The St. Michael Public Library is hosting "Portraits of Us", a special event on Thursday, May 17th from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. Families are invited to participate as a professional photographer takes photos of families. A Minnesota Historical Society staff member will help craft family trees, and a preservation expert will be on hand to answer questions about preserving family treasures. Patrons who have their photos taken will receive a 5h x 7h photo to take home, and one copy of their photo will stay at the library for a community photography exhibit. Attendance is limited to 30 families. Phone the St. Michael Public Library at 763-497-1998.

Adoption is a beautiful way to build a family! Learn about infant and international adoption, time lines, costs and requirements at a free Adoption Informational Meeting, Thursday, May 17th from 7 to 8:30 PM at HOPE Adoption & Family Services, 5850 Omaha Avenue North, Oak Park Heights. There is no cost to attend, but please register by calling 651-439-2446 or visit www.hopeadoptionservices.org. HOPE is a nonprofit adoption agency serving Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin for more than 30 years.

Silver Creek Community Church is presenting a very special evening of music with "The Cassidy Brothers", Friday, May 18th at 7:30 PM at the church. For more than 20 years, the Cassidy Brothers have delighted audiences with their down-to-earth and inspiring music. Everyone is invited to attend, a free-will offering will be collected to offset expenses. For more information, phone Sally at 320-963-3465 or Linda at 320-963-6717. Silver Creek Community Church is located just off County Road 8, at the junction of County Road 123 and County Road 143, between Maple Lake and Hasty.

Armed Forces Day is Saturday, May 19th . This is a time to remember and appreciate people who have served or who are now serving in the military. Let those in the military know that you appreciate their service and sacrifice on behalf of our country.

The next Buffalo Fare For All food distribution will held Saturday, May 19th from 9:45 – 11:00 AM at the North side of Zion Lutheran Church, Highway 25 South, Buffalo. Fare For All provides nutritious food at below-retail prices to help local families stretch their monthly food budgets. This food distribution is open to anyone; there are no income-based requirements for participation. Visit the Fare For All website at www.fareforall.org or phone 763-682-4864 for more information.

Artist Marie Olofsdotter will present a Bookmaking & Poetry program for adults, teens and children, six and older, at the St. Michael Public Library over two sessions. The first will be Saturday, May 19th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. And the second session will be on Saturday, June 2nd. Attend both sessions to complete the project which will be a keepsake involving bookmaking, poetry and collage. Children under 12 should bring an adult to assist them. The attendance limit is 30 and pre-registration is required. Phone the St. Michael Public Library at 763-497-1998.

Join the Buffalo Figure Skating Club for Family Skate, Saturday, May 19th at 2 PM at the Buffalo Civic Center ice arena.

The Sam Munoz Memorial Baseball Game, will be held Saturday, May 19th with JV at 3:30 PM and varsity at 6 PM at Bentfield Mills City Park in Buffalo. There will be no 9th grade game. There will also be door prizes and concessions with free admission. All proceeds will go towards the Sam Munoz Memorial Scholarship. For more information, phone 763-639-6809.

Parents and caregivers of children 18 months to 3 years are invited to a Toddler Story Time at the St. Michael Public Library on Monday, May 21st from 10:30 to 10:50 AM. The story Time will include stories, songs, finger play and movement activities planned for the toddler and parent/caregiver to enjoy together. Siblings are welcome to attend. The attendance limit is 20 and pre-registration is required. Phone the St. Michael Public Library at 763-497-1998.

The University of Minnesota Extension, Wright County, is offering youth the opportunity to learn more about gardening with the Junior Master Gardener Program. It is free this summer for youth in grades three through five. The group will meet at the Wright County Fairgrounds in Howard Lake, Tuesday, May 22nd through October 2nd on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 6:30-8:00 PM. There is NO cost to participate but pre-registration is required. Contact the Wright County Extension Office at 763-682-7394 or e-mail sand0671@umn.edu. 

Wanted: Guys or gals to play horseshoes. For beginners and up, for a handicapped league, starting Tuesday, May 22nd from 7 - 9 PM. First night, meeting at 6:30 PM, at the Buffalo Horseshoe Courts, located by Menards in Buffalo. For more information, phone Dale at 763-682-3042 or Ron at 763-670-6659 or 763-682-1420.

The next 60 plus and healthy clinic will be at the Monticello Senior Center and the Rockford Walnut Place Apartments, Tuesday, May 24th from 9:30 – 11:30 AM in Monticello and 1:30 – 3 PM in Rockford. Services provided include a toenail trim for $15 and free blood pressure checks. The Monticello Senior Center is located at 505 Walnut St. Ste. 3, Monticello. The Rockford Walnut Place Apartments are located at 8830 Walnut Place, Rockford. If you would like more information, call Wright county Public Health at 763-682-7456.

Men and women, adults and students age 5 to 105 are welcome to audition for Howard Lake, Waverly, Winsted's Community Theater production of "Brigadoon", Tuesday, May 22nd and Thursday, May 24th at 6:30 PM at the Howard Lake, Waverly, Winsted High School. Have a short song of your choosing prepared and be ready to do cold readings from the script. Actors, musicians (pit), lighting, sound, technical crew, set, costume, marketing and volunteer help are needed. Contact Director, Belinda Larson at 320-286-6665 or Margaret Marketon at HLWW Community Education for additional information at 320-534-3600. The performances of "Bridgadoon" will be Friday, July 13th and Saturday, July 14th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, July 15 time to be determined. Performances will be in the air conditioned Laker Theater at the HLWW High School.

Meet local author Linda Marie at the Clearwater Public Library, Wednesday, May 23rd from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Marie is the Clearwater author of "Tales From The Public Access: A celebration of lake life in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes." All ages are invited to hear her presentation. Attendance is limited to 35; pre-registration is required. For more information, contact the library at 320-558-6001.

Help support our Troops, Veterans and Military Families by being a part of the "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon – Monticello" Deployment Ceremony, Wednesday, May 23rd at 7 PM at the Monticello High School Field House. There are approximately 130 men and women deploying. The governor and high ranking military officials will be there to support our local National Guard. Everyone is invited to attend this service and show local support. For more information go to the "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon-Monticello" Facebook page or email BTYRMonticello@gmail.com. 

Memorial Day services for the St. Michael/Albertville areas are as follows: 8 AM – services at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hanover; 9 AM services at St. Albert's Cemetery, Albertville; 9:35 AM Services at the St. Michael South Cemetery; 10:15 AM services at St. Paul's Cemetery, Hanover; 10:45 AM services at Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Greenfield. Times are approximate and may vary by 5 to 10 minutes. A Brunch will be served at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church following the Greenfield services.

The Rockford Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 28th at 10 AM starting at the Rockford Middle School. Naval services will be held at the Crow River Cemetery and Memorial Services at the Elmwood Cemetery. In case of rain, services will be held in the Rockford High School Gymnasium. The Rockford Lions will serve their famous pork chop dinner starting at 11 AM in the Riverside Park-Lions Building. A pie and ice cream social will be held at the Ames-Florida-Stork House from 10 AM to 3 PM. All area residents are invited to attend and march in the parade. For more information, contact Lion Eric Lloyd at 763-477-5045.

Local politician and author Dean Urdahl will visit the Buffalo Public Library on Tuesday, May 29th from 7 to 8:30 PM, to speak about his two recently written books, set in Minnesota during the Dakota War of 1862. Urdahl is a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives representing portions of Wright and Meeker County. His ancestors helped to settle Litchfield Township. Books he has authored include: "The Collar And The Gun, A Novel", "Retribution, A Novel" and "Lives Lived Large, Minnesotans In The Public Eye". His presentation will be suitable for adults. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Buffalo Library. For more information call the Buffalo Library at 763-682-2753.