Pinecone Road closure on Saturday, May 28
Pinecone Road from Seventh Street to 40th Street will be completely closed to traffic from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 28, for the Sartell Apple Duathlon. Avoid travel or be prepared to stop on Seventh Street N. and on 2-½ Street between Pinecone and Second Avenue because of cyclists and runners. The Apple Duathlon is a local, nonprofit race whose proceeds are returned to the community through donations to local service agencies and for college scholarships for local students.
•••••••••••
Volunteers needed for Apple Duathlon
Support the local race and your community by volunteering to help with the Sartell Apple Duathlon kids’ race on Friday evening, May 27, and with the adult race on Saturday morning, May 28. We need people to staff registration and manage packet pickup, staff food tents and water stations, supervise parking and direct racers and more. Organizations who provide at least eight volunteers may earn $100 for your organization. All volunteers receive a 2016 Apple Duathlon T-shirt. Bring a friend. Contact [email protected] to sign up.
•••••••••••
Bond referendum vote is May 24
On Tuesday, May 24, residents of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District will have the opportunity to vote in a bond referendum. The one-question referendum requests voter approval of $105.8 million in bond funding, for more space; enhanced safety, security and well-being for all; and supporting flexible learning spaces for the next generation of learners.
•••••••••••••••••
Senior document shred and drug take back days
The Sartell Police Department, along with Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, are offering a secure location for you to drop off personal documents and unused medication for proper disposal from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 and from 3-6 p.m. May 26 at the Sartell Police Department.
Drop off any of the following for discarding: charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, bank checks and statements, expired charge cards and credit offers you get in the mail. In conjunction with First Shred, Sartell seniors ages 55 and older can drop off their sensitive documents for appropriate disposal for free.
In conjunction with the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department, you may also drop off your unused prescription medication for appropriate disposal for free. If the medication is in glass containers, there will be padded envelopes to put them in. No sharps are allowed. There will be police officers on site to ensure what you drop off remains secure until disposal.
••••••••••••••••••
Spring Fling May 22 benefits mission trips
The Spring Fling and silent auction, hosted by Celebration Lutheran Church, will take place Sunday, May 22. Spring Fling is the largest fundraiser for the youth of Celebration Lutheran’s summer mission trips. These trips provide life-changing, Christ-centered youth-mission opportunities.
This year, the mission trip will make its first visit to Juneau, Alaska. The church will serve the local community by preparing and serving area youth lunch while providing them with games, Bible stories, projects and crafts, much like a Vacation Bible School setting.
•••••••••••••••
Lions Club seeks host families for exchange program
Each year, the Lions International Youth Camp and Exchange Program introduces young people to life in other cultures by helping them travel abroad, usually for two to six weeks during the summer months; they live with a family in another country/culture, meet other students from around the world and learn about the bonds we share and the differences we respect in each other no matter where we live.
More than 100 Lions camps are held each year in about 39 countries and there are Lions Youth Camps in 18 states in the United States. The youth camp and exchange program in Minnesota consists of a three-week stay with a host family and a one-week camp stay.
Thirty students from all around the world – Mongolia, Brazil, Poland, Finland, Japan, China, Turkey, Denmark and more – will arrive in Minnesota during the month of July, to bring the ideal of global citizenship to life.
There is no academic or employment component and instead a unique opportunity to participate in everyday life in another culture. Students arriving in Minnesota are between the ages of 16-20. Five students have been placed in our area thus far: two in Sartell, one in Sauk Rapids, one in St Cloud and one in Watkins. Fourteen remaining students are currently in need of host families for their three-week stay in July.
During camp week, students will go to ValleyFair and the Mall of America, do a ropes course for team building, take part in a variety of service projects, visit Lions groups, attend a Rox game with fireworks and put on an International YE banquet where they are asked to prepare a dish from their home country, bring photos from home and speak about their home country. This provides life-changing, independent growth experience for youth and life-changing growth experience for host families.
••••••••••••••
Strides for Stroke supports community awareness
St. Cloud Hospital Stroke Center is joining other cities across Minnesota to increase community awareness and stomp out strokes at the Minnesota Stroke Association Strides for Stroke on Saturday, May 21 at CentraCare Health Plaza.
Arrive at 9 a.m. for check-in and a chance to visit a Gold Cross Ambulance, get a stroke risk screening and learn about other community resources. There are many opportunities to support loved ones who have been affected by stroke by starting your own team, joining a team or making a donation.
All money raised goes toward Minnesota Stroke Association services and supports community-awareness events. For more information and to register, visit strokemn.org or call 763-553-0088.
••••••••••••••••
Ribbon cutting set May 25 at VA
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the remodeling of Building 49, part of the Community Living Center, is planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center. The event will be held in the first-floor dayroom in Building 49.
The near-total renovation project updated the World War II-era ward setting into a modern residential-care setting with private rooms, private bathrooms and upgraded common areas, resulting in significantly improved living conditions for veterans.
Veterans, families and the public are invited to attend. Visitor parking for this event will be in the parking lot north of Building 48.
••••••••••••••••
Resource Training, Solutions coordinates substitute program
Resource Training & Solutions in St. Cloud has announced it has coordinated a two-day program on June 6 and 7 to prepare individuals to apply to become limited short-call substitute teachers under the Minnesota limited, short-call substitute program. A four-year bachelor’s degree is required to qualify. Registration deadline is Tuesday, May 24.
Under Minnesota law, limited short-call substitute teachers’ licenses are granted only if teachers who hold regular teaching licenses are not available or if a district is experiencing a hardship in securing a sufficient number of regularly licensed teachers to meet the district’s need for limited, short-call substitute teachers. The district superintendent may request a limited short-call substitute license be granted to an individual who holds a baccalaureate degree from a college or university that is accredited by the regional association for the accreditation of colleges and secondary schools. Licensure is good for two years and must be renewed bi-annually.
Training will cover topics such as the substitute teacher’s role in the classroom and district, basics of classroom management and instruction, basics of child development and communication skills.
Registration for the training can be made by contacting Deb Thomes at Resource Training & Solutions, 137 23rd St. S., Sartell, phone 320-255-3236 or toll-free 844-335-3276, website www.resourcetraining.com.
•••••••••••••••
Board of Education holds meeting for prospective candidates
The Board Development, Policy and Governance Committee of the St Cloud Area School District Board of Education has scheduled a Candidate Information Session from 7-8 p.m. Monday, May 23 in Conference Room A at the District Administration Office at Apollo High School, 1000 44th Ave. N., St Cloud.
This session is open to all community members who may be interested in serving on the District 742 Board of Education and may be considering to run for election on the primary and/or general election ballot for 2017. Information will focus on the roles and functions of a school-board member as well as information about the St. Cloud Area School District 742. Email [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions.
•••••••••••••••••
Candidate filing period begins in one week
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State reminds individuals interested in running for most public offices in Minnesota in 2016 that the official candidate filing period runs from now until May 31 and candidates for federal, state, county and some local offices must file for office during this period for their name to appear on the ballot.
Candidate filing requirements vary depending on the office, whether the candidate is a member of a major or minor political party and whether the office is partisan or nonpartisan.
- Candidates for president, vice president, and U.S. representative must file with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. (Please note: the filing dates and process for president and vice president are different depending if a candidate is part of a major political party or non-major political party.)
- Candidates for state senator, state representative, and any judicial office may file with the office of the Minnesota Secretary of State or the county auditor of the county in which the candidate resides.
- Candidates for county offices must file with their county auditor.
- Municipal candidates must file with their municipal clerk.
- School-district candidates must file with their school-district clerk.
- Candidates for special districts, such as hospital or park districts, should contact the district’s office for information on the filing process.
Candidates can find information about filing for office, along with information on campaign finance, filing a campaign committee and fair campaign practices, at sos.state.mn.us in the “Election Administration & Campaigns” section.
••••••••••••
Hospice-care education offered by Heartland
“Isn’t It Time We Talk?” offers a discussion of end-of-life care from 3-5 p.m. Thursdays at Heartland Hospice at 1257 Second St. N., Sauk Rapids.
Often times, decisions for end-of-life care are made at the last moment or left for family to decide what care is best for their loved ones at end-of-life. This can be stressful and emotionally burdensome for you and loved ones. Explore your options. Relieve stress with a firm understanding you are in control of your life journey.
Learn more about the hospice benefit and advance-care planning. You will receive education about hospice and the specialized care offered to those with life-limiting illness. Discussion includes qualification, services, coverage and level of care. In addition, you will receive an overview of advance-care planning while incorporating advance directive questions and completion.
Meet and visit with physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, home-health aides and volunteers to learn more, all while attending class.
••••••••••••••••
5/20 ALL
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Plant a row, harvest a row
Consider planting an extra row in your garden and donating the produce to your local food shelf. Favorites include carrots, beans, beets, kohlrabi, corn, potatoes, cabbage, peppers, onions and asparagus. Any produce that has a longer shelf life is accepted. This is an easy way to help our food shelves during the summer and fall. Contact Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4560, CROSS Center at 320-968-7012 or the Salvation Army at 320-252-4552.
Summer donations wanted
Catholic Charities Emergency Services is currently accepting new, gently used clothes, bedding and kitchen basics. Donations can be dropped off at 157 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud. Donations are accepted at Door D from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Wednesdays. Tax receipts are available. Contact Chad Kaushagen of Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4568.
Volunteers wanted
for Minnesota Senior Games
Volunteers are needed for the Minnesota Senior Games. More than 500 athletes, 50 years of age and older, will compete in 20+ events May 19-22 in the St. Cloud area. Dedicated volunteers are needed at a variety of events during the games. Each volunteer shift will run approximately three to four hours. Volunteers will receive a 2016 Minnesota Senior Games T-shirt and those who sign up for two or more shifts will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card. Sign up to volunteer at mnseniorgames.com or email [email protected].
Opportunity Matters
car washers wanted
Opportunity Matters is looking for a group to wash its vans. Typically, it is for about three hours at its main office in Sartell and will accommodate about 15 people. Opportunity Matters is flexible on scheduling. Contact Brenda Eggerth, Opportunity Matters volunteer and communications manager, at 320-240-1900 ext. 205 or [email protected].
Transportation volunteer sought
Volunteer to help veterans at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center. Drive a VA vehicle to bring veterans to their appointments at the medical center. Another opportunity is to drive a golf cart to deliver veterans and supplies across the campus. All volunteers must complete an application, participate in an interview and successfully complete a background check. A physical exam and additional training are required. Contact Volunteer Service at 320-255-6365 to receive an application.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or [email protected].