by some participating individuals and volunteers. We have experienced volunteers taking food for their own use over and above the appropriated amount.

Volunteers must go through the line and receive the same amount as others who go through the line.

To compensate volunteers beyond that is not the spirit of Ruby’s Pantry and is a clear violation of our policies. We have also experienced participants swearing at each other, swearing at volunteers and moving ahead of others in line. Further we have experienced people wanting more than the allotted amount and swearing at volunteers handing out food.

These things cannot be tolerated. And then there are those who try to send multiple family members living in the same household through the line. Only one person per household is allowed. Picking up food for other people not in attendance is also not allowed without permission and verification in advance through one of the local churches as being homebound.

Participating in Ruby’s Pantry is a privilege and we as an organization have no obligation to help people except the obligation of love. Love comes in different forms. Our sponsors pay a nominal sponsorship fee or participants are asked for a $12 donation depending on the distribution. They love the people in their community. Our local volunteers put in at least 150 man hours to do a distribution.

They love the people in their community.

We love people too and, therefore, we need to protect the integrity of our program for those who follow the rules.

Our policy has always been to never turn anyone away at either the sponsored or the individual donation distribution, until now. Beginning Jan. 1, we will be asking people to leave the distributions and not return when they practice inappropriate behavior. Anyone who observes inappropriate behavior is encouraged to report it to the distribution coordinators in the local community.

What a tragedy if these distributions were to cease because of these kinds of behavior. Last year in Polk County alone, we distributed between $600,000 and $700,000 of food without a single penny being asked for from any recipient.

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Please treat our volunteers, sponsors and facilities with the respect they deserve. The future of these distributions depend upon it.

Lyn Sahr Executive Director for Ruby’s Pantry Pine City, Minn.

Doom and gloom Soon Wisconsin state legislators will be voting on a statewide smoking ban in public places.

A warning to those legislators: Don’t be swayed by the doom and gloomers (bar and restaurant owners, Wisconsin Tavern League lobbyists). Vote with your hearts, vote for what is right. You’ll hear from smokers that proclaim that their Godgiven right/liberty to smoke will be taken away. Nothing farther from the truth. A statewide smoking ban in public places will not ban anyone from smoking, it just tells smokers to take it outside. Simple as that.

To the doom and gloomers: Smokers that enjoyed going out to bars and restaurants will have two choices: continue to go out and deal with the smoking ban or stay home.

It’s human nature. After thinking about the options, smokers will continue to go out, might not like the ban, but they will deal with it. In Minnesota, what I’ve seen and heard is that the majority of bars, whether it be resort bars, mom and pop bars, town bars, city bars and restaurants, remain status quo or has increased business. The key is that it has to be statewide.

No business can have an advantage over another.

Just look at some of the other states, New York, Illinois, California (to name a few) and now Minnesota. The ban has been a great success.

To the smokers, a nod of appreciation has to be given for abiding to the ban in the states listed above, for “taking it outside.”

Lastly to the doom and gloomers: There is no doom and gloom - it’s all good!

Phil Olson Oakdale, Minn.

Only one thing will help Gov. Jim Doyle has issued a teaser press release or had one of his aides leak it.

Doyle will announce his proposal in his upcoming state of the state message. The idea is to provide state funding (meaning your tax money) for research grants and tax benefits for those investing in new businesses. He calls it “Grow Wisconsin.”

I’m not saying the Doyle thought of this

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On Jan. 12, 1993, I went to the Racine City Hall to hold my very first listening session. When I ran for the Senate in 1992, I made a promise to the people of Wisconsin: to hold a listening session in every one of Wisconsin’s 72 counties each year. Fifteen years after my first listening session, I’m more convinced than ever of the value of these town hall meetings. They are one of the best parts of my job, and they are an essential way of making sure I know what Wisconsinites are thinking.

I’ve listened to more than 50,000 Wisconsinites at more than 1,000 listening sessions and traveled the equivalent of more than six times around the

world to attend listening sessions.

What I hear from Wisconsinites at these sessions informs everything I do in the U.S. Senate, from my legislation to redeploy our troops from Iraq, to my effort to help states Russ pursue innovative Feingold methods of providing health insurance to all their residents, and my work to reform the badly flawed No Child Left Behind law.

I hear so many good ideas and suggestions at these meetings, some of which I’ve been able to get passed into

Bob Ziller New Richmond

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all by himself. He probably consulted the liberal brains in Madison and they agreed that this was a real peachy idea.

If tax incentives are indeed needed to invest in new business in Wisconsin, doesn’t this tell us that taxes are too high?

And where are the Democrats? Why aren’t they screaming about special interests and lobbyists angling for tax breaks for the rich and greedy. Also businessmen aren’t stupid. These tax incentives will last long enough for a company to build a plant and start the business and suddenly the Democrats will yell loophole and eliminate the incentive. This is called smoke and mirrors or the old shell game.

Recently I attended a “Healthy Wisconsin” seminar and listened to Sen. Jon Erpenbach, Democrat, District 27, tell us about a universal mandatory state health plan being proposed. It will cost the employer 10 percent and the employee 4.5 percent. One technical businessman from Minnesota was contemplating moving his business to Wisconsin. He said his medical insurance plan now costs him 8 percent. This is a polite way of saying that no way is he going to move to Wisconsin.

Quality of life? Come on, he can watch the Green Bay Packers in Minneapolis.

Gov. Doyle is going to brag about the past results in Grow Wisconsin he says has leveraged $260 million in business funding. Ask him how much state funding went into the leveraging.

Doyle says Wisconsin has to convert from a traditional smokestack economy into a knowledge driven economy with highly skilled and well-paid workers.

Some of these jobs moved to India and China with high-skilled workers working for low pay and paying much lower taxes.

And forget about the high cost of environmental regulations. China is one of the countries exempt from the Kyoto Protocol. I don’t know why—ask Al Gore.

We all cry about the loss of automotive jobs in Michigan. While employment dropped at General Motors, employment increased by an equivalent amount at Toyota. These jobs are no more skilled in Kentucky and Tennessee than in Michigan.

There is only one thing that will help Wisconsin and that is lower taxes for everybody. Why do you think Wisconsin is almost stagnant in manufacturing growth? One bright spot: the price of houses is dropping.

law. Based on a suggestion I got from members of law enforcement at my Rock County listening session in 2001, I authored a bill to create a program to allow first responders to volunteer aboard airplanes in the event of an emergency. The Safe Skies program began in 2006. For more than six years, I helped a successful effort to designate 80 percent of the Apostle Islands as a federally protected wilderness, again based on a suggestion I heard at a listening session. Time and again, these meetings have helped me to bring Wisconsinites’ ideas to Washington.

Listening sessions have also contributed to my work to protect the integrity of Wisconsin’s ginseng, help charitable organizations retain volunteers and improve the health of the Great Lakes. Over 15 years, my office

has been able to help hundreds of Wisconsinites who have stood up at listening sessions asking for help to navigate sometimes daunting federal agencies for benefits, grants and other issues.

As 2008 begins, I look forward to another year of listening to Wisconsin’s ideas in every county. Congress has a lot of vital issues to address in 2008 – Iraq, health care and education, just to name a few. I hope you will check my Web site and your newspaper for information on when you can attend a nearby listening session this year, so you can give me your thoughts about these and other issues. I look forward to hearing from you in person.

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 11

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Letters t o t h e e d i t o r GAM is needed The citizens of Polk County own Golden Age Manor. They have owned it for nearly 50 years. Before Golden Age Manor, the Polk County Board supported the nursing home located at Volga, near Amery. Polk County has been involved in the care of its citizens for more than 150 years, about 133 years in nursing home care. That’s a great thing, we as citizens and taxpayers are proud of this record. Although there are some among us that don’t see that quite as clearly as the majority do. Golden Age Manor should remain owned and operated by the county for several reasons.

Who has paid for its operation? The res-

City and contractor at odds BARRON - Barron officials and the city’s engineers are at odds with a contractor over work that was done on South 5th Street in town last year. The city is seeking liquidated damages for the renovation project that took longer than expected.The city’s street committee discussed the issue at its Jan. 7 meeting. Explaining the situation to the committee was Mark Kohler of Short Elliott Hendrickson. SEH does engineering work for Barron. Kohler said that the final bill from DeSantis Excavating to the city was $466,000, but he felt that approximately $25,000 of it was debatable because those fees weren’t in keeping with their contract. Some expenses claimed by the contractor also appeared to lack paperwork to back them up, and the parties have not been able to come to a mutual agreement on several items.

Dave Vruwink of the street committee said Barron shouldn’t pay for expenses that the contractor can’t prove, and the city should listen to its engineers’ advice. “We didn’t follow SEH’s advice when we went into this thing,” he said.

“Better darn well follow their recommendation when we leave it now for the final payment; otherwise, we could have some problems.” When Barron was soliciting bids for the South 5th Street renovation project in 2007, SEH had recommended going with a bid offered by A-1 Excavating of Bloomer.

The city council instead voted to go with DeSantis Excavating’s bid, which was approximately $6,000 less. Besides the differing opinions on what the city’s final bill should be, Kohler said that engineering work on the project, in addition to what had originally been agreed to, has led to a discussion about a liquidated damages penalty against the contractor. Work had been scheduled to wrap up by Oct. 1, but it wasn’t

idents themselves to start with, either through private pay, Medicare or Medicaid. Where does Medicare come from? It comes from the payroll deduction on our paychecks. Where does Medicaid come from? It comes from the federal income and state income tax we pay. If there is a shortfall in revenue it comes from the real estate tax we pay to the county. Over the years this has been a small amount of money compared to the total budget of the county. Why are county nursing homes short of money lately? It is because the Wisconsin Legislature puts millions of dollars into the Wisconsin State Medicaid Trust Fund. The trust fund supports private nursing homes for their Medicaid loses.

If that money came to county homes

with a Kentucky company to build and operate medical clinics in Hayward and Rice Lake. The company found itself losing money, so they closed both facilities with no warning. Veterans were sitting in the waiting room to be seen by a doctor when the clinic was closed. I am sure that Polk County does not want that happening to one of our nursing homes. Tell your county supervisor that we need all our nursing homes including Golden Age Manor. County ownership is our only guarantee there will be a place to care for us when we need it.

Eugene Sollman Clear Lake

Area Ne ws at a Glance finalized until Nov. 13, therefore incurring extra engineering labor. The amount of the late penalty would depend on what the city deemed fair for rain-day allowances. “It’s like two different pots. One is extra engineering, and one is liquidated damages,” Kohler said. Each one would come out to approximately $20,000, but he didn’t recommend trying to collect both to the full extent. Instead, he suggested trying to find some middle ground that would show that the contractor was given some leniency, just in case the issue ended up in the legal system. - Barron News-Shield

Mother asks Obey for troop support

LADYSMITH - The mother of a Ladysmith soldier killed in Afghanistan asked Congressman Dave Obey to help soldiers there get the equipment and armaments they need and stressed importance of medical and psychological care for war veterans when they return home. Cheryl Lee Patrick, mother of SSG Patrick L. Lybert, who was killed in the mountains of Afghanistan on June 21, 2006, said she is in contact with soldiers serving there and knows how poorly they’re supported and supplied. Speaking at Obey’s town meeting, Patrick said the focus is on Iraq, rather than Afghanistan where the fight on terrorism is being carried out. “A recent video says men on the ground don’t have the ammunition to win,” said Patrick. “What are we doing about it?” she asked. Troops are slipping and falling on the mountain terrain because they don’t have appropriate boots. She said a pair of Yak Trax that costs $24 solves the problem, but troops aren’t getting them. She said troops are handicapped because helicopters can’t fly to higher elevations, where Bin Laden probably is in hiding. “What do we have to do to wake up the American

Record numbers of smokers call to quit

STATEWIDE - Coordinators of the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line report a dramatic increase in calls during the first week of January. Normally, the service receives 200 calls a week. But according to coordinator Leslie Redmond, 10,000 people dialed in for coaching, medication and other services to kick the habit last week.

Redmond says a new state tax increase on cigarettes that took effect New Year’s Day – which increased the amount by a dollar a pack – may have

there would be no loss in Amery at GAM. The effect that GAM has on the county economy is very noticeable.

More than 70 percent of the revenue for GAM goes for wages paid to employees who, in turn, spend that money locally, for the most part. If GAM were sold to an out-of-state buyer, the profits from business will leave Polk County. Polk County needs a county home that can offer services to those in need that other nursing homes may not be able to offer due to the cost. If one nursing home in Polk County were to close, where would those residents go for care?

There are virtually no empty beds available presently. We need all the homes we have for our aging population. The Veterans Administration contracted

inspired the surge. She says the tax increase is giving people the extra motivation to quit and use the services of the Quit Line.

A spokesperson for Gov. Doyle says the increased interest in quitting tobacco shows that Doyle’s plan for a smoke-free Wisconsin is working.

The governor’s call for a statewide ban on smoking in public places faces stiff opposition from the tavern industry and its supporters. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Jesse Boyett-Anderson)

people?” she asked. “I know what’s going on over there. I’m in contact with soldiers.” Patrick also asked when our children are going to learn about global politics so they understand what’s happening. The Gold Star Mother also said returning troops are suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome and other conditions and will need extended care that they’re not getting. Obey expressed his condolences for the loss of her son. He said Congress appropriated more money for Afghanistan than the administration asked for. Obey said he was aware of the shortages in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Congress can’t run a war, said Obey, who voted against America’s incursion into Iraq. “I’ve never seen such a bunch of arrogant people and incompetence,” said Obey about the Bush administration and Department of Defense. “I feel terrible about your loss. We shouldn’t be in Iraq.” – Ladysmith News

Prisoner takes own life

PINE COUNTY, Minn. - A 29-year-old man hanged himself with a bed sheet in the downtown Pine County Jail Dec. 26.

He was revived but died three days later. It was the third inmate suicide in the jail since 1996. Mark Hongchul Knuesel of St. Paul was arrested Christmas Day while driving home from Duluth, where he once lived.

Knuesel was pulled over near Sandstone after a woman at the Interstate 35 rest stop near Sturgeon Lake recorded his license plate and reported that he had taken pictures of her under a bathroom stall with a cell phone. Knuesel, according to deputies, admitted to taking five pictures with his phone in the women’s bathroom. Chief Deputy Steve Ovick from the county sheriff’s office said another victim came forward a few days after the arrest to report a similar incident at the rest stop on Christmas Day. Ovick said Knuesel was on a predatory offender list, but it was not a list that requires public notification. He was booked into the jail on charges of interference with privacy, a gross misdemeanor, and two misdemeanors of disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia, the result of a deputy finding a marijuana pipe during the arrest. The gross misdemeanor carries a mandatory court appearance, and Knuesel would have to stay in jail. At about 10:30 a.m. the next day, Knuesel was found by jail staff. He had tied a sheet to the top of the double bunk, twisted it around his neck and sat down, those on the scene surmised.

Ovick says Knuesel was found 17 minutes after the jail nurse was alerted by Knuesel’s family that he may be suicidal. The jail does checks on inmates

every 30 minutes. Jail staff went to check on Knuesel after hearing from the family, only to find him hanging in his cell. “To predict human behavior is very difficult,” Pine County Chief Deputy Steve Ovick said. “When these people come in, the jail staff asks them very specific questions. ‘Do you have suicidal tendencies?’ ‘Have you ever attempted suicide?’ Everything they asked him, he never indicated he had done.” Knuesel was revived by emergency medical technicians and kept alive in an ambulance on the way to Pine Medical Center in Sandstone. He was later transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, where he died Dec. 29. Pine County is responsible for the medical bills. – Pine City Pioneer

New Richmond man killed changing tire

BARRON - William W. Strehlo, 67, of New Richmond, was pronounced dead at the scene of a vehicle/pedestrian crash Tuesday morning, Jan. 8. Strehlo was out of his vehicle on 19th Street north of 15th Avenue at 9:39 a.m. when he was struck by a passing vehicle, stated a news release issued by the State Patrol. The driver of the passing vehicle was Walter W. Wait, 86, of Barron. The crash remains under investigation by the State Patrol. – Rice Lake Chronotype

New CEO at CMH

CUMBERLAND - The Cumberland Memorial Hospital-Extended Care Unit, Inc. Board of Directors has announced that Debora Kunferman has accepted the position of chief executive officer/administrator of the organization. She has over 18 years’ experience in the health care industry. Her most recent position was that of chief operating officer and assistant administrator at CMH. Prior to that, she was the hospital administrator of OakLeaf Surgical Hospital, Inc. in Eau Claire. She has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and an undergraduate degree in finance from UW-Eau Claire.

She and her husband have two boys and enjoy various outdoor activities. “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Deb to our facility,” stated Charles Christensen, chairman of the board at CMH. “We look forward to her leadership as we face new challenges in our health care market. We would also like to thank Bob Hansen for his eight years of service and dedication to the organization and wish him well in his retirement.” CMH opened its doors in 1956. – Cumberland Advocate

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PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

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Motorized use not allowed on Amery-Dresser Trail

Judge GaleWyrick rules for Friends of Greenway

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – The Amery to Dresser Trail has been ruled closed to all motorized use. Polk County Circuit Court Judge Molly GaleWyrick issued a decision Jan. 7 granting the request of the petitioners in the case, Friends of L.O.G. Greenway and Richard Roos, a landowner.

The case, which was filed last April, protested the Department of Natural Resources Environmental Assessment which would have allowed snowmobiles and ATVs to use the former railroad bed. The issue now goes back to the DNR. GaleWyrick cites the Wisconsin statute establishing the system of state trails which she says “plainly limits” the trails to nonmotorized use.

She notes that the permitted uses in the statute includes “riders of electric personal assisted mobility devices” and

Five nominated for three open seats at Grantsburg VILLAGE OF GRANTSBURG – Three incumbent trustees will be joined by two challengers on the ballot for spring election, April 1.

Nominated at the village caucus were current trustees Dale Dresel, Jim Nelson and Dean Tyberg along with Mike Langevin and Dave Walters. All those nominated have five days to respond by declining or filing papers. – Gary King

says that if snowmobile and ATV use had been intended, the statute would have said motorized devices rather than list one specific device.

The judge says that the DNR’s decision to certify the EA and to conclude that it had addressed the legal issues authorizing motorized uses on the trail is, in her word, “unreasonable” because there is no statute or code granting the DNR the authority to allow motorized use of the trail except as stated.

She then notes that the Amery to Dresser Trail is a connective link in a

statewide trail system, part of the Wisconsin State Trails Plan. The DNR had argued that the Amery to Dresser Trail was a “self-sufficient local trail” and should be treated as a single project.

GaleWyrick also states that the DNR had no authority to accept the Polk County Master Plan for the trail, allowing motorized use, which it had approved. She says that a previous court decision nullified that plan. The judge adds that the DNR is in violation of the court order and adds that the master plan was never approved fol-

lowing the required steps.

“The respondent (the DNR) failed to adequately address the legal basis for authorizing motorized uses on the state trails; improperly segmented the project and erred by concluding that Polk County’s proposed master plan for the trail was not nullified by the order in 05 CV 195 and therefore remains viable,” GaleWyrick concludes. She sent the issue back to the DNR for further processing and specifically orders the DNR to prohibit use of motorized use on the trail.

Friends group claims victory for trail system County may have role in future Amery-Dresser Trail plans

by Gregg Westigard Polk County – “This decision is a victory for everyone who is concerned about the adverse environmental impacts of ATVs on Wisconsin’s state trails,” said Glenn Stoddard, attorney for Friends of L.O.G. Greenway and Richard Roos, the parties that were granted their requests in the AmeryDresser Trail court case.

“It is also a major victory for the petitioners and all nonmotorized users of the Amery to Dresser State Trail, because ATVs and snowmobiles conflict directly with the nonmotorized uses of such trails. Hopefully, it will be a wake-up call for the DNR that will enable the agency to do a better job of addressing issues and use conflicts on state trails in the future.”

The Friends Group [L.O.G. stands for Lincoln-OsceolaGarfield, the three towns the trail passes through as it connects Amery to Dresser] has been attempting to make the 14-mile-long former-railroad bed a nonmotorized trail since the DNR acquired the land in 2003. The group claimed, after a 2004 door-to-door survey, that most landowners along the trail preferred that the trail be developed for year-

round, quiet (nonmotorized) recreation.

This is the second time the courts have ruled in favor of the Friends Group in a series of cases going back to 2005.

Meanwhile, Polk County, which would manage the trail for the DNR, has played an involved roll in the issue. The county set up a citizens advisory committee in 2004 to listen to public comments on uses for the trail. A series of meetings that year drew large crowds and many pages of comments. Much of the discussion, at that time, was on possible summer uses of the trail and whether ATV uses and nonmotorized persons, including bike riders and horseback riders, could all share the same space. In 2004, the property committee of the county board, by a 3-2 vote, voted to open the trail to motorized use year-round. That decision is reflected in the master plan approved in October 2004. [Judge GaleWyrick noted that the state has no authority to accept that plan.] In another close vote, the county board voted 1110 in 2005 to open the trail to motorized vehicles. Both those decisions may possibly be revisited by the county. The Amery to Dresser Trail is a segment of the 1,700-mile newly designated Aldo Leopold State Trail System. In the future, it might connect Amery to the Gandy Dancer Trail and be part of a route that connects Interstate State Park to Straight Lake State Park, Wisconsin’s oldest and newest state parks.

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Grantsburg School Board gives wrestling club a chance

Board votes to make wrestling a school- sponsored sport for a trial period

by Priscila Bauer GRANTSBURG – The Grantsburg School Board voted to approve the request by parents of the Burnett County Bulldogs Wrestling Club to allow seventh- and eighth-grade wrestling to become a school-sponsored sport for a trial period of one season. The board also granted the club use of the high school mezzanine for practices. The vote came after the board’s decision last month to table the request, citing a need for more information from the athletic department.

Arguments for and against the move came from wrestling parents and high school athletic director, Mike Amundson. Amundson said he reviewed all the information, and while he respected the parents for doing their homework, he had reservations about granting the request. “I believe there are potential problems and staff-related issues,” Amundson told the board, stating he could not support making wrestling a school-sponsored sport at this time. Amundson said he was concerned about letting sixth-graders wrestle,

saying it would set a precedent, opening the door to all sixth-graders wanting to participate in other schoolsponsored sports. Amundson told the board students must be in seventh or eighth grade before they can participate.

Amundson also voiced concern as to how much usage the school would have at the community center after 2010 when the school’s contract with Grantsburg Village runs out. The mezzanine area at the high school would have to be used if the community center usage changed.

Bridget Brewer, one of the parents representing the wrestling group, gave an empassioned plea to the board for their support. “All we want is a chance.

Can’t we have a trial period and see if any of these potential problems arise? Why can’t we just have a chance?” Brewer asked.

Board members asked parents repeatedly if there was any other space at one of the schools for the team to practice. Board member Cris Erickson expressed her view that atheletes should practice at the school of their grade level, stating students would then not need to travel to practice. The parent group said they had looked at all the possibilities and the mezzanine was the only available, unused space.

Mollie Gaffney, another parent, also addressed the board speaking of the need for an area in Grantsburg for the wrestlers to practice at least four nights a week.

Gaffney told the board it was hard for the team to practice at the community center, as the club shares the space with the gymnastics team and too many kids are using the facility at the same time. Gaffney told the board she wanted them to know what good wrestlers the club has and that there is a lot of potential.” We want a high school wrestling team,” said Gaffney. “We would like to grow, and in order to do that the younger wrestlers need to practice more.”

Board president David Dahlberg made a motion for seventh- through eighth-grade wrestling to be a school-sponsored sport with the team co-oping with the Luck wrestling team in the Lakeland Conference.

The motion made it clear this was just a trial and the issue would be revisited before next season. The motion also stated the sport would be a totally parentfunded endeavor, with costs for equipment and transportation the parent’s responsibility.

The board voted 5-2 in favor of the motion, much to the elation of the parents attending the meeting.

Mikulewicz gets five years for selling meth MADISON – A 54-year-old former Trego nightclub owner was sentenced to five years and two months in prison Thursday for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Michael Mikulewicz, who pled guilty to the charge Nov. 1, 2007, was also sentenced to a three-year period of supervised release – following prison time – and a $10,000 fine.

Judge John C. Shabaz handed down the sentence.

On March 10, 2006, a search of Mikulewicz’s car by

Washburn County law enforcement officers led to the recovery of approximately 2.5 grams of methamphetamine along with a digital scale and more than 50 small self-locking baggies, commonly used to repackage methamphetamine for sale.

Mikulewica was the owner and operator of Jack of Diamonds Club in Trego during this time. At the time of his plea to the charge in November, he admitted that he had possessed the drugs with the intent to distribute them.

The charges against Mikulewicz were the result of an investigation conducted by the Washburn County Sheriff’s Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal InvestigationNarcotics Bureau.

The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson. – with information from Erik C. Peterson, United States Attorney Western District of Wisconsin

Former Wal-Mart clerk faces possible felony theft charge

POLK COUNTY – A 19-year-old employee of WalMart at St. Croix Falls admitted to taking cash and other goods from the store on nine different occasions in December and January and now faces a possible charge of felony theft.

Michelle Hillman of Grantsburg told authorities she has a condition where she cannot control herself, and she steals things that she wants, and things she cannot afford.

The estimated value of items and cash taken is $1,700.

According to a Polk County Sheriff’s report, Hillman was confronted Jan. 10 by store personnel and authorities were called. Hillman admitted stealing DVDs, PlayStation II games, pens, paper, medication and cash. She said she would take anywhere from $10 bills to $100 bills from the cash register she was working and would hide it on a shelf, or when no one was

looking, would put it directly in her pocket. She said several of the items she had stolen she would hide in the area she was working and then later bag up the item(s) and carry it out of the store.

Hillman wrote out a statement for authorities and then was transported to the Polk County Jail. – Gary King with information from Polk County Sheriff’s Department

Final costs announced, county clerk addresses issue

“take care of the tax thing” and added that it will look at checks and balances in the county system.

Meanwhile, county treasurer Amanda Nissen has issued the final cost figures for the second mailing of tax statements. The bill is $24,339. Most of that, $22,480, is for printing and mailing costs, work done on short order by MailCom Consulting. There was no staffing cost, as Nissen, a salaried official, put in over 30 hours making the adjustments over the preChristmas weekend.

Nissen notes that the 35 municipal treasurers also needed to put in extra time as a result of the error.

Lastly, county clerk Cathy Albrecht explained her part in the issue at a press conference on Jan. 2. She explained that in 2000, six months before she took office as county clerk, some duties of that office were transferred to the newly created department of administration. The previous county clerk, Sharon Schiebel, now in the new department, continued to do the tax apportionment duties. All work on the levy figures was done in the department of administration, with a final calculation given to the county clerk to sign and distribute.

This year, for the first time since she was elected county clerk, Albrecht was advised that she had the responsibility to do the apportionment.

“I did so, but made the misinterpretation of the numbers that caused the problem,” Albrecht said.

She showed how she took the figure $19,114,175 from the county board resolution and inserted it on

the state Certification of the Apportionment Form. She then subtracted the county sales tax credit of $2,300,000 from that number, resulting in the $17,482,475 used to figure the first, incorrect property tax statements.

The misinterpretation came here. Albrecht said she did not understand that the $19 million was the net amount with the sales tax credit already deducted. She should have inserted $21,414,175 on the state form and then deducted the sales tax. When she discovered the problem, she met with the finance committee in late December to explain the problem. Albrecht gave credit to all the municipal clerks and the county treasurer’s office for picking up all the extra work generated by the problem. “I totally own up to the responsibility of misinterpretation of numbers,” Albrecht concluded.

The error caused an increase of about 13 percent to the county tax line of the property tax bills.

County board looks at property tax error in closed session

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – There have been several new developments in the story on how Polk County used the wrong numbers in figuring the county’s property tax rates that were included in the tax statements sent in December. The error resulted in a second set of statements being prepared and mailed in early January.

The Polk County Board met in closed session Tuesday night, Jan. 15, to discuss issues relating to the matter. The county treasurer has released the final county costs to prepare the second mailing. And the county clerk has taken responsibility for misinterpreting the numbers given to her.

The closed session at the monthly county board meeting was requested by Supervisor Robert Blake.

He asked that the board meet as a “committee of the whole” and take temporary oversight of the departments ordinarily under the oversight of the finance committee. In that way, the board could look at the issues involving the finance director, the county clerk, and the county treasurer.

No results of the closed session, which lasted over half an hour, were revealed. However, finance chair Neil Johnson, in his report to the board during committee reports, said that the finance committee will

Pastor’s disability leave is announced

SIREN – The announcement of Pastor Mike Ascher’s incapacity disability leave as of Jan. 1, was made to the congregations of Siren and Lewis United Methodist churches Sunday, Jan. 6. The announcement came from Wisconsin United Methodist Church District Superintendent Nancy Moffat.

The congregations were notified Sunday, Jan. 13, that Pastor Tom Cook, a retired United Methodist pas-

tor from Ohio who lives in the Frederic area, will be pastor in the two churches until the Wisconsin Annual Conference in June.

Anyone needing to reach Cook, who has 40 years of ministerial experience in his background, can call him at 715-327-4226 or at the church office at 715-349-2204.

– Nancy Jappe

Timber sales exceed $1 million for third year

SIREN – For the third year in a row, Burnett County forest timber sales totaled more than $1 million, $1,030,888.43 to be exact. This figure is $21,437.73 over the 2006 figure. Over $100,000 of the 2007 timber sale earnings will be turned over to townships with Burnett County forests in their boundary. Over $870,000 of the earnings will go to the county’s general fund.

The demand for Burnett County timber was down much of the year, and Burnett County Forest Administrator Jake Nichols did not know if Burnett County would top $1 million this year or not. A wet fall, however, increased the demand for Burnett County timber resulting in the county easily topping the milestone. – Sherill Summer

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Swanson won’t seek re-election

CENTURIA – Trustee Dennis Swanson said this week he will not seek re-election to the village board in the April 1 election.

Swanson is working with the village police department which presents a conflict of interest with serving on the

board.

Swanson and five others were nominated at the village’s Jan. 7 caucus to appear on the April ballot for three open seats now held by Swanson, Stan Swiontek and Rodney Peterson.

The remaining five candidates – in

County to consider GAM sale

Special county board meeting next Tuesday

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – The Polk County Board will hold a special meeting next Tuesday, Jan. 22, to consider an offer to purchase Golden Age Manor, the county-owned nursing home in Amery.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at the government center building in Balsam Lake and will include a period for public comment.

The board will consider two issues, whether to accept an offer to purchase GAM and, if that is approved, approval of a purchase agreement. The identity of the possible purchaser and details about the selling price and other conditions of sale will not be announced until after a sale is completed. Much of the meeting will be held in closed session, allowing the board to be competitive in its deliberations. However, the votes on the possible sale and the agreement will be in open session, and the votes of individ-

ual supervisors will be available after the resolutions are acted on.

The county board voted last fall to list the home with a broker, and it has been reported at GAM board meetings that a number of interested parties have toured the facility. The board’s finance committee has held a series of closed sessions to consider offers and, in late December, held a special, closed session, committee meeting to visit the site or sites of some prospects.

Golden Age Manor has been a subject of debate within the county for a number of years. An enterprise of the county, it was financially self-sufficient for many of its close to 50 years of operations. Changes in revenues and expenses led to a number of years of deficits which were covered by transfers from the county’s reserve funds. The county board has passed a series of resolutions calling for an elimination of the deficits, and the GAM board hired a consulting firm to make recommendations on how to cut expenses last year.

light of Swanson’s announcement he will not run – are Swiontek, Peterson, Steve Sylvester, Darren McKenzie and Laverne McKenzie. Village Clerk Judy Jepsen said only McKenzie and Peterson had turned in their candidate papers as of Tuesday morning. The

deadline was Tuesday at 5 p.m.

A follow-up story regarding which candidates met the 5 p.m. deadline will appear on the Leader’s Web site at www.the-leader.net. - Gary King

Bergeron joins Bremer as insurance account manager FREDERIC – Bremer Bank announces that Mary Bergeron has joined as an insurance account manager in Frederic.

Bergeron will work with insurance agencies in the communities of Frederic, Siren and Danbury.

A native of Hugo, Minn., Bergeron brings more than 20 years of experience working in the insurance industry. Most recently, she was an office manager at State Farm Insurance in Frederic.

Bergeron also owned her own insurance agency for three years in St. Croix Falls.

“Mary has extensive experience and expertise in the insurance industry,” said Jean Koval, account manager at Bremer Bank in Washburn. “We look forward to having her join our team as we take action for our clients with their insurance needs.” - submitted Mary Bergeron

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 15

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Saints donate for city library

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–Fifth-graders at St. Croix Falls middle school in Cherie Ollman’s class were the top fundraisers for the school in the city library campaign.

Ollman’s class raised $1,825 for the new city library.

The library campaign is going on with several fundraising events to raise money for remodeling of the former Holiday building. Students at St. Croix Falls got together to help with the fundraising efforts.

The contest to raise funds took place Dec. 10-27.

Ollman said it was amazing the kids could collect so much when other fundraising events such as Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, the food shelf and other charitable organizations were looking for donations at the same time.

Ollman’s dad passed away Nov. 28, and her class worked extra hard with the help of teacher Mrs. Gjovig, to collect donations for the food shelf to surprise their teacher in early December. Because the students were so generous during that time, Ollman was surprised to see just how much her students also brought in for the library fund. She said the students believe the library is truly important and they wanted to do more to cheer her up by bringing in large donations.

Six of her students contributed $100 or more each, including Rebecca Thayer who brought in a total of $415. Thayer was the top single contributor of the fundraiser. Two students topped over $200 in contributions: Tom Foss and Bailey Hansen. Students who contributed $100 were Michael Berg, Even Gorres and Cara Erickson.

The homerooms with the highest amount of contributions collected were treated to a food party in their room as a special lunch. These lunches were provided and partially donated by KFC, Panda King and Pizza

Mrs. Ollman’s fifth-grade class raised $1,825 for the city library campaign. The school as a whole raised $3,053.05 for the cause. – Photo by Tammi Milberg Planet. The winning homerooms were: Mike Mysicka’s fourth-graders raising $235 of the total $482.38 collected at the elementary level; Ollman’s class who kicked in $1,825 of the middle school tally of

TF Fire get rescue truck kit

by Tammi Milberg TAYLORS FALLS, Minn. –After final approval by the city council was given Monday night, the fire department for Taylors Falls purchased a rescue truck kit. The kit was a 2007 new equipment fund purchase at a cost of $3,104.

Fire Chief Kevin Rivard said the 42CTC-6002 kit is a stabilizer the department can use when responding to unsafe structural collapse, or vehicles that have been involved in severe accidents that are not stable.

Rivard said that this system is a tripod system, that can take a vehicle that is on its side and pull it upright while keeping it stable in order to help someone get out. Rivard said the department did training on a larger tripod system than this one, but noted this one is ample in size to do the rescue work needed.

The council approved the expenditure from the 2007 new equipment budget.

In other business, the council discussed the possible relocation of the MNDOT site on Bench Street. The discussion was that MNDOT could demolish the building on its site on Main Street, sell the property and use the

funds to relocate a new vehicle storage building behind city hall. The council seemed favorable to pursue this option, as it would open up a space on Main Street that could be developed into something that fits in with the downtown. Legal procedures to get the ball rolling were approved at this point.

A request for winter parking during “no parking hours” by St. Joseph’s Church downtown was approved at the last council meeting with proper parking permits displayed in windows for two spaces. The city council had to revise a portion of the parking ordinance on Jan. 14 to allow for this change to be compliant with city ordinance. The amendment in the ordinance states that parking during no parking hours on streets during winter is allowed by special exception by council authorization.

That amendment carried.

Lastly, the council approved a training request for new zoning administrator Larry Phillips to attend land use planning and local funding strategies workshops in January and March in St. Paul, Minn.

Quiet board meeting in SCF

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–The St. Croix Falls School Board met for the first time in 2008 on Thurs., Jan. 10, with a pretty short agenda.

A consent agenda was approved including vouchers, board minutes from December, and salary schedule advancements. Policies that were updated previously received a second reading.

The board heard an update from Randy Christensen of KFI on change orders for the elementary building project. Nothing in Christensen’s report was out of the ordinary. The board’s main concern was if they were still in the black, or within their budget. The answer from Christensen was yes.

The board decided to schedule the next board meeting for Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. There is not enough business to warrant a second monthly board meeting for January. Typically, the

school board meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The board is wrestling with board meeting dates in general, determining a different night to hold them because of Tuesday evening athletic events conflicting with board meeting times.

The addition for the music area is moving along. It was not discussed at the board meeting, but construction should begin in the spring for the facility, estimated to be under $1 million, creating two rooms on the side of the high school next to the gym for music. The space from the existing music rooms would be used to alleviate overcrowding in other classes in the high school.

Space issues for the district should be resolved for the time being when that addition is finished and the reshuffling of classroom space is completed. This issue will likely be on future agendas for the board.

$2,277.33; and Laurie Sabel’s homeroom that collected $138.20 of the high school’s $293.34 collected.

The total collected for the library campaign was $3,053.05.

Tom Nilssen resigns from county board

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – The January meeting of the Polk County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night, Jan. 15, was fairly short and quick.

The one resolution that divided the board, office remodeling for the clerk of court, has sent back to committees.

Much of the meeting was devoted to presentations and a long closed session on the property tax statement issue (see separate story).

The meeting started with the announcement that Tom Nilssen, Clear Lake, had resigned from the board on Jan. 14 for health reasons. Nilssen was the senior member of the board, having served since 1994. After his first election, defeating an incumbent, he ran unopposed for six more terms. The board chair will bring an appointment of someone to fill the vacancy to a future county board meeting for approval. The seat is up in April.

The meeting continued with several members of the public asking the board to not sell Golden Age Manor, the county-owned nursing home in Amery. The board has scheduled a special meeting next Tuesday to consider a purchase offer.

Steve Martinson, Black Brook, said his mother is a resident of the home. He noted that the GAM finances may be turning around, and the home might break even this year. He also said that there is a concern about capital repairs at the home. Martinson said that 75 percent of the cost for new windows would be paid by the state, and the remaining 25-percent county share should be recovered by lower energy costs.?

Dave Moore, Balsam Lake, criticized the board for planning on meeting in closed session to consider the sale, saying the meeting should be open to the interested public.

Jim Brabek, Balsam Lake, told the board that the GAM land had been donated to the county for the purpose of building a home and the county does not have the legal right to sell the property.

Human services director Richard Kammerud gave a detailed explanation

of a plan to consolidate the county’s long-term care services in a new consortium with several other counties.

Human services committee chair Keith Rediske summed up the issue by saying, “If we don’t do something as a group to plan for the future, the state will do it for us, and we will have no input.”

Clerk of court Lois Hoff had planned to use unspent funds from her budget, including $12,000 from staff saving and $5,000 for equipment, to rearrange her office to provide better staff flow and site lines. The public protection committee had approved the fund transfer last fall, but the finance committee turn down the request. Public protection then brought the issue to the full board.

Robert Blake, from the public protection committee, supported the expenditure, saying it was money in Hoff’s budget, not new money, and the need for the change was great. Mick Larsen, for finance, said the office was only four years old, and there were many needs for the money. After much debate, the issue was sent back to a joint meeting of public protection and finance to see if an agreement on the issue can be reached.

County board chair Larry Jepsen asked for approval of the appointment of former board member Gerald Newville to the council on aging to replace Jack Overby, who died recently.

This drew a negative response from Patricia Schmidt, the senior member of the board.

“Our rules call for board members to act in a respectful manner,” Schmidt said. “On many occasions, Mr. Newville has not followed that guideline. He has called the board members ‘small minded,’ ‘cowards’ and ‘vultures.’ He does not respect the other county board members.”

The Newville appointment was approved on a voice vote with a number of negative votes heard.

Aside from that, the most significant item was the approval of the gopher bounty resolution. The county paid $14,316 for the death of 9,826 pocket and striped gophers.

PAGE 16 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

Twins bene t from UCP services NORTHWEST WISCONSIN - On Jan. 15, 1998, the joy of birth was multiplied by two for Dixie and Bob McGee. On that day, Ben and Sam, born identical twins, started their somewhat challenged days through life with the immediate crisis of needing twin-to-twin blood transfers. Ben benefited to a greater degree from this somewhat rare medical procedure as he, from that day, has shown an accelerated rate of growth.

Parents, Dixie and Bob, took the boys home from neonatal care and embarked again on normal child rearing.

The twins would have great sibling role models in older brothers—Jacob, now 18 years old, and Lucas, now 15.

Both brothers would learn to play important roles in the special care of the twins.

It wasn’t long, however, that the experiences of “average” parenting took some detours for Dixie and Bob. Dixie recalls that when Sam and Ben turned 6 months old they were introduced to Birth to Three services of Buffalo County, since a number of early developmental milestones weren’t being met.

It was when the twins reached 3 years old that their family was introduced to the services of the UCP West Central Wisconsin Neurodevelopmental Evaluation Clinic. By then some distinctively atypical behaviors were emerging and, after careful evaluation, the clinic’s team made the diagnosis of autism for both boys. (Ben also exhibits some muscle tightness in his heel cords, which can be diagnosed as mild cerebral palsy.)

When asked what initial effects of these diagnostic words had on the family, Dixie truthfully comments, “It kind of took the wind out of our sails for a while.” But the McGee spirit wasn’t absent for long.

Dixie says, “Soon we decided to look at the prospects as a new path for our lives—one more adventure.” With that attitude, Dixie has become an exempla-

Ben and Sam McGee are the Feature Children for this year’s UCP Telethon, Jan. 26. Members of the Frederic Lions Club will be manning phones to take donations for the cause (see separate story). – Photo submitted ry self-advocate for the boys, but not without significant support. Besides coming for periodic visits to the UCP Neurodevelopmental Evaluation Clinic to receive updated recommendations for optimal growth, Dixie expresses thanks to UCP for general support.

“Whenever we call, we can count on finding someone to listen and always come up with appropriate resources and an optimistic outlook.”

Life goes on at the McGee house.

While Bob works at Martin Transport and Dixie at the Eau Claire Post Office, Sam and Ben attend Mondovi Elementary in third grade with special services. This is a special year for their family, because Ben and Sam were chosen to be the UCP Feature Children for 2008. They reportedly really enjoyed making Telethon commercials for WEAU-TV; so they will have a blast on Star Fest on Jan. 26.

Tune in to meet the whole family! – from UCP

Protecting Great Lakes on Doyle’s agenda ST. PAUL - An agreement to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species and draining water from its basin should and probably will be passed by Wisconsin’s Legislature this year. That the opinion from Gov. Jim Doyle last week after meeting with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Pawlenty and the Minnesota Legislature became the first state to ratify the Great Lakes Compact, something he hopes his neighboring states do as well.

He says he’s proud that Minnesota was the first state to sign the compact.

Doyle says he’s a believer, but he says some of the members of the Legislature

need convincing. He says he hopes the Wisconsin Legislature is listening, and he notes there’s strong support for this measure in both parties. He says this is about how to preserve the quantity and the quality of Great Lakes water and how to make sure that the states move forward in a joint effort to deal with different problems of invasives. He says it’s also a way to recognize for generations to come that the futures of the region’s states depend on a healthy Great Lakes.

Legislation to ratify the Great Lakes Compact is expected to be introduced this month. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Mike Simonson)

Harsdorf, Hraychuck to attend Ice Age Trail Annual meeting ST. CROIX FALLS – Sen. Sheila Harsdorf and Rep. Ann Hraychuck will be guests at the Indianhead Chapter-Ice Age Trail annual meeting on Jan. 26.

They have been invited to discuss Stewardship funding and the issues involved in the proposed Trails Council bill AB600.

That bill would provide statutory representation for motorized, off-road recreationalists on the State Trails Council. The State Trails Council advises the DNR on planning, acquisitions and management of all state trails.

Currently, no seats on the council are designated for specific-user groups.

A social hour with refreshments will begin this event at 9:30 a.m. At that time, attendees will have an opportunity for conversation with our state representatives, and at the business meeting, beginning at 10 a.m., Harsdorf and Hraychuck will update members on these Legislative issues. Following the meeting, Keith Relyea and Jeannie Kant will share photos from their 12 days sailing Spitzbergen and the Svalbard archipelago last summer.

The meeting will be held at the Interpretive Center, Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls. - submitted

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 17

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Tigers win in triple overtime

Until then, there are other games to look forward to with Grantsburg against Frederic on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m.

Next Friday the Tigers have another tough game for the season as they take on the top, undefeated conference team of Luck in the Cardinal’s gym at 7:30 p.m.

“I wish we would have gotten them at home first, but, oh well,” Hedrick commented.

Webster’s Thill breaks school record with 39 points Webster 74, Grantsburg 71

by Brenda Sommerfeld GRANTSBURG – The Grantsburg and Webster game was probably one of the longest and most intense games that will be seen all season, when the boys teams took it into three overtimes in order to find a winner on Friday, Jan 11.

Eventually the Tigers succeeded by winning it, 74-71.

Webster’s Brian Thill was another story of the night, by being the lead scorer for the game. Thill hit one right after another for 15 from the field and nine of his 11 free throws, to score 39 points for his team. He beat the Webster school record, with this 39, that was previously held by Aaron Carlson back in 2001 with a total of 38.

“I think that was a great high school basketball game,” Webster coach Randy Hedrick commented. “It’s a shame somebody has to lose.”

This game was Webster’s turn to take home the win against their rival team from Grantsburg.

“We have a little rivalry, but I think for the most part we both respect each other,” Hedrick said.

“It’s a pretty good rivalry we’ve built over the years, but there’s a lot of respect for each other, too,” Grantsburg coach Danny Judd said.

This game was played very respectfully. Even though there were many fouls called, neither team deliberately hurt an opponent and there was a friendly handshake at the end.

Both teams are very competitive and have proved they can play against many tough teams, but each still has things to work on.

“There was a lot of mistakes by both teams,” Hedrick commented.

The Pirates took off with a 8-5 lead in the beginning of the game, but the determined Tigers came back before the end of the first period, only down by one, 13-12. Five of Webster’s 12 points were from free throws due to fouls called on the Grantsburg team, while only two of the Pirates points were made by free throws.

The second period was when Webster really took off, leading 27-19 at halftime.

Grantsburg returned from the locker room very motivated and came back in the third period, outscoring the Tigers 19-8, and taking back the lead, 38-35.

Team Webster Grantsburg

1 2 3 4 O1 O2 O3 12 15 8 13 3 10 13 13 6 19 10 3 10 10 Individual Statistics Webster 2s 3s FTM/A F Peter Walsh 0 0 1/2 4 Brian Gibbs 1 3 4/5 2 Nick Wolfe 0 0 0/0 1 AJ Holmquist 3 0 0/1 1 Dylan Geske 1 2 3/6 4 Brian Thill 15 0 9/11 3 Adam Baum 0 0 2/2 4 Totals 20 5 19/27 19

TP 1 15 0 6 11 39 2 74

Grantsburg Kevin Johnson Connar Goetz Ben Larson Shawn Pavlik Tyler Myers Jason Jensen Trent Bonneville Totals

TP 4 16 11 9 10 7 14 71

2s 2 4 5 1 5 2 6 25

3s FTM/A F 0 0/0 5 1 5/7 0 0 1/2 4 1 4/6 5 0 0/0 2 0 3/3 3 0 2/5 5 2 15/23 24

F 74 71

Extra Points

Webster’s star of the night, Brian Thill, powers past Grantsburg’s Jason Jensen and goes up under the basket for a shot. - Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld The Pirates held the lead for the first again, 71-71 in the last 30 seconds, but few minutes of the third, but Webster Geske nailed another 3-pointer with 12 answered back with Thill putting in two seconds left taking the game, 74-71.

“We played a good game,” Judd free throws to pull ahead 46-43 with one minute to go. Webster’s Dylan Geske explained. “Webster’s a tough team. We was fouled and made two free throws, played well and they played well. and they widened the gap, 48-43. Anytime you go to three overtimes, I Grantsburg’s Shawn Pavlik nailed a 3- don’t think anyone played poorly.”

“Kids played hard,” Hedrick said. pointer and another field goal to tie it up 48-48. Neither team could get anoth- “That’s all you can ask for.”

Brian Gibbs put up 15 for the Tiger er shot to go in before the buzzer rang.

The tip-off to the first of three over- team and Geske ended with 11 points, times started with Grantsburg receiving being at the end to get final points, possession. The teams stayed neck and while AJ Holmquist contributed six, neck, each scoring three more points, Adam Baum made two and Peter Walsh added one. taking it to the buzzer, 51-51.

Grantsburg had many players put up During overtime two, the teams stayed close with Thill scoring four and points for them. Goetz had the most, Pirate’s Trent Bonneville putting up six, with 16 points. Bonneville put up 14, until Geske hit one from outside for Ben Larson added 11, Tyler Myers three to take the lead, 57-60. Grantsburg scored 10, Pavlik had nine, Jason Jensen then knocked in a field goal bringing it had seven and Kevin Johnson made to 60-59. Geske got two free throws and four points adding up to the 71 total made one and Pirate’s Quentin Johnson points of the night. shot three free throws and made two, “There’s no way there’s individuals in tying them up again, 61-61. a game like that,” Juud mentioned.

The third four minutes was when “Everybody contributed.” things came to an end. It looked as if it These teams’ next meeting will be in might end with another tie, with Thill Webster as the second to last game in putting in a few more and Goetz on tar- the regular season on Thursday, Feb. 14, get for a couple, when Grantsburg’s at 7:30 p.m. It is not a game you want to Connor Goetz hit one to tie it up once miss.

••• STEVENS POINT – Luck graduate and UW-Stevens Point basketball player Britta Petersen had a great game against the OshKosh Titans on Saturday, Jan. 5, to help her team triumph 79-47. Petersen made four field goals and one-for-two freethrow attempts to score nine points for the Pointers. She also completed two rebounds and one steal to benefit her college team. Then on Jan. 9, Petersen had a nice game against UW-River Falls with 13 points and seven rebounds, which are both career highs. She shot five for five from the field and three of four free throws in game. – Brenda Sommerfeld ••• LEADER LAND – The Jan. 18, boys and girls basketball games between Siren and Unity can be heard on WLMX 104.9 FM at 6 p.m.

The Blizzard boys hockey game at Pine City can be heard on Jan. 18 on WXCX 105.7 FM at 7 p.m. On Jan. 18 the Amery at Osceola basketball game will be broadcast on WXCE 1260 AM at 7:30 p.m. On Jan. 21 the Amery at Spooner boys basketball game can be heard on WXCE 1260 AM at 7:30 p.m. On Jan. 22 the boys and girls basketball game with Luck at Grantsburg can be heard on 105.7 FM at 6 p.m. The boys girls basketball game with Unity at St. Croix Falls is being broadcast on WLMX 104.9 FM at 6 p.m. on Jan. 22.

Girls basketball with Amery at Baldwin Woodville is being broadcast on WXCE 126 at 7:30 p.m. – Marty Seeger ••• LEADER LAND – On Jan. 18 the college hockey game with Wisconsin at Alaska Anchorage is being broadcast on WXCE 1260 AM at 10 p.m. The Jan. 19 college basketball game with Northwestern at Wisconsin can be heard on WXCE 1260 AM at 8 p.m.

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

SPORTS RESULTS DEADLINES: WEDNESDAY - MONDAY: 1 p.m. the following business day. TUESDAY: 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 o r b r e n d a l s @ c e n t u r y t e l . n e t

PAGE 18 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

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SCF girls get huge win over Siren Eagles find a way to first win of the season St. Croix Falls 69, Siren 62

by Marty Seeger ST. CROIX FALLS – The Saints girls climbed closer to the top in the conference standings with a huge win over Siren last Friday night. Led by Marissa Campeau, and Jenny Benoy’s outside threat, the Saints produced a seasonhigh 69 points that helped to erase a 9point deficit at the end of the first quarter.

The Saints led by just one point at the half and opened up a 55-44 lead at the end of three. Campeau produced five 3pointers and Benoy piled on four from beyond the arc. Campeau ended the game with 25 points and Benoy finished with 18.

“We shot very well as a team,” said Saints coach Angie Maternowsky.

“Jenny and Marissa were hitting the outside shots and Alex Confer ran the offense and played very well on defense.”

The win came just one game after sophomore Megan Yunker suffered a separated shoulder against Luck.

Maternowsky says Yunker will be out for some time and the playoffs are questionable at this time. Yunker was a big key both on offense and defense.

Leading in rebounds for the Saints was senior Sasha Bryant with seven.

The team also shot 18 of 26 from the charity stripe.

“It was an impressive performance by the team,” Maternowsky said.

“Everyone stepped up and played their part.”

For Siren it was Janey Emery who led the team with 24 points. Carley Emery added 21 points and Lynette Renberg added six. The Dragons are now even in the conference standings with Frederic, with St. Croix Falls not far behind in second place.

Unity 36, Luck 26 BALSAM LAKE – The Eagles rolled to their first victory of the season over the Cardinals last Friday night, with Brianna Schmid taking the helm with 14 total points. The game was tied only 3-3 going into the second period, but Unity came through before the half to add 10 more on the scoreboard and hold the

Marissa Campeau flies past Siren’s Janey Emery during St. Croix Falls’ win over the Dragons. Campeau had 25 points and shot five of eight attempts from beyond the arc. – Photo by Erik Barstow Cardinals to just six points in the first quarter, we did not,” Messar said. half.

For Luck, Megan Hacker led with “We really struggled against a well- eight points and Erica Wilson had six. prepared and hungry Unity team,” said Brittney Danielson added four points Cardinals coach Marty Messar. “Scoring for the Cards. only three points per quarter in the first half really put us in a hole.”

Grantsburg 50, Webster 39 Andrea Thompson scored eight GRANTSBURG – The Grantsburg points for the Eagles and Tina Edgell girls took their third conference win on added six points. Luck managed to hold Friday, Jan. 11, when they were up the Eagles to four points in the third and against the Webster Tigers. They started produced 13 of their own. The team led with the lead and ended with it 50-39.

19-17 going into the fourth but the Outscoring Webster during every Eagles held on. quarter is what took the win for the “Coach Holicky’s girls played with Pirates. great desire and discipline in the last “I was pleased with people coming in and playing hard for us,” Grantsburg coach Lisa McKinley said. “It was nice 1 2 3 4 F Team Siren 18 9 17 18 62 to see us be able to rally back and win 9 19 22 19 69 Individual Statistics Siren 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Haily Mulroy 0 1 0/0 1 3 Jennifer Mitchell 1 0 1/3 3 3 Courtney Daniels 0 0 0/0 3 0 Carley Emery 5 2 2/2 3 21 Janey Emery 7 2 4/4 3 24 Lynette Renberg 3 0 0/3 5 6 Ashley Guevara 1 0 3/6 2 5 Totals 17 5 10/18 20 62

St. Croix Falls

St. Croix Falls Alex Confer Sheranda Whittaker Jenny Benoy Annie Confer Marissa Campeau Kelsey Douglass-White Cortney Rasmussen Sasha Bryant Amanda Larson Totals

2s 0 0 1 1 2 1 3 2 2 12

3s FTM/A F 0 0/0 5 0 0/0 1 4 4/4 2 0 2/2 3 5 6/10 1 0 3/4 0 0 3/4 1 0 0/2 3 0 0/0 0 9 18/26 16

TP 0 0 18 4 25 5 9 4 4 69

Team Luck Unity

1 2 3 4 F 3 3 13 7 26 3 10 4 19 36 Individual Statistics Luck 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Erica Wilson 2 0 2/4 5 6 Briana Stage 1 0 0/0 1 2 Melissa Jensen 1 0 0/0 0 2 Megan Hacker 2 0 4/7 1 8 Sarah Petersen 1 0 1/2 4 3 Krystal Stage 0 0 0/0 3 0 Chelsea Rasmussen 0 0 1/2 0 1 Brittney Danielson 2 0 0/0 5 4 Taryn Pilz 0 0 0/0 2 0 Totals 9 0 8/15 20 26

Unity’s Andrea Thompson dribbles around Luck’s Briana Stage. – Photo

by Jeanne Alling

after another poor third quarter.”

“Grantsburg gave us what we expected,” Webster coach Greg Widiker explained. “They are a good team, but beatable if we play respectable. We beat ourselves by committing 45 turnovers.”

The Pirates defense was a reason for the turnovers, with them staying with their opponents throughout. Webster stayed close, but couldn’t pull ahead of the Pirate team during either half.

“We can compete with any team in this conference,” Widiker stated, “but only if we take care of the basketball and we just were not able to do that Friday night.”

Grantsburg’s Kortney Morrin had a great night with 19 points throughout the game. Abbey Vaksdal had eight for the Pirates and Megan Finch made seven.

Ingrid Ames and Stephanie Jensen, still battling injuries, were able to put up some needed points. Ames added five and Jensen with four. Alison McKinley made four points and Laura Skifstad put up three.

“We’re getting more balance in our scoring,” McKinley noted.

Webster’s lead scorers were once again on top, with Sam Hogle getting 13 and Amanda Alberg putting up 11. A few other athletes helped out, with Beth Baer scoring seven and Leah Janssen and Reba Smallwood each contributing four. – Brenda Sommerfeld

Unity Tina Edgell Cailin Turner Brianna Schmid Becca Milligan Steph Kothlow Briana Bielmeier Elizabeth Ebensperger Andrea Thompson Totals

2s 3 0 5 2 0 1 0 2 13

3s FTM/A F TP 0 0/0 3 6 0 0/0 1 0 0 4/6 1 14 0 0/4 2 4 0 0/0 1 0 0 1/2 3 3 0 1/2 1 1 0 4/6 4 8 0 10/20 16 36

Team Webster Grantsburg

1 2 3 4 F 6 9 11 13 39 10 12 14 14 50 Individual Statistics Webster 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Samantha Hogle 4 1 2/9 2 13 Amanda Alberg 4 0 3/6 3 11 Chris Stoll 0 0 0/0 3 0 Leah Janssen 0 0 4/4 0 4 Chelsey Bereiter 0 0 0/0 3 0 Reba Smallwood 2 0 0/0 1 4 Beth Baer 3 0 1/1 3 7 Totals 13 1 10/20 15 39 Grantsburg Abbey Vaksdal Kortney Morrin Megan Finch Ingrid Ames Stephanie Jensen Vanessa Kleiss Alison McKinley Gretchen Hedlund Laura Skifstad Totals

2s 4 8 3 2 2 0 2 0 0 21

3s FTM/A F TP 0 0/0 1 8 1 0/0 1 19 0 1/1 2 7 0 1/2 3 5 0 0/2 3 4 0 0/2 1 0 0 0/0 1 4 0 0/0 3 0 0 3/4 3 3 1 5/11 18 50

Team Frederic Northwood

1 2 3 4 F 5 4 8 11 28 6 11 6 13 36 Individual Statistics Frederic 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Ana Miller 0 1 0/0 1 3 Megan Anderson 0 0 0/2 2 0 Kelly Wondra 0 0 1/2 5 1 Erin Schmidt 5 0 1/2 4 11 Melanie Chenal 3 0 1/2 2 7 Becca Anderson 1 1 1/2 4 6 Candace Buck 0 0 0/0 1 0 Totals 9 2 4/10 19 28 Northwood Ashlee Blegen Deanna Scheller Taylor Fellbaum Janie Murray Ashley Albano Erin Okonek Annie Block Totals

2s 6 2 2 0 0 0 0 10

3s FTM/A F TP 0 5/8 1 17 0 0/0 2 4 0 3/4 3 7 0 1/2 2 1 0 4/6 1 4 0 0/0 1 0 0 3/6 0 3 0 16/26 10 36

Grantsburg’s Gretchen Hedlund and Webster’s Reba Smallwood battle it out for the ball. – Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld Northwood 36, Frederic 28 MINONG – The Frederic girls basketball team had a close game with the Northwood Evergreens on Friday, Jan. 11, when they took their second loss of the season. This game ended 36-28.

“Northwood is a very good team at 92 and are the favorite in their region,” coach Troy Wink stated. “We played a good game on the defensive end.

Megan Anderson gets a lot of credit for holding their leading scorer, Ashley Albano, to four points. She averages 16 a game.”

The four points that were allowed to Albano were from free throws in the second and fourth quarters of the game.

Defensively the Vikings kept the entire Northwood team to a low-scoring game, but could not put in the baskets either.

“We had enough chances on offense, but had too many misses, costly turnovers and missed free throws,” Wink explained.

Schmidt was able to put up 11 points to help her team score their 28. Melanie Chenal knocked in seven points, Becca Anderson had six, Ana Miller made a 3pointer and Kelly Wondra put in one free throw. – Brenda Sommerfeld

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 19

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Cards cruise easily over Unity Saints get solid win over Siren Luck 65, Unity 36

by Marty Seeger BALSAM LAKE – The Cardinals continued to dominate the competition as they rolled easily past the Eagles last Friday night.

“We are going into every game like it is our last game,” said Cards coach Rick Giller. “The team is responding with great effort.”

Cody Richert is continuing to put up great numbers on both offense and defense as he led Luck with 17 points and eight steals. Carson Giller continues to control the ball at point, and defensively he picked up four steals on the night. Both Brennan Olson and Tyler Petersen scored in the double digits with 15 and 13 points respectively.

Giller says the team pressed early and was impressed with how it worked, and was also pleased with how the offense is beginning to click.

“Our outside was greatly improved with Brennan knocking down three 3pointers, with Harry Severson, Cody and Mitchell Klatt each getting one.”

While the Cardinals have remained perfect throughout the season up to this point, they face probably their toughest schedule of the year in the coming week. The first game begins with a home game against Webster this Friday.

The Tigers are coming off a recent triple overtime win over Grantsburg. Both Webster and Luck are undefeated in conference.

“There’s a lot riding on this one, and I’m expecting a very tough game,” Giller said. But the team has been trying to take the same approach to every game, whether they go up against the top team in the conference or a team

Promoting Eagle Pride during the Luck/Unity doubleheader were (L to R) Jessica Larson, Taylor Loken, Jason Vlasnik, Justin McKenzie, Katelyn Swointek, and Stephanie Lobert. – Photo by Jeanne Alling

Luck’s Brennan Olson goes for a layup during Friday’s game. – Photo

by Sue Tolan near the bottom of the conference.

“I think the kids have been responding well with it,” said Giller. After coming off a long Christmas break Giller said their win against St. Croix Falls, and then Unity, shows that they’re still on the right track.

“We said ‘hey, this is an important game, and they’re (Unity) not taking anyone lightly,’” Giller said.

After Webster this Friday night, the Cardinals will be traveling to Eau Claire Regis for nonconference action the following Saturday at 7 p.m. Then on Tuesday they’ll be heading to the land of Pirates to take on Grantsburg.

Last Friday, the Eagles came as close as about 12 points in the third quarter, but Luck controlled the tempo for much of the game according to Shaun Fisher.

“We did play hard, especially on defense the second half,” Fisher said.

“We did a good job of challenging shots and blocking out.”

Offensively Fisher said the team is working on making some more improvements, and defense will be a key focus on the second half of the season.

“We have played some pretty good offenses so far, and it won’t get any easier the second half of the year, so defense and ball management will be key,” Fisher said.

St. Croix Falls 67, Siren 46 ST. CROIX FALLS – The Saints had the upper hand over Siren last Friday night, while maintaining a 20-point lead for much of the game. Trygve

Saints Ryan Larson goes around a Siren defender for a shot. – Photo by Erik Barstow Team Luck Unity

1 2 3 4 F 19 22 8 16 65 9 9 8 10 36 Individual Statistics Luck 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Mitchell Klatt 2 1 0/2 2 7 Cody Richert 5 1 4/4 2 17 Harry Severson-Dickinson 1 1 2/2 1 7 Cole Mortel 1 0 0/0 3 2 Nick Morgan 0 0 0/0 1 0 Tyler Petersen 1 0 11/12 2 13 Brennan Olson 2 3 2/6 2 15 Carson Giller 2 0 0/1 0 14 Totals 14 6 19/27 13 65 Unity Sam Bengston Seth McKenzie Chad Strilzuk Justin Bader Ryan Flaherty Brady Flaherty Lance Peper Totals

2s 1 1 3 6 0 1 1 13

3s FTM/A F TP 2 0/0 4 8 0 0/0 1 2 0 0/0 0 6 0 1/3 3 13 0 0/0 4 0 0 2/5 0 4 0 1/2 0 3 2 4/10 12 36

Team Siren St. Croix Falls

1 2 3 4 F 5 8 16 17 46 14 19 13 21 67 Individual Statistics Siren 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Jesse Hinze 0 0 0/0 1 0 Christian Hall 2 1 1/2 4 8 Adam Daniels 6 2 5/9 2 23 Thad Baasch 1 0 0/0 0 2 Jordan Potvin 0 1 0/0 2 3 Travis Freese 0 0 2/2 1 2 Charlie Brown 1 0 6/10 4 8 Totals 10 4 14/23 14 46

St. Croix Falls Jacob Larcom Dan Roach Trygve Chinander Matt Schardin Cory Gebhard Gus Koecher Ryan Larson David Lund Kyle Christensen Austin Whittenberg Greg Kadrmas Sam Schmidt Totals

2s 0 1 5 0 1 0 7 5 1 1 2 0 23

3s FTM/A F 0 2/4 2 1 0/0 1 3 0/0 3 0 2/3 0 0 0/0 0 0 0/0 1 0 0/1 0 0 4/5 3 0 0/0 1 0 0/0 0 0 1/4 3 0 0/0 2 4 9/17 16

TP 2 5 19 2 2 0 14 14 2 2 2 0 67

Chinander led the scoring charge with 19 points and four steals. Dan Roach led in steals with five and produced five rebounds and seven assists. Cory Gebhard had four assists and four rebounds.

Ryan Larson and David Lund produced good numbers with 14 points apiece. Larson led the team with six boards and Lund had five on the night.

“The size advantage and our press allowed us to control the boards and tempo of the game,” said coach Todd Voss. “Overall, it was a good team effort.”

Adam Daniels led Siren with 23 points, while Charlie Brown and Christian Hall added eight apiece.

Drummond 57, Siren 55 DRUMMOND – The Dragons were close to another win when they went to Drummond on Thursday, Jan. 10, but didn’t pull this one out of their hats, losing 57-55.

Going into halftime the teams were tied, 15-15, but the Dragons had some trouble getting the ball in the net during the third, only scoring eight to Drummond’s 17.

The fourth was the best scoring for both, with Drummond making 25, while Siren totaled 32.

“It was a furious comeback,” coach Rick Anderson described. “We actually had the ball with seven seconds left and the chance to take the game-winning shot, and unfortunately he missed.”

Adam Daniels had 24 points during the night with 17 being in the final quarter, while Vince Nasman racked up eight, Christian Hall and Jordan Potvin seven, Charlie Brown six and Travis Freese three.

“I’d hoped it would be closer,” Anderson said.

Siren has two games coming this week with Prairie Farm on Thursday, Jan. 17, and Unity on Friday, Jan. 18.

If you missed the last Unity and Siren matchup, they were tied with a few seconds left and Siren made that winning shot, so this should be a close one. It will be on Friday at the Unity school starting Team Siren Drummond Siren Christian Hall Adam Daniels Jordan Potvin Travis Freese Vince Nasman Charlie Brown Totals

1 2 3 4 F 5 10 8 32 55 10 5 17 25 57 Individual Statistics 2s 3s FTM/A F TP 1 1 2/4 3 7 1 7 1/3 4 24 2 1 0/0 1 7 0 0 3/5 4 3 1 2 0/2 2 8 3 0 0/0 5 6 8 11 6/14 19 55

Drummond Brandon Friermood Cole DeChant Greg Jarecki LeRoy Walters Corey Sackmann Paul Walters David Anderson Doug Wickingson Nathan Rondeau Totals

2s 0 0 4 1 0 3 2 2 6 18

3s FTM/A F 0 0/0 1 1 1/2 1 0 2/5 0 2 0/0 4 1 0/2 1 0 1/2 2 0 0/0 0 0 2/2 4 0 3/5 0 4 9/18 13

TP 0 4 10 8 3 7 4 6 15 57

at 6 p.m. – Brenda Sommerfeld Northwood 48, Frederic 45 MINONG – The Frederic boys had a close game on Friday, Jan. 11, when they visited the Northwood Evergreens.

They were in reach of the win but didn’t come out on top, losing by three points 48-45.

Trailing after the first half 25-13, the Vikings were not able to pull themselves above the Evergreens even after their second half effort of outscoring Northwood 32-23.

“Another tough loss that was the tale of two halves for us,” coach Ben Nelson said. “We played poorly in the first half and dug ourselves too big a hole, but we played very well in the second.”

Kyle Swenson scored 22 points, while Zach Anderson added 15, Nolan Neumann with four, and Will Primm and Ben Nelson each with two.

“I’ve been happy with our defense all year,” Nelson explained. “Fifty points has been the number we shoot for every game as far as points allowed and points scored. We’ve been holding a lot of teams under that number, but we have yet to get there offensively.” –

Frederic’s Nolan Neumann keeps control of the ball during another game this season. – Photo by Marty Seeger Team Frederic Northwood

1 2 3 4 F 7 6 14 18 45 12 13 9 14 48 Individual Statistics Frederic 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Nolan Neumann 1 0 2/4 4 4 Brent Crandell 0 0 0/0 1 0 Will Primm 1 0 0/0 1 2 Ben G. Anderson 0 0 0/0 2 0 Zach Anderson 6 0 3/4 2 15 Kyle Swenson 6 3 1/2 4 22 Ben Nelson 1 0 0/0 2 2 Totals 15 3 6/10 16 45 Northwood Jesse Melby Reese Stariha Joe Martin Gerrod Richard Zach Haynes Mike Benson Thomas Ross Kevin Pagorek Totals

2s 0 5 4 0 1 2 1 2 15

3s FTM/A F 0 0/0 2 2 2/4 3 0 2/2 1 0 0/0 1 0 3/4 3 0 1/2 0 0 2/2 0 0 2/4 0 2 12/18 10

TP 0 18 10 0 5 5 4 6 48

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Pius takes Blizzard’s winning streak First loss in 11 games for young team Milwaukee Pius XI 5, Blizzard 3

by Brenda Sommerfeld SIREN – Milwaukee Pius XI, with a record of 9-3-0, and the Blizzard at 9-01, both were looking for their 10th win of the season, but only one could walk away with it. This one was Pius’ on Saturday, Jan. 12, when they beat the Blizzard 5-3.

“I wish every team we played was like them,” coach Greg Sears said. “It was a good contest, our kids played hard, but we couldn’t get the bounces.”

Robbie Billings put the Blizzard’s first goal in only two minutes into the game with help from Steven Labatt and Noah Thatcher, but Pius was outplaying them and was able to score soon after.

Travis Close scored for the Blizzard next, and could have brought it up to a Team 1 2 3 F 2 1 2 5 Milwaukee Pius XI 2 0 1 3 Blizzard Scoring First Period – 1 B Robbie Billings (Steven Labatt, Noah Thatcher) 2:05. 1 MP - Josh Schneider (Jonathan Bayer) 9:2, 2 B Travis Close (Robbie Billings, Cameron Hughes) 15:09, 2 MP Andrew C. Larson (Devin Stuermer, Rudy Raasch) 16:49 Second Period – 3 MP Rudy Raasch (Brandon Bayer) 10:12 Third Period – 4 MP Andrew C. Larson (Rudy Raasch) 7:23, 3 B Travis Close (Dave Harlander) 13:53, 5 MP Devin Stuermer (Rudy Raasch) 15:59 Goalies Saves – B Mike Billings (27), MP Miles Bishop (24)

Mike Billings stays tight to protect the net during a previous game this season. – File photo by Brenda Sommerfeld 3-1 lead, but missed a penalty shot, which allowed Pius’ next goal to tie it up 2-2.

Picking up the momentum, the Blizzard outskated Pius but couldn’t get one past, while they knocked one in on a power play pulling them ahead 3-2.

The third period Sears described as a dogfight with Pius scoring, then Close for the Blizzard, and then Pius added an empty netter with only a minute to go, ending the game in Pius’ favor 5-3.

After having played 11 games and not yet losing, this game was a tough one for the Blizzard, but things will get back on track for them soon.

“This is a young team and we still have plenty to work on,” Sears stated.

“It was nice to see us have to play with some urgency, and hopefully it pays off down the road.”

Blizzard 4, Moose Lake, Minn. 1 GRANTSBURG – The Blizzard made

a comeback after losing their first by winning 4-1 against the Moose Lake, Minn., team, on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

“Nice rebound for us after a tough loss on Saturday,” coach Greg Sears said.

The Blizzard came out strong to put in three goals in the first period, while not allowing Moose Lake to score. Ben Anderson put in the first within the first two minutes and Robbie Billings made the next two, with the second on a power play.

No one got any shots in during the second and both teams scored during the third. Andrew Larson putting the Blizzard’s in the net during a power play.

“Sophomore Andrew Larson had a nice game with a goal and eight block shots on defense,” Sears commented.

“Mike Billings had a nice game with 22 saves.”

The Blizzard outshot Moose Lake 3924 throughout the three periods.

1 2 3 F Team Moose Lake (MN) 0 0 1 1 3 0 1 4 Blizzard Scoring First Period – 1 B Ben Anderson (Robbie Billings, Dave Harlander) 1:10, 2 B Robbie Billings (Noah Thatcher, Ben Anderson) 3:18, 3 B Robbie Billings (Dave Harlander) 12:22 Second Period – (no scoring) Third Period – 1 ML Dan Anderson (Logan Tillman) 3:26, 4 B Andrew Larson (Robbie Billings, Russ Thoreen) 5:33 Goalies Saves – B Mike Billings (23), ML Logan Mcallister (35)

Spartans outscore Lady Blizzard Carlson’s first time playing goalie Superior 7, Lady Blizzard 1

by Brenda Sommerfeld SIREN – Tanesha Carlson had her first goalie experience on Thursday night, Jan. 10, when the Lady Blizzard took on the Superior Spartans. The Spartans ended the game outscoring the Lady Blizzard 7-1.

Despite the score the Blizzard played a tough game considering they found out at 2 p.m. that their starting and only goalie, Tiffany Meyer, was sick and would not be able to play in their 7 p.m. game.

“For her not to play, she’d have to be really sick,” coach Tim Bennett explained.

The team was in need of finding a goalie and quickly, so Bennett asked sophomore forward Carlson if she would be interested in helping out.

“She’s got a great attitude and she’s a great athlete,” Bennett stated. “I knew if I asked her to do it, she would do it.”

So Carlson took the ice as the Lady Blizzard’s goalie and played a solid game for never having stepped foot into the equipment or the net before this game.

“Tanesha did a great job for us in the net,” Bennett said.

“It was interesting, and I was really nervous,” Carlson commented. “My team was nice about it.”

Carlson, with the help of her team, kept Superior to one goal in the first period. The second period was a different story when the Spartans put in three more, while the Lady Blizzard scored their one and only by Sasha Chell assisted by Krysta Laqua.

During the third period, Superior powered in three more with only one on a powerplay while Chell was in the box for the only Blizzard penalty.

This ended the game for the Blizzard with the score of one. It is the score they

Tanesha Carlson makes one of several saves of the night, while teammates come to help, during the Superior game. – Photo by Connie Carlson have gotten in many of their games, so they can score. It just needs to happen more.

Northland Pines 3, Lady Blizzard 1 SIREN – Once again the Lady Blizzard scored their one goal, but not any more, when they took a loss to Northland Pines on Saturday, Jan. 12.

One goal seems to be their reoccurring theme when they can’t seem to put more than that one goal in during any one game and their opponents sneak a few past to take over the game.

The Lady Blizzard had another good performance keeping the shots pretty even 20-24 throughout, but Northland Pines took advantage of the Blizzard being shorthanded when they scored twice in the first period on power plays.

“They were both bad calls,” coach Tim Bennett stated, “but that can be a Team 1 2 3 F Superior 1 3 3 7 Lady Blizzard 0 1 0 1 Scoring First Period – 1 S J Martin (A Pattingill) 6:20 Second Period – 2 S E Anderson (B Lechen) 0:58, 3 S J Seifert 5:12, 4 S A Bauer (J Seifert) 9:28, 1 LB Sasha Chell (Krysta Laqua) 14:5 Third Period – 5 S A Martin (A Lebard) 0:59, 6 S A Pattingill (A Bauer, A Lebard) 2:56, 7 S A Moe 11:46 Goalies Saves – LB Tanesha Carlson (17), K Stoltz (13)

part of the game.”

Brittany Hopkins was out during the first goal with a call of a body check, and Randi Hunter during the second for hooking. These were two of the three penalties the Lady Blizzard was called on, but they happened to be enough for Northland Pines to take the lead 2-0 after the first.

The second period was dominated by the Blizzard outshooting 9-5 and Hopkins put in an unassisted power play goal to put up their one point.

“Our powerplay was not very good tonight,” Bennett said. “We couldn’t handle their short-handed forecheck.”

With five chances for power-play goals and pulling their goalie for more attackers, the Blizzard still couldn’t get past Northland Pines when they put in one more goal in the third to take it 3-1.

Team 1 2 3 F Northland Pines 2 0 1 3 Lady Blizzard 0 1 0 1 Scoring First Period – 1 NP Abbey Olejniczak 4:25, 2 NP Mati Moustakis (Abbey Olejniczak) 13:49 Second Period – 1 LB Brittany Hopkins 10:13 Third Period – 3 NP Mati Moustakis (Sara Salmon) 3:07 Goalies Saves – LB Tiffany Meyer (21), NP Autumn Nielsen (19)

St. Croix Valley 3, Lady Blizzard 1 BALDWIN – The Lady Blizzard took off with the lead in their game against the No. 1 ranked team in the state, St. Croix Valley Fusion, but was once again, was only able to score one goal while the Fusion put in three.

“We knew we would have our hands full,” coach Tim Bennett said. “The Fusion was the best team we’ve seen all year.”

Alex Lonetti fired in a shot with a pass from Shannon Steiner in the first four minutes to take the lead in the first period, 1-0.

“It was nice to strike first,” Bennett stated.

In the second period, the Fusion tied it up with a short-handed breakaway goal.

It remained tied until the middle of the third with the Fusion making a shot from the slot and then later a shot went in off a Blizzard skate.

“Take away the turnover and the fluke goal and we tie the No. 1 team in the state,” Bennett explained.

The Fusion shot 38 times at the Lady Blizzard goalie, Tiffany Meyer, to only get three in, while their goalie saved a total of nine shots sent her way.

“We played tough defense all night,” Bennett mentioned. “She (Tiffany Meyer) made a lot of great saves for us.

She played outstanding.”

Chippewa Falls, who is the No. 2 ranked team, was the only other team that stayed so close with the Fusion so far this year, with their 4-3 loss.

“Not bad,” Bennett said. “Not too bad at all.”

Team 1 2 3 F Lady Blizzard 1 0 0 1 St. Croix Valley Fusion 0 1 2 3 Scoring First Period – 1 LB Alex Lonetti (Shannon Steiner) 3:42 Second Period – 1 F Alice Cranston 11:47 Third Period – 2 F Alice Cranston (Nikki Plunket, Tanis Klingler) 2:04, 3 F Lily Cranston (Tara Frey) 11:09 Goalies Saves – LB Tiffany Meyer (37), Devin Rohen (9)

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 21

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Raygor finishes first at SCF classic Clark made a two-point move to win it.

Jake Bruns also had a fine day taking third place. Bruns hit his nose hard in a match against Unity’s Dustin McKinney, and the match was defaulted since the bleeding couldn’t be stopped.

He was able to wrestle the final match and won by decision over Zach Rivard of Cameron 21-9.

“On Saturday those four kids wrestled well, and they’ve been wrestling well all year,” coach Clark said.

Team takes T.L.-Clayton 47-27

by Marty Seeger ST. CROIX FALLS – Saints 152pounder Joe Raygor had an outstanding week of wrestling last week. In the team’s win over T.L.-Clayton last week, Raygor won a close match with Michael Wanner in a 1-0 decision. Wanner is a two-time state qualifier who finished in second place at the Northern Badger Tournament in December.

“He’s wrestling the best he’s wrestled all year right now,” said coach Dan Clark of Raygor.

That was evident in the St. Croix Falls Classic last Saturday when Raygor finished in first place, which is a very difficult tournament for even the toughest wrestler. Clark said with the team the Saints had last year, they only placed one in first. That was repeated again with Raygor’s great finish. Then on Saturday Raygor took first place.

“It’s a tough tournament, so I was happy that he could get a win,” said Clark.

Raygor won his first three matches handily by pin in 0:57, 1:56 and 0:49. He won the following match by tech fall over and then pinned Ryan Crotteau of Cameron in 3:44 in the championship round.

Dan Larson and Justin Rikkola took second-place finishes on Saturday.

Clark says Larson had a chance to win in the championship round, but fell

St. Croix Falls sophomore, Joe Raygor, wrestled a close match against T.L.-Clayton's Michael Wanner last Thursday. Raygor won in a 1-0 decision.

- Photo by Erik Barstow behind in points and couldn’t get them back. Larson had two pins and one decision win to go 4-1 on the day.

Rikkola dominated the mat with four consecutive pins before falling to Philip Clark of Norwood Young America in the final round. Rikkola was tied 6-6 with 20 seconds left in the match before RIGHT: Justin Raygor pinned Unity's Jared Peper in 0:49 last Saturday at the SCF wrestling classic. It was one of four pins on the day. - Photo courtesy of Marie Raygor

LFG wrestles Spooner, at Medford Spooner 40, LFG 25

by Marty Seeger LUCK – The LFG wrestling team had another busy week as they wrestled against Spooner at home last Thursday, and then traveled to Medford for a full day.

Against Spooner, Russel Harr (189) beat Rob Lindberg in a 6-0 decision, and Devin Douglas (275) pinned Scott Olson in 1:45. Austin Eskola defeated Derek Larson 14-6 and Ben Ackerley lost a close match to John Duch 5-4. The teams logged two pins later in the match, with Justin Eley pinning Mike Condreua in 1:33, and Joe Grovum pinned Crys Makowsky in 2:29.

“Everyone wrestled hard and there were a lot of good matches,” said coach Chris Bartlett.

Medford tournament MEDFORD – Russel Harr went 4-0 at the Medford tournament last Saturday.

Harr had three pins and one decision against another wrestler that had a record of 25-3. Austin Eskola went 3-1

Senior Justin Eley moves his 130-lb. opponent Mike Condreva onto his back before pinning him at 1:33. - Photos by Lori Nelson on the day with one pin and two forfeits, but was pinned in the final match.

Lakeysha Schallenberger went 1-3 on the day yet logged a pin after going up

15-0.

Alex Smith wrestled hard all day, according to coach Chris Bartlett, and won his first varsity match. Also win-

Senior Russel Harr cradles Spooner's Rob Lindberg before beating him by decision in the 189-lb. match. ning his first varsity match was Jesse Paulson, who will now be heading off to Army school. Devin Douglas had to wrestle up all day but went 2-2 with a pin.

Eagles take on Warriors Finish well at SCF wrestling classic Clear Lake 44, Unity 33

by Marty Seeger UNITY – The Eagles took on one of the toughest teams in the area on Thursday night, yet it came down to the Warriors ability to pin their opponents in six head-to-head contests.

But the Eagles first six points came off of a pin by Josh Eaton (285) over Nick Leintz in 1:26. Dylan Koethe and Alex

Peper received forfeits before Luke Nelson (119) defeated Jack Morse 13-0.

Dustin McKinney won by tech fall-over on Jake Anderson and 17-2 and Dennis McKinney pinned Jack Somsen in 5:51.

SCF Classic ST. CROIX FALLS – Unity had a full day of wrestling in St. Croix Falls last Saturday, as the team finished in fifth place overall out of 11 teams. Alex Peper and Dustin McKinney placed the highest as individuals, with each taking second-place finishes.

Peper locked two matches by major decision and one by decision including

one pin over Dustin Hale of Norwood Young America in 1:57. He was pinned in the championship match by Bubba Gudis of Bruce for the second-place finish.

McKinney wrestled well all day before coming up against Thane Antzak in the championship match. McKinney won his other matches by one tech fallover, one pin, one major decision and an injury default over Jake Bruns of St. Croix Falls.

Ben Hendricks dominated much of the competition for the Eagles on Saturday. With three pins and one bye, Hendricks notched a second-place fin-

ish before falling to Jack Duerst of Boyceville in the championship match by a 24-3 decision.

Dylan Hendricks wrestled his way to a third-place finish after winning by decision over Lucas Minor of Boyceville by a score of 6-5. He received two byes, but won his third-place match over Cody Chouinard of New Richmond.

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

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Gymnastics at River Falls invite coach Dawn Schmidt said. “Their scores from the first meet have gone up about two points apiece.”

Grantsburg’s first event of the meet was the balance beam, which everyone fell off at least once, and none of them scored over 6.25. Emily Cole scored highest for the team with the 6.25.

“We were a little shaky and did not score well,” Lund explained. “Emily Cole had a great meet.”

Beam was also a little shaky for St. Croix Falls athletes with the highest score being 5.25 by Alexa Meyer.

“I expect that beam will be improving very soon,” Schmidt stated. “We’re starting to get the superior mounts and dismounts and if we can get the moves connected it will be even better.”

The floor exercises went well for both teams but scores were not as high as the coaches or athletes would have liked.

Grantsburg hit their season high on their hardest event, uneven bars, with a score of 28.20. St. Croix Falls score was 17.55 on bars.

“I’m not expecting anything super fantastic this year,” Schmidt explained, “but I’m expecting a lot of personal goals to be met, and they’re getting there.”

Grantsburg eighth, St. Croix Falls 12th

by Brenda Sommerfeld RIVER FALLS – Grantsburg gymnasts won the march-in contest for their sixth year in a row, but received eighth-place overall in the River Falls Invitational, while St. Croix Falls took 12th of 12 schools that competed on Saturday, Jan. 12.

“The upper schools pretty much took it,” Grantsburg coach Kathy Lund said, “but it was a good experience.”

The theme for the event this year was Winter Wonderland and Flip for a Cause. The teams ended up donating just under $2,000 to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Pirates marched out “fishin’ for a cure” by carrying out ice-fishing poles with plastic fish on the end to win the contest.

St. Croix Falls and Grantsburg each had only two all-around gymnasts during this meet. Kayla Cross and Brooke Parks competed in each event for St. Croix Falls, while Alyssa Ryan and Michelle Lund were the all-around competitors for the Pirates.

Grantsburg’s Maarja Anderson usually completes a routine on each event, but was not present during this meet.

Anderson will be back for the next invitational at Rice Lake on Saturday, Jan. 19 starting at 11 a.m.

With Anderson gone and Lund not feeling well, the Pirates struggled a little, but had some good routines.

“She (Michelle) was able to pull off a vault, but that was probably the only thing she felt positive about,” coach Lund said.

St. Croix Falls, too, was missing an athlete with senior Miranda Wilson not available to compete for the Saints due to prior obligations. Wilson is the only senior on the team, the rest of the competitors are freshman, except Kayla Cross who is a sophomore.

Vault went extremely well for the Pirates with them hitting the event season-high score of 32.65, while the young and inexperienced Saints team is improving but still learning, scored 27.35. Ryan and Jessika Ilgen scored the

Team Centennial River Falls Stewartville GMC Hudson Red Wing Chisago Grantsburg Menomonie Rice Lake Superior St. Croix Falls

Saint Shelley Wood practices her beam event. — Photo courtesy of Dawn Schmidt highest for the Grantsburg team with 8.30, while Katie Meyer scored 7.1 for the high of St. Croix Falls team.

“I have been really pushing vault for the last three weeks,” St. Croix Falls

Vault/Place 34.30 34.35 34.375 33.325 33.400 33.400 33.100 32.650 30.750 30.500 30.800 27.350

Bars/Place 35.50 34.275 31.750 32.375 33.075 31.600 32.200 28.200 19.550 22.050 20.700 17.550

Grantsburg’s Jessika Ilgen starts out her floor routine. — File photo by Brenda Sommerfeld Beam/Place 35.975 33.650 31.800 31.100 30.850 30.000 28.100 23.625 23.275 24.800 22.875 17.450

Floor/Place All Around/Place Place 35.125 140.900 1st 35.125 137.400 2nd 32.900 130.825 3rd 33.900 130.700 4th 32.350 129.675 5th 32.600 127.600 6th 32.800 126.200 7th 29.275 113.750 8th 26.850 100.425 9th 22.025 99.375 10th 24.925 99.300 11th 17.750 80.100 12th

Grantsburg Individual Scores Alyssa Ryan 8.30 Michelle Lund 8.10 Megan Branstad Jessika Ilgen 8.30 7.95 Katty Peterson Emily Cole 7.15 Lauren Finch

7.525 6.525 5.00 7.10 7.05 -

5.40 5.975 6.00 6.25 5.35

7.275 7.35 7.475 6.90 7.175 -

28.50 27.95 -

St. Croix Falls Individual Scores Dana Meyer Shelly Wood 6.30 Kayla Cross Alexa Meyer 6.80 7.10 Katie Meyer Brooke Parks 6.85 Kanesa Raymond 6.50

3.85 4.75 6.80 2.15 -

2.80 4.25 5.25 4.725 3.225 -

4.30 6.20 3.80 3.45 2.85

21.5 15.675 -

Tournament proves to be a battle RICE LAKE – The Blizzard Bantam played a tough 2A tournament in Rice Lakeon Sunday, Jan. 6. Despite mild winter weather, the competition on the ice was hot.

The first game against Middleton was tough, and Blizzard boys did not bring their best game to the ice.

The Middleton team beat the Blizzard 4 to 1.

The Blizzard vowed to come out with a better showing the next game.

The second game against the New Richmond A team showed a much stronger Blizzard effort. In a very exciting battle right to the end, the Blizzard left the ice victorious in a 3- 2 nail-biting win.

Sunday’s 8 a.m. game against Rice Lake was grueling, and the goalies did their best with shots flying everywhere.

The strong, deep bench of the Rice Lake bantams showed their stuff in a 8-2 vic-

tory over Burnett.

The fourth game of a long hockey weekend appeared to be the Blizzard’s deciding game. D.C. Everest came into the first period and outskated and outshot the Blizzard. The Blizzard boys left the ice at the end of the first period with a score of 2-1. The Blizzard boys dug deep and skated their hearts out to a 42 win over D.C. Everest.

Youth hockey results Burnett Youth Hockey Bantam

January 5

Middleton 4, Blizzard 1

Goals: Anthony Dietmeier Assists: Kyle Roberts Saves: Thomas Labatt (24)

Blizzard 3, New Richmond 2 Goals: Cody Benedict (2), Bert Luedtke Assists: Joe Engelhart Saves: Thomas Labatt (21)

Rice Lake 8, Blizzard 2

Goals: Kyle Roberts, Joe Engelhart Assists: Anthony Dietmeier, Tyler Richison Saves: Thomas Labatt (28), Brandon Roufs (6)

Blizzard 4, D.C. Everest 2

The Blizzard Bantam won a second-place trophy during their tournament in Rice Lake on Sunday, Jan. 6. – Photo submitted

After all the games were played on Sunday afternoon in this round-robin tournament, the Burnett Blizzard Bantam team earned their second-place trophy, not at all disappointed with their hardware. – submitted

Goals: Anthony Dietmeier (2), Cody Benedict, Brady McWilliam Assists: Joe Engelhart (3), Brady McWilliam Saves: Thomas Labatt (23)

January 10

U-12 Girls

Squirt A

Burnett 7, Amery 2

Goals: Wendy Roberts (3), Kassie Lien, Ashley Dietmeier Assists: Tianna Stewart, Danielle Pardun Saves: Hope Tucker (11)

Goals: Vincent Larson (2), Brett Richison (2), Brady Mangen (2), Max Norman Assists: Aubriannah Larson, Vincent Larson, Jenna Curtis Saves: Bailey Mangen (3)

U-12 Girls

Blizzard 7, Amery 0

Grants./Burnett 5, St. Francis 0

January 12 - 13

Grants./Burnett 9, Ashland 0

Goals: Taylor Heathman (2), Ashley Dietmeier (2), Johanna Lauer, Kassie Lien, Sam O’Brien, Tessa Schiller, Kally Schiller Assists: Paige Johnson (3), Ashley Dietmeier (2), Johanna Lauer (2), Tianna Stewart, Brittney Luedtke Saves: Hope Tucker (1), Gabby Schiller (3)

Grants./Burnett 6, Hayward 0

Goals: Sam O’Brien (2), Wendy Roberts, Danielle Pardun, Ashley Dietmeier, Paige Johnson Assists: Wendy Roberts Saves: Hope Tucker (5), Gabby Schiller (1)

Bantam

Goals: Anthony Dietmeier (2), Joe Engelhart, Cody Benedict, Kyle Roberts, Bert Luedtke, Brady McWilliam Assists: Cody Benedict (2), Joe Engelhart (2), Dylan Roberts, Kyle Roberts Saves: Thomas Labatt (25)

Bantam

Blizzard 1, Spooner 1

Goals: Kyle Roberts Assists: Shay Johnson Saves: Thomas Labatt (27)

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 23

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Vikings control Cats 67-41 Frederic plays best game yet

Team Cameron Unity

1 2 3 4 F 3 13 8 16 40 8 10 8 20 46 Individual Statistics 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Cameron Ben Harm 1 0 4/6 2 6 2 1 4/7 3 11 Rob Smith Stewart Campbell 4 1 0/0 4 11 0 0 0/0 1 0 Taylor Seeger Luke Larson 1 0 1/3 4 3 Levi Borstad 1 0 2/2 4 4 1 0 0/0 1 2 Jacob Hanson 0 0 0/0 1 0 Sam Lindgren Tyler Hom 0 1 0/1 4 3 Totals 10 3 11/19 24 40

Frederic 67, Weyerhaeuser 41

by Marty Seeger FREDERIC – The parents of the Frederic basketball team couldn’t have been more pleased with the performance of their boys against Weyerhaeuser Monday night. The teams routed the Wildcats on parents night in what coach Ben Nelson considered one of their best games of the season.

“Without a doubt the best game we’ve played from start to finish,” Nelson said.

Kyle Swenson led the team with 27 points and went 11 of 16 from the field.

Swenson had 14 points in the third quarter with four coming from beyond the arc. Nolan Neumann led with 11 rebounds and seven points and Will Primm also knocked down seven points. Zach Anderson and Ben G. Anderson had 10 and nine points respectively, and Ben Nelson recorded seven boards in the second half.

“This was the best we shot all year (25-52) and for only the second time all year we had a positive assist to turnover

2s 3 1 2 2 3 7 1 1 20

3s FTM/A F 0 1/2 2 0 0/0 0 1 0/0 3 0 5/6 1 0 4/6 3 4 1/1 2 0 0/0 0 0 1/2 1 5 12/17 12

ratio,” coach Nelson said. “All-in-all lots of positive things and good efforts from the entire team. We need to keep playing well, and with the same confidence, as we start the second time through the conference schedule.”

Unity 46, Cameron 40 BALSAM LAKE – The Unity boys nabbed a confidence-building win over Cameron on Tuesday night with Justin Bader and Chad Strilzuk scoring in the double-digits in the low-scoring game.

Bader finished with 16 points and Strilzuk added 13 for the win.

Defensively the Eagles held the

TP 7 2 7 9 10 27 2 3 67

2s 0 0 5 5 5 0 0 0 13

3s FTM/A F 0 1/2 5 0 0/0 1 0 3/8 3 0 6/8 2 0 2/2 3 0 3/4 2 0 4/6 1 0 1/2 4 0 20/32 21

TP 1 0 13 16 8 3 4 1 46

1 2 3 4 F Team 20 17 15 15 67 Pine City, Minn.

20 10 23 16 69 Grantsburg Individual Statistics Pine City, Minn.

2s 3s FTM/A F TP 6 1 0/0 1 15 A. Lutz J. Carlson 2 0 1/2 3 5 3 2 0/0 1 12 C. Fischer 3 0 1/2 1 7 W. Fischer Shuey 0 0 1/2 1 1 8 1 0/0 3 19 Arusduff Christianson 2 0 4/6 3 8 24 4 7/12 13 67 Totals Grantsburg Kevin Johnson Connar Goetz Shawn Pavlik Tyler Myers Jake Ryan Jason Jensen Trent Bonneville Totals

Vikings point guard Kyle Swenson leaped his way to 27 points in Frederic's win over Weyerhaeuser Monday night. - Photo by Marty Seeger

1 2 3 4 F 12 10 8 11 41 20 18 20 9 67 Individual Statistics Weyerhaeuser 2s 3s FTM/A F TP 0 0 2/2 1 2 Nick Britten Marcus Olesiak 3 0 2/2 3 8 2 0 3/5 0 7 Derek Olesiak Jeff Hause 2 1 0/0 2 7 1 1 0/0 2 5 Bryan Czekalski 0 1 0/0 1 3 Joey Moreno Joseph Wood 1 0 2/4 2 4 1 0 0/0 0 2 Trent Fisher Justin Hamholm 1 0 1/3 0 3 11 3 10/17 11 41 Totals Team Weyerhaeuser Frederic

Frederic Nolan Neumann Brent Crandell Will Primm Ben G. Anderson Zach Anderson Kyle Swenson Kanan Hackett Ben Nelson Totals

Unity Sam Bengston Seth McKenzie Chad Strilzuk Justin Bader Ryan Flaherty Eric Goulet Brady Flaherty Lance Peper Totals

Comets to just three points in the first quarter, and held a two-point lead at the end of each quarter before outscoring Cameron by four in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles went to the line 32 times and knocked down 20. Bader was six of eight from the line, Brady Flaherty shot four for six, Eric Goulet went three for four and Ryan Flaherty shot two for two.

The Eagles host Siren this Friday night and then play at St. Croix Falls the following Tuesday.

Grantsburg 69, Pine City 67 GRANTSBURG – The Pirate boys

2s 4 1 6 3 0 5 6 25

3s FTM/A F TP 1 0/0 2 11 1 0/1 0 5 0 0/0 2 12 2 1/2 2 13 0 0/0 1 0 0 4/6 1 14 0 2/3 0 14 4 7/12 8 69

won their nonconference match against Pine City, Minn., on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6967.

Starting out tying the first quarter 2020 and then ending the half trailing 3730, Grantsburg did a turnaround to take the lead in the third, 53-52, and held onto it to take the win.

Jason Jensen and Trent Bonneville led the team in points, both scoring 14 total, while Tyler Myers put up 13, Shawn Pavlik 12, Kevin Johnson 11, and Connor Goetz helped out with five. – Brenda Sommerfeld

Rice Lake ice racing is in gear

6/8 full-size heat action with (27) Steve Hallquist, (7c) Bill Crapser, (245) Jim Cimfl, (1) Troy Holder and (70) Bob Thompson, during the first week of the 2008 Rice Lake Ice Racing season. On the inside is (440) Jerret Hamilton making it three wide. — Photo submitted RICE LAKE — After a one-week delay, the first week of the 2008 Rice Lake Ice Racing season is officially in the books. For one driver, the Snowball Classic presented by Thompson Power Washing and Culver’s provided him with his first feature trophy.

Menomonie driver Jeremy Winningham was the beneficiary of a late-race mishap by race leader Tadd Davis with three laps to go in the COMP4 feature race on Saturday. Jarred Amundson stayed in the hunt and also took advantage of Davis’ misfortune crossing the stripe in the runner-up spot, with Davis coming in third followed by Trent Gross and Curt Myers.

The front-wheel drive class was next to take to the slippery track, and last year’s points-winner, Steve Miller, took over where he left off, but not without a fight from Steve Hallquist. Hallquist lead laps one through 11 when mechanical issues forced him to the infield, giving the lead to Miller for the final four

laps ahead of rookie Tom Wigchers.

Jerret Hamilton finished third ahead of Jesse Tripp and another ice-racing rookie, Mark Lawrence.

Fifteen cars took the green flag for the 6/8 full-size class with Joe Rowen jumping to the early lead in the inverted field, but after only two laps, Andy Cimfl took advantage of his good starting position to take the lead and never look back with a very comfortable win.

Rick and Steve Hallquist lead the charge from the back row to finish second and third respectively, bringing along Don Cook and Jim Cimfl to round out the top five in a very close seven-car battle.

The powder puff class was last in the running order for the day, and Barron’s Sheila Cook showed that the long summer didn’t stop her winning ways where she lead Deb Cimfl and Missy Hallquist across the finish line in a shortened feature race due to daylight.

This coming Saturday will be the Best Appearing Car Awards presented by

Buzz Signs & Graphics and Rod’s Painting & Sandblasting. Rice Lake Ice Racing is held every Saturday on Rice Lake’s north end by the Bungalow Bar with racing action starting at 1 p.m.

Spectator admission is free, and there is

a plowed viewing area to enjoy the races from the comfort of your vehicle.

For more information please visit Web site at www.geocities.com/ricelakeiceracing. — submitted

COMP4 Heat 1: 1~Trent Gross, Turtle Lake; 2~Rick Tourville, Centuria; 3~Troy Gross, Turtle Lake Heat 2: 1~Jeremy Winningham, Menomonie; 2~Trent Gross; 3~Jarred Amundson, Barron Feature: 1~J. Winningham; 2~J. Amundson; 3~Tadd Davis, Rice Lake; 4~Trent Gross; 5~Curt Myers, Rice Lake Heat 1: Heat 2: Heat 3: Heat 4: Feature:

6/8 Full Size 1~Rick Hallquist, Chippewa Falls; 2~Don Cook, Barron; 3~Andy Cimfl, Clayton 1~Bill Crapser, Eau Claire; 2~Jim Cimfl, Clayton; 3~Troy Holder, Rice Lake 1~Steve Hallquist, Eau Claire; 2~T. Holder; 3~B. Crapser 1~R. Hallquist; 2~D. Cook; 3~J. Cimfl 1~A. Cimfl; 2~R. Hallquist; 3~S. Hallquist; 4~D. Cook; 5~J. Cimfl

FWD 1~Jon Wigchers, Rice Lake; 2~Tom Wigchers, Rice Lake; 3~Brent Good, Birchwood 1~Steve Miller, Rice Lake; 2~Mike Schnider, Cameron; 3~Jerret Hamilton, Chetek 1~S. Hallquist; 2~J. Hamilton; 3~T. Wigchers 1~Jesse Tripp, Spooner; 2~S. Miller, Rice Lake; 3~M. Schnider 1~S. Miller; 2~T. Wigchers; 3~J. Hamilton; 4~J. Tripp; 5~Mark Lawrence, Cumberland Powder Puff Feature: 1~Sheila Cook, Barron; 2~Deb Cimfl, Clayton; 3~Missy Hallquist, Eau Claire Heat 1: Heat 2: Heat 3: Heat 4: Feature:

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

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Nonconference girls basketball Cameron 53, St. Croix Falls 41 CAMERON – The Saints girls lost to Cameron in nonconference action on Tuesday night. The Comets opened up a 23-14 lead after the first period and didn’t look back. Sasha Bryant led the Saints with 12 points and Marissa Campeau had 10 on the night. The Saints shot well from the line making eight of 12 attempts. The team’s next game will be at home next Tuesday against Unity. – Marty Seeger

Frederic girls only team to win Frederic 46, Shell Lake 33 FREDERIC – The Viking girls struggled to find their momentum, but once they did, they took off against the Shell Lake Lakers on Tuesday, Jan. 15, winning 46-33.

“It seems right now we are getting everyone’s best shot,” coach Troy Wink said. “We haven’t had any easy win since our first game. Every team is bringing their A game versus us.”

The final quarter was the only one that Frederic led by double-digits during the night.

“Erin continues to be our most consistent girl,” Wink mentioned.

Erin Schmidt had the most points with 14. She is also getting under rebounds and making post moves with the ball to get those points.

Melanie Chenal and Becca Anderson also shot well making 11 points each for the Vikings. – Brenda Sommerfeld 1 2 3 4 F 4 10 7 12 33 12 9 8 17 46 Individual Statistics Shell Lake 2s 3s FTM/A F TP 2 0 0/0 3 4 Ashley Anderson Paula Burton 1 0 0/1 2 2 3 1 1/2 1 10 Steph Clark 3 0 0/1 2 6 Julie Simpson Nikki Scheu 2 0 0/0 2 4 3 0 0/0 2 6 Sarah Jamme’ Annie Dunham 0 0 1/2 1 1 14 1 2/6 13 33 Totals Team Shell Lake Frederic

Frederic Ana Miller Megan Anderson Kelly Wondra Erin Schmidt Melanie Chenal Becca Anderson Michelle Owens Lisa Chelmo Anna Tesch Candace Buck Totals

2s 1 1 0 6 5 1 1 0 2 0 17

3s FTM/A F 0 0/0 0 0 0/0 1 0 0/0 1 0 2/4 1 0 1/1 4 2 3/6 2 0 0/0 0 0 0/0 1 0 0/0 2 0 0/0 2 2 6/11 14

TP 2 2 0 14 11 11 2 0 4 0 46

Amery 69, Grantsburg 37 AMERY – The Pirate girls had a battle on their hands when they visited the Amery Warriors, who are 8-2, on Monday, Jan. 14, losing 69-37.

It started out well with Grantsburg down by only six, 20-14, after the first period, but 14 was the most points the Pirates were allowed to score during a quarter. Amery held them to 10 or under throughout the next three while Amery scored over 10 in each, taking the game.

Megan Finch and Kortney Morrin were on the top with points, each scoring nine. Abbey Vaksdal put in five, Sarah Wald, Stephanie Jensen, and Vanessa Kleiss each put in two field goals for four points and Alison McKinley added two. – Brenda Sommerfeld

1 2 3 4 F 14 8 9 10 41 23 10 5 15 53 Individual Statistics 2s 3s FTM/A F TP St. Croix Falls 1 0 2/2 4 4 Alex Confer 1 0 0/0 0 2 Sheranda Whittaker 0 1 0/0 0 3 Jenny Benoy Annie Confer 1 0 0/0 2 2 2 0 6/7 1 10 Marissa Campeau Cortney Rasmussen 0 0 0/1 2 2 6 0 0/2 4 12 Sasha Bryant 3 0 0/0 1 6 Amanda Larson 14 1 8/12 14 41 Totals Team St. Croix Falls Cameron

Frederic’s Kelly Wondra is fouled by a Laker as she goes in for a basket.

— Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld Clear Lake 44, Unity 24 Team 1 2 3 4 F 14 8 5 10 37 Grantsburg BALSAM LAKE – After their first win Amery 20 14 18 17 69 of the season last Friday, the Eagle girls Individual Statistics 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Grantsburg fell to Clear Lake Tuesday night. Unity Abbey Vaksdal 2 0 1/2 2 5 had only five points in the first half, but 2 0 0/0 3 4 Sarah Wald scored 19 in the second half. Their 15 in Kortney Morrin 3 1 0/0 1 9 3 1 0/0 4 9 Megan Finch the third was not enough for the win.

Stephanie Jensen 2 0 0/0 2 4 “Our level of play was very disa2 0 0/0 1 4 Vanessa Kleiss pointing. It seems like we take one step 1 0 0/0 3 2 Alison McKinley Gretchen Hedlund 0 0 0/0 4 0 forward and then go two steps back,” 15 2 1/2 15 37 Totals said Eagles coach ChucK Holicky. “The 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Amery only positive was that we finally played Sarah Nelson 2 0 3/5 1 7 a good third quarter.”

5 2 2/6 1 18 Taylor Luke Becca Milligan had eight points in the 6 2 0/3 0 18 Kelly Stewart Karen Hansen 1 0 1/2 1 3 third for the Eagles and Andrea 0 0 0/0 1 0 Janya Schultz Thompson contributed five. Milligan Kristine Satterlund 2 0 1/2 0 5 led the team with 13 total points. – 1 0 1/1 0 3 Haley Olson Lisa Clark 1 0 3/3 1 5 Marty Seeger Kendra Schiell Totals

2 20

2 6

0/0 0 10/22 5

Team Clear Lake Unity

1 2 3 4 11 11 10 12 2 3 15 4 Individual Statistics 2s 3s FTM/A Clear Lake Katie Weiss 0 2 1/2 2 0 0/0 Hailie Steinberger Rachel Nordby 1 0 2/4 Gina Samsen 2 0 0/0 3 0 0/0 Cassie Reed Tara Peterson 1 0 0/0 6 0 1/2 Megan Reed Hillary Friendship 2 0 0/0 Totals 17 2 4/8 Unity Brianna Schmid Becca Milligan Steph Kothlow Briana Bielmeier Andrea Thompson Totals

2s 2 3 1 0 1 7

F TP 2 7 2 4 1 4 1 4 2 6 0 2 0 13 1 4 9 44

3s FTM/A F TP 0 0/0 3 4 2 1/2 3 13 0 0/0 0 2 0 0/0 1 0 1 0/0 4 5 3 1/2 11 24

1 2 3 4 F 13 13 4 12 42 11 16 8 16 51 Individual Statistics Webster 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Samantha Hogle 7 1 0/0 2 17 Amanda Alberg 1 0 0/0 3 2 Kathryn Krause 0 0 0/0 1 0 Chris Stoll 0 0 0/2 0 0 Chelsey Bereiter 1 1 0/0 0 5 Reba Smallwood 1 0 0/0 1 2 Beth Baer 6 0 2/6 3 14 Michelle Gibbs 1 0 0/0 0 2 Totals 17 2 2/8 10 42

Pirate Ingrid Ames takes a shot. — Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld

3s FTM/A F 0 0/0 2 0 2/2 0 0 1/2 4 0 0/2 2 0 0/0 1 2 0/0 0 0 0/2 2 2 0/0 1 4 3/8 12

3s FTM/A F 2 4/5 4 0 0/0 1 0 6/7 3 1 2/2 1 0 0/0 1 0 2/2 1 0 2/2 1 3 16/19 12

TP 14 2 16 13 4 2 2 53

F 44 24

Team Webster Birchwood

2s 0 7 2 4 0 2 1 2 18

2s 2 1 5 4 2 0 0 13

10 69

Birchwood 51, Webster 42 BIRCHWOOD – The Tiger girls visited Birchwood on Monday, Jan. 14, for their 12th game of this year’s season and had another close one, but fell short, losing 50-42.

The teams kept it a close match in the first half with Webster only down by one, 27-26.

The third quarter was a tough one, with Sam Hogle and Chelsey Bereiter the only two to score for a total of four points for the Tigers, while Birchwood scored double that.

During the fourth, Webster scored three times as many points, with 12, but Birchwood still scored more, with 16.

Hogle scored 17 points throughout this game, while Beth Baer stepped up to add 14 to the board. Bereiter put up five and Amanda Alberg, Reba Smallwood and Michelle Gibbs each added two.

– Brenda Sommerfeld

Birchwood Ashley Mlejnek Corey Birdsill Rochelle Christensen Casey Thorson Kayla Kristensen Allison Marsh Katy Connell Nicole Breed Totals

Cameron Sally Marske Kelsey Zyck Anna Walther Katie Hill Brianne Moon Liz Jacobs Heidi Czyscon Totals

TP 0 16 5 8 0 10 2 10 51

Annie Confer drives the ball during the Saints game against Siren. — Photo by Erik Barstow Birchwood 43, Luck 29 BIRCHWOOD – Luck lost, in what could have been another win on the season, but three second-half offense shut down in the end. According to Cards coach Marty Messsar, the team was tied at halftime and a going into the fourth the game was tied as well. But Luck gave up 18 in the fourth and could only gain three points in the quarter.

Taryn Pilz led the Cardinals with 10 points and seven rebounds, and Sarah Petersen had six rebounds and three points. Briana Stage had eight and Erica Wilson had six points on the night.

– Marty Seeger

Team Luck Birchwood

1 2 3 4 F 8 10 8 3 29 12 6 8 18 43 Individual Statistics Luck 2s 3s FTM/A F TP Erica Wilson 3 0 0/2 2 6 Briana Stage 4 0 0/0 2 8 Melissa Jensen 0 0 0/0 2 0 Sarah Petersen 1 0 1/4 4 3 Brittney Danielson 1 0 0/0 1 2 Taryn Pilz 5 0 0/3 1 10 Totals 14 0 1/10 13 29

Webster’s Amanda Alberg flies into the air and fires the ball at the basket. — Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld

Birchwood A. Mlejnek C. Birdsill R. Christensen C. Thorson K. Kristensen C. Lane A. Marsh K. Cornell N. Breod Totals

2s 3 2 3 4 0 0 1 0 0 13

3s FTM/A F TP 0 0/0 3 6 1 1/2 2 8 0 0/0 2 6 0 1/3 2 9 0 0/0 3 0 0 2/2 0 2 1 2/3 1 8 0 0/2 0 0 1 1/2 0 4 3 8/14 13 43

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 25

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NAME: Brian Thill SCHOOL: Webster YEAR: Senior COMMENTS: Brian Thill had a huge night on Friday when the Tigers beat Grantsburg in triple overtime. Thill broke the Webster high school record of number of points during one game, with 39 points. He powered in Brian Thill under the basket for 15 shots and completed nine of these 11 chances at freethrows. Thill has been a leader in scoring for his team throughout this entire season. – Brenda Sommerfeld

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Sunday Afternoon Mixed Standings: D & Bs 24, Spare-Us 24, Gems 18, Hot Shots 15, The Hee Haws 14, Sandbaggers 10.

Women’s games: Barb Morgan (D&Bs) 265, Dorothy Barfknecht (Hot Shots) 200, Gail Linke (The Hee Haws) 199.

Women’s series: Barb Morgan (D&Bs) 549, Gail Linke (The Hee Haws) 529, Dorothy Barfknecht (Hot Shots) 516.

Men’s games: Bruce Gravelle (D&Bs) 265, Scott Morrison (Gems) 257, Jim Loomis (Spare-Us) 194.

Men’s series: Bruce Gravelle (D&Bs) 664, Scott Morrison (Gems) 648, Jim Loomis (Spare-Us) 537.

Team games: D&B’s 910, Hot Shots 863, Gems 854.

Team series: Gems 2514, D&B’s 2490, Hot Shots 2435.

Consecutive strikes (5 or more): Bruce Gravelle (+8); Scott Morrison (+8).

Games 50 or more above average: Sue DeMarre (+50); Scott Morrison (+82); Bruce Gravelle (+65); Barb Morgan (+72).

Splits converted: 3-9-10: Angie White.

5-7: Gail Linke. 3-6-7: Chuck Moyer. 510: George Nutt.

Monday Afternoon Seniors Standings: Bears 4, Nite Hawks 4, Swans 4, Badgers 0, Eagles 0.

Women’s games: Betty Anderson (Badgers) 166, Lila Larson (Badgers) 164, Joan Anderson (NH) 151.

Women’s series: Betty Anderson (Badgers) 454, Lila Larson (Badgers) 452, Joan Anderson (NH) & Nancy Morten (Bears) 411.

Men’s games: Dick Coen (NH) 198, Tom Funne (Bears) 190, Chuck Moyer (Eagles) 187.

Men’s series: Dick Coen (NH) 553, Tom Funne (Bears) 526, Tom Johnson (NH) 502.

Team games: Nite Hawks 692, Bears 604, Eagles 575.

Team series: Nite Hawks 1954, Bears 1782, Eagles 1651.

Monday Night Ladies Standings: House of Wood 13, Hacker’s Lanes 12, The Bottle Shop 12, Radio Shack 9, Miller Chicks 4, Mane Attractions 3, Bye 2, S&C Bank 1.

Individual games: Sandy Hacker (HL) 230, Janna Anderson (RS) 201, Nancy Anderson (HL) 198.

Individual series: Sandy Hacker (HL) 554, Kathleen Java (MC) 546, Robin Lindvall (BD) 542.

Team games: Hacker’s Lanes 710, Mane Attractions 680, Radio Shack 635.

Team series: Mane Attractions 1837, Hacker’s Lanes 1817, The Bottle Shop 1809.

Tuesday Classic Standings: Pioneer Bar 12, Bottle Shop 9.5, Great Northern Outdoors 9, Hacker’s Lanes 4, Hog Wild 3.5, Reliables 1, Yellow Lake Lodge & St. Croix Valley Hardwoods – Incomplete.

Individual games: Gene Ackland 239, Ron Skow 231, Ray Gruel 220.

Individual series: Gene Ackland 621, Ray Gruel 611, Ron Skow 607.

Team games: Pioneer Bar 617, Great Northern Outdoors 615, Yellow Lake Lodge 615.

Team series: Yellow Lake Lodge 1741, Pioneer Bar 1723, Great Northern Outdoors 1691.

Games 50 or more above average: Ray Gruel 220 (+51).

Series 100 or more above average: Ray Gruel 611 (+104).

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NAME: Erin Schmidt SCHOOL: Frederic YEAR: Senior COMMENTS: There hasn't been an easy win for the Frederic girls this season, yet they continue to win and currently post a 92 record. Erin Schmidt has been at the forefront of the team's wins this year, and according to Erin Schmidt coach Troy Wink, Schmidt remains the Vikings most consistent player. On Tuesday night Schmidt posted 14 points to go with a several rebounds. –Marty Seeger

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RIGHT: Powerlifter Mason Nelson, a sophomore from Unity High School, took first place in the 132pound class in the JV portion of the Osceola Regional Powerlifting Meet on Saturday. Athletes participated in three events: squat, bench press and deadlift. The heaviest successful lift in each event is added for an overall total for each lifter. Over a dozen schools from Ashland to Phillips and Wisconsin Rapids participated. Osceola won both the boys and girls team events for the tournament. – Photo by Jeanne Alling

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Wednesday Afternoon Ladies Standings: Eggs 5-12, Pioneer Bar 7-11, Frandsen Dairy 2-10, Hacker’s Lanes 09.

Individual games: Julie Young (PB) 197, Laur Fisk (PB) 188, Char Sandberg (PB) 177.

Individual series: Laur Fisk (PB) 504, Char Sandberg (PB) 503, Julie Young (PB) 492.

Team games: Pioneer Bar 640, 635 & 572.

Team series: Pioneer Bar 1847, Frandsen Dairy 1601, Hacker’s Lanes 1577.

Wednesday Night Early Men’s Standings: Lewis Silo 7, Larsen Auto Center 7, Parker 4, Pioneer Bar 4, Cummings Lumber 4, Four Seasons Wood Products 3, A-1 Machine 2, Skol Bar 1.

Individual games: Shawn Olson (LS) 265, Norm Hansen (A-1) 246, Dale Gregory (4S) 237.

Individual series: Shawn Olson (LS) 703, Dale Gregory (4S) 686, Duane Doolittle (LS) 639.

Team games: Lewis Silo 1089, Four Seasons Wood Prod. 1079 & 1006.

Team series: Lewis Silo 3046, Four Seasons Wood Prod. 2999, Cummings Lumber 2795.

Thursday Early 3-Man Standings: Full Timers (8) 18, K-Wood (9) 17, Wikstrom Construction (10) 17, Grindell Law Offices (6) 12, Frontier Trails (7) 12, Fab Four (3) 11, Hell Raisers (5) 10, CenturyTel (4) 7.

Individual games: Jake Anderson (WC) 246, Ed Bitler (KW) 239, Dave Grindell (GLO) 235.

Individual series: Jake Anderson (WC) 676, Ed Bitler (KW) 634, Dave Grindell (GLO) 622.

Team games: Wikstrom Construction 619, Full Timers 604, K-Wood 597.

Team series: Wikstrom Construction 1744, Full Timers 1741, K-Wood 1715.

Consecutive strikes (5 or more): Ed Bitler 6x = 239; Jake Anderson 6x = 225, 5x = 246; Dave Grindell 5x = 235; Tim Pederson 5x = 224.

Games 50 or more above average: Joel Struck 231 (+82); Tim Pederson 224 (+52).

Series 100 or more above average: Tim Pederson 621 (+105); Joel Struck 548 (+101).

Most points: Dave Hall (HR) 38.

Splits converted: 5-6-10: Jim Wikstrom.

2-7-8: Dennis Lieder. 3-10: Curt LaPre. 49: Lydell Larson.

Thursday Late Men’s Standings: Hog Wild BBQ & Grill 7-1, Hansen Farms Inc. 4-4, Stotz & Company 4-4, Fisk Trucking 3-5, Johnson Upholstery 2-6.

Individual games: Dave Gabrielson 279, Daryl Bazey 246, Gene Wynn Jr. 223.

Individual series: Dave Gabrielson 683, Gene Wynn Jr. 616, Daryl Bazey 598.

Team games: Hog Wild BBQ & Grill 938, Stotz & Company 926, Hansen Farms Inc. 924.

Team series: Hansen Farms Inc. 2676, Stotz & Company 2668, Hog Wild BBQ & Grill 2611.

Friday Night Ladies Standings: Meyer’s Plus 15, Skol Bar 11, The Leader 10.5, Hole in the Wall 9.5, Tin Cup Promotions 9, Junque Art 8.

Individual games: Gail Linke 258, Karen Carlson 209, Sandy King 205.

Individual series: Gail Linke 638, Karen Carlson 534, Cara Holicky 505.

Team games: Meyer’s Plus 705, Skol Bar 646, Junque Art 645.

Team series: Meyer’s Plus 1912, Junque Art 1889, Skol Bar 1844.

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Splits converted: 5-7: Linda Richter; Kathy Underwood.

Saturday Night Mixed Standings: Generation III 47, Skowl 41, Lakers 40, Dead Eyes 37, X It 32, Handicaps 31, Schmidt House 4 31, CC Lupinos 21.

Women’s games: Deb Ingram (SK) 185 & 183, Jenn Renfroe (GE) 182.

Women’s series: Deb Ingram (SK) 531, Jenn Renfroe (GE) 479, Joann Marek (HA) 458.

Men’s games: Maynard Stevens (GE) 237 & 235; Ron Skow (SK) & Mike Renfroe (GE) 226.

Men’s series: Maynard Stevens (GE) 690, Ron Skow (SK) 666, Mike Renfroe (GE) 624.

Team games: Generation III 763 & 757, Skowl 727.

Team series: Generation III 2211, Skowl 2097, Lakers 1975.

McKenzie Lanes Monday Night Madness Standings: McKenzie Lanes 20, Peper Tire & Align. 16, Osceola Plumbing & Heating 14, State Farm Ins. 14, Pepie’s Gals 12, Alleycats 8, Scotay’s Trucking 6, Frederic Larsen Auto 6.

Individual games: Brenda Carlson 181, Denise Johnston 174, Lois Murphy 172.

Individual series: Lois Murphy 489, Debbie Swanson 470, Brenda Carlson 453.

Team games: McKenzie Lanes 611, Frederic Larson Auto 599, Pepie’s Gals 579.

Team series: McKenzie Lanes 1744, State Farm Ins. 1673, Pepie’s Gals 1658.

Tuesday Early Mixed Standings: Still Standing 16, Lane Crashers 10, The Gumegu’s 6, Gutter Gals 0.

Women’s games: Jan Lehmann 179, Julia Delougherty 178, Lonnie Curtiss 158.

Women’s series: Julia Delougherty 446, Jan Lehmann 429, Lonnie Curtiss 408.

Men’s games: Erv Lehmann 224, Doon Ellefson 201, Gilbert Berg 155.

Men’s series: Erv Lehmann 613, Don Ellefson 524, Gilbert Berg 440.

Team games: Still Standing 515.

Team series: Still Standing 1450.

Tuesday Night Men’s Standings: McKenzie Lanes 16, Dream Lawn 15.5, Greatland Trans. 13.5, NelLo-Hill Farm 12, Hack’s Pub 8, Steve’s Appl. 6.5, Glass Bar 4.5, The Dugout 4.

Individual games: Chuck Wallis 247, Gene Braund 245, Darren McKenzie 243.

Individual series: Darren McKenzie 675, Norm Hansen 655, Gene Braund 644.

Team games: (Handicap scores) Nel-LoHill 1191, Greatland Trans. 1184, Dream Lawn & Hack’s Pub 1125.

Team series: (Handicap scores) Greatland Trans. 3451, Nel-Lo-Hill Farm 3403, Dream Lawn 3347.

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Wednesday Early League (Week 13 of 24) Standings: Hendrick’s Motor 8, Fox Den II 8, Holiday Stationstores 8, Larsen Auto Frederic 4, Tri-County Imp. 4, Cutting Edge 0, Lite House 0, Fox Den 0.

Women’s games: Patty Walker 200, Jeanne Kizer 182, Amy Eibs 179.

Women’s series: Patty Walker 552, Janice Fox 486, Amy Eibs 478.

Men’s games: Darrell Hendricks 246, Mike Welling 246, Butch Korsan 244.

Men’s series: Mike Welling 666, Darrell Hendricks 625, Merlin Fox 589.

Team games: Hendrick’s Motor 669, Fox Den II 655, Holiday Stationstores 647.

Team series: Hendrick’s Motor 1977, Fox Den II 1891, Larsen Auto Frederic 1850.

Wednesday Early League (Week 14 of 24) Standings: Holiday Stationstores 12, Hendrick’s Motor 11, Larsen Auto Frederic 9, Cutting Edge 8, Fox Den II 8, Fox Den 6, Lite House 4, Tri-County Imp. 4.

Women’s games: Janice Fox 173, Amy Eibs 169, Jeanne Kizer 158.

Women’s series: Janice Fox 504, Amy Eibs 457, Jeanne Kizer 419.

Men’s games: Greg Moore 266, Mike Welling 247, Todd Wagner 240.

Men’s series: Greg Moore 673, Mike Welling 653, Todd Wagner 601.

Team games: Cutting Edge 732, Holiday Stationstores 716, Hendrick’s Motor 691.

Team series: Cutting Edge 2022, Holiday Stationstores 1966, Lite Houe 1954.

Wednesday Night Men’s (Week 18 of 32) Standings: Davy’s Construction 16, McKenzie Lanes 14, Harvest Moon 12, Hanjo Farms 8, Dalles Electric 8, Tiger Express 2, Edina Realty 2, Reed’s Marina 2.

Individual games: Rich Swenson 278, Craig Willert 277, Darren McKenzie 270.

Individual series: Bob Wilson 735, Craig Willert 711, Darren McKenzie 691.

Team games: (Handicap scores) McKenzie Lanes 1106, Tiger Express 1082.

Team series: (Handicap scores) Davy’s Const. 3134, Harvest Moon 3085.

Wednesday Night Men’s (Week 19 of 32) Standings: Davy’s Construction 22, McKenzie Lanes 22, Harvest Moon 20, Dalles Electric 16, Hanjo Farms 10, Tiger Express 2, Edina Realty 2, Reed’s Marina 2.

Individual games: Brandon Winge 264, Carl Hetfeld 253, Brad Hacker 239.

Individual series: Brandon Winge 690, Scott Davison 684, Mike Oryan 667.

Team games: (Handicap scores) McKenzie Lanes 1112, Dalles Electric 1008.

Team series: (Handicap scores) McKenzie Lanes 3150, Dalles Electric 2918.

Saturday Night Mixed Doubles Standings: Happy Campers 13.5, Truhlsen Chiropractic 12.5, Tiger Express 12, Eureka Bombers 11, Ten Pin Titans 6, The In-Laws 5, Roller Coasters 4.5, Fisk Trucking 3.5.

Women’s games: Jan Lehmann 201, Dorothy Ludak 190, Kim Delaney 185.

Women’s series: Kim Delaney 497, Bev Warner 483, Jan Lehmann 477.

Men’s games: Erv Lehmann 226, Gordy Johnson 215, Larry Williams and Roger Fisk 203.

Men’s series: Erv Lehmann 582, Gene Braund 580, Larry Williams 575.

Team games: Truhlsen Chiropractic 875, Happy Campers 843, Eureka Bombers

841.

Team series: Truhlsen Chiropractic 2548, Happy Campers 2445, Tiger Express 2401.

Black and Orange Lanes Early Birds Standings: 10th Hole 10-6, Gandy Dancer Saloon 10-6, Black & Orange 8-8, Log Cabin Store 4-12.

Individual games: Michelle Lysdahl (10th) 181, Cris Damman (10th) 159, Star Christensen (GD) 157.

Individual series: Michelle Lysdahl (10th) 449, Donna Koon (B&O) 427, Cris Damman (10th) 426.

Team games: Black & Orange 874, Gandy Dancer & 10th Hole 844, Log Cabin Store 795.

Team series: Black & Orange 2525, 10th Hole 2459 Gandy Dancer 2328.

Games 50 or more above average: Michelle Lysdahl 181 (+52).

Splits converted: 8-10: Marlene Richardson.

Monday Night Men’s Standings: Bruce’s Auto 8-0, Pope’s Construction 8-0, Larry’s LP 6-2, Parker 2-6, Glass & Mirror Works 0-8, Vacant 08.

Individual games: Chris Olson (L) 257, Mike Johnson (BA) 212, Dean Eytcheson (BA) 207.

Individual series: Chris Olson (L) 671, Mike Johnson (BA) 549, Arnie Pope (PC) 543.

Team games: Bruce’s Auto 970, Pope’s Const. 941, Larry’s LP 928.

Team series: Bruce’s Auto 2834, Larry’s LP 2742, Pope’s Const. 2708.

Games 50 or more above average: Chris Olson 257 (+96).

Series 100 or more above average: Chris Olson 671 (+188).

TNT Ladies Standings: Cashco 8-4, Flower Power 66, Wild Bill’s 5-7, Larry’s LP 5-7.

Individual games: Jennifer Kern (L) 204, Becky Reynolds (L) 180, Robin Willard (WB) 179.

Individual series: Jennifer Kern (L) 582, Robin Willard (WB) 497, Jan Carlson (WB) 453.

Team games: Larry’s LP 942, Wild Bill’s 849, Cashco 829.

Team series: Larry’s LP 2555, Wild Bill’s 2477, Flower Power 2419.

Splits converted: 4-7-10: Vicki Tollander.

Wednesday Night Men’s Standings: Black & Orange 8-0, Cashco 4-4, Northview Drive Inn 4-4 Lions 3-5, 10th Hole 3-5, T&P Tree Service 2-6.

Individual games: Monte Rinnman (C) 233, Ed Phelps (C) 202, Kevin Swanson (B&O) 188.

Individual series: Monte Rinnman (C) 552, Larry Johnson (L) 517, Kevin Swanson (B&O) 509.

Team games: Black & Orange 956, Northview Drive Inn 952, Cashco 910.

Team series: Black & Orange 2800, Northview Drive Inn 2684, Cashco 2670.

Early Risers Standings: Gandy Dancer 10-6, A+ Sanitation 8-8, 10th Hole 8-8, Hole in the Wall 6-10.

Individual games: Angel Paulzine (HITW) 190, Dot Fouks (GD) & Lylah Nelson (A+) 170, Carol Phelps (A+) 165.

Individual series: Angel Paulzine (HITW) 456, Lylah Nelson (A+) 450, Jackie Grimes (GD) 430.

Team games: Gandy Dancer 691, A+ Sanitation 661, Hole in the Wall 632.

Team series: A+ Sanitation & Gandy Dancer 1993, Hole in the Wall 1877, 10th Hole 1799.

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

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Local sports figure evokes comparisons with Zelig, Forrest Gump He’s been a school speech therapist, a realtor, a landlord, a baseball coach, a girls basketball coach, a boys basketball coach (in two different towns) a golf club president, and a village politician. And now Duane Wisse can add “radio announcer” to his ever-expanding resume. Yes, local radio broadcaster Kurt Mayer has enlisted the services of Wisse as his basketball color man. So far, armchair critics have given Wisse’s performance a resounding thumbs-up. “His voice has the right kind of resonance and having earned over 300 wins in his career as a head coach, he brings to the broadcast booth instant credibility and an unparalleled knowledge of the game,” said one listener. I’ll second that endorsement, and also add that Wisse has a great face for radio.

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Montgomery Magician bests Wausaukee Wizard Just when it looked like coach Marty Messar’s Luck Cardinal girls cagers were turning things around, they ran into a buzz saw in the win-hungry Unity

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Eagles. You can generally throw out the record book whenever Messar matches wits with Unity’s cagey veteran mentor Chuck Holicky, and last Friday night was no exception. (See game story elsewhere on these pages.)

Ex Eagle lands at Metrodome Spies working the Minneapolis beat say 1996 Unity grad and former Eagle athlete Derrick Nelson was working for NBC TV on the sidelines during the Dec. 23 Sunday night football matchup between the Vikings and the team from Washington.

Mixed emotions in Packer Land “I’m glad we won, but I wish it didn’t have to be Mike Holmgren and Seattle,” said one local cheesehead as he stumbled out of a local bistro Sunday evening. The green and gold-clad lad went on to point out how the Green Bay franchise had floundered in mediocrity for 25 years until Holmgren came to town and restored the title in Title Town.

“McCarthy is a good coach, don’t get me wrong,” added the fan, “but just getting to the Super Bowl doesn’t mean anything. You have to win it or you’re a choker.” Best of luck to the Pack in the Super Bowl. In a mere 100 hours or so we’ll know if our Pack will be playing San Diego or New England.

Bite slows Local ice anglers who have loaded their four-wheelers onto the beds of their

LEADER S P O R T S S C O R E B O A R D BOYS BASKETBALL

West Lakeland Conference Standings

Team Luck Webster St. Croix Falls Grantsburg Unity Siren Frederic

Conf.

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

Scores

Overall 9-0 11-1 4-5 7-3 3-8 2-10 2-11

Thursday, January 10 Drummond 57, Siren 55 Friday, January 11 Northwood 48, Frederic 45 Webster 74, Grantsburg 71 Luck 65, Unity 36 St. Croix Falls 67, Siren 46 Monday, January 14 Frederic 67, Weyerhaeuser 41 Tuesday, January 15 Grantsburg 69, Pine City 67 Unity 46, Cameron 40

Coming up

Thursday, January 17 6 p.m.

Frederic at Grantsburg (DH) 7:30 p.m. Prairie Farm at Siren (DH) Friday, January 18 6 p.m.

Siren at Unity (DH) 7:30 p.m. Webster at Luck (DH) Saturday, January 19 7 p.m.

Luck at Eau Claire Regis 7:30 p.m. Braham at Grantsburg (DH) St. Croix Falls at Cameron Tuesday, January 22 6 p.m.

Luck at Grantsburg (DH) 7:30 p.m. Siren at Frederic (DH) Unity at St. Croix Falls (DH)

BOYS HOCKEY Blizzard

GIRLS BASKETBALL

West Lakeland Conference Standings

Team Frederic Siren St. Croix Falls Grantsburg Webster Luck Unity

Scores

Saturday, January 12 Pius 5, Blizzard 3 Tuesday, January 15 Blizzard 4, Moose Lake 1

Coming up

Friday, January 18 7:30 p.m. Blizzard at Pine City Tuesday, January 22 7 p.m.

Blizzard at Chippewa Falls McDonald

WRESTLING Coming up

Thursday, January 17 7 p.m.

Unity at Luck Braham at St. Croix Falls Saturday, January 19 9:30 a.m. LFG at Ashland Invite

Scores

Overall 9-2 6-2 5-7 3-6 4-8 3-8 1-9

Friday, January 11 Northwood 36, Frederic 28 Grantsburg 50, Webster 39 Unity 36, Luck 26 St. Croix Falls 69, Siren 62 Monday, January 14 Amery 69, Grantsburg 37 Birchwood 51, Webster 42 Tuesday, January 15 Clear Lake 44, Unity 24 Frederic 46, Shell Lake 33 Weyerhaeuser 43, Luck 29 Cameron 53, St. Croix Falls 41

Coming up

Thursday, January 17 6 p.m.

Prairie Farm at Siren (DH) 7:30 p.m. Frederic at Grantsburg (DH) Friday, January 18 6 p.m.

Webster at Luck (DH) 7:30 p.m. Siren at Unity (DH) Saturday, January 19 6 p.m.

Braham at Grantsburg (DH) Monday, January 21 7:30 p.m. Spooner at Siren Tuesday, January 22 6 p.m.

Siren at Frederic (DH) Unity at St. Croix Falls (DH) 7:30 p.m. Luck at Grantsburg (DH)

GIRLS HOCKEY

Standings 10-1-1

Conf.

4-1 4-1 4-2 3-2 1-4 1-4 1-4

Lady Blizzard

Standings 2-12-2

Scores

Thursday, January 10 Superior 7, Lady Blizzard 1 Saturday, January 12 Northland Pines 3, Lady Blizzard 1 Tuesday, January 15 St. Croix Valley Fusion 3, Lady Blizzard 1

Coming up

Thursday, January 17 7 p.m.

Lady Blizzard at Hayward Saturday, January 19 1 p.m.

Lady Blizzard at Babbitt, Minn.

Tuesday, January 22 7 p.m.

Moose Lake at Grantsburg

GIRLS GYMNASTICS Coming up

Saturday, January 19 11 a.m. Grantsburg at Rice Lake St. Croix Falls at Rice Lake

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$25,000 trucks, driven to the lake, unloaded the four-wheeler, drove out on the lake, drilled 10 holes with their power auger, lowered their underwater cameras, turned on their Vexilars, poweredup their propane heaters and lowered three lines into the water have not been having much luck lately. Even Mr. Walleye, the man of many limits, says the bite has slowed down.

Grantsburg’s Judd on verge of milestone A recent review of the top-notch Grantsburg high school boys basketball Web site has revealed that Pirate mentor Danny Judd recorded head coaching victory number 99 in his squad’s thrilling win over Pine City Tuesday night.

Certainly in these days of a guaranteed 21 games per season, any coach with any degree of longevity is likely to achieve the 100-win plateau eventually. But very few in history can boast of steamrolling to the milestone at a rate of 15-plus victories per season as has Judd. If the Leader prognosticator who calls himself The Amazing Bynor is accurate (see predictions elsewhere on these pages), then Judd will chalk up number 100 at home Thursday night against Frederic. After serving an apprenticeship as a jurnior high and JV coach, Judd burst onto the varsity scene in the 2001-02 season with an inauspicious 7-14 record. But his cagers have averaged nearly 17 wins per season since, including a memorable run to the 2005 WIAA state tourney behind consensus Pirate hall-of-famer starting five of Conner Graves, Ryan Hansen, Arron Goepfert, Nick Larson and Korky Morrin.

The humble Judd is a native of Lake City, Minn., and played his high school ball

Just like some of the local teams, I’ve been in a post-holiday slump.

Last week I was 12-4 which makes me 68-14 overall, or 83 percent. A true champion prognosticator has a nose for the upset, but I’ve missed the boat in that THE AMAZING department.

BYNOR Still, I can be justifiably proud for picking several games with almost miraculous accuracy. (You know who you are.)

This week’s games might be tough for most people, but I’m pretty sure I’ll go 18-0. I invite anyone who thinks I won’t go 18-0 to buy me a hamburger or something next time they run into me at one of the venues along the snowmobile trails. I may be reached at amazingbynor@yahoo.com

The Amazing Bynor

PREDICTS

Girls games Frederic 47, Grantsburg 41-The Pirates give the Vikes a scare.

Siren 42, Prairie Farm 30-What seemed like a “gimme” two weeks ago turns into a much-needed Dragon win.

Siren 44, Unity 27-Despite their record, the Eagles won’t be a pushover.

Webster 35, Luck 33-I had to consult tea leaves and tarot cards for this one.

Braham 72, Grantsburg 43-Braham is

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under Gopher State icon Jerry Snyder who became well-known in the MinnWis region when he was winning Minnesota state championships thanks to a 7-foot center named Randy Breuer.

Last year Clear Lake’s Jason Sargent tallied win number 100 while Webster legend Jeff Roberts recorded over 200 wins in his 17 years at the Tiger helm.

Trivia returns. Thanks again to the Grantsburg basketball Web site, this week’s exercise focuses on GHS hoop history.

1) He was Danny Judd’s immediate predecessor and he did a commendable job at the helm, amassing 40 victories during his three-year stint. 2) As did Duane Wisse in Frederic, this ex Grantsburg coach served as head man for both the girls and boys varsity teams 3) The father of the last-second hero of Grantsburg’s Tuesday night win over Pine City, he led the Pirates in scoring in 1966-67 and 196768. 4) He scored over 1,000 career points and was the team’s leading scorer for three consecutive seasons (98-99,99-00 & 00-01) 5) He was well-known in more recent years as a guidance counselor and coach, but old-timers remember that he led the Pirates in scoring in the 1959-60 season.

Answers: 1) Jay Gilhoi 2) Bruce Teigen 3) Karl Johnson 4) Noah Shadis 5) Paul Bergman

tougher than heck.

St. Croix Falls 46, Unity 32-Which Saints team will show up?

Grantsburg 46, Luck 35-Not quite as close as the last one.

Frederic 45, Siren 40-I should’ve learned my lesson when I picked Frederic last time. But no.

Boys Games Grantsburg 77, Frederic 40Congratulations to Danny Judd on his 100th career victory.

Prairie Farm 55, Siren 48-The Dragons give the Panthers a tussle.

Webster 59, Luck 58-I looked in old Leaders and notice that the Swami picked Luck all three times last year so I might do the opposite all three times.

Unity 55, Siren 44-The Eagles pick up a satisfying home W. Luck 63, Eau Claire Regis 61-A dogfight between two teams that have a shot at state in their respective divisions.

St. Croix Falls 58, Cameron 48-The Saints are playing some good ball.

Grantsburg 80, Braham 73-Once again, the Pirates respond well to the opportunity to open up the floor.

St. Croix Falls 60, Unity 42-That’s three straight and four out of five for the Saints.

Frederic 49, Siren 45-Another barn burner between neighbors.

Luck 64, Grantsburg 56-Another game effort by the Pirates against a formidable foe.

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

O UTDOORS INTER! COUNTY LEADER

ATVs • BIRDING • BOATING • CAMPING • FISHING • HIKING • HUNTING • RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

The first-annual Red Lake Rally A gloomy, yet eerielooking haze had a hold on Upper Red Lake as members of our group gazed out from the southwestern shoreline. Our 51/2-hour road trip Marty had finally ended and Seeger we were all eager to be able to jump out and stretch our legs The again. About 20 miles earlier, we purchased Bottom Line seven-day licenses, last-minute lures and bait for the next few days.

The ride up, however, was still a blast and nothing less than a comedy club.

There was little or no silence, and the jokes and distractions seemed to get better with each mile, which made the drive go fairly quickly. That good humor would carry into the long weekend.

Only one in our group of seven had ever seen Red Lake before, and none of us had ever fished it. Interestingly, only about two-thirds of Upper Red is accessible for ice fishing. The rest is situated within the Red Lake Indian Reservation and is off limits to nonband members for fishing. About halfway to the lake my uncle Del, who was the only one in the group to have seen the lake before, described it best.

“You could watch your dog run away for three days,” he said.

Red Lake is truly a monster, and a couple of days later when we drove nearly five miles out, we found out just how big it really was. For much of the entire three days the cloudy conditions and light snow made it difficult to see.

But even without a crystal-clear view of

the lake, flat space could be felt all around.

We had high expectations for the trip despite having two people opt out at the last minute. Luckily, I was able to convince my friend Willi to go along, which left seven total including my two uncles Del, David and friends Jason, Mike and Randy.

Randy was our connection. He was responsible for setting us all up. He and resort owner, JR, work together during the summer, and that’s how everything got started.

JR was responsible for our guide servicing, plow-mastering, fish frying and go-getting on the trip. He always made sure everyone was having a good time, and if we weren’t on the fish, he’d point us in the right direction to give us the best possibility at catching them.

But as we all know, fishing isn’t always all about catching. Sometimes you’ve got to work for them.

Our ice shacks were located about a mile off-shore, and it was there where we would spend the next three nights—four in one and three in the other. Each had four bunks for sleeping and eight holes for fishing. Everyone sloppily organized their clothing and spent much of the time getting fishing gear ready to go. Holes were quickly drilled for tip-ups outside the shack, and the jig poles were quickly set for anything willing to bite.

It wasn’t long, and David was running to the first flag of the trip. I grabbed the camera and the board for measuring. He grabbed the line and quickly hauled in a 20-inch walleye that hit on a large sucker set more for pike.

The 17-to 27-inch slot limit on walleye didn’t allow us to keep the fish, but it was a big lift in our confidence. Randy, Jason and Mike soon hooted from the other shack with a smaller walleye, and we had our first keeper of the trip.

But things soon slowed down. We managed to catch just enough for a

Our first evening in the shack was fun and eventful, but it didn't take long for the walleye bite to taper off as the weekend progressed. - Photos by Marty Seeger well-cooked meal of fish and fries, courtesy of JR that night, and fortunately, our report to the guide already had him thinking of finding us a better spot.

Throughout our first night a few rattle reels would jingle, or a flag would slap against the wall, but the walleye bite dwindled down to near nothing, and we were forced to use our shacks as a base camp for the rest of the trip. By the next afternoon, we found ourselves nearly five miles out, hooking into at least one fat pike and a flurry of walleye. Our trip was just getting started, and a good time was starting to evolve.

Next week’s Leader will feature good fishing, ice outhouses, a run-in with a few Luck residents and the start of a new-found tradition.

The slot limit on walleye wouldn't allow the first fish of the trip in the frying pan, but a 20-inch walleye is never a bad thing.

A view from shore reveals nearly 100 ice shacks with anglers in search of Red Lake's finest species of fish. At night, the shacks on the lake resembled a distant village bustling with life.

RIGHT: Runners up in the coyote hunt competition was the Hoverman Quartet featuring Bill, Brennel, Jim and Don. – Photos submitted

LEFT: Wolf Creek Bar held its 2008 coyote hunt competition on Jan. 12.

Four 10-person teams competed in the competition.

This years champions were Brandon and Lee Doolittle, Tony Meyer and Brian Doolittle. Helpers were Maddie and Marlee

Butch’s Northwest Archery Bow Hunting League Week 1

Bowhunter’s League Traditional Peterson Construction: 407 Shell Lake Pharmacy: 397 Butch & Brad: 353 Wishful Thinking: 350 Earth Energy Systems: 333 Men’s Knoop Construction: 612 Shell Lake State Bank: 593

A&H Taxidermy: 582 Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church: 487 Little Lambs Preschool: 485 Big Mike’s Sports Shop: 462 Men/Women A&H Taxidermy 2: 391 Adult/Youth White Birch Printing: 592 Youth 4-H: 366

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Wildcats remain undefeated Sectionals slowly creeping up

by Marty Seeger TAYLORS FALLS Minn. – The second conference race of the season was held last week on Jan. 8 at Wild Mountain, with the Chisago Lakes-St. Croix Falls team taking first on both boys and girls teams. Both teams continue to win, and their last came on parents night.

For the girls, it was Simone Raedeke who has continued to dominate the slopes with her first-place overall finish and a total time of 45.01. Radeke finished just one point ahead of the second-place finisher. St. Croix Falls student Melinda Beyer took sixth place

overall with a time of 48.17, and St. Croix Falls student Kate Wright took ninth overall with a time of 50.15.

“The kids are stepping up, and most of the kids are showing their leadership,” coach Dan Raedeke said.

For the boys, it was Tim Johnson who finished highest on the team with an overall fifth-place finish with a time of 45.37. The top time was 41.91. Saints student Erinn Bloomer finished 15th overall with a time of 47.23.

“The entire team continues to improve, but the two that stood out this week were Amanda Angel (fifth) and Araya Gamble (17th),” Raedeke said of the girls team.

For the boys, Raedeke mentioned Steve Wagner and Corbin Peterson who

both had their best performances to date.

“I am most impressed that all the racers up and down the lineup are skiing well and continue to improve,” Raedeke said.

The sectional tournament is only three weeks away, and while Raedeke says it’s not much more time to prepare, he says his team is tough and ready to compete.

Araya Gamble glides down Wild Mountain with ease last week in the Chisago Lakes-SCF teams second conference match of the season. Photo by Dan Raedeke

DNR holds hearings on proposed invasive species

by Regan Kohler SPOONER – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is proposing new rules for invasive species, and meeting with people throughout the state for input. One of these hearings was held Thursday, Jan. 10, in the Spooner Ag Research Station.

State DNR representatives spoke about what they are doing with the rules, including new ways to classify invasive species and how to define them.

Invasive plant coordinator Kelly Kearns, part of the DNR’s Endangered Resources Program, said these hearings were informal since invasive species prevention is becoming such a big issue.

She said the hearing was for public input only at that time, to let them know about what the DNR is proposing.

Kearns said a special team has been working for three years on developing these rules, which she stressed didn’t include fish and wildlife diseases, such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia, because they were under a different classification. She said she wanted the public to understand the rules. The public’s job, in turn, she said, was to let them know if the named species were correct; if every invasive species was on the DNR’s official list; and any additions.

“We’re kind of limited,” Kearns said, as she and the others developing the rules have to follow legislators’ guidelines.

The legal definition of invasive species, according to the DNR, is “nonnative species from other regions and countries whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.”

Kearns said for now, the DNR is focusing on nonnative species.

Kearns identified problems that stem from invasive species. Controlling them is costly, she said, and they can hamper recreation in places like lakes or forests if they take over. She said it can also

take an economic toll while affecting ecosystems, and can impact regeneration, health and biodiversity of species.

The first goal, Kearns said, is outreach and education about invasive species, then to develop management practices for guiding people in industries like forestry. Getting an early detection is a major factor in controlling the species, she added.

“A lot of these things are education first,” Kearns said.

There are very few DNR rules for plants, and Kearns said the Legislature is mandating these proposed rules. So the DNR created the Wisconsin Council of Invasive Species to get criteria and categories so it could draft regulations for the species. Assessment groups made recommendations to the WCIS. “And now we’re in the public input process,” Kearns said.

Different species groups were identified by the WCIS: terrestrial plants, aquatic plants and algae, vertebrates, terrestrial invertebrates and plant disease-causing organisms, fish and aquatic invertebrates. From this, four categories were created. Kearns said the species were studied by distribution, their potential to survive and spread and damage to the environment and economy. A government-appointed advisory group of stakeholders and technical experts was tapped to evaluate the species, research and read literature on them and then make recommendations to the WCIS. The first group of species falls under the prohibited category.

“Most of them are species you’ve never heard of,” Kearns said.

As per the proposed rules, prohibited species cannot be introduced into the environment, transported, owned or bartered. These are species that could cause widespread harm to humans and the environment. Many of them aren’t located in Wisconsin, Kearns said.

Examples from each species group are poison hemlock, hydrilla, feral pigs,

emerald ash borer and certain water fleas.

The next one down is restricted. These are established invasive species already in the state, which are widespread and have a high impact. The rules for transporting and owning these are the same as the prohibited species. Kearns said only certain fish used in aquaculture and aquariums can be used as per the rules for this category.

Examples of restricted species from each category include: purple loosestrife and Eurasian milfoil, which have specifically seen inspectors working to keep out of Washburn County; house mice; the European gypsy moth; and zebra mussels.

Next is the watch category, which includes species that the DNR needs more information about. They cannot be placed in other categories, as per the rules, since they aren’t currently in the state and invasiveness levels are unknown.

“There’s not a lot of species that landed in this category,” Kearns said.

Ones that did include: blackberry lily, water hyacinth, the white-tailed jackrabbit and escargot.

The nonrestricted category is made up of invasive species that have high socioeconomic benefits, or as Kearns said, are “too economically important to put restrictions on.” Scotch pine is an example of this, she said, because though it is invasive, it is a popular type of Christmas tree.

Examples are the callery pear, water soldiers and pigeons.

The last group is pending nonnative species, which aren’t being assessed yet but will be in the future. Many, Kearns said, are unlikely to be a problem or have people making a living from them.

These include: reed canary grass, certain algae and earthworms.

Some species are both prohibited and restricted, such as garlic mustard and Lyme grass, because they are only abundant in certain areas, Kearns said. In the

areas it is in, it would be restricted, and prohibited in the rest of the state.

There are exemptions, Kearns said, such as species one must obtain a permit for.

Jennifer Hauxwell, a research scientist for the DNR in Madison, said she deals with lakes research and wants to see boats inspected before launching and after, as well as during transport, if there are any aquatic plants attached at all.

“We want no plants attached,” she said.

This would be one big change in the rules, Hauxwell said.

Algae is one major problem, she said, since it can cause human illness. She said she would like to see a regulation for immediate drainage of all water from boats, and no planting of any nonnative species in public waters.

Forest health coordinator Jane Cummings Carlson said some places are quarantined for introducing species; half the state is quarantined for gypsy moths. She said wardens would be able to cite people moving any life-carrying species from these to nonquarantined places if the rules pass.

Kearns said the rules name procedures for invasive species and fines for violators.

The next step, Kearns said, is to have the DNR board revise these rules, then hold formal hearings in the spring. The DNR responds to comments and revises the rules as appropriate, then they go to the board for adoption and legislative review before taking effect. It will take one year, Kearns estimated.

“That gives us a lot of time to work with you,” she said.

People were able to ask questions about invasive species and split into groups to talk about the different categories.

To learn more about the species, visit the DNR Web site at dnr.wi.gov/invasives.

Hunters donate 400,000 pounds of venison to food pantries MADISON – Wisconsin deer hunters responded in a big way to the 2007 Venison Donation Program, delivering and donating 9,200 deer to 126 participating meat processors in 52 Wisconsin counties. After processing, the donations provided over 414,000 pounds of ground venison that was distributed to food pantries throughout the state.

“Since the 2000 fall hunting season, hunters have donated more than 63,200 deer, providing more than 2.8 million pounds of venison to hungry families in

Wisconsin,” said Laurie Fike, venison donation project coordinator. “From conversations I’ve had with similar programs in other states, it’s clear that Wisconsin’s program is second to none.”

The program provides high-quality protein to pantry shoppers and provides an outlet for excess venison that hunters, their families or friends and neighbors may not be able to use.

Wisconsin hunters embrace a strong ethic against taking game that will not

be eaten, say wildlife managers.

The donation program involves many partners in addition to hunters. A large network of volunteers including sports groups, church groups, civic organizations and food pantry staff work together to distribute the meat from the hunter to the processor to the food pantries.

The Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services and county wildlife damage staff help administer the program at state and

local levels. Hunt for the Hungry, a private organization located in northeast Wisconsin, is also a strong partner.

Buffalo County hunters donated the most venison this season with 797 donated deer. Trempealeau County wasn’t far behind with 693 donated deer; Waupaca County at 430, Fond du Lac County at 384 and St. Croix County at 368 finished out the top five counties in 2007. For more information contact Fike at 608-267-7974. - from the DNR

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 29

Burnett County civil court

Polk County sheriff’s report Accidents Jan. 5, 7:35 a.m., Balsam Lake (village), Pearl Street, 5 feet north of Courthouse Avenue, #1—VERNON H. SIMON, 52, Luck; #2—VICTORIA A. HUTTNER, 20, Balsam Lake; Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Courthouse Avenue at Pearl Street. Unit 2 was traveling northbound on Pearl Street.

Pearl Street is the through street and Courthouse Avenue was governed by stop signs. Driver of unit 2 said she tried to slow but was unable to avoid unit 1.

Unit 2 struck unit 1 in the driver’s side. Unit 1 driver was cited for failure to yield right of way.

Jan. 5, 4:55 p.m., Osceola Twp., 60th Avenue, .2 mile east of 218th Street, #1—JUANITA R. FOX, 32, Osceola; #2—HIT & RUN VEHICLE. Unit 1 was westbound on 60th Avenue when it was sideswiped and struck by unit 2, which was eastbound on 60th Avenue. Unit 2 fled the scene without stopping after the collision with unit 1.

Jan. 5, 5 p.m., Osceola Twp., 120th Avenue, .1 mile west of

216th Street, JENNIE L. CARTER, 44, Dresser, failed to negotiate the curve, went into the ditch, where the vehicle overturned onto its side. Driver cited for operating after suspension.

Jan. 7, 9 a.m., Osceola Twp., 240th Street, .25 mile south of CTH M/75th Avenue, ORVAL F. CURRY, 77, Taylors Falls, Minn., was northbound on 240th Street.

Unit 1 was negotiating a curve and lost control on the slippery road. Unit 1 entered the southbound lane and swerved back

into the northbound lane. Unit 1 entered the south ditch, sliding sideways into a tree. Unit 1 then slid parallel with 240th Street and came to rest in the south ditch. Driver was cited for driving too fast for conditions.

Other incidents Jan. 6, ROCHELLE LAVANIER, New Brighton, Minn., reported the theft of her Social Security card and a check card from her purse, Balsam Lake area.

Siren police report Dec. 29: Nicole M. Stevens, 20, Danbury, was cited for underage drinking violations at 6:55 p.m. Stevens, an employee of the Siren Auto Stop, was cited in connection with the purchase of two 18-packs of beer from the store. According to the report, she said that the purchase was for a 24-year-old male who was short of cash so she put a small amount of the bill on her credit card, then helped him by carrying one of the packs to a vehicle.

Jan. 10: Matthew J. Worcester, 23, Cedar, Minn., received an additional citation for disorderly conduct for the action he took in allegedly breaking a window at Masterjohn Realty Jan. 5.

Worcester was originally cited with criminal property damage in connection with the case.

Jan. 13: Kati K. Day, 20, Siren, was cited for violating absolute sobriety and underage drinking after she was found walking with a 32-year-old male,

headed east in the ditch line on Hwy. 70 toward her home at 2:51 a.m. A report had been phoned into the dispatch center at 12:46 a.m. regarding a vehicle that had gone into the ditch on Hwy. 35 just south of the Burnett County Government Center.

Day allegedly told the officer that she and her passenger were arguing. He grabbed the steering wheel, took the key out of the ignition, which locked the steering column, and the vehicle Day was driving went into the ditch.

At 12:09 p.m., Justin Anthony Swanson, 35, Carver City, Minn., was picked up on a warrant from Pierce County, Minn., as he sat in his vehicle in a snowbank on Hwy. 35/70 between the Siren Dental Clinic and REMAX Realty parking lots.

Swanson posted bond, and was released.

According to the report, Swanson told the officer that he and his wife had been arguing before the vehicle went into the snowbank.

Burnett County sheriff’s report Accidents Town of Siren, Jan. 4: Glenda R. Scanlon, 64, Hertel, was northbound on Hwy. 35 when the icy road caused her to lose control negotiating a curve.

There was report of injury. The vehicle was towed.

Town of Sand Lake, Jan. 8: Henry J. Clement, 69, Webster, lost control of his vehicle while on CTH X when a deer ran into the roadway. The vehicle was towed, but there was not report of an injury.

Arrests Town of LaFollette, Jan. 12: Michael D. Hegge, 44, Webster, was arrested on a bond viola-

tion.

Other incidents Town of Anderson, Jan. 8: Eric P. McMahon, Centuria, reported the theft of a PSP at a New-Year-Eve’s party. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Rusk, Jan. 10: Scott G. Fell, Spooner, reported that a man ran over his legs in the parking lot of his bar. His left leg was swollen at the time of the report. A suspect was identified.

The incident is under investigation.

Town of Wood River, Jan. 12: David M. Chenal, Frederic, reported his blue nylon portable ice house was stolen from Little

Wood Lake. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Webb Lake, Jan. 12: Tor J. Gloppen, Fridley, Minn., reported that his cabin was entered by breaking a basement window. Nothing appears to be missing, but it is possible a bed was used. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Siren, Jan. 13: Harry R. Rund, Siren, reported his cabin entered. Nothing appears to be missing. The incident is under investigation.

Village of Webster, Jan. 13: Holiday Station reported a storage shed entered. Nothing appears to be missing. The inci-

dent is under investigation.

Town of Siren, Jan. 13: Brian W. Hegge, Siren, reported his ice house on Clam lake broken into. Two Artic tip-ups, box of jig heads, depth finder and ice scoop were reported missing.

The incident is under investigation.

Town of Meenon, Jan. 13: Laverne H Gipford, Webster, reported his ice house on Clam Lake broken into. Some food and an ice chisel were reported missing. The incident is under investigation.

Polk County criminal court Felonies Cary Smith, 39, Hudson, disorderly conduct, battery, domestic abuse. Adjourned initial appearance. Another warrant issued due to nonappearance.

Carrie Fenton, 28, Osceola, forgery, issue worthless checks, fraud against financial institution. Defendant plea of not guilty,

and final pretrial scheduled for March 11.

Misdemeanors Justin Odell, 20, Osceola, disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property. Signature bond set at $1,000, and final pretrial scheduled for Feb. 11.

Donald Peterson, 60, Amery, violate restraining order.

Signature bond set at $1,000 and attorney waived speedy trial.

Mathew Sellman, 46, Wyoming, violate restraining order, unlawful phone use/harassment.

Defendant enters plea of not guilty, and final pretrial scheduled for Feb. 29.

Traffic Steven Schulze, 21, Balsam Lake, OWI. Cash Bond set at $500. Final pretrial scheduled for Feb. 29.

Richard Miller, 27, Balsam Lake, hit and run. Signature bond set at $1,000. Final pretrial scheduled for March 14.

Bayfield Financial LLC vs.

Ernie E. Swanson, Webster, $1,082.23.

Big Bob’s Liquidation vs.

John Hadlock, Siren, $910.44.

Capital One Bank vs. Gerry Cyms, Webster, $1,355.29.

Capital One Bank vs. Lynn M. Auchi, Grantsburg, $1,557.16.

Capital One Bank vs. Lori L. Hallock, Danbury, $1,875.29.

Larsen Auto Center Inc. vs.

David Stromberg, Webster, $507.20.

Lien Law Office vs. Erika J. Burger, Danbury, $1,246.00.

Paul’s Sheet Metal Inc. vs.

Eric Pavlicek, Siren, $1,467.44.

Citizens Community Federal vs. David McArthur, Webster, $2,949.98.

Midlund Funding LLC vs.

Alan W. Byers, Grantsburg, $730.28.

Pipestone Financial LLC vs.

Glenn A. Staples, Danbury, $1,786.12.

Swedberg – Taylor Funeral Home vs. Sandra Brenizer, Siren, $4,512.54.

Unifund CCR Partners vs.

Donald A. Kraft, Webster, $5,039.02.

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Real Estate

PAGE 30 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

Burnett County criminal court Daniel G. Brieser, 60, Le Claire, Iowa, construct structure or wharf in navigable water, $113.00.

Joshua E. Borgqardt, 20, Amery, mandatory seat belt vio-

lation, $175.00.

Jacob C. Lavelle, 21, La Crosse, leave licensed premises with open container, $186.00.

Andrew B. Douglas, 28, Circle Pines, Minn., leave licensed premises with open container, $186.00.

Derrick E. DalSanto, 25, Oshkosh, leave licensed premises with open container, $186.00.

Jonathon V. Paulzine, 44, Webster, operating with PAC > .08 < .10, license revoked six months, $250.00.

Michael P. Halonen, 24, Superior, issue worthless check,

$24.21 restitution, $243.00.

Carmen L. Taylor, 22, Webster, operate without a valid license, $186.00.

David G. Eason, 47, Amery, operate while revoked, $413.00.

Silas J. Vanhorn, 47, Maple Grove, Minn., criminal damage to property, $249.00.

Brett A. Goepfert, 27, Luck, theft of movable property <= $2,500, one-year probation, has 30 days to object to restitution amount and request a restitution hearing, $88.00.

Michael L. Clover, 48, Grantsburg, operating with PAC of .08 or more, $894.00, alcohol assessment, 10 days’ jail sentence, Huber privileges granted, eligible for weekend jail or electronic monitoring, license

revoked 12 months.

Richard W. Cook, 45, Lino Lakes, Minn., OWI, $957.00, alcohol assessment, 10 days’ jail sentence, Huber privileges granted, license revoked 14 months.

Quinn A. Fleury, 33, Grantsburg, OWI, $1,020.00, alcohol assessment, 20 days’ jail sentence, Huber privileges granted, license revoked 16 months.

Laura M. Moose, 44,

Webster, OWI, $1,209.00, 60 day’s jail sentence, Huber privileges granted, license revoked 24 months.

Harlo L. Olson Jr., 26, Webster, OWI, $1,967.00, alcohol assessment, 80 days’ jail sentence, Huber privileges granted, may apply for electronic monitoring system, license revoked 27 months.

Daniel B. Songetay, 29, Danbury, OWI, $1,209.00, twoyear probation, license revoked

30 months, 60 days’ jail sentence, Huber privileges granted.

Patrick A. Boothe, 54, Gordon, OWI, $1,209.00, threeyear probation, license revoked, 30 months, six months’ jail sentence, Huber privileges granted, alcohol assessment, John G. Basswood, 24, Hayward, possession of cocaine, seven months’ jail sentence, Huber privileges granted for employment, license suspended six months, $90.00.

Polk County civil court Discover Bank, Hilliard, Ohio, plaintiff.

Warren Germann, St. Croix Falls, defendant. Plaintiff alleges that defendant defaulted on credit card payments of $799.18.

LVNV Funding LLC, Greenville, S.C., plaintiff. Ted Michaelson, Milltown, defendant. Plaintiff alleges that defendant defaulted on credit card payments of $8,709.80 HSBC Bank, Las Vegas, Nev., plaintiff. Victor Standing, St. Croix Falls, defendant.

Plaintiff alleges that defendant defaulted on credit card payments of $7,092.85.

Hermes Floral CO., St. Paul, Minn., plaintiff. Bruce Nelson, St. Croix Floral, St. Croix Falls, defendant. Plaintiff is seeking payment of $12,999.06 for a contractual arrangement that was made between the plaintiff and the defendant. Despite repeated demands, defendant has refused to pay the plaintiff.

The RiverBank, St. Croix Falls, plaintiff.

James and Jaymi Kaphingst, Frederic,

defendants. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure payments of $195,000.00.

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Santa Ana, Calif., plaintiff.

Patricia Ellingson, Amery, defendant.

Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure payments of $137,183.65.

Unifund CCR Partners, Cincinnati, Ohio, plaintiff.

Denise Christiansen, Amery, defendant. Plaintiff alleges that defendant defaulted on credit card payments of $11,493.57.

Unifund CCR Parnters, Cincinnati, Ohio, plaintiff. Lisa Cleven, Osceola, defendant.

Plaintiff alleges that defendant defaulted on credit card payments of $8,070.48.

Capital One Bank, Norcross, Ga., plaintiff. Dawn Eichman, Turtle Lake, defendant. Plaintiff alleges that the defendant defaulted on credit card pay-

ments of $19,623.78.

Amtrust Bank, Cleveland, Ohio, plaintiff. Brenda Barron, Osceola, defendant. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure payments of $99,624.29.

PHH Mortgage Corporation, Mt. Laurel, N.J., plaintiff. Nadia and Joshua Grosskreutz, Turtle Lake, defendants. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure payments of $81,928.65.

Aurora Loan Services, LLC, Scottsbluff, Neb., plaintiff.

Martha Lydia, Osceola, defendant. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure payments of $320,000.00.

REO Properties Corporation, West Palm Beach, Fla., plaintiff. Kevin and Kathleen Krarup, Amery, defendant. Plaintiff seeks mortgage foreclosure payments of $161,600.00.

Burnett County deaths Jeremy A. Bestland, 31, Grantsburg Township, Jan. 1.

Reola K. Lentz, 85, Oakland, Dec. 4.

Alfred C. Spaude Jr., 71, Siren Village, Dec. 20.

Daniel J. Boyer, 57, Meenon, Jan. 3.

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JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 31

Notices

Follow the Leader

PAGE 32 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

Notices

Polk County divorces Divorces granted Kevin and Jennifer Olmstead, Polk County, married 1995, one child.

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 33

Burnett County warrants Alex M. Bowlin, 17, St. Paul, Minn., warrant – failure to appear, Jan. 10.

Scott G. Buskirk, 27, Danbury, warrant – failure to appear, Jan. 10.

Tyler J. Carlson, 41, Forest Lake, Minn., warrant – failure to appear, Jan. 9.

Shannon M. Dugger, 28,

Siren, warrant – failure to appear, Jan. 10.

Spencer T. Holden, 35, River Falls, warrant – failure to appear, Jan. 9.

Michael J. Livingston, 49, Siren, warrant – failure to appear, Jan. 10.

Matthew C. Matrious, 18, Danbury, warrant – failure to

appear, Jan. 10.

Timothy D. Mike, 38, Hayward, warrant – failure to appear, Jan. 9.

Linda R. Mork, 53, Osceola, warrant – failure to appear, Jan. 10.

Tabitha Y. Owens, 24, Grantsburg, warrant – failure to appear, Jan. 10.

John E. Paulson, 43, Siren, warrant – failure to appear, Jan. 9.

PAGE 34 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

Employment / Notices

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 35

Health cooperatives gain national attention ST. PAUL, Minn. – Wisconsin state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R – River Falls, joined Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives President Bill Oemichen at a U.S. Senate field hearing in St. Paul concerning Affordable Healthcare: A Big Problem for Small Businesses. The April 2007 statewide launch of the Farmers Health Cooperative of Wisconsin has gained national exposure as a model for health care reform.

Harsdorf authored legislation in 2003 to enable the creation of health care cooperatives in Wisconsin and worked for years with WFC to fight for necessary support to provide affordable health care for farmers and agribusinesses throughout Wisconsin. Harsdorf recently completed her service as an interim board member for FHCW. Regional health care cooperatives for other small businesses are being created in Wisconsin to help lower costs and expand benefits for their members.

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota speaks with Wisconsin state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf and Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives President Bill Oemichen following testimony at the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Harsdorf and Oemichen appeared to discuss Health Care Cooperatives, a Wisconsin health care reform that has drawn national attention. – Photo submitted “The WFC Co-op Care project offers a private sector solution to the health insurance problems facing small employers,” Oemichen testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small

Business and Entrepreneurship.

“Bringing small employers together under the cooperative umbrella allows the cooperative, governed by a board of directors made up of members buying

again for the school board in the April election. Jensen and Ahlquist will be unopposed on the ballot, as no other candidates filed.

Good News in Our Schools reports given by the school principals.

Principal Katie Elementary Coppenbarger reported there have been many volunteers in the Nelson Primary and Elementary schools each day. “It is a real asset to our schools and speaks of our community,” volumes Coppenbarger told the board.

Coppenbarger also told the board thirdgrade students have been excited to be learning PowerPoints from Insight School Principal Billy Beesley.

Middle School Principal Brad Jones reported students from the media class have been writing news articles. Jones told the board students had a good time at the recent dance, even with the fog machine causing some excitement by setting off the school fire alarm. Mystery readers coming to Mr. Hallberg’s class have included other school staff and community members. Jones recognized

the sixth-grade for placing third in the recent math contest.

High school Principal Stan Marczak told the board the high school choir has been well received at performances they have given at area churches. Marczak reported there were 13 students who participated in the Upper St.Croix Valley Music Association Honor Choir.

Marczak said the winter sports teams have been doing well, and Sasha Chell was the recipient the Women Sports Advocates of Wisconsin Award of Excellence for 2008.

insurance, to negotiate directly with insurers or providers similar to a large employer. This in turn allows the cooperative to negotiate higher-quality coverage, improve benefit choices, and utilize cost and quality data to educate members about cost drivers and ensure that rate increases are in line with claims experience.”

By enabling individuals and businesses to purchase health care as a group under such cooperatives, buying power that expands options and stabilizes prices can be achieved.

“Consumer-driven reforms, such as health cooperatives, can be effective in reducing costs for small businesses,” said Harsdorf. “I am pleased that this state reform is serving as a model for addressing health care costs and look forward to helping expand these innovative cooperatives.” – from the office of Sen. Harsdorf

Board sees big check for technology at Grantsburg

by Priscilla Bauer GRANTSBURG – Grantsburg teacher Josh Watt and high school Principal Stan Marczak brought the huge check awarded to Watt by Samsung to Monday night’s Grantsburg School Board meeting. Watt received one of the 30 first place prizes of $60,000 in the Hope for Education Foundation technology grant competition. Watt won the prize for his 100-word essay stating his view of the single benefit of technology in schools.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Watt told the board when he got the news he’d won.

“I am honored to receive it. It’s great for the kids.” Watt also told the board he appreciated all the community recognition he has received in getting the award. Marczak told the board an order had been sent for new technology, with all teachers receiving equipment. “It’s tremendous for our school,” said Marczak. The board thanked Watt with a round of applause for his efforts.

Current board members Cindy Jensen and David Ahlquist filed papers to run

Treasure Alley opens in SCF

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–Treasure Alley opened before Christmas in the former Clear Haze Boutique building. Clear Haze was a specialty shop with a variety of décor and gift items. It was owned by Joanne Dehn, who is now a partner in Treasure Alley, a unique store with unique dates and sales.

Joann Dehn, Karen Vitalis and Heidi Glynn are partners in the ownership of Treasure Alley. It is located on Main Street in St. Croix Falls. With two levels, this building holds up to 15 vendors.

Space for one vendor is all that remains since this popular spot has opened its doors in December and 14 vendors have stepped forward.

Treasure Alley features several types of home décor, collectibles, furniture, antiques, vintage, whimsical, architectural, and repurposed treasures, during occasional sales. The store is open five consecutive days a month and the

inventory is priced to move so there is something new for shoppers every sale.

Two main vendors are Jim LaMotte and Kym Groves. LaMotte has furniture priced to move and Groves is a perfumer, who creates her own perfumes and can make customized perfumes for customers.

“It’s not just another antiques store,” said Karen Vitalis. “We have everchanging inventory. It’s a new concept in shopping.”

Treasure Alley is open the following dates for sales the following Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat. and Sun.: Feb. 6-10, March 5-9, Apr. 9-13, May 7-11, June 4-8, July 9-13, Aug. 6-10 with special dates Memorial Weekend: May 23 and May 24, and the Saturday of Wannigan Days.

Hours are the same for each monthly sale: Wed. 3 p.m. to 7p.m., Thurs. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sun. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Treasure Alley, located at 107 N. Washington Street in St. Croix Falls, is open five days a month with changing inventory from 14 vendors. Pictured are two vendors and the three partners in the business. L to R: are Kym Groves, perfumer vendor; Joanne Dehn, partner; Jim LaMotte, vendor; Karen Vitalis, partner; and Heidi Glynn, partner. – Photo by Tammi Milberg

In other business.

The three school principals gave reports on their three-year school improvement plans and on the early release day in-service plans for Wednesday, Jan. 16. The principals have updated their three-year school improvement plans established as longrange improvement targets for 2005.

The plans, which are set to expire, will be reworked after looking at testing data this spring. The principals will be conducting workshops with staff to foster school improvement and will report on upcoming staff development plans during the in-service on the 16.

Members of the board and Superintendent Burgin will attend the Wisconsin Association of School Boards convention in Milwaukee Jan. 22-25.

The board approved a request from high school Principal Stan Marczak to add a community service program as part of the high school graduation requirements. Marczak explained students will need to complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service per year to meet the guidelines of the policy.

Students will need to contact an individual or organization in order to arrange or design their own community service project.

PAGE 36 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 16, 2008

All in a day’s work...or play

More than 20 antique and unique sleighs will be on display at this year’s Frederic Sleigh Parade, to be held Saturday, Jan. 19. The parade will be held on the high school grounds. Units will be viewed at 11:30 a.m., followed by judging and the parade at 1 p.m. People not wanting to brave the elements can view the parade from their vehicles. - Photo by Gary King

Sleigh parade is Saturday

Kayce, Carl and Emma Rachner of Webster worked all Sunday afternoon on this giant snowman. Luckily, it’s been cold enough to keep it around for awhile. – Photo submitted

Proceeds from freewill offering at event will go to TAPS, an organization that helps surviving family members of military

J o e H e l l e r

by Gary King FREDERIC - There’s more than one reason to get out of the house and attend the annual sleigh parade on Saturday.

Besides the opportunity to witness and/or capture the pageantry of the event with a camera, you can also make a freewill offering that will benefit the surviving family members of military personnel.

Event organizer Liz Petersen said she’s proud to be able to donate half of this year’s freewill donations to TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

Not only because of the good work the nonprofit group does, she notes, but because someone local is so involved in the program.

Vanessa Gabrielson, a Frederic graduate and now a teacher at Webster Elementary School, has been involved with TAPS since the death of her father, Sgt. Dan Gabrielson, five years ago in Iraq.

She became aware of the program when her mother, Peggy, met the founder of TAPS - Bonnie Carroll - at a luncheon in Washington, D.C., on a trip to view the Faces of the Fallen

Memorial.

“I began volunteering in May of 2005 as a mentor at the National Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Youth,” Vanessa notes. “The following year I returned as a mentor but also acted as a co-group leader and this last year led a group of my own.”

She had 26 children in her group, each of whom had lost a loved one who served in the military. Not all were killed in action. Some were victims of cancer, vehicle accidents or died of natural causes.

Each child who comes to the Good Grief Camp is also paired up with a mentor trained in grief counseling.

Seven camps later, Gabrielson is one of three people who facilitate Good Grief Camps at military posts all over the U.S. She works with the youngest survivors, sometimes as young as 3 years old and up to age 8.

“Some, like me, are survivors themselves, but most are members of the Military Honor Guard who perform the funerals of our fallen soldiers,” she noted. “As the number of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan rises, so do the numbers of families who TAPS reaches out to.”

Mary, one of TAPS’ youngest survivors, fell asleep in Vanessa Gabrielson’s lap at a TAPS event in New York City. Mary’s mom took part in the TAPS seminar for adults while she was a part of the Good Grief Camp. - Special photo

High tech at Frederic Library

Sarah Jorgenson, Cathy Truehart and her son Nathan visited at the Frederic Library while Sarah used the free wireless internet connection.

Two-month-old Nathan seemed very interested in the whole process. – Photo submitted

‘Follow the Leader’

Currents N O R T H E R N

January 16, 2008 2nd Section B Inter-County Leader

News and views from the Northwest Wisconsin community

Memories live on...when other parts of life are gone

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – The year 2007 was a memorable one for Sam Jones, but not in a good way. In March, Edna, his wife for the past 32 years, died. On Thursday, Dec. 27, his home in the town of Meenon was heavily damaged by a chimney fire, so much so that it will have be bulldozed down to the ground. Those two losses have taken a big toll on Jones.

That’s not all that Jones has had to deal with. He has gone through six surgeries for a cancerous tumor in his jaw in the past few years, leaving him without a jawbone on one side. He exists on tube feedings, although the doctor is trying to wean him off that type of nourishment.

It takes the joy out of going out to eat when all you can order is soup or jello.

Jones’ winter project for this year was to sort through boxes of slides, picking out the ones that best describe the busy life he once led. Those boxes are on the shelf in the room at the local motel, where Jones is living for the time being.

Growing up in Frederic Sam Jones spent his early years on the family farm along what is now Old Hwy. 35, 2-1/2 miles north of Frederic. The road wasn’t called Old 35 at that time; it was Hwy. 35, the main north/south road leading from Stillwater, Minn., to Superior. He went through the first eight grades in the one-room Wood River Grade School, and was one of five graduates in his grade that entered the ninth grade at Frederic High School.

Before starting high school, the Wood River students had to take a state board exam in Milltown to make sure their education was on a par with town students. Jones drove three of them and himself to Milltown in a 1930 Model A Ford. He was only an eighth-grader. “It seemed like I always drove,” he said.

One day, on the way into Frederic, his father saw a state patrol car parked along the road. The elder Jones asked the patrolman if his son could get a driver’s license. No test was required. The patrolman just wrote out the license, then and there.

Gas at that time cost 20 cents a gallon in Frederic, but it was even cheaper in Milltown, causing a lot of people to go there to fill their tanks. The gas came out of cylinders which were pumped by hand. No electricity in those days.

Jones played football for the Frederic team, and took courses to prepare him for aviation-cadet training with a schedule heavy in math and physics. “We had great teachers in those days,” he recalled, adding that they were “very motivated.”

One day, while in study hall, he was asked by the world-history teacher to try out for chorus. The teacher finally had to admitt he couldn’t carry a tune, and Jones claims that was the reason for his D grade in world history.

Graduation from high school came in 1941, the year World War II started.

Jones praised teachers like Franklin Otis in science and Dan Dykstra in economics and history, and the teachers from Frederic who were later drafted, including Dykstra and Bill Johnson III, industrial arts.

With no jobs available in the Frederic area after graduation, Jones went to Chicago to work in a factory as an inspector for the signal corps. In Chicago, at the age of 18, Jones was drafted.

He joined the Air Corps in the days be-

Sam Jones of Siren reflected recently on a life that saw him travel the world and play an active role in American history. - Photo by Nancy Jappe fore that branch of service became the Air Force, and went to California for training as a classified radio technician.

He was tested before he started the schooling, and passed all the exams. He was assigned to a signal company stationed in the mountains, with the rank of corporal, but was downgraded from that rank because he hadn’t gone to any postgraduate schooling.

The company he was with was getting ready to go to North Africa at that time.

They had twice as many people as they needed, and Jones was one of the ones they let go. From there, he went to Florida to wait to get into air-cadet classes at the University of Florida.

He went from there to San Antonio, Texas, for free flight training. On July 1, 1944, he got bad news – the aviation cadet program had been terminated, and he had to be reassigned.

Because there was no need for more pilots, Jones was sent to Fort Jackson, S.C., for infantry basic training. Three months later, he was on the front line of World War II on the Rhine River in Belgium, then in the Alps in France.

World War II nightmares In 1990, Jones wrote about his war years in a document he titled “To Hell and Almost Back.” In its introduction he states: “Fifteen years ago, 10 years after I had retired from a productive career, the physical and emotional wounds of WW II came back to haunt me every night. A high-school classmate of mine suggested that I write the story of those horrible years, and once I have written the story, it may relieve me of having to think about those things. I am not a writer, and was reluctant to engage in such a project, but I did write my story of WW II more or less for my children and grandchildren to give them some

perspective of what war is all about. My crude factual story did serve as a place to store those unpleasant memories so I could get on with my life without being tortured every night.”

He ends that introduction with the words: “WW II will not be over until the day I die.”

Jones’ war story starts with what he called the massacre on the Swiss/German/Belgium border. His unit of 24 men went into battle on a hillside near a church and cemetery. Only three men, Jones one of them, came out of the battle alive. His best friend in the company was the first man who was hit and killed.

Jones was not more than 10 feet behind his friend when this occurred.

He was with his machine-gunner buddy in the Ardenne Forest, fighting in 30 inches of snow and under conditions that, in his words, were “colder than hell.” The men lived on cold C rations, slept in small sleeping bags in trenches lined with pine boughs, and couldn’t remove their shoes and socks for two months at a time.

“I didn’t expect to ever get out,” Jones commented.

He was away from the trench when the Germans started shelling the area.

Coming back quickly to the trench, he found two men there, the machine gunner and one of his buddies. Seeing no other choice, Jones lay down on top of the two of them, and was hit by exploding artillery shells from above.

Both of his legs were paralyzed from the waist down, and he was carried out on a stretcher. He was taken to what proved to be a morgue, and after lying there for about 30 hours, he was found by a chaplain who was giving last rites to those around him. The chaplain reached down into his clothing to find Jones’ dog tags, discovered that he was

breathing, and got him out of there.

Jones was in a body cast for a long time. He was hospitalized in Europe for four months, and sent back to the U.S. in a hospital ship. Half of his right leg has never recovered, and to this day, he has no feeling on the right side of his foot or the back of the leg. Surgeries to repair some of the damage went on for about a year and a half.

Facing the need to make some money, Jones found a job in Cincinnati, Ohio, as an apprentice electrical technician. He was in charge of a new weather/navigation station in Redwood Falls, Minn., for 11 years, working for the Federal Aviation Authority. While in Redwood Falls, Jones started the Minnesota Veterans Congress, a group that was involved in the water-fluoridation battle. He was in charge of bringing translators into Redwood Falls, and raised $35,000 toward that.

Jones then took a job in Minneapolis as an electronic engineering technician, but he couldn’t go very far with that because of the requirement that everyone have an engineering degree.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Jones developed a monitoring system for the Glide Stop System. While in Minneapolis, he was called in to figure out an instrument-monitoring system for the Duluth airport. The system he developed passed the use test, but Jones couldn’t get a patent on it because he was working for the FAA. Jones got involved in a home-schooling program in engineering that took three years to finish. He failed his first attempt at the final exam, but six months later, passed the exam for the engineering degree.

Working in Vietnam Shortly after that, a job in Vietnam opened up. Jones took the job, with his family’s approval, and found himself in charge of 50 people, 25 of them FAA technicians from the states, and others from the Philippines or Taiwan. He was located at Saigon Airport, and was in charge of managing and maintaining all the traffic-control systems in the area.

He was there during the TET offensive, with the Viet Cong occupying half of the main airport. He was there for 31/2 years, all war years, but could go home every four weeks.

The best part – he was so busy, he didn’t have time for anything besides his job as chief advisor to the Vietnamese government on the civil side.

While there, he found overwhelming support from the people for Americans.

They were in as much support of the Americans as they were opposed to the French when they were running French Indo-China (now Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Burma).

He stayed through two tours of duty, came back to the U. S. and was sent to International FAA office in Chicago. His wife didn’t want to move. Divorce followed. He spent two years in Chicago, and did a lot to establish the new international office as electronics branch chief.

A new wife in Bolivia The next traveling was to Bolivia, with Jones working as an engineer in electronics and communications. At the age of

See Jones, page 2

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

Swensons are Stewards

by Tammi Milberg TAYLORS FALLS, Minn.–For the second time in a year, Andy and Geri Swenson had a city-related honor bestowed upon them. They have been Taylors Falls residents since 1955, and in that time, have made many contributions to their community. For this, they were awarded with the 2007 St. Croix River Valley Stewardship Award at the regular Taylors Falls city council meeting Jan. 14.

The stewardship award began in both cities of St. Croix Falls and Taylors Falls in 2001. Both cities were presented with a stewardship award from the National Park Service in their dedication to fight an overhead power line by Xcel Energy proposed to run through the river valley and through the heart of each city. The

cities were able to litigate and negotiate a buried conduit, removing overhead power lines in these areas, with the energy company. The National Park Service recognized the efforts of preservation of the river view shed and stewardship to the citizens of these communities.

Awards were presented to then-mayors Loren Caneday, Taylors Falls, and Terry Lundgren, St. Croix Falls, on behalf of their cities. Both mayors then decided to implement a similar award to recognize those citizens in each respective community for their stewardship involvement.

Each year, both cities choose an individual for their demonstration of stewardship to present with the honor and their name is added to a plaque that is displayed in city hall. Taylors Falls, for the

Holiday food drive a success

Taylors Falls residents Andy and Geri Swenson were presented with the Taylors Falls 2007 St. Croix River Valley Stewardship Award at the Taylors Falls City Council meeting Jan. 14. The Swensons were also honored in July of 2007 as the Taylors Falls Wannigan Days grand marshals, which is when this photo was taken. – Photo by Tammi Milberg

The Webster High School Student Council organized their annual Holiday Drive again this year. The drive was made possible by donations from the students and staff of the school district, community donations, and a donation of $4,000 from Danbury Fire and Rescue. These funds are made available through their annual turkey dinner that they host in Danbury. The drive served 60 families in need in the Webster School District Area. Each family received a box of food, hats and mittens, games and toys and a gift certificate to Wayne’s Foods Plus. Pictured is: Debbie Faught, Kathy Eckstrom, George Costello (DFR), Renee Ones, Kendra Petrahsek, Jamie Kopecky, Colleen Foote, Chelsey Bereiter and Dustin Gramer (DFR) kneeling. – Photo submitted

first time since the award’s existence, selected a couple for the award. The nomination was based upon their community involvement, in particular with the devotion to the Taylors Falls Lions Parks on the St. Croix River on CTH 16. The Swensons pick up litter, brush, and generally maintain the park’s beauty for others to enjoy as well as keeping the trail clear that connects the south and north Lions Parks. Recently, the Lions dedicated the north park in the Swenson’s name.

“On a daily basis, you will see the infamous golf cart as it carries them to make their rounds through the parks, working tirelessly to keep the parks in pristine condition for all to enjoy,” stated Mayor Michael Buchite during the presentation

of the award. “We are especially proud of their work on the connecting trail between the parks. It would be easy to envision them as true guardian angels in their own right.”

The Swensons were honored as the grand marshals for 2007 Wannigan Days in July for their promotion and involvement in the community. This selection was made by the Taylors Falls Chamber of Commerce. The Stewardship Award Monday night marked the second time in 2007 their community honored the Swensons.

Up North Jazz Festival in February

by Regan Kohler SHELL LAKE – The annual Up North Jazz Festival at the Shell Lake Arts Center is set to take place Friday, Feb. 1.

Up North’s all-day festival offers middle and high school jazz bands the opportunity to perform for and be critiqued by professional musicians. Performing bands can play onstage for clinicians and the audience, and other schools attending, and get written or taped feedback from each professional. There is also a 30-minute clinic with a clinician for the bands and an improvisation class.

Bands attending, but not performing, get to have a 75-minute clinic with a pro-

fessional musician and an improvisation class.

At noon, the University of WisconsinEau Claire Jazz Ensemble will perform.

Arts center executive director Tara Heckel said this concert is free and open to the public as is the entire event.

This year, the clinicians are Greg Keel, MacPhail Center for the Arts; Jeff Crowell, UW-EC; Lennie Foy, De Pauw University; and Laura Caviani, Carleton and St. Olaf colleges. All are returning faculty from the arts center’s summer music camps; Foy has been a guest artist at performances with the Shell Lake High School band.

“It’s a variety of professional jazz [musicians],” Heckel said.

Heckel said both Shell Lake and Spooner jazz bands are attending this year.

“It’s a great opportunity for these bands to come in, perform and get feedback from professional jazz performers and educators,” Heckel said.

Heckel encourages any local musicians not participating to still come and listen to the UW-EC ensemble that will perform at noon.

“It’s a great field trip opportunity,” she said.

Anyone participating in the arts cen-

ter’s 2008 summer music camps also has the chance to meet the clinicians, who will be teaching again.

The concerts take place in the art center’s gymnasium.

In other arts center news, Heckel said the annual Evening with the Stars gala is coming up May 12. There will be a variety of entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. This is an annual fundraiser for the center; more information will be available as the date nears.

For more information, please call the center office at 715-468-2414, or visit the Web site at: www.shelllakeartscenter.org.

was responsible for all aircraft navigation between cities in the United States and U.S. possessions.

port.

While there, Jones was offered a job as head of communications projects for the whole country of Botswana through the International Civil Aviation Headquarters in Montreal, Canada. He and Edna like it there. They had the opportunity to travel all over the southern part of Africa during the two years they spent in Botswana.

Jones bought land in the town of Meenon in the early 1980s. He and Edna built a cabin there in 1983, Jones con-

structing the chimney himself. That’s the cabin that is to be bulldozed because of the fire.

Six surgeries, part of his jawbone taken out, Edna no longer with him, the cabin with so much of his and Edna’s years together inside soon to be gone. Sam Jones is left now with boxes of slides and memories of a lifetime that put him in touch with places and situations far distant from the area of his birth 84 years ago, on a farm outside Frederic.

Jones/from page 1 50, he went to the Foreign Service Institute in Washington, D.C., to learn Spanish, and eventually figured out a high-powered radio antennae system in Spanish.

Jones met his second wife, Edna, in Bolivia. She was from Albuquerque, N.M., and was working in Bolivia as a record supervisor. The two got married in Chicago, after Sam’s two-year stint in Bolivia was over.

Back from Bolivia, Jones worked in Washington, D.C., for a year, where he

Retirement is not enough In 1979, Jones was eligible to retire. He and Edna moved to Albuquerque and bought a house. Jones was there for two months before deciding that he wasn’t ready to retire yet. He got a call to go to Lasutu in the middle of South Africa, and he went there for a month to review electronic specifications for a new air-

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 3

The Fast Lane

Writer’s Corner

by Martha Filip They whip along the highway, In a speed surpassing light As I proceed serenely In the slow lane on the right.

What is their urge to get there?

What makes them go so fast?

How sad they don’t enjoy the trip And see what they go past.

Crosswords

I want to wave, call out to them, Tell them to go slow For I’ve been long upon this road Unsure yet how far I’ll go.

by Joyce Thompson

The road of life is never clear It just ahead unfolds, And years become the mileposts Of joys and fears untold.

I’d gladly take the trip again, Only one thing I would change, I’d travel it from start to end In the very slowest lane.

Poco Penners The PoCo Penners meet the second Friday of the month at 2 p.m. at the county boardroom in the government center in Balsam Lake. Contact Gladys Frokjer at 483-3208 or Iris Holm 284-3174 for more information. - submitted

I decided that before my brain completely atrophied that I should start exercising it. We learned in nursing school that “use it or lose it “applies to more than sex. It also happened that I had just read an article in the paper about how to slow memory loss. It appears that it cannot be completely avoided, but can be slowed by activities that make you use it.

I never was good with names and I only have to look at my mother or my aunt to see what will probably happen to me, but it can’t hurt to do a little brain exercise. In addition to the jigsaw puzzles my husband and I do, I decided to do crossword puzzles.

I bought a book with “Easy” in the title and began.

The puzzles were indeed easy, at least the first few. I had forgotten that the farther into the book you get, the harder they are.

Sometimes I would know the word for the answer.

Sometimes I would go through the alphabet, “A”, no,

“B”, no, and usually I would remember before I got to “Z.” That wasn’t always the complete answer; it has more letters than that.

Look at the definition. What tense is it? I see, it ends in “ies,” not “ed.” If it were names I am looking for the answer might be “Eds,” plural. The answer to a blue flower, a spring flower, a purple flower, a tall flower is almost always an iris. If a bride or a groom or an altar is mentioned the answer is “I do.” Two words, they didn’t indicate that. If the definition is abbreviated, the answer is also. The answer to a double curve, a curvy letter, or any other clue that has the letter “S” for the answer is “ess” or “esses” for the plural. How can “S” take up five spaces?

After finishing my second book of crosswords, is my memory any better? I’ll see after I remember where I left my pencil.

I now know why they call it crosswords. Sometimes I could say a few of them.

Northwest Regional Writers The Northwest Regional Writers meet at 1 p.m. the second Friday of the month either in Frederic or Grantsburg. Each month we have a topic to write about and read to the group. The following writing was read at the last meeting. Call Mary Jacobson at 715-349-2761 for more information about the organization.

Submissions should be typed, double-spaced on one side only of 8 -1/2 x 11 white paper, leaving a minimum of 1-inch margins all around. Handwritten submissions will not be accepted. Submissions should be no more than 800 words.

Submissions may be delivered to The Leader’s offices in Frederic or Siren, mailed to Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837 or e-mailed to the-leader@centurytel.net. We prefer e-mailed copy.

If hand-delivered or mailed, please write "Writers’ Corner" somewhere on the front of the envelope. If e-mailed, please use "Writers’ Corner" as the subject and include the submission as body text of the e-mail. No attachments, please. Your submission to Writers’ Corner grants The Leader one-time rights to publish the item in the weekly newspaper. The author retains the copyright and all future publication rights. The Leader may edit submissions for grammar and punctuation, clarity and length. If you have any questions about this new feature, please contact us at the-leader@centurytel.net or call 715-327-4236. - Editor

Red Cross honors blood donors during National Blood Donor Month Join other blood donors and resolve to give blood this year ST. PAUL, Minn. – As a new year begins, the American Red Cross recognizes and honors all blood donors during National Blood Donor Month. Since 1970, National Blood Donor Month has been celebrated in an effort to educate Americans about the importance of regular blood donation, and the impact it can have on patients in need. In celebration

of National Blood Donor Month, the Red Cross encourages people to add another New Year’s resolution to their list, and become blood donors.

Every year the demand for blood increases by up to 8 percent, while annual blood donations increase by only 2 to 3 percent. Currently, only about 5 percent of eligible blood donors actually donate.

Now that a new year has begun, resolve to help increase that number by donating blood at community blood drives or blood donation center.

“The Red Cross is not only thanking current blood donors, but challenging

the rest of America to follow their lead and start donating blood,” said Rick Panning, CEO of the local Red Cross Blood Services region. “Make an appointment to give blood today.” Donors have the chance to give on a regular basis: donate whole blood every 56 days, donate automated double red cells every 112 days, donate platelets every three days (Up to 24 times a year) and donate plasma every 28 days.

The blood supply is particularly vulnerable during and the following the holiday season when donations can dip due to busy schedules. Winter weather

can also affect the ability of people to donate blood. Giving blood now can help build the blood supply, and will help to ensure enough blood is on hand for patients in the weeks to come.

Upcoming blood drive opportunities Jan. 16, 12-6 p.m., Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Glenwood City Jan. 17, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, Balsam Lake Jan. 17, 2-7 p.m., Roberts Park Building, Roberts – submitted

ARMC partners with National Healing Corporation

Open-wound healing center to open in Amery

AMERY - Amery Regional Medical Center has signed an agreement to partner with the Florida-based disease management firm National Healing Corporation to manage its wound-healing center.

A privately held company, NHC is one of the largest wound-care management companies in the nation and accounts for a large percent of all managed and outsourced wound centers in the United States.

“Wounds that fail to heal, and at their worst lead to amputation, are a hidden epidemic that affect millions of people in this country,” said Michael Karuschak, CEO of Amery Regional Medical Center.

“These wounds primarily affect the elderly and the need for wound care will only increase as our population ages. In the next 30 years, one in five Americans will be over the age of 65. Through our new partnership with National Healing Corporation, we will enhance our wound-care services to meet this growing need.”

NHC developed a proprietary Wound Healing Clinical Pathway, which provides progressive, multidisciplinary wound-care therapy that cures the

wound while it addresses the underlying cause of the condition. In addition to providing training and continuing education to the physicians and staff, NHC’s administrative services include reporting on patient outcomes and heal rates, providing financial tracking and coding support, upholding regulatory compliance, implementing community outreach and education programs for patients and professionals, and marketing support.

James E. Patrick, CEO of NHC, said, “We are pleased to join with Amery Regional Medical Center. Nothing speaks more to quality of life than knowing you and your family have immediate access to the best medical care available right in your own neighborhood. Our woundhealing centers performed 250,000 procedures last year achieving an above average healing rate of 84 percent on previously nonresponsive wounds.”

The center, opening in the summer of 2008, will be located at 230 Deronda Street in Amery, and offer state-of-the-art treatment for those suffering from diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections, compromised skin grafts and flaps, and wounds that haven’t healed within 30 to 60 days.

The highly specialized treatments include negative pressure therapy and vacuum assisted closure, bio-engineered skin substitutes, biological and biosynthetic wound beds, growth factor thera-

pies and electrical stimulation.

Through its partnership with NHC, the center will include hyperbaric oxygen therapy. As patients watch movies while relaxing on a bed encased within a large see-through plastic shell, they are surrounded by 100 percent oxygen at

higher than normal atmospheric pressure. Diabetic foot wounds are among the wounds that benefit most from this therapy that stimulates a number of wound-healing physiological responses in the cells and tissues. - submitted

Growing of Sun ower and Canola for Energy kicks off Safari Series SPOONER – The Spooner Area UWExtension Office will be holding its annual Northern Wisconsin Agriculture Safari program beginning on Friday, Feb. 1, at 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Spooner Ag Research Station. The first topic of this three-week series is titled “Growing OilSeed Crops for Energy: Focus on Canola and Sunflower.” Shawn Conley, UW-Extension soybean and wheat specialist, will discuss the challenges and opportunities of growing these new bioenergy cash crops. Both sunflower and canola are high-oil seed plants that show potential as biofuel crops in Wisconsin. Conley will share the latest information related to growing sunflower and canola.

The Northern Safari features University of Wisconsin and other specialists who address agriculture topics in programs presented across northwestern Wisconsin.

The Spooner Ag Research Station will be the site for these three weekly series starting on Fridays, Feb. 1 through Feb. 15.

Upcoming topics and dates include: Pasture Renovation and Interseeding: Strategies to Improve Pastures Following Draught on Feb. 8; and Dairy and Beef Cattle Nutrition Using Bioenergy Byproduct Feeds: focusing on feeding byproducts generated by the ethanol and biodiesel industry on Feb. 15.

All seminars will be held at the Spooner Ag Research Station on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

There is no cost for these programs.

Preregistration is requested but not required. For more information contact Kevin Schoessow or Otto Wiegand at the Spooner Area UW-Extension Office at 715-635-3506 or 1-800-528-1914. - submitted

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

River Road Ramblings

collected by Russ Hanson

Trade Lake

by Stanley Selin This week we have several historical photos from Trade Lake. If you see yourself in one of the school photos, send us a story of your school days.

Photos from Selin collection Trade Lake School, 1948. Top row: John Utley, Jack Carlson, Paul Runberg, A. Norvin Baldwin, Charles Gronlund, Roger Larson and Alan Sjoberg. Second row: Carl Runberg, Beverly Brenizer, Karen Berglund, Hazel Thompson (teacher), Lola Hastings (teacher), Joyce Mattson, Valerie Runberg and Grace Dahlberg.

Third row: Ronald Olson, Byron Brenizer, Ann Eliason, Betty Engelhart, Robert (Ole) Engelhart and James Engelhart. Bottom row: Ruth Engelhart, Joan Engelhart, Donald Anderson, Virginia Magnuson, Gail Sundquist, Wayne Johnson, Eloise Mattson and Donna Mae Berglund.

Missing: Donna Jensen, Marilyn Jensen, DuWayne Jensen, Gordon Jensen, Joyce Lundequam, Joan Lundequam and Carol Lundequam.

Trade Lake School class, 1928 – 1929. Front row: Olive Sundquist, Mildred Flemming and Mabel Baker. Second row: Ruth Johnson, Marlette Gustafson, Ruby Lundeen and Geraldine Melin. Third row: Ruby Swanberg, Gunnard Swanson, Albert Baker and Arnold Lindberg.

Trade Lake Baptist choir, 1912. Top row: Olgo Lundeen, Edith Baker, Gust Johnson, Hjalmer Ericson, Andrew Nelson, Amelia Peterson and Amanda Hake. Middle row: Alex Melin, Augusta Peterson, Ellen Johnson and John Drotz. Bottom row: Ernest Johnson, Ellen Melin, Gust Magnuson, Winnifred Selin and Alec Johnson.

Photo of pioneer women of Trade Lake, taken about 1917. Occasion for photo unknown. Top row: Mrs. Ole Opsahl (Columbia) (1867-1953); Mrs. Per Olaf Anderson (Margaret) (1857-1936), Mrs. Erick Lundeen (Edla) (1866-1954); Mrs. Peter Wedin (Christine) (1859-1936); Mrs. Malker Lindblad (Hilda) (1874-1930); Mrs. John Peter Larson (Ida) (1861-1937); Mrs. August Oberg (Maria) (18511931). Middle row: Not identified; Mrs. Peter Hake (Anna) (1862-1943); Mrs. Andrew Peterson (Fredericka) (1845-1923); Mrs. Andrew Selin (Alma) (1869-1935) and Mrs. Carl ‘Stora’ Carlson (Helena) (1861-1945).

Bottom row: Mrs. John Drotz (Ellen) (1886-1960); Mrs. Enoch Johnson (Arvida) (1877-1924); Angie Melin (1872-1952); and Mrs. Gust Johnson (Augusta) (1866-1939).

Subscribe to the Leader online @ www.the-leader.net

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 5

Days of my Childhood

by Harold C.T. Peterson Harold C.T. Peterson entered the 1977 Yarns of Yesteryear Contest, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin Extension Office. There were more than 600 contestants over 65 years of age who wrote their thoughts and memories on paper for others to read.

We hope you enjoy his letter.

When I was a boy, the world was so different than it is today. Now we have jet planes, large buildings, many sights, cars whizzing by on super highways. I was born Aug. 4, 1898, in White Bear, Minn., on a farm. My parents were Nels Gustav and Mimi Flora Peterson. My father came from Varmland, Sweden and mother from Copenhagun, Denmark. Father came to Stockholm, where he worked on a farm and from there he went to St. Paul, Minn. When mother came from Denmark, she went to St. Paul, and did housework for some relatives. When my father went to St. Paul, he got a job hauling coal for a coal company, and he delivered coal to many homes, and he delivered coal to the home where my mother was working, so as they got acquainted, they finally got married.

Father kept on working for the coal company. As time went on, my folks decided to move out in the country on a farm. This was the farm where I was born, that my father rented. My six older sisters and brothers were born in St. Paul. The buildings on this farm were old, but were in good shape. I remember here was a tall wooden windmill close to the barn, and it could be seen over the treetops. There was an apple orchard close by and a berry patch along side.

My father and older brothers farmed and raised grain, corn and hay. We had some cows, a team of horses, some machinery. I remember the folks raising their own chickens. They would set eggs under the setting hens. We raised Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island red chickens. In the spring we had a garden to plant. We churned and made our own butter – I remember the round barrel churn and mother making and putting the butter in stone jars, these jars held five pounds. The cellar under the kitchen was cool where the vegetables, milk and butter were kept.

What butter and eggs we did not use, the folks would take to town to the grocery store, to exchange and get flour, sugar, coffee or what was needed.

Our living was made a great deal off the farm.

There was a good supply of apples for fall and winter, and the products from the garden and berries to can.

This farm my father was renting was sold, so he rented another farm close by. We could see Bald Eagle Lake to the west, and the Northern Pacific Railroad went by our farm, going north and south and a road on the west side of the track. There was a lot of meadow for the cattle to graze on this farm, besides fields for corn, grain, hay, and we raised pumpkins and mangel beets for feed. There was summer resorts on the south side of Bald Eagle Lake. My father started a milk route during the summer months.

Some of the customers ordered cream besides milk, so the folks had to buy a cream separator (De Lavel).

The folks had a large ice box in the milk house, to keep the cream and milk in. There was an iceman that delivered ice in the neighborhood, so ice was handy to buy. There was plenty work taking care of washing milk cans, and cream bottle besides other work.

I remember the milk wagon my father had was a one-horse wagon. Us boys would change off sometimes, and go with our father on the milk route, then the other brothers would have to stay home and herd the cows. Sometimes the neighbor’s boy would come along with us herding the cows. We always had our dog with us, herding. His name was Carlo.

He was so much fun and company. We would pick a lot of wild flowers, and bring them home to Mother.

There was a creek that flowed by below the woods from our house, in the deeper hole there were sunfish, perch and sometimes bass we could catch. We boys thought that was fun.

I realize it was not so easy going for the folks at times, but we were always well provided for. When we children sat down around the table at meal times, we were taught to say table grace, to sit quiet and still. I remember my mother being patient, kind and loving to us children. Father was strict with us, and we had to mind. So it was love and obey. That I am thankful for, as we children grew and lived happily together in our younger days.

In the wintertime, we used to water the cows and horses down by the creek. We would tie our little bobsleds to the horses tails and they would pull us down to the creek and back up to the barn. We sure

had fun. The horses were not so young. We did not have to go far to school, we usually walked together with the neighbor’s children. In the wintertime, we would have fun at recess time making snowmen, building forts and playing fox and geese. In the Bernice spring, we would have fun Abrahamzon playing marbles.

I remember I was naughty in school one time, and the teacher made me come up to her desk and sit and face the children. They laughed at me, and I did not like that very well, so that taught me a lesson so I behaved better.

On Sundays, Mother would get us ready for Sunday school. We did not have far to go, and we children always liked to go the Sunday school. We would walk along with the neighbor’s children.

When I think of our first Sunday school teacher, of the stores they told in the Bible, and the songs we sang and learned. Those memories I treasure, they will always stay with me. I remember how we spent Christmas. Christmas Eve Mother would make supper early. She would cook a kettle of rice and dish it up in small bowls, we would sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on, add a chunk of butter and some milk. We ate this with fresh white raisin bread and butter.

Mother baked a lot of bread, which we children enjoyed. This was our traditional supper. After supper, when dishes were done, then we children would hold hands and march around the Christmas tree, singing “Silent Night,” “Away in the Manger” and other Christmas songs. Then we would sit around the Christmas tree and my mother and father would pass out our Christmas present, what happy memories.

Christmas Day, Mother would roast a large chicken and rooster stuffed with prunes, raisins, sliced apples and bread crumbs, have mashed potatoes, gravy, squash, pickles, vegetables, bread and butter, and sweet pudding for desert.

When we had our Sunday school and school programs, our folks would come and that we enjoyed.

As time went on, my two oldest sisters were working in St. Paul. My oldest brother was working as night tower man at Bald Eagle Station. My father wanted to buy some land of his own. They were advertising land to buy in Wisconsin, through the Johnson Land Co. of St. Paul, so there was an agent that brought him up to Polk County, to look over some lalnd, and he decided to buy 160 acres of wild land with a lot of timber on – pine, maple, oak, elm. There was a place next to the 160 acres we could move on until we were able to move on our own. So on April 14, 1910, we had our cattle, machinery, household goods, loaded in two freight cars that had two coach cars on the end of the train so we went northeast on the Soo Line for Wisconsin. We bid our friends goodbye. Luck was our stopping place. So now we were in Wisconsin.

BEHIND THE

SIGNPOST

The above yarn was printed in a four-page pamphlet “Echoes of the Valley,” printed in St. Croix Falls, as written.

When we moved to Lewis from North St. Paul, Minn., we soon met Harold C.T. Peterson. He sold fruit trees and I said, “I’ll buy a plum tree.” He told me, “You can’t buy just one tree. It takes two.”

“Oh.” That was the beginning of our orchard and many jars of plum jam.

Mr. Peterson also sold encyclopedias, but my husband, Ken, as a schoolteacher, inherited older sets of encyclopedias as they were replaced by new ones in the library.

Mr. Peterson was a good salesman, and I enjoyed visiting with him when he came on his rounds. His wife was very pleasant, too, and gave piano lessons when they lived in Frederic.

Back in the ‘50s, salesmen made the rounds, and contributed to our social life, including the Watkins agent; the Fuller Brush man; Jake, the broomman; the Rawleigh man and the Jewel Tea man.

Until next week, Bernice

The Leader is a cooperative-owned newspaper

Do you remember ?

Compiled by Bernice Abrahamzon

50 Years Ago Specials at Route’s Market, Frederic, included pork chops at 49¢ lb., sauerkraut at two tins for 25¢ and broken sliced pineapple at 19¢ for a 16-oz. tin.-Red Sockeye salmon was 3 tins for $1.-The Macalester College coach, Ralph Lundeen was the football banquet speaker at Frederic.-Victor Weinzierl was the grand-prize winner on the Bowlerama show.-Frederic American Legion held its first meeting in the new clubhouse.-A basketball polio benefit was held at Luck.-A RCA Whirlpool Spectacular once-a-year sale was held at Stop and Swap, Taylors Falls, Minn.A Soo Line freight was wrecked south of Danbury.Gene Jensen was named Burnett County District Attorney.-Siren Commercial Club will meet Jan. 30, at Pheasant Inn, Siren.-The tax list for the town of Georgetown was published in this newspaper in its entirety.-An ad said, “The Plymouth is the lowestpriced hardtop you can buy.”-The film “Shoot Out at Medicine Bend” starring Randolph Scott was playing at the D’Luxx Theatre, Luck.-An ice-fishing contest was held Sunday, Jan. 26, at Long Lake, Atlas.-A fishing contest was held Jan. 19, at the Clam River Flowage.-The town of Laketown tax list was published in this newspaper.-Frederic Fun Days were set for July 4, 5 and 6.-Unity voters opposed new school building 649-507.

40 Years Ago School directors faced higher budget estimates.Nine men answered the call to service from Polk County on Jan. 8, 1968, including Gerald Weiser, Calm Falls; David Larsen, Luck; Dennis Vollrath, Milltown; Larry Cox, Balsam Lake; Brian Mortenson, Dresser; Wayne Bottolfson, Star Prairie; Richard Voltz, Centuria (volunteer); Randall Wicklace, Trutle Lake; Roger McHugh, Osceola, volunteer.-Property in West Sweden assessed at highest percent.-Esther Andrews was one year past the century mark at the Frederic Care Center.-Specials at Route’s Super Market, Frederic, included wieners at 48¢ lbs., oysters at 2 8-oz. tins at 89¢ and bananas at 9¢ lb.-Specials at the Frederic Co-op Store included 3 pkgs. cookies for $1, apples at 3 lbs. for 57¢ and bacon at 65¢ lb.-The stockholders meeting of the Inter-County Co-op Plublishing Ass’n. was Saturday, Jan, 20, 1968 with stockholder’s dinner at Ray’s Café, Frederic.-Humidifiers were on sale at Milltown Co-op Services.-The film “Hawaii” was playing at the Auditorium Theatre, St. Croix Falls.-Loan-out hospital beds were available in Webster area.-The film “Trial of the Wild” was playing at the Frederic Theatre.-Laketown taxpayers pay higher tax on property.-A heifer was lost when the ice broke at the Fred Lindh farm.

20 Years Ago No primaries were necessary for school board elections in Burnett County.-An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people attended the fishing contest sponsored by the Burnett County Historial Society on Yellow Lake.Timberland Hills ski area was off to a good start.-Bob Werner of Grantsburg wrote a column every week called From the Desk of the Grantsburg Principal.The Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Ass’n. had a warehouse sale of office supplies.-3-wheel ATVs were banned.-A hearing was set on alcohol breathtest rule.-The new Frederic Post Office was back on schedule.-Centuria residents were without water for 15 hours, with 250 homes affected.-Larry Stotz, Frederic native joined the Grantsburg CPA firm.-Grass fires were at the top of the list for Frederic firefighters in 1987.-Obituaries included Donlin “Red” Evanson, Edward Treague, George Tyberg, Florence Chicag and Henry Albert.-The St. Croix Falls Hospital was the first in the area to gain Lyme Disease testing capability.-Reorganization of the Town and County Ambulance service was considered by the board.-Grantsburg‘s New Year’s baby was Justin Kyle Werdier, born Jan. 6.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

Frederic 1915 Some of the businesses listed in this year were: W.J. Summerfield Frederic Dray and Trunk Line, Baggage, Freight and all kinds of hauling done promptly; J.W. Binford Optician and Jeweler in the old bank building; Christian Nelson, photographer, at Frederic Gallery every Tuesday; repair shop, call on me for all kinds of repairing, work done neatly and promptly in the line of repairing, shoes, harnesses, furniture, tinware, etc., shop in former Rudberg Building; D.F. Townsend, P.P. Luke: candies and nuts, a complete line of nuts, fancy dishes and box stationery; one-third off on sheet music, Do you want to sell? Do you want to buy? Come in and see me if you wish to do either, or write or phone me, and I will take the matter up with you; J. Sower, located in Christian Nelson Photo Studio, third building east of the First National Bank; Martin and Johnson, high-grade candies and nuts, fancy groceries and china dishes, soft drinks, home bread – made fresh every day.

Olaf Hake passed away Feb. 19, at the age of 80 years, lacking one day. He came in the spring of 1869 and took up a homestead in section 23, where he has since resided. He served as the first town treasurer for a period of 20 years.

New specialist in eye care, Dr. Bersse, is now located at Luke House.

You now receive free tickets for the whole family from nearly any business in Frederic for the matinee at the Main Theatre.

Mr. Hoverstad, agricultural commissioner of the Soo Line, will talk at the gathering of the schoolhouse on March 10.

The junior class gave a very good pro-

What's the difference?

Who of us hasn’t heard the phrase, “You ought to be ashamed of yourself!” or “They’re guilty as sin!” or “Oh, I feel so embarrassed!” We often use the words shame, guilt and embarrassment interchangeably, but there are actual differences between them. Knowing that difference will help with understanding which one these experiences is emotionally, psychologically, physically and spiritually destructive. And that one would be shame.

Let’s start with definitions. Guilt is defined as: “The fact of being responsible for an offense or wrongdoing.” This means that we have either done something illegal like stealing, or inappropriate like hurting a friend’s feelings. When we are guilty of something, the appropriate response is to accept responsibility for our actions and, ideally, to reflect on our motivation for doing what we did. This allows growth in our self-

Betty Fenton HISTORICAL VIGNETTES 3.

gram. After the program, a pie social was held.

The teachers from here who attended T. Geacher’s Institute at Osceola were misses Opitz, Gunnison, Bestow, Barker, Beebe, Malone and Mr. Barker.

School bus drivers wanted: Takes a team from 2,500 to 3,000 lbs.

See Dr. F. H. Turner, clerk joint District No.

New settlers in Lorain – the first of last week eight cars of goods and stock arrived in Lewis belonging to new settlers from Iowa, who bought land last year in the neighborhood of Clam Falls and in the town of Lorain. Several of the men came up with the cars. The new settlers were: Mr. and Mrs. Christ Huser and one child; Mr. and Mrs. George Gillbrech and four children; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Huser and four children; Mr. and Mrs. Fred McBridge and one child; Mrs. and Mrs. William Gillbrech and one son; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Gillbrech; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Rolf and Phil Fees.

I found this to be very interesting: Pedersen Lumber Company of Frederic, located where Kevin’s Auto Sales is now, carried a complete line of building material, silos and cedar telephone poles.

Regular mail costs: 10¢; 12¢ for mail catalogs.

Opposed to the saloons, many farmers petition the citizens of Frederic to keep the town dry. One hundred fiftytwo people voted against license for Frederic, to keep the saloons out of Frederic the coming year. awareness.

Guilt is a beneficial experience because it keeps us in check with behaving ethically and considerately Jane F. Meinz as we live in the world with others.

Embarrassment is defined as: “To cause to feel self-conscious or ill at ease.”

This means that if I slip on the ice and fall on my bum, I will probably experience the discomfort which comes from the exposure of others seeing my human vulnerability. My ego may be a bit bruised, but I can lovingly laugh at myself, get back on my feet and move forward with my day.

The phenomenon of guilt and embarrassment are experiences that are strictly

Sky’s the Limit

A blizzard swept nearly the whole northwest, extending south to Kansas and Nebraska. Trains were stalled and late at many points. Frederic felt the effect of the storms here, although a great deal of snow fell, it did not improve sleighing much, because of the drifting due to hard winds.

J.L. Frederic had the misfortune of losing a horse Sunday. He turned the team into the yard for exercise, and in some way, one of them broke a leg and had to be shot.

A dance will be given in Turner Hall, Trade Lake, Saturday evening, by Camp No. 8479 Modern Woodmen of America.

Music furnished by Ledell’s orchestra.

All are cordially invited. Dance tickets 50¢.

The Butternut Club met, Mrs. W. Elwell presided. Final plans for the Park Day were made.

The Main Theatre is open Wednesday and Saturday nights. The movie for Wednesday, “The Trey O’Hearts.”

John W. Blackstone, founder of the

Frederic Star, has recently bought the Pick and Gad, a weekly newspaper published at Shullsburg. As the name would indicate, the paper is published in a mining district. After leaving Frederic, Mr. Blackstone went to Lomax, Ill., the town that was advertised to be the second Chicago of the west. The growth was slower than was expected and consequently the former editor moved to Freeport, Ill., where he embarked in the grocery business.

The Minnesota State Sanitary Board has barred the shipping of cattle from Iowa and Wisconsin to South St. Paul, until the government declares the state free of the foot and mouth disease. Mrs. L.A. Copeland, while in San Francisco recently, had the pleasure of hearing Helen Keller deliver an address on happiness. Helen Keller was stricken deaf, dumb and blind when about 2 years of age. Frank Thorpe Turner wins Cadetship at West Point. He’s the son of Dr. F. H. Turner.

related to our behavior, not to our inherent value as a living being. In other words, we are a good person despite the behavior of stealing, hurting a friend or bouncing on our bum. Guilt and embarrassment still allow us to be productive, to grow, to mature and to learn.

This brings us to the definition of shame: “A painful emotion caused by a strong sense of unworthiness, disgrace, dishonor or condemnation.” In short, it is the debilitating, mistaken belief that I am inherently bad and that I am not just making mistakes in life, it means that I am the mistake.

Shame is very destructive in that way because it fuses who I am with what I do. Doing something illegal or inappropriate and feeling shameful about it will actually make us less available to authentically reflect on and correct our behavior because the feeling of shame will be so uncomfortable that we will want to get away from it as soon as we can. If we believe that we are inherently bad, we will be more likely to feel powerless to correct or alter a behavior.

Sometimes people will ask me, “If a

person doesn’t feel shameful, how will they change then?” My answer to this is that it is remorse, not shame that allows us to genuinely reflect on, take responsibility for and correct our behavior.

Shame is a harsh, judgmental and selfdeprecating inward-turned experience.

If I am experiencing shame, I will actually be more self-absorbed and focused on the awful feelings and thoughts I’m having about myself, rather than focusing on the other person by taking personal responsibility and making apologies.

Remorse on the other hand, allows us to have compassion for ourselves as we step up to the plate of responsibility and to have true empathy for the person we have wronged. Remorse takes inward strength, respect and mounds of courage. It requires maturity on our part. Clear understanding of ourselves, that we are inherently good despite our errors, allows then for us the possibility of change and growth.

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 7

Helping Hands – Christmas for Kids A total success! Helping Hands Christmas for Kids 2007 was a total success giving for more children than ever.

Gifts of clothes and toys went to 630 children and 255 families. Every year we grow, and every year we are able to meet the needs of the children.

Our volunteers are one of our most valuable commodities. We could do nothing without them. This year Denny Blodgett took the chairmanship of the project and did an outstanding job. The committee made up of Denny Blodgett, Jeannie Bickford, Sharon Boatman, Lori Ingalls, Deb Watson, Brandy Horstman, Pastor Cindy Glocke and Joyce Kyle came together to coordinate every detail of the Christmas project. There were so many other volunteers it is hard to name

each for fear of forgetting some. Just know that each and every one was a very important part in making the event a success.

We had shoppers, sorters, Barb stuffers, quality controllers, registration Blodgett people, runners and assemblers, carriers, packers and bookkeepers and even cooks.

Behind all of this and foremost were those who donated money, gifts, toys, or time; each made the event all possible.

We raised more money, had more toys and clothes than ever before. I have only begun writing my notes to thank people for each and every gift. The list is pages long, so it may be awhile before all of the thank-you notes get out, but I

just want you to know I am working on it. In the beginning I am always a little panicky never being sure we will have enough, but every year the wonderful people and businesses of Burnett County and beyond come through. I am still in awe that people are so generous.

One thing for sure, if Webster Fire and Rescue’s chief and volunteer firemen had not let us use the Webster Fire Hall we would have been at a loss. This is such a big project, we need a large space and the Fire Hall works perfectly. We are growing, but the accommodations are still sufficient. This year we invited the public to come in and watch what we do. As I said before, it may look like chaos, but it is a well-orchestrated operation.

As director of Interfaith Caregivers I am proud of what was done and all who made it possible. Now we begin planning for next year. It may seem early, but to put everything together we must

plan early. I know the project will grow and there will be more children and families in need. It is hard to imagine we could handle more, but we will with everyone’s help. My heart is full of gratitude for all involved. I hope we made a difference at Christmastime. So far we have found only one problem, a pink snowsuit that did not fit. We’ll fix that if the parent will let us know who you are.

The project always leaves us exhausted and behind in our own Christmas plans, but it also leaves us with an overwhelming feeling of good. I can think of no other word for it.

God Bless all in 2008. Interfaith Caregivers wishes you every joy you can imagine.

survey, and then use the results of both to kick off a discussion where people reflect on the survey results and establish objectives for the year about board activities.

4. Has a strategic vision for the organization?

5. Knows enough about the organization’s programs and services?

6. Monitors and evaluates the performance of the executive director on a regular basis?

7. Provides financial oversight for the organization, including approving a realistic budget?

8. Monitors financial performance and projections on a regular basis?

9. Has adopted a fundraising strategy and reflects on its successes?

10. Has a clear policy on the responsibilities of board members in fundraising?

11. Acts as ambassadors to the community on behalf of the organization and its clients/patrons?

12. Understands the role that volunteers play in the organization and the organization’s philosophy of volunteer management?

13. Appreciates the respective roles of the board and staff?

14. Currently contains an appropriate range of expertise and diversity to make it an effective governing body?

15. Effectively involves board members in board activities and responsibilities?

16. Periodically assesses their own performance as a board?

For more information on nonprofit life, please contact Maltee McMahon, Bremer Bank, 715-231-7957 or mmcmahon@bremer.com.

Coming up soon is a nonprofit series focusing on Building Communications Skills using the True Colors® Personality Training system. Workshop sessions focus on goal setting, enthusiasm, increase self-awareness as tools for handling stress and decluttering negativity in daily routines. Dates are Thursdays, April 3 – May 8, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Bremer Bank in Amery. - submitted

Caregiver’s GIFTS

Are we doing a good job?

At a regular physical checkup, the doctor may ask the patient, “How are you feeling?” The answer is important.

Although some patients may feel well but have a hidden disease, the patient’s own sense of well being is an important indicator.

In a similar way, when a board asks itself, “How do we feel about our board and our organization?” the answer is an important indicator, if not an errorproof test. We suggest an annual poll of board members to get a sense of how the board is doing. There are many such surveys, but here’s a short one you can try. Give board members a scale to choose from for each answer, such as 1 5, with 1 being very unsatisfied and 5 being very satisfied.

You might also ask your executive director (and other staff who frequently work with the board) to fill out a similar

Maltee McMahon

NONPROFIT CORNER

How satisfied are you that the board…

1. Understands and can convey the organization’s mission and purpose?

2. Is confident that the organization is in compliance with federal, state and local regulations?

3. Has procedures that report that government contract obligations are fulfilled?

Barb Blodgett Director of Interfaith Caregivers of Burnett County.

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER 320-242-3933 Written for last week.

A few New Year activities and the usual things out here in the little townships of Arna and New Dosey are the mainstays of the news this week.

Mary and Frank Schaaf had some residents in over the holidays for snacks and conversation. Mary always bakes an abundance of holiday cookies. Other time spent by the Schaafs was in digging out, which can be said for most of us after all of the snowfalls. The snow has presented us with a Currier and Ives landscape, which we all enjoy.

The Schaafs went to Webster one day to have lunch with Linda Olson and Anna Mae Nelson, former Markville residents.

Wayne Mishler, Two Harbors, came down to visit his daughter Candy in Sandstone, and then stopped for a nice afternoon with brother Don and his wife Marlene.

New Year’s Eve had Evelyn Johnson enjoying dinner and a musical show at the Grand Casino with a good friend. On another occasion, she and daughter Debbie and Linda met at an Olive Garden in the Cities for a delicious salad lunch.

An emergency met Bob Brewster and Patty Koehler as they arrived at the home of son Luke, in Cambridge, Minn., on New Year’s Eve day. Little Beau, age 19 months, in his excitement of “Grandpa is here,” while running to the door, fell and cut his forehead. Patty and Luke’s wife, Heather, took him to the emergency room, while Bob and Luke stayed with the other two children. Some stitches patched the little guy up and everyone was able to still enjoy a day of good food and fun at the Luke Brewster home. In fact, Patty and Bob left with a gift of a new television-DVD player for Luke, Heather and Bob’s other son, Tim. Emma Fornengo thoroughly enjoyed the

Cloverton - Markville annual New Year’s Day bunyacoauda party held once again at the home of grandson, Davey, and his wife Mandy.

Emma says she’s doing pretty well these days and the old circle is still spinning with her sons and their families stopping to visit often and helping out with things. She is a little off balance and is hopeful that the physical therapist will be able to help with that. She also appreciates all of the help she gets from the nurse who comes out weekly.

A checkup at the Gateway Clinic in Sandstone one day was followed up the following day by a trip back in to Chris’ Food Center and the recycling cabins for Deloris Schirmer.

Eleanor and Mel Elliott had a very good time at the New Year’s Eve party at the Hay Creek Outpost. Many other local residents and several weekenders also joined in the fun.

On the homefront, Dave’s daughter and son-in-law, Leda and Mark Zelent, came last Friday for a later holiday celebration.

On New Year’s Day, Dave and I went to my brother Charlie’s home in Frederic for a little party for my nephew Alex Wolden’s 22nd birthday.

As Roland Duschene says in Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower,” “May you have long days and pleasant nights.” – wherever you are.

them enjoyed dinner at a café in Sandstone at the end of the day.

The quiet winter days have provided an excellent time for Pam Berg to read a book that she thoroughly enjoyed. “A Thousand Splendid Suns” is a novel based in recent Afghanistan. It was written by the man who wrote “The Kite Runner” a while back.

The Allen Wolfs joined her sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Bob Ellert, Lakeland, at the Grand Casino recently where Bob was a contestant in a slot contest.

After watching Bob compete, they all had lunch at the Grande Grille.

On Friday, the Wolfs went to Siren for dinner at Adventures, followed by a movie.

Both of the children of Sandi and Dave Drake came up for a 68th birthday celebration for Dave on Sunday. Of course, all of the grandchildren came also and everyone enjoyed a lovely dinner that Sandi had prepared. After eating, they all walked down to find the bear that had been seen hibernating about 100 yards from the home on the way to Gaul Road. The bear is hidden under a tree root.

Dave was part of the six men who met Tuesday morning for the men’s group of Zion Lutheran church. The morning in-

Written for this week.

Born at IMC:

You may want to know that high tech has come to the little township of New Dosey in the form of a Web site. Check out newdoseytownship.com to get informed on our local government and its programs.

Beverly Carlin took off for the Cities awhile back to sit in the audience of a couple of basketball games involving grandsons Nathan and Ian. Son Bob came up to do some fishing with Ed and the two of

Fran Levings cluded breakfast, fellowship and Bible study.

Then, on the same afternoon, Sandi and her Welca Ladies Circle from the church met at the home of Shirley Flaa on Hwy. 35 in Wisconsin for lunch.

Clara Lilly had a week filled with her usual routine of two senior dining meals at the Northland Center in Wisconsin, visits from her home health aide and regular checking-in calls with Pam Ellwein.

Shirley and Jerry Blokzyl spent Sunday in Lindstrom at the home of his son Jason and family. It was a delightful family day together.

Shirley reports that they have also had a loggerhead shrike in their yard, but the one they see has been coming around for over two years now.

On the homefront, Dave and I enjoyed the overnight visit with nephew Alex Wolden of Frederic. Dave spent Saturday afternoon at a DFL caucus training session in Hinckley and Fran learned a lot at the meeting of the seven-county senior federation that she attended in Mora one day.

Time to pick a candidate, wherever you are.

Birth announcements A girl, Brooke Marie Wolf, born Dec. 25, 2007, to Laura and Ryan Wolf of Siren.

•••

Born at SCRMC:

A boy, Emerson Joshua Spoelstra, born Jan., 4, 2008, to Joshua and Anglea Spoelstra, Siren. Emerson weighed 9 lbs., 6 oz.

••• A boy, Jacob Michael Lance Staber, born Jan. 5, 2008, to Tally Jo and Chad Staber,

Grantsburg. Jacob weighed 7 lbs., 8 oz.

••• A girl, Amelia Marie Kelch, born Jan. 4, 2008, to Joshua and Shannon Kelch, Luck.

Amelia weighed 7 lbs., 12 oz.

••• A girl, Gracie Marie Brousil, born Jan. 3, 2008, to Jenna Brousil, St. Croix Falls.

Gracie weighed 6 lbs., 10 oz.

•••

PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Hello there! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Blacky, and I am going to be your new correspondent for the Humane Society of Burnett County.

I am not currently a resident of the shelter, but I am an alumni. The shelter was my home this past summer; however, one of the staff adopted me, and Blacky I still visit, so I still have my paw on the pulse of what’s happening. I know Reed talked to a few of the other dogs about taking over the writ- YAPpenings ing duties, but some of them left, and some just didn’t pass muster in the literary department. Their spelling and grrrrammar were not up to sniff, uh, I mean snuff, and they kept chewing up the pens instead of taking notes. Kids! OK, I admit I need practice too, but I’ll get the hang of it.

A bunch of my friends that I come to see have packed their bags and moved on to the Cities, courtesy of our newly embellished wheels. If you don’t know, we have a retired ambulance that transports us dogs and, just recently, thanks to a generous donation from someone, we finally had it detailed with our name and logo on the sides and back. It looks pretty neat, and I believe there are photos of it elsewhere in the paper this week. I think they should call it the Waggin’ Wagon. Anyway, if you see it on the road, you still might want to pull over and let it pass, though, because the contents are all pretty special and are in a hurry to get a good home. Just kidding about pulling over! I don’t want to get in trouble with the law in my first column!

If you are a regular reader of this column, you may recall Reed hinting at a raffle the shelter is going to be having in April. Well, I guess I’m the lucky dog that gets to

SHELTER

Siren

349-2964

There’s a war going on in my backyard, and so far I’m losing the battle. It seems that a particular gray squirrel decided he would rather dine in one of my birdfeeders than on the ground like the rest of them do. When I caught him in the act the first time, all I had to do was rap on the window and down he would come. Well, he got smart. He decided I wasn’t coming, so he ignored my rapping and glared at me and went back to his lunch, my sunflower seeds. I then decided to put up a deterrent, an empty milk jug and anchored upside down on the pole. It worked great for about two days, then he found that if he pushed it up to the feeder he could simply climb on the feeder and eat. I then put anchors both top and bottom of the jug so he couldn’t push it up. That really irritated him, he then proceeded to simply chew a hole in the bottom of the jug, climb inside and chew a hole in the top, climb on the top of the jug and onto the feeder, lunch is served. Any of my readers out there have any good ideas on how to outsmart a squirrel?

Hazel Oman of Falun spent two weeeks up in Gladstone, Mich., visiting her son, Dennis and his wife, Betty, over the Christmas and New Years holidays.

Sympathy to the family of Charles L. Mullin who passed away Dec. 28.

Sympathy to the family of Dorothy Phernetton who passed away Dec. 30.

Sympathy to the family of Lynette Schroeder who passed away Jan. 2.

Sympathy to the family of Leroy Cole who passed away Jan. 5.

Those of you who still wish to apply for the Siren Community Ag Association’s scholarship and haven’t done so yet, you must register by Jan. 30. For more info call Fudd 715-349-5544, Jack at 715-349-5152 or Grant at 715327-8861.

All you upcoming brides, the Northwest Crossing Event Center will be hosting a wedding extravaganza show and exhibit with a complete style show on Sunday, Jan. 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come and see all the new wedding info and get some valuable ideas for your special day, make it one you will never forget. This event is pre-

Fran Krause

spill the beans. The folks at the shelter are raffling off a hot air balloon ride for two! How cool is that? I bet up in the air like that you could look down and see all kinds of varmints, just don’t jump out the basket! Preceeding the raffle is a spaghetti dinner, and the date will be Saturday, April 26, at the Moose Lodge on Hwy. 70 between Webster and Siren. Tickets are on sale now and can be had at the shelter or from staff members and volunteers.

We have a little more room to breathe now, although it is always difficult to say goodbye to old and new friends. I hope they all find good homes real soon.

Since they’ve gone, two more newcomers have joined us. We’ve got Captain, who is a Lab-mix something-oranother. He was pretty scared when he first arrived and was kind of a grump, but he’s actually a pretty good guy now that he’s got a full belly and is warm and safe. Ginger is a chocolate Lab and terrier, so they tell me. She likes to hug people and is a very cute girl. Birdie the Pom went home this week, but Chloe the Chihuahua is still here - the lone small dog, if you don’t count the puppies. My head is still spinning from trying to count puppies, but now we are just down to Elli and her six. They are growing fast! Soon they will be shredding peoples’ pants and making sure everyone’s shoes are untied. I’m glad I wear neither pants nor shoes.

Our wish list this week includes kitty litter. Cat food and perhaps some treats for them would be nice as well.

The kittens don’t get treats delivered as much as the pooches do, so that would be a nice surprise for them.

Well, I’ve probably rambled on enough for my first time out. Writing’s fun! See you next week.

Remember, HSBC is saving lives, one at a time. www.hsburnettcty.org 866-4096.

Orange

LaVonne O’Brien

Reeny Neinstadt, Natale and children visited Reeny’s brother at North Memorial Hospital over the weekend.

Kent Krause and Wilkie Peterson attended the Green Bay game on Saturday.

Wednesday Fran Krause attended the Sarah Circle meeting hosted by Bonnie Cain. Allyson Krause took Fran to Minneapolis, on Friday.

The Webster basketball team won in triple overtime at Grantsburg.

Saturday, Dee, Allyson, Kathryn and Brad Krause were shopping in Duluth.

Gloria Fahlan and Myrtle Budd visited Maxine Stone last week.

Pat and Nancy O’Brien took Maxine Stone to visit Iola Rachner at the Frederic Nursing Home. They also visited with Arlene Fink.

Bev Beckmark

sented by the Burnett County Sentinel, the Northwoods Crossing Event Center and Saratoga Weddings.

Art and Bev Beckmark spent last Saturday in Bayport, Minn., at the home of Mike and Gidget Bell for son Tucker’s fourth birthday party. They enjoyed the party as well as visiting with other Bayport friends. Art also met some more of his family members. Gidget and Art are shirttail relatives.

Frederic Senior Ardyce Center Knauber Spades was played at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, with the following winners: first was Ed Berdal, second was Vi Luke, third was Delloris and fourth was Netha Polson.

Wednesday Pokeno was played at 1 p.m., as always a happy time for the group with refreshments and visiting time.

Thursday night 500 cards was played at 6:30 p.m. The winners were: first place Shirley Sandquist, second place was Nina Vold, third place was Lorraine Hansen and fourth places was Arnie Borchert.

Our Thursday night cards has been very well attended, and if you enjoy playing 500 cards you are invited to enjoy this group.

Friday the pokeno players gathered at 1 p.m. and had a good time together.

Saturday food and fellowship and cards and bingo was well attended and all enjoyed the chicken dinner buffet.

Refreshments were served after the card and bingo games.

Remember the tax aides will be at the center from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 6, and Friday, March 7.

They would appreciate if you would make an appointment.

Dewey - LaFollette

468-2940

Karen Mangelsen

Sympathy is extended to Bud and Nona (Denotter) Linden, and other Denotter family members, due to the death of Nona and Bud’s 31-year-old grandson, Jason Zunker.

He was a deputy officer in Chippewa County.

Judy Albee and Beth Crosby visited Mavis Viltz Wednesday afternoon.

Lida Nordquist took Sarah McCarty out for lunch Wednesday.

Friday evening, Garry and Beth Crosby, Judy Albee, Don Schleiss and Don and Charlene Strabel went out to eat at The Experience. They celebrated Beth and Garry’s 35th wedding anniversary and Judy’s birthday.

Jan, Caleb and Hannah Schott were overnight guests of Don and Lida Nordquist Friday.

Hank and Karen Mangelsen visited Les and Maxine Lindquist Saturday evening.

Beverly Brunclik, Donald Albee, Duane Albee, Don Schleiss, Rod Coyour, Robert Einweek, Beth Crosby, Ronda and Maynard Mangelsen and Pat and Gerald Bahrke were Saturday evening guests at the home of Judy Albee. They enjoyed an evening of playing cards.

Hank and Karen Mangelsen went to Barron Sunday to the home of Carol Romsos. Other family members there were Gene, Carlotta, Wayne and Marie Romsos, Ron and Juliann Jensen and Erika and Seth Strickland. This was their family Christmas get-together and also the birthday celebration for Juliann, Ron and Seth.

Karen Mangelsen will be at the LaFollette town hall Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect real estate and personal property taxes and to issue dog licenses.

She will also be available at her home all day (after 9 a.m.)

Thursday, Jan. 31. For other times, please call ahead.

St. Croix Valley Senior Center The Tuesday afternoon domino winners were: Janice Mevissen in first place, George Meixner in second place, Deloris Benson in third place. 500 cards winners were: Ruth Flostrand in first place, Lonnie Jones in second place, Vern Lunstrom in third place and Cliff Qualle in fourth place.

Today is mine!

It is unique. Nobody in the world has one exactly like it.

It holds the sum of all my past experiences and all my future potential. I can fill it with joyous memories or ruin it with fruitless worry. If painful recollections of the past come into my mind, or frightening thoughts of the future, I can put them away. They cannot spoil today for me. It is mine.

The Thursday evening 500 cards winners were: Don Benson in first place, Nina Hooverman in second place and Leona Montgomery in third place.

Have a great day!

News from the Service Buss joins Coast Guard Auxiliary Michael Buss of Frederic enlisted in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Seaman Buss will serve a one-year enlistment assigned to Flotilla 05 8WR02 in La Crosse and will train at Motor Lifeboat Station 259 in Rice Lake. Seaman Buss will receive training in maritime security and safety, air and sea search and rescue, environmental safety, first aid and vessel safety examination. For information concerning opportunities in the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary visit www.thecoasties.com. - submitted ••• SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Air Force Airman Weston S. Hamilton 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.

He is the son of Clarence and Karla Hamilton of St. Croix Falls. The airman is a 2007 graduate of St. Croix Falls High School. - submitted

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 9

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Webster Senior Center

866-4334 It is hard to believe that the month of January is half over and the stores are already promoting sales of valentines and boxes of chocolate candy to be bought for sweethearts and chocolate lovers. Woe is me, I made the somewhat reckless New Year’s resolution to stay away from chocolate and sweets, and I have already broken it more than once due to caving in to my craving for Margel Ruck’s delicious homemade fudge.

On Tuesday morning I got up at 3:30 a.m. to get ready to drive Margel to Stillwater where she had another cataract surgery procedure done. We left early because of the fog, but we arrived there without any problems. We stayed overnight for her post-op appointment on Wednesday afternoon, and then managed to get a little shopping done. I purchased a number of the new energy efficient light bulbs that are supposed to last for seven years, and a new water saver showerhead. I decided it was time to do my part and “go green.” Are you doing yours? It doesn’t take all that much time to recycle, I have already been doing this for years.

We missed out on Deb’s lasagna dinner she served on Wednesday to the congregate diners, and I know that we missed a great meal. Nine ladies played dime bingo and everyone enjoyed the refreshments furnished by Gladys Beers because I know she is a “good cooker!”

Handsome, muscular, gentle, athletic, charming, humble 3-year-old yellow Lab mix, male, seeking a groundskeeping sentry position with main house privileges. Bob is a smart, loving dog that wishes to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming the Best Dog You Ever Owned. Given the chance, he would love to curl up in your lap, Arnell but he has accepted the fact that he is a large dog and he must instead, roll Humane over and take a belly scratch. Bob Society needs a home to make his dream come true.

Last week Arnell Humane Society took in nine stray dogs and nine stray cats. Six of the stray dogs were Labs or Lab mixes. They came from every corner of the county, a male chocolate Lab from Lorain Township, male and feBob male black Labs from the Clayton area and two young males from Garfield. A female Rottweiler-shepherd mix came in from Church Pine Lake where she has been hanging out most of the winter, making friends with each new group of ice fisherpersons. A St. Bernard came to Arnell by way of Clam Falls. This dog has been with Arnell for a full week and will be adopted quickly if the owner doesn’t step forward with proper documentation to claim him.

This is a hard time of year for stray and abandoned cats. A mitted solid gray cat came in from Garfield Township with a frostbitten ear. Four buff tabby kittens were abandoned in a box at an apartment building. Two neutered males arrived, a medium hair white and orange from Osceola Township and a black longhair, neutered male from Lincoln Township.

All of these adoptable strays will be placed for adoption after the seven-day holding period. Pet owners who have lost their dog or cat should call Arnell to be certain it has not been delivered to the shelter by a concerned citizen or township official. If your lost pet has not yet arrived, it may show up at a later date. Our lost and found pet file is full, and we do our best to match up pet descriptions from both categories. Without proper identification tags on their collars, your pets are counting on you to find them.

Arnell Memorial Humane Society, 715 268-7387 (PETS) or online: www.arnellhumane.org.

HAPPY TAILS

AWAIT

The regular group of guys, Harold Peterson, Ken Hayes, Dave Wardean, Pat O’Brien, Gene Johnson and Sam Williamson all had fun playing pool on Thursday evening.

Theresa Gloege, Mert Kisselburg, Margel Ruck, Nancy O’Brien, Jane Wardean, Gladys Beers and I played several games of golf cards, and it was a toss-up as to which group had more fun according to the noise going on in both ends of the building. But you know the old saying that “laughter is good for the soul.” There were so many treats brought by the ladies that it looked like a smorgasbord on the kitchen serving counter.

I had a late afternoon doctor’s appointment in Grantsburg on Friday and afterward I stopped at Dale’s Restaurant for a light meal. They have a delicious-looking menu no matter how large the appetite, and the local men seem to use the place as a great place to hang out for coffee and conversation.

We heard the sad news that one of our nutrition program home-delivered meal drivers, Leon Mansfield, had passed away while driving his route on Friday morning. Leon had been a faithful volunteer driver for a number of years and we shall miss him.

Our next senior meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 21, at 12:30 p.m. Sign up for Deb’s always-tasty spaghetti dinner and stay for the meeting. We hope to see you there.

Don’t forget, red hatters, that the next Ravishing Rubies Red Hat Society luncheon will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at noon at the Ike Walton Lodge on the north side of Big Yellow Lake, located off Cty. Rd. U, Webster.

The next Dining at Five evening meal will be on Thursday, Jan. 31, and Deb will be serving a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings, so call Deb at 866-5300 to make your reservation.

Our gratitude goes out to Gladys Beers for faithfully filling our ever-empty candy dish; Judy Baker – a variety of

653-4281

tea; and Gladys Packer – cherry bars and volunteering three days in the kitchen.

Our get-well wishes and prayers continue to go out to Mary Garbe recovering from a kidney transplant, Sylvia Pardun, Carol Berglind, Antone and Jeremy Gronski, Nellie Pardun, Fran Arnold, Vi Swanson, Belva Ollikain, Margie Christianson, Arlene Fink, and Berenice Quernemoen who fell and broke her wrist. Our sympathy and prayers also go out to the families of Leon Mansfield, Jackie Lehman, and Abbie Brand’s sister, in their recent passing.

Highway construction crews have a big job to do to make a difficult terrain into a smooth and beautiful highway. They have to survey and chart the route, clear the trees away, bulldoze and level the rough spots, cut down hills and fill in the lowlands. Christians can also be looked at as road builders. We have to pave the way of faith for the next generation. The faithfulness of our lives may determine how difficult their journey will be. Hopefully, they won’t have to repair the damage we have done to their road, and by our example they will be able to build new roads for others to find the way to God. We must follow the advice found in the Bible in order to accomplish this.

Those that have already found Jesus owe gratitude to those who have made straight paths for us to follow in our walk of faith. Let’s practice our faith in such a way that will make it easy for others to come to Jesus and follow him.

A life lived for God leaves a lasting legacy. “Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful; May the fire of our devotion light their way; May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe, and the lives we live inspire them to obey.” – Mohr. “Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”

– Hebrews 12:13. See you at the center!

Lewis

June Moline is back at the Continuing Care Center in Grantsburg after spending several weeks in the hospital there. Sending continuing best wishes to her.

The Northwest Regional Writers met Friday afternoon at Sunrise Apts., Frederic. There were six there. Slippery walking may have kept some members home. The February assignment is to write something on “If I had my way…“ The meeting will be held Friday, Feb. 8, at Big Gust Apts. at 1 p.m. Welcome. Dues will be collected for 2008. Some were already collected in January.

The morning book club will meet this Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Frederic Public Library. The book to be discussed is “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver.

Assisting Pastor Tom Cook with church services on

472-8285

Mary Klar

Bernice Abrahamzon Sunday were Phil Schaetzel, who helped with the introduction and also sang a solo; Kerry Brendel, reader; musicians, Gloria Chell and Starr Warndahl; prayers and concerns, LaVonne Boyer; ushers, Marlene and Scott Nelson. Free coffee and goodies were served by Sylvia and Phil Schaetzel.

The Lewis UMW met Wednesday night at the Lewis church with hostess LaVonne Smith. The ladies met on another day to pack away Christmas.

The birthday of Doris Lindquist will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 14, at Scrabble Club at Sunrise Apts.

LeRoy Jones spent three days in the hospital at Grantsburg and is now home again.

Luck Senior Center

Hi there, from Luck Senior Center. We had a good turnout this past week, let’s keep it up!

Events coming up: Trudy, the foot lady, will be available Thursday, Jan. 17 and 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Please come into the center or call to make an appointment; Saturday, Jan. 26, is our monthly potluck/birthday at noon. I will give a report on my trip to the Holy Land. Hope to have a good turnout; AARP Tax Aid Program at the center, Thursday, Feb. 28, 9-11:40 a.m. Please call 715-472-8285 to make

Shirley Lund

an appointment.

Guess that’s all from here for now, except anyone notice that all the Christmas decorations have been taken down and put away, thanks to Jim and Jacquie Hutton for a job well done! Also thanks to those folks who have told me thy like my little blurbs for the center, I try my best to keep you informed. Until next time, keep smiling.

Interstate State Park News

Nature story time at Interstate Park

Join naturalist Julie Fox at 10 a.m. on Thursdays through March at the Ice Age Center at Wisconsin Interstate Park for a story and activity chosen especially for preschool children and their parents. Please bring clothing for outdoor play (weather permitting).

Candlelight Night at the Park The Friends of Interstate Park invite you to Candlelight Night at Interstate Park on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 6 - 9 p.m.

Experience a winter evening by candlelight as hundreds of candles are lit to guide skiers, snowshoers and hikers on separate trails. Come when you can, ski at your own pace on the Quarry Cross-Country Ski Trail. Snowshoers will discover the winter solitude of Lake O’ the Dalles (snowshoes are available for use free of charge for ages 6 and up). Hikers can

enjoy a candlelit walk beside the St. Croix River.

Perhaps you would prefer a comfortable ride in a horse-drawn wagon. Purchase a ticket and hop aboard a wagon pulled by the Amador Clydesdales for a ride past the river and lake (tickets available for purchase at the event). Refreshments and warming fires are available at the trailheads near the Camp Interstate Shelter building.

This is an event you won’t want to miss! Daily and hourly passes are also available. Mark your calendar and plan to attend Candlelight Night at the Park on Saturday, Feb. 9.

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 Wisconsin State Park sticker is required to enter the park. Annual passes for 2008 are $25 for Wisconsin residents or $35 for nonresidents. For more information call Julie at 715483-3747.

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POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS

Amery Public Library The Amery Public Library has been acquiring some boxed sets of television shows on DVD, so if you need something to get you through these cold winter days, these might be the ticket. The following are boxed sets we have recently added to our DVD collection: “The Addams Family” Season 2 and 3; “The Andy Griffith Show” Season 1 and 2; “Barney Miller” The First Season; “The Beverly Hillbillies” Volume 1 and 2; “Bewitched;” “Brady Bunch” Seasons 1, 2, and 3; “Brideshead Revisited;” “Bonanza” Volume 1 and 2; “The Carol Burnett Show Show Stoppers;” “Chico and the Man;”; “Chips;” “Colombo” Seasons 1 and 2; “Daniel Boone” Season 1; “The Best of the Dick Van Dyke Show;” “Diagnosis Murder” Volume 1 and 2; “Dragnet;” “The Electric Company;” “Good Neighbors;” “Green Acres;” “Gunsmoke;” “Happy Days” and “Star Trek” 1, 2 and 3.

Library notes Story time will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. Everyone is welcome for songs and stories.

The Friends of the Library is having a thank-you event for volunteers on Feb. 28. Please respond to your invitation by calling the library at 268-9340. The Friends of the Library Board will meet before the event, which is at 6 p.m.

The Teens Read book group meets on

Monday, Jan. 28, to discuss “Bound,” by Donna Napoli. This historical novel which deals with foot binding will make fascinating reading. We meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for snacks and book talk if you are 13 or older.

The new fundraising committee will meet on Jan 23, at 4:30 p.m. to discuss fundraising opportunities for the upcoming library move. If you are interested in attending this meeting, stop in at the library and check it out.

Otaku Club meets every Tuesday at 5 p.m. for teens who love manga and anime. Stop in and check our our manga selections.

Friends of the Library will meet on Jan. 14, at 5:30 p.m. Watch for more information on Amery’s Got Talent, the fundraiser at the Amery High School Auditorium on Feb. 24.

The federal tax forms are here at the Amery Public Library. We are still waiting for state tax forms.

Library hours The Amery Public Library will be closed on Jan. 21, for Martin Luther King Day. Regular hours are Monday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

St. Croix Falls Public Library Upcoming fundraising events Mark your calendar for snow tubing at Wild Mountain on Sunday evening, Feb. 3.

Saturday Talk About the Book Club The book club will meet the fourth Saturday of January, Jan. 26, at Sit-ASpell in Les Amis Shops, 9:30 a.m. The current selection is “Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name,” by Vida Vendala. New members welcome.

Friends of the Library The next meeting of the Friends of the St. Croix Falls Public Library will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at noon in the library.

Technology Free wireless is available at the library.

Also, visit the library Web site stcroixfallslibrary.org to get information on the

building project, programs at the library and much, much more!

Story hour Listen to stories, create great art and have fun with other kids and parents every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Check it out!

Make a New Year’s resolution to read more books. Check out books on all kinds of the usual resolution topics: Dieting, exercise, cookbooks, organizing, relaxing, travel, etc. See what’s available at www.more.wi.lib.us.

Tax forms are available at the library!

Hours, contact The library is open from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. every day except Saturday 10 a.m.

– 1 p.m. Closed on Sundays.

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.

“Window to the World” Chase off cabin fever this winter with the “Window to the World” lecture series at Milltown library where local travelers will share their firsthand knowledge of faraway places, people and international issues.

The first event in this series, about Haiti, was a huge success! Don’t miss the next “Window to the World” presentation, which will take audiences to Chiapas, Mexico, on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m. Join us on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. for a presentation about South Africa.

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.

Amery Public Library

Clear Lake Public Library New adult fiction arrivals “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to NASCAR,” by Brian Tarcy “Dr. Gott’s No Flour No Sugar Cookbook” “Newspaper, Pennies, Cardboard, and Eggs for Growing a Better Garden,”

by Roger Yepsen “American Medical Association Guide to Preventing and Treating Heart Disease,” by Martin Lipsky “202 Great Cover Letters,” by Michael Betrus “Job Interviewing for Dummies,” by Joyce Kennedy New young adult fiction “Sweet Far Thing,” by Libba Bray “Glass Word,” by Kai Meyer “Princess Mia,” by Meg Cabot “Slam,” by Nick Hornby “Eclipse,” by Stephenie Meyer “New Moon,” by Stephenie Meyer

“Twilight,” by Stephenie Meyer “Here There Be Dragons,” by James Owen “Search for the Red Dragon,” by James Owen “Remembering Raquel,” by Vivian Vande Velde “Airman,” by Eoin Colfer “Born to Rock,” by Gordon Korman Movie night returns Come join us on Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m. for “Spiderman 3” (Rated PG-13).

Regular library hours Monday: Noon - 7 p.m.; Tuesday noon - 6 p.m.; Wednesday 3 - 9 p.m.; Thursday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Friday: noon - 5 p.m.; and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

We can be reached by phone at 715-263or by e-mail at 2802 clearlakepl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Luck Public Library Hours Monday 1 – 5 p.m., Tuesday 1 – 8 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thurs-

day 1 – 8 p.m., Friday 1 - 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon.

Polk County Library Federation Annual reports The Public Libraries of Polk County will be working on annual reports this week. Annual reports are required by the Department of Public Instruction. They show the libraries statistics, the holdings of materials, number of programs offered, among many other items. Library use has continued to rise, and as we gather the latest numbers for the 2007 year, we will see how much circulation has gone up. This year the Indianhead Federated Library System will be offering the “how to” and “what’s new” class for this once-a-year task online as well as in person. Polk County is about two hours from the Eau Claire office; depending on the route you take, the traffic and the number of deer jumping in front of your vehicle. Saving a total of four hours travel plus the actual class time

will be wonderful for the small libraries who find it a challenge to attend these critical and essential classes. Thanks to technology, this year it will be much easier.

Keep reading, keep checking out materials and be sure to thank your librarian for the great job she or he does to keep the library a vital place in your community.

Check it out at your library. Polk County Libraries.

For further information contact the library at 485-8680. The director is Colleen Gifford, assistant director/youth services is Molly Kessler, and the library clerk is Stephanie Fansler.

The Polk County Library Federation is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Osceola Public Library Book discussion “Truck: A Love Story,” by Michael Perry. Perry chronicles a year during which he struggled to grow his own food, live peaceably with volatile neighbors, and fix his pickup truck, at a time when he also fell in love and befriended a paraplegic and quadriplegic biker team. Join the discussion at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan 29. New participants are always welcome to attend!

Natural Step for Communities Study Circle The Osceola Public Library will be hosting three different study circles of the Natural Step for Communities by Sarah James and Torbjorn Lahti. Please contact the library and sign up for the meeting schedule that works best for you! Schedule A: Starting Feb. 7, this circle will meet every other Thursday at

Balsam Lake Public Library

7 p.m. for a total of 10 sessions. Schedule B: Starting Feb. 13, this circle will meet every other Wednesday at 6 p.m. for a total of 10 sessions. Schedule C: Starting Feb. 16, this circle will meet every other Saturday at 1 p.m. for a total of 10 sessions.

Library mailing list If you would like to be taken off the library news and events mailing list, please send an e-mail to osceolapl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

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.

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 11

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS

Frederic Public Library Join us for Tuesday treats Plan to visit the library during January Tuesdays for coffee, cookies and giveaways as we celebrate new Tuesday open hours from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Frederic businesses have generously donated items and gift certificates, so be sure to register for special drawings each Tuesday.

February bake and book sale We are accepting gently used books, movies, music CDs, and audio books for the annual bake and book sale which will be held Feb. 14-16. Materials can be dropped off during library open hours, and we can provide a receipt for the number of items you donate. This is one of two large fundraiser book sales held at the library each year, and we appreciate your support.

Story time reads about winter Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to a lively hour of stories and activities all about winter on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 10:30 a.m.

Book groups to meet Jan. 17 The Thursday morning reading group will meet Jan. 17, at 10 a.m. to discuss “The Poisonwood Bible,” by Barbara Kingsolver. The evening book group will meet Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. to talk about “Colored People: a Memoir,” by Henry Louis Gates. The copies of next month’s choices are ready for pickup at the library, and new members are always welcome.

Baby, it’s cold outside What better way to warm up on chilly winter days than to make a pot of soup or stew, eaten with fresh-baked bread?

Your library has access to more than 100 books with the word “soup” in the title, including “The Everything Soup Cookbook,” by Hanson and “An Exaltation of Soups,” by Solley. You can also borrow “Simply Stews,” by Wyler or “Glorious Stew,” by Iven, or any of the 40 cookbooks featuring stew recipes. To complete the meal, pick up “Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day,” by Hertzberg or “The Bread Bible,” by Hensperger, just two of the 171 bread books available through the MORE catalog. Happy eating!

Become a Friend to the Frederic Library A Friends group is beginning to organize, and we invite you to become a member. Friends will help at the twicea-year bake/book sales, and we also want to work with our Friends to develop some special community programs and fundraising projects. Please complete an interest card at the library and you will be contacted with more information.

Wireless access available The library offers free wireless Internet access for patrons who bring in their laptops installed with wireless cards. No more waiting to use the public access computers.

Hours and information Frederic Public Library, 127 Oak Street 715-327-4979, e-mail West. fredericpl@ifls.lib.wi.us. Regular open hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Centuria Public Library Reading group to meet On Monday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m., the Centuria Public Library reading group is meeting to talk about the book “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” by Zora Neale Hurston. If you would like to become involved in lively discussions, meet folks that find great enjoyment in reading, or just want to have a fun outing on a January day and make some new friends over a great cup of coffee and a tasty treat, the Centuria Public Library is the place to be.

The book, “Their Eyes were Watching God,” is available through any public library. It is the powerful story of Janie Crawford, the main character, in her quest for her own identity. It is a very moving and heart-touching story of a woman who defied everything that was expected of her and wasn’t broken, crushed and run down. A must read!

Frederic Public Library

Dresser Public Library

New materials The new year has started and so has the growth of the Centuria Public Library. New books are arriving weekly along with new DVDs and books on CD. Don’t forget to check out the magazines that arrive monthly to get updated on what is new in the areas of scrapbooking, cooking, hunting or decorating. Come in out of the cold and visit the Centuria Public Library to see what is new.

Check out a great book, DVD, magazine, or book on CD and take it home to snuggle with on a cold winter day and enjoy.

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.

Centuria Public Library

Luck Public Library

Dresser Public Library Dresser Public Library is located at 117 S. Central Ave., Dresser, WI 54009.

The Dresser Public Library Board of Trustees will hold its monthly meeting Jan. 28, at 6 p.m., at the library.

Library hours Monday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday noon5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.–noon and 1–7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Three Internet computers: You must physically present a MORE library card to library staff and library fines must be under $10 to use a computer.

New adult books Many new books by very popular authors arrived in January. Among these are “Light of the Moon” by Luanne Rice, “Secret Between Us,” by Barbara Delinsky, “Sizzle & Burn,” by Jayne Ann Krentz, and “Deadly Gamble,” by Linda Lael Miller. Mystery lovers can look forward to new titles by Stuart Woods, Robert Parker, James Patterson and Michael Palmer. What a great way to begin a new year. Place your request on the MORE Online Catalog to get in line to read these popular works. Stop in and check us out! We have more for you!

Coming up Lapsitter and preschool story times resume at 10:30 a.m. each Thursday. Join us then for stories, songs, fingerplays, crafts and more.

Food for Fines will run the entire month of January! Bring one nonperishable item for a local foodshelf for each dollar in fines on Dresser Public Library materials. MORE policy restricts us from waiving fines on materials from other libraries.

Book club Our adult book club resumed Jan. 8, from 10 – 11 a.m. Our new book is W. Somerset Maugham’s “Of Human Bondage.” Multiple copies of the book, including large print, and audiobooks are available at the library! New members are always welcome.

Contact the library at 715-755-2944 which is our telephone and FAX number or e-mail us at www.dresserpl@ifls.lib.wi.us. Our Web site, www.dresserpubliclibrary.org. also has information about story times, days closed, reference links, library policy and much more.

Balsam Lake Public Library Book review Sara Strothmeyer is not Janet Evanovich, but she does carry a main character, Bubbles Yablonsky through a multitude of close calls in a six book series of “Bubbles” books. Bubbles is a gum-chewing tall curvy blonde who prefers her clothing to be tight, colorful and often short spandex and who after eight years of failing in a community college has a dream to be a full fledged reporter. To support herself and a precocious teen, she went to beauty school and has been working at the House of Beauty where she gets tips to stories and help from her employer and friend Sandy. The action takes place in Lehigh, Penn. Not only is Bubbles a character, she is supported by a cast of many such as her mother and friend who are not Lulas but close, her ex-husband who doesn’t support her but is there adding to the chaos, reporters at the newspaper and many more. Each book has Bubble’s recipes for beauty, and she takes being beautiful very seriously. Review by Loretta Kallevig.

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. January is messy art project

month.

New books for January “Appeal” by John Grisham, “Beverly Hills“ by Stuart Woods, “Duma Key” by Stephen King, “The Shooters” by W.E.B. Griffin, “Killing Ground” by Jack Higgins, ”Shadow Music” by Julie Garwood, “Blasphemy” by Douglas Preston, “Holding Out and Hanging On-Surviving Hurricane Katrina” by Thomas Neff.

Hobby and craft group Messy Art will be held Friday, Jan. 18, 1:15 – 2 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. All ages are welcome to make messy art projects for free.

Friends group Friends group will meet Wednesday, Jan. 30, 3 p.m. at the library.

Balsam Lake Public 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.

www.the-leader.net

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

Singers and actors needed!

OSCEOLA – The St. Croix Valley Christian Community Choir is looking for people who love the Lord and love to sing to participate in the Claire Cloninger Easter musical “He’s Alive.” This celebration of God’s love will be presented March 21, 22 and 23, at the Associa-

tion Retreat Center in the town of Farmington. There will also be a Palm Sunday performance at one of area churches. Singers age 6 - 96 are needed as well as some nonsinging actors. Rehearsals will begin Jan. 20, 3 p.m. at the Osceola Intermediate School. Those who are only

interested in acting parts should come at 4 p.m. What better way to celebrate Easter than to sing his praises!

For more information, call Linda Iwaszko @ 294-4775 or e-mail liwaszko@gmail.com. - submitted

Summer career exploration program for college-bound students with hearing loss ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Explore Your Future program at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf offers college-bound high school sophomores and juniors with hearing loss a unique opportunity to experience life on a college campus, explore their interests and sample various careers.

This six-day summer career exploration program provides students with hands-on activities related to careers in engineering, art, business, computers, science

and more. Hundreds of students from around the country participate in EYF each year.

EYF sessions for summer 2008 are July 19 to 24 and July 26 to 31. On the final day of each session, parents attend a workshop that helps them prepare their student for life after high school.

Students can apply online at www.rit.edu/NTID/EYFNR. For more information, call 585-475-6700 (voice/TTY) or send e-mail to EYFinfo@rit.edu. The application deadline is May 31.

RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf offers educational programs and access and support services to 1,100 hard-of-hearing and deaf students who study, live and socialize with 14,700 hearing students on RIT’s Rochester, N.Y., campus. In 2006, NTID received the New Freedom Initiative Award from the U.S. Secretary of Labor recognizing exemplary and innovative efforts to recruit, hire and promote people with disabilities.

Visit: www.rit.edu/NTID. - submitted

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 13

Adult Development Center recognizes businesses

by Brenda Sommerfeld BALSAM LAKE – The Polk County Adult Development Center is recognizing businesses by handing out plaques of their appreciation for those businesses’ continued support.

Milltown Community Center, Good Samaritan, Polk County Recycling, 3M, Kuryakyn, Polk County Justice Center, Polk County Abstract, UFE, St. Croix Falls First Presbyterian Church, DCA, Diversified Services and local area churches are among the different places that will receive these plaques for helping PCADC. These businesses make it possible for the center to continue to help disabled adults, by having labor positions available either in their buildings or sending work to the center for the clients to complete there.

Polk County’s Adult Development Center facility is located in the building across the parking lot from the justice center. This is where disabled adults may come to learn working skills and many other everyday skills that most people

Clients of the center that work at the Polk County Recycling Center presented Mike Voltz with the plaque during their lunch break on Thursday, Jan. 10. Pictured (L to R) Brad Forrest, Marty Hanson, Ryan Pierce, Mike Voltz, Sam Danielewicz, Chad Lillie and Martha Heier. – Photos by Brenda Sommerfeld take for granted.

PCADC picks up the 60 different clients from all around the area to bring them to the center to help keep their days busy. Once they are brought in, the

clients then either stay at the center or are brought to one of the different businesses to complete the work that is needed to be done for that certain day.

“We’re always looking for more subcontractual work,” director Jeff Valley explained. “ We need more in-house work to keep the clients busy.”

The different work that is completed in-house is light clerical and light assembly including folding, labeling, packaging and bundling. The subcontract work includes janitorial work as in sweeping, painting, trash pickup and cleaning.

The in-house work is picked up by delivery trucks and brought to PCADC to be completed, and once everything is finished, it is returned to the company.

Working helps the adults to learn much-needed skills and to receive wages that they would not be able to get without this help.

“You should see how their faces light up when they receive their paychecks,” office manager Tanjia Gehrman stated.

A greenhouse is going to be leased for

another activity to keep the clients and staff busy, hopefully, all year long. They will be operating a retail greenhouse.

Woodcrafts are another product that will be available to customers of the greenhouse once the staff of the center gets all the equipment for the clients to build birdhouses, plant boxes and many other projects to sell for a profit.

Besides making a little money, there are other things the clients of PCADC take away from this opportunity. Their socialization and prevocational abilities are increased during this interaction with other people.

Laundry, food preparation, cleaning and personal hygiene are some of the daily skills that are also taught within the center.

If you would like to learn more about Polk County’s Adult Development Center you may visit their Web site at http://polkcountygovt.com/adultdevelopment.

Locks of Love donation One of the many plaques that will be handed out by Polk County’s Adult Development Center giving their thanks.

New Year's baby at OMC

Victoria Jensen, Emily Ovik and Christy Jensen recently had their hair cut

by Becky Schmidt at the BeeHive Salon in Frederic. The group has donated their hair for children’s wigs to the Locks of Love. – Photo submitted

"Elevate" – Youth Rally set It is said that good things come to those who wait. And though she was not the first 2008 baby born in the area, Kylie Winkelman was certainly Osceola Medical Center’s first baby born in 2008.

Kylie was born at 3:18 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. She weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz. and measured 21 inches. She is welcomed by mom and dad, Steven and Amanda, and sister, Kloe Winkelman. She is the granddaughter of Kirk and Alyssa Winkelman and Tom and Debbie Martin. As the first baby of the year born at Osceola Medical Center, Kylie and her parents were presented with a large basket filled with gifts ranging from gift certificates and movie rentals to train rides and tours. These items were donated

by Osceola Medical Center and 24 area businesses. - Photo submitted

OSCEOLA – “Elevate” – Youth Rally!

Jan. 27, 5-9 p.m. at the “Gathering Room” in Corner Stone Square, 201 Third Ave. East, Osceola. Valley Youth Network will put on this event. This month features Ron Backes, a former Olympic athlete, as their special speaker.

He is a shot-putter who not only placed 10th in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, he also won the NCAA Indoor National Shot Put Championship in 1986, and is currently serving as the

chaplain for the Minnesota Gophers.

Don’t miss him along with live music from the “Elevate” band of local teen musicians, a game and hangout time at the beginning, during which a snack stand will be available. There will also be a freewill offering taken during the evening. For more information, contact any local youth ministry or the Valley Youth Network office at 715-755-3470 or youth@fbcosceola.com. - submitted

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Ef e Rowe celebrates her 100th birthday

Effie Delila Rowe (Lila) celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the Frederic Care Center.

Bob Rutherford played guitar while accompanied by Dwaine Persells on accordion during their performance for the residents and visitors of the Frederic Care Center. Rutherford and Persells perform monthly there.

Lila Rowe had family surrounding her while she enjoyed the talents of local musicians on Thursday, Jan. 10. Pictured (L to R) Back row: Jamie and Tabitha Clark (great-grandchildren). Front Row: Jerrylee Pilsner (grandson), Lila Rowe, and Shannon Pilsner (granddaughter).

Snowwoman built at Gramma's

This snowman, rather snowwoman, was built by Chelsea Benson, Webster, and friends outside her grandmother, Elsie Benson’s, house in the town of Meenon. Unfortunately, the red scarf around the snowwoman’s neck had been removed by the time Benson’s home-delivered-meals driver took the picture. – Photo submitted

Photos by Brenda Sommerfeld

Voters support judicial campaign reform STATEWIDE - A new survey suggests a strong majority of Wisconsin voters favor taxpayer financed campaigns for Supreme Court candidates.

The poll was commissioned by the Washington-based group Justice At Stake, which monitors Supreme Court races nationwide. When it first asked about 600 likely voters about public financing for judicial candidates, nearly two-thirds agreed with the idea. People were then presented with arguments for and against public financing of Supreme Court candidates. Given that information, support for the idea increased, with nearly three-quarters favoring the idea.

Randy Gutermuther is the vice president of American Viewpoint, the company that conducted the survey. He says he thinks what this shows is that it’s a proposal that has extremely strong levels of support and frankly, carries very little if any political risk. He says it’s seen as a priority that needs to be addressed, even in light of the fact that it will cost at least some taxpayer dollars.

Even more respondents – nearly four out of five – said they felt campaign contributions influenced judges’ decisions in the courtroom. Former Supreme Court Justice and Marquette Law Professor Janine Geske says the results show something needs to be done to preserve the court’s integrity. She says historically, the people of Wisconsin had great, great respect for the court, and she thinks the survey shows that they still respect it, but they are concerned about where this money is coming from and how these races are being run.

The survey contained at least one inconsistency. When voters were asked whether the governor and Legislature should address the issue of public financing for judges regardless of other issues, most said yes, but nearly the same number said they thought issues like education and health care should receive tax dollars instead of judicial campaigns.

– Wisconsin Public Radio (Shawn Johnson)

www.the-leader.net

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 15

Kid’s Pro Ice racers hit the ice at Jed's Laker Lounge

Adam Waite, Oak Grove, Minn., took his first, first-place win on Saturday in the Stock Kitty class at Jed's Laker Lounge.

Miranda Miller, Hudson, takes a spill off of her 120 during one of the many races on Saturday, Jan. 12, at Jed's Laker Lounge.

Nick Nelson, Stacy, Minn., starts preparing his little brother, Jacob, for following in his footsteps of snowmobile racing with the WSA Kid's Pro Ice Racing Circuit.

Photos by Raelynn Hunter

Adam Waite, Oak Grove, Minn., and his cousin, Kirsten Keppen, had fun keeping busy between Waite's different snowmobile classes on Saturday, Jan. 12.

Jason Merschdorf of Stacy, Minn., tries to catch the leader Jacob Block of Big Lake, Minn. The top speed of the sleds these young racers are driving is around 30 mph or more.

This was a normal sight at the Kid’s Pro Ice races on Saturday, as dads get racers’ snowmobiles ready for their next race.

PAGE 16 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

The Pre-K Busy Bugs are back from winter break BALSAM LAKE – This month the Pre-K Busy Bugs are back from winter break and full of energy and excitement to start 2008. They kicked off the New Year with a Popcorn and Pajama theme.

They also incorporated a fun Friday with homemade pancakes for a snack.

After a few days of stories from the holidays and getting back into the routine of things, they had their monthly library night on Tuesday, Jan. 8. There were over 20 Busy Bugs and their families in the elementary library for stations, song, story and a project to take home. The stations included making a math game to share at home with the family, making scarves to share with others, exploring the Busy Bug Web site, checking out a library book and make a sweet domino treat. The Bugs concluded the evening event with a fun song, an exciting story and making their very own penguin snow stick; to measure how much snow is outside. It was a very fun night for all!

Photos submitted

Frederic eighth-grader job-shadows on Fox 9 TV

Osceola third-grader wins Polk-Burnett art contest CENTURIA – Emma Drury, a third-grader from Osceola Intermediate School, is the grand-prize winner of Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative’s 2007-08 Art is Powerful Coloring Contest. She will receive a certificate and a $50 grand-prize check from Polk-Burnett during a surprise awards presentation in her classroom on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 2:15 p.m.

In addition, her artwork will be printed on Polk-Burnett’s official mug for the 2008 annual meeting of the electric cooperative. The mugs will be given to all co-op members who attend the annual meeting in Frederic on June 5. The youth art contest recognizes Emily’s creativity in showing how electricity improves her life at home and school.

Emily is the daughter of Kris and Mike Drury of Dresser, and her teacher is Mrs. Schmidt. - submitted

MINNEAPOLIS - Alex Miller, eighth-grader at Frederic Middle School and son of Janelle Miller-Coulter, job-shadowed Fox 9 News meteorologist Keith Marler for three hours Friday morning, Jan. 11. Marler introduced Miller to viewers on the Fox 9 Morning Show, and showed him all the weather equipment used on the show.

At the end of their time together, Marler invited Miller to come for job shadowing every year and, if he continues to want to be a meteorologist, Marler said he could find an internship at Fox 9 for him.

“Alex is on Cloud 9,” said his stepfather, Harley Coulter. “He has wanted to be a meteorologist for years. His idol is Keith Marler.” – Nancy Jappe

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 17

Expanded hours for seafood buffet at the St. Croix Casino TURTLE LAKE – Beginning Feb. 7, seafood lovers will have even more opportunity to partake of their favorite buffet at the St. Croix Casino: The Turtle Lake casino will offer its popular Thursday Seafood Buffet from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., rather than from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. as it has in the past.

According to Mark Kasper, St. Croix Casino Food and Beverage director, the scheduling change was made to assure more guests access to the buffet. “Due to the popularity of the seafood buffet, many guests have had to stand in line for up to an hour just to get in. In fact, sometimes we have to turn guests away,” Kasper said. “By expanding the hours for

this special buffet, we hope to all but eliminate service delays while giving more guests the opportunity to enjoy the seafood buffet experience.”

Offered every Thursday at the St. Croix Casino, the seafood buffet’s entrees include King crab legs, shrimp, scallops, fresh fish and prime rib along with a full selection of side dishes, salads and desserts. The cost is $21.99 for all you can eat.

For more information on the seafood buffet or other dining specials at the St. Croix Casino, call Food and Beverage at 1-800-846-8946 or 715-986-4777. - submitted

Genealogy group to meet OSCEOLA – The Polk County Genealogical Society will meet on Monday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Osceola Public Library. The Dos and Don’ts of the Internet

will be presented by president Richard Kretzschmar.

Refreshments will be served. - submitted

Red Cross offers baby-sitting course BALSAM LAKE -The Red Cross babysitting Course will take place Saturday, Jan. 26, in the Balsam Lake office of the American Red Cross. This course is for youth ages 11-15. Class time will be 93:30 p.m.

This course is ideal for current and fu-

ture baby-sitters—teaching them the best ways to be safe and keep the children in their care safe.

Preregistration is required. Please call 715-485-3025 for more information. - from American Red Cross

Military family event to be held Saturday SPOONER — Veterans of recent military conflicts and their families are invited to a family event from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Antholz Gym at Spooner Middle School. Activities will include games such as a football and basketball toss, face painting, crafts, reading circle and a Mobile Technology Lab. This free event is hosted by the Wash-

burn County Veterans Service Office and UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development as part of Operation Military Kids, a state and national partnership that reaches out to support military youth who are affected by their parents involvement in National Guard, Army Reserve or other military affiliation. — submitted

PAGE 18 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

Curves Community Wellness Challenge

Anderson/Revere team up to bring live coverage from the Republican National Convention

Curves for Women of Frederic and Webster are joining together to host the firstannual Community Wellness Challenge from Jan. 21 to Feb. 29. Persons may join a team of one to five people and workout at Curves at either location at no cost during that time period. Companies may have more than one team. The team that loses the most pounds and inches combined will be awarded a traveling trophy and $100 cash prize. The program is designed to encourage fitness. Persons may sign up the week of Jan. 14 during regular business hours. Further information is available at 715-327-8588. Shown above is workout equipment at the Frederic Curves for Women. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Photo by Gary King Reporter Wayne Anderson and radio market manager Ron Revere shake hands at the Siren Rotary Club last Thursday, where the local journalist/columnist was the guest speaker. The two men worked together last summer to bring area listeners live coverage from Iraq. They will work together again this summer to bring listeners live coverage from the Republican National Convention 2008 in St. Paul, Minn. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Photo submitted

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 19

It’s Girl Scout Cookie time again It’s Girl Scout Cookie time again! The Unity Girl Scout Service Unit is gearing up to start their annual Girl Scout Cookie sales with a Cookie Kickoff. Cookie sales start in the Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys area on Jan. 19 and end Feb. 3. Unity Girl Scouts went through their safety procedures for selling cookies and played games to get fired up about the annual event. All cookie proceeds stay in our community to help build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. – Photo submitted

Webster High School band students perform in honor band On Monday, Jan. 14, eight Webster High School students participated in the annual Upper St. Croix Valley Music Association’s All Conference Honor Band and Jazz Band. The students spent the day rehearsing with guest conductors Greg Keel and Bob Stacke and then performed a concert at 6:30 p.m. The students chosen for these bands are of the finest musicians from nine area schools. Pictured are back row: guest jazz director Greg Keel, Sam Kopecky, Jamie Kopecky, Torah Pope, Shannon Conroy and guest band director Bob Stacke. Front Row: Brittany Flatten, Colleen Foote, Aimee Rinnman and Becca Schrooten. - Photo submitted

PAGE 20 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

EDUCATION VIBRATIONS Unity Community Education

Scuba Diving Instruction. Northland Equipment and Diving provides instruction and certification for Scuba diving through Unity Community Education. Call for details.

Free Square Dancing Lessons. Wednesdays through Jan. 23, 7-9:30 p.m. No cost, but please call Phil Wendt at 715-268-7512 to register.

Hotshots Gymnastics. Monday or Thursday night, fourweek sessions. Intermediate $30, beginner/advanced beginner $20. You must preregister by call instructor Teri Wilkie 715-825-2263.

Yoga. Wednesdays, six-week sessions, 6 to 6:45 p.m.

Cost: $36 per person. Instructor: Ardis Miller.

Water Aerobics. Six-week sessions beginning Feb. 19 and April 1. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 to 5:45 p.m. Cost: $31.62 $4 for seniors age 62+.

Calligraphy. WITC #24266, Wednesday, Jan. 16-30, 6:308:30 p.m. Cost: $17.81 registration fee to WITC ($4 for seniors aged 62+), plus $5 material fee paid directly to instructor.

Instructor: Jeanne Reinhardt.

Organic Gardening: Soil Building. Tuesday, Jan. 22, 7-9 p.m. Cost: $15. Instructor: Ken Keppers, Turtle Lake.

Felted Handbag. Thursdays, Jan. 25 – Feb. 7, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $30. Instructor: Audrey Anderson.

Get Fit F.A.S.T. Monday, Jan. 28, 7-8 p.m. Cost: $20. In-

structor: Jelaine Tiffany.

Organic Gardening: Rotational Planting. Tuesday, Jan. 29, 7-9 p.m. Cost: $15. Instructor: Ken Keppers.

Organic Gardening: Compost and Mulch. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 7-9 p.m. Cost: $15. Instructor: Ken Keppers.

Open Computer Lab for Beginners. WITC #24257 Wednesdays, Feb. 6-20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: $17.81 registration fee to WITC. $4 seniors, 62+. Instructor: Jeanne Reinhardt.

To register and for more information for any Unity Community Education class, contact 715-825-2101, ext. 3510 or email tworrell@unity.k12.wi.us.

Luck Community Education Luck Area Youth Cross-Country Ski League. Sundays 1 – 3 p.m. through Jan. 20, for children 9 and older. Location: Paul and Karen Pedersen farm. Call for details and questions 715-825-3837.

Winter Thaw at Snap Fitness in Milltown. January 21 – March 15, Community Ed is teaming up with Snap Fitness to offer special winter savings.

Knitting Christmas Stockings. Thursdays, Jan. 17, 24 & 31, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Class ID: 25144, Cat. # 42-815-408. Fee: $17.84/$4 for seniors 62+. Instructor: Barb Kass. Call WITC at 800-243-9482, ext. 4221 or visit the WITC Web site at http://www.witc.edu.

Write Right Now. Thursdays, Jan. 24 – Feb. 28, 4 – 6 p.m.

Cat.#42-801-402, Class ID 25013. Instructor: Carolyn Wedin.

Fee: $12.

Social Security: What you should know. Monday, Jan. 28, 7 – 9 p.m. Fee: Free. Sponsored by Northern Lights Consortium. Instructor: Ken Hess.

Let’s Cook Soup! Monday, Feb. 4, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $15/$10 seniors 62+. (Fee includes ingredients.) Instructors: Barb Kass and Emma Miles.

Long Bows with Tony Jensen. Thursdays, Feb. 7 – April 3, 6 – 9 p.m. Cat. #60-409-601. Class ID 25047. Fee: $79.60 (sorry no break for seniors). Instructor: Tony Jensen. To register for this class, call WITC at 800-243-9482 x 4221 or visit the WITC Web site at http://www.witc.edu.

Quilting: Bird in a Cage Wall Hanging. Saturday, Feb. 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Fee: $17.81/$4 seniors 62+ (pattern is $3).

Instructor: Bev Getchell.

Mike Lynch Wisconsin Starwatch Class. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7 – 9 p.m. Fee: $12. Class size is limited to 75.

Long-Term Care – What is it?. Tuesday, March 25, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $5. Instructor: Matt Garot.

Coming up Ask the Electrician-dates to be announced Driver’s Ed, April 21 – May 14 Responsible Beverage Service, May 12 Reader’s group. Mondays, Jan. 21, “Ironweed,” by Kennedy, Feb. 11, “The Thirteenth Tale” by Setterfeld and March 17, “Cannery Row.” Discussion starts at 7:30 p.m.

Readers meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Luck Elementary Classroom 215 during the school year and at the Luck Library during the summer. For other dates and book titles, e-mail Sue Mattson at smattson@lakeland.ws.

We b s t e r / S i r e n C o m m u n i t y E d u c a t i o n Morning Hall Walking. Monday thru Friday, 7 – 8 a.m. in Siren High School. Check in the district office with Cheryl Turnbull for a pass.

Art: Knitting for Beginners. WITC #42-815-408, ID #25746. Thursdays, Jan. 17 – Feb. 7, 6 – 8 p.m., at the Siren High School. Fee: $22.41/$4 Sr. Instructor: Sheila Dahlberg.

Medical Terminology.

WITC #10-501-101, ID #22968. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 21 through May 15, 11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Webster High School. Fee: $298. Instructor: Mary Gold-

smith.

Art: Origami. Tuesday, Jan. 22, 6 – 8 p.m., at the Siren High School and ITV. Fee: $12. Instructor: Philip Ruffolo.

Art: Pottery. WITC #42-815-408, ID #25747. Wednesdays, Jan. 23 through March 12, 6 – 8 p.m. at the Webster High School. Fee: $40.82/$4 Sr. Instructor: Kim Kriegel.

Introduction to Woodworking.

WITC #42-410-408, ID #25717. Wednesdays, Jan. 23 through March 12, 5:30 – 8 p.m., at the Siren High School.

Fee: $53.53/$7.50 Sr. Instructor: Holly Jo Carlson.

For Teens: Drivers Education – 30-hour classroom portion.

Mondays through Thursdays (no Fridays), Jan. 28 – Feb. 21, 6 – 8 p.m., at the Siren High School. Fee: $75.

Preregistration is required on most classes. For WITC classes, mail registration form to WITC or call WITC 1-800243-9482 ext. 4221, or for all other classes call the community education office at 715-349-7070.

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 21

OBITUARIES Lillian Lucile Knutson

Donald E. Schwartz

Randy L. Walker

Lillian Lucile Knutson, 88, residing at the Continuing Care Center in Grantsburg, died on Jan. 14, 2008.

Lillian Lucile Shull was born Nov. 29, 1919, in rural Polk County. She attended school in Frederic, and has resided in Grantsburg since 1948. She spent many years doing home care for the elderly. Lucile loved taking care of family and had many hobbies and interests, which included bird watching, flower gardening, berry picking and puppies.

Lucile was preceded in death by husband, Morris Knutson and former husband Ervin Carlson; parents Jerome and Esther Shull; sons, David and Maurice John (Johnny) Knutson.

She is survived by daughters, Florence (Ray) Smith, Marian (Jim) Doolittle, Joyce (Mike) Lener and Ruby Knutson; sons, Bill (Mickey) and Kenneth Knutson, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Services were held at the Trade River Evangelical Free Church, Grantsburg, on Jan. 16. Private interment was at Riverside Cemetery in Grantsburg.

The Edling Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg, was entrusted with arrangements.

Donald E. Schwartz, Vancouver, Wash., died Dec. 31, 2007, in his home. He was 88 years old.

Don was born on Sept. 17, 1919, in Eureka Township, to Wilbert and Ruby (Reynolds) Schwartz. Don grew up in the village of Milltown. During high school, he played basketball, and when he was a senior, his team competed in the state basketball tournament. He attended River Falls State Teachers College and played basketball there, as well. In 1941, Don graduated with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. After graduation, he taught math and science and coached at Viola. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps.

He was a commissioned officer, having attended Officer’s Candidate School at Yale, where he had the privilege of marching to an Army band led by the great, big bandleader, Glenn Miller.

During college, Don met Ester Jensen. They married on March 12, 1944, when Don was serving in the Army Air Corps. While he was in the service, they lived in Michigan, Mississippi and the Panama Canal Zone.

After Don was discharged from the service, they lived and taught in New London. In the late 1940s, they moved to Luck, where Don taught school for one year, then sold life insurance. In 1950, Don went into business with his father as an owner of Tretsvan Auto Company in Milltown. In 1954, Ester and Don adopted a daughter, Ann. In 1967, he bought Nielsen Motors in Luck. Don served as the president of the Wisconsin Automotive Trades Association in the late 1960s. He was a member of the Zor Shrine.

During their retirement, Don and Ester enjoyed golf, travel, reading, and visiting their children in Washington state. For 17 years, they spent their winters in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. In 2004, after Ester’s death, Don moved to Vancouver, Wash., to be near their daughter.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Ester; his parents, Wilbert and Ruby Schwartz; a sister who died in infancy; and grandson, Joel Nielsen.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Alan Nielsen of Vancouver, Wash.; grandson, Joshua Nielsen of Jackson Hole, Wyo.; grandson and granddaughter, Benjamin and Ana Nielsen of Spokane, Wash.; sister and brother-in-law, Dola and Clarence Simonson of Milltown; nieces, nephews and many friends.

A memorial service was held in Vancouver, Wash., on Jan. 4.

Randy L. Walker, 55, Centuria, died suddenly on Jan. 6, 2008.

Randy was born on Dec. 18, 1952, in Burlington, Iowa. He moved to Wisconsin in 1969, and graduated from St. Croix Falls High School in 1971. On Sept. 25, 1971, he married Patty Fox. Two children, Christy and Chad, were born to the couple.

Randy was drafted in 1972 into the U.S. Army. He went to Wisconsin Technical College for two years and then began his career at Doboy/Bosch in July 1975. He has been employed there for 32 years, with his last year as an assembly supervisor.

Randy enjoyed camping, fishing, deer hunting, bowling, golfing, traveling, bike riding and, most of all, playing with his many grandchildren.

Randy is survived by his wife of 36 years; daughter, Christy (Mike) Freer of Forest Lake, Minn.; son, Chad (Jeannie) Walker of Richmond, Va.; grandchildren, Justin and Trevor Gehrman, Ashley, Zach, Caitlin and Michaela (aka Bob) Freer; Chad Jr. and Aliyah Walker; father, Bob Walker and friend Lois; brothers, Gary and John Walker; sisters, Karen Walker, Linda McKusick and Barb (Jeff) Johnson, as well as many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at Fristad Lutheran Church, Centuria, on Saturday, Jan. 12. Interment was at St. John’s Cemetery following the service.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home, Centuria, was entrusted with the arrangements.

EDLING FUNERAL HOME 201 N. Adams St. St. Croix Falls, WI (715) 483-3141

E

EDLING TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME 387 State Rd. 70 Grantsburg, WI (715) 463-2994

William Peter Janson William Peter Janson, 76, died Jan. 13, 2008.

William was born Feb. 4, 1931. He married Gayle Egge in 1957.

He was a member and past commander of the American Legion Post #185, Grantsburg; longtime adjutant and finance officer; District #12 chaplain for many years; past cheminot 40 and 8 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; charter member of Knights of Columbus Council #630, Frederic. He was also an usher and communion distributor. William was a model railroader and a member of Barron County Model Rail Assoc., National MRR Assoc. and Thousand Lakes Model Rail Assoc.

William is preceded in death by sons, Mark and Philip; grandson, Christopher Janson; brothers, Alfred and Adric and sisters, JoAnn and Rose.

He is survived by his wife; sons, Matthew (Ursel), Steven (Nadia) and Paul (Amber) Janson; daughters, Joanne (Richard) Goldman, Sara (Mark) Ronningen and Kathy (Dean) Josephson; 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Helen Davis and Patricia (Will) Wesley and brother, John Janson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m., at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Grantsburg, with Fr. Dennis Mullen officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Edling Taylor Funeral Home in Grantsburg, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Grantsburg.

Pallbearers will be grandsons: John Hanson, Philip Goldman, William Janson, Nicholas, David and Timothy Josephson, Greg Ronningen, Cameron Christner and Gavin and Maxwell Janson.

The Edling Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg, was entrusted with the arrangements.

EDLING FUNERAL HOME 201 N. Adams St. St. Croix Falls, WI (715) 483-3141

E

EDLING TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME 387 State Rd. 70 Grantsburg, WI (715) 463-2994

Irene E. Richter Irene E. Richter, 36, died Saturday, Jan. 12, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

She is survived by parents, Leslie and Gloria Richter; brother, Leslie Jr. (Marcy) Richter; nieces and nephews, Aaronn, Elizabeth, Gretchen, Alex and Lauren Richter; grandparents, Ellis and Irene Richter; sister-in-law, Suzanne (Bill) Brantley; many aunts, uncles and other relatives and friends.

A celebration of her life will take place in the spring.

A notice will follow at a future time.

The Edling Funeral Home, St. Croix Falls, was entrusted with the arrangements.

EDLING FUNERAL HOME 201 N. Adams St. St. Croix Falls, WI (715) 483-3141

E

EDLING TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME 387 State Rd. 70 Grantsburg, WI (715) 463-2994

Gerald Edward Mott Gerald Mott, age 76 of Bloomington, Minn., formerly of Frederic, died at his home on Jan. 10, 2008.

Jerry was born on Oct. 11, 1931, in Frederic to Clifford and Nina Mott. He graduated from Frederic High School and attended college in River Falls, getting his master’s degree in mathematics from Colorado State College. He taught high school math for six years and than was employed by Unisys in Minneapolis, Minn., and retired in 1997 after a 34-year career. During retirement he taught ESL and citizenship courses.

Jerry’s passion was to spend time with his family and time outdoors tending to his garden.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Dennis and Lowell Mott.

He is survived by his wife, Jennie; children, Nathan (Turi) Mott and Nicole (Bobby) Waters; grandchildren; Anna and Greta Mott; siblings; Ramona Schmoll, Rodney Mott, Maxine (Jim) Nolby, and Dianne (Dick) Kuzel; and also many neices and nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held in Minneapolis, Minn., at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, Edina chapel, on Jan. 12, 2008, with interment at Ft. Snelling.

Jerome J. Anderson Jerome J. Anderson, Amery, died Dec. 17, 2007, of lung cancer. He was 72 years old.

Jerome was born May 17, 1935, in Shell Lake, the son of Harold and Eva (Hess) Anderson. He grew up in Shell Lake and graduated from Shell Lake High School.

On Jan. 19, 1957, he married Janet Pederson and four children were born. They lived in St. Paul, Minn., for a time when he worked at the Ford plant. They moved to rural Amery where he farmed for many years.

He was a member of the Little Falls Lutheran Church where he served on its council, was on the Alden Town Board, Polk County Board, Northern Pines Board and the Farmers Union Board and Foremost Farms.

He was active in Special Olympics and with developing group homes. He was a 4-H volunteer, worked with the Polk County Development Center, was a member of the Amery Senior Center and Sons of Norway.

Following the death of his wife, Janet, he married Frances Cotch. They made trips together and enjoyed traveling around the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Janet.

He is survived by his wife, Frances; son Gerald Anderson; daughters Joann (David) Longtin, Tracy Anderson and Becky Anderson; brother Neil (Agnes) Anderson, Barronett; sisters Terry Sherar and Gayle Anderson; and one grandson.

Funeral services were held Dec. 21 at the Little Falls Lutheran Church, rural Amery, with Pastor Jerry Schultz officiating. Soloist was Jim Haugerud and organist was Becky Sunde. Casket bearers were Loren Anderson, Rodney Galvin, Jay Johnson, Dan Johnson, Wayne Larson and Nate Spurrell. Burial was at the Little Falls Cemetery.

The Williamson-White Funeral Home, Amery, was entrusted with arrangements.

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

OBITUARIES

Curtis D. Olson

Opal (Wallin) Larson

Jacqueline “Jackie” J. Lehman

Curtis D. Olson, age 77 of Grantsburg, died Jan. 5, 2008, after a short, but brave battle with lung cancer.

Curtis was born May 20, 1930, in Burnett County to David and Alvina (Johnson) Olson. He grew up in the Grantsburg area and graduated from Grantsburg High School. He met and married Winona Bangtson on Oct. 18, 1958, and would have obtained 50 years of marriage this year. To this union three children were born, Edwin, Robyn and Mark.

He retired from Northern States Power and began a career in painting houses. He enjoyed deer hunting, ice fishing and gardening, and his winters in Arizona. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Trade Lake, Landmark Masonic Lodge #244 F&AM of Frederic, Royal Arch Masons, Commandary, AAD Shriners of Duluth, Minnesota, American Legion Post 185 of Grantsburg, and Frederic Chapter #239 Order of Eastern Star.

Curtis was preceded in death by his father; mother; and sister, Betty Jane Jack.

Curtis is survived by his wife, Winona Olson of Grantsburg; children, Edwin (Sandy) Olson of Casco, Robyn (Brian) Christensen of Grantsburg and Mark (Jodi) Olson of New Richmond; grandchildren, Nicole (Bruce) Olson, Katie, Devan, Kara and Megan; sisters, LaVonne Seeman and MaryLou Barstow; brothers, Harold Olson and La Verne Olson.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Siren Chapel with Pastor David Almlie officiating. Interment followed at Riverside Cemetery in Grantsburg. Casket bearers were Cary Oachs, Lowell McFetridge, Milton Anderson, Greg Barstow, Erik Barstow and Todd Barstow.

Honorary casket bearers were Bevan Branstad. Military honors were provided by the Grantsburg Legion.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Chapel, Siren, was entrusted with arrangements.

Opal (Wallin) Larson, Webster, died Jan. 10, 2008. She was 91 years old.

Opal was born on Oct. 15, 1916 to Henry and Anna Wallin of Minneapolis.

She was the firstborn daughter of five children. Her childhood was spent between Trade River and the Yellow Lake area of Danbury. As a determined young lady, she graduated from Webster High School and worked at Ike Walton’s Lodge to save money for college. She left the rural life of Wisconsin to pursue a nursing degree in St. Paul, Minn.

In 1939, Opal graduated from Bethesda School of Nursing. Around this time she met Earl Larson, who would visit her on her rounds and bring her fried chicken. They married and settled on St. Paul’s east side. Never content to sit, Opal raised her three children while working at various hospitals.

She continued taking classes to become a public school nurse. She loved working for the St. Paul Public School System and retired after 26 years of service.

Upon retirement, she and Earl loved to travel south and spend time in the Yellow Lake area.

In 2003, the couple moved permanently to the family home at Yellow Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Ken and Carl; and her sister, Amber.

She is survived by her three children, Karen (Art) Steffen, Paul (Joann) Larson and Christine (Russell) Hoeffner; nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and her brother, Ernie.

A memorial service is set for Jan. 19, at 1 p.m. at Yellow Lake Church on CTH U between Webster and Danbury. Memorials are requested to the Union Gospel Mission, the Salvation Army or the charity of your choice.

Jacqueline “Jackie” J. Lehman, 54, a resident of Danbury, died Jan. 10, 2008, surrounded by her family at her home.

Jackie was born April 10, 1953, in Superior to Thomas and Zephirna Willie. Jackie married William Lehman on Dec. 14, 1979, in Superior.

Jackie was owner/operator of T-Flite Business Services, and worked at Hazelton Pharmaceutical in Madison, the Kent Botsford Dental Clinic in Fond du Lac and was a school secretary for the Superior School District. Jackie had many close friends at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and was involved with Women at the Well. She enjoyed long walks in the woods with her family, fishing, golf and her family. She also participated in Breast Cancer Walks and was a bell ringer for The Salvation Army during Christmas.

Jackie was preceded in death by her father, Thomas.

Jackie is survived by her husband, William, of Danbury; children, Rebecca (David) Stephens of Green Bay, Bradley Lehman of Danbury; mother, Rose Willie of Superior; sisters, Patricia (Leo) Sibila of Danbury, Elizabeth (Larry) Emberson of Danbury; Kathleen (Jack) Willie-Casper of Superior; brothers, Louis (Deb) Willie of Superior, Thomas (Pam) Willie of Danbury, Jeffery (Cathy) Willie of Superior, Robert (Lita) Willie of Dodgeville, and Timothy (Tina) Willie of Superior, along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 14, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor John Siedschlag officiating. Music was provided by Margel Ruck. Interment followed at Danbury Cemetery. Casket bearers were Louis Willie, Thomas Willie, Jeffery Willie, Robert Willie, Timothy Willie and David Stephens.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.

Daniel J. Boyer Daniel J. Boyer, age 57, Webster, died at the Burnett Medical Center in Grantsburg, on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008.

Daniel was born on Jan. 24, 1950, to Howard and Marjorie Boyer, in Minneapolis, Minn. He was the youngest of four children. Daniel was in the Marine Reserves. He worked as a computer technician for the FBI, the FAA and also for Principal Insurance Company. Daniel moved to the Webster area in 2003.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Susan Benz.

Daniels is survived by two sisters, Sharon Schween of LaVerne, Calif., and Virginia (Marvin) Niwa, Cucamonga, Calif.; eight nieces and nephews; 11 greatnieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, with Mary Pabst officiating. Burial was at the Fairview Cemetery in Lindstrom, Minn.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with the arrangements.

Edward Raymond Strese Edward Raymond Strese, 82, died Dec. 15, 2007, at Grantsburg, after a short illness.

Edward was born April 12, 1925. Although he was able to go to school only until his early teens, he was able to accomplish much in his life. He has farmed, been in the Merchant Marines and worked for Burnett County in the highway department for a total of 39 years; first as a heavy-equipment operator, then 14 years as the highway commissioner.

He enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting or just being in the woods taking in the sights, sounds and smells he grew to know so well. He loved to sit and watch the birds and squirrels with his pals, Petey and Terry.

He was preceded in death by his beloved Elsie.

Edward is survived by his sons, Jerry (Christie) and Randy (Lynn); his grandchildren, Sunday, Mindy, Scott, Lisa and Matt and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Dec. 19, 2007, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Siren, with his friend and pastor, John Clasen, officiating.

Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with the arrangements.

Roland D. Nichols Roland D. Nichols, 88, died Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, at his home in Eau Claire.

He was born August 27, 1919, in Giard, Iowa, to Clarence and Bessie (Lee) Nichols. While still a child, his family moved to northwestern Wisconsin where they worked their own dairy farm. He attended Milltown High School.

He graduated from high school in June, 1937. He graduated from Polk County Normal School in June 1939 and subsequently taught at the Evergreen School, a rural one-room schoolhouse in Polk County until he enlisted in the Air Force on April 29, 1942.

He graduated from Aviation Cadets and in April, 1943, received his pilot wings and a commission as an Air Force Officer. Due to his exceptional proficiency in air gunnery, he was selected to serve as a flight/gunnery instructor. He retired from the Air Force at the Duluth Air Defense Sector, Duluth, Minn., at the rank of Lt. Col. on April 30, 1963. His decorations included three Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Distinguished Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, and many others.

After retiring from the Air Force, he went back to school and earned a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Minnesota in 1968. He returned to his first love - teaching - and began his second career as a university professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, where he also served as department chairman. He retired from UWEC in 1986.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also excelled as a wildlife and wildflower photographer and enjoyed creative writing, both poetry and prose.

He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, LaVerne, Don and Harry; a sister, Doris Johansen; a grandson, Nikko Savides.

He is survived by his wife, Leone; two sons, Steven of Waco, Texas, and Mark of Pickerington, Ohio; two daughters, Diane Thompson of Atlanta, Ga. and Debra Savides of Paris, Mich.; as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Janet Nichols of Frederic; two nieces, as well as his former wife, Louise Nichols of Big Rapids, Mich.

Funeral services are being held at the Trade Lake Baptist Church on Thursday, Jan. 17, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be at the Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic, on Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 4 – 7 p.m. A visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

The Rowe Funeral Home of Frederic was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

George R. McFaggen George R. McFaggen, age 90, a resident at L.O. Simenstad Care Facility died Dec. 30, 2007, surrounded by his family.

George was born on March 15, 1917, the youngest child of Edward and Sadie (Simmons) McFaggen.

George was born and raised in the small home on Washington Street next to the house he later built with Lorene (Hansen), this is where they raised their five children. The McFaggen family has lived on Washington Street for over 100 years.

George attended and graduated from St. Croix Falls High School. His superb athletic abilities helped bring many victories in basketball and football.

George and Lorene were married Jan. 6, 1942. He entered the Army Dec. 9, 1942. After 3-1/2 years overseas serving in North Africa and the Middle East, he was honorably discharged.

Returning home to St. Croix he started working at Northern States Power Co. and retired after 35 years.

He was on the crew that worked when Nevers Dam flooded.

Trout fishing on the Brule, deer hunting in Grantsburg and Moose Junction, canoeing the St. Croix River, or just hunting and fishing anything was this young man’s life. The middle years were spent with family outings; rock hunting, cutting agates and making beautiful rock tables. George and Lorene were interested in antiques and loved to go to auctions and find collectibles. George was very talented in refinishing furniture.

George was preceded in death by his parents; four older sisters, Blanch (Wyman), Ruth (Eibs), Edna (Finsky) and Katherine (Gray); daughter, Nancy.

He is survived by his wife, Lorene, who resides at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Croix, and his children, Scott McFaggen, Bonnie Sawyer, (Robert) Colleen Pearson and Penny Dehmer (Dean); grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at a later date.

The Edling Funeral Home, St. Croix Falls, was entrusted with arrangements.

EDLING FUNERAL HOME 201 N. Adams St. St. Croix Falls, WI (715) 483-3141

E

EDLING TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME 387 State Rd. 70 Grantsburg, WI (715) 463-2994

Ray E. Growt Ray E. Growt, 83, a resident of Luck, died Jan. 14, 2008, at St. Croix Regional Medical Center.

Services are pending at this time. A full obituary will be published at a later date.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, is entrusted with arrangements.

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 23

CHURCH NEWS Victory over adversity

who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

A bridge is a structure used to span a gap One Sin… Any Sin, separates man from between two areas of land. The dictionary God for all eternity (Romans 3:23). But the sacdescribes to bridge something as - to make a rifice made

by Jesus is like a bridge able to passage across or between. With the amount of that gap… it is offered for all who will span water that must be crossed while driving in respond in faithful obedience…

Wisconsin, I have learned the importance of What are his commands? bridges. Without them, we would have to HEAR: (Romans 10:14) “How then shall drive around all the bodies of water to get Garret they call on him in whom they have not bewhere we needed to go. Sometimes, we Derouin lieved? and how shall they believe in him of would not be able to get to places at all withwhom they have not heard?” out a bridge to span the gap in our way.

BELIEVE: (Mark 16:16) “He that believeth Spiritually, there is a gap between man THE and is baptized shall be saved; but he that beand God… it is called sin… Behold, the lieveth not shall be damned.”

PREACHER’S LORD’S hand is not so short That it cannot REPENT: (Acts 3:19) “Repent ye therefore, save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot and be converted, that your sins may be blothear. But your iniquities have made a sepaout, when the times of refreshing shall ted ration between you and your God, And your come from the presence of the Lord;” sins have hidden His face from you so that CONFESS: (Romans 10:9) “That if thou shalt confess He does not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2) with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in Although MAN has caused a separation between thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, himself and God because of sin, we must remember shalt be saved.” thou that we have the means available to bridge that gap. and be BAPTIZED: (Acts 2:38) “Repent, and be bapIt is not a bridge of our own making. It is a bridge tized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for made by God through the gift of His Son. Jesus is the the remission of sins...” only one that is able to approach God on our behalf.

If you would like to make your life right with God, For there is one God, and one mediator also between would like to help. we God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1Timothy 2:5).

If readers have questions or simply wish to know His uniqueness is displayed in that He is the only one more about the Church of Christ, we would like to inwho can make intercession to God on our behalf. vite them to call 715-866-7157 or stop by the church Therefore He is able also to save forever those who building at 7425 W. Birch St. in Webster.

Sunday Bible draw near to God through Him, since He always lives begins at 9:30 a.m. and worship begins at 10:30 class to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25). a.m.

We also meet Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.

OfHe is our intercessor… our mediator… our High fice hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m.

Priest… and through Him we have a sympathizer for noon. our weaknesses. For we do not have a high priest

The Bridge

A woman is abused as a child, starts drinking and using drugs, goes through a series of pregnancies and marriages, and finally tries to end her life. She eventually re- Sally Bair pents of her former life and becomes reconciled with God. While taking a swig from his bottle of whiskey and laughing PERSPECTIVES with his girlfriend, a man veers off the road and smashes into a tree.

His girlfriend dies and he is paralyzed. At first bitter about her death and his handicap, he turns to God for spiritual and emotional healing and begins to counsel young people about living a responsible life reconciled with God. A young mother loses her husband to the war.

With minimal financial support, she raises her children alone while working, struggles with grief and despair. She eventually accepts the help and love of new, Christian friends.

A man, desperate for money, holds up an old woman at gunpoint. Instead of surrendering her purse, she begins preaching to him about God’s love and forgiveness. He begins to weep and promises her he will return to his Christian roots.

What makes one desperate person decide to change his way of living and become reconciled with God, and another person give up and eventually destroy himself? Desperation is the key. When we come to the end of ourselves and decide to surrender the control of our own lives to God—who is able to change us and who offers us something better—we find total victory.

We all cling to destructive behaviors, even small ones. We need to become desperate enough to hand our lives over to God, thereby freeing us from unending cycles of defeat. Victory comes when you “put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (Ephesians 4:24) Lord, all around us are people who in desperation are turning their lives over to you. Help us surrender our bad habits and destructive behaviors so we can live with joy and peace, in righteousness and holiness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

(Mrs. Bair may be reached at sallybair@gmail.com)

ETERNAL

PEN

Baptism held at Bone Lake Lutheran Church

Lucy Claire Nichols and Claire Marie Nelson were baptized into the Christian faith on Sunday, Jan. 6, at Bone Lake Lutheran Church. (L to R): Shannon Erickson, Josh, Jolleen and Lucy Claire Nichols; Pastor Mary Ann Bowman; Shannon, Claire Marie and Denise Nelson; Kelsey Bazey and Josh Bazey. – Photo submitted

From the Fellowship Hall at Milltown Lutheran MILLTOWN – Heifer International projects are under way by confirmation students to raise an understanding of food needs around the world. Students are currently trying to raise money to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. This is being done by collecting aluminum cans, baby-sitting, shoveling snow and other activities, then donating the money toward the project. Heifer’s history: This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than shortterm relief caught on and has continued for over 60 years. Today, millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of self-reliance and hope.

Heifer’s strategy is to “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.

Confirmation retreat is required for all confirmation students. It will held at Luther Point on Feb. 1-2. The cost of the retreat is $30 per student. Confirmants will meet at the church at 5 p.m. and return at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Souper Bowl Sunday will be on Sun., Feb. 3. The Souper Bowl of Caring is the result of thousands of young people joining together to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. This unique, youth-led movement of caring is transforming the nation’s biggest weekend of football into its largest weekend of giving. A special donation will be taken this day for our local Good Samaritan Fund.

Valentine’s Dinner for families, singles and couples - a night of fellowship on Saturday Feb. 9, beginning with a social time at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Dinner will include roast pork loin with music provided by Sue Saarem. A limited number of tickets will be available for $8, ages 7 and under are free. For tickets contact Carol Johnson at 715-825-3114.

The fourth annual women’s retreat is on Sat., March 1. The day will begin with coffee and registration at 8:30 a.m. and end with a healing service following lunch. Our guest speaker will be Gayle Zinda, presenting “Pink Lemonade: Freshly squeezed insights to stir your faith.” - submitted

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

CHURCH NEWS Society places too much value on superficial things Q: You have said that children and young people are experiencing an epidemic of self-doubt and feelings of low self-esteem. Why do you think this is true?

DR. DOBSON: It has resulted, in part, from an unjust system of evaluating human worth now prevalent in our society. Not everyone is seen as worthy; not everyone is accepted. Instead, we reserve our praise and admiration for those who have been blessed from birth with the characteristics we value most highly. It is a vicious system, and we, as parents, must counterbalance its impact.

At the top of the list of the most highly respected and valued attributes in our culture is physical attractiveness. Those who happen to have it are often honored and even feared; those who do not may be disrespected and rejected through no fault of their own. This measure of human worth is evident from the earliest moments of life, when an attractive infant is considered more valuable than a homely one. For this reason, it is not uncommon for a mother to be depressed shortly after the birth of her first baby. She had hoped to give birth to a beautiful 6-week-old Gerber baby, having four front teeth and rosy, pink cheeks. Instead, they hand her a red, toothless, bald, prunefaced, screaming little individual who isn't exactly what Mom expected.

As the child grows, his or her value as a person will be assessed not only by parents, but also by those outside the home. Beauty contests offering scholarships

and prizes for gorgeous babies are now common, as if the attractive child didn't already have enough advantages in life. What a distorted system for evaluating human worth!

As author George Orwell has written, "All (people) are equal, but some (people) are more equal than others."

The real tragedy today is how often Dr. James this statement is proven true in the Dobson lives of our children.

••• Q: My little boy always wants to know just how far I will let him go.

Once he has tested me and found I'm serious about what I say, he'll usually cooperate at that point.

What is going on in his mind?

DR. DOBSON: Your child, like most other kids, has a great need to know where behavioral boundaries are and who has the courage to enforce them. Let me illustrate how that works.

Years ago, during the early days of the progressive education movement, an enthusiastic theorist decided to take down the chain link fence that surrounded the nursery school yard. He thought the children would feel more freedom of movement without that visible barrier surrounding them. When the fence was removed, however, the boys and girls huddled near the center of the play yard. Not only did they not wander away; they didn't even venture to the edge of the grounds. Clearly, there is a security for all of us in defined boundaries. That's why a child will push a parent to the point of exasperation at times. She's testing

FOCUS ON THE

FAMILY

the resolve of the mother or father and exploring the limits of her world.

Do you want further evidence of this motivation?

Consider the relationships within a family where the dad is a firm but loving disciplinarian, the mother is indecisive and weak, and the child is a strong willed spitfire. Notice how the mother is pushed, challenged, sassed, disobeyed and insulted, but the father can bring order with a word or two. What is going on here? Simply that the child understands and accepts Dad's strength. The limits are clear. There is no reason to test him again. But Mom has established no rules, and she is fair game for a fight every day if necessary.

The very fact that your child accepts the boundaries you have set tells you that he respects you. That youngster will still test the outer limits occasionally to see if the "fence" is still there.

••• Dr. Dobson is founder and chairman of the board of the nonprofit organization Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995 (www.family.org). Questions and answers are excerpted from "Solid Answers" 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:

Siren Assembly of God Siren

Ladies Morning Retreat set FREDERIC - The women of Frederic Evangelical Free Church welcome you to Ladies Morning Retreat, Friday, Jan. 18, from 9:15-11:15 a.m. Deanna McWilliam is going to present “You Are What You Eat.” What to feed

your soul so that you abound in hope. Through her experience and teaching from the Bible, McWilliam will help the group to taste and see that the Lord and his promises are good. Refreshments are served and child

care is provided.

Frederic Evangelical Free Church is located on Old CTH W and Churchwood Lane, in Frederic. Please call 327-8767 for more information. - submitted

JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 25

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

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JANUARY 16, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 27

Students of the Week GRANTSBURG

FREDERIC

Eric Chenal has been chosen Frederic Elementary School’s student of the week. He is in fifth grade and the son of Rick and Teri Chenal. Eric is a friendly and happy student who always has time to help others. He takes pride in his work and is hardworking. His favorite sports are basketball and football. Eric enjoys playing with his friends and hunting and fishing with his dad.

Seneca Lundeen Brooks has been chosen Frederic Middle School’s student of the week. He is in eighth grade and the son of Tony and Lisa Lundeen Brooks.

Seneca is involved in farming, football and basketball. His interests include farming and hunting.

He plans on going to college to be a farmer.

Cathryn McConnell has been chosen Frederic High School’s student of the week. She is a sophomore and the daughter of Carrie and David McConnell.

Cathryn has a positive attitude and is a dedicated hardworking student. She is involved in church, Girl Scouts, drama, basketball and track. Cathryn enjoys art, mainly cartoons, and singing. She plans to go to college for art.

Jordyn Phillips has been chosen Grantsburg Elementary School’s student of the week. She is in third grade and the daughter of John and Sarah Phillips. Jordyn is a very responsible student with great organizational skills. She is always challenging herself and exploring to learn more. Jordyn always has a positive attitude and shows great respect. She likes to write long stories about animals, sledding and playing games with her family.

ST. CROIX FALLS

LUCK

Luca Nieman has been chosen Luck Elementary School’s student of the week. He is in kindergarten and the son of Brent and Jolene Nieman. Luca loves to color, and his favorite color is black. Luca is a good listener in class and plays fairly with everyone.

Nick Otlo has been chosen Luck Middle School’s student of the week. He is in eighth grade and the son of Gary and Judy Otlo.

Nick is very polite, cooperative and respectful. He has a positive attitude, tries hard and gets along well with his peers. Nick is involved in church activities and football. He enjoys hunting, fishing, football, shooting hoops and spending time with his family.

Laura Byl has been chosen Luck High School’s student of the week. She is a senior and the daughter of Mike and Joyce Byl. Laura is always willing to help with extra projects. She is a hard worker and gets along well with others. Laura is involved in 4-H, NHS, FFA, J. Holsteins, forensics and Kinship. In her spare time, she enjoys being with family and friends, quilting, watching sporting events, listening to music and working on the family farm.

Kyle Zehm has been chosen St. Croix Falls Elementary School’s student of the week. He is in kindergarten. Kyle likes learning his numbers and other stuff. He has a sister in third grade. He loves to play with his Transformers, and for exercise he enjoys sledding. Kyle is a very helpful and polite student.

Kyaisha Kettula has been chosen Siren Middle School’s student of the week. She is the daughter of Niki Kettula. Kyaisha is very active at school. She is a member of the volleyball, basketball and track teams. She is also in band and choir. Kyaisha likes to hang out with friends and listen to music.

Kamille Flandrena has been chosen St. Croix Falls Middle School’s student of the week.

She is the daughter of Rick and Lori Flandrena. English and math are her favorite subjects. Kamille has one sister, Kristine. Her favorite pastimes are rollerblading, ice skating and sledding. She is involved in forensics and knitting club.

WEBSTER

SIREN

Casey-Jean Brown has been chosen Siren Elementary School’s student of the week.

She is in fifth grade. Casey-Jean works very hard, completes all her work and even does extra credit. She can be found helping her classmates and teachers any time she is asked, and even when she is not asked. Casey-Jean is a delightful young person and a joy to have in class.

Kathleen Preissing has been chosen Grantsburg High School’s student of the week. She is a junior and the daughter of Peggy and John Preissing. Kathleen is a member of choir and swing choir and recently took on helping with the Holiday Feast. She is hardworking, willing to do jobs others avoid and is trust worthy. Kathleen works weekends at the Lodge in Siren. She likes fashion and being active. She wants to get into the hospitality field in a big city.

Elizabeth Daniels has been chosen Siren High School’s student of the week. She is a senior and the daughter of Lee and Julie Daniels. Elizabeth is a dedicated and charming student who excels quietly and methodically. Her hobbies include writing and hobby farming. She participates in band, choir, honors band, National Honors Society and as the High Mileage Vehicle class secretary. Elizabeth plans to get her degree in science, possibly in biology.

Congratulations students on a job well done!

Tanner Pardun has been chosen Webster Elementary School’s student of the week. He is in kindergarten and the son of Josh and Rachel Pardun. Tanner is thoughtful of others and helps his classmates. He enjoys hunting and spending time outside with his family. Tanner is good at math and his ABCs.

Danielle Formanek has been chosen Webster Middle School’s student of the week. She is in seventh grade and the daughter of David and Robyn Formanek.

Danielle always gives her best effort on the tasks that she is assigned. She is in band, choir and basketball. Danielle enjoys playing guitar, piano and percussion.

She also enjoys going camping.

Adam Eichman has been chosen Webster High School’s student of the week. He is a sophomore and the son of Floyd and Lisa Eichman. Adam has developed into a young man of character and works hard at everything he does.

He has a good sense of humor.

Adam is involved in football, hockey and working at Ike Walton’s Resort. He enjoys working on cars. Adam plans on going to college.

UNITY

Josie Kreft has been chosen Unity Elementary School’s student of the week. She is in first grade and the daughter of Joe Kreft and Bobbie Jo Babcock.

Josie is very ambitious and enjoys helping others. She is a diligent worker who is well liked by her peers. Josie always gives 110-percent effort and has a positive attitude. She is a wellrounded girl.

Jessica Kalenda has been chosen Unity Middle School’s student of the week. She is in seventh grade and the daughter of Veronica and Greg Blackburn.

Jessica is a nice, delightful young lady, and she does a great job in class. Her smile is very appreciated, and lights up the room. She is a wonderful role model for the other students.

Amber Springer has been chosen Unity High School’s student of the week. She is a senior and the daughter of Al and Melody Springer of MIlltown. Amber has a positive attitude, great work ethic and a cheerful personality. She enjoys family time, friends and school. Amber plans to attend college to be a veterinary technician after graduation.

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 16, 2008

JANUARY

THURS.-SAT./17-19 Barron

• “The Christmas Cactus” 7:30 p.m., at the Barron Area Community Center. For reservations call 715-537-9212 or e-mail spotlighters@chibardun.net.

THURSDAY/17

Coming events

at 7 p.m., in Room 162 at the Government Center. Call to caucus.

WEDNESDAY/23 Balsam Lake

• Informational tour of the highway facilities, 2-4 p.m. & 5-7 p.m., 715-485-8700.

• Public hearing on licensing fish farms at the government center, 7 p.m.

Frederic

• Pokeno played at the senior center, 1 p.m.

Amery

Webster

• Poker at the senior center, 1 p.m.

Balsam Lake

• Prayer vigil for peace at the Methodist Church, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Frederic

THURSDAY/24

• Blood drive at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 1:30-6:30 p.m.

Frederic

• 500 Card Night at the senior center, 6:30 p.m.

• Lioness Club meeting, 7 p.m., at the Sunrise Apartments Community Room.

• 500 Card Night at the senior center, 6:30 p.m.

Grantsburg

• Snowmobile Safety class at the Crex Meadow’s Visitor Center from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

For more info call the DNR at 715-464-2897.

Grantsburg

• Snowmobile Safety class at the Crex Meadow’s Visitor Center from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

For more info call the DNR at 715-464-2897.

St. Croix Falls

• 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.

• Caring About Mental Health Care meeting at the high school, 7-9 p.m., 715-483-3544.

St. Croix Falls

• Exercise by YMCA, 10-11 a.m.; Skipbo, 11 a.m.-noon; blood pressure check, 11:30 a.m.; potluck lunch 12:30 p.m.; general meeting, 1 p.m.; 500 cards, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the senior center.

FRI.-SUN./25-27

Siren

Barron

• American Legion Auxiliary meets at the village hall, 2 p.m.

• American Legion meets at the village hall, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY/18 Amery

• Hardanger at the senior center, 1:30 p.m.

Frederic

• Ladies Morning Retreat at Evangelical Free Church, 9:15-11:15 a.m., 715-327-8767.

• Pokeno played at the senior center, 1 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

• Bingo 1-3 p.m., at the senior center.

SATURDAY 19 Amery

• A Young Performers’ Concert, 7:30 p.m., at The Northern Lakes Center for the Arts, 715258-6811.

Franconia

• Franconia Sesquicentennial Committee holds history day at town hall on Hwy. 95, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Frederic

• Annual Sleigh Parade at the high school, 11:30 a.m. viewing, 1 p.m. parade.

• Food, games & fellowship at the senior center.

St. Croix Falls

• Community forum at Festival Theatre, 10 a.m.

Spooner

• Military family event at the middle school, 1-4 p.m.

A scenic view from Upper Red Lake in Minn. during a recent ice-fishing trip.

– Photo by Marty Seeger

• “The Christmas Cactus” Fri. & Sat. at 7:30 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m. at the Barron Area Community Center. For reservations call 715-537-9212 or e-mailspotlighters@chibardun.net.

FRIDAY/25 Amery

SUNDAY/20

TUES.-THURS./22-24

• Rehearsals begin for community choir performances of musical “He’s Alive” at the intermediate school, 3 p.m., 715-294-4775, liwaszko@gmail.com.

• American Red Cross offers First Aid classes at Red Cross office. Preregistration is requested. Call Terry at 715-485-3025.

Osceola

St. Croix Falls

• Legion breakfast at the hall, 8 a.m.-noon.

Siren

• Wedding Showcase at Northwoods Crossing Event Center, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 715-463-2341.

MONDAY/21 Amery

• Bingo played at the senior center, 6:30 p.m.

Balsam Lake

• Informational tour of the highway facilities, 2-4 p.m. & 5-7 p.m., 715-485-8700.

Frederic

• Spades played at the senior center, 1:30 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

• Art Group, 9:30 a.m.-noon, at the senior center.

Balsam Lake

TUESDAY/22 Amery

• 500 card party at the senior center, 6:45 p.m.

• Member Nintendo Wii game night at the senior center, 6:30 p.m.

Frederic

• Pokeno played at the senior center, 1 p.m.

SATURDAY/26 Amery

• Celebrating the Haggis! At The Northern Lakes Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m., 715-2586811.

Cable

Frederic

• Chili Feed during the doubleheader basketball game vs. Siren as a fundraiser for prom sponsored by the junior class.

Grantsburg

• Snowshoe Family Saturday, meet at the North End Ski Trail at 10 a.m., and return by noon. For more info call the museum at 715798-3890.

Cushing

• Full Wolf Moon Snowshoe Hike at Crex Meadows, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 715-463-2739.

• Suzy Q’s Fishing Contest, 715-648-5223 or 715-483-9458.

• Exercise by YMCA, 10-11 a.m.; Skipbo, 11 a.m.-noon; 500 cards & Dominos, 12:30-4 p.m., at the senior center.

• Scholarship Foundation’s 2nd-annual chili cook-off & silent auction fundraiser at the high school, 5-7:30 p.m., 715-483-9469.

• Food, games & fellowship at the senior center.

• High school softball’s annual Coon Lake Classic Ice-Fishing Contest on Coon Lake, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., registration starts at 9 a.m., 715529-0913.

St. Croix Falls

Siren

Frederic

Luck

• Burnett County Republican Party will meet

• Ice-Fishing Contest at Little Butternut Lake, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 715-472-2959.

"A Night with the Berrymans" at Festival Theatre ST. CROIX FALLS - Festival Theatre has created a second-annual event to help celebrate Valentine’s Day and raise funds for the nonprofit, professional theatre. Since the holiday falls on a Thursday, this performance event takes place on Friday, Feb. 15, with a social hour starting at 6:30 p.m.

While the Valentine’s event includes several activities, the centerpiece is most definitely the performance of “A Night with the Berrymans” which will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Berrymans are Lou and Peter, whose sophisticated and wickedly funny original songwriting blends the best aspects of musical comedy, cabaret and folk music, into a unique style that has delighted nationwide audiences for nearly 20 years. Their whimsical and wonderfully accessible performance leaves audiences with cheeks aching from smiling. In fact, the folks at Grassroots Concerts in Brainerd, Minn., have offered up a “Chronic Laugher Alert: persons with recent rib injuries should wear their braces or prepare to leave the show early.”

With influences as diverse as Gilbert and Sullivan and Edith Piaf, but always with a twist of their own, Lou and Peter Berryman bring an inventive and intelligent humor to the legacy of theatrical music. They are in the process of creating their third songbook, and recently they released their 10th recording of original songs to rave reviews. Berryman songs are being sung around the world, by a legion of professional musicians as well as shower singers everywhere, but no one sings them as well as Lou and Peter themselves.

While Tom Paxton says, “when it comes to being

Berrymans, Lou and Peter, will be performaning Friday, Feb. 15, with a social hour starting at 6:30 p.m., at Festival Theatre. – Photo submitted

funny, I think I’ve spent the first 30 years trying to be as funny as Tom Lehrer and the last part will be trying to be as funny as the Berrymans,” the Winnipeg Folk Festival celebrates Lou and Peter’s fascination with language and a unique perspective on the world . . . they offer refreshing observations on the human condition in a style blending folk music with musical comedy.

They manage to translate it all into hilarious songs that have become instant classics.”

Co-sponsoring “A Night with the Berrymans” are several local restaurants, such as the Dam Bistro and Tangled Up in Blue, each featuring special menus.

However, dessert is included in the fundraising ticket price at Festival’s Mezzanine Café.

“Our partnering restaurants are taking reservations to ensure that patrons can arrive at Festival by 7 p.m.,” said Danette Olsen, director. “Our Valentine fundraising event includes gourmet dessert, a specialty beverage of choice, flowers, and the performance for just $25 per person. Proceeds will benefit special building projects taking place this winter and spring in preparation for the 2008 Theatre and Music Series. We have planned a fantastic evening for everyone looking for something special and extremely fun to do in celebration of Valentine’s Day.” Festival Theatre is located in historic downtown St. Croix Falls, at 210 North Washington Street. For more information, to order tickets or join the Festival Theatre mailing list, call 715-483-3387 or 888-887-6002 or go to the Web at www.festivaltheatre.org. - submitted