Winter farmers’ market extended to April, May
“Winter Market,” the farmers’ market in Sartell, is extending its hours into the spring.
It will be open from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 6 and Saturday, May 4 in the council chambers of Sartell City Hall. About one dozen vendors will display a wide variety of locally grown and produced products.
The warm-weather Sartell farmers’ market, known as “Market Monday,” began two summers ago next to the Bernick’s Arena along Pinecone Road. On Monday, May 13, “Market Monday” will again open for the season, this time in Pinecone Regional Park near Sartell City Hall.
Amy Braig-Lindstrom, founder and coordinator of the market, said the market site was changed to the city-hall area for several reasons, including consistency season to season, location at a controlled intersection and a venue that is clearly visible from Pinecone Road.
School board to meet March 25
The Sartell-St. Stephen School Board meeting has been rescheduled to 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 25. The meeting had been slated for Monday, March 18, but the threat of blizzard-like weather caused its cancellation. The board meets in the School District Services Building in Sartell.
Sartell resident Margaret Werlinger is the March Artisan of the Month at By Hand. Werlinger is a water-colorist and will demonstrate her talents from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at By Hand, Riverwood Mall, Waite Park. Werlinger’s water-color depictions of the 20 mysteries of the rosary were recently featured at Notre Dame University.
Sartell Youth Baseball sets registration
Registration for summer 2013 baseball closes on March 31. To register 1st- through 9th-grade youth, please go to www.sartellbaseball.com and click “Youth Baseball.” For registration questions, call Mike Connolly at 320-252-5743.
Empty Bowls set March 24
The Empty Bowls Soup Feed Benefit and Silent Auction will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road, St Cloud. Empty Bowls is an internationally recognized program designed to draw attention to the problem of hunger in the United States and the world. Hundreds of St. Cloud area students and volunteers have made bowls. Each paid attendee will receive a handmade bowl. Soup is donated by several St. Cloud restaurants. In addition to soup, bread, a beverage and a variety of entertainment will be provided. Attendees keep their “benefactor bowls” after the event as a reminder someone else’s bowl is always empty. Call 320-203-7881 today to reserve tickets. Tickets also available at the door.
Give GRRL a High $5
Several branches in the Great River Regional Library system will feature local programming in March, funded by “High $5” contributions from library users. The High $5 March fundraising campaign began in 2005 to encourage library patrons to make donations to GRRL to help support library services. Donations stepped up when each branch was told to keep 40 percent of donated funds for local purposes. The remaining 60 percent goes to help fund library operations and collections that benefit the entire region. If all library cardholders stopped by in March and donated $5, it would have a huge impact. Individuals wishing to make a High $5 donation may stop by their closest GRRL branch library. The library also accepts donations online at griver.org on its “Support the Library” page, where patrons may indicate a branch location via an “Instructions/Comments” line.
Hope for Recovery workshop set March 30
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota will hold a free, one-day education workshop that provides families and individuals with information on mental illnesses, practical coping strategies and hope for recovery. The workshop will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30 at the Great River Public Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. Registration is requested. For more information or to register, call Nick at 320-253-6212.
NAMI support group meets in Sartell
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota sponsors free support groups for families who have a relative with a mental illness. Led by trained facilitators who also have a family member with mental illness, the support groups help families develop better coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences. A family support group meets in Sartell at 6:30 p.m., on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, at Unity Spiritual Center, 931 5th Ave. N. For information, call Chuck at 320-290-7713. NAMI Minnesota is a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families through its programs of education, support and advocacy.
Older worker opportunities now available in Stearns County
The Experience Works Senior Community Service Employment Program is currently accepting applications. Program applicants must be age 55 or older, unemployed, live in Stearns County and have incomes of $14,363 per year or less for a family of one ($19,388 for family of two). There are currently two openings for qualified candidates.
Experience Works SCSEP is available at no cost to people who meet eligibility criteria. The program provides paid community-service assignments at local public and non-profit organizations, training, referral to needed services and job-search assistance. With updated skills, participants use their community-service training as a springboard to permanent jobs with local employers. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-842-4982 or visit www.experienceworks.org.
Wildland firefighter training
A 40-hour online course with testing to being trained as a wildland firefighter is available Monday, April 1 during a one-day field session at Camp Ripley. Upon completion, you will be qualified at the base level for wildland firefighting work anywhere in the United States. Visit www.csbsju.edu/Arboretum.htm for course instructions, tips and registration for the field session.
Poems wanted
Poetryfest is sponsoring a poetry contest free to everyone. There are 100 prizes in all, and the $1,000 grand prize goes to the last poet standing. Poems of 21 lines or less on any subject and in any style will be judged by the Betty Cummins Starr-Joyal, contest director. “We are a nonprofit group of friendly poets who love awarding cash prizes to deserving poets,” she says. “We love to read and discuss new poems and trust this contest will produce exciting discoveries.” Send one poem to: Free Poetry Contest, P.O. Box 3336, Central Point, OR 97502. Or enter at www.friendlypoets.com. Deadline for entering is March 31. Include your name and address on the same page as your poem. All entrants will be sent a winner’s list.
Arbor Day Foundation offers free trees in March
The Arbor Day foundation is making it easy for everyone to celebrate the arrival of spring by planting trees. Join the Arbor Day Foundation in March and receive 10 free white pine trees. The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundations Trees for America Campaign. 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. Arbor Day Foundation members also receive a subscription to “Arbor Day,” the Foundation’s bimonthly publication, and “The Tree Book,” which contains information about tree planting and care. To become a member of the foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to 10 Free White Pine Trees, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE, 68410 by March 30 or join online at arborday.org/march.
State program provided 4,591 car seats to low-income families
A state program administered by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety has provided 4,591 car seats during the last two years to families in need. The Child Passenger Restraint and Education Account addresses the needs of low-income families to transport children safely. Child passenger safety seat violations fund the account to pay for the car seats. The program began in 1994. Families that meet low-income guidelines may be eligible to receive car seats. There are more than 100 locations statewide where car seats are distributed (listed at BuckleUpKids.mn.gov). Car seats are made available through local public health offices, hospitals, law enforcement, fire departments and other agencies in partnership with DPS. For more information on this and other child restraint details, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Extra Extra.
United Way Volunteer Oportunities
Tutor after achool
Hands Across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction in English as a second language and other skills to refugee and immigrant newcomers to St. Cloud. Volunteers are needed to help children and parents with homework and computer skills during their after-school program hours. The school programis a fun chance to work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. If you are interested in meeting interesting people from unique places, this could be the job for you. Classes are at the Mary Center. Volunteers are needed at least one day a week. Contact Hands Across the World at 260-1072
March is Food Share Month
March is Food Share Month in Minnesota where donations are matched during the month. During this time of economic distress, many area families are using local food shelves more than ever before. Consider leveraging the match by running a food drive within your work place, church or service club and donate to your local food shelf.
Salvation Army seeks janitor
The Salvation Army is seeking a volunteer to help keep its building clean and shiny. Volunteers will be responsible for keeping the trash emptied in each room, vacuuming halls, classrooms and the chapel area. Restroom touch-ups, general straightening and mopping where needed. This position will be between 8:30-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Usually two or three hours each day is needed. Training will be given. Beverages and a free lunch will be given to volunteers from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. The place is close to a bus route. Call Barb Nelson, the Salvation Army volunteer manager, at 320-252-4552.
Provide friendship and guidance
“Bigs” in the this community’based program provide friendship, emotional support and hope to young people with whom they are matched. This is a one-on-one volunteer opportunity to provide friendship and guidance to a child in central Minnesota. The volunteer will meet with their “Littles” three of four times a month. The volunteers must attend an orientation session before becoming a Big. They will also fill out an application and complete an interview. The volunteer must be at least 18 years of age or older and have completed high school or equivalent. They must have a viable means of transportation and agree to participate in a background check. Contact Maija Schmelzer, Big Brothers Big Sisters, at 320-258-4535.
Help customers
Volunteers are needed to help run the Gift Gallery at St. Benedict’s Senior Community. Volunteers must feel comfortable working with customers, running the cash register and dealing with sales while providing good customer service. Contact Volunteer Services at 320-255-5638 or volunteer@centracare.com.
Volunteer drivers
Tri-CAP needs qualified drivers to transport people using their own vehicles to medical appointments, social service appointments, visitations and other needs. The driver will provide rides for passengers as assigned by Tri-CAP within Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties and the surrounding areas. Volunteer drivers are reimbursed at the federal IRS rate. Drivers must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license and be free from any drug/alcohol influence. The driver is required to carry automobile insurance as required by state law and to notify the insurance company of the volunteer driving position. A driver must keep all names and information about passengers confidential. Contact Tri-CAP at 320-202-7824.
Readers, tutors, mentors
We all win when young people succeed in school. That’s why United Way is inviting people to LIVE UNITED as a volunteer reader, tutor or mentor.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way community volunteer coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org. To receive this listing or additional opportunities, contact United Way at 320-252-0227 or www.unitedwayhelps.org.
Give. Advocate. Volunteer. Live United.
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