Leader|june13|2007

INTER-COUNTY

‘Follow the Leader’

June 13, 2007 2 sections • Vol. 71 • No. 42 8,000 copies

Serving Northwest Wisconsin

Since 1933

Tribal election unseats three

the-leader

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The long and the short of it

Unofficial results show 20-year council member Lewis Taylor defeated along with tribal chairman David “Maabin” Merrill and council member Leo Butler; elder coalition gains foothold HERTEL - According to unofficial results of the St. Croix Tribe of Chippewa's election for tribal council, there will be three new council members taking office soon.

In Saturday's landmark election,

members of the tribe voted to re-elect two incumbents and three newcomers to their governing board, with voters from each of the four tribal communities choosing their representatives to the

See Tribal election, page 2

Family Days weekend in Frederic See Northern Currents section

Nursing home debt on county board agenda Budget process may be changed

Page 3

Emerson heritage carries on in NW Wisconsin

City administrator at St. Croix Falls has strong and colorful roots to area

POLK COUNTY - Ed Emerson, city administrator for St. Croix Falls, shares a common ancestor with the late great American transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson.

However, the Emerson family connection to northern Wisconsin, and St. Croix Falls in particular, goes much deeper.

When Ed Emerson took the job as city administrator for St. Croix Falls, he knew that he may have some distant cousins in the area.

Ed is a 12th-generation American.

His great-great-grandfather Norman migrated to Wisconsin from Massachusetts years before Wisconsin became a state.

Norman was instrumental in found-

See Emerson, page 4

In his element. St. Croix Falls Administrator Ed Emerson has deep connections to northern Wisconsin. – Photo submitted

Notes from Iraq Page 9

Size didn’t matter at the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Burnett County last Friday and Saturday. Tall or short, all you needed was a big heart to make the walk. The event raised more than $73,000 for cancer research. More photos in Currents section. - Photo by Carl Heidel

2007 All-Leader Softball Team SPORTS

Serving Burnett & Polk counties since 1933

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JUNE 13, 2007

Tribal election/from page 1 Defeated were 20-year tribal council member Lewis Taylor, 14-year council member and current tribal chairman David "Maabin" Merrill and Leo Butler.

Taking their places will be former tribal chairman Elmer "Jay" Emery and Michael Decorah who defeated Butler and Taylor in the Sand Lake Community; and Jerald "Jerry" Lowe who defeated Maabin Merrill in the Round Lake Community.

Incumbents returned by voters are Hazel Hindsley from the Maple Plain Community and Gloria Benjamin from the Danbury Community.

Terms are for two years.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. this Friday to file objections or challenges to

The new St. Croix Tribal Council, pending verification of last Saturday’s vote, are (L to R); returning incumbent Gloria Benjamin, Michael Decorah, returning incumbent Hazel Hindsley, Jerry Lowe and Jay Emery. - File photos the election returns.

Following the approval period and after investigating any objections, the public will be notified of a formal swearing-in ceremony of the council.

Should the results stand, this turnover

will likely be seen as a victory for a group of tribal members who formed the Elder Coalition for a Constitutional Change. The coalition has fought to change the tribe’s constitution for four or five years - to break open what they

felt has been a “secret government,” with members not being allowed to participate in their own government. - with information from St. Croix Tribe of Chippewa news release

Burnett County Officers of the Year (L to R): Deputy Steve Sacharski, jailor/dispatcher Gabe Taggart and Sgt. Thad Osborne from the Burnett County Sheriff’s Department were honored Thursday, June 7, as the county’s Officers of the Year. “They are an asset to the agency, and lead by their example,” commented Chief Deputy Don Taylor. Sacharski has been a deputy sheriff since 1999. He does a great deal of the grant writing for the department, although the other deputies try to find ways to bring in grant revenue.

Taggart has been a jailor/dispatcher for the past two years. Osborne, the department’s night-shift supervisor, has been a deputy sheriff since 1991. The three men were chosen by their peers for their performance in the department during the past year. – Photo by Nancy Jappe

Memorial bench The Athens High School varsity boys basketball team is pictured with the memorial bench that was installed on the northeast corner of the high school track in honor of Adam Peterson, the head boys basketball coach in Athens who died in January at the age of 25 of unknown causes. He was the son of Don and Debra Peterson of Balsam Lake. Peterson carried his lifelong passion for sports to his new teaching job at Athens, taking the helm of the school’s varsity basketball team just a year after being hired as a science teacher there. Shown (L to R) are, Ryan Hovde, Daniel Drewek, Derek Hake, Eric Henrichs, Ryan Eckert, Jameson Ewan, Brendan Dobbs, Michael Hake, Robert Heldt and co-head coach Rick Guralski. Not pictured are Tim Woller, Kyle Lange, Alex Riehle, Pat Steinke and co-head coach Angela Totzke. A scarlet maple and a princeton golden maple were planted on either side of the bench, which was donated by Wausau Tile. The Youth Boys Basketball program donated the trees and landscaping pavers for the project. – Photo courtesy Abbotsford Tribune-Phonograph INTER-COUNTY

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Two men face felony child abuse charges POLK COUNTY - Two men face felony charges in Polk County of physical abuse of a child.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Department assisted the St. Croix Tribal police at 12:45 p.m. Saturday on the Round Lake Reservation for a report of a battery to a minor.

Authorities said marks on the child’s body were consistent with a person being struck by an object.

Both Clifford Robertson, 40, Luck, and Cornelius Kirk, 33, Siren, were arrested June 9 and taken to the Polk County Jail.

According to police, Kirk told them he assaulted the minor due to “constant harassment to him and his family.”

Preliminary hearings for both Kirk and Robertson are scheduled for June 14 in Polk County Circuit Court. – Julie Holmquist

Briefly The price of gas this week dipped below $3 a gallon - $2.99 - in some parts of Burnett and Polk counties, although some prices remain at $3.07 or higher.

According to Wisconsin Public Radio the city of Madison is paying $2.31 a gallon due to some shrewd planning, and bulk purchased fuel for a year ahead of time.

Most consumers aren’t equipped or just can’t afford to do that - but the payoff makes it tempting. Madison stands to save $1 million. (See story, page 11).

••• Thursday, June 14, is Flag Day. The idea of an annual day specifically set aside to celebrate the American Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885 in Wisconsin. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as Flag Birthday. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as Flag Birthday, or Flag Day. - with information from www.usflag.org ••• AMERY - Lyme Action Wisconsin meets in Amery the second Thursday of the month, May through September and the first Saturday of each month, October through April. Anyone concerned about Lyme disease is welcome to attend the meetings. Thursday meetings are at 7 p.m.; Saturday meetings are at 9:30 p.m., all at the Bremer Bank building on Hwy. 46 (Main Street). Persons should use the south door entrance to find the group in the downstairs meeting room. Further information is available by calling Cindy at 715-472-8316 or Marina at 715-857-5953.

- with submitted information ••• WEBB LAKE - This will be the sixth year than Dan Kaye of Woodbury, Minn., has conducted a “One Nation Under God” foodshelf drive to benefit the foodshelves in Burnett County. This year the churches of Crescent Lake (Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Lakeside Community Lutheran Church) will receive all proceeds from this event - set for July 7 - for their foodshelf needs.

There will be more than $20,000 in new merchandise at 3050 Lake 26 Road to be auctioned off. There will be music by SMW Entertainment from Minnesota playing outside the Lumberjack Saloon on Big Bear Lake, beginning at 4 p.m. until after the fireworks show. Fireworks are expected to last 90 minutes. - with submitted information •••

Siren man faces sexual assault charge

SIREN – A 23-year-old Siren man was charged with a second-degree sexual assault with use of force after he allegedly forced a Siren woman into her bedroom and had intercourse with her.

According to the Siren Police report, the victim’s boyfriend let Mark E. Larson into the residence. After a while, the Larson boyfriend went to Webster to take care of some business. The victim was left alone with Larson and it was at this time that the alleged assault took place.

Larson was arrested June 7 and is being held in the Polk County Jail. He is currently on a three-year probation for a felony possession of methamphetamine charge from when he lived in Polk County.

This new felony charge could earn him a 46-year prison sentence and/or a fine of $100,000. His initial appearance at the Burnett County courthouse is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13.

A $1,500 cash bond has been set. – Sherill Summer with information from court records

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 3

Nursing home debt on agenda Budget process may be changed

The 2008 staffing and budget process for the county will start in July this year, rather than April, if a revised policy is adopted. The plan is the work of the personnel and finance committees and is intended to shorten the process and tie in more closely with the levy increase limits set by the state.

The revolving loan fund, land records, planning and zoning committee (known as the zoning committee) will become the land information committee if another resolution is adopted.

This committee name was mentioned several years ago as the possible title for a combination of the zoning and land and water resources committees, an idea that has been dropped.

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – In 2005, the Polk County Board passed a resolution stating that Golden Age Manor should not have an operating loss in 2006. Next Tuesday, June 19, the county board will vote on a similar resolution directing no 2007 loss for the county-owned nursing home. Other resolutions the board will consider include actions to shorten the annual budget process, reclassify the county lakes, rent jail beds to other counties and approve one of the last employee contracts. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the government center in Balsam Lake.

The GAM resolution directs the nursing home governing board to “take whatever actions necessary” to assure that there is no 2007 operating loss for the home in Amery. The resolution covering 2006 was passed by the previous county board in November 2005. That resolution was adopted by a 14 to 9 vote. Of the 11 of those 23 supervisors still on the county board, Robert Blake, Carl Holmgren, Rodney Littlefield, Larry Jepsen, Kim O’Connell and Gary Bergstrom voted for the limit on operating losses. Keith Rediske, William Hughes, Gerald Newville, Mick Larsen and Tom Nilssen were opposed.

Committee seeks guidance on GAM debt Approves emergency funding for county fair

Man charged with battery CUMBERLAND - A Luck man faces charges of felony battery charges after a June 7 incident that landed a man in the Cumberland Hospital.

Jay Rogers, 25, was arrested June 7 for alleged battery to William J. Rainey in the early-morning hours of that day.

Rogers remains in Polk County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6. – Julie Holmquist

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The 263 lakes in the county are being reclassified and rated by their vulnerability and level of development. The lakes listed in the resolution range from 2,054-acre Balsam Lake to one-acre Toby Spring in the town of Balsam Lake. Other resolutions will approve one of the last union contracts, this one the GAM employees represented by the Teamsters Union, and jail bed rental agreements with Burnett County and Chisago County in Minnesota.

All county board meetings are open to the public and include a period for public comments.

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – “We have a budget freeze,” Gary Bergstrom said. “The Golden Age Manor Governing Board needs to know that the county board is standing by its directive that there should be no operating loss for Golden Age Manor.” Bergstrom, a member of the finance committee and chair of the GAM governing committee, spoke in favor of taking the GAM issue back to the county board during the finance committee meeting Wednesday, June 6.

“My intent is to lower GAM losses,” Bergstrom continued. “One of our committee members says the GAM debt is out of our hands. ECUMEN (a consultant hired to look at GAM) disagrees. We need a new directive. We want to report back that we have done everything we can. This affects all county programs. They all take the hit if GAM has losses.”

The finance committee was discussing supporting a county board resolution to limit the 2007 losses for the county-owned nursing in Amery to the depreciation expense. The county board had directed that there be no operating loss for 2006. The resolution would extend that directive.

Finance committee member Gerald Newville said the resolution was a feelgood motion but nothing would be done one way or the other. Fellow committee member Neil Johnson responded that the county board would be saying to the GAM board “Get this in shape.” “We must have the backing of the county board,”

Bergstrom said at the end of the debate. “The county board can’t back down.”

The finance committee voted three to one to send the resolution to the county board for its June 19 meeting. Mick Larsen joined Bergstrom and Johnson in voting to send the resolution on.

Larsen said he wants the issue to come to the full board to see what happens.

Gerald Newville cast the lone negative vote. The fifth committee member, Larry Jepsen, was absent.

Fairground electric repairs The finance committee also approved spending up to $10,000 for emergency electrical repairs at the fairgrounds. An electrician hired to look at the fair’s electric needs had told the property committee on June 5 that he had discovered a number of problems, mostly with grounding, that needed to be fixed before the fair opens in late July.

Committee member Neil Johnson, the county’s representative on the fair board, said the fair does not have the funds for these repairs. He added that these are the most drastic problems, but there are many more. He said a new electric service may be needed.

The funds for the emergency repairs will come out of the county’s contingency fund. It was decided that the finance committee is able to authorize the spending without full county board approval under county rules, because the money is less than 10 percent of the property department’s budget. While the fair is run by the fair board, the county owns the land and buildings.

Gathering no Randy

Humor is obviously an important part of the signkeeper’s job at the Country Store in Osceola. - Photo by Woody Minar

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JUNE 13, 2007

P O L K

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

Wise use of energy the theme of Polk-Burnett meeting

Electric co-op looks at conservation and renewable energy

by Gregg Westigard SIREN – “It is easier and cheaper to save energy than to produce it,” Jeff Springer, the guest speaker, told members of the Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative at their 69th-annual meeting Saturday, June 2.

“Conservation is more accessible.

Anyone can do it.”Springer, a manager at Gen-Sys Energy, La Crosse, went on to cite examples of ways people can use less electricity in their homes, including compact fluorescent lamps which are long lasting and more efficient than standard lightbulbs. Installing 10 compact fluorescent lamps in a home can save as much energy as a one kilowatt solar electric panel would produce. The bulbs would cost under $50, the solar panel system would cost from $8,000 to $10,000.

Polk-Burnett General Manager Steve Glaim said the electric co-op’s theme this year is wise use of energy. He said Polk-Burnett, which serves 20,406 member customers, had a stable year. The cooperative had $30,323,005 in operat-

ing revenues for 2006.?The nine-person Polk-Burnett Board of Directors has a new member after this year’s member elections. Jeff Peterson, Luck, was elected to the board, joining two re-elected directors, Marlyn Bottolfson, Amery, and Robert Thorsbakken, Frederic.

The members heard Emily Pfannes, Osceola, tell of her experiences in the Rural Electric Cooperatives Youth Leadership Program. The 2006 PolkBurnett scholarship winner was part of a group of young cooperators from 43 states who took part in the annual Youth Tour of Washington, D.C. This year Polk-Burnett awarded 20 scholarships to the daughters and sons of co-op members.

Co-op members can round up their electric bill payments, with the money going to local programs. It was announced that Polk-Burnett awarded $36,720 to 50 programs in 2006.

Polk-Burnett announces results of 2007 board election; co-op members vote for Peterson, Bottolfson and Thorsbakken CENTURIA – Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative announced the results of its 2007 board of directors election at its annual meeting in Siren June 2.

Newly elected to the board is Jeff Peterson of Luck. Peterson is a teacher for the Unity School District and will represent co-op members in District 5.

The seat was formerly held by Robert Behling.

Voted to remain on the board are incumbents Marlyn Bottolfson of Amery, representing District 4, and Robert Thorsbakken of Frederic, representing District 6.

Other members of the Polk-Burnett board are Cynthia Thorman, Osceola, District 1; Mark Thayer, St. Croix Falls, District 2; David Clausen, Amery, District 3; William Wagner, Spooner, District 7; Ed Weber, Webster, District

Courts examine connection between vaccines and autism MADISON - So far science says otherwise, but some believe autism is caused by mercury. A form of mercury was once used in the preservative of common childhood vaccines. Parents of autistic children have filed thousands of claims against the government. Monday a federal court begins hearing one of the cases. The case is attracting interest all over the country.

Mike Wagnitz lives in Madison with his autistic daughter. He’s not directly involved in the case, but he says he agrees with petitioners suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who argue that mercury found in the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine causes autism. They

also blame the mercury once used in preservatives of other routine vaccines.

The Institute of Medicine concluded three years ago that autism is not linked to childhood vaccines. Those who disagree with those findings say the government is ignoring what they call an “epidemic” caused by mercury.

University of Wisconsin researchers are currently trying to track the actual number of autism cases to determine why they’re on the rise. In a newspaper column, one health worker said “alarmists” are creating fear and confusion that could result in fewer vaccinations. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Shamane Mills)

La Crosse “social detox” programs will try to combat alcohol abuse LA CROSSE - A rash of alcohol-related drownings among college-aged men in La Crosse has prompted the city council to enact a public drunkenness ordinance and look for alternatives to deal with alcohol abuse. La Crosse County Health Director Doug Morman says his department needs to focus on the full range of services, from prevention to treatment. Morman says county government has a number of programs to deal with alcohol abuse.

There are many private and public programs that need a fresh look, Morman says, to see which ones work and

Dave Clausen (left), Amery, president of the Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative board and Steve Glaim, Polk-Burnett general manager, addressed co-op members at the 69th-annual meeting of the electric co-op in Siren.

which don’t. Morman says La Crosse County’s Health and Human Services departments are working together to create a social detox assessment center.

Human services director Jerry Huber says his staff would work with people before they commit really serious offenses and before they wind up in the hospital. Money is limited, but Huber says La Crosse County has experts who could be utilized if a continuum approach to alcohol abuse is developed. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Sandra Harris)

Marlyn Bottolfson, Amery, District 4 director

Jeff Peterson, Luck, District 5 director

8; and Tom Swenson, Webster, District 9.

Cooperative members elect nine directors to serve on its board; each director represents a district within Polk-Burnett’s territory and fills a

Robert Thorsbakken, Frederic, District 6 director

three-year term. Polk-Burnett Electric is a member-owned cooperative that provides safe and reliable power to 20,000 homes, farms and businesses throughout northwestern Wisconsin. – submitted

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JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 5

B U R N E T T

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

Village board to hold evening meetings for the next quarter

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – For its July, August and September meetings, the Siren Village Board will try holding evening meetings. The decision was made at the June 7 village board meeting.

The meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the regular meeting day, the first Thursday after the first Monday of the month. At quarter end, the board will decide whether to continue the meetings at 6:30 p.m. or return to the 2 p.m. meeting time.

The next board meeting will be held Thursday, July 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the village hall.

The idea of holding evening meetings was brought to the board by its newest member, Herb Howe. The main reasons for evening meetings are to attract more people to attend the meetings and to make it possible for more people to run for board positions. Board members had varying opinions as to whether an evening meeting would attract more

visitors, but the decision was made to try it for a quarter and see.

Another decision made by the board at this meeting was to grant a new Class A liquor license to the Holiday StationStore. Manager Jim Zeiler presented the draft of a rearrangement of the store to provide a locked space for liquor sales. This would involve removing the entrance to the store nearest to the food booths on the west side of the building, and using the southwest entrance for both entering and leaving the store.

The liquor/wine department would be an 8’ x 13’ area, and would have a sliding door or gate for entry that would be locked at 9 p.m. The area would also be set apart from the rest of the store with 66-inch glass-topped walls.

Zeiler will return to the board with the final plans for the area once they have been finalized by his company’s architects.

By roll-call vote of 5-1, the board

approved adoption of an ordinance on solid-fuel furnaces. Rudy Mothes voted against the resolution, explaining that he has reservations about putting big clamps on people (i.e. that they can’t cut wood for heat). Mothes said it is a good ordinance, but the door should be left open for solid-wood burning.

The board set a fee of $25 for a permit for outdoor pellet-type solid-fuel furnaces.

The bid of Siren Tree Service (Ken Hopkins) for cleaning up lots on Fourth Avenue was approved provided it includes hauling out tornado debris.

Hopkins’ bid came in at $3,600 to a bid of $7,000 from T & P Logging, Webster, and T and T Logging at $9,500.

The board accepted a personnel and finance committee recommendation to not apply for a Wisconsin Recreation Grant for Clear Lake boat ramp reconstruction at this time. The replacement of the retaining wall at Clear Lake Park was deemed to be of greater priority

than replacement of the boat ramp at this time.

The following people were appointed to the Siren Tourism Commission for the year starting June 7: Joan O’Fallon, village board representative; Sid Sherstad, chamber of commerce representative; Ro Endresen, county representative; Neal Erickson, Siren resident; and Shelly Roland, hotel and motel industry representative.

Yearly liquor, operator and cigarette applications were approved as was a temporary Class B fermented malt beverage license and temporary Class B wine license for the Siren Lions Club for their chicken barbecue in Crooked Lake Park Saturday, Aug. 11.

This is a change for the Lions chicken barbecue, which was normally held on the Sunday of the first weekend in August, Siren Summerfest weekend.

The barbecue this year will be held on a Saturday, a week after Summerfest, in Crooked Lake Park.

Hangar lease lawsuit hearing July 9

by Sherill Summer SIREN – The Burnett County Property Committee continues to have problems with the airport hangar lease. Hangar owner Micheal Treat pointed out what he believes are four flaws to the contract during the public comments portion of the June 1 meeting.

Treat’s comments were recorded and will be forwarded to the lawyer who drafted the lease. Later on during the meeting the chairman, Ro Endresen, reported on the lawsuit that the Burnett County Hanger Owners Association, Inc. has pending against Burnett County.

In a recent court hearing, Burnett County asked for a dismissal of the lawsuit, but Judge Eugene Harrington ordered a 30-day extension to allow the hangar owners association’s lawyers more time to respond to the court’s request.

The Hanger Owners Association is

attempting, among other things, to change the wording of the lease to read 25 years instead of 10, 10 and five years, as currently stated. The next hearing is scheduled for July 9.

plowing and occasional brush clearing are the extent of the maintenance.

Previously the maintenance was haphazard, Sichta noted, and she wants to get a handle on this.

Looking for airport manager The former airport manager, Lloyd Arnold, resigned during the May property committee meeting, leaving the Burnett County airport without a manager. Burnett County accepted applications for the position until June 8 and will begin interviews soon. Until there is an airport manager in place, the airport office is closed and there are no cash fuel sales, only credit card sales.

County towers Sichta also reported that Dairyland Power wants to put a microwave on the government center’s tower and is paying for a structural study of the tower to see if it is feasible.

County conservationist Dave Ferris received permission to sell a land scraper and to split any proceeds between the general fund and the conservation department.

County tower maintenance Emergency Management Director Roberta Sichta received permission to have the highway department maintain the county’s towers that the county is responsible for maintaining. Snow

Missing fire-rated door Jeanine Chell from register of deeds office reported that the vault in her department did not have a fire-rated door making the vault not at all fireproof. Maintenance supervisor, Gary

Faught, reported on the hunt for the missing fire-rated door within the government center. Two fire-rated doors were found being used in the building where they were not needed, and it was possible that one of these doors could be used even though it swings the wrong way. All other fireproof vaults were found to have the appropriate fire-rated doors.

Chell had one more comment about the government center. She has noticed that the elderly sometimes have difficulty stepping up onto the sidewalk near the main entrance. There is no handicap ramp at this location, although there are two handicap ramps, one on each end of the building. The pros and cons of putting another ramp near the main entrance were discussed, but no action was taken at this time.

Village of Siren wastewater treatment upgrade being reviewed

SPOONER – The village of Siren has requested approval from the Department of Natural Resources to upgrade their existing sewage treatment facility. Some existing facility equipment is deteriorating and discharge limits for certain parameters continue to be occasionally exceeded. The purpose of this project is to provide overall improvement in waste treatment efficiency, additional capacity for anticipated growth, and the capability for future reduction in ammonia and phosphorus.

The proposed project would include replacement and upgrades to the existing pond aeration equipment and installation of a new insulating cover over the primary treatment pond. A new rotating biological contactor unit would be installed for enhanced ammonia reduction along with a new building and associated chemical-feed equipment for reducing phospherus. The project would also include upgrading the existing sewage pumping stations at Tewalt Road and West Main Street, the existing

Gateway Plaza complex under way

main influent sewage pumping station, and associated forcemain sewers.

The proposed project has an estimated overall construction cost of $3,707,000. Estimated annual operation and maintenance costs are $80,900. The village intends to apply for assistance through the USDA Rural Development program, Wisconsin DNR Clean Water Fund low-interest loan and Hardship grant programs, and other potentially available sources to help finance project construction costs. At this time, the projected cost to the average residential user over the 20-year design life of the proposed new system is estimated to range from $45 - $50 per month, assuming anticipated financial assistance is available. Before a final decision can be made on the project approval, an opportunity for public review and comment must be provided. This notification ensures the chance for public input on the proposal.

This project is not anticipated to result in significant adverse environmental effects. The department has made a preliminary determination that an environmental impact statement will not be required for this action. This recommendation does not represent approval from other DNR sections that may also require review of the project. Specific information about the project proposal can be obtained from Steve Smith, Wastewater Plan Review Engineer, WDNR (WT/2), P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WU 53707, 608-266-7580, or by e-mail at Stephen.Smith@Wisconsin.gov.

Comments on the proposed project and preliminary determination are welcome and should be received by Smith no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 22, 2007. Comments may be submitted verbally, electronically, or in hard copy written form. – from Wis. DNR

Final paving on Main Street to come the week of June 18 Footings are being poured and preliminary work done as building at the Gateway Plaza complex on Hwy. 70 in Grantsburg gets under way. The first building scheduled for completion will be the Virtual Reality Insight School of the University of Phoenix in cooperation with the Grantsburg School District. Other businesses will include a pizza parlor, grill and dollar store. – Photo by Nancy Jappe

SIREN – Main Street is ready for final paving, but because of the paving company’s schedule, paving will not take place before early in the week of June 18. Cleanup work around the crosswalks, and of the project in general, should happen this week.

As during the last couple weeks, the sidewalks will be open, but Main Street from Hanson Avenue to Hwy. 35/70

will continue to be closed to traffic.

Parking is available on First Avenue both north and south of Main Street, but First Avenue will not be open to through traffic.

Appreciation goes to the community for its patience during the project. – Randy Surbaugh, village administrator/ engineer

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JUNE 13, 2007

B U R N E T T

C O U N T Y

H E A D L I N E S

Burnett County’s reinstated recreation officer position defined

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – A copy of the memorandum of understanding between the Burnett County Forestry and Sheriff’s departments for the recreational-officer position was given to members of the county’s law enforcement committee at their meeting Thursday, June 7. “We are already doing this. The committee requested the memorandum of understanding. This is what has been prepared,” said Sheriff Dean Roland.

In the agreement, the sheriff agreed to fund the costs for the position out of his department’s annual budget. The person filling the position is also employed by that department, and must hold all enforcement credentials and authority as a deputy sheriff.

The sheriff has full authority and control over the deputy who fills the position; however, he will assign this position to the forestry department for dayto-day operational control and administration. The exception to this is in situations where mutual administration of the position is required.

A new ATV is needed for use by the recreation officer. Roland is looking at

by Nancy Jappe SIREN – As of June 1, Adventures Restaurant and Pub is a smoke-free establishment. “We want people to know (that) if they are really sensitive to smoke, we are now a smoke-free build-

options. “We want to make sure that we get the best for the money,” he told the committee. Chairman Eldon Freese urged Roland to get an ATV for the officer as soon as possible.

The full-time recreational officer position was terminated by the county’s personnel committee, then later reinstated during a joint forestry, law enforcement and personnel committee meeting Thursday, May 24.

Emergency management Director Bobbi Sichta talked about the cost for a satellite phone through the public health department. She said was not worth the charge of $678 a year.

“A satellite phone is an insurance policy,” commented Sheriff Roland, citing emergency times, such as tornado strikes, when land lines go down and cell phones/radios are overloaded.

Mary Falk suggested that Sichta look at competitive prices for a satellite phone. Sichata will go back to the health department and said she may have more money to spend another year.

“As of May 30, we have received 47 percent of our revenue and spent 37

percent of our expenses. We are ahead in revenue and below in expenses,” Roland said in his report to the committee.

Roland’s report for 2005-2007 showed an increase in calls for service (from 5,178 in 2005 to 5,228 in 2006) and in complaints (2,214 in 2205 to 2,273 in 2006). Property complaints were up, domestic calls down, operating-whileintoxicated calls up, drug use down (although drug complaints are up in 2007) and personal complaints are up (from 86 in 2005 to 175 in 2006).

So far in 2007, the average daily number of inmates in the jail is 58.871 compared to 60.903 in 2006. Of those figures, 23.516 were housed out of the county in 2007 compared to 26.935 in 2006.

At Falk’s urging, the committee talked about radio protection for the recreation officer when he is an area where there are dead spots in message transmission. “I think it warrants some open discussion. I am looking at possibilities,” Roland said.

Jail Capt. Terry Nesvold reported that the two vacant positions in his depart-

Adventures goes smoke free

ing,” commented owner Juli Kannenberg, adding, “We value the business that we get, and will allow smoking on the patio.”

Kannenberg explained that she and husband, Gary, decided a year ago to

allow smoking only at the bar. “We are nonsmokers, and from a health standpoint, we didn’t want smoke around,” she said. She went on to say that very few of their customers are smokers.

With the possibility in the future of

ment have been filled. Nesvold attended the first Huber monitor conference in Wisconsin Dells June 4 and 5. Jail transport officer Tom Howe was one of the speakers. From across the state, 152 officers gathered to focus on ways to help jail population numbers.

“There was nothing new,” Nesvold said. “Burnett County is doing more than most counties are in drug rehabilitation and community service. It’s nice to know we are doing things.”

Speaking of community service, Nesvold cited service done by low-risk inmates in the towns of Meenon and Sand Lake, the village of Webster, the Siren ballfields, for the Central Burnett County Fair Association, the Humane Society of Burnett County, Interfaith Caregivers, elderly care (lawn work and repairs), the dairy breakfast and the Baptist church.

For 2007, through June 2, seven inmates have been sent out on community-service projects, at a $3,322.30 saving to the jail. In exchange for that service, the seven inmates earned a total of 67.8 days off their jail sentence, according to Nesvold’s figures.

the state requiring everyone to go smoke free, the Kannenbergs didn’t like the idea of government telling them to do that. They wanted to do it on their own, on their own volition, before that happened.

Drivers are responsible for all unbuckled passengers

STATEWIDE - Like an airline pilot, drivers must ensure that all their passengers are buckled up before departing for their destination. And with a recent change in state law, drivers may receive tickets for safety belt violations for every unbuckled passenger.

Before enactment of a new state law in 2006, drivers were responsible for unbuckled passengers only if the passengers were 15 years old or younger.

State law now stipulates that drivers may be ticketed for all unbuckled passengers, including those older than 15.

In the case of multiple violations, the driver will have to pay $10 for each unbuckled passenger. (A violation of passenger safety requirements for children under age 8 costs between $135. 60 and $160.80).

About three out of four Wisconsin motorists currently buckle up, accord-

ing to the State Patrol. But Wisconsin is still behind the national average for safety belt use of 82 percent as well as the average for neighboring states.

“To prevent needless deaths and injuries, there is no solution as immediate or as effective as getting more people to wear their safety belts every time they drive or ride in a vehicle—day or night. About 75 percent of passenger vehicle occupants in serious crashes sur-

vive when buckled up,” says State Patrol Lieutenant Nick Wanink of the Northwest Region, Spooner Post. “Our goal is not to write more safety belt tickets. It is to reduce the number of grieving families and friends who lost a loved one because a safety belt was not used.” – from the Wisconsin State Patrol

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 7

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

Highway committee reaffirms five-year plan Budget increase to be requested

by Gregg Westigard BALSAM LAKE – The Polk County Highway Department will be asking for a $500,000 budget increase for 2008 to help fund the first year of a five-year road construction plan. All five members of the highway committee agreed that the department must move ahead with its plans during their committee meeting Thursday, June 7.

“We must ask for it,” supervisor Carl Holmgren said. “We have a plan. We must support it.”

Supervisor Art Gamache agreed, adding that the department is trying to bring everything up to safe standards.?

Highway commissioner Steve Warndahl said that the plan will concentrate on the higher-volume roads based on present and projected traffic count.

Roads will be brought up to top condition and maintained at that level. He noted that this will mean that some lowcapacity roads will still suffer. He said some roads will be in very rough shape before they can be included in the second five-year plan.

Holmgren and Gamache also expressed support for bicycle lanes along county roads. Gamache said that an active bike group in Star Prairie, just south of the county line, often rides on narrow Hwy. 65. He said that more people are biking now, and he feels that residents want bike routes into the villages.

“I favor wide shoulders for bikes,” Holmgren said. “I am a multisport person and like to bicycle in the summer.”

Holmgren pointed out that the county

was able to get a bike shoulder added to Hyw. 46 from Balsam Lake past Unity School to the Gandy Dancer Trail near Milltown, when the state rebuilt that stretch of road. ?“Costs are escalating with every delay in a project,” Warndahl told the committee. “Costs for the planned CTH M project have doubled from what they were three years ago for the CTH F work.”

Warndahl also reported that the highway building drain issue was been corrected. It was discovered that the floor drain in the truck shed emptied directly into the millpond. The drain is now connected to the village sewer system, and the DNR is satisfied.

The highway department services some of the county fleet and looks the cars over when they come in for oil changes. Recently, a department employee found that a county car had a broken rear spring that would have punctured the tire. Warndahl said that the extra service the department does, looking at details, could have eliminated a serious issue.

Committee chair Marv Casperson reported on a visit to the new Washburn County Highway Department complex.

He said there is space to bring all the trucks inside and prepared them before a winter storm develops, enabling the fleet to get on the road faster. Casperson said the heating cost for the entire Washburn campus is less than what Polk County pays for very limited heating of its buildings. The county has set up a committee to study the building needs of the highway department and the recycling center.

Centuria woman faces meth charges POLK COUNTY - A Centuria woman faces felony meth possession charges after Polk County deputies responded to call about a fight at 710 Hwy. 35 around 4 a.m.

Jodi Anderson, 25, was arrested after officers received a search warrant.

Officers were told that Anderson had meth in her purse. After searching, officers found paraphernalia, a gem pack with white residue and a small “rock.”

The crystals tested positive for methamphetamine. – Julie Holmquist

Troop withdrawl amendement will return in July, Feingold says MADISON – Sen. Russ Feingold is using the Congressional holiday to speak out on immigration reform and the war in Iraq. He told reporters in Madison Tuesday it’s inevitable that Congress’ efforts to impose a deadline for troop withdrawal from Iraq will succeed. He says the question is: Do we do it now when we can or do we wait for another thousand American troops to die for something that isn’t working?

He thinks it’s “almost a crime” to not get out of there.

Feingold plans to try to attach his troop withdrawal resolution to the Defense Authorization Bill in July. If it passes, it would require redeploying U.S. troops out of Iraq by the end of next March, with a cutoff of funds for the war after that.

On immigration reform, Feingold predicts the plan President Bush is pushing

will be amended before it passes both houses. He says he’s concerned about measures that will make family reunification difficult for illegal immigrants, and the guest worker program that could undercut jobs for U.S. citizens. He says on the other hand, the bill does recognize that it would be foolhardy to talk about deporting 12 million people. He says there are some good things about the measure, but he says he’s not yet convinced. Speaking in Georgia Wednesday, May 29, at a center for law enforcement training, President Bush said those who don’t support his plan simply don’t want to do what’s right for America. Bush’s plan would fine illegal immigrants and force them to return to their home country before applying for a green card. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Gil Halsted)

Follow the Leader

PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JUNE 13, 2007

L e a d e r

We b Po l l

Lastweek’s question: Do you feel the media in general portrays the Iraq War in a fair manner?

1. Yes 15 votes (19 percent) 2. No 61 votes (76 percent) 3. I try not to watch/listen to the news 4 votes (5 percent) Total votes: 80 This week’s question: Do you contribute to the fight against cancer?

1. Yes, through volunteerism 2. Yes, through financial donation 3. No You can take part in our weekly Web poll by logging on to www.the-leader.net and scrolling to the lower left hand portion of the home page

J o e H e l l e r

W h e re t o Wr i t e

President George Bush 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, D.C. 20500 president@whitehouse.gov

Governor Jim Doyle 115 East, State Capitol Bldg.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 7863 Madison, WI 53707 wisgov@mail.state.wi.us Congressman David Obey 7th Congressional District 2462 Rayburn Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20515 or Wisconsin office: Federal Building Wausau, WI 54401 (715) 842-5606 Rep. Ann Hraychuck 28th Assembly District State Capitol, P.O. Box 8942 Madison, WI 53708 Phone: 608-267-2365 Toll free: 888-529-0028 In-District 715-485-3362 rep.hraychuck@legis.state.wi.us

Rep. Frank Boyle 73rd Assembly District Room 221 North State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison 53708 E-mail: Rep.Boyle@legis.state.wi.us

Senator Sheila Harsdorf 10th Senate District State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707 (608) 266-7745 • (715) 232-1390 Toll-free - 1-800-862-1092 sen.harsdorf@legis.state.wi.us

Rep. Mary Hubler 75th Assembly District Room 7 North, State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 or 1966 21-7/8 St. (Hawthorne Lane), Rice Lake 54868 (715) 234-7421• (608) 266-2519 rep.hubler@legis.state.wi.us

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold SDB 40, Rm. 1 Washington, D.C. 20510 or 8383 Greenway Blvd.

Middleton, WI 53562 (608) 828-1200 senator@feingold.senate.gov

Senator Robert Jauch 25th Senate District Room 19 South State Capitol P.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707 E-mail: Sen.Jauch@legis.state.wi.us

U.S. Senator Herb Kohl 330 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

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

F O R U M

Editor’s NOTEBOOK Window is open for tribal elder coalition; how far away is change?

A

window has opened for a group of St. Croix Tribe of Chippewa members seeking change in how their tribal members are cared for and how their government should work.

The Elder Coalition for Constitutional Change has fought to change the tribe’s constitution for four or five years - to break open what they felt has been a “secret government,” referring to the five-person tribal council.

Now the coalition has apparently gained control of its governing body, according to unofficial election results from Saturday’s election, unseating 3 incumbents and placing three candidates more to their liking on the council and likely having a favorable audience with the returning incumbents.

There are challenges to the election results that will likely be made but it’s obvious coalition members now have their goals within reach.

The new council, perhaps more than any other in the tribe’s history, will hold potential for the largest change in the tribe’s history once seated. New council members may feel the spotlight as an audience will be watching to see if they complete the coalition’s agenda they campaigned on, which includes a new tribal constitution and government - more checks and balances as to how the tribe is represented and how it preserves its heritage.

How swiftly will they move?

According to concerns presented at elder coalition meetings and to this newspaper, we can expect to see major changes in the present tribal constitution, which has seen relatively minor changes in its 75-year history.

The previous council, which included longtime council members Lewis Taylor and David “Maabin” Merrill, worked with the BIA to schedule a secretarial election on a proposed constitutional change for this fall.

But coalition members apparently didn’t feel - as a group - that the council’s version went far enough and had attempted to get the Bureau of Indian Affairs to consider their proposal instead. Now the coalition is apparently in the driver’s seat.

The elders group drew up a constitution and bylaws to “preserve and adapt a representative tribal organization,” and “maintain and establish justice for our tribe” and to “promote the general welfare of ourselves and lineal descendants.” Not unlike the goals of the original constitution or the one proposed by the previous council.

But the coalition’s 17-page proposal for a new constitution calls for an “ongoing need for accountability,” “protection of tribal assets” and “need for redress of violations of the Indian Civil Rights Act.” It would provide members for a way to remove council members and requires that no council member serve for more than two consecutive terms.

It would call for an a board of elders that would oversee the tribal council.

It would also provide for a referendum vote for decisions regarding “farreaching consequences or a large-scale economic impact upon the tribe.”

Will the coalition’s proposed constitution be in place within the first year of the new council? Before the two-year term of council members expire?

One concern of coalition members is what they feel to be a unreasonably high salary for council members, plus the fact no one seems to know the exact amount. Lowering salaries, according to a Coalition member, would require a simple resolution and could, in fact, be the first order of business, allowing the new council to show their sincerity to their membership.

That salary amount, rumored to be well into six figures, may be one reason, according to one coalition critic, that people will say anything and promise anything to get a spot on the council. Even coalition members.

Like any multimillion dollar operation, the St. Croix Tribal Enterprises has been faced with the potential for golddiggers and misuse of power - and those stories are there.

Most realize, however, that the focus needs to be on the proposed new constitution and what changes it may bring.

Some may criticize any commentary from non-Native American media on tribal affairs, and that view is understandable. But there needs to be some measure of community.

For all of us - regardless of heritage - this region’s rich Native American cultural history is something that should make us proud. And we all should wish the tribal community well as it finds better ways to help its own, and in turn, the community at large.

Coalition members are staking their reputations and sincerity on making a mark they feel will help the overall tribal community. And people are watching.

There’s the will and there’s the opportunity.

The window is open.

All editorials on this page by editor Gary King

P o s i t i v e Quote o f t h e w e e k There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. -- John Andrew Holmes

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

T h e

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

L e a d e r

i s

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JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 9

L e a d e r Views from across the

State

A

Keep perspective

$58 billion state budget remained mostly intact last week as it headed out of the state’s Joint Finance Committee and now goes to the Senate and Assembly.

There it will undoubtedly get serious makeovers from state Republicans who control the Assembly and state Democrats who control the Senate. Reconciling those disparate versions will be the difficult job of a conference committee — and then Gov. Jim Doyle will get one last whack at it with his veto pen.

Given the split in the control of the state Capitol, there will undoubtedly be some major horse-trading on some tax and fee provisions that Doyle put into the state budget earlier this year to balance the budget.

Republicans have already lamented tax and fee increases and 23 Republicans in the Assembly, including state Rep. Robin Vos, R-Caledonia, have pledged to vote against “any and all efforts to increase taxes.”

That means you also look forward to the inevitable radio and television harangues exhorting you to call either your governor, senator or representative to “demand” that they do this or that to block one tax or another. Those messages will come from lobbying groups from affected industries and also political groups.

And indeed, there are some tax and fee increases in this budget – on everything from cigarettes, an motor vehicle registration to shovelnose sturgeon permits. And on oil companies and hospitals.

The cries will soon get shrill and you’ll hear talk about the “$1.75 billion” in new fees and taxes, no doubt combined with a lament that Wisconsin has become a tax hell.

Before things get too shrill, let’s put some perspective to this.

One of the big-increase items is the tax on cigarettes which would rise by $1.25 per pack to $2.02. That tax boost has popular support according to several polls. It would raise $500 million over the two-year life of this budget.

Another big one is the tax on major oil companies which would be forbidden to be passed on to state motorists. That would generate more than $275 million over the two-year budget period.

And a third big one is the hospital tax.

That would generate more than $418 million for the state, but it would generate millions of dollars in federal funding for hospitals. After the tax, state hospitals would still have a net increase in revenues of something like $284 million because of increased Medicaid payments.

Together those three tax increases account for more than 60 percent of the tax and fee increases in the state budget that is now advancing through the Legislature.

Now let’s add another component to this.

According to a Wisconsin Taxpayer’s Alliance report last week, Wisconsin is falling, not rising, in the proportion of personal income which go to state and local taxes. It dropped two spots in the ranking of states last year, down to eighth place.

And when you look at more expansive cost comparisons – adding in user fees like vehicle registration and university tuition, Wisconsin is not in the top 10 states. In the broadest measure of all, comparing states by all money raised by state and local government (but not that coming from Washington), Wisconsin ranked 20th in the country – not even in the top third.

We hope the budget sessions move ahead with solid deliberation and hard work – and without the invective and shrillness that have too often become associated with this process. Yes, there will be honest differences on taxation and the value of various programs and spending, and, yes, there must be compromises.

We would urge that work be done with perspective and with civility. - Racine Journal-Times

F O R U M

N o t e s

f r o m

I r a q

outside of beautiful Kuwait City.

“Iraq freedom and world peace,” said Maj. Roh Hwan Choul, a pilot in the Republic of (South) Korea Air Force. That is what he sees.

That is what he is doing in Iraq. That is why he is there. “Freedom” and “world peace.”

CAMP ALI AL SALEM, Kuwait—The sky disapHe doesn’t speak English well, but his broken peared in Kuwait. A moment before, the sky was words are no sound bites. He holds these things blue and bright and red hot. And then it was gone. true. For what he is laying his life on the line is The once bright-blue dome was now a dirty silver, “good thing,” he said. and you felt covered by a coffin.

The major is not crazy—in fact he is the norm, Wayne This is a desert storm. It is a fast, awesome said Maj. Emma Little, an Australian Army psyglimpse of what a nuclear winter might look like. Anderson chologist. Her job here is to mentally evaluate the This part of the world is full of truth, present and Aussie troops rotating out of Iraq on their way things to come. home Down Under.

But all in all, all else is well with me here. And I know She’s been in country three weeks, and in that time she’s things will be all right in the Middle East in general, for I examined a couple hundred men and women and is saw a McCafe in the Kuwait International Airport. McCafe shocked to find how stable they are. “It’s better than what is McDonald’s in the Mideast. And wherever you see the I would have expected,” she said. “I’m very happy with the light of the golden arches, you know modern civilization is experience.” close at hand.

Out of the 200 minds she’s appraised for mental health so Seriously, what I’m doing is heading to Iraq to see firstfar, she said the Aussie troops are of a sound mind well into hand what is going on. Night after night I see an Iraq on TV the “high 90 percent.” (That may be better than the general and in the papers through the eyes of the media. I see what civilian population.) they want me to see; what they feel is important to see; Yes, “I see what you see on TV,” said Lt. Jeremiah Lane, what is newsworthy. of the U.S. Army. “It’s based on what TV shocks in stories.”

And what they show me is the truth. The truth is bombs But for some reason, these shows are not showing the are detonating. The truth is there is a power grab. The truth “amazing things” happening in Iraq, he said. Nations from is terrorists are killing man, woman and child. These are all around the world are sending troops and contractors to true—but they are not the “whole truth.” build schools, hospitals and other institutions of civilizaWhat is the whole truth? I can report the daily truth of tion. lots of murder, bloodshed, violent crime and poverty in a “We are leaps and bounds above the enemy,” said Lt. little city called Washington, D.C. – our nation’s capital.

Lane. But the enemy is the one who gets all the media Not too long ago it was the murder capital of America. attention, he said.

(Today Detroit holds that distinction.)

Dramawise it’s more picturesque to show a school blowYou can broadcast facts and figures in a variety of ways ing up than one being boringly built. Children screaming to show the “truth.” But when day after night this view is and running out of a burning building makes great art desall that is televised then the “whole truth” is denied. And tined for the front page. even unconsciously, it is being suppressed.

True, this is what the enemy is spectacularly doing in My instincts for some time told me more is happening in Iraq. Do not doubt it. But if we are “leaps and bounds” Iraq than bombs exploding, churches in flames and limbs above the enemy, then I suspect you and I are about to see ripped from children’s bodies. And I had gotten no farther more of the whole truth in Iraq. than Kuwait when my instinct was confirmed.

(Wayne Anderson is an embedded reporter in Iraq. You can eThere I spoke with troops from around the world at U.S. mail him at: wayneanderson@centurytel.net) Army Camp Ali Al Salem, where I stayed with them just

Iraq: Let’s have the whole truth

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

S t a f f Cancer

C O R N E R

them, but it does. For those who can’t afford to have screening or treatment, it finds them more severely.

Well, the title of this column can mean different There are lots of dollars raised for research things to different people. It is my zodiac sign, but annually and it seems that treatments have is not what I equate the word cancer with. Cancer to become more advanced or less invasive over the me is something widespread, invasive, indiscrimiyears, but yet there is no cure. The only known nating, ugly and destructive. cure is prevention through screenings and being At its worst, cancer takes lives, and causes illness. cognizant of our health. Early detection and In some positive cases, it changes lives and motiintense treatment can be very helpful in fighting vates those who become sufferers inflicted in the the battle. RNAi or RNA interference has been Tammi future to fight. through research. It is a way to turn Milberg discovered In interviewing the honorary co-chairs for the St. off genes because RNA copies our DNA and Croix Falls Relay for Life for the ninth year in a row, builds the proteins in our bodies for developit never ceases to amaze me how close cancer is to all ment. The interference recognizes bad things in our bodies of us, and how many lives it touches. such as cells and turns off gene production of those cells.

About 10 years ago, I could say I didn’t know anyone The discovery of RNAi is a way to decode every living personally who had cancer or anyone who died from it. thing’s DNA, and could be used as a cure for cancer among Now, the gap is filling in, and I do know people who have other things. While it is not a proven treatment and it is not had cancer and have survived, and those who have died known if it lasts or is truly effective at this point, there is from cancer. I am no longer immune. hope that with more research, we may be able to do someWhat is remarkable is the will to survive expressed by thing more about cancer. these honorary co-chairs I have interviewed over the years.

Cancer is never a fail-safe though, as I have learned from It’s the positive messages they bring, and the hope they fos- my interviews. It can go away, but it can also come back, ter for others who may just be finding out they too have even after many years. cancer, or are in the midst of their own battle of treatment, My hat goes off to those who have fought this horrible that should be recognized. There are also those who fight disease. They have given the word cancer different meanand do not win their battle with cancer, but give others ing. They lend a definition of courage, determination and strength and inspiration because they lived, gave cancer a survival to cancer. As the cancer survivors walk in the heck of a run, and made the best of things they could not Relay for Life this weekend in St. Croix Falls, know that change. there are many out there who are proud of your accomIt is sad that some people are unable to afford the screen- plishments, admire your strength, and hope for a cure right ing for cancer detection, or the treatment needed if they are along with you. diagnosed with the disease. Nobody wants cancer to find

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

n e w s p a p e r

PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JUNE 13, 2007

L e a d e r

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

10th

Senate District Reforming our criminal justice system Wisconsin is facing a tremendous challenge: its criminal justice system is overburdened and in need of sysreform. tematic Wisconsin’s incarceration rate continues to soar above the national average and that of neighboring states.

It costs nearly $30,000 a year to house one offender in a miniSheila mum security facility. These rising Harsdorf costs and increasing incarceration rates are creating immeasurable burdens on state taxpayers.

A report prepared for the state Legislature outlined alternatives for reducing costs. One approach, a drug court system, is currently used in thirteen Wisconsin counties, including Pierce and St. Croix Counties in the 10th Senate District. Drug courts are focused on the nonviolent first-time offender that is charged with a drug related offense.

• Some of the benefits of drug courts are: • Reduces the caseload burden on the current court system.

• Offenders are ordered to seek the treatment of a comprehensive substance abuse program.

•Upon successful completion, charges are reduced, including jail or prison time.

•Eases the burden on the taxpayers by reducing incarceration costs and rate of re-offending.

I had an opportunity to visit a drug court and see firsthand how a judge works directly with offenders, holding them accountable, and offering encouraging but firm support. The strength of drug courts is the coordination between the judge, district attorney, parole officer, social worker, court commissioner, public defender, and the sheriff’s department. While drug courts are relatively new, they show great promise of not only helping reduce recidivism but also reducing costs which is great news for taxpayers. Offenders that are put into the typical judicial system have a 38 percent likelihood of recommitting a crime verses a dramatic decrease among participants of the drug court system. Cost benefit studies indicate that the net gains from the drug court system can be anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000 per participant.

Drug courts are one example of needed reforms which can offer constructive rehabilitation for the offender while benefiting taxpayers.

I am interested in your thoughts on these approaches that address the burdens placed on the criminal justice system. You can reach me by email at Sen.Harsdorf@legis.wisconsin.gov, by calling 1-800-862-1092, or by visiting my Web site at www.harsdorfsenate.com.

Prayer for graduates My prayer for the graduates of 2007 is that they will go out into the world, and declare war against the evil one that exists as written in the Holy Bible; that they’ll fight against the bloodshed, immorality and broken covenant of the God of our forefathers through prayer and being bold in speaking out against the ugliness accepted in this world!

I pray that they will not accept evil as good and good as evil as the world has tolerated and allowed. The enemy knows that his time is limited, so I pray that the Class of 2007 will become spiritually strong and healthy, because in the Holy Bible it is written that the spirit controls the material. (John 6:63) This means that they’ll become life-changing prayer warriors bringing forth the power of the most gigh God because it is only by the spirit of God that anything of lasting value will be accomplished.(Zechariah 3) I pray that the Class of 2007 will break free of their parents’ boxed-in faith and desire more of what God wants for them, which is an abundant life. I pray that they won’t settle for “this is as good as it gets.” I pray that they won’t settle for mediocrity, but choose to live out victorious lives due to obedience of God’s word.

I pray that they will walk in that perfect love that expels all fear. I pray that they’ll be known by their love as they serve a good and peaceful God. I pray that they’ll be a true example of Christ as they love the unlovable, and the untouchable, and even you.

I pray that the Class of 2007 will seek wisdom of the most high God that will enable them to do all this with great ease. I pray that they’ll live in the truth that “we don’t hurt the ones we love,” and knowing what is true love from 1 Corinthians 13.

I pray that they’ll raise up their children to know about the God of wonders through the powerful name of Jesus.

I pray that God will crown and honor his children in the Class of 2007, that they may walk in his favor.

I release my faith and believe that I will see God’s hand at work in the Class of 2007 here on earth as it is in heaven!

Amen and amen!

Susan Brandt Balsam Lake

Misleading Although I no longer live in beautiful Burnett County (was in Siren 20 years), I still subscribe to the Leader (it’s mailed to me) and find that it’s getting longer and just as interesting. I no longer submit letters to the editor often because I no longer live there.

However, the recent Leader contained an article that I felt compelled to comment about.

It’s the column that Mr. Steve Pearson wrote in the May 30 issue of the Leader under The View From Here. He started by saying that Rep. Frank Boynton in Superior was hoping that crack would be legalized because it’s a safer drug than methamphetamine. The column was rather lengthy, but at the end Mr. Pearson said that what he’d just written was not true.

Although the letter was quite humorous, I’m wondering just what his point in writing such nonsense was all about?

There is no Rep. Frank Boynton, but there is a representative named Frank Boyle in Superior. Was the column meant to bring attention to Frank

Boyle’s ideas toward nuclear power plant construction or to generally discredit any legislative thoughts of Mr. Boyle?

I’m surprised that Mr. Pearson would write such an article and also surprised that the Leader would let such an article be published. I’d describe that article as very misleading journalism.

Best wishes to my former Siren neighbors and still friends in the Burnett County area for a happy summer.

Betty LaValley Rice Lake

Serving the disadvantaged In a letter to the editor published May 23, Ms. Knutson of Centuria indicated that the following statements were made at the May 14 village board meeting, and attributed these statements to Impact Seven: “…there was not a need to promote any more low-income people to be attracted [from] out [of] town. …low-income people do not contribute to the community and did not generate any revenue.”

We take offense to this representation of the meeting’s discussion.

Representatives of Impact Seven made no such statements, nor did anyone else at the meeting. Questions were raised by the public regarding the target market of our affordable market-rate singlefamily housing initiative. Those questions were answered at some length, including target income levels for this particular project.

Impact Seven, a nonprofit community development corporation, was founded in 1970 by people of northwestern Wisconsin concerned with a waning economy, the out migration of its youth, and poverty of area residents. The statements put forth above are contrary to our well-known mission - to comprehensively impact the population of Wisconsin, with an emphasis on the rural areas and the less fortunate.

Impact Seven and its subsidiaries have funded, and now own or manage nearly 1,000 units of affordable, elderly, and disabled housing throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Moreover, as a result of its 37 years of experience, Impact Seven has financed more than 3,000 businesses and created more than 20,442 jobs, the vast majority of which have been filled by lowincome people. Our activities in the village of Centuria alone have provided a total of $3,782,090 in investments through the development of 32 units of housing and the assistance in six business ventures for a total of 32.5 jobs created.

Andrew J. Drill Impact Seven, Inc. Almena

Taxpayers first On April 26, the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee began its review of Gov. Doyle’s 2007-09 state budget recommendations. At that time, I reminded constituents that with the committee’s membership evenly split among Republicans and Democrats (8-8), nine votes are required to reject any of the governor’s budget recommendations.

Without that all-important ninth vote, the governor’s recommendations become the default position of the Joint Finance Committee.

Over the past six weeks, the eight Republican members of the committee

have fought hard to eliminate, or at very least, pare back the $3 billion in new taxes and fees included in the governor’s 2007-09 state budget.

Unfortunately for the taxpayers of Wisconsin, the eight Democrat members of the committee have stood firmly behind the governor in his plans to increase taxes and fees.

Friday’s committee actions were emblematic of their tag-teaming against Wisconsin taxpayers. In a span of a little more than three hours, the eight Democrats sided with Gov. Doyle in approving nearly $1 billion in new taxes including $418 million in new taxes on hospitals and $33 million in new “bed taxes” on nursing home residents. We have seen this dynamic taxing duo before. On May 3, the Democrats voted to double the home tax and increase property taxes on Wisconsin homeowners by $1.2 billion. The taxing team came to play on May 31, when the Democrats joined with Gov. Doyle to raise gas taxes by 7 cents a gallon. With a little extra gas in their tank (no pun intended) on that day, the Democrats also offered up a new tax on businesses that operate in states other than Wisconsin.

At 7:20 Friday, the Legislature’s budget-writing committee took their final vote on Gov. Doyle’s 2007-09 state budget recommendations. To no one’s surprise, the vote was 8-8 with every Republican member of the committee voting “No.” Rather than standing with Madison big-spenders, the the Republicans voted to stand with the hardworking, overburdened taxpayers of Wisconsin.

Since the beginning of the year, I have made a conscious effort to highlight and publicize reports, studies and statistics that emphasize the need for tax relief.

On Wednesday, the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance released figures showing Wisconsin’s tax rank fell from sixth to eighth in the last year U.S. Census data was available, 2004-05.

A quick analysis suggests a mixed bag of news. First of all, it is clear that taxpayers have benefited from a Republican-controlled Legislature over the past four years who have kept Gov. Doyle’s plans to raise taxes off the table.

It is also true that the reason we dropped two spots is that two other states – Alaska and Rhode Island, actually raised taxes to even higher levels than Wisconsin.

The WTA report confirms the one and only way to get Wisconsin out of the top 10 highest taxed states in the nation is to cut taxes across-the-board. I have consistently talked about the Assembly Republicans’ plan to adopt a no-tax-increase state budget, but I think we have to go farther. The Republican members of the finance committee led by state Rep. Robin Vos, R-Caledonia, authored three tax relief packages aimed at lowering the cost of health care, encouraging economic development, creating new jobs and making higher education more affordable.

These amendments cut income taxes by 1 percent, provided an increased child and dependent tax deduction and phased out the state’s individual income tax on pension and retirement income. Unfortunately, the Democrats defeated the three comprehensive packages on 8-8 votes.

As I suspected, the Democrats on the finance committee united in their opposition to this middle-class tax relief plan. Of course, that’s their prerogative.

The next stop for the state’s 2007-09 budget will be the state Senate. Senate

C o m m u nity n ews...Co mmu ni ty vi e w s

See Letters next page

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 11

L e a d e r F O R U M A re a n e w s a t a g l a n c e

Concrete falls on driver BLOOMER - A piece of concrete sliced through the windshield of a truck late Saturday night as it traveled north on Hwy. 53, injuring a passenger from Bruce. At 11:55 p.m. Bloomer police received a report of an object being thrown from the Hwy. 40 overpass, striking a northbound vehicle on Hwy. 53 driven by Phillip Wester of Bruce. The object penetrated the windshield of the 3/4-ton truck and struck Fredrick Nenneman, also of Bruce, who was riding in the front passenger seat. Nenneman was transported to the Bloomer hospital by ambulance and later airlifted to Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, where he is in critical but stable condition. Interim Police Chief Richard Carr believes the object is a piece of concrete removed during the ongoing construction project on the overpass. It left an elongated hole 2 inches by about 12 inches in the windshield. The Bloomer Police Department is asking anyone who has information about or may have seen someone walking on or around the overpass between the hours of 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. to contact the Bloomer Police Department at 568-5924. - Barron News-Shield 14-year-old is college-bound BARRON - Making the decision to let their young daughter soar academically beyond her age wasn’t easy for Susan and Jim Babler. But, according to them, they’ve been putting her in the hands of God since before she was born, and they’re not going to stop now. And it seems the sky’s the limit.

On May 25, 14-year-old Emma Babler graduated from Barron High School.

This fall, she’ll attend UW-Barron County. “I told her she has to have her driver’s license before she moves away to college,” said Emma’s dad, Jim, who is a Barron County District Court judge. Yet when talking with Emma, it’s clear she doesn’t want to be thought of as different. Even though she entered high school full time at age 11, she still gets nervous before a test.

“Everybody does,” she said matter-offactly. Like most 14-year-olds, she loves Harry Potter. She’s looking forward to seeing the newest sequel to “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Barely into her teenage years, Emma’s life has so far been an adventure in itself. She was born nearly a month premature and weighed 2 pounds. She wasn’t taken home from the hospital for two months and wasn’t brought out into the community for six months more. She’s been making up for lost time ever since. By the age of 1, Emma was so verbal and had such good motor skills that parents of the babies she played with thought they weren’t working with their babies enough, said Emma’s

Letters/cont’d Majority Judy Robson, D-Beloit, and her Senate Democrat colleagues will have the opportunity to accept, reject, or amend any provision included in the Joint Finance Committee’s version of the state budget. Senators may also add in provisions that were either rejected or not even considered by the Joint Finance Committee.

Once approved by the State Senate, the state’s biennial budget will come before the State Assembly.

It will be up to us to put the taxpayers first.

Mike Huebsch Assembly Speaker Madison

mom, Susan. Emma became a voracious reader. Emma’s day care provider Carol Romsos kept the little girl interested by reading her the encyclopedia. One day, when she was 4 years old, Susan said she, Jim, and Emma were going somewhere in the car. The petite little girl was sitting in the back seat when she picked up a book—not a baby book—and started reading. “We figured she must have been reading for quite awhile,” Susan said. When she was tested, Emma’s reading was off the charts, said Susan, a kindergarten teacher. Another time, when they were in the car, Emma could not stop herself from reading the billboards they passed along the way.

“Mommy, why can’t I stop my eyes from reading?” Emma asked. Around the same age, Emma asked if she could spend time over at the house of Susan’s Mexican friends. Pretty soon Emma was speaking Spanish. A doctor recommended that Emma start school early. At that point, Susan said she and Jim decided against the idea.

Emma was small for her age, and they didn’t want her to feel out of place. It didn’t take long once Emma was in school for the Bablers to realize something wasn’t right. “She was so sad,” Susan said. Emma told them that she was sad because she wasn’t learning anything new. But letting Emma show them what she needed wasn’t easy.

“We thought about it for years,” said Susan. One of the arguments in letting academically gifted children advance in school is that although they may be intellectually ready, they may not be emotionally ready. “But she was the total package,” Susan said. “She was so mature for her age. She was very secure, and it just went really well to have her do this.” When asked who she looks up to Emma said her mom and dad. She includes Eleanor Roosevelt for her strength. “Helen Keller, too,” Emma said. “Because she did so much with what she had.”- Rice Lake Chronotype New vets clinic hailed HAYWARD - Sawyer County offiicials were on hand Monday morning, June 4 to welcome the opening of the Administration new Veterans Community-Based Outpatient Clinic on CTH B in Hayward. The clinic saw its first patient at 8 a.m. “It’s a very exciting day for Sawyer County and surrounding counties,” said Sawyer County Board chairman and Navy veteran Hal Helwig. “The pride is that this has become reality after at least seven years.”In 1999, Sawyer County Veterans Service Officer Ray Boeckman suggested to the Public Safety Committee, including Helwig, that they look into further services for vet-

Letters to the editor The Leader welcomes letters to the editor. Diverse and varied opinions are welcomed. Letters are subject to being edited for length, taste and/or clarity, and we urge writers to be brief and limit their letters to 500 words or less. Writers must provide their name and give their complete address and phone number.

Content that will cause letters to be rejected include: Crude language, poor taste, disrespectful comments regarding a group’s or individual’s ethnicity, gender, religion, culture, sexual orientation or race; other incendiary language, poetry or personal attacks.

erans in the county. “Now it’s come to fruition through the help of a lot of people, including a lot of local veterans who worked very hard.” Boeckman said that, ,“After seven long years, the V.A. has finally come to Sawyer County. It’s well overdue. My journey has come to end, and the mission is complete.” “To my fellow veterans out there, this is their clinic,” Boeckman added. “Love it, nurture it, but most of all use it. I’m issuing a challenge to every veteran who walks through these doors to get out there and find at least one other veteran who isn’t aware of this facility to come in and look at using it.” “We have a lot of veterans in this county and surrounding counties, a tremendous number on the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation who need this care and should come in and take advantage of it,” Boeckman said. He added that his office is open to answer any questions and he also will be at the clinic quite often. Helwig cited the help of Congressman Obey in the early stages of trying to get a V.A. Clinic here. More recently, Sen. Feingold and his staff have “really carried the ball for us in shepherding it along,” he said.

Members of the Congressional Veterans Affairs Committee also helped, he said. Locally, Sen. Bob Jauch “has been a strong supporter of all veteran activities in this county and has been a key factor at the state level,” he added. Boeckman said he wished that the late Emery “Bud” Turnbull of Hayward had lived to see this day.

Turnbull was a “crotchety old World War II Battle of the Bulge veteran with a heart of gold who hounded everybody he knew to write letters; he himself generated hundreds of letters in support of this. His tenacity helped us go a long way.” Other advocates cited

by Boeckman were Karen Smigla — who handed out flyers to everyone who came to her garage sale urging them to write a letter, and the late Jack Logan — who drove the county van transporting veterans to medical appointments at the V.A. Hospital in Minneapolis. Helwig said retired U.S. Army General Harold Kissinger of Stone Lake was “instrumental in pushing a lot of buttons in Washington D.C.” - Sawyer County Record

Madison government pays $2.31 a gallon MADISON - With the price of gas over $3 a gallon, how would you like to be paying $2.31? That’s what the city government in Madison is doing.

Last fall, the city agreed to buy a year’s worth of fuel for its fire trucks, police cars, buses, and other vehicles, and locked in the price at the time. The practice is called futures contracts. In this age of rising fuel prices, it’s catching on with local governments around the country.

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz says the city doesn’t lock in prices every year; only when it looks like it makes sense.

He says it’s always a judgment call, and the city can always end up looking smart, or not so smart, depending on what the market does after it locks in the price.

He says Madison officials just looked at the world in front of them last fall, and felt that perhaps prices were going higher, and it turned out they were right.

Cieslewicz says the city is saving $18,000 a week. If that’s sustained for an entire year, he says the city would end up saving $1 million. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Terry Bell)

28th

Assembly District

Invasive Species Month With fishing season well under way and the time for boating activities upon us, it is important that we take on the personal responsibility to stop the spread of invasive species in our lakes, rivers and streams.

By following some simple rules, you can help preserve the quality of our lakes.

One large problem in the lakes of Wisconsin is the Ann zebra mussel.

Discovered in 1990, Hraychuck these mussels now inhabit most of the waterways bordering the state. The small creatures live in groups of up to 70,000 per square meter and feed off nutrients in the water, causing many problems for the lakes. Mussels clear the water when they feed, making the sun harmful to light-sensitive plants and animals. They also attach to boats, clog pipes, and block swimming and fishing areas.

The best way to get rid of these creatures – and protect your boat – is to take extra care when leaving a lake. Scrape off any visible mussels and spray down the boat. Check the motor, and let the boat dry completely before putting it in a different waterway.

Another species blocking up the lakes is the Eurasian milfoil. By 1993, the European plant was digging its roots into lakes in over half the state. Similar to native species of milfoil, it resembles small fuzzy pine trees and grows in clusters covering the lake surfaces.

However, this particular breed spreads rapidly, taking in nutrients and blocking the sunlight through the water. It is easily transported by water currents in rivers or by sticking to boats. Milfoil spread can be prevented in much of the same way as mussels, with proper boat care and cleaning.

Fish are in danger this summer as well.

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, has been discovered in Wisconsin lakes.

This virus is found in fish urine and can live for up to two weeks in the water. It causes bleeding, bloating, and eventually death in over 25 species of fish including walleye, bass and salmon. While it has no direct effect on humans, it will severely reduce the lake populations.

Recently, restrictions were put on bait dealers to ensure that no infected bait is sold. Fishermen are in turn asked to buy only bait from registered dealers, and to thoroughly drain all boats and buckets when returning to shore.

In order to keep the waters of Wisconsin free from invasive species, just follow these simple tips. Make sure your boat is clean and the motor free of unwanted guests when you leave a lake.

Pay attention to your bait and fish and never transport them from lake to lake.

By taking these precautions, you will be helping the environment and ensuring that your summer traditions can live on in a clear, beautiful lake.

For more information on invasive species, you can visit the DNR Web site at http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives or contact my office with any questions at 1888-529-0028 or via e-mail at rep.hraychuck@legis.wi.gov.

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JUNE 13, 2007

T h e June Reverie There’s nothing finer than a June morning. Especially when the wind is calm, which it is this morning after what seems like the windiest spring in memory. The green heron circles the pond, its trademark screech giving it away even when you can’t see it. A doe comes down to the water’s edge. We wait for the fawn, but there is none, at least that we can see. Hummingbirds zoom in to the feeder and away again, their motors running high. Early-season flowers - poppies, irises and peonies - scream their symphony of color. Even with rain in short supply, everything is the greenest green of the year.

We’re one week away from the longest day of the year. I remember my daughter’s riddle from years ago, “What’s the longest day of the year, Dad?” - to which I reply, June 21. As I’m about to launch into a minilecture

v i e w

f r o m

H e r e

and the sub-surface soil. about the summer solstice, I’m always amazed at how far she stops me short. Wrong, north the sun’s arc reaches this they’re all the same - 24 time of year. By sunset, which hours, she says, and she’s reaches its latest time of 9:01 greatly amused that she’s put p.m., on June 21, and stays there one over on the old guy. for 10 days, the sun is over 20 She’s right, of course. We’re degrees north of the east-west talking daylight here, not the axis. We make it a point to longest day. camp somewhere in the Apostle Daylight comes early, just a Islands around the summer solfew short hours after the last stice and I swear that even at light of the previous day has Steve midnight, there is still light in faded. First light is shortly Pearson the sky looking to the northwest after 4 a.m. The earliest sunacross Superior’s waters. It’s rise, which actually falls on not the land of the midnight June 17, is at 5:19 and by 6 a.m., the sun is well above the horizon. sun, but it’s darn close. Twilight Mercifully, the morning air is still cool stretches for hours rather than the 15 even though the afternoon tempera- minutes or so that it will last six months tures are reaching into the upper 80s. from now.

In early July, we head north to All the all-time record high temperatures are in July, after summer has had Canada and discover that sunset on the sufficient time to rev its engines and the Manitoba prairie is nearly a half-hour sun has thoroughly warmed land and later than here in northwestern Though the days are water. In mid-June, there is still a Wisconsin. refreshing coolness in the air, the water already growing shorter, this little burst

Crunch Jon D. Songetay, 19, from Danbury, was westbound on Round Lake Drive in Swiss Township when he lost control negotiating a curve. The vehicle went off the road and into a tree. The driver, who reported minor injuries, said that a deer jumped out in front of him. The vehicle was towed due to damages. – Photo submitted by Burnett County Sheriff’s Department

of added daylight helps us forget that we’re in the downward slide to December. As you head north to the Yukon and Alaska, the true land of the midnight sun, the effect is even more pronounced while at the equator, days and nights are roughly of equal length year-round.

Drink in these last days of increasing daylight as we tilt ever closer to the sun. As summer moves into July and then August, we begin to turn away from the sun’s rays and the 17 hours or so of daylight dwindles to nine by the winter solstice. But this morning, the green-infused light produces a kind of bliss peculiar to this time of year. There is a carefree feel to these June mornings though in the interests of truth-inreporting, I must tell you that summer vacation began a week ago for this teacher.

Lower inspection cost SIREN – Burnett County’s bridges will soon be inspected and load tested as required by the Federal government.

Cedar Corporation will inspect the bridges again this year, but at a greatly reduced rate per bridge than in previous years.

Because of the competition of another company trying to break into the bridge inspection business, Cedar Corporation drastically reduced their prices.

As a result, Burnett County will enjoy a savings of about $1,200 per bridge. – Sherill Summer

Emerson/from page 1 ing Loyal, Wisconsin. His son, Norman Jr. (Ed’s uncle removed) founded the Tomahawk State Bank and served as its first president starting in 1895. Norman Jr. died in a tragic boating accident at Rice Lake, while rowing across with his son to inspect some timberland.

Ed Emerson’s great grandfather, John Warren Emerson, has the dubious distinction of having cut down the last stand of virgin white pine in Wisconsin.

John Warren Emerson and his brother, David, formed the Emerson Land Company in the early 1900s, and by 1905 they had founded a logging and sawmill town in southern Iron County which was named Emerson, Wisconsin.

There is today a state heritage marker at the site of the former logging town of Emerson.

David Emerson resided in Ashland, and ran for governor on the Prohibition Party ticket in 1914, 1918, 1922 and 1926.

In 1928 he was a candidate for U.S. Senate, “the only regularly nominated party candidate opposing Sen. Robert M. LaFollette,” said the Ashland Daily Press on Nov. 5, 1928.

In Ashland County, David Emerson garnered 173 votes to LaFollette’s 4,867.

Ironically, John Warren Emerson – Ed’s great grandfather, also died in a tragic accident – a sudden lightning strike while he and his sons were fishing Bear Skull Lake near what is now the Lac du Flambeau Reservation.

Recently, Ed was contacted by a distant relative in Massachusetts who has done extensive genealogy on the Emerson family. It seems this person has a unique, shared connection to Ed Emerson and northern Wisconsin. This person is related to Caleb Cushing, (1800-1879) the Massachusetts lawyer, politician and land speculator who – while never known to have spent any considerable time in Wisconsin – came to own more than 45,000 acres in and around St. Croix Falls in the mid-1800s

Emerson is related to lumberjacks, two of which founded a logging and sawmill town in southern Iron County which was named Emerson, Wis. - Photo submitted and today has the town of Cushing named in his honor.

Cushing also created the Cushing Land Agency in 1854 and hired Maj. John S. Baker as his agent. Today, the Baker Building in downtown St, Croix Falls, is beautifully restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Caleb Cushing and Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) lived in Massachusetts at the same time and were both prominent in the community.

It appears that Cushing and Ralph Waldo Emerson were also distant cousins. Ralph Waldo Emerson purchased approximately 125 acres on Bass Lake, near Trade Lake, just north of St. Croix Falls, on Sept. 10, 1859 and continued to own most of the land until his death in1882.

Today 25 acres of this original Ralph Waldo Emerson purchase are secured in permanent preservation by the West Wisconsin Land Trust through the dona-

tion of the owners Jack and Coleen Holmbeck.

Ed Emerson and Ralph Waldo Emerson both share the same grandfather removed – the Rev. Joseph Emerson, (1620-1679), who was 18 years old when the Emersons immigrated to America from England in 1638. It is an ongoing mystery as to why and how Ralph Waldo Emerson came to own more than 125 acres in the then wilderness of Northwest Wisconsin.

Perhaps the connection to fellow Massachusetts landowner Caleb Cushing answers that question. Or, perhaps, at that time, there was a direct Emerson connection to Northwest Wisconsin ?

The final odd Emerson connection to Northwest Wisconsin rests with the original founding of St. Croix Falls.

In July of 1837 the St. Croix Lumber Company was organized at Fort Snelling, Minn. One of the original four signers to the St. Croix Lumber

Company, which established the city of St. Croix Falls, was Dr. John Emerson.

Dr. Emerson (1800-1852?) was the U.S. Army surgeon at the Fort Snelling military post. Additionally, Dr. Emerson also gained historic notoriety for being the slave owner of Dred Scott – the slave who sued for his freedom before the U.S. Supreme Court, a case that indirectly led to the U.S. Civil War. While still to be confirmed, it is possible that Dr. John Emerson is the son of Thomas Emerson, the great-great-grandson of the Rev. Joseph. If proven, this would establish a direct ancestral northern Wisconsin connection to Ralph Waldo Emerson at the time of Emerson’s purchase of the Trade Lake land.

Documents related to this story can be obtained from Ed Emerson, PO Box 326, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024. – submitted

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 13

S T .

C R O I X

V A L L E Y

H E A D L I N E S

City and library committee on same page Next chapter begins

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS – The library committee and the city were in agreement Monday night at the city council meeting, which was a change from the meeting May 29.

At the May 29 meeting, the council had before them a motion to purchase the Holiday building for renovation into library space and commit a city dollar amount of $750,000. The motion for that died after council President Lori Erickson made a motion and there was a lack of a second.

Council members said they were fiscally concerned about the project and committing to it without better numbers on estimates. It was decided by councilman Arne Carlson to table the library decision until the June 11 council meeting. Darrell Anderson seconded the motion that carried with all in favor except Erickson.

At the June 11 meeting, things were looking up from the start. Councilman Brian Blesi stated that he felt the library committee came to the council with the

wrong resolution last time and that the resolution before the council that evening was one that could provide answers to questions and provide more information.

“Last time we had the wrong resolution in front of us,” Blesi said. “The main question is can we acquire and build a site that will give us what we want: a gem. So, this resolution allows us to explore those options and come back with more information so we can make a good decision.”

The library committee has been at work for over 20 months and has centered on a site, the Holiday grocery building downtown.

Erickson said she and the library board looked over the resolution and approved it and thought it looked good.

“We’re still moving in the right direction,” she added.

The resolution commits the city to $35,000 rather than $750,000, which put the fiscal council more at ease. The $35,000 is for hiring an architect to design and provide cost estimates on the library location. The resolution first indicated offering designs for three dif-

ferent sites, but it was amended Monday night to be three different designs and estimates for one site only: Holiday.

Resident Deb Kravig suggested during public comments that the architect hired be given a dollar range to work with or give them a specific budget window, and that the person hired has expertise in libraries so the city isn’t spinning its wheels.

The resolution indicates the architect shall provide the information by July 31.

The specifics will be a library space of 8,000 square feet, with exterior details and amenities including an outdoor courtyard. In addition to the 8,000 square-feet, a portion of the library should be dedicated to a Gaylord Nelson Environmental Wing, have a design that is energy efficient incorporating green elements wherever possible, and one design shall reflect a standalone library with an adjoining courtyard.

The library board also needs to provide plans for fundraising including a professional fundraiser, which the library board already said they had

secured. The library board is to secure letters of interest with nonprofit partners to occupy the remaining spaces such as community education, early childhood, or WITC. As far as fundraising efforts go, the library has successfully secured a $100,000 check that is now in the bank.

City Administrator Ed Emerson said it is important to have a funding plan.

“It doesn’t do anyone any good if we win the site but can’t cover the cost.”

Emerson said. “Let’s remember that we have nearly 7,000 square feet of available space in the building. The best thing that could happen is for a local business to step forward and partner with the city on this space. It would greatly reduce our costs and minimize our risks.”

“It is nice to have solidified on a location. The architectural study should give us clear numbers on cost and a good picture on the design. This should enable the community to come together to raise the needed funds, “ said Mayor Brad Foss.

“Barefoot in the Park” opens June 21 ST. CROIX FALLS – Neil Simon’s classic American romantic comedy, “Barefoot in the Park,” begins Festival Theatre’s 18th Theatre Series on Thursday, June 21, with performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. A grand party to celebrate the opening of the season will take place at 6 p.m., and two Date Night events take place over opening weekend.

“Barefoot in the Park” provides a look at the first days of marriage with Paul and Corie Bratter. After a six-day honeymoon, this brand new lawyer, who has just won his first case (6 cents in damages), and his young bride, who is as pretty and addled as they come, move into the new, high-rent apartment that she has chosen for them. But the difficulty is, in order to enjoy the charming character of their love nest, one has to climb six wheezing flights.

And the apartment is absolutely bare of furniture, the paint job came out all wrong, the skylight leaks snow, there isn’t room for a double bed, and an outlandish gourmet who lives in a loft on the roof uses it and the window ledge as

the only access to his padlocked premises. The situation is enough to break the heart and burst the lungs of any young couple.

Paul and Corie are the epitome of the phrase “opposites attract” as he’s stoic and she’s emotional, says the show’s director, Jeanette Abdo of Lakeland Shores, Minn. Neil Simon made a great choice to contrast the newlyweds broad behavioral differences and the circumstances cannot help but be comedic!

You will question whether or not these two will remain together without going their separate ways, but Simon’s writing clearly makes the case for marriage.

The story is so universal you cannot help but cheer for Paul and Corie as they begin to learn how to compromise.

Starring in the roles of Corie and Paul are Brittany Engler of Bristol and Jim Halloran of Minneapolis. The hilarious supporting roles of Corie’s mother and the eccentric Victor Velasco are played

by Deb Birchler, also of Minneapolis, and Brad Chandler from Long Beach, N.Y. “Barefoot in the Park” performances

include Thursday and Sunday matinees and evening performances on Thursday through Saturdays, June 21 through July 1, and then again for one weekend in early August. There are five additional plays in the 2007 Theatre Series plus one children’s holiday production.

Single ticket prices are $22.50 for adults and $12.50 for youth (this play is acceptable for upper elementary through secondary students). Flex Pass packages are available for savings of $4 to $6 per seat.

Festival Theatre is a professional theatre company dedicated to producing excellent performing arts events in the historic vaudeville playhouse on the beautiful St. Croix River. To learn all about the upcoming 2007 season, you can request a season brochure by phone, in person, or by e-mail. Festival Theatre is located in downtown St. Croix Falls, at 210 North Washington Street. To reach Festival Theatre by phone, call 715-483-3387 or 888-8876002. You may also send an e-mail to boxoffice@festivaltheatre.org.

Brittany Engler and Deb Birchler as Corie Bratter and her mother. - Photo

by Jerry Boucher

Construction workers thanked

One of the first-grade students of St. Croix Falls presented the construction workers with a card. –Photos by Tammi Milberg

St. Croix Falls Elementary students showed their appreciation to construction workers for the new building and remodeling project they have been working on. The students made cards and read poems and the construction workers were treated to donuts on June 7, the last day of school.

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Nixes Web page; Updates on well and street

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Council shares goals

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS – The city council was updated in a memo from Cedar Corp. on the construction on Louisiana and the well improvements at the June 11 council meeting. Louisiana Street is in phases one and two of the sanitary sewer. The water main for phase one is completed, and the duct bank installation has been started for the powerline burial. The storm sewer for phase one is almost complete and the phone company is wrapping up their underground installation on the north side of the street. When that is completed, it was noted the overhead poles will be taken down for the phone lines.

In another update to the council, the test pumping proposed for well No. 11 was completed on May 29 and 30. The final design of that well will yield 75 to 90 gallons per minute and the water samples have been submitted. The city is awaiting the results of those samples and is preparing a final well design for DNR submittal.

In other business, the tech committee reported that to do a city Web page, it would cost $10,000, to even start one up. The committee decided the city did not have nor want to expend that kind of money, so the city is looking for volunteer Web page designers to lend a hand in developing a city Web page in which pages and links can be added. Mayor Brad Foss asked for any high school students that are experts at Web page design and want community service to come forward.

The council also acknowledged their establishment of goals which are included below: Natural and cultural resources 1. ”Soft” development of 450 acre Simonson Woods ; expansion of site into overall Zillmer Park Preserve by making looped trail connections; implementation of wildlife management plan and habitat restoration and enhancement.

2. Development of Skate Park, hockey rink and enhancement of other play areas with opportunity for state-of-the-art children’s play park.

3. Protect remaining environmentally sensitive areas.

4. Complete River Walk Trail System and secure “beach” access to the river.

5. Develop Fish Hatchery Trail linking to Interstate campground.

6. Develop trail along Jefferson/Madison Street ROW connecting to Simonson preservation lands.

7. Restore the old Volks March Trail.

8. Protect and enhance city’s cultural and historic

resources.

9. Assist the library board in acquiring a new site for our public library.

10. Assist the Festival Theatre group to rehabilitate the Auditorium Theater.

11. Work with the Department of Natural Resources, Excel, and other community members to continue the trails along the river.

12. Identify historic districts/structures through outreach and education, prioritize sites/structures, develop action plans, and secure resources to improve them.

13. Establish long-term park and rec planning process that systematically prioritizes initiatives and establishes funding streams that not only initiate projects, but carry them to rapid completion and maintain them over time.

14. Engage deer management committee and develop local deer (and wildlife) management plans that not only manage, but leverage the resources drawing visitors and long-term residents to our community.

Housing element 1. Promote development of in-fill housing sites.

2. Manageable development of existing preapproved residential subdivisions.

3. Freeze future residential annexations and subdivisions until 80 percent of existing in-fill sites are developed and/or until water and wastewater issues are resolved.

4. Promote development of Eco-Village and encourage overall environmentally sound housing construction.

5. Develop design standards within new housing that promotes energy efficiency.

6. Encourage policy based upon manageable and historic growth projections.

7. Recognize that 20 percent of existing residents are over the age of 65; over the next 20 years as many as 170 existing homes (mostly older) may become available. This is likely to slow or stabilize the growth of new residential construction. The city should consider measures such as low-interest home improvement loans to encourage reinvestment of these older properties.

8. Revitalize downtown with the goal of attracting permanent long term residents.

9. Advance rapid build out of live/work/commercial areas on both sides of Washington, driven by incentives that support private capital improving existing structures and making city owned property between River Street and Washington available.

Economic development: 1. Assist St. Croix Regional Medical Center on its expansion by enhancing State Street and providing other support assistance where needed or requested.

2. Implement Downtown Action Plan – recognizing the quality jobs provided by the many professional service companies and by tourist-related enterprises.

3. Creation of Arts, Culture, and Historic District could result an active and vital downtown that is “unique onto us.”

4. Promote alternative energy companies and offshoots to locate to the city.

5. Encourage “live-work” units especially as they can be used as a catalyst for reinvestment in older downtown buildings.

6. Encourage the development of the 95-acre in-fill commercial land on Hwy. 8 – recognizing city design standards have played an instrumental role in encouraging quality investments.

7. Promote tourism expansion by creating a unified branding and marketing plan (City Marketing Fund).

8. Assist small business expansion by focused use of Revolving Loan Funds.

9. Expand Hwy. 8 commercial development park and recreation fees as a tool to stimulate redevelopment and reinvestment in the downtown.

10. Encourage regional-wide business park development, moving away from isolated community industrial parks towards high-quality business parks.

11. Consider a business incubator that would provide mentoring and support for start-up businesses.

12. Consider a “Go Local” policy that encourages existing companies to purchase from local suppliers and strive to keep local dollars circulating in the community.

13. Define events that stimulate economic development i.e. Crew Boats races, Kayak Tournaments, Film Festivals (Auditorium Theatre).

14. Business incubator model.

15. Development of advisory group comprised of retired persons to mentor new business.

16. Work with elected officials to create a half a cent sales tax on retail purchases to offset local property tax.

17. Promote economic development within the technology sector.

18. Web Site development.

Transportation: 1. Work with the department of transportation to eliminate direct access onto Hwy. 8 by encouraging “backage roads” with all new Hwy. 8 commercial development.

2. Work with the township on incorporation of a future roadway system that identifies corridors for future backage road extensions, especially in anticipation of future Hwy. 8 commercial growth to the east.

3. Work with the DOT and federal funds to adopt a plan alleviating Industrial Road/Red Fox access onto Hwy. 8 by encouraging a community-based plan for alternative transportation outs – including connection of Pine Street as an east-west corridor.

4. Consider a loop trail system connecting the central city with neighborhood and shopping opportunities.

5. Consider a 10-year development plan for Hwy. 8.

Where is future commercial development to be located and how is traffic to move?

6. Develop and implement a five-year plan for ongoing road maintenance.

Land use •Create and implement a cooperative boundary agreement with the township to set agenda for orderly growth plan.

•Ensure coordinated pan for “big box” retail growth along Hwy. 8.

•”Soft” development of 450 acre Simonson Woods ; expansion of site into overall Zillmer Park Preserve by making looped trail connections; implementation of wildlife management plan and habitat restoration and enhancement.

•Development of Skate Park, hockey rink and enhancement of other play areas with opportunity for state-of-the-art children’s play park.

•Define and protect remaining environmentally sensitive areas.

•Continue with bluff preservation.

Public utility and facilities: 1. Work on an affordable reconstruction of the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

2. Work on enhancing existing city water wells to expand capacity, and develop a plan to increase water storage and overall capacity.

3. As commercial development occurs, use impact fees to offset costs for new police services.

4. The fire department should seek to expand its service area, and partnership with the township should be strengthened.

5. The local ambulance service expansion and partnership with St. Croix Regional Hospital should continue to be encouraged and supported.

6. The city library system should be expanded.

7 The post office should find a new downtown location.

8. The city should support Good Sam and assist with any expansion needs, especially as nursing home needs will grow in the future.

9. Work with local business (Strauss Mills) to develop “gray water” reclamation site.

10. Ensure police department is fully staffed.

Intergovernmental cooperation •Ensure collaboration across committees/commissions, identifying common objectives and leveraging synergies.

•Finalize Cooperative Boundary Agreement.

•Continue with community forums to ensure everyone has the opportunity to share in local decision making.

No action was taken as the matter was informational.

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Tug-of-war across the river moves forward

by Julie Holmquist TAYLORS FALLS - A St. Croix River Tug-of-War between the bluffs of Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls may actually take place.

Firefighters from both sides of the river are apparently ready for a battle between the towns during the proposed event planned for the 50th-annual Wannigan Days.

That’s according to Wayne Breeden, president of the Taylors Falls Lions Club.

Breeden told the Taylors Falls City Council on Monday night that the club has received approval of the National Park Service for the unusual event, and that a portion of the St. Croix River will be closed between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on July 21 so the event can occur.

The Lions Club hopes to see dignitaries from both sides of the river in a friendly war: but don’t worry, no one will get their feet wet. As soon as one side gets to within eight feet of the bluff, the contest is over.

The Taylors Falls City Council on Monday night approved the First Annual St. Croix River Tug-of-War, with the conditions that the city obtains a copy of the National Park Service permit, a copy of the Lions Club’s insurance that names the city as insured, and a safety plan.

“I thought this was a good idea from the beginning, and a fun idea,” said Larry Julik-Heine, Taylors Falls City Council member.

“With any luck the tug-of-war will

end up in a tie and it will bring the two cities closer together,” he said.

The event includes refreshments and pontoon rides from each Lions Park on both sides of the river.

The Taylors Falls City Council approved a beer license for a Lions Club beer garden at the Taylors Falls Lions Park, as long as the club chooses a specific site, fences it off and security is provided.

“The Lions are hoping this will go over quite well and become an annual event,” Breeden said. He noted that there are two tug-of-war contests across lakes in Europe, and one river tug-ofwar in Iowa.

Fire run appeal In other business, the Taylors Falls council denied the repeal of a fire run charge of $500, but agreed to give the resident up to 12 months to pay the fee.

Judith Bednarek of Taylors Falls appealed the fire department run charge, saying she shouldn’t have to pay the charge because she didn’t call 911, but called the non-emergency number on March 3 after her carbon monoxide detectors sounded.

She wrote a letter to the city on March 30 and again on April 30, saying the city’s property taxes should cover the run charges. She also said in the March 30 letter that sending three fire trucks and 13 firefighters to her home was “poor judgment” on the part of the fire department.

Bednarek called Chisago County dis-

Music on the Overlook Series June Schedule Friday, June 15, 7 p.m., Jason P. Contemporary Christian.

Friday, June 22, 7 p.m., Feelin Groovy –Featuring the music of Simon & Garfunkel –Sponsored by the city of St. Croix Falls.

Sunday, June 24, 4 p.m., Lake Country Cloggers –Sponsored by SCF Parks and Recreation.

Friday, June 29, 7 p.m., Kaptain Karl.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and the whole family! Held rain or shine!

Concerts will be held through September. Sponsorship opportunities still available - call the chamber office at 715-483-3580.–submitted by the St. Croix Falls Chamber

patch center on March 3 at 3:29 a.m. because of concerns with her family’s carbon monoxide detector.

Before the council discussed the matter, council members John Tangen and Ross Rivard abstained from the discussion and the vote because of conflict of interest. Tangen works for the Chisago County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher, and Rivard is on the fire department and made the run to Bednarek’s home.

The council looked at a transcript of the call to the dispatch and a recommendation from the city attorney to let the charge stand as is and to not set a precedent.

The city is allowed by state law to charge reasonable fees for providing emergency services.

“Unfortunately, we aren’t able to

cover everything as a city,” said council member Zara Kinnunen. “And it’s unfortunate that this puts some people in a financial difficulty.” But the city, she noted, is within its rights, and Bednarek did request the fire department.

The council agreed with the city attorney that the transcript of the call supports the idea that it was an emergency call, even if Bednarek didn’t call 911.

Bednarek was pregnant at the time and had children in house, but pointed out that she told the dispatcher that she wasn’t feeling symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

“If this one is free, what about other ones?” Buchite said.

“I think the fact that there were 13 firefighters there in minutes shows an incredible job by the firefighters,” he added.

Auxiliary Salad Luncheon held

It was nearly standing room only during the annual St. Croix Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Salad Luncheon held at the St. Croix Falls High School cafeteria June 8.

Your News on the Web: www.the-leader.net Osceola seniors to hear about changes in SeniorCare

OSCEOLA - The Osceola Senior Citizens Club, Inc. will hold its monthly noon potluck at the Osceola United Methodist Church on Wednesday, June 27.

The program will feature Barb Ceder, interim benefit specialist, Polk County Aging Programs, discussing the latest developments with SeniorCare. She will also bring application materials for anyone wishing to sign up, provide information on the Medicare savings

plan and answer any questions people may have about other benefits offered by the county and state.

Osceola Senior Citizens Club membership is open to persons 50 or over and everyone is welcome. Members are encouraged to bring friends. Anyone who can’t make the potluck may feel free to come not later than 1 p.m. for the program, dessert and coffee.

For more information or to arrange a ride, call 715-294-3670. - submitted

People lined up for salads of all varieties and flavors. Barb Young (wearing apron), wife of retired Dr. Bill Young, was busy keeping up with fresh bowls and platters as people went through the line during the two-hour luncheon event.

Minnesota felons face Polk County meth charges ST. CROIX FALLS - Two Minnesota people face felony charges of meth possession and misdemeanor charges of theft after St. Croix Falls Police were dispatched to Wal-Mart on June 5.

Brandi Debates, 25, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and Christopher Stanley, 23, Apple Valley, Minn., were

allegedly trying to return merchandise that was just taken from a shelf in the store.

A search warrant allowed police to do search of the vehicle, where they found methamphetamine.

Both Stanley and Debates are convicted felons. – Julie Holmquist

Mary Hankel plays dining music on her harp to entertain those at the salad luncheon. –Photos by Tammi Milberg

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Bike Rodeo

Officer Jamie Lalim talks with Ryan Rogers, 7, and Dakota Preisler, 6, about rules of the road during the Osceola Community Bike Rodeo Saturday at the intermediate school. Some 35 bicyclists took part in the event, sponsored by Osceola Medical Center, Osceola Police Department, Wild River YMCA and Osceola Community Education. Cyclists also learned bike safety and handling skills, had their bikes and helmets checked for safety and rode on an obstacle course. – Photos submitted

First modern mine cleanup in Wisconsin comes to a compromise LADYSMITH - The owners of the now-closed mine at Ladysmith have pulled back from asking that the site be classified as completely returned to its natural state. Instead, Flambeau Mining has agreed to additional monitoring for pollution on part of the property.

Flambeau Mining will get a certificate of completion for 149 acres of the mine site, which is basically the now-backfilled area where open pit mining of copper and gold took place for several years during the 1990s. But the company, environmentalists, the Lac Courtes Oreilles Chippewa and the Department of Natural Resources have tentatively agreed that Flambeau will withdraw its certification request for 32 acres where the mine buildings were located. The company will monitor sediments in a stream and the Flambeau River. The firm will also check soils, surface water and walleye.

Attorney Glenn Stoddard represents some of the mining company oppo-

nents. He says there was concern that the site had not been fully reclaimed, and that there was not adequate monitoring being done. This will ensure that additional monitoring will be done, Stoddard says. The mining company won’t be able to ask for a completion certificate for the 32 acres for at least three years.

The Flambeau mine reclamation case is the first test of mining laws that were revised several years ago, and Stoddard says the new agreement sends a message to potential mining firms that they’re being watched very closely, and will be held to their promises and requirements of law, not only in the permitting process, but also the cleanup process.

In a statement released Thursday, May 31, Flambeau Mining said it’s confident additional monitoring will continue to show it’s protecting the Flambeau River. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Chuck Quirmbach)

Rising milk prices make 2007 a profitable year STATEWIDE - Wisconsin dairy farmers have seen a big turnaround in their fortunes from last year, when many failed to turn a profit because of low prices.

2007 is shaping up to be a good year for Wisconsin dairy farmers, who are getting significantly more money for their milk. Tim Buttke is vice president of Agribusiness Banking at M & I Bank in Wausau. He says prices are up “tremendously;” up nearly $5 per hundredweight. He says for most farmers, that has made the difference between losing money in 2006 instead of making a profit here in 2007.

Last year, prices averaged $13 per hundredweight, below the $14 breakeven point. This year, prices are

above $17 and climbing, due in part to an increase in milk consumption. Buttke says there’s another factor: drought conditions and the use of corn for ethanol, which have increased the cost of feed and reduced the supply of milk. He says in certain areas of the country, when feed prices go up for farmers that have to buy a lot of feed, they’re going to cut back.

Buttke adds that Wisconsin dairy farmers know that today’s good times can be short-lived. But for now, prices are high, and dairy farmers are using the incoming cash to pay off debts from last year, and make some neglected repairs to their farms. – Wisconsin Public Radio (Glen Moberg)

Burnett Co. deaths Darian Blattner and Julia Campbell of Wild River YMCA check the fit of bike helmets worn by Dawson Rosenow, 4, and Journie Rosenow, 5, both of Dresser, during the Osceola Community Bike Rodeo Saturday at the intermediate school.

50 years

Walter J. Ostlund, 80, Grantsbuirg Village, May 29.

Carolyn G. Bradshaw, 75, Swiss Township,

June 2.

Dorothy L. Martin, 91, Grantsburg Village, May 31.

Burnett Co. marriage licenses James R. Brickle, Sand Lake, and Kelley J. O’Brien, Sand Lake, June, 5.

Brian D. Dusick, Siren, and Michelle R. Talbert, Siren, June 6.

William M. Goepfert, Grantsburg, and Kristine L. Walker, Grantsburg, June 6.

Bradford J. Rodenkirch, Meenon, and Kalynn

J. Hanson, Meenon, June 6.

Peter F. Osterby, Jackson, and, Christine M. Moeller, Jackson, June 7.

Wylie J. Wood, Siren, and Valerie A. O’Brien, Siren, June 7.

Polk County civil court NCO Portfolio Management, Inc., Baltimore, Md., plaintiff. William Hackel, Amery, defendant.

Plaintiff alleges default of payments for consumer credit for $16,945.95.

General Casualty Insurance, Sun Prairie, plaintiff. Joseph Mattson, Balsam Lake, defendant. Plaintiff seeks a money judgment as result of automobile accident.

Monte Gourley, Osceola, plaintiff. State Farm Insurance, Osceola, defendant. Plaintiff seeks a money judgment following 2001 automobile accident involving Gary Dombrock, who was uninsured.

Harris Bank, Rolling Meadows, Ill., plaintiff.

Keith Brown, Deer Park, defendant. Plaintiff

alleges default of payments in contract and seeks $7,422.18.

Thomas Doxy Sr., Balsam Lake, plaintiff.

Progressive Casualty Insurance Co., Eau Claire and Terry Glenna, Spooner, defendants. Plaintiff alleges negligence of defendant in 2004 automobile accident and seeks a money judgment.

Citibank, Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D., plaintiff.

Jennifer Heinz, Cushing, defendant. Plaintiff alleges $11,075.46 in credit card debt.

Bayfield Financial, LLC, Minneapolis, Minn., plaintiff. Aarol Karl, Frederic, defendant. Plaintiff alleges $7,811.19 in credit card debt and seeks money judgment.

Burnett Co. sheriff’s report

Duane and Velores Taylor, Webster, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, June 9, with a party for family and friends at the Burnett County Moose Lodge. The Taylors were married June 8, 1957, at Grace United Methodist Church, Webster. Following the wedding, the couple headed for Chicago, and then back to work. – Photo submitted

Accidents Town of Oakland, June 1: Claudia A. Belisle, 54, Webster, was northbound on Hwy. 35, slowing down for two vehicles turning onto Hayden Lake Road. Dorothy M. Miller, 79, Luck, was unable to stop in time and rear-ended Belisle. There were no reported injuries.

Town of Grantsburg, June 4: Tracey D. Bonneville, 33, Grantsburg, was westbound on Solness Road when the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle sustained severe damages, but there were no reported injuries.

Town of Meenon, May 27: David G. Sendek, 16, Hastings, Minn., was northbound on Hwy. 35 when John H. Ivey Jr., 43, White Bear Lake, Minn., pulled out from a stop sign into the path of Sendek. Both vehicles were damaged, but there

were no reported injuries.

Arrests Town of Meenon, June 9: Mitchell I. Varner, 40, was cited and arrested for domestic battery.

Other incidents Town of Lincoln, June 8: Martin E. Hansen, Stillwater, Minn., reported an attempted break-in to his cabin’s garage. No items appeared to have been taken. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Jackson, June 9: Michael L. Williams, Fairborn, Ohio, reported his cabin broken into.

Nothing appeared to have been taken. The incident is under investigation.

Town of Daniels, June 10: Jennifer A. Hansen, Frederic, was cited for keeping two dogs chained without food and water.

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

2007 All-Leader Softball Team

by Matt Blumkin and Marty Seeger LEADER LAND – It was another exciting year for the area girls softball teams.

With each passing game it was clear that each school has a nice handful of athletes to be proud of, which makes

choosing this year’s All-Leader Softball Team that much more difficult.

The Grantsburg girls have so much to be proud of. Their dedication and domination in girls softball is a rarity in the high school sports world.

Congratulations to the team for making it to the state championship this season.

Webster and Frederic have a very bright future ahead of them, with both teams moving further than any other season. Webster improved from a 2-14 record last year to 12-4 this season, and Frederic moved deep into the playoffs, and expect the majority of the team to be back next season.

Unity and Luck probably didn’t have the season they hoped for, but watching them play without giving up at any time was something to be admired by everyone. The sportsmanship and comeraderie of the players was something to admire as well. Congratulations to this year’s All-Leader Softball Team!

First team pitchers, infield, outfield, coach and most improved

Mollie Bjelland Grantsburg / Senior First pitcher • MVP

Jamie Lund Grantsburg / Senior Second pitcher

Miranda Kammeyer Grantsburg / Senior Catcher

Emily Thayer St. Croix Falls / Senior Outfield

Amy French Webster / Senior Outfield

Rachel O’Brien Frederic / Senior Outfield

Erin Jensen Frederic Coach

Shannon Steiner Webster / Junior Infield

Megan Johnson Unity / Senior Infield

Katie Thill Webster / Senior Infield

Lindsey Hedlund Grantsburg / Senior Infield

Jade Johnson Grantsburg / Senior Most Improved

Second team pitchers, infield, outfield, coach and rookie

Erin Schmidt Frederic / Junior First pitcher

Sara Palmer St. Croix Falls / Senior Second pitcher

Mandie Ramstrom Webster / Senior Catcher

Taryn Pilz Luck / Freshman Outfield

Nikki Roedl Webster /Senior Outfield

Michelle Lund Grantsburg / Freshman Outfield

Scott Hoefs Webster Coach

Krystal Stage Luck / Sophomore Infield

Julia Haas Frederic / Senior Infield

Jackie Jerrick St. Croix Falls / Senior Infield

Nicola Hickethier Unity / Senior Infield

Chrissy Chenal Frederic / Freshman Rookie of the Year

SPORTS RESULTS DEADLINES: WEDNESDAY - MONDAY: 1 p.m. the following business day. TUESDAY: 10 p.m. Missed deadlines mean no coverage that week!

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

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Grantsburg’s run sinks into Sevastopol broke the ice in the fifth inning.

Sevastopol left fielder Courtney Kaye took advantage of two throwing errors by the Pirates when running the base paths, and she put the Pioneers ahead 10 consequently. Cathy Kaye proceeded to score when shortstop Sara Junion drove her in on her only hit of the game.

On defense, the Pirates had a chunk of uncharacteristic mistakes with four errors and two earned runs allowed.

The Pirates surrendered only one earned run throughout the season.

The Pioneers would pad their lead in the top of the seventh after Jenna wheat hit an RBI double to bring home catcher Cory Notz. Jamie Lund replaced Bjelland on the mound for the Pirates, but fortunes did not improve quickly enough for the purple and black. Wheat scored while right fielder Brittany Jilot grounded out for the second out of the inning.

Sevastopol unseats defending state champs Sevastopol 4, Grantsburg 0

by Matt Blumkin and Marty Seeger MADISON — Sevastopol sunk the defending champs’ ship.

Fielding errors and runners left on base sealed the fate of the defending state champion Grantsburg Pirates in the Division 3 state semifinals on Friday, June 8. Grantsburg stranded 13 base runners in the game and left the bases loaded twice, but couldn’t convert.

With one out in the fourth inning, the Pirates loaded the bases with Lindsey Hedlund, Sasha Chell and Emily Prazak all reaching on hits. Yet the Pioneers escaped the inning with with Michelle Davidsavor grounding out to short and Michelle Lund going down swinging.

Sevastopol pitcher Carissa Neinas had been a thorn in the Pirates’ side throughout the game as she helped the Pioneers get out of several jams. She only struck out two batters but in the process, but walked none and the teams fielding backed her up with only one error.

Neinas and company held their own again in the fifth when Grantsburg loaded the bases a second time. Alyssa Ryan and Jamie Lund reached on singles, and Miranda Kammeyer reached first base on a fielder’s choice as Ryan

Team Sevastopol Grantsburg

Michelle Lund made a spectacular catch in left field during the regional final against Cumberland. Lund also made a spectacular grab at the state tournament against Sevastopol. - File photos by Marty Seeger was forced out at third. Then, Hedlund earned a single to load the bases, but Kammeyer was tagged out at second as Chell hurried to first in the following atbat.

That would be the last big threat from the Pirates as they went three-up and three-down in the sixth and had only one batter, Mollie Bjelland, reach base in the final inning after getting hit by a pitch.

Bjelland pitched just over seven innings and surrendered only two hits in the first four innings, but the Pioneers

Sevastopol Sara Junion Allison Junion Carissa Neinas Niki LaPlant Cory Notz Lacey Weber Jenna Wheat Cathy Kaye Courtney Kaye Totals

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Individual Statistics AB H R BB RBI 4 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 2 0 0 1 0 3 2 1 0 1 0 1 1 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 24 6 4 1 3

AB H Grantsburg 3 2 Mollie Bjelland 4 2 Jamie Lund 4 0 Miranda Kammeyer 3 2 Lindsey Hedlund 0 Sarah Wald (pinch runner) 0 3 1 Sasha Chell 1 0 Melissa Burton 3 0 Michelle Davidsavor Michelle Lund 3 0 3 1 Alyssa Ryan 1 Emily Prazak 2 Totals 29 9 Pitching Statistics Sevastopol W/L INN AB W 7.0 29 Carissa Neinas Grantsburg W/L INN AB L 6.0 23 Mollie Bjelland 1.0 4 x Jamie Lund

R 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 K 2 K 6 0

BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BB 0 BB 1 0

H 8 H 6 1

RBI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R 0 R 3 1

Mollie Bjelland was a big part of the Pirates success this season. Even though their road ended against Sevastopol, the Pirates team definitely had a season to remember.

Sasha Chell puts a tag down on a Cumberland runner in the regional final at third base.

Jamie Lund spent most of her games stopping balls at second base, but was a dominating force on the mound in the closing many of the Pirates games this season.

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 19

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Webster takes Frederic in five ers for 14 runs in four innings including seven in the fourth. Unity’s only run came in the second inning, after Aaron Schmidt was hit by a pitch and Cory Tunheim followed with a sacrifice to move the runner. Curtis Nelson picked up the RBI to score Schmidt on a fielder’s choice.

New Richmond struck out 13 Unity batters and had eight hits on the evening.

Tigers takes advantage, Unity sends Braham packing Webster 10, Frederic 0

by Marty Seeger WEBSTER — Frederic struggled to get things going in Webster on Tuesday night as Webster pitcher Josh Benton threw his first shutout of the season.

Benton pitched a full five innings, while giving up only two hits and one walk. The Tigers capitalized on hitting the ball at just the right time in the first inning. After Cameron Hughes was hit by a wild pitch thrown by Frederic freshman Ethan Cook, he stole second and third to set up Webster’s first run of the game—a single to right by Spencer Peterson. Webster advanced four runners in the first inning on stolen bases and picked up another two runs.

The Tigers continued to move base runners in the second inning as Ben Roedl and Ben Ries picked up singles and a stolen bases. Ries took the RBI in the inning.

In the third, Cook helped Frederic out of a jam after Benton singled to left field.

Vikings coach Ben Nelson talked to him in between innings and on the next play caught Benton in a pickoff move.

“I didn’t want to overwhelm him with too much stuff,” said Nelson about the freshmen pitcher.

“He’s given up a few runs but he’s throwing strikes and keeping us in the game,” Nelson said.

Nolan Neumann connected with a single in the first inning, but the Frederic bats didn’t connect again until late in the fourth inning. With two outs, freshman Claire Erickson hit a solid single to right field but was tagged out at second as he tried to advance to second base. Viking sophomore Kris Hicks had the other hit for Frederic, but two flyouts to first failed to advance Hicks any further.

“I got a bunch of young guys that are working hard and doing their best so we do what we can,” said Nelson.

Neumann was brought in to relieve Cook in the bottom of the fourth inning, and Brent Crandell came in to pitch the fifth, but Webster continued move base runners on stolen bases, wild pitches and walks.

Baldwin 10, Siren 0 WEBSTER — The Dragons couldn’t keep up with the Hawks on Tuesday night as they were defeated 10-0 in five 1 2 3 4 5 Unity 0 1 0 0 0 New Richmond 0 5 2 7 0 Individual Statistics Unity AB H Ryan Flaherty 2 0 Zach Lehmann 1 0 3 0 Mike Schmidt Matt Goulet 1 0 Aaron Schmidt 1 1 1 0 Cory Tunheim Curtis Nelson 1 0 Ricky Garbow 2 0 0 1 Justin Bader Matt Chitty 1 0 Chad Strilzuk 2 0 Totals 16 1 New Richmond AB H Zimmerman 2 0 Kleiner 2 2 Peterson 1 0 Berger 3 1 Torkelson 4 0 Stoeklen 2 1 Evans 3 1 Hanson 2 2 Peterson 3 1 Haffner 1 0 Totals 23 8 Pitching Statistics Unity W/L INN AB Matt Goulet L 1 2/3 11 Ryan Flaherty x 1 2/3 16 Ricky Garbow x 2/3 5 New Richmond W/L INN AB Matt Goulet W 4 16

6 x x

7 x x

R 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 R 1 2 0 1 0 3 2 2 1 2 14 K 2 5 1 K 13

Total 1 14

BB 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BB 2 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 8 BB 5 1 2 BB 1

H 1 7 0 H 1

RBI 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 RBI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R 5 9 0 R 1

Webster senior Josh Benton pitched a solid game against Frederic on Tuesday night. Frederic batter Brent Crandell waits for the pitch in the first inning. -Photos by Marty Seeger

Unity pitcher Ricky Garbow quickly Minn., batter on Monday night. innings.

“We swung the bat a little better tonight but we still struck out eight times in five innings,” said coach Chad Gibson.

Senior Bobby Smith led the Dragons with two hits, including a double.

“He had a really good night swinging the bat,” Gibson said. Other Siren athletes getting some metal on bat were freshmen Vince Nasman and sophomore Christian Hall. It was Nasman’s first varsity hit of his career.

Despite the high spots, Siren is still struggling in other areas. Gibson said that the defense isn’t keeping the team in the game as it should be, and hitting can always improve.

“We’re just looking at too many pitch1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total 0 0 0 0 0 x x 0 10 3 1 4 0 2 x x Individual Statistics Siren AB H R BB RBI Marcus Backman 3 0 0 0 0 Blake Hall 2 0 0 0 0 Jordan Potvin 2 0 0 0 0 Bobby Smith 2 2 0 0 0 John Anderson 1 0 0 0 0 Christian Hall 2 1 0 0 0 Vince Nasman 2 1 0 0 0 Tom Chosa 2 0 0 0 0 Thaad Baasch 2 0 0 0 0 Totals 18 4 0 0 0 Baldwin AB H R BB RBI Rose 3 0 1 0 0 Geuikink 3 0 2 0 2 Scrittlefield 2 1 2 0 2 Mcgee 3 2 2 0 0 Dittman 3 3 2 0 0 Ninneman 3 1 1 0 1 Trickle 2 1 0 0 1 Demotts 2 1 0 0 0 Lunzer 2 0 0 0 0 Totals 23 9 10 0 6 Pitching Statistics Siren W/L INN AB K BB H R Bobby Smith L 4 23 2 3 4 4 Kevin Niedenfuer x x x x x x 2

Siren Baldwin

gets to a blooper hit by a Braham, es late in the count instead of being more aggressive,” Gibson said.

The Dragons will host the Braham Minn., Legion team on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. and will host Grantsburg Thursday night. Siren also has a tournament at Hinckley Minn., this weekend.

Baldwin 14, Unity 1 NEW RICHMOND — Unity faced a tough New Richmond team on Tuesday night with Matt Goulet taking the mound for 1-2/3 innings before being replaced by Ryan Flaherty.

The Tigers hammered the two pitch1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total Braham, Minn. 0 0 0 3 1 x x 4 Unity 5 2 0 5 2 x x 14 Individual Statistics Braham, Minn.

AB H R BB RBI Josh Ehrreich 3 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 Zach Anderson Jerod Goldsmith 2 1 0 0 0 Jack Karas 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 2 Billy Shay Scott Ostrom 2 0 0 1 0 Alex Bendickson 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 Travis Ehrreich 1 1 0 1 Jared Glidden 2 Totals 20 6 4 3 4 BB RBI R H AB Unity 1 1 0 2 4 Zach Lehman Ryan Flaherty 0 0 2 4 0 1 1 1 2 3 Matt Goulet 1 2 0 1 Aaron Schmidt 4 Mike Schmidt 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 0 1 Cory Tunheim 0 2 2 1 1 Ricky Garbow Dustin McKinney 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 Justin Bader 0 0 0 0 1 Matt Chitty Chad Strilzuk 3 3 1 1 2 11 14 11 10 23 Totals Pitching Statistics Unity W/L INN AB K BB H R 1 4 6 20 1 W 4 Mike Schmidt x 1 4 1 0 0 0 Ryan Flaherty Braham Minn., W/L INN AB K BB H R 5 10 10 24 3 5 L Yunker

Unity 14, Braham, Minn., 4 BALSAM LAKE — Before heading into their game Tuesday night against New Richmond, coach Mike Morris decided to go with his third and fourth starters Monday against the Braham, Minn., Legion team. Starting Ricky Garbow on the mound did the trick just fine. Of course, hitting power was also a big part of Monday night’s mix.

“We needed to hit the ball like that, and we needed a ball game like that,” said Morris. “We played St. Croix Falls the other night and just stunk the place up.”

Ryan Flaherty led the first inning off with a walk and Matt Goulet followed with a single to left. Aaron Schmidt moved runners with a fielder’s choice to set up Mike Schmidt for the RBI single.

Cory Tunheim was hit by a wild pitch and Garbow walked in the next run, while Justin Bader brought more runners home on a two-RBI single to right.

Unity grabbed two more insurance runs in the second inning while Garbow held Braham to only two hits in three innings.

“Ricky Garbow did a nice job, he needed to throw strikes and that’s all we really needed him to do, and then play defense behind him,” said Morris.

As the game wore on into the fourth, Braham threatened a comeback off of two hits and three runs, but the Eagle bats rebounded in the bottom of the inning to counter the runs given up by Garbow. Morris mentioned that they should have lifted Garbow earlier but he wanted to keep his starters fresh for the Tuesday game against New Richmond.

The Eagle’s runs in the fourth came off singles from Zach Lehman, Goulet and Strilzuk, stretching the Eagles lead 12-4. Three walks given up by Braham in the same inning contributed to the mass of runs as well. Despite the Eagles hitting and solid defense Monday night, they still have some more improvements to make, but those improvements have come with each game.

“We’re getting better, and part of that getting better is not the physical part but the mental part of coming into the ball game ready to do that, and we didn’t do that at St. Croix,” said Morris.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total 0 0 0 0 0 x x 0 3 1 0 2 4 x x 10 Individual Statistics Frederic AB H R BB RBI Andrew Kurkowski 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 Nolan Neumann Jake Schmidt 1 0 0 2 0 Kanan Hackett 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Brent Crandell Ben G. Anderson 2 0 0 0 0 Claire Erickson 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Ethan Cook Kris Hicks 2 1 0 0 0 Totals 17 3 0 3 0 AB H R BB RBI Webster Ben Ries 3 2 1 1 2 Luke Zibell 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 Cameron Hughes 1 Josh Benton 2 1 1 0 0 Spencer Peterson 3 1 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 Shane Rossow Donnie Holmes 2 0 0 1 0 Ben Roedl 1 1 3 1 0 3 0 2 0 0 Jesse Janssen Totals 19 6 10 5 5 Pitching Statistics W/L INN AB K BB H R Frederic Ethan Cook L 3 12 2 3 4 4 Nolan Neumann x 1 8 1 2 1 2 x 2 8 0 2 1 4 Brent Crandell Webster W/L INN AB K BB H R Josh Benton 28 5 17 5 4 3 0 Frederic Webster

PAGE 20 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JUNE 13, 2007

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Pirates, others, postponed for lightning in to six errors, while St. Croix Falls made contact with the ball only four times for six runs.

Gus Koecher led St. Croix Falls with two hits and Josh Larcom and Matt Vold contributed the other two hits.

Unity could only muster three hits on the evening from Aaron Schmidt, Ricky Garbow and Justin Bader.

Two doubleheaders were on tap for last Firday Grantsburg 5, Baldwin 4

by Marty Seeger SIREN — The Pirates played an exciting game against Baldwin-Woodville last Thursday night. Unfortunately, the outcome of the game will need to be decided on Thursday, June 28, at Baldwin-Woodville.

With bases loaded and no outs, the game was postponed as a purple sky moved in to spoil the bottom of the fifth inning. Grantsburg held a 2-1 lead before the umpires made their decision.

In the second inning, rain caused the game to be delayed. After the short break the Pirates made their move with two outs, after Zach Phillips hit an RBI infield grounder to the Baldwin shortstop.

Kevin Johnson was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the third inning and Trent Bonneville singled, while Thane Larson loaded the bases on a walk. After Ben Larson went down on strikes, Tim Josephson hit an RBI single to give Grantsburg its only two runs of the game, but the one-run lead.

Baldwin-Woodville’s run came in the second inning on an RBI single to centerfield. Johnson was on the mound for all five innings and kept Baldwin at bay with only three hits. Johnson also had five key strikeouts in the game, including one to end the fourth inning, while Baldwin-Woodville had the bases loaded. The Pirates game scheduled with Clara City, Minn., last Friday was cancelled, and they will resume play at Siren on Thursday, June 14.

Game 2 Unity 10, SCF Legion 6 ST. CROIX FALLS — The Eagles picked up the pace in a big way during the second game of last Friday night’s doubleheader against St. Croix Falls Legion team. They picked up 10 runs on 10 hits, with Zach Lehman picking up three hits, including a double in the fifth inning.

Matt Chitty picked up a couple of hits in the third and fifth inning. Chad Strilzuk picked up two hits as well with a single in the second and a triple in the fifth. In that fifth inning the Eagles had five hits, including a lead-off solo home run by Matt Goulet.

Jake Larcom had an RBI single in the third inning and Matt Vold hit an RBI triple in the third for St. Croix Falls. The Saints scattered four hits in the second game for four runs.

Grantsburg pitcher Kevin Johnson was having a great outing against Baldwin-Woodville before the game was called due to lightning. Trent Bonneville is in the background waiting to make a play at short. -Photos by Marty Seeger

Luck Legion 6, Webster 5 LUCK — On the same night that the Pirates game was cancelled, so too was the game in Luck. The teams made it to the fifth inning before it was called due to lightning. The teams will finish the game when Luck plays at Webster on June 28.

Game 2 Braham, Minn., 7, Webster 5 WEBSTER — The second game of last Friday night’s doubleheader featured Josh Benton on the mound, but the similar mistakes in the first game carried over into the second.

“Again in the seventh we had the tying run on second, and winning run on first, but freshman Jesse Jenssen struck out to end the game,” Sears said.

“Our young guys are improving every day and we are a much better sqad than we were a few weeks ago.”

New Richmond 16, Frederic 0 FREDERIC — The Frederic game was also postponed in the fourth inning and will be finished when the Vikings travel to New Richmond on June 28.

Game 1 SCF Legion 6, Unity 1 ST. CROIX FALLS — The Eagles split a pair of games with the St. Croix Falls Legion team last Friday night. Unity Coach Mike Morris wasn’t pleased with the results and said that the team couldn’t do anything right. The Eagles gave Game 1 Unity SCF Legion

1 2 3 4 5 6 0 0 0 0 1 x 1 1 0 4 x x Individual Statistics Unity AB H R Ryan Flaherty 3 0 0 Cory Tunheim 1 0 1 Matt Goulet 2 0 0 Aaron Schmidt 2 1 0 Mike Schmidt 2 0 0 Ricky Garbow 2 1 0 Justin Bader 2 1 0 Curtis Nelson 2 0 0 Chad Strilzuk 2 0 0 Totals 18 3 1 SCF Legion AB H R Gus Koecher 3 2 2 Josh Larcom 2 1 1 Jake Larcom 3 0 1 Matt Vold 3 1 0 Trygve Chinander 3 0 0 Ben Anderson 3 0 0 Cory Gebhard 2 0 1 Ryan Larson 1 0 1 Austin Whittenberger 0 0 0 Totals 20 4 6 Pitching Statistics Unity W/L INN AB K Aaron Schmidt L 3 1/3 22 1 Ricky Garbow x 2/3 2 0 SCF Legion W/L INN AB K Trygve Chinander W 5 18 6

7 x x

Total 1 6 BB 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2

BB 2 0 BB 1

H 4 0 H 3

RBI 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 RBI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R 6 0 R 1

Game 1 Braham, Minn., 6, Webster 5 WEBSTER — Cameron Hughes took to the mound for the first time this season after being injured for the past two weeks, according to coach Greg Sears.

Hughes pitched a complete game and gave up six hits and one earned run.

“We did a lot of good things in this ballgame, and I feel anytime we are about to break through,” said Sears.

“We had the winning run on second base in the bottom of the seventh, just couldn’t get the big hit.”

Freshmen Shane Rossow had two hits and Ben Ries, Luke Zibell and Donnie Holmes each had a hit in the game.

Pirates catcher Ben Larson kept Baldwin-Woodville from owning the bases in last Thursday night’s game.

Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 Braham, Minn. 2 1 0 0 0 2 Webster 1 1 1 0 0 0 Individual Statistics Braham, Minn.

AB H R Sargo 3 1 1 Ehrreich 3 1 1 Karas 3 0 0 Bosman 3 1 2 Ostrom 4 0 0 Bosman 4 1 0 T. Ehrreich 3 1 1 Truskalaski 4 1 1 Fealy 3 0 0 Totals 30 6 6 Webster AB H R Ben Ries 4 0 0 Luke Zibell 2 0 1 Cameron Hughes 2 1 1 Josh Benton 2 0 1 Spencer Peterson 2 0 1 Donnie Holmes 4 1 0 Ben Roedl 3 0 1 Jesse Janssen 2 0 0 Shane Rossow 3 1 0 Totals 24 3 5 Pitching Statistics Webster W/L INN AB K Hughes L 7 30 3

7 1 2

Total 6 5 BB 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BB H 3 6

RBI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 RBI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 R 6

Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 Braham, Minn. 2 1 2 0 2 0 Webster 1 2 0 0 0 0 Individual Statistics AB H R Braham, Minn.

Bosman 4 1 1 Stoltz 4 1 1 4 0 0 Bosman Karns 2 0 1 Shay 4 1 1 2 1 2 Cuda Ehrreich 3 3 1 Johnson 4 0 0 0 0 3 Sarago Totals 30 7 7 Webster AB H R 0 1 4 Ben Ries Luke Zibell 2 1 2 Cameron Hughes 4 0 0 1 1 3 Josh Benton Spencer Peterson 4 2 0 Donnie Holmes 1 0 1 0 0 1 Eichman Ben Roedl 3 0 0 Jesse Janssen 3 0 0 0 0 3 Shane Rossow Totals 28 5 4 Pitching Statistics W/L INN AB K Webster Benton L 7 30 2

7 0 2

Total 7 5 BB 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BB 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 5

BB H 0 7

RBI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 RBI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 R 7

Game 2 Unity SCF Legion Unity Ryan Flaherty Zach Lehman Mike Schmidt Matt Goulet Matt Chitty Cory Tunheim Chad Strilzuk E. Goulet E. Schmidt A. schmidt Florer Justin Bader Totals SCF Legion Gus Koecher Josh Larcom Jake Larcom Matt Vold Johnson Ben Anderson Cory Gebhard Ryan Larson DH Totals Unity Mike Schmidt Ryan Flaherty SCF Legion Yunker

Total 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 2 2 1 0 5 x x 1 0 3 2 0 x x 6 Individual Statistics AB H R BB RBI 3 1 1 1 0 3 3 1 0 3 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 1 2 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 2 0 2 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 24 10 10 5 8 AB H R BB RBI 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3 1 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 21 4 6 1 4 Pitching Statistics W/L INN AB K BB H R W 4 20 1 1 4 6 x 1 4 1 0 0 0 W/L INN AB K BB H R L 5 24 3 5 10 10

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Dominating the tables for over 20 years Local legend and pool league celebrate 20th first-place victory in a row

by Marty Seeger FREDERIC — It began some 50 years ago when Boyd “Pops” Duncan of Frederic decided to start up a local pool league. According to his son, Kevin Duncan, it started out as a bumper pool league and became an 8-ball tournament some years later.

During those years, Boyd’s father, Lyman Duncan, also played as a member of the league and was a very good shot according to those who saw him play. When asked, Boyd mentioned that they had a very competitive team back

Local legend Boyd “Pops” Duncan was responsible for starting the local pool league more than 50 years ago. then—but probably not as good as the team that has been building over the past 30-plus years.

In the early ‘70s, Boyd started playing on the Clam Falls Bar team for Ray and Judy Domagala, and in 1976 Boyd’s son Kevin started playing at the age of 16.

“My dad taught me how to play, and I’ve been playing since I could see over the pool table,” Kevin said.

In 1978 the Clam Falls Bar team won first place, and members of the team at that time included John Hayman, Arlen Ulick, Larry Moody, Ed Pilsner and Boyd and Kevin Duncan. After the Domagalas sold the Clam Falls Bar, Boyd and Kevin moved on to play for the Skol Bar and won a championship there in 1981. Members of the Skol Bar team at that time included Mike Koepp, Dave Talmadge, Steve Johnson, Ed Pilsner, Boyd and Kevin.

After playing with the Skol Bar for a

The Countryside Inn team celebrated their 20th first-place pool league victory in a row this year. Pictured (L to R): Boyd “Pops” Duncan, Gary Edling, Brad Domagala, Dave Romanowski, Kevin Duncan and Kent Boyer. - Photos submitted number of years, Boyd and Kevin played for the Pioneer Bar, which was owned by Dale and Jeanne Desjardins at the time. In 1986 the Pioneer Bar team won first place, and took second place in 1987 in a close playoff match against the Lewis VFW team.

Then in 1988, a 20-year winning streak ensued with the help of a core group of team members including Boyd, Kevin, Gary Edling, Brad Domagala and Kent Boyer who has shot with the team for the past nine years. Dave Romanowski is in his first year with the present team that has been playing as the Countryside Inn team since 1991. In 1991 the owners of the Countryside Inn were Duke and Mary Young. Scott Domagala bought the bar from the Youngs and was the owner for seven years. The current owners and sponsors of the pool team are Jeff and Lori Grey.

In that 20-year span, countless players filled in to make up the six-man team that it takes to compete. Kevin mentioned a handful of great local pool sharks that competed with the team over the years, including John Kurkowski Jr., Dale Desjardins, Butch Hacker, Terry Neely, Warren Schmidt, Dale Jensen, Craig Liljeberg, Al Nelson, Rich Nelson and others that Kevin is sorry if he’s missed.

Despite the many players over the years, four have stuck it out during the 20-year winning streak, with, Boyd, who celebrated his 80th birthday in March, at the helm.

“He’s an inspiration,” Edling said on playing pool with Boyd over the past 20 years. “He’s fun to watch and everyone wants to be him when they get to be that age.” Edlinger mentioned that playing pool has grown in popularity, and said that a lot of that has to do with people like Boyd.

This clip from the April 15, 1981, edition of the Inter-County Leader shows members of the Skol Bar pool team. The photo was taken after their first place 7-2 win over Bon Ton in the title match. Shown (L to R) are Steve Johnson, Mike Keopp, Kevin Duncan, Dave Talmadge, Ed Pilsner and Boyd Duncan.

“It’s been a very very good experience both to shoot with Boyd and be a part of that team,” Edling said.

The core team has played against some fierce competition over the years, and Edlinger said that is what makes their 20-straight first-place victories so unique. A big part of that success has been because of Boyd.

“He’s just about as consistent as can be,” said Brad Domagala on Boyd’s skill as a pool player. “He doesn’t miss the

easy ones and makes a lot of the hard ones that most people don’t.” Domagala also added that Boyd is one of the most respected pool players around and has taught his son how to be a pook shark as well.

“It has been very special to be taught how to play pool from my dad and be able to play all these years with the many great memories together,” Kevin said.

Boyd and Eleanor Duncan recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this year. Eleanor frequently goes along with Boyd to cheer the pool team on.

Members of the 1979 team holding first-place trophies included (L to R): Boyd Duncan, Larry Moody (in back), Ray Domagala, Ed Pilsner (front), Kevin Duncan, Arlen Ulick (covered by trophy) and John Hayman.

PAGE 22 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JUNE 13, 2007

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Amateur baseball roundup

Bandits drop close one while Webster loses third straight Pioneers 10, Bandits 9

by Marty Seeger SIREN — The Bandits were edged out narrowly by the Nowthen, Minn., Pioneers last Sunday in nine innings.

The Pioneers committed four errors but the Bandits were unable to convert those into a win.

Trevor Todd led the Bandits with three hits in the game and Jesse Hartel had one hit with a team-leading three RBIs. Martell Jordan, Brian Jacobson, Michael Chelberg and Nick Hartman each had one hit apiece. The Bandits

Adam Lewis pitching for the St.Croix River Bandits. - Photo by Marty Seeger

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gave up nine of the Pioneers 10 runs in the first three innings but scored five in the third with an RBI double from Hartel and two RBI singles from Tyler Pilz.

The Bandits will face the Hinkley Knights in conference action this Sunday at 2 p.m. in St. Croix Falls.

Hens 4, Orioles 2 WEYERHAEUSER — The Orioles lost third-straight game to their Weyerhaeuser on Sunday, June 10. Matt Main was on the mound and had trouble scoring in the first inning, but according to coach Greg Sears he settled down and played well for the rest of the game.

Sears said that the team didn’t hit the ball like they should have and left men on base. The team totaled five hits in the game.

Hat trick for Golin, deuce for Mulrooney at Lions Bicycling Classic FREDERIC – Sheryl Golin, Medina, and Tim Mulrooney, Minn., Minneapolis, both successfully defended their 2006 titles at the Frederic Lions Bicycling Classic held Saturday, June 9.

Golin, who was the 2005 and 2006 women’s champion at Frederic, rode the 28-mile time trial course in 1 hour, 18 minutes and 20.9 seconds, just a little over a minute in front of second-place rider, Linda Sone from Northfield, Minn., to become the first woman to win the event three times in its 20-year history.

Mulrooney, a top Midwest time trial rider, clocked in at 1 hour, 52.5 seconds, meaning he averages almost 28 mph on the hilly course, holding off secondplace finisher Dan Casper, Northfield, Minn., by a minute and a half.

Mulrooney was the 2006 winner.

Several previous winners were in attendance and showed they still had what it takes. They were Terry Baillargeon, Osceola (2000), Dave Gabrys, Trego (1995), Helmy Tennis, Baraboo (2006), Frank Lundeen, the only Frederic native who has ever won the race (2001), and Jolene SeloverBaillargeon, Osceola (1993).

Local racers who finished well included Frederic alumni and track athlete, Keegan Karl, who won his age group with a respectable time of 1:12:06.7, finishing 15th overall in the field of 77.

Arthur Martin of Frederic was recognized as the only rider who has completed all 20 of the Lions Bicycling Classic races that started in 1988. It was suggested that Martin got wind of a

bike race in Frederic in ’88, took the training wheels off his bike, rode into town and on a bar bet gone bad, finished the original 16-mile race with noteworthy accomplice Blake Hvambsal, who reportedly walked his bike up the hills, while Martin rode along side and taunted him. Martin finished the 2007 race in 61st place with a time of 1:31:57.3. -submitted Top 5 Overall Men Tim Mulrooney, Minneapolis, 1:00:52.5 Daniel Casper, Northfield, Minn., 1:03:25.7 Brian Abery, Apple Valley, Minn., 1:06:27.4 James Cullen, Hudson, 1:06:54.9 Mike Suntken, Fountain City, 1:06:58.5

Top 5 Overall Women Sheryl Golin, Medina, Minn., 1:18:20.9 Linda Sone, Northfield, Minn., 1:19:36.6 Sherry Berde, Maplewood, Minn., 1:20:45.8 Judy Jong, River Falls, 1:21:08.5 Helmy Tennis, Baraboo, 1:21:23.9 Tandem Jeff and Lindsey Orerby, Menomonie, 1:15:52.4

Frederic sophomore Kris Hicks (R) bites the dust at second base during the Vikings game against Webster on Tuesday night. Hicks was at second base after Frederic sophomore Andrew Kurkowski drew a walk in the fifth inning. The Vikings lost in five innings to Webster 10-0. - Photo by Marty Seeger

W a t e r c r o s s In last week’s article, I failed to mention anything about how Paul Malinovsky from Indian Creek did racing in Milnor. Well, sorry to say he never made it to the starting line. The sled he was to ride broke down on Friday with a bad crank, so he was not able to try it that weekend. Maybe we will see him on the water in Frederic.

The next race, which is in Frederic, is not a points race for the IWA drivers; however, this race is very important to most drivers because it is just two weeks before Grantsburg, the 31st World Championship. It is way too early to pick the field for Grantsburg as many have not settled down into any groove yet. All I do know is the next two races will be very fun to watch because of the speed and how the new drivers have stepped up the pace. Be sure and mark your calendars for June 30 and July 1 to come down to the

T h o u g h t s Coon Lake Park in Frederic to watch the sixth-annual race put on by the SNOWS Snowmobile club. Also the July 21 and 22 for the 31st-annual race in Grantsburg.

For more information about this wild and crazy sport you can go to any of the following three Web sites to see photos, information and a short video about watercross racing. w w w . s n o w s c l u b . com www.kmaracing.org www.iwausa.org See you all at the races, Arlen Peterson #449 Retired

Bud Coen from Frederic racing in the Semo Pro open class at Milnor, N.D., the first weekend in June. In his second year of racing, Coen is doing very well on his modified Ski-doo. - Photo submitted

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 23

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From Balsam Lake’s Pine Park to the pros?

Former Unity Little Leaguer and Barron High School star Mark Hallberg was selected by the A r i z o n a Diamondbacks in the ninth round of last week’s major baseball league draft. As this column was submitted there was no word on if Hallberg had chosen to sign a pro contract or if he will return to Florida State for his senior year. Ex-Frederic baseball star John Sopiwnik has connections to two of this year’s draftees. Sopiwnik played against Hallberg during his days as a Frederic Little Leaguer, then the duo battled again in high school when Sopiwnik was playing for Cumberland and Hallberg for Barron. Meanwhile, one of Sopiwnik’s longtime teammates at St. Olaf College, Andrew Schmeising of Stillwater, was drafted in the 11th round by the Minnesota Twins. Schmeising has already signed a contract and is down at the Twins rookie camp in Ft. Myers, Fla. Schmeising has also been a star football player at St. Olaf, and was a teammate of ex-Grantsburg multisport star Chris Ryan.

Es ist ein guter hund A close relative announced with great fanfare last weekend that his onceunder-achieving Large Munsterlander dog passed her North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association “Natural Abilities Test” with a perfect 112 score. The local mutt was judged by judge Karl Wichman who came all the way from Germany for the Hutchinson, Minn., event.

A group of sportsmen who accompany the Munsterlander to South Dakota each autumn were buoyed by the good news, knowing that the diploma will virtually guarantee another successful pheasant hunt out on the prairie.

Jawohl! (note: the heading of this paragraph is “That’s a good dog” in German, and “jawohl” is a Hun version of an emphatic “yes.”)

They weren’t booing; They were yelling Lou! Lou! Yes, that was former NHL player, coach, and general manager Lou Nanne who was spotted in Balsam Lake last weekend. Spies say the popular ex-Minnesota North Star defenseman has real estate in the area.

Nelson Night at Oakey Park As this issue of the Leader went to press late Wednesday afternoon, ex-St. Croix Falls athlete and high-achieving former Minnesota Gopher volleyball star Meredith Nelson was probably

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limbering up, preparing to throw out the first pitch at the Wednesday Osceola Braves game. If you’re buying this paper off the newsstand, there’s still time to get to Osceola for the 7 p.m. game. If you’re a subscriber who receives it in the mail, it’s too late.

Incidentally, the Osceola Braves’ brass is still plowing forward with plans for the July 3 North-South All Star game.

All-stars from the Grantsburg Honkers and the St. Croix Ravens have thus far committed to the north squad, but nervous promoters are still hoping to hear from other stars from other Independent League teams.

Unity and St. Croix Falls gridders to play at Stout classic.

The Swami stepped away from his gardening long enough to report that the field for the 2007 UW-Stout Gridiron Classic has been set.

St. Croix Falls will face BirchwoodWeyerhaeuser at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23, while Unity clashes with Spooner at 5:30 p.m. the same day.

(Peripheral Leader Land teams Turtle Lake, Clear Lake, Clayton and Shell Lake will play on Friday the 24th.)

“This means my first predictions of the year will appear in the Aug. 22 Leader.

Be sure to tell my fans,” said the Swami as he squashed a Colorado potato beetle he found lurking on one of his newly blossomed plants.

Coaching victory number 500 New Richmond High School baseball coach John Ball picked up win number 500 last Saturday in his nine’s victory over Arcadia. This is Ball’s 30th season as head coach.

Trivia returns In a break with tradition, this week’s trivia centers on personalities who participated in a current-rather-thanancient-event. The event is last weekend’s Frederic Lions Bicycling Classic. Participants who find the correct answer(s) by reading elsewhere on these sports pages will receive 10 extra-credit points, while those who consult a Web site such as www.itiming.org will be disqualified.

1) Part of Leader Land’s “First Family of Distance Running,” this 2006 Frederic grad finished 15th overall in the 28-mile timed trial. 2) He’s no longer the performer he was when he was in his 30s, but this former Osceola Chieftain star still managed a 22ndplace finish. 3) 12th-place finisher Frank Lundeen is a native of the Frederic area but now calls this city his home. 4) The spry Auldon Johnson of Stillwater finished the 28 miles in 1:38:51 and was the race’s oldest finisher. What is his age? 5) They now race in the age 50-plus category and if a Frederic-area cycling hall of fame is ever built, this trio is sure to be charter members.

Correct answers: 1) Keegan Karl 2) Terry Baillargeon 3) Minneapolis 4) 75 5) William Johnson IV, Daniel Johnson and Arthur Martin.

Unity’s Chad Strilzuk (R) slides into second base during the Eagles 14-4 win over the Braham, Minn., Legion team on Monday evening. Strilzuk singled in the first inning, had a stolen base on a walk in the third and loaded the bases in the fourth with two outs on a hard-hit ball to short. -Photo by Marty Seeger

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LEADER S P O R T S S C O R E B O A R D AMATEUR BASEBALL

Independent League Standings

Team St. Croix Ravens Brill Haugen Knights Cumberland Haugen Hornets Grantsburg Stanberry Spooner Weyerhaeuser Hayward Seeley Siren

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

St. Croix Valley League Standings North Division

Team Ellsworth Plum City Prescott Elmwood Bay City

Team Hudson Menomonie New Richmond Spring Valley Osceola

League. Overall 3-0 3-0 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 1-3 1-3 1-4 1-4

South Division

League. Overall 2-1 2-1 1-1 1-1 2-2 2-2 1-3 1-3 0-1 0-1

Eastern Minny League Standings Central

Team Chisago Lakes, Minn.

Pine City, Minn.

Braham, Minn.

St. Croix River Bandits

League. Overall 5-0 5-0 2-3 2-3 2-6 2-6 0-5 1-9

Scores Saturday, June 9 St. Croix River Bandits 9 Nowthen, Minn.,10 Sunday, June 10 Grantsburg 22 Siren, 2 Webster 2, Weyerhaeuser 4 Hinckley, Minn., 8 St. Croix River Bandits, 3

Coming Up

Friday, June 15 St. Croix River Bandits at Isanti, Minn., 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 16 Siren at Osceola, 12:30 p.m.

SC River Bandits at Mora, Minn., 2 p.m., 4:15 p.m.

Grantsburg at Haugen Knights, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 17 St. Croix Ravens at Grantsburg, 1 p.m.

Siren at Haugen Hornets, 1 p.m.

Webster at Brill, 1 p.m.

Quamba, Minn., at St. Croix River Bandits, 2 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL Scores

Friday, June 8 Division 3 State Tournament Sevastopol 4, Grantsburg 0 Arcadia 3, Racine St. Catherine’s 2

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

Summer Lakeland Standings

Team Grantsburg New Richmond Unity Baldwin-Woodville Siren Frederic Webster

Conf.

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

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

Scores

Thursday, June 7 Webster 5, Luck Legion, 6 (postponed) Baldwin-Woodville 1, Grantsburg, 2 (postponed) New Richmond 16 Frederic 0 (postponed) Friday, June 8 Unity 1, St. Croix Falls Legion, (game 1) Unity 10, St. Croix Falls Legion 6 (game 2) Monday, June 11 Braham, Minn., Legion 4 Unity, 14 Tuesday, June 12 Unity 1, New Richmond 14 Frederic 0, Webster 10 Siren 0, Baldwin-Woodville 10

Coming Up

Thursday, June 14 Grantsburg at Siren, 6 p.m.

Frederic at Unity, 6 p.m.

Webster at New Richmond, 5:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 15 St. Croix Falls Legion at Unity, 5 p.m. (doubleheader) Hinckley, Minn., Tournament, TBA (Grantsburg, Siren) Saturday, June 16 Hinckley, Minn., Tournament, TBA (Grantsburg, Siren) Sunday, June 17 Hinckley, Minn., Tournament, TBA (Grantsburg, Siren) Tuesday, June 19 Frederic at Baldwin-Woodville, 6 p.m.

Unity at Luck Legion, 6 p.m.

Webster at Siren, 6 p.m.

SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL Area Scores

Thursday, June 7 Falun Church League Calvary Covenant 5, Siren Covenant-Bethany 21 Friday, June 8 Falun Church League Siren Assembly 24, Trade River Free 16 Webster Baptist 13, Faith Lutheran 10 Frederic Free 1, Trade Lake Baptist 23 Trade Lake Baptist 14, Webster Baptist 12 Monday, June 11 Siren Women’s League Skol Bar 12, Maurer Construction 4 Hightown Girls 21, Chell Trucking 35 Coyland 17, T and T 7 Wednesday, June 6 Siren Men’s League Hap’s Landing 30, Century 21 16 Sundown 22, Jed’s 7 Hole in the Wall 24, Gjonnes Construction 7 Pour House 21, TNJ 6

Strilzuk safe at second!

O UTDOORS

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

Shorelines are a fine way to find fish One of the best summers of fishing I’ve ever experienced happened just two years ago. I had gotten my first truck the year before and borrowed a johnboat from Marty leaky my uncle. The boat Seeger had probably logged over a million hours on the water, and The waterlogged over a Bottom Line million pairs of socks in the process.

You could only get a good two hours of fishing in before grabbing a sponge or some sort of scooping thingamajig to get the water out at the back of the boat. At about that same time, the trolling motor would lose its power, and it was all about rowing from then on.

The lake I fished was a short distance north of where I used to live. It was inaccessible to a lot of big boat traffic, and most importantly the really big bass boats. There were a handful of times where a 20-foot Ranger would slow way down and gawk at me as I dumped the 10-foot johnny into the water.

“Not today fellas,” I’d say as they continued to drive on in search of a bigger lake, or a more suitable landing to put their boat into the water. In some cases I wished that I were going with them in search of bass. They probably knew a lot more about catching bass than I did, but for the time I made due with what I had.

I’m not against a really big bass boat either. I’d love to own one someday, (won’t happen) but being able to access a lake with little bass fishing pressure is

Ted Clark of Frederic was fishing from the dock on Bone Lake when he hoisted in this 20-inch, 5-pound bass during the free fishing opener. It’s a good example of what can be possible from the shorelines of our area lakes.

- Photo by Marty Seeger something to behold. It offered me a chance to introduce myself, and a few friends to the excitement of bass fishing.

I can’t remember a single afternoon where we didn’t land at least one 5pounder. There were many times where we would only boat a couple of bass in a trip, but there was always that one that reached the 5-pound mark.

The next year I tried the same tactics, but started to fish less because of time and had to get rid of the old gas hog for a more economical vehicle. It’s not practical for a reporter to drive a full-sized Dodge with a V8.

Either way, I intend on getting back to the old routine of fishing every night from a boat, but until then, I’ve been sticking to the shorelines to relieve the casting itch. The only problem with that

fantastic plan is the fact there seems to be less and less shoreline to fish. More and more people are living the American dream these days and gobbling up the great shorelines that were once accessible to everyone.

While hunters are losing out to prime chunks of hunting land, anglers are losing out on prime fishing grounds. Boats can be cheap and easy to come by, but for some, fishing from a boat can be difficult.

It’s nice to see designated areas for people to fish from shore, but they are just that—designated. There’s no wandering allowed and fishing from these areas can be less productive as far as good fishing goes.

However, there are still great opportunities to take advantage of the shoreline

fishing in the area. Bone Lake is a good example. It features a dock that can be accessible by anyone, and the shoreline that surrounds it holds a good number of fish, and it doesn’t have to be bass either. There’s no doubt that a big musky or walleye has cruised the area at one point or another.

In some spots the shoreline is a little too shallow to hold any good number of fish, and the vegetation crowds out the ability to cast to deeper water. The best way to avoid it is to slip on a pair of high rubber boots or waders and wade out from shore about 10 feet. From there you could probably walk hundreds of yards a short distance from the shore and cast different lures for several hours.

On a recent outing I did just that, and landed six different bass, and most of them came in one spot where I was brave enough to sneak out as far as I could without getting my new clothes dirty. Normally I wouldn’t wear decent clothes fishing, but stopping to make a few casts after work is sometimes necessary.

That’s the beauty of fishing from the shore. You can do it in almost any condition, and in all circumstances as long as there’s a place to go. Generally the fishing pressure is low and the bite can actually be quite good. Even though the majority of the bass I caught were in the 12 – to 14-inch range, they still offered a respectable fight and I had a lot of fun in the process. Plus it was a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon on the water after a long day of work. From now on I carry my fishing pole in the car wherever I go, along with a handful of soft plastics in case a chunk of shoreline pops up along the road.

Even though I’d prefer to fish from a boat, shorelines are still a fine place to fish.

Fish kills expected in Northwestern Wisconsin Lakes SPOONER — Biologists say conditions are ripe for fish disease outbreaks on lakes in Polk, Barron, Washburn and Burnett counties over the next few weeks. The cause is a bacteria called columnaris that is common throughout Wisconsin. It should not be confused with the viral hemorrhagic scepticemia virus, which is a new disease feared to be spreading inland from the Great Lakes. Both diseases only infect fish species and are not a health risk to humans.

“The bacteria is most prevalent in our lakes after water temperatures reach 65-

70 degrees from late May to late June,” says Larry Damman, DNR fishery biologist. The bacteria levels increase after major rainfalls that supply additional nutrients into area lakes that the bacteria thrives on.

Bluegill, crappies, yellow perch and bullheads, already stressed from seasonal spawning activities, are most affected by columnaris. The bacteria erode the fishes skin, causing leakage of bodily fluids and a fairly rapid death.

Although columnaris can appear to produce large-scale fish losses in a matter of several days, it usually does not

Fourth-annual Neil Mckenzie Youth Fishing Contest set POLK COUNTY - The Fourth-annual Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Contest will be held on Deer Lake on Saturday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All youth and their families are welcome to a fun-filled day of fishing.

Fishing guides, boats and equipment will be provided, if needed.

The Polk County Sportsmen’s Club and the

friends and family of Neil McKenzie welcome the new co-sponsor of this year’s contest, the Amery Bass Anglers. These pro bass fishermen will be at the contest to guide and teach the kids the newest fishing tips and techniques.

Lunch will be served and door prizes will be drawn throughout the day. Trophies will be

awarded in four age categories and four fish categories; sunfish, largemouth bass, crappies and northern pike.

There is no charge to participate in this fishing contest. Kids and their families must preregister by calling Joyce McKenzie at 715-6462060, or Dave and Ann Hraychuck at 485-3362. submitted

have a catastrophic impact on overall fish populations, according to fishery biologists.

If anglers or landowners have additional questions or see large numbers of dead fish, especially nonpanfish species like carp, largemouth bass, musky and walleye, they should contact their local

DNR fisheries biologist to investigate the problem. For Barron and Polk counties call Heath Benike at 715-537-5046, and for Washburn and Burnett counties, contact Larry Damman at 715-635-4089.

— from WDNR

On track...

Anglers in many of the surrounding counties have been noticing dead fish floating on some of our area lakes. The article submitted by the Spooner DNR in this week’s outdoor section does a nice job of explaining what has been happening or will happen in the following weeks.

We still need to be cautious of invasive species and even viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS).

Updates on the spread of VHS have been happening across the state. So far one lake in Polk and another in Burnett County have tested negative for VHS, while another Polk County lake is still pending. This information was taken from a site on the DNR Web site that shows the distribution of where testing is being done and spots where you can see where VHS has been found. If you want to view that page you can click on: http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/documents/vhs_widistribution.pdf In order to find out more about this disease you can search the DNR Web site.

Even though VHS has been found mostly in the eastern parts of the state, anglers should be aware that area waters are under certain restrictions.

For instance, if you intend on trapping minnows for use in another lake, you need to be aware of where those fish are coming from. According to conservation warden Jesse Ashton you cannot take minnows from the Mississippi River, St. Croix River, Lake Winnebago system or the Great Lakes.

Ashton says that if the DNR finds VHS anywhere inland the current rules will change. Anglers should keep themselves posted about the threat of VHS, as well as other invasive species. – Marty Seeger

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Grouse populations improve from last year MADISON – Wisconsin’s ruffed grouse population appears to be on the upswing for the second year in a row, according to preliminary data state wildlife managers collected during the 2007 spring drumming counts. The central and southeastern grouse management regions showed the greatest increases over 2006.

Hunters anticipating grouse hunting should note that new in 2007, there will only be two grouse hunting zones instead of three. However, the season dates, and the boundaries of the zone that makes up Southeast Wisconsin have not changed. The rest of the state has been combined into new Zone A, and the season will run Sept. 15 until Jan. 31 in the entire zone. For hunters in the northern portions of the new Zone A, that means an extra month of hunting.

• 2007 season dates: • Zone (A): Sept. 15-Jan. 31, 2008 • Zone (B): Oct. 20- Dec. 8, 2007 Bag limits are five birds per day in Zone A and two birds per day in Zone B. Possession limits are twice the daily

bag limit.

Annual survey Each spring, Department of Natural Resources biologists, wardens, and foresters, along with members of the Ruffed Grouse Society and other volunteers travel survey routes recording the drumming activity they hear.

Drumming is the sound produced by a male grouse during the spring breeding season. The male will display on a drumming log then rapidly beat his wings producing a drumming sound with the intention of attracting a female.

For reasons not well-understood by biologists, grouse populations cycle up and down over an eight- to 10-year period. The previous high population point was in 1999.

“Overall, drumming counts increased by 14 percent over the last year, on top of a 27-percent increase recorded between 2005 and 2006,” said Scott Hull, DNR upland game ecologist. “It’s a welcome indication that populations appear to be growing. We won’t have actual brood data until later in the summer, after eggs are hatched and the young birds make it through the critical

first month or so. Brood success depends a lot on the weather between now and late July.”

The statewide average was 0.87 drums per stop along the survey routes in 2007, said Hull. Overall, surveyors rated survey conditions as excellent on 51 percent of the survey routes.

Population estimates for ruffed grouse are divided into four regions around the state. A map of the regions can viewed on the ruffed grouse page of the DNR Web site.

“The central and southeast regions showed the greatest increase in drumming activity over last year with 23-percent and 25-percent increases, respectively,” says Hull. “The northern region showed an increase of 17 percent and the southwest region showed a small decline with 11-percent fewer drums than in 2006, which is a small swing in an otherwise strong upward population growth trend.

“These are great survey results and I’m very optimistic that we’ll have a great grouse season in 2007,” said Hull.

More birds generally lead to more hunting days in the field and higher success rates, say wildlife managers.

During the 2006-07 grouse season, about 99,000 hunters reported spending 756,000 days in the field hunting grouse.

“Hunters reported harvesting roughly 384,000 grouse in 2006,” said Hull.

“At the time of the last population peak, back in 1999, they reported taking about 768,000.”

Ruffed grouse drumming surveys have been used since 1964 as an indicator of ruffed grouse population trends.

Beginning 30 minutes before sunrise, the surveys are conducted by driving established survey routes and stopping at 10 points lying approximately one to two miles apart, listening for four minutes, and recording the drumming activity.

“Ruffed grouse drumming surveys are helpful in tracking statewide population changes over the long term,” says Hull, “however they are not good predictors of local harvest or hunting opportunities. The most successful hunters usually are those who spend the most time in the field and cover the most ground.”

For more information contact Scott Hull at 608- 267-7861 - from the DNR

Spring turkey hunters register record number of birds MADISON – Preliminary figures show that hunters set a new harvest record, registering 51,306 turkeys during Wisconsin’s 2007 spring wild turkey season. This is a 9-percent increase from the 2006 spring harvest of 46,662 birds.

The statewide hunter success rate for all hunting periods was 25 percent, compared to 23 percent in 2006.

The increase in harvest is likely due to several factors, says Scott Hull, Department of Natural Resources upland ecologist.

“This spring’s season was kind of a perfect storm,” says Hull. “The combination of an expanding turkey population, an increased number of permits and hunters, and good weather except for the first few days of the first period, allowed a lot of hunters to get within shooting range of a tom.”

A total of 205,306 permits were issued for the spring hunt according to licensing officials. Over-the-counter sales amounted to 42,251 of the total.

As in past years, success rates were highest during the early and middle

hunting periods.

“Despite a late-spring snowstorm across the southern part of the state on the opening of the first period, hunters recorded a 34-percent success rate during the first period,” Hull says. “Success then dropped to 29 and 24 percent for the second and third periods, still pretty decent hunting for the most part.”

The preliminary counts showed that adult toms were 75 percent of the total harvest, which is pretty close to the long-term average of 72 percent. In 2005, adult toms made up 87 percent of the harvest, which was high due to a poor production year in 2004—meaning there were fewer jakes in the spring 2005 population.

Zones 22 and 23 once again appear to have produced the highest overall turkey harvests at 5,664 and 2,715 respectively. The best hunter success rate in units recording more than 100 turkeys appears to be in unit 34 with a preliminary success rate of 34 percent followed by several units (33, 34, 19) at 33-percent success.

The fall 2007 wild turkey season will run from Sept. 15 through Nov. 15. The deadline for applying for a fall permit through the lottery process is Aug 1.

Regulations for the 2007 fall turkey season will be available online beginning June 12 and will be available in hard copy at license vendors and DNR Service Centers shortly. Applications cost $3 and are can be purchased through the DNR Web site, at any DNR Service Center, and at authorized sales locations.

New zones for 2008 Turkey hunters are reminded that beginning with the fall 2008 season, the number of turkey hunting zones will be reduced to seven large zones instead of the more than 50 small zones currently in place.

There will still be the same number of time periods, same amount of total turkey hunting area and the permit process will remain the same, according to wildlife managers. Each of the new zones combine a number of the current

Get the Lead Out! with LoonWatch and Wisconsin Clean Sweep ASHLAND - What’s in your tackle box?

You can Get the Lead Out! at select locations in northern Wisconsin throughout the summer. Anglers will now have the opportunity to drop off their old lead tackle and jigs at 20 recognized Wisconsin Cleansweep locations. These lead tackle drop-off opportunities are made possible through a partnership of Wisconsin Cleansweep and the LoonWatch program at Northland College’s Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute in Ashland. It takes just one lead sinker to kill an adult loon. Other birds affected by lead include the state endangered trumpeter swan and our national symbol, the bald eagle. Luckily, there are alternatives to lead tackle. Instead of using toxic lead sinkers and jigs, anglers can use options made from tin, bismuth, steel, tungsten or ceramic.

“When anglers choose to use nonlead tackle, they are helping to eliminate the risk of wildlife fatalities through lead tackle ingestion,” said Stacy Schaefer, LoonWatch coor-

dinator. “Dropping off lead tackle might seem like a small act, but it’s something we can all do that will help preserve our wild heritage.”

Below are local collection dates and locations. For more information about each location or Wisconsin Cleansweep, call 608-2244545. Grantsburg, June 19, 3 – 4:30 p.m., Grantsburg Fairgrounds Hayward, August 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., County Highway Shop Minong, June 19, 10 a.m. – noon, Transfer Station Round Lake, July 16, noon – 1 p.m., Round Lake Town Hall Shell Lake, June 19, 2 – 4:30 p.m., Shell Lake School Solon Springs, June 13, 3 – 4:30 p.m., Transfer Station Stone Lake, July 16, 3 – 4:30 p.m., Sand Lake Town Hall Webster, June 19, 10 a.m. – noon, Webster Fairgrounds For more information, contact Stacy Schaefer, at Northland College’s Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, at 715-682-1220 or loonwatch@northland.edu. - submitted

smaller zones and will allow hunters more flexibility to move about in search of game within a larger zone. The new zones were established based on habitat characteristics, harvest success rates and hunter interference rates.

“The concept of a smaller number of larger zones has worked well in other states similar to Wisconsin,” said Hull.

“Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and Iowa all manage turkeys and turkey hunting with fewer zones. I think once hunters get used to the new structure, they’ll like the new ability to move around more within their chosen zone. In addition to a larger potential hunting area, there will be fewer zone boundaries to deal with.”

More information can be found on the wild turkey page of the DNR Web site.

For more information contact Scott Hull at 608-267-7861 – from the DNR

Signs of summer

This doe and its fawn were caught in the open last week between Grantsburg and Frederic. - Photo by Marty Seeger

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Tavern League donates to Special Olympics

The Polk County Tavern League presented a check for $750 to the Polk County Special Olympics at the Dalles House in St. Croix Falls on June 12. The league donated the $750 up front to kick off their UGLY bartender contest fundraiser that raises monies matched by the Wisconsin Tavern League for Special Olympics. The goal is to raise $2,000, which was the amount raised last year. Sixty members of the Polk County Tavern League participate in the UGLY bartender contest where patrons can donate and vote for their favorite. UGLY stands for understanding, giving, lovable, you. Pictured are (L to R): Kelly Larson, Polk County Special Olympics treasurer; Sue Eklof, Wilkins Resort; Leanne Richter, Special Olympics Agency manager; Mike Johnson, Admiral Inn; Curt Liljenberg, Polk County Tavern League; Sonya Fry, Dalles House; Mary Jo Tucker, Harvest Moon Saloon; Dick Riske, Cascade Bar; Kathy Cross, St. Croix Tavern; Howie Lang, Augie’s Saloon; Rose Nelson, Luck-E Tavern and Kevin Cassellius, Kassel Tap, and Polk County Tavern League president. –Photo by Tammi Milberg

SCF Elementary Sports Day

St. Croix Falls Elementary students participated in Sports Day, June 6, with various track and field events. The last day of school for St. Croix Falls was June 7. – Photos submitted

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 27

Students salute the troops through “A Million Thanks”

Larsen Auto is participating in the A Million Thanks effort, a year-round campaign to show U.S. military men and women appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication and service to our country through letters, emails, cards, prayers and thoughts. During the month of May, Buick, Pontiac and GMC helped collect and distribute more than one million letters. The project was founded by high school student Shauna Fleming whose blog site can be reached through a link on the www.thanksamillion.org Web site. Larsen Auto Sales Manager Darwyn Brown, Frederic, is shown below with one of the classes of Siren elementary students who wrote letters to the troops. Siren third graders are shown above and fourth graders below. A few of their letters are shown here. Students shown include Brandon Cobb, Harriet Koball, Shyanne Ford, Michael Kosloski, Nathan Bachman, Raymond Merrill, LySondra Allen, Emily Howe, Stefani Wambolt, Reid Halverson, Haylee Doriott, Bryce Highstrom, Travis Krenzke, Samuel Taylor, Aaron Zirngibl, Gabe Antiel, Austin Piepho and Robert Coon. – Photo submitted

A few examples of letters written by Siren students to soldiers serving in Iraq.

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Polk criminal court Felonies Barry Thorud, 43, Amery.

Child Abuse. Adjourned initial hearing set for June 18.

Nathan Nick, 18, pled not guilty to second-degree sexual assault of a child. Signature bond set of $15,000. Preliminary

hearing set for Aug. 6. Court ordered no contact with females under 17.

Relasha Waldo, 36, Lindstrom, Minn.

Forgery.

Signature bond set of $1,500.

Adjourned intial hearing set for July 9.

GarageSales

Melissa Solum, 27, St. Paul, Minn., forgery. Arrest warrant issued.

David Brose, 32, St. Paul, Minn., forgery. Arrest warrant issued.

Kenneth W. Johnson, 40, Balsam Lake, possession of meth, possession of drug parapheranalia. Arrest warrant issued.

Jason Luke, 23, Amery, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernaliadealer. Bench warrant issued.

Joseph Wise, 20, Lino

Lakes, Minn., possession of meth, possession of marijuana.

Arrest warrant issued.

Brent Measner, 30, Osceola, pled not guilty to take and drive vehicle without consent. Court review July 6.

Traffic Gary May, 29, Milltown, OAR. Dismissed.

Francis Bucsko, 30, Amery, pled not guilty to hit and run.

Signature bond set of $500.

Review set for Aug. 24.

Tiffany Williams, 17, Luck,

Real Estate

pled not guilty to hit and run.

Signature bond set of $500.

Review set for July 20.

Joseph Holmberg, 24, Frederic, OWI, operating with PAC .08 or more. Adjourned initial set for Aug. 6 Vicki L. Johnson, 46, Dresser, OWR. Dismissed.

Donald Baker, 59, Siren, pled not guilty to OWI, operating with PAC .02 or more.

Signature bond set of $8,000 with 10-percent cash component. Review set for July 17.

Lukas J. Nelson, 24, Taylors Falls, Minn., pled not guilty to OWI, operating with a prohibitied alcohol concentration of .08 or more.

Misdemeanors Dawnae Holten, 35, Amery.

Battery. Signature bond set of $500. Review set for July 24.

Sandra Hoff, 38, Frederic, pled not guilty to disorderly conduct and battery. Review set for July 6.

Jamie L. Anderson, 41, St. Croix Falls, pled not guilty to disorderly conduct and battery.

Review set for July 20.

Eric Larson, 17, Amery, resisting, obstructing an officer.

Adjourned initial hearing set for July 9.

Jason Shecter, 34, Grantsburg, pled not guilty to resisting/obstructing. Signature bond set of $500.

Nathan Satterlund, 28, Star Prairie, disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property.

Brent Troff, 34, Amery, disorderly conduct. Adjourned initial hearing set for July 9.

Brian Sandstrom, 19, Cushing, unlawful phone use threatens harm. Arrest warrant issued.

Arvid Larson, 60, pled not guilty to disorderly conduct.

Signature bond set of $500.

Patricia Roettger, 49, Luck, pled not guilty to resisting/obstructing. Review July 3.

Keshia Lundgren, 26, Amery, pled not guilty to battery, disorderly conduct. Review Aug. 29.

Courtney Thompson, 19, Amery, pled not guilty to resisting/obstructing an officer.

Review Aug. 24.

Chris Gjovik, 45, Dresser, pled not guilty to disorderly conduct, battery. Review set for July 20.

Polk Co. divorces Divorces granted Joseph and Tina Gates.

Married 1993. Three children.

Jeffrey and Jennifer Claude. Married 2006. No children.

Divorces filed.

Jonathon Jurisch, Deer Park, and Patricia Jurisch, Clear Lake. Married 2003. One child.

Kerry Bryan, Balsam Lake, and Laura Bryan, Deer Park.

Married 2001. One child.

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 29

Siren police report Comment from Siren Police Chief Chris Sybers: “Last weekend was one of the busiest weekends since I have been here.”

Sybers went on to say that 21 cases were handled from Thursday night, June 7, to Monday morning, June 11.

No more information is available on the attempted kidnapping reported in last week’s paper. The case is still under investigation.

May 30: A warning was issued to a resident about a dog running at large without a leash.

Taylor K. LaPointe, 18, Siren, was cited for operating without a valid driver’s license after an officer had followed LaPointe’s car out of the school parking lot to Cemetery Road where the citation was given to him at around 3:50 p.m.

Allison E. Didier, 16, Webster, was involved in an accident while trying to avoid a dog that came out of the woods on Cemetery Road.

Didier swerved to miss the dog.

Her vehicle missed the dog, but went off the road into some trees.

June 1: A vehicle driven by Melissa A. Nesgoda, 23, Grantsburg, was stopped .5 mile north of Crooked Lake Park at 2:15 a.m. because the driver’s side window was missing and the area was covered with plastic. As a result of the stop, Nesgoda was cited for operating while intoxicated, operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher and possession of drug paraphernalia.

June 3: At 1:09 a.m., Thomas J. Mariette, 46, Spooner, was cited for operating while intoxicated and operating to the left of the centerline.

His vehicle was stopped on Hwy. 35 at Clear Lake Street.

At 5:35 p.m., Garen Ray Sage, 49, Grantsburg, was stopped because he didn’t use his right-turn signal when he made a right turn from Ellis Avenue onto Hwy. 70.

As the result of the stop, Sage was cited for not having his safety belt on.

At 10:19 p.m., the Siren officer recovered a Coupe Mongoose BMX bicycle that had been left in a yard on South Shore Drive at 9 p.m.

June 4: Kristina M. Phernetton, 22, Siren, and Wanda McFaggen, 45, Webster, were cited for misdemeanor disorderly conduct following an argument in the Holiday parking lot that allegedly started over nonpayment of borrowed money.

June 5: Joshua F. Hochstetler, 27, Balsam Lake, was cited for speeding at 11:35 p.m. at Clear Lake Street.

June 6: Darren D. Merrill, 41, Siren was stopped by Crooked Lake Park at 2:34 a.m. because the Siren officer on duty could see a large visual obstruction hanging from Merrill’s rearview mirror. As the result of the stop, Merrill was cited for: operating while intoxicated, being a driver with an open intoxicant in the vehicle, operating after revocation, not using a mandatory seat belt, having an obstruction to the driver’s vision and resisting an officer.

A letter was sent to Andrew David Burton, Brooklyn Center, Minn., stating that a vehicle matching his license plate drove off without paying for $12.05 in gas at the Siren Auto Stop June 4. That amount must be paid to the station

by June 16 or Burton will be charged with theft.

At 4:45 p.m., the Siren officer took the report of a dog bite to the arm of a Shell Lake woman as she was walking in the Siren Trailer Court. The dog was tied up, but the tie rope allowed him to get to the sidewalk. The dog’s owner was listed as Peggy Stager, Siren.

Matthew Bamberry, 17, Webster, was taken to Burnett County Jail at 9:29 p.m. on a disorderly conduct charge after he allegedly threw a smoke bomb inside a pop cooler at the Siren Subway about 6:30 p.m.

Bamberry said he had found the smoke bomb earlier in the day.

The juvenile with Bamberry who allegedly lit the bomb in the cooler was referred to social services.

June 9: Bill Wilson, park host at Crooked Lake Park, reported that a paper towel dispenser had been broken into, and the lock was missing. Paper towels were strewn all

over the bathroom. The Siren officer was dispatched to the park at 9:20 a.m. to check out the report.

The burglary to an old trailer owned by Ruth Ann Johnson, Siren, was reported. The window had been pried or kicked open and damaged.

At 9:20 a.m., Lindsay L. Adolphson, 19, Grantsburg, was cited for operating after suspension on First Avenue and Hwy. 70.

Adolphson’s vehicle had been stopped because it had an extremely loud exhaust.

At 7 p.m., Judith Lund Erdman, 72, St. Paul, Minn., was cited on Hwy. 35 and Clear Lake Street for speeding and passing in a no-passing zone.

At 10:09 p.m., Michael James

McCollough, 22, Siren, was taken to jail on a no-drink bond violation.

McCollough was stopped on CTH B and Highstrom Road.

June 10: Georgette S. Sears, 39, Siren, and Wayne D. Krueger, 56, Siren, were issued misdemeanor citations for disorderly conduct following investigation of a domestic battery situation at their home.

June 11: The Siren officer on duty was dispatched at 1:42 a.m. to Grantsburg following an altercation at the Espresso Cabin on Hwy. 70. Nathan J. Henning, 27, Eau Claire, was stopped on Madison Avenue and North Road due to unsafe lane deviation. According to the report, Henning explained that he had a problem seeing in

the dark because of a past head injury. He was followed by another officer to the St. Croix Campground in Minnesota to sleep for the night before continuing on to a doctor’s appointment in the morning.

PAGE 30 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JUNE 13, 2007

Burnett County criminal court Robert L. Allen, 35, Siren, issue worthless check, $243.00.

David A. Slayton, 37, Birchwood, issue worthless check, $243.00.

Christina T. MortinsonSchiffer, 33, St. Paul, Minn., issue of worthless checks, $248.00.

Christopher H. Radtke, 44, Menomonie, issue worthless check, $50.85 restitution, $249.00.

Darrell D. Taylor Jr., 25, Superior, bail jumping, eight months’ jail time, community service, $126.00 restitution, $88.00.

Notices / Employment

Keith E. Babin, 34, Woodbury, Minn., disorderly conduct, $249.00.

Jack E. Roper, 39, Webster, disorderly conduct, 60 days’ jail time.

Brett A. Goepfert, 26, Grantsburg, disorderly conduct, two-year probation; criminal damage to property, two-year probation, ordered to maintain full-time employment, complete GED or HSED, restricted from family in Trade Lake area, alcohol assessment, $176.00.

Bryan K. Ambelang, 26, Grantsburg, possess drug paraphernalia, $249.00.

Ursula L. LaFave, 40, Hinckley, Minn., possess amphetamine/LSD/psilocin, one-year probation, license suspended six months, four months’ jail time, alcohol assessment, $88.00.

Wendy M. Benjamin, 47, Standstone, Minn., OWI, $1,209.00, alcohol assessment, 80 days’ jail time, license revoked 27 months.

Sanford D. Mosay, 53, Luck, OWI, $1,209.00, two-year probation, license revoked three years, 110 days’ jail time, Huber granted, enroll in 12-step program, alcohol assessment.

Thomas D. O’Shaughnessy, 36, Burnsville, Minn., failure to notify police of accident, $498.00.

Robert E. Cattanach, 58, St. Paul, Minn., speeding, $236.40.

Gary A. White, 45, Fremont, Ind., operating with PAC .10 or more, $793.00, alcohol assessment, license revoked eight months; operating left of centerline, $198.60.

Burnett Co. civil court JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. vs. Donald S. Speight, Danbury, return of 2000 Volkswagon plus $367.50.

Grantsburg Animal Hospital vs. Lisa Phernetton, Frederic, $958.04.

Capital One Bank vs.

Kathryn C. Daniels, Webster, $842.84.

Media One, Inc. vs. Richard Bell, Webster, $288.67.

Dakota Bluff Financial, LLC vs. Pamela K. Smith, Danbury, $1,800.33.

Money Source, Inc. vs. Erica Peach et al, Siren, $2,286.48.

Capital One Bank vs. Kevin J. Simons, Shell Lake, $1,870.88.

www. the-leader. net

Notices

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 31

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Notices

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 33

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Notices

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 35

4-H Club recieves Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Youth Grant ST. CROIX FALLS – The WSO Youth Grant Program is set up to enrich and stimulate activities and research related to the study of birds. The program recognizes the importance the youth of our state have in fostering and enhancing their birding expertise. The Northern Lights 4-H Club members built 30 bluebird houses and created bluebird trails at the Polk County Fairgrounds and Zillmer Park in St. Croix Falls.

This club project was designed to teach the members about conservation, nature and birding, along with simple construction skills. The club members

weekly monitor the trails to remove house sparrows and insect larvae.

Bluebird boxes that are placed in the field and not monitored may do more harm than good to bluebirds.

In addition to building, mounting and monitoring the bluebird houses, the members are taking digital photos and videos of the progress. These will be used to create a DVD of the project, and will teach technology skills to the members. The finished DVD will be shared with all interested individuals and groups. - submitted

Northern Lights 4-H Club members creating bluebird trail at Polk County Fairgrounds.

The Gjovigs mounting a bluebird house on the fairgrounds trail.

Printer retires

Lynn Runnels and his wife, Anne, were guests of honor at the InterCounty Cooperative Publishing Association in Frederic, Tuesday morning, as co-workers gathered to wish him a happy retirement. Lynn began work 30 years ago at the plant, which publishes the Advertisers and the Inter-County Leader. Lynn’s specialty was commercial printing, running a variety of jobwork presses. His response to wishes of happy retirement? “Don’t worry, I’m going to enjoy it,” he said. - Photo by Gary King

Building the bluebird houses. –Photos submitted

PAGE 36 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - JUNE 13, 2007

Fire destroys barn near Balsam Lake

Firefighters from three departments responded to a barn fire on 150th Avenue, approximately two miles south of Balsam Lake, Tuesday evening at 7:50 p.m.

According to Balsam Lake Fire Chief Ed Hill the barn was fully engulfed when firefighters were notified. The owners of the barn called the fire department from a neighbor’s home. Names of the owners were not released. The barn was totally destroyed, Hill said. – Photo by Erik Barstow

Backyard wildlife

Sandy Sahr captured this scene with her digital camera, looking out a window of her home near Frederic.

This mother bear and her triplet cubs were photographed by Leo Richards who found this scene at his home in Webster on Monday.

Unfortunately, Richards’ small dog was savagely attacked by the mother bear earlier in the day and had to be put down. – Photo submitted

New royalty at Danbury

Danbury Royalty was crowned last Tuesday, June 5.

Shown (L to R), back row: Karen Felix, Jen, Matt, Xander, Aubree, Judy and Marshall Hill. Second Row: 2006 Queen: Kelly Dupre, Amanda 2007 Queen: Kleidon, 2007 Princess: Raelyn Tretsven and Kristin Jackson, 2006 Princess: Shaina Pardun. Front Row: 2007 Little Miss: Madisen Freymiller. - submitted

Conroy takes message to radio airwaves WEBSTER – Dan Conroy of Nexen, Inc. has a message for northwestern Wisconsin. The high tech manufacturing industry has a labor shortage and the shortage is expected to get worse as the baby boomers retire.

Conroy cofounded Manufacturing

Works Group in part to get the message out that today’s high-tech manufacturing jobs are not boring assembly line jobs and they are not being outsourced.

However, no longer can high tech manufacturing companies hire people without a high-tech education, especially

technical school education.

Of Nexen’s 100 job positions, 12 require only a high school diploma; 18 require a four-year degree, while 70 positions require a two-year technical degree.

Conroy was on Wisconsin Public

Radio on May 1 of this year, and is appearing anywhere he can to get the word out that today’s high-tech manufactures need an educated work force to survive. – Sherill Summer with information from Wisconsin Public Radio’s “The West Side.”

‘Follow the Leader’

Currents N O R T H E R N

Ju ne 13, 2007 • 2nd Se c t i on B• Inter-County Le a de r

THE LEADER’S COMMUNITY NEWS

Honorary co-chairs named SCF Relay for Life this Friday

by Tammi Milberg ST. CROIX FALLS–The annual Relay for Life fundraiser for cancer research will take place this Friday, June 15, through Saturday, June 16, at the high school track in St. Croix Falls.

The honorary co-chairs for the event have uncanny similarities in their cancer survival stories. Laurie Sabel and Dianne Chapman were born during the same week, grew up in St. Croix Falls, still live in St. Croix Falls and both were diagnosed with the same kind of cancer within a short period of time. The type of cancer these women had was invasive intraductal breast cancer.

Dianne Chapman, St. Croix Falls Relay for Life honorary co-chair, is pictured with Lance Armstrong during Livestrong Day in Washington, D.C., May 16. – Photo submitted

Laurie Sabel is an honorary co-chair for the St. Croix Falls Relay for Life event. The annual cancer research fundraiser is June 15-16. – Photo by Tammi Milberg Laurie Sabel Laurie Sabel is a FACE (family and consumer economics) teacher at St. Croix Falls High School. She has been teaching since 1988. She was diagnosed with cancer in August 2005. Sable took one year off and has been back to school part time this past school year. She is anticipating a full-time return status for the fall.

Sabel had a double mastectomy and chemotherapy and radiation for her cancer treatment.

“One day you’re healthy and the next you have cancer,” she said. “That is a shock. It made my marriage and family stronger and I never knew I had so many friends to support me with their help and cards.”

Sabel has been married to Mark Sabel since 1978 and they have two grown children and one grandchild, who was born during all of Sabel’s treatments.

Her treatment lasted about 10 months and she said there were a lot of people who went through chemotherapy that were good support people to talk to. Sabel is scheduled for her first bone scan in July, but is optimistic since her cat scans every three months have been clear. She said the experience has made her more aware of cancer. Not only from having it herself, but realizing how many other people have it, especially when her friend, Dianne Chapman, was diagnosed with the same cancer, just as Sabel was finishing her treatment.

“Thankfully my kids were older,” she said. “I got to know a lot of families who had grade-schoolers and toddlers, and a parent was going through treatment, and I think it would be much harder for those parents of young children than it was for me.”

Sabel said this experience has made her appreciate things more and worry less about the small stuff. Sabel said she was honored and surprised to be the honorary

co-chair for the Relay for Life event. She also said she is an advocate of a mammogram for women.

Sabel said the lump showed up in a mammogram, and even after it was located by the mammogram, she never felt the lump.

“I would tell women to definitely get mammograms and don’t be scared to get a diagnosis. The sooner you know and can treat the cancer, the outcome is better. Be positive and find a bright side.”

Sabel plans on traveling to Australia to visit her daughter who will be attending classes over the summer. Sabel said her daughter put her classes on hold once she found out about the diagnosis and now that things are looking up for Sabel, who is currently cancer free, she will visit her daughter for a two-week stint of mother-daughter fun.

Dianne Chapman Dianne Chapman was diagnosed in May of 2006. She was always getting regular screenings because this kind of cancer ran in her family. She had an aunt who died from breast cancer after 17 years of being cancer free.

Her sister, Debbie Mettler, was diagnosed 15 years ago with breast cancer and has been cancer free for those 15 years. Chapman says she got regular mammograms for prevention and early detection, and said that when a lump was located she, like Sabel, never felt the lump.

She says she still is advocating for early detection and noted that men can get breast cancer too, and wanted people to be aware of that.

Chapman said she had a double mastectomy and chemotherapy, but did not have to have radiation. She was able to come into work through her treatments and work at her own pace. She has been a county employee for 23 years. She currently works in the clerk of courts office in Balsam Lake.

Chapman is married to James Chapman. They live in St. Croix Falls and have four children, three boys and one girl. Chapman’s treatment ended in October 2006 and, while she goes for her checkups every three months, she is currently cancer free.

She was nominated and selected to serve as a Wisconsin delegate for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

On May 16, Chapman and her family traveled to Wash-

ington, D.C., to be part of the Livestrong Day. She was among 200 selected participants to advocate legislation for expanding access of early cancer detection and treatment programs, especially those who cannot afford screening or treatment. The legislation is proposed as the Cancer Screening, Treatment and Suvivorship Act of 2007.

Chapman said she shook Armstrong’s hand out in D.C. She said she also went into Congressman Dave Obey’s office on her own and asked for funding in the budget for the act.

An event is being planned by another Wisconsin Livestrong delegate and Chapman will be helping with some of the details of that event, which will be a Livestrong bracelet linking. The event will happen in late September at the Mall of America where 10,296 bracelets will be linked, because Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer on Oct. 2, 1996, and it will set a Guinness Book of World Records record.

Chapman said the experience in D.C. was incredible.

She added she was so honored to be a co-chair for the relay here in her home town. “What an honor….it really is,” she said. “It’s kind of embarrassing that they picked me when others have really had a hard time with their treatment.”

Chapman said that she has followed the motto of the three F’s before, but more so after her diagnosis. “Faith, family and friends is the motto I live by,” she said.

“Your family and friends become very important and supportive.”

Event schedule Relay for Life begins at 5 p.m., Friday, June 15, at the high school track where a survivor reception takes place. The opening ceremony with speeches from the co-chairs, a butterfly release and survivor lap begins at 6 p.m. A new addition to this year’s event is a caregiver lap for those who helped cancer victims during treatment. Walkers will make their way around the track, walking in shifts for their individual teams throughout the evening and into the early morning hours of Saturday, June 16.

PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

TF Riverwalk, bridge nears completion

by Julie Holmquist TAYLORS FALLS - When tourists wander down the steps of the Riverwalk from downtown Taylors Falls, gaze at the St. Croix River and cross the timber-frame bridge, they won’t be aware of the years of work and dedication that preceded its creation.

But they will be sure to enjoy the experience.

The long process of building the Riverwalk, phase one, is just about complete, thanks to plenty of volunteers, the economic development commission, the city of Taylor Falls and some key players, grants and donations.

A special dedication ceremony will take place at 1 p.m., July 21 during Wannigan Days.

“Most river towns turned their back on the river,” said Wade Vitalis, a former EDC president and Taylor Falls businessman who has worked tirelessly on the Riverwalk project.

“The old way was you turned your back on the river because that’s where the garbage was,” he said. “We’re trying to do what other river towns – Minneapolis, St. Paul – are trying to do. Connect the downtown to the river.”

Pedestrians will soon be able to step down an elevation of about 35 feet from River Street, cross a ravine on a covered timber-frame bridge, and connect with the trail to Minnesota Interstate Park.

“There’s nothing like this in the Midwest,” Vitalis said.

Timber-frame structures are extremely durable: similar bridges on the East Coast have lasted for an average of 130 years, said Mark Cutter, of Fox Creek Builders, Frederic. Cutter has been one of the main building volunteers.

“It’s the historically correct way to build a wooden bridge,” Cutter said. “And according to some it’s a beautiful thing to look at. No metal or concrete bridge has lasted as long as a wooden bridge.”

Vitalis, Bob Claybough and Clarence Nelson, all who’ve been active in planning the project through the Taylors Falls EDC, agree the bridge will be a thing of beauty.

“People will get married on this bridge,” Vitalis said.

“It’s so beautiful.”

The EDC invested many hours in the project over years. Vitalis and Claybough both wrote grants for the project and the EDC coordinated the project with the city and volunteers.

A $50,000 Federal Trails Grant through the Department of Natural Resources, a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Forest Service, and $50,000 from the city of Taylors Falls provided the needed funds.

But the grant money was just a start: 36 volunteers, donations, and resourcefulness pulled the project together. The cedar decking, for instance, came from old Xcel Energy telephone poles. Trap Rock in Dresser donated 500 tons of stone used for the long staircase. Tom Bantarri, Lakes Area Manufacturing, helped with labor and materials, and John Hauk of Franconia Sculpture Park also played a role, to name just a few of the Riverwalk collaborators.

“This has been a huge amount of labor,” Vitalis said.

“This is easily worth millions.”

Vitalis credits Bruce Carlsted and Mark Cutter as the volunteer backbone of the project.

“I can’t personally overstate the commitment Mark and Bruce made to this,” he said. “They are the real champions of this project.”

Carlsted is “a guy who knows how to do everything,” Claybough said.

For the last couple of winters, Carlsted worked with others every Saturday in his workshop, making trusses, planing, sanding.

Many volunteers spent hundreds of hours working on the Riverwalk, including: (L to R) Bruce Carlsted, Mark Cutter, Bob Claybaugh and Clarence Nelson. – Photo by Julie Holmquist The complicated construction included finding a sawyer to harvest Wisconsin white pine and cut the timbers to the size needed, some which of were 50 feet long.

In timber framing, each piece needs to be cut specifically. The bridge is put together like a jigsaw puzzle, using large wooden dowels and few modern fasteners.

An aesthetically pleasing curve of the bridge is “necessary,” Cutter said, to allow the bridge to hold its own weight.

But the work isn’t done yet: volunteers are still needed to finish the bridge.

“It’s a labor of love I guess,” Carlsted said about his lengthy commitment to the project. This is his third summer of volunteer building work on the Riverwalk; it’s been more than two years since he started giving his time.

“I’m anxious to get it finished because it does take a lot of time,” he said. “It’s going to be a landmark for many years and it’s fun to be involved.”

People willing to volunteer can show up on Saturday mornings at the site in Taylors Falls below the Hwy. 8 bridge, or call Mark Cutter at 715-491-9381.

There are two other phases to the Riverwalk: phase two includes a large deck that connects the timberframe bridge to the walkway under the Hwy. 8 bridge.

Phase three, still a concept, would extend the Riverwalk down River Street to the hydroelectric dam.

“This is the first piece of it,” Vitalis said. “This creates an opportunity for business to happen on the back side of the building. We want to turn around, and face the river.”

A “before” photo of the Riverwalk as the construction began in 2005.

Taylors Falls Mayor Mike Buchite and Bruce Carlsted were busy working on the Riverwalk bridge Saturday morning.

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 3

On Mudhen Lake

by Don Miller Cobalt waves a silent miracle broach Mighty is the ageless, timeless power On shore does sheetless waterfall encroach To strike forlorn upon a rocky hour A skitt’ring wake, the hapless motorboat A bamboo cane pole’s bobbing fisher float A northern pike in scaly armored coat The silvered lake, a poor man’s castle moat A diving motion does the wood duck make In greenish weedy columns ‘mid the gel A gift from God, for Holy Spirit sake Intentions for a silent prayer tell Fathomless deep the brownish lagoon mire In time of need with consequences dire

Scenes of Spring

by Joyce Thompson, Amery The roses are red, The iris are blue, Red is the color of the columbine too.

One azalea was orange, Blooms now on the ground.

On the other, a pink one, Not one blossom was found.

The lilac, pale lavender, known as Miss Kim, Blooms when all the other lilacs grow dim.

My mock orange had a few blossoms one year, Now refuses to bloom, The reason, I would guess, is not enough room.

I transplanted Johnny jump-ups from the lawn to save.

They take over the garden, I wish they'd behave.

The clematis with large flowers, but only a few.

Add their beautiful color to the overall view.

This spring I had tulip and crocus, Which I hope becomes a habit.

Other years they've been eaten by the neighorhood rabbit.

Sunflower seeds from the birdfeeder fall.

They take over an area in no time at all.

It brings peace to sit and watch the birds in the flowers.

The birds and the butterflies, I could watch them for hours.

Flowers, birdsm butterflies, beautiful things to see.

And God put them here for you and for me.

Writer’s Corner

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

Gear up: Touch-A-Truck for kids on June 16 ST. CROIX FALLS – You see them on the road and at construction sites. Now, have the opportunity to put your child right in the driver’s seat of some really big trucks. The locally produced event is called Touch-ATruck and it will feature nearly 20 trucks of all types – even huge earthmovers. The event is free to attend and will be held on Saturday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wal-Mart parking lot on Hwy. 8 in St. Croix Falls.

The event is sponsored by Life Link III Ambulance, Bernick’s Cos. and Wal-Mart.

“So many children are curious about these big rigs, especially when parents read storybooks to them or point them out on the roadway or at construction sites,” said event coordinator and Life Link III Ambulance manager Joe Covelli. “The event is an experience for children to get in and up close to some really big trucks

and meet the people who operate them. Thanks to so many participating businesses, there will be several trucks for the kids to see.”

Brat stand proceeds will benefit Life Link III/St. Croix Valley EMS training and education fund. According to Covelli, “We recently changed the local ambulance to paramedic level care. One of our EMTs is going to paramedic school, so we will dedicate monies raised toward helping with his tuition and textbook costs.” Wal-Mart will also provide a dollar-for-dollar matching grant on monies raised at the local event.

“This event is all about kids – seeing smiles on their faces and excitement in their eyes. I’m sure they’ll have plenty of questions too!” Covelli added, “We’ll be ready thanks to many volunteers and the generous involvement of sponsors and display participants.”

To display a truck or if you have event questions, contact Covelli at 715-760-1186 or e-mail Touch-ATruck@sbcglobal.net. - submitted

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

River Road Ramblings On the Watkins Route

by Vernon Peterson As a Watkins dealer—50 years ago—I remember being chewed out by the Frokjer Brothers, “You should have been here an hour ago. You know we eat at 12.” That is an example of how friendly and nice the people were who I visited with my case of Watkins products. Life wasn’t just a business. I always had some time for hunting stories and time for historical lore. I remember best the many friends I made on my route. They were good people!

I started as a Watkins dealer in the 1950s. My first territory was in the Cumberland area, but I soon was able to switch to an area nearer my farm at Siren. My territory included the townships of Anderson and Trade Lake in Burnett County and Sterling, Eureka, Laketown, Georgetown, Johnstown, West Sweden, Luck, Bone Lake and McKinley.

I made my rounds though the whole territory about every two months. Before I went to each area, I sent a mailer from Watkins listing specials and products that we were featuring that time to my customers in the area. I tried to visit them within a few days of the mailer. We had specials that if you bought a combination of items or a quantity you could get something free.

I was welcomed into the homes of people rich and poor. If there were children, I gave a piece of candy. I remember how hard it must have been for one small boy telling me “I can’t have candy. I have diabetes.” We had small samples of many of our products and often had a small gift for the family. If you bought several bottles of Nectar, then you might get a pitcher as a gift. I handed out Watkins calendars as a Christmas and New Year gift.

I had my station wagon full of products. We sold flavor extracts, spices, medicines and salves, liniment, and many other items for house and barn. I had a display case to bring into the house filled with Watkins products.

The Watkins products were high quality and many people chose to buy from Watkins rather than the store products.

My hobby of collecting logging artifacts started while I was on my route. Sometimes I ate lunch down by Nevers Dam. Nevers Dam was a tremendous engineering feat. The main gate was 80 feet across, strong enough to hold back millions of feet of logs. It was raised and lowered by water power.

One summer, Mr. Rivard (I think his first name was Charles) was busy salvaging old dead head logs from the St. Croix River. I believe he was in is 80s. He was working all alone in a boat with just a long pike pole—the kind with a special screw pike end that you could hook a log with. He sawed off the ends of the logs that had been stamped with the owner brand that would identify them at the Stillwater sawmills. Why? So he wouldn’t have to pay royalty! After all, he had lived in the days of logging the immense white pine forest. In the 40 years since the last log drives, the salvage of logs was almost continuous.

Mr. Rivard’s logs were hauled down the road to Earl Davidsavor’s sawmill. They made nice white lumber.

Rivard gave me the log ends for the beginning of my logging museum. One had the stamp of Ashland Lumber Co. I later acquired the stamp hammer that made that mark. It was found at Minong, about a million-to-one chance with millions of logs from Minnesota and Wisconsin and thousands of stamp hammers.

In 2003, Polk County invited me to their 150th anniversary at the fairgrounds to show some of my logging collection. It gave me great pleasure to have Rivard’s children, not kids anymore, come to visit. One of Earl Davidsavor’s boys stopped by also. That collection is still intact. I offered to donate it, along with money, talent and labor to the village of Siren. The museum together with a first-class information center was on their long-range plan. Six months later, that plan was discarded by a new board. Kind of sad, every small town tries to have some attraction.

C. W. Brace was the Watkins dealer at St. Croix Falls.

When I needed some stock, I would run down in the evening to buy from him. I would stop at the Lions Park for a few minutes to check a certain path for arrowheads.

They were always the nicest little Mississippi-type points. One day this path was blacktopped, the end of finding arrowheads.

In Sterling Township, the last customer west toward the St. Croix River was Jack Edwards. Once in a while one of our children would ride along with me. One time we drove out to see the remains of the Sunrise Ferry.

When we broke into the open by the river we stirred up a batch of big turtles. What astonished both of us was to see those big turtles run. They had the longest legs and an unbelievable speed. Leather backs? But huge!

Mrs. Gudmunsen was such a nice little lady, who always expected company for the afternoon coffee. If you were late she would chew you out a little. One time we could hear her husband groaning in the back room. She was busy with her duty serving coffee. “He’s all right, he just likes a little attention,” she said. Poor Gust died that night. Bless their souls.

Once east, back in the woods lived the nicest intelligent

Vernon Peterson was a Watkins dealer for many years. He still has his old Watkins case and has collected some of the products he used to sell. Photo by Russ Hanson man. We always had such good discussions on all manner of good topics. One day he told me quite pleasantly and in a matter-of-fact way, “I won’t be here when you come again. They’re locking me up for insanity.”

At one stop the man was ready to commit suicide. His wife had died and there was nothing to live for. I sat down and consoled him. We talked for some time. Did it help? I don’t know, but he was still alive the last time I heard.

There was a fire west of Cushing one year. The DNR crew wasn’t very sure how to get to the back side of the fire. I offered to help—just follow me. They did, down a little-used trail. They were very thankful and got their job done. I was thankful for knowing the trail.

Just a couple of little episodes, but a satisfying feeling to do something worthwhile for a friend or a community.

A warm feeling to be welcomed in their homes to hear “We’ve no money today but stop by tomorrow. I’ll leave the money here on the table so you can pick it up. I didn’t feel I should do that of course, but such a friendly gesture by many good people.

I sold quite a lot of fly spray. We could buy in bulk then. It helped when I was told by the farmer to just check in the milk house and shake the can. One pleasant memory—when I met Bob Wilson at Leslie Fisk’s. “How soon should I come back with a can Bob?” His answer “If it don’t rain pretty soon, don’t bother to come back!”

That answer might sound rude, but it wasn’t, it was one farmer to another in the same boat. If it don’t rain, the world will blow away.

My smallest sale of fly spray was over past by Duck Shot Lake. Old Pete needed a little spray for his house. So I filled an empty booze bottle for him. Believe me he had a good supply of empty booze bottles! When he got his pension check, he always had company to help him spend it. One time he bought a bottle of vanilla and proceeded to break the neck off and drink out of that jagged glass neck—I reckon to impress the boys how tough he was. I did sell a lot of pyrethrin fly spray. It was safe and only harmed the bugs. No Lindane or DDT. If I am allowed to brag a little, I took top honors in Wisconsin for a couple years for the most gallons of fly spray sold. Simple—good spray—good dairymen. And for my part, just be there.

The story of the St. Croix Spirit Stone was always fascinating. Worthy Prentice, an ol- time surveyor wrote about this stone in the 1880s. He wrote about the Indians leaving offerings on the green stone along the old St. Croix River Road. Green, everyone presumed, meant copper. Being a surveyor, his description of the location was very precise. I hunted for the stone but couldn’t find it so presumed it had been buried when the road was built. However, a landowner had moved it. Fifty years later permission was granted to Rosemarie Vezina Braatz of St. Croix Falls for a few of us to view the rock. It is not copper. Just a rock—shale with a greenish tint. It was a privilege to see it.

Over east an elderly gentleman, Alfred Jacobson, lived in an old cheese factory. He was one of those wonderful old-time collectors of Indian relics, guns and you name it.

He told of going with an Indian boy of his age to rob the wooden Indian grave houses of their goodies (honey and maple sugar candy) long ago. Those little houses over the Indian graves were interesting. I have seen only a few. Food for the spirit and food for the little boys. One has to respect that custom.

One night Jacobson’s home burned with him in it. Foul play was suspected. He had an awfully nice pipestone pipe with lead engraving. About two years later I stopped by. Part of the pipe lay in the ashes. The lead had melted away in the fire.

Another old-timer, Old Whiskers, or more politely,

collected by Russ Hanson Frank Kurkowski, lived in an old school house that belonged to Adrian Maier(?). The main room was filled with a lifetime of collecting. If you remember how the typical one-room schools were, built with a cloak room on each side of the entrance, one for the boys and one for the girls. Well Frank lived in one of those tiny closets with his only heat, if I remember correctly, a single light bulb. How he cooked I don’t remember. I enjoyed that man! He was an interesting character. In his collection were several ancient tools from a former Indian campsite on Big Butternut Lake where the original Luck Village was located. Frank found these before the Luck school was built there. When he passed on, Adrian sold them to me. I found a few more by Bone Lake and an axe almost identical in style by Spirit Lake. I did use one tool to skin eight deer one fall. It worked better than a knife if you are going to make a shirt out of them as it left no holes.

There were many more old-timers with so much historical lore. Bert Brenizer was a good one. I couldn’t make his auction but I stopped the day before. Big Christ Christenson was shoveling the good old stuff out of the granary for the dump. He scoffed “the new stuff isn’t good enough so who wants this old junk!” I did, but with permission I selected a large brochure for 1921 Model T’s with all styles-a beautiful, pieceworthy of the TV “Road Show” program. I was quite impressed with Big Chris’ story of finding a Viking ship in Norway when he was a boy. It had eroded out of a burial mound.

One spring when school was out, Niles and Brian, our two youngest boys, wanted a special adventure. Art Hanson, the great musky fisherman by Bone Lake, helped provide that. He agreed to take us out to the Big Island to leave the boys, along with their friends, Gary and Jerry, for three days. So we came back in three days.

I think they were a little bored. The fish they were going to fry for three days didn’t seem to cooperate. Being marooned wasn’t really so great. I’m sure their mothers good cooking was really enjoyed when they returned home. Still an adventure.

It’s amazing to know of the various talents of people.

The wood carving done by Carl Lade impressed me, as did that of Chester Fisk. He carved wooden chains of a single piece of wood, lumberjack style. He couldn’t sell me one—his family was first in line. I needed one for my logging museum.

Peterson in Trade Lake had invented the automatic rifle. He showed me the drawings submitted to a company. However, someone had stolen his invention.

Talent takes many directions.

You may think that all I did was visit old-timers. They were important, but of course it’s active, busy customers that are needed for any business.

Gene Peper was just a boy, but a very astute cow man already. We can think of change. I first met Carl Peper, his father, with Carl’s father cutting grain with the oldtime grain binder—now a thing of the past. Gene’s grandmother once pretended to threaten me with a mop for my tracking her nice clean floor. Good family, good friends!

Russ wrote a story of his dad being town board chairman and insisting that the road by his farm would not be paved. Town chairmen did this as a sign of integrity— they wouldn’t use their position to benefit themselves.

That changed when a few chairmen remarked, “I’m one town chairman with a good road.” By the time I became a town chairman 30 years ago, it was “Do the worst road first.”

Joe Jones told of finding a piece of pine root down 30 feet where he put in his well near the River Road in Sterling. When dried out, it burned very well in the cookstove. How old was it? Certainly not before the glaciers.

Most likely buried by some ancient sandstorms. An interesting geological event, to think of a sandstorm that would bury a tree with 30 feet of sand.

When I started my Watkins route I sold most of the cows. My wife and our six children kept things going with a few long hours on my part. We returned to fulltime farming, built a new barn and just kept busy. I had to quit at 87. I do miss driving those big green tractors.

I can still watch them from our kitchen window with Niles and Dan driving them. My health stopped me at age 87. It is good to see our farm functioning well, although we do need rain. Bulldozers are clearing another 20 acres for crops as I write. This pleases me.

Gwen and I recently celebrated our 68th wedding anniversary. Many of my old friends have passed away.

Every once in a while we meet some of those who are left; a real pleasure to see them. When Russ, Stanley or others write about those people of 50 years ago, I find I can recall most of them with pleasure.

A few years ago we attended graduation exercises for a granddaughter at Bethel College. Instead of all strangers in a crowd, here was Goodwin Hanson from Eureka and on the other side was Jon Bierman, an old Rockhound friend. Small world! Good people!

The stories in the Leader of the old days bring back many pleasant memories of my years on the road for Watkins products. I still have my black Watkins case and have collected some of the items I used to sell. Sometimes we drive the backroads. It is sad to see how many barns are empty, but that’s life. Fly spray—no—now huge fans blow the flies away, and the cows like it that way. Most of my old customers are gone, but the good memories remain.

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 5

How did this get started?

Let’s see, I think it started when Madeline Murray O’Hare complained she didn’t want any prayer in our schools.

And we said, OK… Then, Someone said you better not read the Bible in school, The Bible that says “thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbors as yourself,” And we said, OK…

Bernice Abrahamzon

BEHIND THE

SIGNPOST

Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehaved because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem.

And we said, an expert should know what he’s talking about so we won’t spank them anymore…

Then someone said teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave.

And the school administrators said no faculty member in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don’t want any bad publicity, and we surely don’t want to be sued.

And we accepted their reasoning…

Then someone said, let’s let our daughters have abortions if they want, and they won’t even have to tell their parents.

And we said, that’s a grand idea…

Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys and they’re going to do it anyway, let’s give our sons all the condoms they want, so they can have all the fun they desire, and we won’t have to tell their parents they got them at school.

And we said, that’s another great idea…

Then some of our top elected officials said it doesn’t matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs.

And we said, it doesn’t matter what anybody, including the president, does in private as long as we have jobs and the economy is good…

And someone else took that appreciation a step further And published picture of nude children And then stepped further still by Making them available on the Internet.

And we said, everyone’s entitled to free speech …

And the entertainment industry said, let’s make TV shows and movies that promote profanity, violence and illicit sex…

And let’s record music that encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes…

And we said, it’s just entertainment and it has no adverse effect and nobody takes it seriously anyway, so go right ahead.

Now we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill strangers, classmates or even themselves.

Undoubtedly, if we thought about it long and hard enough, we could figure it out.

I’m sure it has a great deal to do with…

“WE REAP WHAT WE SOW,” Pass it on if you think it has merit!

If not then just discard it…

But if you discard this thought process, then don’t you dare sit back and complain about what bad shape this country is in!

Dear God: Why didn’t you save the school children at ...

Moses Lake, Washington, 2/2/96 Bethel, Alaska, 2/19/97 Pearl, Mississippi, 10/1/97 West Paducah, Kentucky, 12/1/97 Stamp, Arkansas, 12/15/97 Jonesboro, Arkansas 3/24/98 Edinboro, Pennsylvania, 4/24/98 Fayetteville, Tennessee, 5/19/98 Springfield, Oregon, 5/21/98 Richmond, Virginia, 6/15/98 Littleton, Colorado, 4/20/99 Taber, Alberta, Canada, 5/28/99 Conyers, Georgia, 5/20/99 Deming, New Mexico, 11/19/99 Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, 12/6/99 Santee, California, 3/5/01 and El Cajon, California, 3/22/01?

Sincerely, Concerned student Reply: Dear Concerned Student: I am not allowed in schools.

Sincerely, God

Do you remember ?

Compiled by Bernice Abrahamzon

50 Years Ago Specials at Nelson’s Store, Siren, included Morrell’s Pride picnic hams at 33¢ lb., Radiant Roast coffee at 89¢ lb. bag and potato chips at 39¢ for a jumbo bag.Windus Apparel, Frederic, had a half-price sale and complete clearance of the giftware department.-The Webster High School graduated 45 seniors.-Dressed beef and pork were available at the N.K. Anderson Locker Plant, Siren, at 30¢ lb. for sides. Butchering days were Mondays and Thursday.-Nancy Miller reported Pleasant Dale 4-H club news.-A world-famous Negro group came to the Frederic School Auditorium on June 9. (That’s how the headline read).-There were 18 arrested at the Interstate Park, St. Croix Falls, in a weekend police roundup. They were charged with littering (beer cans, etc.), noise, reckless use of firearms, dangerous driving, etc.-An exploding emery wheel injured a Cushing man, Floyd Nick.The Polk-Burnett Electric Co-op celebrated 20 years at its annual meeting.-Kay-Don Tibbetts of Frederic, received his B.S. degree at Wisconsin State College, River Falls.-Three Milltown youths entered the U. S. Air Force including George Elliott, Terry Mattson and Carlton Cousins.-Work was under way at the Frederic swimming pool project.-The Pilgrim Lutheran Ladies Aid held a rummage sale on June 7, next to Thorpe Finance, Frederic.

40 Years Ago

Note: I hesitated to use the above, as someone recently called me a new word. She called me an evangelist. That’s a good word, nothing wrong about it, but I don’t think of myself as one. The dictionary defines evangelist as “an itinerant preacher.” Long ago someone accused me of being “so churchy” and the way she said it, sounded like a bad thing.

I was brought up in church and I don’t deny it. I thought the above has merits. It makes us think!

Why go to church?

A churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.

I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time, and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.”

This started a real controversy in the Letters to the Editor column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: “I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.

If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!”

Until next week, Bernice

Specials at Route’s Super Market, Frederic, included ground beef at 2 lbs. for 89¢, lettuce at 15¢ head, and Wilderness Blueberry Pie Mix at 2 cans for 69¢.-Specials at the Frederic Co-op store included Banquet pot pies at 5 or $1, sugar at 99¢ for a 10-lb. bag and pancake flour at 49¢ for a 3-1/2-lb. bag.-An ax design may identify the St. Croix – La Pointe Trail.A soil survey was under way in the town of Trade Lake.-Joyce Peterson, rural Frederic, was among more than 100 women students honored at the 47thannual Senior Swingout Ceremony held May 14 at the UW-Madison. Joyce was one of the 20 freshman women given perfect grades in all their classes.-Specials at the Clover Farm Store, Frederic, included 4 Pillsbury cake mixes for $1, fryers at 29¢ lb. and coffee at 2 lbs. for $1.19.-Obituaries included Shelley Hammar, Stanley Hutton, Warren Pedersen and Carl John Nelson.-The Frederic School Board noted the shortage of teachers, money and classrooms.-The Frederic Commencement was held May 28 with 65 graduates.-Polk County recorded the fourth 1967 highway fatality.-Arthur R. Burrington, north of Luck, had a June 2 auction and the listing included a Shelvador refrigerator, a Hoffa chain saw and a 1950 Studebaker car.-A dance was held May 27 at the Grantsburg Fairgrounds, and a Shetland pony was given away at 1 a.m.

20 Years Ago Artwork by Jason Huser was on display at the state capitol along with that of 47 other Wisconsin students.-Help was wanted at the Corner Cupboard Deli at Frederic.-Dr. Doug and Jeanne Harlander were 1986 Citizens of the Year in Frederic, and the 1987 Citizen of the Year banquet was set for May 11 with everyone wondering who was selected.-The closing of the Danbury school was discussed.-The old Siren Hospital was sold to Gerald Knoepke for a bid of $7,500. He planned to open a shoe-leather repair shop on the lower level and maintain living quarters upstairs.-The annual rummage sale was held April 2425 at St. John’s Church, Webster, and a luncheon was served.-A Webster girl, Stephanie Zmuda, 11, was a finalist in the American Preteen Pageant.-Stephanie Zmuda was the reporter for the Sand Lake 4-H Club news.-Seven young people were confirmed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Webster, including Jennifer Peterson, Scott Spafford, Alan Morse, Beth Seitzberg, Bradley Morseth, Shelly Stanchfield and Steffanie Schultz. The pastor was Robin Fink.-Mark Hayman reported the Indian Creek 4-H Club news.St. Croix Falls’ Mark Bjorklund was named a 1987 scholar athlete of the WIAA.-Brian Fellrath wrote a column, “Outdoors in Wisconsin,” for the newspaper.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

Hazardous waste collections to take place Household hazardous waste collections have been taking place since early May, and will continue through late September. Everyone on the RCC staff also works on the NW Cleansweep hazardous waste program. With 42 separate collections scheduled (covering 12 counties), RCC staff has been quite busy! Burnett and Washburn counties will be hosting their first set of collections next Tuesday, June 19.

Washburn County collections will be held in Minong (at the transfer station) from 10 a.m. - noon, and Shell Lake (Shell Lake School parking lot) from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Collections will also in be held in Burnett County, in Webster (fairgrounds) from 10 a.m. – noon, and Grantsburg (fairgrounds) from 3 – 4:30 pm.

This collection reflects Northwest Regional Planning Commission and Recycling Control Commission’s continued effort to deflect as much waste as possible away from our landfill, while protecting this wonderful place we call home. This program is extremely valuable, and all residents are encouraged to take advantage, clean out your garage, basement and attic, and ask elderly or homebound neighbors if you can take something to the collection for them. Do as much as you can to collect as much as you can, and I guarantee it will make you feel great that you’re helping the environment.

Your family and neighbors will thank you, the Earth and animals will thank you and I thank you.

If you have any questions regarding the above collections, please call Jen at 635-2197. Businesses wishing to rid themselves of hazardous wastes must

register, and a small fee will be imposed. Call Bill at 635-2197 to register. Area farmers wishing to dispose of hazardous agriculJen Barton tural chemicals are invited to attend these events as well. The services is free to farmers, but are also asked to regReycling ister.

Control Also, as a reCommission minder, no waste oil, electronics (except computers), appliances, latex paint, Freon, recyclables, asbestos, alkaline or vehicle batteries, explosives, and medical or radioactive waste will be accepted at the above events. Latex will be accepted by your waste hauler if properly dried out and placed with regular trash. If you have any questions regarding this please call the recycling office.

Please note that later this summer there will be collection events in Siren (County Highway Shop, Aug. 11) and Spooner (Hazardous Waste Facility, Sept. 8). At these Saturday collection events only, electronic items will also be accepted, however the recycling of electronics will not be free of charge as it was last year. Items include televisions, VCRs/DVDs, and computer equipment. This is another absolutely wonderful opportunity for area residents to properly dispose of old equipment, while keeping it out of our landfill and ditches. Both of these events are from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Please watch papers for further details, or call Jen with any questions. Lets make this year’s collection events better than last year’s.

EARTH NOTES

Cloverton - Markville 320-242-3933

Fran Levings

The annual Kingsdale reunion, as usual, was wonderful! About 50 people converged on the Barbara and John Nelson cabin for an afternoon of delicious food and a good time catching up with our friends. Emma and Peter Fornengo, Marlene and Don Mishler and Dave Baker and grandson, Justin, represented Cloverton at the event.

The bears in our little townships out here have been showing up everywhere.

Both Deloris Schirmer and Dave Baker have spotted a huge one in the Hay Creek – Squib Creek area. This is probably the same bear that caused a weekender to go in the ditch by Dennis Sherman’s cabin awhile back. Thanks to Ed Proffit for bringing his tractor to haul the truck out.

Bob Brewster, after hearing a thud one evening, saw a very little bear looking in his window. Later in the week, a small, sickly looking bear appeared in his orchard. Bob speculates that it got in by climbing on the chicken coop.

Does and fawns are also a current sight around here. Deloris had a nursing doe in her yard. She thinks the mosquitoes may have driven it out of the forest.

Maria Starowoitow attended the graduation of her grandson Sasha from the Duluth Harbor International School last weekend. She spent a few days at that time with daughter Lucy Hager and her family.

Monte Ferguson’s daughters, Amy and Janet, came for separate visits awhile back. They all had a very nice visit together.

Birthday parties for youngsters always bring joy. Bob Brewster and Patty Koehler went to Cambridge back in May to help celebrate the birthdays of grandchildren, Tori (12), and Beau (1). They are the children of Bob’s son, Luke, and his wife, Heather.

Great-grandparents Emma and Peter Fornengo attended Quentin Hanson’s first birthday party in Sandstone. The little guy is the son of Jennifer and Mike Hanson.

Not long after the birthday party, Emma and Peter headed north in Wisconsin to attend the spring concert at Four Corners Elementary School. Greatgrandchildren Brooke and Luke were part of the show. On the home front, I spent three days in Menominee, Wis., supervising great-nephews, Mitch and Coleton Love, while their mom, my niece, Stephanie, went to New York City to celebrate her 40th birthday with a high school friend.

While I was gone, my husband, Dave Baker and Don Mishler, spent a day cleaning up trees on township roads following the big windstorm.

Graduations, birthdays and weddings are in the air, wherever you are.

E-mail us @ the-leader @centurytel.net

TOWN TALK/ COUNTRY CHATTER Webster Senior Center

Mary Klar

Monday was a quiet day at the center, and daughter Heather kindly drove me around to do necessary errands. While I was gone, Chuck Scott stopped in to have a nice visit with Elden.

On Tuesday, Margel Ruck drove my car to take me to Stillwater, Minn., to have laser surgery on my right eye, and I can see again to read. Wearing sunglasses, I was even able to stop at my favorite store there and stock up on Red Hat stuff, door prizes and such. Forgive me, Dr. Vitale, but we even stopped at Siren Dairy Queen for a “fantabulous” strawberry cheesequake blizzard.

Esther Carlson and daughter Arlene stopped in at the center on Wednesday and indicated that her husband, Don, is still in the hospital in Duluth, Minn. Wednesday’s dime bingo was well attended again (without me again) and everyone enjoyed the refreshments. Joan Berg called me from York, Pa. in the afternoon and we chatted for almost 45 minutes, which was unusual because Joan is more cost conscious of her phone time than I am. She is doing wonderful and is back to her old self, and has even driven her car again. She misses all of her friends in Webster.

Thursday evening cards were well attended with Mert Kisselburg, Joyce Smith, Nancy O’Brien, Margel Ruck, Jane Wardean, Gladys Beers and Theresa Gloege playing. Harold Peterson, Rod Hopkins, Ken Hayes, Sam Williamson and Pat O’Brien had fun playing pool and enjoyed the yummy treats furnished by the ladies. I wasn’t able to be there to play cards with my friends, but Elden and I really enjoyed the delicious pieces of rhubarb custard pie Margel brought to us afterward.

Thanks again, Margel!

On Friday morning I couldn’t stand my yukky, oily hair so carefully drove myself to town to Cuts & Curls to see if Linda Sears could wash it for me and, of course, she did.

I then ate lunch at the center and greatly enjoyed Deb’s baked pork chops with dressing and mashed potatoes and dressing. I skipped the taters and had extra dressing, and then after also eating Deb’s tasty rhubarb cake, I could have smacked myself upside the head for eating more than I needed. After lunch and cleanup, Margel, Mert and Eldora Brown played a “pity game” of cards with me so I wouldn’t forget how to play, and then Mert skunked us.

I then stopped at the pharmacy to pick up

prescriptions and order roll bars. Oh, I mean safety hand bars for both bathrooms.

I made a brief stop at the community center for the Webster Lioness Club rummage and bake sale and bought baked goods, for Elden, of course, and a couple self-help books that I really need!

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life held Friday night at the Webster High School track field was well attended with 80 cancer-survivor walkers, including the two in wheelchairs, and many other supporters.

The hundreds of lit luminarias purchased in memory or in honor of cancer survivors raised hundreds of dollars for the Cancer Society.

Congratulations to Maurey and Barb Heyer who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday with a party at Burnett Medical Center Continuing Care Unit where Maurey is a patient.

Elden and I quietly celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary on Saturday afternoon with food son-in-law Kurt brought to us from the drive-in. I have always said that we “lived scrappily ever after.” But it takes too much effort for either of us to disagree anymore.

Thursday, June 28, is our next Dining at Five evening meal and Deb is serving Italian spaghetti, coleslaw, garlic bread and dessert. Please call 866-5300 early as possible for your reservation.

Our gratitude is extended to Marian Barber-Johnson for donating a bag of aluminum cans and to Lily Gleason for donating a bag of rhubarb.

Our get-well wishes and prayers continue to go out to Maurey Heyer, Norma Martin, Dale Connor, Shirley Holmes, Edith Sage, Bernie Polaski, Mildred Buggert and Doris Janssen.

A Sunday school teacher challenged her children to take some time on Sunday afternoon to write a letter to God. They were to bring their letters back the following Sunday. One little boy, Jimmy, wrote “Dear God, We had a good time at church today.

Wish you could have been there.” Is God in your church? Is God in you? “God’s time is now, for the days fly fast, and swiftly the seasons roll; today is yours, it may be your last; choose life for your priceless soul!”Fithian. You can’t repent too soon for you don’t know how soon it may be too late.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.”-Isaiah 55:6.

See you at the center!

Frederic Senior Center

Ardyce Knauber

Monday spades was played with the following winners: first Carmen Marek; second Donald Heavy; third Willis Williams and fourth Sylvia Heavy.

We will go back to having spades played at 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday Pokeno group played at 1 p.m. Thursday night 500 cards at 6:30 p.m. The winners were first Arnie Borchert, second Hazel Hoffman, third Harold Owens and fourth Lonnie Jones.

The Pokeno group enjoyed playing at 1 p.m. Friday.

Saturday Share-a-Lunch followed by bingo and cards. Each Saturday, we enjoy Clareese’s dessert cake. Last Monday after spades Arnie and Marlys Borchert visited Clareese and presented her with a memento of her birthday party.

A colored, framed picture of her on her special day.

We will not have Share-a-Lunch this Saturday, June 16, due to Family Days activities; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Strawberry shortcake at the Depot/Museum spon-

sored by the Frederic Area Historical Society; 2 – 8 p.m. the fire department will sponsor a roast pork fundraiser at the fire hall.

The seniors wish to congratulate the fire department on their new addition. The fire department is a vital part of our community and we are fortunate to have such dedicated members.

We will celebrate our June birthdays on Saturday, June 16, at coffee time. Members having birthdays are Bernice Kurkowski, Mavis Klucas, Charles Freeberg, Ferne Baker and Nathan Polson.

Get-well wishes to Roy Magnuson, Dorothy LaDoucer and Bernie Kurkowski.

Mavis Klucas, hope you will be back with us soon. We miss Virginia Schultz too.

Stop in and have coffee with us and you might like us and come back again.

We are a very active center and our seniors would be very lonely if they didn’t have our activities and holidays to look forward to.

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 7

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Engagement

Norlander - Frazee Jack and Janet Frazee would like to announce the engagement of their daughter, Joyce Frazee, to Gregory Norlander, son of Gary and Marcy Kruse.

The couple are planning a June 30 wedding at their home in Danbury. A reception will follow at the Fishbowl Bar , also in Danbury.

Siren Senior Center 349-7249

Barb Munger

I am happy to report that the center hosted another very successful Dining at Five dinner on Thursday, June 7. Shirley Holmes is on an extended leave of absence due to complications following her foot surgery, but we were fortunate to have Dolly Peterson prepare and serve dinner for the 38 diners.

Get well Shirley, we appreciate Dolly, but miss your cheerful face also.

Put a note on your calendar that the monthly senior meeting will be held next Tuesday, June 19. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. and also a reminder that you must attend at least five meetings annually to be eligible to vote for officers in the fall.

Our monthly birthday cake will be served after the meeting. The birthday people for June are Erling Oleson, Lorraine Haaf, Della Smyth, Bea Talmadge and Lou Jappe. Lou gets to celebrate twice as Nancy (spouse) furnished a beautiful birthday cake on Thursday for our Dining at Five dinner for him which we all enjoyed. Happy birthday and many more to all of you.

Winners at 500 on Wednesday were, Ed Berdal, Arvid Pearson, Sylvia Heavey, Herb Sederlund and Barb Munger.

Spades winners on Friday were Sue Hughes, Judy Bauerfeld, Don Heavey and Inez Pearson. Ed Berdal provided the players with snacks, including sausage and crackers, cookies and two varieties of popcorn. Thank you, Ed. We would also like to extended gratitude to Izzy and Chuck Magnison for all the lovely things that they have donated to the craft room these past few weeks. They are planning on moving to St. Croix Falls and are downsizing, thus we have been fortunate enough to receive some of their treasures.

Gratitude is also extended to all the friends that donated their greeting cards to be recycled and books for our library.

The “card manufacturers” are getting low on larger-sized envelopes for the greeting cards, so if you have any lying around please drop them off. We will put them to good use.

The size we need is 5-1/4 x 8-1/4 and 7-3/4 x 5-1/2 or thereabouts.

The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Dime bingo is played every Tuesday afternoon starting at 1 p.m. and also 500 on Wednesday and Spades on Friday. We have had such great turnouts for all of our activities - keep up the good work!

Remember to stop by at the farmers market on Saturday afternoon from 1-3 p.m. They will be in the senior center parking lot every Saturday until October. See you at the center.

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Dewey - LaFollette

Congratulations to Angela Delarosa, granddaughter of MerriAnn and Joe Gonzalez, for receiving first place in Junior Handling for the Novice Intermediate Group at the Green Bay Kennel Club show recently. The dog she handled was champion French Bulldog Rant N’ Raven Chato.

Monday evening Judy Albee, Rudy and Sharon Kessler, Al and Judi Kempin, Frank and Carol Jones and Dave and Sharon Makela were supper guests of Gerald and Pat Bahrke. Gerald’s birthday was celebrated.

Judy Albee visited Kandas Toews in Almena Tuesday evening.

Clam River Tuesday Club met June 6 at the home of Sue Mroszak. The next meeting will be July 11 at 2:30 p.m. at the home of Judy Albee.

Hank and Karen Mangelsen visited Lee and Carl Mangelsen Wednesday evening.

Roger and Sue Mroszak went to the Twin Cities Thursday to attend the sixth-grade graduation of their granddaughter, Carli Pederson. Later, they were supper guests of Lisa and Dan Pederson.

Joe and Merri Ann Gonzalez and Angela Delarosa went to Frederic Thursday and toured the Bus-eum. This is a traveling history exhibit about German Americans who were interned in this country between 1941 and 1948.

Thursday evening Judy Albee and Dave and Connie Zaloudek visited Gary and Lynn Berghius.

Gerry and Lawrence Hines, Don Nordquist and Patty and Mandy Close were Friday dinner guests of Karen and Hank Mangelsen. Ray Olson visited later in the day.

On Friday, Judy Albee walked in the Relay for Life event for one of the two teams from Faith Lutheran Church of Spooner. Over $85,000 was raised in Washburn County for the American Cancer Society.

Nancy and Steve Hagen were overnight guests of Nina and Lawrence Hines Friday. They celebrated Nancy’s birthday (June 7) and Lawrence’s birthday (June 9).

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Maynard and Ronda Mangelsen were supper guests of Mike and Nancy Longhenry Friday.

Reggie and Betty Meissner were guests overnight Firday of Sue and Roger Mroszak. On Saturday they all went to an auction.

Donna and Gerry Hines went to Vadnais Heights, Minn., on Friday to attend the high school graduation of their granddaughter, Kristie Sweet. They stayed overnight with Brenda and Tim Sweet, and returned home Saturday.

Saturday visitors of Hank and Karen Mangelsen were LaVonne, Lloyd, Irene, Katie and Lacie Bjergum from Decorah, Iowa, Larry, Celie, Baxter, Jake, Holly, Hannah and Grace Mangelsen, Jerry Sexton and Art Hephner.

Judy Albee attended a retirement party Saturday afternoon for Dick Schlapper. Later she visited Jeanne Taczala and then was a supper guest of Beverly Brunclik.

Weekend guests of Ronda and Maynard Mangelsen were Gabriel and Tina Larson and their children Jordan, Hayden and Abigail, and Gabe’s sister, Samantha Larson. Saturday visitors there were Mike and Nancy Longhenry, Sarah and Jayden Brown and Matt Lester.

Dylan Longhenry visited on Sunday.

Karen and Hank Mangelsen were dinner guests of Gerry and Donna Hines Sunday.

Don and Lida Nordquist, Lawrence and Nina Hines, Hank and Karen Mangelsen, Judy Albee and Beth Crosby were among those who attended the dance at Indian Creek Sunday afternoon. It was in honor of Donald Anderson for his 80th birthday.

Hank and Karen Mangelsen visited Cal and Carol Romsos at their Spencer Lake campsite late Sunday afternoon.

Roger and Sue Mroszak visited Don and Pat Israel Sunday evening.

Siren

Have you seen them yet? The young ones of forest and fields. Small cubs make sure they stay close to mom so as not to get left behind. Even some of the birds are now out of the nest sitting on branches, noisily begging their parents to feed them. The best things I have seen so far this year are the tiny triplet fawns on tiny legs trying to keep up to mom as she took them from one side of the road to the other, or maybe the pair of trumpeter swans on Little Doctor Lake with their three or four young ones trailing behind. It’s really amazing to me how these little ones will learn to be on their own usually after just a summer of growing. It takes us years, and then sometimes we still aren’t really ready to go it alone.

The Siren Ag club and Community Ag Association will hold their 23rd-annual Dairy Breakfast at the Grant and Mary Burdick farm in Clam Falls. Breakfast starts at 6 a.m. and goes until noon. All your favorites too: pancakes, ham, cheese, milk and, of course, ice cream will be served. Plus a petting zoo for the young and old alike to enjoy. Proceeds from this go to the Community Ag Association scholarship fund. For more info call 349-7411.

Price for adults is $5 and kids 6 to 12 is $3.

The humane society is hosting a furry family reunion on Sat., June 16, at the humane society north of Siren on Midtown Road. For more info call 866-4096.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life walk last Friday at the Webster High School track had a great turnout. Both cancer survivors and just walkers, walked.

There were many activities going on plus lots of great

Karen Mangelsen

Bev Beckmark

food. The Siren Methodist Church Sunday school walked and took in $1,681.20 for cancer.

The first visitors to the new Art and Bev Beckmark home on Hwy. 70 last Friday to watch the huge crane set the house on the basement were Stan and Erna Lueck of Siren.

The Siren Methodist Church parishioners enjoyed a potato bake and silent auction after church services Sunday.

Sympathy to the family of Melvin E. Winberg who passed away June 3.

There’s a fundraiser coming up at the Moose Lodge north of Siren on Saturday, June 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. to help the sheriff’s department purchase a speed board.

Tickets are $5 if bought at the sheriff’s office or $6 at the door, and kids under 12 are $4.

Congratulations to Jim Siler for being chosen Capeside Cove’s employee of the month.

Congratulations to little elementary student Jade Horstman for being chosen Siren school’s student of the week.

The Siren Methodist Women made over 70 baby blankets, quilts and afghans that Pastor Mike Ascher, Marilyn Lemieux and LaVonne Boyer of the Lewis church delivered to the Wisconsin Conference they attended this past week.

Art and Bev Beckmark made a quick trip to Cambridge, Minn., on Monday to meet her sister, Mary Lou and her husband, Mark Olson, for lunch.

Birthday open house for Ethel Daniels

Happy Corners Mardel Barnette and Shawn were New Richmond shoppers on Wednesday forenoon.

Mardel Barnette and Shawn visited Vern Catlin on Wednesday evening.

Mardel Barnette and Shawn visited at the Gene Doster home on Friday afternoon.

Mardel Barnette and Shawn visited Vern Catlin on Saturday afternoon.

Happy birthday to: Lucille Heganberth, Jenny Arnes, Hazel Poiner and Geri Pott.

Family and friends of longtime Siren resident Ethel Daniels came together for an open house at Bethany Lutheran Church Sunday, June 10, to celebrate her 80th birthday. She is pictured center, front with sons: Dana, Greg and Galen and their families, along with the Rick Engstrom family. The room was decorated with pink roses and displayed photos of 80 wonderful years. – Photo submitted

PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

TOWN TALK/COUNTRY CHATTER Dolly is a 6- to possibly 10-yearold longhair female mini dachshund. She has a soft red coat that is regaining its original glossy shine with a good diet at the shelter.

Dolly was found hiding in a garage and came to the shelter as a stray.

She has not enjoyed the best of care in her previous home. Dolly is Arnell afraid of being outdoors and will need gentle persuasion to convince Humane her otherwise. She has an identifySociety ing tattoo and is in desperate need of dental care. All of these traits lead us to believe she was used as a breeding dog at a puppy mill.

Dolly is a gentle soul. She quietly allows all handling and watches all that goes on with her large brown eyes. She approaches strangers with reserve and a slight wag of her tail. This is a good sign that tells us she has not completely lost trust in people and will make a good pet for the right household.

The Annual Shelter Garage Sale was a huge success taking in nearly $2,500. Thank you to all who took the time to find, pack up and donate items for the sale. An extra special thank you to Pam Carson and her crew of two, JoAnn Alling and Lavina Schletty AKA Mom. These three very important volunteers marked virtually every item donated to the sale and 80 percent of those items were marked under $2. It took them an estimated 60 hours to mark the contents of a single-car garage and an enclosed 20-foot trailer. They were unloading that trailer and setting up tables at 6:30 a.m. and continued to work the sale throughout the day.

The set up and sales crew had their work cut out for them with a steady supply of customers. Gratitude is extended to Kris Bibeau, Charlotte Erickson,

St. Croix Valley Senior Center

HAPPY TAILS

AWAIT

Hello, Fritz here! Rruff, it’s been a busy week here at the shelter. The angels have been repainting the inside of our home here, the fresh paint always brightens things up.

We are all excited about the upcoming Furry Family Reunion this Saturday at 10 a.m. Plan to stop in and visit with everyone! There will be Fritz games for us canines and food for everyone. Even if you don’t have NEWS FROM a furry friend to bring, you should still stop in and join the fun.

I have a few friends here with me waiting for good homes. Waffle is a young, female, Lab mix with love for everyone. Zen is a 3year-old black Lab mix, he’s at that perfect age where he’s just starting to calm down but still has lots of pep. And Dollar is a young yellow Lab mix who loves the water. Dollar would be in heaven if he could share your lake home, boat, canoe or even just fun with the garden hose. Last but not least is

YOUR SHELTER

472-8285

Dixon, a friendly, 1-year-old spaniel/border collie mix.

The warm weather we’ve been having reminds me it’s thunderstorm and fireworks season. Seems we always have a few more stray dogs brought in after a storm and right around the Fourth of July.

Thunderstorms and loud fireworks can scare the fleas off even the bravest of us canines and we do what comes natural –we run! Please keep your dog safely contained during storms and fireworks. Give them a safe spot away from the noise in a corner of the house or in their crate.

Before I wag off for this week, I need to do a bit of begging. We could really use a good hair clipper for grooming. Some of my friends come in just full of mats and snarls and need a good buzz cut! Also we need a panel kennel for outside, 6’ by 12’ would be perfect. Please consider donating either of these items if you can. And thanks for all that you already do, we couldn’t stay open without you!

With your help HSBC is saving lives, one at a time. www.hsburnettcty.org, 715-866-4096.

Luck Senior Center

The Luck Senior Center will be closed this Thursday, June 14, in memory of Pearl Jensen. Pearl passed away Sunday, and her funeral will be held at the Bone Lake Lutheran Church (Hwy. 48 and CTH I) at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Visitation will be at the Rowe Funeral Home in Luck from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13. Pearl served at the center for many years. The past few weeks she had been helping me serve at the center. Did you see our picture and article in the Leader last week?

Gratitude is extended to Nancy Larsen for her M&M bars, cake and Danish Kringle and to Bone Lake friend Martha Salfest for her Amish friendship bread and banana bread. It all was much appreciated.

Our monthly potluck will be on Friday, June 29, at 6

Fran Krause

Dennis Carson, Kay McGrath, Sherry Hanson, Marsha Hart, Carey Maloney and Mark Given. A good time was had by all. It is always great fun to learn which items are marked too high and which ones too low. Everyone has a story or reason for their thrifty purchases. This year we met a man who hangs bowling balls from his trees! Thank you to the volunteers and buyers. You made the sale a success.

The shelter is full of playful kittens and friendly dogs waiting for homes. Currently waiting are two shepherd mixes and a female German shepherd, a yellow Lab, an elderly springer spaniel, a chocolate Lab and Dolly, to name a few. The kittens keep coming; too many to name. Paula and Pearl are two pure-white shorthair spayed female cats waiting for homes.

Arnell Memorial Humane Society, 185 Griffin St. E., Amery 715-268-7387 or visit our pets online: www.amhs.petfinder.com.

p.m. We will also be celebrating June birthdays. Karoline White, middle school teacher at Unity Middle School will give a presentation on her many trips to Nepal. Mark this date on your calendar, Friday, June 29, 6 p.m. and bring a friend or two. It should be a very interesting evening. I want to find out what Katmandu is all about, don’t you?

Things won’t be the same, now that Pearl is gone. I’m sure going to miss her. I’ll always remember her smiling face! God bless you Pearl, you were a gem!

Don’t forget the foot ladies at the center this Friday, June 15, from 1-3 p.m. Call the center to make an appointment.

Orange

A Webster teachers’ retirement party was held at Fox Run Thursday evening to honor Cheri Ammend and Nancy Meindel. Jack and Jeri Witzany, Pam Peterson and Fran Krause were among those attending.

The Orange 4-H Club served milk and cheese products from 4-6 p.m., at Burnett Dairy on Friday. Elaine Scott, Ethel Daniels and Maxine Stone enjoyed the dairy products there.

The Steve O’Brien family spent the weekend with Pat and Nancy O’Brien.

Sunday visitors of Marvel Merriam were Dennis, Gary

Shirley Lund

LaVonne O’Brien

and Billie Gravesen.

On Saturday, Reeny Neinstadt and family and Sandy Johnson and family attended Annie Coveau’s wedding at the Fort. The Johnson grandchildren are spending the week at the Neinstadts.

Ethel Daniels celebrated her 80th birthday Sunday afternoon at Bethany Lutheran Church with relatives and friends. Those from Orange attending were Maxine Stone, Pam Peterson, Elaine and Charles Scott and Fran Krause.

Dottie Adams

We had our craft sale on June 9. We also had a bake sale. It all went very well. The city of St. Croix Falls had an arts and craft sale with vendors on Main Street.

Our Tuesday afternoon domino winners were: Janice Mevissen in first place, Donna Schlosser in second place, Jean McIntyre in third place. 500 card winners were: Cliff Qualle in first place, Audrey McNevlin in second place, Don Benson in third place, Elaine Edlund in fourth place and Delores Schimd in fifth place.

We should not look at or listen to the one we feel is making us angry and causing us to suffer. In fact, the main root of our suffering is the seed of anger in us. The other person may have said or done something unskillful or unmindful. But his/her unskilled words or actions arise from his/her own suffering. He/she may just be needing some relief, hoping to survive. The excessive suffering of one person will very often overflow into others. A person who is suffering needs our help, not our anger.

Thursday evening 500 card winners were: JoAnn Gehrman in first place, Norm Schmeckpeper in second place, Leona Montgomery in third place, Jack Lund in fourth place.

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Lewis

Bernice Abrahamzon

Members of the NW Regional Writers met Friday at Big Gust Apts., Grantsburg. Present were Mary Jacobsen, Boyd Sutton, Doris Hanson, Russ Hanson and wife, Margo, Alice Ford, Eunice Kanne, Don Miller, Val Johnson and Bernice Abrahamzon.

The next meeting of the NW Regional Writers will be at Osceola, combining with PoCo Penners for a noon potluck at the apartment house where Iris Holm resides. The date is July 13. Bring a dish to pass and a short, original article/poem to real aloud. This get-together is becoming an annual tradition.

Members of the Scrabble Club met at noon on Monday for a potluck lunch celebrating birthdays of Donna Erickson and June Benson.

The Larry Reed estate auction is set for 10 a.m. this Sunday at his home located behind the Lewis church. See the ad in the Indianhead Advertiser. A lot of shop equipment, etc.

The war on potato bugs has begun in local gardens. They must winter over in the soil. A few bear paw prints in gardens, too.

Sheila Staples and Rick Abrahamzon attended the bluegrass concert near Spooner Friday night and again on Saturday. Lots of people there, including Starr and Carl Warndahl and Brad Alden, etc.

Since my column last week, I’ve learned that quite a few couples did marry on a Sunday (even if Sunday wasn’t listed as a good wedding day).

School’s out so watch out for children crossing streets, wild in their newly-found freedom.

LaVerne Leep enjoyed visiting with and lunching with her cousin, Joyce, from California one day last week at the Pour House in Siren. Others joined them there, too.

Skip Ford brought the message at the Sunday, June 10, service at Lewis and Siren U.M. churches. At Lewis, Phil Schaetzel and Robin Peterson assisted, with Gloria Chell at the piano. The choir sang “I Shall Not Be Moved.”

Alice and Charles Ford served lunch after the service.

Good food, good fellowship. Nice to have Margaret and Vernon Ulick with us again.

The Lewis UMW will meet this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. with Esther Schallenberger as hostess.

Terri Pearson and others are having a yard sale this coming weekend. See ad in the shopper for hours and days.

Sheila Staples and Bernice Abrahamzon visited at the Vernon Peterson farm Sunday after noon for his rock and mineral sale. They topped off the afternoon with a frosty mug of root beer at Webster drive-in.

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 9

Waiting Child

Theresa

Date of birth: April 2, 1991

Sandra

Date of birth: May 7, 1993 Theresa is a 15-year-old young lady who has a lot going for her. An active teen, she has a great outlook on her life. She earns good grades and also enjoys a variety of school activities such as band, track, swimming and volleyball. Theresa recently got braces to make her smile as bright as her personality.

Theresa and Sandra have been through a lot in their lives but have stuck together, and the sisters have a very tight bond. The girls enjoy many activities and hope to become part of an active family. They really enjoy camping, gardening, sewing and crafts.

Sandra, like Theresa, is a great student who truly values her education. Sandra would like a potential forever family to know that she loves animals and small children. In fact, she aspires to becoming a pediatrician in the future.

She enjoys many activities including camping, painting and making crafts. Sandra also enjoys writing in her spare time, as she feels she can express herself best by writing. Sandra is also an athlete. Most recently, she was a member of her school volleyball team.

Both of these girls have wonderful personalities and are well-behaved, good girls.

For more information about Sandra and Theresa, or other children waiting for adoptive homes, call Adoption Resources of Wisconsin, 800-762-8063, or visit the Web site at www.wiadopt.org.

Births Vernon and Myrna Bistram, Siren, are pleased to announce the birth of their granddaughter, Lauren Ann, born to Brentt and Sara Michalek of Petosky, Mich. Lauren was born June 8 and weighed 9 lbs., 15 oz.

•••

Born at St. Croix Regional Medical Center:

A girl, Sariah Holly Sanchez. Born May 31, 2007, to Jessica and Guilebaldo Sanchez, Luck. Sariah weighed 10 lbs., 3 oz.

••• A girl, Ava Rae Fisk, born June 1, 2007, to Courtney Crowell and Kyle Fisk, Centuria. Ava weighed 6 lbs., 10 oz.

••• A boy, Wyatt Michael Larson, born June 1, 2007, to Dawn and Scott Larson, Balsam Lake. Wyatt weighed 6 lbs., 11 oz.

••• A girl, Montana Lu Kallevang, born June 1, 2007, to Keegan and Felecia Kallevang, Webster. Montana weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz.

••• A boy, Riley Jeremiah Johnson, born June 2, 2007, to Ashley and Jeremiah Johnson, Osceola. Riley weighed 8 lbs., 5 oz.

••• A boy, Phoenix Odin Nelson, born June 5, 2007, to Lacey Nelson. Phoenix weighed 5 lbs.

•••

Frederic 1913 Louis Copeland runs for Polk County Judge in this year. An advertisement in an ad says: Frederic Auto and Horse Livery, C.O. Johnson, proprietor. All kinds of rigs furnished on short notice. Office on Wisconsin Avenue. (I wonder if this location was behind the clinic Betty in 1913.)

Fenton 2,030 pounds of butter were shipped out of here this week. The Clam Falls Creamery shipped 12 HISTORICAL tubs, and West Sweden 17.

VIGNETTES C.M. Stevens has purchsed the sawmill machinery formerly in W.W. Seary’s hoop mill and will move it to Markville where a mill will be erected.

Bishop Quayle will dedicate the M.E. Church, who is a well-known orator and is beyond doubt the widest-read and most original of all the bishops today. Excavating was begun last October under the direction of Mr. Chas. Howard. The walls were built of concrete blocks, the floor of cement, the walls furrowed, lathed and plastered to prevent dampness, the earth on the entire southside removed and extra windows placed to admit the sunlight, a hot-air furnace installed to heat the entire church and the entire structure wired for electric lights. The basement has been divided into rooms suitable for services in all departments of the church work. This room is of sufficient size to seat 100, at the rear are smaller rooms suitable for class meetings. These rooms may be used for public lectures and socials given by the league and young people of the church. The Ladies Aid is holding its meetings, also serving refreshments from the splendid kitchen, provided and furnished with a stove and kitchen utensils. A new roof is being put on the building. The complete church is a credit to any community many times the size of this.

A regular old Dakota blizzard came through, delaying the mail route and delaying traffic. (Four feet deep). Typesetters wanted, man, woman, boy or girl who can set two or three galleys a day.

W.M. Peterson opened the Lewis Merchantile Co., Lewis. People from all over the country were present to witness the first formal opening of a business concern in the new village. It is estimated that not less than 700 people were on the ground, a number going up from Frederic, as well as Luck. West Sweden and Clam Falls were well-represented and many came down from the country north of Lewis. The dance given by Mr. And Mrs. Chas. Lewis in the evening was so well-attended, that for a time, it was far too crowded to dance. The music was good, and those who could not dance listened to the popular songs that were sung and played by the orchestra.

The machinery for the new woolen mill is all installed and set up, and with a little adjustment, will be ready and in operation by the first of April.

At the meeting of the village board, the bids for the erection of a water tank were opened. The lowest bid was made by the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Co. of Minneapolis, Minn., their bid being $2,693. The tank is to have a capacity of 300 gallons and will be erected on a tower of 80-feet high. The work is to be completed by July 1. The tanks that are now being used by the village have been sold to Pederson Bros. of Luck who will use them as oil storage tanks.

Postage stamps were 6 cents.

Groceries: Yeast foam, 3 pkgs., 9 cents, Arm & Hammer soda, 7 cents, Good coffee 20¢ per lb.,

Blacksmith Repair Shop men’s work shirts were 45 cents and overalls were 95 cents. Down-to-the-minute price on a range stove, with asbestos mill boarded with a copper reservior, Alaska handle and pot rests and frames. The body is fully protected and has heavy hinges. The price is $50.

The Frederic Mercantile Company made a large shipment of potatoes, consisting of 2,800 bushels, or five carloads (railroad cars).

D.F. Bucksbee sold a half interest in his blacksmith shop to Wm. Sahr, and hereafter the business will be run under the name of Bucksbee & Sahr.

Insurance for cyclones, the cost was only 20 cents for $100 of tornado insurance in the village of Frederic.

The Frederic Creamery Association has rented the creamery building to C.O. Lennartz of Cedarburg, who will install some new machinery, and for the first time make butter in Frederic. It is planned to have the creamery in operation by May 15.

Several businesses in Frederic have changed hands. Oscar Dahlbert bought a half interest of his brother Ed in the sawmill; W. Sahr purchased an interest in the local blacksmith shop; B.J. Simon sold his barbershop to R.R. Hatfield; the lumberyard was sold to the Pederson Brothers of Luck; the Meat Market sold to Weguines & Reitz, both old experienced butchers; and the barbershop has been rented by Earl Simon.

The town was startled by the blowing of the fire whistle. Fire had caught in the grove back of the Catholic church from some stalk piles that were burning on the Geo. Williams lots, endangering the buildings at Robert Grimh’s and the Catholic church.

Some careless person had started a fire somewhere in the neighborhood of the graveyard, and under the heavy wind, was traveling rapidly towards the Swedish Church.

Frederic wins their first game of the season. They defeated the Balsam Lakers, final score three to two.

Dr. R.G. Arveson stepped out on the diamond and threw the first ball. – from Betty Fenton, director of Public Relations Frederic Area Historical Society

Potatoes being shipped

PAGE 10 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS

Amery Public Library “The Reluctant Fundamentalist,” by Mohsin Hamed At a café table in Lahore, Pakistan, a bearded man strikes up a conversation with an American saying that he has a story to tell him.

His tale is of a brilliant young Pakistani man named Changez who is raised in a privileged, if not wealthy, family. Changez heads to America for college, accepted at Princeton where he finishes at the top of his class. There in the elite eastern college atmosphere he thrives, and when he is chosen by a top firm after graduation, a firm which does valuations of businesses worldwide, it seems that his path is clear. On a nonstop career track, he works diligently and meets a beautiful young woman named Erica, who he befriends. Erica is still sad over the loss of her fiancée and soulmate, Chris who succumbed to lung cancer.

After the attack on New York’s Twin Towers on Sept. 11, Changez finds himself changing; he loses his drive at work, he starts to long to be back in Pakistan, he feels misunderstood and looked at differently by the people he meets, and Erica seems to be slipping away from him.

An affecting book which looks at the world from a different viewpoint post 9/11, Hamid’s book is well written and exciting. It will be interesting to see what he writes next.

Library notes Summer Reading started on June 11.

Our theme this year is Get a Clue at Your Library. Stop in and sign up for summer reading and fun. Our special program on June 20, will be the Minnesota Percussion Trio. They will perform at 10:30 a.m. This program is free and open to the public.

Story time on the road behind the Twin Pines apartments on Minneapolis Avenue will begin with Christinia and Kaitlyn on June 18, at 5 p.m. under the big trees. Stop in for stories and crafts.

This program will run through July every Monday night at 5 p.m.

The Friends of the Library book group will meet on June 21, at 7 p.m., to discuss “One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd” by Jim Fergus.

Pick up a book at the circulation desk and join us if you are interested.

The Teens Read book group meets on June 25, to discuss “Falling Through the Earth” by Danielle Trussoni. Pick up a copy at the circulation desk and join us if you are a teen. We meet at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with subs and pop.

Every Tuesday at 5 p.m. is Otaku Club which is for teens who like manga and anime. Stop in and join if you are a teen.

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.

Clear Lake Public Library New Arrivals: DVDs: “Hulk” (2-disc special edition); “Fun with Dick and Jane;” “Wallace & Gromit: The curse of the Were-rabbit;” “Hoot;” “Hardball”; “Fly Away Home;” “Duma;” “Snow Dogs;” “The Mask of Zorro;” “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen;” “Must Love Dogs;” “The Last Samurai;” “Mythbusters” Season One from the Discovery Channel.

Adult fiction books: “Last Look” by Mariah Stewart; “The Good Guy” by Dean Koontz; “Dedication” by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (authors of “The Nanny Diaries”).

Young adult fiction books: “Charlie Bone and the Beast” (#6 in the series); “Jango” by William Nicholson (#2 in The Noble Warriors series); “The Off Season” by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (author of “Dairy Queen”); “Maximum Ride: Saving The World and Other Extreme Sports” by James Patterson; “Girl at Sea” by Maureen Johnson (author of “Little Blue Envelopes”).

Library hours: Monday: Noon – 7 p.m.; Tuesday noon – 6 p.m.; Wednesday 3 – 9 p.m.; Thursday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Friday: noon – 5 p.m.; and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. We can be reached by phone at 715-263-2802 or by e-mail at clearlakepl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

June activities June 20, 6:30 p.m. and June 21, 10 a.m.: Story time about bugs. Also, we will be making Father’s Day cards June 22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Friends of the Library Annual Plant and Book sale June 25, 6 p.m.: Teen Movie Night.

Come join us to watch “Eragon,” eat some popcorn and drink lemonade.

June 27, 4:30 p.m.: Knitting and crocheting group June 27, 6:30 p.m. and June 28, 10 a.m.: Story time about butterflies New nonfiction arrivals “Crochet Kid Stuff” “Baby Quilts: 15 original designs for every nursery decor” “Architectural Trim: Ideas. inspiration and practical advice for adding wainscoting, mantels, built-ins, baseboards, cornices, casings, and columns to your home” “Black & Decker Outdoor Fix-It 101” “The Wild Butcher: From Field to Table” “The Good Behavior Book for Dogs” “Wisconsin Waterfalls” “Memory Quilts: 20 heartwarming projects with special techniques” “Design your Natural Midwest Garden” “Black Bear Hunting: Expert Strategies for Success”

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

Library hours

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

Story time

Summer reading begins June 12. Registration for Get a Clue…at Your Library will be required this year. Summer reading will

be Tuesday mornings at 10-11 a.m., for children, 3 to first grade. Children entering third grade this fall and older, may participate in the independent reading portion of summer reading.

Contact the library at 715-755-2944 which is our telephone and FAX number or e-mail us at www.dresser pl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Our Web site, www.dresserpubliclibrary.org. also has information about story times, days closed, reference links, library policy and much more.

Milltown Public Library Summer Reading Program Eight lucky winners have received prizes from the Milltown Drive Inn, the Village Market, St. Croix Mini Golf and Go Karts, and Wild Mountain, as part of the Summer Reading Program weekly drawings. Join the fun! Register for the Summer Reading Program at the Milltown Library front desk, then bring home your reading record sheets and start reading! You increase your chances to win one of the many weekly prize drawings, or even the grand prize iPod, by completing and turning in as many reading record sheets as possible. We will draw for prizes every Friday at 5 p.m. and will notify the winners. The Summer Reading Program is open to everyone – kids and adults. As part of this program we’ll also offer many exciting events, in which you can reserve your spot by registering at www.milltownpubliclibrary. org. Also, check out our art table in the front of the library, which will have supplies and instructions for a different project each week!

Author visit “Knitting for Peace” author Betty Christiansen will visit the Milltown Public Library on Saturday, June 30, at 1 p.m. to discuss her book and charity work.

Bring your knitting sticks and skills if you’d like to help out with a project during the author’s presentation and Q and A session. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

We are wireless Bring your laptops to the Milltown Public Library and enjoy our new, free, fast wireless Internet access. No more waiting for an open computer! Surf the net from a comfortable chair! No time limits! Network repairs have recently been made and the WiFi is once again as fast as ever.

Story hour Milltown Public Library offers two story times every Tuesday. The morning story time begins at 10 a.m. Can’t make it in the morning? We will repeat the program at 6:30 p.m. Story times are free and are designed for children under 6 and their caregivers. Each story time lasts 30 to 45 minutes and includes time to browse and check out books.

Gratitude Gratitude is extended to everyone who attended, and/or volunteered, at the “Vanished” historical exhibit at Frederic and Milltown public libraries last week.

Your support for this educational program is very helpful in encouraging more learning opportunities of this type in our communities. Check our Web site at www.milltownpubliclibrary.org to see what else we have planned to enrich your summer.

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

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 books go to http://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 program is still accepting applications. For more information please contact Molly Kessler at 715 485-8680. - submitted

Luck Public Library June will be an exciting time for the younger readers at the Luck Library. We will be starting our new June Your Readers Club on Tuesday evenings. Children

between the ages of 5 and 10 are encouraged to come to the library and read with a partner. You can bring your own partner - maybe a parent, sibling, grandparent or

Clear Lake Public Library

friend, or read with one of our volunteers.

This is a great way to brush up on reading out loud and share time with a friend. We have got some cool new books just for this

Milltown Public Library

program, not to mention treats and prizes.

So come and join us anytime between the 6:30 and 8 p.m., every Tuesday in June.

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 11

POLK COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS Frederic Public Library Library bake and book sale Be sure to drop in during the Frederic Family Days celebration for the annual book and bake sale Friday from 10 a.m.

– 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., where you will find a huge collection of library materials and other items at great prices. All kinds of homemade food items will also be offered for sale and can be brought to the library Friday morning.

World War II books from TRACES The library purchased a number of publications on World War II history from the TRACES organization when the traveling exhibit came to Frederic this past week. The books will soon be processed and available for checkout.

The library continues to collect historical materials that reflect the Midwest and Wisconsin in particular, so please check our shelves often for new arrivals.

Don’t forget Wednesday morning story times Preschoolers and early elementary children are invited (with their caregivers) to meet at the library on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. for an hour of books, activities and fun.

Our readers come from a group of wonderful volunteers who will share their talents with us; if you would like to volunteer to be a reader this summer,

please contact the library.

Reading groups meet June 21 The Thursday morning reading group will meet June 21, at 10:30 a.m. to discuss “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, a novel set in 1950s Spain. The 10-year-old son of a widowed bookstore owner discovers a rare novel by an obscure author, and when he tries to find more of his books he learns about a horribly disfigured man who has been burning every copy he can find of the author’s novels. The evening book group will meet the same day at 7 p.m. to talk about “Everything Is Illuminated” by Jonathan Safran Foer.

With only a yellowing photograph in hand, a young man sets out to find the woman who might or might not have saved his grandfather from the Nazis.

The reading groups always welcome new members.

Library hours at a glance Regular library hours are Mon. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Wed., Thurs., Fri. 10 a.m. 5 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The library is closed on Tuesdays.

How to contact the library Frederic Public Library, 127 Oak Street West. 715-327-4979; e-mail fredericpl@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Centuria Public Library Don’t forget – Family nights coming Stop by the Centuria Public Library and pick up your information about the Family Read Nights being held on Thursday evenings in the month of July.

Free prizes will be awarded for every night that you attend. Come on Thursday, July 5, at 6:30 to register and receive your first prize. Don’t miss the great stories, the lively presenters, and the exciting programs. Check out all of the new books that are in the library for young children, the latest books for young adult readers, and the newest DVDs, books on CD, and adult books that are waiting on the shelves for everyone to check out.

Library book sale The Centuria Public Library is now ac-

cepting book donations to be sold on our annual Memory Days book sale coming on Saturday, July 7. If you have any books in good condition that you would like to donate to the library for the book sale, please bring them to the library during library hours and library staff will be happy to take them. The money made from the book sale goes towards the purchase of new library books and library improvements.

Hours The Centuria Public Library is open Monday from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., closed Friday, and open 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

St. Croix Falls Public Library Saturday talk about the book club The book club meets the second Saturday of the month, 1:30 p.m. at Goochie Noochie’s in downtown St Croix Falls.

Call if you have any questions 483-1777.

Did I read this already?

Now you can track what you have read through the MORE system’s My History. Check it out on the Web site.

Get a Clue at the Library The fun begins June 13, 10:30 a.m.

Stop in and see all the great programs we have lined up for June and July.

Technology Free wireless access is available at the library. Also, visit the library’s revamped Web site to find out what’s happening @ the Library. www.stcroixfallslibrary.org.

New titles Summer is the perfect time to explore

“The Dangerous Book for Boys” by Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden. This handbook includes instructions for building a go-cart to lists of baseball’s most valuable players and a disclaimer inside the front cover…Have fun!

Story hour Listen to stories, creat great art and have fun with other kids and parents every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. at St. Croix Falls Public Library story hour!

Hours, contact Our hours are Monday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Story hour friends at the St. Croix Falls Library. Some Good Samaratan Rresidents joined the story hour gang for books about colors, face painting by Dotty and fun art activities.

Osceola Public Library Hours, contact

Our hours are Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from noon to

5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our phone number is 715-294-2310, and our Web address is www.osceolapubliclibrary.org.

Balsam Lake Public Library Story time School is out so head to the library for story time. Story time is at 11 a.m. every Wednesday here at the library. Wednesday, June 20 we will be celebrating Dairy Month with special stories, crafts and ice cream for a snack! All ages are welcome to join us for stories, crafts, music and snacks. We also have many new puppets that can be checked out for home use.

New books Some of our new books include “Bungalow 2” by Danielle Steel, “Double Agents” by Web Griffin, “Sleeping Doll”

by Jeffrey Deaver, “Spare Change” by Robert Parker, “The Good Guy” by Dean Koontz and nonfiction – “The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods” by Missy Lapine.

Books on the Beach Books on the Beach are back with something for every reader’s taste. Read at the beach or bring the books home.

Return to the beach when you’re finished if you’re able. Read, swim, sunbathe - what a way to spend a lazy summer afternoon.

Tales with Tails Children read aloud to Ruby, a service dog, and her owner Carolyn Peterson. This will be every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., starting June 20. Ruby loves to listen to stories - sometimes her eyes close, but she is listening. Please call and sign up for a time at 715-4853215.

Book club Book club will meet Wednesday June 20, at 3 p.m. - all ages welcome. Selection for June - “The Education of Little Tree” by Forrest Carter.

After his parents die, a young boy called Little Tree is raised by his Chero-

kee grandparents in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee during the 1930s. The novel follows Little Tree’s daily life as he helps his grandparents learn to stand up for their rights, and in the process he learns a great deal about standing up for his own. As the novel progresses, Little Tree describes the simple life lessons he learns by living in touch with nature.

Knitting group Our knitting group will take the summer off and resume in the fall. Check paper for details later.

Friends group During Balsam Lake’s Freedom Fest, Friends of the Library will be hosting their annual book sale Saturday, June 30, from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. We will be taking donated books up until Friday, June 29.

We have many books - something for everyone, so come early and stock up on your reading materials.

Events Rubber stamping class - Saturday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at the library. Learn how to start making your own cards, invitations and name tags.

Instructor has been rubber-stamping for years and makes beautiful cards. All ages welcome.

Summer events will be starting in June and the library will be hosting programs twice a month throughout the summer - more details to follow.

Hours Balsam Lake Library, (under the water tower) at 404 Main St., Balsam Lake. Hours are Monday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Email: balsamlakepl@ifls.lib.wi.us Web site www.balsamlakepubliclibrary.org.

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

Exotic rocks abound on Peterson’s farm Vernon Peterson is a retired 88-yearold Siren-area farmer who, when he wasn’t picking rocks from his fields, went searching for rocks while traveling the country and the world. The driveway of his home is lined with an awesome collection of rocks piled seemingly haphazardly, but Peterson can tell you the name of each and where he found, or bought, it.

Last year, he decided that he’d better decrease the volume of rocks before they forced him out of house and home.

Not only his house, but three outbuild-

ings are crammed with rocks…they still are, despite the two sales last year and one just last weekend.

“We had a big turnout so it’s a marvel we still have so many. But we enjoy the sales, so much fun, with so many good friendly people.

I’m still saving a bunch of rocks for myself, I enjoy them too much,

Rosemarie Vezina Braatz

A ST. CROIX TALE

A stromatolite, containing an early form of life, came from an iron mine in Biwabik, Minn. – Photos submitted

Vernon Peterson points to a Brazilian agate among the pile of exotic rocks that line his driveway.

What really is important to you?

Last month I had the honor and the privilege of being present at the death of my mother. Though my heart was greatly saddened, I also knew that I was being gifted one of those raw, awe-inspiring moments that life graciously offers to us. The kind of moment that feels like it might break one in two and yet at the same time, feels very real, transforming, healing and human.

Being present at a death allows us the privilege of seeing a glimpse of our own future as we watch that brave person valiantly pass through that thin, translucent veil between here and there. A soul event that graces us with the permission to review our own life and reflect on what really is important to us. It is a time to simmer.

In Jewish tradition there are seven days after a death, called a Shiva, that allow mourners time to simmer and re-

flect. Instinctively I think we know that after any big life event we need this internal time to process. But do we actuJane F. Meinz ally allow for it?

When I returned home to my life I was keenly aware of the conflict between my desire to simply quietly reflect and the demand of all the noisy, pending “to dos” that were there just as I had left them. At first it seemed that all these tasks and projects were greatly unimportant, silly even. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word important as: “Carrying a great deal of weight or value; sig-

Sky’s the Limit

but I also want to share with others.

“And of course, we’re not spring chickens, we have some health problems, so don’t get around easily anymore,” Peterson adds.

“There are rocks from 65 nations,” he points out, “including thulite brought back from a trip to Norway, and a specimen from Nova Scotia, the home of the tiniest dinosaurs.”

Blue azurite from a mine in Arizona, petrified wood from Wyoming, agate from Teepee Canyon in South Dakota, glass from a quarry in Jamestown, Va., poppy jasper, zebra agate from Utah, the variety seems endless.

Peterson, who was born and raised on a farm neighboring his present place, says he became interested in rocks and minerals and artifacts at the age of 14 when he found an arrowhead while helping a neighbor plant potatoes.

That interest has led to a veritable museum housed in his home, garage, barns and various outbuildings on the 600-acre farm now operated by son Niles. A sign at the entrance reads, “Fairview Dairy Farm.”

When Peterson and his wife, Gwen, moved onto the place they lived first, a log house where they raised their five children. It is now also filled with collections, the Petersons, having moved into a rambler they built nearby. That, too, is filled with collections.

On the living room coffee table are balls of marble, feldspar crystals, a whale backbone, a petrified walrus penis, petrified dinosaur dung, am-

monites from Texas oil country, fossils fixed in iron ore, opal, sapphire, pipestone quarried nearby in northern Wisconsin, a chunk of float copper carried by glaciers that once covered northern Wisconsin.

Among Peterson’s collections are also electric line insulators, barbed wire strands, meat grinders (he’s still searching for a Maytag model), and particularly, an extensive logging/lumbering display. Peterson’s wife incidentally, is an avid orchid collector.

Peterson, who served for 28 years on the board of Daniels Township, offered to set up a lumbering museum for the village of Siren, asking only that the village provide a 40’x120’ building to house it.

“It was almost a done deal,” Peterson comments, “but then there was a change of members on the village council and they decided against building.”

Peterson is still hoping they will have a change of heart.

Peterson and a fellow rock collector, Bernice Abrahamzon of nearby Lewis, are the only two original members of the Indianhead Rock and Mineral Society, which they founded some 41 years ago. Some 39 to 49 members meet monthly, April to October, hold a dinner in November, and disband to hunt for rocks and minerals in other parts of the country. - Sponsored by the St. Croix Falls Historical Society

nificant; noteworthy.” As I brewed in my reflection time I came to the realization that it wasn’t so much the task or project itself that was so unimportant but that it was the amount of importance that I gave it.

This awareness was very freeing for me as it did not require that I must have only certain philosophically approved thoughts or events that had to be important in my life, say like, global hunger or world peace. Mowing my lawn and wanting my yard to look nice could still be important to me; however, it now only carried a small amount of weight not a large one. As a bonus, this awareness also kept me off my existential high horse of judging what other people should or should not be deeming important to them.

Any task, project or object in our lives can still be important to us, but in the big scheme of things we get to choose the value that we place on it. That given value may also shift and change with time. My mother often told the story of

when she was young, in the Great Depression, walking to school on a winter day and finding a penny frozen in the ice. She used her tin lunch box to chip away the ice to get that precious penny.

Even at that young age she knew that penny was very important for survival and so it carried a lot of weight. At age 88 that penny was now no longer so important but preparing herself for her death was. Value had shifted.

I have the personal belongings of my mother that were around her in the last couple years of her life. These were the treasures that mattered most to her. Her favorite pearl necklace, a glass vase from her mother, pictures of her children, her wedding ring. Each of them was of great importance to her and held the memories of her life. In her passing, I can only guess that perhaps these things are still important, just not as much.

“Louie the Voyageur” performs around the bonfire CABLE - “Louie the Voyageur,” portrayed by Ron “Hobie” Hobart will entertain young and old alike around the bonfire at Telemark Resort on June 20, at 6:30 p.m.

Telemark Educational Foundation, Inc. has invited

Louie to share his adventures as a voyageur with song, stories and experiences!

“Louie has been one of our favorite Around the Bonfire presentations for the summer,” says Deb Malesevich, TEFI director, “we learn, we dance, we sing - what

more could you want on a beautiful night in the Northwoods? Come have fun with Louie and the rest of us!”

For more information contact Deb at 715-798-3999 ext. 547 or e-mail deb@telemarkeducation.com. - submitted

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 13

PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

Luck Public Library and Museum receives capital campaign grants LUCK – Two grants were recently received by the Luck Public Library and Museum for its capital campaign intended to build a new facility for the combined purposes of the Luck Public Library and Luck Historical Society. The Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant, and the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to support the campaign.

“We appreciate this vital support on behalf of the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, and that of the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation,” says Tam Howie, chair of the Luck Campaign Steering Committee. “The funding from these tremendous community partners will allow us to commence ground breaking for this exciting project right on schedule.”

Although both foundations are were created by members of the Andersen family, the founders of the Andersen Corporation headquartered in Bayport, Minn., neither of the foundations are affiliated with or connected with the Andersen Corporation.

The mission of the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation is to give back to its community through focused efforts that foster inclusivity, promote equality, and lead to increased human independence, self-sufficiency and dignity. To fulfill this mission, the foundation acts as a grantmaker, innovator and convener.

The primarily focus of the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation is on higher education organizations. The foundation also has an interest in nonprofits that provide youth, elderly and health services in St. Croix, Pierce and Polk counties of Wisconsin and Wash-

Author to be at Family Camp LUCK - Luck graduate Julie Bowe, who wrote “My Last Best Friend,” published by Harcourt Publishing earlier this year, will be in Luck for a presentation and a book signing July 1.

She will appear at 3:45 p.m. at West Denmark Lutheran Church parish hall as part of the West Denmark Family Camp - but the event is open to all. A portion of the sale price for each book purchased at the event will be donated to West Denmark. However, if persons have already purchased copies of the book and would like to have them signed, they are welcome to bring them along.

More information on the book can be found at www.juliebowe.com. - with submitted information

Luck Area Historical Society to meet Tuesday, June 19 Luck librarian Jill Glover gets the good news about the $100,000 grant for construction of the new Luck Library and Museum. - Photo submitted ington county of Minnesota, as well as funds for capital projects. - submitted

LUCK –The June general meeting of the Luck Area Historical Society will be held at the DBS Hall at 2nd Street and 3rd Avenue in Luck on Tuesday, June 19.

Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and end about 9 p.m. This month, business includes museum exhibit themes, newsletter planning, activities for Lucky Days and the county fair. Homemade ice cream will be made and served at the end of the business meeting. Everyone is always welcome! Call Chuck at 472-4378 for more information. – submitted

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 15

Webster students rewarded for perfect attendance and more

by Jeanne Daniels WEBSTER - The last day of school always marks the first day of summer, but for three Webster Elementary students who achieved perfect attendance this past school year, their summer began with a little extra something special.

On Friday, June 8, Webster Elementary Principal Jeff Walsh awarded brand new bicycles to first-grader Brianna Buskirk, and fourth-graders Andrew Schrooten and Zachary Kilgore, to reward them for being on time and attending classes all day, every day, for 178 straight school days.

Walsh stressed the importance of going to school and the importance of being there on time every day to the kindergarten through fourth-grade students present in the cafeteria on the last day of this school year. He encouraged all his students to accomplish that very task next year and said, “Be here on time every day next year and we’ll buy all of you a new bike, too.”

Walsh then asked his students, “How does that sound to you?”

They all replied with a quick, emphatic and very loud, “Good!”

In addition to the surprise of the bicycles that were awarded, many other students were given recognition for their achievements this past school year in physical fitness and reading.

Physical education teacher, Jeromie Voeltz, awarded 14 Webster third- and

These three Webster Elementary students were awarded bicycles on the last day of school for their perfect attendance for the 2006-2007 school year. Pictured (L to R) are: Brianna Buskirk, first grade, daughter of Melissa Glienke and Calvin Buskirk Jr., Danbury; Andrew Schrooten, fourth grade, son of Bill and Carolyn Schrooten, Webster; Zachary Kilgore, fourth grade, son of Chantel Nelson-Kilgore, Webster. Each bicycle recipient was excited and surprised by their special award. - Photos by Jeanne Daniels fourth-grade students with physical fitness awards. All 14 of the students received the National Physical Fitness Award which means the students achieved 50 percent of the testing criteria which included performing such physical activities as the flexed-arm-

These 13 Webster Elementary students were awarded the National Physical Fitness Award on their last day of school by physical education teacher Jeromie Voeltz. Pictured back row (L to R): Jon Rein, Ashley Davis, Kendel Mitchell, Ryan Curtis, Billy Cooper and Sean Martinez. Pictured front row (L to R): Emily Curtis, Kaela Lundeen, Nicole Moretter, Diana Pope, Mallory Daniels, Alex Spears and Julia Saraceno.

hang, sit-and-reach, and running one mile. The Presidential Physical Fitness Award is awarded when 85 percent of the fitness testing criteria is achieved.

Third-grade fitness award winners were

Emily Curtis, Kaela Lundeen, Nicole Moretter, Diana Pope and Jon Rein.

Fourth-grade fitness award winners were Mallory Daniels, Alex Spears, Julia Saraceno, Ashley Davis, Kendel Mitchell, Ryan Curtis, Billy Cooper and Sean Martinez Library aide, Anna Antonich, also awarded 14 students certificates for their achievements in the Accelerated Reader Program, which was a new program available to the elementary students this year. Each student who participated in the program was able to earn points by taking a computer-based quiz after having read a book they’d checked out from the library. The number of questions the students answered correctly and the reading level of the book determined the number of points they received. The top three or four students in each grade who were awarded certificates were firstgraders Alexis Symond (14 points), Mac Prelgo (10 points), Brett Johnson (9 points); second-graders Andrew Ruiz (49 points), Jonah Mosher (29 points), Jameson Matrious (19 points), Clare Stubbe (17 points); third-graders Sam Kuhn (72 points), Cassidy Formanek (47 points), Tate Fohrenkamm (35 points), Alec Ralph (33 points); fourth-graders Billy Cooper (144 points), Zac Koelz (101 points) and Sam Emberson (82 points).

Fourteen Webster Elementary students received recognition for their achievements in the Accelerated Reader Program which was implemented at Webster for the first time this school year. Award winners pictured back row (L to R): Billy Cooper, Tate Fohrenkamm and Alec Ralph. Middle row (L to R): Samantha Kuhn, Cassidy Formanek, Jonah Mosher, Zac Koelz and Samantha Emberson. Front row (L to R): Clare Stubbe, Alexis Symond, Brett Johnson, Mac Prelgo, Jameson Matrious and Andrew Ruiz.

Pat Dahl retires after 38 years at SCRMC ST. CROIX FALLS – Pat Dahl, accounting, recently retired from St. Croix Regional Medical Center ending a successful career of over 38 years. Dahl started in the billing department in 1969 when the clinic administrator, Ardis Harmon, left. Dahl took over all the accounting tasks and has been working in that area ever since. She moved to the hospital side of the business in 1999, working with then CFO, Don Longpre.

“I vividly remember my first day of work. Dr. Dean Erickson came over to see the “new employee.” He checked out my face makeup and said, ‘I guess you’ll do.’” That same day, Dahl heard a dog barking. Another employee was housesitting for the late Dr. Marwood Wegner and she brought his dog to work with

her. “Things were quite different then and we really had a lot of fun,” she recalled.

In Dahl’s early years at the hospital and clinic, an office call was $5 and a pap smear was $4, with only four categories of charges. “We had only nine doctors at River Valley Medical Center,” said Dahl, “and I did all the posting, bookkeeping, and handled any patient problems.”

Today, Dahl says she feels she’s “truly been blessed working here. I never had to commute, and having a 401(k) in place for 20 years has made it possible to retire.” Dahl was honored by the medical center at a reception in the St. Croix Falls Clinic where she was presented with a signed picture of the medical center, an engraved watch, a special undisclosed

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Pat Dahl, accounting, recently retired from St. Croix Regional Medical Center ending a successful career of over 38 years. – Photo submitted

gift, and an evening party with co-workers. She is looking forward to traveling, becoming more involved in church activities, golfing, tending a big flower garden, and diving into a “pile of books” she’s been meaning to read for some time.

Dahl and her husband, John, have been married since 1991. She has two stepsons and four step-grandchildren.

She also has two older brothers—David who bought the family farm in Scandia and has five children; and Glen, who lives in Vadnais Heights, Minn., and has three children. – from the St. Croix Regional Medical Center

w w w. t h e - l e a d e r. n e t

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BURNETT COUNTY LIBRARY NEWS Burnett Community Library

New titles in books and CDs Some real good titles have once again come in for the public to check out.

Below are listed some of the new Christian author titles.

• Rick Warren Living with purpose, two volumes: “God’s Power to Change Your Life” “God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions” • The following by Lori Wick: “White Chocolate Moments” “Just Above a Whisper” “Found” “Forever” “Moonlight on the Millpond” “Fame” “Family” • “Broken on the Back Row” by Sandi

Patty • “How to Live by Faith” by Billy Graham • Best sellers and high demand: “Backwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army” by Jeremy Scahill “Invisible Prey” by John Sandford “6th Target” by James Patterson “Hunt for Justice, the True Story of a Woman Undercover Wildlife Agent” by Lucinda Delaney Schroeder “Snowflower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa Lee “Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini “Children of Hurin” by J.R.R. Tolkien “Overlook” by Michael Connelly “Pact, a Love Story” by Jodi Picoult

“Facets” by Barbara Delinsky “The Assault on Reason” by Al Gore “High Plains Tango” by Robert James Walker Attention those who homeschool: Two new 2007 books titles: “Homeschooler’s Guide to Free Video Tapes” and “Homeschooler’s Guide to Free Teaching Aids.”

New CDs are as follows: • “At the Center of the Storm” by George Tenet • “Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind” by Joyce Meyer • “Best Kept Secrets” by Sandra Brown • “Invisible Prey” by John Sandford • “Smitten” by Janet Evanovich

• “Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini • “6th Target” by James Patterson On order are: • “Good Husband of Zebra Drive” by Alexander McCall Smith • “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen New westerns: • “West of Quarantine” by Todhunter Ballard • “Fast Gun” by Walt Coburn • “Texas Manhunt” by Jackson Cole • “Day of the Gun” by William R. Cox

Career fair held at Webster High School WEBSTER – A career fair was held at the Webster High School an Tuesday, June 5. Webster High School students had a chance to learn the details of different careers from professionals who have them. Some 17 careers were represented at the fair, ranging from an attorney, machinists, forester, social worker, physical therapist, artist and dental hy-

gienist.

Dan Conroy from Nexen Group Inc. was the keynote speaker. He encouraged all to keep learning and keep up-todate, so that as workers, they will not be as “obsolete as the dinosaur,” and because going to school is fun. – Sherill Summer

Glenn Doriott from Glennco Transmission brought transmission parts with him to better talk with Webster High School students. – Photos by Sherill Summer

Dan Conroy from Nexen Group, Sheriff Dean Roland speaks with Webster Inc. was the keynote speaker at Artist Marty Pearson brought examples of his pottery to the career fair at High School students about a career in law the career fair at Webster High School.

Webster High School. enforcement.

Frederic students receive citizenship awards Frederic Middle School citizenship awards were given to students showing the best overall citizenship during the school year. Seventh-grade students – front row (L to R): Megan Amundson, Lauren Domagala, April Halverson, Senecca Lundeen-Brooks, Kyle Hopp and Nick Rognrud. Eighth-grade students – back row (L to R): Sarah Knauber, Sam Nelson, Isabel Lexen, Tiffani DeMarre and Allison Anderson. – Photo submitted

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

The class of 2019

by Jeanne Daniels WEBSTER - On Thursday, June 7, the Webster School District celebrated its second graduation ceremony within a week. The commencement bridge was crossed this time by the district’s youngest graduates - 44 kindergarten students.

The little graduates followed tradition and walked their way around the Webster Elementary cafeteria as the sound of “Pomp and Circumstance” filled the air.

Each student was then presented with an official kindergarten diploma by principal, Jeff Walsh, signifying that he or she successfully completed the kindergarten program and is, in fact, ready to move on to first grade.

Under the direction of music teacher, Jim Muus, all 44 students entertained the audience with four musical selections.

The songs, which included a little choreography and even some sign language, were “Hola, Amigos,” “Mr. Golden Sun,” “May There Always Be Sunshine,” and “It’s Time to Graduate.”

Jeromie Voeltz, physical education teacher, with the assistance of kindergarten teachers Lori Ward-Macomber, Julie Hoel and Linnea Swenson, set up activity stations around the cafeteria so the students could demonstrate their morning boost-up activities. Boost-up activities are brain-based activities done by the students every morning to foster better academic achievement and enhance motor skills. The students worked up a

The entire future class of 2019 performed the song “Mr. Golden Sun” under the direction of music teacher Jim Muus during their graduation ceremony last Thursday. – Photos by Jeanne Daniels sweat as they rotated in groups from station to station around the cafeteria demonstrating their skills at dribbling basketballs, walking a balance beam and jumping rope.

As the day’s ceremony came to a close, moms, dads, grandparents, siblings and friends were treated to a glimpse of their little graduates first year in school via a special video presentation created by three high school students. Webster

video production class students Dani Staples and Jamie Johnson, both of whom are juniors, along with sophomore Courtney Erickson, collaborated

Kindergarten graduate, Emily Martinez, received her diploma and congratulations from Webster Elementary School Principal Jeff Walsh at the kindergarten graduation ceremony held last Thursday. Emily is the daughThese kindergarten graduates hold their first diplomas in their hands during ter of Patrick and Tracey Martinez, their graduation ceremony held last Thursday at Webster Elementary.

Webster.

with the kindergarten teachers to create a photo-based musical video of remembrance that left few dry eyes in its wake.

Kindergarten teacher, Linnea Swenson, walks hand-in-hand with Julia Gavin on her graduation day last Thursday at Webster Elementary School. Julia is the daughter of Dustin Gavin and Nicole Blanchette, Webster.

Serviceman flies flag in honor of St. Croix Falls Middle School ST. CROIX FALLS - On several occasions this year, Mrs. Ollman’s fifth-grade homeroom students at the St. Croix Falls Middle School wrote notes to people serving in the U.S. military.

One of the servicemen to receive their cards and letters was Taylor Moen’s uncle, David Drazek, who is stationed in Iraq. As a surprise, Drazek sent a U.S. flag with a certificate from the First Brigade Combat Team 34th Infantry Division stating: “This flag was flown above the 1st Brigade Combat Team headquarters for St. Croix Falls Middle School, March 6, 2007, at Camp Adder, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom 0608.”

A photo was also included of the soldiers assembled on the steps of the Ziggurat (a temple tower of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians) of Ur, in southern Iraq. Mrs. Ollman and her students were excited to receive such a historically significant gift on behalf of the middle school.

On Thursday, June 7, the St. Croix Falls Middle School body attended an assembly where Theresa Veldhouse, recently returned Iraqi Freedom veteran, and one of the vice commanders of American Le-

Jim Chapin, Theresa Veldhouse, Ray Chaplinski and Dave Drazek’s family. Photo submitted gion Post 143, formally presented the flag to the school. In the audience was Dave’s wife, Krista, his son, Adam, his sister, Tracy, and his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Bergstrom. Kathleen Willow, middle school principal, announced that the flag, certificate and photo would be displayed in the St. Croix Falls Middle

School in a place of honor where they can be publicly viewed.

Ray Chaplinski and Jim Chapin also represented American Legion Post 143 at the assembly. Just prior to the flag presentation, Chapin thanked the students for writing to people in the service, and he spoke about how much their efforts

were appreciated. He emphasized that it was especially important for the wounded veterans to get mail. Struggling to control his emotions, Chapin shared his experiences from when he was recovering from combat wounds and explained how he had been separated from all of his personal possessions.

He described feelings of loneliness that were compounded by a mail system that can’t keep up with the frequent hospital changes that wounded soldiers experience.

Letters from friends and family often don’t reach the soldiers at the very time they need mail most. However, letters written to unnamed soldiers are waiting at the hospital when the wounded soldiers arrived. Chapin stated that the students could continue to make a difference in the lives of military personnel by writing again to wounded veterans. Cards and letters can be taken to Willow at the SCF Middle School or directly to the American Legion Hall in SCF. The Legionnaries will make certain that they are delivered to the men and women of the military. - submitted

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Burnett relay nets over $73,000 for cancer research

by Carl Heidel WEBSTER - They came from all over, folks from the area, visitors from as far away as Indiana, a mix of young and old, big and small, survivors, supporters, friends and strangers. They came as teams and as individuals. They came to walk the Webster High School track to raise money to fund the research that will find cures for cancer.

It was the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Burnett County last Friday and Saturday.

When it was all over, the assembled crowd had managed to raise more than $73,000, according to Peggy Ingles, the director of the event.

Look at the photos. They tell the story and give a feel for the event.

Honorary chairpersons for the relay walked together carrying the survivors’ banner. Erik Larson (L) was the 2006 honorary chair, and Nina Wickland (R) was this year’s honorary chairperson.

Photos by Carl Heidel

Nothing can stop some people.

So you need a walker? So you walk the track with your walker.

One walker used a backboard to get the message across.

The Dudes worked especially hard to make the Relay a success.

John Chelmo, Frederic, raised about $170 for cancer research when he dressed in a grass skirt and coconutshell bra during the Relay for Life on the Webster High School track Friday, June 8. Chelmo was at the Relay with the Siren United Methodist Church Sunday school team, and was responding to a challenge with his Hawaiian dress. – Photo submitted

Nate Walker lost a leg to cancer but that didn’t slow him down. He brought a team from Bethany Lutheran Church in Grantsburg and walked the track with his team and the survivors.

With the honorary chairpersons and their supporters carrying the Relay banner, the survivors began their celebration victory walk.

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 19

New nature preserve/park dedicated

At the end of the victory lap, survivors released their balloons, sending their hopes into the skies.

The Wert Familly Nature Preserve, also known as Simonson Bluff, near St. Croix Falls, was dedicated earlier this month. - Photo by Gregg Westigard

St. Croix woods and bluffs open to hikers

Friends made their connections and walked in support of one another and friends.

by Gregg Westigard ST. CROIX FALLS – It took a lot of cooperation but the park and nature preserve along the bluffs on the north edge of St. Croix Falls is now open for hiking, bird watching, exploration and enjoyment.

The Wert Family Nature Preserve, also known as Simonson Bluff, was dedicated Saturday, June 2, in honor of Trails Day. The park is divided between the town and the city of St. Croix Falls.

St. Croix Falls Mayor Brad Foss, speaking for the city, thanked city administrator Ed Emerson for his hard work in putting a package together that allowed the Wert family to sell their property and have it preserved forever in its natural state.

Foss said that thanks also go to the city plan commission that had the vision to keep the land from being developed.

Blair Kline, speaking for the town of St. Croix Falls, said that a new era has started with the town and city working

together for the public’s benefit. “The quality of its public places is the measure of a community,” Kline said. “This is a community. Conserving this park will serve us all.”

The 448 acres of woods, prairies, and ponds was once the property of St. Croix Falls pioneer businessman Nels Simonson. It was purchased from the Wert family through the efforts of the West Wisconsin Land Trust, working with a number of groups including the Conservation Fund, the DNR, and the town and city of St. Croix Falls.

Walking the land The entrance to the park/preserve is across from the Lions Park on Hwy. 87 on the north edge of St. Croix Falls.

A gate on the east side of the road has a sign for the Ice Age Trail which winds through the lower part of the property before splitting south. The new land can be explored along a number of trails and old roads that veer off to the left a short distance into the land.

A highlight of the property is a 600foot bluff with a view over the St. Croix River. The trails are for nonmotorized traffic only.

The Wonderland Snowmobile Team walked the track for a friend who underwent surgery for cancer on the day of the relay.

Family and friends propelled a survivor in a wheelchair around the track.

Hikers explored the preserve on one of the many nature trails that run through it. - Photo by Gregg Westigard

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German film crew visits area for documentary

by Julie Holmquist MILLTOWN/FREDERIC - A German film crew visited Milltown and Frederic last week, filming two Americans who were interned in World War II because of their German heritage.

Anneliese Wiegand Krauter and Eb Fuhr were guest speakers at the BUSeum, a traveling museum from the TRACES Center for History and Culture in St. Paul, Minn.

Both had been interned during World War II with their families that had immigrated from Germany.

“This is the first time in Germany for a documentary about this subject,” said director Michaela Kirst of a production company called Tangram.

“We do not know about it at all.”

Even Americans do not know about this chapter of history, said BUS-eum director Michael Luick-Thrams. Although the U.S. government has apologized to Japanese-Americans interned during the war years, it has not acknowledged the German-Americans. Many, like Eb Fuhr, were interned until two years after the war ended.

The American television networks in New York weren’t interested in broadcasting the documentary.

“We couldn’t sell it,” Kirst said.

The German documentary will be broadcast on four different networks this fall in Germany and France. It took the company more than two years to acquire funding for the project.

The crew filmed at Crystal City, Texas, where Krauter was interned as a 7-yearold with her family, and was at Ellis Island on Monday, filming Fuhr’s first trip back to the site since he left his captivity there in the 1940s.

German-Americans were interned at Ellis Island, but the historical site still does not mention that part of its history.

“He (Fuhr) didn’t want to go back,” Kirst said. Fuhr, now in his 80s, was 17 when he was interned in 1943.

The documentary will also feature a German man who had immigrated to America and was one of many who was sent back to the country he had left. He ended up remaining in Germany.

Krauter told Milltown residents that her family had unintentionally rented a room to a German who turned out to be a spy.

She recalled the day the FBI came for her father Otto, a butcher.

“My mother was shocked. My father said, ‘Don’t worry. I have nothing to hide’ I was hysterical, saying where are they taking my papa?”

Krauter’s mother had become a naturalized U.S. citizen, and Krauter and her brother were born in the United States so they were citizens. But her father was always too busy with his butcher shop in Brooklyn, Krauter said, and had just started the paperwork to gain U.S. citizenship.

“My father was not a Nazi,” she said.

In fact, the family had traveled back to Germany to visit relatives as the nationalism there was beginning, and both were uncomfortable with the military build-up there.

“My mother loved this country and was very patriotic,” she said. But antiGerman sentiment and her husband’s absence made it impossible to keep the butcher shop going. One day, she found swastikas on the shop windows; another day the windows were smashed in.

Krauter’s mother eventually requested to be interned with her husband at Crystal City, where many families were interned. The U.S. government was hesitant to do this, because Krauter and her children were Americans. But in the end they were allowed to live in the camp, held captive by their own government.

“We met our father there,” Krauter recalls. “It was a very emotional reunion for us.”

Anneliese Wiegand Krauter and Eb Fuhr volunteered to accompany the bus museum to tell their stories. – Photos by Julie Holmquist

A good crowd turned out in Milltown Friday afternoon to see the “BUS-eum.”

A German film crew was in Milltown last week filming a documentary about the internment of German-Americans during World War II. Anneliese Krauter and Eb Fuhr (right) were both interned during the war.

People were able to view displays and information about the interned people, who were never convicted of crimes.

Pioneer schooling offered at East Farmington Rural School ST. CROIX FALLS/BALSAM LAKE – The Polk County Historical Society is offering three days of pioneer schooling to be held at the East Farmington Rural School located at the Polk County Fairgrounds, St. Croix Falls, July 10, 11 and

12 and also at the Polk County Lanesdale Rural School in Balsam Lake the week of July 17, 18 and 19, July 24, 25 and 27. To make the pioneer school day program successful they are looking for students who will be in grade one through six that

are interested in participating in the program of reading, writing and arithmetic.

Pioneer games and songs will be enjoyed. Anyone who is interested please contact Rosalie Kittleson, Polk County Historical Society 715-483-3979 or 715-

485-9269 for more information. The deadline for signing your child up is June 30. Students are asked to dress of that era (1900s) girls long dresses and bonnets, boys bibs, knickers, suspenders etc. – submitted

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 21

Siren band returns from Chicago SIREN – The Siren band just returned from a trip to Chicago. The group left on Thursday, June 7, early in the morning and returned at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 10. Upon arrival in Chicago, the band played at Navy Pier. The temperature was in the 90s at performance time on the Pier. Although it was hot, the 50mile-an-hour gusting winds kept it bearable. Following the performance, the group enjoyed an architectural boat tour on the Chicago River, which runs That through downtown Chicago. evening everybody studied the city from the observation deck at the John Hancock building.

On Friday, the group went to the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium. This was followed by a bus tour of the city with a stop at Millennium Park and some shopping time on Michigan Avenue. Dinner was at Ed Debevic’s. The waiters and waitresses proved to do a good job of being rude, impatient and grumpy…which is what they are hired to do! After dinner, the group thoroughly enjoyed a performance by Blue Man Group.

Saturday was spent at Six Flags Great

Group picture on the Grand Staircase at Navy Pier.

America in Gurnee, IL. The buses left the park at 6 p.m. for the trip home.

There were 52 students and 16 adults on the trip. Overall the trip went very well.

– submitted

Blake Hall finds a new friend at the Field Museum.

Group shot while at dinner at Ed Debevic’s.

A friendly game of cards at the hotel while waiting for the pizza to be delivered.

Jessica Tills, Katy Kelley, Allison Diddier and Amber Guevara in front of the carousel at Six Flags Great America.

Moms for Kids present check

Homemakers present check to Bone Lake Store owners

Recently Lisa Douglas, president of Moms For Kids, presented Ryan Karsten a check for $500 made out to the Siren S Club. The check is to be used for either refurbishing the middle school trophy case or to help purchase title banners for the school’s gymnasium. Funds for various community events and donations are made at the annual Rainbow of Fun carnival. Moms For Kids also sponsors Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre, Experience a Northwoods Christmas, Paper Capers and the Siren High School Moms For Kids Scholarship, and the Siren school’s online Dragon Den. Moms For Kids also donated $1,500 to Siren school for a new piece of playground equipment called The Polk County Homemakers presented Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hoffman of the the Dragon Challenge. – Bone Lake Store a check for $250 to help in the rebuilding of their store which Photo submitted was a total loss from a fire this past winter. – Photo submitted

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Burnett Dairy holds Dairy Days ALPHA – Burnett Dairy Cooperative kicked off summer with its annual Dairy Days last Friday, June 8. As usual, there were free ice-cream cones, cheese samples, milk, a petting zoo, a brat feed and flowers for sale. – Sherill Summer

Liz Myers from Countryside Greenhouse has help from her neighbor, Dalton Johnson, at Burnett Dairy Cooperative’s Annual Dairy Days.

Myers has brought tables full of flowers to Dairy Days for about eight years now.

Photos by Sherill Summer Jared Anderson takes a close look at a baby chick.

Anthony Denn takes a break from eating his cone to look at a bunny.

Nicole Moretter and Cortland Summer hand out cheese samples at Dairy Days.

WITC announces scholarship winners RICE LAKE – Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College-Rice Lake honored scholarship recipients at a reception hosted by the WITC Foundation on Thursday, May 10 at the WITC Rice Lake Conference Center.

The WITC Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization, provides support to promote, develop, and expand quality education and services of WITC and encourages the success and achievement of students, faculty, staff and alumni. The foundation, established in 1978, annually awards more than $100,000 in scholarship monies districtwide.

The WITC-Rice Lake fall scholarship recipients, followed by their program area and scholarship they received, are: Amery – Michelle Rivard, Telecommunication Technician, Wisconsin State Telecommunications Foundation Scholarship Barron – Stacy Cole, Associate Degree Nursing, Frank & Avha McGinnis Scholarship; Jenna Fick, Associate Degree Nursing, Career Day Certificate; Trishia Kuehndorf, Occupational Therapy As-

sistant, Sid & Grace Hormann Scholarship; Jerrimiah Millard, GED, GED/HSED Graduation Award; Jason Opelt, Machine Tool, Dan Gabrielson Scholarship.

Clear Lake – Travis DeGolier, Architectural Commercial Design, Derrick Construction Scholarship.

Cumberland – Nathan Kallsen, Telecommunication Technician, Wisconsin State Telecommunications Foundation Scholarship; Elizabeth Narges, Accounting, Rice Lake Fortnightly Scholarship.

Cushing – Jared J. Anderson, Accounting, WITC Foundation Accounting Scholarship.

Frederic – Stasha Marsh, Marketing, Brill State Bank Scholarship; Karen Talmadge, Accounting/Medical Administrative Specialist, U.S. Bank Scholarship.

Grantsburg – Kyle Newby, Bricklaying/ Masonry, Northwest Builders Scholarship.

Hayward – Matthew Holcomb, IT Computer Support Specialist; Jerry Busch Scholarship; Jennifer Snider, Supervisory Management, Rice Lake Cam-

pus Scholarship.

Luck – Lisa Roberts, Accounting, Homeshield Educational Achievement Scholarship.

Osceola – Adam Goehring, Wood Technics, Heart of the North Home Builders Scholarship, St. Croix Home Builders Association Scholarship.

Sarona - Martha Riedell, Administrative Assistant, Rice Lake Alumni Association Scholarship.

Shell Lake – Macey Fredrickson, Welding, WITC Alumni Association Graduating Student Award, Samuel Gronning, Plumbing Apprentice, Soltis Family Scholarship; Theresa Jensen, Associate Degree Nursing, Frank & Avah McGinnis Scholarship.

Spooner – Savannah Masterjohn, Associate Degree Nursing, UOA NW-Wisconsin Satellite #142 Scholarship, American Legion 40et8Cabane; Ian Schara, Automotive Maintenance Technician, Rice Lake Opportunity Builders Scholarship; Katherine Weaver, IT Computer Support Specialist, Jerry Busch Scholarship.

WITC serves the educational and ca-

reer needs of more than 28,000 residents of northern Wisconsin each year. With four campuses, two branch campuses, and numerous outreach centers in the district, WITC offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, customized training, and a wide array of courses for personal and career enrichment. For more information, call 800-243-9482 or log on to www.witc.edu.

- submitted

Local students named to dean’s list ST. PETER, Minn. - The spring semester dean’s list at Gustavus Adolphus College has been released. The list comprises students who have earned a 3.7 gradepoint average, based on a scale in which 4.0 = A or higher for the semester ending in May 2007. Students from this area named to the list are: Amery: Breanna Draxler; Cumberland: Rebecca Carlson; St. Croix Falls: Laura Hedeen; Abbe Paulhe; Webster: Benjamin Treichel. – submitted

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 23

PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

Smith Family Eyecare and Optical opens in Siren

Michelle Thayer and Brian Smith demonstrate digital retinal photography.

The instant digital image the system produces has many uses in state-of-theart eye care, including allowing the patient to see what the optometrist sees.

This allows the patient to better understand any abnormalities brought on by macular degeneration or complications from diabetes. – Photos by Sherill Summer

by Sherill Summer SIREN – Brian and April Smith feel that Siren is a great town that had everything but an eye doctor, and that they were just the people to fix the problem.

As of Monday, June 11, the Smiths opened Smith Family Eyecare and Optical on Hwy. 35/70, south of Main Street between Earth Energy Systems and Lee’s Sport and Saw. Both Brian and April Smith have been optometrists for the last nine years, long enough to know the exact type of optical care they wanted to provide and the equipment that they need. At the Siren office, they invested in state-of-the-art equipment that will help them take care of all the typical optical problems at prices competitive to discount stores.

Frame and lens packages are available from $79, and they offer payment plans.

Besides all of the routine eye care, the Smiths also offer vision therapy, low-vision devices and are a part of the InfantSEE program.

For more information, call 349-2see (2733).

Like all new kindergartners, Ben Smith is having his eyes checked before entering school. Unlike most kindergartners, his own father is doing the checking.

Optometrist April Smith (L) and technician, Michelle Thayer. April and Brian (not shown) Smith and Thayer have all worked together previously, and Thayer decided to join the Smiths again.

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JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 25

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Webster fair will celebrate 90th birthday WEBSTER - The Central Burnett County Fair, which is celebrating is 90th birthday, is scheduled for July 5-7 in Webster (release of exhibits is Sunday, July 8 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.). This year Stipes Shows will provide more than a dozen rides and attractions for all ages.

Three live bands will provide music - Older Than Dirt on Thursday, The Misses on Saturday afternoon and Six Feet Over will perform during the free street dance.

New to the grandstand is a stock truck and tractor pull which is replacing the ATV pull.

You may need to think about getting more information before the events occur. Preregistration is required for entering items to be judged for premiums. Anyone school age to senior citizens can enter. Pick up a free fair book with registration form at any bank in Siren, Webster, or Danbury, the UW-Ext. Office, or the public library in Webster. Registration for entering exhibits is due by June 21. Also, the Burnett County 4-H Leaders Association is sponsoring a talent show. To preregister and get more information contact Craig at 715-4632684.

An open horse showdeo will start at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the arena. Youth in grades three and above, as well as adults, are encouraged to enter. All horses must have had a negative Coggin’s test, and all riders are required to wear a helmet.

Grandstand events start at 7 p.m. - Thursday night is the mighty horse pull. Friday night is the stock truck and tractor pull. Come see if your favorite makes can pull their way to a win. Demo derby, with a guaranteed payout of at least $2,250, will crash the grandstand on Saturday.

There are numerous traditional favorites to attend bingo by the Webster Lions will be called each night

starting at 7:30 p.m. Judy’s famous potato salad is available at the 4-H sponsored food stand. Beer garden will open daily at noon and will have live bands and a DJ. Various 4-H contests and the Blue Ribbon Showcase will occur.

Extra help is always appreciated both before and during the fair. Cleanup is scheduled for Sunday, June 24, at 1 p.m. with setup on Monday, July 2, at 5 p.m. Superintendents are needed for various departments of judged exhibits. Help is always needed during grandstand events as well.

For more information on exhibiting, rules for events, or to volunteer to help, call Renelle at 715-866-8261 or write Central Burnett County Fair, PO Box 116, Siren, WI 54872. The fairgrounds are located west of Hwy. 35 on Fairgrounds Road in Webster. Come celebrate their 90th year with them. - submitted

Register now for UW Colleges fall online courses STATEWIDE — For anyone who has been thinking about starting or continuing a college education this fall, now is the time to take action. There is still opportunity available for those who want to earn a degree or college credits, but may not be able to take courses in a traditional classroom setting.

UW Colleges, the freshman/sophomore institution of the University of Wisconsin System, is offering 38 online courses as a flexible way, especially for working adults, to pursue a college education. These courses can be part of a total online Associate of Arts and Science degree, the foundation for many majors and a bachelor’s degree, or can assist in completing degrees from other universities.

Applications continue to be accepted for admission, but interested applicants are encouraged to act quickly as registration for fall online courses closes on Aug. 16.

The online courses are available at www.online. uwc.edu. The cost is $200 per credit plus a $60 per course administrative fee. Although online courses never meet at a particular time or place, they are structured within the fall semester timeframe with regular deadlines for assignments. The fall semester runs from Sept. 4-Dec. 21.

To register for courses or to apply to the online degree program, visit the UW Colleges Online Web site at www.online.uwc.edu or call toll-free 877-449-1877. — from UW Colleges

Interstate Park Nature Story Time returns to Interstate Park ST. CROIX FALLS - Join Naturalists Julie Fox or Barb Walker at Wisconsin Interstate Park at 10 a.m. every Thursday through August for a story and activity for younger children and their parents. The short activity following the story will reinforce the story’s nature-related theme. Nature Story Time will generally last between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants.

Please check at the park office upon arrival for the program location.

Naturalist programs at Wisconsin Interstate Park Friday, June 15 2:30 p.m. – How Birds Make a Living. A fun activity for all ages. Meet at the Ice Age Center.

Saturday, June 16 1:30 p.m. – Pet a Pelt. Meet Naturalist Barb Walker at the Ice Age Center and learn about some Wisconsin wildlife. Can you tell the difference between a pine marten and a fisher? What makes the fur of a beaver or otter different than that of other animals? Did you know that deer hair is hollow? Stop by to learn more!

4 p.m. – Molten Lava and Melted Ice. The Gee Whiz Geology of Interstate Park. Meet the naturalist at the Pothole Trail sign for a short hike around the half-mile loop trail and take a trip back in time.

7 p.m. – Sun-Sational Secrets of Eagle Peak. Hike up to the top of Eagle Peak before the sun sets to learn the secrets of the peak. Meet at the Eagle Peak Trail sign in the Pines Group Camp.

Wednesday, June 20 2 p.m. – Wisconsin Explorer: Diary of a Tree. Free booklets with fun activities for parents and children entering grades 4 and up. Meet Naturalist Barb Walker at the Ice Age Center.

Interstate Park is located in St. Croix Falls, on Hwy. 35, just one-half-mile south of Hwy. 8. Nature Story Time is free of charge, but a state park sticker is required to enter the park. For more information call Julie or Barb at 715-483-3747.

Subscribe online @ www.the-leader.net

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 27

Hansen Farms marks 30 years of milk tournaments MILLTOWN – What started as a dare 30 years ago by his mother to have the softball team do something different for the community is still going strong.

Virgil Hansen wanted to do something for the young kids who wanted to play ball “like the big guys” and win trophies.

Combine that with June Dairy Month and you’ve got the Hansen Farms Youth Softball Milk Drinking Tournament.

It was first sponsored by both Hansen Farms and Ruby’s Bakery of Milltown.

The first year there were only eight teams, but after that it began to grow.

This year – 30 years later – saw 20 teams enter the tournament. Most of the years have seen 16 or 18 teams.

The tournament is held for three days – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – and kids would drink milk each day to try and win the Milk Drinking Trophy for each day. At times it seemed like a lot of them were more interested in winning

that trophy than winning the game.

“We would go through about 120 gallons of milk each year,” noted Hansen.

“After the first year of only having white milk to drink, the kids asked if we could do chocolate milk so they wouldn’t have to mix it themselves.”

Hansen has kept record of all the kids who have played – from that first tournament in 1977. Some of those kids now have kids who take part in the tournament.

The trophies are given to winners in two divisions – eighth grade and under and 12th grade and under, both boys and girls teams.

The stands at the Milltown Ballpark are always packed with parents, family and friends during the tournament, all obviously willing to keep the popular event going strong. – with submitted information

The Lucky Ducks won the senior girls division trophy at the Hansen Farms tourney.

The Cushing Hooters won first place in the senior division – boys competition at this year’s Hansen Farms Youth Softball Milk Drinking Tournament.

Flaherty Plumbing Services took first place in the junior boys division. – Photos submitted

PAGE 28 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

New book continues to bring out the Irish in local author Katy King

by Nancy Jappe VOYAGER VILLAGE – “Every book is different. With Brigid, I started listening to Brigid’s character. The more I listened, the more I found out, the more I wanted to write about her. She captured my imagination,” explained local author Katy King as she talked about her latest book, “Brigid, Babies, Books and Bee Balm.”

The two books in the Brigid series are the latest among King’s seven books to date. A third Brigid book, written to cover the World War II time period, has already started in King’s head, but has not yet been committed to paper.

“There will be more than three,” King said, adding that she doesn’t yet know how many Brigid books to count on.

“My characters tend to write themselves.

If I listen, they tell me what to write.”

As an assignment for an Internet writing course, King started telling stories about an Irish girl, Megan, who had a wonderful grandmother named Brigid. “(Brigid) just kept growing,” King said, recalling the first Brigid story she wrote for that class.

Brigid had to take her bicycle all the way up a one-mile steep hill to get a supply of peet to use for heating her home in Ireland. Brigid decided to conquer the hill and be able to ride the bike to the top. Four years later, she finally made it.

“The story was well received,” King related. “My classmates liked (her) character and determination.”

King kept using Brigid in assignments, all the while putting together material for a book. It turned out there was too much material for just one book, and King went on to the second book.

Kissing the famed Blarney Stone in Ireland in 1986 was cited as a reason for King’s accepting the Irishness in herself.

Her mother was Irish with a bit of Scot mixed in. According to King, one story claims that Lord Blarney of Blarney Castle, with his habit of talking a lot and saying absolutely nothing, was responsible for the common use of the word blarney.

“I kissed the Blarney Stone, and haven’t shut up since, except when I am writing,” she quipped.

The first Brigid book, “Brigid and the Red Hat Rebellion,” covers Brigid’s often-miserable life in her native Ireland, from the age of 14 until, four years later, widowed and with a daughter, she feels the need to leave Ireland and come to

Book two in local author Katy King’s series about Irish-born Brigid, “Brigid, Babies, Books and Bee Balm,” came off the presses May 2.

The new book follows “Brigid and the Red Hat Rebellion,” and isn’t destined to be the last book in King’s Brigid series. – Photo by Nancy Jappe

America. At the time, President Eamon de Valera was proposing a new constitution which threatened to increase discrimination against women who worked.

The new book picks up the story as Brigid, along with her new husband, Michael, find themselves owners of a renovated mansion along Summit Avenue in St. Paul, Minn., in 1937. The mansion was purchased at auction for $2,000 after gangsters, who had taken over mansions from rich people after the Great Depression, lost them for not paying back taxes. Brigid and Michael aren’t the only ones who lived in the mansion as they gathered friends to share the space and the work load.

King manages to incorporate her admiration for Eleanor Roosevelt; research she did on the use of herbs, with help from herb lady Teresa Wolfe; a birthing story patterned after the experience of another local writer, Mary Jacobsen; and her love for Rachmaninoff concerts into a story that moves well and brings out a lot of factual information about the 1930s and the aftermath of the Depression.

King describes Brigid as a stubborn, determined, intelligent and loving woman who is willing to work for what she wants and who does what needs to be done to survive.

Katy King was born in Kenosha, but did most of her growing up in Shawnee, Kan. She went to college at St. Theresa College in Winona, Minn., then taught math and science for what she called “too many years.” She gave herself permission to enjoy her work during the 11 years she owned and operated a group home in the local area. She lifeguarded at the Voyager Village pool and did home-health care among other ventures in her life.

Just before she reached her 60th birthday, King received a contract from a publisher for “The Attic Was An Unused Room,” a family history and the first of her seven novels.

King self-publishes her books, making them available at area arts and crafts fairs. For the summer, she will be in Frederic June 16, Hayward July 14, Ladysmith July 21, Rice Lake July 27, and Shell Lake Sept. 1 and 2. She also supplies books by mail order at: Katy King, 4521 Morningstar Drive, Danbury 54830.

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 29

OBITUARIES Valerie Mae Nielsen

Dennis Larson

Valerie Mae Nielsen, 79, of Shell Lake died Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at Terraceview Living Center.

She was born Aug. 4, 1927, in Bashaw Township, to George and Alice (Whitford) Livingston. Valerie graduated from Shell Lake High School in 1945. She was married in Spooner on Sept. 11, 1946, to Raymond Nielsen who preceded her in death on March 10, 1992. She and Ray farmed for many years early in their marriage. She later worked at the Shell Lake Hospital for 32 years as a nurse’s aide and secretary. Val was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church, and was past president of the Shell Lake Senior Citizens.

She is survived by one son, Barry (Linda) Nielsen of Shell Lake; one daughter, Donna (Glen) Crosby of Amery; six grandchildren, Gwen Nielsen, Gretchen Nielsen, Beth Ann Crosby, Michael (Monica) Crosby, Christine Schuelke and A.J. Schuelke; two great-grandchildren, Haley Crosby and Jenna Crosby; two brothers, Gilbert (Mary) Livingston of Barronett and Dudley (Delores) Livingston of Shell Lake; one sister, Shirley (Chuck) Stowell of Watertown, S.D. and several nieces and nephews.

Valerie was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Kathy Lynn; daughter, Cindra Kaye Schuelke; and sister, Stella Cusick.

Funeral services were held Friday, June 8, 2007, at Shell Lake United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Wendt officiating. Burial was in Shell Lake Cemetery. Pallbearers were Layne Livingston, Tim Cusick, Aaron Nielsen, Ayric Nielsen, Darryl Johnson and Mike Cusick.

The Pockat Funeral Home of Shell Lake was entrusted with arrangements.

Dennis Larson died at home surrounded by his family on Monday, June 4, 2007, at the age of 82 years.

He is survived by wife, Ann; his children, Rob (Maria) and Judy; two granddaughters, Rachel and Ashley.

Dennis was born in Clam Falls on Aug. 29, 1925. He grew up and worked in Clam Falls on his parents’ farm. Dennis married Ann Makarchuck of Durban, Manitoba, in August 1956. Shortly after marriage, they moved to Glendale, Calif., where they started their family. Dennis worked for the city of Los Angeles for over 25 years as a communications lineman and dispatcher, retiring to Calgary in 1982, where he enjoyed the clean air and beautiful scenery of Canada.

He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, model airplanes and above all, his annual road trips across the countryside.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Elma Larson; and his brother, Dewey Larson.

Funeral services were held at the Chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home on Friday, June 8. Interment followed in Mountain View Memorial Gardens. If so desired, a memorial tribute may be made in Dennis name directly to the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation (#200, 119 - 14 Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1Z6).

The Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery of Calgary, Alberta, was entrusted with arrangements.

Melvin E. Winberg Melvin E. Winberg, age 81, of Siren, died Sunday, June 3, 2007, surrounded by family and friends at his home.

He was born on Jan. 28, 1926, at Forest Township, Emerald, to Harry and Minnie Winberg.

As a young man, he worked for Ford Motor Co., Seeger Whirlpool Corp. and Paper Calmenson. From 1969 to 2000, he and his wife, Donna, owned and operated Winberg’s Resort and Campground on Clam Lake near Siren. This is where they raised their three sons and met so very many wonderful people and many lifelong friends. He enjoyed his retirement, especially his grandchildren and his flower gardens.

Mel is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Raymond.

Mel is survived by his wife of 45 years, Donna Lunceford; three sons, Mark (Brenda), Sonny and Mike (Cheryl); grandchildren, Tyler, Ashley, Kendra and Taylor; brothers, Clifford (Carolyn) and Francis; sisters, Esther Kossmann and Eileen Mrdutt; sister-in-law, Gladys Winberg; several nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 6, at Bethany Lutheran Church at Siren with Pastor John Clasen officiating. Singers were Jim Muus and Therese Muus, Organist was Fran McBroom. Casket bearers were John Hawksford, Steve Koosmann, Jerome Koosmann, David Lunceford, Skip Koosmann and Larry Lunceford. Burial was at the Viola Lake Cemetery in Sand Lake Township, Burnett County.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Webster was entrusted with arrangements.

Lorraine Marie French Lorraine Marie French, 84, Balsam Lake, died June 6, 2007, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.

The family gathered for private family services and interment.

Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria was entrusted with arrangements.

Kathleen Toni Boyd Kathleen T. Boyd, Grantsburg, died June 6, 2007. She was 64 years old.

She had a lifelong deep love of horses. She began riding at the age of 6. She grew into a avid horsewoman, became a champion barrel racer, and later became involved in dressage with her precious “Hondo Horsey.” Throughout the years her horses remained a constant and an absolute necessity in her life.

Kathleen is survived by her husband, Harvey; children, Robin Olayvar and Dena Anderson; sister, Marlowe Mogenson; brother Walter (Barb) Dill. She is also survived by many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at the Faith Lutheran Church, Grantsburg on Tuesday, June 12.

The Edling Funeral Home in Grantsburg was entrusted with arrangements.

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

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

Marie Hach Menke Marie Hach Menke, 91, of St. Croix Falls, died June 6, 2007, peacefully at home of natural causes.

She was born in St. Paul, Minn., on December 23, 1915. She married Russell Hach on May 17, 1948 at the Little Brown Church in Iowa. They farmed in the: Cushing area for over 40 years until Russell’s death in 1979.

In December of 1992, she married Vincent Menke and lived in Wolf Creek until the time of her death. She was preceded in death by husband, Russell; sisters, Irene and Margaret.

She is survived by husband, Vincent; daughter, Maxine (Stanley) Olson; son, Richard (Cheryl) Hach; six grandchildren, Jennifer (DonJon) Erickson, Michelle (Chad) Lehman, Christopher Olson, Andrea (Ryan) Richardson, Angela (Josh) Spoelstra and Tony Hach; four great-grandchildren, Thea Erickson, Drew Lehman, Breck Richardson, Kincade Lehman; and sister-in-law, Myrtle Kisselburg. Also surviving are three stepchildren, five step-grandchildren and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Wolf Creek Methodist Church Friday, June 15, at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at the church.

The Edling Funeral Home, St. Croix Falls, was entrusted with arrangements.

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

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

Betty Bystrom Betty Bystrom, 83, died June 6, 2007, at the Frederic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Frederic.

Betty Katherine was born April 25, 1924, the daughter of Loyal and Christine Lunde, in the North Valley area of Eureka Township, Polk County.

She attended grade school at the North Valley School, where she loved to play softball. She attended one year of high school at Milltown. She was confirmed at North Valley Church.

After school, she worked for several families in the Milltown area, cleaning and caring for their children.

On April 7, 1943, Betty married Albin Bystrom and to this union five children were born, Nancy, Patsy, Diane, Robyn and Kevin. After the death of her daughter, Patsy, in the 1968, Betty became a mother again to her grandson, Tim, who was 5.

Betty and Albin lived on a dairy farm, so Betty spent many hours helping in the barn and doing outside chores. She always had a big vegetable garden and did lots of canning. She raised cucumbers for the pickle factory in Centuria for a few summers. For several years, she also worked outside the home; the yo-yo factory, the plastics plant in Frederic and the Stokely canning factory in Milltown. Her hobbies included fishing, ceramics, bird watching and flowers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Loyal and Christine Lunde; husband; daughter, Patsy and her husband, Leo Parmeter; sisters, Iola Bengtson, Lila McLean, Jean Rutsch; and two brothers, Loyal Lunde Jr. and Rudd Lunde.

She is survived by daughters, Nancy (Daniel) Lee of Hopkins, Minn., Diane Boe of Amery, Robyn (John) Meyer of Frederic; son, Kevin (Dianne) of St. Croix Falls. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Tim, Teresa, Traci, Tori, Victor, Mindy, Adam and Whitney; seven great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren and two brothers, Curtiss Lunde of Milltown and Earl (Norma) Lunde of Troy, Texas; and one sister-in-law, Rose Lunde of Temple, Texas.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 18, 11 a.m., at the North Valley Church with Pastor Maggie Isaacson officiating. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at New Home Cemetery.

The Edling Funeral Home, St. Croix Falls, was entrusted with arrangements.

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

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

Robert Northquest Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 14, for Robert Northquest who died June 11 at St. Croix Regional Medical Center following a battle with cancer.

He was 81 years old.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Taylors Falls, Minn. with the Edling Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. A full obituary will appear in next week’s Leader.

PAGE 30 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

OBITUARIES Carolyn G. Bradshaw

Pearl B. Jensen

Marjorie Ann Maier

Carolyn G. Bradshaw, 75, of Danbury, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 2, 2007.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Harold A. Bradshaw; two daughters, Lonnie L. Vix and Julie A. Bradshaw; two grandsons, John F. Vix and Daniel B. Songetay; granddaughter, Jeannie Bradshaw; greatgrandsons, Aiden Vix and Avery Vix. Funeral services were held Monday, June 11, 2007, at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home at Webster with Pastor Arnold Enslin officiating.

The Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Webster was entrusted with arrangements.

Pearl B. Jensen, age 91 of Luck, died Sunday, June 10, 2007 at her residence.

Pearl was born on Sept. 15, 1915, in Osceola Township to Henning and Ruth Carlson.

She was the oldest of seven children and was both baptized and confirmed at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Dresser.

She married Leonard Chinander in 1937 and had two sons, Allen and Wayne. After Leonard’s death in 1965, she moved to Luck and married Carl Jensen. Carl passed away in 1990 and Pearl continued to maintain her home in Luck.

Pearl was a familiar face in the Luck Community including the Senior Citizens Center, Pioneer Home and the Luck schools. She was an active member and longtime caretaker of the DBS Hall. Bone Lake Lutheran Church was a very important part of her life and she was involved in many church activities. She loved people and she always had a smile on her face. Her positive attitude about life served her well.

Pearl is survived by her two sons, Allen Chinander of North St. Paul, Minn., and Wayne (Barbara) Chinander of Fort Dodge, Iowa; former daughter-in-law, Jeanine Gehrke of Mesa Ariz.; four grandchildren, Terri Vasquez, Todd Chinander, Tami (Dean) Swenson and Jason (Jackie) Chinander; six great-grandchildren, Corey, Heather and Sean Vasquez, Riley and Olivia Swenson and Mira Chinander; one great-great-granddaughter, Alexis; brothers, Donald (Lorene) Carlson, Dean Carlson and Arnold (Jane) Carlson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two husbands; sister, Evelyn Hoiby; brother, Leon Carlson; and infant sister, Fern; and special friend, Earl Scott.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2007, at the Bone Lake Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Hall officiating. Burial will be in the Sand Lake Cemetery by the Bethesda Lutheran Church in Dresser on Thursday with Junior Hoiby, Roger Hoiby, Craig Adair, Todd Chinander, John Erickson and Dean Swenson as pallbearers.

The Rowe Funeral Home in Luck was entrusted with arrangements.

Marjorie Ann Maier, 82, of rural Luck, died at her home on Wednesday, June 6, 2007.

Marge was born Nov. 26, 1924, in Mankato, Minn., to Aloyious and Anne Wilmes. She was one of six children. Marge was raised in St. Paul, Minn., and graduated from Humboldt High School. On April 24, 1948, she married Adrian Maier and two children were born to this marriage, Mick and LuAnn. Marge and Adrian farmed in Georgetown on Bone Lake for their entire life.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Adrian; and all her siblings, Bud, Lloyd, Dave, Margret and Collette.

She is survived by her son, Mick (Judy) Maier of rural Luck; LuAnn White (Ray Rowe) of Milltown; sister-inlaw Ann Nykriem of Amery, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and other friends and relatives.

A mass of Christian burial was held at St. Joseph’s Church in Amery on June 11 with Father Drummy officiating. Burial was in the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Georgetown Township next to her husband.

Casket bearers were Charlie Maier, Jeremy White, Marvin Johnson, Eugene Ince, Kurt Afdahl, Denny Edwards, Ray Rowe, Ray Stachowski, Steve Hillshiem, Ed Mathys, Andy Mangelsen, Rory Freer and Frank Skidmore.

The Rowe Funeral Home in Luck was entrusted with the arrangements.

Elmer “Jim” Bibeau Elmer “Jim” Bibeau, 77, of Frederic, died Saturday, June 9, 2007.

Jim was born on April 26, 1930, in Stillwater, Minn.

Jim married his wife, Pat, on July 17, 1948, and they raised seven children together.

Jim and Pat and their family moved to Frederic in 1976. He was the plant manager for Suburban Propane in Frederic until he retired in 1992. He also served on the volunteer fire department for many years and was elected chief. Jim was an avid fisherman; loved music, deer hunting, playing cards and spending time with his family. He was an active member of his parish and a member of the church choir. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, and leaves quite a legacy.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Matilda; father, Adolphus; and six siblings.

He is survived by wife, Patricia; children, Patricia, Sarah, Jacalyn, James, Joseph, Janet and Julianne; grandchildren, Nicole, Julene, Sarah, Aaron, Tyler and Mitchell; and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 15, 2007, at 11 a.m., at St. Dominc Catholic Church. Visitation will by Thursday, at Rowe Funeral Home, Frederic, from 4 to 7 p.m. and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, at St. Dominic Church.

The Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic was entrusted with arrangements.

CHURCH NEWS $3,700 in scholarships awarded at Peace Lutheran Church DRESSER – When John S. Larson passed away a few years ago, he left money to Peace Lutheran Church, Dresser, to be used for educational purposes. The money was invested, and the proceeds from that investment are used each year to award scholarships.

On June 10, seven young men and women were awarded the John S. Larson Family Scholarships ranging in amounts from $250 to $750. Pictured are: Chelsea Benitz, Jordan Blomberg, Ryan Carlson, Jonathan Haley and Stephanie Wolfe. Not pictured are Hannah Koehler and Mallory Swenson.

The criteria for selection is that the applicants be a member of Peace Lutheran and actively involved in the work and mission of the church. They are required to write a scholarship application that includes a list of activities they have been involved in as well as a personal faith statement. Scholarships are not renewed automatically, but recipients are welcome to reapply each year.

- submitted

Pictured are: Chelsea Benitz, Jordan Blomberg, Ryan Carlson, Jonathan Haley and Stephanie Wolfe.

Not pictured are Hannah Koehler and Mallory Swenson. – Photo submitted

Fathers perform with Bethany Bell Choir SIREN –Members of the children’s bell choir at Bethany Lutheran Church in Siren were joined by their fathers and guests for a special performance of “Jesus Loves Me” Sunday, June 10. The song was part of the message delivered

by Pastor John Clasen during his sermon, which was taken from 1 Kings 17:17-24. Alter flowers for the day were given in celebration of Jim and Marge Olson’s 35th wedding anniversary. Worship services are held each Sunday at Bethany at 8 and 10:30 a.m. All are welcome. A new member class is beginning soon. For more information, call 715-3495280. – Bethany Lutheran Church, Siren

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 31

CHURCH NEWS Going After Dad Many animal dads help raise their young. Most of you probably have watched a father bird bring food to his constantly crying and clamoring baby in the nest. Even after fledging, some baby birds sit on a clothesline cheeping impa- Sally Bair tiently for Dad’s next morsel.

Like birds, human babies also cry and clamor for food. Being PERSPECTIVES helpless, they never quit begging.

(And if you’re a parent, you know that the begging stage can last forever!) A little boy asks Daddy for a special toy. Dad says no. The child follows behind Dad, not saying another word but occasionally tugging on his sleeve, giving him an unexpected hug, or simply repeating his name: “Daddy!

Daddy! Daddy!”

Nine times out of 10, Dad will give in to his son’s demands. Dads love to hear their children call them by name. It’s a joy and honor to be recognized. The first time a baby says “Da-da” is occasion to pop Pop’s shirt buttons.

God, too, loves to hear his name spoken by those whom he loves and who love him. Paul the Apostle tells us that we have received the Spirit of sonship.

“And by him (the Holy Spirit) we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’“ (Romans 8:15) One of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to create in us a feeling of family love that will cause us to know God as our Father. The word Abba (meaning Father or Daddy), expresses a deep emotion of intimacy, warmth, and confidence. It is the word Jesus used when speaking or referring to his heavenly Father.

When God hears us speak to him out of love, even when we repeatedly beg as babies do to their dads and moms, he listens to our pleas and bestows good gifts upon us. And the list of gifts is endless: salvation, healing, life, freedom from the bondage of sin, grace, rest, the Holy Spirit, and others. Jesus asks, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?” (Luke 11:11-12) Lord, may today and every day be a celebration in honor of you, the greatest Dad of all, Father God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

(Mrs. Bair may be reached at sallybair@gmail.com)

ETERNAL

You can’t get to heaven alone

majority of people will not be saved (Matthew 7:13-14). God loves everybody, but God saves only the obedient: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suf(Part 2 of 5) fered; and being made perfect, he became the author We need each other. It’s easier to do right of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” when there are others to encourage us; “For (Hebrews 5:8-9). “Behold therefore the goodness if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath Garret but toward thee goodness, if thou continue in his not another to help him up. Again, if two lie tootherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (RoDerouin goodness: gether, then they have heat: but how can one be mans 11:22). Those who don’t know God and warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two fail to obey Christ will be lost in spite of the love THE shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not of God. Paul wrote, “...when the Lord Jesus shall quickly broken.” (Ecc. 4:10-12 KJV). But that PREACHER’S be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in is not the focus of this continuing series of flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know articles. Many people believe they can get to not God, and that obey not the gospel of our heaven alone – with only one of God’s list of Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with salvation essentials. Interestingly, the word “alone” is everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and found 108 times in Scripture (37 times in the N.T.) but from the glory of His power” (2Thessalonians 1:7-9). is never used with any one of the twenty-six different God’s love is counterbalanced by God’s justice. His things to which salvation is attributed. Last week we character demands that He punish all sin that has not examined one way that some people try to get to been forgiven (Romans 3:23-26). God’s love makes heaven “alone”. This week, let us examine another. heaven possible, but love “alone” will not carry one Some try to get to heaven by the LOVE OF GOD there. (Adapted from a tract by Wade Webster) alone.

If readers have questions or simply wish to know Some believe God’s love alone guarantees them a more about the Church of Christ, we would like to inhome in heaven. “A loving God would never send me vite them to call 715-866-7157 or stop by the church to an eternal hell” is the thinking. It is needless to say building at 7425 W. Birch St. in Webster. Sunday Bible that none of us could be saved without God’s love. class begins at 9:30 a.m. and worship begins at 10:30 But, nonetheless, God’s love “alone” does not save. a.m. We also meet Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. OfCarried to its logical conclusion, this would mean fice hours are Tuesdays through Fridays 9 a.m. - noon. that every person would be saved since God loves the whole world (John 3:16-17). But the Bible says that the

PEN

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church confirmation

Intergenerational project Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, held confirmation on May 6.

Back row (L to R): Pastor Mark Schoen, Hailie Schwarztrauber, Jordan Ogdahl, Luke Hedlund and Austin Wahl. Front row: Nicole Berganini, Alicia Chelberg, Emma Wimberly, Maggie Wimberly, Jessica Larcom and Amanda Schuman. – Photo submitted

Frederic United Methodist enjoy the Taylors Falls’ Princess

Youth and adults of Fristad Lutheran Church of Centuria are shown working together in planting flowers at the base of the Centuria welcome sign.

Pictured in front (L to R): Zachary Rau, Colton Sorensen and Anna Schultz. Pictured in back: Marilyn Schmaltz. This was a Thrivent for Lutherans project of “Join Hands.” – Photo submitted

UMW make blankets Members and friends of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Frederic, enjoyed a trip down the St. Croix River on the paddleboat Taylors Falls’ Princess Thursday, June 7. Darlene Miller was in charge of arrangements, and everyone thanked her for changing the weather from a storm warning with hail to a sunny warm day with calm waters. There were 23 people taking part in this day of fellowship, including Pastor Freddie Kirk and husband Harry, John Glockzin, Bonnie and Gerald Schultz, Vi Luke, Eleanore Bonneville, Millie Erickson, Norma West, Elverna Anderson, Leona Larson, Mike and Barb Grotheim, Marvel Beckman, Roger and Darlene Miller, Eunice and Gene Early, Grant and Mary Burdick, Tom and Jane Cook and Beryl Johnson. – Photos submitted The United Methodist Women of Siren United Methodist Church crocheted, knit, sewed fleece or quilted 70 baby blankets to be sent to needy women in the Wisconsin Women and Infants project or to underdeveloped countries. Four of the UMW members, (L to R): Darlene Jackson, Bev Beckmark, Shirley Bloom and Hazel Hahr, are shown with the blankets that were taken to the Wisconsin UM Annual Conference near Madison June 10. The women were allowed to write a prayer on a 3 x 5 card enclosed in a zippered, plastic bag to go with each blanket. – Photo submitted

Darlene Miller, Millie Erickson and Barb Grotheim enjoyed the sunshine as they traveled down the St. Croix River.

PAGE 32 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

CHURCH NEWS Parents fear their children’s teen rebellion Q: My children are still in elementary school, but I want to avoid adolescent rebellion in the future if I can. What can you tell me to help me get ready for this scary time?

DR. DOBSON: I can understand why you look toward the adolescent years with some apprehension.

This is a tough time to raise kids. Many youngsters sail right through that period with no unusual stresses and problems, but others get caught in a pattern of rebellion that disrupts families and scares their moms and dads to death. I've spent several decades trying to understand that phenomenon and how to prevent it. The encouraging thing is that most rebellious teens usually grow up to be responsible and stable adults who can't remember why they were so angry in earlier days.

I once devoted a radio program to a panel of "formerly rebellious teens" that included three successful ministers, the Rev. Raul Ries, Pastor Mike MacIntosh, and the Rev. Franklin Graham, son of Dr. Billy and Ruth Graham. Each of them had been difficult adolescents who gave their parents fits. With the exception of Ries, who had been abused at home, the other two couldn't recall what motivated their misbehavior, or why they didn't just go along and get along.

That is often the way with adolescence. It's like a tornado that drops unexpectedly out of a dark sky, tyrannizes a family, shakes up the community and then blows on by. Then the sun comes out and spreads its warmth again. Even though the teen years can be challenging, they're also filled with excitement and growth. Rather than fearing that experience, therefore, I think you ought to anticipate it as a dynamic time

when your kids transition from childhood to full-fledged adulthood.

••• Q: How can I help my child develop wholesome, respectful attitudes toward people of other racial and ethnic groups?

DR. DOBSON: There is no substitute for parental modeling of the at- Dr. James titudes we wish to teach. Someone Dobson wrote, "The footsteps a child follows are most likely to be the ones his parents thought they covered up." It is true. Our children are watching us carefully, and they instinctively imitate our behavior. Therefore, we can hardly expect them to be kind to the entire human family if we are prejudiced and rejecting.

Likewise, we will be unable to teach appreciation if we never say "please" or "thank you" at home or abroad. We will not produce honest children if we teach them to lie to the bill collector on the phone by saying, "Dad's not home." In these matters, our boys and girls instantly discern the gap between what we say and what we do. And of the two choices, they usually identify with our behavior and ignore our empty proclamations.

If you never speak derogatorily about racial minorities, and if you absolutely will not tolerate racially based jokes and slurs, your children will not fail to notice. It's the best place to begin your teaching process.

••• Q: How do I get started in discussing sex with my children? Is there a natural way to get into the topic?

DR. DOBSON: Fortunately, most children will ask

Taylors Falls Christian Women’s club to meet TAYLORS FALLS, Minn. – The Taylors Falls Christian Women’s Club will be hosting “Invite Your Man to Lunch Day,” on Monday, June 18, 11:30 a.m., at the Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City, Minn. The special feature will be “Sawscrolling and Coin Maps” by Ron

Sprecher. The music and food will be by Jon Ekstrom and the speaker will be Michael Keller with “When I Quit Playing the Game.”

The cost is $8 inclusive. Please call for reservations and/or cancellations at 651257-1768 or 715-857-5573. – submitted.

FOCUS ON THE

FAMILY

for information when they need it. You should be ready to grab those opportunities at the drop of a hat.

Sometimes very little warning is given. Our daughter asked for very specific details when she was only 7 years old, catching her mother off guard. My wife stalled for an hour during which she alerted me. Then the three of us sat on the bed drinking hot chocolate and talking about matters we hadn't expected to discuss for several years. You never know when such a moment will arrive and need to think them through in advance.

Although those spontaneous conversations are easiest, some children never ask the right questions. Some boys and girls have "inquiring minds that want to know," while others never give the subject of sex a second thought. If your child is one who seems uninterested, you're still on the hook. The task must get done.

Someone else will do the job if you won't – someone who may not share your values.

Dr. Dobson is founder and chairman of the board of the nonprofit organization Focus on the Family, P.O. Box 444, Colorado Springs, CO. 80903; or www.family.org. Questions and answers are excerpted from "The Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide" and "Bringing Up Boys," both published by Tyndale House.

COPYRIGHT 2007 JAMES DOBSON INC., DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE 4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; 816-932 6600.

Brought to you by:

Frederic Evangelical Free Church

Grantsburg Christian Women’s club to meet GRANTSBURG – The Grantsburg Christian Women will be meeting on Tuesday, June 19, at 9 a.m., at the Grantsburg Senior Center. Music will be provided by Sheila Rame and Eldon and JoAnn Freese. Feature is library update

by Sarah Hunt and Judy Pearson. The speaker will be Michael Keller (Village Missionary from Duluth, Minn.) His talk is “When I Quit Playing the Game.”

For reservations please call Pam 715463-5953. All are welcome. – submitted

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 33

PAGE 34 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

MERCHANDISE

HELP WANTED

Driver Are you getting paid more this year? Roehl drivers are with Practical Route and Top 10 pay. Guaranteed Home Time options for 7 on 7/off fleets. Also Regional, National.

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36-43 cpm/$1.20pm. $0 Lease NEW Trucks. Only 3 mos OTR. 800-635-8669. Melton Truck Lines. (CNOW) DRIVERS — No Experience? No problem! Midwest Driver Development has openings for CDL training now! Fin a n c i n g - J o b Placement-Tuition Reimbursement Program available. (920) 338-0844 ESTABLISHED ENVELOPES, FORMS and Commercial Printing Wisconsin Sales Territory, calling on financial, government and commercial accounts is replacing retiring Wisconsin salesman.

Similar background preferred. Send resumes to Bear Graphics, PO Box 3290, Sioux City, IA 51104.

EXPERIENCED OTR DRIVER. Earn $600/$1000/ wk. Daily freight from Green Bay to Ga. Health/Dental benefits available. 800-886-4204 or 920-680-5555.

LUMBER GRADER NEEDED for hardwood sawmill. Full time, 401K, health insurance.

Call Hanson and Lejay Lumber, Watertown. (920) 2611831.

TOURISM

ANTIGO LIBERTY DAYS June 22-24. Gun show, military exhibits and re-enactments, mess hall, USO style show, hangar dance, flag ceremony. www.antigolibertydays.com.

(CNOW) FISH LAKE SUPERIOR, our lake trout, walleyes, and salmon bite all summer. 30 ft boat, all equipment provided.

Reasonable rates.

Rusty Duck Charters. www.rustyduck.net 1-877-726-7775.

(CNOW)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ALL CASH CANDY ROUTE. Do you earn $800 in a day?

Your own local candy route.

Includes 30 Machines and Candy. All for $9,995. 1-888745-3358. MultiVend, LLC. (CNOW) INVESTORS WANTED! Multi-Million Dollar TEMP SERVICES (5) IN WISCONSIN looking to sell 49% or 50% of company. Expanding rapidly! $500,000. Call Mike (920) 251-7766 (CNOW) JIMMY’S PIZZA FRANCHISE Opportunity available in Wisconsin. We are expanding and looking for great people and places! Call Greg (320) 293-3362 or visit website: w w w . j i m m y s pizza.com (CNOW)

HOME LEADER LOG SEEKS DEALERS Original Old Timer Log Homes $4,000 Investment-High Commissions Stability, Support & Training Contact Mr. Vester Today! 800467-3006 www.oldtimerloghomes.com

PETS

A.K.C. PUPS: Bassets, Border Collies, Cockers, Dachshunds, Labradors, Lhasa Apsos, Pomeranians, Schipperkes, Schnauzers, Springers. Terriers: Cairns, Scotties, and others. Gerald Schulz (920) 526-3512.

EDUCATION

BLACKWELL JOB CORPS CENTER offers Free Federal Training Scholarships for young adults. For tour or information, call 715-674-7654. For an application contact Julie Eder 715-359-7040. (CNOW) NEED HOST PARENTS for German High School Students for all/part of 2007/08 school year.

Call Now. Reflections Int’l Exchange Student Program. 608-583-2412.

REAL ESTATE

GREAT SUMMER DEALS! New 2 bedroom sectional, only $33,900. Used 1996 16’x70’ only $26,900. Includes delivery and set-up.

Harrill’s Homes. 1-800-236-4695.

NORTH COUNTRY HOMES Is Wisconsin’s #1 in Factory Built Homes for 32 Years.

Drive a Little, Save a Lot! Hwy 47 & 29 Bonduel (715) 7587500. www.northcountryhomes.com (CNOW)

BRAND NEW HOT TUB! 3 pumps, 50 jets, Fiberoptic lights. Waterfall. Full Warranty, Never Used.

Cost $8,499, SACRIFICE $3,495.

Can Deliver. (920) 841-0269.

Don. (CNOW) FATHER’S DAY SALE! Factory Deals up to $400 off!

Dad’s contest June 16th!

Woodworker’s Depot, Wisconsin’s Largest, M-F 8-6, Sat 8-4.

Oneida St off 41, right at Starbucks. 2965 Ramada Way, Green Bay 800-891-9003.

(CNOW) FLEA-FLEA-FLEA-O-RAMA. June 16th&17th; Saturday 125, Sunday 8-4. $4 Wisconsin State Fair Park. Milwaukee.

TREASURES GALORE! Early Birds. Sat 10-12. $10.

Zurko. 715-526-9769.

WANT ADS

WE HAVE PARTS for tractors, combines, machinery, hay equipment and more.

Used, new, rebuilt, aftermarket. Downing Tractor Parts, Downing, Wis., 877-5301010. www. asapagparts. com 32Ltfc RECEPTIONIST WANTED, Ménagerie AVEDA Concept Hair Salon and Café. Great pay, flexible hours, sales incentive, 715-483-1250. 4243Lp 2005 YAMAHA 450 KODIAC, 550 miles, $4,500 firm, 715-755-3621, leave message. 42-43Lp 1997 DODGE RAM 1500 LARAMIE SLT EXT. CAB: 4x4, V8, 162,000 mi., runs great, $4,500 or B.O., 715755-3621, leave message.

42-43Lp

PUBLIC AUCTION: June 25, 2007, Balsam Lake Mini Storage, 8:30 a.m. Personal effects, household goods and misc. items belonging to the following: Kim and Troy Hochstetler, Unit #BA03 and Sherri McKenzie, Unit #86.

42-43Lc PUBLIC AUCTION: June 25, 2007, Frederic Mini Storage, 9:30 a.m. Personal effects, household goods and misc. items belonging to Joseph Madsen, Unit #30. 42-43Lc PUBLIC AUCTION: June 25, 2007, Siren Mini Storage, 10 a.m. Personal effects, household goods and misc. items belonging to Brenda Pierce, Unit #10. 42-43Lc

JUNE 13, 2007 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 35

Megan Neumann

Jessica Owens

Alicia Strenke

Holly Stoner

Melanie Chenal

Savanna Pearson

Danielle Gadbois

Photos submitted

Miss Frederic will be crowned Saturday FREDERIC - A new Miss Frederic will be crowned Saturday evening at the 43rd-annual Miss Frederic Pageant.

The pageant begins at 7 p.m. at the Birch Street Elementary School.

Seven young women are vying for the title of Miss Frederic this year, and current Miss Frederic Julia Haas, First Princess Dawn Harlander and Second Princess Emily Didlo will crown their successors at the end of an evening highlighted by talent presentations by the candidates and special entertainment by Harmonic Balance.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children and students.

Pageant director Amy Tinman has chosen a Hawaiian Luau theme. Miss Frederic 2001 Sara Stevens will return to serve as mistress of ceremonies.

Candidates this year are: Megan Neumann, daughter of Alan and Sue Neumann. Sponsored by Drs. Harlander & Tesch and Anderson Construction, she will perform a drum solo for her talent competition.

Jessica Owens, daughter of Roger and Kim Owens. Sponsored by Owens Farms, Inc. and Larsen Auto Center, she will be performing a flute solo in the talent competition.

Alicia Strenke, daughter of Ardell and Shelly Strenke. Sponsored by the Washhouse and Carlson Excavating, she will be performing a jazz dance for the talent

competition.

Holly Stoner, daughter of Steve and Terri Stoner. Sponsored by Daeffler’s Quality Meats and Scott’s Concrete and Construction, she will be performing a vocal and guitar solo.

Melanie Chenal, daughter of Dave and Nancy Chenal. Sponsored by West Sweden Skol Haus and Silverstone Transportation, she will be performing a vocal solo for her talent performance.

Savanna Pearson, daughter of Lonny and Terri Pearson. Sponsored by Bremer Bank and TJ Lon’s Salon, she will be performing a clarinet solo for the talent competition.

Danielle Gadbois, granddaughter of Mike and Tami Colgan. Sponsored by Countryside Inn and Madden’s Steakhouse, she will be performing a humorous monologue for her talent competition.

Saturday’s pageant will also include the crowning of a new Little Miss Frederic and Princess and the traditional introduction of past royalty and visiting royalty, as well as evening gown competition.

A queen’s tea, featuring Frederic royalty and visiting royalty, will be held Sunday from noon to 1 p.m. at the K-6 school, just prior to the 1:30 p.m. grand parade.

Little Miss Frederic candidates

Miss Frederic Julia Haas, First Princess Dawn Harlander and Second Princess Emily Didlo invite everyone to join in three days of fun and fellowship.

Frederic Family Days has a three-day run this weekend Three days of family events and activities include street dance, parade

Candidates for Little Miss Frederic 2007 are (L to R), back row: Ellizabeth Petersen, Mariah Coen, Aileen Guzman and Hannah Schott. Front: Sophie Fredericks, Kalyn Miller, Shannon Erickson and Sydney Domagala. - Photo by Raelynn Hunter

FREDERIC-Three days of familyoriented activities begins Friday as the 43rd-annual Frederic Family Days gets under way.

The celebration’s mainstay events include a talent show and fireworks Friday evening, a queen pageant and street dance Saturday evening and a large parade on Sunday afternoon.

The fourth-annual Family Days Treasure Hunt - for children 12 and under - begins Friday at 6 p.m. with clues being posted every 15 minutes at Coon Lake Park. A Family Days button purchase is required in order to participate in the hunt.

Friday’s talent show at the park begins at 7 p.m. and kids games will begin at 6 p.m. Music at the park by Entertainment Express is from 8:30 p.m. until dusk, when the fireworks begin.

Saturday includes an arts and crafts fair downtown from 9 a.m. to

3 p.m. tournament.

Other Saturday events include a softball tournement at the park, a mixed volleyball tourney, another treasure hunt at the park, an antique tractor show featuring old vehicles and toy tractors, an archery money shoot at Great Northern Outdoors, a kiddie parade, kids games at the park, a horseshoe tournament, a pork roast fundraiser at the fire hall and a coronation street dance Saturday evening from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with music by Deuce.

Sunday will feature a pancake breakfast at the American Legion Hall, worship in the park from 11 a.m. to noon, the Wilson Family Singers and Friends at the Coon Lake Bandshell (old-time country music) from noon to 1 p.m., a petting zoo at the park, a parade at 1:30 p.m., a performance by the Frederic E-Free Puppet Team at 2:45 p.m. at the Coon Lake Bandshell, and a kids pedal tractor pull from 3 to 5 p.m. at the park.

See the Frederic Area Chamber of Commerce Family Days ads in the Advertiser and Leader for more information.

PAGE 36 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B- JUNE 13, 2007

JUNE

WEDNESDAY/13 Frederic

• Anderson concert, 7 p.m., at the Evangelical Free Church.

THURSDAY/14

Coming events

Amery

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

SUNDAY/24

• Lorie Line performs, at the high school, 7:30 p.m., Call 800-801-5463 or 715-2689771, ext. 220 for more info.

Cushing

• 69th Sterling Settler’s Picnic, at the community center. Please bring a dish to share, everything else is furnished.

Dresser

• The National Active & Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 1581 dinner meeting, noon, at the Village Pizzeria. All federal & retired federal employees are welcome.

St. Croix Falls

• 12th-annual Pie & Ice-Cream Social, at Good Samaritian, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Call 715483-9815 for more info.

Frederic

• 500 cards, 6:30 p.m., at the senior center.

Webster

FRI. & SAT./15 & 16

• Wisconsin Muskie Tour tournament, on Yellow Lake. Call 715-369-1394 or log on to www.wmtseries.com. for more info.

Connersville

• Central County Coonhunters Club’s UKC Tough Dog Event, 715-822-8834 or 715642-056.

MONDAY/25

FRI. - SUN./15 - 17

Frederic

Siren

• Spades played, 1 p.m., at the senior center.

FRIDAY/15

• DivorceCare divorce recovery seminar & support group meets at the First Baptist Church at 7 p.m., with sessions for both adults and children.

• 11th-annual 6th-grade boys baseball tournament, Contact Mike Murphy at 715349-5233 or mbmurphy@sirentel.net.

Osceola

Frederic

• Zion Lutheran Church Garage Sale, at the VFW Legion Hall, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

• 7th-annual SCRMC fundraiser golf tournament, 715-483-9800 or 715-483-0247.

• St. Luke’s Methodist Church Family Days Café, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the church dining hall.

• Pokeno played, 1 p.m., at the senior center.

Voyager Village

• Longest Day of Golf Fundraiser, at the golf course, supporting Kinship of Burnett County.

Call 715-349-2699 for more info.

TUES. & WED./26 & 27 Danbury

Siren

• Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park season opening, and wild rice pancake breakfast.

For info call 715-866-8890 or check out the Web site at www.theforts.org.

• Free film for Father’s Day, CUE presents Kirk Douglas in “Illusion” at the school auditorium at 6 p.m. Call 715-349-7070 for more info.

SAT. - SUN./16 & 17 Frederic

• Family Days Money Shoot, indoor archery tournament at Great Northern Outdoors, 10 a.m. Call 715-327-4417 for more info.

St. Croix Falls

• Regional Arts & Crafts Festival, at the Chateau St. Croix Winery. Call 715-483-2556 for more info.

SATURDAY/16 Amery

• Women’s Club Art & Craft Fair, at the North Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 715-268-6324 or 715268-4101 for more info.

Clam Falls

• 23rd-annual Dairy Breakfast, at the Grant Burdick Farm, 6 a.m.-noon.

Frederic

• Noon potluck lunch, at the senior center.

Bingo, cards, pool or fellowship begins at 1:30 p.m.

• Fire Department open house & fundraiser, noon-8 p.m.

Hayward

• Northwest Chapter of the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Assoc. field day, 9:30 a.m. Call 715-635-3733 for more info.

Milltown

• The Lutheran Church’s 4th-Annual Auction, 11 a.m., Milltown Park on Hwy. 35.

Luck

• Faith Fellowship Church rummage & bake sale, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Ice Age Trail work day, on the Straight River segment. Meet at 10 a.m., at the Dversdalls.

Contact Dean at 715-472-4378 for more info.

Siren

• Furry Family Reunion, at the Humane Society, with games & contests. Call the shelter, 715-866-4096 for more info.

• 23rd-annual Siren Ag. Club & Community Ag. Assoc. Dairy Breakfast, 6 a.m.-noon. Call 715-349-7411 for location.

• BBQ Fundraiser, 5-7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge.

St. Croix Falls

• Touch-a-Truck fundraiser, sponsored by Life Link III at Wal-Mart parking lot 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Trade Lake

• Lake Improvement Assn., 9 a.m. at the town hall.

SUNDAY/17 Clayton

• Cheese Days Demo Derby, 4 p.m. Call 715948-2923 or 715-948-2449 for more info.

TUESDAY/26 Balsam Lake

• Polk County Historical Society meeting, 7:15 p.m.at the justice center. Speaker Ralph The steeple of an abandoned church rises above a residential neighborhood Weber will bring stereoscopes and cards along with his knowledge. Board meeting at in the village of Grantsburg. - Photo by Gary King 5:45 p.m.

MONDAY/18 Frederic

• Spades played, 1 p.m., at the senior center.

• American Legion & Auxiliary #249 meeting, 7 p.m. at the legion hall.

Luck

St. Croix Falls

• Historical Society meeting, 7 p.m., at the Scenic Riverway Visitor Center. Ken Martens of Houlton, speaking about the Civil War, as it affected residents of the valley.

FRI. & SAT./22 & 23 A&H

• Danish Brotherhood Society monthly meeting, at noon potluck dinner, meeting & fellowship. New members always welcome. Note time change.

• 9th-annual Trash & Treasure Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Lakeside Lutheran Church.

Osceola

• 11th-annual jr. high boys baseball tournament, Contact Mike Murphy at 715-349-5233 or mbmurphy@sirentel.net.

• DivorceCare divorce recovery seminar & support group meets at the First Baptist Church at 7 p.m., with sessions for both adults and children. Call 715-294-4222 for info.

TUESDAY/19 Clam Falls

• Coffee Hour, 9 a.m., at the Lutheran church.

Grantsburg

• Northwest Cleansweep hazardous waste collection, 3-4:30 p.m., at the fairgrounds.

Luck

• Ruby’s Pantry food distribution, noon-2 p.m., or until food is gone, at the school bus garage. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. Bring containers to carry food. Questions, contact 715-472-2535.

Webster

• Northwest Cleansweep hazardous waste collection, 10 a.m.-noon, at the fairgrounds.

WEDNESDAY/20 Cushing

• Outdoor Mass St. Dominic and Immaculate Conception Catholic Churches at the Cushing Park, 6 p.m. Call 715-327-8119 for more info.

Frederic

• Pokeno played, 1 p.m., at the senior center.

Unity

• Eagle Athletic Booster Club meets, membership registration and meeting, 6 p.m. at the high school library.

THURSDAY/21 Frederic

• 500 cards, 6:30 p.m., at the senior center.

Luck

• American Legion & Auxiliary #255 meeting, 7 p.m., at the village hall.

FRI. - SUN./22 - 24 Siren

FRIDAY/22 Frederic

• Pokeno played, 1 p.m., at the senior center

SATURDAY/23 A&H

• Sunflower Daze plant sale/bake sale/crafts, etc., 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Sacred Hearts Church.

Webster

• Food and Friends community dinner, 5-6 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church.

WEDNESDAY/27 Frederic

• Pokeno played, 1 p.m., at the senior center.

THURSDAY/28 Frederic

• 500 cards, 6:30 p.m., at the senior center.

FRIDAY/29 Frederic

• Pokeno played, 1 p.m., at the senior center.

SAT. & SUN./ JUNE 30 & JULY 1 Frederic

• Fastest Show on H2O Watercross, 6th annual watercross,10 a.m., on Coon Lake. Call 715-327-8679, 715-497-2222, 715-327-5738, 715-297-8487 or 715-327-8762.

Luck

Clear Lake

• West Denmark Family Camp Program, begins Sat. at 7 p.m. Call 715-472-2383 for more info.

Deer Lake

SATURDAY/30

• Heritage Days Demo Derby, at the park, 2 p.m.

• 4th-annual Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Derby, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 715-646-2060 for more info.

Falun

• 500 cards, 6:30 p.m., at the senior center.

• Falun Community Reunion, at the First Baptist Church, 2 p.m. Call 715-463-3625 or 715689-2776 for more info.

Luck

• Wisconsin Muskie Tour tournament, on Bone Lake. Call 715-369-1394 or log on to www.wmtseries.com. for more info.

Rice Lake

• 8th-annual Breast Cancer Poker Run, registration 10:30 a.m.-noon, at Harley-Davidson.

Call 715-234-5400 or 715-458-4604.

Siren

• Drop-off day for Siren Lions & Lioness Labor Day yard sale, 9 a.m.-noon at the east side of Clam Lake. Call 715-349-2400.

Somerset

• River Valley Hockey Assoc. Golf Tournament & Fundraiser, at Bristol Ridge Golf Course. Registration noon-1 p.m., shotgun start at 1 p.m. Call 888-872-5596, 715-2549170 or 715-755-3427.

Balsam Lake

• Freedom Festival 2007 2nd-annual Karaoke Idol Contest & finals.

• Annual Library Summer Book Sale, 9 a.m.1 p.m.

Danbury

• Lions Softball Tournament, Class C & D, followed by parade.

Frederic

• Noon potluck lunch, at the senior center.

Bingo, cards, pool or fellowship begins at 1:30 p.m.

Webster

• Brats, BBQ & Pie Social, on the lawn of Our Redeemer Lutheran Chruch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

JULY

SUNDAY/1 Danbury

• Lions Softball Tournament, Class C & D, followed by parade.

Webster

• Lions Chicken BBQ Cash/Raffle, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at old high school tennis courts, Hwy. 35.