And now it's October

October- the leaves are beautiful, and there is a bountiful apple crop this year, but unfortunately for the squirrels and deer, no acorns. However, things are going well at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, with lots of activities scheduled plus a new branch manager for the library.

April Wedin assumed her new position on Monday, September 26, A Fosston native, April has worked as a sub at the library since last November. She is happy to be working at the library full-time and says she hopes to see what needs to be done and then to do it. Sounds like a good plan to me. We are thrilled to have her on board.

April started her job just in time for one of October's big events – the annual library used book sale. Books, CDs, DVDs, magazines are all available in the library basement – and nothing costs more than a dollar. Proceeds go toward library programming.

Also during the month of October, there a couple of Legacy programs scheduled that would be well worth your while. On Saturday, October 15, at 10:30 a.m., there will be an author presentation by Kao Kalia Yang. Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, her books include The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir and The Song Poet. She will speak about her family's history, resettlement in the U.S., and her books. She is now a U.S. citizen living in Minneapolis.

On Thursday, October 20, at 7 p.m., musician Nate Hance will present “Land of 10,000 Tunes,” a journey through Minnesota's musical masterpieces. There will be music by the Andrew Sisters, Judy Garland, Bob Dylan, and Prince, as well as polkas, waltzes and marches. A 2010 graduate of Concordia College, Hance composes, arranges, works as a musician and also gives piano lessons. Currently living in Minneapolis, he has served as a bandleader on the Holland Cruise Lines and has done all things musical in Denver, Colorado. It should be a fun evening.

While you are at the library, shopping at the book sale or attending a program, be sure to take a look at the new show in the Sorenson Gallery. Cathy Forgit from Fertile is a fiber artist, working primarily in wool. She has taken textile classes in Norway. Sweaters, wall hangings, shawls and mittens are all on display. They are beautiful. Watch for information about a meet-the-artist reception some time this month.

The library book club will meet Tuesday. October 11, at 7 p.m. This month's book is Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz. Set in Wisconsin in 1919, the book explores the changes that come to the lives of the family members of a women that drowns beneath the ice. I haven't read it yet, but I see it was an Oprah's Book Club selection.

Writers' Group has resumed after a summer hiatus. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m. New members are always welcome.

Take note – the library will be closed on Monday, October 10, for a staff training day.

September is flying by

Shorter hours of daylight, cooler temperatures, and the start of school – it must be September. As always, the new season brings a new schedule to the Fosston Community Library Art Center. Summer reading program activities are over, but other activities resume after a summer hiatus.

Music lessons will again be offered at the art center with the following instructors: Scott Paavola, (guitar) - scottpaavola@gmail.com or 218-556-8669; Jeff Menten, (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; and Molly Peltier (piano) mkcrane@gmail.com or 435-1200. If you or your child are interested in lessons, please contact an instructor directly.

Also resuming in September is family fun time ( games, puzzles, crafts and movies and more) on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m.; youth chess club (ages 10 and up) on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m.; book club, Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. (The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd), and writers' group on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Wow!

There are also some special events on the calendar for this month. On Friday, September 9, as part of East Polk Heritage Days, there was a concert by Michael and Bonnie Jorgensen from St. Peter. The Jorgensens presented music byTheodora Cormontan, the younger sister of Magnus Cormontan, one of the first doctors and pharmacists in Fosston. The 7 p.m. concert was preceded by a Scandinavian dessert buffet at 6:00 p.m.

On Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m., paranormal expert Chad Lewis will present a program entitled “Tales of Ghosts, UFOs and Mysterious Creatures.” I have heard Chad Lewis several times and his presentations are always interesting. This one includes alien abductions, haunted places, mysterious creatures, crop circles and more. You don't want to miss it.

Also in September, there should be a new display coming up in the Sorenson Gallery. Cathy Forgit from Fertile will be showing functional art. I'm not exactly sure what that means so watch for more information.

In closing, here is kind of a sad note: we are saying good-bye to not just one, but two of our employees, who are moving on to new positions. Librarian Tammi Jalowiec has been in charge of the Fosston Library since July of 2009. She has resigned her position here to take the librarian position at the White Earth Tribal and Community College in Mahnomen. In addition, Erin Christianson, who has been the library assistant since this past November, is leaving for to work as a paraprofessional in the Win-E-Mac School District. We wish both of them well in their new endeavors. Activities at the library will continue as planned, but you will probably be seeing a variety of faces until new people are hired for these positions.

Let's end on a positive note: September is Library Card Sign-up Month. If you sign up for a new library card at the Fosston Public Library in September, you may choose one item from our gently-used book sale cart for FREE!