December doings

Once again, it is December. At the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, the musical Annie was held last weekend, and there really aren’t a lot of special events scheduled for December.

The library book club will meet Tuesday, December 11, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is Still Life with Bread Crumbs, which tells the story of a formerly world-famous photographer who moves to a small country cabin and bonds with a local man. Everyone is invited to bring some holiday treats to share.

Writers’ group will not be meeting in December, but I decided to share the poem I wrote for our November meeting.

 

Why Am I Surprised Every Time I Look Out the Window?

I look out the window and what do I see? 

A white winter landscape – how can that be?
November’s not over; it still should be fall.
I really don’t like this – no, not at all.

 I step out the door and am hit with a blast

Of nasty cold wind. The summer is past.
The streets and sidewalks are now both so icy
That walking upon them is so very dicey.

 And don’t get me started on what I must wear –

We should cover up when out in the air.
Warm scarves and mittens, boots, hats and coats –
Whatever you do, you must cover your throat.

 But I must say, the snow really is pretty,

It’s dazzling white and not yet so gritty. 
A few more days and it is December
And after winter comes spring, you remember. 

 Looking ahead to January, there will be writers’ group, so if you’re interested in joining us, you can start thinking about what you want to write. (It doesn’t have to be poetry.)

                Also in January, the Sorenson Gallery will feature the work of several area metal artists – metal sculpture, forged iron and more.

                If you are interested in serving on the FCLAA board of directors, now’s your chance. Contact Bonnie Stewart at 435-6119 if you are interested.

                The library will be closed December 24 and 25 for Christmas. It will close at 5 on New Year’s Eve and will be closed New Year’s Day.

 

In the Sorenson Gallery

 

Paintings by Ta-Coumba

 

 

And Now It's November

November is here, although we seem to have had November weather through most of October. Does that mean we will have October’s bright blue weather in November?  Probably not, but we can hope. At any rate there are some exciting events scheduled at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

The musical Annie is in rehearsal, with four performance scheduled for the end of the month. Show times are 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, and Friday, Nov. 30. On Saturday, December 1, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee and well as a 7 p.m. performance. Tickets are available at Generations Clothing, downtown Fosston.

There will be a new exhibit going up in the Sorenson Gallery with artistic works by Ta-Coumba, a Twin Cities artist, arts administrator, educator and community activist who focuses on public art and collaborative projects. His works can be found in public and private collections including those of the Walker Art Center, General Mills, and Maya Angelou. In the 1990s he visited Fosston, where he worked with local art students to create the mural depicting the history of Fosston. The mural can still be seen on the side of the building west of the stoplight on Highway 2. It will be interesting to see what he will display in a smaller space.

Book club will meet Tuesday, November 13, at 7 p.m. to discuss The Dry by Jane Harper. A small town in Australia hides big secrets. There will be coffee and goodies and some good discussion.

Adult coloring club will meet November 25, at 6:30 p.m. Coloring sheets, colored pencils and gel pens will be provided.

Also on November 25, writers’ group will meet at 7:30 p.m. If you have been meaning to jot down your memories for your family, or if you feel that you are destined to write the great American novel, coming to this group might be just the motivation you need. Bring a sample of you writing to share or just come and see what it’s all about.

The October used book sale went well, bringing in nearly $800 to be used for library programming. If you missed it, there will continue to be a smaller on-going  sale at the library.

The library will be closed on Monday, Nov. 12, in observance of Veteran’s Day. (And I know Veteran’s Day is really November 11.) It will also be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, and will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21.

October is here!

Once again October is here – often a pleasant month if we don’t think too often about what comes next. The Fosston Community Library Arts Center has plenty of activity going on this month to keep your mind off the w-word and the s-word.

Once again, the used book sale will be going on in the basement with books, magazines, DVDs and CDs. Nothing costs more than a dollar, and proceeds are used for library programing. If you need to do a little purging at home before you buy more books, donations of new and gently used items will be accepted until mid-month.

There are a couple of concerts coming up this month. On Friday, Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m., The Lacewings, an acoustic duo from Minneapolis, will perform folk music interwoven with stories of some of Minnesota’s immigrant.  On Sunday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m., Arna Rennan will perform Norwegian ballads from the Middle Ages, singing and playing the langeleik and the overtone flute. Both concerts are free, thanks to funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Book club will be meeting Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. to discuss Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. I haven’t read it yet and it suspect it might be one that I wouldn’t have read except for book club. There is always a good discussion, as well as coffee and goodies.

On Thursday, Oct. 11, Fosston’s Fall Art Crawl will take place from 3-7 p.m. at various sites. The event will conclude with a reception at the Sorenson Gallery at 7 for all artists and the public.

Writers’ group will meet Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. New members are always welcome with or without a sample of writing to share.

Coloring club meets Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 6:30 p.m. Coloring sheets, colored pencils and gel pens are provided.

Family Fun time is scheduled for Wednesdays and 3:30 p.m. There will be games, puzzles, crafts, movies and more. (No Family Fun Time on Oct. 1 or Oct. 17.

Just a couple more things:

The winner of the tent for the summer reading experience was Quinten Lundell.

Also, the library will be closed on Monday, Oct. 8, for Staff Training.

Lynette Ross photography

September Days

The days may grow short when we reach September, but at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, those short days are packed with plenty of activity.

School is starting, and music lesson will be resuming at the arts center. There will be an additional piano instructor this year. D’wana Carroll will be available with lessons for beginners and intermediate students. D’wana, who lives in Erskine, has played piano since she was five and has given lessons in a variety of places, most recently the Win-E-Mac school. She is a graduate of North Central University in Minneapolis with a B.S. degree in music and religious education. Her phone number is : 612-670-4522; email: dwana.carroll@gmail.com  Other instructors available for lessons are Jeff Menten, (violin, viola, cello, mandolin, upright bass and guitar)  218-255-0087 or jeffmentenmusic@hotmail.com; Kay Carlsen (piano) - aagekay@gvtel.com or 435-6710; and  Molly Peltier (piano and flute) mkcrane@gmail.com or 435-1200.

If you are interested in lessons for your child or for yourself, there will be an open house on Sunday, September 9, 3-5 p.m. Come and meet the instructors, sign up for lessons and enjoy some refreshments. If you can’t make the open house, feel free to contact the instructors directly.

The photography of Lynette Ross is currently on display at the Sorenson Gallery. There will be an artist’s reception for Lynette on Thursday, September 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Potter Tom Daly of Bemidji will be having an exhibit in the gallery beginning Sept. 24. Daly came to Bemidji from Rochester in the mid-80s to study art at BSU. He teaches pottery at the Headwaters School of Music and the Arts.

On Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. there will be a special program at the library entitled “A Minnesota Love Story.” Come hear how two teenagers, parted during the 50s because of an unplanned pregnancy, reconnected years later and how they found their long-lost birth daughter.

September also brings the resumption of book club on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. The book is Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. It’s the story of two families changed by a heartbreaking injustice.

Writers’ group will meet on Tuesday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m. If you haven’t been there, don’t be intimidated. Feel free to visit and see what goes on, and if you wish to share a sample of your writing, that’s okay too. That same evening at 6:30, the adult coloring group will meet so perhaps you want to check that out and then stay for writers’ group.
Family Fun Time will resume in September with Legos, bingo, puzzles, games and crafts. Children under the age of seven must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver age 12 or older

Art of Ric Sorenson and Fosston High School Alumni

Painting by Valerie Heide Martine, Class of 79

Work by Ric Sorenson

Work by Ric Sorenson

July starts with a bang!

July starts with a bang this year, with the Fourth of July followed by Fosston’s all-school reunion. The Sorenson Gallery at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center will be featuring works by long-time Fosston art teacher Ric Sorenson this month, and hopefully works by some Fosston High School Alumni as well. If you are in Fosston for the reunion, be sure to stop by the art center while you’re here.

Later in the month, July 27-29, area children will present “Shrek the Musical JR,” Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that to ultimately succeed, Shrek must battle an even bigger obstacle: learning how to believe in himself and open his heart to others. Watch for ticket information. It should be a fun performance.

Special programs in conjunction with Explore Summer Library Experience continue through July, although there will be no program on July 4, as the library will be closed. However, look for these fun events each Wednesday at 2 p.m.:

 Learn about Minnesota on July 11 with stories about our state and a chance to play Minnesota Bingo.

Explore Dance on July 16. Dance with Angie as she teaches a few moves. Enjoy the music and have fun while you exercise.

Explore Camping with the Boy Scouts on July 25. Boy Scouts will demonstrate knots, campfire building, and other camping related activities.

Summer Library Experience Finale will be held August 1 with a water balloon fest and a chance to make your own sundae.

Children are reminded to turn in their reading logs to be eligible to win the tent that is set up at the library. For more information, contact your librarian.

Remember, adults can also participate in the Summer Reading Experience. I don’t think they can win the tent, but there are prizes for them too. There is still time to read four books or complete three other challenges.

June, June, June

 

June is here. James Russell Lowell called it the “high tide of the year,” and said, “then if ever come perfect days.”  Those perfect days will be the perfect time to enjoy some of the great activities at the Fosston Community Library Arts Association.

Explore, the Summer Library Experience, has begun so if you haven’t already done so, pick up a challenge form at the library. Remember, this summer program is for all ages, from prereaders on up (and up and up). There is no upper age limit. Read books or complete other reading challenges (for example, recommend a book to a friend) and you will have a chance to win a prize.
As part of the SLE, there will be special programs at the library

each Wednesday at 2 p.m. beginning June 6 with Don Carey, an NDSU entomologist, also known as the Bug Man. Other programs during June include Explore Outdoor Cooking in a Bag (tacos, s’mores, and ice cream) with Cheryl Winkelman on June 13, What Goes Bump in the Night (bats and birds) by the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center on June 20 and Explore Minnesota’s State Bird (the loon) with a naturalist from Itasca State Park on June 27.

On Saturday, June 23, Minnesota author Lorna Landvik will be here in Fosston to discuss her book Oh My Stars that is currently being made into a short film. Filmmaker Cynthia Ulrich will be joining her. Landvik is the author of 10 novels, including Patty Jane’s House of Curl, Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, and The Tall Pine Polka. She is also an entertainer, doing a show called “Party in the Rec Room,” once a year at the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater in Minneapolis. This event begins at 6 p.m. with a meal. Tickets are required. Contact Bonnie Stewart (435-6119) for more information.  I’m sure it will be an entertaining presentation.
The FCLAA’s summer arts program also begins the month with more than 50 children registered to take part in several arts activities.
Adult coloring is scheduled for Tuesday, June 26, at 6:30 a.m. All materials are provided.
Coming up in July will be the children’s summer theater production

of “Shrek, the Musical” on July 27 & 28.

May is here!

May is here, so May flowers should be coming. The March winds seemed to come at the end of April however, and there weren’t many April showers so maybe by June, there should be some flowers. However, at the Fosston Library Arts Center, there will be several exciting events.

May at the Arts Center means music, and once again there will be a piano and string recital on Sunday, May 13, at 7 p.m. My piano students, along with Jeff Menton’s string students, will do their best to entertain you, and there will be refreshments. Jeff and I will perform a number, too – after all, if the kids have play in public, it’s only fair that the teachers do the same. Molly Peltier’s piano students will be also having a recital some time later in the month, but the date is yet to be announced.

There will be a new exhibit coming up in the gallery sometime midmonth. Ryan Gast of Erskine will display his fishing decoys carved from cedar with copper fins. From pictures I’ve seen they are amazing works of art. In addition, there will be woodcarvings by Joe Wavra. They are amazing, too.

Book club is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. There are always refreshments and some good discussion.

Writers’ group will meet Tuesday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m., then will probably be taking the summer off. New members are always welcome.

Other recurring events for adults include quilters and crafters group on Monday, May 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and adult coloring club at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22. Come for coloring – stay for writers’ group.

Coming up in June will be the summer reading program, now rebranded as the “Summer Library Experience.” The theme this year is “Explore.” No longer just for kids, this is for all ages, pre-K through adults. There will be bags to decorate and prizes at the end of the summer, as well as programs every Wednesday. The first one is on June 6 at 2 p.m. with the Bug Man (aka Don Carey, an NDSU entomologist).

One last reminder – the library will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.

FESTIVAL OF TABLES - April 21, 2018

Birds and Blossoms by Mary Hanson, assisted by Joan Dufault



The Garden in the Meadow by Carrie Danielson, Meg Fredrickson and Katrina Burslie

Nordic Cherubs under the Oaks by Carol Danielson

Beach, please! by Sofia Rue and Reese Wedin



Friends, Family, April Showers Bring May Flowers by Nord's Pharmacy and Gifts (assisted by Marilyn Brantsner)

Friendship Shared by Gerry LaVoi and Kathryn Carver

Succulent Southwest - Hot Hot Hot! by Paul Peltier

Felix, the Unicorn by Allison Carlin and Heidi Steinbrenner

Up-Cycled Barn by Lisa Rosendahl

Beauty for Ashes Nepal by Jennifer and Bonnie Albright

Fosston: Where the Prairie Meets the Pines by Amy and Mike Mulry



Explore! by Jean Moan, Fosston Public Library

The Blueberry Patch by Connie Bowman and Tammi Jaloweic



Country Life by Dorothy Killian, Gloria Steinbrenner and Mary Steinbrenner



A Day at the Beach by the Ladies of the Lake

 

 

 

Sorenson Gallery

 Lisa Mathieson and Mike McColl are both exhibiting in the Sorenson Gallery

 

 

It is April

April is here. There may or may not be April rain showers in our future, but I know there will be a veritable shower of enjoyable events at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

Violinist Jeff Menten and guitarist Paul Nye will be performing on Sunday, April 22, at 3 p.m. Menten, who offers lessons on stringed instruments here at the art center as well as at several other locations, and Nye, who has released six recordings of original music, offer a blend of modern and old-time classics and Celtic tunes with ragtime and blues.  It should be an enjoyable afternoon, and did I mention there will be desserts?

There will also be desserts at the 16^th Festival of Tables, as well as chicken salad, fresh fruit and croissants. The special fund-raiser for the FCLAA will be held Saturday, April 21^st beginning at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Fosston. There will be 15 creatively decorated tables, lots of door prizes and two raffle items. Tickets are available at Mireault’s Home Furnishings or from Kim Wilson and Joan Dufault. Get those tickets early as this event usually sells out.

An exhibit of ceramic and porcelain objects by artist Lisa Mathieson of St. Paul will be going up in the gallery April 9.  There will be a meet-the-artist reception for her on Monday, April 9, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in trying your hand at making some art objects of your own, Lisa will be offering a class on Friday, April 6. Registration is available on-line at fclaa.org, a website that is a good place to go for more information on any of these events.

Eric Bergeson will be at the arts center on Friday, April 13, at 7 p.m. for a presentation on his book, A
Treasury of Old Souls. If you have heard him speak, you’ll want to come, and if you haven’t, trust me, you should.

National Library Week is April 8-14, and to celebrate, the Fosston Library will be having an open house on Tuesday, April 10, from 3 to 6 p.m. Coffee and treats will be available, and local author Erin Green will be on hand to sign her books Faelore and Shadow of Dreams. At 7 p.m. that same evening, the book club will meet to discuss The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis.

Other events in April include:

-          An Art Walk artist reception on Thursday, April 19, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. There will be a student exhibit in the upper gallery.

-          Music and storytelling with Siama and Dallas on Tuesday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. Held in conjunction with 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, this program features Congolese musician Siama Matuzungidi and singer Dallas Johnson performing a variety of African-inspired music.

-          Writers’ group will meet that same evening at 7:30 p.m.

-          Organic gardening by Jan Moan at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 3

 

In the Sorenson Gallery

Abstract paintings by Jason Steinbrenner are currently on display in the gallery. There will be a reception for Jason on Monday, March 19. Meet the artist and view the paintings.

March is here!

March – we think of March winds, March blizzards, and hopefully, the beginning of spring. Whatever the weather, there are good things going on at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

In the Sorenson Gallery, Jason Steinbrenner’s colorful abstract acrylic paintings are now on display. While Jason doesn’t have much formal training in art, unless one counts junior high art classes, he’s been “playing with the paint” on and off for about 20 years, and the results are enjoyable to view.  He also has some paintings on display at the 13 Towns office.

Jason is a Fosston native and has lived here nearly his whole life, except for a couple of years in Mahnomen and his college years at the University of Minnesota – Morris, where he majored in statistics. He decided that while numbers were okay, he really preferred working with people. His day jobs were at REM for several years and currently at Essentia Health in registration. Watch for information about a meet-the- artist reception, or if you can’t make that, be sure you stop by and view his paintings.

If you missed the quilters and crafters group held Monday, March 5, you’ll have a chance to attend next month. On the first Monday of each month, bring your projects, snacks and beverages. Tables and extension cords are provided.

Book Club meets Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline. Next month we will be reading The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis. Join us for some interesting discussion, coffee and goodies.   

1,000 Books before Kindergarten special storytime will be held Tuesday, March 20, at 6:30.  For more information about the program, go to larl.org/1000books.

Writers’ group will meet Tuesday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join us. Come see what it’s all about.

If writing isn’t your thing, how about coloring? Adult coloring club will be meeting the fourth Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. (March 27 this time). The library will provide coloring sheets and colored pencils.

 Did you know there are some books in the library you don’t need to check out to take home and read? Look for the paperback read and return section. You can ask the librarian where it is. Just grab a book from those shelves and bring it back at your leisure – no worries about due dates.

Coming up in April:

Concert by Paul Nye and Jeff Menton (guitar and violin) – Sunday, April 22 – 3 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

February - good news, bad news

It’s February, and any rodent shadows or lack thereof notwithstanding, that must mean we are on the downward slide of winter. However, it’s not over yet, and at the Fosston Library, the Book Blizzard continues through this month. If you haven’t signed up for this adult reading program, there is still time. Read four books or complete two other challenges, and you may win a prize.

Let’s get the unwelcome news out of the way first. Because of a budget shortfall, library hours are going to be cut slightly.  The library will no longer be open until 8 on Thursday evenings, but will close at 6. Also, Saturday hours will be 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., so if you show up at 10, the doors will be locked. Staff hours have also been cut somewhat, specifically by eliminating a 12-hour assistant position, so there will not always be two people available to help you when you come into the library. Nobody has lost their job, as this position was currently unfilled. However, those hours have been covered by subs so you will see a reduction in staffing.

On a more positive note, Jane Bellify’s rosemaling exhibit will be at the Sorenson Gallery through February 14. Jason Steinbrenner’s abstract acrylic paintings will be going up Feb. 17 to be on display through March.

At its annual meeting in January, the Fosston Community Library Arts Association welcome Jason Steinbrenner to its board of directors and accepted the resignation of Michelle Johnson. Hopefully, I can tell you a little bit more about Jason next month. Also, the board is looking for volunteers to serve on the various committees. Check out opportunities at www.fclaa.org

Books club will meet Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m with coffee and most likely some treats. This month’s book is The Book Thief by  Markus Zusak. It’s an interesting read, and it should generate some lively discussion.

Because of the cut in library hours, writers’ group will be moving to Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. February’s meeting will be on the 20^th.

Watch for new activities coming up in March. The first Monday of each month, starting March 5, will be quilting/crafting day in the gallery. Come any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and bring your own project. Maybe knitting or crocheting would be good. Here’s a chance to socialize while you work.

Also coming up in March there will be a special storytime in connection with the 1000 Books before Kindergarten program as well as an adult coloring activity. Watch for more information next month.

One final note – the library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19, for Presidents Day.

Currently in the Sorenson Gallery

Rosemaling by Jane Bellefy