Puzzle Pouch Workshop

Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, Onamia MN

Dates: Nov. 21, 2009, Nov. 22, 2009

Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday

Fee: $50, $45 MHS members; Additional supply fee of $20.

Reservations: required, call 320-532-3632

Learn techniques of working with leather in this two-day workshop. Create a secret leather pouch, also known as a puzzle pouch, to hide your treasures and amuse your friends. Taught by Mille Lacs Band Member Kirstie Davis.

Registration is required. Discount hotel rooms are available on Saturday night for all workshop participants at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. A minimum of five participants required. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pastries and refreshments provided along with a light lunch.

Create A Victorian Boxwood Tree

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Nov. 21, 2009

Time: Two classes are offered: 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m.

Fee: $55; $10 discount for MHS and Minnesota State Horticultural Society members.

Reservations: required, call 651-643-3601 ext. 211

Instructor and floral designer Ardith Beveridge will lead participants in creating a Victorian decorated boxwood tree using evergreens, a foam form, ornaments and ribbons. Participants will work on a 12-inch tree. Bring a pair of gloves and clippers. The class includes hot cider, cookies and a short house tour to view the Ramseys' preparations for Christmas in the 1872 mansion. Co-sponsored by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.

Folk Art: Junior Girl Scout Workshop

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul MN

Dates: Nov. 21, 2009, Jan. 16, 2010, Feb. 20, 2010

Time: 1 to 3:30 p.m

Fee: $12 girls, $5 adults

Reservations: required, call 651-259-3015

What do images and artifacts tell us about the past? In this workshop, explore the "Minnesota’s Greatest Generation" exhibit and examine historic photographs, objects and toys to discover what it was like to grow up during the Great Depression. Learn the art of storytelling and perform a short skit from the golden age of radio. Create and decorate a vintage style hat made from recycled materials. This workshop fulfills the requirements for the Folk Arts badge. Price includes admission to all History Center museum galleries.

Workshops must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Additions or group cancellations must be made at least two weeks prior to scheduled visit. Prepayment required.

Finessing Story Structure, A Documentary Workshop

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul MN

Dates: Dec. 1, 2009

Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Fee: $15, 12 for MHS members

Reservations: required, email info@thestoryboard.org or register online

During this workshop, offered in partnership with The Storyboard, writer and producer Susan Marks will help aspiring documentarians build strong story lines. Participants will learn to organize footage around a story and create a "paper edit," a text outline of the documentary’s "script."

Relax into the Holidays

James J. Hill House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Dec. 1, 2009

Time: Tour 6:30 p.m.; class 7:30 p.m.

Fee: $12; $10 MHS members.

Reservations: recommended, call 651-297-2555

The holiday season is often a period of high activity and accompanying stress and anxiety, which was just as true a century ago as it is today. A special tour will focus on the many ways the Hill family and their servants, ca. 1891-1921, found ways to celebrate the hectic Christmas and New Year’s season with elaborate entertaining and simple pleasures. After the tour, visitors will gather in the Drawing Room where Beth Freschi will lead a special relaxation session – an hour-long class using modern day relaxation techniques that calm the mind and body. The class will begin with deep breathing, followed by a muscle relaxation exercise, guided imagery and meditation. Previous tour/relaxation classes at the Hill House have sold out, so reservations are strongly recommended for this unique event.

Birch Bark Ornament Workshop

Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, Onamia MN

Dates: Dec. 5, 2009, Dec. 6, 2009

Time: Saturday noon to 4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fee: $50, $45 MHS members; Additional supply fee of $10.

Reservations: required, call 320-532-3632

Create ornaments from natural materials including birch bark during a two-day workshop. Led by Mille Lacs Band Member Joyce Shingobe.

Registration is required. Discount hotel rooms are available on Saturday night for all workshop participants at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. A minimum of five participants required. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pastries and refreshments provided along with a light lunch.

Listening to the Past: Brownie Girl Scout Workshop

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul MN

Dates: Jan. 9, 2010, Feb. 13, 2010

Time: 10:30 to noon

Fee: $10 girls, $5 adults

Reservations: required, call 651-259-3015

Explore the exhibit "Open House: If These Walls Could Talk" with a museum guide and discover the stories of the families who lived in one house in St. Paul's East Side for more than 118 years. Play games that the children who lived in the house played. Learn about Minnesota women who have made a difference and act out their stories using puppets you make and take home. This workshop completes the requirements for the Brownie Girl Scout Listening to the Past badge. Price includes admission to all History Center museum galleries.

Workshops must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Additions or group cancellations must be made at least two weeks prior to scheduled visit. Prepayment required.

Candle Making Workshop

Oliver H. Kelley Farm, Elk River MN

Dates: Feb. 6, 2010

Time: 10 a.m.-noon

Fee: $3 per pair of candles

Discover how keerosene lamplight was a great improvement over candlelight, especially for reading, writing letters or sewing in the evening. Visitors will make a pair of hand-dipped beeswax candles to take home. Reservations required;call 763-441-6896.

Ojibwe Mitten Workshop

Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, Onamia MN

Dates: Feb. 13, 2010, Feb. 14, 2010

Time: 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday

Fee: $50; $45 for MHS members and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members. $20 supply fee for all participants.

Reservations: required, call 320-532-3632

Learn techniques of leather working at this two-day workshop and create a pair of Ojibwe-style mittens to take home. Adults must accompany children under age 18. Pastries and refreshments provided along with a light lunch. Preregistration required by Feb. 10. Discounted hotel rooms are available on Saturday night at Grand Casion Mille Lacs for participants.