Briefs: 'Backyard' history program planned

Washington County is steeped in a rich history including American Indians, voyageurs, lumbering, the Civil War, politics, outlaws, farming and more.

That history will be observed at a free event April 3.

The public can experience "History in Your Backyard" from noon to 3 p.m. at the Washington County Historic Courthouse. Representatives from historical associations and sites will talk about their communities, organizations and buildings -- and the historic features and events that make them unique.

Visitors also can learn about history of county government, visit the old county jail, view an exhibit entitled "North vs. South -- A Civil War Sesquicentennial Exhibit," participate in an architectural scavenger hunt and more. Children can play with old-fashioned toys.

For more information, call 651-275-7075, see www.co.washington.mn.un/hc or e-mail historiccourthouse@co.washington.mn.us. The Historic Courthouse is at the intersection of Third Street South and Pine Street in Stillwater.

Clear your shelves of unwanted booksThe Friends of the Stillwater Public Library is accepting donations of novels, mysteries and nonfiction titles for its April Book Sale. Volunteers will accept tax-deductible donations between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and April 9 at the library, 223 N. 3rd St.

No world record, but food drive fills shelvesOne of the largest food drives ever held in the St. Croix Valley fell short of setting a world record, but it did help fill up the shelves at four food banks that serve residents of Washington County and western Wisconsin. Volunteers from Stillwater's Trinity Lutheran Church put on the "St. Croix Valley Guinness Book of World Records Food Drive" and collected more than 80,229 pounds of food and personal products. The drive also brought in $21,000.

The donations will be distributed to the Hudson Food Bank, Valley Outreach, St. Jude/Mahtomedi Area Food Shelf and St. Michael's Catholic Church Food Shelter. Items were collected Feb. 1 through March 11, then brought to Valley Outreach on March 12. The volunteers had hoped to collect 509,154 pounds of food to set the record for the largest food drive in a single day.

Two named to serve on watershed boardJack Lavold, Cottage Grove, and Michael Madigan, Woodbury, were named to the South Washington County Watershed District by the Washington County Board of Commissioners at its meeting March 22. Their nominations were submitted by the communities that they will represent. They will both serve three-year terms expiring May 1, 2014.

Watershed districts are required by state law. Their purpose is to carry out conservation of the natural resources of the state through land utilization, flood control and other needs based upon sound scientific principles for the protection of the public health and welfare and provident use of natural resources.

City to present free landscape workshopThe 13th annual Sustainability and Landscape Workshop begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Woodbury City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Road.

Participants can learn how to landscape their yards to attract native wildlife and have gardens certified by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).

The workshop is free and open to the public. No reservations are necessary. The workshop is sponsored by the Woodbury Environmental Advisory Commission, a volunteer group of local citizens. For more information, call City Hall at 651-714-3500.

Law library begins free legal workshopsThe Washington County Law Library kicks off its new series of legal workshops designed to give people hands-on experience with finding and accessing forms and documents electronically with a session on "Conciliation Court Basics."

Attorney Ellen Longfellow from Longfellow Training & Legal Services will give a brief introduction on what is often referred to as "small claims" court, then show participants how to use the Internet to find legal information from a variety of sources.

The free seminar will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place. A limited number of laptop computers will be available by reservation, but participants can bring their own. The monthly "Librarians Lending a Hand -- Teaching the Public how to find and use Legal Resources" will continue April 27 with a session on "Unmarried Parents' Rights" and May 18 with "Divorce Basics." For information call 651-275-8510.

A call for area artists for annual May FairThe Afton Area Business Association is accepting applications from artists who wish to display their wares during the 19th annual Afton May Fair. The event, which runs May 21-22 in the city's town square and along nearby streets, attracts about 65 artists and also features jazz and folk music, a pie baking contest and children's activities. Information is available at www.aftonmayfair.com or info@afton-mn.com.

Program to honor Vietnam vetsFormer KSTP-TV news anchor Stan Turner will serve as master of ceremonies for the fourth annual Forest Lake Vietnam Veterans Day program Sunday at the Forest Lake American Legion Post No. 225, 355 W. Broadway.

Festivities start at 1:30 p.m. with the Naval Sea Cadet youth color guard and members of the Forest Lake High School Choir, followed by a salute to local war veterans and Gold Star mothers and relatives who lost loved ones in the Vietnam Conflict. The event also will include a presentation, "Our Soldiers Story." For more information call 651-464-2600.

TIM HARLOW, JIM ANDERSON