Activities

All the sights, sounds and textures that make the hobby of model railroading so much fun will be on display when Luce Line Railroad Club Inc. hosts its 14th Hutchinson Train Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the McLeod County fairgrounds in Hutchinson.

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, Hutchinson-area seniors are invited from 9:30 to 11 a.m. to tour the Hutchinson Public Library, 50 Hassan St. S.E.

Henke will explain the library’s collection of books, large print books, videos, audiobooks, Internet access, magazines as well as services such as special orders and the Friends of the Library Used Book sale table.
“This is the first time we’ve offered an open invitation to tour the library to the seniors in the community,” said Mary Henke, head librarian.

The Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Hutchinson Jaycees are calling for nominations of deserving individuals for the following awards:

Chamber: Business Person of the Year, Outstanding Young Leader, Volunteer of the Year, and Agri-Business Person of the Year.

Hutchinson Jaycees: Educator of the Year, Boss of the Year and Distinquished Service.

A nomination form for the Chamber awards is available at the Chamber office, 2 Main St. S., Hutchinson, or by calling (320) 587-5252.

By Kim Asche, University of Minnesota Extension

During the summer months, children have lots of unstructured time and parents or grandparents may have more time with children. Adults can enhance children's development while building a store of great memories by planning fun and stimulating summer activities. Here are a few ideas that don't cost much money. The key ingredient is an adult who is willing to spend time with children.

The Hector Kitchenettes band will perform at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Aug. 5, at Evergreen Apartments in Hutchinson. This “kitchen band” is made up of 8 senior ladies who play various kitchen utensils from pie tins to a microwave-bacon plate and spoon. Their goal is to put a smile in everyone’s hearts, so they spice up their half-hour performance with knock-knock jokes and tap dancing. The public is invited to the performance.

Former Miss Hutchinson Jaclyn Auger of Hutchinson can add a second crown to her resume: 2009 Aquatennial princess. She was crowned Friday evening at the University of Minnesota’s Ted Mann Concert Hall.

The 2006 Hutchinson High School graduate is a student at the University of Minnesota, where she is studying clothing design and retail merchandising with a minor in Spanish.

Scared straight: Kicking the junk food habit

When it comes to a reality check, there’s nothing like a blood test to establish a benchmark on the status of your health. That’s the first step in the four-week Coronary Health Improvement Project, better known as CHIP.
On Friday, July 11, those of us who had signed up for the lifestyle improvement program showed up at Maplewood for our first of two heart screens. The second one will take place at the end of the program, Friday, Aug. 8.

The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau recognize 170 Minnesota farms as 2008 Century Farms.

Qualifying farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and are 50 acres or more. Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate signed by the State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau presidents and Gov. Time Pawlenty.

Local Girl Scouts members and girls who are interested in joining the organization have a chance to get together for a few rounds of nine-pin at Hutch Bowl from 2 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, June 28.

The event is organized by Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys and is used as a recruiting tool, but also an opportunity for local members to have a little fun.

“Not only do we need to recruit new girls, but we need to retain the ones we have,” said Director Jeanie Haas.

If you go:
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 28
Where: Hutch Bowl

The Minneapolis St. Paul Host Committee for the Republican National Convention will accept applications to volunteer through the end of June.

Volunteers will perform key duties in the areas of transportation, information services, hospitality and special events at various locations before, during and after the convention, which will take place Sept. 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.