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.

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.

Anime and Manga Club:Anime and manga fans are invited to geek out over their favorite shows and stories, starting at 4 p.m. Each month we will talk about a different theme, offer recommendations to watch/read, and enjoy some snacks!

Teen Book vs. Movie Club: Area teens are invited to join the Teen Book vs. Movie Club at 4 p.m. in the Detroit Lakes Public Library, 1000 Washington Ave., to discuss the differences between popular books and their movie adaptations, enjoy some popcorn and test their knowledge in a book vs. movie quiz.

Blood Drive: The Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary is sponsoring a blood drive at First Lutheran Church, 912 Lake Ave., from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. To schedule an appointment, you can go online to 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.

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 "Fiddler on the Roof," released in 1971. It features Chaim Topol, Norma Crane, and Leonard Frey. The story focuses on Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman living in Anatevka, who is working to find wealthy husbands for his daughters even as he struggles with poverty and his increasingly oppressive surroundings. This film is rated G and has a run time of 3 hours. Open to the public.

Knights of Columbus Breakfast: The Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring a pancake/French toast and sausage breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Holy Rosary Parish Center, 1043 Lake Ave., Detroit Lakes. Open to the public.

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.