Public invited to SMU 10K classic ski Sunday, Jan. 31

The public is invited to the annual “SMU 10K” classic ski event on Sunday, Jan. 31.

“We’re very fortunate to have an excellent trail system here that is scenic and challenging," said Chris Kendall, vice president for Student Development. “And this year we can be sure we will actually have snow, thanks to our new snow-making capabilities as a result of a partnership with the Winona Ski Club.”

The event is open to all individuals, with a mass start slated for 1 p.m. On-site registration will begin at 11 a.m. at the Toner Student Center. The cost is $10, which includes a souvenir race bib. Medals will be awarded for men and women in open and recreational classes.

For more information or to receive a registration form, call Davey Warner at Ext. 8740 or e-mail drwarn03@smumn.edu.

SMU, WSU poets offer evening of poetry Jan. 29

Winona’s Poet Laureate Ken McCullough from Saint Mary’s and former Poet Laureate Jim Armstrong from Winona State will co-host “A Confluence of Voices” on Friday, Jan. 29.

Several poets from both Saint Mary’s and Winona State will read their work in round-robin fashion, followed by an open mic.

This event, part of the Frozen River Fringe Fest, will run from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mugby Junction, located at 451 Huff St.

For more information, call McCullough at Ext. 8737.

Mear’s work highlighted at faculty art show

Seven Saint Mary’s faculty members from the Department of Art and Design will display a variety of artwork through Sunday, Feb. 14, in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

The show, “Seven Point Perspective,” includes a retrospective of retiring faculty member Sister Margaret Mear’s work. Also displaying works are Brother Roderick Robertson, Preston Lawing, Rob McCall, John Whelan, Charlie Campbell and Kathy Greden Christenson.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the exhibit is free and open to the public.

SMU to host Moscow Festival Ballet Jan. 26

The Moscow Festival Ballet will present “Giselle” — a story of love, betrayal, madness, revenge and forgiveness — at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Page Theatre.

The Moscow Festival Ballet, under the direction of former Bolshoi principal dancer Sergei Radchenko, has amassed a loyal following across the United States for its technically precise and respectful interpretations of grand ballet in the admired Russian tradition.

“Giselle” is the story of a pure and innocent peasant girl who is jilted by a rich nobleman. Driven insane by the ending of their relationship, she dies and enters the graveyard world of ghosts of vengeful brides betrayed by undeserving suitors.

Tickets are $27 for adults, $25 for students and seniors and are available at the Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

‘Our Story’ on display in McEnery lounge

Everyone is invited to come to the McEnery Center lounge to view “Our Story” — a photo exhibit of 61 photo boards and 21 text boards with titles and text of the past 60 years of the Palestinian Nakba, “the catastrophe.” This exhibit was originally created in 1998 by Sabeel, an ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement among Palestinian Christians, and updated in 2008 by Sabeel Canada. The exhibit is on loan for the month from Northfielders for Justice in Palestine/Israel.

Campus invited to join Relay for Life teams

The 2010 Relay for Life at Saint Mary’s will be held April 9-10. Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in the community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length. To learn more about SMU teams, go to www.relayforlife.org/smu.

International Showcase Jan. 23 to raise money for Haiti

The SMU International Showcase will be held 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, in the dining room of the Toner Student Center. The evening will include international music and dance, performed by many SMU international students. Tickets are $5. For tickets or information, call Jason Richter, Ext. 1648. Proceeds will go to the Haiti Victim Relief Fund.

Théâtre Sans Fil to present ‘The Hobbit’ Feb. 9

Enormous puppets and spectacular special effects will bring the beloved story of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” to life on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Saint Mary’s. This performance by Théâtre Sans Fil will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Page Theater.

“The Hobbit” tells the familiar story of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Wizard and a company of dwarfs who find themselves caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and dangerous dragon.

Théâtre Sans Fil (Theatre without Strings) was last in Winona in 2008, performing “Hansel & Gretel” at SMU. Théâtre Sans Fil specializes in giant puppets inspired by the classical technique of Japanese Bunraku theatre. The company successfully unites this style with original and modern set design, lighting and music. Fantasy, poetry, make-believe and magic, along with unusual and heroic characters highlight this production of the world-renowned fantasy tale.

Founded in Quebec in 1971 by André Viens, artistic and general director, the Théâtre Sans Fil has given more than 3,000 performances to 3 million spectators.

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

Saint Mary’s hosts public event centered around ‘The Hobbit’

Fans of “The Hobbit” are invited for an afternoon of fun at the Winona Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 12:30 p.m. as Saint Mary’s hosts a “Hobbit-nista Gathering.”

A variety of events are planned:

• Cookies and punch will be served, and Saint Mary’s theatre arts students will present dramatic readings from “The Hobbit.”

• Students 18 years old and younger are invited to bring along their best original artwork, depicting a scene from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” Prizes to be awarded (by random drawing) include gift cards to Mugby Junction, the Book Shelf and Barnes & Noble. Juror’s choices will be on display at the SMU Page Theatre lobby the night of the Théâtre Sans Fil performance of “The Hobbit” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9.

• Those who come early to the Hobbit-nista Gathering will be eligible for free ticket drawings to see the Page Series Théâtre Sans Fil performance.

This event is funded by the SELCO Arts and Cultural Library Legacy Fund. Support for the performance of “The Hobbit” by Théâtre Sans Fil is provided in part by Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and private funders. Support for the school matinee of “The Hobbit” by Théâtre Sans Fil is provided in part by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest. Additional support provided by the Winona Community Foundation and Target.

Frozen River Film Festival to kick off at Saint Mary’s

Extreme sports and thought-provoking materials will be shown and discussed as part of the Frozen River Film Festival at Saint Mary’s on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

The opening event of the festival is the “adrenaline film set” to be shown from 9-10:30 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall.

The full schedule for the Frozen River Film Festival is now available with a full listing of events, synopses of films, and times. The festival will run Jan. 27-31.

Students may attend the festival for free with student ID. For more information, visit www.frff.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. letter on display in library

A letter written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is on display in the Reference Room of the Fitzgerald Library throughout the month of January.

In commemoration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the library staff is hosting this exhibit to feature a letter Brother Luke, head librarian in the 1950s, received from Dr. King in 1957.

After reading articles about King, Brother Luke was inspired to write to Dr. King and received a heart-warming response.

Library acquires two new databases

The library has recently acquired access to two new databases: ACS Publications and MathSciNet.

ACS Publications provides comprehensive access to peer reviewed journals from the American Chemical Society.

MathSciNet, from the American Mathematical Society, provides reviews, abstracts and bibliographic information for much of the mathematical sciences literature. Full text articles are not included; use the “Find it” button, rather than the publisher information link, to locate full text.

Access to these databases can be found on the library’s databases title page at www2.smumn.edu/deptpages/winlibrary/find/find_database_titles.html.

Music Department to host SMU Composers Recital

The Music Department is planning a recital of music, written by members of the Saint Mary’s community. The event is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, April 10, in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Compositions by music faculty members Dr. Patrick O’Shea, Dr. John Paulson, and A. Eric Heukeshoven will share the program with original music by other SMU composers.

If you are a composer with ties to Saint Mary’s, it is still possible to have your music included on this program. The Music Department will assist in finding performers where possible, but it is preferred that composers provide their own musicians for the event.

For more information, contact Eric Heukeshoven, eheukesh@smumn.edu or Ext. 7292, no later than Feb. 12.

Students to embark on SOUL trips Feb. 12-20

Campus Ministry is planning a variety of SOUL (Serving Others United in Love) trips Feb. 12-20.

Students will travel to De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, Mo.; Camp Hope in New Orleans; Catholic Worker Houses in Missouri and Iowa; De La Salle in Town in Philadelphia; L’Arche Community in Clinton, Iowa; McDowell County in West Virginia; Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Ariz.; San Miguel schools in Chicago; and Tides Family Services in Rhode Island.

Advisors on these trips will include Dr. Tycho de Boer, Chris McClead, Peggy Walters, Kathy Pederson, Katie LaPlant, Dr. Joseph Tadie, Karen Sorvaag, Dr. Jaime Mueller and Lynn Streefland.

Biebel to present at St. Norbert conference

Bob Biebel, associate director of the Hendrickson Institute and development and alumni relations associate, will present at the St. Norbert College Sport and Society Conference May 26-28.

The three-day event provides opportunities for sports academics and professionals working in sports-related fields to network and share their expertise.

Biebel will present “Motivational Factors Involved in Making Contributions To Athletics: Exploring the Concepts at the Division I Level” and “The Pelaton Network: The Beginnings of a New Approach to Improving Youth Performance.”

For more information, go to www.snc.edu/sportandsociety.

Huegel passes CPA examination

Congratulations to Ben Huegel, assistant professor of business, for passing the CPA (Uniform Certified Public Accounting) examination. This is a very difficult exam taken in four parts that qualifies those who pass to become licensed as a certified public accountant in any state in the U.S.