Snow Days at CLC

Central Lakes College students are enjoying Snow Days on the Staples and Brainerd campuses of the community and technical college. Erich Heppner, director of student activities, reports that at Staples last week Kendra Hutchison and Alyssa Ostberg from the Communication Art and design program solved the Medallion Hunt by finding the prize in the hall between the Robotics labs. It was a tough task, thanks to the cleverly written clues provided by instructors Leon Dahlvang and Sandy Porter. A Student Auction raised $350 for the campus food shelf andf the Student Emergency Fund. One student alone managed to produce a bid of $150. The blood drive attracted 40 donors, with the Medical Assistants Club earning a pizza party as the club with the highst percentage of donors. Snow Days on the Brainerd campus Feb. 28-March 4 includes a blood drive March 2 in the gym, intramural basketball and a pool tournament.

Basketball season ends

Nash Faulk scored 19 points and Marcus Ayala 14 for the Central Lakes College Raiders as their outstanding basketball season ended in the semifinals of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference tournament Feb. 26 with a 72-63 loss to the Anoka-Ramsey Rams on their home court. Maurice Hernandez added 13 points for CLC. The Raiders trailed by just four points at the half but were outscored 34-29 in the second half. CLC finishes with a 26-3 record and a No. 6 national ranking in Division III of the National Junior College Athletic Association. They had been as high as second. The season produced the most wins in the history of the Raider men’s program. In the state championship, the nation's second-ranked team, Rochester (28-2), defeated Anoka-Ramsey (22-8), 74-70, in overtime on Feb. 27 to advance to the national tournament in New York March 10-12. Rochester had three players on the five-man all-tournament team, Anoka-Ramsey landed the other two spots.

Athletes honored

Five Central Lakes College basketball players have received post-season honors awarded by a vote of coaches in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference. Raiders earning a spot on the 15-person All-State Team were sophomores Marcus Ayala (repeating last year's honor) and Nash Faulk, who led CLC in scoring with averages of 16.4 and 15.5 respectively after 27 games of a 25-2 regular season that produced a share of the Southern Division title with Rochester. Named to the All-Southern Division Team were sophomore Kendall Brown and freshman Maurice Hernandez. Brown shot 54 percent and averaged 8.3 rebounds. Hernandez averaged 10.1 points, 6.3 rebounds. Stephanie Neugebauer, a sophomore, was the only Raider to earn honors in MCAC women's basketball voting. She earned Honorable Mention on the All-Southern Division Team. She was the Division's third best scorer at 17 points per game, shot 70 percent from the free-throw line (95-135, 9th in Division), averaged 7.32 rebounds (7th in Division), and was fifth in steals with 2.6 per game. CLC finishes with a record of 8-19 in women's play after going 6-19 the previous year.

Marketing awards

The Marketing and Public Relations Department at Central Lakes College has earned three national educational advertising awards. CLC received a Gold, the top prize among colleges with 5,000-9,999 students, for the course schedule titled “We’re Moving Forward.” The CLC 2010-12 academic catalog received a Silver, or second, in the same competition class. For its mouse pad entered in the Imprinted Materials category, CLC earned a Merit Award. A panel of industry specialists reviewed each piece, judging creativity, marketing execution, and impact of message. Judges included advertising creative directors, marketing and advertising professionals, and the editorial board of Higher Education Marketing Report, a marketing publication for higher education marketing professionals. The Marketing Department at CLC includes Kenn Dols, director; Sasha Sparks, graphic designer; Steve Waller, public information specialist; and Chris Bremmer, web designer.

Gaelic Storm draws crowd

The Celtic quintet Gaelic Storm performed for an audience of nearly 700 winter-weary fans Wed., Feb. 23 in Tornstrom Auditorium at the Washington Education Building in Brainerd. The concert was sponsored by the Cultural Arts Series at Central Lakes College. The audience included fans who drove from Grand Rapids, Hinckley, St. Cloud and beyond, young and old alike, to enjoy the performance by an internationally renowned ensemble whose other Minnesota stop on the Shamboozle Tour would be Thurs., Feb. 24 at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul (and admission was twice the ticket price in Brainerd). After a start playing monthly gigs for friends at Santa Monica’s O’Brien’s Tavern in 1995, the band’s popularity skyrocketed when it appeared in James Cameron’s Titanic as the Celtic party band in the ship’s steerage. Band guitarist-singer Steve Twigge said it best: “We are first and foremost a live band. We got together to play music. To enjoy ourselves and enjoy being out with the audience. As the world has gotten darker, people have come and found us as a means to escape.” For information about the Cultural Arts Series, e-mail clctheatre@clcmn.edu or go to http://www.clcmn.edu/theatre/CulturalArtsSeries.html

Fabulous Armadillos March 11

The Central Lakes College Cultural Arts Series presents the Fabulous Armadillos performing "Motown & Soul," a full-band, multi-media, story-telling event with Motown and Memphis soul music, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11 in Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus. The Fabulous Armadillos, said to be in a constant state of metamorphosis, have become one of the most popular acts in Central Minnesota. Every show is different from this core band of seasoned pros and guest artists to fit each themed show. Playing for sellout audiences since 2006, the band premiered "Motown & Soul" at St. Cloud's Pioneer Place in 2010. It continues to be the most requested show in their series with tunes from the Jackson 5 to The Supremes, and Marvin Gay to The Temptations and Stevie Wonder. Don't forget all those great Soul tunes from the likes of Booker T. and the MG's, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Ray Charles and Sam and Dave and so many more from the great Stax and Hi records from Memphis. For tickets and information, call (218) 855-8199, go to http://www.clctickets.com/, or email clctheatre@clcmn.edu To check out the band, go to http://www.fabulousarmadillos.com/fr_home.cfm

Raiders No. 4 in nation

The Central Lakes College Raiders are ranked fourth in this week's National Junior College Athletic Association Division III men's basketball poll. The team tied for the Southern Division regular-season title in Minnesota College Athletic Association competition, which concludes this weekend at the state tournament in Coon Rapids. The champion advances to the national tournament in New York March 10-12. The latest ranking: 1. Davidson County (N.C.) Community College 29-1; 2. Rochester Community & Technical College 25-2; 3. Joliet (Ill.) Junior College 27-3; 4. Central Lakes College 25-2. CLC plays Hibbing (10-16) at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 in the final first-round MCAC tournament game, with the winner advancing to the 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 semi-final vs. the winner of the Vermilion (21-6)-Anoka-Ramsey (20-7) first-round game. Other first-round games: Northland (18-8) vs. M State (20-7), Rochester (25-2) vs. Rainy River (8-16). The winners from those two games square off at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. The championship game is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27 at Anoka-Ramsey (Coon Rapids).
To download a pdf of the tournament brackets go to
http://www.mcac-sports.com/fileadmin/images/athletics/mensbball/10-11_MCAC_Items/MCACMensTourney2011_Bracket.pdf

'Outstanding Project'

At its annual meeting Feb. 16 in Alexandria, the WesMin Resource Conservation and Development Council recognized as Outstanding Project a seminar hosted by Central Lakes College in Staples. The Steve Kenyon Year-Round Grazing System seminar held Jan. 19-11, 2010 at CLC, Staples, was honored for drawing more than 100 participants as well as partnering businesses and agencies. The effort included funding and manpower contributions in order to make the workshop a great success, said Dean Schmidt, WesMin coordinator. The three-day seminar included a talk by Kenyon, who runs a custom grazing business in Alberta, Canada, and a final day of hands-on, intensive work with experts. A non-profit, federally funded agency, WesMin is the oldest program of 375 created by Congress through the vision of President John F. Kennedy (since 1964) and serves 14 counties -- Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Todd, Wadena, Wilkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Ottertail, Morrison, Stevens, and Traverse. The council’s mission is “to develop human and natural resources through cooperative efforts.” Among those recognized were Barb Cline (pictured) and Mike Sams of the Staples campus, Central Lakes College.

Students volunteer

The Central Lakes College Student Senate recently provided volunteers from both the Staples and Brainerd campuses to assist with the Confidence Learning Center Winter Special Olympics. Steve Sabin (pictured), Matthew Salge, Sharaea Barrlett-Eggleston, and Samantha Laderer provided assistance to 235 area high school special needs students during events that included snow tubing, face painting, bowling, broomball, ice fishing, and snow shoeing. They were accompanied by Erich Heppner, director of student life at CLC.

Commissioner at Farm & Energy Expo

Dave Frederickson (left), Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture, attended the Feb. 18 Farm & Energy Expo at the Staples campus of Central lakes College. CLC President Larry Lundblad welcomed the commissioner and about 200 others at the inaugural event co-sponsored by Mid Central Federal Savings Bank. Commissioner Frederickson addressed the assembly after a free roast beef lunch served to all guests. The morning featured a talk on soil management and conservation by Randall Reeder, associate professor from Ohio State University who was raised on a livestock farm. The afternoon offered sessions on energy crop opportunities, crop insurance, conservation stewardship, wind energy, nutrient management, and solar applications. An exhibit hall included vendors and a college demonstration of an engine powered by straight camelina oil from biomass grown at the CLC Ag and Enery Center.

Basketball vs. Mn West

Men: Faulk leads win
Behind Nash Faulk’s 28 points, the Central Lakes College men's basketball team defeated Minnesota West 80-56 Feb. 19 at CLC. The nationally ranked Raiders are now 25-2 on the year. On the same day Rochester lost to Anoka-Ramsey 73-64 giving CLC a share of the Northern Division title in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference with a 10-2 Division record. Marcus McDonald, who has been hurt for most of the season, received a rousing ovation when he got in the scorebook with a made free throw in the second half. “Marcus has always been a team leader for us, but he is also one of our main guys as a family man,” Coach Jim Russell said. “He started the whole concept that we’re a family. For a guy who didn’t play all year being hurt it’s been really hard on him. The guys wanted to see him do well and like I said it’s a bunch of guys who grew up together the last two years and they really stuck up for each other.” MCAC scoring power Marcus Ayala closed out his two seasons at CLC with 14 points in the win. The Raiders will play Hibbing 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 in the first round of the MCAC state tournament at Anoka-Ramsey in Coon Rapids. That event wraps up Sunday, with the champion advancing to the Division III national tournament in New York March 11 and 12.

Women: Loss ends season
The Central Lakes College women's basketball team finished its season with a 95-41 loss to the Minnesota West Blue Jays Feb. 19 in Brainerd. CLC's Stephanie Neugebauer and Katie Hochsprung each finished with 12 points. The nationall ranked Blue Jays shot 50 percent from the field and won their 22nd game of the season. The Raiders struggled from the field, shooting just 24 percent from the floor. CLC finished 1-11 in Southern Division play and 8-19 overall.

Snow Days

Snow Days are upon us at Central Lakes College, according to Erich Heppner, director of student life. The Staples Campus has events Feb. 22-25, including a Medallion Hunt with a $50 gas card as top prize, and dress-up days for Favorite decade (Tuesday), Ugly Sweater (Wednesday), Formal Dress (Thursday), and Jersey (Friday). Royalty voting takes place Tuesday from 11 to 1, and a blood drive, dodge ball, snow sculpting, student auction, and formal dance are also on the schedule. Proceeds from the student auction Thursday in the Commons (11:30-1) go to the food shelf and student emergency fund. The Brainerd Campus events are Feb. 28-March 4. They include a Medallion Hunt with the $50 gas card prize, snow sculpture contest, broomball, CLC trivia Tuesday in the cafeteria, pool tournament, sled race, blood drive, and Movie Night. Event sign-up sheets are outside the Student Life Center. For details go to http://www.clcmn.edu/news/calendar.htm

Photo contest

“Glass” is the theme for the 44th annual photo contest on the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College beginning April 18, according to coordinator Larry Kellerman. The public contest has traditional photo entry categories of “landscape,” “portrait,” “action,” “creative,” “birds,” “animals,” “flowers,” and “children.” And each year there is a special theme category. Entries must have a print image of at least 5 by 7 inches and be no larger than 11 by 14 inches. A photographer may enter one photo in each category, in both in black and white and color. The photos must be matted. Each photo must have the photographer’s name, address, and phone number on the back of the print. The entry fee is 50 cents per photo. There will be a number of awards for first, second and third place finishes and overall awards for Best in Show for color, black and white, theme, and judge’s preferences. Photos will be on display near the Jon Hassler library and fine arts hallway through April 29 for public viewing. Entry deadline is Monday, April 18 at 9 p.m., with photos registered in the library on the Brainerd campus. Photo entries may be sent by mail with the registration fee to Larry Kellerman, Central Lakes College, 501 West College Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401. For information contact Kellerman at 218-855-8179 or lkellerm@clcmn.edu

Looking for sun spots

Astronomy students at Central Lakes College had a good excuse for getting outside, even briefly, on Wed., Feb. 16. Their instructor in the class held on the Brainerd campus insisted they have a gander at the mid-day sun. David Kobilka asked his class to work in small groups to discern sun spots and any other activity that could be observed throuhg the 12-inch reflector of a $5,000 Meade LX 90 solar observing telescope, which the Science Department obtained about a year ago. Students, including Teresa Becker of Long Prairie, had a challenge, since the sky grew hazy with thin cirrus clouds that diffused the view. But most of the students brought into focusat least the edges of the big ball. Night skies with myriad constellations and skyscape features are also in view during the semester-long astronomy class.

Seats available for concert

Good seats are available for the Gaelic Storm concert Feb. 23. The Central Lakes College Cultural Arts Series is sponsoring the only out-state appearance by the internationally acclaimed Celtic band Gaelic Storm. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Tornstrom Auditorium at the Washington Education Building in Brainerd. The venue accommodates about three times as many guests as the series’ home site of John Chalberg Theatre on the CLC campus. The concert will be a celebration of Irish culture as well as a medium of connection for Irish-Americans who have at least some Irish blood in them. While Gaelic Storm plays Celtic music that harkens back to the traditional music of Ireland, they are hardly traditionalists, adding modern sounds and drawing influences from American rock and pop as well as music styles from around the world. Admission to the Feb. 23 concert is $16 for adults, $12 for ages 60-up, $8 for high school and junior high students, and $5 for CLC students. Tickets are on sale at the CLC box office (218-855-8199) and online at www.clctickets.com

Testifying for veteran assistance

Central Lakes College Counselor Don Pfeffer testified Feb. 14 at the Capitol on behalf of a bill carried by State Rep. Bob Dettmer to repeal a sunset provision on a veterans' higher education assistance program that otherwise in 2012 will end. Lawmakers began the program in 2006. Pfeffer, director of the higher education veterans programs for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, said the 58,000 contacts last year between program staff and veterans constituted a 31 percent increase over the previous year. Veteran services officers testified that the No. 1 question they’re asked by veterans pertain to education benefits. It’s estimated that some 12,000 veterans are currently enrolled in Minnesota higher education institutions. Veterans higher education assistance staff keep hours at some 62 location across Minnesota, including CLC. The legislative bill permanently repeals the sunset on the education assistance program — the sunset had been pushed back once — but the legislation provides no funding. The veterans affairs department says it needs to find $1.5 million for the next fiscal year.

Turkmenistan March 3

Elena Nicoski, an ethnic Russian student at Central Lakes College, will present the March 3 Cultural Thursday program at noon in Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus. Nicoski was born and raised in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, and lived in the republic for 21 years. She will be covering history, culture, arts and crafts, some political and religious aspects, also food of Turkmen people, and Turkmenistan’s modern development as an independent country. Turkmenistan is one of the 15 former republics of the Soviet Union and is in the southernmost extent of what was once known as Russian Empire, then Russian Federation. Cultural Thursday is a 50-minute free, public program sponsored on the first Thursday each month by the Resource Center for Cultures and Languages of the Americas (RCCLA) at Central Lakes College. For information, contact Jan Kurtz at (218) 855- 8183 or jkurtz@clcmn.edu

Club co-sponsors candlelight ski

More than a dozen Central Lakes College Natural Resources Club members co-hosted the Mille Lacs-Kathio State Park candlelight ski Saturday, Feb. 12. The students were tasked with lighting the 600 luminaries along more than three miles of groomed ski trails, and on the day after the event, the students picked up all the candles. Gary Carson and Kent Montgomery of the NR faculty helped supervise, and a CLC bus shuttled guests from the interpretive center to the trail center. Outside the center, a bonfire provided a gathering point, and inside the guests enjoyed cookies, hot cider, and music by the Shaffers. The warm, windless night and half moon over a nice snow base in the woods provided a positive means to enjoy an outdoor winter experience.

Iraq war exhibit

Artist Megan Rye of Minneapolis is featured in the Central Lakes College Gallery on the Brainerd campus with an exhibit titled “Iraq: The Forgotten War” Feb. 23-March 24. She is best known for large scale oil paintings of the ongoing conflict in Iraq. “Although we have had all great shows, this one might be a step up,” said Mic Stowell, art instructor at CLC and CLC Gallery curator. “Megan Rye has been getting a lot of attention in Minnesota and nationally. Her work is timely.” Rye’s paintings of scenes from Iraq “are the most effective in conveying something of the tensions and bewilderment that U.S. soldiers must experience on patrol there,” said reviewer Mary Abbe in the Star Tribune. Most are based on snapshots taken by her brother Ryan, a Marine who served in Fallujah and the Sunni Triangle for seven months. “Beautifully designed and artfully executed, the scenes have a compelling grace that belies the gritty reality of their war-zone origins,” Abbe said. The gallery is open to the public at no charge during regular campus hours. It is located across from the Jon Hassler Library.

Students win awards

Fifteen Central Lakes College students from the Staples campus have earned awards in graphic design and photography competition sponsored by the St. Cloud-based Advertising/Marketing Federation of Central Minnesota. Selection of the most creative entries is effected by a scoring process in which a panel of judges evaluates all creative dimensions of every entry. A Gold ADDY® Award is recognition of the highest level of creative excellence and is judged to be superior to all other entries in the competition. Entries that are also considered outstanding and worthy of recognition receive a Silver ADDY® Award. The number of awards given in each category is determined by the judges, based on the relative quality of work in that category. Amber Rose Hulke of Nisswa (pictured) led the way with three ADDY® Awards, including Best of Show. The second-year Communication Art and Design student also earned two Gold awards. Jen Bock of Baxter received a Judge’s Choice Award and Silver in design. Other ADDY-winning students from the CLC Communication Art and Design program were Michaella Johnson, Riverton, with two Silvers, and James Kevin Ballinger, Brainerd, with Gold. CLC Photographic Imaging Technology students who won awards were Dawn Pierce, Brainerd, and Megan Billings, Silver Bay, with one Gold each and Silvers for Billings plus Matthew Wimer and Jeffrey Mozey, Brainerd; Kimberly Bollig, Aldrich; Shelly Borchert and Vanessa Lenzen, both of Eagle Bend; Megan Maki, Crookston; Robert Jones and Jonathan Calix, Staples; and Josephine Anundsen, Sartell.

Robotics partners

The Central Lakes College Robotics Club has been working with the First Robotic Cardinal team from Staples-Motley High School to build a robot for competition March 10-12 in the regional First Robotics event at Duluth. At stake is a trip to St. Louis to compete in the nationals. Since shortly after Thanksgiving the students have collaborated on this project, using the Staples campus to build their 'bot. Nathan Peterson, instructor, has been involved, along with S-M science teacher Clay Houselog. CLC students have also helped robotics clubs at Brainerd High School and Wadena-Deer Creek High School. The S-M team includes 18 students in grades 9-12, several of them coming from other countries in exchange programs. CLC club members working with the S-MHS students: Khamla Saengsouriya (a native of Laos), Mike Kasat, Nic Anderson, Tyler Acheson, Matt Kertzman, Mark Dahmes, Mandi Drevlow, and Cody Edwards. The students held an unveiling of the robot for sponsors, administrators, and the media at the Staples campus Feb. 10.

Basketball vs. Anoka-Ramsey

Missed free throws doom men
The Raider men's basketball team (24-2) converted just 16 of 27 free throws and missed 11 second-half opportunities in a 83-76 loss to Anoka-Ramsey (18-7) in a Southern Division game Sat., Feb. 12 in Brainerd. A bright spot at the line was Kwamaine Johnson, who hit on six of seven attempts and finished with 10 points. Marcus Ayala scored 22 points and had four assists and three steals, but with Nash Faulk making just one of nine attempts, the CLC offense struggled. In the first half, the Raiders sank five of eight attempts from beyond the arc, but their hands cooled in the second half as they finished just 8 of 20. Nick Grewe posted 14 points, grabbed five rebounds and blocked three shots for the Raiders. Kendall Brown added 11 points and six assists.

Women play well vs. No. 1
Stephanie Neugebauer scored 10 of her 20 points in the final six minutes Sat., Feb. 12 as the Central Lakes College women's basketball team (8-18) remained close during a 80-63 MCAC Southern Division loss to top-ranked Anoka-Ramsey (24-1). Neugebauer added 11 rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Kelsey Wheeler also scored 20 points, and she had six rebounds and three steals. The Raiders, who hoped to break a three-game losing streak, led by as many as 11 points but committed 25 turnovers. Next: Minnesota West at CLC Sat., Feb. 19 in last regular-season games. Women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m.

SBDC cites Cass partnership

The North Central Regional Small Business Development Center at Central Lakes College, Brainerd, recently recognized Cass County Economic Development Corporation and its executive director, Gail Leverson, for their support of the SBDC program. The EDC recently committed $8,500 to the SBDC, which will allow the program to provide professional business consulting services in Cass County through 2011. “Since we began working with the EDC in 2004 this partnership has been able to increase business consulting services to Cass County businesses nearly three times more than it was before we began the partnership,” said Greg Bergman, director of the SBDC. “This shows how organizations can share resources to serve their community more effectively than before.” The SBDC program provides business consulting and information to qualified business owners and prospective business owners at no cost to them through grant funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration and matching funds raised from local organization. Contact Cass County Economic Development Corporation or the SBDC at Central Lakes College for more information.

Basketball vs. Riverland

Men win
The Central Lakes College men's basketball team, now ranked third in the nation, stormed past Riverland, 102-75 to annex Win No. 24 against one loss on Feb. 9 at Austin. Seven Raiders hit double figures, led by Nash Faulk with 18, Kendall Brown 14, Marcus Ayala 13, and Maurice Hernandez 12. CLC held a 53-43 rebound edge and Brown led with 10. The Raiders led, 43-34 at halftime over the Blue Devils on their way to their ninth Southern Division win of the season. They host Anoka-Ramsey (17-7) Saturday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m.

Women lose
The Central Lakes Raiders held a halftime lead over Riverland 37-36 but suffered a 81-69 loss Feb. 9 at Austin. “In the first five minutes of the second half Riverland went on a 14-0 run and we couldn’t catch up,” said Raiders head coach Dennis Eastman. Stephanie Neugebauer led the Raiders with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Kelsey Wheeler scored 13 and had 6 rebounds. Nikki Pearson added 14 points, 6 assists and 5 steals. The loss drops the Raiders to 1-9 in the Southern Division and 8-17 overall. Next: No. 1 Anoka-Ramsey here Sat., Feb. 12, 1 p.m.

Governor invited but not committed

While Governor Mark Dayton is a possible addition to the inaugural Ag and Energy Expo on the Staples campus of Central Lakes College on Feb. 18, his attendance is not definite. Organizers are hopeful, and his office has indicated that the schedule may permit an appearance. But so far there is no official commitment. The event includes a light breakfast when the show starts at 9:30 a.m. and roast beef lunch is co-sponsored by CLC and Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank of Wadena, Staples, and Long Prairie. Randall Reeder of Ohio State University, who has been involved in agriculture his entire life, will discuss soil management, food/agricultural and biological engineering, water quality, and other current topics regarding trends in agriculture. Interested exhibitors and those wanting complete information may contact Julia Palmer at (218) 639-7615.

Basketball vs. Ridgewater

Men roll to 23rd win
The Central Lakes College men's basektball team, ranked second in the nation, defeated the Ridgewater Warriors 92-64 in a Minnesota College Athletic Conference Southern Division matchup Sat., Feb. 5 in Brainerd. The win was CLC's 23rd in 24 games. Nash Faulk made his first five shots, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, as the Raiders built a 39-22 lead. Ridgewater tried a full-court press and an up-tempo offense. But depth and athleticism propelled the hosts. CLC pulled away in the second half behind a 27-7 run. Faulk finished with 18 points, Anthony Kelly and Nick Grewe 12 apiece, Maurice Hernandez nine, and Steven Halwood seven.

Women lead but lose
Stephanie Neugebauer scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and handed out three assists, but it wasn't enough as the Central Lakes Raiders fell to the Ridgewater Warriors 70-64 during MCAC South Division play Sat., Feb. 5. Nikki Pearson scored 11 points for the Raiders, who got off to a good start shooting 41 percent in the first half and led by as much as 27. But CLC hit just 11 of 44 second-half attempts and Ridgewater shot 50 percent in the final 20 minutes. Next: At Riverland (Austin), Wed., Feb. 9.

Plut to present

Joe Plut, retired Central Lakes College English and humanities instructor, will give two presentations on his late friend and former CLC colleague Jon Hassler in Alexandria in March. Joe, author of "Conversations with Jon Hassler," will be part of the Community Read event honoring Jon Hassler March 24. The city has designated February as "I Love to Read Hassler Month." Book clubs are reading various Hassler novels in advance of Joe's presentations, which are set for 3:15 p.m. for the Senior College at Alexandria Technical Community College and at 7:30 p.m. in the Douglas County Library. Jon Hassler, who died in 2008, taught English here from 1968 to 1980, a period during which his illustrious writing career began.

Cultural Thursday

Heidi Purdy and Abra Fisk presented the February Cultural Thursday Feb. 3 on the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College, showing images from last May's trip to Mexico. Their journey included a short stint of schooling in the Spanish language, delivery of donated clothing to Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (Our Little Brothers and Sisters), a network of orphanages in Latin America and the Caribbean. Their trip included an archaeological tour of pyramids, the cultural experience of Catholicism, and rural markets of commerce. They shared information on Mexican life from residency with Mexican families. They studied natural resources, such as the maguey cactus, which is a source for thread, paper, food, and tequila. They witnessed paper extraction from the cactus, which involved pulling it directly from the inside of the maguey leaf. Traveling with them were Jan Kurtz, Spanish instructor and Spanish Club adviser, and Tyra Osvold and Susan Bowman of CLC.

Instrumental concert

The Central Lakes College Instrumental Music Department on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. presents "Snowdrift Serenade," the winter concert featuring the CLC Jazz Band, the CLC Brass Ensemble and, for the second year, the CLC Woodwind Ensemble. The concert will be in the Music Rehearsal Hall on the Brainerd campus. The Jazz Band and the Brass Ensemble are under the direction of Steve Anderson. The Woodwind Ensemble is led by Chris Bolstad. Music featured ranges from Steely Dan to Duke Ellington to Charlie Parker. Seating is limited to 120. Admission is $5 for adults, free for ages 12-under and CLC students with I.D. Proceeds will go to the 2011 Summer European Tour fund for the Community Band. For information, call Anderson at 218-855-8215.

Giving kids a smile

Melissa Quintana of Brainerd cleaned the teeth of Kheldon Stich, 6, at Give Kids a Smile Day Thursday (Feb. 3) in the Community Dental Clinic at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. The annual Minnesota Dental Association event throughout the state provides free dental services to about 7,000 children age 3-18, many of them experiencing their first dental exam. CLC students such as Melissa in the 11-month Dental Assisting diploma program are involved each year. Dentists volunteering services for the two-day event were William Beasley, Grace Shin, John Collier, William Stein, Jeffrey Hiebert, Craig Johnson, Clinton Roberts, Arnold Rutman, and John Gorton, the latter at Staples Friday only. Non-dentist professionals participating were Licensed Dental Hygienists Marcia Schroeder, Rose Schumacher, and Marie Johnshoy, Licensed Dental Assistants Ashley Czech and Deanna Maier, and receptionist Nancy Simenstad.

Basketball vs. Rochester

Men lose first after 22 wins
The second-ranked NJCAA Division III Central Lakes College Raiders , after winning their first 22 games this season, lost at third-ranked Rochester, 68-57, Wed., Feb. 2. Marcus Ayala was the only Raider to score in double figures with 15 points. “This was a really physical and we new it would be,” said CLC Coach Jim Russell. “When you play against a good team you have to play your game, not theirs.” One stat that tells the story: 22 turnovers by CLC. But the Raders also shot just 35 percent from the floor and only 58 percent at the charity stripe. CLC had defeated Rochester, 87-77, Jan. 8 in Brainerd. The teams are now tied for the Southern Division lead at 7-1 and both are 22-1 on the season. A third Minnesota College Athletic Conference powerhouse, Minnesota State, is also ranked in the national poll.

Women lead at half but lose
The CLC women's absketball team went into halftime leading the Yellowjackets, 29-28, but lost 61-41 at Rochester. In the final half, the Raiders turned the ball over 11 times compared to Rochester's two -- that made the difference. Stephanie Neugebauer scored 12 points for the Raiders, who shot 40 percent from the floor and 63 percent at the free throw line. Rochester's offense had three players in double-figure scoring. The Raiders are now 8-15 overall, 1-7 in the Southern Division. Next: Ridgewater at CLC, Sat., Feb. 5, women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m.

New chancellor

Steven Rosenstone, vice president for scholarly and cultural affairs, and professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, was selected Wed., Feb. 2 as the next chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in a 14-1 vote by the Board of Trustees. "I am excited that we have found a leader who is uniquely qualified for this position,” said Scott Thiss, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Dr. Rosenstone is a proven leader who brings the vision and breadth of skills and knowledge that we need to lead this system. The Board of Trustees and Chancellor James McCormick look forward to working with chancellor-designate Rosenstone.” Rosenstone, 59, told the board he could begin Aug. 1. He will succeed James H. McCormick, who is retiring as chancellor of the 32-institution system that includes Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples. Rosenstone told the trustees he is eager to visit campuses and find out more about the individual colleges and universities.

Gaelic Storm

The internationally known Celtic band Gaelic Storm will present a concert in Brainerd as part of the Cultural Arts Series sponsored by Central Lakes College on Wed., Feb. 23. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. concert in Tornstrom Auditorium are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors age 60-up, $8 for high school and junior high students, and $5 for CLC students. They may be purchased at the CLC box office or online at http://www.clctickets.com/

Folk dance

On February 9th from 6-8 p.m., Central Lakes College Spanish Club is sponsoring a free International Folk Dance with Paul Wilson and Mary Abendroth of the Nisswa Stammen Festival instructing. They will be teaching circle and line dances from a variety of countries. The dance will be held in Room E101, the multipurpose room, on the Brainerd campus of CLC. The event is for all ages. A food donation for the CLC Senate Food Shelf is welcome. For more information call Jan Kurtz at 855-8183.

Fantasy camp

Pat Held, Central Lakes College head baseball coach, and his wife Carolyn recently attended a Minnesota Twins Fantasy Camp in Ft. Meyers, Fla., and the experience fulfilled one of their dreams as longtime fans of the sport. Tina Snell of the Morrison County Record reports that the Helds, from Motley, were among 104 campers involved in the Jan. 8-16 action. Carolyn, who has cancer, received the 70th birthday gift trip to Florida from Pat. "We have wanted to do this for a long time," Pat told the reporter. "To be able to play baseball like a major-league ball player, and with professionals, is amazing." Carolyn planned her chemotherapy sessions around the week so she'd be able to feel good and fully participate. To top it off, at the final banquet, Carolyn received the Kirby Puckett Award for showing the greatest enthusiasm and love for the game. Carolyn told Pat on the drive back to Motley she had signed them up for next year's camp. The story can be found at
www.mcrecord.com/archives/479841/fantasy-baseball-draws-local-couple-to-florida/

Photo courtesy Morrison County Record