Kevin D. Nelson

Austin Parks and Recreation

The Halloween Warm-up is just around the corner.

For two magical nights, the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center (with the help of Matchbox Children’s Theatre) will be 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.

Then, relax inside the Interpretive Center with apple cider and treats! This program is especially designed to appeal to children ages 4-11 (accompanied by an adult), but all ages are welcome! Every 10 minutes, a group of 25 will be led into the “boo”tiful forest to meet the assorted spirits that reside there. The event will take place this year on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12. During the 6:50 p.m. time slot only, there will be 12 extra tickets available (to ride on the Nature Center’s golf carts) for those who cannot walk the trails due to special needs. One support person may ride along if needed (ticket required). Any person with related questions is encouraged to call the Nature Center at 1-507-437-7519 for more information. Select your time slot when you purchase your tickets, which are on sale now through Oct. 12 at Super Fresh Produce, Bakery & Garden Center (2104 Fourth St. NW, 507-437-6554). The per person fee of $8 includes a cookie and hot or cold apple cider.

Friends of the Nature Center

It’s time to mark your calendar to join the Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for their 17th annual Thanksgiving Feast Fundraiser, which will be held from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 2. The event will take place at the Austin Holiday Inn in the Conference Center at 1701Fourth St. NW. Tickets can be purchased for $40 online at www.hormelnaturecenter.org.  You may also call 1-507-433-6928 or e-mail finn44@charter.net to reserve tickets.

The fun-filled evening will include social hour, a delicious meal, music, entertainment, raffles and games, as well as both silent and live auctions! You can add better value to your night by joining the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center and thereby receiving a $5 coupon at the feast to use towards raffles, games, or auction items. All proceeds will go to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Operations Fund, which supports interns, staffing, and programs throughout the year.

Sola Fide Observatory

Sola Fide Observatory offers public nights on specified Saturdays for those interested to go out and discover fascinating facts about the night sky during free observatory open house hours.

The next scheduled date is 8-10 p.m. tonight, weather permitting. On such select evenings, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center staff and volunteers are available to assist the public in viewing the night sky.

Bird Seed Festival

The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will host the Bird City Seed Festival 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

There are a number of different programs scheduled for that day, with one of the main highlights of the festival being the declaration of Austin as a Bird City by the Minnesota Audubon Society at 10 a.m. This nature-oriented day will be suitable for school-age through senior citizens.

Youth sign-up

for kindergarten through sixth grade, which will begin Oct. 22, and is scheduled to run most Tuesdays and Thursday through Dec. 5.

Riverside Arena

Public skate dates/times:

• 2:45-4:15 p.m., today
• 5-7 p.m., Wednesday

Stick time dates will be:

• 1-2:30 p.m., today
• 4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday

Times are added as different opportunities arise, so check the Austin Parks and Rec Facebook page regularly.

Seasonal work

Austin Parks and Recreation has a number of seasonal positions available, including recreation assistant, recreation instructor, arena supervisor, park maintenance, adult volleyball refree, and warming house attendant.

Some of these require a considerable amount of related knowledge and/or skill, while others will require some training, reliability, and solid work ethic.

Interested individuals are encouraged to stop by our office or call 1-507-433-1881.