AREA COMMUNITY NEWS: Keosauqua, Cantil, Brighton

Van Buren County observing National Day of Prayer

KEOSAUQUA - The National Day of Prayer will be observed Thursday in Van Buren County.

Everyone is welcome to join a group meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Lodge.

Cantril celebrating Cinco de Mayo

CANTRIL - The Cantril community will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the Cantril Fire Station.

A taco bar, with all the fixings, will be available for a free will offering.

Wild Edibles Hike planned May 11

KEOSAUQUA - A Wild Edibles Hike, with Naturalist Kathy Dice, is planned May 11 at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.

Participants should meet at 10 a.m. at the park's beach house, dressed to forage in the forest along the trails during a leisurely hike as Dice points out wide edibles, and explains how to identify them, how to prepare them and any medicinal values they might have.

The program is free, and no preregistration is required.

The hike is an official Des Moines River Water Trails event co-hosted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Jefferson County Conservation.

Crappie tournament planned at Lake Darling

BRIGHTON - Friends of Lake Darling are planning the inaugural Jimmy Dick Memorial Crappiethon 7 a.m. to noon at Lake Darling State Park.

Registration is at 6 a.m. at the Lake Darling Boat Ramp. The fee is $10 per person. Proceeds will support Friends of Lake Darling.

All ages are welcome to participate.

Cash and prizes will be awarded.