Community Events                     

The 22nd annual New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run will be August 6th through the 9th. Events include a countryside tour; a tour of the MinnWest Technology Campus; a tour around Nest & Green Lakes; a car review; Antique car parade down the main street in New London; steak fry at the legion; with the grand tour to start at seven sharp on Aug. 9th.

The Wang Lutheran Church Mission Sunday and Ice Cream Social is July 27th. The worship speaker at nine that morning is Pastor Mary Hovland. Supper is from 5-6:30 and the cost is six bucks. The menu is hot beef sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad, ice cream, pie, lemonade and coffee. At seven there is a program called ‘A Chalk Talk with Music.”

Pennock Fun Days will be August 1st and 2nd with a threshing bee at noon August 1st kicking of the events. There’s a pet show in Lions Park; an antique tractor parade; the junior king & queen coronation; a scavenger hunt and ice cream social. Aug. 2th there’s a softball tournament; a flea market & craft show; the parade at eleven; Lions antique tractor pull; kids pedal tractor pull; 10,000 lakes water games; bingo and the street dance. There’s also food.

The American Red Cross has scheduled a number of blood drives in the area. There’s one July 29th at the Civic Center in Atwater; another July 30th at the Lake Lillian Community Center; one on July 31st at the First Christian Reformed Church in Prinsburg; and one on August 1st at the Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer. All the drives are from one to seven on those nights.

Vicki Sletta of Willmar lost everything in the tornado that destroyed her home the night of July 11th. Home State Bank has set up a benefit fund for them. You’re asked to send donations to Vicki Sletta Benefit at Home State Bank, P.O. Box 1620, Willmar, Mn. 56201.

On July 28th at ten take part in the Loon’s story at Sibley State Park. Discover the call of the loon, its habitat, food needs and family life. There will also be a drawing for a free Loon poster. That afternoon, at two, take part in the Fish Features and Facts program. Using fish pillows and posters you’ll examine fish parts, fish life and Minnesota Fishing facts. There will also be a fish facts quiz and the winners get fish posters.

A program on wet and wild bugs will be presented at Sibley State Park July 29th at ten. Get a look at the seldom seen world of the aquatic insect. You’ll examine snorklers, scuba divers, insects that swim on their back plus underwater dragonflies. In the afternoon, a two, it’s the Hairy Critters program. Using stuffed animals, skins and skulls, you’ll be introduced to some of the different mammals of Sibley.

The Bald Eagle is a fascinating bird. Come to the Bald Eagle show at ten at Sibley State Park July 30th. You’ll learn about its life & the effect on our culture & history. There will also be a drawing for a free Bald Eagle poster. In the afternoon the program is Granite, Oak & Men. Unemployed World War I Veterans lived and worked in Sibley constructing the buildings in the park. Learn about the work and lives of the men of the park’s VCC Three Bears Camp.

Minnesota’s State Symbols is one of three programs that will be presented at Sibley State Park July 31st. The symbols program is at ten and you’ll learn how the state bird, fish and flower came to be. At two its ‘Butterflies – winged Wildflowers.’ Observe more than 54 different butterflies in Sibley. That night, at seven, the program is ‘Waterfowl Woodcarving.”

4-H members will have a “Wide World of Fashion” fashion show Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 6th at four on the 4-H Stage at the Kandiyohi County Fair. The public is welcome to attend.

There will be a youth trap shoot Saturday, July 26th from eight to one at the Willmar Trap Club. Trap shooting, archery and other activities will go on. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Furnished will be 12 and 20 gauge shells, hearing and eye protection. Bring your own shotgun and or your own bow. All firearms must be fully cased and unloaded. For more information call Lynette Olson at 796-5918.

There will be an acrobatic air show at the Olivia Airport during Corn Capital Days. The airshow will be Sunday morning, July 27th at eleven with Rob Ator of Granite Falls putting the show on in his Pitts S-1S bi-wing plane. There is also a Fly-in Drive-in
breakfast which starts at eight and runs until noon.

Vacation Bible School at the Willmar Assembly of God Church is Sunday night, July 27th through Wednesday night, July 30th from 6:30 to nine. Registration & inflatable games are from 6-6:30 each night. Vacation Bible School is for children ages four through sixth grade and it’s free. Get a free t-shirt if you pre-register by July 23rd at www.willmarag.org.

You are invited to an ice cream social at Nordland Lutheran Church, 18510 180th Avenue Northeast, rural Paynesville, Wednesday, Aug. 13th with serving from 4-7:30. The menu consists of barbecues, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, veggies, homemade pies and cakes, ice cream, lemonade, coffee and milk. There is a freewill donation.

The Kandiyohi County Falls Prevention Collaborative will meet Thursday afternoon, Aug. 14th from 2-4 at the Lakeland Auditorium (lower level of the Family Practice Medical Center). this group is part of the Minnesota Falls Prevention Initiative to “Keep Minnesotans Right Side Up.”

A couple of Willmar artists, Mary Chalmers & Janet Olney, will have their art featured on the Celebrate Art, Celebrate Coffee poster. They’re being honor at the unveiling of their art works at 11:30 Thursday morning, July 31st at a public reception in the lobby of the Barn Theatre in Willmar. Raffle tickets are available for their art work as well as art work by Laurel Iverson of New London and Robert Bredeson of Kandiyohi.

The Renville County Veterans Association is having a benefit Saturday, July 26th from 4:30 to eight at the Senior Center and the American Legion in Olivia. Its a hot turkey sandwich meal with a freewill donation. All proceeds will go towards postage and the purchase of items that are sent to Renville County soldiers serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea and Kosovo.

The Wang Lutheran Church Mission Sunday & Ice Cream Social is July 27th beginning at nine that morning. The worship speaker at nine is Pastor Mary Hovland. Supper is from 5-6:30 and the cost is $6. The menu consists of hot beef sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad, ice cream, pie, lemonade and coffee. At 7 that night there is a program called ‘A Chalk Talk,’ with music by Dalen Caspers.

Alexandria Community Education is offering a ‘Plug It In’ class for kids in grades 4-7 July 28th through the 31st from one to four at the Discovery Middle School in Room D270. The cost is $49. You’re asked to call 762-2149 to register.

Join Alexandria Community Education in a class on ‘Scrapbooking’ for kids in grades 2-6 July 28th through the 30th from nine to noon at the Discovery Middle School in Room D253. The cost is $27. You’re asked to call 762-2149 to register.

Things are really cookin’ this summer at the Spicer & New London Public Libraries. Kids, get in the mix & sign up for Look What’s Cookin’ at your Library, the 2008 summer reading program. Summer reading is a piece of cake with special programs, reading incentives & lots of ways to stir up fun at the library all summer long. The program runs from June 10-August 30. Visit your local library this summer.  (6/10)                    

Alexandria Community Education is offering “Rising Stars” for grades 3-7 August fourth through the 8th. Practice is from nine to noon Monday through Friday of that week and performances are August 8th at 6:30 and eight at the Discovery Middle School auditorium. The cost is $40. call 762-2149 to register.

“Summer Book Club” for youth in grades one through six is being offered by Alexandria Community Education. All classes are at the Discovery Middle School. Classes are August 5th and 6th depending on your grade level. The cost for grades one and two is $26 for a three hour session. The cost for grades five and six is $33 for two,three hour sessions. Call 762-2149 for more information or to register.

The 29th annual Minnesota Bluegrass & Old Time Music Festival is August 7-10 at El Rancho Manana Campgrounds near Richmond. There’s over 30 hours of main stage concerts plus dances, workshops, clogging, instrumental demonstrations, good food & special programs for the kids. Come for the day or camp with your family for the weekend.

There will be a Sunburg Community Blood Drive on Monday, Aug. 4th from 2-8 at the Community Center in Sunburg. For an appointment call Elaine at 366-3899. Walk-ins are also welcome. Type 0 & Type B Negative are always in great demand & needed at all times. Type 0 is also known as the universal blood type because it can be given to patients with all blood types & is often used in many emergency or trauma situations. Do your part, donate blood at the drive in Sunburg.

Its time to start thinking about school. Willmar Public Schools is currently taking free and reduce applications. Watch your mail for an application or come to the WEAC District Office. If you have any questions contact Crystal at 231-8526.

The Minnesota Valley Antique Farm Power & Machinery Association will have a tractor pull August 15th and 16th at seven those nights four miles east of Montevideo. On Aug. 15th the classes will be Stock, Open Class and Out of Field. There is also a Garden Tractor Pull. On Aug. 16th the classes are Stock, Stock Alt and Modified.

There is a Cat Days of Summer Cat & Kitten promo running until August 16th. The Humane Society is over-run with cats and kittens and to help with the over-stocked inventory every cat and kitten at the shelter is $60 each. This will get you a wonderful pet who has been vaccinated, spayed or neutered, de-wormed, de-flea’d and micro-chipped. Hurry in the election.

Are you between the ages of 16 & 24 and want to further your career? At umphrey Job Corp you have the opportunity to earn your high school diploma or GED plus get vocational training in business technologies, culinary arts & health occupations to become a certified nursing assistant. Job Corp gives you spending money each month, a clothing allowance and you can live on or off campus for free. For more info call 1-800-934-5627.

Heartland Community Action Agency is now taking Head Start applications for the 2008-09 school year. Head Start is a comprehensive child development program for children from low-income families and children with special needs. For more information on Head Start call 1-800-992-1710 or 235-0850.

YMCA Lend a hand mentor program volunteers needed to help with youth ages 6-16. 4 hours per month for 12 months is all it takes to make a difference in a child's life. Call Bryan Thiery if interested 320-222-9633 (YMCA). (TFN)

There is a need for increased safety at railroad crossings. Remember, trains have the right of way at crossings and all vehicles are required by law to yield. Remember to expect a train at all times, they can run on any track at any time. And be sure, after a train has gone by, that you look to be sure another isn't coming before you cross. Remember if you tangle with a train, you're going to lose. (TFN)

Grief Share is a weekly support group for people who have lost a loved one. The meetings are on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Willmar. Each session consists of a video teaching and a time of sharing with other participants. The group is led by people who understand what you are experiencing. (TFN)

Crime victims have the right to know when their offender is released from jail or prison. Now there's help. Minnesota victim information and notification everyday, or VINE, is a 24-hour, toll free number that notifies you automatically when there is a change in an offender's custody status. It's free, easy to use and anonymous. If you need to know about an offender in your community, call Minnesota VINE now, at 1-877-6648463. (TFN)

Did you know that nearly one third of the country’s 47 million uninsured Americans are eligible for government health coverage but just not signed up? Call the U.S. Uninsured Help Line & find out if you’re eligible. They may be able to match you up with lesser known government health programs that are provided at no cost, or at a low cost. The number is 1-800-234-1317.