Minnesota in World War II with Col. Don Patton, Thursday, Mar. 20, at the Stillwater Event Center, 1910 S. Greeley Street – next door to the Washington County Heritage Center. World War II Roundtable President Col. Don Patton will be the featured speaker for the Washington County Historical Society Annual Meeting. He will highlight the Minnesotans who played major roles during WWII and contributions from companies on the home front. Col. Patton was the Commander of the 882nd Personnel Service Company, Commander of the 407th Civil Affairs Battalion and Commander, 13th Psyops Battalion. He retired after 30 years of Service as Colonel. Social hour at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the annual meeting at 7:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and the cost is $25 for WCHS members and $30 for nonmembers. Seating is limited and organizers expect a large attendance. Reservations are required in advance.

Spring Equinox Forest Bathing, Saturday, Mar. 22, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. 9653 Keats Avenue South Cottage Grove, Minn. Experience an ancient wellness practice being rediscovered anew in the 21st century. Join us on an immersive, meditative, and awe-inspiring Japanese forest bathing experience (Shinrin-Yoku). See first-hand how nature’s fractals, sounds, and sensations reduce your stress and anxiety, and enhance your focus. Give yourself permission to slow down and connect your senses to the healing beauty of our county’s green forested spaces. Space is limited. Cost: $45/person each session. A Washington County park vehicle permit is required ($7/daily or $30/annual).

METRO Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Woodlane Park & Ride, 1100 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury. Join representatives from the State of Minnesota, the federal delegation, and Ramsey and Washington counties on Saturday, March 22, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration:

• 10-11 a.m. – Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Woodlane Park & Ride
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Community celebration activities, including music and entertainment, games and activities for kids and families, Gold Line swag, and giveaways at Woodlane Park & Ride and Sun Ray Park & Ride (362 Pedersen St., St. Paul, Minn.)

METRO Gold Line is Minnesota’s first BRT line that operates primarily within lanes dedicated only for use by transit.

Dog Adoption Event, Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to noon, Valley Creek Mall, 1750 Weir Dr, Woodbury. Join Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue to meet some amazing adoptable dogs!

Tenth Annual Short Film Festival & Food Drive, Sunday, Mar. 23, at 5 p.m. at Woodbury 10 Theatre, 1470 Queens Drive. Admission to see local short films is two canned goods per person. Click the link for a list of films.

Woodbury’s Century Farms Educational Session, Wednesday, Mar. 26, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Eagle Valley Golf Course Banquet Room, 2600 Double Eagle Ln, Woodbury. Hosted by Wayne Schilling and Tom Bielenberg. Tom and Wayne serve on the Woodbury Heritage Society Board and grew up on Century Farms, meaning their families farmed in Woodbury for over 100 years. Tom is the son of Woodbury’s first mayor, Orville Bielenberg, and Wayne Schilling was the last dairy farmer in Woodbury. This is a partnership between the City of Woodbury Parks and Recreation with the Woodbury Heritage Society. This session is free but registration would be appreciated: (651) 714-3583.

2025 Woodbury Community EXPO, Saturday, April 5, 2025, Woodbury High School. A vibrant, family-friendly event celebrating 16 years! Explore over 150 local business and organization booths.

• Main Stage & Community Stage Entertainment – Experience family-friendly, high energy shows
  Vehicle Fair- Feel like a kid again and climb inside police cars, a fire truck, City trucks from large and small to construction equipment and the Bloodmobile
  Kids Area – Entertain the kids for FREE with a bounce house, face painting, science experiments, animal zone, and giveaways
  Food Area – Stop by the food area to satisfy your craving with a variety of food options from the Woodbury area

Community Day of Service: A Day of Giving Back, Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to noon, Inver Grove Heights Community Center, 8055 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, Minn. The Lions Clubs of Cottage Grove, Hastings Rivertown, South St. Paul, South St. Paul Southwest Lioness, St. Paul Park Newport, and Woodbury are inviting the community to join them for a Community Day of Service. This free event offers families and individuals the chance to get involved in a variety of hands-on service projects that make a meaningful impact on the community. In addition, children can receive free vision screenings during the event.

Event highlights:

• Snack packs: Help assemble snack packs for kids who need a little extra food.
• Eco-friendly seed pots: Roll up your sleeves and create fun, eco-friendly seed pots—and take one home to enjoy!
• Fleece blankets: Craft cozy fleece blankets for children in need within our community.
• Greeting cards: Send some joy by making cheerful cards for seniors in your area.
• Hypoglycemia kits: Pack essential kits for individuals with diabetes who require extra care.

For questions or more information about the event, please contact Lion Dennis K at [email protected].

Many Fronts: Poetry and Memorials at the Capitol Mall, Friday, April 18, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., provides participants an opportunity to reflect on the experiences and perspectives of service members, veterans, and civilians in how we understand the nature of military conflicts, and how the public remembers and interprets the experience of war and service through memorials, monuments, and ekphrastic poetry. The program will include an interactive writing activity and participants will have the opportunity to share their stories and experiences. Participants will meet in the Veterans Service Building and then walk to the Lower Capitol Mall, where most of the program will occur. Most of this event will take place outdoors, weather permitting. In case of inclement weather, the program will be conducted indoors at the Veterans Service Building. This event is presented in partnership with Veterans Telling Stories – a Minnesota-based nonprofit and Warrior Writers, a national nonprofit. Free but registration is required.