Area briefs

CROSBY -- Combining "Ice Breaker" day with "USA Family Health & Fitness Day," the Hallett Community Center will provide a variety of free activities for families Sunday.

"Ice Breaker" Day, sponsored by Health Fitness Corp., will include free skating from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a silent auction from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

USA Family Health & Fitness Day activities will begin with a one-mile family fun run/walk at 11 a.m. Cost is $3 for adults and free for children.

From 1 to 4 p.m., free activities will include swimming and waterslide, games, raffles and face painting.

USA Family Health & Fitness Day activities are sponsored by the city of Crosby.

Silent auction to benefit C-I and Aitkin youths

CROSBY -- The Hallett Community Center will conduct a silent auction to benefit the Crosby-Ironton-Aitkin youth and high school hockey programs, as well as the community center's Kidz Kamp summer program.

The auction will run 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Hallett Community Center, in conjunction with "Ice Breaker" free skating day. The free skate with former NHL player Steve Jensen and the C-I/A varsity Grizzlies will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community center ice arena.

Items to be auctioned include a golf package for four, with cart, to Breezy Point's Traditional or White Birch course; a week of camp at Heartland Hockey Camps; hockey equipment packages; hockey training devices; three-month membership at the Hallett Community Center and many more items.

Northern Minnesota Beef Workshop set Oct. 15

The 2002 Northern Minnesota Beef Workshop will run 9 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Beltrami County Fairgrounds.

This workshop is designed to enhance the knowledge and productivity of northern Minnesota beef producers. The University of Minnesota Extension Service sponsors the program. Keynote speaker will be John Lawrence, from Iowa State University, who works with national and international livestock economics.

Topics for the day include:

* Shaping Northern Minnesota in the Future of the Worldwide Beef Industry -- How do we compete? How must we change?

* Using the Computer to Buy & Sell Hay-Easy to Learn, Easy to do.

* Increasing Profits in Lean Times.

* Embryo Transplants from a Farmer's Perspective.

* New & Emerging Health Concerns for Beef Producers.

* Current & Future Outlook for Feeder Cattle -- Has the world changed? Is there still a beef cycle? Has the drought in the Midwest affected long-term prices?

Many commercial exhibitors and purebred cattle will be on display and new exhibitors are always welcome. There is no cost to attend and lunch is provided at no cost, courtesy of the commercial exhibitors.

Program brochures are available from area extension offices. For more information, contact the Clearwater County Extension Office at (218) 694-6151 or 1-800-866-3125.