Arts briefs: Ice cream social will be just like old times in Stillwater

Winter has struck with a vengeance this year, but rather than curse it, folks at the Washington County Historical Society are embracing it and recounting old times in the process.

On Saturday, the society will turn back the clock to the 1950s, when ice cream socials in the dead of winter drew thousands of people to the St. Croix Boom Site, Lowell Park and Lily Lake in Stillwater.

The gatherings eventually melted away, but the Historical Society has revived the tradition because "this event brings together our history and community," said Executive Director Brent Peterson. "What a great way to celebrate the place where we live, enjoy our neighbors, have fun with all the snow and eat ice cream to boot."

For the third straight year, local businesses will supply free ice cream, cones and coffee from noon to 4 p.m. in Lowell Park. Chili will be available for a nominal fee. There also will be a bonfire to keep attendees warm, and, weather permitting, Aamodts' will display a hot air balloon -- sorry, no rides, however.

Although the fete is free, the Historical Society will accept donations. For more information, call 651-439-5956.

A chance to cut looseCabin fever setting in? Kids have pent-up energy? Get out of the house and head to the Inspiration Dance Academy's Winter Dance Party.

Miss Katie & Dancin' Kids headline the event, which also includes arts and crafts and treats. The fun runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the studio, 5701 Hadley Av. N.

Author has a message of healing and hopeRetired Century College counselor Meg Corrigan grew up with an alcoholic mother. As a young adult, she was the victim of sexual assault. Later she married a musician, but 19 years later the relationship ended in divorce.

Corrigan recounts her experiences in her recently published book, "Then I Am Strong: Moving from My Mother's Daughter to God's Child." She said she wrote the memoir because "I want people to know that they can survive and thrive despite parental neglect, alcoholism, sexual assault and divorce."

She will lead a discussion at 11 a.m. Thursday in the West Campus Theater, 3300 Century Av. N. The event is free.

Family movie nightThe animated adventure comedy "Toy Story" was one of the top movies of 1995. Catch it at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Central Park Amphitheater, 8595 Central Park Place.

Featuring the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Don Rickles, the movie is the story of a cowboy toy threatened and jealous when a fancy new spaceman toy supplants him as his boy-owner's top plaything.