Local briefs

EAST GULL LAKE - Confidence Learning Center earlier this month introduced new board members at its board and membership meeting.

Todd Dahl, Crow Wing County sheriff; Sara Hight, with the Brainerd School District; and Scott Johnson, of The Office Shop; join current president Mark Korte, Nor-Son Inc.; vice president Jim Potvin, RI Transcription; secretary/treasurer Reed Campbell, American National Bank; past president Todd Thompson, WW Thompson Concrete; founder and director emeritus Dick Endres; and board members Jeff Olson, Confidence Learning Center; Karen Owen, RiverWood Bank; Dr. Kevin Dens, D.D.S; Rick Van Wyngeeren, Crow Wing Recycling; and John Tobie, Grand Rapids Eagles.

Confidence Learning Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides year-round education and recreation programs for persons of all ages with developmental disabilities and provides opportunities with the deaf and hard of hearing community for language and cultural expansion, education and support.

Confidence Learning Center receives no local, state or federal funds and relies on individual and corporate donations as well as annual special events and fundraisers for support.

Crow Wing SWCD recognized for Envirothon Committee involvement

Area VIII Minnesota Envirothon is an annual event, coordinated by Soil and Water Conservation Districts from Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods and Wadena counties.

This event is a hands-on outdoor competition, designed to promote natural resource involvement and education to area students. Over the years, participation has ranged from 90-140 students per event.

On June 29, Area VIII Minnesota Envirothon Committee received the 2008 Outstanding Youth Organization award from the Giziibii Resource Conservation and Development Council. The award recognized the committee for its efforts in building and publicizing the event as well as its partnerships with area counties.

Minnesota Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils also presented the committee with the 2009 Outstanding Youth Involvement Award. Corryn Trask and Kathleen Loucks accepted the award on behalf of the committee at the MARC&D annual conference in Cloquet. The award letter noted the committee's leadership and assistance in the RC&D program and dedication to educating future natural resource leaders.

LARA to meet

The annual meeting of the Crow Wing County Lakes and Rivers Alliance will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Lake Edward Town Hall.

The DNR's Dan Swanson will speak and answer questions on the hot topic of aquatic invasive species in area lakes and rivers. Refreshments will be served. All people connected in one way or another with the area's lakes and rivers are encouraged to attend this meeting.

Finding your family history class offered in Motley

MOTLEY - Family history community education classes are planned at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Motley City Hall Conference Room and 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Motley United Methodist Church.

The second and third sessions will be Oct. 15 and Nov. 5. Cost is $10 for all three sessions. The class will be taught by members of the Morrison County Genealogy Society.

To register for the class, contact Staples-Motley Community Education at 400 Second St. N.E., Staples, or (218) 894-2497; call Pat Quinn at (320) 632-3360; or e-mail the MCGS at morrisoncountygenealogy@yahoo.com.

Aitkin cartoonist to discuss political cartooning

CROSBY - From 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 8, get into the mind of popular Unlimited Learning presenter, local political cartoonist Duane Barnhart, as he discusses what it takes to examine issues, formulate opinions and trigger ideas for his weekly cartoons in the Aitkin Independent Age.

Barnhart will present a brief slide show history of political cartooning, show examples of his work, demonstrate drawing techniques and explain how cartoons get into print. Participants will test their wits as they create captions for cartoons. This class, sponsored by Unlimited Learning, will be hosted at the Hallett Community Center in Crosby.

Barnhart divides his time between cartooning, painting watercolors and teaching cartooning in schools as a visiting artist with the COMPAS/WAITS program. His editorial cartoons have appeared in local area newspapers and a variety of magazines. Barnhart and his wife, Angie, are curators of "What's So Funny? A Celebration of Cartooning" exhibit at the Jaques Art Center in Aitkin from Aug. 28-Oct. 3. Check out Duane's Web site at www.cartooningbasics.com.

Funded in part by a Lifelong Learning Grant from the Minnesota Humanities Center, the program is open to the public for a fee of $6. For Unlimited Learning members, the program is part of this year's membership. Scholarships are available. For information, contact Larry Foote, (218) 678-3034.

Crow Wing flew flags at half-staff for Gil Dewes

Crow Wing County flew its flags at half-staff from Friday until noon Tuesday to commemorate the death of former Crow Wing County Commissioner Gil Dewes, who died Aug. 19 and whose funeral services were Tuesday.

Dewes was a two-term commissioner, serving as the District 4 representative from 1995-2002.

Nisswa mayor proclaims Sept. 16 as American Legion Day

NISSWA - At a recent Nisswa City Council meeting, Mayor Brian Lehman proclaimed Sept. 16 as American Legion Day. He said "the observance of American Legion Day provides an opportunity to recognize Legionnaires in our community for their many contributions to our Nisswa community."

The American Legion is an organization of war veterans who continue to dedicate themselves to the service for community, state and nation. Over the years the American Legion has become a pre-eminent community-service organization which now numbers more than 2.5 million members - men and women - in more than 14,000 American Legion posts worldwide.

The Nisswa Billie Brown Post 627 is proud of its heritage. The post was named after Billie Brown who died during the Bataan Death March at the hands of the Japanese during the start of World War II.

The Nisswa American Legion will have an open house at the Legion from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 16. The post is providing hors d'oeuvres and happy hour prices on beverages. There will be tables with Legionnaires showing the many ways the community is supported. The Nisswa Legion Billie Brown Post 627 has a motto: "A tradition of service to country and community."

Sons of Norway to meet

ISLE - Sons of Norway-Tusenvann Lodge No. 1-659 in Isle will meet 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at the I.R.E.C. in Isle. Jim Pluimer of Milaca will present a program about the "Kensington Runestone."

For questions call Carol Bailey at (320) 684-2174 or Bill Peterson at (320) 679-2380.