September at the Arts Center

September - back to school - and at the Fosston  Community Library Arts Center, it’s back to music lessons and back to a number of other  activities as well.
Music instructors who will be resuming lessons some time this month are:
Scott Paavola(guitar)  218-556-8669 or scottpaavola@gmail.com; Eric Olson (guitar, bass and drums) - 218-694-2687 or pastorericolson@gmail.com ; Jeff Menten, member of American String Teachers Association, (violin, viola, cello, mandolin, upright bass)  218-255-0087 or jeffmentenmusic@hotmail.com; Orland Aspen (voice) - musicman56@gvtel.com or 435-6791;
Kay Carlsen (piano) - aagekay@gvtel.com or 435-6710;  Lora Lee Saeter (piano) -lsaeter@yahoo.com or 435-1422. If you or your child are interested in lessons, please contact one of the instructors directly.
By the time you read this, there should be a new display in the Sorenson Gallery, “Warren MacKenzie: a Potter’s Hands.” MacKenzie is considered an American ceramic master. After many years of teaching ceramics at the University of Minnesota, he now lives near Stillwater, and at the age of 90 continues to maintain a studio there. Mark Lambert is the director of a documentary about the potter.  On Friday, Sept. 25, the film will be shown at the arts center at 7 p.m., preceded by a reception beginning at 5:30.  Also, earlier in the afternoon Lambert will be conducting a pottery  workshop at the school. Watch for more information.
Not in September, but rather the very first day of October, there will be another special event at the library when Steven R. Hoffbeck gives a presentation based on his book, The Haymakers - a Chronicle of Five Farm Families. Farming has changed considerably in the last 150 years, and Hoffbeck, who grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, brings a unique personal perspective to his subject. The program is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
In addition to the new library card club that will be meeting on Thursdays at 1 p.m., a number of other activities will resume after taking a summer break (just like school).  Youth chess club also meets weekly, at 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and every Wednesday at 3:30 there will be a family fun activity scheduled. The library book club resumes on Tuesday, September 8, at 7 p.m. The book for the month is Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury. Also writers’ group will resume on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7:30. New members are always welcome for all of these activities.
We will start the month of September without one of the long-time library employees, as Gina Gensburger is moving on to a new job after 10 years at the Fosston Library. I know she will be missed and we wish her the best.

August is here

Once again August is here - a month known for no special holidays, unless you count the whole month as the last gasp of summer before school starts. At the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, there will still be plenty of activity, as the summer reading program, “READ to the Rhythm!” will continue throughout the month. There should still be time to read enough books to be entered in the grand prize drawings at the end of the month. Prizes include a child-sized drum kit for ages 0-6, a disco light karaoke system for ages 7-11 and a 7” tablet PC for ages 12-18. Those are some pretty nice prizes.
There are only two Wednesday programs left, however. On August 5, kids will have the opportunity to make their own wind chime. Then on August  12 comes the grand finale event - a pool party at the Fosston Civic Center pool. There will be snacks and door prizes. Signed permission forms are required - pick one up at the library. Preschoolers must be accompanied by an adult and non-swimmers are required to wear a life jacket. Both events are scheduled for 2 p.m.
There will be a pottery exhibit coming to the Sorenson Gallery sometimes towards the end of the month. Watch for more information.
Looking ahead to September, there are some exciting opportunities coming up. Beginning Thursday, September 3. at 1 p.m. a library card club will meet weekly. Possible games are canasta, gin rummy, or whist - or whatever the players decide (well, maybe not poker unless it’s played for buttons.) If you enjoy playing cards, stop by and see what it’s all about.
The library book club will resume meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The book is Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury so you may want to request it at the library soon.
While you are there, you can check out some other books as well or do some research on the computer in air-conditioned comfort. Enjoy August - fall will be here soon enough.