LOCAL BRIEFS
Area students to compete in state speech tournament
Several Brainerd lakes area students will compete Friday in Class A at the 2007 Speech Tournament at South St. Paul High School.
Area students competing are Ephrem Shaffer, Staples-Motley High School, creative expression; Rachel Swedburg and Sarah Johnson, both of Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School, serious interpretation of poetry; Matt Privratsky, WHA, discussion; Josh Plattner, WHA, humorous interpretation; Kaitlyn Berry, WHA, serious interpretation of drama; and Annie Scott, WHA, serious interpretation of prose.
New library databases to help with research
The world of Web-based information available at the Brainerd Public Library keeps expanding. The library has added two databases to assist with genealogical research.
HeritageQuest Online includes the U.S. Census 1790 to 1930, a huge catalog of local history books, Revolutionary War files and an index to magazine articles about family history. Kitchigami Regional Library cardholders can access this database from home, school or work.
Ancestry Library Edition is the largest and most comprehensive online genealogy resource available. It includes more than 4,000 databases with 4 billion names. It also includes census data, maps and military, immigration and Daughters of the American Revolution records. This resource is only available on public computers at any branch of Kitchigami Regional Library.
Fair association meets
The Crow Wing County Fair Association met April 10.
Action included calling for applications for new vendors at the fair to be accepted after May 1. Premium books should be ready for distribution the first week in July. The semi-annual newsletter will be mailed to members the end of April. Parking in the south lot during the fair this year will be $3 and fair dues have increased to $10.
Irish Dancers, the Red Letter band, and an a capella group from the Twin Cities will be new to the Mills Free Stage.
Alan Godage, the Country Polkateers and the Wayne Renn Band will return. The log rollers will be back. Grandstand events include motocross, two demolition derbies, baja races and two bull riding shows.
The Crow Wing County fair dates are July 31 through Aug. 4.