ISSUE 139
June 2018
Catching memories Tournament fishing is a family affair for Jordan, Jeremy and Randy Anderson. (Submitted photo)
Competitive anglers reflect on fishing tradition By Shannon Geisen sgeisen@parkrapidsenterprise.com Fishing: It is one of Minnesotans’ most revered traditions. It is a rite of passage. It is a skill passed from one generation to the next. For those with a competitive spirit, recreational fishing evolves into avid tournament action. Randy Anderson and his sons, Jeremy and Jordan, regularly compete in Park Rapids area fishing tournaments. Growing up in lake country of northern Minnesota, Randy’s love of fishing began at an early age. “I had a grandpa and great-grandpa that would take me fishing way back when,” he said. “They were fishermen, and we did a lot of fishing offshore with a cane pole. Never really had any kind of a boat until I was seven, maybe eight years old. We would rent a boat at a couple lakes where I grew up, and we didn’t know if we could afford it or not.” One outfit charged $1 a day, Randy recalled. A few years later, another boat rental company charged $2 per day. “In both cases, it was just oars and Folgers cans to bail the water out,” he said.
As a boy, Randy used a 20-foot cane pole or a dropline – fishing line and hook tied to a stick. “My great-grandpa started taking me to offshore locations where we caught bass, northerns and the occasional walleye. You don’t forget stuff like that.” Back when it was legal, he snagged suckers out of the current with a treble hook on the cane pole. He’d then ride his bike to his uncle’s gas station with a pail full of suckers to sell as bait. “We seined minnows all the time. They never had any bait shops,” Randy said. He dug up angleworms on the shaded side of old sheds or from under old wood piles. He remembers cracking open a certain plant pod that housed a tiny, quarter-inch worm and using that for bait. “Nowadays everybody’s got to have fancy stuff,” Randy said. Randy and wife LaPalma live on Deer Lake, just west of Nevis, where they raised their sons. With a lake just a few steps away from their home, Jordan, 42, said, “Constantly, where we were at, we were looking at fish or trying to catch them. We had so many good memories – that fed it as well. Just everything we did revolved around the lake. It was just natural since Dad liked to fish.” “He passed on the obsession,” said Jeremy, 39. Deer Lake is part of the Mantrap chain. “It’s a decent fishing lake. It’s not like a walleye lake. It’s more of a panfish, bass type of lake,” Jeremy said.
CATCHING MEMORIES: Page 3
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
Inside this issue... 2 Fight fraud, scams and identity theft 4 How to find retiree travel perks and write a living will 5 Art Beat 8 Cooking with beans
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Fight fraud, scams and identity theft By Lorie Skarpness lskarpness@parkrapidsenterprise.com New Medicare cards are on their way. New enrollees are getting the new cards first, but everyone should have them by April 2019. Seniors need to make sure their address for mailing the cards is up to date and should call 800-772-1213 if their address has recently changed. The new cards have a longer number and do not include Social Security numbers. It is the latest step to help prevent healthcare fraud. “Hopefully, that will help so there’s less identity theft, too,” Kathy Dahl, a presenter from Land of the Dancing Sky Agency, said. Dahl makes presentations at seniors centers in the region. One of her presentations this spring focused on how seniors can avoid being victims of fraud, scams and identity theft. “Healthcare fraud affects everyone who pays taxes by wasting billions of dollars,” Dahl said. The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimates health care fraud costs the nation more than $68 billion annually. While billing and coding mistakes happen from time to time, fraud is deliberate and may involve bills for services or supplies not provided or billing twice for the same item. “If something doesn’t match, it’s time to investigate,” Dahl said. “The first stop is to call the provider and ask for an explanation.” Consumers are urged to protect, detect and report. Protecting means only giving Medicaid information to providers. Detecting involves looking at statements carefully for errors. Reporting means alerting the organization about possible fraud as soon as it is discovered. “When you go to the doctor, keep a record of the date, what they did, the diagnosis and any medications you received,” Dahl said. “Then later on when you get the bills you can reconcile them with your records. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.” A free health care journal is available at minnesotahealthcare.org or minnesotaaging.org. “If you don’t have a journal, use a notebook to keep a record of all your medical information,” Dahl said. “Compare your medical statements with your journal.” If there may have been a billing mistake, Dahl’s advice is “don’t pay until you know for sure.” If information a caller provides leads to conviction of health care fraud, they may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
Be informed and ask questions
“When you go to the hospital, they are required to let you know if it’s observation status or skilled care,” Dahl said. Observation status may increase out-of-pocket expenses. Patients or their families who disagree
with the decision may file an appeal by calling 855408-8557. If family members don’t believe the patient is ready to be discharged from the hospital, there is a form that can filled out to bring the decision before a review board. Medicare does generally not pay for hearing aids or glasses. Seniors may be able to add a “rider” to get help with some expenses. It’s good practice to ask ahead of time what is covered so the expense does not come as a surprise. “Keep copies of cancelled checks, bills and even the envelopes that show when they were sent,” Dahl said. “It takes awhile for services to be billed out.” She also advised seniors to look out for things that are advertised as “free” or offer free consultations and then ask for Medicare or insurance information. “If an item is free, the provider shouldn’t need your insurance information,” she said.
Another example is companies that ask seniors to send in a certain amount of money to cover all medications for the year. “They take your money and run,” Dahl said. Free evaluations and testing may also be a scan. “Be very careful of anything advertised as free,” she said. “Medicare does not call or visit to sell you anything and they will never ask for your bank account information.” People who come to a senior’s home offering discounted services for storm clean up or home repairs are also a red flag. When this type of work is needed, seniors should get several estimates from reputable local companies, a written contract and references. Payment should not be made until the work is completed satisfactorily. Contact local police to report a possible scam or fraud and get a copy of the police report as well. In addition, contact the Better Business Bureau at 800-646-6222.
Beware of scams
Prevent identity theft
People age 65 and older make up 11 percent of the population in the U.S., but 30 percent of scam victims. One reason may be that they are more likely to be home during the day when scammers are calling or visiting. Seniors with hearing loss may not understand what the caller is asking or be hesitant to ask questions. One of the more recent scams is the “grandparent scam.” Someone calls a residence and says a family member, such as a grandson, is in trouble or in jail and money needs to be wired immediately,” she said. Another scam involves a caller posing as a representative of the Internal Revenue Service, demanding money and threatening to take the senior to court. Dahl said the IRS does not make those type of calls. Callers may claim a senior has won a prize, but then ask for money to ship the prize. This is a red flag. “Never give out credit card or bank information to callers or purchase anything over the phone unless you initiated the call,” Dahl said. Registering with the national “Do Not Call” registry may help eliminate some unwanted calls. Call 888-383-1222 to register. It usually takes about 30 days to activate. According to the Federal Trade Commission, merchandise not ordered that comes in the mail can be considered a gift. Call 888-567-8688 to opt out of receiving credit or insurance offers by mail for five years. Advertisements on television or through phone calls may ask for a Medicare number while claiming to offer a free product, such as a back or knee brace, but later send a bill. Dahl’s advice is to say you don’t do any business over the phone and hang up. “Never give out your card number,” she said.
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The free Senior LinkAge Line (800-333-2433) has many resources available, including phone specialists. “We can help seniors or those caring for seniors with fraud, appeals or bills,” Dahl said. “We can be an advocate and go to bat for you. We can make calls with you and be your voice so you don’t have
FIGHT FRAUD: Page 3
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Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S., with as many as 750,000 victims each year. The biggest source is “dumpster diving” – when credit card or bank statements are taken from the trash. Checks ordered should be sent to the bank rather than to unlocked home mail boxes where someone could steal them. Shred private records, financial statements, credit card applications, checks and receipts with credit card information on them. Secure mail by emptying it when it arrives or getting a box at the post office. Never mail outgoing bills from home. Safeguard Social Security and Medicare numbers and only bring them to appointments where you will need them rather than carrying them around in a wallet or purse that could be stolen. If a theft occurs, keep a record of who it is reported to, including names and dates. Monitor credit card and bank statements for suspicious activity and obtain free credit reports to monitor any errors. Request a free credit report every three months. Anyone who believes they are a victim of identity theft should contact the three major credit bureaus and request a “fraud alert” be placed on their file. They are Equifax 800-525-6285, Experian 888-3973742 and TransUnion 800-680-7289.
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June 2018 CATCHING MEMORIES From Page 1
“Dad took us fishing every second we could. He’d tie us to the chair in the fish house so we wouldn’t fall down the hole.” “Two years old, I had kids fishing with me in the house tied to the chair and the chair was tied to the wall,” Randy agreed, chuckling at the memory. “We were like mummies,” Jeremy added. “We couldn’t get away,” said Jordan. Being naturally competitive, both sons said they couldn’t wait to join their father in local tournaments, like the Gene Cirks Memorial Scholarship Tournament on Lake Belle Taine, the Walt Winkowski Memorial Fishing Tournament on Osage’s Straight Lake or the Fall Classic Tournament on Long Lake. “It’s fun to be competitive, to see what you can do,” Jordan said. As teenagers, they followed champion anglers, like Virgil Ward. “Those are your heroes, like professional sports,” Jeremy said. Tournament fishing is not for the weary or faint-hearted. The boat is out on the water at 5 a.m., Jeremy explained. The tournament typically ends at 3 p.m., then there’s an award ceremony. “It’s a long day,” he said. Camaraderie among tourney anglers is a highlight for the Andersons. “Same people fishing every year and you cheer for each other: ‘You guys had a great day! That’s awesome!’” Jeremy said. “Most of the locals around here, they get along. And you learn from them, too. They might not give all their secrets, but you might have an idea what they were doing or where they were.” Grand prize ranges between $1,000 to $2,000. For many years, Jordan and Jeremy competed at a smallmouth bass contest on Rainy Lake – a threeday championship with a $20,000 top prize. Before starting families and careers, Jeremy said, “We fished like crazy. I had like two years in my life I fished over 200 days. I’m glad we did that because we learned so much.” “Probably in my early to mid-20s, I was doing over 200,” Jordan said. Today, both are trying to instill the same love of fishing in their own children. Jeremy is a fifth-grade teacher at Century Middle School and a professional fishing guide. Jordan, a mason, enjoys taking friends out fishing “for fun.” So does Randy. The Andersons’ wives aren’t always happy with their husbands, though, Jeremy said. “When we get together, all we talk is fishing.”
Park Rapids duo
Both Dean Christofferson and Jon Gravdahl were born and raised in Park Rapids. Since they teamed up for local fishing tourneys
FIGHT FRAUD From Page 2
to repeat the story five times. We have the capability to have you on the line and call the provider and the insurance company.It’s also being recorded so if they tell us something it’s documented.” Dahl said there was an incident where an insurance company admitted they’d made a mistake. “It was on the recording,” she said. “A few months later the man who called no longer had that insurance but they made it right because they said on the recording they would. If you get billed for something you didn’t authorize, call the Senior LinkAge Line for help. We have an excellent team that work on appeals.”
Dean Christofferson and Jon Gravdahl used a record catch to win the 2017 Fall Classic title on Long Lake. (Submitted photo)
about 20 years ago, they’ve garnered record catches and top prizes. Fishing was part of their childhoods and family ventures. Both of Christofferson’s parents were anglers. “I basically grew up as a river rat,” he said. “I lived a block away from the river, so every day after school I was down on the water.” At 16, when he got his driver’s license and access to a boat, he fished “a lot. I went from ‘a bunch’ to ‘a lot.’” Christofferson competed at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship on Rainy Lake for a decade. Initially, top prize was $50,000. The purse and the rules have changed over the years. “It gets to be expensive and you spent a lot of time up there,” he said, now preferring to fish local tourneys. “To me, the local tournaments are more of a friendly competition than your bigger tournaments. And it’s just fun to get together with everybody. You’re there to win, but first and foremost, it’s to have fun,” agreed Gravdahl. Gravdahl grew up fishing with his dad, Mike, in a boat. “From the time I can remember, I was in the boat with him and loved it. So every time I got a chance to go, I was going,” he said. “I knew his dad before I knew him, luckily,”
Christofferson joked. Gravdahl partnered with his dad at fishing tourneys up until switching to Christofferson. Both say they considered joining professional fishing tournament tours, but never made the leap. To make a living, sponsors are needed – and you have to successfully catch fish. Gravdahl does electrical work. Christofferson works for the City of Park Rapids’ utility department. Gravdahl’s youngest daughter, at 6 years old, has taken an interest in fishing. “We were fishing this weekend. She wasn’t going to quit until she caught one, no help from dad. And she did. After she caught that little northern, she was off to do something else,” Gravdahl said. “I was impressed with her drive.” Christofferson worries that too few youth are fishing these days, but at the same, “we’re seeing just a huge explosion in high school bass fishing – actual tournament fishing.” There are teams in the Bemidji, Brainerd and Fergus Falls areas. “You think all they’re doing is watching TV and stuff, well, there is still that core of kids that want to be outdoors,” he said. Fishing spans “many, many generations,” Christofferson said.
Senior LinkAge Line can help find services for an aging parent, plan for long-term care, get help from government agencies, fight fraud, obtain health insurance counseling, and share resources available to help seniors remain independent in their communities. Senior LinkAge Line can also help with comparisons for Medicare enrollment to make sure the plan chosen covers any changes in healthcare or medications that are needed.
Other resources
Other resources are available at the Disability Linkage Line (866-333-2466) and the Veterans Linkage Line (888-564-5838). Medicare.gov has a wealth of information as well as a link for signing up for services. The website www.MinnesotaHelp.info allows Minnesota residents to search for local services by topic, keyword or name.
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How to find retiree travel perks and write a living will The Savvy Senior BY JIM MILLER Columnist
Dear Savvy Senior, What types of travel discounts are available to older travelers? I just retired and am interested in learning about travel deals for people over 60. ~ Ready To Go Dear Ready, There are literally thousands of different travel-related discounts available to retirees that usually start anywhere between the ages 50 and 65. These discounts – typically ranging between 5 and 25 percent off – can add up to save you hundreds of dollars on your next trip. Here’s how you can find them.
Ways to save
The first thing to know is that most businesses don’t advertise them, but many give senior discounts just for the asking, so don’t be shy. You also need to be aware that when it comes to senior travel bargains, the “senior discount,” if available, may not always be the best deal. Hotels, resorts, airlines and cruise lines, for example, offer advanced bookings along with special deals and promotions from time to time that may be a lower rate than what the senior discount is. Before you book, always ask about the lowest possible rate and the best deal available. Another way retirees with flexible schedules can save is to be flexible when you travel. Last-minute travel deals can offer huge savings, as well as traveling during off-season or off-peak times, and avoiding holidays. Club memberships can also garner you a wide variety of travel bargains. AARP, for example has dozens of travel discounts available on hotels, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages – see AARPadvantages.com. Annual AARP membership fees are $16 or less if you join for multiple years. Or, if you don’t agree with AARP, there are alternative organizations you can join like the Seniors Coalition or the American Seniors Association that offer discounts on hotels and rental cars.
Types of discounts
Here’s an abbreviated rundown of some of the different travel discounts you can expect to find. Transportation: For airline travel, Southwest has fully refundable senior fares to passengers 65 and older, and British Airways offers AARP members $65 off economy travel and $200 off business club travel. American, United and Delta also offer senior fares in certain markets but are extremely limited. For traveling by train, Amtrak provides a 10 per-
cent discount to travelers 65-plus, and a 10 percent discount to passengers over age 60 on cross-border services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada. Greyhound bus lines also offers a 5 percent discount to passengers 62 and older. And most car rental companies offer 10 to 25 percent discounts to customers who belong to membership organizations like AARP or AAA. Hotels: Many U.S. hotels offer senior discounts (at varying ages), usually ranging between 5 and 15 percent off. For example, Marriott offers a 15 percent discount to travelers 62 and older at over 4,000 locations worldwide. And Wyndham hotel group offers 60-plus guests best available rate discounts. Restaurants: Some restaurant chains offer senior discounts, ranging from free drinks to senior menus to discounts off your total order. National chains that offer these deals include Burger King, Chili’s, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin Donuts, Golden Corral, IHOP and Wendy’s. Offers can vary by location. Cruises: Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise lines offer discount rates to cruisers 55 and over. Entertainment and attractions: Most movie theaters, museums, zoos, aquariums, public golf courses and even ski slopes provide reduced admission to seniors over 60 or 65. If you’re 62-plus, you’re also eligible for the “Senior Pass,” which provides a lifetime entry to 2,000 national parks and recreation sites. You can obtain this pass in person at one of the federal recreation sites for $80, or online for $90 at Store.usgs.gov/senior-pass. To look for other travel discounts on the go, download the Sciddy app at Sciddy.com. This app lets you search for senior discounts and can send you alerts when you’re at an establishment that offers them. Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the best way to go about making a living will? I recently retired and would like to start getting my affairs in order, just in case. ~ Approaching 70 Dear Approaching, Preparing a living will now is a smart decision that gives you say in how you want to be treated at the end of your life. Here’s what you should know, along with some resources to help you create one.
Advance directive
To adequately spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life medical treatment you need two legal documents: A “living will” which tells your doctor what kind of care you want to receive if you become incapacitated, and a “health care power of attorney” (or health care proxy), which names a person you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to. These two documents are known as an “advance directive,” and will only be utilized if you are too ill to make medical decisions yourself. You can also change or update it whenever you please.
Do-it-yourself
It isn’t necessary to hire a lawyer to complete an advance directive. There are free or low-cost
resources available today to help you write your advance directive, and it takes only a few minutes from start to finish. One that’s completely free to use is Caring Connections, a resource created by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. They provide state-specific advance directive forms with instructions on their website (CaringInfo.org) that you can download and print for free. Or you can call 800658-8898 and they will mail them to you and answer any questions you may have. Or, for only $5, an even better tool is the Five Wishes living will. Created by Aging with Dignity, a nonprofit advocacy organization, Five Wishes is a simple do-it-yourself document that covers all facets of an advance directive that will help you create a more detailed customized document. It is legally valid in 42 states and the District of Columbia. To learn more or to receive a copy, visit AgingWithDignity.org or call 888-594-7437.
Want legal help?
If you would rather use a lawyer, look for one who specializes in estate planning and health care related matters. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA.org) and the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC.org) websites have directories to help you find someone. Costs will vary depending on the state you reside in, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $200 and $500 to get one made.
Do not resuscitate
You should also consider including a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR) as part of your advance directive, since advanced directives do little to protect you from unwanted emergency care like CPR. Doctors and hospitals in all states accept them. To create a DNR, ask your doctor to fill out a state appropriate form and sign it. Another tool you should know about that will compliment your advance directive is the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). Currently endorsed in 22 states with 24 more in some phase of development, a POLST translates your endof-life wishes into medical orders to be honored by your doctors. To learn more or set one up, see POLST. org.
Tell your family
To insure your final wishes are followed, be sure you tell your family members, health care proxy and doctor so they all know what you want. You should also provide copies of your advanced directive to everyone involved to help prevent stress and arguments later. For convenience, there are even resources – like DocuBank.com and MyDirectives.com – that will let you and your family members store your advanced directive online, so you can have immediate access to them when you need them. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, Okla. 73070 or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
Art really is for everyone
By Marie Nordberg When people speak about enjoying a cultural experience, some of us automatically think of cities like New York, Los Angeles or San Francisco. But do you know that we have it all right here in Park Rapids and greater Hubbard County – just on a different scale? Whether it’s a concert by the Classic Chorale or the high school choir; live music on Main Street with 2nd Street Stage or “My Fair Lady” presented by Northern Light Opera Company; a visit to see modern and traditional art exhibits at Nemeth Art Center or children’s chalk art on downtown sidewalks during Crazy Days, it’s all part of the arts available to us year-round. Who needs New York City or Los Angeles? Art is not just Picasso or Van Gogh. Music is not
just opera or Broadway musicals. If you sing in the shower, play the guitar, tell stories to your children or shine in the kitchen, you are part of “the arts.” We recently read about a group of parents in Laporte who were able to reverse the school board’s decision to eliminate their music program because they know that music is a crucial part of our children’s lives. We also know that the arts have a major economic impact on our area. Groups like Northern Light Opera Company and the Park Rapids Area Community Band bring in participants and audiences from more than 100 miles away. Not only do they attend a performance, they eat in local restaurants, shop in our stores and spend money on gas and lodging. One reason we’re able to offer the wide variety
of activities here is the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund, established by the state legislature in 2010. The fund receives 19.75 percent of sales tax revenue resulting from the Legacy amendment to support arts, arts education and arts access, and to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage. Based on current sales tax revenue, Minnesotans will invest more than $1.2 billion in arts and cultural heritage fund projects and programs over the 25-year life of the tax. If you’re wondering how to spend your summer, check out the extensive calendar of events elsewhere in this supplement. You may find there aren’t enough hours in the day or days in the week to discover what all this talk about “the arts” really means.
Meet these artists June 23 at Nemeth Art Center The Nemeth Art Center (NAC) will host St. Paul artists Julie Buffalohead’s paintings and drawings and Nathanael Flink’s paintings and sculptures Thursdays through Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. through July 14. The opening reception celebrating Buffalohead and Flink’s artwork will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 23 at the NAC. This reception will provide an opportunity for the public to meet and converse with the artists directly, as well provide a chance to hear the artists describe their work and process. Julie Buffalohead’s art is well known in our region from recent high profile exhibits at the Walker in Minneapolis and the Plains Art Museum in Fargo. Buffalohead often infuses her paintings and drawings with Native American storytelling and images of childlike innocence. She uses animals to comment on popular culture, American history and motherhood. Buffalohead was awarded a grant from the acclaimed Joan Mitchell Foundation in 2016. Nathanael Flink’s playful sculptures and
paintings focus on metaphors that evoke nature, erosion, domesticity and consumerism, while serving as a vehicle for critical thought and a catalyst for cultural inquiry. Flink says this about his NAC exhibit: “This work investigates an inherent materiality of the physical spaces people inhabit. There is a narrative to one’s domestic surroundings - the objects, decorations that adorn the home, workplace or even the body. In a few ways, my recent pieces seek to explore the visual process of how we create the mental construct of the interior space we inhabit.” Flink was a winner of the Knight Foundation’s Challenge Grant in 2016. The Julie Buffalohead and Nathanael Flink exhibit provides regional citizens and artists an opportunity to connect directly with this award winning pair and experience a rare collaborative exhibit between a husband and wife. The Nemeth Art Center is located at 301 Court Ave. and this exhibit is free and open to the public. Find more info at nemethartcenter.org.
The Heist by Julie Buffalohead illustrates how the artist uses animals to comment on popular culture, American history and motherhood. Her work and the sculptures and paintings of her husband, Nathanael Flink are on display at Nemeth Art Center through July 14.
Ojibwe cultural sites represented in photographs The Nemeth Art Center (NAC) will host photographer Wayne Gudmundson’s exhibit, “White Earth Window,” Thursdays through Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m., starting June 1 and ending July 28. The opening reception celebrating the “White Earth Window” exhibit will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 14. This reception will give the public an opportunity to meet artist Wayne Gudmundson and hear scholar Anton Treuer speak about the Ojibwe experience on the White Earth Reservation from early folkways to the establishment of the reservation in 1867 up to the present. In consultation with Treuer and other tribal elders, roughly 50 topics were selected that reflect the Ojibwe experience on the White Earth Reservation. Wayne Gudmundson then made photographs at those specific 50 sites over the last few years. The text that accompanies the photographs will all have Ojibwe place names, followed by a literal translation and then an expanded expla-
nation of why that particular place is culturally important. Twenty of Gudmundson’s stunning black and white images of these sites and issues are represented in the White Earth Window exhibit. Gudmundson’s photographs were made with a 4-by-5-inch view camera that, like the photographer, is sneaking up on 70 years of age. The technical processes employed by the artist came into popular use around 1880, not long after the establishment of the White Earth Reservation. As always this NAC exhibit will be free and open to the public. The Nemeth Art Center is located at 301 Court Ave. and you can find more information at nemethartcenter.org. White Earth Lake is one of 20 black and white photographs Wayne Gudmundson chose for a display titled White Earth Window. Anton Treuer will join the photographer to talk about White Earth Lake is one of 20 black and white photographs Wayne Gudmundthe Ojibwe experience in the region before and son chose for a display titled White Earth Window. Anton Treuer will join the photographer to talk about the Ojibwe experience in the region before and afafter the reservation was created. ter the reservation was created
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Art Beat
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Quarterly Regional Guide
What’s that logo mean?
NLOKids theater camp starts July 2 Northern Light Opera Company (NLOC) has a special project, NLOKids, a theater camp for 9- to 13-year-olds. In three weeks, kids write a script, compose music, build sets, create costumes and present an original musical for family and friends. The creativity students have exhibited has been impressive. This will be the third summer of collaboration with the Pine Point community. The Pine Point School hosts an equal number of students from each community. Led by NLOC directors and interns, games and activities develop confidence, skills and friendships. The bridge-building and relationships developed the past several years has been awesome. NLOC believes this camp has a lasting impact on lives! Thanks to grants and sponsors, NLOC has been able to offer this workshop with no charge to students. This year’s camp will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 2-20, with a bus provided from Park Rapids’ Century School to the Pine Point School. For more information, go to www. northernlightopera.org. To view a video of 2017’s musical, go to https://youtu. be/31770QSNa4.
Young people learn a choreography routine as part of theater camp at the Pine Point School.
NLOC will stage ‘My Fair Lady’ The Northern Light Opera Company (NLOC) will present “My Fair Lady” July 27 to Aug. 4. Since 2001, casts averaging 40 to 60 performers, ages 6 to 80 and a 10- to 16-piece live orchestra have produced professional quality music theater for the Park Rapids community. Professional directors have inspired and challenged local folks to “put on a show” that has been highly acclaimed by many. “My Fair Lady” is set in early 1900s London and contrasts “lower class” street scenes with the “aristocratic class” happenings. Since opening on Broadway in 1956, “My Fair Lady” has received many awards and has been revised numerous times. Today’s atmosphere perhaps encouraged the current revival on Broadway, as “My Fair Lady’s” story reveals issues of class, gender equality, etc. It’s the music that endures and endears audiences: “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Wouldn’t it be Loverly,”
“Get Me to the Church on Time,” “On the Street Where you Live.” To become a cast member requires bravery. First, sing a solo, deliver a monologue and learn new dance steps. Rehearsals begin in early June, so there are no pictures of the show, BUT, you can view a video of the Dance Audition on https://youtu.be/ikJGdGNlfk8. Many pieces are needed to make this magic happen. Cast members and orchestra musicians are important, but volunteers are needed to build sets and make costumes, distribute posters and bring treats for casts after strenuous workouts. We need YOU to tell our story and attend our performances. Word of advice: Get your tickets early! They will be available at Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery or go to www.BrownPaperTickets.com.
When you see the Clean Water Land & Legacy logo on posters and other arts related printed materials, it’s a reminder and acknowledgement that the event or activity would very likely not be available without passage of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment passed by Minnesota voters on Nov. 4, 2008. This is the 10th year that arts and cultural organizations and their audiences have benefited from the amendment and it is a milestone to celebrate. In this region, the Region 2 Arts Council receives and redistributes Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds through competitive grants. These grants do require a 20 percent cash match which is the reason arts organizations also seek other funding for projects. Arts and Cultural Heritage grant funds are spent locally and have a significant local economic impact. This was verified in a report released in January showing the economic impact of Art and Culture organizations, audiences and artists in Hubbard County was $1.6 million in 2016. Some other statistics in the county report showed: ► Nonprofit arts and culture arts organizations spent more than $270,000 ► The events these organizations sponsored drew nearly 24,000 audience members and another 4,000 youth ► Hubbard County has at least 32 full-time artists and creative workers ► Hubbard County has at least 138 part-time artists and creative workers ► State and local government revenue from the arts sector totaled nearly $198,000. ► In other words, state and local taxpayers have received a good return on their investment.
UPCOMING EVENTS JUNE
June 1-2 Beading Workshop with Wendy Roy at Nemeth Art Center June 1-July 14 Julie Buffalohead & Nathanael Flink exhibit at Nemeth Art Center June 1-July 28 Wayne Gudmundson exhibit at Nemeth Art Center June 2 Itasca’s Music Under the Pines: Bill and Kate Isles June 7 Noon Hour Concerts: Emma and Jacob Taggart. piano duo June 9 2nd Saturday Happening at Nemeth Art Center June 13 Singer/songwriter Zachary Johnson at the Park Rapids Area Library June 14 Noon Hour Concerts: Unpolished June 14 2nd Street Stage: Rich Mattson and the Northstars June 14 Park Rapids Area Community Band at Detroit Lakes June 15-July 1 Vision Theatre: Blithe Spirit at Long Lake Theater & Event Center
June 16 June 16 June 17 June 17 June 21 June 21 June 23 June 24 June 25 June 28 June 28 June 29
Red Bridge Sculpture Trail Ribbon Cutting Author Fest at the American Legion “Gimme That Ol’ Time Religion” at Hubbard United Methodist Church Itasca’s Music Under the Pines: Jim and Molly Bauer Noon Hour Concerts: Classic Chorale 2nd Street Stage: The Lucky Dutch Reception and artist talk: Julie Buffalohead & Nathanael Flink at Nemeth Art Center Park Rapids Area Community Band at Itasca State Park Hubbard County Historical Society: Tractors Manufactured in Minnesota Noon Hour Concerts: Cheryl Steinborn and Terry Greenawalt, piano 2nd Street Stage: Pat Lenertz Band Park Rapids Area Community Band at Menahga
JULY
July 1 Itasca’s Music Under the Pines: Rebby and the Romantics July 2-20 NLOKids theater camp July 4 Park Rapids Area Community Band Pre-fireworks Concert July 5 2nd Street Stage: The Front Fenders July 8 Itasca’s Music Under the Pines: Julie and Bill Kaiser July 11 Mosaic art dedication at the Hubbard County DAC July 12 Noon Hour Concerts: Nikolai, Katya and Emily Kivi, string trio July 12 2nd Street Stage: The Plott Hounds July 13-29 Vision Theatre: Always, Patsy Cline at Long Lake Theater & Event Center July 14 Reception and artist talks: Wayne Gudmundson and Anton Treuer at Nemeth Art Center July 15 Itasca’s Music Under the Pines: Unpolished
2018 PRLAAC-sponsored events:
www.prlaac.org Facebook: Park Rapids Arts
Noon Hour Concerts Art Leap 2018 The Great American Story
Medici Fund to recognize and support talented youth
PRLAAC receives support from grants from the Region 2 Arts Council made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
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Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council Serving the arts community since 2005
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
The Front Fenders will perform 2nd Street Stage July 5. Social hour starts at 5 p.m., music runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and all nights are on the second block of South Main this year. Weekly cornhole tournaments also will start at 6 p.m.
Behind the scenes at 2nd Street Stage Planning for the 2nd Street Stage summer concert series starts in January when a Park Rapids Downtown Business Association (PRDBA) committee meets with Brian Skinness at Terrapin Station in Nevis to review video and bands he recommends for the season’s lineup. Musicians and bands are chosen for their musicianship and stage presence and to represent various musical genres (bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll, folk, reggae, Americana, roots etc.). Some well known musicians booked in the past have been Charlie Parr and The 4ontheFloor. Many of the bands have played at First Avenue and other venues in the Twin Cities and/or are part of the Duluth music scene. Others have landed on Brian’s radar as interesting or up and coming. Most bands are from Minnesota, but the line up has included bands from Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and this season from Fargo-Moorhead. Brian contracts with each band and as part of the contract assures a family friendly concert, i.e. no inappropriate lyrics, etc. He also contracts with Mike Huerbin of Bemidji for professional sound services. The 10-week series of free concerts has become a gathering place for a cross-section of the community, people of all ages and levels of income. Resort guests, seasonal residents and visitors from other communities are among those who attend. People say they look forward all year long to these special nights that celebrate summer. For some, the concerts have become a place to visit with friends. Others bring a chair and just enjoy the music. In that
sense, every week 2nd Street Stage becomes a summer festival. In 2017, another artistic element was added with a button design contest. More than 50 entries were received and a $250 cash prize awarded. Hendri Ernst of Park Rapids won this year’s button design contest. The seventh season starts Thursday, June 14 and continues through Aug. 16. The concerts are from 6 to 8 p.m. every week except Aug. 9 when the concert will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. after Water Wars. The concerts will be held on the 2nd block of Main Avenue all 10 nights to provide more space for increasingly larger audiences. Cornhole tournaments will add to the fun at every event. The PRDBA also hires a face painter and caricature artist all 10 nights and their services are provided at no charge. Tips are welcome. The 10 nightly band and Social Hour sponsors often provide family friendly activities and giveaways. There is a beer garden staffed by a TIPS trained server and volunteers. Boy Scouts sell popcorn, soda and water and keep the profits. For this year’s line up, go to go to www.parkrapidsdowntown.com or at 2nd St Stage on Facebook. Weekly stage sponsor is R.D. Offutt Farms. Thielen Motors is weekly sound sponsor. This activity is also made possible, in part, by a grant from 3M and by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Sculpture Trail will enhance Red Bridge Park this summer This spring the City of Park Rapids and Arts and Culture Advisory Commission invited artists to submit entries for an annual sculpture exhibit in Red Bridge Park. Sculptures will be selected to enhance the visual experience in this scenic city park on Fish Hook River which also serves as a trailhead for the Heartland Trail. In 2017, the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission completed an Arts and Culture Plan for the city. As part of the planning process, more than 100 residents completed surveys and others attended public meetings to discuss specific recommendations to grow community arts and cultural resources. As a result, one of the plan’s high priority projects was to develop a sculpture trail along the Heartland Trail in Red Bridge Park. Annually, thousands of park and trail users access this paved, pedestrian-friendly trail and park. The park also can be accessed from the river. There is already one sculpture in the park so this project will add up to six more. Arts and Culture Advisory Commission is leading this project in collaboration with the Park Rapids Lakes Area
s
Lerner & Loewe’s
Gimme That Ol’ Time Religion Hubbard United Methodist Church Choir will be performing a community concert at the church
SUNDAY, JUNE 17 AT 3PM An ice cream social follows the concert.
DOWNTOWN PARK RAPIDS Thursday Nights • 6-8pm
Arts Council (PRLAAC) and Park Rapids Parks and Beautification Board which approved locations for the sculptures in September. A selection committee comprised of three artists, an Arts and Cultural Advisory Commission member, and a community member will grade the submittals to ensure pieces are suitable for installation and in keeping with community values. At each location, plaques will provide the artist’s name and other information including sponsors’ logos and/or websites. A ribbon cutting will be held at the park Saturday, June 16 to introduce the new outdoor sculptures and recognize the artists. In other communities, artists have successfully sold pieces after they’ve been displayed, while also exposing thousands of people to their work. Outdoor sculpture is art that everyone can enjoy every day. The commission also believes these sculptures will create a positive visual impact among trail users and convey the message that more arts opportunities are available in the community.
Present
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JUNE/JULY CONCERT SCHEDULE
June 14: Rich Mattson & The Northstars June 21: The Lucky Dutch June 28: Pat Lenertz Band July 5: The Front Fenders July 12: The Plott Hounds July 19: Corey Medina Buy a button and get $2 off all and a free stadium and Brothers beverages cup or koozie at the beer garden July 26: Frogleg Aug. 2: The Hooten Hallers Aug. 9: The 4ontheFloor Aug. 16: Porky’s Groove Machine Coming Soon! July 26 CRAZY DAYS Sidewalk Sales, Pet Parade • Kids Show, FREE Live Music
001735068r1 Take the paper with you, try our E-Paper online service. Call today on how you can start!
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My Fair Lady
July 27 - August 4
Armory Square Theater, Park Rapids 001734293r1
Art Beat
8
Quarterly Regional Guide
Noon Hour Concert series starts June 7 Terry Greenawalt, on pianos, will be playing sacred, Gershwin, Leroy Anderson, classical, Latin American and pop music at the Hubbard United Methodist Church. ► July 12: A string trio of Nikolai, Katya and Emily Kivi will play at St. Johns Lutheran Church. ► July 19: Featured will be Sarah Carlson on pipe organ, Jon Romer and Claire Carlson on flute and harp at St. Johns Lutheran Church. Sarah is Director of Music Ministry at First Lutheran Church in Bemidji. Jon Romer has taught music in tribal settings, ele- Jacob and Emma Taggart will perform on pianos to open the Noon Hour Concert series June 7 at Hubbard United Methodist Church. mentary through college for 22 years. Claire is Sar001734299r1 ah’s 11-year-old daughter. ► July 26: Brian Perez, jazz saxophone, and friends, will entertain at Calvary Lutheran Church. Brian is professor of Jazz Ensembles at Texas Southern University. ► August 2: ALL CONCERTS ARE FRIDAY AT 7PM Hawken Paul, JUN 29 violin, Lisa Dove, Brian Perez and friends will entertain for the Noon Hour piano, will return Concert July 26 at Calvary Lutheran Church. PR AREA COMMUNITY BAND - Music of Minnesota Composers for a concert at JUL 13 Calvary Lutheran Church. Hawken is BOUNDARY WATERS BOYS - Classics of the 60’s – 80’s a student at St Olaf College in Northfield. His mother, Lisa, is director of JUL 20 the Northern Light Opera Company in MONROE CROSSING - THE Premier Bluegrass Band! Park Rapids and a theater professional in New York City. JUL 27 ► August 9: Bob Madeson will play Quarterly Regional Guide SADDLE SORES - Country! the euphonium and Sarah Carlson will play the piano at Calvary Lutheran AUG 3 Church. Supplement to DENNIS WARNER & THE D’S - Folk ► August 16: The Upper Mississipthe Park Rapids pians will close out the season perEnterprise. forming Big Band music - swing and PETER HARPER & Band - Australian Blues band 20’s Dixieland - at Calvary Lutheran www.soundsofspiritlake.com Church.
2018 CONCERT SCHEDULE
Art Beat
AUG 10
UPCOMING EVENTS JULY
July 20 -Sept. 29 Alex Horochowski exhibit at Nemeth Art Center July 19 Noon Hour Concerts: Sara Carlson, pipe organ, Jon Romer and Claire Carlson, flute July 19 2nd Street Stage: Corey Medina and Brothers July 20 Afternoon storytelling workshop for kids at the Park Rapids Area Library July 20 An Immigrant Story at the Nemeth Art Center July 22 Itasca’s Music Under the Pines: Jacob Mahon July 26 Noon Hour Concerts: Brian Perez and Friends, jazz saxophone July 26 Crazy Days in Downtown Park Rapids July 26 2nd Street Stage: Frogleg July 27-29 Northern Light Opera Company: “My Fair Lady” July 29 Itasca’s Music Under the Pines: Lori Goulet Reich July 30 Hubbard County Historical Society: Park Rapids - Then and Now
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The summer Noon Hour Concert series began in 2006 with the idea that it would be an activity for visitors, seasonal and local residents, who could take their lunch time to enjoy live music being performed in local churches. The schedule has grown over the years from six concerts a summer to 10 concerts this season. It’s become a daytime social event for people who enjoy good music and socializing with friends. The churches provide sweets and beverages. The 2018 season starts Thursday, June 7 and continues in June, July and August. Concerts are from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Emma and Jacob Taggart will perform for the concert June 7 at Hubbard United Methodist Church in Hubbard. Child prodigies, 15-year-old Emma and 11-year-old Jacob Taggart, have been playing piano since age four. Emma and Jacob continue to amaze audiences in the U.S. and Europe with the poise, maturity and musicality of artists twice their age. The repertoire for the upcoming concert will include a Chopin Scherzo and Etude, Bach’s Italian Concerto, Debussy’s Isle of Joy, a Beethoven Sonata and more. The rest of the 2018 season schedule is as follows: ► June 14: Unpolished will perform an eclectic mix of roots, Americana and Bluegrass music with three-part harmonies at Faithbridge Church in Park Rapids. Performers are Dick Max on bass; Dave Karam, guitar; Sheldon Schiebe, mandolin and Mark Bridge, banjo. ► June 21: The Park Rapids Classic Chorale, a volunteer group of blended voices who have been performing for 25 years, will sing at St. Johns Lutheran Church. The choir is directed by Melanie Hanson, Concert Master of the Bemidji Symphony. ► June 28: Cheryl Steinborn and
AUGUST
August 1-4 Northern Light Opera Company: “My Fair Lady” August 2 Noon Hour Concerts: Hawken Paul, violin, and Lisa Dove, piano August 2 2nd Street Stage: The Hooten Hallers August 3 -Sept. 29 “Extraordinary Outdoors” exhibit at Nemeth Art Center August 6-10 Prairie Fire Theater: The Wizard of Oz August 9 Noon Hour Concerts: Bob Madeson, euphonium, and Sarah Carlson, piano August 9 2nd Street Stage: The 4ontheFloor August 11 2nd Saturday Happening: “My Ocean” film screening & Bao Phi poetry reading at Nemeth Art Center
of Park Rapids, MN
www.cnbbank.com
2018-2019 CONCERT SEASON
The Heartland Concert Association presents
Real artists - Professional entertainers who have thrilled audiences everywhere. Real entertainment - Enjoy the presence live of performers who focus on you. Real economy - The cost is less than a movie ticket. Real “in” crowd - A night out with the family. Good performances. Good friends.
7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Jersey Tenors Todd Oliver Tapestry Lysander Piano Trio Brassfire
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.heartlandconcertassociation.org This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the MN Legislature, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by MN voters on Nov. 4, 2008
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October 8, 2018 November 2, 2018 February 23, 2019 March 12, 2019 April 14, 2019
9
June 2018
Cooking with beans Recipes BY ELLIE BAUER RDN, LD
Beans are nutrient dense. One half cup cooked pinto beans contains about 25 percent of the recommended daily fiber and about 33 percent of the recommended folate intake. Fiber has many roles in the body, such as maintaining gut health.The fiber in beans can help delay gastric emptying which keeps you feeling full longer. Fiber also adds bulk to meals, again helping you feel full and satisfied after a meal. Folate is important especially for women of child-bearing years as it is crucial in the neural tube formation of fetuses. All women should make adequate folate intake a priority to ensure health of their future babies. Beans can also help you stretch your meat budget. Add one can of pinto beans to one pound of ground beef to double your taco meat or making a beef and bean burger to make more patties. Here are some bean recipes from the WIC Cookbook, available to all families receiving WIC. (Check health.state.mn.us/ wic/eligibility to see if your family qualifies for nutrition education and supplemental food through WIC.)
Zippy Bean Huevos Rancheros
1 can (15-16 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed or 1-½ cups cooked beans 1-1/4cups medium-hot salsa (about 12 oz.) 1/4 cup water
6 eggs 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 3 6-inch tortillas Mix beans, salsa, and water in a medium frying pan. Heat to boiling, stir often. Break eggs one at a time and slip gently into skillet on top of bean mixture. Reduce to medium-low, cover and cook just below boiling for 5-8 minutes, or until egg whites are firm and egg yolks are cooked Sprinkle cheese on top of eggs and serve with warm flour tortillas
Garden Patch Bean and Pasta Salad
1 package (14-16 oz.) pasta or 2-3 cups brown rice (dry), or 3 cups couscous (dry) 2 cups raw vegetables (green or red pepper, zucchini, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, pea pods, celery, onion, cucumber) or thawed frozen vegetables 1 (15-16 oz.) cans beans, drained and rinsed (garbanzo, black, or pinto) or 1-½ cups cooked dry beans For a variation add leftover ham or chicken, canned tuna, or sliced hard-boiled egg 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar 1/2 teaspoon herbs (dill, oregano, basil) Cook pasta, rice, or couscous following package directions, drain and rinse with cold water. Cut vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Mix vegetables, beans, pasta in a large bowl. Mix remaining ingredients in a small bowl to create the dressing. Pour dressing over salad mixture and stir gently to blend.
Fiesta Bean Dip
3 cans (15-16 oz.) beans, drained and rinsed (red, kidney, or black) or 5 cups cooked dry beans 1 cup salsa 3 green onions, chopped
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1/2 teaspoon cumin or chili powder 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 large bag tortilla chips Mash together beans, salsa, onions, cumin, and cilantro with a potato masher, fork, or clean hands (a blender or food processor may also be used for a smoother dip). Heat dip if desired using microwave, stovetop or crockpot. Serve with tortilla chips
Quick and Easy Enchilada Bake
1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 medium onion, chopped 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped 1 can (15-16 oz.) kidney beans, drained or 1 ½ cups cooked beans 1 can (15-16 oz.) stewed or diced tomatoes 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 8 corn tortillas 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded Non-stick cooking spray Heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in frying pan on medium heat, add onion, mushrooms, and green pepper, cook for 2-4 minutes or until tender. Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, and garlic powder, stir to combine. Tear tortillas into bite-sized pieces. Layer half tortillas, half sauce and half cheese in 8-inch baking pan that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray, repeat layers, ending with cheese. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Ellie Bauer is a community-focused, registered dietitian nutritionist at WIC. Her goal is to increase agriculture, food and nutrition literacy for a healthier community. The recipes in this column came from “Healthy Families: Food, Fun, and Facts!” published by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Human Services.
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J u n e 2 01 8
10
Although the tops of these shrub roses were winter killed, new growth is starting from lower, more protected branches. Michael Vosburg / Forum News Service
Dead or alive perennials, and how to tell
BY DON KINZLER Columnist Which category of gardener are you? We fall into two groups when anxiously surveying our plantings every spring to see if shrubs, perennials and trees safely navigated winter. Some gardeners take it all in stride with a mostplants-are-replaceable, let’s-wait-and-see attitude, while some of us need to lie down with a cold compress while waiting for signs of life on a $2 hosta. How do you tell if a perennial or shrub is slow to regrow, or if it’s dead, especially following a slowto-arrive spring like this? Let’s take a walk around the yard. Perennial flowers: Patience is the key. Some types grow early while soil is still cool, like bleeding heart. Other species lag behind, like hosta. Older, established perennials with larger root systems usually begin spring growth before last year’s new plantings of the same type. Younger plants might be slower to emerge. Plants in sheltered, warm locations advance quicker, like those planted on the sunny south side of a building foundation. If a perennial seems to be lagging behind, check for life by gently brushing away soil near the plant’s crown (the area near soil level where new shoots arise.) Swollen, soon-to-emerge buds can often be seen. If no buds are visible, squeeze the crown tissue to see if it’s firm, or if it’s squishy, rotten and most likely dead. Many perennials might look lifeless but are simply slow to emerge, often depending on the winter. If the crown seems solid, some slow perennials wait until early June. Shrubs: Speed of spring growth varies greatly by type. Many spireas are slow to leaf out, while for-
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Growing Together
sythias burst into bloom early, even before foliage forms. If questioning a shrub’s condition, give the “thumbnail test” by scratching twigs. Live twigs have a thin green layer, the cambium, between the outer gray or brown bark and inner white wood. If the green layer is absent or brown, the twig or branch is likely dead. Live twigs are more pliable, dead twigs are brittle. If a shrub is suspected dead, wait to see if growth will arise from the base. Some shrubs can die back but come nicely from near ground level. If rabbits girdled branches with white wood visible, the portions above will likely die. Prune back totally to 6 inches above ground level, and most deciduous shrubs will re-grow nicely from the base. Evergreens: Both tree and shrub evergreens are subject to winter burn. Sometimes foliage is brown and brittle, but the twigs remain alive, ready to grow and fresh. Check for moist, plump buds at twig tips. If twigs are crisp instead of pliable, and buds are paper-dry, the branch or plant might be dead. If burning hasn’t killed large sections, smaller damaged areas might be successfully pruned. Wait until June to determine if, and where, re-growth occurs. Trees: Species vary greatly in earliness of spring budding. Oak, linden and ash are among the last to leaf. If in doubt, give twigs the scratch test outlined in shrubs. Brown patches in lawn: Rake dead grass and look closely for green shoots sprouting at soil level, which should appear by late May if grass crowns are alive. Flush dog-spots with ample water. Reseed areas where no green activity is visible. Asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries: Observe and react similar to perennial flowers, described above.
11
June 2018
New living arrangements could keep family close Minding Our Elders CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK Columnist Dear Carol: I’m 78 years old, and I have lived with my son and his wife for two years. I’m feeling hemmed in, and I think that they may feel the same way. They are kind, but my daughter-in-law seems stressed when we’re together too much, even though in the past we have always gotten along well. The house doesn’t allow much privacy which may be why we get on each other’s nerves. I also miss being around people my own age. This arrangement seemed like a good idea, but I’m afraid we all think it’s a mistake. I’d gladly move to assisted living, but I’ve been paying rent to the kids, which helps with their bills. For this reason, I’m reluctant to tell them that I’d like to move while we’re all still getting along rather than wait until our relationship turns so sour that it’s impossible
to fix. How do I approach them considering the financial arrangement? – TE Dear TE: I’d like to congratulate you on your insight and clear thinking. You want the family to remain loving and close, and you can see that this precious relationship could be damaged if you continue with an arrangement that no longer works. Some people love activity all the time and need little alone time or privacy. Others want and need more privacy and independence. You fall in the latter range. This has nothing to do with love, rather it’s about personalities. As you’ve expressed, if it weren’t that the money you contribute helps the family with their lifestyle, you’d be able to simply let them know that you love them and appreciate the arrangements that they have made but you feel that you’d be happier with more independence. They’d likely say something reflexively like, “Oh, no, Mom, we love having you here,” but once that is out it probably wouldn’t take much of an argument to win them over to your thinking. They, too, know that for some people too much closeness can undermine relationships. As you’ve said, the money aspect makes this more difficult than it would otherwise be. Are your son and
his wife truly strapped without your help? Have they enlarged the house or made other modifications to accommodate you? Neither of these situations should dictate where you choose to live, but they are considerations. If possible, you could pay your son and his wife back for accommodations that they made to the house for your benefit even though this probably adds to their home value. If the money you provide is mainly for extras they should be able to adjust. Either way, you need to have a loving talk with them. Tell them that it’s your need to be more independent and have further access to people your age that makes you want to consider moving. Emphasize your love for them. Talk honestly about the money. I’m certain that you’ll find a way to make this work for everyone’s benefit and your loving family can stay close. Carol Bradley Bursack is a veteran caregiver and an established columnist. She is also a blogger, and the author of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. Bradley Bursack hosts a website supporting caregivers and elders at www. mindingourelders.com. She can be reached at carolbursack@msn. com.
Summer safety for pets Temperature Outside 70 75 77 81 90 94
► Boating/swimming – It may seem innocent enough, but if your dog is anything like mine, she doesn’t care too much for the water, or maybe your dog is older and swimming has become too tiring. I had to come to terms with this one because I’ve never possessed a dog that doesn’t like to swim, and therefore I’ve started using a certified life jacket for my dog. It’s also given me peace of mind. A kiddie pool to stay cool is a nice feature, too. I have one of those misters that attaches to a five-gallon bucket, and this is a fun sprinkler for the kids and the dogs. ► New hairdo – Cutting some of the hair off your pet may help to cool down the dog; however, some breeds with double coats will stay cooler with their longer hair. One reason why I like to the trim a little off, is so I can easily find pests in the dog’s coat. Have a wonderful summer and stay cool!
CLASSIFIEDS
Cecelia Michaels is the owner of Lickin’ Good Whole Pet Foods and is certified in pet food nutrition. Readers can contact her at petcompanions316@gmail.com
Woodland Court offers you a home full of amenities that have been specially designed for independent living. • Noon meal served • Court’s Hair Care Salon • Conveniently located within short walking distance to downtown, banking, grocery and pharmacy • Controlled access entry system • Housing assistance available • No application fee
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“I am an expert at being there for you and your family."
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
– Heather Larson, bereavement specialist
By Shannon Geisen sgeisen@parkrapids enterprise.com The Hubbard County Board renewed a purchase of services contract with Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (CEP), a private, nonprofit corporation that provides job development services in north-central and west-central Minnesota. Rural Minnesota CEP partners with the county to provide employment services to eligible participants. The Hubbard County Social Services Department receives funds through the Minnesota Department of Human Services for the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and Diversionary Work Program (DWP). MFIP helps families with children meet their basic needs, while helping parents move to financial stability through employment. Parents are expected to work, and are supported with both cash and food assistance. Most
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Park Rapids Enterprise
It has been a partnership. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of bringing mobile services to Hubbard County and I think we’re on the cutting edge of what could happen across the state. Right now, this northern part of Minnesota is the only place that gets mobile workplace services. SUE HILGART, Rural Minnesota CEP program coordinator families have a lifetime limit of 60 months on MFIP. According to the service contract, MFIP is “intended to divert applicants from public assistance whenever possible and to encourage rapid movement into employment.” Services include assessments, screening
and job searches. Shortterm education and training are available as well. Participants have four weeks to find jobs. DWP is a four-month program that helps Minnesota parents find jobs. Rural Minnesota CEP’s mission is to help individuals find, get and keep jobs and grow in their careers. The agency also helps employers find and keep workers. The contract with Hubbard County is effective Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2018, with an option for a one-year extension. The 2018 budget allocates $132,810 for MFIP; $36,723 for DWP; $2,000 for post-termination services and $19,059 for administrative expenses. “They’ve really stepped up,” Social Services Director Deb Vizecky told county commissioners. “They have a person in our office at this point, meeting with our clients. She has somebody coming into the library to meet with clients, work on resumes and interviewing skills. We’re still working
on Park Rapids Schools and the other schools. I’m getting more into the school systems, but we’re working on that together.” The contract establishes a measurable goal for MFIP in Hubbard County: 66.4 to 76.5 percent of MFIP cases are off cash assistance or are working 30 or more hours per week three years after the baseline quarter. “I’m just glad to hear all this is working out well. I know you two had to work together to get it where it is,” said County Commissioner Char Christenson. “It came a long way in the last year,” added County Commissioner Vern Massie. “It has been a partnership. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of bringing mobile services to Hubbard County and I think we’re on the cutting edge of what could happen across the state. Right now, this northern part of Minnesota is the only place that gets mobile workplace services,” Sue Hilgart, a Rural Minneso-
ta CEP program coordinator, said. In other business, the county board did the following: ► Approved the filling of a Social Services eligibility worker vacancy and Adult Services case aide position. ► Approved the annual filing of a Child Care Assistance Program plan to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. “It’s a great program where our clients can come in and apply to get child care assistance to offset the cost of child care,” Vizecky said. ► Reviewed the information technology director’s job description and referred it to a classification committee for a wage recommendation. ► Approved a $11,330 payment for Association of Minnesota Counties’s 2018 membership dues. ► Authorized County Coordinator Deb Thompson to sign a wire transfer for the Heritage Living Center construction project’s financing fee in the amount of $18,750.
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Express yourself: Letters must bear the writer’s address and phone number and should not be longer than 350 words. Letters can be mailed, dropped off or emailed to sgeisen@parkrapidsenterprise. com. The Enterprise reserves the right to edit all correspondence to meet space requirements, add clarity avoid obscenity, libel or invasion of privacy.
A7 or
STAPLES, Minn. - Patricia Rydbom, 81, Wadena, Minn., died Wednesday, Dec. 27, in Lakewood Health. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 5, at Karvonen Funeral Home in Wadena. Arrangements by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service.
ART BRIEFS
Aazhoomon exhibit at Watermark Art Center
Watermark Art Center will host an artist reception and poetry reading celebrating their exhibit, “Aazhoomon,” on 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5. Reading begins at 6:30. The Aazhoomon exhibit includes traditional and contemporary indigenous artwork, including beading, photography, painting, mixed media, ceramics, quill work, quilting, jewelry, poetry and more. Watermark is now in their new building at 505 Bemidji Ave N.
A wish list for 2018 Alexandria Echo Press ith a fresh New Year just days ago, we hope that 2018 brings local residents joy, hope and fulfillment. Like any year, there will be highs and lows — terrible tragedies and inspiring accomplishments. Throughout it all, we hope the the country, state and county will maintain a spirit of optimism, buoyed with the belief that we can rise to any challenge by working together. Here’s what we hope 2018 will bring: ► Better communication between those who hold opposing views. Instead of all the negative name calling and attacks that take place, imagine a respectful, open and honest discussion of actual issues and problems. Let’s have conversations that fuel ideas and solutions, not useless anger. ► Less political sniping. Not every discussion has to veer off into whether someone is liberal or conservative. A good idea or a good point should not depend on the political stripe of the person making it. This doesn’t just apply to politicians. If the average Joe or Jill immediately derails a discussion with a spiteful slam against someone solely because they’re a Republican or Democrat, how can we expect our elected leaders to behave differently? Let’s be less quick to judge and more open to considering other viewpoints. ► A calmer, more productive election year. Candidates, at every level, should strive to take the high road on their campaigns. They should stick to issues and solutions instead of sticking it to their opponents. Voters, too, should demand candidates talk about their positions and solutions instead of bashing their opponents’ views. This election season, let’s prove that the barrage of negative TV ads that will undoubtedly air are insultingly ineffective. ► A revitalized “We the People.” Citizens have to do more than just vote (and only 60 percent of them did in 2016). They
W
should get involved in the process, take time to know who represents them and objectively study the issues. They need to express their views at the local, regional and state level. Let’s fill more of the empty chairs at city council, school board and county board meetings. ► A time to tackle local issues. There are some daunting problems in our area — homelessness, opioid addiction, lack of mental health care, a worker shortage, not enough affordable housing, low job pay, threats to the water quality on our lakes, and more. Local and state leaders are trying to address these issues, but they can’t do it alone. They need help, suggestions and encouragement from residents who are affected, which is just about everyone. Let’s give them that support. ► Lastly, a clean slate. The New Year is the perfect time to let go of old grudges by turning the page to new opportunities. Dwelling on past mistakes or missed chances doesn’t change anything. Let’s follow the lead of the BrandonEvansville School District that’s trying to find new solutions after a voters rejected a plan to build a new K-12 school building this past fall. The district is forming volunteer committees to look at the physical conditions of both the Brandon and Evansville schools; enrollment, capacity, grade configuration and other educational issues; and the needs of athletics, performances, activities, community use and partnerships. The district could have chosen to turn a blind eye to the issue. Instead, it’s holding meetings, encouraging residents to get involved and is trying to see if another referendum would meet the public’s expectations. Let’s look ahead to the coming year with invigorated optimism and a new sense of cooperation. A year from now, let’s look back and say 2018 was a pivotal year for getting things done.
Park Rapids Enterprise
Wine suggestions for your holiday gift list
GUEST EDITORIAL
DEATH Patricia Rydbom
March 25, 1936 - Dec. 27, 2017
G
iving wine as a holiday or house visit gift is a sign of generosity at any time, but especially so during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday
United States. Washington, Oregon, California and New York, along with local, in-state wineries, have quality products to use as holiday gifts. Bringing the appropriate wine to a dinner party is a must in most circles, especially if it is to be consumed with the meal. A roast beef dinner would be complemented nicely with a wine varietal of merlot, carmenere, cabernet sauvignon, or cabernet franc. I had a good zinfandel from the Montevina winery in Amador County in California that went very nicely with a recent roast beef dinner I enjoyed. It was soft on tannins and would make a good every day sipper. If your previous experiences with zin wines have been a turnoff because of their strength, the lighter style of this one will be a welcome addition to your drinking pleasure. To add to the pleasure in taste is the comfort in price, with an SRP of around $12. Here is an abbreviated listing, compliments of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, that will deliver quality for $15 or less: ► Duck Pond 2016 pinot gris (Willamette Valley) boasts flavors of stone fruits and orange blossoms, is light and
RON
SMITH World of Wine
giving it as a gift to anyone. I view gift giving as a reach above one’s own standards to true friends and great relatives. That “reach” doesn’t have to be foolishly extravagant to be celebrations. generous or appreciated, but You may drink and enjoy should be something that shows appreciation and thoughtfulness. wine that you Most wines on the pay no more than $5 or $6 international market have pricing points all over the chart. five a bottle Italian, French, Spanish, Chilean for, but I and Argentinian wines are good advise not examples of those outside the
tawny in color with a balanced acidity on the finish. ► Kendall-Jackson 2015 Vintner’s Reserve sauvignon blanc from California is a beautiful bottle that would be a joy to receive and the wine within an even greater joy to drink. ► Dr. Konstantin Frank 2015 dry riesling from the Finger Lakes of New York is good if you like a dry, sharp riesling; this is one of my favorite rieslings. ► Bodega Belgrano NV malbec from Argentina is my own go-to choice for malbec wines with a lightly oak taste that will go with just about any food: beef, cheeses, or just sandwiches. ► Cline 2016 Viognier (North Coast) is guaranteed to please with its full-bodied orange and honeysuckle dry taste that still leaves a slightly sweet impression on the finish. If you are not familiar with Viognier wine, then in addition to giving one as a gift, purchase one for yourself. ► Fetzer 2015 Eagle Peak merlot (California) has a smooth and enjoyable texture that is light with tannin impact. Ron Smith, a retired NDSU Extension horticulturist, writes weekly about his love of wine and its history. Readers can reach him at tuftruck1@gmail.com.
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You deserve the expert care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
State auditor releases report on city finances cities over 2,500 in population increased 4 percent, and revenues of cities under 2,500 in population increased 0.7 percent. In 2016, total expenditures of the governmental funds for all cities totaled $6.3 billion. This represents an increase of 4.6 percent over 2015. Total expenditures for cities over and under 2,500 in population each increased 4.6 percent in 2016. The largest expenditure categories for both groups of cities are streets and highways and public safety. For large cities, streets and highways accounted for 23.3 percent of total expenditures in 2016 and Current trends public safety accountTotal revenues of the ed for 26.0 percent. For governmental funds small cities, streets and for all Minnesota cities highways accounted totaled $5.43 billion in for 23.8 percent of total 2016, an increase of 3.7 expenditures and public percent over 2015 reve- safety accounted for 21.9 nues. Total revenues of percent. State Auditor Rebecca Otto released the 2016 Minnesota City Finances Report. The report summarizes, through data tables and charts, the financial operations of 850 Minnesota cities for calendar year 2016. “The city finances report is issued each year to help local government officials, policy makers, and the public better understand city financial operations,” said Otto. “The report also analyzes long-term financial trends for large and small cities across Minnesota.” Highlights from the report are as follows.
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2016 finances
tal assets, $2,128,046 is restricted for specific purposes, and ($2,035,219) is unrestricted. The total net position of business-type activities decreased by $1,015,723 for the year ended Sept. 30, 2016, primarily as a result of construction and renovation of the nursing home resulting in decreased occupancy. At the close of 2016, the county’s governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances of $24,828,070, an increase of $2,673,286, from the prior year. Of the total fund balance amount, $337,540 is non-spendable, $6,220,862 is legally or contractually restricted, $10,811,752 is formally committed for specific purposes, $7,432,589 is assigned for specific purposes, and $25,327 is unassigned. “Maintaining an adequate fund balance is necessary to provide county services throughout the year,” stated the audit report.
Dunn Bros Coffee will display the paintings of John Simonis. Simonis was the first Bemidji State University graduate with a bachelor of fine arts degree and passed away in 1983. His work has been turned into a collection, which can be seen at Dunn Bros for the month of January, with new pieces updated from the December display. Dunn Bros is located in Bemidji.
Individual Artist Grants available
Region 2 Arts Council (R2AC) Individual Artist Grant Program provides financial assistance to artists in any art discipline or in any stage of their career as an artist. This grant offers funding for costs associated with the exhibition, performance, or production of a creative work; purchase of materials or equipment necessary for a creative work; educational opportunities; mentorships; and proposals for career-enhancing projects or opportunities. Artists can apply for grants up to $2,000. Artists must be a resident of Beltrami, Hubbard, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, or Mahnomen counties. This activity is made possible with funding from the McKnight Foundation. Applications are available online at r2arts.org. The deadline is Jan. 15, 2018. For more information, or with questions, contact at 218-751-5447; toll-free at 800-275-5447; or via email at staff@r2arts.org.
a division of Forum Communications Company (USPS 421-900)
Volume 136, No. 1
OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY, DEC. 25
SATURDAY, JAN. 13
Community Christmas Dinner is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Park Rapids American Legion.
Ever wanted to find a fun, winter activity that will get you outside? Enjoy the beauty of winter on snowshoes from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Itasca State Park. Call ahead at 218-699-7251 to reserve a pair of snowshoes or bring your own. The number of snowshoes available is limited.
Akeley Regional Community Center (ARCC) will provide a free Christmas Dinner from noon to 1:30 p.m.
MONDAY, JAN. 1
I
Herald editorial board Forum News Service
n today’s polarized political landscape, it’s sometimes difficult to decipher what, exactly, is happening when a newsworthy event hits the wires. So with that in mind, here are left/right views of what at first glance appears to be good news regarding the Republican-based tax reform bill. President Trump signed the $1.5 trillion measure Dec. 22 and, by many accounts, it will affect nearly every family and business in the United States. Corporations will see big tax cuts, from 35 percent down to 21 percent. Republicans say American taxpayers will see cuts of varying degrees. The idea behind the plan is a rekindling of Reaganesque trickle-down economics; for example, Republicans say rankand-file workers will benefit by way of savings accrued by the businesses for which they work. Polls — cited by Democrats — show the bill is unpopular, but Republicans hope Americans will change their mind if and when they see results in their takehome pay. Some companies already have begun making moves to
benefit their workers. AT&T announced it will invest $1 billion in U.S. networks and offer its employees a one-time bonus. Comcast announced it will give its employees $1,000 bonuses. Boeing announced it will make $300 million in new investments. Wells Fargo announced it will increase its minimum wage to $15 per hour. Republicans trumpeted these announcements as proof that trickle-down economics actually works and the tax bill will indeed be a nationwide benefit. At least that’s the right-side version of occurring events. But the left side says it’s all theatrics. Some Democrats say the companies were probably already planning these efforts, and that it’s all part of a plan to get the president’s attention and curry favors from the Oval Office. “It reinforces (the president’s) signature legislative success, and it probably gets them some good points inside the White House,” Scott Reed, a political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told the Washington Post. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said AT&T’s announcement in particular is an
effort to “pin a rose on this tax bill.” “That bonus was mandated by a union agreement with the Communications Workers of America as part of a raise in their recent ... agreement,” she said during a news conference last week. “So all of a sudden, they’re advertising this as something they did because of the tax bill.” So are these immediate and impactful bonuses and investments real, honest-togoodness benefits? Or are these businesses just crowing about the president’s accomplishment in hopes of gaining his attention? And here’s a twist: Handelsblatt Global, a German website, recently reported economists in that country worry the new tax structure will mean jobs will shift from Europe to the U.S., along with significant amounts of investment. German economists have no reason to slant a report to please our president. At first blush, these announcements seem like good news. As with all news these days, we suppose it just depends upon the point of view.
Get your New Year’s resolutions going on the first day of the New Year! Join Itasca State park for an invigorating snowshoe hike and explore the area around the Mississippi Headwaters from 12:30-3:30 p.m. A limited number of snowshoes are available at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center for use during the program and are first-come-firstserve.
TUESDAY, JAN. 2
Helen’s Kitchen will offer a free, nutritious meal between 5:30-6 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Chili is on the menu. To volunteer or donate, call 218-252-1814. For more information, visit helenskitchenpr.org.
TUESDAY, JAN. 16
Helen’s Kitchen will offer a free, nutritious meal between 5:30-6 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Roasted chicken is on the menu. To volunteer or donate, call 218-252-1814. For more information, visit helenskitchenpr.org.
FRIDAY, JAN. 19
CHI St. Joseph’s Health Auxiliary chicken dinner will be held 4:30-7 p.m. at Park Rapids American Legion.
Thank you for your loyal support!
732-3364 The Menahga Family Fishing Derby will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the Spirit Lake public access. The Heartland 106 USXC Snowmobile Race will bring racers and fans to Park Rapids, where drivers will take on a two-day, lemans-style ice race. Racing is set to begin both Saturday, Jan. 20 and Sunday, Jan. 21.
www.SmokeyHills.com
Open 7 days a week • 8:00 am - 6:00 pm • Park Rapids, MN
CAFE HOURS:
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Breakfast Served Mon - Sat 7 am - 11am Sundays 8:30 - 1pm Lunch Served 11am - 2pm Mon-Sat. STORE HOURS: Open 7 Days A Week 7am - 7pm
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Call (218) 732-3364. For Hubbard County & adjoining counties: 1 year, $57.25; 6 months, $46.75. All other Minnesota: 1 year, $66.50; 6 months, $53.50. Outside of Minnesota: 1 year, $74.50; 6 months, $64.25. Snowbird rate: 1 year, $62.00. Senior citizen rate: $53.50. Online subscription: $2.95 monthly
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to: Park Rapids Enterprise Circulation Dept. 203 Henrietta Ave. North Park Rapids, MN 56470 608 S. Park, Park Rapids • www.jonespearson.com
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CONTACT US Administration
Jody Hanson, Publisher jhanson@echopress.com Diann Drew, Business Mgr. ddrew@echopress.com Karen Holtan, Operations Mgr. kholtan@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Editorial Staff
Shannon Geisen, Editor sgeisen@parkrapidsenterprise.com Vance Carlson, Sports Editor vcarlson@parkrapidsenterprise.com Lorie Skarpness, Staff Reporter lskarpness@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Advertising Candy Parks, Advertising Mgr. cparks@parkrapidsenterprise.com Mark Harmon, Advertising Rep. mharmon@parkrapidsenterprise.com Kathy Dennis, Special Projects kdennis@parkrapidsenterprise.com Jayne Merila, Special Projects jmerila@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Circulation
Director – Timothy Pearson
• Free Memorial Video Tribute • Traditional Funeral Services & Cremations • Pre-Arrangements • Monuments
The Park Rapids Enterprise front office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.
Kathy Dennis, Circulation Mgr. (218) 732-3364 Fax: (218) 732-8757 www.parkrapidsenterprise.com
Question: If the results of a preliminary breath test (PBT) reading cannot be used against a DWI suspect in court, why is a suspect charged with refusing PBT if that’s what they choose? Answer: Under state law, a preliminary breath test is authorized when a law enforcement officer has reason to believe that a person has violated DWI laws. There are certain situations where the PBT can and will be used for charging certain offenses. You can refuse field sobriety tests and the PBT, but if the officer has reason to believe that you are impaired, you can and will be arrested. According to the law, the PBT test results cannot be used in any court action except the following: ► To prove that a test was properly required of a person;
NEIL DICKENSON Ask A Trooper
► In a civil action arising out of the operation or use of the motor vehicle; ► In an action for license reinstatement; ► In a prosecution for a violation of driving while impaired; test refusal; ► In a prosecution or juvenile court proceeding concerning a violation of section underage drinking and driving, or underage alcohol consumption; ► In a prosecution for an alcohol-related school or Head Start bus driving, limited license; or
► In a prosecution for a violation of a restriction on a driver’s license, which provides that the license holder may not use or consume any amount of alcohol or a controlled substance In addition to the PBT, law enforcement officers are trained to look for clues of impairment by indicators such as driving conduct, slurred speech, bloodshot/watery eyes, odors and other types of evidence. The officer will have the driver perform a series of standardized field sobriety tests, such as a walk and turn, looking at the eyes and one-leg stand. The best situation for a driver and for the safety of others on the road is to commit to a sober ride. Plan for a safe ride. Designate a sober driver, use a cab or public
transportation, or stay at the location of the celebration. Speak up. Offer to be a designated driver or be available to pick up a loved one anytime, anywhere. If you see an impaired person about to get behind the wheel, get them a safe ride home. Buckle up. It’s the best defense against a drunk driver. Report drunk driving. Call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Be prepared to provide location, license plate number and observed dangerous behavior.
A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Neil Dickenson, Minnesota State Patrol at 1131 Mesaba Ave, Duluth, MN 55811. (You can follow him on Twitter @MSPPIO_NE or reach him at neil.dickenson@state.mn.us).
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or email kdennis@parkrapidsenterprise.com Published each Saturday and Wednesday at 203 Henrietta Avenue North, Park Rapids, MN 56470. Established in 1882, the Enterprise is the largest newspaper within 35 miles. Periodicals Postage Paid at Park Rapids, MN and at additional mailing offices.
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Event and calendar items submission policy The Enterprise welcomes submissions for Upcoming Events and club calendar. They are published for free and run on a first-come, first-served basis and as space allows. When sending event information, include date, time, place and contact information. Regular meetings for local clubs, organizations and support groups appear exclusively in the monthly club calendar. The deadline for the January club calendar is Tuesday, Dec. 26. The calendar will publish in the Saturday, Dec. 30 issue. Email all submissions to sgeisen@parkrapidsenterprise. com.
This editorial represents the viewpoint of the Grand Forks Herald editorial board.
Commit to a sober ride for the safety of others
SATURDAY, JAN. 20
TUESDAY, JAN. 9
Helen’s Kitchen will offer a free, nutritious meal between 5:30-6 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church. Spaghetti is on the menu. To volunteer or donate, call 218-252-1814. For more information, visit helenskitchenpr. org.
Open 7 Days A Week
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County Commissioner Char Christenson said the county has received offers for the nursing home. “You have about $14 million in bond debt that would have to be paid off. Your sale price at least needs to be enough to pay off your bonds, no questions asked,” Hoffman said. There are very few county-owned nursing homes, Hoffman added. “The counties that are getting rid of nursing homes, is it because it’s just basically sucking up money?” asked Christenson. “Yep. With the way the wheels of government turn, it’s harder to be competitive in that market, especially with PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota) and all the benefits that government employees receive. Private sector can be a bit more cutthroat,” Hoffman replied. As for the general fund, Hoffman noted that the county generates revenue from timber sales on tax-forfeited lands. “That’s a big bonus you have that a lot of counties don’t have. That helps keep your levy down,” she said. The total net position of the county’s business-type activities had a deficit of ($4,988), of which ($97,815) is the net investment in capi-
a government. It had to go to a not-for-profit LLC. It has to sit there for seven years before it can be transferred back to the county.” Total resident services and ancillary revenues increased one percent from $5,696,309 in fiscal year 2015 to $5,782,801 in fiscal year 2016. Total revenues decreased less than one percent from $6,220,364 in fiscal year 2015 to $6,219,205 in fiscal year 2016. Resident service expenses increased 1.1 percent from $6,025,642 in 2015 to $6,702,042 in 2016. “Hopefully, with this new project, when those beds get full, they’ll have more patient revenue. There is a trend now in the demographics of more people needing that care so we’re not worried about having empty beds at any point,” Hoffman said. County Commissioner Cal Johannsen said finding nursing home staff may be the biggest problem. When the county refinanced Heritage Cottage bonds, County Auditor/ Treasurer Kay Rave noted that the county’s bond rating from went from AAA to “AAA 3 with a negative outlook.” “That means they don’t like that operating loss of $700,000,” Hoffman said. A better bond rating means a better interest rate.
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According to the 2016 audit, the total net position of governmental activities was $81,911,065, of which $64,831,836 is the net investment in capital assets, $7,272,627 is restricted for specific purposes, and $9,806,602 is unrestricted. The total net position of governmental activities increased by $560,086 for the year ending Dec. 31, 2016. This is attributed primarily to courthouse renovations,
same period, an examination of city finances shows that, when adjusted for inflation, 2016 expenditure levels are below 2007 levels and decreased 1 percent over the 10-year period. Although inflation-adjusted total expenditures decreased 1 percent over the ten-year period, a comparison of the two five-year periods of 2007-2011 and 20122016 reveals a significant reversal during the most recent period. From 2007 to 2011, inflation-adjusted total expenditures decreased 12.1 percent, while from 2012 to 2016, inflation-adjusted total expenditures increased 10.3 percent. To view the complete report, which includes an executive summary, graphs and tables, go to www.auditor.state. mn.us/default.aspx?page=20171227.000.
Over the 10-year period of 2007 to 2016, an examination of city revenues shows that, when adjusted for inflation, 2016 revenue levels are below 2007 levels and decreased by 3.3 percent over the decade. Between 2007 and 2016, actual revenues derived from property taxes grew 41.5 percent, compared to an increase of 5.2 percent over that same period for revenues derived from intergovernmental sources. Additional analysis of actual intergov-
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Philipp & Knutson “substandard” and grounds for her office to re-audit the eight counties. She later notified the counties she intends to re-audit their fiscal year 2016 audits as well. In September, the affected counties — Hubbard, Koochiching, Roseau, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Pennington and Red Lake — sent a joint letter to Otto, encouraging her to work with them to find “a mutually agreeable solution.” At issue for the counties is money — it can cost twice as much for the state auditor’s office to conduct the annual audit. A private firm charges roughly $30,000 while OSA’s fees reach $87,000.
fair weather resulting in decreased utility costs, staffing shortages in various departments, and December’s employment benefits not invoiced and paid until January 2017. “Your general fund, in 2016, the county did have a net gain of about $500,000 in equity. In other words, the net worth of the county went up about $500,000,” Hoffman said. “Part of what explains that is the money you get from MnDOT for roads. That money comes from gas tax and the state and goes into your pool to improve the roads, so it’s an investment into the county.” The nursing home “not so good,” Hoffman said. The Heritage Living Center reported an operating loss in 2016 of $710,616. Heritage Manor reported an operating income of $46,242 and Heritage Cottages reported $187,729. The Heritage Center Project Fund reported an operating loss of $65,000, resulting in a combined operating loss of $541,645 for the Heritage Community. “The Heritage Center Project Fund was the fund used to account for the $10 million in bonds that was issued for this project to get the market tax credit money,” Hoffman explained. “Friends of Heritage got the bond proceeds and the new market tax credit money because it couldn’t go to
Overall, small cities ernmental revenues over tend to carry a greater the 10-year period shows debt burden per capita federal grants decreased than large cities. In 2016, 12 percent, state grants small cities carried long- increased 6.2 percent, and term debt of $1.28 bil- local grants increased 30.9 lion, or $3,615 per capita, percent. When revenues compared to $8.19 billion, are adjusted for inflation, or $1,960 per capita, for the 10-year period shows an 18.3 percent increase large cities. in property tax revenues while intergovernmental revenues decreased 12.1 percent. The proportion of total revenues derived from property taxes grew from 32.3 percent in 2007 to 39.5 percent in 2016. During this same time frame, revenues derived from intergovernmental sources decreased from 26.4 percent of total revenues to 24.0 percent. Between 2007 and 2016, actual total city expenditures grew from $5.32 billion to $6.30 billion. This represents an increase of 18.4 percent. Over the
Long-term trends
Pottery featured at Headwaters
The Headwaters School of Music & Arts will host “Recent Works of Tom Daly: Pottery, Driftwood and Plants” for the month of January, with an opening reception from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5. Tom Daly is a Headwaters instructor from Bemidji. He has roughly 30 years experience working with clay. He is wellversed in a wide variety of hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques. Following Daly’s reception will be the Open Mic Coffee House from 7-10 p.m.
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It’s that time of year when we love to romp in the sun, play on the beach and be active in the water. Summer weather conditions can affect our pet’s well-being, and here are a few things to be aware of: ► Sidewalks – ouch! Roads and sidewalks are hot. When walking your dog try to choose shady areas and sidewalks with grass along the side. Morning walks are really the best. ► Thirst – Have fresh water available at all times. Dogs don’t sweat, they pant. Dehydration will cause the skin to be taunt, and lack of water may affect the dog to the point of losing consciousness. ► Sunburn – Yes, most dogs have sensitive skin, and shady areas are essential. In the past, I’ve applied small amounts of a child-safe SPF to my dog’s nose. Some dogs are thin coated, and if you look for a pet-friendly option, you can spray their entire body. Caution: not all sunscreen is created equal. Look for products without zinc, as this is toxic for dogs. ► Vehicles – Leaving pets in the car when the temperature reaches 70 degrees outdoors, is dangerous. Even in the shade with the windows down. The chart below is a helpful reminder.
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Laughing your way to good health Generations on the Move BY KARIN HAUGRUD Columnist
This article is made possible with Older Americans Act dollars from the Land of the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging. Call the Senior LinkAge® One Stop Shop at 800-333-2433 to speak with an information specialist, or check out our website at MinnesotaHelp.info. MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help.
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Do you remember when you were young and you and your friends would laugh and laugh until your belly would ache and tears would stream from your eyes? Every laugh was contagious; it seemed like the more you tried to stop your laughing, the harder you laughed. When was the last time you laughed like that? On average children laugh 400 times per day, and adults only laugh 15 times per day. So if laughter is so good, why are we not doing more of it? Did you know that when you smile you used 13 different face muscles? Smiling uses the muscles at the corners of your mouth, which changes the flow of blood inside your face; this causes the blood temperature to drop. When this happens, endorphins are released, which helps reduce pain and make you feel good. We’ve long known that the ability to laugh is helpful to those coping with major illness and the stress of life’s problems. But researchers are now saying laughter can do a lot more – it can basically bring balance to all the components of the immune system, which helps us fight off diseases What may surprise you even more is the fact that researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Laughing can be a total body
workout! Blood pressure is lowered, and there is an increase in vascular blood flow and in oxygenation of the blood, which further assists healing. Laughter also gives your diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles a workout. That’s why you often feel exhausted after a long bout of laughter – you’ve just had an aerobic workout! The psychological benefits of humor are also quite amazing, according to doctors and nurses who are members of the American Association for Therapeutic Humor. People often store negative emotions, such as anger, sadness and fear, rather than expressing them. Laughter provides a way for these emotions to be harmlessly released. Laughter is cathartic. That’s why some people who are upset or stressed out go to a funny movie or a comedy club, so they can laugh the negative emotions away. So if stress is taking over your life, if you are feeling unhealthy, or you just want some relief…laugh! Watch a funny movie, hang around a funny friend, or read the comic strips in the newspaper. If all else fails and you can’t seem to get a laugh anywhere, pretend to laugh…out loud. It is the action of laughter, not the mood that your body reacts to, so you can get all of the benefits of laughter even if you’re not in the mood to laugh. The more you laugh, the better. The harder you laugh, the better. So let it out…You have nothing to lose and who knows…your health could depend on it.
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