Family Art Cart, Jan. 3, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury. The library supplies instructions for a simple project adults and children can complete together using materials from the library’s art cart. No registration required.
Candlelight Walks, Jan. 3 through Feb. 22, at various state parks. These events feature trails lit at night with candles, lanterns and other luminaries. Depending on the location of the event and the amount of snow cover, visitors can hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski along the lighted trails. While there is no participation fee, a vehicle permit is required to enter Minnesota state parks and recreation areas.
Free Park Entry Tuesday, all Washington County Parks, Tuesday, Jan. 7. On the first Tuesday (non-holiday) of every month, visit any Washington County Park for free. No vehicle permit required.
RHS Book Club, Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury. Discuss this month’s selection, “Until They Bring the Streetcars Back,” by Stanley Gordon West. Open to all.
R.H. Stafford Friday Morning Senior Book Club, Friday, Jan. 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library, Woodbury. This month’s selection is “The Latehomecomer” by Yang Kao Kalia. The Friday Morning Senior Book Club meets on the second Friday of each month. Read the monthly selected title and join us to discuss the book. This book club is free and open to all.
Community Craft Supply Swap, Friday, Jan. 10, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. R.H. Stafford Library, Woodbury. Do you have craft supplies left over from a project you didn’t finish or from one that you didn’t start? Want to refresh your craft supply stash or declutter it? Visit our Community Craft Supply Swap at R.H. Stafford Library! Who knows what you’ll find?! This free two-hour drop-in craft supply swap is while supplies last and depends on donations from our community. If you would like to donate items for the Community Craft Supply Swap, please drop them off at R.H. Stafford Library during open hours through Monday, January 6. All varieties of art and craft supplies that are in good condition will be accepted.
Bird Hike at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Saturday, Jan. 11, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Take part in a guided bird hike at Washington County Parks. Participants have the opportunity to contribute to citizen science data collection by completing bird count surveys. Dress for the weather. We recommend bringing your binoculars, water, snacks and wearing winter hiking shoes or boots.
Step into Civil War History: Learn about “Life as a Civil War Soldier,” Sunday, Jan 12, at 12:30 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 1975 St Johns Dr., Woodbury. Love History? A talk about the Civil War; The Life of a Soldier. Learn about our Woodbury Soldiers who joined. The Woodbury Heritage Society is privileged to have Mike Frain present, “Life of a Civil War Soldier”. The guest speaker, Mr. Mike Frain, has been providing lectures and demonstrations on the American Soldier in the Civil War since 1981. Mr. Frain was in the TV series ‘North and South’ as well as in the 1989 movie, Glory. Free. Open to all. This is the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Woodbury Heritage Society. Box lunches available with advance registration.
Coin Quest, Woodbury parks. Coins will be hidden the weeks of Jan. 13, 20 and 27 in Woodbury’s fifth annual winter medallion hunt. Clues will be provided throughout the week to help seekers find the hidden coin! Follow Woodbury Parks and Recreation and Woodbury MN Police Fire EMS on Facebook to see the clues. The individuals who find each coin will receive the original coin as a keepsake and $100 worth of gift cards to Woodbury businesses. No registration is required and the Coin Quest is open to all Woodbury residents.
Let’s Talk: Writing Your Life Story, Jan. 15, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Eagle Valley Golf Course Banquet Room, Woodbury. Would you like to write about your life to pass on to family members? Perhaps you have already done this. Come with ideas and questions. If you have published, bring your book. Free but please pre-register so we know how many people will be in attendance.
Winter Maker’s Market, Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. Chase away the winter blues with a day in the park! Come to the new Ravine Landing building to browse a curated selection of handcrafted items in our Multipurpose Room. Ski and snowshoe rentals available at the front desk, along with park merchandise and gift cards.
Bridging the Divide: Hopes and Concerns for the Trump Presidency, Tuesday, Jan 28, at 7 p.m., Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Woodbury, MN. Our feelings and thoughts about the outcome of the election are as divided as the election itself. We don’t need to agree, but our democracy will be stronger if we at least understand and respect the other side. Hosted by Braver Angels.
Seussical: The Musical, Jan. 31 through Feb. 8, Open Door Community Theatre. Family friendly performances at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Dr, Woodbury. Save 20% off with code: GRINCH through the month of December.
Winter Constellations Star-Watch Program, Friday, Jan. 31, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Lake Elmo Park Reserve’s Nordic Center. Attendees will get to know constellations such as The Big Bear, Orion the Hunter, Gemini the Twins, and Taurus the Bull, and hear the stories behind them. The event will be hosted by retired WCCO meteorologist Mike Lynch, who has been hosting star-watch events and teaching astronomy for more than 50 years. The group will use large telescopes, among the largest mobile telescopes in Minnesota, for close-up views of the moon, Jupiter, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and other wonders in the winter skies. Participants will receive a handout package with user-friendly star maps and constellation charts, apps, websites, a telescope-buying guide, and more. Dress to be outdoors for the majority of the program. Bring a lawn chair or anything else needed for comfort. Cost is $5 per person. Children aged 6 years old and younger are free.
