2012 Prairie Pioneer Days supplement

28th

Prairie Pioneer Days

Three Big Days of Entertainment!

July 13-15, 2012 • Morris, MN Special Supplement to the Saturday, June 23, 2012 Morris Sun Tribune and Morris Area Ad-viser

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MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE AND AD-VISER - PRAIRIE PIONEER DAYS

Free games for kids of all ages Back by popular demand, free games will be part of this year’s Prairie Pioneer Days Saturday and Sunday will feature a variety of games that will provide fun and challenges for kids of all ages.

E a s t S i d e P a rk w i l l again be the site for free kids’ games. The Little Tykes Express train rides for the younger kids will return to Prairie Pioneer Days. For the young er crowd, there will be a new inflatable for climbing, bouncing and makebelieve fun – the Viking Ship will be moored in East Side Park both days. A favorite attraction that was new last year, the 40foot inflatable obstacle course returns, compliments of the National Guard. Crawl through tun-

n e l s, s q u e e z e t h ro u g h pylons, climb the wall and slide to the finish! Race a partner to see who is the obstacle course champ!

This fun-filled course offers a challenge even for adults. In addition to providing this challenge, the National Guard is also bringing their climbing wall to PPD this year. A challeng e NOT for the faint-of-heart, climbing the wall is tougher than it

might first appear. With varying levels of difficulty, this is a challeng e for young and not-so-young a l i ke – j u s t d o n’ t l o o k down!

A truly family-oriented event, Prairie Pioneer Days is proud to provide all of these activities free.

Cone out and enjoy games in East Side Park from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday Grand Parade promises grand finale The 2012 Prairie Pioneer Days Parade will be held Sunday July 15.The parade will begin at 3 p.m. and will follow a round from 7th Street to California Avenue, then head south to Second Street. Some of the highlights of the parade will include the Morris Area Dr um Line, the MN GreenCorps (collecting recyclables throughout the parade along the route), local dance studio p e r f o r m a n c e s , Lighterside Clowns, local business floats, area community royalty, fire trucks, horses and more! Many favorites retur n, along with some new faces and talents.

Anyone interested in participating in the parade still has time to register.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 320-589-1242 for more information and to register. As always, this

year’s parade will be a highlight of this fun-filled weekend. Stake out your favorite parade-watching spot early. We’ll see you at the parade!

Saturday, June 23, 2012

PPD Motorcycle Run The 3rd Annual "Ride for a Cure" Motorcycle Run will be held Saturday, July 14 leaving from East Side Park with kick stands up at 11 am. Registration will begin at 10 a.m.with the ride leaving at 11 am. and retur ning to Morris around 5 p.m.

This is a charity ride, all proceeds to benefit the Stevens County Relay for Life (American Cancer Society). A huge "Thank You" to last year riders, Scott's Bar (McKinneys on Southside) in Benson and Rooney's Bar in Sedan for all the generous donations.

Collectively we raised $1253.

A minimum donation of $10/rider is suggested, however any and all donations are accepted and appreciated. Donations are tax deductible and can be made in memory or in

h o n o r o f a l o ve d o n e.

Donations will be collected at the time of registration, which will take place at the PPD infor mation tent located on the west end of East Side Park from 10 - 11

am.

Hope to see you at the 3rd Annual "Ride for a Cure" Motorcycle Run, July 14. If you have additional questions call Tom Sperr at 320-677-3330.

Morris Community Band a part of Prairie Pioneer Days 2012 For over 30 years the Morris Community Band has been having fun and entertaining west central Minnesota residents with a wide variety of music.

The band will be playing in several area parades the summer. Made up of musicians from beginners to professionals, we have people of all ages and walks of life. During the winter months the Morris Community Band morphs into the Golden Oldies Pep Band and plays popular music from the past at

some of the Morris Area High School basketball games. We are always looking for additional band members, so dust off that horn and join us!

During Prairie Pioneer Days, look for the band in East Side Part at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 14 for a rousing concert of audience favorites. Then watch for us in the PPD Parade on Sunday, July 15.

We’ll be the ones having the most fun on our beautiful band wagon!

GreenCorps again participates in PPD in Morris

By L a u ra Anne Hunt Edited by Naomi Wente, Alicia Beattie The Minnesota GreenCor ps team has actively participated in Morris Prairie Pioneer Days for the past several years, and is excited to be

returning this summer.

They will be participating in the parade, providing recycling education, and will have an informational booth.

Please join the GreenCorps team at East Side Park for recycling education, as the team hopes to help increase awareness of the impor-

tance of recycling and the proper practices that are associated with recycling.

At their booth, the GreenCorps members will provide an opportunity for community members to recycle batteries, ink cartridges, and compact florescent bulbs.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, the Minnesota GreenCorps booth will have educational materials on keeping a proper compost bin, with solutions to common com-

posting problems. There will also be information on storm water management in Morris, food systems, information on pest detection, how to detect a pest, and who to contact if you feel that you may have pests in your backyard.

The Minnesota Greencorps is an AmeriCor ps prog ram through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency which seeks to train the next generation of environmental professionals to help protect and preserve the environment.

The prog ram has partnered with the University of Minnesota, Mor ris, which in 2011-12 hosted five undergraduate students during the school year and summer.

If you have any questions or comments, the Morris GreenCorps team can be reached at: 320-5896468.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE AND AD-VISER - PRAIRIE PIONEER DAYS

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Stevens County prairie history on display at Museum

A part of your journey during Prairie Pioneer Days can include visiting

yo u r c o u n t y h i s t o r y through exhibits, displays, art work and publications

that are located at the Stevens County Museum.

The grand gallery has three exhibits currently erected: Reaping What We Sow: 100 years of Agriculture; "In the Line of Duty," - homemaking history; and Sharing Spaces: Building Community Places. The museum will be open additional hours during the community celebration July 13-15.

A project in the works at the Museum is the illustration and writing of a children's book based on some of the earliest journals of Thomas Thomasson in the

RFC Family Fun & Fitness The RFC is offering FREE family fun and fitness activities during the weekend of Prairie Pioneer Days, July 14-15.

Free family fun includes access to gyms, indoor track, sand volleyball courts, and pools Saturday and Sunday afternoons 1-5 p.m. Fitness opportunities include free access to a Zumba class Saturday at 10 a.m. and access to the Fitness Room for ages 16 and above from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday or 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday.

Bring your family, friends, and weekend visitors to enjoy the air-conditioned RFC. If you are interested in other children and fitness programs this summer check out our summer camps, sports training clinics, swim lessons, and group fitness classes.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call the RFC at 589-6485.

Second Annual West Wind Village Golf Scramble The 2nd Annual West Wi n d Vi l l a g e G o l f Tournament will be held Saturday July 14 at the P o m m e D e Te r r e G o l f Course. This is a four-personteam,scramble format.

Check in begins at 10 a.m., with a shotgun start at 11 a.m.

For registration or for more information on how you or your business can support this event, contact Mike Syltie at 320-589-7900 or msyltie@sfhs.org Registration is due by July 6.

Proceeds from this event will go towards spe-

cial projects at West Wind Village. West Wind Village is an 88 bed long-term care facility. West Wind Village is owned and operated by St. Francis Health Services and has been a proud community member serving the Morris area since 1963.

‘Minute to Win It’ comes to Morris Crazy competitions will highlight this year’s band shell entertainment.

“Minute to Win It!” will feature individual and partner competitions that could include a wide and wild range of challenges.

Promising to be as exciting as the television series – but with contestants you

know – Minute to Win It! will provide fun and entertainment for the entire family.

The show begins at 5 pm Saturday in the band shell with competitions culminating in championship rounds that conclude at 7 that evening. Competitors will have the opportunity

to walk away with some serious Chamber Cash provided they Win It! To r e g i s t e r, c o n t a c t t h e Chamber Office at 589-1242 or stop by the Chamber booth the day of the event.

Remember, it only takes a Minute to Win It!

museum collection. The artist, Jillayne Hansen has completed most of the illustrations and they are on display in the historic rotunda of the Carnegie.

The Historical Society hopes to have copies of this book available at the annual Holiday Open house the first S at u rd ay in December. The display will peak your interest in acquiring a copy when they are published.

T his year a new ar t show will be opening in August rather than during Prairie Pioneer Days. on Aug. 15, "Curb Appeal" fea-

turing Della Conroy will begin with an artist reception.

A fiber arts hanging entitled "Transitions," by Karla Voorhees Overland hangs in the grand entrance of the new portion of the museum. This commissioned and donated work is worth a visit to the museum to see the interpretation of fabric and stitching that reflects the prairie around us.

Last year a Le g acy grant that provided the funds to acquire high density moveable storage for the collection was complet-

ed. Visitors are able to see behind the scenes during this hosted time of the museum being open.

Visit the County museum which is on the N at i o n a l Re g i s t e r o f Historic Places and received a National Award following the addition and restoration of the historic building during the festivities.

The additional hours that the museum will be open are Saturday, 11 a.m. 2 p.m., July 14 and Sunday, July 15, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Friends of the Morris Public Library book sale on Friday The Friends of the Morris Public Library will be having their Annual Book Sale at the Morris Public Library on F r i d a y, J u l y 1 3 a n d Saturday, July 14 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Hundreds of books, videos, DVDs, CDs and mag azines will be available at bargain-basement prices. Only 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hardcovers. Fiction books in a variety of g enres including: westerns, mysteries, romamnces, sci-

encefiction, fantasy, children's books and literary fiction will all be on hand.

Non-fiction lovers will also find plenty to like in the areas of history, science, parenting, religion, politi-

cal science, cookbooks gardening and travel, to name a few.All the proceeds from the book sale will go to support programming, enhancements and collection development initiatives at the Morris Public Library. Help make a great community library even better!

MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE AND AD-VISER

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PRAIRIE PIONEER DAYS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012

Enjoy Prairie Pioneer Days with Family & Friends!

Friday, July 13 • Saturday, July 14 • Sunday, July 15

Agralite Electric Cooperative 320 Hwy. 12 E., Benson 843-4150 All outages 888-884-3887

102 Atlantic Ave. • Morris

320-589-3881 Needham Plumbing, LLC Rob Needham, Owner Master Plumbing License #061981-PM

127 Pacific Avenue, Morris (320) 589-3570 or 1-800-822-3570

(320) 748-7174 or (320) 808-8347

301 Broadway, Alexandria (320) 762-5407 or 1-800-762-5407

7 East 5th St., Morris

Floor Covering • carpet

(320) 589-2102

46400 East Hwy. 28, Morris, MN 56267 Owned and operated by Phil Harpstead

320-589-4200

AFFORDABLE FREmEents

measure ates! and estim

•

laminate

•

tile

• Hunter Douglas blinds

103 East 5th Street, Starbuck 320.239.2136 Store Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat 9-1

MOHR Plumbing & Heating of Morris

202 East 7th Street, Morris

www.aeRealty.net West Central Glass, Radiator & Air Conditioning

www.ptrailer.com

American Eagle Realty 205 Hwy. 9 South • Morris • 320-589-4622

14 Industrial Blvd. • Morris, MN 800.522.2560 • 320.589.1771

MORRIS HOUSING AUTHORITY 100 S. COLUMBIA AVENUE, MORRIS

(320) 589-3142

320.589.1006 St. Mary’s Catholic School 411 Colorado, Morris

1002 Columbia Ave., Morris

320-589-1281

320-589-1704

Helen’s Fabric 1001 Atlantic Avenue • Morris

“Quality products backed by professional service.”

601 Atlantic Ave. • Morris 320.589.3933

44725 175th Street, Morris

Bruce Hanstad Agency Herman: 800-642-1077 Agronomy: 888-654-2924 Petroleum & Shop: 800-272-4861 Morris: 800-433-9222 Chokio: 320-324-2427 Agronomy: 320-324-7451 Donnelly: 320-246-3239 Fergus Falls: 800-835-8104

10 E. 6th Street Morris, MN 56267

(320) 795-2412

(320) 585-1111 (877) 323-1112 Toll Free

(320) 589-1735 Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 AM-5:30 PM Saturday: 9 AM-1 PM

Morris office: 320.585.5555 Chokio office: 320.324.7441

Stop in & see us for all your sewing needs.

• Fabrics • Notions • Machine quilting • Watkins products • We do alterations

Member FDIC Est. 1912

Morris Main Bank 589-3361 506 Atlantic Ave. Morris (320) 585-7000

Hours: M-Th 11-10 Fri. & Sat. 11-11

Donnelly Office: 246-3521 Chokio Office: 324-7161

KITCHEN HOURS: 11 AM TO 10 PM BAR HOURS: SUN.-THURS. 10 AM TO 12:30 AM; FRI. AND SAT. 10 AM TO 1 AM Hwy. 9 • Hancock (320) 392-2833

I N C

AGRICULTURAL • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL

TONY AND ANDREW MESSNER

320-392-5496 FAX: 320-392-6339 • 38499 County Rd. 2, Hancock, MN 56244

320-585-5206 800-585-6783

215 Atlantic Ave. • Morris

589-1731 Allan Saugstad & Wayne Grunklee

Fax: 320-585-5208 202 East 6th St., Morris Scott Mundal Branch Manager scott.mundal@lpl.com

Member FINRA/ SIPC

Peggy Jergenson Investment Representative peggy.jergenson@lpl.com

Tech Plus

Owners: Jim Dieter, John Derung, Brad Krosch

team@techplusmn.com www.techplusmn.com

607 Pacific Avenue, Morris, MN 56267 Visit our website: www.morrisuntribune.com

208 Atlantic Ave., Morris

320-589-2525

(320) 585-5688

512 Atlantic Ave. • Morris

320-589-1300

www.JobsHQ.net

23 E. 6th Street, Morris

(320) 589-3434

Office located at: 607 Pacific Avenue, Morris, MN 56267

508 Atlantic Ave., Morris • 320-585-4875

1-888-589-2525 Visit our website: www.hancockrecord.com

MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE AND AD-VISER

PAGE 4

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PRAIRIE PIONEER DAYS

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PAGE 5

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012

Enjoy Prairie Pioneer Days with Family & Friends!

Friday, July 13 • Saturday, July 14 • Sunday, July 15

Agralite Electric Cooperative 320 Hwy. 12 E., Benson 843-4150 All outages 888-884-3887

102 Atlantic Ave. • Morris

320-589-3881 Needham Plumbing, LLC Rob Needham, Owner Master Plumbing License #061981-PM

127 Pacific Avenue, Morris (320) 589-3570 or 1-800-822-3570

(320) 748-7174 or (320) 808-8347

301 Broadway, Alexandria (320) 762-5407 or 1-800-762-5407

7 East 5th St., Morris

Floor Covering • carpet

(320) 589-2102

46400 East Hwy. 28, Morris, MN 56267 Owned and operated by Phil Harpstead

320-589-4200

AFFORDABLE FREmEents

measure ates! and estim

•

laminate

•

tile

• Hunter Douglas blinds

103 East 5th Street, Starbuck 320.239.2136 Store Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat 9-1

MOHR Plumbing & Heating of Morris

202 East 7th Street, Morris

www.aeRealty.net West Central Glass, Radiator & Air Conditioning

www.ptrailer.com

American Eagle Realty 205 Hwy. 9 South • Morris • 320-589-4622

14 Industrial Blvd. • Morris, MN 800.522.2560 • 320.589.1771

MORRIS HOUSING AUTHORITY 100 S. COLUMBIA AVENUE, MORRIS

(320) 589-3142

320.589.1006 St. Mary’s Catholic School 411 Colorado, Morris

1002 Columbia Ave., Morris

320-589-1281

320-589-1704

Helen’s Fabric 1001 Atlantic Avenue • Morris

“Quality products backed by professional service.”

601 Atlantic Ave. • Morris 320.589.3933

44725 175th Street, Morris

Bruce Hanstad Agency Herman: 800-642-1077 Agronomy: 888-654-2924 Petroleum & Shop: 800-272-4861 Morris: 800-433-9222 Chokio: 320-324-2427 Agronomy: 320-324-7451 Donnelly: 320-246-3239 Fergus Falls: 800-835-8104

10 E. 6th Street Morris, MN 56267

(320) 795-2412

(320) 585-1111 (877) 323-1112 Toll Free

(320) 589-1735 Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 AM-5:30 PM Saturday: 9 AM-1 PM

Morris office: 320.585.5555 Chokio office: 320.324.7441

Stop in & see us for all your sewing needs.

• Fabrics • Notions • Machine quilting • Watkins products • We do alterations

Member FDIC Est. 1912

Morris Main Bank 589-3361 506 Atlantic Ave. Morris (320) 585-7000

Hours: M-Th 11-10 Fri. & Sat. 11-11

Donnelly Office: 246-3521 Chokio Office: 324-7161

KITCHEN HOURS: 11 AM TO 10 PM BAR HOURS: SUN.-THURS. 10 AM TO 12:30 AM; FRI. AND SAT. 10 AM TO 1 AM Hwy. 9 • Hancock (320) 392-2833

I N C

AGRICULTURAL • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL

TONY AND ANDREW MESSNER

320-392-5496 FAX: 320-392-6339 • 38499 County Rd. 2, Hancock, MN 56244

320-585-5206 800-585-6783

215 Atlantic Ave. • Morris

589-1731 Allan Saugstad & Wayne Grunklee

Fax: 320-585-5208 202 East 6th St., Morris Scott Mundal Branch Manager scott.mundal@lpl.com

Member FINRA/ SIPC

Peggy Jergenson Investment Representative peggy.jergenson@lpl.com

Tech Plus

Owners: Jim Dieter, John Derung, Brad Krosch

team@techplusmn.com www.techplusmn.com

607 Pacific Avenue, Morris, MN 56267 Visit our website: www.morrisuntribune.com

208 Atlantic Ave., Morris

320-589-2525

(320) 585-5688

512 Atlantic Ave. • Morris

320-589-1300

www.JobsHQ.net

23 E. 6th Street, Morris

(320) 589-3434

Office located at: 607 Pacific Avenue, Morris, MN 56267

508 Atlantic Ave., Morris • 320-585-4875

1-888-589-2525 Visit our website: www.hancockrecord.com

PAGE 6

MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE AND AD-VISER - PRAIRIE PIONEER DAYS

Saturday, June 23, 2012

‘Rock the Groundz’ brings Hairball July 13-14 in Morris Ro ck t h e G ro u n d z – West Central Minnesota’s outdoor music and camping festival – is returning for an action-packed, fourth year on Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14, with four great bands, two nights of camping and one large fireworks display.

Scheduled to appear over the two-day festival include the talented fivesome Sweet Siren; the Mankato-based party band 69 Cents; regional modern rockers, Menace; and one of the biggest and most popular 80s tribute bands touring nationwide, Hairball.

Tickets and camping packages are on sale on the event website www.rockthegroundz.com A special Friday night campground concert by Sweet Siren is open to all registered campers from 9 p.m.–1 a.m. Campers can

bring their own chairs, food and beverages to this u n i q u e c o n c e r t ve nu e located in the heart of the campground. Persons who purchase the Rock the Groundz camping and concert package automatically get to enjoy this unique free concert directly inside the campground, a concept t h at h a s b e e n p o p u l a r among concertgoers.

“Last year we had over 200 people enjoying the campground concert and we’re expecting the draw of Sweet Siren to really get people excited to kick off the entire weekend event,” says Doug Storck, camping specialist with Rock the Groundz.

Saturday’s lineup kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on the main stage with 69 Cents,the college party band making a return visit to Morris after their Groundz’ fundraiser event held in January;

Menace, touted as ‘ M i n n e s o t a ’s p r e m i e r high-energy modern rock band,’ featuring a fluid setlist consisting of Papa Roach, Fing er Eleven, along with the classics of AC / D C , M e t a l l i c a a n d Godsmack, starting at 8:30 p.m.; and at 10:30 p.m.

Hairball hits the main stage. Known for their ‘Bombastic Celebration of Arena Rock’ Hairball doesn’t disappoint and brings quite the following. “ Fo r t h o s e t a k i n g advantage of the economical ticket and camping prices, it’s a pretty sweet deal for an enjoyable weekend getaway,” says Mike Cihak, planning committee member.

The Morris Eagles is again sponsoring the annual fireworks display on Saturday at approximately 10:15 p.m. just prior to Hairball taking the

stage. The launch location of the fireworks is inside the racing track at the Fairg rounds. Concer tgoers will have the ultimate view of this annual gift from the Eagles to the Morris community. The fireworks are launched courtesy of the Morris Fire Department.

A variety of food and beverages will be available all day Saturday in the conc e r t a re a . T h e M o r r i s Eagles will provide full beverage service at the event.

Rock the Groundz is presented by Mor ris Auto P l a z a / Va l u F o r d & Chrysler, Morris Eagles Club, Willie’s SuperValu and Bobcat of Morris, in conjunction with many local and regional sponsors. A full list of sponsors is available on the festival website. “It’s great to have community support for an

event of this magnitude,” says Randy Bannick,of the Morris Eagles. “Many people have said we need something in Morris like this, and people have stepped up and helped make it happen through sponsorships and volunteering. The Morris Eagles is excited to be a part of this and we look forward to this event growing.”

Rock the Groundz is an all-ages event, scheduled rain or shine. The campground opens Friday at 9 a.m. – Thursday evening by appointment - and concert gates open Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.rockthegroundz. com.

Pasta Contest

BINGO in the park

Bello Cucina is sponsoring the annual spaghetti eating contest on Saturday, July14 at 3 p.m. at East Side Park for Prairie Pioneer Days.

There will be three heats of 10 people each.

Come and enjoy an afternoon of bingo at East Side Park during Prairie Pioneer Days on Saturday, July 14 from 1-4 p.m. sponsored by St. Mary’s School and again on Sunday, July 15 from noon until 3 p.m. sponsored by the Morris Senior Citizens Club.

Kiwanis Talent Show The Kiwanis talent show finals begin at 7 p.m.

Friday, July 13 in the Band Shell at East Side Park.

Musicians, dancers, and other performers entertain the crowd and compete for prizes. Cash prizes of $50 for first place and $25 for second place are awarded each preceding Thursday. Prizes in the finals total $900. Final winners are also eligible to compete at the Minnesota State Fair.

The first group will be kids ages 5-10, the second group 11-17, third group adults 18+.

Prizes will be awarded for first place in each heat.

The 18+ will receive a $50 gift card and ages 11-17 and

5-10 years will receive a $25 gift card for first place.

This contest is a first come, first serve basis so call Bello Cucina to sign up and come hungry!

Firemen’s Pancake Feed A sausage and pancake f e e d s p o n s o re d by t h e Morris Fire Department will be held at the Morris Fire Hall from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Sunday, July 14.

Features all you can eat for the whole family.Come and enjoy this delicious breakfast!

FFA Tractor Pull The Morris Area FFA will sponsor a Pedal Tractor Pull on Saturday, July 14 at East Side Park.

Registration will begin at 12 p.m. and the event will start at 12:30 p.m. There will be four separate cate-

gories covering ages 4-7.

Participation ribbons w i l l b e i s s u e d t o e a ch entrant. First place winners will receive a toy tractor, second and third place finishers will receive a placement ribbon.

Hot Shots contest The Morris Area High School coaching staff and Town & Country Supply will be sponsoring a Hot Shot contest at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July14 at East Side Park.

lst-3rd grade girls lst-3rd grade boys 4th-6th grade girls 4th-6th grade boys You may register at East Side Park starting at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 14.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

MORRIS SUN TRIBUNE AND AD-VISER - PRAIRIE PIONEER DAYS

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Prairie Extravaganza at the Wetlands Office Skilly & Duff, horse-drawn wagon rides, prairie plants

Cleo photo by Laurie With

T h e U. S . F i s h a n d Wildlife Service and the F riends of the Mor ris We t l a n d M a n a g e m e n t District invite you to celebrate Prairie E x t r av a g a n z a a t t h e Mor ris Wetland Of fice from Noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. Skilly & Duff with Annie O’Flynn will perfor m. Also, encounter wild animals from the Audubon Center of the North Woods.

Horse-drawn wagons will take you through a prairie landscape. Come build a bird house to take home with you. There will be staff and Friends members to help you build your free birdhouse while you wait for a wagon ride.

Besides entertainment, animals, wagon rides, and

bird houses, there will be many beautiful prairie wildflowers and plants for sale from the Morning Sky Greenery stock.

The Audubon Center of the North Woods will be presenting live native birds of prey including: American Kestrel, Eastern Screech Owl, Redtailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl and reptiles including: Fox Snake, Bull Snake, and Painted Turtle.

Come get a chance to observe, photograph, ask questions, and explore biofacts from Minnesota birds of prey and re ptiles.

Outreach programs are a great way to get nose to nose with small animals from the Audubon Center of the North Woods.

The Audubon Center’s Mission is to instill a connection and commitment to the environment in people of all communities through experiential lear ning. The Audubon Center’s vision is to prov i d e a h e a l t hy p l a n e t where all people live in balance with the Earth.

Skilly & Duff with Annie O'Flynn is a popular regional trio specializing in Irish traditional songs.

The group got together when Br uce Kelly of Elbow Lake and Mikko Cowdery of Osakis discovered their mutual love for old Irish songs, many of which they had learned as children. They soon added Annie O’Flynn on piano, accordion and harmonies to round out the trio.

Skilly & Duff have been playing together for several years, and have played clubs, private par ties, fairs, weddings, country clubs, theatrical shows, festivals and concerts in Minnesota and South Dakota. They take a casual, pub-session approach to their music, emphasizing fun, humor, sing-alongs, poems, toasts, and even a few tall tales and blarney.

Horse-drawn Wagon R i d e s t h ro u g h p r a i r i e grasslands will start at noon and run about every half-hour. Each ride will take about 30 minutes, round trip. Sign up at the We t l a n d s O f f i c e e a rl y because rides will be given on a first-come first-served basis. Each g roup will take a short bus ride from the office to the trail where the wagon starts. You will then be traveling in an

open wagon similar to how pioneers did years ago.

During the ride, you will have the opportunity to see a bit of North America’s most endangered ecosystem, the tall grass prairie.

In July the prairie looks like a sea of grasses and wildflowers. Riders may also be able to see waterfowl and other wildlife along the trail. The last wagon ride will be leaving around 2:30 p.m.

Free Bird Houses:If you are interested in building a bird house, we will have all the supplies needed and people available to help guide you. Each family or group will be able to take at least one bird house home.

House plans of all types, from chickadees to bats, will also be available. Staff and Friends will be able to help you find a suitable place to put your new bird house and answer any other questions you may have.

Morning Sky Greenery: Located in the heart of the prairie region of west central Minnesota, Morning Sky Greenery is a nursery s p e c i a l i z i n g i n n at ive prairie plants. They have been growing native wildflowers and grasses since 1991. Morning Sky Greenery is dedicated to h e l p i n g p r e s e r ve t h i s important part of our natural heritage.

Morning Sky Greenery grows the vast majority of the prairie plants from seed. They take care to produce high quality native prairie flowers and grasses that adapt easily to harsh environmental conditions.

Over the past several years, Sally Finzel has expanded the plant selection to include heirloom vegetables, and more trees to help meet more cus-

Kid Olympics to be held at Prairie Pioneer Days

The Morris Area Women of Today are sponsoring the Kid Olympics on Saturday, July 14 beginning at 10 a.m. in front of the band shell at East Side Park. Participants are asked to be present 20 minutes in advance.

Registration forms can be turned into the Morris Area Chamber of Commerce or on the day of the event. The first 40 participants to register will receive a t-shirt.

There is a $5 registration fee. Pre-event activities include basketball, bubbles, hockey, bean bag toss, dancing and singing. All participants will receive a medal and certificate.

Events include: Roll over (1 year and under), crawling (1 year and under), running (1 year and under), hula hoop (7 years and under), jump rope (7 years and under), trike race (5 years and under) and ball toss (7 years and under).

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For questions, please contact Marie Hansen 589-2581.

Audience members can enjoy a vanilla, chocolate or strawberry shake at the malt wagon also sponsored by the Morris Area Women of Today.

Morris Eagles Club hosts fireworks display in 2012 For nearly two decades, the Morris Eagles Club has sponsored the exciting fireworks display during the Prairie Pioneer Days festival in Morris. as a gift to the community and surrounding area. This year, the Eagles are once again e x c i t e d t o s h a r e We s t Central Minnesota’s largest fireworks display a half-hour after dusk – beginning approximately at 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 14.

The launch site is located inside the racetrack at the Stevens County Fairgrounds. Spectators who are not at the adjacent Rock the Groundz music and camping festival on the southeast side of Morris will be able to get great views along County Road 22, State Highway 9

South, State Highway 28 West, and along U.S. Route 59 South. There will be no access into the fairgrounds or grandstand by vehicles or pedestrians.

The electric atmosphere, the excitement, the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ of the crowd as the lights explode into a dazzling array of color texture, moments before the crackling bang reaches your ears, all add to the excitement of the evening. Re g ardless of how you enjoy it, the annual fireworks show is the perfect cornerstone event for the three-day Prairie Pioneer Days festival.

But such grand shows often cost tens of thousands of dollars to produce and require licensed “pyrotechnics” from fireworks companies to han-

dle the detonation. So how can Morris afford to put on such a spectacular – and costly – event? From a partnership that began nearly two decades ago between the Morris Area Chamber of Commerce, the Morris Ea gles Club, and the Morris Fire Department.

Large savings comes from the licensure underwriting of local Morris firefighters serving as pyrotechnicians – typically sponsored and paid for by the Morris Eagles – who provide expertise and produce the show as a community service. This year,

Justin Howe takes over from Paul Kolden and Fred Moser who have provided this service admirably for many years.

This year, the Morris Tourism Fund is providing cooperative funding to ensure the annual event is bigger and better than ever. By having the combined efforts of the Morris Fire Department, the City of Morris and the Morris Eagles Club, the annual fireworks display is one of the largest and quality shows in the area.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Morris Aerie #620

tomers’ needs. Sally’s family (husband, Bart, children, Ray, Mitchell, and Augusta) as well as several dedicated employees help with plant production, sales, and all aspects of the business. Regular hours are in May and June when Morning Sky is open from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, and 9 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

was chartered in 1904 with the mission ‘People H e l p i n g Pe o p l e. ’ T h e Morris Aerie contributes nearly $25,000 in charitable contributions annually to area groups, services and organizations that benefit youth and elderly programs, education and community service.