Daylight Saving Time begins
Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 13 at 2 a.m. Clocks should be moved forward one hour, giving us more daylight in the evening, and less in the morning. Cable boxes, computers, cell phones and other high-tech devices will likely spring forward without you having to do a thing. Other clocks will need to be manually adjusted.
Empty Bowls to be held March 20 in St. Cloud
Empty Bowls, sponsored by Place of Hope again this year, will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 20 at Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud. This soup feed and silent auction benefits Place of Hope Ministries and Anne’s Meal Fund which provides more than 7,200 meals a month to those in need. The event includes music, soup, bread and desserts from area restaurants as well as a homemade bowl to take home thanks to Art as You Like It and Central Minnesota Woodcrafters. For more information, head to www.placeofhopeministries.org/events/empty-bowls.
Dollars for Scholars sets phonathon March 19
Students and committee members of the St. Joseph Area Dollars for Scholars committee will be calling on local residents from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 19 to ask for donations toward local scholarships to be given away this spring. All donations are tax-deductible; 100 percent of all donations are used for both traditional and non-traditional scholarships for applicants who live, work or have direct ties with St. Joseph. Volunteers are also being sought to help with the phonathon to be held at Sentry Bank in St. Joseph. To volunteer, call Doug at 320-363-7721 or Janelle at 320-363-7741. To apply for a 2016 Dollars for Scholars scholarship, visit 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. The application deadline is Monday, April 11.
Community Fellowship Free Meal to be held for first time at FUMC
For the first time, First United Methodist Church in Sartell, will serve a community fellowship meal from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at FUMC, 1107 Pinecone Road S., on METRO bus #32 route. METRO bus #32 stops at the Pinecone Coborn’s every hour, with specific stops at 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 1:45 p.m. on Saturdays and hubs out of the Sartell Walmart with hourly connections to Route 31. Please encourage anyone in need to come for the meal. Also, please consider volunteering your time and energy to serve the meal.
Access to food and regular meals can be a challenge, regardless of income, nationality or geography. Since the recession of 2006, we have seen the demand for meals grow. The St. Cloud Community Fellowship Meal program offers a place where hot meals and nutritious food are offered to anyone who walks in the door, no questions asked. First United Methodist Church has been serving the ‘Third Saturday Meal’ since 1990 previously at First Presbyterian church, by purchasing groceries out of church-member donations (not the church budget) and providing the volunteers to cook and serve. For more information, go to http://www.fumcscr.org/community-meal.
Look for bags to donate food
Alex Bertsch of Epic by Nature Farm will be hanging bags on the door handles of Sartell homes on Friday, March 11 for non-perishable food donations from the community. He will pick up the bags on Sunday and donate to the Caritas and Salvation Army food shelves. The idea is to fill the food shelves for National Nutrition Awareness month.
Fundraiser to help singer travel to Europe
Katelynn Leigh, daughter of Kimberly and Ryan Leigh of Sartell and a sophomore at Sartell High School, was recently selected to participate as a soprano in the Minnesota Ambassadors of Music Tour of Europe this July. The family has already set aside $4,000 of the nearly $10,000 cost and is hoping it can raise the rest. There will be a silent-auction fundraising dinner from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at the Ace Bar and Grill in East St. Cloud. There will be a silent auction from 1-4 p.m., music by the lead singer of Muffin Man from 1-3 p.m. and dinner at 4 p.m. The cost for the dinner is $10. Children 2 and under will eat free. Those who know at this point they will attend should let the Leigh family know by emailing to: kimberlyleigh@yahoo.com. People can also contributed to Katelynn’s trip at GoFundMe.com/94hsfqre. Or checks can be mailed to Katelynn Leigh, 802 11th St. S., Sartell, Minn. 56377.
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Yoga class set March 16
If you can move, you can yoga! Join other Boomers and Zoomers (55+) from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 16 at Ridgeview Place Assisted Living, 1009 10th Ave. NE, Sauk Rapids. The group will focus on stretching and breathing that will have you feeling better than when you came into class. Instructor, Burdette Miller-Lehn, will have you doing chair yoga and poses while standing up. All fitness levels welcome and no previous experience necessary. Dress comfortably and bring a friend. There is no fee to attend, but please register by calling Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Education at 320-258-1577 so we can plan for refreshments.
St. Cloud geneaologists host speaker March 15
St. Cloud Area Genealogists is sponsoring lectures on genealogy from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 15 at the Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud. Rick Crume, a contributing editor for Family Tree Magazine, will speak on two topics. “The Top 15 Research Tools for Genealogy” will cover the tools that have done the most to transform genealogy research during the past 15 years. You’ll learn how to use DNA testing, genealogy software, online maps and 12 other tools to make your family history research more efficient and successful. In “German Church Records,” you’ll learn where to find indexes online, how to access microfilmed records, how to find records in churches and archives and how to read and interpret the records. Church records are the most important source for Germany genealogy, but they present several challenges for American researchers. Crume will begin his lectures at 6:30 p.m.; try to arrive earlier.
Car-seat events offer free checks
Make sure your children and grandchildren travel safely in your vehicle. Have car seats checked for correct installation from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 16 or April 20 at the Gold Cross Ambulance Garage, 2800 Seventh St. N, St. Cloud. The goal of the car seat check is to: demonstrate how to install your car seat properly every time; check to make sure you can install the car seat correctly yourself; and provide you with education and knowledge to protect your child. A car-seat check is encouraged for those with children ages 12 and younger, including those in booster seats. All appointments are free. Call 320-320-656-7021 to make an appointment. We ask you have the car seat installed to the best of your ability before coming to the car-seat checkup event. Also, it is recommended that you bring the following to your appointment: the manual for your car seat; the manual for your vehicle; and if possible, the infant/child who will use the car seat.
CentraCare events celebrate Women’s History Month
In observance of March as Women’s History Month, CentraCare Health is offering a free showing of the movie A League of Their Own at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17 in Hoppe Auditorium at St. Cloud Hospital. The movie, part of CentraCare’s ongoing Cultural Café Film Festival, is a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League created during World War II. Park in the North lot or visitors ramp.
Paramount seeks coloring entries
Unleash your inner artist and share your passion for coloring in the Paramount Gallery and Gifts Coloring Contest. Color any design of your choice from size 4-inch-by-6-inch to 8-inch-by-11-inch, with your choice of colored pencil, marker, ink, oil pastel, crayon or other. Adults over 18 only, one entry per person and no need to frame. Prizes will be awarded for Art Crawl Favorite, Best Use of Color, Most Innovative and Best Shading. Artwork will be judged by gallery artists and the art crawl patrons on March 18. Prizes include Paramount Tickets, Paramount Gallery Gift Certificates and Visual Art Center Underground Passes. Enter by March 14, at the Paramount Gallery, 913 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. For more information contact the Paramount Gallery at 320-257-3120 or at www.paramountarts.org.
SCSU to lead discussion on genital cutting practices
Leading for Change: Ending the practice of genital cutting will be held at noon Wednesday, March 16 in Atwood Theatre at St. Cloud State University. The country of Somalia leads in the number of females who undergo cutting or, called by some activists, female genital mutilation, but women from Somalia are also leading for change in Minnesota. This long-standing ritual has been practiced to keep girls and young women from being sexual outside of the norms of traditional culture, and it has been ardently challenged by women from many cultures. Learn more about the practice, the ban and the solutions from a Somali leader in the movement. Presenter Fartun Weli is a founder and leader in the non-profit organization, *Isuroon, which promotes and advocates empowerment, education, equal opportunity and healthcare for Somali women living outside of Somalia.The noon-hour lecture series put on by the SCSU Women’s Center brings diverse women and programming to the university to cover political, social, legal and economic issues affecting women’s lives. Admission is free and open to the public.
Turkey hunt for disabled app deadline set March 15
The application deadline is March 15 for a turkey hunt for people with disabilities at Rockville County Park and Nature Preserve and Spring Hill County Park. The hunts will take place in April and May of 2016.
Applications can be obtained through the website of Midwest Outdoors Unlimitedwww.midwestoutdoorsunlimited.com, by calling the Stearns County park office at 320-255-6172 or by stopping by their office located at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, 1802 CR 137, Waite Park.
Midwest Outdoors Unlimited will select hunters for each of the hunts and supervise the hunts. The mission of the group is to provide outdoor recreational activities for disabled American veterans, disabled individuals and disabled youth in Minnesota.
Each disabled hunter will be accompanied by at least one able-bodied person while in the park. Hunters will be allowed to use shotguns. Hunting will be limited to portable ground blinds. The park will be closed to the general public during each of the hunts.
Sen. Franken seeks entrants to poetry contest for students
In recognition of the Month of the Military Child and National Poetry Month in April, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) is hosting his fifth annual poetry contest for Minnesota students. The theme of this year’s contest is “Celebrating the Veteran in My Life.”
“There are thousands of students all across Minnesota who have seen or experienced the sacrifices veterans and their families have made for our country,” Franken said. “Some of them are children of current service members, while others know men and women who have served. This poetry contest will allow students to honor those veterans and to put into their own words what those sacrifices have meant to them.”
The contest is open to all students in Minnesota grades K-12, with three age categories: Kindergarten to fifth grade; sixth to eighth grades; and ninth to 12th grades. Students can celebrate any veteran or active military member, including a relative, family friend or neighbor who has had a positive impact on their lives.
Winners will be chosen in each age category. Those selected will receive an invitation to attend a reception at Franken’s St. Paul office. Guests include Franken; Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Larry Shellito; Minnesota Poet Laureate Joyce Sutphen; Minnesota National Guard Maj. Gen. Rick Nash; and Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius.
Top-winning poems in each category will be framed and displayed in Franken’s offices in St. Paul or Washington, D.C. The overall winner in each age group will receive an autographed book by famed Minnesota author Garrison Keillor.
If you or someone you know wishes to participate in Franken’s poetry contest, please submit a poem by April 19 to poetry@franken.senate.gov or by mail to: Office of Sen. Al Franken, c/o ‘Poetry Contest,’ 60 Plato Blvd. E., Suite 220, St. Paul, Minn. 55107
Participants may submit only one poem, no longer than 250 words. Each entry must include the name of the child, the parent/guardian’s name, a phone number and the name of the child’s school. Please clearly indicate the participant’s age category.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Spring cleaning?
No child should sleep on the floor. You can help by donating gently used items to help out a low-income family in need. Items accepted include couches, love seats, lamps, recliners, rockers, kitchen tables and chairs, end tables, night stands, dressers and complete bed sets (no king). Furniture with rips, stains, rust, tears or mold cannot be accepted. Tax receipts and pick up is available. Contact the Community Furniture Program at 320-656-9004.
Engage, connect, involve
The Greater St. Cloud Area RSVP engages men and women age 55 or better in meaningful volunteer opportunities at more than 200 human-service agencies throughout the community. They are seeking compassionate volunteers in a variety of positions, including many roles with flexible commitments. RSVP staff will work with you to cater your volunteer schedule so it fulfills your needs and has a positive impact on your community. Contact Jennifer, RSVP at 320-255-7295 or rsvp@ci.stcloud.mn.us.
Utilize your office skills
Every day, CentraCare Health Volunteers make a positive impact on their visitors, patients and the care they provide. CentraCare Business Center is seeking volunteers to help with office and administrative tasks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday or Thursday. This is a great opportunity to utilize and enhance your office skills. 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 Alison Dahlin Volunteer Specialist at 320-255-5638 or dahlina@centracare.com.
Serve up coffee and a smile
Serve up a cup of coffee and a smile to residents and guests at the Cobblestone Corner Eatery. The eatery, located in the Health Care Center, is a great place for individuals who like to meet and greet people. Volunteers serve beverages and prepared food such as sandwiches, salads, pizza, soups and more to residents, their families and staff. Duties include running the cash register (training provided), serving customers and keeping the area clean and neat. Food is prepared and brought to the eatery. Available days are from 2-7 p.m. Tuesdays, 3:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m. Thursdays and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays. Contact Caitlin Tierney, Country Manor Campus volunteer coordinator, at 320- 258-8936 or ctierney@countrymanorcampus.org.
Help with pet adoption
Tri-County Humane Society is looking for volunteers to attend offsite adoption events at Petco and/or Petsmart. Volunteers will staff a TCHS informational booth and transport animals for adoption to the events. The volunteer spends time socializing the animals, assisting customers in meeting animals, processing adoption paperwork and providing information to customers. The events are roughly four hours and they ask for a once-a-month commitment. Contact Rose Hegerle, Tri-County Humane Society, at 320-252-0896 ext. 27.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
