Happenings around the Perham area, Feb. 23-March 5

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.

Nosy Neighbor-Cheesemaking: Elevate OTC is hosting a special "Nosy Neighbor" event at the Bongard's plant and retail store in Perham, titled "How is Cheese Made?" From 2 to 3:45 p.m., learn how Bongard's processes over 4 million pounds of milk into cheese and whey products every day. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required, as is proper protective equipment, but that will be provided by Bongard's. Tour involves a lot of walking, including some steps, and the noise level is high. Free and open to the public, but the tour is limited to 20 participants, so sign up today at elevateotc.org .

Nosy Neighbor-Deep Roots Art Exhibit: Come to the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center at noon for a special "Nosy Neighbor" event hosted by Elevate OTC, exploring the Cultural Center's newest art exhibit, "Deep Roots: Sustaining a Living Community." The photography exhibit by artist Jon Solinger emphasizes the “why” of the farmers’ and producers’ chosen way of life, over the “what” and “how.” See the life and work of small farms in our rural area through Solinger's lens. Free and open to the public, but the tour is limited to 20 participants, so sign up today at elevateotc.org .

Solinger Exhibit Reception: All are invited to the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center's artist reception for its new exhibit, "Deep Roots: Sustaining a Living Community," from 4 to 6 p.m. Artist and photographer Jon Solinger will also be giving a talk about his exhibit, which features photographs about life on small farms in rural west central Minnesota. Light refreshments will be available. Free and open to the public.

Sportsman's Bingo: The Perham chapter of Ducks Unlimited will present an evening of Sportsman's Bingo at Big Pine Lodge, starting at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Entry fee is $20; bingo packages are $50. A variety of prizes will be awarded, including Yeti coolers, power tools, hunting and fishing gear and Traeger grills. Seating is limited to 100 people.

Minnesota History Center Bus Trip: The Perham Area Public Library and Viking LIbrary Systerm are sponsoring a free coach bus trip to the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Though there is no cost, registration is required. To sign up please call the library at 218-346-4892. Current featured exhibits at the History Center include Minnesota's Greatest Generation and Sherlock Holmes: the Exhibition. This program is funded in part or in whole with monies from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Kaddatz Connect: Come to the Kaddatz Galleries in Fergus Falls from 5 to 7 p.m. for a chance to meet and share ideas with area artists and creatives. Complimentary drinks and appetizers will be provided. This is an artist-only event, but the more, the merrier! Please feel free to pass this invitation on to other artists and creatives working in all mediums.

Lakeside Event Center Open House: Come experience everything that Perham's Lakeside Event Center has to offer for your next special event, from 4 to 9 p.m.

Surge and the Swell: The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center will host a 7:30 p.m. concert by Surge and the Swell, the solo and collaboration vehicle of Minnesota-based, Americana and Indie-folk, singer-songwriter Aaron Cabbage. Born in Kentucky, raised in Southeast Texas via Indiana, and now calling Minnesota home, his influences run North to South. Light refreshments and cash bar available. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance or $12 at the door (member discounts available); students admitted for $5. Get tickets online at kulcher.org , or call 218-385-3339.

'Simon and Simon' Concert: The gypsy jazz trio Harmonious Wail will be presenting their new 'Simon and Simon' concert, which features the best songs of Paul Simon and Carly Simon as well as some of Harmonious Wail's original tunes, starting at 7:30 p.m. in A Center for the Arts, 124 W. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls. Tickets available online at fergusarts.org ,

Bath Bombs 101: Elevate OTC will host an Elevate Exploratories event focusing on "Bath Bombs 101," 4-6 p.m. at the Gathering Grounds in Perham. Come and learn about the benefits of essential oils, then learn how to make bath bombs or sugar scrubs infused with your favorites to take home with you. Cost is $25; registration is limited to 25 people. Sign up online at elevateotc.org .

Coffee Talk: Stop in at the Perham Area Community Center from 10-11 a.m. for a "Coffee Talk" about Lutheran Social Services. Free and open to the public; hosted by Elevate OTC.

Introduction to Winter Bird Watching: Come to the Perham Area Public Library at 2 p.m. for a special, free presentation on winter bird watching by Amy Simso Dean, a longtime bird watcher, member of the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis and part-time employee of the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center. Hosted by the Friends of the PAPL.

Traveling Art Pub: Billy's Corner Bar in Vergas will host a visit from the Traveling Art Pub (TAP) from 6 to 8:30 p.m. For $40, participants can make a 16x20-inch acrylic painting on canvas, "Lucky Gnome," to take home. All art supplies included; food and beverages are an additional cost. Sign up online at thetravelingartpub.com/minnesota .

Homeschool Hangout at Otter Cove: 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, for a "Homeschool Hangout" event hosted by Elevate OTC. For more information call 218-998-5437 or email ottercoveff@gmail.com .

Aspire Women's Summit: The Wel Collective will present its 2nd Annual Aspire Women's Summit at The Cactus in Perham from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event features keynote speaker Kerry Petsinger, a high performance coach and creator of "Mornings that Matter," a research-based, 10-minute morning mindset routine to start each day feeling unstoppable and help women reach their goals. To learn more about this event, and/or purchase tickets, please visit welcollective.org/aspire .

Solinger 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 .

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.

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. 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.