The Mower County Historical Society will be kicking off the fall season with a Holiday Vintage and Antique Sale this Friday and Saturday. The proceeds will be earmarked for an endowment fund, which they hope will help the MCHS be more sustainable.

“Once we get our endowment fund built up enough, we’ll be able to draw the interest off of that each year,” said curator Jaimie Timm. “It’s a more stable, reliable source of funding for us so we’re hoping to get that built up so we can start to benefit.”

Last year’s vintage sale had a wide variety of donated items, and MCHS Director Randy Forster said that this year many items can be purchased, including a large selection of Precious Moments Collectibles as well furniture pieces.

“I’m sure you’ll find a hidden treasure at our vintage sale,” he said.

The Holiday Vintage and Antique Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The sale will be held in the Pioneer Building at the Mower County Historical Society.

For more information, call 507-437-6082.

Taking a taste of Mower County

Looking to eat and drink all you want while contributing to a good cause? The Arc Mower County has you covered with its eighth annual Taste of Mower County on Sunday.

For $30, diners will have unlimited tasting opportunities from home and restaurant chefs in and around Mower County.

Restaurant chefs featured this year come from the Holiday Inn, Cedar Valley Services, Lansing Corner Supper Club, Sweet’s Restaurant, the Cedars of Austin and Wolf’s Den. Home chefs participating this year are Kelley Sandvik, Raycy Edwin, Alison Witiak, Beth Jensen, Kathi Finley and Lou Hanson.

Diners will be able to sample wine and craft beers, courtesy of Apollo Liquors, as well as purchase drinks from a cash bar.

Various items, donated by local businesses and individuals, will be up for sale during live and silent auctions. Attendees will be eligible to win door prizes.

Entertainment will be provided by Terry Schmidt.

The eighth annual Taste of Mower County will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday at the Austin Holiday Inn Conference Center. Tickets can be purchased by calling 507-433-8994 or by visiting The Arc at 401 Second Ave. NE. All proceeds go toward supporting the Arc Mower County, which advocates for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For more information, call 507-433-8994 or visit https://www.thearcmc.org/tomc2018.html.

Schedule of Events

Friday

• Halloween Warm-up, 6:50-10 p.m. at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. For two magical nights, the Nature Center (with the help of Matchbox Children’s Theatre) is under special enchantment! Take a 45-minute hike and enjoy “spook”tacular Halloween and nature skits performed by creatures, critters, and spirits of the night, followed by cider and treats. Especially designed to appeal to children ages 4-11 (accompanied by an adult), but all ages are welcome!  Tours leave every ten minutes in groups of 25; select time slot when purchasing tickets. Tickets on sale at SuperFresh Produce, Bakery, & Garden Center (2104 4th St NW, 507-437-6554). First hike 6:50 p.m., last hike 9:10 p.m. Cost – $8 per person.  Note: During the 6:50 p.m. time slot only, 12 extra tickets will be available for rides on golf carts for patrons who cannot walk the trails due to special needs. One support person may ride along if needed (ticket required). For more information, call 507-437-7519.

• “Fly By Night,” 7 p.m. at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College. Does love choose us or do we choose it? “Fly By Night” is a heartfelt, sweeping tale of love, hope, and sandwiches. For ticket information, go to www.riverland.edu/student-life/fine-arts/theatre/ or call 507-433-0595.

Saturday

• Scandinavian Festival Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Austin. Includes Scandinavian bazaar with crafts, boxed greeting cards, cookbooks, bake sale, holiday shop, boutique, and other items, including lefse and donuts (limit 3 dozen per person), lunch all day with soup, pie.

• Essential Watercolor Techniques by Master Teacher Steve DeLaitsch, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Develop your artistry and self-expression as you move from concept to completion. Your instructor, Steve DeLaitsch, will guide each attendee through specific techniques and ideas encouraging each to create their own style. He teaches the class in a manner that allows for the personal expression and development of each student. All forms of art can be covered from realism to abstraction and all skill levels are taught. The fundamentals remain the same from beginners to experienced artists. Steve will demonstrate his painting theory, drawing, and techniques covering topics such as preliminary sketching, drawing, and watercolor painting. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

• History for Half-Pints – Music in Motion: Irish Fling with Todd Menton, 10-11:30 a.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. Interactive music program at 10:30 a.m., with the opportunity to explore the house museum before and after the show. Cost is $2 per child ages 2- 12 (free for History for Half Pints Members), snack included. Register online at https://www.hormelhistorichome.org/calendartickets.html or call for more information 507-433-4243.

• Musician Masterclass: The Mystery of Romance, 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Hormel Historic Home. Peggy Reich discusses the mystery of romantic music, its complexities and impact. The event is free and open to the public.

• Family Art Studio, 1-3 p.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Drop in as a family and get creative with materials provided. Free, all ages encouraged to attend and create together. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Funded by a grant from the Austin Area Foundation. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

• Brownsdale Fire Department Fish Fry, 4-8 p.m. at the Brownsdale Fire Station. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids age 12 and under. Will also serve baked potato, cole slaw, beans, coffee, milk, or lemonade. Kids hot dog meals also available.

• Halloween Warm-up, 6:50-10 p.m. at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. For two magical nights, the Nature Center (with the help of Matchbox Children’s Theatre) is under special enchantment! Take a 45-minute hike and enjoy “spook”tacular Halloween and nature skits performed by creatures, critters, and spirits of the night, followed by cider and treats. Especially designed to appeal to children ages 4-11 (accompanied by an adult), but all ages are welcome!  Tours leave every ten minutes in groups of 25; select time slot when purchasing tickets. Tickets on sale at SuperFresh Produce, Bakery, & Garden Center (2104 4th St NW, 507-437-6554). First hike 6:50 p.m., last hike 9:10 p.m. Cost – $8 per person.  Note: During the 6:50 p.m. time slot only, 12 extra tickets will be available for rides on golf carts for patrons who cannot walk the trails due to special needs. One support person may ride along if needed (ticket required). For more information, call 507-437-7519.

• “Fly By Night,” 7 p.m. at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College. Does love choose us or do we choose it? “Fly By Night” is a heartfelt, sweeping tale of love, hope, and sandwiches. For ticket information, go to www.riverland.edu/student-life/fine-arts/theatre/ or call 507-433-0595.

• Austin Artist Series – “Those Were the Days” with William Florian, 7-9 p.m. at Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School. Subscription tickets for the series available at www.austinartistseries.org.

Sunday

• Seventh Annual Darren Dash, 7 a.m. to noon at Lafayette Park. The event honors the life of Austin native and running enthusiast, Darren Lewis. Includes a half marathon, a 5K, and a kiddie run.  All events will start and end at Lafayette Park. For more information, go to www.darrendash.org or call Scott at 507-481-4603.

• “Fly By Night,” 2 p.m. at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College. Does love choose us or do we choose it? “Fly By Night” is a heartfelt, sweeping tale of love, hope, and sandwiches. For ticket information, go to www.riverland.edu/student-life/fine-arts/theatre/ or call 507-433-0595.