Events/Public Service Announcements

LIONS CLUBS

The Pequot Lakes/Breezy Point Lions meet the second Monday of every month at the Pelican Lakes Conservation Club house in Breezy Point. They are a family friendly club, so you can take your kids to the meetings. For more information call Gary at 562-4850.

The Deerwood Lakes Lions Club has announced its annual scholarship program for seniors in the Crosby-Ironton and Aitkin High Schools. The club will award a $500.00 scholarship to a high school senior graduating from each school in 2010. In addition, they are offering up to two $500.00 vocational/technical scholarships to be awarded to students from either the Crosby-Ironton or Aitkin High Schools. Applications are available from school counselors or by contacting Lori Podany, PO Box 8, Deerwood MN 56444. Deadline for submitting an application is March 27, 2010.

AARP Safe Driving Classes Scheduled

The AARP Safe Driving Program (formerly known for as 55 ALIVE) has announced its class schedule in Cass and Crow Wing Counties. The first time a participant must take a full 8 hour class. Then every 3 years the participant must take a 4 hour refresher class to maintain their insurance discount. The class is $10.00 per participant.

The following are four hour refresher classes

3/17/2010    Noon-4PM      Nisswa Community Center (R)

3/25/2010    Noon - 4P      Brainerd Lakes Senior Ctr (R)

For Nisswa Classes at (218) 820-9117

For Lakes Area Senior Center classes in Brainerd call (218) 829-9345

Upcoming Pequot Lakes Community Education Events

Tae Kwon Do - Korean martial arts classes for ages 4 through adult (on going)

Vinyasa Yoga - All Levels (on going)

Adult Basic Education (ABE) & GED Classes (on going)

Talent Search for Community Class Teachers (on going)

Photo Editing with Digital Cameras, March 16

Driver Improvement, 4-hour refresher class, 5:00pm - 9:00pm, March 25.

For more information on these classes, call Pequot Lakes Community Education at 218-568-9200.

Lakes Area Senior Activity Center

Weeks are jam-packed with activities at the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center in Brainerd, from exercising classes to great dining to Bingo. For a complete list of activities, Call the center at 218-829-9345.

Drivers Sought For Senior Van In Pequot Lakes

Drivers are scheduled to drive the van on a monthly basis. The number of times a driver is responsible for driving is up to the individual driver. The driver can choose to drive once a month, once a week or more. For more information, call Ivanna at 218-562-6109. Seniors citizens needing a ride, should call Erika at 218-568-4555.

2010 AARP Tax Aide Program Schedule

Commerce Building in Aitkin 2nd Floor, Wednesdays, 9am - Noon.
Waukenabo Community Center—March 15th 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Isle View Apts, Isle—March 16th 9:00 a.m. – Noon
VFW in McGregor—March 18th By appointment 218-426-4372

First Lutheran Church in Akeley, 1pm - 5pm, Tuesdays; Backus City Hall, Tuesdays, 10am - 2pm; Leech Lake Tribal College, Wednesdays, 9am - 3pm; Outing Town Hall, Wednesdays, 3pm - 7pm; Emily City Hall, Mondays, 3pm - 7pm; Hackensack Senior Citizens Building, Wednesdays, 9am -1pm; Hill City, call 697-2750 for dates; Longville Woodland Bank, Thursdays, 10am - 2pm; Sylvan Town Hall, Thursdays, 10am - 2pm; Pine River/Backus Family Center, appointments at 587-4292; Remer - The Depot, Thursdays, 9am - 1pm; Walker City Fire Station, Fridays & Saturdays, 10am - 2pm; Woodrow Town Hall, Tuesdays, 12pm - 4pm.

Open to low and middle income tax payers, senior citizens & handicapped individuals of any age, free of charge. No appointments necessary except for the McGregor VFW.

For more information, contact the Senior Office: 218-927-3811

Crosslake's 36th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Celebration

Monday-Saturday, March 8-13
	Pot O’Gold Treasure Hunt in Crosslake
Find the Pot-O Gold and win $100 in Chamber Bucks! Clues posted daily at 9 a.m., at Crosslake area merchants, and at all Brainerd Lakes Chamber Offices.

Saturday, March 13
7 a.m. - Noon	Crosslake FireFighter’s Pancake Breakfast	Crosslake Lutheran Church
7:30 a.m.	RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Tether Rides (weather permiting)	Manhattan Beach Lodge
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Leprechaun Coloring Contest	American Legion
11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.	Maucieri’s Food & Beverage Cart	Town Square
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.	Food & Beverage Garden	Whitefish Lodge & Suites
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.	Edina Foundation Brat & Pop Sale	Edina Realty
Noon - 2 p.m.	Live Music by SKATYRS	Town Square
2 p.m.	36th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade	Parade Route
Congratulations to the 2010 Grand Marshal - Joel Slack, owner of Pine Peaks Restaurant, celebrating their 25th Anniversary. 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Parade Participant Shuttle Services, from C&C Boat Works to parade staging area at Crosslake Town Square.
Following Parade	Live Music by S.T.A.R.T. Band	Maucieri’s
3 - 7 p.m.	Live Music by Tim Mahoney	Manhattan’s

Community Events:

The Pequot Lakes Community Theatre production of "Peter Pan" wraps up this weekend. Performances March 12 & 13 at 7:00pm and March 14 at 2:00pm. Tickets available through Pequot Lakes Community Education at 218-568-9200, at a cost of $12.00 for adults; $10.00 for Seniors (60 & over); and $8.00 for youth (age 18 & under). Tickets also available at the door one hour before each performance.

There will be a beekeeping class on Tuesdays March 23 at the Hunt Utilities Group Campus, west of Pine River on Highway 2. For more information, call Jim Etzel at 218-587-5001.

Walk-In Flu Clinics In March:

Crow Wing County Community Services Health Division will be holding Walk In Flu Clinics (H1N1 and Seasonal) at the Crow Wing County Public Health office located at 204 Laurel Street, Suite 12, Brainerd MN from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM on the following Wednesdays in March: March 17th & 31st. For more information please call the Crow Wing County 24 Hour Flu Hotline at (218) 822-7022 or (218) 824-1080

"Woodworking for Wildlife," Homes for birds and animals will be presented by Carrol Henderson, DNR Nongame Wildlife Program Supervisor on Thursday, March 11 at 7:00pm at the Northland Arboretum Visitor Center in the upstairs meeting room. This program is free and open to all interested persons. For more information, call the "Arb" at 218-829-8770.

Critically-acclaimed composer, performer and writer, Elisa Korenne, will perform her "Minnesota Ordinarily Unsung" concert on Friday, March 12 at the Longville Library at 2:30pm. Kitchigami Regional Library System and the Longville Library are proud this special concert with funds from the Legacy Grant Program and is free of charge. For more information, call 218-587-2171.

Bluegrass and country music from Dick Kimmel and Jerilyn Kjellberg will be the featured show in the Spring season of Grassroots Concerts in Nisswa on Friday, March 12. The group will take the sate at the Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar at 7:30pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. All concerts start at 7:30pm. Admission is $10.00 at the door. For more information, visit www.grassrootsconcerts.org.

The Kiwanis Club of Little Falls hosts their Annual Fish Fry on Friday, March 12 4:00pm - 7:00pm at the Little Falls VFW. Menu includes Fish, Hush Puppies, Tater Tots, Cole Slaw, Ice Cream, Beverage -- ALL YOU CAN EAT! Adults $8 Children over 5: $4.50 Children under 5 free.

The Pine River Friends of the Library Foundation will hold its annual Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser on Saturday, March 13 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Tickets are $15.00 in advance at the Library and $17.00 at the door. A silent auction will also be featured during the event.

Dodgeball will be played on Saturday, March 13 at the Warehouse in Pine River beginning at 7:00pm. Teams of up to 15 people are being sought from 5th Grade - Adult. Sign up your team at 587-5404 or at the door that night at 6:30pm. There is no cost and free refreshments.

As part of the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration in Crosslake, the Crosslake Firemen's Relief Association will hold a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser to acquire funds to update gear and equipment. This event will be held on March 13 at the firehall. For more information, call Mike at 218-692-3046.

There will be an Introduction to Beekeeping Class on Saturday, March 13 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm at the Northland Arboretum Visitor Center in the upstairs meeting room. There will be a presentation by H.G. "Harry" Meyer, Shawn Strong and members of the North Central Beekeepers. Cost is $3.00 for "Arb" members and $5.00 for non-members. Advance registration is requested by walk-ins will be welcome if there is room. For more information, call Peg at 218-829-8770.

The Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post will conduct a Hand Drum Workshop on Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14. Learn some techniques of working with rawhide in this two day workshop. Registrartion is required by March 10. For more information and registration, call 320-532-3632.

You're invited to visit Riverwood Healthcare Center's booth at the Aitkin Commerce Show, Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14 at the Aitkin High School. Talk with medical professionals about your joint health. Find out about join replacements, surgical procedures and equipment. Learn about how to increase mobility, reduce pain and feel better.

The 19th Annual Men & Boys Wild Game Potkluck Banquet will be held on Saturday, March 13 starting with events at 4:00pm, including a youth archery shoot and displays. Hors d' oeuvres will be served at 5:00pm with dinner at 6:00pm. There will be a guest speaker to round out the evenint. The event will be held in the Trailside Center, next to the Pequot Lakes Baptist church. For more information, call 568-4794.

Tickets are available for the Pequot Lakes Community Theatre Winter production of "Peter Pan" by call Pequot Lakes Community Education at 218-568-9200. Performances begin on Saturday, March 6 and run through Sunday, March 14. Tickets will be also be sold at the door one hour prior to each performance. Tickets $12.00 for adults; $10.00 for Seniors (age 60 & older) and $8.00 for youth (ages 18 & under).

The Northern Lakes "Lightning" will hold their post season awards program on Monday, March 15. The event will be held at 7:00pm at the Commander in Breey Point.

The first Pine River-Backus Area Relay For Life team captain meeting will be Monday, March 15 at 6:00 p.m. at The Warehouse in Pine River. Anyone interested in starting a team is encouraged to attend this meeting. It is very important that all interested teams have a representative attend this meeting in order to get a good start on your fundraising efforts, team campsite theme, and activity. The next meeting date and location will be decided at this meeting. For more information, call Tina Grewe at 568-6084.

Would you like to know more about Norway? Join Patricia on Thursday, March 18 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Pequot Lakes High School Room #202 for an educational trip to the fjords, the royal palace, the Arctic Circle and Viking sites. For more information, call Pequot Lakes Community Education at 218-568-9200.

The Good Samaritan Society - Woodland in Brainerd will hold its annual Brat Sale will be held on Thursday, March 19 from 10:30am - 2:00pm. $2.50 for a brat and a soda. Eat in or have your order of ten or more delivered. For more information, call 218-829-1429.

The Pine River-Backus Renaissance Festival will be held on Friday, March 19 at the Pine River-Backus Commons & Gym from 5:00pm - 8:30pm. $2.00 donation at the door with a $10.00 maximum for a family attending the event. There will be food, concessions and the Madrigal Chorus featuring high school students, faculty and recent alumni and community members.

On The big screen at the Warehouse in Pine River is "The Princess & The Frog," & "ET: The Extra=Terrestrial" on Saturday, March 20 from 6:00pm - 10:00pm. Students 4th grade and under must attend and view the movie with someone 5th grade and older. For more information, call 587-5404.

There will be a cooking demonstration, featuring quick & easy Crock Pot Meals on Sunday, March 21 from 3:00pm - 4:30pm at Share & Care, Highway 371 in Hackensack. Please us the rear entrance. This event called "Mooove Over Meat," will feature plant powered recipes to help prevent and reverse heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and depression. Admission is free. For more information, call Linda at 218-675-3557.

The Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota Presents its Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, Pasta, Pipes, and Pedals and Organ Recital on Monday, March 22 5:00pm - 7:00pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Brainerd. $7 Adults, $3 Children under 12. For more information, go to www.legacychorale.org

The Crow Wing County Land Services Department has initiated a project to develop a comprehensive recreation trails plan for county-managed public lands. The plan will be informed by an evaluation of potential high conservation value forests under the county’s management. A first meeting of the project advisory group is scheduled for Tuesday, March 23 at 6pm in Meeting Room 2 of the Land Services Building (322 Laurel Street, Brainerd, MN 56401).

9th Annual Chili Cook-Off takes place Tuesday, March 23 with serving from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Hallett Center Arena. The cost to sample some of the best chili that you’ll ever taste is only $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for youth and children under 6 are free. The cost to enter your own world class chili is only $10.00. As always, the proceeds from the Hallett Center & Kinship Partners Chili Cook-Off go to help underwrite HCC Kidz programs and to the Kinship Partner program for area children and mentors. Trophies will be awarded to the two top entries in each of the following categories: Judges’ Picks, People’s Choice and Best Booth Presentation.

The Brainerd American Legion will host its 1st Annual "Fishing Frenzy" on Wednesday, March 24. For tickets, call 218-829-2249.

The Melissa Wooden Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser, in the form of a spaghetti dinner & silent auction will be held on Friday, March 26 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. The event will be held at the Brainerd Eagles Club. Pre-sale tickets are $7.00 with those 4-7 $5.00. Under 3 years of age, free. Prices higher at the door.

The 5th Annual Family Education Program, "Raptors of Minnesota," will be held at the Northland Arboretum Visitor Center in Brainerd/Baxter on Saturday, March 27 at 10:30am. Learn about the role Minnesota Raptors play in our environment. There will be a majestic Bald Eagle and three other beautiful raptors from the Minnesota Raptor Center on display. Fee is $10.00 per family for "Arb" members and $20.00 per family for non-members. No registration is required and doors open at 9:45am.

There will be a Quilt & Ham Bingo at the Holy Family Catholic Church at Bulldog Lake in Hillman on Sunday, March 28 beginning at 1:30pm. Bring the whole family and the building is handicapped accesible. The event is sponsored by St. Elizabeth's Council.

The Pequot Lakes Festival of the Arts has been a community wide celebration of artistic talent for 27-years and will be held on Thursday, April 8 at 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Local artists are encouraged to set up a display and show their artistry. Visual artists who would like a table, should call Dave Guenther at 218-568-9252. Performing artists or groups should call Chris Nick at 218-562-6170. Reserve your place in the festival by Mid-March.

Riverwood Healthcare Center is hosting a 6-week Grief support group, which will be held on Thursday evenings, April 8 through May 13. The group will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Riverwood's hospital conference rooms A & B at 200 Bunker Hill Drive in Aitkin. To register, call Riverwood Social Services at (218) 927-5524.

Crow Wing County Master Gardeners are sponsoring their 9th annual Ready, Set, Grow! Garden Expo 2010 on Saturday, April 10 at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. The event is from 8:30 am to 3:15 pm. The morning keynote presentation is "The Truth About Garden Remedies" by Jeff Gillman (U of M) and the afternoon keynote presentation is "New Plants for 2010" by Shelly Boser (Landsburg Landscape Nursery). There will be two break-out sessions including: "Lilies","Irises", "The Truth about Organic Gardening", "Ornamental Grasses", "Mulching", "Composting", "Vegetable Gardening 101", "Emerald Ash Borer", "Basic Landscape Design", "Adding Natives to Your Landscape", "Roses" and "Preserving Your Harvest". Vendors - Exhibits - Door Prizes - Silent Auction -Morning Coffee and Refreshments - Lunch.....all for $25. To download a registration form and for more information visit our website at www.extension.umn.edu/county/crowwing/mg, call 218-824-1068, or email Jackie Froemming at froem022@umn.edu

The 14th Annual Family Fun Night is scheduled for Friday, April 16 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm in the Pine River-Backus Commons/Cafeteria in Pine River. This activity is being provided as a community service, a fund raiser and to promote family fun. The event is being organized this year by the Pine River-Backus PTO. Donations are being sought for bingo prizes and drawings. For more information, call Dawn Bergerson at 218-587-2510.

Pine River Market Square: a local growers’ and crafters’ market is busy preparing for the 2010 season. The market will run Fridays, May 28-Septembert 24 and potentially October Fridays, weather pending. The times have changed to 2:30-6:30pm and will be on the same site downtown Pine River, Barclay Ave and Third Street. Farmers and crafters who qualify and are within 50 miles of Pine River are welcome for the up-coming season.. A Market Vendor Information Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20, 6:30pm at the Hunt Utilities Group campus located on Co Rd 2 in Pine River off Hwy 371. Vendor application forms and guidelines are available on-line at www.prmarketsquare.wordpress.com. Members and sponsors for the 2010 market are also being accepted and forms can be found on the web site. Sue Stroinski, Quinn Swanson, and Dave Thomas. For further information on the market go to www.prmarketsquare.wordpress.com, or call 218-587-3199.

Traveling exhibits at the ITOW Veterans Museum in Perham include "Questionable Issue- Nazi scrip from WWII concentration camps," through April 30. For more information concerning hours and times of operation, call 218-346-7678 or visit www.itowmuseum.org.

Continuing Education

Open House & Registration is being conducted at the Family of Christ Lutheran School on Tuesday, February 23. The event will take place from 6:00pm - 8:00pm for pre-school to 4th Grade. For more information, visit www.focls.org.

Roseanne Reed is offering several dance classes in Pequot Lakes. Dance, Tumble, Open Ballet and Lyrical classes are being offered. Call Roseanne for placement and availability information at 218-851-7626. These classes are being offered under the auspices of Pequot lakes Community Education.

The Pequot Lakes Adult Basic Education (ABE) program is for adults who are interested in working to earn a GED (General Educational Development) diploma. The class meets once a week for two hours. For more information, call 568-9366.

Crosby Ironton Community Education offers Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General Education Diploma (GED) classes at the Hallett Library in Crosby, each Monday that the library is open. Classes are held from 4-6PM and are individually paced and offered at no cost. For more information, call C-I Community Education at 218-545-8822.

The NWS Peace Program, a non-profit and CSIET approved program is seeking caring families in the area to host high school students from Ecuador, Turkey, Brazil, Vietnam, Belgium, Finland and other countries. The students, 15-18 years of age will be arriving in August to spend the upcoming 5-10 months with a caring family while attending local high schools. For more information, cal 1-866-846-3977 or visit www.nw-services.com.

General Announcements

Deep Portage Learning Center near Hackensack, offers a wide variety of Summer Camps to suit almost any interest. Whether a child is interested in fishing , hunting, aquatics, adventure or expanding their scientific horizons, there is a camp for them. For more information on these upcoming camps, call Deep Portage at 218-682-2325 or vist www.deep-portage.org.

Meals on Wheels is available for Pine River and surrounding area residents. LSS Senior Nutrition is serving the community out of Heartland Apartments at 445 Snell Avenue in Pine River. For more information, call Sande at 218-587-2921. EBT cards are accepted and gift cards are always available.

The Kitchigami Regional Library's Mobile Library Winter/Spring 2010 Schedule (January - May) is now available on the mobile library itself or at your local library.

Are you living with a compulsive gambler? Has your life been affected by someone who has a gambling problem? Gam-Anon Meetings are held every Monday at 7:00pm at the First Congregational Church at 415 Juniper in Brainerd. For more information, call Colleen at 218-851-3543.

The ITOW Veterans Museum, located in Perham, is open Monday - Saturday, 11:00am - 4:00pm, Sundays 1:00pm - 4:00pm. For more information, call 218-346-7678 or visit www.itowmuseum.org.

An eating disorders support group meets the first Monday of each month at the Lord of Life Church in Baxter from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. The meeting is set up with the first hour being education and the second hour splitting into groups for discussion. For more information, call Justina at 218-963-7421.

Families Anonymous is a support group for any family member or friend who is concerned with a loved one's problem with alcohol, drugs or behavior issues. Weekly meetings take place on Mondays 6:30pm - 7:30pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Highway 371, Pequot Lakes, just south of the traffic light. For more information, contact Sue at 218-831-2364.

Circle of Parents hold parenting support groups in Crow Wing County with the Brainerd Group meeting every Monday evening from 5:30pm - 7:00pm at Bridges of Hope at First Lutheran Church, 424 South 8th Street...use the Norwood Street entrance. The Pequot Lakes Group meets every Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 7:30pm at the Pequot Lakes Trailside Center, next to the Baptist Church. The Crosby Group meets every Friday morning from 9:30am - 10:30am at the Crosby-Ironton Presbyterian Church, across from the Hallett Library. These meetings are free and confidential. No registration is required. Childcare provided while parents meet. For more information, call Joan at 218-821-6429.

A reminder to individuals needing assistance in navigating through resources for persons with disabilities that assistance is available. The Brainerd Public Library and Disability Linkage Line Of Central Minnesota sponsors a "Minnesota Help Network" site to help individuals navigate through resources and systems. The Minnesota Help Network site is held the 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month from 10:00am - 1:00pm at the Brainerd Public Library in Brainerd. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments can also be made by calling Sharon or Keith at 1-866-333-2466 or 218-317-1010. The service is made possible by the Brainerd Public Library, Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Southeastern Minnesota Center for Independent Living.

Faith in Action for Cass County is looking for interested volunteers to help with rides to medical appointments and errands, shopping for groceries and many other activities. For more information, call 218-675-5435 or toll free at 866-675-5435.

There are many people living on fixed incomes, such as Social Security Disability, who may not have resources to rely on with sky rocketing gas prices and fuel oil. The Disability Linkage Line of Minnesota will help locate disability services and information for persons with special needs with a simple phone call. For more information, call 1-866-333-2466, one of the call centers for this service is in Brainerd.

The Brainerd Area Crisis Line needs volunteers. The mission of the Crisis Line and Referral Service is to provide confidential and anonymous telephone support to people in distress and crisis, and to serve as a lifeline for positive change by connecting their clients to area resources. The Crisis Line is currently recruiting line volunteers. If you're interested in giving back to your community right from home, call the Crisis Line Executive Director, Mary Marana at 218-828-4515.