What remains of a detonated cannonball? And how is forensic archeology vital to understanding how battles evolved? What were the main events of 1862 as the Confederacy sought independence? How has Minnesota’s tragedy entered popular culture?
Southwest Minnesota State University is honored to host holocaust survivor, Mr. Fred Amram on Monday, November 14. Mr. Amram will give a presentation in the Fine Arts Theatre at 6:30pm. A reception following the presentation will be held in the William Whipple Gallery.
Mary Erickson, Renville County safe roads coalition coordinator, was among the 11 individuals and one organization honored by the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program for her work to save lives through improved traffic safety efforts. The awards were announced at the 2022 Statewide Toward Zero Deaths Conference in St. Cloud. The prestigious traffic safety awards recognize excellence and innovation in reducing the number of life-changing crashes and improving traffic safety on Minnesota roads. They are presented annually by the Minnesota departments of health, public safety and transportation. Nearly 900 traffic safety professionals attended this year’s TZD conference.
SMSU Theatre’s 55th season opens with not one, but two shows: The Taming by Lauren Gunderson, and The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. The two shows will alternate performances. The Taming runs October 20, 28, and 29 at 7:30 pm, and Oct. 22 at 2:00 pm. The Taming of the Shrew runs October 21 and 22 at 7:30 pm and October 29 and 30 at 2:00 pm. All performances are in the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre, with free parking available in lot B-1. Tickets are $10 and available at www.SMSUtickets.com as well as at the door. All performances are free to SMSU students with valid student ID.
The Minnesota fall turkey hunting season offers hunters a challenge and another way to experience the outdoors in October. Fall turkey season is open from Saturday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 30. Hunters are allowed to take one turkey of either sex during the fall season. Fall turkey hunters may use a crossbow, firearm or archery equipment afield; however, hunters who also are hunting deer with legal bows and arrows may only use a legal bow and arrows, not a crossbow. Fall turkey licenses are available for purchase online, by telephone by calling 888-665-4236 or in person anywhere DNR licenses are sold. More information about fall turkey hunting is available on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/Hunting/ Turkey).
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is October 3-8. It’s a time to raise awareness of mental illnesses, fight discrimination, and provide support to people whose lives have been impacted. This year it takes on significant importance because so many people are experiencing poor mental health due to the impact of the pandemic. Anxiety and depression have increased dramatically. We can see the angst in our community - people with short tempers or who are easily frustrated.
The Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra, under the direction of Cindy Martinson, will present a fundraising concert to benefit the Neighbors United Resource Center Food Shelf. Titled “A Celebration of Life”, this program of uplifting choral and orchestral music will include a variety of pieces, ranging from “Joyful, Joyful” from the film Sister Act Two, to the acclaimed “Indodana”, along with “Swing Low/Swing Down Chariot” by the men singers, “Arise my Soul, Arise” by the women, the first movement of Dan Forrest’s “Jubilate Deo”, Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” and more. This concert will be held at 4 p.m. on November 6th at the Hawk Creek Lutheran Church, 84082 130th St in Sacred Heart. No tickets are required for admission. A freewill offering will be taken during the concert, with one hundred percent of the proceeds going to benefit the Neighbors United Resource Center Food Shelf. This will be the second year of Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra concerts at Hawk Creek Lutheran and the third concert to benefit the Neighbors United Food Shelf.
Communities throughout the local area have been working for the past months to plan a variety of events for families and adults to enjoy for the Halloween Season. The newspaper has compiled a list of all events to make planning for the spooky season holiday even easier.