Local briefs

PEQUOT LAKES -- Pequot Lakes will host a community candlelight vigil at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the trailside park building in downtown Pequot Lakes for Dru Sjodin.

Pequot Lakes Police Chief Mark Forsberg said the candlelight vigil will be an attempt to heal the community in light of the disappearance of Sjodin.

Forsberg said the vigil will last about 30-45 minutes, and will include clergy from Pequot Lakes community and other speakers.

Toys for Kids program still in need of donated toys

New toys may still be contributed to the local Toys for Kids program operated by the Heartland Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

New, unwrapped toys may be deposited at several business locations throughout the Brainerd lakes area by Friday.

Cash donations may be made to Toys for Kids, P.O. Box 2811, Baxter MN 56425. Additional information is available by calling Jim Shubert at 963-7509.

Winter swim lessons open at YMCA

The Brainerd Family YMCA has its next swim lesson schedule ready.

The session begins the week of Jan. 5 and meets once a week for six weeks. These pre-school and school-age lessons are taught by trained instructors. YMCA members can begin registering for classes Dec. 29. Community members can begin Jan. 2.

For a schedule of classes and fees, contact the Brainerd Family YMCA at 829-4767 or stop by 602 Oak St. in Brainerd to register.

YMCA adds expanded Fun Swim hours

The Brainerd Family YMCA will have expanded Fun Swim hours during the holiday break Dec. 22-Jan. 4.

Call the YMCA for more information at 829-4767.

Brainerd PUC to meet Dec. 23

The Brainerd Public Utilities Commission will meet 9 a.m. Dec. 23 in the commission meeting room at the Brainerd Public Utilities Service Center at 8027 Highland Scenic Road.

Free open skating, bus trip to Ski Gull set

Brainerd Community Education will sponsor free open skating from noon to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 22, 23 and 26; noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 27 and 28; and noon to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 30 and 31 at the Brainerd Area Civic Center.

A free bus to Ski Gull will be offered for students in grades 6-12 Dec. 26, 27, 29 and 30. Ski Gull is offering a package for students riding the bus -- an all-day lift ticket for $9 and rental equipment for $9.

The bus will load at 9:15 a.m. in the Franklin Junior High School parking lot and at 9:30 a.m. in front of Baxter Elementary School. Students will be met at Ski Gull by members of the ski patrol at 10 a.m. who will provide a brief orientation. The bus will depart Ski Gull at 4 p.m. for its return to Baxter School at 4:30 p.m. and Franklin at 4:45 p.m.

For more information, call Brainerd Community Education at 828-5372.