Area briefs

The Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation serving 14 counties in central Minnesota, awarded six community grants totaling $42,400. The following organizations were selected as grant recipients in December.

Buffalo High School was awarded $4,900 to fund a youth-run aquaculture business in Buffalo; Central Minnesota Housing Partnership was awarded $25,000 to provide financial support for the Housing Development position; The city of Deerwood was awarded $2,500 to fund community-based comprehensive planning and ordinance updates; Economic Development Partnership of Wright County was awarded $2,000 for development and distribution of a county-wide marketing piece addressing economic development potential; Lakewood Health System Foundation was awarded $3,000 to fund planning and coordination efforts of a community park in Staples to be used by patients, their families and the broader community; and Stearns County Park Development was awarded $5,000 to provide funds for planning of the Lake Wobegon Regional Trail, Phase II, from Albany to Holdingford.

Non-profit organizations or community groups seeking grant funding are invited to an interactive teleconference at 4 p.m. Thursday. Teleconference locations will be in Little Falls, Brainerd, St. Cloud and Pine City.

For more information, call the foundation toll free at 1-877-632-9255.

Deerwood-Bay Lake seniors club to meet Jan. 26

DEERWOOD -- The Deerwood-Bay Lake Senior Citizens Club will hold its first potluck and meeting of the millennium at noon Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the Deerwood American Legion Clubrooms.

Newly elected president Don Wheeler will preside. Other officers are re-elected vice president Jerry Osborn and secretary Isabelle Erickson. The new treasurer is Lila Wheeler.

Those coming are reminded to bring their own dishes, silver and something to pass. Cake and coffee will be provided. Hostesses will be Isabelle Erickson and Betty Pettit. Judy Adams will be on hand to take blood pressure checks starting at 11:30 a.m.

Following the meal and the meeting Judy Meyer, Senior Advocate, will speak on the topic "Senior Prescription Drug Program."

All area senior citizens are welcome and invited to join the club. Annual dues are $1.