Month: October 2023

Crookston Home-Delivered meals will be provided by the Tri-Valley Opportunity until Friday, November 3.

Adults and teens are invited to join the Fertile Public Library for a needle felting class appropriate for people of all experience levels. All supplies and instructions will be provided to create a needle-felted three-dimensional acorn. Those with their own needle felting tools are welcome to bring them. The class will be held this afternoon from 1-3 p.m. at the Fertile Public Library, 101 Mill St. S. All programs are offered free of charge. 

The Golden Link Senior Center will have Dan Erdman from American Federal Bank as their guest speaker today starting at 10:00 a.m. Dan will be talking about risk investments.

The Golden Link Senior Center will have Pinochle and Recycled Cards Group on this afternoon starting at 1:00 p.m., followed by SAIL at 2:30 p.m.

The Limited Addition Gift Shop, located inside the main east entrance of RiverView Health, is having a Halloween Sale.  Enjoy 30% off all Halloween items. Today is the final day of the sale, and it will go from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Join the Crookston Public Library this afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to create your own Halloween Mask.

The Crookston V.F.W. Post 1902 is having its annual Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay competition. Students in grades 6-8 can compose a 300-to-400-word patriotic-themed essay on the theme “How are you inspired by America”  and submit it to the Crookston V.F.W. Deadline is today. For more information, call VFW Auxiliary Chairman Pam Delage at 218-415-1615 or email pdelage@outlook.com

The Crookston V.F.W. Post 1902 is kicking off this year’s V.F.W.’s Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition. Students must write and record a three-to-five-minute essay on the selected theme of “What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy.”  Students should record on an audio CD or flash drive and then send their recordings, typed essay, and completed entry form to the V.F.W. by the end of today. Interested students and teachers should contact VFW Auxiliary Chairman Pam Delage at 218-415-1615 or pdelage@outlook.com for more information.

Hugo’s Family Marketplace will be handing out Halloween treats to trick-or-treaters today from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  There will be treats in every department.

The Crookston Eagles Club will host a FREE Halloween Party for children ages 12 and under tonight from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will be games, prizes, hot dogs, and drinks.

The Grand Theatre’s 11^th Annual Free Halloween Movies will be offered tonight, with a family movie at 7:00 p.m. and a scary movie at 9:30 p.m. They will have Halloween specials and a costume contest with prizes.

The CHS Leo Club and Crookston Police Department Drive by Halloween Night Food Drive will be held tonight from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Crookston High School west parking lot. Drop off your canned goods for Care and Share Center Food Shelf, and each child will receive a bag of candy. If you are unable to drive by, call Linda Morgan at 281-2144 or Darin Selzer at 281-3111, and they will pick it up at your doorstep. The Leos will also be out in the community collecting canned goods, they will be wearing a LEO button.

The McIntosh Public Library will hold a Genealogy 101 Workshop on Wednesday, November 1, at 2:00 p.m. You will learn how to explore three huge genealogy databases, including Ancestry.com (Library Edition), HeritageQuest Online, and Family Search. This program is offered free of charge, thanks in part to funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Dart League on Wednesday, November 1, starting at 7:00 p.m., followed by UMC Swing Dance Lessons starting at 8:00 p.m. Swing Dance Lessons are free for UMC students and $5 for others.

The Crookston American Legion Auxiliary, Nels T Wold, Unit 20, will meet on Thursday, November 2, at 5:00 p.m. in the card room at the Golden Link.  Agenda items include Operation Green Light and Veteran’s Day.  We will also celebrate the Auxiliary’s 104^th Birthday.  All members are welcome.

RiverView Health four four-hour First Aid Class will be on Thursday, November 2, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the RiverView Home Care Building, 721 South Minnesota Street in Crookston. The cost of the class is $55. You must pay in advance to save your spot.  To register or for more information, call 281-9536. No walk-ins will be accepted.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Thursday, November 2, starting at 6:30 p.m. The kitchen will serve baskets.

The Crookston High School Band and Orchestra will host their Fall concert on Thursday, November 2, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Friday, November 3, starting at 6:30 p.m. The kitchen will serve baskets.

The Crookston Eagles Club will have Bar Bingo on Saturday, November 4, starting at 2:00 p.m.

The Golden Link Senior Center will have a Soup and Sandwich Craft Sale on Saturday, November 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can reserve your table now or get more information by calling 281-3072.

Crookston Community Education will host a Childcare Training Course for ages 11 to 13 on Saturday, November 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Washington School Cafeteria. The fee is $17 and includes a book, handouts, and a pizza lunch. Learn how to care for young children from a childcare expert, a nurse, and a firefighter. Linda Morgan and CHS Leo Club members will guide you through this course. Call 281-5078 to register.

Come enjoy an inspiring afternoon of Hope “Tikvah,” a ladies’ event, on Saturday, November 4, at 2:00 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church at 701 Eickhof Blvd in Crookston. Listen to Rachel (Sanders) Laudner as she shared her journey to Tikvah ( a heavenly hope)—refreshments to follow. If you have questions, call 218-289-0263.

Highland & Washington Elementary Schools are hosting their annual Read-a-Thon fundraisers.  Students are invited to participate in themed dress-up days. Monday, November 6, will be Cat in the Hat Day, students will be invited to wear a hat and/or stripes.

There will be a PAC meeting at Crookston High School on Monday, November 6, starting at 7:00 p.m.

The Golden Link Senior Center will have Hayley Solheim from Choice Therapy as their guest speaker on Tuesday, November 7, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Crookston Parks & Rec Youth Figure Skating will start on Tuesday, November 7. Register online with Crookston Parks & Rec.

Washington and Highland Elementary Schools will have it’s “Color Day” Read-A-Thon event on Wednesday, November 8. Students can wear a color that makes them happy on that day.

The Fertile Public Library will hold a Genealogy 101 Workshop on Wednesday, November 8, at 2:00 p.m. You will learn how to explore three huge genealogy databases, including Ancestry.com (Library Edition), HeritageQuest Online, and Family Search. This program is offered free of charge, thanks in part to funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Riverview Health will have a Holiday Gift Shop Open House on Thursday, November 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the RiverView Conference Room.

RiverView Health is offering a CPR class on Thursday, November 9, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the RiverView Home Care Building, 721 South Minnesota Street in Crookston. The cost is $55 for those needing certification, and for those not needing certification, the class is free. To register, call 218-281-9536. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Washington and Highland Elementary Schools will have their “Favorite Book Day” event in observance of their Read-A-Thon on Friday, November 10. Students can dress as their favorite book character and/or bring their favorite book to school.

The Fisher American Legion Auxiliary will have a Fall Luncheon and bake Sale on Friday, November 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They will serve Chicken Salad or a chicken hot dish Served with Bread, Dessert, and coffee. The cost is $8 per meal, and veterans eat FREE. Dine-in and Take-Out are available. This will be held in the Fisher American Legion Club room, all are welcome.

The Veterans Council Auxiliaries will have an 11 11 11 Ceremony on Saturday, November 11, at the Golden Link. A meatball lunch will be served after the ceremony.  All veterans are invited and can bring their spouses or one guest. Widowers of veterans are also invited. The meal is free to veterans and their guests. Registration is required, reserve by calling the Golden Link at 281-3072.

The E.C.F.E Unplug and Play for ages birth to Kindergarten entrance will be on Sunday, November 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Washington School. Registration is not required for more information, call 281-5078.

Washington and Highland Elementary schools will have their “Reading is Everywhere Day” event during their annual Read-A-Thon on Monday, November 13. Students are encouraged to wear a shirt classmates can read.

The E.C.F.E. will have “Daddy and Me” for ages birth to five years old on Monday, November 13, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Washington School. This is a night for dads and their little buddies, it will be filled with activities, games, and fun-filled gym time.

The Climax Public Library will hold a Genealogy 101 Workshop on Monday, November 13, at 7:00 p.m. You will learn how to explore three huge genealogy databases, including Ancestry.com (Library Edition), HeritageQuest Online, and Family Search. This program is offered free of charge, thanks in part to funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The E.C.F.E. Unplug and Play for ages birth to Kindergarten entrance will be on Tuesday, November 14, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Washington School. Registration is not required, for more information, call 281-5078.

Washington and Highland Elementary Schools will host their “Wacky Wednesday” event during their annual Read-A-thon on Wednesday, November 15. Students can wear wacky, inside-out, backward clothes, mismatched socks, or have crazy hair on this day.

Washington and Highland elementary schools will host their “Bedtime Story Day” event on Friday, November 17, to close out their annual Read-A-Thon. Students can wear pajamas and/or bring their favorite bedtime stories to school on that day.

E.C.F.E. Pop-in and Play for ages birth to Kindergarten entrance will be on Saturday, November 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Washington School. You and your child can play in the gym using equipment designed for young children. Registration is not required.

The Freedom Christian Academy will host a Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 505 Ward Avenue in Erskine. It’s a free-will donation. Please R.S.V.P. at 218-687-3733 or text 218-280-3137.

The application period is now open for the Lenertz Family Healthcare Scholarship and the Roger and Lois Samuelson Family Scholarship through the RiverView Foundation. Applications for the scholarships are due to the Foundation office by noon on Friday, November 17.  Guidelines and applications are available online at www.riverviewhealth.org/foundation/, by calling the Foundation office at 281-9249, emailing Foundation Director Randy Schoenborn at rschoenborn@riverviewhealth.org, or by stopping at the Foundation office located at 721 S. Minnesota Street, Crookston.

There will be an Open House celebration honoring Dennis & Mary Garry on their 60th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Nov 18, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Euclid. Gifts will not be necessary.

CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Crookston Squadron Civil Air Patrol meets every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Call 218-281-3954 for more information.

The Care and Share of Crookston now accepts winter outerwear for men, women, and children. They accept coats, sweaters, sweatpants, hats, gloves, and boots. If you have any questions, call 218-281-2644.

Parents of children are invited to register their children for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program provides one book every month to your child from when you enroll until they turn five for FREE. The program is managed by Crookston Public School, and you can register at www.ImaginationLibrary.com.

The Crookston Care and Share is now accepting donations of Women’s, Men’s, and children’s clothing, toiletries, and other everyday items. Donations may be dropped off at the Care and Share Center at 220 East Third Street.

Pastor Chad Brucklacher will lead an 8-week study on the book of Matthew on Wednesday nights starting September 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For the kickoff, come at 5 p.m. for pizza and fellowship! This is open to adults of all ages. This will take place at 1214 University Avenue  (next door to Hugo’s)

The Crookston Public Library’s Books & Brews Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:30 p.m. at Drafts Sports Bar and Grill. They will discuss books and enjoy beverages. Appetizers are provided by the Friends of the Crookston Public Library; participants are responsible for the cost of their food and drinks. All are welcome.

The Crookston Public Library’s Reading by the Red Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:30 p.m. They will discuss books and enjoy beverages.

The Crookston Public Library will have StoryTime every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The Golden Link is serving noon lunch Monday through Friday.  All are welcome to dine in between the hours of 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Crookston Friends of the Library meet on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

The Crookston Library Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:15 p.m.

The Cove Youth Center in Crookston is open Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Students and parents should call ahead to check the availability of the youth center at 218-470-0149.

The Crookston Care and Share Center’s Donation and New Hope Food Shelf will be open every Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and every Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. For more information or to donate, call 218-277-0000.

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The Crookston City Council held a special meeting on Monday night in the City Hall council chambers. It looked to approve several resolutions in regard to submitting a Letter of Intent with various entities to apply for grants.

“A letter of intent is a response to a solicitation,” said City Administrator Corky Reynolds, “Various granting entities from the federal government or the state of Minnesota send out a solicitation saying ‘if you’re interested in our program our grant, give us a letter that says you intend to imply’ and these are so they are aware that the City of Crookston is interested.”

LETTER OF INTENT APPROVAL

The council approved the resolution regarding the letter of intent for the Safe Routes to School Grant. This grant is estimated at $700,000 (no match required) and would entail a multi-use trail to be placed, beginning on Fisher Ave, following Eickhof Blvd, and ultimately leading up to Highland School.

The council approved a letter of intent regarding respect to MnDOT for the Active Transportation Program Grant. This grant would provide funding for Crookston to conduct studies and implement procedures, trails, and other items that would create safer opportunities for individuals who bike, walk, or rollerblade through the areas that are being examined.

The last Letter of Intent approved by the council was regarding the Greater Minnesota Transportation Alternative Program. This is a grant from the ADA that would be used to retrofit Broadway and Main Street in downtown Crookston. The retrofit project is not set to take place until 2025, with completion being scheduled for 2027. The project operations will include sidewalk renovations, converting street lighting to LED technology, and reducing three-lane territories into two. “We’re going to reduce the number of lanes to two lanes of travel on each of the one ways,” said Reynolds, “Sidewalks can be enhanced; there may be bike lanes or other pedestrian enhancements.”

Council members went into a discussion regarding the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Climate, and Pollution Reduction Grant in hopes of making Crookston a participant sponsor. “The federal government is going to have a huge amount of money available to help cities move into the latter part of this decade,” said Reynolds, “Hopefully for some clean climate things, some enhancement, or electric, maybe vehicles, and pollution reduction.”

The federal government is looking for states to submit grant requests. The state of Minnesota has asked cities of interest to partner with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and to make grant requests to the Federal Pollution Control Agency. The state will select one city to be the co-participant in this program and ultimately receive sums of money. The council approved the city to submit the request.

The final item the council approved was the resolution declaring the cost to be assessed and ordering the preparation of proposed assessments to improve Alexander Street and 4^th Avenue. The total project cost is in the amount of $589,668.66.

The portion of the cost of the improvement to be paid by the city is in the amount of $509,417.52, which entails making the improvements. The expenses incurred in the making of the improvements, such as design and engineering, will be $80,251.14.

To watch the full meeting, click here.

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The Crookston School Board met Monday evening in the Crookston High School Choir/Orchestra room.

ADDITION OF ASSISTANT BOYS AND GIRLS HOCKEY COACHES
The board approved the addition of a boy’s hockey assistant coach and a girl’s hockey assistant coach. Participants for both teams are expected to be up significantly this season. “We are expecting the numbers to increase. Currently, for the boys, we are projecting 40 players, and the girls are projecting 37, which is a significant increase from last year,” said Superintendent Randy Bergquist. “Safety and security have always been a priority of mine, and you have two coaches for 20 players, and that isn’t a lot to ask, and hopefully ensures safety and security for our students, community, and parents as well.”

The addition of two coaches will cost the district around $8,000. “You look at $4,000 for each coach,” said Superintendent Bergquist. “Honestly, $8,000 is much cheaper than a potential liability issue because we didn’t have supervision for our student-athletes.”

ACCEPTING DONATIONS
The board approved donations of $12,030. The donations were $9,380 from the Pirate Fine Arts Boosters (PFAB) for the fine arts programs, $2,200 from the Crookston Youth Soccer Association and $200 from Scott Buhler to go towards the Pirate Boys Soccer Program, and $250 from Harbott, Knutson, Larson, and Holten PLLP for the Crookston High School Hall of Fame. “One thing I have learned is how great the community and organizations are in Crookston,” said Superintendent Randy Bergquist. “Over $12,000 in donations in one board meeting is awesome. I can’t thank the district, the community, the businesses, and the organizations enough for how much they give to our school district, specifically our students. Thank you to those organizations and groups.”

ADDITION OF STAFF
Other consent agenda items included the hiring of Ashley Bregier and Marisa Arriaga as paraprofessionals at Highland School, Marianne Isaacs as a full-time substitute teacher at Highland and Washington Schools, and Jeremy Harris as an evening custodian at the High School. The school district added a $1,500 sign-on bonus for the custodian job and had three applicants.

MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION
The only item on the main agenda was the approval of the application to the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Foundation. “They (the MSHSL) based on student population. It isn’t a hidden secret that they charge a lot for various activities,” said Superintendent Bergquist. “It is good the state high school league is giving back because they are charging our parents and community members to attend the extracurricular activities down in the cities when it is already expensive as it is. We will get a certain amount back.”

The money the school district receives goes back to the district activities and also helps cover the cost of participating in activities for those who can’t afford the activity fee.

The next scheduled school board meeting will be Monday, November 27, at 5:00 p.m. in the Crookston High School Choir/Orchestra room.

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As the school year approaches, shoebox packers are using back-to-school prices to purchase gifts and essential items for children in need worldwide. Residents in Crookston are collecting school supplies, personal care items, and fun toys to pack in shoeboxes. Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, will deliver these gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 100 countries.

 Access to these simple items is essential to an education for many children. This was the case for Justin Thomas, a shoebox recipient in Southeast Asia whose parents could not afford the supplies needed for school. Thomas remembers the day he received a gift-filled shoebox from Operation Christmas Child and found it filled with toys and, most exciting to him, school supplies.

Growing up with hand-me-down clothes and used items, Thomas used to write with a pencil so short that he held it using a pen cap. Having an entire packet of new pencils and a pencil sharpener all his own was a treasure to him. This simple gift had a life-changing impact on Thomas because it opened the doors for him to receive an education.

For more information, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. National Collection Week is Nov. 13-20. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need worldwide and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will celebrate its 30th year of ministry.

 

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The Polk County Developmental Achievement Center would like to recognize The United Way and thank them for allowing them to purchase a Smartboard for their clients through the United Way grant.

Polk County DAC’s mission is to increase independence and improve the quality of life for those individuals served in our program with developmental disabilities or related conditions.

This interactive whiteboard uses touch detection for user input so our clients can write and draw on it. They can research different topics, use the internet, play music, and play interactive games. This smartboard on wheels has been used in almost every classroom, and the clients enjoy it very much. Stacey Ellingson, a long-time employee of the DAC, shared this about the smart board. “Love, love, love the smartboard. It is an excellent way to get people up and moving. We have used it for problem-solving activities such as cooking games, where the person playing has to “look” into a cupboard refrigerator in a virtual kitchen to find the various ingredients listed in a pictorial recipe.”

The person who plays the game chooses what item they want to “cook,” and it shows pictures of the next step needed, including ingredients and supplies.

This has helped people to move more, dance with various dance genres, learn new dance moves, and exercise to the oldies. It has also been used to stretch muscles and fine motor skills as a game where they pop balloons that come up on the screen. It has been used for number recognition, matching, choice-making, and math skills at every level in fun game-type activities.

Teams have played memory games together, which is fun for all involved. It also has been used to play springy, upbeat music with pictures as we work on other activities.

Julie Clarke, one of the job developers, stated, “Thanks to United Way gifting the smartboard to DAC. It has been very helpful in doing activities with my groups,” said Clarke, “ They have played solitaire, math program (adding and identifying) puzzle matching, letter identification, music (learning how to use different instruments and sounds). What I like most is how the individuals can be very independent at the activity they are doing, and that is what we want to see and how much they enjoy the never-ending programs they can learn from.”

 

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