Saint Mary’s Gifts for Winona grateful for Winona’s generosity

This year two precious little children slept in a car while we painstakingly tucked brand new bicycles in the back of their vehicle — careful not to ruin their Christmas surprises.

One senior exclaimed with joy that he was headed for the grocery store to buy some food with his new grocery card. Yet another quietly and emotionally walked out the door, tears in her eyes, after receiving a bag of gifts for her family.

Thousands of packages were wrapped with love this year for the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona community gift-giving program. Carload after carload overflowed with brightly colored paper and bags. Once again, we were overwhelmed by the anonymous generosity of this community, and we humbly thank you for graciously sharing your blessings.

The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program, in its 10th year, was once again able to provide gifts for our less fortunate neighbors because of you.

More than 1,600 individuals and families were helped this year, which is considerably higher than last year.

Though you never heard the abundant thank-yous and saw the genuine smiles, I hope you know how much the new toys, clothing and grocery gift cards you purchased mean to these families.

Because of you, these families have been given presents for their trees and hope in their hearts. For the 10th year in a row, our community has made sure that everyone who registered received something special for the holidays.

As we count our blessings for the past and upcoming years, we should also remember those less fortunate whose material blessings are a little harder to come by this year. We hope and pray that 2012 will have many wonderful things in store for these families.

The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona volunteers extend an extra special thanks to all of you, including:

• the program’s additional partners, Winona Radio, Winona Post, Wells Fargo and Winona Volunteer Services;
• the many shoppers, wrappers, data-entry volunteers, sorters and organizers, including many Saint Mary’s students, who put in long hours without complaint;
• the many sponsoring businesses, schools, churches and organizations who helped groups of 10 or more;
• every individual who took a tag off a tree or donated money;
• the Slaggie Family Foundation, Fleet Farm, Cornerstone Community Church, and Steve and Regina Craney for generous donations; and our friends at Cars & Credit who always make sure there are no tags left;
• the Winona Public Library, Walmart, the three Severson-Sinclair stations, the Winona Post and Security State Bank for sponsoring giving trees;
• referral agencies who provided support;
• the staff and patrons of the Valéncia Arts Center for allowing us to take over the building for one of the gift distributions, and Frances Passe at the Resource Center in St. Charles for helping to distribute gifts;
• and the area media for helping spread the word about this program.

We continue to be very blessed to be part of such a caring community.

SMU Jazz Workshop Combos to perform free concert Dec. 18

WINONA, Minn. — Two jazz workshop combos from Saint Mary’s University Music Department will present a free concert from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Acoustic Café, 77 Lafayette St. Included will be the “Lucky 7” Jazz Combo, directed by Eric Heukeshoven and the “Heavy Metal Jazz Combo,” directed by John Paulson. The free concert will feature student musicians who have been playing together all semester, and it will serve as their “final exam.” They’ll be playing well-know jazz standards by composers like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis, as well as some unique hybrid arrangements of popular jazz tunes blended with familiar Christmas tunes by Heukeshoven.

Saint Mary’s Gifts for Winona due Wednesday, Dec. 14

WINONA, Minn. — The deadline is fast approaching to return gifts to the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees. Because the community distribution is early, gifts MUST be returned to giving trees by Wednesday, Dec. 14!

Those individuals who have already taken tags should return their packages (with tags securely fastened) to the tree where they got the tag. Trees are located at the Winona Public Library, the three Severson-Sinclair locations, the Winona Post, Walmart and Security State Bank in Lewiston. Donors are asked to spend about $30 per person.

If you got a tag from a church or different organization, check your tag for the date your gifts are to be returned and other instructions.

To ensure that the large number of gifts may be properly sorted and recorded, meeting the deadline is a priority.

Because of the overwhelming generosity of the Winona community, tags may no longer be available. Tax-deductible contributions can also be made out to Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona and sent to 700 Terrace Heights #8, Winona, Minn., 55987.

Several community partners including the Winona Post, Wells-Fargo, Winona Radio and Winona Volunteer Services join Saint Mary’s University in helping to make this program a success.

SMU Cardinals hosting second Toys For Tots Teddy Bear Toss

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University men’s hockey team will hold the second Toys For Tots Teddy Bear Toss this Friday, Dec. 9, during the Cardinals’ 7:30 p.m. home game against Marian University at the SMU Ice Arena.

Fans attending are encouraged to bring a teddy bear or stuffed animal — preferably new, but those in good used condition will also be accepted and appreciated. Teddy bears will also be available at the arena for a donation of $1.

After the first SMU goal in the first period — or at the end of the first period — fans will have an opportunity to throw their teddy bears and/or stuffed animals onto the ice. They will then be collected and distributed to children in the Winona area through the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation.

The U.S. Marine Corps Toys For Tots Foundation was formed to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and then distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in their local communities. The program is aimed at helping needy children throughout the United States of America experience the joy of Christmas along with the message of hope to these under-privileged children to motivate them into being responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

Saint Mary’s Concert Band to present ‘Sounds of the Season’

WINONA, Minn. — Celebrate the music of the Christmas season with the Saint Mary’s University Concert Band 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at SMU’s Page Theatre.

The concert will feature four student guest conductors: Tyler Ringiesen, Ashley Buhr, Jessica Giers and Jessica Bouska. Dr. Janet Heukeshoven will direct the rest of the hour-long performance, which includes Alfred Reed’s “Russian Christmas Music” and familiar seasonal favorites.

The band will be performing the “Coventry Carol,” a lovely setting of “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring,” “Greensleeves Fantasia,” and the beautiful Huron Canadian Indian carol, “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.” On the lighter side, audience members of all ages will enjoy “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and the big band jazz inspired “A Most Wonderful Christmas.”

The concert will be followed by the traditional Christmas lobby party, which will feature a selection of holiday treats. Smaller ensembles — the brass choir, flute quartet, saxophone ensemble, jazz combo, bassoon trio and more — will perform throughout the reception.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU jazz, percussion groups to join talents for Dec. 9 concert

Winona, Minn. — The 18-piece Saint Mary’s University Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo I and World Drum Ensemble will combine for an evening of hot jazz to melt away the chill of the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in SMU’s Page Theatre.

Both jazz groups are directed by Dr. John Paulson, and the World Drum Ensemble is directed by Denny McGuire.

Vocalist Jessica Ingvalson will be featured on jazzy arrangements of the Christmas classics “Christmas Time is Here” from Charlie Brown and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” arranged by Dave Wolpe.

The World Drum Ensemble will join Jazz Combo I on the great samba “Brazil,” arranged for the nine-piece group by Michael Philip Moussman. They’ll also perform a boss nova version of “White Christmas,” arranged by Mark Taylor. The Jazz Ensemble will pull out all the stops with a wild arrangement of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Gordon Goodwin, as well as other great jazz standards like “Ladybird.” Audiences will also enjoy a premiere performance of Dr. Paulson’s “Four PM Blues.”

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s ‘Lessons and Carols’ Christmas service is Dec. 10

WINONA, Minn. — The joyous and uplifting Christmas service of “Lessons and Carols” will be presented by the Saint Mary’s University Department of Music at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10.

The beautiful service, held in the majestic Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, features the Saint Mary’s Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea, and the Chamber Orchestra.

“Lessons and Carols” reflects on the Christmas story through several short readings, hymns and Christmas carols sung by the choirs and audience. Music includes familiar carols and selections by composers from the Renaissance to the present.

The Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels is located at Wabasha and Vila streets in Winona.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at http://www.pagetheatre.org.

Giving trees go up this week for Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees will be going up before Thanksgiving. This communitywide program — in its tenth year — is providing gifts to area children and seniors in need this holiday season.

Tags, each labeled with a different person’s holiday gift wishes, will be placed on area giving trees this week. Gifts for Winona’s main priority is to provide gifts to children 18 years of age and younger and individuals 60 years of age and older.

Trees will be located at: the three Severson-Sinclair locations, Walmart, the Winona Public Library, the Winona Post, as well as Security State Bank of Lewiston. Additionally, grocery cards can be purchased for families.

Individuals who want to help make someone’s season a little merrier should visit one of these locations, take as many tags off the trees as they wish, and return the gifts by Dec. 14 to the tree where they obtained the tags. The recommended amount for holiday gifts is approximately $30 per person. Tags should be securely taped to the outside of the presents.

As the gift distribution is early this year — mid December — the community is asked to begin their season of giving early as well. The success of this program depends on the generosity of the Winona-area community.

For more information, call the Gifts for Winona line at (507) 457-8719. Other community partners that join SMU to help make this program possible are the Winona Post, Winona Radio, Wells Fargo and Winona Volunteer Services.

Saint Mary’s University to Collect Donations for Toys for Tots

Toy donations welcome at Minneapolis, Apple Valley,
Minnetonka, Oakdale, and Rochester locations

MINNEAPOLIS – Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus and Apple Valley, Minnetonka, and Oakdale centers will be drop-off sites for the Toys for Tots program this holiday season.

Headed by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for 64 years, Toys for Tots has provided more than 435 million toys to more than 202 million underprivileged children. In 2010 alone, the Marines distributed more than 16 million toys to 7.2 million children in more than 700 communities nationwide.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted between November 28 and December 18. Donations should be placed in the designated boxes inside the entrances to any of the following locations:
• Twin Cities campus (2500 Park Avenue, Minneapolis)
• Apple Valley Center (14200 Cedar Avenue)
• Minnetonka Center (12450 Wayzata Boulevard)
• Oakdale Center (7200 Hudson Boulevard N., Suite 200)
• Rochester Center (1926 Collegeview Drive SE)

Saint Mary’s is placing a particular focus on the age categories that in years past have received the fewest toys: ages 0 to 2 and 15 to 17. The university is also encouraging donors to contribute toys that spur creativity and thought, including:
• Ages 0-2: Blocks, rhythm instruments, wooden puzzles, picture books, push-pull toys, nesting toys
• Ages 15-17: Legos, complex models, hobby kits (such as jewelry-making), board games, small electronic games, puzzles, magnetic poetry, journals

“By encouraging toy donations that support youth educational development, Saint Mary’s partnership with Toys for Tots has played a key role in helping build strong communities for the future. We are thrilled to continue supporting this initiative,” said Don St. Dennis, associate vice president for university relations for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs.

For more information about Saint Mary’s participation in Toys for Tots, contact Julia Jenson at 612-728-5119 or follow Saint Mary’s on Twitter at @SMUGradPrograms.

MCA students to perform at upcoming community events

WINONA, Minn. — In celebration of the holiday season, adult and youth students from Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts music and dance divisions will perform throughout the community Nov. 20 through Dec. 17.

Events include:
• Sunday, Nov. 20 — MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers and the MCA Flute Choir will perform at the Winona Health Auxiliary Fantasy of the Trees, Watkins Manor, 175 East Wabasha St. from 1 to 2 p.m.

• Monday, Nov. 28 — MCA cloggers will perform at Callista Court, 1455 W. Broadway, at 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 3 — The MCA Flute Choir will perform at Quilted Christmas, Ecker’s Apple Farm, W27062 St. Rd. 54/35, 
Trempealeau, Wis., from 11 a.m. to noon.

• Monday, Dec. 12 — MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers will perform at Watkins Manor, 175 E. Wabasha St., at 5:30 p.m.

• Friday, Dec. 16 — MCA’s Dance Repertory Company II and the MCA Flute Choir will perform at the Women in Business luncheon, Jefferson Pub and Grill, 58 Center St., at noon.

• Friday, Dec. 16 — MCA’s Flute Choir will perform at Merchant’s Bank, 102 E. 3rd St., at 2 p.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 17, Music division private lesson students will perform at Callista Court, 1455 W. Broadway, at 1 p.m.

“Community outreach is a core part of the mission for the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts,” said Christine Martin, managing director. “It is a true pleasure to share the arts with our community through our talented student ensembles.”

Additionally, The Dance Repertory Company II and Young Choreographer’s Winter Showcase will be Friday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. And the music division winter concert is Monday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. Both events will be at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 W. 10th St. Admission is free for students ages 2-21 and $10 for adults at the door.

For more information about MCA programs or upcoming performances, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

Good Lovelies to usher in holidays Dec. 1 at Saint Mary’s University

Winona, Minn. — Funny and upbeat, with just a pinch of sass, the Good Lovelies will take the stage at Saint Mary’s University on Thursday, Dec. 1.

The Page Series will welcome this award-winning Canadian trio at 7:30 p.m. in Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center.

Part folk-roots, part Western Swing, this Toronto-based trio relies on unerring three-part vocal harmonies, clever songs, and convulsively funny repartee drawn from a seemingly endless succession of comedic adventures on the road. The Good Lovelies released a 12-track Christmas album, “Under The Mistletoe,” in November 2009.

These lovely ladies will usher in the holidays with old-fashioned melodies and impressive vocals. Their Christmas repertoire features a new take on familiar classics, a nostalgic treatment to more current songs, and original tunes that are sure to usher in the season in style.

In conjunction with this old-fashioned holiday theme, patrons are invited to dress in their best vintage outfits. Prizes will be awarded for “best female,” “best male,” “best couple,” and “best use of accessories.” Don your best classic clothing and antique attire!

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2011 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

Oberton to share ‘The Fastenal Story’ Nov. 17 at Saint Mary’s University

Will Oberton, CEO of Fastenal (an international provider of industrial and construction supplies based in Winona), will present “The Fastenal Story” at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Saint Mary’s University. The public is invited to Salvi Lecture Hall, located on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall.

Oberton joined Fastenal in 1980 as a part-time warehouse worker. Since then he has served in various sales, operational, and, ultimately, management roles, including chief operating officer, vice president, and executive vice president. He was named president of the company in July 2001 and has served as CEO since December 2002.

The event is sponsored by the SMU Business Office.

Gifts for Winona application deadline is Thursday, Nov. 17

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona — in its 10th year — is providing gifts to area children and seniors in need this holiday season.

Families looking for help obtaining gifts this year must apply by Thursday, Nov. 17. Families may pick up an application form through one of the human service agencies that they work with (Habitat for Humanity, Project FINE, Winona County Community Services, Winona Senior Advocacy Program, Winona Volunteer Services, or Women’s Resource Center). Families must apply for the program through a referral agency.

Once again this year, Gifts for Winona’s main priority is to provide gifts to children 18 years of age and younger and individuals 60 years of age and older.

This program exists through the generosity of the Winona community, as well as the work of other community partners including: Winona Volunteer Services, Winona Radio, the Winona Post and Wells Fargo Bank.

Saint Mary’s students to display art Nov. 19-Dec. 14

By Brianna Nelson

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University students will display a variety of art in “Ideas that Spark,” the all-campus student art exhibit on display Nov. 19 through Dec. 14 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

The show features 2011 SMU December art graduates Danielle Cossetta, Sarah Kraft, Brianna Nelson and Charlie Williams. An opening reception for the artists will be held 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the galleries.

The Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries — located in the Toner Student Center — are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and are free and open to the public.

Saint Mary’s to stage tragic tale in ‘Machinal’ Nov. 16-20

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Department of Theatre and Dance will present the tragic story of a woman driven to murder after being dominated by men, marriage, motherhood and machines in the 1928 expressionist play “Machinal” Nov. 16-20.

The story revolves around the predestined main character, Helen, who lives a life that has been dictated to her. She follows the rituals that society expects of a woman, however resistant she may feel about them, and subsequently marries her boss, whom she finds repulsive. After having a baby with him, followed by an affair with a younger man who fuels her lust for life, she is driven to murder her husband. She is found guilty of the crime and meets her end, ironically, in a machine — the electric chair.

“Machinal” is inspired by the real-life case of convicted and executed murderess Ruth Snyder — the first woman ever to be executed in the electric chair in New York State after she, along with her lover, murdered her husband. The play’s author, Sophie Treadwell, covered Snyder’s murder trial as a reporter.

Under the direction of Judy Myers, “Machinal” will take to the stage at the Valéncia Arts Center, 10th and Vila streets, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 16-19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org at the Performance Center Box Office, (507) 457-1715 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saint Mary’s to host panel discussion on food insecurity

Nationally recognized journalist Fred de Sam Lazaro to report on trip to East Africa

WINONA, Minn. — The public is invited to experience a real and emotional taste of the dire conditions of East Africa during a discussion on “From the Famine Frontline: The Complex Issue of Food Security” Thursday, Nov. 17, at Saint Mary’s University.

Fred de Sam Lazaro, director of the “Undertold Stories Project” and a correspondent for PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and his team will have recently returned from the famine frontlines of East Africa. Joined by other panelists, de Sam Lazaro invites the public to participate in a discussion about how to feed a complex world whose population will climb to 9 billion by mid-century.

“East Africa’s crisis demands our immediate attention but the famine’s causes are a deep and complex web of economics, politics, conflict, climate uncertainty and social indifference — a threat that could persist well into the future,” he said.

The event will be moderated by Jon Sawyer, executive director of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Other panelists will include Dr. David Lynch, chair of the SMU Department of Social Science, and Sharon Schmickle, foreign affairs and science correspondent for MinnPost.com.

SMU will host two of these critical discussions. The first will be on its Twin Cities campus, and the second is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, on the Winona campus. The event will be held in Salvi Lecture Hall, located on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall.

For more information and to reserve a seat, go to www.smumn.edu/foodinsecurityforum.

The event is sponsored by Saint Mary’s University, the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership and the Under-Told Stories Project, in conjunction with the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting.

The “Under-Told Stories Project,” produced by and in partnership with Saint Mary’s University, shares stories from some of the world’s most remote locations through PBS NewsHour and other media organizations. The partnership brings de Sam Lazaro to the university’s Minneapolis campus, provides new learning opportunities to Saint Mary’s students, and is intended to raise awareness for the local ramifications of global issues.

SMU Oldie Moldies to perform at Signatures Nov. 12

WINONA, Minn. — Catch dinner and a show with the Oldie Moldie All-Stars from Saint Mary’s University Saturday, Nov. 12, at Visions Event Center.

Rock along to your favorite ’50s, ’60s and ’70s tunes while you enjoy a menu of house salad, pan-seared Canadian walleye fillet, wild rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, caper tarter sauce, rolls and butter, and strawberry shortcake. A chicken or pasta option is available by reservation.

The Oldies are members of the national music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at Saint Mary’s. The group consists of 11 talented and engaging singers and band members.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.; the Oldies will perform two sets, one at 6:30 p.m., and a second at 7:45 p.m.

The price for the dinner and show is $32 per person; reservations can be made now through Nov. 10 by calling Signatures at (507) 454-3767. Payment is accepted at time of reservation.

Visions Event Center is located at Signatures Restaurant, 22852 County Road 17 in Pleasant Valley.

Kirk to give piano performance Nov. 6 at Saint Mary’s University

WINONA, Minn. — Pianist Ned Kirk will interpret Beethoven and other renowned composers during a recital Sunday, Nov. 6, at Saint Mary’s University’s Page Theatre.

The program — which will begin at 3 p.m. — will include works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Nikolai Medtner, Max Reger, Frederic Rzewski and Nikolai Kapustin.

Kirk has performed extensively in the U.S., Europe, Africa and Asia. Upcoming engagements include recitals with legendary saxophonist Branford Marsalis, a second State Department-sponsored tour of Kenya, and recitals and master classes in the U.S., Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.

Kirk is known locally as the artistic and managing director of the Minnesota Beethoven Festival and as a professor of piano at Saint Mary’s University.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715 from Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saint Mary’s students, staff, alumni volunteer in community Oct. 22

Saint Mary's alumni and students volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity build in Winona.

Saint Mary's students volunteered with Winona Health

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day” and “Lasallian Day of Service,” about 300 Saint Mary’s University students, alumni and staff volunteered their time Saturday, Oct. 22, throughout Winona — as well as in Chicago and the Twin Cities areas.

About 160 SMU student volunteers assisted locally at the Habitat Restore, Habitat for Humanity, Winona Health, the Salvation Army, the Winona Area Humane Society, area churches and schools, as well as residences — 38 locations in all.

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October.

Saint Mary’s alumni also came together in service to others Oct. 22 as part of the annual “Lasallian Day of Service.” Alumni helped out in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Winona, working with projects such as Feed My Starving Children and Arc’s Value Village in the Twin Cities; Feed My Starving Children, St. Procopius School and a San Miguel School in Chicago; and Habitat for Humanity in Winona.

SMU Page Series presents ‘Letters Home’ Nov. 1

WINONA, Minn. — Letters written by soldiers serving in the Middle East will come to life during the next Saint Mary’s University Page Series event — “Letters Home”— on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center.

This Griffin Theatre production — a powerful portrait of the soldier experience — is inspired by the New York Times Op-Ed Article, “The Things They Wrote” and the subsequent HBO documentary, “Last Letters Home” and additionally uses letters and correspondences from Frank Schaeffer’s books, “Voices From the Front,” “Letters Home From America’s Military Family,” “Faith of Our Sons,” and “Keeping Faith.”

These letters were written under the most difficult of circumstances: the disorientation of training, deployment, separation from family and loved ones and combat, and occupation duties in Afghanistan and Iraq. The production uses minimal props and set pieces to dramatize the letters. Photos and video used in the production are taken directly from actual soldiers’ blogs and websites.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Area schools are invited to a special matinee performance at 10 a.m. The play — 90 minutes in length — is recommended for those in grades nine through 12. Contact the Box Office at (507) 457-1715 to reserve seats for your school group. All seats are $2 per student, teacher or chaperone. A study guide is available online at www.pagetheatre.org/matinees.html.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2011 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona announces application dates

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program is once again setting age requirements for applicants this year.

With more families asking for help and a smaller number of people who are in a position to donate, the program is once again being adapted. The program’s main priority is to provide gifts to children 18 years of age and younger and individuals 60 years of age and older. Families will only be able to report gift requests for family members in these age ranges.

The annual gift-giving program — in its 10th year — helps more than 1,400 people have a much happier holiday season. The program has grown significantly each year.

Families may pick up an application form through one of the human service agencies that they work with (Habitat for Humanity, Project FINE, Winona County Community Services, Winona Senior Advocacy Program, Winona Volunteer Services or Women’s Resource Center).

Completed application forms must be returned to Winona Volunteer Services (402 E. 2nd St.) from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 20 and 27; and 2 to 5 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 21 and 28. SMU volunteers will be available for assistance on these dates.

This program exists through the generosity of the Winona community, as well as the work of other community partners including: Winona Volunteer Services, Winona Radio and the Winona Post.

Halloween Fun Night is Oct. 24 at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the 12th annual Saint Mary’s University Halloween Fun Night from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24.

Participants should stop at the guard booth at the main entrance of the Winona campus for directions on where to park.

Young trick-or-treaters should start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, located in the Toner Student Center, where tattoos and stickers, a coloring station, and other fun games will be offered, and the Cardinal mascot will greet pint-sized ghosts and goblins.

From there, SMU students will lead groups of trick-or-treaters through the residence halls of the university, where they can go door to door for candy.

Last year more than 700 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life at Saint Mary’s.

Saint Mary’s galleries display show, ‘These Things Happen’

WINONA, Minn. — Unique paintings by Michigan artist Andrew Rieder depict human struggles in the upcoming art show “These Things Happen” — on display Oct. 13 through Nov. 13 at Saint Mary’s University.

An opening reception is scheduled for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center.

Rieder, a stencil artist, describes his work as visual metaphors for ongoing human struggles.

“My initial goal is to produce a pictorial space that contains a somewhat whimsical narrative, but is reflective of a current social condition,” he said. “Issues surrounding the socio-economic systems of contemporary society inspire me. This stems from my personal work history and a familial heritage of industrial and manual labor.”

Rieder was born and grew up in Raleigh, N.C., where he also attended and graduated from North Carolina State University’s College of Design. In 2004, he relocated to the Midwest to receive his B.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and M.F.A. in Painting from Michigan State University. He currently is an art instructor at Delta College in Michigan’s Saginaw Bay Region.

The Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and are free and open to the public.

Saint Mary’s theatre students to perform in London

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University theatre majors will stage the comedic satire “Greater Tuna” Oct. 18-22 at TARA Studio in London.

In this hilarious satire of small-town American morals, audiences will meet the upstanding citizens of rural Tuna, Texas (the state’s third smallest town). The long-running Off Broadway hit features eight actors creating the entire population of Tuna — men, women, children and animals — in a tour de farce of quick-change artistry, changing costumes and characterizations.

It’s eight actors, 20 characters and a barrel of laughs, y’all.

Qualified theatre majors at Saint Mary’s are studying theatre in London, England, this semester through the Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin Theatre in London Program. Under the guidance of Saint Mary’s faculty, the program will include a variety of classes in theatre, as well as courses focusing on broader enrichment. Students will have the unique opportunity to attend numerous performances at London’s West End, Off-West End, and Fringe theatres.

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., “Greater Tuna” is directed by Dr. Gary Diomandes. Also participating are: Christian Garcia, stage manager; Rachel Kwiecinski, set design; Kit Mayer, lighting design; Kalinn Bangasser, sound design; Rachel Kwiecinski, props; and performers Sarah Anderson, Mary Doctor, Samantha Gibson, Tina Gonzalez, Aaron Pepple, Andrew Russell, Philip Soulides and Clarissa Thompson-Matthews.

Saint Mary’s Page Series hosts Luna Negra Dance Theatre Oct. 22

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University will come alive with colorful costumes and spirited dance as the Luna Negra Dance Theatre takes the stage Saturday, Oct. 22.

A representative from the Latin dance company will present a free pre-show at 6:30 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall, just prior to the 7:30 p.m. performance in Page Theatre. Both locations are in the SMU Performance Center.

Founded in 1999 by Cuban-born dancer and choreographer Eduardo Vilaro, Luna Negra Dance Theater makes its home in Chicago.

Dedicated to the creation of bold works by Latino contemporary choreographers, Luna Negra serves as a springboard for Latino artists to give expression to their stories and bring new, spirited life to the cultures of their communities.

Luna Negra offers its audiences effervescent, energetic and passionate contemporary Latino dance that blends the discipline of ballet with the fiery energy of Latin and Afro-Caribbean forms and rhythms. This innovative company collaborates with visual and media artists, musicians, and composers to consistently push the creative limits of their performances.

Tickets for this Page Series performance are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students.

To order, go online to www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This visit is supported, in part, by Arts Midwest.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2011 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

Get set to scream at annual Saint Mary's Walk of Horror

WINONA, Minn. — This year’s Saint Mary’s University Walk of Horror is again guaranteed to give you goosebumps. New scares are planned around every corner.

The 15th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the SMU Cardinal fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 21-22 and 29-31 in the SMU bluffs. Walkers are asked to meet on the lighted path between the SMU baseball and softball fields, where the haunted walk will begin.

Groups are then escorted through the dark bluffs surrounding the SMU campus for approximately 20 minutes.

The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for students with ID, and $4 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the gate.

SMU head fastpitch softball coach Jen Miller said the event is fun for all ages. The scare level is toned down for younger children and turned up for groups bold enough to face their fears. Last year more than 1,100 brave souls took SMU’s Walk of Horror.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s travel expenses. For more information, contact Miller at (507) 457-6923.

Students celebrate National Chemistry Week during Saint Mary’s Chemistry Nights

WINONA, Minn. — Many area high school juniors and seniors will perform hands-on chemistry projects during upcoming Chemistry Nights at Saint Mary’s University, which will run 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3.

Chemistry Night, sponsored by the SMU Department of Chemistry and the La Crosse-Winona local section of the American Chemical Society, is an annual event designed to help students explore the discipline of chemistry and appreciate the positive role that chemistry plays in our everyday world.

Each year students solve a challenging but fun chemical problem, based on the National Chemistry Week (Oct. 16-22) theme. 2011 happens to mark the International Year of Chemistry, and coinciding with National Chemistry Week is the unifying theme of “Chemistry – our life, our future” — exploring the positive impacts of chemistry as it relates to health, energy, environment and materials.

Students will work in small teams, using wet chemistry and working with chemical instrumentation in the SMU Department of Chemistry, under the guidance of SMU chemistry majors.

Prizes will be awarded to the teams that have the greatest success in solving the chemical problems. Prizes will include SMU scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000.

Eight area schools and approximately 50 students are participating this year.

For more information, contact Dr. Brett Bodsgard at (507) 457-6972.

Saint Mary’s University breaks ground on new residence hall

Breaking ground are, from left: Gary Hay, principal, Hay Dobbs; State Senator Jeremy Miller; SMU Trustees Joe Ross and Jim Coogan; Connie Budin, SMU student activity president; Brother William Mann, SMU president; Michael Gostomski, SMU Board of Trustees chairman; Bob Rousseau, SMU Student Senate president; SMU Trustee Celeste Suchocki; Father Andrew Beerman, rector, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary; Winona Mayor Jerry Miller; and Mike Hansen, president of Schwab LLC.

Brother William Mann, president, Saint Mary’s University

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota broke ground Friday, Oct. 7, on an innovative new residence hall at its Winona campus.

The Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees recently approved final plans and funding for the four-story facility. Construction will begin this week and the hall should be complete by August 2012, for use in the 2012-2013 academic year.

The cost of the project is estimated at $6.5 million. Hay Dobbs is the architect and Schwab LLC of Winona is general contractor.

The new residence hall will be located near the university’s high ropes course and track/soccer complex. It will be open to sophomore, junior and senior undergraduate students during the academic year, and serve conferencing, camps and educational program needs in the summer.

Saint Mary’s President Brother William Mann said the new hall “shows our ongoing commitment to provide outstanding residential experiences for students.” He added, “As the university nears its Centennial in 2012-13, the addition of this residence hall gives us momentum heading into our second century.”

The new hall will be the first on campus to offer a variety of housing options. It will feature single-occupancy suites, double-occupancy suites, and two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments. The structure will have 141 beds in 45 units, with a private bath in each room.

All rooms will be air-conditioned and wired for cable TV and Internet access. Study rooms, lounges and a kitchen will bring students together in community and encourage collaborative learning.

WSU, SMU jazz groups join forces to help families in need

The Saint Mary's University Jazz Combo I

The WSU Jazz Ensemble

WINONA, Minn. — Jazz students from Winona State University and Saint Mary’s University are combining talents to help Winona-area families in need through “Jazz For Winona-Live United.”

The benefit concert — which will involve both SMU and WSU big bands and combos under the direction of Drs. John Paulson and Rich MacDonald — is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at Signatures Event Center, 22852 County Road 17.

Two WSU combos will kick off the evening followed, by the Winona State University Jazz Ensemble. Their set will include: “Soon” by George Gershwin, arranged by Don Schamber; “La Fiesta” by Chick Corea, arranged by Michael Philip Mossman; “Dizzying” by Ryan Kisor, arranged by Bob Washut; “Yesterdays” by Jerome Kern, arranged by Mark Taylor; “That’s a Good Question,” composed and arranged by Dan Kallman and commissioned for the WSU Jazz Ensemble in spring 2011; and “Hey, That’s My Bike,” composed and arranged by Brad Turner. Featured student soloists include: Ross Nixon on sax; Kelly Mason on trumpet; Jase Ginkel on trombone; and Kelly Blau on guitar.

Saint Mary’s University’s Jazz Combo I will perform jazz classics like Horace Silver’s “The Preacher,” “I'll Take Romance” and the cool bossa “Speak Low” by Kurt Weil. Alto saxophonist Markiese Russell and tenor saxophonist Ben Scott are featured soloists in the combo. The 18-piece Jazz Ensemble follows with some great selections and soloists including “My Romance” with Tyler Ringeisen on flugelhorn; “My Foolish Heart,” featuring Katy Kosiek on alto sax; and several other recognizable standards like “It Had To Be You,” arranged by Frank Mantooth. Closing the Jazz Ensemble set will be Gordon Goodwin’s rocker “Hit The Bricks.”

A cash bar will be available, and a freewill offering will be taken at the door.

All of the funds raised from this benefit will go to the Winona chapter of The United Way and their “Live United” campaign, dedicated to helping individuals and families in need in the Winona area.

Saint Mary's to stage classic Irish play ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ Oct. 6-9

SMU students Katie Sapper, Alex Bush and Joanna Mills rehearse a scene from "The Playboy of the Western World."

John Millington Synge’s classic Irish comedy/tragedy, “The Playboy of the Western World” — to be staged Oct. 6-9 — is sure to touch the hearts of lads and lasses alike.

For this production, students from the Department of Theatre and Dance are under the guest direction of Patrick Sutton, who has served as director of The Gaiety School of Acting-the National Theatre School of Ireland in Dublin for the past 18 years.

The Gaiety School of Acting boasts such well-known graduates as Olivia Wilde, Colin Farrell and Stuart Townsend.

Sutton, a renowned acting coach, director and writer, has also been garnering international attention for spearheading the renovation of the historic Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin’s first theatre (1662). He is also the director of COMMUNICATE, a communications company working in politics, industry and the arts. As such, for 11 years, Sutton worked on speeches for Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

“The Playboy of the Western World” was first performed in Dublin on Jan. 26, 1907. It begins with a young Christy Mahon who has just quarreled with his father and leaves him for dead. Mahon finds his way to the village pub where he is lauded as a hero for his deed. In a classic Irish twist, his father is not dead and comes looking for his cowardly son. The quarrel continues with extremely tragic — yet sometimes humorous — results.

“There’s something we can all identify with in this play: truth, lies, bravery and valor,” Sutton said before explaining how this play can be both tragic, yet comedic. “It’s a folk play that ends in misery but there’s also dancing, slapstick and Irish comedy along the way ... . We don’t play it for laughs, but we have great fun telling the tale.”

The show runs 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 6-8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9.

Tickets for all shows are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and can be purchased at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, (407) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SMU offers full weekend of student performances

Flute player Emily Fasen, Monticello, Minn.

WINONA, Minn. — Two public student performances — a jazz concert and a choir and band performance — highlight Saint Mary’s University’s upcoming Family Weekend Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

• SMU jazz groups will kick off their year with a fall blast at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the Performance Center. Jazz Combo I (a new and hot jazz nontet) will fire off the show with jazz classics like Horace Silver’s “The Preacher,” “I'll Take Romance” and the cool bossa “Speak Low” by Kurt Weil. Alto saxophonist Markeise Russell and tenor saxophonist Ben Scott are two of the student soloists featured in the combo. The 18-piece Jazz Ensemble follows with some selections including “My Romance” with Tyler Ringeisen on flugelhorn, “My Foolish Heart” featuring Katy Kosiek on alto sax, and several other recognizable standards like “It Had To Be You,” arranged by Frank Mantooth. Closing the Jazz Ensemble set will be Gordon Goodwin’s rocker “Hit The Bricks.” Both groups are directed by professor of music Dr. John Paulson. Two jazz workshop combos, directed by Dr. Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven, will play for a reception following the concert in the Toner Student Center Lounge.

•The SMU Concert Band and Choirs will combine talents for a 2 p.m. concert Saturday, Oct. 1, at Page Theatre. The SMU Concert Band , under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will start the concert with “Bayou Breakdown” by Brant Karrick, followed by the “First Suite in E♭” by Gustav Holst, and finishing with an arrangement by John Wassen of music from “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The Chamber Singers will perform a set of Swedish folksongs arranged by Hugo Alfvén, and the Concert Choir will present selections by Fauré, and Gilbert and Sullivan. Both choirs are directed by Dr. Patrick O’Shea. The Women’s Choir, directed by Lindsy O’Shea, will also perform. A reception will follow in the Toner Student Center Lounge.

Tickets to both performances are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org. Tickets are also available at the door.

Panel to conduct ‘Inter-Religious Dialogue’ Oct. 3 at Saint Mary’s University

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is inviting the public to an “Inter-Religious Dialogue” Monday, Oct. 3.

Three guest speakers will discuss how Christianity, Islam and Judaism relate the dignity of the person to the intersection of faith, work and vocation.

Michael Naughton is the holder of the Alan W. Moss Endowed Chair in Catholic Social Thought at the University of Saint Thomas. He is also the director of the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought, at the Center for Catholic Studies, which examines Catholic social thought in relationship to business theory and practice.

Brian Shapiro, associate professor in the Accounting Department of Saint Thomas, co-teaches with Naughton on the senior capstone theology course on the intersection of faith and management. He is an active member of Bet Shalom, a Reform Jewish Congregation in Minnetonka.

Tamim Saidi, born in Afghanistan, was forced to escape Pakistan as a teenager and came to the U.S. in 1990. He is vice president of the Islamic Resource Group and a vice president and founding member of the Northwest Islamic Community Center. He also participates in a writers group for EngageMN.com, a local group with a mission to improve the understanding of Minnesotans about their Muslim neighbors and Islam.

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center.

Co-sponsors include SMU’s Offices of Campus Ministry and Academic Affairs, the Office for Mission, the Theology Department and Student Activities.

For more information, contact Dennis Gallagher at (507) 457-6936.

Speaker to address business ethics, story of incarceration Oct. 5 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — Jerome Mayne, a former mortgage-banking executive and white-collar criminal, and renowned motivational speaker, will present “Professional Ethics” Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Saint Mary’s University.

The event — free and open to the public — is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall, located on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall.

Using humor, Mayne will share his personal experience in the finance world and of his incarceration for white-collar crime. Mayne hopes his story inspires students and business professionals to use their own morality to make the right decisions — even when the right decisions aren’t easy.

Mayne’s presentation is co-sponsored by SMU’s offices of Campus Ministry, Student Life and Student Activities, the Business Department and the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.

For more information, contact Dennis Gallagher at (507) 457-6936 or dgallagh@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s invites community to submit ‘to-do’ lists for ‘Make a Difference Day’

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” Saint Mary’s University’s Volunteer Mentors group is inviting Winona residents and nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

The university hopes to get as many students as possible out into the community between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Oct. 22. Students are willing to help individuals and organizations with anything from painting to yard work.

Saint Mary’s will supply the workers, if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.).

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. For the fourth year, SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

To register your request, please call Chris McClead at (507) 457-7268 or e-mail cmcclead@smumn.edu by Monday, Oct. 10. Please include details about what you need done, how many students are needed for the job and where you are located.

Saint Mary's invites public to Fall Frolic Oct. 1

WINONA, Minn. — The public is invited to participate in the 24th Fall Frolic 5K fun run/walk at Saint Mary’s University Saturday, Oct. 1.

Registration will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in SMU’s Toner Student Center with the race beginning at 10 a.m. The $8 cost includes a T-shirt.

The annual event is free to SMU students, faculty and staff, but is open to the community as well. Typically close to 500 people participate; competitors of all levels (including walkers) are welcome.

Participants will enjoy the beautiful bluff trails of SMU’s Winona campus. Registration forms — as well as a complete weekend schedule — are available online at www.smumn.edu/familyweekend.

Family Weekend runs Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 and includes a full slate of activities for families of students and the SMU community. In previous years, as many as 1,000 visitors have come onto campus for Family Weekend music and theatre events, sporting events, the Fall Frolic, and other games and activities.

Constitution Day presentation is Sept. 21 at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University will celebrate Constitution Day with a presentation titled, “The Puzzle of Presidential Selection” by Dr. Tom Mans, professor of Social Science at SMU. The public is invited to this event, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, in Salvi Lecture Hall, located on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall.

How to find the right president was one of the most difficult questions faced by the framers of the Constitution in 1787. Mans will discuss the options considered at the time and how the Electoral College system came to be chosen. Over time, with the emergence of political parties and communication technologies, the process has evolved in ways that the framers had not expected – and on some occasions has produced an electoral crisis.

Mans is a political scientist with expertise in American political institutions and processes. His undergraduate degree was earned at St. John’s University and his master’s and doctoral degrees are from the University of Iowa. Prior to coming to Saint Mary’s in 2007, he taught or was in academic administration at Berea College, The University of Iowa, Creighton University, and Saint Vincent College.

Saint Mary’s gallery displays work by woodblock printmakers in support of Japan

“Kamakura Omikuji” by Preston Lawing of Saint Mary’s University is one of the pieces in “Inspired by Japan,” now on display at Saint Mary’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries. When visiting a Shinto temple, you may receive a fortune (Omikuji). If it is bad (Kamakura), you can tie it on a rope outside the temple, and the priests will burn them at the end of the day, sending the smoke “back to heaven.” The written words are “earthquake” and “tsunami.” This print is saying, “We do not accept this disaster as our fate, and we continue to be strong.”

WINONA, Minn. — After the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March of this year, artists and printmakers from around the world gathered to produce a suite of prints titled “Inspired by Japan” to raise money for relief efforts. Their work — including a print by Preston Lawing, chair of the Saint Mary’s University Department of Art and Design — is now on display at SMU’s Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

This exhibition — which will run through Sunday, Oct. 2 — brings together 60 printmakers in a show that will run concurrent with several other venues including South Africa, Japan, Poland, Michigan and Oregon.

For several centuries, Japan has been famous for the Ukiyo-e style of woodcut printmaking. These 60 artists, who work in the relief form of printing (carving away parts of the woodblock, and printing the raised portion), produced limited-edition prints to be donated and sold to raise funds for disaster relief in Japan.

The Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center, are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

Freshman class up 7.5 percent at Saint Mary’s University

WINONA, Minn. — Enrollment of new students continues to grow at Saint Mary’s University, with the Winona campus freshman class up 7.5 percent from a year ago. The official 10th-day-of-class count shows 373 freshmen enrolled this fall.

The total Winona undergraduate enrollment of 1,372 includes 1,318 full-time and 54 part-time students.

The larger freshman class contributes to an overall university enrollment that is expected to surpass 6,000. The official student count for Saint Mary’s Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs is taken in October.

“I often hear students and alumni talk about the quality education they experience at Saint Mary’s,” said Jim Bedtke, vice president for the College. “That quality is recognized by national ranking services and the National Survey of Student Engagement. The word is out: Saint Mary’s is an excellent place to prepare for your future.”

Saint Mary’s moves up in U.S. News ‘Best National Universities’ ranking

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota continues to move up in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of best colleges and universities.

Saint Mary’s is ranked No. 177 by U.S. News in the National Universities category for 2011, moving up six slots from No. 183 in 2010.

The ranking of more than 1,500 schools is available online at www.usnews.com. Results were announced today, Sept. 13.

“Saint Mary’s is a new kind of university for the 21st century,” says President Brother William Mann. “We are a national university committed to academic quality and relevance, and to educating our students for ethical lives of service of leadership — at every program level.”

U.S. News placed Saint Mary’s in the first tier of the “National Universities” category, which includes a total of 280 schools in two tiers. This grouping includes schools that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. This is the fifth year Saint Mary’s is ranked in this category.

Taking top honors in the “National Universities” ranking are Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University and Columbia University. Saint Mary’s is one of only three public or private schools in Minnesota in this category.

Along with the “National Universities” category, the other main U.S. News institutional groupings include “Liberal Arts Colleges,” “Regional Universities,” and “Regional Colleges.”

U.S. News categorizes schools primarily by mission and region, and ranking data is gathered from each institution on indicators of academic excellence.

MCA begins tuition-free Adult Arts Wellness Program

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is offering tuition-free dance, fitness, and music classes to adults through the MCA Adult Arts Wellness Program.

Parents who have a child enrolled in a dance or music class/program at MCA may participate in their own class at no additional cost. Class options for parents include: Nia, Clogging, Power Piyo, Teen and Adult Ballet, Teen and Adult Tap and Jazz, and Adult Flute Choir.

“While our school’s focus is programming for youth, we think it is important for our student’s parents to also experience the joy of the arts,” said Christine Martin, managing director. “We hope this tuition-free opportunity will make it possible for more parents to participate.”

All classes and programs are held at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St. Classes begin this week. Registration is currently being accepted at the Valéncia Arts Center, by mail, or online at www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

To accommodate the busy schedules of working parents, as well as stay-at-home parents, MCA adult classes are offered during the noon hour and in the late afternoon and evenings.

The Nia class, a fitness class for all levels, offers a dynamic blend of dance arts, martial arts and healing arts. Nia is held on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the same time as MCA’s Creative Music class for 3- and 4-year-olds. Parents can sign up their young children for Creative Music while they enjoy the Nia fitness class.

Clogging I is offered for beginners on Mondays from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m., follow by Clogging II from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. for those with experience.

Power Piyo is a Pilates and yoga combination class focusing on yoga postures and Pilates strengthening to offer the perfect conditioning class. Power Piyo is held Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m.

Teen and Adult Ballet, held on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., provides an introduction to ballet technique, allowing adult students to experience the artistry of ballet while gaining flexibility, placement, strength and fluidity.

Teen and Adult Tap and Jazz provides adult students with an introduction to tap and jazz dance, offering a rhythmic-filled class and a great workout. This class is held on Tuesdays from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m.

MCA also offers music programming for adults through the new MCA Flute Choir. The flute choir is open to all community flutists of various performance levels. Flute choir members will study and perform a variety of music from serious recital pieces to fun seasonal/pops favorites. The flute choir will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

For more information about MCA visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

Speaker to address Kwik Trip’s success Sept. 22 at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — John McHugh, director of leadership development for Kwik Trip Incorporated, will discuss how the Wisconsin-based company evolved into an industry leader Thursday, Sept. 22, at Saint Mary’s University.

The event, hosted by SMU’s Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, will begin at 3:30 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall, located on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall.

Kwik Trip began in Eau Claire, Wis., in 1965. Since that time, Kwik Trip has grown to more than 400 stores with 10,000 coworkers in three states and has been named a “Top Workplace” in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

A commitment to innovation means that Kwik Trip is a convenience store company unlike any other. Kwik Trip not only serves customers with convenient, clean retail centers, but also produces many of the private label products featured in the stores. Kwik Trip’s La Crosse-based headquarters operates its own commissary, bakery, and dairy and also maintains its own distribution center and fleet under the Convenience Transportation name.

McHugh’s presentation is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Trevor Hall at (507) 457-6978 or tmhall@smumn.edu.

Terrance Simien, Zydeco Experience kick off SMU’s Page Series Sept. 16

WINONA, Minn. — The 25th season of the Saint Mary’s University Page Series will kick off with the sweet southern sounds of Louisiana with Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience Friday, Sept. 16, at Saint Mary’s University.

The event, set to take the stage at 7:30 p.m., will be held in Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center.

Incorporating his hypnotic blend of Zydeco, New Orleans funk, and reggae-flavored Afro-Caribbean sound, Terrance Simien aims to propel you out of your seat and have you dancing in the aisles.

For more than two decades the Grammy-award winning artist, an eighth-generation Louisiana Creole, has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Creole Zydeco music is and is not. Leading his Zydeco Experience Band, Simien has become one of the most respected and internationally recognized touring and recording artists in roots music today.

He has performed over 5,000 concerts, toured to over 40 countries and reached at least a million people during his eventful 25-year career. In December of 2009, Disney Pictures released a Pixar animated film, “The Princess & The Frog,” set in New Orleans, which was scored by Randy Newman and features the music of Simien, Terence Blanchard and Dr. John.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. $10 student rush tickets may be available for some events 20 minutes before curtain.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2011 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov.4, 2008.

Dance Repertory Company II Auditions are Sept. 17

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct auditions for the Dance Repertory Company II winter concert, at noon Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Auditions are open to beginning- and intermediate-level dance students ages 5 to 13. Boys and girls will be cast in concert dance pieces in one or more of the following genres: classical ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance.

Parents are asked to accompany children to the audition, bring a photo of their child, and planning calendars. Auditioning students should wear proper dance attire.

“The DRC II is a great performance opportunity for our youngest performers,” said Christine Martin, managing director. “Our directors and choreographers work with the children in a positive, nurturing and rigorous, but non-competitive environment. We are looking forward to seeing new and returning students at the auditions.”

The DRC II will present winter concerts, Dec. 2-3, 2011 at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre. The concert will feature the DRC II members who train at MCA, as well as the MCA high school and college students in their choreographic debuts, presenting their own works as part of their semester-long choreography class.

Dance Repertory Company and the DRC II are the youth performing troupes of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes (starting Sept.12, 2011) and stage performances. Past productions of the company include: The Firebird, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Cinderella, Excerpts from Swan Lake, Cinderella, Youth In Motion, Tappin' to Connick, Pure Entertainment, Dance Mosaic, and An Evening with Benny Goodman, among others.

For more information about the DRC II or other programs offered at MCA, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

Saint Mary’s international students tour Winona via trolley

WINONA, Minn. — On Aug. 29, Saint Mary’s University’s newest international students were invited to take a tour of Winona on the Trester Trolley. For most of the students, who arrived in Minnesota last week, this is their first time in the United States. Highlights along the way included the Minnesota Equestrian Center, Garvin Heights Elk Ranch, Garvin Heights Vineyards, the Garvin Heights look-out, and Prairie Island Park. SMU’s new international students this semester come from Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Japan, Korea, Poland, China and Canada and include, from left: front, Musab Alotaibi (Saudi Arabia), Mohammed Hadi (Saudi Arabia), Hussain Alqushairi (Saudi Arabia), Kanae Agena (Japan), Mohanna Aloufi (Saudi Arabia), Jesus Benavides Hernandez (Colombia), Ilham Albalawi (Saudi Arabia); back, Jane Cyrus (staff), Brit Wagner (staff), Tiantian He (China), Mohammed Alharbi (Saudi Arabia), Hamad Alzahrani (Saudi Arabia), Mustafa Alnofaily (Saudi Arabia), Anas Almowallad (Saudi Arabia), Mohanned Naquib (Saudi Arabia), Bader Albalawi (Saudi Arabia), Lupita Garza-Cienfuegos (staff) and Zainab Alnemer (Saudi Arabia).

Saint Mary’s plans third annual Young Alumni Weekend

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University graduates from the past decade have been invited back to campus for Young Alumni Reunion Weekend, Sept. 9-11.

Over 150 alumni are expected to attend the full weekend of events which will include a faculty and staff social, a young alumni gathering at Mulligan’s, ropes course activities, a barbecue with live music on the Plaza, disc golfing and a pig roast picnic. Additionally, special events are planned for the anniversary years of 2001 and 2006. The weekend also coincides with Cardinal ‘M’ Club Weekend, giving SMU alumni opportunities to cheer on Cardinal athletics.

For more information about the Young Alumni Program, please contact Bob Fisher at (507) 457-6658 or rfisher@smumn.edu. To read more about this event, or to register, go www.smumn.edu/yaweekend.

SMU receives funds from IME-Becas to help Mexican students

Jessica de la Rosa, a SMU alum and admissions counselor, and Brother Ed Siderewicz, Assistant to the President for First Generation and LaSallian Initiatives

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University was one of three universities selected by the Consulate of Mexico in the Twin Cities to receive scholarship funding for Mexican and Mexican-American students. Mexican Consul Ana Luisa Fajer recognized recipients of the IME-Becas 2011/2012 Program at a ceremony in Minneapolis on Aug. 24.

Receiving funds from the Institute for Mexicans Abroad were: Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota; Centro, Inc.; Latino Economic Development Center; Minnesota State University, Mankato; and Saint Catherine’s University. Saint Mary’s received $9,000 for scholarships.

The objective of the IME-Becas 2011/2012 Program is to help raise the education level within the Mexican population in the United States. The Consulate of Mexico formed a Minnesota committee to determine the assignation of the funds to the selected institutions.

Saint Mary’s University’s First-Generation Initiative offers academic, personal and financial support to first-generation college students — many of whom are Hispanic and Latino — as they transition to higher education.

This committee based its decisions on the following criteria:

• The selected institutions have programs available to Mexican students or students of Mexican origin to pursue higher education.

• Institutions are able to match or improve the funds.

• There would be no indirect expenses affecting the allocated funds

• The selection process considered geographic diversity, as well as diverse professional opportunities for students in the Twin Cities area, as well as outside the metropolitan area where there is a significant number of Mexican people.

MCA announces registration open house Sept. 8

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct its semester I registration open house, 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Registration for Semester I dance and music programming will be accepted at the open house. Tours of the facility will be available, refreshments will be served, and students will have the opportunity to meet new and returning faculty and staff. Additionally, students can be fitted for all their dance attire needs at the open house. MCA’s dance attire boutique offers quality basics for children including leotards, tights, ballet slippers, jazz shoes and tap shoes.

Dance class offerings, beginning Sept. 12, are available for youth ages 3 to adults and include beginning through advanced levels in classical ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement and modern, hip hop, leaps and turns, choreography, and a special tuition-free boys and men dance program. Semester I also provides programming specifically for beginning teens and adults by offering classes in partnership with Winona County Community Education, including: clogging I, clogging II, nia, power piyo, teen and adult ballet, and teen and adult tap and jazz. Parents who have a child enrolled in a dance or music class at MCA may participate in an adult class or choir tuition-free through the MCA Adult Arts Wellness program.

Academic credit is available to high school and college students through Cotter High School and Saint Mary’s University for a variety of MCA classes. Beginning and intermediate dancers ages 5 to 13 are encouraged to audition for MCA’s Dance Repertory Company II winter concert, offering exciting performance opportunities for MCA’s young performers in a nurturing and rigorous but non-competitive environment. Auditions are noon Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Valéncia Arts Center.

MCA music division offerings include Creative Music for children ages 3 to 4 years old, Winona Area Youth Singers, for students in grades four to eight, a flute choir for teens age 16 to adults, and private instrumental lessons in flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, cello, piano, voice and mandolin.

MCA Semester II music and dance programming provides five to 12 weeks of instruction depending on specific course/activity registered for. Dance classes conclude with a demonstration week, Nov. 14-19. Those dancers in the Dance Repertory Company II will perform in the MCA Winter Dance Concert, Dec. 2-3. Winona Area Youth Singers, member of the MCA flute choir and selected instrumental lesson students will conclude the semester with the MCA music division winter concert, Dec. 5. Tuition for MCA programming varies depending on course length and level. Discounts and scholarships are available.

For more information about MCA’s open house, or dance and music offerings, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

Placement audition for WAYS scheduled for Sept. 12

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct placement auditions for Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS), at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at the Valéncia Arts Center Recital Hall, 1164 West 10th St.

WAYS is seeking students in grades four through eight who have been introduced to choir/music in their academic school setting and desire additional educational and performance opportunities in vocal music.

Throughout the semester, the choir will rehearse on Mondays, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Performances will include the annual MCA Winter Music Division Concert on Dec. 5, as well as holiday caroling and other community events.

WAYS is directed by Lindsy O’Shea. O’Shea holds a Masters of Arts in Instruction and a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Performance from Saint Mary’s University. She has been involved with choral music, as a singer or director, for 20 years. O’Shea previously taught choral and general music in the Rochester and Faribault Public Schools. Additionally, she worked with the choirs of Blue Lake Fine Arts camp and with the Michigan State University Children's Choir. She is currently adjunct faculty with Saint Mary’s University, directing the Women’s Choir and teaching private voice lessons.

Registration for WAYS, as well as other MCA semester I dance and music programming will be accepted at the MCA registration open house, Thursday, Sept. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. Interested students may also register online at www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

WAYS is offered tuition-free for the 2011-2012 academic year. This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008. This activity is also made possible in part by a grant from the Young Singer’s Foundation.

For more information about MCA’s music division or other arts programming, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

MCA offers new flute choir for teens and adults

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts announces a new flute choir, open to all community flutists, ages 16 to adult.

Throughout the semester, the choir will rehearse and perform a variety of music from serious recital pieces to fun, seasonal favorites. Performances will include the annual MCA Winter Music Division Concert on Dec. 5, as well as other community events.

All ability levels are welcome. The choir will rehearse on Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center Recital Hall, 1164 West 10th St. Tuition is $60 for the semester or free to parents who have students enrolled in a MCA dance or music class, through the MCA Adult Arts Wellness program.

The MCA Flute Choir is directed by Amanda Moburg. Moburg holds a Masters of Music Education Degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago and a Bachelor's of Science in Music Education degree from Towson University in Towson, Md. She has extensive experience teaching band and orchestra in the public school system, as well as private flute lessons. Moburg taught in Maryland for six years prior to moving to Minnesota. Moburg was an active woodwind adjudicator for Solo and Ensemble Festivals throughout the state of Maryland and served as a board member for the Maryland Music Educators Association, as well as the Maryland Band Director's Association. In addition to teaching and adjudicating, she has many years of performing experience as a freelance musician in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Some of her most notable performances were at the Washington Flute Society’s annual conference and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She has held positions as a flutist with the Annapolis Wind Symphony, Columbia Concert Band, and, most recently, the Winona Municipal Band and Saint Mary’s University Concert Band.

Registration for the Flute Choir as well as other MCA semester I dance and music programming will be accepted at the MCA registration open house, Thursday, Sept. 8, 4 to 7 p.m. Interested flutists may also register online at www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov.4, 2008. This activity is also made possible in part by a grant from the Young Singer’s Foundation.

For more information about MCA’s Music division or other arts programming, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Low to headline Saturday at next SMU ‘Off the Page’ event

WINONA, Minn. — As part of this year’s SMU “Off The Page” lineup, musical artists Low, Ben Weaver and The Morning Foreign will perform Saturday, Sept. 3. The Off-the-Page Series features a variety of Minnesota talent, hosted by Saint Mary’s University at easily accessible venues around Winona.

These three popular music ensembles promise to fill the historic Masonic Temple, 5th and Main streets, with the sounds of today’s generations. Tickets for the event, which will begin at 7 p.m., are $20 for adults or $15 for students and seniors.

The musical group Low was formed in 1993 in Duluth. They quickly gained a following for their use of slow tempos and minimalist arrangements in what others have dubbed the “slowcore” movement. The striking harmonies of founding members Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker are perhaps the distinctive element for which the group is best remembered. Their debut album, “I Could Live In Hope,” was released on Virgin records Vernon Yard imprint in 1994. They currently have nine full-length recordings with numerous EPs and live recordings. Their tour this year includes stops at Radio City Music Hall, New York; First Avenue, Minneapolis; Queens Social Club, Bristol, England; Primavera Festival, Barcelona; Lido, Berlin; and the Barbican London.

Ben Weaver grew up in Saint Paul and has a distinctive voice that some have likened to Tom Waits. His first album, “El Camino Blues,” featured Greg Brown and Tony Glover. He now has seven releases, his most recent, “Mirepoix and Smoke,” was inspired by his time with a farm-to-table restaurant in Minneapolis.

The Morning Foreign is a Winona-based group that has recently been seen at Midwest Music Fest, The Winona Art Center, and Ed’s. Playing original tunes written by Benjamin Scott, the group dabbles with jazz influenced pop, with a cello thrown in for good measure.

To order tickets, go online to www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. This event is being held in association with the Minnesota Music Coalition.