Don’t forget to register for Bluegrass tickets
The Newsleaders has a limited amount of FREE tickets to the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Fest, a four-day music and camping festival Aug. 7-10 at El Rancho Manana, Richmond. For tickets, please email news@thenewsleaders.com with your name, phone number and amount of tickets requested or like the Newsleaders on Facebook by noon Monday, Aug. 4. Your name will be placed in a drawing and winners will be notified via email.
Music in park features Belle Amour Aug. 7
Music in the Park at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7 features Belle Amour in Pinecone Central Park, 1105 Central Park Blvd., Sartell. This event is free.
Celebrate Aug. 6 with root beer floats
In honor of National Root Beer Float Day, A&W Sartell at 230 Pinecone Road will provide free root beer floats from 2 p.m. to close on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Limit one per person. Donations are encouraged and will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. In 2013, A&W donated more than $100,000 to WWP. For more information, visit rootbeerfloatday.com.
5K to support Sartell-St. Stephen schools
Sponsored by PineCone Vision Center and Dentistry for Children, the Back to School 5K and Kids 1K Obstacle Course will raise funds for Sartell-St. Stephen School District Early Childhood Center. The funds will be used for the purchase of large-motor, sensory and fine-motor equipment including trampoline, bean bags, ride-on toys, writing center, tent and gym items.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, activities begin at Sartell Middle School, 627 3rd Ave. N. Registration begins at 7 a.m. for the Back to School 5K starting at 9 a.m. The Kids 1K Obstacle Course begins at 10 a.m. An awards ceremony will follow each race. More prizes will be drawn and all participants will receive a runner’s bag filled with goodies.
“This is a unique community event,” says PineCone Vision Center Clinical Director Dr. Stacy Hinkemeyer. “We are excited to partner with Dentistry for Children to help with early childhood services.” Other partners for the event include BLEND Fit Kids Club and sponsors Synergy Chiropractic, 360 Chiropractic, Nemeth Orthodontics, Rejuv Medical, Rinke Noonan, St. Cloud Federal Credit Union and Bounce Adventure. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Register at www.sartellststephencommunityed.com or print a registration form from www.pineconevisioncenter.com. The 5K costs $15 and the 1K costs $10, if registered before Friday, Aug. 15. Race packets are available for pick up Friday, Sept. 12, from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education Office, 212 3rd Ave. N.
St. Cloud’s Fifth Avenue Fest, the second annual summer celebration of the thoroughfare’s heritage as a significant dining, entertainment and business center; historic south side/university neighborhood and home of St. Cloud’s oldest public park, will be held Saturday, Aug. 2. From noon to 4 p.m., the event will highlight family fun and refreshments along Fifth Avenue from Pioneer Place to Barden Park, featuring local and regional musicians; a walking tour of downtown landmarks led by historian Bill Morgan; specials at eateries along the way; an extended Farmers’ Market; skateboarding events at City Hall; photos and activities highlighting the old neighborhood, including historic First Presbyterian Church and the Islamic Center in the city’s oldest church; refreshments and boutique at the Welcome Center; SCSU Community Garden and Women’s Center stops; and children’s activities, history stations and lively music at Barden Park.
The event is once again planned in conjunction with the celebration “Takin’ It to The Streets” outdoor evening concert near Pioneer Place in Downtown St. Cloud.
Historic photo displays will highlight six significant sites: the former streetcar maintenance garage in the middle of where Coborn Plaza now stands; “The Castle” at 398 Fifth Ave. S; The “Gingerbread House” – the city’s oldest existing home built in the 1850s – at 503 Fifth Ave. S.; 605 5th – The Martin Home at 605 Fifth Ave. S; the Hyde/Eastman Home; and Barden Park.
The sponsoring Southside University Neighborhood Association is joined by many partners including the Stearns History Museum, City of St. Cloud, St. Cloud State University, Coborn’s, Downtown Council, First Presbyterian Church, Youth Shelter Supply, GREAT Theatre, St. Cloud Area Farmers’ Market and the St. Cloud State University Community Garden.
For information contact Mary Mathews at mjmathews43@gmail.com or Marsha Shoemaker at mashoemaker@stcloudstate.edu.
St. John’s abbey sets archery-only deer hunt
Archery deer hunters are invited to apply for permission to hunt deer on St. John’s Abbey property in Stearns County. This year, the abbey is using an archery-only hunt beginning Oct. 18 and ending Dec. 31. The goal is to assure a population level that will allow both adequate regeneration of the forest and a healthy deer herd in the Abbey Arboretum’s 2,500+ acres. In 2013, 108 bow hunters took 51 deer at St. John’s.
Applications to hunt at St. John’s must be received no later than 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11. For more information or to apply, visit the deer hunt website or call St. John’s Outdoor University office at 320-363-3163. A non-refundable $5 application fee is required with the completed application. For those selected by lottery there is an additional $30 fee to hunt at St. John’s. Hunters under 18 are allowed only with an adult supervisor.
To be eligible for the hunt, hunters must hold a valid Minnesota DNR archery deer license and be willing to take an antlerless deer. About 100 archery hunters will be selected. Hunters will choose where to put their stands based on the lottery and hunters will be spread across the property.
Whitney hosts nature walk
Join an experienced Master Naturalist on a group walk from 9-10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Whitney Park to experience the natural beauty right in Whitney Center’s backyard. Study insects, birds, geology and plants on this guided outdoors adventure. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Join discussion on The Last Ferryman
Join local author Gregory Randle in a discussion of his book, The Last Ferryman, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7 at Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. Hear excerpts from this compelling saga, and discuss the story as it relates to the universal story of change in which people are displaced by new developments and technology, and how we survive difficult times by the power of human compassion.
Donate appliances, furniture to ReStore
The ReStore is in need of some large items like appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers), patio and living-room sets, kitchen cabinets, windows and flooring. Donate today and contribute to the ReStore and Habitat for Humanity’s cause. The ReSotre is open for donations 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Contact The ReStore at 320-281-3167 or visit restore@cmhfh.org to learn more.
Foster Grandparents needed to work with small children
The Foster Grandparent Program needs mentors for youth in our community. Currently there are openings in the toddler room at Journey Home Day Care, Oak Hill Elementary and KidStops throughout the area. Foster Grandparent volunteers might help students with a reading assignment, work with a small group on a craft or help kids learn spelling words. Adults age 55 and better will receive an hourly tax-free stipend ($2.65) for volunteering 15 hours per week (or more if they wish) helping children with activities, reinforcing learning and more. This is a great opportunity if you have time to spare, love to be with children and could use some extra non-taxable income. Contact Emily, Catholic Charities, at 320-229-4597.
Speedy, Transport and Escort Pool ~ STEP Force Volunteers
St. Cloud Hospital is looking for STEP force volunteers, which means speedy, transport and escort pool. STEP Force volunteers transport and escort patients, families and visitors throughout the facility. Volunteers will transport patients, deliver flowers and mail, and assist with other deliveries. Volunteers will get plenty of exercise and make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Contact the St. Cloud Hospital Volunteer Services at 320-255-5638.
Activities assistant needed
The Independence Center Inc. needs volunteers to complete activities with their 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 their consumers enjoy completing are reading stories, baking, arts and crafts, playing cards, accompanying staff on community outings and more. Contact Independence Center at 320-252-4146.
Driver safety instructor sought
Interested in giving back to your community, having fun and meeting new people? Volunteer with AARP Driver Safety, a program that helps older drivers stay safe on the road. Sign up today to be an instructor for our AARP Smart Driver™ classroom course. Training is easy and resources are 100-percent provided. No special skills or AARP membership required. Teach at least three courses a year on your own schedule. Not interested in teaching, become a course administrator working with instructors on course setup, registration and preparation. Contact Mata Carlson at 320-252-8371 or Larry Miller at 320-252-5384.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
