St. Joseph bunny winners announced
The winners for the Newsleaders’ Bunny Promotion are as follows: Angel’s Touch Massage, Abby Dierkes, St. Joseph; Wenner Cos., Joyce Birk, Kimball; Casey’s General Store, Simon Batterberry, St. Joseph; Local Blend, Rylin Dierkes, St. Joseph; Auto Body 2000, Kennedy Beacom, Big Lake; St. Joseph Meat Market, Nadia Correri, St. Joseph; Avon State Bank, Jack Welle, Freeport; Russell Eyecare, Mike Simon, St. Joseph; Once Upon a Child, Harlee Cleveland, Camby; McDonald’s St. Joseph, Debbie Emery, St. Joseph
Sartell bunny winners announced
The winners for the Newsleaders’ Bunny Promotion are as follows: Wenner Cos., Joyce Birk, Kimball; Local Blend, Rylin Dierkes, St. Joseph; Auto Body 2000, Kennedy Beacom, Big Lake; St. Joseph Meat Market, Nadia Correri, St. Joseph; Russell Eyecare, Mike Simon, St. Joseph; Once Upon a Child, Harlee Cleveland, Camby;
Senior Connection presents Lemonade, Laughter May 13
The Sartell Senior Connection presents the sixth annual Lemonade and Laughter at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Gathering Space. The guest speaker “Shirley from Dez Moines” will tickle your funny bone with real life stories we can all relate to. We’ll laugh about the everyday occurrences and we may even laugh at ourselves. Don’t miss the fun! Admission is $3 at the door. Refreshments will be served. Bring a friend. Everyone is invited.
Meeting set to discuss proposed government center
A meeting explaining the proposed plans for a new government center for the city of St. Joseph has been scheduled by the city council and city staff at 6 p.m. Monday, April 28 at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall, 323 4th Ave. NE. The meeting is to provide residents with information regarding the proposed plan and an opportunity for questions and ideas from residents. All residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Freedom concert to be held April 27
A Salute to Freedom concert, a grand musical celebration commemorating the upcoming 70th anniversary of D-Day, will be presented by the Great River Chorale at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27 at the Paramount Theatre, 913 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. Special guests include the East Central Minnesota Chorale, a civic choir comprised of singers from Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine counties, and the 34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band based in Rosemount, Minn. More than 130 performers will join together to present Randall Thompson’s seldom-heard masterpiece The Testament of Freedom, a four-movement work for band and choir based on the writings of Thomas Jefferson. The concert also features patriotic and World War II-era popular music. There will also be an exhibit in the lobby displaying WWII uniforms, artifacts and information, courtesy of the Minnesota Military Museum.
Great River Chorale artistic director and conductor Mary Kay Geston states this concert “is a way for us to acknowledge and thank the men and women who have fought valiantly in defense of freedom.” Joining Geston on the podium will be Mark Potvin, artistic director and conductor of the East Central Minnesota Chorale, and Chief Warrant Officer David Stordalen, commander and bandmaster, and Sgt. Jim Baxter, associate conductor, both of the Red Bull Band.
Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.paramountarts.org or by phoning the Paramount Theatre box office at 320-259-5463. Tickets will also be available at the door and the concert venue is handicap accessible. Funding for Salute to Freedom is provided, in part, by a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board.
About Great River Chorale
Great River Chorale is an auditioned community choir based in St. Cloud that was founded in 2001 and is dedicated to enriching the Central Minnesota community through concerts and musical collaborations with local and regional guest artists, as well as through annual outreach concerts. The ensemble has been featured on Classical Minnesota Public Radio’s Regional Spotlight and was selected to be on Minnesota Public Radio’s 2013 Taste of the Holidays CD. In June 2013 Great River Chorale was named the principal choral partner of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra. Mary Kay Geston is artistic director and conductor of Great River Chorale, and the ensemble’s accompanist is William White.
About East Central Minnesota Chorale
East Central Minnesota Chorale, now in its 33rd season, is a civic choir comprised of singers from Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine counties. ECMC presents an annual series of concerts featuring music from various eras, cultures and genres. Each February, ECMC collaborates with area high schools to present a major work and raise money for scholarships. ECMC has performed at state and division conferences of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2010 ECMC formed Unum Vox, a regional honor choir for students that is conducted by Tonya Barnes. Mark Potvin served as interim conductor in spring 2006 and was named artistic director in fall 2007. Past conductors of ECMC include founder David Clarke and Dennis Port.
About the 34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band
The 34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band is a Minnesota Army National Guard unit stationed in Rosemount, Minn., and is proud to continue a tradition of more than 100 years in service to nation and state. The modern 34th Infantry Division Band traces its lineage to the 1st Infantry Band organized on April 30, 1900. Today the 34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band presents a varied repertoire of music in support of Minnesota National Guard ceremonies and state and civic events throughout the great state of Minnesota. Proudly performing in the legacy Army ensembles of concert band and marching band, the soldier musicians of the Red Bull Band also combine to form a jazz orchestra, brass quintet, saxophone quintet, rock band and country band. For more information visit www.minnesotanationalguard.org.
County auction set April 26
Stearns County is holding its spring seized and surplus property auction on at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26 at the Stearns County Highway Department at 455 28th Ave., Waite Park, which is three blocks south of Mill’s Fleet Farm. Up for sale are numerous vehicles – cars, trucks, vans and SUV’s. Also on the auction block is a Harley Davidson motorcycle and a couple of trailers. People will also have a chance to bid on tractors, snow blowers, plow equipment, tires, computers, office equipment and much more. To see the auction flyer, or to get more information about the auction, go to the Stearns County website at www.co.stearns.mn.us.
SHS actors to perform ‘Mattress’ musical
The famous musical Once Upon a Mattress will be performed at Sartell High School May 2-3.
Shows are set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 1, 2 and 3 with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets are available at the door for adults and students; senior citizens are admitted free.
The play, made famous by Carol Burnett in the lead role, is a comedy-farce that takes place in Medieval times.
CMBA job fair to be held April 30
A free job fair, sponsored by Central Minnesota Builders Association, will be held from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 in the St. Cloud Holiday Inn. This is an opportunity to meet with local businesses and interact with employers from a variety of different industries who are looking to hire. Applicants will meet local employers, discover current and future job openings, and have the opportunity to complete job applications for full-time, part-time and seasonal employment. Please dress in appropriate interview attire and bring copies of your resume. A list of attending employers can be found at cmbaonline.org. Call CMBA 320-251-4382 with questions.
CSB’s Camp Invention inspires big ideas
The nationally-acclaimed Camp Invention program Morphed, in partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, will be held June 23-27 at the College of St. Benedict for children entering grades one through six. It’s an exciting, weeklong summer adventure in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math that’s all about big ideas. Children will work together to seek innovative solutions to real-world problems and sharpen critical 21st-Century learning skills as they rotate through four modules that reinvent summer fun.
Missy Tellinghuisen will direct the camp.
In the Super Go™ module, students design a small, motor-powered vehicle that zooms. Girls and boys will collect energy coins along the way for building ramps, bridges and tunnels for the Super Go Road Rally.
Participants will receive personalized challenges from National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees that will ignite a spirit of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship during the Design Studio: Morphed™ module.
Throughout the Amplified™ module, children invent bionic gadgets while journeying to acquire superhuman senses. Time will be spent encountering illusions and discovering if they are a supertaster.
Finally, Camp Invention’s flagship module, I Can Invent: Pinbug™, allows participants to use tools to upcycle electronics and build an epic, insect-themed pinball machine.
Local educators will facilitate program modules and enthusiastic high school and college students will serve as Leadership Interns – ensuring one staff member is in place for every eight children.
For more information or to register, visit www.campinvention.org or call 800.968.4332.
Faith, Fun with Franciscans girls camp set June 10-12
The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls are hosting the seventh annual Franciscan Girls Camp entitled, “Faith and Fun with Franciscans,” from 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 10 to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 12 in Assisi Park, located on the grounds at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls. Girls who have completed grades 6-8 are invited to enjoy a variety of nature and fun activities, campfire, prayer and singing. Participants will have an opportunity to visit with and learn about the Franciscan Sisters and the values of St. Francis of Assisi. In addition, campers will discover their unique gifts and become aware of God’s presence in their lives – all while camping outdoors in the beauty of nature. This year’s theme is “Dance the Circle of Sacredness.” For more information on the Franciscan Girls Camp, or to register by May 1, contact Sister Ange Mayers at 320-240-6184 or www.fslf.org.
April 30 webinar tells how to preserve family collections
The Stearns History Museum will offer a live-streaming webinar “Preserving Family Collections” from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 at the museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud. This webinar is presented by the Northeast Document Conservation Center, one of the leading organizations for collection preservation in the United States. The instructor will be Jessica Bitely, NEDCC preservation specialist.
This live webinar introduces participants to the basics of caring for their genealogical and family collections. Discussion focuses on practical steps for the preservation of papers, photographs, books, textiles and audiovisual materials so that future generations can appreciate your family’s experiences, heritage and history. Methods for the safe display, storage and care of some of the most common items in family collections will also be addressed. Anyone interested in learning simple steps for care of personal or family collections is encouraged to participate. This webinar is intended for those with no previous preservation training.
This webinar is offered as part of Preservation Week. Attendance is limited, so RSVP today. For questions or to RSVP, contact Stearns History Museum Archivist Sarah Warmka at [email protected], 320-253-8424.
Founded in 1936, the Stearns History Museum has focused on preserving and interpreting the history of the region for 77 years. The mission of the museum is to engage people in the exploration of the County’s diverse heritage by providing connections to the past, perspectives on the present, and inspiration for the future. The Stearns History Museum is nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Endoscopy family waiting room attendant
Volunteers are needed to greet and assist family members when the Endoscopy Unit moves to its new location on sixth floor. Volunteers will help escort patients back and forth to Unit, bring family back to patient rooms and in general assist family member as needed throughout their time in endoscopy. Shifts available 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at St. Cloud Hospital. Contact the St. Cloud Hospital Volunteer Services at 320-255-5638.
Work with people from other cultures
Hands Across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction in English as a Second Language and other skills to refugee and immigrant newcomers to St. Cloud. They need tutors to help their students learn to use computers for work and fun. Working one-on-one with students, tutors will assist them in setting up email accounts, using Microsoft Word and Excel, using templates to write letters and navigating the internet. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in meeting and working with people from other cultures. Volunteers should have a good working knowledge of basic computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and the internet. Classes will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays at the Mary Center. Contact Hands Across the World at 320-260-10721.
Chinese interpreter for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota is looking for individuals who are bilingual or multilingual. They provide services to children of many different backgrounds and at times are unable to communicate adequately with families. They are looking for a volunteer who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Duties and responsibilities: time commitment will vary, attend meetings involving families and agency, assist at events and activities. Contact Big Brothers Big Sisters recruiter at 320-258-4535.
2014 Summer Student Volunteer Sessions
CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital is offering a unique opportunity for a condensed and meaningful healthcare volunteer experience. Volunteer four hours each day Monday-Friday for a total of 80+ hours. Volunteer shifts are 8 a.m.–noon, noon-4 p.m., with limited 4-8 p.m. shifts. Learning tracks include: administrative assistance, patient experience and retail. Session 1 is June 2-27 (Application deadline May 19 unless session fills up sooner); Session 2 is June 30-July 25 (Application deadline of June 16 unless session fills up sooner); and Session 3 is July 28-Aug. 22 (Application deadline of July 14 unless session fills up sooner). Contact CentraCare Volunteer Services at 320-255-5638 or visit centracare.com/volunteer.
Take part in a child’s education
Help a child read. Help a child with math. Take part in a child’s education and learning by becoming a reader, tutor or mentor to a child at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota. Make a difference in a child’s life in as little as one hour a week. You will set your own schedule with the volunteer coordinator to fit your needs. We only ask volunteers be able to relate well with children in a group environment, participate as an active team member with staff and other volunteers, and abide by volunteer policies. Volunteers must go through an interview and orientation process as well as complete a criminal background check before starting their volunteer experience. Bethany Theisen, Boys and Girls Club volunteer coordinator, at 320-257-5115.
Horseback riding with true friends
True Strides Therapy Horses, a supporting program of True Friends, is seeking volunteers to assist with therapeutic horseback riding lessons offered as part of Summer Camp 2014 at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minn. Each horse and rider requires three volunteers, two side walkers (no previous horse experience required) to walk alongside the horse and support the rider physically and emotionally, and one horse leader (horse experience required) to lead and support the horse during the lesson. Lessons will take place from 10 a.m.-noon Monday-Thursday, June 9-Aug. 21. Volunteers are encouraged to commit to one session per week or every other week. All volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. Training Dates are: Wednesday, May 21 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesday, May 28 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturday, June 7 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Contact True Friends at 612-968-3195 or [email protected] to register for training.
Assist clients with clothing options
Catholic Charities Emergency Services Clothing Program needs volunteers to assist clients requesting clothing and household items during program hours. Responsibilities include the following: greet and help clients to locate clothing in proper sizes, styles and more; keep shopping area neat; and occasionally sort and hang clothing as directed by staff. Volunteers must have good organizational skills and non-judgmental attitudes toward low-income persons and people in crisis. Volunteers must maintain client confidentiality and be willing to sign volunteer agreements required by this agency. Contact Kathryn Stolpman, Emergency Food and Clothing Programs, at 320-229-4560.
RSVP…your invitation to serve
RSVP is a volunteer program for men and women age 55 and older 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; the amount of time they want to give; and 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 Community volunteer coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or [email protected].
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