|
MUCH OBLIGED
Wild and Free
We would like to thank the community for its generous response to our plea for apples and acorns for the bear cubs at Wild and Free which was published in a recent Dispatch article. We have been inundated with food for them. As of right now, we have plenty of apples that should last until the cubs begin to hibernate, and so, we don't need any more.
Thanks again to those of you who gathered and delivered apples and acorns to Garrison Animal Hospital.
Wild and Free Rehabilitation Center
Great Pumpkin Festisval
I would like to thank the following groups and individuals who volunteered their time or made donations, and to vendors, who helped make the 3rd annual Great Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 17 at Gregory Park a success:
Anita Supinski, Andy Miles, Mike Lambert, John Ward, Jean Collins, Chris Hastings and Jim Tousignant, all from the Brainerd Kiwanis Club; the Deerwood Lakes Lions Clown Club; Crossing Arts Alliance/Flip Side for arts and crafts; the Lakes Area Senior Center's Golden Years Gift Shop; the Northside Neighborhood Association for donating all of its proceeds from food sales for improvements to Gregory Park; The Sunrise Safari Relay for Life team; Giovanni's Pizza; Baxter Wal-Mart and Brainerd International Raceway for donating pumpkins and other supplies; Winner's Trophy and Engraving; Bridge-Light Marketing & Web Design; the Brainerd Lakes Area Women of Today; and to Mike Brown of Riddle's Jewelry who announced the events.
The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department sponsors the Great Pumpkin Festival, which annually takes place on the Saturday of MEA weekend.
Tony Sailer
Recreation Specialist
Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department
Diabetes Walk
On behalf of the Brainerd Lakes Area Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, I would like to thank everyone involved in our Step Out for Diabetes Walk Oct. 3. It was a tremendous success with over 145 walkers raising $29,900 for diabetes research and programs. Thank you to our corporate sponsors including the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Brainerd Eyecare Center, St. Joseph's Medical Center, BL Broadcasting, Turtle Island and Team Beachbody.
The following businesses were very generous to donate door prizes for the participants: Americinn, Applebee's, Associates in Eye Care, Black Bear, Bonanza, Buffalo Wild Wings, Brainerd Medical Supply, Caribou Coffee, Comfort Suites, Computer Plus, Country Inn, Crosby Eye Clinic, Culver's, El Tequila, Family Chiropractic, Famous Dave's, Floor to Ceiling, Grizzly's, Hirshfield's Paints, Ja-Mi Nails, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kitchen Place, Lakeland Vet, Light Depot, Life Preserver Natural Food, McDonald's, Midwest Eye Center, Mills Auto Sales, Napa Auto Parts, North Central Medical Supply, Paul Bunyan Bowling, Pearl Vision, Pet North, Poncho and Lefty's, Prairie Bay, Quizno's, Radio Shack, Sherwin Williams Paints, Salon El Rio, Service Drug, Shake Shop, Starbuck's-Baxter, Tumbleroos, YMCA and Wendy's. Apples were donated by Schaefer's Foods and coffee by Caribou Coffee. We thank you for supporting our cause to find a cure for diabetes.
A very special thanks to our planning committee, those individuals recording PSAs and volunteers at the walk for your time and commitment to the ADA. To the walkers and their sponsors, I thank you for participating in Step Out and appreciate your continued commitment to raising funds and spreading the word about America's fastest growing disease. The mission at the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by the disease. With dedication from our community, we are able to continue to carry out this mission.
Mary Paine
President of Brainerd Lakes Area Chapter American Diabetes Association
Women's Center
On behalf of the Alex and Brandon Child Safety and the Women's Center, we want to say thank you to Carol Korzan, Pat Smith, Sara Pusc, Jane Hendrickson, Brigitt Karsnia, Robin Gravdahl, Rob Presthus, Cory Hillery, Brian Lewandowski, Brenda and Roger Mathisen, Heather Fitzpatrick, Vicki Pahl, Janelle Darling, Nawal Khan and Jeff Pettit from the Anderson Brainerd Insurance Agency and the Anderson Agency in Minneapolis. The agencies are committed to giving back to their communities by volunteering for a day of their labor to a non-profit organization. A special thank you goes to Sara Pusc for nominating us.
On Sept. 14, the people gathered to work and work they did. We had plenty for them to do. At Alex and Brandon we had 30 yards of wood chips in our parking lot that needed to be moved to the playground. The pile was about 12 feet high (perhaps I exaggerate; maybe it was closer to nine feet). I looked at the pile around noon and thought there is no way this will get done before they have to leave. I was wondering how we would get the rest of the wood chips into the playground. I didn't need to worry. Every last wood chip was gone before they left. We also had our rugs cleaned at Alex and Brandon. Every room is carpeted and it is a big job.
At the shelter, our wood playground equipment was in bad need of some attention. It was sanded and stained. The area below was weeded and cleaned up. Our staff said they had never seen the playground look that good.
We are fortunate to have received such a tremendous gift. The organization that receives their volunteer help next year will be truly lucky.
A. Louise Seliski, ACSW, LICSW
Executive director
The Women's Center
Alex and Brandon Child Safety Center
The power of prayer
At age 77 and never having my doctor prescribe a colonoscopy, I had a lucky premonition. Having no symptoms other than losing a few pounds after returning from our Hawaiian vacation in March, I called and made an appointment. Due to the colonoscopy, a large cancerous tumor was found. Dr. Bengston did my surgery on May 7 at St. Joseph's Medical Center. The cancerous tumor along with 40 lymph nodes and 14 inches of my colon were removed. The pathologist's report, after almost a week, came back stating a cancerous tumor was present, but no invasion . . . All clear! Wow! I have been blessed!
With all the concerns, help, cards, phone calls and prayers from neighbors, family, friends and church, my prayers were answered.
Have you had your colonoscopy check-up lately?
Don C. Seaberg
Pequot Lakes
Community Ladies Aid
The Community Ladies Aid would like to thank the 300-plus people who attended the annual harvest supper at Deerfield Town Hall on Oct. 3. This year's quilt winner was Tom Godfrey of Backus. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this year's supper a success.
Community Ladies Aid
Backus
Brainerd Fire Department
The Brainerd Fire Department would like to thank all those who helped make our open house another huge success. It is the continued support you give us that enables us to host this event annually during Fire Prevention Week. Your participation helps us accomplish our goal of promoting safety in our community and for this, we extend our heartfelt thanks.
Staff and firefighters of the Brainerd Fire Department
Good Samaritan Society-Bethany
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the Bethany Auxiliary's annual pie social and silent auction held Sept. 23 at Good Samaritan Society-Bethany. When all was said and done, the tasty fundraiser raised over $2,600 for the Bethany Aquarium Lounge. A special word of thanks to Gary Kinney and his crew at The Barn for baking our delicious pies and for all the many wonderful volunteers who make this event possible year after year.
Our residents' new Aquarium Lounge is absolutely breathtaking and we invite the community to stop by and experience it for themselves.
The coffee pot is always on at Bethany.
Liz Csanda, Community Relations Director
Good Samaritan Society-Bethany
Skl Gull
Ski Gull hosted its Annual Fall Fundraiser September 17, 2009 at The Lodge of Brainerd Lakes in Baxter. The event was the kick-off to the 2009-2010 season and a celebration of 25 years as a non-profit. Helping our community to become a better place to live has been our guiding principle for nearly 50 years!! Ski Gull opened its doors for skiing in 1962 and began its purpose to improve and promote civic and community welfare in our area through development of winter recreational facilities. Non-profit status was established in 1984. Ski Gull now offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing programs in one convenient location.
We would like to thank the businesses and individuals who donated items to the silent and live auction. Businesses from our local area and other parts of Minnesota donated many wonderful items and gift certificates. Due to generous support, we are unable to list them all! The event was well attended by all ages and many families. Attendees enjoyed a large variety of delicious foods from many local vendors and played family games. The hit of the night was the obstacle course!
We also would like to extend a huge thank you to our many volunteers and committee members for their generous commitment of time and energy!! Volunteers: Emily, Jeff, Molly and Neddy Aga; Anna, Brady and Kim Ahrendt; Jake Asprey; Gus Augustinack; Brent Best; Paul Burton; Jeff Birks, Tammy Bistodau, Dawn, Jorgen, and Marissa Bjerkness, Celeana Brown, Paul Burton, Julie Conroy; Wendy Doran; Ashley and Payge Fitterer; Princess Fredrickson; Hollie Garry; Diane Godbout; Bob Gorron; Melissa Grover; Tanner Jacobson; Ryan and Andy Hayes; Diane Hoglin; Eileen & Nancy Holland; Eric and Annette Klang; Mary Jo Kobes; Bruce & Sandy Lovald; Addie and Grace McGuire; Bailey Oberschmid; Shawn O'Brien; John Payonk; AJ Peterson; Bob, Jake and Kathy Reichenbach; Amy Ryappy; Maggie Sargent; Teddy Schaefer; Linda Storms; Betty and Dylan Stumvoll; Lisa Taylor; John VanderLinden; Kim Watson and Ryan Weihemuller. Committee members: Sarah Aga, Leslie Arnold, Missy Best, Elyse Burton, Kari Dayton, Laurie Fitterer, Ellen Frank, Wendy Goll, Jen Kalis, Andrea Marcum, Karla O'Brien, Antie Olson, and Katie Seipp.
Thank You for Your Support and Think Snow! With your support we raised $16,000, to help maintain core programs and the purchase new Rossignol Ski Equipment.
Laurie Fitterer, President
DJ Dondelinger, Vice President
Charles McQuinn, Treasurer
Ellen Frank, Secretary
Kari Dayton, Executive Director
Todd Dunlap, Director
Gary Goll, Director
Troy Kalis, Director
John McGuire, Director
Karla O'Brien, Event Coordinator
Ski Gull Board
Drive One 4UR School
Thank you, Mills Ford, for the wonderful fundraiser on Sept. 26 for Drive One 4UR School. Thank you for your generosity of opening up your business to our community to help Warrior athletics and activities. It was a beautiful day and everyone had a fun time selling brats, washing cars, painting faces, selling baked goodies and most of all test driving Ford cars. A special thank you to Carol Coventry for her organization of the entire event at Mills Ford! Thank you to the entire Mills staff for their assistance throughout the entire day and the test drive riders for their time, too. Thank you to the Brainerd Sports Boosters for their donation of the food and advertising of the event. A special thank you to all of the public who test drove Ford vehicles, purchased oil changes and participated in the car wash, brat sale and bake sale. Thank you to the students and parents who worked in helping make the day a success.
Thank you for your generosity! Thank you for making this Drive One 4UR School event so successful for Brainerd athletics and activities!
Competitive Cheerleading
Brainerd Soccer Boosters
Boys Swimming
Wrestling Association
Junior Class Cabinet/Prom
Bethany pie social
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the Bethany Auxiliary's annual Pie Social and Silent Auction on Sept. 23 at Good Samaritan Society-Bethany. When all was said and done, the tasty fundraiser raised more than $2,600 for the Bethany Aquarium Lounge. A special word of thanks to Gary Kinney and his crew at The Barn for baking our delicious pies and for all the many wonderful volunteers who make this event possible year after year.
Our residents' new Aquarium Lounge is absolutely breathtaking and we invite the community to stop by and experience it for themselves.
Liz Csanda
Community relations director
Good Samaritan Society-Bethany
Gary's Sport Bar
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Brainerd/Baxter area for the past 13-plus years of your business and friendship. I've met thousands of people I never would have had an opportunity to meet without being at Gary's Sports Bar and Pine Room.
The Pine Room has hosted many celebrations: Birthday parties, Christmas parties, wedding receptions, retirement parties, class reunions, funerals and training seminars.
Regretfully, I am forced to close the doors at Gary's. Economic conditions and the recession have forced everyone to watch their budget closely and drinking and eating out is somewhere families have had to cut back. Also, the fear of getting a DWI ticket weighs heavily on everybody's minds. People don't go out for a cocktail like they used to. Business has really slowed down to where I cannot meet the daily operating costs of running a business of this size. The daily costs of insurance, licenses, taxes, electricity, heating and changing of state codes have created expenses that I cannot meet. It has been a great 13 years but the last year and a half has been a major struggle. I just cannot see my way clear of staying open any longer. I am really sorry for any inconveniences I may have caused with future bookings. I do have the business listed for sale and maybe someone will purchase Gary's and the tradition of meetings and parties can continue.
Thank you all again for your past support and patronage. I really am proud and happy to have been a part of so many celebrations while owning Gary's. I have been a resident of the Cuyuna Range for 17 years and it's been a wonderful place to live and raise my family. Thank you again for all your friendship and patronage.
Gary M. Cash
Ironton
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
Thank you very much to all those who donated their time, expertise, dollars and merchandise to support the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes on August 22nd. The walk was very successful in raising funds and awareness for Sexual Assault Services and the Women's Center. We doubled the number of walkers from our first year and had great support from the business community.
Thank you to our major sponsors: Mills Automotive, Mills Fleet Farm, the Mills family and Lakes Printing.
Thank you to these businesses and individuals who donated prizes, support, advertising and more:
The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, FitQuest Athletic Club, Nita Steinbrecher, Motley, Little Moran Hunting Club, Staples, Bernie St. Pierre, Staples, Rosie Blessing, Staples, Super One, Baxter, Auger's Resort, Motley ,Vonnie Willoughby, Motley, BL Broadcasting, Bjerga's Feed Store, Motley, Emily Kohler, Motley, Sen. Paul Koering
Marilyn Hassler, Staples, KLKS Radio, Jenelle Shriver, Staples, Rep. John Ward, Target, Baxter, Echo Publishing & Printing, Jim Mohler, Staples, Lundrigan's, Nisswa, There's Room , Lakes Area Gallery, Cones & More.
Plan now for next year's walk on Saturday, Aug. 21.
Dan Hegstad
To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.
|
|
Top Commented Articles
