Happenings around the Perham area, April 27-May 10

CThe 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.

Ottertail Blood Drive: The Ottertail Lions Club will host a community blood drive from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at the Ottertail Fire Hall and Community Center. For an appointment, please call Linda at 218-298-4743, or go online to donors.vitalant.org and enter the blood drive code "OTTERTAILMN."

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.

Spring Into Action Volunteer Fair: Come to Perham Living's Town Center between 1-3 p.m. to learn more about their spring and summer volunteer opportunities, including trishaw bike piloting, UTV driving, bingo and happy hour, gift shop, household and Town Center activities, resident mail delivery, memory care activities, meals on wheels delivery and more. During the event, you'll have the opportunity to meet with staff members and current volunteers to learn more about the activities at Perham Living. It is the perfect first step towards getting involved. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

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 .

Coffee Talk: Come to the New York Mills Public Library at 10:30 a.m. for a "Coffee Talk" presentation on all things travel-related by Diana from More for Less Travel. Plus, enjoy a great cup of coffee from Farmer’s Daughter Rustic Bakery while we chat! Free and open to the public.

Elevate Exploratory-Charcuterie 101: Come to Perham's Lakeside Event Center at 5 p.m. for a presentation on Charcuterie 101, where participants will learn how to make their own charcuterie board. Admission is $40, which includes a container for your creation to be displayed and served, a selection of fine cheeses and cured meats, and all other accompaniments for creating the perfect board — plus, a handout of pairing suggestions. Charcuterie will be enough for a serving of 1-2 people each. Additional items will be available for purchase. Sign up online at elevateotc.org/events .

Long Term Care Presentation: Come to Perham High School at 5:30 p.m. to learn more about long-term care insurance and how it is designed to help those who want to plan for the costs associated with the care of someone with chronic or disabling conditions that need supervision and care in an assisted living or nursing home facility. This Thrivent Financial workshop is intended to educate, inform and assist you in making wise decisions, with no obligations or solicitations. To Register, call 218-334-3181, Option 3 or sign up online at elevateotc.events/long-term-care .

National Day of Prayer: Come to NP Park in Perham from noon to 1 p.m. and engage in prayers, enjoy live music and feast on complimentary hot dogs. Sponsored by the Perham Ministerial Association. All are invited and encouraged to bring a friend!

Rachael Ianiro: Detroit Lakes singer-songwriter Rachael Ianiro performs live at The Salty Pickle Bar and Grill (formerly PlayTime Sports Bar) from 8-11 p.m. Come enjoy some Cinco de Mayo fun!

Print + Play Day: The Otter Cove Children's Museum and Kaddatz Galleries in Fergus Falls are collaborating to host National Printmaking Day. Swing by either site between 1-3 p.m. to enjoy free play and printmaking activities for kids and families. Activities will include tissue paper painting, urban print-making, as well as monoprint bookmarks and OTC Precious Plastics figures and sensory play bin activities. There will be popcorn and lemonade served along with prize drawings for the kids (need not be present to win).

Financial Workshop-529 Plans: Thrivent Financial's Nathan Woodard will offer a workshop on 529 plans from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frazee High School Media Center (enter Door 1). 529 plans are designed to help prepare for future college costs by offering tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals when funds are used toward qualified higher education expenses. This informational workshop will be offered with no obligations or solicitations and is open to all. To register, call 218-334-3181, Option 3 or sign up online at elevateotc.org/events .

Defensive Driving Class: A 4-hour refresher, in-person Defensive Driving Class will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Frazee High School Media Center (enter door 16). Cost is $20. To register please call Denise Lillis at 218-346-3336.

Elevate Exploratory-Self Defense 101: Come to the Perham Area Community Center at 6 p.m. for a Self Defense 101 seminar hosted by Elevate OTC. This two-hour course is a beginner-friendly introduction to basic self-defense, focusing initially on developing the proper mindset and followed by an introduction to basic techniques designed to take advantage of body mechanics, rather than strength, to maximize effectiveness. Regardless of your level of physical fitness and training, during this seminar, you will learn simple techniques that will increase your confidence in your ability to navigate a variety of situations that occur on a daily basis. Cost of this seminar is $25; class size is limited, so sign up today at elevateotc.org/events .

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.