Injured woman still in critical condition

A Sartell woman remains in critical condition in the St. Cloud Hospital after being struck by a vehicle while walking her dog Feb. 9.

Karla Pallansch, 38, was injured at 6:36 a.m. on that morning while walking along the 400 block of 1st Street NE in Sartell. The vehicle that struck her was driven by Timothy Lindsay, 59, of Sartell. Police said Lindsay did not appear to be under the influence of any intoxicating substance. He was driving eastbound at the time of the accident.

The accident is under investigation.

A hospital spokesperson before Newsleader press time Wednesday said Pallansch is still in critical condition as of that day.

Fundraiser set for Champion Field

A fundraiser for improvements at Champion Baseball Field in Sartell's Northside Park will take place from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at Westside Liquor Learning Center.

At the event, ticket-holders will be able to taste more than 40 wines and many craft beers, as well as a range of appetizers. There will also be a silent auction. In recent years, Champion Field has undergone many upgrades, thanks to fundraising and volunteer labor.

The Learning Center is located in Rolling Plaza near the intersection of Pinecone Road and 2nd Street S. The fundraiser is sponsored by Westside Liquor.

For tickets and more information, call Katherine Voshell at 267-5106 or Kaye Wenker at 267-0559.

Girl Scouts need help
sending cookies to troops

Girl Scout Cookies are the best symbol of America and one of the most requested items by soldiers. Girls Scout Troop 127 of Sartell are in partnership with Operation Minnesota Nice to try and raise 1,000 boxes of cookies to send to Minnesota soldiers overseas. We will be at Gilleland Chevrolet in St. Cloud on Friday, Feb. 24. Our kindergarten Girl Scouts will be on the corner dancing, waving and holding signs. Please help us send a piece of home to soldiers overseas and let them know that America is thinking of them.

Library study to be discussed
A new study, called the "Minnesota Public Libraries Return on Investment," has found 69 percent of statewide residents believe libraries are important in every community – metro and rural. That finding, among others, will be presented for discussion at a public meeting from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Feb. 23 at the St. Cloud Public Library. Other questions raised by the study include affordability and funding of library services, possible user fees, donations or taxes.

Stearns County License Centers
now take credit cards

The Stearns County License Centers are now authorized to accept credit cards for all transactions processed over the counter in the license centers with the exception of property tax payments.

MasterCard and Discover opted to participate in the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services credit card program that authorizes deputy registrars to accept credit cards. Visa chose not to participate.

A “convenience fee” of 2.45 percent is added for each credit-card transaction. Customers are informed of the convenience fee amount before the transaction is completed. Neither DVS nor Stearns County receives any of the convenience fees.

Stearns County’s Virtual License Center also allows customers to pay online by credit card and e-check for various license-center transactions such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses and certificates, and DNR vehicle renewals. Visa is an accepted credit card on the Virtual License Center, as well as MasterCard and Discover.

Both the Virtual License Center and the option to pay your taxes online can be found on the Stearns County website at www.co.stearns.mn.us under online services.

SCSU Theater performs
Drowsy Chaperone Feb. 22-26

The theater program of St. Cloud State University will open its first performance of The Drowsy Chaperone Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. This production is being directed by Dr. Jeffrey Bleam and acted by a cast of four students from the department. The show will begin every night at 8 p.m. Feb. 22-25 before closing with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. The production will take place on the Arena Stage of the Performing Arts Center.

The theme of this particular production is a show-within-a-show. The play centers around the main character known only as “Man in Chair” who uses an old recording of a beloved Broadway play, The Drowsy Chaperone, to chase away his blues. The record magically comes to life in his small apartment where the audience is swept into a fantastic world of bright lights, glittering stars and 1920s drama.
With five Tony Awards and lots of laughs, this one-of-a-kind original musical is sure to bring a smile to any face. The show pays tribute to, along with poking fun at, many of the classic characters and motifs of 1920s Broadway musicals.

Local volunteer opportunities as of Jan. 16
Make a big difference with just a little time!

Sorting volunteer
Opportunity Manor Inc is searching for a monthly sorting volunteer. This person will play an essential part in helping to ensure correct products are sent out to each of our 17 residential homes.
The sorting volunteer is needed one Thursday each month (exact dates for 2012 are already set) from 11:30-2:30 p.m. The volunteer will be responsible for receiving the Sam’s Club products, comparing products to lists, and sorting the products into stacks for each site. This is a great volunteer opportunity for someone who really wants to make a difference but does not have much time. The volunteer should be reliable, organized and friendly. Volunteer alone or bring a friend! Volunteers do not need to commit to every month. Contact Brenda Eggerth, Opportunity Manor, Inc. at (320) 240-1900 x 205.

Read to Children
Boys and Girls Club programs promote the development of young people by instilling a sense of competence, a sense of usefulness, a sense of belonging and a sense of power or influence. When this strategy is fully implemented, self-esteem is enhanced and an environment is created which helps boys and girls achieve their full potential. Volunteers are needed to read to children after school. This is a great opportunity for retired teachers. Contact Geri Bechtold, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota at (320) 252-7616.

Provide support to an adult ex-offender
A mentor is someone who provides interpersonal and practical support, serves as a positive role model and engages in a respectful and trusting relationship with you. Central Miinesota Re-Entry Project is looking for mentors who are 21 years of age or older, have access to reliable transportation, a valid photo ID and maintain confidentiality and healthy boundaries with adult ex-offenders. The program requires mentors meet or have communication at least twice a month for one year. Contact Twyla O’Brien, Central Minnesota Re-Entry Project at (320) 656-9004.

Donate food
The C.R.O.S.S. Center of Benton County is dedicated to providing encouragement and assistance to residents of Benton County, regardless of race, color or creed, who are experiencing short-term difficulties in meeting their basic needs for food and clothing. Donate food to The C.R.O.S.S. Center to help meet the needs of families during the summer months when children are home. Contact Carole Mersinger, The C.R.O.S.S. Center of Benton County at (320) 968-7012.

Provide entertainment
St. Benedict’s Senior Community is searching for volunteers who can share their talents with their residents. Entertainers can perform for an entire group or a few residents. Entertainment may include, but not limited to the following: playing musical instruments, singing, dancing, juggling, acting etc. Entertainment enhances the enjoyment of their residents, patients and tenants. Contact JeEllen Johnson, St. Benedict’s Senior Community at (320) 252-0010 x30580.

For more information on these and other volunteer opportunities, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Community Volunteer Coordinator at (320) 223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.

Spirit of Women
seeks nominees
Do you know a woman who makes a difference in her community? Nominate her for the Spirit of Women® Awards program. St. Cloud Hospital is now accepting nominations for women who perform extraordinary acts of service in their communities. The awards celebrate women who take action to make their community healthier, safer and a more inspirational place to live.

Nominate your community’s unsung hero(es) by submitting a nomination form that describes why this person is deserving of a Spirit of Women® award. Nominees will be recognized in each of the three following categories: Young person role model (ages 14-20); community hero (at least 21 years of age); and health care hero (clinical professional).

Winners are chosen based on the contribution they have made to the issues the community faces in the areas of work, family and health; and on the impact they have had in their community and on the lives of others. The regional winners also will be candidates for the National Spirit® of Women Awards.

All regional winners will receive recognition from CentraCare Health Foundation and St. Cloud Hospital, along with a $1,000 award to further their commitment to their community. In addition, national winners will receive national recognition courtesy of Spirit of Women.

To read past winners and nominate a woman for 2012, visit www.centracare.com and click on For Women, Spirit of Women and then Awards Program. Nominations are due by March 2. You also may submit a hardcopy nomination form to CentraCare Health Foundation, 1406 Sixth Ave. N., St. Cloud, MN 56303. For more information call the CentraCare Health Foundation at (320) 240-2810.

Short-call substitutes
training held Feb. 22-23

People who want to teach but don’t have the full credentials will have an opportunity to become certified as short-call substitute teachers under the Minnesota Limited Short-Call Substitute program. A four-year bachelor degree is required to qualify.

Resource Training and Solutions in St. Cloud has announced it has coordinated a two-day program on Feb. 22-23 and March 29-30 to prepare individuals to apply to become short-call substitute teachers.

Under Minnesota law, limited short-call substitute teachers licenses are granted only if teachers who hold regular teaching licenses are not available or if a district is experiencing a hardship in securing a sufficient number of regularly licensed teachers to meet the district¹s need for short-call substitute teachers. The district superintendent may request a short-call substitute license be granted to an individual who holds a baccalaureate degree from a college or university that is accredited by the regional association for the accreditation of colleges and secondary schools. Licensure is good for two years and must be renewed bi-annually.

Training will cover topics such as the substitute teacher’s role in the classroom and district, basics of classroom management and instruction, basics of child development and communication skills.

Registration for the training can be made by contacting Nicole Koll at Resource Training and Solutions, P.O. Box 1576, St. Cloud, MN 56302, phone 320-255-3236 or toll-free 888-447-7032, website www.resourcetraining.com.