Happenings around the Perham area, March 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.

Art for Lunch: Come to the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center for a lunchtime creative break from noon to 1 p.m. Artist and Cultural Center Artistic Director Cheryl Bannes will lead this one-hour class on "Fabric Baskets for Spring." Cost is just $5 to cover all materials used. Bring your own lunch and enjoy a beverage courtesy of the Cultural Center. Questions? Call 218-385-3339, or visit the website at kulcher.org .

Square Dancing: The Park Rapids Friendly Squares will host a dance at the Century School, 501 Helten Ave., Park Rapids, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The caller will be Myron Hollatz, and there is a potluck lunch after the dance. Spectators are welcome. For more information contact Karen at 218-252-3853.

BookEnds Online: The Wadena County Historical Society is hosting an online BookEnds presentation with Matt Goldman, New York Times bestselling author of "Carolina Moonset." Simply go to  wadenacountyhistory.org  at 11:30 a.m. to join the live webinar! You can ask questions of the author, share your insights with fellow attendees...all from the comfort of your home! This BookEnds event, like all BookEnds events, will also be available for archived viewing at  wadenacountryhistory.org  after the live webinar. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Parent and Me: Art of the Lakes Gallery in Battle Lake will host a "Parent and Me" craft activity for parents and young children, up to age 6, from 10 a.m. to noon. This month's activity is making clay handprint mittens; cost is $10, including all supplies, and all children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Pre-registration is required. To sign up, call 218-864-8606 during regular gallery hours or send an email to aotl@arvig.net .

Head Games Foreigner Tribute: A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls will present "Head Games: A Tribute to Foreigner," at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at fergusarts.org ; cost is $28 for adults, $15 for students.

St. Paul's Spring Gala: St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School in Perham will host its annual Spring Gala from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a silent auction, raffle drawings (including a gun raffle) and musical presentation. Open to the public.

St. Henry's Fun Fair: St. Henry's Area School of Perham will host a Fun Fair from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with live and silent auctions, raffle drawings, bingo and other games, food and more. Fun for the whole family.

Elevate Exploratory-CPR and First Aid 101: The Perham Fire Department will host an Elevate OTC exploratory class on CPR and First Aid from 4 to 7 p.m. in the PFD training room at 525 W. Main St., Perham. Training is free unless you would like to be certified, in which case it costs $50 per person. Maximum class size is 30 people. Class will be conducted by Barb Felt of Lakes Country Emergency Education & Consulting. Sign up online at elevateotc.org .

Wednesday Workshop: The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center will host a Wednesday Workshop on making stamped metal jewelry, starting at 10:30 a.m. Instructor Cheryl Bannes will teach you about types of metal, preparation of the metals, tools to use, stamping, and finishing designs. Each participant can plan on finishing a necklace and bracelet. Minimum of three and maximum of 10 participants; cost is $30 per person, with a 10% discount for NYMRCC members.

Elevate Exploratory-PiYo 101: Elevate OTC will host an exploratory class, "PiYo 101," from 5 to 6 p.m. at Lakes Fit in Vergas (105 East Main St.). Maximum class size is 10 people; cost is $15 to participate. Sign up online at elevateotc.org .

"Heavy Metal" Artist Reception: An artist reception for the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center's new exhibit, "Heavy Metal," featuring eight metal sculptors, blacksmiths and knife makers from around the region, will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Cultural Center Gallery, with an Artist Talk at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served; this event is free and open to the public.

Elevate Exploratory-MELT Method 101: The Perham Area Community Center will host an Elevate OTC exploratory class on the "MELT Method," a self-care program that uses soft balls and a roller to treat "stuck stress," which creates stiffness, tightness, and if left untreated, pain, especially in joints and lower back. Cost is $16 per person, including the class and a small ball to take home. Maximum class size is 18 people; sign up online at elevateotc.org .

St. Patrick's Day Party: Disgruntled Brewing in Perham will host a St. Patrick's Day celebration from 4 to 10 p.m., with live music, games and raffles, 4-6 p.m.; trivia competition (with prizes!), 6-8 p.m.; and late night movie, 8-10 p.m., as well as all-day food and drink specials.

Quilts of Valor Fundraiser: A corned beef and cabbage dinner will be served at the Dent Community Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as a fundraiser for the Quilts of Valor program. Admission is a free will offering. There will also be a basket raffle, with tickets sold during the event. Money raised will be used for making and awarding Quilts of Valor to veterans and active duty military service personnel.

Amanda Henke Book Signing: Local author Amanda Henke will be signing copies of her book, "Not a Book About Bunnies," from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Goose Gang in Perham. Open to the public.

EOT Horticulture Day: The East Otter Tail County Master Gardeners will be hosting a Horticulture Day at Prairie Winds Middle School in Perham, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (doors open at 8 a.m.). Registration will be $35, including five sessions, access to the vendor area (featuring four new vendors!) and a bag lunch. Limited to 200 attendees, so pre-registration is required. Sign up online via the EOT Master Gardeners Facebook page .

DNR Firearms Safety Instructor Certification Training: The Perham Area Sportsmen's Club will host a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Firearms Safety INstructor Certification Training Course from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This class is to become a certified volunteer instructor to teach DNR Firearms Safety. The certification will allow you to teach the Classroom and Online Firearms Safety Course and Field Day. Participants must be at least 18 years of age, pass a background check, be up-to-date on their firearms safety certifications, and complete all required forms and agreements. Save your seat at the training session by emailing Regional Training Officer Greg Oldakowski at gregory.oldakowski@state.mn.us . Email must include the names of all people attending the course, the date and location of the training, and a current phone number or email address.

Lakes Area Home and Cabin Show: The 2023 Lakes Area Home and Cabin Show takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Perham Area Community Center, with a Masons pancake breakfast, more than 40 area vendors, Adventureland activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., glitter tattoos and face painting for the kids, and much more. Admission is free and open to the public. Hosted by the Perham Area Chamber of Commerce.

Pavlo in Concert: A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls will host a 7:30 p.m. concert by Mediterranean artist Pavlo. Tickets are available at fergusarts.org ; cost is $25 for adults, $10 for students.

Lenten Fish Fry: The Frazee Knights of Columbus are having their annual fish fry dinner fundraisers from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 3, 17 and 31 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee. Each dinner includes fried fish, scalloped potatoes or French fries, green beans, coleslaw, bread and ice cream. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for kids ages 7-12, and free for kids age six and under. The proceeds will go toward repaying a loan for the church's new roof.

M State Spring Play: Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls will host three more performances of its spring play, "9 to 5: The Musical," at 7:30 p.m. on March 10 and 11 as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on March 12, all in the Waage Theatre. This musical theater production is "a light-hearted revenge tale of three office underdogs with big dreams and big schemes, based on the 1980 hit movie “9 to 5” and its titular song. Tickets are available through the M State Bookstore at 218-736-1556, and will be sold at the door.
Admission is $11 for adults and $5 for students in advance; and $14 for adults and $5 for students at the door; all seats are general admission.

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.

"Heavy Metal" Exhibit: A new exhibit at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center Gallery, "Heavy Metal," will be on display through April 8. This exhibit features sculptors, blacksmiths, and knife makers. Metal artists included in the exhibit are Tim Cassidy, Paul Albright, Timothy Pierce, Barry Tumberg, Jerry Hobbs, Jessica Woods, Wayne Becker and Jamie Virnala. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; it is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. The gallery is free and open to the public;, but private tours can also be arranged by emailing info@kulcher.org or calling 218-385-3339.

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.