Around Our Region published Jan. 19, 2022

Spicer Winterfest: Jan. 15 through Feb. 5. Ice castle on the beach at Saulsbury Park, snowmobile racing, family events; and on Jan. 29 the 17th annual Polar Plunge, bonfire and fireworks.
Paynesville Winterfest: Feb. 19, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Events at the Paynesville Area Community Center, $5 entry fee, advance registration required at Paynesville Community Education.

Outdoor ice rinks: Open rinks with lights at Garfield, Hilltop and Lincoln parks.
Garfield warming house: 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Open skating: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays, Willmar Civic Center, $3 for all ages; $2 skate rental.
Adaptive/open curling: 4 to 5 p.m. Thursdays, Willmar Civic Center, $3 for all ages.

WILLMAR — The Willmar Community Center has several events set for January. All events are free unless noted. The phone number is 320-262-5288 . For reservations call or online at willmarparks-rec.com .
Willmar Area Senior Citizens Club: Jan 19, 2 p.m., freewill donation, entertainment by Allen Carlson.
Friday afternoon of dancing: Jan. 21, 1 p.m., $2 non-dancers, $7 dancers; light lunch served; music to be determined.
Community board games: Jan. 22, 2 p.m., free, all ages. Learn a new featured game, bring some friends, and play any available games in our library.
Veterans coffee social: Jan. 24, 9:30 to 11 a.m., open to all veterans, police, fire and emergency medical services members.
Chunky yarn wreath: Jan. 25, 3 p.m., $12. A similar design to macramé, this yarn wreath will be a great décor piece in your home this winter.
Community bingo night: Jan. 25, 5 to 7 p.m., $3 per person, two cards per person.
How to be a GRAND, Grandparent: Jan. 26, 12:30 p.m., free. Looking to connect with your (great) grandkids? Come learn skills to connect and develop meaningful relationships with your grands.
Mario Kart Tournament: Jan. 28, 4:30 p.m., ages 12 and up. Put your racing speed to the test in our Mario Kart tournament, $2 entry fee.
Cooking with Riley — Dumplings: Jan. 29, 2 p.m., $20, advance registration required. Learn how to make this Asian favorite. Chef Riley will have two fillings available to try.
Book Club: Feb. 28, 3:30 p.m. First session of a new group being formed for a relaxed opportunity to read new books and enjoy discussion with other readers. Contact the community center for more details.
Yahoo for Yahtzee: Every Monday, 12:30 p.m.
Let’s Draw Art Sketching Club: Mondays, 1 p.m., ages 12-100, $5 for five classes. A weekly art class that will go over the basics of drawing, sketching and painting with basic art supplies provided.
Check Mates Chess Club: Mondays 6 p.m. Whether you are advanced or just learning the game, we would love to have you join our club.
Hand & Foot Cards: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30 p.m., free, popular variation of canasta, easy to learn.
Community Kids: Wednesdays, 4 p.m. Different activities from crafts to science to simple creative snacks for K-5 students. Register one week in advance to assure appropriate supplies, $5 each week.
Square dance lessons: Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Practice and learn the varieties of square dances. All ages and skills welcome.
Farkle Fridays: Every Friday, 1 to 4 p.m., all ages, a classic dice game to try and reach 10,000 points first. Each player will have their own cup and dice.
Exercise classes: Gently Yoga, Bone Builders, SAIL (Staying Active and Independent for Life), contact Community Center for details and prices.
Community puzzle exchange: Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., drop off, pick up, or swap out a puzzle in our exchange program.
Woodshop: Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 6 to 9 p.m. Monday evenings. Advance registration required by calling 320-262-5288 . Cost is $5 for a daily pass, $25 for a three-month membership, and $60 yearly.

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 remains available during regular hours. Face masks strongly encouraged. Programs are in person in the library. 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.
Interactive movie kit: The interactive movie kits include a script along with props for up to six participants. Limit of one per week per household. Register on the library website. New titles each month.

Book Box: Register for a book box on the library website, check out a copy of the book, open the items as you reach specific chapters in the book, all ages

Teen lit loot: Sign up and you will receive a library book based on your interests and a bag of goodies to go with it. Ages 12-18 only, one per month and will need to re-register each month. January’s theme is sci-fi.

Teen Take & Make Crafts: Jan. 3 opened for yarn gnome, Jan. 24 opens for string tree. For ages 12-18, limit one per person as supplies are limited. Sign up on the library website.
Preschoolers storytime: Every Tuesday, 10 a.m., ages 3-6, no registration required.
Little People storytime: Every Wednesday, 10 a.m., ages 0-3, no registration required.
Teen movie: Jan. 19, 5:30 p.m., ages 12-18, no registration required.
Adult Book Club: Jan. 20, noon, “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb. Book discussion upstairs at the library. New members are always welcome, meets every third Thursday.
Movie matinee: Jan. 21, 2 p.m., PG-13 rated, no cost or registration, refreshments provided.
Crafts and coloring: Jan. 26, 2 p.m. Bring any crafts or coloring you are working on or use the provided supplies for coloring and more.
Themed trivia night: Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m. The theme is the music group Queen. Individual players only, no teams; for age 18 and older. No registration required.
Teen Book Club: Jan. 28, 4 p.m., club discussion of this month’s book, in the multipurpose room, no registration necessary.