WILLMAR — Free help for low- and middle-income taxpayers to file tax returns will be available again this year by United Community Action Partnership.
Tax preparation will be done virtually this year as a safety precaution due to COVID-19. Tax documents may be submitted by program participants either online or in-person by appointment. The IRS-certified volunteers will prepare taxes based on these documents and collect the appropriate signatures either electronically or via mail to file the tax return.
To participate visit UCAP’s website, www.unitedcapmn.org, or call 507-537-1416.
WILLMAR — The Willmar Community Center is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, following Minnesota Department of Health guidelines, providing visitor screening forms upon arrival, and operating at reduced capacity. The phone number is 320-262-5288.
Willmar Area Senior Citizens Club: March 17, 2 p.m., freewill donation, entertainment by Kris Nelson/Jensen & Steven Mahlum. March 24 is Jason Christianson and March 31 is Jay Ellingson.
Aging Wisely: March 18, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Curbside Crafts: March 19 reservation deadline for flower vase door hanger. Kit pickup from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in-house assembly at 2 p.m. on March 22. Cost is $8 per kit. Call 320-262-5288 to reserve your craft kit for pickup and for in-house assembly.
All things board games: March 20, 2 p.m., all ages. Come play classic board games for free. Registration deadline is March 19.
Court Whist Tournament: March 25, 12:30 p.m., advance registration required, $2 entry fee.
Tea pots painting class: March 28, 2 p.m., $20. Join a guided art class with Riley; paints, canvas and brushes provided. Painting will be spring-themed. Register in advance by calling 320-262-5288 or emailing bdiem@willmarmn.gov.
Super Mario, the Evolution Game: March 28, 4 p.m., ages 12 and up. Smash Brothers has evolved through the years, but still remains a classic hit. We will be hosting this gaming event featuring all five of these games. Gaming systems that will be available: Nintendo 64, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Switch and Wii U. Personal controllers are welcome. RSVP by calling Britta: 320-262-5288, Jon: 320-522-1430, or messaging us on Facebook.
Veterans coffee special event: March 29, 9:30 a.m., Vietnam War Veterans Remembrance Day. Free, spouses welcome. Program at 10 a.m.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game: April 1, 12:30 p.m. Baseball season is here. Come enjoy peanuts and cracker jack, and welcome baseball back. Wear your favorite jersey or hat as we root for the home team. Games will be shown as available throughout the day.
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.
Community puzzle exchange: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., drop off, pick up, or swap out a puzzle in our exchange program.
Yahoo for Yahtzee: Every Monday, 12:30 p.m.
Hand & Foot Cards: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30 p.m., free. Popular variation of canasta, easy to learn.
Farkle Fridays: Every Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. A classic dice game to try and reach 10,000 points first. Each player will have their own cup and dice.
WILLMAR — Free wireless internet WiFi service is available in Pennock, Blomkest and north of Willmar to help anyone in need of internet service. The spots are courtesy of Kandiyohi County and MVTV Wireless. The login is mvtv and the password is 5705. The buildings are not open but the WiFi can be accessed from outside at the Pennock Community Center, Blomkest Community Center, Dovre Township Hall and the Lake Andrew Township Hall. Both township halls are located on Kandiyohi County Road 5 Northwest, north of Willmar.
Willmar Public Library WiFi can be accessed 24/7 from a parked car in the lot behind the library or in front of the building. No Library Card? Open a digital library card through Overdrive completely online by providing your cell phone number
WILLMAR — The Willmar Library is open to come inside from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Take 20 minutes to browse, check out, pick up holds, etc. No appointment is necessary but there is limited capacity; doors will be locked if max number is met. The website is www.willmarpubliclibrary.org. Call 320-235-3162. Anyone under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Study rooms, the children’s play area, and seating are unavailable. Face masks are required and social distancing: Please maintain six feet between yourself and others when possible.
Brainfuse: Free, live tutoring online. Check library website for link to the site
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. Staff will contact you by phone or email when it is ready for pickup. March kits are “Enchanted,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse” and “Despicable Me.”
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. For all ages.
Design a letter: Register on website to decorate a letter that spells out “Willmar Public Library,” and return your letter to the library by March 27. All ages, letters limited.
Teen Eye Candy Contest: March 15-28, vote online, ages 12-19. Register on website.
Adult make-and-take: Various crafts will be posted on our website as they are available usually around the first and 15th of the month. Use the form on the website to reserve your supplies to make your very own featured project. Once you have registered, library staff will call you or email you when it is ready to be picked up. Ages 18 and over. March 15 is cigar box succulent planter.
Teen Take & Make Crafts: March 1 opened for rainbow keychain; March 15 opened for flower hoop. For ages 12-19, limit one per person, supplies limited. Sign up on the library website.
Adult trivia: March 18, 7 p.m. Play live Trivia solo or assemble a team, via a Facebook group, ages 18 and over.
Teen hangout: March 19, 6 p.m. Get together with other teens on Discord and talk about TV, movies, books, games, etc. Sign up on the website to be able to participate in teen Discord programs.
Teen YA Read Aloud: March 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Take the hard part out of book club and let someone else read for you on Zoom. Sign up on the library website. Book is “The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Barnes.
Teen Gaming Club: March 26 on Discord, 6 to 8 p.m. Play multiplayer games, party games, board and card games, and point-and-click mystery games. Sign up on the website.
Adult Online Book Club: March 17, noon, “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett. Book discussion using Zoom on your computer, tablet, phone, etc. Fill out the form on the website to receive further info on how to sign in to the Zoom meeting. Meets every third Wednesday. April book is “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig.
Craft & Coloring Chat: March 24, 2 p.m., will meet virtually through Zoom. Register in advance on the library website. Once you’ve registered, your coloring sheets will be set aside for you to pick up at the library. Meets the fourth Wednesday.
Jigsaw Puzzle Contest: March 25, 6:30 p.m. Enter a team of two in either the adult or youth/family category. Pick up your puzzle at the library and compete via Zoom.
All Pioneerland Libraries have different hours and services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check individual libraries for guidelines and hours at pioneerland.lib.mn.us.
Great River libraries include the Myrtle Mabee Library in Belgrade, 320-254-8842, and the Paynesville Library, 320-243-7343. Call the libraries for their hours and services.
NEW LONDON — Sibley State Park is open. A vehicle permit is required to enter the park and available online. Warming house is closed at the Trail Center. Not enough snow to set Nordic ski tracks. Sibley State Park is west of New London just off U.S. Highway 71. For more information, visit the state Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.state.mn.us.
SPICER — The Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center trails are closed for the season. More information on the website at www.prairiewoodselc.org or by calling 320-354-5894.
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