AREA BRIEFS

STAPLES -- To help women with the cost of an annual breast and cervical cancer screening, Lakewood Health System in Staples is offering the SAGE program at its clinics in Staples, Browerville, Eagle Bend, Motley and Pillager.

The SAGE program offers free screenings to women who are residents of Minnesota, over age 40 and meet income and insurance guidelines. An applicant must have either no insurance or insurance that does not cover the full costs of the screenings. Household income ranges from $23,925 for a household of one to $64,675 for a household of six.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For more information regarding the SAGE program, call Julie Goff at Lakewood Health System at (218) 894-1515.

Lakewood Health System Foundation announces 10th annual Season of Lights

STAPLES -- To honor the work done by the Lakewood Health System Hospice Program, the Lakewood Health System Foundation will collect donations to help fill and light a tree.

Lights may be purchased through Nov. 28 and may be dedicated in memory of, in honor of or in celebration of a special person or occasion. White lights are $5, amber lights $10, blue lights $15, red lights $20 and angels are $25.

There will be a lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Lakewood Health System Care Center dining room and at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 in the hospital lobby of the Long Prairie Memorial Hospital and Home. The ceremonies will offer refreshments, entertainment and a dedication of the lights.

For more information on being part of the Season of Lights, contact the Lakewood Health System Foundation office at (218) 894-8503 or visit www.lakewoodhealthsystem.com.

Fitness workshops to be held in Crosby

CROSBY -- The Hallett Community Center and NETA, a non-profit fitness professional association, are co-sponsoring the following nationally recognized workshops in November.

Group Exercise Certification will be held at 8 a.m. Nov. 19. Potential and current fitness instructors will learn basic academic and practical application of teaching group exercise. No college, science or teaching background required. Workshop registration includes a full-day review, written exam, two-year certificate and membership.

Total Body Conditioning will be offered at 8 a.m. Nov. 20. Investigate the safety, efficacy, biomechanics and coaching skills for a variety of resistance exercises using body weights, rubberized tubing and/or hand-held weights. Course material includes exercise programming that targets the core, upper and lower body musculature.

For more information, call Sarah Merhar at (218) 546-2616. To register, call 800-AEROBIC or register online at 222.netafit.org.

Region Five hosts legislative forum

STAPLES -- More than 60 area residents attended the second annual legislative forum hosted by the Region Five Development Commission on Sept. 15 in Staples.

Roundtable discussions were held with participants and legislators stimulating discussion on issues such as affordable housing, economic development, community development, education, transportation, aging and the environment.

Lori Sturdevant, Capitol reporter and political columnist with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, moderated a panel discussion. Legislators, including Reps. Mary Ellen Otremba, Greg Blaine, Frank Moe and Dean Simpson and Sens. Paul Koering and Carrie Ruud, responded to questions from the audience on issues such as stadium funding, transportation for rural areas and education funding.

To view the roundtable discussion summaries and see photos from the event, visit the Region Five Web site at www.regionfive.org.

Deep Portage to host Fall Festival on Saturday

HACKENSACK -- The Fall Festival at Deep Portage will start with a tower climb at 1 p.m. and end with a concert by Garnet Rogers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Cost for all events and dinner is $20 and one non-perishable food item.

The festival will begin with a chance to watch hawks and view the fall foliage during a walk up the 55-foot observation tower. At 3 p.m., climb the Deep Portage climbing wall. All equipment will be provided. Participants are asked to bring tennis shoes and be at least age 8.

Dinner of grilled burgers and brats with all the fixings and side dishes will be served at 5:30 p.m. Singer/songwriter Rogers will perform in the Great Hall.

Upcoming Saturday programs at Deep Portage:

* Sight in your rifle at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15. Bring rifle, ammunition and eye/ear protection.

* Climb the observation tower at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22 and sight in your rifle at 1:30 p.m. that day.

For more information on any of the events or to order tickets for the Fall Festival, call (218) 682-2325 or 1-888-280-9908.

Cider and Candlelight Tour closes log village season

CROSSLAKE -- The Cider and Candlelight Tour held recently at the Crosslake Historic Log Village closed the event calendar for 2005.

More than 300 people attended the event that featured hot cider, horse-drawn wagon rides, music by Kai and Bridget and tours of the buildings by costumed volunteers by candle and lantern light.

A log bird feeder was awarded to Fran Horton of Pine River and the steel, copper and brass creation by Jeff Kreitz to Nancy Galatowitsch of Merrifield.

Garrison Lions membership night slated

GARRISON -- The Garrison Lions will have an informational meeting with dinner provided at 6:15 p.m. Oct. 13 at Garrison City Hall.

For more information or to attend, contact any of the following by Oct. 12: Georjann Deutsch, (320) 692-4439; Howard Spiess, (320) 692-4899; or Shirley Weyer, (320) 692-4315.