COMMUNITY CALENDAR

MN DNR )  Fall Color Finder  ..  is a way to follow the fall color change throughout the state of Minnesota.  DNR staff – weekly – share updated reports from their location about how the color of leaves are changing as the season progresses.  The website helps visitors plan their trips to areas before the color change ends.  The Fall Color Finder map is located on the Minnesota DNR’s website, at:   mndnr.gov/fallcolors.   Get outdoors and see the beautiful show nature puts on in Fall.

MN DNR )  Deer hunters in Minnesota .. licenses are now available for purchase.  Archery Season:  Sept. 16th – Dec. 31st.  Youth & Early Antlerless:  Oct. 19th thru Oct. 22nd.  Firearms Season:  Begins Nov. 4th.  Muzzleloader: Nov. 25 thru Dec. 10th.      

Pipestone )  Pipestone Farmers Market .. located in parking lot of Pipestone True Value on Main Street .. every WEDNESDAY at 4:30 pm & every SATURDAY at 8 am.  Buy fresh, local produce, homemade goods like breads, jams, and honey. 

Lake Benton )  Silent Auction Donations requested for a September 24th .. Benefit hosted by the Lake Benton Lions Club for Lynn Meyer as she prepares for a battle with Ovarian Cancer.   All proceeds from the Silent Auction to support Lynn with medical and living expenses.   Every little bit helps – your donation is appreciated.  To donate an item for this benefit,  call Joyce Miller at 507-204-8175. 

Shakopee )  Minnesota Renaissance Festival .. Weekends now thru October 1st.  Saturdays and Sundays .. also Festival Friday – Sept. 29th.   Open rain or shine from 9 am to 7 pm.  Advance $10 parking passes must be purchased online at RenaissanceFest.com.  Or, utilize the Park & Ride Bus Pass .. $5 person. 

Wilmont / L.Shetek / Avoca / Tracy) Currie Town & Country Booster BINGO NIGHTS.

– Monday nights – 6:30 pm in Wilmont at Saloon 7 starting Oct. 2nd thru Nov 20th

– Wed nights – 6:30 pm NOW thru October 11th at Pelican Cove on Lake Shetek.                                                                                                                                                                         –Tuesday nights – 6:30 pm Now thru October 17th in Avoca.

– Thursday nights – 6:30 pm in Tracy at The Caboose .. starting October 5th thru    

                             November 30th. (No bingo on Thanksgiving)

Edgerton )  Edgerton BLOOD DRIVE .. Tuesday, September 19th .. 12:30 to 6:30 pm at First Reformed Church in Edgerton.   This blood drive will honor:  Larry Bleyenburg and Teresa Kooiman, two local people passed away recently, both who battled cancer.  Blood donation is important for treatment in cancer patients. As transfusions build their blood supply back up, and also reduce the side effects of treatment.  Please consider donating in honor of Larry, Teresa, and all our loved ones who have fought or are fighting cancer. Call Betty to make an appointment: 507 227 8416.

Slayton )  Hospice of Murray County’s Annual RUMMAGE SALE .. Tuesday thru Saturday, September 19th – 23rd at Murray County Fairgrounds in Slayton.  Hours:  Tuesday thru Friday .. 9 am – 7 pm.  Saturday .. 9 am – noon.  

Slayton )   Murray County Central High School and Murray County Medical Center host a Community Blood Drive .. Wednesday, September 20th.   First location from 8 am to 12 noon at the High School .. Second location from 1:30 – 5 pm at Murray County Medical Center.  Schedule your appointment by logging onto cbblifeblood.org or call 605-331-3222.   All who donate receive a Subway gift card.  

Pipestone )  Pipestone Area Schools invite local businesses to participate in the Homecoming Parade .. Friday, September 29th – 1 pm.   Following parade – a Pep Fest.  Parade route will be on the Pipestone School campus.  Theme: “Crush The Chargers”.  Participants design a float that resonates with the theme and their business’ unique identity.  To sign up,  fill out the form by scanning the QR code in the Pipestone Free Star.  Deadline to register is Sept. 20th.

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour.  Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  September 20th – About Sandhill Cranes.  Greater sandhill cranes are now common throughout Minnesota, and cranes make an exciting sight to behold. Jade Pederson, park ranger, and Cynthia McSherry, volunteer, l share the life history, quirks and migration of sandhill cranes.

Pipestone )  Singer – Songwriter Dennis Warner is on stage Wednesday, September 20th – 6:30 pm at Pipestone Performing Arts Center.  He has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC .. he has been featured on the PBS TV show “Backroads”.  Free to the public courtesy of funds from the legislative appropriation for the arts and cultural heritage.

Pipestone )  Pipestone County Historical Society’s Coffee Talk (3rd Thursday of each month) .. Thursday, September 21st – 10 am at Pipestone County Museum.   Presentation by Susan Hoskins – sharing a story about Pipestone native .. Chester Huston who took up the sport of walking and became a pedestrian athlete.   Free and open to everyone.  Arrive at 9:45 am for complimentary coffee and refreshments. 

LakeShetek)  Beginning Experience of SW Minnesota .. a peer ministry support group – offers a Weekend Retreat that provides an opportunity to close the door gently on the past and move on with renewed hope and purpose.   Retreat is held Friday thru Sunday, September 29th, 30th, and October 1st – at Shetek Lutheran Ministries.  Deadline to register is September 22nd.  Email:  swmnbe@gmail.com or  call Tim at 507-530-6379.

Pipestone )  Fall Dance Festival at Pipestone American Legion .. Saturday, September 23rd .. 7:30 – 11:30 pm.  Bring a dessert or appetizer to share.  Food, fun, and friends.  Singles and couples welcome.  Music provided by DJ Mylan Ray.  Admission: $10.  

Pipestone )  Calling all volunteers!  Pipestone National Monument needs your help on Saturday, September 23rd – National Public Lands Day.   Choose between: planting native seeds,  collecting native seeds to be planted next year,  or removing invasive plant species that crowd out native plants.  No experience necessary.  Tools provided.  Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes .. bring gloves.  Volunteers treated to a complimentary lunch at 11 am.  Work in the monument’s tallgrass prairie from 9 to 11 am.  Free and open to the public.  Please RSVP so staff know how much food to order.  Call Pipestone National Monument – 507 825 5464 .. extension 214.  

Pipestone )  Autumn Star Gazing at Pipestone National Monument .. Saturday, September 23rd .. 8:30 -10 pm.  Astronomers from SDSU and Augustana University along with students from American Indian Science & Engineering Society … together offer visitors a chance to look through telescopes and learn about Lakota constellations. Marty DeWitt offers a free class on astrophotography for night sky picture taking.  Free cocoa / snacks.  Free and open to public.  (rain date: Sept.  30th) 

Woodstock )  New Life Treatment Center’s Annual Up With Recovery Celebration .. Saturday, September 23rd .. 5 – 8:45 pm.   Free meal,  horse rides, kids’ activities like: train rides, face painting, and inflatables.  Guest speaker from Slayton – Heather Kittelson at 7 pm.  Recovery Walk at dusk to honor those in recovery .. those lost to addiction .. and who have passed away in recovery.  Luminaries provided to decorate. 

L Benton )  Lake Benton Lions Club Breakfast Fundraiser / Silent Auction .. Sunday, September 24th .. 9 am – 12:30 pm at Lake Benton Community Event Center.  Serving:  Pancakes,  French Toast,  eggs,  sausage, toast, coffee and milk.  Proceed benefit Lynn Meyers’ medical expenses .. recently diagnosed with stage 3 metastatic ovarian cancer.   Lynn also has a Go Fund Me page.

Tracy )  Cancer Charity Event .. Sunday, September 24th .. 11 am – 1 pm at The Caboose in Tracy.  Free-will Donation Meal .. Silent Auction .. Live Cello Music by Sam Obel.   Event supports Carol Dunker in her battle against stage 4 breast cancer.   

Spencer, IA )  Black Knights Car Club hosts Annual Airport Drags .. Sunday,         Sept. 24th at Airport in Spencer, Iowa.  Gates open:  9 am. Races:  11 am – 3 pm.    Drag races are 350 feet side-by-side with light start.  Bring lawn chairs.  

Pipestone )  Pipestone County Hospice hosts Grief Support Group Meetings .. Tuesday mornings .. beginning October 10th from 10 to 11 am at the Hospice House.  Support, compassion and understanding.  The 6-week series ends November 14th.                To register or for more information,  call 507-825-6024.

Slayton )  Slayton American Legion Post 64 monthly meeting .. Monday, September 25th .. 7pm at the Slayton Fire Hall.  All veterans, members, and non-members – encouraged to attend. 

Slayton )  Sons of the American Legion Squadron 64 monthly meeting .. Monday September 25th .. 6:30 pm at the Slayton Fire Hall.  A male descendant of a veteran or current service member .. are eligible to become an SAL member.  Members and non-members – encouraged to attend.

Pipestone )  Pipestone County Museum’s Donation Rummage is Tuesday and Wednesday, September 26 & 27th at the American Legion.   Inviting the public to drop off good useable items (no electronics) from 10 am to 2 pm on Tuesday, the 26th at Pipestone American Legion.   Rummage begins Tuesday 5 until 7 pm.  Wednesday  – 9 am to 2 pm.   Proceeds will support programs at the Pipestone County Museum.

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  September 27th.    Planning a DIY bird hunting road trip  Join DNR biologists and bird hunting experts as they cover how to plan your own upland bird hunting trip.

Elkton )  Elkton United Parish Ham Supper & Country Store .. Wednesday, September 27th .. 5 – 7:30 pm.  Adults – $13.  Youth 5 to 12 yrs. – $5.  Country Store for free will offering – proceeds benefit the Children’s Home Society in Sioux Falls.  Elkton United Parish is located in the SW corner of Elkton at 710 Cornell.

Holland )  St. James Lutheran Church .. Annual Ham Supper .. Wednesday, September 27th  –  5 to 8 pm.  Menu:  Bone-in Ham,  mashed potatoes & gravy,  corn,  coleslaw, desserts.   Drive-Thru at the church in Holland (330 Carter Avenue).  $12 – adults.   $5 Kids 12 and under.  Free – Preschool.

Pipestone )  Pipestone Area Schools invite local businesses to participate in the Homecoming Parade .. Friday, September 29th – 1 pm.   Following parade – a Pep Fest.  Parade route will be on the Pipestone School campus.  Theme: “Crush The Chargers”.     

Edgerton )  BARN DANCE featuring Swing & Line Dancing at Diamond H Acres near  Edgerton .. Friday, September 29th – 7 pm.  Family friendly event.  $5.  Line dance lessons thru the night.  Diamond H Acres address is 1527 – 41st Street, Edgerton.

Pipestone )  Improvanopolis .. from the Improv Comedy Theatre comes to the Pipestone American Legion .. Sat, September 30th .. 7:30 – 9 pm.  Check with the Legion for tickets. 

Slayton )  St. Ann’s Catholic Church’s FALL DINNER .. Sunday, October 1st .. 11 am to 1 pm.   Menu:  Ham, scalloped potatoes,  homegrown sweet corn,  coleslaw,  and dessert.  Dine in or carry out.  $12 – adults.  $7 – kids ages 6 to 10.  Raffle prizes .. face painting .. stained-glass crosses available for purchase.

Pipestone )  St. Leo Catholic Church’s FALL FESTIVAL  .. Sunday, October 1st .. 10:30 am – 1 pm in the church hall.  Menu:  Turkey Dinner with home-made pie and dessert.  $12 – adults.  5 to 8 yrs – $6.  4 yrs & under – free.  Raffle tickets with plenty of prizes.  Country Store located at Noah’s Ark Preschool.

Woodstock )  Concert For Christ .. at Woodstock Community Church .. Sunday, October 1st .. 2 – 4 pm.  Performances by:  “Poured Out” & “The Klassens”.  Ice Cream Social also.  Enjoy fellowship .. great music .. and help support this fundraiser to purchase Bibles for clients at New Life Treatment Center.

Slayton / Worthington )  Nobles Cooperative Electric hosts a Grab and Go Pork Meal at their locations in Slayton and Worthington.  Monday, October 2nd .. in Worthington.  Wednesday, October 4th in Slayton.  Both days from 4 – 7 pm.                   For Nobles Coop Electric members only. 

Marshall )  Beginning Experience of SW Minnesota offers the Rebuilding Series .. designed for those who are past the initial pain of losing a partner and are working to put their lives back together.  A support group open to people of all denominations.  The 10 week program begins Monday, October 2nd – 7 pm in Marshall at First Lutheran Church located on Church and “A” Street.  To pre-register, call Tim at 507-530-6379. 

Pipestone )  Citywide Fall Drop Off Days in Pipestone .. Monday thru Thursday, October 2nd – 5th .. 7 am to 7 pm and Friday, October 6th .. 7 am – noon.   Pipestone residents bring their items to the Public Works Shop at 415 – 2nd St. NE.  Follow the posted signs.   Accepting:  building materials,  carpet (rolled & tied),  clothing,  flooring material,  household furniture,  grills w/ tanks removed,  sinks, bathtubs, and toilets, various metals.   Items that need to be prepaid for – mattresses and box springs ($30 each) payable at the City Office before you drop off.   NOT accepted:  appliances, batteries, computers, electronics,  chemicals,  tires,  TVs,  hazardous waste, pesticides, oil or paint.  

Pipestone )  Final Mowing at Old & New Woodlawn Cemetaries in Pipestone .. begins Wednesday, October 4th.   City of Pipestone – Public Works Department will mow and spray.  Requesting all markers,  flowers,  and miscellaneous items be removed prior to this last cutting and spraying.  Final mowing is scheduled sooner this year due to the weed overgrowth and the need for treatment to be affective.   Your cooperation is appreciated.   Questions?  Call City of Pipestone 507-825-3324.

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  October 4th.  Fall turkey hunting.  Hunting for turkeys in the fall is not the same as a spring hunt.  Ryan Tebo, one of DNR’s turkey research experts, shares what to know before you try to bag one of these wily birds.

Tyler )  The Rock’s Rummage Sale .. Friday, October 6th .. Noon to 7 pm  /   Saturday, October 7th .. 9 am – Noon ½ price.  The Rock Christian Youth Center is located at 148 North Tyler Street next to Maynards Foods in Tyler.  This is the Youth Center’s 19th annual sale with over 10,000 items .. everything you’d find in the house, yard, and garage.

Slayton )  What was life like on the prairie of southwestern Minnesota in the 1880s for Native American girls brought from Dakota Territory to a school in Avoca, Minnesota?   The public is invited Saturday, October 7th .. to an event called “Reaching Though Time, History, Faith and Culture in Southwest Minnesota.”  Hosted by the Diocese of Winona-Rochester .. this event features local historians, displays of historical photos, and traditional Native American dance and music.  Held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Slayton,  6 miles north of Avoca.  Pre-registration required by October 1st.   Registration – $20 covers all presentations,  refreshments, and lunch featuring bison stew and fry bread, catered by a Native American-owned restaurant, Watecha Bowl, based in Sioux Falls.   Reserve by calling Isaac Landsteiner at Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota at 507-848-8303.

Lake Benton )  St. Genevieve’s Parish Festival .. Sunday, October 8th .. 11 am – 1 pm at the Church on Lincoln Street (west of the fire hall in Lake Benton).  Chicken Dinner .. adults – $15 .. Kids 10 & under – $5.  For deliveries in town, call before Sunday – Eileen at 507-829-4094.  1 pm – quilt and cash raffle prizes drawn.  

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  October 11th.  Fall fishing tips & techniques.  One of the best times of the year to catch big fish is in the fall!  DNR area fisheries supervisors and avid anglers, Scott Mackenthun and Eric Altena, will share several fishing secrets on where and how to catch a variety of fish including: walleye, muske, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and lake sturgeon.

Owatonna )  Minnesota’s Steele County hosts this year’s annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener this fall. The traditional hunting celebration will be held in Owatonna – Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13th and 14th.  The Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener will showcase the many hunting, recreational, and community opportunities that Owatonna and Steele County have to offer. This includes more than 2,000 acres of state-managed public hunting land.  Owatonna is located along Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 14.   

Tyler )  Tyler Arts Council .. presents PAN!  A Children’s Theatre Production.  Fly away to Neverland with Peter Pan.  In Tyler at the RTR Performing Arts Center .. Saturday, October 14th at 2 & 7 pm.   

Ruthton )  Red Cross Blood Drive .. Monday, October 16th .. 12:30 – 6:30 pm in Ruthton at the Community Center.   Make an appointment by visiting online – RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  October 18th.  Ciscos: Minnesota lakes’ keystone fish species.  DNR fisheries experts talk about cisco. Also called tullibee or herring, they are members of the whitefish family and are commonly found in cold and deep Minnesota lakes. 

Pipestone )  Pipestone Co Pheasants Forever – 15th Annual Youth Mentor Hunt .. Saturday, October 28th .. 9 am – 4 pm.  Youth ages 11 to 17 years old may participate if they have their DNR Hunters Safety Card.  Youth hunters may bring their own gun if they have one.  Otherwise,  the Pheasants Forever Chapter will provide:  guns, ammo, orange vests and hats .. eye and ear protection .. and clay pigeons.  Transportation is provided.  Parents and Grandparents or Guardians are welcome to also spend the day with the group.  Pre-registration and Parental Release Form is required by Wednesday, October 25th.  Stop by Pipestone Extension Office at 119 SW 2nd Avenue – Suite #2 in the City Municipal Building.  Or call 825-1190 .. or call Tyler Rieck 215-1193.  

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  October 25th. Selecting a knife and keeping it sharp.  Join blade expert Derek Clark of Backcountry Hunter and Anglers as he discusses the factors to consider when selecting that next hunting knife and how to care for it.

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  November 1st.  Elk in Minnesota.  Did you know we have resident elk in Minnesota? Join Connie Cox, DNR naturalist, and Blane Klemek, DNR northwest regional wildlife manager, for history of Minnesota’s elk herds and how they are managed, including some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to hunt them. 

Pipestone )  Community Blood Bank and Pipestone County Medical Center join to offer the next BLOOD DRIVE .. Monday, November 6th .. 9 am – noon / 1:30 – 5 pm in the circle drive located on the east side of PCMC.  Call for an appointment at 877-877-3070.  Also,  obtain an appointment online at www.CBBLifeBlood.org.   

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  November 8th.  No Child Left Inside Grant Program.  The MN Legislature has provided funds to connect youth with nature and get them engaged in outdoor recreation. 

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  November 15th.  Planning a BWCAW Trip.  The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of the most beautiful areas.  Join Jess Edberg,  and Benji Kohn, as they share about trip itineraries, campsites, maps, portages, permits and new tools to help you decide where to go. 

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  November 22nd: Galls, burls and brooms! This webinar will explore plant diseases. Learning what to look for with Plant expert, Sam Guida, teaches about lumps on leaves and other curious plant diseases.

MN State Park FREE DAYS in 2023  .. Minnesota DNR waives vehicle permit fees at all 75 state parks on 4 dates in 2023 .. to encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature.   Free Days in 2023, are: – Friday, November 24

MN DNR )  MN DNR Webinar.   Learn outdoor skills with online webinars from the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship series.  Each webinar begins at noon on Wednesdays and last less than an hour. Free .. DNR Webinars only require you to pre-register first online at www.dnr.state.mn.us  and search “Outdoor Skills”.  This Wednesday’s Webinar:  November 29th: Emerald Ash Borer and impacts to Minnesota forests.  Rachael Dube, DNR forest health specialist, shares information on emerald ash borer and its impacts on our communities and forests. What to prepare for and control emerald ash borer.