Happenings around the Perham area, April 25-May 5

The Perham Focus accepts community calendar items for publication online and in our Thursday print edition, space permitting. Submissions must be made at least a week in advance of the event date, in writing, to either editor@perhamfocus.com or vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com.

Each submission must include the date, time and location of event, whether it is recurring or a one-time happening, and where to go for more information (phone, email and/or website). Also include whether the event is free or paid admission, and how much it costs when applicable.

Elevate Exploratory-Alcohol Ink Jewelry: Come to the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center at 5 p.m. for an "Elevate Exploratory" workshop and create your own, one-of-a-kind jewelry made with sterling or silver plate materials and alcohol inks. Instructor Sue Kelseim will lead this three hour class. Cost is $47 for RCC members, $50 for non-members, and includes all materials. The Cultural Center is located at 24 Main Ave. North in New York Mills. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required. Sign up online at kulcher.org or call 218-385-3339.

LRBA Membership Meeting: The Lake Region Builders Association will host a membership meeting from 4:30-6 p.m. at Bremer Bank, 115 E. Holmes St., Detroit Lakes. This meeting will focus on "What to do When OSHA Knocks," with presentations from safety experts, food, refreshments and more. No registration fee, but an RSVP is requested. Sign up by calling 218-847-0699 or send an email to builders@lakeregionbuilders.com to reserve your spot.

Sportsman's Bingo: Perham Ducks Unlimited will host an evening of Sportsman's Bingo at Big Pine Lodge, 43606 Mosquito Heights Road, Perham, starting at 5 p.m. No cost to RSVP, but seating is limited, so please sign up in advance at mndu.org. Bingo packs will be sold at the door for $50 each; first game starts at 6 p.m. Prizes include cash, Yeti coolers, power tools, hunting and fishing gear and much more.

Ladies Night Out at the PCA: The Perham Center for the Arts will host a free Ladies Night Out event from 4-8 p.m., with demonstrations from Pampered Chef, tasty treats from CakeWalk, and a custom hat bar from Elevated Brim Co. In addition, North Pines Market will offer a "make and take" crafting activity, and Gathering Grounds will be supplying the food and drinks. Open to all ladies in the Perham area, so come early and enjoy a fun night out.

Aaron Simmons Concert: Stewartville native Aaron Simmons will be performing live at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center at 7:30 p.m. The Nashville singer-songwriter held the No. 1 position on Spotify's Local Pulse: Minneapolis chart for two consecutive weeks in August 2022 with his single, “Nobody’s Home in Wadena." Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are on sale at kulcher.org; cost is $12 in advance or $15 at the door for adults, or $5 for students.

Free State Parks Day: Admission to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas is free, all day long — no vehicle permits needed! Enjoy the beauty of nearby parks like Maplewood, Glendalough and Itasca without having to purchase a vehicle permit for the day. State parks will also be offering free admission days on June 8 and Nov. 29, so mark those dates on your calendar for some additional exploration.

Mark's Customer Appreciation: Mark's Fleet Supply of Perham will host a customer appreciation event from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with in-store specials, door prizes, refreshments, dog food samples, a sporting goods giveaway, coloring contest and more.

Honor Flight Bowling Fundraiser: The Voyager Lanes bowling alley in Detroit Lakes (1137 West Lake Drive) will host a bowling tournament fundraiser for Honor Flights of Minnesota and North Dakota starting at 1 p.m., with signup at noon. Entry fee is $25 per person, with four people per lane. This event is being sponsored by Detroit Lakes VFW Post 1676, which will be hosting a silent auction all day in its Event Center (located in the basement of the VFW Club at 500 Washington Ave.). Prize ceremony and lunch will follow the tournament at the VFW's Event Center. Contact Mel Krosko at 218-850-0903 for more information.

Lake Eunice Wild Game Feed: The congregation of Lake Eunice Evangelical Free Church will host their annual Wild Game Feed starting at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a wide variety of wild game options, and bring your own dish to share with the group. Admission is a free will offering. The dinner will also feature a live presentation by avid hunter and fisherman Sam Bauer. The church is located at 12986 Co. Hwy. 15, Detroit Lakes. Open to the public.

Lakeside Laughs Comedy Show: Perham's Lakeside Event Center will host a comedy show from 7-10 p.m., featuring comedians Tim Harmston, Ben Katzner and Tia Hannes. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $35 per person, which includes two drink tickets; this show is for ages 21 and up. Advance tickets are available via the link on the Facebook event pag e under Perham Lakeside Golf Course and Lakeside Tap.

The Fabulous Armadillos: The Fabulous Armadillos will be doing their third and final show of the season at Detroit Lakes' Historic Holmes Theatre at 7:30 p.m. This "Acousti-Dillos" concert will feature acoustic-inspired hits through the decades, with musicians Paul Diethelm on guitar, Jay O'Donnell on drums, Mike Zeleny on bass guitar and Greg Armstrong on keyboards. Tickets are $32 for adults and $16 for students, and may be purchased online at dlccc.org/holmes-theatre.html, by phone at 218-844-7469, or in person at the Holmes Box Office, located at 806 Summit Ave. (in the lobby gift shop that the theater shares with the Becker County Museum).

Live Music: Dan Brekke Band at 1894, 5 p.m.

Acton Children's Business Fair: The Perham Area Community Center will host an Acton Children's Business Fair, featuring businesses created and launched by children, from 2-4 p.m. Come experience young minds showing their marketing, selling and other business skills. All area kids from age 6-14 (grades K-8) are eligible to apply for a booth; the $5 booth fee will be collected at the event. Sign up online at childrensbusinessfair.org/rootsandwings. Attendance at the fair is free and open to the public; come support local young entrepreneurs! Hosted by the Roost and Wings Forest School, in partnership with the Perham Area Chamber of Commerce.

Medication Management: Book your appointment with a local pharmacist for a free information session on medication management between 8:30-4 p.m. at the Perham Area Community Center. Some time slots are already full, but there are still a few openings available. Please RSVP online at elevateotc.org/event/medication-management or call 218-347-1974 to reserve your spot.

Author Meet and Greet-Tim Eggebraaten: Come to the New York Mills Public Library at 6:30 p.m. for a meet-and-greet with Detroit Lakes author Tim Eggebraaten. The retired police chief, who now enjoys working as a musician and inspirational speaker, recently published his first book, "Find Your Beat: Walk in the Rhythm of Life." The book will be available to purchase during the event, which is free and open to the public, though pre-registration is encouraged. Please RSVP by calling 218-385-2436 or go to nympubliclibrary.org to sign up.

Technology Troubleshooting: Elevate OTC will host a two-hour "Technology 101" session on troubleshooting technology issues from 2-4 p.m. at the Perham Public Library. The workshop is free, but space is limited so please RSVP at elevateotc.org/event/technology-101-troubleshooting or call the library at 218-346-4892 to sign up.

Emergency Preparedness-CPR: Want to be better equipped during an emergency? Join Elevate OTC for a session on "Heartsaver CPR" with instructor Barb Felt of Lakes Country Emergency Education & Consulting from 4-7 p.m. In this session, participants will learn to provide CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) on adults, children, and infants in a safe, timely, and effective manner. This course is designed for anyone with little to no medical training who wants to be prepared for an emergency in any setting. Cost is $75 per person; sign up online at elevateotc.org/events or call 218-347-1974.

"Testify" Virtual Conversation with Alan Page: Join people from across the state of Minnesota at 7 p.m. for an evening of conversation with Justice Alan Page and his daughter, Georgi Page-Smith to discuss the "TESTIFY: Americana from Slavery to Today Exhibit." For the past year, regional library systems across the state have been exhibiting a traveling exhibition of banners depicting items from the Diane and Alan Page "Testify" collection (it is currently on display at the Detroit Lakes Public Library). The response from the public has been overwhelming. Though attendance at this virtual program via Zoom is being offered free of charge, registration is required. Sign up online at bity.ly/TESTIFYconversation to reserve your spot.

Coffee Talk-Neurofeedback: Can you really retrain your brain to help with many common brain health conditions? Join Elevate OTC at 10:30 a.m. in the Perham Area Community Center for a "Coffee Talk with Dr. Big Brain" to learn more about neurofeedback therapy, including how it works, conditions that can be treated, and effectiveness. This is a unique service offered right in Perham that is on the cutting edge of neuroscience to treat issues of mental health, traumatic brain injury, emotional trauma, and more! Free and open to the public.

"Paws-itive" Ways to Nurture Mental Health: Come to The Hive at Perham High School for a 5:30 p.m. presentation hosted by KLN Family Brands on "Paws-itive Ways to Nurture Mental Health," including information from mental health professionals about, and personal testimonials on the impact of service animals, as well as understanding the needs of emotional support animals, with a few tips for pet owners. Free and open to the public.

Nosy Neighbor-Perham Incinerator: Have you ever wondered where your garbage goes after you leave it at the curb? Find out with a tour of the Perham Resource Recovery Facility (AKA the incinerator) at 201 6th Ave., Perham from 10-11 a.m. The facility is a waste-to-energy plant that takes garbage from five counties and processes it into steam for industrial facilities. Come see for yourself how our garbage goes through the facility to become power for our local factories! There is no cost for this Elevate OTC event, but space is limited, so please RSVP at elevateotc.org/events to reserve your spot or call 218-347-1974.

Elevate Exploratory-Succulents: Join Elevate OTC at 5 p.m. in the Red Barn Greenhouse, 49822 Co. Hwy. 67, New York Mills, for a two-hour tour and workshop on planting and caring for succulent plants. Bring your own pot (4 inches or larger) and select from an assortment of 300 succulents. No cost to attend the workshop, but succulents will be sold for $5 each. Please RSVP at elevateotc.org/events to reserve your spot, as seating is limited to a maximum of 11 people.

M State Graduation: Senior students at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls will graduate at commencement ceremonies scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Open to the public. The ceremonies will take place at 1414 College Way in Fergus Falls.

Veterans Concert Band: The Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band will perform a live concert, "Celebrating America's Patriotism," at the Perham Center for the Arts (101 5th St. NE), starting at 8:15 p.m. Free and open to the public.

UCB Customer Appreciation Event: United Community Banks in Perham, Frazee and Dent will host a customer appreciation event from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Customers can pick up a free red maple, crabapple or white pine tree to take home for planting. Open to the public.

Michael Martin Murphey Concert: A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls will host a 7:30 p.m. concert by chart-topping singer-songwriter Michael Martin Murphey ("What's Forever For," "Wildfire" and more). Over the past 50 years, his songs have populated the top of the country, western, bluegrass and pop charts, and he has released 35 albums to date. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for students, and may be purchased online at fergusarts.org or by phone at 218-736-5453.

Vault Open Gym: Vault Gymnastics in Perham will host a free open gym session from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Perham Area Gymnastics Academy, 815 2nd Ave. SW, Perham. Kids are welcome to explore the Vault's foam pit, gymnastics equipment and Ninja course, all for just $10. Sign up via the parent portal at perhamvault.com to reserve your kid's spot.

Mother's Day Celebration: River's Edge Cabinetry in Perham will host a Mother's Day celebration from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with a custom hat bar, make-and-take floral bouquets, permanent jewelry, cookie decorating, food, drinks and more. Open to women of all ages.

Keith Friedsam Benefit: Volunteer firefighter, EMT, trapper and Otter Tail County Sheriff's Deputy Keith Friedsam, who is battling chronic myelogenous leukemia, will be honored with a community benefit at Perham Lakeside Golf, Tap and Event Center, 2727 450th St., Perham, from 4-8 p.m. There will be live and silent auctions, a pasta bar and more. Open to the public. For more information please contact Barb Felt at 218-298-2482. Proceeds will go directly to support the Friedsam family and offset Keith's ongoing medical expenses.

Spring Vendor Show: Kreative Shindigz will host a spring vendor show at the Dent Community Center (201 Birch St.) from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Come find a one-of-a-kind gift for Mother's Day before it's too late! There will be door prize giveaways and a walking taco bar starting at noon (tacos are $5 each). For more information go to kreativeshindigz.com.

Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack: A mobile pack event for Feed My Starving Children will take place at the Boys and Girls Club in Perham on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. Volunteers are needed for the 12:30-2:30 p.m., 3-5 p.m., and 6-8 p.m. shifts, to help pack meals for distribution by FMSC. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Carla at 218-841-1175 or cgauwitz@arvig.net. To donate toward the cause, visit www. fmsc.org/ways-to-give/donate-to-a-mobilepack.

Grief Support Group: Hospice of the River Valley is offering weekly support group sessions in both Detroit Lakes and Perham, every Wednesday from April 3-May 8. These sessions are for anyone coping with a significant loss through death. Each week will begin with a brief educational session, followed by sharing and listening to stories within the group. All grief support classes offered by Hospice of the Red River Valley are free and open to the public. Registration is required for all classes. For more detailed information about classes, visit bit.ly/griefclassschedule. For questions or to register, call 701-356-1533 or email grief@hrrv.org.

Library History Exhibit: The Detroit Lakes Public Library will be hosting "Testify — Slavery to Today: The Diane and Alan Page Collection" from April 15-May 3, during its regular public hours. This impactful traveling exhibit contains images of physical artifacts belonging to former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and NFL Hall of Famer Alan Page, which were painstakingly photographed and memorialized to illustrate the struggles experienced through slavery, segregation and discrimination. Free and open to the public; call 218-847-2168 for more information.

Roller Skating: Come to the Perham Area Community Center every Friday from 6-8:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. for some roller skating fun. Admission is $7 per person. You may bring your own skates or choose from the selection on hand. Each skating session will include a game hosted by Magnifi Financial where you will have a chance to win some fun prizes! Call 218-346-9844 for more information.

Karaoke Night: The Salty Pickle Bar and Grill at 43974 390th St., Perham, will host karaoke with Key J John every Friday from 8 p.m. to midnight. Open to the public.

Free Bowling: The Cactus in Perham offers free bowling with meal purchase every Wednesday, starting at 3 p.m. and continuing until closing time.

Friday Nights at the Silver Moon: The Silver Moon in Perham hosts meat raffles and horse racing every Friday starting at 5:30 p.m. Happy hour is from 4-6 p.m. and they will also serve a prime rib dinner starting at 5 p.m.

Elevate Walking Club: Come to the Perham Area Community Center on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and join the Elevate Walking Club, which aims to get people of all ages out for some exercise in a warm, safe and sociable environment during the winter months. The first two walks are offered free of charge, but those who continue to participate are asked to join the PACC or Silver Sneakers. Participants can walk at their own pace. Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes, and bring along a water bottle to stay hydrated. When the weather gets warmer this spring, the group will begin venturing outside the PACC for their morning treks. Call 218-346-7710 for more information, or to sign up.

Free Blood Pressure Checks: Elevate OTC is sponsoring free blood pressure checks at the Perham Area Community Center on Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m. Open to the public. No registration needed.

Sit-n-Stitch: A weekly gathering of fiber artists takes place from 5 to 7 p.m., every Thursday at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. Free and open to all who are interested in learning about fiber arts, or enhancing their knowledge. All ages and experience levels welcome.

Elevating Voices Memory Loss Chorus: Elevating Voices is a unique choral experience created for those with memory loss, their care partners, and volunteers. Singers of all abilities are invited to come together to create and learn in weekly rehearsals., starting April 6 at Crosspoint Alliance Church in Perham. Rehearsals will take place every Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. unless otherwise specified. Visit elevateotc.org/elevating-voices for details or call 218-347-1974 to sign up.

Music Makers at Otter Cove: Kids aged 0-5 are invited to come to the Otter Cove Children's Museum in Fergus Falls at 9:30 a.m. every Thursday for a fun morning of singing, playing instruments and dancing; all ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Attendance at this event is included as part of an active museum membership or daily admission pass.

Lakeside Tap Trivia Night: Lakeside Tap in Perham will host Trivia Night every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Unlimited team size; phones not allowed. Call 218-346-9473 for more information.

Reading Buddies Needed: Kinship is looking for volunteers to help Heart of the Lakes Elementary School kindergarten students with their reading skills. Volunteers will meet with their "reading buddy" at the school every other Wednesday for 30-60 minutes between the hours of 9 a.m.-1 p.m. To volunteer, or for more information, contact Kinship at 218-457-3019.

Grief Share Support Group: A Grief Share support group for those living with the loss of a loved one will take place on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, Sept. 12-Dec. 5 at New Creation Lutheran Church in Perham. Register online at griefshare.org/findagroup or contact Jennifer Howey, 218-346-7203 or garden@newcreationperham.org for more information.

Library Storytimes: The Perham Area Public Library hosts Preschool Storytime every Tuesday, and Storytime with Becky on Thursdays, all starting at 10:15 a.m. Visit perhamlibrary.org or call 218-346-4892 for more information.

Baby and Toddler Storytime: The Fergus Falls Public Library will host storytime for babies and toddlers on both Tuesday and Wednesday, April 11-12, from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Talk, sing, read, and play together in a format perfect for little ones! Help develop your child’s early literacy skills through songs, stories, nursery rhymes, and fun movement activities. Each session includes interactive playtime. Registration is not required.

Parkers Prairie Bookmobile: The Bookmobile stops across from the post office in Parkers Prairie every other Wednesday from 3-4 p.m. Not only does the bookmobile have books, movies and magazines available to check out, but also a wide variety of electronic services including ebooks, downloadable audiobooks, streaming movies, TV and music, and a variety of educational databases and distance learning resources, not to mention internet access to the Bookmobile's member libraries for requesting inter-library loan and delivery services.

Trivia Night: Thousand Lakes Brewing Co. in Parkers Prairie will host a Trivia Night every Thursday, with happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. and trivia rounds starting at 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top two teams.

Homeschool Hangouts: All area home-schooled students are invited to the Otter Cove Children's Museum, 105 W. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls, from 9 a.m. to noon every Friday, for a "Homeschool Hangout" event. For more information call 218-998-5437 or email ottercoveff@gmail.com .

Cornhole League: Join the Cornhole League at Perham's Lakeside Event Center, every Thursday night at 7 p.m. The league is seeking 16 two-person teams for a 16-week season, with the top three teams to be paid out at the end. Call 218-346-9471 or email darryllakesidetap@gmail.com for more information, or to sign up your team.

Baby Bin: Come look through the baby bin at Crosspoint Alliance Church, 600 8th St. NE, Perham, on the first Tuesday of every month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All WIC participants receive one pack of diapers and wet wipes. Everyone may look through our children's clothing, sizes 0-10.

Quilting: The Calvary Cut-Ups quilting group meets from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays at Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham. Questions? Contact Brenda Halvorson at 320-493-0802.

Food Pantries: The Bridge Pantry in Perham is open Tuesday mornings, 8 a.m. to noon, as well as from 3-5 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month. Ruby's Pantry will be at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Perham on the fourth Saturday of every month, starting at 8 a.m.

Community Meal: Perham's New Creation Church welcomes the community to come enjoy a community meal from 5-6 p.m. every Wednesday. Cost is a free-will offering.

Fishermen's Lunch: Calvary Lutheran Church will host a fishermen's lunch on the first Thursday of every month, starting at noon. All men in the community are invited; no bible study, no business meeting, just lunch and good fun.

Theology on Tap: St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Perham will offer a Theology on Tap bible study at Brew Ales and Eats in Perham on the third Thursday of every month, starting at 6 p.m. Pastor Andrew Ratcliffe will lead the discussion on various theological topics.

Celebrate Recovery: Every Tuesday night at Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham, Celebrate Recovery will meet for food and fellowship at 5 p.m., followed by a large group session and open share groups from 5:30-8 p.m. No cost to attend; childcare is available. Visit calvaryperham.com/recovery for more information.

Open AA Meeting: The Perham Solutions Alcoholics Anonymous group will host an open meeting at 43452 County Highway 34, Perham, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. For more information on meetings and times, call 866-641-9190.

Narcotics Anonymous: The Perham Alano Club, 43452 County Highway 34, Perham, will host Narcotics Anonymous meetings on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.

Widows Support Group: A widows support group meets at 5 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at St. Henry's in Perham.

Live Wires: A fun group of "olders," the Live Wires meet for potluck and connection time every third Wednesday of the month at Crosspoint Alliance Church in Perham, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Bingo: Every Tuesday, 6-7 p.m., Thumper Pond, Ottertail; also on Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. at Lakeside Tap in Perham (10 games, free to play, with prizes, plus tacos!); every Wednesday, 7-10 p.m., Salty Pickle Bar and Grill in Perham; every Saturday, 2-5 p.m. at Big Pine Lodge, Perham; Sundays at 3 p.m., Billy's Corner Bar and Grill in Vergas; and the Salty Pickle also has bingo at 3 p.m. on Sundays, along with a prime rib meat raffle.

Tuesday Trivia Night: Billy's Corner Bar & Grill in Vergas will be offering Trivia Night every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Open to the public.

Perham Networking Opportunity: The Nest in Perham will host a one-hour free business networking opportunity on the first Wednesday of every month, starting at 8:15 a.m. Personal introductions, sharing of upcoming events and projects, and a focus presentation. Coffee will be provided by the focus topic presenter.

Mah Jongg at Calvary Lutheran: Men and women are welcome and play Mah Jongg at Perham's Calvary Lutheran Church on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in the library. No prior experience necessary, as experienced players will teach the game to newcomers.

Compiled by Vicki Gerdes for the Perham Focus.