April at the Arts Center

April - and the burning question is: Will the snow be gone by the end of the month? One can only hope. There is no question about this though: there is a full schedule of events at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

Author-illustrator/musician Doug Wood, whose best known book is Old Turtle, will be at the elementary school on Monday and Tuesday, April 8 and 9. He will also be at the Arts Center Monday evening for a musical presentation and book talk. Time for the event is 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Books & BonBons Book Club meets Tuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is Defending Jacob by William Landay. I haven’t read it yet, but I’ve heard good things about it, and I know the dessert is always good. Come and join the conversation.

The twelfth annual Festival of Tables fund-raiser will take place on Saturday, April 13, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church here in Fosston. Tickets are available at the library or from Kim Wilson (435-6753) or Joan Dufault (435-6986). Buy in advance as there may not be any left by the day of the luncheon.

National Library Week is April 14-20 with several special events planned. On Monday, April 15, at 11 a.m., there will be a class for those of you who are not yet on Facebook but would like to be. Call the library (435-1320) to pre-register.

On Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. author Wendell Affield will be at the library to talk about his book, Muddy Jungle Rivers. Affield is a Minnesota author and a Vietnam veteran, and his book is based on his experiences in the war. This event is co-sponsored by Fosston American Legion Post 114.

Then on Wednesday, April 17, at 1:30 p.m., Minnesota folk singer/songwriter Dennis Warner, will present a concert. Warner’s best-known song is "Beads on a String," which has been released as a children’s book. His concerts are suitable for all ages.

An extra special happening Friday, April 12, through Sunday, April 21, is the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council exhibit. This is a juried show of approximately 100 pieces from adult and student artists in the region. Viewing times are during library hours as well as from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 21. That same day there will be a reception from 1:30-3 with announcement of awards, music and refreshments.

And that’s not all - on Tuesday, April 23, at 1 p.m., historian Vickie Wendel, will be at the library with a program called "Fashion Trends and Issues: 1850s to 1920s. She will follow women’s fashions from the sewing machine to ready-made clothing ordered from a mail order catalog. This program is supported by Legacy Amendment funds, as is the Dennis Warner concert.

I also need to mention the current display of rosemaling in the Sorensen Gallery. If you haven’t yet seen it, be sure to stop by and take a look as it will be up only until April 10. There are some beautiful pieces painted by a number of local rosemalers.

And lastly, April is Food for Fines month at the library. If you have overdue fines yet to be paid, bring in a non-perishable food item and for each item, $2.00 will be taken off your fine. Food donated will go to the Fosston Loaves and Fishes food shelf.