Area briefs

PINE RIVER -- Friends of the Pine River Library Foundation will host a wine tasting and silent auction 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Driftwood Resort.

Tickets can be purchased at the Pine River Library and Ultimate Liquors in Pine River. Cost is $12 for singles and $20 for couples. Hors d'oeuvres are included. Friend members will receive a 10 percent discount.

For more information, contact Muriel Erickson at (218) 587-4639.

Summer Festival scheduled Sunday at Living Legacy Gardens

STAPLES -- An old-fashioned Sunday Summer Festival will be 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Living Legacy Gardens near Staples .

This is a free event that will showcase the colorful flower garden in its prime and provide an atmosphere for relaxing and socializing.

Brainerd vocalist Cleo Kuelbs, a keyboardist, and a bass player will entertain in the gazebo.

Local artist Pam Collins will demonstrate watercolor painting.

Author Sandy Opeim will sign copies of her children's book "Who's Hat is That." She will have signed copies available to buy.

Gardeners will be available to answer questions about Living Legacy Gardens or about plants and gardens in general.

Lemonade will be provided. The Junior Master Gardeners will sell ice cream treats.

Benches are available throughout the garden, but guests may bring lawn chairs.

Living Legacy Gardens is at Central Lakes Ag Center, north of Staples on Airport Road, then one-half mile west of Central Lakes College on County Road 2.

Walker American Legion to host Sept. 11 observance

WALKER -- Spencer Ross American Legion Post of Walker will present a Sept. 11 observation program beginning at 7:40 a.m. on the Cass County Courthouse front lawn at the veterans podium.

The honor guard will present colors. The flag will be lowered to half-mast and remain there for the day. Thirty seconds of siren sound will be followed by 30 seconds of silence.

The program will conclude with the pledge of allegiance. The public is invited to attend.

Bay Lake, Deerwood Lions seek fund recipients

The Bay Lake Area Lions and the Deerwood Lions are seeking applications from area nonprofit organizations to be recipients of the groups' annual home tour fund-raising event.

For the past three years, the Lions have sponsored the home tour and donated all profits to area projects. The first year the profits were designated for a new Lions Mobility Bus, which is expected to be in service soon.

The bus transports the elderly and disabled in the area free of charge. The second year the Lions raised funds for a Global Positioning Satellite system for the Crosby ambulances. Earlier this year, profits went to Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity.

Area nonprofits are requested to submit a request in writing to be considered as a recipient for the 2005 home tour. Applicants should explain their organization, who benefits from it and how funds would be used.

Submit requests to Deerwood Lakes Lions, 14289 Maghan Road, Deerwood, MN 56444. All requests must be postmarked by Sept. 1. The home tour committee will make the final decision regarding who will receive the funds.