Area briefs

PEQUOT LAKES -- The senior van program provides transportation for area seniors Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for shopping and medical appointments in the Pequot Lakes area, as well as Brainerd.

In order for this service to function, the program depends on volunteer drivers and coordinators. Currently, the program has the following needs:

-- Drivers, especially for runs from Pequot Lakes on Tuesdays and Fridays. Call Judy Maas at 692-3300 for more information.

-- Pequot Lakes area coordinator, who schedules drivers and trips from the Pequot Lakes area.

-- Senior van program coordinator, who works to coordinate the total program in cooperation with Pequot Lakes Community Education. This person would recruit drivers and riders for the program, and work to increase program availability and special trips. This person would coordinate the work of Crosslake and Pequot Lakes area coordinators.

Help is needed to keep the system functioning and to make it do more for seniors.

For more information call Dan Frank at 568-9200 or Judy Maas at 692-3300.

Art of stained glass class to be offered in Pequot

PEQUOT LAKES -- Nancy Vernon, owner of Peacock Art Glass Studio in Emily, will teach two sessions on the art of stained glass.

This is a beginning class for anyone interested in the process of stained glass art. Classes will run 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24, in Science Lab 214 at Pequot Lakes School.

Vernon is an accomplished and creative artist and teacher. She began using stained glass as her art medium 10 years ago and opened her own shop eight years ago, specializing in custom orders and gift items.

This class will cover glass cutting practice, copper foiling and soldering practice, the transfer of the pattern to glass, soldering, cleaning and finishing. Each participant will create a sun catcher to take home.

Cost is $50 for eight hours of instruction and an additional $50 (paid to the instructor) to cover the cost of tools and materials.

Registration deadline is one week before class to order supplies. Call Pequot Lakes Community Education at 568-9200 to register.

Top American Legion officials to visit Pequot

PEQUOT LAKES -- American Legion National Vice Commander James E. "Jim" Koutz and Department of Minnesota State Commander Ray DeZurik will visit the Pequot Lakes American Legion Post No. 49 at 1 p.m. Friday for a luncheon in their honor.

Koutz, Booneville, Ind., was elected national vice commander of the American Legion on Sept. 7 during the closing session of the 82nd National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War and served in the Army from 1969 to 1971.

DeZurik was elected commander of the American Legion, Department of Minnesota, at the 2000 annual convention in Bloomington. A native of Little Falls, DeZurik is a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War era. He lives in Waite Park and Breezy Point with his wife, Patricia.

The stopover in Pequot Lakes is one of many for Koutz on his four-day tour of Minnesota with DeZurik. Post No. 49 Commander Larry Higgins said members of the American Legion family, as well as members of the community, may attend. Call 568-9881 for reservations.

Creating Cooperative Communities topic of forum

HACKENSACK -- A Creating Cooperative Communities forum will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Hackensack Senior Center, an event sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension Service and the University of Minnesota Central Region Partnership.

Discussion topics will include water quality, tourism, agriculture marketing, youth and family, and community issues.

The meeting is open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, call 547-7392 or 1-877-997-7778.