The Central Minnesota Arts Board awarded $144,416 in support of 24 regional arts projects. Criteria used in evaluating applications include: artistic quality & merit, demonstrated need, outcomes & evaluation and ability to complete the proposal.
The College of St. Benedict was awarded $7,000 for “We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” The Feb. 15 event will showcase African American music that unified a generation of civil rights activists with recordings of King’s speeches interwoven between songs.
The received $7,000 for “Songs for Schools” a series of activities scheduled for January-April 2019 to engage local schoolchildren in high-quality choral experiences through free concerts at 10 area schools.
Brady Birch of St. Joseph has been selected to the University of Jamestown’s fall dean’s list. Students recognized with this award have met the academic criteria of maintaining a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher and full-time status.
The St Joseph Lions Club presented its annual awards on Dec. 18.
Three members received Melvin Jones Fellowships, the highest recognition given by Lions International Foundation. Leonard Walz was recognized for his leadership on committees involving brat sales, July Fourth parade, finance and food service. Kyle Jensen distinguished himself as brat sales chairman, chicken and ham dinner committee member and in organizing the club fish fries. Nathan Molitor serves successfully as membership chairman, works as a parade committee member and volunteers at St John’s food Service.
Mary Stommes received the Helen Keller Sight Award. She was recognized for her work as July Fourth parade co-chair, chairman of the Fundraising Committee, Building Committee, Ham Dinner, Gambling and Peace Poster committees.
Two members were awarded Hearing Research Fellowships. They are Scott Bloch and Keith Schleper.
Bloch serves as the club gambling manager, the program and entertainment chairman, meat raffle chairman and serves on the parade committee. Schleper received the president’s award. He currently serves as the building committee chairman.
The Dream Catcher award was presented to Doug Carlson. He has served a as a member of the building committee and finance committee, while also co-chairing the scouting committee and food shelf committee. Carlson recently returned from a trip to Guatemala where his group installed energy efficient stoves for needy families. St Joseph Lions donated a number of stoves to this endeavor.
Greg Kacures and Gail Rucks were honored with selection for the Lions Top Dog award.
Lions receiving awards are (left to right) Scott Bloch, Kyle Jensen, Gail Rucks, Keith Schleper, Mary Stommes, Len Walz, Greg Kacures, Doug Carlson and Nate Molitor.
