LOCAL BRIEFS
Habitat for Humanity meeting slated Sept. 15 in McGregor
If you are a low-income Aitkin County family interested in living in a Habitat for Humanity House, an informational meeting is scheduled at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at the McGregor Library.

A Family Selection Committee will accept applications for a family to be chosen for the McGregor home that will be built in the near future.

Criteria for the selection will be that their present housing is not adequate, that they have lived in Aitkin County for a year, that their income is in a specified range and that they have the ability to pay a monthly mortgage payment plus taxes and insurance. The family must make a down payment and must meet the guidelines for credit history.

The partner family must put in 300 hours of sweat equity labor on the home or for Aitkin County Habitat for Humanity. Some of the work also may be done by relatives and friends.

For more information, call (218) 927-5656 or e-mail achfh@aitkincountyhabitat.org.

Young woman earns World Cup Championship in Tang Soo Do
Chanelle Cruz, 18, the granddaughter of Rosella Peter and the late Eldon "Pete" Peter of Baxter, in July earned the World Cup Championship for her division in Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art, in a tournament in Greensboro, N.C.

Cruz competed with women ages 17-23 who held one of three colored belts that are under the black belt. She took first place in staff weapons, second place in sparring and second in forms. Her total medal count won her the world title for women ages 17-36, for all colored belt ranks. She will hold the title for the next two years.

Cruz, Fridley, began karate when she was 12.

NAMI peer support group offered in Pine River

PINE RIVER - A NAMI Connection peer support group for adults recovering from mental illness meets weekly in Pine River.

The free group is sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota. Trained facilitators who are also in recovery lead NAMI Connection groups.

The group meets Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 309 Second Street in Pine River.

For more information, interested persons may call 838-5221. More information about NAMI's free classes and support groups may be reached at www.namihelps.org or (888) NAMI-Helps.

Lakeshore Conservation Club Labor Day Shoot scheduled

The Labor Day Shoot is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at the Lakeshore Conservation Club.

Along with 50- and 100-bird shoots will be a potluck lunch at noon (brats and hotdogs will be provided).

Also, starting Sunday, trap and skeet will be open from noon to 4 p.m. through the month of September.

The club is located on County Road 77, across from Ski Gull.

Crosslake Clothes Closet sets fall and winter hours

CROSSLAKE - The Community Clothes Closet in Crosslake will resume its fall and winter schedule beginning Tuesday.

Hours are from 9 a.m. to noon each Tuesday until June and on the first and third Thursdays from 5-8 p.m.

The Closet is sponsored by area churches and staffed by volunteers and offers clothing, shoes, kitchen items, small appliances, toys, knick-knacks and more at no charge. Donations are accepted from those who are able.

The Closet is at 37560 Ox Lake Landing next to Learn & Play Day Care. Donations may be dropped off during open hours. Clothing should be clean and in good condition and appliances should be in working order.

For more information, call "Dodo" at (218) 692-4056 or Rosie at 765-3417.

Cass County announces WIC nutrition program schedule

Cass County announced its Women, Infants and Children nutrition program schedule.

A family health nurse will be available at WIC clinics to answer questions about pregnancy/children and for pregnancy testing.

Clinics will be:

9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sept. 1, Pine River Family Center.

9:30 a.m.-noon and 1-2:30 p.m., Sept. 2, Pine River Family Center.

9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., Sept. 13, Health, Human & Veteran Service Building, Walker.

9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m., Sept. 8, Harvest Church of God, Remer.

10 a.m. to noon and 1-2:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 22, Family Resource Center, Pillager.

LOCAL BRIEFS

Kids Crafts at Mille Lacs slated for Labor Day

ONAMIA - The Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, Onamia, is hosting a Kids Crafts at Mille Lacs to teach children how to weave a dreamcatcher.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 6 and children will have a dreamcatcher to take home.

Cost is $5 per kit, which includes materials for the dreamcatcher and an instructional handout. It will take about an hour to make the craft. The project is recommended for children ages 8 and older. The workshop is in the meeting room at the museum.

Porcupine Quill Jewelry Workshop scheduled Sept. 11-12

ONAMIA - Participants at the Porcupine Quill Jewelry Workshop, hosted by the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post in Onamia, will make necklaces, earrings and hair ties out of quills to take home in this two-day workshop.

Registration is required Sept. 8. Discounted hotel rooms are available at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided both days. A minimum of five participants are required to host the workshop. Children younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The workshop is from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 11 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 12. Cost to the public is $50 and $45 for MHS and Mille Lacs Band members. There is an additional supply fee of $10.

For more information, call (320) 532-3632.

Wild rice processing demonstrations set in September

ONAMIA - The Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post in Onamia is hosting wild rice processing demonstrations every Saturday in September.

Participants may watch museum staff process wild rice the traditional way. Demonstrations include how to dry, parch, thresh and winnow the wild rice and the finished product.

Demonstrations will last about 20 minutes and take place every hour on the hour from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Demonstrations are free. Admission fee applies if visiting the museum.