Summer farmers’ market opens today, Friday, May 9
The St. Joseph Farmers’ Market summer market opens today from 3-6:30 p.m. and will run every Friday into October. The market is located north of St. Joseph on C.R. 2 next to the Wobegon Trail Center (near Resurrection Lutheran Church). All are welcome – come on out, rain or shine, and purchase locally grown produce and more. Follow the market at facebook.com/stjosephfarmersmarket to stay informed.
Senior Connection presents Lemonade, Laughter May 13
The Sartell Senior Connection presents the sixth annual Lemonade and Laughter at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Gathering Space. The guest speaker “Shirley from Dez Moines” will tickle your funny bone with real life stories we can all relate to. We’ll laugh about the everyday occurrences and we may even laugh at ourselves. Don’t miss the fun! Admission is $3.00 at the door. Refreshments will be served. Bring a friend. Everyone is invited.
Citywide garage sale set next weekend
The St. Joseph City Wide Garage Sale, sponsored by the St. Joseph Jaycees, will be held Friday and Saturday, May 16-17. Maps are available at Sentry Bank and all gas stations in St. Joseph.
District seeks input from all community stakeholders
The Sartell-St. Stephen School District will conduct its annual community survey to gain input and insights from district families and community members about the school district. The survey will be available online between Wednesday, May 14, and Wednesday, May 21, via a link on the district website. If you would like to request a paper copy, please contact Amy Trombley at 320-656-3779, or stop in at the District Service Center.
“The goal of this survey is to provide the community an opportunity to have input and provide feedback to the school district,” shared Mike Spanier, interim superintendent. “We will be sending a link out to all families via our Skylert system.”
Once the survey is closed, results are shared with the school board, district leadership and on the district’s website.
Stamp Out Hunger food drive set May 10
On May 10, postal carriers across the country will collect food for families in need. It’s easy to help. Collect and bag non-perishable food items. Place items by your mailbox for letter carriers to deliver to a local food bank or pantry.
Fishing opener creates traffic safety concerns
Drivers warned of annual traffic problems
The fishing opener weekend of May 10-11 will be a busy traffic period, especially in northern Minnesota.
According to Regional Public Information Officer Sgt. Jesse Grabow, “Some of the main concerns are drivers who are not paying attention, following too closely and speeding, especially around the lakes areas. Drivers are strongly encouraged to buckle up, take your time and pay strict attention to your driving.”
Drivers are also asked to keep an eye on their following distance and stay back far enough to prevent a crash with the vehicle ahead. Sgt. Grabow says, “Normally, the three-second following distance rule is taught, but many northbound travelers during the fishing opener and all summer are pulling trailers with boats or ATV’s, campers and the like – all of which would require following at a distance of at least 500 feet, which would be farther back than the three-second rule.”
Motorists should be aware of all the safety rules for trailers, trailer equipment and for all special mobile equipment they are transporting to the area for recreation. Safe operation begins with the driver taking personal responsibility for their own actions behind the wheel as well as making sure all vehicle loads are secure.
Sgt. Grabow added, “Just slow down, buckle up, drive sober and pay attention, and we can all be a lot safer this fishing opener.”
The Central Minnesota Sustainability Project is opening their Community Gardens on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and as a part of that they are organizing a work day where volunteers will wheelbarrow compost to all of the plots in their garden. The work can be done earlier in the day, from 8-10 a.m., if that works better. Contact Florence Orionzi, gardens education and volunteer coordinator, at 320-356-0369 or Florence@sustainmn.org.
Help collect and transport food
The Salvation Army needs volunteers to help collect and transport food on Saturday, May 10 for the Letter Carriers’ National Food drive. Contact the Salvation Army at 320-252-1424.
Spring is here!
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. Donated to Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4560 or the Salvation Army at 320-252-4552.
Help patients access MyChart
Volunteers are a valuable part of our health-care team that shares a common objective of providing Care Above All for our patients, clients and their families. MyChart Promotions Representative Volunteers promote and assist with the setup of MyChart for patients leaving the Plaza Family Medicine clinics. Candidate will gain experience in patient interactions and clinic operations as well as learn the skills to set patients up with MyChart access. Volunteer once a week for four hours at CentraCare Health Plaza. 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. Volunteer opportunities are available at a variety of CentraCare Health locations. Contact CentraCare Volunteer Services at 320-255-5638 or visit centracare.com/volunteer.
Volunteer at Place of Hope for the summer
Place of Hope is looking for volunteers in a variety of areas. Front-desk help, meal preparation, serving and cleanup, clothing-room organizer, general cleaning, paperwork and children’s activity assistants. Help someone in need and volunteer at Place of Hope. Visit www.placeofhopeministries.org to complete a volunteer application or call 320-203-7881.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Community Volunteer Coordinator at (320) 223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
When family members are faced with a life-and-death health-care decision for a loved one, it can be overwhelming. Having a health-care directive can lessen the burden. A health care directive is a planning tool used to identify who you want to make health care decisions for you if you aren’t able to communicate. It puts your wishes regarding end-of-life care in writing. CentraCare Health will offer free health-care directive information sessions to employees and the public on how to set up their own health-care directive. Staff will be available to provide forms, answer questions and assist in completing this legal document. For a complete list of dates, times and locations, visit centracare.com, click on Classes and Events, Community Health and Wellness. Call 320-259-9375, ext. 28762, for details.
Genealogists learn to unlock FamilySearch.org
Join other avid genealogists for an instructional webinar “Unlock FamilySearch.org” from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the Stearns History Museum. Lori Bessler, reference librarian and outreach coordinator at the Wisconsin Historical Society Library Archives, will be the presenter.
FamilySearch.org is a multi-layered website with many resources and services to help the genealogist find out more about their family and community. FamilySearch, operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the largest genealogical organization in the world, and FamilySearch.org contains more free resources than any other genealogical website. This webinar/workshop will provide a tour of the site with advice on how to use the site effectively with other sites on the web.
About the Presenter: Lori Bessler has worked at the Wisconsin Historical Society Library Archives, one of the top five genealogical libraries in North America, since 1988. She is a reference librarian and outreach coordinator. Bessler has lectured throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest on genealogical topics for more than 25 years and has been researching family history for more than 35 years.
Please RSVP to Sarah Warmka, Stearns History Museum archivist, 320-253-8424 or by email swarmka@stearns-museum.org. Feel free to contact Warmka with any questions or for more details.
Founded in 1936, the Stearns History Museum has focused on preserving and interpreting the history of the region for 77 years. The mission of the museum is to engage people in the exploration of the county’s diverse heritage by providing connections to the past, perspectives on the present and inspiration for the future. The Stearns History Museum is nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
Commissioner to meet with constituents
Stearns County Commissioner Mark Bromenschenkel will meet with constituents for an informal coffee chat from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Blue Line Sports Bar and Grill, 1101 2nd St. S., Sartell.
Residents are encouraged to stop in to meet Bromenschenkel or to share concerns and ask questions. The commissioner generally holds the coffee get-togethers on the first Saturday of every other month in three cities of his district: Sartell, St. Joseph and Waite Park.
Bromenschenkel, a Sartell resident, represents Stearns County District 2 on the county board.
Those who cannot attend the coffee hour can contact him at P.O. Box 190, Sartell, MN 56377 or by phone at 320-493-9180 or via email at mark.bromenschenkel@co.stearns.mn.us.
Commissioner Bromenschenkel represents the cities of St. Joseph, Sartell and Waite Park and the townships of Le Sauk, St. Joseph and St. Wendel.
GREAT to holding auditions May 10, 12, 13 for summer musical
After a six-year hiatus, GREAT Theatre Company is excited to bring musical theater back to the Paramount Stage for 2014. The company will hold open auditions for the musical Children of Eden on May 10, 12 and 13. For this production, GREAT is seeking 59 community performers ages seven through adult. Children of Eden, a joyous, inspirational musical about parents, children and faith, is from the creators of Wicked, Godspell and Les Miserables.
All levels of abilities are needed. Children of Eden is a very choral show with lots of harmonies. Audition information and what to prepare for the audition can be found online at greattheatre.org or by calling 320.363.5777.
Through dynamic on-stage programming and innovative off-stage educational outreach, GREAT Theatre is creating a culturally vibrant community of tomorrow by educating and entertaining audiences today. For more information, call 320.258.2787 or visit greattheatre.org.
Writers Group set May 12
The Writers Group for adults will meet from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, May 12 at the Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 N. 5th Ave., Waite Park. Each meeting features a writing prompt and a writing theme. The March theme is “The Truth.” New members are welcome. For more information on this event and others, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers. For more information, call 320-253-9359.
Toddler Time set May 13
Toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years, together with their caregivers, are invited to enjoy Toddler Time from 10:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 N. 5th Ave., Waite Park. Enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays. The attendance limit is 12 children and advanced registration is required. For more information, call 320-253-9359.
Basic Computer and Internet Help set May 13
An experienced volunteer is available to provide basic computer and Internet help to adults from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, May 13 at the Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 N. 5th Ave., Waite Park. Register for time and assistance setting up an email account, doing a basic web search or learning how to use Word. Sessions are up to 30 minutes. For more information, call 320-253-9359.
eReader/Tablet Help set May 13
Get personal assistance with your eReader/tablet questions from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 N. 5th Ave., Waite Park. An experienced volunteer will provide assistance. Up to 30 minutes per session. Register in advance by calling 320-253-9359.
Evening Book Club set May 15
The Evening Book Club for adults will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at the Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 N. 5th Ave., Waite Park. The May book selection is The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin. No registration required and new members welcome. For more information, call 320-253-9359.
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