Anoka County

Historical Society has full slate of events

The roles that Minnesota women played during the Civil War will be the focus of a program Thursday at the Anoka County History Center, 2135 Third Av. N., Anoka. The program, starting at 7 p.m., will look at how women protected their homes, supported the soldiers, and "kept the home fires burning" throughout the war.

It's free and open to the public. No registration is required, but seating is limited.

Several other events are on the Historical Society's schedule in the weeks ahead:

• At 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, a program at the Rum River Library will look at the history of Anoka's state hospital. In addition to the hospital, the program will touch on the debate about the care and treatment of mental illness. The library is located at 4201 6th Av., Anoka

• At 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28, a documentary about the life of Rosalie Wahl, the first woman to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court, will be screened at Circle Pines City Hall, 200 Civic Heights Circle, Circle Pines. The film, "Girl from Birch Creek," follows Wahl's life from Depression-era Kansas through her becoming a supreme court justice. The event will include a look at Wahl's time as a pioneer resident of Circle Pines from 1949-56, as well as a brief membership meeting.

Tickets are $7 ($5 for society members), and registration is required. Call 763-421-0600 or go to anokacountyhistory.org.

Columbia Heights

March 11 will be bluegrass night

"Bluegrass Comes to Columbia Heights" is coming to Murzyn Hall next Wednesday, March 11. The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and will feature the Roe Family Singers, a self-described "good-time, old-time hillbilly band" from Kirkwood Hills, Minn. Joe and Sherri Macko and Vanessa Bray will also perform. In addition to the music, there will be an amateur clog dancing contest.

Admission is free, with a goodwill offering requested. Murzyn Hall is located at 530 Mill St. NE.

Brooklyn Park

Breakfast fundraiser for Tater Daze

An all-you-can-eat waffle breakfast will be held Saturday, March 14, to raise funds for this year's Tater Daze festival.

The breakfast will run from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Brooklyn Park Community Center, 5600 85th Av. N. The 51st annual Tater Daze will take place June 18-21.

The breakfast will include Belgian waffles, eight kinds of syrup, whipped cream, sausage, coffee and orange juice. Tickets are $8 for adults and kids 6 and older, and $4 for kids under 5, They can be bought in advance (for a dollar less) at the Community Center and City Hall (5600 85th Av. N) or online (http://www.brooklynpark.org/events/tater-daze-waffle-breakfast/).

new hope

Food drive runs through March 21

A "Firefighters Fighting Hunger!" food drive continues through March 21. The drive, organized by the West Metro Fire-Rescue District, seeks nonperishable food items and monetary donations to benefit The Food Group (formerly the Emergency Foodshelf Network). Items can be dropped off weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Station 3 in New Hope, 4251 Xylon Av. N. They also can be dropped off at that station or Station 1 (5354 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal) or Station 2 (4101 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal) any time crews are present.

On Saturday, March 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., West Metro will have fire vehicles at several grocery stores, including Almsted's Fresh Market, Crystal Aldi, Crystal Target, and the Cub Foods on 36th Ave. N. in Crystal and 42nd Ave. N. in Plymouth.

north metro

MEA Teacher of the Year semifinalists

Several teachers from the north metro area are among 30 semifinalists for Education Minnesota's Teacher of the Year award. Later this month, the field will be narrowed again to about 10 finalists. Semifinalists from the north metro include: Susan Zemlin, Blaine High School vocal music teacher; Kathryn Oberg, Otsego Elementary School; Ann St. Clair, Sonnesyn Elementary School, New Hope.

Staff reports