Music in park features Sparks/Heywood Aug. 14
Music in the Park at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 features Tim Sparks and Phil Heywood in Pinecone Central Park, 1105 Central Park Blvd., Sartell. This event is free.
Lucky winners of Bluegrass tickets
Ticket recipients of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival giveaway are as follows: Jennifer Burrows, Mark Conrad, Brian Czech, Jeff Davis, Katie Ellering, Susan Glazos, Jerry Guerrero, Chap Hiza, Colleen Hollinger Petters, Merry Hoppert, Mary Gilbert, Karna Kiplinger, Sandy Lalim, Matt and Lynn Larson, Lawrence LeClaire, Brenda Orth from Facebook, Diane Stommes, Clint Vastag and Rocklyn Woods.
Additional hours for absentee balloting
The Stearns County Auditor’s Office, Room 148, 705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, and Melrose City Hall, 225 1st St. NE, Melrose, will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014 and until 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11 for absentee voting. Residents may cast their absentee ballot in person at the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer’s office in St. Cloud or Melrose City Hall. For information, call Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer’s office at 320-656-3920 or email elections@co.stearns.mn.us.
Arts board seeks members
The Central Minnesota Arts Board is seeking volunteers to serve on its board of directors. The CMAB has served Region 7W for more than 34 years as one of 11 regional art councils designated by the Minnesota State Arts Board. The CMAB supports collaborative and innovative arts opportunities through partnerships and financial investments in Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and Wright counties.
As a non-profit organization, the CMAB is governed by a nine-member volunteer board of directors, recruited from the four counties it serves. The CMAB funds grant proposals and provides professional development services to arts and community organizations, schools, government units and individuals. We also strive to enhance the appreciation of the positive and essential economic and social roles the arts play in our lives.
Board member responsibilities include reviewing and approving grant applications for funding of arts projects based on the needs and goals of the region; providing budget oversight and policy development; and overseeing support and technical assistance for local artists and art organizations within the four counties.
Board member expectations include attending monthly board meetings (there are eight regularly scheduled meetings each fiscal year that meet at the Foley office, typically on the second Wednesday evening September through December and March through June); spending up to 10 hours each meeting month in preparation and actual meeting time; attending arts events funded by the CMAB; and actively participating in the biennial planning retreat every other year
Board member qualifications include the following: the ability to make decisions impartially; resident of Stearns, Benton, Sherburne or Wright counties; knowledge or interest in the arts, arts programs, organizations, and/or artists in the four-county area; specific experience and knowledge in at least one element of an organization’s operations such as: administration, finance, personnel, program development, public relations/marketing or grant writing; and an interest in the CMAB mission “To promote the creation, performance and appreciation of the arts” and a willingness to participate in board operations and committees to carry out the CMAB mission.
If you are interested in making a difference in the arts, applications will be accepted until Aug. 15 and can be filled out on the CMAB website at www.centralmnartsboard.org/about/volunteer.html. Further information can be obtained by contacting the CMAB office by phone at 1-866-345-7140 or by emailing Leslie LeCuyer at leslie@centralmnartsboard.org.
Expo for Seniors focuses on State Fair
The 12th annual Expo for Seniors will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the River’s Edge Convention Center, St. Cloud. The day will begin with more than 100 vendors with booths showcasing products and services in healthcare, housing, finance, fitness, safety, travel and more in the Terry Haws Center C. There will be many health screenings, door prizes and speakers.
All seniors are invited to come out to experience the festivities of the State Fair, during the Expo for Seniors! This is a free event with free parking available in the River’s Edge Ramp. Free shuttle service will be provided from the Center Square ramp (located by Herberger’s) and St. Mary’s Church parking lot (Swan Lot).
Attendees will hear from artist Emily Taylor at 8:30 a.m. in Glenn Carlson Hall. As a native Minnesotan, Emily was raised on the fruits of the Minnesota State Fair. Her family has now continued the tradition and is immersed in the culture living only blocks away from the fairgrounds. Her personal experiences, along with a historical connection come to life through her illustration of the commemorative 2014 Minnesota State Fair poster.
The featured speaker is reporter Boyd Huppert from KARE 11 television. Huppert produces and hosts the station’s popular “Land of 10,000 Stories” segment. During his 18 years at KARE 11, he has become nationally recognized for his work as a video storyteller and teacher. You can hear from Huppert at 10 a.m. in Glenn Carlson Hall.
The lunch time entertainment at 11:30 a.m. in Glenn Carlson Hall will feature Jim Berner, who has performed at the Minnesota State Fair for 13 years. His music includes songs from the 40s, 50s and 60s.
Enjoy a lunch at 11:30 in Glenn Carlson Hall while supplies last. The Salvation Army will also accept food donations during the event. Look for donation boxes in the lobby.
Each year, the Expo hosts more than 1,200 seniors and their adult children. The Expo for Seniors is put on by a planning committee of 18 local volunteers. It’s sponsored by the Good Shepherd Community and the St. Cloud Times. Website: www.expoforseniors.com.
Historian Morgan shares ‘Citizen soldiers: one family’s legacy’
A special breakfast club will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug, 13 outdoors under a tent on the plaza at the Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud. Local historian Bill Morgan will share military stories of his ancestors through several different wars. Bill’s presentation traces events surrounding the war experiences of members of his family who fought in America’s wars – the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Vietnam War. His grandfather was wounded during the Civil War; his great-grandfather died at Bull Run; and a great-uncle helped turn the tide during the third day at Gettysburg. Later stories have to do with a cousin who died on Iwo Jima and the death of his nephew in Vietnam. For more information, visit www.stearns-museum.org/breakfast-club.
Author Kiffmeyer visits Writers Group
Megan Kiffmeyer, author of Moving On, will visit the adult writers group from 6:30- 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11 at the Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 5th Ave. N., Waite Park. The public is invited. Kiffmeyer will talk about her writing and publishing process. She is a graduate of Technical High School in St. Cloud. Her novel, Moving On, tells the story of a woman who finds a new relationship after the death of her first husband.
Basic computer, Internet help scheduled Tuesday
Adults who need help with basic computer and Internet use can receive assistance from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 12 at the Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 5th Ave. N., Waite Park. An experienced volunteer will be on hand to help with setting up an email account, doing a basic web search or using Word. To receive assistance, register in advance at the library or call 320-253-9359. Library hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, 2-6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 1-8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Saturday.
United Way volunteer opportunities
School supplies sought
The school year is right around the corner and many local children are in need of supplies. Please donate school supplies to the following agencies by Wednesday, Aug. 15 for distribution prior to the start of the school year. Supplies needed include: backpacks, dry erase and washable markers, colored pencils, Fiskars scissors, rulers, erasers, glue, scientific calculators, head phones for computer lab, flash drives, pens and pencils. For more information, contact Catholic Charities at 320-650-1550, Place of Hope at 320-203-7881 or the Salvation Army at 320-252-2229.
Share your talent at Quiet Oaks
Volunteers are an essential part of the Quiet Oaks Hospice House family. Volunteers help create the “home-away-from-home” experience. Whether your talent is baking pies or planting gardens, sewing quilts or quiet conversation, they need you on their team. Contact Eileen Bitzan, Quiet Oaks Hospice and Respite Care, at 320-255-5433 ext. 2.
Adopt a meal
Place of Hope feeds three meals a day, 365 days of the year! Your group, family, business, restaurant, church group, small group study or by yourself can help with a whole meal or any part of one at Place of Hope. You can choose breakfast, lunch or supper. Contact Place of Hope at 320-203-7881.
Help in the food shelf
The Salvation Army helps individuals and families in St. Cloud who find themselves in need of assistance. They are looking for volunteers to help in their food shelf. Available times are Monday through Friday, 8:30-11 a.m., Monday through Thursday, 1-4 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. on Friday. Contact Barb Nelson, the Salvation Army, at 320-257-7435.
Help with hospital archives
Help with the hospital archives at CentraCare Plaza. Volunteers will assist the hospital archivist with one of several responsibilities: newspaper clipping and filing, photo identification and processing, transcription of digital audio files to Word documents and optical character recognition document scanning and editing. Volunteers are a valuable part of their health-care team that shares a common objective of providing Care Above All for our patients, clients and their families. Volunteering is the perfect way to make a difference in people’s lives, put your talents to use, develop new skills and even explore careers. Contact St. Cloud Hospital Volunteer Office at 320-255-5638 or visit www.centracare.com/volunteer.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator at 320 223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.