Local briefs

Public immunization clinics through the Crow Wing County Health Department will be offered in Brainerd, Pequot Lakes, Crosby and Emily in December.

The schedule is: 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 26 at the Crow Wing County Health Department, 219 Laurel St. in Brainerd; 1-3:15 p.m. Dec. 14 at Lakes Area Family Center in Pequot Lakes; 2-3:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the RAAP Center in Crosby; and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Emily Charter School in Emily.

There is a minimal charge but no one will be denied if unable to pay. A parent or guardian with an immunization record must accompany each child 18 years or younger. To schedule an appointment, call 824-1080 or 824-1098.

Child and teen

clinics scheduled

The Crow Wing County Health Department will be holding Child and Teen Checkup clinics from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Dec. 12 and Dec. 27 in Brainerd.

The Child and Teen Checkup is a series of checkups for apparently well children and young adults in Crow Wing County from six months through 20 years. The purpose of the checkup is to find health problems or deviations of growth and development and have them corrected before they become serious.

A full Child and Teen Checkup includes hearing and vision testing, height and weight check, simple laboratory tests, a physical exam, a growth and development assessment, a nutrition review and immunizations. These tests are conducted by trained public health nurses at the Crow Wing County Health Department.

The fee is based on the family's income. No one will be turned away because of lack of finances.

Call Amy at 824-1097 or toll free at 1-877-724-1080 for an appointment or further information.

The health department also administers the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The program provides nutritional information, referrals to medical providers and vouchers for specific foods for pregnant, post-partum and breastfeeding women and their infants and children up to age 5. Clinics are held the second Friday of every month in Pequot Lakes; the first Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the month in Crosby and several days in Brainerd. The income threshold is set fairly high. For example, a family of four with an income of $48,540 may be eligible for the program.

To inquire or make an appointment, call WIC at 824-1073.

Tobacco free

coalition to meet

The Tobacco Free Community Coalition will meet at noon Jan. 10 at the Crow Wing County Health Department. Because of the holidays, there will be no December meeting.

Emily man receives award

EMILY -- Barry Hite, Emily, was presented the Distinguished Service Award by the Minnesota State Council on Disability at a ceremony in Minneapolis Nov. 15.

Hite is a lay pastor at Hilltop Chapel in Palisade and also runs a small business in Emily. He broke his back in an accident more than 20 years ago and is paralyzed from the chest down.

He has distinguished himself in service to his community as a player and coach of a national champion softball team and coaches youth baseball as well as supporting several programs for hunters with disabilities. He has been active in helping other disabled persons find employment training, education and the opportunity to participate in sports activities.

Hite enjoys hunting and actively supports organizations for hunters with disabilities. Included in these organizations are Helluva Hunt program for antelope hunting in Douglas, Wyo.; Broken Wings pheasant hunting program in Pine River; and the disabled hunters program offered by the state of Minnesota.

He and his wife, Bertie, are the parents of two sons.

Washington concert slated

Washington Middle School band and orchestra students will present their winter concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Tornstrom Auditorium.

Under the direction of Chuck Carlson and Aliina Simmons, the beginners' band will demonstrate what they have learned during the past nine weeks.

The seventh-grade band, under the direction of Chuck Carlson, will perform, "Furioso," "Old Time Rock and Roll," "Rock and Roll -- Part II (The Hey Song)," "The Tempest," and "Christmas Joy."

The Strings, under the direction of Grant Wilcox, will perform a variety of selections.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Alex Tech rep coming

A representative from the Alexandria Technical College will be at Brainerd High School at 1:15 p.m. Dec. 6. to provide information about the college's 45 technical programs and general college information.

Danceline competition

attracts area schools

The second annual "The Big Chill" danceline competition will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Brainerd High School.

A total of 925 dancers from 29 schools, including three college teams, will be competing in the categories of high kick and jazz funk. Fourteen judges will determine the winners.

The Brainerd Warrior varsity danceline team will be performing in both categories. The Brainerd Warrior junior varsity danceline team will be performing in the high kick category.

Other area schools competing include Aitkin, Crosby-Ironton, Pequot Lakes and Pierz.