The 5K race will begin at 8:45 a.m. with an 8 a.m. registration time. The 1 mile walk will start shortly after at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged. Download an application online at  www.cambridge-chamber.com or pick one up at the Cambridge Area Chamber Office.

The 5K & 1 Mile run/walk kicks-off a day-long celebration in Cambridge. Cambridge Day Out will hold a wide variety of kid’s activities and eating opportunities in Central Green Park.  Details posted on www.cambridge-chamber.com. Sponsorship opportunities are available for both events and vendors are welcome; just download registration form at www.cambridge-chamber.com.

The Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department and Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce is providing the majority of labor resources in an effort to have a successful race that will contribute proceeds to the Fire Department and Chamber programs. For more information contact the Chamber at 763-689-2505.

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Thursday, May 16: A free Community Dinner will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Isanti from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Use the downstairs entrance. Everyone is welcome to join for a time of fellowship and a meal. Call the church office at 763-444-9201 with questions.

Blood Drive at Peoples Bank

Friday, May 17: An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at Peoples Bank of Commerce, 234 1st Ave., Cambridge, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Picture ID or Donor Card required. Call 1-800-Red Cross for more information or visit redcrossblood.org.

Long Lake Spaghetti Dinner

Friday, May 17: Long Lake Lutheran Church (Hwy. 47 & 277th Ave., Isanti) will hold a Spaghetti Dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Adults, $5; 6-12, $3 and under 6 are free. Includes spaghetti, garlic bread, dessert and beverage.

Isanti County Self-Advocacy Meeting

Friday, May 17: An Isanti County Self-Advocacy meeting will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Common Ground, 404 N. Cypress St., Cambridge. Learn new and exciting skills on how to become the best ‘Self-Advocate.’ Bring a potluck item for after the meeting and some change to give to the local food pantry. For more information call Maggie at 763-370-3946.

Local Woodcarving Show and Sale

May 17 & May 18: A Woodcarving Show and Sale by professional woodcarver, Dick Lichtscheidl, will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1802 12th Place SE, Cambridge. Handmade carvings, no power tools used. Refreshments available. Call 763-689-2985 for directions.

The Wild Galleries Grand Opening

May 17-19: The public is invited to the Grand Opening/Spring Festival of The Wild Galleries, 27114 Hwy. 65 NE, Isanti. The Wild Galleries offers fine arts and crafts, gourmet foods and custom framing. Come and see the beautiful gallery and show grounds in the pines. The event will feature gyros, Italian sausage, entertainment, hot dogs, kettle corn and crafts by many artists. Admission is $3 per person and bring in your food donations for the Family Pathways food shelf. Call 763-444-0455 for more information or visit www.thewildgalleries.com.

Ruby’s Food Pantry

Saturday, May 18: Ruby’s Food Pantry will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Elim Baptist Church, 114 Dahlin Ave., Isanti. $15 donation.

Pancake & Waffle Breakfast Fundraiser

Sunday, May 19: A Pancake & Waffle Breakfast Fundraiser will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Christ the King Parish Hall in Cambridge. It will feature All-You-Can-Eat pancakes, waffles, and scrambled eggs with ham, and a silent auction. $6 adults; $4 ages 4-11. Sponsored by the Cambridge Lions to support the Cambridge Ambassador Program.

Special Worship at Spirit River

Sunday, May 19: Spirit River Community Church, 1320 Co. Rd., 5 NE, Isanti (Spectacular Events), will host a special Worship Service at 10 a.m. for those who ride motorcycles during the summer. All motorcyclists are invited to attend this service so the church can bless them.

Garms Family at North Isanti Baptist Church

Sunday, May 19: A spring music festival featuring the popular Garms Family will be held at North Isanti Baptist Church at 6 p.m. There will be a free will offering, and coffee and treats following the concert. The church is located south of Cambridge on Highway 65 and 1 mile east on County Road 43. For more information call 763-689-3576.

Spirit River Youth Group

Sunday, May 19: Spirit River Youth Group will meet at Spirit River Community Center at 5:30 p.m. Spirit River is at 1320 Co. Rd., 5 NE, Isanti (Spectacular Events).

Together in Recovery

Sunday, May 19: The Christian-based recovery group, Together in Recovery, will meet from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Spirit River Community Center, 1320 Co. Rd., 5 NE, Isanti (Spectacular Events). Use the entrance on the north side of the building to maintain confidentiality (look for the sign). All are welcome.

Cambridge Surplus Food Distribution

Tuesday, May 21: The Cambridge Surplus Food Distribution will be held at the Isanti County Fairgrounds. Registration and food distribution will be from 3:30 to 6 p.m. There will not be any preregistration. Do not arrive before 1 p.m. Food will be distributed to one person only per address. You must bring an ID with your current address on it or two pieces of mail addressed to you with your current address. For more information, call 763-691-9035.

Cambridge Senior Dance

Wednesday, May 22: The Cambridge Senior Dance will be held at the American Jane’s Grill & Bar (formerly American Legion) from 1-4 p.m., with Michael James and Midi. See you at the dance.

Prayer Gathering

Wednesday, May 22: Spirit River Community Church will hold a Prayer Gathering at 1:30 p.m. at Rendezvous Coffee in Isanti, 310 Dahlin Ave.

Spirit River Community Dinner

Wednesday, May 22: A free Community Dinner will be offered from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Spirit River Community Center, 1320 Co. Rd. 5 NE, Isanti.

Baccalaureate Service honoring CIHS seniors

Wednesday, May 22: The Baccalaureate Service will be held at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Cambridge-Isanti High School. It is a non-denominational worship service honoring the class of 2013.

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The Cambridge Ambassador Program’s Candidate Experience is in full swing with 18 Ambassador Candidates and 22 Little Misses. The Cambridge Lions will host a Pancake & Waffle Breakfast on Sunday, May 19, at Christ the King Catholic Parish Hall in Cambridge from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to benefit the program. Tickets are available from any candidate or at the door and are $6 for adults and $4 for ages 3-11. The event will feature all-you-can-eat pancakes, waffles, and scrambled eggs with ham, along with a silent auction. The Program is also seeking a few more sponsors for the Ambassador Candidates. If you or your business would like to support a young woman in her quest for excellence, call Laurie at 612-991-1687.

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Smokey will make an appearance at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m. with his fire prevention message on May 19 at the Isanti Community Center. Sparky the Fire Dog will also be there.

The Isanti Lions Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on May 19 will also take place at the Isanti Community Center from 8 a.m. to noon. Enjoy pancakes, ham and eggs, milk, juice, coffee and bacon. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 5-12, and children under 5 eat free.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.isantilions.org or by contacting Roger Pelika, Isanti Lions Club president, at  president@isantilions.org or call 763-354-7689 and select option 3 to leave a message. Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event.

All proceeds raised will go toward the Isanti Lions Club general funds which are in turn used for a variety of needs within the community. The Isanti Lions Club has over 30 members and meets on the second and fourth Monday of every month at the Isanti Community Center at 7 p.m. Lions clubs are a group of people who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved with the Isanti Lions Club, visit www.isantilions.org or call 763-354-7689.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit www.lionsclubs.org.

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This is the time of year when ATV use is ramping up in our area, and it’s a good time to inform the public and riders of the laws related to ATV use.

In Minnesota, in order to ride in the ditches, or on a township road, a rider must have a licensed ATV, be 16 years of age, and have a current driver’s license.

From April 1 to Aug. 1, ATV use in the ditches south of Highway 95 is prohibited because we are in an agricultural zone.  This means that you have to drive on private property when you are south of this line. You can operate an ATV on private property, DNR trails and township roads if you obey all laws.

One of the biggest violations we see is kids under 18 riding ATV’s without helmets. The law states anyone under 18 is required to wear a helmet. I always ask people if they can give me one “good excuse” for not wearing a helmet; unfortunately, most fatal accidents, involve riders who weren’t wearing a helmet. The public has reported seeing multiple people riding on ATV’s and ask about passengers. Anyone under 18 can only have their parent or guardian as the passenger.

We “strongly discourage” multiple passengers on ATV’s. This can lead to serious injury, or even death; riding on the front or rear rack is very dangerous.

The Isanti County Sheriff’s Office is teaching an ATV Safety Class on May 18 for kids under 18. It is free and will be held at the Isanti County Fairgrounds in Cambridge.

In Minnesota, kids are required to have an ATV Certificate when they reach the age of 12, or are born after July 1, 1987.  We also have ATV rule books and CDs available for you at our office. If you have any questions related to ATV use or want to sign your kid up for a class, contact Investigator Rob Bowker at 763-691-2414.

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Sanderson, author of “Timber; Fire in the Pines,” will hold a book signing 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Scout & Morgan Books in Cambridge.

A. L. “Sandy” Sanderson

“Timber” is set in the white pine forests of north central Minnesota in the late 1800s. Amid the rough conditions of a lumber camp in the timbered wilderness of that period, a compelling and complex relationship develops between the two unlikely protagonists and culminates in the tragic Great Hinckley Fire of 1894.

“It’s a story about survival in an environment without safety nets,” Sanderson said. “Adversity is prevalent as the main characters Sarah Stewart and Thor Nillson succeed against long odds as they conquer their past demons while forging a relationship and future together.”

“Timber” has personal connections to Sanderson’s family.

“Both my mother and father’s families were first-generation immigrants,” Sanderson said. “My paternal grandparents came to this part of the state from Sweden, and I lived on farms near Ogilvie and Hinckley for several years as a child. My maternal grandparents came from what today is eastern Germany and Russia. As an adult I owned a home in Aitkin and a summer cabin in Pine City.

“I not only feel connected to the area geographically and historically, but also emotionally. I am fascinated by what it must have been like to leave family, friends and homeland to come to a strange new country where you couldn’t even speak the language, knowing you would probably never go home again. It takes a kind of bravery that I’m not sure I would have had,” she added.

As Sanderson learned more about the Hinckley Fire, she felt compelled write a book.

“I think having grandparents new to this country, who also lived with uncertainty and hope, helped me create the characters in ‘Timber,’” Sanderson said. “As I learned more about the tragedy of the Hinckley Fire — it was such an intense historical event — that it called both to me and to the characters hiding in my imagination, waiting to spring to life on the pages of a book.”

Sanderson said she has never followed the “natural order of things.” 

“I married young and raised four children. I didn’t graduate from high school, so when my children were grown I decided to go back to school,” Sanderson said. “I got my GED in my late 30s, a BA in psychology from Macalester College when I was 43, and a JD from the University of Minnesota Law School when I was 51. A first novel at age 77 seems rather odd to people, but I was 51 when I graduated from law school, so acting outside of the box isn’t a new thing for me. I tend not to follow the natural order of things. But as has been true with other things I’ve done either too early or too late, things have had a way of working out.”

Three years ago Sanderson’s husband passed away, and her daughter, Susan Bissonette, invited her to live with her and her husband in Eden Prairie. Bissonette serves as Sanderson’s publicist.

“My mom has been a great support to me, and we’ve always done projects together,” Bissonette said. “My husband calls us Thelma and Louise or Lucy and Ethel, depending on our antics and adventures. Living together is an adjustment when one is used to being completely independent — but it has worked out for us. We’re quite different in temperament and in our approach to life. She’s much more quiet and reserved. I’m more gregarious and like to have people around more of the time, and she likes to spend time alone with her keyboard. Also, I’m more of a risk taker and she’s more deliberate.”

Sanderson has always enjoyed writing and playing with words and writing poems.

“Our farm outside of Ogilvie had a huge kitchen,” Sanderson said. “Before my mom put up new wallpaper she let me write poems all over the walls. Looking back I realize how unusual it was for my practical, work-worn mother to have allowed me to do something so frivolous. I’d like to say my writing is artsy and literary, but to be perfectly honest, I never seriously intended to become a published author.

“I began writing a novel because it seemed like a challenge, and the process kind of took hold of me. The stories came alive and my characters woke me up at night doing things I had no idea they would ever do. I kept writing without really thinking about ‘style.’ I just wrote the story,” she added.

Sanderson  writes about things she can relate to.

“Anyone who is fortunate enough to reach their 70s and beyond has experienced life in a way that not every young person today can relate to,” Sanderson said. “We lived in a world without television, without cellphones, without central heating and perhaps even without indoor plumbing. Few of us were coddled or pampered, and most of us learned early on that we had to make our own beds — both literally and figuratively. My characters are tough, gritty and determined because those are the things I can relate to.”

Sanderson’s first novel, “The Last Dance,” follows much of her own history in terms of where she’s lived, visited, loved and hated. The story takes place between 1940 and the 1970s.

Sanderson said the story and the two main protagonists are fictional and have nothing to do with her actual life. “The Last Dance,” will be published in the fall of 2013.

Scout & Morgan Books is located at 114 Buchanan St. N., Cambridge, and can be reached at 763-689-2474. For more information on Sanderson, visit www.alsandysanderson.com.

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Dennis Curtis Larson was born in Fish Lake Township, Chisago County, on July 24, 1920 to Elmer and Phobe (Laheberg) Larson. He would live his entire life on that farm. He milked cows and was a cattle jockey buying and selling cattle, mostly calves. He went to cattle auction barns to keep track of what the market was. Dennis enjoyed going to visit at Larson Implement every day. He was a social person who liked to visit and talk Swedish with anyone who could understand the language. He also enjoyed going to threshing shows. Dennis always worked in farm related activities. He had a very good memory and could recall past years dates and activities as well and current ones.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Kermit and Lloyd Larson; nephew, Larry Larson; and long-time friend, Peggy Smith. Dennis is survived by nephew, Lance Larson of Harris; niece, Connie Clemens of North Branch; grand-nephew, Mike Clemens of North Branch and other relatives and friends.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at the Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel with Rev. Ronald Bergman officiating. The pallbearers are Mike Clemens, Guy Jacques, Jim Lufgren, Jeff Nelson, John Swanson and Paul Swenson. Burial will be in Cambridge Union Cemetery.

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She was born in a farmhouse in Cambridge, Minn., the 8th child of Nels and Nannie Nyberg on Sept. 22, 1924. Erika graduated from Cambridge High School in 1942 and from the Minnesota School of Business in 1943. She moved to Ypsilanti, Mich. to work at the Willow Run Bomber Plant. She married Walter Louis Hiser on May 18, 1945. They enjoyed 51 ½ wonderful years together. After World War II, she also held secretarial positions at the Ford Motor Co., Kaiser Frazer Corp., and Clinton Machine Company. Erika became a stay at home mom to raise three children. She was a loving mother. Being an exceptionally good cook, she was well known for her decorated cakes, cookies, rye bread and rice pudding. She won several blue ribbons at the Chelsea Fair for her food entries. Afterward, she went to work part time at Vitality Seed Company, then full time at the University of Michigan in 1978. She worked 12 years in the Federal Financial Operati ons Department from which she retired in 1990. Her grandchildren were the lights of her life, Matthew and Heather Holmen, Nicholas, Noah and Joey Hiser.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Charlotte Slater and Lenore Swenson, brothers Leroy, Bruce, Lauren, Sidney and Vernon Nyberg, and her husband. She is survived by: her children Heidi (Leo) Hollenbeck of Jackson, Mich., Sherri (Jeff) Holmen of Braham, Minn. and Mark (Lisa) Hiser of Dexter, Mich.; five grandchildren; sister-in-laws Deloris Nyberg and Doris Hiser; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday, May 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Chapel, Dexter, Mich. The funeral service will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral chapel. Burial will follow service at Arborcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Ann Arbor, Mich.

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She was born Oct. 11, 1920 in Sioux Falls, S.D. to Eric and Alma (Carlson) Swanson.

Corine was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, infant sister Pearl Evangeline, brothers Glen and Harold Swanson. She is survived by her children Gary Hovinen of Lancaster, Pa., Patricia Hovinen of Queens Village, N.Y., David and wife Susan Hovinen of Cambridge, six grandchildren Bradford Hovinen of Germany, Karen Allen of Lancaster, Pa., Nancy Endter of Bend, Ore., Scott Hovinen of Prior Lake, Megan and Madeline Hovinen of Cambridge, four great grandchildren Jake and Ethan Endter, Tyler and Kelsey Allen, brother Richard and wife Marvel Swanson of Lakeville, as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cambridge.

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Lillian Ruth Eckert was born April 18, 1924 to Herman and Mary (Frieze) Eckert in Sebeka, Minn.

Lillian and Donald Sommars were united in marriage on Feb. 23, 1942 in Sebeka. They raised their family on their farm south of Verndale. As a homemaker she enjoyed sewing and crocheting which provided afghans for her family and many outfits for Cabbage Patch dolls and Barbie dolls. She loved gardening, especially in her beautiful large flower gardens. Lillian was a member of the Garden Club and exhibited flowers at the County Fair. She loved her grandchildren, who always enjoyed her freezer full of pies, cookies and doughnuts. Lillian was a 4-H leader, volunteered for many church activities, played the piano by ear, made countless crafts, and worked side-by-side with Don on the farm.

Lillian and Donald loved to dance, with a fondness for square dancing, and they enjoyed hours and hours of playing cards with family and friends. By 1976, they sold the farm, keeping a small acreage to build their home and raise commercial asparagus. Due to Lillian’s health, the couple moved into Verndale in 1990, then on to Cambridge for assisted living near family members.

Lillian was preceded in death by her husband Don on March 22, 2013: her parents; and brother Lloyd Eckert.

She is survived by her sons Wayne (Jane) of Cambridge, and Dennis (Robin) of South Haven; seven grandchildren Tony (Becky) Sommars, Kristin (Michael) Ruetten, Carrie (Michael) Maruska, Randon Sommars, Melinda (Randall) Fennert, Manda Sommars, and Cassandra (Nathan) Marks; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and brothers Donald (Carol), Eldon (Jean), Lavern (Joanne) and Edwin (Barbara).

Funeral services were held Friday, May 10, 2013 at the United Methodist Church in Verndale, with Judy Wilder presiding. Honorary pallbearer was Randon Sommars. Serving as pallbearers were Marvin Runyan, Jim Runyan, Ralph Stone, David Orlando, Len Seglar and Tony Sommars. Burial was next to her husband in Greenlawn Cemetery in Verndale. Arrangements are with the Schuller Family Funeral Homes in Wadena, Minn.

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