Take a nostalgic trip back in time from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, during the Austin Big Band performance at the Terp Ballroom, 210 Fourth St. NE.

The event is put on as part of the Austin Page Turners’ 2019 citywide book read.

“We’re so excited because the book that we’re reading for the Austin Page Turners’ project this year, ‘Stars Over Clear Lake,’ mentions the Terp Ballroom,” said APT President Bonnie Rietz. “Our committee thought about it and thought lets have an old-fashioned dance like they used to have in the Terp. We organized it and have the Austin Big Band coming on Saturday.”

The evening will begin with dance lessons at 7 p.m. Food and a cash bar will be available.

Tickets are $5 at the door and free for veterans.

“We’re gong to dance and it will be really fun because it will take us back into the time when the Terp Ballroom was a popular place for people to go out and dance and have a wonderful evening,” Rietz said.

Other upcoming Austin Page Turners citywide read events:

• Lunch Lecture – History of the Algona POW Camp, noon to 1 p.m. on April 16 at the Hormel Historic Home

• Writer’s Workshop with “Stars Over Clear Lake” author Loretta Ellsworth, 10:30-11:30 a.m. on April 23 at the Austin Public Library

• Author Presentation – Loretta Ellsworth, 7 p.m. on April 23 at the Austin Public Library

Austin will come together to enjoy the 10th annual Taste of Nations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at Packer Arena. It is a free family friendly event with entertainment for all ages.

More than a dozen food and beverage samples will be available from a variety of global recipes. Entertainment includes dancing and cultural displays from many nations and ethnic groups that have influenced Austin, including a performance by Karenni dancers. There will also be a display from renowned photographer William Taufic’s new project, “Our Austin, Our America,” and hands-on demonstrations of the sport cricket.

Taste of Nations is supported by Welcome Center, Inc., Riverland Community College. Austin Human Rights Commission, Hormel Foods, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, Greg L. Meyer Insurance, US Bank, QPP and many more donors and community volunteers.

For more information, call 507-460-8948 or 507-434-2863, email director@austinwelcomecenter.org, or visit www.facebook.com/TasteofNationsAustinMN.

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Schedule of Events

Friday

• Defensive Driving Class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center. Four-hour refresher course to earn a 10 percent discount on your insurance premium. Cost for members is $17, non-members is $20. To sign up or for more information, call 507-433-2370.

• Shoe Away Hunger Shoe Drive, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Various Locations. This program turns pairs of new or gently used shoes into up to a week’s worth of essential groceries for one person. Any type shoe in any condition, as well as socks, can be donated at the following locations: Bethlehem Free Methodist Church, Faith Evangelical Free Church, Mower County 4-H Building at the Mower County Fairgrounds, Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Sterling Main Street, St. John’s Lutheran Church (Mon. to Fri. from 9 a.m. to noon), as well as First Baptist Church in Blooming Prairie and Little Cedar Lutheran Church in Adams. Sponsored by the Rock Solid 4-H Club.

• Culture for All – “Let’s Explore South Korea,” 11 a.m. to noon at Austin Congregational UCC. Join Hyosun “Sunny” Kim as she shares her culture through story, craft, food and music. Free even, of ages 2-5. To register, call 507-399-1924.

• “The House at Pooh Corner,” 7 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre. A Matchbox Children’s Theatre production.  Adaptation of the beloved A. A. Milne classic. Tickets are $6 for students, $10 for adults, or $20 for student season tickets, $30 for adult season, or $80 for families. For more information, go to www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org or call 507-437-9078.

Saturday

• Austin Masonic Lodge All You Can Eat Pancake Feed, 9 a.m. to noon at the Austin Masonic Lodge. Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat pancake feed complete with bacon, sausage, juice, milk and coffee, while helping raise funds for local organizations. Proceeds for April benefit the Mower County Council for the Handicapped.

• American Doll Tea Party, 10 a.m. at the Spam Museum. Bring your American Girl doll and have tea with the Spambassadors as the Spam Museum unveils the newest exhibit featuring American Girl Nanea. If you have a tea set, bring it too. For more information, call 507-434-6401.

• Community Literacy Event, 10 a.m. to noon at the Austin Public Library. This family event, with activities focused on children from birth to age 8, is co-hosted by Austin Public Library, Austin Aspires, Matchbox Children’s Theater, Rotary, and local preschools. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

• Kids’ Studio – Clay Polymer Animals, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Nicole Weiss. For kids ages 4 to 14; cost $5. For more information or to register, call 507-434-0934.

• Author Visit – Anthony Donaghue, 1 p.m. at Sweet Reads. Join this local poet who will entertain with is unique style of poetry – rhythmic, driving! For more information, call 507-396-8660.

• Climate Storytelling Workshop, 1-3 p.m. at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Join this workshop to take a deep dive into the issue of climate change, discover your own personal climate story, and learn how to use it as a tool to inspire solutions. Free program. Refreshments will be served. For more information, go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org or call 507-437-7519.

• “The House at Pooh Corner,” 7 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre.

Sunday

• Hot Beef Sandwich Dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Enjoy a delicious meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots, cole slaw and home made pie. Tickets $12 for adults, $6 for kids 6 to 12, free for kids 5 and under. Tickets available in the church office. For more information, call 507-433-8857.

• “The House at Pooh Corner,” 2 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre.