Saint Mary’s Page Series brings ‘Bunnicula’ to life Oct. 9

Audiences of all ages will enjoy the hauntingly fun children’s favorite “Bunnicula” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Page Theatre.

Lock up your lettuce! Protect your parsley! Rescue your rutabaga!

A floppy-eared bunny with mysterious habits is staking out its place in TheatreworksUSA’s spine-tingling new musical, co-written by Tony-nominated playwright Charles Busch and based on the best-selling books by James and Deborah Howe, “Bunnicula!”

Chester the cat and Harold the dog get along like ... well ... cats and dogs, even though underneath their furry exteriors, they’re really the best of pals. But one dark and stormy night, the Monroe family comes home from the movies with an orphaned rabbit they found under their seats. He’s a very strange baby rabbit who has sharp fangs instead of buckteeth, and who sleeps all day and prowls around his cage all night.

Meanwhile, all the vegetables in the house are drained of their color and turn white. Could this possibly be a coincidence, or could Bunnicula be a vampire? Chester thinks so, and he’ll stop at nothing until he vanquishes the new arrival, even if it means the end of his friendship with Harold.

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

‘Let Us Remember’ Centennial performance continues

Saint Mary's student Andrew Russell portrays Brother Charles Severin.

In honor of Saint Mary’s Centennial, a special program celebrating the history, mission and legacy of Saint Mary’s will be presented. “Let Us Remember” — a performed narrative that includes many of the voices from Saint Mary’s rich history — will incorporate theatre, music, visual art and dance into one inspiring program.

Experience SMU’s 100-year journey through word, music and photographs during performances scheduled for 7:30 p.m. today (Friday) and Saturday. A matinee will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday. “Let Us Remember” was written and is directed by 1979 Saint Mary’s alumnus and Dean of the School of the Arts Michael Charron.

The program features newly commissioned music scores by Dr. Patrick O’Shea, director of choirs, and Eric Heukeshoven, director of jazz, as performed by the SMU Concert Band and SMU Choirs.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 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. All faculty and staff are eligible to receive two free tickets

Centennial timeline unveiling is today in Toner

In honor of its Centennial year, Saint Mary’s University commissioned Brother Roderick Robertson, professor of art and design, to design a timeline wall mural of the university’s history.

The timeline will be unveiled during a public reception 10:45 a.m. today, Friday, Oct. 5, at the Toner Student Center. The timeline will also be installed on the Twin Cities campus.

Brother Roderick has taught art and design at Saint Mary’s for 35 years. This timeline depicts the first century of Saint Mary’s. Fittingly, the artist wanted to tell the university’s story symbolically with 100 photographs.

The piece is divided into four segments or panels. The first panel illustrates the founding and early years of the university under the direction of the Diocese of Winona. The second panel illustrates the arrival of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the beginning of the Lasallian character of the school. The third panel depicts the arrival of women on campus and how becoming co-educational influenced and changed the nature of the institution. The fourth panel presents the changes that occurred as the college became a university including the expansion of graduate and international programming. The end of the mural speaks to the future of Saint Mary’s University.

The rich and colorful history includes many of the faces from Saint Mary’s University who have shaped its heritage and transformed the school’s educational experience.

The piece includes the first photograph of Saint Mary’s College, taken by Florence Curran and donated by her grandson Rob Linden of Winona. Curran captured the school’s cornerstone laying in 1912.

The SMU class of 2011 helped fund the project through their senior class gift.

Saint Mary's invites public to Fall Frolic Oct. 6

The public is invited to participate in the 25th Fall Frolic 5K fun run/walk on Saturday, Oct. 6.

Registration will run from 8 to 9:45 a.m. in the 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.

Registration forms — as well as a complete weekend schedule — are available online at www.smumn.edu/familyweekend.

Family Weekend runs Oct. 5-7 and includes a full slate of activities for families of students and the SMU community — including special Centennial arts debuts in honor of the university’s 100th anniversary. 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.

Halloween Fun Night is Oct. 29th; donations requested

Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the 12th annual Saint Mary’s Halloween Fun Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29.

Donations of individually wrapped candy by the bag and/or financial donations are appreciated and can be dropped off at the Office of Residence Life. It takes a lot of candy to make this event successful and keep 750 trick-or-treaters happy. Financial contributions can be sent to Box. 9.

Young trick-or-treaters will 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 750 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life of Saint Mary’s.

Centennial Chicago event draws 1,000

The presence of 1,000 Saint Mary's alumni, benefactors, and friends at the Centennial Celebration-Chicago created an atmosphere of unmatched energy and excitement that filled the Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace at Millennium Park on Sept. 22.

To see photos, go to https://picasaweb.google.com/108892153547798078965/CentennialCelebrationChicago.

Lawing displays new work at galleries through Nov. 4

Preston Lawing, SMU Art and Design faculty member, is displaying new work during the current Saint Mary’s art exhibit.

In “Cabinets of Curiosities,” Lawing is showing sculptures, prints, drawings and an installation/recreation of a “hoarder’s” apartment.

The show will run through Nov. 4 at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center. The galleries will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and all exhibits are free and open to the public.

Benefit 5K run/walk to assist Sabrina Larson Bushlack

“Strong is the New Beautiful,” a benefit 5K run/walk for SMU senior volleyball player Sabrina Larson Bushlack, is planned for 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. The race will start at the Toner Student Center and run through the bluffs.

Bushlack was critically injured in a car accident July 16 and appreciates prayers and financial support as she recovers from a severe brain injury.

A minimum $10 donation will include a T-shirt, and all donations are welcome. Mail donations to Jenna Ness at Campus Box 62; make checks payable to Saint Mary’s. Registration will be accepted on race day.

Packets can be picked up Friday, Oct. 19, from 7 to 8 p.m. or 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in the gym.

Saint Teresa Institute to host planning project workshop

The Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute will host a planning project workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, in Room 132 of Saint Mary’s Hall. This workshop fulfills a Leadership Certificate requirement. Participants will learn effective ways of managing the planning and completion of projects and events. Snacks will be served and a certificate of attendance will be awarded. Pre-registration is requested by e-mailing tpape@smumn.edu.

Kowles promotes latest book

Dr. Dick Kowles, professor emeritus in biology, is still doing speaking engagements and promoting his latest book, “The Wonder of Genetics.”  On Aug. 6 he gave a presentation to the Rochester Senior Center, and on Sept. 26 he also spoke to the LIFE (Learning is Forever) Program in Rochester.  He has found the elderly people in these audiences to be enthusiastic and inquisitive about the topics of genetics and its ramifications.

Michener’s short story published

Dr. Christian Michener’s short story, “Marionette,” appears in the Fall 2012 volume of The Kenyon Review.  The story tells of the lives of a family of Italian immigrant laborers in early twentieth-century Pittsburgh.

Craft publishes article in business journal

Assistant professor Jana Craft, Business Department, published her second peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Business titled “A Review of the Empirical Ethical Decision-Making Literature: 2004-2011.” DOI: 10.1007/s10551-012-1518-9.

Voting information session planned for Oct. 8

“Voting 101,” a voting information session, will be held 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, in Salvi Lecture Hall. Participants will learn about pressing issues and party platforms of the presidential candidates.

At this event, senior Brian Thomas will explain why it’s important for college students to vote. Dr. David Lynch will discuss current pressing issues and explain party platforms of the candidates so that students can make an informed decision in November. A representative from the Winona League of Women Voters will explain the logistics of voting, absentee ballots, and registering in Winona.

Cardinal Corner now open

The Cardinal Corner is now open! All profits benefit Sabrina Larson Bushlack’s medical fund. Normal hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday because of Family Weekend. New products are on order and will arrive soon.

The Cardinal Corner is a non-profit retail store located in the lower level of the Toner Student Center. Managed by the students of MG315 Entrepreneurship and supported by the Business Department, the mission of the store is to create an opportunity for entrepreneurship students to gain hands-on experience in operating a small business.

Each semester, the class donates profits from the Cardinal Corner to a charity of their choice. In addition, the store sells products for various SMU clubs, teams, departments, and organizations and returns 100 percent of the sales to benefit the SMU community.

For more information, contact Craft at Ext. 1491 or jcraft@smumn.edu. Become a fan and receive the latest updates at www.facebook.com/cardinalcorner.

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party is Nov. 18

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at 10th and Vila streets. Shop the Land of the Sweets Boutique for seasonal and unique gifts and cards. All children attending receive a photo with their favorite character from “The Nutcracker.” To reserve seats or a full table for six, call 453-5500 or e-mail mca@smumn.edu. Proceeds from this event go to the MCA student scholarship fund and offset production costs for the “Nutcracker” performance.

Jazz notes

Swing Inc. performs from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays at Signatures in Winona.