Harvest Festival to be held Sept. 16
The 17th annual Harvest Festival will be held from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 under the water tower at the St. Joseph Farmers’ Market. There will be live music, other entertainment, free children’s events including a petting zoo, a clown and pumpkin decorating. There will also be cooking demonstrations, apple pressing and pottery throwing. Additional food vending and samples provided by local vendors. For more information, check out stjosephfarmersmarket.com.
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GNTC sets auditions Sept. 12, 13
Auditions for Great Northern Theatre Company’s fall production of Drinking Habits, a hilarious farce, are at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 12 and 13 in the Rocori High School choir room. There are parts for three men and five women, ages 20-65. Call director Amy Hunter at 218-894-1925 to request an alternative audition time or with questions. GNTC is also looking for a stage manager/assistant director, house manager, and people to assist with sets, costumes and props, lights and sound.
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Senior Connection sets upcoming events
Join the Sartell Senior Connection on Friday, Sept. 16 for a tour of DCI Inc. Meet at the District Service Center at 8:30 a.m. to car pool to DCI. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes. Wear closed-toed shoes. Please register in advance by calling Ann at 320-253-4036, option 4. The Second Tuesday for Seniors will resume at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. This month, John Kothenbeutal, Sartell public works director, will talk about water safety in the city of Sartell. Learn where our water comes from and how it moves through the city infrastructure. Second Tuesday is held at the Sartell District Service Center at 212 Third Ave. N.
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Safer driving, increased awareness needed as school year begins
Motorists must increase their awareness of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists. There will be increased pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic around schools as students statewide go back to school. Additionally, it’s a challenging time of year for all roadway users because of the increased traffic as well as less light in the morning and evening.
Motorists must look for children and adults at intersections, crosswalks and along roads. It’s the law to stop for pedestrians within the crosswalk. It’s also the law to give a three-foot clearance and to yield to bicyclists before making a turn. Motorists should also focus on driving and avoid distractions, such as eating or drinking and using cell phones, while operating their vehicles. The recently passed “Vulnerable User Law” increases the penalty statewide for causing a fatality or great bodily harm to another person while committing another serious driving offense.
Pedestrians should use crosswalks and sidewalks when available, and look left, right and left again before crossing the street. When no sidewalks are available, they should walk on the left side of the road against the direction of traffic.
“Caution and increased awareness are especially important as children return to school and the daylight hours become shorter. I also urge pedestrians and bicyclists to wear light and bright clothing and for bicyclists to always use lights when it’s dark,” said Dorian Grilley, executive director of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. Bicyclists should ride predictably so motorists know what their intentions are. This means using hand signals, riding in a straight line and obeying traffic signals. Bicyclists are subject to the same laws as motor vehicles. They should wear helmets and wear bright colors and reflective gear to increase their visibility.
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Volunteer in a classroom during the 2016-17 school year
Classroom volunteers will deliver Junior Achievement lessons to more than 161,000 students this school year. JA’s K-12 programs are interactive and hands-on, making it easy for volunteers to teach and fun for students to learn. Our opportunities are rewarding and can help you improve your leadership and presentation skills. We’ll work with you to select the ideal school and/or grade level opportunity that works with your schedule, and provide all the training and materials you’ll need to be prepared. Average time commitment is five lessons, each 30-45 minutes in length. Flexible schedule decided by teacher and volunteer. Contact Alli Herold, Junior Achievement district manager, at 320-310-2165 or alli@jaum.org.
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Home care facility seeks part-time receptionist
St. Scholastica’s Comprehensive Home Care Facility is looking for volunteers to help at its reception desk. Three shifts available: 11:30 a.m.-noon (or noon-12:30 p.m. relief shift), 4-5:30 p.m or 5:30-8:45 p.m on Monday, Tuesday or Friday. Contact Sister Marina Schlangen at 320-251-2225 or mschlangen@csbsju.edu.
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Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Lake George
Community leaders and members around the greater St Cloud area are asked to continue their show of support of those impacted and affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias by joining the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Lake George in St Cloud.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s is more than a walk. It’s an experience for 1,200 participants in St Cloud who will learn about Alzheimer’s disease and how to get involved, from advocacy opportunities and clinical studies enrollment to support programs and services. Walk participants also honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease with the Promise Garden ceremony.
In addition to the walk, participants will enjoy education and resources, Kid’s Zone activities, entertainment from the St. Cloud State University’s Husky Hockey Cheerleaders and area dance teams, and a special tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. As baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease will rapidly escalate, increasing well beyond today’s more than five million Americans to as many as 16 million by 2050.
To start or join a team today, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/walk. To learn more about the disease and available resources, call the toll-free Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
