Area briefs
Zoe's Angels raise more than $10,000 for March of Dimes
STAPLES - Lakewood Health System sponsored team, Zoe's Angels, achieved its goal of raising $10,000 for the March of Dimes on May 1 at the Brainerd Lakes March for Babies at Forestview Middle School in Baxter.
The 150 Zoe's Angels team members gathered on stage May 1 at Forestview Middle School in Baxter after the March of Dimes walk.
"We weren't sure if we'd hit our goal, but that's why I set it so high," said Carly Greig, the mother of Zoe Greig, who was born 10 weeks early in 2005. "The research made possible by the March of Dimes saved Zoe's life, so I wasn't afraid of a challenge."
Carly began raising money in February and asked Lakewood Health System to kick-start her efforts. Lakewood made a $1,000 donation and offered to purchase T-shirts for the entire team. Carly had a successful bake sale in Staples and recruited family, friends and Lakewood employees to walk.
"It was a lot of hard work raising the money but it was worth every minute," Carly said.
Zoe's Angels was the largest fundraising team at the Brainerd March for Babies, raising $10,400 for the cause. Each of the 150 team members sported T-shirts with Zoe's birth information on the front and her footprints on the back.
"I'll support the March of Dimes until I'm old and gray," Carly said.
Zoe's team was confirmed the largest fundraising team to date in the central Minnesota division by the March of Dimes group. The division includes the Brainerd lakes, St. Cloud and Monticello annual marches.
Zoe Greig was born in 2005 at Lakewood Health System at 2 pounds, 14 ounces. She was rushed to St. Cloud intensive care, where she spent 72 days. Miraculously, Zoe recovered and is now a happy, healthy 5-year-old.
Unlimited Learning membership drive
Lakes Area Unlimited Learning will kick off its seventh annual membership drive in June and continue to accept memberships, both new and renewal, through August. Unlimited Learning is a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides intellectually stimulating, quality programming for older adults.
The variety of subjects is broad, ranging from practical topics like gardening and modern technology to science and history to literature and the arts. Presenters come from colleges and universities and include those with deep experience and unique insights.
There are cultural trips to such venues as Guthrie, Chanhassen and Orchestra Hall. UL also sponsors special events such as an annual film series, "Elderquest," a yearly seminar on American political philosophy, and an ongoing national course, "Great Decisions," a program of study and discussion of American foreign policy.
Unlimited Learning draws its membership from the entire lakes area including Aitkin, Brainerd/Baxter, Crosby/Deerwood, Cross Lake, Pelican Lake and Remer. The bonus of membership is that members receive free admission to many of the programs and reduced rates for the rest. Annual memberships run from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011. Unlimited Learning is supported in part by the Minnesota Humanities Center, but much of the funding is dependent on annual memberships.
This summer's programs include: "A History of Crosby" with Pam Brunfelt, June 8-10; "Scandinavian Humor" with Steve Benson, a professor (and Swede) at Bemidji State, July 13; a trip to a Sommerfest Coffee Concert at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, July 16; and a three-day series on "America in the World" with Tom Hanson, from the Minnesota International Center, a former diplomat with international expertise and travel, Aug. 10-12.
Call or e-mail the following for more information: Kristy Tesdahl, (218) 546-5036, pktesdahl@charter.net; Beth Passi, (218) 825-0397, bobpassi@charter.net; or Jane Gustafson, (218) 765-3796, jwgustafson@msn.com. Unlimited Learning will unveil a new website at UnlimitedLearning.net within the next few weeks.
CERTS to meet on June 15
STAPLES - The Central Clean Energy Resource Team's quarterly meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon June 15 at the Ag Center on the Central Lakes College Staples campus.
Participants will learn about biofuels and biomass, take a tour of the Ag Center with Bob Schafer, which includes five acres of plots and seven species of perennials, and learn about the center's alternative energy crops, including miscanthus, sunflower and camelina for biodiesel system.
Deadline for CSP approaching
Crow Wing County landowners still have time to sign up for the Conservation Stewardship Program at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office, but the deadline for getting signed up for the second CSP ranking period is quickly approaching.
According to NRCS Acting District Conservationist Jessica Weis, now is the time for landowners and producers who have considered applying for CSP to get signed up and submit documentation. While CSP applications are accepted on a continuous basis, only applications received by the national cutoff date of June 11 will be considered for funding in fiscal year 2010.
For more information about CSP, including eligibility requirements, go to the county USDA Service Center in Baxter.
Course on Crosby slated
CROSBY - Pam Brunfelt, history instructor at Vermillion Community College in Ely, will teach a three-session course highlighting the development of Crosby, its importance as the center of iron mining in Crow Wing County and its rich ethnic heritage.
Classes meet from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday through June 10. The Tuesday class will be at Hallett Community Center in Crosby. The remaining classes will be at Crosby-Ironton High School's Forum Room.
Brunfelt has served as executive director of the Crow Wing County Historical Society and as archivist/assistant administrator at Otter Tail County Historical Society. She has published a number of articles on Minnesota history and is doing ongoing research.
In 2008, Brunfelt was co-lead scholar for the National Endowment for the Humanities Landmarks of American History Seminar, "Building America: Minnesota's Iron Range, U.S. Industrialization and the Creation of a World Power." Out of this seminar came a documentary, "Iron Range: Minnesota Building America," which won a regional Emmy for "Best Cultural Documentary."
The course is partially funded by a grant from the Minnesota Humanities Center. Unlimited Learning membership covers the remaining amount. Non-members pay $6 for the first session or $10 if attending all sessions (payable Tuesday).
For further information, contact Larry Foote at (218) 678-3034.
Mobile library summer schedule
The Kitchigami Regional Library recently released its mobile library schedule for June, July and August.
Every other Tuesday starting June 8, the mobile library will stop from 3:40-4:40 p.m. on First and Whipple Street near the city park in Hackensack.
Every other Thursday beginning Thursday, stops will be made from 8:15-9:15 a.m. at the Amoco parking lot in Leader; and beginning June 10 from 8:15-9:15 a.m. on Highway 371 next to Tasty Pizza North in Pequot Lakes; from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Main Street near the Nisswa chamber; 11 a.m.-noon at the city hall in Breezy Point; 12:45-2:45 p.m. at the Community Center in Crosslake; and from 3:15-4:15 p.m. at the Holiday gas station parking lot in Emily.
Every other Saturday starting June 12, the mobile library will stop from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Garrison VFW parking lot and from 11 a.m. to noon at "the garage" at Ruttgers on Bay Lake.
Museum participating in Family Fun Day
The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum will be open from 12-5 p.m. Sunday as part of Family Fun Day, a joint effort between the many attractions in and around Little Falls during which local residents and tourists are welcome to see the sites for free.
Participating sites include Pine Grove Zoo, Linden Hill, Minnesota Fishing Museum, Charles A. Lindbergh Home, Dewey Radke House and Lindbergh State Park.
At the Weyerhaeuser Museum, the first 50 visitors that day will receive cucumber seeds accompanied by information about a past event involving the planting of cucumbers.
For more information, call (320) 632-4007.
Pioneer Village showcases garden
NISSWA - Visitors to the Nisswa Area Historical Society's Pioneer Village on Main Street, Nisswa, will find a garden prepared and maintained by the Black Bear 4-H Club of Nisswa.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturday and Saturdays only in September.
Clothes Closet to have summer hours
CROSSLAKE - The Crosslake Clothes Closet, 37560 Ox Lake Landing, will have evening hours for June, July and August the first and third Thursdays from 5-8 p.m.
In the past, the Closet remained closed for the summer, but will open evenings to accommodate working people. It will remain closed on Tuesdays and will reopen Sept. 7.
For more information, call (218) 692-4056 or Rosie at (218) 765-3417.
Crosslake Chautauqua program Wednesday
Dan Swanson, DNR invasive species specialist, will report on Eurasian water milfoil, purple loosestrife and curly-leaf pondweed - intrusive species that have invaded area lakes.
The Crosslake Chautauqua program is scheduled from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Crosslake Community Center.