Area briefs

HACKENSACK -- The Hackensack Lions donated charitable gambling funds to help with TCE taxes (free taxes).

Patty Herheim, area coordinator, TCE Taxeaide, accepted a check for $424 from Lions gambling manager Bill Greene.

The funds will be used to buy modems to allow the sites to perform electronic filing and pay for the phone line.

Deep Portage programs listed for January

HACKENSACK -- Deep Portage Conservation Reserve near Hackensack will offer animal tracking and the winter rendezvous this month.

Animal tracking in winter will begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Look for and identify the various tracks and patterns left behind by visiting wildlife. No experience is necessary. Call (218) 682-2325 for more information.

The 2004 Rendezvous will run 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. with games and activities for the family.

Events will include riflery, rabbit sticks, snowshoe racing and blind compass triangulation. Most activities will be held outside so dress for the weather.

Cost for the day is $2.50 for children 11 and under and $5 for adults 12 and older.

Meal costs are $2.50 for children and $5 for adults. To reserve a spot call (218) 682-2325.

Lakers Lions host bloodmobile in Emily

EMILY -- The American Red Cross recently held its 33rd bloodmobile in Emily since 1988.

The Lakers Lions sponsored the bloodmobile, setting a goal to raise 90 pints. That goal was surpassed as 91 pints were collected.

Seven donors turned out for their first time and gallon pins were awarded to John Dotzler, John Schuller and Charles Strein. Two-gallon pins were given to Richard Schiller and Wanda O'Neill. The winners of the Red Cross T-shirt drawing were Taryn Allin and Grace Schuller.

To date, the Emily Area Blood Drive has collected a total of 2,728 pints of blood to help save the lives of patients in more than 140 Upper Midwest hospitals.

The next Emily Area Blood Drive will be noon to 6 p.m. April 29. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. To be added to the donor list or to help volunteer with the blood drive, call volunteer bloodmobile coordinator Nancy Moritz at 763-3097.