Thank you to those that participated in or came to the tournaments held at our Todd Park and Riverland ball complexes this season.

Those that run and work the tournaments received many compliments on our complexes.  Thank you for all your hard work and dedication helping to make our community a place that people want to visit and play in.

I know it is August but we need to start thinking about hockey.

We are again partnering with Austin Youth Hockey to give some young kids the opportunity to learn to skate or enhance their skills for age’s 3 to 8.

The first class will be on Sept. 7.  There will be a 4-on-4 league for those 7 to 9-years-old or younger if they have had two years experience with youth hockey.

The league will run on Wednesday and Saturday nights starting Sept. 7.  Pre-registration is necessary for both at the Park and Recreation office.

AYH will also hold its ninth annual Golf Classic at Meadow Greens Golf Course. Registration forms are available on its website at www.austinyouthhockey.org.

A reminder that this next week the adult softball and kickball leagues will move to the north Todd Park complex to finish out the season.

Our concession stand is open, so stop out, have a great hotdog and a soda, and enjoy watching them play.  Co-ed softball teams play Tuesday nights, men’s softball on Wednesday nights and co-ed kickball is on Thursday nights beginning at 6:45 p.m.

The last three free Thursday events at the Nature Center include geocaching from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jim Jayes, magician and puppeteer will perform at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 and folksinger Tom Pease will perform at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 22.

Even though these programs are free the Nature Center likes to plan so please RSVP by calling 507-437-7519 or emailing jcnatur@smig.net. Thank you and enjoy.

Please remember that park pavilions can be rented to ensure that you have a spot reserved for your picnic or get together.

Stop in our office or give us a call to check on availability.

The Ruby Rupner Auditorium is available as well by calling the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center at 437-7519.

The Nature Center will also have some exciting free programs.

Check out their website at www.hormelnaturecenter.org.