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Two vie for Cook Timber Days King/Queen
By GDA
Timber Days 2008 will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
June 13, 14 and 15, this year and it could be the best ever.
There will be two well-known locals running for Timber Days King
or Queen this year. They are Sharon Hill and Dustin Finner.
Dustin Finner is 18 years old and loves football and weightlifting.
He also loves to hunt, fish, go camping and just be outdoors.
He is the son of Dave and Shannon Martin of Cook and said any
money he wins will go towards his college tuition.
Sharon Hill, age 68, loves to do quilting, gardening, volunteer
work in the community and traveling. She has a daughter, Roberta
(John) Young and a grandson, T.J. McArthur. She plans to donate
half her earnings to charity and add to her flower beds with the
other half.
There will be either a king or queen crowned this year. The winner
will be determined by how many Timber Days drawing tickets they
sell. A drawing of the tickets will be held Saturday, June 14,
during the coronation at the gazebo in downtown Cook. Winners
need not be present to win. Prizes include a $500 first prize,
$100 for second and third, and six $50 prizes, plus numerous other
prizes.
This year's Timber Days will have more craft booths than ever,
more food booths, the very popular softball tournament at the
Doug Johnson Recreation Area, a fantastic couple of shows with
an Elvis impersonator that is drawing people to this event already
and, of course, the huge Timber Days parade on Sunday.
Make sure you buy your Timber Days raffle tickets from one of
these candidates and if you want to see a fabulous Elvis show,
get your tickets now.
Dayis Lee joins the race for Timber Days Royalty Candidate
Dayis Lee has taken up the challenge to vie for the title of Cook Timber Days Queen 2008 and has become candidate number three.
Dayis, age 23, works for Waschke Family Chevrolet of Cook. She enjoys rollerblading and walking with her dog. She also enjoys the time she spends with her friends and family and playing sports.
Minnesota boaters will find a variety of conditions at public
water accesses for the May 10 fishing opener, according to the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR Division
of Trails and Waterways is making a special effort to ensure all
DNR boat launches are ready by the opener, said Nancy Stewart,
the Public Water Access Program coordinator. She noted, however,
that repairs to access sites depend on the weather and ice-out,
which has been running two weeks behind normal.
"Most public accesses in the southern half of Minnesota will
be in good condition and open for use," Stewart said. "Some
lakes in the northern half of the state may still have ice, which
poses a challenge in making repairs. It's wise for boaters to
check ahead for the latest report on the access they plan to use."
Winter weather is always a challenge to Minnesota's public water
access, Stewart noted. As ice expands during the winter months,
it can push and buckle the concrete plank structures like an accordion.
This phenomenon, called "ice jacking," is caused by
the pushing action of a lake's ice sheet against the shore, which
often leaves the boat ramp unusable. Crews repair damaged boat
ramps by removing damaged planks and replacing them with new ones.
"Work crews are making good progress preparing public water
accesses for the upcoming fishing season," Stewart said.
"However, many lakes still have ice that may hinder efforts
to make repairs."
Stewart offers these suggestions for the opener:
· plan to be patient and prepared at public water accesses
and use extra care while launching and loading boats
· inspect the ramp condition before using it; some of the
worst ramp damage can be below the water line
· in case your favorite lake access is unusable, be prepared
to try another public access
· operate boats carefully because there could be free-floating
ice sheets on some lakes.
In addition to repairing ramps, as time allows, DNR crews install
docks at many accesses to assist boaters in launching and boarding
watercraft. For public water access maps, boating information
and lake ice-out status, go to the DNR Web site at www.mndnr.gov.
Boaters who encounter problems should contact the local DNR office
or call the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or 1-888-MINNDNR
(646-6367).
See Page 17 for local opener reports
by Robin Fisher
The Cook School fifth- and sixth-graders gathered for a fun
swimming race competition on Wednesday, April 30, in Tower. The
Cook pool developed a breakdown with the main water circulating
pump which sidelined the pool for the rest of the school year.
The Tower School generously offered their pool for the annual
event.
The races began at noon with parents and spectators sitting in
the hot humidity of the pool bleachers. The students were very
excited and put all their energy into swimming as hard as they
could in each swim race. Finish-line judges included teachers
Mrs. DuMarce and Mrs. Weulander with the help of Cam Nicholas.
Judy McCarthy did a great job running the registration desk. Other
adult volunteers included Carolyn Miner and Julie Suihkonen.
The Cook School PTO purchased prizes for the Swim Olympics. The
Cook VFW provided the bus transportation to Tower. Cook's North
Country Floral provided the red, white, and blue balloon arrangement.
Shirley Nicholas commented that "the students worked really
hard this year improving their swimming skills so they could do
their best in this event."
McDonald's Restaurant of Cook donated juice for the racers. The
Swim Olympics was a big success. It is important to encourage
our children to gain skill with swimming when they live in a state
with more than 10,000 lakes.
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First Place Winners - 5th Grade Winners - Third Place - 5th Grade |
Winners - First Place - 6th Grade Emily LaPatka - Choice of Front Stroke - 25 yards Emily LaPatka - Front Crawl - 50 yards Emily LaPatka - Front Crawl - 25 yards Melina Feist - Back Crawl - 25 yards Jurnee Wilson - Choice of Back Stroke - 25 yards Cara Hanson - Back Crawl - 50 yards Edison Watt - Elementary Back Stroke - 25 yards Winners - Second place - 6th Grade Trevor Reichel - Choice of Front Stroke - 25 yards Trevor Reichel - Front Crawl - 50 yards Trevor Reichel - Front Crawl 25 yards Jurnee Wilson - Back Crawl - 25 yards Shawn McKee - Choice of Back Stroke - 25 yards Joey IntVeld - Back Crawl - 50 yards Jenna Niska - Elementary Back Stroke - 25 yards Winners - Third Place - 6th Grade Cara Hanson - Choice of Front Stroke - 25 yards Kyle Edblom - Front Crawl - 50 yards Kyle Edblom - Front Crawl - 25 yards Shawn McKee - Back Crawl - 25 yards Laura Salmela - Choice of Back Stroke - 25 yards Shawn McKee - Back Crawl - 50 yards Nick Wilson - Elementary Back Stroke - 25 yards |
By Karen Emanuelson, Editor
North Oaks News, St. Paul
April 2008
The following article is about Dale Severson of St. Paul, Minn.
He and his wife, Sharon (Forsline), who grew up in the Cook area,
are summer residents of Lake Vermilion, Cook.
Verses of "Yellow Submarine," interspersed with laughter,
could be heard coming from the Bend, Ore., woods. Soon, two figures
came into view - cross-country skiers sharing the trails on a
sunshine-filled day and having the time of their lives. Hard to
believe they were strangers just days ago. Even more incredible
is the fact that one of the skiers, Sheila Styron, has been blind
since birth. The other is 72-year-old North Oaks resident Dale
Severson, who has teamed up with blind and visually handicapped
individuals for 21 consecutive years as a Ski for Light (SFL)
instructor and guide.
The pair spent a week on the cross-country trails on Mount Bachelor
getting to know each other and the trails. Severson provided Styron,
a six-year Ski for Light veteran, with running commentary on the
snow-filled woods. He verbally guided her along the groomed trails,
alerting Styron to upcoming changes in the direction and level
of the tracks. As a team, the two decided how far, how long, and
on what kind of terrain they would ski.
As the Ski for Light week drew to a close, the team decided to
compete in the 10-kilometer race. They made the right choice.
With a time of 1:36:59, the Styron-Severson team captured the
silver medal - a first for Styron and another for Severson's winter
sports medal collection.
According to SFL organizers, guides usually discover how personally
rewarding and gratifying it is to give of their time and ability
because it allows another person to achieve goals that might not
be attainable without their involvement. As a 21-year veteran
of SFL week, Severson agrees.
"It is a rewarding challenge to train and coach a willing
blind skier and see her develop from an intermediate (skier) to
an enthusiastic, advanced skier in just a matter of one week,"
said Severson. "I am thrilled to see Sheila's accomplishments
and proud to have helped her."
The experience is similar for the skiers, some who are new to
the sport of cross-country skiing. But the fun of SFL is not confined
to the trails.
Late afternoons and evenings turn the focus inside to the social
events. Volunteer-led "special-interest" sessions provide
opportunities to share hobbies and jobs. Skiers, guides and their
guests attend a group dinner, followed by an evening of entertainment.
During this year's talent show, which just happened to be scheduled
for Feb. 14, Severson's partner took center stage and serenaded
him with a spoof she entitled "My Skiing Valentine."
A UCLA graduate who majored in music, Styron is an accomplished
vocalist and composer who produces and performs children's music,
jingles, soundtracks, theme and pop songs. Styron lives in Kansas
City, Missouri with her yellow lab guide dog Gretch, husband Bill
Stephan and his guide dog. She also serves as the president of
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
In 1987, Severson registered for his first Ski for Light week,
scheduled that year for Traverse City, Michigan.
"When (my wife) Sharon and I traveled to Norway in 1979,
we were privileged to meet the blind man who founded SFL, Erling
Stordal," said Severson. "I was totally intrigued with
the concept and knew I must give it a try, and it truly has been
a most rewarding annual event for me."
Severson has traveled throughout the U.S. - from New Hampshire
and Vermont to Colorado and Alaska - to attend 21 annual SFL events.
"Truly, this 2008 event in Bend, Ore., was one of my favorite
spots," said Dale. "The snow conditions were perfect
with 200 plus inches of snow. The tracks were well groomed, interesting
and challenging. And, where, in the middle of winter can one sit
at the base of a beautiful mountain and eat lunch with great friends
in 55-degree weather?" Sharon agrees with her husband's assessment
of this year's location, having accompanied him on more than one
occasion on ski-related trips around the country. Sharon is also
a Ski for Light guide. In addition to serving as a guide during
the weeklong activities, she also enjoys developing friendships
with other spouses. Sharon assists with Ski for Light fundraising
and other special events as well.
This year, Dale has been chosen by Ski for Light as one of only
two United States sighted skiers to participate in the 45th Ridderrennet
Invitational in Norway March 30 through April 6. Severson and
his blind partner, John Hollenbach, a retired banker from Perkasie,
Pa., make up one of two teams who will represent the U.S. in the
World Ski for Light event in Beitostolen, Norway in the Valdres
Mountains.
Doug Boose, the other honored guide, hails from Houghton, Mich.
Boose will wear a microphone on his lapel as he guides Linda Mumford,
a totally blind skier who wears a cochlea implant, along the trails
in Norway.
"It is a very special honor to be chosen from over 200 guides
who do coach and volunteer so much of their time to make this
event a huge success," said Severson. Severson and Hollenbach
will compete in the Ridderrenn 20-kilometer race on April 5 after
a week of mingling with Ski for Light teams representing 20 countries.
When not on the trails, Severson plans to attend some of the many
Ridderrennet functions including the talent show, receptions,
dances and the award ceremonies with the musicians of the King's
Guard drumming and trumpeting to celebrate the winners.
While Severson would certainly enjoy winning a medal at Ridderrenn,
that is not his sole reason for attending.
"I truly love being able, once again, to go back to my roots
in the 'old country,' the birthplace of skiing, and to share and
experience training an enthusiastic blind skier who enjoys being
competitive as I do," said Severson.
Severson is no stranger to winter sports. Those who ask Severson
about his other outdoor love - competitive ski jumping - may be
lucky enough to see the vast collection of medals Severson has
acquired over the years. Severson began skiing at the age of 4
in Eau Claire, Wis. As a 20-year-old, he participated in the 1956
Olympics as an alternate for the U.S. ski jumping team.
While many competitive athletes reach their pinnacles in high
school or even college, at 72 years young, Severson appears to
still be reaching for the top. In 1997, as a 61-year-old, Severson
won three medals at the International Master Ski Jumping Championships
in Sundsvall, Sweden. Prior to the international competition,
Dale won the gold in the 1996 U.S. Masters competition at Steamboat
Springs, Colo.
Severson also claims the title of the 2003 Class IV U.S. Masters
20-Meter Hill Champion. His most recent competitive ski jumping
medal win was in 2005 when he was awarded the National Masters
Class IV 22-Meter Hill Championship in Fox River Grove, Ill.
When asked the secret to keeping his competitive edge into his
70s, Severson said, "Staying fit and being active are the
most important elements in any sporting competition. Olaf Pederson,
a great skiing friend from Norway, brought SFL to America and
continued to ski and compete into his late 80s. He is one of my
role models, and I hope to follow in his great style."
Dale and Sharon raised two daughters, Jodi and Amy, in their North
Oaks home and regularly welcome visiting grandbabies (and future
ski jumpers) Dylan, 6, and Austin, 1-1/2. Dale and Sharon are
currently assisting their daughter Amy as she plans a Sept. 6
wedding at the Duke University Chapel in North Carolina.
Although registration for next year's Ski for Light week doesn't
open until July, the Seversons have already scheduled their February
2009 trip to Provo, Utah where Dale plans to celebrate his 22nd
consecutive year as an SFL guide. Soldier Hollow, the cross-country
ski venue used for the 2002 Winter Olympics, is expected to host
almost 350 Ski for Light participants in 2009. One lucky blind
skier will be assigned a guide named Dale Severson.
By A.J. Shuster
Kaitlyn Deatherage makes and sells tie-dyed garments, available
at Pelican Bay Foods in Orr and by special order. This she does
on top of working 30 to 40 hours per week as a grocery store/gas
pump cashier, and being a single mom.
Kaitlyn's family is originally from this area. In sixth grade
she moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., where she lived for a number of
years. After living on her own in the Twin Cities for a couple
of months, she moved back to Orr to be near family.
Miss Deatherage began tie-dying in 2004, when some friends taught
her how. Later she did a t-shirt contest for a friend's band,
doing 35 at one time. She says it's like a hobby, not work; it's
just fun.
Her family has been a huge support. Her aunt and uncle let her
use their basement until she had a place with room to work. Mom,
Wendy, finds white clothing items nearly every time she shops,
looking mostly at clearance racks, and dollar stores. Cousin Jennica
has helped with some of the dyeing. Four-year-old daughter Lucy
selects some of the colors (usually pink), and proudly acts as
"salesgirl" to get folks to buy her mom's work.
In the past, Kaitlyn sold t-shirts at some concerts and shows.
She first sold here at 2007's Snow Daze craft show. The community's
response was so great she approached Brian Bruns for permission
to sell at the Pelican Bay Foods. He agreed, and they both make
something from the sales; and have a good working relationship.
Kaitlyn's "Tye Dye on the Bay" sells the usual t-shirts,
but also dyes and sells tube socks and baby onesies, to name a
few. Nancy Glass has helped with projects for and with the school.
Kaitlyn made socks for the girls basketball team. She is currently
busy making bandanas for Track and Field Day. Her tie-dyed boxer
shorts, thanks to cousin Robert Astleford, became a hit with the
high school boys. Miss Deatherage is considering teaching a tie-dye
class.
See her work, and smiling face, at Pelican Bay Foods. She can
be reached at 218-929-1116.
City of Cook to dedicate ball field in memory of Dan Swanson
Late ice-out delays setting of some navigational buoys
National Day of Prayer observed in Orr
Letters to the Editor ...
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