LOCAL BRIEFS

An open house is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Martin J. Skoglund Environmental Classroom in the Camp Ripley Training and Command Center.

The open house will feature the recent work completed in the classroom as a result of the Girl Scout Gold Award project being completed by Maggie Kenna, Ambassador Girl Scout Troop 743 in Little Falls. The event is free and open to the public. Pizza will be served and those who RSVP to Kenna at (320) 616-7075 by Feb. 19 will receive a free patch.

The main component of Kenna's project, "Disappearing Footprints," was to develop interactive activities for those visiting the classroom. New classroom features include a life-sized black bear den display that includes an area for visitors to climb in, a "Guess Who I Am" display of pelts and skulls representing animals found at Camp Ripley, a bird identification computer game, a tick and Lyme disease information station and a tree ring and aging activity.

More than 7,000 people visit the classroom annually, including military personnel, students of all ages, youth groups and the general public.

Kenna is a member of the Girl Scouts MN and WI Lakes and Pines Council. The council serves 39 counties throughout northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Its membership includes more than 9,000 girls ages 5-18 and more than 2,000 adult members. One of every 10 girls in the council area is a Girl Scout.

Coalition to present 'Thriving With Your Teen' workshop

HACKENSACK - The Working Together Coalition will present a workshop entitled "Thriving With Your Teen" at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Bear Pause Theater, 2279 County Road 5 N.W., Hackensack.

The workshop, which is free and does not require registration, will look at parenting strategies.

Eewy Gooey science class planned Feb. 20

If you enjoy making messes, mixing different chemicals together and having fun, plan on attending the the Eewy Gooey science class from 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Staples-Motley High School, Room 100.

Cost for the class is $17 and is open to students in first through fourth grade.

Contact Julie at Staples Motley Community Education at 894-2497 to register.

First annual lake plunge a success

Despite recent inclement weather, the Pine Area Medical Development Association Penguin Plunge was deemed a success.

Several events scheduled for the Back to Hack annual celebration were canceled because of treacherous travel, but that didn't discourage 41 jumpers from taking the plunge into Birch Lake.

A total of $7,642 was raised and more donations may continue to come in. The event was organized by the Pine Area Medical Development Association to benefit St. Joseph's Medical Clinic in Hackensack, under the direction of board chair Dawn Peterson and board member Andrea Foster.