Stargazing on tap at William O'Brien State Park

The night skies are filled with wonder, and amateur astronomer Kenny Bahmer will point out those wonders during a program called "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Bahmer will talk about stars, constellations, nebulas and galaxies starting at 9 p.m. Saturday at William O'Brien State Park, 12 miles north of Stillwater on Hwy. 95.

After the presentation, participants will go outside and use telescopes to "tour" the night sky. The program is free, but a $5 daily vehicle permit or a $25 yearly pass is required for park entrance. For information call 651-433-0500.

Free Archery in the Parks class offered Certified archery instructors will lead a hands-on class for all ages at 1 p.m. Sunday at William O'Brien State Park. Children 15 and younger need to be accompanied by an adult. Bows and arrows will be provided as part of the Archery in the Parks program sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The program is free, but a $5 daily park vehicle permit or a $25 yearly pass is required. Information: 651-433-0500.

Local author will sign at Valley Bookseller Pat Ferguson Hanson served as a U.S. diplomat in tumultuous Greece where, from 1975 to 1978, her job as an assistant cultural attache with the Foreign Services Institute was to help smooth things over by exposing Greece's intelligentsia to American culture. She recorded her experiences in her latest memoir, "It Was Greek to Me," published at the end of last year.

Hanson will talk about her book and sign copies at 2 p.m. Saturday at Valley Bookseller, 217 N. Main St.

Pickin' and plunkin' at bluegrass gathering The Gammelgården Museum invites musicians of all abilities to drop in and play as part of a pick-up bluegrass concert. The occasion is Bluegrass and Lemonade in the Shade, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and the fourth Sunday of the month in July, August and September. There's no charge for playing or listening, and there will be free lemonade.

Guided tours of the museum, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary of promoting Swedish immigrant heritage and history, will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5. The museum is at 20880 N. Olinda Trail. Call 651-433-5053.

Lehto & Wright to play at Lakeside Park The Minneapolis-based duo of Steven Lehto and John Wright released their eighth full-length project earlier this year. Look for them to play numbers from that project, "Dominion of the Sword," and the fan favorite, "Shenandoah" at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lakeside Park.

The concert is free and part of the city's Arts in the Park series. For information see www.forestlakeparks.net.

Tim Harlow

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