Outdoors
Sibley State Park: A vehicle permit is required to enter the park and is available online. 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 .
Upcoming events include the following:
- Youth special hunt: Oct. 30-31, the park will be closed west of Kandiyohi County Road 48 for a special youth deer hunt to prevent overpopulation of deer and to protect resources. Most of the park will remain open to non-hunters during the hunt. Visitors are advised to wear blaze orange or brightly colored clothing if they will be in the park while the hunt is in progress. Visitors should also check for hunt-related information on the park website and at the park office when they arrive.
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center: Trails at the rural Spicer center may be used during daylight hours at no cost. A bathroom with composting toilets is open by the pavilion. Pets should be on a leash. All equipment rentals (fat-tire bikes, kayaks, canoes) will be handled on a reservation basis, made at least 24 hours in advance. To reserve equipment for the weekend, please call by noon Friday. Two-hour equipment rental is $20 for adults, $10 for members and $5 for all youth. Call 320-354-5894 .
Gardening
Extend your season with mums: Nov. 17, noon to 1 p.m., AgCountry Auditorium, University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center, 46352 State Hwy. 329 in Morris. The class is presented by Reba Gilliand, West Otter Tail Master Gardener. This “Come Grow with Us” class is free, but donations are accepted. Registration is required upon arrival. Masks required when indoors at any University of Minnesota facility, regardless of vaccination status. More information at wcroc.cfans.umn.edu or 320-589-1711 .
Farming
Suicide Prevention: Dec. 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m., free, online. NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is offering a suicide prevention class tailored to farming communities. Called QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) for Agricultural Communities, the program helps individuals learn the three steps anyone can take to help prevent a suicide. It is for members of rural and agricultural communities over the age of 16 who want to learn best practices in suicide prevention. To register, see “Classes” at namimn.org . For more information, call 651-645-2948 .