Valentine’s Day will be here in two short days, and surely love is in the air. What better way to celebrate a whole day devoted to love than to attend the Valentine’s Day concert, dinner and dance?

This event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14 in Alumni Hall. The dress for the event is business casual, and although tickets are not currently being sold for the dinner and concert portion of the evening, Gustavus students are welcome to attend the dance after 8:00 p.m. with a donation to the Friends of the Arboretum and with their student IDs. The Echos, a local band, will be playing swing music from the ’40s and ’50s.

This event has been going on for several years through the Continuing Education Program, but this year the Friends of the Arboretum are sponsoring the event. President of the Friends of Linnaeus Arboretum, Professor Emerita of Nursing and host of the event Kay Moline has been working hard to make this event come together. She has help from Administrative Secretary of the Interpretive Center Shirley Mellema, as well as other members of the Friends of the Arboretum.

“The proceeds of the Valentine’s Day event will help to pay for different events that the Friends of Linnaeus Arboretum have throughout the year,” Moline said.

“Sweethearts day is not just a celebration of love between males and females, but love in general. Why should people who are single or widowed be left out on a day like this? This event is for everyone,” Mellema said.

The Friends of the Arboretum is a group that supports the Arboretum and what it offers to the campus and the community, a beautiful space full of a wide range of plants and educational opportunities. A student membership costs $10 for a year and by being a member you not only support the Arboretum, but you receive the benefits of a subscription to the Arboretum’s newsletter, Twinflower, and discounts to events. Sophomore Nils Anderson and Junior Chemistry and Environmental Studies Major Ben Carlson are the two student members of the Friends of the Arboretum Board.

“The different events the Friends of the Arboretum host help to raise awareness of the treasure we have,” Anderson said.

To find out more information about becoming a member and upcoming events in the Arboretum, visit the arboretum website.

“Valentine’s Day is in the winter, and it has been cold, crummy weather, and the Valentine’s Day Dinner is to brighten up the season. This event just shows that we are alive and well, whether under six feet of snow or not,” Moline said.