Happenings around the Perham area, Jan. 26-Feb. 6

The Perham Focus accepts community calendar items for publication online and in our Thursday print edition, space permitting. Submissions must be made at least a week in advance of the event date, in writing, to either editor@perhamfocus.com or vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com .

Each submission must include the date, time and location of event, whether it is recurring or a one-time happening, and where to go for more information (phone, email and/or website). Also include whether the event is free or paid admission, and how much it costs when applicable.

Cookbook Club: The New York Mills Public Library's Cookbook Club will meet at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 101 W. Gilman St., New York Mills. Those participating are asked to go to the NYM library before the meeting, select a recipe, then prepare it according to directions and bring it to the meeting to share. Featured cookbook is "Taste of Home: 201 Recipes You'll Make Forever."

Pub Theology: Mills Lanes and Lucky Strike Grill in New York Mills (407 E. Centennial 84 Drive) will co-host an evening of "Pub Theology" with St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, starting at 6:30 p.m. Come raise a pint and a prayer, in between engaging in theological discourse.

Sit-n-Stitch: A weekly gathering of fiber artists takes place from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the New York Mills Public Library; next week the group will move back to its regular location at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. Free and open to all who are interested in learning about fiber arts, or enhancing their knowledge.

Ottertail Community Blood Drive:  The Ottertail Lions will host a community blood drive for Vitalant from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ottertail Community Center. For an appointment, please contact Linda at 218-298-4743, or sign up online at donors.vitalant.org , using the blood drive code "OTTERTAILMN."

Music Trivia: The New York Mills Public Library will host a Music Trivia Night at 6:30 p.m. This fun, friendly, casual competition is free and open to both teens and adults. Teams or individuals will be asked questions ranging from 1950s to current music. Prizes will be given, and snacks are provided. Please pre-register by calling 218-385-2436.

Foot Care Clinic: Elevate OTC and the Polished Beauty and Wellness Spa in Perham are joining forces to offer a foot care clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Perham Living Salon, 735 3rd St. NW, Perham. Services include nail trimming and filing, as well filing of calluses. cost is $30 per person. Space is limited, so go to elevateotc.org/events to book your appointment as soon as possible.

Author Hank Kohler Presentation: The Perham Area Public Library will host a presentation with author Hank Kohler at 6:30 p.m. In 1979, Kohler canoed from Otter Tail County to Hudson Bay with three friends. In the spring and summer of 2021 he paddled over 1,900 miles from the same starting point, but in the other direction — to the Gulf of Mexico. With the help of friends, he was able to raise many thousands of dollars for conservation efforts. Mr. Kohler will discuss his recently published book detailing the second trip. Free and open to the public.

Coffee Talk: The Perham Area Community Center will host a coffee talk on "The Beginners Guide to a Healthy Heart," with fresh coffee from Gathering Grounds. Brought to you by Elevate OTC, this event is free and open to all.

Elevate Exploratory-Axe Throwing 101: Explore your inner lumberjack (or lumberjill?) at Beach Bums Bar and Eatery, 35776 Co. Hwy. 72, Battle Lake, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Brought to you by Elevate OTC and Big Blue Axe. To register for this free event, go to elevateotc.org/events .

Give Kids a Smile: Hamann Dentistry in Perham will be hosting its 15th annual Give Kids a Smile event, providing free dental care for low-income families beginning at 7:30 a.m. Services will vary from exams, cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatments to restorative care such as fillings. All young people must be accompanied by an adult family member or guardian and have advance appointments. Parents and guardians are encouraged to call 218-346-4775 to make an appointment for their child as soon as possible, as space is limited. Hamann Dentistry is located at First Avenue South, in uptown Perham; it is the only dental clinic in Otter Tail County to offer the Give Kids a Smile program. For more information visit hamanndentistry.com or the Hamann Dentistry Facebook page.

AARP Volunteer Tax Program-Perham: The AARP Volunteer Tax Program will start preparing taxes for senior citizens, as well as those with low to moderate income, today at the New Creation Church on Coney Street. The Perham site will not be taking appointments and will be walk in only. It will only be open on Wednesdays only. When arriving at the tax site, bring a photo ID, Social Security card, last year’s tax return and any documents needed to prepare an accurate return. If you are interested in volunteering to answer the telephone, take appointments, assist taxpayers with completing documents, or preparing tax returns, please call the district coordinator, Elizabeth Eidal, at 406-781-5047.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries: Richville United Methodist Church is taking orders for chocolate-covered strawberries from now through Feb. 10, in celebration of Valentine's Day. Pickup will be on Friday, Feb. 13 between 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost is $20 a dozen, or $10 for a half-dozen. To reserve your order, contact Sue Dunlap at 218-770-9584 or edunlap@arvig.net ; leave your name and phone number.

AARP Volunteer Tax Program-Fergus Falls: The AARP Volunteer Tax Program will start preparing taxes for senior citizens, as well as those with low to moderate income, on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at the Salvation Army on Vernon Avenue in Fergus Falls. They will be open three days a week from Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., by appointment only. You can make an appointment starting Jan. 26 by calling 218-739-9692, ext. 3, during the regular hours listed above; the phone will not be answered outside those hours. Please do not call the Salvation Army because their personnel will not be able to assist with appointments nor to answer tax questions. When arriving at the tax site, bring a photo ID, Social Security card, last year’s tax return and any documents needed to prepare an accurate return. If you are interested in volunteering to answer the telephone, take appointments, assist taxpayers with completing documents, or preparing tax returns, please call the district coordinator, Elizabeth Eidal, at 406-781-5047.

LRAC Artist Cohort Alumni Exhibit: Ten alumni of the 2022 Lake Region Arts Council's Artist Cohort program will be exhibiting their work at the LRAC Gallery in Fergus Falls from now through March 15. Participating artists include Carmen McCullough, Detroit Lakes; Chanda Kraft, Alexandria; Becky Albright, Alexandria; Flacon Gott, Moorhead; Jodi Peterson, Moorhead; Mike Weatherly, Elbow Lake; Nancy X. Valentine, Underwood; Patricia Ann Wahl, Fergus Falls; Ruth Hanson, Vining; and Sean Scott, Battle Lake. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; it is closed from Friday through Sunday. An artist reception is planned for Feb. 21. Please email or call before you visit the gallery to ensure that the exhibit is open that day. Call the LRAC office (toll free in Minnesota) at 1-800-262-2787 or 218-739-5780, or email LRAC4@LRACgrants.org .

NYM Cultural Center Closed: The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is closed until Jan. 31, to prepare for the coming year's events, and will reopen Feb. 1.

Baby Bin: Come look through the baby bin at Crosspoint Alliance Church, 600 8th St. NE, Perham, on the first Tuesday of every month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All WIC participants receive one pack of diapers and wet wipes. Everyone may look through our children's clothing, sizes 0-10.

Quilting: The Calvary Cut-Ups quilting group meets from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays at Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham. Questions? Contact Brenda Halvorson at 320-493-0802.

Library Storytimes: The Perham Area Public Library hosts preschool storytime every Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. Toddler Storytime with Becky is held periodically on Monday evenings at 6 p.m. Visit perhamlibrary.org or call 218-346-4892 for more information.

Progressive Bingo: Every Tuesday, 6-7 p.m., Thumper Pond, Ottertail.

Tuesday Trivia Night: Billy's Corner Bar & Grill in Vergas will be offering Trivia Night every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Open to the public.

Perham Networking Opportunity: The Nest in Perham will host a one-hour free business networking opportunity on the first Wednesday of every month, starting at 8:15 a.m. Personal introductions, sharing of upcoming events and projects, and a focus presentation. Coffee will be provided by the focus topic presenter.

Mah Jongg at Calvary Lutheran: Men and women are welcome and play Mah Jongg at Perham's Calvary Lutheran Church on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in the library. No prior experience necessary, as experienced players will teach the game to newcomers.

Old Time Photographs: Stop by the History Museum of East Otter Tail County, at 230 First Ave. North in Perham, and take a trip down memory lane. The museum would like the public's help identifying old photos. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 218-346-7676 for more information.