Winter Market open Saturday
Sartell’s Winter Market is open from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (winter hours) Saturday, Nov. 7 at Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N. Get to know your farmer. Vendors want you to enjoy their products and are happy to share their knowledge and answer any questions you have. The market is also expanding the board of directors. Applications will be available at the market on Nov. 7 and 21 or by email request info@marketmonday.org. Board term begins Jan. 1.
Senior Connection hosts warden Nov. 10
Warden Colin Gau of the St. Cloud Reformatory will give a brief history, general information and an update about the facility’s current missions and programs at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the District Service Center, 212 Third Ave. N, Sartell. The Sartell Senior Connection is sponsoring the event. Refreshments will be served.
Cyber safety presentation held Nov. 10
Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Education will host a presentation on cyber safety from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the middle school (enter through door 4.) At the presentation, parents can get tips and ideas for maintaining open dialog about technology. Numerous ideas and free resources will be shared. Find out how to register online by heading to www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Nov. 6 Criers.
Benton County Sheriff’s Office seeks public input on survey
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office along with the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association is seeking input from Benton County citizens to help shape law-enforcement services in the 21st century. Ensuring the public is provided with the highest level of service and protection is a key goal of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association. Because of this, we are leading an effort to assure Minnesota law enforcement continues to provide excellent service for, and with, the public. To that end, we have undertaken an initiative to develop and articulate a vision for Minnesota Law Enforcement in this century. Members of the public are invited to participate in an on-line survey to provide their thoughts and input on this topic to help shape this vision. The survey may be accessed at: www.mnsheriffs.org/PUBsurvey. Additional information concerning this initiative and survey may be found at the Benton County website, www.co.benton.mn.us. Anyone with additional thoughts or questions on this subject is invited to contact Sheriff Troy Heck by telephone at 320-968-7201 or by email at troy.heck@co.benton.mn.us.
Veterans’ Day events planned Nov. 8, 11
The ninth annual Veterans’ Day Parade to honor the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. The parade begins on the west side of the VA Medical Center and proceeds east across 44th Avenue, concluding on the north side of Apollo High School. Immediately after the parade there will be a “thank you” open house in the Apollo Commons, at which the public can thank veterans in person. Light snacks will be provided.
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the St. Cloud Metropolitan Veterans Council is sponsoring a Veterans’ Day program at 1:30 p.m. in Building 8 (the Auditorium) at the St. Cloud VA. Mark Aberle, a U.S. Army veteran and the nurse executive/associate director of patient care services at the St. Cloud VA, will provide the keynote address. Parking is available to the north and east of Building 8. Veterans, their families and members of the public are invited to attend.
Avon sets Nov. 7 for celebration of arts
The ninth annual Celebration of the Arts will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Avon Community Church, 204 Avon Ave. N. The free event highlights artists living in and around the Avon area. Artists will be there with photography, jewelry, scarves, stained glass, pottery and more. Start your Christmas shopping early. There will also be a Silent Auction with a variety of items and live music throughout the day. For more info, visit www.avonareaarts.org.
Avon Area Arts is a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Avon, MN. As a patron or artists, your support is needed and greatly appreciated. Monetary donations are tax-deductible. For more information, visit the Avon Arts website at www.avonareaarts.org.
‘Finish Northstar’ to be held Nov. 12
Finish Northstar public gathering will be held from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 at River’s Edge Convention Center, 10 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud. Join community members from across the St. Cloud region in a conversation with our local representatives about why now is the time to complete the Northstar Rail to St. Cloud. Event is sponsored by GRIP/ISAIAH. Call 320-339-1941 or email abuckvold@isaiahmn.org with questions.
Surgery open house set Nov. 12
Give your family a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the St. Cloud Hospital operating rooms from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. Explore surgical careers and learn about the latest surgery procedures and technology. The evening includes hands-on children’s activities and refreshments. Tours begin in the new Surgery Entrance at St. Cloud Hospital. Park in the South Ramp. Take the South Ramp Elevator to Floor A. The event is free and no RSVP is needed. Come and go as you please. Call 320-251-2700, ext. 54468, with questions.
Submissions sought for LIVE UNITED essay contest
The United Way is calling all 5th graders to submit a LIVE UNITED essay by Nov. 13. Submission must: incorporate the LIVE UNITED theme of helping others; be no more than 100 words; Youth must currently be in 5th grade; include name, parent’s name, address, phone number, email address and school. The first place winner will receive a $200 Visa gift card and 14 runners-up will receive a $75 Visa gift card. Essays may be sent to jjohnson@unitedwayehlps.org or United Way of Central Minnesota, Essay Contest, 3001 Clearwater Road, Suite 201, St. Cloud, MN 56301.
Von Korff recalls Mississippi Freedom Summer
Gerald Von Korff, a local attorney and St. Cloud School District 742 board member, will kick off History Club with his presentation, “Mississippi Freedom Summer,” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Stearns History Museum. History Club offers local and American history programming for adults while providing a related component for children.
Von Korff will share his involvement as a freedom rider, campaigning for civil rights in Mississippi. As a student at Oberlin College during Freedom Summer, he will talk about his experiences to increase community action for positive change.
Families are welcome, as there will be a separate program for kids, ages 4-12, to learn about the Civil Rights Movement through arts and crafts, games and other fun activities.
History Club is free to members of the Stearns History Museum. Otherwise, it is $7 for adults, $3 for children, or $17 for families per each date. Registration is required. Please contact the museum at (320) 253-8424 or frontdesk@stearns-museum.org.
United Way volunteer opportunities
‘We Are Thankful’ sets food-packaging event; 450 volunteers still needed
Kids Fighting Hunger is excited to announce its third annual “We Are Thankful” community-wide food-packaging event on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. This event is designed to give 600+ adults, children and families in our community a chance to help provide some much-needed food to children in Sierra Leone through their partner agency, Children of the Nations. Sierra Leone was devastated by the Ebola outbreak last year and the economic recovery is expected to last at least another two years. Children of the Nations will distribute the food to children through their school programs. Three shifts are available to volunteer. Visit www.unitedwayhelps.org to register today. Contact Mary Krippner, United Way of Central Minnesota, at 320-223-7991.
VA courtesy cart volunteers sought
St. Cloud VA needs volunteers to drive golf carts or a van to shuttle Veterans and visitors to and from the parking lots. Shifts available to volunteer are from 8 a.m.-noon and from noon to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Contact St. Cloud VA Health Care System at 320-255-6365 or vhastcvavsstaff@va.gov.
Winter donations requested
Donations of coats, weather-proof mittens, hats and scarves for all ages are needed for the cold winter months at the following locations: Anna Marie’s Alliance, 320-253-6900; Catholic Charities, 320-229-4560; CROSS Center in Foley, 320-968-7012; The Salvation Army, 320-252-4552; and Place of Hope, 320-203-7881.
Ring bells for the The Salvation Army
Volunteer to ring the Salvation Army bells during the Christmas season. They have several locations within Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud and Waite Park. It can be cold outside, so volunteers must be able and willing to stand outside for at least two hours at a time. Contact the Salvation Army at 320-252-4552.
Catholic Charities Share the Spirit Program
Catholic Charities Share the Spirit Program assists individuals, families or groups wanting to “adopt a family” for Christmas. Families are referred for Share the Spirit by various county, agency and school social workers and case workers based on need. Recipient families may be eligible for Share the Spirit for a maximum of three years. Donors are given basic family demographics (first name, age, sizes and more) and a list of a few needs and wants for each member of their adopted family. Lists are generally distributed in November. Donors then purchase and wrap gifts for their family. Gifts are to be dropped off at the St. Cloud Armory on Dec. 10. Due to the level of need experienced by Share the Spirit families, donors can plan on and are asked to spend at least $60 on gifts and $10 on a grocery gift certificate for each family member. Families of varying sizes are available and in need of adoption. Matching families begins in early November and this is done carefully so complete and accurate information is provided. All information (including yours) is kept confidential. Contact Catholic Charities Share the Spirit at 320-650-1550 or visit www.ccstcloud.org.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or Mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
