'Drowsy Chaperone'

Central Lakes College Theatre presents “The Drowsy Chaperone,” an award-winning musical, in John Chalberg Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24-26 and March 2, 3, and 5 and 2 p.m. March 6. It has been called the funniest musical of the 21st century. Playing the Broadway star Janet Van DeGraaff is Jessica Huppler, Onamia. Nicholas Brutscher, Brainerd, is her good-looking but not so smart fiancé, Robert Martin. Jeffrey Wuollet, Staples, portrays the best man and also the wedding planner George, who remembers all the wedding details except the preacher. Janet’s frustrated producer and his no-talent girlfriend are played by Marc Oliphant, Brainerd, and DeGeest. David Wilson, Brainerd, is the comic Latin-lover, and Kriss Ross, Brainerd, is the tipsy Drowsy Chaperone. Thomas Vasecka, Brainerd, is Man in Chair. Stephanie White, Brainerd, drops in from the sky as Trix the aviatrix. Justin Jordan and Ralph Knowlton, both of Brainerd, are gangsters posing as pastry chefs. Hostess for the wedding is the rich and forgetful dowager, Mrs.Tottendale, played by Barb McColgan, Brainerd. Her ever-faithful but put-upon butler, Underling, is portrayed by Kevin Yeager, Baxter. The three tap dancing Mary sisters are played by Lizzy Buscher and Kim Huether, both of Brainerd, and Dacia Schulz, Pine River. For tickets call the theatre box office at 218-855-8199 or order on line at www.clctickets.com

Ag & Energy Expo

The Staples campus of Central Lakes College will host the first Ag & Energy Expo on Friday, Feb. 18, a free event that features a farmer-professor as keynote speaker. 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. The day-long event that 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. Potential registrants and exhibitors may contact Julia Palmer at (218) 639-7615 by Feb. 15. Break-out sessions will address energy crop opportunities and developments at the CLC Agriculture and Energy Center near Staples. College representatives who will be participating include Robert Schafer, Del Lecy, Bob Rick, Keith Olander, and Nathan Converse.

Basketball vs. M State

Men's team is 22-0
On Jan. 29 in the Brainerd campus gym, Nick Grewe finished with 15 points and nine rebounds as the NJCAA Division III third-ranked Central Lakes College Raiders outlasted 10th-ranked Minnesota State Community and Technical College, 74-61, to stay unbeaten. The Raiders are 7-0 in the Southern Division, 22-0 overall. CLC led by six with 11 minutes left. Nick, a Bertha-Hewitt graduate, scored seven points in the next nine minutes, and Maurice Hernandez came up with 10 of his 12 as the Raiders prevailed. With Grewe and Hernandez stepping up, the Raiders overcame a scrappy defense played by the visitors. CLC's season scoring leader, Marcus Ayala, managed 11 points, three assists, and gave stability with just two turnovers in 30 minutes of play. Nash Faulk added three steals and four assists, plus a key blocked shot and three-pointer late. Next: at Rochester Wed., Feb. 2 and home Sat., Feb. 5 vs. Ridgewater, 3 p.m.

Women snap losing streak
Despite shooting 32 percent, the CLC women snapped their 11-game losing skid on Jan. 29 behind Stephanie Neugebauer's 29 points in a 74-64 win over M State. The Raiders earned their first victory in the Southern Division. Nikki Pearson added 14 points. The winners made 23 of 30 from the line (77 percent) in one of their best efforts this season. CLC is now 8-14 overall. Next: at Rochester Wed., Feb. 2 and home Sat., Feb. 5 vs. Ridgewater, 1 p.m.

Picciano elected

Betsy Picciano, director of secondary relations at Central Lakes College, has been elected president of the Minnesota Association of Developmental Education and will assume her leadership duties in 2012. MNADE is the state affiliate of a national organization dedicated to helping learners at all levels of preparedness realize their full academic potential. The purpose of MNADE is to promote the effective practice of post-secondary developmental education. This is done by helping underprepared students prepare, prepared students advance, and advanced students excel. Picciano, who has been a member of the organization since 1995, was named president-elect at the annual fall conference in Grand Rapids. She has served on the MNADE board of directors and been a presenter at conferences sponsored by the organization. The purpose of MNADE is to promote the effective practice of post-secondary developmental education. It is affiliated with the National Association for Developmental Education. The organization has connections to the College Reading and Learning Association and the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges. Picciano will attend NADE’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. Feb. 22-26, where the focus will be on educational, social, economic, and civic enrichment which developmental education contributes to the lives of students and toward the strength of our nation.

Nursing students' extra effort

Members of the AD Nursing Club at Central Lakes College recently participated in two voluntary training activities. On Jan. 15 a total of 35 students signed up for a Saturday of disaster training from the American Red Cross with trainer Janice Springer of the St. Cloud office in the Lecture Hall on the Brainerd campus. On Jan. 20 several students were trained through MN Responds and Crow Wing County Public Health region manager Kari Springer in a course offered at CLC. "I am very pleased with the professional participation of the club related to service learning and continuing education efforts, such as this training," said Darci Goeden, club adviser. "We must be life-long learners in the nursing profession in order to provide the highest quality of care to clients, families, and communities." Among the club members tackling problems in disaster scenarios were Shelly Herron (left), Deerwood, and Brianna Tramm, Mora.

Meet Raz - CLC mascot

The Student Senate at Central Lakes College has announced the arrival of a Central Lakes College mascot. Raz the Raider is the new symbol of student spirit, prepared to rally support for athletic teams and any other occasion suited to exemplifying all things Raider. The Student Senate reports that the student submitting the winning name from 182 submissions was Elizabeth Trenkenschuh of Pequot Lakes, who wins $15. Look for Raz courtside at the remaining CLC basketball games this season, and as a bonus on Feb. 12 and 19, watch for the CLC Raiderettes Dance Team, a group of more than a dozen students who have worked up some choreographed maneuvers as halftime entertainment at the men's contests.

Brain Busters

Fifteen Central Lakes College Spanish Club students participated in the American Association of University Women - Brainerd branch's fourth annual Brain Buster Jan. 22 at Northland Arboretum. The trivia event raised approximately $900 for the Central Lakes College Scholarship fund. Fourteen teams competed, answering questions posed by Dan Hegstad and Rollin Buck, emcee and referee respectively. Colleen LeBlanc, chair of the event, said they were especially pleased with the age mix of people who played this year. AAUW sponsors two scholarships of $600 each year. One of the scholarships is designated for a second year non-traditional student. Pictured: Team members Abra Fisk (left), CLC Spanish Club president; George Fruth, MESA participant-10+ years and CLC alum; and Jamy Olson, CLC Spanish alum, Latino Festival committee member and 10 years attendee of MESA.