A search warrant executed by members of the East Central Drug and Violent Offender Task Force, the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, the Isanti Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol has led to the arrest of a husband and wife for felony drug possession.

The search warrant was executed around 8:45 a.m. Jan. 29 in a residential homelocated along the 400 block of Cardinal Court Northwest in Isanti.

The homeowners, Justin Lee Plombon, 33, and his wife,

Ashley Asia Plombon,31, were charged Feb. 1 before Judge Amy Brosnahan in Isanti County District Court in Cambridge with the following:

• Felony first-degree drug possession, 25 grams or more.
• Two counts of felony first-degree drug sale, 10 grams or more, within a 90-day period.
• Felony fifth-degree drug possession.
• Felony drugs, cause or permit child or vulnerable adult to ingest, inhale or be exposed to meth.
• Gross misdemeanor child endangerment, present during sale or possession of controlled substances.

Bail for Justin was set at $150,000 without conditions or $75,000 with conditions and his next court appearance was set for Feb. 10. Bail for Ashley was set at $75,000 without conditions or $30,000 with conditions and her next court appearance for Feb. 11.

According to the criminal complaint:
Just prior to the execution of the warrant, while the residence was under surveillance, Justin left with one child in a vehicle and another male also left in a separate vehicle. These vehicles were stopped and the males were taken into custody. One male was positively identified as Justin.

When the warrant was executed, Ashley was located inside the residence as she was exiting the lower bedroom, which contained a 3-year-old child. This bedroom was shared by the Plombons.

A large amount of a crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine was located in this bedroom sitting on a chair underneath some clothes, accessible to the child. This substance field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 3.9 ounces, or approximately 110 grams. In plain view also inside this same room was a white powdery substance consistent with cocaine sitting on top of a dresser. This substance field-tested positive for cocaine and weighed 4.6 grams.

During the search of the residence, a .45-caliber handgun was located with a loaded magazine, mounted above the closet door in a manner able to be quickly accessed. A rifle was also located underneath the basement stairs. Also during the search of the residence, an ounce of cocaine was located in a heating duct in the laundry room. This substance field tested positive for cocaine and weighed approximately 1 ounce, or 28.35 grams.

In various areas throughout the house, miscellaneous items of drug packaging were located, including portions of vacuum sealing bags with residue, cellophane packaging with residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. In addition to the previously mentioned controlled substances that were accessible to the children, there were dirty clothes strewn throughout the house, dirty dishes covering the kitchen area, power tools accessible to the children throughout the basement area and dog feces located on the basement floor.

During a Mirandized interview with Justin, he acknowledged the methamphetamine was delivered to him, but he would not admit to an amount he had received.

Coffee CHATs at Cambridge Medical Center
Thursdays, Feb. 11-March 24: Join Cambridge Medical Center for its 2016 Community Health Awareness Talks on Thursdays from Feb. 11 through March 24. Each event from 9-10 a.m. includes a hot cup of coffee and a lively chat on a wide range of health topics. Morning refreshments will be served. No cost to attend. Call 763-688-6032 for more info.

Friends of the Isanti Area Library Used Book Sale
Feb. 5 and Feb. 6: Join the Friends of the Isanti Area Library at their annual Used Book Sale on Friday, Feb. 5 from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Junction Bowl in Isanti. All books are $.25. DVD’s, CD’s, and audiobooks are also available at bargain prices. For more information visit www.IsantiFriends.org.

Long Lake Lutheran Church Spaghetti Dinner
Friday, Feb. 5: Long Lake Lutheran Church will hold a Spaghetti Dinner from 4-7 p.m. All you can eat spaghetti, garlic bread, bars and beverage. Cost is $6 for adults, and $3 for children ages 6-12. Church located at 3921 277th Ave. NW, Isanti.

Free Movie at Braham Event Center
Sunday, Feb. 7: The Friends of the Alice Studt Library at The Braham Event Center will be showing a free movie at 2 p.m. It will be “The Perfect Game,” based on an actual Little League pitcher when his team won the Little League World Series. Donations appreciated. Snacks will be available for sale by Event Center volunteers.

Red Cross Blood Drive
Monday, Feb. 8: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cambridge Culver’s, 105 Opportunity Blvd. N., Cambridge. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Alcohol Chemical Treatment Series
Monday, Feb. 8: The Alcohol Chemical Treatment Series of Deliverance will meet from 7-8 p.m. every Monday at The Journey New Life Church, 145 Second Ave. SE, Cambridge. A.C.T.S. is a self-help holistic educational approach to fighting addictions. All are welcome. For more information contact Eric Dewey at 763-744-7609.

Braham Jazz Band and Echelon Dessert Concert
Monday, Feb. 8: The Braham Area High School Jazz Band and Echelon will present their annual Dessert Concert at 8 p.m. The concert will be held in C100 and will feature live instrumental and vocal jazz music, as well as cheesecake, coffee and punch. There’s also room to dance. Admission is $4. Reservations requested by calling 320-396-5233 or emailing bryanjohnson@braham.k12.mn.us

Breakfast at Mill Ridge Terrace
Tuesday, Feb. 9: Join your friends for breakfast at Mill Ridge Terrace, 235 Fern St. N. in Cambridge, on Tuesdays from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Good food, friendly service and great prices. Complimentary coffee. For more information call 763-689-1474.

Memory Screening at SAC’s Enrichment Center
Wednesday, Feb. 10: All are welcome to the SAC’s Enrichment Center in Cambridge from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to get a free memory screening. The screening, administered by a registered nurse or a licensed social worker, takes about 10 minutes. Coffee and homemade cookies provided.

Social Hour at the Braham Event Center
Wednesday, Feb. 10: The topic for the Senior Social Hour at the Braham Event Center Library at 2 p.m. will be safety of seniors. Isanti County Chief Deputy Lisa Lovering will be there to discuss physical safety, ways to avoid the scams that target seniors and any other safety issues attendees have questions about. Come and join others who are enjoying a time to socialize, have snacks and hear information that will be helpful in their daily lives.

Free Presentation on Growing Apples
Thursday, Feb. 11: A free presentation will be held at 7 p.m. at the Isanti County Government Center in Cambridge, lower level, on “Growing Applies.” This is free to the public presentation, although reservations are required by calling 763-689-1810.

Braham Knights of Columbus Fish Frys
Fridays, Feb. 12-March 18: Braham Knights of Columbus Friday Fish Frys will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Braham from Feb. 12 through March 18. All are welcome.

Li’l Farm Children’s Home Spaghetti Fundraiser
Saturday, Feb. 13: Li’l Farm Children’s Home Spaghetti Fundraiser will be held from 4:30-7 p.m. at Christ the King Parish, 305 Fern St. N., Cambridge. Enjoy a great meal with your family and friends. Tickets available at the door.

Dinner and Dance Party
Saturday, Feb. 13: All are invited to a 1950s and 1960s Dinner and Dance Party to benefit Isanti County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. The event will be held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, 505 Spirit River Drive S., Cambridge. Advance tickets by Feb. 8 are $30; cost at the door, $35. For tickets and information visit www.kbek.com. Social Hour, 5 p.m. Roast Beef Dinner, 6 p.m. Dance, 7-10 p.m. There will also be costume contests and silent auction.

Valentine Dance at Braham Event Center
Saturday, Feb. 13: A Valentine Dance featuring 50s, 60s, 70s and country music will be held from 7-11 p.m. at the Braham Event Center, 655 Eighth St. SW, Braham. All are welcome to join for an evening of fun, dancing and listening for the entire family. Free-will offering. Cash bar available. Food shelf items or cash donations to the food shelf are welcome.

Miranda Cain
East Central Pork Ambassador

East Central Pork Producers. Who are we? What do we do? Who do we serve? As a local nonprofit agriculture group, we serve four counties in east central Minnesota: Pine, Isanti, Kanabec and Mille Lacs.

We raise funds by serving grilled pork chops at our local county fairs – those yummy, oh-so-fragrant chops people buy – often by the dozen. In 2015, we sold nearly 13,000 chops at the Kanabec, Isanti and Pine

County Fairs. This summer, support your local farmers and agriculture by having a grilled chop.

We use our funds in numerous ways to educate local youth and consumers. One example is offering feeder pig loans for children in 4-H, to purchase swine for County Fair exhibits, with the chance to go on to the Minnesota State Fair and the Northeast Livestock Show. While preparing for the shows, children learn valuable lessons of ethics, the process of raising animals including proper care and nutrition. We also provide awards for 4-H Swine Project members in our four counties.

The Youth Ambassador program selects local youth from agriculture backgrounds to become Pork Ambassadors to represent the East Central Pork Producers, gain speaking skills and earn scholarships. Currently our ambassadors are Andrea White and Miranda Cain, both from Isanti County. Andrea is one of the top three Ambassadors in Minnesota, serving in a state capacity in addition to her local role. Andrea is a senior at Winona State University, Miranda a freshman at Hamline University. The role of an ambassador is to be the face of our local organization.

In the photo, Andrea and Miranda are at Taste of Elegance, an annual event of the Minnesota Pork Producers. Fourteen top chefs from around Minnesota compete in a cooking contest using pork products, the winner competes in a national event.

College scholarships are offered to high school seniors going to college for agriculture majors. Last year, we gave out five scholarships to local students, a total of $2,500. Currently, Jessica Moulzolf (Isanti County), Joe Belkholm and Brooke Gardiner (Kanabec County), Beth Moller and Selena Lozez (Mille Lacs County) are attending college with the assistance of our scholarships.

Consumer Education happens in our communities via grocery store promotions. During these promotions we hand out $5 coupons for your choice of any pork product, plus recipes and preparation information. Watch for an event in a store in your area; great way to save on pork products.

Interested in learning more? Or perhaps working in the Pork Chop Wagons at the County Fair? Contact East Central Pork Producers Chair Richard Bronson at sandrambronson@gmail.com.

Realizing real estate education needs to be a career-long endeavor for today’s real estate professional, Century 21 Moline Realty is proud to announce sales associate, Derek Ogren, recently added the Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI) Designation to his professional offerings.

“Continuing to improve skills and knowledge is extremely important for prolonged success in this industry. The training for the GRI designation will assist in client success and satisfaction during and after their Real Estate transactions,” Ogren said.

Ogren earned the GRI designation by attending a specific, intensive series of classroom instruction, covering a variety of subjects including professional standards, legal issues, sales and marketing, finance and risk reduction, technology and social media.

With this achievement, Ogren has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional service by securing a strong educational foundation of knowledge and skills to better navigate the real estate market and serve prospective clients and customers.

The Institute is designed to educate practitioners about local, state and national real estate practices that affect them, their clients and customers. Only members of the REALTOR® Association may earn the GRI designation. The REALTOR® Institute is more than 25-years-old and has graduated thousands of REALTORS® nationally.

The GRI designation indicates to the public that the designation holders are members of the National Association of REALTORS® who have obtained a professional educational foundation on which to base their services.

To speak with Ogren about today’s real estate market call 763-528-5573 or email Derek@century21moline.com.

Susie V. Stamm, age 94, of Isanti passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West.
She was born on February 22, 1921 in North Branch Township, MN to Albert and Anna (Ryberg) Koecher. Susie grew up in the Weber area where she attended country school. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church of Weber. When Susie was 12 years old, her mother died during childbirth after which she took on the role of caregiver for the family.
On April 18, 1942, Susie was united in marriage to Henry Stamm at St. John Lutheran Church and to this union their son Dale was born. Susie and Henry would make their home in the rural Isanti area. They would operate their farm for over 30 years until Henry passed away in July 1980, after which Dale, Betty and their two sons took over and continued farming until his passing in October 2004. In 2001 Susie left her home of 50 years and moved to the Grandview Christian Home which became GracePointe Crossing Gables West.
Susie was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church of Weber and was active in the women’s group and the ladies aide. She enjoyed visiting and having coffee with her family and friends. Susie was a wonderful cook and baker and was famous for her fresh baked dinner rolls.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Henry, son Dale, brothers Harold and Willard Koecher, sisters Dorothy Schwab, Ruby Lodien, Ethel and Leona.
Susie is survived by her daughter-in-law Betty Stamm, grandsons Jason and wife Mary Stamm, Karl and wife Heidi Stamm all of Isanti, great-grandchildren Emma, Isaac, Isaiah, Gracie, Bria and Tristan, as well as many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m., Friday, February 5, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church of Weber. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Online condolences at www.carlsonlillemoen.com. Arrangements were with the Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cambridge.

Dear Editor:
I really appreciate our Sheriff Chris Caulk who took the time to explain in our town paper just what is going on in our county with this gun control issue. My question is: who in their right mind wouldn’t want to protect their home and the people who live in it?

A gun by itself can’t kill anyone; but the motives behind in using that gun could be influenced by drugs or alcohol in their system, causing havoc in their thinking process. We all know that a lot of T.V. programs, movies, games and the like are filled with violence and hatred and could cause possibly a person to use a gun wrongly. So why do radical-extremist Muslims massacre so many innocent people mostly using guns to do it? Islamic terrorists as followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of their faith (infidels) so they can have a place in heaven. I found online under Rick Mathes, “Allah or Jesus” a very interesting article. So without a doubt, we are living in a dangerous world. Our freedom seems to be in great danger and we can’t let anyone take that freedom away from us. Lee Greenwood sings it the best in the song he made famous “God Bless the U.S.A.”

1 John 3:15 tells us that whosoever hates his brother is a murderer. So according to God’s Word, I for one do not want to have murder thoughts even in my heart. So how do we protect ourselves from those who have evil in their hearts? If this were a threat to me, I would rather pull a bluff on an intruder and have a toy gun in my home. I won’t have to buy bullets and no permits would be required. But there is nothing wrong with pulling a bluff on a person that is up to no good. While you’re bluffing that intruder you might be able to call 911.

In addition to information about gun control, thank you also Sheriff Chris Caulk for putting on the rear window of Isanti county vehicles “In God We Trust.”

I personally would like to see “In God We Trust” (just like our currency) on billboards on all main roads coming into our Isanti County. Just maybe when our church leaders meet they could discuss this and possibly donations could come in for it? Oh yes and when our pastors meet, don’t forget to pray 2 Chronicles 7:14. We all need to pray that one.

Delores Mix
Isanti

The CambridgeACT on Alzheimer’s Survey Team

In an effort to raise awareness, educate our community and assist families who have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease, this month’s article will give families and friends some tips to help recognize when it may be time to explore the decision of moving the person with Alzheimer’s or other type of dementia into assisted living with memory care. Here are some tell-tale signs families can look for in order to recognize it may be time for memory care assisted living:

Wandering: In later stages of dementia, risks related to wandering become much greater said, Rita Vasquez, M.A., an MFTI Clinician. “They can wander even if you just take time to go to the bathroom,” she said, and the probability of falls and injuries increases.

Sun-downing: Sun-downing is a term that describes an agitated state that becomes more pronounced later in the day or when the person is wakeful at night and not sleeping. Vasquez notes that this can take a heavy toll on caregivers, and when it begins to severely disrupt family routines, this may be a sign that caring for the person may be too hard to handle.

Aggression: Verbal and physical aggression can be experienced in those with dementia. Caregivers and family members may suffer or begin to feel resentful. When it is getting to this level it may be time to start considering a move to assisted living with memory care.

Home Safety: Ask yourself honest questions about the person you care for’s health and your own health and ability to care for them. Is the person with dementia becoming unsafe in their current home? Are you becoming unsafe in caring for this person?

Escalating Care Needs: Is the health of the person with dementia or my health and well-being as a caregiver at risk? Are the person’s care needs beyond my physical capabilities? If you’re answering yes to those questions, it may be time to discuss the decision to move.

Caregiver stress: Stress and other caregiver symptoms can be just as telling a sign as the dementia symptoms described above. Remember, your health and well-being are just as important as the person you are caring for.
If after reading this, if you are feeling that the person you are caring for needs more help than you can give, reach out and talk with someone you trust; a friend, family member, your family physician or a caregiver consultant.

Planning ahead, getting informed, and involving the appropriate people in the decision will ensure ease in the process when it is time to transition the person you care for.

Vasquez encourages us, “The best way to be there for them, is to know that they are in the proper place for getting the care that they need. Visit communities before choosing one, and make sure they have activities and medical support appropriate to people with dementia. Remember, that if you have done the research, they will thrive wherever you move them. We have to know that as a human being, we can only do so much without taxing our health.”

“Asking for help when you need it does not show weakness, it shows tremendous strength.”
For more information about local resources and guidance in caring for someone with dementia contact Jayne Mund, caregiver consultant, at 763-689-8811.

Help make Cambridge a dementia-friendly community. Become a dementia friend. Attend a free one-hour session to learn more about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turn that learning into action. We invite you to call and register for this session. The session will be held Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 1-2:30 p.m. at GracePointe Crossing Heritage Center; 322 River Hills Place North in Cambridge. All are welcome. No prior experience is needed. This program is offered through the Cambridge Act on Alzheimer’s. Contact Jayne Mund to register at 763-689-8811.

An Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets the third Tuesday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m. at GracePointe Crossing Heritage Center, 322 River Hills Place N., Cambridge. Contact Molly Carlson for more information at mcarlson@preshomes.org or call 763-691-6172.

For more information about the CambridgeACT on Alzheimer’s call Julie Tooker at 763-691-6192. Your input and assistance is valuable. Let’s ACT together to create and sustain a dementia friendly community. There is Hope. There is Help.

Source: How to Recognize Signs It’s Time for Assisted Living by Sarah Stevenson, www.aplaceformom.com.

Jeff Andres
jeff.andres@ecm-inc.com

The city of Cambridge applied to the Minnesota Design Team and they approved the city’s application to

visit Cambridge on March 31 to April 2, 2016.

The Minnesota Design Team’s visit is made possible through a grant from the Initiative Foundation’s Thriving Communities Program. The Initiative Foundation’s goal is to build a stronger Cambridge and build social capital. The visit will offer a wonderful opportunity that has only been available to a limited number of cities in Minnesota.

Starting on Thursday, March 31, there will be a group of volunteers who are professionals in the areas of architecture, city planning, landscape architecture, preservation, and more, coming for an intensive four-day study of Cambridge. These volunteers are collectively known as the MN Design Team.
The MN Design Team will meet with community members, community leaders, businesses, and city staff to tour the city and then sit down to discuss how we can develop short and long term plans to keep Cambridge a vibrant and viable city into the future.

In the coming weeks you will see much more information about this visit in the Isanti County News as well as in the city newsletter, the Cambridge Chronicle, and on the city’s website, www.ci.cambridge.mn.us.

Here’s how everyone can help get this going right now with one of the most important parts in helping us prepare for the MN Design Team visit. Part of the information provided to the design team is a photo survey. A visual survey is a way of understanding how the qualities of a place affect how people think or feel about Cambridge.

We all know what we like and what we don’t like about Cambridge but we need to have digital photos of this so we can show the design team what makes Cambridge what it is, good and bad. A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

These digital photos should represent one of three categories:
• What is best about Cambridge (place or building)?
• What are places that represent the least favorite image of Cambridge?
• What is significant about Cambridge or what opportunities do we have for creating unique places in Cambridge?

Along with the photo, there should be a very brief description of the place and why you feel the way you do about this place.

The photos should be emailed directly to me, jeff.andres@ecm-inc.com so they can be made available to the MN Design Team members prior to their visit. You are welcome to send as many photos as you would like but please attach only one photo per email since my email server has a 10mb limit. Photos need to be sent to me no later than Feb. 29, 2016.

If you have any questions, you can call me at 763-691-6022 or Stan Gustafson at 763-552-3209.

Jeff Andres is the General Manager of
the Isanti County News

The public is encouraged to join Anoka-Ramsey Community College Cambridge Campus for The Minnesota Writers Series Spoken Word Artist R. Vincent Moniz, Jr.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 in the Juanita and Charles Peterson Community Room (G202). The event is free and open to the public.

The current and reigning Individual Poetry SLAM, Indigenous Poetry SLAM Champion, Moniz, Jr. finds agency, humor, and poetry in the adventure of being an Urban Indian.

This southside Minneapolis firestarter is a 2012 Jerome Fellow, a 2013 Beyond the Pure Fellow, a 2014 Verve Fellow, a 2015 Loft Literary Center Spoken Word Immersion Fellow, and a 2015 Minnesota Emerging Writers’ Grant recipient.

Moniz, Jr. has been a part of the Twin Cities artistic community for over two decades as an actor and only recently has begun to share his poetry. He has performed at The Loft Literary Center’s highly acclaimed Equilibrium series, Revolver Magazine’s Revolver at the Ritz, The Chazen Museum of Art, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the outdoor amphitheater of the Minneapolis American Indian Center.
Find Moniz’s performances online at Redoubted.com. For more information about this and other public events at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, visit AnokaRamsey.edu.

American Legion Auxiliary Howard McCarty Unit No. 290 of Cambridge has distributed the following college scholarship application blanks to the guidance offices of Cambridge-Isanti High School and Braham Area High School.

• American Legion Auxiliary Howard McCarty Unit No. 290: Two, $1,500 scholarships for Cambridge-Isanti High School and one scholarship, $1,500, for Braham Area High School for female students. Applications are due at respective guidance offices by March 15.

• American Legion Auxiliary Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarships: Three scholarships will be awarded in each Division of the American Legion Auxiliary — one for $3,500, one for $3,000 and one for $2,500. The applicant must be a descendent of a veteran. Completed applications must be submitted to President Carol Holmgren before March 1.

•American Legion Auxiliary Department of Minnesota Scholarships: Eight, $1,000 scholarships for children or grandchildren of a veteran. The applicant must present the completed application to local American Legion Auxiliary President Carol Holmgren before March 5. After certification by the president, the application will be mailed to ALA Department Office, St. Paul, by the president by March 15.

• Past Presidents Parley Health Care Scholarship: Up to 10, $1,000 scholarships awarded for one year to members of the American Legion Auxiliary, Minnesota. Scholarship must be used for education beyond high school in the health care field. Application deadline is March 15.

• American Legion Auxiliary Spirit of Youth Scholarship for Junior Members: One, four-year, $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a junior member (for the past three years) of the American Legion Auxiliary in each division of the American Legion Auxiliary. The applicant must be in her senior year of high school. The completed application must be presented to President Carol Holmgren before March 1.

• Non-Traditional Student Scholarship: Five, $2,000 scholarships to members of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion. Application blanks are available at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Cambridge. The completed application must be presented to American Legion Auxiliary President Carol Holmgren before March 1 for signature and mailing to the American Legion Auxiliary Department Office, St. Paul.

Applications requiring the signature of American Legion Auxiliary Howard McCarty Unit President Carol Holmgren may be mailed to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 290 at 140 N. Birch St., Ste 105, Cambridge, MN 55008 before the designated date.

For questions, contact President Carol Holmgren at 763-689-4817.

Russell D. Torell, age 71, of Grasston, formerly of Walbo and Cooper’s Corner, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.
Russell was a strong gentle man, who dedicated his life to his family. He worked as a truck driver for Walbon, Inc. delivering mail. Russell loved spending his free time with his family, pet dogs and pitching horseshoes. Russell loved grilling chicken, canning and watching his favorite cooking shows. He always had a grandchild on his lap.
Russell is preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Martha; step-dad, Theodore Carlson; brother, Ron Torell; sister, Nancy Hertwig and brother-in-law, Fred Hertwig.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary (Woods); children, Richard Torell, Brenda (Steven) Fylling, Scott Torell (Tina Bettinger) and Lisa Torell; grandchildren, Shayla (Cainan) Langley, Desiree (Dan) Bird, Tucker Fylling, Taylor Fylling, Tatum Fylling, Branden Torell, Brady Torell, Jessica Stone, Rebecca Stone and Madison Stone; great-grandchildren, Jaedyn, Saige and Abel Langley, Ryker, Landen and Tate Bird, Lillian and Ellieana Sjolie and Abigail Young; brother, Paul (Ramona) Torell; sister-in-law, Caroline Torell; godson, Braun Woods and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Memorial Service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at Cambridge Lutheran Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.
Arrangements are in the care of Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cambridge. Online condolences can be shared at www.carlsonlillemoen.com.

Doretta Mae Leeb, age 69, of Cambridge, MN passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 19th, 2016 in Mission, Texas.
Doretta was born August 8th, 1946 at home in rural Kanabec County to Fredrick and Viola (Olson) Martfeld. Doretta attended the first and second grade in Brook Park, MN. The family moved to Minneapolis in 1953 where she attended Hawthorne grade school, Franklin Junior High, and graduated from Vocational High School in 1964.
Doretta was united in marriage to Pete Leeb on May 7th, 1966 at Ascension Church in North Minneapolis. In 1966 Pete was drafted into the Army. They lived in Colorado Springs, CO until 1968 returning home to Minneapolis. In 1970 they moved to Cambridge. It is here that Pete and Doretta raised their three children: Chris, Kellie, and Matthew. She was a homemaker but as the children grew older she worked outside the home cleaning local businesses and residences.
Doretta was a caring and loving wife, mother, and gramma. She was very active and independent woman She enjoyed many different activities, from craft projects, quilting, crocheting, reading, to playing bingo. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, time at the lake, hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, and traveling. She especially loved spending time with her family, friends, and her faithful companion, her dog, Chi-Chi. She volunteered at Family Pathways and at her church. Even in her passing, she believed in helping others by being an organ donor.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Pete Leeb; her parents, Fred and Viola Martfeld; her brother, Gene Martfeld; sister-in-law, Merle Martfeld, and brother-in-law, John Nowling.
Doretta is survived by her children, Chris Leeb of Mora, MN, Kellie (Kenny) Felde of Stanchfield, MN, and Matthew (Buffy) of Grand Rapids, MN; grandchildren, Emily, Christian, and Zachariah Leeb, Kaitlyn (Ryan) Doberstein and Korbyn Felde, Wyatt and Aurora Leeb; her siblings, Lila (Jack) Wilson, Ardis Nowling, Dean (Shirley) Martfeld, Verla (Donald) Donat, Levi Martfeld, and Audrey (Brion) Klande; numerous nieces and nephews and many other close relatives and friends.
Memorial Services are to be held on Saturday, February 13th, 2016. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with a service to follow at 2 p.m. at Spring Lake Lutheran Church, North Branch, MN. Online condolences can be made at StrikeFuneral.com.

Play Inc Community Theatre will perform the play “Couples Therapy” in Cambridge this February. This production marks the first time the show will be performed by any group outside of the playwright herself performing at the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

Director-Actor Jenna Pulkrabek has been in contact with the playwright, Kelliann Kary since the Fringe Festival in 2014 and requested the opportunity to bring the show to Cambridge. Play Inc knew that it was a perfect show to fit their “Date Night” February production.

This production marks the third “Date Night” production for Play Inc. Each year the theatre company has explored different aspects of relationships. First with the hilarious musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” Followed by last year’s touching production of “Love Letters.” All of these shows perform once or twice a week for multiple weeks in a very small intimate setting. Only 30 tickets are available for each performance.

“Couples Therapy” continues in the tradition of those two shows. This time we’ll follow two couples, Todd and Julie (played by Sam Johnson and Jessica Pierson) a couple in their 30s dealing with commitment issues, and Bob and Beverly (played by Jared Faust and Jenna Pulkrabek) dealing with an issue of a more intimate kind. Both couples take turns sharing in confessions and dialogues with an unseen therapist.

“Couples Therapy” performs Feb. 5, 12, 13, and 19 at Play Inc’s space on Second Avenue Southeast between American Janes and Sidelines in Cambridge. There are tickets still available for every performance, but the “Date Night” productions do have a history of selling out. It’s always good to check the webpage though to see if there are tickets left, or even stop by on the night of performances. You might luck out and score a ticket.

All shows are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and include the show along with desserts and coffee. Visit www.playinconline.org for more information.

Help make Cambridge dementia-friendly. Become a dementia friend.

To become a dementia friend you participate in a one-hour dementia friends session. By participation in this session you will learn a bit about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turn that understanding into action. Anyone of any age can be a dementia friend. Everyone is welcome. No prior experience is needed.

A dementia friends session is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 17 at GracePointe Crossing Heritage Center, 322 River Hills Place N., Cambridge. The session is from 1-2:30 p.m. Call Jayne Mund at 763-689-8811 to register. This program is offered through the Cambridge ACT on Alzheimer’s.

A dementia friend learns a bit about dementia and how to communicate and support someone with dementia. They then turn that understanding into action. Dementia friends is part of a growing network of people creating dementia-friendly communities together in your neighborhood, community or workplace.

The Kanabec County Art Association will hold its annual
Vasaloppet Art Show in a new location this year.

The Art Show, which runs in conjunction with the Vasaloppet Ski Races, will be held in Mora at 29 North Union, the Bread and Honey Annex. The show will feature the artwork of over 25 area artists and covers a wide range of mediums from painting to sculpture to textiles and photography.

The show opens on Friday afternoon, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. At 7 p.m., Mary Bruno, a graphic designer and artist from St. Joseph, will lead visitors on a gallery tour, commenting on the art work in the show. The show closes at 9 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, Feb. 13, the show opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Feb. 14, the show opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. There will be a silent auction with donations going to the Kanabec County Art Association’s Education Fund. For more information email art.kcaa@yahoo.com.

Stanchfield Baptist would like to invite the community to a free Valentine dinner and movie event Saturday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted with proceeds going to youth ministry.

After dinner the movie “War Room” will be shown. The movie is a compelling drama with humor and heart that explores the power prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships and every other area of our lives.

Tony and Elizabeth Jordan seemingly have it all — great jobs, a beautiful daughter and their dream house. But appearances can be deceiving. Tony and Elizabeth Jordan’s world is actually crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage. But their lives take an unexpected turn when Elizabeth meets Miss Clara who challenges Elizabeth to establish a prayer “war room” and a battle plan of prayer for her family.

As Elizabeth begins to fight for her family, Tony must decide if he will make amends. “War Room” is a vivid reminder that prayer is a powerful weapon.

The church is located at 38850 Midway St. NE in Stanchfield — north of Cambridge on Highway 65 and 1/2 mile east on Isanti County Road 3. Facilities are handicap accessible.

Call the church at 320-396-3391 or visit www.stanchfieldbaptist.com for more information. RSVP by Feb. 8.

The city of Cambridge is looking for residents who are willing to have a member of the Minnesota Design Team stay at their home.
The MDT, as members of the American Institute of Architects, has been around since 1983. Its multidisciplinary teams have worked with more than 120 rural communities, helping them to improve their built environments.

As part of the visit process, the team members like to stay with community residents to be able to talk with them on a one-on-one basis for more information.

The team will be arriving Thursday, March 31, and leaving Sunday April 3. All meals will be supplied for them at the various locations. So host families do not have to provide meals.

This is a great opportunity to assist the project and give your input on the future vision of Cambridge. To be a host, contact City Hall at 763-689-3211. You can also find additional information on the city’s website at www.ci.cambridge.mn.us.

A 26-year-old Isanti man has died after being struck by a vehicle in Pine County.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Nicholas W. Rickard’s disabled 2002 Honda Civic was in the lane of traffic on Interstate 35 in Pine County around 3 a.m. Jan. 30. Rickard’s vehicle was then struck by a 2016 Toyota Sienna, driven by Benjamin T. Bargabus, 40, of Redondo Beach, California.

The State Patrol said alcohol was not detected in Bargabus’ system and it was unknown if he sustained any injuries. Road conditions were reported as icy at the time of the incident.

The Pine County Sheriff’s Office assisted the State Patrol at the scene.