By Jason Schoonover  and Deb Nicklay

newsroom@austindailyherald.com

On Feb.3, the Dutchtown Jumpers are slated to jump into the icy waters of East Side Lake after presenting what they plan will be another check that makes them the top-raising team for Plunging for Pink.

“As long as we own this bar, we’ll be rocking and rolling and trying to make the money of any team that’s going to be in the polar plunge,” Hoot & Ole’s Smitty’s Tavern co-owner Jeremy Olson said.

But before that, Hoot & Ole’s is helping get the early docket of Paint the Town Pink week events going by hosting its annual beanbag tournament and hot dish feed this Saturday, Jan. 28, at the bar, 105 11th St. SE.

Registration for the beanbag tournament starts at 11 a.m., and the outdoor, winter beanbag tournament begins at noon.

Cost for the beanbag tournament is $10, and teams are drawn. About 15 to 20 have participated each year. The hotdish feed is $5 a plate and it featured more than 20 plates last year.

Since many bars hold chili feeds, Olson said a hotdish feed seemed different and fitting for Minnesota.

“It’s Minnesota, everybody loves hotdishes,” Olson said.

They’ll also feature chicken bowling, where people bowl with a frozen chicken and get three rolls.

“It’s not as easy as you think because it rolls all cockeyed,” co-owner Judy Enright said.

They’re also holding a raffle and they’re aiming to sell a thousand tickets for prizes like meat, a four-hour party bus ride and a hot air balloon ride. The winners will be drawn around 3 p.m. Saturday, and tickets are still available at the bar.

The money raised at the hot dish feed and bean bag tournament goes toward the bar’s Plunging for Pink Team, The Dutchtown Jumpers.

Plunging for Pink is slated for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at East Side Lake, and the team is targeting another record year.

The team is aiming to top $15,000 this year.

The Dutchtown Jumpers have become known around town for its attire at the plunge, with several members often wearing Speedos. Last year, several members jumped in American flag-themed Speedos. Olson said it’s all in good fun and fuels interest in the plunge.

“People want to see what kind of crazy stuff we’ll do from year to year,” he said.

Thursday

Second Floor Gallery Show – Paul Walech Roth, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Austin ArtWorks Center, 300 Main St. N. Gallery show featuring artwork of Paul Walech Roth. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

Mower County Historical Presentation: Henry H. Sibley, Minnesota’s First Governor, 2 to 3 p.m., Mower County Senior Center. Presented by John Haymond, Executive Director of the Mower County Historical Society. Learn more about Henry Hastings Sibley, the territory’s first representative in Congress and the state’s first governor.  For more information, call 507-433-2370.

Ski and Snowshoe Rental, 3 to 6 p.m., Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, 1304 21st St. NE. Free ski and snowshoe rental every Thursday afternoon through February, depending on snow conditions. For more information, call507-437-7519.

Twilight Tales: Evening Storytime, 6:30 to 7 p.m., Austin Public Library, 323 Fourth Ave. NE. Half-hour storytime program for pre-school age children accompanied by a parent or caregiver. For more information, call507-433-2391.

Friday

Second Floor Gallery Show – Paul Walech Roth, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Austin ArtWorks Center, 300 Main St. N (see above)’

Bingo, 5:15 to 7:15 p.m., Austin VFW. Early Bird starts at 5:15 pm. Open to the public. For more information, call 507-433-6039.

Austin Bruins vs Janesville Jets, 7 to 10 p.m., Riverside Arena, 501 12th St. NE. Go, Bruins! For more information, call 507-434-4978.

Cinderella, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Historic Paramount Theatre, 125 Fourth Ave. NE. Matchbox Children’s Theatre production. Look forward to the funniest and most enchanting version of the magical fairytale – an encore performance due to enthusiastic audience response in the past. Tickets: $10 for adults, $6 for youth 14 and under. For more information, go to www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org or call 507-437-9078.

Saturday

Dammen Cross Country Ski Race Fundraiser, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, 1304 21st St. NE. Annual cross country ski race with beginner’s/kid race, classical, and freestyle races. Register by going to www.hormelnaturecenter.org/ski-race. Race-day registration and packet pick-up at 8 a.m.; 1 mile beginners/kids race starts at 9 a.m.; 8K classical race at 10 a.m., and 13 freestyle race at 11 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Kevin Dammen Memorial Mentorship Program. For more information, call 507-437-7519.

Second Floor Gallery Show-Paul Walech Roth, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Austin ArtWorks Center, 300 Main St. N. (See above)

Saturday Morning Sweet Stories, 10 to 11 a.m., Sweet Reads Books and Candy, 407 Main St. N. Storytime for ages 1-7. For more information, call 507-396-8660

Kids’ Studio – 3D Valentines Cards, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Austin ArtWorks Center, 300 Main St. N. With Krystal Lennie; cost $5 for kids 4 – 14 years-old. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

Author Visit – Lydia Emma Niebuhr, young adult fiction author, 1 to 3 p.m. Sweet Reads Books and Candy, 407 Main St. N. Meet Niebuhr and learn about her work. For more information, call 507-396-8660.

Cross Country Ski Lessons, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Classical ski lessons will include instructions for beginners as well as tips for intermediate skiers. Lesson cost is $6 for adults and $1 for children (accompanied by an adult), which includes poles, boots and skis. Meet in the Interpretive Center basement. Pre-registration is required, call 507-437-7519, info@hormelnaturecenter.org).

Cinderella, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Historic Paramount Theatre, 125 Fourth Ave NE. (see above).

National Wild Turkey Federation Fundraising Dinner, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center, 1701 Fourth St. NW. For more information, call 507-433-8000.

Austin Bruins vs Janesville Jets, 7 to 10 p.m., Riverside Arena, 501 12th St. NE. Go, Bruins! For more information, call 507-434-4978.

Sunday

Gourmet Pancake Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Jennings Hall, St. Augustine Catholic Church. Come find out what makes our pancakes special! Gourmet pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice, coffee and milk.  Free will donation accepted. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and Pacelli Catholic Schools.

Bruins Book Time Out, 1 to 2 p.m., Sweet Reads Books and Candy, 407 Main St. N, Austin. Storytime with members of the Austin Bruins hockey team.  For more information, call 507-396-8660.

The Creative Kitchen, 2 to 4 p.m., Hormel Historic Home, 208 Fourth Ave. Austin Hy-Vee chefs will lead this monthly class. Participants will learn, be inspired, and improve their kitchen skills. Small class size and creative topics will allow exploration of one’s passion for the kitchen. This month’s theme is “The Secrets of Steak,” presented by Chef Kristine. You will learn cuts of meat, knife skills, recipes and more. Cost: $40 per person. Limited to 12 participants; register at www.hormelhistorichome.org/events. For more information, call507-433-4243.

Cinderella, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Historic Paramount Theatre, 125 Fourth Ave. NE (see above).