Be mine: Area happenings to share with your sweetheart (or just a sweet friend!)

FRIDAY, FEB. 13

* A "Love is in the Air" Valentine's Party and Dance, sponsored by Schnucks, will be held at 9 a.m. at the A.C. Brase Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. The party is for couples who have been married for 50 or more years, and there is no cost to attend. There will be entertainment, refreshments, dancing and awards given to various couples in attendance.

* The KRCU Valentine's Day Party will take place from 6:30 p.m. until midnight at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. The party includes a buffet dinner, door prizes, an open bar, live music by Shades of Soul and more. Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7 and dancing at 8. Tickets are $50 per person and tables of eight can be reserved in advance for $500. The event is sponsored by Isle Casino Cape Girardeau and SoutheastHEALTH.

SATURDAY, FEB. 14

* A maple sugaring event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. Learn about the history, equipment used and the process of making maple syrup. No registration is required, and the event is free and open to all ages.

* A Mardi Gras Party will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. at Hunter Valley Winery in Cape Girardeau. The winery will offer Cajun food and beads galore! Call 573-332-0879 for more information.

* The Ste. Genevieve Chocolate Walk will take place on Valentine's Day. Take a stroll through the shops in the downtown historic district, where more than 20 participating locations will offer a chocolate treat! Many participating merchants will have in-store specials as well. The event is sponsored by the Ste. Genevieve Downtown Renewal Program. Tickets for the Chocolate Walk are $10 each and may be purchased at the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center on the day of the event.

* A Valentine's Dinner Theater will be held at 6 p.m. at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. The show features a catered meal followed by a variety of music and songs from the 1950, '60s and the Big Band Era, plus a touch of country. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the meal starts at 6:30. Tickets are $25 each. Call 573-833-6509 for more information.

* A Valentine dinner and dance will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Cape Girardeau Eagles No. 3775, 321 N. Spring St. in Cape Girardeau. The cost is $15 for a steak dinner, $12 for chicken and $5 for the dance only. The event is open to all adults, but guests must call in advance for the meal at 573-335-0931.

* Valentine's at the Plaza will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. at Ray's Banquet Center in Cape Girardeau. Advance tickets are $40 for singles and $75 for couples, or $50 for singles and $100 for couples at the door. Dinner will be served from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and a cash bar will be available. Door prizes will be given away, and music will be provided by DJ Sky Jammer. Photographs will be available for purchase by Cheekwood Studio. For information or tickets, email tameka_randle@hotmail.com.

* Route du Vin (Romancing the Grape) will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14 and 15. Visit six wineries in the Ste. Genevieve area and try a wine and food pairing at each one. You can visit all six wineries in one day or make it a two-day event and spend the night in an area bed-and-breakfast. Tickets are $25 per person, plus tax, and can be purchased at www.visitstegen.com or on the day of the event at the Ste. Genevieve Winery.

SUNDAY, FEB. 15

* Experience Mardi Gras at Magnolia Manor in Cairo, Illinois! The post-bellum manor will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. with a live band, authentic Cajun food, Champagne and a sweets table. The cost is $25 per person; call 618-734-0201 for reservations.

* Route du Vin (Romancing the Grape) continues -- see above.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, FEB. 21 AND 22

* A Taste of Chocolate is a two-day event celebrating wine, chocolate and romance! Enjoy fine wine perfectly paired with a decadent chocolate treat at each of the four wineries on the Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail: Hunter Valley Winery, Apple Creek Vineyard and Winery, Hemman Winery and The Barrens Winery. Purchase tickets at www.mississippiriverhillswinetrail.com or at any of the wine trail wineries. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, and $15 for those serving as designated drivers.