Prairie Restorations provides homeowners and organizations with the resources to recreate their own prairies – very cool! We are attempting to do that on the back acre of our property. Growing anything in the sands of Orrock is difficult, so we figured why not let the things that grow do so naturally!

I’m anxious to see all the Prairie Day activities – it should be fun!

Here is the information from their site:

Prairie Day has been scheduled for August 20, 2011.

After a 3 year hiatus, we are very excited for the arrival of Prairie Day this August 20th from 9am to 3pm. Typically held in July, this year’s event is being held in late August so that visitors can experience the late summer beauty of the prairie. This is also the time of year when the farm is gearing up for the all-important fall harvest.

Scheduled Events:

10:00 & 11:00: University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center
10:30: Story telling with Doug Wood
12:00: “Minnesota Bounds” Bill Sherck
12:30: Monarch butterfly release
1:00: Live music by Douglas Wood & The Wild Spirit Band
2:00: “Important Life of Bees” by the University of Minnesota Bee Lab with Dr. Spivak and Elaine Evans

Kids Activities:
Scavenger hunt with prizes
Face painting
Crafts
Story telling

Other Attractions:
Farm Tours
Grass Maze
Guided Plant Walks

Representatives from other Organizations:
Bluebird Recovery Program of Minnesota
Sherburne County SWCD
University of Minnesota Bee Lab
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Food and beverages will be available for purchase – provided by the Princeton Wrestling Booster Club.

For any questions please call 763-389-4342

Visit the Prairie Restorations website at:

http://www.prairieresto.com/

It is being held on and around the grounds of the Holiday Inn right off 169 as you are leaving Elk River heading south. Parking was plentiful last year, as they used the open field north of the hotel as a parking lot. It was kinda fun, as they had a couple of tractors pulling open carriages as shuttles to and from the event. It really wasn’t that far anyway, but the kids seemed to enjoy it.

Unfortunately, we will be picking up our children that weekend from Tennessee, so we will miss it. Headlining this year will be Travis Tritt and the Marshall Tucker Band. Pretty cool, huh? Here is a link to the event site for additional information.

http://otsegojamfest.com

Along with the CERT display, the local ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) had members there to promote the great work they do to help Sherburne County be prepared in the event of an emergency. Amateur, or “ham” radio operators are uniquely prepared to offer communication services when normal communication modes are unavailable or inoperative. Land phone lines and cell phones work only if the infrastructure exists (phone lines, cell towers), where as ham radios operate independently, therefore offering a back up to the more common methods of communication.

We had a good time getting to know some of the ARES group, and meet members of the community who stopped by. Unfortunately, the rainy weather kept fair attendance down on Thursday, but I’m sure the drier weather will bring them back out these remaining days of the fair.

Come on out and stop by the Sheriff’s building (right next to the 4 H building) to see what we do, and hopefully encourage some of you to join our group.

(Click on each picture to see a larger version)

Wristbands for unlimited games are available for $15 ($10 each additional). Individual tickets are also available. Come on down this Friday, May 6th, to Meadowvale Elementary School  at 12701 Elk Lake Road N.W., Elk River. Carnival runs from 5:30 t0 9:PM

In addition to your dinner, tickets include a one year membership to Ducks Unlimited. Doors open at 5:30 PM. April 15th 2011

http://www.ducks.org/minnesota

Several concerns were addressed, including what to do about intruders in the area, safety while walking outside, how to handle phone call requests for information from strangers, and even tornado safety.

Several informational pamphlets were available on various safety topics as well as whistle key rings and other helpful items.

Fire Chief, Ryan Maloney also met with residents and answered questions. He also passed out fire helmets for the residents’ grandchildren to enjoy. Marge is seen here enjoying her hat!

Deena, age 21 and Sedra, age 15 play Bluegrass and Texas Swing music along with their parents, Bob and Deb. The girls are both champion violinists and Deena teaches classes to up-and-coming stars. (She says that she is looking for new students!)

The family performed many familiar and original pieces for almost two hours of foot-stompin’ fun and had their CD’s available for purchase. The family obviously loves and respects one another and they have terrific senses of humor as well, especially dad.

I enjoyed their music very much, but my favorite song of the night was probably when Sedra played the classical Novacek piece entitiled “Perpetuo Mobile” with such depth of emotion – absolutely beautiful!

To view more of their songs, see my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/digitalteardrops.

Here is a list of the scheduled activities:

(All these events held at Zimmerman Lions Park unless otherwise noted.)

Thursday May 27th

Carnival (Starting at 6pm Arm band discount day)
Food Vendors
Medallion Hunt (clues posted at City Hall)

Friday – May 28th

Carnival (Starting at 6 pm)
Food Vendors
Softball Tournament
Pony Ring / Camel Rides / Petting Zoo
Street Dance at Participating Business’s
Paintball Course
Lions Beer Garden / Music
Medallion Hunt (clues posted at City Hall)

Saturday – May 29th

Pancake Brothers Breakfast 8:30 – 11:30 am at City Parking Lot Across From Legion
Parade 12:00 noon at Usual Route
Art in the Park 9:00 am – 9:00 pm at The Fremont House / Music In The Evening
Carnival (After Parade)
Paintball Course
Food Vendors
Softball Tournament
Pony Ring / Camel Rides / Petting Zoo
Lions Beer Gardens / Music
Street Dance at Participating Business’s
Medallion Hunt
Vendor Displays
Karaoke Finals at McGuiggan’s
Agate Hunt (located at Reliance Electric, Main Street)

Sunday – May 30th

Carnival (Noon)
Food Vendors
Paintball Course
Pony Ring / Camel Rides / Petting Zoo
Soap Box Derby 11:00 am, At The Corner Of Main Street And Freemont
Softball Tournament
Agate Hunt
Street Dance at Participating Business’s
Bistadeau Family Band & Awards Ceremony 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Fireworks 10:00 pm

Monday – Memorial Day May 31st

Carnival (Arm Band Discount Day, Starting at 1 pm)

Jacobs 5K Run at 8 am Contestants will start and end at Gold’s Gym around Lake Fremont

See the official Wild West Days website for more information.

Princeton Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
Saturday, March 6, 2010
9a – 2p
Princeton High School
http://www.princetonmnchamber.org/
25th Annual Expo

Big Lake Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
Saturday, March 6, 2010
11a – 3p
Big Lake High School
http://www.biglakechamber.com/

Hope to see you there!