Business notes

CROSBY -- The Hallett Community Center was awarded the James Padgett Memorial Award for 2002 by the Minnesota Ice Arena Managers' Association.

The annual award is given to the facility showing the highest "achievement of excellence in ice arena management and operations" among Minnesota ice arenas.

The community center was cited for prudence in spending and payroll reductions, as well as creative utilization of the arena both with and without ice.

The center opened Nov. 1, 1999 and is owned by the city of Crosby and managed by Health Fitness Corp. The site management includes: Maurice Slepica, general manager; Shirley Hale, operations manager; Steve Goshey, building engineer; Jenny Smith, members' services coordinator; and Melissa Aldridge, program coordinator.

Free career workshops start

The Meta 5 Displaced Homemaker Program will conduct a series of six career guidance and personal skill development workshops at Central Lakes College in Brainerd starting Monday and ending Oct. 28.

These free workshops will be on Mondays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in conference room C109. Workshop topics include learning to identify your interests, skills, and strengths; techniques of decision making and goal setting; job seeking strategies; assertive communication; stress management; self-esteem and confidence building also information on training and educational opportunities.

Also covered are developing a resume, cover letters, interviewing skills and completing job applications. A new topic is discussed each session, so participants are encouraged to attend all sessions.

The Displaced Homemaker Program was created for anyone who is going through a life change due to death, divorce, separation or disability of spouse or partner or has lost the means of financial support, said Lucy Franz, director.

For more information, call 855-8010 or 894-5132, or toll-free 800-933-0346.

Budget marketing seminar set

STAPLES -- "Marketing and Promotion on a Shoestring Budget" will be presented at the Staples campus of Central Lakes College in four October sessions.

Instructor Kathy Moore of the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce will present the workshop for non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and small businesses from 6-9 p.m., Oct. 1, 3, 8, and 10.

Moore, director of communications for BLACC, has both bachelor's and master's degrees from Drake University and a background in newspaper advertising, marketing, public relations, corporate communications and event coordination.

She is a marketing consultant for the Small Business Development Center in Brainerd. The schedule for the seminar, which will be in B249, is as follows:

* Oct. 1 -- Marketing overview, target audience discussion, ABCs of communication.

* Oct. 3 -- Public relations, news releases, photography, public speaking/speech writing, basic event planning.

* Oct. 8 -- Advertising, discussion of major ad vehicles, direct mail, Internet, trade show.

* Oct. 10 -- Printing basics, types of printing/processes, specifics on brochures, flyers, posters, table tents, review of other sessions.

Registration deadline is Thursday.

For more information, contact Cindy Cole at 218-894-5302 or send the $50 registration fee to Central Lakes College, Customized Training, 1830 Airport Rd., Staples, Minn., 56479.

PLADO meeting set Wednesday

PEQUOT LAKES -- The Pequot Lakes Area Development Organization's annual meeting will be Wednesday at Sibley Station restaurant.

Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner, review of last year's events, future projects and objectives and election of board members.

Holden is elected to state bar

Susan M. Holden, a Brainerd lakes area native, was recently elected secretary of the Minnesota State Bar Association placing her on the leadership track to serve as state Bar president in 2006.

Holden is a partner at the Minneapolis-based personal injury law firm of Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey.

Holden also served as Hennepin County Bar Association president from 1999 to 2000. The MSBA is the largest lawyer's professional association in the state with more than 15,500. The associations primary goal is to maintain high ethical and professional standards for practicing attorneys throughout the state.

Holden was also recently recognized as one of Minnesota's top 50 women super lawyers following a survey conducted by trade journal Minnesota Law & Politics.

CHOW Time South Lunch set Thursday

Weizengger Engel Insurance, 301 NW 6th Street, Brainerd, is hosting the September CHOW Time South luncheon event from noon - 1 p.m. Thursday. Lunch is catered by Wendy's under the tent.

Cost to attend is $3 with advance reservations or $5 at the door. For more information, call the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce at 829-2838, ext. 801.

Chamber annual dinner set Oct. 7

The Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce 2002 annual dinner will be Oct. 7, at Breezy Point Resort.

Social hour begins at 5:15 p.m., with the buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment, by the Harmony Engineers will start at 7 p.m., followed by a recognition program. Cost is $25 per person. Tables of 10 are available.

For more information, contact Myra Horner at the chamber at 829-2838, ext. 127. Attendees must RSVP by Oct. 1.