Coming next month, on April 12, is the date for the Austin Page Turners’ event of the year.

Since 2002, this group of community members have been leading the charge in planning an annual citywide reading event.

A Minnesota author is chosen each year, whose work has broad appeal and brings the community together for a great literary discussion. The annual event culminates with the author actually coming to Austin for a series of activities, including a free presentation at the Austin Public Library that is open to everyone. Heidi Murray of our office is on the Page Turners Committee.

The author chosen for this years’ events is Ron Handberg, and his book called “Deadly Reunion,” will be featured. Two book discussions will be held on April 9.

The author will speak at Austin High School earlier in the day as well on the April 12. All events are free and open to the public. Check out www.austinpageturners.org for complete details.

Speaking of good books, the Spring Book Sale at the Austin Public Library is scheduled for April 27-28. Mark those dates on your calendars and be sure to come in and find some great spring and summer reads. You can’t beat the fantastic prices.

I usually leave with a few bags full of books, and spend less than one would on one or two new purchases.

In the meantime, as you are going about your household, church, school or Spring cleaning, please keep in mind that there is a great need for book donations to support this sale.

The Friends of the Library and the AAUW group jointly host the spring sale every year. Book Sale proceeds go back into programming at the library, and benefit all of us in the community.

Won’t you help support a great cause, and make strides in your cleaning/de-cluttering efforts at the same time? Please drop off donations at the library by April 24 of gently used adults and children’s books, CDs, DVDs, videotapes, cassettes and audiobooks. Please no magazines, homemade movies or audiotapes, texbooks, Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, encyclopedias or items that have been stored in damp places. Those items cannot be accepted. Thank you for helping out.

 

Upcoming events

•The 5th Annual Minnesota Junior Spring Classic (Beef Show) will be held at the Mower Count Fairgrounds this April 14th – 15th. This will bring a few hundred visitors to Austin for the weekend event.

•The Suicide Awareness event in Austin will be held on Wednesday, April 18. There will be a concert at the Paramount Theatre from 6:30 – 9 p.m., with the bands Seventh Day Slumber, Manic Drive and Elia from the Anthem of Angels Tour. It’s sure to be an evening of great entertainment and public awareness. Get your tickets soon, if you haven’t already. They will likely sell out.

•Lastly, our office has been getting a lot of calls asking when the next Community-Wide Rummage Sales will be held. The date is Saturday, May 5th. It’s the start of our annual celebration of National Tourism Week, which will be May 5 – 13.

For the full listing of all upcoming activities in and around Austin, please check out our Calendar of Events on our website at: www.austincvb.com.

When you visit our newly launched website, make certain to submit your ideas for next year’s ‘Paint the Town Pink’ events, too.

As always, you can call us at the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau office for events and information at 437-4563.

Let us know what is happening with your group or organization, so we can help promote it to our visitors. Make the most of all Austin has to offer. Enjoy.