Hot off the press
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Lots going on April 12 at Sartell Farmers’ Market
Ken Ramler will demonstrate how to grow your own sweet potatoes at the Sartell Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12 at Sartell City Hall, 125 Pine Cone Road N. The 2014 Minnesota Grown catalogs are in and free. Anita, the planning director for the City of Sartell, will be available to answer your questions and provide you an opportunity to weigh in on the future growth plans in Sartell. And, as usual, there will be free food samples.
Student council hosts charity carnival April 12
The annual Fun Fest Charity Carnival and Silent Auction, sponsored by the high school student council, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12 in the commons at Sartell High School. There will be 25¢ games, concessions, a bounce house and silent auction. All proceeds will go to Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota – an organization raising money to build a hospice house for terminally ill children and their families.
Expert speaks on transition from high school to college
The Sartell Special Education Advisory Committee will meet from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 14 at the District Service Center, 212 3rd Ave. N. Julie Jacobson-Berg from St. Cloud Technical and Community College will speak about transition from high school to college. This meeting is open to all parents of students served in special education in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.
St. Stephen Legion holds steak fry
The St. Stephen Legion Steak Fry will be held from 4:30-8 p.m. Saturday, April 12 at the Rusty Nail, St. Stephen. There will be door prizes, a raffle and music.
St. Stephen sets centennial planning meeting
A City of St. Stephen centennial planning meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 13 at City Hall. If unable to attend but interested in helping, please contact Cindy at 320-529-8498 or Cris at 320-253-7946.
Dollars for Scholars apps now online
2014 Scholarship applications are available online at: http://StJosephArea.dollarsforscholars.org. Click on: Students and Parents tab. Click on: Click to Login. Click on: “click here” above Student Login to register. If you need assistance call 320-363-7721.
Fire department hosts CPR training class
The St. Joseph Fire Department will host a CPR training class free to residents of St. Joseph and St. Joseph and St. Wendel townships from 6-9:30 p.m. April 22 and 24 at the fire hall. Only one day is required. Space is limited to 30. To register, call the city at 320-363-7201.
Congratulations to our Globetrotter ticket winners
They are Randy Giles, Sartell; John Hommerding, St. Stephen; Eric Schwegel, St. Joseph; and Becky Frank, St. Cloud.
Metro Bus holds hearing to consider rate increase
Please contact Metro Bus early at 320-251-1499 or info@stcloudmtc.com to make arrangements.
Following the success of Read Down Your Fines weeks in 2013, Great River Regional Library will repeat the effort April 14-19 in recognition of National Library Week.
During Read Down Your Fines week, teens and juveniles who have accumulated fines on their library accounts may read at the library to reduce the amount they owe; 15 minutes of reading wipes out $1 in fines. The first Read Down Your Fines week took place in June 2013, when 173 minor cardholders took part. Another 145 took part during a second Read Down Your Fines week in October.
Library staff like to see a busy children’s area and teen space. They believe it’s in the best interest of all young people they be able to take full advantage of library services. Read Down Your Fines provides a measure of compromise and forgiveness for those who have not always been able to return materials promptly for the use of others.
“Young people aren’t always to blame when items are returned late,” said Beth Ringsmuth Stolpman, patron services specialist. “Sometimes another family member checks out materials on their card, and sometimes they don’t have transportation available to get to the library. Even if they have been forgetful or irresponsible, they’re kids and we need to remember that.” Read Down Your Fines is only available to those 16 and younger, and it only applies to fines accumulated for late returns, not to charges for lost or damaged materials.
Individuals who want to take advantage of Read Down Your Fines can speak to staff at their library. In the case of very young children with fines on their cards, parents may read down the child’s fines by reading to them in the library. The program is supported by public donations and will be available at all 32 GRRL locations. Young people who want to take part should speak with library staff as local procedures may vary. Individuals who wish to donate to Read Down Your Fines may do so through the library’s website, www.griver.org/support-library.
GRRL provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties. It provides Central Minnesota residents with nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming and information services.
Car-seat events offer free checks
Three out of four kids’ car seats are not used correctly. Concerned about the recent child seat recalls in the news? Make sure your children and grandchildren travel safely in your vehicle. Have car seats checked for correct installation from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 16 or May 21, Thursday, June 19 or Wednesday, July 16 at the Gold Cross Ambulance Garage, 2800 7th St. N., St. Cloud. Call 320-656-7021 to make an appointment.
The goal of the car seat check is to:
- Demonstrate how to install your car seat properly every time;
- Check to make sure you can install the car seat correctly yourself;
- Provide you with education and knowledge to protect your child.
We ask you have the car seat installed to the best of your ability before coming to the car-seat checkup event. Also, it’s recommended you bring the following to your appointment:
- The manual for your car seat;
- The manual for your vehicle;
- If possible, the infant/child who will use the car seat.
You also may drop off expired car seats for recycling on these dates – no appointment necessary. This is a free service.
Poets sought
Nearly $5,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded this year to amateur poets through Free Poetry Contest. To enter send one poem of 21 lines or less to P.O. Box 3561, Ashland, OR 97520 or enter online at www.poetryfest.tv. Poets, especially beginners, are encouraged to enter for their chance to win.
A winner’s list will be sent to all entrants. The deadline for entering is on Good Friday, April 19.
“Any poet, published or not, can be a winner,” says Executive Director Mark Schramm. “When people learn about our contest, they suddenly realize that their own poetic talent can win cash prizes, as well as garner national recognition.” You may email your poem to Mark directly at poetryfest@yahoo.com, or call 541-897-0267.