5 things to do in Dallas County this weekend from fish fries to International Women's Day

Fish Fry - Adel

5-7 p.m. Friday, March 8 at St. John's Church, 24043 302nd Pl, Adel.

St. John's Catholic Church will host a community fish fry on Friday nights through March 8. The menu includes hand battered fish, grilled cheese sandwich, fries, baked potatoes and coleslaw. The cost is $12 a plate, with a maximum of $40 per family. Children under five eat free. Dine-in and carry out will be available.

Fish Fry - Granger

5:30-7 p.m. Friday, March 8 at Assumption Catholic Church Gym, Granger.

Knights of Columbus will host a weekly fish fry on Fridays through March 22. The menu includes baked and fried fish, baked potato or French fries (fries are dine-in only), homemade coleslaw, dinner roll and cheese pizza. The Catholic Women's Club will also serve homemade desserts.

Fish Fry - Perry

5:30-7 p.m. Friday, March 8 at St. Pat's School Gym, Perry.

The St. Pat's Knights of Columbus will host Lenten fish fries on Fridays through March 22. The menu will include fried or baked fish, fish tacos, potatoes, coleslaw, drink and dessert. Shrimp is $3 extra. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5-10 and free for kids 4 and under, for a maximum of $30 per family.

Fish Fry - Van Meter

5:30-7 p.m. Friday, March 8 at Van Meter Veterans Reception Center.

A fish fry will be held on Friday nights through Lent at the Van Meter Veterans Reception Center. The menu includes fish, fries, hush puppies and coleslaw. A free-will donation will be taken for dine-in or carry out.

Spring Break Sip & Shop

4-7 p.m. Friday, March 8 at Perry businesses.

Let's think spring! Enjoy an after hours shopping experience at Perry businesses on Friday, March 8. Perfect for a Girls Night Out or Date Night! Find more information on the Perry Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

International Women's Day

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at Hotel Pattee, Perry.

Doors open at 9:15 a.m. for the International Women’s Day event at the Hotel Pattee. Speakers include Karen King Fitzgerald with World Link, Brandy Gustoff, Patti Naylor, Heather Watson and Mylah Meis, Perry High School junior. Coffee, tea and pastries will be served and door prizes will be given away. A free-will donation will be taken.

Adel Breakfast

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at 411 S 12th St., Adel.

Adel Masonic Lodge invites area residents to its monthly Sunday breakfast, which will kick off on March 10. The menu includes biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, milk, juice and coffee. The cost is $9 per plate.

Soap-Making Workshop

1:30-4 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at Forest Park, Perry.

DCCB is excited to host Ann Staudt of Siberian Soap Co. for a soap-making workshop at Forest Park! Explore the art and science of making handcrafted soap from scratch using a centuries-old cold-process soapmaking technique. Students will combine plant-based oils and lye to create soaps that are mild, moisturizing, and eco-friendly. This workshop is very hands-on, with each participant making and taking home 1 pound of their own custom batch of herbal handcrafted soap. Workshop cost is $40 (paid to Siberian Soap Co.) and is open to ages 16+. Registration is required through siberiansoap.com/collection/forestpark.

Spring Break Programs

March 11-15 at Perry Public Library.

The Perry Public Library will offer a variety of spring break programs from March 11-15. Activities include an evening storytime featuring blanket forts, Barbie birthday party and movies, experiments, family game time and more. All events are free and no registration is required. For more information, go to www.perry.lib.ia.us, visit the library, or call 515-465-3569.

Raptor Exhibit Open House

10-11 a.m. Monday, March 11 at Forest Park Museum, Perry.

The DCCB Barred Owl has moved to a new location at Forest Park Museum. Our staff didn’t just haphazardly throw together a chicken run; there is a lot of science, regulation, history, and species-specific behavior that went into the design for the mew (also known as the "raptor exhibit"). We will explain these details in an effort to better understand our avian education ambassador.

Perry Community Blood Drives

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. March 11 at 1215 141st St., Perry and 12:30-5 p.m. March 15 at 610 10th St., Perry.

Every 2 seconds, someone needs a lifesaving blood transfusion. Your local hospital relies entirely on blood donors from the community through LifeServe. Let's paint the town green with acts of kindness! Roll up your sleeve and be a hero this St. Patrick's Day season. Schedule an appointment at an upcoming blood drive in your community today. Upcoming Perry blood drives will be held from 11 to 3 p.m. on Monday, March 11 at 1215 141st St. and from 12:30 to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15 at 610 10th St. Schedule a blood donation appointment online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or call800.287.4903.

Roaming Readers Book Club

2 p.m. Monday, March 11 at Brenton Arboretum, 25141 260th St, Dallas Center.

Join Waukee Public Library at The Brenton Arboretum at 2 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at for a discussion of each month's book. We will meet indoors at the Arboretum's climate-controlled Vista Room for book discussion, and afterwards walk one of the trails together (weather permitting). Joining us on the walk is entirely optional and not required to join this book club. If you do plan to walk, please bring water and wear suitable footwear and clothing. Copies of each month's book may be picked up at the Library's front desk or at The Brenton Arboretum during the meeting, while supplies last. The list of current and upcoming book club reads can be found here: waukeepubliclibrary.org/bookclubs

March Bird Hike

8:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 12 at Voas Nature Area.

Looking for something fun to do with your family over Spring Break? We will be exploring the diverse habitats at Voas Nature Area to view early migratory species. There is usually a diversity of waterfowl at this time of year. Beginners and seasoned birders welcome. Binoculars and books will be provided. Registration is required through the DCCB's Eventbrite page.

Kuehn Winter Fun

10-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 13 at Kuehn Conservation Area.

Come spend a day of your spring break with a DCCB naturalist at Kuehn Conservation for some late winter fun. We’ll explore, play games, and check out the bird blind all in the upper area of Kuehn. Dress for the potentially wet or cold weather (or whatever nature throws at us). Registration is required through the DCCB's Eventbrite page.

Free Community Supper

5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 at Heartland Church of Christ, 14417 J Ave, Perry.

All are welcome to join us at Heartland Church of Christ (just west of Hy-Vee) for supper on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - no charge. Dine in or carry out. Handicap accessible. Take a night off cooking and let us serve you!

Spring Equinox Sunset Celebration

7-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 at Hanging Rock.

Join DCCB Naturalists at the astronomical clock atop the ridge to observe and celebrate the Spring Equinox sunset. Explore metering time in a different scale with a clock made of rocks. Slow your pace, gather with community, and enjoy the magic of a sunset together. Register to be notified of updates through the DCCB's Eventbrite page.

Creating Backyard Habitat

6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at Dallas County Extension Office, 28061 Fairground Road, Adel.

Dallas County Master Gardeners are excited to announce an upcoming presentation titled "Creating Backyard Habitat” from Kaycie Waters-Brocka, Natural Resources Field Specialist with Iowa State University. Waters-Brocka will go over what is needed to create wildlife habitat in your backyard and the benefits that come from providing for wildlife. Limited seats are available for this workshop, and early registration is encouraged. To reserve your spot, visit go.iastate.edu/TZNBMF or contact Megan Will at mwill@iastate.edu

Mobile Food Pantry

8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23 at Crossroads Church, Perry.

Crossroads Church will host a mobile food pantry from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 23.

Friends of Minburn Library Mini Golf Fundraiser

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Minburn Public Library, 618 5th St., Minburn.

The Friends of the Minburn Library are planning a 9-hole mini golf fundraiser on Saturday, March 23. The cost is $5 for a single person or $15 for family. Guests can come at their leisure between 9 a.m. to noon.

Iowa's Barn Quilts Program

1:30 p.m. Friday, March 29 at Woodward Public Library, 118 S. Main St., Woodward.

The Woodward Public Library will be hosting Darcy Maulsby with her program ‘Iowa’s Barn Quilts’ at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 29.

Woodward Easter Egg Hunt

10 a.m. Saturday, March 30 at Woodward Public Library, 118 S. Main St.

Woodward Lions and Woodward Public Library will be holding its Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the library for ages 2 years old to grade 5 on Saturday, March 30.

Nu Alpha Gamma Scholarship

Due April 1.

Nu Alpha Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of women educators from Dallas County, is again offering a $500 scholarship for future teachers. Applicants must have graduated from a Dallas County High School or be a current resident of Dallas County. They should be a college sophomore or junior who is majoring in a B.S. or B.A. in education program. Applications are due April 1. To receive an application, or if you have questions, contact Mrs. Deb Irving at debtaylorirving@gmail.com or 515-238-9660 or 641-524-5278. Applicants will be notified in May whether or not they have been selected.

To submit events to be included in the Around the County round-up, email news@adelnews.com or news@theperrychief.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Best things to do in Dallas County March 8-10 include International Women's Day