Local briefs

CROSBY -- The Crosby-Ironton Senior Citizens Club will meet 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Cuyuna Range Community Center in Crosby.

Those attending the monthly meeting are reminded to bring their own plates, silverware and a dish to pass. Coffee is provided. Hostesses are June Simon, Philomena Brackett and Lois Harp.

Following the meal, poetry will be read by Heartland Poets' Char Donovan, president of the League of Minnesota Poets; Helen Pappas of Crosby; and Maxine Russell of Brainerd, poet laureate of the League of Minnesota Poets.

Turkey dinner benefit planned for three Nisswa children Saturday

A turkey dinner with all the trimmings is planned from 5 p.m. until the food is gone Saturday at the Nisswa Community Center. Food will be prepared for about 750 people.

The benefit dinner will help raise funds for Darby Richmond, 5, who suddenly contracted transverse myelitis, a rare neurologic disorder; Camron Glassmann, 2, who was severely burned in a campfire accident; and Megan Ament, 5, who is battling a rare childhood form of cancer.

Raffles and a silent auction are planned. The menu includes turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberries, vegetables, dinner rolls, Mary Etta's pies, coffee and juice. All food is homemade.

Cost for the dinner is $7 for adults and children 10 and older, $5 for children ages 4-9 and free for children 3 years and younger.

MnDOT, Region 5 to host meeting

BAXTER -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Region 5 Development Commission, will host a public meeting 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at MnDOT's District 3 office in Baxter to share information on the draft of the 2008-2030 Long-Range Transportation Plan. The sessions are a follow-up to meetings earlier this year.

MnDOT staff will share information on transportation issues facing central Minnesota and recommend transportation infrastructure improvements.

MnDOT officials will open the meeting with a presentation on the district planning process and address the area's growth, congestion and safety issues. In addition, information will be presented on the region's transportation needs and the district's investment plan, which will guide MnDOT's investment decisions on the highway system for the next 25 years.

"Transportation needs in central Minnesota continue to outweigh available funding," said Bob Busch, Transportation District 3 engineer. "With limited state transportation funding available and MnDOT's focus on preservation rather than expansion, we did our best to strike that balance between system preservation and addressing safety and congestion needs."

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event should contact Steven Voss, district planner, at (218) 828-2471. Hearing- or speech-impaired persons should contact the Minnesota Relay Service at (800) 627-3529 by Nov. 18.