Enjoy ‘Best Bedtime Ever’
Children of all ages are invited to join author Mary Sue Stevens as she reads her book, "The Magic Christmas Tree," and participate in a brief holiday sing-a-long, followed by a tour of the Wright County Historical Society’s Festival of Trees, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22.
This is an annual event at WCHS. Little ones are encouraged to come dressed in warm pajamas and bring a stuffed animal. Hot chocolate and cookies, perfect bedtime snacks, will follow the reading. The author will also answer questions on the book, including her motivation for writing it, and how it developed.
This event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are much appreciated so staff can provide adequate supplies for all. The first 40 children will receive a special gift thanks to the generosity of Ryan Fouquette and family.
For more information contact Sally at 763-682-7323 or info@wrighthistory.org.
Baseball program raffle
The Annandale High School baseball program is conducting a meat raffle at 4 p.m. every Saturday through January at The Stadium.
The proceeds will go towards paying for a third annual trip to Siebert Field at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a second annual trip to St. John’s University for doubleheaders during the spring season. The goal is to raise at least $600 to cover the expenses necessary to make this experience possible for the Cardinals ballplayers.
‘Share Your Christmas’ this season
The Annandale Share Your Christmas project will be providing gifts for needy families of the Annandale and South Haven area again this year. This project is generously supported by Annandale area churches, civic groups and many individuals. Families that need to receive gifts may obtain a participation form at Annandale City Hall, the Annandale post office, food shelf and all area churches.
Those wishing to assist or to obtain more information about the program can call Sally Smith at 274-1066, Joyce Heberling at 274-8513 or the Annandale United Methodist Church at 274-5127.
Auditions open for ‘Plain Hearts’
Auditions for "Plain Hearts," a small cast musical, will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2, or 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5, at the Dassel History Center, 901 First Street North. "Plain Hearts" is a touching musical, about a traveling country band of women who draw from the strength and character of their grandmas and great-grandmas.
The play has roles for women ranging in age from 20s to 70s, as well as several instrumentalists (piano, guitar, saxophone, bass, trumpet). Rehearsals will begin in early January and performances are scheduled for Friday and Sunday, Feb. 12 and 14, and Friday through Sunday, Feb. 19 to 21. One of the Feb. 20 performances will be a dinner theatre event.
Those interested should prepare a song for the audition and bring a calendar and winter conflict schedule. Contact production assistant Deborah Moen at 612-236-5137 or director Benson at 612-321-1263 with questions.
Youth First toy drive ends Friday
Area residents are encouraged to support Youth First in collecting toys for children ages 7-14. New, unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at American Family Insurance, 99 Oak Ave., until 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.
All donations will stay local.
‘Blue Christmas Service’ on Dec. 20
For many people, just thinking about being with family and friends during the holidays brings back a flood of happy memories. For others, however, happy memories are dulled by the pain and sorrow of experiencing the holidays without loved ones. Sometimes these losses in life may lead to feeling blue, especially during the busy times of Christmas.
There are many reasons why some may be feeling blue at this time of year, but whatever the reason, there are ways to cope with sadness, depression and grief.
Zion United Methodist Church of South Haven will host a Blue Christmas Service at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20, for all those that aren’t excited about Christmas. You are not alone in how you’re feeling, so come for an evening with others that are feeling the same. Spread the word and invite others to join you.
The service will give space to those feelings and acknowledge the hope to be found in Christ Jesus. It will be a service of quiet, candlelight and contemplation. If you have a special candle, bring it with or light one that will be provided.
Annandale ambassadors sought
The Annandale Ambassador Program is now accepting candidates for 2016-17. Candidates must be 17 to 22 years old by Sept. 1, 2016. Prospective candidates must also be an Annandale High School graduate by this date, currently enrolled at Annandale High School, or have been a resident of the Annandale School District for a minimum of one year.
Candidates will be accepted until Monday, Feb. 1, 2016. For more information on the candidate program or sponsorship opportunities, contact Lexi Athman at lexi.athman@gmail.com or 320-828-3045.
Read down library fines
Great River Regional Library is repeating its "Read Down Your Fines" promotion, giving teens and children the opportunity to erase fines on their library cards and borrow library materials again.
Read Down Your Fines will take place at all 32 branches of the Great River Regional Library from Monday, Dec. 21, through Saturday, Jan. 2. For each 15 minutes of reading at the library during that period, $1 will be waived from fines on the accounts of minors ages 16 and under. Parents will be allowed to read down the fines of their young children by reading to them in the library. Procedures at each library may vary. Minors who want to read down fines should speak with library staff.
This will be the library’s fifth Read Down Your Fines promotion. The initial Read Down Your Fines took place in June, 2013, following a successful fundraising appeal. The promotion continues to be supported by fundraising, which ensures that the loss of fines doesn’t have a negative effect on budgets.
"This program gives children and teens a positive way to reduce or eliminate their fines," said patron services specialist Beth Ringsmuth Stolpman.