Briefs: Author of 'One Room Schools' speaks at Washington County museum

The Washington County Historical Society will present its fourth installment of the "Hay Lake Speaker Series" on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 2 p.m. Susan Apps-Bodilly, author of "One Room Schools: Stories from the Days of 1 Teacher, 1 Room, & 8 Grades," will talk about one-room schools throughout history.

In her book, Apps-Bodilly chronicles life in Wisconsin's early country schools, detailing experiences of students, the role of the teacher, and examples of the curriculum, including the importance of Wisconsin School of the Air radio programs. She describes the duties that children had besides their schoolwork, from cleaning the erasers and sweeping cobwebs out of the outhouse to carrying in wood for the stove. She also tells what led to the closing of one-room schools.

Games and free tours of the museum begin at noon.

The Hay Lake School Museum is situated at 14020 195th St. N., Marine on St. Croix. Contact Dustyn Dubuque at dustyn.dubuque@hotmail.com or 651-433-4019 with any questions.

Our Community Kitchen will be providing lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Community Thread in Stillwater, every Wednesday from Aug. 26 to Sept. 30. Volunteers are needed.

The public can attend this donation-based meal. The menu will change each week and can be found at www.ourcommunitykitchen.org. For more information or to volunteer, contact Community Thread at 651-439-7434 or www.CommunityThreadMN.org. Community Thread is at 2300 Orleans St. W., Stillwater.

Washington County will administer a special election in Grant on Oct. 13.

Washington County provided a joint powers agreement to the city in July, and the City Council approved the agreement, also in July.

The agreement provides for election administration services only and will terminate after the election. The county will receive $6,100 to offset costs.

Washington County will add a parcel of land on the east side of Lake Elmo Park Reserve after the Washington County Board approved the purchase Aug. 11.

The $253,000 purchase of the property at 1446 Lake Elmo Av. was initiated by the owner. An appraisal was completed and an offer was made to the landowner. It's the second parcel added to the park within a month.

Money from the Land and Water Legacy will pay for the land. The county will ask the Metropolitan Council to reimburse the fund for 75 percent of the cost, or $189,750.

There is a $12 administration fee requested for each immunization, but no one who is eligible will be turned away if unable to pay. Clinics will be:

• 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, Washington County Government Center, fourth floor WIC Clinic, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater, by appointment only. Call 651-430-4036 to schedule.

• 10 a.m. to noon and 2-4 p.m. Sept. 2, Cottage Grove Service Center-WIC Clinic, 13000 Ravine Parkway, Cottage Grove, by appointment only. Call 651-430-4036 to schedule.

For any questions, call 651-430-6655 and ask to speak with a public health nurse.

The Washington County Board has recommended to the Minnesota Department of Revenue that tax-forfeited land parcels be conveyed to cities that propose a public use for them. The county received requests from:

• Forest Lake for one parcel, for a park;

• Mahtomedi for one parcel, for a trail;

• Stillwater for one parcel, for a public road or right of way; and

• Willernie for one parcel, for a public road or right of way.

The County Board also approved the sale of a parcel of tax-forfeited land that the city of Hugo will purchase for $500; the city's water and sanitation lines run through the property.

The Washington County Board has accepted cash donations of $4,096.76 and in-kind donations worth $3,337 for the second quarter of 2015.

Several book groups and individuals contributed money to the Washington County Library to add materials to the collection. The Sheriff's Office received money for park patrol.

The county received $1,300 for the Veterans Emergency Fund, and $2,700 to use as talent show prize money and refreshments for the annual Ice Cream Social and Talent Show. The county also received numerous gift certificates to give to foster care providers at the annual recognition event.

Hardrives Inc. will do a pavement preservation project on County Road 39, or Hastings and Hadley avenues, in St. Paul Park and Cottage Grove. The work, costing $864,425.54, will replace pavement from County Road 22 (Summit Avenue) to Hwy. 61 in the two cities.