Due to school being cancelled April 19, the make-up day for all Sartell-St. Stephen students and staff will be Friday, May 31.
Lemonade, Laughter hosts author V.J. Smith
Author V.J. Smith will speak during the fifth annual Lemonade and Laughter, sponsored by the Sartell Senior Connection, at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 in the Gathering Place in St. Francis Xavier Church, Sartell. Smith is the author of “The Richest Man in Town,” which is based on the life of “Marty,” a memorable man who ran a cash register at Wal-Mart. He was considered rich because he was loved and respected. Audience members will go on an emotional roller coaster ride when they hear about Marty’s philosophies. Tickets will be sold at the door for a nominal fee. Come early to enjoy refreshments and visit the Regifting and Local Authors’ Tables. For more information, call Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education at 320-253-4036. The event is co-hosted by community education and the Waterford.
U of M seeks teens for driving study
The University of Minnesota is seeking teens to join the teen driver study. The enrollment dates have been expanded to include teens receiving their license in May. Sartell has been selected as a recruitment location for a teen-driver study being conducted by the U of M. The purpose of the project is to understand teen-driver safety and behaviors as well as parental involvement with teens during the learning phase of driving. The university seeks to recruit 10 teen drivers from Sartell who currently have their learner’s permits, will receive their provisional driver’s license between April 1 and May 15, 2013, are age 16 at that time, and are able to begin the study within one month of their licensure start date. As part of the study, teens will receive a free Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone and monthly data, text and talk service plan for one year. Additionally, teens will receive a monthly $25 incentive at the end of the year-long study totaling $300. For more information, contact Nichole L. Morris, Ph.D. at nlmorris@umn.edu or call 612-624-4614.
Bike Rodeo set for May 4
The annual “Bike Rodeo” will take place at the parking lot of Sartell City Hall from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, May 4.
All young people and their parents are welcome to bring their bikes and learn about a variety of biking-safety tips, under the direction of Sartell Police Officer Dan Whitson.
There will be drawings for prizes, including bicycle helmets. No registration is required. Young people of any age can just show up.
Tickets available for ‘Wine, Kibbles, Bits’
Tickets are now available for the annul “Wine, Kibbles and Bits” fundraiser for the Tri-County Humane Society.
The event will take place starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 3 at the Gorecki Center on the campus of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph. It includes wine- and beer-tasting, dinner and a silent auction. All proceeds will go to help animals at the St. Cloud-based humane society. Specifically, the funds are needed for spaying, neutering and general care of the thousands of animals in the shelter that hope to find homes.
For more information and to order tickets, go to www.tricountyhumanesociety.org.
Tickets available for ‘Wine, Kibbles, Bits’Tickets are now available for the annul “Wine, Kibbles and Bits” fundraiser for the Tri-County Humane Society.
The event will take place starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 3 at the Gorecki Center on the campus of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph. It includes wine- and beer-tasting, dinner and a silent auction. All proceeds will go to help animals at the St. Cloud-based humane society. Specifically, the funds are needed for spaying, neutering and general care of the thousands of animals in the shelter that hope to find homes.
For more information and to order tickets, go to www.tricountyhumanesociety.org.
St. Cloud Hospital offers Eating Disorders Support Group
The St. Cloud Hospital Behavioral Health Clinic is offering a Family and Friends Support Group for Eating Disorders from 4:30-6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month beginning May 2 at CentraCare Health Plaza in the Leonard, Street and Deinard room, 1900 Centracare Circle, St Cloud. There will be no support group in July. Groups are led by a licensed psychologist or registered dietitian and provide support to friends and family through education and sharing with others who also have a loved one with an eating disorder. Each month a different topic will be explored. Attendees will take away tips for making mealtimes less stressful, how to respond to food and body image struggles and what to say or not to say.
There is no cost to attend. For more information, please call title Bette Bakke, PhD, LP, at 320-229-4918.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Help with Home Repairs
Great River Area Faith in Action is seeking men and women with trade-specific talents such as painting, plumbing and carpentry skills to join their team and assist with home repairs and basic maintenance projects. They also welcome those with basic handy-person skills to join their team. Formal orientation process and background check required. Becky Hanson, Program Director, 763-263-4277.
Consider planting an extra row in your garden and donating the produce to your local food shelf.
Favorites include carrots, beans, beets, kohlrabi, corn, potatoes, cabbage, peppers, onions and asparagus. Any produce that has a longer shelf life is accepted. This is an easy way to help our food shelves during the summer and fall. Contact Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4560 or the Salvation Army at 320-252-4552.
Help students who are experiencing homelessness
St. Cloud School District 742 and the Southside Boys and Girls Club are piloting a two-month afterschool tutoring program for homeless students from Talahi School. Responsibilities include helping students who are facing homelessness and need academic support. Students will be kindergarteners through fifth-graders at the Southside Boys and Girls Club. Volunteers will receive instructional materials and coordination from a District 742 teacher. Volunteers are asked to commit to one or two shifts per week for the duration of the program, April through early June. Contact Sonia Dickrell, Dist 742 K-12 volunteer coordinator, at 320-529-6500 x6268.
Outing assistant
Country Manor Campus needs your help by aiding activities assistants to take a small group of residents out into the community to take part in an activity. Outings often include shopping trips, lunch outings, movies, bowling, garden tours and more. Volunteers must be friendly and dependable and be able to push wheelchairs great distances. The volunteer coordinator calls the outing assistants at the beginning of each month to sign them up for the month’s outings that work with the volunteer’s schedule. Outings generally take place on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and occasionally mornings. Contact Jacquie Hartman, Country Manor Campus, at 320-253-1920.
Become a Big For a Day!
Big For A Day is a fun opportunity for companies, classes and other organizations to get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Big For A Day is exactly what it sounds like. Adult volunteers from your company, class and/or organization get to be a Big Brother or Big Sister for a day. This is a great way to learn more about mentoring and also a great way to help a child in your community. There are 190+ kids on the
waiting list at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota. These children don’t get as many opportunities to experience the mentoring relationship they desire. By donating a few hours of your time, you can provide a positive experience for these kids and for yourself. Do you and a group of coworkers/classmates/friends have an idea for an art project, game day, athletic event or any other activity? Contact Maija Schmelzer, Big Brothers Big Sisters at 320-258-4535 or mschmelzer@bbbscentralmn.org.