Travel Talkin’ guys speak on Turkey
Sartell Senior Connection hosts Travel Talkin’ guys as they take you to Turkey with a history dating back 8,000 years at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Sartell District Service Center, 212 3rd Ave. N. You will visit the biblical city of Ephesus and follow up visiting Abraham’s birthplace along with the Blue Mosque and other iconic landmarks. You will discover Cappadocia where people lived underground during the crusades. Mike and Jim make history entertaining and fun. We can guarantee an interesting evening; no passports needed.
Sign up now for garden plots
Even though some may have forgotten what springtime is, it’s reportedly on its way, and it’s time to start thinking about gardening.
There will be some community-garden plots available in Sartell this spring. Anyone interested should be sure to put their names on the list by emailing garden-coordinator Kaye Wenker at kwenker@charter.net. They should include their email address, mailing address and phone number.
There will also be an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Westside Liquor Learning Center that everyone is welcome to attend.
There are two community gardens in Sartell – a north one by Oak Ridge Elementary School containing 96 plots and an east one by the water plant with 10 plots.
Dollars for Scholars apps now online
2014 Scholarship applications are available online at: http://StJosephArea.dollarsforscholars.org. Click on: Students and Parents tab. Click on: Click to Login. Click on: “click here” above Student Login to register. If you need assistance call 320-363-7721.
Printer omission
Due to a printing glitch last week, page 3 of the Feb. 7 Newsleader was not published. So the same lower half of the front page and the story’s jump are printed in full in this week’s edition. Digital technology is a love/hate relationship.
Hot off the press
If you’d like to receive the Newsleader hot off the press, send us your email address and we’ll notify you with a link when our website is updated, which is typically by noon a day in advance of the print edition. Send your email to news@thenewsleaders.com and you should start receiving your reminder at that address within a week. Notify us otherwise.
Join Arbor Day Foundation in February, receive free trees
Joining the Arbor Day Foundation is an ideal way to get in the mood for spring planting. Anyone from Minnesota who joins the Foundation in February will receive 10 free Colorado blue spruce trees to plant when the weather turns warm. The free trees are part of the non-profit Foundation’s Trees for America campaign.
“The blue-green hue and distinctive shape of Colorado blue spruce trees will help beautify Minnesota for many years to come,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees will also add to the proud heritage of Minnesota’s existing Tree City USA communities.”
The Tree City USA program has supported community forestry throughout the country for more than 35 years. The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting, between March 1 and May 31, with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow, or they will be replaced free of charge.
Members also receive a subscription to the Foundation’s colorful bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and The Tree Book, which contains information about planting and care.
To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to Ten Free Colorado Blue Spruce Trees, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, by Feb. 28 or visit arborday.org/february.
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers sought for activities with kids
Interested in supporting learning for K-5 students? Volunteers are needed to assist with after-school academic programming. Opportunities are available Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (2:30-5 p.m.) at Talahi Elementary School, 1321 University Drive SE or Discovery School, 700 7th St. S, Waite Park. Volunteers support the work of teachers and staff by assisting students one-on-one or in small groups to build math and/or reading skills. Benefits to volunteers include building experience and skills working with children. Contact Sonia Dickrell at 320-529-6500 x6268 or volunteer@isd742.org.
Deliver lunch to residents in the Cold Spring-Richmond area.
The Rural Stearns Faith in Action program is a “neighbor-helping-neighbor” program with the mission to provide assistance to seniors and others in the community experiencing difficult life situations, with the goal of supporting individuals to stay as independent as possible. They are currently seeking volunteers to deliver lunch to area residents starting around 11 a.m. Monday-Friday in the Cold Spring and Richmond area. This volunteer opportunity is flexible and mileage reimbursement is available. Contact Serena Robak at 320-348-2316 or Robak.serena@assumptionhome.com.
Activities with kids
The Boys and Girls Club can always use volunteers at any of their 16 sites. Whether you’re interested in playing basketball with teens, reading to a child or doing paperwork in the administrative office, they need you! Just go online and fill out a Volunteer Application Form. Contact Boys and Girls Club at 320-252-7616 or visit www.bgcmn.org.
Work with people from other cultures
Hands Across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction in ESL 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 on Mondays from 9 a.m.-noon at the Mary Center. Contact Hands Across the World at 320-260-10721.
Donations for babies
New Beginnings is a home for single pregnant women and their babies. New Beginnings is in need of the following donations: diapers sizes 2-6 and baby wipes, new baby clothes (sizes preemie to 2T), toys (ages newborn to 2 years old) and other baby products. Donations can be dropped off at any time. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes. Contact New Beginnings at 320-255-1252.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way community volunteer coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
