Happenings around the Perham area, April 20-30

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.

Frazee Community Blood Drive: The Frazee Event Center will be hosting a community blood drive for Vitalant from 2:30 to 6:15 p.m, sponsored by Neighbor to Neighbor. To schedule an appointment please contact Mary at 218-849-0645 or go online to donors.vitalant.org and use the blood drive code FRAZEE.

Otter Tail County History in Hats: Missy Hermes, education coordinator for the Otter Tail County Historical Society, will be giving a 6:30 p.m. presentation at the New York Mills Public Library that focuses on some of the fascinating people, events, hatmakers and hats in Otter Tail County's history Free and open to all, but preregistration is encouraged; call the New York Mills Public Library at 218-385-2436 to sign up.

LCRC "Reflections of Hope" Banquet and Auction: The 31st Annual Banquet for the Lakes Area Crisis and Resource Center will take place at the Historic Holmes Theatre Ballroom in Detroit Lakes, starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $60, and may be purchased online at lakescrisis.com/events , in person at the LCRC office (1339 Pelican Lane, Detroit Lakes), or at Bluebird Books in downtown Detroit Lakes. Evening will include both live and silent auctions as well as food, games and more.

Square Dancing: The Country Twirlers will host a square dance from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Oddfellows Hall, 118 W. Holmes St., Detroit Lakes. Caller is Charley Huhtala. Cost for the dance is $5 per person. For information call 218-849-9317.

Sensory Friendly Movie-Mario Brothers: Come to the Comet Theater in Perham at 1 p.m. for a sensory-friendly presentation of the 2023 film, "The Super Mario Brothers Movie," in celebration of Autism Awareness Month. Hosted by Empowering Kids of Perham, this event is free and open to the public, though seating is limited.

Frazee Polka Fest: Come to the Frazee Event Center from 1 to 7 p.m. and enjoy not just one, but two polka bands playing, the Matt Hodak and Julie Lee bands. Cost is $5 per person, and there will be food available for purchase.

PACC Triathlon: Come to the Perham Area Community Center at 7:30 a.m. for the start of its inaugural indoor triathlon. Participants will be asked to swim 500 meters in the PACC pool, do 15 miles on a stationary bike, then finish with a 5K run. Part of the proceeds for this event go to support the PACC's Relay for Life Team. The race will be run in waves of six participants, starting every 45 minutes to minimize overlap. Start times are 7:30, 8:15, 9:00, 9:45 and 10:30 a.m. To learn more, and sign up, visit https://tinyurl.com/pacctri .

Live Music: Rachael Ianiro performs at Perham's 1894 restaurant from 6 to 9 p.m. Open to the public.

Sportsman's Bingo: The Ottertail chapter of Ducks Unlimited will host an afternoon of Sportsman's Bingo at the Woodshed Bar and Grill in Ottertail. Doors open at 3 p.m., with bingo starting at 4 p.m. Cost is $60 for 10 games. Call Dwayne at 218-205-8931 or William at 218-298-1615 for more information.

Eric Peltoniemi Concert: The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center's 2023 Live Music Series continues with a concert by Eric Peltoniemi, which starts at 7:30 p.m. All are invited! Since the early 1970s in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minnesota, and Finland, Eric Peltoniemi has worked multiple sides of the music world as a singer/songwriter, guitarist, lyricist, and composer for the music theater, and for three decades an executive at acclaimed indie roots label, Red House Records. His original songs have been covered and recorded by a number of artists, including Robin & Linda Williams; Claudia Schmidt; Gordon Bok, Anne Mayo Muir & Ed Trickett; NYC cabaret singer Lisa Asher; and young Finnish folk star, Topi Saha, to name a few. Adult tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door (members get a $2 discount); student admission is $5. Buy tickets online at kulcher.org , or at the door. Cash bar and light refreshments will be available; doors open at 7 p.m. Call the Cultural Center at 218-385-3339 with any questions.

Van Morrison Tribute: Mick Sterling will present “Beautiful Vision: The Essential Songs of Van Morrison” at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage of Detroit Lakes' Historic Holmes Theatre. This show features the most popular of Morrison's hits, such as "Brown-Eyed Girl," "Iinto the Mystic," "Domino" and "Wild Nights" along with classics like "Street Choir," Wavelength" and more, performed by a spectacular 13-piece band. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students; they may be purchased online at dlccc.org/holmes-theatre.html, by phone at 218-844-7469 or in person at the Holmes Box Office, which is open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday as well as for two hours prior to the start of the show. ("Beautiful Vision" is replacing the originally scheduled "3 Stars Born," which has been postponed until next season at the Holmes due to "unforeseen circumstances." Tickets originally purchased for that show will be honored, or you may contact the theater for a refund.)

Afternoon Tea: The Gathering Grounds in Perham will host a full afternoon tea service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seating will take place from 11:15 to 1:30 p.m., and reservations are required. To sign up, call 218-346-7969 or visit gatheringgroundsperham.com . Cost is $32 for adults and $25 for kids age 12 and under. Menu will include finger sandwiches (vegetarian options available), scones, cakes, bars and cookies, along with a choice of teas and a "bottomless" prosecco cocktail or Italian soda.

Journeying Through Grief: Hospice of the Red River Valley is hosting a free 5 p.m. class at the Fergus Falls Public Library. "Journeying Through Grief" is designed for those who are recently bereaved. It is intended for adults 18 years and older who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. This class will help you better understand the grief process, explore methods of self-care and embrace and carry memories with you as you move forward. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required; please sign up at least one day prior to the class date by visiting hrrv.org/grief-support .

Technology 101-Intro to Apps: Come to the Perham Area Public Library at 2 p.m. for a free "Intro to Apps" course that will help participants "stay in the loop" with the latest updates on applications that can be used on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or other electronic devices.

Coffee Talk: Come to the Perham Area Community Center at 10 a.m. for a free "coffee talk" featuring Amy Dallmann, program developer for the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging, who will discuss everything the agency has to offer. While you're there, enjoy a cup or two of coffee from Gathering Grounds.

Social Security-Timing is Everything: Come to Frazee High School (305 Lake St. North) at 5:30 p.m. for a free workshop by Thrivent Financial on Social Security and what it means to you. This is an informational workshop only; no obligations or solicitations are involved. Register by calling 218-334-3181, option 3 or sign up online via the community education page at the Frazee-Vergas Public Schools website.

CPR and First Aid Course: Lakes Country Emergency Education and Consulting will host a CPR and First Aid class at 5:30 p.m. in the EMS building at 525 West Main St., Perham. Go straignt in and take the set of staisrs on the left, up to the training room. to sign up, please call 218-298-2482 or send an email to lakescountryedu@gmail.com .

Women's EDGE on the Rocks: The Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a special "On the Rocks" session of its popular Women's EDGE speaker series at Spanky's Stone Hearth in rural Frazee, from 6 to 8 p.m. This evening presentation will feature Heather Manley, founder and CEO of Minnesota's own Crooked Water Spirits, who will provide guests with samples of some of her distillery's finest spirits. Tickets are $50 each, and may be purchased by calling the Chamber at 218-847-9202. Each ticket includes appetizers, sampling and presentation; cocktails and entrees may be purchased from Spanky's menu separately.

Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band: Members of the Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band will be performing not just one, but two shows in Pelican Rapids — a 6:30 p.m. concert at the high school (310 S. Broadway), and an 8:10 p.m. concert at VFW Post 5252 (29 1st Ave. NW). Both performances are free and open to the public.

Comedy Date Night: Northwoods Life Church, located at 945 W. Main St., Perham, will host a Comedy Date Night presentation with a catered meal and conversation, followed by a funny and encouraging message from Ted Cunningham. Pre-registration is required; sign up at northwoodslife.ccbchurch.com .

Up North Junkin' Show: Come to the Lakeside Golf Course and Event Center in Perham on Friday and Saturday, April 21-22 for some handmade, vintage home decor and more. Admission is $5 per person at the door; hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 21 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 22.

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.

Baby and Toddler Storytime: The Fergus Falls Public Library will host storytime for babies and toddlers on both Tuesday and Wednesday, April 11-12, from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Talk, sing, read, and play together in a format perfect for little ones! Help develop your child’s early literacy skills through songs, stories, nursery rhymes, and fun movement activities. Each session includes interactive playtime. Registration is not required.

Trivia Night: Thousand Lakes Brewing Co. in Parkers Prairie will host a Trivia Night every Thursday, with happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. and trivia rounds starting at 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top two teams.

Homeschool Hangouts: All area home-schooled students are invited to the Otter Cove Children's Museum, 105 W. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls, from 9 a.m. to noon every Friday, for a "Homeschool Hangout" event. For more information call 218-998-5437 or email ottercoveff@gmail.com .

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.

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.

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.