Leader
T U E S D AY, J U LY 1 , 2 0 0 8 • V O L U M E 7 5 • N O . 4 5 • 2 S E C T I O N S • 8 , 0 0 0 C O P I E S • S E C T I O N A
W E E K E N D W AT CH : • Central Burnett County Fair @ Webster • Freedom Festival @ Balsam Lake • Danbury Days celebration @ Danbury • Farm Tractor Truck Pull @ Indian Creek & Wolf Creek • Fourth celebrations: Parades, fireworks, feeds, sales & fundraisers See Coming events and stories
Computer records come back to haunt drug seller
INTER-COUNTY
Serving Northwest Wisconsin
$1
Kutz appointed judge Appointment will leave Burnett district attorney position open PAGE 3
Lin dbe c k e a rns a w a t e rc ross w i n
Former Burnett County resort owner receives 18 months in prison for selling THC PAGE 14
Where’s the boss?
Tracking department heads in Polk County PAGE 4
N e w Mi ss Sire n
Sarah Howe, daughter of Jeff and Karen Howe, was crowned Miss Siren 2008 last Saturday, June 28. More photos on page 31- Photo by Sherill Summer
SPO RTS
Dale Lindbeck races to a pro open win on Sunday, June 29, on Coon Lake during the Frederic Watercross. Lindbeck dominated winning both the pro open ovals and the Vicki Peterson Memorial race. More photos, stories and results in Sports. – Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld
“T he Call of t he Wil d” is a call t o reade rs The Big Read returns to the St. Croix Valley
All-stars go extras at Oakey Park! See Sports inside
by Gregg Westigard ST. CROIX FALLS – The Big Read, a call for the community to come together and share the thrill of reading and conversation, is returning to the St. Croix Valley region early next year. A kickoff event was held last Friday at the Festival Theatre in St. Croix Falls to announce that the second Big Read will start in January and will include communities on both sides of the river. This year’s book is “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London. While set in the Yukon during the Klondike’s gold rush, the book describes what life was like in the area in the mid-1800s as European settlers moved into a region that was
See Big Read, page 10
Key figures in the Big Read project met with the press last Friday to kick off the 2009 Big Read of Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild.” Sitting on the stage of the Festival Theatre were SCF Library Director Sarah Adams, Dr. Carolyn Wedin, who will be leading community education courses on London and Amy Klein, arts education director of the Festival Theatre. The Big Read starts next January. - Photo by Gregg Westigard
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PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 1, 2008
Leader
T w o ai r l i f t e d fo l l o w i n g c r a s h
Serving Northwest Wisconsin
A 33-year-old Balsam Lake man and a 37-year-old Grantsburg man were seriously injured in a single vehicle crash on Hwy. 35 south of Frederic last Wednesday evening, June 25. A 1994 Chevrolet Beretta driven by Clayton Seul was traveling northbound when Seul failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway near the intersection of Hwy. 35 and 160th Street. His vehicle crossed over the two southbound lanes of traffic and struck a guardrail on the west side of the road. After striking the guardrail, the vehicle spun around,c coming to rest in the middle of the highway. Seul and his passenger, Chad Leggett, were transported by ground ambulance to St. Croix Regional Medical center for treatment. Both were then taken by air ambulance to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., for further treatment. The Polk County Sheriff’s Department continues its investigation of this crash. - Top photo from Polk County Sheriff’s Department. Bottom photo by Marty Seeger
A cooperative-owned newspaper, the Inter-County Leader is published every Wednesday by the Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association, Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837. Second Class postage paid at Frederic, WI 54837.
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Keith Kennedy now listed in “fair” condition MINNEAPOLIS - Keith Kennedy’s condition was upgraded from serious to fair condition this week at the University of Minnesota Medical Center -Fairview. Kennedy was found a week ago Sunday after being lost in the Burnett County wilderness for seven days without food or water. He had arrived at the Trade Lake Camp for mentally challenged adults June 15 and disappeared just before bedtime. Burnett County Sheriff Dean Roland said he spoke with Kennedy’s father, Bruce Kennedy, on Friday. Keith still has tubes hooked up to his body and is going through a lot of tests, but is progressing nicely, Roland said. He does recognize his parents, who are recovering themselves from near exhaustion, having spent the entire week at the camp, helping in the search. Roland said he and others are piecing together what they feel happened during
Keith’s week in the wilderness and will be meeting with the Kennedys when that report is completed. He said there are two driveways into and out of the camp. Both are wide and easy to travel on. Keith was last seen on Keith Kennedy the driveway to the south, where he would have gong through a field and out into the swamp. The road to the north, going through a nearby farm, goes through a plowed field - and again - into the swamp. Hundreds of local citizens volunteered during the weeklong search, but on the final day of the search, it was EMS professionals - on their last search of the day - who found Kennedy. The search, at that
L o c a t i o n p i n p o i n te d Trade Lake Camp Keith Kennedy found here
Boat parade Friday
Board of directors
BURNETT COUNTY - The annual Viola Lake Fourth of July Boat Parade will take place at 3 p.m. Friday at the public boat landing. Lake residents have been invited to decorate their boats and meet at the public landing. The parade will go around the lake twice. The public is invited to view the parade. - with submitted information
Vivian Byl, chair Charles Johnson Harvey Stower Merlin Johnson Janet Oachs
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point, had evolved into a body recovery mission. Just hours before authorities planned to scale back the search, Keith Kennedy was found alive by two St. Paul firefighters. The 25-year-old austistic man stood a slim chance of surviving such conditions, particularly since he had gone without medicine needed daily in the years following his kidney transplant. Kennedy had on no clothes, and rescuers wrapped him in their shirts to keep him warm and attempted to give him water, but he wasn’t able to drink. A doctor at UM-Fairview said Kennedy had only hours to live had he not been found when he was. Rescuers took turns carrying Kennedy and clearing a path through the woods until they came to a road where they were able to load him into a pickup truck and take him to the Mike Shute property. Shute had created a personal airfield at his property which proved to be critical in allowing the air ambulance helicopter to land at the scene. Shute was not home at the time. He was fishing with his girlfriend, Vickie Panek. “Just knowing he (Mike) had created something for his personal use that could be used for something important like this is gratifying for him,” Panek said. - Gary King with information from Burnett County Sheriff’s Department. Nancy Jappe and Merlin Johnson contributed to this story.
Bear sighted on Lake Avenue Keith Kennedy, the 25-year-old Minnesota man who survived seven days in the wilderness of Anderson Township, was found 40 to 50 yards west of Canute Creek on the Sather property, 30 yards south of the Merlin Johnson property line. He was less than a mile from the Trade Lake Camp, from where he disappeared. He was found in a small area about 8 by 8 feet, all matted down, surrounded by thick woods and underbrush. The area was replete with poison ivy, wood ticks, mosquitos and deer flies. The locations of the camp and where Kennedy was found, as published last week, were not accurate.
FREDERIC - A black bear ran by the Sunrise Apartments last Thursday night, June 26, about 8:30 p.m., according to resident Earlene Hunter. Hunter said she saw the bear from her window and said it ran north on Lake Avenue. In a summer full of bear sightings, that was the first report received of a bear that far into the village limits in Frederic. Gary King
Briefly Unannounced to comedian Mary Mack, aka Webster native Miki Budge, NBC split up the Vegas comics on “Last Comic Standing,” and her episode is now scheduled to air this Thursday, July 3, at 7 p.m. She made it to the semi-finals in Las Vegas. Our feature on Mack a few weeks ago had the date of the airing Mack wrong. The comedienne’s rising star will also see her appear on Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham” later this summer. You can find out more about her at marymackcomedy.com - Gary King ••• Even though this week’s Leader hit the newstands one day earlier than normal, due to our July 4 printing schedule, our eedition will come out at its regular time Wednesday afternoon - and it will likely contain more photos and stories than the print edition. You can subscribe to our eedition by going to our Web site at www.the-leader.net. Print subscribers can get a special price on our e-edition. You can also subscribe to our free e-mail updates which alert you to local breaking news stories. ••• SIREN - Burnett County VFW Post #1256 will be hosting a Veterans Forum with Rep. Ann Hraychuck at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at the VFW Hall, 7664 E. Main Street, Siren. All area veterans, service members and their families are invited to attend. For more information, call Peggy Moore at 349-8087. - with submitted information ••• ST. CROIX FALLS - Hollywood actor Patrick Thomas O’Brien will likely look familiar to Festival Theatre goers when he begins his role in “Dates with a Nut,” set to begin July 10. If you Google O’Brien, you’ll find he has about 80 TV and film credits, from the bailiff in “Intolerable Cruelty,” to Carmichael in “ER,” to parts on “Monk,” “Gilmore Girls,” “JAG,” “Stuart Little,” and others. In the Festival production, O’Brien will play William Fox, a middle-aged widower who is convinced by co-workers to re-enter the world of dating by way of an Internet service. Tickets are on sale now. - with information from Festival Theatre ••• MILLTOWN - Gary Holden of rural Milltown, the man who won the Fishermen Party’s grand prize of a new Harley-Davidson in Sunday’s drawing, will take the motorcycle over the cash. Winners are traditionally offered the Harley or $13,000 in cash. Other large prize winners included Brian Holdt of Luck ($1,500 fishing vacation); Harriet Kirk of Luck ($750); and Steve Gustafson of Frederic ($500). There were 10 $100 winners and several $50 winners. See next week’s Leader for the complete list. with submitted information ••• OSCEOLA - In July, St. Croix ArtBarn, Osceola, and The SPACE, New Richmond, will collaborate to present the comedy, “The Book of Liz.” A brother/sister team of comedic writers, Amy and David Sedaris, bring intelligence and wit to the stage with this new funny, silly, sarcastic and thoughtful show for adult audiences. The cast includes the Rev. Tollhouse (David Lee, New Richmond), Sister Butterworth (Michele Merritt DeGroote, Osceola) her UPS driver, Ms. Foxley (Marjean Rowen, Amery) and newcomer to her community, Brother Brightbee (Bill Perron, Dresser). Sister Elizabeth meets many interesting characters including Oxana (Hazel Cain Johnson, Osceola), Dr. Barb Ginley (Vicky Cain, Osceola), Duncan (Scott Moore, Amery), and Donny (Jerry Walter, New Richmond). The play runs Thursday through Saturday in Osceola at ArtBarn, July 10-12, at 7:30 p.m. Call 715-294-2787 or visit www.stcroixartbarn.com - submit-
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 3
Kutz appointed judge To be sworn in Aug. 4 BURNETT COUNTY – Word came from Gov. Jim Doyle’s office Friday afternoon that Burnett County District Attorney Ken Kutz has been appointed to be the new Burnett County Circuit Court judge. Kutz will fill the vacancy created by the election of Judge Michael Gableman to the State Supreme Court. Kutz will begin serving in early August and will serve a term ending July 31, 2009. “Kenneth Kutz’s broad experience as a prosecutor will be a great asset to Burnett County,” Doyle said. “His dedication to justice and long history of community involvement will serve the county well.” Doyle hosted personal interviews for the job with Kutz and Burnett County corporate counsel David Grindell, June 23. Kutz, who has served in the district attorney’s office for the past 25 years, four as assistant district attorney and 21 as district attorney, said he was “extremely honored and grateful” to Gov. Doyle for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of Burnett County as their next judge. He will be sworn in as judge on Monday, Aug. 4. “It’s been a pleasure serving them as their district attorney, and I plan to bring the same level of dedication and fairness to my new position as circuit judge,” he said in a press release from the governor’s office. Kutz told the Leader there are many details to work out beginning with the appointment of his successor by Doyle. One natural choice might be a person who has shown interest in the job by filing nomination papers for the November ballot. In this case, that person is attorney Bill Norine of Grantsburg. However, Norine is filing as an Independent candidate and political affiliations are normally important to governors in making such appointments. And as judge, Kutz will not be allowed – by law – to preside over any of the criminal cases filed by his office when he was district attorney. “Most of my initial work on the bench will be handling the noncriminal cases, such as small claims, divorces, etc.,” Kutz noted. Neighboring Barron County is in a similar situation because their assistant district attorney Jim Babbitt was recently elected judge there in April
ATVs, motorcycles stolen BARRON COUNTY - The Barron County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a theft that occurred sometime over the weekend of June 28-29 and included the theft of a 2005 Swift custom chopper valued at $40,000. Hauck Power Sports, the local Yamaha dealer in Rice Lake, was broken into and had a number of items stolen. Taken was a 30-foot enclosed trailer with the number 22 and Hauck Power Sports written on the back. Loaded inside the trailer that was stolen from inside the showroom were four 2008 Yamaha ATVs, one youth ATV and four Yamaha motorcycles, including the Swift custom chopper. Also taken were numerous leather jackets, helmets, goggles and youth sized shirts. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact the Barron County Sheriff’s Department at 715537-3106. - Gary King with information from Barron County Sheriff’s Department
Appointment leaves DA office open Governor’s coming appointee will face voters in fall; filing period ends next Tuesday
Ken Kutz will be sworn in Aug. 4 as Burnett County’s new circuit court judge. - Photo by Sherill Summer and also starts his new job in August. Scott Johnson, the district court administrator, has said Burnett and Barron will likely be swapping judges for a while to cover each other’s criminal caseloads until the conflicts expire. “This is pretty exciting all the way around – and I’m really looking forward to it,” Kutz said. Kutz came to Burnett County in 1983 after graduating from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and later graduating from Marquette University Law School in 1979. He currently lives in Grantsburg with his wife, Patricia. They have three children, Sean, Brian and Brendan. He has served on various local boards including as president of the Burnett Medical Center Board of Directors, as a member of the Siren-Webster Rotary Club and has been active in the Grantsburg Youth Hockey Association.- Gary King with information from Gov. Doyle’s office. Sherill Summer contributed to this story.
Centuria man faces charge of OWI No. 5 POLK COUNTY - A 25-year-old Centuria man faces a charge of OWI fifth offense following an incident early Friday morning, June 27. Erick D. Swanson was driving a minivan when it struck an apple tree and started on fire, becoming engulfed in flames. A sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the scene at 200th Street and 160th Avenue and witnessed Swanson running north through a cornfield carrying a fishing pole. A young boy near the scene was transported to safety by the police. Swanson was located at a nearby farm, sitting in a truck. He told police he was having trouble with the van’s starter and had gone to the farm for some help. He said he was in the truck because he thought he left his keys in his friend’s truck. He denied that the young boy had been his passenger in the van he was driving. He also denied hitting the tree. Police believe Swanson was under the influence of drugs. He was taken to the St. Croix Regional Medial Center for a chemical test of his blood. A records check showed he had four prior convictions for OWI. - Gary King with information from Polk County Sheriff’s Dept.
by Gregg Westigard BURNETT COUNTY – The appointment of Burnett County District Attorney Ken Kutz as Burnett County Circuit Court Judge leaves the district attorney position open. Gov. Jim Doyle will be appointing a new district attorney to fill the position that Kutz will vacate Aug. 1. But the district attorney position will on the November ballot, and whoever is appointed, will serve until January and would need to be elected in the fall to serve a full term. The filing period for the November ballot ends next Tuesday, July 8, at 5 p.m. If the governor follows the same process he used in filling the vacant judicial seat, he will ask interested persons to submit their names and conduct interviews with the applicants. He would then appoint a new Burnett County district attorney to serve the remainder of the Kutz term from August through the end on December. The dates for the process leading to the appointment may not have been set yet. Queries to the governor’s office had not received an answer as of press time. All district attorney positions in the state are up for election next November. The filing period for the office ends Tuesday. This means that interested persons must register their candidacy now with the state election board before they start to collect signatures on their nomination papers. As of 5 p.m. Monday, June 30, no one had registered for the office, according to information from the election board. Candidates can fax a registration statement to the election board but must follow up with a mailed and signed copy of the form. The district attorney term will be four years for the first time starting next January. The office is a partisan position, and Kutz has been elected as a Democrat. If two or more persons file for the office under the same party label, a primary election will be held in September to narrow the ballot choice to one person for each party.
Citizens sought to take part in creative justice program Meeting July 10 BALSAM LAKE - Polk County Criminal Justice Collaborating Council is looking for community members to help address the need for a formalized community service program in Polk County. The public is asked to attend the meeting at the Justice Center in Balsam Lake at 1005 W. Main Street, community room, on Thursday, July 10, at 6 p.m. for an informational meeting regarding this innovative program that will benefit everyone in Polk County. The CJCC is looking for community representatives and/or a countywide coordinator who would recruit the community service job sites, communicate with the referring agencies regarding placements and manage an ongoing referral list. CJCC is also looking for community service job sites (businesses, individuals, social groups/ clubs, nonprofit agencies) that are willing to have adult and juvenile offenders perform services for them at no cost. – from Department of Corrections, Balsam Lake
PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 1, 2008
P O L K
C O U N T Y
H E A D L I N E S
The trials of Polk County
An update on some county legal matters: GAM, Drabek versus the county board, Woodley Dam
of Appeals will get their first look at the case. Sometime after that date, the judges will issue an opinion. If the court rules for the plaintiffs, the sale is off. If it rules for the county, the sale would proceed. The buyer is said to be still interested. But the plaintiffs might decide to appeal an adverse Court of Appeal ruling. It which case, the story continues. Meanwhile, the county continues to operate GAM. (See separate story on the latest GAM happenings.)
by Gregg Westigard POLK COUNTY – Polk County’s days in court move slowly onward. The county, its supervisors and departments have been involved in a series of legal cases and investigations over the past few years. There may be some movement on three active cases this summer.
Drabek versus the County Board Polk County resident James Drabek feels the county and the finance committee held unallowed closed sessions in the time leading up to the vote to sell GAM. He filed complaints with the district attorney’s office. When that office failed to respond or take action on Drabek’s complaints after the 20-day period he says is mandated, Drabek took the complaints directly to court, acting in the name of the state. Hence the case title “State of Wisconsin ex rel James W. Drabek vs Polk County et al.” Drabek has filed his suit against the county and all 23 supervisors holding office last December. Each of the 24 defendants received a summons. The case has been assigned to Washburn County Circuit Court Judge Eugene Harrington. Harrington will hold a telephone scheduling conference Thursday, July 3, to set the date for the next actions.
Golden Age Manor The Polk County Board voted in January to sell the county-owned nursing home in Amery. The sale was contested in court. Circuit Judge Eugene Harrington, on March 26, ruled that the sale was valid. That ruling was appealed to the State Court of Appeals District 3. The Appeals Court received the case in early April. Since that time, the parties to the case have been filing motions stating their case. The plaintiffs, the parties not wanting GAM sold, had until May 28 to file their briefs stating why the Harrington ruling should be overturned. Briefs were filed by attorneys representing a member of the GAM governing board, a resident, two nursing employees, and one of the unions that represent GAM workers. The attorneys representing Polk County, the defendant, filed a Brief of Respondent on June 26. The plaintiffs now have until July 11 to file reply briefs. Sometime after July 11, the three judges on the Court
Woodley Dam Polk County has been attempting to obtain DNR permits to remove the Woodley Dam on the Apple River at Hwy. 8 and to construct a new snowmobile bridge. The permits were issued last summer after a series of hearings. Two groups, the Apple River
Association and a chapter of Trout Unlimited, contested the permits and asked for a state hearing on the issue. After delays, the contested case hearing was set to be held on June 3. After notices of the hearing had been published, the petitioners withdrew their request for a hearing and there was an attempt to cancel the hearing. However, the hearing had been noticed. Representatives of the county and the DNR gathered in a meeting room at the Justice Center on the morning of June 3 for what was expected to be a short and formal end to the issue. It wasn’t. Two new parties, Peter Henry and Betty Bergstedt, raised new objections. Henry owns property downstream from the dam and raised objections to the material being proposed for use in stabilizing the riverbed. Bergstedt owns property upstream from the dam and opposes the dam removal because it would lower the water near her home, claiming it would affect fishing, boating and wildlife. The two are new parties to the case. The Woodley Dam contested case hearing will reconvene on Wednesday, July 9, at 9 a.m. at the Justice Center to hear the objections of Henry and Bergstedt. The notice states “No other objecting parties will be allowed.” If the DNR permits to the county are upheld, the county may be able to proceed with removing the Woodley Dam, securing the bed of the Apple River and constructing a new snowmobile bridge. That is if the funds are still there, the bids for the work are still current, and no other issues arise. Polk County took ownership of the Woodley Dam, once known as the Country Dam, in March 2002 after a long dispute over unpaid property taxes.
Where’s the boss? by Gregg Westigard POLK COUNTY – Polk County has 23 department heads. All are salaried. All manage staff and administer programs. Their jobs require long and varied hours. Sometimes the public asks where they are and when they work. A very few department heads have desks that are visible to the public, even though being at the desk is not the only measure of being at work. The desks of the county clerk, highway commissioner, Golden Age Manor administrator, IT director, and veterans service officer are visible from public areas. By craning one’s neck and knowing where to look, a person can view the desks of the finance, personnel, and land and water resources directors. And the location of all land information (zoning) staff is listed on a large board in that department’s lobby. But being at the desk is not a measure of being on the job for most department heads. Many have jobs that take them out of the office. The properties director may be at work in any county building. The corporation counsel may be in court or in any county office. The highway commissioner, sheriff, and land and water director could be on duty anywhere in the county. And some, including the heads of health and human services are involved with multicounty or statewide projects that can take them out of the county.
The actual hours at work also vary. While some department heads work something close to an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. day in the office, most have jobs that require evening and overtime work at no extra pay. The county clerk works one long evening a month with the county board and up to four very long evenings a year collecting election returns. The employee relations director and finance director put in many extra hours during budget preparation time and the employee relations director has added hours during union negotiation periods. Some, including the sheriff, highway commissioner and medical examiner, are on call 24/7 and may have to report for work any time, any place in the county, often in the worst conditions. They may wish they had a desk job. In some small departments that directly serve the public, the department heads are part of the staffing schedule during working hours. The county clerk, in an office with two part-time employees, answers the phone and issues licenses on a regular basis while also doing administrative tasks. The clerk of court is often doing courtroom duties to relieve staff. The treasurer may be at the front desk receiving your property tax payment. So, where is the boss? Polk County department heads may be anywhere, any time, doing their job.
Lions welcome new members
The Luck Lions Club recently welcomed four new members. They are (L to R): Kevin Robinson, Gordy Struss, Tom Levi, President Scot Langeness, and Joel VanPelt. The club is always seeking new members. – Photo submitted
Tracking department heads by Gregg Westigard POLK COUNTY – Monitoring the hours of department heads is not simple. All are salaried and have compensation set in relation to the job they perform and the size of the department they manage. All report, in some way, to a governing committee of county board members. But the department heads do not punch time clocks; and they record their hours on a voluntary and informal basis. In Polk County there is no administrator who oversees their work. The hired department heads have annual evaluations that review their work and goals. But their salaries are set by a formula that rates a job by level of skill required, size of department and time with the county. There is less oversight of the six elected officials. Their salaries are set by law at the start of their four year terms, and they are not under the authority of governing committees. The county board has some control of the department heads, including the elected officials, at budget and staffing time. Department heads are required to “get the job done.” In the smallest departments, that means setting a budget that includes the hours of the department head as part of the staff budget. If it takes 120 hours a week to staff the personnel office or 100 hours a week to staff the county clerk’s office, those hours include 40 hours of work from the department head. Otherwise, the county department heads are on somewhat of an honor system. There is no comp time for working extra hours. The treasurer may work over the Christmas holiday correcting a tax statement problem. The finance director may be available by cell phone even when at a conference. The employee relations director may be on call for special problems even when on leave having a baby. Management always has varied duties. The county hires people who need to be experts in their often complex fields. The department heads often direct large staffs such as the 76 employees in the human services department. They supervise large budgets including over $6 million annually for highway and over $12 million for human services departments. Monitoring the work of 23 department heads and setting a fair salary is not a simple job. In Polk County, that job is done by the county board members and the governing committees they sit on.
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 5
B U R N E T T
C O U N T Y
H E A D L I N E S
Mapping system would help village with records by Priscilla Bauer GRANTSBURG – Jon Schwichtenberg of Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. engineering appeared at the Grantsburg Village Board’s June meeting with a proposal to provide geographic information system services to the village of Grantsburg. Schwichtenberg outlined the mapping system which would provide the village with a better system of managing maintenance records for the community, along with zoning, permitting and taxation records. The data the village already has in its current system would be used and added with the new system’s technology.
The benefits of the GIS project to the village would be the easy access staff would have to view parcel, tax and utility information. Village maintenance records would also be more efficiently recorded and retrieved with the GIS system. The board voted to approve the $7,800 expenditure for the GIS system in its 2009 budget, with preliminary work on the project to begin later this fall. In other board action: The board heard a progress report from Bernie Lenz of Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. on the Memory Lake
Management Plan. Lenz told the board the DNR has approved the work plan for the project with technical plan approval needed before an application can be completed on a lake protection grant. Lenz explained to the board the three steps need to be implemented for the plan to proceed. There must be urban sediment reduction to Memory Lake, the lake’s operation plan needs to be modified and the lake will need to be dredged. The board approved a $1,500 expenditure to have SEH continue the application process with the DNR for the lake protection grant which would be ready for submission by January
2009. At a special board meeting on June 27 the board voted to set public hearings for the sidewalk replacement project on S. Pine and S. Oak streets and on the Centennial Street utility improvements. The public hearings are to be held at the July 14, regular board meeting. The board approved a 5-percent increase in the Memory Lake Campground rates for 2009. And also voted to establish a property maintenance committee to study how to proceed in implementing and enforcing a proposed ordinance to help with village cleanup.
Grantsburg Summer School presents musical “Cinderella” GRANTSBURG – A total of 40 students in grades 4-9 will be presenting Disney’s “Cinderella” in a special version just for kids to perform. They have been working with director Linda Benge and student directors Mitch Evenson and Lydia Benge Briggs since summer school began on June 11. Performances will be in the high school
auditorium on Tuesday, July 8, at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. that evening. The cast and directors have been enjoying working on the familiar story with the same songs that we know from the animated Disney movie. Cinderella (Grace Corbin) is a servant in her own home, and constantly mistreated by her evil stepmother (Mariah Zastrow) and
two evil stepsisters (Arikka Davison and Ellie Corbin). Her only friends are the little mice. But with the magic assistance of her Fairy Godmother (Lily Benge Briggs) she is able to find true love at the ball when she meets Prince Charming (Seth Ilgen). “It has been an intense summer project,” says director Benge. “These are tal-
ented and hardworking students who are doing a great job. We are rehearsing the show in different sections in the mornings as regular summer school, and then putting it all together in the afternoon.” Tickets will be available at the door. Students will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. - submitted
Flooding may affect organic certifications
MADISON - As Wisconsin’s floodwaters recede, one of the questions that will linger is how they have affected the state’s organic farming industry. The state is still tallying the overall damage to its agriculture industry, and, in dollar terms, ground planted with corn and soybeans is likely to take the biggest hit. But when Gov. Jim Doyle was surveying flood damage last week, he said he was also worried about the state’s organic industry. He noted that
in order to be certified as organic, the water quality that is used on those fields has to meet certain standards, and when water has just flooded onto the field, the crops may lose their designation as organic. David Bruce is with La Farge-based Organic Valley, the nation’s largest organic farmer co-op. He says Organic Valley has farmers throughout the Midwest. He says they’ve been hearing that people “have survived OK,” but he
adds that organic livestock feed was in short supply even before these floods, so that’s really going to be the larger issue, in that supplies will tighten even further. Mary Jean Reading is the manager of the Badgerland Co-op Auction which has about 200 growers, some of them organic. She says her farmers have not had to worry about chemical runoff from neighboring conventional farm fields. She says fortunately, the growers
that participate with her co-op are in a hilly area, so they didn’t have the “wash-off” from another farmer’s field into theirs. Reading says she’ll be working with the UW-Extension and with growers who need to get their plants tested to make sure they weren’t contaminated by runoff. Bruce says any plants that were grown to be fed to people won’t be if they were submerged in floodwaters. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Shawn Johnson)
Some seniors not receiving stimulus check STATEWIDE A new Internal Revenue Service report finds more than 70,000 Wisconsinites still haven’t signed up to receive their federal economic stimulus check. More than 50,000 of those are over the age of 65. Tom Frazier of the Wisconsin Coalition on Aging says he’s not surprised so many senior citizens haven’t filed their paperwork yet, because
many of them didn’t make enough money to file a tax return. He says this is like a means-tested program in that, in order to get the check, a person has to apply. He says whenever that’s done, particularly with older people, it just creates another barrier. Most people who have received checks got them automatically by filing their taxes. Frazier says it’s unfortunate that low-
Vehicle fire under investigation
This vehicle, owned by Armand D. Lucas Jr., 49, Solon Springs, was severely damaged after starting on fire while parked on Midtown Road on Saturday morning, June 14. There was nobody in the vehicle at the time of the fire and no injuries reported. Burnett County Sheriff’s Department and Webster Fire Department responded to the blaze. The cause of the fire was not yet determined, but the incident is under investigation. – submitted by the Burnett County Sheriff’s Department
income seniors are being left behind because they were one of the major targets of the economic stimulus program. He says it was assumed that the lower the income, the more likely it would be spent. He says if the government wanted all these people to spend the money, it should have made it easier for them to
get it. Those who haven’t received their money have until Oct. 15 to file a form with the IRS. Frazier says every county aging agency in the state has information on how to apply. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Gil Halsted)
Burnett County Government news by Phil Lindeman, Burnett County board chair It is with a certain amount of trepidation and awareness that I accepted the position of county board chair, and with the help of a great board of supervisors, we will strive to maintain policies that will provide a level of services that Burnett County citizens deserve. Over the past four years we were very fortunate to have Larry Main as our board chair and we will miss his leadership. We also are very fortunate to have an exceptional group of department heads and employees that desire to do their best for Burnett County as a whole. We hear a lot about how important change is. We have three new board supervisors and I welcome them to the board. Each of them, I’m sure, will provide new abilities and insight. We are blessed to have a group of dedicated leaders with years of experience who have been responsible for many proactive changes in the last couple of years, such as a new committee structure, a strategic plan, starting a great drug court, reframing the future business plans and initiating a planning process meeting to help the County Board of Supervisors to improve communication and get their hands
a r o u n d issues, just to name a few. We also have a very proactive administrator who, I’m sure, has some other new ideas for us to explore. Phil Lindeman The next challenge for our community is to complete a comprehensive (smart growth) plan. Burnett County, along with a number of townships and villages, applied for a state grant, and we received approval of this grant just last month. The county, towns, and villages met and selected Foth Consulting to help us develop this plan. All citizens of Burnett County will be given an opportunity to be involved in the development of this plan. As time goes on, I plan to have more information on how your government is working to meet the challenges we are confronted with. Remember, Burnett County is a great place to live and work in. Thank you.
PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 1, 2008
P O L K
C O U N T Y
H E A D L I N E S
Personnel committee asks for review of all staffing
Prepares for possible 2009 job cuts
by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – The 2009 Polk County budget preparation is expected to be a difficult process. The county will face an initial cut of $642,000 from the prior levy, a 2-percent tax levy increase limit, rising fuel and energy costs, and the prospect of wage increases as the county enters contract negotiations. With this in mind, the personnel committee is making changes in how it reviews staffing requests from the county departments. Personnel costs are a major part of the county budget. First, the committee has directed each
department and each governing committee to review and justify every staff position, not just new position requests (there may well be no new positions approved for the coming year except those funded by nonlevy dollars). In the past, the staffing plan review was often a quick review limited to new staffing requests. Existing jobs were not reviewed. In one instance last fall, the property committee was given the buildings department staffing plan for the coming year five minutes after it was due for presentation to the personnel committee. As the personnel committee stood around the table, waiting for property to adjourn so it could start its meeting, property held it staffing plan review. That review went as follows: Here is the staffing plan. Are there
any changes? No. We move to send it on to personnel. That is supposed to be different this year. The staffing review process is starting earlier. Governing committees were directed to be presented with staffing plans at their June meetings and many departments followed that directive. The initial presentation was a quick overview. Committee members were given a month to review the plans. At the coming July committee meetings, the governing committees are asked to review each existing position, justify those positions and identify possible changes. The reviewed staffing plans will then be sent to the personnel committee in August. That is the direction given each governing committee.
Now the personnel committee has added another review step. At its last meeting on June 26 it asked departments to justify how many persons are needed for positions where many people hold jobs with the same job title. This would include, for example, how many field officers are needed in the sheriff’s department or how many heavy-equipment workers highway needs. The issue will be “need” rather than “want.” Committees and departments are being asked to look as case loads or hours of service for the positions. The personnel and finance committees will start reviewing staffing and budget requests in early August.
The R Factor coming to St. Croix Falls ST. CROIX FALLS – A top Minneapolis-area band will perform at this year’s Wannigan Days street dance. The R Factor, formerly Rupert’s Orchestra, has performed with the likes of Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Huey Lewis, Donny Osmond, Smokey Robinson and is said to feature three of the best vocalists in the pop music industry. The street dance will be on Friday, July 18, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. downtown in St. Croix Falls. The concert is free to the public because of a donation from the St. Croix Regional Medical Center – your community health care provider. – submitted
The R Factor from Minneapolis will provide music for the Wannigan Days street dance on Friday, July 18. - submitted
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 7
Clifford Young, Frederic aviation pioneer by William H. “Bill” Java, model builder and one-time co-pilot for Clifford Young FREDERIC – Clifford Young brought aviation to Frederic in the 1930s. From the 1950s to the 1980s, he flew from a grass strip right behind his house southeast of Frederic. The clearing for the runway is still quite visible just east of the Frederic Golf Course, parallel to a short east-west stretch of what was then know as Hwy. W. The one-quarter-scale model and the photo from 1967 of the Aeronca Sedan show the airplane that introduced many Frederic residents to the wonderful world of flying. Some went on to careers in aviation, recounting their experience with Young as the pivotal reason for their career choice. All who rode with Young told, and retold, the experience for years after, whether it was one ride or several. “N-Eleven-Thirty-Five-Hotel,” as the plane was called, was built by Aeronca Aircraft Corporation, Middletown, Ohio, in 1948. Its serial number is 15AC-151. It was powered by a 145h.p. six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled engine built by Continental Motor Company. The propeller was a little over six feet in length. The Sedan was designed to carry four people in a cabin more spacious than any of the other four-place airplanes being manufactured at that time. Its more salient features include the lovely, sculpted fuselage, the forwardslanting tail post on the large, curvaceous vertical fin and its unusual, forward-slanting lift struts running from the lower fuselage to the then novel to Aeronca all-metal wing. Rumor has it that this configuration was intended to allow for the wings to be folded back along the fuselage, a feature never incorporated into the manufacture of airplanes. The Sedan could cruise at about 110 mph. People remember that Young and his wife, Bea, once flew this airplane all the way to Texas to visit friends. Many
X
Clifford Young people fondly remember its short flights around town on evenings and weekends. Young’s Sedan left Frederic Aug. 6, 1987. Its new owner was taking it to St. Bonifacious, Minn., on a ferry permit to fly to another airport. While searching for the airport, the Sedan ran out of gas. The pilot initiated an emergency landing on a road. As the pilot lined up for what probably would have been a safe landing on a back-country road, a tractor pulled out in front at the last instant. The pilot was left with no option but to attempt ducking under adjacent power lines. The tail contacted the lowest cable, then the nose pitched down. The resulting crash left no one injured. She, meaning the Sedan, always took care of her passengers in these circumstances. However, Sedan N1135H disappeared from the public record for a number of years. The latest record, available on the Internet, indicates that N1135H is owned by James H. Guest of Merritt Island, Fla. We hope she’s well taken care of and flying as delightfully as she did over Frederic, at the hands of a “good stick,” Cliff Young.
This photo of N1135H was taken in 1967. The replica below is a one-quarter-scale replica of the Aeronca Sedan flown by Young from the late 1950s into the 1980s. Prior to that, he flew a series of aircraft, including a dark red Piper Super Cruiser that he sold to Fred Chapman in order to purchase the Sedan. Chapman was a young man who worked for the Inter-County Leader. – Photos submitted
PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 1, 2008
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Three fatalities in one weekend RUSK COUNTY - Two Glen Flora men and a Bruce man lost their lives over the weekend of June 21-22 as the result of three separate vehicular accidents, according to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department. Duane A. Zimmer, 51, Glen Flora, was dead at the scene Sunday evening after he was thrown from an SUV that overturned two miles northeast of Tony. James A. Biller, 71, Glen Flora, died at a Twin Cities Hospital Saturday after an ATV accident two miles south of Ingram on the same afternoon. Lance D. Witt, 30, Bruce, died Saturday of injuries sustained when his pickup truck overturned Friday morning about a mile east of Bruce. The sheriff’s department reported that on Sunday, June 22, at about 8:32 p.m., a traffic crash was reported at the intersection of Cross Road and CTH X, about two miles northeast of Tony in the Town of Dewey. Initial investigation revealed that a 1999 Ford Expedition was eastbound on Cross Road, approaching CTH X. The vehicle failed to negotiate the curve and rolled, coming to rest on its wheels on CTH X at the intersection. A passenger in the vehicle, Duane A. Zimmer, 51, of Glen Flora, was thrown from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, identified as Dave Zimmer, and another passenger were taken by Rusk County Ambulance to Rusk County Memorial Hospital for treatment. The sheriff’s department reported that an ATV crash killed one person on Saturday, June 21. The crash was reported to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office at about 1:35 p.m. that day. It occurred on Bridge Lane, about two miles south of Ingram in the town of Lawrence. A four-wheel ATV driven by James A Biller, 71, of Glen Flora was operating on Bridge Lane, which is a designated ATV route. The ATV struck a dog that was in the road. The driver then lost control of the ATV and it overturned. Biller was taken to the Rusk County Airport via ambulance, and was then transported via helicopter to a Twin Cities hospital where he was pronounced dead later in the day The sheriff’s department reported that on Friday morning, June 20, a one-vehicle traffic crash was reported to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office at about 2:22 a.m. The crash occurred on CTH E, just south of Hwy. 8, about one mile east of Bruce. A 1989 GMC pickup truck driven by Lance D. Witt, 30, of Bruce, was westbound on CTH E. The driver failed to negotiate a curve just prior to the intersection with Hwy. 8, went off the road and overturned. Witt was thrown from the vehicle. He was taken by helicopter from the scene to a Twin Cities hospital. On Saturday, June 21, he died of injuries sustained in the crash. Deputies said the driver was not wearing a seat belt. – Barron News-Shield Mom awaits sentencing LADYSMITH - A Ladysmith mom awaiting sentencing for felonies including a brutal robbery at The Tony Depot last June and subsequently smuggling chewing tobacco to her jailed son is now accused of having a guy bind her with duct tape when she worked at the 12-Mile Cenex to fake a robbery that netted over $4,000 and merchandise. That alleged crime in May of last year, about a month before she was involved with others in the Tony Depot robbery, during which a store clerk was punched, choked, kicked and bound with duct tape by one accomplice, a convicted felon from Bruce who was on probation at the time. Regina A. Topinka, now housed in the Rusk County Jail, will be sentenced Aug. 1 by Judge Eugene Harrington in Rusk County Court for robbery with use of force, contributing to delinquency, and delivering illegal articles to an inmate. - Ladysmith News
W h e re t o Wr i t e
President George Bush 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, D.C. 20500 president@whitehouse.gov
Governor Jim Doyle 115 East, State Capitol Bldg. Mailing address: P.O. Box 7863 Madison, WI 53707 wisgov@mail.state.wi.us Congressman David Obey 7th Congressional District 2462 Rayburn Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20515 or Wisconsin office: Federal Building Wausau, WI 54401 (715) 842-5606 Rep. Ann Hraychuck 28th Assembly District State Capitol, P.O. Box 8942 Madison, WI 53708 Phone: 608-267-2365 Toll free: 888-529-0028 In-District 715-485-3362 rep.hraychuck@legis.state.wi.us
Rep. Frank Boyle 73rd Assembly District Room 221 North State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison 53708 E-mail: Rep.Boyle@legis.state.wi.us
Senator Sheila Harsdorf 10th Senate District State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707 (608) 266-7745 • (715) 2321390 Toll-free - 1-800-862-1092 sen.harsdorf@legis.state.wi.us
Rep. Mary Hubler 75th Assembly District Room 7 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 or 1966 21-7/8 St. (Hawthorne Lane), Rice Lake 54868 (715) 234-7421• (608) 266-2519 rep.hubler@legis.state.wi.us
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold SDB 40, Rm. 1 Washington, D.C. 20510 or 1600 Aspen Commons Middleton, WI 53562-4716 (608) 828-1200 senator@feingold.senate.gov
Senator Robert Jauch 25th Senate District Room 19 South State Capitol P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707 E-mail: Sen.Jauch@legis.state.wi.us
U.S. Senator Herb Kohl 330 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 senator_kohl@kohl.senate.gov Congressman Ron Kind 3rd Congressional District 1713 Longwirth Office Bdg. Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-5506 888-442-8040 (toll-free) ron.kind@mail.house.gov
Views expressed on these pages do not necessarily represent those of the Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association management or board
Crash sends seven to hospital PIERCE COUNTY - Four adults and three children were taken to River Falls Area Hospital at around 1:40 p.m. Sunday after they were involved in a twocar accident in Pierce County. Officials with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department reported that Amanda Webster, 27, Spring Valley, was driving a 2007 Pontiac south on Pierce County J when she lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle crossed the centerline and then collided with a northbound 2003 Chevrolet pickup driven by Brian Westenberg, 53, Apple Valley, Minn. Webster’s car spun around and then stopped crosswise in the middle of the road and the pickup rolled upside down on the south side of the road. Also in Webster’s car were her two daughters Samantha, 8, and Sierra, 6. Along with Westenberg in his pickup were his son Andrew Westenberg, 25, Amery, his grandson Bryon Westenberg, 15, Apple Valley and Steven Boyer, 50, Spring Valley. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is continuing its investigation into the accident. Assisting on the scene were the Ellsworth area fire and ambulance service along with the River Falls ambulance. No information was available on the condition of the injured. – rivertowns.net Drop in felony cases RICE LAKE - A drop in felony cases in Barron County over the past two years is partly because of the end of a drug enforcement grant that put key drug trafficking players behind federal prison bars. District Attorney Angela Holmstrom, who has been the county‘s district attorney for five years, gave that report to county board supervisors at their regular session June 16. Holmstrom said most cases filed in her office have declined over the past two years. According to her report, total cases filed were down 15.9 percent from 2005-2006 and 5.3 percent from 2006-2007. In 2006 there were 2,139 cases filed. In 2007, there were 2,025 cases filed. A total of 414 felony cases were filed in 2005, 370 in 2006 and 319 in 2007. Those figures represent a 10.6-percent drop in felony cases filed from 2005-2006 and a 13.8-percent drop in cases filed from 2006-2007. “Law enforcement’s efforts cleaned up the large players in controlled substances distribution in Barron County,” said Holmstrom. She added that several cases were handled in U.S. federal court, resulting in significantly stronger sentences than are available in state court. “That had a large deterrent effect,” Holmstrom said. She said in 2004-2005 there were a large number of methamphetamine lab cases, but those cases are “virtually nonexistent” now because of buying restrictions in stores of pseudoephedrine, a necessary ingredient in the making of methamphetamine. – Rice Lake Chronotype (chronotype.com)
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 9
ATVs on Daniels town roads The Daniels Town Board is considering some residents request to allow ATVs on town roads. Personally, I would rather that not be allowed. ATVers often ignore laws and restrictions pertaining to their operation, and often are inconsiderate of private property. ATVs are noisy and recreational use of town roads is bound to disrupt the peace and quiet of our rural life, especially on the weekends when the county is flooded with cabin owners and guests seeking thrills. I don’t want ATVs on the roads. But, I recognize the dilemma that ATVers face in getting from homes or cabins to the trails they legitimately use. So, I am not against consideration of a town ordinance that would permit ATV use of town roads under strict conditions. The first concern is safety. Because of their size, ATVs are more difficult to see than a car or pickup, and safety demands that they travel at much slower speeds. Thus, a car or pickup traveling at legal speed will normally come up quickly on an ATV traveling in the same direction. If they happen to be on a hilly road, an accident could easily happen. The ATV, and whoever is on it, will always lose. Youngsters under the age required for a regular driver’s license may legally operate an ATV. Even at the age where they can drive cars, a youngster’s judgment isn’t yet fully developed. Thus, young people are especially at risk. Any tragedy from an accident is not confined to the ATV driver. Just imagine how you would feel if you were driving your car responsibly and came over a rise and hit a young ATVer, whether or not both were obeying all rules and laws. This places an additional burden on everyone using town roads–ATVer and driver alike. For safety’s sake, therefore, I would require that any ATV operating on town roads must have one of those orange safety flags flying high. That would at least increase visibility, especially on hilly roads. I would also require that
Letters The Leader welcomes letters to the editor. Diverse and varied opinions are welcomed. Letters are subject to being edited for length, taste and/or clarity, and we urge writers to be brief and limit their letters to 500 words or less. Writers must provide their name and give their complete address and phone number. Content that will cause letters to be rejected include: Crude language, poor taste, disrespectful comments regarding a group’s or individual’s ethnicity, gender, religion, culture, sexual orientation or race; other incendiary language or personal attacks.
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they have a low maximum speed limit–say something between 20 and 30 mph. Finally, no operator below the legal driving age for driving cars should be allowed on the road unless in the company of an adult licensee. The second concern is road maintenance and property damage. ATVs could tear up road shoulders requiring the town a greater expense for road maintenance. And, ATVers seeking thrills are certain to go off the road onto private property. Some will argue that the road right of way is theirs to use as they see fit (legally, that’s not so). Others simply won’t give a hoot that they are damaging private property, ditches and culverts. Thus, I’d like to see a requirement that ATV use is restricted to the hard surface of the road only. Use of road shoulders should be for emergencies only, and then for no more than 30 feet. To compensate for additional town road maintenance, fees for a town permit should be required. Finally, Daniels should impose substantial penalties for any illegitimate off-road use on private or town property, and that includes road rights of way. The third concern is nuisance. Last summer, a local weekend resident’s guests decided that our road would make a nice raceway. Two ATVers raced back and forth just for the fun of it. It was loud, obnoxious and illegal. But, I suspect that if Daniels allows ATVers on town roads, we’ll see a lot of that unless it is prohibited by ordinance and enforced. ATVers claim that they’d like to be able to use town roads to get from their homes and cabins to the legitimate trails, or “to Grandma’s house.” That seems reasonable if it is for short distances, say a mile or two. But that involves going from one point to another for a legitimate purpose. An ordinance should permit that and prohibit use of town roads for simple joy riding. The Daniels Town Board meeting June 10 was packed with ATV advocates who pressed for a quick decision. The town board wisely held off. It should ask for residents’ views again at its July and August meetings, consult with the Burnett County Sheriff and Burnett Corporate Counsel and then make a carefully considered decision. There are probably some economic benefits to Burnett County from allowing ATVs on town roads. But the Daniels Town Board’s first responsibility is to the welfare of its permanent residents. Boyd Sutton Siren
In response to: Why I live here (Rick, Jolene and Gabby Lindner) I have a second opinion on that. Try being a single woman in a small town. I sold a house in Minneapolis eight years ago to move into the quiet of the country. I had divorced two years prior, and had decided to stay single. I was happy and content living my life alone to do what I wanted, when I wanted, and how I wanted with no one to have to take care of anymore, no one to clean up after and no one to make my life miserable anymore. Green light. This gave many men the green flag to take advantage of a single city woman, starting with the property I bought. The first spring thaw I found water backing up in my basement tubs, flowing sewage onto the floor and repeating several times through the thaw and into the spring and summer rains. I checked with the company that serviced the septic system, and yes, the person that sold it to me was well aware of the problem and he had check receipts that proved it. Get to court and the good ole boys club got together and had an instant memory lapse, no receipts, and therefore no luck for me, I even had to pay for the guy’s attorney! Second green light. A local business owner sold me an aluminum ladder that was three times as tall as I’d ever need for $100. I didn’t know till I actually used it how tall it was. He knew though, just like the pontoon boat he sold me for $1,000 that was rotting out and the motor was no good. I couldn’t even resell it for $300 in scrap metal. Third green light. A used riding mower that needed repeated repairs, never ran. I took him to court, the judge ordered him to give me another mower. The guy dropped off exactly the same mower, but the courts wouldn’t do anything about it. Women, if you are single, find a man to accompany you when you make purchases cuz these guys show no mercy to you being naïve. Red light. Don’t count on having any neighbors being friends. Most are married couples, and a single woman just does not fit in. In eight years, I have been in one neighbor’s home twice. I have spoken to the people across from me on two sides a few times outside, but other than that, I don’t know anyone in the entire town. I am not the church-going religious type, although I am very spiritual. I do not drink more than one or two drinks when I go out, so I am not the partyfavor type. I do not date, and am not
interested in doing so. I have made one friend, he recently moved to the New Richmond area. It seems that the community is more prejudiced against a single woman than it is against a single man, a minority family or any other person. Why is that? Krystyn Knights Atlas
Paper vs. web site I would like to thank the Leader for publishing the full story of Keith Kennedy’s rescue online so those of us who don’t have a subscription could know about it. I would also like to suggest that the Leader consider publishing online the Opinion section of the paper, including Steve Pearson’s and Wayne Anderson’s articles. Since it is such an important way for community voices to be heard, it could certainly be viewed as a public service. Why don’t people just buy a subscription? Here’s a few reasons: They can’t afford it. You do realize, don’t you, that many currently retiring people only have Social Security to live on, and even after a life time of working, they’re only getting slightly over $500 a month. Many people have only a dial-up computer connection and will not be switching to high speed anytime soon, because it is much more expensive, and downloading the entire e-version of the paper would literally take hours. And why bother when all you’re interested in is the opinion page anyway. And personally, I will not buy a real paper version because it will just be more stuff to recycle after reading the opinion page and maybe a few other stories. The Grantsburg paper can still be read online for free, but in my opinion, that paper just does not draw the same range of viewpoints or host the diversity of social commentary columns as the Leader, and I miss that since I no longer have access to the free online version for all of the aforementioned reasons. So, please consider my request on behalf of all those who won’t even know I’m making it because they can’t access the paper anymore. Mary Bingham Grantsburg
Hraychuck announces $19,875 in grants for 28th Assembly District
Van Hollen elected chairman of NAAG MADISON – Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has been elected to serve as the chairman of the Midwestern Region of the National Association of Attorneys General. “I am honored that my colleagues have selected me. As is so often true with law enforcement, together we can achieve more than individually. From
Single in a small town
school safety to election reform, NAAG is a great resource,” said Van Hollen. Founded in 1907, the National Association of Attorneys General serves as a key resource to assist attorneys general and their staffs to respond effectively to emerging state and federal legal issues. – from the office of Attorney General Van Hollen
BALSAM LAKE—Rep. Ann Hraychuck announced on Wednesday, June 25, that schools in the 28th Assembly District will receive $19,875 in grants. The funding will cover the cost of training and improving mentors as part of the Mentoring Funds for Initial Educators. The school districts in the area are some of the 290 state districts to receive funding. “A mentor – whether it’s a parent, a peer or a teacher – is critical for every child,” said Hraychuck. “These mentoring grants help our school districts train and create educators who will be instrumental figures in a child’s life.”
The following school districts will be receiving grants: Amery - $2,625 Clayton - $375 Clear Lake - $1,500 Grantsburg - $5,625 Osceola - $4,500 St. Croix Falls - $750 Siren - $1,125 Somerset - $1,500 Webster - $1,875 The Mentoring Funds for Initial Educators help offset the cost of mentoring by reimbursing school districts. The grants were first offered in the 2006-07 school year. - from the office of Rep. Hraychuck
PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JULY 1, 2008
Big Read/from page 1 long the home of Native Americans. While timber, not gold, drew people to our area, they faced the same challenges and adventures as they changed a wilderness into the present-day communities. The Big Read will invite people to read the book and more. A series of public events will be held to bring the Big Read into the community, starting with a Klondike Kickoff in St. Croix Falls next Jan. 24. That will include dog sled demonstrations, folk arts activities and snowshoe walks in the Wert Family Nature Center. Big Read kits will be dis-
tributed. Mid-February will bring people to Forts Folle Avoine for a Winter Rendezvous, complete with dramatic readings and outdoor activities. An evening Vaudeville review will feature folk artist Pop Wagner. Late February will bring Arctic explorer Ann Bancroft to the area to be the keynote speaker at an environmental symposium. And there is more. Dr. Carolyn Wedin, Trade Lake, will lead a community education course on Jack London and his writings. The courses will be offered in two locations. Local libraries will be fea-
turing “The Call of the Wild” and other London books. The libraries will help residents set up reading and discussion groups. Local schools will be involved, with projects such as a Winters Past Oral History Story Contest. This Big Read is being organized by the St. Croix Falls Public Library and the St. Croix Festival Theatre. Other partners in the project include the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and Forts
Folle Avoine as well as local school districts, libraries, and communities in Burnett, Chisago, and Polk counties. Major funding comes from a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The St. Croix River Valley group received one of 218 community grants awarded this year. More details on the Big Read of “The Call of the Wild” will be announced as the kickoff nears.
St. Croix Falls Library building fund grows New home, with community room, coming in 2009
ST. CROIX FALLS – Funds are coming in, and the day is drawing nearer when St. Croix Falls Library will move into a new space that will include a large community room, a children and family area, spaces for young adults and adults, an increased technology area and a public reading park. The new library location in the former Holiday grocery store will offer lots of parking space. SCF Library Director Sarah Adams informed area state Rep. Assembly Member Ann Hraychuck about the
fundraising goals and progress when Hraychuck met with the library Friday before the Big Read kickoff. Adams said that about a third of the $1 million dollars needed for the project is in hand. In addition, the Bremer Foundation has given a matching grant of $100,000, with half of the money being given each year in 2008 and 2009 if the community raises a like amount. A number of other grant applications have been submitted and are being reviewed. Donations big and small are being collected by the library building fund. The library is hoping for a fall 2009 move-in date. – Gregg Westigard
The Big Read kickoff Friday drew community leaders from both sides of the St. Croix River to offer their support for the project. Gathered on the Festival Theatre stage are (L to R, back to front) Minnesota State Rep. Jeremy Kalin, St. Croix Falls Mayor Darrell Anderson and Alderperson Paul Kuhlman, SCF Lirary Director Sarah Adams, Festival Theatre Arts Director Amy Klein, educator Dr. Carolyn Wedin, Wisconsin State Rep. Ann Hraychuck, and interested dog Bella Adams. – Photos by Gregg Westigard
Harley heaven St. Croix Falls students have been doing their part to raise funds for the new community library. Here is a copy of the $3,124 check the students donated to the fundraising effort. Donations big and small are neeed to raise the $1 million needed for the move. Over a third of that has been raised so far.
The new St. Croix Falls Library will occupy a major part of the former Holiday grocery store. Money still needs to be raised to pay for the remodeling and move from the present site. The move-in date is projected for September 2009. – Photos by Gregg Westigard
Milltown’s Bering Park was a place to relax following Sunday’s big parade - and what better seat to grab than one on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The local Harley Club parked their bikes at the park and people paused to look over the collection. More photos of Milltown’s Fishermen’s Party celebration in Currents section. - Photo by Gary King
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Dairy pasture walk at Frederic, July 10 FREDERIC - The Northwest Wisconsin Graziers Network is pleased to announce a dairy pasture walk on Thursday, July 10, from 1-3 p.m. at the Darold Nelson farm. The farm is located at 1021 270th Avenue, Frederic, in Polk County. Topics will include rotational grazing with Jersey cows and heifers, out-wintering and lessons learned over the years. Nelson has been grazing near Bone Lake since 1993, where he milks 30- 35 Jersey cows. The herd is calved in the spring, with dry cows and heifers out-wintered. The farm consists of 80 acres of which 55 are grazed. The balance is woody marsh. A watering system is in place for all paddocks. The pastures consist of grass and clover, with some experimental perennial rye.
To reach the farm, take Hwy. 48 west from Luck to CTH I. Take I north about 1.3 miles to 270th Avenue and head east. The farm is 0.3 mile east on 270th Avenue on the north side of the road. The pasture walk is sponsored by the Graziers Network in cooperation with UW-Extension, Natural Resources and Conservation Service, and the Land Conservation Departments in Polk, Barron, Rusk, Burnett, Washburn and Sawyer counties. For more information contact UW-Extension Ag Agents Ryan Sterry in Polk County at 715-485-8600, Otto Wiegand or Kevin Schoessow for Burnett, Sawyer or Washburn counties at 715-635-3506 / 800528-1914, Tim Jergenson in Barron County at 715-5376250, or Lynn Johnson with the NW Graziers at 715268-8778. - submitted
In Capable Hands performs
BURENTT COUNTY – There are several options for viewing fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend. In Siren there will be fireworks at Crooked Lake Park on Friday, July 4, at 10 p.m. Other Siren Fourth of July activities are the Freedom Five Race, bed race, kiddie parade, grand parade and boat parade. Fireworks can also be viewed in Danbury on Saturday, July 5, behind the casino at dusk. The fireworks are a part of Danbury Days. Other Danbury Days activities are the parade, bed races, duck races, hot dog eating contest, music and food. There will be fireworks on Siren’s Clear Lake on Saturday, July 5 at 10 p.m. sponsored by a couple of Clear Lake families. Parking is limited for this viewing. - Sherill Summer
Former Dresser village president dies Steve and Kobi of In Capable Hands performed for the audience at the Balsam Lake Library. Public Watch the Leader for future offerings at the library. – Photo submitted
Empty case of beer leads to burglary WEBSTER – The Webster Police was called to a village residence because of an out-of-control suspect, and Ronald L. Ritchey, 18, Webster, was subsequently arrested for disorderly conduct and underage drinking. All that was left of a night of drinking was an empty case of beer. Webster Police Chief Michael Spafford was able to trace the beer to Wild Bill’s Sporting Goods and Spirits in Webster through the UPC code on the box. Meanwhile, Wild Bill’s reported that someone broke into the store on Sunday night by cutting out a grate in the rear of the building. Inside the store and beercooler door was left ajar. A black shirt with holes cut
Fireworks displays in Burnett County
DRESSER–Sherman Leske, former Dresser village president, passed away June 26 with his family around him. Leske, 73, fought a courageous battle with cancer. He served many years as the village president, retiring from that post in 2007, when he said, “All things must come to an end.” Leske was born and raised in Osceola. He was a U.S. Marine and served in the Korean War. Leske was an employee of Andersen Windows for 38 years. He retired from Andersen’s and worked as the building inspector for the St. Croix River Valley. Leske enjoyed the outdoors and was a close friend of the late Kirby Puckett. It wasn’t unusual to see Leske and Puckett sitting at a restaurant together in Polk County when Puckett visited his lake home on Deer Lake. He was married to his wife, Sherry, for 49 years and they have three children and five grandchildren. Funeral services were held on July 1, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Taylors Falls, Minn. Interment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in East Farmington. A full obituary appears elsewhere in the paper.
into it and a bike were found nearby. The two incidents turned out to be related. Spafford had a hunch that Ritchey was responsible for the breakin at Wild Bill’s and Richey was questioned about it. He admitted that he broke into Wild Bill’s and stole the case of beer. He claimed the shirt found nearby was his and that he wore it over his head while cutting the grate from the building, explaining that that is ST. CROIX FALLS – Got talent or know someone why the holes were cut into it so he could see. The incident is still under investigation as it is pos- with talent? The seventh-annual Wannigan Days talent show will sible that there were accomplices. – Sherill Summer take place on Thursday, July 17, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the scenic Overlook Deck in downtown St. Croix Falls. There is a $125 prize for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place in three age divisions. There is an eight-person limit for each age division, and preregistration is required by contacting Bont also placed first at the Ultimate Elvis Contest in Chiropractic, 715-483-3913. Age divisions are 12 and Branson, Mo., in March 2007. Steve performs fre- under, 13-17 and 18 and over. The annual Wannigan Days talent show has been quently with the DC and the Drifters band and recently performed at the Minnesota Rock-n-Roll Hall of sponsored by the Eagle Valley Bank in St. Croix Falls. – submitted Fame. Tickets for “The Elvis Experience” go on sale on Monday, July 14. Your $20 ticket price includes dinner and the show. Dinner will be served at 4 p.m. followed by the show at 5 p.m. For tickets, call casino marketing at 800-846-8946 or stop by the casino gift shop. submitted
Register now for Wannigan Days talent show
“The Elvis Experience” coming to St. Croix TURTLE LAKE – Elvis fans, here’s a show you won’t want to miss. “The Elvis Experience,” featuring Steve Marcio and his son, Tommy, takes center stage in the St. Croix Casino’s Event Center on Sunday, Aug. 10. The Marcios will make you think that Elvis is in the building! Tommy is a crowd favorite, wowing audiences with his likeness to the young 1950s Elvis. And when Steve is singing, you’d swear it was Elvis himself. Steve’s flawless performance won him first place in the Contest of Kings at the Mall of America in 2007. He
Damage estimated at $500 million
OMC offers athletic screenings OSCEOLA – Osceola Medical Center, with support from Osceola schools and coaches, is again sponsoring athletic screenings for students interested in sports and cheerleading for the 2008-2009 school year. The 16th-annual Summer Athletic Screening Day is Thursday, July 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, the governing body of interscholastic athletic programs in the state, requires a physical every two years for students to participate in sanctioned athletic activities. Eligible students are those entering grades seven through 12. The Summer Athletic Screening Day includes flexibility testing, athletic screening, heart rate recovery and vision screening. A representative from Osceola schools will also be on hand to talk about athletic activities, especially fall sports.
Sports physicals are available from your regular health care provider at any time prior to the start of each sport’s season. However, this screening day has been set aside to conveniently pull together health-care providers, physical therapists and school representatives for screenings, and informational opportunities for student athletes and their parents. As in the past, Osceola Medical Center will donate the $15 screening fee to the athletic programs at Osceola schools. Registration for the screening days is required. Space is limited for this day and is expected to fill quickly. For registration information, contact the OMC Rehabilitation Department at 715-294-3500. Information is also available at the Osceola Middle School and High School. - submitted
MADISON Early figures from Wisconsin Emergency Management say the southern portion of the state suffered nearly half of a billion dollars in damages from severe storms and heavy rains. Spokeswoman Donna Gilson says the $470 billion figure was pulled together using numbers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and estimates from many of the 30 counties that Gov. Doyle declared to be under a state of emergency. Gilson says so far, most of the damage was to homes, followed by crops, infrastructure and other public property, and to businesses. However, she says it will be quite a while before the real economic cost is known. She says there is a lot of damage still underwater that no one can look at. Gilson says crop damage may not be known until after harvest season this fall. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Steve Roisum)
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“Ma” Barker is back in town
Author Koblas coming to Webster to speak on 1932 murder in Lake Fremstad WEBSTER - If you see Webster’s Del Niemo driving a classy 1932 Pontiac and wearing a black gangster hat with a white shirt and an arm band, or wife Bonnie and other Friends of the Library flappers casing the town, you are not necessarily experiencing hallucinations.
Ma Barker and Arthur Dunlap. – Photo courtesy FBI files
Hollywood kept the legend of “Ma” Barker alive with this 1960 movie, “Ma Barker and Her Killer Brood.” – Poster photo from John Koblas collection
John Koblas Noted Minnesota author, screenwriter, poet, and Rock Hall of Fame musician John Koblas will be appearing at the Webster Community Center on Saturday, July 12, at high noon to present a slide lecture on the 1932 murder of “Ma” Barker’s husband in Webster’s Lake Fremstad, and sign copies of his new book, “Ma: The Life and Times of Ma Barker and Her Boys.” The lecture is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to come in vintage dress and their fanciest flivver, although costuming is not mandatory.
The Leader recently published a story on Koblas giving this talk in North Branch, Minn. The author, however, has since added vintage slides to his presentation. On April 26, 1932, the nude body of A. W. Dunlap, second husband of Kate “Ma” Barker was found on the shores of Lake Fremstad, near Webster. It was stripped of clothing and an examination of the body disclosed that Dunlap had been shot three times at short range. A blood-stained woman’s glove was discovered not far from the body. The lecture, however, is not limited to the Barker-Karpis activities, and attendees will view slides of the bullet-riddled car of Bonnie and Clyde, and shots of John Dillinger, “Baby Face” Nelson and other public enemies.
Preparing the new park
Pete Tjader and Dave Kopecky helped get the Burnett County Veterans Park ready for its opening ceremony, which will be held on Friday, July 4, at 9:45 a.m. at the west end of Main Street in Siren. — Photo by Jessica Strabel
The couple shown above on the right are Charles and Hannah Saunders. Sheriff Saunders, who was Burnett County sheriff at the time of the murder, dragged Arthur Dunlap’s body out of the mud. Charles and Hannah rotated the sheriff position in Burnett County for many years. The other older couple at left is identified only as Anna and Orin. – Photo courtesy of Burnett County Historical Society During the early part of the gangster era, FBI agents had neither arrest privileges nor the authority to carry firearms. Because of these restrictions on FBI agents, gangsters seemed to kidnap, rob, and murder without repercussion. St. Paul became a safe haven for criminals as long as they committed no crimes within the city. The result was an unprecedented level of violence and public corruption. In response, Congress passed the May and June Crime Bills in 1934, giving agents both the authority to make arrests and carry firearms, as well as the jurisdiction to pursue fugitives who crossed state lines. Most of the Depression era gangsters were hardened, violent people, who preferred death over capture. Join us in the fast lane and ride along
with the likes of Ma Barker and her four sons, Alvin “Creepy” Karpis, “Baby Face” Nelson, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, John Dillinger, Homer Van Meter, Bonnie and Clyde, “Pretty Boy” Floyd, and Roger “The Terrible” Touhy. And tell them “Ma” sent you.
Alvin Karpis, as photographed by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, 1925. – Special photo
Bird feeder lesson
“Don’t leave the bird feeder out in the summer.” That’s what Don and Betty Meck learned recently when this bear decided to make a snack out of their feeder. The bear bent over a 20-foot steel pole to get to the feeder at the Meck home on Mud Hen Lake in Burnett County. These photos were taken at 2 p.m. on June 27 through a window. – Photos by Don and Betty Meck
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Ribbon cut for Grantsburg Enterprise Center A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday, June 28, at the new Grantsburg Business Enterprise Center with many local and state officals on hand, congratulating all who helped make the project a success. — Photos by Priscilla
Rep. Ann Hraychuck spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Grantsburg Business Enterprise Center Monday, June 28, saying of the center’s success, “Grantsburg gets it.” Hraychuck commended everyone involved in the project on its completion.
“Today is a day to highlight what can happen with partnerships,” said state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf speaking at the Grantsburg Business Enterprise Center’s ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, June 28. “None of this would have happened without a ‘can do’ attitude at the local level,” Harsdorf noted. “This is a great success. We need to recognize the importance of investing in economic development.”
Myron Schuster, executive director of Northwest Regional Planning Commission welcomed guests to the Grantsburg Business Enterprise Center ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, June 28. “It’s amazing how all the pieces have come together. A lot of people were involved in getting this center built. It is a beautiful example of the NRPC, the community and other agencies coming together,” said Schuster of the new busi-
Grantsburg Village President Mark Dahlberg, at the Grantsburg Enterprise Center’s ribbon cutting ceremony, thanked all those who worked on the project. Dahlberg outlined some of Grantsburg’s history of success with regard to industry starting in the 1960s when business was declining in the community. A small group formed what has now become the GIDC, which has successfully helped bring a number of businesses into the community over the years.
Bryce Luchterand, Gov. Doyle’s northern office director, brought congratulations on the opening of Grantsburg’s new Business Enterprise Center to all those who worked on and supported the project. “Grantsburg is like the little town that could,” said Luchterand, “And they go ahead, and it gets done. It’s a tribute to this community. I hope you understand what a wonderful thing building this center is with 15 to 20 new jobs in this building. That is real-
Burnett County Board Chairman Phil Lindeman called Grantsburg’s new Business Enterprise Center a great success for Burnett County. Lindeman, who was an invited speaker at the center’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, congratulated the many people responsible for the project’s successful completion.
Gary Nelson, president of the Grantsburg Industrial Development Corporation said the GIDC was thrilled to part of the new Grantsburg Business Enterprise Center project. Nelson spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Monday, June 28.
Rick Roeser, NRPC business sevelopment specialist who headed up the project, told Grantsburg Business Enterprise Center opening guests he was thrilled to be in a community supporting projects like the enterprise center. “Businesses coming in and growing makes it all worthwhile. We all want to achieve job growth and economic development,” said Roeser, noting the impact in job and economic stimulus the center will have on Grantsburg and surrounding communities.
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Computer record of drug sales comes back to haunt seller Former Burnett County resort owner receives 18 months in prison for THC sales by Sherill Summer SIREN - Former resort owner Paul G. Howland, 53, Webster, received an 18month prison sentence followed by two years of extended supervision from Judge Michael Gableman on Wednesday, June 25. Howland pleaded no contest earlier this year to two counts of manufacturing or delivering THC, possession of with intent to sell and maintaining a drug trafficking place, all felony I charges. Howland’s detailed records of the years of selling THC proved to haunt
him as the accumulated size of his dealings overcame many good qualities according to Judge Gableman, including a good work ethic and community involvement. Gableman also acknowledged that Howland’s crime was nonviolent and that the sale of THC in of itself would not normally warrant a prison sentence, but again, the volume of the sales implied a need to protect the public and increased the seriousness of the crime. The charges stem from Howland’s sale of marijuana to an undercover police officer from Polk County in December of 2006 and January of 2007. A search warrant was obtained, and his residence was searched on Feb. 14, 2007. Also found at the residence were records of recent sales of THC that were unusually detailed. An additional search warrant was obtained to confiscate Howland’s personal computer, and
police found detailed records of THC sales going back five years stored in the computer, including customer names, dates of sales, amounts sold and prices paid. Burnett County Sheriff’s Department contacted some of the customers to confirm the accuracy of the records. Howland, former owner of Howland’s Cabins on Falk Lake, allegedly sold more than $200,000 worth of THC in five years. Prior to Judge Gableman’s sentence, defense attorney William Norine argued for a 12-month sentence in the county jail so that Howland could retain his employment. Two character witnesses testified in Howland’s favor, including his boss who said that he would be missed as a person and as an employee of his business. Norine also argued that Howland has already paid for this crime as he was forced to sell the
resort that his family has operated for generations. A tearful Howland apologized to the 65 families who don’t have a vacation because of his mistake, and his family and siblings who have suffered because of what he did. Howland received 18 months in prison followed by two years extended supervision for each of his four counts. However, the four prison sentences will be served concurrently. Likewise, his license is suspended for six months for each charge, but each charge will be served concurrently. Howland is not eligible for the Challenge Incarceration Program, but he is eligible for earned release. He cannot consume alcohol during his sentence. He must comply with all counseling recommendations, provide a DNA sample and pay $702.
Issues facing Burnett County SIREN – The Burnett County Supervisors met for a policy and planning meeting at the government center last Thursday, June 26. Although the agenda was short, the topics discussed were broad. Burnett County Administrator, Candace Fitzgerald presented a list of
issues facing Burnett County in the next couple of years. They are as follows: Constraints on the budget due to the levy freeze; finding funds to improve county communications in the near future as mandated by the federal government; absorb the increased cost of maintaining the highway infrastructure;
complete comprehensive planning as mandated by the state; address space needs in the county buildings; address changing zoning needs and transform the county’s health and human service department through the regional long term care reform. Fitzgerald encouraged county super-
visors to look to address these issues by setting goals and objectives, becoming a stronger lobbying presence at the state level and pursuing intergovernmental agreements. – Sherill Summer
Webster ranger station welcomes two new foresters WEBSTER – The Webster ranger station filed two vacant forester positions last Monday, June 23. Kyle Young is the new Burnett County liaison, a position previously held by Neil Ambourn who retired earlier this year. He will set up, purchase and administer timber sales with state, county and private landowners. He grew up near Horicon Marsh in southern Wisconsin, received a degree from
UW – Stevens and Point worked as a forester for New Page. He currently lives in Spooner with his wife and family. The second forester possi-
Kyle Young
Amy Morales
ton has been vacant since 2007. Amy Morales has filed this vacancy and will be working on the county and state forest and private lands. She received
her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University and master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. Before coming to Burnett County, she worked at Sappi Fine Paper. She lives in the Hayward area. – Sherill Summer
Coming soon to Siren? Not really
The old Siren Mall was razed last week and a sign went up on the site saying a Joe’s Crab Shack would be built at the site. Known as the “hippest seafood restaurant,” Apparently the sign was placed on the site without the permission of the franchise. - Photos by Nancy Jappe and Sherill Summer
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“I guess this is my race!” maybe he’s got a little something to do with my continued winning streak.” said Lindbeck with a smile. In addition to the pro open this weekend, Lindbeck also raced in the Vicki Peterson Memorial race, an eight-sled, eight-lap endurance race and claimed that title as well. “Enduros are tough races. With that many sleds all vying for their lanes, it gets a little hairy,” said Lindbeck. During the race, three racers went down and one lost his buoy and had to leave the race, leaving four to battle to the end. “This has been a long race!” said an exhausted Lindbeck. But well worth it.
Dale Lindbeck of Stacy, Minn., has won every pro open race in Frederic since the race began by Kerri Harter FREDERIC – Dale Lindbeck has a running streak of pro open wins in Frederic since the race’s inception and that’s the main reason he decided to come again this year. “We’ve been building a new house, and I wasn’t sure I was going to race other than Grantsburg this year,” said Lindbeck. “But I kind of felt I needed to, because it has become my race!” So he dusted off his green Arctic Cat, which hadn’t been on the water since last July at the Grantsburg Watercross, and added yet another win to his Frederic string. Lindbeck feels the Coon Lake course fits him well. “The lake is big and the course is set up to allow for change-ups and that makes for a good race,” said Lindbeck. Explaining his racing strategies, Lindbeck says his philosophy is to race the first two laps fast, and the rest smart, not pushing it unnecessarily if
Extra Points Alex Nelson, No. 518, and Lance Brenizer, No. 787, were two of the other seven sleds competing against Dale Lindbeck, No. 29, during the Vicki Peterson Memorial endurance race at Frederic Watercross on Sunday, June 29. – Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld ahead, and not taking chances if you don’t need to. This, he explains, comes
The Lindbecks, Dale (left) and son DJ. – Photo by Kerri Harter
with years of experience on the water. With 20 years of watercross racing under his belt, Lindbeck does, indeed, have experience on the water. He began racing in 1988 after a year of spectating in Grantsburg. He jumped right into the pro class his first year and never looked back, claiming three World Champion titles and three year-end points titles over the years. Prior to watercross he raced other types of circuits, such as ice ovals and snow cross. He quit all the circuits except watercross before his son DJ was old enough to race. For the past five years, DJ has been racing watercross, too. Frederic holds some great memories for Lindbeck, for sure, but the second year will always be remembered a little differently, with a bit of sadness attached to it. After winning the pro open and just prior to the awards ceremony, Lindbeck had to rush home after he was informed that his father had passed away. “The police came and got me and told me I had to call home right away,” he said. “That was tough. But
2008 National Snowmobile Watercross Championship • Frederic • June 28 & 29 Stock 600 Drags Name Travis Nelson Brett Hass Shawn Cummings Mann Nordin Kevin Greeninger Stock 800 Drags Place Name 1st Troy Marsh 2nd Brett Hass 3rd Ryan Keith 4th Bobby Penders 5th Gareth Cummings Mod Drags Place Name 1st Alex Nelson 2nd Jason Houle 3rd Brett Hass 4th TJ Peterson 5th Lance Brenizer Place 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Semi Pro Stock Oval Name Oliver Baillargeon Shawn Cummings Kevin Greeninger Travis Nelson Ryan Keith Pro Stock Oval Place Name 1st Kevin Greeninger 2nd Bobby Penders 3rd Jeremy Carlson 4th Travis Nelson 5th Lance Brenizer Semi Pro Open Oval Place Name 1st Jeremy Carlson 2nd Oliver Baillargeon 3rd Bobby Penders 4th Alex Nelson 5th Aaron Lundeen
Place 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
Pro Open Oval Dale Lindbeck Eric Peterson Travis Ellefson Lance Brenizer Bud Coen Vicki Peterson Memorial Dale Lindbeck Jeremy Carlson Bobby Penders Oliver Baillargeon Eric Peterson Alex Nelson Lance Brenizer TJ Peterson
••• SIREN – Siren athletic director, Ryan Karsten will be taking over the Siren girls basketball team in place of former coach Jon Ruud. Karsten was an assistant under Ruud for the past several years and has also coached the girls JV basketball teams for many years, as well as assisted in football and JV track and field. Ruud will be taking over the boys basketball team in place of former coach Rick Anderson. The announcement was made recently at the monthly school board meeting. – Marty Seeger ••• LUCK – The Osceola Braves baseball game versus the East Side Merchants is being broadcast on WLMX 104.9 FM Wednesday, July, 2 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ••• MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Brewers games featured on WXCE 1260 can be heard on the following dates: The July 3 Brewers at Arizona game begins at 2:40 p.m. The Pittsburg at Brewers series on July 4, 5, and 6 begin at 1, 6 and 1 p.m. respectively. The Colorado at Brewers series on July 7, 8 and 9 begins at 7 p.m. on all three nights. ••• MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Twins games featured on WLMX 104.9 FM can be heard on the following dates: The July 4, 5 and 6 games with Cleveland at Twins baseball begins at 6, 6 and 1 p.m. respectively. The Twins at Boston games on July 7 and 8 begin at 6 p.m. and the July 9 game against Boston begins at noon. ••• LEADER LAND – Local sports tidbits to share? Please contact the Leader by 4 p.m. on Tuesdays to go in Extra Points! – Marty Seeger and Brenda Sommerfeld ••• LEADER LAND – Leader Sports strives to follow the college careers of area athletes. If you know of an athlete who will be playing collegiate sports in 2008 and hasn’t been mentioned, send us an e-mail and we’ll take it from there. – Marty Seeger and Brenda Sommerfeld
SPORTS RESULTS DEADLINES: WEDNESDAY - MONDAY: 1 p.m. the following business day. TUESDAY: 10 p.m. Missed deadlines mean no coverage that week! S P O R T S N E W S O R S C O R E S T O R E P O R T ? • P H O N E : 7 1 5 - 3 2 7 - 4 2 3 6 • FA X : 7 1 5 - 3 2 7 - 4 1 1 7 • E - M A I L : m s e e g e r @ c e n t u r y t e l . n e t o r b r e n d a l s @ c e n t u r y t e l . n e t
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Nelson Racing takes drags gone down ‘til I was right there,” he said. Alex took fourth place. Travis stayed dry all weekend, earning his way into both the semi-pro stock and pro stock finals with firsts and seconds in his qualifying heats. With backto-back finals, Travis ran the two six-lap finals, with only a short break between. “It was exhausting!” said Travis. “I didn’t realize it would end up that way, but it turned out good in the end,” he laughed. Travis ended the finals with a fourth place in each. 800 Stock Drags: Troy Marsh, No. #887, Bay City, Minn., won the 800 stock drags. Marsh was also the IWA year-end points winner for 2007 in that class.
Grantsburg cousins Alex and Travis Nelson take mod and 600 drags by Kerri Harter FREDERIC – The Nelson Racing team took home two first-place trophies in the mod and 600 stock drags, and three fourth-place trophies in the semi-pro stock, pro stock and semi-pro open classes, but not without some tough luck and difficulty along the way. Drags: Both Travis Nelson, No. 104, age 17 and Alex Nelson, No. 518, age 18 started out strong on Saturday in the drags. Both Ski-Doos were running fast, wrapping up the drag qualifying runs
Troy Marsh, Bay City, Minn., won the 800 stock drags.
Cousins Travis (left) and Alex Nelson, both of Grantsburg, show off their hardware at the awards ceremony following the races Sunday afternoon, June 29. – Photos by Kerri Harter with first places in every heat they ran. Ovals: Alex, running in the semi-pro open class, took the lead in his first heat of the day on Saturday, but after a lap, motor failure sent him swimming. “We tore everything apart when we got to shore and found out the base gasket went,” said Alex. “I was done for the day.” He had to scratch the rest of his heats while he and his crew ran for parts in different places, some as far as Wyoming, Minn. “We hoped we could get it ready and running for Sunday,” explained Nelson. After a long night of mechanics, their diligence paid off. On Sunday morning, Alex needed to win a run-off race to continue, which he did, and then eased into the finals after taking firsts in the quarter- and semi-finals. In the six-man, six-lap final, Alex took the lead and kept it, until avoiding a downed racer sent him into a wave and he went down. “It gets pretty choppy out there in the finals with six sleds going,” said Alex. “And the waves and Travis Nelson, No. 104, raced well all weekend at the Frederic Watercross, water spray make visibility kind of tough. I didn’t know DJ (Lindbeck) had June 28-29. – Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld
Also in the winners circle... by Kerri Harter Semi-pro stock ovals: Oliver Baillargeon, No. 713, Frederic, won the title here. Baillargeon looked good all weekend. He’s raced for several years and has been a consistent racer. He was ready for this win. Pro stock ovals: Kevin Greeninger, No. 218, Stillwater, Minn., raced consistently all weekend and earned this one with tough competition in this class.
Semi-pro open: Jeremy Carlson, No. 122, Frederic, raced well when it counted and took this title with a lineup tough to beat. He saved his spill for after the finish line, when his excitement caused him to sink. His victory lap was replaced by a trip on the retriever.
Jeremy Carlson, No. 122, after his semi-pro open win and subsequent sink.
Semi-pro stock ovals winner Oliver Baillargeon, No. 713, takes his victory lap – Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld
Pro stock ovals winner Kevin Greeninger, No. 218, takes his victory lap on Coon Lake at the Frederic Watercross.
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Remembering Vicki Racers honor the late Vicki Peterson with endurance race by Kerri Harter FREDERIC – The Frederic Watercross Race culminated Sunday afternoon with the Vicki Peterson Memorial eightsled, eight-lap endurance race. Peterson passed away this past May after a 13-
Vicki Peterson was a “Pit Mom” for many of the watercross racers for several years. There was a eightlap memorial endurance race held in her name during the Frederic Watercross on Sunday, June 29. – Photo submitted
year battle with cancer. “It was the racers’ idea,” said Arlen Peterson, Vicki’s husband and coorganizer of the Frederic Watercross. “She was very involved in watercross for years and in fact, many of the
younger racers referred to her as their “Pit Mom.” The eight racers each paid $40 to participate in the event. Of those monies, $120 went to the winner of the race and the rest went to the Frederic Watercross
The winners of the Vicki Peterson Memorial race pose with the Peterson family. Pictured are: Back row (L to R): Arlen Peterson, Jeremy Carlson, Dale Lindbeck, Eric Peterson and Erin Peterson. Front row: Bobby Penders, TJ Peterson. – Photos by Kerri Harter
Queen Scholarship. In addition, the top three winners each received a plaque with Vicki Peterson’s picture on it. Dale Lindbeck, Stacy, Minn., was the winner of the race, with Jeremy Carlson, Frederic and Bobby Penders, Mahtomedi, Minn., taking second and third.
Arlen Peterson introduces the Vicki Peterson Memorial race in honor of his wife. He announced throughout the entire event this weekend.
Frederic Watercross Queen crowned by Kerri Harter FREDERIC – The Frederic Water X Racing Inc. proclaimed Rachel O’Brien of Frederic the first Miss Frederic Watercross Queen during Saturday’s race. O’Brien, who just happens to race in the watercross event as well, removed her racing helmet for a short while to receive her tiara when she was crowned. Jade Johnson of Grantsburg was named the first runner-up. Johnson has helped with the Frederic Watercross for years in many capacities, including helping the downed drivers retrieve their sleds. Both girls received cash scholarships from the Vicki Peterson Memorial Race. Although O’Brien had a tough weekend on the water, spending a few times on the retriever, she still managed to make it to the finals in both the 800 stock drags and semi-pro stock ovals, and took sixth place in both. The Frederic Water X Racing Inc. is a
Rachel O’Brien, No. 707, during one of her drag heats. Arlen Peterson crowns Rachel O’Brien as the first Frederic Watercross Ambassador. Jade Johnson was first runner-up. – Photos by Kerri Harter not-for-profit organization. “Part of the racers’ entry fees and one-half of the gate proceeds go right back into the community,” said Arlen Peterson.
“We’ve given to the Save the Pool Fund, historial society and Frederic Police Department, among others. We appreciate the community’s support in allow-
ing this event, so we are happy to give back,” he continued. The watercross board consists of Danny Carlson, president; Kevin Knauber, vice president; Karen Carlson, secretary; Steve Baillargeon, treasurer; and board members Lauri Nelson, Arlen Peterson and RJ Severude.
Two golf teams tie at the top in the Six, Six, Six Unique format proved challenging at Frederic Golf Course FREDERIC – The team of Jon Anderson and Chuck Cogswell along with the team of Charvey Spencer and Colin O’Donovan shot sizzling scores of 65 to tie atop the leader board at the Six, Six, Six event held Sunday morning at the Frederic Golf Course. The event was the second installment of the newly formed Player of the Year race being held this season at the Frederic Golf Course.
For this event, players were required to play six holes of best ball, six holes of alternate shot, and six holes of scramble. The overall scores were low for the event and everyone enjoyed this unique format, but many teams found the alternate shot portion of this event proved to be incredibly nerve racking. It seemed a disaster was waiting around every corner and extra care was in order. One team carded a score of 11 on the par five seventh hole, taking them from five under par to one over par all during the course of this one devastating hole. Further proof of the alternate shot difficulty was the fact that only one team scored a par on the par four 10th hole.
The hole was playing down wind and should have been relatively easy, yet with the added pressure of this format, most teams struggled on the hole. The eventual winning team of Anderson and Cogswell were not exempt from the carnage, suffering a double bogey on the 12th hole. The seasonlong Player of the Year is a series of events that players earn points based on their gross and net score. The Six, Six, Six was the third of six Player of the Year events. The Frederic Flag Open on Sunday, July 13, is the next event. Anyone interested in participating contact the Frederic Golf Course at 715-3278250. – submitted
The 666 – Frederic Golf Course Final Net Scores Cogswell, C. / Anderson, Jon 65 Spencer, C. / O’Donovan, C. 65 Java, K. / Spencer, J. 66 Liljiberg, K. / Anderson, John 66 Pearson, Ja. / Nelson, B. 67 Sorenson, J. / Bazey, D. 67 Grindell, D. / Moore, T. 68 Smith, T. / Wisse, D. 68 Java, B. / Koehler, K. 69 Antonich, R. / Bulver, B. 70 Prodger, J. / Moats, J. 70 Pearson, Ji. / Nelson, S. 74
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North defeats South in all-star game
Legion All-Star game ends in 11 innings North 12, South 11 by Marty Seeger OSCEOLA – It was game you might expect to have when you skim the top three baseball players from each team in the north, and three from each team in the south. The game was scheduled for nine innings and went into the 11th in a back-and-forth hitting battle, coupled with some great defensive plays, and a stacked rotation of pitching. The North team consisted of three players each from Cumberland, Grantsburg, Luck, St. Croix Falls and Unity, coached with help from St. Croix Falls coach Scott Lindholm and Unity’s Ryan Flaherty. The South team consisted of players from Amery, Baldwin, New Richmond, Osceola and Somerset. “It was one of the more fun games I’ve ever been a part of, it was a blast,” said Lindholm. “It was a good time and a good show for all of the fans that were there.” Both teams got off to a bit of a slow start as Gus Koecher singled and Harry Severson-Dickinson singled for the north. But the South defense prevailed and both runners were left stranded.
The 2008 all-star game played featured three of the top players from the North Legion teams including Cumberland, Grantsburg, Luck, St. Croix Falls and Unity – Photos by Marty Seeger South scored a run in the second inning “The pitchers threw strikes for the on a sacrifice fly and Grantsburg’s most part and obviously the defense Thane Larson, Cumberland’s Graham made the plays because we had a bunch Miller and Jason Vlasnik of Unity each of all-stars,” Lindholm said, and added single in the inning, but the South that the hitters might have been trying a turned a quality double play and a little too hard to get the bat on the ball. ground out eventually ended the But then came the fifth inning. inning. It was a 1-0 game in favor of the “All the fireworks started right after South until the fifth inning. that,” Lindholm said. There were at least 20 hits on the North team alone, and there wasn’t a single all-star that didn’t contribute at least one hit or make key plays on defense. In the fifth inning Cory Gebhard was hit by a pitch and Severson-Dickinson, Matt Vold and Miller each had hits in the inning to help the North take a 5-1 lead. There were a total of six hits in the inning, and a big inning for the North. Severson-Dickinson pitched into the third inning before Grantsburg’s Larson filled in for relief. The South team picked up three runs in the fifth but the North managed to hold onto the lead. South scored three on big hits from Amery’s Joe Rubenzer and Osceola’s Ian Kalata, who might have had a triple, but was tagged out from a throw from centerfield. The South regained a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, but with more heavy hitting from the north the runs kept on coming. St. Croix Falls Gus Koecher was the team MVP going 4-5, and scored six North took a 9-6 lead in the top of the times in seven plate appearances. He was a homer away from the cycle. eighth inning. Koecher doubled in the
inning, Unity’s Luke Nelson singled for an RBI and Matt Vold and Brady Flaherty also singled in the inning. But again, the South took a 10-9 lead in the bottom of the eighth. Then in the top of the ninth inning with two outs, and the North down by one run in the final inning, Koecher hit a smash off the centerfield fence for a triple, followed by yet another smash by Severson-Dickinson to tie the game at 10 apiece and eventually send the game into extra innings. Koecher was voted MVP of the all-star game by his teammates going 4-5, with two walks and scored six of the teams 12 runs in the game. He was a home run away from hitting for the cycle. “He came up big time and Harry Severson-Dickinson was just as worthy of getting that award too,” Lindholm said, and added that Collin Svoboda from Luck had an impressive night on the mound, as he pitched the final innings of the game and closed the deal for the North victory. In the 11th inning Gebhard singled and was eventually moved along by Koecher on a fielders choice. Severson-Dickinson doubled in the inning and the North padded a onerun victory. Not only was it a solid effort all around from each player on the north squad, Lindholm said the team gelled nicely and was able to stick together as a team. “I think when you have 14 all-stars on the team everybody kind of motivates the other guy to do better, it was definitely a joy,” Lindholm said.
Luck’s Harry Severson-Dickinson had a stellar game for the all stars. Thane Larson of Grantsburg is also pictured.
Grantsburg and Unity each seize one win Grantsburg 4, Unity 1 by Brenda Sommerfeld GRANTSBURG – Both Grantsburg and Unity snagged one of the two games they played, Thursday, June 26. Grantsburg took the first game 4-1. Seth Odegard pitched the first game for Grantsburg, giving Unity only two hits, one run and striking out seven. The field helped in the other cases with catching fly balls and getting grounders to first. Unity’s one run came in the fifth inning with Drew Walker crossing home on a single by Seth McKenzie. After two outs in the first inning, Trent Bonneville, Brad Berner and Thane Larson each singled for Grantsburg. Larson brought Bonneville home with his hit, but both he and Larson were left stranded as the next batter struck out. Jake Ryan and Trevor Thompson, the first two batters, scored runs for Grantsburg in the second. Ryan got in, while fielders took Odegard out at first base. Thompson had gotten on base by a fielder error and made it past home
Grantsburg’s Thane Larson reaches down to tag out a Unity runner during their game on Thursday, June 26. – Photo by Brenda Sommerfeld plate on an error. The fourth inning was when Grantsburg scored their fourth run. Bonneville brought Odegard home, while getting out at first. Unity 8, Grantsburg 6 GRANTSBURG – The second game of the doubleheader Thursday, June 26,
was Unity’s turn, winning 8-6. Unity had scored five in the first two innings, holding Grantsburg to one. Eric Goulet, Derek Jorgenson and Brady Flaherty came across home in the first inning. Flaherty had brought in Goulet and Jorgenson on a single-base hit. Flaherty scored on a fielder error. During the second inning, Zach
Cherry scored one run, and Goulet and Jorgenson each scored once again. Jorgenson had brought in Cherry, and Flaherty brought in both Goulet and Jorgenson with a triple hit to center field. Grantsburg’s Devan Christensen was the only one to make it home during the first three innings. Trent Bonneville brought him in. Unity scored two more, one in the third and one in the fourth. Drew Walker came in during the third and Flaherty was brought in by Jason Vlasnik. Two strikeouts and a fly caught in center was the ending of the fifth for them. Grantsburg came back in the last two innings after putting their starting lineup back in the game. Seth Odegard scored the only run in the fourth. Brent Meyer, Jake Ryan, Odegard and Austin Eskola each crossed home plate in the fifth, leaving Grantsburg down by two runs. Trevor Thompson had two RBIs in the fifth, bringing in both Odegard and Eskola.
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Blue A’s battle Baldwin to eight innings compiled six hits, Nick Johnson went 2-5 and Gus Koecher, Matt Vold, Sam Schmidt and Ben Anderson had a hit apiece. Koecher and Vold each had two RBIs and Anderson had one. Koecher, Schmidt and Anderson each had doubles in the game as well. The Blue A’s starting pitcher, Josh Larcom, went just over three innings with two strikeouts, six walks and allowed three hits. Nathan Gravesen, Nick Johnson and Will Ball also had just under an inning on the mound as well.
Game ends as darkness descends on the field St. Croix Falls 6, Baldwin 6 by Marty Seeger BALDWIN – St. Croix Falls battled back against Baldwin on Thursday, June 26, as both teams played in a playofflike atmosphere according to Blue A’s coach Scott Lindholm. “It was definitely a playoff atmosphere for that game,” said Lindholm. Going up against Baldwin’s all-district pitcher, Dylan DeMotts, the Blue A’s were down 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, and with two outs, managed to rally back with five runs and take a short-lived 6-5 lead. DeMotts was 7-1 in the Middle Border
Games delayed ST. CROIX FALLS – Games scheduled for Friday, June 27, were cancelled due to rain delays or a lack of players on the roster. The Luck at St. Croix Falls legion baseball game was cancelled since Luck was missing a full squad of players. The game will be rescheduled for sometime in July. The New Richmond at Unity game was cancelled due to rain.
Unity’s game against New Richmond on Friday, June 27, was quickly ended due to rain and lightning. – Photo by Marty Seeger
St. Croix Falls Gus Koecher runs for first base. – Photo by Marty Seeger
Conference and 9-1 overall as an all-district pitcher during spring baseball. Lindholm said that the Blue A’s were one out away from pulling out the comeback win, but an error led Baldwin to tie the game and send it into the eighth inning. After completing the eighth inning however, the game was called due to the fading light. There will
be no makeup game, so neither team will have known what the outcome might have been. But the experience in itself was worth the trip to Baldwin. “Those are exactly the kind of games where, that’s why we play, it was really fun,” Lindholm said. “Too bad we didn’t win.” When the game ended the Blue A’s
Unity 2, New Richmond 2 BALSAM LAKE – The New Richmond at Unity game, played on June 27, was halted after less than one inning of play due to torrential downpours and lightning. New Richmond struck first with two runs, but Unity bounced back in the bottom of the inning with the help of a two-RBI double from Drew Walker with two outs. No word yet on whether or not a makeup game will be rescheduled for this month.
Luck posts 9-3 record at all-star break Severson-Dickinson, Gross lead team at halfway point Luck 4, Cumberland 1 Luck 4, Cumberland 2 by Marty Seeger CUMBERLAND – The Luck Legion baseball team is heading into the all-star break with a 9-3 record behind the team-leading Harry SeversonDickinson and Jamison Gross. Severson-Dickinson leads the team in hits with 16 in 29 at bats. He’s homered twice with 20 RBIs and has a .552 batting average.
A Luck outfielder throws the ball in during a previous game this year. – Photo by Marty Seeger Meanwhile Gross leads the team with a .565 average with 13 hits in 23 at bats. He has nine stolen bases and a .691 on
base percentage. Overall the team has been playing well lately, with their past two wins coming at Cumberland last Thursday, June 26. The Friday game against St. Croix Falls was cancelled due to lack of players and might not have been played anyway due to the rain. “They have been fielding and pitching very well,” said Luck coach Wayne Dickinson. Luck has held opponents to two runs or less in eight of their past 10 games, according to the coach. “The hitting is improving and they are averaging over five runs a game so far. They are a very good group of kids that Roger and I are fortunate to coach,” Dickinson said. In game one against Cumberland last
Thursday, both teams went scoreless until the third inning when Taylor Horsager doubled to score the first two runs of the game. Luck picked up another pair of runs in the fourth inning with a double from Gross and single hit by Collin Svoboda. Severson-Dickinson pitched all five innings allowing three hits, five walks and had six strikeouts. Game two went well for Luck as they managed to pull off the 4-2 win with six hits. Gross, Brady Klatt, Mitch Larson, Severson-Dickinson, Jake Meyer and Horsager each hit singles in the game, and Connery Johnson picked up the win on the mound. Johnson gave up just four hits, three walks and had three strikeouts.
Horseshoe league under way in Centuria CENTURIA – The Close Doesn’t Count adult and junior leagues are busy pitching ringers in the Centuria Park. The adults play 50 shoe cancellation games on Wednesday evenings while the juniors pitch 30 shoe count-all games on Tuesday evenings in June and July. The CDC junior league is the largest in Wisconsin, with 16 members. Julia Larsen received a National
Horseshoe Pitchers scholarship of $175 for her grades and horseshoe pitching dedication. The adult league recently won the club team championship held in Beloit. This was the seventh time since 1997 that the trophy was won by the CDC league. Members of the championship team this year were Edie McKinney, Tiffany Gage, Norm Gage and Dave Ninnemann. The league play is divided into two halves: Team
competition until July 2, and individual competition beginning July 30. The league is taking time off for three weeks in July because Gloria Smith, Edie McKinney and Jane Smith will attend the World Horseshoe Tournament held in York, Pa. this year. The league encourages anyone to stop over to catch the ringers in action on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. – submitted
The Close Doesn’t Count adult league won the club team championship in Beloit. It was the seventh time since 1997 that the trophy was won by the league. – Photos submitted
The junior horseshoe league is shown with hats and “The ABC’s of Pitching Horseshoes” book, which was purchased by a Youth Sports Unlimited gift.
Members of the championship team this year in no particular order are Edie McKinney, Tiffany Gage, Norm Gage and Dave Ninnemann.
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W.I.N.G.S. tallies successful golf outing
LUCK – The W.I.N.G.S. annual golf outing was held on Monday, June 16, with 28 morning golfers, 142 afternoon golfers and an additional 65 attendants for the supper. With 40 volunteers donating their time and effort, the Luck Golf Course, and the wonderful grilling gang from Mondovi, the day was a success. The Miles family said it is a very humbling experience to be able to plan
and spend a day with so many compassionate people. W.I.N.G.S. would like to extend gratitude to everyone who made it a special day. As W.I.N.G.S. continues to try and impact the communities in a positive way, they know that their son Mark Miles is very proud of everyone. The 2008 hole sponsors include: Janet and Tiffany Otto, Jeff’s Small Engine, Larry and Julie Will, Grandmas Will
and Miles, Bill Alleva and Mike Morris, Dave Sarow and Pete Raye, The Arts: Aleta, Adam, Craig, Webster Athletic Association, The RiverBank, Shearer’s of Waupaca, Northbound Sports, SCF wrestling boosters, Unity wrestling boosters, Dawn Longenberger Perkins, Rick and Joyce Highstrom, Matt and Linda Wirth, Hendrickson Heating and Cooling, Dan and Connie Kerkoff,
Craig Zipperer, Luck coaches, Shaklee, Indianhead Chiropractic., Unity coaches, Jim Abrams, Hack’s pub, SCF school staff and Sterling Bank. The Miles family would like to extend gratitude also to those who donated items for the raffle and silent auction. submitted by Craig, Cathy and Kelli Miles
Jesse Redetzke tops Rice Lake Speedway late models by Ed Reichert RICE LAKE – When Jake Redetzke opted to take the night off, brother Jesse got to use the big hauler that Jake normally uses. Jesse took off without his race pictures, checkbook or even a coat. What he did have was a heavy right foot and a great-handling car. The rookie went to the front early and powered away from the field to earn his first-ever feature win in the WISSOTA Late Model event Saturday, June 28, at the Rice Lake Speedway. Three drivers continued their stranglehold in their respective divisions as Danny Richards, Scott Clark and Kevin Adams all won their third-feature races of the year. Other divisions remain wide-open with five winners in five nights of racing other than Paul Brust’s two wins in the late models. Redetzke started third in the late model headliner and quickly moved into a challenging position as he worked on T. J. Adams and John Meeds for the lead. The yellow flew only once during the late model event on lap three for a Chad Mahder spin and on the green, Redetzke ducked under Adams to take over the lead. Redetzke then moved to the cushion where his car was handling great, and he began to pull away from the pack. On the move were Scott Gilberts and John Kaanta as they raced hard with Davin Larson and Steve Isenberg for position as Redetzke continued to pull away. Kaanta picked up the pace as he moved into third and then had a good battle with Gilberts for second, before finally driving by him on the high side. Meanwhile, Mahder was working his way back up through the field toward the front. Kaanta made a late-race charge for the front, but Redetzke maintained a strong lead, and despite jumping the cushion in the final corner, he brought his car home for the big win. Trailing Kaanta at the finish were Mahder with a late run followed by Gilberts and Isenberg. Matt Leer became a first-time winner in the midwest modifieds in one of the finest races run so far at the speedway this year. Leer came from the fifth position in the last few laps to make a sterling drive, and take over the lead from Bryan Bisonette to go on for the win. Bisonette and Bryce Johnson exchanged the lead on several occasions in the early going, which was marked by two yellow flags in the first five laps. After that, the midwest mods engaged in some spectacular racing, with Bisonette leading an eight-car pack that was jockeying for position on every corner. Josh Smith moved to the high side and drove past Leer and Ronnie Rihn, to move into third but then he faded slightly and as Leer moved to the high side himself, and really picked up the pace. Quickly driving he way into the second spot, he closed on Bisonette and flew past Bryan exiting turn four. With only a couple of laps left, he extended his lead as he drove to an impressive win. Bisonette held on for second, ahead of Smith, Johnson and Ryan Viltz. Eric Olson wasted no time getting to
the front of the super stock field tonight and once in the lead, he drove away from the pack for his first win of the year here at Rice Lake. Olson started fourth on the grid but he quickly drove past Marcel and Cy Hoaglin to take over the lead quickly and then left it for the rest of the field to battle for second. Two minor yellow flags slowed the action in the first half of the race, but each time Olson would again drive away from the field. Jim Harris worked his way into second and then had to contend with a challenging Cory Davis most of the race. Harris had a strong run all night as he took his best finish of the year but he had nothing for Olson, who cruised home on the cushion. Davis settled for third with Scott Zitelman fighting off Aaron Wilson for fourth. Kevin Adams took off like a rocket ship in the modified feature race as he moved from the eighth starting spot into the lead in two laps, and then held off a persistent challenge from Rich Lofthus to take his third win of the year there. Adams made some spectacular moves as he sliced his way through the field and just moved into the lead when the yellow flew to stop the action. Adams then controlled the point through two more quick yellows, after which the last 16 laps ran nonstop. Lofthus gradually moved into second after starting seventh and he closed in on Adams at the halfway point. When Adams jumped the cushion in turn one, Lofthus was right there and they raced side by side all the way around the track. However, Lofthus couldn’t hold on and nearly spun in turn one as Adams pulled away. Meanwhile Lofthus fought to maintain second ahead of Mike Anderson. Adams cruised after that and while Lofthus once again managed to cut the lead down near the end, he wasn’t close enough to offer a serious challenge. Robby Bunkelman had a strong run as he raced from 10th to fourth with Keith Tourville taking his first top-five finish in his rookie year. The closest feature finish of the year was contested in the street stocks Saturday night, where despite a short field, the Streeters once again managed to put on a great show. Tommy Richards started on the outside pole and after a lap-one yellow, the race remained under the green the rest of the way. Richards managed to pull away from the field as the rookie driver was looking for his first-ever win in the Streets at Rice Lake. Scott Clark started sixth and gradually moved his way to the front, taking over second after a hard battle with Jay Kesan. Meanwhile, Tito Viltz started in the back after missing his heat, but he was on a tear as he rushed to the front of the field. Richards continued to maintain the lead and looked to be in control, but Clark picked up the pace and began to close in earnest in the late going. He managed to close on Richards and as the white flag waved, they were side by side in turn one. They managed that stance down the back chute and
through turn four. With a lapped car to their outside, they raced side-by-side to the line, with Clark winning by the smallest of margins in a race so close it needed an official decision to confirm the winner. Viltz completed his charge by racing up to third, ahead of Kesan and Jeff Heintz. Tommy’s brother Danny Richards did him one better as he roared to the front early and dominated the pure stock feature to take his third win of the year. Cooper Berlin accelerated away from Simon Wahlstrom to take the early lead but then he battled with Zach Manley for the point. Richards went to the high side after starting ninth and drove around the pack and with a strong move in turn two, passed both the leaders to take over. After that, the maintained a comfortable advantage, as the race shifted to a battle for second. Berlin continued to battle with Manley until mechanical problems took Manley out. Meanwhile, the Browns were moving in, with Dusty taking over second and Darwin trailing. The last half of the race saw Uncle Darwin try to get by Dusty, but the younger Brown was up to the challenge as the Ford-driving duo finished second and third. Berlin had his best run for fourth ahead of Wahlstrom. Thursday, July 3, will be the Firecracker Special sponsored by South Lake Motors, White City Glass and TJ Trophies at the Rice Lake Speedway. Always one of the highlights of the racing season, this night is typically one that packs the stands. The late models will have the night off, but all other divisions will be in action, with the fireworks being shot off after dark. Race time will be 6:30 p.m. There will be no racing at the Rice Lake Speedway on Saturday, July 5, with the next action scheduled on Saturday, July 12, when it will be kids night at the track. SUMMARY: WISSOTA Late Models 25-lap feature – Jesse Redetzke, Altoona; John Kaanta, Elk Mound; Chad Mahder, Eau Claire; Scott Gilberts, Menomonie; Steve Isenberg, Marshfield; Davin Larson, Trego; Shawn Mahder, Eau Claire; T.J. Adams, Hayward; Pat Hoffman, Rice Lake; Cory Jorgensen, Hermantown, Minn.; John Meeds, Spooner and Scott Meeds, Siren. 10 lap Heat 1 – Kaanta; Gilberts; Larson; J. Meeds; Jorgensen; Hoffman; Keane Laakson. Heat 2 Redetzke; Isenberg; C. Mahder; Adams; S. Mahder; S. Meeds and Paul Brust. WISSOTA Modifieds 20-lap feature – Kevin Adams, Cameron; Rich Lofthus, Bloomer; Mike Anderson, Colfax; Robby Bunkelman, Abbotsford; Keith Tourville, Star Prairie; Cory Crapser, Eau Claire; Mark Hanson, Chippewa Falls; Dave Mayala, Barron; Joey Ogston, Duluth, Minn:, Buddy Mayala, Barron; Jim Cimfl, Clayton; Tim Shackleton, Dallas; Aric Lindberg, Dallas and Ken Hansen, Webster. 10 lap Heat 1 – Adams; Anderson; Crapser; Tourville; Hanson; Cimfl; B. Mayala. Heat 2 – Lofthus; Ogston; D. Mayala; Lindberg;
Bunkelman; Shackleton and Hansen. WISSOTA Super Stocks 20-lap feature – Eric Olson, Ladysmith; Jim Harris, Menomonie; Cory Davis, Turtle Lake; Scott Zitelman, Taylors Falls, Minn.; Aaron Wilson, Menomonie; Shane Kisling, Sarona; Cy Hoaglin, Ashland; Paul Erikson, Abbotsford; Marcel Hoaglin, Hudson; Andy Cimfl, Clayton; Donnie Talmage, Amery and Dan Tocheri, Thunder Bay Ont. 10 lap Heat 1 – Olson; Davis; Zitelman; Tocheri; Cimfl. Heat 2 – Harris; Wilson; C. Hoaglin; M. Hoaglin; Talmage; Kisling. WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds 15-lap feature – Matt Leer, Bruce; Bryan Bisonette, Rice Lake; Josh Smith, Eau Claire; Bryce Johnson, Turtle Lake; Ryan Viltz, Cameron; Ronnie Rihn, Bloomer; Mark Gerth, Menomonie; Brad Hudson, Chippewa Falls; Terry Sirek, Rice Lake; Mike Paulson, Rochester Mn; Barry Smith, Solon Springs; Reid Teigs, Dallas; Nick Baker, Hermantown, Mn; Scott Erickson, Barron; Mark Turner, Cameron; Morgan Crotteau, Rice Lake; Tom Johnson, Rice Lake; Alan Broker, Turtle Lake; Chad Manor, Monroe. 10 lap Heat 1 Hudson; Gerth; Bisonette; Baker; Manor; Paulson and Broker. Heat 2 – Viltz; J. Smith; B. Johnson; Sirek; B. Smith; Dave Morgan and Turner. Heat 3 – Rihn; Leer; Crotteau; T. Johnson; Erickson and Teigs. WISSOTA Street Stocks 15-lap Feature – Scott Clark, Cameron; Tommy Richards, Mondovi; Tito Viltz, Cameron; Jay Kesan, Weyerhaeuser; Jeff Heintz, Turtle Lake; Clark Swartz, Bloomer; Kim Korstad, East Bethel, Minn.; Kyle Howland, Cedar Minn.; Wayne Asp and Lakeland Minn.; Mike Siewert, Rice Lake. 10 lap Heat 1 – Richards; Scott VonHaden; Asp; Siewert. Heat 2 Clark; Kesan; Swartz; Heintz and Howland. Pure stocks 12-lap feature – Danny Richards, Mondovi; Dusty Brown, Rice Lake; Darwin Brown, Cumberland; Cooper Berlin, Rice Lake; Simon Wahlstrom, Cameron; Joel Hinrichs, Chetek; C.J. Wagner, Hayward; Doug Wojcik, Ladysmith; Adam Delfosse, Cumberland; Matt Larson, Rice Lake; Will Hargreaves, Cameron; Josh Wahlstrom, Cameron; Tyler Wahlstrom, Cameron; Nick Wojcik, Ladysmith; Kyle Bitney, Chippewa Falls; Jay Folz, Rice Lake; Tony Weigand, Barron; Randy Connor, Seeley; Ben Johnson, East Bethel, Minn; Zach Manley, Cameron and Allen Amborn, Rice Lake. 8 lap Heat 1 – Manley; Delfosse; J. Wahlstrom; Folz; T. Wahlstrom; N. Wojcik and Bitney. Heat 2 – Du. Brown; D. Wojcik; Berlin; Wagner; Larson; Connor and Johnson. Heat 3 – Richards; D. Brown; S. Wahlstrom; Hinrichs; Hargreaves; Amborn and Weigand.
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 21
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Pesky Brewers refuse to be swept For the second time in two weeks, the hot-hitting M i l w a u k e e Brewers refused to roll over and allow the Minnesota Twins to sweep them in three straight. The Brewers might be one of only two or THE SPORTS three National League teams which has the kind of batting order that strikes fear from top to bottom. A key to the Twins winning four of six from the Crew was their ability to hold budding superstar Ryan Braun to a mere 5 for 27 performance during their half-dozen games. And is it just me, or does another young Brewer slugger, Corey Hart, bear a somewhat-lankier resemblance to exPrairie Farm baseball star and current Leader columnist Marty Seeger?
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Numerous local yokels were spotted at last weekend’s series, with many of them wearing Brewers’ regalia. “But every time they cheered, Twins fans would boo and generally drown them out,” said one Twins fan who had a front-row seat for pitcher Kevin Slowey’s 5-0 shutout on Sunday. Another Twins fan who sat in the $33 “All You Can Eat” seats said he was worried that portly Brewer slugger Prince Fielder might leave the field and storm the section for a taste of nachos or cotton candy. (No meat, though, as Fielder is alleged to be a vegetarian. Whatever
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Fielder eats must be vastly different from the fare favored by the slender, hacky-sack-playing vegans we see in coffee shops and tattoo parlors throughout the U.S.) Pack Misses the (Love?) Boat on Potential Back-up Former Minnesota Viking probowler Daunte Culpepper recently turned down a one-year, one million dollar contract offer from the Green Bay Packers. Our Pack had designs on Culpepper to be the back-up to probable future hall-of-famer Aaron Rodgers but the Floridian is apparently holding out hope for a more lucrative pact with another team with chance to compete for a starting job. July Means Training Camp The promise of autumn is in the air as we eagerly await the opening of NFL training camps. It won’t be long and the hectic summer will be behind us and we can again revel in the pleasure of spending 20 weeks watching three, six, nine, twelve, or even 18 hours per week of televised football. “Sometimes during halftimes in September and October my son and I might go outside and toss the football around for a couple of minutes,” said one conscientious young father. South Rises Again Players representing the South squad toppled the north in all four divisions in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association AllStar series on June 20 and 21 in Madison. Former Luck Cardinal great Tyler Petersen saw action for the Division 4 North squad and hit a
LEADER S P O R T S S C O R E B O A R D LEGION BASEBALL
St. Croix Valley Legion League Overall 9-1-3 5-1-6 4-1-7 4-8
Team Luck St. Croix Falls Unity Grantsburg
Scores Thursday, June 26 St. Croix Falls 6, Baldwin 6 Grantsburg 4, Unity 1 Unity 8, Grantsburg 6 Luck 4, Cumberland 1 Luck 4, Cumberland 1 Friday, June 27 New Richmond 2, Unity 2 – rained out Monday, June 30 5:30 p.m. All-star game (North 12, South 11)
Coming up Wednesday, July 2 6 p.m. Menomonie at St. Croix Falls Tuesday, July 8 5:30 p.m. Baldwin at Grantsburg Amery at St. Croix Falls Luck at Unity
INDEPENDENT BASEBALL Southwest Group
Team Grantsburg Honkers Siren Steelers Webster Orioles
Overall 4-2 0-2 0-2
Coming up Sunday, July 6 1 p.m. Grantsburg at Webster Spooner at Siren
St. Croix Valley Team St. Croix River Bandits
Overall 7-8
Scores Saturday, June 28 Bandits 9, Staples 5 Bandits 4, Rum River 1 Sunday, June 29 Bandits 15, Bloomington 15
Coming up Sunday, July 6 1 p.m. Bandits vs Elmwood at SCF High School Tuesday, July 8 7:30 p.m. Bandits vs River Falls at Osceola Wednesday, July 9 7:30 p.m. Bandits at Ellsworth
SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL Falun Church League
Team Falun Churches Calvary Covenant Siren Assembly Siren Covenant/Bethany Webster Baptist Trade Lake Baptist Faith Lutheran Living Hope/Grace Frederic Free West Sweden/Zion Lutheran Trade River Free
Overall 6-0 6-1 5-1 5-1 4-2 4-2 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-6 0-6
Scores Thursday-Friday, June 27-28 Frederic Free 20, Living Hope/Grace 4 Trade Lake Baptist 17, Faith Lutheran 4 Falun Churches 10, Webster Baptist 9 Calvary Covenant 21, West Sweden 9 Siren Covenant 11, Trade River Free 10
Siren Ballpark Men’s League Team Sundown Church League Team Hole in the Wall Chell Well Pour House 1 Fur, Fins & Feathers Pour House 2 Century 21 Gjonnes Construction Da Crew
Overall 6-0 4-2 4-2 4-2 4-2 3-3 2-4 2-4 1-5 0-6
Scores Wednesday, June 25 Sundown 21, Pour House 2 4 Pour House 1 7, Century 21 6 Chell Well 16, Gjonnes Construction 15 Fur, Fins & Feathers 20, Da Crew 5 Hole in the Wall 10, Church League 6
Siren Ballpark Women’s League Team Chell Trucking/The Beehive Smith Family Eye Care Skol Bar Wizards Coyland Creek H Town Girls Mauer Construction
Overall 5-0 3-2 3-2 3-2 3-2 1-4 0-5
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pair of free throws in his team’s 94-76 defeat. An interesting note is that Brad Hallberg – who is the brother of ex-Unity Little Leaguer and current pro baseball player Mark Hallberg— played for the Division 2 North squad a mere 10 days after playing for the Barron Golden Bears in the state baseball tourney. The Hallberg boys, of course, are the offspring of former Unity athlete Monte Hallberg. “Ladies and Gentlemen—They got him!” Spies say erstwhile Unity High School basketball coach and longtime UHS athletic director Dennis Anderson is penning a sports column for another weekly newspaper from down the road. With this move, Anderson has catapulted himself into the realm of “media giant” ala Minneapolis legend Sid Hartman. Anderson first succeeded as a radio announcer before his move into print, which is the reverse of the path taken by Hartman. Can a Web site and Internet blog be far behind? More Winnings Baseball Star
for
Ex-Luck
Speaking of the Internet, a thorough review of professional poker Web sites has revealed that former Luck Cardinal second-baseman extraordinaire Cosby Langeness picked up another hefty paycheck from an event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, earlier this year. One has to wonder if Langeness counts his money while it’s sitting on the table. (Probably not.)
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Local Gridders to play in Gridiron Classic The Siren Dragons will be the lone Leader Land team bestowed with the honor of playing in the 2008 UWStout Gridiron classic, facing Bruce at 5 p.m. Aug. 28 on the artificial turf of Don and Nona Williams Stadium on the Stout campus. Defending Large Lakeland co-champ Clear Lake plays in the 7:30 p.m. game that same evening. Trivia Returns this Week This week’s exercise focuses on The Swami, who will return next month to predict high school football games. 1) An ill-fated move to this nearwestern state preceded the Swami’s return to Wisconsin. 2) True or False: The one who replaced The Swami during his absence was known as “The Alarming Bynor.” 3) True or False: The Swami was the first around to predict winners and actual scores of games. 4) This man’s prediction column was one of the most widely-read Leader items back in the 1960s and 70s. 5) True or False: Frederic will be predicted to beat BirchwoodWeyerhaeuser in their season-opening game on Aug. 29. Answers: 1) North Dakota 2) False; it was The Amazing Bynor”. 3) True. As they say, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” 4) Clyde Kunze 5) True.
Freedom Fest 5K run/walk set Proceeds to benefit WWII veterans trip BALSAM LAKE – Balsam Lake’s first-ever Freedom Fest 5K run/walk has been set to take place on Sunday, July 6. All proceeds will benefit the WWII veterans trip to Washington, D.C., so they can visit the WWII monument, set to take place on Nov. 9. Registration for the race will take place between 7 and 7:45 a.m., and
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Washburn gets 96th career win over Padres by Marty Seeger SEATTLE, Wash. – Jarrod Washburn recorded his 96th victory over San Diego on Friday, June, 27. The lefthanded Webster native posts a 3-7 record, and has been pitching very well this season despite the Mariners losing record of 31-50. On Friday the Mariners posted a franchise record of leaving 18 runners stranded, but still came up with the 5-3 win. The lack of run support has been keeping Washburn from getting wins that he DATE June, 27
TEAM Padres
2007 Mariners 2008 Mariners CAREER TOTALS
GS 15
W 3
32 15 261
10 3 96
spontaneous registration is encouraged. Entry fees are $20 for runners/walkers, $5 for kids and $45 for families. The top five females and top five males will receive gifts from REI sports. Sports massages for $1 by Devine Massages will also be available prior to the race. The race will begin at 8 a.m., starting at Pine Park and ending at the Balsam Lake Beach. – Marty Seeger with submitted information
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might have won with the help of a little more offense, but he didn't let that statistic rule what he's trying to do. "You can't think of things like Jarrod Washburn that," Washburn told MLB.com reporter Jim Street. "All I could do was try to keep doing my job." Since 2005, Washburn has had very little run support, and has held the lowest average of run support in the American League among starters since then (4.35 runs per game). – Marty Seeger with info from mlb.com
JARROD WASHBURN STATS: L ERA IP H 7 5.23 7.2 7 15 7 93
4.32 5.23 4.13
. . .
193.2 84.1 1618.1
201 103 1624
R 2
ER 2
HR 1
BB 1
SO 2
102 50 786
93 49 743
23 10 208
67 27 497
114 52 968
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ATVs • BIRDING • BOATING • CAMPING • FISHING • HIKING • HUNTING • RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Summer drive The bow still rests in a cool basement as the temperatures outside finally rise. The tree stands that were supposed to be hung in the spring seem to be getting ever closer Marty to the six or seven gas Seeger cans in the garage, but there will be plenty of time to get The them aired out before the fall. It would Bottom Line probably be best just to simply move them altogether so they don’t wreak of gas come fall, but there are too many other things on the mind – maybe they’ll just have to wait. I’ve got weed whipping to do. Summer is really starting to come into its own, and even though it seems early to be thinking of anything remotely relating to a fall deer hunt, there’s always time to loose a few arrows at least a couple of times during the week. The only problem with that is that there are several reasons to keep that bow in the basement. Mostly because of fishing, and everything else
that speaks to most people during the summer month — or should I say months, depending on whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist. If you’re pessimistic like me, you’re probably in the mindset that summer lasts roughly a month, and then it’s back to new sweaters and Carhart bibs. But before you go out to the local garage sale in search of a new pair of bibs, a sweater, or even a new ice scraper for the windshield, take a small drive around the block in the evening, and the dream of a fall bow hunt might soon come to mind. This is the time when bucks are at their leisure, and its not just the little ones either. There are plenty of potential monster bucks within sight from a country road this time of the season, and although the sight of a large buck crossing a picked corn field during the peak of the rut is something special, seeing a bachelor group of several in a field during the summer somehow makes the anticipation of fall that much more exciting. Even if the deer you see aren’t necessarily the ones you’ll actually get to hunt in the fall. It’s fairly easy to pattern bucks this time of year, since there seems to be just one thing on the mind, and that’s food. Whether it’s the tender growth of a month-old cornfield, or the first shoots of green in a field of clover, chances are
There were several bucks in this field after a hard rain Friday, but some scattered quickly before the camera could be branished. The 8-pointer on the right has great potential to be a nice trophy this fall.
A yearling buck (R) and doe linger lazily on a summer afternoon near the backyard. Inset: After just one month, the yearlings have separated, and the small buck is already sporting some thicker headgear.- Photos by Marty Seeger that you’ll come across several deer that frequent those fields near home. Food is literally everywhere for the whitetail deer this time of year, but with the constant rotation of some crops deer tend to be on the move quite a bit. That’s evident in the car-killed deer on the sides of the road. Always best to use caution when driving the early mornings and late evenings. One of the neatest things about deer this time of year is watching the progression of antler growth. Several of my friends who are fanatics about trail cameras are already busy running in and out of the woods to check their photos. Trail cameras have given hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts a great tool to view wildlife at any hour of the day or night, and while many more cameras are placed into the woods during the fall, plenty of people are out this time of year to view what they have in the woods they frequent. I asked one of my friends recently why he placed them out so early. “I like watching their antlers grow,” was his simple reply. I don’t have the time, or luxury of land closer to home, to monitor a trail camera once a week, or every couple of weeks. If I did, I’d be like the rest of them. But gas prices and just finding
the time to get there can be a little tough. Luckily, I’ve been fortunate enough to witness a few whitetails in the areas near home, and watch their antler growth as they continue their casual summer patterns. You can nearly set your clock to some of them, and although there aren’t any head turners in the bunch, its still fun to watch and wonder about what’s going on in the deer world. There are two small ones near home that are, no doubt, last year’s fawns, and one is experiencing its first year of true antler growth. The other is a small doe, and recently they’ve separated. Now, only the buck has been cruising through the field on most mornings and evenings. Already, a new pattern has emerged from what it had been earlier in the spring, and the buck has joined with two other smallish bucks that frequent the field nearby. There are plenty of other deer in the field, including a few does, and their fawns. Eventually another pattern will emerge, the corn will grow taller, the deer will frequent other fields, a buck’s antlers will grow larger, and I’ll keep daydreaming about the fall.
Wisconsin’s fish consumption advice booklets now available Some limits on fish consumption advised for all people MADISON - Updated fish consumption advisory booklets are now available online and at county health centers and Department of Natural Resources service centers and regional offices. "All people who eat fish, regardless of their age and gender, are reminded to check the advice and consider how frequently they eat fish from Wisconsin waters, the species of fish they eat, and what water body the fish came from,” says Candy Schrank, the toxicologist who coordinates fish contaminant testing and the advisory for the Department of Natural Resources. “All lakes and rivers have some level of advice ranging from ‘unrestricted’ to ‘do not eat’ depending on the location, species of fish, and size of the fish,” she says. “While fish are recommended as a heart-healthy, low-fat source of protein, some fish contain contaminants that you want to avoid or limit.”
Fish is the main source of mercury and PCBs in the human diet; both contaminants can harm developing fetuses and children, and are also harmful for adults, according to Dr. Henry Anderson, chief medical officer of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Public Health Division. “We should include moderate amounts of fish in our diet because studies have shown that fish can provide health benefits, and some species are a good source of beneficial fatty acids,” Anderson says. “The key is to avoid those fish high in contaminants, including some fish from stores and restaurants.” In adults, too much mercury may result in loss of coordination and affect vision, hearing and speech. Some studies have also found higher rates of heart disease in men who had elevated mercury levels. The updated booklet, Choose Wisely, A Health Guide for Eating Fish in Wisconsin, reflects results from fish sampling in 2007. DNR and DHFS toxicologists re-evaluated existing advice and reviewed new data on the types
and levels of contaminants found in fish collected by DNR and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
their consumption to one meal per month of larger game fish and 1 meal per week of those panfish.
Key components of the advice are: • Women in childbearing years and children may safely eat one meal of panfish a week and one meal of game fish a month from most waters with the exception of musky, which they shouldn’t eat.
• Forty-nine stream reaches and harbors have more restrictive advice due to PCBs. These waters include lakes Michigan and Superior, and larger rivers of the state. Advice for all people ranges from unrestricted to do not eat depending on the location, species of fish and size of the fish. Mercury is naturally occurring in the environment and also comes from the burning of fossil fuels. It enters waters and is converted to a toxic form that’s easily absorbed by fish and other aquatic organisms, and in turn, by people who eat the fish. PCBs are manmade chemicals once used in a variety of manufacturing processes but banned in the 1970s; they remain in sediments and accumulate in fish and other organisms. For more information contact Candy Schrank at 608-267-7614 or Dr. Henry Anderson, DHFS - 608-266-1253. - from www.dnr.state.wi.us
• Men and older women may eat panfish but eat no more than one meal a week of game fish from most waters, and one meal per month of muskies. • In addition, 95 lakes have more restrictive advice for some species of fish due to higher levels of mercury. This year, two lakes were added to this list: Nebagamon Lake in Douglas County and Little Rice Flowage in Forest County. Advice for these 95 lakes recommends that women of childbearing age and children under 15 not eat some larger game fish and eat only one meal per month of some panfish. Also, men and older women should limit
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 23
State bailout for Wisconsin tourism WISCONSIN DELLS - The state will give up to 20 flood-damaged communities a chance to get some extra money for tourism marketing. Gov. Jim Doyle made the announcement at the Wisconsin Dells, where the draining of Lake Delton provided one of the most dramatic examples of flood damage to a tourist destination. Doyle’s tourism department will offer one-time grants of up to $12,500 to convention
and visitors bureaus in the 28 counties that were declared federal disaster areas. The governor says the grants could help communities get the word out that flooding did not shut down their tourist attractions. Lake Delton’s draining affected the numerous resorts that line the now muddy lake bed and caused the Tommy Bartlett Water Show to cancel its waterskiing act for the summer and move
Burnett County criminal court Lisa L. Daniels, 38, Siren, unsafe backing of vehicle, $160.80. Daniel J. Scribner, 38, Turtle Lake, failure to keep vehicle under control, $198.60. Lee M. Nelson, 39, Spooner, fail to yield or stop for emergency vehicle, $249.00. Webster Volunteer Fire Department, fail to follow notification requirements, $803.00. Jeffrey P. Jannetto, 51, Grantsburg, fail to obey traffic control while operating motor vehicle, $113.00. Dennis J. LaSarge, 28, Shell Lake, operation of ATV adjacent to roadway, $154.50. Douglas A. Peters, 57, Grantsburg, nonregistration of other vehicle, $249.00. Claudette L. Matrious, 29, Danbury, operate without valid license, $186.00. Alan G. Hembd, 42, speedometer violation, $160.80. Brenton D. Rogers, 31, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $160.80. James A. Schmidt, 46, Menomonie, speeding, $186.00. Darrell L. Young, 55,
Danbury, speeding, $211.20. James R. Widder, 53, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Denise A. Novak, 53, Grantsburg, speeding, $186.00. Craig M. Olsen, 21, Osceola, speeding, $186.00. Shane T. Lefler, 34, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $236.40. Seneca S. Little, 25, New Hope, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Leo R. Janke, 63, Grantsburg, speeding, $211.20. Sara S. Janssen, 34, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $211.20. William F. Hurley, 65, Webster, speeding, $186.00. James B. Emery, 40, Siren, speeding, $186.00. John C. Archibald, 41, Siren, speeding, $160.80. Laura A. Bork, 26, Hinckley, Minn., speeding, $236.40. Michael L. Opperud, 26, Blaine, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Patrick J. Peick, 48, Mendota Heights, Minn., speeding. $160.80. Deanna M. Muller, 18, Webster, disorderly conduct, $249.00.
Ernest T. Gerber, 29, Cameron, operating while suspended, $186.00. Patricia A. Hopkins, 42, Webster, possess open intoxicant in motor vehicle – passenger, $186.00. Rosalia E. Schwamb, 20, Sun Prairie, issue worthless check, $249.00. Brent A. Zehm, 36, Emerald, possess amphetamine / LSD / psilocin, two-year probation, license suspended six months, continue with drug treatment program and follow any recommendations, maintain absolute sobriety, $88.00; possess drug paraphernalia, two-year probation, $88.00. Robert Echeverria, 22, Danbury, obstructing an officer, $249.00. Nichol R. Brown, 33, Danbury, disorderly conduct, 20day jail sentence, Huber release for employment granted, $88.00. Charlene O. Sutherland, 31, Siren, battery, 30-day jail sentence, $88.00.
exclusively to the stage. But the Dells also has a $5 million marketing budget, making a grant like this small by comparison. Tom Diehl is the general manager of Tommy Bartlett, Incorporated, and sits on the Wisconsin Dells Convention and Visitors Bureau. He says smaller tourist spots will get first
crack at this money. He says many small communities don’t have the wonderful visitor and convention bureau that Wisconsin Dells has. Altogether the grants total $250,000 in state funding. Tourism is a $13 billion industry in Wisconsin. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Shawn Johnson)
Burnett County sheriff’s report Accidents Dewey Township, June 29: Billie J. Rosauer, 33, Webster, was westbound on Bashaw Lake Road when she drove off the end of the road and into the lake. The vehicle was severely damaged and required a tow. There were no reported injuries. The driver was cited for failure to notify police of an accident. Town of Oakland, June 29: Hannah M. Belland, 18, Webster, was westbound on CTH U when she drove to the center of the road as she was passing an object on the road. She then lost control as she was returning to her lane. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned in the ditch. There were no injuries reported. Arrests Town of Meenon, June 23: Clinton A. Jones, 41, Siren, was arrested on a Burnett County warrant. Lisa L. Daniels, 38, was arrested for obstructing a police officer and possession of drug paraphernalia. Town of Meenon, June 25: Jeffrey R. Trapp, 43, Siren, was arrested for domestic battery. Town of Jackson, June 26: Jean F. Monn, 33, Webster, was arrested on a Burnett County
warrant. Town of Blaine, June 26: Mark A. Jereczek, 52, Danbury, was arrested on a Burnett County warrant. Town of Oakland, June 26: Floyd A. Donarski Jr., 54, Webster, was arrested for disorderly conduct. Village of Grantsburg, June 27: Mark C. Lockhart, 49, Grantsburg, was arrested for battery and probation violation. Town of Meenon, June 28: Jess S. Kuck, 21, Ellsworth, operate without motorcycle endorsement, nonregistration and altering tags. Daniel L. Boss, 21, Knapp, arrested for probation violation. Town of Swiss, June 29: Bradley J. Gerster III, 23, St. Paul, Minn., was arrested on an outstanding warrant, operating an ATV on highway and possession of marijuana. Jason W. Valley, 34, St. Paul, Minn., was arrested on an outstanding warrant and operating an ATV on highway. Other incidents Town of La Follette, June 23: Polk Burnett Electric Company notified the sheriff’s office of a copper theft from an electric pole. About 100 feet of line was cut from the pole leading to a
cabin. The incident is under investigation. Town of Meenon, June 24: Joseph M. Jamison, Siren, reported 10 24-foot trusses and a roll of tin taken from his property. The incident is under investigation. Town of Grantsburg, June 27: Linda L. Holwerda, Grantsburg, reported a mailbox damaged. The incident is under investigation. Town of Grantsburg, June 27: David H. Wills, Grantsburg, reported a mailbox damaged. The incident is under investigation. Town of Wood River, June 27: Dale A. Peterson, Grantsburg, reported a mailbox damaged. The incident is under investigation. Town of Trade Lake, June 29: Keith P. Shafer, Grantsburg, reported a stone angel ornament taken from a yard and two tackle boxes full of lures taken from a boat. The incident is under investigation. Town of Rusk, June 29: Sally Drescher, Prior Lake, Minn., reported a screen on a screen porch cut and food missing from a cabin. The incident is under investigation.
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Notices/Real Estate/ Garage Sales Burnett County deaths Michael T. Holmberg, 55, Stillwater, Minn., May 26. Betty J. Mann, 84, Oakland
Township, June 22. Courtland D. Torgeson, 78, Siren Village, June 18.
Burnett Co. marriage licenses James B. Horan, Minneapolis, Minn., and Kelly B. Whiteside, Minneapolis, Minn., June 27.
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 25
Burnett County circuit court John B. Adkins, Coon Rapids, Minn, speeding, $186.00. Russell M. Allen, Siren, speeding, $160.80. Kristina F. Alwine, Shell Lake, seat belt violation, $10.00. Howard J. Anderson, Pine City, Minn., possess game fish during closed season in excess of bag limit, etc., $248.60. Geraldine M. Andrews, Webster, speeding, $160.00. Doris H. Archuleta, Albuquerque, N.M., speeding, $160.80. Richard F. Bachmeier, Spring Lake Park, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Earl J. Baker, Grantsburg, operating while suspended, $186.00; seat belt violation, $10.00. Bonna A. Ballard, Shell Lake, speeding, not guilty plea. Karl J. Baltes, Maple Grove, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Colleen M. Barden, New Hope, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Shirley L. Barenz, Grantsburg, operating while under influence, operating with PAC .10 or more, operate w/o valid license, not guilty pleas. Robert J. Barnes, Siren, operating while under influence, license revoked six months, $665.50. Karyn D. Baum, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Brenda G. Baumtrog, Stacy, Minn., speeding, $186.00 Steven P. Beckman, Annandale, Minn., speeding, $186.00. Louis F. Belisle, Webster, OAR due to OWI/PAC, not guilty plea. Shaun J. Belisle, Webster, seat belt violation, $10.00. Billie J. Benjamin, Sandstone, Minn., operate w/o valid license, violation of child safety restraint requirements, child under 4 years of age, not guilty pleas. Chasity A. Benjamin, Sandstone, Minn., OAR due to OWI/PAC, not guilty plea. Loren G. Benjamin, Danbury, ATV operation on roadway, not guilty plea. Myles J. Benjamin, Sandstone, Minn., OWI w/passenger under 16 years old, license revoked six months, $866.00; operate w/o valid license, $186.00; drink open intoxicants in MV, driver, $249.00. Sherry Benjamin, Danbury, operating while revoked times 3, speeding times 3, not guilty pleas. Lyle J. Bomsta, St. Louis Park, Minn., seat belt violation, $10.00. Gerinda L. Boyd, Woodbury, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Craig L. Briggs, Grantsburg, nonregistration of auto, etc., $160.80. James P. Burton, Siren, speeding, not guilty plea. Samuel J. Carlson, Grantsburg, operate w/o valid license, $186.00; drink open intoxicants in MV, $186.00; violate absolute sobriety law, license suspended for 90 days, $375.00; reckless driving, endanger safety, $375.00; operate w/o valid license, $186.00. Jose L. Chavarria, Webster, underage drinking, possess; drink open intoxicants in MV, passenger, not guilty pleas. Derrick S. Churchill, Webster, operate w/o valid license, $186.00. Timothy Clark, Frederic, fish w/o license, $188.20. Mandy J. Cummings, Mantorville, Minn., set fire w/o extinguishing fire, $160.80. Michael S. Curtis, Webster, cracked/damaged vehicle windshield, $160.80; seat belt violation, $10.00. John C. Dahl, St. Louis Park, Minn., speeding, $186.00. Cristine A. Damman, Siren, speeding, $211.20. Kyle D. Davis, Webster, speeding, $160.80. Robert S. Davis, Danbury, operating while suspended, not guilty plea. Ursula I. Deefholts, Bangholme Victoria, Australia, operating while under influence,
license revolked six months, alcohol assessment, $677.00. Donielle M. Deering, Webster, speeding, $160.80. Kristopher J. Deling, Elk Mound, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea. Jacqueline D. Duncan, Webster, operate w/o valid license, $186.00. Kelly P. Eagleman, Cumberland, speeding, $211.20. Robert R. Echeverria, Danbury, seat belt violation, $10.00. Rodney S. Eddins, Spooner, speeding, not guilty plea. Travis D. Erickson, Webster, possession/use of marijuana on school bus, $185.00. Matthew P. Estebo, Cumberland, possess open intoxicants in MV, $186.00. Fulton Fahmer, Melrose, Minn., fail/carry boat floatation devices, $148.20. Wendy M. Field, Osceola, speeding, not guilty plea. Bonnie J. Finava, Grantsburg, fail./stop at stop sign, $160.80. Timothy S. Frey, Spooner, speeding, $160.80. Daniel P. Fuchs, St. Michael, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Sandra J. Fuller, Balsam Lake, speeding, $160.80. David B. Gabrielson, St. Paul, Minn., seat belt violation, $10.00. Nathan A. Garrett, Appleton, speeding, $186.00. Dustin R. Gavin, Webster, seat belt violation, $10.00. Meredith J. Geske, Siren, dog causing injury w/o notice, dog running at large, not guilty pleas. Arthur W. Gill, Webster, OAR due to OWI/PAC, not guilty plea. William F. Gipp, Spooner, speeding, $160.80. Daniel W. Gomulak, Danbury, speeding, $160.80. Timothy M. Gorman, Siren, operating while under influence, fail./stop at stop sign, not guilty pleas. Michael J. Gravning, Grantsburg, seat belt violation, $10.00. David R. Grommesch, Lakeville, Minn., burning w/o a permit, intensive area, $160.80. Cleo D. Groves, Zimmerman, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Mary K. Gudowski, Superior, speeding, $160.80. Christopher G. Hagedorn, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $186.00. Annette M. Hambrecht, Cable, speeding, $211.20. Allen T. Hane, Grantsburg, speeding, not guilty plea. Richard A. Hansen, Rice, Minn., speeding, $186.00. Mikel R. Harwick, Gordon, unreasonable and imprudent speed, $198.60. Vincent E. Hassel, Johnston, Iowa, passing in nopassing zone, not guilty plea. James M. Helwig, Eau Claire, burning w/o a permit, intensive area, $160.80. Joseph D. Herzog, Ham Lake, Minn., minor transporting intoxicants in MV, $249.00. Paula K. Holmquist, St. Croix Falls, speeding, $160.80. Matthew J. Housley, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., speeding, $186.00. Nathan J. Hubbell, Shell Lake, seat belt violation, $10.00. Elizabeth E. Icard, Shell Lake, violation of child safety restraint requirements, child 4 yrs., but less than 8 years of age, $135.60. Michael D. Janey, Spooner, fail./stop at stop sign, $160.80; nonregistration of auto, etc., $160.80. Maynard I. Jensen, Grantsburg, seat belt violation, $10.00. George R. Johns, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Dennis E. Johnson, Webster, operating while under influence, operating with PAC .10 or more, operating while suspended, improper parking/standing of vehicle, not guilty pleas. Jeremy J. Johnson, Webster, speeding, $160.80;
seat belt violation, $10.00. Nicole A. Johnson, Grantsburg, speeding, $160.80. Dareck G. Juleff, Clear Lake, operating while under influence, operating with PAC .08 or more, not guilty pleas. Lowell J. Jungers, Prior Lake, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Robert C. Kamrath, Rice Lake, speeding, $160.80. Ian S. Keck, Grantsburg, disorderly conduct w/motor vehicle, $185.00. Lynn M. Kern, Danbury, failure to yield right of way, $173.40. Phillip R. King, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Patrick E. Kissack, Spooner, seat belt violation, $10.00. Thomas E. Klapperick, St. Louis Park, Minn., fail./stop at stop sign, $160.80. Jon W. Knapp, Braham, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Joan K. Knutson, Stillwater, Minn., violate permitted uses of RR-1 zoining district permitted use, not guilty plea. Andrew S. Koethe, Milltown, operating while suspended, $186.00. Terrance L. Kraling, Wayzata, Minn., burning w/o permit, intensive area, $160.80. Penny M. Krieger, St. Anthony, Minn., seat belt violation, $10.00. Derek L. Kuehl, Hayward, speeding, $186.00. Murray L. Kuhnly, Siren, nonregistration of other vehicle, $160.80. Steven W. Labatt, Cushing, fail./yield right/way from stop sign, $160.80. Jennifer M. Lanphere, Rush City, Minn., operating while suspended, $186.00. Steven J. Lee, Grantsburg, nonregistration of auto., etc., $160.80. Bradley Lehmann, Danbury, operating while under influence, operating with PAC .08 or more, not guilty pleas. Josh E. Lehmicke, Hugo, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Richard J. Leight, Danbury, speeding, $160.80. Kyle D. Lindus, Grantsburg, underage drinking, possess, alcohol assessment class, $249.00; fish w/o license – R, $188.20. James D. Loe, Royalton, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Joseph M. Lofald, Hermantown, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Kelly G. Lowell, Pine City, Minn., failure of owner to transfer title, $160.80. Jordan S. Lubich, Webster, speeding, not guilty plea. Victoria M. Luna, Siren, operating while under influence, operating with PAC .08 or more, drink open intoxicants in MV, driver, not guilty pleas. Diane E. Madden, White Bear Lake, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Russell A. Manning, Luck, operating while revoked, not guilty plea. Travis A. Mariette, Isanti, Minn., speeding, $165.00. Kolt I. Marlow, Siren, fail./carry boat floatation devices, $148.20. Bruce A. Martin, Minneapolis, Minn., operate w/o valid license, violation of child safety restraint requirements, childe under 4 years, violation of child safety restraint requirements, child under 8 years, improper registration of other vehicles, not guilty pleas. Lauren E. Martinez, Webster, operate w/o valid license, $186.00. Travis J. Mayall, Cambridge, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Jody L. McKee, Webster, burning w/o a permit, intensive area, $160.00. Steven G. Mielke, Danbury, speeding, $160.80. Jerry L. Miner, Superior, speeding, $160.80. Clayton P. Mohr, Minneapolis, Minn., operating while under influence,, license revoked, six months, $677.00; unsafe backing of vehicle, $160.80. Kenneth J. Moline, East Bethel, Minn., operating while under influence, operating with
PAC .10 or more, not guilty pleas. Michael L. Morse, Spooner, nonregistration of auto., etc, $160.80. Laurie C. Mulroy, Webster, set fire w/o extinguishing fire, $160.80. Laverne L. Nack, Webster, inattentive driving, $173.40. Douglas J. Nelson, Chisago City, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Gerald E. Nelson, Siren, speeding, $160.80. Kaun Nelson, Luck, fail./stop at stop sign, not guilty plea. Zenetta Nelson-Briggs, Los Osos, Calif., speeding, $186.00. Michael J. Nightengale, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., speeding, $186.00. Robert D. Nilsson, Duluth, Minn., speeding, $186.00. William L. Norine, Grantsburg, speeding, $160.80. Francis X. Ohnsorg, Minneapolis, Minn., speeding, $186.00. Kenneth K. Olson, Gidden, speeding, $160.80. Michelle M. Parsons, Webster, possess open intoxicants in MV, $186.00; seat belt violation, $10.00. Erica L. Peach, Webster, speeding, $160.80. Catherine M. Peick, Mendota Heights, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea. Patsy L. Peppenger, Frederic, seat belt violation, $10.00. Patrick C. Perez, Lockhart, Texas, speeding, $160.80. John C. Pflager, Fairbault, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Lori A. Putz, Arlington Heights, Ill., speeding, $186.00. Sarah K. Radke, Shell Lake, seat belt violation, $10.00. Heidi L. Radman, Danbury, speeding, violation of child safety restraint requirements, child under 4 years, not guilty pleas. Richard F. Raschick, Clear Lake, speeding, $160.80. Beverly M. Renner, Janesville, speeding, $160.80. Anthony E. Reynolds, Cumberland, drink open intoxicants in MV, $186.00. Jellisa A. Reynolds, Shell Lake, underage drinking, possess, drink open intoxicants in MV, not guilty pleas. Sean T. Reynolds, Webster, underage drinking, possess, alcohol assessment, attend class, $249.00; seat belt violation, $10.00. Andrew M. Rhodes, Johnson City, Tenn., speeding, license suspended, 15 days, $236.40. Marlene R. Richardson, Grantsburg, burning w/o a permit, intensive area, $160.80. Harold K. Rivard, New Richmond, burning w/o a permit, intensive area, $160.80. Jeffrey A. Roberts, Webster, speeding, $160.80. Barbara G. Robinson, Ramsey, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Thamer L. Rogers, Webster, violation of child safety restraint requirements, child under 4 years, $160.80. Tracie L. Roy, Siren, seat belt violation, $10.00. Wade A. Rufsholm, Siren, seat belt violation, $10.00. Jerry A. Saas, Prescott, speeding, $160.80. Janelle M. Schaaf, Danbury, seat belt violation, $10.00, violation of child safety restraint requirements, child 4 years, but less than 8 years, $135.60. Nicholas A. Seeger, Grantsburg, seat belt violation, $10.00. Loretta J. Shermer, Pine City, Minn., possess game fish during closed season, in excess of bag limit, etc., $248.60. Shawn M. Songetay, Siren, OWI, operating w/PAC >= .10, passenger, nonregistration of auto., etc., not guilty pleas. Jeffrey W. Stager, Siren, drink open intoxicants in MV, $186.00. Chelsey M. Staples, Webster, underage drinking, possess, license suspended 6 months, order for assessment, $375.00; seat belt violation, $10.00. Trina R. Starr, Hayward, speeding, $160.80.
Jeffrey S. Steffenson, Circle Pines, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Thomas R. Sterger, Webster, set fire w/o extinguishing fire, $160.80. Patrick H. Stewart, Webster, nonregistration of auto., etc., $160.80. John H. Stockstead, Hovland, Minn., speeding, $186.00. Matthew R. Stone, Grantsburg, drink open intoxicants in MV, $186.00. Jay S. Strasser, St. Croix Falls, speeding, not guilty plea. Nathan J. Stuart, Siren, cause injury/operate while under influence, cause injury while operating with PAC, not guilty pleas. Brian L. Sullivan, Stillwater, Minn., speeding, not guilty plea. Cheryl L. Swanson, Bloomer, speeding, $160.80. Ernest S. Swanson, Webster, operating while suspended, not guilty plea. Shawn S. Swanson, Siren, speeding, $186.00. Trent R. Taher, Missoula Mont., speeding, $160.80. Mia F. Taylor, Spooner, possess open intoxicants in MV, $186.00; seat belt violation, $10.00. Toby T. Thomas, Webster, operating while under the influence, operating with PAC .10 or more, not guilty pleas. Carl J. Thompson, Maplewood, Minn., operating center lane/ 3-lane highway, $160.80. Linda A. Thostenson, Eden Prairie, Minn., speeding, $160.80. Cecily L. Thurow Pietkiewicz, Trout Creek,
Mich., speeding, $186.00. Noah R. Tijerina, Webster, operating while suspended, operating left of centerline, approaching operator fail./dim multibeams, not guilty pleas. Sharon J. Torres, Naperville, Ill., speeding, $160.80. Cynthia M. Tubbs, Rush City, Minn., speeding, $160.00. Breanna L. Tyler, Luck, operating while under influence, license revoked seven months, alcohol assessment, $740.00. Roger Van Prooien, Sheboygan Falls, speeding, $160.80. Brent B. Van Vonderen, Hayward, speeding, $160.80. Corey A. Verdoljak, Superior, cause injury/operate while under influence twice, cause injury while operating with PAC twice, not guilty pleas. Luke A. Warren, Duluth, Ga., speeding, $186.00. Karen M. Washington, Cumberland, speeding, not guilty plea. Jeffrey F. Washkuln, Rice Lake, fish w/o license, R, $188.20. Webster Volunteer Fire Dept., Webster, fail/follow notification requirements, not guilty plea. Charles F. Wells, Oberlin, Ohio, speeding, $186.00. Shawna L. Wells, Andover, Minn., speeding, $160.00. Jonathan J. Wiener, Grantsburg, underage drinking, possess 17-20, attend alcohol assessment class, $249.00. Dean A. Willett, Danbury, speeding, $160.80.
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Burnett County Civil Court Voyager Village Property Owners Association Inc. vs. Todd A. Hall, Bloomington, Minn., $1,598.28. Voyager Village Property Owners Association Inc. vs. Noe Sanchez, St. Paul, Minn., $1,598.28.
Capital One Bank, vs. Nicole E. Gille, Danbury, $1,331.60. First Resolution Investment Corporation vs. Melissa Dirckx, Grantsburg, $3,132.19. Grindell Law Offices, vs. Kraig Blodgett, Siren, $3,474.55.
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 27
Burnett County warrants Amber A. Beauchem, 21, Palisade, Minn., failure to pay fines, June 25. Mary E. Olson, 26, Grantsburg, warrant – failue to appear, June 25. Conrad L. Rainey, 33, Cumberland, failure to pay fines, June 25. Danielle M. Reynolds, 22, Boyceville, failure to pay fines, June 25.
Joseph E. Rogers, 21, Webster, warrant – failure to appear, June 25. Timothy M. Steele, no DOB given, Brooklyn Park, Minn., warrant – failure to appear, June 23.
James L Trepanier, 38, Mount Pleasant, Mich., arrest warrant – complaint, June 26.
Notices/Help Wanted
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Notices / Employment
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 29
Notices / Employment
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Notices
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 31
Siren • 2008 • Queen Pageant
Two years’ worth of Siren royalty: (L to R): outgoing Miss Siren Jenna Wambolt; outgoing Jr. Miss Siren Tiara Hanson; 2008 First Princess Meghan Baasch; 2008 Miss Siren Sarah Howe; 2008 Princess Deanna Phernetton; 2008 Princess Natasha Kosloski; outgoing Jr. Princess Amber Hall; and outgoing Princess Janey Emery.
The Little Miss Siren contestants perform a dance routine at the Siren Queen pageant on Saturday, June 28.
Deanna Phernetton performs a hip-hop dance. Phernetton won the talent contest with her performance. Sarah Howe is all smiles as she is crowned Miss Siren 2008, on Saturday night, June 28.
Photos by Sherill Summer
RIGHT: Who do I know and where are they? Ellyn Lindquist searches the crowd after she was crowned Little Miss Siren.
Shown is the new 2008 Siren royalty. Back row (L to R) Deanna Phernetton, Meghan Baasch, Sarah Howe and Natasha Kosloski. Front row (L to R) Rylee O’Brien, Ellyn Lindquist and Madalyn Nichols. Not pictured is Asia Belisle. – Photo submitted
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Sun, sand and sea
The Frederic Girl Scouts had a Sun, Sand, and Sea day camp at Coon Lake Park on Thursday, June 26. The girls are pictured with the tennis rackets they made from rubber bands and PVC pipe. – Photo submitted
‘Follow the Leader’
Currents N O R T H E R N
Ju ly 1, 20 08 2nd Se ct io n B Int e r-C o unty Lead er
News and views from the Northwest Wisconsin community
Hooked on the St. Croix River
by Priscilla Bauer GRANTSBURG – Standing only about a mile from the St. Croix River and listening to speakers at the Wild River Outfitters’ Got River? Fest recalling their trips on the National Scenic Riverway, I couldn’t help thinking of my own deep and personal fondness for the river. My memories of the St. Croix are linked with memories of my father, Ernie Bauer, a great fisherman. Dad enjoyed many a fine fishing trip on the St. Croix, with best buddies like Swede Sundquist, whose son, Smiley, today lives and guides on the St. Croix. A photograph of my dad, sitting in a boat on the river, holding his catch of smallmouth bass, hangs in our dining room, a daily reminder to me of him and the river he loved to fish. Dad taught me to love the river, too. For those of us growing up with the St. Croix, a constant in our lives, some might think we would grow complacent about the river – but just the opposite is true. We never seem to lose interest in it. In fact, we keep a very serious watch on our river. In the summer, we take great notice of when the water is high and when it is low. In the spring, we check frequently on the ice status, at one time even holding a yearly contest to guess the exact date and time the ice would go out. And when someone came to town heralding the news, “The ice is going out on the river,” people raced off to the bridge in hopes of seeing the event as it happened. So while it may seem to visitors new to this great and scenic river by the matterof-fact way we describe our river trips – that we take the river for granted – we most certainly do not. Just sit down with a local and ask, “Got any good river stories?” and you can be sure more than a few lively accounts will come rushing out. And, as they eagerly tell their river tales, you’ll hear in their voices the special affection each has for this Midwest border river.
Priscilla Bauer’s father, Ernie, loved to fish and enjoyed trips with friends on the St. Croix. Bauer was also a member of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress for many years, and a strong believer in protecting and managing the area’s natural resources. This picture of Bauer hangs in the family dining room as a reminder to Priscilla of her father’s love of fishing and the river. – Photos by Priscilla Bauer So do I have a cherished St. Croix River story to tell? Well, of course, I have more than a few. I could tell of my dad taking me fishing on the river and using my bamboo pole, the one I still have to this day. Or I could make you laugh with the story of one particular canoe trip with girlfriends and co-workers from my 48-70 Drive-In days. But a great big fish story is always fun to
tell and remember and I have one I will never forget. So here you go. I was wearing my dad’s old fishing hat as we floated down the St. Croix somewhere south of the Hwy. 70 Bridge (I’m being intentionally vague here as one never tells one’s exact fishing spot, you know). I had spent most of the hot August day attempting to master casting my tiny tor-
St. Croix Chippewa Indian Bay Singers Mike Taylor and Jimmy Barber performed for visitors at the Got River? Fest celebration held at Wild River Outfitters west of Grantsburg recently. The event, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, recognized the importance the St. Croix River to everyone who use and enjoy it. Waterways hold special meaning for Native Americans, with the St. Croix River especially honored by the St. Croix Chippewa Tribe who called the river their home for many years, considering it to be very sacred.
Priscilla Bauer holds up the 21-3/4” smallmouth bass she caught “somewhere” on the St. Croix River. After this photo was taken Bauer released the fish back into the river to live to swim another day. pedo, and I was getting tired of trying. You see, this was not the first river trip I had spent most of the day trying to cast a tiny torpedo. Well at least I hadn’t hooked anyone else in the boat in some body part, as I had come dangerously close to doing on more than one outing on the St. Croix. Being left-handed was always my excuse for not quite getting my lure to go where I wanted it to, or where the fish should be. Over the years, I had learned about the good spots to aim for, close to the shore or in a pool just past a ripple of rocks. But knowing where the fish could be and catching them are two definitely different and exasperating things. I was just about to call it a day when my casting “practice” paid off (or more likely I just got lucky). As I was casting my torpedo a few last times a 21-3/4” smallmouth bass hit. In a panic not to lose it, I struggled for what seemed to be hours to reel it in. Finally I got it near enough to the boat to be netted. I was still shaking as I held up my prize bass and a photo was hastily snapped. After it was measured I took one more look at how big it was and then I released it back into the river. It is to this day the largest smallmouth bass I’ve ever caught or probably ever will catch. I could have had it mounted, I suppose, but I’d rather just look at my picture, which I can hold up next to my dad’s for a great memory of catching the big one on the river. And if you’d like to read more about the history of the St.Croix River check out the book, “St.Croix: Midwest Border River” by James Taylor Dunn. Editors Note: If you have a special memory of time spent on the St. Croix River you’d like to share with our readers, send them to the Leader. We’ll publish some of them over the next few months as our way of recognizing and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
See Got River? Fest, page 2
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Got River? Fest celebration held at Wild River Outfitters
University of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks spoke at a ceremony honoring Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson and Vice President Walter Mondale during the Got River? Fest at the Wild River Outfitters on June 21. Nelson and Mondale were recognized for their contributions in the passage of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Bruininks spoke of his own love of the St. Croix River, recalling coming to the river back in 1968 with Nelson. A leading environmentalist and the founder of Earth Day, Nelson also championed other landmark laws including the Wilderness Act and the National Trails Act. Bruininks said enacting the National Wild and Scenic River Act was “visionary and historic” and it is important to celebrate milestones such as this 40th anniversary of the federal act. “We must preserve this great river and other natural resources for future generations,” said Bruininks.
State Rep. Ann Hraychuck presented owners of Wild River Outfitters, Jerry Dorff and Marilyn Chesnik, with a citation from the Wisconsin Legislature which she and state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf co-sponsored. The citation stated the Legislature’s wish to acknowledge and commend the many individuals involved in the establishment and implementation of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Hraychuck praised Dorff and Chesnik for being relationship builders with all the agencies involved in the management of the St.Croix, thanking them for their contributions and commitment in helping manage the river. Both Dorff and Chesnik were visibly moved by the Hraychuck’s presentation.
Jay Emery represented the St. Croix Chippewa Tribe at the Got River? Fest celebration at Wild River Outfitters in Grantsburg held June 21. Emery said the St. Croix Chippewa tribe has a long history of living on the St. Croix River and recognizes the importance of protecting all waterways. Emery went on to say the tribe honors the St. Croix River and considers it to be very sacred.
Photos by Priscilla Bauer
Della Pleski of Foxboro demonstrated basket making at the Got River? Fest held at Wild River Outfitters, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Pleska, who specializes in heritage arts was invited to the June 21 event to show the unique baskets she fashions by incorporating antlers into each handmade, oneof-a-kind creation.
National Park Service Ranger Jean Vantatenhove spoke of the important role outfitters such as Wild River play in helping the park service manage the St. Croix River. “We are very, very lucky to have outfitters like Jerry and Marilyn.” Vantatenhove told Got River? Fest guests the St. Croix becomes more and more important every day, as other rivers are becoming developed. Kate Hanson, NPS chief of resource management, St. Croix Falls, accepted a lava rock sculpture depicting an ancient paddler given to the park service by Wild River Outfitters in gratitude for their management of the St. Croix. The sculpture will be displayed at the Marshland Visitor Center located just across the bridge on the Minnesota side of Hwy. 70.
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An Early Lesson by Bob MacKean The memory of an early-morning trip across South Minneapolis in 1953 is still painfully vivid 55 years later. Although barely s16 at the time, I had been driving for almost two years. My best friend, Paul, was eight months older than I and received a license and a car at the same time. My dad had allowed me to drive on back roads but Paul always asked if I wanted to take the wheel whenever we went somewhere, and we went somewhere a lot. I had my own car now, actually my third car, and I was headed to Paul’s house to work on a boat we were building in his garage. The pavement shimmered with morning dew as I shifted into the left lane on a one-way street and picked up speed. I saw movement between two parked cars. A small figure emerged. My first reaction was disbelief, please don’t let this be happening. A boy half my age must have heard the car coming and froze in his tracks right in front of me. Why doesn’t this city kid know how to cross the street? I learned when I was younger than he, even made a game of it by slapping the rear fender of a passing car just to show off while other kids were watching. My right foot hit the brake pedal, hard! The wheels locked as the car slid towards the wide-eyed boy. I steered to the right hoping he didn’t suddenly start off in my path again but the car did not turn. It reminded me of when I was ice-racing with a group of friends on a small lake across the highway from the drag strip in New Brighton. You couldn’t
PoCo Penners The PoCo Penners meet the second Friday of the month at 2 p.m. at the county boardroom in the government center in Balsam Lake. Contact Brenda Mayer at 715-485-3571 or Iris Holm 715294-3174 for more information. - submitted
Writer’s Corner turn in the corners and skid at the same time. Now, if I took my foot off the brake and the car didn’t turn, I would hit the boy harder. I got mad at him for putting me in this position. Without consciously making the decision, I lifted my right foot from the brake. The car swerved to the right, narrowly missing the boy. Luckily, there was no traffic near me. I straightened out the car and looked in the rear-view mirror to see the kid continue on across the street. Realizing I hadn’t breathed for a while and probably missed a few heartbeats, I took in some fresh morning air and accelerated to Paul’s house to work on the boat. A Million by Abby Mitchell When I talk to you, My heart pounds Like a million beating drums. When I pass you in the hall, A tingling feeling emanates, Like I’m floating, No weight at all. When I see you, My insides turn, Like a million little keys, That open a million little locks,
That open a million little chests, That let out a million little emotions, All felt for you. Death Silence by Abby Mitchell A girl isolated in her room Surrounded by a sea of darkness. She remembers how he betrayed Her with another girl. She reaches for the blade. Wrenching pains across both wrists, A quickening heart rate, Screams from within, But nothing comes to sound. She reaches for the phone, And dials his number. His calm, guilty voice answers While she drowns in a pool of red despair. Using her last ounce of breath She whispers,” I love you.” Her eyes open But glaze over. The phone slides away. Followed by silence… …A silence that speaks the truth Of a girl who loved a boy To death.
Northwest Regional Writers The Northwest Regional Writers meet at 1 p.m. the second Friday of the month either in Frederic or Grantsburg. Each month we have a topic to write about and read to the group. The following writing was read at the last meeting. Call Mary Jacobson at 715-349-2761 for more information about the organization.
Submissions should be typed, double-spaced on one side only of 8 -1/2 x 11 white paper, leaving a minimum of 1-inch margins all around. Handwritten submissions will not be accepted. Submissions should be no more than 800 words. Submissions may be delivered to The Leader’s offices in Frederic or Siren, mailed to Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837 or e-mailed to the-leader@centurytel.net. We prefer e-mailed copy. If hand-delivered or mailed, please write "Writers’ Corner" somewhere on the front of the envelope. If e-mailed, please use "Writers’ Corner" as the subject and include the submission as body text of the e-mail. No attachments, please. Your submission to Writers’ Corner grants The Leader one-time rights to publish the item in the weekly newspaper. The author retains the copyright and all future publication rights. The Leader may edit submissions for grammar and punctuation, clarity and length. If you have any questions about this new feature, please contact us at the-leader@centurytel.net or call 715-327-4236. - Editor
Pedals and Forks: Breakfast at Trade Lake Camp by John Preissing TRADE LAKE – After considering our biking plans for last weekend, Mike Myers, Carl Lindgren, Jeff Evenson and John Preissing decided that the best thing we could do was to forego biking and to join in the search for Keith Kennedy, the young man missing from the Trade Lake Camp. We traded in our helmets and biking gloves for boots and long-sleeved shirts. While much will be written about the miracle of Kennedy rescue, we would like to dedicate a short Pedals and Forks column in recognition of the people who supported the people looking for Kennedy. Because our articles focus on restaurants, we thought it most fitting to make this homage to those who served food to all of us out there in the woods and water over the past week. According to Cindi Trongard, one of the volunteers extraordinaire, approximately 3,000 meals were served during the week to an equal number of volunteers. We ate such great fare as scrambled eggs and sausage, spaghetti, pizza, donuts, fresh fruit, sandwiches upon sandwiches, bars galore and beverages of all types. And, we don’t want to forget the brats that were served to the crews that came back in the late afternoons. One day, while sitting near the Trade Lake Camp phones in the main kitchen, we saw a brief list of some of local businesses and community groups providing food – the Hole in the Wall Casino, Adventures Restau-
rant, Woodlands Grille, and the Kozy Kitchen, to name but a few that I saw listed at the time. To these, have to be added the local churches and community service organizations. I know that I had spaghetti for breakfast one day thanks to the men at the Knights of Columbus. Amongst many people who could be pointed out, Dave Volkmann deserves recognition for going business-to-business seeking their support. He was not denied. The kitchen crew included Cindi Trongard, Linda Benge, Nikki Denn, Keegen and Jeanne Marek, and Dick and Micky, Peg Hjelseth’s (the camp owner) son and daughter. Evenson was particularly impressed by the efforts of these volunteers, “to be that cheerful and helpful after a week of searching and serving with no results was very impressive.” Barb Denn pulled double duty by leading the camp, which still had campers, and assisting overall with the service to those helping out. All of the camp staff helped the volunteers while simultaneously focusing on their first responsibility to the campers who were there. Finally, the Grantsburg Fire Department did a yeoman’s job of both working on the rescue and serving the volunteers. Well done! We were touched by Trongard’s comments about it all. “I have been incredibly proud to be part of this community. From Webster, Siren, Grantsburg, to Frederic,
we had so much help. It takes your breath away to know of their generosity.” Our normal bike routes take us over the roads of Burnett and Polk counties. Our small group contemplated this as we crossed creeks waist deep in water and battled through the thickest of brush. On our longest search, we were fortunate enough to accompany Bruce Kennedy, Keith’s father. In spite of his exhaustion and personal stress, he always looked out for the group of us out there with him. In summing up our Saturday alongside him, we felt it was the greatest trip we could have taken this summer. Due to the generosity of the community, food and beverages and other items were still coming in as Keith was finally rescued. Trongard explained that the Salvation Army will use many of the items for the next crisis or emergency that arises. I believe that our businesses will be happy to know that they will also help the next community in need. Some items will also be used at the camp to replenish some of their supplies that in the initial days went to help the volunteers. We always end our columns by rating places on a scale of five possible forks. We agreed that the help, service, and food made our Trade Lake Camp meals not only five forks out of five, but we needed to add a couple of spoons and knives in to capture our feelings. See you on the road.
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River Road Ramblings How we provided food for ourselves in the woods by Stanley Selin The following story is from a new translation of “Historiska Skildringar” written by L. J. Ahlstrom and published in 1924. The story is based on Ahlström’s first experiences in the Trade Lake Woods, as he remembered them as a 15-year-old boy in 1869. This new translation by Inger Berggren and Carolyn Wedin is forthcoming in book form in the near future. To get food for the day was rather an important question. When I think about how men with big families to provide for came into the woods, and within a couple of weeks had to have their claim shanties ready and their family living there in order to meet the demands of the Homestead Law, I am astonished. Several newcomers left also after a short time, since the prospects for daily bread were rather poor. Hans Sjögren, with whom we stayed at Swede Lake on our way up here, said he Johan O. Åkerlind when and (1822-1907), early immi- came grant. Akerlind’s sister, looked over Mathilda, was L. J. the area, that Ahlstrom’s stepmother. e v e r y t h i n g l o o k e d rather promising, but at the thought of having to carry a flour sack on his shoulders for about thirty miles, he was taken aback and returned. But when we learned that a rather big Indian population lived here without having planted an acre of land, we understood that there must be a lot to feed on. I will here tell of the following: Fish. Within Burnett County there are about fifty lakes, many rather big streams, and a number of creeks, all of these very rich in fish. Pike, muskie, pike-perch, perch: similar to the Swedish fish. Black bass and sunfish in abundance. Before people had row boats they stood on land and with a fish hook drew up everything they needed. When they were able to row they could troll a lure. It often happened that they had so much fish that they could not carry it all home, but had to make an extra trip for the rest. Then they salted and dried the fish for future needs. We seldom fished in the winter. Wild birds or fowl were plentiful. Everywhere in the woods were partridges in all seasons. From early spring to late autumn, there were ducks. Wild Geese in spring and autumn. In the
spring of 1870, I saw the old Rice Lake , sometimes called the Ahlström Lake, since a couple of other lakes were also called Rice Lake , so covered in ducks and wild Andrew Ahlström geese that (1843-1893), older only a third brother of Louis J. of the surface Ahlstrom. He home- was visible. steaded in Section 15 During their of Trade Lake Township flying and in 1869. - Pictures are s w i m m i n g from the Selin collection back and forth, there was a constant din over the lake. Out on the prairie there were plenty of prairie chickens. Deer meat came next to fish in importance for our sustenance. There was not a home during the first two years that was not well supplied with deer meat autumn and spring. In the winter of 1868-69, I was helping hand at Jacob Larson’s and got four dollars per month. Larson was a good shot, and provided the home with all the venison they needed. He shot fourteen deer in the autumn and at Christmas time. Early one morning, I caught sight of a fawn lying in the bushes at the edge of the field looking at its reflection in the kitchen window, but before the master got his muzzle through the opened window, the deer flagged his white and jumped away over the ground with a terrible speed and the shot missed. Mrs. Larson was frying venison steak for breakfast. One evening toward sunset we saw herds of deer half a mile southeast from the cabin, jumping over the stream and the meadow. They came out of the pine woods and went toward the leafy woods. In one herd we counted seventeen walking in a row. Several men were good shots among the Trade Lake settlers, and Åkerlind was one of them. My brother Andrew had shot several deer before the seventh of October, 1869. Bear steak was not a rare course, but everyone could not eat the delicacy. So there were fish, birds, and meat in the woods for us to use for our maintenance. Fruit and berries were there also. In almost every little clearing in the woods, one came upon plum trees, especially at the edges of the meadows. They were good-tasting and never had any maggots in them, which now is often the case, if one finds any at all. In an area between Trade Lake and West Sweden which we used to call the burned-over place, there was such a rich raspberry patch that one could from far away see the red shining through the green leaves. Also black raspberries, and blackberries one could sometimes
collected by Russ Hanson Map showing original claims of And r e w Ahlströim and J.O. Åkerlind. Rice Lake was sometimes c a l l e d A h l s t r ö m ’s Lake The “missionary church” referred to in story the was the Mission Church, located in the SE corner of Section 16. It was built much later, in the 1890s. Maple trees are still present in this area. - Map courtesy of Robert Anderson
find. We dried the berries in the sun and could thus keep them for a longer time. In the Wood River settlement there were also blueberries. At all waterways there were grapes, but they were too sour to eat, and we could seldom make wine since we lacked sugar. There was plenty of wild rice at certain lake shores, and the Indians harvested quite a lot of it. As far as I remember, none of the Swedes tried to gather any of this excellent grain. In the leafy woods there were also syrup and honey. Many of the settlers had excellent sugar maple woods on their land. Such a grove stood at the northwest corner of Åkerlind’s land, some inside A. Ahlström’s land next to it, and stretched west for a good ways. In the late winter in 1870, we prepared to collect sap and make syrup. We dug out a number of small troughs from branches for this purpose. We bought an iron pan about eight feet long that we nailed onto cut and planed planks. This boiling pan we walled in with stone and clay so that we were able to have a fire under the bottom and the smoke could be drawn out through an opening at one end. When the sap started running in the little troughs from the tapped trees, we carried it in buckets and filled the pan, where it was boiled over slow and steady fire until it became thin or thick syrup or sugar, according to one’s requirements. This was the whole process. In that way, Åkerlinds and we got several gallons of syrup each. The place where we refined the raw material into the best syrup in the world was where the missionary church now stands, a bit north of Grimm’s mill. We then carried the syrup pan down to the creek and for
two summers, we used this as a fishing boat close to the shores of Little Trade Lake. It was the first rowing boat that my brother Nils Erick and I had at our own disposal. When it was no good as a boat anymore, it never drifted around on the lake, being a danger for other boats, but sank right to the bottom and is probably there still. There was honey in the woods, because bees buzzed about among the blooms on the lindens and the flowers in the earth. But it was rare that one was able to get hold of some. The bees built their hives and made their honey in hollow trees. One afternoon, we had had rain and a strong wind. At sunset Åkerlind came walking up to our cabin carrying his big straw hat carefully with both hands. A white pine on our land had blown down across the road and Åkerlind caught sight of a bee swarm in the broken, hollow top and found a lot of honey. He “lined” his hat with big leaves and filled it with honey, of which he gave us half. It was then too dark to go back and fetch the rest. We agreed to go back at dawn and collect the sweet goods in pots before the bees started buzzing. Before we arrived, there was a smell of skunk, and we suspected mischief. When it had become light, and we were able to investigate the situation, we saw bear tracks close by and came to the conclusion that the skunk and the bear had come too close to the bee swarm and had been attacked. And then the little bad-smelling animal and the big bear had probably settled the question of ownership to the honey cake. We were grateful for what we had gotten the evening before.
Village Players preview play at Voyager Geritol dinner VOYAGER VILLAGE – The Geritol Group is a senior social group that meets monthly at Voyager Village. They were delighted when the two youngest members of the Players presented a scene from their summer production “The Best Laid Plans.” A.J. Holmquist, a recent grad, and Billy Kay Ingalls, a sophomore at Webster High, are a part of a 10-person cast representing the best of our area theater talent. In the scene presented, the young couple arrives at Gail’s grandmothers Caribbean vacation retreat to spend a fun and perhaps a romantic weekend, it was all fun and games until they discovered
a body hidden in a trunk in Grandma’s living room. The audience loved the young peoples performance and all said they will have to attend the play at the Stables Theatre, beginning July 31 thru Aug. 10, to find out who the corpse was and why it was there.
Evening performances on Thursdays and Saturdays, offer an optional preshow hors d’oeuvres buffet and before Sunday matinees theatregoers may attend an old-fashioned ice-cream social. For reservations call Dee at 715- 2597876. - submitted
A.J. Holmquist and Billy Kay Ingalls delight the monthly Geritol meeting at Voyager Village by presenting a scene from the Village Players production “The Best Laid Plans.” – Photo submitted
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JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 5
We blazed the trail by Edith M. Anderson It is now hard to realize the high percentage of folks who never knew life without electricity or never knew the excitBernice ing story of when it came to their own home or area only 50 Abrahamzon years ago. It was personal effort and enthusiasm by many that gave the Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative such a good start, from zero to 750 miles of line to 2,300 members in the mid 1940s, and now, Jan. 1993 has grown to 2,540 miles, serving 14,336 members. I am proud and happy to have been an integral part of this great experience, and now to share some of its thrill. After completing a secretarial and accounting course at a business college, I was in the same predicament as former President Lyndon B. Johnson told that he had been in at that time, unemployed in a depressed period. The Rural Electrification Program, which began with an act of Congress in 1935, was a part of the war effort to help farmers produce more food, and small plants in rural areas to help fulfill the overall war needs. Unemployed school teachers, a postmaster who lost his job after the election changed parties, former AAA workers and budding artists worked side-by-side with me on government programs in the confused work field. I had worked on the preliminary survey, proving the feasibility of organizing the Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative, had a broad base of knowledge of the two counties, that diploma, and knew the time and place for my application for the first employee. I won when the board of directors drew straws! The offices of the Rural Electrification Administration in Washington, D.C., and offices of Attorneys General had prepared volumes of detailed and helpful instructions. More came in each mail to the County Agricultural and Home Agents’ offices at Balsam Lake, the courthouse town. They shared some tables and chairs, and the use of the reception counter in the old jail until we moved into our own office in the project attorney’s building. Instead of the rule; “When all else fails, read the instructions,” we first read the instructionos and specifications carefully, followed them, cooperated freely and pleasantly and “blazed the trail.” My first work, Monday, Oct. 3, 1938, under the secretary of the board who became office manager, was to make up the minute book exactly correct. Then the processing of the huge piles of applications for electric service and the easements allowing right-of-way, then platting them accurately onto huge maps in preparation for submission to REA in Washington, D.C. Until we really got organized, there was a continuous flow of important legal and detailed papers for approval. We were encouraged to feel loyalty to our own name, rather than calling it the REA office, and I spread that word. It was really helpful that I’d learned to read legal descriptions in the seventh grade in school. A new Polk County Plat Book came out just in time to replace the 15-year-old one. For Burnett County we used the bulky AAA plats, one section to the page and one book per township! The large Wisconsin Highway Department’s maps were good for platting. So began a series of problems solved by following instructions carefully and pure local ingenuity! So many people helped. The township officials and canvassers who got the individual, signed applications would stay and help us plat; a big help. One evening, when a group of six needed a cup of coffee next door, I got mixed up on the door keys, so we got locked out. One of the board members had been observant, went around the back in the dark, found a board being used in construction, and walked it up from the basement to unlock a window for radio aerial, and came on through to open it! We laughed so hard they forgot to scold me. That was an example of local ingenuity! The front counter was busy, with not only folks applying for electricity, but also applicants for jobs with the private contractor building the lines, and contacts with the project engineers on the first project, the southern half of Polk County. We had a supply of helpful booklets to hand out. We were almost blown off the map by a tornado that swept through one of our best areas, just a few miles east of the office. It destroyed nice buildings that our line crew depended upon to be wired and ready for the first energizing. But all went well then. Local enthusiasts combined their minimum of formal training, instruction books, a lot of natural aptitudes, friendly cooperation, and sharing, to do farmstead wiring at low-overhead prices. REA supplied convenient wiring loans payable with the electric bill. Often the house was wired merely with one pull-chain drop cord from the ceiling of each room, one outlet in the kitchen for a hot plate or toaster, and one outlet in the living room for the radio. The barns, too, often had only
BEHIND THE
SIGNPOST
a string of lights down the central aisle and one outlet in the small milkhouse. A yard light with a 100-watt bulb was a thrill. Three-way switches were a luxury, as they required five wires overhead between the house and barn. The support of the 10 local newspapers, township officials, cooperatives and farmers organizations, and the Ag and Home agents gave the much-needed confidence. Neighbors went to meetings, went home and talked it over, shared and signed up. The aim of “threeto-the-mile” was a battle cry, but later REA accepted 2.4 to the mile as an overall coverage, as there were sparse areas. The tourist business was just beginning to bloom, so lines went distances to groups. Burnett County was a state leader in this. Stories of disbelief were told such as, “The farmers can’t even afford to buy the light bulbs,” somewhat true. But times were improving slowly, and belief in the reality of electricity coming grew as line crews worked. The area was originally divided into two separate contracts to get things started. The well-liked Baumgartner Brothers Construction Company led the way. Word of the approval of the second section, northern Polk and southern Burnett counties, came the day before the Grantsburg Fair opened, so I hastily gathered materials for a booth with the large approved maps, and instruction booklets. There was much joy as I showed folks their own “dot” on the map, indicating that electricity was really and truly coming to their place! Local stores got a big boost selling electrical appliances. Refrigerators were bought first. One man sold his kitchen range woodpile and got more than the cost to run an electric range, and that word spread, to the joy of the homemakers. Christmas shopping was easy, as everyone was choosing small appliances. Christmas tree lights were a real joy and outdoor displays encouraged. That first year, folks were encouraged to leave their yard lights on for an extra time on Christmas Eve, and then go out and see how they spotted the night landscape. Farmers joked that now it would be easier getting into heaven, as they wouldn’t be cussing the old cantankerous gasoline engine, especially on the pump jack in cold weather. I asked one applicant, “I suppose you’ll enjoy using an electric milking machine,” but he answered, laughingly, “Oh no, we’ve got a good four-unit Olson!” But it wasn’t long before he converted! There were so many pleasant stories told. No more burned and curled toast to scrape. No more burned hair from curling irons heated in kerosene lamp chimneys. No more melted ice cream bought one meal at a time. No more worries about lighted candles on Christmas trees. No more spitting on fingers to test the heat of sadirons heated on the kitchen stove and often sootstreaks on nice white shirts. No more warning to watch out for the messy car battery on the living room radio, and no more special trips to be sure they were charged up for Christmas. No more carrying of lighted kerosene lamps. No more jobs for the children, cleaning the lamp and lantern chimneys because their hands were small enough to reach inside. No more special trips with the one-gallon kerosene can out to the drum out beyond the buildings. No more leaving Christmas afternoon joys to go home and light the chicken house, as the electric time-controls were handy. Some folks on the second section kept their Christmas trees up until almost mid-January waiting, and a common greeting, “Are you going to keep your tree up until it comes?” The cooperative’s line crew, when energizing the line, told funny stories. At one home a cute little tot in a high chair started to blow when the electric light came on! Another heard, “We saw things (cobwebs) we never saw before!” We went to a tent show south of Chetek where electrical appliances were demonstrated. Folks were really enthused over ingenious homemade devices for splitting wood, and replacing other hated, hard jobs. There was a popular demonstration by a home agent on the use of an electric roaster for a complete meal, including bread. Another showed heating wash water right in the tub, with a “donut heater,” now obsolete. Along in the fall, after the first section of lines were energized, and the second under way, we had a big event heralded with big headlines, “Remember, Remember the 13th of September.” Stores that added electric appliances gave away many prizes. There was music, speeches and much enthusiasm. The beautiful pine grove in the Balsam Lake Village Park was an ideal setting on a glorious autumn day, and there began the habit folks still have a calling the Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting the “REA Picnic.” We blazed quite a trail. (Rewritten 1993 from basic Yarns of Yesteryear 1986. seventh of 465 state entries.) Until next week, Bernice
Do you remember ? Compiled by Bernice Abrahamzon
50 Years Ago Webster Days were set for July 15-16-17, with Tip top Shows, children’s day, children’s talent show, big parade, etc.-The Frederic Police chief had an ad on the front page of the Leader saying “Keep your dog tied.”.-Advertised specials at Route’s Super Market, Frederic were watermelon at 49¢, lettuce at two heads for 29¢ cantaloupe at 2 for 49¢ and vegetable soup at 2 cans for 25¢.-The Siren Jubilee was set for two days, July 19 and 20, sponsored by the Siren Community Club, with rides, carnival and concessions, plus a KSTP Barn Dance.-Local Girl Scouts spent a week at Camp Nawakwa.-Specials at the Frederic Farmers Co-op Store included 10 lbs. of potatoes at 39¢, Star lard at 3 lbs. for 55¢ and liver sausage at 49¢ lb.-Dorothy Anderson was queen of the Siren Jubilee.-A cement block business would soon be in operation in Lewis.-The Frederic swimming pool was open to the public.-North Luck Cash Store advertised modern cabins for rent.-G.C. Duffy was the Frederic agent represented Standard Gasoline.-Wallin Implement, Centuria, had a good line of new John Deere machinery.-The movie “Bambi” was playing at the Frederic Theatre.
40 Years Ago Specials at the Frederic Co-op Store included sugar at 88¢ for a 10-lb. bag, Campbell’s soups at 6 cans for 99¢, potatoes at 10 lbs. for 67¢ and free large icecream cones.-Route’s Super Market, Frederic, advertised a 10-oz. box of potato chips at 33¢, wieners at 12-oz. package for 47¢, wiener buns at 29¢ for 10 ct. and fruit cocktail at 4, 16-oz. tins at $1.-A square dance was held Friday, June 21, in the parking lot of the Farmers State Bank, Frederic.-Specials at the Clover Farm Store included Family Days specials of 4 lbs. oleo at $1, cabbage at 9¢ lb., bread at 4 loaves for $1 and freed coffee and doughnuts on Friday and Saturday.-Ray’s Firestone, Frederic, advertised avocado green tumblers in four sizes (your choice) with 7-gallons Spur gasoline.-A wedding dance was held June 22 at the West Sweden Hall.-A farewell open house was held for Pastor and Mrs. Everson who were moving to Madison after June 30.-Andrea Rudell was the new queen of Frederic Family Days.Direct distance dialing came into use this week.-Milltown Baptist Church would celebrate its golden anniversary.-The 7th-annual July Fourth breakfast would be served at the Clam River Clubhouse.
20 Years Ago The Siren School Board was told that a new athletic track was needed.-Siren School adopted a smoke-free policy.-A record turkey harvest was reported in Wisconsin.-Stitch-n-Time, Webb Lake, celebrated its 10th anniversary sale in late May.-Playhouse 46 presented the play “Cheaper by the Dozen” June 9-12 and 1619, at the Unity School.-A wedding dance was given June 4, at the Luck Country Club for Debbie Miller and Thomas Erickson.-Obituaries included Madge Kleckner, Hannah Rohne and Roy Bibeau.-It was said, “Rain may be last hope for farmers.”-Herman Rohde passed away.-Jim Palmberg was back for all your insurance needs at Indiahead Insurance Agency, Inc., Frederic.-Polk-Burnett Electric celebrated 50 years of business.-Additional obituaries included Leslie Winslow, Maxine Vette and Evelyn Howell.-Jeanette Ramstrom retired at the Cushing School.-A quilt show was held June 18 at Frederic.-A burglar got six months and a drug dealer got 120 days.-A new post office in Frederic was in sight.Frederic Village trustees passed ordinances for curfew, bicycle, skateboard use.-The Frederic Lioness Club was sponsoring a tour of homes.
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TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Hi, everybody! Blacky here from Humane Society of Burnett County. Wow, what a busy few days it has been! Some of my pals headed south to the city to look for a new home, and some new arrivals showed up as well. Last Friday was our volunteer training session, and a good number of nice folks Blacky showed up to see what goes on here at the shelter and see if they could help out. I thought I saw our kennel manager doing cartwheels out in the YAPpenings parking lot later on. I didn’t get much of a chance to tell you about the shelter population last week, so I’ll make up for that now. We’ve got a few black Lab mixes once again, and these are all girls. I love that! The youngest is Rose, who is 7 months old and adorable. She gets along with cats, other dogs, and is a playful little girl. Next there’s Twilight. She is just over 2 years old and is an inquisitive young lady. Twilight is kind of shy at first but gets pretty attached to the people she warms up to. Finally, there’s Pepper. Pepper is a dainty little black Lab mix who is just over a year old. She is a lot of fun to walk with. She’s good on a leash but has to stop every once in a while to acknowledge the person on the other end and give them kisses for taking her out on a stroll. Just to mix things up a bit, a German shepherd named Millie came to join us. Millie is 9 months old and was kind upset when she first got here. She is feeling better about things now, but is still anxious to find herself a permanent, loving home. I chuckle at her when she barks; her stand-up ears snap back and then forward like two furry flags in the wind. I shouldn’t make fun of anyone’s ears, I suppose. Just refer to my picture. I’ve been called Crazy Ears more times than I’d like to count. If that isn’t enough, last week I got a bath and now smell like a giant, black, furry apple with some other froufrou scent added. Why don’t they make dog-shampoo scents that us dogs would actually like? If they made something like...sunbaked bullhead, for example, I’d want a bath every day!
SHELTER
I guess I shouldn’t complain. At least I avoided getting a haircut, unlike my brothers. The oldest one really got a buzzing, and my mom says he looks “new and improved.” My other brother wasn’t so lucky - the clippers went to heck, so he only got half a buzzing and looks pretty ridiculous. He spends a lot of time these days in the bushes. Oh, goodness, there I go rambling again and I wasn’t finished telling you about the newcomers. Honey is a golden retriever lass, about 2 years old. She’s so new, I don’t really know what her story is yet, except that she is very cute. Lastly, there’s Diezel. He is a black cocker spaniel, also in the 2-year-old range. He’s pretty funny. He gets so excited when people pay attention to him that his back half could be utilized as a paint shaker! In Catville, there is a new mom, Caroline, and her four 2-month-old kittens; Clive, Clancy, Case and Cooper. I guess she’s fond of the letter C. There are also three month-old kittens; Wuzzy, Cricket and Goldie, who are busy being mischief makers. I saw some catnip come through the door the other day and decided it was time for me to leave! I have a couple of things to ask for on behalf of the shelter this week. First, I want to thank those that brought dog food. We needed some, and it sure is appreciated. Now we need some kitten chow, since we’ve got kittens aplenty, and also some nonclumping cat litter. The folks in the office also asked for some other supplies; namely, magic water bowl cleaner (I think you people call it a toilet), and a few boxes of staples. A bigger-ticket item on our wish list is a plastic storage shed to hold some of our stuff. Oh, and if anyone out there has a stockpile of plastic bags of the grocery variety, we can use those too. Well, that’s about all I know this week. Make sure you keep your furry pals cool and comfortable in the summertime - lots of fresh water and, especially, a shady spot to lay in is a good respite from the heat, as well as from laughter at a bad haircut. 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.
Siren
349-2964
I bragged too much last week, I should have known it wouldn’t last. Those black buggers were back this past week. A rather large one, about 300 lbs., walked through but didn’t bother anything. However, there’s a small one, about maybe a 100 lbs., that has been in several times. He cleaned out the grape jelly in the oriole feeder. Guess he thought it was pretty good, as he has been back checking several times. He’s a pest for sure, but the small ones are kind of cute, too bad they don’t stay small. Sympathy to the family of Jerry Ones who passed away June 18. Sympathy to the family of Courtland D. Torgeson who passed away June 18. Art and Bev Beckmark were pleasantly surprised to see Art’s cousin, Bill Jenson and his wife, Bev, of Minot, N.D., when they stopped in on Friday evening. While visiting, Art told Bill they were pouring cement on Saturday morning so they stopped back so Bill could watch the event.
Bev Beckmark
He even got the chance to help out. The Siren Methodist Church ladies will, once again, be serving their homemade pies from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Fourth of July. There’s lots going on in Siren over the Fourth of July weekend. The 28th-annual Freedom Race at 8 a.m., the children’s run/walk at 8:30 a.m., a dedication of the Siren Band Shell after the races. The bed races start at 10 a.m. with the kiddie parade after that. The regular Fourth of July parade starts at 11:30 a.m. and a boat parade on Crooked Lake at 2:30 p.m. Don’t forget the Community Band will be playing at the band shell at 8 p.m. and, of course, you don’t want to miss the fireworks at 10 p.m. If you manage to hit all the events you should have a full day. Congratulations to Siren’s new 2008 Miss Siren, Sarah Howe and the new 2008 Little Miss Siren, Ellyn Lindquist. Meghan Baasch won Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic went to Deanna Phernetton.
Amery Senior Center by Susan Shachtman, assistant director Can you believe it? Summer weather has finally arrived, and just in time for the Fourth of July weekend! Please note that the senior center will be closed on Friday, July 4, in honor of the holiday. Due to the popularity of our last trip to Door County, we’ve scheduled another trip for Sept. 4-7. Participants will stay at the beautiful Bridgeport Waterfront Resort in two-bedroom suites, and tour four wineries on the Door County Trolley. In addition, you will visit the Door County Historical Museum, take part in a fish boil and enjoy brunch at Al Johnson’s in Sister Bay. The cost is $425 for members and $437 for nonmembers. The deposit and reservations are due by July 25. We still have room on our Branson trip, which goes from Oct. 19-25. The trip includes six nights lodging, four consecutive nights in Branson, Mo., 10 meals, seven shows and travel on a video-equipped motor coach with an on=board bathroom. The cost is $649 for members and $661 for nonmembers, so call to sign up now. We’re very excited to announce our first trip to the Metrodome to see the Minnesota Twins play the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, Sept. 11. The cost is $60 for members and $72 for nonmembers, which includes the bus and lower reserved seats. Call 715-268-6605 to reserve your seat. Our July birthday party will take place on Thursday, July 10, at 11:45 a.m. You can also have your blood pressure checked for free that day from 11 a.m. to noon. Call the center to make a reservation. For those of you who have enjoyed our potlucks, you’ll be pleased to know that we have scheduled one for Tuesday, July 22, at noon. Please bring a dish to pass and stay
for the musical entertainment, which will follow the meal. Our Wii bowling tournaments have really taken off. Congratulations to last week’s winners: Jerry Fisher in first place, Ed O’Neill in second place and Mary Fisher in third place. If you want to have some fun, and don’t want to lift a heavy bowling ball, come to the center on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. The cost is $2 per person with prize money going to the top winners. Thank you to Wendell and Ginny Anderson for hosting our 500 card party on June 24. Bob Norlander came in first place, June Peterson came in second place and Keith Gilbertson and Art Butler won door prizes. Congratulations to Paul Seidel who won first place in this week’s pool tournament. Val Hansen came in second, Carl Johnson came in third and Jerry Fisher came in fourth place. Sydney Lund took first place in Monday bridge group and Lila Ward took second. The winners in the Wednesday bridge group were Mary Delougherty in first, Bea Gilbertson in second, Rachel Shay in third, Sandy Thorn in fourth and Dorothie Mueller in fifth. Happy and safe Fourth of July to all of you.
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Dewey - LaFollette 468-2940
Karen Mangelsen
Sympathy is extended to Nora Searles and family, due to the death May 13, of Nora’s sister, Mary Jo Anderson. Her funeral was Saturday, at Siren Covenant Church. Mary Jo was 84. Sympathy is also extended to Jamie and Eric Windbiel and family, due to the death of Jamie’s father, John Ernie Lind. He was 65. Donna, Gerry, Nina and Lawrence Hines, Don and Lida Nordquists, Hank and Karen Mangelsen, Marlene and Bruce Swearinger and Inez and Arvid Pearson had supper at Tony’s in Spooner Monday. They then went to Marlene’s home for cake and coffee to celebrate Donna’s birthday. Beth Crosby was a supper guest of Judy Albee Monday. Congratulations to Doug and Laura Coyour and Garry and Beth Crosby on the birth of a grandson. Chase Daniel Crosby was born Tuesday, June 24, to Chad and Ashley Crosby. Congratulations to them too. Dick and Shirley Quinton visited Karen and Hank Mangelsen Wednesday afternoon. Kay Krentz, Dixie Andrea, Sue Mroszak, Beth Crosby and Judy Albee went out to eat Wednesday evening at Hanson’s Hide-away in Haugen. They then enjoyed the play at Red Barn Theater. Maynard, Ronda, Hank and Karen Mangelsen, Art and Barb Hephner, Gene and Carlotta Romsos and Lyle and Ann Drake enjoyed supper out together Friday evening at Hilltop Restaurant. Roger and Sue Mroszak spent Saturday with friends Dick and Phyllis Ehlers. Don Schleiss and Judy Albee went to the wedding Saturday of Holly Harrington and Eric Peterson. It was held at Faith Lutheran Church in Spooner, and the reception was at The Lodge in Siren. Brian and Jane Hines and family spent time at their cabin on Pokegama Lake over the weekend. Visitors of Ronda and Maynard Mangelsen Saturday evening were Mike, Jean and John Paul Galep, Debbie Anderson and Daniel, Stephanie, Daya and Jordan Lawrence. Weekend visitors of Karen and Hank Mangelsen at various times were Grace, Hannah, Baxter, Celie, Holly, Jake, Larry and Heidi Mangelsen and Mandy, Patty, Dave and April Close. Heidi’s birthday was celebrated. Lida and Don Nordquist visited Marlene and Bruce Swearingen Sunday afternoon.
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 7
TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Lewis
653-4281 The first of the cottage parties in the Lewis area was held at the home of Robin and Randy Peterson on Saturday afternoon. We met outside on the deck and relaxed and chatted, and got to know Pastor Tom’s wife, Jane. That was one of the purposes of the event, to get to know each other in a casual, informal way. Other Lewis church members have also volunteered to have similar parties. The Siren United Methodist Church has already had a number of similar get-togethers. We were all concerned when Nicole Nelson, daughter of Marlene and Scott Nelson, fell while skateboarding with a friend Thursday evening. Her parents took her to Amery, where it was determined her wrist is broken. She will see a specialist on Monday to determine what will be done. The Disciples of God (children’s group) met Wednesday night at church for fun and games, etc. It is a five- or sixweek program to provide something worthwhile for the children to do, this time of year. Quite a few adults are involved in helping. The church newsletter arrived in the mail on Saturday, in record time. Lots of information in it. LaVerne Leep celebrated her birthday during Frederic Family Days, and she enjoyed many of the events including fireworks, parade and dinner at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. This past weekend she and Ethel Lane enjoyed the pie social at Clam Falls Lutheran Church, and activities with family, as Jenny Midbrod, Ethan and Emmy spent the weekend with her parents, Carol and Lee Mangelsen, including a fish fry Friday night at Mangelsons. Bit by bit Pastor Tom and wife are moving into the parsonage in Siren. It has been vacant for a few months after Pastor Mike and Candy built their own home in Siren. Have you had trouble with your garden this year? Many
Frederic Senior Center Ardyce Knauber
Written for last week Monday, June 16, spades was played at the center with the following winners: Vi Luke in first place, Ed Berdal in second place, Lillian Murphy in third place and Norma Nelson in fourth place. Tuesday whist was enjoyed. Wednesday pokeno was played and all enjoyed their time together and had refreshments. Thursday night saw 500 cards at 6:30 p.m. and had the following winners: Hazel Hoffman in first place, Shirley Sandquist in second place, Lloyd Nelson in third place and Lola Hinschberger in fourth place. Friday the gals played pokeno and other cards along with coffee and refreshments to top off the afternoon. Saturday we had sandwiches and salad at noon followed by cards and Bingo. Then we attended the pork fundraiser for the fire department for supper. We were honored to be listed as a platinum donor for the queen pageant. The pageant was just beautiful. Sunday many of us attended the chicken barbeque in the park for Family Days. Many also attended the parade and entertainment. Saturday we also enjoyed strawberry shortcake at the depot fundraiser for the historical society. The weekend was fun-packed.
Written for this week Spades was played on Monday at 1 p.m. with the following winners: Donald Danielson in first place, Willie Williams in second place, Vi Luke in third place and Ed Berdal in fourth place. Tuesday whist was enjoyed. As always the coffee pot was on, starting early in the morning with our coffee-time gang. Wednesday pokeno group always is fun. Thursday night 500 cards had the following winners: Bill Ihrig in first place, Mickey Kilmer in second place, Betty Schmietendorf in third place and Lonnie Jones in fourth place. Friday executive meeting was held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday we had food, fellowship and games. We enjoy the day together with Bingo, games and visiting. We will celebrate the Fourth of July with our annual potluck dinner and games. We enjoy being together on holidays, so we welcome anyone who would like to join us. Saturday will be our potluck and birthday of the month celebration. The following birthdays will be celebrated on July 5: Doris Pedersen, July 4, Delores Potter, July 28 Edna Utley, July 18 and Willie Williams, July 25. I used to dread getting older because I though I would not be able to do the things I wanted to do, but now that I am older, I find I don’t want to do them. We will have our monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m., on Friday, July 11. All members are urged to attend.
E-edition - this complete issue is online now. www.the-leader.net
Bernice Abrahamzon
are replanting seeds, as they never came up. Ground not warm enough? Too dry? Too wet? Strange weather, perhaps. Crows were also a problem. What will July bring? Nice to have Doris Lindquist back playing Scrabble on Monday at 1 p.m. at Sunrise Apts., Frederic. New players welcome. The Northwest Regional Writers will go to Osceola on Friday, July 11, to enjoy a noon potluck meal with the Poco Penners. This has become an annual event. Meet at 11 a.m., in St. Dominics parking lot to carpool. Bring a dish to pass, plus something short to read aloud. Friends and Siren co-workers met at the Skol Haus, West Sweden, Thursday night to visit with Charles Stanislaw. He is teaching in Japan and is visiting here now for a few days. They enjoyed dining together. It was spaghetti Rupert is a 5-year-old, neutered, male yellow Lab of gigantic proportions. He has a big head, large brown eyes, a healthy appetite, enormous feet, a substantial midsection and a lot of heart. Everything about Rupert is large. He has a gusto for fetching, but can only do it for so long before he gets worn out. When that hapArnell pens, he lays down between each Humane throw to conserve energy. Rupert would make an excellent pet for a Society family. Small children may be intimidated by his size and with good reason; Rupert moves about with the grace of a lumbering ox. Rupert came to the shelter as a stray. He had been living between houses on a local lake. We received many reports of him before he actually came to the shelter. Everyone was sure that such a nice, good looking, well-kept dog had an owner looking for him, but Rupert has been at the shelter for a while now and is looking for a new forever home. Does your dog cower and shake at the sound of fireworks? Dogs are extra sensitive to noise and many are stressed by the loud noise of fireworks and thunderstorms. A dog frightened of fireworks may shake, drool excessively, howl, try to hide, try to get into or out of the house, fence or worse yet, run as far away as he can and not be able to find his way home. Every year, shelters take in large numbers of pets spooked by July fireworks and thunderstorms. The volume, suddenness and unfamiliarity of a firecracker can elicit a startle reaction in animals. Fear of loud or unexpected noises trigger the animal’s brain to alert mode. When our dogs hear certain sounds, the brain instantly processes them to determined whether they might signal danger. Thunderstorms encompass fear of loud sounds, changes in barometric pressure, ionization and light, and the presence of wind and rain, making it very difficult for a pet owner to manage. Fireworks and thunderstorms are the most common causes of canine noise phobias, but dogs can develop a fear of any sound that they perceive or link with a fearful situation. Dogs in full-blown
HAPPY TAILS
AWAIT
night, and some took advantage of the special of the night. The Indianhead Gem and Mineral Club will meet Monday, July 7, at the Luck Senior Citizen’s Center. Gather at 7 p.m., with meeting at 7:30 p.m. Program: Larry Retherford will talk on working with opals and fire agate. Potluck lunch per usual. Those assisting Pastor Tom with the Sunday service at Lewis were Robin Peterson, JoAnn Gibbs and LaVonne Boyer. The choir sang a familiar hymn. Bob and Marie Nelson served cinnamon buns as a special treat. Nice opportunity to sit and visit together, as many good things in store. Plans are being made for the Tent Revival on the second weekend in August. Please mark your calendars. Happy Fourth of July!
panic mode may jump through windows and glass doors, dig through carpeting at doorways or dig under the fence to escape their fear. A pet owner can desensitize their pet by exposing them to the noise of rain, thunder or fireworks through sound CDs and gradually increase the volume and duration of the sounds. When the pet realizes that nothing bad is going to happen when they hear thunder, they can begin to disassociate it with a fearful response. This desensitization takes weeks or months however. When fireworks occur, a pet owner can try a number of therapies. Some pets can be calmed by a gentle petting from their owner. Others may require a hollow chew toy filled with Cheese Whiz or peanut butter to take their mind off of the noise. A dog that is used to a daily 20 minute walk, may benefit from an hour and half walk to drain energy levels on the Fourth of July. A veterinarian can prescribe pheromone-mimicking scents that release smells similar to the ones naturally produced to signal comfort or relaxation. DAP, or Dog Appeasing Pheromone for canines and Feliway for cats are pheromone therapies that can keep your pet calm and safe during fireworks, thunderstorms, a house remodeling or a trip across country. During the fireworks this Fourth, the most important thing you can do for your pet is to keep them in a safe, contained setting like your home. But if by chance your pet does become frightened and lost over the long firework weekend, please be sure to check with the shelter for your lost pet. They will be counting on you to find them. Arnell Memorial Humane Society, Amery, 715 2687387 (PETS) or online: arnellhumane.org
Cloverton-Markville When the East Pine County Wanderers met at the end of June, Vice President Ruth Ament chaired the meeting in the absence of President Fran Levings. Rosie and Jim Yaekel brought the birthday cake and door prize. The door prize from the Yaekels is always a gift certificate to a meal at their summer cabin over in Wisconsin. The lucky winner this year was Marlene Mishler and, of course, husband Don will accompany her. June birthdays were Clara Lilly and Fran Levings. Mary and Frank Schaaf took several small trips last week, including one to Sandstone, Minn., and Hinckley, Minn., on business, one to Siren for a dental appointment for Frank, and one to Mora for work on the truck and a visit with Blanche Howard, former Markville resident. Blanche will be 100 years old this month. Allen Wolf and a longtime friend from St. Paul, Minn., made their annual excursion to Faith, S.D., to shoot prairie dogs. Their four-day stay was at the request of a sheep farmer who needs to have the dogs culled out. The two men shot about 200 prairie dogs each day. Darlene Merimonti, her daughter, Barb, and Barb’s daughter spent an afternoon fishing at Yellow Lake. Darlene caught two huge sunfish, then they all enjoyed supper at the Hole in the Wall Café in Danbury. Speaking of fishing…Don Mishler was equally successful when he caught some nice walleye on a five-day stay he and Marlene had at Osakis. They rented a cabin and were joined by son Brian and his wife, Robin, and their children and by Robin’s sisters and their families. On the way home, the Mishlers visited Marlene’s sister, Lola, in Milaca, Minn. On a trip to Duluth, Minn., for a medical appointment for Sandi, the Drakes stopped at Sears and bought a new
washer, dryer and freezer. Here at home, my husband, Dave Baker, and I hosted friends from the Chicago, Ill., area, Dave White, and his wife and two children for one day. No column next week due to the three-day weekend.
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TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Academic news EAU CLAIRE - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has named 1,634 undergraduate students to its deans’ lists for the 2008 spring semester. The deans’ lists and eligibility criteria, as well as other listings of UW-Eau Claire student honors and awards, can be found online at www.uwec.edu/ ucomm/honors. Students from this area who were selected for the deans’ lists are: Siren James Flanigan, kinesiology, education and human sciences. Luck Kelli Miles, elementary education, education and human sciences; Amy Wallin, social work, education and human sciences. Osceola Rebecca Brandt, information systems, business; Daniel Gjerning, accounting, business; Nathan Graf, business finance, business; Mark Miller, marketing, business. Dresser Audra Haas, biology, arts and sciences; Hillary Rugroden, mathematics, arts and sciences; Katherine Weinberg, kinesiology, education and human sciences. Amery Lee Behling, biochemistry/molecular biology, arts and sciences; Lillian Budke, biology, arts and sciences; Derek Olson, physics/mathematics, education and human sciences; Amy Seeland, communication sciences and disorders, education and human sciences. The St. Croix Falls Historical Society is becoming involved with a program to recognize local people who went on to become highly successful in national and international affairs, such as Fred Seed, who became president of Cargill corporation; Francis Van Konynenberg, who founded WCCO radio and television; Ray Herzog, CEO of Minnesota Mining (3 M); and Norton Masterson, president of Hardware Mutual Corporation. This valley has a history of adventurous, talented people who braved the country when it was a frontier settlement, home of the Chippewa Native Americans. Among the first white people attracted was entrepreneur Franklin Steele. Steele founded mills on the falls of the St. Croix River, as well as at the falls of St. Anthony, which is now recognized as the birthplace of Minneapolis. Other familiar names are William Holcombe, Henry Barron, George Brownell, William Nobles and Sam Fifield. All of these have given their names to places recognized today – except (possibly) for Brownell, who was massacred by Indians while on a mining excursion to Colorado on 1865. The society is planning to participate in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the National Scenic Riverway and also the observance of the 150th year of the city of St. Croix Falls. Artist Jean Pitman of Hawaii stopped by the Baker building last week for a discussion of St. Croix Falls history, since she is establishing an office on Wash-
St. Croix Falls Angela Peper, psychology, arts and sciences. Frederic Traci Lundeen, chemistry with business emphasis, arts and sciences; Emily Morseth, nursing, nursing and health sciences. ••• STEVENS POINT – The University of WisconsinStevens Point honored more than 2,200 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the spring semester of the 2007-08 academic semester. Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation. High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with grade point averages from 3.50 to 3.74. Personalized certificates of scholastic achievement are being sent to those who earned highest honors distinction. Amery Amber R. Egofske, high honors. Frederic Lynnea H. Chelmo, honors; William S. Puetz, highest honors. Grantsburg Carrie T. Myers, highest honors. Osceola Erin E. Jasperson, honors.
ington Street, in the building just north of the post office parking lot. Historically – like when I first came to St. Croix Falls in 1956 – I believe it was Carrie Olson’s Style Shop. Jean is taking part in the Franconia Sculpture Park’s 3D Symposiums, which promote visual artists and their work Rosemarie along the St. Croix River. A proVezina gram is scheduled at the Festival Theatre on July 17. Braatz Work is progressing on the annex of the Baker Building (originally a stable, then garage, then storage space, brilliantly repainted) where the society members are preparing addiSponsored by the tional exhibit space for their colSt. Croix Falls Historical Society lection of artifacts and photos. Tom Magnafici, of Waterworks Irrigation, a Dresser/St. Croix Falls firm, has installed an automatic sprinkler system that will keep the yard and garden of the Baker building green. Tom has generously donated his efforts to the society. The crab apple tree donated by Dolores Riegel in memory of her husband, Dr. Fred Riegel, is thriving, enhancing the historical society’s presence on Main Street.
A ST. CROIX TALE
Siren Kimberly V. Lindberg, highest honors; ••• ST. CLOUD, Minn. - St. Cloud State University conducted spring 2008 commencement ceremonies for more than 1,200 undergraduates Saturday, May 10, at the National Hockey Center on campus. Commencement and hooding ceremonies for more than 180 students earning their graduate degrees were held on Friday, May 9, at Halenbeck Hall. Grantsburg Matthew Hoefler, entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Science; ••• MORRIS, Minn. – Bachelor of arts degrees were awarded to over 350 seniors during the 45th Commencement ceremony at the University of Minnesota, Morris. The following student(s) earned degrees from the U of M – Morris. St. Croix Falls Nicole Kay Fontanille, psychology, Bachelor of Arts, biology; Ryan Martin Kalmoe, physics, Bachelor of Arts, mathematics, with honor, with high distinction. •••
Birth announcements Born at Burnett Medical Center: A girl, Samantha Jean Merrie McPheeters, born June 26, 2008, to Billie Jo and Andrew McPheeters, Grantsburg. Samantha weighed 5 lbs., 10 oz. and was 18 inches long. •••
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 9
Polk and Burnett counties creativity camps for 5- to 12-year-olds ST. CROIX FALLS – Even though the St. Croix Falls Creativity Camp has reached its limit, there is still room for youth ages 5 to 12 at summer creativity camp in two Polk County (Luck and Clear Lake) and two Burnett County (Danbury and Grantsburg) locations. Creativity camp is a weeklong, day camp experience that immerses youth in arts exploration with environmental themes. “Our philosophy is focused on building arts skills while encouraging individual creative growth,” says Amy Klein, education director at St. Croix Festival Theatre. “Teaching artists in the disciplines of performing, visual and literary art work together around a single theme and campers are invited into the process of making art rather than a product-based approach.” With funding support from the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, the Xcel Energy Foundation, Polk-Burnett Project Round Up, and Wal-Mart, creativity camp prices are kept affordable at $85 per child per week of camp.
Festival Theatre has coordinated their 2008 camps in partnership with several host sites and openings remain at four sites: West Denmark Hall, Luck, Wis., July 21-25; Forts Folle Avoine, Danbury, July 28-Aug. 1; Clear Lake Community Center, Aug. 11-15; and Grantsburg Elementary School, Aug. 18-22. Participating teaching artists include Ryan Nelson and Lisa Bark from the cast of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” Joshua Busick from the casts of “Ama and the White
Crane” and “Arsenic and Old Lace,” and Klein, Gloria Adrian and Craig Knutson from the Festival Arts program. For additional information or to register for creativity camp, call the Festival Theatre Box Office at 715-4833387 or 888-887-6002 or visit www.festivaltheatre.org Web site where you can read more about camp, download a registration form or complete an online order. submitted
Inventor Bill Kurtz was at the St. Croix Falls Historical Society on Saturday, June 26 ST. CROIX FALLS – St. Croix Falls inventor Bill Kurtz was featured on June 26 at the quarterly meeting of the St. Croix Falls Historical Society, at the St. Croix National Park headquarters. Kurtz, creator and owner of JSI Innovations, and has been recognized worldwide
for his inventive ideas, presented a stimulating program to the society. The St. Croix Falls Historical Society is seeking help with light cleaning chores at the Baker Building. Please call 715-483-3580. - submitted
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POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS Milltown Public Library The card is key Please bring your library card with you to the library. With it, you can log right on to our six fast computer stations without having to wait in line at the front desk. Our new computer log-in system will help us provide better service to everyone at the library. We greatly appreciate your patience with this new improvement to our computers. Summer reading program Catch the reading buzz at the Milltown Public Library this summer. Kids 18 and under can win awesome prizes by registering for the summer reading program. The more you read, the more you can win. Every Friday we’ll give away valuable gift certificates to use at local businesses, and at the end of the summer, we’ll hold a grand prize drawing for an iPod and other exciting prizes to be announced later. Also, every participant who turns in 10 reading record sheets will get a cool T-shirt. There will also be a weekly contest called Who Wants to be the Next Entymologist? Summer reading program events • Thursday, July 10, 11 a.m.: Bruce the Bug Guy • Saturday, Aug. 2, 1 p.m.: “A La Carte” puppet show by Circus Minimus • Friday, Aug. 29, 5 p.m.: Grand Prize iPod Touch drawing. Door prizes will be given to those present at the grand prize drawing!
Gamers club Play with the new Wii until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. This is only open to high school and middle school teenagers who have a library card with under $10 in fines. During summer vacation, the Wii will be available from 3:30 until 7 p.m. every Thursday. Book club The next gathering of the Milltown Book Club will be Monday, July 7, at 7 p.m. This is a forum for everyone to talk about the books they love and hate, recommend books and share their passion for reading. At our July meeting, we’ll spend some time talking about books that involve water. Refreshments will be provided. Story hour Milltown Public Library offers story time every Tuesday at 10 a.m. yearround. Story times are free and are designed for children under 6 and their caregivers. Each story time lasts 30 to 45 minutes and includes time to browse and check out books. Hours Library hours are Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library will be closed Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5.
Amery Public Library “Firefly Lane,” by Kristin Hannah Two eighth-graders meet at the bus stop for the first time in 1974 and forge a relationship that will last a lifetime. Coming from very different backgrounds, Kate Mularkey has found her school popularity at its lowest ebb ever, while Tully Hart, beautiful and stylish, befriends Kate and pulls up her status. Kate comes from a loving family but needs to find a way to navigate eighth grade. Tully hides a drug-addicted mother from prying eyes. Kate and Tully make a pact to be best friends forever, but even though they work at it, distance comes between them when Kelly must move. During college years they reconnect, with Tully heading into television journalism and Kate following behind her backstage in the production end. Tully is obsessed with fame but Kate longs for love and a family of her own. Kristin Hannah is a master of this light but entertaining novel, which will be perfect beach reading. Library notes You are invited to a summer picnic to help kickoff our library pledge drive on the Amery Public Library lawn on Tuesday July 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be entertainment for all ages, food, a freewill offering, a juggler and face-painting. Come and help the Amery Public Library turn the page to the next chapter. Bring a lawn chair. Summer reading program has made it very busy at the Amery Public Library. We checked out 1,100 pieces of material on June 25! Many kids enjoyed storyteller Rob Reid last week. Two-hundredseventy children are signed up for Catch
the Reading Bug. It is still not too late to sign up; the program runs until Aug. 23. On Wednesday, July 9, our old friend, Bruce the Bug Guy makes a return visit at 10:30 a.m. Come early, our programs are filling up! Friends of the Library book group will meet on Monday, July 21, to discuss “The Chosen,” by Chaim Potok. Pick up a book at the circulation desk and join us at 7 p.m. for exciting book talk. Everyone is welcome. Please read the book before you come. Teens Read book group will meet again on Monday, July 28, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to discuss “I am Legend,” the classic science-fiction novel by Richard Mathison. Pick up a book at the circulation desk if you are thirteen or older. We have a Subway snack, pop and book talk. Watch this column for more information on The Big Read, which will be happening in September. The Amery Public Library will become the Amery Area Public Library, celebrate it’s 80th birthday, have a Big Read on “The Great Gatsby” and move into our new space. Whew! Story time on the road will begin on Monday, July 7, at 5 p.m. behind the Twin Pines apartments on Minneapolis Avenue. Stop in for stories and crafts with Christinia and Katelyn at 5 p.m. every Monday until Aug 25. Library hours Monday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Osceola Public Library
Clear Lake Public Library Summer reading at Clear Lake kicked off with a performance by the juggling duo In Capable Hands. Three hundred people of all ages enjoyed the performance. The duo is making appearances at several Polk County libraries and we recommend that you catch their act. Thank you to the Friends of the Library for another successful plant and book sale. Funds raised by the sale help pay for performances such as In Capable Hands. Thank you to Commander David Beyl for his presentations on Antarctica. We all learned a lot! Upcoming summer programs Wednesday, July 9, 6:30 p.m. and
Thursday, July 10, 10 a.m.: The Big Change: Metamorphosis Tuesday, July 15, 3:30 p.m.: Bruce the Bug Guy – see live insects, spiders, scorpions and millipedes. Thursday, July 17, 10 a.m.: Horray for Honeybees with David Weber of Weber Apiary. Come see a hive, honeycomb, smoker and bee suit. Regular library hours Monday: Noon - 7 p.m.; Tuesday noon - 6 p.m.; Wednesday 3 - 9 p.m.; Thursday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Friday: noon - 5 p.m.; and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. We can be reached by phone at 715-263or by e-mail at 2802 clearlakepl@ifls.lib.wi.us.
Luck Public Library Catch the Reading Bug is the theme for this year’s summer reading program. The programs will be held Wednesdays at 5 p.m. at the library. Come for stories, games crafts and reading bingo. Pick up your bingo cards at the library. See you Wednesdays. The library is now taking book donations for the Lucky Days book sale. Bring in books, games, puzzles, audio tapes, music tapes or CDs and videos. Remember your donations are tax deductible and we will give you will be given a donation slip for your items. Donations will be accepted until Friday, July 18, at 4 p.m. Also the library will be having its sec-
ond-annual yard sale. Donate what you don’t sell at your sale to the library. It’s tax deductible and for a good cause. Also we would love those one of a kind treasures you no longer have room for. Luck Library will take anything, and is looking for six special items for its raffle. If you have anything to donate, call Marilyn Berg 715-472-2806 or the Luck Public Library 715-472-2770 to make arrangements for drop off. Hours Monday 1 – 5 p.m., Tuesday 1 – 8 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday 1 – 8 p.m., Friday 1- 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon.
St. Croix Falls Public Library Summer reading 2008 at the St. Croix Falls Public Library The library is a primary resource for fun and creative learning opportunities for school age children over the summer months. This is an invitation to participate in this summer’s Catch the Reading Bug. Catch the Reading Bug programs will began July 1. Kids register for Catch the Reading Bug at the library. Thursday, July 10, 6 p.m. – Live Bugs, Really! Wednesday, July 16, 6 p.m. – Swamp Things Wednesday, July 23, 6 p.m. – Wormy Wednesday, July 30, 6 p.m. – Buzzzz Upcoming book sale The Friends of the Library will also be holding a huge book sale this summer during Wannigan Days, July 18 and 19. We are accepting donations of gently used newer titles for this sale at the library. How are we doing? What do we do next? The library board meeting for July will take place on Tuesday, July 8, at 5:30 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. meeting of the library board, the Friends of the Library and the capital campaign committee. Saturday talk about the book club The book club will meet on Saturday, July 26, at 9:30 am, at the Buzz. The current selection is “Growing Up,” by Rus-
sell Baker. ‘’Growing Up’‘ is touching and funny, a hopeless muddle of sadness and laughter that bears a suspicious resemblance to real life...Like all the best humor, Baker’s is grounded in truth and mellowed by a sense of the sadness in things...His laughs are distilled from the juices of life. He draws from a time and a world very much in the American grain: memories of listening to grownups rocking on the porch and sonorously reciting clichés or of Depression evenings in Baltimore spent around the kitchen table with endless talk and cups of coffee. – New York Times Technology Free wireless is available at the library. Also, visit the library Web site www.stcroixfallslibrary.org to get information on the building project, programs at the library and much, much more! Story hour Listen to stories, create great art and have fun with other kids and parents every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. Hours, contact The library is open from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. every day except Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Closed on Sunday, 715-483-1777. The library will be closed Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5. Check out the library Web site and explore the links – Go to www.stcroixfallslibrary.org
Frederic Public Library
E-edition - this complete issue is online now. www.the-leader.net
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 11
POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS Centuria Public Library Book sale Mark your calendars – the Centuria Public Library is having a book sale on Saturday, July 12, between the hours of 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Many great used books will be available for people to buy. The library staff will be happy to provide bags or boxes for all who come and buy these great books at bargain prices. Many great titles by well-known authors will be available for purchase. There will be many children’s books to purchase for friends and family alike. Reading Bingo It’s not too late to come into the library to pick up your Bingo cards and start playing Reading Bingo with the great people who have already picked up their Bingo reading cards. Remember: there will be weekly drawings and at the end of the summer, a grand prize. Young and old are invited to play the game and there will be prizes for adults as well as children. Don’t miss the fun – come in and check out and browse all the new titles that the library has re-
ceived in the year 2008. Wii games and face painting at the Centuria Public Library In conjunction with the Memory Days celebration, the library is having face painting in the afternoon on Saturday, July 12. Come visit the library, buy a few books at the book sale and sit down and have Barbie Luepke paint a summertime flower, bug, or other delightful symbol on your face, arm, or leg. The face painting begins at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, the library will have a Wii game set up for youth ages 10 to 15 to come in and play. A game schedule will be set up for individuals to sign up on in order to schedule their game. Prizes will be given to all who play. Regular library hours Monday: Noon - 5 p.m.; Tuesday: noon - 7 p.m.; Wednesday: noon - 5 p.m.; Thursday: noon - 7 p.m.; Friday: closed; and Saturday: 10 a.m. - noon.
Osceola Public Library Book discussion “Cannery Row,” by John Steinbeck, will be discussed on Tuesday, July 22, 6 p.m. Drawing characters based on his memories of real inhabitants of Monterey, Steinbeck interweaves the stories of Doc, Henri, Mack and his boys, in a world where only the fittest survive, in a novel that focuses on the acceptance of life as it is – a story at once humorous and poignant. Catch the reading bug Wednesday, July 9 – 6 p.m.: Family story time: Bug Scientists. Thursday, July 10 – 3 p.m.: Bruce the Bug Guy. Come see all sorts of local and exotic bugs and live, crawly arthropods like hissing cockroaches and giant millipedes.
Saturday, July 12 – dusk: “The Spiderwick Chronicles” at Millpond Park. Wednesday, July 16 – 6 p.m.: Family story time: Those pesky fleas and flies, with special guest, yoga instructor Cindi Buenzli. Thursday, July 17 – 3 p.m.: Beekeeper II: David Weber, a bona fide beekeeper, will share the tools and tricks of his trade. Hours, contact Our hours are Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our phone number is 715-294-2310, and our Web address is www.osceolapubliclibrary.org.
Dresser Public Library
Dresser Public Library is located at 117 S. Central Ave., Dresser, WI 54009. Library hours Monday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.–noon and 1–7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. New books New books are arriving weekly for all ages. Stop in and spend some time browsing for these new books, as well as old favorites. Coming up Summer Reading 2008, Catch the
Reading Bug! continues Thursday, July 10, with Jeremey Williamson from Polk County Land Conservation and lots of buggy critters and water invertebrates. July 15: Join us as we go to Dresser’s Central Park on a bug hunt. Contact the library at 715-755-2944 which is our telephone and fax number or e-mail us at www.dresserpl @ifls.lib.wi.us. Our Web site, www.dresserpubliclibrary.org has information about story times, days closed, reference links, library policy and community information.
Polk County Library Federation Why should children read over summer vacation? Summer reading is very important for maintaining literacy skills in children. Jim Cornish is quoted in Classroom Connect saying, “Studies have repeatedly shown that children who continue to read during the summer months perform better when school resumes in the fall.” The Polk County Libraries summer reading programs are geared to children, making reading fun with incentives like prizes and programming. Some titles you may want to check out this summer are “The Runaway Bunny,” by Margaret Wise Brown, “Timothy Goes to School,” by Rosemary Wells, “Ramona Quimby, Age 8,” by Beverly Cleary, “Charlotte’s Web,” by E.B. White, “The Giving Tree,” by Shel Silverstein, “Because of Winn Dixie,” by Kate DiCamillo, “A Wrinkle In Time,”
by Madeleine L’Engle, “Skippyjon Jones,” by Judy Schachner, “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse,” by Kevin Henkes and “Inkheart,” by Cornelia Funke. For a list of educators top 100 children’s book go to www.nea.org or ask your local librarian for some suggestions. Having trouble making it to your local library? The Polk County Library Federation’s Books-By-Mail summer program is still accepting applications. For more information please contact Molly Kessler at 715 485-8680. The Polk County Library Federation will again be at the fair. The booth will be manned by librarians, friends of the libraries and others. There will be a large selection of books for sale. Say hi to your favorite librarian, they will be located in the white building next to the grandstand! See you at the fair.
Balsam Lake Public Library Summer reading program Catch the Reading Bug Join us from 9 - 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of every month for bugs and gardening fun. Please come to the library and get a brochure on all our summer activities or call 715-485-3215. Free wireless Internet access Find out what you need to know to connect. Story time Please join us for story time is at 11 a.m. every Wednesday at the library. All ages are welcome to join us for stories, crafts, music and snacks. Book club “Peace Like a River” by Leif Enger is the selection for July. Set in the Minnesota countryside and North Dakota Badlands of the early 1960s, “Peace Like a River” is a moving, engrossing, beautifully told story about one family’s quest to retrieve its most wayward member. Equal parts tragedy, romance, adventure yarn, and meditation, “Peace
Like a River” is an inspired story of family love, religious faith, and the lifelong work and trust required of both. Leif Enger’s first novel is a work of easy generosity and uncommon wisdom, a book to be shared with friends and loved ones. Book club meets Wednesday, July 16, at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Book sale Balsam Lake library annual book sale will be Saturday, July 5, during Freedom Fest Days, and we have a whole back room full of books, movies and books on tape for sale, something for everyone. The library will gratefully take donations of books, videos, and DVDs until the Thursday, July 3. Balsam Lake Public Library, (under the water tower) at 404 Main St., Balsam Lake. Hours are Monday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m.-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 www.balsamlakepubliclibrary.org.
Frederic Public Library The library will be closed The library will be closed July 4 and 5, in observance of the Independence Day weekend. The library drop bins are always available in the library entrance. What a great community! People are still talking about the good weather and the many fun activities held during Family Days weekend. The library bake and book sale was a great success, as was the first annual Friends thrift sale. Gratitude is extended to everyone who helped at the events, or made contributions, or purchased items. The public library continues to grow and thrive with dedicated community support. Summer is officially here The library has good ideas and great information to help you enjoy the months ahead. Greenhouses still have a good variety of plants and seeds, and it’s not too late to add plants to your garden or plant a patio pot. The library has several new gardening books for loan, including “The Garden Primer,” by Damrosch; “Learn to Garden,” by DK Publications; “Designing the New Kitchen Garden,” by Bartley; and “Newspaper, Pennies, Cardboard and Eggs for Growing a Better Garden,” by Yepsen. Looking ahead to the harvest, be sure to check out “The Garden-Fresh Vegetable Cookbook,” by Chesman, or “Canning and Preserving for Dummies,” by Ward. These titles and much more are waiting for you at the library. Fishing for laughs The Bassmeister will be at Coon Lake Park on Saturday afternoon, July 26, at 1 p.m. to entertain us all with ventriloquism, puppets, balloon animals, and a hands-on exhibit with different fishing “bugs.” Mark your calendars and make plans to attend this special event for the whole family. Catch the reading bug The children’s summer reading program is in full swing, and kids are welcome to join the activities at any time. Each week kids fill out and return activity lists that include reading and other things to do, and kids who complete eight checklists will earn cool T-shirts. Don’t forget to make time for weekly
events including family movies on Mondays at 3 p.m.; preschool story times on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.; and a tweens book club that meets every other Thursday at 3 p.m. For more information, please contact the library. Join us for Wednesday story time Preschoolers and early elementary children are invited, with their caregivers, to story time at the library on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. for an hour of books, activities, and fun. If you are interested in reading to the children this summer, we welcome you. Please talk to a librarian to choose a date, and we will supply the materials. Free wireless access available The library offers free wireless Internet access for patrons who bring in their laptops installed with wireless cards - no more waiting to use the public access computers. Help keep our local food shelf filled Do a good thing for the local food shelf this summer by bringing in items such as canned goods, flour, sugar, rice and pasta, cereals, and fresh vegetables and fruits each time you return your materials to the library. It’s also a great way to teach your children about community spirit. July activities for the book groups The Thursday morning book group will meet at the library on Thursday, July 17, at 10 a.m. to talk about “Assassination Vacation,” by Sarah Vowell, an amusing yet fascinating tour of American history and its connections, as the author sets out to learn more about the first three presidential assassinations. Copies of the book are available at the library, and new members are always welcome. The evening book group plans to have a supper meeting at an area restaurant on Thursday, July 17. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact the library for more information. Hours and information Frederic Public Library, 127 Oak Street West, 715-327-4979, e-mail fredericpl@ifls.lib.wi.us. Regular hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Parade, brats, pie, ice cream on menu for Webster's July 4 celebration by Harriet Rice WEBSTER - There’ll be lots for everyone to do as the Webster Area Chamber of Commerce lines up its downtown July 4 activities. This year, the Fourth falls on a Friday, kicking off a weekend of fun to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Opening the festivities is a Webster Fire Department brat feed at 11 a.m. Brats, beer and soda will be available at the fire hall on Main Street until late afternoon. For dessert, the Lionesses will serve pie and ice cream at the community center on Main Street from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. While enjoying the refreshments, folks can play Bingo, too. Look for the Lioness volunteers wearing orange vests at the day’s main event: the annual Fourth of July parade. Organized by Jim Olson, the parade will start at 1:30 p.m. on the east side of Hwy. 35 and proceed down Main Street. The Lionesses will hand out free tickets for kids to turn in for ice cream at the community center after the parade. As a matter of children’s safety, parents are reminded to keep youngsters from running into the street to retrieve candy thrown from floats and vehicles during the parade. Webster’s 2008 royalty will ride in the parade: Queen Brittany Flatten, First
tion are posted at the Webster Area Chamber of Commerce Web site at websterwisconsin.com.
Red Cross baby-sitting course offered
Waterfights were held in front of the Webster Fire Hall after last year's Fourth of July celebrations in Webster. – Photo by Raelynn Hunter Princess Olivia Main, Princesses Leagh Casey and Rose Kopecky. Joining them will be Little Miss Webster Blaze Seaman, First Little Princess Ashley Morseth and Second Little Princess Ciah Rand. The young ladies will host refreshments after the parade at a location to be an-
nounced. For a cool-off after the parade, the Webster Fire Department will hold its annual Water Ball Tug of War in which teams grab fire hoses to blast a ball across a line to win. These events and additional informa-
BALSAM LAKE – Your local Red Cross office will be offering a babysitting training course this summer on Saturday, July 12, in the Balsam Lake office of the American Red Cross. This course is for youth ages 11-15. Class time will be 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Each participant will receive the newly revised handbook, an emergency reference guide and a CD-Rom which includes a printable activity booklet with games, crafts, songs and recipes, a resume template and lots more. Preregistration is required. Please call 715-485-3025 for more information. - submitted
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Celebrating Who We Are concert set CENTURIA - Interfaith Caregivers of Polk County is Celebrating Who We Are (no matter how old you are) with a Tunes and Treats Fundraiser at Fristad Lutheran Church, Centuria, on Saturday,
July 12, at 7 p.m. Linda Iwasko is coordinating performers. There will be talent from local communities, silent auction items and delicious treats. A freewill donation will be taken for Interfaith Care-
givers. Interfaith Caregivers coordinates volunteers to help seniors and adults living with disabilities. If you need a little help, a ride, companionship, or are willing to
be a volunteer, please call our office at 715-483-9263. Donations are always appreciated and tax deductible. – from Interfaith Caregivers
Street Theater at Cepia Club for Memory Days CENTURIA - The Cepia Club in downtown Centuria will host the Marrow Life Art Troupe’s “Street Theater of the People” on Saturday, July 12, during the village’s Memory Days festival. The festival, which runs communitywide from Friday, July 11, through a parade on Sunday, is an annual celebration. The entire weekend of events include family activities for children and adults, nighttime dance party music on the Main Street (4th Street) in front of the
Glass Bar and Harvest Moon Saloon, and craft fairs, yard sales, games and tournaments. The Street Theater in front of the Cepia Club’s bazaar and barter store across from the Harvest Moon begins performances at noon, with famous readings from Americana, poems, stories and music. Twenty-minute spots are currently available to reserve for any area theater guilds, acoustic bands, poets, and story writers to share their works in “re-
stricted stage. The Marrow Life Art Troupe conspiracy draws their name from the book, “Walden,” by American writer and naturalist Henry David Thoreau, who went to woods to “suck the marrow out of life,” to enjoy it to the fullest for the things it brings, so that upon dying he would not find that he had not lived well enough. As a performing group of uncertain identities, the Marrow Lifers, irregularly and never on time, bring the fun
and also the heavy-hearted songs and sights of poems, stories, and music to the underground. They appear at the Cepia Club on July 12 as the anonymous sharers of a truth for all – including families – to enjoy or fulfill their curious minds and spirits. For more info on the Street Theater, call the Cepia Club at 715-646-9933. - submitted
Maple Valley School holds reunion CLAM FALLS – The Maple Valley School Reunion was held on June 13. Fifty-two former students and family, as well as four former teachers, were in attendance. Jay Chapman arrived from Great Falls, Mont., and Deloris Bumpers traveled from her home in Maryville, Tenn. The rest came from Wisconsin and Minnesota, with the majority from this surrounding area. Clara Olson Anderson and her brother, Richard, both from the Maple Valley community, were two of the oldest living alumni present. The four teachers were, Mrs. Catherine Olson (1948-1952), Mrs. Beulah Nelson (19541955), Mrs. JoAnn Tyler (1956-1958) and Mrs. Marie Weinzierl (1958 – 1959). A wonderful time of reminiscing and laughter was enjoyed. All felt another reunion should be held in the next year or two. - submitted
Pictured (L to R) are: Back row: Jay Chapman, Gary Sederlund, Butch Olson, Raymond Engen, Roger Miller, David Reichstadt, Gerald Johnson, Larry Jensen, Mrs. Jo Ann Tyler, Bennie Johnson and LeRoy Miller. Middle row: Charlotte Jensen Rasmussen, Retta Knight Nelson, Norma Ahlgren Welling, Richard Olson, Nancy Miller Axelson, Lynn Johnson and Deloris Engen Bumpers. Front row: Mrs. Catherine Olson, Karen Johnson (Olson), Alma Mae Johnson Karels, Rayola Greener Sparish, Karen Engen Swanberg and Grace Engen Tauring. – Photo submitted
Salad luncheon report by Kathy Lucken ST. CROIX FALLS - “Volunteering leaves me dead tired, beat up, exhausted, famished, cranky, sore…and feeling oh so good.” Yes, that could pretty much be expressed by many of the volunteers following the very successful salad luncheon on June 15. Feeding 500 people in two hours requires lots and lots of volunteers who roll up their sleeves and just go to work. This was their 42nd salad luncheon and it is always amazing, how so many people come together making salads, bars, bake sale items and then…work that day! It is with great pride that the St. Croix Regional Medical Center Volunteer Partners (formerly Auxiliary) play host to this community event in order to provide equipment for the medical center that otherwise may not be available to them. This year the donation was designated toward younger patients, provid-
The new pink aprons were purchased by funds left to the Auxiliary in the name of Darlene Nieman. Many will remember Nieman for her many years of service to the auxiliary and the medical center...the salad luncheon was one of her favorite projects. – Photo submitted
ing a Neo Puff Infant Resuscitator and a Nitrous Oxide Sedation System. The volunteer group also recognizes and appreciates the continued support of this event, either by volunteering time, purchasing a raffle ticket or purchasing a ticket and attending our event. Several local businesses provide donations and they were recognized for that at the salad luncheon. The raffle winner of the watercolor by Mary Ann Rivard was LaVanche Fisk of Taylors Falls, Minn., and the afghan by Jackie Hillman was won by Denise Sinclair-Todd. Yes, volunteering can leave you tired and exhausted, but the “oh so good feeling” lasts a whole lot longer. If you are looking for that “oh so good feeling,” please consider volunteering a few hours to their Volunteer Partners organization. You can find out further information by contacting Mickey at 715-483-0331.
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Veteran receives Korean medal 40 years later by Brenda Sommerfeld ST. CROIX FALLS – It took 40 years, but Art Johnson of St. Croix Falls has received a medal for service in Korea while in the Air Force. The medal is called Korean Defense Service Medal. When the North Koreans captured the American ship U.S.S. Pueblo in January of 1968, Johnson was called out with his Air Force unit. They were sent out with four F102 jets in order to protect the South Koreans. Johnson worked as an electronic technician on the radar systems of the F102s. He and his unit would be in Korea for 45 days at a time, travel to Okinawa, Japan, then return to Korea for another 45 days. They made four such trips. The Korean Defense Service Medal’s creation was announced in 2004 by the Department of Defense. Its purpose is to give special recognition to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are serving or have served in the defense of the Republic of Korea, like Johnson and his unit. Eligibility for the KDSM started July 28, 1954, and will continue until a future date to be decided by the secretary of defense. To be eligible, armed forces members had to be deployed to Korea or surrounding water area for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. Since the U.S. signed the cease-fire agreement back in July of 1953, more than 40,000 members of the American forces have served in the Republic of Korea each year. For 55 years, the U.S. has helped defend and maintain the democracy of the Korean peninsula. The KDSM ribbon is made up of four colors, green, blue, gold and white. Each medal given by the armed forces has a special meaning for the different colors of the ribbon and engravings on each side of the medal. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the green represents the land of Korea. The blue indicates overseas service and commitment to achieving peace. The gold denotes excellence and the white symbolizes idealism and integrity. The medal is a bronze-colored disc. On the obverse side, the four-clawed dragon engraved is a traditional symbol of Korea that represents intelligence and strength of purpose. The sprig of laurel denotes honorable endeavor and victory and the bamboo refers to the land of Korea. On the reverse side, the swords placed over a map of Korea signify defense of freedom in that country and the readiness to engage in combat to that end. The circlet enclosing the device recalls the forms of five-petal symbols common in
Johnson went into the Air Force in April of 1953. He was sent to New York for basic training.
Johnson received the Korea Defense Service Medal 40 years after serving in Korea during his Air Force career.
Art Johnson displays his honors from the Air Force in a frame in his St. Croix Falls home. – Photos by Brenda Sommerfeld Korean armory, all according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Johnson’s Air Force career “I received my induction papers to go to the Army, but instead of going to the Army, I decided to go to the Air Force,” Johnson explained. In April of 1953, at the age of 20, Johnson left his home in Clam Falls, near Frederic, got his physical in Minneapolis and went off to Sampson Air Force Base in New York for basic military training. “That was quite an experience,” said Johnson. “You’re up in the morning at six and you’re busy until six that night. You go get a haircut as a group and you go everywhere as a group. Everybody did the same thing.” Johnson was in basic training for 12 weeks, where he learned marching, military codes, all about the military and firing guns. From basic training, electronics was chosen for Johnson as his specialization. He was assigned to an electronics school in Denver, Colo., for nine months. While going to school in Denver, Johnson even had the opportunity to be in a movie. Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson were filming “The Glen Miller Story” and they needed troops to march. “They got the whole base dressed up I think and we had to march past,” Johnson remembered. “I don’t know if I could ever find myself (in the movie) – probably not.” He then went to Southridge Air Force Base in Mount Clemmons, Mich., where he worked as an electronic radar technician on a F86D jet fighter. In 1955, Johnson was selected to return to Denver to become an instructor. He was sent to the Air Command and Staff College, an Air Force University. Johnson earned the highest instructor honor anyone in the forces can. “It’s really a high-powered school and there’s only one of them,” Johnson said. “It’s a really good school.” While becoming an instructor, Johnson married high school schoolmate Betty. They eventually had two girls, Debbie and Lenee’. Each of their girls went on to have three children giving Johnson and Betty six grandchildren. School called again for Johnson, he went to Hughes Aircraft School in Culver City, Calif., to learn about a new radar system. He returned to Denver one more time for teaching, until moving on to Duluth,
Minn., and eventually to Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland. In Newfoundland, Johnson worked on the radar system of one of the four F102s brought to the base. The base’s job was to patrol the coast. If Russian bombers came past their limits, the planes would have to go up and intercepted them. “They were just testing our limits,” said Johnson. “Then the Russian bombers would go back out. It was kind of a rat race sometimes. They would sometimes send in three or four of those guys, so then we’d have to scramble all of our airplanes.” When a Russian bomber came within the limits, a buzzer would go off. Once the buzzer was heard, the base had five minutes to get the planes in the air. There were two men and a pilot assigned to each plane. While the pilot was holding the ignition button, one man would help the pilot get his gear on and the other would check out the plane. Big Spring, Texas, was the next stop in Johnson’s Air Force career. Then came his instructor duty at the Tennessee Air National Guard. In Tennessee, he taught pilots how to operate the radar systems. While there, Johnson had the chance to associate with the first group of astronauts. “They had a lot of the training in Houston, Texas, so the astronauts used to fly from Houston to Camp Canaveral, Fla., and they would stop in Tennessee for refueling and to fix any airplane if it needed,” Johnson explained. He has autographed photographs of each of the 12 members of the first group of astronauts in his book of memorabilia. Next stops were Payne Field, Everett, Wash., Wichita Falls, Texas, and then to Okinawa. “It was good duty in Okinawa,” said Johnson. “Betty was a registered nurse and she worked for the government.” While in Okinawa, Johnson was recommended for and promoted to first sergeant. As a first sergeant, it was his job to work with the commander taking care of the administrative part of the personnel, the housing, food, etc. “If somebody has to go on emergency leave, you have to help him get through the Red Cross and get him in and out,” Johnson stated. “You have to check in your people when they come in. You have to check them out when they leave. You have to make sure their orders are in order and their paperwork is in order and they’ve got their shots and physi-
cals. It’s anything to do with the people. It keeps you busy.” Coming back from Okinawa, Johnson and his family went to Loring Air Force Base, Maine. “When we came back from Okinawa, our daughters were speaking good Japanese,” said Johnson. The next-door neighbors to the Johnson’s were a GI and his wife from Okinawa. They had kids the same age as Johnson’s. Johnson said the kids would be outside playing ping-pong, not able to understand each other, but eventually picked up the language. Johnson and Betty only came back knowing certain words. Betty and their two girls stayed in the United States as Johnson went over to serve in Vietnam. He had first sergeant duties on an isolated base in Vietnam from September of 1971 until September of 1972. He came back from Vietnam to Grand Forks Air Force Base where he eventually retired in 1974. While in Grand Forks, he was assigned to an ammunition school where they kept the big missiles: nuclear missiles that stood 90 feet in the air. “You have to go through a psychological evaluation, a human reliability program,” Johnson explained. “Then they had to evaluate my family too.” Other medals and honors Johnson’s highest medal honor is his Air Force Commendation medal. It is awarded to those who serve below the grade of brigadier general in the Air Force and distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or by meritorious service. The Air Force colors of blue and yellow are used as the ribbon colors. He also received the Vietnam Service Medal for service in Vietnam between July 3, 1965, and March 28, 1973. The Outstanding Unit Award was given to Johnson and his unit for distinguishing themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that sets them apart from similar units. He has a badge from when he was assigned to a security police squadron, where he was first sergeant. The wreath on his pocket is the Master’s Instructor Badge. It is the highest instructor grade you can achieve. Johnson has a total of 27 awards and medals. Every four years they gave him a ribbon and oak leaf for being in the service. They are aligned in order of importance. The top in the lineup is the highest and all American medals come before the foreign medals. Fifty-four years later Johnson has since had odd jobs, drove school bus for Frederic and Siren school districts and owned a business called AJ’s Paint and Paper where he did inte-
Continued on next page
JULY 1, 2008 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 15
Johnson/from page 14 Armed Forces honors are aligned by importance. The top is the highest the individual received, going down. All American medals/ribbons come before foreign ones.
Art Johnson keeps pictures, papers and reminders of being in the Air Force in the scrapbook his wife, Betty, bought for him. rior woodwork, painting and hanging wallpaper. He retired in 1998 and now goes to Arizona during the winter months. The Johnsons have also been traveling to states they didn’t travel through during their years in the armed forces. “We’ve been in every state in the Union, expect Florida, at one time or an-
Pictured are special medals awarded to Johnson. – Photos by Brenda Sommerfeld
other,” Johnson said. “Maybe not stationed there, but drove through.” He and Betty are doing research on their family history/genealogy. They helped get the veterans memorial set up in the Lorain Cemetery three years ago, they have also helped record the graves at the Clam Falls and Lorain cemeteries and had books made.
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One-hundred attend the 70th settler’s picnic CUSHING – Everyone enjoyed visiting and the displays of memories from years gone by. Many photos and homemade items were displayed that had been used in the homes of yesteryear. The community center in Cushing was full of food to share, ice cream furnished by the Cushing U.S. Bank and fresh strawberries brought by the Lundquists of
Rochester, Minn. Fresh-cut flowers were furnished by Fern Darmody of White Bear Lake, Minn. President Shirley Christenson conducted a brief business meeting, read two poems, then introduced Pastor Amy Hassel from the Laketown and Cushing Lutheran churches. She shared her experiences as a newcomer to
This group of men and women were honored as the over 80 group that attended the 70th settlers Picnic held every year the Sunday after Father’s Day. – Photos submitted
Cushing and the pleasures of being an interim pastor. She and her family have enjoyed living here for the past year or so, but will be moving on soon to another assignment. She will be missed. Kristen Hanson from the Twin Cities sang “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful,” – what an inspiration for all. Russell Hanson and Marcie Marquardt from the SLE Historical Society were on hand to take visitors to the museum on the second floor of the community center, and sell the latest book by Hanson featuring the history of the area. There were lots of photos and stories on display. Special honors were given to the longest married couple attending, Frank and Ruth Boatman, 66 years. Seven ladies over 90 years of age attending included Jennie Nelson, Edna Johnson, Vadah Or, Eleanor Bonneville, Edna Sorenson, Ardyce Teske and Ferne Baker. Nine men over 80 years of age attending were Walter Balcom, Frank Boatman, Ray Lundquist, Myron Bergquist, Loren Nelson, Leroy Hedberg, Clyde Hanson and Raymond Linden. Ten women over 80 years of age attending included Gladys Lewellin, Arlene Johnson, Janet Anderson, Ruth Boatman, Frances Kurkowski, Verle Bergstrom, Harriet Ross, Alberta Hanson, Betty Lagoo and Barbara Hoffman. One visitor came all the way from Seattle, Wash. They were just passing through, and stopped to visit and get a little history of the area. See you next year, the Sunday after Father’s Day. submitted
Frank Boatman was honored at the oldest man present at the 70th settler’s picnic held recently.
Ferne Baker was honored at the oldest woman present at the 70th settler’s picnic.
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Milltown Fishermen's Party • 2008 • Queen Pageant
The 2008 Milltown Queen, Alicia Minander, showed delight as she was crowned by former Queen Stephanie Lobert on Friday evening, June 27.
Visit a parade at one of the surrounding towns this summer and you’ll likely see the 2008 Milltown royalty. Pictured (L to R): Julia Olson, this year’s queen, Alicia Minander, and Julia Larsen.
Margaret Butler was crowned Little Miss Milltown for 2008. She got a little help with her sash from former First Princess Amanda Kuske.
Danny Wheeler was chosen as this year’s honorary citizen for Milltown.
The Little Miss Milltown candidates carefully noted where to stand as they awaited the answer of who would get crowned Little Miss Milltown.
Photos by Marty Seeger
Mary Ann Sloper was officially introduced to the crowd as this year’s Milltown Grand Marshal.
Former Little Miss Milltown Lexi FahrenFormer Miss Milltown Stephanie Lobert spoke dorff waves goodbye to the crowd after talkabout her experiences over the past year being ing about her past experiences as being Miss Milltown at Bering Park Friday evening. Little Miss Milltown.
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Milltown Fishermen's Party • 2008 • Parade
Grand Marshal Mary Ann Sloper (left) and Honorary Citizen, Pastor Danny Wheeler (right) waved to the crowds along Milltown’s Main Street during Sunday’s Fishermen’s Party parade, Sunday, June 29.
The best mileage award - if there was one would have gone to this parade uni.
“Morrie,” might have been a little uncomfortable as temperatures rose into the 80s during Sunday’s parade at Milltown, but he brought smiles to young and old alike. RIGHT: Not everyone along the parade route was interested in the sights and sounds of the parade.
Photos by Gary King
The Luck FFA brought the country to the city at Sunday’s Fishermen’s Party parade. BELOW: The Shriners Drum and Bugle Corps won first place in the band category.
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Milltown Fishermen's Party • 2008 • Parade
The familiar truck of the United VFW 6856 and Auxiliary travels to many area parades each summer. RIGHT: A Badger fan scans the crowd for other canine parade-goers. Harley-Davidson motorcycles of all vintages (above and left) were on display in Sunday’s parade as the local Harley club showed off their stuff.
Photos by Gary King
X
Unity band director Adam Bever (photo at left) brought his popular street band back to the Fishermen’s Party parade, Sunday afternoon.
Members of North Valley Lutheran Church were having fun on their parade entry, Sunday.
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Milltown Fishermen's Party • 2008 • Park
The Studebakers provided live music at Bering Park in Milltown following Sunday’s parade. - Photo by Gary King
Andrea and Elizabeth Johnson, 6-1/2-year-old twins from the Centuria area, found the hidden medallion at the Fishermen’s Party in Milltown on Saturday, June 28, after the third clue was posted. – Photo by Gregg Westigard
Families crowded the park following Sunday’s parade at Milltown. With live music, food and games, it proved to be a popular destination. - Photo by Gary King
A future butterfly in the Milltown kiddie parade on Saturday. – Photo by Gregg Westigard
Last-minute raffle tickets for a variety of prizes - including a brand-new Harley-Davidson or $13,000 in cash, were being sold at the park prior to the drawing. - Photo by Gary King
Polk County 4-H members got in some advertising for the upcoming Polk County Fair with this float in the Milltown Fishermen’s Party parade on Sunday. - Photo by Gary King
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Burnett Community Library New arrivals “Before They Were Packers: Green Bay’s Town Team Days” by Denis J. Gullickson and Carl Hanson Football Superstars, “Brett Favre” by Rachel A. Koestler-Grack “Dead Madonna” a Loon Lake mystery by Victoria Houston In the library’s collection, now, is a new, best-ever Backyard Birding Tips book and a copyright 2008 Health-Care Career Vision book/DVD set. The National Endowment for the Arts, along with the generous support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, has made a gift of materials to several public libraries. Burnett Community Library is one of the recipients of the Big Read Program. The Big Read is designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. Our library is also aware of the help provided by the Public Library Association in our receiving the following materials: 14 CDs of introducton are: “Bless me, Ultima” by Rudolfo Anaya “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury “My Antonia” by Willa Cather “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitsgerald “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” by Carson McCullers “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan “The Death of Ivan Llich” by Leo Tolstoy “The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton Friends of the Library The Friends of the Library are selling tickets for the author’s luncheon to be
held at the Webster Community Center on Saturday, July 12, starting at 11:30 a.m. Come and hear John Koblas, author of “Ma, the Life and Times of Ma Barker and Her Boys.” One may buy their ticket(s) at the Webster Public Library or at the door the day of the luncheon. Buying the tickets ahead of time helps us know how many to expect when planning for the food to serve and saves you time at the door, so you can just move ahead of the line. We are expecting this to be a lot of fun and the food is always good. Book club Book club will meet at Emily’s Restaurant along Hwy. 35, in Webster, in honor of the club’s 10th birthday celebration. Members will meet at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, July 22. The book being discussed that day will be any book written by the author Philippa Gregory. On Aug. 26, the book being discussed will be “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson, and the place of the discussion will be the Burnett Community Library, at 10 a.m. Summer story time We have an opportunity to offer a book talk and summer reading program at 1 p.m. this summer for all age groups and reading levels. Because of summer school the idea is found to be feasible for a lot of children and their families. The program will cover the theme Civil Rights, with different reading-level books available. The idea is for the children to get acquainted with books on Abraham Lincoln and the civil rights era. Children second-grade and lower will have regular story time books read to them that are not of that theme. Summer story time – all ages Remember, a good opportunity for the kids this summer, 1-2 p.m., good books, talks and cookies and milk. Each Wednesday from July 16 through Aug. 27.
Volunteers sought for river cleanup OSCEOLA - The St. Croix River Association will hold its annual St. Croix River Cleanup Days on Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13. Four locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin will be the focal points for cleanup activities: July 12 - Hudson – Meet at 9 a. m. at Hudson Marina Club House. Contact Mike Kennedy at 715-386-6685 Bayport – Meet at 9 a.m. at Bayport Marina office parking lot. Contact Lisa Schlingerman at 651-433-5498. Afton - Meet at 9 a. m. at Windmill Marina. Contact Jim Rickard at 651-436-1936 July 13 - Osceola – Meet at Osceola Landing (Minnesota side) at 10:30 a. m. Bring a canoe and lunch. Contact Lisa
Schlingerman at 651-433-5498 Association members and river enthusiasts are encouraged to participate to help keep the popular St. Croix River clean and beautiful. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and are asked to bring drinking water, sunscreen, gloves and pick-up tongs. Since 1911, the St. Croix River Association has been committed to preserving and protecting the St. Croix River and valley. Membership is open to anyone interested in the goals of the group. More information is available by logging onto stcroixriverassociation.org. - submitted
Chamber welcomes Kevin’s Motor Sports
On Monday, June 30, Webster Chamber President Matt Swenson (R) offered Kevin Gibbs (L), owner of Kevin’s Motor Sports, an official welcome to the business community in Webster. Kevin’s Motor Sports opened its door in February and offers its patrons a wide variety of outdoor products including Husqvarna chain saws, tractors, push mowers to zero-turn mowers, leaf blowers, weed trimmers and garden tillers. Kevin’s also carries Triton brand ATV and utility trailers and American Steel brand carports. Cars and trucks are for sale on the lot, too. Kevin’s Motor Sports is located at 26680 Lakeland Ave. North and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, please contact Gibbs or one of his sales associates at 715-866-7700. – Photo and info. provided by Jeanne Daniels on behalf of the Webster Area Chamber of Commerce
Check out the Leader’s new e-edition @ www.the-leader.net
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Vernon Peterson shares rocks and stories Daniels residents active at 90 by Gregg Westigard DANIELS – The ad in the paper said “Yard Rock Sale; Agates, Crystals, Fossils; 90-Year Collection Around The World.” Last weekend, Vernon Peterson shared part of his lifetime collection with the public in his latest annual sale. People gathered from far and wide at the Peterson Century Farm west of Siren to add to their collections, learn about geology and history, and talk. Peterson, 90 years young, says the event’s a chance to share his interests and his collection with the community. One person comes to him with a fine stone. Peterson says that he got the stone years before from a woman who had been to Africa, tells what kind of a stone it is and how old it is, and then com-
ments on the problems Africa is now facing. With the next person, Peterson, a former Daniels Town chair, discusses the challenges of land-use planning in a time of growth and change. The word “retired” does not fit Peterson. He is less active on the family farm and no longer holds any elected office, but he is still current on issues and involved with his interests. Peterson has donated collections of his minerals, gems, fossils, and artifacts to local school districts. His latest project is a book of reminiscences and thoughts. He says that it will contain some comments on current events. Peterson plans on having the book in print in time for the gem show. A visit with Vernon Peterson is a chance to learn what active means. Vernon Peterson has a lifetime of learning and sharing and a story for every rock. The 90-year-old Daniels resident had another sale of part of his collectio the last weekend in June.
Rocks and gems from around the world were for sale as Vernon Peterson sold part of his collection. The Daniels native, farmer, and former town chair Vernon Peterson’s ad said “driveway rocks,” but these are beautiful stones, (the word “retired” does not fit him) is sharing his collection with local part of a lifetime of collecting and studying the geology of our area and state. schools and rock and gem collectors. – Photos submitted
Romance on the river ST. CROIX FALLS – A new event last year has evolved into a popular outing for St. Croix River Valley residents and visitors. Date Night pairs up a dining experience with a performance outing at Festival Theatre. The next romantic weekend is Saturday, July 12, featuring a phenomenal menu at the Dam Bistro followed by a 7:30 p.m. performance of “Dates with a Nut” just a block from the restaurant in downtown St. Croix Falls. “This will be a great night out,” said Festival’s box office manager Pam Koch. “By placing one reservation, couples have their entire evening planned. I’m really glad we can offer something like this to the community.”
Date Night reservations are available now for the Saturday, July 12, event and advanced reservations are required by July 10. Future Date Nights have been scheduled as well and include dining at Eichten’s, Tangled Up in Blue and the Village Pizzeria. Festival Theatre is located in historic downtown St. Croix Falls, at 210 North Washington Street, directly across the street from Overlook Park. Tickets for the entire package are $100 per couple. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information or to purchase tickets call 715-4833387 or e-mail to boxoffice@festivaltheatre.org. The 2008 Theatre and Music Series can be viewed on the Web site at www.festivaltheatre.org. - submitted
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Festival Theatre presents...
AMERY - The National Active and Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 1581 will hold a dinner meeting at noon on Thursday, July 10, at the Tac Entertainment Center, Amery. All federal and re-
Featured Artist Patrick O'Brien ST. CROIX FALLS – Festival Theatre has been fortunate lately to bring a little taste of Hollywood to downtown St. Croix Falls. First it was Michael Learned and now they welcome Patrick Thomas O'Brien to the stage in the upcoming comedy "Dates with a Nut." O'Brien returned recently to the Twin Cities after 22 years working in Los Angeles where he earned a long list of television and film credits. He gueststarred in dozens of TV shows including: “West Wing,” “ER,” “C.S.I.,” “Married With Children” and “Night Court.” If you're under 30, you might remember him as Mr. Dewey from “Saved by the Bell.” Films include “Pleasantville,” “Stuart Little,” “Catch Me if You Can,” “Intolerable Cruelty” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” In the 70s, O'Brien was founding artistic director of the Fanny Hill Dinner Theater, now in its 30th year, in his hometown of Eau Claire. O'Brien will be arriving in St. Croix Falls on July 8 for two days of technical rehearsals prior to the opening of "Dates
Patrick Thomas O'Brien with a Nut" on Thursday, July 10. He plays William Fox, a middle-aged widower who is convinced by co-workers to re-enter the world of dating by way of an Internet service. The show runs through Aug. 10, and promises to reveal O'Brien at his comic best. O'Brien is a member of Actors Equity, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. submitted
Interstate Park news Universe in the Park ST. CROIX FALLS - Don’t miss Universe in the Park, a special presentation beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, at Wisconsin Interstate Park. The program is about the latest discoveries and puzzles about our universe combined with a hands-on stargazing session (weather permitting). The program will be presented rain or shine at the Ice Age Center. Universe in the Park is an extremely popular outreach program of the Space Astronomy Laboratory and the Department of Astronomy of UW-Madison, sponsored by a grant from the NASA IDEA program. Naturalist programs at Wisconsin Interstate Park Friday, July 4 4 p.m. – Hiking the Ice Age Trail. The Pothole Trail is the western terminus of the 1,200-mile-long Ice Age National Scenic Trail that spans the state of Wisconsin. Join naturalist Barb Walker and learn about the unique geology of Interstate Park, a unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve. Meet at the Pothole Trail sign. 7 p.m. – Secrets of Eagle Peak. Join the naturalist for a short walk up the Eagle Peak Trail. Learn the secrets of the Peak and see a spectacular view of the St. Croix River Valley. Meet at the Eagle Peak Trail sign in the Pines Group camp.
NARFE to meet
Saturday, July 5 2 p.m. – Junior Ranger. Free booklets with fun activities for parents and their children entering grades K-3. Meet the naturalist on the lake side of the Beach House. 2:30 p.m. – Wisconsin Explorer. Free booklets with fun activities for parents and their children entering grades four and up. Meet the naturalist on the lake side of the Beach House. 4 p.m. – Hike to Horizon Rock. Meet the naturalist at the Horizon Rock Trail sign across from the Pothole Trail for a short hike to Horizon Rock – appropriately named for the incredible view. 7 p.m. – Owls: Silent Hunters of the Night. Owls are among the most successful predators of the night because of their amazing adaptations. Learn all about them with naturalist Barb Walker and her live owl Aztec at a program presented at the Ice Age Center. Wednesday, July 9 2 p.m. – A Billion Years on the Pothole Trail. Meet at the Pothole Trail sign. Thursday, July 10 10 a.m. – Nature Story Time. Join naturalist 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. - sub-
tired federal employees are welcome. Reservations may be made by calling 715-268-8618 by noon on Monday, July 7. - submitted
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Durocher Family at Trade Lake Baptist Church
Over 90 party held FREDERIC - An over 90 years old birthday party was celebrated at Frederic Nursing and Rehab on Friday, June 27. Entertainment was provided by Bill Java while 15 residents enjoyed sand-
wiches, cake and refreshments. The center expressed gratitude to all family members for attending, and especially to Java for providing great music. submitted
Win a Honda Civic Hybrid at Hole in the Wall Casino DANBURY - Want to go green, but having trouble getting started? The Hole in the Wall Casino is here to help. On Aug. 20, the Danbury casino is giving away a brand-new 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. Part electric- and part gasoline-powered, the Honda Civic Hybrid is the car of the future. But you can win it now. Here’s how: Just pick up one free drawing entry per
day at the Hole in the Wall card club, starting July 1. Then come to the Hole in the Wall for the big drawing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20. What could be easier than that? You could drive away a winner. And when you win, the environment wins too. For more information on the Aug. 20 drawing, contact Steve Thoreson at 1-800238-8946. - from Hole In The Wall Casino
Additional motorcycle safety training classes set up by WITC TRADE LAKE – Come join the Durocher Family on Saturday, July 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the Trade Lake Baptist Church as they share an evening of uplifting, bluegrass gospel music and stories centered on faith and family. Paul is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and has served as a pastor, church planter and for many years as a carpenter and home builder. Paul and his wife, Judy, are home educators of 12 children. They raise horses on a small hobby farm, where they currently make their home, in northern Minnesota. The evening will start with a potluck at 5:30 p.m. with the concert to follow. Trade Lake Baptist Church is located at 20750 CTH Z, seven miles west of Frederic on Hwy. 48. All are welcome to come. – submitted
RICE LAKE/NEW RICHMOND - Due to demand, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College has added additional motorcycle safety training classes at the Rice Lake and New Richmond WITC campuses. This 16-hour course is approved by the Department of Transportation. It is designed to teach the beginner or experienced rider the safe techniques of riding a motorcycle. It consists of six hours of classroom and 10 hours of on-cycle instruction. Students completing and passing this
course will be issued a waiver to take to the local DMV to obtain their class M license. This means the student does not have to take the motorcycle driving test at the DMV. Motorcycles are provided by WITC. Students must provide their own safety gear. Classes are offered weekdays and weekends in June and July. Visit the Web site at www.witc.edu or call 1-800-2439482, extensions 5409 or 5410 for Rice Lake or 4221 for New Richmond. - from WITC
Bethany Lutheran presents certificates to runners Marathon runners were presented certificates at Bethany Lutheran Church of Grantsburg last Sunday. Merlin Johnson (L) hands Pastor Jay Ticknor and Sara Ticknor their official certificates for running the annual Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn., on June 21. Pastor Jay crossed the finish line after 4 hours 22 minutes and Sara crossed over in 5 hours 8 minutes. The Ticknors have run the 26.2-mile marathon before. “These are our worst times ever,” said Sara, laughing. “We didn’t train much last winter.” Pastor Jay is an avid runner and is trying to shave down his time to qualify for the world-famous Boston Marathon. The Ticknors plan to run in the Twin Cities Marathon in October. – Info. from Wayne Anderson and photo by Mike Java
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CHURCH NEWS Going around in circles The term, 24/7, is a common term used for most anything that goes on around the clock. It refers to stores or services that are available day and night. It Sally Bair also seems to be the lifestyle for many individuals today—peo- ETERNAL ple who try to squeeze the most PERSPECTIVES activity possible into each 24hour day. Such a habit can only lead to “going around in circles.” When we hear that term, we think of a merrygo-round or Ferris wheel, or a gerbil constantly running on its circular treadmill. “She did a complete 360,” is another way to refer to going around in circles. Oftentimes, people say that, instead of what they really mean—”She did a complete 180,” referring to someone who changed her lifestyle or habits 180 degrees. Mistaking 360 for 180 is a common but critical error when it refers to new believers of Christ. It implies that they have turned their lives around to follow Christ but returned to their old, sinful ways. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happens to many new believers—and even some not so new in the faith. The excitement of relating personally with Christ, fellowshipping with likeminded people, and experiencing the fulfilling peace and joy of God, eventually wears off. Why does this happen to so many Christians? Jesus’ parable recorded in Mark 4:3-9 says: “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow…some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced.…” The Word of God is the seed. Satan plucks it away from those who hear it without root or heart-desire. Even those who receive it gladly are in danger of turning a full 360 when trials come. The seed sown among thorns refers to people who receive the Word but allow the cares of the world to keep them from growing and bearing spiritual fruit. Only those who receive it with open, thirsty hearts will turn 180 degrees from sin to salvation and not allow themselves to re-turn. Lord, we don’t want to go around in circles. Once we’ve turned 180 degrees, help us stay on your straight path so we can bear fruit for you. In Jesus’ name, amen. (Mrs. Bair may be reached at sallybair@gmail.com or http://bairbonesblog.blogspot.com.)
We often fail to learn all we can about IT, so that we take advantage of all the I was recently asked to reprint an artibenefits and features that it can provide. cle I wrote when I first moved here. It We often ignore IT if we don’t like what asked the question; “What would hapwe might hear or don’t want to hear. pen if we treated our Bible like we treat We often add or delete features that our cell phones?” don’t match our lifestyle. We would carry it around in our We often feel that it costs us more than purses and pockets. we are willing to pay, so we disconnect We would turn back to go get it if we service and throw it away. Garret theSome forgot it. of these comparisons are clever, We would flip through it several times Derouin some are funny and some are sad, but we a day. must make sure we never allow ourselves We would treat it like we could not to place the same value on things of this THE live without it. world, as we should on God’s Word. Only We would give it to our kids as gifts. PREACHER’S God’s Word can lead us to salvation; We would use it as we traveled. “…The gospel of Christ: … is the power of PEN We would use it in case of an emerGod unto salvation to every one that begency. lieveth” (Romans 1:16), “Neither is there salI’m sure we could all think of even vation in any other: for there is none other more clever examples. Examples that I hope name under heaven given among men, whereby we would make us reflect and say; “hhhmmm… must be saved” (Act 4:12). where is my Bible?” Much like the words of If readers have questions or simply wish to Psalm 119:14-16: “I have rejoiced in the way of thy know more about the Church of Christ, we testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in would like to invite them to call 715-866-7157 or thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will stop by the church building at 7425 W. Birch St. in delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy Webster. Sunday Bible class begins at 9:30 a.m. word.” and worship begins at 10:30 a.m. We also meet Unfortunately, some people already treat God’s Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Office hours are Word like we treat our cell phones. Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. - noon.
God’s phone
Bethesda's youth planted a tree
Bethesda’s youth, with the help of a donation from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, planted a tree and put down edging and mulch at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Croix Falls recently. – Submitted photo
Siren Covenant celebrates Pastor's ordination
Pastor David Guertin was ordained at the Evangelical Covenant Churches Annual Meeting in Green Lake on Thursday, June 26. He was presented with a stole at his ordination which was a gift from his home congregation. On Sunday, June 29, church chairman, Kathryn Jones, explained the significance of the stole at their morning worship service. A dinner followed. Celebrating the event with Pastor Dave were his family, the congregation and area pastors. – submitted
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OBITUARIES Sherman Leske
Vernon LeRoy Grefsrud
Clifford Victor Jensen
Sherman Leske, 73, died June 26, 2008, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Sherman was born May 30, 1935, to Charles and Grace Leske, on the family farm in Osceola. Sherman attended school in Osceola. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps., serving three years as a rifle instructor, both at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and in Korea during the Korean War. Returning home from the service, Sherman began his employment at Andersen Windows in Bayport, Minn. Sherman was employed by Andersen Windows for 38 years, most of which he spend as a carpenter specialist. After retiring in 1991, he continued to work part time as a building inspector for the St. Croix River Valley. He enjoyed participating in local government throughout his life, and was especially proud of serving as the president of the village of Dresser, retiring from his role in 2007. Sherman was an avid outdoorsman; you would oftentimes find him fishing with his devoted fishing buddy, Alex. Most of his valued time was spent with his wife of 49 years, Sherry, going for walks, grabbing a cup of coffee and attempting to catch every one of their grandkids’ ballgames. Sherman will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Curtis, Donald, Fred, Charles and Mitchel; sisters, Hazel and Louise. He is survived by his wife; children, Jill and Mark Johnson, David and Melissa Leske, Jennifer and Robert Mattaini; grandchildren, Nick, Emily, Alex, Isabel and Ayanna; sisters, Ada, Rhoda and Marie and many other relatives and friends. Funerals services were held on July 1, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Taylors Falls, Minn. Interment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in East Farmington.
Vernon LeRoy Grefsrud, 78, died April 10, 2008. Vernon was born Oct. 22, 1926, the middle child of 13, to Gustav Helmer and Martina nee Bratlen Grefsrud. After helping run the family farm for several years, Vernon attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, Minn. In 1956, he married Joanne Tatley of Hitterdal, Minn. They lived in Minneapolis, Minn., where Vernon worked in steel construction for the L.H. Sowles Company. In 1959, Vernon discovered that he had Addison’s disease. Despite the challenge of this illness he continued working until he retired, in 1990, from his position as field superintendent. Nevertheless it was being able to escape to the country near a lake each weekend that renewed his energy. In 1972, Vernon and Joanne purchased Viola Lake Resort. While Vernon continued to work in Minneapolis, Joanne and their children managed the resort. Eventually, some of the cabins were sold to private owners, and the Grefsruds made Viola Lake their permanent residence, naming it Vort Helme, which means our home. Part of the enticement to buy the resort was its wooded setting with ample space for flowers and trees. Vernon loved growing things, and enjoyed the sight and song of a great variety of birds that collected at his feeders. He planted trees, bushes and plants that echo his love of nature, along with two labyrinths created to help people find serenity. Over 20 years ago, Vern started tapping the maple trees on his property and began making the maple syrup that many have enjoyed. In his retirement, Vernon worked on several Habitat for Humanity houses. He appreciated his church and loved reading the Scripture lessons for worship services. In 2000 Vernon and Joanne joined his sister Wanda and her husband on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Norway. Vernon was extremely proud of their children and grandchildren, as well as all of his extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Orvald Grefsrud; sisters, Mamie (Ernest) Peterson and Thelma (Norman) Peterson. Celebrating Vernon’s life together with his wife Joanne are their daughter, Cheryl Ann (Scott) Canfield, with children Alicia and Ian; their son, Timothy James (Marilyn) Grefsrud with son, Timothy James Grefsrud Jr., grandchildren, Chantel and Makya Jay Grefsrud and stepchildren, Stacy and Emily Erickson; nine siblings, Myrtle Olsen, Raymond (Joan) Grefsrud, Norris (Muriel) Grefsrud, Earl (Priscilla) Grefsrud, Ardell (Robert) Nelson, Glenda (David) Bengtson, Lorraine Grefsrud, Ardean (Adele) Grefsrud and Wanda (Carl) Erickson; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Clifford Victor Jensen, 88, died on June 24, 2008, in River Falls. He was born in Luck, on Sept. 5, 1919, to Hamberg and Marie (Pugarrt) Jensen. Clifford graduated from Luck High School. He lived and worked in Luck until the last two years of his life, when he moved with his wife to River Falls. Clifford was a stone mason. He was a perfectionist at his trade, and was very proud of his work. Clifford was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors. He honorably served in the Army in WWII on the island of Blak. Clifford lived a quiet life, but took a lot of enjoyment from nature, family, friends and travel. He loved telling stories of the good old days, which always brought a smile to his face and those of his family and friends. In 1977, Clifford married Eunice Krey, at which time he became the stepfather to eight children and countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a kind and patient grandpa. Clifford and Eunice spent 30 years together, in which time they did a lot of traveling. They spent many winters in Texas, where they enjoyed meeting new friends and old. Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Yrsa (Everet) Coen and niece, Phyllis (Coen) Sandstrom. He is survived by his wife; sister, Elaine (Finn) Peterson; nephews, Randy and Ron Thoreson and Dick Coen; nieces, Pat (Coen) Amundson and Linda (Thoreson) Sellers; his eight stepchildren; 23 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren and friends. Interment will be Saturday, July 12, at 2 p.m., at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Luck.
Lucy Ostling Lucy Ostling, Barron, died June 26, 2008, at the age of 83 years. She was born Oct. 20, 1924, in Frederic, to John and Sarah Peterson. She was preceded in death by husband, Elof Ostling; her father and mother; sisters, LaVera Buss and Irene Jenssen; brother, Harold “Buddy” Peterson; and nephew, Allen Jenssen. She is survived by nephew and nieces, Jon and JoAnn Buss, Karen and Dave Torgersen, Shirley and Bob Hallquist and Carol Jenssen. Lucy worked at Duncan Yo-Yo factory in Luck, for many years and later moved to Rice Lake. Her last years have been in Barron. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 2, 8:30 to 11 a.m., at Rowe Funeral Home in Luck. A graveside service and interment will follow at Bone Lake Cemetery in Bone Lake Township with the Rev. Mary Ann Bowman officiating. The Rowe Funeral Home of Luck, was entrusted with arrangements.
Willard Frederickson Willard (Bill) Fredrickson died June 19, 2008, at the age of 90. He was born in Minneapolis and graduated from South High School where he excelled in basketball, football, and was president of his high school class. After graduation, Bill was honored to hold the elite position of chauffeur to the governor of Minnesota, Elmer Benson and his family. He then proudly served the United States Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. Bill was the owner of Carlson Candy Company in Luck, where he and his wife resided for over 60 years. They took delight in traveling and spent many winters in Palm Desert, Calif., after retirement. They were original members of the Luck Country Club, and Bill was a 50-year Shriner. The Fredricksons enjoyed entertaining and were blessed with lifelong friends at home in Wisconsin as well as many more in Montana and the Southwest. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Shriners Hospitals for Children—Twin Cities, or the charity of your choice. He is survived by his wife, Florence, of 68 years; daughter, Suzanne Dressler; and granddaughter, Amanda Dressler. The Rowe Funeral Home of Luck was entrusted with arrangements.
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OBITUARIES Irene J. Greaner
Viola Selma Maria Peterson
Irene J. Greaner, age 76, of New Richmond, formerly of Frederic and St. Croix Falls, died on Monday, June 23, 2008, at the St. Croix Health Center in New Richmond. She is survived by her children, Tim (Renee) Greaner of Balsam Lake, Tom Greaner of the Twin Cities, Patricia (Anil) Mangla of Cumming, Ga.; grandchildren, Brittany, Nicholas and Rachel Greaner, Paul and Erica Swenson, Ryan Mangla; step-grandchildren, Andy Haller and Anthony Rucci; step-great-grandchildren, Janice and Damien Haller, McKellah and Samantha Rucci; sister, Evelyn Brathall. Irene is preceded in death by her son, Robert Greaner; sisters, Seena and Maria; and brothers, Lavon and Edward. Private services were held. The Beebe Mortuary of New Richmond was entrusted with arrangements.
Viola Selma Maria Peterson, 90, died June 25, 2008, at United Pioneer Home. Viola was born March 13, 1918, to Paul and Alice Peterson at Atlas in Laketown Township, Polk County. She attended Alabama Grade School and graduated from Luck High School. Viola had various jobs, including working at the Frederic Co-op Grocery Store for a time. Later she furthered her education by attending Polk County Teachers College and went on to graduate from UW-Superior with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught school at Anoka, Minn., and then for a number of years at Siren before she retired. Viola was fond of music, and loved playing her piano and organ. She was a kind, generous person and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Noble Roy and sister, Ethel. Viola is survived by her brother, David (Edith) Peterson of Grantsburg; niece, Miriam Newby of Grantsburg; nephews, Mark Peterson of Minneapolis, Minn., and Warren (Joan) Peterson of Frederic and greatnephews and great-nieces. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 28, at the Atlas Methodist Church in Laketown Township, with Pastor Marlon Mielke officiating. Music was provided by soloist, Jim Glover, pianist, Joy Mielke and organist, Mark Peterson. Interment followed at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery. Casket bearers were Bryan Peterson, Warren Peterson, Mark Peterson, Caleb Newby, Laura Newby and Kyle Newby. Honorary casket bearer was Eric Recktenwald. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.
William “Bill”Shives William “Bill” Shives, 78, a resident of Webster, died June 29, 2008. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 3, at 11 a.m. at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster. Visitation will be prior to services from 9 – 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. A full obituary will follow in a later edition. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.
Kelly Lee Skinaway Kelly Lee Skinaway, 49, a resident of Danbury, died June 24, 2008. Kelly was born Sept. 6, 1958, in Frederic to Bennie and Marion Skinaway. Kelly was preceded in death by his father and grandparents. Kelly is survived by his mother, Marion of St. Paul, Minn., son, Eugene Carpenter of Minneapolis, Minn.; sister, Melissa Zahradka of St. Paul, Minn.; brothers, Kim (Shawna), Willie, Tracy, Darryl and Bennie, all of St. Paul, Minn.; eight grandchildren; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 28, at Danbury Tribal Center with Lee Staples officiating. Interment followed at Danbury Cemetery. Casket bearers were Kim Skinaway, Scotty Buskirk, Russ Zahradka, Bill Nelson, Aaron Benjamin and Rocket Bearhart. Honorary casket bearers were Darryl Skinaway, Tracy Skinaway, Willie Skinaway and Bennie Skinaway. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.
Kathleen Shanks-Anderson Kathleen Shanks-Anderson, 52, of Cushing, died at her home on June 26, 2008. Funeral services were held on June 28, at the Edling Funeral Home in St. Croix Falls. Cremation followed the service. The Edling Funeral Home, St. Croix Falls, was entrusted with the arrangements.
Velma Louise McAndrews Velma Louise McAndrews, died June 16, 2008, at North Memorial Hospital. She was 69. Velma was born on Sept. 27, 1938, in Tyler, Texas. She was the daughter of Carol Cogswell of Luck and Virginia Cogswell of California. Velma married Mike McAndrews on June 6, 1981, in Pensacola, Fla. Velma worked for many years in the banking field at the Marquette Bank in Minneapolis and the Northwestern Bank in Minneapolis. Velma enjoyed cooking and being a homemaker. Her passion was learning as much as she could about proper nutrition and sharing that information with those she loved. Velma was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia Cogswell and her grandparents, Jess and Laura Cogswell. Velma is survived by her husband, Mike McAndrews; daughter, Hollie Sheldon; father, Carol Cogswell; brothers, Merritt (Cheryl) Cogswell, Kim (Karen) Cogswell, Gary (Laura) Cogswell, Chuck Cogswell and Dan Cogswell; sisters, Cindy (Reg) Norgard and Jeanne (Mark) Faltisek; sisters-in-law, Terri McAndrews and Sandra Henkels; many nieces and nephews and dear friend, Arlene Jensen. Memorial services are pending. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.
Helen Louise Berglund Carlson Helen Louise Berglund Carlson, age 94, of Trade Lake, died on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at United Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. Helen was born on July 3, 1913, on her parents’ farm in Trade Lake Township. She was the seventh child born to Clause and Selma Berglund and grew up in the Trade Lake area. After graduating from Grantsburg High School in 1931, Helen continued her education at River Falls to become a teacher. She taught in many schools in Northwest Wisconsin, including being the first teacher when Bass Lake School opened. Helen married Arne Carlson on Aug. 5, 1939. They moved back to Trade Lake in the mid-1940s where they farmed. Helen worked at Duncan Yo-Yo factory, at Stokely-VanKamp cannery, and did substitute teaching. She enjoyed gardening, caring for animals, picking blueberries out “on sand,” and tapping maple syrup. She delighted in preparing gourmet meals for friends and family. She also always remembered birthdays and anniversaries. She was a lifelong member and faithful attender of Trade Lake Baptist Church. She is survived by her sisters, Arlene Drotz of Puyallup, Wash. and Vernice Carlson of Andover, Minn.; 22 nieces and nephews as well as many more relatives and dear friend, Dorothy Mattson. Funeral services were held at the Trade Lake Baptist Church on Saturday, June 28, with Pastor Andy McDaniel officiating. Music was provided by organist Barb Kallman and soloist Pastor Andy McDaniel. Interment was at Union Cemetery – Trade Lake Township, Frederic. Casket bearers were Mike Carlson, Dan Carlson, David Patterson, Eric Berg, Tony Zurawski and Tom Quimby. The Rowe Funeral Home of Frederic was entrusted with arrangements.
John H. Mallin John H. Mallin of Osceola, formerly of Cushing and Andover, Minn., died Monday June 23, at Regions Hospital, at the age of 71. John was born March 31, 1937, at Marine on the St. Croix, Minn., to Howard and Mildred Mallin. He graduated from Montgomery High School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Army. On Oct. 8, 1960, he married Florence Bohl at Athens. He worked as an insurance agent for 33 years. John enjoyed fishing, do-it-yourself handyman projects, outdoors, college basketball and all professional sports. John was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Mildred; brother, William “Bud” Mallin; and sister, Elaine Coughlin. He is survived by his wife, Florence; son, Michael (Lila) of St. Michael, Minn.; daughter, Cheryl (Robert) Rodrick of Port Murray, N.J.; grandchildren, Alex, Hanna, Jonathan and Jessica; and sister, Jean Forland of Mapleton, Minn. Memorial services were held Friday June 27, at Zion Lutheran Church in Farmington with the Rev. C.G. Sengbusch officiating. Music was provided by Laurie Neumann. Private interment was in the Oak Grove Cemetery. The Grandstrand Funeral Home, Osceola, was entrusted with arrangements.
John Ernest Lind John Ernest Lind, 65, a resident of Siren, died suddenly June 26, 2008. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, July 2, visitation at 1 p.m. Service at 2 p.m., at the Lions Pavilion at Crooked Lake Park, Siren. A full obituary will follow in a later edition. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.
Louise S. Torrez Louise S. Torrez, 84, a resident of Siren, died June 26, 2008, at Indianhead Medical Center. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, July 2, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Visitation at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m.. A full obituary will follow in a later edition. The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, was entrusted with arrangements.
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CHURCH NEWS Raising kids is the greatest challenge imaginable Q: What has been your greatest challenge as a father? What did you learn from it? DR. DOBSON: Raising healthy, well educated, selfdisciplined children who love God and their fellow human beings is, I believe, the most challenging responsibility in living. Not even rocket science can approach it for complexity and unpredictability. And of course, the job is even more difficult today, when the culture undermines and contradicts everything parents are trying to accomplish at home. Fortunately, we are not asked to do everything perfectly as moms and dads. Our kids usually manage to survive our mistakes and failures and turn out better than we have any right to boast about. I certainly made my share of mistakes as a father. Like millions of other men of my era, I often had a tough time balancing the pressures of my profession with the needs of my family. Not that I ever became an "absentee father," but I did struggle at times to be as accessible as I should have. As it happened, my first book, "Dare to Discipline," was published the same week that our second child, Ryan, arrived. A baby always turns a house upside down, but the reaction to my book added to the turmoil. I was a full time professor at a medical school, and yet I was inundated by thousands of letters and requests of every sort. There was no mechanism to
handle this sudden notoriety. I remember flying to New York one Thursday night and doing 17 television shows and press interviews in three days, returning to work on Monday morning. It was nothing short of overwhelming. My father, who always served as a beacon in dark times, saw what was Dr. James happening to me and wrote a letter Dobson that was to change my life. First, he congratulated me on my success, but then warned that all the success in the world would not compensate if I failed at home. He reminded me that the spiritual welfare of our children was my most important responsibility, and that the only way to build their faith was to model it personally and then to stay on my knees in prayer. That couldn't be done if I invested every resource in my profession. I have never forgotten that profound advice. It eventually led to my resignation from the university and to the development of a ministry that permitted me to stay at home. I quit accepting speaking requests, started a radio program that required no travel, and refused to do book tours or accept other lengthy responsibilities that would take me away from my family. As I look back on that era today, I am so grateful that I chose to preserve my relationship with my children. The closeness that we enjoy today can be
FOCUS ON THE
FAMILY
traced to that decision to make time for them when they needed me most. I could easily have made the greatest mistake of my life at that time. I'm sure many fathers will read this response and find themselves today where I was back then. If you are one of them, I urge you to give priority to your family. Those kids around your feet will be grown and gone before you know it. Don't let the opportunity of these days slip away from you. No professional accomplishment or success is worth that cost. When you stand where I am today, the relationship with those you love will outweigh every other good thing in your life. ••• Dr. Dobson is founder and chairman of the board of the nonprofit organization Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995 (www.family.org). Questions and answers are excerpted from "Solid Answers" and "Bringing Up Boys," both published by Tyndale House. COPYRIGHT 2008 JAMES DOBSON INC., DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE 4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; 816-932 6600.
Brought to you by:
Siren/Lewis United Methodist Churches Siren, Wis.
Lewis, Wis.
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T al l j o b
Balsam Lake Queen contestants BALSAM LAKE - The Balsam Lake Queen Pageant, part of Balsam Lake’s Freedom Fest, will be held this Thursday, July 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Unity School. Contestants are Joy Albrecht, Jessica Larson, Krissy Norlund and Katelynn Swiontek. The Freedom Fest includes the pageant on Thursday, fireworks on Friday, a craft fair, boat parade and live music on Saturday, and on Sunday, a car show, canoe race and a parade. — submitted (L to R): Jessica Larson, Katelynn Swiontek, and Krissy Norlund. Not pictured Joy Albrecht. Jessica Larson is a junior and the daughter of Jackie and John Larson. Larson participates in cheerleading, dance line, FFA and forensics. Her hobbies include photography and working with children. Katelynn Swiontek is a junior, and her grandparents are Michael and Margaret Swiontek. Swiontek participates in volleyball, softball, dance, forensics, band and choir. Her hobbies include piano, choir, water sports and traveling. Krissy Norlund is a junior and the daughter of Larry and Kathy Norlund. Norlund participates in dance line, volleyball, forensics and softball. Her hobbies include horseback riding, dancing, traveling, sports, swimming and camping. Joy Albrecht is a junior and the daughter of Sheila Albrecht. Albrecht participates in band and tennis. Her hobbies include photography, camping and being with friends. — Photo submitted
Shingles on the North Valley Church were replaced last week by local contractor Vern Simon and family (Roof Systems) and the original shingles, from 1893, had to be removed for the job. Pastor Maggie Isaacson was given a ride up to the top of the steeple by the workers. “It was quite the experience,” she noted. The weather vane is dated 1906 and could not be straightened because the steel rod runs the length of the steeple itself and would require extensive planning to accomplish. The Simon brothers and family were eager to do the job, as they grew up in the area and attended the church, recalling the bags of hard candy that were handed out at the church each Christmas. “We still do that,” said the pastor. - Photos by Gary King
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JULY
WED. - SUN./2 - 5 Webster
• Central Burnett County Fair, demo derby, horse pull, stock truck & tractor pull, carnival rides & games, exhibits, animals, live bands, and bingo and senior bingo & dinner, etc. Call Renelle Sears, 715-866-8261, cbcfair@ sirentel.net, www.centralburnettcountyfair.org.
Coming events
Frederic
Grantsburg • Neighborhood Mass, potluck meal at Ray & Arlie Gonsior residence, 6 p.m., 715-327-8119.
• Good Samaritan Society, St. Croix Valley Auxiliary meets, 1:30 p.m. in the community room.
THURS. - SUN./10-13
THUR. - SUN./3 - 6
Spooner
• Spooner Rodeo Performances on Fri.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m.; parade Sat. at 1:30 p.m., 800-3673306 for more info.
Balsam Lake
• Freedom Festival, Thurs. queen pageant, Fri. fireworks, Sat. craft fair, boat parade, live music, Sun. car show, canoe race, parade, BalsamLakeWI.com/cc.
THURSDAY/10 Balsam Lake
THURSDAY/3
• Meeting regarding community service program for nonviolent offenders at the Justice Center, 6 p.m.
Frederic
• 500 cards at the senior center, 6:30 p.m. • Support group for people with bipolar disorder and depression at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 7:30 p.m. Call 715-327-4436 for more info.
Falun
Frederic
Carole Martens of St. Croix Falls spotted this luna moth on her front door at 6 a.m., Saturday, June 21. “It was an amazing find,” Martens noted. “Its size, form and color were remarkable to say the least!” Martens, who lives right in the city, says she almost missed spotting the moth because it’s the same color as her home. – Special photo
• Pie & ice-cream social at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1-3 p.m.
SATURDAY/5
St. Croix Falls
• White elephant & bake sale at Faith Lutheran Church, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. • Flea market at the Polk County Museum, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Pie & ice-cream social at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 1-4 p.m.
• Truck & tractor pull at Wolf Creek Bar, 715483-9255.
Siren • Fourth of July Celebration, Freedom 5K Walk/Run, bed races, grand parade, fireworks. • Dedication ceremony for band shell at Crooked Lake Park, fireworks at 10 p.m.
Balsam Lake
Cumberland • Comstock School Reunion at Das Lach Haus, 1 p.m., 715-417-0764.
Taylors Falls, Minn. • Historical Society’s pie and ice-cream social at the Folsom House, 6:30 p.m., 651-2574773.
Webb Lake • Fireman’s Picnic at the fire hall.
Danbury • Danbury Days Parade on Main Street, 11 a.m., duck race, bed races, live music, etc.
Frederic
SAT. & SUN./5 & 6 Osceola
• 75th anniversary at the rod and gun club. Sat, shows at 1 & 5 p.m., Sun. show at 3 p.m.
Trade Lake • Durocher Family music and stories at the Baptist church, 5:30 p.m.
SUNDAY/6 Balsam Lake
• Freedom Festival 5K run/walk fundraiser for WWII trip to Washington, D.C. Registration 77:45 a.m.
Cushing • Kings Trio at Skonewood Christian Retreat Center, 7 p.m. Preceeded by Ann Bell on the piano.
Luck • Fireworks over Big Butternut Lake at dusk.
Webster
• Potluck & birthday of the month celebration at the senior center.
• Wild Rice pancake breakfast at the Forts, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 715-866-8890.
Indian Creek
MONDAY/7
Webster • Fire Department brat feed, parade, 1:30 p.m., water-ball fight. • Fireworks at Yellow Lake Golf Course, outdoor activities start at 6 p.m., 715-866-7107.
Siren
• Pokeno at the senior center, 1 p.m.
St. Croix Falls
FRIDAY/4
Luck • Music in the Park at Centennial Pavilion, Manfred, 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY/9
Frederic
• Blood pressure screening at Bremer Bank, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sponsored by Bremer Bank. • Pokeno played, 1 p.m., at the senior center.
St. Croix Falls
Balsam Lake
• Small-business counseling at the government center, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 715-485-8608.
• Veterans forum with Rep. Hraychuck at the VFW hall, 7:30 p.m., 715-349-8087.
WEDNESDAY/2
• Good Samaritan Society – St. Croix Valley Auxiliary meets in the community room, 1:30 p.m.
TUESDAY/8
• Lorain 24th-annual Fire Department’s Farm Tractor Truck Pull, 11 a.m., 715-653-2649, 715-653-2566.
Siren • Arts Alive on 35 fine arts & craft show at North Wind Arts, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 715-349-8448. • Boat parade & fireworks on Clear Lake, 9:30 p.m. parade, 10 p.m. fireworks.
Frederic
• Spades played at the senior center, 1 p.m.
• Northwest Wisconsin Graziers Dairy Pasture Walk at the Darold Nelson farm, 1-3 p.m., 715-485-8600, 715-268-8778. • 500 cards at the senior center, 6:30 p.m. • Support group for people with bipolar disorder and depression at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 7:30 p.m. Call 715-327-4436 for more info.
Siren • Ruby’s Pantry at Siren Covenant Church parking lot, 4-6 p.m.
FRI. - SUN./11-13 Amery
• Bluegrass & Gospel fest at Little Falls Lutheran, www.geocities.com/littlefallschurch.
Centuria • Memory Days; craft fair, games, tournaments, etc., noon street theater on Sat., parade on Sun. Street theater info 715-646-9933.
FRIDAY/11 Grantsburg
• 2008 Polk County Holstein Breeders Twilight Meeting at Northernview Farms, 7 p.m., 715-648-5401.
Siren • 2nd anniversary of Burnett County Drug & Alcohol Court pancake breakfast at Siren Covenant Church, 8:30 a.m., 715-349-7600, ext. 1256.
SATURDAY/12 Balsam Lake
Luck • Indianhead Gem and Mineral Society meeting at the senior center. Gather at 7 p.m., meeting at 7:30 p.m.
• Red Cross Baby-sitting Classes at the Red Cross office, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 715-485-3045. • 18th-annual All-School Reunion at the American Legion Hall, 11:30 a.m. potluck. • Authors day at the museum.
“Dates with a Nut” coming soon to Festival Theatre ST. CROIX FALLS – Meg Merckens and Patrick O’Brien will arrive in St. Croix Falls to prepare for the opening of the Upper Midwest premiere of “Dates with a Nut,” running July 10 through Aug. 10 at Festival Theatre. “Dates with a Nut,” by Thomas P. Johnson and Meg Merckens, is the story of a middle-aged widower, William Fox, who is convinced by co-workers to reenter the world of dating by way of an Internet service. He proceeds to set up his initial “safe dates” at the local café where he is taken under wing by Dori, the longtime waitress and self-appointed dating coach. One disastrous date after another serves up nothing but “Nuts” with the only steady hand being the waitress pouring the coffee. O’Brien, who has returned to his native Twin Cities after a long career in Los Angeles, performs the role of William. O’Brien’s acting credits include an extensive list of television and film work, such as the recurring role of Mr. Dewey on “Saved By The Bell.” Merckens, a veteran Eastern Iowa actress over the past 30 years, returns in the role of Dori. She also plays the roles of all four women who meet William for a date. This quick-change comedy has played to sold-out houses in prior years, with its debut at The Depot Stage in Amana, Iowa, in 2006 being a near-capacity run. “We are so pleased to welcome the Iowa Theatre Artists Company to our stage,” says Danette Olsen, executive director at Festival Theatre. “In addition to
William Fox (Patrick Thomas O’Brien) reacts to the unusual homemade juice that Orchid (Meg Merckens) has brought for their first date, in the Festival Theatre’s next show, “Dates with a Nut.” – Photo submitted fully producing our own work, each year we present the work of other professional theatre companies. We cast Meg Merckens in the role of Annie Nations in our 2007 production of ‘Foxfire’ and when we discovered that she and her husband Tom Johnson were putting
their new comedy on the road in 2008, we just had to add them to the season!” “Dates with a Nut” is the second play in the 2008 Theatre Series at Festival and it opens on July 10; later this summer, “Sea Marks” opens on Aug. 14. “Arsenic and Old Lace” opening on Oct. 9, and “A Christmas Story” on Nov. 29. The 2008 season also has seven concerts remaining and a variety of special events such as Leon Redbone in concert on Sept. 20. “Dates with a Nut” will be performed at 2 p.m. Thursday matinees on July 10, 24 and Aug. 7, and four Sunday matinees, July 13 and 27, and Aug. 3 and 10. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Performances are on most Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays except for Wannigan Days weekend (July 17-20). Tickets for “Dates with a Nut” are $25 for adults and $12.50 for youth. Subscribers get a deep discount through the purchase of Flex Pass packages which are bundled with either six seats or 10 seats. Packages range in price from $105 to $185. To receive a 2008 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 Street. For more information, to order tickets or join the Festival Theatre mailing list, call 715-483-3387 or 888-8876002. You may also send an e-mail to info@festivaltheatre.org or use the theatre’s website www.festivaltheatre.org for tickets or additional information. - submitted
E-Edition Extra
Frederic Family Days was held June 19-22 with a kiddie parade, queen pageant, live music, games and more. These photos are unpublished photos from the celebration, taken by reporter Brenda Sommerfeld.
Frederic Family Days
E-Edition Extra
Smile pretty! One spectator steps out to get a photo of the Shriner’s Drum and Bugle Corps at the Fishermen’s Party parade.
Fishermen’s Party parade Photos by Gary King
Miss Grantsburg Bailey Volgren waves during the Milltown parade.
Miss Frederic Candace Buck and her royalty appeared in Milltown’s parade, Sunday, June 20.
Backtrack. This band member walks
Miss Frederic Candace Buck and her royalty appeared in Milltown’s parade, Sunday, June 20.
E-Edition Extra
Timberland Pub open for business by Regan Kohler BARRONETT – The Timberland Pub, Barronett, is under new management with a new variety of food and an owner with years of hospitality experience. Randy Holm, McKinley, purchased the restaurant from its previous owners, Bobbi and Wayne Boyd. The place was previously The G Spot, a Packer-themed tavern. Holm is originally from the Twin Cities, but bought a vacation house in McKinley a few years ago. He appreciated the beauty and history of the area, and began looking for a way he could move there full time. “I love the area,” he said, adding that residents are awesome and the country is beautiful. Post-college, Holm studied restaurant management and hospitality training and development. He worked for the Don Pablo’s Mexican restaurant franchise as a corporate trainer, traveling around the country to open new markets. Holm then worked for the Doubletree Corporation, running Randy Holm, new owner of Timberland Pub, the food and beverage division in Barronett, designed the restaurant’s logo in downtown Minneapolis. After that, keeping with the area’s history. – Photo by he was an assistant general manag- Regan Kohler er for the Buca di Beppo Italian
restaurants’ corporate training hub; Holm said his position was hospitality trainer. He trained 38 restaurant managers during his time with the restaurant. Holm got out of the restaurant business for 10 years, saying if he ever got back into it, it would be for himself. He got this opportunity when he found The G Spot needed a new owner. Holm said the place used to be called the Timberland Tavern, since it is located in the Timberland Hills area, in the township of Roosevelt. People still referred to it by that name even when it was The G Spot, he said. He decided to keep that name – “Why fight history?” he asked – and because of his Irish descent, chose the pub term. Holm said Timberland Hills is an area rich with history, especially logging, and he has repainted the restaurant and decorated it with photographs of the Timberland, Cumberland and Barron in bygone days, which he got from the Wisconsin Historical Society. When Holm was first working on the building, he got the chance to meet residents who stopped in out of curiosity. He was able to get a
general idea of what kind of food people wanted. He found many farmers wanted cold sandwiches or pasta salads for lunch on a hot day. Along with these offerings, he also has burgers with Louie’s Finer Meats beef, hot sandwiches and desserts. There are daily specials too, such as Taco Tuesday, Wing-Ding Wednesday and Fish-Fry Friday. The restaurants opened June 3, with a limited menu – the official one began Tuesday, June 17 – and Holm said it has been consistently busy. People who have eaten at the pub already say the food is great. Holm said he wants the Timberland Pub to be known for good food and customer service. His plans include having bands in the winter when it slows down; karaoke nights on Fridays starting in the fall; and meat raffles in July. The Timberland Pub is open from 3 p.m. until close Tuesdays through Thursdays, and from noon until close Fridays through Sundays; it is closed Mondays. The restaurant is located at 20991 CTH H, off Timberline Road, near the Burnett County line. Take Hwy. 63 south to arrive at CTH H.
!" t h S e n a t e D i s t r i c t Sportsmen survey says… Last month, many of you took the opportunity to respond to my 2008 Sportsmen Survey, which I distributed and posted on my Web site, www.harsdorfsenate.com. The newsletter talked about accomplishments in preserving our natural resources through the state’s stewardship program and protections for gun owners. Protecting our hunting and fishing traditions is something that I not only consider a legislative priority, but is something that is personally important to me. I was raised on a farm where
Sheila Harsdorf
hunting, fishing and gun ownership was an important part of my life. I want to ensure that these opportunities continue for my family and yours. My son got his first deer last year, and I was proud to be at his side. Our outdoor traditions are part of our rural
heritage. This is why I ask for your involvement and input. On the survey, I posed
questions about the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources performance in managing the state’s deer population, willingness to pay higher fees to enhance conservation programs, ideas about increased funding for purchasing land for recreation and conservation, and a longer gun deer hunting season. Thirty-nine percent rated the DNR’s performance good on managing the deer population, 34 percent said fair, 22 percent said poor, and 5 percent said excellent. In regards to increased fees for conservation programs, 43 percent wanted no more, 34 percent said a little more, 15 percent said reduce fees and 8
percent wanted to pay a lot more. I also asked how much land the state should purchase for recreation and conservation. Thirty-three percent wanted the state to purchase a lot more, 30 percent a little more, 28 percent said no more, while 8 percent said sell some and 1 percent said sell it all. Finally, in regards to a longer gun deer hunting season, 57 percent supported lengthening it while 43 percent opposed. If you would like to add your input to these survey results, please visit my Web site www.harsdorfsenate.com. Your feedback is critical to building a better Wisconsin together.
Locks of Love donated at SCFalls Relay for Life
Wade Hanson, Polaris employee, donated his hair to Locks of Love at the relay. He then shaved his head within one inch because Polaris reached their goal of $75,000 and Hanson had agreed to shave his head if that happened. – Photos by Tammi Milberg
E-Edition Extra Long-term care district elects board of directors HAYWARD — The Northwest LongTerm Care District Board of Directors convened their first official meeting in Hayward on June 2. State Sen. Bob Jauch and state Reps. Gary Sherman and Mary Williams were on hand to lend support to what Jauch referred to as a “massive effort.” In the next nine months, the board will oversee the development of what will become a $90 million business serving over 3,000 members and employing 200 workers. It will be based on Wisconsin’s Family Care model that provides long-term care to seniors and adults with physical or developmental disabilities who meet functional and financial requirements. Members are able to stay in their homes and communities with the help of care teams and a network of service providers. The state is banking on Family Care to end waiting lists that plague the current system and to save money. The state may be the architect of Family Care, but the various long-term care districts are the builders bringing the blueprints to life. Eleven counties make up the Northwest Long-Term Care District: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer and Washburn. It is Wisconsin’s largest long-term care district in terms of number of counties and geographic size. The Northwest Long-Term Care District Board of Directors now has 16 members — 11 representing each of the counties and five representing seniors and consumers with disabilities. Two atlarge members will be selected soon, bringing total board membership to 18.
The Northwest Long-Term Care District Board of Directors back row (L to R): David Willingham, Dale Schleeter, Bob Kopisch, Jeff Kieffer, Jack Sweeney and Mike Linton. Middle: Brian Tarro, Ken Mosentine, Jeff Schinzing, Terri Stone and Mike Hamm. Front: David Markert, Dee Kittleson, Sue Zieke, Jay Hands and Mark Novotny. — Photo submitted At the June 2 meeting, David Willingham was elected chair, Jay Hands vice chair, and Jeff Kieffer secretary of the board. The group has been learning about Family Care and how to operate as a board since last September. “The first word we learned 10 months ago was collaboration,” said Willingham. “To collaborate is to colabor with someone. It has been truly rewarding to have labored together for
a purpose that is larger than ourselves. To trust and believe in each other and to accept the responsibility of building the structure of this Long Term Care District on the foundation entrusted to us by those who co-labored before us. Most rewarding of all, is to know that this structure we are building will become the shelter of services to all those who have waited so long to realize the dream of quality services for all, according to
individual need and in the place they call home.” The public is welcome to all board meetings held the first Monday of every month at the Ramada Inn in Hayward at 9 a.m. For more information about Family Care and the development of the new managed-care organization in Northwest Wisconsin, go to www.nwfamilycare.com. — from LTC
Feingold accepting applications for nominations to United States service academies STATEWIDE - U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold is accepting applications for nominations to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The Service Academies provide high school graduates the opportunity to
serve their country while receiving a quality education on a full government scholarship. These academies are extremely challenging, both physically and academically, and accept only highly motivated students. In order to qualify for entrance into a Service Academy, an applicant must be
a United States citizen and at least 17 years of age but not past his or her 23rd birthday upon entrance to the academy. To be considered by Feingold’s office, you must be a Wisconsin resident. Applications are available online at Feingold.senate.gov or by contacting the Senator’s Academy Coordinator,
Michelle Murray, at 608-828-1200. All applications must be received by Friday, Oct. 17, in order to be considered by the senator’s office. - from the office of Sen. Feingold
Scenes from our neck of the woods
A great horned owlet shows off its fuzzy attire at Crex Meadows. — Photo submitted
What are you looking at? – Photo by Priscilla Bauer