Bong State Recreation Area

The Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Brighton offers the following naturalist programs. A vehicle entrance fee ($7 daily; $25 annual state residents) is required to attend all programs. Programs start promptly, so please be on time. For more information on any programs, please call (262) 878-5600.

Saturday, Feb. 14: Cross country ski clinic, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bring your skis and join instructor John Meyer to learn abou waxing and other skiing tips. The diagonal stride technique will be taught and practiced. Please pre-register by calling (263) 878-5600. Meet at Shelter No. 1. Program is weather dependent, so please call ahead to check on program status.

Saturday, Feb. 14: Return to Romance, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Share Valentine's Day with your special someone(s). You can warm someone's heart by taking a candlelight hike or sitting by a roaring bonfire sipping hot cocoa. In the beautifully-decorated Visitor Center, fine homemade desserts and warm drinks will be served to the accompaniment of live violin music by Alison Breckenridge.

The event is sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association. Funds raised help with park improvements. Attendance is limited and pre-registration and pre-payment is required. Cost is $5 per adult and $1 per child (this is in addition to the park entrance fees). To register, please call (262) 878-5600. You may also check out the Web site at www.bongnaturalistassociation.org

Sunday, Feb. 15: Kids Ice Fishing Clinic, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Kids under 16 bring an adult to this fun hands-on clinic. Learn the basics of ice fishing and, weather permitting, go out and try and catch your own fish. You may bring your own equipment or use ours. Please pre-register by calling (262) 878-5600. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Turkey hunter education clinics

Two Department of Natural Resources Turkey Hunter Education clinics will be offered in the Racine-Kenosha area in the next couple of months. The first clinic is at noon, Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Brighton. The clinic will be held in the auditorium in the headquarters building.

The second clinic will be at noon Saturday, March 21 at the Gander Mountain Store, 6801 120th Ave., Kenosha, in the lodge seminar room.

The clinics are presented by representatives from the DNR, National Wild Turkey Federation and experienced turkey hunters. Clinics usually run 2½ to 3 hours and feature a how-to presentation and a question-and-answer session.

No reservations are necessary, but please come early for a good seat. For more information, please call Mike Ripp at (414) 475-0390 or log on to www.dnr.state.wi.us/hunting/turkeys

Buck Trail Archers event

Buck Trail Archers is holding its Valentine Shoot Saturday and Sunday. This is an indoor event featuring 30 Rhinehart 3D targets at varying yardages in our heated indoor range. Registration is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Range finders and binoculars are allowed. All ages and shooting styles are welcome, except for broadheads. Breakfast, lunch and beverages will be available throughout the weekend. Buck Trail Archers is located at 32622 Yahnke Road in the Town of Burlington, between Hwy. 83 and County P. For more information on the club, please log on to www.bucktrailarchers.net

Pheasants Forever banquet

The Racine County Pheasants Forever 20th Anniversary Banquet will be held Thursday, March 12 at South Hills Country Club. Cocktails are from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the dinner is at 7 p.m. and the auction and raffles begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $70, which includes one dinner, membership and a $30 PF Anniversary gunners bag. Spouse or child for dinner only is $30 and sponsor packages are $275, which includes framed sponsor print, two dinners and one gunners bag.

For more information and to reserve a spot, please call Leola Christian at (262) 886-0734.