News briefs - March 17 edition

Wadena County Sheriff's Office to hold weather spotter training March 30

The Wadena County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management will be hosting a Weather Spotter Training course on Wednesday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. This training will be presented by the National Weather Service and will be held in the Roberts Theater at Wadena-Deer Creek High School.

29th annual Horticulture Day in Perham

The East Otter Tail Master Gardeners will be hosting the 29th annual East Otter Tail Horticulture Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at Prairie Winds Middle School, Perham (480 Coney St.).

Over 20 speakers will be teaching sessions on horticulture related topics covering everything from wildflowers and perennials to growing grapes for wine. The event will also include Master Gardeners to answer gardening questions, a variety of local vendors selling yard and garden goods, door prizes.

The keynote speaker for the event, Mike Heger, is the retired owner of Ambergate Gardens of Victoria Minnesota. He has intensive experience in designing gardens and combining perennials at his nursery and with the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. Mike is also the well-known author of "Growing Perennials in Cold Climates".

Sponsors include the East Otter Tail County Master Gardeners, Lady Slipper Garden Club, and University of Minnesota Extension.

Arvig seeks area students for essay contest

Arvig is pleased to announce its essay contest to send one area student to visit Washington, D.C., for the Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) Youth Tour, June 4-8. The essay prompt for the contest is "Technology and Rural Life." Essays and completed applications are due to Arvig by email before 11:59 p.m., Sunday, March 27.

The chosen student will be one of 100 high school students from rural America who will win an all-expenses-paid trip to explore our nation's capital, and get an inside look at the legislation and governmental process of the telecommunications industry.

"The kids in our rural communities are our future leaders," said David Arvig, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President at Arvig. "It's important to offer opportunities like the Youth Tour so they can learn more about how the decisions made in Washington directly impact our life in rural Minnesota. We're happy to be a sponsor this year."

The FRS Youth Tour provides a forum for teens to meet and interact with their peers from other rural communities, as well as key legislative, regulatory and government figures. The Youth Tour delegates will explore historic sites including Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill, Mount Vernon, Lincoln Memorial, Washington National Cathedral, the U.S. Supreme Court and Smithsonian Institution.

Eligible students must be high school students, age 16 or 17 at the time of the Youth Tour in June 2016 (FRS will not accept any student age 18 or older), and receive Arvig Internet, telephone and/or television services at their residence. Students and their parents should visit arvig.net/youthtour to download the essay prompt and contest requirements, application forms and submission details.

Heartland Hospice looks for volunteers

Heartland Hospice is looking for caring and dedicated people with an interest in serving terminally ill patients and their families in Wadena and the outlying communities. Volunteers provide services such as friendly visiting, pet therapy, musical enrichment, errand running and clerical services. Volunteer classes are available to fit each person's schedule. Please call Keshia Kettler-Herrmann at Heartland Hospice at (218) 829-1252 for further information.

DNR urges residents to check the piles they burned last fall or this winter

As spring approaches and snow disappears, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges landowners to check burn piles from last fall or this winter for heat. Hot coals can remain in large piles for months, and could start a wildfire after snow melt.

DNR recommends visiting burn piles and check for hot spots, embers, clear white ash, steam or smoke coming from the piles. In addition, stir the ash with a shovel and feel for heat. Woody material that remains in the pile should be pulled out and checked for heat. Use a shovel and water to extinguish hot spots.

Spring wildfires can be avoided by checking piles now. Each year the DNR responds to wildfires ignited from burn piles that were not fully extinguished from the previous winter.

With an early spring anticipated in most areas of Minnesota, spring fire restrictions will soon be in place. Check the DNR's burning permit restrictions web page for details. Learning more about debris burning at mndnr.gov/wildfire/prevention/debrisburning.html.

Lions Easter breakfast set for March 26

The Verndale Lions will host an Easter breakfast and coloring contest Saturday, March 26 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Verndale Community Center. Freewill donations will be accepted. There will be cash prizes for students preschool through sixth grade. The People's Choice winner will receive a bike from Wayne's Discount. There will be an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. at McNair Park. All proceeds will go to the cemetery map board project.