Johnson Public Library Activities
DARLINGTON – The Johnson Public Library has many events for the public to enjoy. The events for February are: Feb. 17 - Story Hour 10 a.m./ Book Buzz Book Club 1:30 p.m., for grades 3-5; Feb. 20-Story ‘n’ Craft Hour 10 a.m.; Feb. 24-Story Hour 10 a.m./ Lego Club 1:30 p.m., for ages 7-11; Feb. 27-Story ‘n’ Craft Hour 10 a.m.; Feb. 28-Techie Tuesday 6-7 p.m. at Darlington Elem/Mid. School cafeteria, for grades 2-6.
Community Blood Drives
LAFAYETTE COUNTY – The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood regularly. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types AB, O, B negative and A negative. For questions about eligibility, please call the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center at (800) 747-5401. To donate, please contact Sue Paquette at (608) 776-5731. Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour.  Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors. The MVRBC is the exclusive provider to Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County.
Gratiot – Friday, Feb. 17 - 2:30p.m. – 5:00p.m., Gratiot State Bank, MVRBC Donor Bus
The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood regularly. To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Belmont – Tuesday, Feb. 24 -12:30p.m. - 5:30p.m., Belmont Grade School gym
Homemade Cornish Pasty Sale
BELMONT – Pasties for the Homemade Cornish Pasty Sale fundraiser by the Belmont Music Department for the 2017 Brass and Brats will be made Feb. 18. Cost is $5 per pasty, payable to the Belmont Music Boosters. Pasties are uncooked and can be picked up at the school or delivered in town after 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Cooking instructions are provided with each pasty.
Bridal Expo
DARLINGTON – Bridges Banquet Center will be hosting a Bridal Expo on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit with the top wedding specialists in the area. There will be prizes, expert advice and more. There will also be taste testing of food and cake. With over twenty vendors, you will have plenty of ideas for the perfect wedding. Admission is free so stop out at Bridges Banquet Center at the Super 8 Hotel at 201 Christensen Drive in Darlington.
Darlington FFA Toy Show
DARLINGTON – The Darlington FFA & FFA Alumni Toy Show and Pancake Breakfast will be Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Darlington High School. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Adults are $6, Children 5-12 are $4, children under four are free. Pricing includes admission to the toy show. Toy show runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information contact Jack Sauer at 608-574-2520.
Platteville Area Educators’ Association
PLATTEVILLE – PAREA will have a luncheon meeting at noon on February 20th at the Wisconsin Bank & Trust building at 10 Keystone Parkway (located at the far east side of Platteville. Reservations can be made to Charlie Clark by phone (348-8435) or by e-mail (clarkcf875@icloud.com)
The program presenter will be Kent Scheuerell, retired Platteville Middle School social studies teacher, who will present a program entitled “Grant County Folklore and History”.
All retired educators and support staff are invited to attend. PAREA includes retired educators and support staff from area schools in Belmont, Cuba City, Darlington, Fennimore, Hazel Green, Lancaster, Iowa Grant, Platteville, Potosi, Shullsburg, Southwest Technical College and UW-Platteville.
Lafayette County Master Gardener Association
DARLINGTON – The Lafayette County Master Gardener Association will be holding their meeting on Monday, Feb. 20th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Bank community room.  Guest speaker for the evening will be Deirdre Birmingham of the Cider Farm in Mineral Point.  She will give a presentation on Caring for Apple Trees organically and also give information regarding their farm business.  Everyone is welcome to attend.
Sewing Classes in March
BELMONT – There will be sewing classes offered at Belmont during the month of March on Tuesdays. Classes for students in grades 4-8 will be offered after school from 3:30-5:30. Possible projects are pillows, pillowcases, and small purses or for experienced students even a quilt. Classes for adults will run from 6-8 on Tuesdays in March also. There is only room for 6 or 7 people so it is first come first serve. Please sign up before Feb. 24 for both student and adult classes. Have an idea of which projects the child maybe interested in so supplies can be acquired. Please contact Kim Heinrichs at 778-0285 if interested.
McCoy Library’s Iditarod Race
SHULLSBURG – Please join the McCoy Public Library for their Iditarod Race on Feb. 24 with the program starting at 2 p.m. and the race at 3:30 p.m. 4th and 5th graders are welcome to the program. They will be building a sled with a team that will race together. During the race students will be asked questions about the Iditarod race at checkpoints, so be sure to study your facts! Also dress appropriate for weather that day, as they will be outside. Registration forms will be available at the library.
Bluebird Nest Nature Center Events
DARLINGTON – The Bluebird Nest Nature Center, 308 Main Street, will open for its 4th year on Wednesday, March 15 with an Open House from 1-4 p.m. At 2:00 p.m., Carol McDaniel will show a power point and speak about “Bluebirding in Wisconsin along the Bluebird Trails”. Join Carol and see the new displays at the center. This year the center’s theme is Birds of the World. It is a great time to learn about Eastern Bluebirds in Lafayette County. The blue beauties usually return mid-March.
On Monday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bluebird Nest Nature Center, 308 Main Street, Matthew Nachvatal, who coordinates the Breeding Bird Atlas for Lafayette County, will be speaking about how to report bird observations to the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas Project. Matthew is an authority on birds and will discuss how citizens can help report for the Breeding Bird Atlas.
On Wednesday, March 29, at 7:00 p.m., our friend, Mary Zimmerman, will present her program on Frogs and Toads in Lafayette County. Join Mary for an enthusiastic look at these little creatures that reside and play an important part in the eco-systems in Lafayette County.