Civil War Round Table: Campaign of the Mississippi River Squadron

NEW ULM — Most of think of Civil War Battles as land battles with large armies of men, horses and artillery, but many decisive battles took place on the water as well.

The US and Confederate Navies both employed innovative technologies including using the first armored (or “Ironclad”) warships but at the same time used some very old tactics that included trying to sink an enemy ship by ramming it directly. The result was some very spectacular battles marked by the ability of some ships to deliver sustained fire and others in wild melees using surprise and speed.

Join the Civil War Round Table on May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Ulm Public Library when area historian George Romano discusses some of the ships and the major engagements of the U.S. Navy fighting a naval campaign in the heartland of the United States. Romano is a member of the Rochester Round Table and has spoken several times at the New Ulm Round Table meetings. All meetings are free and open to the public.

Human Right Commission

Immigration Video contest

NEW ULM — To celebrate Immigration Month (June 2108), the New Ulm Human Rights Commission announces the 2018 Immigration Celebration video contest.

The contest will have three categories: grades 5-8, grades 9-12, and one adult category. Participants will need to submit a 1 to 3 minute video in an electronic format (YouTube, DVD, or another general format).

Prizes for winners will be $200 for each category, with an additional $200 going to the school sponsoring the student groups. Submission forms, waivers, and the movie must be submitted by July 15, 2018.

Winners will be announced during the July or August Human Rights Commission meeting. Full contest guidelines, forms, and waivers are available from New Ulm City Hall, on the City’s website: www.newulmmn.gov or from the local school offices. For more information, contact Lisa Grathwohl at New Ulm City Hall at LisaG@newulmmn.gov

German Speaking Club meets May 20 at Orchard Hill

NEW ULM — The New Ulm Deutscher Sprachklub will meet May 20, 2018 at Orchard Hill 1223 Karl Dr. New Ulm, Mn. from 1 to 3 p.m.. Orchard Hill is north of Runnings and west of the cemetery. If you want directions call at 507-766-5859. Any and all are welcome to join in and try their luck at speaking or listening to New Ulm German. There is no fee.

The goal is to have fun and facilitate the language and culture. We will meet at the main lobby on the 2nd floor of Orchard Hills.

‘Wizard of Oz’ auditions to be held by T-Bird Community Arts

WINTHROP — Auditions for all roles for a fully staged musical version of the Wizard of Oz will be on Sunday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 22 at the historic GFW High School Auditorium located at 1001 Cottonwood Street, Winthrop.

Adults and high school students may audition on Sunday, May 20 or Tuesday May 22 at 6 pm and all children in grades K-8 may audition on Sunday at 4 pm. Nothing is required to prepare for audition. Just come ready to have fun and participate in the third annual musical for the T-Birds Community Arts (TCA). If you cannot make one of the scheduled auditions, please contact Paul Warshauer for other times.

The classic musical based on the famous 1939 movie and originally produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, will be directed by veteran Paul Warshauer who has directed hundreds of plays. His local credits include “South Pacific,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Front Page,” “Harvey” and “Arsenic and Old Lace” at the State Street Theatre and many plays, Christmas pageants and workshops for children in the region.

“We are very lucky to have retained Mr. Warshauer his knowledge of all aspects of production will truly make this a memorable experience for performers, staff, and audiences alike,” said producer Jennifer Thompson.

Musical direction will be by Maria Cuff, and the show is produced by TCA’s President Kevin Caldwell and GFW elementary principal Jennifer Thompson. Vickie Kuehn will be the Production Stage Manager. Set design and painting will be by Derrick Hare and Kylie Rieke. Set construction will be led by Rob Gleason. Other opportunities are available backstage for volunteers-including make-up, hair, costuming.

All of the familiar songs are included, as are the roles of Dorothy, the Wicked Witch, Scarecrow, and the Tin Man. All of the Munchkins will be played by kids. Most roles require singing, but there are a few roles that do not have to sing. Everyone is welcome. First time performers are strongly encouraged to audition. “Fun is the name of the game,” said Warshauer.

The rehearsals begin on Tuesday, May 29th and occur Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and an occasional Saturday. Not every performer is needed at every rehearsal and a detailed rehearsal schedule will be available at auditions for each role.

Four performances are scheduled for Thursday – Sunday, August 2 – 5. Evening performances begin at 7 pm and the matinee on Sunday at 2 pm. Reserved and general admission tickets go on sale June 29th.

This production is licensed by and presented in association with the Tams-Witmark Library in New York. More information including a complete cast list is available on the T-Bird Facebook page: www.facebook.com/tbirdcommunityarts.

For information about the audition process call director Paul Warshauer at (312) 550-7868 or for production information call Jennifer Thompson at 507-920-8690 or Kevin Caldwell at 914-649-5557.