Hello,

Welcome to…[checks calendar]…April! You can blame my uncle for this weather. He and my aunt arrived from California this week, and he brought his golf clubs with him. So while those stay in the car trunk, enjoy a jam-packed newsletter!

Alexander Batson was the big winner at the Cub Scout Pack 42 Pinewood Derby last Saturday. Batson won first place in the Cub Scout and Outlaw competitions. David Sargent took second place in both. Gabe Anderson got third in the Derby, while Nick Loetscher was third in the Outlaw class. Troop 42 scouts were invited to participate in the Outlaw class competition.

1,472 books were read as part of Redwood Falls Public Library’s Winter Reading Program. 76 readers completed the program by reading at least 12 books. 42 of them finished at least 24 books, with 2 readers completing at least 72 books.

Redwood Falls Parks and Recreation announced the winners of their winter indoor volleyball leagues:

🍤 Fish and Shrimp Dinner, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM, American Legion Post #38, Redwood Falls, Ages 13 & up: $15, ages 6-12: $12, ages 5 & under: Free - Fish and/or shrimp, potato, vegetable, dinner roll or breadstick
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🪺 Morton Easter Egg Hunt, 9:00 AM, City Park, Morton - Hosted by Morton Fire Department
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🪺 Redwood Falls Easter Egg Hunt, 9:00 AM, Redwood Area Community Center, Redwood Falls, Free - Open to grades 3 and younger, bring a basket, free will donation brunch at 9:05 AM, bake sale, photo opportunities
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🪺 Belview City-Wide Easter Egg Hunt, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, Belview - Families can go to 27 houses in and around Belview to find Easter Eggs
🗺️ Map of houses 📅 Save

🥎 RV Varsity Girls Softball vs. Worthington, 1:00 PM, Redwood Valley Middle/High School South Softball Field, Redwood Falls - Postponed from April 2
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🕰️ Renville County Historical Society Open House, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM, Renville County Museum, Morton, Free will donation - Coffee and treats
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⛳️ RV Varsity Girls and Boys Golf at Windom Meet, 2:00 PM, Windom Country Club, Windom
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🏛️ Redwood County Board Meeting, 8:30 AM, County Government Center, Redwood Falls
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🏃 RV Varsity Girls and Boys Track and Field at Luverne Meet, 4:00 PM, Luverne High School, Luverne
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⚾️ RV Varsity Boys Baseball at GFW, 4:30 PM, Memorial Field, Fairfax
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🏛️ Redwood Falls City Council Meeting, 5:00 PM, City Hall, Redwood Falls
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🏛️ Morton City Council Meeting, 6:30 PM, City Hall, Morton
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🥎 RV Varsity Girls Softball Double Header vs. Pipestone Area, 4:00 PM, Redwood Valley Middle/High School South Softball Field, Redwood Falls
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⛳️ RV Varsity Girls and Boys Golf Home Meet, 4:00 PM, Redwood Falls Golf Club, Redwood Falls
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Duffy's Riverside Saloon - The Triple Stop runs from April 15 to October 15. Use any type of transport to visit all three Duffy’s locations in one day to get a free t-shirt and a chance to win prizes including a new Harley Davidson Heritage Motorcycle.

Dacotah Dining at Jackpot Junction - April dine-in only $5 specials: are broiled walleye with vegetables, wild rice, and a breadstick on Mondays and eight-ounce sirloin and lobster tail with vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a breadstick on Wednesdays.

Mac On Main Bar & Grill - Offering a BBQ bar, pasta salad, and cowboy beans Saturday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The regular menu will not be available during that time.

If you travel on 3rd Street in Redwood Falls near the Redwood County Law Enforcement Center and Redwood County Justice Center this month, you’ll see 90 blue pinwheels placed outside the office of Child’s Place. Each pinwheel–the symbol of child abuse prevention–represents a child served in the past year by the non-profit. These children come from area communities and have experienced abuse or neglect and needed support, protection, and a path toward healing. They are being recognized as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time Prevent Child Abuse America states is “for communities nationwide to come together and take action to support strong families, thriving children, and healthier communities.”

Child’s Place, which opened in October 2020, is a children’s advocacy center providing coordinated services for children and families impacted by abuse, including sexual and physical abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence. According to Executive Director Sarah Reynolds, Child’s Place helped 90 children, supported 87 caregivers, and provided over 900 advocacy services. She said, “When a child makes a disclosure, the process can feel overwhelming—but that’s where we step in.”

Reynolds said that a child experiencing trauma has to repeat their story to at least seven different people, including law enforcement, child protection, medical professionals, and mental health providers. The mission of Child’s Place is to provide a safe and child-friendly environment for forensic interviews, where children can share their experience with trained professionals in an effort to minimize further trauma. The organization also connects families with other agencies and available resources and provides support through the criminal justice system. She said, “Our goal is not only to support children during a difficult time, but to help them and their families move forward with strength and hope.”

With April recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, Reynolds is encouraging community members to get involved. You can photograph the pinwheel display all month at the Child’s Place office at 302 East 3rd Street and share photos of it online. The Redwood County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve a proclamation at its meeting Tuesday for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Friday, April 10 is Wear Blue Day, and she said people can post photos of themselves participating on the Child’s Place Facebook page. 

Reynolds noted that recent funding changes have increased the need for community support. On June 12, the inaugural Child’s Place Golf Scramble will be held at Redwood Falls Golf Club. Golfer registrations, donations, and sponsorships are being accepted online. In addition to supporting the victims of these childhood traumas, Reynolds said everyone can help stop them from happening in the first place. “Prevention is a community effort. By staying informed, supporting families, and speaking up when something doesn’t seem right, we can all play a role in protecting children. Together, we can create a community where every child feels safe, valued, and supported.”

Duck Painting Class - Grades 1-4. Light snack provided. Tuesday, April 14, 3:15 PM-5:00 PM, Redwood Valley Middle School Art Room (Room 156), Redwood Falls, $35, Deadline April 13.
Registration

School of Fish - Grades 1 and up (Accompanying adult required for grades 1-4). School of Fish is a kids fishing class taught by pro angler and TV fishing show host, Mike Frisch. Students learn about lakes, finding fish in those lakes, and some great ways to catch them. They also learn to tie a fishing knot and rig and use a slip-bobber setup. Kids get: Cabela’s rod & reel, tackle box with Northland Tackle included, Cabela’s $10 gift card, School of Fish workbook, KLN snack pack, and a Fish On Kids book. Wednesday, May 6, 3:30 PM-5:30 PM, Redwood Valley Elementary School Media Center Flex Classroom, Redwood Falls, $25, Deadline April 27.
Registration

Questions? Call Redwood Area Community Education at (507) 637-0020.

Swimming Lessons
Tots (Ages 2 and under), June 8-11
Session 1 [Tiny Tots (Ages 1.5-4.5), Levels 1A-1D, 2-6], June 15-25
Session 2 [Tiny Tots (Ages 1.5-4.5), Levels 1A-1C, 2-6], July 6-16
Session 3 [Tiny Tots (Ages 1.5-4.5), Levels 1A-1C, 2-6], July 20-30
Registration is now open for all lessons (click the Swimming Lessons & Activities tab)

Pre-season Pitching - Ages 7 and up. Pitchers are required to bring someone to catch for them (sibling, another player, parent, etc). Pitchers will be led in warm-ups and some drills based on their needs. Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 28 to May 12, 3:30 PM-4:15 PM, Redwood Area Community Center Fieldhouse, Redwood Falls, $25 , Deadline April 27.

Spring Soccer - Grades 1 and 2 (Under 8). Cost includes team shirt and socks, players must get their own cleats, shinguards, and black shorts for games. Practices Wednesdays, Mid May through Mid June, plus two Mondays, 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. Games Saturdays, May 30 and June 6, 9:00 AM. Location to be determined in Redwood Falls, $60, Deadline May 1.

Cardinal Softball Camp (K-6) - Grades K-6 in 2025-2026 school year. Join the varsity softball team and coaches for a one-day free softball skills camp. Bring a glove and tennis shoes. Players get a free t-shirt. Students can take Bus #1 over from Redwood Valley Elementary School to Redwood Valley Middle/High School and RV softball players will walk them back to the softball fields. Students from other schools can meet at the softball fields. Wednesday, May 13, 3:30 PM-4:30 PM, Redwood Valley Middle/High School Softball Fields, Redwood Falls, Free, Deadline May 13.

Cardinal Baseball Camp (K-3) - Grades K-3 in 2025-2026 school year. Join the varsity baseball team and coaches for a one-day free baseball skills camp. Bring a glove and tennis shoes. Players get a free t-shirt. Sam Scheffler will walk students from Redwood Valley Elementary School to Memorial Field. Students from other schools can meet at Memorial Field. Wednesday, May 13, 3:30 PM-4:30 PM, Memorial Field, Redwood Falls, Free, Deadline May 13.

Cardinal Baseball Camp (4-6) - Grades 4-6 in 2025-2026 school year. Join the varsity baseball team and coaches for a one-day free baseball skills camp. Bring a glove and tennis shoes. Players get a free t-shirt. Meet in Redwood Valley dugout to watch the varsity game with the team. Friday, May 15, 5:00 PM, Memorial Field, Redwood Falls, Free, Deadline May 13.

Peanuts League T-Ball - Girls grades K-2 and boys grades K-1 in 2026-2027 school year. Girls and boys on combined teams. Players get a free t-shirt. Teams will meet two times a week, Monday-Thursday, for practices and games. Rosters and schedules will be posted at the RACC, emailed, and posted online by Friday, May 22 at 5:00 PM. June 8-July 15, 9:00 AM-10:00 AM, Redwood Valley Middle/High School Softball Fields, Redwood Falls, $50, Deadline May 15.

Youth Baseball - Grades 2-4 in 2026-2027 school year. Coaches will provide advanced practice on all the basics of the game. Advanced skills of fielding, making plays, and advancing runners will be refined. Players may start specializing in certain positions. Inter-squad games will be played towards the end of the season. Players get a free t-shirt. Rosters and schedules will be posted at the RACC, emailed, and posted online by Friday, May 22 at 5:00 PM. Mondays and Wednesdays, June 8-July 15, 10:15 AM-11:30 AM, Redwood Valley Middle/High School Softball Fields, Redwood Falls, $55, Deadline May 15.

Co-Rec Sand Volleyball - Ages 15 and up or grade 9 in 2026-2027. 6-on-6. Thursdays beginning May 14, Legion Park, Redwood Falls, $130 per team, Deadline April 17.

Men's League Softball - Tuesdays starting May 26, Johnson Field, Redwood Falls, $450 per team ($419.10 tax exempt), Deadline May 15.

Church League Softball - Mondays starting June 2, Johnson and Westside Fields, Redwood Falls, $450 per team ($419.10 tax exempt), Deadline May 15.

Registration for all community recreation activities

Questions? Call Redwood Area Community Center at (507) 616-7444.

You weren’t expecting April to bring nice weather, were you? After Thursday’s wintry mix mess, another round of precipitation will follow on Friday. While there’s plenty of storm track and temperature uncertainty, expect primarily rain throughout the day, with a possibility of freezing rain or snow in the morning, and maybe a weak thunderstorm in the afternoon or evening. Any lingering precipitation Friday night and Saturday morning would be snow. The biggest concern is the possibility for ice accumulating on roads. Windy conditions flow in behind the system, with cold weather sticking around until mid-week. Hopefully, it will turn warmer then, but question marks remain on if it stays warm and if more rain chances materialize.

Averages: Low: 31° • High: 51°

Usually we meteorologists only can reliably predict the weather seven days out, but since my family isn’t leaving town for a week and half, don’t expect it to be nice until they are at the airport heading home. Have a great day!

-Justin