“All About Insects,” a National Park Service “bioblitz,” will be held Saturday, June 27, from 1-5 p.m. at Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, Minn.

The event is free, but vehicles entering the park require a Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit that can be purchased at the park office.

A bioblitz is an intensive survey, led by biologists, to count as many species as possible in a particular area within a defined period of time. Participants in the June 27 event can become citizen scientists, joining insect experts in identifying insect species.

For additional information go to www.nps.gov/sacn/learn/nature/bioblitz, or call 651-465-5711.

Newport

Newman will advise Historic Courthouse

Mary Ann Newman, Newport, will serve on the Washington County Historic Courthouse Advisory Council, after the County Board made the appointment June 2.

Newman will be the District 4 representative to the council, and was recommended by Commissioner Karla Bigham from that district. She will serve a partial term that expires Dec. 31, 2015.

The council reviews operational and long-range plans of the courthouse’s use and restoration.

Washington County

Foster care providers recognized for service

Washington County recently honored foster care providers at a May event.

Recognized for providing care for five years are:

• Cecilia Erdmann, who lives in Mahtomedi and cares for adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness.

• Dan and Francene Myhra, who live in Pine Springs and cares for adults with developmental disabilities.

Recognized for 10 years:

• Sheryl and Paul Nickle, who live in Cottage Grove. They are 30-day stay providers and have cared for young adults with mental illnesses.

• Diana O’Neil, who lives in Woodbury and has provided foster care to people with mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities.

• Hollie and Dan Wolfgram, who live in Cottage Grove and provide care to four people with intellectual disabilities.

Recognized for 15 years:

• Donna Bauman, who lives in Forest Lake and provides care to the elderly.

• Carol Hop-Warren, who lives in Stillwater and provides full-time care to a friend who suffered a brain aneurysm.

• Bonnie and Mike Knajdek, who live in Woodbury and are dually licensed for adult and child foster care. They have cared for more than 30 people in 15 years.

Recognized for 20 years:

• Ron and Cheryl Istvanovich, who live in Hugo and care for adults with developmental disabilities and mental health illnesses.

• Bill and Karol Krier, who live in Forest Lake and care for adults with developmental disabilities.

Recognized for 25 years:

• James and Nancy Anderson, who live in Forest Lake and have provided care to children and adults through a private agency and Washington County since 1989. They serve child and adults with developmental disabilities.

• Kris and David Lindsay, who live in Cottage Grove. During the past 25 years, Kris has provided care to countless children and young adults in her home.

Honored for their first year of service are:

Anne and Francois Ahimou of Woodbury; Linda Archambault of Woodbury; Mitchell Azariah and Stephanie Tesch of Oakdale; Brenda and Kyle Benning of Woodbury; Carol Blake of Forest Lake; Rick Coates of Cottage Grove; Samantha Coleman of Cottage Grove; Elizabeth Doyle of Woodbury; Sheana Dyrnil of Forest Lake; Ken and Janice Ellis of Bayport; Debbie Emery of Forest Lake; Lona Harris of Oakdale; Coral and Joe Haselbauer of Scandia; Jennifer and Mathew Hazzard of Hugo; Alla Kazi of Woodbury; Becky and Keith Knefelkamp of Lakeland; Cindy Kyles of Oakdale; Mersha Landrum of Woodbury; Carrie and Tim Moore of Woodbury; Melinda and Michael Myers of Oakdale; Kristine Olness of Oakdale; Donald Patraw and Brenda Xiong of Oakdale; Palu Rodriguez of Forest Lake; Stacy Roloff of Cottage Grove; Laura and Jeff Schleh of Cottage Grove; Larry and Karen Stang of Lake Elmo; Corrine and Justin Stephenson of Woodbury; Toni Turnquist of Newport; Jessica and Scott Vadnais of Cottage Grove;  Melanie Walters and Neal Meier of Cottage Grove; Evermay Wanless of Oakdale.

Oakdale

City merges July 4, Summerfest events

Rather than holding two separate events within weeks of one another, Oakdale has added its July 4 fireworks show to the lineup of its annual community event, Summerfest, held June 25-27. In addition, the concert typically held on July 4 has also been moved to Summerfest, held in Walton Park, along with the food vendors.

Kevin Giles