Leader|july 29|2009

W E D N E S D AY, J U LY 2 9 , 2 0 0 9 • V O L U M E 7 6 • N O . 4 9 • 2 S E C T I O N S • S E C T I O N A

WE EKEN D WA TCH : • Polk County Fair @ St. Croix Falls • Community theater play @ Voyager Village • Music in the Park @ Siren • Summerfest @ Siren • Festival Theatre comedy @ St. Croix Falls • Burnett Arts Festival @ Siren • Interstate Park open house @ St. Croix Falls See Coming Events, stories inside

IN SI DE

Leader INTER-COUNTY

Serving Northwest Wisconsin

Case against sheriff dismissed

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F u t u re p i l o t

Was being sued by former deputy PAGE 2

The Great Forts Folle Avoine Rendezvous Currents section

Budget process at a stalemate Week of meetings leads to deadlock PAGE 8

Hit and run leads to arrest Balsam Lake man injured while checking oil PAGE 3

Budget stress

Governor visits Page 2

Local municipalities told they will receive 15 percent less in state aid in 2010 PAGE 7

Motorcycle-deer crash fatal Turtle Lake man loses life PAGE 3

A good inspection prior to takeoff is always a good idea, and this young would-be pilot liked the idea of looking at this vintage Howard aircraft up close during the Burnett County Airport’s Fly-in breakfast at Siren last Saturday, July 25. More photos in Currents section. Photo by Gary King

County jail housed Dillinger gang member Wed on the dock Currents section

River Bandits keep Braves from playoffs

SPORTS

Inside this section

Tales of one of John Dillinger’s henchmen

by Gordon Moore POLK COUNTY - I had a chance to take in the movie “Public Enemies.” The movie brought back memories of my early childhood, not that I remember the goings-on in those days, but of hearing about it from my parents. The name John Dillinger brings up a time when banks were being robbed even in Polk County.

I’m not sure how many people realize that at one time, back in 1943-44, the Polk County Jail in Balsam Lake housed one of John Dillinger’s henchmen for five months; his name was Thomas E. Gannon.

I was raised in a law enforcement family. My father and mother, James and Katharine Moore, were the sheriffs of Polk County for 22 years, starting in

The real John Dillinger (left) and actor Johnny Depp, who plays Dillinger in the movie “Public Enemies.” - Special photos 1941. Dad served 16 years; Mother served six years. My oldest brother, James Jr., was a Wisconsin State Highway Patrol Officer, my next-older brother, Robert, was the county chief deputy; I wanted nothing to do with law enforcement.

Back in the early 1930s, my dad was the night police officer in St. Croix Falls.

He would walk the streets, checking doors to make sure everything was secure. On the early morning of Sept. 13, 1933, as he was making his last round, he came upon a black four-door sedan with four men in it parked on the side street next to the bank. As he approached the car it took off out of town to Hwy. 8. That same morning, September 13, 1933, the Union State Bank in Amery was robbed.

Four masked men armed with submachine guns had broken into the bank and waited for the bank employees to arrive for work. They were then forced to lie on the floor at gunpoint. Clifford Olson and Vincent Christensen were forced to open the bank vault; $42,000 was taken. The bank had a small handgun in a desk, but one of the robbers took out the shells and left the gun. They left town in a black four-door sedan.

See Dillinger, page 3

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Governor visits St. Croix communities

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Gov. Jim Doyle is shown at Interstate Park last Friday, standing at an overlook on the St. Croix River with the cruise boat in the background. Doyle traveled along the Mississippi River and the St. Croix River over three days to encourage tourism, promote environmental initiatives, and meet with local citizens, local government and business leaders to make sure their views are heard in Madison. He met with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty during a stop in Hudson. He started his trip in Cassville in Grant County and ended it in Osceola, stopping at parks, tourist sites, local businesses and community meetings along the way. “These communities have so much to offer — from great tourist attractions to thriving businesses — and I looked forward to visiting them all,” Doyle said. “ I believe that government works best when leaders have a chance to get to know people one on one and hear directly from the people we serve.” - Photos by Gregg Westigard

Case against Sheriff Moore dismissed

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by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – A complaint against Polk County Sheriff Tim Moore has been dismissed.

Federal District Judge Barbara Crabb granted a judgment in favor of Moore Monday, July 27, and dismissed the claims of former deputy sheriff Jared Cockroft. Cockroft had filed a claim in July 2008 claiming that Moore had caused damages to him and his career. The case had been scheduled to go to trial in August.

Cockroft’s claims related to issues occurring after the November 2006 election. Moore was running for elecInterstate Park Naturalist Julie Fox explains the geological history of the St. Croix tion as sheriff. Cockroft had supported Moore’s opponents in the primary River dalles to Gov. Doyle and his group. and general elections and claimed that Moore retaliated against him for those actions. Crabb’s 24-page decision dismisses all of Cockroft’s allegations.

This is the second suit involving the sheriff’s department that has been dismissed before going to trial. In May, Circuit Judge Eric Lundell dismissed a case against deputy Arling Olson.

Olson had been an opponent of Moore in the 2006 election, but the charges against him were related to a prior issue not related to the election.

A full review of the decision will appear in next week’s Leader.

Every page in color in our Interstate Park Superintendent Kurt Dreger, Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble, and Representative Ann Hraychuck look on as Gov. Doyle toured Interstate Park last Friday.

E-dition

Go to: www.the-leader.net

Briefly OSCEOLA - The Osceola Community Health Foundation is hosting a cruise to benefit Wild River Fitness’ youth programming. Sponsored by Core Products International and J & S Landscapes, the scenic evening cruise is Thursday, Aug. 13, aboard the Majestic Star in Stillwater, Minn. The cruise includes gourmet hors d’oeuvres, desserts and live jazz music.

Tickets are $35 and are available at Wild River Fitness and Osceola Medical Center, and online at osceolamedicalcenter.com.

For more information, contact the foundation at 715-294-2111. – from OMC ••• BURNETT COUNTY - While much of summer has felt like fall, it will be some weeks before fall festival comes, Saturday, Oct. 3, to Lakeside Community Lutheran Church, just a mile north of CTH A&H. The festival will feature a craft sale, bake sale, special coffeehouse with treats and fresh produce. Mark your calendar now for this event that promises to offer some great values and good eats. - submitted

Alcohol a factor in head on collision POLK COUNTY - A head-on collision Tuesday night on Hwy. 35 near East Farmington, south of Osceola, severely damage two vehicles.

A witness reported northbound Jeffrey C. Lemay, 41, St. Paul, Minn., swerving back and forth on the roadway, but it was southbound Ronald R. Fehlen, 47, Osceola, who swerved into the northbound lane and hit the Lemay vehicle head on. The accident report noted that both drivers appeared to have been drinking and were tested for alcohol and other substances.

Both drivers were taken to the hospital by ambulance. There were no other occupants in either vehicle. - Sherill Summer with information from the Polk County Sheriff’s Department

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JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 3

Hit and run leads to arrest

Balsam Lake man seriously injured while checking oil in truck

BALSAM LAKE – A Balsam Lake man suffered severe leg injuries on the morning of Saturday, July 25, while changing oil in his truck near the 100 block of Court House Avenue in the village of Balsam Lake.

According to a press release from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Paul M. Whiteaker, 40, was standing in front of his Dodge pickup checking oil when a commercial motor vehicle was attempting to exit an alley adjacent to Whiteaker’s residence. As the CMV attempted to turn west onto Court House Avenue, it struck the back of Whiteaker’s pickup, pushing it forward into another car in front of Whiteaker’s

truck, and pinned Whiteaker between the two vehicles.

According to witnesses at the scene, the driver of the CMV immediately fled the cab with a black backpack and headed south on foot through the yards. Whiteaker Scott A. Black was transported by Unity ambulance to St. Croix Regional Medical Center, where he was flown by air ambulance to Regions Hospital due to the severity of his leg injuries.

Sheriff’s deputies, including K-9 Kaiser, Balsam Lake Police, St. Croix Falls Police, Wisconsin State Patrol and two K-9 units from the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office began search for the un-

Motorcycle-deer collision is fatal

Second fatality on CTH T

POLK COUNTY – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call early Saturday morning, July 25, at approximately 1:32 a.m., in reference to a motorcycle crash on CTH T, in Beaver Township. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland ambulance, Turtle Lake Fire Department and Turtle Lake Police Department responded to the scene on CTH T near Horseshoe Lake Lane. Responders found Lynn Lauritsen, 52, of Turtle Lake, deceased from injuries sustained after hitting a deer with his 1984 (trike) motorcycle.

This is the second fatality on CTH T this year. The first accident occurred back on March 28, when Kevin D. Adams, 39, of Amery, was killed in a one-vehicle rollover near South Horseshoe Drive. Adams was traveling northbound on CTH T at a high rate of speed when he failed to negotiate a corner in a safe manner according to the Polk County case report. – Marty Seeger with

A 52-year-old Turtle Lake man lost his life Saturday after his motorcycle hit a deer. - Photo from Polk County Sheriff’s Dept. information from the Polk County Sheriff’s Department

known driver of the CMV. Contact was made with the registered owner of the CMV, Trinity Trucking of Roseville, Minn., and noted that the vehicle was stolen the night before or early Saturday morning.

Through investigation, a suspect was developed with information from the driver assigned to the stolen CMV, and after a six-hour search, Scott A. Black, 45, of Minneapolis, was located by K-9 Kaiser. Black was found hiding in a swampy area south of the crash scene and taken into custody without incident. The incident remains under investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. – Marty Seeger with information from the Polk County Sheriff’s Dept.

Ed Berdal dies at 90 FREDERIC – Ed Berdal, known as a man about town with a camera in hand and a joke ready for telling, died Saturday, July 25, at St. Croix Regional Medical Center in St. Croix Falls.

He was 90 years old.

Berdal gave away hundreds of his photographs of wildlife and people to churches, hospitals, businesses and individuals over the past several years. The photographs were usually enlargements he had framed himself.

"I think God expects me to do something with my talent," he told the Leader in a 2008 interview.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the family with help from the Cremation Society of Wisconsin. - Gary King

Every page in color in our

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Dillinger/from page 1 In 1940, 14 men and one woman ran for the office of sheriff. My father was elected and took office in January, 1941.

The office consisted of sheriff, under sheriff, which was my mother, and three part-time deputies, Carl Burman in Amery, Ole Peterson in Osceola and Merle Beedle in Balsam Lake. The sheriff was paid $1,800 a year, a home to live in and a new 1941 Olds, which had to last until 1946 due to the war. Mother was the cook for the jail and got paid 25 cents per meal.

In 1935 in the Stillwater State Penitentiary, one of Dillinger’s henchmen, Thomas E. Gannon, was serving an eight-year sentence for the burglary of the J. D. Fitzgerald home in St. Paul, Minn. Some of his included a six-month term for conspiracy to aid Homer Van Meter, a known henchman of John Dillinger. Van Meter was slain in a gun battle in St. Paul. He also had a sevenyear term in the Wisconsin State Penitentiary at Waupun for bank robbery in 1925. As a known bank robber, Gannon’s fingerprints were checked against the fingerprints that were found on the small handgun that was left in the Union State Bank in Amery, a match was found to be Gannon’s. On Nov. 15, 1943, extradition to Wisconsin was granted by Gov. Thye, and my dad and Burman went to Stillwater, Minn. and returned with Gannon.

Thomas Gannon spent five months in the Polk County jail waiting for trial. By this time he was one of the last Dillinger gang, having spent those years in Stillwater probably saved his life, all of the rest of the Dillinger gang got shot and killed. Having Gannon in the jail those five months was a little scary, as you

never knew if at some time, one of the gang members would come and try to break him out. There was one time when Gannon was the only prisoner in jail, this happened once before, there were less prisoners due to the war. Feeding of the prisoners was done this way, when the tray of food was ready the door was unlocked and one of the prisoners would come out and get the tray and return.

Now Gannon was stone deaf and alone in the jail, so someone would have to take in the tray of food for him if he did not see the door open. When it was time for the evening meal, Gannon did not respond, so Dad carried the tray in.

Gannon was hiding in the first cell. He had taken the clothesline down and tied it about four inches off the floor in the hallway going to the dining area. Dad tripped and Gannon went out the jail door and locked Dad in. He went to the door going out only to find it locked. Just then Art, Dad’s brother, came into the office and got Gannon in a neck hold.

Mother heard Art call out and went in the office and let Dad out. Now Dad wasn’t a big man but he was very strong; he took Gannon by the nape of the neck and the seat of the pants and back in jail they went all the way to the last cell, which he never got out of till the day of the trial. He always said he would have gotten away if not for that “hayseed farmer.” He wasn’t as clever as Dillinger was at breaking out of jail, but he gave it a good try.

Gannon went totally deaf while in the Stillwater prison. All matters of the court were typewritten and handed to him to read. The trial lasted three and a half days. He was found guilty on the finger-

Undersheriff James Moore digs into the files for his wife, Sheriff Katharine Moore, in this photo from a St. Paul Pioneer Press story. - Special photo prints that were found on the small handgun from the bank. He was sentenced to 15 to 40 years in the Wisconsin State Penitentiary in Waupun. He was taken to prison the same day. He said he was looking forward to seeing old

friends.

So now you know that Polk County had a little part of the John Dillinger gang.

Editor’s note: The author lives in Centuria.

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

S T .

C R O I X

V A L L E Y

N E W S

City extends gratitude to Wannigan Days Committee Hears library update

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS – The city council for St. Croix Falls council met July 27 and heard a variety of updates, including a report on Wannigan Days by Steve Bont, from the committee. The city council and mayor extended their gratitude on behalf of the city to the Wannigan Days Committee for all of their hard work and time put into a successful Wannigan Days celebration.

Bont addressed the council saying, “I want to thank the city and city council for helping to support Wannigan Days.”

Bont added that many groups and organizations got involved and partnered up to make the event a success. He added that the parade attendance/crowd was the largest he’s seen and says the milder weather probably contributed to the turnout.

Council members also attested to the large crowd this year, indicating that they ran out of candy when they got to Taylors Falls. St. Croix Tavern owner Kathy Cross stated that she appreciated the city closing the alley and reported that there were no problems with police and thanked the council for granting the request to close the alley. She added that the city crew was very helpful in assisting with cleanup afterward.

Library The council also heard an update on the library. The first update was by construction manager Gene Johnson. Johnson said that as far as the schedule, they are in good shape. “We would like to be a week ahead of where we are, but I think we can catch that up,” he said. “It’s getting to the point now where it looks like nothing’s happening, but then in about a week or so, you will see a lot change. That’s typically how these building projects are when you see them from the outside.”

Sarah Adams, librarian, also updated the council on the grand opening of the library during Autumn Fest on Sept. 26.

“We’re that close already,” she said. “We have reserved food for 300 people for the dinner and dance that evening, so that is how many people we anticipate attending that event.” Adams said the grand opening and dedication of the building would last about an hour with Mary Pettis as the keynote speaker and library tours to follow.

Almelund tractor caravan this Sunday ST. CROIX FALLS/TAYLORS FALLS – The seventh-annual tractor caravan to Almelund will take place Aug. 2, departing from Chateau St. Croix Winery and Vineyard at 10 a.m., for a leisurely ride down Hwy. 87 onto Main Street St. Croix Falls, over the bridge into Taylors Falls, Minn., and ending at the Almelund Threshing Showgrounds. The winding 24-mile route provides two advantages. It showcases some beautiful views and keeps the group away from highertraffic areas.

The tractor caravan precedes the 53rd-Annual Almelund Threshing Show, that begins the following Friday, Aug. 7.

Last year 90 tractors, some pulling trailers and wagons, participated.

Some 200 people joined in this fun event. Make plans to see these antique tractors parade through downtown St. Croix Falls, over the bridge, into downtown Taylors Falls, onto CTH 16 and finishing in Almelund on Sunday.

- with submitted information

tising package from MIX 104.9 FM to have commercial spots announcing upcoming events in the city during local high school football game broadcasts.

The council opted for a 14-game package in the amount of $252 for advertising and promoting the city.

The transformation of the former Holiday grocery store into the new public library at St. Croix Falls is on schedule, according to construction manager Gene Johnson. - Photo by Linda Sandmann Adams also gave an update on the grant process. She indicated that the library is $21,000 away from meeting the $50,000 for the matching Otto Bremer Grant, and they are still working on gathering donations to match that. She stated that there are some other grants that have been applied for that they are waiting to hear back on, including one from Target for furnishings. She stated that when the move officially happens, the library would likely be closed for approximately three days to get everything transferred and cataloged properly.

Other business •The council heard an update from Mike Bryant on the wastewater treatment plant. Bryant indicated the plant is running well compared to other systems out there. He indicated that while there are no current problems, the city needs to keep moving forward with upgrading the plant and keep that process moving

so the city does not experience any issues and can continue to have the plant run smoothly.

•The council passed an ordinance authorizing electric vehicles on city streets.

The request for the ordinance passage comes from the National Park Service.

Interstate Park maintenance employees will be operating electric vehicles in the park rather than the traditional Ranger pickups as an effort for the parks to go green. Talk of solar energy to help with charging the vehicles is also something the park is looking at. While the park employee vehicles are not intended for use outside of the state park, because the park is located in the city limits, the city must allow for the use of electric motors on streets in order for the state park to have the vehicles in operation on the park roads. The council passed the ordinance, indicating they thought it was a great idea.

•The city council approved an adver-

Xcel Update The city council heard an update from Mayor Darrell Anderson about the Xcel Energy line burial at Blanding Woods Road or the alternative of the school property. Anderson indicated the school board would be making a decision July 28 at the board meeting. Anderson stated he has talked with some of the board members and the superintendent and that he will be speaking at the board meeting. Anderson said for the record that Xcel is not the bad guy and the school is not the bad guy in this. “The idea was entirely mine to go this route after I met with the public works and I heard their concerns about Blanding Woods Road,” he said. “We’re not telling the school they have to do this, and we’re not telling Xcel they have to do this. I just think this route is a better alternative to get the job done. I’m hoping we can go into this meeting tomorrow night with the same idea to work toward the best solution for everybody.” Some residents of Blanding Woods Road were present and Anderson encouraged them to attend the school board meeting. The council passed a motion indicating their support of the school property as a route for burial of the power line, pending approval from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to do so.

The council also approved a task order from MSA with regard to the Xcel Energy burial of the line at a cost of $6,800 with the condition that Xcel reimburse the city for the costs as indicated under the city site-plan ordinance.

TF supports immigrant trail Streets in Interstate Park vacated

by Tammi Milberg TAYLORS FALLS, Minn. – The Chisago County Board approved a 50-percent matching trail grant program award of $73,500 at the July 15 meeting. The approval of the grant is for the development of the Swedish Immigrant Trail and land acquisition required for creating the trail. The trail will provide access to downtown Taylors Falls and into Interstate Park for bikers, hikers or skaters (inline) on a paved trail that will also provide a safe alternative to Taylors Falls for recreational traffic that is away from Hwy. 8.

In order for the grant process to continue, certain parties must sign off on two issues. One of those parties is the city of Taylors Falls council, which met July 27 to consider the plan as part of the meeting’s agenda. The two issues needing signatures are certification that the city agrees with the plan and will cooperate and the other is that the city has reviewed the environmental assessment statement and does not have any issues with that.

The council discussed the trail plan with Laird Mork, Chisago County Park land director, who was present at the meeting. He explained that the property to be acquired would be along Herberg Road. The council reflected positive comments about the project, indicating that it will provide opportunities for people to experience the park and downtown.

The council passed a motion authorizing the mayor’s signature on the items for the Swedish Immigrant Trail grant.

In other business, the council ap-

proved vacating certain platted streets that are in Interstate Park. Nine total streets have portions in Interstate Park that are not improved and were recommended for vacation. A public hearing took place in which the council received no comment for or against the street vacation. The nine streets are portions of: Mulberry, Folsom, Basil, St. Croix, Taylor, High Park, Basaltic, Rapid and Traprock. After closing the pubic hearing, the council acted on the agenda item to vacate the streets by resolution. The resolution states that while the streets are within the statutory boundary of the state park, providing public recreation, vacating the streets is in the public interest; the state park has been using the streets for park purposes for many years; the streets are not improved, nor are they intended to be improved by the city; no municipal utilities are located within the portions of those streets; vacating the streets will not impede access to other properties now or in the future; and vacating the streets will not impede access to the St. Croix River now or in the future.

Public Works The city council approved the public works employee definition and appointed Bill Neska to the position for the city. Neska is currently a public works employee and is the senior employee in the department. The city attorney advised the council to retain Neska because he is the senior employee and because of veteran’s preference. As far as the public works superintendent, the position was posted and interviews for that position will be taking place. Public works employee Eric Garner applied for the position and is one of the persons to be

interviewed. If Garner is not hired as the superintendent when the council approves the position at the Aug. 10 meeting, he has been notified that he will be terminated as a public works employee.

The restructuring of the department came up to the council by liaisons that determined having two equal public works employees might not be the most beneficial situation because they would need to seek out liaisons before making any decisions about maintenance issues.

With a superintendent and a maintenance employee, one person would be allowed to make the call on maintenance issues, freeing up liaison time and allowing the department to respond in a timely manner to issues. In order to be fair in hiring for the newly created positions of superintendent and maintenance employee, the council indicated at the time, both current employees could apply for the superintendent position, one employee would be retained as the maintenance employee and whomever applied for the superintendent position would be considered in the application process, but that the possibility of one employee losing their position exists.

The city posted the superintendent position to make sure they have the best candidate for the city, which could turn out to be Garner or another applicant.

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JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 5

L O C A L

H E A D L I N E S

School board president responds to community questions

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – Siren School Board President Dayton Daniels presented a written statement to those who gathered for the regular school board meeting Monday, July 27. The statement was a follow-up to recent meetings that the board and administration had with staff members and with the community.

“Many things were discussed,” Daniels said. “That means it will take time for the board to give ample consideration to all concerns and recommendations. On the surface, I feel confident in speaking on behalf of the board members and administration in saying that we do not find any concerns too big to resolve. Many of the items that have been discussed are directly connected to communications. That is an area that we can and will address as a team and as a district.”

Daniels explained that administration is in the final stages of bringing forth a process for the board to consider. This process will allow board, staff, parents and school-district residents to work together on designing and implementing a long-range planning initiative that will

promote full collaboration and participation of all the interested stakeholders.

“We have listened to your concerns and are interested in implementing a plan by which you all become a part of the solution to the problem,” Daniels said, adding that this won’t be done overnight but that it will move the district forward in a positive direction.

Six action requests were brought to the board by the community focus group at a July 20 special school board meeting.

Daniels addressed each of the items.

The process has already been started to organize an ad hoc committee, which will become part of a district plan. This process will be discussed and acted upon at the Aug. 24 school board meeting.

As to reviewing the summaries of a recent staff survey in open session, Daniels stated that the job-performance evaluation of any school employee is a confidential matter. Note: The survey was discussed in the closed session that followed the July 27 meeting. None of the details of that discussion will be released to the public.

The board’s personnel and negotia-

tions committee will first discuss the focus group’s request for a board review of the hiring and evaluation process for district staff. Their recommendations will then come to the full board for discussion.

“We anticipate this process will begin in August and continue throughout the year. We will work with the ad hoc committee in communicating the necessary information and any possible changes,” Daniels said.

The idea of exit interviews for staff leaving the district was deemed a good idea. The administration, along with the board’s personnel committee, will be asked to develop a questionnaire to use in conducting the interviews. The process will possibly start in August.

“We will not guarantee how long it will take to complete the process. The results of this information will be treated with professional confidentiality,” Daniels said.

He also said that two board committees, budget and finance and policy, planning and curriculum, will look into the district’s bidding and purchasing process. These committees will work in

conjunction with the ad hoc advisory committee to communicate changes and improvements.

A list of board members and the committees on which they serve is already posted on the district’s Web site.

“It is our sincere desire to do everything possible to put everything out in the open that we legally can and begin the process of rebuilding trust and relationships,” Daniels commented, speaking on behalf of the board and administration.

One way to start building trust and relationships is through the addition of an administrative roundtable forum, an opportunity for district residents to come into the school, share a cup of coffee, ask questions or hear about recent school news. This will be held several times throughout the year.

“Once again, thanks to all of you who stepped forward to offer your input. I feel confident that you have helped us take the initial steps in moving forward,” Daniels concluded.

Preliminary 2009-2010 budget presented at Siren School Board meeting

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – The preliminary budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 was approved at the July 27 meeting of the Siren School Board. The budget calls for expenditures totaling $7,805,935, up by 4.25 percent from the previous year.

The total school property-tax levy was listed at $4,563,502, up 2.42 percent from last year; however, the mill rate was down from 9.449 a year ago to 9.395 for the coming year.

This is a preliminary budget, which will be presented in more detail at the district budget hearing/annual meeting to be held Monday, Aug. 24, at 8 p.m.

The regular August school board meeting will be held that same night, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Siren District Administrator Scott Johnson made a few comments related to changes in the governor’s budget.

The biggest change that will affect the district is the reduction in the annual per-pupil adjustment, with the increase capped at $200 per pupil.

According to Johnson, there will be a 3.5-percent reduction in categorical aid.

The Qualified Economic Offer law has been repealed, but revenue limits have not been lifted. “There is the ability for negotiations to go beyond 3.8 percent (the QEO),” Johnson said. “We are going into a negotiation year (with staff). This opens up doors for employees to come and make requests to the board.”

Johnson fears the effect of working with revenue that is going down and costs that are going up. “The 3.1-percent reduction throughout the state will have quite an impact,” he said.

Actions taken at this meeting include: 1) Approval of the transportation contract for 2009-2010. 2) Approval of ele-

Tree farm field day a success

The tree farm field day was a success to the many landowners in the area who attended a day of exploring ideas and options for woodland and prairie management. There were speakers that were there to explain different options in wildlife habitat, tree plantations, building and maintaining wildlife ponds, swamp hardwood management, planting food plots, and establishing and maintaining healthy prairies. After a picnic lunch was provided, the guests were able to enjoy a presentation on the managed forest law program, then an encore presentation with a wagon tour on managing for upland woodland tree species, ponds and wildlife; or they could hike a prairie or enjoy the beautiful flower beds.

The speaker on food plots and prairie planting was Dan Cain from Habitat Creations LLC. – Special photo

mentary handbook changes. 3) Formal acceptance of Sara Lee as holder of the district bread contract for the coming year.

In open session following closed-session discussion, the board approved the resignation of Laura Ritten, the newly hired Title I resource teacher and the retirement of Frances Decorah, Native American home-school coordinator, effective Aug. 30. Ritten was able to take advantage of a position close to her home.

Discussion on a support-staff grievance and of the recent administrative survey was held confidential.

Board committee meetings for August are as follows: Budget and Finance – Monday, Aug. 17, 5 p.m. Building and Grounds – Thursday, Aug. 20, starting at 6 p.m. and including a tour of the building that is open to the public. Personnel and Negotiations – Aug. 17, 6 p.m. Policy, Planning and Curriculum – Aug. 17, 7 p.m. August school board meeting/ budget hearing/district annual meeting – Monday, Aug. 24, starting at 6:30 p.m. with the regular meeting with budget hearing/annual meeting to start at 8 p.m.

Budget woes discussed at Luck

School officials hint at eventual referendum

by Mary Stirrat LUCK — The preliminary audit for the 2008-09 school year shows $73,000 in deficit spending at Luck, district Administrator Rick Palmer told the school board at its July 27 meeting.

The figure is better than the original estimate of $110,000 but not quite as good as the $60,000 deficit approved in the final budget.

“It’s not good,” Palmer said. “We don’t want to continue that, but it was pretty close to what we thought.”

Discussion then moved on to the 200910 budget, currently under construction for approval at the September annual meeting of the school district.

Luck, said Palmer, has been slated for an estimated 10.8 percent cut in state aid, from $2,510,524 in 2008-09 to $2,338,399 in 2009-10.

State statutes guarantee the district the same amount of revenue each year, according to Palmer, but the only available source to make up the 10.8 percent loss is through the tax levy.

The district has followed its plan to make cuts, he said, knowing the next step would be to go into deficit spending, which has happened. The third step discussed previously, he added, is a referendum.

“Do we want to do that?” he asked, adding that he felt “little confidence”

that a referendum at this time would pass. The district has two years left on the loan for the elementary school project, at $261,000 each year, which would be paid off before a 2010 referendum vote could impact the budget.

“We’ve made people cuts,” said Palmer. “Pretty soon it will be program cuts. We’re not going to be able to maintain our programs. It gets to be tough.”

Cutting programs could mean losing students through open enrollment into other districts, he said. Cutting a $10,000 program could send two students to another district, costing Luck more than $10,000 in lost state aid.

“I’ve done everything I can,” Palmer said, noting that he will be calling on the board and its committees for input.

The state, Palmer and board member Daryl Bazey said, is encouraging districts to consolidate. In the past, districts that consolidated received a 10-percent increase in state aid. That has now been upped to a 15-percent increase.

A referendum vote, said Bazey, would allow the board to see “if the public really wants to keep Luck as a school district.”

Luck isn’t alone in losing state aid.

Frederic and Unity are both facing a 15.2-percent cut in state aid, while Siren is looking at 18.2 percent. St. Croix Falls is getting off easier at less than 1 percent, and Grantsburg is losing 4.4 percent.

“Everyone around us is in the same boat,” Palmer said.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

Take that GPS with a grain of salt

A full load of fluff filled the corner of old D and new D Friday, July 24. - Photos by Diane Dryden

Kaj Larson, driving for the DMZ Trucking Company out of Minnesota, found out that even though it’s cutting-edge technology, his GPS is not always right.

Photos by Diane Dryden

by Diane Dryden SHELL LAKE - Last Friday, July 24, there was a demonstration of some sleek new modern technology in action.

Kaj Larson, driving for the DMZ Trucking Company in Minnesota, was in Shell Lake for the first time with a load of fluff for the landfill. Fluff is shredded foam and insulation taken from car seats

and doors before the vehicles are crushed.

Carefully consulting his GPS – that’s short for Global Positioning System – he turned when it said to turn, after picking up speed expecting the landfill to be much further up the road. By turning too sharply, he ended up dumping his semi and trailer on its side with fluff scattered

everywhere.

Evidently, all GPS information isn’t up to date, because it didn’t recognize that there is now a new CTH D along with old CTH D, where the accident happened. When the driver reached the corner where Old D goes off to the right, the system didn’t recognize Old D, thought the driver was on new D and told him the first road to the right was the landfill … wrong.

Larson only received a minor injury to his left arm, and the city crew found themselves with yet another job to do by being in charge of cleaning up the mess.

E-edition The entire Leader on your computer with all pages in color. www.the-leader.net

Grantsburg School District ends fiscal year in the black

by Priscilla Bauer GRANTSBURG – The Grantsburg School Board heard good news on the district’s financial status at the Monday, July 13, meeting as it began preparing for the upcoming school year.

District administrative assistant for business affairs, Kerri Oachs, gave the board the final fiscal report for the 20082009 school year, telling the board all funds had ended in the black.

The board then turned its attention to the coming school year beginning with an update from Insight School Executive Director Karl Petersen, who also had good news to report.

Petersen reported to the board that current fall Insight School enrollment figures estimate a student body of approximately 700 at the start of the school year, which is almost double from the 20082009 enrollment.

Petersen said there would be approximately 80 to 100 special education students enrolled this school year, and the goal is to have more special education instructors in different parts of the state available in person for student’s Individualized Education Plan meetings with parents.

Petersen told the board that face-toface orientations are being planned around the state for August.

The new Insight School director then commented on his first few months on the job, giving high praise to the Grantsburg School District. “I am very impressed with the district, Dr. Burgin and all the staff. It is a privilege for Insight to be partnering with the Grantsburg School District. It’s very impressive.”

On a personal note, Petersen said he was “thrilled to be back in the Midwest and it was wonderful to be in this community.”

New Insight School of Wisconsin Executive Director Karl Petersen gave an update on the virtual school's current fall enrollment figures to the Grantsburg School Board at their July 13 meeting. Petersen told the board since coming to Grantsburg he has been "very impressed" with the community, the school district and staff.

Peterson went on to tell the board he feels it is a privilege for Insight to be partnered with the Grantsburg School District.

Before each new school year revisions to the school’s student/parent handbooks need to be made and given board approval and this year was no exception, with the board approving updates to the elementary, middle school and high school handbooks as well as the Insight School handbook.

Changes to the high school handbook included adding information on the community service hours requirement needed for graduation and a residency requirement for students to qualify to become the school valedictorian. Several changes in the electronic device policy were also needed. The middle school handbook was revised to clarify policy on field trips and trip chaperones.

Dr. Burgin reported adding more requirements to the staff handbook regarding staff and volunteers transporting students in school and personal vehicles.

Burgin said for insurance reasons it has become necessary to do stricter motor vehicle record checks.

In other business: A 10-year contract between the school district and the village of Grantsburg allowing the school to use the Grantsburg Community Center gym for gymnastics free of charge expires the end of this year.

The board voted to approve a new contract with the village for gym rental at the community center at a cost of $327 per month for five and a half months and $50 per month for 12 months for storage rent.

The board considered and approved a recommendation to set breakfast and lunch prices with no increase for the 2009-2010 term. Oachs reported Lara Lerud had done a great job in keeping within her budget during her first year as food service director. Burgin added existing funds should carry the program through this year without an increase.

The board voted to authorize 20092010 budget expenditures for necessary school supplies.

The board approved several staffing changes including accepting the resignation of Nelson School custodian Elaine Michel and the 100-percent teaching contract for Cara Casey as the high school counselor. Several positions remain open in the district and are still in the process of being filled before school begins this fall.

After reconvening from closed session the board approved the 2009-2010 district staffing plan as recommended by the district budget team, thereby recalling Donna Tietz (business education) to 100 percent FTE, Russ Hammer (secondary mathematics) to 100 percent FTE, and Dana Morrin (Title I) to 100 percent FTE by a 6-1 vote.

A request from band director Andrew Schulz to take the Grantsburg High School Band on a trip to play at Universal Studios in Florida for March of 2010 was also approved.

Grantsburg School Board members took a few minutes out from their July 13 meeting to pose for their first official board photo since elections were held this spring. Back row: David Dahlberg, David Ahlquist, Jim Sundquist and Russ Erickson. Front row: Cindy Jensen, Patty Bonneville and Chris Erickson. - Photos by Priscilla Bauer

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 7

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L e a d e r Results from last week’s poll:

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This week’s question: Best read of the newspaper for me: 1. Letters to the editor 2. Hard local news and obituaries 3. Feature stories about people 4. Court news 5. Engagements, births, milestones 6. A little bit of everything To take part in our poll, go to www.theleader.net and scroll down to the lower left part of the screen

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F O R U M A re a n e w s a t a g l a n c e Korean War sergeant had local ties BARRON -Among the remains of several Korean War soldiers that were returned to U.S. soil about 16 years ago, one MIA-POW had ties to the Barron community and was just recently laid to rest closer to home. The remains of John H. Holman, who was a sergeant in the Army, were buried July 11 in White Bear Lake, Minn. Holman’s whereabouts had been unknown to loved ones following a 1951 battle in South Korea. It was later discovered that he had died that same year while being taken to a North Korean prison camp. His remains were among an estimated 400 fallen soldiers recovered from North Korea in the early 1990s. Scientists were able to make a positive identification three years ago using DNA and dental records. Several surviving members of the Holman family attended the July 11 military funeral at Union Cemetery in White Bear Lake, including John L. Holman and his wife, Vada (Kolb) Holman. The Bloomer couple are uncle and aunt to the fallen soldier. – Barron News-Shield

Man pleads no contest

NEW RICHMOND - A New Richmond man entered no contest pleas in charges related to the death of his father late last year who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Martin James Fagnan, 58, pleaded no contest to a felony charge of recklessly subjecting an at-risk individual to abuse, causing death and entered a deferred judgment agreement July 21. He also pleaded no contest and was convicted of misdemeanor charges of recklessly subjecting an individual at risk to abuse and disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to probation for two years, fined $220 and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service at a nursing home with dementia or Alzheimer’s patients. A criminal complaint said Raymond Fagnan, 82, was brought to the emergency room of a New Richmond hospital Aug. 8, 2008, by his son. Hospital staff said the father had broken bones on the left side of his face and a black and blue left eye. Martin told police his dad had advanced Alzheimer’s, he was living at home to help out. He and his father got into a heated argument that evening. His dad hit him with a board in the back of the head, and he retaliated by punching him in the face, the complaint said. Martin was arrested for battery following the incident. He was convicted of a misdemeanor charge Oct. 20 and fined $250 in connection with the case. A police report from Red Wing, Minn., said Raymond Fagnan died Dec. 15 in a Red Wing health center where he had been in a coma since the assault. A Jan. 21 medical examiner’s reports listed blunt force head injury as Ray Fagnan’s cause of death and homicide the manner of death. – rivertowns.net Fewer barrels SUPERIOR - Recovery of Department of Defense barrels dumped into Lake Superior half a century ago will begin next summer. But in a report released this weekend, the number of barrels dumped may be half of what has been previously thought. Engineering firm EMR of Duluth did a comprehensive sonar scan of 96 square miles of Lake Superior last year, searching seven sites where 1,440 barrels were reportedly dumped during the Cold War. The 55-gallon drums held top-secret ammunition parts that the Department of Defense wanted to keep from the prying eyes of Soviet spies. Surprisingly, EMR Senior Hydrologist Scott Carney says they only identified 591 barrels in three sites. He believes there may not be many more than that on the bottom of Lake Superior. He says they have more accurate tools to gauge the number of barrels than previous investigations in 1990.

The Red Cliff Band of Chippewa has been getting Department of Defense grant money to investigate the sites since 2004, and has been approved for another $1.2 million to remove 70 of the barrels next summer. Red Cliff Environmental Program Director Tracey Ledder says Lake Superior is within the ceded treaty territories so it’s their responsibility to look after that great lake. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Mike Simonson)

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

Where to Write

President Barack Obama 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, D.C. 20500 www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ Governor Jim Doyle P.O. Box 7863, Madison, WI 53707 wisgov@mail.state.wi.us

Congressman David Obey (7th District) 2462 Rayburn Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20515 or Federal Building, Wausau, WI 54401 (715) 842-5606 Rep. Nick Milroy (73rd District) Room 221 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952, Madison 53708 E-mail: rep.milroy@legis.state.wi.us

T h e

Rep. Ann Hraychuck (28th 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. Mary Hubler (75th District) Room 7 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708 or 1966 21-7/8 St., Rice Lake 54868 (715) 234-7421• (608) 266-2519 rep.hubler@legis.state.wi.us U.S. Senator Herb Kohl 330 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

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

Senator Robert Jauch (25th District) Room 19 South, State Capitol P.O. Box 788, Madison, WI 53707 E-mail: Sen.Jauch@legis.state.wi.us Senator Sheila Harsdorf (10th District) State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707 (608) 266-7745 • (715) 232-1390 Toll-free - 1-800-862-1092 sen.harsdorf@legis.state.wi.us U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold SDB 40, Rm. 1, Washington, D.C. 20510 or 1600 Aspen Commons Middleton, WI 53562-4716 (608) 828-1200 senator@feingold.senate.gov

Woman meets matinee idol CAMERON – A Cameron woman’s longtime dream to meet actor Johnny Depp came true during the filming of the movie “Public Enemies” in Columbus. Christy Moravitz twice made the four-hour trip to the small town 30 miles northeast of Madison. Depp has been her lifetime idol. “I’ve loved him since he was on ’21 Jump Street’ when I was a kid,” Moravitz said. “My friends used to tease me about how much I loved him.” Tied down with family and work commitments, Moravitz knew she would not be able to be at every filming session, so she did the next best thing. “I started online stalking,” she joked, scanning all the Depp fan sites and the Web site put out by the city of Columbus. She locked eyes with the actor while he was waving to onlookers after a day of filming, but on her second trip, she got closer. After a day of filming the brothel scenes, Depp’s bodyguard prepped the waiting fans saying he (Depp) had a very long day and there was to be no screaming, shrieking or grabbing at him. Depp did sign autographs as he went along the line of fans and finally came close to Moravitz. “My head was racing,” Moravitz said. “He’s good to look at, but he’s an incredible actor, also. He’s so versatile. I put my hand out to shake, but he leaned in for a hug and did the celebrity double kiss on my cheeks. I don’t remember the rest. It was so surreal. I couldn’t believe I was actually hugging my idol and talking with this person I have adored forever.” Although she was too star struck to think of pulling herself together to pose for a photograph, Moravitz is happy that in a 45-second encounter with him. Depp seemed as kind and sincere as she imagined him to be. – Rice Lake Chronotype Area timberland changes hands SAWYER COUNTY - Atlanta, Georgia-based RMK Timberland Group recently purchased 60,000 acres of timberland from Plum Creek in Sawyer, Price, Ashland and Rusk counties. Through the purchase, which closed on June 24, RMK took immediate ownership of the land previously owned by Plum Creek. RMK is a timberland investment management organization. With this purchase, the company now manages more than 120,000 acres of Wisconsin forestlands. Plum Creek continues to own approximately 260,000 acres of land throughout Wisconsin, including approximately 52,500 acres across Sawyer, Price, Ashland and Rusk counties.

RMK was created in 1981 and was a pioneer in timberland investing when it started one of the first commingled timberland funds for institutional investors.

Today, RMK manages separate accounts and commingled funds with over $1.7 billion in timberland assets.- Sawyer County Record

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

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Letters t o t h e e d i t o r Subsidize this I had health care under my parents’ roof, in the ‘70s, when HMOs arrived (inexpensive and possible) and when jobs offered coverage. Those possibilities no longer exist. I’m no longer on my parents’ dime, HMOs are overpriced and dysfunctional and fewer jobs offer coverage. Now I’m not subsidized by anyone. I pay cash, up front.

On a recent visit to the SCF medical center, I discovered that the annual physical we once knew has vanished.

Where we once paid a standard fee for a handful of tests to determine our general health, these tests now come with a separate charge, around $100 apiece. When I informed the receptionist that I had no health insurance I was given the phone number of a patient advocate who quoted me the price of each test I wanted, to be paid up front before I even saw a doctor. I was also informed that I’d receive a 20 percent “discount” for being uninsured.

Rather than that 20 percent being picked up by insured people, I believe the discount is given like some gas stations give discounts for paying in cash instead of using a credit card. Also, if care providers can afford to give me 20 percent off the top, they must be charging at least 60 percent too much to start with.

For all those true-blue Americans whining about carrying the deadbeats without insurance, well, I don’t think you’re carrying me anywhere. When I see my excellent local dentist, he performs a service and I pay a bill. Where is the subsidy in that?

Here’s another tip for you off-worlders currently inhabiting Polk County and writing misinformed letters to the Leader.

Barack Obama is not a Socialist or a Communist. He’s just another centrist Democrat, like Bill Clinton, with a rapidly dwindling pocketful of good ideas, continuing many failed policies of former administrations, throwing away billions in corporate subsidies and continuing wars that not enough people on this planet seem to want to end.

I’d be afraid to see your reaction to some progressive or, dare I say, radical ideas for change in government. Your heads exploding from too much thinking would be too much for me.

Kelly Green Frederic

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota I would like to thank Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota in advance for their annual double-digit premium increase that will be assessed for retirees of 3M (last year it was 19.6 percent). A small note in the news two weeks ago mentioned that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota lost two

Letters to the editor The Leader welcomes letters to the editor. Diverse and varied opinions are encouraged.

Letters are subject to being edited for length, taste and/or clarity, and we urge writers to be brief and limit their letters to 500 words. Thank you letters and/or thank you language will not be published. Writers must provide their name and give their hometown and phone number.

Only the letter writer’s name and address will be published, plus an e-mail address if requested. Content that will cause letters to be rejected include: Crude language, poor taste, disrespectful comments regarding a group’s or individual’s ethnicity, gender, religion, culture, sexual orientation or race; other incendiary language or personal attacks. Letters deemed unfit for publication on our opinion page shall not be printed elsewhere in the newspaper, including as a paid advertisement. Frequent letter writers will be published no more than once a month and will be allowed one rebuttal letter, at the discretion of the editor. Political letters pertaining to candidates will not be published in the issue prior to election day, however letters from candidates themselves may be published that week to clarify any misinformation that may have been published the week before.

major clients and their investments were down 10 percent. This will probably result in a net increase to the insured of a 25-percent or more increase for 2010.

During the past four years, my premiums have doubled while my deductible has increased 300 percent, my out-ofpocket expense has increased 250 percent, my coverage has decreased from 85 percent down to 75 percent, I have been forced to get my drugs from a higher-cost supplier or pay an additional 30 percent penalty for receiving them from my local pharmacy. I now pay 26 percent of my pension for medical costs alone. With the upcoming year, I anticipate that the premium cost will be 30-percent to 35 percent of my pension.

For 35 years I was told that my wages were suppressed due to benefits. Once retired, the benefits are considered a cost center for the corporation and as such, are quickly viewed an unnecessary expenditure. Politicians are also flocking to eliminate all pensions and retiree benefits.

David Obey stated in March of 2008 that no one in Washington is interested in employee pensions or promised benefits.

I certainly hope that the 3M negotiator and the insurance executive’s compensation plans and bonuses reflect the money being removed from the retiree’s income.

At least someone benefits. This is the way the true stimulus packages work.

If it’s any consolation, they are keeping up with Barack Obama, Amy Klobuchar, Obey and Herb Kohl’s objectives of targeting the elderly and retirees to support all the rest of the socialist programs they are implementing. Oh yeah, don’t mess with the congressional and senatorial pension of $176,500/yr. or their 100-percent-free medical, dental and eye care with no deductible, no co-pay, no out-of-pocket expense and no premiums.

Dave Wilhelmy Siren

Government has driven up cost of health care “A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, “a turn around”) is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.”

The next target for the Obama revolution is our health care. Most of what is wrong in America today can be traced by following your nose to the greasy, grubby hand of government. While the government has perfected the art of screwing things up, government at any level is structurally incapable of improving on anything that can be done in the private sector. Health care is a good example. The cost of health care and health insurance has been driven up by government meddling.

Wisconsin mandates more than two dozen different insurance coverage’s that make no economic sense to insurance companies. In order to do business in Wisconsin, health-insurance companies provide these mandated coverages and add the cost to our insurance premiums. When we get the bill we—and the legislators who are responsible for the larger bill– blame the insurance companies.

Medicare is a single-payer health-insurance program for people over 65. Currently, procedures authorized by Medicare are reimbursed to health-care providers at a rate determined by Medicare. Those rates fall short of costs and providers fold the losses they incur because of Medicare into the cost of doing business, forcing the health-care cost to increase. When costs go up, the same congressmen who shortchange Medicare providers scream at the increased cost they have mandated.

In the mid-1990s Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–HIPPA. This act had the simple goal of allowing workers to take their health insurance with them if they changed jobs. But government bureaucracies are motivated by a desire to grow the bureau-

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 9

Brightening a day Editor’s note: The following submission came from a Frederic resident who wishes to be anonymous. Although the Leader’s policy does not allow unsigned letters, the author’s wish to inject someting positive into our editorial page was so sincere we granted the writer temporary status as a Community Voice.

We've experienced such joy in our lives the past two weeks. First a family reunion, and the past weekend a grandson's wedding. Our granddaughter and friend will return to Chicago. After they left our home today, my husband and I were feeling quite melancholy, as we watched four youngsters roller blade and bike down the hill past our home.

All of a sudden one of the girls took a spill. We noticed the others rushed to comfort her. My husband suggested that perhaps some clean tissues and bandages were in order. So we immediately brought some out to them. We recalled that they were a remedy at our house as we raised our six sons and always made "the hurt better." They all thanked us and soon were on their way.

Sometime later they returned with beautiful, colored notes of appreciation.

Very artistic! They again returned, with cracy—not become more efficient. Shortly after the adoption of HIPAA, health-insurance costs skyrocketed. HIPAA grew to an incredible bureaucratic tangle of regulations that no one understands. In Polk County there are about 150 policies that govern the day-to-day operation of county government. Roughly 50 of them were necessitated by the adoption of HIPAA. It is impossible to even estimate the cost of these needless regulations nationally.

Medical records have always been confidential. The HIPAA regulations are nothing but bureaucratic overkill, and all of the cost of this nonsense is borne by health-insurance providers and health-care providers who pass the cost on to consumers.

The government could reduce healthcare costs nationally by billions if they would deny health care or any of the other benefits of citizenship to illegal immigrants. They should be rounded up and deported. It would be infinitely cheaper than dealing with the problems that their presence creates.

It is state and national government that has driven up the cost of health care. Now they want a health-care rationing system that will rely on a government bureaucrat to decide who deserves health care. Tell our state and federal legislators– Just say no.!!!

Bob Blake Rural Frederic

Community support The Taylors Falls Fire Department has once again shown why this is such a great place to live!

On a sunny Saturday morning, Al Rivard and a group of TF firefighters volunteered to come and check the smoke detectors and replace batteries for the people living in Cedar Court Estates.

Since this is a 55- and-older community, and our homes have 12-foot ceilings, changing smoke detector batteries can be both a challenge and a safety issue.

It is this type of community support that makes it posible for seniors to continue living in their homes. It is this type of community support that makes us glad we live here.

Cedar Grove Estates residents Submitted by Ron Schorr, president, and the board of directors Taylors Falls

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

Community Voices A citizen a handful of blackberries they had picked, and also beautiful bouquets of flowers. The next time they returned, two new members had joined them.

The little blond girl named, Morgan, carried another bouquet, and the little brunette carried a red pail with at least two cups of blackberries they had picked. I believe the second girl was named Julia.

We'd like to thank the six beautiful, sweet, well-mannered children for making two senior citizens feel "all better." Namely, Morgan, Gavin, Sophie, Sydney, Cleo and Julia.

We want you to know that the cards you made for us are displayed on our refrigerator with magnets.

Your beautiful bouquets of flowers adorn our kitchen table in a simple vase, and we had ice cream and blackberries for dessert this evening.

Your parents must be very proud of you. You really brightened our day!

Wisconsin tribe thinks it’s nearing official status BROTHERTOWN - A representative for the Brothertown Indians says he expects to find out this week if they’ll become the 12th federally recognized Native American tribe in Wisconsin.

Darren Kroenke says the Brothertown have been in the state since the 1830s, and applied for recognition decades ago. He says federal investigators have visited in the last few months, to look over documents supporting their case. He says tribal leaders think this is the closest they’ve come to winning recognition.

Kroenke says the Office of Federal Acknowledgment first said it’d announce its decision June 23, but then pushed it back a month. He says he considers that a positive sign because if the preliminary decision was going to be negative, it would’ve been handed down according to the original schedule, “without much ado.”

There are about 300 other tribes seeking federal recognition. The status allows them to get money and support through government programs, such as Indian Health Services. Kroenke says that would help the Brothertown’s 3,400 members. He says several local tribes including the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans, the Menominee Nation and the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin have written him, to show support and to welcome them if they get recognition. He says there are always political issues at play such as gaming.

But he says the Brothertown’s size isn’t about to pose any threat to any other tribal community. For him, he says, “it’s more an act of historical justice in terms of reinstating our recognition.”

The state Department of Administration says no one can comment yet on what happens on the state level, should the Brothertown win federal recognition. The tribe owns less than an acre near Lake Winnebago. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Brian Bull)

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PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

Assembly expands rights for veterans and their families

Wisconsin made history in June by enacting the state budget on time for the first time since 1977. No budget is ever perfect, and in the face of a $6.6 billion deficit, we made tough choices every step of the way. While deep cuts were made, one priority upheld in the budget was the protection and enhancement of services for Wisconsin’s dedicated military members and their families. With roughly 3,600 Wisconsin National Guard members serving overseas to ensure the freedom and safety of all Wisconsinites, it is important that we do not forget about these honorable servicemen and women while they are away and those that they must leave behind.

The 2009-2011 budget contained a provision proposing a 1-percent across-the-

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Help Wisconsin veterans

ach day, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by our men and women serving in the armed forces. Whether it is the soldiers currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan or some other location around the globe, or one of the thousands of veterans who have served in previous conflicts, we owe these brave veterans and their families a debt of gratitude and so much more.

Wisconsin has a number of programs to help veterans with issues such as job training and placement, home loans, life insurance, and housing costs. In addi-

board cut to Department of VetAffairs. eran’s However, this cut was eventually removed from the budget so that services provided to veterans, active members and their families alike could be continued at Ann their current capacHraychuck ity, but also improved. Another 28th District budget provision makes it possible Assembly for Wisconsinites to make contributions directly to the families of active military members by checking a box on their tax forms, which will then send a portion of their tax refund to the Veterans Volunteer Fund.

The Assembly also passed three bills supporting Wisconsin’s veterans, which

were signed into law by Gov. Doyle on July 20. Senate Bill 75 and Senate Bill 76 require the governor to issue a proclamation asking the public to remember and thank the veterans of the Korean War on July 27th and the Vietnam War on March 29th respectively. Designating days of remembrance is a small but important gesture to ensure that we never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. For this reason I opted to sign on as a co-sponsor and vote in favor of both of these bills.

The final bill passed by the Assembly and signed into law was Senate Bill 39, which expands the Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant Program. To qualify for the program under the old law, veterans or the unremarried spouse and dependent children of a deceased veteran must have a household income that is 130 percent of the federal poverty level or less.

Additionally, their liquid assets, including bank accounts, stocks, retirement account funds and cash value of life

insurance cannot total over $1,000.

Many veterans carry a small life insurance policy to cover the costs of their burial, which they would be forced to cash in to qualify for the program. No veteran should have to choose between a life insurance policy that will allow them to be laid to rest with dignity and basic expenses like health care. These guidelines were amended to exclude the value of one’s life insurance policy from being included as part of their liquid assets total.

While it is crucial that we continue to act in a fiscally responsible manner, it is also important that we do not cut programs providing aid and services to those protecting the freedoms we all enjoy today.

If you would like more information on this issue, or have other legislative concerns, please feel free to contact me tollfree at 888-529-0028 or by e-mailing me at Rep.Hraychuck@legis.wisconsin.gov.

tion to degree programs like VetEd and the Wisconsin and federal GI Bills, the Retraining Grant program serves unemployed and underemployed veterans and provides up to $3,000 per year for educational or on-the-job Sheila Harsdorf training.

Also, the Home Mortgage and Im- 10th District provement Loan Senate Program and the Personal Loan Program (PLP) exist to help veterans obtain

and finance homes. Primary Mortgage Loans have interest rates generally lower than other 30-year mortgages and can finance up to 95% of the purchase price of an existing home. The PLP offers loans up to $25,000, which veterans can use for any purpose.

Eligibility for these and many other programs is open to both recent and long-time veterans. Additionally, if a veteran has a service-related disability, he/she has access to other programs.

Generally, establishing eligibility requires a veteran to be a Wisconsin resident and have served in active duty in the armed forces. Specific eligibility information is available online at: http://dva.state.wi.us/eligibility/ or via toll-free phone at 800-WIS-VETS

(947-8387).

Many veterans find that working with their local Veterans Service Office is the easiest way to learn and apply for available programs. County Veterans Service Offices in the 10th Senate District are located in Menomonie, Siren, Ellsworth, Balsam Lake, and Hudson; with a Tribal Veterans Service Office in Hertel. Contact information for local offices is available at the following link: http://www.wicvso.org/ .

A booklet of state veterans benefits can also be found online at http://dva.state.wi.us/PA_Benefits_bo oklets.asp. If you are interested in a hard copy, please feel free to contact me by calling 800-862-1092 or 608-266-7745.

Senator’s birthday Sen. Sheila Harsdorf turned 39 years old – again. Harsdorf celebrated her birthday on July 25 in River Falls. Pictured with Harsdorf (center) are local attendees (L to R) Jan Anderson, Webster; Maude Dahlberg, Grantsburg; Bonnie Anderson, Frederic and Mark Dahlberg, Grantsburg.

Harsdorf, in the style of comedian Jack Benny, said she will now and forever hold at 39. - Photo

by Wayne Anderson

Obama’s military is spying on U.S. peace groups

Anti-war activists in Olympia, Wash., have exposed U.S. Army spying and infiltration of their groups, as well as intelligence gathering by the U.S. Air Force, the federal Capitol Police and the Coast Guard.

The infiltration appears to be in direct violation of the Posse Comitatus Act preventing U.S. military deployment for domestic law enforcement, and may strengthen congressional demands for a full-scale investigation of U.S. intelligence activities, like the Church Committee hearings of the 1970s.

Brendan Maslauskas Dunn asked the City of Olympia for documents or emails about communications between the Olympia police and the military relating to anarchists, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) or the Industrial Workers of the World (Dunn's union).

Dunn received hundreds of documents.

One e-mail contained reference to a "John J. Towery II," who activists discovered was the same person as their fellow activist "John Jacob."

Dunn told me: "John Jacob was actually a close friend of mine, so this week

now a professor of politics at has been pretty difficult for Mount Holyoke College, was a me. He said he was an anarmilitary intelligence officer. He chist. He was really interested recalled: "In the 1960s, Army inin SDS. He got involved with telligence had 1,500 plainclothes Port Militarization Resistance agents watching every demon(PMR), with Iraq Vets Against stration of 20 people or more. the War. He was a kind perThey had a giant warehouse in son. He was a generous perBaltimore full of information on son. So it was really just a the law-abiding activities of shock for me."

American citizens, mainly "Jacob" told the activists he Amy was a civilian employed at Goodman protest politics." Pyle later investigated the spying for two Fort Lewis Army Base, and congressional committees: "As a would share information about base activities, which could help result of those investigations, the entire PMR organize rallies and protests U.S. Army Intelligence Command was against public ports being used for abolished, and all of its files were troop and Stryker military vehicle de- burned. Then the Senate Intelligence ployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. Since Committee wrote the Foreign Intelli2006, PMR activists have occasionally gence Surveillance Act of 1978 to stop engaged in civil disobedience, blocking the warrantless surveillance of elecaccess to the port. tronic communications."

Larry Hildes, an attorney representing Reps. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., Rush Washington activists, says the U.S. attor- Holt, D-N.J., and others are pushing for ney prosecuting the cases against them, a new, comprehensive investigation of Brian Kipnis, specifically instructed the all U.S. intelligence activities, of the Army not to hand over any information scale of the Church Committee hearings, about its intelligence-gathering activi- which exposed widespread spying on ties, despite a court order to do so. and disruption of legal domestic Which is why Dunn's request to groups, attempts at assassination of forOlympia and the documents he ob- eign heads of state, and more. tained are so important.

Demands mount for information and The military is supposed to be barred accountability for Vice President Dick from deploying on U.S. soil, or from Cheney's alleged secret assassination spying on citizens. Christopher Pyle, squad, President George W. Bush's war-

rantless wiretapping program, and the CIA's alleged misleading of Congress.

But the spying in Olympia occurred well into the Obama administration (and may continue today). President Barack Obama supports retroactive immunity for telecom companies involved in the wiretapping, and has maintained Bush-era reliance on the state secrets privilege. Lee and Holt should take the information uncovered by Brendan Dunn and the Olympia activists and get the investigations started now.

••• Denis Moynihan contributed research to this column.

••• Amy Goodman is the host of “Democracy Now!,” a daily international TV/radio news hour airing on more than 700 stations in North America. Her column’s appearance in the Leader is sponsored by the local group, The Gathering, an informal group of people of diverse ages, experience, and philosophies who meet every other week at a member's home for silent meditation and lively discussions about peace, justice, spirituality, religion, politics, environment, global cultures and humanity. “We have a deep concern about how religious ideals affect society.

Therefore, we are also interested in politics and in causes and programs, which will benefit our community,” says a spokesperson for the group.

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 11

Grantsburg watercross director says no more short fireworks shows

by Priscilla Bauer GRANTSBURG – Grantsburg watercross Director Duke Tucker says this year’s shortened fireworks display won’t happen again.

Tucker promises the 2010 watercross fireworks will go back to the tradition people have come to expect and the show will be bigger and better than ever.

“Other than the fireworks, this year’s event as a whole was very successful,” Tucker was quick to point out.

He went on to say people really look forward to the Saturday night fireworks and this year’s display failed to provide the show people were accustomed to seeing.

“The show usually lasts 40 to 45 minutes long and for years has been considered one of the best displays in the area, but this year was the exception,” said Tucker.

The Grantsburg Youth Hockey Association took over the watercross event from the Grantsburg Lions Club three years ago and has since added more activities to the weekend-long event while continuing the tradition of a huge Saturday night fireworks display.

“The hockey association is committed to providing the best show around and this year it just didn’t work out that way.

It’s very disheartening,” said Tucker.

Also traditional at the fireworks is having volunteers go through the crowd with buckets to accept donations to help defray the fireworks costs. Tucker said this usually happens during a break in the show, but due to the shorter display volunteers did not even get through the crowd before the show was over.

“We had an agreement for a 40 to 45

minute show with a short break for volunteers to make their way through the crowd with their donation buckets, but the entire show ended up being only about 19 minutes total. People are very generous to contribute because it has always been a great show. But this year it didn’t work out that way for spectators or for us. With the show being so short we didn’t even have time to get through the crowd,” said Tucker.

Tucker went on to say the entire watercross committee was really disappointed with the length of the show. “It was not so much the quality as the quantity,” Tucker explained.

“We had great shows for the past two years with Paul Stavne,“said Tucker. “He did a nice job for us but is no longer in the business.”

Tucker said a new company was hired to put on this year’s show but expectations for the same quality display as in previous years weren’t met. “We feel we got short-changed this year. It’s hard when you are paying a lot of money and not getting what you want.”

Plans for next year’s watercross event and a guaranteed spectacular fireworks display are already in place said Tucker.

“We are going back to the crew who ran the fireworks show so well for 25 years.”

Tucker said after this year’s show he received a phone call from Tom Bowers who, with Larry Larrabee and their crew, put on the fireworks successfully for 25 years.

The group retired three years ago but after seeing this year’s show Bowers offered to come back and do the show again.

“The hockey association is going to

Rotary appreciation

take them up on their offer. We are all really happy and excited to have them back,” said Tucker. “We are going back to the tried and true, to the volunteers who really had their hearts in the show.”

“The bottom line is when you take a look at what the volunteers do, you see they really are the heart of an event like the watercross. Volunteers are so much better than someone you pay because they believe in what they are doing,” said Tucker.

These guys always put everything into

Habitat Home No. 17 started

Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity has begun building its 17th home. The home is being built in the Lofty Pines subdivision of Siren. The preliminaries are well under way: the lot has been cleared, forms laid and plumbing and water lines laid. After hot water tubing for the in-floor heat system is laid, concrete will be poured and will need to cure. The wall-raising is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8, at 8 a.m., and volunteers will be needed then for the big job of placing the walls and rafters. There are many ways volunteers can help other than with the build, for example, lunches are needed for workers. To join in this meaningful and rewarding work, please call 715-349-7477. – Photos submitted

New Siren PD assistant starts

On Thursday, July 23, Ken Kutz (L), the 2009-2010 president of the Siren/Webster Rotary Club, presented appreciation plaques to 2008-2009 club President Mike Kornmann and to Nancy Jappe, the club’s secretary from the time the club chartered in March 2003 until June 30 of this year. Kutz and Gail Potvin, as secretary, took on their new responsibilities as of July 1. – Photo submitted

the fireworks show and you just got a much better product,” Tucker said of Bowers and his crew. “Tom is very excited to be involved again and is committed to giving us a great show.”

Tucker is inviting everyone back for next year’s watercross fireworks and promises it will be back to the tradition people have come to Grantsburg for years to enjoy.

“We are going to rekindle the show, and it will be bigger and better than ever.”

Lenee Tudahl, Frederic, is the new assistant at the Siren Police Department. Prior to coming to Siren, she worked as a legal assistant. Tuesday, July 28, was her first day on the job. – Photo by Nancy Jappe

Wolf Creek offers VBS, E.D.G.E. program WOLF CREEK - A vacation Bible school E.D.G.E., which stands for Experience and Discover God Everywhere, program will be held at Wolf Creek United Methodist Church at 2417 River Road.

A kickoff will be held on Sunday, Aug. 9, from noon to 4 p.m., with food and games. VBS will be held on Monday, Aug. 10, through Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

There will be songs, education, games, crafts and fun for all.

The program is open to age 4 years through grade six. Please call to register, Barb at 715-648-5328, or Donna at 715483-3112. – with submitted information

Nobel nominee to speak in Luck An eyewitness report from Gaza, Pakistan and Afghanistan LUCK – Kathy Kelly, a three-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, will be speaking at the West Denmark Parish Hall Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m., about her recent visits to Middle East hot spots including Gaza, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Kelly is a director with Voices for Creative Nonviolence, an organization in Chicago that promotes nonviolent solutions to international conflicts. She has traveled extensively in the Middle East with more than 20 visits to Iraq during the U.N.-sanctions period, bringing medicine to hospitals. She was also a member of a small delegation that was

Kathy Kelly, a three-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, will be speaking at Luck next Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m. about her recent visits to Middle East hot spots including Gaza, Pakistan and Afghanistan. – Special photo

living in Baghdad in March of 2003 when it was attacked during the shock and awe bombing campaign.

Kelly, 55, is trained as an educator and had been teaching in high schools and community colleges in the Chicago area.

In 1991 she began a career as an international observer/activist when she joined a camp on the border of Iraq and Saudi Arabia during the run up to Desert Storm. Since then she has been in war zones in Haiti, Bosnia, the West Bank, and Lebanon during the Israel/Hezbollah war in 2006. She is noted for her reports on how civilians and especially children are affected by warfare.

While her writings have been published in newspapers and periodicals all over the world she is much more than a reporter. In the tradition of Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King she has

participated in countless marches, fasts, and civil disobedience for which she has served several sentences in federal prison. For her work in the field of active nonviolence Kelly has received dozens of awards and honorary degrees from organizations and universities all over the United States.

Several local residents have accompanied Kelly into war-torn areas including Mike and Ollie Miles and Dan Pearson, who are graduates of Luck school. The program at West Denmark will begin with a potluck at 6 p.m. followed by Kelly’s presentation at 7 p.m. It is sponsored by West Denmark Church and the Anathoth Community Farm. The public is invited to attend. For more information call 715-472-8721. – submitted

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

Xcel proposal hashed over at school

Blanding residents, mayor speak

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS – The school board for St. Croix Falls met July 28 and again discussed the Xcel proposal for running the buried power line on school property with an easement the district could grant for the change in the line route from the originally agreed upon Blanding Woods Road.

The issue came to the city in December 2008, when Xcel first approached the school board after meeting with the city of St. Croix Falls and discussing the alternative to burying the line under Blanding Woods Road and running a line on the east side of the school road.

The board was then told Xcel would provide a $49,500 payment for an easement for the line and would continue the road from Maple Drive to Louisiana Street on school property and the line would be under the school road. Some time later, the proposal went to $100,000 for an easement and no new road would be built for the school.

Eventually, the negotiations became $50,000 easement, continuing the school road, and burying the line to the east of the school road, as reiterated by Xcel at the July 28 meeting during discussion.

While Xcel indicated to the school that June 15 was their deadline to have the easement and informed the school they were proceeding down Blanding Woods Road, Xcel stated that the previous negotiation was still on the table on July 28.

The school board continued to table the issue because they felt they needed more answers from Xcel and more input from the public. School board president Mona Schmidt stated that she would rather have had a public meeting inviting the entire district to discuss and decide the issue, rather than just having a meeting with a portion of the district that would benefit, meaning just Blanding Woods Road residents. She also stated that every time the board thinks the issue is dead because Xcel has said their timeline has expired, it keeps resurrecting itself before the school board like Frankenstein.

St. Croix Falls Mayor Darrell Anderson stated that the reason it keeps coming back is because he keeps telling Xcel to come back because he felt the school would vote in favor of this as the best solution and he wasn’t going to give up on it. He also reiterated what he said at the city council meeting the previous evening to the board and residents in attendance, “There are people who think

the school is the bad guy or that Xcel is the bad guy. This whole idea is mine. It came from talking with constituents and public works for the city about that area and I felt that there was a better solution.

I take full blame for this idea, and it’s one I’m not giving up on. The council voted unanimously last night to support this route on the school. We are by no means telling the school what to do. We also wanted you folks to know that the city has hired an engineer to oversee the project because we feel that is prudent to do so, whether it goes on school property or on Blanding. The engineering costs will be paid by Xcel, which may be a surprise to them, but it is under our ordinance for planning.”

Xcel Energy’s Trudy Poppenhagen asked if there were any concerns the board had that perhaps the representatives from Xcel who were present could answer. Board member Ken Stensven stated he wanted something in laymen’s terms about the EMFs (electromagnetic field). There was also a concern about the mediated settlement agreement and its integrity if a third party such as the school were to get involved. According to Mayor Anderson, the attorney from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission has indicated to the city that if the school entered as a third party to change this portion of the line, the agreement is not affected and does not become null and void.

As far as the EMF concerns, Pam Rasmussen of Xcel stated that when a line comes through communities the biggest concern is childhood leukemia from people because of the EMFs. She stated that the EMF ratio is calculated by the voltage line, and distance from the center of the line as you go out. She stated that the EMFs drop off like a bell curve from the where the line is located going outward.

She also said she does not have evidence to support that EMFs cause cancer or don’t.

Stensven said the EMFs was a concern and a reason why the board thought the line should be buried under the road rather than to the east because kids walk along the side of the road. He also stated it was to protect the foliage of residents on Blanding Woods to keep that buffer from their property and the schools in tact and be good neighbors. Xcel explained that the foliage would not be disturbed if at all possible if the line went to the east of the school road.

Board response tied The board was at a divided standstill on the issue with two members publicly stating their support and two publicly

U.S. Bank donates to HSBC

Lore Quinn, director for the Humane Society of Burnett County, accepts a grant check from U.S. Bank representative Katie Smith. – Special photo

stating their opposition to the line running on school property. One board member was absent. After hearing the public’s concerns, the board had a chance to respond. Mona Schmidt was the first to speak and had a lot to say. She first stated that she was trying to weigh in all the public comment before speaking. She then said that when the proposal first came to the board, the school budget is tight and with the easement fee that the school could receive, she thought it was a good thing and was in favor of it.

“We had a parent come in and explain to us the agreement signed by the four parties and we knew nothing about it before then,” said Schmidt. “Why didn’t Xcel disclose that with us? We felt Xcel was not being upfront and that was a concern to me. Then the road we were promised was changed to not getting a road and it was like they were back pedaling.”

She continued by addressing Mayor Anderson’s comment saying the school was not the bad guy. “We feel like we are being put in that position. I have heard from people who are not in favor of this and it goes beyond this community. We have open enrollment here and I have had parents call me that have their children open enroll here saying if we put this line in, they will pull their kids from the district. This could impact us for years to come. I had a complete turn around. I was in favor of this, but changed my mind after being pressured.

I’m on the board for the kids, not anyone else and I think it (the line route) should stay the way t was agreed to on Blanding Woods Road.”

Board member Max Fehrenbacher was the next to speak. He stated, “I know where you are coming from Mona, but I think it was always an option. I don’t think anyone let us down. The school has had a history of working with the city for the better of the community. I personally am for it. I have had all my questions answered.”

Public interjections Blanding Woods Resident Phil Peterson asked if he could comment. He stated that the school board should not feel like the lone ranger on being left out.

He indicated that the first he had heard of the line coming down Blanding Woods Road was when the district sent a letter indicating they were approached

by Xcel to run the line on school property as an alternative. “The school is not the bad guy,” he said.

Schmidt then clarified the Blanding Woods Road route asking why the residents didn’t know, and why that was the

route chosen for the line. “I can’t imagine anyone would want to run that line down that road,” she said.

Anderson stated that he could answer why the route was for Blanding Woods.

He stated that the city made that decision. He added, he was not in office when this agreement happened, but that the city spent $150,000 in attorney’s fees to get the line how they wanted it. Anderson stated that at the time Mayor Terry Lundgren was on the committee that made the agreement and the reason Blanding Woods Road was picked was because the road needed replacement there and the city felt that the residents of Blanding Woods could get a new road and Xcel would pay for it when they buried the line there. “The problem was that the road needed to be done before the line came through, but you could call Terry Lundgren and he would tell you the same thing.”

More board comment Board member Pat Mitchell said her problem with giving the easement to Xcel is in part that the property does not belong to her as a board member, but it belongs to the district. Her other concern was the safety of the kids. “I want to be a good steward of the land, but also want the safety for the kids. The land does not belong to me. The line does not belong on school property.”

Stensven stated he felt he got the answers to his questions about the EMFs and stated that he felt Xcel was upfront, with the exception of the mention of the mediated settlement agreement. “But other than that, I have no concerns,” he said.

Issue unresolved The board agenda was not properly noticed with June 28 as the date, rather than July 28. Schmidt said the board contacted their attorney and the intent was to vote on the issue and settle it that evening. However, they have one board member who was absent, and the board vote would have been split. She also said that the attorney indicated if there were a discrepancy in the agenda (wrong date) he would not recommend them taking action at that time. The next board meeting is Aug. 11, and the public was told they were welcome to come at that meeting because no decision would be made until then. The timeline the city gave Xcel for this issue to be resolved one way or the other was Aug. 15, so the school board’s meeting does fall within that guideline.

Fire destroys rural Frederic home

The Frederic Fire Department was called to a house fire at 4:17 a.m. Sunday morning, July 26. The Nancy Blum home was fully engulfed when the fire department arrived, and they were unable to save the structure. A nearby garage was unharmed. Frederic Fire Chief Brian Daeffler said Tuesday the cause of the fire is unknown and is still under investigation. No one was home when the fire was discovered, Daeffler noted. The home was fully engulfed with flames when firefighters arrived at the scene. The Luck Fire Department assisted in fighting the fire. - Photo by Sherill Summer

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 13

L O C A L

H E A D L I N E S

Bear-human encounters increasing in number and aggressiveness NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN - Bear encounters this year have been dramatic.

In La Crosse, a black bear was cornered and shot. In Siren, a pregnant woman was attacked in her home.

For some locales, bears are regular visitors. The Twin Lakes RV Resort near Hayward usually has half a dozen bears trapped and moved from its premises every year. But owner Bryon Schoeder says while no one has been hurt yet, there are more and more incidents each year. He had one bear at his home this spring that broke through the glass door and screens on his porch, to eat some watermelon. Schoeder says he and his 100-pound Lab were screaming and yelling at the top of their lungs and were just five feet away from it.

“It didn’t really care,” he recalls In the case of last month’s incident in Siren, the

Bigfoot?

woman and bear surprised each other at her home. Department of Natural Resources wildlife specialist Paul Peterson says the bear ran her over, knocked her down and took a swipe at the woman as she covered her stomach.

That bear is still at large.

Peterson says the Wisconsin bear population has increased six fold since the 1980s, from 5,000 to 30,000.

And people continue to build homes deeper into the northwoods, which he says presents bears with all sorts of new, good smells coming from garbages, grills and kitchens.

Black bears can smell food a quarter of a mile away.

Peterson says people should never feed the animals.

Schoeder says more bear hunting permits should be issued this fall. - Wisconsin Public Radio (Mike Simonson)

Drought ravages farms up north COLFAX - Farmers in northern Wisconsin are coping with the effects of five straight years of drought. Some are worried about how their crops will hold out and if they’ll make a profit.

The State Climatology Center says so far this year, rainfall up north is more than 6 inches below average.

Ray Dreger farms 400 acres of corn and soybeans in Colfax. He says that drought conditions year after year are drying up ponds and subsoils. There hasn’t been enough moisture over the winter or early spring to replenish the subsoil, so farmers are very reliant on what kind of surface rain that’ll come in the growing season.

He calls that a “dangerous situation.”

Farmers are installing irrigation systems, and using heartier hybrids of plants that weather drought better.

But both of those solutions have high start-up costs.

Dreger says when a farmer’s crop goes bad, they rely on federal crop insurance to keep them going for another year. Those proceeds are used to purchase inputs to put the crop in for another year, but there’s nothing left for profit or to improve the farmstead, homestead or even purchase new equipment.

But Dreger says that not all is lost for this year’s growing season. Corn is just beginning to pollinate in the northern areas of the state, and if a good rainfall comes in the next week and a half, the corn yields should be almost normal. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Madeline Nordholm)

Local photographer Orv Volkmann submitted this photo, with the caption, “What do you think?

Bigfoot?” – Photo by Orv Volkmann

PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

Polk County budget process at stalemate

Week of meetings leads to deadlock

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – After a series of meetings last week, the Polk County 2010 budget process is still a month behind.

The week started with the Tuesday, July 21, meeting of the executive committee to set guidelines for the budget.

That meeting, which should have been held by June 15, according to county policy, issued few directives.

Several department heads expressed unhappiness with that meeting. The county board also met July 21and defeated the vehicle tax (wheel tax), one of the few sources of new revenue for the county.

The finance committee held a long meeting Wednesday, July 22, with several department heads in attendance.

The four and a half hour meeting finally led to a set of motions on the budget, including a directive to the personnel committee to recommend ways to lower employee expenses.

The personnel committee met the next day, Thursday, July 23, and turned the issue back to finance, stating that there was a lack of clarity in part of that committee’s plans. Personnel called for a joint meeting of the two committees to iron out issues.

That joint meeting will be held this Wednesday, July 29. All budget items are on the agenda, including a closed session to discuss bargaining strategies with the unions.

The original county budget calendar

called for the two committees to meet in joint session to review proposed staffing plans the week of Aug. 3. Now those staffing plans are not even due until Aug. 13, with the proposed reviews to start the week of Aug. 17.

Polk County is facing a projected $3 million shortfall in its 2010 budget.

Comments from some department heads The executive committee inaction drew comments from several department heads who attended the finance and personnel meetings.

“There was not a lot of direction yesterday,” finance director Tonya Weinert said. “It would have been nice for the county board to go on record.”

“We need some figures to start (the budget planning) with,” public health director Gretchen Sampson said. “We

$1 million cut in personnel costs, no increases

Polk finance committee sets budget guidelines

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – The Polk County Finance Committee agreed on a set of guidelines for the 2010 county budget at its meeting Wednesday, July 22.

The committee spent four-and-a-half hours working on ways to solve a projected $3 million shortfall for the coming year. The committee recommendations will be used by the county departments as they start to prepare budget requests for the coming year. That process is several weeks behind schedule.

The guidelines will require the departments to cut into their operations, including reductions in personnel costs.

The committee also made a commitment to fund capital projects, but at a lower level than projected. The guidelines came in the form of a series of motions.

First, all departments will be given the same levy dollars they received for 2009.

That means that each department must adjust its budget to absorb wage increase of about three percent, including benefits. Increased operating costs must also be covered by present year funding.

Second, the county will not cover any decreases in revenue from state and federal sources. Many county services are partly paid for by these outside funds.

This action means that if state funding is cut, that service must be cut.

Third, the personnel committee is asked to find a million dollars in person-

nel savings. Those savings could come in forms ranging from furloughs, cuts in benefits, reduced hours and other modifications up to actual staff cuts and layoffs. The personnel committee has been directed to start the process of negotiating contract modifications with the unions.

While adopting these guidelines on reducing department expenses, the finance committee made a commitment to fund $1.5 million of the projected $2 million in capital projects for the coming year.

Much of that amount is to fund the levy portion of the county’s six-year road improvement plan, now in its third year.

Four of the five finance committee members, Gary Bergstrom, Bryan Beseler, Brian Masters, and Mick Larsen, worked with finance director Tonya Weinert to arrive at these guidelines after a long discussion. Nine department heads sat through the meeting.

Weinert started the discussion by noting that the executive committee had not offered much direction to the committee.

She went over a list of decreases in county revenues, including lower amounts from the sales tax and interest, and increased costs for contracted wages, health insurance, and inflation.

Adjusting for a two percent levy increase, these items amount to a shortfall of $1 million. That plus the $2 million in capital projects equals the $3 million total the county needs to cover.

Discussion was wide-ranging. It was noted that across the board percentage cuts could not be absorbed by some

small departments and that departments had made deep cuts last year to stay within the levy limits. Bergstrom noted that the county made a major cut in the highway department for 2009 to balance the budget and that money needs to be replaced to keep the commitment to the road program.

Personnel costs are said to amount to 70 percent of the county expense.

Bergstrom said the departments would need to cut their personnel expenses 11 percent to meet funding limits. If there were layoffs, he said he favored using the county reserve fund to cover the onetime cost of unemployment benefits.

Beseler noted that borrowing to cover capital costs came in last in a survey of supervisors and department heads on how to balance the budget. That, and the fact that the county board rejected a vehicle tax to raise revenue, means that cuts are the only option.

Bergstrom said that there is interest among some supervisor in adding money to hire a full-time administrator to manage the county. He said that the county needs to reduce the stress level among employees. Bergstrom also said that many managers have been doing exceptional work in difficult times and needed to be treated well. He said he would like the county to be able to grant bonuses as fair compensation for that work.

need a percentage or a dollar amount of cuts so we can initiate our planning.”

“Yesterday (executive committee meeting) was a disappointment,” said property firector Debra Peterson. “Give us numbers. I need to work on preparing my budget.”

Personnel rejects finance directive on staff cuts Wants more details on capital programs

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – The personnel committee, meeting Thursday morning, July 23, rejected the guideline from the finance committee on starting to find $1 million in employee savings.

Instead, the committee said that more details were needed on the capital improvements needs of $2 million.

Personnel said a joint meeting with finance was needed to get a clear understanding of the 2010 budget issues.

[That joint meeting is now scheduled for Wednesday, July 29.]

Committee members expressed discomfort about asking employees to make concessions to cover those capital costs.

“I don’t know what those costs are,” personnel Chair Russ Arcand said.

“We need clarification. Before we cut a million, we need to find out about the capital improvement plan. What are we really talking about?”

“The unions will ask ‘where is the money (from the employee cuts) going?,’” Human Resources Director Andrea Jerrick said. “I don’t feel comfortable talking to the unions until this is clear.”

Property Director Debra Peterson told the committee that the CIP was a list of possible projects. She said the finance director had asked for information on needs that might be coming but the departments and their governing committees had not approved the projects for 2010. Peterson said the CIP items for property are not yet in her 2010 budget.

With personnel committee members Keith Rediske, Patricia Schmidt, Gerald Newville, and Herschel Brown all asking for more details, the committee put off starting the process of cutting employee costs.

The Inter-County Leader is a cooperative-owned newspaper

Is your drinking water safe?

POLK COUNTY - Take a moment to think about how water is used in your home. Whether it’s for drinking, cooking, bathing or doing laundry, an abundant supply of clean water is an important part of a healthy home. Knowing where your water comes from and what the most common water-supply problems are in your area can help you make sure that the water coming out of your tap is safe, no matter how you use it.

Municipal water systems are tested daily. However, if you have a private well, it is your responsibility to be sure your water supply is safe. Routine testing and well maintenance will help you protect your water supply. Several public and private laboratories can conduct these tests or you can stop at the Polk County Health Department to pick up a test kit.

Test at least once a year for bacteria. Coliform bacteria is one of the most common pollutants found in pri-

vate wells and can cause many diseases. Some of the more familiar organisms include cryptosporidium, E. coli O157-H7 and salmonella. Common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramps or fever. Your children, the elderly and people with depressed immune systems can be particularly susceptible to developing illness and acquiring infections.

These individuals should try to avoid exposure to contaminated water, and their water should be tested more often.

Test for nitrate, especially if there is a pregnant woman or infant in your home. Nitrate can enter groundwater from fertilizer use, barnyard runoff and septic system leachate.

Take action if harmful bacteria or chemicals are detected in your water. Find the source of the problem, make the necessary repairs to your well, and test your

water again to be sure the problem was corrected. Keep toxic chemicals and animal waste away from your well.

Dispose of pesticides, motor oil, paints and solvents properly. Keep the area around your well cap clear. Install backflow devices on outdoor faucets to prevent water from flowing backwards into your drinkingwater system.

Clean water is a precious commodity, so remember to conserve water. Don’t waste it. Use water-efficient faucets, toilets and showerheads, and repair plumbing leaks promptly. For further information, contact the Polk County Health Department at 715-458-8500. – from Polk County Health Dept.

E-edition - this complete issue is online now. www.the-leader.net

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 15

Green Friendly Pellets opens next week

Balsam Lake business produces wood pellets

by Mary Stirrat BALSAM LAKE — By the end of next week, a small and unassuming block building in the Balsam Lake industrial park will be putting out 3,000 pounds of wood pellets each hour, around the clock.

Green Friendly Pellets, said owner Sally Goossen, will be producing the pellets for local sale, as both bedding material for animals and fuel for wood pellet stoves.

Goossen has agreements with several suppliers of sawdust, which will be trucked by the semi-load to Balsam Lake.

A vacuum-type machine will remove the sawdust from the trailer and load it into a silo on top of the building, from which it will be sent inside to equipment that holds, rotates and distributes it evenly within large holding bins.

From the holding bins, the sawdust is pneumatically moved through Plexiglass-covered tubing to the pellet mill, a “work horse,” said Goossen, that can operate 24 hours a day.

Passing through a conditioner at the top of the mill, the moisture in the sawdust is adjusted as needed, then taken into the pellet-producing mill. Local sawdust, primarily from hardwoods, said Goosseen, is ideal for wood pellets because it is relatively dry to start with.

Heat and pressure force the sawdust through holes like meat through a meat grinder, producing the wood pellets, and lignin, a natural glue-like substance in wood, hold the them together.

A conveyor belt, with air blowing up through the belt to cool the pellets, takes them from the mill to a hopper, where they can be stored until bagged.

With a press of a foot pedal, the hopper releases the pellets into bags, 40 pounds at a time. A short conveyor takes the bags through a sealer and to a waiting pallet.

Pellet heating is rapidly becoming a welcome alternative to conventional heating, said Goossen, as people are looking for more economical and earthfriendly ways to heat their homes and businesses. It is renewable, clean-burning and cost-stable, and utilizes a waste material rather than a natural resource.

“We will be taking a waste product

The finished product – wood pellets for fuel or animal bedding. Green Friendly Pellets will produce about 3,000 pounds per hour, around the clock.

Sally Goossen, owner of Green Friendly Pellets, with a handful of wood pellets in front of the pellet mill. Goossen received a Small Business Administration start-up loan to open the pellet plant in Balsam Lake.

Green Friendly Pellets is located in this building on Eagle Drive in the Balsam Lake industrial park. Shown at the front of the building is the vacuum unit that will take sawdust from semi-trailers and blow it into the silo on top of the building.

and making a useable renewable energy,” she said.

The pellets are also in demand for animal bedding. They are absorbent and longer-lasting than paper, and don’t need to be changed as often as other bedding materials.

Goossen said that she has been working a year, since last August, to make Green Friendly Pellets a reality. The idea started when friends and family began buying wood pellet stoves, and she realized the demand for pellets.

She received a start-up loan from the Small Business Administration, working with First National Community Bank in New Richmond, to cover 90 percent of her start-up costs. Goossen used her own personal resources to get the remaining 10 percent.

Eventually, she said, she would like to look into solar panels to reduce some of her energy costs.

“I’d like to use renewable to make renewable,” she said.

Grants expand school newsletter

Luck petitions to waive class size limits for SAGE funding

by Mary Stirrat LUCK — Starting this fall, thanks to two grants awarded to Luck Community Education, more people in the Luck School District will receive the school/community newsletter and they will receive it more often.

For the past two years, since the school board agreed to cut back on the newsletter to save money, only families with children in school have received the newsletter, along with several individuals who requested a copy. At that same time, the board voted to cut back publication from monthly to three times a year, including the July issue of legal notices and one each semester. The newsletter was also put on the school’s improved Web site.

Beginning next month, said community education director Amy Aguado, the newsletter will be mailed to everyone in the 54853 (Luck) zip code, and to Luck students and their families outside the 54853 zip area. There will also be three additional newsletters each year.

To minimize waste, she said, the newsletters will not be mailed to post office boxes, but a stack will be kept at the post office for those residents who use a post office box.

Part of the reason the newsletter was cut back, said district administrator Rick Palmer, was that many copies ended up in the garbage at the post office. Placing a set number of copies at the post office, rather than mailing one to each box, will help alleviate that waste.

A $1,300 grant from Ruby’s Pantry and a $1,000 grant from Polk-Burnett Operation Round-Up made expansion of the distribution possible, said Aguado at the July 27 board meeting.

These grants almost make up the additional money needed to increase distribution, she said, and the remainder that is needed will be provided by local businesses, who are being asked to take out ads in the newsletter, at a cost of $25 for a 1.5- by 3-inch ad.

“It takes the expense off the school budget,” Aguado commented.

The first new issue, being mailed out Aug. 11, will cover the months of August, September, and October. The next four issues will each cover two months.

SAGE funding No members of the public showed up at the public hearing on seeking a waiver for the class size requirement to qualify for SAGE funding, and the board voted to request the waiver.

SAGE provides state funding to help maintain small class sizes in kindergarten through third grade. To be eligi-

ble for the funding, class sizes must be kept at 15 or fewer.

Enrollment estimates for the 2009-10 school year show that kindergarten, second, and third grade are within that requirement, but first-grade numbers are higher.

There are currently two sections of second grade set for next year, each with about 17 students. This is the grade, said district administrator Rick Palmer, for which the district is seeking a waiver.

He said that he will seek a three-year waiver, to follow the students through second and third grade.

This year’s kindergarten is expected to have three sections of 13 each. Second grade will have two sections, one with 13 students and one with 14. Third grade will have the same, and there will also be a multi-age section of 13 students, a combination of second and third graders.

“I have all the confidence we’ll get the waiver,” Palmer told the board. The district has demonstrated its commitment to small class size in the past, as well as currently, he said. Last year, he said, the district received $152,000 in SAGE funding.

“It’s always been the board’s intention to go with small class size,” he said.

“SAGE is very beneficial to everyone — the kids and the teachers.”

SAGE funding is based on the percentage of free and reduced lunches pro-

vided by a school district, said Palmer.

That number has been steadily increasing, he added, and is now at 43 percent.

Other business • Work on the new computer lab in the high school media center is underway, with floor joists in and wiring being installed, reported district administrator Rick Palmer. The air conditioning unit in the server room went out, he said, and was found to be irreparable. A new one has been ordered.

• High school principal Mark Gobler reported that test scores for advanced placement classes have been received.

“It’s the best we’ve ever done,” he told the board. Fourteen tests were taken by eight students, and all but one test was passed. Advanced placement classes that were tested included calculus, psychology, and literature.

• Hot lunch prices will go up five cents each this fall, but breakfast prices will remain the same. Lunch for K-6 will be $1.90, while 7-12 will pay $2.10 and adults will pay $3.

• The retirement of Greg Netys, effective June 6, was accepted by the board.

• The board approved short-term borrowing of $100,000, which will be repaid when the second half of property tax revenue is received in early August.

PAGE 16 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

by Colleen Draxler BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES - Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your farmers market experience: Come early. You would not believe how fast the raspberries and fresh eggs sell out. Arrive first for the best selection.

Bring small bills. It is easier for the vendors to make change.

Bring your own bag or basket. Help cut down the need for plastic bags.

Ask questions. The farmers and growers enjoy explaining the benefits of new and unfamiliar varieties of vegetables, what kind of fertilizer they use and how much rain we need.

Area farmers markets: Frederic - Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, in the Inter-County Leader parking lot.

Siren - Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m., in the Siren Senior Citizen Center parking lot.

Grantsburg - Mondays, Noon to 2 p.m., at the village offices/library.

Spooner - Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., near the train museum.

Milltown - Fridays, 3 to 7 p.m., north of town on Hwy. 35.

Balsam Lake - Fridays, 3 to 5:30 p.m., in the Balsam Lake Market & Deli parking lot.

Berry delicious Plump and juicy, red raspberries are a joy to eat. Picking berries was a summer chore for us; popping them in our mouths was a summer delight. It is a wonder that any of the berries made it into the house some days. If you don’t have a berry patch in your backyard, check out growers at your local farmers market this weekend. Raspberries can be swirled into a smoothie or simmered

The farmers market report

Handcrafted baskets of all shapes, sizes and uses are for sale at the Balsam Lake Market by Phyllis Knutson of For Thee By Me Basketry. Woven rugs, honey and locally grown shiitake mushrooms, and a church bake sale are waiting for you on Friday afternoons. – Photos by Colleen Draxler into a tasty jam. Pureed berries combined with a little olive oil, sugar and white wine vinegar make a lovely sauce to spoon over grilled chicken breasts.

Mixed with a little sugar and served over cake or ice cream, raspberries are the perfect summer desert. Berries are high in vitamin C and a great source of fiber too.

For the best flavor, eat raspberries as soon as possible after picking or buying.

Don’t wash them until just before using them. Although these soft berries need gentle handling, they freeze wonderfully.

Just place them on a cookie sheet, put them in the freezer until partially frozen, about 30 minutes. Transfer the raspberries to an airtight freezer bag and return them to the freezer to enjoy all year in your favorite berry delicious recipe. Surprise your family with tasty Raspberry Cream Muffins this weekend using this

Local woman elected Legion Auxiliary department president

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with the half-and-half, just until moistened. Stir in chips and raspberries.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups threefourths full. Bake at 375˚ for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm. Yield: 1 dozen.

The busy Frederic Farmers Market has been open for a couple of weeks. Look for green and yellow beans, beets, cucumbers, new potatoes, lettuce, onions, broccoli, cabbage and a boatload of zucchini. Your baking will be enhanced with farm-fresh eggs and honey. Bouquets of lilies mixed with fragrant phlox, Veronica and cleome will be available.

Zinnias will be on hand announcing full summer.

recipe from “Taste of Home Church Supper Cookbook.”

Raspberry Cream Muffins Ingredients: 1 cup fresh raspberries 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp sugar, divided 1/4 cup butter, softened 1 egg 1/2 tsp almond extract 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 2-1/4 cups flour 3 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup half-and-half 1/2 cup white chocolate chips Instructions: In a small bowl, toss raspberries with 1/4 cup sugar; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts.

Stir up a batch of delectable Raspberry Cream Muffins with this week’s quick and easy recipe. Red and purple raspberries are ripe and ready for you at all the area farmers markets.

Walker to direct and star in “Sylvia”

GRANTSBURG - During her three daughters, two the state convention for the daughters-in-law, seven American Legion Auxiliary in granddaughters and four Milwaukee on July 24 – 26, great-granddaughters are Gayle Janson of Grantsburg Auxiliary members as well. was elected department presJanson’s late husband Bill ident. served in the Korean conflict.

Janson is no stranger to the Her father served as a Seabee Auxiliary offices. Already she during WWII. Her son, retired has held most offices in Master sgt. Matt Janson American Legion Auxiliary served during Desert Storm, Gayle Janson Unit 185 of Grantsburg and and her grandson Philip all District 12 offices. Through the years Goldman is overseas in Germany, servshe has served as first, second and sen- ing in the U.S. Air Force. ior vice president, department chaplain All seven of Janson’s children graduand historian. She has also served on the ated from Grantsburg High School. She following departments: Americanism, has 18 grandchildren and seven greatchildren and youth, public relations, grandchildren. field service, education chairman, memRetired from Bremer Bank and town ber of the leadership committee and has clerk, she stays busy at the Immaculate been a counselor at Badger Girl State for Conception Catholic Church in Grantsthe past nine years. burg, where she is a communion distribAuxiliary and military service run in utor, lector and lay leader of prayer. – the Janson family. Besides Janson’s paid- submitted up-for-life membership in the Auxiliary,

Take a garden tour

Support the Burnett Community Library

by Carl Heidel WEBSTER - Anyone with any interest in gardens, gardens of any type, has a special treat in store offered by the Burnett Community Library. Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. the library is hosting a garden tour fundraiser, an opportunity to visit nine gardens in the county for only five dollars.

The variety of gardens that will be shown is impressive. Renee Sears offers a storybook garden; Dean and Shelly Roland have a water garden and 23 varieties of lilacs; Barry and Mary Jane Stewart will show more than 100 varieties of hostas; and Joanne Grefsrud has two labyrinths and ornamental trees.

Terraced gardens can be seen at Sandy and Byron Wickman’s; perennials are the specialty at Tony Olson’s; Mary Heenan will be showing a mixture in a country setting and a rock landscape. Then there’s the mixture at Cameron Stone’s place, vegetables and dinner-plate dahlias; and Lucy Basler offers a meditation garden and stone labyrinth.

The five-dollar fee, payable at the first garden visited, will help support the library in its many activities and offerings to the Burnett County community.

For more information and to get a list of the types of gardens and driving directions, stop at the Burnett Community Library in Webster and pick up the garden tour flyer. Or if additional information is needed, call Lucy Basler, 715-866-7798.

Perennial favorite, James Walker, (shown above with Festival Theatre cofounder Carrie Classon in the 1996 production of “To See Ourselves”) has reported to rehearsal duty for Festival Theatre’s upcoming production of “Sylvia,” by A.R. Gurney. Walker will direct the play and perform the role of Greg. Joining Walker in the cast of this well-known tale are Jaclyn Johnson (as Sylvia), Marilyn Mays (as Kate) and Shawn Boyd (as Tom, Phyllis, Leslie).

“We’ve all been looking forward to this production,” says Danette Olsen, executive director of the professional theater in downtown St. Croix Falls. “’Sylvia is a play that everyone can relate to. In short, it tells the story of how much more than pets our pets can be during life transitions. It’s very funny, it’s slightly sentimental, and we’ve got a cast of ringers on board to bring it to life!”

As a member of the acting company at Festival Theatre in the 1990s, Walker earned his way into the hearts and memories of Festival’s audience with stellar performances in shows like “The Miser,” “Strangers” and “Voice of the Turtle.” Tickets for “Sylvia” are $26 for adults and $13.50 for youth. Subscribers get a deep discount through the purchase of Flex Pass packages which are bundled with either six seats or ten seats. Packages range in price from $111 to $195. To receive a 2009 season brochure, stop in at Festival Theatre or request one by phone or e-mail. Festival Theatre is located in downtown St. Croix Falls, at 210 North Washington St. For more information, to order tickets or join the Festival Theatre mailing list, call 715-483-3387 or 888-887-6002.

You may use the theater’s Web site www.festivaltheatre.org to purchase tickets or additional information. – Special photo

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 17

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

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

Leading the way into the wild

Webster native shares passion for the outdoors, hopes others will do the same WEBSTER – Webster’s Jeff Postler is a busy man during the school year. He teaches physical education at the high school and has coached the Webster boys track team for over 30 years. When school is out, Postler follows his passion for the outdoors. Since 1995, he has guided over 42 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness trips. He has guided mostly the area’s youth, as well as father/son and father/daughter combinations. At least 115 boys, four girls and 44 adults have been introduced to the wild

by Postler through a BWCA Wilderness Challenge program made possible through the First Baptist Church of Falun, where Postler is a member. Trips are an adventure into various parts of the eastern half of the Minnesota BWCAW, where he teaches youth about camping, canoeing, fishing, swimming and sometimes, jumping off rock ledges. But most importantly, he includes a short Bible study each night.

The First Baptist Church of Falun not only helps with some of the cost for the trip but nearly all of the gear necessary.

Sleeping bags, rain gear, cooking utensils, canoes and even a pocket-sized Bible are among the items provided, and Postler shares much of his own personal gear as well.

His latest trip included more than a 40mile journey that began at Saganaga Lake to South Arm Knife Lake, Alpine Lake and on to the Seagull Lake landing.

The following is a journal from Postler’s most recent journey, which he says will be his last for guiding area youth. The trip took place June 27-July 2, and those involved included group leader, Postler, adult chaperone, Ron Heinz, and boys Matt Elmgren, Josh Baer, Garrett Eichman, Brad Krause, Taylor Heinz and Greg McIntyre.

Although Postler will continue guiding four- to five-day trips, he hopes that at some point, someone will step in to fill the important role of sharing a passion for the outdoors to area youth. – Marty Seeger with information from Jeff Postler

Another successful day on the water with some nice smallmouth bass and walleye. From (L to R): Taylor Heinz, Ron Heinz, Jeff Postler, Brad Krause and Greg McIntyre.

by Jeff Postler A fellow teacher/friend at Webster High School, Rick Seume, introduced me for the first time to the BWCA Wilderness and the following year Jeff Boyum, Burnett/Polk Youth Ministry, led me, another teacher and seven at-risk students on a seven-day (57 mile) trip. I was so impressed with that trip that I began leading youth groups the next year on the same route; only making it a little shorter: about 40 miles over six days.

Over the years I have developed over 12 different routes. But it seemed only natural then for me to finish my last youth group on the same route that I began!

Day 1 About three months earlier everyone had received a 12-page handout explaining everything that they’d need to know about all aspects of the trip, ranging from what clothes and personal items to bring, what lures to bring (basically yellow and black 1/4-ounce jigs with Gulp or PowerBait 3-inch twister tails and a size 9 floating blue/silver Rapala), safety rules and concerns, daily agenda and rules of the BWCA Wilderness.

All of the boys came over to my house at 7 a.m. to get everything all packed up and organized and by 8:20 a.m. we were on our way. We stopped at Two Harbors, Minn., for fishing licenses and then we stopped at the Grand Marais Ranger Station to review a short video and pick up

The group pauses on Seagull Lake for a quick photo. Back row (L to R): Ron Heinz, Josh Baer, Greg McIntyre, Garrett Eichman and Jeff Postler. Front row: Matt Elmgren, Taylor Heinz and Brad Krause. – Special photos

the BWCA permit followed by lunch at Dairy Queen. We started paddling out of Saganaga Lake about 3:15 p.m. Our original plan was to only go 4 miles to Loon Island, but after hearing the local forecast for very high winds starting after midnight throughout the next day, I decided to try to get past American Point on the big lake before the winds picked up.

After a little confusion (took a wrong turn on an island on Saganaga Lake) I took my compass out and took a NW heading to American Point. Brad brought his own map and looked at it often as we went on our route, occasionally giving me his opinion. I just smiled and said “Follow the green canoe!”

The winds started picking up early and we had very rough waves for our last 2 miles. The boys needed a break, so we stopped on a very small island for a quick rest, but we didn’t stay long as we only had one more mile to go to make it through the west narrows. I was sure glad that the first campsite on the Minnesota side was open, so we took it and made camp. The winds were strong and we had on/off light rain, but we were still able to cook over the fire grate. I bought a new double-insulated backpack cooler which I have really enjoyed this year. We had ice for five days, keeping foods cold that I never would have even considered bringing along before.

We ate brats rolled up in tortillas for supper. We didn’t want to fight anymore waves so we gave up on any idea for fishing and just went to bed early. The winds were so strong that I’m guessing they were about 30-50 mph all night!

Day 2 With the sound of the strong winds and light rain bouncing off of our tents, we just slept in a little longer. After an extremely windy night like last night, I was glad to see that our rain tarp was not torn to pieces; the bungee cords helped it to stretch in and out without breaking.

I was very thankful also that none of the big trees blew over onto our tents! We had milk and cereal for breakfast as we watched the endless waves pounding the shoreline.

We had to stay off the lake most of the day because of the strong winds, but we were blessed with a window of time from about 1 to 3:30 p.m. where we were able to fish some small bays, but we had to be careful not to fish on the Canadian

side of the lake! I really wanted to fish Zephyr Lake, but it was not to be today.

We caught enough bass and northern for supper along with some pasta. We had a short Bible study and went to our tents.

Some of the boys were not sleepy, so they decided to do some “worm wrestling.”

As a former wrestling coach I kind of got a kick out of the idea of zipping one-self in a sleeping bag and trying to pin your opponents, but it paid a price. One of the sleeping bags had about a 16-inch tear near the zipper; so much for that idea again.

Day 3 Again cool, cloudy and on/off light rain but at least the winds died down.

We had oatmeal and cream of wheat for breakfast. We took down camp and headed out with a series of four portages to go through today (10 rods, 80 rods (equals a quarter mile) called the Monument Portage as the trail goes right down the U.S. Canadian border with stone monuments, 80 rods with a very steep hill to overcome, 120 rods walked by a very beautiful waterfall just before going into South Arm Knife Lake.

We set up camp on the second campsite on the right where I’ve enjoyed camping on three previous trips. As we were quickly setting up camp an eyesore got my attention right away; some previous camper shoved the end of a log bench in the fire grate instead of cutting a little more firewood; that really upsets me! So the boys carried a very nice new log all the way back to camp to replace it.

Garrett’s pole broke so I duct taped it together and he seemed to do fine. Also a main strap on my backpack tore loose so taking the pack in and out of the canoe became much more difficult. Next we jumped off a 10-foot rock cliff and got cleaned up a bit; wow the water was cool! Despite the continual on/off light rain, the fishing was very good. We all caught a lot of smallmouth bass but the walleyes had lockjaw! I caught a nice 19inch smallmouth and all eight of us either caught or lost at the canoe a 3-lb.-plus bass! Supper was ham and potatoes with pudding, followed by a short Bible study.

See BWCAW/ page 20

PAGE 18 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

SUMMER SPORTS INTER! COUNTY LEADER • INTER! COUNTY LEADER • INTER! COUNTY LEADER

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 L E G I O N B A S E B A L L • A M AT E U R B A S E B A L L

Bandits end season with win over Osceola

Keep Braves from a playoff spot

Extra Points

River Bandits 3, Braves 2 OSCEOLA – It was a great night for the St. Croix River Bandits as they defeated the Osceola Braves 3-2 last Sunday, July 26, knocking them from any chance of making it to the playoffs. It was the Bandits first conference win over the Braves and only the second win in eight tries over a span of three years.

Steve Siqueiros helped the Bandits get on the board first in the bottom of the second inning with a double to right field. The hit came off a pitch from Braves starting pitcher Dave Leske who was honored prior to the game as an inductee into the Osceola Braves Hall of Fame.

Siqueiros eventually made it to third on a passed ball and made it home on a fielder’s choice ground ball hit by Kyle Kahl.

Trevor Todd pitched a great game for the Bandits, going three innings without allowing a hit. Then in the top of the fourth, former Luck athlete Tyler Pilz belted a double to left-center field. He later reached third on a passed ball and tried making it home on a pitch by Todd that went into the dirt. Bandits catcher, Siqueiros, managed pick the ball up from the ground and tag Pilz out on a slide to home.

The Braves took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning when Ian Kalata drew a walk, and Pete Droher smacked a double to left-center field to score Kalata from first. Collin Lehman followed up with a squeeze bunt down the third baseline, and despite the effort from Jeff Johnson to flip the ball to Siqueiros at home, the throw came up late, and the Braves took the lead.

The Bandits tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when Siqueiros, with two doubles already in the game, hit another double to right-center field.

He scored for the second time in the game when Todd hit the ball down the

St. Croix pitcher Trevor Todd threw a great game against the Osceola Braves in the Bandits win on Sunday night. – File photo by Marty Seeger third baseline.

The Bandits took the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh inning when Gus Koecher reached first on a strikeout as the ball got passed the Osceola catcher. Koecher then stole second to get into scoring position, as Matt Vold came to the plate. Vold then hit a grounder that might have been good enough for an infield single but was played by the Braves infielder. Seeing a low throw going to first, and recognizing that the throw would be dropped, Koecher rounded third and all the way home to give the Bandits a 3-2 lead.

Todd kept Osceola in check with more solid pitching. From the sixth through ninth inning, Todd allowed just one hit, which was a two-out single in the ninth.

Todd’s compete nine-inning game featured seven strikeouts, six walks, four hits and two earned runs.

In the post-game press conference former coach Jim Rochford had this to say:

“It was great to come out here to Oakey Park and beat the Braves tonight and being the spoiler. They’ve still beat us 6 out of 8 games in 3 years, but we put together a great effort tonight, at the plate, on the mound, in the field, everywhere … except maybe running the bases. Hats off to Braves pitchers Dave Leske and Ross Benitz, who was pitching on about 17 hours rest, and still got us out, they pitched a heck of a game.

How about Steve Siqueiros though?

Here’s a guy that played for the Braves for what seems like 10 seasons but was scarcely used, especially in conference games, and he goes 3 for 4 tonight with three doubles, two runs scored, and throws out two guys trying to steal second against his old team ... amazing.”

For complete game story and stats visit the St. Croix River Bandits Web site at www.scriverbandits.com.

Grantsburg defeated by Blue A’s in their final Legion game Blue A’s 4, Grantsburg 3

by Brenda Sommerfeld GRANTSBURG – The Grantsburg Legion baseball team faced the Blue A’s Thursday, July 23, in their final game of the summer. Errors by the Blue A’s made it a close game but still ended in favor of the Blue A’s, 4-3.

The St. Croix Falls team scored three runs to start the game in the first inning.

Gus Koecher, Nick Johnson and Matt Vold each hit singles and scored one run during the inning.

Grantsburg followed with two runs in their round at bat in the first inning, Trevor Thompson and Dylan Marohn started the inning each hitting a single.

Nolan Hanson received an RBI being thrown out at first. In the second, Grantsburg came close to scoring but was caught at third trying to steal. A run

by Bert Luedke in the fourth tied the

Grantsburg Legion’s Austin Eskola bobbles the ball as Austin Whittenberger slides safely to second for the Blue A’s Legion team. – Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld game. in the seventh to win the game for the Austin Whittenberger was tagged out Blue A’s. at home preventing a run for the Blue A’s in the fourth, but Koecher scored a run

••• LUCK – Harry Severson-Dickinson, a 2009 Luck High School graduate, made a decision recently to play baseball for the University of Mary. It’s the only private, Catholic University in North Dakota, and features 19 varsity sports. The Marauders baseball team is part of the Harry SeversonDickinson Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Last season the team finished with an overall record of 12-32. Severson-Dickinson had a great high school career that featured many highlights. He led the team not only on the mound but carried the team’s top batting average.

••• LEADER LAND – August marks a busy time for teachers, coaches and athletes. The high school football season is right around the corner as the earliest day to issue football equipment is Aug. 10, and the first day of football practice begins Aug. 11. The first day of practice for girls tennis also begins on Aug. 11. The earliest practice day for girls golf begins Aug. 10. For girls volleyball and boys/girls cross county the earliest day for practice is Aug. 17.

••• MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Brewers games being broadcast on WXCE 1260 AM can be heard on the following dates and times. The Nationals at Brewers game begins at 1 p.m. on July 30. The Brewers at Padres series on July 31-Aug. 2 begins at 9 p.m., 9 p.m., and 3 p.m. The Brewers at Dodgers series on Aug. 3-5 begins at 9 p.m. each night ••• MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., – Minnesota Twins games broadcast on WLMX 104.9 FM can be heard on the following dates and times. The Angels at Twins series on July 31-Aug. 2, begins at 7 p.m., 6 p.m., and 1 p.m. respectively. The Twins at Indians games on Aug. 4-5 begins at 6 p.m. each night.

••• LEADER LAND – Local sports tidbits to share? Please contact the Leader by 4:30 p.m. on Mondays to go in Extra Points. – Marty Seeger and Brenda Sommerfeld ••• LEADER LAND – Leader Sports strives to follow the college careers of area athletes. If you know of an athlete who will be playing collegiate sports in 2009 and hasn’t been mentioned, send us an e-mail or call and we’ll take it from there. – Marty Seeger and Brenda Sommerfeld

SPORTS RESULTS DEADLINES: WEDNESDAY - MONDAY: 1 p.m. the following business day. TUESDAY: 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Missed deadlines mean no coverage that week!

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

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 19

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Viking fansto stick with traditional garb Local Minnesota Vikings fans who were relishing the prospect of wearing purple “number 4” jerseys to church on game-day Sundays had their hopes dashed when Brett Favre announced that he has decided to retire from football. As Favre said in his tear-stained press conference a couple of years ago: “I guess all good

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things…must…(sniff) come to an end.” One local fan summed it up succinctly just before he walked into a local pub Wednesday morning, declaring “Sure the Vikes won the NFC North Division championship last year with substandard quarterbacking, so maybe they can do it again with either Sage Rosenfehls or Tarvaris Jackson at the helm.”

Oh, if we could all be as optimistic as that thirsty fan.

An uncharacteristic tidbit of a personal nature This columnist generally takes great care to avoid overusage of “I, me and my” when filling this space. Hence it is with pride mixed with trepidation that I use this forum to publicly congratulate two former all-conference athletes on their marriage last Saturday. Former Grantsburg volleyball star Britta Anderson and ex-Frederic and Webster baseball mainstay Mike Ryan traversed much of Leader Land over the course of the weekend when they held their rehearsal dinner in Frederic on Friday, tied the knot in Grantsburg late Saturday afternoon, then celebrated with family

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and friends in Siren later that evening.

Mike is the second-born child of my lovely wife Peg Ryan and me, and Britta is the daughter of Renee and Todd Anderson. (Todd, incidentally, has served as the Grantsburg football program’s kicking coach). Canadian spies report that the newlyweds were able to clear customs at the border and are presently somewhere north of the U.S.-Canada boundary, safely out of cell-phone range.

And in a classic case of shameless and unabashed name-dropping, it should also be noted that Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice and former Burnett County Judge Michael Gableman was also on the scene for Saturday’s events.

in 2008 as a red-shirt freshman.

Numerous other athletic figures also sighted Among the revelers at the above-mentioned festivities were dozens of ex-athletes and coaches, most who once roamed the courts, fields and sidelines in Frederic and Grantsburg. Two of those in attendance were Grantsburg icons Conner Graves and Ryan Hansen. In exclusive (but brief and somewhat hazy) interviews, the duo confirmed that they are again slated to be the tandem tight ends for the UWRiver Falls Falcons football team in what will be the senior season for both.

Though Graves and Hansen both excelled in multiple sports, they are best remembered by many local fans for their key roles in the starting five on Grantsburg’s legendary state runner-up basketball team back in 2005.

Despite floundering, the Twins are hanging in there Local Twins fans are still shaking their heads in bemused wonder as they note that their favorite team is somehow hanging close to the division lead despite their failure to assemble any kind of winning streak at any time this season. As of this writing our Twins are two

Schmidt in BSU plans Informants working the Bemidji State University campus over in Minnesota say that former Frederic multisport star Jake Schmidt may be slated to crack the football Beavers’ starting defensive unit this coming season. Schmidt saw extensive playing time on BSU special teams

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Knock on wood— Grouse numbers look good Those who have taken advantage of our cooler-than-normal summer evenings to roam the local woodlands are reporting that this year’s ruffed grouse hatch appears to be a good one.

The dry spring apparently led to minimal nest mortality and successful brooding as the young birds are already flying nearly as strong as adults. Better yet, brood survival seems to be high with some groups of nine or 10 flying young birds still hanging with the hen. Will this mean we’re in for some fine hunting opportunities this fall?

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Washburn still solid, trade talks loom

by Marty Seeger SEATTLE, Wash. – There’s been several reports focusing on Webster native, Jarrod Washburn lately, and whether he’ll be traded to another team as the trade deadlines approach. It’s possible that Washburn pitched his final game as a Mariner Tuesday night against the Blue Jays. Washburn didn’t get the win but threw seven solid innings and held Toronto to one run. He departed the game with a 3-1 lead, but the Blue Jays came back to tie the game in the eighth off reliever Mark Lead. Washburn is still TEAM Blue Jays

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2008 Mariners 2009 Mariners CAREER TOTALS

20 20 292

5 8 106

DATE July, 28

games out of the lead after knocking off record-setter Mark Buehrle and the Chicago White Sox last night. The Twins have already hit more home runs in 100 games this season than they did in all 162 games in 2008.

This week’s trivia exercise focuses on retired New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre.

1) At which stadium did Favre break Dan Marino’s touchdown pass record?

A) Lambeau b) Metrodome c) Soldier’s Field d) Ford Field. 2) Brett shares his October 10 birthday with which Leader scribe? A) Marty Seeger b) Gary B. King c) Bernice Abrahamzon d) Gentleman John Ryan 3) When Brett is enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame it will be noted that his final touchdown pass record was set while wearing the uniform of which NFL team? A) Packers B) Jets C) Vikings Correct answers: 1) Metrodome 2) Gentleman John Ryan 3) Jets.

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posting a 4-1 record in July, and although he is aware of the trade rumors, he has told mlb.com reporter Jim Street that he’d be willing to stay with Seattle. With the way he’s been Jarrod Washburn pitching lately it seems promising, but don’t count out a chance that Washburn couldn’t become a Twin or a Brewer. The Twins recently lost starter Kevin Slowey to a wrist injury, and the Brewers are in dire need of a starting pitcher. – Marty Seeger with information from mlb.com

JARROD WASHBURN STATS: L ERA IP H 2.64 7.0 5 8 4.50 6 2.64 106 4.02

. . .

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118.0 135 62 133 109 42 1,820.2 1,804 865

ER 1

HR 0

BB 3

SO 1

59 39 813

14 11 228

34 33 553

67 79 1082

SCF wins Wannigan Days tournament

LEADER SPORTS SCOREBOARD MEN’S SLOW-PITCH Standings

Team Overall Sundown 14-2 Chell Well 13-3 Century 21 13-4 God Squad 11-6 Grantsburg Sanitary 11-6 Fur, Fins & Feathers 10-7 Pour House 9-7 Lake Lena 4-12 Shooters Bar 1 3-13 Shooters Bar 2 3-13 Da Crew 1-16 Scores Wednesday, July 22 Grantsburg Sanitary 10, Pour House 3 Lake Lena 22, Da Crew 11 Chell Well 17, Fur, Fins & Feathers 10 Century 21 13, God Squad 9 Sundown 26, God Squad 12 Shooters Bar 2 9, Shooters Bar 1 7 Monday, July 27 Pour House 16, Fur, Fins & Feathers 5 Grantsburg Sanitary 12, Lake Lena 5 Chell Well 21, Da Crew 1 Century 21, Shooters Bar 1 6 Sundown 15, God Squad 3 Grantsburg Sanitary 9, Shooters Bar 2 3

FALUN CHURCH SOFTBALL

Standings Team Overall Falun Churches 8-1 Siren Assembly 7-2 Trade Lake Baptist 7-2 Siren Covenant/Bethany 7-3 Webster Baptist 5-4 Calvary Covenant 4-5 W. Sweden/Zion Lutheran 3-6 Frederic Free 2-6 Trade River Free 2-7 Faith Lutheran 1-8 Scores Thursday, July 23 Falun Churches 10, Frederic Free 3 Calvary Covenant 17, Faith Lutheran 6 Friday, July 24 Trade Lake Baptist 15, Trade River Free 14 Siren Assembly 22, W. Sweden/Zion Lutheran 0 Siren Covenant/Bethany 13, Webster Baptist 4

St. Croix Falls was the champion of the Wannigan Days U10 baseball tournament held in St. Croix Falls. Pictured back row (L to R): Coach Johnson, Luke Clark, Coby Halstrom, Jake Murphy, Joey Schmitz, Josh Skallet, Clay Carney and Alex Johnson. Front row: Tim Fitzgerald, Nick Swanson, Sawyer Brice, Zach Clark, Noah Cameron, Tyler Henk and Nolan Leahy. Missing from photo is Katie Kopp. – Photo submitted

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Trapper education workshop coming to Crex in August GRANTSBURG – A trapper education workshop will be held at the Department of Natural Resources Crex Meadows Headquarters north of Grantsburg on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23.

First-time trappers are reminded that they are required to complete a trapper education course before buying a trapping or patron’s license.

Anyone planning on trapping otter or fisher are reminded that the deadline is

Aug. 1, and permits can be applied for before they take the class.

On Saturday the course runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an evening meal and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., with a breakfast and lunch.

The workshop is sponsored and taught by the Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Trappers Association. It is open to all persons regardless of age. Cost of the course is

$12 and includes a manual, 2009 trapping license and three meals.

Novice trappers will learn humane and efficient methods of trapping, exposure to and training with equipment, information on furbearers, preparing and handling furs, history of the fur trade, and trapping rules and regulations. Students will also get field experience setting traps and proper equipment care.

Because of space limitations and meal

counts, preregistration is required. To register and receive more information about the course, contact Paul Petersen at 715-463-2896 at the Crex Meadows Headquarters or 715-472-2633 after 5 p.m.

Lodging at the Meadows bunkhouse is also available for those needing to spend the night. Check with Petersen about the sleeping accommodations. – from the DNR

Antlerless tags go on sale in mid-August STATEWIDE – The Wisconsin DNR says that deer hunters who want to take an antlerless deer this fall can purchase a unit-specific antlerless (bonus) tag on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $12 each for residents and $20 each for nonresidents.

Antlerless tags for even-numbered regular deer management units will be sold beginning at noon

on Saturday, Aug. 22, but will not be sold on Sunday, Aug. 23. Antlerless tags for odd numbered regular DMUs will be sold beginning at noon on Sunday, Aug. 23. DMUs with remaining antlerless tags available will resume sales on Monday, Aug. 24, until sold out or until the hunting season ends. The first-come, first-served system replaces the hunter’s choice application process, which was

Youth in the Outdoors coming to Coyland Creek FREDERIC – On Saturday, Aug. 8, Coyland Creek is once again opening their doors for the third-annual Youth in the Outdoors Day. All area youth are invited to share the experience and continue the tradition known as the outdoors through a series of events taking place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Events taking place include outdoor crafts and painting, outdoor demonstrations from several outdoor area businesses, educational demonstrations, shooting and fishing activities, an archery shoot, rock climbing wall, a

DNR search dog demonstration, fly fishing and much more.

Admission is free, and door prizes will be awarded throughout the afternoon. A range of activities is targeted to kids from the ages 3-12. A free lunch will be served to the kids, while food is available to purchase for adults.

Coyland Creek is located eight miles from Siren on CTH B or eight miles from Lewis on CTH E. For more information please contact Kelsie at 715-6534273 or visit www.coylandcreek.com. – submitted

last used in 2005. Hunters will be limited to purchasing one unit-specific antlerless tag per day.

Hunters are encouraged to purchase their 2009 Wisconsin gun or archery deer-hunting license first, before the day they purchase their bonus antlerless tags. Hunters may purchase deer-hunting licenses and antlerless tags at any DNR licensing location or online.

Archery deer hunters will automatically receive one free antlerless tag,

Great Northern Outdoors Thursday Bass Fishing League Week 12 1. Adam Bistram, 4 lbs., 2 oz.

2. Aaron Long, 3 lbs., 2 oz.

3. Kirk Miller, 3 lbs., 1 oz.

4. Al Briese, 2 lbs., 8 oz.

5. Adam Memmer, 2 lbs., 6 oz.

6. Mark Wiehl, 2 lbs., 4 oz.

7. Rob Buchholz, 2 lbs., 3 oz.

8. Shawn Hutton, 2 lbs., 2 oz.

9. Bryan Cox, 2 lbs.

10. Troy Olson, 1lbs., 13 oz.

11. Bruce Dau, 1 lbs., 9 oz.

12. Tim Hutton, 1 lbs., 1 oz.

12. Vern Knauber, 1 lbs., 1 oz.

Standings 1. Aaron Long, 39 lbs., 12 oz.

2. Rob Buchholz, 36 lbs., 6 oz.

3. Troy Olson, 34 lbs., 8 oz.

4. Adam Memmer, 32 lbs., 15 oz.

5. Al Briese, 22 lbs., 10 oz.

6. Tim Hutton, 22 lbs., 10 oz.

7. Shawn Hutton, 21 lbs., 12 oz.

8. Bryan Cox, 20 lbs., 6 oz.

9. Vern Knauber, 19 lbs., 10 oz.

10. Marc Wiehl, 18 lbs.

11. Kirk Miller, 17 lbs.

12. Aaron Bistram, 16 lbs., 13 oz.

13.Jamie Magnuson,14 lbs., 15 oz.

14. Bruce Dau, 14 lbs., 10 oz.

BWCAW/ from page 17 Day 4 Again cold, cloudy and light rain; just like a broken record! We ate a good breakfast of bacon, eggbeaters and bagels. We went out in the rain again to fish, and we caught a lot of bass and the boys really enjoyed catching them. I got the pleasure to watch Josh catch his first 3-lb.-plus smallmouth in my canoe. We had a big fish fry along with Stovetop stuffing, honeydew melon and an oatmeal-cream cookie for supper. By now there has been a whole lot of trading going on from everything from beef sticks, pepper-jack cheese, granola bars, cran-apple cider to chocolate mints. A little later we had another Bible study.

Most of the boys didn’t have many dry clothes left, but I was impressed how well they handled the continual cold, cloudy, rainy weather. On the other hand, I was getting tired of being cold and wet and just plain frustrated with the weather, so I went to bed early to warm up in my sleeping bag. Shortly after I fell asleep the boys told me that they heard wolves howling in the distance. Then a little bit later they heard another strange noise and then one of the other boys said “That’s just Mr. Postler snoring!”

Day 5 You guessed it; cold, cloudy with light on/off showers again! We ate oatmeal and cream of wheat for breakfast and took down camp to head out to Alpine Lake. We had to go through seven short portages (25r, 15r, 15r, 15r, 38r, 25r and 45r). We saw two nice waterfalls with good water volume at Eddy Lake and Alpine Lake. I have previously ran the rapids with my last four trips both into and out of Kingfisher Lake in the past, but now there were just too many fallen trees down to do it safely, so I portaged

Making their way on another portage were (L to R): Ron Heinz, Matt Elmgren, Taylor Heinz and Brad Krause, as Garrett Eichman carries the canoe. these two for the first time!

On our last portage into Alpine Lake I decided to carry the cook pack on the front with my main pack on my back which I’ve done many times before, but I missed a step and slipped off a wet rock and landed on the cooking pack with my backpack now slipped up and over my head and all I could say was “I hope I didn’t break my pole!” My pole was OK, but I’m sure it must have been a funny sight. The boys held back their laughs on that one! I even think it was funny; that is as long as my St. Croix rod didn’t break! We camped at what used to be in my opinion, a five-star campsite on an island in the middle of Alpine Lake, before the Ham Lake fire went through. The whole area has changed so much that I actually went by it thinking “That’s not the campsite, is it?” Then we headed around the island and yes that was the campsite.

We were hoping for the sun to break through but it rained on/off again. We went out fishing after we set up camp.

Since we had plenty of fresh bass fillets

which is valid in any unit statewide, but may purchase additional unit-specific tags if they are available. Thirteen Regular units will not have unit-specific tags available for 2009, and most gun hunters will be limited to buck-only deer hunting in these units. Visit the DNR Web site for more details at www.dnr.state.wi.us.

– with information from the DNR

in the cooler, we only caught and released the bass and northerns. Before supper some of the boys went out to the big rock and jumped off a few times, but the lakes were still too cool for me. We brought two logs down to the fire grate since there was only two or three rocks to sit on. We had fish, rice and cantaloupe for supper followed with our last Bible study. Most of the boys didn’t feel like fishing that last evening. Most of them just wanted to sit down by the campfire and drink up their hot chocolate, apple cider and cran-apple cider drinks. But Ron and Brad still had the itch to catch some walleyes, so I sent them back to the portage where the river runs in by the waterfalls. I told them to stay down 40-60 yards from the portage and anchor off to the side of the current and cast Rapalas until dark. They did and they brought back six nice walleyes 19-21 inches, along with two big smiles!

Day 6 We woke up to clouds again but at least it didn’t rain much. We ate fresh

15. Adam Bistram, 14 lbs., 7 oz.

16. Cory Meyer, 13 lbs., 2 oz.

17. Dean Clontz, 8 lbs., 3 oz.

18. Tony Peterson, 7 lbs., 6 oz.

19. Micheal Clontz, 5 lbs., 13 oz.

20. Rebecca Hutton, 3 lbs., 5 oz.

21. Kathy Erickson, 3 lbs., 3 oz.

22. Ralph Britton, 0 23. Rick Hutton, 0 Big bass weekly winners Week 12: Adam Bistram, 4 lbs., 2 oz.

walleye and two oatmeal bars for breakfast. We quickly took down camp and headed out. We only had one portage, 105 rods, to do as we paddled our way back to Seagull Lake landing. I was glad that there was not much wind as we crossed Seagull Lake. Ron and I went and picked up the other vehicle near Trails End Campground and came back and packed everything up. I gave everybody a free Wilderness Challenge Tshirt, compliments from our church and we enjoyed our “victory sucker” as is my custom on my trips. We stopped at Holiday to gas up and grab some snacks before going out to Artist Point in Grand Marais, Minn., and we also stopped on our way back to show them the Temperance River. If you’ve never stopped to see it, take a 1/4-mile walk upstream; it’s truly gorgeous! Everyone was anxious to reach Two Harbors, Minn., where we devoured footlongs at Subway. When we returned to my home near Webster, we hung up all of the packs, bedrolls, sleeping bags, tarps, rain gear, etc. Then we said our goodbyes and my last youth BWCA trip was completed.

Closing comments: I plan to continue guiding four– to five–day BWCA canoe trips each summer, but I am changing gears from youth to men’s groups, father/son groups, father/daughter groups and husband/wife groups for a very reasonable price.

I’ve done my part to introduce outdoor adventures to the youth over the years and I’d sure like to see some young men and women rise up and carry on outdoor adventures in a world full of cell phones, Internet, iPods, DVDs along with four-wheelers, snowmobiles, jet skis and so on to do some activities that challenge our physical bodies and most of all encourage and develop our faith in Christ!

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 21

Paper plates and cups baked to a golden brown

by Diane Dryden SHELL LAKE — Marge Spaulding, a Burnett County resident with a Shell Lake address, moved north from Chicago almost 60 years ago.

“Harvey was one of those young men who had come to the big city to find work, and we met at the Des Plaines Bible Faith Church. After we married we moved back to his home territory to start our lives together. I can remember vividly how the roads got more and more primitive as we drove north. Pretty soon the way was hardly more than a cow trail and I couldn’t help but wonder what life held in store for me so far north in Wisconsin.” These were words Spaulding often used when she would reminisce about what a culture shock it was to leave the city and arrive in the tall north woods of rural Shell Lake, leaving family and a progressive lifestyle only to replace it with a little shack in the woods that was indeed primitive, including the absence of any kind of indoor plumbing.

But Spaulding was a hearty soul and made the best of it. She and Harvey had three children and life was a daily struggle. There was the big garden to tend, the cows to milk, but eventually she found a job in town at the new hospital and finally they reached the age where life was easier. All their kids were married and gone and Harvey’s main job was entertaining people on his late-night coon hunts. Marge involved herself with the Green Grove Church north on CTH H. “The folks were always private people,” stated Jan Melton, one of their daughters. “They kept a lot of things from us, wanting our lives to be as good as they could with no worries about them, and it wasn’t until the mid-‘90s that we started to notice some odd behavior in mom.

“I was working a 3-11 shift in Rice Lake and every day I would stop at Mom and Dad’s before I left for work in order to set up their pills for the day. With this daily contact it wasn’t long before I noticed that they were not taking their pills correctly. I was worried, so I contacted the unit on aging and they contacted Hearts of Gold, who stepped in and not only helped with their home medical needs, but they also did light housekeeping and arranged for Meals on Wheels. It felt so good to know that there was help out there and you and a caregiver are not alone. All of us kids appreciated the help and support we got from these two organizations. But even with this extra help there didn’t seem to be much improvement in mother’s condition. We started to noticed pictures that had been ripped up and thrown away because Mom no longer recognized the people and wasn’t about to keep photographs of strangers.

Sometimes she would hand us a photograph and slyly ask, ‘Do you know who this is?’ making us think that she knew who it was but we probably didn’t. We’d say yes we did know the person, and then she would ask, ‘Well, who is it?’

“Mail also went missing. Mom would rip up the bills and throw them away; the Publisher’s Clearing House letters they kept faithfully though and were actually thinking that they ‘could already be the winners.’ This really worried me because my mom, in her right mind, would have thrown those flyers away, trusting God to supply her needs.

“In 2000 she and my dad had a car accident not far from their home. The car was totaled, but they escaped without a scratch. After the accident she got progressively worse. Not only would a neighbor have to take her home when she drove the car because she couldn’t remember where she lived, but the oddities escalated to thinking it was perfectly normal to put a plastic cup on a paper plate and put the entire thing in a hot oven to bake.

Marge Spaulding, a resident of the Spooner nursing home is now in her 15th year of Alzheimer’s.

“We know how much care she needs and are grateful every day for her doctors and the excellent staff there,” says daughter Jan. — Photo by Diane Dryden “When someone would bring a meal to them she would devour it immediately, without her lifelong devotion of saying grace. Evidently their meal supplies were spotty and because my sister and brother and I were so busy in our own lives, we never realized how hungry they were. For six years both mom and dad carefully and successfully kept any information about her Alzheimer’s to themselves. What finally convinced me that Mom was getting truly odd was when I overheard her talking to another woman, saying ‘Don’t worry about meeting people. Just pretend you know them and ask them how they are and how their families are; you don’t have to even listen, but they think you are listening and caring.’ That’s what made me realize that Mom was hiding her inabilities from us and it was working; she was very good at the evasion.

“Even though Mom had a sister in Chicago who died from a 20-year battle with the same disease, they did not seek help when Mom started acting the same way.

When Mom started to wander outside and down the road in her wheelchair, Dad would simply nail the door shut.

“One day in early 2001 Mom decided to ‘go back home’ and managed to get outside the house in only her robe and slippers and push herself backwards over a quarter of mile down the road. It was a terrible day, with wet, slushy snow on the ground, and when I got to their house to check on them I knew something had to be done.”

One blessing through this all was that all three siblings were united on their feelings about their mother needing help. Their father too, eventually, but that would come later.

“We got her into Care Partners in Spooner in May of that year. We took them both there just for supper one evening and then brought them back home. They were both dead set against the idea of her living ‘in a home’ and I couldn’t think of a thing to say to convince Mom and Dad it was for the best that she stayed. While they were eating their guest supper there, my sister, Sherrie, and I dashed back to their house to pack things for Mom, and then we drove back and picked them up and took them home. When we all went back the next morning, we had everything she would need to stay with us. God gave me the words I needed to say to her and when we were in what was to be her bedroom I grabbed her hand and said, ‘Mama, I think God wants you to be a missionary to these people and I think you

Writers host fall meeting and contest

by Mary B. Olsen SPOONER — The Indianhead Writers are sponsoring the Fall Writers Meeting and Contest. This is an opportunity for area writers club members, as well as individual writers, to come together with other writers to discuss writing and marketing problems and report on the activities of their clubs. Also to provide inspiration for other writers. Unlike other fall writers meetings, there will be something new. It is a writing contest offering prizes. First prize $100, second prize $75 and third prize is $50.

To participate in the contest, the entrant must write a fiction or nonfiction prose piece, on any subject, with a limit of 50 words minimum to 1,500 words maximum.

Only one entry per person. The entry is to be brought to the fall meeting where the writer or a designated person will read it. All those attending the meeting will vote to determine the winning entries. A writer who

wishes to enter a story, article or essay, should preregister before the fall meeting. One can register at the meeting, but the writings will be read in the order of their entry. Otherwise their entry may not be read due to time constraints. Prizes are to be awarded at the meeting.

The Fall Writers Meeting and Contest will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Spooner Agriculture Station on Hwy. 70, east of Spooner. Lunch will be served free of charge. There will be door prizes and other surprises. There is no charge for admission or to enter the contest. It will be a chance to bring your books, photographs, and other work to show, sell and tell about.

To preregister, write to Indianhead Writers, Mary B. Olsen, 314 6th Ave. Shell Lake, WI 54871. Call 715-4682604 for more information or to preregister.

www.the-leader.net

should stay.’ She looked at me and agreed wholeheartedly. She had supported numerous missionaries in her life, both through prayer and giving, and now it was going to be her change to go and take the gospel.

“All of us involved in her life went through the four steps of Alzheimer’s; denial of the disease, accepting the guilt that we thought it was just old-age dementia and didn’t do something sooner, finally doing what needed to be done and then refocusing our lives with this new reality. It wasn’t long before we had to address the problem again and sign Dad into Care Partners, too.

He didn’t have Alzheimer’s, but he had dementia; his was a spotty forgetfulness. He deteriorated quickly after Mom was gone from their home in the country, and when he had a flood in the basement, it was the last straw, so he finally said that he was ready to give it all up and move into a facility too.”

Marge was at the facility for two years and Harvey for only one. “Because of their declining health both of them were moved to the Spooner nursing home, and Dad died of a massive heart attack six months later.

Mom still does not know he’s gone. We’ve learned to not tell her about anyone’s death because she grieves all over when we do, forgetting that the loss had occurred 10, 20 or 40 years previously; to her it’s current events.”

Marge is now in the last stages of her 15-year battle with the disease and is also wheelchair bound. She can still eat and swallow, and her favorite thing is the Thursday-night music. Sometimes she hums along and sometimes taps out the music with her hand.

She keeps her eyes closed all the time now and almost never knows her daughters, Sherrie with the red hair who comes to sing to her and bring her grandchildren in to sing, and Melton who is the family liaison and keeps the medical muddle straight. The girls call their mom Pretty Lady because when they refer to her as mom or grandma or anything else, she gets confused as to exactly who they think she is. She doesn’t even know her favorite child, her son Glen, when he comes down from Duluth.

“I am so grateful,” says Melton, “that Mother taught us to get along with each other. The three of us have never disagreed as to what Mom and Dad’s care should be, and now that I’m 65 I am constantly checking myself for Alzheimer’s 10 warning signs. Mom’s sister had Alzheimer’s for over 20 years, so that makes it two out of eight children in her generation that we know of with the disease. Maybe if some of the others had lived longer, they might have gotten it too; we will never know.”

If you want to know more about Alzheimer’s 10 warning signs for yourself or others, the Web site is www.alz.org/10signs, or if you want to get involved in the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk held each September starting at the Spooner nursing home, contact Joan Litwitz at joan.litwitz@alz.org or call the nursing home 715-635-2170, ext. 415 and ask for information about the walk and the memory clinic.

Meanwhile, consider these statistics; an estimated 5.3 million Americans already have Alzheimer’s and by 2010, it’s predicted there will be nearly a half-million new cases of Alzheimer’s each year.

A recent Pew research survey found that “More than half of those younger than 65 think they will experience memory loss when they are older.”

Because Alzheimer’s has become the number-one health threat of the 21st century, the September Memory Walk in Spooner is working harder than ever to raise money for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease that can affect the caregiver as much as the patient.

Registration online STATEWIDE – These days everyone is looking to save a little money. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles offers advice on how to do just that, particularly with vehicle registration renewal.

“I am continuously surprised at the number of people we see coming into the DMV customer service centers paying a $3 counter service fee to renew their vehicle registrations,” notes Kristina Boardman, director of the DMV Bureau of Field Services. “It’s more convenient and cheaper to do it online.”

Online vehicle registration renewal has a transaction fee of just $1, and can be done from home any time of day or night. “Clearly online is the way to go if you want to save time and money,” says Boardman. Registration renewal can also be mailed for the cost of a postage stamp.

DMV reminds customers that, like vehicle registration renewal, there are many other services do not require a visit to a service center and are available online at: www.wisconsindmv.gov. – submitted

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

South Milltown 4-H shares county fair projects

Greta Nelson, Polk County Fairest of the Fair, was a judge at the music, drama, dance and speaking review at Unity School on July 22. Nelson was able to see some of the music scrapbooks and dance performances while judging. Johanna Alling, South Milltown 4-H, talked to Nelson about her music experiences throughout the year shown in her scrapbook.

Members of the South Milltown 4-H met for their recent club tour. Members shared about what they are planning on taking to the Polk County Fair. Members (L to R) included front row: Gabby Khazraeinazmour and Lexi Anderson. Back: Eric Kuske, Ashley Elfers, Heather Elfers, Jenelle Larsen, Jena Alling, Amanda Kuske, Johanna Alling, Joe Larsen and Jessica Larson. Missing members were Reina Cox, Austin Donahue, Crystal Donahue, Sage Knighten, Julia Larsen, Ty Larson and Mason Nelson. - Photos by Jeanne Alling

LEFT: Jena Alling, South Milltown 4-H, showed her rabbits at their recent club tour to Lexi Anderson and Kylie. Alling has been showing rabbits at the Polk County Fair for six years.

Shown is the South Milltown 4-H fair sign.

Sami Palmquist, Shooting Stars 4-H, performed a solo at the music, drama, dance and speaking review at Unity School on July 22. Palmquist will be performing on the main stage during the Polk County Fair.

Real Estate

Eric Kuske, South Milltown 4-H, demonstrated how to latch hook to Jenelle Larsen and Jena Alling. He will be exhibiting the latch hook at the Polk County Fair.

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 23

Four local musicians perform at band shell July 30 SIREN – Four local musicians, Travis and Shane Hinze, Dennis Clay and Joe Lindberg, will play in the Crooked Lake band shell Thursday, July 30, from 7-9 p.m. Refreshments for purchase will be offered by the Wood Creek 4-H Club.

The band, Intensive Care, was formed in 1986 by lead guitarist/vocalist Travis Hinze. Playing a variety of music from the 1950s and 1960s to modern rock music of the day, the band was known for its great musicianship and memorable vocals. At one point they played three nights a week, and had to turn away offers.

In 1987 the group opened for “Star Search” winner Limited Warranty and performed live at the Minnesota State Fair. The group stopped playing after that when members joined the military, went to college or moved out of state.

In 2008, after nearly 20 years of performing with other musical groups throughout the country and with all

band members now living in Western Wisconsin, the group is back entertaining audiences of all ages with memorable hits of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Music in the Park is sponsored by the Siren Area Chamber of Commerce.

There is no admission charge. Be sure to bring a chair or blanket to sit on. In case of rain, the band will move to the Siren School Auditorium.

The band Intensive Care, featuring four local musicians, will be performing in the fourth program in the 2009 Music in the Park series at the Crooked Lake band shell in Siren Thursday, July 30, starting at 7 p.m.

The band features lead guitarist/vocalist Travis Hinze, bass guitarist/vocalist Dennis Clay, guitarist/vocalist Joe Lindberg and drummer Shane Hinze. – Photo from the group’s Web site at ineedintensivecare.com

Cookie entries due Aug. 8 SIREN – Homebaked cookies which may be used for the Cookie Brigade fundraiser are due in to the Northwoods Crossing Event Center between 9 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. The winning cookies will be chosen by a group of judges later that day.

Cookie Brigade founder Susan Hager is asking people to bake and submit cookies that were popular during five world wars, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraq. She is also

Airport expansion

asking that any stories related to the cookies be submitted.

Five winning cookies will be selected.

Those five cookies will be baked and sold at a fundraiser to be held at the Northwoods Crossing Event Center Saturday, Sept. 12.

For further information contact Hager at 715-327-4532, or online at www.cookiebrigade.com. – Information submitted

Webb Lake Carnival Aug. 8 BURNETT COUNTY - The Webb Lake Area Men’s Club and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 403 will be sponsoring a carnival on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Webb Lake Fire Hall.

There will be games for all ages including Ducks in the Pond, minnow races, golf and balloon darts. There will be a

turkey and ham shoot, raffles and the dunk tank will be in operation. Refreshments for all ages will be available.

Proceeds will go to local organizations such as local fire departments and first responders, food shelves and local youth activities. Funds are also used to maintain the Webb Lake ski trail. – submitted

The airport expansion project to lengthen the runway has begun. Heavy equipment has started digging up the ground around the southeast corner of the runway. The project is expected to be complete next spring. – Photo by Sherill Summer

Father charged with child abuse for son’s actions

by Regan Kohler SHELL LAKE – A 39-year-old Minong man was charged with child abuse for allegedly encouraging his son to attack another child.

Tuesday, July 21, a preliminary hearing was held at the Washburn County Courthouse, in which witnesses testified. The victim, a 15-year-old boy, told the court that on May 24, around 2 p.m., he was at a park in Minong with two friends. The boy who allegedly hurt him, also a juvenile, was there too, the boy said.

According to his testimony, the two exchanged some words – the accused’s son spoke first, harshly – and the son then followed the boy to the baseball field and began throwing rocks at him.

The boy said he tried to walk away after the son shoved him, but eventually he shoved back. The boy said that the son then left and returned 15 minutes later with his father, who allegedly said, “This ends now.”

In his testimony, the boy said the father began yelling at him and told him to fight his son, who took the first swing.

The boy then began defending himself, he said, and the father kept encouraging his son the whole time, saying, “Get him.

Show him how we did it up in Superior.”

The boy said that when he got the upper hand, the father made them stop and start over. It didn’t stop until the boy was on the ground in a chokehold, he said. Another adult, the father of a friend who was present, came, he said, and the other father left.

The boy said he went to a shop to clean up and realized he had serious wounds.

He was taken to the Spooner Health System by his mother and then St. Mary’s in Duluth, Minn., where he was treated for a fractured sinus cavity.

The father’s attorney, James Phelan, cross-examined the boy, asking when he spoke with a sheriff’s department deputy. The boy responded that it was

about 15-20 minutes after the father left.

When asked, the boy said that he didn’t know if the father had asked the son if he wanted to fight, but knew that he ordered him to, by the things he said.

Phelan asked when the fight began, and the boy estimated about 10 minutes from his arrival at the park to the first swing. He estimated that the fight itself lasted about seven minutes.

Phelan asked if the father ever hit him, and the boy said he didn’t lay a hand on him himself.

The boy was asked if he felt forced to fight, and the boy said yes, as the son was a larger guy, and he was afraid of what would happen later if he left.

The boy said there were about four people who witnessed the father encouraging the two to fight, including his friends and the girl who went to get her father.

It was noted in the court that according to the statement made by the boy, the

father said, “It’s not over until blood’s drawn.”

Becky Anonich, the victim-witness coordinator for Washburn County, was briefly called as a witness. She said she obtains victims medical records, and did so in this case, too. An exhibit of the boy’s medical records from St. Mary’s were presented as evidence.

There were no witnesses for the defense.

District Attorney J. Michael Bitney asked that the court find probable cause for two felonies that day. The father faced two counts: child abuse – intentionally causing harm, as party to a crime, and intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The judge found probable cause, and ordered a status conference for 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept.

18.

Each felony has a maximum penalty of six years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

Projected loss of aid puts stress on towns and villages

by Sherill Summer SIREN - Board members from Burnett County townships and villages met at the Burnett County Government Center on Thursday night, July 23, for a towns association meeting where the discussion centered on a couple of topics that promise to cause trouble for next year’s budget.

At the meeting many board members got their first look at estimated reductions in municipal aid from the state in 2010. Most townships and the county

government will receive 15 percent less aid than in 2009. This will probably mean a reduction of about $55,000 for the county government and anywhere from about $700 to $5,600 for townships, depending on their equalized values and estimated populations. The three villages will also take a hit, but not at the 15 percent amount. Instead they will see a reduction of their payment by 1.4 to 3 percent, reducing the aid payment by about $3,100 in Webster, $5,200 in Siren and nearly $6,000 in Grantsburg.

Another topic for discussion was the ambulance-service contract. With Roosevelt, Trade Lake and Dewey probably out of the county’s coalition, townships that contributed a total of approximately $46,000 toward the ambulance service for 2009, the remaining towns and villages will probably have to make up that amount or reduce the level of service in some way for 2010.

County board Chairman Phil Lindeman indicated that he will call another meeting, hopefully within a month, to go

over the options. North Memorial will be invited to the meeting.

As of Thursday night, there was no estimate on how much ambulance service would cost per capita.

All towns and villages paid $32.73 per capita in 2009 for ambulance service. All towns and villages will receive ambulance service through North Memorial until Jan. 1, 2010, including the three townships that have indicated they will not be a part of the Burnett County coalition next year.

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

PBREA to host speaker

CENTURIA - Retirees and prospective retirees covered by the Wisconsin Employee Trust Fund are invited to attend the program following the Polk-Burnett Retired Educators meeting to be held Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Fristad Lutheran Church on Hwy. 35 in Centuria.

Sari King, a representative for the ETF, will address the group at 12:45. She will discuss current legislation and key initiatives of the ETF Department. A question-

and-answer session will follow providing an opportunity to have further questions covered. Handouts will be available. If interested in attending, please contact Muriel Pfeifer at 715-268-6578.

All retired educators, support staff, administrators and prospective retirees are invited. Plan to arrive by 11:30 a.m. for registration. A brief meeting will begin at 11:45 and lunch will be served at noon. – from PBREA

Insight School Family Fun Day a big splash GRANTSBURG – Insight School of Wisconsin students and families had a splashing good time at the school’s first social event of the year held at Noah’s Ark, one of Wisconsin Dells’ premier outdoor water parks.

More than 300 students and family members enjoyed some fun in the sun earlier this month, making this the largest social event in Insight’s history. ISWI hosts numerous student social activities statewide during the school year, including prom, pizza parties and ski trips.

“Three-fourths of the students and families who attended were new to our program this year,” said Billy Beesley, principal of Insight School of Wisconsin.

“Kids were able to meet future online classmates for the first time, easing their transition to an online school.”

The all-day event included full use of the water

park, lunch and prizes, as well as an opportunity to learn more about the online program from Insight staff. “Watching students interact while playing the ‘rock, paper, scissors’ game was entertaining,” added Beesley, noting that the stakes were high to win prizes.

“This is a great way to kick off the school year,” said Beesley. “Students have already formed friendships that will last throughout the school year.” With 11 schools in 10 states, Insight Schools Inc. is the nation’s leading network of tuition-free, diploma-granting, online public high schools. To learn more, call 800975-8006 or visit www.insightschools.net. For more information about online learning in general, visit the North American Council for Online Learning at www.nacol.org. - from Insight School of Wisconsin.

Insight School of Wisconsin students and families had a splashing good time at the school’s first social event of the year held at Noah’s Ark, one of Wisconsin Dells’ premier outdoor water parks. - Special photo

Free pressure canner testing at Siren Farmers Market SIREN - With the high cost of foods, more and more people are growing their own fruits and vegetables or purchasing them from the local farmers markets. If you have a pressure canner, the gauges should be tested annually. Only dial-gauge canner lids can be tested; weighted-gauge canners cannot be tested and are assumed to be accurate. Only the canner lids with dial gauge need to be brought in for testing—not the entire canner.

Free pressure canner testing will be done at the farmers market in Siren on Saturday, Aug. 1, 1-3 p.m. The Siren Farmers Market is located in the parking lot of the Siren Senior Center, on Hwy. 35, just south of the stoplight and next to Madden’s Steak-

house/Northwoods Crossing.

Safe canning methods and preservation of foods have changed over the years. New fruits and vegetables may need to be processed longer or have lemon juice added. Canning methods have changed since our mother’s or grandmother’s day!

Pressure canner testing can also be done at any time at the UW-Extension office located in the Burnett County Government Center. Please call ahead for an appointment.

For more information contact Marilyn Kooiker, family living agent, Burnett County UW-Extension office, 349-2151. - submitted

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 25

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

Burnett County circuit court Kevin L. Adcock, Aurora, Mo., speeding, $160.80.

Richard L. Aldworth, Hammond, ignite open fire on county forestland between 04-1 thru 0531, $154.50; deposit trash on county forestland, $154.50; camp on county forestland without permit, $154.50.

Dwight C. Anderson, Grantsburg, speeding, not guilty plea.

Larry A. Anderson, Ft. Myers, Fla., speeding, $160.80.

Lori J. Anderson, Webster, speeding, $160.80.

Zachary D. Anderson, Minneapolis, Minn., operate ATV w/o NR trail pass, $154.50.

John M. Angell, Webb Lake, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Lazaro Ballesteros, Aurora, Ill., operate ATV w/o valid registration, $186.00.

Sean K. Barrett, White Bear Lake, Minn., ATV, operation on roadway, $186.00.

Christopher A. Bauer, Wheaton, Ill., seat belt violation, $10.00.

Melissa A. Bearhart, Danbury, operate recreation veh. in unauth. area, $160.80.

Lori A. Becker, Spooner, passing in no-passing zone, not guilty plea.

Lawrance E. Behr, Siren, operating while under influence; operating with PAC .08 or more; operate w/o valid license; unreasonable & imprudent speed, not guilty pleas.

Richard M. Berg, Maplewood, Minn., speeding, license suspended 15 days, $236.40.

Frankie J. Bideau, Webster, operating while suspended, not guilty plea.

Patricia L. Blume, Webster, burning w/o a permit-intensive area, $160.80.

Greg L. Bohnsack, Andover, Minn., operate ATV w/o valid registration, $186.00.

Terry L. Bollett, Hayward, speeding, $160.80.

John H. Bowen, Princeton, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Gary E. Boyum, Danbury, Harass, kill, etc. protected wild animals, $288.80.

Rebekah J. Brandenburg, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Amber R. Branville, Luck, burning without a permit-intensive area, $160.80.

Douglas S. Breault, Roseville, Minn., passing in nopassing zone, $198.60.

Heidi J. Briski, Pine City, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Kyle L. Brown, Minong, speeding, $186.00.

Valentine A. Brunett, Hinckley, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Joshua P. Bulu, Minneapolis, Minn., operate w/o valid license, $186.00.

Robert A. Burberl, Stillwater, Minn., place material-feed/attract wild animals, $329.00.

Dennis D. Burdick, St. Paul,Minn., fail. yield right a way from parked position, $160.80.

Joseph P. Burianek, Woodbury, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Ashley E. Burton, Siren, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Kelly M. Campbell, Rush City, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Michael R. Carson-Kern, Oakdale, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Bradley D. Carter, Columbus, Ohio, unsafe passing on right, $217.50.

Brian R. Chabot, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Jose J. Chavez, Blaine, Minn., operate ATV w/o NR trail pass, $154.50.

Travis L. Chell, Grantsburg, speeding, $160.80.

Leonard J. Chute, Grantsburg, set fire w/o extinguishing fire, $160.80.

Mary E. Clements, Siren, speeding, $223.80.

Paul W. Congdon, Burnsville, Minn., speeding, license suspended 15 days, $236.40.

Alex R. Corwin, Minnetonka, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Daniel D. Cory, Minneapolis, Minn., ATV operate/unreasonable/improper speed, $186.00.

William C. Cory, Lester Prairie, Minn., operate ATV at a great rate of speed, $154.50.

Minnie A. Cunningham, Grantsburg, operating while under influence; operating with PAC .08 or more; failure to keep vehicle under control, not guilty pleas.

Daniel M. Cutler, Grantsburg, speeding, $160.80.

Juanita J. Cutler, Webster, speeding, $160.80.

Margaret V. Daly, New York City, N.Y., speeding, $186.00.

Shirley A. Davis, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Anthony W. Deel, Minneapolis, Minn., operate ATV w/o valid safety certificate, $148.20.

Erye J. DeMarre, Frederic, nonregistration of vehicle > 10,000 lbs.; seat belt violation; operate w/o valid license; veh. flashing warning lights restriction, not guilty pleas.

Sherri L. Denver, Dresser, speeding, not guilty plea.

David C. Dropps, Siren, speeding, not guilty plea.

Shannon M. Dugger, Danbury, operating while under influence, license revoked 6 months, alcohol assessment, $665.50.

Ryan L. Dupay, Andover, Minn., operating while under influence; approaching operator fail./dim multibeams, not guilty pleas.

Tyler A. Dynan, Lakeville, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Theresa J. Eckstrom, Grantsburg, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Marjorie E. Edson, Novato, Calif., seat belt violation, $10.00.

Benjamin D. Eichman, Ellsworth, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Danielle L. Elford, Circle Pines, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Thomas V. Ell, Coon Rapids, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Daniel J. Ellefson, Pine City, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Steven England, Spooner, operating while suspended, not guilty plea.

Molly M. Engstrom, Siren, nonregistration of auto, etc., $160.80.

Joey I. Erickson, Grantsburg, improper animal shelter strength twice, not guilty pleas.

Larry J. Ernster, Richfield, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Theron J. Ernster, St. Anthony, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Renee K. Evans, Poplar, speeding, $160.80.

John W. Fallstrom, Grantsburg, operating while under influence; operating with PAC .10 or more; speeding; fail./stop at stop sign, not guilty pleas.

Perfecto Fernandez Jr., Barron, speeding, $160.80.

Ralph L. Flesher, Pine City, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Micah D. Flodin, Siren, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Brandon L. Fossum, Grantsburg, fail./stop at stop sign, $160.80.

Richard B. Fredericks, Frederic, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Dillon E. Freidlund, Apple Valley, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Carole L. Gallagher, North Oaks, Minn, speeding, not guilty plea.

Billy J. Garbow, Danbury, operatie recreation veh. in unauth. area, $160.80.

Dan R. Gardner, Grantsburg, operating while under influence, license revoked 8 months, alcohol assessment, $803.00.

Lorna L. Gartmann, Hudson, speeding, $160.80.

Andrew T. Gjerdingen, Otsego, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Richard W. Goldman, Grantsburg, speeding, $160.80.

Sean P. Grady, Minneapolis, Minn., operate ATV w/o valid safety certificate, $148.20.

Theresa J. Green, Eagan, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Barton L. Gronberg, Wheaton, Ill., speeding, $160.80.

Emogene Gundersen, Grantsburg, operate w/o valid license, $186.00; inattentive driving, $173.40.

Derek L. Gunderson, Webster, speeding, $160.80.

Rodney L. Haas, Minneapolis, Minn., ATV operate unreasonable, improper speed, $186.00.

Ethan J. Hansing, St. Paul, Minn., fail./stop at stop sign, not guilty plea.

Eric E. Hanson, Richfield, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Darrell J. Harju, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

William C. Harper, Milltown, operating while suspended, not guilty plea.

Rosalie D. Harwood, Danbury, speeding, $160.80.

Barry W. Hazelton, Victoria, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Christopher A. Hebard, Ladysmith, speeding, not guilty plea.

Jason R. Heffelfinger, Arden Hills, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Brian W. Hegge, Webster, violate Class A Hwy. weight limits, $343.68.

Justin J. Hieserich, St. Cloud, Minn., operate ATV w/o valid registration, $154.50.

Judy J. Hill, Dabury, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Katherine L. Hill, Edina, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

John C. Hnath, Brooklyn Park, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Scott R. Holmberg, Frederic, possession of illegal-sized fish, not guilty plea.

Damian Hubbell, Siren, underage drinking/possess; operating while under influence; operating with PAC .10 or more; improper parking/standing of vehicle; operate w/o valid license, not guilty pleas.

Kurt A. Huber, Bloomington, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Daniel L. Humes, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Lawrence E. Huset, Rice Lake, violate Class A Hwy. weight limits, $327.81.

Marvin J. Imholte, Clear Lake, failure to notify police of accident; failure to keep vehicle under control, not guilty pleas.

Becky M. John, Stacy, Minn., seat belt violation, $10.00.

Donald R. John, Stacy, Minn., seat belt violation twice, $10.00.

Kevin D. Johnson, Winnebago, Minn., speeding, $211.20; operate w/o valid license, $188.80.

Mary E. Johnson, Danbury, unsafe lane deviation, not guilty plea.

Richard D. Johnson, Webster, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Richard F. Johnson, St. Peter, Minn., ATV operation on roadway, $186.00.

Paul R. Johnston, Excelsior, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Kendra L. Jones, Siren, underage drinking, possess, attend alcohol class, $249.00.

Anthony M. Kallas, Eagan, Minn., speeding, $160.00.

Ryan M. Kanke, Siren, operating while under influence; operating with PAC .08 or more; speeding, not guilty pleas.

Sean D. Kelcey, White Bear Lake, Minn., operate ATV away from state-funded ATV trail, $154.50.

Thomas C. Keller, Anoka, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Sandra H. Kindem, Savage, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Duane S. Klaphake, Albany, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Douglas L. Kline, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Jeremy A. Klobuchar, Superior, operating while under influence; operating with PAC .10 or more; fail./stop at stop sign, not guilty pleas.

Kristopher D. Knaus, Kimball, Minn., operate ATV w/o valid registration, $154.50.

Margaret R. Knudson, Danbury, speeding, $160.80.

Jason F. Krummel, Farmington, Minn., operate ATV w/o NR trail pass, $154.50.

John J. Kuntz, Rochester, Minn., operate ATV at a great rate of speed, $154.50.

Kelly E. Lamb, Plymouth, Minn., operating while suspended, $186.00.

Sarah J. Langosch, Birchwood, speeding, not guilty plea.

Timothy Larson, Frederic, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Jeffrey S. Leffel, Lake Nebagamon, speeding, $160.80.

Donald E. Lemire, Webster, fail./stop at stop sign, $160.80.

Thomas G. Levasseur, Forest Lake, Minn., speeding, license suspended 15 days, $236.40.

James C. Lewis, Savage, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

John P. Linhoff, Bloomington, Minn., operate boat w/o valid cert. number, $186.00.

Christopher R. Loch, White Bear Lake, Minn., operate ATV away from state-funded ATV trail, $154.50.

Gerald W. Logan, Maple Grove, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Sharon M. Luedtke, Grantsburg, speeding, $160.80.

Elizabeth J. Macaulay, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Patrick J. Magee, River Falls, operating while under influence, license revoked 6 months, $677.00.

Pamela A. Mares, Rice Lake, inattentive driving, $173.40; operating while suspended, $186.00.

Steven A. Maxwell, Siren, operate w/o valid license, $186.00.

Mark R. Maynard, Roseville, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Michael T. McAndrews, Danbury, set fire w/o extinguishing fire, $160.80.

Timothy D. Mogannon, Plymouth, Minn., operator violate red traffic light, $160.80.

Dewayne A. McInnis, Bloomington, Minn., operating while suspended, $186.00; speeding, $211.20.

Anton P. Mentele, Shell Lake, speeding, not guilty plea.

Treton J. Metzger, Duluth, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

James A. Miller, Oconomowoc, nonregistration of auto, etc. $160.80.

Nikolas M. Miller, Roberts, operate ATV w/o valid registration, $186.00.

Robert L. Montgomery, Lexington, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Nicholas L. Moore, North Branch, Minn., seat belt violation, $10.00.

Troy V. Moser, Webster, seat belt violation, $10.00.

James R. Nacotee, Webster, pass. veh. stopped for ped./bike/EPAMD, $312.00.

Roger B. Nedoba, Naples, Fla., speeding, $160.80.

Paul A. Nelson, Grantsburg, speeding, $211.20.

John Neth, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Eric T. Nielsen, White Bear Lake, Minn., operating while under influence; operating with

PAC .08 or more, not guilty pleas.

Dee I. Nordquist, Webster, fail. to stop/improper stop at stop sign, $160.80; FYR to ped., bicyclist, EPAMD, div. hwy., $160.80.

Justin W. Nukala, Hermantown, Minn., seat belt violation, $10.00.

James V. Nygren, Plymouth, Minn., speeding, $165.00.

Thomas J. O’Brien, Barnes, speeding, not guilty plea.

Daryll Odegard, Pine City, Minn., failure to mow lawn, $185.00.

Robert J. O’Geary, Anoka, Minn., operate ATV w/o NR trail pass, $154.50.

Cheryl A. Ollila, Big Lake, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Jeremy L. Olson, Frederic, possession of illegal-sized fish, not guilty plea.

Pamella G. Oshea, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Jeffrey J. Ospina, Shoreview, Minn., speeding, $160.90.

Anne E. Palmquist, Grantsburg, speeding, $211.20.

Brian R. Pardun, Danbury, vehicle equip. violations, group 1, $223.80.

Robert L. Pate, Luck, nonregistration of auto, etc., $160.80.

Bethanna M. Petersen, Hertel, inattentive driving, $173.40.

Brian J. Peterson, Webster, operate ATV w/o valid registration, $186.00.

Joseph L. Petrulo, Eagan, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Diana M. Pewaush, Webster, operating while suspended, $186.00.

Robert J. Phernetton, Frederic, operating while under influence; operating with PAC >= .08 < .10; nonregistration of vehicle > 10,000 lbs., not guilty pleas.

Beverly H. Pike, Sarona, nonregistration of auto, etc., $160.80.

Gordon J. Pinotti, Braham, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Mary L. Pitzen, Lino Lakes, Minn., passing into oncoming traffic, not guilty plea.

Timothy W. Potter, Savage, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

John P. Potterweich, Morristown, Minn., operate LUV on ATV trail, $154.50.

Lon D. Powers, Minneapolis, Minn., ATV operation on roadway, $186.00.

Michael L. Pramann, White Bear Lake, Minn., operate ATV away from state-funded ATV trails, $154.50.

Meghan L. Pressing, Grantsburg, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Kristin C. Radke, Woodbury, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Sarah K. Radke, Danburg, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Rebecca L. Ratajek, Superior, speeding, $160.80.

Randall W. Rechtzigel, Cannon Falls, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

James J. Remackel Jr., St. Paul, Minn., operate ATV w/o NR trail pass, $154.50.

Michelle D. Rice, Forest Lake, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Jennifer J. Ries, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Cole W. Robinson, Webster, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Jordan Rogers, Webster, underage drinking, possess, license suspended 1 year, $753.00.

Theresa M. Rossow, Webster, speeding, $160.80.

Roger R. Routh Sr., St. Paul, Minn., seat belt violation, $10.00.

Steven R. Ryder, Wyoming, Minn., operate w/o valid license; possess open intoxicants in MV, not guilty pleas.

Daniel J. Saiko, White Bear Lake, speeding, $160.80.

Colin W. Saunby, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Sean T. Schaaf, Danburg, operating while under influence; operating with PAC .08 or more; OAR due to OWI/PAC; keep open intoxicants in MV; seat belt violation, not guilty pleas.

Kyle P. Schaeffer, Savage, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Geraldine T. Schmugge, Frederic, improper animal shelter/sanitation, $250.00.

Russell A. Scott, Maple Grove, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Jon A. Sederlund, Frederic, operate ATV w/o valid registration, $186.00.

Jonna K. Simonson, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Linda D. Splettstoeszar, Delano, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Charles F. Sprick, Grantsburg, operate rec. veh. in authorized area, $160.80.

Jeffrey D. Stanek, Coon Rapids, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

John C. Stich, Brook Park, Minn., operator violate red traffic light, $160.80.

Elizabeth J. Strachota, Edina, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

John L. Sullivan, Edina, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Nace A. Sutherland, Grantsburg, underage drinking, possess, attend alcohol class, $249.00.

Beverly J. Swanson, New Brighton, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Ernie E. Swanson Jr., Siren, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Brandt J. Sylvestre, Eden Prairie, Minn., fail./stop at stop sign, $160.80.

Anna C. Tan, Vadnais Heights, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Richard J. Terhark, St. Paul, Minn., operate ATV w/o NR trail pass, $154.50.

Daniel J. Thompson Jr., Superior, speeding, $186.00.

Trevor R. Thompson, Grantsburg, speeding, $186.00.

Thomas L. Threlkeld, Wayzata, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Ryan E. Tirrel, Grantsburg, underage drinking, possess, not guilty plea.

David S. Toland, Minnetonka, Minn., operate ATV w/o spark arrestor, $154.50.

Brian M. Turek, Apple Valley, Minn., speeding, license suspended 15 days, $236.40.

Rebecca A. Tyrrell, No. St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

George F. Umolac III, Champlin, Minn., operate ATV w/o U.S. Forest Service spark amestor, $154.50.

Carl D. Unbehaun, Thief River Falls, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Amanda E. Utter, Ontonagon, Mich., speeding, $160.80.

Duane R. Vance, Freeport, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Nick J. Vanderlugt, Eagan, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Zachary C. VanNest, Bloomington, Ill., operate ATV w/o NR trail pass, $154.50.

Jonathon E. Waak, Apple Valley, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Kelly A. Wagner, Eden Prairie, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Steven M. Wagner, Krakow, fail./stop at stop sign, $160.80.

Mark J. Wallskog, Prior Lake, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Scott A. Weiss, Grantsburg, fail./stop at stop sign, $160.80.

Catrina D. Wetsit, Eagan, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Thomas White, Danbury, sell alcohol to underage person, not guilty plea.

William C. Wicks, Siren, nonregistration of other vehicle, $249.00; fail./stop at stop sign, $160.80.

Jacob R. Widgren, Hudson, operating while under influence; operating with PAC .10 or more; failure to keep vehicle under control twice, failure to notify police of accident, not guilty pleas.

Matthew T. Widgren, Hudson, failure to notify police of accident, not guilty plea.

Sally J. Wierstad, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Erik M. Wilkie, Webster, speeding, $160.80.

Eric R. Wilson, Deephaven, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Jeffrey J. Wilson, Shoreview, Minn., operating while under influence, license revoked 6 months, alcohol assessment, $677.00.

Donna M. Woodrich, Frederic, speeding, $160.80.

Jonathan H. Wright, Milwaukee, speeding, $160.80.

Patrick H. Zeman, Fridley, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Keith A. Zierden, Eagan, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 27

Polk County circuit court Jacob T. Albrecht, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Clyde L. Allen, Milltown, storage of junk and unlicensed vehicles, not guilty plea.

Timothy A. Alsdurf, New Richmond, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Tracey A. Anderson, Amery, disorderly conduct, not guilty plea.

Jessica L. Arthurs, Milltown, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Joseph S. Aubart, Milltown, speeding, $280.50.

Jordan L. Aune, Milltown, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Steven J. Austin, Clayton, possession of marijuana, $180.00; operate w/o valid license, $186.00; failure to yield right of way, $173.40.

Maya L. Batres, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Melissa A. Bearhart, Danbury, speeding, $160.80.

Ronald J. Bischel, Downing, disorderly conduct, $186.00.

Joshua M. Bjornson, Luck, DOC/MV, not guilty plea.

Alexander S. Carter, White Bear Lake, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Nola S. Chase, Naples, Fla., speeding, $186.00.

Brittany D. Christensen, Luck, speeding, $160.80.

Kyle C. Darnell, Cushing, operate w/o valid license, $186.00; speeding, $160.80; seat belt violation, $10.00.

Steven G. Denn, Eau Claire, open intox. in public, $173.40.

Ray J. Despiegelaere, Centuria, speeding, $160.80.

Lisa A. Diviney, Plymouth, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Robyn M. Dominick, Cumberland, speeding, $186.00.

David A. Edlund, Newport, Minn., hunt w/o license, $192.20.

Donald E. Engle, North Oaks, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Justin W. Englund, Forest Lake, Minn., hunt w/o license, $188.20.

Patrick M. Estes, Luck, OWI, $740.00; 7-month license revocation, alcohol assessment; operating with PAC .10 or more; operate w/o valid license, $186.00 Gerald O. Evenson, Cumber-

land, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Deane M. Findley, Cumberland, speeding, $160.80.

Nathan B. Fisk, Centuria, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Wade J. Fusco, Prescott, speeding, $160.80.

Justin Flesher, OWI, not guilty plea.

Shawn E. Gajeski, Chisago City, Min., speeding, $160.80.

Margarito C. Garcia, Clear Lake, operate w/o valid license, $186.00.

Thomas E. Gauderman, Hutchinson, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Gibson Transfer Inc., Benson, violate Class A Hwy. weight limits (2+), $290.20.

Jon N. Grams, Balsam Lake, speeding, $160.80.

Joseph E. Hanneman, Lakeville, Minn., operating boat towing skier w/o observer, $160.80.

William C. Harper, Milltown, operate motor veh. w/o adequate muffler, not guilty plea.

Lloyd M. Harry, Centuria, speeding, $160.80.

Marcos O. Hernandez, Balsam Lake, hunt w/o license, $188.20.

Debra F. Hill, St. Croix Falls, speeding, $160.80.

Emily L. Hoene, Balsam Lake, speeding, $160.80.

Kyle A. Holdt, Luck, failing to stop at scene of accident, hit and run, $186.00.

Alyshia E. Hutton, Frederic, speeding, $160.80.

Betty J. James, Rice Lake, speeding,$160.80.

Paul R. Jensen, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Curtis F. Jone, Luck, speeding, $160.80.

Brandon D. Jordan, Amery, speeding, not guilty plea; license restriction violation, Class D, $186.00.

Kenneth R. Leckel, Trego, nonregistration of vehicle > 10,000 lbs., $249.00.

Paula J. Kenow, Prescott, speeding, $160.80.

Nancy Klaas, New Richmond, speeding, $186.00.

Richard N. Koethe Jr., Milltown, storage of junk and unlicensed vehicles, $173.40.

Kristie M. Kuenkel, St. Croix Falls, speeding, $160.80.

Philip J. Lamere, Amery, operate ATV w/o valid registration, $186.00.

Alyssa D. Lehmann, Luck, speeding, $160.80.

Paul B. Lorentzen, Brooklyn Park, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Debbie K. Lysdahl, Clear Lake, operating while suspended, $186.00.

Roger D. Markus, Luck, nonregistration of auto, etc. $160.80.

Matthew R. Mattson Jr., Center City, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea.

Mitchell A. Mattson, Luck, fail./carry boat floatation devices, $148.20.

Danielle L. McQuay, Milltown, speeding, not guilty plea.

Mark A. Mehtala, Frederic, possession of illegal-sized fish, $208.40.

James J. Mevissen, Amery, fishing during closed season, $248.60; possess bow, spear, similar device, $409.40.

Timothy J. Moore, Hallock, Minn., interstate record of duty status, $194.00.

Nicole M. Moos, Cumberland, disorderly conduct, $248.00.

Vany Moua, St. Paul, Minn., fishing during the closed season, $234.65.

Sam D. Moyer, Elk Mound, speeding, $160.80.

Matthew J. Nowicki, Chisago City, Minn., operate ATV w/o valid registration, $186.00.

Mark L. Odegard, Pine City, Minn., operate w/o carrying license, $135.60.

Jonathan R. Osborn, Camp Lake, hunt w/o license, not guilty plea.

Sarah L. Peterson, Pelican Rapids, Minn., interstate record of duty status, $257.00.

Taffy E. Pisman, Luck, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Christopher L. Plaster, Forest Lake, Minn., possession of illegal-sized fish, $208.40.

Marcella J. Plomski, Luck, speeding, not guilty plea.

Kittie S. Primer, Milltown, speeding, $160.80.

Burnett County criminal court Mary L. Mendoza, 23, Webster, operating while suspended, $123.00.

Derek S. Churchill, 17, Webster, disorderly conduct, $150.00.

Issac L. Jewell, 17, Siren, operate without valid license, $186.00.

Paul E. Levesque, 56, North Branch, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Mary M. McCorry, 22, Danbury, speeding, $160.80.

Rachel T. Tanning, 18, New Brighton, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Shawn M. Petsch, 24, Maplewood, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

Lance J. Watkins, 47, Maple Grove, Minn., speeding, $160.80.

Chad R. Freiberg, 32, Hudson, waterskipping, $123.00.

Christine T. Gorman, 45, Superior, OWI, $803.00, license revoked 12 months, alcohol assessment.

Robin L. Parsons, 21, Siren, OWI, $677.00, license revoked six months, alcohol assessment.

Vanesa R. Johnson, 26, Webster, OWI, $740.00, license revoked seven months, alcohol assessment.

Bernadette L. Benjamin, 47, Webster, operate without valid license, $186.00.

Earl J. Baker, 23, Grantsburg, flee or elude officer as a vehicle operator, two-year probation, $9,121.03 restitution, five-month

Burnett Co. civil court Country Comfort vs. Sarah E. Ricci, Webster, $1,092.79.

Adam Benson vs. Thomas M. O’Shaughnessy, Webster, $1,988.18.

Adam Benson vs. Chad Lee, Grantsburg, $1,075.94.

jail sentence, must maintain absolute sobriety, must find and maintain employment, provide DNA sample, alcohol assessment, $1,012.10; OWI, $967.00, 30-day jail sentence, license revoked 14 months, alcohol assessment.

Matthew R. Bambery, 19, Webster, disorderly conduct, one-year probation, must complete evaluations deemed necessary by Department of Corrections, may apply for expunction after probation.

Broderick T. Swain, 33, Rice Lake, disorderly conduct, 30-day

jail sentence, $88.00.

Thomas L. White, 26, Danbury, resisting or obstructing an officer, 60-day jail sentence, $88.00.

Darren D. Erickson, 39, Cumberland, possess amphetamine / LSD / Psilocin, one-year probation, 30-day jail sentence, Huber release granted, alcohol assessment, $88.00.

Justin J. Green, 24, Barronett, OWI, $967.00, 10-day jail sentence, Huber release granted, license revoked 14 months, alcohol assessment.

Burnett County warrants Mark A. Christensen, 42, Siren, warrant - failure to appear, July 22.

Lee J. Fichter, 21, Stone Lake, warrant - failure to appear, July 24.

Christina T. Mortinson, 35, Isanti, Minn., arrest warrant complaint, July 23.

William J. Pease, 39, Hertel, failure to pay fines, July 24.

Cynthia A. Remley, 32, Hinckley, Minn., arrest warrant complaint, July 23.

William C. Wicks, 27, Siren, warrant - failure to appear, July 20

Burnett Co. sheriff’s report Accidents July 21: Sharon K. Halverson, 66, New Lisbon, was westbound on Hwy. 70 in Dewey Township when the driver reported dizziness. The vehicle left the roadway and hit a driveway embankment.

The driver reported that she was a diabetic, and she was taken from the scene by ambulance.

The vehicle suffered minor damage.

Arrests and citations July 18: Claire A. Brinkman, 23, Grantsburg, was issued two citations for driving after revocation.

July 19: Johnathon B. Robertson, 17, Sandstone,

Minn., was issued a citation for possession of THC. July 22: Robert W. Koser, 51, Grantsburg, was cited for violating a 72-hour no-contact probation.

July 26: Lance A. Johnson, 20, Siren, was arrested on a St. Croix County warrant.

Other incidents July 20: Mike Murphy of Monarch Paving reported a tire slashed. The incident is under investigation.

July 21: ABC Building Supply of Webster reported assorted power tools and a air compressor taken. The incident is under investigation.

Michael J. Quaderer, Amery, hunt/fish/trap after revocation, $731.00.

Brianna G. Rooney, Luck, fail./stop at stop sign, $160.80.

Chantalle M. Rowley, Luck, hunt w/o license, $188.20.

Melissa A. Runnels, Cushing, speeding, $160.80.

Joseph E. Sanford, Cumberland, operate boat w/o valid cert. number, $186.00.

Jourdan M. Schmidt, Andover, Minn., operate personal watercraft w/o valid safety certificate, $148.20.

Rita I. Schoeder, River Falls, speeding, $186.00.

Scott A. Schroeder, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., nonregistration of auto, etc., $160.80.

Valerie M. Shepherd, Turtle Lake, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Michael P. Skadron, Mendota Heights, Minn., speeding, $186.00.

Amdrew J. Smith, Luck, possess drug paraphernalia, not guilty plea.

Zachary A. Snyder, Eau Claire, seat belt violation, $10.00; speeding, $160.80.

Ryan J. Stineman, St. Croix Falls, speeding, not guilty plea.

Nicholas A. Strandmark, Chisago City, Minn., operate ATV w/o valid registration, $186.00.

Alec M. Swanson, Lake Elmo, Minn., hunt w/o license, $192.20.

Max T. Swanson, Centuria, speeding, $160.80.

Ge Thao, St. Paul, Minn., fishing during the closed season, $217.50.

Isest A. Thao, St. Paul, Minn., fishing during the closed season, $217.50.

Polk County deaths Nellie Martinsen, age 100, Milltown, died July 7, 2009.

Notices/ Employment

Eric A. Theis, Grand Forks, N.D., fail./stop at stop sign; speeding, not guilty pleas.

Lee C. Tucker, Turtle Lake, fail./carry boat floatation devices, $148.20.

Chuyge Vang, St. Paul, Minn., fishing during the closed season, $217.50.

Christopher C. Waddell, Water Valley, Miss., passing vehicle indicating left turn, $198.60.

James M. Wagner, Clear Lake, disorderly conduct, $186.00.

Bryan G. Warner, Amery, seat belt violation, $10.00.

Nadine Washburn, OWI, not guilty plea.

Ceanna R. Wilcox, Amery, speeding, $160.80.

Taylor J. Wink, Glennwood City, operate after rev./susp. of registration, $160.80.

Michael J. Wood, Amery, possess/loan/borrow another’s license, $332.55.

Sandra L. Wood, Amery, illegally obtain hunt/trap/fish license, $288.80.

Chi M. Yang, Maplewood, Minn., speeding, $211.20.

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

Notices / Employment

Burnett County deaths Dwight E. Olson, 56, Hudson, June 28.

Eben F. Bildeau, 51, LaFollette Township, July 13.

June K. Mensen, 77, Webster Village, July 18.

Burnett Co. marriage license Leland D. Martin, Webster, and Mary J. Klar, Webster, July 21.

John A. Cambest, Monroeville, Penn., and Katherine J. Ojaluo, Monroeville, Penn., July 23.

Richard A. Tucker, Meenon, and Theresa M. Lubich, Meenon, July 24.

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 29

PAGE 30 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

Notices

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 31

Polk County Fair starts Thursday

ST. CROIX FALLS – It’s that time of year again when 4-H exhibitors, entertainers, carnival rides, grandstand shows and deep-fried or homemade food are combined at the Polk County Fairgrounds in St. Croix Falls.

Over 6,000 exhibits are expected. The Polk County Fair runs Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, Aug. 2. A schedule of events for each day follows: Thursday, July 30 Main Stage: 11 a.m., St. Croix County 4-H Show Choir Noon and 3 p.m., Alzen Family Band 1 and 4 p.m., Native American Dancers 7 p.m., Rex Cactus Redwood Deck: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Blood pressure checks 10 a.m. to noon, knitting demo Noon, Crossed Paths 1:30 p.m., Old-Time Music 4 p.m., Auggie the Clown 5 p.m., River Valley Christian Singers Grandstand: 1 p.m., K-9 Search and Rescue demo 8 p.m., Horse pull Livestock shows: 8:30 a.m., Junior Horse show (Chinander Arena) Noon, Hog show (Hog and Sheep Show Arena) Midway: POP (pay one price) special 4 p.m to 10 p.m. $15 Friday, July 31 Main Stage: 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., Norm Knight 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Magic of Jim Lenz 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Mark Stary Redwood Deck: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Blood pressure checks 11 a.m., Auggie the Clown Noon, Karate demonstration 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Rug crocheting demo 1 p.m., Kiddie pedal tractor pull 6:30 p.m., Wilson Family Singers Grandstand: 1 p.m., K-9 Search and Rescue demo

tion 3:30 p.m., River City Cloggers Redwood Deck: 12:30 p.m., Fairest of the Fair Tea 1:30 p.m., Centenarian Recognition 2 p.m., Prize drawings (must be 65 or older) Dance Pavillion: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Bingo Grandstand: 10:30 p.m., Lawn mower races 7 p.m., Demo Derby (admission fee) Livestock shows: 8:30 a.m., Open division light horse show (Chinander Arena) 10 a.m., Little Britches Show (Show Barn) 11:30 a.m., Dairy Showmanship (Show Barn) Midway: POP (pay one price) special, noon to 5 p.m. $15

The Polk County Fair will begin Thursday, July 30 and run through Sunday, Aug. 2 at the fairgrounds in St. Croix Falls. Midway rides will start running Friday at 4 p.m. – Photo by Tammi Milberg 7 p.m., 4X4 Truck pull Livestock shows: 8:30 a.m., Junior Western riding and games (Chinander Arena) 8:30 a.m., Beef show (Show Barn) 9:15 a.m., Sheep show (Sheep and Hog Show Arena) 9:30 a.m., Poultry show (Poultry Barn) Midway: Family Day Special, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Four rides for $5 Saturday, Aug. 1 Main stage: 1 p.m., Vallee De Croix 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Talent show 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., Norm Knight 7 p.m., Lake Country Cloggers Redwood Deck: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Blood pressure checks 10 a.m. to noon, Spinning wheel weaving 11 a.m., Auggie the Clown 2 p.m., Cool Country Classics 4:30 p.m., Hanson Country Gospel

Double color

5 p.m., River Valley Christian Singers Dance Pavillion: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Bingo Grandstand: 11 a.m., Garden Tractor pull 5:30 p.m., Tractor pull Show Barn: 6 p.m., Quality Meats Auction Livestock shows: 8:30 a.m., Open and light horses show (Chinander Arena) 9 a.m., Dairy show (Show Barn) 9:30 a.m., Rabbit show (Rabbit Barn) 10 a.m., Llama show (Llama Tent) 1 p.m., Dairy Goat Show (Sheep and Hog Show Arena) Midway: POP (pay one price) rides special, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $15 Sunday, Aug. 2 Main Stage: 10:30 a.m., Church service

by Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp Noon, Indianhead Chorus 2 p.m., 2009 Fairest of the Fair Corona-

Gate admission is $6 for a daily aingle ticket ages 8 and up, junior season tickets $10 for ages 8-17, adult season tickets $15 for ages 18 and over. Admission will not start Thursday until 8 p.m. for early fairgoers. Mr. Ed’s Magical Midway will provide carnival rides each day of the fair. POP (pay one price) is Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m. for $15. Family Day Friday is four rides for $5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. POP Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $15. POP Sunday noon to 5 p.m. $15.

Parking on the fairgrounds is free.

Grandstand events are free except the Demolition Derby—admission is $10. An ATM is available in the Administration Building.

No animals or pets allowed in fairground other than those entered in fair shows. Directions to the fairgrounds: From Hwy. 8, turn north on 220th Street

by MarketPlace or turn north on Industrial Parkway across from Kentucky Fried Chicken. For more information, fairground phone numbers are 715-4833391 or 715-483-3035.

Burnikel reunion

Tom Burnikel from Twin Falls, Idaho, son of Pete and Gerry Burnikel and grandson of George Burnikel, brought a lot of family genealogy history to the Burnikel family reunion at Crooked Lake Park Saturday, July 25. Burnikel had traced the family back to its origins in Germany. Family members in Siren for the reunion came from Utah, Idaho, California, Minnesota (Minneapolis, Spring Valley, Stewartville, Rushford and St. Charles), Iowa and Green Bay. – Photos

by Nancy Jappe

Lori Walljasper took photos of her daughters, Kimberly and Amanda, in front of a double rainbow that appeared over Shell Lake, Tuesday evening, July 28. – Photo submitted

RIGHT: Joe and Ida Burnikel, from Cresco, Iowa, were parents of five children, George, William, Hazel, Leonard and John. Two of the boys, George and William, lived in the Siren area. William’s home, now occupied by his daughter, Maxine, and her husband Les Lindquist, is located on Burnikel Road just south of Siren. Other members of the Burnikel family who live in the local area include the Lindquist children, Tonja Johnson, Kent and Kyle and their families; Gerald Johnson from Grantsburg (William’s cousin); William’s daughter Ardyce and her husband, Cleo Sandberg, who have a cabin on Wood Lake; William’s granddaughter Cheryl, her husband, John Chelmo, and their daughters; and George Burnikel’s stepchildren, Erna Lueck and Lou Jappe.

PAGE 32 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 29, 2009

Chet Anderson completes his latest walk 1,000 miles of Ice Age Trail in 54 days

by Gregg Westigard WISCONSIN – Last summer Chet Anderson, St. Croix Falls, and his grandson hiked the Appalachian Trail. This year, his hike was closer to home, a 54 day solo walk covering the Ice Age National Scenic Trail from Door County to the St. Croix River by way of Madison. The 67year-old Anderson averaged 20 miles a day over the 1,000 mile plus route. He reached the end of his hike last Saturday at Interstate State Park.

Anderson carried a 35-pound backpack load on his trek, carrying his tent, sleeping bag, water, food, and clothes.

He is perfecting how to create a balance between weight and necessities. His route sometimes took him close to towns and supplies but often, in the wooded north, he was on his own. Anderson often camped in the woods but did stay indoors at times.

People were very friendly, Anderson says. He mentioned how a short conversation about dogs with a friendly person led to a welcomed meal and a chance to resupply and refresh. Several people joined him at various times for a day of

Chet Anderson emerges from the woods in Straight Lake State Park. - Photo by Gregg Westigard hiking, including Patti Mattson of Laketown who spent a day with him on the route from Luck to Centuria.

Anderson saw or heard 111 species of birds along his route. One of the last on his list was the Trumpeter Swans on a

pond as he approached Straight Lake Park.

The Ice Age Trail route through the new Straight Lake Park has just been marked and Anderson is the first Ice Age through-hiker who has used that

section. Two local guides led him along the flagged route often hidden in the underbrush.

Now home, he is already thinking of his next walk.

Pottery tour For those who caught the pottery tour this past weekend, July 24-26, there was fish-themed pottery created

by Judith WittCrosswhite that (photo at left) could be found at Cabin Fever Pottery in Danbury.

Witt-Crosswhite was one of five potters that opened their studio to the public during the pottery tour. Her gallery features a wide variety of craft and fine arts along with her pottery.

Photos by Sherill Summer

Shown is Laura McCaul’s blackware tiles in the beginning stages. The annual pottery tour allows the general public a rare glimpse of the artist’s studio and work in progress.

RIGHT: Jim McCaul (shown L) shows visitors on the pottery tour the wood kiln that Laura McCaul uses to create her distinct blackware tiles.

LEFT: Jim McCaul shows Laura’s blackware tiles in the beginning stages. The annual pottery tour allows the general public a rare glimpse of the artist’s studio and work in progress.

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 1

Currents N

‘Follow the Leader’

O R T H E R N

News and views from the NW Wisconsin community

Lenny Libis, CEO of St. Croix Regional Medical Center, drives this antique ambulance pulling the medical center’s float in the Wannigan Days parade Saturday, July 18. The medical center celebrated 90 years on Friday, July 17, with a flagpole rededication in front of the new entrance, followed by a free lunch for the public. - Photo by Tammi Milberg

S CRM C c el ebr at es 90t h a nn i ver sar y ST. CROIX FALLS – This year, St. Croix Regional Medical Center proudly marked 90 years of providing exceptional medical care, which began with the Riegel family nearly a century ago.

The celebration began Friday morning, July 17, with a flag-raising and polerededication ceremony in the parking lot adjacent to the medical center’s new State Street entrance.

Lenny Libis, the medical center’s CEO,

opened the ceremony with an introduction of guests, and the Rev. Nanette Hagen-Hinck provided the invocation.

Dr. Bill Young next addressed the crowd of nearly 100 attendees, highlighting key points in the medical center’s long history.

Ray Chaplinski, friend of SCRMC and a member of the American Legion, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Also speaking were the Rev. Mark Peacock, who gave

A flagpole rededication took place last Friday when the hospital marked 90 years of service. Pictured are CEO of SCRMC Lenny Libis and Delores Riegel looking on as members of the American Legion Post raise the colors. – Photos courtesy SCRMC

the benediction, and Chairman of the Board Larry Collins, who invited the attendees to a free picnic.

The American Legion Post No. 143 of St. Croix Falls, led by Jim Chapin, assisted in the presentation of the colors, the raising of the new flag, and a gun salute.

The formal program was followed by a customer appreciation picnic lunch. Although the weather, at little more than 50 degrees with a brisk northwest breeze, was not what was anticipated for a midJuly afternoon, over 600 hardy Wisconsin and Minnesota residents and medical center employees attended.

WXCE Mix 105’s Janey Raven and Kurt Marek were on hand to broadcast the event live, interviewing a number of attendees including Lenny Libis, John Tremble, SCRMC CFO Dr. Lloyd Olson and Wannigan Days Grand Marshals Dr. Arne and Miriam Lagus.

Those attending were also invited to the St. Croix Falls Eagle Valley Bank location on Washington Street for free root beer floats. Eagle Valley Bank (formerly First National Bank of St. Croix Falls) also celebrated 90 years of service to the community and has been a strong financial supporter and partner of SCRMC through the years.

History In 1919, a medical clinic and hospital were founded by Dr. J.A. "Jake" Riegel and located in a family home in St. Croix Falls known as the Baker House.” By midcentury, however, a growing area population, state and federal govern-

ment regulations, and changes in medicine made it clear that a modern hospital building was needed in the community.

In 1955, the original portion of the area’s first hospital—St. Croix Valley Memorial Hospital—was built. Owned by the community of St. Croix Falls, it was used until May of 2007, when it was demolished to make way for St. Croix Regional Medical Center’s new surgery center. The services it housed—behavioral health, a sleep clinic, and human resources—were permanently relocated to other areas of the medical center complex.

In 1971 a major building project added much of the present facility, with small additions and remodeling occurring in the 1980s. On April 1, 1998, the St. Croix Valley Memorial Hospital expanded its presence as a health-care provider, and established a satellite clinic in Frederic.

It also purchased a new state-of-the-art CT scanner, mammography suite, DEXA Scan and fixed MRI to enhance its diagnostic imaging services.

“We sincerely appreciate the support we’ve received for so many years,” said Libis, “and this was just one way of saying thank you to everyone. We also want to acknowledge the many contributions to area health care that the Riegel family has made since 1919. Their early work and unfailing commitment has made it possible for St. Croix Regional Medical Center to continue to provide outstanding patient care.” - from SCRMC

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

The Foreigner

Betty Meeks (played by Lee Gillis), the owner of Betty Meeks’ Fishing Lodge in Tilghman County, Ga., showed her delight in the onstage antics of the cast of Larry Shue’s play, “The Foreigner,” this year’s feature production of The Village Players Community Theatre. The play is offered at The Stables on CTH A, Webster, and guarantees laughter from the audience from start to finish.

Ellard Simms (Paul Lewis) (L) and Charlie Baker (Rod Kleiss) are mimicking actions in this scene from “The Foreigner” by Larry Shue performed at The Stables from July 23-Aug. 2. This year’s The Village Players Community Theatre production was directed by Bunny Day and produced by Steve and Kitty Holmquist.

Charlie Baker (played by Rod Kleiss), who on purpose gets introduced as a foreigner unable to speak any English, pretends to learn to read from Shakespeare under the watchful eyes of his country-boy tutor, Ellard Simms (played by Paul Lewis). The scene is from “The Foreigner” by Larry Shue, offered this season by The Village Players Community Theatre. Performances will be held Thursday, Friday, Saturday and a final Sunday matinee Aug. 2.

Photos by Nancy Jappe

Charlie Baker (Rod Kleiss in real life) inadvertently becomes a listener to the problems faced by Catherine Simms (played by Olivia Main) in “The Foreigner,” this year’s production by The Village Players Community Theatre. Catherine has become pregnant by her minister boyfriend, the Rev. David Marshall Lee (Ian McNurlin in real life), who is out to get the money Catherine’s father willed to her for his own purposes.

Christmas caroling ... in July?

A group of people associated with Siren United Methodist Church went Christmas caroling Sunday evening, July 26, some in short-sleeve shirts and shorts. This was part of the church’s Christmas in July celebration. The people living at some of the homes where stops were made are snowbirds and won’t be in the area when Christmas really rolls around. Each of them received a plate of Christmas cookies, baked by Angie and Gordie Chelmo, Frederic. The carolers were (L to R): Jane Cook, Ann Pearson, Mary Yambrick, Hazel Hahr, Carol Claude, Dave Close, Lou Jappe, Pastor Tom Cook and Bruce Roe. – Photo by Nancy Jappe

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 3

People watching

by Joyce Thompson My husband and I were in the doctor's office and as usual had already spent a half hour waiting. I am always caught up in watching people. It's amazing to me how people differ.

There are different styles of clothes, different body types, body languages, voices, states of alertness, hairstyles, just so many ways we vary.

The first couple I noticed were an older couple sitting across from us. She obviously was the patient. In front of her was a walker. Her left leg was badly wrapped in an ace bandage with the end flapping loose. She was shifting in her seat, looking at her watch frequently, hands in constant motion. Her husband sat next to her not moving a muscle, there in body but mind miles Summer is here. We would like to run favorite summer memory stories throughout the summer. Submit your story to the Leader by mail or e-mail.

Writer’s Corner away.

His face was completely blank.

Next to the large fish tank, nearly covering it because of his size, was a young man standing very straight and stiff, grimacing, obviously in pain. He was bearded with long hair, wearing jeans and a shirt that left a very large, pale portion of his stomach showing.

I could feel his pain just watching him.

In the chair to our right, sat an old man, probably late 80s or early 90s, neat and clean, in striped bib overalls. He had been waiting a very long time. His statement to no one in particular was "Our time isn't worth anything."

The one person no one could miss was a young lady, tall, thin, with a boyish haircut, and lots of makeup. She was wearing a red tank top, a mini-mini

skirt made of some brightly colored silky, filmy material, over white tights with a black pattern that looked like a flowering vine running up her long legs from her ankle to the edge of her skirt.

Slung over her shoulder was a huge bag. I didn't get a look at her shoes.

She didn't walk, she flew through like something was in hot pursuit. The child she had by the hand, 5 or 6 years old, had to run to keep up.

I noted the reaction people had to this young woman.

The young man standing by the fish tank followed her with his head slowly turning as she went out the door, down the sidewalk and disappeared into the parking lot.

Northwest Regional Writers The Northwest Regional Writers meet at 1 p.m. the second Friday of the month either in Frederic or Grantsburg. Call Mary Jacobson at 715-349-2761 for more information about the organization.

The old man looked at her, shook his head and smiled.

I wondered what he was thinking.

Good memories, I hope.

After the young woman was gone, the woman with the walker, scowled and in a disgusted voice said, "She stood right here and lifted that skirt and pulled up those tights."

Her husband just sat, engrossed in his thoughts, ignoring the whole situation.

We were finally called into the doctor's office.

We had had about an hour’s wait, but how can you be too bored when there are such interesting people to watch?

PoCo Penners The PoCo Penners meet the second Friday of the month at 2 p.m. at the county boardroom in the government center in Balsam Lake. Contact Brenda Mayer at 715-485-3571 or Iris Holm 715-294-3174 for more information. - submitted

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 feature, please contact us at the-leader@centurytel.net or call 715-327-4236. - Editor

Drought affects honey production

Sitting here in my office with One of the most exciting the window open, I can hear the things happened last week. On beginning of a shower. I hear Wednesday we had 54 children other noises that come from I from the Lutheran Bible Camp don’t know where. I think the and Herzl Camp show up to chipmunks are digging in the help with the wood project. flower bed or do they sleep all They were terrific and worked night and just get mischievous so hard. We can’t thank them in the daytime? Ben has trained enough and loved seeing the some to allow him to pet them. two camps working together They will go right to the sunon a community service projflower seeds in the garage if he ect. They sang, ( I recognized hasn’t put them out first thing in the Sponge Bob song) and the morning. There is Ed and clapped and worked and Blodgett Ed. I know there are other worked. We are so grateful. names, but I can only remember They did in about two hours Ed and thus they are all called what it would have taken Ed. Ed had babies, so I am sure Denny and his dad four there must be an Edie somemonths or more to do. where, but I can’t tell the differLove the rain. Nothing like a ence and I am not sure they good thunderstorm.

As long as nothing is destroyed, it is would like me looking to tell if they are just wonderful to sit in the solarium and the mother or the father.

Exciting news ! We have just built our listen to the rain on the windows. My fa43rd wheelchair ramp. That is a big acther-in-law’s cucumbers suffered a little from too much rain, but he did have complishment for an organization which some to make creamed cucumbers and only works on donations. The man, an they were delicious. I don’t understand angel with no wings who is the contracthe square foot gardening concept, but tor and builder, has done an amazing job. that is because I don’t do outside and the His name is Lloyd and he comes here vegetable gardens in their boxes are out- from Eau Claire whenever we need him. side and I don’t do outside. I don’t even What a guy ! We are so luck to have him.

I am beginning to hit the wrong keys do well inside sometimes. The orchids didn’t make it this year. The Angel’s on my keyboard and the letters are betrumpet plant didn’t bloom and the be- coming blurry, I guess it must be time to gonias developed some kind of moss or try to get some sleep. Maybe I will stay mold on the leaves. I have to keep after up just a little longer to have breakfast some tiny white things that are bother- with Denny before he leaves for work at some on some of my green plants. I have 5:15. I like to see that he eats a good no idea what they are, but they are tiny breakfast. I am convinced that the medbut noticeable. I just clean the leaves and ication he takes, exercise he gets and my hope they don’t reoccur. Someone said good cooking are keeping him in remisto change the soil, but the pots are huge sion. I want to keep him around for a and I am not sure digging up those while. He is my rock and I can’t imagine plants might not kill them. See, I am no life without him. Besides, I could never expert, I just like green plants in my deliver all of the wood for winter. Only house. I think they supply oxygen or he can do that.

See you soon. Aug. 6, we are providing something. I just let them grow and the concessions for Music in the Park in enjoy them.

Did I tell you my daughter was here? Siren. It is a fundraiser for us and we She is an organizer and in order to keep need the funds to keep up the wheelchair things in order she would have to move ramps and of course Christmas for Kids here. She lost her fiance last fall who is coming. It is not creeping up, it is comdied of a heart attack at 44 and she ing fast and furious and I have to think needed a getaway. I needed someone to about how we will pull it off this year. tell me where to begin so it was a match Not a good year to ask for donations, but made in heaven. I love having her dig deep, I am sure you can help. I know around. She is witty, beautiful and so you want to.

Until next time, enjoy the warm helpful. Besides she loves her mom and weather and God Bless. sticks up for me when the guys gang up and it becomes a “Pick on Barb” day.

Barb

Caregiver's

Gifts

(L to R) Junior beekeeper Leah Lyman, 10, of Amery, stands ready with new beekeeper Holly Rosendahl, of Luck, to point the way for honey ice cream at the Polk County Fair next month. Both beekeepers are members of the PolkBurnett Bee Association.

by Wayne Anderson BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES – Local beekeepers, at the Polk-Burnett Bee Association meeting on July 16, reported low honey production to date in the season. Members said the main reason was the drought being experienced in many parts of Northwest Wisconsin.

The lack of rain is souring the honey volume.

Honey is made by the bees from the nectar they gather in flowering plants and trees. The plants and trees do not produce much nectar without an adequate water supply.

Beekeepers expressed a concern that this year may be a lean one for honey production, if they do not get some rain soon. The honey flow season ends in late August.

In other news, the state’s overwinter figures are in and there is good news.

“We had a 36-percent mortality rate

this year compared to 59 percent last year,” said Elizabeth Meils, state apiculturist. Even though Wisconsin experienced several days of extreme cold last winter, the bees showed a 23-percent increased survival rate. She credited this increase to the health of the bees.

Still to date, there is no reported case of Colony Collapse Disorder in Wisconsin, Meils said. CCD is the name given for the mysterious disease that is harming bees nationwide.

The Polk-Burnett bee club now publishes a community newsletter called the Polk-Burnett Buzz. You can receive this newsletter via e-mail by contacting its editor, Dave Paulson, at paulsond01@yahoo.com.

The bee club meets every third Thursday of the month at the Polk County Justice Center at 8 p.m. For more information on beekeeping, call 715-3275525.

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

Rambling through summer

by Russ Hanson The recent rains totaling 2.5 inches on Orr Lake have perked up the gardens and fields.

When I got out my old riding lawnmower (passed to me from brother Marvin after transmission problems), it ran a little and then quit hard. The flywheel turns about two times around then comes up to something solid – like one of the two pistons hits a valve or something. I have been waiting for a “trade a clunker” mower program but may have to lobby Congress a little to get that deal under way. Luckily, Margo can still run the old push mower up and down the steep hillside above the lake.

I stopped at the local GM dealer in St. Croix Falls to see if I could qualify for the trade-a-clunker $4,500 discount for a new car. They looked up my 1989 Dodge Turbovan and found it averaged 17 miles per gallon. If I buy an Aveo or Cobalt I can get the full amount—you need to buy something that gets 10 mpg more than the old one.

I have a hard time parting with my old vehicles. They are sort of like a wife—they may have lots of flaws and are aging, but you know them well. I picked up the Turbovan 4-cylinder at a wrecking yard five years ago, fixed the brakes and paid for a new head gasket and have driven it ever since. The Turbovan has a major flaw; every two years the head gasket goes out. My mechanic said that the turbo charging made the head heat up and expand and slide on the head gasket as it warmed up, wearing it out. This summer, I add two liters of water each time I drive 25 miles or more. The water injects into the cylinders and makes it run smoother than when the head gasket did work. However, it is not practical for winter to run water in the radiator and it uses too much to pay for antifreeze, so the clunker deal sounds pretty good.

Anyway, for about $6,500 including license, tax and clunker, I can get a brandnew replacement car if I go with the cheapest version of the cheapest line of cars. I stopped at a few dealers who were enthusiastic about the clunker trade-in program as they were getting some serious traffic on their lots again after a long dry spell. “It is your patriotic duty to get that old clunker van off the street and stimulate the economy by buying a new one,” an eager salesman told me.

Dad convinced me back in ‘67, when I bought my first car, an American Motors Rogue, that it was my duty to buy a U.S.-made car; even better, a Wisconsin made car. In those days you had choices of American Motors/Chrysler made Kenosha and GM in Janesville if I remember right. Margo tells me that I have such a hard time spending money, that by the time I decide what to get, the program will be all over. I told her that men who value their old cars and aren’t lured into trading for the shiny new ones are likely to keep their first wife longer too.

Margo is back from a month staying at her father’s home near West Bend.

Aunt Lucille had to make the move from her home to assisted-care and

Collected by

Russ Hanson

River Road

Ramblings

Margo and Melita thread the old loom at the Luck Museum. Stop in and try adding a few inches to the rag rug. Melita keeps the museum open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each week day in August and volunteers man the museum Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Free! - River Road Rambler Photo Margo was there to help it all go smoothly.

Aunt Lou, age 89, has congestive heart failure that her specialist says can’t be fixed. Her husband died 35 years ago and they had no children. She had become progressively weaker and no longer wanted to live by herself. Margo helped to lead her through the choices that led to assisted living. What finally decided it was that her Wednesday afternoon card club agreed to meet at the social room in the assisted living apartments. Next comes closing Aunt Lou’s modest home and handling the distribution of her belongings and the sale of the house.

With help from Margo’s dad, Lou’s younger brother, and Margo, Lou should be able to control this process and get enough money to pay for her care. She is on hospice service, an endof-life support system. She has chosen a DNR/DNI (do not resuscitate/do not intubate) living will and has a bracelet with that stated. She is taking it stoically and with admirable understanding and patience with Margo’s help.

It is nice to have Margo back home! I tried to ease her back into the routine here at the cabin on Orr Lake. I gave her two days to relax before leaning the hoe next to her side of the bed to gently remind her that our two gardens need some work. We have 75 squash and pumpkin plants just setting fruit to sell at the River Road Ramble. We have another watermelon garden on the sand.

Last week and this week, she has been busy threading the old loom at the Luck Museum getting it ready to demonstrate making rag rugs in her spare time.

The Polk County Fair comes this week and we both have exhibits to get ready—fruits, vegetables, baked goods and photos. We like going to the fair and try to be there all four days part time. Mom didn’t exhibit this year after more than fifty years, but is helping us make butter and get our fruit box ready.

The Clayton folks will be covering the old red schoolhouse this year as they are celebrating their village anniversary.

We plan on helping out a few evenings.

Margo and I are soon headed west for an August vacation. Fourth cousin Sally lives in a big house in a nice neighborhood on a hill in Seattle. We house-sat for her a couple of years ago in late August when the wild blackberries were ripe. Wild blackberries grow abundantly all around the Seattle area; in the parks, ditches and empty lots. They have vicious thorns, but are amazingly large and delicious. We are going to gorge on them this year and then make enough jam to “do us out.”

Margo and I belong to the Indianhead Rock and Gem Society – the local rock collectors club. Although we are not nearly as serious about collecting as most of the members, we will be taking some detours along the trip to look for interesting stones. My latest finds have been aided by the low water in our local lakes. Walking around the west side of Little Butternut, I found a cluster of petrified aebleskivers with glacial striations helping to prove our club’s theory that Danes were here before the last glacial period.

During my genealogy research days, I managed to find fourth cousins in almost every state. Then I found the ones interested in family history and cultivated them so they are good for a week’s free stay! We are driving Aunt Lou’s 1991 Oldsmobile that she sold to Margo with only 58,000 miles. This time we are tenting rather than dragging the camper trailer. I think we will be gone for a whole month or until our money runs out or our backs give out on strange beds.

Margo’s first Social Security check arrives early in August so we actually may have enough money to stay in a motel once in a while. As an old Boy

Scout leader, I don’t mind roughing it.

Wrapping up in a blanket and a Menard’s tarp on an old hospital foam pad is all I need. Margo seems to think a real air mattress in a roomy tent with screened windows and a nearby bathroom and shower are necessities. Being a thoughtful husband, I stop at state parks and set up the 40-year-old canvas tent near a port-a-potty and air up the mattress so she can have every comfort.

When it is raining and I can find a $29 motel, we stay there. They just don’t seem to keep the rooms as nice as they did in the old days, so I “Raid and Glade” them before Margo brings in the suitcases.

Cousin Sally was a college professor at the University of Seattle. She taught Medieval English classes for her career.

Her hobbies are travel and wood turning. As part of our visit, I have to freshly cut down a Wisconsin hardwood tree (no elms or ashes); cut it into diameter-length chunks; paint the ends to keep the wood from cracking and haul the pieces to her to make wooden bowls. She makes amazingly beautiful and delicate items. That and a case of Wisconsin maple syrup should get us a week’s stay! Hopefully Cousin Judy will be home that week. She lives near Everett, Wash., and is a hard-core quilter. She has a large building full of quilting fabrics and sewing and quilting machines. Her quilts are more like paintings than a traditional quilt.

Maybe Cousin Chrystal will have us for a few days in Medford, Ore., too.

We plan to drive out on Hwy. 2 through the far northern U.S. including staying at Glacier Park. We will take a week or more moseying our way out there touring small-town Main Streets and rock prospecting. One group of visitors at the Luck Museum this summer was a carload of women who were doing Main Street tours in Wisconsin for their summer Wednesdays. The day they visited us, they were touring Hwy. 35 starting at Centuria and headed through Danbury. “We stop in each town and walk the full length of the old Main Street on both sides and stop at everything that looks interesting.”

They liked Luck. Our Duncan Yo-Yo exhibit was their favorite part of the museum, especially when I demonstrated the Yo-Yo tricks I had perfected growing up on the farm: the two gutter tricks “walking on water”, and “shoveling s___,” and the two-handed “flicking flies.”

The Luck Museum has been open all week this summer with the addition of a summer employee, Melita. We have been averaging about 75 people per week with at least half of them from out of town. The museum runs on donations and grants. We pay our own share of the building utilities, too. I think it is a wonderful tourist attraction and a valuable addition to the cultural life of the area. It seems most of our visitors are from out of town; many from all over the United States.

We will let you know what we find touring Hwy 2. The last time we drove through North Dakota, I remember how excited we were just to see a hay bale standing out on the endless flat prairies.

This trip, skirting the international border with Canada, we are taking our passports in case we want to drive across the border and ask some of the aborigines about socialized medicine, eh?

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 5

Be positive

by Norman Vicent Peale (Inspirations from one of American’s greatest motivators) If you want to get somewhere, you have to know where you want to go and how to get there. Then never, never, never give up.

The secret of life isn’t in what happens to you, but what you Abrahamzon do with what happens to you.

Help other people to cope with their problems and your own will be easier to cope with.

Never use the word “impossible” seriously again. Toss it into the verbal wastebucket.

Self-trust is the first secret of success. So believe in and trust yourself.

Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have.

Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself. In giving it, you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible.

How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself – so always think positively.

Go at life with abandon; give it all you’ve got. And life will give all it has to you.

Bernice

Behind the Signpost

Taxes Tax his cow, Tax his goat Tax his pants, Tax his coat Tax his tires, Tax his shirt Tax his work, Tax his dirt.

Tax his chew, Tax his smoke Teach him taxes is no joke.

Tax his land, Tax his wage Tax the bed in which he lays.

Tax his tractor, Tax his mule Teach him taxes is the rule.

Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink Tax him if he tries to think.

Tax his booze, Tax his beers If he cries, Tax his tears.

Tax his bills, Tax his gas Tax his notes, Tax his cash.

Tax him good and let him know That after taxes he has no dough.

If he hollers, Tax him more Tax him ‘til he’s good and sore.

Tax his coffin, Tax his grave Tax the sod in which he lays.

Put these words upon his tomb, Taxes drove me to my doom.

And when he’s gone we won’t relax We’ll still be after Inheritance TAX! Sympathy is extended To the family of Ed Berdal. Ed and my camerahappy son enjoyed talking about photography and cameras as they shared a common interest.

I once mentioned to Ed that I had only one picture of my grandfather, Peter Kreitz, and that was a tintype, but I had no hopes of ever getting a proper picture from it. Who does anything with tintypes these days?

Ed said, “I can make you a picture!” And he made two copies, enlarged, too.

My grandfather was a housepainter and the print shows him in coveralls with a pail of paint at his feet.

My father did not like heights so didn’t become a painter, but a gardener, and stayed close to the earth.

The one time he climbed a ladder to cut a limb off a tree, he lost his balance, fell and broke his arm.

The only other time he experienced heights was when his employer’s son, Bill, took him up in a light plane and did a lot of fancy loops. To his credit, my father didn’t throw up, but he admitted he hung on pretty tight.

Ed Berdal took a lot of pictures in our yard, and also shared pictures taken at the Louise Fountain near Coon Lake, Frederic, and flowers in Frederic.

Recently he had pictures in the Inter-County Leader. He photographed much of the local scenery and probably acquired a real portfolio of local photographs. He and his talent will be missed, and we cherish the pictures he gave us.

Loggers legacy The logging crew spent two weeks in a woods next door to us, harvesting logs and chipping smaller trees. It really opened up the view. Also uncovered was a bear’s den. I hope said bear doesn’t move into our woods. We’ve already seen his trail through our cornfield. I hope if he has to cross there, he will always used the same path where he has broken stalks and not blaze a new trail every time.

Years ago we spent a lot of time in the wood picking wild raspberries and later, blackberries. With cows grazing in the woods, however, most berry bushes have disappeared.

It’s a funny thing about berries. One year we picked a lot of dewberries near a nearby lake. The next year there were no dewberries there. Perhaps some day they will pop up again.

You have to stoop and crawl on the ground to pick dewberries. They are nice and juicy. I made many jars of jelly (not jam).

At Sunday’s gem and mineral show, a lady at our lunch table said she makes beet jelly. That was news to me! It must be a very lovely color. I don’t know about the taste.

It seems I once read about corncob jelly. That seems so unique that perhaps I dreamed it.

You are over the hill • When “rock music” took place while grandma sang a lullaby in a rocking chair and kinky was for hair.

• When “enter” was a sign on the door, not a button on a computer keyboard and chip was a piece of wood.

•When fast food was what you ate during Lent, and it used to be that people married first, and then lived together.

•When hardware used to refer to a store and not computer equipment.

•When you believe that regularity is more important than popularity.

(From “Over the Hill and on a Roll”) By the time we get old enough not to care what anybody says about us, nobody says anything.

Until next week, Bernice

Eagle Valley Banks celebrates 90 years

Eagle Valley Bank celebrated its 90th anniversary July 17 with employee Kaisha Merrick and Miss St. Croix Falls contestant Molly Austin-White, sponsored by Eagle Valley Bank, handing out free root-beer floats in commemorative mugs. – Photo

by Tammi Milberg

Do you remember ?

Compiled by Bernice Abrahamzon

50 Years Ago There were 800 junior members who registered to exhibit at the Polk County Fair Aug. 7, 8, 9.-School-bus drivers planned to attend meetings.-Gov. Gaylord Nelson signed a law making it illegal for car dealers to sell cars on Sundays.-O-negative blood types donated blood for Julie Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Loren Miller of Luck.-Frank Witucki, Frederic, suffered burns while on a river trip with the River Rats, when he was going to burn garbage.-Parents were invited to Milltown swimming school.-A cougar was reported to be in the Clam Falls area, near the Four Corners Creamery.-Consolidated Lumber Co., Frederic, had a sale on 20 percent off outside paint and a sale on asbestos vinyl tile, now 11¢ each.-A dance was held at Pine Camp Ballroom, Pine City, Minn., with music by Whoopee John.-Specials at Route’s Super Market, Frederic, included red or green grapes at 2 lbs. for 39¢, carrots at 2 lbs. for 19¢, pot roast at 53¢/lb., Canadian bacon at 89¢/lb. and tomato soup (Campbell’s) for 10¢ a can.-At Hagberg’s Federated Store, Frederic, shoes were on sale from $1.88 to $3.44.Shorty’s Dray, Frederic, gave free estimates on gravel and black dirt.-The Salvation Army set a goal of $125 in Siren.-Mrs. Gertrude Simpson of Siren died.-The Siren Telephone Co. was in new quarters.-The film “Pork Chop Hill” was playing at the Frederic Theatre, starring Gregory Peck.-“Hercules” was playing at the Auditorium Theatre, St. Croix Falls.-A wedding dance was held at Indian Creek Hall for Mr. and Mrs. Warren Peterson (Mary Lou Anderson).

40 Years Ago A headline read “Twin daughters to marry brothers,” when Mr. and Mrs. Oris (Bud) Crosby announced the engagements of Linda Marie and Janice Ann to Steven Weiser and Greg Weiser respectively.-Ed-Mar Furniture and Upholstery, Frederic, had a 20 percent discount at their furniture sale on all upholstered furniture.-The Becvar barn exchanged cattle for curios and became a museum.-Polk County supervisors approved guidance clinic location.-The opening date of Luck Schools was set for Aug. 25.-A wedding dance was set for Indian Creek Dance Hall on Aug. 9, given by Bonnie Lundquist and Steven Johnson, with music by the Petersen Bros. of Duluth, Minn.-A dance was set for the Grantsburg Fairhouse Pavilion sponsored by Brask-Fossum Post No. 185 American Legion, with music by the Black Jacks.-Specials at the Frederic Co-op Super Market included fresh peaches at 19¢ lb., Swedish mints at 39¢/lb., ketchup at 4 bottles for 99¢, chuck steak at 59¢/lb. and whole or cream-style corn at 6 cans for 99¢.-Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Co. was advertised as the farmers’ friend.-The next meeting of the Siren Chamber of Commerce would be held at Edgewater Inn, Mud Hen Lake.A car was recovered at Danbury after its theft at Hertel.-School was set to start at Webster on Aug. 25.

20 Years Ago

A benefit dance was held for Burnett General Hospital equipment fund on June 24.-Al and Doris Ronningen, Frederic, celebrated 50 years of marriage.-Reader of the week at the Frederic Library was Christine Mullner according to librarian, Pat Johnson.-The Vince Lombardi Clinic opened a cancer hotline.-Open house was held to honor Bob Lee for his 31 years of service to the school and community on June 25 at the Siren School.-Wisconsin led the resurgence in manufacturing.-Larry Bray of Bray Associates was hired for building project in the Frederic School.-Sarah Sventek was crowned Miss Family Days Queen and also Miss Congeniality.-The Polk Recycling Centers were in business at Amery and Balsam Lake.-Arnold Sanford, Frederic, donated a prehistoric find (the tooth of a woolly mammoth), to Interstate Park, St. Croix Falls.-A local group was forming to deal with spear-fishing issues.- The Atlas Methodist Men sponsored a pancake supper, June 24, at the church.-An eye-to-eye column dealt with Ernie Pierson, bait shop stardom at 99. -Obituaries included Mae Lillian Mack, Irene Roskos, Emmy Hanson, Ruby Swanson, John Haas and Irene Janssen.-“Hold hands, stick together,” Harvey Stower told grade-school children.-Dave Dudley was coming to perform at Forts Folle Avoine.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER

866-4334 What has happened to our summer? July is almost over with fall right around the corner, and it seems like summer sneaked past us without stopping. We are thankful, though, for the few rainy days that watered our lawns and gardens.

I ate lunch at the center on Tuesday, and Nicky’s beef stew over baking-powder biscuits was delicious. I wish more seniors would take advantage of the daily meals served at our centers. You get a very wellbalanced and nutritious meal with a roll, dessert and milk for only $3.50. You can’t get a better deal than that anywhere. The new menu for August will be coming out this week, so pick one up at your local senior center and sign up for some of your favorites and you won’t be disappointed.

Lynn and Jim Shaw returned to their home in Roscoe, Ill., on Tuesday after spending time visiting Lynn’s mother, Margel Ruck and grandmother Olive Gehrke, at the Frederic nursing home and other family members during the past week.

Kenny Anderson enjoyed playing pool so much with Harold Peterson last Wednesday before and after eating lunch at the center that he came back for a rematch on Wednes-

Webster Senior Center day. Alissa Covey-Hoskin from Bloomington, Minn., has been visiting her great-grandmother, Mary Heier, for the past week and she came with her to play dime Bingo on Wednesday afternoon. She was very happy to win a game too. Refreshments were furnished by Mary Klar.

Charles “Scotty” Scott joined Harold Peterson, Dave Wardean, Pat O’Brien, Chuck Lehman and Ken Hayes for pool on Thursday evening. The group of ladies were Bernie Boelter, Jane Wardean, Gladys Beers, Theresa Gloege, Carol Berglind, Nancy O’Brien and Donna Lehman. The ladies also furnished their usual array of goodies.

On Saturday evening, Shirley (Nelson) Koerper and husband Ben of Portland, Ore,, attended her 35th Grantsburg High School class reunion at the American Legion Club in Grantsburg. Shirley and Ben are staying at the home of her sister, Annie Swenson, and enjoying visits with other family and friends during their two-week vacation. Ben and his sister, Julie Macke, and Jennifer Huisinger sang a medley of “And Can It Be?,” “My Savior’s Love,” and “O’ How He Loves You and Me” at the Sunday morning worship service at First Baptist Church.

Mary Klar

Don’t forget that the Webster Lioness Club is having its annual Gandy Dancer Days bake sale on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lions Shelter on Main Street. They will also be serving hot pork sandwiches with chips and pickles from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lioness clubs are one of the largest service organizations in the world.

Ask any Webster Lioness Club member about becoming a member or call Lioness President Gladys Beers at 715-866-4392 for information.

Our prayers and get-well wishes continue to go out to Mabel Bhuler, Earl Boelter and Maxine Stone. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the families of Shannon (Stadler) Fadness and Anita Bjork-Jourdain in their recent passing. Nita was the sister of the late Jack Bjork who was one of my school classmates in Webster.

Our special thanks go to Nancy O’Brien for her TLC in keeping the flowers watered in the two new window boxes that were built by husband Pat, and to Marion Barber-Johnson for her donation of aluminum cans.

One day, a guinea hen was at the creek taking a drink when she noticed an ant struggling in the water. “Help! Help!” screamed the

ant. The guinea hen picked up a branch in her beak and held it out for the ant to climb onto. Safely on the riverbank, the ant thanked its rescuer profusely and continued on its way. After many days, a hunter came through the area. He saw the guinea, drew an arrow from his quiver, and aimed it at the guinea hen. The ant, hiding in the grass, saw what the hunter was doing and bit the man’s toe with all its might. The hunter yelled and put down his bow and arrow. Startled, the guinea hen flew away. She never knew the ant had returned her kindness and saved her life. Good deeds are never lost. And it isn’t always the little people who need help from the big people. Sometimes the big people need help from the little people, even when they don’t realize it. (A legend from the African country of Benin as told by Ulrike Baur).

“Fear not, I am with thee – O’ be not dismayed, for I am thy God and I will give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand, upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand.” – Keith. Safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of God. He is our shield and defender. “You, O’ Lord, are a shield for me.” – Psalm 3:3. See you at the center!

Birth announcements Born at St. Croix Regional Medical Center: A girl, Jordin Nichole Kamish, born July 15, 2009, to Traci and Kim Kamish, Turtle Lake.

Jordin weighed 8 lbs., 11 oz.

••• A boy, Domenic Alberto Juarez, born July

15, 2009, to Laura and Juan Juarez, Centuria. Domenic weighed 7 lbs., 6 oz.

••• A girl, Taylor Ann Marie Ruskanen, born July 21, 2009, to Eileen Ruskanen, Grantsburg. Taylor weighed 5 lbs., 12 oz.

Amery Senior Center We were shocked and saddened when we heard of the passing of Linnea Phillipson – what a sweet, dear lady she was! She and Larry were at the senior center hosting the Lode Stone Antique Show just one week ago.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Larry and the family.

The summer is quickly fleeting and as I’m writing this it’s rumbling and lightning outside – so much for getting the lawn mowed today!

But for the most part, the weather has been pretty cooperative.

Although it slows down somewhat here in the summer, we’ve still managed to stay pretty busy, with lots of events and activities going on. We try to have a variety of fun things for people to do and we are always open to suggestions. Is there a program you would like to see here? How about a particular craft class or support group? Remember, this is your center, and we will do everything we can to bring the programs and activities that you want here.

We’ve got a four-day trip to Door County planned for Sept. 24-27 - the cost is $450 for members, $462 for nonmembers (additional $12 going towards membership). There will be the traditional fish boil, with an alternate entrée, in Ephraim, a Thursday evening ghost tour with tales of sunken ships, haunted lighthouses and mysterious happenings around Sturgeon Bay. A harbor dinner cruise is included along with a stop at Door Peninsula Winery, Simon Creek Winery, Ephriam Village Museums Tour, a Sturgeon Bay farmers and arts and crafts market, Seaquist Orchards Farm Market plus much more. Double occupancy in two-bedroom, two-bath suites at Bridgeport Waterfront Re-

sort in Sturgeon Bay, continental breakfast each morning, indoor swimming pool/hot tub. Free time to shop and explore. $100 deposit is due ASAP - if you have any desire to go, please contact the center, so we can get you signed up!

Our stamping and scrapping group, the Stamp ‘N’ Scrappers, is still going strong, thanks to the talents of Andy Friberg. She does a great job in organizing the group and making sure there are new projects to work on, while helping others with things they are working on. If you are interested in joining, all you have to do is be a member of the center for only $12/year! What a bargain! And if you don’t have any stamping supplies, the senior center has a ton that you can use at no charge. So stop on down – they meet the first and third Tuesday nights at 6 p.m.

Don’t forget we are always taking rummage sale items. Did you have a sale of your own and have some leftovers? Are you going through your stuff and find you have more than you need? Drop your items off at the senior center between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and pick up a tax-deductible receipt! We appreciate the support.

Tuesday’s pool had Val Hanson in first place with Mary Fisher in second, Paul Seidel in third and Paul Hartung fourth. Carl Johnson was first in the bowling tournament with a score of 618 (he had seven strikes in a row!) with Mary Fisher in second and Paul Seidel in third. Lila Ward was first in Wednesday bridge, with Mary Deloughtery in second, Shirley Turek following in third, Pat Davis in fourth and Madeline Mickelson fifth.

Have a great week!

Frederic Senior Center

by Ardyce Knauber Spades was played at 1 p.m., July 20 with the following winners: Margaret Ulick in first place, Netha Polson in second place, Jim Anderson in third place and Willis Williams in fourth place.

Tuesday Whist was enjoyed.

Wednesday Pokeno and other cards were played at 1 p.m., with coffee time and refreshments together.

Thursday 500 cards were played at 6:30 p.m., with the following winners: Larry Anderson in first place, Shirley Sandquist in second place, Arnie Borchert in third place and Donald Weik in fourth place.

Friday Pokeno and cards were played at 1 p.m., with refreshments and visiting time.

The pool players enjoy their morning games and the morning coffee group is a good way to start the day.

Saturday light lunch buffet has been very good. Our sandwiches are the best. Enjoying food together is always fun. Cards and Pokeno or Bingo after lunch.

Our executive board meets on Thursday, rather than Friday the 31st, as we take care of the senior building at the fair that day from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. We have a display board to bring to the fair on Wednesday, which features pictures of our gatherings at

the center. These bring back good memories. We have lost quite a few members to death in the last several years and as we look at the event pictures, we thing about the good times we had together.

Saturday, Aug. 1, will be potluck and birthdays of the month will be celebrated. Those having August birthdays are: Eleanore Carlson, Lola Hinschberger, Hazel Hoffman, Lillian Murphy and David Peterson.

Sympathy is extended to Ed Berdal’s family.

There are two dates in August when there will be no buffet luncheon. The first is Aug. 15, due to the ambulance dinner fundraiser at the shelter across the street and it’s also the arts and crafts fair. Cards and Pokeno or Bingo will be played at the center after dinner. Afternoon refreshments will be enjoyed.

Secondly, Saturday, Aug. 29, the Depot/Museum hotdish contest and white elephant sale, followed by cards or Bingo.

Monthly after-dinner meeting for August is at 1:30 p.m. on the 7th.

Get-well wishes to Lola Hinschberger, we miss you.

Beauty is only skin deep. What is really important is finding a balance of mind, body and spirit.

••• A boy, Mathias James Jenniges, born July 21, 2009, to Mark and Jackie Jenniges, Lindstrom, Minn. Mathias weighed 6 lbs., 13 oz.

Born at Burnett Medical Center: A girl, Hattie Lou, born July 22, 2009, to Jeremy and Brianna DeMarre, Grantsburg. Hattie weighed 8 lbs., 7 oz. and was 20 inches long. She has one sibling, Ayden.

Grandparents are Bill Zitha and Kris Peterson, Burnsville, Minn.; John and Maria Gobely, White Bear Lake, Minn.; Les and Angeletta DeMarre, Grantsburg.

Great-grandparents are Don and Gail Zitka, Deer River, Minn.; Coreen Davis, Anoka, Minn.; Jim and Mildred Gobely, Minneapolis, Minn.; Elmer and Louise Mattila, Winona, Minn.

Luck Senior Center Wasn’t our Lucky Days celebration great this year? The weather was almost perfect. I will opt for cooler weather any day over the heat of last year. And our parade didn’t even get rained out!!

Our barbecue and pie lunch was a success. It’s always great to see so many people at our center having lunch and visiting with neighbors. And some lovely lady made it even more pleasant by providing beautiful piano music for a while – I don’t know who she was, but our gratitude to her. And our gratitude to all the people who worked so hard to make the day a success. Dave Mueller and Bob Kreutzian and a friend of Bob’s set up all the tables on Friday night.

Marlene Denissen spent all day Friday cooking that delicious barbecue. Silpa Ogren played hostess at the center on Friday so Marlene could do the cooking. I cannot begin to mention all the people who donated pies, but oh were they good. I just must give honorable mention again to Eiler Ravenholt for his rhubarb-black currant pie. It was too pretty to cut, but we did anyway. Marlys Pedersen’s cherry pie rivaled Eiler’s. The top crust had tiny cherry cutouts, again almost too pretty to cut and eat. And then there were several pecan pies – my favorite. I believe Sylvia Jensen made two or three of those. Many of the members of TOPS do-

nated pies, and we had three delicious apple pies donated by a gentleman, again whose name I don’t know. Judy Randall (as usual) did a wonderful job of cutting and displaying all those great pieces of pie. Judy was cutting pie nonstop for five hours. Eva Hansen and Vangie Schadow spent the entire day at the cash register. In the kitchen were Silpa Ogren, Edna Lawson, Carol Weitz, Eiler Ravnholt, Marlys Pedersen, Dave Mueller and me (and Judy, of course). A lovely blonde lady I do not know came in and just started washing dishes - with a big smile on her face! Fred Sampe was out of the kitchen doing some running for stuff, opening windows as necessary, emptying trash cans. On Monday, Dave Mueller and Fred Sampe spent about two hours taking down tables, putting away chairs and cleaning, so our heartfelt gratitude to all of you. If I missed mentioning someone else who helped, let me know. Everyone’s role was essential. We all worked hard and were tired at the end of the day, but it was so enjoyable.

Come in and see us and have a cup of coffee and maybe a little lunch. The visiting is always great. We always love seeing new people. What we especially enjoy is former residents of Luck coming in. They always give us another chance to talk about the “old days.”

Luck Library Wii at the library Every Thursday from 4 p.m. to close, the Luck library will be hosting Wii gaming. All ages are welcome to come and have some free fun. Many of us are not experts, so all you first timers, come and learn what Wii is all about.

Library movie night The August movie, showing Friday, Aug. 21, will be “Slumdog Millionaire.” We will close the library at 5 p.m., then reopen at 6 p.m., for the 6:30 p.m. show. Bring your popcorn (you can pop it here) and soda and relax for free at the library. Parents, bring the kids to West Denmark church for free baby-sitting and have a date at the library.

Parent play group Parents drop in anytime with your children Thursday mornings to play (9:30 – 11 a.m.).

Children between the ages 0 and 5 and their parents / guardians are welcome. This is a nonsupervised play group, so parent attendance is required. Registration is not required however, so feel free to come and go as you like. The library’s back door will be open for play group, so if you just need to get out and see people, this is your opportunity. Come play with us.

Book club For the month of August, the book club is reading “Blindness,” by Jose Saramago. The review begins: “In an unnamed city in an unnamed country, a man sitting in his car waiting for a traffic light to change is suddenly struck blind. But instead of being plunged into darkness, this man sees everything white, as if he were caught in a mist or had fallen into a milky sea.” Sound interesting? Get a copy from the library and join the discussion. Book club meets Monday, Aug. 17, at the library at 6:30 p.m.

New computers The library has new computers and they are super fast. Great for gaming, as well as e-mail, research, job searches, resumes and even homework. Call the library to reserve your computer before you come in so you will be guaranteed to get one. They are in demand and sometimes book up early.

Book sale donations Lucky Days is over and we could not have had a successful sale without everyone who donated. So while we thank you for what you have donated, we cannot accept yard sale items right now for next year’s sale. Book donations are always welcome and can be dropped off at the library. We appreciate all donations.

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 7

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Lewis Christmas in July was observed on Sunday at the Lewis United Methodist Church, complete with a decorated Christmas tree in the sanctuary, Christmas carols and rosettes dusted with powdered sugar as an after-service treat.

Pastor Tom passed out miniature scrolls telling the good news. The choir sang “There is a Song in the Air.” It’s good to remember more often than once a year that the birth of Jesus is good news for all who believe.

The disciples of God are responsible for the decorated tree and one of their teachers is responsible for the rosettes and other treats to go with beverages.

A potluck fellowship (free) supper will be enjoyed Wednesday night at the Lewis church at 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. monthly board meeting. The D.O.G.s will also meet at 6 p.m.

Jessica (Mrs. Brian) Ford is on the prayer chain; hoping she feels better soon.

The son of Ray and LouAnn Gackle underwent a heart procedure and is reportedly recovering and feeling better. He has also been on the prayer chain.

Bernice Abrahamzon

The Charles E. Lewis buttons are here and selling fast.

They are a community project, not exclusively a church activity. Last year’s major prize of cash was never claimed, so it is being listed this year as a major prize.

The Schoolhouse Bar is under different management and will receive a new name. Through the years it has operated under many different names.

The two-day gem and mineral show and sale drew a lot of visitors at the Frederic High School. Vernon Peterson, one of the two remaining charter members, was present both days with an outline of the U.S. and a list of state rocks identified.

The other remaining charter member, Bernice Abrahamzon, attended the show on Sunday and enjoyed visiting with old rock friends.

Food was served by the 4-H club both days. Food was also available at St. Dominics Catholic Church, Frederic, enjoyed by all including rock hounds.

What did the show include? Agates, fossils, shark teeth, decorative trays, using rhubarb leaves as a mold and so much

Siren

349-2964 We finally got some rain last week, but not enough to do much good. I’m afraid for some of the area fields and crops.

Even some of the lakes are in dire need of much more rain.

How many of you remember some years when in the spring, water would either come right up to the road or even overflow onto the road from Little Doctor Lake on Hwy. 70, just east of town. Take a look at the lake today; there isn’t much water left in it. Even the pair of swans and their three cygnets seem to be having a rough time.

Joni Anderson, daughter of the late Jerry and Shirley Anderson, threw herself a 50th birthday party. During her party she collected $1,300; she said people were very generous. From the money raised she plans on donating half of it to the Milltown woman’s shelter. That shelter serves both Polk and Burnett counties. The other half will be going to the Safe Journey program at North Memorial Hospital.

Those of you who knew and remember Jens Rasmussen,

Bev Beckmark

take time on Aug. 1 and go see and enjoy his many paintings on display at the Lakeview Events Center. I, for one, will always remember him sitting at various places around the area with his paints, recording his ideas of the area with his brushes.

Sympathy to the family of Brent M. Roux who passed away July 18.

The town of Daniels will be holding their August meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, instead of Aug. 14. So make the change if you are planning on attending the meeting.

Naomi Glover spent Saturday, July 18 to Monday, July 20, in Decorah, Iowa, for the baptism of her youngest grandson, Alex John Numedahl.

Don’t forget to enjoy some of the Siren Summerfest days this weekend. Come and enjoy sales on the streets, music in the park, a piece of pie, the chicken and rib fest, softball, pie eating contest, a mini golf tournament, pedal pulls, garden

SCF Senior Center After a busy week of Wannigan Days activities that most of us participated in, last week was more normal with our regular activities.

Tuesday, after the exercise we had, there were two full tables of Skip-bo players with five different winners. They were Marian Edler, Carol Van Buskirk, Rita Boyle, Darlene Cross and Verna Wood. Afternoon 500 cards had 27 participants.

Winners were Ray Nelson, Ruth Flostrand and Olga Young (tie), Leone Montgomery and Don Benson. Ray Nelson and Pete Schlosser were the 9-bid winners. Domino players had seven at their table. Winners were Janice Mevissen, Gladis Weikert and Donna Schlosser.

On Wednesday, several of our members went to the Good Samaritan Center and played 500 cards with two of our members, Cliff Qualle and Emma Klawitter.

One beautiful summer day after another out here in the little townships of Arna and New Dosey has been enjoyed by all. An occasional much-needed shower has enhanced our gardens – both vegetable and flower.

Deloris Schirmer got bored the other day, so she went to Sandstone and bought herself a new toy. She now has a brush-whacker to cut down some high-bush blackberries, some trees that are choking out her currant bushes and to clear out the wheeler trail that goes through her woods.

Deloris has also had the company of a small black bear in her yard. She noticed awhile back that the bottom on a hummingbird feeder had been unscrewed, not broken and destroyed, so she kept an eye out for whoever was doing it.

Sure enough, she eventually noticed the little bear just three feet from her deck.

Marlene and Don Mishler were joined by Elaine and Don Kelch at the Grand Buffet in Hinckley, Minn., last Saturday.

They ate and visited for a few hours.

Last Sunday, the Mishlers went to son Jason’s home in East Bethel for a big family get-together. All three of Don’s children, Diana, Brian and Jason, and Marlene’s only daughter, Pam, were there with their children and grandchildren.

Everyone had a wonderful time.

Every day comes with its own set of opportunities and another chance to show the world how special we all are.

Thursday morning Skip-bo winners were Juanita Perry, Marian Edler, Ione White and Carol Van Buskirk.

Several of our members have been working on projects for the upcoming Polk County Fair, which opens to the public on Thursday, July 30, at 8 a.m. Be sure to check out the main administration building for our colossal character and also be sure to stop in at the senior building.

Thursday evening 500-card winners were Betty Wilson, Phil Mevissen, Jeanne Olson and Grace Howitz. Bob Norlander was the 9-bid winner that evening.

Good things still come to those who wait. No one is more special than you are.

See you at the fair.

Ruth and Gary Ament and their son, Brian, and his family, participated in the fifth-annual Crawl for the Cure, a fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis held in Gilbert last weekend. This is a four-wheeling event and is always very successful. The Aments stayed at the Sherwood Forest Campground while there.

Mary Schaaf continues to recuperate nicely following her hip replacement. She had her last physical therapy session on Monday.

Frank, however, has been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. It has gotten quite bad, so he had an MRI in Duluth, Minn., recently. They are awaiting the results.

Pam Ellwein and her daughter, Jessie Clennon, Sandstone, Minn., went on Thursday to visit her husband Pete’s mom, who has recently moved to a nursing home in Anoka, Minn. Jessie’s children, Austin and Brooke, went along also.

After a visit at the nursing home, the Ellweins went shopping.

On the home front, Dave is busy working on a pantry addition to our home. Beverly Carlin and I met at the town hall the other day to plan refreshments for the Sunday, Aug. 2, honorroll reception. Clint Elliott came over one day with his truck, and we loaded it with junk and hauled it away.

Enjoy the summer wherever you are.

Dewey - LaFollette

Monday visitors of Sue and Roger Mroszak were Jerry and Judy Rivet. They live in Tuscon, Ariz., now, but they used to live in the Twin Cities.

Ray and Cheryl Olson and Ray’s sister, Linda Peterson, visited Nina and Lawrence Hines Tuesday afternoon.

Hank and Karen Mangelsen, Cheryl and Ray Olson and Jack and Linda Peterson were visitors of Donna and Gerry Hines Tuesday evening. They all enjoyed a potluck supper.

A number of ladies from Clam River Tuesday Club visited Mavis Viltz at Lakeland Manor Wednesday. They brought cake, strawberries, ice cream and gelation to share, helping Mavis celebrate her birthday.

Kay Krentz, Sandy (Searles) Herzinger, Donna Hines and Hank Mangelsen were Thursday afternoon guests of Lida Nordquist.

Karen and Hank Mangelsen visited Ray and Marj Bestler early Saturday afternoon. Later, they called on Marlene,

tours or even the Siren Tornado Golf Tournament sponsored by the Siren Chamber of Commerce.

While in the area for Summerfest, why not stop in at the Siren Methodist Church and enjoy an evening of music from a group of fiddlers from Sweden. They will be playing at 7 p.m.

This is a free event, but a plate will be passed to help with their costs.

Art and Bev Beckmark spent last weekend in International Falls, Minn., at a reunion with some of Bev’s sisters. Sisters Betty Michkota and Peggy Frykman live in the Falls. Mary Lou Olson came from St. Cloud, Minn., their sister, Donna Rutledge, the oldest of all, no longer is able to come as she is in a nursing home in Salem, Ore. Sister Janice Butler and her husband, Al, also were absent, as Al was in the hospital in Duluth, Minn. Art and Bev stopped in on their way home to see him.

Interstate Park news

Cloverton-Markville

468-2940

more.

Bob and Marie Nelson enjoyed hearing their granddaughter, Leah, play the piano at church in an impromptu concert on Sunday. Others, too enjoyed it! Leah will be 16 this fall. Good to see Angie there, too.

Congratulations to the Indianhead Gem and Mineral Society for a fine 42nd-annual show.

St. Dominics Catholic Church had a fine day, too. Weather cooperated beautifully.

The Frederic Scrabble Club members enjoyed a noon potluck dinner on Monday to celebrate the birthday of Darlene Jensen. She is a former Leader proofreader. Many of the players enjoy using the new Scrabble boards, but several players still like the original boards.

Amy Jones is stationed at Great Lakes and after basic training expects to be transferred to a naval base in Florida.

It has been so well attended at Skonewood’s Sunday night programs that services have been held outside lately.

Karen Mangelsen

Bruce, Brad and LeeAnn Swearingen.

The Class of 1959 of Siren High School held their 50-year reunion at The Lodge Saturday evening. Lida and Don Nordquist and Kay and Jack Krentz were among those who enjoyed the celebration.

Visitors of Gerry and Donna Hines over the weekend were Mark and Sue Hines and Brian and Jane Hines and family.

Roger and Sue Mroszak visited Bob and Pam Bentz Sunday afternoon.

Don and Lida Nordquist visited Joleen and Richard Funk and family Sunday. They helped Joleen celebrate her birthday.

There will be an open house for Donna and Gerry Hines on Saturday, Aug. 1, at Timberland Lutheran Church from 1 to 4 p.m. This is in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.

No gifts please.

Friday, July 31

• The Owl and the Mouse, 3 p.m. at the grassy area in the center of the North Campground. Meet Aztec, a live South American spectacled owl, and play a game that illustrates the exceptional hearing of some nocturnal animals that have the best hearing of any on earth. A fun activity for the entire family!

Saturday, Aug. 1

• Tree Flying Disc, 2 p.m. at the playground near the beach house. Come and test your flying disc tossing ability and tree identification skills at the same time. Join naturalist Julie Fox for a fun activity that the entire family can enjoy.

• Pondering the Potholes & Other Glacial Wonders, 4 p.m., at the Pothole Trail sign. Join naturalist Julie Fox for a relaxing hike on the Pothole Trail while learning about the unique geology of Interstate Park.

• Good News, Bat News, 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Ice Age Center. People need bats and bats need you. Join naturalist Julie Fox to find out why and how, and learn more about these fascinating yet often misunderstood mammals.

Sunday, Aug. 2

• Park open house, free admission to the park all day; pancake breakfast fundraiser, 8 a.m. to noon; dedication of the new classroom addition, 11 a.m., at the Ice Age Center. The pancake breakfast fundraiser for the Friends of Interstate Park is $5 for adults, $3 for children under 10. For more information call 715-483-3747.

Wednesday, Aug. 5

• Hike to the Summit, 10 a.m. at the Summit Rock Trail sign.

Join naturalist Barb Walker for a relaxing hike up to the summit. Learn fascinating facts about the history and geology of the area and see spectacular views of the St. Croix River.

• Twilight Full-Moon Paddle, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., from Wisconsin Interstate Park to Osceola Landing. Meet National Park Ranger Dale Cox and embark on a 6-1/2-mile paddle to observe the river and learn about the special nature of this protected area. Participants must provide their own canoe/kayak and other gear, including a personal floatation device which must be worn at all times while on the river. A limited number of canoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis free of charge for Friends of Interstate Park. Call 715-483-3747 for membership information. Shuttle services are available through area outfitters licensed by the National Park Service.

The program will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. For more information about the paddle call Dale Cox at 715-483-2274.

Thursday, Aug. 6

• Nature story time, 10 a.m.. Join naturalists Julie Fox or Barb Walker for a story and activity chosen especially for children pre-K through kindergarten and their parents. Check at the park office upon arrival for program location.

• Interstate Park is located in St. Croix Falls on Hwy. 35 just one-half mile south of Hwy. 8. For more information call Julie or Barb at 715-483-3747.

Follow the Leader

PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

LIBRARY NEWS Burnett Community Library My Public Library is important to our community because, “It gives people who don’t have a chance to buy books a chance to borrow them…” Another patron’s response to the resources of our community library.

The Burnett Community Library Garden Tour Fundraiser will be on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $5. The tour will include eight gardens, and many varieties in the Webster, Siren and Voyageur Village areas.

A list of the gardens is available at various local businesses. Information is available at the library or at 715-866-7798.

The summer reading program meets at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays for children ages 4 and up. The toddlers story hour meets at 11:30 a.m.

The Burnett Community Library Book Club will be reading “The Senator’s Wife,”

by Sue Miller, to be discussed on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. If you need a copy, please call the library at 715-866-7697, and we will be glad to obtain one for you.

The library now has job information publications available from The Job Center of Wisconsin: Where to look for job opportunities; ability to follow directions; transferable skills; qualities an employer looks for when hiring and promoting; life stress questionnaire; family finances: getting by on less. The library has recently received a grant to purchase materials for job seekers – the books are on order and are expected soon. We even have copies of “Young Person’s Occupational Outlook Handbook” and “Student’s Occupational Outlook Handbook” for juveniles to get a glimpse into possible careers.

New juvenile books “It’s a Secret,” by John Burningham; “Math Dictionary,” by Judith de Klerk; “Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School,” by Barbara Park; “Franny K. Stein: The Three-Headed Book,” by Jim Benton; “Stuart Little,” by E.B. White; “The Runaway Bunny,” by Margaret Wise Brown; “My Baptism Book,” by Sophie Piper; “Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr.; “The Tiny Seed,” by Eric Carle; “The Rabbit and the Turtle,” by Eric Carle; “The Velveteen Rabbit,” by Margery Williams Bianco; “The Sandman,”

by Ralph Fletcher New magazine Diabetic Living New adult books “Rain Gods,” by James Lee Burke; “The Defector,” by Daniel Silva; “The Chalk Circle Man,” by Fred Vargas; “The Unscratchables,”

by Cornelius Klane; “The Puppy Whisperer,”

by Paul Owens; “21 Days to Train Your Dog,”

by Colin Tennant; “2010 Scholarship Handbook,” by College Board; “The Official SAT Study Guide,” by College Board; “Anders Larsen ‘Andy,’” by Tom Poirier; “Gingerbread Architect,” by Susan Matheson; “The Girls from Ames,” by Jeffrey Zaslow; “The Girl Who Played With Fire,” by Stieg Larsson New DVDs “Enchanted April,” and “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” Hours Monday through Thursday open from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Frederic Public Library Summer reading program continues The summer reading program has been busy all summer, with kids and adults participating in many activities. We have special events planned right up until the program ends Aug. 21. Stop in to pick up a calendar and sign up for one or all of the upcoming sessions which include book groups, making cardboard sculptures, a miniworkshop with the Festival Theatre staff, and make-and-take crafts. Kids are also reminded to be sure to turn in at least eight reading checklists to complete the program and get a prize.

teridge,” by Elizabeth Strout. New members are always welcome and invited to join us for a lively conversation about books.

Veggies for the local food shelf At long last we have had rain, and the gardens are beginning to produce. Please remember to share the fruits of your labors with the local food shelf, which welcomes donations of garden fruits and vegetables. The library is a drop site for the food shelf, and we encourage you to remember the food shelf each time you visit the library.

Book groups to meet The Thursday morning book group will meet Aug. 20, at 10 a.m., to talk about “Many Lives, Many Masters,” by Brian L. Weiss. The evening Book Group will meet Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m., to discuss “Oliver Kit-

Hours and information Frederic Public Library, 127 Oak Street West.

715-327-4979, e-mail fredericpl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Regular open hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m.

- 1 p.m.

Instructor Jill Chell and a group of young card-makers show off their latest creations in an activity sponsored by the Frederic Library as part of the summer reading program, “Be Creative @ Your Library.”Frederic Public Library News – Photos submitted

Nancy Buley led a summer reading craft session in making bug repellent sticks and lip balms from natural ingredients.

Gratitude is extended to the senior citizens center for allowing the library to use their kitchen for this activity.

Balsam Lake Public Library Summer reading program Imagine, Create, Participate is the theme for this summer. Saturday, Aug. 8, we will have “Art Studio” at the library from 10 a.m.

– 1 p.m., wear old clothes. Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 6 - 7:30 p.m., here at the library, we will have games and art. These free programs are open to all ages. Saturday, Aug. 15, we will host Z’Puppets are Coming! at 10:30 a.m. at the library. All events are free.

Book club “In a Pickle: A Family Farm Story,” by Jerry Apps. In 1955, life on the nation’s traditional small family farms was on a collision course with industrialization and technology. Small cheese factories were closing, combines were replacing the threshing crew, and workhorses

were put out to pasture. It also meant that farm families were facing the traumas of the future. Jerry Apps chronicles this dilemma of change through the lives of central Wisconsin farmers who existed by the sweat of their brows and the muscles in their arms. “In a Pickle” is a story you’ll read with relish and remember forever. Book club will meet Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 3 p.m.

Hours Balsam Lake Library, (under the water tower) at 404 Main St., Balsam Lake. Hours are Monday 10 a.m. –8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m.

– 4 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

E-mail: balsamlakepl@ifls.lib.wi.us. Web site http://www.balsamlakepubliclibrary.org.

Milltown Public Library The Milltown Public Library has over 150 young people (birth - 18 years of age) registered for our Summer Reading Program.

Nine hundred thirty-eight reading records have been submitted by youth in Milltown and surrounding communities. That translates to a whopping 87 days and six hours of reading–and we still have another month to go. Stop in to register and start reading your way to hairdos, ice-cream cones, stuffed animals and other cool prizes around town. Fill out 10 reading records and you win a cool Tshirt!

It is going to be loud at the library. Watch for the opera coming to the Milltown Public Library in August. Stop in Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 1 p.m. when real live opera singers from the Minnesota Opera take the stage.

Our grand finale program will be at Bering Park at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27. Magic Mama performs organic hip-hop and world beats for the entire family. Through her music, she delivers an empowering and hope-filled message of love and respect for all and inspires creative thinking and Earth-

friendly actions. Don’t miss this high-energy, interactive music performance–especially as we will be announcing the grand prize (iPod Touch) winner. Rain? The program will be hosted at the Milltown Public Library.

Preschoolers and an accompanying adult are invited to partake in Milltown Public Library’s story time. Enjoy a half hour of fun, stories and a small craft every Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m.

We have recently expanded our collection of job-seeking and basic education materials.

Check out some of these great resources to assist you in your resume writing and employment quest.

Enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed coffee and our fast wireless Internet every day!

Hours The library hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Sunday closed. Visit the library on the Web at www.milltownpubliclibrary.org. Call at 715825-2313.

Polk County Library Federation See you at the fair! The Polk County Library Federation will be at the Polk County Fair again selling books. Look for us in the white building next to the grandstand. Don’t miss all the great deals and stock up on your winter reading!

Brown Bag Library Lecture: August 13, noon to 1 p.m.

Baskets with Phyllis

Learn about the fine art of basket weaving from a person with 25 years of experiene with the craft. Phyllis Knutson has been making baskets and teaching the art at the North House Folk School and John C. Campbell Folk School as well as teaching for local community education classes. She will be bringing examples of her baskets as well as the materials used for the projects. She also has

Cynthia Oberg and Andrea Leis. – Special photo experience caning chairs. This informational class is free, but if there is enough interest, Phyllis will be offering a class in the fall at the Polk County Library Federation. Questions?

Give us a call at 715-485-8680.

Amery Area Public Library There has been lots of excitement at the Amery Area Public Library recently. We had a fundraising picnic, which was a success.

We received matching funds from Thrivent.

Gratitude is extended to the Apple River String Quartet, Janette Cysewski, Erin Gallagher, Roger Strand and Barb O’Neill, who provided us with musical entertainment; to the Amery Lions Club who cooked brats and hot dogs, to Bernick’s for furnishing the root beer; to the fundraising committee, the Amery Library Board who worked and the city crew who brought the picnic tables; to Anne Frank who juggled and Dottie Zens who was our face painter.

The Friends of the Library have received a beautiful quilt made by Mary Wolff, which they are raffling off, so tickets are available at the library or from the members of the Friends of the Library. Tickets are $5 for one and three for $10.

Be Creative at Your Library continues as the summer rolls on. Three hundred thirtythree children are signed up for the summer reading program. Those attending story time

had a great time with Flamenco Espana recently.

The Friends of the Library are accepting donations of books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, videos and tapes. They will have another book sale in the fall but are selling a small amount of books on carts in the library all the time. They have also discounted their Tshirts to clear out the remainder and they are a bargain at $5. Only large sizes are available, large and extra large. Remember that Ameryopoly games are still available at the library for $25. If you have former residents who are visiting you remind them to check out the game.

Otaku Club meets every Tuesday at 5 p.m. for teens and older who love manga, anime and gaming. Stop in and check it out if you are a teen.

Library hours Hours are Monday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grantsburg Public Library Unclaimed property Burnett County has provided the library with a list of people who have unclaimed property in their name. Unclaimed property is assets that have gone untouched for a number of years.

The list can be found at the checkout desk.

Job hunting materials In these times, people seeking employment need all the assistance they can get. To help, we have ordered books on the subjects of working from home, cover letters and resumes. The state of Wisconsin has also supplied information from the Wisconsin Job Center. We also have basic information for filing unemployment insurance.

Upcoming reading programs Scary Stories Night Thursday, July 30, 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the library. Bring a flashlight and

join the fun. Miss Grantsburg Carissa Skifstad and her princesses will read to preschoolers and young elementary children Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 10:30 a.m.

St. Croix River turtle exhibit Jean Vantatnhove of the National Park Service is responsible for the pictorial exhibit of turtles found along the St. Croix River area. This exhibit complements the papiermache turtles found on the bookshelves made by the middle school students as part of their nature studies.

Hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday noon to 6 p.m.; Wednesday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Saturdays until September. Wireless service available night and day.

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 9

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Arnell Humane Society Happy Tails

Ralph has a playful nature. He likes to chase mini super balls and shadows, to play Chase Me and Gotcha with the caregivers and purr like a motor boat when being held.

Ralph and his brother Riley are 12 weeks old, already neutered and ready to go home. Ralph is a mitted buff tabby and Riley is a mitted orange tabby.

Little Ben the Chihuahua went home last week. He was a resident at the shelter for a month.

Now he shares the spotlight with a little Pomeranian in his new home.

Dexter found a special place to be, in the

Await

arms of a young man looking for a friend.

Jasper moved on to the big cities in Minnesota. Phil and Bubb were adopted together to make the life of a certain young female cat more fun. All in all, a busy week for adoptions.

The isolation kennel addition project is moving right along. The foundation has been poured, walls are up, roof attached, furnace and insulation added. Drywall will be added this week and before you know it, dogs will be breaking in the isolation kennels.

Next to the new kennels, a small training room is being added. As many of the Arnell shelter dogs have little to no training when

Siren Senior Center The center had 32 diners enjoying a roast beef dinner on Tuesday. My own personal poll has declared that roast beef, turkey and liver and onions are the favorite entrées at our center. Which brings to mind that CeCe will be serving roast beef w/gravy and mashed potatoes, her famous salad bar, vegetable and apple pie for dessert on Thursday, Aug. 6, for our Dining at Five dinner. If you haven’t stopped or called in your reservation, now is the time to do it.

The senior monthly meeting was also held on Tuesday, with 18 people attending. It was decided that the plaque in memory of Jeanette Olson will be placed on the flagpole instead of inside the building. Also voted on was that the center will serve sandwiches and bars for the coin show, the annual show which Hi, everybody! Blacky here from the Humane Society of Burnett County. It’s one of those rare weeks where I don’t have any new furry pals to tell you about. I guess that’s good, in a way. I would like to think there are no stray dogs or cats running around, and everyone who has a pet is keeping him or her. I know, I’ve got my head in the clouds, and next week will likely bring a whole new crew into the shelter.

I can tell you that two of my cat friends went home last week. Kitten Ansel has left and so has Shurcanpur. That is the craziest name for a cat I think I’ve ever heard. I wonder if his new family will keep it or change it to something else. (These are the kinds of things I think about on a rainy day, like today, when I’m a lazy couch hog.) Though those two youngsters have left, there are still plenty of available cats at the shelter and a whole lot of dogs. In fact, the staff asked me if I would mention that we are running low on cat and dog food. There are a lot of mouths to feed, and we could use some donated chow. Bleach, too, to keep

will be in the center Aug. 1, beginning at 9 a.m. Also on Aug. 1, an art show will be held at the Northwest Arts Store, which is located next to Ben Franklin. Pictures painted by Jens Rasmussen will be displayed. The center has had the pleasure of one of his paintings hanging in the center, on loan from Nancy and Lou Jappe. These are two events to put on your must-do list for that Saturday.

Also beginning in August, the center will be serving dinners five days a week for several months thanks to monies from the government stipulated especially for the nutrition meals. Also breakfasts will be available.

These are frozen and may be ordered with your meals-on-wheels dinners or you may purchase them direct from CeCe at the center. I believe the cost for a breakfast will be the kennels squeaky clean!

I see the sky is beginning to clear, and I’m beginning to perk up.

Yep, I think I’m ready to go for a walk! When I was riding in the car yesterday, I saw a furry creature run into a culvert just up the road.

He was black with a white stripe down his back, and I’ve never met a fellow like that I think I’m YAPpenings before! going to go and see if he’s still there and if he’d like to come out and play.

Take care, everyone, and I’ll see you here next week!

HSBC is saving lives, one at a time. www.hsburnettcty.org 715-866-4096.

Blacky Shelter

$2.50 and understand they are very tasty.

We are happy to report that Don Brand is back attending to business at the center. He is recovering nicely but still has medical appointments to hinder his activities. Welcome back, Don! All of the diners at the center wish to thank Lollie McMonigal for the radishes, broccoli and lettuce plus lots of jigsaw puzzles that she brought in for us. We also have been enjoying some delicious refrigerator pickles donated from Corrine Root (our famous pickle maker).

All of our activities – dime Bingo, 500 and Spade cards, had really good turnouts again this week. Winners at 500 were Tony R., Gerry Vogel, Nona Severson, Clara Palomaki and Theresa Meirs. Winners at Spades were

they arrive, we hope to be able to give them the beginnings of obedience training before they go home. The training room will give us room to accomplish this.

Cats and dogs are waiting to meet you at Arnell, Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 185 Griffin St. E, Amery 715-2687387. Hope to see you at the Polk County Fair. Stop by our booth for a look at our adoptable pets and information about the shelter.

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w w w. t h e - l e a d e r. n e t Barb Munger Sue Newberger, Barb Munger, Clara Palomaki, Mary Sicord and Ron Yourchuck. The players for Spades enjoyed a dessert that was furnished by Sharon and Carl Link. Remember we start all of our activities at 1 p.m. and everyone is welcome to join us.

We would like to express our sympathy to Ruth Jerome and family on the passing of Lee. He was a regular participant at our Dime Bingo games and occasionally joined us for dinner.

Don’t forget our donation box for the Burnett County Humane Society; every little item is appreciated.

Nutrition meals are served promptly at 11:30 a.m., you may call 715-349-2845 for a reservation and if you have any questions for the center call 715-349-7810.

Academic news Holly Stoner of Frederic was named to the dean’s list at Augsburg College in Rochester, Minn. She is an elementary education major and the daughter of Steve and Terri Stoner.

••• The following area students have made the dean’s list for the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Students on the list all

achieved a grade-point average of 3.66 or higher while taking 12 or more credits.

Emily S. Severson, Amery; James J. Dodge, Clear Lake; Kyle A. Swenson, Frederic; Brett D. Bartley, Osceola, Alicia R. Dorsey, St. Croix Falls and Chelsie L. Benson, Webster.

PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

‘T

Daymares, ribs, tea and a beaver club

was a hard weekend for us gnomes, at least for those of us who live in the vicinity of Forts Folle Avoine. See, we usually sleep during the day and roam about at night, but this weekend our slumbers were interrupted dramatically by the presence of 800-plus campers at the historic site’s annual July Rendezvous event.

And that’s only the fur-trade-style campers; add another few hundred daytime visitors and we gnomes began to have severe daymares (similar to nightmares, for you humans who need to know). In one weekend, that many people transformed Forts Folle Avoine, temporarily anyway, into a fair-sized town. Scary for us gnomes, but quite all right for the Burnett County Historical Society—stewards of the Forts Folle Avoine site—who seem to delight in welcoming visitors. And on a recent nightly sojourn, I discovered that they plan even more special events all the way up until their annual Christmas at the Forts bash in early December.

First, and foremost, there are the daily

Folle Avoine Chronicles Woodswhimsy the gnome

special events – the tours of the site’s reconstructed 1802-05 trading posts and adjacent Indian village. These informative gigs go on all summer up until Labor Day, and start each hour, 10 a.m.3 p.m., daily. Be warned, however, sometimes the guides don’t realize it isn’t still the early 1800s. Consider them as actors introducing you to another time, when this land was known as the Folle Avoine - or wild rice - country by the fur traders and voyageurs.

Saturday, Aug. 8, will see the grounds

around the visitors center taken over by an outdoor feast featuring food (barbeque ribs and much more, from what I gather), music, beverages and crafters.

Hmmm, I’ll have to keep my senses about me to see if I can garner more info on this event and report back in this space next week.

Later in August—on the 12th, 13th and 14th, the site’s interpretive crew plays host to day camps designed for kids in the third, fourth, and fifth grades. Educational programs based on the early days of our region will bring to life the skills and techniques of life in the Folle Avoine country. New and unique experiences are featured each year.

Still later in August, on Thursday the 27th, the Fort’s Garden Tea in the Northwoods takes place at the site’s visitors center. New recipes from Mary Ann Putzier will be featured, as will a variety of savories, sweets, and fine teas served in her handpainted tea sets.

September and October will also be the time when the site’s historic interpreters play host to hundreds of schoolkids from throughout the region who trek to the Fort to get a unique look at the life of Forts Folle Avoine.

Finally, a gala event on Oct. 10 called The Beaver Club will re-create an evening in old Montreal, when retired fur traders and invited guests would gather to celebrate and reminisce about their time in the wilds of North America, a time when they considered themselves the “Lords of the Lakes and Forests.” Buffalo, trout, and quail are rumored to be among the dishes served that evening, bagpipers and fiddlers will be on hand, stories will be told, songs sung, and who knows what more—I’ll scout this one out and report back as well.

In the meantime, more info on the above events can be obtained by calling the Forts at 715-866-8890 or visiting the site’s Web page: www.theforts.org. The site is open Wednesdays through Sundays each week until Labor Day, weekends in September. Forts Folle Avoine is located on CTH U, three miles from Hwy. 35 north of Webster in the Yellow Lake area.

Woodswhimsy

Kuhn family silver-level donation noted at Twin Cities Shrine Hospital NEW RICHMOND – When Bernard and Juanita Kuhn of New Richmond passed away, Bernard in 2000 and Juanita in 2008, they left a sizable amount from their estate to the Shrine Hospital in the Twin Cities and other local charities.

The couple had no other family, so the Twin Cities Shriners Hospital received a donation at the silver level, which is $500,000 to $1,000,000. The family wished to keep the exact amount private. The contribution was noted at a special ceremony on July 15.

In a ceremony at the Twin Cities Shrine Hospital, family representative Laura Rebhan gave an overview of the lives of Bernard and Juanita Kuhn. She noted the Kuhns were superintendents of the St. Croix County Farm for 19 years. Bernard ran the farm and his wife ran the residence.

She also said the Kuhns were frugal people who left an estate over $1 million. They had a daughter who died at birth, so they had no close relatives. Bernard was a member of the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club and also a member of the Star Prairie Masonic Lodge.

Don Engel, director of development for the Shrine Hospital, presented a plaque to Gary Melstrom, president of the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club, marking the contribution. He also presented a special plaque to Tom Peterson, Worshipful Master of Star Prairie Lodge, in honor of their gener-

(L to R): Bob Goodlad, St. Croix; John Beebe, St. Croix; Tom Peterson, Worshipful Master, Star Prairie; Don Engel, director of development; Gary Melstrom, president, St. Croix; Laura Rebhan; Larry Reimenscheider, ZOR Divan; Rod Rommel, secretary, St. Croix; Mike Kastens, St. Croix and Bob Pierson, St. Croix. - Special photo ousity.

Twin Cities board of Governors Chair Madison Overmoen thanked Laura Rebhan, the Kuhns and St. Croix Valley Shrine Club for the contribution. Hospital Administrator Charlie Lobeck also addressed the group with his thanks on behalf of the hospital. Don Engel called everyones attention to the Kuhn’s silver medallion plaque on the wall of honor at the end of the presentation.

Present at the ceremony was Laura Rebben, New Richmond, the personal representative of Bernard and Juanita Kuhn; St. Croix Valley Shrine Club members, President Gary Melstrom, Secretary Rod

Rommel, Bob Pierson and his lady Marie, John Beebe, Bob Goodlad, Mike Kastens, Past Zor Potentate Kevin Johnson, who is a member of the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club and current member of the Board of Governors, Twin Cities Hospital for Children; Zor Divan member Larry Reimenschneider, also a member of the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club, Henry Paulson, Past Potentate of Osman Temple and current member of the Twin Cities Shrine Hospital Board of Governors, the entire Board of Governors for the Twin Cities Shrine Hospital, Tom Peterson, Worshipful Master of the Star Prairie Lodge, his wife, Candy, and daughter Erin.

Hospital dignitaries present were: Charlie Lobeck, hospital administrator, Dr. Ken Guidera, chief of staff, Madison Overmoen, chairman of the board of governors, Don Engel, director of development, Ed Tusa, director of finance and Terri Kasbohm, director of patient care.

In addition to the Shrine Hospital contribution, the Kuhn family left smaller amounts to the Friday Memorial Library New Richmond, the New Richmond Methodist Church, St. Croix County Humane Society and the Salvation Army.

Following the presentation, the entire group was given a grand tour of the hospital.

Swedish Club travels to Almelund ALMELUND, Minn. - The Swedish Club will journey on Tuesday, Aug. 4, to visit the church and heritage center at Almelund, Minn., 10 miles north of Taylors Falls on Hwy. 95. Those interested in touring Immanuel Lutheran Church

may start this visit at 4 p.m.

The tour of the Amador Heritage Center, formerly the Almelund School, begins at 5 p.m. A potluck picnic supper follows on the Heritage Center grounds.

In the event of inclement weather,

arrangements have been made for the picnic to be held at the local town hall across from the church.

During Pioneer Days, there was visiting between the Swedish communities around Almelund and those of Polk

County.

Bring a dish to pass and your own utensils. The public is very welcome to join with club members for this visit through Swedish history. - submitted

Psi Chapter donates housekeeping items to teens exiting foster care and going on to further education POLK COUNTY – Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary women educators society, recently completed a grant funded by the International Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation.

The goal of the grant was to provide housekeeping kits and educational supplies to teens that exit foster care at age 18 and are going on to further their education after high school. The kits provide needed housekeeping items to use as they make their transition from foster care to independent living. Psi Chapter has worked with several human-services departments in northern Wisconsin on community service projects for children in foster care during the past six years.

Household kits were delivered to Human Services progams in June of

2009, to Polk County.

The Polk County housekeeping kits were presented to Marisa Lindsay, independent living coordinator in the Human Services Department and Beckie Lueck, Children’s Waiver/ Family Support Program.

The First Lutheran Church of Cumberland donated handmade quilts, Martha Stewart Living donated copies of “Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook,” Ione Poehlmann crocheted afghans and covers for clothing hangers, Wal-Mart donated $50 dollars worth of merchandise and Psi Chapter members donated pillows and pillow covers, hand and bath towels, hot-pan holders and dish clothes.

The housekeeping kits provided in-

clude: a handmade quilt, handmade afghan, silverware, dishes, cooking utensils, a complete bed-in-a-bag, pillows and pillow covers, bathroom and kitchen towels, baking pans, wooden spoons, cooling racks, hot pan holders, a copy of “Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook,” clothes hangers, an alarm clock, pizza pan, pizza cutter, mixing bowl, measuring utensils, cutting board, place mats, and a large tote.

According to the National Foster Care Parent Association, there were 514,000 children in the U.S. residing in foster care as of September 30, 2005. As many as 20 to 25 percent of the children in foster care exit the foster care system at age 18.

Many of these teens have no means to acquire the household items they need to

begin independent living. Without some additional help, it is very difficult for these young adults to get off to a successful start on their own.

There is a great need for foster care families in the U. S., and Polk County is no exception. Any families interested in being foster parents should contact Chris Stodola at 715-485-8439.

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Currently Wisconsin has 30 chapters. Internationally, there are 150,000 members in 14 countries. - submitted

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 11

Collected by

Clayton Jorgensen

Clam Falls area

Town of Clam Falls - plats over the years 1887

152 years

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: This is the twelth and final column in a series on the history of the Clam Falls area, compiled by local historian Clayton Jorgensen.

T

he time has come for me to end my part of writing about the first 75 years of the Clam Falls area.

I hope it has been as much fun for you as it has been for me. There is a lot more to tell and I hope someone will continue the story. Thank you to all the people who have helped; without you I could not have done this project. I especially want to thank the Inter-County Leader and editor Gary King for helping me and publishing the articles.

People are the most important part of any community and I am ending this series of articles with names of people who helped make Clam Falls a great place. These signatures are mostly of men, sorry about that ladies, and are from old Clam Falls Township road petitions starting in 1879. Maybe you will find someone you know or have known on the list.

Thanks to all and keep reading!

Clayton Jorgensen

1914

1926

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

50 years later … members of Class of 1959 gather FREDERIC – The Frederic High School Class of 1959 held its 50th class reunion at Hacker’s Lanes Saturday, July 25.

Twenty-six of the original 52 members of the class attended. Ten have passed away and another 16 were unable to attend.

This year’s reunion was organized by Mary (Martin) Vondrachek, Gary Knight and Carmen (Hable) Sutton. The class plans to meet again in five years, with Mary, Gary, Carmen and JoAnn Marek as organizers.

Members of the class of ’59, including a few who started out with the class but left at some point during the years. Back row (L to R): Leon Alden, Carol (Moline) Bowman, Ronald Potvin, Robert Stauner, Bryon Teske, Dave Rybak, Gary Knight, Gary Peterson, Ronald Chell, Larry Carlson, Rodney Chell, and Carmen (Hable) Sutton. Middle row: Frank Olson, Darlene (Ferdig) Heller, Geraldine (Dehn) Mangelsen, Marilee (Laatsch) Lipp, Karen (Swanson) Huntington, Shirley (Knutson) Brehmer, Jane (Friberg) Job, Ruth (Engelhart) Young, Louis Schmidt, JoAnn Marek, Marcella (Olson) Schmidt, Lavonne (Knutson) Lumsden. Front row: Denis Simonson (left pre-1959), Linda (Benson) Pederson, Mary Ann (Martin) Vondrachek, Tom Hagstrom (pre-1959), Lawrence Baker (pre-1959), Kent Alden (pre-1959).

LEFT: Mary Ann (Martin) Vondrachek, John Vondrachek and Carmen (Hable) Sutton.

Ruth (Engelhart) Young greets Jane (Friberg) Job at the class of 1959 reunion. Shown in the background are Karen (Swanson) Huntington and Linda (Benson) Pederson.

Photos by Boyd Sutton

FHS Class of 1956 reunion The Frederic High School Class of 1956 held a reunion July 11.

Shown (L to R), front row: Carolyn Koeth Schloer, Rayola Greener Sparish, Alma Johnson Karels, Shirley Teigen Zinn, Edith Stoklasa Zillmer, Idella Knutson Cunningham, Audrey Peterson Voth. Second row: Robert “Ole” Engelhart, Arlene Schultz Ambrosch, Marlene Bengtson Friberg, Margaret Moses Summerfield, Marvel Beckman, Karen Dahlberg Landro, Marlys Jorgensen Armstrong, Kathleen Remiger Alden, Donna Fredericks Neider. Third row: Harold Nelson, Karen Berglund Anderson, Alan Bohn, Fred Chapman, Arnold Holcomb, Jim Oeffler, Eugene Montagne, Penn Peters, Ted Fischer.

Not shown: Eileen Taylor Ailport, Marlys Anderson Formell and Eugene Johnson. – Photo submitted

Polk-Burnett awards $18,680 to local programs through Operation Round-Up CENTURIA – Polk-Burnett’s Operation Round-Up awarded $18,680 to 21 community organizations at its summer 2009 quarterly meeting. Grant recipients are: 1. Regional Hospice, $1,000 to provide services to people with terminal diagnosis, regardless of ability to pay 2. Somerset Schools, Community Education, School-Age Care, $1,000 to plant an educational Peace Garden 3. Osceola Public Library, $800 to improve programming, reading collections and college prep materials for teens 4. Polk County Juvenile Justice Program, $1,000 to purchase healthy snacks, supplies, clothing and footwear for youth 5. St. Croix Regional Medical Center Volunteer Partners, $1,000 to help purchase an ankle brachial indexing machine and exercise equipment 6. Turtle Lake Lions Club, $500 to purchase LED lights for holiday lights festi-

val in community park 7. Amery Area Senior Citizens, $1,000 to expand health and education programs for senior citizens 8. St. Croix Falls Wrestling Club, $700 to help purchase safety wall mats for new junior high wrestling room 9. St. Croix Festival Theatre, $1,000 to help support creativity camps, workshops and theater arts for youth 10. Osceola Area Ambulance Service, $980 to purchase ECG transmitter box and spider straps to secure patients to backboard 11. Polk County Family Preservation and Support Project, $1,000 to provide home-school liaisons for children at risk of being placed into foster care 12. Siren Chamber of Commerce, $1,000 to help establish a Music in the Park series at Siren’s Crooked Lake Park 13. Town of Scott History Club, $1,000 to help publish a town history book in celebration of 100-year anniversary

14. Clear Lake Public Library, $1,000 to purchase a projector for library movies and PowerPoint presentations 15. Polk County Health Department, $1,000 to improve childhood nutrition and access to healthy local foods 16. Burnett County 4-H Leaders Association, $600 to purchase materials for solar energy projects at youth summer camp 17. Grantsburg Area Historical Society, $1,000 to make exterior improvements, paint and roof an early 1900s home 18. St. Croix Falls School District Athletic Program, $600 to administer baseline concussion tests for athletes 19. Webster Police Department, $1,000 to purchase bike helmets and educational materials for youth bike safety program 20. Luck Community Education, $1,000 to sponsor Prairie Fire Theatre and publish a school newsletter for the community

21. Star Prairie Land Preservation Trust, $500 to cover bus expenses for school field trips to the McMurtie Preserve.

Funding for Operation Round-Up is donated by members of Polk-Burnett who volunteer to round their monthly electric bill up to the next even dollar amount. The monies are combined and grants are awarded quarterly to organizations that improve the local quality of life.

The next application deadline is Sept.

1. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for a grant or co-op members who’d like to round their bill up in support of Operation Round-Up may call 800-421-0283 or visit polkburnett.com. – from Polk-Burnett

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 13

FLY-IN BREAKFAST 2009 • BURNETT COUNTY AIRPORT

Vintage DGAs drop in at flflyy-in breakfast SIREN - Nearly 10 percent of aviation’s legendary Howard DGAs still being flown today showed up at the Burnett County Airport on Saturday to take part in the airport’s annual fly-in breakfast.

Six Howards, red and yellow, were flown in from Cable by members of one of the nation’s largest Howard Clubs, aviation enthusiasts who own, restore and fly the planes which were designed by Benny Howard in the 1930s. The plane won several air races and soon the Howard Aircraft Corporation was established, turning out the planes for commercial purposes.

Legend has it that Howard, at age 20, stumbled into the field of aircraft design when a Houston bootlegger approached him about modifying an airplane to include a cargo hold capable of holding 15 cases of illegal liquor.

This was during the early days of Prohibition. The customer was delighted, proclaiming the rum-runner to be a “darned good airplane,” and the name stuck— the initials DGA becoming the Howard aircraft trademark, a fact unlikely known to the licensing authorities of the U.S. government.

Club member Paul Bjornstad said the flight to Siren was a prelimiThe rear seat of the Howard nary trip to a flight to exceeded airline legroom this week’s Oshkosh air with limousinelike capaciousshow, an annual trek for ness. And with its high wing Paul Bjornstad posed in front of his 1944 Howard at the Burnett County Airport Fly-In Breakfast, Sat- club members. - Gary loading, the Howards rode uday morning, July 25. He and other Howard Club members are staying at Cable, an area where some King with information through most turbulence with of the classic planes are hangared. The 60-mile flight was made by six club members despite buffeting from wikepedia.org airlinelike solidity. - Special winds and overcast skies. “We heard the pancakes here were really good,” mused Bjornstad. photo

Photos by Gary King

The classic Howard aircraft was on display at Saturday’s fly-in breakfast at the Burnett County Airport in Siren. From left, the cockpit on Paul Bjornstad’s 1944 model. Owner of a 1940 Howard, Jim Lund, Minneapolis, made a phone call prior to flying back to Cable from Siren. He lamented he won’t be joining fellow Howard owners in their trip to the Oshkosh air show this year. Many of the aircraft were manufactured in Chicago and powered by Pratt and Whitney engines, as indicated by the logos on the tail wing and fuselage. At far right, a Howard owner taxis to the main runway.

Walby’s flflyying machine a hit

SIREN - “This is really cool,”said an excited 12-year-old as he watched Scott Walby fuel up his two-seater, open-cockpit aircraft at the Burnett County Airport, Saturday.

Walby, the son of Betty (Mrs. Clarence) Fenton of Frederic, flew the craft from Bloomer through some threatening skies and steady gusts of wind. His wife and copilot, Andrea, decided to not make the trip, he said.

The Challenger II drew a steady line of onlookers at the annual fly-in breakfast, and Walby answered the usual questions from curious onlookers, including those from a radio interviewer.

Walby used a modified snowmobile engine to power the craft and has logged thousands of hours touring the skies over Wisconsin. His mother, Betty, is a big fan.

On one trip with his mom, Walby said they were up in the air for quite a bit of time, but when he started to return to the ground, she was obviously having too much fun.

“You’re not going to Walby needed Scott Walby pulled his two-seater aircraft up to the gas pumps at the land yet, are you?” she less than 100 feet to take off on SatBurnett County Airport in Siren on Saturday. He flew from Bloomer to asked. - Gary King urday. take part in the annual fly-in breakfast. - Photos by Gary King

PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

GREAT FORTS FOLLE AVOINE RENDEZVOUS • 2009 •

Among his furs, one merchant at the Rendezvous at Fort Folle Avoine offered handmade baskets for sale. – Photos by Kayla Hatfield

Campsites covered the grounds at Forts Folle Avoine during its annual Rendezvous, July 24-26. This family was enjoying breakfast.

One of the merchants at the Rendezvous found time to add a few notes to his journal.

The French flag flew again where the French once traded furs.

“I’m cute, and I know it,” seems to be the message from this child at the Rendezvous.

A flash of flame erupts as a black powder rifle fires in competition.

Ignoring the merchants’ offerings, this man just enjoys a nice stroll.

An outdoor oven requires careful tending to bake good bread.

Watching this scene unfold is like traveling back in time.

Merchants selling food at the Rendezvous did a brisk business.

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 15

GREAT FORTS FOLLE AVOINE RENDEZVOUS • 2009 •

by Carl Heidel FORTS FOLLE AVOINE - A visit to Forts Folle Avoine this past weekend was a step back into another day and time as traders, merchants, campers and re-enactors gathered for the annual Rendezvous.

All of it, the sights, the sounds, the foods, the smells, created a setting that gave a window for viewing the past. This was the way life

might have been at the time of the fur trade in the early 1800s in Northwest Wisconsin.

Take a few moments to look through that window as two photographers from The Inter-County Leader did.

Angelique, one of the interpreters at Forts Folle Avoine, gave visitors a vivid picture of life during the time of the fur trade. — Photos by Carl Heidel

A campfire setting provides the right opportunity for a lesson in handiwork.

A fiddler got so wrapped up in his music that he begins to dance.

Only a child can look at the world with such wonder.

A musician tunes his instrument and whistles a few notes in accompaniment.

A game helps to pass the time when the chores are finished.

With all the concentration he can muster, a youngster prepares to throw his hatchet.

Everything is more interesting when you share it with a friend.

PAGE 16 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

FLY-IN BREAKFAST 2009 • BURNETT COUNTY AIRPORT

One of the larger planes on display Saturday, July 25, at the 2009 Burnett County Airport Fly-in Breakfast was this six-seater, single-engine Cessna that featured floats equipped with wheels, making it capable of landing on water or land. Cool, gusty winds and rain clouds didn’t deter some pilots from flying and giving rides to the public.

Burnett County Airport Manager Jeremy Sickler was busy Saturday morning guiding planes into the airport for the annual fly-in breakfast. Overall, he said, he was very happy with the public turnout for the event. “We had a few more airplanes last year, but I think the weather probably played a factor,” he noted. Gusty winds were expected to even out a bit later that day, Sickler said. He said the airport usually sees more traffic the week of the Oshkosh Air Show as pilots headed for the show stop at the airport for fuel or a rest stop.

Visitors enjoyed pancakes outside one of the hangars at the airport.

Awestruck.

Proud pilots showed off their unique and vintage aircraft at Saturday’s fly-in breakfast at the Burnett County Airport in Siren. The event was open free of charge to the general public.

Photos by Gary King

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 17

SCFalls hosts Chef at the Market! event Celebration of local, fresh and nutritious food on Aug. 6 ST. CROIX FALLS – The public is invited to the St. Croix Falls Farmers Market on Thursday, Aug. 6, to celebrate the kickoff of Chef at the Market!, an event highlighting produce grown by local farmers and the cooking talents of local chefs.

Chef at the Market! allows community members the opportunity to sample local food prepared by a local chef.

Chef Justin Grecco, of Grecco’s On The St. Croix, will prepare recipes with fresh, nutritious food provided by local farmers present at the Aug. 6 farmers market. Grecco will be presenting his creation to an audience of community members enjoying a visit to the St. Croix Falls Farmers Market beginning at 3 p.m. Check out the St. Croix Falls Buy Local Initiative Web site at www.scfbuylocal.org under the Events tab for more information about future Chef at the Market! demonstrations at the St. Croix Falls Farmers Market which runs every Thursday through October from 3-6 p.m.

Chef at the Market! is being presented by the Northwest Wisconsin Regional Food Network, the PriceDirect Initiative, the St. Croix Falls Buy Local Initiative, The Farm to Community Alliance, local farmers of the St. Croix Falls Farmers Market, and local chefs. It is one of many events being presented throughout northwestern Wisconsin as part of the Nourishing Northern Wisconsin Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grant project funded by the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

The goal of this program is to increase the purchase of locally grown or produced food products for sale to local

purchasers.

For more information please contact Tracey Mofle, Northwest Wisconsin Regional Food Network, 715-790-9177 or tracey.mofle@uwc.edu; Jane Hansen, PriceDirect Local Food Initiative, 715339-2555 or jane.hansen@ces.uwex.edu; or Katelin Holm and Arianne Peterson, St. Croix Falls Buy Local Initiative and The Farm to Community Alliance, 715483-3929 ext 15 or kholm@cityofstcroixfalls.com or arianne@cityofstcroixfalls.com. - submitted

Lots of laughs with “Four by Two” ST. CROIX FALLS - Festival Theatre’s audiences showed their appreciation with lots of laughter for the opening of “Four by Two,” a collection of four short romantic comedies on stage in St. Croix Falls through Sunday, Aug. 2 “It is just so clever,” said Leif Bjornson who was in the audience Saturday night, “and the amazing acting job by Shawn and Jessica was just over the top!”

Bjornson was referring to Shawn Boyd and Jessica Balts who each play four distinct roles in the production. In Thursday’s Cast & Crew Talk Back session, executive director Danette Olsen called the actors “good sports and then some” for succeeding in the challenge of creating such diverse characters and working with four different directors. She also praised stagehands Mark Hendrickson and Charles Schmidt who are extremely entertaining with their scene change work in support of the four plays presented on one bill of entertainment.

In “Sure Thing,” Boyd’s characterization of a tentative man who meets a pretty woman in a café is both charming and disarming. The play operates on the universal desire to edit one’s own remarks after they’ve come out of your mouth, and the acting duo is completely in sync with the concept of possibility (foiled or successful). Balts embodies a mid-‘80s New Yorker with the wacky flamboyance of Marissa Tomei. In fact, her hair is a character itself.

The second short play in the production, “Something to Eat,” seemed far too real to many opening weekend audience members as Boyd and Balts portray a couple who simply cannot decide or agree on a place to have dinner; groans and chortles of appreciation filled the air

Shawn Boyd as Don, the inventor and instructor of Unamunda in “Universal Language”… and Jessica Balts as Betty in “Sure Thing.” – Special photos during the dining debate. Then, in the fourth act it happened again with “Getting it Back” when Balts brings to life a young woman who has reached the end of her rope in waiting for her boyfriend to indicate he’s ready for the next step.

Audiences snickered with recognition

when she barges into her boyfriend’s apartment to return all the love he’s given her and demands that he returns her love as well. Boyd’s depiction of a perplexed guy just trying to calm down the woman he loves rings true.

However, it’s the third play in the

group that brings down the house. In “Universal Language” Boyd and Balts have had to master a completely fabricated language, Unamunda. This madcap piece tells the story of a woman who wants to adopt a new language to overcome both shyness and a lifelong battle with stuttering. When Dawn meets Don, the inventor and teacher of Unamunda, this “para-dons” embark on a rollercoaster ride of language and physical antics that left opening-weekend audiences howling with laughter.

Costume designer Justin Swanson had his hands full with this production and successfully evokes four distinct time periods through his design. Directors Jeanette Abdo, Edward Moersfelder, Patrick O’Brien and Olsen are to be credited with guiding the actors through the taxing process of establishing such distinctive cbaracters.

Five performances of “Four by Two” remain prior to the production closing on Aug. 2. Matinees take place at 2 p.m.

Thursday and Sunday, while evening performances start at 7:30 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Tickets for “Four by Two” are $26 for adults and $13.50 for youth (appropriate for teens). Discounts are available by purchasing Flex Pass packages. Festival Theatre is located in downtown St. Croix Falls, at 210 North Washington Street.

For more information, to order tickets or join the Festival Theatre mailing list, call 715-483-3387 or 888-887-6002. Patrons may use the theater’s Web site www.festivaltheatre.org for tickets or additional information, including phone numbers for dining and lodging options.

- from Festival Theatre

Forestry management variance proposed for Interstate Park ST.CROIX FALLS – Interstate Park is working on a forestry management variance to its master plan that would allow harvest in five select areas of the park.

The current master plan was developed in 1979 and provides guidance only on felling hazardous and diseased trees.

“This variance would outline management plans for five designated stands to harvest to promote a sustainable forest

and encourage naturally regenerating native species,” said park Superintendent Kurt Dreger. He added that there has been much preparation for these harvests such as reconnaissance of the entire park and some nonnative invasive species control.

The harvests would be planned with recreation and aesthetics as a priority to minimize the impact on park visitors.

“These particular areas were selected for a harvest because of the age of the tree species, composition, park usage, regeneration capabilities and educational opportunities,” Dreger said.

Copies of the proposed variance will be available upon request from Interstate Park, posted at local libraries, at St. Croix Falls City Hall and at the town hall of St. Croix Falls. The public can submit com-

ments now through Aug. 15.

Comments should be mailed to Interstate Park, PO Box 703, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024 or e-mailed to Kurt Dreger, Park Superintendent, at Kurt.Dreger@wi.gov.

Copies of the variance are available at Interstate Park, St. Croix Falls City Hall and the public libraries at Dresser, St. Croix Falls and Osceola. - submitted

Local farm and student groups to support Heifer International OSCEOLA - Peterson Limousin Farms, Osceola, along with the Osceola FFA Chapter, have teamed together to raise funds for Heifer Project International.

The organizations will sell shredded beef donated by Peterson Limousin Farms during the Polk County Fair, which begins July 30 and ends Aug. 2.

FFA students will operate a food stand and sell shredded-beef dinners. All proceeds from the sale of the dinners will be used by Heifer International toward the purchase of cattle for impoverished fam-

ilies all over the world. The food stand is located just south of the grandstand.

The food stand will be in conjunction with the new ag educational tent. Students from the FFA will assist in educating fair-goers about Polk County’s rich agricultural resources. A petting zoo, interactive stations and informational displays will be featured.

“This is a really neat opportunity to showcase the abundance of agricultural resources we have available to us right here in Polk County,” said Andy Peter-

son of Peterson Limousin Farms. “Our vision with this event is to bring attention to these blessings and use some of these resources to help support others less fortunate.”

Paul Jakupciak, Osceola FFA advisor, noted the opportunity for a positive impact. “The Polk County Fair Board has been very gracious in providing a stand for this project to happen. Through this generosity, FFA members will get a chance to sharpen leadership skills and serve the greater Polk County commu-

nity - and of course, raise money for a great cause,” he said.

Residents of Polk and surrounding counties are invited to attend the Polk County Fair. All are also invited to visit the ag educational tent and support the Heifer International project. Dinners will sell for $5 a plate and will feature shredded-beef sandwiches, chips, beans, a pickle and a soft drink. Dinners will be available beginning at 11 a.m. - submitted

PAGE 18 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

Talking with your family about financial difficulties

Gail Peavey

Polk County

Family Living

A drop in income, whether it’s due to being laid off from a job, a drop in hours, or a decrease in income from investments is a scary and unsettling situation for both adults and children. It is important to talk through the situation with family members as quickly as possible – even though it may be hard to do.

Adults can easily feel overwhelmed by the added stress and sense of reduced financial security. It is important to

remember that children sense the tension in the family and may feel less secure, but don’t know what to do about it.

Parents may be less engaged with their children and more likely to become upset or angry over little things, due to higher levels of stress. Keeping the lines of communication open during times like these can help everyone feel more connected.

Family communication can also help older children and parents find ways to work together on managing the family finances. Even young children can be taught about wants and needs, and how family financial decisions are made.

Here are some tips for family money meetings: The most important thing to remember is to “leave blame at the door.”

Recognize and respect each other’s different attitudes toward money and approach discussions in an organized way. Work to find common ground so you can all work in the same direction.

Make sure it is a good time for each of you to talk. If one of you has had a bad day or received difficult news, you may want to reschedule the discussion.

Set ground rules for the discussion. Make sure you both have an opportunity to be heard and listen to what your partner is saying. Avoid accusations and blame.

Set and prioritize your goals together and stick to the plan unless something significant occurs and you need to alter it.

Set aside time each month for a money meeting. Regular meetings will become easier to do and keep you on track.

You may need to meet more frequently during times of financial stress. Try to set goals that are obtainable, and leave everyone something that will keep their spirits up. When planning about cutting back on spending, find alternatives for when you have to say, “We can’t do that anymore.” For example, if you can’t afford to go to the movie theatre or rent movies, plan to go to the library and borrow them, or start a movie-lending group with friends. Finding free and inexpensive alternatives can keep family members from feeling the brunt of financial hardship.

Some financial decisions are harder to make. For example, you may wonder how you will afford to buy food, and pay your rent or mortgage. What will happen if you can’t pay your credit card bills right now?

You need to take action right away if you are asking these questions. Find out about any and all financial supports that are available until you find another job or your hours are increased. You can help keep you family healthy and happy by finding supports like energy assistance, health insurance through Badgercare, and other resources.

If you are worried about overwhelming debt, or unable to make mortgage payments, call you lenders to work on a payment plan before you get behind on payments. Be realistic about what you can afford.

This means that you have done the math and know that you can meet your basic needs, while doing the best you can to meet your financial obligations to your creditors. Meeting with a reputable financial counselor might be helpful. See http://www.debt advice.org for National Foundation for Credit Counseling-accredited agencies.

Follow the Leader

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 19

Trump this I got a catalog in the mail last summer from Sharper Image.

The front cover had a picture of The Donald, as in Trump.

The feature item is Trump Steaks (100 percent Black Angus).

There are four “collections” you can buy. I like the word collection; it implies something valuable that you can sell for a profit at a later date or that can become a family heirloom.

There is the Classic, the Country Club, the Resort and the Connoisseur collection.

For brevity, I will describe the Classic and the Connoisseur.

The Classic contains: Two 6-oz. filet mignon, two 14-oz. Cowboy bone-in rib eye and 12 8-oz. Trump steak burgers for only $199. That would be $23.41 per pound.

The Connoisseur contains: Four 24oz. porterhouse, four 8-oz. filet mignon, four 18 oz. Cowboy bone-in

rib eye, four 16 oz. boneless New York strip and two dozen 8-oz.

Trump steak burgers for only $999. That would be $35.05 per pound.

At these prices, I would have to recycle the steaks three times to get my money’s worth.

For $999, I should be able to buy one of those Simmental bulls I see advertised southwest of Milltown.

I’m kind of sentimental too, so I may just keep the bull for a pet and buy my beef from my friends Tim and Ross down in Luck.

My e-mail address is biedingerb@wildblue.net.

Dropping anchor

Brooke Biedinger

Irregular

Columnist

The marriage of Dennis Spencer and Robin Scemica from Pittsburg, Ks., took place on a dock on Crooked Lake, Siren, Thursday, July 23. The site of the wedding was the home of Spencer’s aunt, Joyce Gorney. Also on the dock in this photo were the minister who performed the ceremony, Pastor Tom Cook of Siren United Methodist Church; Spencer’s mother, Mary, and his sister Kathy. The home and dock on North Shore Drive once belonged to John and Denise Gorny, who were well-known to area residents prior to their deaths. - Photos by Nancy Jappe

Dennis Spencer and Robin Scemica from Pittsburg, Ks., chose the dock at the Gorney residence, known as Camp Minokwi, on Crooked Lake, Siren, as the site for their July 23 wedding. The couple were attended by Spencer’s children, Cole and Madison.

PAGE 20 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

CHURCH NEWS Parents are often the cause of jealousy between siblings Q: I'm concerned about sibling rivalry between my two daughters. What are the areas of potential conflict that should be handled with care?

DR. DOBSON: There are three areas that are most delicate. First, children are extremely sensitive about the matter of physical attractiveness and body characteristics. It is highly inflammatory to commend one child at the expense of the other. Suppose, for example, that Sharon is permitted to hear the casual remark about her sister: "Betty is sure going to be a gorgeous girl." The very fact that Sharon was not mentioned will probably establish the two girls as rivals. If there is a significant difference in beauty between the two, you can be assured that Sharon has already concluded, "Yeah, I'm the ugly one." When her fears are then confirmed by her parents, resentment and jealousy are generated.

Beauty is the most significant factor in the self-esteem of Western children. Anything that a parent utters on this subject within the hearing of children should be screened carefully. It has the power to make brothers and sisters hate one another.

Second, the matter of intelligence is another sensitive nerve to be handled with care. It is not uncommon to hear parents say in front of their children, "I

Dr. James

Dobson Focus on the Family

think the younger boy is actually brighter than his brother." Adults find it difficult to comprehend how powerful that kind of assessment can be in a child's mind. Even when the comments are unplanned and are spoken routinely, they convey how a child is seen within his family. We are all vulnerable to that bit of evidence.

Third, children (and especially boys) are extremely competitive with regard to athletic abilities. Those who are slower, weaker and less coordinated than their brothers are rarely able to accept "second best" with grace and dignity.

Consider, for example, the following note given to me by the mother of two boys. It was written by her 9-year-old son to his 8-year-old brother the evening after the younger child had beaten him in a race.

Dear Jim: I am the greatest and your the badest. And I can beat everybody in a race and you can't beat anybody in a race. I'm the smartest and your the dumbest. I'm the best sport player and your the badest sport player.

And your also a hog. I can beat anybody up. And that's the truth. And that's the end of this story.

Yours truly, Richard This note is humorous to me because Richard's motive was so poorly disguised. He had been badly stung by his humiliation on the field of honor, so he came home and raised the battle flags. He will probably spend the next eight weeks looking for opportunities to fire torpedoes into Jim's soft underbelly. Such is the nature of humankind.

Q: Can you give us a guideline for how much work children should be given to do?

DR. DOBSON: There should be a healthy balance between work and play. Many farm children of the past had daily chores that made life pretty difficult.

Early in the morning and again after school they would feed the pigs, gather the eggs, milk the cows and bring in the wood. Little time was left for fun, and childhood became a pretty drab experience. That was an extreme position, and I certainly don't favor its return.

Contrast that workaday responsibility with some families today that require nothing of children – not even asking them to take out the trash, water the lawn or feed the cat. Both extremes, as usual, are harmful to the child. The logical middle ground can be found by giving a boy or girl an exposure to responsibility and work but preserving time for play and fun. The amount of time devoted to each activity should vary with the age of the child, gradually requiring more work as he or she grows older.

••• Dr. Dobson is founder and chairman emeritus of the nonprofit organization Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80995 (www.focusonthefamily.org). Questions and answers are excerpted from "Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide" and "Bringing Up Boys," both published by Tyndale House. COPYRIGHT 2009 JAMES DOBSON INC., DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo. 64106; 816-581-7500.

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JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 21

CHURCH NEWS Listening well

I’m amazed at how well wild critters—and our pets—can hear.

Ever alert, their ears perk upward as they turn their heads toward a sound that it’s impossible for me to hear. By comparison, I could just as well be deaf with my lesser hearing.

It’s not only my physical inability to hear nature’s sounds that makes me less alert. Part of that inability is my own fault. I just don’t listen closely. Too often I’m wrapped in a soundless bubble as I go about my daily chores and pursuits. And I Perspectives notice others are, too. I’ve seen many joggers tuning out the sounds of nature with the music they listen to through their earplugs. I like to listen to nature’s sounds, but too often I catch myself distracted by my unrelated thoughts, so I miss much.

Often my daily chores and pursuits distract me from hearing God’s voice, too. My own mind, for instance, tells me I’m not smart enough to add to a conversation. I’m too old to participate in a certain event.

I’m not neat enough … not spiritual enough … not classy enough. Or I’m too busy … too broke … too tired.

Outside voices distract me from hearing God’s voice, too. The TV says, watch me tonight, you deserve a rest. The telephone speaks, call so-and-so.

The book shelves beckon, read this novel first. These things can be good or they can be time-robbers.

We all tune our ears away from God’s voice at times. Just like the church leaders Jesus rebuked for hearing the Word but not allowing it to enter their hearts. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus taught that when we hear his Word, the cares of the world can choke it out, the devil can snatch it away, or tough times can cause us to stumble. But when we hear and follow God’s Word, we will lead a fruitful, Christian life.

Jesus would have us perk up our spiritual ears and turn our heads as we listen well to the words in the Bible, to God’s quiet voice, and to our own consciences. That takes time and effort. But the rewards are beyond expectation.

Jesus said, “Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear (the Word of God).” (Matthew 13:15.) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life ….”

(John 10:27) Lord, we want to hear your voice. Help us remember to take the time and effort to listen to you more carefully today and every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

(Mrs. Bair may be reached at sallybair@gmail.com)

Sally Bair Eternal

Is the Old Testament relevant?

I have been asked why I refer to the Old Testament and the Gospel accounts for examples of how we should live our lives, since I profess to be a New Testament Christian, and the Church that Christ built did not begin until Acts 2?

My most powerful reason comes from the ministry of the Lord himself. Through out the Gospel accounts He is noted for asking those around him; “Have you not read” or “It is written.” In each of these instances the Lord was referring to the O.T. Scriptures as a source of knowledge that He expected those around Him to reference for knowledge. If the O.T. is important enough for Jesus to have referenced and made numerous statements about, then it should be important to me.

My second reason comes from 2 Timothy 3:14-17 where Paul tells Timothy to “…continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The only “scriptures” that Timothy could have learned from, as a child, was the O.T. since very little of the N.T. had been written, and little if any had been assembled together as of yet. All Scripture must then be referring to the O.T. and All that was “being” and “would be” written by the inspired N.T. writers.

My third reason comes from Luke 16:16; “The law and the prophets were until John: (speaking of John the Baptist) since that time the kingdom of God is

preached, and every man presseth into it.” With the arrival of John came the beginning of the Good News. Though some of Jesus’ comments are directed only for Jews and pertain to the Old Covenant, we must not conclude that everything Christ said before His death only applied to the Jews. Just as the O.T. is a shadow of the new covenant of Christianity (Hebrews 10:1), so also does the recorded life of Christ. His ministry and His teachings are the groundwork foundation for His church, Preacher’s and and all of His examples and illustrations are applicable to N.T. Christianity.

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:23-26) If readers have questions they would like answered in this weekly column or simply wish to know more about the Church of Christ, they are invited to call 715-866-7157, visit the Web site at www.burnettcountycofc.com or stop by the church building at 7425 West Birch St. in Webster. Sunday Bible class begins at 9:30 a.m. and worship begins at 10:30 a.m. We also meet Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.

- noon.

Garret Derouin

The

Pen

Birth announcement Adalyn Belle McGrane was born July 23, 2009, to Carl and Amanda McGrane, Woodbury, Minn. Adalyn weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz., and was 20-1/2 inches long.

Grandparents are Suzanne and Milton Johnson, Clam Falls, Gary and Sandra King, Frederic, and Dan and

Anne McGrane, Minneapolis, Minn. Great-grandparents are Leo and Mary Carlson, Clam Falls, Bruce King, Spooner, Ruth and Jack McGrane, Burnsville, Minn., and Margaret Franzen, Minneapolis, Minn. – submitted

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

CHURCH NEWS Twenty-six from Faith Lutheran attend national youth gathering

Faith Lutheran 2009 National Youth participants are: front row (L to R): Mandi Amundson, John Schneider, Joe Engelhart, Kelsey Lien, McKenzie Ryan, Tiffany Meyer, Angela Heinecke, Nicole McKenzie, Beth Ryan. Middle row: Dallas Swenson, Mathew Swenson, Kyle Heinecke, Gabrielle Witzany, Haley Larson, Amanda Lindus, Ethan Prazak, Seth Odegard. Back row: Zack Arnold, Carl Palmquist, Jordan Heinecke, Jay Odegard, Valerie Jensen, Rosie LaMere, Jake Ryan and Allen Lindus. Not pictured is Sarah Wald. - Special photo GRANTSBURG - Twenty-two young men and women along with four chaperones from Faith Lutheran Church in Grantsburg attended the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans during the week of July 22 – 26, 2009.

New Orleans has received thousands of volunteers over the past three and a half years, many Lutheran, but nothing like 37,000 people serving in three days! In

fact, it may have been one of the largest serving communities ever in the U.S. There were busloads of people arriving with hearts of compassionate justice.

At the gathering youth and adults were immersed in worship, music, Bible study, service, learning, play, prayer, the witness of faithful leaders from around the world, reflection, caring for others and new friendships.

The gathering was a time of change and growth, because everyone gathered in the presence of God’s spirit with others who journey with Jesus.

While in New Orleans the group participated in an experience called a servant school. At the center of the gathering was a deepening of the awareness of God’s call to servanthood and a deepening of the basic Christian practices by which Christians live their baptismal calling to servanthood throughout life. ”The 2009 National Youth Gathering to New Orleans will be a part of our lives forever,” stated a news release from the group. - submitted

Bradley and Company to perform at North Valley Lutheran North Valley Lutheran Church, a welcoming country church, invites the public to 9:15 a.m. worship on Sunday, Aug. 2, to hear Bradley and Company.

Bradley’s exciting and heartfelt gospel music blends bluegrass, hymn/praise, quartet and new styles with his banjo. He will involve and inspire all ages with the “Good News!” A freewill offering will be taken for Bradley’s ministry. North Valley Lutheran is located two mile southwest of Milltown. Take CTH G off Hwy. 35. The church is at the intersection of CTH G and 200th Street. - Special photo

Church in the park

It was church in the park at Bethany Lutheran Church of Grantsburg. The congregation held its Sunday service in its new outdoor worship area on a beautiful day the Lord had made. The musical group Crossed Paths (Carla Manning, Brad Alden and Char Harshbarger) provided lively contemporay songs and traditonal hymns. Pastor Jay Ticknor said several other outdoor services and concerts are planned for this summer. The public is invited to attend all of these free events. For more information call 715-463-5746. – Photo by Wayne Anderson

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 23

CHURCH NEWS News from the pews at Pilgrim Lutheran Church FREDERIC - Makenna Engen, daughter of Troy and Pam recently celebrated her fifth birthday and her family served special treats after worship services several Sundays ago.

Last Sunday the congregation enjoyed special bluegrass music sung by Larry Linder and Larry Petersen, and they each played the guitar. The first song was “I Saw the Light” and the next one was the ever-popular “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” and their final song was definitely a toe tapper - “I’m All Prayed Up”! After the prelude the church bell is rung three times, representing the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, but last Sunday it was rung many times, calling all people to come and worship with the special music.

The beautiful flowers on the altar were from Ted and Helga Taube’s garden – one bouquet of calla lilies and the other of big white hydrangeas with bee balm interspersed throughout. These are signs of God’s beautiful world.

Displayed on the altar railing was the log cabin quilt that was made by the women of the church that will be donated to the Luther Point Bible Camp quilt auction which will be held on Sunday, September 19, beginning at 2 p.m.

Pastor Catherine’s children’s sermon centered around “mine” and sharing. In the very beginning of the Bible God has asked and expected us to give back to what God has given us and share our gifts with the world around us.

The Christian education committee is busy finalizing plans for vacation Bible school. VBS starts Sunday,

Makenna Engen recently celebrated her fifth birthday at Pilgrim Lutheran. — Photo submitted Aug. 9, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and will continue on Monday and Tuesday evenings with the final night being Wednesday, Aug. 12. There will be a potluck supper on Wednesday evening and the students will perform the songs and skits that they have learned. All children pre-K through sixth grade are welcome, and they are asking for a $10 donation per student or $20 per family.

The theme will be Spark Your Faith with lots of music, lessons, crafts and many activities to help the students grow in their faith and service to God. Come grow with us and have a blast! Snacks will be provided and preschoolers will have the option of being dismissed at 7 each night. Call the church office 715-327-8012 for more information or to let them know you are coming - or just come!

Preparations are in full swing to get ready for the third annual Harvest Dinner on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. and the public is invited to join them. The committee is working hard on making plans to serve a meal of roast pork loin, good old-fashioned mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh buttered corn, coleslaw, tomatoes and cucumbers, assorted pickles, a dinner roll and homemade apple pie. The menu has been such a success, so it will be repeated again this year. A free-will donation will be accepted and one quarter of the proceeds will go to the local food shelf, another quarter will go to World Hunger and the other half will go towards the church’s line of credit loan at Bremer Bank. Matching funds by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has been applied for.

Pilgrim invites all to attend Sunday morning worship services, which begin at 9 a.m. For more information, call the church office at 715-327-8012 or go to their Web site www.pilgrimlutheranfrederic.org.

Grantsburg Historical Society Ice Cream Social

It was a beautiful summer evening for the Grantsburg Historical Society’s annual ice cream social held last Thursday, July 23, at Emma’s House, located next door to the Grantsburg Historical Museum.

The front lawn of the historic home provided just the right spot for folks to spend some time visiting and enjoying their ice cream.

– Photos by Priscilla Bauer

LEFT: Marlys and Lowell Olson stand next to a photograph of Lowell’s mother, Emma, which hangs on a wall in Emma’s House, now owned by the Grantsburg Historical Society.

The home was recently restored to a turn-of-the-century look and was open for touring at the historical society’s annual ice-cream social last Thursday evening. Olson grew up in the house and enjoyed seeing the transformation to his childhood home.

Five-year-old Aletta Bergman takes a big spoonful of her summertime treat at the Grantsburg Historical Society’s annual ice-cream social. Bergman came with her family to the “scoops of summer” event held at Emma’s house next to the historical museum in Grantsburg last Thursday evening.

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

Marion M. Melin Marion Melin, Trade Lake, died July 21, 2009, at the Frederic Nursing and Rehab. She was 90 years old.

Marion Mary Minnie Klotz was born in St. Paul on Nov. 13, 1918, to John Alexander and Rose Caroline (Mauritz) Klotz. It was there she was baptized. She was one of five children. In her younger years, she was a cook at The Church Home is St. Paul. She was united in marriage to Warren Harding Melin on July 16, 1945, and moved to the family farm in Trade Lake where they raised a family of six children until their retirement in 1972. She was devoted to her family and spent her life as a homemaker. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed gardening, her flowers and traveling.

She was an active member of the Trade Lake Homemakers and spent many hours helping her children with 4-H projects. Her favorite pastimes were embroidery and jigsaw puzzles. She will be remembered for her ever-present smile.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Evelyn; brothers, Edwin, LeRoy and Donald; and greatgranddaughter, Haley.

She is survived by her husband, Warren; children, Alan of Trade Lake, Gary (Elizabeth) of Lake Elmo, Minn., Janet (Terry) Larson of Frederic, Patricia (Ricky) VanLue of Sauk Rapids, Minn., LaRayne (Steven) Ayd of Frederic and Duane (Kristina) of Woodbury, Minn.; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Saturday, July 25, at the Trade Lake Baptist Church in Trade Lake, with Pastor Andy McDaniel officiating. Music was provided by organist Sandy Lundquist, pianist Doris Hanson and soloist Gene Gronlund. Honorary pallbearers were Michael Madsen, Brent Larson, Robert Melin, Brandon Ayd, Derek Ayd and Alex Melin. Interment followed the service at Union Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Rowe Funeral Home of Frederic and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center of Milltown assisted the family with arrangements.

Lynn L. Lauritsen Lynn L. Lauritsen, 52, Turtle Lake, died Saturday, July 25, near Turtle Lake after his trike struck a deer. He was born Oct. 26, 1956, in Cumberland to Lester and Myrtle (Cadle) Lauritsen. He was married on Aug. 3, 1980, to Debbie Haley.

Lynn resided in Turtle Lake and worked at SanminaSCI for 30 years. His hobbies included building and riding trikes, boating, fishing, woodcarving and listening to loud music. He loved spending time, almost daily, with his daughter and his grandchildren, and together they would enjoy activities such as taking walks in nature.

He is survived by his daughter, Laurali (David Saal fiance) Lauritsen, Amery; three grandchildren, Dante, Dakota and Trace; two brothers, Leslie (Donna) Lauritsen, Bettendorf, Iowa, and Dr. Lyle (Diane) Lauritsen, Amery; nieces and nephews, Emily (Andy) Moore and Michael Lauritsen, both of Bettendorf, Annie (Chad) Klecker, River Falls, Casey Lauritsen, Brentwood, Tenn., and four great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 28, at Parkview United Methodist Church, Turtle Lake, with the Rev. Irving Case officiating. Burial of cremains will be in Timberland Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gene Griffin, Butch Holmes, Dave Lauritsen, Marv Lundervold, Lee Erickson, Bob Viltz, Ron Lauritsen and Dennis Jergensen. Honorary pallbearers were Joe Colburn and Kevin Hoffman.

The Skinner Funeral Home, Turtle Lake, was entrusted with arrangements.

John Andresen John Andresen, 85, of Spooner, died July 25. Funeral services will be Friday, July 31, at 11 a.m. at SwedbergTaylor Funeral Home with visitation prior from 9-11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Hertel. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster. A full obituary will be published in a future issue of this paper.

OBITUARIES

Robert Lowell Christensen

Doris A. Buie

Robert L. “Bo” Christensen, 59, Amery and formerly of Round Lake, died on July 23, 2009, at Amery Regional Medical Center.

Bo was born on May 29, 1950. He was raised in Dresser, with his five sisters. He attended high school in St. Croix Falls. Bo had many enjoyments, such as the theater, storytelling and music, and was very talented at all of them. He also loved being a camp counselor.

Bo is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Steven Brihn, Eugene Lowe and Daniel Lowe in infancy.

He is survived by sisters, Karen Christensen, Beverly Kahl, Denice Lopez, Shelly Andrewson, Tammy Roush and Gloria Merrill; brother, Larry Lowe; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.

Visitation will begin at noon on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Round Lake Community Center and continue until the time of service at 2 p.m., at the center on Sunday.

Interment will be at the Johnstown Township Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Brian Andrewson, Terry Kahl, Robert Lowe, Steven Benjamin, Jimmy Lightfeather and Butch Buck. Honorary casket bearers will be Paul Daniel Lopez, Paul Lopez, Logan Roush and Scott Minar.

For online condolences please visit www.kolstad familyfuneralhome.com.

The Kolsatd Family Funeral Home, Centuria, was entrusted with arrangements.

Doris A. (Neitzel) Buie, 76, formerly of Webster and Eau Claire, died July 27, 2009, at Frederic Nursing Home.

She was born June 16, 1923, in the town of Eagleton, Chippewa County, to August and Emma (Blank) Neitzel, the oldest girl and second child of eight. She married Harold S. Buie of Conneaut, Ohio.

To this union were born two daughters, Kathleen and Susan. Doris lived her life in Wisconsin and Illinois.

She was in retail business during her younger years. As part of her rehabilitation after major spinal surgery, she developed an avid interest in porcelain dolls. She was known around the state, especially in the Eau Claire and Webster area, as “The Doll Lady.” Seven years ago, she moved to Webster to make her home with her daughter, Kathleen Hinks. She was a member of the National Button Society and enjoyed making and collecting dolls, sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by two daughters: Kathleen Hinks of Webster and Susan Duensing of Liberty S.C.; brother: Eugene (Glenda) Neitzel of Cedar Hill, Texas; two sisters: Leone (Vern) Prigge of Milwaukee and Patricia (Frank) Howard of Mundelein Ill.; sister-in-law: Shirley Neitzel of Mora, Minn.; four grandchildren: Michael (Andrea) Hinks of Atlanta Ga., Tina Porter of Liberty, S.C., Rob (Christina) Duensing of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Becky Duensing of Greenville, S.C.; four greatgrandchildren: Amber and Austin Porter, Gabriella and Jacob Hinks.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Pauline Hurt; three brothers Clayton, William and Lowell Neitzel; and son-in-law Robert Duensing.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 31, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bloomer. Interment will be in the Eagleton Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Online condolences may be expressed at olsonfuneralhomebloomer.com Olson Funeral Home of Bloomer has been entrusted with arrangements.

June K. Mensen June K. Mensen, age 77, of Webster, died July 18, 2009, at her home.

She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 5, 1932, to Erye and Agnes Scott. June was the caretaker and manager of the Bear Trap Resort on the Clam Flowage from 1950 until 1983 when it closed. June volunteered at St. John’s Catholic Church from 1967-1977 and then took a position as custodian where she worked until the present time. She volunteered at the school, helping teach first-graders how to read. She enjoyed watching the birds, and flowers. June loved children and was known by the family as the “Guardian of Children.”

June was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter Michelle, infant sons Danny and Gene Jr., sisters Viola and Anna; and brothers Erye Jr. and Sonny.

June is survived by her children Tweet (Joe) Kroplin of Webster; Bret “Bud” (Kitty) Mensen of Memphis, Tenn.; Jerry Mensen of Grantsburg; and Kathy DeMarre of Webster; grandchildren Rob, Chrissy, Erye, Bret Jr., Lisa, Stormy, Tony, Jasmin and Jennifer; 19 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Memorial services were held on Friday, July 24, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Father Michael Tupa officiating. Music was provided by Kim Simon.

Interment followed at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Webster. Arrangements were entrusted to SwedbergTaylor Funeral Home, Webster.

Dorothy Ward Dorothy (Kaegbein) Ward, 70, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died at home June 4, 2009, in Littleton, Colo., of cancer.

Dorothy was born Nov. 11, 1938, in Grantsburg, to Walter and Ruth (McConnell) Kaegbein. They moved to Cedar Rapids in 1949 where she graduated from McKinley High School in 1956. After graduation, Dorothy worked for Penick and Ford. She moved to Denver, Colo., in 1961 to work in data processing with Gates Rubber Manufacturing.

Dorothy enjoyed attending her class reunions in Iowa and family reunions in Wisconsin.

She is survived by her longtime friend and companion Jack Fink, Littleton, Colo. and her brother Dallas Kaegbein, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Family will greet visitors from 1 p.m., until the time of service at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, at Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria. Pastor Maggie Issacson will officiate. Interment will be at the Balsam Lake Cemetery.

In liew of flowers, memorials may be directed to Green Mountain Christian Church, Food Box Ministry, 10700 West Exposition Drive, Lakewood, CO 80226, in Dorothy’s name.

Kolsatd Family Funeral Home, Centuria, has been entrusted with arrangements.

Lee E. Jerome Lee E. Jerome, age 84, a resident of Siren, died July 23, 2009, at Burnett Medical Center.

He was born on Jan. 15, 1925, in St. Vincent, Minn., to Emanuel and Agnus Jerome. Lee married Ruth in Lancaster, Minn., on March 15, 1946. He owned and operated the Lazy Bar in Danbury for six years. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Danbury Fire Department for six years. Lee and Ruth enjoyed being snowbirds, spending winters in Texas for over 20 years and prior to that he traveled in their motor home seeing the country. Lee’s hobbies included playing cards, bingo and being a taxidermist.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents and brother Claire.

Lee is survived by his wife, Ruth; children Vicki (Gary) Schaaf, Gary (Dorothy) Jerome, and David (Pam) Jerome; grandsons Jack and Buck; great-grandsons Jacob, Jonathon, Kayla, Jack Jr.; step-granddaughter Katie; along with other relatives and friends.

Graveside services were held Monday, July 27, at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner where full military honors were accorded.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster.

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 25

PAGE 26 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

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and misc. items belonging to the following: Units No. 04 and 22, Mary Anderson. 48-49Lp RASPBERRIES/BLUEBERRIES: Now picking at High Hopes Acre Berry Farm near Hinckley. Picking daily 4 to 8 p.m. Call 320384-6278 before coming. 49Lp

JULY 29, 2009 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 27

Festival’s Featured Artist The daring directors of “Four by Two” Festival Theatre’s current production is a gutsy creation designed to showcase the depth of talent it takes to create authentic characters in both real and imagined settings. “Four by Two” is billed as a romantic comedy of four short plays by two actors as directed by four daring directors. Some of the directors may argue that description, in hindsight thinking they were crazy to put the production together in less than twenty days.

“This was a wonderful experience,” said Ed Moersfelder, who made his Festival directing debut with the show “Something to Eat.” Moersfelder has nothing but high praise for the actors working under his direction. A retired attorney who once-upon-a-time was a high school English teacher (the hardest work he’s ever done), Moersfelder has performed with Mankato Community Theatre, Northern Lakes Center for the Arts in Amery, and last season with Festival Theatre in “Arsenic & Old Lace.”

Moersfelder lives in rural Amery with his lovely wife Karyl.

Directing “Getting Back” is Jeanette Abdo, who made her mark at Festival Theatre in 2007 when she directed “Barefoot in the Park.” An actor and voice-over specialist who earned her de-

Ed Moersfelder

Jeannette Abdo

gree in theater from St. Cloud State, Abdo enjoyed the intense focus on a short piece of literature where you pack so much meaning into fifteen minutes of stage time. “This was really fun,” said Abdo. “It’s been great to watch Shawn and Jessica [the actors] continue to find new elements in their characters.”

Patrick O’Brien became a new Festival favorite last season when he played the role of William Fox in “Dates with a Nut.” A consummate comic actor, O’Brien was the producer’s first choice for the very complicated, totally hilarious short play “Universal Language.”

Having just directed his own one-man show “Underneath the Lintel,” O’Brien found the short process both frustrating and challenging, but he’s very happy with the result. “It’s been great to see Jess and Shawn explore playing comic

Patrick O’Brien

characters in a very large way. These characters are over the top, which takes an entirely different style.” With an extremely long list of comic roles on both stage and screen, O’Brien surely knows the distinguishing attributes of performing comedy. O’Brien returned to the Midwest two years ago from a 20year visit to Los Angeles.

Directing her second piece in less than a year is Danette Olsen, who also serves as executive director at Festival Theatre.

When last season’s budget crunch grew more obvious, Olsen assigned herself the directing responsibilities for “A Christmas Story,” which was a lot to pile on to her already very busy schedule, but it was also a wonderful way for her to stay in touch with her training and passion for theater arts-making.

Olsen studied theater at UW-River Falls where she admits she was like a kid in a

Gem and Mineral Show

From fossils to unpolished rocks to fine jewelry, the Gem and Mineral Society’s annual rock show this past weekend at Frederic drew hundreds of rock hounds and jewelry fans.

Local vendors and some from outside the state display their goods for two days at the Frederic High School performing arts center. - Photos

by Gary King

Danette Olson

candy shop. “At UWRF we had the best of all worlds when it came to learning about theater. Our department was small, so if we were interested we could really test ourselves to the limit. I directed, designed, and acted. I even wrote a few short plays and created a one-woman play based on the works and life of Nadine Gordimer.” In “Four

by Two,” Olsen scores both design credits for the set and directing credits for “Sure Thing,” a play that provides context in the adult dating world for the “do over” rule that dominates happy school playgrounds.

“Four by Two” runs through Aug. 2 at St. Croix Festival Theatre. For additional information, call the box office at 715-483-3387 or 888-887-6002.

CUTLINES

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - JULY 29, 2009

JULY

THURS.-FRI./30 & 31 St. Croix Falls

• Polk County Fair, www.polkcountyfair.com.

• “Four by Two,” at the Festival Theatre. Thurs.

2 p.m., Thurs. & Fri. 7:30 p.m., 715-483-3387, festivaltheatre.org.

Voyager Village

Coming events

• Village Players Community Theatre play “The Foreigner.” Thurs. & Fri. 7 p.m., 715-2597995.

THURSDAY/30

WEDNESDAY/5 Frederic

• Blood pressure screening at Bremer Bank, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Pokeno at the senior center, 1 p.m.

Osceola

• Duathlon clinic at Wild River Fitness, 7-8:30 p.m., nww.midwestsportsevents.com, 800-4298044.

• Pie, ice-cream & barbecue social at Osceola United Methodist Church, 4:30-7 p.m. Special music by Glory Train at 6 p.m.

St. Croix Falls

Frederic

• Good Samaritan Society - St. Croix Valley Auxiliary meeting, 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the center.

Osceola

THURSDAY/6

• Senior center executive meeting, 10 a.m.; 500 cards at the senior center, 6:30 p.m.

Frederic

• Senior Citizen Club potluck picnic at the Oakey Park pavilion, noon, followed by Bingo, 715-294-3670.

• 500 cards at the senior center, 6:30 p.m.

Siren

Siren

• Dining at Five dinner at the senior center, 5 p.m., 715-349-7810.

• Music in the Park, the band Intensive Care, at Crooked Lake Park band shell, 7 p.m.

FRI.-SUN./7-9

FRIDAY/31

Amery

Frederic

• Bluegrass and Gospel Fest, 1272 44th Ave., www.geocities.com/littlefallschurch, 715-2687864.

• Pokeno at the senior center, 1 p.m.

Siren

Lewis

• Summerfest.

• Book sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; homemade pie and ice-cream social, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Bethany Lutheran Church.

• Charles E. Lewis Days, 715-653-2277.

FRIDAY/7

St. Croix Falls

• Bridge 10 a.m. at the senior center.

• Exercise 10-11 a.m., Skipbo 11 a.m.-noon, 500 cards 6:30 p.m. at the senior center.

AUGUST

SAT.-SUN./1 & 2 Siren

• Summerfest.

• 4th-annual Range Day at Coyland Creek.

Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 715-6534273.

St. Croix Falls

• Polk County Fair, www.polkcountyfair.com.

• “Four by Two,” at the Festival Theatre. Sat. 7:30 p.m. & Sun. 2 p.m. 715-483-3387, festivaltheatre.org.

Balsam Lake

Ready to burst, these blueberrys look extra ripe in the mid-July sun. - Photo

by John Reed

Osceola

TUESDAY/4 Luck

• Music in the Park, Indianhead Chorus, in Triangle Park, 6:30 p.m.

• Nobel Peace Prize nominee Kathy Kelly to speak at West Denmark Parish Hall, 7 p.m., 715-472-8721.

Frederic

• Health seminar, Clinic Practices: Physicals and the Flu, at the medical center, 6:30-8 p.m., 715-294-4936.

• Pokeno at the senior center, 12:30 p.m. due to monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m.

Siren

• American Legion Auxiliary garage sale at the Legion Hall, 2-6 p.m., 715-431-0365.

• National Night Out free picnic at Crooked Lake Park, 5 p.m.-?.

Vision

Grantsburg

St. Croix Falls

• Music on the Overlook, Indianhead Chorus, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY/8 Atlas

• Atlas United Methodist Church annual thrift & bake sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Kids at the Park Day in the park.

Voyager Village

• Village Players Community Theatre play “The Foreigner.” Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m., 715259-7995.

Frederic

• Light buffet luncheon at the senior center, noon. Cards, Pokeno or Bingo after dinner.

SATURDAY/1

Osceola

Balsam Lake

• Bill Chantelois Benefit, 10 a.m. to midnight, fairgounds, Oakey Park. 10 a.m. breakfast, noon lunch, spaghetti dinner 4-7 p.m.

• 8th-annual Anglers Open Bass Tournament, 6 a.m.-2 p.m., 715-554-2091.

Danbury

Siren

• Ruby’s Pantry at the Danbury Town Hall.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Distribution starts at 10 a.m.

• Arts and crafts market at the senior center, 1-5 p.m., 715-349-5226.

• Cookie Brigade cookie-baking contest at Northwoods Crossing Event Center. Drop-off 9-11 a.m., 715-327-4532, www.cookiebrigade.com.

• Youth in the Outdoors at Coyland Creek, 9 a.m.-3 p.m, 715-653-4273.

Frederic

• Potluck dinner & August birthdays celebrated at the senior center. Cards, Pokeno or Bingo after lunch.

Siren

Webb Lake

• Coin show at the senior center, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Burnett Arts Festival at Lakeview Event Center, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., 715-349-8448.

• Free pressure canner testing at Siren Farmers Market, Siren Senior Center parking lot, 1 to 3 p.m.

• Kids carnival at the fire hall, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Webster

• Lioness Club Annual Gandy Dancer Days bake sale at the Lions shelter on Main Street, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., hot pork sandwiches, chips & pickles from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Book sale at Burnett Community Library, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Burnett Community Library garden tour fundraiser, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 715-866-7798.

SUNDAY/2 Dresser

• Dresser & St. Croix Falls Area VFW Post #4186, and the Ladies Auxiliary All-You-CanEat Breakfast at the VFW Hall, 8 a.m.-noon.

SUNDAY/9

Siren

Danbury

• Siren Tornado Golf Tournament at Siren National. Registration at 9 a.m., 715-349-5215, 612-750-6766.

• Syren Area Garden Club annual garden tour, noon-5 p.m., 715-349-8386.

• BBQ Fest at The Fort, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 715866-8890, www.theforts.org.

Frederic

• Jane Wisse Open Golf Tourney. Shotgun start at 11 a.m., 651-260-4770, 715-491-5200, www.janewisseopen.com.

St. Croix Falls

• Interstate Park open house, breakfast 8 a.m.-noon; dedication at 11 a.m., 715-483-4747.

• 7th-annual tractor caravan to Almelund, Minn., departs Chateau St. Croix at 10 a.m., 715-825-4237, 715-646-9393.

Jackson

• 3rd-annual Jackson Fire & 2nd Alarm pancake breakfast at the fire hall, 8 a.m.-noon.

Siren

MONDAY/3

• Burnett County GOP ice-cream social at the senior center, 2 p.m.

Balsam Lake

Turtle Lake

• 3-person scramble golf tournament at Five Flags. Tee off 1 p.m., 715-485-3334.

• 12th-annual Cars in the Park car & craft show at the village park, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., 715986-4680.

Frederic

• Spades at the senior center, 1 p.m.

Luck

• Annual potluck - swap meet of Indianhead Gem & Mineral Society at member’s home, 6 p.m., 715-472-8809.

• Lake-Friendly landscaping workshop on design, tour, at Polk County Business Center, 2-5 p.m., 715-268-9992, harmonyenv@amerytel.net.

• Brat and Corn Feed - Fundraiser for Faith, 4?, Faith Lutheran Church.

A young woman sitting beneath a tree during the annual Rendezvous at Forts Folle Avoine this past weekend looks like a vision taken from the pages of an old storybook. More photos of the Rendezvous inside this section Photo by Carl Heidel