March at the Fosston Library Arts Center

The calendar is turning to March. Will that make a difference in the weather? Here’s hoping so; everyone I know is more than ready for spring. Last year at this time I could see a 10-foot icicle out my window. This winter has been too cold to even make icicles. However, the Fosston Community Library Arts Center continues to bring opportunities to distract ourselves from the cold weather.
You’ll be seeing a new face at the library as Erwin Rud will be helping out under the Experience Works program. A Fosston native, Rud lived and worked in the Twin Cities and Rochester areas for a number of years, returning to Fosston in 2007. He has a varied work experience in his past  - retail, health care, janitorial, and maybe a few other things as well.
The library staff is looking forward to his help.
There are several events scheduled for the month, including a program by Robert Halbrook, called “The Magic of Dr. Seuss,” on Friday, March 21, at 145 p.m.; a Mom to Mom program on crock-pot freezer meals on Thursday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m.; book club on Tuesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. discussing The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce; Fosston writers’ group on Thursday, March 27; and the third grade musical on Thursday and Friday, March 13 and 14, 7 p.m. both nights.
The Hot Reads for Cold Nights adult reading program continues through the month of March. It’s not too late for you to read or listen to four books and qualify for the prize drawing.
Also during the month of March the Food for Fines campaign will be in force. Bring in a non-perishable, non-expired food item and have $2 waived from your library fine. Food items will go to the local food shelf.
Coming up some time this month will be a new display in the Sorenson Gallery of works by Ric Sorenson. Watch for more information on this later.
Looking ahead to April, the annual Festival of Tables is scheduled for Saturday, April 12. Put it on your calendar.
If you have ideas, suggestions, complaints about what you might like to see done by the FCLAA, you may want to contact any of the current board members, so here is a list: Keri Mireault, Scott Wilson, Bonnie Stewart, Orland Aspen, Wonell Miller, Becky Overmoe, Jeanne Rains, Sarah Steinbrenner, Bernadette Sorenson, Sandy Johnson and Ray Miller. Or you may just want to thanks them for their service.

Writers' Group

This is how I've been feeling for the last couple months - although now the weather may be about to change.

I’m Dreaming of Some Warm Weather (with apologies to Irving Berlin)

The snow is falling
The ground is white
It’s been so many a week.
The southland we may seek,
But it’s January, the twenty fourth,
And winter goes on here in the north.

I’m dreaming of some warm weather,
Just like we’ve had in summers past,
Where the treetops blossom
And children frolic, so glad for the swim season to last.

We need parkas, boots and mittens,
Scarves, vests for the kittens.
To survive the polar vortex,
We made sure to wear our Gore-Tex.
To plow snow we need a tractor;
Don’t forget the wind chill factor.

I’m dreaming of some warm weather
With every snowflake that I see.
May your days be merry and bright
And  every evening long and filled with light.
                                        ---Kay Carlsen

February happenings

February is here - I don’t know if that means we’ve turned the corner and will be soon leaving this frigid and snowy weather behind, but we can always hope so.
However, I do know there is an exciting event coming up at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center - Kid Jam will be held on Friday, February 14, beginning at 7 p.m. Twenty-four of Eric Olson’s guitar and drum students will be performing in five different bands for this event: Triple S, Boys n Black, Skittle Dragons, Backwoods Boys, and one more yet to be named.
Instrumentation includes guitar, bass, and drums, plus something electronic called DJ/Beat Creation, apparently done on a I pad. Musical styles include country, classic rock and pop. Three of these bands performed nine shows last year in schools, coffee shops, community centers, and other venues. If you’re looking for a new and different way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, this just might be it.
The appropriately-named “Hot Reads for Cold Nights” adult winter reading program continues.  There are weekly prize drawings - for every four books you read or listen to, you have a chance to win and what better way to spend a winter evening than curling up in the recliner with a good book and maybe a cat on your lap. The library doesn’t supply cats though, you’re on your own for that.
Make one of the books you read  Songs of Willow Frost and then plan to attend the Fosston Library Book Club in Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. It’s always enjoyable to discuss the book we’ve read with others and enjoy a cup of coffee (or a glass of water if you’re not a coffee drinker).
If you’re an aspiring writer, you’re welcome to join the Fosston Library Writers’ Group on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. You may come even if you haven’t yet written a line. Who knows, this just might be the inspiration you’re seeking.
One last little reminder - the library will be closed in Monday, Feb. 17, in observation of Presidents Day.