Area briefs

BACKUS -- The Community Ladies Aid annual Harvest Supper will be Saturday at the Deerfield Town Hall located eight miles west of Backus (follow signs) or nine miles south of Akeley (Highway 64, follow signs).

Serving will start at 3 p.m. The menu will include turkey and ham, homemade pie and buns. A bazaar and raffle are planned.

Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6.

Children First event set in Pequot Lakes

PEQUOT LAKES -- A Children First For Future event is scheduled for 5 p.m. Oct. 12 at Pequot Lakes School. The program is designed to create awareness on the issues of child abuse, crisis adoption, sexual assault, violence and child protection.

Following the program there will be a silent march on the Paul Bunyan Trail. Sponsors of the program include Friendship Circle, the Mid-Minnesota Women's Center, Sexual Assault Services, Children's Home Society and Pine Motors.

Invited guests include state Rep. Kris Hasskamp, DFL-Crosby, Crow Wing County Commissioner Ed Larsen and Pequot Lakes Mayor Jack Schmidt.

Alumni return to school for reunion

PEQUOT LAKES -- The 27th annual all-school reunion, held Aug. 8, brought more than 140 former students, faculty members and friends back to Pequot Lakes School.

Following vice president Jackie Craigo's welcome to the group, Jim Brunes gave an invocation and Superintendent James Oraskovich provided an update on the growth of the community and schools and the Pequot Lakes Community Family Center.

Zelma Olson and Jennie Hurtig from the class of 1924 and members of the classes of the 1930s, as well as former faculty members and the Golden Class of 1950, were honored.

In a tribute to Olson, founder of the reunion, son Wayne Olson was unanimously elected president for the new term. Other electees are Shirley Robideaux, vice president-historian, and Kathleen Tusa, secretary. Don Tepfer will continue as treasurer and Beverly Gibbons is outgoing secretary.

Many reunion members are active supporters of the Pequot Lakes Historical Society. With this in mind, a new project was approved and a committee consisting of Bernice Knutson, Dona Mae Weaver and Craigo was appointed to create a memory book to record the history of the reunions, anecdotes, pictures and favorite recipes from the potluck dinners over the years.

A contest for a title for the book is being opened and the committee and organization officers will vote on suggested names. The winner will receive a free copy of the book.

The reunion is always open to all former students (not just graduates), faculty members and friends. People are asked to send recipes, titles and memories to Box 41, Pequot Lakes, MN 56474 before Jan. 1, 2001, so the book can be ready for the next reunion.