Virtual VINE

• Thursday, April 15
• 2 – 3:30 pm
• Scott Kudelka, DNR Naturalist
What are some of the signs that we associate with the arrival of spring? Robins arriving is usually one that comes to mind even though some of these birds will spend the entire winter in Minnesota. Other signs can be a little tougher to grasp, especially in the middle of a late spring snowfall. This presentation will focus on a variety of signs we associate with the coming of warmer weather and longer days.

• Monday, April 19
• 2 – 3:30 pm
• Kiersten Hall, Publisher, Fox Point Publishing
As a publisher, Kiersten is responsible for all facets of getting a project out the door. She wears the hats of publicist, all-around cheerleader for everyone and gofer. She will speak about working with authors who have a project and what her role as publisher can entail.

• Monday, April 19
• 5:30 – 7 pm
• Trevor Waagner, Mankato Computer Technology
During this last year, maybe you found yourself spending much more time on your computer. Also, maybe you weren’t able to find the things you were looking for. Discover how to find games and information sources that you can use, especially as the world continues to open back up again.

• Tuesday, April 20
• 2 – 3:30 pm
• Shane Begeja and Joyce Wilcox, Minnesota Extension Service
Come and learn from the experts about both traditional vegetable gardening and container gardening. Topics to be covered include choosing a site, preparing a site, sunlight and water needs, choosing seeds and plants, timing, fertilizer, and weed and insect control. The section on container gardening includes choosing containers, growing mixtures, and common mistakes. All you need to bring is your green thumb!

• Wednesday, April 21
• 2 – 3:30 pm
• Patricia Anderson, adventurer
After graduating from college in the early 1960s, Patricia Anderson worked for two years to save up for a trip around Europe with her friend, Lucy. Thanks to a press pass issued by her mother, editor of the Madelia Messenger, and some lucky timing, Patricia and Lucy got up close for some big events of the time. Now, 60 years later, she’s reliving the adventure with the help of columns her mother published.

• Thursday, April 22
• 2 – 3:30 pm
• John Sandry, Mankato Area Pickleball Association
Pickleball is for all ages and is an easy sport to learn. Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with special paddles and a ball similar to a wiffle ball, but slightly smaller. The lower net and perforated ball allow the game to be enjoyed by people of all abilities. Learn more about the game from Mankato’s biggest proponents.

• Tuesday, April 27
• 2 – 3:30 pm
• TED Talk, discussion
Should white people care about the whitewashing of black history? Most people will likely answer yes to this question, if only because it sounds politically correct to do so. What David Ikard, Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University, hopes will become clear is that whites have as much to lose by whitewashing black history as their African American peers.

• Wednesday, April 28
• 2 – 3:30 pm
• Hajar Abdullahi and Cecil Fountain, VINE Diversity staff
As VINE’s Somali Community Outreach Worker, Hajar acts as a resource for Somali individuals who are at least 60 years old and a member of the diversity program. Primarily, this involves helping with medical appointments, county assistance when needed, and any assistance in interacting with immigration, social services, insurance or other services. She and Cecil will talk more about the services VINE provides to our immigrant and refugee neighbors.

• Friday, April 30
• 2 – 3:30 pm
• Julie Freyberg, APRN, CNP, CWOCN, Mankato Clinic
Elderly individuals who live independently at home and their caregivers can benefit from knowledge about wound care to help injuries heal faster. A chronic wound can detract from quality of life and prevent people from doing things they enjoy and, if incorrectly treated, can have serious consequences.