Bemidji Middle School to host Lumberjack Craft Fair Nov. 16
BEMIDJI — Bemidji
Middle School will host its ninth annual Lumberjack Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the school, 3330 Middle School Ave. NW.
There will be over 50 vendors selling a variety of crafts for attendees to browse and get a jump on holiday shopping, a release said. Admission is free and the National Junior Honor Society will provide commissions.
For more information, contact Andra Vaughn at andra_vaughn@isd31.net.
Bemidji Senior Center to hold Fall Craft Show
BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center and its Senior Creations Gift Shop will hold a Fall Craft Show and jewelry sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the center, 216 Third St. NW.
The event will feature baked goods and items handmade by local crafters, including holiday gifts, quilts and home decor, a release said.
The gift shop will also be open during the Craft Show and attendees can enter hourly raffle drawings for handmade prizes donated by vendors.
Sloppy Joes and chips will be available to purchase for $5.
For more information call (218) 751-8836.
Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society to host Walk on the Wild Side event
BEMIDJI — The Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society will host a Walk on the Wild Side event from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Neilson Spearhead Center nature preserve, 48851 County 29. At the event, Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society’s Outreach Coordinator Amelia Kaiser will guide attendees through a morning of nature journaling.
Participants will follow prompts to incorporate words, numbers and sketches to observe and draw closer to nature, a release said.
Kaiser is an accomplished artist who incorporates nature into many of her works. She enjoys plein air painting and using art to slow down and pay more attention to the natural world, said the
release. Supplies will be provided but attendees are welcome to bring their own notebook, paper, pens or pencils. This event is free to attend. Participants should come prepared for the weather with appropriate warm layers or rain gear as the forecast indicates, the release said. For more information, visit spearheadmhas.org/ events.
St. Charles Catholic Church to host annual bazaar Nov. 16
CASS LAKE — St. Charles Catholic Church will host its annual bazaar from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the church, 308 Central Ave. NW in Cass Lake.
The event will include lunch, a bake sale, secondtime-around holiday decorations and crafts, a gift basket silent auction, a quilt raffle and door prizes, a release said. The cost is $10 for a
lunch of chicken, wild rice, squash, cranberry jello salad, a beverage and dessert.
Bemidji Sunrise Rotary Club to hold fall feast fundraiser
BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Sunrise Rotary Club will hold a fall feast from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Eagles Club, 1270 Neilson Ave. SE.
The feast will feature pork loin with sundried tomato cream sauce, roasted potatoes with greens, broccoli raisin salad, sweet peas and dessert.
Proceeds from the dinner will go to local youth programs including scholarships for high school seniors, Rotary Youth Leadership Academy scholarships, international youth exchange programs and other youthfocused community programming, a release said.
The meal will cost $20 per adult and $10 for children under 12. For more information,
contact Sunrise Rotary President Brian Hemmelman at (605) 593-7255 or bthemmelman@gmail. com.
First City Squares dances continue
BEMIDJI — First City Squares will host dances from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays each month through May at the Bemidji United Methodist Church, 924 Beltrami Ave NW.
Dances are set for the following dates:
• Sunday, Nov. 17 with caller Larry Johansen.
• Sunday, Dec. 15 with caller Charlie Huhtala. Sunday, Jan. 19 with caller Larry Johansen. Sunday, Feb. 16 with caller Brian Freed. Sunday, March 16 with caller Charlie Huhtala.
• Sunday, April 27 with caller Tom Allen.
• Sunday, May 18 with caller Larry Johansen. A potluck dinner will follow each dance.
All square dancers, those wishing to dance and spectators are welcome to join the fun, a release said. For more information, contact Carole at (218) 7669346, Scott at (218) 766-3544 or Jeff at (302) 383-1502. Ye Olde Schoolgrounds group to host hunter’s breakfast LAPORTE — The Ye Olde Schoolgrounds group will host a hunter’s breakfast from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Guthrie Community Center, 44255 Front St. in Laporte.
The menu will include all-you-can-eat buttermilk pancakes, sausage links, scrambled eggs, applesauce, orange juice, coffee, milk and water. A free-will donation will be accepted and everyone is welcome, a release said. For more information, visit the Ye Olde Schoolgrounds Guthrie Community Center Facebook page.
Northern Artist Association to hold monthly meeting
BEMIDJI — The Northern Artist Association will hold its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, at the Eagles Club, 1270 Neilson Ave. SE.
“If you would like information to become a member, please join us,” a release said. “The public is welcome to attend and encouraged to invite a friend.”
For more information, visit northernartistassociation.com or call Grace at (218) 556-1042.
Rory Wakemup to teach tipi construction community workshop
BEMIDJI — Exhibiting artist Rory Wakemup will lead a tipi construction community workshop on Nov. 18-23, at Rail River Folk School, 303 Railroad St. SW.
Participants can drop in any time between noon and 4 p.m. each day and stay as long as desired.
This workshop is open to anyone who wants to learn or observe the process of constructing a life-sized canvas tipi. Rory and his team will give hands-on guidance for all ages, a release said.
Watermark Art Center and the Indigenous Environmental Network are co-sponsoring this free workshop. No prior skills
are required. Wakemup is currently exhibiting his mixed media show, “Smart Wars – Fighting for Gaa-miinigoowiziyang” (What We Were Given) in the Miikanan Gallery at Watermark Art Center through Nov. 22.
Watermark galleries are accessible and open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit watermarkartcenter. org or call (218) 444-7570.
Parks and Rec to offer Basic Life Support class
BEMIDJI — The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will hold a Basic Life Support class from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, at the BSU Gillett Wellness Center, 1801 Birch Lane NE. This class is geared toward pre-hospital providers such as EMTs, paramedics, firefighters and in-facility hospital providers. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a course completion card, valid for two years.
During this class participants will learn:
High-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants
• The AHA Chain of Survival, specifically the BLS components
Important early use of an AED
• Effective ventilations
using a barrier device
Importance of teams in multi-rescuer resuscitation and performance as an effective team member during multi-rescuer CPR
• Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants
BLS Initial / Renewal Course takes approximately 4.5 hours to complete, course time is based on one instructor, six students and two manikins.
The cost is $130 per participant. Register online at www.ci.bemidji.mn.us or call (218) 333-1857 with any questions.
Bemidji Area Farmer’s Network to meet Nov. 18
BEMIDJI — Bemidji Area Farmer’s Network, a new program hosted by Amber Lynne, will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, at the Headwaters Regional Development Commission office, 1320 Neilson Ave SE.
“Want to farm but don’t know where to start?” asked a release. “Come be part of a network and learn how it will make and save you money.”
Attendees will learn more about growing, foraging, livestock, bees and produce, added the release.
Lynne is a chef, local grower and business owner.
Young Farmer’s Network is open to all ages and light refreshments
will be provided.
To RSVP, visit www. surveymonkey.com/r/ BAYFN.To For more information, call (218) 333-6532 or email strana@ hrdc.org.
Bemidji Senior Center to host Police and Community Advisory Board Nov. 19
BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center will host the Police and Community Advisory Board at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the center, 216 Third St. NW.
At the event, board members will give a short presentation focusing on the purpose and objectives of the board. The board’s goals are to improve the lines of communication, increase understanding and build trust between the Bemidji Police Department and the community, a release said.
The presentation will also include a brief
history of the board, along with some of the successes and challenges that city police face.
A question and answer session will follow the presentation. This is an opportunity for the board to hear from the senior community and address some of their concerns, the release said. For more information call (218) 751-8836.
Beltrami County Historical Society to host First City Singers
BEMIDJI — The First City Singers will give a performance at noon on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Beltrami County History Center, 130 Minnesota Ave SW.
The First City Singers will take the spotlight to share their inspiring organizational history, along with personal stories from their individual musicians, a release said.
Attendees can look
forward to an entertaining performance featuring several musical pieces that highlight the choir’s unique talents and passion for music. Admission to this event is free, with donations encouraged to support the First City Singers and their community performances. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We are excited to close out our year-end celebration with the First City Singers, a local gem,” said Emily Thabes, executive director of the Beltrami County Historical Society. “The group exemplifies the rich musical culture of our community, and we’re proud to showcase their artistry.” For more information about this event, contact the Historical Society at (218) 444-3376 or via email at depot@beltramihistory. org.
Bemidji ASI seeks Sankta Lucia candidates
BEMIDJI — The Bemidji affiliate of the American Swedish Institute is seeking candidates for its annual Sankta Lucia Festival.
Young women of Swedish descent who are between the ages of 16 and 21 are invited to apply, a release said.
The application should be in the form of a letter written by the candidate expressing her desire to serve as Lucia and should include the following: details of her Swedish heritage, involvement in any Swedish-American organizations or activities, personal goals and special talents, as well as information regarding address, phone number, age, parents’ names and year in school.
A photo may accompany the letter but is not required. Letters must be
received by Nov. 19 and should be emailed to Sankta Lucia committed c/o Michelle Dahlby at jmdahlby@paulbunyan. net.
Young men are also needed to serve as Star Boys, special attendants to Lucia. Applicants are invited to send a short note with their name, age, address and phone number to jmdahlby@paulbunyan.net.
Applicants from previous years are eligible for either position. Candidates will be interviewed and the Sankta Lucia and her attendants will be selected in late November.
“The legend of Sankta Lucia arose centuries ago,” the release said.
“According to the old Swedish calendar, December 13 was the shortest day of the year. Sankta Lucia, whose very name means ‘light’ became the focus of the celebrations that brought the return of the sun to wintry
Sweden.”
This year’s festival is set for the morning of Friday, Dec. 13, with the smorgasbord breakfast beginning at 6 a.m. Tickets for the breakfast are available at Calvary Lutheran Church, Lueken’s North and South locations and Ken K. Thompson Jewelry. For more information, call Michelle Dahlby at (218) 759-1453.
Poetry SLAM Live set for Nov. 21 at Fozzie’s
Smokin Bar-B-Q
BEMIDJI — Watermark Art Center and Sundown
Records will host a Poetry SLAM at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at Fozzie’s
Smokin Bar-B-Q, 114
Third St. NW.
“A poetry slam is a competitive art event in which poets perform spoken word poetry before a live audience and a panel of judges,” a release said.
“While formats can vary, slams are often loud and lively, with audience
participation, cheering and dramatic delivery.”
Poets should prepare three original SLAM poems, one for each of the three rounds. Poems must be under three minutes of reading time, new in the last three years and never previously performed at a state or local event.
Participants are not required to memorize their poems and are welcome to use notes, the release said.
Judges, selected from the audience, give each reading a score on a scale of 1 to 10. The poets with the highest scores move forward to a second, then third round. The top three in the final round win cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25.
There is no charge to participate or to watch Poetry Slam events.
Live music will begin at 6 p.m.
For pre-registration, rules and more information, visit
watermarkartcenter.org/ poetry-slam-news. Call Watermark at (218) 4447570 to register, or sign up at the door starting at 6:30 p.m. as space allows. Support, in part, for Watermark’s Poetry SLAMS is provided by the Bemidji Area Arts Endowment.
Clearwater County Historical Society to host used book, craft and bake sale
BAGLEY — The Clearwater County Historical Society will host its annual fall used book, craft and bake sale at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Bagley American Legion, 112 Main Ave. N. The sale will end at 1 p.m. or once everything is gone.
For over 30 years, the society has held a fall bake sale on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and it is the largest fundraiser for the society, a release said.
Donate baked items or gently used books will be accepted at the museum before the sale. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Items can also be brought to the Legion after 8 a.m. on the day of the sale.
A lunch featuring klub, a Norwegian dish of ham and scalloped potatoes, will be served beginning at 11 a.m.
Volunteers are needed to help with the sale and serving lunch.
The Historical Society operates a museum and historic preservation program for the entire county. Funds raised at this sale will help with operation costs like heat for the winter and maintaining the museum collection to continue saving the past for the future, the release said.
For more information or to sign up to volunteer, call the history center at (218) 785-2000.
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Bemidji Senior Center to hold book, bake sale Nov. 22-23
BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Senior Center will host a book and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 23, at the center, 216 Third St. NW.
The sale will feature book donations along with homemade baked goods.
All proceeds will support the senior center.
Lucas Westrum to teach Santa basket workshop
BEMIDJI — Shannon Lucas Westrum will lead a Santa basket workshop from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Watermark Art Center, 505 Bemidji Ave. N.
Participants age 14 and older will create a 10-inch wide oval basket perfect for a holiday hostess gift or a clever way to display holiday cards, a release
said. This basket will have a pine base to build upon, but building the sides will require finger and hand dexterity. The registration fee is $25 per person plus $30 for materials, payable to the instructor at class time.
Class size is limited; register online at watermarkartcenter.org/ product/2024-santa-basket.
Watermark galleries are free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Sacred Heart Church, PEO Chapter Ex to hold craft fair, bake sale
WILTON — Sacred Heart Church and the PEO Chapter Ex of Bemidji will host a holiday craft fair and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on
Saturday, Nov. 23, at the church, 135 Third St. NW, in Wilton. Lunch will be available. Bake sale items will include lefse and krumkake, a release said. Afterschool food program available at Boys and Girls Club
BEMIDJI — The Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area is participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
