Ran on Friday, August 10, 2007
FDA detects no risk
Tests so far show Prilosec, Nexium don't cause heart problems
By the Associated Press and Leader-Telegram staff
WASHINGTON — The popular heartburn drugs Prilosec and Nexium do not appear to spur heart problems, according to preliminary results of U.S. and Canadian probes announced Thursday.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its Canadian counterpart began reviewing the drugs, used by tens of millions of people in May. That is when the manufacturer, British-based AstraZeneca, provided them an early analysis of two small studies that suggested the possibility of a risk.
The FDA followed up on those studies and found that they seemed skewed: Patients who underwent surgery were younger and healthier than those treated by drugs, suggesting the heart link was a coincidence.
Dr. Jaime Zighelboim, a Luther Midelfort gastroenterologist, said the drugs are safe and have an excellent track record.
"I certainly concur with the FDA's current analysis of the published literature that there is no evidence linking these drugs with an increased risk of heart problems," Zighelboim said.
Those studies compared treating the chronic heartburn known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, with either of the two drugs or with surgery, as well as tracked patients for five to 14 years. The company's initial analysis counted more patients treated with drugs who had had heart attacks, heart failure or heart-related sudden death.
While the studies' designs make safety assessments difficult, many of the participants who developed heart problems had risk factors before starting the drugs, Health Canada said Thursday.
The FDA then looked at 14 additional studies of the drugs and found no evidence of heart risks. In fact, in a few studies where patients received either medication or a dummy pill, those who took the heartburn drugs actually had a lower incidence of heart problems.
The FDA plans to complete its probe within three months, but issued a public notice Thursday that it "does not believe that health care providers or patients should change either their prescribing practices or their use of these products at this time."
Health Canada reached the same initial conclusion. It also urged doctors and patients to make no changes until its own probe is finished by year's end, noting that untreated GERD can lead to serious complications.
The drugs are among a family of acid-reducers known as proton pump inhibitors. FDA's Dr. Paul Seligman said Thursday that while the agency's focus is on Nexium and Prilosec, it is "interested in the data from all similar products" as it looks for all available evidence to settle the heart question.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Key issue on campus
Ran on Friday, August 10, 2007
Key issue on campus
In wake of Virginia Tech shooting, officials discuss safety
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
About 100 Chippewa Valley residents and officials heard ideas Thursday about how to make state campuses safer.
The state Task Force on Campus Safety met at UW-Eau Claire. Task force members discussed the best ways to handle security and preparedness at all state campuses.
The task force includes faculty and staff from universities and technical colleges, as well as police, students and community representatives throughout the state.
Gov. Jim Doyle formed the group after the murders at Virginia Tech in April. A student, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people before taking his own life.
"How do we protect the safety of the general public at a school?" Doyle asked those gathered in Davies Center.
Among the issues discussed Thursday was whether to identify a student with mental health problems who may pose a threat.
Gary Pavela, who teaches at the University of Maryland and has been honored for his work by the National Association of College and University Attorneys, said there is a fine line between keeping medical information private and protecting the public by identifying someone as a potential risk because of things they reveal to a counselor.
"No one wrote or adopted federal or state (patient privacy) laws with the view toward putting lives at risk," he said, adding that reasonable privacy needs to be applied.
Campuses need to be careful how they react to the Virgina Tech tragedy, Pavela said.
"We could go too far and make implicit connections," he said. "We need to be careful in making dramatic policy changes."
The Virginia Tech tragedy made Doyle think as a parent.
"One of the most troubling aspects of Virginia Tech was that student was a roommate," Doyle said. "I believe people have a right to know their son or daughter will not be put into danger."
The task force is expected to make recommendations to state campus officials before classes begin next month.
Key issue on campus
In wake of Virginia Tech shooting, officials discuss safety
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
About 100 Chippewa Valley residents and officials heard ideas Thursday about how to make state campuses safer.
The state Task Force on Campus Safety met at UW-Eau Claire. Task force members discussed the best ways to handle security and preparedness at all state campuses.
The task force includes faculty and staff from universities and technical colleges, as well as police, students and community representatives throughout the state.
Gov. Jim Doyle formed the group after the murders at Virginia Tech in April. A student, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people before taking his own life.
"How do we protect the safety of the general public at a school?" Doyle asked those gathered in Davies Center.
Among the issues discussed Thursday was whether to identify a student with mental health problems who may pose a threat.
Gary Pavela, who teaches at the University of Maryland and has been honored for his work by the National Association of College and University Attorneys, said there is a fine line between keeping medical information private and protecting the public by identifying someone as a potential risk because of things they reveal to a counselor.
"No one wrote or adopted federal or state (patient privacy) laws with the view toward putting lives at risk," he said, adding that reasonable privacy needs to be applied.
Campuses need to be careful how they react to the Virgina Tech tragedy, Pavela said.
"We could go too far and make implicit connections," he said. "We need to be careful in making dramatic policy changes."
The Virginia Tech tragedy made Doyle think as a parent.
"One of the most troubling aspects of Virginia Tech was that student was a roommate," Doyle said. "I believe people have a right to know their son or daughter will not be put into danger."
The task force is expected to make recommendations to state campus officials before classes begin next month.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
What do you think of Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aaron’s home run record?
Ran on Thursday, August 9, 2007
What do you think of Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aaron’s home run record?
Ed Leustek, 59
Eau Claire
"I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about those things. The world is always on the change and if you react to the past and expect the past to continue as it was, I think you’re going to be grossly disappointed."
Jack Nelson, 11
Chippewa Falls
"It’s very impressive, I would probably never be able to do that. I wouldn’t think I’d make it in the major leagues. Baseball is my favorite sport."
Erin Joyce-Miller, 47
Eau Claire
"I wish I didn’t have to wonder if he was using steroids or not. Cause then I could be really happy for him. But if he’s cheating he didn’t really get to break the record."
Jesse Seifert, 17
Pepin
"He did a nice job. It’s not as good as Hank Aaron doing it without the possibility of steroids, but it’s still cool."
Lisa Wilman, 29
Spring Valley
"Who is he?"
-Compiled by Leader-Telegram reporter Keighla Schmidt
*side note on this one: This was in the sports section, first time for that :)
What do you think of Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aaron’s home run record?
Ed Leustek, 59
Eau Claire
"I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about those things. The world is always on the change and if you react to the past and expect the past to continue as it was, I think you’re going to be grossly disappointed."
Jack Nelson, 11
Chippewa Falls
"It’s very impressive, I would probably never be able to do that. I wouldn’t think I’d make it in the major leagues. Baseball is my favorite sport."
Erin Joyce-Miller, 47
Eau Claire
"I wish I didn’t have to wonder if he was using steroids or not. Cause then I could be really happy for him. But if he’s cheating he didn’t really get to break the record."
Jesse Seifert, 17
Pepin
"He did a nice job. It’s not as good as Hank Aaron doing it without the possibility of steroids, but it’s still cool."
Lisa Wilman, 29
Spring Valley
"Who is he?"
-Compiled by Leader-Telegram reporter Keighla Schmidt
*side note on this one: This was in the sports section, first time for that :)
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Health care ideas debated
Ran Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Health care ideas debated
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
Chippewa Valley Republicans and Democrats don't see eye to eye on health care reform.
In the Democrat-controlled Senate, a health care plan called Healthy Wisconsin, included in the budget, was passed. Under the Healthy Wisconsin plan, people could contribute 4 percent of their monthly income, with no deductibles for children, to a trust and employers would pay between 10 and 14 percent on gross employee wages.
The Assembly, led by Republicans, cut that idea. Instead they proposed Health Saving Accounts where families would have a minimum deductible of $2,200, and a reported average of $4,070. Money is put into a personal account to be used exclusively for health care.
A consumer watchdog report released by Citizen Action of Wisconsin Tuesday said HSAs should be feared.
Tom Ahrens, western Wisconsin regional organizer for CAW, likened HSAs to "snake oil."
"It's a fancy-looking bottle with colorful liquid," he said. "This is the Assembly version of snake oil. It won't solve the problem, it will only make it worse."
According to 2002 census figures, the average income for a family in Wisconsin is $66,988. Paying thousands of dollars before receiving help is a irrational expectation of the average family, Ahrens said.
"It's a scam to let rich people shelter their tax money and dodge responsibility in that area," he said.
State Rep. Terry Moulton, R-Chippewa Falls, said the snake-oil analogy is turned around.
"They've got that backwards; the Healthy Wisconsin program is snake oil," Moulton said.
Moulton called Healthy Wisconsin a huge government-run system without legitimate public input.
"A government run socialized medicine plan is not the solution to a problem," Moulton said of Healthy Wisconsin. "In the long run, what will happen will be huge costs, lower quality and less access."
Citing countries such as Canada and France which currently have universal health care plans and have, he said, given some thought to turning to market-driven forums, Moulton thinks Healthy Wisconsin would be a program promoting socialist health care plans.
"Government will have to ration care," he said. "And decide who will pay for it."
State Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire, supports Healthy Wisconsin as an innovative idea.
People will be able to chose from state-sponsored health care companies and no one will be denied coverage, Smith said.
The Healthy Wisconsin plan is one Jill Schwenzfeier of Eau Claire likes to hear.
With 7- and 3-year-old children who have special needs, health care for them is a challenge. Each month the family is in limbo decided which bill to pay and which company to beg to not send to collections.
"I'm having to choose between going bankrupt or caring for my kids," she said.
With the Healthy Wisconsin plan, she would be able to pay for coverage and her children would get the help they need.
Health care ideas debated
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
Chippewa Valley Republicans and Democrats don't see eye to eye on health care reform.
In the Democrat-controlled Senate, a health care plan called Healthy Wisconsin, included in the budget, was passed. Under the Healthy Wisconsin plan, people could contribute 4 percent of their monthly income, with no deductibles for children, to a trust and employers would pay between 10 and 14 percent on gross employee wages.
The Assembly, led by Republicans, cut that idea. Instead they proposed Health Saving Accounts where families would have a minimum deductible of $2,200, and a reported average of $4,070. Money is put into a personal account to be used exclusively for health care.
A consumer watchdog report released by Citizen Action of Wisconsin Tuesday said HSAs should be feared.
Tom Ahrens, western Wisconsin regional organizer for CAW, likened HSAs to "snake oil."
"It's a fancy-looking bottle with colorful liquid," he said. "This is the Assembly version of snake oil. It won't solve the problem, it will only make it worse."
According to 2002 census figures, the average income for a family in Wisconsin is $66,988. Paying thousands of dollars before receiving help is a irrational expectation of the average family, Ahrens said.
"It's a scam to let rich people shelter their tax money and dodge responsibility in that area," he said.
State Rep. Terry Moulton, R-Chippewa Falls, said the snake-oil analogy is turned around.
"They've got that backwards; the Healthy Wisconsin program is snake oil," Moulton said.
Moulton called Healthy Wisconsin a huge government-run system without legitimate public input.
"A government run socialized medicine plan is not the solution to a problem," Moulton said of Healthy Wisconsin. "In the long run, what will happen will be huge costs, lower quality and less access."
Citing countries such as Canada and France which currently have universal health care plans and have, he said, given some thought to turning to market-driven forums, Moulton thinks Healthy Wisconsin would be a program promoting socialist health care plans.
"Government will have to ration care," he said. "And decide who will pay for it."
State Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire, supports Healthy Wisconsin as an innovative idea.
People will be able to chose from state-sponsored health care companies and no one will be denied coverage, Smith said.
The Healthy Wisconsin plan is one Jill Schwenzfeier of Eau Claire likes to hear.
With 7- and 3-year-old children who have special needs, health care for them is a challenge. Each month the family is in limbo decided which bill to pay and which company to beg to not send to collections.
"I'm having to choose between going bankrupt or caring for my kids," she said.
With the Healthy Wisconsin plan, she would be able to pay for coverage and her children would get the help they need.
ICE contact cards get warm reception
Ran Wednesday, August 8, 2007
ICE contact cards get warm reception
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
Imagine an infant whose parents have just been killed in a car accident. The child has no way to communicate with authorities to tell them who to contact.
Eau Claire County law enforcement doesn't want that to happen in the Chippewa Valley. AAA today is unveiling the In Case of Emergency Contact Program so someone can be contacted in an emergency.
ICE cards are available at AAA's Eau Claire office, 3630 Oakwood Hills Parkway, and from the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department.
"Following a traffic crash or other emergency, it is critical to get immediate medical treatment for victims and notify their loved ones," said Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent David Collins. "Too often their actions are delayed because law enforcement officials and other emergency response personnel cannot quickly identify victims' emergency contacts."
Eau Claire Police Lt. Karl Fisher recalls many cases where he has had difficulty identifying the victim.
"This is an excellent program," Fisher said.
ICE encourages motorists to use a variety of ways to identify someone to call in an emergency.
The first is a small card with names and numbers in the glove compartment, console or visor. Second, the letters ICE should be programmed in cell phones next to names of people to be called.
"First responders are trained to look to personal belongings to get hold of a person to talk to," Pam Moen of AAA Wisconsin said. "This is about saving time."
Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department Capt. Jeff Pettis said he remembers a fatal car accident where two extra hours were tacked on to an investigation trying to identify a family.
"It's amazing the number of people who travel without identification at all," Pettis said. "This is only going to help."
Moen recommends listing three people. A spouse or significant other may seem like an obvious choice, but they often accompany the driver, she said.
ICE contact cards get warm reception
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
Imagine an infant whose parents have just been killed in a car accident. The child has no way to communicate with authorities to tell them who to contact.
Eau Claire County law enforcement doesn't want that to happen in the Chippewa Valley. AAA today is unveiling the In Case of Emergency Contact Program so someone can be contacted in an emergency.
ICE cards are available at AAA's Eau Claire office, 3630 Oakwood Hills Parkway, and from the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department.
"Following a traffic crash or other emergency, it is critical to get immediate medical treatment for victims and notify their loved ones," said Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent David Collins. "Too often their actions are delayed because law enforcement officials and other emergency response personnel cannot quickly identify victims' emergency contacts."
Eau Claire Police Lt. Karl Fisher recalls many cases where he has had difficulty identifying the victim.
"This is an excellent program," Fisher said.
ICE encourages motorists to use a variety of ways to identify someone to call in an emergency.
The first is a small card with names and numbers in the glove compartment, console or visor. Second, the letters ICE should be programmed in cell phones next to names of people to be called.
"First responders are trained to look to personal belongings to get hold of a person to talk to," Pam Moen of AAA Wisconsin said. "This is about saving time."
Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department Capt. Jeff Pettis said he remembers a fatal car accident where two extra hours were tacked on to an investigation trying to identify a family.
"It's amazing the number of people who travel without identification at all," Pettis said. "This is only going to help."
Moen recommends listing three people. A spouse or significant other may seem like an obvious choice, but they often accompany the driver, she said.
Roundabout gets moving
Ran Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Roundabout gets moving
Project expected to help at busy intersection
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
South side motorists will be navigating a new roundabout intersection at Rudolph Road and Golf Road by mid-September.
After monitoring and analyzing the crossroads, Public Works Director Brian Amundson said a roundabout was the best solution to the accident-prone intersection.
With 9,600 vehicles traveling on Golf Road each day and 4,600 on Rudolph Road, the intersection averaged five right-angle accidents annually. Those crashes could be corrected by a four-way traffic light or a roundabout, Amundson said.
"We determined a roundabout was a better solution," Amundson said.
There were three main reasons Amundson cited for the roundabout resolution.
A roundabout reduces the number of conflict points a four-way intersection has from 32 to eight.
Secondly, it reduces the severity of accidents by slowing down speeds.
Lastly, and often most overlooked, according to Amundson, is the reduction of delay for individual drivers.
"If I'm coming up and there is no oncoming traffic, I don't have to stop. I continue driving," Amundson said.
At a traffic light, it's more likely a stop would be mandated.
Kilian Murphy, who lives on the south side and regularly drives on Golf Road, said the inconvenience of the present detour will pay off when construction is over.
Murphy's father, Michael, is a neurologist at Sacred Heart Hospital and Kilian said he likes the roundabout that was installed near the hospital.
"I think it's exciting," the 18-year-old Eau Claire resident said. "It might go a little faster."
At least one roundabout neighbor isn't as excited about the interchange alteration.
Living on one of the roundabouts four corners, Jim Newell, 1515 Golf Road, has his yard marked with plastic neon construction flags.
"I can say I'm not happy about it," Newell said. "It's a foolish project; there are other ways to do it."
His home will remain unscathed, but the yard will have a triangular section cemented as a sidewalk cuts across the yard making room for the new intersection.
Newell said he doesn't think the final product will achieve anything a signal could not.
Amundson said the initial cost of a roundabout is more than a traffic signal, it is more cost effective over time.
By paying less for electricity, bulb replacements and sign replacements, a modern roundabout pays for itself, Amundson said.
Ninety percent of the $230,000 project will be paid for through a federal grant, Amundson said. The remaining 10 percent will come from local tax dollars.
Eau Claire has two other roundabouts, each about two years old. Near Sacred Heart Hospital at the Hendrickson Drive and Heights Drive intersection, a roundabout was installed to clear up a previously awkward Y-intersection, Amundson said.
The other roundabout is in Sherman estates on the west side of Eau Claire.
Roundabout gets moving
Project expected to help at busy intersection
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
South side motorists will be navigating a new roundabout intersection at Rudolph Road and Golf Road by mid-September.
After monitoring and analyzing the crossroads, Public Works Director Brian Amundson said a roundabout was the best solution to the accident-prone intersection.
With 9,600 vehicles traveling on Golf Road each day and 4,600 on Rudolph Road, the intersection averaged five right-angle accidents annually. Those crashes could be corrected by a four-way traffic light or a roundabout, Amundson said.
"We determined a roundabout was a better solution," Amundson said.
There were three main reasons Amundson cited for the roundabout resolution.
A roundabout reduces the number of conflict points a four-way intersection has from 32 to eight.
Secondly, it reduces the severity of accidents by slowing down speeds.
Lastly, and often most overlooked, according to Amundson, is the reduction of delay for individual drivers.
"If I'm coming up and there is no oncoming traffic, I don't have to stop. I continue driving," Amundson said.
At a traffic light, it's more likely a stop would be mandated.
Kilian Murphy, who lives on the south side and regularly drives on Golf Road, said the inconvenience of the present detour will pay off when construction is over.
Murphy's father, Michael, is a neurologist at Sacred Heart Hospital and Kilian said he likes the roundabout that was installed near the hospital.
"I think it's exciting," the 18-year-old Eau Claire resident said. "It might go a little faster."
At least one roundabout neighbor isn't as excited about the interchange alteration.
Living on one of the roundabouts four corners, Jim Newell, 1515 Golf Road, has his yard marked with plastic neon construction flags.
"I can say I'm not happy about it," Newell said. "It's a foolish project; there are other ways to do it."
His home will remain unscathed, but the yard will have a triangular section cemented as a sidewalk cuts across the yard making room for the new intersection.
Newell said he doesn't think the final product will achieve anything a signal could not.
Amundson said the initial cost of a roundabout is more than a traffic signal, it is more cost effective over time.
By paying less for electricity, bulb replacements and sign replacements, a modern roundabout pays for itself, Amundson said.
Ninety percent of the $230,000 project will be paid for through a federal grant, Amundson said. The remaining 10 percent will come from local tax dollars.
Eau Claire has two other roundabouts, each about two years old. Near Sacred Heart Hospital at the Hendrickson Drive and Heights Drive intersection, a roundabout was installed to clear up a previously awkward Y-intersection, Amundson said.
The other roundabout is in Sherman estates on the west side of Eau Claire.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Parched fields drastically cut farmers' hay yields
Monday,August 6, 2007
Parched fields drastically cut farmers' hay yields
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
Lack of rain, heat and dry soil have made life difficult for Chippewa Valley farmers growing hay to feed their animals.
"For a lot of people it causes a lot of stress, because of the uncertainty it causes," said Carl Duley, Buffalo County UW-Extension agriculture agent.
David and Dette Bischoff of Comstock, in western Barron County, felt that uncertainty and took drastic measures. In June they cut back from 40 to 20 dairy heifers after recognizing early in the season that they would be short of hay.
"It was a rain problem," David Bischoff said. "It was just a gut feeling; we decided we would be better off if we cut back."
After cutting their herd in half, the Bischoffs now have enough hay to last through spring. However, the Bischoffs, who have farmed for 10 years, will make a smaller profit from the dairy herd than they have in previous years.
Roy Anderson, 87, who lives off Highway P in the township of Lake Hallie, sells the hay he harvests from 100 acres each year typically to horse owners. His price is $2.25 a bale. This year there was much less to sell.
"The hay crop was short because of the dry weather," Anderson said.
Tim Jergenson, Barron County UW-Extension agriculture agent, said there has not been enough rain for the hay.
"It's a really, really dry period," Jergenson said.
Recently, farmers across Barron County harvested 50 percent of the hay they usually do during the second of three annual cuttings.
Some weekend rain helped the crop slightly, but overall conditions remain dry with many area counties still in severe drought, which also is affecting corn and other crops. The National Weather Service reported 0.19 inch of rain accumulated Saturday at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.
"It's not enough to really put a dent in the drought," National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Freidlein said Sunday.
Jergenson agreed. "Everyone is happy about the rain; it just isn't enough. We can't go back in any way and recapture any of the hay we missed."
According to the National Weather Service, April-through-July precipitation is about 4 inches below average in Bloomer and 5.8 inches below average at the airport on Eau Claire's north side.
The below-average precipitation is a concern across the region. Eau Claire County UW-Extension Agriculture Agent Mahlon Peterson said the Eau Claire County outlook is even more grim. The second hay crop produced only one-tenth of an average year's harvest.
Peterson said farmers have options to compensate for the lack of rain. "In most cases they design rations to contain more corn silage or roughage," he said.
Peterson said the worst-case scenarios are reducing the herd size or buying feed at a higher price.
Some areas will harvest more than 200 bushels of hay per acre, and others will be as low as 20 bushels per acre, Peterson said.
"Rains have been very spotty," Peterson said of the situation coutywide.
Duley said drought conditions were similar in Buffalo County, where he said the second crop of hay cut recently produced 35 percent to 40 percent of what it would on an average year.
Duley said 1992 was the last time a drought was this widespread in Buffalo County.
Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203 or keighla.schmidt@ecpc.com.
Parched fields drastically cut farmers' hay yields
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
Lack of rain, heat and dry soil have made life difficult for Chippewa Valley farmers growing hay to feed their animals.
"For a lot of people it causes a lot of stress, because of the uncertainty it causes," said Carl Duley, Buffalo County UW-Extension agriculture agent.
David and Dette Bischoff of Comstock, in western Barron County, felt that uncertainty and took drastic measures. In June they cut back from 40 to 20 dairy heifers after recognizing early in the season that they would be short of hay.
"It was a rain problem," David Bischoff said. "It was just a gut feeling; we decided we would be better off if we cut back."
After cutting their herd in half, the Bischoffs now have enough hay to last through spring. However, the Bischoffs, who have farmed for 10 years, will make a smaller profit from the dairy herd than they have in previous years.
Roy Anderson, 87, who lives off Highway P in the township of Lake Hallie, sells the hay he harvests from 100 acres each year typically to horse owners. His price is $2.25 a bale. This year there was much less to sell.
"The hay crop was short because of the dry weather," Anderson said.
Tim Jergenson, Barron County UW-Extension agriculture agent, said there has not been enough rain for the hay.
"It's a really, really dry period," Jergenson said.
Recently, farmers across Barron County harvested 50 percent of the hay they usually do during the second of three annual cuttings.
Some weekend rain helped the crop slightly, but overall conditions remain dry with many area counties still in severe drought, which also is affecting corn and other crops. The National Weather Service reported 0.19 inch of rain accumulated Saturday at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.
"It's not enough to really put a dent in the drought," National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Freidlein said Sunday.
Jergenson agreed. "Everyone is happy about the rain; it just isn't enough. We can't go back in any way and recapture any of the hay we missed."
According to the National Weather Service, April-through-July precipitation is about 4 inches below average in Bloomer and 5.8 inches below average at the airport on Eau Claire's north side.
The below-average precipitation is a concern across the region. Eau Claire County UW-Extension Agriculture Agent Mahlon Peterson said the Eau Claire County outlook is even more grim. The second hay crop produced only one-tenth of an average year's harvest.
Peterson said farmers have options to compensate for the lack of rain. "In most cases they design rations to contain more corn silage or roughage," he said.
Peterson said the worst-case scenarios are reducing the herd size or buying feed at a higher price.
Some areas will harvest more than 200 bushels of hay per acre, and others will be as low as 20 bushels per acre, Peterson said.
"Rains have been very spotty," Peterson said of the situation coutywide.
Duley said drought conditions were similar in Buffalo County, where he said the second crop of hay cut recently produced 35 percent to 40 percent of what it would on an average year.
Duley said 1992 was the last time a drought was this widespread in Buffalo County.
Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203 or keighla.schmidt@ecpc.com.
Thirst and goal
Ran on Monday,August 6, 2007
Thirst and goal
Football, heat a double whammy during preseason
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
The most important safety equipment for high school athletes might not be a helmet, pads or the right shoes — it might be a water bottle.
High school sports practices get under way this week. With recent temperatures in the 90s and humidity as high as 93 percent, student-athletes can run the risk of overheating.
Coaches are on the lookout for teenagers who are active in the heat.
"It's an issue and a concern," said Dean Rosemeyer, who is starting his first year as Eau Claire North High School's head football coach. "We do a lot of talking about hydrating."
To prevent an emergency, Rosemeyer will encourage his players to take frequent water breaks and spend time in the shade.
"We need to have their tanks filled," he said.
The overheating hazard was thrust into the national spotlight in August 2001 when Minnesota Vikings starting offensive lineman Korey Stringer died of heat stroke during training.
Rosemeyer said players do many conditioning drills that involve a lot of running to get their bodies in shape. Wearing all the extra football gear further raises their body temperatures.
Last week, Regis High School senior Zac Berry left a workout early at his father's request. Berry had gone straight from his job that sometimes takes him outside to football practice.
"(Overheating) could be a problem," said Berry, who plays tight end and defensive end.
Menomonie High School senior Jared Sawle, a quarterback, said the additional gear gets warm, so he takes extra measures to stay cool and encourages others to do the same.
"You should drink plenty of water," Sawle said. "And if you do feel like you're getting too warm, ask for a break. The coaches will probably give it to you; it's more important than another rep(etition)."
Chippewa Falls Senior High School football Coach Chuck Raykovich agrees.
"It's not a problem for us," he said, "because we have an open-door policy as far as liquid goes."
Raykovich said his players can bring their own water bottles or drink the water provided.
"They can get water whenever they want it."
Those are things Dr. Jim Walker likes to hear. As team physician for Menomonie, Walker said the best way to avoid a heat-related emergency is to avoid excessive heat and stay hydrated.
Not just football
Although their pads and helmets trap the heat, football players aren't the only fall student-athletes at risk of overheating.
North High School Athletic Director Dave Turner said even students playing sports that require less gear — such as cross country runners, soccer and tennis players — must be mindful in the heat.
Walker said long-distance runners need to closely monitor themselves because the conditions in which they work out and the lengths to which they push themselves prime their bodies for overheating.
Taking direction from the athletic director, North High School head soccer Coach Terry Albrecht said he monitors players' activity.
"It's one of the issues I pay pretty close attention to," Albrecht said. "I'm usually pretty good at spotting when an athlete isn't doing too well."
He also asks senior players to alert him when teammates seem as if they might be in danger. The boys' soccer team has one more advantage over football players who must practice in the heat: The soccer players can remove their shirts and cool down.
"The football guys can't do that," Albrecht said.
Rosemeyer has another option, too.
"We have them take their shoulder pads off," Rosemeyer said. "It lightens the load a little bit."
Turner warned those involved with indoor sports to watch for signs of overheating too.
While volleyball players in the gym and swimmers in the pool are out of the direct sun, they aren't in air conditioning.
Beating the heat
Athletic directors rely on the coaches to schedule practices at times that make the most sense depending on the weather.
"We expect coaches to take ownership on a sport-by-sport basis," Turner said.
While he doesn't put any specific time of day off limits, Turner said he encourages coaches to consider the heat and the effect it could have on the players.
Rosemeyer, for example, has scheduled football practices from 8 a.m. to noon.
Menomonie's Sawle said last week's players' minicamp only in the morning.
Seeking consistency, Raykovich said Chippewa Falls holds practices at the same time during the summer and during the school year — 4 to 8 p.m.
Albrecht, who has coached soccer for 25 years, splits the preseason workouts into two sessions. Conditioning runs from 9 to 11 a.m., and field training runs from about 2 to 4 p.m. He said the hard, constant work is in the earlier, cooler portion of the day.
"It's intentional to avoid the heat and to give them a break," Albrecht said.
Watching games from the sidelines, Walker provides his medical expertise and pushes athletes with muscle cramps and borderline heat exhaustion to drink water infused with a dissolving electrolyte packet.
"It tastes awful, but it replaces the electrolytes," Walker said. "The big thing is hydrating — before, during and after."
Why it's a problem
During tryouts or early season practices when athletes are trying to impress the coaches and get ready for the season, Turner said they will push their bodies to a new level.
"Kids will go way past the point of danger when an adult would know to stop," Turner said.
Coaches and athletic directors didn't cite any serious situations where athletes have had to seek medical attention for a heat-related emergency, but "it's always a potential," Turner said.
Schools are familiar with helping athletes beat the heat.
"It's something we deal with every year," said Steve Kolden, Menomonie High School athletic director and co-principal.
"We have to watch the heat, watch the humidity index and get them plenty of water."
The recent warm weather may even be good for athletes heading into practice.
"We're fortunate it's been so warm," Rosemeyer said. "It's gotten us all acclimated."
Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203 or keighla.schmidt@ecpc.com.
Thirst and goal
Football, heat a double whammy during preseason
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
The most important safety equipment for high school athletes might not be a helmet, pads or the right shoes — it might be a water bottle.
High school sports practices get under way this week. With recent temperatures in the 90s and humidity as high as 93 percent, student-athletes can run the risk of overheating.
Coaches are on the lookout for teenagers who are active in the heat.
"It's an issue and a concern," said Dean Rosemeyer, who is starting his first year as Eau Claire North High School's head football coach. "We do a lot of talking about hydrating."
To prevent an emergency, Rosemeyer will encourage his players to take frequent water breaks and spend time in the shade.
"We need to have their tanks filled," he said.
The overheating hazard was thrust into the national spotlight in August 2001 when Minnesota Vikings starting offensive lineman Korey Stringer died of heat stroke during training.
Rosemeyer said players do many conditioning drills that involve a lot of running to get their bodies in shape. Wearing all the extra football gear further raises their body temperatures.
Last week, Regis High School senior Zac Berry left a workout early at his father's request. Berry had gone straight from his job that sometimes takes him outside to football practice.
"(Overheating) could be a problem," said Berry, who plays tight end and defensive end.
Menomonie High School senior Jared Sawle, a quarterback, said the additional gear gets warm, so he takes extra measures to stay cool and encourages others to do the same.
"You should drink plenty of water," Sawle said. "And if you do feel like you're getting too warm, ask for a break. The coaches will probably give it to you; it's more important than another rep(etition)."
Chippewa Falls Senior High School football Coach Chuck Raykovich agrees.
"It's not a problem for us," he said, "because we have an open-door policy as far as liquid goes."
Raykovich said his players can bring their own water bottles or drink the water provided.
"They can get water whenever they want it."
Those are things Dr. Jim Walker likes to hear. As team physician for Menomonie, Walker said the best way to avoid a heat-related emergency is to avoid excessive heat and stay hydrated.
Not just football
Although their pads and helmets trap the heat, football players aren't the only fall student-athletes at risk of overheating.
North High School Athletic Director Dave Turner said even students playing sports that require less gear — such as cross country runners, soccer and tennis players — must be mindful in the heat.
Walker said long-distance runners need to closely monitor themselves because the conditions in which they work out and the lengths to which they push themselves prime their bodies for overheating.
Taking direction from the athletic director, North High School head soccer Coach Terry Albrecht said he monitors players' activity.
"It's one of the issues I pay pretty close attention to," Albrecht said. "I'm usually pretty good at spotting when an athlete isn't doing too well."
He also asks senior players to alert him when teammates seem as if they might be in danger. The boys' soccer team has one more advantage over football players who must practice in the heat: The soccer players can remove their shirts and cool down.
"The football guys can't do that," Albrecht said.
Rosemeyer has another option, too.
"We have them take their shoulder pads off," Rosemeyer said. "It lightens the load a little bit."
Turner warned those involved with indoor sports to watch for signs of overheating too.
While volleyball players in the gym and swimmers in the pool are out of the direct sun, they aren't in air conditioning.
Beating the heat
Athletic directors rely on the coaches to schedule practices at times that make the most sense depending on the weather.
"We expect coaches to take ownership on a sport-by-sport basis," Turner said.
While he doesn't put any specific time of day off limits, Turner said he encourages coaches to consider the heat and the effect it could have on the players.
Rosemeyer, for example, has scheduled football practices from 8 a.m. to noon.
Menomonie's Sawle said last week's players' minicamp only in the morning.
Seeking consistency, Raykovich said Chippewa Falls holds practices at the same time during the summer and during the school year — 4 to 8 p.m.
Albrecht, who has coached soccer for 25 years, splits the preseason workouts into two sessions. Conditioning runs from 9 to 11 a.m., and field training runs from about 2 to 4 p.m. He said the hard, constant work is in the earlier, cooler portion of the day.
"It's intentional to avoid the heat and to give them a break," Albrecht said.
Watching games from the sidelines, Walker provides his medical expertise and pushes athletes with muscle cramps and borderline heat exhaustion to drink water infused with a dissolving electrolyte packet.
"It tastes awful, but it replaces the electrolytes," Walker said. "The big thing is hydrating — before, during and after."
Why it's a problem
During tryouts or early season practices when athletes are trying to impress the coaches and get ready for the season, Turner said they will push their bodies to a new level.
"Kids will go way past the point of danger when an adult would know to stop," Turner said.
Coaches and athletic directors didn't cite any serious situations where athletes have had to seek medical attention for a heat-related emergency, but "it's always a potential," Turner said.
Schools are familiar with helping athletes beat the heat.
"It's something we deal with every year," said Steve Kolden, Menomonie High School athletic director and co-principal.
"We have to watch the heat, watch the humidity index and get them plenty of water."
The recent warm weather may even be good for athletes heading into practice.
"We're fortunate it's been so warm," Rosemeyer said. "It's gotten us all acclimated."
Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203 or keighla.schmidt@ecpc.com.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Personality in the plants
Ran on Saturday, August 4, 2007
Personality in the plants
Speaker's creative streak reflected in his gardens
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
Karma: What goes around comes back around.
Mike McKinley of Eau Claire is bringing karma to the land by planting trees in an area about one mile south of Eau Claire where early European settlers converted forest to farmland.
Twenty-five acres of land used to grow crops a dozen years ago is now GEM Gardens, an expanse of rolling hills, raspberry plants and trees that is open to the public.
And it started over a bottle of wine with his late wife, Nancy.
"We wanted an interesting place for ourselves," McKinley said. "We wanted to have something different that people would want to come to and bring their friends."
The absence of a parking or admission fee shows McKinley's earnest desire to share nature and the gardens he created.
The multiple gardens and large amounts of foliage make him charitable, at least according to one old friend.
Retired Eau Claire physician Phil Happe has known McKinley for about 30 years and said he is a special guy.
"He's very generous," Happe said. "He's pleasant."
Placed around the 25 acres are small gardens of flowers and bushes arranged in different shapes - a star, rectangle, triangle and pine tree.
"A garden reflects the person," he said. He described himself as nontraditional, highly creative and risk-taking person, as reflected in his gardens.
McKinley has been landscaping since he was 17 and likes to use to use scraps from his father's junk pile to construct garden features such as fountains and garden characters.
"It's a really fun experience," he said. "I just like to see how things happen."
Copper pipes formed into a functioning water fountain near the parking lot give first-time visitors a preview of the garden's intricacies.
Each year a different floral scheme is chosen for the annuals. Along with raspberries, visitors can take fresh bouquets of flowers home, depending on what is in bloom. Payment is on the honor system.
A gazebo, pagoda and seven water features are strewn across the lawn.
Water is a commodity for the 25-acre oasis. Rain is collected into a 10,000-gallon tank and is used on the plants so underground water tanks don't run dry.
Mulch is used around the trees and gardens to trap the water and slow weed growth.
McKinley earns his living by speaking with businesses across the U.S. about best practices. He also recently sold the educational publishing company he started. The author of five books, he has more on his mind than just gardening.
Always working, McKinley enjoys intertwining his two passions.
"I create the best speeches when I'm gardening," he said. "I create the best gardens when I'm creating my speeches."
The gardens require constant attention and frequent maintenance. McKinley said the equivalent of 2 1/2 full-time employees work the grounds.
Manicuring the grounds takes about 30 hours of mowing and lots of weed pulling when the grass gets long.
Though GEM Gardens took lots of planning, McKinley said it also required some trial and error.
"Usually more error," McKinley said. "The strategy is usually, 'OK, this would be good to do.' "
His advice for gardening - and life - is: "If it doesn't look right, pull it out."
Berries abound
Thousands of raspberry plants bring visitors to the garden to pay $10 so they can fill a bucket with berries. Berries also are sold on the honor system.
Enjoying retirement, Happe, who worked for Luther-Midelfort, goes to the gardens about six times a year to pick raspberries.
He enjoys the nostalgic sentiment in picking. Happe said it brings him back to his childhood days of picking strawberries in the summertime near Minneapolis. Now he brings his visiting grandchildren to GEM Gardens to pass on the memories.
"It's such a beautiful setting," Happe said. "I love to pick berries. It's a great setting, it's relaxing and a good time to meditate."
Each year McKinley plants about 300 new raspberry plants in GEM Gardens. By mid-June they are in bloom; the picking season continues until the first frost.
There are a few berry patches within the garden. The oldest bushes are near his home on the property. They were planted about 25 years ago and still bear fruit. Another section, known as "The Strips," has row upon row of berries.
"People like it because it's easy to walk on either side of the plants and find the berries," he said. "Sometimes I have to teach them how to pick. ... The best berries aren't at the top, they're under the leaves."
The newest raspberry patch is atop a hill where five circles of the crop are growing and ready to be picked.
"It wasn't for anything other than looks," McKinley said of the design.
He chose the crop because it requires little attention and maintenance.
Near the new patch is a maze of Japanese larch pine trees. Eight years ago McKinley planted 2-foot-tall trees, which now stand about 7 feet tall. If left untrimmed, the 530 trees would grow to be about 50 feet tall, McKinley said.
A raised platform emerges from the middle of the maze to provide a view of the garden expanse.
The past few years have been filled with construction and designing new features. McKinley hopes to calm some of the commotion after his wedding this August to Deb Grabrain in the garden.
Believing there is "more to life" for retirees, the 64-year-old thinks fish fries and bingo games are limiting and plans to continue speaking and gardening.
"I started this to see if you can take nothing and build it into something," he said. "There's always another year to do it in."
Personality in the plants
Speaker's creative streak reflected in his gardens
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
Karma: What goes around comes back around.
Mike McKinley of Eau Claire is bringing karma to the land by planting trees in an area about one mile south of Eau Claire where early European settlers converted forest to farmland.
Twenty-five acres of land used to grow crops a dozen years ago is now GEM Gardens, an expanse of rolling hills, raspberry plants and trees that is open to the public.
And it started over a bottle of wine with his late wife, Nancy.
"We wanted an interesting place for ourselves," McKinley said. "We wanted to have something different that people would want to come to and bring their friends."
The absence of a parking or admission fee shows McKinley's earnest desire to share nature and the gardens he created.
The multiple gardens and large amounts of foliage make him charitable, at least according to one old friend.
Retired Eau Claire physician Phil Happe has known McKinley for about 30 years and said he is a special guy.
"He's very generous," Happe said. "He's pleasant."
Placed around the 25 acres are small gardens of flowers and bushes arranged in different shapes - a star, rectangle, triangle and pine tree.
"A garden reflects the person," he said. He described himself as nontraditional, highly creative and risk-taking person, as reflected in his gardens.
McKinley has been landscaping since he was 17 and likes to use to use scraps from his father's junk pile to construct garden features such as fountains and garden characters.
"It's a really fun experience," he said. "I just like to see how things happen."
Copper pipes formed into a functioning water fountain near the parking lot give first-time visitors a preview of the garden's intricacies.
Each year a different floral scheme is chosen for the annuals. Along with raspberries, visitors can take fresh bouquets of flowers home, depending on what is in bloom. Payment is on the honor system.
A gazebo, pagoda and seven water features are strewn across the lawn.
Water is a commodity for the 25-acre oasis. Rain is collected into a 10,000-gallon tank and is used on the plants so underground water tanks don't run dry.
Mulch is used around the trees and gardens to trap the water and slow weed growth.
McKinley earns his living by speaking with businesses across the U.S. about best practices. He also recently sold the educational publishing company he started. The author of five books, he has more on his mind than just gardening.
Always working, McKinley enjoys intertwining his two passions.
"I create the best speeches when I'm gardening," he said. "I create the best gardens when I'm creating my speeches."
The gardens require constant attention and frequent maintenance. McKinley said the equivalent of 2 1/2 full-time employees work the grounds.
Manicuring the grounds takes about 30 hours of mowing and lots of weed pulling when the grass gets long.
Though GEM Gardens took lots of planning, McKinley said it also required some trial and error.
"Usually more error," McKinley said. "The strategy is usually, 'OK, this would be good to do.' "
His advice for gardening - and life - is: "If it doesn't look right, pull it out."
Berries abound
Thousands of raspberry plants bring visitors to the garden to pay $10 so they can fill a bucket with berries. Berries also are sold on the honor system.
Enjoying retirement, Happe, who worked for Luther-Midelfort, goes to the gardens about six times a year to pick raspberries.
He enjoys the nostalgic sentiment in picking. Happe said it brings him back to his childhood days of picking strawberries in the summertime near Minneapolis. Now he brings his visiting grandchildren to GEM Gardens to pass on the memories.
"It's such a beautiful setting," Happe said. "I love to pick berries. It's a great setting, it's relaxing and a good time to meditate."
Each year McKinley plants about 300 new raspberry plants in GEM Gardens. By mid-June they are in bloom; the picking season continues until the first frost.
There are a few berry patches within the garden. The oldest bushes are near his home on the property. They were planted about 25 years ago and still bear fruit. Another section, known as "The Strips," has row upon row of berries.
"People like it because it's easy to walk on either side of the plants and find the berries," he said. "Sometimes I have to teach them how to pick. ... The best berries aren't at the top, they're under the leaves."
The newest raspberry patch is atop a hill where five circles of the crop are growing and ready to be picked.
"It wasn't for anything other than looks," McKinley said of the design.
He chose the crop because it requires little attention and maintenance.
Near the new patch is a maze of Japanese larch pine trees. Eight years ago McKinley planted 2-foot-tall trees, which now stand about 7 feet tall. If left untrimmed, the 530 trees would grow to be about 50 feet tall, McKinley said.
A raised platform emerges from the middle of the maze to provide a view of the garden expanse.
The past few years have been filled with construction and designing new features. McKinley hopes to calm some of the commotion after his wedding this August to Deb Grabrain in the garden.
Believing there is "more to life" for retirees, the 64-year-old thinks fish fries and bingo games are limiting and plans to continue speaking and gardening.
"I started this to see if you can take nothing and build it into something," he said. "There's always another year to do it in."
Mission-minded
Ran on Saturday, August 4, 2007
Two Eau Claire churches send students and adults to Mexico who are ...
Mission-minded
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
Neither the heat, the language barrier nor the need for passports could keep more than 60 high school students from going on a mission trip to Mexico.
"The experience of going to Mexico and bringing the Gospel is pretty appealing," said Adam Berge, pastor of youth and family ministries at Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church in Eau Claire.
Groups of students and chaperones from Bethesda and Jacob's Well went to the San Quintin Valley in Baja California, Mexico, for a week in late June. This mission was chosen because it was in an established area and churches were already there, Berge said.
"We got to participate with a local church," he said. The Rev. Berge expected the involvement would make an impact and not dissolve with their departure.
It was the largest group Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church has taken on a mission - a total of 86 people, Berge said.
They worked with a mission group called Missions to Mexico. Founder and president Mike Fink said it was a larger sized group for the organization which annually brings 700 missionaries across the border.
"They were really, really wonderful people," Fink said. "Very generous."
Fink split the group into two teams because of its large size. Students were able to serve two of roughly 100 churches in the rural area of the valley - Tourre Fuerte, which translates to strong refuge, and Nuevo Pacto, meaning new covenant.
Each group performed construction and maintenance work on church buildings, did evangelism work home to home in the community and taught vacation Bible school to area children.
"Every year (the group size) seems to grow and grow," he said.
Mariah Mousel, 15, of Eau Claire contributed to the growing number. It was her first mission trip.
"I didn't know what to expect," she said. "I was hoping to change some lives while we were down there."
Mousel said she thinks the group did change lives by helping to open people to Christ.
At the end of their week, the children who attended the Bible school classes were asked to come forward if they were ready to accept Christ into their lives.
About 30 children came to the front of the church, Mousel said.
Dani Waller, 15, of Eau Claire had been on youth outings organized with the Bethesda youth group before, but this was her first mission trip.
"It was definitely the highlight of the summer," Waller said.
She recalled meeting with a young girl at the Bible school who touched her heart.
The 9-year-old girl sat and read the Bible with her - sharing the Gospel as a smile overtook the young girl's face.
"You could tell how much it meant to her to hear 'Jesus loves you,' " Waller said.
Despite taking two years of Spanish-language courses, Waller said she wasn't fluent in the language, but it wasn't a problem.
"The language barrier was easily overcome," she said. "Especially with the kids; they're so understanding."
Berge also found that to be true.
"We were surprised about how well we could communicate," he said. "A smile goes a long way."
The team brought smiles to the faces of people in pain as well. Four doctors accompanied the youth and set up a medical clinic while across the border.
Dr. Andrew Floren, an occupational physician at Luther Midelfort, and his wife, Dr. Lydia Floren, a family practice physician in Bloomer, call themselves a "pair-o-docs."
The two doctors, along with Dr. Phil Jacoby, who works in family practice at Marshfield Clinic, and Dr. Greg Kishaba, a Luther Midelfort pediatrician, all worked together to serve the medical needs of several hundred natives.
"Some we could help remarkably," Andrew Floren said.
The people were given vitamins and pain relievers, and some were given much more.
While traveling with the intention of being missionaries to the local people, the group found themselves being ministered themselves through one local man they called Antonio.
Antonio was working with the group and he had abdominal pain. He was told he had a hernia.
The hernia required surgery, and through donations from the missionaries, more than $800 was raised for Antonio's surgery.
"We expect to give them something, but we came back and we're the ones given something," Berge said.
Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203.
Two Eau Claire churches send students and adults to Mexico who are ...
Mission-minded
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
Neither the heat, the language barrier nor the need for passports could keep more than 60 high school students from going on a mission trip to Mexico.
"The experience of going to Mexico and bringing the Gospel is pretty appealing," said Adam Berge, pastor of youth and family ministries at Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church in Eau Claire.
Groups of students and chaperones from Bethesda and Jacob's Well went to the San Quintin Valley in Baja California, Mexico, for a week in late June. This mission was chosen because it was in an established area and churches were already there, Berge said.
"We got to participate with a local church," he said. The Rev. Berge expected the involvement would make an impact and not dissolve with their departure.
It was the largest group Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church has taken on a mission - a total of 86 people, Berge said.
They worked with a mission group called Missions to Mexico. Founder and president Mike Fink said it was a larger sized group for the organization which annually brings 700 missionaries across the border.
"They were really, really wonderful people," Fink said. "Very generous."
Fink split the group into two teams because of its large size. Students were able to serve two of roughly 100 churches in the rural area of the valley - Tourre Fuerte, which translates to strong refuge, and Nuevo Pacto, meaning new covenant.
Each group performed construction and maintenance work on church buildings, did evangelism work home to home in the community and taught vacation Bible school to area children.
"Every year (the group size) seems to grow and grow," he said.
Mariah Mousel, 15, of Eau Claire contributed to the growing number. It was her first mission trip.
"I didn't know what to expect," she said. "I was hoping to change some lives while we were down there."
Mousel said she thinks the group did change lives by helping to open people to Christ.
At the end of their week, the children who attended the Bible school classes were asked to come forward if they were ready to accept Christ into their lives.
About 30 children came to the front of the church, Mousel said.
Dani Waller, 15, of Eau Claire had been on youth outings organized with the Bethesda youth group before, but this was her first mission trip.
"It was definitely the highlight of the summer," Waller said.
She recalled meeting with a young girl at the Bible school who touched her heart.
The 9-year-old girl sat and read the Bible with her - sharing the Gospel as a smile overtook the young girl's face.
"You could tell how much it meant to her to hear 'Jesus loves you,' " Waller said.
Despite taking two years of Spanish-language courses, Waller said she wasn't fluent in the language, but it wasn't a problem.
"The language barrier was easily overcome," she said. "Especially with the kids; they're so understanding."
Berge also found that to be true.
"We were surprised about how well we could communicate," he said. "A smile goes a long way."
The team brought smiles to the faces of people in pain as well. Four doctors accompanied the youth and set up a medical clinic while across the border.
Dr. Andrew Floren, an occupational physician at Luther Midelfort, and his wife, Dr. Lydia Floren, a family practice physician in Bloomer, call themselves a "pair-o-docs."
The two doctors, along with Dr. Phil Jacoby, who works in family practice at Marshfield Clinic, and Dr. Greg Kishaba, a Luther Midelfort pediatrician, all worked together to serve the medical needs of several hundred natives.
"Some we could help remarkably," Andrew Floren said.
The people were given vitamins and pain relievers, and some were given much more.
While traveling with the intention of being missionaries to the local people, the group found themselves being ministered themselves through one local man they called Antonio.
Antonio was working with the group and he had abdominal pain. He was told he had a hernia.
The hernia required surgery, and through donations from the missionaries, more than $800 was raised for Antonio's surgery.
"We expect to give them something, but we came back and we're the ones given something," Berge said.
Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203.
ConocoPhillips pulling gas brands out of state markets
Ran on Saturday, August 4, 2007
ConocoPhillips pulling gas brands out of state markets
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
Gas stations across Wisconsin - including several in the Chippewa Valley - are taking down their Conoco, Phillips 66 and Union 76 signs.
The company was pulling its gas brands out of parts of Wisconsin effective Friday, according to Terry Hunt, coordinator of Downstream Communications, which works for ConocoPhillips.
ConocoPhillips is leaving many states, including Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina and certain portions of Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona and Nevada, Hunt said, adding the company hopes to focus on states where it has refineries, including California, Washington, Montana, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Louisiana.
"Our strategy is to be located in markets where we can capitalize on our efficiencies and stronger competitive positions," Hunt said.
The transition was announced to marketers at the end of January, she said.
"We're thinking in the long run it will be beneficial to be around our refineries," Hunt said.
The company is not anticipating any fiscal losses, she said.
Handy Mart, 300 Prospect St., Durand, no longer sells Conoco gasoline but for now is selling "unbranded" product, meaning it sells fuel that is not a brand, Manager Jody Olson said Friday.
Olson said he is unsure what brand of gasoline the store will buy.
"We'll have to just get our gas from another brand," he said.
The store will remain a Handy Mart, he said.
An Elk Mound Phillips 66 store changed to a BP station, an employee said Friday. A manager at the store could not be reached for comment.
Customers were given little warning. Ken Hanson of Chippewa Falls shops at what was a Phillips 66 station in Cameron. Using his Conoco credit card to fill up on a near-daily basis, he said the manager called him to let him know Friday morning his card no longer would work.
"It was a shocker," said Hanson, who works for the Eau Claire Press Co. "On our end it caused a lot of problems."
Conoco credit cards no longer will be honored at the former stations. If the card is a Conoco Mastercard, however, it still will be valid, Olson said.
Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203 or keighla.schmidt@ecpc.com.
ConocoPhillips pulling gas brands out of state markets
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
Gas stations across Wisconsin - including several in the Chippewa Valley - are taking down their Conoco, Phillips 66 and Union 76 signs.
The company was pulling its gas brands out of parts of Wisconsin effective Friday, according to Terry Hunt, coordinator of Downstream Communications, which works for ConocoPhillips.
ConocoPhillips is leaving many states, including Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina and certain portions of Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona and Nevada, Hunt said, adding the company hopes to focus on states where it has refineries, including California, Washington, Montana, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Louisiana.
"Our strategy is to be located in markets where we can capitalize on our efficiencies and stronger competitive positions," Hunt said.
The transition was announced to marketers at the end of January, she said.
"We're thinking in the long run it will be beneficial to be around our refineries," Hunt said.
The company is not anticipating any fiscal losses, she said.
Handy Mart, 300 Prospect St., Durand, no longer sells Conoco gasoline but for now is selling "unbranded" product, meaning it sells fuel that is not a brand, Manager Jody Olson said Friday.
Olson said he is unsure what brand of gasoline the store will buy.
"We'll have to just get our gas from another brand," he said.
The store will remain a Handy Mart, he said.
An Elk Mound Phillips 66 store changed to a BP station, an employee said Friday. A manager at the store could not be reached for comment.
Customers were given little warning. Ken Hanson of Chippewa Falls shops at what was a Phillips 66 station in Cameron. Using his Conoco credit card to fill up on a near-daily basis, he said the manager called him to let him know Friday morning his card no longer would work.
"It was a shocker," said Hanson, who works for the Eau Claire Press Co. "On our end it caused a lot of problems."
Conoco credit cards no longer will be honored at the former stations. If the card is a Conoco Mastercard, however, it still will be valid, Olson said.
Schmidt can be reached at 833-9203 or keighla.schmidt@ecpc.com.
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