Events Calendar

05/18/2010 - 08/10/2010	Women's League Play
May 18th - August 10th: Little Falls Country Club, 1 Edgewater Drive. Morning League is 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. tee times. Evening League is 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. tee times. These are morning and evening leagues, substitutes are also welcome. Form your own team or contact Ann Owen to find a team, (320) 632-3947.

06/14/2010 -
08/14/2010

Summer Reading Program at Great River Regional Library

Great River Regional Library (GRRL) will begin its annual Summer Reading Program (SRP) for children and teens ages 0-18 on Monday, June 14, continuing through August 14. Registration takes place at GRRL branch libraries beginning June 14.
The goal of the SRP is to encourage reading and to keep young readers reading during the summer months. Studies show that children who enroll in library summer reading programs maintain or improve their reading skills more than those who do not. They become better readers, and that influences their success as adults. A recent report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation draws a direct line between reading and the nation’s long-term economic well-being, and recommends that children participate in summer activities that protect against summer learning loss.
All 32 branch libraries in GRRL will offer summer programs aimed at three different age groups, 0 to 3, 3 to 12, and grades 6 to 12. Three-year-olds and 11to14-year-olds may choose which program they would like to be in, but participants may only be in one SRP. The programs are:
“Make a Splash – Read to Me” for children from 0-3
The 0-3 program for babies and toddlers prepares children for continued success through the development of early language skills. Parents receive a Read-to-Me booklet and activities to do with their children. When all the activities are completed, the child receives a prize for successfully finishing the program. It’s a program designed to help kids develop the first and essential building blocks to literacy such as letter knowledge and vocabulary.
“Make a Splash – Read” for children ages 3-12
The 3-12 program provides children with a goal of nine hours of reading. The time is broken into 20 minute segments they mark off on a reading record. When the reading record is completed, the child receives a prize for successfully finishing the program.
“Make Waves @ Your Library” for teens in grades 6-12
The teen program asks teens to track their reading in 30-minute segments which they mark on coupons they then enter for local and regional incentive drawings.
The activities, prizes and supporting programs and parties provided by branch libraries are designed to keep kids involved and to make the experience one they’ll enjoy returning to each year.

08/01/2010	GRAA Concerts in the Park
Sheldon Carlson will perform at 3:00 p.m. at Maple Island Park, Little Falls. Free to the public. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket.

08/04/2010	Green Fair Folk Festival
Held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at St. Francis Campus in Little Falls, MN. An evening of ecological awareness, live music and family-friendly activities. For more information call (320) 632-0691.

08/04/2010	Music in the Garden - Bowlus
Memorial Day through Labor Day: Every Wednesday evening 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Jordie's Trail Side Café in Bowlus. Local musicians playing your requests while you dine & relax in the garden. *Eat FREE on your Birthday, one entrée meal, the day of your Birthday only (must have ID). For more information call Jodie at (320) 584-8193.

08/06/2010	Adopt-An-Animal Family Reunion
This new event, held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., will honor the “Zoo Parents” that have participated in the Adopt- An-Animal Program. Come and see the “relatives” in their natural habitats and have some new encounters with creepy crawly critters.

08/07/2010	Platte River Day - Royalton
Held in downtown Royalton. Day will start with a 5K run. Call (320) 584-8301 for information. Special events include: games, food, parade at 10:30 a.m. with auction to follow, street dance from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and much more! For more information call (320) 584-5834.

08/07/2010	Dutch Oven Cooking at Lindbergh State Park
Held from 7-9 p.m. Staff will demonstrate how to bake and cook with Dutch ovens. Learn how to choose the Dutch oven that is right for you and get tips on becoming a master of campfire cuisine. Treats prepared during the demonstration will be available to sample. Meet at the picnic shelter.

08/07/2010	Author Tea Retreat
1:00 to 3:00 pm at Musser Mansion $35.00/members $40.00/Non-members. Featured author, Julie Kramer, will be on hand to sign books and visit with tea guests. Books are available at Bookin 'It in Little Falls. Spend the night in the mansion for an additional $55.00 + tax. (Double Occupancy). For more information call (320) 616-5580.

08/07/2010	Movies in the Park - Bowlus
May through September: Every Saturday at Dusk in Bowlus "Old Time Family Flicks". Bring your blankets and lawn chairs! Create a summer of memories. Popcorn, ice cream, candy & soda. For more information call Jordie at (320) 584-8193.

08/07/2010

Children’s Day

Held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lindbergh Historic Site is a place where children (and adults) can dream. A young boy named Charles Lindbergh used to dream and play on this very farm 100 years ago. He played and wandered over the family 110-acre farm and learned about the natural environment, farm machinery, and what goals he was capable of attaining. Through his imagination and sense of creativity, he imagined one day flying an airplane all over the world, and in 1927 became world famous by being the first person to fly non-stop from New York to Paris. Whether young or old, come explore your “inner child” on Children’s Day at Lindbergh Historic Site. Enjoy children’s games and activities from the turn of the century, and see for yourself what influenced Lindbergh’s life and provided a vehicle for great accomplishments.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. children can learn to paint from master artist David Geister, who will be leading a painting workshop on paper plate painting. Kids can try their hand at recreating birds, flowers, and bees that were found on plates and bowls of the period. Families will enjoy touring Lindbergh’s boyhood home, sitting in the replica cockpit of the “Spirit of St. Louis” and experiencing hands-on exhibits in the visitor center.

08/08/2010	GRAA Concerts in the Park
Dan Wolfe will perform at 3:00 p.m. at Maple Island Park, Little Falls. Free to the public. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket.

08/10/2010	Open House at the Dewey Radke House
Open House at the Dewey Radke House Tuesday August 10th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information call Chris at (320) 632-2992.

08/10/2010	Story Time at the Zoo
The white pines, west of the parking lot of Pine Grove Zoo, is the background for story time held at 11:00 a.m. This FREE event finds children and adults listening to animal stories, moving and grooving to songs and laughing to the nuttiness of Stephen Miller, Carnegie Regional Librarian.

08/11/2010	Music in the Garden - Bowlus
Memorial Day through Labor Day: Every Wednesday evening 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Jordie's Trail Side Café in Bowlus. Local musicians playing your requests while you dine & relax in the garden. *Eat FREE on your Birthday, one entrée meal, the day of your Birthday only (must have ID). For more information call Jodie at (320) 584-8193.

08/12/2010

Bruce the Bug Guy

Children ages 6-12 are invited to the Carnegie Library for Bruce the Bug Guy on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Dr. Bruce Giebink is an entomologist and former Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota. His bug show is a unique, hands-on program about the mysterious world of bugs (insects and their relatives). You’ll get to examine close up an assortment of live arthropods such as hand-sized moths, mouse-sized hissing cockroaches, foot-long giant millipedes, and hand-sized tarantulas and scorpions. For more information about library programs, check the events listing at www.griver.org, or call the Carnegie Library at (320) 632-9676.

08/14/2010

End of Summer Pizza Party & Ice Cream Social

All ages are invited to the Carnegie Library to enjoy an End of Summer Pizza Party and Ice Cream Social on Saturday, Aug. 14, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Join library staff in celebrating the end of another great Summer Reading Program. Enjoy pizza and ice cream served by the Morrison County Dairy Princesses, and be entertained by Bill the Juggler. For more information about library programs, check the events listing at www.griver.org, or call the Carnegie Library at (320) 632-9676.

08/14/2010 - 08/15/2010	Upsala Heritage Days
Held downtown Upsala. This event includes a parade, children's activities, fireworks and much more. For a schedule of events, visit the City of Upsala website.

08/14/2010	Movies in the Park - Bowlus
May through September: Every Saturday at Dusk in Bowlus "Old Time Family Flicks". Bring your blankets and lawn chairs! Create a summer of memories. Popcorn, ice cream, candy & soda. For more information call Jordie at (320) 584-8193.

08/14/2010	F.A.B. Tournament
Held at the Little Falls Country Club. Open to members and non-members. Call for details (320) 616-5520.

08/15/2010	GRAA Concerts in the Park
Hello will perform at 3:00 p.m. at Maple Island Park, Little Falls. Free to the public. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket.

08/17/2010	Women's League Tournament
August 17th & 24th: 5:00 p.m. Little Falls Country Club, 1 Edgewater Drive. Cost is $12.00. Play nine holes each week. August 17th we will have dinner and a meeting to follow. On August 24th, will be dinner and awards to follow play. For more information call Ann Owen at (320) 632-3947.

08/18/2010	Music in the Garden - Bowlus
Memorial Day through Labor Day: Every Wednesday evening 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Jordie's Trail Side Café in Bowlus. Local musicians playing your requests while you dine & relax in the garden. *Eat FREE on your Birthday, one entrée meal, the day of your Birthday only (must have ID). For more information call Jodie at (320) 584-8193.

08/21/2010

Stories and Snacks around the Campfire

Held at 7:00 p.m. at Charles Lindbergh State Park. Come and enjoy stories around the campfire at Charles A. Lindbergh State Park. The evening will start with a visit from Smokey Bear to learn about campfire safety. We will then read a story for the younger crowd about a little beaver and his quest to make friends. Following the first story visitors will toast marshmallows and snack on some s’mores! We will finish the evening with ghost stories from Minnesota the way they were intended to be told…around the campfire! We look forward to seeing you at the park! For supply reasons; a call ahead to sign up is appreciated but not required. Vehicle permits will be available at the park office. For more event information or to sign up please call (320) 616-2525. The park entrance is located one mile southwest of Little Falls on Lindbergh Drive South.

08/21/2010	Movies in the Park - Bowlus
May through September: Every Saturday at Dusk in Bowlus "Old Time Family Flicks". Bring your blankets and lawn chairs! Create a summer of memories. Popcorn, ice cream, candy & soda. For more information call Jordie at (320) 584-8193.

08/21/2010	2nd Annual “Echoes of the Past” Historic Home Tour Fund-raiser
Time: 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Cost: $10 per person Locations: Select historic sites in the Little Falls area. Description: Spend the day with family and friends touring historic homes and sites in the Little Falls area. Organization: Friends of Linden Hill, Nonprofit Org. Contact: Lori Stang at (320) 616-5580, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls, MN 56345

08/24/2010	Create a Cookie at Little Falls Carnegie Library
The Little Falls Carnegie Library is offering a “Create a Cookie” program for children ages 6-12 on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. Children are invited to create decorative cookies with icing, sprinkles and other decorations. For more information about library programs, check the events listing at www.griver.org, or call the Carnegie Library at (320) 632-9676.

08/24/2010	Women's League Tournament
August 17th & 24th: 5:00 p.m. Little Falls Country Club, 1 Edgewater Drive. Cost is $12.00. Play nine holes each week. August 17th we will have dinner and a meeting to follow. On August 24th, will be dinner and awards to follow play. For more information call Ann Owen at (320) 632-3947.

08/25/2010	Music in the Garden - Bowlus
Memorial Day through Labor Day: Every Wednesday evening 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Jordie's Trail Side Café in Bowlus. Local musicians playing your requests while you dine & relax in the garden. *Eat FREE on your Birthday, one entrée meal, the day of your Birthday only (must have ID). For more information call Jodie at (320) 584-8193.

08/27/2010

Bilingual Liturgy

The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls invite the public to attend a Bilingual Liturgy on Friday, August 27, 11 a.m., at Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Francis Convent, Little Falls. This bilingual liturgy will be in remembrance of Dom Helder Camara of Brazil. The Franciscan Sisters celebrate bilingual liturgies four times a year in keeping with their commitment to their Hispanic brothers and sisters. For more information on Mass times or the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, visit their website at www.fslf.org or call (320)632-2981.

08/27/2010	Wacky Hacker Golf Tournament
18 hole event held at Pierz Golf Course. Help us raise the funds necessary to keep Horizon Health's Faith in Action volunteer services working for our "greatest generation". For more information on this event, or to register, visit the Horizon Health website.

08/28/2010

Lives and Legends at Lindbergh State Park

Held from 7-8 p.m. David Berg, storyteller, naturalist and historian will entertain and encourage as he tells the dramatic stories about the lives and legends of Minnesota and America. Including John James Audubon, Jonathan Carver, Zebulon Pike, James J. Hill and more. The event is free, but a vehicle permit is necessary to enter the park. Permits ($5 for a one-day permit or $25 for a year-round permit) can be purchased at the park office. For more event information call (320) 616-2525. Directions: The park entrance is located one mile southwest of Little Falls on Lindbergh Drive South.

08/29/2010	Oktoberfest in Pierz
Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. Activities will be held at the city park immediately following the parade: petting zoo, birch bark canoe guy, water wars, bingo, pony rides, food, music & beer, ethnic food, face painting, bouncing games, cookie walk, etc.

09/01/2010 -
09/30/2010

September Is National Library Card Sign-Up Month

Your place of worship and library have these things in common: you’re not asked to make a purchase, you get lots of services, and membership is free.

Your library won’t make any promises about the afterlife, but it will improve the quality of time spent here on Earth.

September is national Library Card Sign-up Month, and libraries everywhere are encouraging people to visit their library to sign-up for a library card. In Central Minnesota, ownership of a Great River Regional Library (GRRL) card entitles a cardholder to library services at 32 locations in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. Cardholders have access to all of the materials at all of those libraries (more than 900,000 items in all). In addition, library staff arrange for items to be loaned to and from other library systems, so that highly specialized books are still available at even the smallest of the system’s libraries.

Services are funded through county, state and federal taxes. The card is free. With it, you can check out more books than you have time to read, magazines, DVDs, music CDs, and more. You can stop in and use the library’s computers, look for employment, connect with family overseas.

Right now, GRRL staff members are busily planning a year of energizing, entertaining, and educational programs with musicians, authors, actors, artists, and other professional performers scheduled to bring their talents to Central Minnesota. Earlier this year, staff from the Guthrie Theater taught children stagecraft at GRRL locations, adults researched family history through genealogy classes, and crowds applauded as musicians including Prudence Johnson and the George Maurer Trio entertained them.

The library is full of surprises. Did you know you can check the energy use of your electric appliances with a Kill A Watt electric usage meter borrowed from the library?

Traditional library services remain available. Staff will help you find information. They’ll help your children learn how to read, and they’ll provide advice on what authors you may enjoy. But the library is also dynamic. In just a few weeks it will be launching a new digital library with e-books and e-audiobooks downloadable to personal devices for enjoyment on the run, on the plane or at the beach.

To get a card and take advantage of all that GRRL offers, simply stop by your local library with a photo ID. Locations can be found at the library’s web site, www.griver.org. Ten minutes to register buys you a lifetime (if not an eternity) of use.

09/01/2010	Music in the Garden - Bowlus
Memorial Day through Labor Day: Every Wednesday evening 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Jordie's Trail Side Café in Bowlus. Local musicians playing your requests while you dine & relax in the garden. *Eat FREE on your Birthday, one entrée meal, the day of your Birthday only (must have ID). For more information call Jodie at (320) 584-8193.