And 2017 is here!

And once again we've switched calendars as 2016 has given way to 2017. The weather is definitely wintry, but we can handle it. The Fosston Community Library Arts Center has some special events scheduled for this month, so put them on your calendar.

This year is the 70^th anniversary of the world-famous Cannes Film Festival. I suspect that very few of you will be heading to France in May to attend, so instead plan to attend the Cans Film Festival to be held Monday, January 9, at 7 p.m. at the library arts center. Several short films will be shown. This event will benefit the Loaves and Fishes Food Shelf, so please bring a non-perishable food item for your admission.

Again this year there will be a Hot Reads for Cold Nights winter reading program for adults. Read or listen to four books for a chance to win prizes, which include mugs, calendars, totes and more. To participate, pick up an entry form at the library or you may register on-line at larl.org/hot-reads-for-cold-nights/ The program will run through the end of February.

The new display in the Sorenson Gallery is “The Metal Men,” with works from Jerry Hobbs, Tony Roed, Leon Bitker and Jeffrey Olson. From Leon Bitker's roses to Jerry Hobbs traditional blades, you can see a variety of examples of the blacksmith's art. Roed, Bitker and Olson are all from the Fosston area, while Hobbs comes from New York Mills.

Book club will meet Tuesday, January 10, at 7 p.m. This month's book is The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. It's a thriller – and our discussions are always interesting.

Writers' group is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, at 7:30 p.m. Attendance has dwindled in the past months so this may be the final meeting of the group. If you are interested give me a call at 435-6710.

The FCLAA will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, January 11, at 7 p.m. All members and the general public are invited to attend. If you have suggestions as to what you would like to see happen or if you just want a behind the scenes look at what goes on, plan now to attend.

If you have any preschoolers in your life, you definitely want to sign them up for the 1,000 Books before Kindergarten program. I realize 1,000 books sounds like a lot, but bear in mind that the books one reads to young children are pretty short, and one can easily read 3 books a day. Pick up reading logs and a book bag at the library and just start reading.

All library users should plan to participate in the Minnesota Loves Libraries campaign by filling out a postcard or an online form. The purpose is to gather stories about the importance of libraries and to present that information to our legislators.

Just one last bit of information – The library will be closed on Monday, January 16, in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday. 

Darlene Busch paintings currently on display

These are a few of the paintings currently at the Sorenson Gallery.

December is a wonderful time of the year

December is here – with that most wonderful time of the year (to quote a song) and there are some wonderful times scheduled at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

If you enjoy Christmas music ( and who doesn't, unless you are the Grinch), make plans to attend a special Christmas recital by Orland Aspen's vocal students on Sunday, December 11, at 7 p.m. This event is free and refreshments will be served.

The current display in the Sorenson Gallery isn't strictly for the holidays, but its bright colors are just what we need to see during these winter days. The artist is Darlene Busch, who currently lives in Billings, Montana. She is originally from Climax and has relatives in the Fosston area. Some of these abstract paintings are on loan from them.

Book club holiday meeting will be Tuesday, December 13, at 7 p.m. Bring a treat to share and come discuss The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom.

Writers' group will not meet in December, but may resume in January if there is enough interest. Here is a poem I wrote last year at this time. Maybe it will inspire you to think, “I could do better than that.”

Christmas Memories

The odor of lutefisk wafts through the air

An unpleasant aroma to me

Although there are others that find it quite fair

And it does smell like Christmas, you see.

The aunts and the uncles most surely ate some

Of that “fish” that my grandmother cooked.

As each Christmas Eve to the farm they did come,

And the lefse was not overlooked.

My parents, my sisters, my cousins were there

The kids all so glad for meatballs,

Potatoes with gravy, dill pickles - such fare -

Even with butter that “fish” it appalls.

The kitchen was busy - baking was done-

Flatbread and Julekage we ate

Krumkake, fattimand (you can’t have just one )-

Sandbakkles and spritz all on a plate.

But to the little ones ’twas not just the meal.

Despite being special, it was too long,

The waiting and waiting became an ordeal.

We wanted those presents - Was that so wrong?

Excitement, excitement- Wait with the dishes -

The tree with the presents is calling.

We needed to know: Would we get our wishes?

Packages, packages - what did they all bring?

Those days of my childhood are so long gone now

With lutefish not on our menu

But just a brief whiff of that scent will allow

Time to turn back for a moment or two.

Also in December:

-Merry Christmas storytime, Friday, December 16, 10:30 a.m.

-Chess holiday gathering – Tuesday. December 20, 3:30 p.m.

-Saturday, December 24, & Monday, December 26, library closed for the Christmas holiday.