MARSHMALLOW TREEHOUSES INSPIRE FUTURE NATURAL PLAYGROUND

^{Residents of all ages of Fargo-Moorhead have created dozens of model treehouses out of toothpicks, marshmallows and a variety of other materials to inspire the Natural Playground that is planned for construction at Riverfront Park in Moorhead in summer of 2022. The project was part of the FM Rotary Foundation’s Giving Hearts Day campaign.} 

^{Hundreds of marshmallow and toothpick kits were distributed by Rotary members to schools, senior living centers, sports teams and families. On Wednesday, February 9, a team from the Natural Playground committee took the kits to the classroom of Jennifer Grund, an English Language Learners teacher at Willow Park Elementary in West Fargo. This hands on project was easy for students with varying levels of English proficiency, and the students created an impressive variety of structures.} 

^{Winners of the playground structure design competition were chosen on February 9:} 

^{1. Cooper and Zoey Maeyaert} 

^{2. Laura Bertzyk} 

^{3. Ginny Byrd} 

^{4. Ian Budke} 

^{5. Teresa Joppa} 

^{To see the designs and learn more about the project, visit the FM Rotary Natural Playground Facebook page or the FM Rotary Foundation Natural Playground website.} 

SLEIGH RIDES SATURDAY AT MOORHEAD’S M.B JOHNSON PARK

^{Moorhead Parks and Recreation will be hosting sleigh rides through scenic M.B. Johnson Park Saturday from 11:00 – 3:00 pm. Frostival treats and refreshments will be available.}

^{Please call and reserve tickets for a certain time slot: 218.299.5296. Tickets will also be available on-site based off of capacity restrictions. Admission: $5 per person (children 2 and under free).}

NDDOH DISTRIBUTING FREE AT-HOME COVID-19 TEST^S 

^{The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) has announced it will make more than 1.5 million at-home COVID-19 test kits available statewide.}

^{The at-home test kits, which were ordered by NDDoH with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have begun to arrive in the state. The program is intended to supplement the ongoing federal program to distribute free tests. The test kits are being distributed statewide and will be available for pickup, at no cost, starting Tuesday, Feb. 15. It is recommended that citizens pick up tests as needed, with a start of two tests per household member.}

^{Individuals who would like to pick up these free test kits can find a location near them via the NDDoH website at: http://health.nd.gov/covidtesting — located in the “test locations” table. This table will be updated twice a week as more locations receive shipments of the at-home tests.}

NO GARBAGE PICKUP ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21 (PRESIDENTS’ DAY)

^{MOORHEAD – Monday’s route (both garbage and recycling if this is your recycling week) will be picked up on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.}

^{Pickup will start at 4:00 am on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Please place your garbage out the night before to ensure pickup. Also, your garbage may be picked up later in the day due to the double route.} 

^{Additionally, the City of Moorhead, Garbage Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, February 21.}

SOUP AND PIE DINNER

^{MOORHEAD – The annual Catholic Daughter Soup and Pie Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, February 24 from 4:30 ‐ 6:30 p.m. in The Gathering Place at St. Joe’s 218 10th Street S (door #7). Homemade soup and pie served with fresh baked popovers lovingly made by members of the Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Mary. It’s a fast and friendly dinner—perfect for a Thursday evening! Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 5‐10, and can be purchased at the door during the event. https://www.facebook.com/events/680905899576752.}

MOORHEAD NON-PROFITS NEAR TOP ON GIVING HEARTS DAY

^{Two Moorhead non-profits ranked highly among gift recipients on Giving Hearts Day Feb. 10.}

^{Churches United for the Homeless ranked among the top 10 recipients, while Park Christian School’s donations earned it a spot in the top 20.}

^{A total of 38 Clay County non-profits were among 538 in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota who participated in the 2022 campaign. Included were 34 in Moorhead and one each in Hawley, Glyndon, Barnesville and Ulen.}

^{Donors broke all records for Giving Hearts Day this year with contributions totaling approximately $26.2 million.}

UNDERPASS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN JUNE

MOORHEAD – The long-awaited SE Main/20-21st Street underpass is expected to open in June, according to the city of Moorhead.

Work is slated to begin again on Monday, Feb. 21. It will include the installation of pilings, excavation and placement of concrete. According to the city’s news release, work will generally be conducted between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.