Happenings around the lakes area

The Detroit Lakes Tribune accepts community calendar items, for publication online and in our Wednesday and Sunday print editions, space permitting.

Submissions must be made at least a week in advance of the event date, in writing, to either dltribune@dlnewspapers.com or vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com .

Each submission must include the following: 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.

Public Paint & Sip: Third Crossing Bar and Grill in Frazee is hosting a "Paint & Sip" event from 2 to 4 p.m. Free drink included with each $25 ticket purchase. Come paint a "Holiday Gnome" on a 10x20-inch canvas and enjoy a fun afternoon of socializing and creativity. All art supplies and aprons provided. Reserve your seat at www.artbar39.com or send an email to artbar39info@gmail.com .

Wreaths Across America: Detroit Lakes will participate in the nationwide Wreaths Across America event, with ceremonies taking place at Veterans Memorial Park, 11 a.m.; Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Park, 11:20 a.m.; Lyle Crovisier Park (at Detroit Lakes Boys & Girls Club), 11:30 a.m.; Oak Grove Cemetery, 11:45 a.m.; and Holy Rosary Cemetery, 12:15 p.m. For more information, contact organizers Tom and Pam Mortenson at internetmort@yahoo.com .

Christmas Shop-Gifts for Kids: The Detroit Lakes Jaycees and Boys & Girls Club have joined forces with Menard's of Detroit Lakes to offer two days of Christmas shopping for kids, free of charge to those families that have no other options this holiday season. Gifts for children of all ages, from infants to teens, will be available while supplies last. Shopping hours will be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, 150 Richwood Road, Detroit Lakes. A limited number of people will be allowed to shop at a time; please be patient and be prepared to wait in line. Social distancing and facial coverings are encouraged. Call 218-847-5700, ext. 0, for more information, or check out the club's Facebook page ( @boysgirlsdl ) for updates on what's available.

Winter Turf Wars: Turf Wars Racing presents its first-ever winter event, featuring snowmobiles, side-by-sides, hot chocolate and plenty of family fun for all ages. Event will be held at 15612 Sherbrooke Road, Pelican Rapids, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Photos With Santa: Have your photo taken with Santa between 12-3 p.m. at the Washington Square Mall in Detroit Lakes. Bring your own camera and take a free photo.

Holiday Train at Home: The Canadian Pacific Railroad Holiday Train presents a free virtual concert, "Holiday Train at Home," starting at 7 p.m. Headlining the concert will be Steven Page and The Strumbellas, with featured performances by Tanika Charles, Keb Mo, The Trews, Aysanabee, Sierra Noble and the Odds. The show will be available to livestream via the Canadian Pacific Facebook page, facebook.com/canadian.pacific , as well as on YouTube and at the Holiday Train website, cpr.ca/holidaytrain . The concert will remain available for online viewing until the end of the year.

Color Guard Breakfast: The Lake Region Veterans Color Guard will be hosting a breakfast fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon at the American Legion Club, 810 West Lake Drive, Detroit Lakes. Suggested donation is $7 for a meal including scrambled eggs; pancakes or French toast; and sausage or bacon, plus beverage.

Summit Dance Presents "Making Spirits Bright": Summit Dance School presents its annual holiday show, "Making Spirits Bright 2021," at 2 p.m. on the main stage of the Historic Holmes Theatre, 806 Summit Ave., Detroit Lakes. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students, and free for all kids age 6 and under. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go online to dlccc.org/holmes-theatre.html or call 218-844-7469.

That Midwestern Mom Meet & Greet: The 701 Eateries at 701 N University Drive, Fargo, will host a meet and greet with TikTok sensation Amber Schwarzrock of That Midwestern Mom fame, from 5 to 8 p.m. Because this is a special event, reservations are encouraged. Call 701-532-0734 or book a table online at opentable.com .

Detroit Lakes High School Choir Concert: The Detroit Lakes High School Performing Arts Department will present a Holiday Choir Concert, "Carols of Olde and Newe," at 7:30 p.m. in the George Simson Auditorium at Detroit Lakes Middle School. Vocalists from the Ninth Grade Choir, Varsity Choir, Concert Choir and Laker Singers will be featured. Open to the public.

Library Book Club: he Detroit Lakes Public Library's Book Club will meet at 3 p.m. to discuss "The Bear and the Nightingale" by Katherine Arden, which is a story full of magic and winter. All are welcome to attend, including those who haven't read the book. If you have any questions, feel free to email the library at detroit@larl.org .

Blood Drive: Dynamic Homes, located at 525 Roosevelt Ave. in Detroit Lakes, will host a visit from the Vitalant blood mobile, with appointments available from 1:45 to 4:15 p.m. Anyone who is interested in donating can schedule an appointment online at vitalant.org , or contact Donor Recruitment Representative Alyssa Hagedorn, either by email at ahagedorn@vitalant.org , or by phone at 701-306-7984 (call or text). You can also call toll-free at 877-25-VITAL.

Advent Mini-Concert at First Lutheran: Detroit Lakes' First Lutheran Church will be offering an Advent Mini-Concert featuring the Laker Singers from Detroit Lakes High School, starting at 12:05 p.m. This half-hour concert is free and open to the public, and can also be streamed online at www.firstlutheranchurch.com .

Movie Musicals at the Library: The Detroit Lakes Public Library will be offering film screenings of popular musicals through the decades, every Thursday in December and January at 2 p.m. This week's selection is "West Side Story," released in 1961. It features Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer as young lovers Maria and Tony, who are also members of rival New York street gangs at war in Manhattan over turf boundaries. This film is rated PG and has a run time of 2 hours and 31 minutes; come and see how it compares to Steven Spielberg's 2021 version, released earlier this month. Open to the public.

Live Nativity Service: Detroit Lakes' First Lutheran Church will host a live, outdoor Nativity service at 4 p.m., featuring animals from the Trowbridge Creek Zoo in Vergas. The Nativity scene will be set up on the church's side lawn, between the church and Bell Bank. Service will last approximately one hour, so please dress appropriately for the weather. The service is open to the community.

Christmas at Our House: First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes invites the community to celebrate "Christmas at Our House" by reserving a meal delivery in advance or picking up a to-go dinner at the church anytime between 12-2 p.m.; there will be no dine-in option this year. The dinner is open to the community, free of charge; individuals and their families need not be First Lutheran members to participate. Meals will be delivered to those unable to leave their place of residence (within city limits). Please be home, as delivery will begin around 11:30 am. Call the church reservation line at 218-844-2808 to sign up; requests for meal delivery service must be received by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 23. Callers should leave a message with their name, address, phone number, number of meals and if the meal is going to be delivered or picked up. If you miss the cut-off for meal delivery, please use the to-go option. The church is located at 912 Lake Ave., Detroit Lakes.

Damien Mitten Tree: The Damien Mitten Tree project is accepting donations of hats, mittens, gloves and scarves of all sizes, which can be hung on Christmas trees around Detroit Lakes at Bremer Bank, Bell Bank, First Security Bank, Midwest Bank, La Barista, Detroit Lakes Public Library, Central Market, Detroit Lakes Newspapers, Lakeshirts, Essentia Health St. Mary's, Holiday Inn, Detroit Lakes Community & Cultural Center, Sanford Health Clinic, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Rossman Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School and the Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 20, after which they will be picked up and distributed to those in need. Cash and checks are also accepted and can be left at the customer service counter of each business or mailed to Damien's Society, P.O. Box 514, Detroit Lakes, MN 56502.

Young Life Christmas Tree Sales: Lakes Area Young Life will be selling Christmas trees this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18-19. The location is the same as last year, in the parking lot of West Lake Laundry, 802 West Lake Drive, Detroit Lakes. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days. White pine, balsam fir and Fraser fir trees available while supplies last, along with wreaths by Mona of Beautiful Leaf Gardens. Due to the tree shortage, sales are expected to go quickly, so make sure to get your order in early.

Candy Cane Hunt: The Detroit Lakes Jaycees are inviting families in the community to sign up for their second annual Candy Cane Hunt. Volunteers will hide the candy canes on participants' lawns during the evening of Saturday, Dec. 18 (starting at 8:30 p.m.), for the kids to find the following morning. Cost is $10 for 20 canes, $20 for 40 canes and $50 for 100 canes. Sign up By Wednesday, Dec. 15 on the Jaycees website, dljaycees.com , via the link on their Facebook page, facebook.com/dljaycees , or by sending an email to detroitlakesjaycees@gmail.com .

Lakes Area Chorale: The Lakes Area Chorale will begin weekly rehearsals on Sunday, Jan. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, continuing every Sunday through March 27. Concert will take place Sunday, April 3 at the Historic Holmes Theatre. Open to singers of every skill level. Participation fee is $25, and includes the cost of all sheet music used as well as singer-friendly masks. For more information, call or text chorale director Barbara Schramm at 218-443-0697 or send an email to lakesareachorale@gmail.com .

Cornerstone for Kids: Kids from preschool age up through high school students can come to the Detroit Lakes First Baptist Church, 300 Central St. East, every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. for a chance to learn about your faith, understand God and develop a life lasting relationship with Him. There will also be an adult Bible study held at the same time. For more information call 218-847-4571 or send an email to DLFirstBaptistChurch@gmail.com .

Library Storytime: The Detroit Lakes Public Library will offer weekly storytime sessions this fall, every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to join library staff for stories, flannel boards, finger plays, songs and more. This early literacy experience explores a different theme each week and is a great way to encourage young children to enjoy reading. The library is located at 1000 Washington Ave., Detroit Lakes. Call 218-847-2168 for more information.

Baby Bounce: Songs, stories, and action poems for infants, toddlers and their caregivers are offered every Monday at the Detroit Lakes Public Library, starting at 10:30 a.m. Program runs about a half hour including playtime and chatting with other caregivers. For ages 0-18 months. Call 218-847-2168 for more information.

GED/Adult Diploma Class: If finishing high school is still on your to do list, it is never too late! Lakes Area Adult Education is open and ready to help you meet your goals. Orientation sessions for GED or Adult Diploma classes are held twice a month, so call 218-844-5760 or email slandsem@detlakes.k12.mn.us to register.

Driver's License Exam Preparation: Lakes Area Adult Education is offering a new driver's license preparation class. This class is designed to help unlicensed adult drivers become familiar with vocabulary, signs, and rules of the road so they can successfully pass the written portion of the Minnesota Driver's License Exam. The class will be offered virtually on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 19-Nov. 18. Each session takes place from 5:15-6:45 p.m. Call 218-844-5760 or email slandsem@detlakes.k12.mn.us for more information.

English Language Instruction: Lakes Area Adult Education is offering free English language instruction for adults, every Monday through Thursday. The schedule is flexible and individualized. Call 218-844-5760 or email slandsem@detlakes.k12.mn.us for more information.

Alcoholics Anonymous: Here is the meeting schedule for the Detroit Lakes Alano Club at 827 Summit Ave. — Sundays at 1 p.m., 12x12 open meeting; Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Big Book open meeting; Wednesdays at 12 noon, Grapevine open meeting; Wednesdays at 6 p.m., women's open meeting; Thursdays at 7 p.m., Intro to AA open meeting; Saturdays at 7 a.m., men's open meeting; Saturdays at 9 a.m., Women's Big Book closed meeting; Saturdays at 8 p.m., open topic meeting. There are no dues or fees for meetings. For more information, call the Detroit Lakes Alano Club at 218-844-9970, or the District 3 AA Helpline at 877-833-2327.

Overeaters Anonymous: Do you find yourself turning to food for comfort? Is your eating affecting your health or the way you live your life? Do you find your mind preoccupied with thoughts of food? If any of these describes you, then Overeaters Anonymous may be for you. No diets to follow, no weigh-ins, no fees — just a 12-step program for those who struggle in their relationship with food. The OA Serenity Group meets Tuesdays at noon in Detroit Lakes' Holy Rosary Catholic Church (1043 Lake Ave.); please use the south parking lot entrance. The Freedom From Bondage OA Group meets on Sundays at 6 p.m. in the Community Alliance Church, 408 West Elm St., Detroit Lakes. Please use the east door.

Lake Country Woodcarvers: Anyone interested in wood carving or woodworking is welcome to bring their latest projects to the Holmes Art Cellar every Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. and enjoy a free woodworking session. Pattern books and other resources are available in the Woodcarvers' library for checkout. There is no cost to participate. Call Dale Wavra at 701-371-5204 for more information.