Arts briefs: Exhibit spotlights Marine on St. Croix

The Washington County Historic Courthouse in Stillwater will be host to an exhibit titled "Marine on St. Croix 1830s-1930s: One Hundred Years of Change."

The exhibit follows a loose chronological order starting with photos of loggers at work and the tools they used. A Swedish immigrant's log cabin is represented, followed by the fresh white frocks worn by the ladies of Marine.

Presented by a committee from the Stone House Museum in Marine on St. Croix, the installation tells the story of the community on the river from the time the first lumber mill was built until the community's centennial in 1938.

A grand opening of the exhibit is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, and the public is invited to stop by between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to see the exhibit and enjoy light refreshments.

Mary Smith of May Township, director of the Stone House Museum in Marine, developed the exhibit with a committee comprised of Kay Anderson, Isabel Steele, Merilyn Kirby-Cummings, Laurel Smith, and Mark McGinley. Many of the artifacts displayed are part of Mark and Dawn McGinley's private collection. Most of the other items are from the Stone House Museum.

Smith stressed that the museum tries to collect stories, along with the artifacts used in times past, to give life to the collection.

The Stone House Museum, which was built in 1872 by Swedish stone mason Gustav Carlson and is constructed of local stone, now houses artifacts representing the Marine area. The Marine Women's Civic Club, started in 1922, took on the responsibility of caring for the collection at the Stone House, which has been a museum since 1963. The primitives collection is housed in the log cabin.

Simonet was born in Stillwater and enlisted in the Air Force in 1972. He recently retired after serving more than 36 years in the Air Force.

Simonet will speak on the importance of preserving history. With the Washington County Historical Society celebrating its 80th year, Simonet, its treasurer, will pick out unique artifacts from the society's collection that tell the story of the county.

The event is open to the public. Cost is $25 for society members and $35 for nonmembers. Reservations are required. To make reservations or for more information about the event please call 651-439-5956 or visit www.wchsmn.org.

Chuck Logan, author of "South of Shiloh," will be the featured speaker at "Bringing Home the Civil War," a fundraising event for the Stillwater Public Library Foundation starting at 7 p.m. on April 7 at the library, 224 N. 3rd St.

"South of Shiloh" is a mystery novel involving a murder that occurs during a re-enactment of the battle at Kirby Creek near Corinth, Miss. Known for the detailed research that goes into his writing, Logan not only studied the weapons, tactics, battles, and context of the period, he walked in the boots of a Civil War soldier as he joined re-enactment groups in re-­created battles around Corinth.

Admission is $30/person and includes food and drink by Pub 112 and Swirl wine club-shop-bar. Tickets may be purchased online at stillwater publiclibraryfoundation.org, by phoning 651-275-4338 ext. 130, or by e-mailing splfounda tion@gmail.com. Advance registration is required and space is limited.

Stillwater author Spike Carlsen is launching his fourth book, "The Backyard Homestead Book of Building Projects," at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, at the Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd St. N., Stillwater. Carlsen will build a project from the book, examine the resurgence of back-yard ­homesteading and discuss what goes into creating a multifaceted, illustrated book. The event is free and open to the public.

Afterward, Carlsen will host a get-together at his house (220 4th St. S., only five blocks from the library). For directions, call 651-335-3753.

The book contains more than 75 projects geared toward living a more self-sufficient lifestyle — whether it be on a small city lot or 40-acre farm.

For more information visit www.spikecarlsen.com.

Reservations are requested and can be made at denny KOM@frontiernet.net or by calling Denny Seefeldt at 651-433-5999.

At the Sochi Olympics, Diggins placed eighth in the skiathlon, 13th in the individual sprints and 40th in the 30-kilometer freestyle race. She also anchored the ninth-place 4 x 5 relay team.