Community Events                     

March

Sibley State Park will have a maple syruping experience Saturday afternoons, March 13th, 20th and 27th from 2-3. During the program “Myple Syruping – from Tree to Taste” you’ll explore the history of maple syruping, the tools of the trade, sap collection, processing and best of all, tasting. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Call 354-2055 for reservations.

The Prairie Winds Concert Band spring concert will be Sunday afternoon, March 14th at three. It will feature soloist Mark Freitas on E-flat trumpet. It will be at the Willmar Education and Arts Center Auditorium. Also appearing will be the Prairie Winds Dixieland Troupe. Adults are $6 and students $3.

There’s a climbing club at the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center on March 18th and 25th and April 1st and 8th from 3:30 to five those afternoons. It’s for grades 2-6. Join the climbing club & climb walls, learn how to belay, learn about safety and equipment used for rock climbing. Call 354-5894 for more info.

Early Childhood Family Education and the Willmar Public Library are working together to bring you & your 2-1/2 to five year old an evening of fun. The next event is Tuesday night, March 23rd from 6:30 to 7:30 at the library. There will be music, activities and more for you and your child. Call 231-8490 for more info.

The Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra will present a concert “Celebration of Life” Sunday afternoon, March 21st at four at the Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. There is no charge for the program and reservations or tickets aren’t needed. A freewill offering will be taken and the proceeds given to the Willmar Area Food Shelf.

Members of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Renville will host their fourth bi-annual ‘Church Auction’ Saturday, March 20th beginning at nine with a light breakfast. The goal is to raise funds for different ministries offered by the church. There will also be a silent auction. They’re asking for donations for the silent auction. You can send donations to the church.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Adoption will have an informational meeting Thursday night, March 18th from 6-8 at the Atonement Lutheran Church in St. Cloud. Learn about opportunities & changes in adoption, discover the tools & support for families who would like a flexible, proactive adoption process, and learn how LSS can partner with you to grow your family. Call 1-888-205-3769 for more information.

The Kerkhoven Lions Club will have its pancake breakfast Sunday, March 14th from 9:30 to one at the Kerkhoven Civic Center. Freewill donation. There will be a “fun” raiser drawing at one. Prizes include an 870 Remington shotgun, half a hog, including the processing, and a $50 savings bond. There are also many more donated prizes.

The Atwater Area Living at Home Block Nurse Program is hosting its annual Community Health Fair on Tuesday, March 23rd from 10:30 to one at the Atwater Community Center. There will be numerous booths on health care from blood pressure checks, to reflexology, to vision and hearing info and more. There will also be info on the new Atwater Wellness Center.

The 13th annual ‘Celebrating Families Parent Expo is on Thursday, March 25th from 4:30 to 8:30 at the Lac qui Parle Valley High School. This is a free event that includes informational booths and a book fair, supervised child activities, with childcare available for infants only. Wiggle, giggle and sing with Penny & Pals, parents and children together. Call 1-800-443-4283 to pre-register for child care. The evening meal is from 5:15 to 6:30.

“Anatomy and Locomotion: Movement of the Horse” is the title of the Horse Management Training series being presented Tuesday night, March 16th from 6:30 to 9:30 at Ridgewater College. You’ll learn first rate horse care from regional experts. Call 320-222-6060 for more information. “Just How Big is One Serving” is the title of a program sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension and happening on Thursday, March 25th from 3-5 at the Jefferson High School in Alexandria. Learn serving sizes in relation to the nutritional pyramid and how much is the right amount for your estimated daily caloric intake. Call the community education office at 320-762-3310 to register or online at www.alexandria.k12.mn.us and follow the link to Community Education.

Alexandria Community Education’s “Bonsai Workshop” is for those who have little or no experience with bonsai. Topics covered will include some history, basic styles, maintenance, potting, soils and care. Create a bonsai in class that you can take home. Supplies provided include a dish, plant, soil, wire, screen, and snipper. The class is at the Discovery Middle School, Thursday, March 25 from 4:30-9. Call 320-762-3310 to register, or register online at www.alexandria.k12.mn.us.

Non school day care is being offered through Alexandria Community Education during the scheduled two-hour late start on Wednesday morning, March 24. Students will be in the gym, play games and may eat breakfast if they choose (paid for out of meal account). Pre-registration is required. This is held at the Carlos, Garfield, Lincoln, Voyager and Woodland Elementary Schools, beginning at 7:30. You can pre-register by calling 320-762-3310 or register online at www.alexandria.k12.mn.us and follow the link to Community Education.

The AAUW (American Association of University Women) of Willmar has a meeting on Monday night, March 15th at seven at the Bethel Church in Willmar. They’ll be discussion “Coalition for health adolescent sexuality” with Mary Holstad.

The Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra will present ‘Celebration of Life’ Sunday afternoon, March 21st at four at the Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Admission is free, no tickets required, potluck dinner to follow the concert. All the proceeds of a freewill offering will benefit the Willmar Area Food Shelf.

Equine Hoof Care and Farrier Science Basics is the title of the program that will be presented at Ridgewater College Tuesday night, March 23rd as part of its annual Horse Management Training series. The class runs from 6:30 to 9:30. For more information call 222-6060.

Alexandria Community Education is offering “Snack Blast!: Easter ” for students in grades K-6. You’ll learn to make a variety of after school snacks, all with the theme of Easter. The class is Monday afternoon, March 29 from 3:30-5at the Voyager Elementary School or Wednesday afternoon, March 31 from 3-4:30 at the Lincoln Elementary School. Register online at www.alexandria.k12.mn.us/ceyouth or call 320-762-3310.

Alexandria Community Education will have a “Fly Tying Workshop” Tuesdays, March 30-April 6 from seven to nine at the Discovery Middle School. You’ll learn how to get started with the basics of fly-tying. Equipment is included. You’ll learn how to imitate the trout's diet using dry flies, nymphs and streamers. You can register online at www.alexandria.k12.mn.us and follow the link to Community Education or call 320-762-3310.

A ‘Beginning Adobe Photoshop’ class will be taught through Alexandria Community Education. You’ll learn about photo filters, adjusting color and adding text, class touch-ups such as cropping, removing red eye and blemishes. The class is Tuesday nights March 30 through April 6th from 7-9 at the Discovery Middle School. Call Community Education at 320-762-3310 to register for classes or online at www.alexandria.k12.mn.us.

The Minnesota Crime Wave will be giving a presentation at the Spicer Public Library on Thursday night, March 18th at 7:30. Established in the fall of 2000, the Crime Wave consists of mystery writers Ellen Hart, Carl Brookins and William Kent Krueger. For more information call the library at 796-5560.

There will be a Youth Firearms Safety Training Class on Mondays, April 5th through April 26th at the Willmar City Auditorium. The class runs from 6-9 with the doors to open at 5:45. You need to be 11 years old before the class start date in order to be eligible to take this class. Pre-register by March 19th by calling Doug Koepp at 235-5087 after six.

You’re invited to attend a Kandiyohi County town hall meeting on Underage Alcohol Use on Monday night, March 22nd from 6-8 at the Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services Building. The meeting will be held in the lower level multi-purpose room. RSVP at atod@co.kandiyohi.mn.us or by calling Laura at 231-7860, extension 2533 so plans for light refreshments can be made.

Join us Saturday afternoon, March 20th as we experience the springtime tradition of maple syruping at Sibley State Park. It’s happening from 2-3 that day and the program is called ‘From Tree to Taste.’ You’ll explore the history of maple syruping, the tools of the trade, sap collection, processing and best of all, tasting. There is a limit of 40 people and reservations are required. The number to call is 354-2055.

April

Join the Kandiyohi County Historical Society on a bus trip to the Science Museum of Minnesota featuring “The Dead Sea Scrolls,” words that changed the world. The trip is April 16th with departure from the historical society at 7:30 that morning and leaving the museum at three that afternoon. The cost is $40 for members and $45 for non members. Reservations are due by April 9th by contacting the historical society at 235-1881.

A five week session of Parents Forever will be held Thursday evenings, April 8th through May 6th. This is a complete divorce education package that puts parents on the path to minimizing trauma for themselves and for their children. For more information or to register contact Kim at the U of M Extension office in Kandiyohi County at 231-7890, extension one.

The American Library Association is celebrating National Library Week April 11-17. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance each April that aims to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.

Minnesota Author Jess Lourey will be at the Spicer Public Library on Tuesday night, April 13th at six. She’s the author of the Murder by Month mystery series and will give a presentation on writing and publishing a novel. Call 796-5560 for more information.

Men, citizens and non-citizens living in America must register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday. It’s the law. By registering you stay eligible for college loans and grants, job training and Federal jobs. Many states and municipalities have similar reciprocal eligibility requirements for benefits.