The Dakota County Historical Society will host a book club on the book “Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World’s Largest Owl,” written by Jonathan Slaght. This virtual presentation will take place on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 7 p.m. Admission to the event is free, but pre-registration is required.

While registration for this event is free, donations are encouraged to offset the cost of hosting virtual events during the COVID pandemic. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. No account is required to view the presentation once you receive the link. Contact the Lawshe Museum at 651-552-7548, or visit www.dakotahistory.org/events to reserve a spot.

When he was just a fledgling birdwatcher, Jonathan C. Slaght had a chance encounter with one of the most mysterious birds on Earth. Bigger than any owl he knew, it looked like a small bear with decorative feathers. He snapped a quick photo and shared it with experts. Soon he was on a five-year journey, searching for this enormous, enigmatic creature in the lush, remote forests of eastern Russia. That first sighting set his calling as a scientist.

Founded in 1939, The Dakota County Historical Society (DCHS), preserves, interprets and promotes the history of Dakota County, Minn. DCHS operates three historic sites -Lawshe Memorial Museum at 130 3rd Avenue North in South St. Paul, Minn.; the LeDuc Historic Estate at 1629 Vermillion Street in Hastings, Minn.; and the Sibley Historic Site — as well as a research library and research Web site. DCHS memberships range from $25 to $60 for individuals and households. Corporate memberships also are available, starting at $100. Call 651-552-7548 or visit www.dakotahistory.org for more information.