My apology

Nothing like catching up. While I usually post my monthly newspaper column to this blog shortly after it's been written, I realized this morning that I hadn't done so at all in 2022, If any one is interested, here they are in one fell swoop.

September - can it be here already?

September is here, and the changing season will bring shorter days, colorful leaves, and cooler temperatures. School is back in session and activities at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center are resuming too. Music lessons will continue to be available starting mid-month, or, for guitar and string lessons, beginning in October. Jeff Menten will continue to offer lessons on violin, viola, cello, guitar, and mandolin. If you are interested, contact him at 218-255-0087. I will continue to offer piano lessons. My contact information is 218-435-6710 (home phone), 218-289-3968 (cell), or aagekay@gvtel.com (e-mail). On-line lessons are also available. The display in the Sorensen Gallery for the month of September will be the juried art show. Stop by during library hours and see what is offered. Storytime for preschoolers resumes this month and will be offered every Friday at 10:30 a.m. Storytime introduces young children to books, reading and language with stories, songs, and activities. For the older kids (five and up), there will be Bingo on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. on September 7. There are prizes so this is always a popular activity. On Wednesday, Oct. 5, there will be a crafternoon from 1-3 p.m. giving the same age group the opportunity to make a free craft. Not sure what it will be, but it should be fun. There must be an early out from school that day. The library book club resumes its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7;00 p.m. This month’s book is The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. Set in Kentucky in the 1930’s, the book is inspired by the blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the Kentucky Pack Horse library service of the 1930s. There is always interesting discussion as well as treats. Everyone is welcome. Stop by the library for a copy of the book or call 218-435-1320. The Red Shoes writers’ retreat, held August 25-27, was a huge success, bringing participants from far and near, who were quite impressed with Fosston. Next event sponsored by the FCLAA will be a concert on Oct. 8 by singer/songwriter Sarah Morris. Tickets will go on sale Sept. 6.

It's that last month of summer

August is here – the last month of summer. We have escaped most of the excessive heat much of the country has suffered through, and these last days of July have been cool and kind of fall like. However, given our changeable weather, it might be 90 degrees again when you are reading this. Whatever the weather, exciting events sponsored by the Fosston Community Library Arts Association continue. The No Rest for the Pickers concert that rained out on July 14 has been rescheduled for Thursday, Aug. 4. Playing fiddle, bass, banjo, mandolin, and guitar, this group should be fun to hear. The free concert will take place at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Center Park. During August, the Sorensen Gallery will feature the Fosston Youth Art students. More than eighty young people participated in the program. Be sure to take a look when you are at the library. (Or come to see the display and then check out a book while you are there.) The Red Shoes Writers’ Retreat will be held August 25-27. Postponed from April, the event will feature five authors sharing their expertise through panel discussions, workshops, and programs. The Friday evening dinner is open to the public with entertainment by Elisa Korene. Proceeds from the tickets will go to FCLAA programing Tickets for the dinner are available online or by calling Bonnie Stewart at 218-280-9176. At the library, the summer library experience is over, with prizes to awarded this first week of August. Thanks to Nord’s and to Fosston Family Dental for their sponsorship. After a busy summer, the library will be quieter during August. There will be no storytime but it will resume in August. Thanks to the FCLAA for donating carpet squares to be used for storytime and for the donation of a Cricut (look it up.) Looking ahead to September, the library book club will resume with the book The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Michelle Richardson. New members are always welcome. Contract the library for more information. And did I mention there are also treats? Also, remember that the library will be closed on Monday, September 5, in observance of Labor Day.

Summertime

It’s July, “and the livin’ is easy,” because if it isn’t summertime now in the north country, it’s never coming. There are plenty of summertime activities at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center (although some of them are off-site). The summer Thursday night Music on the Porch concert series is sponsored by the FCLAA, but it takes place at Melland Park on the porch and lawn of the Heritage Center. All concerts are on Thursday evenings at 7 with free admission. I’ve been to the first two and the weather has cooperated. Coming up are four more concerts: July 7 – Sydney Melby will be performing 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s folk and rock music. July 14 – No Rest for the Pickers is made up of Sawyer Corcoran on fiddle, Johnny Pfaff on bass, Aiden Larson on mandolin, Joel Verschay on guitar and Corey Compbell on banjo. July 21 – Caleigh, an all-woman ensemble consisting of Dee Furfano, Lenore Siems, Deb Steinbar and April Lawson, all from Bemidji, have been playing Celtic music together since 1998. July 28 – The Occasionals, a rotating selection of Bemidji-based musicians will play tunes from many genres. They are a spinoff group of The Seasonals. Starting mid-July, there will be a display of Summer Youth Art in the Sorensen Gallery. With some cleaning, decluttering and painting (a really blue floor), space in the library basement has been transformed into a space for the summer art classes taught by Kirby Vossler. Stop by take a look. “Frozen, Jr.” directed by Abby Pearson was a huge success. With a cast of thousands (well, 40 or so) and sellout audiences, I think everyone had a good time. I certainly enjoyed watching it. The summer reading experience, “Explore! Underwater” continues at the library through the month of July so there is still time to pick up a reading log and qualify for the chances at some great prizes. There will be two more special programs: On Wednesday July 13, at 2 p.m. a naturalist from Itasca State Park will present “Underwater Exploration – Fish Sense. Apparently, fish have a special sixth sense. Who knew? On Friday, July 22, at 2 p.m. as the grand finale of the summer reading experience, there will be a pool party at the Fosston Civic Center. Participants are asked to come directly to the civic center for an hour of free swimming. Children under eight should be accompanied by an adult.

Perfect days in June

As the poet James Russel Lowell once said, “What is so rare as a day in June? Then if ever come perfect days.” After a long cold winter and a long cold spring, we are all ready for some perfect days. As a bonus to those perfect days, there are some perfect events scheduled at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center. The Fosston Library writers’ group has not met since before the pandemic. It’s coming back, with a reunion meeting on Tuesday, June 7, 6:30-8 pm. Participants are asked to bring something they have written to share or are welcome to just come and listen. New members are always welcome. “Explore! Underwater,” the summer library experience, will run from June 1 to July 31. Readers are invited to pick up a reading log and track their reading to be eligible for some great prizes. In conjunction with the summer reading program, there will be several free programs, the first one on Wednesday, June 8, at 2 p.m. Staff from the Bemidji Headwaters Science center will be at the library to present Animal Menagerie. Come learn about animals’ habitats, adaptations, defenses and more. On Wednesday, June 15, also at 2 p.m., there will be a watch party for a drawing class with cartoonist Rick Stromoski livestreamed at the library. Drawing materials will be provided. Then on Tuesday, June 21, at 10:30 a.m., Siama & Dallas will present an interactive music and storytelling experience. Come and hear music from Africa and traditional African instruments like Balafon and Mbira (I have no idea what they are.) This program should be ideal for young children and their families. The FCLAA is again sponsoring the “Music on the Porch” summer concert series at the Heritage Center grounds in Melland Park. The series will run each Thursday for six weeks and all concerts are free. The first concert, featuring Jeff Menten and Paul Nye (Acoustofiddle) will be June 23 at 7 p.m. What a great way to spend on summer evening! Rehearsals are underway for “Frozen, Jr.”, this year’s summer theater performance. Forty children are in the production, which is directed by Abby Pearson. Dates are June 28 through June 1. Tickets will soon be available at Nord’s Pharmacy and Gifts. If you haven’t yet seen the Nordic Threads exhibit in the Sorenson Gallery, it’s not too late, as it will be there through the month of June. Come and enjoy the Norwegian bunads, Swedish folk costume, Hardanger embroidery, and Norwegian klokkestrenge. The gallery is open during library hours.

May at the art Center

May is here! Dare we hope that the long winter is finally over? It seems as if everyone I know is more than ready for spring. At the Fosston Community Library Art Center, there will be several great events and displays to help you welcome the season (or to take your mind off the weather, if that’s necessary.) After a couple years, May brings music, specifically a piano recital on Sunday, May 8, at 3 p.m. My students will be putting forth their best efforts to perform in public, some of them for the first time. Anyone is welcome, and there will be refreshments. The Sorenson Gallery will be featuring an exhibit appropriate for the month (Syttende Mai, you know). Sponsored by the East Polk Heritage Center, “Nordic Threads” will showcase bunads, the traditional costume of Norway. There will be other Norwegian textiles in the display, which will run through June. On Thursday, May 5, students in grades three through 12 can try out for the upcoming summer theater production of “Frozen, Jr.” by singing a song from “Frozen.” Tryout times are 3:30 and 6 p.m. The production will be June 29-July 1. After two weather-related postponements, author/illustrator Chris Monroe will finally be appearing at the Magelssen Elementary School and at the Fosston Library. She has written and illustrated 10 picture books, including the Monkey with a Tool Belt series. Her presentation at the library is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with a light brown-bag supper served at 6. There is no charge, but if you want to eat, let the library know in advance. Hopefully, the third time is the charm and there won’t be a blizzard. On Thursday, May 5, author Eric Dregni will be appearing at the library at 4 p.m. Dregni, a professor of English, journalism, and Italian at Concordia St. Paul, has authored 19 books, including In Cod We Trust, For Love of Cod, and Vikings in the Attic.He will discuss his time in Norway and talk about the writing process. The library book club will meet Tuesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. to discuss the Book of Lost Names by Kristen Harmel. There will be coffee and goodies as well as some good conversation. Beginning in June (and surely winter will be over by then), the 2022 summer library experience, Explore! Underwater, will begin. Readers of all ages are invited keep track of their reading to have the chance to win some great prizes. Special thanks go to sponsors, Fosston Family Dental and Nord’s Pharmacy. Watch for information about special programs throughout the summer.

April in Paris? Maybe in Fosston

April in Paris? How about April in Fosston, more specifically at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center? As I’ve never been to Paris, I think it would be better if I write about things going on closer to home. Coming up soon (Friday & Saturday, April 8 and 9) is the FCLAA’s second Mystery Dinner Theater. “Great Gatsby! It’s Murder” is directed by Abby Pearson and will be held at Ventures. It may be sold out by now but check at Nord’s Drug for ticket availability. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with the dinner and performance at 7. The play is set in the Roaring 20’s, and if you wish to dress in your best 1920’s costume, go for it. The production is recommended for ages 18 and over. On April 21-23, a weekend writing retreat will be held featuring five Minnesota authors, Marcie Rendon, Erin Soderberg Downing, Eric Bergeson Kim Hruba, and Elisa Korenne. Cosponsored by the FCLAA and Red Shoes Writing of Warroad, the event features panel presentations, workshops, one-and-one consultations and a dinner on Friday evening that will be open to the public. Featured speaker at the dinner will be Elisa Korenne who will share her experiences of moving from New York City to small town Minnesota. To register for the retreat go to www.redshoeswriting.com. On Friday, April 8, at 10 a.m. children three and up are invited to the library for Lalo’s Lunchbox, a comedy and sing-along show. Join Lalo and his friends as they handle unpredictable food erupting out of Lalo’s Lunchbox. The Fosston Library book club will meet Tuesday, April 12. The book for the month is The Guest List by Lucy Foley. I haven’t read it yet, but I promise to have done so by the 12th. Here’s what the book jacket has to say: “An exclusive wedding on a remote Irish island – the bride – the plus-one – the best man – the wedding planner – the bridesmaid. All have a secret. All have a motive. But only one is a murderer.” Sounds pretty exciting. The FCLAA has updated its logo and website. Check it out at www.fclaa.org. If you haven’t renewed your membership or would like to join for the first time, here’s your chance.

FEBRUARY or maybe FEBRRRARY

January may be over, but February is coming in with some of the coldest temperatures of the winter. Hopefully, there are warmer days ahead. Despite the cold, the Fosston Community Library Arts Association keeps on trucking. At its annual meeting, the following officers were elected: President – Sarah Steinbrenner; Vice President – Barbara Johnson; Secretary – JoAnn Papke; and Treasurer – Maggie Stewart. Other members of the board are Abby Pearson, Jason Steinbrenner, and Kate Moore. Outgoing members are Molly Peltier and Dawn Skeie-Crane. New board member is Kirby Vossler, who has a graphic design and art business called Vossler Design. You have probably seen the Fosston mural just past the theater on Highway 2. It’s a great example of her work. Kirby and her husband Jacob, who is a physical therapist at Essentia, have lived in Fosston for seven years. They have three children, ages five, seven and nine. Kirby grew up in Grand Forks and went to college at Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she earned a teaching degree and was active in track and field. Her husband is currently coaching that sport here in Fosston and she helps with that too. In addition, Kirby is active in her church, Kingo Lutheran, working with the Sunday school and serving on the Christian Ed board. Looking forward to her time on the FCLAA board, Kirby hopes to help create opportunities for others to be involved in creating art. The Northwest MN Traveling Art Exhibit will be on display at the Sorenson Gallery through Feb. 16. It includes works by local artists Heidi Danos and Cindy Kolling. If you haven’t seen it yet, get on over to the library and take a look. On Friday, February 11, at 7 p.m., the Fosston Library will host an informational presentation by Discovery Channel consultant and author Jeffrey M. Olson, who will share tips for preparing for a “grid down” situation, which could include severe weather, unforeseen events and disruptions of goods and services. Admission is free And one more thing: The library will be closed on Monday, February 21, in observance of Presidents’ Day.