Sports boosters to hold spring social
The 2015 Sabre All-Sport Booster Club Spring Social will be held from 8-11 p.m. Friday, April 17 at Blackberry Ridge in Sartell. This will be a fun evening together to enjoy hearing what each sport is up to and see how you can help. There will be a silent auction sponsored by all Sabre Sports and area businesses. New this year, participants will have the chance to win a specialty/craft beer barrel to take home. Go Sabres!
Dollars for Scholars apps now online
2015 scholarship applications are available online at: StJosephArea.DollarsForScholars.org. Once there, click on the “Students and Parents” tab, then follow the instructions to register. If you need assistance, call 320-363-7721 and speak with Doug Danielson at Sentry Bank. The application deadline is Monday, April 12.
Citizens asked to take park survey
In an effort to update the City of St. Joseph Master Park Plan and to make decisions to best use the funding available, the St. Joseph Park Board is seeking public input. The Park Board values citizen input regarding the improvement of our park system. By completing this survey or attending an upcoming Park Board meeting, you can help chart a future for our parks. The Park Board meets the fourth Monday of each month, generally at City Hall, 25 College Ave. N. As the weather warms up, the board will conduct meetings at different city parks. To participate in the survey, visit surveymonkey.com/s/StJosephParkBoard.
St. Joseph Parish hosts session on death, burial
The St. Joseph Parish Cemetery Board is sponsoring an informational fair on the topics of dying, death, burial and related topics from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, April 18 at the St. Joseph Parish Heritage Hall, 12 W. Minnesota St. Other topics include: hospice care; medical directives; funeral arrangements; military honors and burial; liturgy; funeral lunch service; estate planning; police department involvement; and, cemetery services and fees. This will be an opportunity to gain valuable information useful in planning on a topic people often try to avoid. Registration is not necessary, and light refreshments will be served.
Maple Syrup fest set April 11; win a family four-pack
Maple syrup season is a celebration that gives true meaning to the phrase “Home, sweet home.” If you’re looking for a family event to give you a sweet taste of home, join St. John’s Outdoor University for the annual Maple Syrup Festival from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at St. John’s Abbey and University. Registration will be near St. John’s Prep School. Advanced registration is noon Friday, April 10. Register for a free family four-pack to be given away by emailing your name, address, phone number and email address to [email protected]. Arboretum members receive discounted pricing for the event. Memberships are available online and will be available at the fests as well. Join us for what has become the arboretum’s most popular event of the year. Sap collecting, syrup cooking, horse-drawn rides, demonstrations and hot-maple-syrup sundaes await the whole family during this fun-filled event. Registration for families is preferred, but not required. Call 320-363-3163 or visit www.csbsju.edu/outdooru.
SCSU Library seeks Edible Book Fest participants
St. Cloud State University Library is seeking participants for its fifth annual Edible Book Festival, a contest and show from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 in the James W. Miller Learning Resources Center. Past contestants have produced both puns and literal representations of literary art in the form of cakes, cookies, dishes and pastries. As long as the dishes are edible, they are eligible. The entries are not judged on taste. Registration is open for food artists of all experience levels with categories in individual, group or professional. Contestants will create a piece of edible art based on their favorite book, favorite series or favorite character from a book — or even something that looks like a book.
The contest is open to both students and St. Cloud area community members. Prizes will be awarded to the winners in each category. Contestants must register by noon Monday, April 13 on the Miller Center website at http://scsu.mn/EdibleBooks2015. Registration is free but required for entering the contest.
The finished art pieces must be delivered to the Miller Center Circulation Desk from 2-3:30 p.m. April 14. The artwork will be on display for public viewing from 4-6 p.m. Members of the public are invited to come and vote for their favorite edible book in a variety of categories. Pete and Joy’s Bakery in Little Falls, Sodexo food service at SCSU, Coborn’s, Cash Wise and Sam’s Club are submitting cakes that library staff will serve to visitors during an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. April 14.
MN Corn Growers accepts Student Agvocate apps
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association is accepting applications for its 2015-16 Student Agvocate program. Successful applicants will receive a $3,000 scholarship and hands-on leadership experience working with agriculture professionals on behalf of Minnesota’s corn farmers. Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 10 and can be found at mncorn.org. MCGA Agvocates will be selected by May 15. Applicants must be enrolled in a two- or four-year post-secondary education or training program and possess strong written and verbal communications skills. Applicants do not need to be corn farmers or come from a corn-farming family. Anyone who meets the qualifications with an interest in food, farming, biofuels or corn may apply. MCGA Agvocates will serve one-year terms beginning in June of 2015. Duties include working at agriculture-related events, media interviews and speaking out on behalf of corn farmers on social media.
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Become a tutor and grow our community
St. Cloud district schools need tutors to help children succeed in school. Minnesota Reading Corps and Math Corps will train two dozen literacy and math tutors to begin one year of service , and provide extra support students need to believe in themselves and catch up to their peers. Tutors receive a living allowance, an education award and the reward of making a lasting impact in the community. Tutors who are 55 or older may transfer the education award to a child or grandchild. Apply today to serve as a tutor. Contact Anne DeMotts, Minnesota Reading and Math Corps, at 320-230-0833.
Help with therapeutic horseback riding
Project ASTRIDE is a local resource for therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with disabilities. Project ASTRIDE partners with the horse to provide physical, mental and emotional experiences to individuals in a safe, professional and productive environment. Project ASTRIDE is looking for volunteers to help with their therapeutic riding activities for people, young or old, who have disabilities. The training for new volunteers is scheduled for Saturday, April 18. They have changed their site location and are located about 7 miles north of Sartell, off CR 1. Volunteers must be fit enough to assist rider and walk alongside a horse for 40 minutes. Contact Marti, volunteer coordinator, at 320-492-0562 or [email protected].
Health insurance counselors sought
The Central Minnesota Council on Aging will hold a three-day training in April in St. Cloud for persons interested in becoming counselors in the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs for our area. Counselors will help Medicare consumers, their families and caregivers better understand Medicare options by providing information and referrals regarding resources. Counselors will also help consumer’s complete paperwork to enroll in programs that could assist with health-insurance costs and reduce prescription costs. Persons interested in volunteering are asked to enroll in a free training and receive 18 hours of classroom learning on April 8, 10 and 15 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Registration is limited. Contact Brenda Wuebkers, Central Minnesota Council on Aging, at 320-253-9349.
Kidney Care – CentraCare Square
Volunteers help patients into the building safely, help with bags, doors and greet patients for Dialysis and Wound Center. Provide companionship and comfort by offering patient’s refreshments, reading materials, a kind smile, listening ear, or friendly conversation. Contact CentraCare Volunteer Services at 320-255-5638 or email [email protected].
Assist with activities
The Independence Center Inc. needs volunteers to complete activities with our consumers with special needs. These volunteers must enjoy having fun and completing leisure activities on a one on one basis or with a small group. Activities our consumers enjoy completing are: reading stories, baking activities, arts and crafts, painting nails, playing cards, accompanying our staff on community outings, and much more! Contact Jamie Ludwig, Independence Center Inc. volunteer coordinator, at 320-252-4146.
RSVP…your invitation to serve
RSVP is a volunteer program for men and women age 55 and better offering a variety of one-time and on-going volunteer opportunities within 220 local human service organizations. With RSVP, volunteers choose how and where they want to serve. They choose the amount of time they want to give. And they choose whether they want to draw on current skills or develop new ones. Volunteers can utilize optional mileage reimbursement through RSVP. Contact RSVP at 320-255-7295 or visit www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/RSVP.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at (320) 223-7991 or [email protected].