Still time to enter weight-loss contest

For those who don’t have the Internet in their home or haven’t heard about it yet, there’s good news. There’s still time to enter the 2014 New Richland Farm and City Days Biggest Loser Contest. As of the first weigh-in last Thursday, there were 22 people signed up. “If people are still interested they can message us on the New Richland Biggest Loser page on Facebook, or call me at 507-383-2070,” said event organizer Christina Schmidt. Cost to enter is $5, which goes toward prizes for the top three men and women. The next weigh-ins are May 8, June 12 and July 10 (the final weigh-in) from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at NR Fitness Center. Winners will be announced Friday during Farm and City Days. Check out New Richland Biggest Loser on Facebook, a closed page for people participating to encourage each other, share recipes and use as motivation.

Sons of Norway supper, meeting Monday

The Nortonna Lodge 1-638 of the Sons of Norway will meet on Monday, April 21. Supper will be served at 6 for a cost of $7 and the meeting will follow at 7 p.m. at the Owatonna Elks Lodge, 126 East Vine St. The program will be "From Fjords to Farms" presented by lodge member Steve Olsen. During the 19th century many Norwegians left their ancestral homeland of mountains and fjords for better opportunities on the open prairies of the American midwest. Some were farmers or bakers, others craftsmen, fishermen or a combination of several, often scraping together only enough income to maintain themselves. Steve’s presentation will focus on the emigration of Norwegians to “Jumbo Farms” that existed in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Iowa, and offer a glimpse of how these “Jumbo Farms” operated and what life was like for a new immigrant living there. The presenter’s grandfather emigrated from a fjord in Norway to a “Jumbo Farm” in Iowa. Tickets for the May 19 Syttende Mai Dinner will be on sale at this meeting. For more information on the Nortonna Lodge of the Sons of Norway contact Gloria Jim Otteson at 507-456-0674 or Nina Zak at 507-451-5841.

Shriners evaluation clinic April 26

Do you know of a family with a child that has a bone, muscle, or joint problem? Shriners Hospitals for Children®-Twin Cities provides comprehensive medical, surgical and rehabilitative care for children with orthopaedic conditions. Children up to age 18 are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. A hospital evaluation clinic is set for Saturday, April 26 at the Owatonna Public Library from 9 a.m. to noon. For an appointment, call Dick Heide at 507-456-2069.

Owatona Shrine Club breakfast April 27

It's time for the Owatonna Area Shrine Club's annual pancake breakfast fundraiser. Stop by the Eagles Sunday, April 27  from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for a delicious breakfast. Tickets are $6 at the door, $5 in advance, and children under 5 are free. Advance tickets are available at the Eagles, Costas Candies and Restaurant, Kottke Jewelers or from your local Shriner.

Cancer support group to meet April 28

Chad Weaver, M.D., Dermatology, Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin will present the program at Mayo Clinic Health System’s Cancer Support Group at 6 p.m. Monday, April 28, in Room 20 on the lower level of the medical center in Albert Lea. The group strives to provide support, hope and friendship to the cancer family: patient, caregivers, family members and all those touched by cancer. For more information call the Cancer Center at 507-379-2050.

Al Batt to speak at NR Library April 30

As the April calendar is turned over, all the residents of New Richland should be marking their calendars for the Wednesday, April 30 evening with Al Batt at the New Richland Public Library. Al will arrive around 7 p.m. and speak to promote his first book. "A Life Gone to the Birds." He is a well known speaker of nature, plants, and birds. The New Richland Library is fortunate to be hosting this event. He will sign books. If you want a great gift for a mom, grandmother, dad or grandfather or even yoursel, be sure to come and get a copy.