WILLMAR — An event honoring Wilmar Martin Luther King Jr. will be held in the Ridgewater College cafeteria on Monday, Jan. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event will feature a presentation by Ronald Ferguson and free food. Please RSVP by January 5th by searching for “Willmar” on eventbrite.com. Dr. Ferguson teaches sociology at Ridgewater College, offering courses in areas such as race, ethnicity, and social inequality. In addition to teaching, he also serves as one of Minnesota’s equity and inclusion coordinators. He has published papers in several journals and co-authored the book What’ up with the Brothers? Black masculinity in the 21st century. ”
WILLMAR — Willmar Community Center events are free unless otherwise noted. The phone number is 320-262-5288. For reservations, please call or go online at willmarparksandrec.recdesk.com.
Amateur pool league: Mondays, January 8th to March 18th, 4pm to 8pm. Shoot in the pool, meet new people and improve your game. For ages 15 and up, all skill levels. Register as an individual for $15 and pair up with a teammate or as a team for $30. His one game per week is guaranteed. Please call to register.
Aging wisely: January 4th, 1:30pm, free. Woodland Center’s Jess Anderson talks about how to combat seasonal depression, how to stay social when it’s cold outside, and how to get help for yourself or a loved one. This program is part of a series supporting the educational, social, and nutritional needs of older adults.
Willmar Area Seniors Club: Jan. 3, 2 p.m. Music by Jason Christianson.
Friday Afternoon Dance: Jan. 5, 1-4 p.m., Nite Owls, dancers $7, listeners $2.
Karaoke party: Come out and sing your favorite songs on January 8 from 5-7 p.m.Cost is $3
Community crafts: Jan. 9, 1:30 p.m., $15 to make winter hat ornaments. Register in advance online at willmarparksandrec.recdesk.com or call 320-262-5288.
Community Thread Studio: January 9th from 2pm to 4pm. $5, 4th grade and up, pre-registration required. Please bring all your sewing questions with us.
Willmar Area Seniors Club: January 10th, 2pm, music by Gig Noonan.
Community Kids: January 11th, 3:45pm to 5pm, ages 4-10, $10 or $45 punch card for 5 sessions. After-school fun that focuses on a different theme each month, including crafts, games, cooking, science, and more. Light refreshments will be provided. Register in advance at willmarparksandrec.recdesk.com or call 320-262-5288.
Friday Afternoon Dance: Jan. 12, 1-4 p.m., Leroy and Jerry, dancers $7, listeners $2.
Winter dog days: January 13th, Small Dogs (under 30 lbs.) Noon to 1 pm, Large Dogs (30 lbs. and over) 1:00 pm to 2 pm Bring your furry friend for a play session. Prices are $5 for one session with him and $10 for all three of his sessions in January, February, and March. To sign up, call 320-262-5288 or go online to willmarparksandrec.recdesk.com.
Veterans Coffee Social: Jan. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Open to all veterans, police, fire, and emergency medical services personnel.
Rhythm Rascals — Waltz: January 16th, 6pm Learn this beautiful three-quarter time style dance. All ages and skills are welcome. Enjoy alone or with a partner. Her fee is $20 per session. Or you can buy a 5 class Punch Her card for $80. Register in advance online at willmarparksandrec.recdesk.com or call 320-262-5288.
Community Kitchen — Meals in a Jar: January 17th, 3:15pm, $20, register by January 15th. Prepare fresh, nutritious soup mixes and casserole dishes to take home, add water and cook. Serves 4 people. If possible, bring two quart jars to class.
Community Kitchen Kids: January 18th from 3:45pm to 5pm for children ages 4-14. Single class is $14. A five-class punch card is $60. Kids can make fun and easy dinners and snacks and learn basic cooking skills. Please register by the Tuesday before your session at willmarparksandrec.recdesk.com or call 320-262-5288.
Other weekly events: Chess Club, Yahtzee, Farkle, Hand & Foot Cards, Cribbage, Puzzle Swap, Exercise Classes, Woodworking Shop Open Evenings and Saturdays. Contact the Community Center for more information and pricing.
WILLMAR — The Willmar Library is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance registration is required for some events. For more information on upcoming programs and how to register, call 320-235-3162 or visit the website www.willmarpubliclibrary.org.
Winter reading: From January 2nd to March 4th, patrons will receive prizes such as mugs, tote bags, and drink cozys for every five books they read. After winning two prizes, further entries will give him a chance to win the grand prize, a $100 gift card. Reading forms can be picked up and turned in at the Willmar Public Library reference desk, or downloaded from the library website and printed at home before being turned in at the library.
MLK Junior Day: The library will be closed on January 15th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Works with hot cocoa: Jan. 16, 6 p.m., multipurpose room. Gather for a hot chocolate bar and a guided painting session. Call 320-235-3162 to register or find the link under “Adult Services” on the library website at www.willmarpubliclibrary.org/social-services.