The Perham Focus accepts community calendar items for publication online and in our Thursday print edition, space permitting. Submissions must be made at least a week in advance of the event date, in writing, to either editor@perhamfocus.com or vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com .

Each submission must include the date, time and location of event, whether it is recurring or a one-time happening, and where to go for more information (phone, email and/or website). Also include whether the event is free or paid admission, and how much it costs when applicable.

Defensive Driving Class: A 4-hour refresher, in-person Defensive Driving Class will be held from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the ITOW (In Their Own Words) Veterans Museum, 805 W. Main, Perham. Cost is $20. To register please call Denise Lillis at 218-346-3336.

Perham Productive Alternatives Opens: The grand opening of Perham Productive Alternatives will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Come tour the new building, learn about the services they provide, and interact with the clientele. Refreshments will be available as well.

Perham Health Relay for Life Tailgate Party: Celebrate the longstanding football rivalry between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers by dressing to support your favorite team and coming out to the parking lot at the Perham Health clinic between 5-7 p.m. to enjoy hot dogs, chili, chips and water or soda. Cost is $10 per plate, with proceeds to support Perham Health's Relay for Life team.

Rib Fest: Central Market in Perham will be hosting its annual Rib Fest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., cooking and selling racks of ribs for $13 each while supplies last.

Honor Flight Food Truck: Come to United Community Bank in Perham between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and enjoy some Wood Fire Pizza, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Honor Flight of Minnesota/North Dakota program. All donations will also be matched by UCB.

Perham Ducks Unlimited Banquet: The Perham-area chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be hosting its annual banquet at the Lakeside Golf course in Perham, starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets available online at mndu.org or by contacting Tony Paul, 218-371-6338, or Doug Harthun, 218-639-7171.

EOT Wranglers Open Fun Show: The East Otter Tail Wranglers 4-H Club will host an open, fun horse show starting at 9 a.m. at the EOT County Fairgrounds at 455 4th St. SE, Perham. A 2022 negative Coggins test is required for any horse brought to the show and no dogs are allowed. Registration for each event closes one event prior to the next event's start.

Dreams for Kids Motorcycle Rally: The 17th Annual Dreams for Kids Motorcycle Rally will begin and end at the Woodshed Bar and Grill in Ottertail. Registration starts at 10 a.m., with the ride to start promptly at noon, returning by 6 p.m. for a dinner and both silent and live auctions. The $25 entry fee includes the ride, a day pass to Itasca State Park, dinner and evening entertainment. Proceeds to benefit Make-A-Wish Minnesota. For more information contact Wanda, 218-298-2211.

BookEnds Online: The book, "Olav Audunsson," by Nobel Prize-winning author, Sigrid Undset, will be featured on BookEnds Online Edition this month. Laura Michelle Diener, associate professor of history, will present this epic story of medieval Norway at 11:30 a.m. via ZOOM Meeting ID: 867 0338 5655. BookEnds is produced by the Wadena County Historical Society. Recordings of this and earlier BookEnds author presentations are available online at WadenaCountyHistory.org.

Pig Roast: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 500 6th Ave. SW, Perham, will be hosting a pig roast from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Menu includes pork sandwiches, sides, beverages and bars for dessert. Cost is a free will offering, with proceeds to benefit church ministries.

Juke Box Time Machine: The Cultural Center in New York Mills will host Pat and Donna Surface in their interactive multimedia musical event, "Jukebox Time Machine," in the Center's intimate art gallery space. Journey back in time with Pat and Donna as they remember the jukebox hits through the decades — a multimedia celebration of the timeless artists and songs that topped the charts from the 50s through the 70s. Doors open at 7 p.m., with music beginning at 7:30 and running for approximately 90 minutes. Light refreshments and cash bar available. For ticket information, visit kulcher.org or call 218-385-3999.

4-H District Horse Show: The East Otter Tail Wranglers 4-H Club will host the 4-H Northwest Region District Horse Show at the EOT County Fairgrounds, 455 4th St. SE, Perham, starting at 9 a.m. This is always great practice for the ones heading to state and also a fun end-of-season show for the club.

Master Gardeners Open House: The Otter Tail County Master Gardeners invite adult community members to join them for an open house event at the United Methodist Church in Perham from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The open house will include a presentation from Rick Abrahamson of Homegrown Gardens on "Fall Garden Tips." Following Rick’s presentation will be a brief info session on the Otter Tail County Master Gardener program, which has two groups, based in Fergus Falls and Perham. No need to RSVP. Please contact Kelsey Wulf at klwulf@umn.edu or 218-385-5426 with questions.

Vergas Community Blood Drive: The Vergas Event Center will host a community blood drive for Vitalant from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. To schedule an appointment please contact Pam at 701-261-1632or go online to donors.vitalant.org and use the blood drive code: VERGAS. Sponsored by the Vergas Lions Club.

Defensive Driving Class: A 4-hour refresher, in-person Defensive Driving Class will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at the ITOW (In Their Own Words) Veterans Museum, 805 W. Main, Perham. Cost is $20. To register please call Denise Lillis at 218-346-3336.

Highway 34 Info Meeting: The Friends of the Lake Country Scenic Byway and Prairie Woods Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) are hosting an informational meeting regarding the Minnesota Department of Transportation's plans for clearing trees along State Highway 34 in conjunction with their 2023 road resurfacing project. The informational meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Jack Pines Resorts’ Conference Center, 53014 State Hwy. 34, Osage 56570. A presentation by IWLA will be given at 6 p.m. Public input is also welcome during the meeting.

Honor Flight Food Truck: Come to United Community Bank in Perham between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and enjoy some Sone's Cajun-Asian Food, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Honor Flight of Minnesota/North Dakota program. All donations will also be matched by UCB.

Snurdbird Open: Perham's Lakeside Golf Course will host the 19th Annual Midway Snurdbirds Golf Tournament. Registration opens at 8 a.m., with tee off at 10 a.m. This is a 4-person scramble with cash prizes for division winners; hole prizes also available throughout the course. The tournament is used to raise funds for the Midway Snurdbirds Baseball Club. Entry fee is $80, which includes a koozie, mulligan and skins game for the tournament. Following play, a brief awards ceremony and raffle drawing will be held. To register to play or donate to the raffle please contact one of the following: Puck Lusti, 218-252-8010; George Baso, 218-639-1267; or Mike Baso, 218-367-9695.

Live Music: Darren Quam performs at Disgruntled Brewing in Perham, 1-4 p.m. Open to the public.

Blue at the Ballpark Fundraiser: Perham Health invites the community to the Al Krueger Baseball Field in Perham between 4-7 p.m. to take part in a hitting contest and silent auction, and enjoy ballpark food from Spanky's; there will also be door prizes up for grabs. Tickets are $75 per person, and can be purchased online through Sept. 9 at perhamhealth.org/blueattheballpark . Proceeds will support the Town Center and community space updates at Perham Living. Questions? Call 218-347-1308.

We Are Water: The We Are Water Minnesota-Otter Tail County interactive exhibit will be showcased at the Fergus Falls Public Library through Oct. 10. The exhibit is free to the public and is open during library hours. Visitors are encouraged to browse through the exhibit at their leisure to listen to stories, perform a puppet show, read inspirational messages from locals and have fun exploring the many interactive displays.

Baby Bin: Come look through the baby bin at Crosspoint Alliance Church, 600 8th St. NE, Perham, on the first Tuesday of every month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All WIC participants receive one pack of diapers and wet wipes. Everyone may look through our children's clothing, sizes 0-10.

Mah Jongg at Calvary Lutheran: Men and women are welcome and play Mah Jongg at Perham's Calvary Lutheran Church on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in the library. No prior experience necessary, as experienced players will teach the game to newcomers.

Sit-n-Stitch: A weekly gathering of fiber artists will be held every Thursday from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Cultural Center in New York Mills. Free and open to all.

Quilting: The Calvary Cut-Ups quilting group meets from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays at Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham. Questions? Contact Brenda Halvorson at 320-493-0802.

Progressive Bingo: Every Tuesday, 6-7 p.m., Thumper Pond, Ottertail.

Perham Networking Opportunity: The Nest in Perham will host a one-hour free business networking opportunity on the first Wednesday of every month, starting at 8:15 a.m. Personal introductions, sharing of upcoming events and projects, and a focus presentation. Coffee will be provided by the focus topic presenter.

Tuesday Trivia Night: Billy's Corner Bar & Grill in Vergas will be offering Trivia Night every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Open to the public.

Library Storytimes: The Perham Area Public Library hosts preschool storytime every Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. Toddler Storytime with Becky is held periodically on Monday evenings at 6 p.m. Visit perhamlibrary.org or call 218-346-4892 for more information.

Old Time Photographs: Stop by the History Museum of East Otter Tail County, at 230 First Ave. North in Perham, and take a trip down memory lane. The museum would like the public's help identifying old photos. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 218-346-7676 for more information.