Happenings around the Perham area, March 16-26

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.

Red Cross Blood Drive: St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New York Mills will host a community blood drive for the American Red Cross from 12 to 3 p.m. Call 218-385-2011 or email stpetersnym@arvig.net for more information.

Wel Women: Join the local non-profit women's group Wel Collective for its first post-Aspire Summit event, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gathering Grounds in Perham — a fun night of networking, connection, and fun. No cost to attend; event will be held in the downstairs level. Appetizers and drinks available for purchase.

Cookbook Club: St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church and the New York Mills Public Library will co-host a Cookbook Club meeting at 6 p.m. in the St. Peter's church fellowship hall. Before the meeting, pick out a recipe at the library, prepare the dish and bring it along to share with other club members. Discuss and enjoy samples of all the recipes shared. This month's featured cookbook is "The New Essentials Cookbook."

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 .

Introduction to Bird Watching: Longtime birder Amy Simso Dean will offer an entertaining, free program on the basics of bird watching from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Perham Area Public Library. Topics covered will include bird identification, bird feeding and seeds. Amy has been a bird watcher for 25 years and is a member of the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis. She also works part-time at the Raptor Center. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Perham Area Public Library.

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.

"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.

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.

Live Music: Acoustic musician Braedon Wallace performs live at 1894 in Perham from 5 to 7 p.m.

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.

Foot Care Clinic: Perham Living and Polished Beauty & Wellness Spa are joining forces to offer foot care appointments from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Perham Living's salon. Appointments will cover nail trimming and filing, as well as filing of calluses. Cost is $30 (book now; pay when you arrive). Just 20 spots available, so reservations are required. A 15-minute appointment can be reserved via Perham Living's Facebook page . Questions? Contact Mindi at 218-347-1974 or mindi.larson@perhamhealth.org .

Lund Boats Tour: Elevate OTC is hosting a free "Nosey Neighbor" tour of Lund Boats in New York Mills, with tours starting at 1 and 2 p.m. There is no cost, but each tour is limited to 10 people, so pre-registration is requested. Sign up at elevateotc.org .

The Bridge Pantry Tour: Elevate OTC is hosting a free "Nosey Neighbor" tour of The Bridge Food Pantry in Perham, starting at 3 p.m. There is no cost, but pre-registration is requested. Sign up at elevateotc.org .

Coffee Talk: The New York Mills Public Library will host a coffee talk on recycling in Otter Tail County with recycling expert Cedar Walters from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sponsored by Elevate OTC; free and open to the public. Participants will also get a free cup of coffee from Farmer's Daughter Rustic Bakery.

Infernal Ailments Presentation: The New York Mills Public Library will host a 6:30 p.m. presentation by Missy Hermes, education coordinator for the Otter Tail County Historical Society, on "Infernal Ailments: History of Public Health in Otter Tail County." Free and open to the public, but pre-registration is encouraged. Call the NYM Public Library at 218-385-2436 to sign up.

Trivia Night: Thousand Lakes Brewing Co. in Parkers Prairie will host a Trivia Night, 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.

Blue Red Roses Concert: The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center will host a 7:30 p.m. concert by the Battle Lake-based duo Blue Red Roses. Songwriting partners and life partners Mary and Daniel Olson craft melody-laden hooks with an organic groove and nostalgic sound. Light refreshments and cash bar available. Doors open at 7 p.m., music begins at 7:30. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door (member discounts available); student admission is $5. Reserve your seats online at kulcher.org or call 218-385-3339.

Learn to Play Dungeons and Dragons: Disgruntled Brewing in Perham will host a special introductory session on playing the game Dungeons and Dragons from 12 to 4 p.m. Open to all skill levels, including both beginners and masters of the game. Call 218-346-1662 to register.

Relay for Life Kickoff Event: Perham's Luxe Event Center will host a kickoff event for the 2023 Relay For Life of Otter Tail County, starting at 4 p.m. Enjoy appetizers and beverages (cash bar), get materials and information for putting together a Relay team, set goals and make plans for this year's Relay.

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 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.

Kids Craft Day: Brown Eyed Susans in Pelican Rapids will host a Kids Craft Day every Saturday in March from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Free and open to the public. Call 218-863-5200 for more information.

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.