Upcoming events March 27 - April 5

Wednesday, March 27
The first meeting of the Headwaters adult slow pitch softball league will be held at 7 p.m. tonight (Wednesday)
in the basement of the Eagles Club.
All new and returning teams should attend this meeting.
The Headwaters softball league offers teams for men, women, over 35 and co-ed. For more information, visit www.headwaterssoft ball.org.

Thursday, March 28
Northwest Technical College is presenting two refresher courses in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) Thursday, March 28 for health professionals and on Wednesday, April 17 for the general public.
The fee for each course is $75, and both will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Northwest Technical College, 1103 Roosevelt Road SE in Bemidji.
Interested participants are asked to register and pay in advance at NTC, where they will receive a course textbook. Participants will be asked to demonstrate or show evidence of previous completed CPR training.
For additional information, contact the NTC admissions office at 218-333-6647.

Friday, March 29
The Park Rapids Eagles Auxiliary 870 will serve dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 29 at the Eagles Club.
The dinner will include a choice of fried fish or chicken, potato, vegetable, soup, salad bar and dessert.
Proceeds will benefit Heritage Living Center.
“The Whip, the Hammer and the Cross” will be presented at 7 p.m. Good Friday, March 29, at the Park Rapids Area High School auditorium.
Through this “still life” drama, the audience will experience the events from the Garden of Gethsemane to Christ’s crucifixion.
New narration and music for the 2013 production will accompany the scenes with actors posing as if frozen in time.
The live painting simulation was “a huge success last year with almost every seat filled in the theater by an enthusiastic audience,” Pastor Tim Wilson said.
“The Whip, the Hammer, and the Cross” is offered by the Park Rapids Assembly of God Church to the public as a Good Friday observance. Admission is free.
For additional information, contact the Assembly of God Church at 732-8818.

Saturday, March 30
A benefit dinner and silent auction for Connie and Donna Loomer, who had a house fire earlier this winter, will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30 at the Park Rapids American Legion.
The menu will include baked chicken, roasted red potatoes, corn, salads, bars and dinner rolls.
A freewill offering will be received.
MONDAY, APRIL 1
Chapter FJ of the PEO Sisterhood will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday April 1 in the home of Kathy Ahrens.
Betty Thomsen will act as co-hostess. There will be an informational program about Cottey College and the Minnesota Home Fund.
Call Kathy with regrets.
The 21st annual Great American Think-Off essay deadline of April 1 is fast approaching.
This year’s question -“Which is more ethical: sticking to your principles or being willing to compromise?” - asks each of us how we can address important questions that require a combination of nuanced argument with conviction grounded in ethical belief.
The Great American Think-Off is a philosophy contest for everyone, and it annually awards cash prizes of $500 each to four finalists whose essays are selected from writings submitted from anywhere in North America.
Essays may be submitted by mail (Think-Off, PO Box 246, New York Mills, Minnesota 56567), online ( www.think-off.org ), or by e-mail ( info@think-off.org .) There is no fee. Finalists are notified by May 1..
Last year’s contest featured essays by more than 500 writers who addressed the question, “The nature of humankind: inherently good or inherently evil?”
Adam Bright, a student at Syracuse University, won the argument for evil as determined by a vote of the 450 persons who attended the debate.
The 750-word (maximum) essay should be grounded in the writer’s personal experience, not in philosophical abstraction.
The four writers selected are invited to debate the question Saturday, June 8 in New York Mills, with travel costs, food, and lodging covered by the Think-Off’s sponsoring organization, the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2
Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning presents one of its founders, Jon Rondestvedt of Northfield, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 in the Northwoods Bank community room.
Rondestvedt, a retired humanities instructor from the Robbinsdale Schools, will share “Architecture as Art,” exploring how people not only use architecture for functionality and utility, but also for beauty and artistic expression.
This program is part of HCLL’s spring series, “Our Shared Heritage Shown Through Art,” and is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council.
Refreshments and fellowship follow. For more information, call Kristen Partlow at 255-1178 or e-mail part low@arvig.net .

The League of Women Voter Park Rapids State Unit will present a program on Missing and Sexually Exploited Children at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 in the Northwoods Bank community room.
Following a 10-15 minute presentation by each panelist, they will receive and respond to questions from the audience. Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation. Light refreshments will be provided.
The panel consists of
n Ruth Ann Campton, Park Rapids, retired after 40 years of work in advocacy and services to men and women, including 14 years as director of services to women and children, including those trafficked from other countries;
n Kelly Brevig, Bemidji, Advocate, Sexual Assault Program of Beltrami County and Hubbard County (SAPBCHC);
n Cristine Davidson, White Earth, Minnesota Indian Women Sexual Assault Commission (MIWSAC), survivor, advocate and educator.
Sara Swanson, attorney at law, Park Rapids, will be the moderator. Swanson is in practice with Thomason, Swanson and Zahn, PLLC, in Park Rapids and serves as campus pastor of the Park Rapids Lakes Area Vineyard Church.
The LWV Minnesota mission is to support “policies and programs that promote the well-being, development and safety of all children.”
It also supports “violence prevention programs in all communities.”
Membership is open to all citizens, women and men. LWV PR meets monthly September through May.
For more information contact Carolynne White, co-president, prapidsleague @gmail.com or 732-9226. Follow us on Facebook: League of Women Voters Park Rapids State Unit.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
Sanford Health Bemidji is offering a free, six-week Better Choices, Better Health workshop from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, April 3, 10, 17, 24 and May 1 and 8 at First Lutheran Church, Bemidji.
The workshops help people live fuller, healthier and more active lives. They are for anyone with ongoing health problems and their support people. Participants will learn important skills such as problem solving, goal setting, relaxation techniques and ways to deal with difficult emotions, pain, fatigue and stress.

THURSDAY, APRIL 4
Jon Romer of Cass Lake will present on the history and creation of native flutes at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 4 at the Park Rapids Area Library.
He will perform Native American music on a variety of the instruments he’s made based on the teachings of the elders versed in the Native American Flute
Romer has taught music in tribal settings, elementary through college for 22 years.
He will weave into his performance the history and tradition of the Native American flute, its design and most importantly, the beautiful traditional songs embraced within Native American culture.
Some of the songs will include a Gathering Song, a Love Song, a Farewell Song and a Cherokee Lullaby.
This free Legacy Program is funded in part or in whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s art and cultural heritage.
The Sons of Norway, Nordskogen Lodge, Park Rapids, will hold a board meeting at 6 p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4 at Riverside United Methodist Church.
Tanya Tsvelikova, a foreign exchange student from the Ukraine, will present the program.
Servers are Dave and Alice Hagen, Carl and Helen Wattlaufer and Jon and Donna Nestoss.

FRIDAY, APRIL 5
Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District will host an open house from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 5 at the office located at 212 2nd Street, Park Rapids.
Learn what the Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District is all about.
Have questions regarding the Community Partners Grant and whether your project is related to storm water runoff and/or erosion? Ever wonder what type of programs the SWCD has to offer? Do you have questions about the tree sales? Do you wonder if your project qualifies for Cost-Share? Are you concerned that your project might be impacting a wetland?
These questions will be answered and more. All tree orders placed at the open house will receive a 10 percent discount. Enjoy refreshments and register for door prizes. For more information call 732-0121.
Hubbard County Master Gardeners are hosting a “Plant a Basket” program from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 5 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at the Flying W
Gardens Greenhouse, 32517 Highway 71 North, Park Rapids.
Participants will plant a hanging basket and learn about new container
plants. Baskets will be taken care of during these cold
wintery days and can be picked up in the spring when fully grown.
The program also includes a presentation by Karen Zwirtz and Donna Wohlenhaus on bulbs.
“Terrariums - easy indoor plants,” will be addressed by Teresa Ohm.
Cost is $35 which includes basket, plants and lunch. Pre-register at 732-9782 or 732-3391 or e-mail sshearer@umn.edu .

SATURDAY, APRIL 6
The Osage Lions pancake feed and Carsonville Fire and Rescue’s open house will be held from 7 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 6 at the Osage Community Center.
The event will include a free health fair with checks for blood pressure, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetes screenings. Carre Vanderheyden will offer chair massages.
Freewill offerings will be received with all proceeds benefitting community activities.
Raffle prizes include rod and reel combo sets. Proceeds from a gently-used books sale will benefit the Leader Dog program.
A mobile fire safety house will be on site.
Chefs are being recruited for a Chili Challenge benefiting the Laporte Area Food Shelf to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Laporte Trinity Lutheran Church.
Freewill donations will be received for chili samples. The winning chef receives a People’s Choice award.
All proceeds from the event benefit the area food shelf and the Wednesday night meals.
Registration deadline is Friday, March 29. Call 218-224-2891 to register and for rules.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7
St. Theodore’s Church, Ponsford and Pine Point, will host their annual games of meat bingo at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7.
There will be 20 games with 20 winners of turkeys, hams or comparable meat package. A free lunch will be served at half time. An assortment of door prizes will be awarded throughout the afternoon.
The event is sponsored by St. Theodore’s parish guilt. Head north on Highway 225 off Highway 34 west of Osage. Go north on Highway 129 to the 124 intersection.
First City Squares of Bemidji will host a square dance from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7 at the United Methodist fellowship hall, 9th and Beltrami.
Plus tips will be in the first half hour. Larry Johansen will be the caller.
Visitors and spectators are welcome. For more info, call Scott Burgoon at 218-759-2776

TUESDAY, APRIL 9
The Healthy Moms Network will host a chapter meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 at the Park Rapids Library.
Guest speaker Faye Ellis will present the topic, “The Food on Your Plate.”
The Park Rapids Garden Club donated a large selection of DVDs that address how our food is produced, is that process sustainable, does the process respect earth, animals and humankind, and will this food nourish your body? The DVDs are available through the Park Rapids Kitchigami Regional Library ( www.krls.org ).
All meetings are free and open to women of all ages. Children are welcome, but must be supervised or engaged in quiet activity.
For information about the meeting, contact Nicole Guida 732-5229

SATURDAY, APRIL 13
Artists are sought for the 46th annual Hawley Art Show and Sale to be held April 18-21 at the Hawley Community Center.
Artists may enter artwork from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14. Registration fees are $5 per entry for professional and amateur classes and $3 for elementary and high school students, with a limit of three works per artist.
Call co-chairs Sandy Maydole at 218-483-3296 or Donna Noll at 218-483-4238 for more information.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16
The annual meeting of the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 at the Creamery Restaurant in New York Mills.
A light lunch will be served from 5 to 6 p.m. before the meeting. Annual reports and information about plans for the Creamery and the Continental Divide Folk School will be presented. The center’s annual report will be distributed, and there will be election of new members of the board of directors.
Call 218-385-3339 for more information, or visit the cultural center website at www.kulcher.org .

FRIDAY, APRIL 26
New York Mills Regional Cultural Center announces a call for artists to participate in the annual regional art show to be held April 24-May 25.
This show is open to all artists working in any medium. A reception in honor of the artists will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26.
Each artist may submit up to two works in any medium for inclusion in this non-juried art show.
Artists should bring their work to the Cultural Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 19 or from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 20.
Work must have been completed in calendar years 2013, 2012, 2011 or 2010. You may choose to make your work available for purchase. Work must be ready for presentation. For example, photographs must be matted and framed. Paintings must be prepared for gallery hanging.
There will be a $50 “People’s Choice” award presented at the conclusion of the show. There will also be four $50 “best in category” awards given at the reception April 26.
Categories will be established after submissions are complete and will be based on the number of submissions in each medium. The People’s Choice award will be announced on May 25th at the conclusion of the show.