Thursday, Nov. 18 St. Croix Valley Genealogical Society, 7 p.m. at River Falls Public Library (140 Union St.) in the main floor meeting room. Magdalena Pala will present a history of Poland, changes of state territory, and rise of multi-ethnic populations throughout the centuries. This meeting is open to the public. It will also be presented via Zoom to members who cannot attend the meeting. The Zoom link will be sent to members the week of the meeting. Please wear a face mask as advised by the St. Croix County Public Health Department for public indoor settings. If you have any questions, contact Darcy at 715- 307-5149.

Friday, Nov. 19 Healthy Habits, 4-6 p.m. Nov. 19 at UW-River Falls Falcon Center. Booths will show off healthy habits. Free and open to everyone with activities for all ages, including an adventure bingo game and a lifting circuit competition. The Falcon Center climbing wall will also be open. Prizes will be available for game participants thanks to local community sponsors.

Saturday, Nov. 20 RFHS FBLA Craft Fair: 41st annual event, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at RFHS (818 Cemetery Road). No admission with more 75 exhibitors; homemade food for sale; child care 9 a.m. to noon.

Holiday Small Business Event, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Snowballs and Broz Bar in East Ellsworth. Crafts, Scentsy, small businesses, Pure Romance, mugs, décor, and more.

Sunday, Nov. 21 Ecumenical Thanksgiving Prayer Service: The service starts at 5 p.m. at Joy Lutheran Church (1435 St. Croix St., Prescott) and will include prayers, readings, music and fellowship for worshippers of all faiths. An ecumenical choir will participate. Anyone who wishes to join in can come at 4:30 p.m. to rehearse the music. The event is sponsored by the Prescott Area Churches Association. Thursday, Nov. 25 Gobbler’s Gallop 5K/1K Family Fun Run, a fundraiser for the Pierce County Food Shelf, sponsored by St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Youth Group, will be held at 8 a.m. starting at Nilssen’s parking lot (157 E. Main St., Ellsworth). The cost is $20 per person/$ 50 per family. Go to www.spuccellsworth. org or email Linette Greske at [email protected]

Prescott Plunge, 10:30 a.m., Lake Street beach. Join residents and run into the St. Croix River at 10:30 a.m. to raise money for Freedom Park. This annual event raises money each year for a community group.

River Falls Community Dinner togo, a non-denominational event, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. St. Bridget Catholic Church invites you to pick up a Thanksgiving dinner. We also deliver for those unable to drive up. Free or free will offering. Please place your orders by Nov. 22 on the St. Bridget website or get paper forms from local churches, office or food pantry.

Sheep Dog Heroes Turkey Trot 5K walk/run, starts at 8 a.m. at Rush River Brewery in River Falls. Route will be marked; 100% of proceeds will go to the team. Prize giveaways, food by Mindful Fork.

Friday, Nov. 26 River Dazzle, 1-7 p.m. downtown River Falls. The 24th annual event, hosted by RF Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, features the annual child crawl (1-5:30 p.m.); River Dazzle Parade (6:30 p.m.); photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Riverwalk Mercantile (1-5 p.m.); sweet treats at Veterans Park, Shop Local BINGO begins, Holiday Raffle (at Chamber office).

Saturday, Nov. 27 Small Business Saturday: Prescott’s second annual Small Business Saturday Market, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., parking lot of No Name Saloon (114 Broad St.) Local crafts and vendors, children’s activities, live music, visit from Santa.

Sunday, Nov. 28 RF Entering Advent: A Candlelight River Walk: The time of Advent is a Christian tradition rooted in the earth and its seasons. Together let us explore how the dark of winter is not an end but the way a new beginning comes. Hope for Creation invites you to “Entering Advent: A Candlelight River Walk.” Gather by the Kinnickinnic River to walk, reflect and set our hearts to greet Advent at 6:30 p.m. Start at Veterans Park on Main Street in downtown River Falls. Please bring a candle or flashlight. All are welcome. Thursday, Dec. 9 Winter Open House 12-7:30 p.m. at River Falls Public Library (140 Union St.) Live music, refreshments, crafts, RFHS Costumed Carolers and Winsome Hollow String Band, henna art, face painting, games with Fox Den Books and live reindeer.

Saturday, Dec. 11 Milk & Cookies with Santa on the Farm, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Ti-Shi Dairy Inc./Colbenson Family Farm (N6182 290th St., Elmwood). Visit a dairy farm at this festive drive-thru event. Each car will receive free cookies, mike and cheese, along with an educational goodie bag for kids. Sponsored by the Pierce County Dairy Promotion Committee.