February at the Fosston Library Arts Center

It’s February. I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready to exchange my snowmen decorations for the hearts and flowers of Valentine’s Day.

Remember that the Hot Reads for Cold Nights adult winter reading program continues through the month of February. For every four books read, you have a chance to win a prize.

If you’re ready to get out and about, there will be a concert at the Fosston Library Arts Center on Thursday, February 7, at 7 p.m. Phil Heywood, Minnesota finger style guitarist, will perform as part of Lake Agassiz’s Regional Library’s The Beat Goes On series. Heywood, who is based in the Twin Cities, will present a broad range of music, including blues, folk and ragtime, as well as some of his original pieces. This free concert is supported by funds from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

At the annual meeting of the FCLAA on January 9, the following officers were elected: President - Keri Mireault, Vice President - Scott Wilson, Secretary - Bonnie Stewart, and treasurer - Orland Aspen. Three new members were welcomed to the board.: Sandy Johnson, Bernadette Sorenson, and Becky Strobel.

Sandy Johnson has lived in the Fosston area for 38 years. Although she was involved in the initial development of the arts center, this is the first time she has served on the board. A graduate of Bemidji State University, Sandy was an early childhood - family life teacher in Bagley for many years, retiring last fall in order to pursue other interests. She volunteers at our local hospital, at the food shelf, and at the Family Crisis Center in Bagley. Her husband Rich, who taught biology at the Fosston High School for 33 years, now teaches at Northland College in Thief River Falls. They have a married daughter and two grandchildren.

Bernadette Sorenson has also been involved with the FCLAA since its early beginnings, working with her husband Ric to establish the Sorenson Gallery and serving on the board for several years awhile back. Originally from Jamestown, North Dakota, Bernadette moved to Fosston in 1968 and taught art and worked as an administrator in the Fosston school system for 35 years. She still works with the GED program there. She and Ric worked with the AFS program for many years and hosted an number of exchange students. She enjoys cooking, yoga and , of course, art, and is currently creating cut paper collages. The Sorensons’ two grown children live in the area, and they have three grandchildren. Bernadette told me, "Life is an adventure, no matter where it leads." Now it seems to have led her to a position on the FCLAA board.

The third new member, Becky Strobel, is in her third year as the instrumental music instructor in the Fosston school system. Originally from Glencoe, Minnesota, where her parents and two siblings still live, she is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. During the summer months, she marches with the Govenaires Drum & Bugle Corp based in St. Peter. This group was founded in 1926 and in 2011 were national champions in their division. She is excited to be on the FCLAA board and be involved in the Fosston community.

Congratulations to the FCLAA theater committee, which has been selected for the Person of the Year Award. Michelle Marx, Scott Wilson, Wonell Miller and JoAnne Papke planned and spearheaded the major renovation project at the theater and well deserve this honor.

Other upcoming events at the library:

Tuesday, Feb. 12 - Books & BonBons Book Club - 7:00 p.m. This month’s book is Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson.

Monday, Feb. 18 - Presidents Day - library closed

Thursday, Feb. 28 - Writers’ group - 7:30 p.m.