Food distribution Jan. 20 at Trinity UCC

The Food Bank of Iowa’s mobile pantry program will be conducted on Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 4-6 p.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ in Hartley. The program is available free of charge and geared toward individuals who are in need of food assistance.

Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles and line up on the east side of the parking lot. The food will be brought to you as you drive under the canopy.

Food pantry hours at Hope Lutheran

Current hours for the food pantry at Hope Lutheran Church in Everly are Mondays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and Wednesdays, 1-5 p.m. Please knock on the church door and food will be brought out to you.

Moon Adventure Game at Prairie Heritage Center

The O’Brien County Conservation Board invites families or groups of up to six players to experience the Moon Adventure Game on Saturday, Jan. 23, from 1-5 p.m. at the Prairie Heritage Center.

The Moon Adventure Game, presented by the NISE Network, is a fictional story grounded in actual NASA science and research about what people in the future may need to work and live on the moon. Players will assume the role of astronauts that are living and doing research on an outpost base on the moon. Together, players will work through a series of challenges due to a moonquake that has created some major issues. Players will quickly need to work together to solve the issues and restore systems that allow them to survive.

Families or groups will need to reserve a time on Jan. 23. For more information, visit prairieheritagecenter.org or contact Naturalist Abbie Parker at (712) 295-7200 or aparker@obriencounty.iowa.gov.

Learn about foxes at conservation program

O’Brien County Conservation Board is pleased to partner with area libraries to offer a naturalist-led program close to home this winter. This interactive program will last approximately 45 minutes and is suitable for people of all ages.

The topic for January invites participants to learn more about “The Clever Fox.” The fox is a well-known creature that appears in both folklore and pop culture. This month the program will focus on the fox and some of the stories behind this clever animal.

Join the O’Brien County naturalist for this interactive program at 2 p.m. at the following libraries: Paullina Library on Tuesday, Jan. 19; Hartley Library on Wednesday, Jan. 20; and Sanborn Library on Thursday, Jan. 21.

H-M-S menus

Monday, Jan. 18: Breakfast – Cereal, granola bites (9-12), fruit, juice; Lunch – Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, cooked carrots, garlic knot (9-12), peaches.

Tuesday, Jan. 19: Breakfast – Egg/cheese biscuit, fruit, juice; Lunch – Hot ham/cheese, chips, baked beans, baby carrots, applesauce.

Wednesday, Jan. 20: Breakfast – Breakfast pizza, fruit, juice; Lunch – Crispito, lettuce/cheese, red peppers, tomatoes and Spanish rice (9-12), bananas.

Thursday, Jan. 21: Breakfast – Waffles, sausage (9-12), fruit, juice; Lunch – Chicken alfredo, breadstick, broccoli, peas, strawberries.

Friday, Jan. 22: Breakfast – Omelet, toast, fruit, juice; Lunch – Hot dog/bun, fries, green beans, apples.

Milk served with each meal. Fruit/veggie bar served with lunch.

CC/E menus

Monday, Jan. 18: No School – Professional Development.

Tuesday, Jan. 19: Breakfast – French toast, fruit, juice; Lunch – Creamed chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, strawberry cup.

Wednesday, Jan. 20: Breakfast – Banana muffin, fruit, juice; Lunch – Mr. Rib, baked beans, coleslaw, apples.

Thursday, Jan. 21: Breakfast – Egg biscuit, fruit, juice; Lunch – Orange chicken, stir fry vegetables, rice, banana.

Friday, Jan. 22: Breakfast – Donut, fruit, juice; Lunch – Sub sandwich, broccoli, baked chips, applesauce.

Milk is served with each meal.

Book club to discuss ‘The Martian’ in January

Between the Covers Book Club will meet in the front room of Hartley Public Library at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26 to discuss the first book in this year’s lineup. Masks are required and social distancing will be observed.

“The Martian” by Andy Weir is the story of astronaut Mark Watney who is left behind for dead on Mars when a dust storm endangers the lives of the Ares 3 crew and they are forced to evacuate the planet without him.

Left on his own on a cold, desolate planet where oxygen, radiation-shielding material, water, energy and food are in virtually non-existent supply, Watney must determine how he can survive until someone from NASA realizes he needs saving and can come up with a way to do so.

Relying on his engineering skills, resourcefulness, and quirky humor, Watney maneuvers his way through disasters that test his problem-solving skills and menacing circumstances that threaten his existence until a dangerous plan can be devised to save his life.

“The Martian” is Weir’s first novel and is competently researched in the field of conditions on Mars, orbital mechanics, the history of manned spaceflight and botany. A Wall Street Journal reviewer called it the “best pure sci-fi novel in years” when it was published in 2014, and in 2015 it was made into a film starring Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain.