Dinner concert features Cold Spring Maennerchor
The Cold Spring Area Maennechor is hosting a “Christmas Around The World” dinner concert on Saturday, Dec. 12 at RiverStation, 691 W. Main St. in Richmond. Social hour begins at 5:15 p.m. and the first concert is at 6:15 p.m. Dinner and dessert will be served at 7 p.m. followed by the concert. The two concerts will be full of Christmas Carols from around the world with an international flair sung by an all-male choir of more than 40 members from the area. Tickets may be purchased from a Maennerchor member or by calling 320-237-1727.
Annual Christmas sale held at Immaculate Conception
The annual Christmas cookie, candy and gift sale will be held from 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 and from 9-10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 at Immaculate Conception Church, 145 Second Ave. N.E. in Rice. They provide the container, and you fill it with an assortment of cookies and candies for purchase. Handmade and specialty gifts are also for sale by local vendors. Contact the parish office at 320-393-2725 for more information.
Candlelight vigil set Dec. 13 for grieving families
Parents, siblings and grandparents of children who have died are invited to attend a candlelighting ceremony from 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 at Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. Loved ones may bring a single framed photo of their child for display if they wish. Candlelighting will begin at 7 p.m. traveling through each time zone illuminating the globe in a 24-hour wave of light. For more information, call the Living Waters church office at 320-255-1135.
Tree-lighting ceremony to be held at CSB Mall
Celebrate the season at the College of St. Benedict with its tree lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the CSB Mall platform, near Clemens Library, 37 College Ave. S., St. Joseph for carols, community, hot drinks and cookies. President Mary Hinton, the CSB Women’s Choir and this year’s 30-foot-tall tree will all take the stage. All local community members and their families are welcome to join students, staff, faculty, and the nuns in this joyous event.
Health Care Choices explores Medicare options
The Minnesota Board on Aging has published its 2016 edition of Health Care Choices for Minnesotans on Medicare, which contains comprehensive information about Medicare plan options in Minnesota and is the only comprehensive, objective statewide publication available that provides information about all Medicare plan options available on the open market for Minnesotans. To request a free copy, visit www.mnaging.org, call the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433, or email brenda.eldred@cmcoa.org.
Youth beekeeping scholarship available
For the first time, the Tri-County Beekeeping Association is offering a scholarship for youth in Central Minnesota who are interested in keeping honeybees.
Beekeepers play an important role in the pollination of much of the food we eat. During the past nine years, there has been a dramatic decline in the health of our honeybee population. The club generates interest and provides education for people interested in beekeeping as a hobby or a career.
The scholarship includes: one-year membership in the Tri-County Beekeepers Association; tuition to the University of Minnesota Beekeeping Course (including books) for the applicant and one parent; a complete set of woodenware for one hive; package of bees for the hive; beekeeping gear (hat, veil, gloves, tool, smoker); and mentoring by the club for one year.
Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 17 and not be the child of a beekeeper. Applications are available online at www.tricountybeekeepers.com and are due Jan. 15.
Red Cross introduces RapidPass online
American Red Cross blood and platelet donors can now help save lives in less time by using the new Red Cross RapidPass online health history system. RapidPass streamlines the donation experience by allowing donors to complete pre-donation reading and health history questions online from the convenience of a computer at home or work. It is expected to reduce the time spent at blood drives by up to 15 minutes.
“When people come to donate, they are giving more than blood or platelets – they are also generously giving their time,” said Sue Thesenga, communications manager, North Central Blood Services Region. “RapidPass is a simple, convenient way for Red Cross donors to make the most of their time while helping save lives.”
To get a RapidPass on the day of a blood donation, donors should visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpass, complete all of the questions, then print their RapidPass or show it on a mobile device when they come to donate.
Though an appointment isn’t needed to use RapidPass, donors are encouraged to make an appointment by using the Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS to further expedite their donation.
Citizens sought to serve on county committees
Stearns County is looking for residents who want to get involved with their local government and serve on a county board or committee. The boards and committees serve a variety of county departments in a variety of areas. Stearns County is recruiting for appointments to be filled in January of 2016.
The county has openings on numerous boards, such as the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Dairy Advisory Committee, Great River Regional Library Board, Park Commission, Human Services Advisory Committee, Stearns County HRA, Social Services Task Force, Emergency Planning Advisory Committee, Extension Committee and Community Corrections Advisory Board for example.
Interested applicants can apply for a committee position online at http://www.co.stearns.mn.us/Government/BoardsandCommittees/CommitteeVacancies. There is also a description of each committee, meeting dates and times, and contact information on the website. In addition, citizens can sign-up to receive an email to be notified whenever there’s a board or committee vacancy.
The application deadline is Dec. 4 to be considered for an appointment that begins in January 2016.
Serving on one of these committees is a great opportunity for citizens to give their input on important county issues.
Any questions can be directed to Stearns County Administration at 320-656-3602.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Working with kids
Get in on the action! Central Minnesota Youth for Christ always needs caring, mature adults to meet with the many teens they serve. Volunteers must go through a screening process. They offer on-going training to help volunteers remain encouraged and effective with their role. Contact Scott Anderson, Central Minnesota Youth for Christ, at 320-251-8711.
Catholic Charities Share the Spirit
Share the Spirit matches individuals, families or groups wanting to provide gifts and food to families in need. Volunteers are needed to help load and unload gifts for families. Shifts available are from 8-10 a.m., 10 a.m.-noon and noon – 2 p.m. Contact Rebecca Derr, Catholic Charities, at 320-229-4590 or rderr@ccstcloud.org.
Painters needed
Anna Marie’s Alliance mission is to provide a safe place for victims of domestic abuse and to achieve systems change that reduces violence. Anna Marie’s Alliance continues non-profit advocacy work to decrease domestic violence and to provide advocacy, safe shelter, education, support and referral services for victims of abuse. Volunteers are needed to help with a few painting projects. Contact Kim S. or Marilyn, Anna Marie’s Alliance, at 320-253-6900.
Read newspapers to the blind
Minnesota Services for the Blind needs volunteers to read newspapers to people who are blind in St. Cloud. Two volunteers read the St. Cloud Times and other community newspapers daily at the KVSC radio station at St. Cloud State University. Volunteers should be able to commit to two evenings a month for two hours each. Contact Rita Woeste at 320-293-2273 or ritawoeste@gmail.com.
Place of Hope donations needed
Place of Hope is in need of the following items to help families in our community this holiday season.
The needed list includes: teen gifts, backpacks, $10 gift cards, food donations, diapers, winter coats, hats and mittens. Volunteers can also sponsor a meal or Adopt a Family for Hope. Contact Pastor Carol, Place of Hope, at 320-203-7881.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or Mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
