Song and dance come to the local stage this weekend when the Springfield Community Theatre and Springfield Community Education present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Based on the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers in the Book of Genesis, the musical goes on stage at Springfield Public School this Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 3 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The GFWC Woman’s Club met for the March meeting at the Sleepy Eye Coffee Company for Dutch Dessert with the Qui Vive Club as guests. The program was by Italian exchange students Chiari Leonardi, via Zoom with Kris Eckstein as moderator. Chiara told about her life in Rome where she lives in an apartment with her family. She learned to speak English in grade school. Chiara said students in Italy have five years of high school, are in the same class all five years and that teachers rotate from classroom to classroom instead of the students. She said transportation is mostly by bus with some trains similar to subways. Chiara said food consists of various pastas, pizza, vegetables, shrimp, tuna, salmon, some squid and even octopus. Some holidays they observe include June 2, when Italy was founded, similar to our 4th of July; mid-August on the beach with fireworks and St. Lucia Day in December.
Sleepy Eye FFA members have been busy, earlier making cards for Valentine’s Day and now making Spring posters in order to spread some cheer at the nursing homes and Countryside Assisted Living. FFA members in junior high and high school made the large posters during the January and March FFA meetings.
The life-size wood carved statue of Chief Sleepy Eye has been a fixture at the Dyckman Free Library since it was donated to the City of Sleepy Eye in 1978. Last week the statue was moved to its new home in the Depot Museum—perhaps a more fitting home to this piece of Sleepy Eye history.
After discussions that spanned the last couple years, the Sleepy Eye United football program started with elementary teams last fall—a development that went very well and was enjoyed by kids, coaches and families. That plan included moving the Coop team to the junior high level next fall, to be followed by varsity the fall of 2023.
Mayor Wayne Pelzel not only is Co-Chair of the 150th Anniversary Committee, he also volunteered to handle the Beard Growing Contest! This contest is a nod to the past—or maybe it is a “chin scratch” to the past. Beard growing contests were often a feature of old-time community celebrations that were held in honor of a town’s history.
Chiara Leonardi arrived in Minnesota from her home in Rome the day after Christmas and started a new small town and American school experience. Chiara came to Minnesota through the Nacel Open Door student exchange program.
On Saturday, March 12, at the Farm Show in New Ulm the Brown County Dairy Association royalty were crowned. In front, from left, are the Ambassadors: Madilyn Portner, New Ulm; Emma Fischer, Sleepy Eye and Rachel Portner, Sleepy Eye. Back: Princesses are Gracie Sellner, Sleepy Eye; Lauren Steffl, Sleepy Eye; Sophie Kyllonen, Sleepy Eye and Elizabeth Griebel, New Ulm. Not pictured is Princess Sophia Portner, Sleepy Eye. Those crowned as Princess have the option of entering the state Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition but have not yet made their decisions on whether to do so. Submitted
Over 45 teams of 4-H youth from across central and southeastern Minnesota participated in the 4-H Regional Project Bowl which challenges teams of three to six youth by testing their knowledge on a variety of animal science and agriculture topics including dairy, dog, horse, llama, poultry, rabbit and more.
Senator Gary Dahms (R- Redwood Falls) announced his intention to run for re-election in the newly drawn Senate District 15. A five-member panel of judges on February 15 released new legislative maps that go into effect for the upcoming election.