This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Friday, July 15
What could be more appetizing than a hot brat eaten out in the hot sun? That's what you can find out as you hunt off-season bargains at the annual Maxwell Street Days on State Street. Invariably scheduled in the sweltering heat of mid-July, this annual summer shopping Mount Horeb Art Fair, with more than 175 exhibitors, is worth visiting in and of itself, but a couple of culinary quirks are hiding behind the easels. The Sons of Norway are holding their Kaffe Stue, complete with Norwegian baked goods; lefse with butter and sugar, please? The Friends of the Library are having a pie sale -- you heard that right. With luck, someone remembered Mor-Mor's recipe for fruit soup pie. And to celebrate the village's sesquicentennial, the powers that be are giving away free cake and ice cream at a birthday party. Gratulerer med dagen. Sauk County Fair, an annual six-day community Facebook or call 608-356-8707 for more info.
Wednesday, July 13
Growing Organic Tomatoes Successfully class, with instructors Megan Cain and Claire Strader of Madison FarmWorks at Troy Community Farm covering pruning, trellising, and practices for controlling diseases and pests. Troy Gardens, 502 Troy Dr., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Thursday, July 14
Ice cream social, an annual fundraiser for the Oregon Senior Center, featuring a menu of barbeque sandwiches, hot dogs, ice cream sundaes, and beverages, as well as a raffle and live music. Oregon Senior Center, 219 Park St., Oregon, 4:30-7 p.m., free admission. Call 608-835-5801 for more info.
Vom Fass preparing a menu of arugula watermelon salad, butternut squash coleslaw, pulled pork sandwiches with apple barbeque sauce, and blond brownies. Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6-7:30 p.m., $25. Call 204-0300 for more info.
Friday, July 15
Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days, an annual three-day community Arrested Development celebration, with a screening of five fan-favorite episodes and Bluth's frozen bananas on a stick, complete with chocolate and nuts. Majestic Theatre, 115 King St., 9 p.m., $5. Call 255-0901 for more info.
Saturday, July 16
Sand County Fine Arts Festival, an annual community festival, featuring beer and wine tastings, root beer floats, a juried outdoor art exhibition, live music, children's activities, and more. Downtown Portage, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 608-617-3792 for more info.
Lake Mills Arts Festival, an annual community Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Middleton Fire Department Festival, an annual community celebration and fundraiser, featuring food from Capital Brewery, 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton, noon-10 p.m., $7 and $5 advance. Call 827-1090 for more info.
Sunday, July 17
Savory Sunday, with volunteers need to prepare and serve a fresh, hot meal for the hungry. Lutheran Campus Center, 325 N. Mills St., 11 a.m. Call 233-6967 for more info.
Summer Picnic in the Courtyard, a seasonal gathering hosted by the Madison Senior Center, featuring a menu of barbecue ribs, coleslaw, potato and ambrosia salads, corn muffins, and peach cobbler, along with bingo and live music. Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St., 12:30 p.m., $3.50. Please RSVP by July 13, and call 251-8405 for more info.
Extending the Local Food Season: Dehydrating fruits, vegetables and herbs class, organized by the instruction covering the preparation, storage, and use of dried produce. Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 10:30 a.m.-noon, $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Thai summer rolls and sauces class, with instructors Kristie Chijimatsu and Shell Jackson preparing a menu of summer rolls, with baked tofu and a mango chile and peanut dipping sauce. Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 4-6 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Save the date
Thursday, July 21
Rent Party, the 10th annual gala benefit for the Edgewater Hotel, 666 Wisconsin Ave., 7 p.m.-midnight, $40. RSVP by July 18, and call 661-9787 for more info.
