East metro briefs: Courthouse Ice Cream Social set

An evening of family fun will be presented at the 14th annual "Ice Cream Social and Amateur Talent Show" from 4:30 p.m. to dusk on Thursday, July 17, at the Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 Pine St. W, Stillwater

Visitors can enjoy children's activities and the Fantasy Corral petting zoo while taking in the view of the St. Croix River and downtown Stillwater. Food, 25-cent root beer floats, penny candy, beverages and more will be available for purchase.

The Amateur Talent Show begins at 6 p.m. and features a variety of acts from throughout the valley. In the event of rain, it will be held indoors in the Historic Courthouse courtroom.

For more information, call 651-275-7075, see www.co.washington.mn.us/hc or e-mail historiccourthouse@co.washington.mn.us.

"An Ode to Stillwater: The John Runk Films," a documentary on Stillwater and local filmmaker John Runk, will make its broadcast premiere at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 13, on TPT Channel 2. It will be rebroadcast several times on other TPT stations as well.

Nearly six years ago, Runk's grandnephew, Jim Runk, donated 8-millimeter film taken by John Runk from 1947 to 1954 to the Washington County Historical Society. Among the many distinct historic scenes that John Runk filmed in his hometown were those of the Marine Ferry Crossing in operation; a Loggers' baseball game against St. Paul Park; the Stillwater Country Club; Stillwater's downtown business district just after the end of World War II; Pioneer and Lowell Parks; and ice cutting on the St. Croix River.

Runk also filmed events elsewhere in the state. Runk filmed scenes from the Minnesota State Fair from 1949-1951, including the plane crash that killed Kitty Middleton, a wing walker, and her pilot. He also captured footage of the last day trolley cars ran on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis.

"An Ode to Stillwater" will air on TPT Statewide Channel at the following times: 7 p.m. July 13; 3 a.m., 9 a.m., 3 p.m., 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 16; and 1 a.m., 7 a.m., 1 p.m. Sunday, July 20. It will be shown on TPT Life at noon Sunday, July 20.

The John Runk Films are for sale at the Washington County Historical Society's Warden's House in downtown Stillwater or online. For more information contact the Washington County Historical Society at 651-439-5956 or visit www.wchsmn.org.

Registration is now open for the "Danielle Mary Jelinek 5K Run-Walk," to be held Aug. 9 at Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4444 Hadley Ave. The event will honor Danielle Jelinek and raise money for the Domestic Abuse Project (DAP).

Jelinek, 27, who grew up in Cottage Grove, lived in Oakdale when she disappeared in December 2012. Her body was found in a marshy area not far from her home the following May. In December 2013, a man Jelinek knew was indicted on a charge of murder for providing her with the illegal drugs that killed her.

Jelinek had been an avid runner and fitness enthusiast who was passionate about good health. She participated in and completed the Tough Mudder competition, ran many 5K races and was a member of Life Time Fitness for years. The 5K Run-Walk was created by her family and friends to celebrate her love of running and keeping fit.

The Afton Area Business Association (AABA) is calling for artists and crafters who want to be part of the 36th annual Afton Art in the Park on Sept. 27-28. The two-day, outdoor festival takes place in the central town square park.

Last year, more than 10,000 people attended the event and more than 70 vendors showcased jewelry, ceramics, photography, woodwork, crafts, sculptures and more.

Only handmade artwork will be accepted. The deadline to apply is Aug. 30. For an application and more information visit: www.AftonArtFair.com.

"Minnesota Professional Wrestling: From Then To Now" will be the next topic of the Hay Lake Speaker Series at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at the Hay Lake Schoolhouse, just east of the corner of Olinda Trail N. and Old Marine Trail, 1 mile south of Scandia.

John Devine, a St. Peter, Minn., native who wrestles under the name Horace the Psychopath, will give the presentation.

Those who garden, take photos, do crafts or needlework, or partake in other hobbies, can submit entries from 4-9 p.m. July 28, or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 29. To get more information, go online at www.washingtoncountyfair.org or call Dorie Ostertag, fair manager/coordinator, at 651-436-6009.

Business owners also are invited to the fair, which annually draws about 55,000 visitors. For information on exhibiting or obtaining an application, contact Ostertag or e-mail: otag@aol.com

Lakeshore Players Theatre is holding auditions for "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," a musical blending of Charles Dickens and Agatha Christie about the title character disappearing mysteriously one stormy Christmas Eve.

Auditions will be 7-9:30 p.m. Monday, July 14, and Tuesday, July 15 at the theater, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake. No appointments are necessary. Callbacks will be 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17.

Participants should download and complete the audition form at www.lakeshoreplayers.com/, and bring sheet music for a ballad.

She will play literacy games, examine bugs and read a bug book, along with offering ideas on how to encourage children to read. She also will be selling her book set ($13) and donate $1 from each sale to the Washington County Library system.