A Savage resident's historical novel about a perilous trek from the Dakota Territory to St. Paul in 1862 will the subject of an author talk at the LeDuc Historic Estate in Hastings on Feb. 23.

"Ox Cart Angel" by Joel Arnold, the literary director of the Savage Arts Council, won a Midwest Book Award for best young adult novel in 2012. The plot involves a girl and her father setting out along the trail with a one-horned ox and a squeaky cart, braving bad weather, packs of wolves, rivers, hunger and exhaustion along the way.

Arnold will discuss his writing style and his motivation to write, and he'll read passages from his book as well as sign and sell copies.

The event is 1 p.m. at the estate, 1629 Vermillion St. in Hastings. A $2 donation is requested.

BURNSVILLE

'Uff-da' meets 'I do' in show

Ole and Lena are back on the Burnsville Performing Arts Center stage next Sunday in "Ole & Lena's 50th Wedding Anniversary & Vow Renewal."

The synopsis: "When Lena saw a couple renew their vows on 'Dr. Phil,' she decided that's what she and Ole were going to do for their 50th wedding anniversary, but the only thing on Ole's mind these days is the Lodge's ice fishing tournament and how he and his neighbor, Sven, are going to win the whole deal."

The show is a follow-up to "Ole & Lena's Family Christmas," which had two performances in December. The performance is at 2 p.m. Feb. 16. Tickets are $20, and the show is for all ages.

Tickets are available at the arts center's box office, by phone at 1-800-982-2787 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. The center is at 12600 Nicollet Av., Burnsville.

STAFF REPORTS

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