Happenings around the Perham area, March 30-April 9

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. This event was originally scheduled for Feb. 23.

Scandinavian Tunes: Scandinavian master musicians Ross Sutter and Art Bjorngjeld will present a special evening of lively tunes and songs performed on accordion, guitar and banjo, including songs from both Sweden and Norway along with history, jokse and stories, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the New York Mills Public Library. This event is co-hosted by the NYM Library and Viking Library System, with funding from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Kevin Kling: Join humorist, author, and playwright Kevin Kling at 4 p.m. in Wadena-Deer Creek High School's Robertson Theater for a free storytelling presentation. Best known for his popular commentaries on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and his storytelling stage shows, Kling delivers hilarious, often tender stories that have delighted audiences around the country. Spend an evening with Kevin as he shares new stories and reads from his very popular books, "The Dog Says How," "Holiday Inn," "Big Little Brother" and "Big Little Mother." No advanced tickets or registration necessary. This free Legacy Program is funded in part or in whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008, which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage.

Lenten Fish Fry: The Frazee Knights of Columbus are having their final fish fry dinner fundraiser of the season from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee. 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.

Heart O' Lakes Harmony: The Heart O'Lakes Harmony Men's Chorus will host its spring concert, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Broadway," at 7:30 p.m. in A Center for the Arts, 124 W. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls. Children age 12 and under are admitted free of charge; tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students, and may be purchased in advance at Victor Lundeen's in Fergus Falls, or at the door.

Rachael Ianiro: Detroit Lakes-area artist Rachael Ianiro will be performing at The Salty Pickle (formerly Playtime Sports Bar) in Perham from 8 to 11 p.m. Open to the public.

Palm Sunday Cantata: Two performances of the Palm Sunday Cantata, "A Journey to Hope," will be presented by the Lenten Community Choir, 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 424 E. Gilman Ave., New York Mills; and 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 500 6th Ave. SW, Perham. Refreshments will be served following both performances. The Lenten Community Choir is directed by Sarah Carlstrom and accompanied by Janell Brakel.

Nosy Neighbor-Boys and Girls Club: Elevate OTC's latest "Nosy Neighbor" stop will be at the Perham Boys and Girls Club's new location in the former Perham High School, from 2 to 3 p.m. The club's expanded space includes elementary rooms, a teen center, a kitchen, and gym space, and serves over 300 members throughout the year. There is no cost, but tour capacity is limited, so please sign up at elevateotc.org to reserve your spot.

Coffee Talk: The New York Mills Public LIbrary and Elevate OTC are co-hosting a "Coffee Talk" event at the library, located at 30 Main Ave. North in New York Mills, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Genealogy will be the subject of this week's talk. Free and open to the community.

Spring Floral Workshop: Perham's Lakeside Event Center (next to the golf course) will host an "Elevate Exploratories" spring floral workshop from 5 to 7 p.m. Participants will design a customized floral centerpiece to bring home with them; class registration fee of $40 per person includes all materials needed for the centerpiece. Sign up at the website, elevateotc.org .

Karaoke Night: The Salty Pickle Bar and Grill will host its first Karaoke Night starting at 8 p.m., featuring MB Karaoke and DJ Services. It is open to the public.

Spring Fly Tying Workshop: Front 20 Outfitters of Perham will host a spring fly tying workshop from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Fly Shop, 138 W. Main St., Perham. Free and open to the public; bring your own fly-tying tools, or use those provided by the store.

Perham Easter Egg Hunt: An Easter egg hunt for both kids and adults will be held at the Arvig softball fields in Perham, starting at noon with a visit from the Easter Bunny! Parents will be invited to hunt for eggs starting at 12:15 p.m., with the kids' Easter egg hunt to follow at 1 p.m. Categories will include kids ages 0-2, 3-6, 7-9, and 10-and-up. There will be over 9.000 eggs hidden, and 150-plus prizes given away. Families are asked to bring their own baskets for egg hunting.

Arts and Crafts Fair: The Hoppin' Out of Hibernation Arts and Crafts Fair takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bertha-Hewitt School 2000 Gym, with more than 40 vendors, food and entertainment. Admission is a freewill offering.

NYM Easter Bunny Visit/Egg Hunt: The New York Mills Easter Bunny visit and egg hunt will take place at the Memorial Park Village Green Gazebo from 12 to 2 p.m. Refreshments will be provided, and make sure to take a photo with the Easter Bunny before you leave!

BookEnds Online: The Wadena County Historical Society's Bookends Online Edition welcomes poet Sharon Chmielarz from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Chmielarz was selected as the South Dakota Poet of Merit for 2021. Her poems’ subjects include women, history, family, and the prairie. Simply go to wadenacountyhistory.org 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.

Chicago: The final two performances of Wadena Madhatters Community Theatre's musical "Chicago" will be held at Wadena Memorial Auditorium on Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and military, and $7 for students; they can be purchased at the door or online. (Note: Show is considered PG-13.)

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.

"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 through the end of the tax season. 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.

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.

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.