Fundraiser set for Weyer family
A burger night/meat raffle fundraiser to benefit the Don and Karol Weyer family, who lost their home in Rice of 39 years in a Christmas night fire. Don and Karol are parents to Craig, Scott, Todd, Rita (Olson), Kandice (Virnig), Dawn (Gruber) and Darren and have 29 grandchildren.
Don is a native of Sartell, served in the Vietnam Conflict in the U.S. Army from 1967-69 in the 25th Division, is a purple heart recipient and is a life member of the Post; Karol is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
The couple hopes to rebuild but for now they have very few items from the home that were salvageable. They are currently living with relatives. Proceeds will go to the family to help purchase the things they will need to start over.
Parenting class
set Feb. 2
“Becoming a Love and Logic Parent” will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 at Resource Training and Solutions, 4150 2nd St. S., Ste. 550, St. Cloud. This class will help parents learn simple low-stress communication techniques that are effective with children from toddlers to teens. Topics covered include avoiding power struggles, guiding children to solve their own problems, modeling and teaching responsibility and raising children without raising your voice or the roof. For more information, call 320-255-3236 or toll-free 1-888-447-7032.
St. Cloud schools host open houses
Registering for Kennedy
An open house to register to attend Kennedy Community School will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the school, located at 1300 Jade Road, St. Joseph. For parents unable to attend, registration is available Jan. 28-Feb. 8 at the Welcome Center, 3015 3rd St. N., St. Cloud. Hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday or 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. For more information, call 320-363-7791 or 320-202-6897.
Registering for Spanish immersion
An open house to register for Spanish immersion classes will be held from 7 a.m.-6 pm. Monday, Jan 28 at Clearview Elementary, 7310 Hwy 24 SE, Clear Lake. For parents unable to attend, registration is available Jan. 28-Feb. 8 at the Welcome Center, 3015 3rd St. N., St. Cloud. Hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday or 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. For more information, call 320-743-2241 or 320-202-6897.
Local K of C to sponsor youth free-throw championship
All boys and girls, ages 10 to 14, are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the 2013 Knights of Columbus free-throw championship. The local competition will be held Sunday, Jan. 27 at the St. Joseph Lab School Gym. Registration and practice is at 12:30 p.m., and the contest begins at 1 p.m.
The Knights of Columbus free-throw championship is sponsored annually with winners progressing through local, district and state competition. International champions are announced by the K of C international headquarters based on scores from the state-level competitions. All boys and girls 10- to 14-years-old are eligible to participate and will compete in respective age divisions. Last year more than 120,000 sharpshooters participated in more than 3,600 local competitions.
All contestants on the local level are recognized for their participation in the event. Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent. For any additional information, call Mark Berg-Arnold at 320-363-1077.
Wreath removal, flag disposal set Feb. 2
Removal of the 3,200 wreaths placed Dec. 15 on grave sites to honor all our country’s fallen veterans as well as a flag disposal ceremony will take place starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Minnesota State Veterans’ Cemetery in Little Falls.
By special arrangement the American Legion in Little Falls is going to conduct a special flag disposal ceremony following the wreath removal. The U.S. Flag Code states in part: “The flag, when it is in such condition it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way. The Legion has been performing this ceremony for many decades and has a special area dedicated for this purpose at the cemetery. The public is invited to dispose of any flags that are no longer serviceable by bringing them to the cemetery that day.
WreathsForTheFallen.org was able to provide wreaths for every veteran’s grave last Dec. 15. For those who would like to make a general donation to this worthy cause, please feel free to contribute to the wreath general fund for the 2013 event. For more information, visit www.WreathsForTheFallen.org or contact John Thomas at 218-829-6622.
MAT offers scholarships
The Minnesota Association of Townships will again offer a township scholarship program for high school juniors in the state of Minnesota. Up to four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.
The Minnesota Association of Townships is a nonprofit corporation representing Minnesota townships while promoting an understanding of the heritage, future and being a voice for its roughly 9,000 officers. It regularly conducts research and educational programs designed to foster efficient and economical town governmental services and acts as a liaison between township officers and other local government officials to encourage sustained cooperation.
The Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program is designed to heighten awareness among young people about Minnesota’s Grassroots Township government. The program encourages every high school in the state of Minnesota to offer this opportunity for juniors to participate in this scholarship program.
Eligibility
All students currently enrolled in the 11th grade and attending a Minnesota public, private or parochial high school or a home-study program and who plan to further their education at a college, university or vocational school are eligible for this program. They cannot be the child, stepchild, grandchild or step-grandchild, brother, stepbrother, sister or stepsister of a MAT director or staff member.
Requirements
* Applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with a written essay discussing this year’s topic: Townships can play a role in protecting rural Minnesota from these threats by enacting local ordinances for the public’s health, safety and welfare. What type of local ordinances could be helpful in combating invasive species and what role should township residents play in enacting and funding local ordinances?
• Essays must be between 450 and 500 words, and must be typed with double spacing.
• Applicants should not name themselves, their school, their town or city or their local officials in the essay.
• See the application for research tips.
Along with the completed application and written essay, students must submit the following:
• current high-school transcript
• letter of recommendation from a high-school teacher or counselor.
• All items must be submitted in one envelope and mailed to: Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 267, St. Michael, Minn. 55376, postmarked by May 1.
• Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after May 1 will not be accepted.
Selection
Each essay will be judged by an independent panel based upon originality, knowledge of subject matter in relationship to the title, and supporting statements, as well as correct spelling and punctuation. The judging will be completed by Oct. 1 at which time up to four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Winners will be notified in writing in mid October and will be invited to attend the Minnesota Association of Townships’ annual meeting to be held Nov. 21-23 in Morton. Scholarship awards will be paid to the appropriate financial-aid office upon receipt of verification of enrollment at a college, university or technical school.
The Minnesota Association of Townships is a non-profit corporation representing Minnesota townships. Township government reflects the image as stated by our forefathers who believed the government that governs best, is government which is closest to the people, “Grassroots Township Government.” For more information, visit our website at www.mntownships.org or call Eugene Dufault at 763-497-2330.
Recipes for a healthy life: Brain food
Nourish your mind with tips and recipes to help prevent or reduce the effects of migraines, insomnia, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 at CentraCare Health Plaza. Presented by neurologist Kathleen Rieke, MD, CentraCare Clinic-River Campus and registered dietitian Dona Anderson, St. Cloud Hospital, the evening is free and will include light snacks and a door prize. Register at www.centracare.com. For details, call 320-229-5139. Sponsored by St. Cloud Hospital Women & Children’s Center and Neuroscience & Spine Center.
SCSU hosts diversity conference
St. Cloud State University will host its annual diversity conference through Jan. 27.
The fourth annual “Power in Diversity Leadership Conference” will feature keynote speakers who include Tavis Smiley. Smiley, a talk-show host, author and political commentator, will deliver a presentation on poverty in America at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 in St. Cloud State’s Ritsche Auditorium.
Smiley is one of six keynote presenters with national or regional reputations participating in the conference. Additional speakers include Brown University professor and author Tricia Rose; civil-rights activist and minister C.T. Vivian; motivational speaker Eric Thomas; California State Sacramento professor Carlos Neverez; and administrative law judge Cheryl Jacques, who is a leading voice for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
The conference will offer insights into personal growth and leadership development to college students through a variety of workshops, keynote addresses and programs. Tickets for the keynote addresses are $10. Register for the conference at www.stcloudstate.edu/mss/powerindiversity. For questions about the event call 320-308-2205.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Educate and inspire students
Junior Achievement’s mission is to educate and inspire students in order to prepare for the global economy. Junior Achievement is dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and workforce readiness skills. Volunteer to have the opportunity to go into a classroom five times for 30 to 45
minutes each session using curriculum provided by Junior Achievement. Curriculum is fun, grade appropriate, easy to use and enjoyed by the students. Make a difference in the lives of children by volunteering for JA. Contact Sara Freeman, Junior Achievement Program coordinator, at 320-255-8663.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way community volunteer coordinator, at (320) 223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
Donations for women, babies
New Beginnings is a home for single pregnant women and their babies. Their mission is to provide a safe, secure residence for the women and babies while fostering self-esteem, educational growth and skills of living, parenting and decision-making. New Beginnings is in special need of the following donations: bus
passes, gift certificates for women to department and/or grocery stores, phone cards, video-rental certificates, daily planners, filing bins for women, postage stamps, larger size diapers (size 4 and 5), household and baby items. Donations can be dropped off at any time. A receipt will be given for tax
purposes. Contact Jayme Revermann, New Beginnings volunteer coordinator, 320-255-1252.
Mentor a child in your community
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota helps youth to realize their potential by providing positive growth experiences through one-to-one mentoring relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves children and families in a four-and-a-half county area by providing volunteers who will nurture children through
positive life experiences that will impact the child’s life and the life of the Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Couple, Big Family or Big Grandparent forever. Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Big Couples, Big Families and Big Grandparents are simply friends who share their life with a
child. Each of us can remember those special people in our lives who help shape who we are, who taught us to ride a bike, who taught us to fish and more. These are the people who are “Bigs” to children throughout Central Minnesota. Contact Maija Schmelzer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, at 320-258-
4535.
Reception duties
Opportunity Matters is a local non-profit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals and their families to reach their full potential. They do this by providing in-home services, crisis services, residential services, day services and consulting services to individuals with physical and/or cognitive challenges. They are looking for individuals interested in volunteering to cover their front desk. This volunteer will greet visitors, answer phones, direct questions and assist with various administrative tasks. Hours are available 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Contact Brenda Eggerth, Opportunity Matters volunteer coordinator, 320-240-1900 ext 218.
St. Cloud Hospital ~ Gift Gallery
Volunteers will help run the Gift Gallery at CentraCare Plaza in a friendly and positive manner. Volunteers must feel comfortable working with customers, running the cash register, and dealing with sales while providing excellent customer service. Contact St. Cloud Hospital Volunteer Office at 320-255-5638 or volunteer@centracare.com.
Help needed in a variety of areas
Place of Hope is looking for volunteers in a variety of areas. Front desk help, meal preparation, serving and cleanup, clothing room organizer, general cleaning, paperwork and children’s activity assistants. Help someone in need and volunteer at Place of Hope! Visit www.placeofhopeministries.org to complete a volunteer application or call 320-203-7881.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Community Volunteer Coordinator at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.