THE BIGGEST UPCOMING EVENTS

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If you like this book by Sarah Stonich, you will also enjoy these books

“The Road Back To Sweetgrass” by Linda

LeGarde Grover. This book follows Dale Ann, Theresa and Margie, a trio of American Indian women from the 1970s to the present.

“The Dream Country” by Shannon

Gibney. The heartbreaking story of five generations of young people in a single African American family.

“Chronicles of A Radical Hag” by Lorna

Landvik. A funny novel of life in a small town in our troubled times.

“Nothing More Dangerous” by Allen

Eskens. Story takes place in a small town where loyalty to family carries the weight of a sacred oath. With any luck, COVID-19’s time will have passed and residents in and around Mower County will be able to have fun with these events.

All dates, times, and locations subject to change.

May 2

Austin City Wide Rummage Sale

When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: City of Austin

Annual city-wide event offering the opportunity to provide or obtain great bargains at multiple sites throughout the city. May 8 Mower County Electronics Recycling Event

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Mower County Fairgrounds Spring cleaning made easier - time to clean out those extra electronic items and other items from your house. Some items can be dropped off for free, others for a small fee. For more information, call 507-437-9940. May 9 2020 Spring Austin Police Department Auction

When: 10 a.m. to noon Where: Packer Arena

Here's your chance to get vehicles, bicycles, and more at great prices. For more information, go to www.thompsonauctionservice.com or call 507-4379400. May 14 Austin Page Turners Event - Author Alison McGhee

When: 6 p.m. Where: Austin Public Library

Author Alison McGhee will be in town to discuss her novel “What I Leave Behind” at both local school gatherings and a community event. For more information, call 507-433-2391. May 15-17 Austi-Con V

Where: Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center

Admission $20 in advance for the weekend, $25 at the door; swag bags provided on first come, first serve basis. Sunday is Family Fun Day - a family of up to four can come experience the event for just $10 on Sunday. Tables for open gaming as well as scheduled events. Attendees can take part in play-to-win events, check out games from the board game library and win door prizes. There will be a charity silent auction running throughout this event, with proceeds going to the Autism Day Camp program in Austin, which is run through the Hormel Historic Home. For more information, contact Michael at jormiboced@gmail.com. May 29 MN Region 7 SWAP

When: 10:30 a.m. Where: Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center

For more information, call 507-433-1000. June 12-14

Adams Dairy Days

Where: Adams, Minnesota June 20

2020 Shooting Star Bike Ride

When: 8 a.m. Where: Shooting Star Trail, beginning in Rose Creek

With more than 20 years of time in the saddle, the Shooting Star Trail Ride is a bonafide Minnesota institution. With a wide range of ride options, from the 4-mile fun ride to the 100-mile century ride, everyone can enjoy this scenic ride through Prairie Vision country in southern Minnesota. Relax and enjoy the trail’s flat terrain, diverse foliage, small towns and laid back country life. June 22

Work Life Balance: Challenging the Myth and Redefining What “Having It All” Means to You

When: 3 p.m. Where: Austin Community Rec Center

This workshop will help you move past the belief that work life balance is a realistic goal, focusing instead on exploring and uncovering what you are really after: a life more fulfilled. Cost is $15 for Chamber members, $25 for non-members. Seating is limited - preregistration is required. For more information, call 507-437-4561. June 26-28

Lyle 150th Celebration

Where: Lyle, Minnesota June 26-28

Meadowfest

Where: Grand Meadow June 27-28

Grand Army of the Republic Hall Open House

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (27) and noon to 3 p.m. (28) Where: Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Grand Meadow

The public is invited to explore this local treasure. The Hall houses Civil War memorabilia, from the Booth Post 130 banner to portraits of soldiers, paintings done by the daughter of GAR member C.F. Greening, and other Grand Meadow area artifacts. Placed on the National Registry of Historic Places on June 13, 1986, the GAR Hall is one of the last two remaining halls in Minnesota. For more information, call 507-437-6082.

Regular grooming is a must for dogs of all types

Imagine if you never brushed or washed your hair between is a horrible shredder, followed by a complete blow dry with a visits to the salon? OK, if you are bald, you might be OK, but high-powered blower. Brush your dog prior to bathing and use since I have hair, I would be absolutely miserable and many of a dog shampoo (never a human shampoo as our skin and hair your pets are, too, if they are neglected when it comes to regular type are completely different than our pets) and rinse twice. Not grooming at home. rinsing well enough can cause dry, flaky and itchy skin. I like to

Regular brushing: How often and what type of brush use my hands to wash my dog, as it allows me to find ticks, spot all depends on the type of hair skin irritations or unusual lumps. coat. Short hair requires minimal Then I take a rubber curry comb brushing with a rubber curry and scrub to help remove even more comb. Medium hair coats need dead hair. weekly brushing with a double/ Nail trimming: This is often one single rake comb. Long hair coats of the most overlooked grooming need daily brushing with a double aspects by many pet owners, due rake or straight comb. For doodles, use a straight comb and slicker to fear of cutting the quick (blood vessel) in the dogs’ nail. What many Numerous scholarships brush daily. Always focus on the Janelle Koepke is the dean of dog owners don’t realize is that long areas that matt the quickest — face, ears, chest and down the institutional advancement at Riverland Community College. toe nails change the natural alignment of leg bones, which adds torque or available through Riverland front legs, along with the back end twisting to the joints, resulting in and down the back legs. Next, the tail, sides and top of head, and possible injury and unnecessary pain for the dog. The average dog needs Riverland Community College provides important career training and educational opportunities for our region. Cost is one of the most Workforce development scholarships Workforce development scholarships are offered to students studying Michelle Nelson is the Owner of Pet Authority in Austin and Albert Lea. lastly the back. Proper brushing common challenges for students considering additional education. their nails trimmed every three to in programs identified as high demand in the state of Minnesota. will keep your dogs (and cats) mat and tangle free. If your dog The Riverland Foundation is committed to helping students be four weeks. If you hear the “click, click” on the floor when your Program areas include: does become severely matted, you will need to shave your dog successful by providing scholarships and make getting an education dog walks, it’s time for a nail trim. Get yourself a good clipper or • Health care • Technology completely. If you need to shave your long haired/double-coated more attainable. visit your groomer regularly for proper nail trimming. • Advanced manufacturing • Agriculture dog, their hair may never grow back the same. Bathing: How often you bathe your dog will all depend on the time of the year, activity and length of their hair coat. During Riverland Foundation scholarships The Riverland Foundation provided over 500 scholarships to students last year. Some scholarships are for specific program areas and others Exercise and treats: If your dog is not a big fan of brushing, bathing or nail trimming or just simply will not sit still, taking a nice long walk to release some of that energy will make the entire • Transportation • Early childhood Next year, Riverland will offer more than 75 of these $2,500 scholarships. Workforce development scholarships are funded through the Minnesota state Legislature with matching scholarships provided by local the summer, my dog gets a bath every two to three weeks, have preferences for the community where the student lives. process much more enjoyable for both you, your groomer and businesses. sometimes more often if he is playing in the mud or swimming Scholarships range from $250 to $2,500 and are available to recent high your dog. And always end each of the above tasks with some of Applications for fall 2020 open on February 1. Apply online at www. in the lake. During the winter, I bathe about every six weeks. school graduates and students returning to school. their favorite treats from The Pet Authority bakery for a job well riverland.edu/scholarships. Shedding season my dog gets a bath every seven to 10 days as he done.

Riverland Community College Foundation raises, manages, and distributes resources to support, enhance, and promote the educational opportunities Riverland Community College offers the people of our region. www.riverland.edu/foundation

Thank you for supporting Riverland students!