Around Our Region published Dec. 14, 2022

WILLMAR — The holiday season brings many special festivities. From school concerts and community celebrations to church programs. The list is in today’s Showcase section. Please send your events by email to news@wctrib.com .

WILLMAR — The Willmar Community Center has several events set. All events are free unless noted. The phone number is 320-262-5288 . For reservations, call or go online at willmarparks-rec.com .

Willmar Area Senior Citizens Club: Dec. 14, 2 p.m., freewill donation, music by Allen Carlson

Friday afternoon of dancing: Dec. 16, 1 to 4 p.m., music by Jerry's Band; $7 dancers, $2 listeners.

Words on Paper: Dec. 14, 4 p.m. Enjoy a review of major historical events and a listing of books in the 1950-70 decades that reflected and influenced society.

Elks dance: Dec. 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Elks sponsor dances for local and surrounding group home residents to enjoy a night of dancing and socializing.

Curbside Craft Kits: Available between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. Kit is Olaf Snowman treat for $2. There will be a guided instruction class at 2:30 p.m.

Veterans coffee social: Dec. 19, 9:30 to 11 a.m. , open to all veterans, police, fire and emergency medical services members.

Community bingo: Dec. 27, 5 to 7 p.m., $3 per person, two cards at a time.

New Year’s Eve-Eve-Eve Bingo: Dec. 29, 2 p.m. Ring in the new year with us in a fun afternoon of bingo for $3 per person.

WILLMAR — The Willmar Library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The website is www.willmarpubliclibrary.org . Call 320-235-3162 . Curbside pickup available during regular hours. Programs are in-person in the library. Advance registration required for some events. The WiFi can be accessed 24/7 from a parked car in the lot behind the library or in front of the building using your library card or through Overdrive.

Brainfuse HelpNow: Free online tutoring service, grades K-12, one-to-one live homework help from online tutors between 2 and 11 p.m. daily; English or Spanish; math, science, English/language arts, social studies and reading assistance; app available for mobile.  

Teen hangout: Dec. 14, 5:30 p.m., ages 12-18, no registration required. Enjoy video games, arts and crafts, board and card games, snacks and beverages.

Adult Book Club: Dec. 15, noon, “The Book of Lost Names” by Kristin Harmel. Book discussion upstairs at the library. New members are always welcome.

Adult movie matinee: Dec. 16, 2 p.m., no cost or registration, refreshments provided.

Adult game night: Dec. 20, 6 to 8 p.m. Invite your friends to play some of the library’s games or bring a favorite from home. Everyone 16 and over are welcome. No cost and no registration.

Homeschool Hour: Dec. 21, 2 p.m. Create your very own working marionette puppet. For kids 12 and under.

Teen movie: Dec. 21, 5:30 p.m., ages 12-18, no registration required, popcorn and refreshments provided.

Pajama-rama storytime: Dec. 27, 6:30 p.m. Come in your pajamas, bring a blanket and listen to stories. Milk and cookies afterward before you head home to bed.

Coloring contest: Dec. 27-Jan. 14 submissions, and voting from Jan. 16-28. Pick up a coloring sheet at the Willmar Public Library or print one from the website. There are two coloring sheets from which to choose, but only one may be submitted for voting. Complete and return the finished coloring sheet to the library by Jan. 14 to be entered into the contest. Voting will take place in the library starting Jan. 16. Winners in each age category will receive a gift card.

Makerspace Equipment: Cricut, Dremel Stylo, button maker, jewelry stamping and sewing machine, equipment must be used in the library and consumable materials are not supplied. Makerspace users must agree to the Makerspace Policy and complete training on safety and equipment use. Make reservations on the library’s website under adult services.

Children's Open Gym at Jefferson: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday during the school year. Check in at the Community Education office. Gym and equipment available for ages 0-8 with parental supervision; families put toys away when finished.

WILLMAR — The Willmar Civic Center has two ice arenas, the Cardinal Arena and the Blue Line Arena which has curling ice. The Events and Recreation Center has court surfaces for basketball, tennis, pickleball, volleyball; an indoor playground; meeting rooms and more. Admission is charged for some open events. For more information, the number is 320-235-1454.

Indoor playground: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, during all events at the Civic Center including the weekends. It is designed for ages 2-10.

Open skating: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, $3 for all ages; $2 skate rental.

Adaptive/open curling: 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, $3 for all ages.

Open curling: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, $3 for all ages.

Open noon hour curling: Noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays through March 9, $45 registration fee.

Open gym: 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Noon hour basketball: 11:30 to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Open pickleball: Monday and Friday, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Tuesday, 2 to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, 2 to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.

Open tennis: 7:30- to 9:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.