Email your community events to: [email protected].

Monday, April 19 – The Polk County Health Department will hold an immunization clinic in Osceola from 3:30pm-5:30pm. An appointment is required for compliance to the COVID-19 directives. NO COVID-19 VACCINE WILL BE GIVEN AT THIS CLINIC. Influenza vaccine is still available and there is no charge for Influenza vaccine this flu season. Infant, Kindergarten, 7th Grade and college entry vaccines are available for VFC eligible children from birth through 18 years of age. Reminder – All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and a record of all previous immunizations is required. A small administrative fee will be charged, however services will not be denied to those who have a true inability to pay. Please call 402-747-2211 for further details or to schedule an appointment.

Tuesday, April 20 – Columbus Community Hospital invites you to Walk With A Doc from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at 1C The Sanctuary. Have fun and join us for a healthy walk. You’ll take a few minutes to learn about a current health topic, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and conversation with a doc. It is a great way to get out, get active and enjoy good conversation. Walk your own pace. This is a free community event. This month Dr. Joseph Citta III will talk about “Allergy Season! Where’s My Kleenex?”

Wednesday, April 21 – Farmers And Ranchers Are Invited To Attend A Free One-On-One, Confidential Clinic With An Experienced Ag Law Attorney And Farm Financial Counselor. These Clinics Specialize In Legal And Economic Issues, Including Business Planning, Estate And Transition Planning, Farm Loan Programs, Debtor/Creditor Law, And Other Relevant Matters. Bring Your Questions! The Clinics Are Conducted As Conference Calls Or Zoom Meetings. To Sign Up For A Clinic Or For More Information, Call Michelle At The Nebraska Rural Response Hotline At 1-800-464-0258.

Thursday, April 22 – Columbus Public Library presents Story Time and Story Art with Mr. H at 10:30am and 1:30pm in the City Council Chambers. This event is free and open to everyone. This week’s theme is “Awesome You!”

Thursday, April 22 thru Saturday, April 24 – the annual Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska artVenture event is going VIRTUAL and expanding statewide this year. The artVenture Silent Auction: A Virtual Celebration of Creativity and Collaboration will take place online April 22-24. artVenture is a unique arts education program that matches groups of Girl Scouts with professional artists in a collaborative setting. Working together in a variety of mediums, they create original works of art that are sold in a silent auction. Through the wonders of technology, this year’s art collaborations took place online, allowing girls from across the state – and even from other states – to work with any artist no matter their location. Registration is free, and the auction opens at 7 a.m. (CT) April 22 and closes April 24 at 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska. Find event details and registration information at bit.ly/artVenture2021. A gallery featuring the artwork will be available soon.

Thursday, April 22 thru Sunday, April 25 – Crane River Theater in Kearney presents “The All Night Strut”; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm, with a Sunday Matinee at 2pm. Synopsis: Swing’s the thing in this classy, sassy musical celebration of the 1930s and ’40s filled with jazz, blues and American songbook standards! Weaving together the work of legendary songwriters such as Frank Loesser, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Cab Calloway and the Gershwins, the story moves through time and place to capture a beloved American era. Featuring songs like “In The Mood”, “Fascinating Rhythm” and “As Time Goes By”. Presented at the historic World Theatre in downtown Kearney. Tickets are $20/adults and $10/students and are available at https://cranerivertheater.org/shows-tickets-alt/.

Friday, April 23 – Join Columbus Community Hospital dietitians for Food Thoughts at the Columbus Wellness Center from 11:30am to 12:30pm every Friday to discuss a nutrition topic for 30 minutes. The dietitians will be available afterward to answer any individual questions. There is no cost for the class or time with the dietitians. This week’s topic is “Lifestyle And Managing Stress”.

Saturday, April 24 – The Columbus Public Library invites everyone to the annual Author Fair at 2pm at the Friedhof Building, downtown Columbus. Stephanie Grace Whitson is the keynote speaker and her talk is titled “Why Scarlett is Read”. She will ask the audience why Scarlett O’Hara is considered one of fiction’s most unforgettable characters. She will explain to us what “the girl we love to hate” can teach writers that will help them create their own unforgettable stories. If you can’t make it at 2 pm on the dot for the keynote, you can still come and listen to the authors do readings of their writings, browse the books for sale, visit with the authors individually, and taste some of the delicious homemade treats made by local business, “Feed Your Sweet Tooth”, wonderfully created by Samantha Kooyman. It will be a family fun Saturday afternoon with book interests for all ages. This is a free event! If you have any questions, call Kelli at 402-562-4214.

Saturday, April 24 – The Cooper Family Community Center in Pilger will host its annual Fish Fry from 5pm until the fish is gone! Freewill donation with a cash bar and split the pot. Proceeds go to the Cooper Family Community Center.

Monday, April 26 – Columbus Community Hospital and Parkinson’s Nebraska will host a Parkinson Wellness Symposium from 9am-3pm at the Ramada Inn/River’s Edge Convention Center in Columbus. Join us for a free education event for those affected by Parkinson Disease, learn from our experts the challenges of managing Parkinson Disease, new opportunities and alternative treatments, and the latest health and wellness information. This is a free event and includes lunch. Special room rates are also available. Registration is required; online at www.columbushosp.org, call Michell at 402-562-4488 or email [email protected]. 

Tuesday, April 27 – Urban Farm Boutique is hosting a Spring Cookie Workshop from 5:30pm-8pm with cookie designs by Lynn Bygland! Get ready for Spring by learning how to decorate using Royal Icing with the talented Lynn Bygland. All supplies provided, take home half a dozen decorated cookies and the knowledge to create your own. Cost is $42 per person. Class size limited! Call 402-270-5210 to register by April 13. 

Wednesday, April 28 – Farmers And Ranchers Are Invited To Attend A Free One-On-One, Confidential Clinic With An Experienced Ag Law Attorney And Farm Financial Counselor. These Clinics Specialize In Legal And Economic Issues, Including Business Planning, Estate And Transition Planning, Farm Loan Programs, Debtor/Creditor Law, And Other Relevant Matters. Bring Your Questions! The Clinics Are Conducted As Conference Calls Or Zoom Meetings. To Sign Up For A Clinic Or For More Information, Call Michelle At The Nebraska Rural Response Hotline At 1-800-464-0258.

Wednesday, April 28 – Community members and supporters of Nebraska Medicine are invited to attend this year’s FUSION: A Blend of Fun & Philanthropy virtual event. Guest speaker, Cindi Leive, is a former editor-in-chief of Glamour and Self magazines, a women’s rights activist and author of numerous books including the 2018 New York Times bestseller Together We Rise. A graduate of Swathmore College, Leive has interviewed heads of state, Hollywood and fashion’s biggest personalities and iconic leaders from all walks of life. FUSION is an event organized by the Nebraska Medicine Guild and the money raised helps fund scholarships for UNMC and Clarkson College nursing and allied health students, in addition to other good works impacting the patient experience at Nebraska Medicine. The Virtual Event begins at 12:00 PM. All you need is internet access. Tickets are $75/person, reservations for 10 at $750, and $1,500 or $5,000 Corporate Sponsorships. Contact Kayla Thomas ([email protected] or 402-552-9744), Chaley Chandler ([email protected] or 402-213-7810) or Megan Reay ([email protected] or 402-689-0453).

Thursday, April 29 – Columbus Public Library presents Story Time and Story Art with Mr. H at 10:30am and 1:30pm in the City Council Chambers. This event is free and open to everyone. This week’s theme is “Playful Pups and Cuddly Kittens!”

Friday, April 30 – Join Columbus Community Hospital dietitians for Food Thoughts at the Columbus Wellness Center from 11:30am to 12:30pm every Friday to discuss a nutrition topic for 30 minutes. The dietitians will be available afterward to answer any individual questions. There is no cost for the class or time with the dietitians. This week’s topic is “Budget Friendly Tips To Feed Your Family”.

Friday, April 30 – Columbus Public Library presents Tubular Tween Night in the City Council Chambers from 6:30pm-9pm. This event is free and open to everyone. This month’s theme is “Spring Food & Fun!” Please register for this event by Wednesday, April 28.

Wednesday, May 5 – Memory For Kids Guild presents a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta for a virtual day of celebration and giving! At 10 a.m., a virtual mimosa toast will kick off the day, followed by videos of Mexican recipes, real-time updates on the donation tracker and videos of past memory recipients, all culminating with a virtual Cinco de Mayo happy hour at 5 p.m. We hope you will enjoy celebrating Cinco de Mayo and Memories for Kids however you feel most comfortable. In 2020, the Covid pandemic did not decrease the number of memory requests to help families. Fourteen memories were granted last year, including 12 during the pandemic. Families enjoyed trips near and far; Okoboji and Honey Creek, IA, Colorado, California and Florida. We have also given keepsake items, such as fingerprint necklaces and photo blankets, when a parent is in hospice. These experiences help children create a special memory with their family during a time that is otherwise very difficult and filled with sadness. Help us continue to create lifelong memories by giving today. Contact: [email protected], 402-889-5797.

Thursday, June 3 thru Sunday, June 6 – Crane River Theater in Kearney presents “Every Brilliant Thing” by Duncan Macmillan, with Jonny Donahoe. Shows are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm, with a Sunday matinee at 2pm. Synopsis: A kid makes a list for his mom. A list of everything worth living for in the world. 1. Ice cream. 2. Kung Fu movies. 3. Burning things. 4. Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. 5. Construction cranes. 6. Me. “Every Brilliant Thing” is a show that spells out a little of what depression can do to people, but it also highlights the irrepressible resilience of the human spirit. Tickets are $20/adults and $10/students and are available at https://cranerivertheater.org/shows-tickets-alt/.

Saturday, June 19 – Platte Center Fire & Rescue invites you to Rock Out with KFA Rock Stock on Main Street in Platte Center! Featuring Poison’US, Nightrain International, and Hell Bells! Gates open at 6pm, with music from 7pm to 2am. Admission is $10 at the gate; minors are welcome. Catering by Wild West Bar-B-Que. For more information, call Jackie at 402-853-1556. Campers, contact Trevor at 402-270-9933.