And October

October is here. The temperatures maybe unseasonably warm, but the leaves are turning (and falling) and the light is waning. The Aurora Center for the Arts has just hosted a successful Lit Fest with several Minnesota authors. Coming up this month isa stained glass mosaic class with JoAnn McFarlin on Thursday, Oct. 9. Attendees will learn glass cutting, proper adhesives, grouting and color composition. Ten people are enrolled. . Information for a couple of upcoming classes, one in November on making a marbleized journal and one in December on micro mosaics, can be found at auroracenterforthearts.org. Coming to the Sorenson Gallery in October is a display of pottery by Betsy Saurdiff. She is from Grygla, and her pottery pays homage to her grandmothers and mother. The winner of numerous awards, Saurdiff is influenced by her rural roots, including sewing, berry picking, hunting, fishing and working on the farm. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, on Friday, October 24, at 1:30 p.m., author Christopher Lehmanwill discuss his book It Took Courage: Eliaz Winston’s quest for Freedom. The book is the story of a woman who escaped slavery by petitioning a judge in Minnesota. He will talk about his inspirations for writing the book, methods of research and the people and places involved. It should be an interesting presentation. Book club meets Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is Maria by Michelle Moran. A novel based on Maria Von Trapp, heroine of “The Sound of Music,” the book is an attempt to tell the real story behind the movie. I’m looking forward to reading it. If you are interested, contact the library to obtain a copy of the book. Bingo for the kiddos is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, at 3:15 p.m. Always a fun time. Everyone likes to win a prize. One last reminder: The library will be closed on Monday, October 13, for a staff workshop. (That’s Columbus Day and/or Indigenous Peoples’ Day.)

September is here

September is here, school has started, and activities at the Aurora Center for the Arts will be in full swing. Music lessons will again be available. Jeff Menten (218-255-0077) teaches violin, fiddle, guitar, including classical guitar, mandolin and cello. He is also available for on-line lessons (and yes, that is a thing – works well). Eric Olson (218-358-0605) teaches guitar (acoustic or electric), bass guitar, drums, vocal and songwriting. Check out his Website – thespawnpoint.com. Kay Carlsen (218-435-6710 or 218-289-3968) (that’s me) will continue to teach piano. I can also be reached at aagekay@gvtel.com. There are still open spots available for the 3-day acrylic class with Pamela Edevold to be held Friday-Sunday, Sept. 19-21. Students will learn to use Golden Open Acrylics to paint portraits. To sign up e-mail hello@auroracenterforthearts.org or go online at bit.ly/AuroraArtClass. She does incredible work. The current exhibit in the Sorenson Gallery features the work of Ruth Ann Nordlund. Titled “A Reflection of Scandinavia,” this display features still-life paintings of Nordic heirlooms. There will be an artist’s reception on Friday, Sept. 19, from 5-7, with a talk by the artist at 5:30. Dates for the Up North LitFest are September 25-26. Meet authors from all over Minnesota. Participate in breakout sessions and meals with keynote speakers Jean Cooney and Will Weaver. Ticketing options have been expanded. You may now choose à la carte sessions or opt for the complete program at a discounted rate. This event highlights the talents of Minnesota's vibrant literary community. For more ticket info, please visit https://auroracenterforthearts.org/shopdonate Starting this month, the open hours for the Fosston Library have changed slightly. New hours are 9-5 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 12-7 on Tuesdays, 12-6 on Thursdays, and 10-2 on Saturdays. On Friday, September 12, author Eric Dregni will be at the library at 2:30 to talk about his book, Vikings in the Attic. In the book, he explores significant historic sites, tales and traditions of Scandinavians in the Midwest. I have heard him speak, most recently at a Sons of Norway meeting, and he is quite entertaining. The library book club resumes meeting on Tuesday, September 16, at 2. This month’s book is Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate. Contact the library if you need a copy. One more exciting event for this month: On Tuesday, September 23, artist Dorothy Hoover will help participants decorate a plate with Telemark rosemaling. The class is scheduled from 1-6. All materials are provided and there is no charge for the class. However, preregistration is required. You may call the Fosston Library at 435-1320 to register or go to larl.libnet.info/event/14387106. Wow! That’s what I call a full month. Don’t complain that there’s nothing to do in Fosston.

August already

Oh, no- it’s August already. It seems as if summer has just gotten started, but before you know it, it will be back to school and farewell to the lazy, hazy days of summer. (Although I could do without the hazy days of Canadian wildfire smoke.) However, there are plenty of activities planned for August at the Aurora Center for the Arts. “Space Pirates,” directed by Kirby Vossler, will be performed August 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. and August 9 at 3 p.m. Twenty-five students in grades three-six are featured. Some of them presented a sample of their talents at the theater revue on July 24. Tickets are available online at auroracenterforthearts.org or at Nord’s. Want to learn how to knit and embroider your own hat? You probably won’t need to wear it this month, but winter will be here before you know it. Stephanie Anderson, an accomplished fiber/textile artist with a background in knitting, quilting and Viking age textiles, will be teaching a class on Tuesday, Aug.19, beginning at 6 p.m. To sign up e-mail hello@auroracenterforthearts.org or go online to bit.ly/AuroraArtClass There is a fee. No fee to visit the Sorenson Gallery to view the still life paintings of Ruth Ann Nordlund. Her work will be on display beginning August 22, with an artist’s reception on Sept. 19 from 5-7. The week of August 18-22 Aurora will be hosting a drama camp for students doing the “Wizard of Oz.” Directed by Abby Pearson, students will learn basic theater directions, costuming, and set making They will put on a show for the public on Friday, August 22, at 6 p.m. Coming up in September: Pamela Edevold’s acrylic class still has openings. Dates are September 19-21, 5-9 Friday, and 10-4 Saturday and Sunday. Students will learn to use Golden Open Acrylics to paint portraits. To sign up e-mail hello@auroracenterforthearts.org or sign up online at bit.ly/AuroraArtClass There is a fee charged for this class. Pam Edevold does incredible work. If you can learn to paint even half as well as she does, it will all be worth it. Registration is now open for Up North LitFest, a two-day celebration of books, storytelling and creativity on Thursday and Friday, September 25 & 26. Presenters include Jeanne Dooney, author of the Hotdish Mystery series, and Minnesota writer Will Weaver, as well as Kristen Eggerling, Dawn Duncan and Sheila Packa. You can sign up online at auroracenterforthearts.org. Just a little reminder – the Fosston Library/Aurora Center will be closed on Labor Day, September 1.

Children's summer art classes

The Fourth is Nearly Here

The Fourth of July is nearly here, and while I hate to bring this up, once that is past, we are on the downhill slope towards the end of summer. We better enjoy the season while it’s still here, so plan to spend your Thursday evenings listening to some great music in a pleasant outdoor venue. Aurora Center for the Arts’ free Music on the Porch concert series continues through the month of July at the East Polk Heritage Center. Caleigh, a northern Minnesota trio, will be playing on July 10, Acoustofiddle (Paul Nye and Jeff Menten) are on stage on July 17, there will be a theater revue on July 24, and Doyle Turner and Sarah Morris perform on July 31. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. You can bring snacks and beverages if you wish – chairs too or sit at the picnic tables. Currently on display in the Sorenson Gallery there is artwork from the children's summer art classes taught by Kirby Vossler. You may visit the gallery during library hours. Kirby Vossler is a busy person. She will also be directing a cast of 23 third through sixth graders in “Space Pirates: A New Children’s Musical.” Rehearsals begin in July with performances scheduled for August 6-9. The show follows a group of Earth kids who find themselves transported to a spaceship full of aliens obsessed with Earth’s artifacts. When space pirates show up to ransack the ship, the kids help to save the day. Tickets will be available in late July. Meanwhile at the Fosston Library, the summer reading experience, Wild about Reading, continues through the month of July. Reading logs must be returned the first week of August to qualify for the prize drawings. There is still time to get that reading done. Prairie Public’s Learning Express trailer will be at the library July 14-18. The trailer is packed with resource bins filled with kits, games and activities that families can use during library hours. An adult must be present to supervise children while bins are in use. And of course, the library will be closed on Friday, July 4, Independence Day. It will, however, be open on Saturday, July 5, even though that seems to be the day for the festivities in Fosston.

Rick Paulin paintings

June, June, June

As the song says, “June is busting out all over,” and at the Aurora Center for the Arts, all sorts of fun activities are busting out as well, so much so that some are busting into other locations. The Aurora Center is once again sponsoring the Music on the Porch concert series on Thursday evenings at the East Polk Heritage Center. These free concerts begin at 7 p.m. You may want to bring your own chair although some seating is available at the picnic tables under the shelter. The first concert is June 19 with The WoodPicks, From Thief River Falls, this talented group plays gospel, bluegrass, country and Americana music. They should be a great choice to kick off the season. There will be no concert on June 26, as that is when “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” will be presented at the Aurora Center, directed by Abby Pearson and featuring 20 high school-aged actors. Tickets will be available soon at Nords Pharmacy and Gifts and online at auroracenterforthearts.org Kirby Voesler will be teaching several summer rec art classes for kids ages five through twelve. These will be held in the art area of the Aurora basement. For adults there will be a couple of opportunities at the Old School Artist Retreat Center in Lengby; Leatherwork with Janette McColl on Saturday, June 21, 9a.m.-5p.m., and Hard Cover Journal with Mike McColl on Monday and Tuesday, June 23-24, 7-8:30 p.m. There is a fee charged for these classes. To sign up online, go to bit.ly/AuroraArtClass or for more information, e-mail hello@auroracenterforthearts.org Meanwhile, at the Fosston Public Library, Wild about Reading, the 2025 summer reading program, began on June 1. Children and teens are invited to pick up a reading log to be eligible for some great prizes at the end of the summer. In addition, there are several free programs, all on Wednesdays at 2 p.m., starting June 4 with Bemidji Headwater’s Science Center staff and some of their animals. Learn about animals’ habitats, defenses, adaptations, and proper handling. June 11 is Wild about Wheels. Kids are invited to get a close look at some community work vehicles. The June 18 program is at the Fosston Movie Theater. Admission is free for a showing of The Lion King. (But concession charges are the responsibility of the attendees. On June 25, a park naturalist from Itasca State Park will present Let’s Get Wild with Animal Signs. What signs do wild animals leave behind? July 2 Dazzling Dave Yo-Yo Master will be at the library to share his expertise with the yo-yo. Perhaps he will inspire your kids (or yourself) to give it a try.