Spring concerts set
The NRHEG Junior High Choir (grades 6-8) Spring Concert is Thursday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the high school gym in New Richland. The Elementary (1-4) Spring Concert is Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in Ellendale.
Heavenly Harp concert set for May 20
There will be a Heavenly Harp concert on Monday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Ellendale, 503 Radel Court. This concert is open to the public and there will be free admission. They would like you to join them as Karin Gunderson brings “Serenity” through harp and voice. Gunderson is a professional musician from Phoenix, AZ. Her presentation includes Christian favorites and harp instrumentals. To preview her music, visit www.ChristianHarpMusic.com. Heavenly Harp CDs and DVDs will be available.
Community Summer VBS set for June 3-7
The Community Summer Vacation Bible School will be held evenings June 3-7 at the Vibrant Life Assemble of God Church in Ellendale. Look for registration materials and more information soon.
ALMC to offer free sports qualifying physicals
Mayo Clinic Health System – Albert Lea and Austin will again be offering free sports qualifying physicals to Albert Lea-area school athletes grades 6-12, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at the Health Reach campus, 1705 S.E. Broadway, Albert Lea. These athletic screenings are provided by Mayo Clinic Health System physicians and staff and meet the requirements for participation in sports by Minnesota and Iowa state high school leagues, but are not intended to replace an annual, comprehensive physical exam. Mayo Clinic Health System providers recommend an annual exam for children ages 11 and over. Packets are available in local high school athletic offices, Mayo Clinic Health System’s Patient Education Center and at the Health Reach campus. Forms must be filled out and signed by a parent or guardian prior to the event. Call 507-377-5900 for more information.
Sons of Norway Syttende Mai dinner set for May 20
The Nortonna Lodge 1-638 of the Sons of Norway will hold their annual Syttende Mai dinner on Monday, May 20 at 6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 South Lincoln Ave, Owatonna. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. featuring Norwegian smoked herring, torsk, meatballs, potatoes, vegetables, lefse, Norwegian cookies and rice pudding. During the dinner, we will enjoy music performed by the OHS Dinner Ensemble. These talented musicians will play a selection of traditional and popular pieces for an evening of listening pleasure. Tickets for this Syttende Mai dinner and program are available by contacting Shirley Erickson at 451-6146 by May 14. If you would like more information on the Nortonna Lodge of the Sons of Norway, contact Gloria Coulter at 507-451-4274 or Jim Otteson at 507-456-0674.
Online registration open for ‘Innovation, the Danish Way’
Join us in Des Moines this coming October for three days of thought provoking, challenging, and uplifting presentations from both Danish and American experts on innovation in a wide array of areas, from energy and sustainability to culture and the arts, as well as exhibits and tours. Reacquaint yourself with Grand View University during a campus tour, gallery exhibit and the Danish Immigrant Archives. And join your friends for conversation and fellowship! Our keynote speaker, Søren Hermansen, is a recognized Danish expert in renewable energy. You'll also enjoy ten concurrent sessions with a variety of presenters, from academics to artists and cultural visionaries, such as: Poul Bertelsen of MSAADA Architects speaking on Innovations in Design and Social Mission; Henrik Klinge Jacobsen Senior Researcher at DTU, the Technical University of Denmark, speaking on Innovation in Environmental Economics; Nete Schmidt, Scandinavian Studies, University of Wisconsin, speaking on Innovation in Popular Culture. Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Laurie Fulton will give the banquet address, and Iowa Danish Consul Lynette Rasmussen will introduce the keynote speaker. Visit the Web site www.grandview.edu/DAHS to register and fill out the form to be put on the mailing and e-mailing list for the conference. You'll receive updates as the conference approaches.
Local libraries gearing up for Summer Reading Program
Libraries across the area and state are starting plans for Summer Reading Program "Dig into Reading." If you have never participated in this, please consider spending a short amount of time helping your child to select books, take home a special bookmark and then return and show that bookmark — thus getting a prize. In years previous, the library has had approximately between 75-100 young children and teens register for Summer Reading Program. Usually they don't all show up on the same day! If you decide to do sports or swimming or bible school, you can still enroll your children in this. Just make sure to get them signed up between June 3 and June 29. It only takes a few minutes — with their reading taking place in your own backyard. house, or somewhere on the go. Kids enjoy receiving the small prizes; though it's going to be just three total prizes this summer. Please do the librarian a favor. If you decide to get a brand new library card for your family, do it in May. This way, I don't have large groups of children wanting my attention while trying to process a library card. It can be much smoother for everyone that way.
Linda Lynne, New Richland Public Library; branch supervisor