Happenings around the Perham area, Feb. 9-19

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.

Giving Hearts Day: Empowering Kids and the Boys and Girls Club of the Perham Area are joining forces to raise $60,000 through the 24-hour Giving Hearts Day online fundraiser, with events throughout the day. GHD volunteers will be at The Nest from 6 to 10 a.m. with a prize wheel, donation stations and other activities, and at the Boys and Girls Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for an open house, lunch and the first annual Ladies of Love soup and chili cookoff. Finally, from 6 to 8 p.m., Disgruntled Brewing will host drink specials, trivia, a prize wheel and donation stations as these two local nonprofits make one final push to reach their goal. To donate to these and other participating organizations directly, go to givingheartsday.org .

Live with Hunter Pinke: KLN Family Brands is hosting an inspirational presentation from Hunter Pinke, a North Dakota man who experienced going from being a Division I football player to a paraplegic, paralysed from the chest down, at age 22. Titled "Overcoming Adversity and Faith Through Trials — No Bad Days," from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Perham Lakeside Golf Club. The event will include a free continental breakfast at 9 a.m., with Pinke's presentation beginning at 10 a.m. Open to the public.

Beer and Brats Relay for Life Fundraiser: A "Beer and Brats" fundraiser for the Got Hope Relay for Life Team will be held at the Countryside Barn from 5 to 9 p.m., with more than a dozen area breweries serving up samples and Lakes Community Cooperative providing more than eight different varieties of brats. Tickets available from Got Hope team members, or at Perham Printing.

Perham High School Band Concert: Perham band students in grades 5-12 will perform their winter band concert at 7 p.m. in The Hive at Perham High School. Open to the public.

Elevate Exploratory-Myofascial Release: Come to the Perham Area Community Center at 4:30 p.m. for an "Elevate Exploratory" session on myofascial release with instructor Celeste Kostohryz. Cost is $15; class size is limited. Visit elevateotc.org for more information.

Coffee Talk: The Perham Area Community Center will host a 10 a.m. "Coffee Talk" featuring Amy Dallmann of the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging, who will discuss what the agency does to serve older adults, caregivers, persons with disabilities and home- and community-based providers in 21 counties throughout northwest and west central Minnesota. Presentation lasts approximately one hour.

Snowshoe Glendalough: Come to Glendalough State Park between 1-4 p.m. and enjoy snowshoeing, a bonfire, s'mores and more on the Sunset Lake Trail. Free entrance to all Minnesota state parks today only; cost to participate in the snowshoe event is $30 for those age 13 and above; free for all kids age 12 and under. A limited number of snowshoes will be available if needed. Proceeds will be used to support the United Way of Otter Tail and Wadena counties.

Corey Medina and Brothers: Back by popular demand, Corey Medina and his brothers will play the listening room/gallery at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, or $5 for students; purchase online at kulcher.org .

Chubby Sunday: Come to the St. Henry's School gymnasium in Perham for their inaugural "Chubby Sunday "soup and chili cooking contest, starting at 3 p.m. Bring a pot and your favorite toppings, give it a creative name, and vote for your favorites. Breads, muffins and cornbread are not only accepted, but encouraged.

New Art Exhibit: The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center has a new exhibit on display in its gallery — photographs by Jon Solinger about life on small farms in rural west central Minnesota. The show, entitled "Deep Roots: Sustaining a Living Community," will be on display through March 4. The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center Gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Private viewings can be arranged anytime by calling Cheryl Bannes at 218-385-3339 or emailing cheryl@kulcher.org . All are invited to the gallery reception scheduled for Friday, Feb. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m., with an artist talk by Jon Solinger. Light refreshments will be available. This event is also free to attend, and all are welcome!

Sit-n-Stitch: A weekly gathering of fiber artists takes place from 5 to 7 p.m., every Thursday 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. All ages and experience levels welcome.

AARP Volunteer Tax Program-Perham: The AARP Volunteer Tax Program will be preparing taxes for senior citizens, as well as those with low to moderate income, Wednesdays 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.

Group Liquidation Sale: Perham-area businesses including Schmitz Motor Co., Dot and Minnie's, North Threads, Gene's Sport Shop, Level III and Mark's Fleet Supply will be participating in a group liquidation sale at the Perham Area Community Center on Feb. 9-11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

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 be open three days a week from Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Salvation Army on Vernon Avenue in Fergus Falls. Tax preparation is by appointment only. You can make an appointment 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 .

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.