Awards Day

Central Lakes College recently held Awards Day to recognize outstanding efforts for the 2009-10 academic year. Among winners: Brainerd campus Citizenship/Leadership, Student of the Year – Steve Sabin, Brainerd; Male Sophomore of the Year – Luke Morcomb, Brainerd (also TRiO Student of Year, pictured); Female Sophomore of the Year – Alex and Stacy Buscher, Merrifield; Male Freshman of the Year – Lance Zetah, East Gull Lake; Female Freshman of the Year – Sue Aleckson, Upsala. Staples campus Citizenship/Leadership, Student of the Year – Tobias (Tony) Smith, Robbinsdale; Male Sophomore of the Year – Riley Walker, Sebeka; Female Sophomore of the Year – Jordan Zwart, Staples, and Maggi Carlson, Crosby; Male Freshman of the Year – Matt Arola, Detroit Lakes; Female Freshman of the Year – Alishia Zoch, Remer. Student Writing Awards – Elizabeth Aleckson, Upsala, first place essay; Kyle Kroll, Pillager, third place poem, essay, short story; Alexandra Buscher, Merrifield, first place fiction; Anastasia Buscher, Merrifield, second place poetry; Gabe Franz, Brainerd, second place fiction; Kathrine Klasky, Baxter, first place poetry; Brianna Olson, Brainerd, second place essay.

Raider softball

The Central Lakes College Raiders finished their Northern Division fast-pitch season Wed., April 28 at Itasca, losing two close games to the nation's top ranked Vikings, 4-3 and 4-1. The losses give the Raiders a 21-11 record, 14-6 in the North of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference. CLC next plays at the Jennie Guyer tournament in Grand Rapids on Sat., May 1, and then goes to Sauk Rapids May 7 and 8 for the MCAC tournament. On May 13 and 14, the CLC team hopes to compete in the Region 13 B tournament at Grand Rapids. The Raiders must have a strong enough showing at State to qualify for the four-team Regional. Only one team advances to the Nationals out of that region. In four battles with the Vikings this season, CLC has been close to winning. Two of the setbacks were extra-inning affairs, notes Coach Greg Medeck, who is in his first season at the helm. Ashly Erickson pitched both games April 28, allowing 19 hits, striking out 5, walking 4. Tika Nichols (pictured) went 4-7 at the plate for the day, and she poked a home run in the first game.

Band concert

“Today and Yesterday,” a musical celebration of new and old music by the Central Lakes College Instrumental Music Department, is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Chalberg Theater on the Brainerd campus. Featured will be the CLC Community Concert Band performing recent compositions for concert band along with classic tunes from the American concert band literature. The CLC Jazz Band will showcase tunes from the Russ Carlyle Dance Band Library which Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle, summer residents at Breezy Point, donated to CLC this past year. “The romantic style of Russ Carlyle will be portrayed by vocalists on such tunes as ‘Pennies From Heaven,’ ‘You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You,’ ‘Firefly,’ and ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’,” said Steve Anderson of Merrifeld, CLC band director. The featured vocalists are Anderson, Claudette Kitzman of Lake Shore, and Sheila Wonders of Brainerd. Admission to the concert is $3, with CLC students and children 12 and under admitted free of charge. There is no reserved seating. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Children's Theatre

“The Mysterious Case of Ella: Girl from the Cinders,” the 2010 Children’s Theatre class production, on May 6 wraps up its run for about 1,500 children bussed to CLC. The play was written by Dennis Lamberson and published by Drama Source, Inc. as part of the children’s theatre anthology “The Magic Theatre Trunk.” This is the 27th annual children’s theatre production and plays for 14 school performances from April 6 to May 6. The cast includes Kaleb Anderson as the Prince of Dillydob and Emily Peterson as Ella. The comic stepsisters are played by Robyn Siliznoff and Kate Huppler. Cassandra Pearson is the wicked Stepmother Dearest. Marc Oliphant is Sir Reginal The Third, Ella’s father. The Village People are Ben Brown, Leah Hochmayr, Marlee Myer, Morgan Morrie, Ashly Erickson, Bruce Praska, Heidi Rider, and Jill Rinde. Kenny Simon is Sir Hairy Terrier-Snoop Dog. (Brainerd Dispatch photo)

Baseball update

COLLEGEVILLE - Keeghan Meager finished 4-for-6 on the day as the Central Lakes College Raiders were swept by the St. John's University junior varsity team Monday, April 26, 5-4 and 14-8. Jake Caughey recorded a double and Dan Koopmeiners hit a home run for the Raiders in the Game One loss. In the second game, CLC players struck out 12 times and committed five errors. Overall: CLC 6-20. Next: St. John's JV at Central Lakes (2) 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 29. (From Brainerd Dispatch)

Softball team to 21-9

The Central Lakes College fastpitch softball team on Saturday, April 24 clinched a state tournament berth. The Raiders swept a doubleheader against the Cardinals of Hibbing, 9-1 and 5-1, in Minnesota College Athletic Conference Northern Division play. The wins set up a showdown doubleheader against division leader and No. 1 nationally ranked Itasca at Grand Rapids. In the first game vs. Hibbing CLC pounded 18 hits, nine of them doubles. Brittany Gravelle and Lindsey Fryer (left) each poked a pair of doubles. Trisha Wippler and Alicia Johnson each homered, while Fryer and Gravelle both went 4-for-4. Gravelle and Tika Nichols went 4-4 in the second game. Ashley Rodriguez belted a home run. Ashly Erickson was the winning pitcher in both games. The Raiders raised their record to 21-9, 14-4 in division play.

Celebration of Nations

The Central Lakes College International and Multicultural clubs co-hosted the Celebration of Nations on Friday, April 23.

Photos by Steve Waller and Gary Payne

Vietnam May 6

In a free Cultural Thursday program at Central Lakes College on May 6 Sandra Kaplan will share stories and experiences from a recent trip to Vietnam. This trip included visiting historic sites of Hue and Danang, the markets of Hoi An, and UNESCO world heritage sites in Central Vietnam; shallow sea fishing in the Gulf of Thailand; and a service trip with the Catalyst Foundation in Rach Gia in the Kien Giang province in southwest Vietnam. Sandra traveled with her husband and two children, Clark (13) and Ellen (9). The children worked on the "School Team," Don worked on the "Building Team" and Sandra on the "Medical Team." The program is from noon to 12:50 p.m. in Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus.

Choir concert

The Central Lakes College Choirs will present “A Breath of Spring,” Thursday, April 29 in Chalberg Theater on the Brainerd campus. The free concert, directed by Michelle Sakry-Winkelman, starts at 7:30 p.m. Performing ensembles include the Cantare’ Concert Chorale, Men’s Chamber Ensemble, and Chamber Singers. Also featured are the men’s trio of James Lueck of Redwood Falls, Andrew Reis of Isle, and Robert Tyson of Nisswa; a duet of Danica Karli, Brainerd, and Shayna Rudlang, Pine River; a duet of Karli and Gabriel Franz, Cottage Grove; and soloists Rudlang and Karli. One number features Elizabeth Aleckson of Burtrum on violin, and Sarah Gorham of Brainerd is the accompanying pianist.

Earth Day

Matayo, Emily and Isabelle and their preschool teacher Sue Duda are shown in this Brainerd Dispatch photo at the Earth Day Fair and Living Green Expo Thursday at Central Lake College. The children were lunching on healthy treats from the Crow Wing Food Co-op, the vendor next door. According to earthday.org, here are what some people across the globe are doing nearly every day to help our environment: • “I never throw clean water down the drain. It goes into a bucket to be used for watering plants or filling the kettle.”• “I am trying to eat only seasonal homegrown vegetables and recycling as much as possible.”• “I'm using environment-friendly cosmetics for my daughter.”• “I am encouraging all my friends to recycle by starting a “how green is your bin” promotion. I am also shopping at charity shops and not buying new to reduce the demand for production.”• “I use stair cases to reach my home on the fifth floor of my apartment, which keeps me fit, reduces electrical consumption and contributes to the reduction of carbon emission.”

Softball results

Ashly Erickson (left) picked up two more victories and Tika Nichols crushed the ball all afternoon, powering the Central Lakes College Raiders to 19-8 and 10-5 Minnesota College Athletic Conference victories over Fond Du Lac Tuesday, April 20 at Cloquet. Nichols went 5-for-5 with two doubles in Game One and had two doubles in Game Two. She had a .477 batting average going into the game, one of three Raiders in the top 5 for that Northern Division MCAC category. Trisha Wippler (.535) went 3-4 in Game One with a triple and added another triple in the night cap. Wippler, from Little Falls, last week batted .550 (11-20) with 2 home runs and 9 RBI for the Raiders. She earned co-Player of the Week honors in the Northern Division. The third CLC slugger in the Top 5, Erickson, had a .482 average going into the doubleheader. The Raiders had 36 hits to move their Division record to 10-4 and overall mark to 17-9. Next: CLC atNorthland (Thief River Falls) 3 p.m., Friday, April 23.

Baseball results

The Central Lakes College Raiders suffered a doubleheader baseball loss to Ridgewater on Wednesday, April 21 at Willmar. "The big difference was no walks for them and we walked 10 batters," said CLC coach Pat Held. The Raiders had won three of their last four games heading into the matchup against Ridgewater, which sat in second place in the Central Division. In Game One, Central Lakes managed just one run on five hits, falling by a score of 7-1. Will Paine took the loss, while Keegan Meagher (left) supplied the offense with a 2-for-3 game at the plate. In Game Two, the Raiders collected seven hits, but still came out on the wrong end of a 6-3 score with Meagher suffering the loss.The Raiders sat in third place in the division heading into the game and saw their division record fall to 3-7.

Baseball team wins 3 of 4

Kyle Schaible spun six solid innings as the Central Lakes College Raiders downed Minnesota State Community & Technical College of Fergus Falls, 9-2, in the second game of a Central Division doubleheader Sunday, April 18 at the Findorff Athletic Complex. Schaible struck out six, walked one and allowed four hits and two earned runs. Ben Kepner pitched the seventh. Cody Stange singled and doubled and drove in a run. Paul Williams hit a two-run homer in the third, the first home run of his life, and Ben Kepner was 1-2 with two RBIs. The win enabled CLC to take three of four weekend games from the Spartans and improve to 3-5 in division play. "We're still in the hunt," said CLC coach Pat Held. "It looks like Fergus Falls will be our main competition for the third (division) spot in the state tournament, but we've got the tiebreaker on them because we took three out of four. That can change dramatically if we don't do anything against Ridgewater (Wednesday) and Northland (May 1-2)."

Softball team sweeps

Ashly Erickson earned two victories and the Central Lakes Raiders combined for 41 hits in their 16-4, 13-1 sweep of Vermilion Sunday, April 18. In Game one, Brittany Gravelle (left) knocked out three doubles and Ashley Rodriguez hammered two. CLC had a total of 23 hits in the 16 run victory. Tika Nichols tripled twice and Erickson, Trisha Wippler, Heather Zetah and Carissa Utsch all had doubles as the Raiders in Game Two. On Saturday, April 17 the Raiders split with Mesabi Range, winning the first one 13-6 and falling 13-7 in the nightcap. Erickson pitched the win and had two doubles. Wippler provided two home runs and a double. Lindsey Fryer also tripled for the Raiders. Nichols had two doubles along with Erickson in Game Two. Dani Thiesse added a double and Heather Zetah smashed a triple. Division: 8-4. Overall: 15-9.

Book signing

Joe Plut, retired Central Lakes College instructor, will sign copies of his book, “Conversations with Jon Hassler,” on Thursday, May 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Jon Hassler Library on the Brainerd campus. The book features interviews with his former CLC colleague, including numerous revelations on characters and symbolism from nine Hassler novels. The two friends spent many hours over a four-year period in conversations to shape the book. Jon Hassler, who died in 2008, began his writing career during 12 years on the Central Lakes College faculty before moving on to St. John’s University, Collegeville. The book signing at CLC marks the first of several such appearances for Plut, who was affectionately known as “the mad hugger” when he taught creative communication and appeared in People magazine. Refreshments will be served and autographed copies of the book will be available for sale.

Softball April 14

In a Northern Division Minnesota College Athletic Conference doubleheader April 14 between the Central Lakes College Raiders and Rainy River Voyagers in Brainerd, each team won and each team lost. After claiming a 5-0 victory in Game One, the CLC Raiders watched as Rainy River rolled out to an early 7-0 lead in Game Two. After battling back to 7-6, CLC fell 9-7 in Game Two. The Raiders are now 12-8 on the year and 5-3 in Division play, while Rainy River is 8-6 overall, g-2 in league play. CLC's Ashly Erickson pitched a stellar first game allowing no runs on one hit and one walk. She struck out three. Tika Nicholas' two-run home run provided all the support Erickson needed, but Alicia Johnson finished 2-for-3 with a triple and a run scored. (Brainerd Dispatch photo)

Scholarships

The Central Lakes College Foundation has announced eight CLC-bound scholarship recipients from the Holden Project Achieve Endowment fund. Each receives $1,500 for the 2010-11 academis year. They are Beau Ekelund, Aitkin High School; Aaron Dosh and Hannah Rennaker, Brainerd High School; Kyler Helmin and Matthew Martin, Pillager High School; Baliegh Olson, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School; Sara Super, Swanville High School; and Derek Fussy, Royalton High School. The intent of the fund is to award scholarships to students who have leadership potential but are often overlooked by private colleges or big universities.

Graduation

A state Supreme Court associate justice and department commissioner are the scheduled commencement speakers for Central Lakes College graduation ceremonies Wednesday, May 12 in Brainerd and Thursday, May 13 in Staples. Associate Justice Paul H. Anderson will deliver the address for Brainerd campus graduates at the 7 p.m. event, May 12 in the Brainerd High School gymnasium. Commissioner Dan McElroy of the Department of Employment and Economic Development is the speaker for the Staples campus graduation ceremonies set for 7 p.m., May 13 in the Staples-Motley High School gymnasium. Giving the Student Welcome will be Student Senate presidents Adam Bybee of Pillager for the Brainerd ceremony and Jordan Zwart of Breezy Point for the Staples ceremony. Bybee is a criminal justice student at the Brainerd campus. Zwart is in the communication art and design program at the Staples campus.

Bands to play

At 7 p.m. on Friday, April 30 the bands GraveDancer (Blues/Grunge) and Rolling Bubble (Jazz/Folk) will be performing a benefit for TRiO at Central Lakes College, a non-profit organization that serves 180 students who are first-generation college students, low-income, and/or have a documented disability. The show will be staged in the Music Rehearsal Hall on the Brainerd campus. The benefit hopes to raise funds for a laptop to be used by students in the TRiO program. Tickets for the benefit are $5, available from the TRiO Student Support Services office on either the Brainerd or Staples campus, or they can be purchased at the door.

Tour De Staples

The Staples campus student senate of Central Lakes College is sponsoring a 5-kilometer walk/run on Saturday, May 1. The second annual Tour De Staples is a benefit for the American Diabetes Association. (Picture from last year's event at left.) Awards will be presented to the top three individuals and teams in this fund-raiser, which begins at 10:30 a.m. after registration from 9-10 a.m. at the Staples campus. To register, call Erich at (952) 807-3279 or obtain a form from the CLC Staples Bookstore. For information, call Erich at the above number, Jordan at (720) 346-1466, or Bruce at (218) 894-5123.

ASL mini-plays

American Sign Language students in ASL 2 and ASL 4 performed and interpreted for the audience the dramatic action from six fables -- Three Deaf Mice, Little DEAF Riding Hood, The Two Deaf Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk, Goldielocks and the Three Bears, The Little Engine that Could on April 14 in Chalberg Theatre. The mini-plays comprised the students' spring finals project. Tanya Hoting-Mrazek is the instructor. Many family members and othjer students served as the audience for the 90-minute experience.

College transition

Up to 30 high school students graduating in 2010 will be accepted into a college transition program at Central Lakes College during the summer term on the Brainerd campus. The purpose of the summer transition program is to earn college credit while developing the skills and abilities necessary for the student to be ready for college level coursework. This program is also designed to enhance independent living skills and transition to college life. Qualifying students receive free tuition, fees, books, housing, and basic living expenses. Student eligibility guidelines include citizenship or qualifying residency, 18 years of age, graduating in 2010, grade-point average 2.5 or less, low-income, first generation (neither parent has a four-year degree), with ethnic and gender diversity encouraged. Applications are available from either Jennissen, (218) 894-5177, sjennissen@clcmn.edu, or Rach-Sovich (218) 855-8013, srachsovich@clcmn.edu, and the deadline to apply is May 7.

Softball team wins

The Raider softball team captured two wins over Hibbing, 12-4 and 7-3, on April 10 to push the season record to 11-7 and the Division mark to 4-2. The day before, CLC swept Northland, 22-1 and 14-1. Both days' games were played at the Findorff Athletic Complex on the Brainerd campus. Ashly Erickson continues to dominate, who pitched six innings for the 12-4 win vs. Hibbing. She went 4-for-5 with a double, triple, and two RBI. Carissa Utsch swings a hot bat, pounding a double in her 3-4 stint. Trisha Wippler (pictured) went 4-4 and 2-3 as a clutch hitter on the day. Tika Nichols was the standout vs. Northland as she pitched a win and hammered the ball when at the plate. In baseball, CLC lost to St. Cloud Tech four times in two days to drop to 3-17. On April 11 the Raiders fell, 9-0 and 5-4, at St. Cloud. On April 10 the Raiders lost, 11-7 and 16-5 on the home field.

Celebration of Nations

The Central Lakes College International and Multicultural clubs are co-hosting the Brainerd campus Celebration of Nations on Friday, April 23. The event runs 4:30-8:30 p.m., open to the public at admission prices of $5 adults, $3 students, and free to ages 11 and under. If purchased by April 21, each ticket is $1 less. Cultural musicians, which begin performing at 5 p.m., include Hayor Bibimmi, a band from Ghana, West Africa; the Latin Music Orchestra Band; the Scandinavian Skal Klubb, and the Asian Lion Dance team. The Asian Lion Dance Team will lead the crowd outside to a fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. Shorter performances include Norwegian Hardingfele, Australian Didgeridoo, Mexican Jose “Al” Velasquez (The Singing Barber), Liberian dancers, Bay Lake Volksmusikkappele, and Korean Fan Dance. There will be craft vendors with culturally representative items for sale. Prize drawings will be held throughout the event, offering such rewards as an overnight stay with buffet at Grand Casino.Club advisers are Lori-Beth Larsen (International) and Tashana Husom (Multicultural). They may be contacted for tickets at (218) 855-8237 and (218) 855-8012 respectively.

Earth Day

Central Lakes College in Brainerd will host the Earth Day Fair and Living Green Expo on Thursday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a free public event coordinated by environmental studies students and CLC’s Green Team. Exhibitors will offer energy-saving tips, products, and services. A panel of seven will present “The State of Green,” discussing new forms of energy and the outlook for greening locally and globally. Panelists for a one-hour review of progress and promise for a cleaner planet include Jason Edens of the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance; Jim Rau of Denali Energy, Robert Schafer of the Central Lakes Ag and Energy Center, Robert McLean of Hunt Utilities Group, David Winkelman of Environmentally Responsible Construction, Joan Danielson of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, Angela Headlee of Clean Energy Resource Teams, and Jeff Dirks of the CLC Green Team. Information and vendor registration is available through Bob Hanson, (218) 855-8149, or Gary Carson (218) 855- 8079.

Writers Conference

The second annual Central Lakes College Writers Conference was held April 8 on the Brainerd campus, with Pequot Lakes author Candance Simar as the keynote speaker. CLC faculty joined Candace to present break-out sessions for those attending the free afternoon event. The instructors were Donna Salli, Ryan Deblock, Leane Perius, and Marilyn Moses. Candace, author of the historical novel "Abercrombie Trail," read sneak-preview excerpts from her next movel, "Pomme de Terre" to be published in June. She explained some of the work involved with writing her first book, which was a 12-year process. Historical research investigated the people who lived in Minnesota in the 19th century, immigrant settlers and their conflicts with indigenous groups, and the struggles for survival. Candance has published many poems and stories in magazines such as Lake Country Journal.

Fine Arts Festival

Central Lakes College students and community band members were among the 400 participants to perform in the Grand Concert at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Two-Year College Fine Arts Association Music Festival April 9 at Breezy Point. The concert was free and open to the public. It featured three performance groups from selected musicians attending the event from 10 colleges across the state. The Concert Band, the Jazz Band, and the Festival Choir were each directed by guest conductors. They were John Ginocchio of Southwest Minnesota State University, Kyle Mack of North Dakota State University, and Russell Svenningsen of Southwest Minnesota State University.

National place-winners

The Sigma Delta chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association’s national grand chapter, Lambda Alpha Epsilon, represented Central Lakes College at the 73rd nation-wide conference in Portland, Ore. Sigma Delta brought home several awards, including first place in criminal law for instructor Dave Stumpf (pictured), who also was named Regional Adviser of the Year by claiming the Jim Hooker Award for outstanding service to a chapter and/or region. Dave Davis, a professional member of the local chapter, won first place in physical agility. Other awards: Gae Davis, second, physical agility; Joe Klemmetsen, second, physical agility; Tina Perrin, third, physical agility; Aric Welle, third, physical agility; Amber Jarosh, third, criminal law; Stumpf, third, corrections. Benjamin Vitulli received a national scholarship award from essay competition. Next year's national competition will be at the conference in Memphis, Tenn.

President's Scholarship

Mike Hallgren Shelby Smith Krisann Gray Sarah Frisch

Four Central Lakes College students have been awarded the President’s Scholarship for Academic and Leadership Achievement at Central Lakes College. Receiving $400 each for the spring semester were Mike Hallgren and Sarah Frisch, both of Brainerd; Shelby Smith, Staples; and Krisann Gray, Crosby. The scholarships were awarded through the Central Lakes College Foundation. To be eligible a student must have completed high school within Crow Wing, Aitkin, or Morrison County or Staples-Motley High School, be enrolled fulltime at CLC pursuing an Associate in Arts degree, demonstrate scholastic achievement with a minimum 3.75 grade-point average, and show leadership through clubs or community service. The scholarship was created through a gift from CLC President Dr. Larry Lundblad and wife Karen.

Softball results

Tika Nichols went 4-for-7 with a pair of doubles and scored twice as the Central Lakes Raiders came up short twice against the Itasca Vikings in the season-opening Northern Division doubleheader for both teams Tuesday, April 6 at Findorff Athletic Complex. Nichols doubled and scored a run on 2-4 hitting during a 5-2 Game One loss, while Ashly Erickson doubled and drove in a run.Nichols added another run and a double on a 2-3 performance during a 3-1 Game Two loss. Erickson finished 2-3 with a double and an RBI in the second game as well."Defensively, we played well in spurts, but had a few errors," Raiders coach Greg Meddeck said. "We were close in both games and had a chance to win them, but just couldn't pull through."The losses ended the Raiders' seven-game win streak. (From Brainerd Dispatch)

Fine Arts Festival

The Minnesota Fine Arts Festival will be held at Breezy Point Resort Thursday and Friday, April 8 and 9. The annual event brings together almost 400 singers and musicians from 10 two-year public colleges, including Central Lakes College. Steve Anderson, eight-time festival coordinator, is in his 19th year as instrumental music director at CLC. He said that the event finale is a free, massed concert that includes members of both the vocal and instrumental music programs at CLC. “There will be participants who are members from the CLC Choir, the Community Band, and the Jazz Band,” Anderson said of the 5 p.m. concert to be performed in the Whitebirch Room at Breezy Point Convention Center. During the two-day festival, groups representing some of the schools perform at showcases for other participants. The CLC Jazz Ensemble, a 17-piece band, starts the Thursday showcase at 9 p.m.

Student Art Show

The 2010 Central Lakes College Juried Student Art Show has produced several notable artworks selected by Judge Simon Huelsbeck for the exhibit that runs April 7-May 5 on the Brainerd campus, according to art instructor Mic Stowell. Best of Show: Olivia Anderson of Aitkin, "Dreamer" mixed media; Honorable Mention: Lindy Jo Johnson, “Studio Time” graphite and colored pencil; Honorable Mention: Mariah Warwas, "Human Bean" painting; Merit Awards: Anthony Yaeger, "Naked Twist" pottery; Jennifer Severson, "Tear My Heart Out," painting; Ashley Ayers, "Unity," painting.

State Capitol

Occupational Skills Program students and instructors joined Central Lakes College President Larry Lundblad at the Minnesota State Capitol recently. President Lundblad was in St. Paul for administrative meetings and arranegd to meet the CLC entourage. The 23 OSP students and instructors John Wallin, Itty Newgord, and Patty Sloan toured facilities and met with State Rep. John Ward during a long and busy day that included an afternoon-evening stop at the Mall of America. The Capitol tour was a first for most students, as was the mall adventure. The students enjoyed learning about the history of the political epicenter of our state. Other educational excursions throughout the academic year include the state fair, the Duluth Goodwill Center, and the DNR fisheries walleye egg stripping at Pine River.

Baseball results

AUSTIN - A late rally in the bottom of the seventh kept the Central Lakes College Raiders winless over the weekend. Stuck in a 6-6 tie with Riverland, the Raiders saw their hopes of winning one of four games fade when a fly ball found its way to the field leading to a 7-6 loss in Game Two Saturday. The Raiders lost the first game, 16-7, to Anoka-Ramsey. "It was a much better day because the previous day we were 10-runned both times and we didn't play well at all," said Pat Held, CLC coach. "We played much better yesterday." We are 3-13, but we're one play away from winning five more games. Our record isn't indicative of where we are at right now." The Raiders knocked out five extra-base hits in the first game -- 2B, CLC-Josh Janzen, Kyle Schaible, Ben Kepner. 3B, CLC-Toby Kaplan; Second game -- 2B, CLC-Aaron Olafson, Jake Serfling, Keegan Meagher.