Happenings around the Perham area, Jan. 30-Feb. 9

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.

Live Music: Tim Stoll and Carrie LeDoux at Perham Living, 3 p.m. Open to the public.

Fore-Edge Book Art Craft: The Perham Area Public Library will host a 2 p.m. crafting class on how to create beautiful, fore-edge book art, with all materials and instruction provided to create your own winter cardinal scene to take home with you. Fore-edge art is made buy folding and applying strips of paper to the edges of each book page, to create a design when the pages are fanned out. No cost to attend, but registration is required. Call 218-346-4892 or sign up in person at 225 NE 2nd Ave., Perham, to reserve your spot.

Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos: The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center reopens after its month-long January hiatus by hosting a wildly entertaining performance from Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos at the New York Mills City Hall Ballroom. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 8 p.m. General admission is $50 per person, which includes snacks and a cash bar; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. VIP tables can also be reserved for $800, which includes premier seating for 8 people, table refreshments and food. Sign up online at kulcher.org to reserve your spot.

Intro to Yoga Workshop: The Perham Area Community Center will host an Intro to Yoga Workshop at 2:30 p.m. Registration is required. Call 218-346-7222 or visit perhamareacommunitycenter.net for more information.

Fly Girls Dance Show: The Frazee Fly Girls Dance Show will take place at 7 p.m. in the Frazee Senior High School, featuring performances from both the varsity and junior varsity Fly Girls along with the Future Fly Girls Dance Campers, Northern Lights Dance Academy, Just for Kix-Detroit Lakes and Center Stage Dance Academy. Admission is a free will offering (suggested donation of $5 per person). Activity passes will not be accepted as this is a fundraiser for the Fly Girls. Open to the public.

Big Pine Book Club: Come to Perham's Big Pine Books at 8 p.m. for this month's book club discussion, which will focus on the book "Lest She Forget" by Lisa Malice. Open to the public; feel free to bring your own beverage. Visit bigpinebooks.com/book-club for more information, including an opportunity to purchase the book at a 20% discount — and special to this month, the chance to engage in a Zoom meeting with the book's author following the book club gathering. Open to the public.

Tuesday Tunes: The Corner Collective Bistro in Frazee will be hosting weekly jam sessions with local musicians Damian Anderson and Kyler Hanson every Tuesday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Whether you like to sing, play an instrument, or would like to learn, come hang out with these musicians as they rock the Corner Collective stage. The bistro is located in the upper level of the CornerStone Youth and Community Center at 192 W. Birch Ave., Frazee. All are welcome.

Defensive Driving Class: A four-hour, in-person defensive driving class will take place from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the ITOW Veterans Museum in Perham (805 West Main St.). This class helps those age 55 and above to receive a 3-year, 10% discount on their auto insurance, as provided under Minnesota state law. Classes consist of lecture, videos and discussion; no behind-the-wheel driving or tests included. Cost is $25 per person. Please contact Denise Lillis at tdlillis@arvig.net or call/text her at 605-651-3977 to sign up.

Creating a Clutter-Free Home: Join Elevate in the conference room at 318 SW 6th Ave., Perham, from 1-2 p.m. for a free presentation, "Safe and Sound: Creating a Clutter-Free Home for Aging," and explore practical proactive steps to create a home that adapts to your evolving needs. No cost to attend, but an RSVP is requested. Sign up online at elevateotc.org/events to reserve your spot.

Traveling Art Pub: Billy's Corner Bar in Vergas will host a visit from the Traveling Art Pub from 6-8:30 p.m. Cost is $43.50 per person, which includes all materials and instruction necessary to complete a 16x20 acrylic painting on canvas, with a "Winter Cabin" theme. Intended for those age 16 and up; pre-registration is required. Sign up online at thetravelingartpub.com to reserve your spot.

Give Kids a Smile: Hamann Dentistry of Perham will be offering free dental care for low-income children between the ages of 3-17 from 8-11:30 a.m. This program is intended for kids that may not have other access to dental care, and Hamann's staff is donating their time to help "Give Kids a Smile." Appointments are required; no walk-ins. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 218-346-4775 to schedule your child's appointment.

Hornet Hoops and Hope: The Frazee Hornets and Sophia's Cupcakes for Cancer are joining forces to help raise money for the Stand By Me Foundation with the 7th Annual Hornet Hoops for Hope, taking place during the Battle of the Bees basketball double header at Frazee High School that gets underway at 3:30 p.m. The girls and boys varsity teams from Frazee and Perham will face off in back-to-back games. There will be live and silent auctions along with a "pass the bucket" fundraiser during the games. Open to the public.

Cabin Fever Face-Off: Frazee Electric will host an afternoon of "Friendly Feud and Trivia with a Twist" at the Corner Collective Bistro in Frazee (upper level of the CornerStone Youth and Community Center) from 1-4 p.m. Call or text Heather Ware Nelson at 218-234-9513 for more information, or sign your team up via the link on the Corner Collective Facebook page.

Beer and Brats for Relay: This year's Beer and Brats fundraiser for the East Otter Tail Relay for Life will take place from 5-7 p.m. at Countryside Barn, 48174 Co. Hwy. 53, Perham. Multiple area breweries will be serving samples, along with an array of different brat flavors from Lakes Community Cooperative. Get your tickets at Perham Printing or from any Relay for Life Got Hope team member.

Customer Appreciation Football Party: The Silvermoon Loujnge and Steakhouse in Perham will host a customer appreciation party in honor of Super Bowl LIX, with doors opening at 11 a.m. and the party starting at 4 p.m. Come enjoy a potluck supper and drink specials while you watch the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.

Pickling in Perham Pickleball Tournament: The Perham Area Community Center is bringing back its Pickling in Perham Pickleball Tournament, with matches on both Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 1-2, starting at 8 a.m. Women's and men's teams will compete on Saturday, with the mixed division competition taking place on Sunday. Cost is $25 per player. Please register by Jan. 26 via the links on the PACC's Facebook event page, or call 218-346-7222.

"What Is Home?" Gallery Exhibit: The Lake Region Arts Council Gallery in Fergus Falls (133 South Mill St.) is hosting an exhibition called "What is Home?" through March 13. This juried, multi-artist exhibition features works built on the concept of what home means for each artist. Featured artists include Keith Schmidt, Maggie Peterson, Laura VonBank, Tricia Couson, Torri Hanna, Lrez, Vanessa Sellner, Katy Olson, Dennis Krull, Erika Frikken, Nancy X. Valentine, Samantha Johnson-Purdie, Noni Bjorklund, Deanna Dahlsad, Kandace Creel Falcón, Kevin Zepper and Mary Williams, all of whom live within the 9-county region served by LRAC. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday; it is closed on weekends.

Common Threads: A fiber arts social gathering will take place at the Perham Area Public Library every Saturday morning in February and March from 10:30 a.m.-noon. All fiber arts styles and skill levels are welcome. Please feel free to stop by the library in person at 225 NE 2nd Ave., Perham, call 218-346-4892, or send an email to reference@perhamlibrary.org for more information.

Grieving with Grace Support Group: Are you struggling with the passing of a loved one? Do you feel you need support to work through your grief? You are not alone. Join the open Grieving with Grace support group on the third Thursday of every month for a 2 p.m. meeting inside the Elevate conference room at 318 SW 6th Ave., Perham. Contact Knute Nelson Hospice at 320-759-4935 or trisha.zimmerman@knutenelson.org for more information.

Free Blood Pressure Checks: Elevate 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.

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.

Sensory Swim: The Perham Area Community Center will host a Sensory Swim session on the second Saturday of every month from 10-11 a.m. in the Center's therapy pool. This session is for all children with special needs, including those with autism, neurodivergency and sensory sensitivities. There is no cost for Center members; non-members will pay the daily PACC admission rate.

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.

Office Prayer Group: Love INC will host an office prayer group every other Wednesday, starting at 9 a.m., in its Perham offices at 235 W. Main St. (inside the radio station). Open to all who are interested in being a "representative for prayer" in the community.

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, or outdoors at other times of the year, as weather permits. 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. Call 218-346-7710 for more information, or to sign up.

Kids' Open Gym: Perham's Vault gymnastics facility offers open gym sessions every Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9-10:30 a.m., for kids age 18 and under. Kids under the age of 6 must be accompanied by a parent to participate. Cost is $10 per child. Though these sessions are open to all kids, preregistration is required for admission; please sign up via the Parent Portal at perhamvault.com to reserve your child's spot.

After School at the PACC: The Perham Area Community Center offers an after-school program every Monday-Friday for kids ages 9-12. Cost is free to PACC members, or $5 per day for guests. Parents must sign their child up for the program prior to attendance; kids will receive a red card for their daily check-in. Call 218-346-7222 for more information.

Sit-n-Stitch: A weekly gathering of fiber artists takes place from 5 to 7 p.m., every Thursday at the New York Mills Public Library. Free and open to all who are interested in learning about fiber arts, or enhancing their knowledge. All ages and experience levels welcome. This group is hosted by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. Call 218-385-3339 for more information.

Brew Trivia: Teams of 6 people or less are invited to come to Brew Ales and Eats, 124 E. Main St., Perham, from 3-6 p.m. every Sunday for some fun trivia competition. Prizes will be awarded after every round, and there will be football games playing on TV in the background.

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.

Zorbaz Trivia Mafia: Zorbaz on Little Pine Lake will be hosting a Trivia Mafia competition every Thursday night from 7-9 p.m. Learn more at triviamafia.com/zorbaz.

Poker at the Pickle: Every Thursday is Poker Night at the Salty Pickle Bar and Grill in Perham (43974 390th St.), starting at 7 p.m. Texas Hold 'Em is the game; free to play. Visit freepokernetwork.com 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. Zorbaz on Little Pine Lake will also be hosting a "Drink and Know Things" Trivia Night every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. Both events are open to the public.

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 877-833-2327.

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: Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Thumper Pond, Ottertail, and 6 p.m. at the New York Mills VFW, as well as "Bizingo" at Lakeside Tap in Perham, every Tuesday starting at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 7-10 p.m., Salty Pickle Bar and Grill in Perham; Saturdays, 2-5 p.m. at Big Pine Lodge, Perham, as well as 1 p.m. every Saturday at the New York Mills VFW; Sundays at 3 p.m., at both Billy's Corner Bar and Grill in Vergas, and the Salty Pickle in Perham (the latter also includes 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 to 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.

Transfer Station Hours: The Otter Tail County Solid Waste Department has announced that it has switched over to the winter hours schedule for the solid waste transfer stations in Pelican Rapids and Fergus Falls, from now through the end of March. The Pelican Rapids transfer station will be open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, as well as from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The Fergus Falls transfer station will be open from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. every Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of each month. Both stations will resume summer operating hours on April 1, 2025.

Mobile Vet Center Hours: Otter Tail County now offers Mobile Veteran's Center services to county veterans, from 1:30-3 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month. Service locations within the county will vary each month, so veterans are encouraged to subscribe to Otter Tail County’s Notification Center for emails with the latest updates on Mobile Vet Center locations at ottertailcounty.gov/notification-center and check "Veteran Services News." The Mobile Vet Center will provide the same comprehensive services available at the Fargo and Grand Forks locations, now making them accessible to veterans in rural areas who face challenges with transportation. Services include, but are not limited to, various types of counseling for individuals and families, substance abuse assessment and referral, screening and referral for medical issues, benefits explanation and referral as well as outreach and education. Veterans who feel they may need services or wish to see if they qualify are encouraged to contact the Fargo Vet Center at 701-237-0942, the Fergus Falls Veterans Service office at 218-998-8605, or the New York Mills office at 218-385-5540.

Compiled by Vicki Gerdes for the Perham Focus.