Area briefs

STAPLES -- A free foot screen for people with diabetes will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Lakewood Clinic in Staples.

Lakewood Clinic staff will do a visual assessment of participants' feet. They will then use a piece of monofilament to determine the level of sensation in their feet.

This is an assessment that can identify whether people are at risk for neuropathy. Neuropathy means damage to the nerves that can cause pain and numbness in feet, legs, arms and hands. Neuropathy can lead to complications, including amputation.

Preregistration is encouraged. Call Gayle at 894-0332 or 1-800-525-8344.

Cuyuna Range Women's Club's spring luncheon Saturday

CROSBY -- The Cuyuna Range Women's Club's annual spring luncheon will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Cascade United Methodist Church.

The ladies of the church will cater the meal and area Girl Scouts will serve.

The program will feature guest speaker Dr. Sam Lukens of Sioux Falls, S.D. His topic will be "Veterinary Medicine: Triumphs and Tragedies."

Music will be provided by Beth Lavan and Connie and Bruce Swanson.

This event is open to both men and women. Tickets are available at $6 each from Sally Mann, event chair, as well as from women's club members and at the Jessie F. Hallett Memorial Library in Crosby.

Tickets must be purchased by Thursday. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Take self-guided hikes

at Deep Portage

HACKENSACK -- Hikers are invited to Deep Portage Conservation Reserve on Saturday, May 13, to walk the many trails (20 kilometers) and enjoy the forest.

Put on hiking boots, pick up a self-guide at the bookstore and head out. Some trails will take approximately 20 minutes to walk, others can be 1 1/2-hour hikes. The Bog Walk is a popular trail that will take hikers on the boardwalk over the bog. There are many interesting plants the self-guide booklet will point out.

While on a hike, notice the multitudes of migratory birds and wildflowers at this time of the year.

There is no fee for this program.

On May 20, Susan Rozner Short of Hackensack will show how to encourage the butterflies to come to a garden by planting just the right plants.

Make reservations at 682-2325.

Alma Christensen, the "Lady of the Woods," will present her wild edibles program on May 27. Call for reservations.