LOCAL BRIEFS

Bill Matthies, owner of a local diving business, is the fifth author in the Brown Bag Lunch Summer Speakers' Series from noon to 1 p.m. Monday at the Brainerd Public Library.

This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Brainerd Public Library and is free and open to the public.

"One Earth, Two Worlds" is a book Matthies wrote detailing his experiences throughout his 50-year career as a diver. Although the main part of the book is about diving in central Minnesota, he also wrote about diving in other parts of the world, including Honduras, Truk Lagoon, Palau, Cozumel, Denmark and England.

From shipwrecks to prehistoric bones, Matthies has seen and found many interesting things in the water. In the book, he also includes a history of diving and the evolution of diving equipment in the last 50 years. The book cover design was created by his wife, Evelyn Matthies.

Musical comedy to run July 8-14 in Pequot Lakes

PEQUOT LAKES - Pequot Lakes Community Theater will stage a musical comedy - "A Don't Hug Me County Fair" - for six nights July 8-14.

Showtime is 8 p.m. July 8-11 and July 13-14 in the Pequot Lakes High School Theater.

Tickets for the summer community theater performances are available by calling the Pequot Lakes Community Education office at (218) 568-9200. Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors age 60 and older and $8 for youth 18 and younger. Tickets will be sold at the door starting one hour before show time.

Cathy Taylor to present organ recital

NISSWA - Cathy Taylor will perform at noon Wednesday at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa as part of the Summer Organ Series.

Admission is free; free-will offerings will be accepted.

Taylor has been the organist at Lutheran Church of the Cross for 21 years. She is a Concordia College (Moorhead) graduate with majors in voice and piano.

Taylor is a member of the church's Senior Choir, the director of various children's choirs and the accompanist for the Brainerd High School Choir. She teaches voice and piano lessons from her home.

Crossing Arts restructures

The Crossing Arts Alliance announced it is restructuring the executive director position. The former executive director was Jeannie Bridgeman.