Events

The Minnesota State Council of the Knights of Columbus will have its 28th annual Tootsie Roll drive to aid people with developmental disabilities on Saturday, April 26.

The Tootsie Rolls will be available at Cash Wise Foods, Econo Foods, Wal-Mart and ShopKo.

A freewill donation for the Tootsie Rolls is appreciated.

Ninety percent of the proceeds remain in the community and are split among the programs: Friendship Ventures, Averyon Homes and McLeod County Arc. Ten percent goes to the Knights of Columbus Special Olympics. For more information, call (320) 587-8905 or (320) 587-0814.

The second annual Memorial Asthma Walk in memory of Beto Hinojosa will take place Saturday, April 26, at Oak Leaf Park in Glencoe. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the walk starting at 10 a.m. Fifteen-year-old Beto Hinojosa died as a result of an asthma attack Aug. 24, 2005. His family is from Glencoe.
The event includes asthma education, a silent auction, bake sale and carnival. To register for the walk or for more information, call Kerry at (320) 864-1512 or e-mail her at kerry.ward@co. mcleod.mn.us.

A spring clean-up is scheduled for the Bohemian National Cemetery at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26 (weather permitting). The cemetery is eight miles east of Hutchinson on State Highway 7, in Rich Valley Township. This is before the detour.
Volunteers are asked to bring rakes, clippers, gloves and yard maintenance equipment. For more information, call (320) 587-8728.

The new Sons of Norway lodge, the Kråkeelva Lodge or Crow River Lodge, will be officially inducted into the Sons of Norway at a dinner at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27.
The Kråkeelva Lodge serves the tri-county area of Meeker, McLeod and Wright counties, and offers people the opportunity to celebrate their Norwegian heritage in monthly meetings.
The induction dinner will include several local dignitaries as well as local and international leaders of the Sons of Norway. The dinner will be torsk or chicken with all the extras.

The following Red Cross bloodmobile will be in the Winsted area soon:
• 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at Winsted Fire Hall, 431 6th St. S. Winsted.
To make an appointment at any of these sites, call (800) 448-3543.
All blood types are needed.
Healthy individuals who are at least age 17 and weigh at least 110 pounds may be able to donate blood. Donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days, or approximately six times a year. A photo ID is required.
For more information about blood drives in your area, call the Red Cross at (800) GIVE-LIFE, or visit www.givebloodgivelife.org.

The meeting of the McLeod County Council of the American Legion and Auxiliary will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the Stewart Community Center with Post 125 serving as host. Judging of the flag coloring contest will take place and election of officers for 2008-09. For more information, call (320) 587-3083.

The Foundation for Challenged Children meets from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at the Hutchinson Chamber Office.
The mission of Foundation For Challenged Children is to provide special needs for challenged children that insurance and government programs do not cover, such as learning and developmental tools and equipment. The organization helps people younger than 18 who are physically or mentally challenged and require help or assistance in daily life to become their personal best.
For further information, call Tina Vorlicek at (320) 234-0786, or Mary Lynne Cox at (320) 234-6210.

The following Red Cross bloodmobile will be in the area soon:
• 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at the Panther Field House, 1621 E. 16th St., Glencoe.
To make an appointment at any of these sites, call (800) 448-3543.
Healthy individuals who are at least age 17 and weigh at least 110 pounds may be able to donate blood. Donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days, or approximately six times a year. A photo ID is required.
For more information about blood drives in your area, call the Red Cross at (800) GIVE-LIFE, or visit www.givebloodgivelife.org.

The Red Cross bloodmobiles will be in the area soon:
• 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, Hutchinson Mall, 1060 Highway 15 S., Hutchinson.
• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 2, Hutchinson Mall, 1060 Highway 15 S., Hutchinson.
To make an appointment at any of these sites, call (800) 448-3543.
Healthy individuals who are at least age 17 and weigh at least 110 pounds may be able to donate blood. Donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days, or approximately six times a year. A photo ID is required.

The Red Cross bloodmobiles will be in the area soon:
• 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, Hutchinson Mall, 1060 Highway 15 S., Hutchinson.
• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 2, Hutchinson Mall, 1060 Highway 15 S., Hutchinson.
To make an appointment at any of these sites, call (800) 448-3543.
Healthy individuals who are at least age 17 and weigh at least 110 pounds may be able to donate blood. Donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days, or approximately six times a year. A photo ID is required.

Hutchinson's Annual Citywide Garage Sales

A stop-smoking support group will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at Shalom Baptist Church, 1215 Roberts Road, Hutchinson. Guest speaker will be Dr. Josh Campbell DDS. For more information, call Cindy Smith at (320) 234-6265.

The Autism Support Group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the first and second Tuesdays of the month, in the east conference room at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1040 South Grade Rd., Hutchinson.
The purpose of the group is to provide resources, referrals, friendship and understanding for parents, caregivers and others concerned about the well-being of autistic children.
For more information, call (320) 583-4513.

Cardiac and Diabetes Education Group will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Hutchinson Community Hospital conference room A/B, 1095 Highway 15 S., Hutchinson. The topic will be “What’s the Lowdown on Cholestrol?” Anyone interested in learning more about heart and diabetes-related topics is welcome to attend.
For more information, call Janet Mraz at (320) 234-4937.

The General Federation of Woman’s Club of Hutchinson will meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, in the parking lot behind MidCountry Bank in the 200 block of Hassan Street in Hutchinson. A car pool to visit a Hutterite colony will leave promptly at 4:30 p.m. Dinner and a tour will take place at the colony. All area women are invited to attend. For more information, call Elaine Black at (320) 587-3299.

Thursday, May 8th 2008. Litchfield Area Male Chorus presenting the Annual Spring Concert 2008. 1st Lutheran Church at Litchfield, MN. 7:00 p.m. Everybody is welcome. Tickets are $5 at the door. Contact Sheldon Hedin at 612-578-9290 for more information.

Hutchinson Area Bird Club will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Hutchinson Public Library basement meeting room.

The Renville County Genealogical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Renville City Library. Janean McKay will give a program entitled “They did WHAT!? The 1857 Minnesota Census Fraud.”
Anyone interested in genealogy is welcome. A lunch will be provided.

Litchfield Christian Women’s Club is sponsoring “A Spring is in the Air” brunch from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 9, at the Litchfield Eagles Club, 3424 389 S. County Road 34, Litchfield.
Special feature will be “Spring Creations” by Tom Wirt of Hutchinson, who will show his pottery.

Special music will be “Birds are Singing” by Lila Clark of Watertown, S.D., a singer and songwriter who has performed at Branson, Mo. She will also be special speaker.

The Crow River Area Amateur Radio Club meets at 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the American Legion, 222 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield.
The club meets for the purpose of advancing amateur radio and practicing for disaster preparedness in McLeod, Meeker, Renville and Sibley counties.

American Legion Auxillary and 8/40 Salon 85 of Hutchinson are sponsoring their semi-annual Fluff ‘n Puff event from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at American Legion Post 96, 35 Third Ave. S.E., Hutchinson. Use the east door.
With Fluff ‘n Puff, feather pillows are cleaned, deodorized, sanitized and fluffed. Crushed foam pillows are cleaned and polyester pillows can be recovered. Pillows are returned the same day.
Proceeds from the event will go to cystic fibrosis and respiratory diseases.

The Kråkeelva (Crow River) Lodge of the Sons of Norway will meet at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Faith Lutheran Church, 335 Main St. S., Hutchinson. The program will include a performance by the Dassel Leikarring dancers and an opportunity to learn a couple of Norwegian fold dances. A light supper will also be served.
Anyone interested in Norwegian heritage and activities is welcome to become a member of the Sons of Norway. Anyone joining the new lodge prior to June 27 will be a charter member. For more information, call Bonnie Eng at (320) 286-2734 or Diane Hjelter at (320) 587-7735.

The Autism Support Group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the first and second Tuesdays of the month, in the east conference room at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1040 South Grade Rd., Hutchinson.
The purpose of the group is to provide resources, referrals, friendship and understanding for parents, caregivers and others concerned about the well-being of autistic children.
For more information, call (320) 583-4513.

The Red Cross Disaster Action Team will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, May 12, at the Red Cross office, 902 State Highway 15 S., Hutchinson.
In addition to a business meeting, volunteer training in preparation for natural disasters or single family disaster assistance will be conducted.
For more information, call Kirsten Dean at (320) 587-0352, or e-mail her at redcross@ hutchtel.net.

Heartland Community Action Agency Inc. is planning an open house from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at its office in Hope Center, 218 Main St. S., Suite 108, Hutchinson. Informational displays and light refreshments will be available. Heartland Community Action Agency Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization working with households facing economic hardship in McLeod, Meeker, Renville and Kandiyohi counties.

The Bear Lake Sunshine Society will meet at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at Hutchinson Public Library meeting room, 50 Hassan St. S.E. Greeting cards will be for sale. Hostesses are Deloris and Elsa. Final plans for the annual bake and rummage sale to take place May 30 at Northwoods Park will be discussed. For more information, call Shirley at (320) 587-2750.

The American Red Cross has scheduled the following blood drive in Brownton during May:
• 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at the Community Center, Main Street in Brownton.
Call (800) 448-3543 to make an appointment, or for more information.
Donors must be at least 17 years old and must weigh at least 110 pounds. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply. A blood donor card or drivers license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Crow River Quilters will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in the public meeting room at Hutchinson Public Library, 50 Hassan St. S.E., Hutchinson.

The Pioneerland Library System Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at the Willmar Public Library community room.

Grief Recovery Friends meets at 7:30 p.m. May 15, at Oakland Chapel in Oakland Cemetery, Highway 15 South service road, Hutchinson. For more information, call Robert Hantge at (320) 587-2128.

The annual meeting of the McLeod Emergency Food Shelf will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 16, in the community room of the library building, 719 13th St. E., Glencoe. The report of the general business of the year will be given with election of the Board of Directors taking place.
The meeting is open to the public. For more information, or if interested in serving on the Board of Directors, call the McLeod Emergency Food Shelf at (320) 864-2088.

The 16th annual Motorcycle and Classic Car Run will take place Saturday, May 17. The event begins in Hutch-inson at Library Square (corner of Main Street and First Avenue S.E.).
Registration is from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The run will leave from Library Square promptly at 9:30 a.m., and head north on State Highway 15. The requested donation to participate is $15 per vehicle.
A freewill donation meal and live music by Second Chance will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Everyone, including those not able to participate in the run, is invited to attend the meal and concert.

Fare for All, a program that provides food in exchange for a small fee and two hours of volunteer work each month, will distribute food from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1040 South Grade Road S.W., Hutchinson. For more information, call Fare for All at (800) 582-4291, or visit the Web site www.fareforall.org

The American Red Cross has scheduled the following blood drive in May:
• 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 19 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1407 Cedar Ave., Glencoe.
Call (800) 448-3543 to make an appointment or for more information.
Donors must be at least 17 years old and must weigh at least 110 pounds. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply. A blood donor card or drivers license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Lakeside Enhancement Group will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 19, in the activity room at Lakeside Health Care Center, 439 William Ave. E., Dassel. All who are interested in the care center and its residents are welcome to attend.

Burns Manor Auxiliary will meet at 2 p.m. Monday, May 19, in the multi-purpose room of Burns Manor. Linda Krenz will give an update on the future of senior care in Hutchinson. For more information, call Roselin Jonas at (320) 587-3094.

The Crow River Habitat for Humanity Inc. monthly board meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 19, at the Hope Center Conference Room, 305 South Main St., Hutchinson. For further information, call (320) 587-8868.

The Hutchinson Area Special Olympics management team meets at 6 p.m. Monday, May 19, at the Public Library, 50 Hassan St. S.E., Hutchinson.

Anyone interested in helping out or finding out more about the team, can stop by or call Diane Boucher at (320) 864-4406.

The American Red Cross has scheduled the following blood drive in May:
• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at GFW High School, North Cottonwood Street in Winthrop.
Call (800) 448-3543 to make an appointment or for more information.
Donors must be at least 17 years old and must weigh at least 110 pounds. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply. A blood donor card or drivers license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

The American Red Cross has scheduled the following blood drive in May:
• 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at Peace Lutheran Church, 400 Franklin St. S.W., Hutchinson.
Call (800) 448-3543 to make an appointment or for more information.
Donors must be at least 17 years old and must weigh at least 110 pounds. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply. A blood donor card or drivers license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Western Fraternal Life Lodge Lumir will have a potluck and business meeting Tuesday, May 20, at the Komensky School, 19981 Major Avenue, Hutchinson. Supper will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the business meeting will be called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Jan Urban. Members are asked to bring can tabs for the Ronald McDonald project and cancelled stamps for the state WFLA project.

For more information, call (320) 587-8728.

A support group to help smokers quit will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at Shalom Baptist Church, 1215 Roberts Road S.W., Hutchinson. The meeting includes a speaker, small group discussion and prayer time. For more information, call Cindy Smith, coordinator, at (320) 234-6265, or e-mail her at cj51smith@yahoo.com.

McLeod County Republican Women will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at 1315 E. 11th St., Glencoe. All interested Republican women are invited to attend. For more information, call (320) 864-4162.

All members of Luce Line Railroad Club Inc. should plan to attend a special meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, to discuss the club possibly hosting the 2009 convention of the Thousand Lakes Region of the National Model Railroad Association. The meeting takes place at the club's Hutchinson Mall room.

Heatwole Threshing Association will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at the showgrounds, five miles south of Hutchinson off of Walden Avenue. The upcoming fundraiser will be discussed. For more information, call Corey at (320) 587-9143.

The American Red Cross has scheduled the following blood drive in May:
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 23, at Hutchinson Mall, 1060 State Highway 15 S., Hutchinson.
Call (800) 448-3543 to make an appointment or for more information.
Donors must be at least 17 years old and must weigh at least 110 pounds. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply. A blood donor card or drivers license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

McLeod County DFL Board meets from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 24, at Hutchinson Public Library meeting room, 50 Hassan St. S.E. A business meeting is followed by good of the party discussion.
For more information, call John at (320) 587-3150.