By Brian Schommer

Welcome back to “Out and About;” the fun and feelgood “feature article” that can be found exclusively in The Journal newspapers. From Hastings to Cottage Grove and across the river into Wisconsin, here are a few happenings that you might want to consider when you are “Out and About.”

The Hastings Rotary Pavilion is the place to be for “Music in the Park” on Thursday, September 1st, featuring the dueling piano antics of “Duelly Noted,” which is sponsored by The Ruth and George Doffing Charitable Fund. The event begins at 7pm and the cost is FREE. Another event at the pavilion is “Storytime in the Park” on Wednesday, September 21st beginning at 10:30am through a partnership with the Pleasant Hill Library. This event is recommended for ages 10 and under and once again, there is no cost to participate. For all the fun activities and events taking place through the Hastings Parks and Recreation Department, go to www.hastingsmn. gov and find the Parks and Recreation page. Chris Jenkins and the crew put on a sweet array of fun and free activities for the community.

Speaking of sweet… Wuollet Bakery is NOW OPEN in Hastings. When a mainstay of the community like Emily’s closed their doors, there were many hearts and tummies left unfulfilled, or at least unfilled. Fear not oh those who need some sweet bakery goods, the people at Wuollet have been cranking out the finest cakes, pastries, and breads for over 75 years. Not only that, but they have paid a homage to the history of Emily’s Bakery in the store, which is super cool. The bakery is in the same place that it has been for years so, when you are “Out and About,” be sure to make your way to Wuollet Bakery and find your new “go to” sweet treat(s).

Go to… go to… if you happen to be going to Hampton, be sure to stop in at Meric’s Woodfire Oven and Tavern, located at 2339 Water Street. There are so many combinations, from the classic pepperoni and/or sausage type pizza to one called “The Banana Hammock” which includes a tasty drizzle of balsamic sauce over a delicious combination of ham, cheese, red sauce, and banana peppers. They also have chicken wings, a pretzel bigger than your face with three sauces for dipping (one just as good as the next) and much more. A fun atmosphere coupled with a great staff of smiling faces, it is worth the stop at Meric’s Woodfire Oven and Tavern in Hampton.

There will be a “Tree and Shrub Planting” at Crestview Elementary in Cottage Grove on Saturday, September 10th beginning at 9am. If you are interested in this type of activity, upwards of 100 volunteers are needed to plant shrubs and trees in a restoration project at Crestview Elementary in partnership with South Washington Watershed District. For additional details, go to the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce website.

This is the part where YOUR INPUT for this feature is again going to be requested. If you live in Hastings, Cottage Grove, Prescott, Ellsworth, Red Wing or anywhere else in the near vicinity AND you know of something going on in local businesses and/or organizations, please send us the scoop. Email [email protected] and we will do our best to get the word out so that when folks are “Out and About,” they can join in the fun, festivities and activities that are going on. This is what the “Out and About” feature article has been designed to do. If you know of anyone who is going to be retiring from a local business… let us know. If you hear about a business expanding or a new business opening… this is the type of “stuff” we are looking for.

As we progress into September, the summer fun and activities will be giving way to “the holidays,” which many feel begin with Labor Day (September 5th this year) and run through New Year’s Eve. One last hurrah in our area is Prescott Daze, which will be taking place the weekend of September 9th – 11th and as always, offers lots of activities and fun events for all ages. This year, they are celebrating their 50TH ANNIVERSARY and you can find the schedule of events and much more at www.prescottdaze.com.

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon so we can share with others the great things happening in the area to do while “Out and About.”