January is coming

Cold temperatures, snow, ice – it’s winter, and it’s almost January. If you are looking for something to take your mind off the weather, look no further than the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, where you will find some enjoyable activities as well as a wide variety of reading materials, CDs and DVDs.

Book Club will meet on Tuesday, January 9, at 7 p.m. This month’s selection is The Paris Wife, a novel based on the story of Ernest Hemmingway and his wife Hadley. There most likely be coffee and some sort of goodies as well as an interesting discussion.

Writers’ group will meet Thursday, January 25, at 7:30 p.m. If your New Year’s resolutions include finally getting those memoirs written, coming to this group might just give you the motivation you need.

The FCLAA annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 10, at 7 p.m. All members are welcome, and if you’re not a member, you are welcome to come and find out what it’s all about.

I’m certain you will want to be reading some books on these frigid winter nights, so you might as well sign up for the Book Blizzard, the adult winter reading program, to have a chance to win some cool prizes as well. Stop by the library and sign up. There will be drawings held every week through the month of February.

While you are in the library to pick up your books, be sure to look at the new display in the gallery, rosemaling by Jane Bellefy, from Shevlin. It should be up by January 9th.

For the younger set, preschool storytime is held every Friday morning at 10:30 a.m., and family fun time Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m.

Just a reminder – the library will be closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

December

December is here, after a spell of mild late November weather, and while it’s nice today as I am writing this column, things will probably have changed by the time you are reading it. According to the weather forecast, subzero temperatures are in store for next week. Nonetheless, it’s always warm and cozy at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

                The Daisy Hagen Auction for the Arts was held on Sunday, November 26, and it was an enormous success. Carrie Carlin and Sarah Steinbrenner are to be commended for the great job they did to organize the auction, which raised approximately $12,500 for the FCLAA. Auctioneer Linda Lohmeir encouraged bidders to dig deep into their pockets, and once again the Athenians provided delicious refreshments. We also need to recognize all those who donated items and everyone who bought them.  Well done!

                The other big news is a new branch manager for the library, although she is already a familiar face.  Carol Ricke, who has worked there as library assistant since last January, has taken the position vacated by April Wedin. She has lived in Fosston since September of 2016 and is married to Kevin Ricke, superintendent of the Fosston school district. Carol invites you to come check out the library.

                The book club holiday celebration will be held Tuesday, December 12, at 7 p.m. Bring a treat to share. The book for December is The Life She Wants by Robyn Carr. It’s about women, friendship, and the complex path to happiness.

                Family Fun Time continues every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. with children’s activities for all ages. Special holiday events include Christmas crafts on Dec. 13 and Christmas bingo on Dec. 20.

                As you would expect, the library will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It will be open for its regular hours Tuesday, Dec. 26, through Saturday, Dec. 30.

 

Quilt display in the gallery

November, November

November – the weather is colder, the days are shorter, and there could be snowflakes in the air. However, here are all sorts of fun events scheduled at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, so we can forget about the less than ideal weather.

The new display coming up in the Sorenson Gallery is fitting for chilly weather, as the Clearwater Quilters Guild will have a display of quilted items – small quilts, wall hangings, etc. The group, which was organized in 1999, meets at the Gonvick Community Center. Their quilts will be on display from Nov. 4 through mid-December.

On Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. there will be a special concert by award-winning tenor J. Warren Mitchell. Mitchell, who formerly taught at Bemidji State University, is a rising star in the opera world and has recently returned to the area after performing in Germany. His first CD is entitled “The Aria Album.” Admission to the concert is by free-will offering.

The 2017 Daisy Hagen Auction for the Arts is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 26. This FCLAA fund-raiser takes place every two years, with donated items ranging from baked goods, rosemaling, rugs, soaps, gift certificates, and much, much more. Linda Lohmeier will be the guest auctioneer. Bidding starts at 2 p.m. with items on display at 1 p.m. The Athenian Club will be serving refreshments. If you have questions, contact Sarah Steinbrenner at 281-431-0473 or Carrie Steinbrenner at 218-358-0430.

Also coming up at the end of the month It’s a Wonderful Life, the Musical will be performed Thursday, Nov. 30, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2, at 7 p.m. In addition, there will be a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec. 3. Based on the 1946 film, the musical follows George Bailey’s life as he discovers he has made a difference. Abby Pearson is the director with Michelle Landsverk as the music director.

As exciting as all these events are, there are still more activities at the library arts center in November. On Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 6:30 p.m. The documentary film Thanks You for Playing will be shown. When Ryan, a video game designer, learns that his son has cancer, he and his wife develop a game called “That Dragon, Cancer.” The film follows the family over a period of two years.

The November book club meeting, originally scheduled for Nov. 14, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. to avoid conflicting with the J. Warren Mitchell concert. This month’s book is Room by Emma Donoghue.

 Writers’ group is scheduled for Thursday, Nov.30. New members are always welcome – no dues, no pressure.

Just a reminder – The library will be closed on Saturday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day and on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23.

Gallery display by Mitch Hilliard

Mitch Hilliard currently has a number of beautiful photographs on display in the gallery.

October is here!

I’m not sure how it can be October already. Didn’t school just get out for the summer? What I do know is this: There are plenty of great activities scheduled this month at the Fosston Community Library Art Center.

There are three free events this month made possible by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Dream of Owls Puppet Theatre did a show at the library On Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 3:30.
On Friday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m. the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet will be performing. This group has been here before ( a few years ago). Their repertoire includes everything from Bach to Prince.  The four musicians, Joseph Hagedorn, Maja Radovanlija, Ben Kunkel and Wade Oden, are described as “ambassadors of sound, style and substance.” It should be enjoyable.
On Friday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. living history performer Arn Kind will present “Minnesota in the Great War.” Kind has been an educator for 38 years, both in the classroom and through presentations to groups of all ages. He will make the history of World War I come to life.
The library book club will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a suitable selection for the month of October. There will be coffee and some good discussion, and if you want to just listen, that’s okay.
Teens are now invited to their own book club beginning Monday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m. The book for the month is Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. There will be pizza!
Writers’ group will be meeting Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. We kicked off our season this month with a potluck supper and a presentation by Joanna Dymond on overcoming writer’s block. Even if you missed it, you are welcome to come anytime.
The youth chess club meets on Halloween (Oct. 31). They will have a special celebration although I’m not sure just what they will be doing. Maybe it will involve candy.
The used book sale will be going on the entire month of October. Books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and this year, some other items as well, will be for sale at bargain prices. The sale is set up in the basement of the library.
One sad note – Fosston Branch Manager April Wedin is leaving to take a position with the City of Fosston. We are all sorry to see her go, but wish her well in her new venture.
Hopefully by the time you read this, there will be a new display in the gallery – photographs by Mitch Hilliard from Lengby.
Lastly, here are a couple of dates to mark on your calendar: Nov. 30-Dec. 3 – Performances of “It’s a Wonderful Life – the Musical”
Sunday, Nov. 26 – The Daisy Hagen Auction for the Arts.

 

September, September

September is here and we all realize that means back to school. At the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, it means back to music lessons and several other activities as well.

The following instructors will be available for music lessons:  Scott Paavola, (guitar) - 218-556-8669 scottpaavola@gmail.com;  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, please contact an instructor directly.

Family fun time resumes on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome at these after-school activities, but children 7 and under must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver 12 or older. September’s activities include Bingo on Sept. 6, Legos on Sept. 13, games and puzzles on Sept 20, and crafts on Sept. 27.

Youth chess club (ages 10 and up)  will again meet on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. This is for beginner, novice and intermediate chess players.

After taking the summer off, the library book club will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The book is The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. There are always interesting discussions and did I mention there is coffee (usually decaf)?

There will be a movie night in the theater on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m. with the showing of the PBS documentary Iris, the story of Iris Apfel, the quick-witted 93-year-old style maven from the New York fashion scene. Not sure if there will be popcorn.

Writers’ group will be meeting on Thursday, September 28, at 7:30 p.m. If you are looking for some motivation to get that family history written down, this just might do the trick. Bring some writing to share or just show up.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month so if you don’t have a library card, come in and apply for one. They are free to residents of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library area and will give you access to thousands of books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and on-line resources. What a deal!

The last week in September is Banned Books Week so watch for a display on this. Some of the books that have been banned will surprise you.

Coming up Wednesday, October 4, at 3:30 p.m. is the Dream of Owls Puppet Theatre. Families will love this fascinating puppet show.

Remember to like the Fosston Public Library Facebook page to see more info about activities at the library.

Paintings by Arna Rennan

Paintings by Arna Rennan are currently on display at the Sorenson Gallery.

 

Let's build a robot

 

Summer reading program participants showed off their creativity when asked to build a robot from a variety of materials.

August is upon us

“I’m so glad that it’s August” is not a statement you will hear very often, at least not coming out of my mouth. The fact that summer is two-thirds over always makes me a little melancholy. Looking on the bright side, we still have a whole month of summer left and some wonderful things going on at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

Come and see the paintings of Arna Rennan currently on display at the Sorenson Gallery. Arna, who lives in Duluth, has been painting plein aire for 25 years. (I actually had to look that up to make sure I was interpreting the term correctly, but it means painting pictures outdoors.) She received training at the National Academy of Art in Oslo, Norway, and spent four months in Paris and southern France seeking out Cezanne and Van Gogh’s favorite places to paint. The winner of several plein aire competitions, she has held painting workshops at the Grand Marais Art colony.

Build a Better World, the summer reading program for children and teens, continues through the end of the month. It’s not too late to sign up and do enough reading to qualify for the big prize drawings. There are two Wednesday afternoon programs scheduled for August. On Wednesday, August 2, working in teams, kids will have a chance to build a robot from recyclable materials. The finished products will be on display at the library so stop by and see them.

On Wednesday, August 9, at 9 p.m. there will be a pool party at the Fosston Civic Center. Meet at the pool with swim suit and towel for 45 minutes of fun with the library staff. There will be snacks and door prizes. Signed permission slips are required and preschoolers must be accompanied by an adult. Nonswimmers are required to wear a life jacket. Civic center lifeguards are on duty for this event.

On Tuesday, August 29, at 6:30, Rhonda Carlin will be giving a presentation on Flower Art. Here’s your chance to learn about making beautiful decorations for your home. She did the first installment of this earlier in the summer (or spring), but even if you missed that session, you are welcome at this one.

Just a couple of reminders:

There will be no story time on August 25, and the library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, in observance of Labor Day.

July Happenings

It’s July, a great month, except for the fact that once the Fourth is over, it seems as if school will be starting within the next week or so. While summer is still here, enjoy it by taking advantage of the events going on at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

First, there is a unique display in the Sorenson Gallery. Julie Johnson, sister-in-law to FCLAA board member Barb Johnson, is co-founder of a nonprofit that sells products made by women from around the world who are trying to support their families. They make a variety of fashion accessories – jewelry, bags, etc., and some of these will be on display at during the month. Items will be available for purchase. It’s a great cause so be sure to stop by and take a look. The company is called Elevat (with a long a). You can check out their Web site at www.elevatingtheglobe.com/

The summer reading program, “Build a Better World,”  continues through the month of August so if your child hasn’t yet signed up there is still time. Everyone who completes a reading log will receive a prize and be eligible for the prize drawing at the end of the summer. Remember that there is a summer reading program for adults too – through the end of July. Read four books and you may win a prize too.

Special programs continue  on Wednesday afternoons at 2 p.m. These programs are free and open to everyone and include a door prize drawing for a DQ Treat compliments of the Fosston Dairy Queen.

 On July 12, staff from the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center, which is located in the Sand Hills near Fertile, will do a presentation entitled “Save Our Species”, telling about endangered species in Minnesota and elsewhere. Learn what would happen if they no longer existed and what you can do to help. On July 19, there will be a special visit from a Minnesota State Trooper, who will talk about being safe on the road and in our community. On July 26, a beekeeper will share what he does throughout the year, as well as what the bees do. On August 2, everyone will be given a box of recyclable materials and invited to create their own robot. The robots will be displayed in the library for everyone to admire.

One bit of bad news – the teen talent show, which I announced in last month’s column, has been cancelled.

Paintings by Ivy Bailie in the Sorenson Gallery

Paintings currently on display in the gallery

Because it's June...

It’s June and what could be better? With green leaves, flowers, warm temperatures and all sorts of enjoyable events at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, this month is a winner.

Summer means the summer reading program, which is already underway. It’s not too late to sign up for it. It’s for all ages.  Pick up a reading log, read or listen to at least four books, and you will have a chance at some very nice prizes. The theme this year is “Build a Better World.”

As part of the summer reading program, there are special programs every Wednesday at 2 p.m. There will be a door prize drawing each week for a Dairy Queen treat. On June 7, local 4-H members and adult leader Marlys Balstad will be on hand for games and projects. On June 14, there will be a kids’ singalong with Larry including songs from around the world that are filled with actions and excitement. Those in attendance on June 21 will have a chance to create their own birdhouse using a plastic bottle. Make a little house and recycle at the same time. On June 28, a park naturalist from Itasca State Park will tell about the animal builders and lead a building activity. The Kindness Rock project is coming up on July 5. Decorate a rock with a positive uplifting message and place it in a random spot in the community or give to someone in need of encouragement.

Yoga for kids led by JoAnn Papke will be held Monday, June 19, at 3 p.m. and Friday, June 23, at 1 p.m. Kids of all ages are invited to bring a yoga mat (if they have one), a water bottle, and a friend. This activity will be outdoors if the weather permits.

Fosston native Gary Vikan will be at the arts center on Monday, June 26, for a presentation on his book, Sacred and Stolen: Confessions of a Museum Director. A 1964 graduate of Fosston High School, Gary received his PhD from Princeton University. He was director the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore from 1994 to 2013 and now lectures and teaches. I’m not sure on a time for this yet so watch for more information.

The children’s theater production of “Wizard of Oz” will be performed Friday, June 23, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 24, at 2 p.m. Director is Christy Johnson.

And while we are the subject of theater, unfortunately there will be no summer theater production this year. However, there will be a teen talent show on Thursday, July 13. It will be directed by Jenny Burnside. Watch for more information.

Also, remember there is preschool storytime each Friday at 10:30 a.m.

 

 

The Fifteenth Festival of Tables

Follow the Yellow Brick Road by Mary Steinbrenner, Gloria Steinbrenner and Dorothy Killian



Build a Better World by April Wedin, LARL Fosston



Childhood Games by Lisa Rosendahl

Live the Language by Paul Peltier

The Call of the Loon by Gerry LaVoi

Faux Elegance by Grace Rue

Apple Blossom by Mary Hanson

Refined Rabbits and Wild Voluptuous Violets by Carol Danielson

Minnesota Rust by Andrea Stordahl

April Showers Bring May Flowers by Amy Mulry and Lu Newell

Heidi by Heidi and Sarah Steinbrenner

Butterflies in Bloom by Tammi Jalowiec

Elegant Entertaining by Ladies of the Lake

It's May, it's May!

As I write this on April 27, we seem to have relapsed into winter, and the landscape is looking mighty white. Hopefully by the time you read this, that should seem like a distant memory. When it’s May, it must be spring, right? At any rate, at the Fosston Library Arts Center, May always brings a veritable bouquet of opportunities.

Music, music, music! There are three recitals scheduled for your listening pleasure.  On Sunday, May 7, Orland Aspen’s vocal students will present their spring recital. The following weekend there will be two piano recitals. Molly Peltier’s students will perform on Saturday, May 13, at a time to be announced, and my students will be performing on Sunday, May 14, at 7 p.m. They will be joined by Jeff Menton’s string students. Everyone is welcome, there is no admission fee, and refreshments will be served by the FCLAA hospitality committee.

 Summer reading program! (There must be something ironic about mentioning snow and summer in the same column, but anyway…) The kick-off for the summer reading program, “Build a Better World,” will be Wednesday, May 31, at 2 p.m. with Professor Marvel’s magic show. Children and teenagers who sign up and receive a reading log have a chance to win some great prizes in addition to the pleasure of reading books. There are programs each Wednesday – on June 7 the 4-H will be featured with games and projects led by Marlys Balstad.

 And if you adults are feeling left out, you don’t need to. The Sizzlin’ Summer Reads adult summer reading program runs June 1 – July 31, so you can have a shot at some prizes all your own.

 Registration for the children’s summer theater production of “Wizard of Oz” will be Wednesday, May 10, from 5-7 p.m. at the Civic Center. Christy Johnson is the director; the cast will be composed of third to sixth graders. Signup for summer arts activities will be at the same time.

Book club meets Tuesday, May 9, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank.

The afterschool chess club will have its end of the year gathering on Tuesday, May 16, There will be a tournament and refreshments. Students ages 10 and up are welcome.

Writers’ group will meet Thursday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. Alison Opdahl will share her experiences printing a book with Createspace. If you have a laptop, bring it along and she will walk you through the process.

The student art in the Sorenson Gallery will be on display until mid-May. The new exhibit going up will be nature photographs by Mitch Hilliard of Lengby.

The library will be closed on Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day.  There will be no story time on the preceding Friday, May 26.

 

Student art in the Sorenson Gallery

April happenings

April is here – and it seems to be spring. While I don’t see anything green (except maybe the moss in my lawn), there is no snow out there, and I’ve been hearing robins for several days now. At any rate, these are good days for the Fosston Community Library Arts Association.

                In January, the FCLAA welcomed a new member to the board, Dawn Skeie Crane, CEO of Ultima Bank Minnesota. Although Dawn grew up in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Burnsville, Minnesota, she has lived in this area since 2008, first in Winger, where she was active in renovating the Depot café, and, then moving to Fosston in 2012. Her involvement in the bank dates to the 1980s when she first served on the board of directors. She did not originally set out to be a banker, majoring in chemistry in college and later owning a construction business in the Twin Cities. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys scuba diving, watercolor painting, and rescue animals, currently having two cats and two dogs. Dawn’s father, the late Arnie Skeie, was a generous supporter of the fund-raising effort for the current library, and Dawn hopes to continue his legacy with her service on the board.

                After a one-year hiatus, the Festival of Tables is back and will be held on Saturday, April 29.

This fundraiser for the FCLAA will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Fosston. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. to view the beautifully decorated tables with a luncheon served at noon. Tickets are available from Kim Wilson (435-6758), Joan Dufault (435-6986) or the Fosston Library (435-1320).

                On Wednesday, April 26, there will be a special treat at family fun time. At 3:30 author Joanna Dymond will be there to read from her book, Howling, Yowling, Growling with the Lost River Wolf Pack. After a career in public relations that took her to London, San Francisco and New York, Dymond currently lives in Bemidji, where she writes fiction and memoir.

                That same evening, at 7 p.m. she will be conducting a workshop, “Are You Ready to Self-Publish?” She will talk about basic self-publishing and some new developments. Because of this event, the writers’ group will not meet in April. Members are invited to attend this workshop instead.

                There will be a new display in the gallery scheduled to open April 12 featuring works by Sarah Steinbrenner’s art students at the Fosston High School. Always good to see what they are doing.

                Book club meets Tuesday, April 11, for a discussion of Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier.

Set in the late 1700s, one of the characters is the poet William Blake. An interesting read!

 

March is here!

February has brought the type of days one would expect in late March. What will March bring? February-type weather? Or will we proceed directly to spring? It’s anyone’s guess, but I do know that there are lots of fun activities scheduled at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.      

First of all, you may be seeing a new face at the library. Cathie Johnson of Clearbrook  ( actually she lives a mile west of Weme) has been hired as a sub. She and her husband have lived on his family farm for the last 23 years, but previously spent some time in California and in the Twin Cities. They have two grown children, a daughter in Wisconsin and a son in Grand Forks, as well as one granddaughter. She has worked at Midway Care Center as a bookkeeper and at Richards Publishing.  Cathie’s hobbies include gardening, cooking, working with stained glass, and reading. She says she is excited to be working at the Fosston Library.

Coming up this month, on Thursday, March 9, there will be a round table discussion with Dana Chase, author of In Spite of Heroin, a memoir of her family’s struggle with addiction. She will be present to sign books beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the discussion to follow at 7 p.m.

On Friday, March 10, at 10 a.m. there will be a special performance by Paulette Friday and her cast of musicians from the Alexandria area. They will present “The Recent Unpleasantness – Stories and Songs of the Civil War.” Students from the high school will be in attendance but there are a limited number of seats available to the public. Call Generations at 435-1676.

On Monday, February 20, there will be an opportunity to meet artist Jane Berg, whose paintings are currently on display at the Sorenson Gallery. Stop by any time between 5 – 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Food for Fines will be in effect during the month of March. Each non-perishable food item brought to the library will result in a $2 fine being waived. Food donated will go to the local food shelf.

There are two special Dr. Suess events this month. His birthday party will be held Thursday, March 2, at 3:30 with treats and activities. Then on Thursday, March 16, also at 3:30, children are invited to come meet Dr. Suess. No word on why he is coming that day rather than for the party.

Other events during March:

Tuesday, March 14, 7 p.m. – Book Club. The book for the month is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.

Thursday, March 23, 7:30 p.m. Writers’ Group

Wednesday, March 29, 2 p.m. Visit from Prairie Pines assisted living.

New exhibit in the Sorenson Gallery

 

Painting by Jane Berg are currently on display at the Fosston Art Center. Here are just a few of them.

 

 

February at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center

It’s February, part of the season in Minnesota known as “Still Winter.” Or perhaps, this is simply “Winter,” with “Still Winter” coming in March and April. Be that as it may, there is some exciting news at the Fosston Library – a new employee.

The new library assistant is Carol Ricke. She is new to Fosston, having moved here from Lake Park in September. Her husband Kevin is now superintendent of the Fosston school district. Her previous experience with LARL was as a volunteer at the Lake Park Link Site. Originally from Sebeka, Carol attended Bemidji State University and worked as a Title I teacher at Lake Park-Audubon for 10 years. She and her husband have two grown daughters, as well as a cat and a dog. Her hobbies are quilting, crocheting, and of course, reading. Carol thinks the Fosston Library is very nice and is looking forward to working here.

The Fosston Community Library Arts Association board also has a couple of new members, who were elected at the annual meeting in January. They are Sarah Steinbrenner and Dawn Crane. Sarah, who teaches art at the Fosston High School, has served on the board previously. Watch for some information about Dawn in next month’s column.

Officers for the coming year are Bonnie Stewart, president; Michelle Johnson, vice president; Joann Papke, secretary; and Molly Peltier, treasurer. Other board members are Orland Aspen and Barbara Johnson. Outgoing members were Jeanne Rains, Ray Miller and Becky Overmoe. We thank them.

Beginning February 15, there will be a new exhibit in the Sorenson Gallery. Paintings by Jane Berg of Mahnomen will be on display. She describes her paintings as “colorful reflections of my influences in nature and in Minnesota.”

There will be a special story time on Friday, Feb. 3, to help promote 1,000 Books before Kindergarten.  Preschool story time is held every Friday morning at 10:30.

Book Club meets Tuesday, February 14, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Bring a sweet to share and enjoy some lively discussion.

Writers’ group will meet Thursday, February 23, at 7:30 p.m.  New members are always welcome.

The Hot Reads for Cold Nights adult reading program continues through the month of February. Sign up at the library or on-line at larg.org

And one last reminder: the library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, for Presidents Day.

The Metal Men are here

Leon Bitker, also known as the Rose Man, has been making roses for years.

Jeffrey Olson from Olson Iron Works is a metal artist who uses a forge, anvil and other traditional blacksmithing tools to create ornamental metal sculpture and jewelry.

Tony Roed of Fosston describes himself as a traditional blacksmith with a modern twist.

Jerry Hobbs from New York Mills specializes in making traditional hunter/outdoorsman style of blades.

All of these metal artists have work currently on display in the Sorenson Gallery.