Lemonade, Laughter set May 10 at SFX
The eighth annual Lemonade and Laughter, sponsored by the Sartell Senior Connection along with Country Manor Senior Campus and Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday May 10 in St. Francis Xavier Church, 219 Second St. N., Sartell. The event will feature the music and fun of Ted Manderfeld – half of Deuces Wild – who will entertain with standards from the Great American Songbook. Come early to shop the gift table with proceeds supporting SSC programs. There will be a quilt door prize and as always lemonade, coffee, treats and fun. $3/person at the door.
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Stone Poneys baseball fundraiser, raffle set May 1 at Blue Line
The Blue Line Sports Bar and Grill in Sartell will host a fundraiser and raffle for the Sartell Stone Poneys Baseball from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, May 1.
The fundraiser is to help offset summer costs of umpires, field dues, equipment, uniforms, league fees and tournaments; 20 percent of proceeds will be donated to Stone Poneys.
Raffle tickets will be sold; you do not need to be present to win. There will be five prize packages to choose from.
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‘Our Kids, Our Future’ to be held May 2 at Tech
Our Kids, Our Future: A Community Conversation community education and listening session concerning important issues facing central Minnesota youth and parents, invites area residents to come and learn from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, May 2 at St. Cloud Technical High School, 233 12th Ave. S. Event attendees should enter through door #3. The event, a collaborative effort of various Stearns County justice-system and community organizations, will feature presentations on school truancy, teenage chemical abuse and the dangers of social media.
“From the dangers of social media to drug abuse to an alarming rise in school truancy, it’s clear parents today are facing many challenges as they work to keep their kids healthy and safe,” said Stearns County District Court Judge Frank J. Kundrat, who helped organize the event. “Our goal is to help equip parents with the knowledge they need to face these challenges and give them a forum to share their ideas and concerns with court, county and law-enforcement officials.”
Event attendees will hear from several experts on a variety of important topics, including a presentation on the national epidemic of school truancy by the Stearns County Attorney’s Office, an in-depth look at teenage prescription and illegal drug abuse by Stearns County Community Corrections, and a discussion of the dangers of social media use and misuse led by representatives from the St. Cloud Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and facilitated by Kundrat. Following the presentations, event attendees will be able to take part in a community dialogue and question-and-answer session with Stearns County community and justice-system leaders. Attendees will also be allowed to share written comments with court and county officials.
Our Kids. Our Future. A Community Conversation is a collaborative effort of Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District, the Stearns County Attorney’s Office, Stearns County Community Corrections and St. Cloud Area School District 742.
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Home-delivered meals now available in Sartell, Sauk Rapids
Home-delivered meals, a service of St. Cloud Hospital, has expanded to provide hot and nutritious meals to Sauk Rapids and Sartell residents living within city limits in addition to St. Cloud and Waite Park residents.
Home-delivered meals serves people aged 60 and older or people who are unable to prepare meals because of an illness or disability. Home-delivered meals helps people stay in their own homes or apartments longer, provides support for people recently discharged from the hospital or nursing home; and ensures people receive daily well-balanced meals.
Nutritious and savory meals that meet a variety of dietary needs are carefully prepared by CentraCare Nutrition Services. Dedicated volunteers from area churches, businesses and service groups deliver the meals between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. weekdays except for holidays or in severe weather. Frozen meals, available for Saturday and Sunday, are delivered on Friday.
For more information about home-delivered meals and eligibility, call 320-255-5646 or visit centracare.com.
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Rice holds event May 5 for National Day of Prayer
The annual Rice, Minnesota National Day of Prayer gathering, with music by bluegrass band Goldrush, will take place May 5 with a meal at 5:30 p.m. and the event at 6:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church, 1950 125th St. NW, Rice.
All local clergy from the Rice area churches and the American Legion and Auxiliary in Rice will be included. The theme for the free event is “Wake Up America,” emphasizing the need for individuals, corporately and individually, to return to God.
Goldrush is a bluegrass/gospel band from the Brainerd Lakes area. It is a five-piece acoustic group that performs at churches, festivals, coffee houses and charitable events in the Central Lakes region. Goldrush takes its name from a Kentucky fiddlers’ instrumental most popularized by the late father of bluegrass Bill Monroe.
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Mental Health conversation set May 2 at Whitney
NAMI St. Cloud will host a free Community Conversation on Mental Health from 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 2 at the Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. The event encourages people to talk about mental health and mental illnesses; challenge myths and misinformation; increase community knowledge and support; make communities inclusive and free from discrimination; promote prevention and early intervention; and agree to steps that communities can take. The session features a speaker followed by group discussion. For more information, call 320-654-1259 or go to namistcloud.com.
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Whitney Senior Center offers holistic wellness
Whitney Senior Center is hosting a Mind, Body, Spirit retreat from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at Unity Spiritual Center, 931 Fifth Ave. N. in Sartell. This multi-faceted approach to holistic wellness is offered to older adults as well as those under age 55. Sessions on Tai Chi, meditation, yoga, relationships, visioning and much more will be offered throughout the day. This event is made possible, in part, by a CS/Sd Grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. To register, contact Whitney Senior Center at 320-255-7245. A full listing of the workshop’s session can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1570665686593848/.
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Celebrate World Red Cross Day by giving blood
The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood and help save lives in honor of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. Donations will be collected from noon-6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Fridays at the St. Cloud Area Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain St. Additional donation opportunities in St. Cloud are from 1-7 p.m. Monday, May 2 at Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pinecone Road N. and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Central Minnesota Council-Boy Scouts, 1191 Scout Drive. Additional donation opportunities in Sartell are from 1-7 p.m., Monday, May 2 at Love of Christ Church, 1971 Pinecone Road; from 1-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 3 at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1144 29th Ave. N. and from 2-8 p.m., Thursday, May 5 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4310 CR 137. Each year, the local and global impact of the Red Cross mission is celebrated on May 8, the birthday of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement founder Henry Dunant. Currently, donors of all blood types are needed to give and help save hospital patients’ lives. Every day, the Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood donations to meet the needs of patients across the country. To make an appointment to give blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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CentraCare Clinic offers mental health help
Central Minnesota Mental Health Center and CentraCare Clinic-Midtown are working together to promote health and wellness for adults with serious mental illness. The two organizations are collaborating on a program called Hi-C (Healthcare Integration Collaboration). This unique program is supported by a four-year Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant, which is the first primary care and behavioral health- care-integration grant awarded in Minnesota.
The goal of the Hi-C program is to reach people with mental-health symptoms who are also struggling with physical health conditions. Each condition alone can be challenging but together they can often be overwhelming. By reaching out to people who otherwise may not seek out these services, including minorities who face the added challenges of cultural and language barriers, program staff hope to increase wellness in the community.
A certified nurse practitioner, registered nurse and dual-diagnosis counselor provide a whole-person approach addressing mind, body and spirit through individual therapy, education and support groups. Providers meet weekly as a team to review and assess the needs of individuals seen within the Hi-C program. A peer wellness coach also is available to meet with clients who are more comfortable talking with a peer who has faced similar challenges.
The providers are available to see patients from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Midtown Square, 3333 W. Division, Suite 218, St. Cloud. Referrals to the program are made through the Central Minnesota Mental Health Center by calling 320-257-4222.
A Hi-C client shared, “So far, it’s gone really well. I initially came in because I had high blood pressure. Now that I’ve been on the right meds for a month, my blood pressure has dropped and I feel more optimistic. The staff is courteous. I really like the time fits my schedule. I will definitely keep coming back.”
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United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Lawn-care assistant wanted
Great River Faith in Action, a faith-based ministry committed to helping older adults remain independent in their own homes, seeks helping hands to mow lawns, do some gardening or rake yards. If you would like to help a neighbor in need, contact Faith in Action today. Contact Cherise, St. Cloud volunteer coordinator, at 320-290-3428.
National Food Drive set May 14
Help stamp out hunger by donating food to the Letter Carriers’ National Food Drive scheduled for Saturday, May 14. Put your food out by your mailbox by 9 a.m., and the food will be collected and delivered to your local food shelf. Contact Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4568 or the Salvation Army at 320-252-1424.
Photography, video skills wanted
WACOSA is looking for volunteers who have photography and/or videographer skills to assist the development and communications manager as well as the marketing and sales manager in updating photos and videos on its website, social media sites, pamphlets and handouts. This may include photographing client classes, recording videos of client testimonials, and editing photos and videos. Specialists must be able to provide their own cameras/camcorders as well as computers with editing software. Shifts are available from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday with some evening and weekend opportunities available as special events arise. Contact Andrea Harrell, WACOSA volunteer coordinator, at 320-257-5188.
Hospital seeks student volunteers
The Student Serve and Learn Program is looking for volunteers to contribute to the patient and guest experience while learning about the health-care environment and careers in health care. Participants act as ambassadors for the hospital/clinic, representing it as a warm and caring environment while assisting staff with a variety of needs. Responsibilities include transporting patients in wheelchairs, escorting guests, reception duties, clerical projects, delivering flowers and snacks, leading group activities and more. This opportunity is for students ages 14 or older. Summer student-volunteer sessions offer a unique opportunity for a condensed and meaningful healthcare volunteer experience. Volunteer four hours each day Monday through Friday for a total of 80+ hours. Volunteer shifts are 8–noon and noon-4 p.m., with limited 4-8 p.m. shifts.
Sessions include Session #1: June 6-July 1 (Application deadline May 20*); Session #2: July 5-29 (Application deadline June 16*); and Session #3: Aug. 1-26 (Application deadline July 14*)
*unless sessions fill up sooner
Contact CentraCare Health Volunteer Services at 320-255-5638 or visit www.centracare.com/volunteer to learn more.
Garden help wanted in St. Joseph
Volunteer and be a garden partner who works with the flower garden director at St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph. Tasks include planting, hoeing and weeding. Garden partners should enjoy working outdoors with other volunteers in a beautiful setting. Volunteers are needed Tuesday or Wednesday mornings from 8:15-11:15 a.m. Contact Sister Jean Schwartz of St. Benedict’s Monastery at 320-363-7105 or jschwartz@csbsju.edu.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
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Stearns County narrows administrator search
The search for the next Stearns County administrator has been narrowed to four candidates. After reviewing 24 applications and doing initial interviews with nine candidates, the interview panel recommended four applicants move on as finalists in the selection process. Those interviews will take place early next month.
In the meantime, the four finalists will do a leadership assessment with an outside firm. That leadership assessment provides information about a candidate’s skills and abilities and their management and leadership style.
The finalists are Scott Arneson, Goodhue County administrator; Steve Hammes, Stearns County assistant to county administrator; Timothy Houle, Crow Wing County administrator and Mike Williams, St. Cloud city administrator.
The full five-member Stearns County Board of Commissioners will conduct final interviews on Monday, May 2.
Stearns County is hiring a new administrator to replace long-time Administrator George Rindelaub, who retired at the end of last month after 28 years of service to Stearns County.