Saturday, Feb. 16
Menahga will host its first ever pond hockey tournament today (Saturday), Feb. 16.
Costumes are encouraged.
The event will have some competition from the annual Eelpout festival in Walker, but folks can do both.
The puck drops at 1 p.m. at the Menahga public skating rink.
ADVERTISEMENT
The winner gets their team name inscribed on a commemorative St. Urho cup.
Ruby's Pantry food distribution will be held today (Saturday) at the Assumption of our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church with the food distribution following at 10:30 a.m. at the Catholic Church.
The cost is $15 per share. Bring baskets and boxes for food. Volunteers are also needed and much appreciated.
Contact Karol or Dave at 564-4501 for more information.
The Bemidji School of Nursing will officially induct 50 students into the 2013 cohort of its four-year baccalaureate program at Bemidji State University during a induction and scholarship ceremony today (Saturday).
The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the Beaux Arts Ballroom of the upper Hobson Memorial Union. The department will announce the winners of its 2013-14 scholarships, followed by a "white coat ceremony" in which the inductees will have their name tags affixed to their lab coats to mark their transition into the study of professional nursing.
Parents and friends of the program's inductees will then be able to tour the department's Clinical Resource Center in Memorial Hall.
ADVERTISEMENT
For more information, contact Marlene Erickson, Bemidji School of Nursing, at 218-755-2736, merickson @bemidjistate.edu.
Dr. Mark Christensen, professor of English at Bemidji State University, will give a senior vocal recital in Bemidji State's Carl O. Thompson Recital Hall today (Saturday).
The recital begins at 3 p.m. and is open free to the public.
Christensen has been teaching at Bemidji State for 23 years, and will be "graduating" with a bachelor's degree in music this May. In addition, Christenson has bachelor's and master's degrees in English; master's and doctorate degrees in English education, and a master of fine arts degree in creative writing.
He will be performing pieces by Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Verdi, and Puccini, Moses Hogan, Aaron Copland, along with a selection of family favorites from his childhood.
Christenson is a regular in Bemidji's annual Opera Night performances, and has held roles in many musicals including "Carmen," "The Marriage of Figaro," "The Medium," "Kiss Me Kate" and "The Christmas Carol."
Sunday, Feb. 17
The Rising Sun Dancers will have a square dance from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 at the Waubun Community Center.
ADVERTISEMENT
Roger Lueth will call the tips. Lunch will be served by the club. Visitors and spectators are always welcome.
Itascatur is hosting an open house at Soaring Eagle Cross Country Ski Trails Sunday, Feb. 17 to give the public an opportunity to check out equipment and be introduced to skiing. The open house is from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Come enjoy the beautiful ski trails and have a cup of hot chocolate in the warming house. Bring your own skis or check-out the new ski equipment at no cost. We also have a pulk sled that can be used to pull young children while skiing. Volunteers will be on hand to help people get started and answer any questions about the trails.
The ski center consists of 10km of marked and groomed trails through balsam pines and spruce. All trails are groomed classical and skate and are designed for beginner to expert skiers.
Soaring Eagle, located 8 miles north of Park Rapids on Highway 71, is maintained by the Itascatur Ski/Bike/Run club. Look for sign on the west side of highway that leads to the trailhead.
A Minnesota Ski Pass is required for all skiers age 16 and over.
For more information, call 732-4589 or go to www.itas catur.org. Ski trail conditions can be found at www.skinny ski.com.
Monday, Feb. 18
ADVERTISEMENT
Doug Berger, associate professor of philosophy, will deliver an Honors Council Lecture on animals and their importance in philosophy and in understanding human behavior at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18 in Hagg Sauer 107 on the Bemidji State University campus.
Berger's presentation, "Animals as Exemplars in Classical Chinese Thought," is open to the public free of charge.
In his lecture, Berger will discuss classical Chinese views of animals and explore their unique insights, as well as their significance for the modern world.
Berger is an associate professor of Indian and Chinese philosophy and cross-cultural hermeneutics at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He has authored several articles and two books on classical debates between Hindu, Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian schools of thought, as well as how traditions of Asian philosophy have been understood in 19th and 20th Century Continental European thinkers.
He is also the chief editor of the Hawaii University Press book series Dimensions of Asian Spirituality and is currently the vice president of the Society of Asian and Comparative Philosophy.
Tuesday, Feb. 19
"Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg" comes to life from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 in the Northwoods Bank community room in Park Rapids.
This historical re-enactment will kick off the spring series of the Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning (HCLL).
ADVERTISEMENT
Four of the series' nine programs, entitled "Our Shared Heritage Shown Through Art," are presented through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council.
The Gettysburg Address is one of the greatest in American history. In this program, historical re-enactor Dale Blanshan will explore the Battle of Gettysburg, from the circumstances that led to it to its conclusion with Pickett's famous charge.
Blanshan, in period costume, will share documents, stories and photographs from the 1860s, bringing this momentous time in history to life.
This program is provided free of charge. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, call Kristen Partlow at 255-1178 or e-mail partlow@arvig.net .
The Center for Lifelong Learning at Central Lakes College in Brainerd will host "Spotlight on Religion: Islam" with Dr. Robert Kapitzke from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 in E208 of the Business and Industry Center.
A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Dr. Kapitzke attained a Master's degree in religious studies from the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. in religious studies at Indiana University. He is a former instructor at Central Lakes College and currently teaches religion and philosophy at St. Cloud Technical and Community College.
The program will address the beliefs of this major world religion and what it has to offer on ideas such as origin of the universe, omnipotent power, role of human beings, and basis of morality and nature of death.
ADVERTISEMENT
Admission for the event is free for CLL members and $6 for non-members. For information and membership sign-up, call 218-855-8142 or email bberg@clcmn.edu .
Thursday, Feb. 21
Minnesota peony expert Harvey Buchite will present information on the history and role of Minnesota peonies within the state as well as across the country at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 at Park Rapids Area Library.
The free presentation is part of the Kitchigami Regional Library System's Legacy Program
Original archive materials from the Brand Peony Farm, the first nursery in Minnesota, were digitized to bring a first-hand look at our Minnesota Peony Heritage.
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) is delivering a course to help grant writers learn the basics of putting together a successful grant application.
The first session will be held Thursday, Feb. 21 at the NMF Conference Center in Bemidji. Another session will be held Wednesday, Feb. 27 in Thief River Falls, at the Northwest Service Cooperative.
Early registration is encouraged; the deadline is Monday, Feb. 18.
The workshop will cover writing styles, formatting, defining the problem, developing solutions, budget basics and supporting documentation.
This four-hour workshop is for professionals and nonprofit staff who are directly involved in grant applications.
Finding grants opportunities is not the focus, but will be covered. Participants will leave with techniques to find data for need statements, tips on writing effectively and discussing the importance of collaborating for effective grant applications.
Fee is $25 fee for the workshop; to register, visit www.nwmf.org , where a link will be available under upcoming events.
A second workshop, beyond Grant Writing Basics--Keys to Success will be offered in April, with sessions in both Bemidji and Thief River Falls, for more information, visit www.nwmf.org .
Dr. Stephen Carlson, associate professor of music at Bemidji State University, will perform his annual piano recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 in the Thompson Recital Hall in the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex on the BSU campus.
Admission is free.
Carlson began teaching in the music department in 2006 and has performed at a variety of colleges, universities and festivals throughout the United States.
His recital will include works composed by musicians Franz Joseph Haydn, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, and Igor Stravinsky.
For more information about Carlson's recital, contact Bemidji State University's Department of Music, 218-755-2915.
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 at Detroit Lakes' Historic Holmes Theater.
For nearly 30 years, Grammy award-winning artist Simien, an eighth generation Louisiana Creole, and his band, The Zydeco Experience, have been taking audiences on a multicultural musical tour of the world.
The audience will be transported to Bourbon Street via a hypnotic blend of Zydeco, Cajun, roots, funk and reggae music.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.dlccc.org , by calling 218-844-7469, or by visiting the box office at 806 Summit Ave., Detroit Lakes.
Friday, Feb. 22
Angie's Groom 'n Board is holding its second annual dog wash Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22 and 23.
Angie Walther and her staff donate their time, so all proceeds go to Headwaters Animal Shelter. Last year's event raised more than $2,000 for the shelter.
The dog wash is a freewill offering, and includes nail trimming, anal gland expressing, ear cleaning, blow-drying and a light brush out.
Openings are limited, so call 732-9862 for an appointment. Angie's Groom 'n Board is located at 1109 Western Ave. South, next door to Headwaters Animal Shelter in Park Rapids.
The Park Rapids Eagles Auxiliary will serve a dinner benefiting the local K-9 fund (police dogs) from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 at the Eagles.
The dinner will include a choice of fried fish or chicken, potato, vegetable, soup, salad bar and dessert.
Dr. Heidi Manning, professor of physics at Concordia College in Moorhead, will lecture about her work on the Mars "Curiosity" rover project at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 in Hagg-Sauer 100 on the Bemidji State University campus.
Manning is spending this academic year working with the Mars Science Laboratory Mission; her work focuses on the rover's Sample Analysis on Mars (SAM) instrument suite. The suite is a complex chemistry laboratory that measures chemical composition of atmosphere, soil and rock samples.
Manning's presentation will include an overview of the Curiosity mission, some details on the SAM instrument suite and a summary of the results obtained on the mission so far.
The "Curiosity" rover was launched on Nov. 26, 2011, as part of the Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft. "Curiosity" successfully landed on Mars on Aug. 5, 2012, completing a 36-week flight; its mission on Mars is planned to last for two years.
The rover carries 10 science instruments with a total mass 15 times as large as the science payloads on previous Mars rovers "Spirit" and "Opportunity." It includes tools that are new to Mars exploration missions, including a laser-firing instrument for checking elemental composition of rocks from a distance.
"Curiosity" uses a drill and scoop at the end of its robotic arm to gather soil and powdered samples of rock interiors, then sieves and parcels the samples into analytical laboratory instruments inside the rover.
Manning helped develop the SAM instrument suite during a summer research assignment at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in 2011, and also worked on the development and calibration team for the ion and neutral mass spectrometer for NASA's Cassini Orbiter, which is studying the atmospheric composition of Titan and Saturn.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Friendly Squares will hold a graduation dance Friday, Feb. 22 at Century School.
There will be a plus workshop from 7:30 to 8 p.m. and mainstream dancing from 8 to 10 p.m. Royce Nelson will be the caller.
A potluck lunch will be furnished by members. All square dancers and spectators are welcome.
Saturday, Feb. 23
The University of Minnesota Extension will host an educational class on Beekeeping: Beyond the Basics from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at Northwoods Bank in Park Rapids.
The class is free and open to the public.
JoAnne Sabin, a well-known educator on honeybees and a Dakota County UMN Master Gardener, will teach the beekeeping course which is designed to encourage, assist and educate others in the wonderful experience of keeping honeybees.
Beekeeping: Beyond the Basics will cover current events, diseases, pesticides, CCD research, bee biology, making splits, expanding your hives, queen grafting, winterizing, experiences with various bee races, equipment beyond the basics, the importance of feeding, honey characteristics, bee-related products and how to make them.
To register, call Sally Shearer, Hubbard County Extension program coordinator at 732-3391 (office) or 237-1245 (direct) or e-mail sshearer@umn.edu . All classes are free and open to the public.
Menahga Senior Center volunteers are hosting a pancake and sausage breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at the center.
A freewill offering will be received. There will also be a multi quilt raffle. Proceeds benefit the senior center.
The Minnesota Highway Safety Center will offer an eight-hour, first-time driver improvement course for those 55 and older from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Akeley City Hall/Senior Center.
The Driver Improvement course is open to the public; pre-registration is required. A Highway Safety and Research Center certified instructor teaches this class.
By utilizing the most up-to-date research in the field, participants will be provided the latest information in regards to driver safety, new laws and vehicle technology. The fee for the eight-hour course is $24.
For more information or to register, visit www.mnsafetycenter.org or call 1-888-234-1294.
Children ages 10 to 18 years old are invited to participate in a four-part workshop to create Paul Bunyan and logging themed banners to adorn Akeley's main boulevard.
The workshops, sponsored by the Akeley Chamber of Commerce, will feature artist Mary Therese Peterson working one-on-one with children.
The first two workshops will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Feb 23, and March 9, at the ARCC in Akeley. The last two dates have not been finalized.
Registration forms can be found at Headwaters Restaurant and city hall in Akeley. This workshop is free and limited to 20 children. It is made possible, in part, by a grant provided by the Region 2 Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature.
Sunday, Feb. 24
The Hubbard Prairie Sleigh Festival will be held from 11 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 in Hubbard.
The day's events from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. include horse-drawn wagon/sleigh rides, sled dog rides, hot chocolate at the Hilltop and "The Way it Was" memorabilia on display at the Community Center.
Chili and cornbread will be served from noon to 3 p.m. at Hubbard United Methodist. Head to the Community Center for musical entertainment by Park Rapids middle school students, "Incredibly Real."
A "giddy-up" cart race begins at noon followed by the sleigh festival parade at 1 p.m.
At 2 p.m. the Long Lake Theater will present a history play based on characters from Jim Johnson's book, "Heyday, 20 upstart years on the Hubbard Prairie, 1880-1900."
County 20 will take the stage at 2:30 p.m.
A trapper encampment will revisit history with demonstrations of early life and games.
Snow sculptures (if flakes fall) will be created near the Community Center.
Head to Hubbard Prairie Sleigh on Facebook for updated information on the event.
The Osage Sportsman's Club will hold the annual Dorothy Noeske Memorial Fishing Derby from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 on the Straight Lake Mill Pond in Osage.
Tickets can be bought from any member or on the ice. Grand prize is one of two Jiffy Ice Augers. A youth lifetime fishing license will also be awarded. The first 100 children get a free "goodie" bag.
For more information call Allen Belt 732-0978 or visit the website, www.osage sportsclub.com.
