St. Cloud Diocese hosts spiritual retreat
A Spiritual Retreat for Catholic women (and men) of the St. Cloud Diocese will be held from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9 in St. Edward’s Church, Henning, Minn. The theme is “Journey of Faith,” with morning speaker Fr. Greg Paffel and afternoon speaker Dcn. Randy Altstadt. Other agenda items include registration, refreshments, Mass, lunch and more. The retreat is sponsored by the St. Cloud Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Cost is: $15 prior to March 1; $20 after. Send registration check to: Marilyn Stenger, 30415 410th St., Dent, MN 56528. For additional information, call Eva Koep at 218-862-4710.
Joetown Snowtown is this weekend
An opportunity to celebrate the close of winter is slated for this weekend.
The St. Joseph Park Board will host Joetown Snowtown Saturday, Feb. 16 in Millstream and Centennial parks. Activities for youth include a medallion hunt, broomball, skate races and snowman-building for children from 1 to 4 p.m. in Centennial Park, south of Highway 75 at the corner of Birch Street West and Old Highway 52. Additional festivities for adults include a chili-tasting, bonfire and flashlight snowshoeing from 5 to 9 p.m. in Millstream Park, north of Highway 75 1 mile west of the intersection of College Avenue and C.R. 2. Refreshments and some snowshoes will be provided.
Some activities are dependent on weather and could be cancelled. For more information and clues for the medallion hunt, visit the city’s website, www.cityofstjoseph.com.
Free CPR training offered in St. Joseph
Classes will be offered from 6 to 10 pm Monday, April 1 and Wednesday, April 3 at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall.
Participants need only attend one class, and there are 25 spaces available per class. If interested, individuals should contact the City of St. Joseph at 363-7201 to register for the class.
Upon completion of the course, individuals will receive their Heart saver/AED CPR card and certification. The class is free to residents of St. Joseph, St. Joseph Township and St. Wendel Township.
Mayor will host town hall meeting
St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz will host a town hall meeting Saturday, Feb. 16. The meeting is set for 9-10 a.m. at the Local Blend, 19 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph. The purpose of the townhall meeting is for residents to ask questions about city projects and discuss community issues.
Sartell Community Showcase planned for Feb. 23
Bring your family and friends to the 8th annual Sartell Area Chamber’s Community Showcase from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Sartell Middle School, 627 Third Ave. N.
This free, family-focused event with a “Cirque du Sartell”(circus) theme includes booths from many area businesses/organizations, kids’ activities, games, inflatables, open swimming and door prizes.
Attendees may also enjoy entertainment from various groups between 10 a.m. and noon. The LeSauk Lions will sell food at the event too.
For more information about the event or booth space, call 320 -258-6061, e-mail info@sartellchamber.com or visit www.sartellchamber.com.
Home Stretch set Feb. 23 for first-time homebuyers
Home Stretch, a first-time homebuyer workshop that takes participants through the entire home-buying process will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at the office of Central Minnesota Housing Partnership. In one day, you will learn about qualifying for a mortgage, financing a home, credit, real estate, the closing process, basic home maintenance, and affordable mortgage products that may be available to first-time homebuyers. Some affordable mortgage products, government loans, and down payment and closing cost assistance programs may require a buyer to receive a Home Stretch certificate.
“Buying a home is definitely a considerable investment. Whether you are new to the home buying process or have not bought a home in quite some time, homebuyer education will provide the necessary information everyone should know before even looking at homes,” said Kelly Doss, Program Coordinator at Central Minnesota Housing Partnership. “It is critical in this economy to have informed buyers, and our programs help educate participants on becoming responsible homeowners.”
Homebuyer education is also offered as an online course. Framework is a new online tool to prepare you for successful homeownership. Framework will provide you with the facts you need to become a knowledgeable buyer. Many lenders have approved Framework to meet homebuyer education requirements.
Central Minnesota Housing Partnership, a non-profit organization providing affordable housing services to the central region of Minnesota, coordinates the Home Stretch workshop. Registration is required, and participants will receive a completion certificate at the end of the workshop. There is a $30 fee per household to participate in Home Stretch, and a $75 fee for Framework. To register for the online Framework course or the Home Stretch workshop, please contact Kelly at 320-258-0681 and visit our website www.cmhp.net for more information.
Pre-purchase counseling is also available by appointment and is strongly recommended prior to taking Home Stretch. This is a free service to anyone who wants to speak with a certified homeownership counselor about their financial situation prior to buying a home.
Snowmobile Ride for Cancer
The first annual Stearns County Snowmobile Association Cancer Run is being held Saturday, Feb. 16. All the proceeds from the Ride For Cancer snowmobile run will be donated to the Keller Family Community Foundation, which supports research, education and informational activities to increase public awareness and to prevent and treat chronic health conditions and diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and depression.
The 501 3c non-profit foundation was started in 2009 by the Nick Keller family which had a vision to help others with cancer. The family wanted to be able to help others that have cancer and helping in times when money is short. Currently, the foundation has been able to help by giving grants to Ruth’s Free Wig Closet, CentraCare Hospitals, (St. Cloud, Melrose, Alexandria and Long Prairie), St. Michael’s Hospital in Sauk Centre, Paynesville Health Care, Portage Health in Hancock, Mich, Road to Recovery in Wisconsin and the Marshfield Clinics in Michigan. The hospitals have been able to purchase gas cards to be given out to cancer patients who are in financial need and help them get to their treatments. We are truly people helping people.
You can pick up a pledge sheet from any local snowmobile club member or by going directly to the Keller Family Community Foundation website: www.snowballcancer.org and printing a form. You can find all of the details regarding pledges (donations per mile or a one-time pledge) along with meeting Nick and Mary Jane on the site as well. The general public is welcome to join in on the fun as well. The cancer run/bonfire/meal will go on with or without snow. All checks can be written out directly to KFCF and turned in at the Country Snow Cruisers Clubhouse located at 22698 CR 12 in Richmond. You can also come out and enjoy a complimentary meal and beverage out by the bonfire after 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16.
The Stearns County snowmobile clubs sponsoring this event are: Country Snow Cruisers-Richmond, Bonanza Valley Trail Blazers, New Munich Snow Gliders, Koronis Hills-Paynesville, St. Augusta Blizzard Busters, Roving Hillbillies-St. Rosa, Holdingford SnoFlyers, St. Joe Sno-Joes, Central Lakes Snowmobile Club-Watkins, Melrose Snowmobile Club, St. Stephens River Runners, Sauk Centre Snow Cleats, Hidenberg Riders and the St. Martin Rough Riders. For more information, call Randy Johannes at 320-685-4589 or 320-250-4976.
Any and all donations are greatly appreciated no matter how big or small. “Every Mile and Every Penny Counts.”
‘Green Forum’ set for Feb. 26 at library
All people who work with the area’s young people are invited to a “Green Forum” starting at 8:30 a.m.Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Great River Regional Library, St. Cloud. The conference, entitled “2013 Green Forum: Engaging Our Youth” teaches organizations how to reach out to youth and engage them in sustainability efforts. The event is sponsored by the St. Cloud Area Sustainability Committee. A free breakfast will be served. To learn more or to register, go to www.sustainablestcloud.com.
United Way volunteer opportunitiesGraphic design volunteer
Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Minnesota is looking for a creative volunteer to help us with our graphic design needs. The volunteer will strategize with the recruiter about promotional materials, brainstorm and create various print materials, and maintain consistent communication with the recruiter. A commitment of approximately 10 hours per month is asked but allows a flexible schedule. Contact Maija Schmelzer, Big Brothers Big Sisters, at 320-253-1616.
Great River Area Faith in Action is looking for volunteers to complete light housekeeping, routine cleaning and other light chores for an older adult or person with a disability. Volunteers must enjoy working with people, have a desire to establish a relationship with an older adult or physically challenged person and
be comfortable with physical disabilities. The time commitment is about two hours per week or as needed. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Contact Cherise Robb, volunteer coordinator, at 320-258-8678.
Transportation volunteer for veterans
Transport veterans to their appointments at the medical center with a VA vehicle or drive a golf cart around the medical-center grounds to pick up and deliver patients, visitors and items throughout the medical center. Transportation volunteers require a driver’s license, safe driving record, physical exam and
defensive driving course. Contact Patricia Aljets, St. Cloud VA Health Care System, at 320-255-6365 or patricia.aljets@va.gov
Toy cleaning and sanitizing
Reach-Up needs help with toy cleaning and sanitizing. Our Home Visiting Program is looking for someone who can come in weekly or every other week to help clean and sanitize toys that are used on home visits with families. It will take between 1.5 to 2 hours to complete all of the cleaning each time. The volunteer
will work with a diluted bleach solution for sanitizing. Training will be provided. Contact Laurie Whitaker, Reach-Up volunteer coordinator, at 320-253-8110.