LOCAL BRIEFS

Ross Duval of Merrifield recently completed eight weeks of service with the Minnesota Conservation Corps.

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MCC's Summer Youth Program, a youth development and natural resource restoration program, is based at St. Croix State Park near Hinckley. Duval was one of 85 youths age 15 to 18 selected from across the state to participate.

This summer, Duval and a crew of five other youths and two adult leaders completed many outdoor environmental restoration projects. Service projects include maintaining hiking trails, planting trees, installing rain gardens and removing exotic invasive plant species. Duval and other youths also learned professional skills such as resume writing and job interviewing.

Ross Duval of Merrifield, one of 85 youth age 15 to 18 selected from across the state to participate in the Minnesota Conservation Corps' Summer Youth Program, recently completed eight weeks of service with the MCC.

Youth crews spend most of their summer camping in tents at state and national parks where they work, upon completing week-long training at St. Croix State Park. Youths complete 35 hours of hands-on conservation work each week. Crews cook their own meals, wash their own dishes and enjoy outdoor recreation when not doing conservation work.

The Minnesota Conservation Corps is a nonprofit that provides meaningful work for young people with hands-on environmental service projects. The Summer Youth Program unplugs teenagers who agree to leave iPods, cell phones and modern conveniences behind to live, work and learn in the outdoors.

For more information on the Minnesota Conservation Corps programs and its programs for teenagers and young adults, call (651) 209-9900 or visit www.conservationcorps.org.

ATV safety training scheduled in Crosby

The Cuyuna Iron Range Riders ATV/OHV club has scheduled an ATV safety training class for youth 11-15 years of age.

The class is scheduled at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at the Power Lodge, 17821 Highway 371, Brainerd. Pre-registration is required as class size is limited. Cost is $15. Students must "fit" the machine and provide their own ATV, helmet and goggles for the field training.

The training certificate is valid when the student turns 12 years of age. Students who complete the classroom and field test will be legal to ride an ATV over 90cc.

Before attending the class, students must complete an independent study course. The CD ROM course is available free through the DNR Information Center at (888) 646-6367 and the Enforcement Safety Training office at (800) 366-8917. You also may visit the DNR Web site at www.DNR.state.mn.us. Click on education and safety training.

For registration information, contact Jason Winter at (218) 829-2191 or e-mail ATVSafety@cuyunaironrangeriders.com.

Richau to visit Morrison County from Germany

LITTLE FALLS - Martin Richau, an expert in Silesian genealogy, will visit Morrison County from Germany in early September.

Richau has made several trips over the years to study the families that emigrated from Silesia to the United States. Silesia is an area in Europe that has historically changed hands between Germany and Poland.

In honor of Richau's visit, the Morrison County Historical Society will host an open house from 4-6 p.m. Sept. 9 at The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum in Little Falls. The public is invited to attend and bring questions for Martin related to German/Polish ancestry.

There is no cost to attend. For more information, call (320) 632-4007.

Ruffed Grouse Society essay winner

James Krantz, grandson of Curt and Marlene Krantz of Pine River, is the winner of the Ruffed Grouse Society's Second Annual Youth Poster and Essay Contest.

James, 13, of Chanhassen, is the son of Eric and Jill Krantz. The 13-year old entered his essay titled "The Great Outdoors and the Person Who Taught Me All About It," in the May 31 contest.

The theme of the contest was "What person has taught you the most about the outdoors?"

In his essay, James said his father taught him the most. He recalls how his father taught him how to safely handle a firearm, how to dress appropriately for the weather and to show respect for nature.

For his winning essay, James received a Tri-Star Youth Model 20-gauge shotgun along with a Ruffed Grouse Society membership.

James and his father will be guests at the Deep Portage Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society's 20th anniversary sportsmen's banquet Thursday at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve near Hackensack.

Crosslake Community Clothes Closet reopens

CROSSLAKE - The Crosslake Community Clothes Closet will reopen on Sept. 8 at its new location at 37560 Ox Lake Landing. Hours are from 9 a.m. to noon each Tuesday. The building is the second building on Ox Lake Landing, next to Home Interiors, and is entered from the back.