Leader|jan 17|2007 by Inter-County Leader

INTER-COUNTY

‘Follow the Leader’

January 17, 2007 2 sections • Vol. 71 • No. 21 8,000 copies

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Serving Northwest Wisconsin

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SECTION A

Hazelden: meth abuse down Trend may be reversing based on treatment caseloads, emergency room visits Page 3

Downtown speaks out

In tow

Resident’s comments spark reaction among downtown business owners Page 15

GAM expects $202,000 loss for 2006 Accounting changes affect balance Page 5

It feels and looks more like the winter season this week following a snowfall and the arrival of colder temperatures. A young skier gets a tow while navigating a gentle slope. - Photo by Gary King

Jack Vezina, former city editor, dies

Crex Meadows thinks spring

Published Standard Press in St. Croix Falls Page 2

Nonprofits build fund for valley’s future Kinship of Polk County part of effort Page 13

Visitors plan ahead for spring viewing; new museum display nears completion by Julie Holmquist GRANTSBURG - It might be the dead of winter, but at Crex Meadows Wildlife Area north of Grantsburg, preparation for spring is already beginning. Wildlife lovers in the know are already making reservations for a Crex viewing blind so they can witness the “dance” of mating sharp-tailed grouse in April, said Crex Wildlife technician Paul Petersen. Over at the four-year-old visitor center, workers are putting the final touches on a $350,000 museum display that was part of the building’s original plans. Half of the cost was funded by the state, with the rest donated by Friends of Crex and other donators, said Crex Wildlife biologist Jim Hoefler. The new display is scheduled to be open to the public in April.

C U R R E N T S F E AT U R E

OUTDOORS Intro into the world of ice fishing

If you need to find a way to relax... S E R V I N G

Food plots & viewing Viewing birds, wildlife and the sharp-tailed grouse is a popular pastime at Crex Meadows. Close-up views of the 270 species of birds at Crex is made possible by food plots, Petersen said. The plots are planted by the Department of Natural Resources, along with some crops planted at Crex by volunteer Dick Larson with his own time and money. American Bittern “Our main purpose for planting food plots is to make wildlife visible to people,” Petersen explained. “The food plots brings them out to where they can be seen. It’s not necessarily done to feed the wildlife throughout the winter, although that can be a secondary benefit.” Peterson plants rye, buckwheat and oats, which

B U R N E T T

Page .26

P O L K

See Thinking spring, Page 12

SPORTS Tigers invade Pirate ship Page .17

C O U N T I E S

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Jack Vezina, former city editor, dies

TAYLORS FALLS – Jack (Arthur John) Vezina died Jan. 13 at the L.O. Simenstad Nursing Care Unit in Osceola. Vezina was the son of the late William R. Vezina, who was the publisher for the Standard Press newspaper in St. Croix Falls. Vezina took over as publisher and editor when his father retired, and he remained the publisher and editor in the late 1950s through the 1960s. Before that, he worked as a project engineer at Badger Ordnance Works, in Baraboo. Vezina also served in the Merchant Marine during World War II. Following his service in the war, he attended college at UW-Madison earning a bachelor’s degree in the study of soils. It was at the university, he met his first wife, Rosemarie. “By some providence, Jack and I met and married at the UW-Madison, where I was in journalism school,” said Rosemarie Braatz. “Talk about a marriage made in heaven, we moved here in 1956, and we both began working at the Standard Press.” In the 25 years of marriage they had

Jack Vezina four children. Jack was involved in the Lions Club as president and promoted the city park boat ramp in the Lions Park and promoted development of the Golf Course in St. Croix Falls as well. His most recent career was from 1973 to 1987 in the publishing sector of the Hazelden Center. In 1977, he married Gail (Spencer), of Taylors Falls, where they made their home most recently. Visitation is at Edling’s Funeral Home

Jack Vezina (left) is pictured with his father William (R.R) Vezina, and brother Howard “Pork” Vezina in the shop years ago. –Photo courtesy of the Vezina family in St. Croix Falls, Jan.17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial services are scheduled at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Taylors Falls Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. Vezina was

79 years old. A complete obituary can be found in the Currents section of the newspaper.

TF welcomes new fire truck

A new $285,000 pumper truck arrived just in time for the new year at the Taylors Falls Fire Department. Firefighters were able to learn its new features at a training session last week. “There are tons of improvements,” in the new truck, said fire Chief Kevin Rivard. A FEMA grant helped fund the new purchase. The fire department retired a 1982 pumper truck and will use a 1987 pumper as a backup to the new one. The truck is able to pump more water per gallon than the ’87 model, Rivard said, and more firefighters can fit inside with their airpacks on, so they’re ready for action at arrival on the scene. Intercoms improve communication, so less time is wasted when they arrive, he added. “This will help with response on the scene,” he said. “We’ll know what transpired since we left the fire hall.” The fire department will also a welcome a new rescue truck in February. – Photo by Julie Holmquist INTER-COUNTY

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Gas prices down MILWAUKEE - Gasoline prices have plunged below $2 a gallon in some parts of Wisconsin. The Web site milwaukeegasprices.com says three stations in Mukwonago were selling regular unleaded gas at $1.99 a gallon as of Friday. The manager at one of the stations says prices dropped 16 cents overnight, and her customers are very happy. Other stations around Wisconsin are reporting price drops, though many are still selling gas for $2.10 or $2.20. Erin Roth of the Wisconsin Petroleum Council says the reasons for the decline in gas prices are cheaper crude oil, and warm weather, which has allowed oil companies to build their gasoline inventories. Weather will play a role in how long prices stay down for the near future. Cold and snow would draw down supplies of both gas and heating oil. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Chuck Quirmbach)

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 3

Briefly...

Meth grant provides equipment

POLK COUNTY – This is National Mentoring Month which highlights the need for mentors as well as how each of us - individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits - can work together to increase the number of mentors to assure brighter future for young people. Kinship of Burnett County and Kinship of Polk County are looking for support financially and through volunteers who can give some of their time each week to mentoring a young person. More information can be obtained by visiting polkkinship.org (Polk County) or by e-mailing bckinship@sirentel.net (Burnett County). – submitted ••• LUCK - The annual meeting and election of officers of the Democratic Party of Polk County will be held Thursday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Hog Wild BBQ & Grill on Luck’s Main Street. Come early for dinner on your own before the meeting. Everyone is welcome. - submitted •••

ATV use is off limits in village FREDERIC – ATVs are not allowed on the streets of Frederic anytime or anywhere, according to a village ordinance. Due to a typo in a story published in last week’s Leader, it was suggested ATVs could be operated on village streets. With the arrival of snow, local residents are concerned about irresponsible snowmobilers and ATV users riding on sidewalks, through front yards and on other private property such as empty lots – and even on property where landowners have put up barricades or orange tape to keep snowmobilers off their property. Frederic has an ordinance that allows residents to drive snowmobiles from their homes to access the snowmobile trails. Until the trails are declared open by the county, there is no reason to operate snowmobiles in the village. – Gary King

Ho Chunk Tribe protests Beloit Casino STATEWIDE - The Ho Chunk tribe claims a plan by two northern Wisconsin Chippewa tribes to build a casino in Beloit is tantamount to an invasion of Ho Chunk aboriginal land. The joint project proposed by the St. Croix and Bad River Chippewa tribes recently got approval from the regional Bureau of Indian Affairs office in Minneapolis. But Ho Chunk spokeswoman Katie Funmaker says her tribe will fight approval of the plan because Beloit falls within the HoChunk’s traditional territory. She says Beloit is hundreds of miles from where the Chippewa have their reservations. She says if an off-reservation casino is considered, the tribes trying to get the land into trust should have some kind of historical connection to the property not just “move in here” because they asked to. St. Croix and Bad River tribal officials were unavailable for comment. The Beloit casino project has strong support from city residents who voted 61 percent in favor of it in a referendum in 2000. But the Potowatomi tribe has raised the same aboriginal land issue in objecting to the Menomonee tribe’s plans to build a casino in Kenosha. Both casinos need approval from officials in Washington and from Wisconsin’s governor before they can proceed. To date, the Department of Interior has only approved three other off-reservation casinos in the country. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Gil Halsted)

This equipment was purchased by Polk County through a Federal Methamphetamine Grant made possible through Congressman Dave Obey’s office. The total grant was $296,000. It was used for enforcement equipment and educational materials and equipment, including surveillance tools, laptop computers, PowerPoint projectors, portable screens and state-of-the-art electronic enforcement equipment. The computers and projectors will be used for teaching meth awareness in schools and to civic groups. These items were supplied to Burnett, St. Croix, Pierce and Polk counties, as well as the St. Croix Tribal Police Department. Deputies from Burnett, St. Croix, Pierce and Polk County received two days of training on the drug-related enforcement equipment at the Polk County Sheriff's Department last week. – Photo submitted

Hazelden: Indicators of meth abuse fall MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Admissions to addiction treatment programs for methamphetamine declined in 2006, as did hospital emergency room cases and meth labs, reversing prior upward trends, according to a report on drug abuse trends released today by the Hazelden Foundation. In the first half of 2006, a total of 806 patients at metro area addiction treatment programs reported meth as the primary substance problem (representing 8.2 percent of total treatment admissions). This compares with 2,465 meth patients in 2005 (12 percent of total treatment admissions that year). Methamphetamine-related hospital emergency department episodes in the Twin Cities also dropped markedly, to 251 in 2006 (first half) compared with 1,402 in 2005 (full year). The number of deaths remained stable; both Hennepin County and Ramsey County reported five accidental deaths involving methamphetamine in 2006 (through September) compared with seven in 2005 (entire year). Statewide the number of meth labs also declined in 2006. "Collectively, these new findings suggest that the growth in methamphetamine abuse is slowing down, possibly reversing itself in the Twin Cities area," said Carol Falkowski, Hazelden’s director of research communications and report author. "Whether this downward trend continues long-term remains to be seen, but these figures are very encouraging." Concerning other drugs, in hospital emergency departments, cocainerelated visits outnumbered those involving any other illicit drug in 2006 (first half), continuing a long-standing trend. There were 1,311 reports of cocaine, 1,265 reports of marijuana, 936 reports of prescription opiates, 401 reports of heroin, and 251 reports of meth. This report prepared as part of an epidemiological drug abuse-monitoring network comprised of drug abuse researchers in 20 U.S. cities. Falkowski has written a report on Twin Cities

drug abuse trends twice annually since 1986. Hazelden Foundation, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1949, helps people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. Hazelden's comprehensive approach to addiction addresses the full range of patient, family, and professional

needs, including treatment and continuing care, research, higher learning, public education and advocacy, and publishing. It has facilities in Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois and New York. The full report is available online at: www.hazelden.org/research. - from Hazelden Foundation

Youngest supervisor

Bryan Beseler, county board supervisor representing District 17 in Polk County, celebrated his birthday at the Jan. 16 meeting of the board. Beseler, turning 26 on Jan. 17, is the youngest county supervisor. - Photo by Mary Stirrat

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Trails won’t open without enough snow PRT committee will define winter ATV usage soon by Sherill Summer BURNETT COUNTY - Like everyone else connected to tourism in northwestern Wisconsin, the Burnett County Parks, Recreation and Tourism committee is hoping for snow so that the snowmobile trails can be opened. The committee met Wed., Jan. 10. ATV use on the Gandy Dancer and

other trails was discussed. If snow does not come soon, information on what winter ATV use is and is not permitted on area trails will be submitted to local newspapers. In other business, the committee decided to pay only half the agreedupon amount to Norwiske, an organization promoting cross-county skiing in northwestern Wisconsin. An ad promoting Burnett County was included in a promotional brochure, but the county’s ski trails were omitted from the brochure’s map, and the County’s trails

were also omitted from the Web site. A letter explaining the committee’s action will be included with the reduced payment. Geocaching A total of 21,000 visitors viewed Burnett County’s Web site, a large jump over past months. Most of these viewers were interested in snowmobile trail conditions. However, 270 of these visitors came to Burnett County’s Web page via a link from a geocaching page. Geocaching is a new recreation where any-

one with a GPS unit can hunt for caches using location coordinates found on geocaching Web sites. The caches are left by individuals and organizations in areas that are publicly accessible. Individuals finding the cache are rewarded with a wide variety of goodies. Burnett County is an ideal place for this form of recreation because of its large amount of public land. December is the first month that the geocaching traffic has been noted.

Restorative Justice introduces new Y.E.S. program by Sherill Summer BURNETT COUNTY – The Restorative Justice program hosted the Siren Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Guest speakers Judge Michael Gableman, Lisa Johnson, director of Restorative Justice and Siren Police Chief Chris Sybers took the opportunity to introduce Y.E.S., a youth educational shoplifting program, to area merThe Y.E.S. program chants. attempts to get juvenile shoplifting offenders to see how shoplifting adversely affects their lives, the lives of their victims and the community around them. Studies have shown that 97 percent of offenders that complete the program do not shoplift again—good news for Siren merchants.

Siren Police Chief Chris Sybers instructing area merchants on how to handle shoplifting.

Judge Michael Gableman, Brandy Horstman - director of administration, Siren Police Chief Chris Sybers and Lisa Johnson - director of Restorative Justice program.

Webster 4-year-old kindergarten still under consideration

Schools continue to assess need

by Carl Heidel WEBSTER - Starting a new kindergarten in the Webster School District remains an open option after Monday’s meeting of the district’s board of education. The final decision waits on continuing research. Jeff Walsh, K-6 principal, told the board that he’d sent questionnaires to families that might have children who

could be enrolled in a 4-year-old kindergarten program, but the responses were incomplete. The initial inquiry identified 10 to 13 students, but Walsh said he feels that this search may have missed some homes where there might be children who could be enrolled. At this point, the numbers are being used as an index of need and interest and as an indication of whether the program would operate on a full-time or part-time basis. A total of 15 to 20 students would allow the program to operate full time.

Both Walsh and district administrator Jim Erickson indicated that there is no minimum enrollment necessary to begin this new kindergarten endeavor. A total of 20 students would be ideal for the start-up. In another matter, the board approved a memorandum of understanding between the school district of Webster and the Grantsburg and Burnett Youth Hockey Associations. Erickson explained that the previous two-year memorandum had expired, and approval was necessary to extend the

program for another two years. Under the new agreement, games will be played in both the Siren and Grantsburg arenas. This arrangement is expected to benefit both communities. An update on a planning grant for the school forest was also on the agenda. A development plan needs to be created since the forest is currently underused by the schools, and steps are being taken to secure funding for creation of that plan. In other business, the board adopted an open-enrollment transportation poli-

Webster village board incumbents face challengers by Carl Heidel WEBSTER - When the Webster Village Board closed its caucus at its regular meeting Jan. 10, the three trustee incumbents found themselves facing challengers in the coming elections. Visitors to the meeting nominated Robert Zappa and William Rock for positions currently held by Tim Maloney, Melanie Bump and Kelly Gunderson. The incumbents were nominated to run for another term by board members.

Present village President Paul Cyms was also nominated to serve another term. He will run unopposed. Board members gave extended consideration to issues related to the Webster Co-op building on Hickory Street. Now that the co-op has closed its Webster operation, that building is unused, and board members are concerned that the lack of use may lead to public health problems. The possibility of razing the building was discussed, but the board empha-

Jackson holds caucus TOWN OF JACKSON – A total of 21 voters attended the town caucus held Monday, Jan. 8. Nominated for chairperson were Dianne Connor and Elra Johnson. For supervisor, Jim Heinrich, Nancy Growe

and Gary Biron were nominated. Incumbent clerk Lorrain Radke and Gary Biron were nominated for clerk (Biron declined) and incumbent Kimberly Campion was nominated for clerk.

sized that no action would be taken without further consultation with co-op administrators. The police report noted an increase in citations over the past month and a half. There used to be 10 to 12 citations issued in a month, but the number is now closer to 60. The increase may be

due in part to issues arising from the holiday season or even from the longer time period during which the citations were issued. In other business, the board approved vacation of the Larsen and Rand alleys. The agreement was to sell them to the property owners for $1,000 each.

Benefit set for Burnett County couple BURNETT COUNTY – Always giving and helpful to others, Jeff and Bonny Moody are now on the receiving end. Since their house fire just before Christmas, their Burnett County neighbors have reached out to them, planning a dinner fundraiser to be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Falun on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The food committee has planned a meatloaf dinner and there will be the

popular pie raffle held as part of the event. Area business owners have donated gift certificates and artworks and products for a silent auction. “Good food, good fellowship and a good chance for a prize,” is offered at the Jan. 18 event. The public is encouraged to help a couple who has always been there for others. - submitted

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 5

Consultant to implement changes at Golden Age Manor Board approved phase two for Ecumen by Gregg Westigard AMERY – “We have a good service entity here,” Art Gamache said in reference to Golden Age Manor. “There are lots of well-meaning staff. The home has had losses. Our duty as a board is to balance the budget for the sake of the taxpayers. Ecumen has offered us the best choice. I am looking to move forward.” “The county board needs to see our resolve to get (GAM) expenses in line or there will be a resolution to sell the home,” said Rodney Littlefield. He added that many counties including St. Croix are looking for buyers or joint ventures to cut loses for their nursing homes. Gamache and Littlefield are members of the Golden Age Manor board that approved hiring Ecumen, an organization that operates nursing homes and offers consulting services, to implement a series of recommendations for the county-owned nursing home. Their comments were made at the end of a three-hour governing board meeting Monday, Jan. 15. Ecumen will now work with the GAM staff to implement 12 steps listed in the Comprehensive Operational Assessment delivered to the GAM board on Dec. 14. Ecumen will help implement the changes over a six-week

period at a cost of $1,450 per week plus expenses. Ecumen staff will be on site at least once a week during that time to work directly with the staff and will report results, in writing and on a weekly basis, to GAM board chair Gary Bergstrom and GAM administrator Gary Taxdahl. The board approved the implementation contract by a vote of four to one. Favoring the contract were Gamache, Littlefield, Bergstrom and Wayne Tomfohrde. Eugene Sollman voted against approval. Sue Schwartz Nelson, director of Consulting Services for Ecumen, said that the job of Ecumen will be to help lead staff through the changes recommended as implementation steps. Many of those steps are operational items relating to billing procedures. There are suggestions on staffing ratios and the hiring process. One item that Schwartz Nelson calls “very critical” calls for GAM and its board to make decisions for the future. She said the care of the aging will be very different within the next five to 10 years, and the county needs to look at how the 114-bed facility will meet community needs. “You have an excellent, longtime staff,” Schwartz Nelson said. “You can be successful.” GAM now has an operating loss of 10 percent. Schwartz Nelson said that the home should be able to capture more revenue and decrease expenses and achieve an operating budget where

expenses are 90 percent of revenues. Ecumen was hired by the GAM board in September to do an assessment of the home and its needs. It is an organization that owns and operates facilities to serve seniors across the Midwest and does consulting on senior needs. Once known as the Board of Social Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in has been in the care business for over 90 years. The meeting Monday’s meeting focused on the presentation of a 25-frame visual presentation that summarized the 15-page detailed report delivered in December. A number of people besides the GAM board and management were present including county board members Larry Jepsen, Patricia Schmidt and Neil Johnson. A half-dozen nursing home staff members attended the meeting as well as Tim Wentz, business agent for Teamsters General Union, the union which represents much of the nursing staff. (County board member Russ Arcand once held that Teamsters position.) Dr. Ken GaleWyrick, medical director for GAM, was also present. The Ecumen report was presented by Schwartz Nelson. She was joined by Dana Wollschlager, Ecumen director of real estate development, and Janet Ingersoll, a nurse consultant. Ingersoll will be the on-site person for the implementation process. Much of the presentation related to

billing correctly for all the procedures provided to residents to assure the maximum revenue possible. It was stated that under-billing could result in a significant loss of income for GAM. The report also stated that there could be a tighter schedule for collecting past-due accounts. There was a lengthy discussion about the process that GAM uses to provide assisted-living help to some residents in Evergreen Apartments, a senior housing unit next to the nursing home. GAM has leased some units and provides home health services to residents in the leased apartments. Schwartz Nelson concluded the presentation by stating that tomorrow’s nursing home clients will want “independence, privacy, choice, and a homelike environment.” She said that tomorrow’s nursing homes will be smaller and will be part of a continuum of living/care options that will include inhome help and senior apartments that would offer assisted-living aid. Fewer people would need the extensive care and staffing provided by the present nursing home. “What are the goals of the board for Golden Age Manor?” Schwartz Nelson asked. “To provide care to clients no matter what the cost? To employ as many people as possible? To decrease the deficit?” She suggested that the county look ahead to how GAM will fit into the community needs of tomorrow.

GAM expects $202,000 loss for 2006 Accounting changes affect balance by Gregg Westigard AMERY – Golden Age Manor may have a cash loss of $202,000 for 2006 once the books are closed for the year. A monthly financial report presented at the county nursing home’s meeting Monday showed a preliminary deficit of $51,000 through Dec. 31. GAM administrator Gary Taxdahl said that a final payroll of $196,000 was not included in that balance. He also said that $45,000 additional revenue is expected for 2006. The figures are for cash losses, the amount of money the county has spent that exceed GAM revenues, and exclude a depreciation expense of $133,410 for the year. The Polk County Board adopted a resolution in November 2005 directing the GAM board to take steps to assure that there would be no cash loss in 2006. Taxdahl said that an additional $140,000 payment from the state will be

coming in March or later. He said that the lateness of the payment means that this income can not be booked back to 2006. Finance director Tonya Weinert explained that an earlier date for the annual audit and new accounting rules will result in a shift of some funds to 2007 that would have been credited to 2006 under former practices. If the $140,000 revenue could be

applied to 2006, the loss for the year would have been $62,000. The budgeted loss for the year, excluding depreciation, is $95,508. The preliminary year-end financial report shows total revenues of $6,306,519 for the year. This does not include the expected $45,000. Over half of that money ($3,390,773) comes from Medical Assistance (Medicaid), federal

and state government funds to cover the nursing home expenses of persons who have depleted their resources. Preliminary expenses through December are $6,357,544, not including the final payroll of $196,000. Over half that amount is for nursing ($3,826,341). Last November the county board wrote off a 2005 GAM receivable of $243,593.

Man praises “high standards” at GAM Cites personal experience by Gregg Westigard POLK COUNTY - Michael Morehead, St. Paul, addressed the Polk County Board by letter and in person at the county board meeting Tuesday night concerning issues relating to his aunt, June Bodsberg, an Amery resident, who received care at Golden Age

Manor for the last two years of her life. Morehead made several points in his letter and comments. First, Morehead praised Golden Age Manor for the excellent care given his aunt. He said, “No nursing home that I have ever been in comes close to the high standards I saw at Golden Age Manor.” He has impressed with Judy’s Cottage, the unit for persons with advanced dementia, where his aunt lived. Morehead said that the number

of people in nursing homes will triple in the coming years and warned that the sale of GAM could lead to a drop in the level of care. Morehead then went on to tell the story of his aunt and raise a number of issues he feels need to be addressed. He said that he discovered, in the fall of 2004, that his aunt, June Bodsberg, was living alone and in dire straights.

See Man praises, next page

Two reports predict less future funds for nursing homes Governor’s plan and Medicaid changes reflect Ecumen report by Gregg Westigard AMERY – Two recently released reports on the future of nursing homes and their funding underscore the future projections in the report that Ecumen delivered to the Golden Age Manor Board in December. All three reports suggest that there will be a decreased role for traditional nursing homes in the future and that funding will be switching to other options for providing care for the elderly. The new reports include the results of a Wisconsin initiative to provide alternatives to nursing home care and a proposed change in federal Medicaid rules.

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced that more than 1,100 seniors and persons with disabilities were moved out of nursing homes and residential care facilities and back into the home and community-based care in the past fiscal year. He said that this saved Wisconsin taxpayers $3.7 million. Of that total, 752 were moved out of nursing homes or would have gone into nursing homes. Doyle has set a goal of reducing the nursing home population by 25 percent by offering new options for care. Doyle was commenting on an 18-page relocation report released by the state Department of Health and Family Service in mid-December. That report documents the results of a legislative directive to find ways to relocate and divert persons who would have been residents in nursing homes and other facilities.

The Community Relocation Initiative gives elders the opportunity to choose other options than nursing homes. It reports that 607 persons were relocated during the start-up period from July 1, 2005 through June 31, 2005. The Nursing Home Diversion Initiative provides community-based alternatives for persons who would have entered nursing homes. “No one should ever be forced into a nursing home if the care they need can be provided in their own community,” Doyle said. “This is saving the taxpayers money, but more importantly, it’s helping seniors and people with disabilities live with dignity by giving them the choice to stay in their own home.” The Medicaid rule change was reported in an Associated Press article in the Jan. 14 Pioneer Press. It reports that

many rural nursing homes and hospitals will receive fewer federal dollars under new rules that will tie reimbursements to actual costs. The article says that the cuts in Medicaid reimbursements would have a significant impact on providers that are operated by government units. Both of these reports fit in with the Ecumen report to Golden Age Manor. The future projections section of that report says that nursing homes will be very different in the future. It says that tomorrow’s nursing homes will be smaller and part of a continuum of care options that allow for more choice and independence. Ecumen recommends that Polk County look ahead and decide how its nursing home will meet future community needs.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Tischer reports expenses $47,800 less than last year Board to discuss cuts for next budget, district looks at shared athletics options by Gregg Westigard FREDERIC – “The Frederic school district finances are $47,805 to the good, through the end of December, compared to the same period last year,” district Superintendent Jerry Tischer told the school board Monday night. “This is a good sign. We are on track to cut our losses for the year.” He added that the figures do not include an adjustment for back wages but do include increased health insurance costs. The figures reflect expenses for roughly half of the school year budget which runs through June 30. Tischer noted that the mild winter has reduced energy costs. The district budgeted a $400,000 deficit, with the loss coming from a reduction in the district’s fund balance or reserves. Tischer told the board at a special meeting on Jan. 4 that the district will need to make cuts in future budgets to bring the fund balance back to the recommended $1 million. He said the board could do that

restoration in steps and said two years to get back to the proper fund level would be nice. The board has looked at some projects and purchases that could be postponed. Some of the cuts would probably be in staff adjustment, Tischer has told the board, to achieve $250,000 in changes for the 2007-08 budget. The board is now looking at its options in closed session. Frederic may be sharing more athletic programs with other schools. The board approved the extension of two present agreements and heard a report on a possible third cooperative program. Frederic has been involved in a joint hockey program for two years. That program, for the Blizzard, has been extended for two more years. Grantsburg has now joined, making a five-school hockey program for girls and boys that also includes Luck, Siren and Webster. Games will be played in Grantsburg and Webster. The board also renewed the joint wrestling program with Luck. Principal Ray Draxler reported that one student took part this year, but several students interested in wrestling will be coming of age next year. Frederic is also holding exploratory talks with Siren about more possible cooperative athletics programs.

The first new venture might be in baseball and softball. The baseball season may move from summer to spring as most area schools are dropping summer baseball. A spring baseball season would compete with the golf, track and softball programs. A shared program with other schools could offer Frederic students a continued chance to play the game. Draxler said that the idea is in the discussion stage only and noted that Siren is also holding talks with Webster. The possible cooperative spring baseball program would not start until 2008. Buildings and grounds director Warren Peterson told the board that he is looking at options to seal the pool and make it operational for the coming summer. Elementary Assistant Principal Kelly Steen said an operating pool is essential for the summer school program. The board will hear more details on the pool at the February meeting. R.J. Severude, the new Frederic police chief, was introduced to the board. He said he was happy to be in Frederic and had already received a warm welcome in his visit to the schools. He said he looks forward to working closely with the district.

Man praises/from page 5 He stated that he found her in a state of dementia, unable to care for herself, in a house overrun with a number of animals. Morehead obtained emergency guardianship of his aunt and had her placed in Golden Age Manor. The first need Morehead identified is the need for more staff, including social workers, to protect the elderly in the community who suffer from neglect and abuse. He then raised the issue of the extreme backlog in the Polk County

justice system. Morehead stated that the relative who was supposed to be taking care of his aunt was not meeting her needs. He charges that that relative had taken the assets of Bodsberg that were supposed to pay for her care. Morehouse claims that the backlog in the county has caused a long delay in his civil case against the relative to recover assets that should have paid for Bodsberg’s care. Morehead also calls for a change in Wisconsin laws regarding the

transfer of wealth so that assets needed for the care of the elderly are kept in tact. He calls for a six-year look-back or review period to make sure that assets are not transferred away, leaving the state to cover the cost of care for the elderly. In summary, Morehead stressed the need for more protection of elderly in the community to protect them from abuse and neglect, called for more staff for the district attorney to shorten the

backlog in cases, urged the passage of tougher state laws to preserve the assets of the elderly and recommended support for Golden Age Manor. The civil case that Morehead, as guardian for Bodsberg, filed in April 2006 is on the court docket May 4 for a scheduling conference to set the date for future court action.

Wisconsin ties North Dakota in binge drinking WAUSAU - A big increase in the number of reported drunk driving incidents in Central Wisconsin may actually be good news, according to some local activists. Since 1995, drunk driving arrests in Marathon County have gone up 125 percent for juveniles, and 89 per-

cent for adults. But safe driving advocate Shannon Young says any time you see an increase in arrests, it means the problem is being addressed. Young is a member of BRAVO, a community organization that tries to raise awareness of the negative effects of irre-

sponsible drinking. She admits they’re fighting an uphill battle in central Wisconsin, with the area’s German heritage of incorporating alcohol into all sorts of different functions. To make her point, Young points to a statistic on binge drinking. In Wiscon-

sin, about 25 percent of all adults regularly consume five or more drinks in one sitting, putting Wisconsin in a tie for first with North Dakota. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Glen Moberg)

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New clerk, deputy clerk have familiar faces by Mary Stirrat MILLTOWN — Following a closed session of the village board Monday night, Milltown now has a new village clerk and has established the position of village treasurer. Joyce Stener, who has been deputy clerk for the village, was named village clerk. Former clerk Patricia Mitchell retired from the position late last summer. Joyce Stener, left, who has been Milltown’s Named to the position of deputy village clerk, was hired Monday night as village treasurer was Patti village clerk. Patti Nelson, right, was hired as vilNelson, who has been lage treasurer. working in the village office for the past 18 Harley Lund, Sam Owen, Ben Wheeler, months. Salaries were also set by the board, and Joe Castellano, with president with the treasurer receiving $15 per LuAnn White abstaining. • The board voted to provide the lot hour. The village clerk will receive of Community Insurance free of east $15.75 per hour. Library and police to Brian and Christine Seaton for charge department employees were each given business, Bri-Bri The Computer their a 3-percent increase effective Jan. 1. Guy. The incentive carries the conditions that they build within one year Other business • The contract with Unity Area and that the business cannot be sold for Ambulance was renewed at $9 per resi- a profit within three years without paydent, which is the same rate as last year. ing the village the value of the land. • The board accepted a bid of $775 for There are 922 residents in the village. and installment of a new purchase • A liquor license was granted to Vilgarage door on the shed where the lage Market, which will open next squad car is stored. month. Voting in favor were trustees

Luck man arrested for drinking, driving charge POLK COUNTY - A Luck man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of a felony drinking and driving charge. Butch Buck, 31, was arrested around 5 a.m. Jan. 14 in the area of CTH T and 180th Avenue in Beaver Township. According to authorities, a parked car was running on the side of the road, and Buck was sitting behind the wheel on the driver’s side.

A Polk County Sheriff’s deputy reported that a test indicated a blood alcohol concentration of .18 The legal limit is .08. According to the sheriff’s department, Buck has four prior convictions: two in Polk County in 1997 and 2000, one in Minnesota in 2000 and one in Barron County in 2000. – Julie Holmquist

Five nominated for three seats at Milltown MILLTOWN — Five individuals, including the three incumbents, were nominated for three seats on the Milltown Village Board that will come open this April. Seats up for election are those held by Harley Lund, Sam Owens and Ben Wheeler. All three were nominated at the Jan. 15 caucus, along with Scott War-

ren and Paul Brooks. Incumbent village President LuAnn White was the only nominee for that position. The nominees have until next week to return papers saying they will be on the ballot. All nominees were present at the caucus except Warren. — Mary Stirrat

Former governor weighs White House bid MADISON - Former Gov. Tommy Thompson has been spending time in Iowa recently, meeting voters in preparation for a possible presidential bid. But he was on more familiar ground this past weekend, asking longtime supporters in Madison to finance his campaign. Thompson says backers have committed to raising a million dollars for his campaign in Iowa. As Thompson sees it, if he can win the presidential caucus there, it will give him the name recognition and momentum he needs to win primaries in New Hampshire and elsewhere. Thompson isn’t shy about talking up his chances. He says he thinks it’s made to order for him. He says if he has to paint a scenario as to how he could go from Elroy, to be governor and run for president, this would be the scenario that he would have. Thompson says that’s because he thinks the Republican Party is in terrible trouble, the country is in the midst of an unpopular war, and he sees no clear frontrunner among the

likely GOP candidates. He says he’s the best-positioned to win Iowa because he’s from a neighboring state, and he thinks his midwestern roots could also help him in a general election. But while Thompson has raised money and hired campaign advisors in both Iowa and New Hampshire, he says he still hasn’t made up his mind on whether to jump into the race for president. He says he wants to make sure he can do this, and says if he runs, he wants to run to win. The 66-year-old Republican contemplated running for his old job as governor last year. He also mulled a run for U.S. Senate before deciding to stay out of those races. Thompson says he wants to be president because the country is too polarized, and he has an ability to bring people together. He says he also wants to make health care more affordable and make the U.S. more energy independent. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Shawn Johnson)

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We b Po l l

Will Brett Favre announce his retirement from pro football this year? 1. Yes 55 votes (53 percent) 2. No 49 votes (47 percent) Although it’s beginning to arrive now - have you missed having a lot of snow this winter? 1. Yes, for recreational reasons 2. Yes, for economic reasons 3. Yes, for sentimental reasons 4. Yes, for all of the above

J o e H e l l e r

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

State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707 (608) 266-7745 • (715) 232-1390 Toll-free - 1-800-862-1092 sen.harsdorf@legis.state.wi.us 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

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Editor’s Notebook

ats off to the Frederic Area Community Association, Rebecca Harlander and the village for organizing and stirring interest in a meeting held last Thursday for local business people and potential entrepre-

neurs. It was a “we’re running out of chairs”meeting with a healthy number of business owners there to learn about money available through government sources to help them improve their businesses, whether it’s to spruce up their buildings, add equipment or space. The bottom line from the lengthy but informative meeting is that the government is giving away money for the asking - to small-business owners, and women and minorities who want to start a business. Polk County Economic Development Corporation director Mike Welch noted how one of the current trends is to get away from some of the federal guidelines attached to loans. “Defederalization.” Business owners at the meeting - if they didn’t know already - had a chance to learn about microloans, facade loans, money available through the county’s revolving loan fund - and basically the evolving structure and procedures in obtaining loans through the various sources. Frederic village trustees are expected to vote in February on whether or not to join the Polk County EDC, which offers help in answering questions about development and business recruitment - and if they can’t help they’ll find resources that will be helpful, according to Welch. While the following points may be oversimplification of the in-depth discussion last Thursday, they represent some of the more interesting issues that came to light. • Should a seven-person committee in Eau Claire be making loan decisions affecting communities here in northwest Wisconsin? Welch said he likes to see decision-making regarding small business loans at the local level as much as possible, despite a federal effort to narrow down the number of entities involved. Even a proposal to have the communities of Luck, Centuria and Milltown and Balsam Lake represented by one committee that would make decisions regarding business loans has met with some opposition from community leaders, Welch noted. • Some $5 million in grant money was available but not even spoken for in the 10-county area over the past few years. The state Department of Commerce wants to see that money used. Public awareness is obviously one of the keys to that goal. • There are loans available even if your business isn’t within a village or city. • The development on Hwy. 8 - although 20 miles away - and years in the making - will have an impact on communities as far north as Frederic, Welch noted. On the ground floor of the exploding expansion of Menards and Best Buy stores several years ago, Welch said the “tipping point” for development is a super Menards store. It makes other retailers sit up and take notice and some well-known names are “kicking the tires,” as Welch puts it, exploring available sites down on 8. So it’s only rumor at this time that big-time retailers are moving in soon. But it’s no secret that interest is being shown along 8, within the city limits and the surrounding area. They include such retailers as Target, Cabella’s, Kohl’s, Best Buy, Borders, Blockbuster, Children’s Concept, Chipotle Grill, Cold Stone Creamery, Dry Clean America, Kid’s Hair, LA Nails, Nextel, Regis, Ritz Cameras, Timber Lodge Steakhouse, Verizon Wireless, Wickes, The Gap, The Container Store, Payless Shoes, Office Depot, H & R Block, Alliance Data, BAX Global, ConAgra, Gander Mt., CORT Business Services, Moran Foods, Seattle Coffee Co., Spee Dee Delivery, Applebees, Sheraton, Westin, Radisson Resort and more. Small- and medium-size businesses along Hwy. 35 north need to “get in the way” of traffic as it increases, Welch said. And invest in as much road advertising as possible. Another key aspect to the meeting plays to our ongoing call for a “Highway 35 Coalition,” an obvious need for smaller communities up and down 35 Milltown, Centuria, Luck, Frederic, Siren, Webster, Danbury - to form an alliance to promote the entire area - perhaps coordinating different “themes” each town could promote and test the “strength in numbers” theory when it comes to lobbying in Madison and in garnering those development grants. The mechanics of how to get available monies for businesses was reviewed Thursday as were topics ranging from speed limits to workforce availability and skills. Resources such as positivelypolkcounty.com and wheda.com were noted as was the fact that one advantage this area is that it has most attractive territory within 100 miles of a metro region in the U.S. “This is the gateway to the best hunting, fishing and recreating in the Midwest,” Welch noted. “At least that’s my story...and I’m sticking to it.” Again - good job village and chamber - an informative and inspirational gettogether.

All editorials on this page by editor Gary King

From the first issue of the Inter-County Leader, November 2, 1933

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) ron.kind@mail.house.gov

Money is there

“...stock has been sold with the understanding that this is to be a cooperative-owned paper serving the best interest of the common people, whether they be farmers, professional men or business men. The welfare of one group should mean the welfare of the other

Senator Sheila Harsdorf 10th Senate District

groups...”

The views expressed on these pages do not necessarily represent the views of ICPPA board members or employees

T h e

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

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i s

Views from across the

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Three letters - QEO - get the blood of Wisconsin’s public school teachers to boil. And no wonder. The initials stand for “qualified economic offer,” the dry name of a legal device that has depressed teacher pay. Gov. Jim Doyle - Democrat and ally of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the state’s chief umbrella teachers union - has tried to rescind the QEO in the past. The Republican-controlled Legislature wouldn’t hear of it. Since then, one chamber, the Senate, has shifted Democratic. And rescission of the QEO is an idea whose time may be near. But any such step mustn’t take place in isolation. The QEO is part of an intricate financing mechanism for schools, whose most troubling cost is health care, which is rising out of control. Any abolition of the QEO must be part of a plan that rethinks how schools, including health care, are financed. Under the QEO, so long as a school board offers teachers a yearly increase of at least 3.8 percent in wages and benefits in contract negotiations, the union can’t challenge the offer through arbitration. The trouble is, the fringe benefits, particularly skyrocketing health care costs, have been eating up almost all of that 3.8 percent in school districts around the state, leaving little room for wages to grow. Rescinding the QEO puts school boards in a bind, however, since the state caps their spending. Unless those limits were removed, too, school districts could be forced to make drastic cuts - for instance, in the number of teachers - to pay for wage increases. The spending caps, by the way, better enable the state to keep its commitment to pick up two-thirds of school costs. What’s needed is a plan that addresses all these elements in as fair a way as possible. The plan should include a strategy for keeping health care costs from soaring. Meanwhile, proponents of dropping the QEO should cease pretending they’re doing school boards a favor, as did Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, who says the step would give the boards a chance to negotiate pay. “It’s a great sound byte,” says John Ashley, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, “but it doesn’t, on the ground, translate into an opportunity for the districts to put more resources into the education of the kids.” He notes that the move would only put more of a squeeze on often financially struggling school districts. Ashley says Doyle may address the issue when he speaks at the association’s conference in Milwaukee on Jan. 19. If Doyle pushes rescinding the QEO, Ashley hopes the move is part of a holistic revision of school financing. Indeed, if the governor wants districts to pay higher wages, he must come up with a plan for giving them the wherewithal to do so. - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Deadline for ad and news copy: Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

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State

QEO as part of a bigger plan

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 9

V O I C E S

Citing a renowned economist of the day, King declared, “John Kenneth Galbraith said that guaranteed annual income could be done for about n Monday I went to an unusual concert, twenty billion dollars a year. And I say to you one with more talking than singing. A today, that if our nation can spend thirty-five bilfriend and I attended a Martin Luther lion dollars a year to fight an unjust, evil war in King Day performance at the Brooklyn Academy Vietnam, and twenty billion dollars to put a man of Music expecting to hear gospel music, old on the moon, it can spend billions of dollars to put freedom songs, and the Black Rock Orchestra. God’s children on their own two feet right here on We did hear those things, but in five- and 10Andrew earth.” minute stretches scattered across a program of I don’t think you can find a leader of either politicians. Jensen major party with the guts to call for a guaranteed I’d never seen such a gathering of elected bigminimum income today, but King’s ideas were wigs all in one place before. Eliot Spitzer, the new even more profoundly radical than that. He went governor of the state of New York, got a big cheer for men- beyond advocating a welfare state more ambitious than tioning his second-in-command David Paterson, the first any we’ve ever had to questioning capitalism itself, saying, black lieutenant governor in state history, who also spoke. “We are called upon to help the discouraged beggars in U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, New York City Mayor Michael life’s marketplace. But one day, we must come to see that Bloomberg, the state attorney general, the district attorney, an edifice that produces discouraged beggars needs the speaker of the city council, and the president of the restructuring. You see, my friends, when you begin to deal borough of Brooklyn all had their say. with this, you begin to ask the question, who owns the oil? They spoke under a gigantic photograph of Dr. King Who owns the iron ore? Why is it that people have to pay projected onto the wall behind them, one in which the water bills in a world that is two-thirds water?” Nobel laureate appeared calmed and canonized, his face I did not hear ideas like these remembered by the senaaglow with heavenly light. I thought the photograph tor or the district attorney. Instead they both read from the appropriate because the reverend doctor seemed just as Letter from Birmingham Jail. Though it is impassioned, calm and unthreatening on the wall as he did in the politi- eloquent and moving, this letter sets forth Dr. King’s argucians’ speeches. ments against patience and gradualism in the struggle To hear the mayor and the governor tell it, Dr. King was against legal segregation, which was outlawed more than a man with a Dream, period. References to the most 40 years ago. Its applicability to the present day is less repeated word of the renowned speech that King gave at obvious, and less dangerous, than the themes of King’s the 1963 March on Washington weren’t just obligatory in thought and action in his last three years. the speakers’ remarks. Rather they used “dream” as a oneAs a rule, the politicians I heard speak in honor of Dr. word encapsulation of the man’s entire life and work. I King in Brooklyn in 2007 did not even make the obvious even heard Christine C. Quinn, speaker of the New York connection between the most pressing issue of our time City Council, accidentally refer to King as “Dr. Dream.” and the central idea of his philosophy: they did not judge Martin Luther King spent more than a decade at the cen- the Iraq War by the principle of nonviolence. ter of the struggle against legal segregation and for the Instead they invoked Dr. King’s name. His name is enfranchisement of blacks in the South, a struggle now impressive, but his ideas are more so. By reducing Dr. most widely remembered for the “I Have a Dream” Martin Luther King to a sainted abstraction with a dream, speech. But after the passage of the Voting Rights Act in we rob ourselves and our politics of the most righteous 1965, he turned his attention to other injustices: poverty, conscience in American history. racism without laws and the Vietnam War. This did not make him popular with newspapers or political leaders at Editor's note: A 2003 graduate of Unity High School, Andrew the time, and the politicians I saw rarely mentioned King’s Jensen is a pre-medical senior majoring in economics at New activities in those years. York University. He plans to attend Mt. Sinai Medical School It’s not hard to see why. In the year before his murder, and is currently writing an undergraduate honors thesis on Dr. King called for a guaranteed minimum income for all African medical brain drain. Comments are welcome at Americans, a floor below which none could fall. andrew.jensen.column@gmail.com.

Taming “Dr. Dream”

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

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called the Toonie, a $2 coin, has a diameter of over an inch and is thick enough to hide a transmitter, so watch out for that one if you travel way up north past the U.P. Another coin to examine, and the CIA admits to using, is a hollow, U.S. silver-dollar coin to hide messages and film. Interesting. OK, so I was never a Bond fan because some of re you watching your money or is your those nifty, space-age gadgets seem too crazy to be money watching you? What a bizarre for real and I couldn’t trick myself into falling for question, but after reading a news piece it and go along with the story. However, this new about government reports noting spy devices Tammi bit of information has put things in a new light. being planted in coins, it is not that far off the Milberg The government’s 29-page report on this new gamut. In fact, it may lead to an epidemic of cusinformation was also filled with other espionage tomers saying “keep the change” for fear of being warnings. It described eavesdropping with miniaspied on. ture pen recorders and the case of a female foreign spy who It seems too “James Bond” to be real, but government reports indicate that Canadian coins have tiny radio fre- seduced her American boyfriend to steal his computer quency transmitters hidden inside and were planted on passwords. Bond, very Bond. All right, now I’m a believer. Not believing just made the U.S. contractors. The government said the mysterious coins movie spoof “Austin Powers” even more hilarious in that were found planted on U.S. contractors with classified security clearances on at least three separate occasions “poking fun at Bond plots and gadgets” angle. I wonder between October 2005 and January 2006 as the contractors what other spyware devices are out there unknown to the traveled through Canada. The transmitters are used to common citizen. I just have one really good question: isn’t that an invasion of privacy? Pretty soon there will be minitrack the movements of the persons with the spy coins. But what if these people spend the coins and they are cameras in our coins. At least it may unveil the mystery of transferred to another party? It can happen and this sce- one’s pocket lint and what color it is to the Feds or foreign nario causes one CIA agent to say that it doesn’t make a spies. I know you’ve seen the commercial where the guy tackles another guy in his yard for attempting to steal his whole lot of sense to put transmitters in coins. Anyhow, you are probably wondering, like I was, what jeans off the clothesline during the night. Now, coins in our pockets may be spying on us. Do our Levis really need that coins could be spy coins? According to the news report I read, a Canadian coin much attention?

Don’t take any wooden nickels or coins with spyware

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

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No confidence for administrator At the Jan. 8 Turtle Lake School Board Meeting, the Turtle Lake Action Team read the following statement out loud during the session open to the public: The Turtle Lake teachers voted overwhelmingly — 39 out of 42 — no confidence in Charles Dunlop as the district administrator. After hearing the opening line of the proclamation, the board president, Linda Flottum, attempted to stop the teacher’s voice from being heard. Mrs. Flottum was then informed by the teacher leadership and the Turtle Lake Action Team that attempting to do so was discriminatory under Wisconsin State Law (Statute 111.70). In an effort to avoid an illegal act, the board agreed to meet in closed session with the teachers to discuss the numerous factual reasons for asking for Charles Dunlop’s termination. The discussion that took place in closed session will remain confidential, but the fact that the teachers want Charles Dunlop removed has become public record. Signed by the 17-member Turtle Lake Action Team, Caron Lee Paulson, Michele Novak, Sheri Ibyersuhn, Kathy Zemke, Mary Schraelle-Mau, Kristy Jove, Gale Gores, Staci Hietala, Linda Moen, Karen Freye, Pauline Muth, Ben Pringle, Hayle Clytle and Paula McDaniels

Letting downtown die would be travesty RE: Comments made at Jan. 8 city council meeting in St. Croix Falls (see article elsewhere in this section): Like Don Anderson, I too am a new resident who moved to St. Croix Falls last year. But some of the reasons we decided on St. Croix Falls was because of its Main Street, downtown atmosphere and friendly people. Not because there was a Wal-Mart at the top of the hill. We, along with others, enjoy the

BARRON COUNTY - Barron County Circuit Court Judge Ed Brunner has announced he will seek the position of Court of Appeals Judge District 3, the seat which will be vacated by retiring Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Cane. Judge Brunner was first elected in April 1988 to fill the newly created Branch Two of Judge Brunner the Barron County Circuit Court. He has served 18-1/2 years and was re-elected to his fourth term in April 2006. Judge Brunner lives in Rice Lake with his wife of 36 years, Linda. He has two adult children, Jason, of Rice Lake, and

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

quaintness of this town and enjoy shopping and supporting the small businesses. And yes, I am also a business owner in downtown Franklin Square, and try to support other small businesses not only downtown, but yes, at the top of the hill as well. And why should there be a difference?? We as a town of small businesses should be promoting and helping each other, not pitting one section of St. Croix Falls against the other. True, it’s not the city council’s place to fill the vacant buildings, but it is their place to strive at trying to improve the image not only of the downtown area, but of all St. Croix Falls. What kind of market research has Don Anderson made, to come up with the conclusion about it becoming impossible to make a living on Main Street, when he, like myself, has only been in this area for a short time? Instead of the negative attitude that Don Anderson portrayed by stating: that St. Croix Falls downtown is dying and that his solution was, “Let it die…at least, at its current location,” is absurd. What “asphalt jungle” did Don Anderson move from? I left the Washingon, D.C., area and looked forward to settling back to Wisconsin, where I knew the cost of living was more affordable, where there are still those small downtown treasurers, and where people greeted you on the street. To let the downtown die would be a travesty. Terri Schaefer In the Wool, LLC Frankin Square St. Croix Falls

Martin Luther King Jr. What is it about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that causes me to admire him so much? It was not only that he spoke out against discrimination, violence and war. Many people have done this in the past. It was not only that he marched, demonstrated and was arrested for doing nonviolent civil disobedience. Many have done this and still do it. It was not that he was an eloquent and powerful speaker. There have been, and

Don Timmerman Park Falls

Commends mayor, council I would like to commend Mayor Brad Foss and the St. Croix Falls City Council (we will miss you Jon Cermin) for giving their time and talents to make our community a better place to live. You have shown us representative government through town meetings, listening sessions and a willingness to give equal

Brunner seeks appeals court seat

Alexis Puerta of Dryden, N.Y. Brunner is a 1970 graduate of Marquette University and received his law degree from the University of Akron Law School in 1974. Judge Brunner was appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 1999 to serve as chief judge of the 13 counties of the Northwest Wisconsin’s 10th Judicial District. His work in Barron County and as chief judge has caused him to be recognized for his judicial leadership in creating programs such as Children in the Middle for divorcing parents, child advocacy teams for abused and neglected children, domestic violence prevention task forces, juvenile justice programs, alternative-sentencing models such as community service and elec-

Car sales down in 2006 STATEWIDE - Sales of new vehicles went down in 2006, even more so in Wisconsin than the country as a whole. The sagging popularity of gas-guzzling cars and trucks is to blame. New vehicle sales in American fell 2 percent last year, and 6 percent in Wisconsin. That’s according to Reg-Trak, a Wisconsinbased company that helps analyze vehicle industry trends. Reg-Trak President Scott Quimby says high gas prices early last year changed buying habits, but many dealers could-

still are, many who are also very powerful and eloquent speakers. The reason Dr. King is admired as a hero and a man of courage is because he returned good for evil. He taught the message of Christ in word and deed. Instead of retaliating against those who discriminated against others, he refused to practice discrimination. Instead of retaliating against the police and national guard who tried to stop the marches and demonstrations by using dogs, water hoses, smoke bombs, guns, etc. and locked up him up in jail, he offered them his friendship and gave them a gift far more precious than gold and money. He offered them the gift of teaching them and their young the way to achieve peace. He taught them to forgive everyone who offended them, even those who would never ask for forgiveness. He taught that peace cannot be brought about with swords and guns but rather with the dove and olive branch. To constantly forgive your enemies and do good to those who do bad to you is a revolutionary way of thinking and acting. Many people then as now mistakenly believe this way is wrong, foolish and would bring about the demise of America. Those of us who believe in his message choose to refuse to cooperate with violence and war and instead practice forgiveness and generosity. We refuse to pay for war and fighting and choose instead to aid the millions who lack the basics of life. May the lesson of Dr. King live on forever!

n’t respond. He says dealers that have too many SUVs and V8 engine vehicles sitting on their lots, find it hard to offer decent trade values for people who are looking to trade down into a smaller, more economical car. Quimby says big vehicles with big engines were more popular in Wisconsin than in most other states, and that’s why the drop here was more pronounced. Quimby says dealers tell him they expect a better 2007. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Terry Bell)

tronic monitoring programs and drug court. He formed a 10th Judicial District Pro Se Initiative, which has since become a state model to improve the access to the courts by unrepresented litigants. His work with restorative justice and his work on tribal court jurisdiction has gained state and national recognition. In three recent State of the Judiciary addresses, Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson has cited Judge Brunner as one of six judges whose work is a model of judicial leadership. In May of 2006 the state bar of the Wisconsin Bench/Bar Committee named Judge Brunner the recipient of its annual Wisconsin Jurist Lifetime Achievement Award. On Nov. 16, 2006, in Washington, D.C., Judge Brunner will become the first and only Wisconsin Judge ever to receive the National Center for State

time to all of the residents of St. Croix Falls. You have worked on saving environmentally sensitive land for future generations and developed smart growth policies conserving our limited resources. You have worked diligently to try to revive our downtown and toward creating a healthy business climate based on offering a quality of life and a debated and researched growth plan. I have seen small towns be torn apart by good-oldboy plutocratic governance concerned with only fattening the wallets of a few at the expense of the community and future generations. I’m glad I can say: “Not this town.” Thanks again. Paul Kuhlmann St. Croix Falls

New awareness Sincere gratitude goes to the civic leaders in St. Croix Falls for hitting “pause” on the merry-go-round of unmonitored development within our city. It’s refreshing to note politicians take another look at facts and change direction based upon the new awareness. I’m referring to the final decisions made by the mayor and the city council to offer a realistic plan to bring the wastewater treatment plant up to standard based upon the true population projections for our community, rather than acting upon inflated numbers that continue to be used by some for pet projects. This decision assures that we are not burdened with an unneeded debt, nor do we lose prized, taxable land along the river in the process. It gives me hope to know that, at least on a local level, our representatives will try to be good stewards of our tax dollars and keep a watchful eye on preserving our natural resources. Marilyn Brissett-Kruger St. Croix Falls

Courts’ prestigious William H. Rehnquist Judicial Excellence Award for 2006. The election for the Court of Appeals Judge will be April 3. The term of office commences Aug. 1. The 3rd District Court of Appeals covers the following counties: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Iron, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Shawano, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vilas and Washburn. The Court of Appeals hears appeals from the circuit courts in its district. The primary function of the court is to correct errors resulting from misapplication of the law. Occasionally, the Court of Appeals also issues new rules of law. – from the office of Judge Brunner

House approves increase in federal minimum wage WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, to raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour by Jan. 1, 2009. Seventh District Congressman Dave Obey, D-Wis., the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, was a sponsor of the measure.

“This is a victory for working families that’s long overdue,” said Obey. “When an average CEO earns more before lunchtime in one day than a minimumwage worker earns all year, you know there’s something wrong. So I’m glad that one of the first measures we passed this year raises the minimum wage to bring a little more fairness to our economy.” - from the office of Congressman Obey

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 11

Teen loses arm in accident

LADYSMITH - A Ladysmith teenager was seriously injured when his vehicle went off the road and struck a culvert Friday evening, Jan. 5, on Hwy. 64 at 191st Ave. in Chippewa County. Kevin N. Ramsey, 17, was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. No condition report was made available. A passenger in the vehicle was identified as his mother, Wavern R. Ramsey, 44, Bloomer, who was taken to Bloomer Hospital for treatment of injuries. A condition report was not available. The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office reported that on Friday evening, Jan. 5, at 6:07 p.m. deputies responded to a one-vehicle traffic crash on Hwy. 64 at 191st Ave. On-scene investigation revealed a 1996 Mercury Sable four-door was traveling east on Hwy. 64, lost control, and went into the north ditch striking a culvert. The driver was partially ejected as the vehicle rolled striking the culvert and severing one of the driver’s arms, according to a Chippewa County sheriff’s office report. Neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing a seat belt, the department reported. The department reported the driver received a citation for operating under the influence of an intoxicant and operating without a valid driver’s license. The crash is under investigation. – Barron News-Shield

Vandal hits military targets

RICE LAKE - A 24-year-old man suspected of targeting the U.S. military in a vandalism spree in Rice Lake over the weekend is in custody. Chad E. Moyer was arrested Monday following an investigation into the crimes, which included spray painting the word “murderer” in red on the recruiting station’s front window at 113 N. Main St. The case has been turned over to the district attorney’s office for possible charges. Moyer is suspected of targeting the military because four military cars with logos parked about two blocks down from the recruiting station were also vandalized with red paint, said Rice Lake Police Department Chief John Sommerfeld. Sommerfeld said the FBI was informed of the vandalism because of the military ties. The military cars were parked in the parking lot next to Surplus Outlet Store at 7 S. Main St. The Outlet and next door Medical Staffing Solutions buildings were also vandalized with red paint, as was U.S. Bank at 138 N. Main St. Also vandalized was a Chronotype Publishing Co. van parked behind the newspaper building at 28 S. Main. Vandal(s) targeted the logo on the van, said publisher Warren Dorrance. Vehicles parked next to the vandalized vehicles in the Outlet and Chronotype parking lots were splattered with residual paint. Moyers and possibly others allegedly filled lightbulbs with red paint and bombed the building windows, Sommerfeld said. Also on Monday, police were informed

L e a d e r F O R U M A r e a N e w s

by military personnel of possible bullet holes in the front window of the recruiting station. Sommerfeld said an investigation revealed that the small dents in the window were likely caused by marblesized objects shot with a slingshot device. Police continue to investigate Moyer’s and others’ involvement in a number of possibly related graffiti-type vandalism incidents last summer, said Sommerfeld. – Rice Lake Chronotype

Dragged from vehicle

CAMERON - A female passenger fleeing from her allegedly abusive driver sustained several injuries Dec. 30 when she tried to jump out of a pickup truck at the intersection of Hwy. 8 and CTH SS in Cameron. The woman, identified as Patricia J. Stout, accused 38-year-old Tony resident Gerald E. Sillman of repeatedly punching her in the face and threatening to kill her, according to a criminal complaint against Sillman. An officer who was at the intersection when the incident took place said the pickup driven by Sillman accelerated when Stout tried to exit the vehicle, causing the woman’s upper body to fall to the ground, while her legs remained inside the cab. She was dragged a short distance before the truck accelerated again, and Stout was fully ejected from the vehicle. The officer reported the truck continued to speed up and might have run over the woman with its rear passenger side tire. The defendant tested 0.07 on the “intoximeter” when authorities stopped his truck. Police also discovered that the subject is on a deferred prosecution agreement for battery in a Rusk County case. Stout’s lips were extremely swollen and bruised after the incident, and she had several large bumps, bruises and other injuries to her head and neck area. Sillman was charged Jan. 2 with first-degree reckless endangerment, which carries a maximum penalty of 121/2 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Cash bond has been set at $1,500. The defendant is to have no contact with Stout and to not consume any alcohol. A Jan. 10 preliminary hearing before Judge Edward Brunner was scheduled. – Barron News-Shield

Blow torch accident

NEW RICHMOND - A momentary lapse in good judgment resulted in a fiery explosion at a local business, sending two to the hospital. Joe Dubak, an employee at Anything Goes Salvage and Thrift near New Richmond, was cutting up a truck for scrap metal when the accident occurred Dec. 29. According to Bonnie Glassel, owner of the business, Dubak had cut the gas tank off the vehicle and started using a torch on the metal piece. “He didn’t get the gas out of it first,” she said. “It just exploded on him, and he was engulfed in flames. It just shows, all it takes is for your mind not to be on some-

thing for a moment and something bad can happen.” Glassel said her husband, Jon, heard the explosion and rushed to the scene. He found Dubak on fire. “He grabbed him with his left hand and rolled him in a mud puddle to get the flames out,” Glassel said. “It was a terrible accident, but luckily it wasn’t a tragedy. My husband got to him in a hurry.” Dubak suffered third-degree burns over much of his body. He went through skin graft surgery last Thursday at Regions Hospital in the Twin Cities, and has other surgeries and treatments looming in the future. Fortunately, Glassel said, Dubak had a heavy, winter coat and long underwear on at the time of the accident. “It could have been much worse,” she said. “But it’s going to be a long road for Joe.” Jon Glassel suffered burns on both hands and on his face. He was treated at Westfields Hospital in New Richmond and released. He’s expected to need surgery for the injuries in the future. A special fund has been established to aid Dubak with medical expenses. Donations can be dropped at Anything Goes or at the Church of Christ in rural New Richmond. – New Richmond News

Pets save woman’s life

DALLAS -Dogs might be man’s best friend, but one rural Dallas couple can testify that canines have a strong love and devotion for their masters – regardless of gender. Laurine Dahlke credits her family’s four registered boxers for bringing help her way when she was in a life-threatening situation late last month. In the early hours of Dec. 28, Dahlke woke up and began preparing for another day of working for Christian Record Services, an organization that aids the blind and visually impaired. She likes to have everything set at home, so she can hit the road by 8 a.m. As part of her ritual, Dahlke was up and around by 5 a.m. and left the house for a building out back that’s used as an office. But a ramp leading up to the office was unexpectedly icy that morning, and she slipped and fell between the ramp and a pile of rocks that had been picked from a field. “I heard a crack and knew I had broken something,” Dahlke said. She had, in fact, broken her left hip and was unable to move. Dahlke first tried to get her husband’s attention by yelling, but he couldn’t hear her from inside the house. Being such an early hour, she didn’t expect him to come outside anytime soon, either. The pain of the injury was intense, she said. Despite bearing eight children in her lifetime, she had never experienced such sheer physical agony. To make matters worse, Dahlke said that morning was one of the coldest so far of an otherwise mild winter. Exposure was a threat. Then the boxers started barking. Dahlke heard the family’s dogs in the

10th Senate District

Harsdorf outlines agenda with new session - The 2007-08 legislative session has now begun, with newly elected state legislators being sworn in on Jan. 3. The first task at-hand will be the twoyear state budget. Wisconsin’s fiscal year begins again in July. The state faces a $1.6 billion budget shortfall. The governor will announce his budget proposal in February followed by public hearings and deliberations in the legislature. In the Senate, my legislative agenda includes: Tax relief: Taxes in Wisconsin are too high. We need to make permanent the

freeze on property taxes. State government also needs to control spending to deliver long-term, sustainable tax relief. Health care: Affordability and access are critical to individuals, Sheila families, and businesses strugHarsdorf gling with escalating health-care costs. I will support expanded efforts of consumer-driven reform that can lower costs, like health-care cooperatives and tax-free health savings

accounts, while working in a bipartisan fashion to address our health-care crisis. Reform: Ensuring public confidence in government is the foundation for our representative government. I will continue to champion a ban on the irresponsible and costly Frankenstein Veto, fight to end political fundraising during the budget process, and work to empower an independent prosecutor to ensure high ethical standards. Crime: The scourge of meth plagues our communities. I was proud to author the Crackdown on Meth Act, which regulates access to ingredients necessary to produce meth. Meth-related crime threatens property owners, endangers children, strains law

house and began calling to them in hopes that they would lead her husband, David, to her. David said their dogs typically bark at the bird-song chimes of a particular clock in the home, but the four boxers were causing a ruckus even when the clock was silent that morning. The dogs were running up and down stairs and scratching at the door trying to get outside. David eventually relented and let the excited animals loose. They immediately charged up the hill behind the house and came up to Laurine. It was then when David detected his wife’s cries for help. Luckily for the Dahlkes, help wasn’t far away. Their neighbor, Aaron Amundson, is an EMT and knew how to handle the situation. “He knew just what to say to make me feel at ease,” Laurine said. “He knew not to try and move me.” Instead, Aaron and David brought blankets to keep Laurine warm until the ambulance arrived. Once she was ultimately transported to Eau Claire, Laurine was in surgery by 1 p.m. the same day as the accident. The doctors told the Dahlkes that the fracture occurred right where the femur comes into the hip. “It was a nasty break,” Laurine said. – Barron News-Shield

Prisoner blasts police

HAYWARD – A man sent to prison following a meth bust wrote his local newspaper from jail asking why he got so much time in prison when others went free. “If you are free to criticize or publish criticisms of our government, then why didn’t you print the reader’s opinion I sent regarding the misjustice that was done to me with the great drug bust on the LCO reservation in the past few years?” wrote Terry DeMarr from a federal prison camp in Florence County. “All the so-called super cops have received their awards and their pats on the back and for what? I’m glad they stopped the gang activity that was getting very bad on the rez’, but I’m in prison because I wouldn’t cooperate and do their job for them. I admit, I was an addict and a user, but they charged me with trafficking while letting other buyers go free because they talked and even one person testified I bought drugs from her and she remains free. If I bought from her, isn’t she a drug dealer? I’m even doing more time than a couple of guys I bought from. Everyone wants to know why I got so much time for my involvement. I’m not affiliated with any gang either, so it all boils down to because I didn’t help them do their job. This is what they call justice — deal drugs, then make a deal with them to put an addict in prison so the dealer can remain free. Good job, boys, you really know how to ruin a man’s life.” – Sawyer County Record

enforcement and burdens taxpayers. Education: We should prioritize education funding, while ensuring resources are directed into the classroom. I support increased standards for math and science so that our children are able to compete in the global economy. As importantly, I rely upon constituent input for legislative ideas. Constituents that offer personal experiences and insight are crucial to lawmaking. To offer feedback, please feel free to contact me by calling 1-800-8621092 or visiting my Web site, www.harsdorfsenate.com.

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Agroforesty Seminar kicks off Safari Series Jan. 19 SPOONER — The Spooner Area UW-Extension Office will be holding their annual Northern Wisconsin Agriculture Safari program beginning on Friday, Jan. 19, at 10:30 a.m., at the Spooner Ag Research Station. The first topic of this four-week series is titled Agroforestry: A new kind of agriculture. Bayfield and Ashland County Ag Agent Jason Fischbach will discuss new opportunities for farmers and private woodland owners. Agroforestry is a form of agriculture that uses perennial woody plants to produce food, fuel, fiber, and ecosystem services. Agroforestry includes a wide array of practices such as silvopasture, living windbreaks, and stacking that are all designed to increase production from ag fields while reducing inputs.

Fischbach has been working with members of the Living Forest Cooperative in Ashland in developing agroforestry plantings for reverting ag lands. The plantings include hybrid hazelnuts, forage, decorative willow and trees. The plantings will produce a wide array of products (forage, nuts, decorative floral products, posts, firewood, willow wattles, biomass) with little to no inputs after the establishment phase. 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 four weekly series starting on Fridays, Jan. 19, through Feb 9.

Check presented for D.D. Kennedy

Upcoming topics and dates include: Common Weeds: Uncommon Solutions, weed management for field and garden on Jan. 26; Managing for Healthy Calves in Dairy and Beef Herds on Feb. 2, and Harvesting Alternative Energy, trends and possible opportunities for on-farm production and use on Feb. 9. All seminars will be held at the Spooner Ag Research Station on Fridays from 10:30 am 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 800-528-1914. — from UW-Extension

50th celebrated CAROLLTON, Texas - Derald and Geraldine Gehrke of Kirkwood, Mo., celebrated 50 years of marriage with a family gathering with their children in Carrollton, Texas, over the Christmas 2006 holiday. The former Geraldine Monson became Derald’s bride on Jan. 12, 1957, in Milltown. Over the years they have lived in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Missouri.

Both Derry and Gerry worked for the Kirby Company for many years up to the time they retired. They have three children: Jeff (Melodie) Gehrke of Appleton; Julie (Robby) Miller of Pleasant Hill, Calif.; and Scott Gehrke of Carrollton, Texas. They are blessed with six grandchildren: Miranda, Aaron and Daniel Gehrke; and Isaac, Siobhan and Olivia Miller. - submitted

WITC offers one-day biofuel class

The Amery Farmers Union recently presented $10,000 to the D.D. Kennedy Environmental Area for its educational center. The donation was recognized at the Jan. 16 meeting of the Polk County Board of Supervisors as D.D. Kennedy’s director Rosalie Kittleson, left, thanked Farmers Union trustees Marian Fox and Arlen Peterson. D.D. Kennedy, whose wife, Violet, donated the park property to the county, was one of the founders of the Amery Farmers Union. — Photo by Mary Stirrat

Thinking spring/from page 1 attract geese, ducks and sandhill cranes in the fall. In 2006, the DNR planted 48 acres of food plots and mowed an additional 25 acres of alfalfa. In 2004 and 2005, the DNR planted 53 acres of food plots and mowed 18. State budget cuts seriously hurt the food-plot budget prior to that, and not much was farmed one year, Petersen said. People were disappointed to find less easily accessible wildlife to view, he said. But he noted that wildlife doesn’t need the plots for survival. In fact some biologists, he noted, think food plots make wildlife more vulnerable to predators. At the state level, Petersen said the funding of food plots is less popular than earlier. Part of that reasoning is cost, he said, but some wildlife experts argue that artificially congregating animals makes it easier for disease to spread. Petersen said at the present level, food plots are working fine to bring wildlife to visitors, although if Larson was unable to continue to plant corn, Pedersen said he would have to consider how to add that to the DNR plantings. “Without him stepping in, we wouldn’t be able to put in corn. It costs quite a bit. We put in rye, buckwheat and oats, which is less costly and you don’t have to spray or cultivate it,” Petersen said. He noted that sunflowers planted by Larson seemed to be “hit hard” by deer and birds because the plants stick up above the snow, and that the crop may be a good one to continue. Visitors don’t have to worry about fewer food plots affecting the population of sharp-tailed grouse, however,

Petersen said. Even the acres cut back because of DNR budgets were mostly in spots that were difficult for viewing and where the soil was so poor it barely supported crops. “Sharp-tailed grouse get along fine without crops,” he said. “In the last 40 to 50 years, their numbers have been gradually increasing on Crex.” In 2006, the number of sharp-tailed grouse remained the same as the year before. Petersen said their population increases and decreases in cycles. “For the last couple of years, they’ve been at a low point, but we figure they’ll go up.” There are only about a half-a-dozen areas in the state that provide the openarea habitat needed for sharp-tailed grouse, Petersen explained. Petersen said volunteers like Larson and donations of rye seed from Whitetails Unlimited make it possible for Crex to have more food plot areas. New display The new display has been in the works for the past two years and includes two rooms. One room details the history of Crex, while the other displays the management side of the story. An 8-foot high, 40-foot-long mural painted by an artist blends in with actual ground-cover displays including wildlife taxidermy, infrared lights triggering audio of animal sounds and more features. “We have the lighting to take care of and little pieces, but it should be completed by April 1,” Hoefler said.

NEW RICHMOND - Ever wonder about alternative fuel and its potential? Learn more about – and actually make – an alternative fuel at a Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Biodiesel Fuel class on Saturday, Jan. 27. Students will get hands-on experience with an earthfriendly alternative fuel called B100. The one-day session includes lecture and lab that introduces running a diesel engine on biofuel. Instructor Ricky Wuorenma will cover process, production and quality when using B100 as a substitute or additive to petro-diesel, and students will make a mini-batch of

biodiesel to take home and burn or study (signed liability waiver required). Students may observe instead of make fuel. A $5 lab fee will be collected in class. Besides Saturday, Jan. 27, two additional sessions are available: Saturday, Feb. 24 or Saturday, March 24. Each session runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The course cost is $17.05 or $4 if age 62+. (Lunch is on your own.). Each session is held at WITC. For more information and to register, go online at witc.edu/nrich or call 715-246-6561. - from WITC

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 13

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Nonprofits to build $2 million for the valley’s future

Kinship of Polk County one of nonprofits to take part in initiative

ST. CROIX VALLEY - The St. Croix Valley Community Foundation recently selected 19 nonprofit organizations that will benefit from $2 million dedicated to the future growth of their organizations. Partners for the Future is a challenge initiative in which SCVCF will match – dollar for dollar – funds that selected nonprofits raise and invest in a permanent fund at the community foundation. “Permanent funds give nonprofit organizations a stable and growing source of income dedicated to operations or specific programs,” noted David Griffith, SCVCF president. “These funds are managed like an endowment – it gives an organization annual income yet it also preserves and grows principal. As a result, the organization benefits today and for generations to come.“ Gretchen Stein, SCVCF’s board chair explained, “We have many generous individuals in the region who have supported these important nonprofit services, and others who might start to, now that there’s an added incentive, doubling the value of their donation. By setting up permanent funds, these organizations will be more financially stable and a better investment for donors who want to help make a difference in our communities.” A total of $1 million has been raised by St. Croix Valley Community Foundation to offer matching grants for this purpose. Each of the selected nonprofit organizations has its own fundraising goal, ranging from $25,000 to $85,000. By raising funds to qualify for the dollar-for-dollar match, each organization will double their permanent funds in three years. Amery-based Kinship of Polk County is one of the organizations participating in this initiative. SCVCF announced the Partners for the Future Initiative last April when it

Executive director Nancy Hoppe of Kinship of Polk County, joined with Jill Shannon and David Griffith from SCVCF on her left and right, respectively. – Photo submitted celebrated the foundation’s 10th- dations to create the challenge pool. anniversary year. “The community These include: Hardenbergh Foundafoundation belongs to everyone, and is tion (fka. the St. Croix Foundation), Otto designed to benefit everyone,” Bremer Foundation, Bush Foundation remarked Stein. “This challenge will and an anonymous donor. Support for encourage more people to contribute to initiative expenses has come from the the organizations and services they Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, F.R. Bigelow Foundation and John and Ruth most care about.” The foundation will also help each Huss Foundation. The St. Croix Valley Community organization’s board of directors raise their goal by providing training and Foundation encourages charitable givcoaching assistance. “We selected a ing to create a lasting resource that bencross-section of organizations to partici- efits the valley both now and in the pate in this endeavor,” remarked Bill future. Through funds established by Campbell, chair of the selection commit- nonprofits and caring individuals, the tee. “They represent everything from foundation awards grants to address large organizations with seasoned key issues affecting the region as a fundraisers, to organizations with little whole. In its 10-year history, the founfundraising experience and staffed dation has granted more than $5 million entirely by volunteers. Arts, environ- to local nonprofit organizations and has mental, health and social service organi- current assets of approximately $10 milzations are included,” Campbell added. lion. To date, 39 nonprofits have creat“Their services are responsive to the ed long-term endowed funds through people, communities and scenic land- the Foundation to ensure their permascapes that characterize our valley.” nent financial stability. To make a contribution to any of the Kinship of Polk County is one example – when families are overextended by organizations in this challenge initiacommutes and can devote less time to tive, contact David Griffith or Jill Shanparenting, Kinship offers adult mentors non, director of Community Partnerto provide children much needed sup- ships at 715-386-9490. - from SCVCF port and guidance. SCVCF launched this initiative by raising $1 million from a few local foun-

Partners for the future challenge match participants Organizations were selected throughout SCVCF’s five-county service area. Their offices are listed below, although their service areas extend throughout Washington and Chisago counties in Minnesota and Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties in Wisconsin. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin - Hudson and River Falls Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center - Hudson and Hastings, Minn. Courage St. Croix – Stillwater, Minn., and Forest Lake, Minn. Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley - Baldwin FamilyMeans - Stillwater, Minn., and Hudson HSI - Human Services, Inc. in Washington County - Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Stillwater and Forest Lake, Minn. Hudson Health Foundation – Hudson Kinship of Polk County – Amery Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau – Forest Lake, Minn. New Richmond Preservation Society – New Richmond The Partnership Plan for Stillwater Area Schools – Stillwater, Minn. The Phipps Center for the Arts - Hudson Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy - Osceola Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence - River Falls and New Richmond United Way St. Croix Valley - Hudson West CAP - Glenwood City West Wisconsin Land Trust Menomonie Young Life St. Croix Valley - Stillwater, Minn. Youth Service Bureau - Stillwater and Cottage Grove, Minn., Hudson and River Falls

City advocates state law amendment to reduce local property tax ST. CROIX FALLS–The city has sent a request to newly elected state Rep. Ann Hraychuck requesting an amendment to the premier resort area tax that would allow St. Croix Falls to impose a half-acent sales tax. Generating sales tax revenue, mostly from sales along Hwy. 8, would allow the city to significantly reduce its mill rate. The city has reduced its mill rate from $8.19 per thousand in 2003 to $5.18 per thousand in 2007. However, property values continue to rise, and the reduction in taxes is not sufficient. The proposed amendment to the premier resort area tax is worded in such a way that it would only allow for unique “border area” communities to impose such a sales tax. “The basic approach is we are seeing a good deal of dollars being spent by out-of-state residents or folks from as

far away as 40 miles. This would allow us to capture revenue from these sales and thus reduce the property tax. Reducing the property tax in this manner will also allow us to be more competitive with Minnesota in respect to economic development and attracting investment,” said Ed Emerson, city administrator. “The mayor and city council has heard from many residents and business owners and have advocated finding creative ways to reduce the property-tax burden. They have directed that we explore this route. We originally were working with Rep. Pettis, but things sort of got lost in the transition.” A portion of the city’s letter to Rep. Hraychuck states: “We are writing to ask that you work to amend the premier resort area tax, section 66.1113, to allow municipalities that generate significant

tourism or out-of-state sales to impose the tax. [Requesting that] the following highlighted language be inserted into State Stats section 66.1113 (2) …..may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution declaring itself to be a premier resort area if at least 40 percent of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property within such political subdivision is used by tourism-related retailers, or the municipality adjoins a neighboring state, generates at least $20 million in sales, and has a state tourism information office located therein.” This amendment would specifically allow for St. Croix Falls to impose such a sales tax, but limit other municipalities from so doing. In other words, it would recognize our unique location and allow us to capture significant revenue and thus reduce the property tax.

We often hear complaints of former Minnesota residents regarding Wisconsin’s property tax. A primary reason for lower property taxes in Minnesota is they have a larger sales tax. This amendment would allow border areas to become more competitive. We trust that you will take the necessary steps to secure this amendment.” Emerson added, “This amendment would allow us to pay for infrastructure improvements such as roads, many of which are impacted by the large number of nonresidents visiting our area. This is a way to have those nonresidents pay most of the costs and thus save local residents some dollars.” –from the city of St. Croix Falls

Fraley development on agenda for Dresser in February by Tammi Milberg DRESSER–The village board for Dresser met Jan. 8, and plans for Dresser Junction Cottages, a development by John Fraley, was part of the meeting. It was mentioned that Fraley met with the village attorney, and the step-by-step process to complete to get final approval of the project was discussed.

The project is divided into three phases with phase one including three units on Main Street. The second phase is the unit behind, and the third phase is the outlot area. Fraley agreed to work with a surveyor and get all the details worked out. The matter was listed for the February agenda.

The board also discussed a request for the community hall for a benefit for Terry and Gracie Ponce, Dresser residents, who were injured in a car accident. The request was made by Ponce’s sister, Wendy Johnson, to hold a benefit Feb. 23 and 24. The board approved the use of the hall and waiving the rental fee, but not the cleaning fee of $75.

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The board also heard the report from police officer Ryan Haass for 2006. Haass stated overall worthless check citations were down slightly, and more time was spent on the roads, with more traffic citations issued for the year.

PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Olmstead discussions continue by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS – There are plans for Wild River Marina to add an RV park for seven to 10 units for the months of April to October. Owners of the Marina, Dean and Sherry Cameron, presented their proposal before the city’s plan commission Jan. 15. The Camerons included several rules in the proposal involving curfews, pets, campfires and checkout times. The commission heard from neighbors who have reviewed the plans and

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Benefits of infant massage include: • Infant parent attachment or “bonding” • Relaxation • Makes baby feel loved

Marina plans to add RV park seemed in favor of the concept, but have concerns about traffic and speeds on Hamilton Street with the added RV campers. One other resident stated she wanted to know if the RV park would affect property values of homes in that area. Mayor Brad Foss said he could not make a one-to-one comparison. He added that the city could put the speed wagon on the street to monitor speeds on Hamilton Street, and request a resurfacing priority for the roads plan in the coming year for the street. The commission forwarded the proposal to the council for consideration for approval with a one-year conditional

Infant massage class offered ST. CROIX FALLS – Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant, food as necessary as minerals, vitamins and proteins. St. Croix Regional Medical Center massage therapist, Sue Ames-Lillie, is now teaching area parents how to do infant massage themselves. “Touch is a very powerful element in human bonding, as are both verbal and nonverbal communication and prolonged eye contact,” says AmesLillie, who is certified in infant massage by the International Association of Infant Massage. “Infant massage encompasses and supports all these vital aspects of bonding.” Infant massage can also begin to recreate the elements of bonding when bonding delays have occurred, due to such situations as premature birth, recovery from caesarean, medical complications, adoption, lack of physical and emotional support, and postnatal depression. “Fathers can especially benefit from infant massage,” says Ames-Lillie, “because it gives them time to connect and interact with their child on a deeper level than day-to-day contact provides. Fathers are always welcome in my infant massage classes.”

• Promotes better sleep • Facilitates body awareness • Boosts immune system • Improves skin condition • Improves blood circulation • Helps digestion • Balances respiration • Helps waste elimination • Relaxes parents • Helps build parents’ and baby selfesteem Class information Ames-Lillie’s classes include three sessions, depending on class size, and are kept relatively short, due to the babies’ attention spans. If there is enough interest, Ames will offer the three-class course each month. The next three-week series will begin at SCRMC on Jan. 17 and on March 21. Classes run from 7 – 8:30 p.m. The cost is $45 for the series. To contact Sue AmesLillie: e-mail at Susan.ameslillie@scrmc.org or call her at the Physical Rehabilitation Department at: 715483-0214. To register or to request a class brochure, call Jessica in the SCRMC Education Department at 715-483-3221, ext 2579. For more information about infant massage, visit the International Association of Infant Massage Web site at: http://www.iaim.net. – submitted

Good Samaritan Auxiliary elects officers

The 2007 officers of the Good Samaritan Auxiliary were elected at the group’s January meeting. Shown (L to R) are Juanta Wente, treasurer; Margie Thaemert, vice president; Mitzi Horsmann, membership; Elsie Dombrock, publicity; and Sandra Berg, secretary. Missing from the photo is Joan Stanze, president. Each January the auxiliary holds a potluck luncheon, elects current-year officers and begins to renew its membership. In addition to the auxiliary’s usual events, this year the group will concentrate on membership. The organization will make growing the membershiop a top priority. For more information about joining the Good Samaritan Auxiliary, individuals can call Georgiann Gore at the Good Samaritan Center. The auxiliary is the community-centered, volunteer and fundraising arm of the Good Samaritan Center. – Special photo

use permit for the RV park with conditions that it is for April 1, 2007, to Oct. 31, 2007, staffed 24 hours. The park must also adopt the rules provided by the Camerons as well as look into limits for length of stay from Interstate Park Campgrounds and follow similar guidelines. The commission also discussed the proposal from Mark Olmstead (condo/retail development on Washington Street). The city’s attorney outlined details the city needs at the plan commission level. Some of the concerns include shared potential parklands the development proposes; storm-water dispersal; alley vacation; EMS service

approvals for access to the building; offstreet parking provided to handle the need for parking; driveway access and traffic safety issues; feasibility; a commitment from Xcel Energy for easements; further explanation of mixed use (more than square-footage number, but actual units) for residential and commercial in the building; and acquisition of a retainer or bond of commitment from Olmstead. A certified survey map has been submitted, and Olmstead indicated at the meeting that he expects it back shortly. The city is waiting for the survey map before discussions on the project resume.

Area Accelerated Genetics officials elected BARABOO – Accelerated Genetics, Baraboo and Westby, recently held a series of meetings to elect its county officials. Delegates elected to represent St. Croix, Pierce, Polk and Burnett county members are: Dale Hines of Ellsworth; Ronald Kannel, Mark Geraets and Timthy Bates of Elmwood; Don Jensen and Albert Knegendorf of Spring Valley; Rick Casey of New Richmond; Craig Swenson of River Falls; Dean Johnson and Carl Dueholm of Luck; Dale Jensen of Amery and Walter Owens of Frederic. The delegate group is the governing

body of the cooperative and includes all delegates from the counties in the Accelerated Genetics area. Accelerated Genetics, based in Baraboo, is a farmer-owned cooperative that provides high-quality genetics, a broad range of solution-based farm products and leading genetic technology. Accelerated Genetics’ primary goal is to provide unmatched service to customers around the world. With the belief that “Innovation Breeds Excellence,” Accelerated Genetics possesses the vision needed to help today’s producers bring excellence into their herds. – submitted

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 15

Resident’s comments spark reaction by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–Comments made by a relatively new resident to the city at the Jan. 8 city council meeting have sparked a reaction from downtown businesses. At the meeting, Don Anderson, resident, told the council the best thing the city can do for the downtown is move all the businesses up to the hill, except those that are tourist and vacation businesses. His comments caused quite a reaction from downtown businesses. Some of the reaction spurred by Anderson’s comments is cited below. "When we decided to open a ceramic studio, we chose St. Croix Falls downtown area for the wonderful feeling of Hometown, USA that we all long for," said Anne Rolling, co-owner Simpler Times. "For one resident to say we should let downtown St. Croix Falls die saddens me. There is a feeling of belonging here that you won’t find in any fast-pace in-and-out town. Comments made saying top of the hill versus downtown is destructive and pointless. Why can’t we all move forward, united, in making St. Croix Falls productive?" "Like Don Anderson, I too am a new resident who moved to St. Croix Falls last year," said Terri Schaefer, owner of In the Wool. "Some of the reasons we decided on St. Croix Falls was because of its Main Street, downtown atmosphere and friendly people, not because there was a Wal-Mart at the top of the hill. I’m also a business owner in downtown Franklin Square and try to support other small businesses not only downtown, but yes, at the top of the hill. Why should there be a difference? We, as a town of small businesses, should be promoting and helping each other, not pitting one section of St. Croix Falls against the other." (Schaefer’s complete comments can be read in the Letters to the Editor section). "More and more often it seems I hear a comment started with ‘I remember

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Downtown speaks out

when I was growing up in a small town…’ and we didn’t lock the doors, when acts of kindness and charity were not ‘priceless,’ they were commonplace, when Main Street was the gathering spot of the community," said Tim Ofstead, owner of the Millionth Monkey. "In reality those times may be gone, but I know that when I turn off the highway and come down Main Street, I still get a feeling of comfort and security. Those of us who choose to run a small business here hold onto those things and make a conscious effort to incorporate them into what we do. We believe the heartbeat of this small town could and should still be downtown along Main Street. Hopefully (Mr. Anderson) will want to keep those things alive, as we do. Not simply ‘move up the hill.’" "[Mr. Anderson] has come into a new community expressing his beliefs like side arms speaking them in a destructive, careless manner," said Al Alexander, co-owner of Once in a Blue Moon and Wal-Mart employee. "If he had been here to see the changes over the last 10 years or had even taken the time to visit the people and places downtown, he might have changed his thoughts. We are here in St. Croix Falls because to us it is a wonderful place. The people and places are dear to us. Downtown is the heart of St. Croix Falls. If it dies, so does the charming history. The people of St. Croix Falls will never let their downtown die - believe that." "There is a strong community base for downtown (shopping, banking, eating, etc., charm) and drive to build for the future," said Stephen Jones, Dam Bistro. Amanda and Woody McBride, owners of Menagerie Aveda Concept Hair Salon and Organic Café commented, "Charm, good taste, wellness and quiet places to spend time with others is what downtown is all about. Things are actually better than ever here. We are all so proud of the thoughtful investment of the business owners and the city of St. Croix Falls in this magical riverplace. And, funny, we’ve only just begun!" City administrator Ed Emerson said

Downtown’s Main Street in St. Croix Falls has seen some changes over the past 10 years, as noted by one downtown business owner, while one resident states on the hill is where businesses can survive. –Photo by Tammi Milberg he has communicated with Realtors in the area who are working on selling real estate downtown. He stated he heard feedback from one Realtor involving the headline and story on comments by Anderson at the Jan. 8 council meeting. Emerson said the realtor commented, "Those front-page newspaper articles about the dying downtown don't help!" The city is working on a downtown revitalization strategy. A notice of the meeting indicated the basic approach is to utilize nontax dollars in the best possible way. To begin a "branding" or marketing approach for the community, with the downtown as the natural focal point. The idea of creating an "arts and culture district" stems from Al Kruger’s student internship whereby he identified Arts, Culture & The River as being critical elements in which a number of revitalization strategies are already emerging. This strategy will be discussed at a

meeting at Festival Theatre Thursday, Jan. 25, at 5 p.m. as part of a meeting of the Arts Advisory Committee. The purpose of the meeting is to use the enclosed draft as a starting point for development of a comprehensive strategy. The mayor has asked that the city council have a follow-up goals-andobjectives conversation in February. It is hoped that the Arts Advisory group can present a consensus strategy for discussion and brain-storming at the February council meeting.

Reporter’s note: In relevance to this story, information on the city’s Arts Committee is on the following page along with a list of Downtown businesses, buildings and investments inventoried.

Resident expands on comments by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–After receiving attention about the statements he made at the Jan. 8 city council meeting regarding the city of St. Croix Falls and it’s downtown and on the hill businesses, Don Anderson, a resident, expanded on his comments made at that meeting this week. He commented about not receiving city services and higher taxes after a new assessment was done in 2005, his disapproval of the proposed new library downtown, indicated the downtown businesses would survive on the hill with the exception of tourist businesses and opted for more restaurants and sports bars instead of “just old buildings” blocking the river downtown. Anderson said he’s outspoken and that if people want things to change they have to go to meetings and tell the city council. He says more people should attend the meetings and speak than to sit back and do nothing. He stated that he was not quoted properly in one local paper saying the downtown “should die in its current location” he stated this week his comment was the downtown “may die if nothing is done”

and added, “other than tourist and vacation packages, the other businesses downtown would probably do better and survive on top of the hill.” Anderson stated he searched for the ideal retirement home and area before he turned 59. He noted that his daughter purchased a home in Taylors Falls in 2002 and that location seemed fine. Anderson said he comes from a real estate background including experience in mortgage, commercial lending, title and other financial endeavors and he used his experience to research and he and his wife decided St. Croix Falls was “IT.” Anderson and his wife moved to St. Croix Falls in May 2005. He states that having lived in Minnesota his whole life, he was accustomed to homestead credit when it came to property taxes. He said he thought the property taxes on the home were high but not prohibitive, $3,880. New assessments completed in the summer of 2005 jumped the taxes on Anderson’s property to $5,230. He added that the 2006 bill did go down to $5,219. Anderson says at the Jan. 8 council meeting he couldn’t help but ask, “Who has been designated to turn lights off

after all St. Croix Falls residents have left town?” He says the comment was somewhat in jest, but is also serious. “Where I live, we receive no road or snow maintenance, there is no city sewer or water, no cable TV and I’m not sure what else, but I still pay full property taxes.” Another topic he expanded on was this: “In my estimation, we are trading about 100,000 barrels of crude oil for every soldier’s life. Everyone knows what the Iraqi War is about. Don’t kid yourselves-oil. I believe St. Croix Falls should be the model for this country and erect 150 wind generators as soon as possible. I was told this is unsightly. I served in the army from 1965-68 and saw many tombstones of fallen soldiers. What is unsightly-wind generators or tombstones? Along with that, all new construction should be equipped with solar panels, plus everyone should be using energy efficient lightbulbs. Just a start.” Anderson said he heard the discussions regarding a new library behind Main Street and issued the following statement, “After hearing the conversation and proposals [on the proposed new library], more due diligence is

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needed before we residents allow this to be built down the hill from Clayton’s Hardware Store. If downtown is to survive, we need good restaurants, a sports bar, and other options for the vacationing public to enjoy. We have just too many “just old buildings” downtown that detract from the beauty of the river, which is supposed to be our focal point of interest. We cannot even see the river unless one goes to the overlook.” Side note: Anderson lives in a unique rural district of the city where the residents decided not to have city water and sewer installed. City administrator Ed Emerson explained that apparently, when the area was developed, approvals were given for no water/sewer...it is a large-lot development...zoned “rural development” ... maintaining rural character, ensuring a sense of “openness” forever. “As a new resident, I’m sure Mr. Anderson may not be aware of original intentions,” Emerson said. “Obviously, if the neighborhood petitioned to have services they would be provided at their install expense.”

PAGE 16 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

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Strategy for downtown revitalization

Arts committee meeting Jan. 25 at Festival Theatre ST. CROIX FALLS - Plans for downtown revitalization include: 1. Secure Economic Base: Support Major Employer: Enhance Community Entrance a. The St. Croix Regional Medical Center is to undergo a $5 million renovation. This company is the city’s largest employer. It employs over 400 persons and has an annual payroll in excess of $17 million. b. The city should work with St. Croix Regional Medical Center to enhance its appearance, and thus enable it to secure and expand its market base. c. The city should expand the downtown streetscape up State Street to Roosevelt Street – installing crosswalks, decorative streetlights and burial of power lines. The project, estimated at $500,000, is TIF eligible – meaning it would not be direct taxpayer dollars. d. The project could also create an additional 20 parking spaces by the widening of State Street. These new parking spaces could be designated hospital parking only. 2. Library at River Street to stimulate opening up the riverfront a. Design-build challenge for new library at River Street location. b. Building should enable existing storefronts to enhance market base. c. Building funded mostly by grants or community fundraising with minimal tax dollars. 3. Complete River-walk system: Enhance appearance of riverfront: a. The city should complete the river-walk system connecting the Gaylord Nelson Parkway/NPS Visitors Center to the City Overlook Deck. This path could be completed soon and funds reimbursed when the $250,000 Xcel Energy mitigation dollars are eventually released. b. The city should form a partnership with Xcel Energy and state and federal representatives to bury and/or bundle power lines on River Street. It is proposed that a joint lobbying effort with Xcel be undertaken to secure funding for the burial of these lines. c. The city should encourage or require Xcel Energy to replace the barbed-wire fencing that partly encircles the dam with a more decorative

iron fencing that would improve appearances and likely also enhance security. 4. River Spirit Sculpture and Overlook Deck enhancements a. The city should endorse the park and recreation plan for placement of the River Spirit Sculpture and undertake site improvements as needed for its placement. Funds for such landscaping should be reimbursed from future sale of the sculpture. b. The city should utilize fill material from Louisiana Street reconstruction for placement on the south wing of the Overlook Deck to create additional parking as reasonable. c. The park and recreation committee should develop an overall plan for Overlook Deck enhancements. Such improvements can be undertaken over time – funding of which to come from a portion of the $250,000 Xcel Energy mitigation dollars. 5. Promotion, marketing, and branding of the downtown a. The city should encourage completion of the Hwy. 8 and Hwy. 87 promotion sign signaling traffic to the downtown district. The room tax committee has committed up to $20,000 for this sign. The goal should be to have this sign in place by summer 2007. b. The city should encourage a partnership between the hospital and downtown businesses whereby all hospital advertising could have a tag line – "located in beautiful downtown St. Croix Falls." c. The city should encourage Festival Theatre to include a similar tag line in all marketing brochures promoting Festival Theatre events. d. The downtown businesses should partner with St. Croix Winery on joint marketing and advertising. Winery could describe itself as being located "seven miles north of beautiful downtown St. Croix Falls." e. Businesses in the downtown could incorporate the tag line slogan on their letterhead. 6. Create arts and culture district in the downtown a. The city should amend its downtown commercial zone to create an overlay arts and culture district that would specifically allow for art and culture-related uses, including: art galleries, artist studios, cafés and bistros,

sculpture, pottery, metalsmiths, sound and vision studios, alternative health practitioners, creative sector companies and businesses, musicians, writers, poets, photographers, actors, dance troupes, renewable energy companies and offshoots, art-related retail such as frame shops, theatres, and art supply stores. b. The city should encourage Festival Theatre to develop a vision plan that would foster partnerships with dance troupes, artists and related activities. Such partnerships could include utilizing existing wall space to showcase artists, utilize space for art openings, renovation of library space for dance troupes, sponsor a monthly open forum for musicians and poets, etc. c. The city should freeze all current loans via its revolving loan fund for one year in order to build up sufficient funds to utilize loans to foster business recruitment in the downtown. Future loans should be targeted specifically to "arts district-related enterprises." Freezing the loan fund would also allow for a re-examination of loan activities, and explore methods to ensure loans are adequately secured and develop a strategy for action in the event of default. d. The city should amend its commercial space design guidelines to secure current park and recreation funds as "park, recreation, arts and culture" funds. (Note: Residential impact fees would continue to be used for solely park and recreation uses.) A percentage of future commercialspace funding should be utilized in the following way: i. $50,000 no-interest facade renovation fund should be established. The revolving loan fund committee should establish guidelines for use of such funds. Successful programs in larger communities offer something along the following: 1. Up to $10,000 can be made available in "matching funds" for historic facade improvements. The RLF committee reviews and approves designs based upon Sabongi’s historic drawings. Funds are loaned to the building owner at no interest. The funds are secured through the building, and actual loaned amounts are paid back to the city when the building is sold. The funds are then recycled back into the façade-renovation program. $50,000 should be sufficient to stimulate facade renovations in the downtown. Many buildings need

simple repairs and restorations. Interest is actually accrued via the increased value generated by the improvements. This fund would be a direct stimulus to reinvestment in the downtown. ii. The arts advisory committee, park and recreation committee, and downtown BID should be challenged to explore other uses of commercial development funds specifically as to how they can enhance the "arts & culture district" in the downtown. In addition, the City is set to secure up to $250,000 in funds from future sales of the River Spirit sculpture. The committees should be challenged to come up with a plan for both the marketing and use of these funds. This plan should be approved by the city council in the coming months. Some ideas associated with the challenge: Who is to market the River Spirit sculpture? Who or how is the arts and culture district to be promoted? How can commercial funds be used to promote or encourage downtown revitalization? Where or what entity is the logical base for such operations? iii. Future commercial development will also likely secure additional "Outdoor Sculpture" fees of $50,000. How are these funds to be utilized? How can these funds be used to foster art and culture in the community? 7. The river is the gem: Enhance existing assets and partnerships a. The city should encourage the new downtown district to form working partnerships with Interstate Park, the National Park Service, the fish hatchery and the dam to collaborate marketing and promotional efforts around our natural amenities. How can Interstate Park encourage visitors to the community? Can specifically planned events occur at the fish hatchery, dam and Interstate Park and NPS to create excitement in the community? How can the community work with the National Park Service to best take advantage of the estimated 30,000 visitors to the center? How can these entities work with Festival Theatre? Can the NPS sponsor an artist in residence that will fit with the arts and culture district? Can Interstate Park and NPS funds be utilized in a manner that collaborates with the downtown arts and cultural district? 8. Your Idea Here – Other Thoughts / Comments –from the city of St. Croix Falls

Downtown inventory - St. Croix Falls Downtown businesses on Main Street St. Croix Senior Center Bank Mutual St. Croix Festival Theatre St. Croix Falls Public Library LB Artworks Majestic Falls Day Spa and Retreat Falls Orthodontics St. Croix Laundry and Car Wash National Park Service Headquarters St. Croix Plumbing and Heating Nelson Seamless Gutters Singer Sales and Service Jor-Gas Dairy Queen Uhrhammer Insurance Matson Tax Services Almendinger Dentistry Holiday Gas Station U.S. Post Office The Loop NAPA Auto Parts Tile Plus St. Croix Tavern Algonquin Company Guildmaster Framing Goochy Noochy’s Planet Supply

Red Bird Music Medicine Tree Enchanted Forest Awakenings Clear Haze Boutique St. Croix Falls Chamber/Historical Society Steven Swanson Law Office St. Croix Café Fur-Get Me-Nots Clayton’s Hardware/Radio Shack Natural Food Co-op Cobbler Shop Eagle Valley Bank Cobbler Shop Eagle Valley Bank Barb’s (Ken’s) Barbershop CenturyTel Zen Hair Studio Inter-County Co-op Publishing Association Standard Press Office Gionis Law Office Dam Bistro Menagerie Hair Salon Amin Uddin Dentistry Video Vault Pizza Man Chef’s Table

McCormack Dentistry St. Croix Barbers Tangen Drug Pins ‘N Needles Crystal Tavern Martens Jewelry Memory Box Gallery 135 J&D Clothiers Indianhead Glass Coffee Time Finishing Touches Simpler Times In the Wool Once in a Blue Moon Gifts Millionth Monkey Downtown businesses within a block of Main Street Fish Hatchery Greenquist Chiropractic Bont Chiropractic St. Croix Regional Medical Center Edling Funeral Home The Physical Therapy Center Milner Family Medical Clinic St. Croix Falls Eye Associates Wild River Marina Xcel Energy

Open buildings on Main Street Chach’ka Old Fire Hall Holiday Grocery Store St. Croix Falls Cinema 5 Investments made in the downtown The overlook deck construction Downtown revitalization project, (new street, sidewalk, paved crosswalks, benches, lighting and infrastructure) funded in part by the Department of Commerce totaling $2.7 million Stanley’s mini-mall renovation Senior Center building/establishment Festival Theatre renovation Historical Society Revitalization of the Baker Building Seasons on the St. Croix Building National Park Service Headquarters new building $5 million Franklin Square Building SCRMC (ongoing upgrades) and proposed $5 million remodeling planned Chach’ka Building Gaylord Nelson Riverwalk/historical marker Eagle Valley Bank remodeling/office center

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 17

WISCONSIN S THIRD-BEST WEEKLY SPORTS SECTION - GROUP A - 2005 WNA AWARD WINNER

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

P O R T

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

Tigers prevail over Pirates in O.T. It’s been a long time since the Webster boys have been able to beat Grantsburg on their home court, so long in fact, that not even the players could remember ever beating them since they began playing ball. “I talked to the boys before the game and during the week, and none of them could come up with a win they’ve ever had here,” said Webster Coach Hedrick. With the win over Grantsburg, Webster has held onto a nine-game winning streak, which began after their 54-46 loss to Luck Dec. 5. The Tigers will get another chance at Luck this Friday, Jan. 19 at home.

Defense keeps it close as Webster wins ninth straight in overtime Webster 48, Grantsburg 47 by Marty Seeger GRANTSBURG — “I think that’s what high school sports should be,” said Webster Coach Randy Hedrick after their big win in overtime over Grantsburg last Friday, Jan. 12. Both teams featured a physical first period complete with what both coaches agreed was a highly defensive game. The score was still tied 2-2 with 1:45 in the first quarter, but Webster was able to keep a slight 6-2 lead after the quarter ended. “I can honestly say that I thought it was pretty good defense,” said Hedrick. Grantsburg Coach Danny Judd also agreed. “We didn’t shoot too well in the first quarter, but it was tough defense,” said Judd. “We’ll get after it with anybody, but you’ve got to figure out how to get the ball in the hole sometimes.” Webster held a five-point lead for much of the second quarter but it didn’t come easy. Grantsburg’s Brandon Kaiser, Jason Jensen, and Tim Josephson produced momentum-changing steals in the second, but had a difficult time converting the turnovers into points. Webster continued to dominate and took a 22- 19 lead at halftime.

Extra Points

Grantsburg’s Brenton Thompson goes up for a layup after a steal last Friday, Jan. 12. Thompson is shown here drawing a big foul off of Webster’s Paul Olesen. The play sparked the Pirates 7-0 run at the start of the second half. - Photos by Marty Seeger end. This is the second tough loss in a row for the Pirates, who lost to Unity in a similarly close game on Tuesday. “We played better this week, but we made tough mistakes at critical times,” said Judd. “That’s our inexperience, and we gotta get over that hump. Obviously we’re not in a position to win a conference title any longer, but we can make the road for those who are awfully tough. We still have to play all three of them again, and I’m sure they know they’ll get a game.”

Webster Coach Randy Hedrick said after the game that he likes the close games. It doesn’t get any closer than this ovetime game Friday night. That lead was short-lived however, lead. Grantsburg answered back with the when the Pirates came out loaded with spark in the third, with the help of some help of Tyler Myers, who hit two key great defense again by Josephson, who buckets to bring the Pirates to within had at least three crucial steals to help one. After a few hit-and-miss opportuthe Pirates score seven unanswered nities at the line, Webster was able to points and cut the Webster’s lead to hold a 45-42 lead with 1:02 left. After a short time-out, the Pirates quickly three points. “He’s quick, he’s tough and defense picked their way to the other end of the is definitely his specialty,” said Judd of court and set up Ben Larsen for a huge 3-pointer that tied the game, sending it Josephson after the game. The Pirates tied the game late in the into overtime. In overtime the defenses of both third period on a big Kevin Johnson 3teams stepped up, but it was Gibbs who pointer, but Webster held onto a twopoint lead into the fourth. Johnson landed a crucial 3-pointer at the top of would hit another crucial three early in the key to give the Tigers the edge they the fourth quarter to tie the game 36-36. needed. Grantsburg would get a big Webster’s Brian Thill answered John- basket by Trent Bonneville in the final son’s three with three points of his own minute of the game, and the Pirates had seconds later, and a hard foul drawn by an opportunity to make a game-winBrian Gibbs sent him to the line to sink ning score with seven seconds remaintwo shots, giving the Tigers a five-point ing, but the Tigers held it together in the

Brian Gibbs was able to sink the Tigers only three points in overtime to give them the edge over Grantsburg last Friday night.

••• BISMARK, N.D./ABERDEEN, S.D. – Former Webster student Nancy McConkey has been cold as of late for the Bemidji State Beavers women’s basketball team. Having recently returned from injury, McConkey had only two points in each of the Beavers’ losses to the University of Mary on Jan. 12 and Northern State University on Jan. 13. She mustered in only three boards in the Beavers’ failed comeback at Mary, 60-57, and she didn’t have any boards in the 84-68 loss to the NSU Wolves. – Matt Blumkin ••• RIVER FALLS/WHITEWATER – Char Edwards, a one-time Webster student, has been lighting it up for the UW-Stout women’s basketball team lately. She scored eight points in each of their last two games. Edwards hit 46 shots in eight minutes of play when Stout edged UW-River Falls 56-55 on Jan. 10. Then, she went 3-4 from the field and 2-2 at the free-throw line against UW-Whitewater on Jan. 13. Stout downed the Warhawks 85-71. – Matt Blumkin ••• MENOMONIE – Several athletes from the area will be out again for the UW-Stout women’s track team for the indoor and outdoor seasons. Carrie Peterson, a junior from Luck, will be doing the high jump again. She had a 5-foot, 25-inch jump at Washington University (St. Louis) for a first-place meet finish in 2006. She also had a jump of 5’ 1” at the UW-River Falls Invitational last year. Former Luck student Sarah Miles, a senior, will also be out for Stout in the sprints; Char Edwards of Webster will be jumping and hurdling for Stout this year. Stout opens their indoor season at home on Saturday, Jan. 20, with their alumni meet. – Matt Blumkin ••• GRANTSBURG – Grantsburg junior, Sean Kutz, has been listed as a first team All-State selection by the Wisconsin Cross-Country Coaches Association. Kutz took first place at every meet this season, with the exception of only two. He took second at the Rice Lake Invite and second at the State Meet in Wisconsin Rapids. — Marty Seeger

SPORTS RESULTS DEADLINES: WEDNESDAY - MONDAY: 1 p.m. the following business day. TUESDAY: 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Missed deadlines mean no coverage that week! S P O R T S N E W S O R S C O R E S T O R E P O R T ? • P H O N E : 7 1 5 - 3 2 7 - 4 2 3 6 • FA X : 7 1 5 - 3 2 7 - 4 1 1 7 • E - M A I L : m b l u m k i n @ c e n t u r y t e l . n e t o r m s e e g e r @ c e n t u r y t e l . n e t

PAGE 18 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Cardinals hold Eagles at wing’s length!

points in the game. “Travis got in foul trouble, so we were basically playing without two starters on the floor in the first half,” said Giller. “People are going to concentrate on Travis a little bit more for what he’s done so far this year.” Cody Richert also got in on the act with a couple of threes. The Cards had four threes in the game. “When they (the Eagles) went to the zone, they gave us the looks and the guys nailed them,” said Giller. That helped the Cards nail a win over the Eagles to hold onto sole possession of first place. Then, they followed that up with dominating 71-35 win over Siren on Jan. 16. Adam Wallin had 11 points in the game for the Cards. Next, they’ll have a chance to move into the driver seat for the conference title if they can beat Webster in Webster on Friday, Jan. 19.

Luck gets early run and holds off Unity Luck 64, Unity 52 Luck 71, Siren 35 by Matt Blumkin BALSAM LAKE – An early 8-0 run by the Cards proved to be enough to hold off the Eagles on Friday, Jan. 12. “We started out hot,” said Cards Coach Rick Giller. “It basically stayed, we got up to 15, we got down to nine, but once you get a lead, sometimes it’s hard for somebody else fending them off.” The Eagles, fresh off a one-point win over Grantsburg, struggled with the Cards’ press early as the Cards jumped out 8-0. They struggled to get into an offensive rhythm, and they also had trouble advancing the ball across the floor. “For getting off to a slow start against a really good team, they kept coming back,” said Eagles Coach Rory Paulsen who filled in for Dennis Anderson. Anderson had been in the hospital since Tuesday, Jan. 9, night following the Grantsburg game due to stomach problems. Anderson returned to coaching the Eagles this week. “He’s fighting his own battle,” said Paulsen. “I’m sure they’re going to be happy to have their coach back.” The Eagles battled back against the Cards from the 8-0 hole, though they found themselves playing the Cards’ Team Siren Luck

1 2 3 4 5 6 12 12 23 15 18 15 Individual Statistics Siren 2s 3s FTM/A 0 1/2 0 John Anderson Keith Cremin 2 0 0/0 0 0 0/0 Travis Freese 1 0/0 4 Adam Daniels Bobby Smith 1 0 0/0 3 0 1/2 Dylan Geske 0/0 1 0 Jordan Decorah Derek D’Jock 4 0 0/0 Totals 18 1 3/6

F TP 0 1 3 4 1 0 3 11 0 2 0 7 1 2 3 8 11 35

Luck Brennan Olson Mike Christensen Harlan Opitz Travis Pilz Cody Richert Mitchell Klatt Adam Wallin Tyler Petersen Harry Severson Totals

F 0 0 0 1 2 0 3 0 0 13

2s 5 3 1 9 3 3 4 2 0 20

3s 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4

FTM/A 2/4 0/2 0/0 2/4 2/2 0/2 0/0 1/2 1/2 12/18

F 35 71

TP 12 6 2 20 8 6 11 5 1 64

Luck’s Cody Richert going for a block against Siren on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The Cardinals romped 71-35 following their 64-52 win over Unity on Jan. 12. The first-place Cards will have a showdown with second-place Webster in Webster on Friday, Jan. 19. – Photos by Matt Blumkin tempo. The Eagles trimmed the lead, and the Cards could only extend their 4 2 3 1 20 13 19 12 10 12 15 15 Individual Statistics Luck 2s 3s FTM/A 3/4 0 Brennan Olson 4 0 1/1 9 Mike Christensen Harlan Opitz 0 1 0/0 3 0 4/7 Travis Pilz 2 1/2 3 Cody Richert Mitchell Klatt 0 1 3/4 1 0 0/0 Adam Wallin 4 12/18 20 Totals

F 64 52 F 3 2 1 3 1 1 2 13

TP 11 19 3 10 13 6 0 64

Unity Chris Bugg Chad Strilzuk Justin Bader Matt Goulet Ryan Flaherty Merrill Leoso James Coen Lance Peper Totals

F 4 1 1 5 3 1 2 2 19

TP 14 4 2 11 6 12 0 0 52

Team Luck Unity

2s 2 2 1 4 2 1 1 0 13

3s 3 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 6

FTM/A 1/1 1/1 0/0 0/0 2/2 4/4 0/0 0/0 8/8

original cushion by two, 20-10, at the end of the first quarter. “They just caught us off guard, but we should have closed it down, set our pace, not theirs,” said Eagles forward Chad Strilzuk. Yet, Chris Bugg stepped up with his 3point shooting to help the Eagles keep pace, and the Eagles found some inside buckets from Merrill Leoso. “He was on fire tonight, but there was a couple of shots that he forced,” said Strilzuk. Yet, the Eagles did not have answers for all of the Cards’ offensive weapons. Mike Christensen stepped up inside and outside with the absence of center Tyler Petersen and a low-scoring night for Travis Pilz. Christensen had 21

Mike Christensen, of the Cards, stepped up with 21 points as the Cards downed Unity on Jan. 12.

Eagles freeze Cardinals in second half! Eagles hold Cardinals scoreless in 2nd half Unity 23, Luck 13 by Matt Blumkin BALSAM LAKE – Though they played a close game, the Eagles’ first bucket of the second half proved to be enough for a win. The Eagles broke a 13-13 tie to start the second half, and they held the Cards scoreless in a 23-13 win. “I liked the way we defend,” said Eagles Coach Chuck Holicky. “We just got to hang our hat on our defense because we just don’t generate enough offense.” The Cardinals got out to an early lead, and they held the lead, 8-6, after the first quarter. Yet, the Eagles broke a 3-0 run by the Cards when Andrea Thompson hit a shot. The Eagles’ offense had been hindered by their turnovers though. “It was real frustrating in the first half with all the traveling calls we had because they were just unforced,” said

Luck’s Briana Stage going for a put-back. – Photo by Matt Blumkin

Holicky. Yet, Thompson continued to step up as she led the Eagles with 15 points. She knotted the game, 13-13, at the half with a three just before the buzzer. Brianna Schmid of the Eagles had done the same in their previous meeting, which the Eagles also won. “Her three at the end of the first half was awesome,” said Eagles senior guard Lindsay Turner. “That really got us going to tie it up for the half.” The first basket of the second half ended up settling the game as the Eagles held the Cards scoreless. They had a late spurt of inside baskets, which extend the Eagles lead to 18-13. “That’s what helped us out when we had the little run on a few steals,” said Holicky. “We must have scored 6-8 points in a row on them and that kind of opened it up.” In the end, the Eagles scored 10 straight points on the Cards for the second half as the Cards went scoreless. “I didn’t even know we did it until Coach Holicky said something,” said Thompson. “We’re always pretty good on defense.”

The Eagles had also come off a confidence-building game against Grantsburg on Jan. 9. They were able to play offense against the Pirates’ press and hit 40 points in a 60-40 loss. “Even though we got beat by 20, we had it down to about 13 with a minute left and we were breaking their press, having opportunities,” said Holicky. They came out on top with their opportunities against the Cards. Team Luck Unity

1 2 3 5 0 8 6 7 9 Individual Statistics Luck 2s 3s Britta Giller 1 0 Brianna Stage 1 0 Megan Hacker 2 0 Sarah Petersen 0 0 Krystal Stage 0 0 Brittney Danielson 1 0 Totals 5 0

FTM/A 0/0 1/2 0/4 2/6 0/0 0/0 3/12

F TP 4 2 0 3 1 4 5 2 1 0 0 2 11 13

Unity Cola Hickethier Tina Edgell Allie Peterson Brianna Schmid Brianna Bielmeier Andrea Thompson Elizabeth Ebensperger Lindsay Turner Totals

FTM/A 2/2 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1/2 0/0 0/0 3/4

F TP 0 6 3 0 2 2 1 2 3 0 2 15 1 0 1 0 13 23

2s 2 0 1 1 0 4 0 0 8

3s 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

4 0 1

F 13 23

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 19

SCF takes second at home invite

Saints starting to come together, while others suffer injury

a last-second takedown to Saints Shawn Castorena (160). Dustin McKinney (125) and Jim Zahler (140) won by pin and Devin Hoyt (119) won his match 11-3.

by Marty Seeger ST. CROIX FALLS — The Saints traveled to Unity last Thursday and won handily with a team score of 55-16, but in their tournament at home Saturday, Jan. 13, they faced some tough competition. “We knew it was going to be a battle between first and second place, and we brought Forest Lake in to give the kids some stiff competition,” said Saints Coach Dan Clark. “It also gave us a chance to see some other competition besides the ones that we see all the time.” The Saints took a second-place finish under Forest Lake, Minn., who beat out 11 other teams for a first-place finish. As a team, Clark thought that they wrestled well, with Dustin Raygor (152) finishing with the teams only first-place finish at the tournament. Raygor dominated the mat with four pins and a 11-2 major decision win over Forest Lake’s Brandon Yetter. Also on the mat for the Saints on Saturday was Jordan Beauvais (275) 16-8, who took a third-place finish to go along with four pins. Beauvais has filled a major gap for the Saints this season at heavyweight, and has improved dramatically since the beginning of the season. Since Christmas Beauvais has held a 10-2 record. Mike Lamirande took fifth (215) on

Cards road getting tougher

Devin Hoyt (L) tried to keep Jake Bruns from escaping Thursday, Jan. 11. Hoyt recieved his 101st win in a major decision over Bruns that evening. Photo by Marty Seeger Saturday and Justin Holmdahl finished third. Clark said that both wrestlers avenged losses from earlier this season, which is a sign that things are improving with every day. “We started slow this year and knew that we were going to be out some kids from football injuries and things like

that,” said Clark. At the start of the season the Saints were without six starters, but now are close to being at full strength. Mike Castorena (125) 14-3 and Jesse Wilson (140) are currently out with minor injuries, and Clark expects them to be back within the next week or two. The Eagles finished in seventh place at the St. Croix Falls Invite ahead of Bruce, Cameron, Amery and Northwood. Dustin McKinney took the team’s only first-place finish to go along with 29 team points, and Devin Hoyt placed third with 22 team points. Hoyt won four of his five matches. Injuries face Eagles at midseason

Unity’s Dustin McKinney (125) doesn’t appear to have the advantage, but he’s definitely got the upper hand in this match at the St. Croix Falls Invitational. McKinney won all of his matches to take a first-place finish at the tournament. - Photo by Larry Samson

Unity senior, Jim Zahler, (140) wrestled his way to a fourth-place finish for the Eagles on Saturday at the St. Croix Falls Invitational.- Photo by Larry Samson

BALSAM LAKE — The Eagles started the beginning of the season this year with high hopes, but as the season progressed, so did season-ending injuries. In their match against St. Croix Falls last Thursday, Jan. 11, the Eagles were without a handful of starters that would have made the difference between a competitive match versus a lopsided match. “Overall we wrestled pretty tough, they’ve got a good squad and we’ve got an injured squad, so we did what we could,” said Eagles Coach Mark Ferguson. “We were really looking good for awhile until the injury bug hit us.” Unity is without six of their starters that began the season, and two of those six won over 20 matches apiece for the Eagles last season. Ferguson is hopeful that two of the six starters will be back again this season, but four are out for the rest of the year. “You’ve got to have 14 guys out there or it’s almost impossible to compete with the better teams. When you come in with holes in the lineup you’re not going to win anything big,” said Ferguson. Despite the loss of some key wrestlers, Ferguson is happy with how his wrestlers competed with a very tough Saints team on Thursday night. Ferguson mentioned that he was pleased with the efforts of Mike Carlson (152) and Royce Jepson (171) who wrestled tough with Saints wrestlers Dustin Raygor (152) and Issac Bont (171). Unity’s Dennis McKinney wrestled tough with Justin Holmdahl but lost by only one point, and Rick Garbow lost in

CLEAR LAKE — The Cardinals forfeited eight weight classes against Clear Lake on Thursday, Jan 11. Russel Harr (189) pinned John Smith in 3:52, and Joe Grovum won by decision over Darren Lee. Unfortunately for the Cards, Travis Rikkola went down with an injury and will be out for at least a week, according to Coach Chris Bartlett. Rikkola took 11th place at Northern Badger, and went 4-1 with three pins at the New Richmond invite. The Cards will also be without Robert Hansen for the rest of the year due to a shoulder injury he sustained on Thursday, Jan 4 against Turtle Lake. According to Bartlett it’s not even the same injury. The team faced even more bad news at Clear Lake when Jesse Schallenberger (160) went out with a broken bone in his hand. He will likely be out for the rest of the season. “Robert and Jesse being out hurts our team, not just winning a meet, but their work ethic will be missed in the wrestling room. With Jesse being his senior year I just told him last week that he had a good chance at making sectionals,” said Bartlett. “With only one dual meet left, and then tournament time, we are going to have to focus on individual goals this season.” At the Medford tournament last Saturday, T.J. Ball (135) had a good day but was pinned in his last match going into the third period. Kalob Harr (145) received his first varsity pin at the tournament, and Russel Harr (189) lost two close matches according to Bartlett. Unity Tuesday dual BALSAM LAKE — The Eagles hosted Spring Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and lost the duel 48-23. Dennis McKinney (130) won by decision over Dan Lansing, and Jim Zahler (145) won by major decision over Kody Konsela. Royce Jepson won by tech fall over Logan Falde, and Dustin McKinney won by tech fall over Willie Coyne.

Jordan Beauvais has improved dramatically since Christmas and has become an important part of the Saints winning ways this season. Here he is shown after his pin over Unity’s Chuck Harper last Thursday, Jan. 11. -Photo by Marty Seeger

PAGE 20 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Blizzard snap two-game skid in 6-0 win on an assist by Bryan Bennett. Yet, Pius XI goalie Brandon Ringsley proved to be a ring leader Pius XI’s defense as he stopped 25 shots an allowed only more goal. That goal came in the third period by Josh Meyer when the Blizzard already trailed 4-1. “Their goaltender had a nice game,” said Sears. “Ours allowed five goals on 14 shots. That’s not very good.” Sears said he isn’t too concerned about his team, though, as they have key games ahead. “We have a pretty important stretch coming in the next few weeks while we look to improve on our possible seed for the playoffs,” said Sears.

Blizzard rebound from two-game slide Blizzard 6, Moose Lake 0 by Matt Blumkin MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – The WebsterFrederic-Siren-Luck-Grantsburg Blizzard apparently learned an important lesson from Pope Pius XI: action flows from being. After dropping their second straight game to Milwaukee Pope Pius XI High School on Jan. 12, they rebounded with a blizzard of goals against Moose Lake, Minn. 6-0. They didn’t play like it in a 52 loss to Pius XI, but against Moose Lake, Minn., the Blizzard did what a blizzard does. “It was a nice change of pace since the last two games we have had troubles putting the puck in the net,” said Blizzard Coach Greg Sears. They stormed the Moose Lake goal with three goals in a minute span during the first period, and Josh Meyer tacked on another goal before the end of the first period for a 4-0 Blizzard lead. Meyer had two goals on the night. During the run, freshman Tony Folk put in his first goal as a varsity player. “It was a nice accomplishment for Tony, he’s worked real hard this season, and has made great improvements,” said Sears. Another first for came for goalie Justin Hughes as he pulled out his first Shutout. He had a light night with only Team Milwaukee Pius XI Blizzard

1 1 1

2 2 0

3 2 1

F 5 2

Scoring First Period – 1, MP, Rudy Baasch (Brandon Bayer), 7:36. 2, B, Kevin Mossey (Bryan Bennett), 14:55. Second Period – 3, MP, Aaron Soo Hoo, 3:54. 4, MP, Josh Schneider (Devin Styermer), 4:19. Third Period – 5, MP, Schneider, 1:27. 6, B, Josh Meyer (Mike Curtis), 4:17. 7, MP, Ian Colpaert (Styermer, Schneider). Saves – B, Justin Hughes, 11. MP, Brandon Ringsley, 25.

Superior 4, Lady Blizzard 1 SUPERIOR – The Lady Blizzard gave up an onslaught of goals to the Spartans in the second period on Jan. 11 as they fell 4-1. Nicole Steiner punched in the lone goal for the Lady Blizzard during the second period. Yet, the Lady Blizzard gave up three goals. Both goaltenders saw action for the Lady Blizzard as Jeanne Reis posted 10 saves and Chelsea Hunter had 17. Team Lady Blizzard Superior

Webster-Frederic-Siren-Luck-Grantsburg Blizzard player Ben Anderson fighting for the puck earlier this season. The Blizzard dropped a pair of games to Amery and Milwaukee Pius XI, but they broke the skid with a 6-0 win over Moose Lake, Minn., on Jan. 16. – Photo by Marty Seeger six shots on goal to face. Pius XI 5, Blizzard 2 SIREN – Travel proved to be no factor as visiting Milwaukee Pius XI downed the Blizzard 5-2 at the Lodge Center Arena. “We were pretty much out worked the whole game,” said Blizzard Coach

Greg Sears. “They came to play. We didn’t. That was the bottom line.” The Blizzard could not take advantage of three penalties by Pius XI in the second period, and they gave up a pair of goals following a 1-1 first period. Pius XI go on the board first at 7:36 in the period, but Kevin Mossey answered back for the Blizzard with a goal at 14:55

1 0 1

2 1 3

3 0 0

F 1 4

Scoring First Period – 1, S, Ashley Martin, 16:28. Second Period – 2, S, Alleah Brewer (A. Olson), 1:12. 3, LB, Nicole Steiner (Alex Lonetti), 4:45. 4, S, Emily Eisenmann (Anna P.), 7:51. 5, S, C. Hals (Crisie Berg, Martin), 10:32. Third Period – No scoring Saves – LB, Jeanne Reis, 10. LB, Chelsea Hunter, 17. Team Blizzard Moose Lake, Minn.

1 4 0

2 0 0

3 2 0

F 6 0

Scoring First Period – 1, B, Kevin Mossey (Bryan Bennett), 11:55. 2, B, Josh Meyer (Garrett Bennett), 11:37. 3, B, Tony Folk (Mossey, Cameron Hughes). 4, B, Josh Meyer (Bennett, Travis Close), 0:05. Second Period – No scoring Third Period – 5, B, Bennett (Ethan Hayes), 11:22. 6, B, Cameron (Nick Spafford, Mike Curtis), 3:07. Saves – B, Justin Hughes, 6.

Brookshaw making the stops in net for BSU! Brookshaw and Beavers keep winning by Matt Blumkin BEMIDJI, Minn. – Webster native Emily Brookshaw has been perfect in goal since her time at the USA Hockey Holiday Camp. She and the Beavers extended their win-streak to six games after a sweep of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Brookshaw had 32 saves in each game, and she posted a 1-0 shutout on Jan. 13. “I think we’ve been doing a lot of little things right,” said Brookshaw. The defense has helped her more with

Webster native Emily Brookshaw and the Bemidji State Beavers are on a six-game win streak. – Photo submitted keeping the puck out of the zone more often. The Sioux went 0-for-6 on power

plays in the second game. “I absolutely can’t do my job without

my team in front of me,” said Brookshaw. With the team’s overall improvement, she has excelled more. She posted her fourth career shutout in the win over the Sioux, which ties the school record with former goaltender Bre Dedrickson. Brookshaw also tied the single seasonwin record with her ninth win of the season. The Beavers, likewise, have seen their longest win streak since 2001-02. Brookshaw and company will get to improve that next at Minnesota-Duluth on Jan. 20-21. – with information from BSU athletics

Wildcats rolling Wildcats sweep Andover, gear up for unbeaten teams by Matt Blumkin DRESSER – One might say the Chisago Lakes-St. Croix Falls Wildcats ski team won over and over on Jan. 16. They swept Andover, Minn., with the boys beating the Huskies 53-3, and the girls took out the Huskies, 51-4. The top four boys, all from CL-SCF,

came in just half of a second apart. Dan Sandgren just edged his teammates out for first place. Simone Raedeke took first for the girls, and St. Croix Falls student Melinda Beyer took second. They have the Welch Invitational coming up on Jan. 19, and they finish the season with a couple of unbeaten conference foes in Champlin Park, Minn., and Centennial (Circle Pines, Minn.). “We will have to be at the top our game,” said Wildcats Coach Dan Raedeke.

Chisago Lakes-St. Croix Falls skier Melinda Beyer (left) took second on Jan. 16. Kate Wright (right) took fifth. – Photos courtesy of Dan Raedeke

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 21

Dragons roll to 6-0 in West Lakeland!

While winning, Siren is still searching for their identity Siren 49, St. Croix Falls 20 by Matt Blumkin ST. CROIX FALLS – They are off to their best start ever in conference play (6-0), but the Dragons still have questions to answer. “We’re still a team trying to figure out what our identity is,” said Dragons Coach Jon Ruud. Their win over St. Croix Falls exemplified that. They bolted out to a 27-8 lead during the first half, but they let the young Saints back into the ballgame. The Saints closed the gap to 27-13 as the Dragons went cold offensively. “The wheels were ready to come off in the second quarter,” said Ruud. “Instead of putting this thing away, they scored the next five points. We didn’t score in the next two minutes and all of a sudden, it’s 14 points at half. We can’t keep fixing things at halftime.” Yet, the Dragons owned the third quarter with 19 unanswered points. The Saints finally got off the sneid with a free throw in the fourth. The Dragons went on to win comfortably. “After I kind of lead into them, we played a great 19-0 third quarter,” said

St. Croix Falls’ Elle Kaskinen trying to stop Siren’s Janey Emery – Photo by Matt Blumkin Ruud. Caitlin Flanigan had decent game shooting and on defense for the Dragons. “She played great defense, made a few layups,” said Ruud. They also played without Amanda Peterson, who had the flu. Though the put away another West Lakeland opponent, the question still

lingers what sort of team they will be as the season goes on. They had the expectations placed upon them to be conference contenders despite losing two seniors that contributed majorly on last year’s sectional team. “We’re not polished right now, and we’re one-third of the way though the season,” said Ruud. “It might take us half of a season.” He also noted that his club has not been running their offensive sets as well in the past. One hinderance came in the graduation of 1,000-point scorer Abby Coyour and Sami Koch. However, Janey Emery, Brittney Jaskolka and Jenna Coyour have emerged to carry the scoring load down low in place of Abby Coyour. Their defense has also remained strong with the fewest points allowed per game out of all West Lakeland teams. “We’re trying to do some of the things we did the last two years, and some of those things we can do right now, and some of those things we don’t do very well right now,” said Ruud. “When we’re focused, we’re very good.” The early-season pressure of being the conference favorites has not been a big factor for the Dragons. Jaskolka mentioned that she doesn’t feel the pressure. Ruud doesn’t have his team looking at it either. “That doesn’t mean anything if we don’t show up,” said Ruud.

Showing up for games has not been a frequent opportunity for the Dragons since they’ve played only three games since Dec. 19. They had one cancelled before Christmas break due to a snow storm. “We just need to play here,” said Ruud. They have plenty of test ahead though with Frederic emerging, Grantsburg again, Northwood and Spooner. “We’re going to end up with some pretty darn good competition,” said Ruud. What will become of the Dragons by the time the smoke of the season clears? Time will tell. Team Siren St. Croix Falls

1 2 3 4 15 12 19 3 6 7 0 7 Individual Statistics Siren 2s 3s FTM/A Lauren Howe 0 0 0/2 Jennifer Mitchell 0 0 0/0 Caitlin Flanigan 10 1 3/4 Courtney Daniels 1 0 0/0 Jena Coyour 0 0 0/0 Janey Emery 2 0 7/7 Brittany Jaskolka 1 0 4/4 Brynn McBroom 0 1 0/1 Lynn Renberg 0 0 1/2 Alysha Alden 0 0 0/0 Totals 28 6 15/18

F 1 1 2 1 4 3 1 1 0 1 17

St. Croix Falls Meghan Johnson Anne Confer Jennifer Benoy Alex Confer Marissa Campeau Kelsey Douglass-White Elle Kaskinen Sasha.Bryant Totals

F TP 3 2 2 0 1 3 3 1 3 4 0 6 0 2 2 0 15 20

2s 1 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 14

3s 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FTM/A 0/0 0/0 1/2 1/2 2/7 2/2 0/0 0/0 6/13

F 49 20 TP 0 0 26 2 0 11 6 3 1 0 49

St. Croix Falls Saints drive out Dragons! St. Croix Falls uses inside game rally against Siren St. Croix Falls 41, Siren 34 by Matt Blumkin ST. CROIX FALLS – “We knew we had to give it to our big men Dave and Greg,” said Saints junior guard Trygve Chinander following their win over Siren on Thursday, Jan. 11. Saints junior center David Lund and junior forward Greg Kadrmas made their inside presence felt against the Dragons, which lifted their team to victory. Their driving the lane and rebounding allowed the Saints to rally in the fourth quarter. “We had a lot of great plays by Greg and David Lund had a nice hook shot to tie it up,” said Chinander. After tying the game at 31-31, they Saints went on a 0-0 run to finish the Greg Kadrmas’ inside play lifted the game. If one of the two Saints big men Saints to a victory over the Dragons. missed a shot, the other would be there – Photo by Matt Blumkin to put it back in. Kadramas and Chinan-

PREPS

OF THE

NAME: Andrea Thompson SCHOOL: Unity YEAR: Junior COMMENTS: Eagles Coach Chuck Holicky has said that Andrea Thompson is a good shooter. “She’s going to be a scorer,” Holicky said following the Eagles first win of the season in December. With the scoring at frigid temperatures on Friday, Jan 12, Andrea Thompson Thompson led the way for the Eagles with 15 points in their 23-13 win over Luck. She nailed a jumper to end the half as she tied the game at 13 points. Thompson also scored on a layup during the first half, which broke a 3-0 run by the Cards – Matt Blumkin

WEEK

NAME: Jordan Beauvais SCHOOL: St. Croix Falls YEAR: Senior COMMENTS: Jordan Beauvais has never wrestled the varsity level, but as a senior for the Saints this season, Beauvais has been steadily improving. “He’s filled a big hole for us this year,” said Coach Dan Clark. Beauvais has wrestled with a 10-2 record Jordan Beauvais since Christmas, and took a third-place finish at the St. Croix Falls Invite over the weekend, to go along with four pins. –Marty Seeger

der also hit free throws down the stretch to finish off the Dragons. The two teams had been locked in a back-and-forth, physical contest over the night. The Dragons had been hitting from long range, which helped them with the absence of post player Derek D’Jock. “It seemed like they couldn’t miss,” said Kadramas. Dragons junior forward Jordan Decorah lighted it up from 3-point land with – 3-pointers. Senior guard Adam Daniels, who has been a scoring tear as of late, got in on the act with a three during the third quarter, which put the Dragons up 24-19. He also pushed the Dragons lead to eight, 29-21, on a layup following a steal in the fourth quarter. The Saints responded to the Dragon shooting by switching from zone defense to man. Consequently, the Dragons only connected from long range one more time. “I think it helped a lot because we were able to stick with the shooters more,” said Kadramas. “We have quick guards and they were able to stick with them outside and get a hand in their face.” The Saints also took possession more often during their rally, which the Saints struggled to get earlier in the game. “We kept them to 34 points, so we didn’t play that bad defensively, but we had to get more possessions,” said Saints Coach Todd Anderson. “I just wish we could do that the whole game.” The Dragons had fallen in a close game for the second time in a week. They had dropped a 50-49 game at Prairie Farm on Monday, Jan. 8.

day, Jan. 12. In the fourth quarter, and in overtime, Jake Schmidt and Steve Lake combined for 23 points. Schmidt ended up with 21 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals, six assists and three blocks. Lake added 20 points to the total to go along with 10 rebounds. “It was a remarkable comeback, and tremendous effort from these two senior captains, as well as the entire team,” said Nelson. “Sophomore Zach Anderson also had 17 points and had some big buckets down the stretch as well.” Frederic will play host to a tough Grantsburg team on Friday, Jan 19.

Frederic 74, Northwood 67 FREDERIC — The Vikings trailed Northwood by 18 points midway through the third quarter, but according to Coach Ben Nelson, the seniors were able to step it up to win in overtime Fri-

Frederic Steve Lake Nolan Neumann Jake Schmidt Ben G. Anderson Zach Anderson Kyle Swenson Totals

3 4 2 1 12 7 5 8 6 8 7 20 Individual Statistics Siren 2s 3s FTM/A John Anderson 0 0 0/0 0/3 0 Keith Cremin 3 0 0/0 0 Travis Freese Dylan Geske 2 2 0/0 0/0 Adam Daniels 1 2 0 0/0 Bobby Smith 0 Dylan Geske 2 2 0/0 0/0 Jordan Decorah 1 2 0 0/2 1 Derek D’Jock Totals 8 6 0/5

F 34 41

Team Siren St. Croix Falls

F TP 3 3 2 4 3 4 0 7 3 19 0 3 11 41

2s 1 1 1 3 6 1 12

Team Northwood Frederic

2 3 16 19 13 11 Statistics 3s 2s 2 1 4 5 0 1 4 0 1 1 0 4 4 0 20 7

4 11 24

FTM/A 0/1 1/2 0/3 0/0 4/4 0/0 1/1 6/11

F TP 3 7 2 24 3 2 3 8 4 9 1 8 5 9 21 67

2s 10 0 8 1 7 1 27

FTM/A 0/1 2/5 2/4 4/4 3/4 3/4 14/22

F 3 5 3 1 3 1 16

Northwood Stariha Denniger Martin Haynes Benson Ross Pagorek Totals

3s 0 0 1 0 0 1 2

FTM/A 1/2 2/2 2/2 1/4 7/8 1/2 15/20

TP 0 6 0 10 8 0 10 8 2 34

St. Croix Falls Jacob Larcom Daniel Roach Trygve Chinander David Lund Greg Kadramas Sam Schmidt Totals 1 18 16 Individual

3s 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

F 2 1 2 3 0 1 3 3 5 16

OT 3 10

F 67 74

TP 20 2 21 6 17 8 74

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Girls lose close one in Frederic The Pirates continued to use what works in the second half as well, while holding Webster to only 10 total points in the second and third quarters. Bjelland led the Pirates with a total of 17 points, while Finch and Ames contributed 12. For the Tigers, Amanda Alberg scored a team high of 13 points, while Chelsey Bereiter added eight.

Vikings make a big comeback after going down 12 at halftime Northwood 48, Frederic 47 by Marty Seeger FREDERIC — The Frederic girls overcame the Northwood 12-point advantage in the second half to pull off a near win at home Friday, Jan. 12. The Vikings outscored Northwood 17-15 in the first quarter, with Ali Lake leading the quarter with six points. “It was close in the first quarter, but Northwood started to beat our press a little bit and started getting good layups and rebounds,” said Vikings Coach Troy Wink. Wink noted that the girls started to struggle with turnovers in the second and third quarters. Northwood forced a total of 28 turnovers with the majority coming in the first three quarters, but the Vikings pulled it together midway through the third period and started closing Northwood lead in the fourth. “In the fourth quarter, we switched it over to a full court man-to-man press, and we were able to rattle them a little bit,” said Wink. With the game winding down, Frederic was able to cut the Northwood lead to one point, but Northwood scored again to put them up by three. With eight seconds remaining, the Vikings were able to get the ball through the hoop, but before it fell through it bounced around the rim, leaving only one second on the clock. “It was entertaining for the group, and I’m happy we came back like that, but if we wouldn’t have had so many turnovers and played a little better defense, we probably could have walked out with a win,” said Wink. The Vikings shot well from the freethrow line going 20 for 33, and Becca Anderson led the team with 13 points and Lake added 12. Frederic had a great fourth quarter, outscoring Northwood 17-4. Eight of those 17 points came from free throws. Frederic 58, Shell Lake 25 SHELL LAKE — “We played a good

Grantsburg 57, Pine City, Minn., 55 GRANTSBURG — The Pirates stretched their overall record to 8-2 in a nonconference matchup against Pine City, Minn., Tuesday, Jan 16. Molly Bjelland led the team with 18 points, and Miranda Kammeyer added nine. The Pirates shot well from the free-throw line going 14 for 20. The Pirates face Frederic on Friday, Jan. 18. Team Webster Grantsburg

Kelly Wondra makes a move in an earlier game this season. Wondra had nice game against Shell Lake with eight points. - File photo by Marty Seeger game. Slow start, but got offense going in the second quarter and played good defense in the second half,” said Coach Troy Wink after the Vikings win over Shell Lake, Tuesday, Jan. 16. The Vikings only scored six points in the first quarter but pushed the scoring button in the second to score 25 points. Melanie Chenal had a big night with 16 points while Jenny Murphy and Becca Anderson added 12. Erin Schmidt and Kelly Wondra settled the score with eight points apiece. Siren 48, Solon Springs 35 SOLON SPRINGS — “Solon Springs is a really tough team and we struggled a bit because they have two really good guards,” said Siren Coach Jon Ruud on their win Tuesday, Jan 16. The Dragons shot stellar from the line shooting 15 for 16, but allowed 18 of 20 points in the paint in the first half. “They (Solon Springs) did a lot of good stuff to get those points,” said Ruud. Caitlin Flanigan had another great

night with 17 points, and Janey Emery added 14. Brittany Jaskolka pitched in eight points on the night. Siren will play host to Unity on Friday, Jan. 19. Grantsburg 61, Webster 32 GRANTSBURG — “The girls are really starting to come together,” said Grantsburg Coach Lisa McKinley. “With as many injuries that are going on, I’m happy with how they’re doing.” The Pirates took some time getting things started in the first quarter, but opened up a 17-10 going into the second quarter, with points coming from all angles. Miranda Kammeyer, Molly Bjelland and Megan Finch added six points each in the first half, while Ingrid Ames and Lindsey Hedlund contributed six. The majority of the points came from the aggressive press that Grantsburg has been giving other teams trouble with all season long. “That’s one of the things we’ve been working on is trying to figure out which press works the best against different teams and really utilize our strong points in that area,” said McKinley. Team Grantsburg Pine City

2 3 26 24 Individual Statistics Grantsburg 2s 3s Abbey Vaksdal 0 0 Miranda Kammeyer 3 0 Mollie Bjelland 7 1 Megan Finch 3 0 Ingrid Ames 2 0 Steph Jensen 3 0 Vanessa Kleiss 3 0 Lindsey Hedlund 1 0 Totals 22 1

FTM/A 0/0 5/8 1/2 1/2 2/4 1/2 0/0 0/0 10/18

F 1 3 2 2 1 2 1 0 12

TP 0 11 18 7 6 7 6 2 57

Pine City J. Willette G. Carlson A. Wolfe R. McKellar K. Hughes R. Adams A. Jackson Totals

FTM/A 2/4 1/2 1/2 2/2 0/0 0/0 7/10 13/20

F 2 3 0 2 2 1 2 12

TP 9 14 1 8 0 2 21 55

2s 2 2 0 3 0 1 7 15

3s 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 4

4 31 31

Team Solon Springs Siren

Webster’s Amanda Alberg attempts a shot through Vanessa Kleiss (R) and Lindsey Hedlund (L). The Pirates used their agressive defense to beat the Tigers. —Photo by Marty Seeger

F 57 55

1 2 3 4 8 12 10 5 15 10 11 12 Individual Statistics Solon Springs 2s 3s FTM/A Ciara Gilbert 3 0 0/0 Rachael Hanley 2 1 1/2 Casi Rice 2 0 0/0 Lorin Larson 0 0 2/2 Christina Gunnerson 1 0 0/0 Katie Klinzing 6 0 1/3 Totals 14 1 4/7

F TP 3 6 2 8 2 4 0 2 2 2 0 13 15 35

Siren Caitlin Flanigan Jena Coyour Janey Emery Brittany Jaskolka Amanda Peterson Totals

F TP 2 17 1 4 2 14 1 9 1 4 7 48

2s 3 2 3 3 1 12

3s 3 0 0 0 0 3

FTM/A 2/2 0/1 8/8 3/3 2/2 15/16

F 35 48

Webster Peter Walsh Brian Gibbs A.J. Holmquist Paul Olesen Brian Thill Kevin Ingalls Totals

1 2 3 4 6 16 10 16 2 10 18 17 Individual Statistics 2s 3s FTM/A 0 0 2/4 5 1 2/2 0 0 0/0 4 0 1/3 6 1 1/2 3 0 0/2 18 2 6/13

Grantsburg Brenton Thompson Kevin Johnson Ben Larson Shawn Pavlik Tyler Myers Tim Josephson Jason Jensen Brandon Kaiser Trent Bonneville Totals

2s 0 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 5 16

3s 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

FTM/A 3/4 0/0 1/2 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1/2 1/1 6/9

1 2 3 4 6 25 15 12 4 11 6 4 Individual Statistics Frederic 2s 3s FTM/A Kelly Wondra 3 0 2/4 Erin Schmidt 3 0 2/2 Kathleen Jerry 1 0 0/0 Becca Anderson 1 3 1/3 Michelle Owens 0 0 0/0 Jenny Murphy 6 0 0/0 Melanie Chenal 8 0 0/1 Totals 22 3 5/10

F 48 47 F 2 0 4 3 4 1 14

F TP 3 6 2 5 6 1 2 4 0 6 0 2 3 2 3 5 5 11 19 47

Team Frederic Shell Lake

Shell Lake Kara Spears Steph Clark Sara Marschall Hanna Christ Annie Dunham Ayla Molton Totals

2s 2 1 1 4 3 1 12

3s 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FTM/A 0/0 0/0 0/2 0/0 0/0 0/2 0/4

TP 2 15 0 9 16 6 48

F 58 25 F 1 0 1 2 2 3 1 10

TP 8 8 2 12 0 12 16 58

F TP 4 3 0 2 8 2 3 0 3 6 2 2 10 25

1 2 3 4 14 20 10 4 15 10 5 17 Individual Statistics Northwood 2s 3s FTM/A Ashlee Blegen 1/2 Brenna Ballsik 2 0 1/2 Taylor Fellbaun 5 0 2/2 Janie Murray 0 0 0/0 Ashley Albano 9 0 0/2 Erin Okonek 1 0 2/2 Shauna Ruud 5 0 0/3 Alicia Block 0 0 0/0 Totals 22 0 6/13

F 48 47 F 1 2 3 1 1 2 5 5 20

TP 1 5 10 0 18 4 10 0 48

Frederic Kelly Wondra Erin Schmidt Ali Lake Kathleen Jerry Becca Anderson Michelle Owens Jenny Murphy Melanie Chenal Totals

F 0 0 5 1 2 1 2 3 14

TP 3 4 12 3 13 2 4 6 47

Team Northwood Frederic

2s 1 2 4 0 1 0 1 0 9

3s 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 3

FTM/A 1/6 0/1 4/8 0/0 5/6 2/2 2/2 6/8 20/33

Team Webster Grantsburg

1 2 3 4 12 5 10 5 17 10 18 16 Individual Statistics 3s FTM/A 2s Webster 3 0 0/3 Sam Hogle Amanda Alberg 3 2 1/2 0 0 0/0 Chelsie Benson Kathryn Krause 0 0 1/6 Chelsey Bereiter 2 0 4/8 0 0 0/0 Shonne Stoll Beth Baer 1 0 0/0 Rose Kopecky 0 0 0/2 1 0 0/0 Katie Thill Totals 10 2 6/21 Grantsburg Abbey Vaksdal Sarah Wald Miranda Kammeyer Mollie Bjelland Megan Finch Ingrid Ames Steph Jensen Jade Johnson Vanessa Kleiss Lindsey Hedlund Totals

2s 0 0 3 6 6 5 0 0 2 3 25

3s 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

FTM/A 0/0 1/3 1/2 2/2 0/0 2/5 0/0 0/0 0/0 2/2 8/14

F 32 61 F TP 1 6 2 13 1 0 1 1 1 8 1 0 5 2 0 0 3 2 15 32 F 2 2 0 2 1 3 1 2 3 2 18

TP 0 1 7 17 12 12 0 0 4 8 61

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 23

by Matt Blumkin RIVER FALLS – They came out marching in costume, and they showed the competition that they can be competitive. The Pirates gymnasts won the theme march for the fifth-consecutive year at

the River Falls Winter Wonderland Invitational on Jan. 13. They did as a snowman with a sign that made a snowfall. Yet, they also finished in eighth place out of 12 teams at the invite - a meet that consisted of larger Wisconsin schools and Twin Cities schools. In addition, they finished

ahead of Rice Lake and Superior. Jamie Lund took 21st in the allaround event, and she earned 17thplace finishes in the vault and balance beams. She scored an average of 8.2 and .4 in the two events respectively, and she had a no-fall on the beam. Maarja Anderson finished 25th in the

Girls Basketball Leader Board

*Not all stats included

School Grantsburg Frederic Grantsburg Grantsburg Frederic Frederic Unity Frederic SCF Grantsburg

Games 10 11 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 10

Points 159 122 104 102 89 88 86 75 75 59

Coaches: Please submit your stats by noon on Tuesday each week.

R E A Hacker’s Lanes

Sunday Afternoon Mixed Standings: Underdogs 12, Storm Chasers 9, Spare-Us 9, Sandbaggers 7, Hot Shots 7, Misfits 5, Gems 5, Flame Throwers 2. Men’s games: Don Hughes (Spare-Us) 256, Mac McCann (Underdogs) 210, Shane Nyland (Hot Shots) 196. Men’s series: Don Hughes (Spare-Us) 681, Mac McCann (Underdogs) 562, Shane Nyland (Hot Shots) 544. Women’s games: Gail Linke (Storm Chasers) 234, Edla Meyer (Sandbaggers) 167, Sandi Garner (Underdogs) 165. Women’s series: Gail Linke (Storm Chasers) 585, Edla Meyer (Sandbaggers) 467, Barb Morgan (Flame Throwers) 435. Team games: Spare-Us 837, Underdogs 820, Storm Chasers 811. Team series: Spare-Us 2439, Underdogs 2407, Storm Chasers 2370. Games 50 or more above average: Don Hughes (+56), Gail Linke (+63). Splits converted: 5-7: Mac McCann Monday Afternoon Retired Standings: Eagles 4-0, Badgers 4-0, Nite Hawks 0-4, Swans 0-4. Men’s games: Dick Coen (Nite Hawks) 184, Roger Messer (Eagles) 177, Buster Hinricks (Swans) 175. Men’s series: Roger Messer (Eagles) 483, Dick Coen (Nite Hawks) 482, Buster Hinricks (Swans) 472. Women’s games: Betty Anderson (Badgers) 201, Carol Phelps (Eagles) 182, Lucy Hansen (Eagles) 177. Women’s series: Lila Larson (Badgers) 508, Betty Anderson (Badgers) 503, Lucy Hansen (Eagles) 479. Team games: Eagles 615, Badgers 578, Nite Hawks 575. Team series: Eagles 1745, Nite Hawks 1628, Badgers 1614. Monday Night Ladies Standings: Radio Shack 10, The Bottle Shop 9, Hacker’s Lanes 9, Adventure’s 9, S&C Bank 7, House of Wood 6, Mane Attractions 4, Miller Chicks 2. Individual games: Heidi Carey (RS) 189, Rhonda Bazey (HW) 186, Susie Houston (MA) 180. Individual series: Susie Houston (MA) 517, Nancy Anderson (HL) 478, Rhonda Bazey (HW) 467. Team games: Mane Attractions 630, Hacker’s Lanes 586, House of Wood 581. Team series: Mane Attractions 1789, House of Wood 1707, Hacker’s Lanes 1687. Tuesday Classic Standings: Bottle Shop 23, Hacker’s Lanes 22, Great Northern Outdoors 19,

vault with a score of 8.05, and she finished 33rd in the all-around. Alyssa Ryan cracked the top 30 in the allaround at 27th with an 8.1 on the vault and 7.6 on the floor for her best scores. Kayal Cross had the highest overall finish for St. Croix Falls, which also competed at the invite. Cross took 41st with a 6.0 in the vault and 5.57 on the floor excercises.

Boys Basketball Leader Board

SCORING (THROUGH JAN. 15) Name Mollie Bjelland Melanie Chenal Miranda Kammeyer Megan Finch Alison Lake Erin Schmidt Andrea Thompson Becca Anderson Marissa Campeau Ingrid Ames

Gymnastics roundup

Grantsburg finishes eighth in first invite

# 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Ppg 15.9 11.09 10.4 10.2 8.09 8 7.83 6.9 6.8 5.97

SCORING (THROUGH JAN. 15) # 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Name Travis Pilz Chris Bugg Jake Schmidt Paul Olesen Brian Thill Brian Gibbs Matt Goulet Greg Kadramas Trent Bonneville Steve Lake

*Not all stats included

O W L I N G

Hog Wild 11, Ward Lake Services 9, Oddballs 9, Pioneer Bar 6, Yellow Lake Lodge 5. Men’s games: Don Hughes 276, Ron Skow 258, Lydell Larson 237. Men’s series: Don Hughes 718, Lydell Larson 627, Ron Skow 614. Team games: Hacker’s Lanes 676, Bottle Shop 631, Great Northern Outdoors 603. Team series: Hacker’s Lanes 1876, Bottle Shop 1791, Hog Wild 1665. Tuesday Late Mixed Standings: RTs 14-0, Rat Pack 8-6, Pumpkin Heads 7-7, McCurdy Farms 59, Rock and Bowl 4-10, Packer Backers 4-10. Men’s games: Bruce Gravelle 212, John Bytnar 210, Ron Pitts 197. Men’s series: Bruce Gravelle 578, Rick Hach 550, John Bytnar 525. Women’s games: Tiffanie Tretsven 178, Rose Burnham 164, Barb Fritsche 154. Women’s series: Tiffanie Tretsven 473, Barb Fritsche 451, Rose Burnham 421. Team games: Packer Backers 708, McCurdy Farms 703, Rock and Bowl 616. Team series: Packer Backers 2035, McCurdy Farms 2032, Rock and Bowl 1772. Splits converted: 5-10: Tiffanie Tretsven. Wednesday Afternoon Ladies Standings: Frandsen Dairy 7-19, Pioneer Bar 7-16, All Around Gals 7-14, Crazy Ladies 0-9, Hacker’s Lanes 0-5. Individual games: Margie Traun (AAG) 183, Julie Young (PB) 182, Betty Schandorff (HL) 182. Individual series: Margie Traun (AAG) 498, Julie Young (PB) 474, Betty Schardorff (HL) 469. Team games: Frandsen Dairy 785, Crazy Ladies 722, Pioneer Bar 706. Team series: Crazy Ladies 2079, Pioneer Bar 2034, Frandsen Dairy 2015. Wednesday Night Early Men Standings: A-1 Machine 6, Skol Bar 6, Pioneer Bar 5, Cummings Lumber 5, Lewis Silo 4, Parker 3, Jack Pine Trading 2, Bye 1. Individual games: Don Swanson (CL) 245, Josh Henry (JT) 244, Mark Bohn (SB) 233. Individual series: Chris Rowell (P) 636, Brad Schmidt (A1) 619, Mark Bohn (SB) 606. Team games: Pioneer Bar 957, Lewis Silo 944, Parker 929. Team series: Cummings Lumber 2698, Parker 2678, Pioneer Bar 2661. Thursday Early 3-Man Standings: Frontier Trails (10) 20, KWood (11) 16, CenturyTel (4) 15.5, Grindell Law Offices (8) 13, Wikstrom Construction (5) 13, Fab Four (9) 12,

School Luck Unity Frederic Webster Webster Webster Unity SCF Grantsburg Frederic

Points 159 150 146 140 134 131 118 90 88 113

Ppg 14.45 13.6 13.27 12.7 12.2 11.9 10.72 10 9.8 9.41

Coaches: Please submit your stats by noon on Tuesday each week.

E S U L T S

son Travel 1812, Brad’s Ringneck 1770. Games 50 or more above average: Kathy Underwood. Others (all-spare game): Karen Carlson. McKenzie Lanes

Full Timers (2) 10, Hell Raisers (3) 4.5. Individual games: Dave Grindell (GLO) 267, Don McKinney (FF) 246, Lydell Larson (FrT) 242. Individual series: Don McKinney (FF) 694, Mike Sullivan (WC) 661, Ed Bitler (KW) 646. Team games: Grindell Law Offices 650, K-Wood 623, Grindell Law Offices 594. Team series: Grindell Law Offices 1786, K-Wood 1691, Fab Four 1667. Consecutive strikes (5 or more): Don McKinney (FF) 6x-246 & 5x-226, Lydell Larson (FrT) 6x-242. Games 50 or more above average: Dave Grindell (GLO) 267 (76); Lydell Larson (FrT) 242 (58). Splits converted: 2-7: Curt LaPre, Tim Pederson. 4-5: Lydell Larson, John Bytnar, Barry Anderson. 6-7-10: Tim Pederson. 5-7: John Hickey. 3-10: Curt LaPre, Kerry Cook x2, Ed Bitler, Don Grover, Tim Pederson. Thursday Late Standings: Stotz & Company 7-1, Wardlake Services 5-3, Hog Wild BBQ & Grill 4-4, Johnson Upholstery 3-5, Hansen Farms Inc. 3-5, Fisk Trucking 26. Individual games: Dale Frandsen 225, Larry Stotz 217, Dave Gabrielson 215. Individual series: Dale Frandsen 651, Norm Hansen 611, Dave Gabrielson 603. Team games: Stotz & Company 942, Hansen Farms Inc. 900, Wardlake Services 895. Team series: Stotz & Company 2754, Wardlake Services 2604, Hansen Farms Inc. 2579. Friday Night Ladies Standings: The Leader 17, 4-Season Travel 17, Meyer’s Plus 14, Tin Cup Promotions 11, Hole in the Wall 10, Brad’s Ringneck 7, Skol Bar 6, Bye 2. Individual games: Gail Linke 216, Kathy Underwood 202, Sandy King 191. Individual series: Gail Linke 579, Sandy King 551, Karen Carlson 548. Team games: 4-Season Travel 649, The Leader 642, Brad’s Ringneck 624. Team series: The Leader 1862, 4-Sea-

Games 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 9 9 12

Tuesday Night Mens Standings: Hack’s Pub 20, Steve’s Appliance 16, Dream Lawn 14, Nel-LoHill Farm 14, McKenzie Lanes 12, Greatland Transportation 9, Glass Bar 8, The Dugout 3. Individual games: Rick Fox 279, Michael Hill 255, Darren McKenzie 250. Individual series: Rick Fox 746, Darren McKenzie 720, Michael Hill 668. Team games: Hack’s Pub 1056, Dream Lawn 1028. Team series: Dream lawn 2932, Greatland Transportation 2931. Black & Orange Early Birds Standings: 10th Hole 11-5, Black & Orange 8-8, Gandy Dancer Saloon 8-8, Log Cabin Store 5-11. Individual games: Donna Crain (B&O) 178, Rita Tesch (10th) 168, Sheila Anderson (10th) 164. Individual series: Donna Crain (B&O) 454, Jackie Grimes (B&O) & Rita Tesch (10th) 434, Sheila Anderson (10th) 431. Team games: Gandy Dancer Saloon 875, 10th Hole 856, Black & Orange 828. Team series: 10th Hole 2512, Gandy Dancer Saloon 2457, Black & Orange 2411. Games 50 or more above average: Star Christensen 163 +59. Monday Night Men Standings: Larry’s LP 7-1, Parker 6-2, Glass & Mirror Works 5-3, Bruce’s Auto 4-4, Pope’s Construction 2-6, Vacant 08. Individual games: George Kern (P) 227, Dean Eytcheson (BA) 200, Jack Witzany (L) 197. Individual series: Dean Eytcheson (BA) 543, George Kern (P) 529, Richard Morse (GMW) 516. Team games: Larry’s LP 981, Parker 914, Bruce’s Auto 888. Team series: Parker 2637, Larry’s LP 2591, Bruce’s Auto 2537. Games 50 or more above average: George Kern 227 +67. Splits converted: 6-7-10: Chuck Hahr. TNT Ladies Standings: Larry’s LP 8-4, Flower Power 7-5, Wild Bills 5-7, Cashco 4-8. Individual games: Jennifer Kern (L) 203, Cheryl Hansen (WB) 202, Sue Eytcheson (FP) 196.

Individual series: Sue Eytcheson (FP) 524, Jennifer Kern (L) 505, Cheryl Hansen (WB) 494. Team games: Larry’s LP 737, Flower Power 707, Wild Bill’s 677. Team series: Flower Power 2009, Larry’s LP 1970, Wild Bill’s 1924. Games 50 or more above average: Sue Eytcheson 196 +55. Series 100 or more above average: Sue Eytcheson 524 +101. Wednesday Night Men Standings: Lions 7-1, T&P Tree Service 5-3, Cashco 4-4, Blasters 4-4, 10th Hole 3-5, Northview Drive Inn 3-5, Black & Orange 3-5, Lynch Mob 3-5. Individual games: Darryl Moose (LM) 222, Curt Phelps (C) 213, Art Bliven (L) 210. Individual series: Art Bliven (L) 592, Curt Phelps (C) 561, Ed Phelps (C) 553. Team games: Lynch Mob 989, Lions 949, Caschco 935. Team series: Lions 2794, Cashco 2731, Lynch Mob 2690. Games 50 or more above average: Darryl Moose 222 +64; Art Bliven 210 +56. Series 100 or more above average: Art Bliven 592 +130. Early Risers Standings: 10th Hole 14, Hole in the Wall 12, Gandy Dancer 9, A+ Sanitation 7. Individual games: Phyllis Myers (A+) 197, Celia Leehe (HITW) 180, Dot Fouks (GD) 175. Individual series: Dot Fouks (GD) 499, Phyllis Myers (A+) 488, Celia Leehe (HITW) 482. Team games: 10th Hole 584, Hole in the Wall 569, A+ Sanitation & Gandy Dancers 558. Team series: 10th Hole 1706, Hole in the Wall 1655, A+ Sanitation 1644. Splits converted: 2-7: Phyllis Myers. 56: Donna Crain. 5-7: Lylah Nelson, Diane Wilson. Thursday Night Ladies Standings: Riske Dick’s 8-4, Pour House 7-5, Ben Ott Const. 7-5, Black & Orange 6-6, Hole in the Wall 5-7, Check Services 3-9. Individual games: Jackie Churchill (RD) 203, Celia Leehe (B&O) 196, Jennifer Kern (B&O) 188. Individual series: Jennifer Kern (B&O) 480, Jackie Churchill (RD) 479, Julie Chalupsky (H) 469. Team games: Riske Dick’s 729, Pour House 682, Black & Orange 664. Team series: Riske Dick’s 2028, Pour House 1979, Hole in the Wall 1942. Games 50 or more above average: Jackie Churchill 203 +33; Celia Leehe 196 +50.

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Sports in the United States has changed immensely since the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. We once had Major League Baseball for whites only and the Negro Leagues for African Americans only. Incidentally, Matt negro league great Satchel Paige of the Blumkin Kansas City Monarchs once made his T H E way up to the area when the Monarchs played the Cushing Tigers amateur baseball team in the 1940s. In college basketball, an all-African American starting lineup had been unheard of up to the 1960s. That all changed with Texas Western University when they beat an all-white Kentucky Wildcats team. These are just two examples of the reality of racial discrimination’s impact on sports in the United States. There has been much healing in society as we’ve seen many more great African American players and coaches come and go over the past 40 years. Today, talent, skill and character seem to be what coaches look for in players and what general managers/athletic directors look for in coaches. Thank you Martin Luther King Jr. and the many other people that sacrificed their lives in the Civil Rights Movement.

END ZONE

“Where have all the young girls gone?” That spin off of 1960s hit “Where have all Last week’s 7-3 record brings the Swami’s season record to 71-13, or 85 percent. “I was lazy when it came time to research the Pine City boys and the Northwood girls, and it cost me,” he said, pointing to two key losses which caused his success rate to drop for the first time in several weeks. “But THE SWAMI there’s only one tough game this week, so expect me to get back on track,” he said confidently on a cold Wednesday morning as he slid a pan of woodstove coals underneath his 1959 Chevrolet Apache pickup truck in an effort to get it started. Note: This is a dangerous practice and is not recommended by the Leader sports staff.

The Swami

PREDICTS

Girls games Grantsburg 47, Frederic 43: The Vikes just miss a big upset.

the Flowers gone?” can summarize the situation of girls basketball in Norway. Asker, Norway, coach Robert Stenvik had commented, “there haven’t been any girls in the last five years.” Though skiing, hockey, soccer and Nordic sports trump basketball in popularity in Norway; basketball, like the other sports, have taken a hit due to the declining birthrate in Europe because of contraceptive use and abortion. The U.S. has suffered somewhat for similar reasons since 1973 in participation numbers for all sports, high school and below, and millions of mothers and fathers never had the chance to watch their children play because of it. Estimating that about 50 percent of youth participate in sports at some time in their lives, there are at least 22 million that haven’t had the chance to play. NFL Conference Championship Predictions. I went 1-3 last week. The Patriots and Bears really messed that up for me with their comeback wins, but will they meet in the Super Bowl? If they do, it won’t be the same without Jim McMahon and the “Refrigerator” William Perry. The game would be a r-e-v-e-r-s-e blowout, not an even match. AFC Championship: Patriots 29, Colts 28: Tom Brady gives the ball to former Gopher running back Lawrence Maroney for a two-point conversion. This will be the best playoff game of the year. NFC Championship: Bears 24, Saints 21: The Bears have cold and chilly Soldier Field on their side. The Saints rarely travel north of Charlotte, N.C. toughies, the Vikes get a breather. Northwood 44, Webster 30: The Evergreens topple another West Lakeland foe. Siren 61, Luck 18: The Cards follow the game plan to a tee, but still come up short. Siren 60, Shell Lake 15: The Dragons could score 80 or more if they wanted to. St. Croix Falls 39, Turtle Lake 30: The first win in what should be a three-game streak. Boys games Clear Lake 54, St Croix Falls 37: The Central Lakeland invaders win with ease. Grantsburg 55, Frederic 46: The Pirate losing skein ends at three.

Braham 91 Grantsburg 55: 2007 been very, very bad to Pirates. Frederic 55, Prairie Farm 53: Another nonconference win for FHS. Webster 63, Northwood 36: No contest.

Webster 39, Luck 27: This won’t be a nailbiter like their first matchup.

The Swami answers all e-mails and can be reached at predictionking@yahoo.com

Frederic 56, Weyerhaeuser 33: After two Team Cameron St. Croix Falls

Unity Chris Bugg Chad Strilzuk Justin Bader Matt Goulet Ryan Flaherty Merrill Leoso James Coen Totals Cumberland Erickson Bader Weltein Brock Griewe Brady Griewe Broome Mathison Totals

2s 1 2 0 2 9 3 1 18

3s 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 5

FTM/A 0/0 0/1 1/2 0/1 3/5 4/6 0/0 8/15

F 52 62 F 2 5 1 4 1 5 0 18

TP 8 3 12 10 11 6 2 52

F 4 4 1 3 4 1 0 17

TP 2 4 1 4 21 27 2 62

1 2 3 4 13 15 13 11 4 7 12 12 Individual Statistics Cameron 2s 3s FTM/A Brady Czyscon 1 0 2/2 Jesse Linsmeyer 1 2 0/0 Stewart Campbell 0 0 0/0 Luke Larson 2 0 0/0 Cody Woolridge 1 0 0/0 Cory Lutz 1 3 1/1 Mike Sparel 3 0 2/2 Deven Brion 5 0 0/0 Tyler Hom 2 0 0/0 Totals 32 15 5

F 0 3 1 2 2 1 1 1 0 12

St. Croix Falls Jacob Larcom Daniel Roach Trygve Chinander David Lund Greg Kadramas Sam Schmidt Eric Thorsted Francis Fossum Allastant Nuckles Totals

F TP 0 6 2 2 1 11 2 4 1 7 1 4 0 2 1 1 1 0 11 35

2s 2 1 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 20

3s 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 9

FTM/A 2/2 0/0 0/0 0/0 1/1 2/2 0/0 1/2 0/0 6/7

F 52 35 TP 4 8 0 4 2 12 8 10 4 52

LEADER SPORTS S C O R E B O A R D BOYS BASKETBALL

West Lakeland Conference Standings

Team Luck Webster Unity Grantsburg St. Croix Falls Frederic Siren

Scores

Conf. 5-0 4-1 4-2 3-3 2-3 1-5 0-6

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Overall 11-1 9-1 7-3 4-5 4-6 5-7 1-8

Thursday, January 11 St. Croix Falls 41, Siren 34 Friday, January 12 Webster 48, Grantsburg 47 Luck 64, Unity 52 Frederic 74, Northwood 67 Monday, January 15 Pine City, Minn., 63, Grantsburg 49 Cumberland 62, Unity 52 Tuesday, January 16 Cameron 52, St. Croix Falls 35 Luck 71, Siren 35

Coming up

Thursday, January 18 Clear Lake at St. Croix Falls, 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 19 Grantsburg at Frederic, 6 p.m. Unity at Siren, 7:30 p.m. Luck at Webster, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 20 Grantsburg at Braham, Minn., 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 23 Webster at Northwood, 6 p.m. Siren at Shell Lake, 6 p.m. Prairie Farm at Frederic, 7:30 p.m.

West Lakeland Conference Standings

Team Siren Grantsburg Frederic St. Croix Falls Webster Unity Luck

Blizzard

Scores

Friday, January 12 Milwaukee Pope Pius XI 5, Blizzard 2 Tuesday, January 16 Blizzard 6, Moose Lake, Minn. 0

Coming up

Tuesday, January 23 McDonnell Central at Blizzard, 7 p.m.

WRESTLING Coming up

Thursday, January 18 Unity at Clear Lake, 7 p.m. St. Croix Falls at Turtle Lake-Clayton, 7 p.m.

ALPINE SKIING Coming up

Friday, January 19 Welch Village Meet, 5:30 p.m. (Chisago Lakes-St. Croix Falls) Monday, January 22 Centennial, Minn., vs. Chisago Lks-SCF, 5:30 p.m. (at Wild Mountain) Tuesday, January 23 Champlin Park, Minn., vs. Chisago Lks-SCF, 5:30 p.m. (at Trollhaugen)

Overall 9-1 8-2 8-4 4-7 5-8 2-10 1-10

Coming up

Friday, January 19 Luck at Webster, 6 p.m. Unity at Siren, 7:30 p.m. Grantsburg at Frederic, 7:30 p.m. Monday, January 22 Siren at Luck, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 23 Bruce at Luck, 6 p.m. Siren at Shell Lake, 7:30 p.m. Cameron at Unity, 7:30 p.m. Turtle Lake at St. Croix Falls, 7:30 p.m. Webster at Northwood, 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS HOCKEY

Standings 8-4-1

Scores

Conf. 6-0 6-1 4-2 3-4 2-5 2-5 0-6

Thursday, January 11 Siren 49, St. Croix Falls 20 Friday, January 12 Unity 23, Luck 13 Grantsburg 61, Webster 32 Northwood 48, Frederic 47 Monday, January 15 Grantsburg 57, Pine City, Minn. 55 Clear Lake at Unity, not reported Birchwood 44, Webster 27 Tuesday, January 16 Siren 48, Solon Springs 35 Frederic 58, Shell Lake 25

BOYS HOCKEY

Luck 57, Webster 51: The Cards are able to speed up the game just enough.

Shell Lake 49, Siren 46: The coveted Clam River Cup goes back to the Lakers.

1 2 3 4 9 14 14 15 13 18 22 9 Individual Statistics 2s 3s FTM/A 0 6/6 1 1 0 1/1 4 0 4/5 0 2/4 4 2 2 1/2 3 0 0/0 0 0/2 1 16 2 14/18

Unity 59, Siren 45: The Dragons put up a valiant fight.

Siren 53, Unity 16: The Jan. 30 showdown with Grantsburg looms.

Team Unity Cumberland

Standings

Lady Blizzard

1-13-0

Scores

Thursday, January 11 Superior 4, Lady Blizzard 1

Coming Up

Thursday, January 18 Lady Blizzard at Hayward, 7 p.m. Saturday, January 20 Tower-Soudan at Lady Blizzard, 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 23 Lady Blizzard at Moose Lake, Minn., 7:30 p.m.

GYMNASTICS Coming up

Saturday, January 20 Rice Lake Invitational, 12 p.m. (Grantsburg, St. Croix Falls) Tuesday, January 23 Grantsburg at St. Croix Falls, 6:30 p.m.

POOL SCORES

Week of January 9

Team Blacksmith Shop Greg’s Gals Harvest Moon #2 Wise Guys Suzy Q’s Harvest Moon #1 Hack’s 10’ers Kassel Tap Glass Bar

Score 78 77 74 73 66 66 57 56 46 38

Area Youth Hockey Burnett Youth Hockey Weekly Results January 13-14

Mites A Blizzard 23, Rice Lake Warriors 0 Goals: Jenna Curtis (9), Brady Mangen (4), Dylan Strait (4), Auhri Larson, Andrew Ruiz (2), Bailey Mangen (2), Sophie Phernetton Assists: Andrew Ruiz (3), Jenna Curtis (2), Tanner Lee, Max Lindquist, Dylan Strait, Brady Mangen (2), Aubri Larson, Bailey Mangen Saves: Garret Hunter (3) PeWees A Crosby, Minn. Tournament Blizzard 7, Brainer 4 Goals: Aaron Dietmeier (3), Joe Engelhart (2), Anthony Dietmeier (2), Jacob Swenson Assists: Anthony Dietmeier (3), Tyler Richison, Joe Engelhart Saves: Jimmy Richson (37) Blizzard 7, Park Rapids, Minn. 3 Goals: Joe Engelhart (5), Tyler Richison, Aaron Dietmeier Assists: Joe Engelhart, Shay Swanson Saves: Jimmy Richison (21) Becker-Big Lake, Minn. 4, Blizzard 3 Goals: Shay Johnson, Tyler Richison, Matt Larson Assists: Joe Engelhart (2), Anthony Dietmeier, Matt Larson, Jacob Swenson Saves: Jimmy Richison (23) Blizzard second place Squirts A Blizzard 5, Grantsburg 1 Goals: Ryan Curtis (2), Triston Alden (2), Brett Richison Assist: O.J. Hunter Squirts B Somerset 3, Blizzard 2 Goals: Jenna Curtis, Brady Mangen

U12 Girls Moose Lake, Minn. 5, Grantsburg-Burnett 3 Goals: Tianna Stewart, Paige Johnson, Mackenzie Omer Assists: Kassis Lien, Johanna Lauer, Brittney Luedtke Saves: Gabby Schiller (7), Hope Tucker (8) Bantam Milwaukee 11, Burnett-Grantsburg 0 Saves: Thomas Labatt (40) M&M Thunder 4, Burnett-Grantsburg 2 Jordan Sargent, Jeremy Wikstrom Assists: Brittani Hopkins, Ben Jensen, Ben Shives D.C. Everest 6, Burnett-Grantsburg 2 Goals: Dylan Franklin, Jeremy Wikstrom Saves: Thomas Labatt (41)

River Valley Hockey Association Weekly Results January 13-14

Squirts River Valley 5, Barron 3 Goals: Henry Klein (3), Charlie Vezina, Cooper Peterson Assists: Nick Roman, Jesse Loen Saves: Chase Belisle (24) River Valley 6, Chippew Falls 4 Goals: Jesse Loen, Brett Kuenkel, Matt Milner (2), Nick Roman, Charlie Veznia Assists: Henry Klein, Nick Roman, Jessica Somers, Jesse Loen Saves: Chase Belisle (25) U16 Girls River Valley 3, Spooner 2 Goals: Ashley Chapman, Kaitlyn Milner (2) Assists: Kaitlyn Milner, Samantha O’Brien, Emily Milner Saves: Lauryssa Milner (14) River Valley 7, Rice Lake 1 Goals: Rachael Hansen (3), Kaitlyn Milner (4) Assists: Kaitlyn Milner (2), Lauryssa Milner (11)

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 25

O UTDOORS INTER- COUNTY LEADER

ATVs • BIRDING • BOATING • CAMPING • FISHING • HIKING • HUNTING • RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

Minnesotas Red Lake, a new frontier

Hello friends, This past week I explored, what for myself, is a new frontier and that is northern Minnesota’s Red Lake. Together with my friends, Mark Randy Norton of Walters Green Lake and Skip Zander of Harmony Grove, we spent five OUTDOORSMAN’S nights living in a rental shack and fishing for giant crappie, northern pike and walleye. Tuesday, Jan. 2 High 37, low 28 Wisconsin outdoorsmen are known for their willingness to drive long distances for good fishing. Skip Zander, Randy Norton and myself were hoping we would be rewarded for the sevenhour drive from Necedah. Our plan for the week had us staying with Bear Paw Guides (218-3683755). Steve Brasel and his 21-year-old son, Tyler, own 12 rental shacks that they keep right on the lake. Over the last three years, I have been hearing from people that fish Red Lake, that is the largest lake in Minnesota. What has been really catching my attention is the huge average size for the crappie that run between 12 and

JOURNAL

Randy Norton with a fat northern pike that he caught on Red Lake. – Photo submitted 16 inches for just about every one you catch. I would also learn about monster northern pike and an awesome walleye fishery that just recently opened with a two-fish limit that may change to four this June.

With all of the above information, the three of us unloaded our gear into an 8x12 foot shack that would be our home for almost a week. Minnesota has a two-line limit in the winter, so we rigged a tip-up for each of us with 8- to 11-inch suckers and then fished in the shack with jig poles for anything that was hungry for either an emerald shiner or a fathead. We had all got out of bed before 3 a.m. and were exhausted. About 7 a.m. Skip Zander started heating up a pan of homemade chili. When Randy Norton, who is good buddies with Zander, realized he was going to be serving us his “special” chili, he tried warning me that an intense gas problem would soon overcome our tiny abode. One hour after finishing our dinner, something happened that I do not know if I have ever witnessed to such an extreme. The three of us had such incredibly bad gas that breathing was nearly impossible, and the sounds of multiple explosions had us all busting out in laughter. Did I mention we caught three walleyes and an eelpout before calling it a day? Wednesday, Jan. 3 High 40, low 30 Today began what I believe will be a long-term friendship with Steve and Tyler Brasel and our gang. The first thing that I would learn about these guys was their genuine desire to put us onto fish. After doing some thinking, they moved our shack over deeper water. We were rewarded almost immediately, when Randy Norton caught a 34-

inch northern on a tip-up and a 28incher on a jig pole. The crappie bite I had been truly fantasizing about for the last few months was supposedly going to be a nonevent as no one was catching crappie this week. That would not stop Tyler Brasel from going hunting for them each night after work with huge rewards by the end of our week. Back in late November, Tyler and a buddy caught seven northern pike over 40 inches in one day, and Steve Brasel told me he mounted a couple of gators that measured 49 and 50 inches. Due to the fact that we were gassed out last night, we were pretty tired tonight. Even though we were having a blast catching walleye in the shack between 13 and 18 inches, we turned the lights out by 9 p.m. I had left a jig pole out that had a fathead on a bare hook. The drag was set extra light, and I could hear each time a walleye started swimming away with my minnow. Five times I got out of bed from the top bunk, and each time I missed my quarry. Then I decided to fish with a heavier rod and caught two walleye just shy of 19 inches. I almost forgot to mention, while we were all still up I caught a crappie, and it was a solid 14-1⁄2 inches. Sure, there was some adversity like the gas attack and a vole living in our shack that was rather bothersome, but I truly liked what I was seeing. Stay active! Be positive! Sunset!

Brought to you by the following sponsors:

Little Rice pike

On track... The walleye action has been slow lately in the lake surrounding B and K sports in Milltown. B and K says that anglers have been catching quite a few walleye in Balsam Lake as well as in Big Round but they’re generally undersized with three short fish for every one legalsized fish. If the walleye action slows on Big Round you might want to switch over to trying for panfish in 7 to 10 feet of water with spikes or waxies. B and K sports also said that some nice crappies have been caught on Balsam Lake in depths of up to 30 feet of water. People have been catching perch on Bone and Big Butternut Lake, and B and K has weighed in some 12- and 13-pound northerns from Big Butternut as well. – Marty Seeger

•••

The ice conditions on lakes in the surrounding area have been improving dramatically over the past few days with our recent cold snap. Last Sunday, full-sized pickups could be seen driving on some spots on Balsam Lake, but the DNR is still advising people to be extremely cautious. – Marty Seeger

•••

Hunters looking for activity this week might want to check out the opening of crow season, which starts on Jan. 18 and runs through March 20. Also, squirrel and raccoon seasons are open until Jan. 31. – Marty Seeger

•••

Martin Scanlon of Hertel caught this huge 19pound, 2-ounce pike on Little Rice Lake on Jan. 7. -Photo courtesy of Big Mike’s Outdoor Sports

Bowhunting may be over for the year, but now is the best time to get out in to the woods to do some scouting for next season. Hanging stands in areas where you located deer last year is a good place to start making shooting lanes for next year. By the time the next season starts, deer will be used to the disturbance. This is also the best time to start looking for shed antlers. Big buck usually cast antlers first, so get out there before the squirrels and mice find them. – Marty Seeger

Butch’s Northwest Archery Bowhunting League Week 1 Team

Knoop Construction: 618 Whitetail Lodge: 614 Melton Sandblasting: 602 Gronning’s Tree Service: 597 A&H Taxidermy: 591 A&H Country Market: 581 Century 21 Siren: 581 Theoutpostmall.com: 562 Shell Lake Laundromat: 548 B&B Disposal: 544 Gluek: 543 Bank of the West: 533 The Shop: 510 Spooner Sports: 483 Big Mike’s Sport Shop: 470

Women’s Teams Team Nappa: 472 Bass Lake Inn: 310

Father Son-Daughter Team Dan King Agency: 572 Glennco Transmission: 550 Boom Truck Services: 461 Weis Guys: 420

Juniors

White Birch Printing: 575 Lipsie Pines: 461

Husband & Wife Teams Sportsman’s Headquarters: 550 Larsen Chev: 487 Audie’s Barn Board Crafts: 468 Parson’s Auto Body: 463

Traditional Teams

Peterson Construction: 405 Wishful Thinking: 385 C&J Sport Shop: 378 Shell Lake Pharmacy: 350

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Intro into the world of ice fishing

No matter where youre from, ice fish ing is worth the trip by Marty Seeger SIREN — It had been a long time since Pauline Peterson of Siren had been able to spend the Christmas holiday with her brother Jim Steinmetz of Kansas City, Kan. That’s because he works as a chef on the executive train with Burlington Northern, and spends much of his time traveling. During the Christmas holiday, Peterson was able to spend some time with her brother, his new wife Mei and her daughter Mian (Gigi). Jim and Mei had recently been married on May 1, 2006, in Kansas City, and Peterson was not able to attend. “He had a vacation,” Peterson recalls. “Finally.” Jim and his new wife Mei, along with her daughter Gigi spent a little more than four days over Christmas with Peterson and her husband Don, who acted as the fishing guide. Mei and Gigi first arrived in the United States on Feb. 17, 2006, from Guangzhou, China, where the weather is mild and warm. It was the first time Gigi saw snow. Mei, Jim and Gigi enjoyed fishing from a boat earlier this past summer, but it wasn’t until their recent trip to Don and Pauline’s that they discovered what it’s like to skate and fish on a frozen lake. “They were just giggly, said Pauline on their first ice-skating experience. “Mei had a heck of a time, but Gigi did

Mian (Gigi) Huang hoists up the 4-pound 12-ounce bass she caught on a tip-up Dec. 27. Gigi Later named the bass Billy, after she saw the singing bass that was on the wall where they stayed over the Christmas holiday. Photos submitted really well, and neither of them were ter than a man and a woman can,” scared. For me it would have been a lit- Pauline said. “I could almost feel what she was going to say.” tle different.” When it comes to ice fishing though, Since Mei and Gigi are still getting accustomed to the English language, it sometimes actions speak louder than made for some interesting conversation words, and for Paulines’s husband through observation for the entire Don, that’s exactly what he liked most group, especially for Don and Jim about the experience. “It was a real trip watching the girls according to Pauline, who had an easier time communicating on a woman-to- fish through the ice for the first time,” said Don, who helped Mei and Gigi woman level. “I said women can communicate bet- with the art of fishing a frozen lake.

In between ice fishing, the Peterson family along with Jim Steinmetz, celebrated December and January birthday’s on on Dec. 24. Pictured from (L to R): Don Peterson, Pauline Peterson, Jim Steinmetz and his wife Mei.

“When the flag went up, I told Gigi to go hand-over-hand,” Jim recalled. “Well, she got so excited that she grabbed the board and took off with it. The reel was still spinning, but the fish was still in the water.” After calming her excitement down, Jim explained a little clearer on how to catch the next fish, so on the next try, Gigi caught her first fish. “She was sitting next to the hole and had all of the line sitting in her lap in a big rat’s nest, so I had about a 20minute job pulling all of that apart,” Don said laughing. On the next day, the group visited a different lake with friends Gerry and Dee Pias of Siren, when Gigi landed her biggest fish of the trip. It was a 4pound, 12-ounce bass that ended up winning first place at Big Mike’s for that week in the bass category. “The first thing she said was, it’s not a northern, and I told her honey, you just caught the biggest bass of your life,” Don said. Although plans have not been made official, Jim says that they are all looking forward to the time when they return to the Siren area in the future. “They definitely want to come back, but with my job, I never get to get up there very often,” Jim said. No matter how long it may take Jim and his family to visit the Siren area, it’s clear that ice fishing has left lasting memory for Mei and her daughter, Gigi. “Seeing the girls on the lake was great,” Jim said. “I could tell they were having a good time, because they just smiled.”

Gigi chills out on the ice on Clam Lake on Christmas Day while she sits and waits for a fish to bite.

Warden named wildlife officer of the year SPOONER – Cumberland team conservation warden supervisor Dave Zebro was recently named Wisconsin Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Club International, Shikar-Safari according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The annual award from the conservation-based organization honors the officer whose efforts during the previous year show outstanding performance and achievement among the Wisconsin DNR’s law-enforcement personnel. “Dave leads by example in many ways,” said Wisconsin chief warden Randy Stark. “He is progressive and

works hard to continuously improve his skills, knowledge and abilities. This is critical in a rapidly changing world.” Zebro attended the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He is currently attending the DNR Leadership Academy. “Dave brings what he learns back to the warden service and applies it to make us a better organization,” Stark said. “He is constantly working with his wardens to build camaraderie on the team and achieve a high level of performance on an individual and team basis. He does this through team training along with individual mentoring

and coaching.” Zebro is intricately involved in the recruitment, hiring and training of new recruits. He was one of the supervisors who lead the Snowmobile Accident Reduction Team during 2005-06 to reduce snowmobile fatalities. Over the past year, Zebro assembled and led a team to improve the warden force’s capacity to conduct investigations. “We are very appreciative of the Shikar-Safari Club International promoting the Wildlife Officer of the Year Award program and it is considered an honor to get this award in the warden service,” Stark said.

The Shikar-Safari Club International was founded in 1952 by an international group of hunters interested in exchanging ideas about the sport. Each year the club sponsors an award for the Wildlife Officer of the Year in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and the territories of both nations. In 1966, the Shikar-Safari International Foundation was formed to support various wildlife conservation projects with funds raised by club members. Warden Zebro will receive the award at a future Natural Resources Board meeting.- Submitted

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 27

County board has a plan for planning by Mary Stirrat BALSAM LAKE — The Polk County Board of Supervisors now has a plan for how to begin its strategic planning process. Responding to concerns from both board members and the public, the board in October voted to establish a steering committee to come up with a process by which the county can begin strategic planning. That committee presented a work plan to the county board at its Jan. 16 meeting. The board voted to adopt the plan and move forward with the process. Supervisor and committee chair Keith Rediske presented the proposed process, developed as a result of five meetings plus a meeting with county department heads. The process will be implemented over the next eight months, with a final mission statement and directional statements presented at the August county board meeting. The committee, said Rediske, determined that the objective of the strategic planning process is to “articulate a big-picture view to guide short-term decisions and long-term initiatives.” An example of this, he said, is Siren’s decision to focus on a “Northwoods” look for its “big-picture view,” then establishing guidelines regarding the use of log siding and other ways to implement that view. The final product will include a “useable and mutually owned mission statement, with three to five directional statements and five to 10 goals. This will be attained by creating “productive conversation between county members and county leaders.” The focus of the “productive conversation” will be four questions developed by the committee. These are: Where have we been? Where are we now? Where do we want to go? and How will we get there? Through these questions, the significant history, changes and trends of the county will be examined, an assessment of the current state of the county will be conducted, Polk County’s “preferred future” will be identified, and directional statements with possible strategies will be developed. Conversation will be encouraged by holding three public forums during the third week of February, said Rediske, one each in Amery, Osceola and Luck. In addition, the four questions will be sent to local units of government, civic organizations and other groups for input. “Any member of the community would be invited to send in their thoughts on these four questions as well,” said Rediske. In addition, board supervisors will make themselves available to meet with local officials or civic groups to facilitate discussion. The results will be discussed, one question per month, starting in March. The board and any interested department heads will meet at 4 p.m. on the day of its regular board meeting each month to spend an hour and a half discussing and summarizing what the public, department heads and board feels about each question. The vision or mission statement will be discussed at the July county board meeting, with the final product presented in August. When the committee was established in October, the board authorized up to $15,000 for expenses. “At this point,” said Rediske, “it looks like we’re not going to spend the $15,000. If we spend much more than $5,000 it’s going to be surprising.” The biggest expenses, he said, will be the mailings and advertising for the public meetings.

Larry Jepsen, chairman of the Polk County Board of Supervisors, and county clerk Cathy Albrecht. The sign in front highlights one of the quotes used by the strategic planning committee.

County supervisor Keith Rediske, standing, presents the proposed strategic planning process to the Polk County Board Tuesday night. The board voted to proceed with the process. Rediske is chairman of the strategic planning committee, which includes Bob Kazmierski and Gail Peavey of UW-Extension, county board chair Larry Jepsen, and supervisors Bryan Beseler, Robert Blake and Patricia Schmidt. Seated is Kazmierski, secretary of the committee. than 50 percent of the investment portfolio can be invested in any single security type failed by a vote of 16 to 5. Revolving loan The board voted to approve a $50,000 loan from the revolving loan fund for LuAnn White and Henry Studtmann to help purchase and open a grocery store in the former Dick’s Food Pride in Milltown.

The store will open as an Economart, according to the resolution to grant the loan. Supervisors Diane Stoneking and Rodney Littlefield opposed the loan. “The probability of this being successful is remote,” said Littlefield, noting the close proximity to other grocery stores. “We’re spending county money on a feel-good thing that has little chance of success.” Supervisor Keith Rediske said he would agree with Littlefield except for the fact that the community of Milltown has said they want the store. Other business • The board voted to pay $11,639 in gopher bounties, paying $1.50 per pocket gopher and 50 cents for each striped gopher. The town of Milltown led the reimbursements, with 1,721 pocket gophers and 44 striped gophers, for a total of $2,603.50. The gophers cause damage to roads and farm fields. • Supervisor Mick Larsen reported that timber sales generated $253,563 in 2006.

Investment policy The board approved language changes in the county’s investment policy that will better reflect current practices. Discussed at length, but not changed, was the practice of diversifying so that no more than 75 percent of the county’s investment portfolio will be invested in a single security type. Banks in Polk County, said county treasurer Amanda Nissen, currently provide high return compared with other investment options. The policy states that preference will be given to Polk County banking establishments if rates of return are equal. In addition, she said, bank investments are with a variety of local banks, each of which is well-insured with varied insurers. Supervisor Gary Bergstrom of the finance committee said that he would prefer more diversification. Bank investments have a higher yield, he noted, but also higher risks than government bonds. “Now we have 100 percent in the bank, and that’s focusing too much on yield,” he said. A motion to amend the policy to state that no more

The Leader is a cooperative-owned newspaper

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Grant gives needy students dental care by Julie Holmquist POLK COUNTY - A state grant is making dental care available for needy students in Polk and Barron counties, thanks to the Polk County HealthWatch Coalition. The coalition wrote the grant and received one of five Flex Grants handed out by the University of Wisconsin Office of Rural Health. The $50,000 grant will allow the Rural Health Dental Clinic of CESA 11 to provide care at every elementary school and middle school in Polk and Barron counties. “We hope this will do wonderful things,” said Sharon Haugerud, Rural Health Dental Clinic director. A dental hygienist started this week with a traveling clinic providing care to second-graders and fifth-graders. The children are handpicked by teachers as those of greatest need, Haugerud said. The care is meant for children of lowincome families who may be on Wisconsin Badger Care or on Medicaid. The program will provide teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants and an assessment. “Some ask why we focus on kids,” Haugerud said. “The idea is to prevent decay before it starts and teach better habits, so hopefully 20 years from now we won’t have as many adults in need.” They will be servicing between 20 and 25 students at each school in Polk and Barron counties, Haugerud said. They target second-graders because

that’s when children typically get their first set of molars and sealants, and fifth-graders typically are getting their second set of molars and sealants. The Rural Health Dental staff will see all elementary and middle schools by May. Haugerud said they will be starting in the Rice Lake area. The grant is not an ongoing one, but Haugerud said another grant is being written in an attempt to maintain the school visits. The grant also allows Polk County Public Health to provide once-a-week dental care for people who are uninsured, are Medicaid ineligible or who are income eligible on the sliding fee schedule. Polk County Public Health has two dental exam rooms with equipment at its offices in Balsam Lake, and the grant will allow for preventative care provided by staff of the CESA 11 Rural Health Dental Clinic. Haugerud noted that a single person with a minimum wage job and no children is not eligible for Medicaid, for example, making dental care difficult to afford. She noted that dentists take only a limited amount of clients on medical assistance because dentists actually lose money – not profit – with each one of those clients because of the low reimbursement rates. At this point, the once-a-week dental care at Polk County Public Health includes preventative care but does not

Pictured (L to R) Alicia Pannier, dental hygienist, Peggy Gill, dental assistant, and Sharon Haugerud, director of CESA 11’s Rural Health Dental Clinic prepare for regular weekly care at Polk County Health offices. The clinic will also provide care for low-income students in Polk and Barron counties.-Photo by Julie Holmquist include dentist exams. But Haugerud is hopeful that the program can some day find a way to also provide that care, per-

haps on a rotating, volunteer-dentist basis.

Polk County HCE scholarships available POLK COUNTY – Polk County Association for Home and Community Education is not just about our many community service projects, but is about education. Annual scholarships: Two are awarded each year, one for $600 and one for $400, for post-secondary education, to high school seniors/college students who are children, stepchildren, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of Polk County HCE members. Scholarship applications are due Monday, April 9, and forms are available through the Polk County Extension Office, 100 Polk Plaza, Suite 210, Balsam Lake, WI 54810 or by phone, 715-4858600. An additional scholarship for $1,000, the Jones-Lee scholarship, is available to Wisconsin residents, members of Wisconsin HCE, their children, grandchildren and stepchildren. This scholarship can be used for a two-year associate degree in a vocational or technical school or to continue education part time or full time at the university level. A minimum of four credits is required, and a person may receive this scholarship only once. April 1 is deadline for application from the Polk County Extension Office in Balsam Lake.

Wreath-making lessons given by Shirley Crowe in her greenhouse were well-attended. The Sterling Club, St. Croix Falls, donated $300 this past year for a student scholarship for a St. Croix Falls graduate. They also shared information on writing and calling to protest violence on TV and movies. Educational programs: Chairman Betty Zager schedules periodic educational programs for members. Breast Cancer Awareness, recently presented by Dr. Marsha Beyer of St. Croix

Breast Cancer Awareness, recently presented by Dr. Marsha Beyer of St. Croix Regional Medical Center, was extremely informative and timely.

Regional Medical Center, was extremely informative and timely.

Wreath-making lessons given by Shirley Crowe in her greenhouse were also well-attended and everyone left with beautiful wreaths and sprays. There will be a program about houseplants on Feb. 8, 1:30 p.m., in the government center, Balsam Lake. Ryan Sterry, UW-Extension Ag/Hort agent will present the basics for indoor plant care. Educational in a different way was HCE members’ first attempt as bell ringers for the Salvation Army. It turned out to be the coldest day of 2006, and yes, Shirley Hase and Betty Zager had to stand outside of Wal-Mart in St. Croix Falls. They learned an important lesson however: Don’t jump to conclusions! Their backs were to the wind, and their faces to the sun and they felt surprisingly comfortable. It was a most lucrative day because the folks approaching, going into the wind, felt so sorry for these poor bell ringers, they donated generously. – submitted

Nonunion county employees get 3-percent wage increase by Mary Stirrat BALSAM LAKE — The Polk County Board of Supervisors Tuesday night approved a 3-percent cost of living increase for the 66 nonunion employees of Polk County, effective Jan. 1. Total cost for the increase is about $88,000. Two supervisors opposed the increase when a voice vote was taken. Supervisor Robert Blake indicated he was against the increase, saying that it would make the gap between union and nonunion employees bigger because of the higher salaries received by the nonunion employees. “The last couple of contracts,” argued supervisor Gerald Newville, “nonreps got considerably less of a percentage than did the represented ones. This year, in the spirit of fairness, we gave the same as the represented employees.” In 2006, nonrepresented employees received a 1.75-percent increase. They

received a 2-percent increase in 2005, and a performance-based increase rather than an across-the-board increase in 2004, with ranged from 0 percent to 15 percent. “Just this information tells you it’s time for our nonrepresented employees to get a 3-percent increase,” said Schmidt. “They could go off and work in a different county and get better wages.” Supervisor Russell Arcand, who conducted negotiations with the union employees, said that changes in the health insurance carrier allowed union employees to have a 3-percent increase. The same is true for the nonunion employees, he said. “They are nonrepresented,” Arcand said, “but we represent them. The county represents the nonrepresented employees. I don’t think 3 percent is out of line.”

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College-bound students invited to multicollege expos in January, February Featuring $100 scholarship giveaways and presentations designed for families making higher-ed decisions RICE LAKE — For thousands of area parents with high school students who will be making the transition to college this fall, decision-making is intense right now and promises to get even more intense as financial aid and college admissions deadlines approach in the coming months. To help prospective students and

their families make the most informed decisions, area colleges and universities are working together to offer College Nights in January and February. The free events, hosted by Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, are open to any family making college or career decisions. Other area colleges and universities participating in the event include UW-Superior, UMD, UW-Stout and others. “College Night is an opportunity to find all the information you need about higher education and financing options — all in one night and no matter where you choose to go to school,” said career specialist Kelly Utyro. “We’re looking forward to meeting with both students and their families to answer their ques-

tions.” Formerly called Financial Aid Night, College Night will give families a chance to visit with area college representatives, lending agencies, and other exhibitors all in one place to help make the college admissions process easier. Participants can also register to win one of several $100 scholarships sponsored by local banks and credit unions. College Night schedule Monday, Jan. 29, WITC Rice Lake Conference Center, 1900 College Drive. Monday, Feb. 5, WITC Ashland Conference Center, 2100 Beaser Avenue. Tuesday, Feb. 6, WITC Superior Atrium, 600 N 21st Street. Monday, Feb. 12, WITC New Richmond Conference Center,1019 South

Knowles Avenue. Exhibits and campus tours start at 5 p.m., with financial aid presentations at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. In addition, the event will feature four break-out sessions at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. The sessions include: Parent Information, College Transitioning 101, Nontraditional Careers, Real World Employment Skills and a Financial Aid Refresher. Utyro encourages all college-bound students to mark their family calendar and plan to attend. For more information, contact a WITC career specialist at 800-243-9482.— from WITC

City of Superior makes historic preservation group’s ‘worst’ list SUPERIOR - The city of Superior made the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list for the worst of 2006 with its demolition of the historic Palace Theater. The NTHP recently published its year-end list of preservation woes and wonders. The city demolished the former vaudeville theater in November as a

federal judge was to hear a request for an injunction to stop the demolition sought by the Friends of Superior, a nonprofit group. The group amended its original complaint stating the city demolished the theater and allowed salvage to begin without first completing the review process required by the Historic Preser-

vation Act. U.S. District Judge John Shabaz of Madison ruled in a Dec. 20 teleconference hearing that the amended complaint could go forward. The group in its lawsuit is seeking declaratory, not monetary relief. They want it stated that the historic Palace Theater was demolished in violation of current laws and regulations, and that

any current and future federal funds not be spent in the project area. The NTHP’s article “Best and Worst of 2006” from Preservation online can be viewed at http://www.nationaltrust.org/magazine/archives/arch_sto ry/122906.htm - from NTHP

Fo l l o w t h e L e a d e r. Polk County sheriff’s report Accidents

Dec. 30, 12 a.m., Balsam Lake Twp., Hwy. 46, 100’ S. of 190th Avenue, #1—RYAN W. LEGGETT, 30, Osceola; #2— KRISTOPHER D. BERKLUND, 17, Osceola; Units 1 and 2 were southbound on Hwy. 46 near 190th Avenue. Driver of unit 2 alleges unit 1 rear-ended him and side-swiped him. Units 1 and 2 unclear of exact location of incident. Driver of unit 1 alleges that unit 2 struck his vehicle a few miles before this incident and they were following each other. Driver of unit 1 issued citation for operating motor vehicle while revoked. Dec. 31, 10:20 p.m., Black Brook Township, 20th Avenue, .25 mile E. of 125th Street, ELEANOR L. ADAMS, 16, Deer Park, was westbound on 20th Avenue. Driver lost control in a snow-covered curve. Vehicle left the roadway and entered the north ditch, where it traveled up an embankment and overturned, coming to rest on its

roof. Jan. 1, 8 p.m., Balsam Lake Twp. CTH I, .18 mile W. of 130th Street, JAMES J. HEALY, 67, Balsam Lake, was eastbound on CTH I when the driver lost control of the vehicle, which entered the north ditch, overturned, struck a tree and came to rest on the roof. Driver of vehicle was trapped in the vehicle and extricated. Driver sustained a minor injury (restraint use unknown) and was transported by EMS. Driver issued citation for OWI and driving too fast for conditions. Jan. 2, 8:07 a.m., St. Croix Falls Twp., River Road, 3.2 miles S. of Otterslide Avenue, GARY A. NELSON, 16, Cushing, was southbound on River Road. Operator lost control on the ice-covered roadway. Vehicle left the road, entered the west ditch and overturned. Jan. 2, 12:10 p.m., St. Croix Falls Township, Fairgrounds Road, 200’ W. of Sunshine Street, JADE R. MILLER, 17,

Burnett County warrants Jenae A. Barber, 18, Pepin, arrest warrant-complaint, Jan. 10. Charles F. Becvar, 49, Grantsburg, warrant-failure to appear, Jan. 8. Kevin J. Buskirk, warrantfailure to appear, Jan. 8. Charles J. Cadotte Jr., warrant-failure to appear, Jan. 8. Sean P. Carrigan, 32, Elkhart Lake, arrest warrant-complaint, Jan. 10. Kendra K. Drake, 23, Siren, warrant-failure to appear, Jan 10. Kristal R. Gorman, 24, arrest warrant-complaint, Jan. 10. Howard W. Hills, Warrantfailure to appear, Jan. 12. Jessica L. Janes, 21, Grantsburg, arrest warrant-complaint, Jan. 10. Watson L. Lewing, 45, Sioux Falls, S.D,, Arrest warrant-complaint, Jan. 10. Michael M. Madsen, 26,

Danbury, warrant-failure to appear, Jan. 11. Melissa L. Mulroy, Grantsburg, arrest warrant-complaint, Jan. 10. Edwin A. Nelson, 44, Little Falls, Minn., Arrest warrantcomplaint, Jan. 10. Ryndi S. Nelson, 30, Siren, warrant-failure to appear, Jan. 10. Sheila A. Nelson, 34, warrant-failure to appear, Jan. 11. Benjamin F. Notinokey, 20, Eau Claire, warrant-failure to appear, Jan. 10. Andrew R. Olson, 27, Grantsbury, warrant-failure to appear, Jan. 10. Dawn M. Quaderer, 43, Minneapolis, Minn., arrest warrantcomplaint, Jan. 10. Marco A. Shabaiash, 22, Hinckley, Minn., warrant-failure to appear, Jan. 10. Karma D. Wessels, 22, Little Falls, Minn., arrest warrantcomplaint, Jan. 10.

St. Croix Falls, was traveling eastbound on Fairgrounds Road. Driver lost control on ice/snow-covered section of Fairgrounds Road approximately 100 yards west of Sunshine Street. Vehicle rotated 180 degrees and turned over onto the driver’s side and came to rest in the south ditch. Jan. 3, 11:40 a.m., Balsam Lake Twp., Hwy. 8, 20’ E. of Hwy. 46/N; #1—RAYMOND C. JOHNSON, 76, Luck; #2— BETTY J. HAWKINSON, 68, Forest Lake, Minn.; Unit 1 was stopped, facing south on Hwy. 46, waiting to turn east on Hwy. 8. Unit 2 was traveling west on Hwy. 8. A vehicle was in the turn lane to turn north on Hwy. 46, blocking unit 1’s view. Unit 1 began to pull out directly into the path of unit 2. Driver of unit 2 braked hard but could not stop. The vehicle struck, causing minor damage. Driver of unit 1 cited for failure to yield right of way. Jan. 3, 3 p.m., St. Croix Falls Twp., 150th Avenue, .1 mile W. of 180th Street; TERRY J. PERRON, 50, Amery, was traveling east on 150th Avenue. The vehicle struck a patch of snow/slush. The vehicle began to spin. The vehicle entered the north ditch and began traveling backward through the ditch until it came to rest against a tree. Jan. 5, 4:37 p.m., Milltown Twp., 220th Avenue/CTH G, 100’ W. of Hwy. 35, JONATHAN M. WINEINGER, 23, Balsam Lake, was eastbound on 220th Avenue/CTH G, approaching the intersection with Hwy. 35. Unit 1 failed to negotiate the right curve, left the roadway and ran over a traffic sign marking the curve. Unit 1 continued on,

struck the ditch along Hwy. 35 and then fled the scene. Driver of unit 1 was stopped later and arrested for OWI and failure to report accident. Jan. 5, 6 p.m., Osceola Twp., Hwy. 35 at 240th Street, #1— TROY R. CROSS, 39, Amery; #2—CYNTHIA R. LOFGREN, 36, Osceola; Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on Hwy. 35. Unit 2 was traveling eastbound on Hwy. 35. Unit 1 rear-ended unit 2 while unit 2 was traveling at highway speed. Collision occurred at 240th Street, north of the intersection. Unit 1 stopped on the shoulder just east of 240th St. and unit 2 stopped just after 90th Avenue intersection on Hwy. 35. Unit 1 driver was cited for OWI. Unit 2 driver sustained a minor injury (no EMS). Jan. 5, 6:15 p.m., Garfield Twp., CTH F/130th Street at CTH PP, RORY D. MADSEN, 23, Amery, was westbound on CTH F, approaching the curve. He said an item inside his vehicle fell onto the brake and as he tried to push it out of the way his foot stepped on the accelerator pedal instead of the brake. Driver sustained a minor injury (no seat belt worn). Jan. 6, 6:17 p.m., Clear Lake Twp., CTH A, .6 mile W. of County Line Street, JASON J. ALMSTED, 33, Clayton, was eastbound on CTH A when he failed to note a black cow standing on the roadway (owned by Anthony J. Richmeyer, Clayton). The vehicle struck the cow, killing it, and causing severe damage to the vehicle. Jan. 7, 12:10 a.m., Milltown Twp., Hwy. 35 at 20th Avenue, #1–JUSTIN W. JONET, 19, Balsam Lake; #2—TAMMY J.

Burnett Co. civil court Mrc Receivables Corp. vs. Carrie Meeds, Webster, judgment $1,759.43. Discover Bank vs. Samantha Jo Ryan, Grantsburg, judgment $1,897.65. George Benson vs. Kraig A. Blodgett, Siren, judgment $3,097.56. Mrc Receivables Corp. vs. Jake Lamb, Webster, judgment $754.27.

SWANSON, 42, Milltown; Units 1 and 2 were southbound on Hwy. 35. Unit 2 driver states they pulled out of J.J.’s Bar parking lot and saw no other traffic on Hwy. 35. After negotiating onto the highway, driver 2 sttates they were rear-ended from another southbound vehicle at a high rate of speed. Both drivers were believed to be intoxicated (cited for OWI). Both drivers and a passenger in unit 2 (RICHARD B. NELSON, 38, Frederic) were injured and transported by EMS. Driver Jonet was not wearing safety equipment. Driver Swanson and her passenger, Nelson, were wearing safety equipment. Jan. 8, 6:50 a.m., Clayton Twp., Hwy. 63, .25 mile S. of CTH J, #1—DAVID H. RAILSBACK, 50, New Richmond; #2—JAN D. KNUTSON, 50, Clayton; Unit 2 (farm tractor), was pulling two hay wagons behind it. The front wagon was filled with hay. Unit 2 had two slow moving vehicle placards visible to the rear, one on the rear trailer and one up high on the tractor. Both vehicles were northbound on Hwy. 63. Unit 1 was behind unit 2. Unit 1 came up behind unit 2 and did not see unit 2 until just before he hit the rear trailer of unit 2. Impact caused damage to the rear trailer and front and right side of unit 1. Driver of unit 1 states he did not see unit 2. Jan. 9, 3:45 p.m., Village of Balsam Lake, Hwy. 46, 1/2-mile N. of CTH I, #1—JACOB J. SCHOMMER, 18, Frederic; #2—KARLA J. COOK-TURNER, 48, Balsam Lake. Both vehicles were southbound on Hwy. 46. Unit 2 slowed for a school bus. Unit 1 failed to notice that unit 2 had slowed and ran into the back of unit 2. Jan. 9, 3:45 p.m., Village of

Milltown, 212 First St. at a private driveway, #1—THOR L. JEPSEN, 39, Centuria; #2— Legally Parked Vehicle owned by THOR L. JEPSEN, Centuria. Unit 1 driver states he was picking up his children when he slid into unit 2. Jan. 9, 5:22 p.m., Osceola Twp., Hwy. 35, .25 mile S. of CTH S/N junction; BRUCE F. CARLSTED, 55, Shafer, Minn., struck a deer on the roadway. Jan. 9, 8:15 p.m., Lincoln Twp., 65th Avenue/CTH F, 500’ E of CTH C, THOMAS A. MARG, 21, Clear Lake, was westbound on 65th Avenue/CTH F. Either the left rear tire blew, causing the driver to lose control, or the driver lost control, causing vehicle to skid. Left rear wheel came off the vehicle and could not be located. Unit 1 spun around and went into the south ditch, facing eastbound. The underage driver was arrested for violation of absolute sobriety law. Jan. 12, 1:20 p.m., Amery, Westconsin Credit Union parking lot at 1015 Cornwall Avenue; #1—DARREL C. ROTHE, 53, Amery; #2—GEORGEINA A. O’CONNELL, 41, Turtle Lake. Unit 1 was backing in the parking lot. Unit 2 was parked in the parking lot. Unit 1 collided with the rear of unit 2 while backing. Jan. 13, 11:45 a.m., Alden Twp., 155th Street, 50’ N. of Random Drive, ZACHARY A. JENSEN, 16, Amery, was northbound on 155th Street. Driver states he lost control of the vehicle as he rounded the curve on 155th Street, north of Random Drive. Vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree on the west side of 155th Street, causing moderate damage to the vehicle. Vehicle was able to be driven away.

Burnett Co. deaths Victor Blasena, 86, Grantsburg, Dec. 23. Emma Haight, 90, Grantsburg, Dec. 29. Corrine M. Westphal, 72, Siren, Dec. 31. Bertha Kathryn Buskirk, 85, Webster, Jan. 1. Donald J. Fossum, 78, Siren, Jan. 5.

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Burnett County criminal court Travis J. Wessels, 24, Siren, possession of THC, license suspended for six months, $273.00. Kristopher R. Hicks, 36, Siren, issuing worthless checks, $249.00. Brandy M. Swanson, Webster, issuing worthless checks, $248.00. Terra L. Miller, 25, Duluth, Minn., issuing worthless checks, $243.00. Jammie D. Wilson, 35, Pine City, Minn., issuing worthless checks, $327.36 Shelly M. Rosty-Crosby, Stacy, Minn., issuing worthless checks, $249.00. Tammy J. Brostrom, 23, Danbury, issuing worthless checks, $249.00. Laura M. Coulter, 46, Siren, issuing worthless checks, $249.00 Jeffry S. Bruce, St. Paul, Minn., issuing worthless checks, $243.00. Gerald B. Johnson, 55,

Shell Lake, possession of THC, possession of switchblade knife, license suspended for six months, sentence withheld, placed on probation for three years, condition of probation – will serve five months jail time, Huber privileges after three months of jail time, $451.00. Beth A Leggate, 42, Superior, possession of amphetamine/LSD/psilocin, bail jumping – misdemeanor, license suspended six months, sentence withheld, placed on probation for two years, condition of probation – will serve 85 days jail time, complete AODA and comply with recommended treatment, $165.00. Guy R. Moser, 41, Frederic, issuing worthless checks, $248.00. Charles A. Mitchell, 36, Danbury, OWI, $1,209.00, license revoked 27 months, sentence withheld, placed on probation for one year, condition of

probation – will serve 60 days jail time, Huber privileges granted, alcohol assessment. Matthew L. Covey, 43, Webster, OWI, $1,209.00, license revoked 30 months, sentence withheld, placed on probation for 1 year, condition of probation - will serve one-year jail time, Huber privileges granted, alcohol assessment. James M. Kokales, 33, Maple Grove, Minn., OWI, $2,279.00, license revoked 30 months, will serve 110 days jail time, alcohol assessment. Deborah L. Hubbell, 37, Siren, OWI, $1,967.00, license revoked 27 months, will serve 80 days jail time, Huber privileges granted, alcohol assessment. Brian W. Taylor, 22, Luck, OWI, $894.00, license revoked 12 months, will serve 10 days jail time, Huber privileges granted, alcohol assessment. Silas W. Kettula, 30, Siren,

Burnett County sheriff’s report Accidents

Town of Dewey, Jan. 9: Scott T. Peterson, 40, Grantsburg, driving a Burnett Dairy Co-op truck southbound on CTH H, was slowing down to turn into a driveway with his emergency flashers activated. Duane D. Bearhart, 38, Cumberland, was also southbound on CTH H driving behind Peterson. Bearhart drove into the rear-end of the Dairy Co-op’s truck. Bearhart was issued two citations for the incident. Town of LaFollette, Jan. 10: Thomas D. O’Shaughnessy, 35, Burnsville, Minn., lost control of the truck he was driving as he was traveling south on Viola Lake Road. The 2001 Dodge pickup received moderate damage in the accident. The driver was issued three citations for the incident. Village of Siren, Jan. 13: Shirley A. Bloom, 73, Siren, was traveling North on Hwy. 35/70 when she was hit by southbound Charles T. Keith, 46, Siren, as he was attempting a left-hand turn into the Holiday Station parking lot. Bloom’s 1997 Dodge was moderately damaged in the accident. No injuries were reported at the time of the accident.

Burnett Co. marriage licenses Mark C. Lockhart, Wood River, and Debra L. Ronning, Wood River, Jan. 12.

Town of Rusk, Jan. 14: Bryan J. Roy, 21, Spooner, was traveling west on CTH G when he lost control exiting a curve. His 1996 Buick was severely damaged as it left the roadway and rolled over, landing upside down. The driver was issued a citation for failure to report an accident. Town of Wood River, Jan. 14: Eric R. Nelson, 21, Grantsburg, rolled his truck at the intersection on South Williams Road and Crosstown Road. The 1987 Chevy truck received moderate damage in the accident. It is unknown if any citations were issued at this time.

Warrant arrests/other arrests

Town of Swiss, Jan. 10: Ricky A. Mork, 46, Osceola, was arrested on two warrants. Drugs were found in his possession at the time of his arrest. He was cited for possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana. Town of Sand Lake, Jan. 12: Steven St. John, 45, Siren, was arrested on a warrant. He was cited for obstructing an officer. Siren, Jan. 11: John R. Olson, 43, Siren, was arrested on a warrant. Town of Jackson, Jan. 11: Harlo L. Olson Jr., 25, Webster, was arrested on a warrant.

Other incidents

Town on Union, Jan. 12: Thomas J. Filkins, 49, River Falls, reported that his cabin was broken into sometime between Jan. 1 and Jan. 6. A toolbox with assorted tools was reported missing. The incident remains under investigation. Town of Rusk, Jan. 6: George Linderman, 52, White Bear Lake, Minn., reported that his cabin was broken into. Missing or damaged are a 2006 Mini Cooper, ATV, household electronics and power tools reportedly totaling over $45,000. A burned-up Mini Cooper was found at nearby Rice Lake Landing. The incident remains under investigation. Town of Rusk, Jan. 6: It was reported that a cabin under construction owned by William Rice, North Branch, Minn., was broken into. It is unknown if items were missing. The incident remains under investigation. Town of Jackson, Jan. 11: Carol Cellarius, 66, Webster, reported two mailboxes damaged sometime between 1 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The incident remains under investigation.

OWI, $1,015.50, license revoked 16 months, will serve 20 days jail time, Huber privileges if employed, alcohol assessment. Robert J. Nelson, 24, Balsam Lake, OWI, $894.00, license revoked 12 months, will serve 10 days jail time, Huber for employment only, alcohol assessment. Steven Robert Lang, 27, Danbury, possession of THC, possession of amphetamine/ LSD/psilocin, license suspended six month, sentence withheld, placed on probation for two years, condition of probation – alcohol assessment, must maintain full-time employment, $176.00. Michael R. Hessler, 44, Spooner, operating while revoked, seven days jail time, $88.00. Jeffrey W. Stager, 30, Webster, disorderly conduct, $249.00. Norman W. Schlecter, 47, Grantsburg, fail to notify DMV of address/name change,$148.20.

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Notices

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Ice Age Trail annual meeting ST. CROIX FALLS - A photo presentation, “The Pond through the Seasons” by Ron Winch, will highlight the annual meeting of the Indianhead Chapter-Ice Age Trail. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 3, meeting at 10 a.m. in the Interpretive Center at Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls. Winch, a professional photographer with 3M Company for 30 years, spends his retirement years traveling the world taking photos of natural ecosystems. He has shot pictures in 20 countries and on five continents. Through words and photos, he then shares his experiences

in the field with conservation organizations. His goal is not only to educate and entertain, but also to inspire viewers to become better stewards of the environment. February’s presentation “The Pond through the Seasons” is particularly relevant to the chapter’s trail efforts for the coming year. The chapter is scheduled to construct the three miles of trail that will take the Ice Age Trail through the new Straight Lake State Park. Those 2,700 acres are known for their lakes, flowages, marshes, bogs and ephemeral ponds. One’s perception of that ecology

Groundhog Shadow Day at WITC RICE LAKE — Interested parties are invited to attend Information Technology Groundhog Shadow Day on Friday, Feb. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Rice Lake. This event is intended to introduce students to career opportunities in the information technology field. Participants will hear from IT professionals and instructors as well as participate in a hands-on activity. Wisconsin Labor statistics project sharply rising growth in the IT field through 2014. Space is limited; to register or for more informa-

will be enhanced from seeing the flora and fauna of a pond through the lens of Winch’s camera. Winch is a regular contributor to the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer and the Minnesota Weatherguide Calendar, and he has ongoing projects for the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota and the Izaak Walton League. In addition to the election of officers, the annual meeting reviews the accomplishments of the chapter during the previous year and proposes schedules and projects for the coming year. Persons who are unfamiliar with the trail

and the work of the chapter or who might be interested in becoming involved in our efforts to create and maintain the 60 miles of the Ice Age Trail under our demesne are welcome to attend the meeting. Contact Dean, chapter chair, at 715-472-2248 for further information. The mission of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation is to create, support, and protect a 1,000-mile foot trail tracing the Ice Age formations across Wisconsin. - from the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation

New Year’s baby

tion, contact Christy Roshell at 715-2347082, ext. 5419. WITC serves the educational and career needs of more than 28,000 residents of northern Wisconsin each year. With four campuses, two branch campuses, and numerous outreach centers in the district, WITC offers careerfocused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, customized training, and a wide array of courses for personal and career enrichment. For more information, log onto www.witc.edu. — from WITC

J o e H e l l e r

The New Year’s baby born at Indianhead Medical Center in Shell Lake was born to Stefan Rudolph and Rose Peloquin, Siren, on Jan. 10 at 11:20 a.m. Estell Rose, weighed in at 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 20 inches long. The Shell Lake Chamber of Commerce presented the couple with a pink rose, a $50 gift certificate and a $25 savings bond. The Shell Lake Public Library gave the family children’s books and sundries. — Photo by Diane Dryden

Sarona Idol $10,000 raised for Operation Christmas

With help from Polk County citizens, the Polk County Tavern League was able to raise more than $10,000 for Operation Christmas. The Tavern League Foundation of Wisconsin will match up to $1,500 of that amount. Shown (L to R) are Kevin Cassellius, president of Polk County Tavern League; Alberta Olson, coordinator for Operation Christmas and Curt Liljenberg, vice president of the Polk County Tavern League. Photo submitted

Troy Benham, 24, Sarona, appeared on the season premiere of “American Idol” Tuesday night in a tryout performance taped several months ago in Minneapolis. Benham stated he had never watched America’s No. 1-rated television show because he doesn’t get a television signal where he lives. Celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and guest judge Jewell all gave the thumbs down to Benham’s singing talent as they did countless other “Idol wannabes” who tried out in the Twin Cities. Jackson dubbed the overall talent as “Minne-hopeless.” The good news for Benham: he’s engaged to be married. See page 20.

PAGE 36 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JANUARY 17, 2007

Frederic students make a difference

Last year during the African Adventure at Frederic Elementary School, students donated school supplies for a school in Africa. The school’s name is the Kazuni School and is located in Malawi, Africa. These pictures show that the packages arrived after months in transit. The supplies were distributed to students and teachers and were very much appreciated. These pictures are from Annie Lupo and Kathy Java who received the packages after they arrived. - Special photo

Four Shadow to perform

Four Shadow will be performing on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., at the Amery High School Auditorium in Amery. Tickets are available in Amery at Johnson Drug or Bremer Bank or by calling Amery Community Ed at 268-9771 x220. Based in the Twin Cities, Four Shadow energizes crowds across the nation with their clean, family-friendly show. You may have seen them on NBC’s Today show, or sharing the stage with Huey Lewis, the Persuasions or Rascal Flatts. These four handsome young men are set to thrill a local audience of all ages and musical tastes. In addition to their award-winning original songs, they’ll perform favorites from the last five decades, covering artists like the Beatles, Paul Simon and the Dave Matthews Band. With their high-energy performance style, it’s no wonder Four Shadow has been called “The vocal equivalent of Stomp!” (Chanhassen Theatre). From coast to coast, this a cappella sensation proves that the human voice is indeed the most versatile of all instruments. Pulling from over 25 years of combined professional experience, the men of Four Shadow fill the air with a rich texture of sound that defies description. They use no drum machines, synthesizers, sampling or prerecorded material. You may hear percussion, guitar riffs, thumping bass, even a horn section, but every sound is produced live from the mouths of these young men. For more info about Four Shadow, check their Web site at www.fourshadow.com. –Special photo

‘Follow the Leader’

Jan u a r y 17, 2007 • 2 nd Se c t i on B• I nter-County Le a de r

Currents N O R T H E R N

THE LEADER’S COMMUNITY NEWS

If you need to find a way to relax… Let the Chippewa people teach you their crafts by Carl Heidel DANBURY - Part of the mission of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians is to promote their traditional arts and crafts. And what better way to do that than to offer classes for those who have an interest in learning the skills that create those traditional work? So last Thursday, Sunshine Crowe, sales manager for the Northern Winds Gift Shop in Danbury, and a skilled artisan in the native crafts, began a series of classes that teach beadwork and soap making, and possibly more than that. The pictures here tell the story of how the first class went, as she taught her students how to do beadwork with a loom and with a loom-free technique called the “brickwork stitch.” Comments about the class all mentioned how relaxing working with the beads was. “It’s a kind of ‘Zen,’” one participant noted. The series of classes will extend over the next several weeks, with each class covering a different aspect of the native arts.

Persons who wish to enroll in the classes or who want more information may call the gift shop at 715-645-0132 and speak with either Crowe or Nicky Harper. Persons seeking materials for native craft work will find the gift shop wellstocked with traditional supplies. Editor’s note: Readers will notice that none of the pictures shows the teacher, Sunshine Crowe, a member of the St. Croix Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Before the teaching, she said that the beliefs and traditions of her culture would not permit us to photograph her face at this time. Out of respect for those traditions we have honored her request.

The first step in beadwork is to thread the needle and wax the thread. Sunshine Crowe demonstrates the waxing.

Vivian Moltzer tries her hand at setting up the loom.

Photos by Carl Heidel

Riki Rosty (upper photo) watches as Sunshine Crowe (photo at right) sets up the beadwork loom and places the first row of beads.

Riki Rosty is hard at work as he begins to sew his own design into the beadwork.

The brickwork stitch requires precise and careful needle work. Sunshine Crowe (lower photo) shows the needle placement as Charlotte Heidel and Vivian Moltzer watch the demonstration (photo at right).

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 17, 2007

Jensen Furniture announces winners

Jensen Furniture of Luck recently held a grand-prize drawing in Jake,honor of its 50th year of business. A $500 gift certificate went to Janet Ericksen of Luck. Shown presenting her the prize is Jake Jensen of Jensen Furniture. The drawing was held Dec. 31. Jensen furniture has been in business since 1956.

Ada Maier of Milltown was the winner of the Flexsteel leather sofa. She is shown with Jake Jensen of Jensen Furniture and Bob Lund of Flexsteel Furniture.

Drawing the winnames at ning Jensen Furniture’s 50th anniversary event were Isabelle, Levi and Wyatt Jensen. – Photos submitted

Jean Seck of Luck won the Vera Wane mattress set by Serta during Jensen Furniture’s 50th anniversary grand-prize drawing. Presenting the gift is Mark Jensen of Jensen Furniture.

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 3

Writers’ Corner Passing Fancy by Bernice Abrahamzon On a gray day in January, I lingered at the perfume counter in the local drugstore. All of the bottles of perfume looked intriguing, and since they had labels saying “Sampler” I accepted the invitation. I squirted Blue Gardenia on my left wrist, Apple Blossom on my right wrist, Tabu on my left ear and Sweet Honesty on my right ear. A mixture of fragrances surrounded me, and my head whirled with all the heavy scent of flowers and musk. I felt faint with the air heavy around me. I looked up and saw a clerk standing before me frowning. “Did you find a cologne to your liking?” she asked. “Well, perhaps, but with so many to try, I feel confused.” She picked up a small spray bottle near the back of the display and squirted some on the back of my hand. “That’s nice,” I said. “It’s light and airy. I’ve never seen it before.” “It’s just out,” she said. “Something new. Just for the holidays.” I asked the price, hesitated a minute at the enormity of the figure and said, on impulse, “I’ll take it.” As she rang up my purchase, I asked, “What is it called?” She smiled as she handed me the bag with my cologne in it. “Passing Fancy. It’s called Passing Fancy,” she said. “It won’t last.” (Bernice wrote this article for an assignment for the Northwest Regional Writers, which meets on the second Friday of the month in either Grantsburg or Frederic. Anyone interested in writing is welcome to attend the meetings. The meetings are announced in the Leader calendar every month.) .

A Family Portrait (1895) by Mary Jacobsen “Stand still, Helen, how can I braid your hair when you fidget like that?” “But you’re pulling.” “Ma! I can’t find the button hook!” “Oh, for goodness sakes, Mary. Look under the bed. Annie, don’t sit, you’ll wrinkle your skirt. Tony, straighten your tie. Now where’s John? I have to slick his hair.” “Ma, Tony untied my sash!” “Children, please! Show a little mercy, the photographer will be here any minute.” Theadosia, dressed in brown taffeta and lace, went to get Cecilia from her cradle. “Oh, she’s sleeping, I can’t bear to wake her. Look, Joseph,” she said as her husband joined her. “She’s wrinkling her little nose. What can she be dreaming of?” “Ma, Pa, the picture man’s here!” Whenever I look at the photograph of my mother’s family (my mother is the baby), I always imagine such a scene occurring just before the photographer arrives. In the photograph, my grandmother, looking serene but serious, sits queen-like next to her husband, my stern-faced grandfather, who is holding, but otherwise ignoring, the baby on his lap. The baby, sober-faced as well, with big round eyes, is wearing a white lace bonnet and a long, white pleated dress. The other children stand in a row with frozen faces, the girls looking rather pained in their tightly sashed, white dresses, and the boys, in white shirts and black trousers, seemingly wanting to grin but not daring. Most people in photographs of that era were posed in that way. There is no way of telling what really happened before the photographer squeezed the bulb. I had no way of knowing, until my Aunt Ann told me, that my grandmother had been terrified that my grandfather, dead drunk, would drop the baby. A photograph does not always tell the whole story. A picture is not always worth a thousand words.

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

Birkie Trail in good shape and getting the thumbs up from skiers

by Leslie Hamp HAYWARD – Despite unseasonably warm temperatures worldwide, the wimpy winter isn’t putting the kibosh on skiers bound for the 34th-annual American Birkebeiner Cross-Country Ski Races slated Feb. 22-24 in Cable and Hayward. “The Birkie Trail is in surprisingly good shape and registrations are ahead of last year’s numbers at this time,” said Ned Zuelsdorff, executive director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. “The trail has a thin, but very firm base from the start line to Lake Hayward. We just received 3 inches of new snow and more is forecast this week. Cold temperatures are projected through the end of January, and many skiers are on the trail getting ready for race day.” More than 7,000 skiers are expected to participate in the 51kilometer Birkebeiner and 23-kilometer Kortelopet. One in four are classic skiers. That’s one reason the board unanimously approved construction and use of the 9-kilometer trail for the 2007 race. The new trail begins at the Cable Union Airport, takes a different route through the Birkie terrain, and merges back into the Birkie Trail at the second food station at Timber Trail Road, in Bayfield County. On race day, the new classic trail will be groomed 18 feet wide with six classic tracks set at the start and narrowing gradually to four tracks after one kilometer; another skate lane will be added to the existing Birkie Trail; and freestyle and classic divisions and champions will be recognized. “I’m seeing a lot of smiles on the faces of skiers getting their first taste of the new 9-kilometer trail,” Zuelsdorff said. “We think these changes will entice more skiers and participants.” Birkie founder, board member and classic skier John Kotar agrees. “This new trail shows our commitment to classical skiers,” Kotar said. “I think this new trail will go a long way to bringing in some of those skiers who have never taken up skating but would otherwise partake in the race. And the American

Birkebeiner being the sister event of the Norwegian Birkebeiner, this will show that we honor and value our relationship to this race and its heritage.” While classic skiing was dominant when Tony Wise launched the American Birkebeiner in 1973, the skating technique emerged in the early-80s and resulted in new equipment, different tactics and faster times. The first winner who skated at least a portion of the Birkebeiner was Austrian Rudi Kapeller in 1983. Over the years, classic skiers became a minority as more participants adopted the skating technique. Yet classic skiers remained a vital and vocal group demanding recognition. In 1998 classic skiers were identified in the results issue. Separate classic awards began in 2002, and during the winter of 2006, 770 people completed the ABSF classic skiing survey. Zuelsdorff said the feedback is critical information that will be taken into account during future planning. Many suggestions, he said, are already in the works. “The new 9-kilometer trail is the start of a separate classic course that could be expanded upon in upcoming years,” he said. “During the 2007 race we will add two tracks set on one side of the trail all the way to the finish line, and we will likely seed classic skiers in waves based solely on other classic skier times beginning in 2008.” ABSF Board of Directors President Bill Pierce said the board is striving to attract more classic skiers, not just skiers changing from the skating technique to the classic technique. “Our long-term goal is to draw new skiers,” he said. “The classic technique is dominant in Worldloppet races in Norway, Sweden and Italy. We want to increase classic skiing here too.” For more information or to register for the Subaru American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet sponsored by the State Bank of Drummond and Cable Chamber of Commerce, 12K Johnson Bank Prince Haakon, CenturyTel Junior Birkie, Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, Cheqtel 5K/10K Race for Families, Salomon Elite Sprints, and the Ski for the Cure II, log on to http://www.birkie.com, e-mail birkie@birkie.com or call 715-634-5025. – from the American Birkebeiner

ETC.

BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES – Many local first-graders will have a new favorite book soon. “My Favorite Book,” an illustrated volume expressive of moral values, is being made available in certain local schools as a gift to first-graders by local business leaders. Luck Elementary School students will each receive “My Favorite Book,” courtesy of Jenell’s Main Dish, Luck Mutual Insurance, Colonial Craft, Rowe Funeral Home and Rural American Bank. - submitted ••• RICE LAKE – The 16th-annual Rice Lake Area Farm Show will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 23 and 24 at the Cedar Mall. The show will focus on farm product and equipment displays such as feed and seed, livestock supplies, grain storage, farm buildings and more. More than 50 companies will be on hand to demonstrate and show new products. Show hours are from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Further information is available by calling 715-289-4632. - submitted ••• WEBSTER – Curves of Webster is holding its first-annual Community Wellness Challenge from Feb. 12 through April 7. Curves is offering local women the chance to join a team, eat healthy and exercise for eight weeks and work out at their Webster facility for no cost. Trophy and cash prize for the winning team. Sign up during the week of Feb. 4. For more information call 866-8018. - submitted ••• WISCONSIN DELLS – Two Thrivent Financial for Lutherans financial representatives based in Luck were recently recognized as top producers by the Wisconsin Association of Thrivent Financial Associates. Financial Consultant Chris Moore, FICF, and Assistant Financial Associate Joel Morgan, ranked first among Wisconsin-based production teams. They first formed a production team in 2001. Morgan and Moore serve Thrivent Financial members and their families in Luck and surrounding communities with a broad range of financial products and services. Their offices are located at 201 Main St., Luck. – from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans ••• HAYWARD - Notice to all churches and ministries - there will be a Vacation Bible School 2007 curriculum preview at God’s Country 10603 California Ave. in Hayward from Feb. 8 – Feb. 17. Displays from well-known publishers such as: Cook, Gospel Light, Standard and Group will be available to review. Call 715-634-5161 for information. Hours are: Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - submitted ••• BALSAM LAKE - The American Red Cross is offering CPR classes with the adult class being held Jan. 23, the infant/child course being held Jan. 24 and the First Aid course being held Jan. 25. Each class is held at the Polk County Red Cross office in Balsam Lake and they run from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. except for the First Aid class which runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Preregistration is requested. Call Terry Anderson at 715-485-3025. Classes may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. - from American Red Cross ••• SIREN – Artists are being sought for the coming Siren Lilacfest Art Show this spring. Persons interested may contact Juli Kannenberg at 8664077. - submitted •••

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 17, 2007

River Road Ramblings

collected by Russ Hanson

The third year begins

Two years ago in mid-January, we started a weekly column on local history. The first year we concentrated on the Sterling Township 150th celebration. Nearly half of the columns were contributed by our friends and neighbors. The second year we opened it up to local history and stories from all over the area. Almost two-thirds of the columns were stories from you! If you have a local history story to share, know something interesting or have a question, send it to us and we will share it with your neighbors and all learn more about our own neighborhood together! Stanley Selin and I are putting together a book we call “History of the Trade River Valley” containing the stories and pictures we have collected from the area. If you have stories, pictures or family histories to share, please pass them along soon! The book will be printed through the Sterling Laketown and Eureka Historical Society and any profit will go to SELHS to help in collecting more local history and sponsoring local history events. We hope to have the information collected before maple syrup season starts in March and the book out in April. You can contact me at my winter headquarters, tending my palm trees and feeding the geese in far Southeast Minnesota — Russ Hanson 15937 Co. 27 Blvd., Pine Island, MN 55963. From March through December we are back in Wisconsin where our most active hobby is feeding mosquitoes, woodticks, deer flies and tax collectors. E-mail russhan@rconnect.com. We like to get questions on the local area and will do our best to help find answers for them. Since we are behind on the questions we will answer a few now. Q. Is this the warmest winter we have ever had? If you want to really find out about winters, you can ask our local gravediggers. They know the frost depth better than anyone other than their customers. Dr. Squirt, the Cushing columnist commented in a 1930s column: “One winter Grandpa Gullickson planted oats on the Cushing hill in late February. Sheldon Armstrong was able to clear and break land all winter without frost in the ground.” I did a little Internet research and found that the winter of 1877-78 is considered the warmest winter on record for our area with a very warm December, January and February. Newspaper accounts tell of the spring grass starting to grow by late February, muddy roads all winter, and farmers tilling land through the whole season. My cousin Pat Goetz asked several questions. We will try to answer some of them and ask you for help on the others. Q. What is that building on the west side of the River Road at Nevers Dam that you can see back in the woods when you drive by? This is the old root cellar for Nevers Dam. It has an arched roof and most likely was com-

This old root cellar stands just off the River Road south of Wolf Creek, a lasting reminder of Nevers Dam and the logging heyday from 1890-1914. Nevers was its own community with cookhouse, bunkhouses, sawmill, power plant and its own farm. – Photo submitted pletely covered with dirt or hay in the wintertime. Nevers had a crew of 200300 while it was being built around 1890. To feed the crew, you needed keep food cool but not let it freeze yearround. Ice was likely cut on the river during the winter and stored in a separate ice house and used in the root cellar in the summer to help cool fresh meat, milk, butter, cheese etc. The building at Nevers is very well built and well preserved—all concrete. It looks like the Johnson Boys have refurbished the old root cellar on their farm on Hwy. B a few miles east of Hwy. 87 last summer. Most farmers had either a cellar under their house or a separate root cellar nearby. If you have memories or pictures of a root cellar, please contribute them for our stories. Our house had a basement rather than a cellar (I distinguish this as concrete walls, a furnace, concrete floor versus a dirt hole dug under the house). Q. What is a Jack Pine Savage? Jack pine is a special kind of tree. It grows in open, sunny areas with sandy soil. The cones are tightly sealed and do not open unless stressed with hot temperatures. Fires help them to seed. The West Sterling and Anderson townships are called Jack Pine Barrens as they provide ideal conditions for the jack pine to grow. Much of the area to the north and northeast of Grantsburg are home to the jack pine too. When fire control began in the 1920s, the sand barrens area started changing from open prairies to a jack pine – scrub oak forest. Leslie Anderson defined scrub oak to me at the DNR back in 1970 as: “any oak variety that tries to grow on the sand barrens.” Jack pines are a short-lived tree. A 60-year-old jack pine is about the same as a 60-year-old man—all down hill for the future! We have cut jack pines with a 12-inch diameter at the base, but most do not get that big before dying from disease, insects, windstorms or old age. Jack pines grow differently as a single tree alone. They stay short and branch thickly as “wolf trees” intent on

spreading seed. Soon they are surrounded by scores of seedlings making an almost impenetrable thicket. If the conditions are right, these young jacks will grow rapidly upward, trying to out-compete their siblings in getting what sunlight they can at the top. I have seen them add 2 feet height in a year. The competition results in telephone pole-shaped trees – the side branches die from lack of sunlight and the tree shoots upward to 40 or 50 feet. The trees naturally thin out as those with slightly poorer conditions or genetics die in the shade of their These tall, stronger neighbors. straight trees are desired by lumbermen and for paper pulp. You can see a wolf jack pine and its children that have tried to forest Bruce and Ione Muehlhauser’s west pasture on Evergreen Avenue, just west of their house. It has been trying for at least 50 years. Telephone pole jack pines make good lumber. Some older jacks have a red center—pretty for woodworking or paneling, but weak as structural lumber. As firewood they make a quick, hot pitch-fueled fire short-lived burn. When they die, the woodborer worms quickly tunnel throughout; they quickly rot back into the ground. So we have a jack pine: thrives under hostile conditions; reproduces under fire; only truly great with intense competition; burn hot and quick; rots quickly after death. Jack Pine Savage is the name that people give to people who match the jack pine in their ability to carve out a living from hostile conditions and thrive in adversity. We JPS’s wear the title as a badge of honor. To people in southern Wisconsin, JPS refers to anyone north of Hwy. 8. We Jack Pine Savages are the kind of people who barely notice if the electricity goes out and feel at home in an outhouse. You take a person from south of Hwy. 8 and move them north, and they will turn out like the scrub oaks—twisted, gnarly, seamed and full of squirrel holes! Q. Where can I find out more about the wildflowers in our area? My parents left me three scrapbooks of

pressed flowers from their lifetime of collecting. Are the wild flowers that were here 150 years ago still around? Are any in danger of being lost? I (Pat) can identify many of the flowers and plants around me because my parents taught me. Cousin Pat and her husband Joe live on the River Road a mile or so north of Evergreen Avenue. They live on an edge – the area where the sand barrens to the west give way to the clay hardwood forests on the east and are lucky enough to own a slice of it (or as we see our property tax this year we might say unlucky!). This edge area has an amazing diversity of plants and animals— from prairie remnants on the old sand fields on the west; jack pine, soft maple, poplar and scrub oak forest; popular lowlands and sandy wetlands. As you cross the River Road going east and approach Wolf Creek, the soil changes from sand to sandy gravel to gravely clay and then across Wolf Creek to clay loams and basswood, maple, elm and ash hardwoods with tamarack swamps, bogs, marshes, beaver and trout streams. The plant, animal, bird, insect and flower varieties are amazing! The change is from prairie sand violets; blue-stem grasses and all of the wonderful sand flowers to the heavy soil with its own woodland violets, jack in the pulpits, ferns, wild geraniums, water lilies etc. Age-old Indian fields, trails and hunting grounds along the edge gave way to the loggers roads and to farmers 150 years ago. Now it is all slowly reverting back as farming declines. I still remember the thrill of helping Uncle Maurice or Grandpa Gene chase cows along the creek bottoms where you could easily disappear in 6-foottall ferns or sink deep into a cold mucky spring. I can’t imagine a more wonderful slice of land to preserve— pure sand barrens to thick hardwoods in a half-mile hike. We River Roadians too often fail to see what a marvelous back yard we have! Other questions from Pat Goetz that I need help with. Please send your answers and pictures so we can share them in Mr. Hanson’s Neighborhood. Q. Who was Handy Pete of Cushing, and how did he get that name and what did he do? (I think he was one of three Peterson boys; Handy Pete, Bronco Louie and Ruckus Bill—according to Dr. Squirt. Can you help us identify him?). Q. What was the Odd Fellows Lodge in Cushing, and who were the Odd Fellows? (The building is still there on the south end of Main Street on the west side used as a house—It used to say I. O. O. F on the front. Some say it was the old Alstad school. It sounds like an organization that some of us would fit into nicely!) My New Year’s resolution is to share more of the home chores with Margo. I think that when your spouse shoulders more of the work, they get a greater feeling of accomplishment. I am hopeful that Margo will have a very high feeling of accomplishment all through 2007!

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 5

You’re getting older You’re getting older if you can remember when election results were painted on the windows of barber shops, newspaper offices and pool rooms in whitewash. And the losing candidate conceded at midnight. Young women got parents’ approval before getting married. Young women got married… Office men worked in blue serge suits in midsummer with no air-conditioning. Your mother had to pluck and clean a chicken herself – with your unwilling help. Instead of heroin pushers, Mafia and New Left rebels, we worried about opium dens, tong wars and the Wobbies. Films with the lowest budgets were called B-pictures instead of imported masterpieces. Cuban heels. A poor kid was supposed to drop out of high school and help support the family. Ice trucks, coal trucks, vegetable wagons and flower wagons. You’re getting older if you can remember when a letter took a 2-cent stamp and was delivered the next morning. Or, if mailed early enough got delivered the same afternoon in the same city. Pro football teams played offense and defense with the same team and went through a whole season with two or three injuries. Civil service workers didn’t expect high salaries because they had security. In crime movies, murderers were the villains instead of the heroes. It was normal for a basketball team to win with fewer than 30 points. Toys were made of steel, celluloid, wood, rubber and glass instead of plastics and synthetics. Women got “housemaid’s knee” from scrubbing hard floors the hard way. Marijuana smoking was an aberration of some jazz musicians and a few cats in Harlem. You’re getting older if you can remember the Palmer method of penmanship, which seemed to have no effect on anybody’s handwriting. People talked less openly about sex but enjoyed it more. Candy bars were half the price and twice the size. Baseball was the natural sport. The big ethnic fighting word was “Redneck!” You played softball without gloves. You gave your pants a special press between boards between the mattress and the bedsprings. When lunch used to be called dinner and dinner was called supper. A comic strip had to be funny to make it. Instead of throwing an old typewriter ribbon away, you reversed it and rewound it by hand. Nobody trusted anybody under 30, even people under 30. Radio, radium and radiator were brand new words. A housewife was judged by the shine she kept on the brass plumbing under kitchen and bathroom fixtures. You’re getting older if you can remember when only rich, rich people paid income taxes. Women wore hats with stuffed birds on them. Stimulating hobbies like string collecting and tinfoil collecting were fun. Most dogs were mutts. If you did badly in school, your parents blamed you and not the teacher. Politicians called for bonfires in the streets instead of in stores. An experienced shopper carried an oilcloth shopping bag. The thrill of drinking ice water out of a dipper the first time. Police cars were solid green. Kids were afraid of the truant officer. Most women over 40 wore shawls. Street hoodlums used slang and profanity instead of talking sociology. – Robert Sylvester, New York

Daily News, Farmers Almanac 1971 (Note: If it’s any consolation to you, I don’t remember all of the above. Some of them must have been before my time. I’m glad something was!)

Bernice Abrahamzon

BEHIND THE

SIGNPOST

Jesus loves us – new version A pastor once stated, “I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children’s hymn “Jesus Loves Me” (for the children, of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew

it the best.” Check out this newest version of “Jesus Loves Me.” Jesus loves me, this I know, Though my hair is white as snow. Though my sight is growing dim, Still he bids me trust in him. (chorus) Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so. Though my steps are oh, so slow, With my hand in his I’ll go. On through life, let come what may, He’ll be there to lead the way. (chorus) Though I am no longer young, I have much which he’s begun. Let me serve Christ with a smile, Go with others the extra mile. (chorus) When the nights are dark and long, In my heart he puts a song. Telling me in words so clear, “Have no fear, for I am near.” (chorus) When my work on earth is done, And life’s victories have been won. He will take me home above, Then I’ll understand his love. (chorus)

Compiled by Bernice Abrahamzon

50 Years Ago Specials at Route’s Super Market, Frederic, included grapefruit at 10 for 49¢, fruit cocktail at 19¢ for 16oz. can and flour at 50 lbs. for $3.49.-Windus Apparel, Frederic, had a year-end sale on Jan. 10.-The January special at Carlson Hardware, Frederic, was a kitchen copper egg beater at $1.49.-Free coffee and doughnuts were served at Anderson’s Store, Siren, by the Kaelsborg Homemakers Club but donations were welcome for the Chuck Becvar fund.-The completion of the Frederic High School addition was said to mark a new era for this area.-The complete tax list for the town of Lorain was published in this newspaper.-A dance was held at the Indian Creek Hall on Jan. 12 with music by Dana Yelle.-A wedding dance was given by Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Frandsen on Jan. 12 at the Pine Camp Ballroom, Pine City, Minn.-Leaders of sewing groups for the Frederic Hospital Guild was Mrs. Willard West, Jan. 8; Mrs. Fred Hunter, Jan. 22; Mrs. P.L. Gwin, Feb. 5; Mrs. L.H. Talledge, Feb. 19.-A boy, David, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Daniels, at the Siren Community Hospital on New Year’s Eve and a girl, Patti Kay, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Carpenter, Danbury, at the same hospital also on New Year’s Eve; and a baby girl, Kirstin, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Moline on New Year’s Day.

40 Years Ago

The piano students of Mrs. Peter Koeshall gave a recital in December at the Don Daniels home in Siren.-Minnesota juveniles were on a vandalism spree in Burnett County.-Specials at the Clover Farm Store, Frederic, included bacon at 59¢ lb., cranberries at 29¢ for 1-lb. bag and bananas at 7¢ lb.-New officers installed at the Clam Falls Church Women’s Altar Guild included Mrs. Russell Nelson, Mrs. Lloyd Johnson, Mrs. Leo Carlson and Mrs. Robert Nelson. They were installed at a candlelight ceremony.-New officers of the Zion Lutheran Church Women were Mrs. Esther Nykreim, Mrs. Joanne Andersen, Mrs. Elinor Frandzen, Mrs. Shirley Martin, Mrs. Rosella Hendricks and Mrs. Ruby Bosak.Remember these Siren businesses? Morse Builders Supply, Nelson’s Store, Nelson’s Garage, Siren Sales & Service, Joe’s Cross Roads, Nyberg and Kallberg Lumber Co., Fish Bowl, Blom Bros., Radke’s Mileage Station, Siren Home Bakery, KJ’s Auto Supply and Siren Beverage Co.-A Frederic girl, Vickie Asper, was a student teacher at River Ridge Elementary School in Bloomington, Minn., with a second-grade class.

20 Years Ago

I love Jesus, does he know? Have I ever told him so? Jesus loves to hear me say, That I love him every day. If you like this, pass it on to all of your friends. If you do not pass it on, nothing bad will happen, but you will have missed an opportunity to reach out and touch a friend or a loved one. On a personal note I have a birthday very soon. I used to try to ignore birthdays, but considering the alternative I’m glad, grateful and happy. Life is so wonderful! There are many lessons to be learned and I hope to improve with age (like good wine). Until next week, Bernice

Wisconsin Interstate Park

ST. CROIX FALLS – A popular program for preschool children and their parents has started again this winter at Wisconsin Interstate Park. Thursdays at 10 a.m., January through March, naturalist Julie Fox will share a story and activity with preschoolers and their parents at the Ice Age Center. A short activity following the story will reinforce the story’s nature-related theme. Nature story time will generally last between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants. “It is a great opportunity for parents to get out to the park with their little ones during this time of the year,” commented Fox. Partici-

Do you remember ?

pants may spend time indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so parents should dress their children accordingly. Interstate Park is located in St. Croix Falls, on Hwy. 35 just one-half mile south of Hwy. 8. The event is free of charge, but a Wisconsin State park sticker is required to enter the park. Annual passes for 2007 are $25 for Wisconsin residents or $35 for nonresidents. Daily passes are $7 for residents or $10 for nonresidents. Hourly passes are $5. For more information about the evening, call Julie at 715-483-3747. – from Interstate Park

The same things that plagued farmers in 1986 – low prices, falling value of farm assets and credit problems – are on top for 1987 for state’s farmers.Polk County officials were sworn into office by Judge James Erickson, including treasurer David Anderson, sheriff Paul Lindholm, clerk of court Mel Madsen, district attorney Keith Jones and register of deeds Harold Maier.-Pastor Mark A. Stevens, Siren Assembly of God, wrote the devotion for the January issue of this newspaper.-Obituaries included Minnie Grubbs, Donald Dumjohn, Duane Hughes Sr., Guy Germanson, Ella Chell Grace, John Seidel and Richard Hallquist.-The Polk County committee approved dog claims for payment including $194 to Wayne Foltz for three sheep, $75 to Elmer Taylor for young calf and $25 to Frank Johnson for one peacock.-Fire Chief John Glockzin presented a plaque to Milton Daeffler for his 24 years of volunteer service as a firefighter with the Frederic Fire Dept.-The new administrator of the Frederic Hospital, Curtis Wassberg, began work there.-State Supt. of Public Instruction, Herbert J. Gover, praised Siren School’s Children of Risk program.- The first baby of the year was Jeremy, born to Wanda and Johnny Valencuela at Burnett General Hospital on Jan. 4.-The Broaster House, Grantsburg, celebrated its 10th anniversary.The Fishbowl Sportsmen’s Club planned to sponsor a snowmobile safety course in Burnett County.

Brought to you by

OLSEN & SON

Serving the community since 1882

Siren Drug Store Pharmacy Phone 349-2221 • Fax 349-7350

Tom Moore, Owner Tom Giswold, Pharmacist

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 17, 2007

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER A & H via Illinois Well, now that Christmas is over, I guess it’s time to take that little crocheted Santa Claus hat off the extra roll of toilet tissue in my bathroom and get on with my life. I got a bottle of wine for Christmas. Now the thought was excellent, but that’s a very unkind thing to do to an old lady. I though I’d toast in the new year, but I couldn’t get the cork off the bottle. So near and yet so far. I had to settle for a can of beer, which wasn’t quite the same. Horrible thought…what will I do 10 years or so down the line when I can’t pull the tab! Probably it will be the right time to move in with my son. Of course, if he reads this he’ll try to get me to AA before than. So far it only rains here in Illinois. Thank goodness it isn’t that cold yet, and besides, my car needed some water to clean it off a bit, but they say snow is coming in time for the Bears game. In case you haven’t heard, our electric bills are going up 24 percent. It is hard to read at night with a night light. I think I’ll start hanging out at the local pub if I want to watch TV. I’ll just have to learn to like sports on a screen so big you feel like the players are behind you. If a football comes your way everybody ducks. I expect the price of matches will soar now when the rate hike starts. I’ve noticed people in their homes walking past a win-

Joyce Kirchhoff

dow using a lit match to get from here to there. Happy birthday to Cathy Van den Tillaar who is also on the sick list. Actually, I asked Marian Woodard, whose birthday is this month, to give me a few dates and ages of some of you. Really getting up there, aren’t you? Bigger than a milestone, perhaps two milestones. I was sorry to hear Dave Stuermer died. He was such a nice man, and he will truly be missed. I hear the Christmas party at the center was fun, but why not? You know they spike the punch. And the art class had a party at Kramers. I’m sorry I missed both joyous occasions – and the punch. I now have another 6-month-old kitten. His name is Wolfie for obvious reasons. He had a home, but turns out the woman was allergic to him or maybe his antics. He is a brother to Kitty. My dog Annie is confused. I think she thinks she now lives in the humane society – with a bird and two cats, and of course, me. If anyone wants a darling, very affectionate male kitten (don’t worry he has been neutered) please let me know. A special hello to Barb and Bob Ketters’ Schwan’s ice-cream man. Take care of each other and a happy New Year to all of you. Keep well.

Engagement Boutain/Erickson Ashley Nicole Boutain of Cambridge, Minn., and Brandon Lee Erickson of Webster, are pleased to announce their engagement. Ashley is the daughter of Greg and Jodie Boutain of Cambridge, Minn., and Brandon is the son of Ralph Erickson and Bonnie Greener of Siren. The couple is planning an Aug. 10 wedding at the Cambridge Lutheran Church in Cambridge, Minn. A reception will follow at the Refuge Golf Club. After a honeymoon in Mexico, the couple plans to reside in Duluth, Minn. – submitted

Births Mike and Mandi Bytnar of Green Bay, proudly announce the birth of their first child, Matthew Michael Bytnar, born Jan. 5, 2007, at BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay. Proud maternal grandparents are Vicki Barke of Appleton and Lee Barke of Appleton. Paternal grandparents are Penny and Dave Doskey of Grantsburg and John Bytnar of Siren. ••• Born at St. Croix Regional Medical Center: A boy, Aiden Philip David Schleusner, born Dec. 28, 2006, to Reggie and Erin Schleusner, Amery. Aiden weighed 6 lbs., 4 oz. ••• A girl, Mikayla Jo Johnson, born Dec. 29, 2006, to Candyce and Andrew Johnson, Siren. Mikayla weighed 7 lbs., 8 oz. ••• A girl, Gracelynn Ruth Warndahl, born Dec. 18, 2006, to Todd and Kellie Warndahl, Taylors Falls, Minn. Gracelynn weighed 5 lbs., 12 oz. ••• A boy, Jacob David Welu, born Dec. 27, 2006, to David and Michelle Welu, Amery. Jacob weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz. ••• A girl, Aunika Nicole Higgins, born Dec. 26, 2006, to Natalia Klatt and Eric Higgins, Centuria. Aunika weighed 9 lbs. ••• A girl, Emma Grace Peterson, born Dec. 26, 2006, to Karla and Dan Peterson, Siren. Emma weighed 8 lbs., 3 oz. ••• A girl, Elayna Noonan, born Dec. 25, 2006, to Amanda and Anthony Noonan, Osceola. Elayna weighed 7 lbs., 15 oz. ••• A boy, Willem Joseph Hoefler, born Dec. 21, 2006, to Mariette and William Hoefler, Eureka. Willem weighed 9 lbs., 1 oz.

••• A girl, Karli Taylor HeidVogel, born Dec. 21, 2006, to Jason and Maria HeidVogel, St. Croix Falls. Karli weighed 7 lbs., 2 oz. ••• A girl, Taylor Elise Winberg, born Dec. 21, 2006, to Cheryl and Michael Winberg, Siren. Taylor weighed 8 lbs., 4 oz. ••• A girl, Sara Jo Brunberg, born Dec. 22, 2006, to Kristin and Brock Brunberg, Lewis. Sara weighed 9 lbs., 3 oz. ••• A boy, Jonas Michael Lenz, born Dec. 19, 2006, to Mike and Jody Lenz, Dresser. Jonas weighed 8 lbs., 13 oz. ••• A girl, Sadie Celene Luoma, born Dec. 17, 2006, to Jill and Aaron Luoma, Lindstrom, Minn. Sadie weighed 7 lbs., 2 oz. ••• A girl, Kira Lee Engquist, born Dec. 31, 2006, to Christine and Jason Engquist, St. Croix Falls. Kira weighed 7 lbs., 12 oz. ••• A boy, Kaden Wayne Dietrich, born Dec. 20, 2006, to Trista and Nathan Dietrich, Lindstrom, Minn. Kaden weighed 8 lbs., 2.7 oz. ••• A boy, Brock Hunter Bonneville, born Dec. 30, 2006, to Nicole Derks and Tracey Bonneville, Grantsburg. Brock weighed 8 lbs., 4 oz. ••• A girl, Averie Marie Lantz, born Jan. 6, 2007, to Sherry and Timothy Lantz, Taylors Falls, Minn. Averie weighed 7 lbs., 8 oz. ••• A boy, Brody Daniel Schweitzer, born Jan. 6, 2007, to Danielle and Jeremiah Schweitzer, Frederic. Brody weighed 6 lbs., 12 oz. •••

Candlelight night at the Park ST. CROIX FALLS – The Friends of Interstate Park invite you to Candlelight Night at the Park on Saturday, Feb. 10, 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 CrossCountry 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. There will be hiking opportunities no matter the snow conditions!

This is an event you won’t want to miss! Mark your calendar today and plan to attend Candlelight Night at the Park on Saturday evening, Feb. 10. Interstate Park is located in St. Croix Falls, on Hwy. 35 just one-half mile south of Hwy. 8. The event is free of charge, but a Wisconsin State park sticker is required to enter the park. Annual passes for 2007 are $25 for Wisconsin residents or $35 for nonresidents. Daily passes are $7 for residents or $10 for nonresidents. Hourly passes are $5. For more information about the evening, call Julie at 715-483-3747. – from Interstate Park

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 7

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER St. Croix Valley Senior Center We are starting up our craft sessions on Thursdays. Some members have come up with some good ideas. Tuesday, Jan. 9, domino winners were: first place Don Anderson, second place Deloris Benson, and third place Janice Mevissen. 500 card winners were: Jim Anderson in first place, Vern Lundstrom in second place, Jack Lund in third place and Muriel Randelin in fourth place. Plan ahead … so that you wake each day with something you enjoy doing on your schedule. It’s amazing how much a

daily walk can do for your self-image. It gets the adrenaline going, and that’s the magic potion to feeling up rather than down. Here are six pick-me-ups – rub your earlobes, laugh out loud, go for a quick walk, take the road less traveled, curl up for a catnap and say thanks. Thursday evening, Jan. 11, 500 card winners were: Elroy Petzel first place, Lonnie Jones second place, Don Anderson third place and Mary Lund fourth place.

Siren Senior Center

Barb Munger

349-7249 Well I guess old Mother Nature finally caught up to us, brrr!! As usual, the first weeks of January are pretty slow for everyone around the center. I guess we are trying to recuperate from the holidays. Besides our dime-bingo and cards, nothing eventful has taken place this week. Erling Olesen has had to struggle with the jigsaw puzzle on his own as Don and Abby, his puzzling buddies, have been gone for the week. Between the three of them, they manage to construct a puzzle about once every three or four days. It is worth a trip to the center just to see their creations every week. Winners at 500 this week were Flo Antiel, Inez Pearson, Ed Berdal and Gerry Vogel. The card group got to help Corrine Root celebrate her birthday with a cake she brought to share. We are missing a few of our regulars, Virginia Martin, There-

349-2964

sa Meiers and Walt Nelson, plus others. Hopefully they decided to fly south and are not home sick with the crud that has been going around. Come back soon, we miss you. Friday Spade winners were Arnie Borchert, Gerry Vogel, Sylvia Heavey and Sue Newberger. Inez and Arvid Pearson treated the players to pumpkin bars and cheese and crackers. That is one thing you can say about our card players is that they we usually have some very good munchies. Get well wishes to Ann Carlson and Dorothy Cronquist. Remember the center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday so stop in for a visit. We have a lot of new books in our library and lots of reasonable recycled greeting cards for sale. Until next week, stay warm.

Siren

The much-needed snow still seems to be eluding us. Maybe we will be lucky and get some of the 3 to 6 inches the TV weathermen are predicting for our area. The damage done to the area with low rainfall this fall and the lack of snowfall will probably be seen for many years. Many of our stressed-out farmers can’t take much more. The lack of snow cover will, in all likelihood, kill out many of the hay fields. There will be cholesterol and diabetes screening at Burnett County Public Health. Call 715-349-2140 for more info or to make your appointment. Cost for this service is $5. Sympathy to the family of Helga Reules who passed away Dec. 30. Sympathy to the family of Corrine Westphal who passed away Dec. 31. Sympathy to the family of Bertha K. Buskirk who passed away Jan. 1. It was so nice to see Joey Just back in church. Keep well Joey and come back and join us again. Coming up on Sat., Feb 3, at the North-

Bev Beckmark

woods Crossing is the South Fork Sporting Club Gun Show. This is an excellent time for all you avid hunters or gun collectors to come and enjoy or for buying or selling. There is room available if you wish to exhibit. Call Richard Kettula at 715-6534291 to reserve your place or for more info. Congratulations to Amanda Olson for being chosen Capeside Cove Nursing Home’s employee of the month. Congratulations to elementary student Maggie O’Malley, middle schooler Jaymee Mitchell and high schooler Mackenzie Swenson for being chosen Siren schools students of the week. The grandmas group met on Monday, Jan. 15, at the home of Dorothy Lahners. A great lunch was enjoyed by all. The afternoon was spent visiting and exchanging last year’s secret pal gifts and drawing new names for this year. Those present were Naomi Glover, Hazel Hahr, Erna Lueck, Marge Peterson and Bev Beckmark.

Luck Senior Center Hi folks. Sorry my letters have not appeared for the last two weeks. It’s January, cold outside, and we are seeing a few less visitors this last week. But we have a few events coming up and hope to see more people turn out for these. On Saturday, Jan. 27, at noon, we will have potluck. We will have the Mielke Family Singers as our guests. Please come, bring a dish to share, or make a monetary donation, visit with friends, and enjoy these very talented musicians. Also coming up in February, Luck will

Kathy Mueller

be having their annual winter carnival, with most events happening on Saturday, Feb. 10. The Luck Senior Center will be serving hot beef sandwiches, homemade pie and ice cream. Last summer for Lucky Days, we had the TOPS organization help us make pies and we had plenty to go around. We are hoping those nice people will do the same for the winter carnival. Plan to come to see us on weekdays, Wednesday through Friday, and/or these special events coming up.

Happy Tails Await Bunny is an adorable 9-month-old, brown tabby with a fluffy white chest and mittens. She has medium-length hair and extra toes on all four feet. Bunny is playful and friendly. She enjoys a good game of Bat the Mouse and is equally happy to take a nap in your lap. She would be an excellent family pet. It has been a busy week for adoptions at the shelter. Thatcher, the rottweiler mix featured last week, went home on Saturday. He was a staff and dog-walker favorite and will be greatly missed. Our consolation is that he will be happy learning to help with the cows and other chores with his new loving owner. A number of cats were also adopted, making room for an entirely new crew in the adoption room. These adoptions are what makes the difficult job of caring for displaced animals, all worth it. Please remember to consider adopting from the animal shelter when looking for a new pet. Suggest adoption to friends and family looking for a dog or cat companion. We have many special pets waiting for homes. Community support of a humane society is critical for success. Not Hello everyone, Fritz here! Things have quieted down a little bit here at the shelter this week. The cute little bulldog-mix puppies are still being fostered out with the angels for awhile longer. I hear they are off the bottle now and on to mushy food out of a bowl. I was able to visit with two of them this past week and they are a howl! They have the bulldog bowlegs and wrinkly nose. An older golden retriever joined us this week, he was found wandering near Grantsburg. The angels named him Ralph but he wanted me to tell you it’s not because he tosses his biscuits a lot. Is anyone missing a gentle, old golden retriever? I don’t know if it’s the cold weather keeping everyone in their house or what, but we haven’t had many people come visit us this week. I still have a handful of friends to play with here; Dundee, Sheba, Harley and Pixie. We range from the big yellow Lab to the little rat terrier and are all great snugglers and promise to keep anyone who’d adopt us warm this winter. I think I heard the General Hospital recommends at least two dogs per person for optimum warmth in snuggling during cold snaps. One for each side of the bed, Aroooo!

Bunny everyone is cut out to be or has the time to walk dogs and cuddle cats, but anyone can support Arnell Memorial Humane Society by becoming a member. Our annual membership drive is under way. A financial donation sent to the shelter address below will be greatly appreciated and the sender, awarded a 2007 membership. Your donation is tax deductible and helps Arnell offer refuge for 800 animals a year. Consider becoming a member today. Your membership will help hundreds of animals walk out of our doors and into a new, happy life. Arnell Memorial Humane Society, 185 Griffin St. E, Amery, 715-268-7387 or visit our adoptable pets online at: www.amhs.petfinder.com If you’ve already reached your canine quota, be sure to take good care of us during cold weather. We still need our exercise but you should monitor us for shivering, espeFritz cially little dogs who’d benefit from a NEWS FROM sweater. We’re color blind and not too fashion conscious, so anything that helps keep one of my little friends warm will help. A good sweater or doggie coat will cover Fido around the neck to the base of the tail and down the sides, too. Just like humans, us dogs can suffer and even die from hypothermia. We can also get frostbite, especially on our toes, tails and ear-tips. So please cuddle up with your favorite furry friend this winter and stay warm. If you still have room on the bed come visit us, we’re just waiting for a family to snuggle up to! With your help HSBC is saving lives, one at a time. www.hsburnettcty.org

YOUR SHELTER

Capeside Employee of the Month Capeside Cove Good Samaritan Center chose Amanda Olson as their employee of the month for December. Olson has been employed at Capeside since June 5, 1995, as an accounts payable/purchasing clerk/staffing coordinator. She was born in Shell Lake and currently resides in Webster. Amanda has two daughters, Chelsey, 16, and Ashley, 14. When asked about an outstanding event in her life, Olson said it was the birth of her children. In her spare time, Amanda loves to watch her favorite show, “Law and Order,” and to relax. When asked

what her favorite thing is about working at Capeside, she said “being able to help people in need and being able to laugh and talk with my coworkers.” – submitted Amanda Olson

The Leader is a cooperative-owned newspaper

PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 17, 2007

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Lewis

653-4281 Eight members of the Lewis Methodist Church attended a training session at the Shell Lake United Methodist Church Saturday morning including Starr and Carl Warndahl, Sylvia Schaetzel, John and Lavonne Boyer, Kara Alden and Berice Abrahamzon. Three from Siren United Methodist Church also attended. It was held at the new Shell Lake United Methodist Church which was built six years ago. They also have a drive-thru portico at the main entrance, much like the one at Lewis. Sessions were held on leadership, pastor-parish relations, finance, etc. and many good ideas were shared. It was a learning experience for those who attended. Sunday dawned bright and cold, but members did not let that stop them from coming. Goodies were served after the service by Karen Johnson and daughter, Kaylene. Members pitched in and took down the Christmas tree and other decorations leaving the Christ child candle in place in the sanctuary. Lavonne Boyer served as hostess at last week’s meeting of the UMW at church. Two Christmas stories provided by LaVerne Leef were read aloud by Esther Schallenberger and Sylvia Schaetzel. Quite a few members and friends of the NW Regional Writers enjoyed lunch at the Jade Dragon, Grantsburg

468-2520

last Friday. One member who once worked in a Chinese restaurant requested chopsticks and handled them quite well. She said it was required where she once worked. Such a variety of specials that it was interesting to see what people ordered. Large portions so the waitress (oops! waitperson) automatically set take-out containers on the table and yours truly enjoyed two more meals at home. This is the third time the writers have eaten there as a post-Christmas get-together. Mary Jacobsen is now the new president and called on several volunteers to share stories they had written. A cold day with a warm reception. Get well wishes to LaVonne Smith who spent a little time in the hospital and is now recuperating at home. LouAnn Gackle is now having therapy on her leg and feeling better. She was presented with a gift at church on Sunday which was a combination get well, thank-you for all you do, and a Christmas gift. Glad to have her back among us. Prayers continue for Mabel Sutton, Margaret Ulick and Dorothy Glockzin. Also, for Julia Abbott who is now back at Capeside Cove, after a hospital stay, after apparently suffering a stroke. Bernice Abrahamzon brought the dessert for last week’s Scrabble Club. Medical problems have exacted

Dewey - LaFollette

Sympathy is extended to Elsie Stellrecht and family, due to the death of Elsie’s husband, Warren. Judy Albee was a supper guest of Don and Charlene Strabel Tuesday. Hank and Karen Mangelsen visited Maynard and Ronda Mangelsen Tuesday evening. Amy Mangelsen and David and Matt Lester were there also, and David’s birthday was celebrated. Karen Mangelsen met Judy Sigmund for breakfast in Spooner Wednesay. Judy’s sister, Linda Sigmund, joined them for coffee a little later. Dixie Andrea, Bev Brunclik, Beth Crosby, Karen Mangelsen, Sue Mroszak, Lida Nordquist and Charlene and Don Strabel surprised Judy Albee Wednesday evening with a birthday celebration at the Pour House in Siren. Clam River Tuesday Club led a sing-along at Capeside Cove Thursday. They then served ice cream and cookies with afternoon coffee. Judy Albee had supper with Bev Brunclik Thursday

evening, in celebration of Judy’s birthday. Sue and Roger Mroszak have spent sometime with Sue’s siblings during the last several days. They celebrated a visit from Sue’s brother, Bob Ebert and family, who came from California. Judy Albee was a supper guest Saturday of Dick and Deb Schlapper. Don and Lida Nordquist had lunch with Inez and Arvid Pearson Sunday. Sunday evening Judy Albee visited Mike, Jeanne and Helen Taczala. Donna and Gerry Hines were supper guests of Don and Lida Nordquist Sunday, and they played some cards. Karen Mangelsen will be collecting real estate taxes and dog license fees for LaFollette Township at the town hall, Tuesday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The address is 24184 Malone Road and the telephone number is 349-5178.

Webster Senior Center I wasn’t at the center on Monday or Tuesday but went in on Wednesday for the chicken and dressing Deb served to 23 hungry diners, and then stayed to play dime bingo. There were nine players so we had to play three tables of three with each having to have a dummy hand. I think the dummy had better cards than I did. But it was fun anyway. Harold Peterson, Gene Johnson, Bruce Behrens and Bob Marsh enjoyed playing pool for awhile. The regular group of pool and card players enjoyed their weekly Thursday evening fun and games. I think that the cold and windy weather has been keeping our seniors home this week because diner’s attendance count was down. I even enjoyed staying home cocooning. Millie and Rod Hopkins called us on Sunday morning from Mission, Texas, to see how Elden and I are surviving the winter. Millie said that the temperature was 80 degrees and that sure sounds better than the 10 degrees above zero we were having. Millie’s brother-in-law, Don Peterson, will be leaving the hospital there and flying with wife, Marion, to be in a nursing home about 14 miles from his home in Goldfield, Iowa. Hopefully Don will recover enough from his stroke to be able to go home soon. Don’t forget that our next Dining at Five evening meal will be on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 5 p.m. Deb will be serving chicken Alfredo over pasta, asparagus, garlic bread and strawberry shortcake for dessert, so start calling in now at 715-866-5300 to make your reservation. Aging director, Lois Taylor, has indicated that the nutrition site manager/cook for each site should be able to take reservations up to the day before the evening meal as the cooks will just prepare a little extra food. But it is more considerate if you try and make your reservations as early as possible. Our gratitude is extended to the anonymous donor of

Karen Mangelsen

Mary Klar

aluminum cans; Gladys Packer, bags of chips; and Deb was appreciative of Gladys Beers and Mert Kisselburg delivering meals for Leon Mansfield on Monday while he had a medical appointment at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn. Our get-well wishes and prayers continue to go out to Don Peterson, Kathy Beyer, Shirley Doriott, Bud and Norma Martin, and Ray Hammerschmidt. Our sympathy and prayers also go out to the families of Loretta Tucker and June (Ainard) Leef in their recent passing. June and her late husband, Clarence, and son, Neil, owned and operated the business of Erickson Quality Homes in the Webster area for many years. Neil and his wife currently own the Yah Butz business north of Siren and make the most delicious barbecued ribs I have ever tasted. Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families. On New Year’s night, someone broke into the Webster Baptist Church and stole four guitars. How low and small can someone get to steal from God’s house? Shame on you that did it. God’s eighth commandment is “thou shall not steal.” You might think that you are getting away with it, but God knows! The Bible states, “Be sure your sins will find you out.” Even if you never get caught for this criminal act and pay the consequences by man’s law, after you die you will account for it to Jesus. Every one of our sins, no matter how big or small, are recorded in God’s record book, his lamb’s book of life.” Come on people, someone out there knows something about this crime! Do the right thing and report it. “God is ever watchful when we are in his care, he can always see us – watching everywhere. Though you may not know him, you can never hide; he always knows what we do and think, we can’t fool him, no matter how we’ve tried.”-M. Smith. See you at the center!

The Leader is a cooperative-owned newspaper

Bernice Abrahamzon their toll there, too, with Darlene Jensen still recuperating from hip surgery and both Doris Lindquist and Eva Hansen in the hospital. Best wishes to all of them. Come back soon and play with us. The invitation is out to anyone who likes to play Scrabble to come on Mondays at 12:30 p.m. in the Community Room, Sunrise Apartments, Frederic. Visitors are always welcome. LaVerne Leep has been entertaining small groups of relatives and friends while her house is still decorated for Christmas. She and friends enjoyed lunch at Oakwood Inn, Luck, last Thursday. The tables in the fellowship hall at the Lewis Church are now decorated with artificial snowmen provided by Mabel Sutton and Dorothy Glockkzin. According to weather reports, there may be real snow and real snowmen (snowpersons?) before too long. That will make the children happy as well as some sports-minded adults. LaVonne Boyer had several friends in on Friday to help celebrate her birthday. That evening, family members gathered at Experience at Siren for a special evening meal. Mickey Lenz visited her aunt, Evelyn Hill, at Indian Creek on Saturday. It was Evelyn’s 94th birthday. She’s a remarkable woman and just recently renewed her driver’s license.

Orange Fran Krause

LaVonne O’Brien

Fran Krause attended the Sarah Circle meeting Wednesday at Bethany Church in Siren. The Orange 4-H met at the Webster Elementary School Wednesday afternoon. Brad Krause was in the boys basketball tournament in Luck on Saturday. A retirement open house was held at the government center on Saturday for Kathy Swingle. Sympathy is extended to the family of June Chelmo Leef. Pam Peterson entertained her book club on Tuesday evening. Pat and Nancy O’Brien spent Thursdays and Friday in Alexandria, Minn. Tim O’Brien visited Jack and LaVonne O’Brien on Monday.

Frederic Senior Center

Ardyce Knauber

The weather has turned cold, but we still enjoy getting out to the center. Monday spades was played and the winners were: first place, Lillian Murphy; second place, Lola Hinschberger and third place, Hazel Hoffman. Wednesday the gals played pokeno. Thursday night 500 was played with a good group playing and the winners were: first place, Dave Peterson; second place, Hazel Hoffman; third place, Arnie Borchert and fourth place, Mickey Kilmer. Saturday share-a-lunch was well-attended. At 3 p.m., we celebrated Robert Larsen’s birthday, and he treated us with birthday cake and ice cream. Remember, we will have tax aides at the center from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 8 and March 15.

Frederic Rick and Karen Fisher of Milltown, Laurie Loehr of Cambridge, Minn., and Irene Chasensky visited with Rick and Nancy Fisher on Friday, Jan. 12, in Hugo, Minn. Ashley Nicole was born to Rick and Nancy on Monday, Jan. 8, at 10:26 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs., and was 19-1/2 inches long. She is Rick and Karen’s granddaughter, Laurie’s niece and Irene’s great-granddaughter. Irene visited with Joel and Laurie Loehr, Colin and Lukas in Cambridge, Minn., from Friday until Sunday.

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

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 9

Frederic 1907 Two blacksmith shops were in Frederic: General Blacksmithing, Minor Erickson Repairing promptly done, farmers’ patronage solicited, horseshoeing a specialty, Frederic, Wis. General Blacksmithing, D.F. Buckbee Homemade sleds for sale, kicking horses shod carefully, repairing and building of wagons, buggies, carriages, etc. promptly done, Frederic, Wis. Frederic Livery: Office on Wisconsin Avenue, livery, feed and sale stable. All kinds of rigs, furnished on short notice. C.M. Porter and C.E. Carpenter, owners. In the village of Frederic, name of the business was: The Big Cash Store –

Perra and Cruzen – The home of true economy, Frederic, Wis., sold shoes. Wait for this line and buy your shoes from the store that is doing the shoe business of the town. There’s a reaBetty son. (This is from an Fenton ad in paper from 1907, I thought was interHISTORICAL esting.) Frederic VIGNETTES From Improvement Association: Would meet Monday evening of this week at the office of Attorney Yager. The question of building a potato warehouse in Frederic was discussed and on a motion, the following committee was appointed: Morris E. Yager, Fred Perra and J.W. Blackstone. The question of getting a

Carlson Hardware. Pictured are Bernie Benson, C.A. Carlson, Ken Johnson and Frank Movity. – Photo submitted

star route between Frederic and Webster by way of Siren was discussed and a committee appointed consisting of: D.P. Butts, Dr. F.H. Turner and J.W. Blackstone. The secretary was instructed to communicate with dressmakers with the view of getting one located here, as there seems to be more work than those already in the business can handle. Mrs. C.A. Carlson passed away March 14, she was married to Mr. Carlson in October 1896, (Carlson Hardware, Frederic). Postcards containing pictures of various buildings could be obtained at the Star office, two for 5 cents. Diptheria has presented itself in Luck and a case of small pox has been discovered in Grantsburg. Both villages are taking the necessary precautions and the diseases will undoubtedly be stamped out. Several couples of our young folks spent last Friday evening at the Behm home at Seven Pines. They received a hearty welcome and according to all reports, had a fine time. The electors of the village will soon be called upon to select their representatives for the ensuing year, and as in the past, there will be plenty of candidates who will be seeking the offices. The citizen who would take an active interest in this year’s election, is the small property holder and taxpayer, the one who owns a house that he is anxious to see grow into a comfortable home. His income is earned by the sweat of his brow, and every dollar that he saves brings him nearer to the realization of a home. The question is asked: What will our taxes be next year if you don’t select a conservative board? A board that will not spend your money, unless they receive full value for every dollar spent; men who

are looking for the few dollars they can obtain for themselves, but who are public spirited enough to consider all. You ask why we need a careful board next year any more than other years? Because you have lost the big sawmill and all its lumber, E.S. Hammond’s logging outfit and thousands of cords of wood, which have been estimated at $75,000. This will leave you an assessed valuation of about $150,000. The money next year will be raised on a much smaller valuation, and unless you choose men of economical judgment, your taxes will double. Think it over before you act. The total taxes collected from the village of Frederic was in the amount of $6,794.91. (That would be the 1906 taxes collected in 1907.) In April 1907, a Wisconsin pioneer imagined precious metal was hidden on his farm. In the death of Levi J. Oakes, aged 88 years, who lived 55 of those years in St. Croix County, northwestern Wisconsin, lost one of its most unique characters, as well as one of its earliest settlers. Mr. Oakes came when that section was full of Indians and started a farm on the now historic Paper Jack Creek. Mr. Oakes believed up to the last, that a rich gold mine was on the great farm owned by him. Even when broken by age, he was accustomed to take a pick and shovel and work for hours every day in the stone quarry on his farm, where he believed that there were deposits of gold. These are the following elected to serve on the village board of Frederic: president, J.D. Rice; one-year trustee, W.W. Seery; two-year trustees, Albert Wikstrom, D.F. Buckbee and W.C. Miner. – from Betty Fenton, Director of Public Relations, Frederic Area Historical Society

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POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS

St. Croix Falls Public Library Did I read this already? Now you can track what you have read through the MORE system’s My History. Check it out on the Web site. Story hour Listen to stories, create great art and have fun with other kids and parents every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. at St. Croix Falls Public Library story hour! Food for Fines Bring in nonperishable food items or household supplies, and we will forgive fines during January. Everything will be distributed to the St. Croix Falls Food Shelf. Computer classes at the library Library staff will teach basic computer classes during January and Feburary on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings. Class size is limited to five, register in advance. 715-483-1777. 1. Getting Started: For the beginning computer user this class will focus on the basics including mouse handling, keyboard basics, opening and closing

programs in Windows XP: Jan. 11, 67:30 p.m. and Jan. 16, 8:30-10 a.m. 2. Library Electronic Resouces: How to use the library online catalog, Wiscat, Badgerlink magazine and newspaper databases and useful Web sites. Search techniques will be emphasized, how to find information: Jan. 18, 6-7:30 p.m. and Jan. 30, 8:30-10 a.m. 3. Exploring the Internet: Basic browser functions and features, portals and indexes, hyperlinks and search engines. This one will be wide open for following the interests of the participants: Feb. 13, 8:30-10 a.m. and Feb. 15, 6-7:30 p.m. 4. E-mail Basics: We will set up new accounts, send e-mail, manage messages and explore common features of e-mail services: Feb. 20, 8:30-10 a.m. and Feb. 22, 6-7:30 p.m.

Balsam Lake Public Library Recycle Balsam Lake Public Library is now collecting empty inkjet cartridges for recycling. We receive up to $4 for each cartridge recycled. Cartridges can be deposited in our collection bin located in the hallway outside the library. No large laser cartridges are accepted with the program. In addition to raising money for Balsam Lake Library, recycling inkjet cartridges has a positive impact on the environment. Less than 5 percent of the cartridges produced are recycled.

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 Month so wear old clothes and be prepared for Hours of Library some free messy fun! Last week some Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m. – 8 very creative projects were made! p.m.; Tuesday, Thursdays and Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 Special event p.m. Beginning knitting class Monday, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. All ages are welcome – bring a skein of yarn and size 9 knitting needles if able, supplies will also be available. Saturday, Jan. 27, is Art Day from 10 off your donations of gently used books, movies, music CDs, and audio- a.m. to noon. This free event is open to books ahead of time for the sale. We’re all ages. Please join us for a fun crealso looking for food donations for the ative morning. Art supplies are furbake sale – please bring in your home- nished. made goodies the morning of Feb. 8. We’re looking forward to seeing you at our sale!

Frederic Public Library Story time Wednesday mornings Frederic Library story time is open to all young children accompanied by their caregivers. Please join us Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 10:30 a.m. for 45 minutes of activities and stories by children’s author Alvin Tresselt who wrote “White Snow Bright Snow” and “Rain Drop Splash.” If you like to share stories with children, consider becoming a volunteer reader – grandmas are especially welcome! We supply the books, and you pick the dates. The library is a drop-off site for the food pantry When you come to the library, please bring an item or two for the local food shelf – your donations will make you feel good and will help a family in need. Bake and book sale Feb. 8-9 Mark your calendars for this big semiannual event and be sure to drop

Library hours at a glance Regular library hours are Mon. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Wed., Thurs., Fri. 10 a.m. 5 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The library is closed on Tuesdays. Tax forms are available The basic Wisconsin forms are here – stop in to pick up what you need. How to contact the library Frederic Public Library, 127 Oak Street West. 715-327-4979. fredericpl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Luck Public Library Donate your books The Luck Public Library is gearing up for their annual Winter Carnival Book Sale. We will be selling weeded materials from our shelves as well as donated books, magazines, audios, games and puzzles. If you have things you would like to donate to our library sale, we will gladly take your items and give you a receipt for your taxes. Speaking of taxes The Luck Public Library has most of the tax forms out now. If you are looking for a form we don’t have or one that has not been mailed to us yet, we will find it for you and print it off for free. Wisconsin tax forms are not in yet, but will be soon. Educator’s lapbooking workshop will be held at the Luck Public Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. Special guest Maria Potvin will share her strategies and teach you the clever little ins and outs of a successful lapbook. There will be time to share ideas, so bring examples of your own to show and tell. Thanks for the tip Last month I borrowed a fiction book from my mother-in-law titled, “The

Lost Choice” by Andy Andrews. This thought provoking read begins when a young boy discovers a strange object in the creek near his house. As his parents investigate the mysterious piece, it’s ancient past reveals itself little by little. It has been owned by such great historical figures as, George Washington Carver, Joan of Arc, Oskar Shindler and John Adams. The ancient inscription warns the owner that this object will shape the lives of those who possess it. As more pieces are discovered, and the pieces are fit together, more questions arise. What is the connection between these objects? Is there a fourth piece, and if so, how might the final piece complete the object and its message. Could it indeed change the very world with its power and wisdom? Could it in fact change your life? This book will make you wonder just how many “lost choices” you have had in your life and inspire you to lead a life that can make a difference. Are you a person who can do ordinary things extraordinarily well? Or are you the person who inspires the person who can do ordinary things extraordinarily well? Thanks for the tip, Joyce. I really enjoyed this book.

Book club Meets at the library Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. Everyone welcome. January’s choice is “Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven” by Fannie Flagg. Combining southern warmth with unabashed emotion and sidesplitting hilarity, Fannie Flagg takes readers back to Elmwood Springs, Mo., where the most unlikely and surprising experiences of a high-spirited octogenarian inspire a town to ponder the age-old question: “Why are we here?” Friends of the Library The Friends group will be having a book sale in February, so this would be a great time to clean out those bookshelves and donate your books to the library. Love Those Used Books Sale will be Saturday, Feb. 17, here at the library. Get rid of the winter blues by curling up with a good book. The Friends group will meet again on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 1:30 p.m. Location, hours Balsam Lake Library, (under the water tower) at 404 Main St., Balsam Lake. Our 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 us at balsamlakepl.ifls.lib.wi.us. Web site is www.balsamlakepubliclibrary.org

Clear Lake Public Library

The Clear Lake Book Group will meet on Monday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. to discuss the book “Digging to America” by Anne Tyler. Walk-ins are welcome and refreshments are served. New Books on CD: “Death Comes as the End” by Agatha Christie “Capital Crimes” by Jonathan and Faye Kellerman “Long Night of Winchell Dear” by Robert Waller “Temperatures Rising” by Sandra Brown “Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid” by Bill Bryson “Thanksgiving” by Janet Evanovich

“The Christmas Present” by Jacquelyn Mitchard “Blue Smoke” by Nora Roberts “The Bone Vault” by Linda Fairstein “The Innocent Man” by John Grisham Mark your calendars The library is planning a pajama party for Feb. 14. More information will appear in future articles. Hours Monday: noon - 7 p.m.; Tuesday & Friday: noon - 5 p.m.; Wednesday: 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Thursday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Friends of the Polk County Library Federation met on Jan. 8 to review the upcoming projects. The group decided to focus on four major points: promote community support of libraries; train volunteers; develop educational programs and purchase unique items that all libraries can use and share. If you would like to help this group with their support of the county libraries, please join them on the second Monday of each month. The next meeting will be on Feb. 12 from 4:30 - 6 p.m. at the Polk County Library Federation. For information call 485-8680. Pictured (L to R) are: Stephanie Fansler, Peggy Farmer, Pat Schmidt, Colleen Gifford and back facing camera Betty Patterson. – Photo submitted

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POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS

Milltown Public Library Knit and crochet Join the most exciting group in Milltown at the library on the first and third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. Experts and beginners are invited! If you’re in the middle of a project and are looking for help or just fun conversation while you finish that sweater, hat, mitten or whatever, please join us for the next meeting on Jan. 4. Beginners are invited – free lessons will be provided! We are wireless Bring your laptops to the Milltown Public Library and enjoy our new, free, fast wireless Internet access. No more waiting for an open computer! Surf the net from a comfortable chair! No time limits! Story hour Milltown Public Library offers two story times every Tuesday. The morning story time begins at 10 a.m. Can’t

make it in the morning? We will repeat the program at 6:30 p.m. Story times are free and are designed for children under 6 and their caregivers. Each story time lasts 30 to 45 minutes and includes time to browse and checkout books.

Name of Library Dresser Public Library, 117 S. Central Avenue, Dresser, WI 54009. The Dresser Public Library Board of Trustees holds its monthly meeting on the last Monday of each month at 6 p.m.

Book club Milltown Book Club is reading “Love in the Time of Cholera,” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The book discussion is open to the public and will be held on Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Guests and new members are always welcomed.

Library hours Monday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday noon–5 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m.–noon and 1–7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Hours Library hours are Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Amery Public Library Mary Ann Grossman, in the St. Paul Pioneer Press Sunday paper, gave a list of great American memoirs. When I looked at the list, I realized that many of them are on the shelves at the Amery Public Library. If you are looking for a memoir that is a great read, these are recommended by Mary Ann are available at the Amery Public Library. “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” by Dave Eggers “An American Childhood” by Annie Dillard “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X “Bird By Bird” by Annie Lamott “Black Boy” by Richard T. Wright “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou “This Boy’s Life” by Tobias Wolff “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” by Harriet Jacobs and Nell Irvin Painter “The Liar’s Club” by Mary Karr “The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid” by Bill Bryson “Life on the Mississippi” by Mark Twain “Me Talk Pretty One Day” by David Sedaris “Running With Scissors” by Augusten Burroughs “Stop-Time” by Frank Conrad “The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts” by Maxine Hong Kingston “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion “Telling: A Memoir of Rape and Recovery” by Patricia Weaver Francisco We have ordered other books off the list that we didn’t own so that list will be put in the paper later after the new books arrive. Stop in and check out one of these great memoirs at the Amery Public Library if you haven’t already

read them or recommend them to your book group. Library notes Story time will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. Everyone is welcome for songs and stories. The Wisconsin state tax forms have arrived at the Amery Public Library, so stop in and pick up your forms. We now have the homestead forms with the renter’s certificate. We also have federal forms. Book sale The Friends of the Library Book Sale will be coming up in the next month, so now is the time to bring us the books, video tapes, or CDs you want to have put on the sale. The Friends haven’t picked a date as this is written, but we should know in a week or so . Book club The Great Stories Club meets on Feb. 12, to discuss “The Bean Trees” by Barbara Kingsolver from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The Teens Read Book Group meets on Jan. 29, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to discuss “Invisible” by Pete Hautman. Pick up a copy of the book at the circulation desk, and join us if you are a teen. The Otaku Club meets at the Amery Public Library on every Tuesday night from 5 to 6 p.m. This is a teen-led group for teens who like manga and anime. The Amery Public Library Board has changed its meeting time to the first Monday of the month at 6:15 p.m. The next meeting will be on Feb. 5 Library Hours Mon. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tues. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wed. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. , Fri. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Centuria Public Library Hours The Centuria Public Library is open Monday from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday from

Dresser Public Library

noon to 5 p.m., Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., closed Friday, and open 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Three Internet computers are up and running! 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 New books for all ages are arriving weekly. Come on in and check them out!

Story time Lapsitter and preschool story times begin at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays. Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays, crafts and more! Focus on 2007! Library Book Club interested parties should contact the library at 715-7552944. A meeting will be held on Jan. 25, however the meeting time has not been decided upon at this time. Contact the library at 715-755-2944 which is our telephone and FAX numor e-mail us at ber www.dresserpl@ifls.lib.wi.us. Our FAX is for library business only. Our Web site also has information about story times, days closed, etc.; the site can be accessed via www.dresserpubliclibrary@org. The reference site, “Ask Away” is now available through this address.

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WITC names scholarship recipients NEW RICHMOND – The following local students at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College-New Richmond received a WITC Foundation Scholarship for spring semester. The WITC Foundation awards more than $100,000 each year to area students. Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate the initiative, desire and potential to succeed. They are not limited to students with financial need or high academic achievement. The scholarships are open to students enrolled in any WITC associate degree or technical diploma program and may be designated for a specific campus, program, high school, career area or other requirement. Natalie Landgreen, college advancement associate at the WITC campus says, “On behalf of the generous businesses, organizations and individuals whose donations make these scholarships possible, the WITC Foundation has the distinct privilege to award scholarships to these deserving students. The majority of

these students are going to college, as well as juggling the demands of work and family. Their dedication to bettering themselves is inspiring.” WITC New Richmond offers more than 35 programs and awards two-year associate degrees, one- and twoyear technical diplomas and a variety of short-term certificates. In addition, WITC offers Flex labs, online and other distance learning opportunities and provides customized training and technical assistance to the business and industrial community. The college has four campuses, including Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake and Superior. The Web site is: witc.edu. Spring 2007 WITC Scholarship Recipients Amery - Kari Gehrman, nursing, $250 Balsam Lake - Elizabeth Foeller, nursing, $100. – from WITC

Colors of the World coming to school ST. CROIX FALLS - On Jan. 25-26, the St. Croix Falls High School will be participating in a school-run culture fair, appropriately titled Colors of the World. The event is a joint effort by the Sports and Entertainment Marketing class, where students are organizing the event as part of their final class project, and the newly created Culture Club, an extracurricular organization which seeks to increase students’ knowledge and appreciation of other cultures. The two-day cultural celebration will kick off with an assembly featuring keynote speaker Tommy Watson. Students will then participate in a variety of activities, including simulations and discussion groups, focused on raising their awareness of prejudice and discrimination in the United States and empowering them to confront prejudice when they see it in themselves and others. The second day of the cultural fair will allow students to choose from a variety of sessions aimed at exposing them to the food, art, music, dance, language, sports/games, dress, and traditions of various cultures. These sessions will be taught by a host of community members who are generously donating their time to share their expertise and experiences. Students also have the option of choosing one of three field trips offered this year: One to the Hmong Cultural Resource Center, one to the Global Marketplace in Minneapolis, and one to the Science Museum to see their newest exhibit, “Race.” The public is also welcome to attend any part of this event, which starts at 10 a.m. on each of the two days. Please contact the St. Croix Falls High School office at 715-483-9823 ext. 328 or 232 if you wish to take part in any of the activities. – from SCF schools

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2007 Honors Band Concert Guest conductor John Telitz leads 78 students from Luck, Frederic, Siren, Unity, Webster, Somerset, St. Croix Falls, Osceola and Grantsburg in performing the song, “Flourish for Wind Band.” These students and the band directors from the nine area schools spent Monday, Jan. 15, at St. Croix Falls High School perfecting four musical selections which they performed during the evening’s Upper St. Croix Valley Music Association’s 2007 Honors Band Concert. Nineteen additional students from Unity, Webster, Somerset, Osceola and Grantsburg spent the day working with guest conductor Bill Bucholtz before performing during the Honors Jazz Band portion of the concert.

Luck’s Honors Band participants (L to R): Jennifer Roberts, Emily Smith, Grace Jenson, Brett Larson, Ashley Valentine, Gina Armour and Tanya Holm.

Photos courtesy Lori Nelson

Burnett County Safe and Stable Families program receives check

Siren Lioness recently presented a $500 check, for child sexual abuse survivors to Burnett County Safe and Stable Families Program. Pictured is Barb Ketter and LeAnn Mulroy receiving the check from Lioness President Lory Maurer. – Photo submitted

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Hockey goes Wild ST. CROIX FALLS – On Jan. 6, due to the generous efforts of Old Dutch, The Minneosta Wild, “Grandpa” Bob Wright of St. Croix Falls, and many others, 16 players from the St. Croix Falls River Valley Hockey Association had the unique opportunity to play in front of 18,568 cheering fans at the home of the Minnesota Wild hockey team, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minn. Approximately 200 local residents purchased tickets and served as an incredible entourage for these young stars. The players and local supporters represented their communities with pride and enthusiasm! The players‚ ages 6 to 8, are all teammates for the River Valley Hockey Association Eagles Mite Team. The teams are chosen by the Minnesota Wild’s lottery system and The Old Dutch Company to play in a brief three-minute game during the first intermission of a Minnesota Wild hockey game. The game was filled with many exciting moments; all of the children skated as hard as they could, much to the delight of the crowd. The game ended in a nail-biting 0-0 tie. At the end of the Old Dutch Little Chippers Game, 7-year-old Chance Belisle of St. Croix Falls, was chosen as the Old Dutch Little Chippers Player of the game, for his tremendous block at the end of the game preventing a goal and securing the tie in this electrifying match. Chance was interviewed in the Minnesota Wild Player box, and it was broadcast over the Jumbo-Tron for all to see. Chance handled his new-found stardom with grace and humility even giving his advice to the Wild on what to do when they took to the ice for the rest of the game. Chance’s advice? “Win!” Our local youngsters seemed to set the tone for the rest of the Wild game as it also turned out to be a thrilling game. Unfortunately, the Wild came up short losing the shootout, but securing one point for the tie, just as Chance did for his team. The Old Dutch Little Chippers game was an unforgettable thrill for these children and their fans, but that was only part of the excitement in store for our local young representatives of the St. Croix River Valley. Not to downplay in any way the shear exhilaration of skating in front of a sold-out crowd at a professional hockey rink, this is rated as the best sporting venue in the world! The “hometown RVHA heroes” were also given the opportunity to see things that most people never see, as they were taken behind the scenes to their own private locker room within feet of the Minnesota

Sixteen players from the St. Croix Falls River Valley Hockey Association had the opportunity to play at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., the home of the Minnesota Wild. The players were Eli Baerg, Chance Belisle, Palo DeConcini, Dawson Flaherty, Lindsey Gearin, Stephanie Hansen, Drew Karl, Grace Klein, Sophie Klein, Wyatt Kuenkel, James Rice, Matt Schultz, Brendan Sheehan, Joshua Skallet, Bailey Wendorf and Cody Whittier. – Photos submitted Wild’s locker room. They also walked the same halls that many of the most famous players in hockey have walked. Each and every player was provided with special souvenirs, compliments of the Old Dutch Company and the Minnesota Wild. As if the experience wasn’t enough, The River Valley Hockey youngsters were also followed around by a hometown fan, who happens to be a photographer. On top of all of this, everyone will have the opportunity to purchase for a nominal charge, a very well-done DVD production of the entire Old Dutch Little Chippers intermission game provided by the Minnesota Wild. After it is all said and done, one has to keep in mind that souvenirs break and fade, DVDs scratch and warp, and even pictures sometimes get lost or ruined, but one thing that can’t ever be destroyed is the fond memories that these children will hold with them for the rest of their lives. Every time they see the Xcel Energy Center, or watch a Wild home game on TV, they will each be able to say they played there. And each will be able to share unique stories that have the power to wow so many. – submitted The St. Croix Falls River Valley Hockey team players, age 6 to 8, played in front of over 18,000 cheering fans on Saturday, Jan. 6.

Burnett County Bulldogs Wrestling Club The Burnett County Bulldogs Wrestling Club traveled to Stillwater, Minn., Sunday, Jan. 14. This was the second tournament the Bulldogs attended since their first practice on Jan. 2. The results are as follows: Nick Britton, 5th grade-2nd place, Joseph Gaffney, 5th grade-2nd place, Austin Swenson, 5th grade-3rd place, David St. John, 5th grade-1st place, Seth Stoner, 8th grade-1st place, Tristan Brewer 4th grade-1st place, Joshua Glover 4th grade-1st place, Dakota Schultz 2nd grade-3rd place, Tony Britton 4th grade-3rd place, Elliot Swenson kindergarten1st place. Not pictured Austin Johnson 1st grade-1st place, Lane Johnson kindergarten-1st place, Luke Anderson kindergarten3rd place, Brett Anderson 3rd grade-4th place, Ricky Clark 1st grade-3rd place and Ramsey Clark kindergarten-4th place. Next Sunday some of the Bulldogs will be traveling to Cambridge, Minn., for the Rum River Open. It’s not too late to join the Bulldogs, PreK-8th-grade practices are Tues. and Thurs. 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Grantsburg Community Center. Contact Bridget Brewer at 488-2956 with any questions. – Photo by Marty Seeger

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Duck for the Oyster Duck for the Oyster is a musical group that defies genre. It combines area musicians, dancers, callers, a gamut of different musical styles, and includes those who attend their performances. Music critics could not categorize Duck for the Oyster if they tried. current The lineup of the mostly instrumental band is Kevin McMullin on the fiddle, Bruce Qualey on the bass, Larry Stelter on the and mandolin Bob Clark on the with guitar, A musical callers Kathy guide to to Brihn and Karen Kaufman, who NW Wisconsin create and then call out moveRegan ments during dance perforKohler mances. Duck for the Oyster has its grounding in old-time string band music, “but neither the music nor the dance have stayed put,” said Kaufman. “You can’t pigeonhole us,” Kaufman said of the band’s sound. Duck for the Oyster has been evolving all the time since it began in the 1980s. McMullin and Kaufman moved to Spooner from Seattle, Wash., where they had been a part of the dance scene, but they discovered that there wasn’t a scene in Spooner. “So we figured we’d start one here,” McMullin said. McMullin joined a band called Radio Bluegrass while Kaufman learned how to call. Their first official dance was held at the Madge Town Hall. “And one day, Larry walked in,” said McMullin. Stelter, McMullin, Kaufman and a guitarist named Norm Peterson formed Duck for the Oyster in 1989. They had a 14-year-old student who played with them, but they went through bassists often. “And then I saved the band,” said Qualey, who was introduced to them by friends. Qualey and his wife, Sara, who said she was an “auxiliary” member of the band, had to do an audition of sorts. “We made them dance,” said Kaufman. “And they stayed!” In 1992, Brihn became the band’s other caller. She joined after she lent them a sound system for one dance, and said she used to be in a band when she heard Kaufman was looking for a second caller. “I’d never even seen a dance before,” Brihn said. She and Kaufman said they took workshops on how to call and practiced. “It’s like any skill,” said Kaufman of learning it. “You work on it and you practice it, and just take the leap and do it.” She said it is hard to teach someone how to do it, but she likes making it inviting for all levels of dancers. And that’s who shows up to their dances: all levels of beginning dancers as well as Duck for the Oyster’s regular attendees. The majority of their performances are dances, but they do stage shows, and most of the members can sing. Duck for the Oyster released their first album, “Migrations,” in 2001, before Peterson retired. After that, McMullin said, they were worried because they didn’t know any guitar players. McMullin’s fiddle student, Clark, stepped forward and said he used to play the guitar in a rockabilly band. He was interviewed, and has now been with the band for four years. “We knew he was the guy,” said McMullin. “He caught stuff fast.”

UPPER Register

Duck for the Oyster’s lineup, front row, (L to R): Larry Stelter on mandolin, Kevin McMullin on fiddle and Bob Clark on guitar. Back row, (L to R): Bruce Qualey on bass and caller Karen Kaufman. — Photos by Regan Kohler “The timing was pretty amazing,” added Clark. Now, Duck for the Oyster plays acoustic music in all types of music.

page booklet in the cover, and some tracks have a caller on it so listeners can dance on their own. Duck for the Oyster performs at all

dancing at age 2 and has been singing for about 35 years, she said. Brihn also has a background in vocal music. Kaufman said their career back-

Duck for the Oyster plays fast instrumental music as dancers do the moves called out to them, at a performance Saturday, Jan. 6, in the Shell Lake Arts Center. They include Celtic, Baltic, Finnish, French Canadian, Chinese and South American, to name just a minute few. The band often have performances on weekends, and their ongoing ones include the Irish Ceili and Halloween dances, and also barn dances at the Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary. They run a dance camp every June at Hunt Hill and are working on having a weeklong camp at the Shell Lake Arts Center. They have traveled across the Midwest to perform, even getting their names on the marquee - though once they got mistaken by a concertgoer for the ‘70s rock band Blue Oyster Cult, Clark said. Duck for the Oyster will be the wedding band for a bride in Decorah, Iowa, because she saw them perform at a wedding here and had great memories, so she wanted that for her guests. “We’ve had some great weddings,” Qualey said. This, coupled with good times such as the White Pine Jamboree in Rhinelander, are what makes being in Duck for the Oyster fun, said Kaufman. “I kind of think anything is a good [performance],” she added. Duck for the Oyster created the soundtrack for “Grace,” the movie made in Spooner two years ago, and also can be heard on a movie about Amery by the same film company. Some of the members even had cameos in the movies. The band released their second CD, “May We Have This Dance?”, in 2005. This one is unique because it has a 21-

Dancers have fun learning the steps at a Duck for the Oyster show last weekend. sorts of events: weddings, bar mitzvahs, anniversary parties, etc. The band members come from Spooner, Amery, the Cable area and Sarona, and have much experience in the arts. Qualey has played the bass for 45 years; McMullin began studying music in the fourth grade and now teaches; Stelter has played music for 35 years; and Clark began when he was 8. Kaufman began

grounds interconnect to help the band, as some have been involved in broadcasting and advertising. In three years, Duck for the Oyster will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. The band’s two albums can be found at Northwind Book & Fiber, Spooner, or at the Main Street Market, Rice Lake; otherwise, one can purchase them at www.kevinmcmullin.com.

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Capeside employee makes inspirational recovery SIREN – Jenelle Lindquist made the long journey of recovering from a paralyzing medical condition to returning to work at Capeside Cove Good Samaritan Center. It all began Sept. 9 when she woke up with a backache. After visits to the chiropractor and clinic and two trips to the ER, she was admitted to the St. Croix Regional Medical Center on Friday, Sept. 15. Doctors were puzzled as to what was causing her backaches. Later that night she tried to get up, but was unable to walk. The next day she was transferred to Regions Hospital where she required more tests, and a second MRI showed a large mass pushing against her spinal cord. Following a seven-hour surgery and intense emotional waiting, Linquist’s family was informed by doctors that the large mass was a staph infection that they were able to remove. However, they did not know if she would ever be able to walk again. A week later, Linquist was moved to the rehabilitation unit for a couple of therapy sessions. During this time she began to have horrible headaches that would exhaust her for the entire day. The cause of the headaches was from her wound being filled with spinal

Jenelle Lindquist back at work at Capeside Cove Good Samaritan Center after recovering from a paralyzing medical condition. – Photo submitted

fluid. With movement, the fluid would start to leak thus causing painful spinal headaches. The only way to relieve the pain was for doctors to drain 10 ounces of fluid from her spinal wound. Lindquist was eager to return to her hometown of Siren to be with family and friends. On Oct. 26 she came to stay at Capeside Cove where she learned the first day that therapy would be intense. It consisted of two hours of physical therapy and 1-1/2 hours of occupational therapy, five to six days a week. She came to Capeside in a wheelchair, unable to walk, unable to stand by herself, unable to move from her bed to wheelchair, unable to dress herself and unable to complete a normal morning routine. With 41 days of tired muscles, hard work, long hours of therapy, the care and encouragement form nurses, staff, family and friends, she returned home to her husband, Kent, and two children, Max and Ellyn. With the continuation of both physical and occupational therapy as an outpatient at Capeside, Lindquist has managed to walk about with a cane, perform all activities of everyday living…and has returned to work. – submitted

New owners plan changes for St. Croix Cafe vegetarian-based options. As they get settled in their new business, they said they hope to hook up with local produce growers and offer local fresh vegetables in season. Prior to a grand opening, the Paces plan to give the inside a facelift with new paint and a new look. When the weather warms up, the new owners will expand the café’s hours and offer “basic dinners,” Aaron said. Kendra works a full-time job in Twin Cities, but will be dealing with the business end of the café, while Aaron will be busy in the kitchen. Current hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon. through Sat., 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sun.

by Julie Holmquist ST. CROIX FALLS - An affinity for the river and its peace and quiet drew the new owners of the St. Croix Café to the river valley. Aaron and Kendra Pace took ownership of the St. Croix Café in downtown St. Croix Falls less then two weeks ago and are busy settling in and preparing for a grand opening in March. The couple lives in Lindstrom, but Aaron learned the restaurant business from his family. His family runs the well-known Keys Café in seven different areas of the Metro area. “I was raised in the business,” Aaron said. “I started dishwashing at the uptown café when I was 15 and worked my way up from there.” He’s also worked as a chef in Hazelden in Center City. Aaron said homemade food and slow-roasted meat will be hallmarks of the café. Plans for the future include menu and interior changes. The new owners plan to expand the menu to include healthy,

LEFT: Kendra and Aaron Pace purchased the St. Croix Café in St. Croix Falls on Dec. 29. - Photo by Julie Holmquist

A & W win first Dollars for Scholars Chili Cookoff ST. CROIX FALLS–A & W, also known as Adrienne Gyllen and Wanda Brown, won the first St. Croix Falls District Scholarship Foundation Chili Cook-off on Jan. 9. By a slim margin, nearly 150 attendees selected the A&W chili as first-place winner. Second place went to Richard Townsend Construction, under the direction of chili chef Rich Townsend and third place went to Cushing Fire and Rescue, under the direction of head chef Rick Davidsavor. Each person attending the event sampled the chilis and selected their favorite by secret ballot. The recipes, like the ballots, are also largely secret. When asked about their secret ingredient, Gyllen and Brown simply said, “You’ll have to come again next year and try to figure it out!” Many of the testers thought Cushing Fire and Rescue had the spiciest concoction. “Cushing Fire and Rescue really knows how to make things hot,” quipped one attendee. There was lots of friendly competition, including competition between spouses—Barb and Rick Davidsavor of Cushing—who headed up competing teams.

Adrienne Gyllen and Wanda Brown were the first-place winners in the chili cook-off Jan. 9. The cook-off was a fundraiser for the St. Croix Falls District Scholarship Foundation to raise money for graduating senior scholarships. –Photo submitted Eleven other groups and individuals also contributed batches of their favorite chili to the cause. They included Driftbusters Snowmobile Club, Shelly Skemp, chef; Jensen Garage, Cushing, Pat Jensen, chef; Judy Woltz, chef; McCormack Family Dentistry, Kris McCormack, chef; Peace Lutheran Church, Dresser, Pat Dahl, chef; Polk

County Sportsmen’s Club; St. Croix Falls Schools, Superintendent Glenn Martin, chef; St. Croix Falls Lioness Club, Jeanne Jensen, chef; St. Croix Falls Senior Center, Joyce and Darrel Nelson, chefs; The River Bank, Pam Keto, chef; and Wolf Creek Methodist Church, Cushing, Barb Davidsavor, chef.

The event also kicked off raffle ticket sales for three beautiful handmade quilted items all made and donated by Mary Anderson of Pins ‘N Needles Quilt Shop in St. Croix Falls. The first prize is a queen-sized quilt; second prize is a lap quilt, and third prize is a table runner. Quilt raffle tickets are only $1 each, or six for $5. The quilted items will be on display at local businesses until the drawing on Feb. 9 at the St. Croix Falls High School basketball game that evening. Tickets are also available by calling Shelley Skemp at 715-483-9823, ext. 328, or by stopping by the high school office where photos will also be on display, or from scholarship foundation members. The St. Croix Falls District Scholarship Foundation hopes to make the chili cook-off an annual event. The scholarship foundation is affiliated with the national Dollars for Scholars program, and raises money every year to provide scholarships to graduates of the St. Croix Falls School District for post-secondary education and technical training. –submitted

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 17

Polk-Burnett awards $9,350 through Operation Round-Up® CENTURIA – Polk-Burnett’s Operation Round-Up board of directors awarded $9,350 to 11 community organizations at its meeting Jan. 4. Grant recipients are: 1. Burnett County Literacy Council, $500 to provide instruction for adults seeking basic reading skills 2. Blizzard Blue Line Club, $500 to help girls and boys play WIAA hockey for the 2006-07 season 3. Grantsburg Area Historical Society, $1,000 to teach history to children in a restored one-room schoolhouse 4. Polk County Family Preservation & Support School-Home Liaison Program, $1,000 to provide school-home liaisons to help at-risk students 5. Polk County Human Services Juvenile Justice Unit, $1,000 to teach independent living skills to youth in out-of-home placements 6. Frederic Birch Street Elementary School, $1,000 to teach Australian Walkabout multicultural education 7. Frederic Community Education, $600 to help host the Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre in Frederic Schools 8. Grantsburg Public Library, $750 to purchase books and hire presenters for the summer reading program 9. St. Croix Valley Orchestra, $1,000 to purchase new rehearsal and concert music 10. Northern Waters Literacy (formerly Polk County Area Literacy Council), $1,000 to train literacy tutors and purchase training materials 11. The Haven Adult Day Care, $1,000 to assist families affected by Alzheimer’s and related diseases Funding for Operation Round-Up is donated by 8,199 members of Polk-Burnett who volunteer to round their monthly electric bill up to the next even

Members of Polk-Burnett’s Operation Round-Up board of directors are (L to R) are: Mabel Jenssen, Cumberland; Merle Bergren, Amery; Janet McInroy, Spooner; Alma Karels, Grantsburg; Kris McCormack, St. Croix Falls; Clarice Johnson, Star Prairie; Ed Moersfelder, Amery. Not pictured: Barbara Meier, Frederic; and Vicki Tollander, Webster. The board meets quarterly to award grant money from co-op members to organizations that improve our local quality of life. – Photo submitted dollar amount. The monies are combined and grants are awarded quarterly to nonprofit organizations that improve our local quality of life. Special consideration is given to nonprofit organizations that emphasize public safety, health care, self-sufficiency, basic human needs, our cultural environment, community leadership and social issues for youth. Organizations interested in applying for a grant may

call 800-421-0283, ext. 333, or visit www.polk-burnett.org. The next application deadline is March 1. Polk-Burnett members who’d like to round their bill up for Operation Round-Up may call 800-421-0283 and ask for the billing department. – from Polk-Burnett

TF restaurant changes hands Chef becomes new owner by Julie Holmquist TAYLORS FALLS - The chef at Tangled Up in Blue restaurant in Taylors Falls is now the new owner. Ross Reed graduated from Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in the Twin Cities in 2003 and has been the chef at Tangled Up in Blue for the last five months. He took ownership of the restaurant early this month. Reed, 26, is originally from Wyoming and started in the restaurant business by washing dishes at age 13. "I became the manager there at 17," he said. "My mother was a home economics teacher, so I was raised around food." He’s also run a restaurant in Deadwood, S.D., near the Black Hills, then moved to the Minnesota Metro area to attend culinary school. "My goal since high school was to be a selfemployed restaurateur," he said. "I didn’t expect it at such a young age." Since graduating from the Le Cordon Bleu, Reed has honed his skills at Palomino and Three Sons Kitchen as a sous chef, then on to executive chef at Marin’s

Table in Minneapolis. Now he is providing his French European influenced meals at Tangled Up in Blue, which opened more than three years ago in downtown Taylors Falls. Patrons there can start with appetizers such as a flaming Saginaki cheese, followed by a filet mignon or crab stuffed shrimp entrée accompanied with a glass of pinot or cabernet. "The vibe you get in a kitchen is a great feeling," he said. "The thing about it that makes it worth it to me is talking to the guests, and knowing I’m providing an

experience for them." While Reed said his clientele comes mostly from the cities, in the last few months Reed said he’s seen more locals in his restaurant. When the weather warms up, the restaurant will again serve lunch along with dinner. Ross will be hosting a wine dinner on the third Tuesdays of every month at 6:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 16. Reservations can be made by calling 651-465-1000. Hours for Tangled Up In Blue are: Wed. and Thurs., 5 to 9 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 5 to 10 p.m. and Sun., 4 to 8 p.m.

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EDUCATION VIBRATIONS Unity Community Education

Yoga Wednesdays, Jan. 10 to Feb. 14 (please note changes in January dates). 6 to 6:45 p.m. Cost: $35 per session. Dancing for Women Thursday, Jan. 18. Cost: $12.50 per class. 6-7:20 p.m. Latin Dancing for Women. 7:30-9 p.m. - Pop Belly Dancing. DNR Hunter Safety Certification Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 27 through March 29 (skip March 6

and 8), 7-9:30 p.m. Cost: $10, payable to DNR on the first night of class. Please call Community Ed to register. Introduction To Palmistry Thursday, March 29, 6-7:15 p.m. Cost: $20. Metaphysical Stones 4 Thursday, March 29, 7:30-9 p.m. Cost $25. Instructor: Sandy Klepel is a GIA certified gemologist and fourth generation intuitive, specializing in stones with a shop in St. Paul, Minn.

Frederic Community Education To register call Ann Fawver at 715-327-4868, e-mail fawvera@frederic.k12.wi.us, online go to www.witc.edu “Search and Register for Courses,” or call WITC at 800-243-9482, ext. 4221. “An Inconvenient Truth” Thursday, Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m. movie and discussion free at the Frederic High School. Call Ann Fawver with questions. Cross-Country Skiing Workshop WITC: #42-807-416, Monday, Feb. 5, 3 - 6 p.m. Fee: $12.70/$4 Sr. 62+. Skiing for Youth WITC: #42-807-416. Classic skiing for youth age 6-12, Monday, Feb. 5, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Fee: $8.35. Photography WITC #26817/ #42-203-405. Thursdays, Feb. 1 - 22, 7 - 9 p.m. Fee: $21.40/$4 Sr. 62+. Sign with Toddlers WITC #25885/ #47-533-405. Learn sign language and add fun and entertainment to your stories, songs and activities. Mondays, Feb. 5 - 19, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Free (through WITC grant). Knitting for all skill levels WITC #26803/ #42-815-408. Mondays, Feb. 5 - 26, 6 - 8 p.m. Fee: $21.40/$4 Sr. 62+. Felted Children’s Hats and Mittens WITC #42-815-408. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6 - 9 p.m. Fee: $12.70/$4 Sr. 62+. Carving Workshop Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. In the class you will have the opportunity to carve a character in Scandinavian flat-plane wood carving style. Fee: $17.05. Weight Room Training for Women WITC #27001/#42-807-408. Tuesdays, Feb. 6 - 27, 4 - 6 p.m. Fee: $21.40/$4 Sr. 62+. Weight Room Training for Students WITC #27002/#42-807-408. Thursdays, Feb. 8 - March 1, 3:30 5:30 p.m. Fee: $21.40. Babysitting Clinic WITC #26813/#47-307-495. Tuesdays, Feb. 6 - 27, 3:15 - 5 p.m. Fee: $17.50. Felted Wool Purses WITC #26804/#42-815-408. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6 - 8:30 p.m. Fee: $12.70/$4 Sr. 62+. Materials fee to instructor - $8. PedFACTS Course Thursday, Feb. 8 and Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6 - 9 p.m. Call CE, 715-3274868. Fee: $35, optional book, $10. CPR & AED (Infant, Child & Adult) Thursday, March 8 and Tuesdays, April 24, 6 – 8 p.m. Call Community Education, 715-327-4868. Fee: $25, optional book $10. Mosaic WITC #27005/#42-815-405. Tuesdays, Feb. 20 - 27, 6 - 9 p.m. Fee: $17.05/$4 Sr. 62+. Mimi’s 2007 Creative Memories Workshops $5 RSVP with Mimi if you’d like to attend, 715-327-8122, Saturday,

Jan. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 10. Also this winter watch for: quilted jacket, computers: Independent projects, Mosaic stained glass suncatcher, creative stamping, preschool tumbling, sign for youth and with your preschooler, introduction to Norwegian, Prairie Fire Theatre. Ongoing Activities Open Ice Skating for Families At Frederic’s skating rink, located east of the elementary school. Rink and warming house open daily from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Families are responsible for supervising their children– rules are posted at the rink. Men’s Basketball League Frederic High School Sundays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. $1 fee/time. Open Weight Room For public use at the high school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 7 - 8 a.m. and 3:30 - 5 p.m. No fee. Winter Walking Birch Street Elementary School. Mon. – Fri., 7 – 8 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. No fee. Sign in/out outside of the school office. Craft Club Youth meet every Thursday at the elementary school. Classes begin at 3:15 p.m. AYSO Soccer Early bird registration $40/child goes until Jan. 28. Registration dates are Jan. 29 through Feb. 9, $45/child with a $125 family cap.) Registrations received after Feb. 9 will be subject to a $15 late fee. Register at Luck School – Monday, Jan. 29, 6:30 – 8 p.m.; Frederic School – Thursday, Feb. 1, 6:30 – 8 p.m.; Unity School, Tuesday – Feb. 6, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Volunteers needed – call 646-2150, 4724895 or 472-4062. Driver’s Education Classroom course for students 15 years and older with Safe Start Driving School. Monday - Thursday, Feb. 26 through March 22, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 6 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, 5 - 7 p.m. Fee: $75. WITC classes offered at Frederic High School Basic Nursing Assistant, #25365 #30-543-300 - Jan. 22 Document Formatting, #23346 #10-106-110 - Jan. 22 Information Management, #23490 #10-106-165 - Jan. 22 Introduction to Microcomp., #23329 #10-103-128 - Jan. 22 Introduction to MS Office, #23331 #10-103-129 - Jan. 22 Keyboarding, #23492 #10-106-181 - Jan. 22 Keyboarding Speedbuilding, #23494 #10-106-184 - Jan. 22 MS Excel A, #23325 #10-103-124A - Jan. 22 MS PowerPoint, #22972 #10-103-106 - Jan. 22 MS Word A, #22959 #10-103-103A - Jan. 22 MS Word B, #22962 #10-103-103B - Jan. 22 MS Word C, #22965 #10-103-103C - Jan. 22 Proofreading for the Office, #23381 #10-106-146 - Jan. 22 Transcription A, #23350 #10-106-122A - Jan. 22 Transcription B, #23352 #10-106-122B - Jan. 22

St. Croix Falls Community Education Open adult volleyball league begins Monday, Jan. 15, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the Valley Christian School. Adults, 18 and over. Cost is $3 per person or $5 per couple. Braid a chair pad. Classes held at In the Wool at St. Croix Falls. $40 for wool/instructions and braiding supplies for an additional $26.25. Call 715-483-1433 to register. Beginning rug hooking classes. Classes held at In the Wool at St. Croix Falls. Class fee $60 and includes instruction, pattern and wool to complete project. Hook and hoop are extra. Call 715-483-1433 to register. Color It Mine Ceramics classes. This is Snow cute – Jan. 18, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Grades 1 – 6. Cost $13. Be Mine – Feb. 8, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Grades 1 – 6. Cost $10. Hoppin’ Good Time – March 8, 3:30 – 5 p.m., grades 1 – 6. Cost: $13. Hoppin’ Good Time 2 – March 29, 3:30 – 5 p.m., grades 1-6. Cost $13. Adults Wet Green Ware, Feb. 15 for creating, Feb. 22 for glazing, 6 p.m. until done. Cost: $27. Classes held at Simpler Times Ceramics, St. Croix Falls. Full of Joy Yoga. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 4 – 5 p.m. Only $42.50 for 5 sessions at the St. Croix Falls High School, ages 7 and up. Belly Dancing. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 17, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the St. Croix Falls High School. Fee: $42.50 for all 5 weeks. Irish Dance. Beginning Monday, Jan. 15 through Feb. 12, at the St. Croix Falls High School. Grades K-4, 6 – 6:30 p.m., $25 for 5 weeks; Grades 5 – adult, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., $45 for 5 weeks. Aviation Ground School. For certified pilots, $155 and textbooks and supplies (everything you need), starting Thursdays, Jan. 9, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Osceola Municipal Airport Terminal Building. Open Basketball Gym. Every Wednesday from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the

St. Croix Falls High School, $1.50 per week. TaeKwonDo. Classes will be held at the St. Croix Falls High School, every Tuesday. Grasshoppers I, 3:30-4:15 p.m., $20, beginners (white belts); Grasshoppers II, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m., $20, older white belts and orange belts; Grasshoppers III, 5:15 – 6:15 p.m., $20, yellow belts and up; Ages 16 – 130, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., $20, adults. Abstract Landscapes. Wednesday, March 7, 6:30 – 9 p.m. for 4 sessions. Cost: $50 per student. Hip-Hop, Jazz, Funk – Not too late to get started! First – Third grade, 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.; 4th – 6th grade 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., 7th & 8th grade 6 – 7 p.m., HS – adult, 7 – 8 p.m. at the St. Croix Falls Elementary School. St. Croix Valley Orchestra. Practices at the St. Croix Falls High School band room. Rehearsals 7 – 9 p.m. Mondays. Latchkey the place to be! Kindergarten through sixth grade. Students attending Dresser Elementary may ride the bus to the St. Croix Falls. Open 3:15 – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday on regular school days for children in the St. Croix Falls School District. Cost is $4 per day, per first child and $3.50 per day for second child, $3 per day for every child thereafter per day. Services are available on early-release days and some in-service days. If the child is not picked up by 6 p.m. there will be a $2.50 penalty for each five minutes after that time for added expenses. Please call the elementary office at 715-483-9823, ext. 211. Supervised Weight Room at the St. Croix Falls High School, 6:45 – 7:45 a.m. Monday – Friday; 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Thursdays on student school days. Please call to preregister 715-483-9823, ext. 224.

Osceola Community Education New classes are posted for winter/spring. For complete details on classes and to print registration forms, please visit the Osceola School District Web site at www.osceola.k12.wi.us and click on the Community Education link. You may also contact Lala Graf – Community Education Director at 715-294-2127 Ext. 407 or by e-mail at ComEd@osceola.k12.wi.us. Please remember to preregister as classes are run by user participation and do get cancelled due to low enrollment. Open Computer Lab – Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 24, OHS 3:30-5:30 p.m., on school days. Tae Kwon Do – Wednesdays through spring, OES, 7-7:45 p.m., $25/month. Yoga – Tuesdays, Jan. 16-Feb. 20, OIS, 6:30-7:15 p.m. Cost $36. Photo Organizing – Mondays, Jan. 29 – Feb. 12, OHS, 6-9 p.m. Cost $30.

How to Buy a Digital Camera – Tuesday, Feb. 6, OIS, 6:30-9 p.m., $12.70/Sr. $4 WITC Registration required. Class #25877, Course #42-103-460. Spanish: Beginner Conversation – Wednesday, Feb. 7 - March 7, OHS, 6 - 8 p.m. Cost $25.75/Sr. $4 WITC Registration required. Class #25879 Course #42-802-405. Christmas 6x6 Brag Book Scrapbook – Monday, Feb. 12, OIS, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Cost $5, supplies $40. Parent Ed. – Behavior Management – Monday, Feb. 12, OHS, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Cost $11. How to Use a Digital Camera - Feb 13-Feb 27 (T) OIS 6:30-9 p.m., Cost $21.40/Sr $4 WITC Registration required. Class # 25878 Course # 42-103-460 Graduation Scrap Booking – Mondays and Thursdays, Feb. 26 March 5, OHS, 6 - 9 p.m. Cost $30.

Ongoing Events

AA Meetings: United Methodist Church, Danbury, 1 block north of Main Street on 1st Street. Thursdays, noon. AA and Al-Anon Meetings: Every Monday night at Frederic Pilgrim Lutheran Church basement at 7 p.m. Amateur (Ham) Radio, holds its monthly breakfast the second Saturday of every month, 8 a.m. at the Fox Den in Balsam Lake with a meeting at approx. 9 a.m. at the Polk County Government Center. Amery - Truckload of food provided each month by Polk County Christians in Action on the second and fifth Saturdays at the Congregational Church in Amery at 201 Harriman Ave. N, 268-7390. Donation of $10 per family requested. Persons will receive fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, and other food as available. Amery - DivorceCare divorce recovery seminar meets Monday at 7 p.m., for 13 weeks, at Apple River Community Church, located on Hwy. 8. Call Bruce Tanner for information at 715-268-8360 or Gary Alexander at 715-268-2724. Balsam Lake Community Club meets the fourth Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m., at Balsam Lake Village Hall. Boy Scout Troop #128 is holding an ongoing aluminum can collection fundraiser. Contributions can be dropped off at the trailer parked at Great Northern Outdoors in Frederic. Burnett County Adult Day Care meets every Tuesday at Birchwood Manor in Siren from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and every Thursday at Cedarwood Manor in Webster from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Burnett County Citizen Patrol, meets the 4th Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., government center. Burnett Community Library Adult Craft Club, meets every Thursday, 10 a.m. - noon at the library in Webster. Caregivers Support Group meets every third Wednesday at Capeside Cove, 4 p.m. 500 Cards at Cushing Community Center, every Wednesday at 1 p.m. Dresser - Tot-Time, an hour of Bible stories, music, crafts and a snack, is held at the first and third Tuesdays, Sept. through May, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church. Please contact the church office to register at 755-2515. Family Child Care Professionals Network, meets the third Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. Call 715-483-1482 for info. Family child care providers welcome! Frederic American Legion Post & Unit #249, meets the third Monday of every month at the Legion Hall, 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise announced. Frederic Booster Club meets the first Sunday each month at 6 p.m. in the high school. Frederic Historical Society to meet the fourth Thursday of every month at the Golden Oaks Apartments, 6:30 p.m. Frederic Senior Center welcomes everyone. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily except Sundays. Mondays, Spades played at 1:30 p.m., Wednesdays Pokeno played at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays 500 cards played at 6:30 p.m. Bingo at 1:30 p.m. and pool or other card games during the afternoon. Business meeting the first Friday of each month. Frederic TOPS meets 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at Comforts of Home community room, contact Nancy 715-327-8063 or tops.org. Frederic Welcome Wagon, new residents who’d like community information, and businesses and organizations who’d like to offer coupons, discounts and promotions to new residents are invited to call 715-327-8972 or 715-327-4271. Gamblers Anonymous, every Monday, 5 p.m., New Beginnings Alano Club, 7707 Main Street, Siren, 715-349-2588. Head Injury Support Group to meet every second Sunday at the Siren Covenant Church, 7686 Lofty Pines Drive, 1 - 2:30 p.m. Caregivers are welcome. For further information please call Jerry or Karen at 715-349-8985. Humane Society of Burnett County meets the fourth Tuesday of every month, 6 p.m. at the Humane Society on Midtown Rd., Siren. We are collecting used printer ink cartridges and used digital cell phones. Call 715-866-4096. Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, open Tuesday & Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 400 Main St. So., Luck, go to back door. Luck Senior Center, open Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Open Wednesday through Fridays, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., for coffee and fellowship. Come in and play pool, cards or work on a jigsaw puzzle. Everyone welcome. Milltown Senior Center, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 500 cards every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Obesity Surgery Support Group of the River Valley, meets every 2nd Monday of each month, 5:30-7 p.m. at Adventures Restaurant, Hwy. 35, North Osceola. For more info call 715755-3474 or Jepsen@centurytel.net. Osceola - DivorceCare divorce recovery seminar and support group meets at the First Baptist Church each Monday, 7 p.m. Sessions for adults and children. The church is located at 722 Seminole Avenue (Hwy. M). For information call 715-2944222 or 651-214-5251 after 5 p.m. St. Croix Valley Senior Center, open Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Regular meetings are the 3rd Thursday of every month, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. blood pressure checks; 12:30 potluck, followed by business meeting and entertainment. 500 cards and dominoes, and exercises by YMCA every Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. Craft Making 1st, 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 11 a.m. and 500 cards at 6:30 p.m. Siren Alano Club: Tuesday noon, women’s group; Wednesday, 7 p.m. AA; Thursday, 7 p.m., NA; Sunday, 9 a.m., AA; Sunday, 7 p.m. NA; First Saturday of the month, open meeting, 5:30 potluck, 7 p.m. speaker and pin night. The Indianhead Barbershop Chorus practices every Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the lower level of the old courthouse in Balsam Lake, CTH I and Hwy. 46. Call 715-483-9202, 715-4635202 or 715-327-8091. Tot-Time, 9:30-10:30 a.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, Sept. through May at Peace Lutheran. Bible stories, music crafts & snack. Community is welcome, please contact the church office to register at 715-755-2515. Webster Area Chamber of Commerce meets the first Tuesday of every month at 9 a.m. at the Webster chamber office. Webster Tops, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Quakers. Northern Pines Friends Worship Group, 11 a.m. Every other Saturday, 6020 Peterson Rd., Webster, 866-8802 or 866-7798.

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 19

EDUCATION VIBRATIONS Grantsburg Community Education

Trips Feb. 9 and 10 – Auditions for Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre’s original musical production of Tom Sawyer will be held on Mon., Feb. 5, at 3:45 p.m. at the Grantsburg High School auditorium. A $5 audition fee will be charged. Auditions are open to anyone age 7 through 100. Performances are scheduled for Fri., Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sat., Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Grantsburg High School Auditorium. For more info call Cindi Throngard at 715-463-5165 ext. 160. Feb. 24 - The Lipizzan Stallions at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Leave Grantsburg at 11:30 a.m., show at 2 p.m. Cost for show and coach is $48. Feb./March?? - Mystery Dinner and Show – This is a guaranteed side slapper and a great value. Bring your honey and have a wonderful evening. It’s guaranteed you will have a great time. Live dangerously, it will be fun! Cost: $30. Leave Grantsburg 5 p.m. For more info call Cindy at 715-463-5165 ext. 160. March 21 - April 1 - Hurricane Katrina Relief Trip- $260 (includes coach, meals and lodging). Travel with a church from Stacy, Minn., down to the New Orleans area to help some families who have fallen through the cracks. This is a once-in-alifetime chance to make a difference in someone’s life. Guaranteed to make a difference in your life too! March 28: Mall of America. Travel with us to enjoy Easter fun at the Mall of America and the spring shopping. We will spend the day. We will drop any interested at IKEA as well. Cost: $20. Leave Grantsburg at 8 a.m. and return by 6 p.m. Saturday, March 31: “Beyond the Cross” 2000 years ago, one man altered the course of history. Join in for an incredible Easter experience. This inspiring musical production is hosted by Lowell Lundstrom. Journey back in time when Jesus transformed the lives of ordinary peo-

ple, one person at a time. Leave Grantsburg: 9:30 a.m. Includes coach, meal, and show. Lunch will be eaten on the way down. April 20 – Gaither Give it Away Tour Target Center - $70. Firstclass seats, a meal and coach are included. Leave Grantsburg at 2:30 p.m. and eat on the way at a Country Buffet, and then go to Target Center for a 7 p.m. show. Don’t wait. This event is sure to sell quickly. June 27 – Munsinger/Clemens Rose Gardens and Shopping – Leave Grantsburg at 8 a.m. Join in as we visit this special garden and rose garden in St. Cloud, Minn. A must-see for anyone in the area, WCCO says. Spend the rest of the day shopping in the St. Cloud Mall. Lunch is on your own. Cost: $35. July 14 – Midwest Scrapbookers Convention Join in as we travel to the Rivercentre in St. Paul for this scrapbookers extravaganza. Booths, ideas, projects, and how-tos galore as you spend the day taking in all that you can. Lunch is on your own. Leave Grantsburg at 8 a.m. and return by 6 p.m. Cost: $15 (for coach bus) Show and meal on own. Aug. 27 – Minnesota State Fair – Cost: $15 for coach. Fair entry on own. Leave Grantsburg at 7 a.m. and return by 6 p.m. Have a ball at the great Minnesota get-together. Make it a family event. Children are welcome. November 2007 – Christmas in Sweden Our special tour guide, Suzy Retzer, leads a visit to Stockholm as she is dressed in her Christmas finery. This 12day visit will be an informal, intimate visit to a beautiful European city. Visit many of the top tourist attractions as well as many unique activities . For a brochure, give Cindi a call. Approximate cost: $2,500 (actual cost not available at this time).

Spring Community Education Classes January INDOOR WALKING: The Grantsburg High School is open daily for your winter walking from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and again after the school day, starting at 4 p.m. In the morning, please enter at the district office entrance. Please wear rubber soled shoes. Any questions, call Cindi at 715-463-5165 ext. 160. ADULT VOLLEYBALL: Every Wednesday night. Two courts used with a relaxed group and a more competitive one. Everyone is welcome! Call Cindi at 715-463-5165 ext. 160 for more info. PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME: Join us, Pete and Deb Johnson, for our 10th-annual open gym for preschoolers. All children must be accompanied by an adult who remains with them the entire time (infants welcome also). There will be play equipment available, but no structured activities. You may bring outdoor-type and riding toys if they are clean. This is a good opportunity for parents to interact while their youngsters run around and have fun with others – a good outing during the long winter months. Mondays – Jan., Feb. and March, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Fee: $5 season pass or $1 for each session. Grantsburg Elementary. LIVING WILL WORKSHOP (ITV Class): Living wills allow a disabled person to control health care, living situation and address end-of-life medical issues. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and complete a living will or a health care power of attorney during this class session. One session, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 6:30 – 8 p.m., GHS ITV room. Cost: $10. CREATIVE WRITING (ITV Class): This creative writing course will explore writing genres in a writer’s workshop setting. Participants will read, analyze and write in genres such as fiction, nonfiction and poetry. These genres will be used to work on building skills in devel-

oping character, setting, conflict, plot and voice. Students will be guided through the states of the writing process and will build a variety of editing and revision skills. A strong emphasis will be placed on learning how to develop imagery in your writing. Other specific skills include: writing dialogue, developing conflict, developing humor in writing, building vocabulary, writing concisely and avoiding the passive voice. Materials: paper, writing utensils, 3-ring binder. Computer access is helpful but not necessary. Eight Wednesday sessions, 6 to 8 p.m., beginning Jan. 24. Cost: $38.80; seniors - $4. FINANCIAL WORKSHOP: Learn how to increase investment income while reducing taxes on those investments. Learn about the stock market as well as other forms of ownership and loanership investments. Five Thursday sessions beginning Jan. 29, 6 to 8 p.m. in the Grantsburg High School art room, #126. Cost: $12 materials included. Instructor: Michael Langevin. WATERCOLOR PAINTING: Learn how to use watercolors from the best. Open to anyone interested in watercolor painting. Five Monday sessions beginning Jan. 29, 6 to 8 p.m., Grantsburg High School art room, #126. Cost: $20 plus materials. Instructor: Bruce Teigen. PILATES: This class consists of mat exercises that strengthen the core – the abdominals and back muscles. Participants must bring their own mat and light pair of free weights. Six Tuesday sessions beginning Jan. 30, 6 to 7 p.m., Grantsburg Elementary School gym. Cost: $30. Instructor: Natalie Doornink, certified in personal training and pilates. February PRESCHOOL SIGN LANGUAGE (ITV Class): Learn to sign with toddlers and preschoolers. Signing with children can improve memory,

vocabulary, reading skills later in life. Three Monday sessions, beginning Feb. 5, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Grantsburg High School ITV Room. Cost: $20. HOW TO SAVE FOR COLLEGE (ITV Class): This class is designed to help you with your education funding concerns and needs. One Thursday session, Feb. 8, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost: $8. Grantsburg High School ITV Room. SCRAPBOOKING DAY: What a fun and relaxing day to work on your pictures or albums. Bring your lunch and a treat to share and we will provide supper. Come when you can and stary as long as you like. Supplies will be available to for purchase. Door prizes too! One session, Sat., Feb. 10, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cost: $12. Grantsburg High School library. March MONEY MANAGEMENT – MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR FUTURE (ITV Class): This class focuses on the basics of personal money management. Specifically, we will cover savings and investing, budgeting, insurance programs and other issues that will help you plan for your financial futures. One session, Thursday, March 1, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $8. Grantsburg High School ITV Room. (Class repeated on March 29). JOURNALING: Come and learn more about the art of journaling. Bring a notebook to journal in and a pen. Four Tuesday sessions beginning March 6, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost: $10. Instructor: Mandi Amundson. Grantsburg High School. STAINED GLASS: Create stained glass light catchers, windows, boxes or panels. Beginning techniques of cutting, breaking, grinding, foiling and soldering will be covered. Three Monday sessions, 6 to 8 p.m., beginning March 5. Cost: $20. Instructor: Bruce Teigen. Grantsburg High School Art Room. INTRODUCTION TO POWERPOINT: This course will provide

you with the skills to create effective presentations with PowerPoint 2003. Six Tuesday sessions, 5 – 6:30 p.m., beginning March 6. Cost: $23. Instructor: Greg Stager. Grantsburg High School, Room 140. BABYSITTING CLASS: Topics include safety, general care of infants, toddlers and school-age children. This class is for grades 5-6 only. Class limit of 20. Two sessions, Tuesday and Thursday, March 6 and 8, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Cost: $5. Instructor: Debi Fleishauer. GMS Library. HOW TO SAVE FOR COLLEGE (ITV Class): This class is designed to help you with your education funding concerns and needs. One Thursday session, March 8, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost: $8. Grantsburg High School ITV Room. INTRODUCTION TO UKRAINIAN EGG DECORATING: Discover the exciting process of creating traditional Ukrainian Easter Eggs (pysanky). Using real eggs, beeswax, brilliant dyes and a candle flame, participants will complete a simple three-color pysanka in class. One Monday session, March 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cost: $12 plus $4 materials. Instructor: Becky Utecht. GHS Room 109. CROCHETING: You will need to bring one skein of 4-ply yarn that is 3-1/2 or 4 oz. and a “G” crochet hook to make a pillow the first night. Three Thursday sessions, 7 to 8:30 p.m., beginning March 15. Cost: $12. Instructor: Maggie Hess. GHS FACE Room. JEWELRY BASICS FOR BEGINNERS (Adults and children 8 and up accompanied by a parent): Learn how to use different types of wire, basic clasps and a variety of beads to string a matching set of necklace, earrings and bracelet. One Saturday session, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 24. Cost: $20 plus materials. Instructor: Janna Levings. Grantsburg Elem. Library.

Siren-Webster Community Education German For Travelers, WITC # 42-802-405, ID # 26833. Four Wednesdays, Jan. 17 to Feb. 7, 6 – 8 p.m. at the Siren High School. Mail registration form to WITC, or call WITC at 1-800243-9482, ext. 4221, or call Comm. Ed. office at 715-3497070. Welding For Beginners, WITC

# 47-442-403, ID # 27345. Seven Thursdays, Jan. 18 to March 1, 6 – 9 p.m., at the Webster High School. Fee: $72.60/$24.75 Sr. Basic Nursing Assistant, WITC # 30-543-300, ID # 25366. 17 weeks, Monday – Friday, Jan. 22 to May 18, 2:35 – 3:25 p.m., at the Webster High

School. Fee: $304.95. Mail registration form to WITC, or call WITC at 1-800-243-9482, ext. 4221, or call Comm. Ed. office at 715-349-7070. Pre-Ballet & Tap Dance For Kids (Quarter 3). Eight Tuesdays, Jan. 23 to March 13, 4:45 – 5:30 p.m., at the Siren High School. Fee: $45. Preregistra-

tion required. Call Comm. Ed. Office at 715-349-7070. First Responder Refresher, WITC # 47-531-446, ID # 26939. Eight nights, Tuesdays and Wednesday, Jan. 30 to Feb. 21, at the Webster High School, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Fee: $59.40/$7.20. Preregistration required. Call WITC at 1-800-

243-9482, ext. 4221, or mail registration form to WITC. Siren H.S. Gym: Mondays, 7:30-9 p.m. Siren VB begins Monday, Oct. 16; Webster H.S. Gym: Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. Webster VB begins Wednesday, Oct. 18. Winter Hall Walking for Adults. Siren and Webster

High Schools: Weekdays 7-8 a.m. Please check in with office staff in each building to get a school pass to wear while you walk in the building.

Luck Community Education To register for classes, call Barb Kass at 715-472-2152, ext. 103, or WITC at 1-800-243-9482, ext. 4221 or visit the WITC Web site at http://www.witc.edu, click Adult Evening classes, Registration for Spring, 2007, locate the class and register online. A People’s History of the United States: The Narrative of History and the Historical Novel Mondays, Jan. 15-Feb. 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Place TBA. Fee: $10. Instructor: Carolyn Wedin. Write Right Now: Writing a Life Thursdays Jan. 18-Feb. 22, 4-6 p.m. Class ID # 27023, Cat. #42-801-402. Fee $10. Instructor: Carolyn Wedin. Knitting: Fair Isle Hat Thursday, Jan. 18, 6-10 p.m. Class ID #42-815-408. Fee: $12.70 plus materials. Instructor: Judy Kastelle. Call for supply list,

Barb Kass. The Four Keys to Inspired Living Thursdays, Jan. 18-Feb.15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fee: $55 for the series or $19 per course/seniors $49.50/$17. Instructor: Vicki O’Day. Intermediate Quilting: Curves Ahead Saturday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Class ID #26935, Cat. #42-304-435. Fee: $21.70/$4 seniors 62+. Instructor: Bev Getschel. Stained-Glass Valentine Project Tuesday, Jan. 23, 6-9 p.m. Fee: $18 plus $10 material fee, plating is about $4 more. Instructor: Peg Kuhl. Infant/Child Massage Tuesdays, Jan. 30-Feb. 6 and 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Class ID #27000, Cat. #42-537-410. Fee: $12.70/$4 seniors 62+. Instructor: Susan Ames Lillie. Long Bows with Tony Jenson Thursday, Feb. 1 to March 29,

6-9 p.m. Cat. #60-409-601, Class ID TBA. Fee: $64.90. Instructor: Tony Jenson. Computers: MS Excel Thursdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Cat. #47-103-401. Class ID #27024. Fee: $21.40/$4 for seniors 62 +. Instructor: Amy Aikin. Dare to Repair! Home Repair for Women: Dry Wall and Plumbing Saturdays, Feb. 3 and 10; 9 a.m.-noon in the high school shop. Class ID 27025, Cat. #42-410-473. Fee: $17.05/$4 seniors 62+. Instructor: Chris Mailand Stained Glass: Snowflake Monday, Feb. 12, 6 – 9 p.m. Fee: $18 with supply fee $9 per flake, plating is an additional $5 or so. Instructor: Peg Kuhl. Ongoing classes: Chess Club Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5 p.m., in room 207. For information con-

tact Lydia at rennicke@centurytel.net. Judo Club Fridays, 6:30 p.m. in the wrestling room. For information contact Lydia at rennicke@centurytel.net. Guitar Riffs at the Riff Factory Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. New classes start monthly! Fee: $45. Dust off that guitar and learn some tunes at the Riff Factory in Luck. Luck Community Ed is partnering with the Riff Factory to offer group guitar lessons to new students at a special introductory rate. All materials supplied, bring your own guitar. To register, call Barb Kass. Reader’s group Monday, Jan. 29, “The Historian” by Kostova Feb. 12: “Cry the Beloved Country”

March 19: “Saving Fish from Drowning” by Amy Tan April 23: “My Dog Tulip” by J.R. Ackerley and Elizabeth Marshall Readers meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Luck elementary media center. New members are always welcome to this lively and informal discussion group. Please use the north entrance to the school. For other dates and book titles, people with e-mail addresses may send an e-mail to Sue Mattson at smattson@lakeland.ws, or call the Community Education Office. Just a glimpse of what’s coming up: Leaded, plated stained-glass basket, March 5. Knitting: Felted Petal Hat with Audrey Anderson, March 5. Spring Floral Watercolor with Gloria Adrian, March 5 and 26.

We ’ r e o n t h e I n t e r n e t @ w w w. t h e - l e a d e r. n e t

A Taste of Guatemala with Audey Anderson, March 5 and 26. Social Dance with Rosio Carlson, March 6 and 27 and again May 3 and 24. The Hows and Whys of Solar Energy, March 12. Garden Critters Stained Glass, April 2. Scroll Saw for Women, April. Hanging Baskets, April 24. Please watch for the February Luck School Newsletter and the Inter-County Leader for details Mark your calendar for Feb. 8 Community Education Scholarship Lasagna Dinner and Quilt Raffle (Luck –Frederic Doubleheader BB games).

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EDUCATION VIBRATIONS DRW conference in Rice Lake

RICE LAKE — Disability Rights Wisconsin is the statewide protection and advocacy agency for all persons with disabilities in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training and Support Inc. is a statewide nonprofit organization that exists to provide and to broaden opportunities that enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities. WI FACETS and DRW are sponsoring a free Special Education Conference to help parents and the general public to

understand the regular and special education needs of children with disabilities. A stipend will be offered for individuals — one per family — from Wisconsin who attend the conference and who have a child with a disability to assist with the costs of travel and child care. This conference will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Maranatha Ministry Center, 3340 South Main Street, Rice Lake. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The conference sessions will run from 9 a.m.

Two students acepted for admission to Luther College DECORAH, Iowa – Kirk Neubauer, Luther College director of enrollment, has announced that Elizabeth Bowman and Jennifer Roberts of Luck, have been accepted for admission to Luther for the 2007-08 academic year. Bowman received a Presidential Scholarship.

Luther is a selective four-year college located in northeast Iowa. The college has an enrollment of 2,600 students and offers a liberal arts education leading to the bachelor of arts degree in 60 majors and preprofessional programs. - from Luther College

715-234-7082, ext. 5419. WITC serves the educational and career needs of more than 28,000 residents of northern Wisconsin each year. With four campuses, two branch campuses, and numerous outreach centers in the district, WITC offers careerfocused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, customized training, and a wide array of courses for personal and career enrichment. For information, log onto more www.witc.edu. — from WITC

to 3:30 p.m. Mark Sweet, Ph.D., trainer and consultant with DRW will be the keynote speaker. Sweet will be speaking about how behavior is communication. In this session learn what your child is trying to say through behavior. Other conference session topics: Transition from Junior High through High School into Adult life; Transition from Birth to Three into Early Childhood; Understanding Parents Rights and Responsibilities in Special Education;

Understanding how to work as a team with the Individual Education Plan process; and more. Preregistration for the conference is required by Jan. 24 if you would like lunch and a conference materials packet. Call Mary Sobczak 715-561-2005 or toll-free 877-374-4677 or e-mail Mary, marleas@chartermi.net. to register for the conference. — from DRW

Nasman named one of the best AMERY - The Best of the U.S. LLC is proud to announce that Jeff Nasman has been selected as one of the best physical therapists in the United States. Jeff Nasman, director of rehabilitation services at the Fitness Center in Amery, is one of 68,000 professional service providers chosen from over 2,000,000 actively practicing professionals in the United States to be listed on www.bestofus.com. The Best of the U. S. LLC is an independent firm that reviews the credentials of practitioners in 14 professions to

determine the Best of Class in each. The selection process is based on identifying those professionals who have continued their education, provide leadership in their industry, and have been recognized by their peers, their industry and their community as the best. Over 68,000 doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, dentists, physical therapists, chiropractors, real estate agents and tax professionals are currently listed on www.bestofus.com. from Amery Regional Medical Center

Named to UW-Barron dean’s list BARRON – Dr. Paul W. Chase, Dean of the University of Wisconsin-Barron County, announced that 57 students have been named to the fall 2006 dean’s list, which recognizes students achieving academic excellence. Full-time students named to the

dean’s list who earned a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale and carried a minimum of 12 semester credits are: Carly Severson-Dickinson of St. Croix Falls and Joseph Bockover and Alanna Pahos of Webster. – from WITC

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A winter hike at Straight Lake State Park ST. CROIX FALLS – The 2,800-acre Straight Lake/River property northeast of Luck was acquired by the state of Wisconsin and dedicated as a state park and wildlife area in 2005. The north and northeast parts of the acquisition are designated wildlife area while the western and southern parts are state park. Join Interstate Park Naturalist Julie Fox for a guided hike to explore a portion of Wisconsin’s newest state park on Saturday morning, Jan. 20, at 9 a.m. To register for the hike and for directions to the starting point, or for more information, call Julie at Interstate Park at 715-483-3747. – submitted

OBITUARIES

Ruth Crotteau Gutzmer

Elwood C. Olson

Ruth Crotteau Gutzmer died Jan. 13, 2007, at the Pioneer Nursing Home in Luck. She was born March 4, 1910, at Mount Vernon, S.D., to William Black and Laura (Bell) Black. On April 9, 1931, in Owatonna, Minn., she was married to Leonard Crotteau, who preceded her in death on May 31, 1968, at Cumberland. Their children are Bruce (Judy Carlson) born at Hastings, Minn., Joyce (LeRoy) Brown, born at Hastings, Minn., and Jim (Janet Boucher), born at Cumberland. Bruce passed away in 20004, at Shoreview, Minn. On June 17, 1970, she married Walter Gutzmer of Luck. He passed away Jan. 11, 1990. Survivors are his family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister and five brothers; one half-brother and one half-sister. She is survived by one sister, Alma Stewart of Curtiss, Ohio; two half-sisters, June LaForte and her twin sisters, Jean Hunt, both of St. Paul, Minn.; one halfbrother, Bill Swenson of Tempe, Ariz.; and sister-inlaw, Jeanette Black of Hastings, Minn.; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-greatgrandson. The pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Brian Crotteau, Sandy Krizek, Mike Crotteau, Laura Jensen, Paul Brown, Julie Woodward and Jill Noha. Honorary pallbearers will be Norman Anderson, Glen Brown, Poncho Lindell and Gene Hedke. Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 19, at the Rowe Funeral Home, Luck, from 4 to 7 p.m. The funeral will be held Saturday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m., at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, located on Hwy. 35 and B, just north of Luck. The Rowe Funeral Home, Luck, was entrusted with arrangements.

Elwood C. Olson, age 97, a longtime resident of the Karlsborg Community near Webster, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, Jan. 9, his daughters, Elaine and Phyllis, at his side. Elwood was born Aug. 18, 1909, in Karlsborg to Charlie and Lena (Gustafson) Olson. He began dairy farming in Freya, then moved to Karlsborg in 1945, where he continued to farm and milk cows until the age of 88 years. He married Evangeline (Vangie) Tyberg on May 26, 1934. To that union two daughters were born, Elaine Olson of Karlsborg and Phyllis Olson, Marshfield. Elwood made a commitment of his life to Jesus Christ as a young man, and he continued to faithfully serve him all his life. He was active in the church and community serving on the Wood Lake Covenant Church Board, the Grantsburg School District School Board, the Lincoln Town Board, and the Falun Creamery Board. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vangie, on Dec. 24, 1993, and by brothers Morris, Rody, Irvin, and by sisters, Clarice Briggs of Iowa and Ethel Jewell of Webster. Elwood is survived by his daughters, Elaine and Phyllis; by nieces and nephews; by his sister, Mariette Tyberg, of Grantsburg; and by numerous friends who will long remember his wit, his storytelling and his love for Ford products. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 13, at Calvary Covenant Church in Alpha with Pastor Scott Sagle officiating. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.

Phillip M. Edwall Phillip M. Edwall, Danbury, died Jan. 14, 2007. He was 46 years old. Funeral service will be Friday, Jan. 19, 1 p.m., at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Spooner. Visitation will be held prior to services from noon to 1 p.m. The Scalzo-Taylor Funeral Home, Spooner, was entrusted with arrangements. A complete obituary will be published at a later date.

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 23

OBITUARIES

Jack (Arthur John) Vezina

June J. (Chelmo) Erickson Leef

Julia E. Erickson Kamish

Jack Vezina died Jan. 13, 2007, at the L.O. Simenstad Nursing Care Unit. He was 79 years old. He was an editor and publisher of the St. Croix Falls StandardPress in the late 1950s through the 1960s. During those years, as president of the Lions Club, he promoted the development of the city park and boat ramp at the north end of St. Croix Falls, as well as the St. Croix Falls public golf course. In more recent years, he facilitated the establishment of the St. Croix Falls Senior Center in the former Masonic Lodge building, as the lodge disbanded. He was born March 5, 1927, in St. Croix Falls to Bernice (Clayton) and William R. Vezina, the youngest of their six children. Jack served in the Merchant Marine during World War II, and on his return, earned a bachelor’s degree in the study of soils from the University of WisconsinMadison. There he met and married his wife of 25 years, Rosemarie Gawlitta. He was employed several years as a project engineer at Badger Ordnance Works, Baraboo, before moving back to St. Croix Falls to the Standard-Press newspaper. Four children were born to the couple: Liesel (Jeffry) Virchow of St. Croix Falls, Martin (Carrie) of East Lyme, Conn., Richard (Susan) of St. Croix Falls and William (Sue) of Stillwater, Minn., and 10 grandchildren were born to this family. In 1977, Jack married Gail Spencer, of Taylors Falls, Minn., where they made their home most recently. Jack worked in the publishing sector of the Hazelden Center from October of 1973 until his retirement in January 1987. Stepchildren are Robyn (Dan) Beck of Taylors Falls, Minn., Alynda (John) Meier of Centuria, Leon Spencer (Denise) of Stillwater, Minn., Teresa (Kevin) Stauner of Knoxville, Iowa and Tim Spencer of Bloomington, Minn. Nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren were born to this family. Jack is also survived by two brothers, William of Hartley, Iowa, and Howard of St. Croix Falls. Visitation will be at Edling Funeral Home Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 5-7 p.m. Memorial services are scheduled at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Taylors Falls Thursday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. The Edling Funeral Home, St. Croix Falls, was entrusted with arrangements.

June J. (Chelmo) Erickson Leef, Shell Lake, died Jan. 6, 2007, at Terraceview Living Center, Shell Lake where she has resided since having a stroke. She was 84 years old. June was born June 18, 1922, in Jackson Township to Leonard and Ethel Chelmo. After high school, June attended Superior Vocational School. After school she left for Minneapolis to work for Honeywell. Dec. 28, 1946, she married Clarence Erickson who had two children, Ronald and Paulette. On March 8, 1951, son Neal was born. June and Clarence started the Richfield Nursery in 1947, and in 1954 they sold the nursery and started the Richfield Car Wash which expanded to three car washes. They later sold and moved to Webster. In 1969, they started a construction company of home construction with son Neal. Jan. 26, 1990, June married Ainard Leef. In October 2003, June suffered a disabilitating stroke. Ainard passed away Jan. 4, 2006. June was preceded in death by her husbands, Clarence in 1987 and Ainard in 2006; and son Ronald Erickson. She is survived by son Neal (Sheila) Erickson; grandsons Justin and Tom; daughter Paulette (Burnell) Hanson and grandson Bjorn; granddaughter Heather; sister Charlotte; great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Jan. 10 at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, with Pastor Diane Blahauvietz officiating. Music was provided by organist Fran McBroom and soloist Dayna Daniels. Interment followed at Riverside Cemetery in Grantsburg. Casket bearers were Justin Erickson, Bjorn Hanson, Tracy Chelmo, Tom Porter Jr., Jeff Eggen and Dan Profit. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.

Julia E. Erickson Kamish, 94, died peacefully at the Pioneer Nursing Home in Luck on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007. She was born Dec. 16, 1912, to Gust and Gusta Erickson in Eureka Township. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Eureka Lutheran Church. She was united in marriage to James Kamish and together they raised seven children; Betty/Harlan Erickson (deceased), Beverly/Gulzar Hashmi, Eleanor/John Bleyle, Donna/Gordon Best, Jean Brown, Larry/Sandy Kamish and Donald/Nancy Kamish. After raising her family, she worked at the Centuria Nursing Home for 15 years. Her family and faith were extremely important to her. She remained in her Centuria home until April 2006. She is survived by six children; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Betty; mother; father; two brothers and two sisters. Services were held Wednesday, Jan. 17, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Centuria with the Rev. DeVries officiating. Interment was at St. John’s Cemetery in Centuria. Kolstad-Rowe Family Funeral Home of Centuria was entrusted with arrangements.

EDLING FUNERAL HOME 201 N. Adams St. St. Croix Falls, WI (715) 483-3141

EDLING TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME 387 State Rd. 70 Grantsburg, WI (715) 463-2994

Loretta J. Tucker Loretta J. Tucker, 76, a resident of Siren, died Jan. 6, 2007, at Capeside Cove Good Samaritan Center. Loretta was born Nov. 1, 1930, in Blaine Township to Charles L. and Nellie A. (Burns) Montgomery. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Jalma (Ivan) Montgomery, Charles Montgomery, Harry Montgomery; sisters, Thelma Zimmer, Vivian Paehlke, Ruby Grushus, Helen Pattee, Hazel Pierce, Cecil Johnston and Irene Sandsmark. She is survived by children, Irene (Jerry) Rand of Webster, Charles (Sandy) Tucker of Missouri, JoAnn (Joseph) Yourchuck of Siren; grandchildren, Kimberly Flodin of Webster, Kevin Flodin of Webster, Kristy Potvin of Missouri, Amanda Yourchuck of Siren; greatgrandchildren, James Wethern of Webster, Taylor Howe of Webster, B.J. Potvin and Jyllian Potvin of Missouri. Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 11, at Bethany Lutheran Church with Pastor John Clasen. Music was provided by organist Fran McBroom and vocalists Jim and Theresa Muus, and harpist Amanda Yourchuck. Interment followed at Viola Lake Cemetery. Casket bearers were Larry Blahauvietz, Kevin Flodin, Joe Yourchuck, Sam Williamson, Mick Sears and Jerry Rand. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, with was entrusted arrangements.

Elsie Anna Christensen Elsie Anna Christensen, age 85, of Cannon Falls, Minn., died early on Friday morning, Jan. 12, 2007 at the Angels Care Center in Cannon Falls, Minn. Elsie was born on May 29, 1921, in Gordon, the daughter of Earl and Ottilia (Schmitz) Vink. She attended country school in Wisconsin, graduating from the eighth grade at Blake School. She married Alvin E. Christensen on May 7, 1955, in St. Paul, Minn. She was a homemaker for all of her life, and enjoyed quilting, crocheting and sewing. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Alvin on Oct. 27, 2002; daughter, Mary Speese; grandson, Nathan Hokanson; three sisters and two brothers, Dorothy Dumas, Kathryn Spencer, Earl, Daniel and Virginia Vink. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Paul Eley of Lindstrom, Minn., Jeannie Schmidt of Ghent, Minn., John Radke of Brookings, S.D., James Huizinga of Weslaco, Texas, David of Cannon Falls, Minn., Susan Wallace of Amery, Kathy Grimm of Portland, Ore., Jane Otto of Hampton, Minn., John of Cannon Falls, Minn., Annie Nestingen of Hastings, Minn., Peter of Vasa and Angela Zimmerman of Kenyon; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two sisters and three brothers, Deloris Chartrand of Balsam Lake, Jim Vink of Markville, Minn., Joe Vink of Duxbury, Minn., Roger Vink of Balsam Lake and Marcella Kalning of Tacoma, Wash.; sisters-in-law, Lavonne Fuhrman of Ruthton, Minn., and Ione Christensen of Tyler, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, Jan. 15, at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Cannon Falls, Minn., with Father Jay Kythe officiating. Memorials are preferred to the Chapel Fund at Angels Care Center in Cannon Falls. Active pallbearers will be her sons, David, John and Peter Christensen, and sons-in-law, John Otto, Kory Wallace and Eddie Nestingen. The Lundberg Funeral Home, Cannon Falls, Minn., was entrusted with arrangements.

Dennis J. Giese Dennis J. Giese, 69, from Danbury, died Jan. 8, 2007, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by parents, Bill and Freda; and brother, Bill. He is survived by his wife, Rosalie; son, Tom; daughter, Lorna; and many friends and family. Services will be held Jan. 20, 11 a.m., at the Yellow Lake Lutheran Church.

Mavis Gjonnes Mavis Gjonnes, 95, formerly of Brisbane, Australia, and Frederic, died Dec. 7, 2006, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd, Minn. She was born in Adavale, Queensland, Australia, on June 17, 1911, to Dorothy and James McCollaugh. Her family moved to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, when she was still very young. Her father was a police officer and her mother a seamstress. Mavis had two sisters, Josie and Thelma; and a brother, Keith. On Nov. 1, 1943, she married Lloyd Gjonnes of Frederic, who was stationed in Australia during World War II. Lloyd was shipped out to New Guinea five days after their marriage. He was grievously injured while in New Guinea and was hospitalized in Australia for a number of months before being transferred to the United States for medical treatment. Mavis followed her husband to the United States a number of months lather, traveling by ship convoy across the Pacific, through the Panama Canal and finally disembarking in New York City. She caught up with Lloyd in an Army hospital in Clinton, Iowa. He was later transferred to an Army facility in Springfield, Miss. After discharge from the Army, Mavis and Lloyd bought a farm in Clam Falls Township, next to Somers Lake, where they lived and worked for the next 40-plus years. Mavis was a person who was never still. She was always the first person to help anyone who was in need. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ more than anything and lived a life that was an example of Christ’s love for all. Mavis taught Sunday School for over 40 years, was active in ladies group and helped with elections even though she still retained her “Aussieness.” Mavis and Lloyd moved to Brainerd, Minn., in 1993 due to health reasons, to be close to their daughter, Carol. Lloyd died on Feb. 20, 1997. Mavis spent the next couple of years in an assisted-living facility in the Brainerd area. After a fall in 2002, she moved into the Bethany Good Samaritan Home, where she remained for the rest of her life. She is survived by her brother, Keith; son, Keith Gjonnes; daughter, Carol Hargrave; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A memorial services will be held Jan. 27, at the Siren Assembly of God Church to celebrate Mavis’ life. Lunch will be served in the fellowship hall after the service.

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 17, 2007

CHURCH NEWS Knowing our limits When my puppy was very young, she would play hard and then lie down for a nap, falling asleep in an instant. She knew her physical limits. Babies are the same way. They fall asleep at a drop of milk—any- Sally Bair where, anytime, any way. Toddlers, on the other hand, tend to fight sleep because they want to PERSPECTIVES get as many moments out of life as they can. As a teenager, I did the same thing. I fought sleep. I wanted to hear and see what went on around me, not missing a moment. Many adults, especially those with children, careers, and other responsibilities, follow the same pattern—although with different motives. Now their time is taken up with raising kids, climbing the ladder of success, and filling the rest of their moments with fun, charity work, or maintaining the things they keep accumulating. It’s easy to burden ourselves with too many chores and responsibilities. And as we grow older and know that our time on earth is shorter, we tend to try even harder to accomplish all that we want. The super mom syndrome is an illusion. No one person can do it all alone. Even Jesus couldn’t do it all. That’s why he chose 12 men to help him. In Mark 3:14 we are told that: “(Jesus) appointed 12— designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” After he had sent them out to do his work, they reported to him all that they had done and taught. He then invited them to go with him to a quiet place for rest, as so many people hounded them that they had no chance to eat. It’s in our best interest to seek help when we become overwhelmed and stressed. There are always people willing to give help when needed. We should never feel too proud or too unworthy to ask for help. Above all, we can turn to God for help. Through prayer and Bible reading, we can find peace of mind and heart, and the answers we need to accomplish what we must and to determine what our priorities should be. Hudson Taylor, the famous 19th-century missionary to China, once said: “It doesn’t matter what the pressure is. What matters is if we let that pressure come between us and God, or draw us closer to his heart.” Lord, help us to realize what our limits are so we not only can serve you better, but live a less stressful, more peaceful life. We thank you that your promises are true and that we can rely on you above all else for the help we need. In Jesus’ name, amen. (Mrs. Bair may be reached at sallybair@gmail.com)

ETERNAL

The Word

ferent signs on the road as I’m driving, but not all the laws are posted. I could just forget (Part 2 in a series) about it and just hope I don’t get caught Last week we examined scriptures that doing anything wrong. OR, I could go get a clearly show that Christ has ALL Authority manual from the motor vehicle department (Matthew 28:18). He is in fact the authoand learn the proper rules so I can be sure. rized spokesman for God in this age Although this analogy is not perfect in com(Hebrews 1:1-2). This week we will answer parison, it conveys a similarity to learning the the question that some may ask; “If Christ Garret rules of life. has ascended back to His father, after His The Book of John begins by making referDerouin ence crucifixion and resurrection, and He is to Christ as “The Word” (John 1:1ff), and longer with us bodily (Mark 16:19; Luke throughout this book, references are made to THE 24:51; Hebrews 4:14, 9:12; 1Peter 3:22), then Christ as “The Word”. In John 12:48-50 Christ does He still have authority on earth now?” PREACHER’S makes the definitive statement in regards to As an example: a police officer receives our question. Christ says that it is His Word, authority in his job to enforce the law and His doctrine, His teaching, that contains the protect the peace. But if he dies, he no commands and directions for our lives. He longer has that same authority. Is Christ’s authority says that it is this Word that will judge us in the last any different? The answer is a strong YES! If we day (The day we die, or if we are still alive, the day examine the context of Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus Christ returns). He says that if we reject His Word or came to them and spoke unto them, saying, All ignore it we will still be judged by it. Ignorance is not authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on bliss. From these scriptures and others we can clearearth”, notice that this conversation occurred AFTER ly see that Jesus Christ has ALL Authority, His His death and resurrection, not before. So, when He Authority is in His Word, and it is this Word that we says He has been given all authority, in heaven and will be judged by. In the next article we will discuss earth, He means NOW, from that time forward. more about Christ’s Word. Since Christ has all authority, our task is to learn If readers have questions or simply wish to know His commands and rules in regards to His authority. more about the Church of Christ, we invite you to This is similar to what I had to do when I recently call 715-866-7157 or stop by the church building at moved to Wisconsin. It was necessary for me to learn 7425 W. Birch St. in Webster. Office hours are Tuesthe driving laws. I could have asked other people or days through Fridays 9 a.m.-noon. Sunday Bible even a police officer what all the laws were, but they class begins at 9:30 a.m., Worship is at 10:30 a.m. and might not have been accurate and they might not Wednesday evening class is at 7 p.m. have told me all I need to know. I could just read dif-

PEN

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church installations

Sunday, Jan. 14, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Webster and Trinity Lutheran Church in Danbury installed the Rev. John A. Siedschlag Sr. as their pastor. The Rev. Joel Hoelter (L), president of the North Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, presided at the installation service of the Rev. Siedschlag (right and inset). – Photos by Carl Heidel

Morning retreat this Friday FREDERIC - Need a warm embrace on a cold January morning? You are welcome to join the Ladies Morning Retreat this Friday, Jan. 19, from 9:15-11:15 a.m. at Frederic Evangelical Free Church. This month they

warmly welcome Wendy Jensen as she shares how God has worked in her life. They will enjoy refreshments and child care is provided. Please join them at 505 Old CTH W, and call 327-8767 for directions or more information. - submitted

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 25

Time spent with kids can reduce need for discipline Q: What would you say to my husband and me? We are disciplining our kids far too much. Is there another way to encourage them to cooperate? DR. DOBSON: The best way to get children to do what you want is to spend time with them before disciplinary problems occur - having fun together and enjoying mutual laughter and joy. When those moments of love and closeness happen, kids are not as tempted to challenge and test the limits. Many confrontations can be avoided by building friendships with your kids and thereby making them want to cooperate at home. It sure beats anger as a motivator of little ones! ••• Q: It has always been my understanding that marriage was supposed to be based on unconditional love. That is, the commitment to each other should be independent of behavior, no matter how offensive or unfaithful. But your concept of accountability seems to be, “I will love you as long as you do what I want.” DR. DOBSON: You’ve misunderstood my point. The limitations of language make it difficult to express this concept adequately, but let me try. I certainly believe in the validity of unconditional love, and in fact, the mutual accountability I have recommended is an expression of that love! For example, if a husband is behaving in ways that will harm himself, his children, his marriage or the family of the “other woman,” then confrontation with

CHURCH him becomes an act of love. The easiest response by the innocent partner would be to look the other way and pretend she doesn’t notice. But from my perspective, that is tantamount to a parent’s refusing to confront a 14-year-old who comes home drunk at 4 a.m. That mother or father has an obligation to create a crisis in response to destructive behavior. Love demands that they do that! Unconditional love is not synonymous with permissiveness, passivity, weakness and appeasement. Sometimes it requires toughness, discipline and accountability. ••• Q: I’m 22 years old and still living at home. It’s driving me nuts. My folks are in my face every day. They want me to get a full-time job because I only work part time at a gas station. Why can’t they get off my case and leave me alone? DR. DOBSON: With all respect, I think it’s time for you to pack. Many young adults like you continue to hang around the house because they don’t know what to do next. That is a recipe for trouble. Your mother and father can’t help “parenting” you if you remain under their noses. To them, it seems like only yesterday since you were born. They find it difficult to think of you as an adult. The way you live probably irritates them, too. They hate your messy room. They don’t like your music. They go to bed early and arise with the sun; you keep the same hours as hamsters. You drive the family car like you’ve been to Kamikaze Driving School. They want you to get a job, go to school — do something. Every day brings a new argument, a new battle. When things deteriorate to that point, it’s time to get

out.

••• Q: What would you and your wife do if your resources permitted her to stay at home after the kids were in school? DR. DOBSON: I don’t have to speculate about the answer to that question. Shirley and I did have that option (although we sold and “ate” a Volkswagen initially to make it possible), and she stayed at home as a full-time mom. Neither she nor I has ever regretted that decision. Now that our kids are grown, we would not trade the time we invested in them for anything on Earth. Looking back today, we feel it was especially important for Shirley to be at home during our kids’ teen years. ••• Dr. Dobson is founder and chairman of the board of the nonprofit organization Focus on the Family, P.O. Box 444, Colorado Springs, Co. 80903; or www.family.org. Questions and answers are excerpted from “The Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide” and “Bringing Up Boys,” both published by Tyndale House. COPYRIGHT 2007 JAMES DOBSON INC., DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE 4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; 816-932-6600.

Brought to you by:

Zion Lutheran Church Bone Lake

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 17, 2007

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The Inter-County Leader. Your community newspaper.

JANAURY 17, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 27

Students of the Week GRANTSBURG

FREDERIC

Adam Menke has been chosen Frederic Elementary School’s student of the week. He is in kindergarten and the son of Judy and Jim Menke. Adam is a team player who is always positive and polite. He shines in thoughtfulness and consideration as he works and plays with others. Adam’s favorite part of school is being with his friends and going outside. Adam enjoys wrestling, spending time with his family and kitten, Tiger.

Alleson Anderson has been chosen Frederic Middle School’s student of the week. She is in eighth grade and the daughter of Pat and Dave Anderson. Alleson is an A student. She is a strong student who excells in the classroom; very helpful to students and staff and very involved in school affairs. Alleson is involved in confirmation, piano lessons, bell choir, volleyball, basketball and track. She enjoys horses, music and art.

Taylor Bergeron has been chosen Frederic High School’s student of the week. He is a senior and the son of Larry and Mary Bergeron. Taylor is a solid student with good academic skills. He is a quiet, reserved student who takes care of business in school and is responsible with a good work ethic. He works at Timbers Theatre. His hobbies include Xbox, paintball, watching movies and hanging out with friends.

Gauge Premo-Blume has been chosen Grantsburg Elementary School’s student of the week. He is an honest student who shows responsibility in consistently turning in homework. He is kind, caring, generous, helpful and hardworking. We are proud to have Gauge in our school and in our community.

Adrian Riedman has been chosen Luck Middle School’s student of the week. He is in eighth grade and the son of Val and Sharon Riedman. Adrian is a student who is serious about his education. He turns in quality work and is not afraid to ask questions. He uses his class time well and sets a positive example for others to follow. He works with his dad on construction sites. Adrian plays football and hockey, and enjoys playing guitar and drawing.

Cory Theroux has been chosen St. Croix Falls Middle School’s student of the week. He is in fifth grade and the son of Tye and Steve Lumsden. His favorite subject is math because he likes working with numbers. Cory is a fun student who works with other students in a positive manner. He is a pleasure to have in class. His pastimes are hunting, being outside, 4-wheeling and playing Gameboy. He likes having his own locker at middle school.

Kayla Bubendorf has been chosen Luck High School’s student of the week. She is a junior and the daughter of Ross and Gwen Anderson. Kayla is on the honor roll and in honors choir. She always has a smile on her face and a bright disposition. She is fun to talk to and to be around. Kayla is involved in band, choir and FCCLA. In her spare time she enjoys snowmobiling, playing bass guitar and four-wheeling. She plans to attend college in Superior for cosmetology.

SIREN

Alexi Gloodt has been chosen Siren Elementary’s student of the week. He is in third grade. Alexi demonstrated a good work ethic during second quarter. He is also a great helper in the classroom. Alexi enjoys school and has several friends. Alexi’s favorite classes are art and reading.

Heather Bearheart has been chosen Siren Middle School’s student of the week. She is the daughter of Dawn Stoner and Brad Bearheart. Heather has a great attitude and is a hard worker in English class. She is entering two poems in the Scholastic Writing awards. She has been very helpful to Mr. Weber in learning the procedures as Ms. McLain’s long-term substitute.

Ashley Goepfert has been chosen Grantsburg High School’s student of the week. She is a senior and the daughter of Gerald and Debra Goepfert. Ashley is on the Natioinal Honor Society. She has been active in AODA, drama and FCCLA. Ashley has volunteered at the library and worked at Grantsburg Family Foods. She has been accepted into Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and will be studying baking and patisserie.

ST. CROIX FALLS

LUCK

Jenni Holdt has been chosen as Luck Elementary School’s student of the week. She is in fourth grade and is an active and happy student with many friends. Jenni is very cooperative and has good study habits. She is fun to have in class. Jenni loves the outdoors and is active in sports. She is a hard worker and is very responsible about her work.

Jacob Ohnstad has been chosen Grantsburg Middle School’s student of the week. He is in fifth grade and is the son of Daniel and Marie Ohnstad. Jacob excels in his classes, especially math, and he always does his best work. He is nice to others and a true role model. Jacob’s favorite thing about school is math. He plays basketball, soccer and baseball. He is interested in learning more about the weather. He would like to be a tornado chaser when he grows up.

Jessica Larson has been chosen St. Croix Falls High School’s student of the week. She is a freshman. She performed at the talent show by reading some of her self-written poems. Jessica came to school on a Saturday and volunteered to work at a wrestling tournament. She is a great addition to our school.

WEBSTER

Kimberly Lindberg has been chosen Siren High School’s student of the week. She is a senior and the daughter of Brenda and Bill Lindberg. Kim is a dedicated and persistent intellectual; she gets things done right. She participates in basketball and track and is a football manager. Kim is a member of the band and the National Honor Society. She is accepted at UW-La Crosse and believes she will be majoring in the medical field.

Andrew Schrooten has been chosen Webster Elementary School’s student of the week. He is the son of Carolyn and Bill Schrooten. Andrew has proven to be an excellent student and has perfect attendance this year. Classmates credit him with being a good friend who is always honest and willing to help. Outside of school, Andrew is active in Boy Scouts, 4-H, basketball and soccer.

Shauna Rein has been chosen Webster Middle School’s student of the week. She is in seventh grade and the daughter of Heidi and Brian Rein. Shauna has good attendance and has earned all A’s in her classes this year. Shauna is a pleasure to have in class because of her diligence, respect, friendliness and work ethic. She is in Girl Scouts, basketball and volleyball. Her hobbies include crafting, camping and hanging out with friends.

Tony Nowling has been chosen Webster High School’s student of the week. He is a junior and the son of Doug and Melanie Nowling. Tony is doing well academically and has excellent attendance. He is friendly, honest, sincere and polite. Tony is on student council, in business club and weightlifting. He plays football and track. Tony’s enjoys hunting and fishing. His parents have been the greatest influence in his life.

UNITY

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Toni Danielson has been chosen Valley Christian Academy’s student of the week. She is in kindergarten and the daughter of Michael and Roxanne Danielson of Cushing. Her favorite subject is art and she enjoys recess. Toni likes all colors and her favorite foods are brownies and spaghetti. She has four puppies. After school she likes to play with her friends. Her family is special to her and she loves them a lot.

Brett Thaemert has been chosen Unity Elementary School’s student of the week. His is in first grade and the son of Shawn and Julie Thaemert. Brett has been an awesome member of our class this year. He really shows a great amount of kindness, compassion and respect for everyone. Brett is a great friend to others and has a consistent and contagious positive attitude.

Paige Gurtner has been chosen Unity High School’s student of the week. She is in seventh grade and the daughter of Duane and Marilyn Gurtner. Paige is a terrific student and a sweetheart. She does a fantastic job in her classes and is a hard worker. Paige always does her best.

Jennifer McMeekin has been chosen Unity High School’s student of the week. She is a junior and the daughter of Robert and Julie McMeekin of Centuria. Jennifer was nominated for her work in the music department. She inspirationally puts other peoples’ needs first. She plans on attending college for fashion design after graduation.

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JANUARY 17, 2007

JANUARY

THURSDAY/18 Falun

• Benefit for Jeff & Bonnie Moody, 4:307 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Meatloaf supper with takeout available.

Coming events

Coming event items are published as a public service. Items must be submitted by 10 a.m. on Mondays to be assured of publication in that week’s issue.

Osceola

• Rod and Gun Club’s 25th-annual Rabbit Hunt, call 715-755-2540 for more info.

Frederic

• 500 card night, 6:30 p.m. at the center. Everyone welcome.

SUNDAY/28 Amery

Luck

• St. Joseph Church’s 43rd-annual IceFishing Contest, 7 a.m. at North Twin Lake. Chicken dinner and raffle.

Siren

• Wedding Showcase, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Northwoods Crossing Event Center.

• American Legion & Auxiliary Post 255, 6:30 p.m., Christmas party at Paul & Joyce Bille’s home. Potluck supper.

Siren

• American Legion Post 132 meets, 7 p.m. at the village hall.

MONDAY/29

FRIDAY/19

Frederic

Webster

• Spades are played, 1:30 p.m., at the senior center. Everyone welcome.

• Dollars for Scholars Fundraising Dance. Open to all neighboring students and community members at the Webster High School, 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Two bands will be playing a variety of music. $5 per person.

• American Red Cross Blood Drive, at Frederic 7-12 performance area. 9:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. For information call Dorothea Jensen at 715-327-5642 or Ethan Bergstrom at 715-327-4223, ext. 124.

SATURDAY/20

Rice Lake

Amery

• WITC College Night, 5-8 p.m. in the WITC conference center. Formerly financial aid night.

• A Young Performers’ Concert, 7:30 p.m. at the Northern Lakes Center for the Arts. An evening of selections highlighting the talents and abilities of local young musicians.

Frederic

TUESDAY/30 Siren

• Cholesterol & Diabetes Screening, call Public Health at 715-349-2140 for appt. The second measurable snowfall of the season came this week to the Burnett Cost $45.

• Potluck, noon at the senior center. Bingo begins at 1:30, or cards, pool or fellowship. Webster Please bring a dish to pass or a monetary and Polk county area and temperatures dipped to single digits, bringing real win• Food & Friends community dinner, 5-6 donation. ter weather to northwest Wisconsin. - Photo by Gary King p.m., at Grace United Methodist Church. • 6th-annual Sleigh parade, at Frederic High School campus.

Hayward

• 2007 Bridal Expo, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Flat Creek Eatery/Ramada. For more info call 715634-8662.

Luck

• Polk/Burnett Farmers Union meeting, 11 a.m. at Oakwood Inn. Everyone welcome.

SUNDAY/21 St. Croix Falls

• Sunday morning breakfast. 8 a.m. - noon, at the American Legion Post 143, St. Croix Falls.

MONDAY/22 Frederic

• Spades are played, 1:30 p.m., at the senior center. Everyone welcome.

TUE. & WED./23 & 24

SATURDAY/27

• Spades are played, 1:30 p.m., at the senior center. Everyone welcome.

• A Writers’ Forum, 7:30 p.m. at the Northern Lakes Center for the Arts. An evening of original stories, poems and essays read by the authors as published in Northern Lakes Soundings.

Frederic

Rice Lake

• Farm Show, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Cedar Mall. Call 715-289-4632 for more info.

THURSDAY/25 Luck

• Democratic Party of Polk County, annual meeting and election of officers, 7 p.m., at Hog Wild BBQ and Grill, Luck. Everyone welcome!

FRIDAY/26 Unity

• Chili Feed, 5-7:30 p.m. at the high school before the SCF doubleheader basketball game. Sponsored by the drama department and Larsen Auto Center.

Amery

Danbury

• Danbury Lions Club present 29th-annual Burlingame Ice-Fishing contest in Danbury. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cash prizes for fish categories. Lots of door prizes. Tickets can be purchased on the ice.

Frederic

• Potluck, noon at the senior center. Bingo begins at 1:30, or cards, pool or fellowship. Please bring a dish to pass or a monetary donation.

WEDNESDAY/31 Grantsburg

• Red Hat Ladies, brunch at American Legion, 11 a.m. Call Yvonne at 715-463-5344, Marlys at 715-463-5357 or Anette at 715-689-2776 by 1/26.

FEBRUARY THURSDAY/1 Frederic

• 500 card night, 6:30 p.m. at the center.

SATURDAY/3 Siren

• South Fork Sporting Club Gun Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Northwoods Crossing. Buy, sell or trade. Public welcome, exhibitors wanted. For info or reserve tables contact Richard Kettula, 715-653-4291. • I’m a Parent seminar, at the Covenant

Hillsides will come alive with pageantry of vintage sleighs Sixth-annual Frederic Sleigh Parade this Saturday FREDERIC - This coming Saturday by noon, the hillsides of the Frederic High School Campus, north of Frederic on Hwy. 35, will come alive with the pageantry of vintage sleighs, horses and their costumed drivers. The sixth-annual Frederic Sleigh parade gets underway, saluting 2007. This bit of history in motion is the first big event for the year 2007 in Frederic. Horses will be wearing their finest bells as the frost in the air meets with the hot air from their velvet-soft muzzles. Horses have made a big comeback, as you notice more and more dotting the countryside of Wisconsin. Many of the sleighs are of vintage condiFrederic Sleigh Parade organizer Liz Peterson won an tion, with original paint and upholstery. award for this antique sleigh at the Ashland parade last Some have been stored for years in greatweek. The sleigh shown is an original J.S. Morris Portland grandpa’s barn. Some of the sleighs will be Cutter from Waupun. The Frederic Sleigh Parade will be held farm sleighs enjoying the rollicking good Saturday. – Special photo time. There will be a large variety of winter vehicles. This year proceeds from the event will go to Marnie Drivers come from all around the state of Wisconsin Housel of Spooner, a young , single schoolteacher and and Minnesota to drive and compete. Most drivers are lifelong horse person. She was in a car accident in wearing vintage furs and hats, along with vintage June that left her in a coma for two month and she is robes covering their laps. on a long road to recovery and still not living at home. Awards are for best-costumed male, and best-cosThe FFA is going to serve coffee and hot chocolate tumed female driver. In addition, an award is given for and bars behind the school at the garage entrance durthe best antique overall, complete turnout. Which ing the parade. includes sleigh, costumed driver, and appropriateness Awards being given in each of these divisions. of horse and harness to the above. There will be light Vicki and Jim Bodoh of St. Croix Falls will be judghorses, draft horses, large ponies, and small ponies, ing this nostalgic event, which gets going at noon on driven single and sometimes as two or more together. Saturday. The final judging and parade begins at 1

p.m. An awards meal will be served to the drivers, their passengers and families following the parade. There is parking in the high school lot for the handicapped and the elderly, who may wish to watch history become reality from the warmth of their vehicles. Many area business owners have donated wonderful door prizes to be given to drivers. Terry Taylor of T&J feed, Frederic, and Nutrena Feeds along with Jacob Meier of Edina Reality, Frederic, are a big sponsor for advertising as well as the Frederic Chamber, donating money for awards and the awards meal. For more information contact Liz Petersen at 715327-4955. Bring a camera and warm clothing. Don’t miss a nostalgic afternoon that will never be forgotton! - submitted

Vintage clothing is part of the pageantry of the Frederic Sleigh Parade, to be held this Saturday at the high school. - Photo by Gary King