Saint Mary’s Taylor Richmond benefit to assist former benefit organizer

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s will present the 14th annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance from 8:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, March 15.

The beneficiary of this year’s formal dance — open to the public — is Jason Richter.
Richter is well-known to the Saint Mary’s community as he worked from 1998 to 2010 in Student Activities and was responsible for overseeing this same benefit event. Richter, who currently lives in Davenport, Iowa, is formerly of Rollingstone, where he served with the volunteer fire department and was an active community member.

Prior to being diagnosed with multiple myeloma last summer, Richter had pain in his lower back that turned out to be a mass. This is a disease that is more commonly found in people around the age of 60; because of his young age, he has responded well to treatments. He has undergone 10 radiation sessions, as well as recent bone and stem cell transplants. On top of that, the Richter family lives an hour away from the hospital Jason is receiving treatment at in Iowa City.

Although now in remission, Richter is still undergoing chemotherapy treatments. This year’s proceeds will assist his family, which includes three young sons, with their medical expenses and travel costs.

The benefit has become an annual student tradition since its start in 2001 in honor of Taylor Richmond, son of SMU staff member Nikki Richmond and Nick Richmond. Each year this event benefits someone in need who has ties to the SMU community. Although Taylor passed away this past October, his memory lives on at Saint Mary’s.

The dance, featuring music by the Johnny Holm Band, will be held in the gymnasium. Ticket prices are $15 per person or $30 per couple. To purchase tickets or receive more information, contact Lance Thompson at (507) 457-1686. Dance tickets will also be available at the door.

In combination with the dance, a silent auction will be held on campus from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 13-14. A variety of homemade goods, gift baskets and specialty items will be on display in the game room, located in the Toner Student Center. The public is welcome to bid. Donations are still needed.

To make a donation, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Lance Thompson, Saint Mary’s University, 700 Terrace Heights #1528, Winona, MN 55987.

SMU hosts DeTemps Antan March 14 at Marine Art Museum

WINONA, Minn. — On Friday, March 14, DeTemps Antan will perform Celtic-inspired, French-steeped and Canadian-styled music as part of Saint Mary’s University Off The Page series.

The trio will take the stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

Since 2003, Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc Dupuis have been exploring and performing time-honored melodies from the stomping grounds of Quebec’s musical past. Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar, bouzouki and a number of other instruments, these three virtuosos blend boundless energy with the unmistakable joie de vivre found only in traditional Quebec music. Former members of famed La Bottine Souriante, this trio presents music that will have you reveling in the music of the past, infused by their original contemporary songs.

Tickets are $18 and $16 and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Page in History event
Join members of DeTemps Antan in celebration of their heritage as they discuss how they infuse traditional music with the music of today. The presentation begins at 12:05 p.m. March 14 at the Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St. The event is free and open to the public.

Saint Mary’s Chamber Singers to perform in the Twin Cities, California

WINONA, Minn. — The Chamber Singers of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will perform in Minneapolis and Columbia Heights, Minn., and in California as part of their 2014 Concert Tour.

The 26-voice select ensemble is directed by Dr. Patrick M. O’Shea, professor of music.

Tour performances will include the following liturgies and concerts:

• Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis

   Saturday, March 1, Mass 5 p.m.

• Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia Heights, Minn.

   Sunday, March 2, Mass 10 a.m., Concert 3 p.m.

• San Antonio Winery, Los Angeles

   Tuesday, March 4, 7 p.m. (alumni event)

• Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, El Cajon, Calif.

   Wednesday, March 5, Vespers 7 p.m.

• St. Joseph Cathedral, San Diego, Calif.

   Saturday, March 8, Mass 5:15 p.m.

• Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, El Cajon, Calif.

   Sunday, March 9, Mass 11 a.m., Concert 1:30 p.m.

All concerts are free and open to the public and guests are, of course, welcome at the various liturgies. Repertoire will include a cappella works by Howells, Brahms, Arcadelt, Alice Parker and Moses Hogan.

Upon their return, the Chamber Singers will present a free “Homecoming Concert” at the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, 7th and Vila streets, Winona, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13.

For more information, call (507) 457-1598 or fax (507) 457-1611.

SMU Cardinal Plunge raises $1,600 for local family

The family of Robert Ellinghuysen, this year’s beneficiary, came to watch the Cardinal Plunge Feb. 8.

WINONA, Minn. — Approximately 25 Saint Mary’s University students braved the icy water during the fifth annual “Cardinal Plunge,” held Feb. 8 in coordination with the Winter Carnival Goose Bump Jump in Lake Winona. This year, about $1,600 was raised for SMU junior Conner Ellinghuysen’s father, Robert Ellinghuysen of Winona. Robert was hit head on in a collision in June 2012 along Highway 14 in Stockton. He underwent numerous surgeries and lengthy hospital stays. Proceeds will help the Ellinghuysen family with ongoing medical expenses and other family needs. The event was sponsored by the Saint Mary’s Future Alumni Committee.

To see photos from the day, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

Saint Mary’s to host regional science, engineering fair

WINONA, Minn. — The 61st annual Southeast Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, in the Saint Mary’s University gymnasium. The regional fair is a joint venture between SMU, Winona State University and community members, and the two colleges alternate hosting the event. Approximately 120 students from regional middle school and high schools will participate in the fair. These schools will include La Crescent Middle School, Bluffview Montessori School, Winona Middle School, Cotter Junior High and Cotter High School, Cochrane-Fountain City High School, Luck High School, Chatfield Schools, Shattuck St. Mary’s and Winona Senior High School. The student exhibits are open to the public from 3 to 5 p.m. An award ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Students are chosen to advance to either the Minnesota Academy of Science or the Badger State Science fairs. Additionally one senior-level project is chosen to advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair.