Free events in Osceola, WI

Set out for a scenic pedal at the ALS MN Bike Ride, beginning at the Scandia MN Community Center. This ride follows quiet country roads in rural Washington County, passing horse farms, moving through small towns, and winding along forested lanes. Riders may follow the route on their own or travel with a ride marshal and a group. Coffee and treats are available before the start, and the group gathers for lunch at a local venue afterward. The ride also serves a charitable purpose by building awareness of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Event captains Rita Wilczek and Alan Wichman lead in memory of Rita’s brother Mark and sister Lynn. There is no registration fee. Route options are available and registered riders receive GPS links. Free will donations support the ALS Therapy Development Institute, a research organization dedicated to developing treatments and ultimately a cure. Donations are confidential, will be tallied toward a corporate match, and supporters are encouraged to designate their gift to Mark and Lynn’s Team.

Spend a meaningful day volunteering with ARC at Farmaste Animal Sanctuary. Tasks include cleaning barns and taking on other essential chores that support the animals, and there may be an opportunity to meet some of the sanctuary residents once the work is complete. Capacity is limited to 10 volunteers, so advance registration through POINT is needed. All participants must complete Farmaste’s waiver, available in the POINT event details. Please register only if you are confident you can attend, and update your RSVP in POINT if your plans change so another person can participate.

Every Saturday throughout the year, the Swedish Gift Store offers a taste of Scandinavia. Sample Nordic specialties such as licorice, foam candy, chocolates, and cookies, with the occasional sip of glögg. Discover new favorites, share the experience, and turn this weekly stop into a tradition. Visitors can suggest what they would like to try, and there may be a surprise.

A no-cost, low-pressure gathering for anyone who wants to make art without worrying about perfection. Each month offers either a simple guided project or time to pursue personal ideas in a friendly, stress-free setting. Stay for the whole session or drop in briefly... attendance is flexible. It is a place to meet people, have fun, and work on painting, drawing, scrapbooking, or any other creative interest. There is no formal class, just open creative time to do what you love. Admission is free, and optional donations help cover shared materials.

This free, in-person talk at New Richmond Community Library in New Richmond, Wisconsin explores what science currently shows about psychedelic medicines and what is overstated. Long dismissed in medical circles, substances such as LSD and psilocybin are now being studied for their potential to help with hard-to-treat psychiatric conditions. The program reviews the history of this field, surveys up-to-date research, and considers what these findings could mean for mental health care and for understanding consciousness. Jimmy Barlow brings experience in study coordination, data collection and analysis, and technical support, including recruitment, participant screening, MATLAB programming, TMS-EEG and high-density EEG analyses, REDCap design, and taVNS training. His previous work includes undergraduate research with the Center for Sleep and Consciousness on brain stimulation during sleep and with the Boly Lab on seizures and postictal delirium. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is completing a post-baccalaureate internship with the lab before furthering his education in medicine and research. No registration is required, and there is no virtual option.

Hallberg Center for the Arts and Chisago Lakes ECFE host a free art and storytime for children from birth to age 3 and their caregivers. The session starts with a story or a sing-along with the instructors, followed by a hands-on activity where little ones paint apple slices and use them as stamps to create their own prints. Experiences like this help build fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, independence, problem solving, and creativity. Siblings are welcome. Led by Surelle Strike and Jess Eischens at Chisago Lakes Primary Elementary School. Funding is provided through the East Central Regional Arts Council via the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, with additional support from the St. Croix Valley Foundation and the Wisconsin Arts Board.