Senior connection shares soldier’s story
Bill Morgan, retired SCSU history professor, will share the stories of his grandfather who fought and was wounded in the Civil War during a talk, sponsored by the Sartell Senior Connection, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 in the Sartell Senior Center, 212 3rd Ave. N. Morgan was only 4-years-old when his grandfather died at age 92 but he can vividly recall the story of his Civil War wound. Morgan said he feels he has a special link to the Civil War not many people alive today have had. He will also discuss his family’s legacy of military service. For more information, call 320-253-4036. There will be time for questions and answers. Refreshments will be served.
Senior Connections hosts genealogy speaker Nov. 12
Sarah Warmka, an archivist at the Stearns History Museum will speak at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at the Sartell Senior Center, 212 3rd Ave. N., Sartell. Warmka will give information about the museum archive with many genealogical resources. She will also detail new features about the museum, the archive and the library. Everyone is invited to attend and there will be time for questions and answers. Refreshments will be served. The event is sponsored by the Sartell Senior Connection. Call 320-253-4036 for more information.
Hot off the press
Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11
In observance of Veterans Day, St. Cloud Hospital will honor men and women for military service during a special ceremony from 10-11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11 in Hoppe Auditorium. Family members, patients and employees are invited to honor our American heroes, including veterans, active military, Reservists and National Guard. The ceremony will include acknowledgments from Craig Broman, president of St. Cloud Hospital. Also included in the ceremony will be: Color Guard procession; National Anthem; presentations by St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis, Mike Eisenstadt on veteran’s employment and Angela Cope, St. Cloud Hospital Employee and active military; a video tribute to veterans; flag-folding presentation; and a Veterans Day blessing. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Nola Varilek at 320-251-2700, ext. 28762.
Sartell survey helps guide city services
From Nov. 1-15, Sartell citizens and business owners are encouraged to participate in a community survey to aid elected officials in determining the efficiency of city services and measuring residents’ opinions of those services, along with assisting in determining community amenities. Participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous. The more people who participate in the survey, the more valid the results will be. The survey contains 10 questions and takes just a few minutes to complete. In order to participate in the survey, you must be a resident or business owner in Sartell. Participation is limited to one survey per resident or business. A link to the survey is provided on the City’s website at www.sartellmn.com. Paper versions of the survey are also available at city hall and the police station.
Sartell seeks volunteers for commissions
The City of Sartell is looking for volunteers to serve on the planning and economic development commissions.
The Planning Commission has two seats (three-year terms) available for appointment. Prospective volunteers should have an interest in long-range planning and visioning principals, along with a desire to have a better understanding of annexation and land-development issues. The Economic Development Commission has one seat (three-year term) available for appointment. Prospective volunteers should have an interest in fostering economic development efforts for the city. No experience is needed for either commission. An application can be obtained by visiting www.sartellmn.com or stopping in at city hall. All applications must be received by noon Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Health-care directive lessens the burden of end-of-life decisions for loved ones
As part of Home Care, Hospice and Palliative Care Month, throughout November St. Cloud Hospital is offering information and free assistance on how to set up a health-care directive. 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. Health care directives help communicate the wishes of a person who may not be able to communicate or make decisions for themselves because of an illness or injury. For a complete list of dates, times and locations, visit centracare.com, click on Classes and Events, Community Health and Wellness. Call 320-251-2700, ext. 54197, for details.
Film series focuses on newsreel footage
“Yesterday’s Witness: A Tribute to the American Newsreel,” part of the Lindbergh Historic Site film series, will be shown from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, 1620 Lindbergh Drive, Little Falls. Admission is free. The Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site hosts a free monthly film series. The November film is “Yesterday’s Witness,” a lively, provocative and amusing history of the American newsreel featuring newsreel footage of some of the most exciting events covered from the silent days to mid-century. Part journalism, part entertainment and very much a part of show business, the newsreels were seen by millions of Americans. A short discussion will follow the screening. For more information, call 320-616-5421.
“Night of Broken Glass” commemorates Kristallnacht
St. Cloud State University presents “Night of Broken Glass” commemorating Kristallnacht in music and images at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 in the James W. Miller Center’s second floor reading court. The performance falls on the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a series of coordinated attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany in 1938.
The program centerpiece is a performance of Steve Reich’s monumental work “Different Trains,” a composition for pre-recorded sound and marimba quartet. The event includes St. Cloud State’s Concert Choir and Cantabile choir performing the final movement from Stephen Paulus’ Holocaust oratorio “To Be Certain of the Dawn.”
Paulus, a popular composer with Minnesota ties, suffered a stroke earlier this year. His long-term prognosis is uncertain.
“Night of Broken Glass” is sponsored by St. Cloud State’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education in partnership with the Department of Music.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Adopt a Family for Christmas
Catholic Charities Share the Spirit program is looking for people to adopt families this Christmas. It may seem early, but the earlier those who wish to adopt a family sign up, the more families can be adopted through the program, which matches individuals, families or groups wanting to provide gifts and food to families in need. Each donor is given information and a holiday wish list for a family. The recipient families are referred by local human service agencies, and confidentiality for both donors and recipient families is respected. The gifts are to be dropped off at the St. Cloud Armory in advance. Contact Catholic Charities Share the Spirit program at 320-650-1654.
ESL teaching assistants sought
Hands Across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction to English Language Learners and other skills to refugee and immigrant newcomers to St. Cloud. Assistants will help the instructors with materials and activities, serve as resources for pronunciation, take part in discussions and work one-to-one with students. Our ELL classes are meant to be a valuable and fun experience for all involved, students and teachers. If you’re interested in ELL or if you would like to meet and work with people from other cultures, this is a great opportunity for you. Contact Molly English, volunteer coordinator, at 701-367-7078.
Volunteer at WACOSA
WACOSA empowers more than 500 adults with disabilities in central Minnesota by helping them to reach their fullest potential, offer business solutions and build community. Most services are related to skill-building and work opportunities. Through in-center work, clients deliver high-quality services to local businesses, such as assembly, fulfillment, recycling and confidential document shredding. Additionally, individual placement or small-group work crews make community employment an option for clients. Their mission is to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to work and live in their community. Volunteer needs include the following: administrative assistance, curriculum specialist, environmental projects specialist, musical therapy volunteer, recycling and production specialist, retail volunteer, sewing class volunteer, senior services volunteer, fine arts volunteer. Contact Sarah Schulze, WACOSA volunteer coordinator, at 320-251-0087.
Play games with residents
Sit with a resident or group of residents at Country Manor and play the game of choice. Checkers, cribbage, Kings in the Corner, Bridge and 500 just to name a few. Patience and a willingness to learn a new game if necessary is desired. Contact Jacquie Hartman, Country Manor, at 320-253-1920.
Driver and friendly visitors needed in the Albany-Avon Area
The Rural Stearns Faith in Action program is a “neighbor helping neighbor” program with the mission to provide assistance to seniors and others in the community experiencing difficult life situations, with the goal of supporting individuals to stay as independent as possible. They are currently seeking volunteer drivers and friendly visitors in the Albany-Avon area. This volunteer opportunity is flexible and mileage reimbursement is available. Contact Serena Robak at 320-348-2316 or Robak.serena@assumptionhome.com.
Literacy and math tutors needed in St. Cloud
Minnesota Reading Corps – the nation’s largest state AmeriCorps program – and Minnesota Math Corps are looking for full-time AmeriCorps tutors to begin a year of service in a St. Cloud area school immediately. Tutors not only change the world of kids who are struggling in school, they also grow their own professional skills and network. They help students grow toward becoming successful readers by the end of third grade, or toward math proficiency by the end of eighth grade. As a full-time tutor, you’ll receive training and get real experience. You’ll earn a biweekly living stipend of $480, an education award of $5,550 and can put federal student loans into forbearance while you serve. Apply today. Go to www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org or www.MinnesotaMathCorps.org. Questions? Email recruitment@servemnaction.org.
Help job seekers succeed – serve as a mock interviewer
Do you have experience as a supervisor or in hiring new employees? Employment Action Center wants you. You can help the individuals we serve succeed in their job search by providing them with priceless interviewing advice. Start a 10 a.m., volunteer until noon. You will perform about four mock interviews, which consists of you introducing yourself and the company you represent, asking interview questions, providing job seekers with feedback, tips and advice. Individuals are asked to make a two-hour commitment every four-eight weeks. Volunteers must have past or current experience in human resources, management, supervising employees, hiring new employees or related experience. Contact Samantha, Employment Action Center, at ssleeman@resource-mn.org.
Learn about pet therapy
Does your dog draw attention because of its personality, manners or compassionate attentive disposition? Do people remark you have an exceptionally well-behaved and kind dog? If the answers are yes, you may want to think about becoming part of a volunteer pet-therapy team. There are many organizations, libraries and schools in the community that would welcome your time and furry friendliness. Consider the next step in learning what it takes to become a pet-therapy team. St. Croix Hospice in Sartell is hosting a free informational training session so you can hear first hand what it takes to become a sensational team. Learn more about preparedness, training, scenarios, evaluations, certification programs and associated guidelines. The instructor is an accredited pet therapy tester, evaluator and certified pet therapist. Contact Jodi Julseth, St. Croix Hospice volunteer coordinator, at 320-252-2803.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Community volunteer coordinator at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.