Trick or Treat Oct. 25 at PineCone Marketplace
Trick or Treat Day at PineCone Marketplace will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Show off those Halloween costumes and stop by each business for a treat. See next week’s Newsleader for an insert with more details.
Senior Connection to host candidate forum
Here is your chance to become an informed voter in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 local election. Meet the Sartell City Council candidates, hear their views and ask questions at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Garden Cove Room, Country Manor Apartments (enter east door 2).
Thank you St. Joseph
The St. Joseph Fire department would like to thank the community for all of its support, and the sponsors of the 2014 Fire Safety Fair held Oct. 10.
6th Congressional District candidates to debate Oct. 21
The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Cloud Rotary Club are co-hosting a debate for 6th District Congressional candidates John Denney (IP), Tom Emmer (R) and Joe Perske (DFL). The debate is from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the Le St. Germain Suite Hotel. The focus of the debate will be on issues of concern to business. Questions may be taken from the audience if time allows.
A buffet lunch is available for all participants beginning at 11:45 a.m. There is a fee to attend. Seating is limited. Attendees must register and fee payment is due by Friday, Oct. 17 or the seat will not be held. Registration is available online at www.StCloudAreaChamber.com, or by calling the Chamber registration line at 320-251-2940, ext. 126. Questions can be directed to Sharon Henry at 320-656-3824. Rotary Club members may attend as a regular meeting, with no additional fees or registration required.
History museum hosts Halloween Historia Oct. 25
The Stearns History Museum presents Halloween Historia, a non-scary, peanut-free Halloween family event from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Stearns History Museum, 235 S. 33rd Ave., St. Cloud. Wear your costumes and be prepared to have fun. Come Trick or Treat at the Museum, meet the Candy Witch, and walk the exhibit gallery with your family and try to find all the items in the famous Museum Halloween Scavenger Hunt. There is a pumpkin load of activities to do. Don’t miss the excitement. Admission is nominal. The event is sponsored by Miller Carlin Funeral Homes and Proviant Group.
SCSU kicks off Super Fridays series
St. Cloud State University’s new Super Fridays series gives mom and dad a peaceful night out and area youth a fun unique experience. The Campus Recreation program engages children and helps them develop skills and build confidence. The program runs from 6-9 p.m. on select Fridays in the Halenbeck Fieldhouse for youth ages 5 to 11. Each session has a different theme and selected activities to help children achieve success and develop positive self-esteem through recreational experiences such as sport activities, games, crafts and swimming.
- Boo Bash, Oct. 24 — Children are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes. There will be a mini carnival and chances to win prizes.
- Fun with Art, Nov. 21 — Offers a time for children to be creative. There will be rotations of different crafts to make and to bring home.
- Holiday Spirit, Dec. 5— Children are encouraged to wear red and green. There will be different holiday themed games and chances to win prizes.
The cost is $10 per child, per session. Advanced registration is required. The events are limited to 75 participants each Friday. Walk-ups are not accepted.
The events are administered by professional first-aid and CPR-certified staff members of the Department of Campus Recreation.
Nominations now open for 2015 MN Teacher of the Year
Everyone remembers a favorite teacher, someone who motivates and inspires students for a lifetime. Minnesotans have the opportunity again this fall to nominate that unique educator for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Nominations are now open and remain open through Nov. 15. Nominations can be submitted online by accessing a simple nomination form at www.educationminnesota.org. The 2015 Teacher of the Year will be named at a ceremony in May 2015. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year also becomes Minnesota’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.
Eligible nominees must meet these criteria:
- Teach in a public or nonpublic Pre-K through 12th-grade school, working at least 50 percent of the time directly with students.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree and a Minnesota teaching license.
- Have completed three years of teaching by the nomination deadline.
- Intend to teach during the 2015-16 school year.
Anyone may nominate a teacher. Self-nominations are also accepted.
The state program has been highly successful nationally – Minnesota ranks second behind California with four National Teachers of the Year.
For more information or to receive a nomination form, call Kieren Steinhoff at 320-651-292-4865 or 800-652-9073.
Organized and underwritten by Education Minnesota, the Minnesota Teacher of the Year program receives support from Education Minnesota ESI, The Harvard Club of Minnesota Foundation, McDonald’s Restaurants of Minnesota, The SMARTer Kids Foundation, TruStone Financial and United Educators Credit Union.
Absentee balloting underway in Stearns County
Absentee balloting for the Nov. 4 General Election is now open. Stearns County residents may cast their absentee ballot in person at the Auditor-Treasurer’s office, located in the Stearns County Administration Center, Room #148, 705 Courthouse Square, in downtown St. Cloud. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Absentee balloting may also be done by mail. Voters can get an absentee ballot application online at StearnsCountyMN.gov or by contacting the Auditor-Treasurer’s office and having an application mailed or faxed. Questions can be directed to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer’s office at 320-656-3920 or email elections@co.stearns.mn.us.
Whitney hosts computer labs
Bring in your Apple iPad or iPod Touch for free assistance or instruction from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. No need to register in advance. For information, call 320-255-7245.
Whitney hosts Talks about the Constitution
Recent surveys reveal only one-third of Americans can name the three branches of government, yet we can all find a shared connection to the document that keeps us from falling apart. Through community conversations, Toward a More Perfect Union invites a fresh exploration of our founding document. This series of events feature a segment screening from the PBS series Constitution USA with Peter Sagal followed by a facilitated conversation that explores the Constitution. Attend one or all, open to all ages. Refreshments provided.
‘Built to Last?’ will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21.
The framers of the Constitution designed a system of government that distributed power among three branches — legislative, executive and judicial. Modern critics argue this system of checks and balances creates gridlock and is ill-suited to the demands of the 21st century. But even the framers themselves did not think the Constitution was perfect. That’s why they included an amendment process in Article V, allowing the citizenry to make changes to the Constitution as they saw fit. During the past 225 years, the people have added 27 amendments. Is our Constitution up to the challenge of the 21st century? What is needed in order to form a more perfect Union?
‘Created Equal’ will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.
The high ideals stated in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” and endowed with “inalienable rights,” did not find their way into the Constitution in 1787. It took three-quarters of a century and a bloody civil war before the 14th Amendment of 1868 made equality a constitutional right and gave the federal government the power to enforce it. But has the United States achieved equality for all its citizens?
Tuesday Humanities hosts ‘A Harvest of Poems’
A poetry packet will be provided, and everyone is invited to bring one very special poem during “A Harvest of Poems” from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. Warren Bradbury will lead us as, like a good potluck, we enjoy the best each individual finds for sharing. Rich as the colors of autumn, strong as the winds that can sweep the leaves, gentle as the golden days that seem all too few, poetry brings us home to a warm time and place.
Thursday Humanities overviews competing Islamic political movements
Understanding the daily news bulletins from the Middle East has become increasingly confusing. A discussion of an increasingly complex region of the world will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. Armed Islamic political movements – acting independently of all national governments – threaten to destroy existing national borders. The division within Islam between the Sunni and Shia communities partially explains this turmoil. But within each of these traditions, more radical movements have sprung up.
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Donation needs for Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities is in need of donations for the winter season. Needs include: personal care items, new toys, children’s coats, boots, food donations, new socks/underwear (all sizes), gift cards for teens, extra large coats for men and women. Contact Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4560.
Prepare meals on weekends for women’s shelter
Anna Marie’s Alliance is looking for small groups of men and women (teenagers welcome if supervised by an adult) to prepare meals for residents on the weekends. Volunteers will prepare a menu of their choice or one can be selected for them. Time commitment is hours on a Saturday or Sunday. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to eat with the residents. They ask that groups try to commit to one shift a month. Anna Marie’s Alliance mission is to provide a safe place for victims of domestic abuse and to achieve systems change that reduces violence. Contact Kim Salitros, Anna Marie’s Alliance volunteer coordinator, at 320-253-6900.
No child should sleep on the floor
No child should sleep on the floor. You can help by donating gently used items to help out a low-income family in need. Items accepted include couches, love seats, lamps, recliners, rockers, kitchen tables and chairs, end table, night stands, dressers and complete bed sets (no king). Furniture with rips, stains, rust, tears or mold cannot be accepted. Tax receipts and pick up is available. Contact the Community Furniture Program at 320-656-9004.
Help serve lunch
The Salvation Army needs volunteers to assist with their community lunch program. Volunteers will assist with meal preparation, serving and cleaning the dining area. Contact Barbara Nelson, Salvation Army volunteer coordinator at 320-252-4552.
Place of Hope
Place of Hope is looking for help with several programs. Volunteers are needed on a regular basis for their on-going Homeless Hospitality Outreach, Nightly Community Meal, Residential Living Hope Program, and Thrift and Specialty Shop. Contact Place of Hope Ministries at 320-203-7881.
People helping people
Tri-CAP’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income (generally, $50,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers sponsored by Tri-CAP receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. The Tri-CAP VITA sites are located right here in Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties. All locations also offer free electronic filing. Contact Tri-CAP at 320-257-4505 or e-mail taxes@tricap.org to volunteer.
Meals on Wheels
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud serves people across the heart of Minnesota. Volunteers are vital to helping meet the needs of the more than 71,000 people they serve annually. Volunteers are needed to help with their Mobile Food Shelf delivering food to low-income people without transportation. Volunteers also are needed for their Meals on Wheels program, a program serving meals to seniors unable to leave their home. Contact Kathleen Milligan, Catholic Charities volunteer coordinator, at 320-229-4590.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.