Briefs: Denmark Township celebrates oldest resident

The Denmark Township Historical Society will honor its oldest resident, Mary Frost Thurmes, at 7 p.m. Feb. 19, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church Guild Hall, 8435 St. Croix Trail S. (County Road 21).

She has lived in the township since her birth in 1915, except for three years spent in Hastings after she married Henry Thurmes in 1942. The free public celebration will include a PowerPoint presentation and refreshments.

Thurmes loves to bake, especially chocolate cakes, and enjoys stitchery. Her earliest memory of Denmark Township is that neighbors were always willing to help one another. She attended Basswood Grove Elementary School, then located next to St. Mary's Church, and was active in 4-H. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1933 and taught school until 1970. She played the piano, clarinet and violin. She fondly remembers attending pie socials, square dances and card parties in the neighborhood.

Mary and her husband had seven children, and now she has 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She also raised foster children.

She passed on a piece of advice for this generation: "Don't be too hasty in making decisions. Enjoy life. It's too short!"

City begins survey of 400 residentsA Minneapolis polling firm, Decision Resources, has begun calling Woodbury residents and asking them to participate in the city's 2013 community survey.

Through the survey, 400 randomly selected residents rate city services and the quality of life in Woodbury. The feedback helps track the city's performance.

To view results from previous surveys, visit www.ci.woodbury.mn.us/government-sp-1071850479/community-surveys.

Woodbury Lakes adds two businessesThe Woodbury Lakes retail center at 9020 Hudson Road has announced the addition of two businesses.

Knox Jewelers, a family-owned and operated business specializing in custom jewelry, has opened on Main Street between Regis Salon and Victoria's Secret.

And Sola Salon Studios, the fastest growing salon franchise in the nation, will open its fourth Twin Cities-area location in Woodbury early this summer.

Sola was established in 2003 in Colorado and has more than 100 locations in 25 states; it serves more than 3,000 beauty professionals nationwide.

Home, garden show to have 80 exhibitorsThe fourth annual Stillwater Home and Garden Show will take place March 23 at Rutherford Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The free event will feature more than 80 landscape and home improvement exhibitors as well as demonstrations.

"We had a great show last year with twice as many exhibitors and attendees enjoying the day's activities, exhibits and presentations," said Dolly Parker, event administrator. "We are excited to incorporate more hands-on activities for kids this year and even more exhibitors than previous years."

The Stillwater Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for exhibitors, presenters and sponsors.

Playground task force seeks applicantsCottage Grove is seeking applicants for a citizen task force that will look into the possibility of creating an inclusive playground in the city.

Health care professionals, parents of children living with challenges, child advocates, educators, researchers and community supporters are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should contact Molly Pietruszewski at 651-458-3404 or mpietruszewski@cottage-grove.org by March 2.

"We're proud of our existing parks and playgrounds and want everyone to enjoy them," said Mayor Myron Bailey. "The addition of an inclusive playground would let all kids join in the fun, no matter what their ability, instead of sitting on the sidelines watching. "

Expert will speak on 'Confident Networking'Teresa Thomas, director of Minnesota Women In Networking, will speak on "Confident Networking" in a program by the Cottage Grove Area Women's Business Development Group at 7:45 a.m. on Friday at Norris Square Presbyterian Homes, 8200 Hadley Av. S. in Cottage Grove.

In this interactive question-and-answer session, Thomas, a networking expert, will answer questions about mastering the basics of networking.

Indoor garage sale will have 25 sellersTwenty-five individual sellers will fill the Oakdale Discovery Center for the annual indoor garage sale to sell clothes, books, home décor, toys and more from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 23.