Arlene was born on December 17, 1925 in Sunrise to parents, Edwin and Amanda (Johnson) Gustafson.  She attended the Hawkinson Grade School and graduated from North Branch High School with the class of 1943.

Arlene worked at Skelton Drug in North Branch and later worked at the dental offices of Dr. Jerry Anderson and Dr. Mike Grotheim as a dental assistant.  Arlene loved crafts, needle work, going to garage sales and listening to Billy Graham.

She was often called upon to give rides to those who could no longer drive and her greatest accomplishment in life has been caring for others.

Arlene is survived by her sister-in-law, Muriel Gustafson of St. Paul, nephews, Ron (Mary) Gustafson of St. Paul, Rick (Gloria) Gustafson of Ramsey and Curt Gustafson of Woodbury, as well as four grand nephews and nieces.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Amanda Gustafson, brothers, Ellsworth and Kenneth and cousins, Glady Erlandson and Helen Olson.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the Kost Evangelical Free Church at Kost with Pastor Dean Paulson and Chaplain Hank Griffeth officiating.  Music was by Curt Gustafson and Jon Ekstrom.

Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday.

Interment  followed  the service in the church cemetery.

Serving as casket bearers were Ron Gustafson, Rick Gustafson, Charles Magnison, Waldemar Trulson, Bradley Wilcox and Gerald Ledin.

Memorials are preferred to:  The Van Fund at the New Harmony Care Center (135 Geranium Ave.) St. Paul, MN 55117.

Arrangements are under the direction of Grandstrand Funeral Home in North Branch.  Condolences maybe left at www.grandstrandfh.com.

The North Branch Area Chamber is excited to participate by hosting the “Buy Local” lunch Saturday, June 16, under the Legion’s tent. This lunch is brought to you compliments of these local businesses: Karl’s TV, Audio, Appliances and Furniture, Rapid Press Printing & Copy Center and A & C Automotive and Machine, Inc. Come enjoy the Kiddie Olympics and Kiddie Parade; stay to enjoy this great meal.

Find Midsummer Days parade reservation forms and schedule of activities at www.NorthBranchChamber.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact staff at the American Legion Post #85.

Remembrance ceremony at Immanuel Lutheran

The 37th season of Shakespeare & Company, Minnesota’s longest-running outdoor classical repertory theatre, begins June 30 at Century College and runs through Aug. 5. This year’s productions are The Merry Wives of Windsor, Tartuffe and Cymbeline. All performances are held at Century’s Outdoor Theatre Complex on the college’s West Campus, 3300 Century Ave. N., White Bear Lake. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and free for children under 12. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m., and Sundays are at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the ticket booth prior to the performance. For information, please call 651-779-5818 or visit the website at www.shakespeareandcompany.org. Bring a picnic supper, a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy.

Fun in Almelund
“Almelund Night on the Town” is set for Friday, June 1. It’s an evening of fun and free entertainment from 3- 9:30 p.m. Almelund is located midway between North Branch and Taylors Falls on Hwy. 95. Everything is within easy walking distance.

Check out the Classic Car Show from 4-7 p.m. Come and enter your car with a model year of 1979 or older. (No entry fee.) Car owners who come by 5 p.m. will be entered in a drawing for a $25. BP gift card from Rod’s Country Corner. Call Diane, 651-583-2295 for more information. If you get hungry, Rod’s World Famous Swedish Sausage will be available, ready to eat at the Almelund Mercantile or order a fresh made pizza or sub at Rod’s Country Corner, and be sure to visit the Almelund Farmers Market, which runs every Friday from 3-6 pm at Rod’s Country Corner at the intersection of Hwy. 95 and Park Trail. Call Jewell, 651-583-2208 to participate in the market. Don’t miss listening to real band music when the Interstate Band plays in Triangle Park from 6-7 p.m. And the Almelund School House Heritage Center will be open for your visit from 4-7 p.m.

Finally, check your troubles at the door, and enjoy old-time comedy movies and cartoons from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Log Barn Cinema located in the old barn behind the Almelund School House. Bring your own chair if you wish, or use their old style wooden chairs. Popcorn and concessions are available for purchase or bring your own. Movies are brought to you by the “Leave ‘em Laughing” Film Club of North Branch, 651-674-5149.
Meet your family and friends and make it a “Night on the Town” in Almelund.

Heavenly Harps Concert

The Heavenly Harp duo, featuring harpists Karin and Joy Gunderson, will give a concert, 7 p.m., Friday, June 1, at Cambridge Lutheran Church, 621 Old North Main St in Cambridge. This unusual concert opportunity is sponsored by the Cambridge Center for the Arts.  A free-will offering will be received. This remarkable mother and daughter duo offers “music to soothe and enrich the soul.”  Enjoy a combination of harp duets, solos, inspirational stories from Karin’s work as a hospice harpist and peaceful music featuring flute, and vocals along with harp. One recent concert attendee exclaimed, “Heaven can’t be much more beautiful than this!” There is no admission charge; offerings are accepted. For more information, contact Cambridge Lutheran Church, 763-689-1211, or view the harpist’s web site, www.HeavenlyHarp.org.   CDs and DVDs will be available.

NB Garden club plant sale

North Branch Garden Club plant sale is set for Saturday, June 2, 8 a.m. to noon at Lake State Federal Credit Union parking Lot. Big Variety of plants. Come early! Save this date: Sunday, July 22, 1 p.m. is the annual Garden Tour. More information coming later.

‘Equality Matters: A Rainbow Rendezvous’ in EC Minnesota
For the eighth year, Pine City’s Voyageur Park will be the setting to East Central Minnesota Pride, a LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) pride event to be held Sunday, June 3, noon to 5 p.m. There will be music, food and a rendezvous of friends and community. Besides picnicking, there is frisbee golf, pet alpacas, vendor booths, a silent auction, have your photo taken, and meet your neighbors. Organizers say to bring your own canoe or use one that East Central Minnesota Pride has provided courtesy of Snake River Outfitters (www.snakeriveroutfittersmn.com). Paddle the 15-minutes it takes to the North West Company Fur Post, and watch for bald eagles, loons, bears and deer while paddling upriver. A dock on the Snake River makes a productive waterway to cast your line for a variety of fish as well.

Birding at Wild River State Park June 9
An Audubon expert will lead a bird walk at Wild River State Park on Saturday, June 9. Meet at the boat landing at 7:30 a.m. Great birds are guaranteed. Other activities will take place thoughout the day, including a native plant sale, wildflower walk, digital scavenger hunt, campfire and more. Check the park’s website for detailed information. Entry to Wild River State Park is free on June 9.

Shredding events June 9
The Chisago County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is sponsoring a document shredding event to help local residents eliminate personal documents susceptible to identity theft. A mobile shredding truck from 1st Choice Document Destruction will be located in three Chisago County communities on Saturday, June 9: 8-9 a.m. – Rush City Foods parking lot, Rush City; 9:30-10:45 a.m. – North Branch city parking lot at Highways 95 and 30 in downtown North Branch; and 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Brinks Market parking lot, Chisago City. There is no cost for the service, but the amount of shredding per person is limited to three paper grocery bags of documents. Participants are encouraged to bring one grocery bag of non-perishable food items or paper products for the local food shelf.

Parenting Plus meets June 12
All grandparents/kinship caregivers who are raising grandchildren/relative’s children are invited to a support group meeting. There will be a picnic on Tuesday, June 12 at 6 p.m. at Robinson Park in downtown Pine City. Please bring a dish to share and a beverage.

Art & Craft Show is a big feature of Braham Pie Day August 3
One great place to shop while at Braham Pie Day is the art and craft show in the park, on Friday, August 3 in Freedom Park adjacent to Hwy 107. Crafters will sell their colorful array of original crafts, pie designs and folk art items in the south part of the park between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. For more information call 320-396-4956. Pre-registration is required. The show does not accept registrations on festival day.

Road damage near the Tall Timbers development due to heavy rain. Photo by Derrick Knutson

Torrents of rain have been falling steadily across much of the state since last night. In North Branch, Public Works Director Shawn Williams said the 3.5 inches-plus of rain that has fallen already is having some adverse effects on city roadways. A small portion of pavement to the entrance of the Tall Timbers development off County Road 14 collapsed and city crews blocked it off with caution cones until the rain stops and public works can repair the area. Williams noted some trees also tipped over due to loose soil along Hemingway Avenue. Public works cleared the debris in that area around 1:30 a.m. today. 

One Rush Point resident had just planted her garden and is wondering now where the seeds that have been washed away will end up and sprout. Can we say replant?

The rain is expected to continue through the weekend, which could put a damper on holiday celebrations.

For the most part, everything that is planned is still a go for Memorial Day.

Residents of the Rush City School District must register in person and pay $40 on the day of sign up. Non-residents may sign up this day in person, and the cost will be $45. Sessions/classes will be on a first come basis for residents and non-residents. Registration forms must be filled out completely on this day.

Session I swimming lessons will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. June 18 through June 22 and June 25 through June 29. After signing up, children will be notified by mail the time slot for their particular swimming level. Classes are 40 minutes long. Lessons include a pre-school level and levels 1 through 6. Maximum of 150 students per session.

Swimming lesson fees are non-refundable. Registration forms are available at www.rushcity.k12.mn.us (click on Community Education).

Al Wenzel

North Branch Golf Course would like to congratulate two members who each sunk a hole in one this month.

Al Wenzel carded his ace on the 120-yard hole #2 on May 14, 2012, as witnessed by his wife Lorie and David and Elaine Oftelie.

Then on May 18, Lee Cich aced the same hole in front of witness Roger Schmidt. This was Lee’s third hole in one in four years, with all of them happening at North Branch Golf Course.

Lee Cich

Another great shot was had by John Buboltz, of North Branch, who used an 8 iron on his second swing to card a double eagle on the 480-yard par 5 hole #5 on May 16 at Falcon Ridge Golf Course in Stacy.

Alana Stahley hears her name announced as the fourth place medal winner at the Adapted Bowling Championships. Photos by John Grund

By Victoria Dahlin

For the second consecutive year the North Branch adapted bowling PI (physical impairment) team won State Champion Runner-up with individuals earning medals in the State Adapted Bowling Championships.

The PI team accumulated 1644 points to place ahead of St. Paul Highland Park (1630), Simley/Inver Grove Heights (1609), Albany (1538), Minneapolis South (1498) and St. Paul Highland Park (1427) while only behind only St. Paul Humboldt (1710) at Brunswick Zone in Eden Prairie last Friday.

Alana Stahley led the team with 425 pins, while Chelsea Knutson totaled up 422, Tayler Dyrdra 408 and Iman Omar 389 to get the team’s second runner-up trophy.

In PI doubles Knutson racked up 448 and Dyrda 371 for a total of 819 to earn a place on the podium with a third place finish, while Omar (443) and Charles Otto (357) combined for 800 to finish seventh.

Chelsea Knutson and Tayler Dyrda earned a place on the podium with a third place finish in the Adapted Bowling Championships.

Stahley finished with a tally of 417 pins to earn a fourth place medal in the girls PI singles championships, while Otto placed 26th with a pin count of 359 in the boys PI singles competition.

In the team CI (cognitive impairment) championships Matt Rogers (396), Trevor Klein (348), Aaron Wahlstrom (385) and Matt Winberg (393) combined for a score of 1522 to place 10th in the state.

Winberg (316) and Wahlstrom (434) totaled 750 to come in 33rd in CI doubles; Cheyenne Underdahl (333) and Jade Anderson (409) added 742 to finish 43rd; and Rogers (366) and Ashley Novak (361) scored 727 to finish 51st.

Novak racked up 405 and just missed medaling by placing 11th in girls CI singles, while Anderson came in 35th (376) and Underdahl 57th (351). In the boys division Klein scored 356 to place 76th.

“I knew our PI team could compete against any team in the state and they proved me right today,” said Coach John Grund.

Iman Omar, Tayler Dyrda, Chelsea Knutson and Alana Stahley displayed their Adapted Bowling State Champion Runner-up trophy for the second consecutive year at Brunswick Zone in Eden Prairie.

“These girls did awesome in every match this year. Their high finish at State wasn’t so much of a surprise, as it was well deserved. Skol Vikings,” he added.

Thomas Kinsella had one run, three hits and five RBIs as the Vikings defeated the Panthers. Photo by Victoria Dahlin

By Victoria Dahlin—

After starting out the season slow, the North Branch bats got hot with the Vikings coming out victorious in both games played last week giving them a four game winning streak.

Up first, Spring Lake Park came to North Branch May 14 and was sent home with a 11-5 loss.

Brett Klun had two runs, two hits including a homerun and four RBIs (runs batted in); Thomas Kinsella had one run, three hits and five RBIs; Travis Anderson one run and two hits; Cole Mattson three runs; Kevin Johnson and Travis Moreno two hits and two runs; while Cody Knobbe and Michael Naggatz had one hit each.

Johnson pitched to 24 batters and allowed four runs and six hits; Zach Faribanks faced five, allowing one run and one hit; Blake Jorgenson pitched to three and allowed no runs or hits; while Jared Axberg threw to two and allowed no runs or hits.

The Vikings had 11 runs, 14 hits and one error, while the Panthers had five runs, seven hits and two errors.

“Kevin pitched a great game, he kept the hitters off balance and the defense played well,” said Coach Steve Christensen. Brett has been hitting the ball well all season, he’s fun to watch run the bases. We had a hit-and-run on, and he hit it out of the park. That’s one way to do it. Thomas and Cody had a ‘Web Gem’ play. With a runner on first, a ball was hit up the middle, Cody fielded the ball to his right and glove-flipped it to Thomas covering the bag. To add to the excitement, Thomas bare-handed the catch.”

Last Wednesday the Vikings started the scoring when they hosted the Wildcats and led 1-0 until the fourth inning.

Chisago Lakes came back to tie it, but in the bottom of the fourth, the first four North Branch batters reached base and scored to take a 5-1 lead.

Klun and Mattson got on base and scored on a two-RBI single off the bat of Kinsella. Jordan Franklin came into the game to run for Kinsella, Kerry Konrad reached base by a walk, Franklin scored on a passed ball and Konrad scored on a two-out base hit from Johnson.

North Branch had a 5-1 lead in the seventh, but after all was said and done, Chisago Lakes scored four to tie it up 5-5 sending the game into an extra inning.

Then in the tie-breaking inning, Kinsella reached base, Josh Benolken came in to run and Konrad laid a perfect bunt down to advance Benolken to second base.

With an open base, Chisago Lakes intentionally walked Knobbe to have a force out, and that brought up Jake Schmitz, who walked on four pitches, loading up the bases with one out.

Johnson came to the plate, and on the first pitch, hit a fly ball that was caught, but Benolken tagged up and scored on a head first slide as the ball skipped past the Wildcat catcher to give the Vikings the 6-5 win.

Jorgenson faced 25 batters, allowing two runs and six hits, while Kinsella pitched to 11 and allowed three runs and two hits.

North Branch had six runs, nine hits and five errors, while Chisago Lakes Area had five runs, eight hits and two errors.

“Blake was in demand on the mound,” said Coach Christensen. “He kept us in the game firing seven strikeouts in six plus innings. We’ve had some clutch hitting, it’s fun to watch. I was glad we came out with the win. They worked so hard, had a few mistakes, but we were able to get out with a win.”

The North Branch baseball team has a 5-9 North Suburban Conference and 6-13 overall record. The Vikings will travel to Cambridge-Isanti High School to face the Bluejackets (9-4 record) at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 25 before beginning section playoffs at 4:30 p.m. at the home of the high seed Wednesday, May 30.

— Check Scoreboard Plus for updated playoff action