Christmas Tree Lighting
A tree lighting ceremony and caroling will be held starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 in downtown St. Joseph on the corner of Minnesota Street and College Avenue on the Bello Cucina patio. The tree is donated by Dr. Joseph Styles. A gathering with Santa, refreshments and ornament making will be at 7 p.m. in the social area of the La Playette. The event is sponsored by the St. Joseph Action Group with assistance by Sentry Bank and Central Minnesota Credit Union.
St. Joseph survey helps guide city services
City of St. Joseph taxpayers are encouraged to participate in a community survey to aid elected officials in determining the efficiency of city services and measuring residents’ opinions of those services, along with assisting in determining community amenities. The survey contains 12 questions and takes less than five minutes to complete. A link to the survey is provided on the city’s website at www.mn-stjoseph.civicplus.com. Paper copies are also available at city hall.
Lindbergh Christmas 1918 set Nov. 30 in Little Falls
Christmas with the Lindberghs: 1918 will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 at the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, 1620 Lindbergh Drive, Little Falls. When C.A. Lindbergh did not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1917, he, his wife Evangeline and teenage son Charles spent the winter in their Little Falls home for the first time. Step back in time and visit the Lindbergh home as costumed characters portray family members and hired workers readying the house for Christmas 1918. Tour the home and hear why Charles didn’t seek re-election, then lost his bid for the U.S. Senate, see “improvements” made to the house at the time, learn about the recent end of World War I in Europe, and find out what everyone’s hopes are for the new year of 1919. The gallery exhibits in the Visitor Center will be open and visitors also can shop for holiday items at a special sale in the gift shop.
The Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site is a national historic landmark operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. It’s located across from Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, 1.5 miles south of Little Falls. Call 320-616-5421 for more information.
Baby Bounce set Dec. 3
Infants up to 18 months old, together with an adult caregiver, are invited to a Baby Bounce program from 10:30-10:50 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 N. 5th Ave., Waite Park. Baby Bounce involves fun activities children and adults do together to encourage an early interest in books. Attendance is limited. Registration is required.
Harpist plays Dec. 4 at Waite Park library
Enjoy a concert of harp music by harpist Andrea Stern from 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 N. 5th Ave., Waite Park. Stern has been a professional performing artist for more than two decades performing with symphonies throughout the world, and she has performed as principal harpist for the Minnesota Opera. Her delightful music puts the audience in the holiday mood. Stern’s appearance is funded in part with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
St. Cloud Hospital lights up Dec. 5
‘The Aging Brain’ set Dec. 6
“The Aging Brain,” a presentation by Dr. Maggie Happe, clinical psychologist from the St. Cloud Veterans Administration, will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. Friday Dec. 6 at Heritage Hall, 12 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph. Happe will present information related to normal versus not normal aging. This presentation will also include a discussion on depression and dementia. The event is sponsored by the Church of St. Joseph’s Pastoral Ministry Commission.
Surround-sound opera at SCSU
Computer technology takes center stage in composer Trevor Wishart’s “Encounters in the Republic of Heaven: …all the colours of speech…” to be held at noon Friday, Dec. 6 at the Performing Arts Center at St. Cloud State University. The New Media series event is an eight-channel surround-sound opera in four acts. Wishart’s work focuses on computer-enhanced and transformed human voices in collected recordings from homes, schools and meeting-places in Northeast England. The composer developed the software to facilitate the piece while in residence at the University of Durham. After the performance, Wishart will answer audience questions via video interview from his home in the United Kingdom. The event is free and open to the public. The New Media series invites composers, performers and other artists employing new media – with an emphasis on the sonic arts – to present their work and interact with students and the public. The events generally include a lecture and performance, and strive to expose audiences to new musical experiences.
Candle-lighting ceremony remembers deceased children
Parents, siblings and grandparents of children who have died are invited to attend a candle lighting ceremony from 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 4th Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. Loved ones may bring a single framed photo of their child for display if they wish. Special music, readings, time for sharing reflections and memories will be part of the evening as well. Out of respect for the newly grieving and in keeping with the reverent nature of the event, please consider finding alternative care for younger family members.
The candle-lighting service at Living Waters is being held in conjunction with the Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting® in honor of National Children’s Memorial Day. This memorial event which began in 1997 is a day set aside to remember all children who have died. Candles will be lit by families and friends in homes around the world in memory of children who have died. Candle lighting will begin at 7 p.m. traveling through each time zone illuminating the globe in a 24-hour wave of light.
For more information, call the Living Waters church office at 320-255-1135.
Short-call sub training to be held Dec. 9-10
People who want to teach but don’t have the full credentials will have an opportunity to become certified as short-call substitute teachers under the Minnesota Limited Short-call Substitute program. A four-year bachelor’s degree is required to qualify. Resource Training and Solutions in St. Cloud has announced it has coordinated a two-day program on Dec. 9-10, 2013 to prepare individuals to apply to become short-call substitute teachers.
Under Minnesota law, limited short-call substitute teachers licenses are granted only if teachers who hold regular teaching licenses are not available or if a district is experiencing a hardship in securing a sufficient number of regularly licensed teachers to meet the district’s need for short-call substitute teachers. The district superintendent may request a short-call substitute license be granted to an individual who holds a baccalaureate degree from a college or university that is accredited by the regional association for the accreditation of colleges and secondary schools. Licensure is good for two years and must be renewed bi-annually.
Training will cover topics such as the substitute teacher’s role in the classroom and district, basics of classroom management and instruction, basics of child development and communication skills.
Registration for the training can be made by contacting Deb Thomes at Resource Training and Solutions, 137 23rd St. S., Sartell; phone 320-255-3236 or toll-free 888-447-7032, website www.resourcetraining.com.
Citizens sought to serve on county committees
Stearns County is looking for citizens who want to get involved in county government and serve on any of its committees or boards. The boards and committees serve a variety of county departments. The county is in the process of recruiting for appointments to be filled in January of 2014. There are openings on the following committees: Board of Adjustment, Community Corrections Advisory Board, Dairy Advisory Committee, Extension Committee, Feedlot Review Committee, Great River Regional Library, Human Services Advisory Committee, Noxious Weeds Appeal Committee, Park Commission, Planning Commission, Social Services Task Force, Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Transitions Task Force.
All committee positions can be applied for online. Go to co.stearns.mn.us; a link is on the home page. Online is also a description of each committee, meeting dates and times, contact information and more. In addition, citizens can sign-up to receive a free email and be notified whenever there’s a board or committee vacancy.
Application deadline is Friday, Dec. 6 to be considered for an appointment that begins in January 2014. Serving on one of these committees is a great opportunity for citizens to give their input on issues of importance to them and to the county. Any questions can be directed to Stearns County Administration at 320-656-3602.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Wrap gifts to benefit animals
The Tri-County Humane Society is looking for volunteers to staff gift wrapping shifts at Crossroads Center (near Target) during mall hours. This is a fundraiser to benefit animals at the Tri-County Humane Society. You need not be a current volunteer to help. Please sign up for Wrapping for a Good Paws and here’s how it works in three easy steps: Click on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/jh3yjv, enter your email address and sign up, choose your spots. If you prefer, please contact me and I can sign you up manually. Please help spread the word if you know of others who might be interested! Contact Kim, Tri-County Humane Society, at 320-252-0896.
Junior high reading buddy
Would you like to build positive relationships with students while helping to enhance reading skills? Volunteers are needed to read to students and discuss stories with students and help monitor stations Friday morning or afternoon. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with middle-school-age students. Orientation and training are provided. Contact Sonia Dickrell, K-12 volunteer coordinator, at 320-529-6500 or volunteer@isd742.org.
Place of Hope holiday gift needs
Place of Hope is in need of donations for the holiday season. Needs include gift cards; winter hats, coats and mittens; new gifts for children to give to their parents and siblings; backpacks; personal-care items; sponsors for Adopt a Family for Hope; food for meals served on site; $10 gift cards for food, diapers and teen gifts. Contact Pastor Carol, Place of Hope, at 320-203-7881.
Volunteer in the gift gallery
Volunteer to help run the Gift Gallery in a friendly and positive manner. Volunteers must be able to feel comfortable approaching customers, running the cash register and dealing with sales while providing excellent customer service. They need people for their Gift Gallery either at St. Cloud Hospital, CentraCare Health Plaza or St. Benedict’s Senior Community. Contact the St. Cloud Hospital Volunteer Office at 320-255-5638.
Ring bells ~ donate toys, food, coats to Salvation Army
Volunteer to ring the Salvation Army bells during the Christmas season. There are 22 locations within St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park. It can be cold outside, so volunteers must be able and willing to stand outside for at least two hours at a time. The Salvation Army is also in need of donations for the holiday season. Donations needed include infant-teen new toys, food-shelf donations (ham/turkey), and winter coats, hats, gloves and mittens. Contact the Salvation Army at 320-252-4552.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way community volunteer coordinator, at 320- 223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
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