Author, artist and professional photographer Carol Seefeldt will lead a nature photography workshop at 10 a.m. Saturday at William O'Brien State Park, 12 miles north of Stillwater on Hwy. 95 near Marine on St. Croix.

Seefledt, owner of Seefeldt Photography, will give a PowerPoint talk about how to take "the perfect nature photo," then take participants into the field for hands-on experience.

The class is designed for all ages, and especially beginners. Participants can bring their own digital cameras or use one of the 12 that the park owns. There is no charge for the class, but a daily park entrance pass, which costs $5, or an annual pass, which costs $25, is required.

To reserve a camera or sign up for the class, call 651-433-0500.

STILLWATER

Drum making workshop ThursdayArtist, designer and spiritual director Lisa Gidlow Moriarity will lead a session called "Drum Making: An Art and Spirit Workshop" from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Arcola Mills.

Arcola Mills is a scenic retreat at 12905 N. Arcola Trail that offers activities that focus on the arts, nature, science and history. Participants will create a handcrafted drum that can be played for fun or for family or sacred ceremonies.

Cost of the workshop is $100. Call 651-439-1652 for more information.

WHITE BEAR LAKE

Lake Elmo author to sign debut novelA teenage boy decides to run high school track in hopes of winning a chance at love with a girl whose former boyfriend is the team's star mile runner. Through a series of events, his goal of winning the conference mile run is put in jeopardy and requires his farm family to discover the true meaning of sacrifice, forgiveness and love.

That's the plot of Lake Elmo author Jim Trevis' first novel, "A Mile of Dreams." Trevis will sign copies of his book at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square in White Bear Lake.

For more information, call 651-426-0918.

Theater offers live season previewLakeshore Players is doing more than just announcing its upcoming season -- it's going to act it out.

The theater has rounded up actors from across the Twin Cities who will perform short takes from each of the six productions on its schedule for 2011-12, which is the Players' 59th season.

Called "Theatre on a Schtick," the evening of food, fun and previews will take place at 6 p.m. Friday in the Manitou Station Banquet Room, 2171 4th St. in White Bear Lake. Tickets are $35. For more information, call 651-429-5674.

TIM HARLOW